Winterbach-based sire Master Archie, the first son of Rafeef to retire to stud, has seen two of his half-brothers win in just over a week of each other.
Master Archie by Rafeef x La Volta by Var (Pic – Romi Bettison)
Out of La Volta by Var, and the 8-time winning daughter of star racemare Sarabande, its a family in form as all of Master Archie’s racing siblings have won, giving the mare six winners from six runners including Black Type, Purple Cloud.
Majestic Palace (Potala Palace) won for the second time for trainers Mike and Adam Azzie on 23 April, with half brother Master Casper (Querari) winning third time out for trainer Johan Janse Van Vuuren and owner Laurence Wernars on 2 May, in partnership with his wife and son.
A winner of the Gr3 Man O’ War Sprint and going on to win the Gr1 Computaform Sprint for trainer Paul Peter. Master Archie was a pinnacle of speed, winning seven races over 1000m – 1100m from ages 2-4. Master Archie achieved a higher Merit Rating than his own leading sire, with an MR 128 reflecting on his record and won the same Gr1 his own sire – the Computaform Sprint.
The Rafeef / Var cross has proved fast indeed and it has yielded three Gr1 wins to date. 16 Hand high Master Archie, was enthusiastically supported by breeders in his first season at stud, and yielded a high fertility percentage rate. Looking forward to his first foals for the season, Hendrik Winterbach commented that Master Archie has a great temperament, and an easy stallion to work with as a result.
Amongst the mares that supported Master Archie in 2023 were Hannah Gorgeous, a Fort Wood half sister to sire Futura representing Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm, who stood Master Archie’s broodmare sire – Var.
Narrow Creek Stud, breeders of amongst others Red Saxon and American export Isivunguvungu, have sent Sherry to Master Archie; the dam of Gr2 Tibouchina winner Homely Girl.
Rafeef has enjoyed another exemplary season for Ridgemont and will be standing for an increased fee of R120 000 in 2024. He boasts R85,205 Average Earnings Per Runner and 11 Black Type wins for the season.
La Volta’s Rafeef yearling colt, a full brother to Master Archie, sold for R800 000 to Candice Bass-Robinson at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale earlier this year. La Volta is in foal to Hawwaam for the 2024 foaling season.
Master Archie’s fee has been announced for 2024, standing for an accessible R7000 excl vat, live foal.
