3 minute read
Graham Meredith is sitting on a potential goldmine after making a low level entry into the breeding world.
The New Plymouth scrap dealer purchased the Zabeel mare Zarzino sight unseen for $1500 at Karaka two years ago and subsequent events have him poised for a bonanza pay out on his investment.
In 2014, his good mate and fellow Taranaki breeder Jeff Bliss was heading to the Broodmare Sale and Meredith made a simple request of him.“I said to Jeff, just go to the sale and get me a cheapo,” he said. “When this one came up for $1500, he thought that was a good deal.”
Zarzino was formerly owned by Cambridge Stud principals Sir Patrick Hogan and Lady Justine and the last foal they bred from the mare before her sale was Tavistock’s son Tarzino.His subsequent victory in the Gr.1 VRC Derby has seen the value of Meredith’s full brother to the classic winner skyrocket.
To what level will be determined at Karaka on Monday when he goes through the ring under the Cambridge Stud banner as Lot 144.“Her yearling colt is an absolute cracker. He's a lovely, big horse,” Meredith said.
“I had the chance to speak with Sir Patrick after Tarzino started showing so much promise and that relationship saw us send the colt to him to get ready for the sale.”Zarzino was to have visited Jimmy Choux last spring, but Meredith elected to send her back to Tavistock after she lost her foal by the Montjeu stallion.