Flying The Flag’s younger full sister, already a Gr1 winner, added the Gr3 Alleged Stakes this afternoon at Naas to her impressive winners honour roll. It is the fifth victory in this race for trainer Aiden O’Brien who also trained Flying The Flag.

She left the colts behind her, with Gr1 Irish St Leger winner Flag Of Honour finishing second, and Gr1 Irish Derby winner Latrobe in third, making easy work of the soft turf to win by over four and a half lengths.

Magical is a full sister as well to three time Gr1 winner and Cartier Horse Of The Year, Rhododendron.

Magical won the British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes (Gr 1)like her older sister, in 2018, as well as the Kilboy Estates Stakes (Gr 2), with the Debutante Stakes (Gr 2) in 2017.

She also placed close seconds in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf (Gr 1) to the great Enable by under a length, and a whisker second in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Gr 1) to Happily.

The Blyth family of Clifton Stud have been breeding  since 1945 and some of their more familiar big names in recent years include Classic Flag, the 1998 Durban July winner and SA Horse of the Year, who was trained by Peter Blyth’s brother in law, David Ferraris.

Other notable Clifton Stud products include Fort Vogue, Bezanova, What A Lady, Olympic Flag, Glenrossal, Covered in Snow, Duffi’s Call and Royal Desire.

Saturday’s Acacia Handicap winner High Seas Beauty, a  Fairview Thoroughbreds bred daughter of High Chaparral out of a well related daughter of Belong To Me, was purchased as a weanling by Kerry Jack in Australia.

She sold for R1 million on the CTS 2015 Ready to Run Sale at Durbanville to Mayfair Speculators.

High Seas Beauty won twice in nine starts for Mike de Kock and came up on the 2018 Super Sale at Greyville as part of the Markus Jooste unbundling, where she was astutely acquired for R110 00 by Peter Blyth.

“I actually purchased her as a broodmare. She is not a huge girl but she is all quality. Mathew de Kock pointed out to me at the sale that I must be wary when I touch her back. She had her issues. It wasn’t legs though – it was all behind the saddle. I took her home and thought we’d give her some time. I had Beth Shaw’s team work on her weekly for 6 weeks. I felt she was so well bred – I just needed some black type on her page. I sent her to Diane Stenger at Randjesfontein where I felt she would get personal attention,” recalled the veteran breeder.

It was decided as part of the mare’s rehab to get her a companion, who would also work with her as she was sticking up on the track.

“Peter White kindly gave us a horse who we had bred called Tern Unstoned, who became High Seas Beauty’s companion. He lived right next door, worked with her – went with her everywhere. He was at the track as her companion on Saturday and was there to greet her afterwards!”

After a blank first two runs, High Seas Beauty found her feet and won for Diane Stenger at her third start.

She didn’t seem to enjoy Muzi Yeni in the Magnolia, but bounced back to win at her fifth jump under Randall Simons. She ran two subsequent thirds under Simons and then scored her dream win under Richard Fourie on Saturday.back

“It’s amazing when things go your way, they go your way,” said the top Cape jockey after High Seas Beauty had produced a storming finish to beat Anneka by 1,80 lengths in a time of 98.9 secs to win the R250 000 Gr3 Acacia Handicap.

Fourie said that the daughter of High Chaparral had lacked pace early but that she had won full of running.

“Her pony kicked her on the way to the start. But she just kicked him back,” added the delighted Fourie.

The winner is out of the Belong To Me mare Attessa, who won at a mile in the USA and is a half-sister to Delta Form out of the Australian Oaks and Guineas winner Arborea.

High Seas Beauty has now won 5 races with 8 places from her 18 starts for stakes of R534 625 and has the all important black type strike on the board.

“I am absolutely over the moon. A great job by Beth Shaw, Diane Stenger and all of their staff. I will be sending High Seas Beauty to the Cape. I haven’t given much thought to a stallion yet, but it is pleasing when a good gut feeling turns into a plan come together,” said a thrilled Peter Blyth.

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Wissahickon, a Tapit half-brother to Spring Valley sire Just As Well, continued his domination of the middle-distance category of this season’s All-Weather Championships with an impressive victory in the £100,000 Gr3 Betway Winter Derby on Polytrack at Lingfield Park on Saturday.

