Ravishing Arrives At Midlands Thoroughbreds

Ravishing Arrives At Midlands Thoroughbreds

Manny and Mandy Testa of Midlands Thoroughbreds have announced exciting news, reporting the safe arrival of Ravishing at their Midlands Thoroughbreds farm in Mooi River, close to their business interest Midlands Saddle And Trout. Ravishing is owned by Mr & Mrs Robert Muir who successfully raced the eye-catching stallion.

Only one of two sons of the great KZN-bred Jet Master at stud, and the only son of Jet Master to stand in KZN, the magnificent chestnut stallion with a flaxen mane and tail is a very exciting addition to the Testa’s farm – which was recently acquired less than a year ago, with Rodney and Lynn Clarkin at the helm.

Manny and Mandy have always been big fans of Ravishing and given him a lot of support, with a number of their yearlings and foals on the farm already by him.

A magnificent chestnut standing at almost 16.2 hands, Ravishing was a R1.1 million purchase from the 2005 National Yearling Sale. Trained by Geoff Woodruff to win three races between 1000m and 2450m, Ravishing achieved a great win in the Gr 1 SA Derby of 2007. He also finished second in the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas that season.

Ravishing is the first son of recently deceased multiple champion sire Jet Master to take up stallion duties and hails from one of the top dam-lines in the country, the “Lily” family. He is out of the Royal Prerogative mare Crimson Lily, who won only one race over 1600m but who also produced dual Gr 2 winner and Gr 1 placed Red Badge.

Crimson Lily in turn was out of the excellent Jamaico mare Run For Lily, who won twelve races including the Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes. Run For Lily is the dam of Gr 2 winner and sire Royal Messenger (a full brother to Ravishing’s dam), the second dam of Gr 1 winner Vega and of Stakes winners Glowing Thatch, Painted Glory and Triton, and the third dam of Graded Stakes winners Geordoba, Day Lily Delight, and Bilboa.

Ravishing’s third dam Lily won five races and is the ancestress of Gr 1 winners Fort Defiance, Bold Thatch, and Saddlewood, and of Gr 2 winners Golden Man, Prince Of War, and Rememberance.

Ravishing is currently (as of 11 February 2013) lying ninth on the National Log of Leading Two Year Old Sires by Stakes Earned – he is followed by the likes of Rebel King, Judpot, Bezrin and Mullin’s Bay. His runners to winners % for the season is 40% – with five runners and two winners.

From 17 runners to date, Ravishing has produced a total of 34 places and 4 wins from his runners – his first winner being Zimbabwean runner Little Chikitita (out of Kahal mare Didoe), who has now had two wins and three places from seven starts – including a win in the Breeders Fillies Mile for two year olds, which she won by over four lengths. She recently ran second to the very good King Kahal, carrying just half a kg less than him, she finished third by just a neck.

His other impressive winner is Ravishing Gem who has placed and won from both her starts and Raving Queen – a full-sister to Kingofmountain – who has also won from three starts. Kingofmountain placed six times, with his first five starts all placed. Twelve horses in total have placed and won.

We look forward to much more to come from the young son of Jet Master at Midlands Thoroughbreds.

*Hot Off The Press*

Another winning filly for Ravishing on Friday 15th February at Arlington, with Yellow-Star bred Pretty Caddy. She has now won and placed three times from five starts!