Champion sire Savabeel is all set to improve his Group 1 strike-rate with Savvy Nature (Spring Champion Stakes) and Eclair Big Bang (Caulfield Guineas) this Saturday.

Savabeel (NZ) has sired 27 stakes winners in his first four crops at Waikato Stud and among them have been the Group 1 classic winners Sangster (Victoria Derby), Brambles (Queensland Derby) and Scarlett Lady (Queensland Oaks).

Savabeel’s magnificent start at stud has been an added bonus for his younger half-brother Arlington who stands at Lincoln Farm.  He is midway through a second book at the Hunter Valley stud after serving 106 mares last year.

“Some of our most influential stallions have been full or half-brothers to a major sire and Arlington fits the bill to follow Savabeel,” Lincoln Farm’s Nick Posa remarked this week.  “The success on both sides of his pedigree speaks for itself.”

Savabeel won the 2004 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick and then doubled up in the W S Cox Plate.  Trainer Graeme Rogerson followed the advice of legendary Kentucky horseman Arthur ‘Bull’ Hancock when he went back to the well to buy Arlington as a yearling at the 2006 Gold Coast Magic Millions.

“Drill for oil where oil has been found,” Hancock declared when asked about the secret of his success with stallions at Claiborne Farm.

Arlington developed in to a Group 1 performer in his own right, winning five races in Australia and New Zealand from 1100m and 1800m.  He was beaten a length by Weekend Hussler in the G1 Randwick Guineas after striking interference in the straight.

A magnificent individual, Arlington is a son of breed-shaping sire Red Ransom.  His dam Savannah Success earned Group 1 honours in the New Zealand Oaks and STC Ansett Australia Stakes.

Arlington stands for a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee and Lincoln Farm is offering a unique deal to attract breeders this year.

“If broodmare owners don’t want their 2014 foal by Arlington, we will buy it back at weaning for TWICE the service fee paid,” Posa said.  “Obviously, we don’t expect any takers but that indicates the confidence we have in Arlington.”

Posa can be contacted for more details on the Arlington foal offer by calling 0417 903 578.

– Karl Patterson

BLACK GOLD
Arlington stands at Lincoln Farm for a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee