Twin Pines received a timely update to the pedigree of its Zabeel mare Sahayb prior to the NZ Bloodstock’s National Sale at Karaka starting on Monday, May 3.

Catalogued as Lot 583, Sahayb is the dam of Exceptionally (Ekraar) who won the Listed VRC St Ledger (2800m) last Saturday.

Trainer Terry O’Sullivan indicated a possible tilt at the Melbourne Cup following the Exceptionally’s display of staying prowess inherited from a combination of her sire (Ekraar) and damsire (Zabeel).

Offered as part of Twin Pines draft of 35 entries, Sahayb won as a juvenile and to date has produced three to race for three winners.  Bred by Peter Walker, she is from the Imperial Prince (Sir Ivor) mare Zonal with her precocious pedigree page including champion Australian 2YO and Golden Slipper winner Burst, AJC Sires’ Produce winner Victory Prince (Imperial Prince) and two Blue Diamond Prelude winners.

Her Postponed colt was purchased by Taranaki-trainer Alan Sharrock at this year’s Karaka Select Sale for $70,000.  She will be offered next week having been served by Ekraar again last spring.

Zabeel is the dam-sire of 11 Group 1 winners and 50 stakes winners to date and teamed with his sire Sir Tristram is the most prolific producers of Melbourne Cup winners.

Ekraar, a son of Red Ransom, won the Group 3 Goodwood Vintage Stakes in his first start at two.  The hardy galloper’s career spanned five seasons and bore eight wins, with one Group 1 over his favourite distance, 2400m, plus eight placings of which five were at Group 1 level.

In New Zealand, the half-brother to champion sire Hussonet has produced the Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes winner Ekstreme.  Two weanling colts by Ekraar will be offered next week.