Photo: Supplied
Four exciting new additions to New Zealand’s stallion ranks will add further interest to an outstanding line-up when the Gavelhouse.com Waikato Stallion Parade returns this weekend.
Charyn, Return To Conquer, Savaglee and The Foxes will all make their first appearances on the parade, joining a line-up of 35 stallions across nine Waikato farms over the two days.
The event is open to the public, with everyone welcome to attend across both days.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association chief executive Nick Johnson said there was plenty to look forward to across this year’s programme.
“There is always plenty of interest in the new stallions and this year is no exception,” he said. “Charyn, Return To Conquer, Savaglee and The Foxes are four high-class additions and all bring something a little different.
“Then you look right across the programme, and the depth is pretty remarkable. There are proven Group One sires, younger stallions whose progeny are starting to make their mark, and some very well-credentialed horses coming through. It really underlines the depth and quality of the stallion ranks across the region.”
Saturday’s programme begins at Mapperley Stud, where Savaglee will make his first appearance on the parade, alongside Armory.
A son of 10-time Champion Sire Savabeel, Savaglee was crowned New Zealand’s Champion Three-Year-Old following a campaign highlighted by victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and the Gr.2 Levin Classic (1400m), having already demonstrated his ability at two with success in the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m).
From Mapperley, the parade will head to Waikato Stud, where Ardrossan, Banquo, Noverre and Ocean Park will be joined by Return To Conquer.
The A$1.3 million Magic Millions yearling is by four-time Australian Champion Sire Snitzel, and retired unbeaten after four starts, all at stakes level, culminating in victory in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.
Rich Hill Stud will parade Ace High, Proisir, Satono Aladdin and Shocking, before the Saturday programme concludes at Brighthill Farm with Eminent and Savile Row.
From there, attention turns to Te Rapa for the afternoon’s Foxbridge Plate raceday.
“There’s always a great feel around the Stallion Parade weekend,” Johnson said. “The farms are busy, the first foals are being born, and the breeding season is about to get underway, so there’s a real sense of anticipation around the region.”
Sunday begins at Highview Stud, with Divine Prophet, Mr Mozart, Santos and Wrote on parade, before the tour moves to Windsor Park Stud and a line-up comprising Auguste Rodin, Circus Maximus, Paddington, Profondo, Shamexpress and Vanbrugh.
The Oaks Stud follows with The Chosen One and U S Navy Flag, before the parade moves to Novara Park, where The Foxes will make his first appearance alongside King Of Comedy, Staphanos and Sweynesse.
By Churchill, The Foxes won the Gr.2 Royal Lodge Stakes (1600m) at Newmarket as a two-year-old before returning at three to win the Gr.2 Dante Stakes (2000m) at York. He was also runner-up in the Gr.1 Belmont Derby (2000m), fourth in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and later added the Gr.2 Huxley Stakes (2000m) at Chester to his record.
The weekend concludes at Cambridge Stud, where Charyn joins Almanzor, Chaldean, Embellish, Hello Youmzain and Sword Of State.
A son of Dark Angel, Charyn was crowned World Champion Miler and Cartier Champion Older Horse in 2024. His championship season featured victories in three of Europe’s premier mile contests, the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot, Gr.1 Prix Jacques le Marois (1600m) and Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have this concentration of stallions and stud farms here,” Johnson said. “It makes the weekend a great opportunity for breeders to see a wide range of what the New Zealand stallion ranks have to offer.
“New Zealand’s success has always been built on a combination of the land we have, the incredibly skilled horse people in this country, and the investment people continue to make in the industry.
“That is what has allowed us to keep producing horses capable of being the best in the world, and weekends like this are a great reminder of the strength that sits behind that.”
2026 Gavelhouse.com Waikato Stallion Parade Schedule
Saturday, August 22
9.00am | Mapperley Stud 107 Matai Road, Matamata Stallions: Armory, Savaglee
9.45am | Waikato Stud 521 Tower Road, RD1, Matamata Stallions: Ardrossan, Banquo, Noverre, Ocean Park, Return To Conquer
11.00am | Rich Hill Stud 570 Landsdowne Road, Richmond Downs Stallions: Ace High, Proisir, Satono Aladdin, Shocking
12.15pm | Brighthill Farm 1352 Tauwhare Road, Eureka Stallions: Eminent, Savile Row
Afternoon | Foxbridge Plate raceday, Te Rapa
Sunday, August 23
9.45am | Highview Stud 1544 Kakaramea Road, Hamilton Stallions: Divine Prophet, Mr Mozart, Santos, Wrote
11.00am | Windsor Park Stud 1130 Kaipaki Road, Cambridge Stallions: Auguste Rodin, Circus Maximus, Paddington, Profondo, Shamexpress, Vanbrugh
12.30pm | The Oaks Stud 122 Roto-O-Rangi Road, Cambridge Stallions: The Chosen One, U S Navy Flag
1.30pm | Novara Park 35 Gorton Road, Cambridge Stallions: King Of Comedy, Staphanos, Sweynesse, The Foxes
2.30pm | Cambridge Stud 128 Discombe Road, Cambridge Stallions: Almanzor, Chaldean, Charyn, Embellish, Hello Youmzain, Sword Of State
