Bush Hill Stud’s son of Danehill, Toreador, secured his third career Gr1 win at stud, and the second for the handsome Bull Valley of the season in yesterday’s Gr1 Mercury Sprint.
Bred by Marianne Thompson of Ambiance Stud who celebrated her birthday yesterday, Bull Valley is owned in partnership by PCS (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr P Botha) & Messrs G L Blank, Z L Nassif & J Sarkis – three of the syndicate and their trainer Sean Tarry have also had recent success with Secretariat Stakes and Million Mile winner, Matador Man – another son of Toreador bred by Scott Bros.
This was the sixth career win for Bull Valley who is a previous winner of the Gr3 Man O’ War Sprint, and put his name in lights when he galloped to an emphatic victory in the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint, where Gr2 winner Search Party has now finished second to him twice in both Gr1 victories. Bull Valley has also placed second in the Gr2 Merchants, and winner of the Golden Loom Handicap.
Bull Valley is likely to be the winner of the Equus Champion Sprinter Award in August – a title currently lying with KZN-bred Talktothestars.
Bull Valley is out of Star Of Liberty by Saumarez, he sold for R180 000 on the BSA National Yearling Sale and took his earnings to R1 611 125 with his sixth win and three places from just 10 starts.
The ever consistent Toreador is on 30% winners to runners, and must be one of the most value-for-money sires in the country.
He stood for R20 000 last season, and has produced Gr1 winner Link Man, the brilliantly fast filly and 7-time winner Lazer Star, Jackodore, Deliver The Power, She’s A Stunner, Rikitikitana and Hong Kong-based Misty Birnam, amongst many others.
Toreador is the most successful son of Danehill to have stood his stud career in South Africa.