The four-year-old Tapit colt gained a third straight win over 10 furlongs at Lingfield Park when very readily beating Court House by three and a quarter lengths, adding to his Listed successes in the Betway Quebec Stakes and Betway Winter Derby Trial.

Wissahickon (1/4 favourite), trained by John Gosden in Newmarket, was held in fourth of the seven runners by Frankie Dettori behind stable companion Court House (14/1, William Buick), Big Country (10/1, Michael Appleby/Luke Morris) and early leader Hathal (8/1, Jamie Osborne/Adam Kirby).

He quickened around runners turning for home and went to the front from Court House entering the straight before forging clear to score easily in a fast time of 2m 1.28s.

Court House kept on for second ahead of 40/1 outsider Pactolus (Stuart Williams/Callum Rodriguez), who ran on from the rear to snatch third from Big Country, another three and a half lengths back.

It was a second Fast-Track Qualifier victory for Wissahickon, who had already guaranteed his free place in the £200,000 Betway Easter Classic over the same course and distance on Good Friday, April 19, by winning the Betway Winter Derby Trial on February 2.

Gosden, recording a first Betway Winter Derby win, said: “Normally, we don’t run that many on the All-Weather but, after Wissahickon won the Cambridgeshire, Mr Strawbridge (owner/breeder George Strawbridge) was keen to stay here and go for the Winter Derby, and the plan has come off.

“Obviously, there is big race here on Good Friday and we will see whether we freshen him up and wait for that, which would be the logical thing to do.

“There is some talk about World Cup Night out in Dubai, but I will have to speak to Frankie, who always has a very strong opinion!

“We might look at the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, if there was an invitation to run in the race. I think he is a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half horse – the mother stayed and he switches off in his races now, while quick, summer ground would be his game.

“We rode him wrong once on the July Course, but every other time Rab (Havlin) or Frankie have ridden him and he is a horse with a great turn of foot.

“He enjoys good to firm turf and the surface here, being by Tapit, and is out of a really good mare No Matter What, one of Mr Strawbridge’s best mares who has produced endless black type horses. I am sure he is watching from America and is absolutely thrilled.

“I think there is a chance that Wissahickon could be racing in America next year or the back end of this season as there are a couple of nice races for him. I don’t know whether he would be suited to dirt racing, which is a little different to this surface.

“He could well be going over there but, right now, I think Mr Strawbridge would like to come over and see him race here again.

“He used to be a typical Tapit – always on it, wanting to go, go, go and type of horse that probably didn’t want to listen or knew the word relax. But he has learned to switch off now and is a pretty chilled customer with a good turn of foot.

“Court House, who stays well and has won over a mile and a half here, so that was short enough for him and he has run a lovely race. We will also have a look at Good Friday for him.”

Frankie Dettori commented: “Wissahickon is getting better with every run and I am delighted with the way he relaxes now.

“He did exactly what he did last time – he ran to his rating and is a horse who is getting better and better with confidence.

“He plays with his mouth going down. It probably looks worse than it is and, now that I know him, I let him play with his head and eventually he comes back to you.

“I guess I was half asleep last time – I was trying to go for an inside rail run – but I kept it simple today, had a nice and smooth run, and won well.

“John is half toying with the idea that Wissahickon might go out to Dubai.”

-sportingpost.co.za

Scott Bros sire Crusade had a big weekend, producing two Stakes Winners with the second Listed win for Covered In Snow at Turffontein, and Butchie Boy in Zimbabwe taking the Gr3 Zimbabwean Guineas.

Covered In Snow, who recorded her fourth consecutive win on the trot, gave her sire his second Stakes Winner when taking the Bauhinia Handicap Listed over 1000m – adding to her previous victory in the Swallow Stakes Listed.

“She is such a decent little sprinting filly, she keeps upping her game and running her heart out,” says Randjesfontein-based Dianne Stenger. Covered In Snow will have one more outing at home before travelling to KZN for the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint in May.

Covered In Snow, who enjoyed the distinction of being her sire’s first stakes winner when winning the Swallow Stakes in January, was a popular choice to win on Saturday and she duly delivered.

Relaxed a few lengths off the heat, Covered In Snow never looked in danger of losing as she turned it on at the 250m marker to hold the improved again Myfunnyvalentine by 1,25 lengths in a time of 58,7 secs.

