His sire Silvano hardly needs any introduction, a two-time multiple Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, Singapore and America, winning 7 races during his racing career, over a variety distances ranging from 1400m to 2200m, and was rated Timeform 126 at the conclusion of his racing career. He has had a profound influence on racing and breeding here in South Africa, producing many Grade 1,2, & 3 winners, and his brilliant son Vercingetorix who, like his sire, was a globe-trotting Group winner and is now a champion sire in South Africa. Recently the first two past the post in the iconic Durban July, Oriental Charm and Cousin Casey were both by Vercingetorix.

Celestial City’s dam Halfway To Heaven, a daughter of Jet Master and Grade 3 winner herself, has turned out to be an outstanding broodmare, producing the Grade One winners Golden Ducat (Philanthropist) and Rainbow Bridge (Ideal World). Thanks to her versatility at producing winners at the highest level, Halfway To Heaven was awarded the title of Broodmare Of The Year for 2018/2019 and 2019/20120 seasons.

Carrying a much-vaunted bloodline, Celestial City is a much-welcomed boost to the stallion ranks in KZN where he will stand alongside Act Of War, for a service fee of R30 000 LFF.

For further information you can contact Jess Carreira on 082 496 9410.

Pictures credit for Celestial City: Lara Coulon.

Godswood, by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds resident sire Willow Magic, produced his eighth career win for breeders Bush Hill Stud on the weekend at Turffontein.

Out of a Jallad mare Bluebell Wood from the family of multiple Gr1 and 14-time winning Roland’s Song as well as 8-time and Gr1 winner Contador, the gelding started his career with Paul Peter and is owned by Barend Botes, trained in partnership between Botes and Mr Vosloo.

He defeated a flashy Pinnacle field in the process under Siyanda Sisobo, carrying feather weight and beating the likes of Graded Stakes winners Maharanee, Under Your Spell, Smorgasbord and Eden Roc amongst the field, by over a length.

Willow Magic has a reputation for producing multiple repeat winners and his runners have earned almost R2-million in stakes this season.

Bush Hill Stud are on 32% winners to runners for the season.

Lee Scribante of Piemonte Stud who have Last Winter, has confirmed that his first mares covered have been confirmed in foal.

The impressive son of Western Winter stands at Bush Hill Stud on behalf of Piemonte, for the convenience of farms in Mooi River, Nottingham Road and Rosetta for ease of access for mares.

Last Winter, who was trained by Dean Kannemeyer in South Africa and exported after his sensational run in the Gr1 Sun Met where he finished a mind-blowing and flying 2nd after coming from the back, returned to South Africa after racing in the care of Sir Michael Stoute in the UK.

He also finished 2nd in the Gr2 Premier Trophy (1800m) and placed in the Floodlit Listed over 2400m overseas – beaten by Young Rascal, a winner of three Gr3 races. He only had two starts in the UK before his return to South Africa.

A very handsome and striking individual, he was rated 119 behind Legal Eagle after his smashing Met effort and at one point, 5th in the world of the Longines Worlds Best Racehorse Rankings – with Winx in 1st and Beauty Generation on an even keel with Last Winter.

Racing in the colours of Lady Laidlaw, Last Winter was unbeaten in 4 starts in South Africa from 1200m – 1600m.

He has an immaculate pedigree – being out of Silvano mare Field Flower, and his third dam a full sister to to US Champion sire and sire of sires, Bold Ruler – who amongst his many sons included the mighty Secretariat.

This is the female line of Royal Land, Hashtag Strat and Inverroche, as well as sire Fools Holme.

Last Winter stands for a Live Foal fee of R7 500, with the fee reduced to R5 500 for every mare that visits thereafter.

Contact Lee Scribante on 083 275 4163 for more info.

WATCH Last Winter fly up to Oh Susanna in the Gr1 Sun Met.

This has also inspired Laurence Wernars to send his Gr1 winning chestnut mare, Temple Grafin, to his multiple Group winner New Predator this season for her first cover. The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade will provide the successful international cross of Galileo crossed to Danehill, which has produced a plethora of Group 1 winners, including sire Frankel and amongst Galileo’s additional four Gr1 winners this past weekend, Mogul.

Temple Grafin will also inject precocity, being the only 2yo Group winner Duke Of Marmalade has ever produced. She took the Gr3 Debutante in her fourth start as a two year old and had five wins in total, placing to the likes of the brilliant multiple Gr1 fillies and Equus Award winning Celtic Sea and Clouds Unfold, only to defeat them both in her last start at Hollywoodbets Greyville. 

Temple Grafin turned the tables to win the Gr1 Garden Province where she was victorious amongst a strong field of the country’s best fillies, including Gr1 winner Ronnie’s Candy and the likes of Mill Queen, Pretty Young Thing and Driving Miss Daisy. Recently crowned Equus Champion Sprinter Celtic Sea finished second. 

Foals: Left to right – colt out of Culture Queen by High Chapparal, and colt out of African Goshawk by Tiger Ridge. Images: Candiese Lenferna

Temple Grafin – who possesses a very level headed temperament and is already letting down well and looking quite relaxed as she heads into her next chapter, has already paid a visit to Bush Hill’s son of New Approach this season. Other mares to have been covered this season include the dam of the talented Gr1 placed Neptune’s Rain – Water Is Gold. 

