The New Zealand Karaka Yearling Sale took place this week and we were delighted to secure a handsome and very well bred colt by champion sire SAVABEEL for NZ$140,000.

This year was the 100th Anniversary of the NZ Yearling Sales which has produced countless champions and Group 1 stars over the years. The kiwis know how to breed and sell a good horse with the likes of PHAR LAP, RISING FAST, TULLOCH, DULCIFY, OCTAGONAL and SO YOU THINK forming an elite group of horses to come out of this sale. 

In more recent times, we have seen graduates of the calibre of AELIANA, ANTINO, ATISHU, CEOLWULF and MR BRIGHTSIDE. The list goes on..

Two studs reign supreme in New Zealand...Waikato Stud and Cambridge Stud.

Since the retirement of ZABEEL earlier this century, his son SAVABEEL has taken the Champion Sires Title on no less than 10 occasions. 

This year, we were not only able to find a colt by Savabeel but he was raised on the mineral rich soils of the great Waikato Stud. 

The full brother to this colt (AMMIRATI) was the early favourite for this years G1 NZ Derby before being sold in February to Hong Kong for $1million. Look out for him when the Hong Kong Derby comes around later in the year. 

AMMIRATI (pictured below) does not appear in the catalogue as his first win was registered after the catalogue went to print and his two recent stakes wins would have been missed by many buyers. 

Watch Ammirati latest win (see photo below) - http://bit.ly/4r2lVXM

A PERFECT PEDIGREE

When SAVABEEL is crossed with a PINS mare, the results are incredible. 

The magic cross has produced FIVE GROUP 1 WINNERS including star performers I WISH I WIN and PROBABEEL. 

On top of that, the broodmare of this colt (Happily) is a descendant from the great BLACK CAVIAR family. It is a family choc full of Group horses, a family that keeps producing elite horses.

On G1 GOLDMINE, this mating is rated a PERFECT MATCH.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Following the sale, we sent him straight down to Cambridge to enjoy some downtime in the paddock.

He arrived in Australia in April and has settled into our spelling farm beautifully. He heads off to the breakers in June. 

As with all the good kiwi horses, patience is everything and not rushing them as yearlings pays dividends down the track. This year is all about educating him and developing him a professional racehorse so he is armed with all the right tools to excel on the track.

Savabeel himself won a Cox Plate as a 3yo and his progeny go to a new level as 3yo's and we are hoping that this fella can take aim at some pretty decent races in his 3yo season.

COST OF OWNERSHIP

As at 30 April, 2026, a 5% share in this horse is $8,200 which includes:

- Purchase Price
- Sale Cost and Vetting
- GST
- 12 months insurance
- Trasport to Australia
- Agistment and all other costs to 30 April 2026

\