“The variety as well as quality in our draft really shines through.”
Last summer yearling buyers were feasting on the first crop of champion European galloper Almanzor, and now another young stallion is set to make his contribution to the Cambridge Stud brand in the Karaka sale-ring.
Karaka 2022 marks the yearling sale debut for progeny of Savabeel’s classic-winning son Embellish, who has already grabbed attention with large books in his first three years at Cambridge Stud. Now the fruits of his 2019 debut season will be presented at the NZ Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series, and while he might be in a different bracket to his European shuttle associate, all the pointers are that Embellish will find his niche with the buying bench.
The New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner, standing at a fee of just $4,000, has been paid a big compliment with seven lots in Book 1 at Karaka and another 16 in Book 2. That recognition has two layers to it – in the first instance that broodmare owners saw fit to breed high quality mares to him, and secondly that the resulting individuals have made the cut for New Zealand’s premier yearling auction.
One Book 1 yearling that underlines the faith placed in Embellish is Lot 386, the flashy colt from the stakes-producing Danehill mare Love Diamonds, a descendant of Hall of Fame icon Eight Carat. Love Diamonds is already the dam of the Group Two and Three winner Queen of Diamonds and Group-placed Lovetessa, whose respective champion sires Savabeel and O’Reilly figure so prominently in Embellish’s pedigree.
“That’s one reason why Love Diamonds was chosen as one of the mares we sent to Embellish,” Cambridge Stud’s Scott Calder told RaceForm. “He’s an important stallion for New Zealand being by breed shapers Savabeel out of an O’Reilly mare and a 2000 Guineas winner, and it was always the plan to stand him at a fee that would attract numbers along with our own determination to send some good mares his way.
“We’re very happy with the quality he’s leaving and it’s exciting to see his first crop now heading to Karaka.”
Almanzor, who has followed last year’s sale-ring headlines with racetrack performance that has exceeded the most optimistic expectations, features a dozen yearlings in the Cambridge Stud draft. Almanzor colt Dynastic – a $360,000 purchase by David Ellis at Karaka last year – won the Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie in January, while fellow Karaka graduate Andalus has been Group placed in his only two starts. In the Northern Hemisphere Almanzor’s first European-sired crop includes stakes-placed fillies Saving Grace and Queen Trezy amongst his 13 winners.
“Almanzor’s results in such a short time have far exceeded our expectations,” says Calder. “To get the Karaka Million winner in his first crop is a dream result and along with what other progeny have shown it vindicates everyone’s opinion at the sales last year. He’s going to be a must-have stallion on every buyer’s list.
“Sadly this is Tavistock’s last crop, especially given what he’s done over the past 18 months. Entriviere has been just one of his big winners, and last weekend we saw another daughter, Flying Mascot, win her second Group race in Melbourne.”
Complementing the progeny of Almanzor and Tavistock are yearlings by leading sires Savabeel, Pierro, Zoustar, Dundeel, Iffraaj, Ocean Park and Per Incanto. The younger brigade of emerging stallions is represented by Russian Revolution, Brazen Beau, Tarzino, Kermadec, Merchant Navy and Vancouver, along with first season sires Justify, U.S. Navy Flag and Eminent.
“The variety as well as quality in our draft really shines through, not only with the range of sires but also in our well-known lines as well as the new blood that has been introduced to the Cambridge Stud broodmare band,” added Calder.
“I believe we’ve shown in the previous few years that we take quality horses to Karaka and provide a transparent process with our horse passports and all the information that buyers need. And if you look at our results and selling rates, it’s obvious we’re there to meet the market.
“The Cambridge Stud brand is associated with success both in the sale-ring and on the racetrack, and Karaka will again be a big part of that stamp.”
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