The horse racing year of 2011 was dominated by the progeny of the great sire, Galileo. Responsible for the British superstar, Galileo was also the sire of Igugu, South Africa’s Horse of the Year for the 2010-2011 season. It was a turbulent year, with many ups and downs both on and off the turf.
The first big race meeting of 2011 was L’Ormarins Queens Plate day at Kenilworth. With the course resplendent in blue and white, people gathered to see an epic clash of champions past and present. Ebony Flyer, part owned by the sponsor, was bidding to become the first 3yo filly to win the country’s top one mile event, while the much loved Pocket Power was bidding to become the first horse ever to win the event five times. Opposing both was the champion mare, Mother Russia, representing champion trainer Mike de Kock. In the end, Mother Russia proved far too strong for her rivals, drawing off for a comfortable win. Ebony Flyer ran a cracker back in third, while Pocket’s age had seemed to catch up with him, and he could only manage fourth place.
The Cape Premier Yearling Sale was conducted for the first time. The first major sale ever held in the centre of a major city, the yearling sale attracted plenty of media attention. While critics feel that not enough had been done to attract new buyers, the sale still proved a major hit. It was dominated by the progeny of champion sire, Jet Master. The latter had two colts top the sale at R2.5 million apiece.
The Cape’s biggest race, the J&B Met, was run, as always, at the end of January. Queen’s Plate winner, Mother Russia, was always favourite for the race, ahead of Run For It and Tales of Bravery. However the mare was caught out in a slow run race, which suited the eventual winner, Past Master. Owner, Hassan Adams, was emotional after the race, which saw him become the first man of colour to lead in a Met winner.
The same day saw Pocket Power run his last race. A true champion, Pocket was given a chance to gallop past many his many fans who cheered the horse. A four times winner of the Queen’s Plate, Pocket Power was Horse of the Year on three occasions. He was truly the people’s champion.
With the season moving to Gauteng, champion trainer, Mike de Kock, dominated Guineas day. He saddled the winners of both the Gauteng Guineas (Link Man) and Fillies Guineas (Igugu). The latter dominated the season, becoming the first filly ever to win South Africa’s Triple Tiara, winning both the SA Fillies Classic and SA Oaks with contemptuous ease.
In March, the wonderful stallion Al Mufti died. He was 26 and was pensioned from stud duty. Runner up in the July to Flaming Rock, Al Mufti was a previous champion sire whose sons and daughters proved to be outstanding at stud. Damsire of the likes of Jay Peg, Divine Jury and O Caesour, Al Mufti’s sire sons included leading sires Captain Al, Victory Moon and The Sheik.
The same month saw the passing of stallion legend, Sadler’s Wells. A top-class racehorse, Sadler’s Wells headed the UK sires list on 14 occasions. A great sire, Sadler’s Wells is the sire of champion sires Galileo, Montjeu, El Prado, Fort Wood and In The Wings. He is also a phenomenal broodmare sire of such horses as Henrythenavigator, Conduit and Workforce.
South Africa’s National Yearling Sale was held in April. It was topped by lot 196, a Jet Master filly consigned by Varsfontein. Named Heart’s Content it was purchased by Anthony Peter for R3.2 million. Four of the top lots at that sale were by the great stallion Jet Master.
The Dubai World Cup proved a triumph for Japan, a country who had been thrown in turmoil after suffering from a devastating tsunami. Both the winner, Victoire Pisa, and runner up, Transcend, hail from the land of the rising sun. The two Japanese runners fought out the finish, with the Godolphin representative, Monterosso, back in third place.
The same night, saw South Africa’s champion sprinter, J J The Jet Plane, bounce back to best with a game win in the Al Quoz Sprint. Disappointing on his Dubai seasonal debut, J J stormed home to win the Grade two race by a head over the former SA based runner (but Australian bred), War Artist. Sadly, J J The Jet Plane injured himself while working out in Dubai, and was sent home for an indefinite spell on the sidelines.
On the same card, the remarkable mare, River Jetez, defied her age to put up a cracking run in the G1 Dubai Duty Free. The 7yo looks a winner under Bernard Fayd’ Herbe only to be out run late by proven international G1 performer Presvis. River Jetez continues to run well throughout the year, finishing second in the G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup and third in the G1 Beverly D Stakes. The mare remains in training for 2012.
Meanwhile, in Britain, the unbeaten Frankel lines up in the G3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury, on his 3yo debut. The Sir Henry Cecil trained colt pulverizes subsequent G1 winner Excelebration to win by four lengths. Frankel goes on to win every race he competes in, flooring the opposition in all of the 2000 Guineas, Sussex Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. A poor ride from regular jockey, Tom Queally, allows the opposition to get close to the superstar in the St James Palace Stakes.
The Investec Derby was won by Pour Moi, while in Kentucky, Team Valor’s Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby. While Animal Kingdom ran twice more (finishing second in the Preakness Stakes), Pour Moi broke down after the race and was retired to Coolmore.
South Africa’s Vodacom Durban July proved a memorable race, but in the worst way imaginable. While brilliant filly Igugu proved herself as a true champion, former winner Big City Life broke down and had to euthanized – a horrendous reminder of the toll that racing can extract. Igugu was later named Equus Horse of the Year and remains in training in South Africa.
On a more cheerful note, there were a number of classy local juveniles seen out this year. Delago Deluxe enjoyed an unbeaten season at two, when his wins included both The Nursery and G1 Gold Medallion, while Princess Victoria stamped herself as heads and shoulders above the other fillies of her generation. “The Princess” would go on to taste classic glory when she won the Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas.
One of the greatest setbacks to the South African industry came in November, when legendary racehorse and sire Jet Master died. He had been diagnosed with West Nile virus earlier this year and was 18 years old at the time of his death. Horse of the Year on the racetrack, Jet Master had wracked up five consecutive sires titles at the time of his death. His progeny included Pocket Power, J J The Jet Plane, River Jetez and Ebony Flyer.
The Breeders Cup produced a number of stunning results with longshots capturing both the Classic and Mile, as well as a number of other races over the two day meeting. The great mare Goldikova (looking for her fourth consecutive win in the Mile) could only finish third to 64-1 outsider Court Vision in the race. It was a great meeting for top US trainer Bill Mott who won both the Classic (with Drosselmeyer) and Ladies Classic (Royal Delta).
Dunaden and Red Cadeaux fought out a thrilling finish to Australia’s greatest race, the Melbourne Cup. The French trained Dunaden prevailed by a nose. The unfashionably bred gelding later went onto lift the Hong Kong Vase – becoming the first Melbourne Cup winner to do that particular double.
