The Windsor Park-consigned Savabeel (Zabeel) colt out of Bayrock (Fastnet Rock) was the most expensive lot sold on Sunday during Karaka 2023- Book 1 when purchased by David Ellis for $625,000. 

The colt is out of the placed Fastnet Rock (Danehill) mare Bayrock who is a sister to dual Group 1 winner and young Coolmore Australia-based sire Merchant Navy. 

"We thought this colt was one of the best Savabeels we have seen here at Karaka." 

"He is a beautiful colt out of a Fastnet Rock mare, who is out of a Snippets mare, who is out of a Last Tycoon mare, so he has a stallion-worthy pedigree.

"He is a full brother to a very good filly in Australia and was on our must-buy list, so we're excited to take him back to Te Akau Racing," Ellis said.

Rodney Schick of Windsor Park Stud said the colt deserved to make the price he did. 

"We are really happy with the price, he was a beautiful colt who deserved that," Schick said.

"He is going to a very good home with David Ellis purchasing him. Mark Walker is flying, so let's hope he can go on and do the job for them."

Overall on day one 140 lots sold for $22,420,000, up from $20,042,500 a year ago when 126 horses were sold. The average was at the same level as last year at $160,143, $159,067 was recorded a year ago, while the median rose from $125,000 to $147,500.

NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was encouraged by the results.

"It was great to see the fillies averaging more than the colts today. This is the first time I can ever remember that happening which is very encouraging."

"Probably the most heartening statistic to emerge from a sale point of view was the median, which increased from $110,000 in 2022, to $150,000. This is a fantastic result and gives you an idea of how strong the middle market has been," he said.