Most of the country’s top middle distance gallopers are among the first entries for the Gr1 R4,25 million Vodacom Durban July to be run over 2200m at Greyville on Saturday, 1 July 2017. Eight of the entries are either KZN-bred or by KZN resident stallions.
Gr1 Middle Park Stakes winner Crusade has had his third winner at the Vaal this afternoon, with Roski-bred Onamission, a juvenile filly out of Gr2 winner Tempted, finding victory over 1200m by almost two lengths.
Scott Bros’ exciting young stallion Crusade was represented by his second first crop winner when his son Brave Endeavour got off the mark on Wednesday afternoon. His 2017 Nationals crop includes siblings to Gr3 placed Celestina, Wild One, Matador Man and impressive debut winner, Cat ‘N Mouse.
International news related to KZN is that Arrogate, who share sire Unbridled’s Song with Noble Tune, amazed the racing world with an astounding last to first Gr1 Dubai World Cup victory whilst Crusade’s half sister, Seventh Heaven, gave a courageous account of herself to finish second in the Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic behind Jack Hobbs.
KZN-breds and horses by KZN sires won four of the nine race card at Turffontein yesterday, including three of the days features – the Oaks Trial Listed, the Derby Trial and the Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes, whilst Rabada’s grey half-brother won over 2000m on debut in the last race.
KZN produces less than 20% of the racing stock annually in South Africa and yesterday’s performances at Turffontein are not to be ignored.
Both Seventh Heaven and Arrogate are of particular interest to KZN Breeding, with Gr1 Middle Park Stakes winner Crusade’s half-sister by Galileo, Seventh Heaven, contesting the Gr1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic whilst Arrogate shares a sire with Rathmor Stud’s Noble Tune, and is favourite to win the Gr1 Dubai World Cup.
Amy Bronkhorst’s Comanche Brave, a Summerhill Stud-bred son of Kahal out of Alami mare Aces Wild, took home the Champions Cup (Listed) at Borrowdale yesterday under Callan Murray.
Bred by Taryn Liebenburg and Annet Becker of Summerhill Stud, The Elmo Effect is a son of Admire Main out of the one-time winning Northern Guest mare, Dream Starling. This is the third Bold Black Type horse for the dam, after she produced Gr2 Gauteng Guineas winner, Heaps Of Fun and Gr3 placed Cookie Monster. Her other daughter Red Spirit in turn has produced two winners – including Gr3 placed Newton Power for Bush Hill Stud.
Yellow Star’s Kildonan is in form with 33% winners to runners currently, excluding his winner last night for the stable of Alyson Wright. He also had a superb winner for the yard of Paul and Beth Gadsby on Wednesday at Scottsville with Clifton-bred Kildonan Lad whilst Vision To Kill is an exciting prospect for Champions Season….
After King Of Kings death in 2015 due to heart failure at The Fort Stud, the son of Sadlers Wells may be gone but not forgotten after his as yet unbeaten juvenile daughter, Daring Diva, sprinted to almost a three length victory in the Ruffian Stakes Listed over 1000m and downed Kissable in the process.