A Gr1 winner at 2, the four year old #kznbred Under Your Spell was given a patient ride by Louis Mxothwa, and despite running three wide, she finished with plenty in reserve to beat Joey Soma’s free-striding 2022 SA Classic winner Red Saxon by 1,50 lengths lengths in a time of 88,11 secs.

Under Your Spell comes home strongly under Louis Mxothwa (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)

After having seen a planned European and Australian export fall through, her happy owners, including Aussie-based OTI Management, will be positive about her prospects.

Sean Tarry originally bought Under Your Spell as part of a parcel of horses online and unseen.

A Summerhill bred daughter of Capetown Noir (Western Winter) out of the unraced Irish-bred Deceptive Charm (Kingmambo), Under Your Spell is from the same family as the accomplished Witchcraft who Tarry trained to win over a trip.

Under Your Spell made it eight wins with with seven places from nineteen starts and took her stakes earnings to R1 482 000.

Capetown Noir is on an incredible 46.2% winners to runners and an AEPR of R57,308.

Watch the replay:

-extract sportingpost.co.za

Summerhill, Rathmor and Blue Sky Thoroughbreds have invested in the top three sellers of the Cape Mare Sale which took place on Thursday.

Mick Goss’s Summerhill Stud has enjoyed a Gr1 winning season and he invested in a Shadwell mare Lot 5, Masaaquaat (NZ), daughter of speed sire Snitzel in foal to What A Winter. This is the family of co-Champion Australian 2yo colt Invader and was knocked down to Summerhill Stud for R260 000.

Rathmor followed suit with an impeccably bred daughter of Dynasty for R200 000. Out of a Jet Master mare in turn out of the brilliant mare Consensual, Lot 59 Jamaheery consigned by Sandown for Shadwell Stud, this is the female line of Attenborough, Al Sakeet, Just Sensual and Tatler. The Dynasty mare is in foal to dual Gr1 producing Rafeef.

Blue Sky Thoroughbreds bought Dynamic Diana by Dynasty, for R155 000 in foal to One World. A full sister to multiple feature winner Sing Out Loud, this is the family of Gr1 Breeders Cup winner Magnificent Song.

Other KZN Breeders to invest were Summerview, purchasing a full sister to sire Jackson in foal to Master Of My Fate, and Camargue who bought 10-time winner Hurricane Katrina in foal to Querari.

Another mare with KZN roots was sold to Suzette Viljoen for R90 000 – an Australian bred daughter of Frankel out of #kznbred Gr1 winning daughter of Kahal, Chocolicious – bred by Backworth Stud. Mazaaher is in foal to Soqrat.

Breeders in KZN are using the KZN Breeders Premium Scheme to invest into bloodstock and improve the breed. The Scheme has been updated to operate in the form of a voucher system towards the purchase of mares, stallion shares and services – a tremendous advantage to breeders in challenging economic times and more reason to breed in KZN!

View the results at www.bsa.co.za.

For veteran trainer Mike Azzie the Capetown Noir gelding’s victory in the Pongracz Gr1 Cape Flying Championship buried a frustrating legacy of treble runner-up finishes in the speed spectacle, as well as the hotly debated National Currency third place behind Eli’s Game in the 2003 renewal.

Azzie, who trains in partnership with his son Adam, has won every Gr1 sprint in the country, but the Cape Flying Championship had eluded the top conditioner until Saturday, when a terrific ride by Smanga Khumalo got Bohica home in a thrilling three-cornered finish.

It was sweet revenge for the Gauteng operation after Bohica was beaten into second by Saturday’s favourite Rio Querari in the 2021 Computaform Sprint at Turffontein.

In a race not unsurprisingly packed with raw speed, Bohica was always up with the pace down the inside as Pleasedtomeetyou and the fancied Real Gone Kid stayed in touch

Inside the final 250m the challenges were coming from all wides but Bling kept Bohica at his task to hold the Bass-Robinson pair of Mr Cobbs and African Rain to two short heads, with the favourite Rio Querari just over a half length back in fourth.

