3 minute read

Bloodstock agent Duncan Ramage has many good reasons to return to New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Sales complex for the 2019 edition of the annual National Yearling Sale series next week.

Ramage has been coming to Karaka since the early 1990s and uses a simple philosophy in his buying process.

“As always, we hope to find the individuals that develop and mature into the fast race horses,” he said. “If you do your homework, have a good look and be creative in your thoughts, they are there.”

Ramage will arrive four days out from the opening sale session to cast his eye over a wide array of individuals he has ear-marked in the Book 1 catalogue.

“We used to do all the parades leading into the sale for years but I found it is better judging them all within a few days rather than having an impression of one from weeks ago.”

Ramage fondly remembers one of his first forays to Karaka back in 1994 when he returned home with an upstanding Kaapstad youngster.

He raced as Catalan Opening and went on to win twice at Group One level in Australia while also capturing the prestigious Hong Kong Bowl at Sha Tin.

Since then Ramage has never missed the National Yearling Sale at Karaka and has become one of its most successful buyers, his most notable purchases including international star So You Think and G1 winners Norzita and Precedence.

All raced in the unmistakeable racing colours of leviathan owner Dato Tan Chin Nam and were trained by the great Bart Cummings.

Ramage sourced horses for the wealthy Malaysian entrepreneur over many decades and that will continue even after his passing in October last year.

“I bought Catalan Opening for Dato Tan Chin Nam in one of my first sales at Karaka,” Ramage said.

“We had many great years buying for him. With Dato’s passing his horses now race under the Think Big Stud banner, which is a company.

“That company has a budget to continue racing although it probably won’t race in the expansive nature as he once did, but we will be more selective with a smaller pool of horses going forward.”

Ramage will also be acting for other clients at Karaka.