Provence soars to second Group 1 for Savabeel

The influence of Savabeel soared to new heights yet again at Ellerslie, with his daughter Provence claiming a second elite-level victory in the Gr.1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes on Saturday.

Bred by Tony Rider and raced in partnership with Social Racing Ellerslie Winners Circle Syndicate, managed by Brent Cooper, the five-year-old mare gave her connections a huge thrill taking the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January.

Trained by Stephen Marsh and ridden her regular rider Sam Spratt, the mare jumped from barrier 11 in the weight-for-age event.

“This is a great feeling,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “Throughout the last few weeks and months, I just couldn’t wait to get to this day. It’s the greatest day ever and so awesome for New Zealand racing. You just come into it hoping that your horses can step up, and this mare has done that.”

Jockey Sam Spratt made it three straight wins in the Breeders’ Stakes, having guided Belclare to back-to-back triumphs in 2023 and 2024.

“We had a bad draw to start with, so we were a bit disheartened coming into this race,” she said. “But we ended up actually getting a beautiful trip, just in midfield and one-off.

“As soon as she got out, she’s just so tough. We went past Legarto, and I thought, ‘If we’ve managed to get past her, we must be a chance here.’ But then Warren (Kennedy, riding Jaarffi) bombed me at the end and he actually said ‘I got you.’ So I went from being excited to ‘aw’. But she’s just so tough.

“Stephen has nailed it with this mare. She’s hit the mark when it matters in two Group 1 races. She went pretty well at Matamata last time too, pretty much just cantering to the line.”

Now the winner of six races from 16 starts, Provence has earned $817,115 in stakes. The five-year-old Savabeel mare is a full-sister to Damask Rose, who won the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) over the same course and distance in January.