Kenya Derby Win For Yellow Star’s Westonian

Daily Nation reports that the Patsy Sercombe-trained Westonian (bred by Yellow Star Stud), no doubt the country’s top horse and very well ridden by the trainer’s daughter Lesley Sercombe, beat fast-finishing filly Shufti with visiting South African jockey Noel Quale, to clinch the 2013 Salama Fikira Kenya Derby at Ngong Racecourse and Golf Park on Sunday.

Another Patsy Sercombe runner, Blizzard, with Jacob Lokorian on, came home third in the hotly-contested derby race watched by over 2,000 fans. Westonian got off to a flying start but let Somerset, with Charles Mwangi on, dictate the pace with Westonian keeping an eye just two lengths behind.

However, 450 metres out, Westonian (by Bezrin who stands at Rathmor Stud) and Shufti (by Dynasty) jumped to the front and fought a neck-and-neck battle to the finishing post where Westonian took the race by a three quarter lengths, to give trainer Sercombe her 14th Derby title.

“I am overwhelmed, its my best Derby victory since I came here way back in 1976. My daughter Lesley has been working hard on Westonian. All the credit goes to her,’’ said trainer Sercombe.

Jockey Sercombe, one of the most experienced riders in the country, said the race was tough but her timing and pace saw her win. She said Westonian was an amazing horse and well above many runners in the country.

Westonian is a previous winner of the Kenyan Guineas, which he won at the end of January by four and half lengths. Bred by Koos and Lorraine of Yellow Star Stud, Westonian is out of the mare Western Truth by West Man(USA).

Western Truth has a filly foal by Carpocrates at foot (born October 2012) and a yearling filly by Icelander (by Kris) at Yellow Star.

Bezrin has also sired a previous Kenyan Derby winner, Lazrin. The last three Kenyan Derby winners have been by KZN sires, including last years winner Just Bluffing by Badger’s Drift.

Well done to everyone concerned with this talented horse!