KZN Sire Links To Royal Ascot Gr1 Successes With Royal Ascot almost coming to an end - it has yielded some outstanding results with a few horses having direct links to KZN - such as Rathmors new import Noble Tune, Golden Sword, Just As Well and Spectrum. The first to start with is the outstanding three year old filly Rizeena [pictured above] taking home the Gr1 Coronation Stakes by three quarters of a length. This filly has great expectations on her shoulders and this is her second Gr1 win. Her link is to Rathmor's recently imported Gr2/Gr3 winning Noble Tune - the first son of Unbridled's Song to stand in South Africa. The three year old Rizeena by Iffraaj is no stranger to success - previously winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Gr1) in 2013, as well as the Queen Mary Stakes (Gr2) and National Stakes (Listed). She has placed second in the Fillies Mile (Gr1) and Cherry Hinton Stakes (Gr2), and third in the Prix Morny (Gr1). Her third dam, Serena's Sister, is a full-sister to Champion racemare Serena's Song - in turn the third dam of Noble Tune. Rizeena's own dam, Serena's Storm by Statue Of Liberty, shares a number of pedigree similarities to that of Noble Tune - with her pedigree including Unbridled's Song and Storm Cat too. Noble Tune will stand for a fee of R25 000 this season at Rathmor Stud. Toronado [pictured left], by High Chaparral out of Grand Slam mare Wana Do, must have created excitement at Summerhill Stud who stand the only son of High Chapparral in South Africa - the magnificent dark bay stallion Golden Sword. Toronado took home the Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes from Verazzano (by More Than Ready - sire of another Summerhill sire in Traffic Guard) and Anodin (by Anabaa). To add to this pedigree, Summerhill's young sire prospect who recently caused a stir at the National Yearling Sales in April after selling a yearling for over R1million and another for R600 000 from his first crop - Gr1 Kings Bishop winner Visionaire is himself by Grand Slam. Toronado won over eight furlongs on good turf going. Golden Sword's first crop will be yearlings in August - word has it that his foals are some of the biggest Summerhill has ever had, and we look forward to their visiting the winners circle in a couple of years. A Gr3 winner who finished just two lengths off the great Sea The Stars in the Gr1 Investec Derby, Golden Sword also placed second in the Gr1 Irish Derby over 2400m and as well as winning over 2000m in Dubai - setting the fastest time in Dubai history. The Gr1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes over 6 furlongs was won by Slade Power [pictured right], a son of Dutch Art - whose broodmare sire is our very own Spectrum standing at Yellow Star Stud. Winning by one and half lengths from Due Diligence (by War Front) and Aljamaaheer (by Dubawi), Slade Power has won five Group races to date and two Listeds, placing in the Gr1's Haydock and July Cups too. The Diamond Jubilee is his first Gr1 victory. The Chesham Stakes Listed at Royal Ascot over seven furlongs in Good to Firm going was won by a son of Raven's Pass by three and a quarter lengths. Raven's Pass is closely related to Just As Well through his dam-line, his own dam Ascutney being a full-sister to Words of War, the second dam of Just As well. The two year old chestnut colt named Richard Pankhurst pictured left (Raven's Pass - Mainstay by Elmaamul) defeated Toscanini (by Sharmadal) and Dick Whittington (by Rip Van Winkle). Just As Well is also closely related to E Dubai, and has three Group winning half-siblings, one of which was a Gr1 winner. The Roski-owned Gr1 winning son of A.P. Indy out of Gr1 winning No Matter What by Nureyev, Just As Well stands at Spring Valley Stud and his first yearlings will be on offer at the upcoming KZN Yearling Sale. Just As Well is a Gr1 winner as well as placing second in the Gr1 Arlington Million and Florida Derby. His top-priced colt at the National Yearling Sale was Just Positive, out of imported American mare Positive Thoughts by King Of Kings. He sold for R200 000 to Des Egdes. Well done to all the breeders concerned.