8 Sep 2012
Australian racing witnessed more than a touch of Zabeel magic yesterday with his daughter Zurella winning at Group 2 level in style at Flemington while Southern Speed and Dear Demi, both of which are from Zabeel mares, also tasted success in Group 2 company.
Add to that Fawkner’s (by Reset, a sire-son of Zabeel) success in the VRC Sofitel Stakes-LR at Flemington and it really was another big day at the office for the Super Sire.
Zurella’s win in the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) came as no surprise to those who had watched her closely last season at three. The Shaune Ritchie-trained mare looked a class act when winning the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic-Gr.2 (2000m) and Eulogy Stakes-Gr.3 (1600m), not to mention her huge effort to narrowly go down to stablemate Artistic in the NZ Oaks-Gr.1 (2400m).
Zabeel currently leads the NZ Broodmare Sire Premiership (Ocean Park’s Gr.1 success last week included), while he is currently in second position on the Australian Broodmare Sire Premiership behind Danehill.