A happy chord of nostalgia was struck Saturday night when Serene Melody ended her racing career with a perfect-trip victory in the $50,000 Wintergreen Stakes at Turfway Park in northern Kentucky. Serene Melody was produced by the Hall of Fame mare Serena’s Song, the third dam of Noble Tune and Honor Code.
Ken and Lynne Twort of Barton Hall Stud bred the six year old son of Mullins Bay that romped to victory in the Gr3 Lebelo Sprint at Turffontein on the weekend over 1000m on the turf. Viking Hero is a horse that sold at the 2011 National Two Year Old Sale for just R30 000 – and has gone on to win over R680 000.
KZN-bred son of Dynasty, It Is Written galloped to victory in the Gr3 Christmas Handicap for trainer Dean Kannemeyer and owner Fred Crabbia. The Keivan Stud bred five year old gelding has now won his seventh race to date.
The KZN Breeders Dressage Challenge Awards took place at the Summerveld Training Centre Clubhouse, with forty riders and their families who took part in this year’s KZN Breeders Dressage Challenge in attendance, enjoying watching the racehorses work whilst sipping on Champagne and orange juice and having breakfast.
Visionaire’s son Jet Air will be contesting the Gr1 Cape Guineas this weekend, whilst Spring Valley-bred A Time To Kill (half-brother to Dunford) runs in the Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap and No Worries in the Jet Master Listed.
Initially beginning his stud career at Rob and Michele Pickering’s Middlefield Stud in Mooi River, Byword transferred to Mauritzfontein and sees his first crop of yearlings go on sale in 2016 – the first being presented for sale in January at the CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale.
KZN-bred Waywest Goddess had her first foal, a Moutonshoek-bred colt by Var give an impressive debut at Kenilworth recently to win by three and half lengths. Bred by Bruce and Anne Nicholas of Hallmark Thoroughbreds and trained by Louis Goosen, Waywest Goddess won five races including the Gr2 Fillies Nursery.
Yellow Star Stud have announced the sad passing of Klawervlei-owned Lion Tamer, who fatally injured himself prior to covering a mare.
The Scott Bros once again are offering 30 Two Year Olds, ready for training, for sale directly from the farm.
One of the horses for sale is two year old colt Final Cup, a Mogok half-brother to Durban July winner Hunting Tower and a full-brother to The Lonsdale, who won at Greyville on Friday evening for trainer Doug Campbell.
Dr Phumla Mnganga, is to take over the reins of Gold Circle, KwaZulu-Natal’s Racecourse and Betting Operator, following the retirement this week of sitting chairman, Mr Robert Mauvis.