First Crop Trial Success For Noverre

Improving off her recent trial effort, the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained 2yo Noverre filly Firebird (NZ) trialled in sensational style at Te Awamutu on Tuesday morning, becoming the first trial winner for the G1-winning son of Savabeel.

Away well from the inside barrier, Firebird went forward where she eventually took up the running.

Given a little shake up as they cornered for home, Firebird extended with ease, pulling clear of her rivals to score a decisive three and a half-length victory over the 850m.

Bred by JML Bloodstock Ltd, Firebird is the fourth named foal out of the Makfi mare Collay, a half-sister to the G1-winning, NZ Champion 2YO Ruud Awakening, who is in turn the dam of G3 winner Rise Of The Masses.

Sold for $50,000 from the Elsdon Park draft at the 2025 NZB National Yearling Sale to the Racing Queens Syndicate, the all female ownership group look like they’ll have plenty of fun with this filly.

Interestingly, it was roughly this time of year when Noverre first stepped out at the trials of his juvenile year, recording consecutive trial wins before finishing second on debut over 1200m, going on to break his maiden just three weeks later.

Winning the G3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) in late October of his 3-year-old season, Noverre produced a scintillating burst of sped to go from last to first, pulling away by more than two lengths to win the G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

Noverre is wrapping covering his fourth book of mares and will be represented by 18 Book 1 yearlings at January’s NZB National Yearling Sale.