The beautifully bred Polzeath (Singspiel) is another early cover, the dam of Dean Kannemeyer trained Miss Minver who was to be a very exciting prospect for Champions Season in her year, was a winner of 4 races before her untimely passing. Winter Passion, a stakes winning daughter of Var and a full sister to Le Var has also paid a visit this year. 

A star studded line up of mares booked for this season include Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Gr3 Three Troikas winner Go Indigo, already the dam of a winner with CK Racing. Cassie O’Malley, a 3-time winning daughter of Jet Master who also placed in the Gr3 Flamboyant is booked. This is the immediate female line of Successful Bidder and Gold Flier.

New Predator was supported in 2019 with a quality first book of mares, and has seen the arrival of a first foal for Cold Cash (Bankable), a Stakes Placed dam who has produced a very smart, good sized filly who is clearly stamped by her sire in looks and colour. 

Culture Queen (High Chapparal) has produced a quality colt inbred to Sadlers Wells – which is reminiscent by the mark on the colts forehead of his mighty great grand sire and has plenty of presence, size and bone at his young age.  

Foals left to right: Filly out of Cold Cash (Bankable) and a filly out of Faraway Island (IRE) by Exceed And Excel. Images: Candiese Lenferna

The flashy African Goshawk has produced a flashy chestnut colt, not forgetting that New Predator’s own sire is an imposing chestnut with two stockings. The daughter of Tiger Ridge is a half-sister to Halve The Deficit out of Gr3 winner National Banker, and her third dam is Lorehana, of Arabian Lass, Prairie Breeze and Princely Affair fame.  

Exceed And Excel imported Irish mare, Faraway Island, again is a pedigree that repeats the success of the Gr1 producing Galileo / Danehill nick, from the female line of the mighty Derby and Arc winning Generous.  

When Bush Hill Stud introduced New Predator in 2019, one of the many appeals to breeders was the versatility of his pedigree, which is proof of the scope of mares he has received in his first book.  

Described by his trainer Johan Janse Van Vuuren as having a fine turn of foot and plenty of speed, New Predator exhibited true Gr1 form as in his two Gr2 wins – the Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville and the Charity Mile at Turffontein, along with his Gr1 places in the Horse Chestnut Stakes (twice) and the Mercury Sprint he defeated the likes ofVodacom Durban July winners Legislate and The Conglomerate, as well as Gold Onyx and Mac De Lago, along with multiple Gr1 winners Abashiri, Rabada, Deo Juvente. Further to this his speed was reiterated by him defeating the Gr1 winning sprinters Rafeef, Will Pays, Attenborough and Talktothestars. 

His sire New Approach has a lifetime percentage of 68% winners to runners, with 55 Stakes Winners – five Group winners this year alone. A sire of sires, his sons at stud include the sharp racehorse Dawn Approach, a 4-time Gr1 winner and a Timeform Rating of 132. 

New Predator’s pedigree doesn’t come much stronger – with his broodmare sire, Fastnet Rock (Danehill), producing 39 Gr1 winners and seven of his sons at stud already producing their own individual Gr1 winners. As a broodmare sire he has a phenomenal stakes winning strike rate of 25% when crossed with Galileo.

New Predator represents a golden opportunity for breeders to access a stallion that has proved his courage, speed and class, is the only son of 5-time Gr1 winning New Approach at stud in South Africa and already evident through his foals that he is passing on his substance, strength and good looks, for a very accessible fee of R10 000. 

Bruce Le Roux of Spring Valley Stud is raving about his filly out of Stakes Winner of 7, The Angelus. Crest Of Pearls, a half-sister to Gr1 winner Chestnuts And Pearls has a smart filly on the ground, whilst the well bred Little Sparrow, out of Gr1 winner Bambina Stripes, has a colt first foal. Other mares due to foal are Scripture (Stakes Winner of 9), Raw Deal (a half-sister to Close The Gap, Hilti and Rawl Plug), Rhythmic Roxy (5 time winner with Black Type) and Fair Archer, a half-sister to Gr1 winne Happy Archer. 

Contact Warwick Render at Bush Hill Stud for more information at bushhillstud@futurenet.co.za. 

Article first published in December 2015 issue of International Racehorse Magazine

When the first small crop of Visionaire’s hit the tracks in America, news began to filter through to South Africa that they were winning – not only winning repeatedly but his daughter Bacopa Breeze annointed him with his first Black Type win, taking the Laurel Smart Halo Listed. This was followed up with winning colt Outlook placing in a further two Listed races.

While this was happening, Visionaire was safely ensconced in the big beautiful American-styled stallion barn at one of South Africa’s Leading National breeders’ Summerhill Stud, who held the title for an incredible nine consecutive years and continue to be amongst the leaders.

Crowned Champion Freshman Sire for the South African racing season of 2014/2015, it was thanks to Team Valor’s Barry Irwin and his vision of what he wished to achieve from the breeding of his mares based in KZN that we have Visionaire standing in the province of KwaZulu Natal.

