Trained at Alice Springs by Will Savage, Savatoxl earned a second win in the Group III D C McKay Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville to become racing’s latest equine millionaire.
Ridden by Caitlin Jones, the 7yo son of Kuroshio led from the front and was all out holding off Larimer Street (Brazen Beau) by a short-half-head. The favourite General Beau (Brazen Beau) was a length and a quarter back in third.
After beginning life in Alice Springs with part-owner Will Savage, Savatoxl spent some time with Gary Clarke before transferring to Tony and Calvin McEvoy for whom he won the McKay in 2021 before earning a career highlight success in the Group 1 Goodwood Hcp. Three starts later added the Group II Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.
Second in the McKay 12 months ago, Savatoxl advances his record to 19 wins, two seconds, and two thirds from 39 starts with earnings of $1,034,583.
Bred by Carrington Stud’s Sheryl Atkinson, Savatoxl was consigned by Stonehouse Thoroughbreds to the 2017 Inglis VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale. He left the ring unsold before the Alice Springs Turf Club stepped in and purchased him for $8000.
The son of Kuroshio was back in the ring at the Inglis Red Centre Yearling Sale, where his original trainer and part-owner, Will Savage, took him home for $18,000.
Savatoxl is the best of four winners from six to race out of the Savabeel mare Li’l Miss Hayley, who Atkinson had purchased for just $5,000 at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale.
A half-sister to stakes-placed Total Response (Kheleyf), Li’l Miss Hayley has a yearling filly by Needs Further and was covered by The Autumn Sun last spring.
