UK Destination for $440,000 Tavistock Colt

Media Release - Tuesday January 26

A determination to buy a special son of the Group One racehorse and successful sire that she bred, came to fruition for Henrietta, the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, at Karaka on Tuesday.

Montjeu colt Tavistock was bred at Bloomsbury Stud NZ back in 2005 and after being purchased out of the 2007 Select sale at Karaka by trainer Andrew Campbell, went on to win twice at Group One level in New Zealand before being sold to stand at Sir Patrick Hogan’s Cambridge Stud.

Success followed as Tavistock produced quality gallopers such as Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Werther, Group One winners Tarzino, Tavago, Volkstok’n’barrell and more recently Johnny Gets Angry and Toffee Tongue.

Following his untimely demise in 2019, the Duchess was determined to purchase a colt by her sentimental favourite that could race in England and set about achieving that desire at the National Yearling Sale this year.

Lot 487, the Tavistock colt out of Zabeel mare La Belle Beel, was purchased by Henrietta, the Dowager Duchess of Bedford for $440,000. Photo: Trish Dunell

Lot 487, a colt out of Zabeel mare La Belle Beel consigned by Hogan through the Woburn Farm draft became the desired target for the Duchess with representative Berri Schroder entrusted with the bidding duties.

After a sluggish start the action kicked in late in the piece as Schroder and trainer Roger James went head-to-head for the colt, with Schroder sealing the deal with a final bid of $440,000.

“It has been Henrietta’s dream to buy a Tavistock from Sir Patrick that could go to England to race to complete the circle for her,” Schroder said.

Advertisement

“If the planes are going, he will be sent over to the northern hemisphere in either June or July.

“While he will be six months older than his competition he will race in open races as a maiden as an autumn two-year-old.

“We looked at every Tavistock in the catalogue this year as we wanted to select the one that would be best suited to that plan and this one fits the bill.

“It was a great battle in the ring and I wasn’t confident we had him until the gavel went down.

“We had heard that there were at least four people on him and I think it was Roger James who was the underbidder.”

Schroder advised that no trainer had been selected to take the colt in England, with the horse set to return to Woburn Farm for the next stage of his preparation before undertaking his journey up north. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 5
Here is the full list of 112 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Spring Goals Await Caloundra Cup Winner Half Yours
With spring staying features on their minds, Tony and Calvin McEvoy sent their improving stayer north to Queensland for Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) with instant success as the 4yo gelding Half Yours romped home by four and a half lengths.
Dubawi Colt from $US8million Mare Wins G1 Coral Eclipse for Coolmore
Blueblood Dubawi colt Delacroix was a beaten favourite in the Group I Epsom Derby when unplaced behind his stablemate Lambourn, but he found his time to shine overnight when scoring a miraculous last to first win in the Group I Coral Eclipse Stakes (1m2f) at Sandown.
Group 1 Durban July Success For Son Of Australian Bred Gimmethegreenlight
Although not having previously sired a winner of South Africa’s greatest race, the Australian bred, South African-based sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) added a 13th individual Group 1 winner to his record when the Dean Kannemeyer trained The Real Prince (SAF) added Saturday’s R5m Group 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2200m) to his record.
Istataba adds international flavour to National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Buyers can currently bid on 11 stakes-performed mares in the National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, including one that brings South American bloodlines and Singaporean racetrack performance.
Divine Prophet’s Fortunate Kiss Captures Elusive Black Type Win
With nine top five finishes in previous black type races, it was better late than never as 6yo Divine Prophet mare Fortunate Kiss charged along the inside to win the $300,000 Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday – her first black type victory.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 6
Here is the full list of 68 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sixth Winner for Anders
First past the post at Wyong on June 24, talented Anders filly Sapling lost that race on protest, but quickly made amends when returning to the same track on Saturday to score her first actual victory.
G1 Winning Champion 2YO Velocious to be Offered on Inglis Digital
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) will be offered for auction in the Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale.
High-flying Pencarrow Stud offers well-bred mares in Online Breeding Stock Sale
The 2024-25 season has been one of the best ever for Pencarrow Stud, and some of the renowned bloodlines that have underpinned that success are now available for purchase in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.