Solid opening day at Sydney

10 April 2013

WS made a strong impression on the opening day of the Sydney Easter Sale with a Pins colt secured by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for $A360,000. The youngster is out of the winning O’Reilly mare Lucida and is a half-brother to the multiple winner and Gr.1 VRC Oaks placegetter Placement (Savabeel) with their grand-dam the former leading three-year-old filly, Starcent.

The Matamata farm’s other lot on day one was the O’Reilly filly out of a half-sister to the Gr 1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Good Faith, who made $A120,000. From the family of No Excuse Needed’s champion three-year-old Daffodil (Gr 1 NZ 1000 Guineas, Gr 1 Australian Oaks, Gr 1 Windsor Park Plate), she was purchased by respected Queensland bloodstock agent John Foote.

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.

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.