Savabeel colt star of the show

A stunning Waikato Stud-bred son of Savabeel was the headline act at Te Rapa today when he topped the opening session of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale.

The colt was offered by the Matamata farm through Jamie Beatson’s Ohukia Lodge draft and Lot 107’s popularity was understandable as he ticked all the pre-auction boxes and sold to Te Akau’s David Ellis for $640,000.

The colt offered the desired mix of good looks, a deep pedigree and he had also showed his style when he breezed up in a comfortable 11.44 seconds on a heavy track.

“He is from a lovely family, from a great farm, and we are pretty excited to have him in the stable,” Ellis said.

“I think he is a 1600 metre to 2000 metre colt that we want to have a good crack at winning some nice staying races. He is the sort of horse that you have got to buy to win those races.

“He is a Savabeel-O’Reilly cross that has been so successful and he goes back to a Redoute’s Choice mare. It is a great family that we have had a lot of success with too.

“We are really rapt to have him in the stable for our owners.”

A brother to the Listed winner and G1 New Zealand Derby runner-up Milford, the colt is a son of the O’Reilly mare Etiquette and she is a sister to the late Sacred Falls, a four-time Group 1 winner and successful sire.

The pedigree page also features the Group winners Splashing Out, Splurge, Shopaholic and Packing Pins and the G1 Australian Oaks placegetter Bargain.

“It’s always exciting to sell Savabeels as everybody wants them,” Beatson said.

Another popular Savabeel 2-year-old was Lot 83, who was sold to agent Phill Cataldo for $200,000 after breezing up in 10.59s.

The gelding is a brother to the winners Lavita Vishvi and Dannevirke Lad with their dam the Pins mare Daisy Chain, who is a sister by Pins to the multiple winner and stakes performer Snowdrop.

Daisy Chain is a daughter of the three-time Group 1 winner Daffodil with Aegon and Good Faith also top-flight winners from the family.

The Savabeel gelding out of the Listed Anniversary H. winner Glad will head to Victoria after trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young snapped him up for $70,000.

Lot 129 breezed up in 10.60s and taking pride of place on his pedigree page is the undefeated multiple Group 1 winner Black Caviar.