Strong female lines: the quiet architects of WS champions

Waikato Stud has long been recognised for its commitment to developing female families. Rather than trading away every filly, the Chittick family has deliberately retained and raced fillies before welcoming them back into the broodmare band.

This long-term approach has created depth and consistency across generations, ensuring that WS-bred horses are underpinned by families proven to perform on the track and in the breeding barn, where in 2024/25 we saw this approach yet again come to fruition, breeding three Group 1 winners and being awarded NZ Breeder of the Year for the 11th occasion.

• Atishu (Savabeel ex Posy)
• Savaglee (Savabeel ex Glee)
• La Dorada (Super Seth ex Gold Fever)

Rosehip and Love Affair, two daughters of Savabeel, who as a broodmare sire, has produced seven Group 1 winners and 24 Group winners for over $100 million in prizemoney, are keeping good company at WS and we thought we would highlight each:

Daffodil (No Excuse Needed ex Spring): a three-time Group 1 winner and a full sister to Posy, the dam of three-time Group 1 winner Atishu and Group 3 winner Mazzolino.

Gold Rocks (Oratorio ex Alozie): her daughters include Gold Fever, the dam of 2025 Karaka Millions and Group 1 winner La Dorada; Gram, the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Major Beel, and Calaverite, the dam of Godolphin’s star racehorse, Golden Mile.

I Do (No Excuse Needed ex Freequence): Group 1 winner.

Shopaholic (Pins ex Splashing Out): dual Group winner and stakes producer.

Posy (No Excuse Needed ex Spring): dam of three-time Group 1 winner Atishu who was bought by Yu Long Investments for $2.7 million at the 2025 Magic Millions National Sale; plus, Group 3 winner Mazzolino.

Legs (Pins ex River Century): two-time Group 1 winner and stakes producer.