Cambridge Stud Karaka draft a blend of proven and fresh blood

Five years after Cambridge Stud presented its first National Yearling Sale draft under the new ownership of Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the iconic nursery is set to enter another exciting phase at Karaka 2024.
The quality range of stallions represented in Cambridge’s 40-strong draft includes already proven young residents Almanzor and Embellish as well as super sire Savabeel and numerous big names from Australia. The cherry on top, however, is star European sprinter Hello Youmzain, whose first New Zealand-sired crop has everyone talking.
Three years after a joint partnership deal on outstanding middle-distance performer Almanzor was signed with France’s Haras d’Etreham, a similar dual hemisphere arrangement was extended to Hello Youmzain, who retired as the winner of the Gr. 1 Royal Ascot Golden Jubilee Stakes and Haydock Sprint Cup.
By Danehill’s successful sire son Kodiac, Hello Youmzain has much to offer and early indications are that he’s well on the way to delivering. At last week’s Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale, his first three yearlings to be offered at auction in the part of the world sold at an average price of A$195,000, headed by Cambridge Stud’s colt from the More Than Ready mare Sienna Rose at A$325,000.
“We dipped our toe in the water at the Gold Coast with a couple of our own and it was great to see all three Hello Youmzains that were offered there sell,” Cambridge Stud’s Scott Calder told RaceForm.
“He really has stamped his progeny and the feedback on what buyers saw there has been really positive. We’re confident that any buyers who didn’t have their books marked ahead of Karaka, they would have now.
“We think the Hello Youmzain yearlings will be a real highlight of our draft and across the sale along with what will be offered in other drafts. They’re horses that come out of their box and present well – they fill the eye and create the right impression.”
Complementing Hello Youmzain’s debut crop, fourth-crop yearlings by Almanzor are also bound to meet the right reception with the buying bench.
“From the time we offered Almanzor’s first yearlings, they’ve been great types to present for sale; they thrive on a preparation and best of all the results on the track have kept coming,” Calder added. “Zabmanzor’s close third in the Levin Classic last season took his tally of Group One performers from his first two crops to seven.
“He’s the leading sire of three-year-olds in New Zealand by winners, and with 21 winners since the start of the season he’s eighth on the general sires’ list with the least number of runners.”
Having sired VRC Derby winner Manzoice and Karaka Million 2YO winner Dynastic in his first crop, Almanzor has continued to shine with the likes of fellow first crop members Holymanz, Adam I Am and Mehzebeen, and as well as Zabmanzor, his current crop of three-year-olds also includes quality performers Mary Shan and Sudbina.
Holy Manz, trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and carrying the gold and black Cambridge Stud colours, sealed a trip back to New Zealand when winning the Geelong Coastal Classic at his last start. He will add real interest when he lines up against star four-year-old Legarto and possibly fellow Almanzor gelding Adam I Am in next week’s Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic at Ellerslie on Saturday week.
“Almanzor continues to come up with quality gallopers and we’re looking forward to another crop of lovely yearlings by him going through the ring at Karaka,” Calder said.
Savabeel’s classic-winning son Embellish completes the resident Cambridge Stud line-up for Karaka 2024, and with three stakes performers already from his first crop, expectations are for the buying bench to make the most of the opportunity.
“With our own filly Luberon as well as his two sons Talisker and Whisky Lies both winning three races on the trot, we’re very happy with what Embellish has achieved to date.”
Calder also points to the range of stallions as well as contemporary distaff bloodlines in the Cambridge Stud draft, underling the on-going investment under the Lindsays’ stewardship.
“There’s a very nice flavour to the draft, what with our own sires along with such a wide range of leading stallions. All credit to Brendan and Jo to now see progeny of some of their own young stakes-winning mares as well as various other active families represented.
“It’s very important to keep buyer interest up with bloodlines that appeal, and I think it’s fair to say that the Cambridge Stud draft more than meets that standard.”