NZ Filly of the Year for Sale on Gavelhouse

Media Release - Friday September 23

Te Akau Racing’s New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Amarelinha is the latest high-profile mare to be listed for sale on Gavelhouse Plus.

The five-year-old daughter of Savabeel will be offered as a racing and breeding proposition, with the auction to run through until 7pm (NZ) on Wednesday 28 September.

Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks winner and New Zealand Filly of the Year Amarelinha will be offered for sale on Gavelhouse Plus Photo: Race Images PN

The dominant filly of her generation, Amarelinha won the 2021 Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), the culmination of a stunning summer campaign.

En route to her Oaks triumph, Amarelinha displayed her versatility and class, with a maiden victory over 1300m quickly followed by success in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m).

Prepared for the bulk of her career by Jamie Richards, Amarelinha also finished runner-up in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) behind Group One winner Aegon, while she also finished fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) behind Hungry Heart, Duais and Bargain.  

Advertisement

As a four-year-old, Amarelinha finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) and was not beaten far when fourth in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m).

Te Akau principal David Ellis went to $300,000 to secure the well-related Amarelinha as a yearling from the draft of Waikato Stud.

The daughter of champion sire Savabeel and the O’Reilly mare Hopscotch evoked memories of her year-older stablemate Probabeel, who at the time had just triumphed in the Karaka Million and would later go on to score at Group One level on four occasions.

“Amarelinha is one of the best three-year-old fillies we have ever had in the stable,” Ellis said.

“She’s won from 1300m to 2400m and right through her classic season, her form was outstanding.

“She’s one of the best types of Savabeels I’ve ever seen and is bred on that famous Savabeel – O’Reilly cross, I’m certain she will make a really good broodmare.

“Another point to give buyers confidence is the fact that both Melody Belle and Avantage both got in foal on their first services last season. I think the way we manage our horses helps in this regard.”

One of 27 individual Group One winners by her sire, Amarelinha is the first foal from the O’Reilly mare Hopscotch, who in turn is from the Bluebird mare Jacqwin, dam of the outstanding four-time Group One winner Metal Bender.

The Savabeel – O’Reilly cross operates at 12 percent stakes-winners to runners, while it is also worth noting Savabeel is making a name as a broodmare sire, with 17 stakes winners to his credit in that capacity to date, including Group One winners Savatoxl and Never Been Kissed.

Amarelinha is the third New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year to be listed on Gavelhouse Plus, with the platform having sold Jennifer Eccles for $800,000 and Imelda Mary for $200,000.

Buyers are reminded to set up their Gavelhouse Plus profiles well in advance of the auction closing.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Extraordinary Results on Record Day One at NZB Ready to Run
Day One of NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale witnessed incredible results across the board, including an Australasian record for a two-year-old at auction.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
€1million Sea the Stars Colt Tops Goffs Foal Sale Day 3
Godolphin swung into sales action overnight at the Goffs November Foal Sale purchasing a colt by Sea the Stars for €1million to top the third session of the sale.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.