| MEDIA ROOM VAR PROGENY SHINE ON THE TRACKS Avontuur’s champion sire VAR and his progeny had a very good start to the month with 4 wins last week on tracks around the country. Top performer was Val de Ra, who took the R85 000 UK Soccer 4 Conditions race over 1000 m at Clairwood on the 7th. This filly, ridden on Sunday by Sean Cormack, trained by Dennis Drier and owned by Avontuur, has now had 4 wins from 4 starts!Another great performance came from Esterel, ridden by Francois Naude to a win in the R135 000 Bauhinia Handicap over 1000 m at the Vaal on Saturday. Commented Avontuur GM, Pippa Mickleburgh: “With the national sales coming up soon, it’s good news to hear that VAR’s offspring are keeping the flag flying – and Val de Ra especially seems set for great things! For more about the Avontuur yearling crop available for the sale, make sure you are invited to the viewing day on 8April at the farm! We are looking forward to seeing you!” AVONTUUR GETS LOYAL SUPPORT AT CAPE SALE After a tough Western Cape Sale last Sunday, Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh reported that she was satisfied with the results achieved in this recessionary times. “We sold all 5 horses, with top seller Mission House going for R260 000 to Mike Bass on behalf of Marsh Shitliff, who also owns Pocket Power. Mike Azzie was once again a supporter, paying R100 000 for Miravar and Dean Kannemeyer decided on purchasing Boulevard. Last, but not least trainer Spike Verena bought Golden Veil and Havana Beat,” she said.As always Avontuur is incredibly grateful to our trainers and owners, who so loyally support us every year. Next up is the National Sales in Joburg, where Avontuur will have 20 yearlings on sale. Click on Sales to find out more about them. “But before that, we are planning a viewing on the farm between Somerset West and Stellenbosch on Thursday, 8 April, which as usual will be a mix of great horse flesh, good wine and food and not-to-be missed entertainment. Watch out for your invitations!” Pippa concluded. AVONTUUR FILLIES GUINEAS FULL OF SURPRISES! 7 December 2009 Thousands of racing fans, celebrities, families and kids and wine lovers were on hand on Saturday, 5 December at Kenilworth race course in Cape Town to see complete outsider, Field Flower, win the R750 000 Gr 1 Avontuur Fillies Guineas by a large margin in one of the most tightly contested races of the day! The filly, owned by JA Bryant and PG de Beyer, trained by Stephen Page and ridden by Gerrit Schlecter ensured jubilation for her supporters and groans of despair from the large number of punters who didn’t rate her for this race, which was dominated in the totes by favourites like Jet Trail, Townsend, Laverna and My Kazzie. ![]() The race drew interest from across the country with a large contingent traveling down to the Cape from Gauteng and KZN, but the local filly swept the boards! Further excitement was generated by Race 8 where Pocket Power once again showed his dominance against serious competitors like Big City Life, which bodes well for the rest of the sizzling summer season in the Western Cape. As usual visitors enjoyed a balmy Cape Town summer day with lots of wine for tasting, great food, décor and music and an extensive complimentary kiddies programme to ensure a relaxing day for parents. Face painting, music, free eats, organized games, jumping castles, a slippy slide and a soccer-themed game, kept kids happy and busy! According to Avontuur GM, Pippa Mickleburgh, the day was a huge success and the Estate was once again proud to be part of such a glamorous and festive event! AVONTUUR RACE DAY PROMISES FREE FUN IN THE SUN! 13 November 2009 Avontuur Estate is gearing up for the first major racing event of the Summer Season in Cape Town with the R750 000 Gr 1 Cape Fillies Guineas which takes place at Kenilworth Race Course on Saturday, 5 December from 12h00. Hundreds of beautifully dressed guests and many more casual visitors, families and kids are expected to descend on the course for the day - all to celebrate summer and racing in the Cape!
Bring the whole family along and join us on the lawns under the trees next to the parade ring where kids will enjoy hours of free fun and entertainment with jumping castles, slippy slides, games, face painting, free candy floss and much much more - all under the supervision of the experienced team from "Party Tots". The upbeat sounds of the SA Field Band Foundation's Marimba band, which has proved so popular in the past, will liven up the day. Added to the catering facilities offered by the Race Course itself, are stalls with potato chips & dips, potato's on a stick, coffee and muffins and various ice creams with toppings. Avontuur's usual free wine tastings will keep the spirits up. For a more up market experience with good food & wine in the Somerset Room and the opportunity to share in the excitement of the day, the Guest Package at only R175 pp can be booked directly with the race course. However, you can pull out all the stops and book a table for 10 or a few seats for friends in the glamorous Peninsula Room on the 4th floor at Kenilworth which is the setting for this year's VIP experience with a soccer theme! The cost of R275 pp includes panoramic views of the race course, a private bar and lounge area, Avontuur wine and a Mediterranean-styled lunch, a late afternoon selection of cakes and gourmet coffee's by coffee specialists Origin Coffee Roasters, music throughout the day and the chance to chill out with friends and colleagues after a long year's hard work.
After racing, guests are invited to join the team for an after-party for as long as you're able to keep the rhythm going! Dress in the colours or branding of your favourite soccer team - and enjoy Avontuur's hospitality. For more information on the options to join in the fun, visit Avontuur’s website at www.avontuurestate.co.za or phone Moerieda at 021 855-3450. VAR AWARDED TROPHY FOR TOP SIRE IN W CAPE 5 October 2009 The Avontuur Estate and Thoroughbred Farm celebrated another win for top-notch sire, VAR, after he won the trophy for Champion Freshman Sire at the Western Cape Racing and Breeding awards last night.
AVONTUUR ANNOUNCES INCREASED SPONSORSHIP FOR 2009 FILLIES GUINEAS 7 September 2009
“The race is one of the most important on the calendar,” said Mickleburgh. “Through this increase in sponsorship we certainly hope to attract a bigger and better quality field this year, especially from up-country, so that the race gets the recognition it deserves. Not that we have had poor quality winners in the past. This will be our fourth year of sponsorship and in the first year the race was won by Sun Classique, followed by Captain’s Lover and last year Sparkling Gem.”“We put a great deal of effort into our race day, and by doing so we look after our customers and also raise the image of and promote the Avontuur wine and breeding brand. Once again this year’s event will offer lots of free fun in the sun for kiddies and families, we’ll showcase beautiful people in beautiful outfits and we hope to add even more live music to the mix,”, she said Avontuur currently stands one of the hottest freshman stallions on the block, the son of Forest Wildcat, Var, who has had an exceptional first season. The Estate regularly produces prize-winning wines which are available for tasting and for sale from the cosy tasting room and the Estate Restaurant which is open daily, has a popular following in the winelands amongst foreign visitors and locals alike. “We would not have been able to increase the stake without this additional sponsorship from Avontuur. This indicates Avontuur’s commitment to thoroughbred horseracing, and we are proud to be associated with such a prestigious and successful brand,” said Gold Circle’s Chief Operating Officer, Graeme Hawkins. AVONTUUR-SPONSORED JOCKEY SHINES AT JULY The Avontuur team would like to congratulate Greg Cheyne for a spectacular performance at the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday, 4 July in Durban. Not only did he ride Cape Town horse, Big City Life to a spectacular win against a champion and the favourite for the race, Pocket Power, but also went on the win the Gr 1 Garden Province Stakes on Lady Windermere, both for trainer Glen Kotzen.Although not wearing Avontuur branding in these races, Greg made us proud to be associated with him and his incredible day of victories! We are sad about “losing” him to Hong Kong racing later in the year, but will always cherish the months working with him, on the racing and wine sides of the business. Good luck for the rest of your time in South Africa, Greg! And best wishes for you and your family’s new life in the far east. VAR PROGENY WIN OVER LONGER DISTANCE 20 June 2009 Two VAR progeny proved their liking for the 1300m at Greyville on Friday evening with speed queen Val de Ra beating her counterparts very easily and the highly rated colt, August Rush, pulverising his rivals over the same distance.
Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh is elated with the news. “ This should now finally put the rest the choir of sceptics about the VAR’s not able to win over a longer distance” she said. “I am very proud of them both and VAR is now firmly established as the boom sire of the year. His 2009 stud fee was announced at R60 000 last week and his book is closed and full at 110 mares. During the annual charity auction held in Robertson on the Friday night, a service to him for 2009 was auctioned off for a very healthy R90 000 to Highlands Farms. All in all, a good night for Avontuur and VAR.” The next exciting outing for the Avontuur team is the Gr 1 race on July day, where August Rush is expected to outperform the rest of the field again. VAR SIRES HIS FIRST GROUP 1 WINNER 31 May 2009 It was celebration time all around for the Avontuur team at Scottsville yesterday when son of VAR, Villandry silenced all his detractors with a stunning win over 1200 metres in the Gr 1 Gold Reef Resorts Medallion. The two year old gelding by VAR out of Amazon Lily was ridden by Felix Coetzee and trained by Vaughan Marshall. The celebrations continued when Avontuur-sponsored champion jockey, Greg Cheyne in his new Avontuur-branded gear, streaked across the line on Lady Windermere in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint over 1200 m.“We’ve had a wonderful day’s racing, with three reasons to celebrate” said Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh. “ The Villandry win ensures VAR’s place as the leading first season sire and he’s now won 4 out of 6 starts which is fantastic news! Another Avontuur-bred VAR filly, Valeta, ran a great race to end up third in a toughly contested Gr 1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship over 1200 m – and to crown it all - Greg Cheyne showed off our brand in a fantastic race on Lady Windermere earlier today. This is going to be hard to top!” VAR FILLY BREAKS RECORD ON DEBUT 22 May 2009
AVONTUUR ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP OF TOP SA JOCKEY 19 May 2009 Avontuur Estate is proud to announce their sponsorship of Champion Jockey Greg Cheyne from May 2009. When announcing the sponsorship, Avontuur General Manager, Pippa Mickleburgh said that the decision was made to further enhance Avontuur Estate’s standing in the racing fraternity locally and internationally.
Greg is enthusiastic about his involvement with the Estate and said that this would give him the opportunity to increase his profile and enable him to do even more of what he loves. “I got into racing because I love sport in general and wanted to make my living in it as a professional. Racing has given me all of that and with this sponsorship I hope to continue doing what I love and give Avontuur Estate the exposure and support the company deserves at the same time. I look forward to a successful partnership and will do everything in my power to promote the brand, both on the stud and wine side,” he said. “We are hoping that this sponsorship, will provide us an even higher profile in racing circles, especially leading up to the Avontuur Fillies Guineas which takes place on Saturday, 5 December this year,” Pippa says. “However, Greg wasn’t only chosen for his prowess on the track! He is also a serious wine lover with a higher-than-average knowledge of the fruits of the vine and will be an ambassador for that side of the business as well. When visiting the winery last week for a formal tasting of our wines, he demonstrated a passion for the product which really impressed our wine marketing consultant Cobie van Oort. Greg will be representing Avontuur at many of the winery events as he loves to talk about, taste and enjoy wine,” Pippa concluded. A FISH FINDS WATER May 17, 2009 Forest Wildcat Sprinter Var, was certainly a horse that found success where it could be least expected. A $120,000 yearling purchase by Richard O’Gorman at the Keeneland September Sales, Var initially raced in North America but was later moved from there to compete in France, where he was a top class sprinter in 2004 with a win in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (gr. I) for trainer Clive Brittain the highlight of his career. However, as good as he was as a racehorse, he looked like a fish out of water as far as a stallion prospect is concerned. A grass sprinter by an American bred son of Storm Cat wasn’t exactly what they generally look for in stallion prospects in Europe and while he was out of a mare by Zilzal, his