Expensive Savabeel colt Delivers Milestone for Walker

Media Release - Saturday September 28

Trainer Mark Walker achieved another notable milestone when Age of Discovery bolted home in the Rangiora New World Guineas Trial (1400m) at Riccarton.

The win was victory number 2000 for Walker in a stellar career that has seen him dominate in New Zealand and Singapore for Te Akau Racing whilst he is also quickly establishing his presence for the Te Akau team from their Cranbourne base in Australia.

Mark Walker following Age of Discovery's win in the Guineas Trial (1400m) at Riccarton.  Photo: Ajay Berry (Race Images South)

One of the hallmarks of Walkers mentorship has been his uncanny ability with the younger horses and Age Of Discovery looks another potential topliner in the making.

Successful on debut at the venue over 1200m a fortnight again, Age Of Discovery was backed off the board on this occasion, starting at $1.30 on the tote and he never gave his multitude of supporters a worry as he made it two wins from just two starts.

Allowed to find his feet and a good rhythm early in the piece by rider Wiremu Pinn, the son of Savabeel looked to be travelling sweetly as Pinn angled him into the clear from a rearward position approaching the home turn.

Advertisement

Once he balanced up Age Of Discovery swept to the front at the 200m and eased to the line a length and a half to the good of Cloche and Simsala who chased bravely but to no avail.

Walker, who prepares the colt with co-trainer Sam Bergerson, was pleased with the performance of both horse and rider as he looks ahead to bigger targets including a possible tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on 9 November.

“Dave (Ellis) bought him out of Windsor Park’s draft and we’ve always thought quite a bit of him,” Walker said.

“First prep, you’re always a bit mindful that they have to get through the early races, but you’d think he’d love a mile here.

“Wiremu (Pinn) rode him confidently and he’s riding really well. We’ve taken him under our wing and if we can keep him on the straight and narrow he’s as good as any rider going around.

“Our theory is that the more practice he (Age Of Discovery) has here at Riccarton the better, so we’ll probably come back here for the War Decree (Gr.3, 1600m) at the end of October.

“He’s a really exciting colt and we’ve got him on the right track towards the 2000 Guineas. It was pleasing, just the way he did it today, to see him relax beautifully and really attack the line.”

Not one to trumpet his achievements Walker has won 11 Champion Trainer titles, trained 36 Group One winners, recorded his 1000th domestic win in 2022, the same year in which he recorded the fastest 100 wins and NZ record 203 wins in a season.

To date, he has trained 1279 wins in New Zealand, 684 in Singapore, and 37 following victory overnight by Bellatrix Star in the Scarborough Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) at Moonee Valley.

“I’m very thankful to have had the opportunities that I’ve had over the years. I’m still quite young (53), plenty of life left in me and I’m looking forward to training the next thousand,” he said.

Age of Discovery sold for $625,000 at K1.

Bred by Windsor Park Stud from their Fastnet Rock mare Bayrock, Age Of Discovery was a $625,000 purchase by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis from their Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2023.

He is the younger brother of Australian stakes winner Hindaam while Gr.1 Coolmore Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) winner Merchant Navy features in his extended pedigree. - Trackside.co.nz

Visit the profile page for Savabeel

Savabeel in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - Rangiora New World Guineas Trial 3yo 1400m

Riccarton Park Track: Good(4) Time: 1:24.74
1
Age Of Discovery
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x Bayrock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: W F Pinn 57
NZB Karaka Book 1 $625,000
Seller: Windsor Park Stud
Buyer: Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ)
2
1.6
Cloche
- 3f Ghibellines (AUS) x Fascinate (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: B & S Anderton Rdr: C A Campbell 55
3
1.7
Simsala
- 3f Almanzor (FR) x Majella Magic (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: K I Rae Rdr: A C Goindasamy 55
NZB Ready To Run Sale $25,000
Seller: Kiltannon Stables Ltd
Buyer: Mr ML Barratt
4
4.4
Lil Zena
- 3f U S Navy Flag (USA) x Zentessa (NZ) (Zed (NZ))
Tnr: Anna Furlong Rdr: L T Hemi 54
5
5.7
Amusing
- 3f Vanbrugh (AUS) x Tickled Pink (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: R C Dennis Rdr: T R Moseley 54
6
6.2
Conflict
- 3f Impending (AUS) x Membership (AUS) (All American (AUS))
Tnr: B S Smith Rdr: A Balloo 54
7
53.8
Our Sallyann
- 3f Shamus Award (AUS) x Street Impact (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: M & M Pitman Rdr: Ms K Williams 54
More Reading...
Bravo Centurion - How Good is He?
Ridden by Chris Parnham for Luke Fernie, Bravo Centurion stretched his winning run to six, making every post a winner to defeat Saloon Bar (Sessions) by a long three and three-quarter lengths with Crippalenko (Maschino) a half-length back in third.
Fawkner Park Back to Winning Ways in G3 Rosehill Gold Cup
Since winning the Listed Albury Gold Cup in March, Fawkner Park has undergone an amazing transformation.
Back to Back Victoria Derby Winners for Triple Crown Hero American Pharoah
The Watson family owned South Australian nursery Mill Park is a name synonymous with serious Group I horses and in particular those bred by astute breeder Harry Perks and this winning association struck for a third time in the $2million Group I VRC Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday when Goldrush Guru saluted to join previous winners they have produced in Rebel Raider and Warning.
Third G1 Win for Star Savabeel Mare Atishu
A year after flying home for second behind Pride Of Jenni in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Go Racing’s pin-up girl Atishu(NZ) (Savabeel) returned to Flemington on Saturday and went one better for the Kiwi syndicators.
2024 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw
The all important barrier draw for the world’s richest handicap, the $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been held for a field which contains horses bred in seven countries and trained in four.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 2
Here is the full list of 137 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
William Haggas Trained Lake Forest Triumphs in Golden Eagle
William Haggas is playing his part in keeping the UK economy afloat, taking home a further $5,250,000 after Lake Forest (GB) won an action-packed James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
Invincible Mares Quinella G3 Furphy Sprint
The first foal of triple Group I winning mare Shoals, blueblood I Am invincible mare Isthmus has been threatening to win a stakes race this year and got the job done when charging clear to score a dominant victory in the Group III VRC Furphy Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday over another I Am Invincible mare in Kundalini.
Switzerland Brother an Inglis Easter Highlight for 2025
An “arrogant’’, “dominant’’ and “awesome’’ victory solidified Easter Sale superstar Switzerland’s future at stud when he produced a devastating performance to win the stallion making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today.
Switzerland Wins the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for Coolmore
After Coolmore’s $875,000 I Am Invincible colt Home Affairs captured the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2021, it was the turn of the $1,500,000 Snitzel colt Switzerland to do the sponsor proud in the $2,000,000 Group 1 feature at Flemington on Saturday.