Savvy Coup (NZ) Named South Island Horse of the Year

Group 1-winning Karaka graduate Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel) was named the South Island’s Horse of the Year during the 2017-18 South Island Racing Awards at Riccarton Park Racecourse on Friday.

Bought for $65,000 from Waikato Stud’s draft at the 2016 Premier Sale, Savvy Coup rose to stardom during an outstanding three-year-old campaign in the 2017-18 season.

Trained by Michael and Matthew Pitman for the Bruford and Coupland families, the filly won five races including the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Group 3 Lowland Stakes (2100m) and Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1550m). She also placed in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) and the inaugural $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m).

Savvy Coup’s spectacular campaign earned her $467,319 in prize-money – more than seven times her purchase price.

Savvy Coup was also voted Champion Three-Year-Old and Champion Stayer.

Other award winners on the night included Asavant taking out Broodmare of the Year, dam of the Karaka Million and Group 1 winner Avantage.

Stallion of the Year was awarded to Inglewood Stud's promising young sire Zacinto, who has since relocated to the Waikato base of Valachi Downs.