The KZN Breeders Club’s newest stallion addition, Eden Roc, saw his half brother Sandringham Summit add to Eden Roc’s already impressive pedigree to win the same race his Var brother did in 2019, the Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m.

Sandringham Summit defeated feature winner Gimmeanotherchance in the process, as well as Guy Gibson who has placed twice behind the talented Lucky Lad.

A R1,7-million yearling by Gimmethegreenlight, Sandringham Summit has now won twice and placed second twice from four starts for trainer David Niewenhuizen and owner Mr Rakesh Singh and doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon based on his form and good looks.

Clifton Stud, who stand Eden Roc on behalf of the KZN Breeders Club, will be hosting a stallion day on July 12th to introduce him publicly to breeders.

Eden Roc was purchased through the incentive of the Stallion Premiums from the KZN Breeders Premium Scheme, the first of its kind in South Africa.

The son of Var has an enviable race record and pedigree; out of Captain Al mare Townsend, a Gr2 winner herself who has produced 5 winners to date, this is also the family of Zapatillas.

Eden Roc is a coup for the KZN Breeding ranks, and the very handsome son of Var who fills your eye raced consistently and soundly until age 6.

His race record courtesy of www.raceform.co.za:

6 wins, 1160-1400m, at 2 to 4

Rated MR 119

At 2

WON Gr1 Gold Medallion (1200m)

WON Gr2 Golden Horseshoe (1400m)

At 3

WON Gr2 Merchants S. (1200m)

At 4

2nd Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint (1200m)

2nd Gr3 Merchants Hcp (1160m)

Justin Snaith-trained Nexus under a masterful return ride from Piere Strydom, won the KZN Mile on Sunday afternoon in front of a sizeable crowd, just the week before the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Rathmor Stud made it back to back wins in the race, winning with Copper Mountain (Noble Tune) in 2021, and not only bred Nexus but also raised Battle Force for breeder Mr Rupert Plersch.

The beautifully bred Nexus, by Dynasty out of Mystery Dame by Jet Master, is a Gr2 winner and a full brother to Gr1 winner Lady In Black.

Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Battle Force (Act Of War) flew up for second by three quarters of a length in the familiar pink and black stars also associated with War Of Athena, with the grey Willow Express finishing in third for Sean Tarry.

It was the first return ride from Strydom, who has just 10 wins to go to reach 5500 lifetime winners.

Merit Rated 107, Nexus sold for R1,7-million to John Freeman as a yearling at the 2017 Nationals, originally named Identity Thief. He has won eight races with nine places from 29 starts for stakes of R1 059 225, owned by Mrs Nancy Hossack, the daughter of the Late Jack Mitchell who enjoyed much success in the white colours with black dots, including that of #kznbred Futura as well as Nexus’ full sister, Gr1 winner Lady In Black.

Bruce Le Roux and Clifton Stud enjoyed much success on the day. Bruce, with one horse in his name and one in partnership with Blue Sky Thoroughbreds also birthed and raised the first winner of the day, for trainer Michael Roberts with the speedy Russian Doll. Clifton enjoyed a double with Proud Master and Prince Of Taranto – and in addition, finished 1-2 in their own sponsored race, the Clifton Stud Kwazulu Natal Breeders 1200 with Proud Master and the striking Sikhulu.

Rathmor enjoyed a double – taking the KZN Breeders Mile and winning their sponsored race in the eighth named for War Front sire Declarationofpeace. Crazy Blues won smartly under Muzi Yeni for trainer Lorenzo Karrie and owner Mario Ferreira.

Tony Rivalland enjoyed a double with Blue Sky Thoroughbreds Mr Henley and Clifton bred Prince Of Taranto, with the partners of the two syndicates in particular – Mr Robert Maingard and Patrick Rivalland – notching up a double on the day.

It was a festive day both in the Durban View which hosted the breeders, owners and trainers of runners on the day, whilst the course was abuzz with a significant crowd enjoying July fever leading up to the big day next week.

