Wow Watch This Family

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM has good reason to keep a watchful eye on the A$2.5m Group 1 All-Star Mile on Saturday at Flemington, after purchasing two yearlings closely related to rising star Rise At Dawn (Almanzor) in January at Karaka.

Winning eight of 13 starts, Rise At Dawn (4 g Almanzor – Kay’s Awake, by Towkay) spelled last August following a hat-trick of wins and resumed with a stylish victory, despite carrying 60.5kg in softish conditions, in the Listed Elms Handicap (Listed, 1400m) on 15 February at Flemington.

"I was fortunate enough to be at Flemington on that day to support the team and this gelding was a real talking point," said Te Akau's Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM.

"I had taken particular interest in his performance given his rapid rise through the grades and I knew David had bought to fillies very closely related to him as it's a family on the move.

"To see a horse resume a new prep at open level was impressive, and over Flemington's 1400m, it was a win absolutely full of credit, and it was be fascinating to watch him contest the All Star Mile from barrier two on Saturday."

David Ellis purchased a three-quarter sister to Rise At Dawn, Lot 43 bay filly Almanzor – Kay’s Legacy (Zabeel) for $135,000 and Lot 573 bay filly Savabeel – Early Morning Rise (Fastnet Rock) for $380,000 - the latter now sold on the back no doubt of Rise At Dawn's impact on this outstnainf pedigree.

Dams Kay’s Legacy and Early Morning Rise are half-sisters to Rise At Dawn, each out of Kay’s Awake.

The family is very well known to Te Akau, most recently through the deeds of Scottie’s Legacy (4 m Almanzor – Kay’s Legacy, by Zabeel), who has won two of her last four starts from the Te Akau stable at Cranbourne (Victoria).

Also, out of Kay’s Awake, Ellis had previously purchased half-brothers to Rise At Dawn, Alert (Zabeel), Rise ‘N’ Shine (Zabeel), and Wide Awake (Savabeel), who were bought and trained by Te Akau to win eight races between them.

Kay’s Awake was an impressive winner during her career of six wins, at the time regarded as one of the best race mares over the past decade in New Zealand, placing twice behind multiple Group One winners Darci Brahma (Danehill) and Seachange (Cape Cross). 

Kay’s Awake also proved herself at stud, leaving six individual winners of 19 races, including Rise At Dawn (Almanzor). 

“It’s a family we’ve always really liked and had success with,” said Ellis, when referring to Lot 43. 

“Almanzor is a top-quality stallion, proving himself internationally, and we’ve been very fortunate to either buy or breed, and train, some of his best progeny in New Zealand, including Dynastic, Mehzebeen, Nucleozor, and Qali Al Farrasha.

“And the Almanzor/Zabeel cross is proven to leave some really good staying type horses.”

“It’s a family we’ve always really liked and had success with and the cross with the Sir Tristram sire line, through Zabeel and Savabeel has worked very well,” said Ellis, referring to Lot 573. 

“She’s a classic example of the mating and very similar to others that we’ve bought out of this family.

“She reminds us a lot of Damask Rose (Savabeel), who won the Karaka Millions 3YO (Restricted Listed, 1600m).”

n.b. Damask Rose (3 f Savabeel – Sombreuil, by Flying Spur) is the Te Akau slot entry in the $3.5m NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m) on Saturday at Ellerslie. 

Further information on each of the yearling fillies can be found: https://www.teakauracing.com/yearlings-shares