It was the Gr1 winning chestnut daughter of Byword who proved the star of the show, with Camphoratus winning several awards including Champion Middle Distance Female, Champion Older Female and KZN Breeders Horse Of The Year.

Her dam, imported Horse Chestnut mare Wild Camphor, was crowned Broodmare Of The Year. The latter only produced two foals at stud – the first a winner and the second and last was Camphoratus, who interestingly only sold for R50 000 at the KZN Yearling Sale.

Her breeders, Rob and Michele Pickering who have since relocated to the Eastern Cape, retained a share in her and Robbie Hill has achieved great success – winning not only the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes, but the Gr3 Flamboyant and placing second to her nemesis, Running Brave, in the Gr2 Gold Bracelet. Running Brave took home the Champion 3YO Filly award, and ran a close second to Camphoratus in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes.

Wave, a Scott Bros-bred son of Mogok who placed in a Gr1 at Scottsville, interestingly was purchased off the KZN Yearling Sale for R100 000 using vouchers won from the 2018 KZN Breeders Golf Day by the Van Zyls!

Another stud to feature prominently was that of Graystone Stud, owned by St John Gray who performs an outstanding achievement of breeding, owning and training for himself – and in most cases, the horses bred are by / out of parents bred, trained and owned by St John himself – including Call To Combat.

Ronnie’s Candy was a numerous nominee and will definitely be in the running for an award next year, but Dawn Assault cleaned up taking Champion Older Male and Champion Middle Distance Male. St John Gray was rewarded with Breeders Achievement, and MC Warren Lenferna read out his staggering stats. Cathy and Jonathan Martin represented Graystone – they look after St John’s breeding operation within theirs at their farm in Mooi River, Hadlow Stud.

St John’s stats are incredible – according to Racebook.co.za, he is currently on 999 wins, R79,286,907 in lifetime stakes earned with 2 914 places. Even more impressive is that St John has raced and bred most of his horses parents as well so to speak – it truly is a massive achievement.

The Late Crusade captured KZN Breeders Stallion Of The Year again (Sponsored by the TBA), and on Sunday his diminutive daughter Whizz Of Odds gave Gavin Van Zyl a large smile, after winning both of her races in a row. She is bred by Rob Knupper of the Missing U Syndicate.

Other awards for special recognition went to two very well deserving recipients – Dr Allen Bechard received the Anita Akal Industry Award for his years of servicing the breeding industry in KZN, and Bruce Le Roux of Spring Valley Stud was emotional when he heard he was receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and received a full standing ovation from his peers and colleagues. Warwick Render, his friend and colleague, read a moving speech on the life of Bruce Le Roux (who amongst his Gr1 winners bred, was Vodacom Durban July winner Dunford) and his achievements, hardly leaving a dry eye in the room.

Rathmor Stud enjoyed a superb day – their filly Mississippi Burning flew the flag to win the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas, and Nexus took home Champion 3YO Colt. The full brother to Gr1 winner Lady In Black will be aimed at the Cape features, the Snaith Racing Stable has reported on their social media.

Champion Breeders once again went to Summerhill Stud, who also took home two awards – one for Champion Sprinter Male – Africa Rising, and the other for Running Brave (Brave Tin Soldier). They also accepted the award for Stallion Prospect, multiple Black Type filly Brandina shot her sire Capetown Noir into the highlights for the last season.

All the awards named below – thank you to our valued sponsors for your generosity!

His race record is up there with the best and at one point undefeated with six wins in a row – accumulating 8 wins in total from 12 starts with two seconds. His wins include the Gr1 Cape Guineas, Gr2 Selangor Cup and going on to win three Gr3 races, as well as the Winter Juvenile Stakes Listed. He placed second again the Gr1 Cape Derby and placed in the Gr2 Green Point Stakes.

Summerhill’s website describe Act Of War as “A towering, athletic beast of princely proportions, not even the casual racegoer could’ve mistaken his presence and the elegance of his action for anything but the belongings of a comet in the making. “Not only was he the best miler of his generation, he was also one of the best milers I have ridden. Genuine, exactly the type to go to war with”. That’s what Anton Marcus thinks, and when he speaks, even the church mice listen.”

