Waikato Stud yearlings shine at Inglis Classic

Riverside Stables played host to 806 yearlings across the three-day Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from 9 to 11 February, with Waikato Stud presenting a draft of seven select yearlings by Savabeel, Tivaci, Super Seth and Ardrossan.

Shaune Ritchie Racing is no stranger to the progeny of O’Reilly mare Ball Gown, having trained her first foal, Tuxedo (Tivaci), to success in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas and Gr.3 Wellington Stakes from just five starts.

Looking to build on that success, co-trainer Shaune Ritchie made the trip to Australia to secure Tuxedo’s half-sister, a filly by Super Seth, for A$130,000 and the first of Waikato Stud’s seven yearlings to go through the Inglis auction ring.

The strength of the Waikato Stud draft was evident on Day One, with several high-profile purchases, including:

• Lot 253: Warwick Farm-based trainer Bryce Heys of Ellerslie Lodge (New South Wales) secured the son of Savabeel out of Glistening for A$230,000.
• Lot 256: YLP Racing (Victoria) purchased the Tivaci half-brother to Karaka Millions 2YO winner La Dorada (Super Seth) for A$160,000.
• Lot 264: Seib Racing and Champion Thoroughbreds (New South Wales) joined the Super Seth buyers’ list, securing the colt out of Greedy for A$170,000.

Day two saw two more Waikato Stud yearlings go through the ring, further broadening the reach of their 2025 Inglis Classic graduates:

• Lot 272: Ohukia Lodge (New Zealand) secured the Savabeel colt out of Happily.
• Lot 402: Feek Racing (Victoria) purchased the Tivaci colt out of Magazine.

With strong demand across the board, Waikato Stud’s Inglis Classic draft once again demonstrated the appeal of its bloodlines on both sides of the Tasman.