Cambridge Stud stallion Keeper is on top of the individual winners’ list in New Zealand this season and that will ensure the 60 yearlings he has catalogued for the 2011 NZB Yearling Sales will be in high demand at Karaka.

Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick Hogan believes there are huge opportunities ahead for Keeper as he is only 13-years-old.  “He is a young sire who has already left five individual Group 1 winners,” Hogan explained.  “He has been producing classic winning fillies and there is also great demand for his colts in Asia, which is a huge advantage for buyers looking to resell.”

Keeper (Danehill) has sired 28 individual NZ winners in 2010-11 and he got the country’s first Group 1 winner of the season when Keep The Peace edged out Wall Street (Montjeu) in the Mudgway Partsworld Stakes (1400m) at Hastings in August.

The Shaun Ritchie trained mare was far from disgraced at her only Australian outing when third to Well Rounded and Purple in the G2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Keeper other winners at the elite level have been Miss Keepsake (Queensland Oaks), Insouciant (NZ 1000 Guineas), Keepa Cruisin (Levin Classic) and Linky Dink (QTC T J Smith Classic).

His Australian connection continued when Keepin’ The Dream won the Listed Gosford Gold Cup on November 18.  The consistent gelding has also won the G3 Hawkesbury Cup and Listed Scone Cup.

Keeper (Danehill) has sired 173 winners at a 65% strike-rate and he stands at Cambridge for a $15,000 (+ gst) fee.