Super Sire Zabeel has been responsible for no less than four W S Cox Plate winners so it was appropriate that the mighty stallion should celebrate his 28th birthday last Saturday, the same day as a memorable 2014 Cox Plate was being contested at Moonee Valley.
Though now retired from stud duties, Zabeel remains active and healthy at Cambridge Stud.
Studmaster Sir Patrick Hogan heads across to Australia this week to witness another Melbourne Cup and was quick to point out this morning that no fewer than five of the likely runners in the race next Tuesday trace directly to Zabeel or his own champion sire, Sir Tristram.
For the record, the horses Sir Patrick is referring to are...
* Fawkner (by Reset, a son of Zabeel)
* Lucia Valentina (by Savabeel, a son of Zabeel)
* Who Shot The Barman (by Yamanin Vital, a son of Sir Tristram)
