New Zealand
Levakia continues Curraghmore’s run of form
Emerging filly Levakia has given Curraghmore further cause for celebration.
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained three-year-old struck for the second time from a handful of starts when she won the Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Ruakaka last Saturday.
The Proisir filly's success followed the good time enjoyed by Curraghmore at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling Sale at Karaka.
They ended the auction as the leading vendor by aggregate with eight youngsters sold for $465,000 and a top price of $120,000 for a colt by Sword Of State who was knocked down to Kaha Nui Farm.
He is a half-brother to the Gr.3 Easter Cup (2000m) winner Torranzino.
Levakia was bred by Gordon Cunningham's Waikato operation and sold to Ancroft Stud for $105,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Online Yearling Sale.
"She was a filly that we always liked, she was a progressive type but didn't have the maturity to be a January sales yearling," Cunningham said.
"She was a filly that had plenty of quality but needed that extra time.
"She has obviously showed good ability from the get-go for her owners, they have been very patient and all going well she will continue to reward them in the next 12 months and more."
Levakia is out of the unraced Rip Van Winkle mare Rose's Girl, who produced a colt by Sword Of State last season.
"I've got a big opinion of him and he'll either go to Karaka in January or the breeze-up sale," Cunningham said.
"The mare is back in foal to Proisir on the strength of the promise that Levakia showed.
"We bred Rose's Girl and she's from the one of the very best Waikato Stud families.
"Levakia is a little bit distant from the real depth in the pedigree and hopefully she can put this branch of the family back on the map."
It features the Australasian and European Group One winner and late sire Starcraft, whose half-sister Forum Floozie was a stakes winner and finished runner-up in an edition of the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m).
Their dam Flying Floozie was a three-time New Zealand Broodmare of the Year while this season's Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) winner Tuxedo is also a family member.
Check out the latest Sydney News