Champion qualities to fore once again

Savabeel’s undiminishing popularity continued through Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

Progeny of Waikato Stud’s multiple champion stallion were top end targets for a strong domestic and international bench and on Day Three it was a colt from a potent family that led the way for the Matamata farm.

Lot 610 was chased by a number of buyers and when the hammer fell at $340,000 it was in favour of Auckland operation Flag Bloodstock.

The youngster is out of the O’Reilly mare Bingo and the immediate family of homebred multiple top-flight winners Daffodil and Atishu as well as G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Aegon.

The latest addition to the pedigree page is the outstanding Savabeel filly Orchestral, who won the Karaka Millions 3YO Classic.

Ardrossan has made a lightning start to his stallion career and the demand for Waikato Stud’s son of Redoute’s Choice’s progeny progressed through Book 1.

Lot 525 was a particularly popular individual with several respected judges chasing the filly before Victorian trainer Grahame Begg and Rohan Hughes had the last laugh at $290,000.

She is a half-sister to the Listed Rotorua Cup winner Poser with their dam the Pins mare Wannabe. Ardrossan has sired 12 winners from less than 30 representatives with Saltcoats, Codigo, Loch Katrine and Beau Dazzler all successful at stakes level.

Ardrossan’s young associate stallion Super Seth also enjoyed an outstanding time at Karaka and his daughter, Lot 645, is another quality example and sold accordingly for $280,000 to leading Victorian trainer Peter Moody.

Her dam is the Savabeel mare Cheex, whose two foals to race have both been successful, and she is a half-sister to the Listed Wellesley Stakes winner Maritimo.

Waikato Stud also raced another smart member of this family, O’Reilly’s daughter Dating who won the G3 Desert Gold Stakes and the G3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes.