Photo: Peter Rubery
Te Akau Racing’s New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Amarelinha (Savabeel – Hopscotch) is the latest high-profile mare to be listed for sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
The five-year-old daughter of Savabeel will be offered as a racing and breeding proposition, with the auction to run through until 7pm (NZ) on Wednesday 28 September.
The dominant filly of her generation, Amarelinha won the 2021 Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), the culmination of a stunning summer campaign.
En route to her Oaks triumph, Amarelinha displayed her versatility and class, with a maiden victory over 1300m quickly followed by success in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m).
Prepared for the bulk of her career by Jamie Richards, Amarelinha also finished runner-up in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) behind Group One winner Aegon, while she also finished fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) behind Hungry Heart, Duais and Bargain.
As a four-year-old, Amarelinha finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and was not beaten far when fourth in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m).
Te Akau principal David Ellis went to $300,000 to secure the well-related Amarelinha as a yearling from the draft of Waikato Stud.
The daughter of champion sire Savabeel and the O’Reilly mare Hopscotch evoked memories of her year-older stablemate Probabeel, who at the time had just triumphed in the Karaka Million and would later go on to score at Group One level on four occasions.
“Amarelinha is one of the best three-year-old fillies we have ever had in the stable,” Ellis said.
“She’s won from 1300m to 2400m and right through her classic season, her form was outstanding.
“She’s one of the best types of Savabeels I’ve ever seen and is bred on that famous Savabeel – O’Reilly cross, I’m certain she will make a really good broodmare.
“Another point to give buyers confidence is the fact that both Melody Belle and Avantage both got in foal on their first services last season. I think the way we manage our horses helps in this regard.”
One of 27 individual Group One winners by her sire, Amarelinha is the first foal from the O’Reilly mare Hopscotch, who in turn is from the Bluebird mare Jacqwin, dam of the outstanding four-time Group One winner Metal Bender.
The Savabeel – O’Reilly cross operates at 12 percent stakes-winners to runners, while it is also worth noting Savabeel is making a name as a broodmare sire, with 17 stakes winners to his credit in that capacity to date, including Group One winners Savatoxl and Never Been Kissed.
Amarelinha is the third New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year to be listed on Gavelhouse Plus, with the platform having sold Jennifer Eccles for $800,000 and Imelda Mary for $200,000.
Buyers are reminded to set up their Gavelhouse Plus profiles well in advance of the auction closing.
- Racing Desk