Regarding the importation of Visionaire, Barry Irwin said that Visionaire’s front leg conformation was one of the main reasons he selected Visionaire to be exported to South Africa. “I wanted to be able to breed to a stallion that would sire horses with correct front legs. And he is getting the job done!”

The first son of Grand Slam to stand at stud in South Africa and a grandson of the great Gone West, Visionaire left halfway through his first American breeding season to become one of the most exciting stallion prospects to arrive in 2011 in South Africa, standing his first year for a service fee of R20 000.

With the Gr1 King’s Bishop victory behind his name, amongst his other scintillating racing performances that included the Gr3 Gotham Stakes where he emerged from the thick fog the winner on the wire, they were all run in the same goosebump fashion that we are now seeing from one of America’s leading sprinter-milers, Honor Code.

Visionaire was one of the most expensive purchases made for Team Valor International, bought for seven figures with the intention of taking on the Triple Crown in 2008.

The green and red chevron silks of Team Valor are no strangers in South Africa, where Gr1 winners such as Ipi Tombi, Gypsy’s Warning, Irridescence and Ebony Flyer (to name just a few) have carried them to many outstanding victories locally and internationally.

On the international racing front, who could forget those colours on the back of Animal Kingdom as he kept the racing world on the edge of their seats at every start, amongst the biggest, sweeping to victory in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby and Gr1 Dubai World Cup.

Visionaire’s racing style is one of those that would leave you totally breathless and shaking your head in absolute disbelief at his sheer speed, turn of foot and tenacity.

Jumping from the starting stalls to lie more than 10 lengths off the leader for most of the race – it looked impossible unitl he began eating up the ground off the turn and still managed to finish over two lengths ahead in the seven furlong race, that has seen the likes of Distorted Humor, More Than Ready and Elusive Quality etched into the honour roll.

It is really easy to see what Irwin liked so much about Visionaire. Out of mare Scarlet Deputy by French Deputy, he stands 16.1 with a handsome head, a big honest eye that reflects his kind temperament, a deep girth and powerful hindquarters, he has plenty of strength and substance about him.

All these qualities are passed on to his foals and its no surprise that his first yearlings averaged a very impressive R349 000 for 15 lots sold at the 2014 National Yearling Sale.

This was topped by an outstanding grey filly named Yoruba, bred by Summerhill Stud and a half-sister to Gr2 winner No Worries, knocked down for R1,4million to Ridgemont Stud. Another colt Diamontaire sold for R600 000, consigned by Somerset Stud and purchased by Team Valor. As a result Visionaire was the leading first season sire at the sale that year and his racing results wouldn’t disappoint.

At the 2014 Suncoast KZN Yearling Sale which takes place three months after the Nationals, Team Valor sold a chestnut filly out of King Of Kings mare Royal Purse for just R30 000 to World Wide Bloodstock. Almost a carbon copy of her sire in conformation including her gleaming chestnut coat, she was quickly taken up by 3A Racing Syndicate who having always previously leased horses, deciding to take the leap of faith and buy into a horse of their own. They formed a partnership with Andy Williams and Mrs Wintle.

Sent into training with Glen Kotzen, Royal Pleasure would not only give her sire his first South African win but she would go on to give him his first Group win in South Africa.

Royal Pleasure debuted at Scottsville in the black and shocking pink silks of the 3A Racing Syndicate, where she didn’t just win but completely thrashed the opposition by almost seven lengths over 1000m under apprentice Callan Murray. The win was enough to make Team Valor take notice of the horse that they had sold just seven months before and they immediately bought back into the filly, buying out a few partners and formed a new partnership with 3A Racing as well as Anant and Vaneshree Singh.

Royal Pleasure made her second track appearance two months later in the colours of Team Valor, with Greg Cheyne flown up from Cape Town for the ride. Once again at Scottsville over a 1000m, this time in soft going she won comfortably by over two lengths in the Non-Black Type Kings Pact Stakes.

She was immediately entered for the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes a month later, going into the 1100m race unbeaten. Ridden by Anton Marcus on this occasion, she won by three quarters of a length from Miracle Rising and Princess Royal – the latter a half-sister to four-time Gr1 winning Princess Victoria.

A decision was made to go for the Gr1 Allan Robertson but Royal Pleasure found the 1200m a bit to long, finishing courageously just out of the placings behind Equus Two Year Old Champion filly, Entisaar(AUS).

With 12 winners in America, it wasn’t just Royal Pleasure – the Visionaire’s began to make themselves known on racetracks across South Africa.

Doug Campbell’s Summerhill-bred Lala came out next, winning her debut and going on later to place in the Gr2 Debutante. Another impeccably bred colt by Team Valor, Jet Air has now won twice for trainer Mike Bass and owners’ Bryn Russell and Marsh Shirtliff, finishing four lengths off the unbeaten Gr1 winning Rabada in the Premiers Champion Stakes. Smart debut winner Virtuality, at odds of 33/1 showed punters the error of their ways, winning by two lengths at Turffontein for trainer David Niewenhuizen.

