#kznbred Ronnie’s Candy Snatches Gr1!
Once again St John Gray has pulled off another amazing feat as owner, breeder and trainer, with his chestnut daughter of King Of Kings defeating a quality field in the HSH PRINCESS CHARLENE EMPRESS CLUB STAKES (Grade 1), a race won last year by #kznbred Camphoratus with another #kznbred, Running Brave, finishing a fast second.
Ronnie’s Candy has been tremendous, winning in addition to her first Gr1, two Gr2 and two Gr3 races. With 5 wins and 9 places from 18 starts, she has earned R1,112,775 in stakes.
St John enjoyed success with the recently passed Dancewiththedevil, another 5-time Gr1 winning homebred for St John, who was exported to the UK until an injury put paid to furthering her career, and she was sent home to Mooi River.
Ronnie’s Candy was purchased whilst in utero, her dam Bennie and the Jets (Jet Master) knocked down for R40 000 at the 2015 KZN Mare Sale to Graystone Stud, consigned by Aldora Stud. Gr3 placed and a 3-time winner, Bennie And the Jets also produced Black Type Mogok Master. Her last registered foal was a Mogok colt in 2016.
It was more success for #kznbred Champion sire and broodmare sire Jet Master with three Gr1 winners as a broodmare sire today – his grandson Hawwaam took the Gr1 Premiers Champions Challenge with ease.
Trainer Mike De Kock suggested it may possibly be the last time Hawwaam sees a racetrack in South Africa, mentioning he could win the Arlington Million or a Gr1 race in Australia.
The other was Rivarine, a son of Var out of star racemare River Jetez, who took home the Gr1 Computaform Sprint for the Azzie’s and part owner Dr Melandie Taljaardt.
Both Hawwaam and Rivarine descend from KZN female lines.
Other results for KZN today saw Gr1 winner Hero’s Honour place 4th behind Hawwaam, Mambo In Seattle’s Dancing Queen third in the Gr2 Camellia Stakes.
Ronnie’s Candy is on the list for the KZN Breeders Race Day on 19 July.
Well done to Cathy and Jonathan Martin of Hadlow Stud, who stand St John’s Graystone Stud within their own breeding operation in Mooi River.
Well done to all concerned!
