Kahal And Mogok Dominate Weekend In Dubai And Turffontein

Kahal And Mogok Dominate Weekend In Dubai And Turffontein

KZN had a phenomenal weekend both internationally and locally for Kahal and Mogok – notably with The Apache producing a powerful run in the Gr 1 Dubai Duty Free, and Love Struck taking home the Gr 1 SA Classic.

An interesting connection between these two top stallions, who stand at Bush Hill Stud and Scott Bros respectively, is sire Machiavellian – the sire of Kahal and a half-brother to Mogok.

Mogok is currently lying 10th in the World (according to racingpost.com as of 3 April 2013) as one of the Leading Sires of Gr 1 races world-wide by Stakes earned. He is followed by the likes of Fastnet Rock, High Chapparal and Bel Esprit – sire of Black Caviar.

The Apache, bred by Scott Bros, has had a brilliant campaign in Dubai after an ardous quarantine process to get to Dubai – firstly winning the Gr 2 Al Rashidiya, running second in the Gr 1 Jebel Hatta and now going onto place second in the Gr 1 Dubai Duty Free from mare Sajjhaa, who set a course record in the process.

Igugu and The Apache vied for the lead with The Apache chasing hard before Sajjhaa took the inside route for her fourth consecutive victory. The Apache was a half-length back of the winner, with Giofra three-quarters of a length back in third. Trade Storm finished fourth, followed by Igugu.

Mikedekockracing.com have indicated that The Apache may be aimed at the QEII Cup in Hong Kong, but also didn’t rule out the possibility of him racing in England – possibly at Royal Ascot. There will no doubt be significant interest in The Apache’s full-sister being offered at the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale at the end of this month – a filly named (Lot 286) Bold Pocahontas who already has significant paddock value to her name.

Mogok continued Group success at Turffontein, where his undefeated daughter Alcanina won the Gr 3 Man O War Sprint – a race that saw the first four past the post all being KZN-breds. Alcanina has had three runs and has won all three over distances of 1000 – 1100m – at the Vaal and Turffontein. Trained and partly owned by Brian Wiid, she is owned by breeder G Hodges & C K Yusuf. She won her debut by three and half lengths, and won this race by three-quarters of a length from Cookie Monster (by Kahal and bred by Summerhill Stud), Nice Stride (bred by Mr Pierre Du Toit) and Stavinsky (bred by Summerhill Stud).

Kahal dominated the day at Turffontein with a Gr 1 win, and three of his progeny placing in two other Gr 3 races.

Summerhill-bred Love Struck, a striking bay gelding who managed to fight his way courageously to the finish by a head in the Gr 1 SA Classic from Tellina (out of a Spectrum mare) and Gitiano (by Mullins Bay). The race finished controversially with an objection which was subsequently overruled.

Run over 1800m in very soft going, the three year old gelding is owned by racing personality Alesh Naidoo as well as Jason Moodley and Lynne Salsone, and trained by Paul Lafferty – this was a special win for both owner and trainer with it being their first Gr 1 victory.

Alesh purchased Love Struck’s full-sister named Isthandosami last year off the Emperors Palace Ready-To-Run Sale for R375 000. She is in training with Paul Lafferty. To date Love Struck has had five wins from 13 starts with four places. A winner of the Guineas Trial and Politician Stakes, Love Struck has also placed in the Gr 1 Premiers Champion Stakes. A big congratulations from the KZN Breeders to the connections of Love Struck on their first Gr 1 achievement!

Love Struck joins the likes of Kahal’s Gr 1 winners Chocolicious, Noble Heir, Bold Ellinore, Desert Links, Spiced Gold (who have a full-brother offered at the upcoming National Yearling Sale from Greenhill Farm).

Kahal’s day didn’t end there – in the Gr 3 Jacaranda Handicap over 1800m, his Gr 3 winning daughter Enchanted Kingdom, bred by Bellwood Stud and trained by Paul Peter, ran second to Cherry On The Cake by a quarter of a length – but she did give the winner 4kgs of weight, carrying 59.5 as opposed to the winners’ 55.5kgs. Classic Illusion, another filly by Kahal and bred by Summerhill Stud finished in third place.

Kahal is currently sitting fourth on the National Sires Log by Stakes Earned and third behind KZN-bred Jet Master and Var by Runners to Winners percentage according to the NHRA as of 1 April.

Other KZN-breds who placed in Group races on the day included Jimmi Choo, the fast chestnut son of Bezrin who has made a cracking start to his career. Running second to rival Olympic Owen – a horse he defeated previously in the Storm Bird Listed Stakes by over a length, Jimmi Choo is bred by Cathy and Jonathan Martin of Hadlow Stud. The two year old gelding has now had four starts – winning twice and placing twice.

The Gr 3 Caradoc Cup saw second place for Bush Hill born-and-raised Seal behind Masai Warrior. Bred by Dr Ian Heyns, Seal gave the winner 3kgs, with Alesh Naidoo’s Sunningdale (by Opera King and bred by George Rowles) finishing fourth. Trained by Gavin Van Zyl, Seal has won eight races and placed 14 times – with seven of those being Stakes places. His wins include the Aquanaut Listed, Gr 1 SA Derby and Gr 2 Gold Vase.

Muhtafal’s Knock On Wood, another talented horse bred by George Rowles and the winner of the inaugural KZN Breeders Million Mile, placed in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Gr 1 Stakes over 1600m, with Gavin Van Zyl’s Slumdogmillionaire taking home the race. Muhtafal stands at Spring Valley Stud.

Congratulations to everyone concerned!