Son Of Toreador Gives Olympic Gold Medallist Chad Le Clos First Win

Toreador’s handsome son, three year old colt Unbelievable Chad gave his name sake his first win as a racehorse owner from the racing stable of Paul Lafferty at Scottsville in Pietermaritzburg over 1400m.

Racing in the apt colours of the Olympic ring’s, swimmer Chad Le Clos owns the colt in partnership with Greg Blank, Philip Kahan and Bridget Conway. Chad was on course to witness and celebrate his horse’s first win.

Paul Lafferty purchased Unbelievable Chad from the 2014 Suncoast KZN Yearling Sale for R320 000. The colt’s dam by Rakeen, named Pink Tinge, is a half-sister to Lion Tamer. It is the third start for the eye-catching colt, who placed second just half a length off in his second run at Scottsville over 1200m.

Ridden to victory by Stuart Randolph from a fifth draw, Unbelievable Chad gave his owners a brilliant win to take it by a near five lengths clear from Eternal Ice (Western Winter) and Blunderbuss (Brave Tin Soldier).

This is Toreador’s fourth win along with eight places in 14 days. Toreador is currently covering his third season in KZN at Warwick and Karin Renders’ Bush Hill Stud, has recently produced the likes of the very fast Prospect Strike, Lazer Star and Thrust.

Toreador has his own tale of bravery to tell after severely injuring himself as a young horse in Ireland, with the tell-tale scars evident on both sides of his pelvis.

A son of dual Hemisphere Champion stallion Danehill, Toreador was imported to South Africa and went into training with Mike De Kock where he showed extreme courage and bravery, considering the extent of his previous injuries to run second in the Gr1 Gold Challenge, third in the Gr1 Queen’s Plate, and placing in an additional four Gr2 races.

A powerfully built short coupled horse standing 16hh, Toreador has a buzzing energy that surrounds him and a superb temperament to match, and certainly stamps his progeny with their powerful hindquarters and eyecatching heads.

Toreador has gone on to be the most the successful son of Danehill to stand his stud career in South Africa. He relocated from the Cape to KZN and is currently covering his third local book of mares.

Toreador has produced the likes of the fast grey Gr1 winning Link Man, Deliver The Power, Jackodore, She’s A Stunner, Las Ramblas, Straight Forward, Lazer Star, Prospect Strike and Roc ‘N Rose to name but a few.

At just R15 000 for a service, Toreador is always well supported at the yearling sales and has to be one of the most value for money sires standing in South Africa. 2013 Sales statistics show that he averaged R174 000 for his colts and R206 667 for his fillies sold that year, and there almost isnt a race meeting that doesnt go by where a Toreador hasnt returned their earnings to their connections.

Congratulations to the winning connections of Unbelievable Chad and may there be many more!