Well-bred WS colt doesn’t disappoint

Expectations were well and truly met at Karaka on Tuesday when a cracking Savabeel colt from Waikato Stud’s draft went through the ring.

The buzz around Lot 337 was realised when the well-related youngster sold for $380,000 to trainer Stephen Marsh and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock during the second session of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 1 National Yearling Sale.

The colt was bred by stud patriarch Garry Chittick and is a half-brother to the Super Seth filly Sethito who has made such an early impression in the farm’s colours.

Trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, she has won twice from five appearances including success in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes and a last-start second from the outside gate in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic on Boxing Day.

Sethito has also been announced by slotholder Waikato Thoroughbred Racing as their representative in the upcoming $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi.

“Waikato Stud are a sponsor of Waikato Thoroughbred Racing,” Chief Executive Butch Castles said.

“They have got a proven history of breeding and racing some great horses, so it is wonderful to be able to do a deal and link with Waikato Stud and Garry Chittick.

“Wexford have got a wonderful team of three-year-olds this year. They seem to have the whole team flying.

“It’s an extremely exciting time for them to have many irons in the fire and we are delighted that we have got a high-class filly racing for our members.”

Sethito and the Savabeel colt are out of Suavito, a two-time Group 1-winning daughter of Thorn Park who was a private purchase.

The popularity of the first crop of Noverre was again evident when Wexford Stables were successful in their pursuit of Lot 282.

The colt is the first foal of the unraced Jimmy Choux mare Serenalla and trainer Lance O’Sullivan had the closing bid of $300,000.

The youngster has an abundance of Group 1 form on his pedigree page with the dam a three-quarter sister to three-time top-flight winner Bostonian and a half-sister to the G1 Queensland Derby winner Kovalica.

It is also the family of the multiple Group 1 winner and two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year Mufhasa.