Te Akau Racing dug deep for a couple of colts early on Day 1 at Karaka.

David Ellis stamped his presence early on the opening day of this year's Karaka Yearling Sale, going to $575,000 for a son of Savabeel just 10 lots into the session.

The Te Akau Racing principal won a spirited battle between several interested parties to take home the daughter of O'Rielly mare Thee Achiever.

He was one of two half-million-dollar buys for Te Akau in the first two hours of selling, later paying $500,000 for a colt by Tavistock out of Ziffel, who is a half-sister to former brilliant two-year-old Amelia's Dream.

The Savabeel colt was produced for sale by Milan Park, which was thrilled to see a respected judge such as Ellis so eager to take him home.

"We're pretty stoked with David supporting us," Milan Park's Tony Rider said. "He's bought horses off us before and we're very, very happy.

"He was a great colt, an outstanding colt."

Thee Achiever has already proven herself a handy broodmare with her two to race to this point being three-time winner High Achiever (Pins) and Achieve (Pierro), who has logged Group placings at her past two starts and is a leading chance in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) later this month.

There she will meet another member of the family with second favourite The Perfect Pink from the mare The Solitaire (O'Reilly x The Dazzler), who is a blood sister to Thee Achiever.

Also in the family is recent Group 1 Thorndon Mile winner The Chosen One (Savabeel), who has also finished fourth and fifth in the past two Melbourne Cups.

The two high-priced lots were among 12 lots Ellis bought from the first 100 offered, while he also paid $440,000 for Lot 127, a colt by Savabeel from the O'Reilly mare Bingo.