Congratulations to todays winners and thank you to the sponsors who assisted in making this wonderful meeting possible!

The Paul Matchett-trained Summerhill Stud-bred Running Brave clung on to win the KZN Breeders Mile under a fine ride by Muzi Yeni at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday and in retrospect she had a lot in her favour despite being sent off at odds of 35/1.

The Brave Tin Soldier filly’s class is emphasized by the fact that her career head to head record with the champion filly Celtic Sea is five to two in her favour. Brave Tin Soldier stands at Jill Fox’s The Fort Stud, whilst his dual Gr1 winning son Rabada is at Spring Valley, and has his first foals on the ground.

Furthermore, she is an effective front runner so a pole position draw, the strong tailwind on the day and a wide false rail were three more points in her favour. She gets on well with Yeni and enjoys Hollywoodbets Greyville, two points which were emphasised in her pillar to post victory in the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet over 2000m on Gold Cup day last season. 

Running Brave carried 59kg under the conditions yesterday. Yeni said, “She’s courageous, all heart, I went into the race believing that if she was at her best it was the type of race she would win and then when she drew one I was even more confident. I was there for free and for the first time today I was able to get to the front and relax, she normally does it a little bit too hard but today I had her settled beautifully and she showed her class.

Running Brave sold for just R30 000 at the BSA National 2YO Sale, and has earned R 1,394,150 in stakes!

“In the straight she fended off the challenges of Nexus and Missisippi Burning (both bred by Rathmor Stud) who finished second and third ahead of the St. John Grey-trained pair Ronnie’s Candy and Lake Kinnaret.

One of the scratchings from the Mile was Vodacom Durban July contender Camphoratus.

 The first race of the day, the Fort Stud KZN Breeders Fillies Juvenile Plate over 1200m, was won from pillar to post  by the talented Ashley Fortune-trained Winter Smoke ridden by Aldo Domeyer.

She is by What A Winter and was bred RT Fitzgerald and born and raised at Spring Valley Stud. 

The second race, the Clifton Stud KZN Breeders Juvenile Plate over 1200m, saw an equally impressive start to finish win by the Glen Kotzen-trained Garrulous ridden by Warren Kennedy.

This strapping gelding is by Byword and was bred by Tertia Properties. The third, the Spring Valley Stud KZN Breeders 1200 for fillies and mares, was won in good style by Silent Crusade, who outclassed them.

The big Mark Dixon-trained filly started slowly and had to weave her way through but won cosily in the end under Keagan de Melo. She is by Crusade and was fittingly bred by Bruce le Roux of Spring Valley Stud.

The next, the Summerhill Equestrian KZN Breeders 1200, saw a fine start to finish by the strongly built Michael Roberts trained Visionaire gelding Ad Altisima ridden by Serino Moodley. She was bred by GC Kalil.The eighth race, the Macrath Stud KZN Breeders 1600 for fillies and mares, was won by the Wendy Whitehead-trained Liquid Irish under Grant van Niekerk.

She is by Traffic Guard and was bred by Summerhill Stud.

The ninth, the New Predator KZN Breeders 1600, was won by the Dennis Drier-trained Caliente under Sean Veale. This Visionaire gelding was bred by Summerhill Stud.

The last race, the Golden Sword KZN Breeders 1900, saw a fitting win for KZN Breeding remarkable trainer-owner-breeder St. John Gray with his home-bred Damage Is Done gelding Christopher Robin who gave Grant van Niekerk a double.

Trainers and owners took home sales vouchers from each of the first four places for the KZN sponsored races on the day, worth R225 000 in total towards the purchase of a #kznbred horse on offer at the Emperors Palace National 2YO Sale in November, which has encompassed the KZN Yearling Sale.

Thank you to our sponsors and to Gold Circle for a great day, albeit behind closed doors.

