Star four-year-old Waverider took his stakes passed $400,000 for prominent owner Kevin Jeavons when he won the $200,000 G1 Golden Nugget at Gloucester Park on November 14.
But it was a partnership that almost didn’t happen.
Trainer Ryan Bell bought the Downbytheseaside colt for himself (for $60,000) at the 2022 APG Perth Yearling Sale but when Jeavons (a long-time client) missed out on his chosen youngsters, Bell offered him the colt.
“Waverider was a stunning looking yearling,” Bell said.
“I had Bluestone out of same mare, and he was better than what he displayed on track. Just had really bad gaiting issues and health problems.
“Waverider just stood out. I actually bought him for myself but Kevin was under bidder on his other fancies, so I offered him the colt.”
Waverider was bred by prominent breeder Mike Howie, from Premium Copper, a grand daughter of Howie’s foundation mare Copper Strike.
Copper Strike was an outstanding race mare in the early 1990s, winning 13 races and $91,000 in stakes. But her record in the breeding barn far exceeds her race efforts.
She in the ancestress of a host of top flight winners, including Waverider (1.55.4, $410K), The Miki Taker (1.53.9, $311K), Copagrin (1.54.7, $241K) and Copper Beach Girl (1.56.2, $156K).
Howie has a full brother to Waverider in our 2026 Perth Yearling Sale (See full catalogue here).
This stunning colt began his career as a 2YO in a blaze of glory, winning his first four starts – including the $100,000 APG Sales classic for 2YO colts.
He really stepped up into the big time when he raced in the $1.25 million The Nullarbor and the $300,000 Fremantle Cup in April against some of Australia’s best pacers.
He was driven by star reinsman Jack Callaghan in the Nugget. It was the first Group 1 win in WA from the young driver, who is based in Perth for the summer.
“I tried to get Jack to come work for me 12 months ago but he had intentions of going to America,” Bell said.
“Deni (Roberts) approached me to let me know he was coming back here after his stint in States, so I got him straight away. I’m trying to convince him to come on full time but I think he has plans travel a bit more.”
Bell said Waverider would be set for the $450,000 WA Pacing Cup.
“The pacing cup is on the agenda. As long as he says he’s happy and healthy we will be there,” he said.
“Any experience for him against the big boys will be beneficial for his future.
“We will definitely be at the APG yearling sales again next year. Mike Howie has already rang, giving his full brother a wrap.”
Hoofnote
It was Bell’s second Golden Nugget success. He also won the blue ribbon event in 2019 with brilliant stallion Shockwave (1.53.4, $563K), who was also bought at the Perth APG sale.
From APG Media
