Savant back in money

Press, 28 July 1989, Page 24

Savant back in money

When the Christchurch businessman, Brooke McKenzie, took on the job of making the stallion, Savant a commercial proposition after fertility problems had dogged the horse, most thought he would be unable to do It. It has not been easy, and McKenzie still finds it hard to understand what a horse has to do to gain widespread support, but he has already had the last laugh. Savant left the 1989 St Leger winner, Saveur, the first gelding sired by a South Island based stallion to win the classic for many years. Saveur’s success has helped make Savant one of the leading sires in the country in terms of earnings per start. He has had just six starters this season, and five of them have been winners. He is the leading New Zealandbased sire in the country of those with less than ten starters. His crop of three-year-

olds numbers just eleven, but his future crops should be significantly greater. His latest winner was Tune’s Image which caused an upset at Timaru last Saturday. Saveur, which did not strike his best form on an Australian campaign, is spelling and will return to training later in the year. A half brother is to be offered at the South Island sale while a full brother, Considerate, is now racing in the North Island after winning at Wingatui at Queens Birthday week-end. McKenzie’s . Spires Stallion Station, also the home of the Bletchingly horse, Domingly, in the coming season offers six Savants at the upcoming South Island sale. There is a filly from Sam McGredy’s sister, Bridle Rose; a colt from Done A’Dash, a relation of Dashing Star; a colt from Golden Rani; a sister to the well performed Newginn, and a half brother to Ben Jess.