Historic day for Waikato as Noverre joins Savabeel
The retirement of New Zealand 2000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Noverre to Waikato Stud had been announced his owner David Ellis of Te Akau months ago and yesterday Mark Chittack expressed his delight about the Group 1 winner taking his place at stud beside his seven-time champion New Zealand sire Savabeel (Zabeel).
It was always going to be a monumental day when Waikato Stud announced that they were standing a son of their champion stallion Savabeel at the nursery, just as it was in 1991 when Cambridge Stud secured Savabeel’s sire Zabeel as the heir apparent to Sir Tristram (Sir Ivor).
“It’s pretty special for us to have Noverre joining his legendary sire Savabeel on the roster and believe me, picking his heir apparent was not a decision we have taken lightly,” Chittick said yesterday. “We are absolutely delighted to be standing this talented and classy colt.
“Savabeel showed speed and precocity as a racehorse, as did his dam Savannah Success, and I believe these were crucial ingredients in his success as a stallion. Noverre has the same profile, as a smart two-year-old out of a fast dam and granddam, all with their share of juvenile ability.
“He’s a big, strapping, dark horse, like his sire, and possibly even better-looking than Savabeel. He’s been on the farm for two months and has let down into an absolutely beautiful horse, both physically and mentally.”
Noverre is the first foal out of Group 3 juvenile winner Magic Dancer (Rip Van Winkle), who is herself a daughter of Dazzling Belle (Desert Sun), a two-time Listed winner early in her two-year-old career.
He was purchased for $800,000 by Te Akau’s David Ellis at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Premier Yearling Sale and he retired the winner of three of his seven starts, which saw him pocket prize-money earnings of NZ$355,150.
“From the moment I saw him as a yearling, Noverre was a colt we had to have,” said Ellis. “He was as close to perfect as one would see in a yearling. He was an incredible athlete, with a deep girth and quality head.
“We paid a bit more for him than we thought we would have to, but right from day one he showed us he was special. He put in a freakish effort in the 2000 Guineas, giving them a start at the turn and beating them the way he did.
“He’s right up there with the best Te Akau have trained.”
In addition to Savabeel, Noverre will stand alongside Ocean Park (Thorn Park) and Tivaci (High Chaparral), Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Super Seth (Dundeel) and young sprinters Ardrossan (Redoute’s Choice) and Banquo (Written Tycoon).