Savabeel goes Private and Return To Conquer is the new blood on the 2026 Waikato Stud roster

Cover image courtesy of Waikato Stud

A changing of the guard is underway at Waikato Stud following the high-profile sale of Super Seth, but the addition of Return To Conquer alongside the enduring excellence of Savabeel ensures the farm’s roster remains both dynamic and well-rounded heading into 2026.

Waikato Stud’s six-strong line-up offers broad appeal, headlined by ten-time Champion Sire Savabeel, whose influence remains firmly entrenched at the elite level. The roster is further strengthened by the arrival of unbeaten Group 1-winning 2-year-old Return To Conquer, while proven performers such as Ocean Park (NZ) continue to deliver. Ardrossan is another that is turning into a proven option while Noverre (NZ) and Banquo add depth and upward momentum, reflecting a carefully curated mix of performance and potential.

“It’s a lineup we are incredibly proud of, and one we are proud to show clients. It also reflects the long-term thinking and tradition that has played such a big part in our success,” said general manager, Mike Rennie.

“We know how hard it is to make a stallion and, even more so these days, to acquire one. This year has been big for Waikato Stud and our partners, with Coolmore purchasing Super Seth, and three generations of the Chittick family investing in Return To Conquer. At the end of the day though, we can’t do it without the support of our fellow breeders and current shareholders.”

Savabeel set for private book

Sitting second on the New Zealand Sires’ Premiership behind Proisir this season, the 24-year-old Savabeel continues to perform at the highest level.

He has recorded eight individual stakes winners in New Zealand this season alone - the most of any sire, with Belle Cheval (NZ) becoming a new Group 1 winner in the Vinery Stud Stakes during the autumn. Savabeel's tally now stands at 36 individual Group 1 winners, a figure that may yet rise given he has covered books of 108, 90 and 88 mares across the past three seasons.

A ten-time New Zealand Champion Sire and inductee into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2025, Savabeel’s contribution to the industry is immense. In 2026, he will stand as a private stallion, with access limited to Waikato Stud and existing shareholders.

“What more can you say about a stallion who has achieved so much?” said Rennie.

“Sav still enjoys his work and he looks great. While he’s set at private, on the track he’s certainly not done yet. Belle Cheval was incredibly impressive in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes, and on Saturday in Australia, Essentric Nature recorded his 158th stakes winner.

“He’s closing in on Zabeel’s record of 166 stakes winners and we’re confident he’ll get there. That’ll be another good milestone to tick off for Sav.”

Return To Conquer brings elite juvenile form

An exciting new addition to the roster, Group 1 Sistema Stakes winner Return To Conquer will stand at Waikato Stud in 2026.

The son of Snitzel becomes the latest graduate of Te Akau Racing to retire to become a stallion, joining a pipeline that includes Sword Of State, Cool Aza Beel (NZ), Xtravagant (NZ), Noverre (NZ), Embellish (NZ) and Move To Strike in recent times.

Bred by Philip Campbell and Mike Howard at Blue Gum Farm, Return To Conquer boasts a deep pedigree. He is out of Vaujany (Lonhro), an unraced full sister to G2 Surround Stakes winner Ghisoni (Lonhro), and the family features stakes performers including Renosu (Exceed And Excel), Andermatt (Snitzel) and Larkspur Run (Shamardal {USA}). His second dam Portillo (Red Ransom {USA}) was herself a Surround Stakes winner and Group 1 placegetter, closely related to the stallions Snowland and Snippetson.

Trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Return To Conquer made an immediate impression, winning on debut in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes after two successful trials. He remained unbeaten through his juvenile season, adding victories in the G3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic, G3 Matamata Slipper and ultimately the G1 Sistema Stakes.

His stud career mirrors that of Sword Of State and Cool Aza Beel, both recent Sistema winners who have transitioned successfully to stud.

“He’s an incredible horse to look at and many will remember him from Magics being a A$1.3 million yearling. He’s an unbeaten Group 1-winning son of Snitzel, who we know is working with the NZ broodmare band,” said Rennie.

“All four of his starts were at stakes level and he’ll get a lot of mares from the Waikato broodmare band as well as shareholders. He’s phenomenal value when you consider his breeding, his looks and what he did on the racetrack.”