Barry Irwin comments on the progeny of Visionaire: “While Visionaire is certainly an agent for delivering speed to his offspring, he himself got better with age and I would expect his offspring to do so as well. I hope the trainers that have Visionaires are patient with the tall ones and give them a chance to develop, instead of just looking at them as precocious juveniles”.

With the Visionaire’s off the mark and the breeders clamouring to fill his book for 2015, the next racing season as three year olds is indeed going to be an exciting one as more of them begin to step on to the tracks for the first time. Visionaire stands at Summerhill Stud for the highest service fee in KZN of R40 000.

– Text and Visionaire images: Candiese Marnewick

Exciting news broke last night from the CTS Book 1 sale with a South African sales record made by a top-priced Dynasty colt, Shining Knight, reaching a massive R5,2million and a Dynasty filly following for R3.7 million.

Dynasty is hot right now with the likes of Yellow Star-born Gr1 Queens Plate and Champions Cup winner Futura looking to take on the J&B Met on 31 January, followed by Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate.

KZN, in particular Warwick and Karin Render’s Bush Hill Stud, is in the highly advantageous position of having the first foals of dual Gr1 winning Irish Flame, the first son of Dynasty retired to stud in South Africa. Irish Flame looks to carry the torch forward from his paternal grandsire Fort Wood.

Visiting the farm during the week, Irish Flame is breathtakingly beautiful – having let down into a magnificent stallion and carrying himself well after the busy covering season.

A very balanced horse who is easy on the eye, it was impressive to watch Irish Flame’s large strides covering his paddock with incredible ease and agility for a horse of his size – standing 16.2hh.

Irish Flame roams the massive green tree-lined paddock at Bush Hill Stud, with a stable that formerly housed one of SA’s top-sires, Kahal(GB).

“Irish Flame is in Kahal’s paddock because that is what we believe he will emulate,” as Warwick watches the tall dark bay stallion with a dappled coat.

Possessing all of the traits needed for a stallion to make it at stud, Irish Flame has the pedigree, the looks, the athleticism and movement, and most of all – a phenomenal race record – locally and overseas.

An Equus Horse Of The Year, Champion 3YO Colt and Champion Stayer, his sire Dynasty and broodmare sire Flaming Rock are both Equus Award winners themselves. His dam Clock The Rock stands at Bush Hill Stud and has produced a magnificent colt by Toreador this season.

Warwick goes on to make a great point regarding our local stallions going to stud. “Horses that have been born and raced in this country with great success and who have subsequently gone on to stud, have turned out to be top sires in their own right – such as Jet Master [KZN-bred], Captain Al, National Emblem and even London News amongst a few. We are very excited at the prospect of Irish Flame, who has also been well supported by the breeders and received some very good mares.”

Irish Flame’s stand out performances were winning the Grade 1 SA Derby over 2450m, not only in a show of stamina but an incredibly fast turn of foot to win by nine and half lengths from Pierre Jourdan. Irish Flame defeated Bold Silvano by a quarter of a length to win the Grade 1 Daily News 2000, only to finish second in the Vodacom Durban July behind Bold Silvano by a length. He also took home the Gr2 Gold Circle Derby and Politician Stakes.

After being sent overseas to Dubai and the UK, Irish Flame carried 60kgs in a Conditions Stake at British racetrack Kempton Park, where he set a course record in the process by a winning margin of three lengths over 2200m in a time of 136.98. The second horse named Treasury Devil by Bernardini, was carrying 54.5kgs.

Irish Flame’s first foals this season have impressed with their size, quality and superior looks of their sire. Amongst them is a filly out of National Assembly mare Party Power, and a flashy bright bay colt out of Lady Soul, a half-sister to Tyson.

Party Power is out of a Home Guard(USA) mare Majority Rule. Naan Khataay can be found under the first dam, whilst the third dam is Gr1 Cape Of Good Hope Paddock Stakes winner Majorca. This is the family of Gr1 winner Spiced Gold, Studio Fifty Four and Equus Champion Stayer Jeppe’s Reef.

Lady Soul is by Modus Vivendi out of Sledgehammer mare Telle Belle. The half-sister to Tyson, a seven time winner in South Africa and a two-time winner in Dubai, won the Gr1 Summer Cup and the Gr3 Victory Moon Handicap. This is also the immediate family of Eternal Dancer and Magenta.

Irish Flame stood for a fee of R10 000 in 2014.

Bush Hill Stud is scheduled to be featured on Tellytrack in the near future, keep an eye on Channel 239 to view Bush Hill’s resident stallions and foals.

Irish Flame’s pedigree information (sportingpost.co.za): Click Here

For more information contact Warwick 082 872 7799 or Karin 082 896 4809
Email: bushhillstud@futurenet.co.za
Website: www.bushhillstud.co.za
Facebook: Bush Hill Stud
Twitter: @BushHillStud

Mogok(USA) emerges along the paved road amongst the green manicured lawns of the great Highdown Stud owned by brothers Robin and Des Scott. You hear him arriving before you see the impressive stallion with his almost black gleaming coat, his enthusiastic strides with swinging hips that indicate tenaciousness – Mogok could be heard marching up the driveway along with his loud cries as he expects a mare for cover.

