Waikato Stud's hottest property: Super Seth soars to NZ$75,000

Cover image courtesy of Waikato Stud

Waikato Stud’s six-strong roster provides a bit of everything for everyone; nine-time Champion Sire Savabeel is still dominating at the elite level, a red-hot young gun in Super Seth has been raised to NZ$75,000 plus GST, a proven Ocean Park (NZ) has a slight fee deduction that may tempt breeders, and growing momentum behind emerging forces like Ardrossan, Noverre (NZ) and Banquo, Waikato Stud’s 2025 roster reflects both class and upward trajectory.

“It’s a lineup we are continually proud of, and it continues to fit with tradition which has, and does, lead to success,” said studmaster Mark Chittick. “They are stallions that we have put the time and the investment into because we believe they suit our expansive broodmare band, which continually produces top-class racehorses including three Group 1 winners this season bred by Waikato Stud: La Dorada, Savaglee, and Atishu.

“Stallions with the credentials that we require are not easy to come by – we are very, very appreciative of the support of current shareholders and breeders. Each stallion is sourced primarily for our 200-plus broodmare band, but in this day and age we couldn’t do it on our own and we thoroughly appreciate the incredible support that we are given by Australasian breeders.

“We enjoy the success together, Super Seth is a good example of Waikato Stud and our major shareholders sharing in that success.”

Super Seth: A sire on fire

Super Seth is turning heads with three Group 1 winners this season from only two crops to race, a rare and exceptional start for any young stallion. His first Group 1 success came when Feroce (NZ) powered home in the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington. Just a week later, fellow first-crop gelding Linebacker (NZ) added to the momentum with victory in the G1 Randwick Guineas, delivering a breakthrough elite-level win for training duo John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.

Not to be outdone, 2-year-old filly La Dorada (NZ) produced a dazzling 3.5l win in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, following earlier triumphs in the G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes and the R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO.

Gallery: Super Seth's Group 1-winning offspring

These headline performers are backed by promising black-type winners such as Sethito (NZ), Poetic Champion (NZ), Super Photon (NZ), and Group-placed juvenile Sanctified (NZ). As a result, Super Seth boasts a stakes winners to runners strike rate of eight per cent, a figure that’s been matched by strong commercial demand. His yearlings have sold for as much as NZ$700,000, while ready-to-run stock reached NZ$550,000 and NZ$420,000 in recent sales.

Due to the stallion's restricted nomination availability and exceptional demand, bookings will close by application at 5pm (NZT) on Wednesday, June 4.

“An unbelievable stallion. I don’t feel as though we have had a stallion start like this in New Zealand for a long time. Three Group 1 winners across two countries in a month is freakish, and he keeps backing up with Trans-Tasman winners every single week,” Chittick enthused.

Super Seth currently leads the New Zealand Second Season Sires’ Premiership and is the only stallion in his cohort to surpass NZ$1 million in progeny earnings. He also sits fifth on the Australian Second Season Sires’ table, despite having had only half the number of runners as those above him.

The consistent Champion remains at six figures

Sitting a dominant NZ$2.7 million ahead on the New Zealand Sires’ Premiership thanks in part to Damask Rose’s (NZ) win in the inaugural NZ$3.5 million NZB Kiwi, Savabeel who is at an unchanged fee of NZ$100,000 plus GST, is poised to secure his 10th New Zealand Champion Sire title. He will also be inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame this May, a fitting honour for a stallion who continues to define the breed.

This season alone, he’s sired three Group 1 winners: seasoned star Atishu (NZ), and two new elite-level winners in Savaglee (NZ) and Provence (NZ), taking his Group 1 total to 35. He maintains a formidable 11.1 per cent stakes winners to runners and 7.3 per cent Group winners to runners strike rate.

In the sales ring, Savabeel made headlines once again by producing his highest-priced yearling ever: a NZ$2.4 million filly, a full sister to Orchestral (NZ) and from the family of Savaglee, Aegon (NZ), and Atishu, setting a new Karaka record for a filly.