He is out of Equus Broodmare of the Year Si Señorita (Cordoba), who produced 7 winners at stud – incredibly four of them are Black Type, aside from Act Of War they include Subastador, The Stone Thrower and Luna De Victoria. Its the family of Top Gallant and Sharp Cookie.

Amongst the Lots on offer is Lot 34 from Rosedene Stud out of Gr2 winning Checcetti by Kahal. The mare has produced a winner with Make Your Move, from the family of Galant Gagnant. Another highlight is Lot 151 from Rosedene, out of Silvano mare Silver Carpet. This is a family bursting with Black Type, including William The Silent, Little Miss Magic, Bilateral and Blaze Of Fire.

Golden Touch Thoroughbreds offer his final Lot 173, out of a 3-time winning mare by a stallion that is a full brother to Giant’s Causeway – Tiger Dance. It is another leading American family that includes Menifee, Blueridge Mountain, sire Fasliyev, Misty For Me, Royal Poly, US Navy Flag and Ballydoyle.

Visit www.bsa.co.za to view more.

Ted Hughes has been named the new KZN Breeders Club Chairman after yesterday’s AGM held at the Nottingham Road Hotel.

Ted takes over the reins from Bruce Le Roux (Spring Valley Stud), who has stepped down to position of Vice-Chairman.

Director Warwick Render thanked Bruce Le Roux for his tremendous work, effort and ideas over his two year tenure as Chairman, as well as the work put in by Anton Procter who stepped down as a Director of the KZN Breeders Club.

Ted Hughes is passionate about the Thoroughbred breed in both racing and breeding, and can usually be seen at each KZN race meeting with his wife Ruth – each racing horses in their own colours.

Ted owns stallion Golden Sword who stands at Yellow Star Stud, a full brother to Gr1 Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling and to Gr1 2nd French placed Sydney Opera House. Ted has a close association with the family that bred Golden Sword and he didn’t hesitate when the opportunity came up to buy the son of High Chapparal, who was standing at Summerhill.

Ted paid a visit in 2018 to visit the birth place of Golden Sword and see his dam Sitara, by Salse.

Ted has his own extensive experience in training racehorses as well as previously race riding in England.

Congratulations to Ted Hughes and we look forward to a successful future at the KZN Breeders Club.

The KZN Breeders Club Board consists of Lee Scribante, Mick Goss, Cathy Martin, Bruce Le Roux (Vice Chairman), Warwick Render, Koos De Klerk and Ted Hughes (Chairman).

Spring Valley Stud are currently sitting on a winners to runners percentage of 30%, with 16 wins for the season including a Black Type Win with Just As Well filly, Just Chaos, who took home the Racing Association Listed.

Bruce Le Roux always knows how to breed a good horse and we spotted 11-time winner multiple Stakes Placed London Call at work during the week.

Bruce currently stands Just As Well and Eightfold Path at his farm in Mooi River. Both stallions haven’t received full books but their progeny perform admirably and consistently on the tracks.

Bruce has another exciting draft headed to the Emperors National Yearling Sale this year, and inspections took place with Jane Thomas and Alistair Gordon doing the rounds on their last leg for 2019.

Amongst Bruce’s draft for Nationals are a few sharp prospects:

Querari – Bedloe’s Island by Fort Wood

A half to multiple winner Kahula (feature image), this Querari is from one of Spring Valley’s leading families. The second dam is Trade Enquiry, who produced the likes of Count The Money, Buy And Sell and the dam, Bedloe’s Island.

Flower Alley – Silver Fantasy by Fort Wood

By an exciting stallion, the dam is a half-sister to London Call from one of Bruce’s leading families of Spring Valley. This is the damline of Gr1 winner Indiscreet Fantasy, Personal Fantacy, Malinga, Roy’s Taxi and Vasilisa.

Flying The Flag – Harold’s Gold by Fort Wood

First season well related son of Galileo, out of a mare that is a full sister to Cover Look. The dam has produced six winners to date. It is also the family of Winter Fever.

Eightfold Path – Discordia by Western Winter

Half to Stakes Winner Just Chaos. This is the damline of Abashiri, Yard Arm and Donya.

