The tragic loss of Cambridge Stud’s Tavistock last year means breeders will no longer be able to utilize a super successful nick that was highlighted last Saturday by Toffee Tongue.
The Group I SAJC Schweppes Oaks winner became the sixth stakes-winner by Tavistock bred from a daughter of champion sire Zabeel and is the third Group I winner joining her full brother Werther and Victoria Derby winner Tarzino.
The direct cross has produced 40 winners from 55 runners and there are 80 named foals bred this way and no doubt more to come from Tavistock’s final crops, so we can expect to see more success from it over the next few years.
The nick runs at nearly 11% stakes-winners to runners and if we broaden it to include all Tavistock progeny from mares with any Zabeel blood it pulls in another three stakes-winners including his Group I winner Tavago.
The success of the nick has probably come as no surprise to former Cambridge Stud owner Sir Patrick Hogan, whose ability to select stallions on pedigree is legendary.
