Lot 388, a Savabeel filly, was knocked down to the $800,000 bid of agent Dean Hawthorne.Photo / Darryl Sherer
Boom sire Savabeel set the benchmark once again on day three at Karaka just 24-hours after a colt by the Waikato Stud-based stallion sold for $1.4 million.
This time it was a member of the fairer sex who set the day's benchmark when Lot 388, the filly out of Galileo
mare Scintillula, was knocked down to the $800,000 bid of Bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne on behalf of Jonathan Munz and his GSA Bloodstock operation.
Hawthorne beat out a host of challengers, including Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, for the filly who traces back to an extended family chock full of European stakes performers and was on offer through Sir Peter Vela's Pencarrow Stud draft.
"We didn't come here with numbers to buy this year, rather we wanted to pick out a couple of fillies that would suit our broodmare band," Hawthorne said. "She's a really good Savabeel, from a lovely family.
"I've just been up in Europe before Christmas and looked at those big families, especially the Galileo blood, close-up.
