MK’s Pride Gives Willow Magic First Grade One Winner

A fairytale story that has come full circle, Mr Koos Nkale’s MK’s Pride plugged on doggedly under Muzi Yeni to take the Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes for the stable of Paul Peter.

He won by three quarters of a length over the mile trip, beating Argentine bred Peurto Manzano and July / Met winner Kommetdieding into the places respectively.

Originally named Alaunus, MK’s Pride was unsold at the 2019 Ready To Run Sale, bred and consigned by Mick Goss of Summerhill Stud.

The spitting image of his sire by Dubawi, a Grade One winner trained by Sean Tarry, the entire MK’s Pride looks to have a stud career with his Grade One win under the belt.

This is his 9th career win to date, with Gr2 wins in the Hawaii Stakes and Joburg Spring Challenge, as well as the Ready To Run Sales Cup.

Out of an Admire Main mare Ikimasu from the family of Gondolier and San Carlos.

MK’s Pride has a Hat Puntano half-brother on offer at the National Yearling Sale named Stealth Strike, consigned by Bush Hill Stud as Lot 424.

Willow Magic stands at Bush Hill Stud.