Triple Group 1-winning Savabeel mare confirmed for Inglis Chairman’s

Three-time Group 1 winner Provence (Savabeel) is the latest star attraction confirmed for the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.

Bred and owned by Tony Rider, the Stephen Marsh-trained Provence has won seven times and placed on a further three occasions and earned NZ$1,168,240 to date.

Provence’s tally of three Gtoup 1 wins is bettered only by the mighty Probabeel amongst daughters of champion sire Savabeel.

Her first Group 1 victory came in the Thorndon Mile last year, before backing that performance up with another Group 1 just eight weeks later in the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Ellerslie.

She then added the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes before running 3rd, beaten less than a length, in the Gr.1 Otaki Maori Classic last month.

In a decorated career so far, Provence has defeated some of New Zealand’s best horses, including Group 1 winners Legarto, Orchestral, Sharp ‘n’ Smart, Campionessa, Pier, Aegon, Belclare, Waitak, La Crique, One Bold Cat, Ladies Man, Jaarffi, Puntura, El Vencedor, etc.

Provence will have one more start prior to The Chairman’s Sale, where she will attempt to defend her crown in the Gr.1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes in a fortnight.

Rider described Provence as “an absolute stunner’’.

“People will understand what I mean when they see her at Riverside in May, but she is the most magnificent looking mare, an unbelievable type, an absolute stunner,’’ Rider said.

“Each of her Group 1 wins has come over the mile, and we tried her over 2000m last start at Group 1 level, but she just wants it a bit shorter; her turn of foot over the 1400m-1600m is so explosive.”

“Her temperament is fantastic, she’s such a calm and relaxed mare and Stephen Marsh talks very highly of her and says she’s one of the best mares he’s ever trained. She’s a great looker with a proper conformation, I have no doubt she will make the most beautiful broodmare, but I also believe she has plenty more racing in her as well.’’