Racing: An extra $50,000 made Zabeel Hogan's new hero

Sir Patrick Hogan will never forget the day at the Gold Coast yearling sales when he was approached by Angus Gold and told about a stallion that was for sale.

That stallion was Zabeel, and Gold, racing manager for Sheik Hamdan Al Maktoum, gave Hogan 24 hours to make an offer.

Trained by the late Colin Hayes, Zabeel competed with distinction in Australia winning once from three starts as a 2-year-old.

As a 3-year-old Zabeel won the VRC Australian Guineas (Group One) and Moonee Valley Stakes (Group Two) and MVRC Alister Clark Stakes (Group Two).

Zabeel was retired with a race record of seven wins and five minor placings from 19 starts before Hogan struck a massive blow for Cambridge Stud.

"I was always interested in standing Zabeel as a stallion proposition at Cambridge Stud but I presumed that Colin Hayes [Zabeel's trainer] was going to do the same in Australia," said Hogan.

"I made an offer of $750,000 and put it into an envelope, Colin made an offer of $700,000 and I got him.

"It was always my intention to stand a son of Sir Tristram at stud and Zabeel has proven himself to be the complete stallion.

"Each crop of Zabeel's has produced a Group One winner each season and he has sired 97 black type winners and 34 Group One winners.

"What people don't realise is that he has done it competing against the best shuttle stallions in the world and he has produced world-class racehorses.

"When Sir Tristram was in his prime as a stallion I never thought I would be lucky enough to stand another stallion at stud as good as he was.

"Zabeel has more than matched the accomplishments of Sir Tristram and he continues to produce world-class racehorses.

There are 24 Zabeel yearlings entered at Karaka in the premier sale and Hogan has a big team by the sire heading to the Sydney Easter sales.

"This year's sale at Karaka will be very strong.

"Already this week we've had a good representation of overseas buyers arriving in Auckland to inspect the yearlings.

"As a result of the magnificent job the New Zealand-bred thoroughbred has done in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Northern Hemisphere people are starting to take our product very seriously.

"New Zealand-bred horses have performed in staggering style in Hong Kong, including Vengeance of Rain. I am not suggesting the record books or the sale aggregate or average will be broken at Karaka this year, but the quality is impressive.

"This sale has a proven record each year of producing quality racehorses which step out on to the racetrack and win races.

"I have a nice draft entered by stallions like Zabeel, Stravinsky, Viking Ruler, Keeper and Cape Cross.

"There are a number of first-season sires which will create plenty of interest for buyers and I am sure vendors will be well-satisfied with the results they achieve.

"Last year was a very strong sale with the last Southern Hemisphere crop of Danehill attracting plenty of attention. With the New Zealand-bred racehorse performing so well over the past 12 months, I expect to see a strong buying bench."

The appeal of Zabeel will be a drawcard to international buyers flocking to South Auckland for New Zealand Bloodstock's Premier Sale from Monday to Wednesday.

His stock will command attention, particularly the yearling filly out of Silk Slipper, from the family of Redoubte's Choice.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY