Third time lucky for Mills
Sheamus Mills put aside his day one disappointment of missing out on the $1.6 million sister to Prowess and the sister to Group 1-placed Japanese Emperor to yesterday buy his first yearling by Savabeel since You’re So Good, the 2013 Australian Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) runner-up.
Yesterday, he paid $650,000 for the half-sister to the dual Group 1-placed To Catch A Thief (US Navy Flag), a three-year-old who ran at Ellerslie on Saturday.
“She’s a real sharp Savabeel. He’s one of those stallions that can get you a sharp two-year-old or a Guineas horse,” Mills said.
“I’ve only ever bought one Savabeel before, which was You’re So Good, who ran second in an Australian Guineas for us. I just haven’t seen one that I really liked since then, until this filly. It’s been a few years between drinks but I’m happy to have another.”
The Haunui Farm-bred filly is the third foal out of juvenile winner Stolen Gem (Snitzel) whose family also features Percy Sykes Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) winner Paris Dior (Pierro) in her pedigree.
“We were underbidder on the top two yesterday, which was a little painful, I’ve got to say,” Mills said.
“Those two plus this filly were the three that I identified as ones that would suit our job, which is to race and then to breed. She’s a different style of horse to those two yesterday, who are probably going to get out over a mile at least.”
Mills’ Karaka Millions ambitions with his soon-to-be Mick Price and Mick Kent Jnr-trained filly counteract the Victorian agent’s normal conservative long haul travel plans with his syndicate’s young horses.
“This filly will, hopefully, be back here for the Karaka Millions next year,” he said.
“When you look at the brother and her physical make up, I think that’s the style of horse she is.
“There’s a heap of buzz around the New Zealand industry at the moment and we were pretty keen to get involved in all that hype.”