Super Sire Zabeel chalked up his fifth Group One Auckland Cup when the Anthony Cummings-trained Zavite won the $1m Stella Artois Auckland Cup in the hands of Damien Oliver today.

Zavite joins Bazelle (2005), Our Unicorn (2001), Able Master (2000) and Jezabeel (1998) as other progeny of Zabeel to win the 3200 metres Ellerslie feature.

It was the tenth and most important win to date for Zavite (Zabeel ex Miss Vita, by Alleged) whose previous wins include the Adelaide Cup-Gr.2, VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes-Gr.3, Launceston Cup-Gr.3, Australia Day Cup-LR and STC W J McKell Cup-LR.

Zavite was bred by Fairdale Stud in Palmerston North and is from an international family which has been responsible for the likes of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, Suave Dancer.

Zavite's win takes Zabeel to the lead in The Dewar Award (Australasian earnings for a NZ-based stallion).  Zabeel overtakes High Chaparral in this title which he has previously won on no less than 13 occasions.