Images: Candiese Lenferna

Gold Circle have announced the revised dates for Champions Season 2020, delayed due to the implemented lockdown which is due to lift April 30, in the interest of South African’s safety to ‘break the curve’.

Usually run the week before the Vodacom Durban July, it remains in the format – to be held on Sunday 19 July and the Vodacom Durban July scheduled for the 25 July. The KZN Yearling Sale Million remains on VDJ day, along with the Garden Province, Golden Horseshoe, Golden Slipper, the 2200, Gold Vase and Thukela Handicap.

The Gold Cup, which usually heralds the end of the racing season and an important feature for the annual statistics, has been pushed back to 29 August. A number of Gr1 features will be prominent on that day, including the Champions Cup, Mercury Sprint, Premiers Champions Stakes and the Thekweni Stakes amongst others.

The KZN Breeders Race Day, always a major feature with owners and trainers and always very well supported with a packed Durban View Room consisting of breeders, owners and trainers – and will consist of 8 races including the Million Mile itself.

As of the last log published 10 March, there are 293 horses entered for the races 3yos old and up, with 2yo entries were due to be finalised at the end of April.

Amongst the horses entered are Spiritofthegroove, Chjimes, Wave, Railtrip, 2nd placed Gr1 SA Fillies Classic Marygold, Gr1 winner Camphoratus, Miss Marmalade (closely related to the Gr1 trio of brothers, Hawwaam, Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat), Just Cruised In, Prince Of Kahal, Just Chaos, Nexus, Ronnie’s Candy, Silent Crusade, and Gr1 winner Mississippi Burning.

The KZN Breeders Golf Day is provisionally booked for 14 July, whilst the KZN Yearling Sale is scheduled for 23 & 24 July. Sales vouchers for #kznbreds will be up for grabs at our Golf Day and Race Day – acquisitions using the vouchers include Gr1 placed Wave.

The full KZN Champions Season feature programme for 2020:

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!

The KZN Breeders Awards took place on Saturday evening at Fordoun and saw Gr1 winning filly and Triple Tiara contender Takingthepeace crowned KZN Breeders Horse Of The Year.

The Awards fell on the same day as the Summer Cup and saw #kznbreds Africa Rising win the Gr2 Merchants, whilst two other second places in two Graded Races from #kznbreds were achieved. Warren Lenferna explained that the venue had to be booked a year in advance due to wedding season in the KZN Midlands summer, and the Summer Cup had been moved unexpectedly into December.

Champion breeders Summerhill Stud dominated the categories, taking home 11 awards which includes Mick Goss, who won the accolade of Lifetime Achievement Award – Mick has singlehandedly put both KZN and South African breeding and racing on the map, and Drakenstein’s Gaynor Rupert paid tribute to Mick at this years Equus Awards for introducing her to the thrill of breeding and owning Thoroughbreds, and encouraged her to establish Drakenstein Stud.

Father and son duo Lee and Dino Scribante featured prominently the juvenile categories, with Carlita and Alfeo in the 2yo respective categories for filly and colt. Alfeo won the Champion 2YO Colt, whilst Carlita was a close second to Gr2 winner Ronnie’s Candy – the latter one of two nominees for owner / trainer / breeder St John Gray, whose breeding establishment is managed at Cathy and Jonathan Martin’s Hadlow Stud. The other nominee was the sharp Dawn Assault, who ran second by a whisker to Tilbury Fort in the Gr1 Summer Cup on Saturday.

Two Gr1 winners were amongst the nominees – each Summerhill breds – Hero’s Honour and Takingthepeace.

Hero’s Honour gave his owner Laurence Wernars his first Gr1 winner, whilst Takingthepeace won the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic and the Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas. In the process she took two legs of the Triple Tiara, and ran fourth in the third leg. Hero’s Honour took home Champion 3YO Colt and Champion Stayer (for both sexes), whilst Takingthepeace took Champion 3YO Filly, Champion Middle Distance Filly and Horse Of The Year.

