One of Willie Leung’s prime targets was Lot 407 and he wasn’t alone in his admiration of Riversley Park’s son of Savabeel, but had more than enough ammunition to beat off his rivals and the 2-year-old was knocked down to him for NZ$440,000.
The handsome colt is out of Iguazu’s Girl (Redoute’s Choice), who is the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner Sacred Falls (NZ) who stands alongside Savabeel at Waikato Stud.
“It’s always a dream to have a horse with a stallion’s pedigree. He is by Savabeel, who is doing very well in Hong Kong, and of course he is a champion stallion,” Leung said.
Lot 407 - Savabeel x Iguazu's Girl sold for NZ$440,000 to Willie Leung
The colt’s dam is also a half-sister to the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. winner and G1 Ascot Vale S. runner-up Splashing Out (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
“It’s always a dream to have a horse with a stallion’s pedigree. He is by Savabeel, who is doing very well in Hong Kong, and of course he is a champion stallion.” - Willie Leung
She has been a fine producer as well and is the mother of the G2 Manawatu Challenge S. winner Splurge (NZ) (Savabeel), the G2 Angus Armanasco S. winner Shopaholic (NZ) (Pins) and her brother Packing Pins (NZ), successful in the G2 Rotorua S. and three times a Group 1 placegetter.
Leung said he was consistent he got value for money in the current market with his purchase.
“This one was quite reasonable I thought. He’s very strong and with his pedigree he is good value and I got him within budget.”
Leung bought the youngster on behalf of Hong Kong owner Jackie Wong.
Watch: Savabeel x Iguazu's Girl (colt) as a yearling
“We will be trying our best to keep the horse as a colt, but we’ll have to see how he goes in the next six months,” Leung said.
“He will spell here for a month and then have a preparation and, all going well, will go up to Hong Kong next winter.”
The colt was originally bought out of Waikato Stud's yearling draft at Karaka earlier this year for NZ$200,000 by Riversley and Enigma Farm.
New Zealand strike
Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie struck an early blow when he outlaid NZ$340,000 on Lot 217, a son of Dundeel (NZ) presented by Janine Dunlop’s Phoenix Park.
Ritchie purchased the colt of behalf of stable clients Gary and Lynne Witters, who bred the multiple Group 1 winner Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice).
“They are in the ownership of The Good Fight, who’s getting ready for the City of Auckland Cup, as well,” Ritchie said. “Hopefully, he can win it and help pay for this one.”
Lot 217 a Dundeel (NZ) colt, purchased on behalf of stable clients Gary and Lynne Witters, who bred the multiple Group 1 winner Samantha Miss
The Good Fight (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) has won three races and finished runner-up at Rosehill during a three-start spring campaign in Australia.
The Dundeel colt is out of Tonality (Encosta de Lago), who was unraced and is a half-sister to the dual Group 2 winner Show No Emotion (Masterclass {USA}).
It’s also the family of the G2 Royal S. winner Slanchyvah (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), who produced the Listed Uncle Remus S. winner and G1 Levin Classic runner-up Hypnos (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}).
New Zealand trainer Shaune Ritchie
“The horse will stay and race in New Zealand. They were looking for a horse to primarily run in the New Zealand Derby and we thought this horse fitted the bill,” Ritchie said.
“It is one for New Zealand, which is nice, because a lot of them go overseas.”
