Bloodstock South Africa Newsletter July 2013 Edition 2: The fairytale of racing was no better served last weekend at the Vodacom Durban July when S’manga “Bling” Khumalo became the first black jockey to win the most famous race in Africa – it was truly an emotional milestone that I was honoured to witness. Congratulations to the powerhouse team of Sean Tarry and Chris Van Niekerk they deserve all the success they get and more, and of course congratulations to the mighty Silvano who is rewriting all the record books. Bloodstock South Africa sold horses dominated proceedings at the recent Vodacom Durban July race meeting winning no fewer than four graded features , culminating in an historic Vodacom Durban July win by Heavy Metal. Master Plan (Jet Master – Princess Polly) kicked off proceedings when the Varsfontein Stud bred gelding captured the Gr3 Mango 2200 – scoring his third graded win in the process. Owned by Fred Crabbia, last year’s Gr1 Champions Cup hero was a R350 000 buy at the 2010 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.He has now won six races and R1 084 600 in prize money. The second BSA buy to strike at the 2013 July meeting was the gallant stayer Kolkata (Requiem – City of Joy). The Klawervlei bred won the Gr2 Mercedes-Benz Gold Vase to give him his first feature race win. Kolkata was a R120 000 purchase at the 2009 Emperors Palace Ready to Run Sale, and has proven a great money spinner for his connections.Owned by Chris Van Niekerk, the flashy looking Kolkata has now won R872 000 in prize money, and could be a contender in the Gold Cup. Saturday was a great one for Varsfontein Stud, who not only bred Master Plan but also produced the Gr1 Durban Golden Horseshoe winner, Forest Indigo. A first Grade One winner for his exciting sire Judpot (whose first juveniles have set the South African turf alight this season), Forest Indigo’s gallant and narrow victory took his earnings to R440 750 with the promise of more to come for winning owner Chris Gerber.Forest Indigo, now a two time winner from just four outings, was a R160 000 at the 2012 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale. BSA grad Heavy Metal put the cherry on the cake when he became the fourth consecutive Bloodstock South Africa horse to salute in South Africa’s greatest race, the R3 500 000 Vodacom Durban July.More importantly, Heavy Metal (Silvano – Percussion) gave jockey S’Manga Khumalo the title of the first black jockey ever to win this historic Grade One contest. Well done to breeders Bosworth Farms, and to owner Chris Van Niekerk, who spent R250 000 at the 2010 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale to acquire his second consecutive July winner! All in all, Saturday’s race meeting was one to cherish, and shall be long remembered by all fortunate enough to witness history being made. BSA Suncoast KZN Yearling Sale: Thank you to all breeders who supported us with their bloodstock and all the buyers who supported the sale this year. It was really encouraging to see some new faces and the atmosphere of this unique sale was excellent. The resurgence of the bloodstock industry worldwide is an exciting trend, and our results at this sale mirrored the 20% + uptick in the market – long may it continue! ACE ANTONIUS wins the inaugural KZN Yearling Sale Juvenile Million: The promising juvenile Ace Antonius won the inaugural running of the KZN Yearling Sale Million (Non Black Type). The race, open to all graduates of the 2012 KZN Yearling Sale, attracted a cracking field of 16 promising 2yos. It was a terrific finish to a R1 000 000 race, as less than two lengths separated the first six home, with 14-1 shot Ace Antonius getting the better of the strongly fancied Jimmi Choo (6-1) by a neck. On The Nod was another half a length away in third place. Well done to winning connections, owner Ken Truter, trainer Vaughan Marshall and breeders Highlands Farm.Ace Antonius, by leading first crop sire Antonius Pius, was a cheap R40 000 buy at the 2012 KZN Yearling Sale.The colt has made a mockery of his purchase price, with his two victories, to date, having earned connections R716 250 already, with the promise of more to come! Previously runner up in the Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes (behind another Million runner Colour of Courage), Ace Antonius looks a terrific prospect for the future, and is a great advert for the quality of horses sold at the 2012 KZN Yearling Sale. Super Sires: Silvano Silvano Silvano! – what more can be said of this magnificent son of Lomitas, he is a super stallion and the record books are being re-written weekly it seems as he continues to dominate feature racing around South Africa and beyond. Stallion and breeding news: The first Argonaut winner last month was the announcement of a new kid on the block - well done to all concerned and we look forward to seeing his name up in lights more often. Mullins Bay’s had a promising winner in Gitiano who won the KZN Breeders Million Mile and he looks to be a great addition to the stallion ranks in KZN. Judpot, Trippi and Antonius Pius are firing on all cylinders and we welcome these new stallions to our ranks with open arms. Judpot and Trippi both recorded their first Grade 1 winners on July Day and highlighted the continued strengthening of the stallion market in South Africa – we need new hero’s and I think the future looks bright for some of these new stallions. Exciting times for all of us! Oratorio’s son Military Attack has just won the prestigious Hong Kong Horse of the Year Award – another great achievement for our latest adopted son. Crusade has arrived in KZN and is a stunning looking individual oozing quality , whilst Byword could be the next word whispered on the block - he is a striking son of the Arc record breaker Peintre Celebre and looks like a really exciting stallion prospect. Emperors Palace National 2 yr old sale 15/16th August: The catalogue for the Emperors Palace National 2 year old sale is now available online at tba.co.za. 360 Lots are catalogued to be sold and is well represented by all the leading stallions from around the country with strong drafts from the new upcoming powers like Judpot, Sail from Seattle and Antonius Pius to name a few. The variety and depth of the catalogue, as well as the unrivalled value that can be found on this sale make it one of the best sales of the year and is not to be missed. The sale will be held on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th August starting at 1pm. We have changed the timings of the sale to accommodate our national buyers who want to get home for the weekend racing in their respective regions. Please note these changes for your diary. Exciting news for all golfers is that Gary Player has agreed to be the Patron Saint of our Golf Day where we will be raising funds for the Horse Care Units. The Golf Day will be held on Tuesday 13th August and I encourage all of you to participate - details to follow. Farewell PJ: One of the great fairy stories written on the South African turf came to a close recently when it was announced that Pierre Jourdan has been retired. A truly inspirational RTR Sale buy, Pierre Jourdan is one of most beloved racehorses to compete in Gauteng in recent years. His heroics have made Pierre Jourdan one of the most recognisable of racehorses and he will retire in style to his birthplace Summerhill. Go well Pierre Jourdan. Warm Regards Tom
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 08:17:54 +0000
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