KZN-Bred The Mouseketeer Wins South Africa’s Premier Sand Race

The Mouseketeer – bred by Warwick and Karin Render of Bush Hill Stud, walked away with South Africa’s premier race on sand, the Grade 2 Emerald Cup over 1450m at the Vaal on Saturday. He started with odds of 13-2 after opening at 33-10.

His trainer Sean Tarry was confident of his charges’ success prior to the race, coming off a Grade 3 win, and his first attempt on sand.

A brilliant ride by apprentice Nooresh Juglall, The Mouseketeer travelled comfortably behind Comedy Caravan,gradually raced into the lead and won by a convincing two lengths, with Eastern Cobbler making up some ground and trying to get on terms but The Mouseketeer had too much in hand, and Comedy Caravan and Sayadaw making up third and fourth place.

Amazingly, The Mouseketeer had only had one start on the sand prior to the Emerald Cup, winning the Grade 3 August Stakes over 1 200m and this followed his win in the Listed KwaZulu-Natal Breeders Stakes over 1600m at Clairwood in Durban. With his last 3 wins being on both turf and sand, he is proving himself to be a versatile sort.

This is his 6th win from 13 starts with 2 places, and his first Graded win.

The 4 year old gelding by Kahal, out of Look Sharp by Northern Guest was sold for R200 000 at the National Yearling Sales, and to date he has earned R817 150. The gelding is owned by Supersport TV presenter Neil Andrews and Francois Diedrechson.

Bush Hill Stud sold his half-sister out of the same dam for R140 000 at the 2010 National Yearling Sales. Her name is Penthouse Mouse and she is by Cataloochee.

Congratulations to Bush Hill Stud on this wonderful achievement!