Waikato Stud’s 10-time Champion New Zealand sire Savabeel has passed away, aged 24.

Graeme Rogerson would go on to sell Savannah Success with Savabeel as a foal at foot, but he was taken by him as a yearling at the 2023 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale and purchased him back for A$400,000.

It proved to be an astute decision, with Rogerson training him to Group One success in the Cox Plate (2040m) and Spring Championship Stakes (2000m), and elite-level placings in the Victoria Derby (2500m), C F Orr Stakes (1400m) and Champagne Stakes (1600m)

To date, Savabeel has sired 159 individual stakes winners, including 36 Group One winners, and dominated the New Zealand stallion ranks for over a decade, being crowned Champion New Zealand sire on 10 occasions.

Rogerson said he was always hopeful Savabeel would make it at stud, and he has been fortunate to train three of his progeny (Scarlett Lady, Soriano and Costume) to Group One success.

“You are always hopeful, he had the pedigree and all the attributes,” Rogerson said. “He has done his job and has been the leading stallion for a long time.

“We have had a lot of Group One winners by him, we have had a great ride, and he had a great life.”