A R120 000 National Yearling Sale graduate won the 1400m contest in the Leslie Logan silks from a wide draw and looks a filly set to go over more ground.

It was appropriate that Gavin van Zyl saddled The Apache’s first winner as he guided the son of Mogok throughout his illustrious career on South African soil.

The Apache has gone full circle as he was bred by Scott Bros at their Highdown Stud, from resident stallion Mogok out of Apache Rose (by Dolpour). He went under the hammer at the 2009 BSA Two Year Old sale and was knocked down for R80 000 to Winston Chow.

Being earmarked for export to Hong Kong meant that local conditioner Gavin van Zyl had to plan his colt’s career carefully, as Hong Kong Jockey Club rules preclude imports of horses with more than 17 starts. The Apache progressed rapidly, winning his maiden at the third time of asking and soon proved himself in stakes company, winning the Gr2 Dingaans in November 2010 by 1.25 lengths.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum purchased a 50% interest in the colt and he set sail for Dubai in early 2012, having been declared Equus Champion 3yo Colt and winning six of his 15 starts and accumulating R1,9 million in stakes, including the Gr1 Daily News and the Gr1 Champion Stakes, a fourth place finish in Igugu’s 2011 Durban July and a sixth in the 2012 J&B Met, beaten under two lengths by the star mare.

His next outing was the Gr1 Jebel Hatta on 9 March 2013, where he took on stable mates Masterofhounds and Igugu. It looked all over at the 200m mark, but then Godolphin’s talented filly Shajjhaa swooped to beat him by a narrow 0.75 lengths. The Apache followed up with another good second in the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night, again being denied by the Godolphin runner by 1.75 lengths.

The Apache then boarded a plane for the UK, where he ran 4th under Pat Cosgrave in a Gr2 Sky Bet York Stakes on 27 July 2013, finishing 4 lengths behind the talented Mukhadram from the William Haggas yard.

Mike de Kock’s main objective for the colt had always been the Group 1 Arlington Million and by the time The Apache landed in the United States, he had completed five long distance flights and visited four countries in just over a year! The 31st running of the Gr1 Arlington Million over 2000m took place in Chicago on 17 August 2013 and will no doubt live on in racing folklore. The Apache crossed the line ahead of nearest rival Real Solution, only to lose the race on objection in the boardroom.

The Apache went to stud having raced in SA, UAE, UK & the USA for 7 wins from 1600-2000m at 3 to 5, for earnings of R17 million.  The Equus Champion 3yo colt reached a Timeform  rating of 120 at peak.

The Apache has one lot (#328) in the final session of this week’s CTS April Yearling Sale.

Keep a look out for an outstanding first foal by Crusade out of a full sister to The Apache at the upcoming National  Yearling Sale from Scott Bros.