St John Gray of Graystone Stud in KZN, celebrated a 1000 winner milestone at the Vaal on Thursday, courtesy of the eleven-time winner, Dawn Assault.
Gavin Lerena, who has ridden several of St John’s top horses to Gr1 success, including the likes of 5-time Gr1 winner Dancewiththedevil, was in the familiar green and white ringed silks on the special occasion.
St John maintains his breeding operation at Cathy and Jonathan Martin’s Hadlow Stud – and has enjoyed enormous success at the top level with what could be considered non-commercial pedigrees.
His favourite is his chestnut stallion Announce, who shares a damline with Danehill, Machiavellian and Northern Dancer.
Amongst his current broodmare band are the likes of his star racemare Dancewiththedevil, who was exported to England, but had to return after an injury to her pelvis.
St John also won the Gr1 SA Classic with Jam Alley, an Australian horse he bred by Peintre Celebre and who stood at Hadlow before his retirement. He also has the star chestnut mare Engagement, who during her time with St John defeated Gr1 stars Igugu and The Apache.
St John recently picked up the KZN Breeders Achievement Award for his outstanding season which saw Dawn Assault and Ronnie’s Candy stamping themselves repeatedly among the nominees, and Dawn Assault taking home Champion Middle Distance Male and Champion Older Male.
