Two Good Reasons to Head to Karaka for the Final Crop of Tavistock

Mark Smith - Wednesday February 2

The late, great Tavistock showed, in the space of twenty minutes, why buyers should be beating a path to the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale to secure a youngster from his final crop.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly Ruthless Dame made a winning debut over 1300m at Sandown Lakeside and was quickly followed by a dominant performance of the Matthew Smith-trained Bedford Square over 1550m at Randwick.

Impressive debut (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Punters threw in for a win on Ruthless Dame.

The daughter of Tavistock had just one behind her at the 300m. The lone filly in the race, Ruthless Dame launched late for Jamie Kah.

 Healey Bloodstock’s Maroubra was held up at a vital stage, but connections of the first crop son of Winx’s half-brother Boulder City would have been buoyed from the way he finished the race off, to be beaten a length.

The Toronado (IRE) colt Toronto Terrier was a further half-length back in third.

“Delighted for the team at Ballarat, she has been predominately down there, and winning a nice race like this,” stable representative Jack Turnbull said.

“We put a nose roll on as we felt she was not lowering and lengthening the way we would have liked, but I don’t think it will be on forever.

‘It was very professional for a young Tavistock, February 2yo. She did it well. Was cool, calm and collected and did everything that was asked of her.”

Ruthless Dame a $90,000 Karaka Yearling

Bred by Go Bloodstock, Ruthless Dame was a $90,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Racing from the Curraghmore draft from Book 1 of the 2021 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.  

The daughter of Tavistock is the second winner for the stakes-placed Keeper mare Ruthless Lady.

A $225,000 yearling purchase for David Ellis, Ruthless Lady is a half-sister to Group II winner Oracy (Zabeel) and  dual Listed winner The Lady (Stravinsky).

Ruthless Lady’s dam Lady Dehere (Dehere) is a Group II winning half-sister to the triple Group 1 winner Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock), Group III winner and successful stallion Oratorio (Stravinsky) and Listed winner Discorsi (Galileo).

Up in Sydney, Bedford Square deserved a win after three consecutive seconds.

The 4yo daughter of Tavistock duly delivered under an enterprising ride by apprentice Dylan Gibbons.

The Matthew Smith-trained mare powered away over the final 200m to defeat Foxwedge mare Bella Violet by two and quarter lengths with a further three-quarter of a length back to the Real impact (JPN) mare Twice On Sunday in third.

An $80,000 purchase by John Foote Bloodstock / Matthew Smith Racing from the Woburn Farm draft at the 2019 NZB Ready To Run Sale, Bedford Square advances her record to two five four from 3 starts with earnings of $86,330.

Out of the Street Sense (USA) mare Superefficient, Bedford Square has a half-brother from the first crop by Savabeel’s New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas winner Embellish in the Kiltannon Stables draft at Karaka.Lot 1096

Tavistock has 15 yearlings from his final crop on offer at Karaka.

Tavistock

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbroke It (Rs0mw) 1300m

Sandown-Lakeside Track: Good(4) Time: 1:18.67
1
Ruthless Dame
- 2f Tavistock (NZ) x Ruthless Lady (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Jamie Kah 56
2
1.0
Maroubra
- 2g Boulder City (AUS) x Middlebrook Miss (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Newitt 58
3
1.5
Toronto Terrier
- 2c Toronado (IRE) x Dom Perion (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Jye McNeil 58
4
1.7
Touch Of Navy
- 2c Merchant Navy (AUS) x Epitomise (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: M Zahra 58
5
2.2
Suizuro
- 2c Real Impact (JPN) x Sussuro (AUS) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: M J Dee 58
6
7.2
Prince Of Cairo
- 2c American Pharoah (USA) x Swift Lady (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Damien Thornton 58
7
9.4
Space Journey
- 2c Tosen Stardom (JPN) x Aquada (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: Jack Hill 58
More Reading...
Book 2 Closes out Successful Karaka 2025
The curtain came down on the final day of selling at NZB’s 99th National Yearling Sales Series with the last day of Book 2 continuing the trend of steady trade. 
Savabeel Filly Pointing Towards NZ Derby
With an eye to the future, the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) is the preferred Classic option for talented filly Hinekaha.
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 30
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Karaka Book 1 - Pinhook Winners
The NZB National Yearling Sale Book 1 was held earlier this week and as always there are a good selection of Australian bred yearlings offered that are pinhooked from various sales here and we’re taking a look at the most profitable and you can also check out the full list of all that were offered.
Patella Bloodstock - Kneebone builds firepower for training venture
A productive week of shopping at Karaka has helped to put up-and-coming horseman Nick Kneebone on a path towards New Zealand’s training ranks.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
The big guns were in action at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning with the likes of Via Sistina (IRE), Ceolwulf and Fangirl stepping out as well as glamour three year-olds Switzerland, Broadsiding, Private Life and Lady Shenandoah, but they have been well exposed through social media so we’ll stick to the juveniles and they also held plenty of autumn promise.
Satono Aladdin Goes Back to Back at Karaka Book 2
Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin has provided the headline acts of Book 2 of Karaka 2025, siring the highest-priced lots on both Wednesday and Thursday.
NZ Oaks Possible for Debut Winner
A $1 million Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) path is on the cards for Waverley filly Twisted Love following her debut win in the Agfirst (1650m) at her home track on Wednesday.
Pencarrow Mare Chasing More Black Type
Classy mare Pearl Of Alsace will have an opportunity to get back in the winning groove at New Plymouth on Saturday, tackling the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m).
Blue Point Colt Chasing Kiwi G1
Next week’s Legends Day at Te Rapa will have a strong international flavour, with Sydney trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald set to tackle the meeting’s two Group One features with a pair of high-profile runners.