Backworth Stud’s Continuing Success With Raise The Bar And Varlet

Backworth-bred Raise The Bar ran a brave second to a daughter of Medaglia D’Oro(USA), whilst Varlet has now had her fourth win. Look out for Lot 106 **LUCKY BREAK, Raise The Bar’s half brother by Muhtafal, at the 2012 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale. Backworth Stud hold the top position on the breeders log with 54% Winners to Runners.

A hotly contested Listed Queen Of The Sand over 1600m on the Vaal sand track Tuesday produced an exciting finish with the Roy Magner-trained daughter of Darley stallion Medaglia D’Oro, Mina Salaam, winning by 3/4 lengths from a running-on Paul Matchett-trained Raise The Bar (Goldkeeper – Moving On Up by Jallad).

Backworth-bred Raise The Bar’s vanquisher, Mina Salaam, has an impressive race record which includes wins in the first two legs of the Zimbabwean Triple Crown as a three-year-old. She is out of the champion South African mare, Circle of Life, and is a half sister to Grade 1 winners African Lion and Zebra Crossing.

Raise The Bar’s career record stands at 6 wins and 10 places from 22 starts.

Varlet, by Var(USA) – Miss Unimac(AUS) by Bellotto(USA) won a thrilling MR 89 Handicap over 1600m Thursday at the Vaal, charging from the back of the field under jockey Gavin Lerena to fight out stride for stride the final 200 meters with the lightly weighted Express View (Captain Al – Solar Express) and getting up to win by a short head.

This win takes the Brian Wiid-trained 4-year-old chestnut filly’s career record to 4 wins and 6 places from 16 starts. Congratulations to owners Mr.G. Hodges, Mr. B.O. Wiid and Dr. K. Whiffler.

Varlet is a graduate from the Backworth draft of the 2009 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.

**News update – Lot 106 Lucky Break sold for R650 000 on the first day of the Emperors Palace National Sale.

Please follow the link to view Backworth Stud’s 2012 National Yearling Sale draft.

Information source courtesy of Backworth Stud. View their blog and website at www.backworth.co.za