This is his 10th season at stud, he has already covered over 100 mares in 2013, with quite a number of late arrivals booked before the breeding season ends.

Highdown Stud, established some 47 years ago and located in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, has been breeding some of South Africa’s leading racehorses such as Politician and standing champion sires including the great Foveros and Jungle Cove amongst others. It is a fertile breeding ground which has left a deep impression on the South African Stud book.

A striking dark bay stallion with a white blaze, fiery eyes and pricked ears, Mogok’s regal pedigree backs up his athleticism and good looks; he oozes outstanding quality. It is not surprising – he is the best performed son of Storm Cat at stud in South Africa and a half-brother to another international great – Machiavellian – the sire of the likes of Medicean and Street Cry.

Named after a city in Burma, Mogok has the rare honour of being one of the few stallions standing in South Africa to have sired three locally bred and international Group winning and performed racehorses, two of them bred by the Scott Bros themselves.

The first to make an impression was Gypsy’s Warning – bred by Michael and Tanya McHardy of Rathmor Stud. The second is a magnificent dark bay entire named The Apache and another son in Singapore named Meteor Mike, again bred by Scott Bros, placing in the Singapore TC Lion City Cup, a Singapore Gr 1, and the Garden City Trophy Singapore Gr 3.

Yet another Gr 1 winner bred by Scott Bros – Orbison won the Gr 1 Champions Cup in South Africa and was sent onto Dubai.

“Orbison defeated the great Pocket Power in the Gr 1 Champions Cup – that’s how good he was,” says Robin of Orbison’s talent. “It is a great pity he was denied a Dubai campaign due to injury as he had undoubted ability, we had high expectations for his local racing career.

“You probably only get a good horse every 5 – 10 years…we had four good horses within three years, and they all went overseas!”

Robin talks about acquiring the quality son of Storm Cat: “Mogok has an exceptional pedigree, bred by the Niarchos family from one of the best of their band of quality broodmares. He is the son of Storm Cat who at the peak of his career stood for US$500 000, no return. Mogok’s dam Coup De Folie, by Halo, represents one of the strongest families in the international Stud book. She is the dam of Machiavellian and her third dam is Natalma, the dam of Northern Dancer who has been the greatest influence on the Stud book than any other stallion in our modern era. Mogok is in-bred to Northern Dancer.

“There are three qualities in stallion selection – pedigree, conformation and performance. Generally if a stallion has all three, we can’t afford them. When my brother Des received a call from a friend, the French bloodstock agent Bernard St Seine, who mentioned a quality horse was catalogued as an unraced three year old, he suggested Mogok would be a good buy for us. We purchased Mogok on pedigree and conformation. The third requisite – performance – would have put him out of reach, and more than likely not for sale.”

Standing his first season in 2003, Mogok has never looked back. He is now the sire of 352 progeny to race, 202 winners (57.0%), earnings of over $6.6 million with 11 stakes winners and 15 stakes place getters.

Mogok’s first international taste of Group 1 success came from Rathmor Stud – another KZN-bred horse in Gypsy’s Warning. The bay mare achieved five wins in South Africa and two wins in USA. Gypsy’s Warning originally sold for R170 000 at 2007 Emperor’s Palace National Yearling Sale.

Gypsy’s Warning won over distances of 1200 – 1800 metres, including the SA Fillies Classic Grade 1, Thekwini Fillies Stakes Grade 1 under the care of Duncan Howells. In America, under ownership of Team Valor and trained by Graham Motion, she took home the Matriarch Stakes Grade 1, Acacia Handicap Grade 3 and Eatontown Handicap Grade 3. She placed seven times – her South African placings including a third in the Golden Slipper Grade 1, the Woolavington 2000 Grade 1, Empress Club Stakes Grade 1, the Ipi Tombe Challenge Grade 2, and the Strelitzia Stakes Grade 3.

Her American placings included the Beverly D Stakes Grade 1, and the Yellow Ribbon Stakes Grade 1, as well as a third in the Miss Liberty Listed Stakes. Sold at the 2011 Keeneland November sale for $1.05 million, she was purchased by Flaxman Holdings – the breeders of Mogok. Out of Bold-Black type producing mare Gypsy Queen by Royal Chalice, Gypsy’s Warning earned a total of US$512,912. Her first foal produced in the USA is by Street Cry (by Machiavellian).

The Apache carries a pure Scott Bros pedigree – and one that could stand on any farm, anywhere in the world.

His third dam was Bold West, a Gr 1 Gilbey’s Stakes winning filly bred by Robin and Des Scott by one of their champion sires – Jungle Cove. She established her own dynasty at Highdown Stud, among them Apache Rose by Dolpour – the dam of The Apache.

Apache Rose went onto have four wins and eight places before retiring to stud, where she has produced four winners. In a very sad twist of fate, Apache Rose aged just 14, passed away in March this year in foal to Mogok.

