Sale Topper Trials in Style

New Zealand Bloodstock sales' topping colt No Limits  (2 c Savabeel - Make A Wish, by Pins), purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $1.4m in January at the Karaka Book 1 Sale, made the perfect start to his career with an impressive trial win on Tuesday at Te Teko.

Bred and offered by Waikato Stud, and owned by the Te Akau 2019 Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), No Limits went straight to the lead in his 600-metre trial, cornered beautifully against the rail, quickened to a handy advantage and kept giving when asked for more by rider Michael McNab to win under a hold.

A tremendously athletic type, No Limits exuded a flawless action to match his good looks and enhance what Ellis saw in the colt as a yearling.

“He was one of the best athletes I've seen at Karaka in the last ten years,” said Ellis, who has led the sale series as leading buyer for the last 14 years.

“He's an absolutely stunning horse, was on everyone's list, and you didn't have to be a genius to work out he was the most impressive athlete on the (sales) complex this year. He's got a pedigree through three generations that I've always fancied and it was exciting to secure him.

“We've put together a stallion breeding syndicate for the last few years, with seven stallions now at stud in New Zealand and Australia, and we'd like to think this colt could join them if everything goes to plan. It's never easy, but we have a vision, loyal investors, and it's great to be able to retain a colt of his quality in New Zealand.

No Limits is a half-brother to Queensland Oaks (Gr. 1, 2200m) runner-up Another Dollar (Ocean Park), while his second dam, Starcent (Centaine), was Joint Third Top Filly in her three-year-old season, and, of course, by five-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel).

Trainer Jamie Richards and rider Michael McNab were equally impressed with the first assignment by No Limits.

“He keeps improving on everything he's done at home and you only have to show him once and he cottons on,” McNab said. “He's a great ride, has a smooth action, and it was pretty stylish the way he won today.

Richards said the educational outing was ideal, but also feels there is no rush getting him to the races.

“He's a beautiful colt and we've liked him all the way through from the breaking in process at Te Akau,” Richards said.

“He did very well in his first prep, before having a break, and had a couple of nice jumps outs this time in. He was very professional today at the trials. Led, railed, showed good speed and quickened in to win his trial quite impressively.

“He's going to have a couple of weeks off now at Te Akau Stud, and once back in we will aim towards some of the better two-year-old races after Christmas, with goals being the Karaka Million in January at Ellerslie, Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie, and Sires' Produce at Awapuni.”

Last season, Probabeel (Savabeel) gave Richards a hat-trick of wins in the $1m Karaka Million (Restricted Listed, 1200m), before winning both juvenile Group Ones (Sistema & Sires') with stable-mate Yourdeel (Dundeel).

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