One of SA horseracing’s closely guarded secrets, the 2025 Highveld Winter Series launched with the running of the R175 000 non black-type Betway Secretariat Stakes at Turffontein on Mother’s Day.
The 3yo series continues with the Egoli Mile at Turffontein on Sunday 8 June and culminates with the running of the Gr3 Sea Cottage Stakes to be run over 1800m at Turffontein some 24 hours after the running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July down on the East Coast. A bonus of R500 000 will be paid to the connections of the horse that wins all three legs of the Highveld Winter Series
Gavin Lerena steers Choisanaada to a smart win (Pic – JC Photos)
Highveld veteran Erico Verdonese saddled Choisanaada to a good victory in a 2025 form return for the son of Querari.
The bang in-form Lerena, who grabbed 4 winners on the afternoon, guided Choisaanada (9-2) into the lead at the 300m and the gelding ran on well to beat Immediate Edge (7-1) by a length in a time of 85,30 secs for the 1400m.
Zathar (33-1) was a further 0,30 lengths back in third.
The tote favourite Royal Force (2-1) ran a dismal last some 13,70 lengths off the winner. It’s best we wait on the Stipes report for more information.
A R180 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, the winner takes his stakes tally to R261 750 with his third win and a place from 8 starts.
Bred by Shadwell Stud, the winner is a son of Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the unraced Aussie-bred daughter of Redoute’s Choice Musaanada.
Brian Jossell, who at the age of 89 is one of the staunchest owners around , races the gelding with the Lombards, who celebrated their 40th winner, and said that he was pleased that he got involved. “Erico said you buy another horse, you buy another car!” added the delighted Mr Jossel.
Erico Verdonese well and truly deserves a good horse. The veteran started out in 1978 with Richard Stranger and his tutors along the way include the likes of Syd and Alec Laird, Henry Eatwell, Stanley Ferreira, and the late Michael Roberts, to mention just a few.