“If you are going to lose a horse, it will always be your best horse,” Robin admits philosophically. “It is sad that of theb150 mares we stand here, and one with international acclaim – that she died within a week of The Apache winning in Dubai. It was a very cruel blow.”

He adds: “We have retained The Apache’s full-sister Bold Pocahontas, she will go to Gavin Van Zyl to train as Gavin trained The Apache for Hong Kong owner Winston Chow.”

The Apache sold for a mere R80 000 (US$ 8, 000) at the National Two Year Old Sale, a year later taking home the Equus Award for Champion 3YO Colt/Gelding in 2011.

A foal described at two days old as: ‘stands over ground, has a good girth and an upside down neck’, Robin goes onto talk about the great dark bay: “It has been well documented what we sold The Apache for. It is my belief that when they leave the sales ring regardless of what they sold for, they go back to square one. The racecourse test is the best – that is my slogan. That is what qualifies the best from the rest.”

Now a seven-time winner over distances from 1600m to 2000m, the KZN-bred has become a poster child for South African Thoroughbred breeding – having taken home over US$1, 520,000 in Stakes earned. Trained by Gavin Van Zyl in South Africa, The Apache won two Grade 1s – the Greyville Daily News 2000 Stakes and the Champions Cup. He also added the Dingaans Gr 2, and places in the London News Stakes Gr 3, Victory Moon Stakes Gr 2, the Gr 2 KRA Guineas, Gr 1 Summer Cup and in Africa’s biggest race, the Gr 1 Vodacom Durban July Handicap.

The Apache sold out of the Van Zyl racing yard and joined South Africa’s master overseas campaigner Mike De Kock.

After an arduous spell in quarantine and export due to South Africa’s rigorous African Horse Sickness travel protocols, The Apache got off to a scintillating start overseas by taking home the Gr 2 Al Rashidiya Stakes at Meydan and going onto a nail-biting finish in the Gr 1 Meydan Jebel Hatta and Gr 1 Dubai Duty Free.

Trained by Mike De Kock overseas, The Apache transferred to England where he ran and placed in the Gr 2 York Stakes as preparation for the Arlington Million – where he was controversially denied the win, and put into second place after an objection was raised due to interference. “Watching the race we saw The Apache stay on resolutely to pass the post in first place” says Robin. “It was a disappointment for all concerned to have the decision reversed.”

Mogok’s other Bold Black type progeny include the likes of Gr 2 Emerald Cup winner Meadow Magic, Cruso, Alcanina, Wild One, Island Retreat, Headofthehouse, Markofdistinction, Corpes Da Elite and Greenacre.

At just 13 years of age, Mogok has achieved much at stud and we have high expectations for his future.

*recent news update is that The Apache has been retired for stud duties.

– written by Candiese Marnewick
Article first featured in January edition of International Racehorse Magazine

When you enter the territory of the most successful son of Machiavellian to stand in South Africa, you cannot help but be awed and almost made to feel quite inadequate by Kahal’s enormous presence.

A large dark bay with a beautiful copper sheen on his coat, Kahal stands as tall as he does over ground – an imposing 16.2 hands.

Kahal has a large handsome head carrying close similarities to his maternal grandsire Green Desert, with powerful hindquarters to match his big frame and good bone in his legs – part of what he throws to his progeny which makes them so tough and resilient, which has seen their success on the new sand tracks around South Africa.

Now 19 years old, the English-bred stallion was sent to South Africa by his breeders and owners – Shadwell Stud – beginning his career in 2001 at Summerhill Stud and recently relocating to Warwick and Karin Render’s Bush Hill Stud.

Kahal is an impressive stallion who almost seems to take the lead in everything he does, including taking his groom for a walk. He is in command of every step he takes, frequently standing tall on his hindlegs in an impressive display of athleticsm – but never coming across as aggressive.

It is merely a statement of power that Kahal has so rightly earned in the breeding paddocks of KZN, his Group winning momentum continuing in the current season headed up by Gr 1 SA Classic winner Love Struck, bred by Summerhill Stud. Out of the Rambo Dancer mare Particular Passion, Love Struck’s five wins include two Listed races as well as placing in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes.

Kahal is out of Green Desert mare Just A Mirage (out of a Nonoalco mare), and he raced with great international success – competing successfully in England, France, America, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

At just two years of age, he won and placed second in his first three starts. He raced until six years of age – an excellent career which proved his toughness, courage and grit which he certainly passes onto his progeny.

At three years old he won the Gr 2 Newmarket Challenge Stakes from top race filly Rebecca Sharp (also by Machiavellian) and placed second in the Royal Ascot Jersey Stakes, a Gr 3. At four years old, he placed in the Gr 2 Newmarket Challenge Stakes as well as the Gr 1 Newbury Lockinge Stakes.

At five years of age he did his owners proud, winning at Nad Al Sheba in the Shadwell Farm Stakes over 1400m – thereafter placing second in the USA in the Santa Anita Morvich Handicap Gr 3. At six years of age, he won the Woodbine Nearctic Gr 2 as well as placing second in the Santa Anita Morvich Handicap Gr 3.

