Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of Kick Collective
Waikato Stud’s Mary Chittick, the wife of Garry and mother to Mark, was left a little deflated last year when her Ardrossan filly from the Pins mare Wannabe (NZ) failed to make Book 1 of the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
In fact, the filly was the lone yearling from Waikato Stud to fail to make the cut for Book 1 last year.
Mary opted to retain the filly to race and the 2-year-old has subsequently been named Rhythm ‘N’ Spice (NZ) (Adrossan), although that was not what she was initially registered as.
“I called her Wannabe Book One and had all the paperwork lodged, but Mum wasn’t happy, so she had it changed,” Mark Chittick told The Thoroughbred Report.
“I think we entered 90 for Book 1 last year and the only one to miss was Mum’s Ardrossan-Wannabe filly, hence she got the name 'Wannabe Book One'.”
“I think we entered 90 for Book 1 last year and the only one to miss was Mum’s Ardrossan-Wannabe filly, hence she got the name 'Wannabe Book One'.” - Mark Chittick
Mark said all will be forgiven for his prank, after the yearling sister to Rhythm ‘N’ Spice, consigned by Waikato Stud as Lot 525, fetched NZ$290,000 in Book 1 at Karaka on Tuesday.
“Mum will be happy, I think she will make me a fruit cake after that,” Mark Chittick quipped.
“Mum will be happy, I think she will make me a fruit cake after that.” - Mark Chittick
“It’s a great result.
“Mum raced the mother, raced the grandam, and it’s great to see her get a result like that. Mum has been in the industry her whole life, so to see her breed a nice filly like that and for it to make that kind of money is just fantastic.”
The filly will head to Victoria, after Rohan J Hughes / Grahame Begg Racing snapped her up.
Bred by Mary Chittick, Wannabe is out of the five-time winner Zoe Spice (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who is a three-quarter sister to the stakes performer Needlly (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), and a half-sister to the Group 3 victress Rhysess (NZ) (Pins) - the dam of the Listed winner Flame Hero (NZ) (Savabeel), and Needled (NZ) (Pins) - the dam of the Listed scorer Tomorrowland (NZ) (Fast ‘N’ Famous).
Gallery: Waikato Stud's Mark Chittick and mother, Mary Chittick
Wannabe raced 14 times, notching three victories, before returning to the breeding barn. She is the dam of five living foals, and has thrown the Listed winner Poser (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
“The mare is doing a lovely job and the stallion is doing a great job, he’s only got 40 foals in that first crop and he’s had the four stakes winners. Adrossan leaves a really good type,” Mark Chittick commented.
“He had a filly make NZ$390,000 on Monday, then this one here (on Tuesday) nearly realised NZ$300,000, and these are all off a NZ$5000 service fee.”