Galileo mare Grail Maiden, one of the best broodmare prospects in the country, took home the Broodmare Of The Year honours – she had two of her progeny nominated – the first being Gr1 winner Hero’s Honour, the second Gr1 placed Railtrip.

Other Summerhill-breds to feature were Champagne Haze, who runs in the colours of Laurence Wernars. The brave Kahal gelding won both Champion Sprinter Male and Champion Older Horse, whilst the well-bred staying filly Witchcraft won the Champion Older Female.

Clifton Stud had a great evening, with Covered In Snow winning Champion Sprinter Filly, and their new sire for 2018, Crusade (and the sire of Covered In Snow), was elected as Stallion Of The Year after producing 4 Stakes winners for the 2017 / 2018 season and a lifetime statistic of 45% winners to runners.

Scott Bros were not forgotten, with their game Gr1 placed Toreador gelding Matador Man taking Champion Middle Distance Colt.

Special Awards went to Piemonte Stud who won Breeders Achievement Of The Year, based on the performances of Carlita and Alfeo, whilst KZN Breeders Club secretary Candiese Marnewick won the Anita Akal Industry Award.

Newcomer to the world of Thoroughbred breeding, Nothemba Mlonzi was honoured at the start of the evening – her first two horses bred at her Mwetwood Stud – Master Keys and Galaxy Tunes, both won in their first racing season.

Nothemba is also the first Black lady to sell a horse at the National Yearling Sale which was Master Keys for R100 000 to Nathan Kotzen. The #kznbred Master Of My Fate filly in turn gave Nathan his first career win as a trainer in his own name.

It was a fantastic evening at Fordoun with a full house, and thank you to the enthusiastic support of our sponsors and to Gold Circle with their backing of the evening, sponsorship and TV Production. Warren Lenferna debuted as Master of Ceremonies and Chairman Bruce Le Roux once again gave an inspiring speech about why KZN is the best place to breed a Thoroughbred.

A big thank you to all who attended and made the evening a particularly special event, which ended after midnight and even saw Robin Scott jiving at midnight!

The full results can be viewed here: 

The KZN Breeders Series Log for 2YO’s has been published (points as of 9 April 2018) and congratulations to the combination of Piemonte Stud and Alan Greef who lead in the first two places – with a top filly by Oratorio, Carlita, and Alfeo (by Crusade) respectively.

The fantastic East Cape Nursery Listed winner, Carlita has had 3 wins and 1 second place from just four runs to earn over R200 000, and is far ahead in the lead with 30 points – Alfeo is on 16. Carlita is owned in partnership by Mrs Fortune and Alan Greef. Alfeo is just as impressive, with three runs under his belt and two wins and a place – and is owned in a racing partnership with his breeder Lee Scribante and his brother.

Another entry is that of July winning trainer Candice Bass-Robinson, who has put forward Frozen Tune (Noble Tune) from her Cape yard and lies in third place on the log. Frozen Tune is knocking on the door for a win very soon – with 3 seconds under his belt and another place from 4 starts.

The KZN Breeders Race Day takes place 30 June at Greyville racecourse, exclusively for KZN-breds – racehorses registered with the KZN Breeders Premium Scheme. Each year the Durban View Room is filled to capacity with owners, trainers and breeders in a sea of the theme black and white, and the day sees R2,6-million in stakes for the winning connections – along with the chance to collect over R200 000 in vouchers towards the purchase of a KZN-bred yearling at the KZN Yearling Sale the week after.

Keep eye on the logs to be posted fortnightly as 212 juvenile horses vie for just 28 places on the race day (two races – 1 each for colts and fillies respectively for a stakes of R200 000 each over 1200m) , and join us for our famous Golf Day taking place 1 June at Royal Durban, with over R100 000 in prizes to be won in vouchers, midweek breaks and prizes! The 4-ball is R2000 and includes a shirt, cap, goodie bag, green fees, prizegiving and dinner. We look forward to seeing you there!