Star Savabeel Colt Wins G2 Sarten Memorial

Media Release - Monday October 22

Former top juvenile Sword Of Osman was back in the winning groove at Te Rapa where he took out the Group II James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) with a bold front-running performance.

Sword of Osman - Trish DunnellA Group One winner during his two-year-old season, the Savabeel gelding had been slow to find his feet in this campaign with two unplaced efforts preceding Monday's much improved showing.

Aided by an inch-perfect ride by Opie Bosson, Sword Of Osman dictated the speed throughout before repelling a strong challenge in the run home by Qiji Express, who failed by just a nose to topple the winner. Race favourite Madison County, the stablemate of the runner-up, made ground late to finish third without threatening the first two home.

Trainer Jamie Richards, who prepares the gelding for the Te Akau Great Sword syndicate, admitted he wasn't sure if his charge had got the victory until the judge declared the result of the photo-finish.

"I wasn't sure but I watched it with David (Ellis) and he said don't give up just yet," he said.

"A big thanks to the team at home who look after him and have done a good job to get him back on track.

"He took a while to come out of the winter but we haven't been able to fault him at home.

"It mapped like he might get it soft enough (in front) but that's probably up to his peak in terms of distance.

Advertisement

"It was a lovely ride by Opie, who rides him in all his gallops. He is such an important part of our team so I'm really thrilled for him."

Richards confirmed Sword Of Osman will now head south to contest the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 10.

"We'll sit down now and make some plans as we will have three or four in the Guineas," he said.

"It's been a good race to us so why not."

Sword Of Osman now sits on the second line of betting on the TAB Fixed Odds market at a $7 quote, a price he shares with stablemate Our Flying Ace behind favourite Madison County who remains steady at $2.80.

The Savabeel gelding was a $165,000 purchase by Te Akau Racing boss, David Ellis, from the Trelawney Stud draft during the Premier session of the 2017 National Yearling Sale. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
Probabeel Shows her Class
Superstar three-year-old Probabeel proved a class above her age-group rivals when she made a winning start to her summer campaign over 1400m at Awapuni on Saturday.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
Savabeel Colt Secures Karaka Million Start
Te Akau Racing’s quest to win the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) for the fourth year in succession was bolstered considerably when Cool Aza Beel ensured his place in the field with a dominant victory at Tauranga on Friday.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Savabeel Blueblood Wins G3 Desert Gold
A copybook ride by Opie Bosson paved the way for promising filly Showbeel to add a valuable black type success to her career record when she took out the first feature race at Trentham on Saturday, the Group III New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m).
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.