Pat and Lloyd Lunn are having a golden run at the moment from a small stable, and with another double yesterday at Scottsville, their KZN-bred juvenile filly impressed with a very fast win leading from start to finish over the 1000m.
Satara, by Toreador out of an Elusive Quality mare Sarasini, won clear by over a length under Keagan De Melo. The filly, owned by syndicate Messrs R R Naidoo, S M Fuhri, P L Lunn, P J Maujean P C Bentley & Miss K J Bentley, looks a smart one for breeder Mr Bruce Le Roux of Spring Valley Stud.
The filly sold as Lot 76 at the 2017 KZN Yearling Sale for R55 000, and is the first produce of her Australian dam.
Her dam is a winner and a half-sister to Stakes Placed son of Sadlers Wells, A Fist Of God – and in turn their dam is Hula Angel – a winner of the Gr1 Irish 1000 Guineas. It is a pedigree filled with Black Type and another interesting sight under the fourth dam is American stallion and multiple Gr1 winner, Spend A Buck. He won three Gr1’s including the Kentucky Derby and was voted Horse of the Year with 10 wins under his belt.
In the process, Satara didnt only win the stake of R62 500, but the earned the BSA Maiden Juvenile Plate bonus of R40 000 in addition for her owners, an incentive run by Bloodstock South Africa for qualifying 2017 BSA Yearling Sale graduates.
Toreador sadly passed away in December 2017 after he injured himself, and produced two Gr1 winners in Bull Valley and Link Man; he also produced his fair share of very fast fillies, including the brilliant Lazer Star – and Bruce Le Roux happens to have her full sister at Spring Valley Stud amongst his broodmare band. Bruce finished the season on an amazing statistic of 49.1% winners to runners produced, and this season is on an admirable 33.3%.
Amongst his horses that continue to impress is the evergreen London Call, whilst Bruce and Tinus Gericke race the as yet unbeaten filly Hashtagyolo who will be aiming for the Triple Crown in Johannesburg this season.
Well done to all concerned.