The Late Sydney Rosseau of St Helier Stud would have been delighted with Wednesdays results at Hollywoodbets Scottsville as two of his own bred horses produced a double and a winner just two days prior, in partnership with his wife Shirley Rosseau – a tremendous achievement from the boutique farm who have always bred with a handful of well-bred mares over the past years.
Of the three winners bred, two of them are owned by Shirley Rosseau and the Late Syd Rosseau.
Their daughter Michelle Rosseau Franks reports that they currently have three broodmares, some waiting to foal at ‘home’ – a beautiful and spacious property in central Hillcrest.
They stand Velvet Mover, Maximum Break who has since been retired from stud duties and Sierra Lily – the latter in foal to Ridgemont Highlands sire, Canford Cliffs.
“We are going to be upgrading to a higher quality broodmare band as we can. We will be using select mares going forward to breed with, to keep Dad’s dream alive!”
Michelle tells of the extraordinary life Sydney lead and his achievements, as well as his love of the horse.
“Dad has always had a passion for horses and began his racehorse career by work riding for Theo de Klerk before school each morning. His first horse was Ethyl Master. He then competed in amateur racing, both hurdles and flat, in the Cape on a horse called Chelsea Pirate. The horse closest to his heart was a horse called Royal Phantom. The bond between them was just magical.
It was his dream to have his own stud farm which he managed to achieve. He loved all his horses, could tell you each and everyone’s life from start to present. All their quirks and personalities, likes and dislikes. He spent time with each of his horses every day. He truly loved each and every one of them.
“My Dad lived a full life from designing luxury yachts to the royal military naval fleet. He travelled the world and got to watch the Monaco Grand Prix a few times. When he was in the Netherlands he had Dressage lessons with their Olympic medalist. He was a huge part of my riding career and would often spend many nights helping me clean, plait and prep my horses for their shows. He taught me a great love and appreciation for horses and I am truly grateful for that!”
The first of the double came with in form Apprentice, Rachel Venniker aboard the Rosseau-owned Sonjador (Ideal World – Gwanda by Fort Wood) – who had ridden their grey Tupelo Honey to victory just two days earlier at Hollywoodbets Greyville – both trained by Michael Roberts.
Sonjador is most deserving of the win – having earned in 15 of his previous 16 starts (three of them in 2nd place) and breaking his maiden on his 18th time of asking!
Victory Twist (Flying The Flag – Velvet Mover by Cape Cross) is another consistent sort who has only been out of the money on debut from his five starts – with a win and two seconds. The big handsome dark bay gelding is loving the extra ground offered to him and won confidently over 1750m for trainer Tony Rivalland and owners Messrs P C Rivalland, J P G de Rauville, A J Rivalland and Mrs M D J Liley.
Young Rachel Venniker is setting the world alight after only being in action as an official apprentice jockey for one week! She had won a race as a Work Rider aboard #kznbred Enjoy The View for trainer Michael Roberts, and all of her winners to date have been aboard #kznbred horses.
She rode Tupelo Honey, a well bred daughter of Duke Of Marmalade out of Harolds Gold (Fort Wood) to victory just two days prior, with Rachel taking the bull by the horns and dominating the race from the start to lead all the way, and win by a length. Shirley Rosseau commented that Tupelo Honey was Syd’s favourite – a beautiful grey from the immediate family of Cover Look.
Congratulations to the Rosseau family and we look forward to more to come as the St Helier Stud family continue Syd’s legacy.