Spring Valley-bred London Call, a brilliant son of Kahal out of one of Bruce Le Roux’s top former mares Fancy Fantasy, defeated a quality field of sprinters in the Marula Sprint yesterday at Scottsville, including the likes of Gr1 placed Barbosa and recent Gr3 winner Rikitikitana.
It is well documented that trainer Mark Dixon’s lightly raced six year old has been plagued with issues during his career, but when London Call enters a race he is to be ignored at your peril – particularly at Scottsville over 1200m which he absolutely loves.
His elated owners Clint Larsson and Darren Samuelson (owned along with Gary Cumming) were on course to greet him in the winners enclosure for the seventh victory of his 12-race career, and three places.
Sold at the 2012 National Yearling Sale for R120 000, London Call has earned over R511 000 in stakes and has a Merit Rating of 108.
Fancy Fantasy, a liver chestnut daughter of Rainbow Dream has left an incredible legacy at Spring Valley with daughters Vasilisa and Listed Scarlet Lady winner Silver Fantasy returning to the place of their birth for stud duties.
Silver Fantasy has produced two winners to date from both her first foals (Silver King and Fantasy Lady), as has Vasilisa (Captain Sparrow and Trippi’s Girl).
Amongst Fancy Fantasy’s progeny are the likes of Indiscreet Fantasy (8-time winner including Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas), Malinga (10-time winner and Gr2 placed), Silver Fantasy and Personal Fantacy, the latter placing in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship.
Congratulations to Bruce and Delia Le Roux of Spring Valley Stud and to the winning connections!