Families and Fillies

Savaria (3 f Savabeel - Amathea, by O'Reilly) winning the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) on Saturday at Trentham was a great result for the owners of her two-year-old half-sister Interstellar (Shamoline Warrior, by Shamardal).

Interstellar was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale last November and having Savaria win such a prestigious Group 1 race at only her sixth start adds enormously to Interstellar's value.

Bought for $125,000 from the draft of Bradbury Park, after she breezed up stylishly in 10.6 seconds, Interstellar impressed rider Cameron Lammas when finishing third in her first trial and following another solid effort for fourth she has gone to the paddock for a freshen-up at Te Akau Stud.

Given her pedigree, and the deeds of Savaria, Interstellar also has the makings of a staying type filly.

“She comes from a top quality family that has now left another Group 1 winner in Savaria,” said David Ellis.

“Eileen Dubh, winner of the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m), Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand) Victoria Derby (Gr. 1, 2500m) and BMW (Gr. 1, 2400m), and the Moore family going back to their foundation mare Soliloquy (So Big) is one of the best performing families in New Zealand,” said Ellis.

A good touch with the fillies, David Ellis purchased Princess Coup (Encosta De Lago), the winner of $4.2m in stakes, to win the Group 1 NZ Oaks in 2007. Named New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year, Princess Coup became one of five fillies to claim the title for Te Akau: along with King's Rose (Redoute's Choice), Costa Viva (Encosta De Lago), Insouciant (Keeper) and Shikoba (Chief Bearhart).