VALE SAVABEEL

19 Jun 26

The Australasian thoroughbred industry is mourning the loss of one of its true greats, with 10 time Champion New Zealand Sire SAVABEEL passing away on Friday morning at the age of 24 following a tragic paddock accident.

The son of breed shaping champion ZABEEL suffered a fractured shoulder in a freak accident in his paddock at the Chittick family's Waikato Stud, the property that had been his home since retiring to stud in 2005.

For those at Dynamic Syndications, the loss is especially poignant.

Savabeel was purchased as a yearling by Dean Watt at the 2003 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on behalf of Graeme Rogerson Racing and was subsequently syndicated amongst a group of owners that included Bruce Reid (Dynamic Syndications co-founder), Max Whitby, Mick Achurch and several other long standing clients and friends.

SAVABEEL as a yearling at the 2003 Magic Millions Sale

Few could have imagined at that time the extraordinary impact the colt would have on Australasian racing and breeding.

Over the ensuing two decades, Dean Watt would maintain a close association with Savabeel, purchasing and racing numerous sons and daughters of the champion stallion through Dynamic Syndications.

Among them was the talented filly SAVAPINSKI, purchased for $70,000 as a yearling and winner of the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington. She was stakes performed on four further occasions, earned $300,805 in prizemoney and was later sold privately as a broodmare.

SAVAPINSKI winning the Gr2 Matriarch Stakes

Another was HIGH SUPREMACY, a $190,000 yearling purchase who won two races, was stakes performed on four occasions, earned $223,265 in prizemoney and was subsequently sold privately to Hong Kong for $1 million.

High Supremacy

Like so many owners, breeders and trainers throughout Australasia, Dean witnessed firsthand the qualities that became synonymous with the Savabeel name: toughness, soundness, class and an undeniable will to win.

On the racetrack, Savabeel displayed exceptional talent.

Dean Watt and Max Whitby return SAVABEEL after winning the Gr1 Spring Champion

Savabeel winning the 2004 Cox Plate Gr1

From just 14 starts he won three races, highlighted by his unforgettable victory in the 2004 Group 1 Cox Plate where he defeated an outstanding field that included Fields Of Omagh, Starcraft, Elvstroem, Grand Armee, Regal Roller, King's Chapel and Paolini. Earlier that spring he had captured the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes and would also place in the Victoria Derby, CF Orr Stakes and Champagne Stakes.

Dean Watt, Michael Achurch, Max Whitby, Bruce Reid, Mike Flemming

Following his racing career, Dynamic Syndications/Dean Watt Bloodstock arranged a $10 million stallion deal on behalf of the ownership group.

At one stage Dean had negotiated for Savabeel to stand in the Hunter Valley.

However, a dramatic last ditch agreement reached by the Chittick family at Waikato Stud saw the stallion cross the Tasman instead. It proved to be one of the most significant breeding decisions in New Zealand thoroughbred history.

Over the next 21 breeding seasons, Savabeel became the cornerstone of the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry and one of the most influential stallions ever to stand in the Southern Hemisphere.

He carried forward the extraordinary influence of the Sir Tristram and Zabeel sire line and established a legacy all his own. Crowned Champion New Zealand Sire on 10 occasions, Savabeel produced 159 individual stakes winners including 36 Group 1 winners and more than 1,060 individual winners.

His influence continues to expand through his daughters, who have already produced 46 stakes winners and 9 Group 1 winners, ensuring his bloodline will remain a powerful force in the Australasian thoroughbred landscape for generations to come.

Even in the twilight of his career, Savabeel remained highly sought after. Last season he covered 88 mares, with 77 currently in foal, while there are 33 weanlings on the ground and a final crop of 61 yearlings preparing to continue his legacy on the racetrack.

The team at Dynamic Syndications were deeply saddened to hear of his passing but remain incredibly grateful for the joy and success he brought to so many.

From the owners who raced him, to the breeders who relied upon him, to the countless thousands who celebrated the achievements of his progeny, Savabeel enriched the lives of an entire generation within the thoroughbred industry.