Bred by Clifton Stud and racing in the familiar Peter White silks, Covered In Snow has won 4 races with 1 place from 5 starts for stakes of R315 125,

She is out of five-time winner Blue Nevada (Anytime) who hails from a genuine Clifton damline, descending from the same family as their Gr2 winner, Glenrossal.

Blue Nevada, out of Crystal De Roche mare Sierra Blue has produced three winners from three runners. Her 2016 foal is by Jackson, whilst her filly currently at foot is by Ideal World – she is in foal to Crusade.

Bush Hill born and raised Butchie Boy, bred by Richard Fitzgerald, collected his second win in a row when grabbing the Gr3 Zimbabwean Guineas on Sunday for trainer Bridget Stidolph.

The three year old Crusade gelding owned by the Sunmark Racing Syndicate, followed through and fought courageously to the finish after winning by 2 lengths in his previous start.

Butchie Boy is the first produce of his dam Reed Dance by Kahal. Butchie Boy sold for R90 000 at the 2016 National 2YO Sale, and his year younger half-brother has placed from both starts.

His fourth dam is Arcsa Champion Filly of 1992, Tempest Queen.

Crusade is represented by 12 yearlings at the upcoming BSA National Yearling Sale. Currently boasting a stat of 37.5% winners to runners for his 2 and 3yo crop, his Nationals crop include a half-brother to Matador Man, a filly out of a full sister to The Apache, a half-brother to twice Gr3 placed Angel’s Power, a half-sister to Irish Flame, a half-brother to Sapphire Ring, a half-brother to 8-time winner Cannes from the family of Star Watch, and a half-sister to 5-time winner and Stakes Placed Just As I Said.

Crusade is a half-brother to several Group Winners and performers, including multiple Gr1 winner Seventh Heaven and Cristoforo Columbo. He stands for R20 000 at the Scott Bros Highdown Stud, and is a Gr1 winner himself of the Middle Park Stakes.

A daughter of top-class SA sprinter Noble Heir (Kahal) maintained her unbeaten record from three starts when she beat Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy by a head in a thrilling finish to the Gr3 Quezette Stakes run over 1100m at Caulfield on Saturday.

An elated jockey Ben Melham said that Crown Witness had an easy run on the speed. “She did a real good job, she was real game to the line. At this distance today and with one to chase she settled nice but I’ll leave it to the experts to decide if she’ll stretch out over further.”

A A$50,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Crown Witness made it three straight wins on Saturday to beat a filly hailed as champion material.

Crown Witness, by Star Witness, is trained by Stuart Webb and was bred by Golden Grove Stud Farm. She is the first winner produced by the former Dennis Bosch-trained grey flyer.

The Connington Stud-bred Noble Heir won or placed in 18 of her 26 outings, with her big moment coming in the 2010 Gr1 Computaform Sprint – a race in which she won away from home beating champion sprinter Mythical Flight (Jet Master) and the Gr1 winners Warm White Night (Western Winter) and Private Jet (Orpen).[/caption]

Noble Heir is one of three winners produced by the Kilconnel mare Irish Honour.

In 2010 Noble Heir was bought by Australian multi-millionaire racehorse owner and Ultra Tune executive chairman Sean Buckley. He races and breeds under the Ultra Thoroughbreds banner.

Buckley earlier enjoyed group success with SA purchases in Perfect Promise (dam of Bush Hill sire Redoute’s Promise), a Gr1 winner in both South Africa and Australia, Battle Maiden, who was Champion three-year-old filly, Dane Julia, another dual Gr1 winner in both South Africa and New Zealand, 2008 SA Oaks winner Happy Spirit and Emblem Of Liberty, who beat Dancer’s Daughter and River Jetez to win the Gr1 Paddock Stakes.

Another Australian-bred grand daughter of Kahal is eagerly anticipated on the South African racetrack – a Mike De Kock trained daughter of Frankel out of Backworth-bred Gr1 winner Chocolicious.

The chestnut filly was purchased by Shadwell for a record at the time of the most expensive Frankel filly sold at that point, for $625 000.

Locally, Kahal has produced amongst others Gr2 Gold Bracelet winner, Fort Ember, as a broodmare sire.