Real Gone Kid, related to KZN sire Summa Cum Laude, was not disgraced, running fifth and just a length off the winner.

Trainer Adam Azzie’s initiative in schlepping down on the long road trip from Johannesburg was richly rewarded.

The connections had debated the decision over three days before committing to the extra costs and challenge.

“We’re pleased we took the chance – Bohica may be a bit in and out but on his best form we felt he could run close. S’Manga gave him a great ride, sticking to pacesetter Pleasedtomeetyou’s girth, coming off the bit late, then being so strong in the finish!” said Azzie

A handsome son of Equus Champion Miler and a Cape Derby and L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Capetown Noir (Western Winter), the Summerhill Stud-bred winner is out of the unraced Mullins Bay mare, Wysiwyg – a half sister to Model K from the family of Mannequin and Kalami.

Lee Scribante of Piemonte Stud, who stands Capetown Noir, is pleased to report he sent the stallion standing at his farm in Summerveld, 14 mares the past season.

Wysiwyg stands at the boutique breeding farm of Sandra Trethewey in Greytown, KZN.

A R300 000 graduate of the 2018 Summerhill Ready To Run Sale, Bohica has won 7 races with 9 places from 24 starts for stakes of R1 239 175.

-extract sportingpost.co.za

Summerhill Equestrian saw a 1-2 in the weekends Peermont Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup presented by BSA, with Willow Magic’s son MK’s Pride snatching it in a close finish from the Act Of War’s sharp filly, the Gr1 placed War Of Athena.

It is also the smashing story for lucky owner Mr M K Nkale, whose colt that passed through the BSA Ready To Run Sale in 2019 unsold. [Watch his Ready To Run Gallop HERE]

The colt, a dead ringer for sire Willow Magic and a grandson of the mighty Dubawi, has won 3 times from 4 starts trained by Paul Peter and took home the lions share of the R900 000 stake on offer on Saturday.

MK’s Pride, originally named Alaunus is out of an Admire Main mare, who has produced a previous winner and is a half-sister to Gr2 placed Corredor.

This is also the family of Gondolier, Freedom Charter and Ernie.

A Gr1 winning sprinter, Willow Magic has produced 10 wins this season.

Trainer Paul Peter said he was thrilled that the fairytale had unfolded for the Nkale family.

“When I spoke to Koos before the race, he said what will be will be. So no pressure – even from a brand new owner. He has been in racing for thirty years so understands the game. He has a beautiful laid-back horse. We will go next for the Dingaans. MK’s Pride will enjoy the mile. We will only see the best from this chap later on,” an elated Peter told the Sporting Post.

In an emotional – and lengthy – post race interview, Mr Nkale, who selected and bought the winner himself for R100 000, indicated that he was a spiritual man, who was thrilled for his family, the Peter team, and even for South Africa.

“When I saw Summer Pudding win, I decided Mr Paul Peter was my trainer. This is a wonderful day for racing and for South Africa – we prayed and I thank the Almighty,” he said.

In a further chapter of a genuine fairytale of a story, MK’s Pride races in the black and gold of soccer side, Kaizer Chiefs. Mr Nkale is one of the most passionate of the top team’s 16 million supporters.

MK’s Pride has earned R531 600 and has won 3 of his 4 starts.

With the scratching of Anything Goes, War Of Athena was a firm favourite to take the race.

Act Of War, a Gr1 winning son of Dynasty has had 5 wins this season and has produced Black Type with two fillies – twice Gr1 placed War Of Athena and Stella Act, the latter has a full sister on offer at the upcoming National 2YO Sale consigned by Rathmor Stud as agent.

Paul Matchett is very shrewd at picking quality horses for little money, and War Of Athena is another example – having sold for just R30 000 – Paul’s other success was Gr1 winning French export Brave Mary (R40 000), and multiple Gr2 winner Running Brave (R30 000 purchase).

