Racing: Offspring of Zabeel show superb form

The win of Vengeance Of Rain in Hong Kong on Sunday was the fourth at group one level this year for his champion New Zealand sire Zabeel.

The previous three group one wins, since January 1, have been the Auckland Cup (won by Bazelle), the aptly named Zabeel Classic (St Reims), the AJC Australian Oaks (Dizelle).

Vengeance Of Rain has also this year won the Hong Kong Derby, which has domestic group one status.

This year's wins have taken Zabeel's group one career tally to 59 but it was not just the win of Vengeance Of Rain in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin that had Cambridge Stud proprietor Sir Patrick Hogan excited.

Zabeel progeny finished first and second in the race, with the US-bred, South African-trained Greys Inn filling the runner-up position.

"Those horses are performing at the highest level on a world stage and for two Zabeels to come first and second - it was an enormous result," Sir Patrick said.

"We knew they were fair sorts of horses but to do this in such an internationally recognised race, it's a huge result for Zabeel himself."

Sir Patrick said Sunday's Zabeel quinella capped a memorable season for the 18-year-old stallion.

"What a sire Zabeel has been. Since his first crop were three-year-olds, he's never had a season when he hasn't had a group one winner."

It was only earlier this month that Sir Patrick set Zabeel's service at $95,000 plus GST for the next breeding season in the spring.

The fee is up $10,000 from Zabeel's price of $85,000 last year.

- NZPA