“He deserves every accolade, and we are very proud of everything he’s done and is doing for the New Zealand industry,” said Chittick.

“He has great vitality and we’re heading into the season with a bright, happy and healthy horse – the only thing we will avoid breeding this year at his age is maidens. He’s had another incredible season on the track and in the sales ring, and he just keeps reminding us why he’s so special.”

Young stallions firing on track and in the ring

With stakes horses from all three of his crops, Ardrossan continues to punch above his weight. Despite starting with smaller, less fashionable books, he’s delivered a nine per cent stakes winners to runners ratio — including names like Ardalio (NZ), Beau Dazzler (NZ), Yaldi (NZ), Saltcoats (NZ), and Codigo (NZ).

Ardrossan remains at NZ$20,000 plus GST and demand using him is growing fast. His 2-year-olds from larger, improved books have already sold up to $150,000 at Magic Millions and NZ$150,000 at Karaka. His yearling average sits at $116,363, more than five times his current service fee, and buyers from Hong Kong and Australia are stepping in with confidence.

In Hong Kong, he’s already notched winners from limited runners — with Sky Heart (NZ) and Sunday’s Serenade (NZ) proving his stock can travel.

“He’s had to do it the hard way and prove himself. He’s consistently producing good winners off his smaller books – Ardalio recording her second Group win on Saturday is a good example, and now his bigger crops are starting to come through. To achieve nine per cent stakes winners to runners from very low numbers and average pedigrees is quite incredible.

“He’s certainly an upgrading sire, and people have to understand, and be reminded, that his numbers don’t increase until the foals of the 2024 crop. I’m adamant that as these numbers and quality do rise, he will be a formidable sire. He’s a very safe stallion who can leave good types that become very good racehorses out of any type of mare,” explained Chittick.

A striking son of Savabeel, Noverre (NZ) has made a fast impression with his first yearlings selling up to A$500,000 and averaging A$350,000 at Magic Millions. At Karaka, he returned a healthy NZ$135,625 average, with a top price of NZ$310,000.

Breeders have backed him heavily: he served 179 mares last season, the largest book in New Zealand and he remains at NZ$10,000 plus GST for 2025.

“He’s such a good-looking horse and he passes that onto his yearlings. He throws a great type and he was well-supported by trainers and agents here in New Zealand and over in Australia this year,” said Chittick.

“Breeders - none more so than ourselves – have been incredibly impressed with what he’s left. His books have increased year-on-year, and last season he served the biggest book of any sire in New Zealand. Off the back of the types he’s leaving, the quality of mares he’s had and his phenomenal first yearlings at the sales, he’s got an unbelievable opportunity at stud.”

By Written Tycoon and a full brother to the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Booker, Banquo boasts elite sprinting blood and serious type. A $600,000 Magic Millions yearling, he retired to stud in 2021 under awkward timing, just after the main announcements. As a result, he served a limited initial book.

However, early signs are promising. His first runner Portland (NZ) ran a strong fourth on debut for Stephen Marsh, and feedback from stables has been encouraging and he remains at NZ$3000 plus GST.

“Starting at stud at an awkward time of the year meant his opportunities were limited. Comments from trainers and owners with Banquo’s progeny in work are very, very encouraging,” concluded Chittick.

Proven and affordable - Ocean Park provides that

One of New Zealand’s most consistent proven sires, Ocean Park (NZ) remains a reliable source of soundness and quality. A five-time Group 1 winner himself, he continues to leave durable, top-class stock.

Ocean Park's fee has been dropped slightly to NZ$15,000 plus GST.

This season he’s sired nine stakes performers, led by VRC Oaks placegetters Powers Of Opal (NZ) and Hurry Curry (NZ). Across his career, he’s delivered 22 stakes winners, 326 winners, and over $53 million in earnings.

“He always has a good horse – they’re good, tough racehorses. He’s getting into the latter part of his career now and he’s a very good, safe, proven horse,” said Chittick.

Table: Waikato Stud's service fees for 2025