She has pure Summerhill pedigree, being out of a Requiem / Coastal mare who has produced 4 other winners, and from the family of Captain Tatters and Desert Links. She placed a very close 2nd to unbeaten Anything Goes in her penultimate start, to finish 2nd in the Gr1 Thekweni Stakes.

Contact stud@capitalstud.co.za for more information on Act Of War and Willow Magic.

Henning is a leading breeder in the world of Warmblood Sport Horses with Capital Stud.

The much talked about colt of the sale, a full brother to multiple Gr1 winner Hawwaam (Silvano) and a half brother to Gr1 winners Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat, its almost a case of ‘coming home’ for the colt who may well be a very exciting future stallion prospect – his Jet Master dam, Broodmare Of The Year, has only produced Gr1 winners from her runners. Halfway To Heaven’s sire and dam are both #kznbred, the latter ending her days at Wynnholme Stud – herself a daughter of Rambo Dancer, who stood at Summerhill.

Henning Pretorius also purchased an athletic Trippi colt named Tuk Tuk for R700 000, a colt descended from Rat Burana with Fort Wood as the broodmare sire.

Both above horses were consigned by Wilgerbosdrift.

Piemonte Stud topped the first day of the Nationals with their Global View colt knocked down to Dennis Drier for R240 000. Sold as Lot 199 and named Frederico, this is the female line of Tatler and Consensual, as well as Just Sensual.

Bush Hill Stud followed suit with their beautiful grey filly by What A Winter out of a Gr2 Guineas winner Go Indigo. She sold to St John Gray for R160 000.

Day 2 of the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale continues from 11:30 today, with a sharp William Longsword from the family of Redberry Lane going under the hammer from Spring Valley Stud.

Watch this space.

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

Accompanied by KZN Breeders Club secretary Candiese, we had a meeting with Henning who has a vision of Summerhill once again becoming the leading stud in the country as well as in Kwazulu-Natal. A very passionate, successful and informed breeder of sport horses in South Africa, he has the determination to bring KZN to national prominence in thoroughbred breeding once again. The mares that are currently boarded at Summerhill Equestrian as it is now known, Henning would like to retain and assure those owners that the mares have the very best attention on the farm. 

Henning is looking to buy black type mares and attract the top stallions once again at Summerhill Equestrian for the benefit of the KZN Breeders so that we can upgrade as a province.

We look forward to the next few years as being exciting with all our studs to get KZN back on top of the national log of breeders.

Ted Hughes

Chairman

KZN Breeders Club

#kznbred Rabada, a twice Gr1 winning son of Brave Tin Soldier bred by Summerhill Stud, has relocated to Bruce and Delia Le Roux’s Spring Valley Stud in Mooi River.

The very handsome stallion has his first foals on the ground, and will be yearlings in August.

Initially in training Michael Azzie and ending with Brett Crawford, Rabada retired a 5-time winner, including the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes as a two year old, and the Gr1 Daily News 2000, as well as the Gatecrasher Stakes (L).

He carries a pure Summerhill pedigree, being out of a Fard / Braashee mare – Jordie.

His sire Brave Tin Soldier stands at The Fort Stud – the sire of two Gr1 winners including export Brave Mary, and Gr1 runner up Running Brave.

Brave Tin Soldier was the most expensive weanling in the world at his time of sale, knocked down for a record US$3-million.

Rabada is a half-brother to the grey Glider Pilot, who also placed 4th in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and to River Tyne, who is a 4-time winner and placed in the Listed Ladies Slipper. This is the female line of Naan Khaatay and Tomorrows Miss.

He is a stallion that has quality in abundance and stands 16.1.

Summerhill Stud has been sold and now stands sport horses for Capital Stud and owner Henning Pretorius.

You might have expected it in normal times when a major stud farm was disposing of its stock, but in what has been dubbed “South Africa’s deepest online sale of Thoroughbreds”, you would be pleasantly encouraged by the scale of the internet traffic the Summerhill dispersal has attracted, more so with the government’s opening of the e-commerce sector. 

