Lot 29 Savabeel x Queen of Avalon
photo- Trish Dunell
Irish-based bloodstock agent Hubie de Burgh was in the thick of the action during the early part of the Premier Sale session at Karaka on Monday.
He parted with $550,000 to secure Lot 29, a handsome son of Waikato Stud's leading sire Savabeel.
"My instructions were to buy a Derby winner and, for me, he was the best looking colt in the sale," de Burgh said.
The colt is out Queen Of Avalon, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Victoria Derby and Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Monaco Consul with the Gr.1 Australian Guineas winner Military Plume also featuring in his pedigree.
"He's by a sire that can get you a classic horse, out of a Montjeu mare and really good, athletic looking horse," de Burgh said.
"He was just a stand-out horse and his temperament is amazing," de Burgh said.
"The nearer he got to the ring he never flinched or sweated up and he walked around like a champion."
The colt was offered by Windsor Park Stud and De Burgh said the Cambridge farm's history was another attraction.
"He comes from a farm that just breeds Group One winners, that is very important," de Burgh said.
"When you put it all together it's just the complete package. I thought he was going to go for between $500,000 to $600,000 and knew we'd have to give that.
"Our buyer wanted a Derby winner and that's why we came to New Zealand. This colt is exactly what we were looking for. For us he was just a standout." – NZ Racing Desk.
He parted with $550,000 to secure Lot 29, a handsome son of Waikato Stud's leading sire Savabeel.
"My instructions were to buy a Derby winner and, for me, he was the best looking colt in the sale," de Burgh said.
The colt is out Queen Of Avalon, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Victoria Derby and Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Monaco Consul with the Gr.1 Australian Guineas winner Military Plume also featuring in his pedigree.
"He's by a sire that can get you a classic horse, out of a Montjeu mare and really good, athletic looking horse," de Burgh said.
"He was just a stand-out horse and his temperament is amazing," de Burgh said.
"The nearer he got to the ring he never flinched or sweated up and he walked around like a champion."
The colt was offered by Windsor Park Stud and De Burgh said the Cambridge farm's history was another attraction.
"He comes from a farm that just breeds Group One winners, that is very important," de Burgh said.
"When you put it all together it's just the complete package. I thought he was going to go for between $500,000 to $600,000 and knew we'd have to give that.
"Our buyer wanted a Derby winner and that's why we came to New Zealand. This colt is exactly what we were looking for. For us he was just a standout." – NZ Racing Desk.