Savabeel colt Footlights shines on debut

Footlights (NZ) ridden by Luke Currie wins the Browns Sawdust & Shavings 3YO Maiden Plate at Cranbourne Racecourse on August 15, 2021 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Ross Holburt/Racing Photos)

Footlights made an impressive impact when trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young took the covers off the Savabeel colt at Cranbourne this afternoon.

The Waikato Stud graduate made his debut over 1400 metres and was brought with a perfectly-timed run from midfield by rider Luke Currie to enable the three-year-old to make the perfect start to his career.

Footlights was sold by the Matamata farm for $220,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale to Jamie Beatson’s Ohukia Lodge, who subsequently offered him at the Ready to Run Sale with Busuttin and Young having the final say at $400,000. 

A brother to three winners, Footlights is out of the unraced Pins mare On Broadway who is a sister to the multiple winners and black-type performers Pins On Parade and Dower.

The latter is the dam of the three-time Listed winner and G1 VRC Oaks runner-up Dowager Queen with Swick, successful in an edition of the G1 Patinack Classic and the extended family of the G1 Western Australian Oaks Cologne.

Recent News
15 May 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is not the easiest role, that of Chairman of our Thoroughbred Racing Board. Like all chairmanships, one’s mind is rarely not occupied with the responsibility. To our Chairman, I say thanks. A lifetime in the industry, Chairman of our largest club, it is difficult to identify someone more suited to the role.

Read More
14 May 2026

Sav’s girl Chispa targeting the Gr.1 Oaks

Savabeel filly Chispa enhanced her Queensland Oaks credentials with a dominant Randwick victory for Chris Waller and James McDonald, with the Pencarrow Stud-bred and raced filly surging clear over 1800 metres in impressive fashion.

Read More