Savabeel G2 Winner at 1000m - What?

Media Release - Saturday March 8

A Cox Plate winning champion sire for Waikato Stud, Savabeel is not known for his short course older sprinters, with the exception of I Wish I Win, but he has a good one in Jedibeel.

Jedibeel scores his most important win of his promising career in Saturday’s A$500,000 Gr.2 Schweppes Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au

Lining up for his first start in 84 days, Jedibeel collected the eighth and most important win of his promising career in Saturday’s A$500,000 Gr.2 Schweppes Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick.

The five-year-old Savabeel gelding scored his first black-type win in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) in December, and then trainer Brad Widdup elected to freshen him ahead of autumn targets. Saturday’s Challenge Stakes was his first start since, and he announced his return to racing in style.

Advertisement

Guided through a narrow opening in the straight by jockey Tyler Schiller, Jedibeel showed a brilliant turn of foot to charge home from off the pace and win by just over a length.

“Over a short distance and coming home in that time, I thought it would be pretty hard to pick up the leaders today, especially when they dash like that,” Schiller said. “But he's just a phenomenal horse at the moment.

“I was a bit nervous that James (McDonald, riding I Am Me) was trying to look for the same spot as me. But this horse has just got a great turn of foot, he's got a great racing pattern, he just lobs in behind the speed. He actually jumped really well today, but I didn't want to be too close.

“I thought James was the horse to follow and then I was getting a bit held up and it just helped him even more, because he's got that great dash. I thought he was really strong late.”

Jedibeel has now had 18 starts for eight wins, seven placings and A$816,150 in stakes.

Jedibeel and Tyler Schiller are a good team - image Bradley Photography

“He's been a terrific horse from day one for us, and it's great to see him do this,” Widdup said. “We aimed at the Razor Sharp last time and gave him a short break to get him back for these sort of races.

“I was keen to run him next week, but if I did that, I'd miss out on the Galaxy (Gr.1 1100m), so I threw the cards on the table and rolled the dice today, and away we went.

“Tyler's always been a big believer that the Galaxy is a race we should be aiming at. He's got a massive turn of foot, and especially with a ride like that, where he can get out late and he finishes good.

“He's a winner. You know, these horses, they do it week in, week out. You can't train them, they just win, they're naturals.”

Jedibeel was bred by Waikato Stud and is out of their unraced O’Reilly mare Starry. The five-year-old gelding is one of five winners from six foals to race out of Starry – a group that also includes the Dunstan Feeds Stayers’ Championship (2400m) winner and multiple Group Three placegetter Starrybeel. But despite being a full-brother to that genuine stayer, there is also no shortage of speed in Jedibeel’s pedigree, which notably features multiple Group One winner I Wish I Win.

Waikato Stud offered Jedibeel during the National Weanling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus in 2020, where he was bought for $35,000 by Dengaroka Lodge in New South Wales. Jedibeel was later purchased by Widdup as a yearling for A$190,000 at the Sydney Classic Sale after fielding a phone call from Sydney businessman Mike Gregg.

Gregg races Jedibeel in the bumble-bee colours of his Sydney University of NSW cricket club, along with his grandson Locky Sheridan. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment

Race Result - Schweppes Challenge Stakes Gr2 1000m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 0:55.97
1
Jedibeel
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x Starry (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: Tyler Schiller 58.5
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale $190,000
Seller: Cannon Hayes Stud, Scone
Buyer: Brad Widdup Racing
2
1.2
Kimochi
- 4m Brave Smash (JPN) x Summer Fun (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: N Rawiller 56.5
Brave Smash
Inglis Chairman's Sale $2,200,000
Seller: Twin Hills Stud, Cootamundra
Buyer: Ilsay Vale
Inglis Australian Weanling Sale $21,000
Seller: Valiant Stud, Aberdeen
Buyer: Hall of Fame Bloodstock Pty Ltd
3
1.3
I Am Me
- 6m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Mefnooda (AUS) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56.5
I Am Invincible
Inglis Chairman's Sale $2,000,000
Seller: Bimbadeen Park, Werombi
Buyer: Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Limited
Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 $210,000
Seller: Segenhoe Stud Australia Pty Ltd, Scone, NSW
Buyer: Dynamic Syndications / Dean Watt Bloodstock (FBAA)
4
1.5
Uncommon James
- 6g Cable Bay (IRE) x Pickabee (AUS) (Jet Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Hoysted Rdr: J Parr 58.5
5
1.8
Mazu
- 6g Maurice (JPN) x Chatelaine (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: J R Collett 58.5
6
3.6
Dragonstone
- 6g Mikki Isle (JPN) x Quick's The Word (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: A Hyeronimus 58.5
7
3.8
Way To The Stars
- 6g Reward For Effort (AUS) x Writteninthestars (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Rachel King 58.5
8
4.3
Kallos
- 6g Medaglia D'oro (USA) x Calliope (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Zac Lloyd 58.5
9
5.2
Givemethebeatboys
- 4h Bungle Inthejungle (GB) x Dromana (IRE) (Dutch Art (GB))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: Tim Clark 58.5
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Brad Widdup has had a lot of success with Kiwi bred mare Icebath, who he purchased from Inglis Classic and it looks like he might have found another talented Kiwi bred from the same source.
One to Watch – Wyong
The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.
Waikato Stud Weanling Draft Showcases Super Stallions
After a phenomenal few months for Waikato Stud’s stallion roster, the world-renowned nursery will offer six select progeny of those high-flying sires at this week’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Savabeel Sprinter on the Rise
Emerging sprinter Jedibeel is taking his career to new heights this autumn and winter, adding a third win to his five-start campaign with a dominant performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Schweppes Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Ardrossan Supporters Rewarded with Taken
The emergence of the Victorian-based Taken is another winning story for a New Zealand breeding and ownership group established to support the three-year-old’s young sire.