KZN-Bred Gr1 Winner Headed To France For Team Valor

Brave Tin Soldier’s smart daughter Brave Mary, second in the Emperors Ready to Run Cup, is headed to quarantine at Kenilworth in advance of a long trip through Mauritius to France in late February.

The winner of the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship will be trained in France for Team Valor International by Alain de Royer-Dupre.

Barry Irwin said “We will start her out in France and see if she fits. We have the option of moving her to America at some stage as well. But with her turn out foot over 1000m to 1200m we are hopeful she can cut it in Europe.”

Consigned by Summerhill Sales on behalf of breeder Rupert Plersch, she was originally purchased on the CTS Johannesburg Ready To Run Sale by Justin Vermaak and won her Gr1 in the care of trainer Paul Matchett.

Her chestnut Await The Dawn half-sister is being consigned by Soetendal at the upcoming CTS Ready To Run Sale as Lot 81.

This is the second KZN-bred filly purchased by Team Valor to be exported to France this year, the first being Summerhill-bred Anna Pavlova who left for France from Mauritius at the end of October. The Gr3 winner is by St Petersburg and sold for a mere R45 000 off the Summerhill Stud Summer Ready To Run Sale. The filly is well related, with leading sire Kahal in her damline.

Both Anna Pavlova and Brave Mary feature as nominees at the KZN Breeders Awards to be held on 2 December.

Team Valor in the past have had numerous success with South African-bred horses, including American Gr1 winning KZN-bred, Gypsy’s Warning.