Of course it’s bargain time, and those who have taken cheer from the gesture to racing of Mary Oppenheimer and Daughters financial support of Phumelela have obviously been emboldened by what lies ahead. There are predictions doing the rounds that this year’s foal crop will be significantly reduced, and that those with the stock to supply the market when things adopt a modicum of normality, will be the ones to prosper. 

As recently as Sunday, the Business Times front page featured an interview with one of Mary Slack’s principal advisers, Charles Savage, who disclosed that their investment business had seen a 300% growth in new investors piling into the value stocks on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in anticipation of a return to the “new normal”.

Speaking from Summerhill, Mick Goss said that while opening bids were on the modest side, there had been a surprising level of interest, including many making use of local judges to vet horses for them, including Jane Thomas, Bruce Le Roux and Peter Choice, who’s very well connected in the polo and leisure horse worlds. 

“There has been an encouraging level of interest in the yearlings and weanlings as well, as trainers and speculators seek out what could turn out to be one of the opportunities of their lives in stocking up their yards or in the case of the speculators, having the stock on hand when things make a turn for the better”.

And who would disagree with that? The families that delivered 10 Breeders championships, Group One-producing daughters of Galileo; a Black type Giant’s Causeway, and established producers of top performers by Kingmambo, Pivotal, Fusaichi Pegasus and Mastercraftsman, and a cluster of Classic heroines and Group-winning or Stakes-producing mares, as well as yearling and weanling siblings to 4 Group One winners.

On the administration side, the vendors will take care of the stallion fees in respect of the mares. The vast bulk of foals in South Africa at present have yet to be registered on account of the pandemic’s intervention, but those acquiring foals can do so in the knowledge they are acquired free of encumbrance, other than the need to pay the newly announced registration fee of approximately R1100, a healthy drop from last year.

“We know that the current email system of submitting offers is cumbersome, but we have someone who will be dealing with it hourly going forward. Hopefully, that will make it a bit more interactive. We have also decided to extend the deadline for offers to the close of business on Monday 25^th, so at to enable people to deal with their “business” on a business day.”

Link HERE to the full PDF catalogue online.

Those who’ve known Summerhill for the past 40 years, will know how painful it is to be parting with our horses. They have been the mainstay of our lives and the farm was built on their backs. But the time has come, and the timing couldn’t have been less opportune. That said, one man’s adversity is always another’s opportunity, and so the complete dispersal of our stock will undoubtedly be characterized by some of the game’s greatest bargains.

These are the families that delivered up a modern day record of 10 Breeders Championships in the face of the most formidable competition of our time. The broodmares include daughters of the world’s most celebrated stallions, Galileo, Kingmambo, Giant’s Causeway, Pivotal, Fusaichi Pegasus, Mastercraftsman etc. Among them are the mothers of 4 Gr.1 winners and many others with Group-winning progeny or who were Stakes winners and performers in their own right. Both the yearlings and the foals include siblings to these top horses, while its common cause on Summerhill that the most recent crop of foals stands comparison with the best we’ve known.

The mares have been served by some of the nation’s top stallions, including champion sire Trippi; leading sire of 3 Year old Stakes Winners with his first crop, dual J&B Met producer, Ideal World, Duke Of Marmalade, the leading sire nationally of three year old Stakes winners (6 all told) with his first South African crop; as well as a selection of the outstanding young racehorses that populate the Summerhill Stallion barn.

To explain the process, we are hosting the deepest on-line sale of Thoroughbreds ever. The idea is to leave the sale open to offers (on email to info@summerhill.co.za for 10 days).The horses are offered without reserve, so every offer, even if it’s a good home, will be considered.

Earlier this week, it was reported that we were giving all our horses away. While that wasn’t quite accurate, the reality is that in this market, there will obviously be horses unsold, and we will be looking to place those as best we can. Our history reminds us that among those, there will still be “gold dust”. 

To view the catalogue and understand the procedure, please go to www.summerhill.co.za