Durban-based owner and bloodstock consultant Sterling Miller flies into Cape Town on Saturday with his veteran Summerveld-trainer Dad, Mike.
Sterling has two feature runners on the bumper Derby day card and is looking forward to an enjoyable afternoon at Kenilworth.
Sterling on the right with his Dad’s assistant, Craig Eudey (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The 31 year old grew up amongst horses but has always had a leaning towards the marketing and commercial side of the game, rather than the early morning grind of mucking out boxes and stable management.
Sterling’s Pound Bloodstock is a growing business and one of the most active players on the SA Racing landscape, with a particular focus on the Mauritian market.
“We sold 16 horses in 2020 and 3 this year to Mauritius, so it’s been a busy time. The reality is that despite the ravaging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic last year on the world economy, there is still an active market with serious buying power to match on the Indian Ocean Island. The Mauritians truly have an extraordinary passion for the sport!” he told the Sporting Post on Friday.
Sterling’s red and silver silks will be carried by Dean Kannemeyer runners, Sheldon in the Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery, and by the Soft Falling Rain gelding Edgartown in the R550 000 BSA Cape Yearling Sale Cup.
Edgartown wins on debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
A R360 000 purchase, Edgartown won a gutsy race on debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
He has been based at Milnerton for three weeks now.
Sterling says he’d be happy if his horse, the only winner in the sixteen runner field, earned a place cheque.
“He shows nothing at home but the moment he is on the grass he wakes up. He won really well first time and I felt it was worth taking a chance. It’s like running for a R550 000 Novice for us – but we don’t quite know how good our horse is, or what the opposition is made of. Ashton Arries has been in Cape Town since Wednesday evening and did his final work on Thursday. He knows Edgartown. It’s an open looking race with very thin form to go on. We will do our best!”
Sterling has the Querari colt Sheldon running in the opener, the R150 000 Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery.
Another smart debut winner, Sheldon comes in off a fair fourth in the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes on Met day.
Sterling feels he was a bit unlucky there and that he will improve – although he concedes that Ambiorix, Barzalona and Kannemeyer’s Cosmic Highway look very decent.
Due to commitments at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, the Millers fly out of Cape Town on Sunday morning. But have already done their Cape Yearling Sale homework and have earmarked a few choice lots.
“It’s a value for money sale. Ashley de Klerk will be bidding for me. We will be watching on the live stream from Pietermaritzburg.”
