Probabeel (NZ) Retains Horse of the Year Crown

A second successive New Zealand Horse of the Year title has provided a perfect end to the sensational racing career of Karaka graduate Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel). 

Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s magic mare received more than half of the 57 votes cast for the 2021-22 Horse of the Year, the headline award of a gala dinner at Claudelands in Hamilton on Sunday evening.

Probabeel became the 10th horse to win New Zealand Horse of the Year more than once, and she is the fourth consecutive Karaka graduate to do so – following on from back-to-back winners Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor) in 2015 and 2016, Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi) in 2017 and 2018 and Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) in 2019 and 2020.

Bought by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis for $380,000 from the Book 1 draft of breeders Waikato Stud at Karaka 2018, Probabeel spent the next four seasons as a headline act for the Lindsays and trainer Jamie Richards. When she was retired in February of this year, she had won 13 of her 29 starts and more than $4.5m.

Having already made history as the only horse to ever win both the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m), Probabeel later showed star quality in Australia with Group One victories in the Surround Stakes (1400m), Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Futurity Stakes (1400m).

The 2021-22 season brought more of the same, with Probabeel claiming her fourth Group One win in the Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield in the spring – defeating subsequent Group One Caulfield Cup (2400m) runner-up Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) and superstar galloper Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux).

Probabeel also picked up another two Group Threes in the Cockram Stakes (1200m) and Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m), plus a runner-up finish behind Zaaki in the Group One Underwood Stakes (1800m).

With three wins and a second from six starts, all in Group company in Australia, Probabeel’s stellar 2021-22 season also earned her the title of Champion Middle-Distance Horse.

An exciting future now awaits Probabeel in Cambridge Stud’s broodmare barn, where she will be mated with exciting shuttle stallion Almanzor this season.

“We didn’t really dream that she could take us to where we are, winning both Karaka Millions and four Group Ones in Australia,” Brendan Lindsay said. “I mean, you don’t aim for those sorts of things, because they’re not achievable normally.

“She came into our life when we’d lost our stallions, and she came into our business and helped us out, and we’re just eternally grateful. She’s changed a lot of things for us, and I think a lot of people have had a lot of enjoyment out of this mare.”

The awards evening also honoured another top-class Karaka graduate who has been retired this year, with The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) named Champion Stayer. 

Trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, The Chosen One made his presence felt in the spring with a second in the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) and a fifth in the Group One Melbourne Cup (3200m), but he saved his best for one final campaign in the late summer and autumn.

The six-year-old scored a brilliant first-up victory in the Group One Thorndon Mile (1600m), then placed in the Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) before heading back across the Tasman for a third in the Group One Tancred Stakes (2400m).

Passed in at Karaka 2017 with a reserve of $150,000, The Chosen One finished his career with 43 starts for seven wins, 11 placings and $2.57m in stakes.

He placed in seven Group One races, including the Caulfield Cup (2400m), Sydney Cup (3200m) and Tancred Stakes (2400m), along with his fourth and fifth placings in the world-renowned Melbourne Cup.

The Chosen One will stand his first season at Highview Stud this spring, with his introductory service fee set at $4000.

“We believe that he wasn’t a true, out-and-out 3200-metre horse – we felt that he was a 1600 to 2400 horse,” part-owner Tony Rider said. “But Murray had massive desires to win the Melbourne Cup, and the horse just had a massive heart. He just tried and tried. We could have carried on racing him for another five years. He was just a tough bugger.

“He placed in the Caulfield Cup, Sydney Cup, came fourth in a Melbourne Cup. He was a fantastic horse, and we’re really proud to have him standing here in New Zealand. He’s the highest-rated Savabeel to go to stud, and for $4000 – it’s bloody good value.”