Beautifully situated beneath the Perdeberg mountains, Varsfontein Stud has sent quality thoroughbreds to market since the mid-70s, and they deliver another enticing draft of five yearlings to the Cape Premier Yearling Sale 2024.
Varsfontein delivers yet another enticing draft of yearlings. (Pic – supplied)
Varsfontein is proud not only of their reputable broodmare band but of resident stallions, Gimmethegreenlight (twice Champion Sire in SA), Master of My Fate (2nd leading sire in 2021 and also runner-up champion 3yo sire in 2023) and Erik, the Red who adds significant value to the whole operation.
The Stud always holds a high-ranking position on the SA breeder’s log with a lengthy honour roll of Graded Stakes winners.
Three of the five youngsters on offer at CPYS, powered by Tattersalls, are by their champ, Gimmethegreenlight.
The others are a Danon Platina filly (Lot 100), and a Vercingetorix colt out of Amy Johnson called Roland Garros, who sports a particularly impressive dam side.
Lot 113
Pedigree boffins are familiar with the family of Bela-Bela, Touch the Sky and Mystic Spring. Roland Garros is listed as Lot 113.
For his part, the renowned Gimmethegreenlight is the sire of 635 runners and 409 winners, including a remarkable 58 Stakes successes and eight Gr1 winners.
His most accomplished progeny includes:
- Champion two-year-old and Champion Three-year-old and Middle-Distance horse in 2019/20, Got the Greenlight,
- Aussie export Yulong Prince, who won the VRC Cantala,
- Champion sprinter Gimme a Prince,
- Amazing filly, She’s a Keeper,
- Sensational juvenile, Lucky Lad,
- Equus Champion Filly of ’23, Bless My Stars, and
- ’23 Equus Champion Two-Year-Old colt,
- And now one of the absolute best in the current three-year-old crop, Sandringham Summit.
Lot 39
Lot 39, Merryweather is a bay filly by “Gimme” ex Maleficent, a talented daughter of Judpot and producer of recent eye-catching debutant victor, Handsome Prince, who was the 2nd highest price on this sale last year.
Lot 117
Lot 117 is Randolph Hearst, a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of the Fort Wood mare, Babe Paley, a sister to Gr1 winner Athina.
Lot 80
Racegoers will recall the feisty exploits of Silvano’s Pride (by Silvano), who won six races between 1400m and 2000m, right up to a Gr1 level score in the Woolavington. Her first foal, Diamond Baron, is offered as Lot 80.
Interested parties can track the bay son of Gimmethegreenlight down in stable D8.
For further information and to co-ordinate viewings, contact Stud Manager Carl de Vos on 082 800 8490 or via email: [email protected]
- Media release by Cape Racing Sales on Tuesday 16 January 2024
