Age Of Action! Silver Age (Sean Veale) bounces clear to win the Gr3 Christmas Handicap
Jeff Freedman’s handsome chestnut Silver Age has been something of a standout performer for his sire, Requiem. The colt was the first Group winner for the Danehill stallion in 2010, and repeated the feat with a smart win in the R200 000 Gr3 Christmas Handicap on Boxing Day at Clairwood.
Requiem stands at Bruce and Nadine Le Roux’s beautiful Spring Valley Stud near Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal, and while not a stallion with dynamic commercial appeal, he is a very well-bred horse who throws some magnificent specimens.
Silver Age is just one of them, and at R40 000 he remains one of the biggest bargain buys to come out of the old Michael Holmes Yearling Sales held in Pietermaritzburg
Breeder Bruce Le Roux was thrilled with the win, and added philosophically that the colt was a ‘steal’ when sold way below value.
Silver Age had won the Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes as a 2yo, and was winning his fourth race here. He looks a very scopy sort.
Corne Orffer played probably the only card available to him when he gunned Always Al from his wide draw to stretch his field as he charged five lengths clear into the first turn.
Celebrating! Sean Veale won the Gr3 Christmas Handicap
The odds-on Slumdogmillionaire had jumped keenly and was settled in second, just ahead of Bay Route, Maluti and Orbit War. Silver Age was tucked away at this stage.
Always Al stepped up the pressure turning for home and galloped powerfully as Slumdogmillionaire moved up down the centre, before becoming slightly one-paced.
Silver Age had been making up ground throughout the home run and Veale produced him just at the right moment. The jubilant jockey saluted on the line, allowing his mount to shift in slightly.
The colt still had them cold though as he went on to win by a half- length in a time of 94 secs.
Bulsara would have pleased his connections with a storming effort from some way off for second, while Always Al ran out of steam late after his early exertions but held on gamely for the third cheque.
Slumdogmillionaire moved up dangerously, but got tired and is bound to come on lengths with this run. His Met assault will still be on track.
Jeff Freedman trained Silver Age, a 4yo colt who is a son of Requeim out of the Krusenstern mare, Russian Belle.
Bred by Bruce and Nadine Le Roux at Spring Valley Stud, he was now won 4 of 11 starts, for 4 places and earnings of R376 450.
The Le Roux’s will be offering a Fort Beluga filly out of the same mare at the KZN Yearling Sale in 2013. Bruce described her simply as, ‘beautiful’.
