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posted on 17 May, 2018

First son of Champion sire Savabeel to stud

Peter and Sue Westend of Norwegian Park in conjunction with Novara Park will stand What’s The Story for stud duties in the 2018 breeding season.

The first Group One-performed son of Champion sire Savabeel to go to stud in New Zealand, the New Zealand Derby runner-up will stand for an introductory fee of $4000 plus GST.

The Westends have built Norwegian Park into a large-scale agistment operation, accommodating around 200 mares on their two Cambridge properties and one in nearby Ohaupo. The couple have significant industry experience – Peter as a former manager of Chequers Farm and Sue as an employee at several establishments including a long tenure at Windsor Park Stud.

They have had success as breeders, including this season’s talented two-year-olds Thomas Aquinas and Xpressmymind, while they also have previous experience standing stallions.

What’s The Story is out of the Carnegie mare Tall Story, a half-sister to the multiple Group One-winning mare Tall Poppy. Second dam is the outstanding racemare Fun On The Run, a winner of eighteen races.

Trained by Stephen McKee the defining race of his career was the $1 million New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie in March 2016, when a flying finish along the inside carried him to within a short head of the winner Rangipo.

“He showed a huge amount of talent as a racehorse but unfortunately got hurt,” Westend said. “I think the best of him was still to come on the racetrack.

“He’s got a very strong pedigree, and he’s a very, very nice type – a big, strong individual who looks a lot like his sire.

McKee was another big believer in What’s The Story’s potential.

“What’s The Story is an outstanding type, balanced, athletic, deep, rich colour, strong hindquarter, lovely sloping shoulder,” the Ardmore trainer said. “He is very much in the mould of his sire Savabeel.

“He showed he was a top-class racehorse with real ability at Group One level. His turn of foot was exceptional and up with the very best.”

For more information go to - www.bigstory.co.nz

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St James Timeform

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