INAUGURAL FILLIES GUINEAS A HUGE SUCCESS
(15 December 2006)
The inaugural Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas on 2 December was a huge success with a brilliant win in record time for the favourite, Sun Classique, ridden by Jeff Lloyd and trained by Mike Bass. Owners, Mr & Mrs Rippen and Mr & Mrs Cohen were over the moon and everyone celebrated with them. Lindy Taberer handed over prizes to everyone
involved, including a stunning sculptured bust of VAR to the owners.
Invited guests, owners, trainers and Gold Circle members enjoyed Avontuur's hospitality to the full. Charity organisation, FARR (The Foundation for Alcohol Related Research) benefitted from the luck of the tote as well as the generosity of the guests.
All in all, it was a sunny, superb day - full of excitement on and off the track.
FINAL FIELDS KENILWORTH
Saturday 02 December 2006
Couplings: (2,10,14,16) (6,12)
No. of Trainers: 12
OWNERSHIPS
KENILWORTH - SATURDAY 02 DECEMBER 2006
Race# 7
AVONTUUR CAPE FILLIES GUINEAS DRAW COMPLETE
(25 November 2006)
The Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas Gr 1 takes place at Kenilworth Race Course in Cape Town on Saturday, 2 December. With prize monies of R500 000, this is the most important race for Fillies in South Africa and the quality of horses entered for the draw at Kenilworth on Tuesday, 4 November proves the huge interest generated by the event. About 100 invited guests comprised of owners, trainers, jockeys, media and the racing fraternity listened to Tony Taberer of Avontuur wish them well for this exciting event. Then one of Avontuur's own "fillies", wine maker Adel van der Merwe wowed the crowd with a professional exhibition of "sabrage" which was the official and very dramatic draw method chosen by the Estate!
After 36 bottles of Avontuur Brut had given up their "secret" number on the cork and Lindy Taberer had ensured that the numbers were applied to the draw board, guests made short work of the bubbly and snacks!
The draw results are:
CORKS POP AT FILLIES GUINEAS DRAW
(23 October 2006)
Celebrations are in order at Avontuur Estate’s draw for the Grade 1 Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth Race Course on Tuesday, 14 November when the Estate’s limited-release Sparkling Wine will be used in a unique way to draw the positions for the R500 000 race on 2 December 2006.
Avontuur Estate from Somerset West, have invited participants, trainers, owners, interested parties and the media to attend the event which will take place in the parade ring from 11h00.
“After the launch which took place at the Estate, the Draw is the next step in the build-up to this hugely exciting new day on the Western Cape Racing Calender,” says Pippa Mickleburgh, Avontuur’s GM.
After the draw, guests will mingle under the Oak trees and enjoy Avontuur’s Methode Champenoise Brut and exotic snacks to celebrate the event. Check out the media for the draw results.
AVONTUUR ESTATE SPONSORS FILLIES GUINEAS
(10 August 2006)
To enhance the event and underline Avontuur’s commitment to bettering the quality of life of the community it operates in, it was decided to raise funds to support the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) which aims to eradicate alcohol fetal syndrome in the Western Cape and South Africa in general.
Professor Denis Viljoen, CEO of FARR discussed this scourge and the foundation’s projects in the Western and Northern Cape, which are wholly dependent on fundraising efforts.
“South Africa has the highest known incidence of Alcohol Fetal Syndrome in the world, but thanks to FARR’s research and support from local and international donors and the government, we are starting to make inroads into understanding the causes of the disease. Eventually our objective is to eradicate it completely as well as assist those born with it”, he said.
Avontuur has called on some of South Africa’s top “fillies” in the racing and wine industries to support them as Charity Ambassadors in raising funds for this worthy cause. Led by Lindy Taberer and Adel van der Merwe of Avontuur Estate, the ladies will ensure that FARR will benefit from a healthy cash injection after the Fillies Guineas race in December. The additional Charity ambassadors are Lita Futeran of Gold Circle Racing, Kiki Miedema (Editor of The Sporting Post), Veronica Foulkes(Chairman of the Western Cape Breeders Club), Caroline Simpson (Marketing Manager: Thoroughbred Breeders Association), Nina le Roux (CEO: Stellenbosch Wine Routes), Katinka van Niekerk (Food & Wine pairing expert), Christine Rudman (Cape Wine Master), Caroline Rillema (Owner: Caroline’s Fine Wines, Cape Town)
20-year-old Dominion Royale makes his mark in a big way
By CHARL PRETORIUS
THE progeny of Avontuur Farm's 20-year-old stallion Dominion Royale are setting tracks alight around the country.
Dominion Royale sired I'm Like Hello and Royal Charm, the winners of the two Grade 3 features at Durbanville last week, while Inner Peace was another of his foals to win on the day. Over the weekend, five more Dominion Royale progeny showed their rivals a clean pair of heels. Sacrosant won Race 3 over 1900m at Greyville last Friday and Jamaican Royale (1000m), Dominion Warrior (1800m) and Di Caprio (1400m) were successful at Kenilworth on Saturday. Meanwhile, Brentwood upset favourite Russian Duke in Race 6 over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday.
``Dominion Royale is earning some respect at last,'' Avontuur Stud manager Pippa Mickleburgh told Racing Express yesterday. ``He may be old, but he's not cold. He's the hero of Avontuur and we're pampering him.''
Dominion Royale has a full book of 55 mares for this season and Mickleburgh said: ``He's been a tremendous stallion for us, although he was under-rated for many years by the breeding industry. When he arrived year eight years ago we had to plead for mares, but now it's easier. He stands at a fee of R12 000, which is lot less than many stallions with much higher fees who finished below him on the stallions' log last season.''
She added: ``Dominion Royale has a 95% fertility rate - he's a one-jump stallion, so to speak, and he produces strong, sound horses who win from 1000m up to 2200m. He's produced the likes of Domino Man, Royal Deed and Zolaroyale and we're hoping he can add more Grade 1 winners to his list before his days are over.''
Dominion Royale is from the rare Derring Do line out of Sharpen Up mare. This, according to Mickelburgh, has been a good and much-needed nick to mares from a variety of bloodlines in South Africa.
She said: ``The previous Derring Do stallions were the dominant Jan Ekels, who sadly died after only two seasons at stud, and Roland Gardens, who produced many top horses including Roland's Song.''
Dominion Royale was required from a breeder in Ireland and is owned by a syndicate that Mickleburgh said ''has made its money back a few times, never having to pay in''.
Another stallion having a tremendous run is Lammerskraal's well-travelled hero Rakeen, who produced four weekend winners. We've sung his praises before and he continues to produce winners at all levels of racing.
The Rakeen winners at Turffontein at the weekend were Row To Russia (Saturday) and Bright Future, Miletus and Avion (yesterday).
Judged by the way they won, the foursome will all earn a few more winning cheques before the season is over.
Paddy Kruyer trains Row To Russia and Avion, two lightly raced foals who will be coming into their own as they mature. Both have only had a handful of outings, but have quickly found their feet over long distances and are set to capitalise on the lack of depth currently prevalent in marathon events.
Bright Future is owned by a syndicate comprising of former National Horseracing Authority chairman Alick Costa, Vincent Faris, Bernard Kantor, David Kuper and Norman Sanan. He shed his maiden tag with a good win in Race 2 over 1160m at only the second time of asking and should be watched over 1400m an up.
Bright Future is the first foal of Wolf Power's multiple-winning daughter Wild Wolverine and was picked up for R150 000 at last year's National Yearling Sale. Trainer Ormond Ferraris said: ``He's a small horse, but he's got a beautiful action and I'm hoping he can go on from here.''
Trainer Mike de Kock was worried that the form of Miletus' last win in KwaZulu-Natal would not stand up, but the four-year-old rose to the occasion with a fluent win in Race 6 over 2000m. He's won four of 14 starts for Bernard Kantor and Larry Nestadt and this smart-looking half-brother to champion sprinter Al Nitak has the pedigree and conformation to play a role in minor features this summer.
NEWS ARCHIVE:
(15 December 2006)
The inaugural Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas on 2 December was a huge success with a brilliant win in record time for the favourite, Sun Classique, ridden by Jeff Lloyd and trained by Mike Bass. Owners, Mr & Mrs Rippen and Mr & Mrs Cohen were over the moon and everyone celebrated with them. Lindy Taberer handed over prizes to everyone involved, including a stunning sculptured bust of VAR to the owners. Invited guests, owners, trainers and Gold Circle members enjoyed Avontuur's hospitality to the full. Charity organisation, FARR (The Foundation for Alcohol Related Research) benefitted from the luck of the tote as well as the generosity of the guests.