pedigree was really better placed in North America where ironically, his turf performance (or moderate performance on dirt) precluded commercial respect in that market. It took some vision to work out where to stand Var as a stallion prospect. He was a superior racehorse with an interesting pedigree and deserved his chance but he suited no market particularly well. In stepped Robin Bruss of Northfields Bloodstock who purchased Var to stand at Avontuur Stud, Cape Town, South Africa. Robin has always placed race performance high on his criteria on indicators of potential stallion success and with a Timeform rating of 124, Var was certainly that. It also helped that he was a smashing individual to look at. With his first two-year-olds on the track in South Africa this season, Var is now proving himself a revelation at stud in South Africa! Speaking to Robin, he relayed “He is a very good stallion Byron, and has been sensationally received. I have a lifetime service right for buying the horse for Avontuur and have a 2yo colt of my own which I bred and which is with Michael Azzie, who thinks he may be as good if not better than Vacherin. He is differently bred as his dam is a daughter of Horse of the Year, July & Gold Cup (3200m) winner Devon Air and he looks like he will be a router - big, scopy horse with great action. I’m hoping he is right! The horse is named August Rush.” Avontuur Stud was owned by the late Tony Taberer, a very wealthy man, and thankfully for all concerned his children are carrying on his stud and wine estate. Robin relayed that Var was by far his favorite horse to the extent that the horse was even brought to the church for his funeral last year. All of this sadly before the merit of Var was known. Var has sired two stakes winners to date in the shape of Vacherin and Villandry. Vacherin is out of the Golden Thatch mare Golden Treat (an inbreeding to the Thong family) and is starting to make good on his promise of being one of the top speedsters of his generation. Bred by Avontuur’s Pippa Mickleburgh and trained by Mike Azzie he won his first race by 10 lengths in 56 sec (New Course Record) and then won South African Nursery Plate (gr. II) in a canter. Villandry, out of a mare by Complete Warrior, is also a very speedy customer who won the Kenilworth Summer Juvenile Stakes (L) and then the Clairwood Godolphin Barb S (gr. III) both over short distances. Avontuur General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh has a lot to look forward to with Var, who has a lock on the first season sires Championship for South Africa and looks to challenge for the two-year-old title also. Var is leading the freshman sires table with 13 individual winners and is chasing the current champion sire of two year olds, Captain Al for this year’s championship A fish out of water has certainly found a worthy home. VACHERIN GAINS MORE ACCOLADES 8 May 2009
ANOTHER GROUP WINNER FOR VAR! 27 April 2009 Vacherin by VAR out of Golden Treat is starting to make good on his promise of being one of the top speedsters of his generation with another win in The Nursery Group 2 over 1160 m at Turffontein on Saturday. Bred by Avontuur’s Pippa Mickleburgh, trained by Mike Azzie and ridden by Anton Marcus, he is unbeaten and adds to the hype surrounding VAR’s first crop which now has had 3 feature winners. VAR is leading the freshman sires table with 13 individual winners and is chasing the current champion sire of two year olds, Captain Al for this year’s championship. “Other exciting news from Turffontein on the same day is that Esterel ran a good fourth in the fillies equivalent The Nursery 1160m. We’re now looking forward to early May where two VAR’s, the top two year old Villandry and the talented Valiant – both bred at Avontuur - will participate in the Umkhomazi Stakes Group 3 over 1200m at Scottsville race course. On the same day in The Debutante Stakes over 1200, VAR has three exciting fillies, Enchanted, Bedouin and Lamorna in the running, for whom we will be cheering,” says Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh. AVONTUUR HOLDS ITS OWN AT TOUGH SALE 7 April 2009 Avontuur Estate held its own at a very tough 2009 Yearling Sale in Johannesburg with 20 yearlings sold from 21 brought up to the Rand from the Western-cape based Stud. “Sales were down 21% but South Africa didn’t do too badly compared with other sales globally. However, it was a tough one and I can only thank everyone who supported us so generously,” says Avontuur GM, Pippa Mickleburgh.
