That said, I’ve often said in the past that if Summerhill is ever to be sold, I would prefer it to be in my lifetime. The reason is these are heritage properties in the true sense of the word, and they are populated by some of the best people in the world. It has been paramount in our thinking that if ever we were to part with this legacy, it would be to someone who appreciates its value and who might polish it for all it’s worth. Besides, all these businesses need is a dash of new energy and a modicum of fresh investment.

Remarkably, just as we were making our plans for the year ahead, that very person appeared across our bows. Henning Pretorius is a devoted South African, a self-made, highly successful farmer and a horseman of considerable renown. In the equine sense, his Capital Stud is arguably the premier source of excellence in the production of sport horses on the African continent. We can think of no better combination of investor and driver of the future of the businesses and the brands which Summerhill and Hartford represent, than Henning Pretorius.

Thankfully, the sale of Summerhill and Hartford foresees the continuation of their former activities in conjunction with Capital Stud going forward, in what has the potential of becoming a significant attraction for horse lovers and visitors from across the globe.

For our part, the Goss family is going nowhere. Henning has generously accommodated our mutual wish to remain involved in the day-to-day activities of the business and to maintain our ties with our great friends and patrons of the farm and the hotel, as well as the one institution capable of preparing young South Africans for their futures in the horse industry, the Al Maktoum School of Management Excellence. Having devoted a good deal of our working lives towards the reopening of the country’s export lanes, we look forward to participating in the largesse that will generate for the game’s players. 

And with that, a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all the great friends and acquaintances we have made in our 41 years at Summerhill and Hartford.”

-Mick Goss, Summerhill Stud

Summerhill Sales will be offering an exceptional draft at this year’s Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale.

The draft includes two-year-olds by such proven and popular stallions as Duke Of Marmalade, Trippi and Visionaire, as well as a large number of youngsters from the first crops of Summerhill Stud’s exciting G1 winning sires Act Of War and Willow Magic.

Dynasty’s Cape Guineas winning son Act Of War is represented by no fewer than 20 members of his first crop in Summerhill Sales’ draft. Act Of War’s first crop includes Heat Seeker (Lot 6), a half-brother to former Ready To Run Cup winner Winter Star, Million Dollar Man (Lot 18), a colt whose dam is a half-sister to G1 winner Love Struck, Mauby (Lot 84), a half-sister to the stakes placed, and recent winner, Blushing Bride, and Lady Of The Flame (Lot 105) –a filly bred on very similar lines to four time G1 winner and Horse Of The Year Futura.

Possibly the pick of Act Of War’s draft is Wabi Sabi (Lot 71), a half-brother to none other than dual G1 winner, and current Summerhill sire, Rabada with this colt hailing from a strong, black type family.

Dubawi’s versatile G1 SA Nursery winner Willow Magic also has some exceptionally appealing members of his first crop in this draft. They include Pulpit Rock (Lot 47), a colt whose dam is a half-sister to Equus Champion Icy Air, Willy The Wizard (Lot 57), a colt whose dam is a half-sister to Fillies Guineas winner Fisani, and Somasonic (Lot 99), a half-brother to Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup winner Vi Va Pi Pa.

Willow Magic’s draft also includes Toocoolforschool (Lot 54), a beautifully bred half-sister to G1 SA Derby winner Hero’s Honour and G1 Thekwini Stakes runner up Rail Trip, and Thamasanqa (Lot 79). The latter, a colt out of the G1 performer Lisa Anne, is a half-brother to 2 winners notably charismatic G1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic winner, and millionaire, Takingthepeace.

Champion Sire Trippi is represented in this draft by Rite Of Passage (Lot 132), a colt out of a G3 placed Var mare from the same family as Trippi’s US G1 winner R Heat Lightning, while Trippi’s stablemate, Duke Of Marmalade, is the sire of Royal Support (Lot 87) –a half-sister to 3 winners, including the very classy filly Pej.

Other attractive prospects in this imposing draft include the Visionaire colt (Lot 28) out of Golden Slipper winner Dignify, Futura and G3 winner Extra Zero’s son Trillionaire (Lot 37), and Giggin (Lot 106), a Capetown Noir half-brother to exported Merchants winner The Thinker.

The catalogue for the 2019 Ready To Run Sale can be viewed online at www.bsa.co.za and pre-sale gallops will be available for viewing shortly before the sale.

Summerhill was fortunate enough to have a visit from one of the great women trainers of the modern age, Criquette Head- Maarek recently. She came with our good friends Xavier and Nathalie Bozo to visit the farm, see the stallions (Capetown Noir), and spend some time getting to know the students.

Criquette hails from the famous Head family. Her father Alec bought Haras de Quesnay and undertook massive restoration of the farm and its facilities. In 1959 he acquired their first stallion Lucky Dip, and the family built a formidable band of stallions:Green Dancer, Riverman, Sir Gaylord, Gay Mecene, Bellypha, Saint Cyrien, Bering, Highest Honor, Anabaa..These names would go on to light up the breeding and racing world over the next few decades. In 1961, the first Group 1 winner was born at Haras du Quesnay. His name was Le Fabuleux.

The KZN Breeders Club held our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday at the Nottingham Road Hotel.

Two new Directors have been elected to the current Board, and the KZN Breeders Club would like to welcome Cathy Martin of Hadlow Stud and Mick Goss from Summerhill Stud.

Koos De Klerk, an innovative Chairman of the KZN Breeders Club and currently a Director, has indicated that he will be stepping down in approximately mid-2018.

Koos’s vision for the KZN Breeders Race Day and KZN Yearling Sale amongst other things, has truly been a remarkable success and his much valued contribution to the KZN Breeders Club is greatly appreciated and we would like to thank him profusely for his enormous efforts.

The current Board of the KZN Breeders Club is as follows:

Bruce Le Roux (Chairman), Lee Scribante (Vice-Chairman), Ted Hughes, Roy Moodley, Anton Procter, Warwick Render, Mick Goss, Koos De Klerk and Cathy Martin.

Congratulations to Cathy and Mick and we look forward to an exciting future ahead.

Peter Gibson will be giving an informative feedback presentation at the KZN Breeders AGM on Thursday 11 February, regarding the recent Asian Racing Conference that took place in India which also addressed the movement of our horses internationally out of South Africa.

The slides below cover the main points of discussion for Thursday:

·         Overview

·         Outbreak History

·         Risk Analysis + Conclusion

Also see the link with the presentation given by Mick Goss at the Asian Racing Conference on the Sporting Post website.

AHS Update for ARC 2016 – OVERVIEW

AHS Update for ARC 2016 – OUTBREAK HISTORY

AHS Update for ARC 2016 – RISK ANALYSIS + CONCLUSION

The KZN Breeders Club AGM will take place at the Nottingham Road Hotel at 11am.