Summerhill-bred Rabada silenced stamina doubts on Saturday after seeing out the 2000m distance, to capture his second career Gr1 win in the Daily News 2000 for recent Triple Crown trainer Mike Azzie and owners Mr and Mrs Markus and Ingrid Jooste.
Rabada ran the race of his life when looking dead and buried at the 250m marker, with Jockey Anton Marcus forced to coax him with a hands and heels ride as well as flicking the reins at colt at the 350m marker, after Anton lost his whip at the top of the straight.
With half the field flat-footed off the pace, Anton Marcus wasn’t looking back and despite It’s My Turn getting into stride late and breathing loudly down his neck, Rabada was full value for his 0,25 length win.
His time of 125,07 secs told the story.
The good-looking son of Brave Tin Soldier, who is a replica image of his magnificent sire has now won five times including the Gr1 Premiers Champions Stakes, and placed twice, only out of the money on one occasion when finishing just two lengths behind July hopeful Black Arthur. Rabada, a R300 000 graduate off the 2014 CTS Ready To Run Sale, has earned almost R2,4million in stakes.
Brave Tin Soldier was a record-breaking $3-million USD weanling. He boasts an immaculate pedigree which reflects his good looks – being by world champion sire Storm Cat out of Bless by Mr Prospector – his dam is a full-sister to Kentucky Derby winner and sire, Fusaichi Pegasus.
Rabada’s dam Jordie (Fard – Dagger’s Drawn by Braashee) was a winner herself and placed eight times over 1600m. She is currently in foal to Trippi, whilst Lee Scribante of Piemonte Stud owns Rabada’s half-sister by Stronghold, 4-time winner and Stakes Placed racemare, River Tyne. She is currently in foal to Bold Silvano.
Adrian Van Vuuren, the owner of Triple Crown winner Abashiri, purchased the half-brother to Rabada by A.P. Arrow off the 2015 CTS Ready To Run Sale, a handsome dark steel grey colt by A.P. Arrow as Lot 93. The colt with a super action and aptly named Glider Pilot, sold for R475 000.
The grey sire Fard who stood at Summerhill Stud has recently featured as a broodmare sire, including the likes of Klawervlei’s Captain Of All.
Rabada’s female line includes the likes of Naan Khataay, Studio Fifty Four, Spiced Gold, Blue Yonder, and his fifth dam is the great Majorca.
Congratulations to his breeders, national leading farm Summerhill Stud as well as all concerned.
Watch the race below: