Retired champion leaves his mark on today's races

Sir Patrick Hogan says his super stud, Zabeel, has sired more than 2000 progeny, including 1040 winners. Photo / Brendon O'Hagan

At age 28 and with thousands of offspring, Zabeel is one of New Zealand's greatest studs.

And some of his progeny will be racing at the New Zealand Herald Boxing Day Races at Ellerslie today - the first of three events in the racing calendar's Christmas Carnival.

"There is a real likelihood Zabeel will have sons and daughters racing, but equally there will be many grandsons and granddaughters of the super sire gracing the turf," said Butch Castles, director of racing at the Auckland Racing Club.

The bay stallion, sired by the legendary Sir Tristram, was born at Cambridge Stud in 1986. The farm's owner, Sir Patrick Hogan, called him a marvellous horse who, alongside his father, had been an icon in the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.

Zabeel was originally owned by British businessman Robert Sangster and, as a yearling, was sold at the thoroughbred bloodstock sales in Karaka for $650,000 to the crown prince of Dubai. He was sent to Australia to begin a successful racing career, during which he won seven races and more than $1.2 million.

"He was a very successful group one-winning horse," Sir Patrick said. "When his racing career was finished I bought him for stud duties."

Since returning to his birthplace in 1991, aged 5, and being retired to stud, Sir Patrick said Zabeel had sired more than 2000 progeny, including 1040 winners from 1440 runners worldwide. Among the most notable are Vengeance Of Rain, who has earned more than $5.5 million, Octagonal, nearly $5.9 million, and 1997 Melbourne Cup winner Might and Power, who has won more than $5.5 million.

Zabeel's offspring are estimated to have earned a total of more than $185 million. Sir Patrick said the horse, who retired two seasons ago, had been a benchmark for all other stallions.

"He and his father both hold the record for the number of individual group one winners they've been able to produce and hold that record by a country mile - Sir Tristram 45 and Zabeel 44."

Zabeel's highest stud fee was $100,000, his record yearling sold at Karaka for $3.6 million, and his last yearling colt will be sold at Karaka next month.

The first race today starts at 12.45pm. Fashions in the Field will be judged throughout the day and the supreme winner will be named at 4.30pm. The Christmas Carnival continues with Sunday's Summer Raceday and Thursday's New Year's Day Races.

Zabeel

• Foaled at Cambridge Stud on October 25, 1986

• Son of champion sire Sir Tristram and dam Lady Giselle

• Won seven races during his career, earning more than $1.2m

• Sired 1039 winners from 1440 runners worldwide

• Worldwide progeny earnings of $185m

• Offspring include: Vengeance Of Rain, Octagonal, Might And Power, Efficient, Sky Heights, Jezabeel