Waikato Stud on top of the selling world

31 January 2016

Savabeel

Savabeel was the dominant force at Karaka through the two-day Premier Sale. Zabeel’s outstanding son grossed $11,545,000, more than 20 percent of the auction aggregate.

The Cox Plate winner provided the second and third-equal highest prices of the sale with Lot 301 purchased for $775,000 by Ultra Thoroughbreds, the same price outlaid by David Ellis for Lot 200.

WS, the home of Savabeel, were the leading vendor by aggregate for the third consecutive year, selling 45 horses for $8,257,500. The top price of $775,000 achieved for Lot 200 was a record price for Waikato Stud.

“We came here with a lovely draft and there was a great buying bench present, they really accepted the Savabeels along with the first crops of Ocean Park and the Rock ’n’ Pops,” Mark Chittick.

“We had 50 horses in the Premier Sale and to get through with the result that we did, we’re extremely happy.”

Back to Savabeel news

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.

14 September 2025

Smart Love too smart this start

Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.