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Rikitikitana, a son of Toreador owned in partnership by Dr K G Bakos & Mr G M Bakos & Mr Clyde Basel and trained by Sean Tarry, swooped past Celtic Captain to win the Gr3 Christmas Handicap at Greyville under Lyle Hewitson.

A vendor buy-back at the 2014 KZN Yearling Sale consigned by The Alchemy, the four year old gelding won by half a length over the 1600m with Brian Burnard’s son of Captain Al finishing behind him. Budapest (Lithuanian) and Stormy Eclipse (Dynasty) placed behind Rikitikitana respectively.

This is the fourth career win for Rikitikitana, who has also placed eight times previously, including placing  behind Cutting Edge in the KZN Yearling Sale Million.

Toreador has produced a multitude of Stakes Winners to date and has to be one of the best value for money sires in South Africa. The son of Danehill stands at Bush Hill Stud, for a fee of R20 000 in 2016. He has produced the likes of Gr1 winner Link Man, Jackadore, Lazer Star, She’s A Stunner, Straight Forward, Las Ramblas and Roc ‘n Rose.

Bush Hill Stud’s son of Kahal out of Miss Andrea trained by Duncan Howells, Amazon King, beat Cutting Edge this afternoon at Greyville by over two and half lengths. Its his second win from only five starts, and he has placed twice.

His broodmare sire is Restructure and the mare has already produced the likes of course record holder, Dreya’s Gold.

She has an Irish Flame coming through, bred on the same cross that produced Legislate. Amazon King is a very eye catching quality son of Kahal, he is definitely a horse to keep on the watch list for future. This is the dam line of Uncle Tommy and Rebel King, as well as Gr2 winner King’s Temptress (by King Of Kings) who has her first yearling on sale at the upcoming CTS Premier Yearling Sale in January.

Well done to all concerned.

Born and bred at our current National Champion Breeders Summerhill Stud, a beautifully-bred daughter of Kahal out of a Kingmambo mare stormed to victory in the Gr3 Track And Ball Oaks over 2400m at Scottsville today, and secured her future in the breeding paddocks. The chestnut three year old filly named Witchcraft won convincingly by a length and a half from Flying Ice, Deputy Rider and Nightingale.

A R200 000 graduate off the National Yearling Sale in 2014, this is her fourth career win for the Sean Tarry stable and owners Messrs C J H van Niekerk, B G Gardner, M J Jooste & K P Truter.

Witchcraft is out of Irish mare Deceptive Charm, in turn out of a Sadler’s Wells/Mill Reef mare, String Quartet.

This is a female line that has proved itself successful at the highest level in South African racing, including the likes of Gr1 Gold Bowl winner Mosszao, as well as Autumn Lodge. The damline also includes four sires – Gr1 winners Le Moss and Levmoss, as well as Alleging and Visions Of Grandeur found under the second dam.

The late great Kahal has his last crop of yearlings on offer this year at the upcoming Sibaya KZN Yearling Sale on 30 June, with seven yearlings available – including a half-sibling to the deceased Clifton-bred Fort Vogue and talented Gr3 winning Jet Master filly, Whatalady.

The colt is named Prince Of Kahal and sells as Lot 272 from Clifton Stud. This is the immediate damline of Warm White Night and Highland Night, as well as Prince Asad.

To date this racing season, Graded Stakes winning KZN-breds include Rabada (Brave Tin Soldier), Arch Rival (AP Arrow), Heaps Of Fun (Visionaire), Viking Hero (Mullins Bay), Talktothestars (Overlord), Romany Prince (Kahal), Kwinta (Kahal), It Is Written (Dynasty) and Witchcraft (Kahal).

Kahal remains in the Top Five sires Nationally, with an impressive winners to runners percentage of 48.3% (as of 19 June nhra.co.za)  and as a broodmare sire, an admirable 38.3%.

Kahal recently made news in Australia when his Frankel grand-daughter sold for $610 000 as a yearling – the highest priced Frankel filly to sell in the Southern Hemisphere, out of Backworth-bred Gr1 winner, Chocolicious.

The following progeny of Kahal will be on sale at the Sibaya KZN Yearling Sale:

Witchcraft’s win in the Gr3 Oaks: