Strapper Luke Simpson parades the colt by Zabeel out of Sunline. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey
There's a saying in racing that you breed the best to the best and hope for the best.
Trevor McKee did the first when he mated his champion mare, Sunline, to outstanding stallion Zabeel.
Around 4pm on Tuesday, Mr McKee will be waiting in the wings, watching and
hoping. when the resulting handsome colt goes through New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka sale ring.
This is the first of Sunline's progeny to be offered for sale and, actually, there's more expectation than hope.
Under an auction system, it is impossible to predict yearling prices but the safest bet this week is that this will be a million-dollar colt.
Sir Patrick Hogan, who will present the colt as part of his Cambridge Stud draft, is certain of at least a $1 million price tag.
Sir Patrick likes a lot of factors about Sunline's first-born son, not the least of which is that he carries characteristics of his famous mother and father.
"You don't always get that," said Hogan.
"He's the best colt in my draft on the walk - he's got a lovely loose, balanced walk.
"He's got good length, good shoulder, a big, brown, bold Zabeel eye and an overall nice horse who presents himself well."
The big international players for the annual Karaka sale will start arriving this morning, but Hogan says he has already had interest in the colt from Hong Kong, Ireland, England and, naturally, Australia and New Zealand.
Sunline was one of the world's great racemares, winning 32 of her 48 starts for a record A$11,351,607 earnings and was three times voted Australian horse of the year.
She was raced by Mr McKee, Thayne Green and Helen Lusty. Sunline, along with the Zabeel colt, is now owned by Mr McKee, his son Stephen and Mr Green.
"He's as nice as the best colts I've seen here at Karaka," said Mr McKee yesterday.
Sunline's first foal, a filly by Rock Of Gibraltar, was retained and is in work at the McKee stable.
