Kanzai does half-sister proud

Savabeel

Well-bred mare Kanzai delivered a timely pedigree boost for her Karaka-bound half-sister with a
strong display to win at Pakenham on Thursday evening.

The Nigel Blackiston-trained daughter of Savabeel lumped 60.5kg to victory over 1600 metres when
aided by a fine ride from Michael Dee.

“That was very much deserved for her, she has been going well this preparation,” Dee said, “She has
been well placed by Nigel and this looked the perfect race for her.

“I felt like I had it won as soon as we straightened and, if anything, probably got to the front too
soon.”

Kanzai was bred by Waikato Stud and sold at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for
A$425,000 to Cambridge Stud.

The mare is a daughter of the unraced O’Reilly mare Splits, whose Ocean Park filly will be offered as
Lot 604 during Book 1 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

Splits, whose four foals to race have all been successful, is a daughter of the two-time Group 1
winner Legs and the family of recent G1 Zabeel Classic winner Tiptronic.

https://twitter.com/Racing/status/1486645434818994182

Recent News
14 August 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

The two of you will be aware of my ongoing concern as to the future of our sport. You could argue I have a vested interest; well, I did have, but my interest now is to give the future generations the opportunity my generation had. Now I can tell you, hand on heart, there were many financial thin times. 1975 was my fledgling start with five mares on 130 acres that occasionally flooded with the well-bred, non-race-winning Super Gray.

Read More
12 August 2026

Classy Debut Victory For Major Beel’s Brother Savagram

From a pedigree known all too well by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, 3yo Savabeel colt Savagram (NZ) kicked off his race career in the best possible way, highlighting himself as a potential black-type performer.

Read More