Return To Conquer will stand for an introductory fee of NZ$15,000 plus GST.

Ocean Park continues to deliver proven value

Reliable and proven, Ocean Park remains a cornerstone of the roster and will stand at the same fee of NZ$15,000 plus GST.

A five-time Group 1 winner on the track, he continues to produce tough, high-class performers. This season, he has been represented by standout fillies Ohope Wins (NZ) - winner of the G1 New Zealand Oaks, G2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes and G2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, and Autumn Glory (NZ), who claimed the G2 Waikato Guineas and placed in both the G1 New Zealand Oaks and G1 New Zealand Derby.

Both fillies have been acquired by Yulong, underlining the commercial appeal of his progeny. Ocean Park is now the sire of 26 stakes winners and 52 stakes performers, including five Group 1 winners.

“He’s always got a good, tough horse, and Ohope Wins is a great example of that this season,” Rennie said.

“As is Autumn Glory, who placed in the Gr.1 NZ Derby and Oaks. They’re good trainers’ horses because they enjoy their work, they’re tough and they train on. Look at Kovalica who is six-years old and raced 37 times, he’s still contesting those black-type races, he’s amassed A$4,390,250 prizemoney over in Australia for Chris Waller, who bought two of his five yearlings at Karaka with John O’Shea and Tom Charlton and Ballymore being the others.”

Ardrossan building serious momentum

Ardrossan continues to outperform expectations, producing stakes horses from all three crops to race despite beginning with smaller books.

He has compiled an impressive eight per cent stakes winners-to-runners ratio, with performers such as Ardalio (NZ), Beau Dazzler (NZ), Yaldi (NZ), Saltcoats (NZ) and Codigo (NZ) highlighting his impact.

That momentum carried into the 2026 yearling sales, where his largest crop to date sold up to $450,000. Seventeen yearlings reached six figures, with strong international demand evident throughout.

“Ardy’s a sire we believe is going to kick some serious goals in the coming seasons. What he’s been able to achieve so far has been from a lower profile of mare, which is phenomenal. The last three seasons that quality has increased a significant amount, and we saw that in the sales ring this year,” explained Rennie.

“They’re tough, Hong Kong love them, he’s had 12 runners for eight winners, the ready-to-run consigners honed in on them at the yearling sales this year. It was trainers versus ready-to-run consignors bidding against each other most of the time.”

Ardrossan will stand for NZ$20,000 plus GST.

Noverre’s promise building

A striking son of Savabeel, Noverre has generated strong interest from breeders and buyers alike.

His yearlings have sold for up to A$500,000, while his second crop reached $200,000. Although still early in his career and searching for his first winner, early trial performances have been encouraging, with only a handful of runners to date.

Supported heavily at stud - serving 166 mares last season, and 608 across four seasons at stud, Noverre has significant numbers to come through.

“It wouldn’t surprise us to see them step out as spring 3-year-olds and really make a mark,” said Rennie.

“Reports from trainers are they’re straight forward and will benefit from a bit of time, and it was good to see trainers securing the Noverres again at the yearling sales.”

Noverre will stand for NZ$10,000 plus GST.

Banquo emerging from humble beginnings

Banquo is another stallion trending upward, drawing comparisons to Ardrossan in his rise from modest opportunities.

By Written Tycoon and a full brother to Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner Booker, he offers a strong sprinting pedigree and physical presence. From his first crop, he has produced three winners from just seven runners, including G3 Matamata Slipper placegetter Justin Case (NZ).

Notably, two of his winners and one placegetter are out of Savabeel mares, suggesting a promising developing cross within the local broodmare population.

“Banquo’s progeny are showing us real promise, headlined by Justin Case who has risen through the grades quickly and will make an exciting 3-year-old,” said Rennie.

“Current 3-year-olds Portland and Mr Bombasa, who won on Monday, look to be workman-like too. The feedback we are getting from people like Jamie Beatson of Ohukia and Kris Shailer is that they love them.”

Banquo will stand for an increased fee of $5,000 plus GST.

Table: Waikato Stud's 2026 stallion service fees