Daffodil continuing to make an impact

Daffodil was a pin up girl during her racing days for Waikato Stud and the last week has underlined her success in a broodmare role.

The daughter of No Excuse Needed won eight races, including the Australian Oaks, New Zealand 1000 Guineas and the Windsor Park Challenge Plate at Group 1 level, and at stud she has also shone.

Her gifted daughter Grand De Flora went within a whisker of winning the G2 Sunline S. at Moonee Valley on Friday evening and at Pukekohe this afternoon her grand-daughter Lavita Vishvi broke her maiden in fine style for local trainer Nigel Tiley.

Daffodil is also the dam of the multiple winner and stakes placegetter Snowdrop and the five-time winner and Group performer Grand Bouquet.

The lightly-raced Savabeel filly Lavita Vishvi was offered at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale and the daughter of Daisy Chain (Pins) was purchased by the N & P Balia Trust for $340,000.

Daisy Chain was the second foal of Daffodil, who is out of a half-sister to the G1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce S. winner Good Faith (Straight Strike), who produced eight winners including Tully Dane, successful in an edition of the G3 McNeil S. and placed in the G1 Railway S.

This is also the family of the Waikato Stud-bred and sold G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner and dual Group 2 winner Aegon.

Recent News
17 September 2025

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.

Read More
14 September 2025

Smart Love too smart this start

Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.

Read More