Kahal achieved an impressive race record of eight wins, five seconds and a third, earning an admirable £313,783 in Stakes. His life-time stats have seen 446 progeny to race, 271 winners (60.0%), earnings of over $9.4 million, 29 Stakes Winners and 25 Stakes Place-getters.

His six Grade 1 winners include the great race mare Bold Ellinore, the recent Love Struck (both fore-mentioned horses bred by Summerhill Stud), Desert Links (bred by Shadwell Stud) Noble Heir (bred by Connington Stud), Chocolicious (bred by Backworth Stud) and Spiced Gold (bred by Greenhill Stud).

Warwick Render of Bush Hill Stud says of the great stallion: “Kahal has had an incredibly positive impact on the breeding industry in KZN in particular, and we as a region are most grateful to Shadwell Stud for this and all of their support of the racing and breeding industry in South Africa as a whole.”

Backworth’s Chocolicious, a talented bay mare out of Candy Box by Exclusive Patriot, won the Allan Robertson Championship Gr 1. She was recently sold to Australian interests and exported to the UK, where she is being aimed at Royal Ascot. Exciting news has broken that the mare will be booked to Frankel once her British racing season is over.

Kahal has consistently been in South Africa’s Leading five sires log by Stakes Earned for since 2009. Over the past season his Group race successes have been astonishing – his daughters have been leading in Gr 2 races around the country.

Voted as KZN Breeders Stallion Of The Year for the fourth time in 2012, seven of his progeny were nominated for awards, with four of them taking home the titles – including Vodacom Durban July runner-up Smanjemanje.

The season opened at the end of last year with Festival Of Fire (bred and owned by Mr C J Saunders & Lady C O’Reilly) winning the Gr 3 Joburg Spring Fillies & Mares Challenge by almost 1.5 lengths.

The three-year old filly set a new course record in the process with a time of 1.25.46. Less than a month later, she took home the Gr 3 Starling Stakes by half a length from the talented Blueridge Mountain(ARG), and recently stamped her authority at Greyville in the KRA Fillies Guineas Gr 2 over 1600m.

Enchanted Kingdom, bred by Bellwood Stud, out of Dancing Champ mare Aerial Dancer, immediately followed Festival Of Fire’s win early in the season by taking the Gr 3 Yellowwood Handicap from Without Malice at the Turffontein Inside track over 1800m at odds of 35/1. She has since placed closely in three Group performances.

Bush Hill Stud-bred, The Mouseketeer, out of Northern Guest mare Look Sharp, is a versatile gelding who specialises on sand and is the previous winner of the Gr 2 Emerald Cup and Gr 3 August Stakes.

The five year old recently brought home the Listed Highveld Sand Challenge as well as the Listed Vaal Riverside Handicap. On the same day at the Vaal Rebel Queen, a half-sister to sire Rebel King bred by Summerhill Stud, took home the Listed Nkosazana Stakes.

One of the most exciting races of the season had to be the Matekor Camellia Stakes Grade 2 which saw a brilliant finish between two of Kahal’s daughters – and full-sisters.

Incredibly, the first two past the post were not only both by Kahal, but both bred by the Kjell Foundation and both fillies ran at even weights of 59kgs, both trained by Mr Ferreira as well as both sisters being owned by Mrs L C A Bouwer. Eastern Greeting got the win over a photofinish from her sister, Kalaam. Both fillies are more proof of Kahal’s success with the Northern Dancer dam-line – being out of Salaam by Northern Guest.

The last filly to fly the flag for the day was Checcetti, winning the Bisquet Cognac Gerald Rosenberg Stakes Gr 2 over 2000m at even weights of 60kgs. Trained by Mike De Kock, the Summerhillbred Kahal filly won by over a length, with Enchanted Kingdom finishing in fourth place.

Kahal is also partly responsible for a rare white medicine hat Thoroughbred colt born in 2011 at Rathmor Stud – only one of five in the world and the first of its kind in South Africa. Named Gran Blanco, he recently changed hands at the Emperors National Yearling Sale for R220 000.

Standing for a Live Foal fee of just *R40 000 last season, South Africa is fortunate to have the services of Kahal at such a reasonable rate – his yearlings average more than five times his service fee.

Kahal stands alongside Curved Ball(AUS), King’s Chapel(AUS), Irish Flame and Toreador(IRE) at Bush Hill Stud for the coming season.

– Candiese Marnewick

*Article first published in the International Racehorse Magazine Issue #4 June 2013, therefore the stats, service fees and race results mentioned above will possibly be out of date

Spectrum (IRE) has proved himself a significant broodmare sire over the last few years and it is exciting times for Yellow Star Stud, where the big bay son of Rainbow Quest stands in the KZN Midlands.

A courageous grey grand-daughter of Spectrum named Moonlight Cloud came very close to changing history for the famed and unbeaten Black Caviar at Ascot last year, with Black Caviar picking up at the line to finish by a close head in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes. This was certainly not a one-off for Spectrum.

In 2012 Spectrum finished 84th in the world as a Broodmare Sire, with the likes of Conquistador Cielo, Diesis, Elusive Quality and Night Shift lying behind him.

