Cambridge Stud boss Sir Patrick Hogan has taken great satisfaction from key racing action in both Australia and New Zealand over the past few days.
He is the co-breeder of the Australian Cup-Gr.1 winner Preferment (Zabeel ex Better Alternative, by Flying Spur) while Purple Smile (Zabeel ex By Her Smile, by Defensive Play) added another major Cups race to the remarkable record of the now-retired Zabeel when taking out yesterday's Adelaide Cup-Gr.2.
To top things off Volkstok'n'barrell (Tavistock ex Volkster, by Volksraad) continued to fly the prominent flag of resident stallion Tavistock when scoring a brave victory in the ARC New Zealand Stakes-Gr.1 (2000m) on the home front.
It was the second Group One victory this season for Volkstok'n'barrell having also won the Otaki-Maori RC WFA Stakes-Gr.1 (1600m) two weeks ago.
Sir Patrick points out that while Zabeel is still siring major winners, it should be noted also that he is currently Australia's Leading Broodmare Sire.
Here are Zabeel's Broodmare Sire key facts in Australia so far this season
* Sire of the dams of 150 individual winners
* Collectively that group of horses has won 225 races
* Daughters of Zabeel have left 12 individual black type winners in Australia so far this season (17 Stakes Races won)
* Prize Money won by the progeny of Zabeel mares this season in Australia sits at A$10,173,411
