In a coup for the Australian breeding industry, Newhaven Park is excited to announce they have secured Champion New Zealand 3YO Xtravagant (Pentire (GB) x Axiom (NZ)).
A sensational eight length debut winner
at his only start at two and a dual Group One winner, Xtravagant won the Group
One New Zealand 2000 Guineas by eight and a half lengths in race record time
before beating older horses in the Group One Waikato Sprint, again by an
extraordinary margin of eight lengths.
Xtravagant will be retired to take up stud duties at Newhaven Park for the 2017 breeding season.
"He was a breathtaking racehorse with phenomenal speed. His eight-length win as
a two-year-old was incredible, then his record victories in the Guineas and the
Waikato Sprint against older horses (beating five individual Group One winners)
were unbelievable. You don't often see horses win by eight and nine lengths in
Group One company which he did," said John Kelly.
"He is a superb looking individual with a truly international pedigree that is
an outcross for Australia's Danehill line mares - we thought he was a wonderful
opportunity that should not be missed. He will stand for a fee of $15,000 (plus
GST) which will offer Australian breeders great value given his credentials."
The most expensive yearling of his year by outstanding sire Pentire (GB) sold
in 2014, Xtravagant caught the eye of renowned judge David Ellis, who paid
$375,000 for the stunning colt who won six of 12 starts in the famed Te Akau
Racing colours.
An eight length debut win at Hastings as a two year old put Xtravagant in the
picture for the major three year-old events and stakes success followed
swiftly, view race replay here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Luswfk6NRws&t=9s
Prepared by Te Akau co-trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, Xtravagant
scored an earth shattering eight and a half-length victory in the Group One New
Zealand Two Thousand Guineas running a new race record. View race replay - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h_xekcwq9FE
"Xtravagant is certainly one of the most exciting three year olds that Te Akau
has had in the last 35 years. He is the highest rated 3YO in New Zealand since
Bonecrusher, winning two Group One races by a combined margin of 16 1/2
lengths. As a 3YO he raced in August, September, October, November, December,
January, February, March & April and won his last start for the season in
the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders Stakes in the fastest time since we went from
furlongs to meters. He is a wonderful example of equine excellence, has a
wonderful temperament and I will be sending mares of my own to Australia to mate
with him. Congratulations to Newhaven Park, they have bought a wonderful
racehorse," said David Ellis.
He clocked 1:33.59 for the 1600 metres in the Guineas, bettering the race
record set the previous year by Turn Me Loose, who would go on to win two Group
One races in Australia.
"Nobody wins Group One's like that," said winning rider Matt Cameron.
"How impressive is this horse? He's just absolutely dominated them."
Xtravagant proved the win no fluke when repeating the performance to win the
Group I Waikato Sprint at weight-for-age at Te Rapa beating older rivals by
eight lengths.
He again ran blistering time, covering the 1400 metres in 1:21.92 second, view
race replay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRnvZzyEg3k&app=desktop
"Stephen and I were so lucky to train such a gifted and talented horse, he
was incredibly fast, had a wonderful turn of foot and everything you look for
in a racehorse. To be involved in such a horse this early in my career was a
privilege and we wish the team at Newhaven all the very best with a truly
wonderful racehorse," commented Jamie Richards.
Xtravagant is a full brother to multiple Group I placed Group III winner He's
Remarkable and his three year-old half-sister Axiomatic (by O'Reilly) is
regarded as a likely stakes performer during the Sydney Autumn Carnival for the
Chris Waller stable.
His first two dams are by champion sires Zabeel and Centaine and his female
pedigree is packed with Black Type performers including Group I winners Legs,
Guyno and Sixty Seconds.
"He has all the attributes we look for in a stallion and we look forward to
presenting him to Australian breeders this spring," Kelly added.
Newhaven Park Release
