It was a tremendous day for KZN Breeding as War Of Athena hit the ball out of the park, winning over the 2450m Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks by two lengths with immense ease. In the process, she also gave her Dynasty sire his first Triple Tiara win and 5th Black Type win for the season – as well as a double on the day!
Another #kznbred finished fourth to War Of Athena, Magical Flight by Willow Magic.
War Of Athena earned her connections a R1-million bonus for taking all three legs, previously achieved by past SA Triple Tiara princesses Igugu (2011 – imported and consigned to sale by Summerhill), Cherry On The Top (2013) and Summer Pudding (2020), and came close in 2018 with #kznbred Takingthepeace taking two legs of the Triple Tiara.
A R30 000 buy from the 2019 Ready To Run Sale, War Of Athena has won 8 races (from 1200m to 2450m) with 5 places from 14 starts for stakes of R1 401 300.
Bred by Summerhill, she was a first Gr1 winner for her fast ascending Dynasty sire Act Of War when she won last time.
She is out of a Requiem / Coastal mare Qaphela, who has produced 4 other winners, and is a half-sister to two South African stakes winners – from the same family as Gold Cup winner Desert Links and French Oaks heroine Dunette. Snaith winner Captain Tatters is also a relation.
War Of Athena’s owner Roy Wentzel and Dr Rose Waterman-Wentzel have indicated that they have received many ‘wild offers’ for their star, and appear to be fans of Act Of War – enjoying a double on the day with their 3yo gelding Battle Force winning his fourth race in a row with the same rider and trainer combination as their star filly!
Summerhill Equestrian, who stand Act Of War, have said that they already have a number of bookings to the Gr1 winning and producing sire early before the season starts. That book may be full by the time 1 September comes. Act Of War also has an impressive Average Earnings Per Runner of R54 000.
Another good KZN result was the outstanding run from Copper Mountain, the Rathmor-bred son of Noble Tune put pressure on Got The Greenlight and finished a very admirable second for the Wernars and trainer Johan Janse Van Vuuren.
The 3yo gelding out of Royal Aspen has been consistent, with three wins and four seconds and only out of the money on one occasion.
Clifton Stud had a winner on the day with another consistent gelding as the Alec Laird trained Royal Wulff won his second on the trot, yet to be out of the money in all six of his previous starts. The Crusade gelding is out of Conne Mara Black by Kahal.
Well done to all concerned.
Racing Images: Chase Liebenberg