Born at Ballymacoll Stud, Spectrum is out of an Irish River mare named River Dancer, in turn out of a Dancer’s Image / Val De Loir mare – a stallion who is free of Northern Dancer blood.

In-bred to Native Dancer and Nasrullah, Spectrum had four wins in the UK from two to four years old over 1600m-2000m, achieving an admirable Timeform Rating of 126. He won the Horris Hill Stakes over 1600m at age two and went onto win the Gr 1 Irish 2000 Guineas over 1600m at age three.

He continued his great form with a Group 1 Champion Stakes win over 2000m and placing second in the Group 2 Prix du Prince d’Orange over 2000m. Spectrum completed his race career at age four, placing third in the Group 1 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes over 1600m.

Spectrum’s half-sister produced sire Conduit, named American Champion Male Turf Horse in 2008 who is currently standing in Japan at Big Red Farm. His first foals were born in 2011.

Imported by Highlands Farms, Spectrum is on lease to Yellow Star Stud.

Koos De Klerk who owns Yellow Star is taking full advantage of having the dual Group 1 winning stallion, sending his best mares to Spectrum and hoping they produce fillies for the future broodmare band of Yellow Star Stud in Mooi River.

Koos also commented that Yellow Star Stud received a request from a University in Kentucky for hair samples of Spectrum. “Spectrum is a wonderful acquisition for our farm and indeed for breeding in KZN, and we are thrilled to have a stallion of his breeding and achievements internationally here in the Midlands,” said Mr de Klerk.

“His temperament is brilliant – a good natured horse who covers mares easily without any quirks. Spectrum is very fertile – I think he would cover a mare in full gallop!” Koos has sent some of his best mares to Spectrum, including Americas Cup – a half-sister by Rich Man’s Gold to 2013 J&B Met Group 1 winner Martial Eagle.

Spectrum epitomises the image of the perfect thoroughbred with his commanding presence and charisma.

Standing at 16hh, his presence makes him look a lot bigger – there was a murmur from the spectators when he entered and walked around the parade ring at Yellow Star’s Stallion Day last year. Spectrum commanded the respect of every breeder present, walking with a powerful swing and athletic purpose – a stallion who clearly knows the blood running through his veins is something special. He looked as though he could have chosen to give the groom a hard time, but wouldn’t.

A big handsome head, intelligent eyes with a big masculine jowl, faultless conformation, substantial bone and powerful hindquarters, Spectrum carries himself remarkably well for a horse of 21, covering a respectable book of 37 mares in the 2012 season.

Yellow Star reports that his first crop of foals born this season look every part of their special sire: big and handsome – with their sire’s star in the centre of their foreheads.

A stallion that has produced Group winners of the highest calibre internationally, as a sire-of-sires, Golan (himself a winner of the English 2000 Guineas and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes), Hemingway (Australia’s leading sire in 2008 by winners to runners %) and Gr 1 winner Spectatorial who stands in New Zealand, amongst others.

However it is as a Broodmare Sire that Spectrum was logged as the second leading Broodmare Sire in Uk / Ireland by stakes earned behind the great Sadler’s Wells in 2012, producing Group winners and placed horses across the world from Ireland, America, France, Turkey, India, Norway, Australia and South Africa.

Spectrum has also produced as a broodmare sire, a young stallion in England who has caught the attention of European breeders, dual Gr 1 winning Dutch Art.

A magnificent chestnut by Medicean, Dutch Art was champion European Freshman Sire in 2011 and the UK’s leading second crop sire in 2012. Dutch Art stands for a fee of 18 000 pounds this season. He is half-brother to Up, a Galileo filly trained by Aiden O’Brien who has won the Gr 2 Blandford Stakes and less than two weeks later, the Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes Gr 3.

He is also the Broodmare Sire of Moonlight Cloud who has been a standout in 2012. The grey filly is out of Ventura who sold for a whopping 900 000 guineas in 2011. A winner of six French Group races, three of them Gr 1 the others Gr 3, Moonlight Cloud is clearly a force to be reckoned with and her future stud prospects are exciting.

Last but certainly not least, four-time Group 1 winner in the US, Winchester, was purchased by Rosemont Stud in Australia as a future stallion prospect, making his Australian debut in the 2012 Melbourne Cup.

In South Africa, Spectrum’s Bold Black Types include winners The Plunderer, winner of the Grade 3 Champion Juvenile Cup, Sapphire Ring and Beacon Flare, who ran a very close second in Africa’s richest race on sand, the Grade Emerald Cup – to name but a few.

Standing for just R10 000 this season, Spectrum is certainly one of the best kept secrets in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands – and we look forward to the great legacy he will be leaving us as a Broodmare Sire in the future.

Stats as of 8 May 2013 from www.arion.co.nz state that Spectrum is the sire of 1330 progeny to race, 772 winners (58.0%), earnings of over $58 million, 42 Stakes Winners, 52 Stakes Placegetters.

Recently in South Africa his maternal grandson Tellina took home the Betting World Gauteng Guineas Gr 2 and a close second to Love Struck in the Gr 1 SA Classic.

– Article first published in the International Racehorse Magazine, March 2013 Edition