
Zabeel Legacy Reigns On
The late New Zealand champion, Zabeel more than left his mark on the South African racing scene
The late New Zealand champion, Zabeel more than left his mark on the South African racing scene
Mike de Kock’s progressive Australian-bred 3yo Alfolk booked a berth in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at Kenilworth in January
The trend of sending Australian bred shuttle stallions to cover mares in the Northern Hemisphere has enjoyed increasing success over recent seasons
Milnerton-based trainer Joey Ramsden made it two from two for Cape raiders in the Champions Season opening feature show when the Australian-bred The Conglomerate stormed home under Anton Marcus in the Jooste silks to win the R600 000 KRA Gr2 Guineas
Clearly, as in much else relating to horses, there is no hard and fast rule about a son of a failed sire being unable to make it at stud
The colt may not be a serious Investec Derby horse at this stage but he has plenty of scope for improvement over more ground and should get better over time
Just 48 hours after Cheeky Wink’s smart win at Tipperary, the Kieswetter and Heffer families enjoyed another champagne moment at Sandown
Ridgemont’s Rafeef fairytale received more endorsement on the Championships Finale at Turffontein on Saturday when his daughter, Chasing Happiness, ran her eight opponents off their feet to register her second stakes success when winning the TAB Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes
The number of entries compares favourably in quantum with recent years, with 58 first entries received in 2024, 60 in 2023, 68 in 2022, 53 in 2021, 52 in 2020, 49 in 2019, and 69 in 2018
Ironically, it was a colt which provided Alan with a first Gr1 success, this being Alec and Gillian Foster’s homebred Cereus, who landed the 2001 Gold Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville, his victory completing a momentous double on the day, with the Gr2 Golden Slipper having gone the way of juvenile filly Tatler, a great-great-great grandaughter of Sun Lass!