Master Of My Fate – Kileigh by Go Deputy

Out of a Go Deputy mare that is closely related to the above family Abashiri, Yard Arm, Donya, Drift Ice and Flichity By Farr.

Futura – Beautiful Princess by Toreador

By an exciting #kznbred first season sire. The dam is a full sister to multiple winner and Stakes Winner Lazer Star. The dam has produced a 3-time winner from her first foal, Aranjuez. Furua’s first yearling consigned in January sold for R1,2-million.

Crusade – Silver Nun by Silvino

Family of Gr1 winner Bold Ellinore. The dam has produced two winners.

Flying The Flag – I Said Hey by Alami 

First crop of Flying The Flag out of a mare that has produced a Black Type and multiple winner, Just As I Said. Family of Sarabande and Name The Key.

What A Winter – Call Me Maybe by Fort Beluga 

By a leading sire out of a mare from the family of Winona, Thunder Creek and Hawaaiian Wahoo. The dam is a half-sister to Gr2 winner Silver Age.

Legislate – Pewter by Rakeen

This is the first crop by Legislate. This yearling is a half to Black Type Trippi filly Cotton Candy from the family of Villandry, Ravishing and Geordoba.

Noble Tune – The Angelus by Windrush

The second foal for the 7-time winning dam who is a Stakes Winner by Windrush. Family of Gr1 winner Simonside and Jet Goddess.

Mogok – Case Stated by London News

Half to consistent horse and winner Kilmokea. Family of Captain Harry.

What A Winter – Chattanooga Chuchu by Cataloochee

Dam has produced 5-time winner Dixie Express. The first dam is an own sister to Angus, family of Highborn, Dignify and Distinguished.

Twice Over – Crystal Bay by Western Winter

Out of a very exciting stallion, this is the family of Juan Two Three, Widow’s Lamp and National Bay.

Eightfold Path – Stellenbosch by Jet Master

Family of Gr1 Breeders Cup winner Spain, as well as Arniston and Strategic Choice.

The National Yearling Sale will take place on 24, 25 and 26 April at the TBA Complex. #kznbreds will be easily indentified with stickers in the sales ring and posters on their stable doors.

Whilst their places will only be confirmed after National Yearling Sales inspections have taken place in January, Rathmor Stud have a very strong draft beginning their sales preparations for the 2019 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.

They include progeny by Frankel, Dynasty and Noble Tune – two of them out of sales topping mares purchased off the CTS Mare Sales in 2017, for R2,4-million (Almosthaditall) and R2,6-million (Queen Of Spain) respectively.

Whilst walking through the paddocks as the colts quietly concentrate on their feed after the breakfast run, Mike McHardy of Rathmor Stud comments that although the paddock is brimming with stock from superior stallions, its important not to ‘mollycoddle’ them and to raise them as normal horses, who dont know who their famous sires are.

Noble Tune has already earned Black Type with his smart grey son White Lightning, who was born and raised at Rathmor Stud. Rathmor have bred the likes of Gypsy’s Warning, Wendywood, Surabi, Romany Prince and Harry Lime amongst others.

Their National yearlings are out of mares bought specifically for Noble Tune, which include:

– Dynasty colt out of Guard The Lines by War Front
  Dam is a full sister to American Gr1 and Gr2 winner DATA LINK.

– Noble Tune out of Spitfire Lady by Hussonet
  Family of PINNACLES and PLANET ROCK.

– Noble Tune out of Mystery Dame by Jet Master
  Half-brother to Gr1 winner LADY IN BLACK, and to Nexus who sold for R1,7-million in 2017.

– Frankel out of Queen Of Spain by Holy Roman Emperor
  Dam a half-sister to MASTERCRAFTSMAN.

– Dynasty out of Almosthaditall by Henrythenavigator
  Dam a half-sister to JUMP START and closely related to MASTERY. Damline of sire MISWAKI.

– Noble Tune out of Golden Earings by Fort Wood
  Dam a half-sister to GYPSY’S WARNING, ROMANY PRINCE and SURABI. 2nd Dam Gypsy Queen has already       produced Black Type grand-children including SO VAR and QUEEN FOREVER.