Noverre at Waikato Stud

Noverre, a Group 1-winning son of Savabeel, will join his sire on the 2022 Waikato Stud stallion roster.

An exceptional type, the brown colt was an NZ$800,000 purchase for Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, topping the Waikato Stud draft that year.

After finishing second on debut as a 2-year-old over 1200m, he broke his maiden three weeks later. He won the G3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) in late October, before displaying a scintillating burst to go from last to first in the G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton, assuring his position on the Waikato Stud roster.

“From the moment I saw him as yearling, Noverre was a colt we had to have,” said Ellis. “He was as close to perfect as one would see in a yearling. He was an incredible athlete, with a deep girth and quality head.”

“We paid a bit more for him than we thought we would have to, but right from day one he showed us he was special. He put in a freakish effort in the 2000 Guineas, giving them a start at the turn and beating them way he did.”

“He’s right up there with the best Te Akau have trained.”

Noverre is the first-named foal out of the Group 3-winning 2-year-old Magic Dancer (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), herself a daughter of multiple 2-year-old stakeswinner Dazzling Belle (Desert Sun {GB}).

Magic Dancer has returned to Savabeel every season since producing Noverre in 2018, such was the impression he left on the team at Waikato Stud as a young colt. Another three colts have followed, including the current yearling that sold for $950,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and the mare is in foal again to the Champion sire.

“We are absolutely delighted to be standing this talented and classy colt,” said Mark Chittick.

“It’s pretty special for us to have Noverre join his legendary sire Savabeel on the roster and believe me, picking his heir apparent was not a decision we have taken lightly.”

“Savabeel showed speed and precocity as a racehorse, as did his dam, and I believe these were crucial ingredients in his success as a stallion. Noverre has the same profile, as a smart 2-year-old out of a fast dam and grandam, all with their share of juvenile ability,” said Chittick.

“He’s a big, strapping, dark horse, like his sire, and possibly even better-looking than Savabeel. He’s been on the farm for two months and has let down into an absolutely beautiful horse, both physically and mentally.

“We’d love anyone interested to come to Waikato Stud and see him in the flesh themselves.”

Noverre’s victory at the top level continued Waikato Stud’s dominance in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas over the last decade. The Matamata farm has now bred and sold five of the last 10 Guineas winners. Te Akau’s distinctive tangerine colours have been carried by seven 2000 Guineas winners, with many colts using it as a stepping stone to a career at stud.

“He was really explosive when he got clear in the 2000 Guineas and looked a pretty special colt,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “It’s a shame that we didn’t get the opportunity to campaign him across the ditch, as I thought he would have been capable of being competitive in the Autumn carnival.”

“He was a beautiful yearling when Dave bought him. He paid a bit of money, but he had the pedigree and the looks, and developed into a stunning colt. I’m sure he will be passing those elite genes onto his progeny, in the same way as his own sire Savabeel has.”

Savabeel is enjoying yet another stellar season, having sired six individual Group 1 winners over the first six months of the new season, including current New Zealand Horse of the Year, Probabeel.