VAR PROGENY NOTCHES UP ANOTHER WIN 3 April 2009 A spectacular victory of more than 10 lengths in the Racing Express Juvenile Plate over 1000 m at the Vaal on 2 April for another one of Avontuur champion Sire VAR’s progeny Vacherin, was the cherry on top for a very proud Avontuur team at the Yearling Sales in Johannesburg. “I managed to slip away for a few hours to attend the event at the Vaal race track. He ran an absolutely stunning race and did it in only 56 seconds! This is a tribute to my late friend and mentor, Tony Taberer’s foresight as he made the decision to purchase VAR and breed speed champions in South Africa.” says GM Pippa Mickleburgh Pippa welcomes visitors and interested buyers to the Avontuur pavilion at the TBA venue in Gosforth Park and has 8 VAR-sired yearlings available for viewing as well as 16 other equally exciting yearlings from the Estate in the Western Cape. “After this fantastic week on the tracks, we can’t wait for the Sale to start tonight and look forward to a profitable and successful weekend,” she says. SON OF VAR ONCE AGAIN PROVES HIS WORTH 1 April 2009 Villandry, the already black type listed son of VAR, once again proved his worth at Clairwood on Wednesday, 1 April by romping home in the Godolphin Barb Stakes Gr 3 over 1000 m against a stiff field. “It was an exciting and nail-biting race to watch but as he extended towards the finish, smashing the opposition whilst carrying a burden of 58 kg’s, I knew we had a winner on hand! This win once again shows his mettle, and that of other VAR progeny like Lochlorien, who won earlier this week at the Vaal,” say Avontuur GM, Pippa Mickleburgh. Commentators have heaped praise on this sprinter who, after 4 starts and 3 wins, is already called the foremost juvenile of his year. Pippa and her team are currently at the Avontuur pavilion at the national yearling sales with twenty-one magnificent yearlings, of which eight are by champion sire VAR. “Today, we’re cheering on another VAR juvenile, Vacharin, who is the favourite to win at the Vaal. And then it’s back to the Sale, for the last few days. We would like to invite all interested buyers to visit us to view the fantastic group of VAR – and other – yearlings on offer,” Pippa says. AVONTUUR’S VAR TOP SIRE AT GRANDWEST SALE 17 February 2009 The recent yearling sales at Grandwest in Cape Town was a tour de force for Avontuur Estate’s stallion VAR, when sales of his progeny ensured the farm ended up 2nd on the vendor’s list with him the top sire on aggregate for the two day event. GM Pippa Mickleburgh said that his yearlings were well received, in part due to the excellent results now being produced by some of last year’s crop. “One of the stars in this regard is Villandry who won two races in a row at Kenilworth in January and there’s more good news happening every week on race tracks around the country. VAR ended up leading the sire’s list with his second crop on sale at public auction with Eversoeasy going to Zaki Racing Stable for R425 000 and Variety Show being sold for R225 000.
Avontuur Thoroughbred farm has a great group of yearlings on their way soon to the National Sale in Johannesburg and Pippa would like to invite all interested parties to visit the Avontuur pavilion at C Block to view these from 20 March onwards. For more information, have a look at the website at www.avontuurestate.co.za from 10 March, where the yearlings for the National Sale will be on display.
VAR COLT LANDS FIRST JUVENILE FEATURE OF THE SEASON 31 January 2009 Villandry, by VAR(USA) out of Amazon Lily, ridden by Felix Coetzee and trained by Vaughan Marshall made it a double on Saturday, 31 January by winning the R125 000 Lexus Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1000 m at Kenilworth in Cape Town. The colt also won the Betting World Maiden Juvenile Plate at the same course last Saturday. Commented Avontuur Estate GM, Pippa Mickleburgh, where he was born in 2006; “He ran beautifully and won easily and this win surely puts VAR in front of the first season sire’s list! We are very proud to see this result and look forward to many more of VAR’s progeny making waves on the world’s race tracks in future.” ANOTHER WIN FOR VAR PROGENY 26 January 2009 Vilandry by VAR (USA) out of Amazon Lily, ridden by Felix Coetzee, trained by Vaughn Marshall, won by six lengths in the Betting World Maiden Juvenile Plate at Kenilworth on Saturday, 24 January. The colt was born at Avontuur Estate in 2006 from resident stallion, VAR. Avontuur Estate GM, Pippa Mickleburgh, said that this was part of a positive pattern of results starting to emerge from races where VAR’s first progeny are participating. “We have 3 VAR yearlings on sale at Grandwest on 8 February 2009 with more earmarked for the national sales in April and we invite all interested buyers and trainers to pop in for a look,” she said. NEWS ARCHIVE: For all queries, contact Pippa Mickleburgh at +27 (021)855-1442 or stud@avontuurestate.co.za |
|||||||||||||||