Outstanding Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel again made the headlines at the 2024 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Property Brokers National Breeding Awards, securing his ninth Grosvenor Award, Dewar Award, and Centaine Award respectively.

The Grosvenor Award is handed to the Champion New Zealand-based sire by total progeny earnings, while the Dewar Award is received by the stallion with the highest total progeny earnings within New Zealand and Australia. Furthermore, the Centaine Award is given to the Champion New Zealand-based sire by total progeny earnings worldwide.

Savabeel’s progeny have amassed over $23 million in prizemoney this season, headlined by his four Group One winners in Atishu, I Wish I Win, Orchestral and Skew Wiff. He has had 145 individual winners this season, producing 240 wins. 21 of those wins have been at Group or Listed level.

“We have said all of these wonderful things about Savabeel over the years, which is a hell of a privilege, but the great thing is we can keep saying them,” Waikato Stud’s Mark Chittick said of the veteran stallion.

Both I Wish I Win and Skew Wiff raced in Waikato Stud’s colours, which Chittick said was a thrill but he equally took great delight in seeing the breeders who supported the elite stallion also reaping the rewards. 

“Getting any Group One winner is an absolute thrill and he certainly gives you the opportunity to be able to achieve that,” Chittick said.

“While seeing those Group One winners in our own colours is massive, when you see people like the Greens who bred Orchestral and who have become involved in the breeding and racing game in a huge way, that is incredibly satisfying as well."