As a racehorse he reached the pinnacle by winning a Cox Plate. As a stallion he exceeded even those lofty achievements, becoming a breed shaping influence whose impact will be felt for decades to come.

Few horses leave such an enduring mark on a breed.

Fewer still are remembered with such admiration, affection and gratitude.

Vale Savabeel.

Thank you for the memories. Rest easy, our friend.

SAVABEEL (AUS) 2001 Brown Horse

Born: 23/09/2001 Age: 24

Sire: ZABEEL (NZ) 1986

Dam: SAVANNAH SUCCESS (AUS) 1995

Life no: AUS00772065

Left shoulder: G over H with line

Right shoulder: 107 over 1

Race Career:

Winning Distances: 1000m, 2000m, 2040m.

14 starts:

3 wins;

* Gr.1 MVRC WS Cox Plate, 2040m, defeating 9 Gr. 1 winners, including Fields of Omagh, Starcraft, Elvstroem, Grand Armee, Regal Roller, King’s Chapel, Paolini, Our Egyptian Raine and Miss Potential

* Gr.1 AJC Spring Champion Stakes, 2000m, defeating Outback Prince, Cedar Manor and Al Maher

* AJC Sydney Lexus Stakes 2YO H, 1000m, beating Mind the Step and Rumbullion

3 seconds;

* Gr.1 VRC Derby, 2500m, Plastered was 1st and Count Ricardo 3rd

* Gr.1 MRC CF Orr Stakes, 1400m, Elvstroem was 1st and Lad of Manor 3rd

* Gr.2 STC Gloaming Stakes, 1800m, Al Maher was 1st and Outback Prince 3rd

1 third;

* Gr.1 AJC Champagne Stakes, 1600m, Dance Hero was 1st and Wager 2nd

Stud Career:

1450 Runners

1063 Winners (73.3%)

3382 Wins

$210m AUD Earnings

159 Stakes Winners

100 Stakes Placegetters

319 Stakes Wins

36 Group 1 Winners

As a Broodmare Sire:

1104 Runners

676 Winners (61.2%)

1884 Wins

$122m AUD Earnings

46 Stakes Winners

67 Stakes Placegetters

77 Stakes Wins

9 Group 1 Winners

CONTINUING THE SAVABEEL LEGACY

Aware that father time was catching up with the champion sire, and that Waikato Stud had been restricting his books in recent seasons to protect his wellbeing as fertility levels naturally declined, the Dynamic Syndications team travelled to New Zealand earlier this year with a specific objective.

We wanted to secure the best physical specimen and best genetically bred colt by Savabeel we could find.

Knowing there were only 61 yearlings in his the crop and just 33 foals on the ground behind them, we recognised that opportunities to purchase a quality Savabeel colt were rapidly disappearing.

A racehorse and sire that had been so good to Dynamic Syndications and our owners for more than two decades deserved one final salute.

That mission was accomplished when we secured Lot 135, a magnificent colt by Savabeel from the Pins mare Smashing, offered by the renowned Trelawney Stud.

Physically, he was everything we hoped to find.

A powerful, imposing colt with tremendous presence, scope and athleticism.

Genetically, he offered all the ingredients we sought, being bred on the highly successful Savabeel over Pins cross that has produced 68 winners (81%), 230 wins, 10 stakes winners, 6 stakes placegetters and 5 Group 1 winners.

His dam Smashing (by Pins) was a six time winner, dual stakes placed performer and track record holder. She has already produced stakes placed winner Samarelle (by Savabeel) and descends from one of New Zealand's most accomplished female families.

Importantly, he now represents one of the very few quality colts remaining available by a stallion whose influence has shaped Australasian breeding for more than a generation.

Following the sad news of Savabeel's passing, that reality is brought into even sharper focus.

There will be no more Savabeel's.

For those wishing to race a son of one of the greatest stallions the Southern Hemisphere has produced,

this colt offers a rare and increasingly irreplaceable opportunity.