New Zealand Stallion Premiership update: Savabeel on track to reclaim throne

As the Australian Sires and Broodmare Sires Premierships were examined by TTR AusNZ on Monday, now the attention turns to New Zealand to gauge the current standings with less than three months left in the racing season. We delved into the scene to assess the dynamics shaping up in the Kiwi racing landscape.

Champions don’t stay down for long, as evidenced in the recent shift in the New Zealand Premiership. Last year saw Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir overthrew the eight-time Champion Sire Savabeel from Waikato Stud. However, a year later, Savabeel has reclaimed his throne, with Proisir in second place.

In New Zealand, this season Savabeel boasts 90 runners, 39 winners, and 66 race victories, including seven stakes winners. Leading the charge is the standout filly Orchestral (NZ), who clinched the prestigious G1 New Zealand Derby.

With this stellar performance, Savabeel is poised to secure his ninth New Zealand General Sires Premiership. He dominates all categories in the Leading New Zealand General Sires for the 2023/24 season, including earnings, winners, wins, stakes winners, and stakes wins.

Notably, the late Tavistock (NZ), who passed away in 2019, holds third place, while the late Zacinto (GB) sits at seventh, with his star son Crocetti (NZ) contributing NZ$735,250 to his position. Another intriguing development is the ascent of Cambridge Stud’s Almanzor (Fr), who surged from 26th place last year to sixth in the 2023/24 season.

Since 2022, O’Reilly has maintained an unchallenged position at the top of the New Zealand Broodmare Sires table. His standout performer this season has been Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel), contributing to his impressive record of 75 individual winners and 14 stakes races victories.

Another notable development is the rising influence of Savabeel as a broodmare sire, surpassing even his own Champion sire Zabeel (NZ) to claim fourth position.

Table: New Zealand Broodmare Sires table for 2023/24 season

U S Navy Flag doubles the dose

U S Navy Flag (USA) is poised to clinch the Leading New Zealand Second-Season Sire title after earning last year’s recognition as the Champion First-Season Sire. The son of War Front (USA), stationed at The Oaks Stud, has maintained his momentum this season, notably with The Pendragon (NZ) securing victory in the G2 Auckland Guineas.

Following closely behind is Ace High from Rich Hill Stud, whose star performer, Molly Bloom (NZ), claimed victory in the prestigious G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. Rounding out the top three is Embellish (NZ) from Cambridge Stud, a son of Savabeel, adding further depth to the competition.

Table: New Zealand Second-Season Sires table for 2023/24 season

Super Seth poised for local victory

Waikato Stud’s promising stallion, Super Seth, celebrated a significant milestone as he sired his second stakes winner, Super Photon (NZ), on Saturday. This early success has him positioned to claim for New Zealand’s Champion First Season Sire title.

Despite facing stiff competition from Australian-based sires such as Cosmic Force, Pierata, and Alabama Express. Super Seth currently leads the pack with NZ$98,310 ahead of his closest rival. However, Cosmic Force, Pierata and Alabama Express face a tight battle with only NZ$8700 separating the three.

This article was written by Keely Mckitterick for TTR AusNZ.