All in all, it was a sunny, superb day - full of excitement on and off the track.
 |
FINAL FIELDS KENILWORTH
Saturday 02 December 2006
| Sc# | Horse | Mass | MR | Draw | B | A | T | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | ASYLUM SEEKER | 57.0 | 101 (89) | 9 | A | G Hatt | Roy Magner | ||
| 2 | SUN CLASSIQUE | 57.0 | 101 (89) | 13 | A | J Lloyd | Mike Bass | ||
| 3 | ORACLE NEWS | 57.0 | 96 (84) | 5 | B | A | A Fortune | P V Lafferty | |
| 4 | OUR GIRL | 57.0 | 94 (82) | 12 | A | G Schlechter | Andries Steyn | ||
| 5 | LANTANA | 57.0 | 93 (81) | 16 | A | K Neisius | Eric Sands | ||
| 6 | PRINCESS ASHARAF | 57.0 | 93 (81) | 15 | A | B Morgenrood | Joey Ramsden | ||
| 7 | MILLSIDE | 57.0 | 91 (79) | 10 | A | G Cheyne | Justin Snaith | ||
| 8 | FESTIVE OCCASION | 57.0 | 89 (77) | 7 | A | M Khan | Geoff Woodruff | ||
| 9 | LAN AIR CEL | 57.0 | 89 (77) | 11 | A | *K Latham | Mike de Kock | ||
| 10 | SECURE | 57.0 | 85 (73) | 14 | A | G Behr | Mike Bass | ||
| 11 | NOBLE HARRIET | 57.0 | 84 (72) | 4 | A | *R Fourie | Basil Marcus | ||
| 12 | COMPETITOR | 57.0 | 83 (71) | 1 | A | S Randolph | Joey Ramsden | ||
| 13 | HOT RECEPTION | 57.0 | 83 (71) | 3 | A | K Shea | H J Brown | ||
| 14 | MYST | 57.0 | 83 (71) | 2 | A | F Anthony | Mike Bass | ||
| 15 | LA BELLA DONNA | 57.0 | 82 (70) | 6 | A | S Cormack | Ricky Maingard | ||
| 15 | MIA ELISE | 57.0 | 81 (69) | 8 | A | T Langdon | Mike Bass |
No. of Trainers: 12
OWNERSHIPS
KENILWORTH - SATURDAY 02 DECEMBER 2006
Race# 7
| ASYLUM SEEKER 3 b F Count Dubois (GB) - Running North by Northfields (USA) Mr and Mrs E Prinsloo and Messrs B L Welch and John Wright Oyster grey, claret collar, cuffs and cap Roy Magner (Wilgerbosdrift) |
| COMPETITOR 3 b F Tara's Halls (SNL) - Sportingly by Sportsworld (USA) Messrs R C Knuppe and K Miedema Red, white sash, sleeves and cap Joey Ramsden (Mr R C Knuppe) |
| FESTIVE OCCASION 3 b F Casey Tibbs (IRE) - Noble Feast by Al Mufti (USA) Mr M De Broglio Royal blue, gold braces, royal blue sleeves, gold seams, striped cap Geoff Woodruff (Milkwood Stud (Nom:Mrs N D Robertson) |
| HOT RECEPTION 3 b F Muhtafal (USA) - Triple Tempo by Northern Guest (USA) Messrs R Plersch, R Thorpe, R B Zeeman and Summerhill Stud Syndicate (Nom: Mr M J B Goss) White, royal blue and white striped sleeves, royal blue cap H J Brown (Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd) |
| LA BELLA DONNA (BRZ) 3 b F Trempolino (USA) - Winner's Road (USA) by Cahill Road (USA) Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs M Slack) Black, scarlet cap Ricky Maingard (Haras Old Friends) |
| LAN AIR CEL (AUS) 3 b F Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) - Wooly (USA) by Red Ransom (USA) Mrs B D Oppenheimer Black, yellow sash, sleeves and cap Mike de Kock (Perrin Legal (Pty) Ltd Qld) |
| LANTANA 3 b F Model Man - Jessica's Melody (AUS) by Carry A Smile (AUS) Messrs A E Sands and L I Cohen Red and black hoops, white sleeves, red cuffs, red and black quartered cap Eric Sands (D Cohen & Sons (Pty) Ltd) |
| MIA ELISE 3 b F Counter Action - Magic Glow by Proclaim (USA) Messrs B Riley, R Moore and Mrs G Heyns Royal blue and white quartered, royal blue sleeves, white chevrons, royal blue cap, white peak Mike Bass (D Cohen & Sons (Pty) Ltd) |
| MILLSIDE 3 b F Casey Tibbs (IRE) - Mystery Magic by Complete Warrior (USA) Dr Dave and Mrs Sue Whitelaw and Messrs Chris Snaith and K P Truter Royal blue, light blue hoop, sleeves and cap Justin Snaith (High Season Stud) |
| MYST 3 b F Model Man - That's Wonderful by Elevation Mrs M P Notley and Messrs M W Bass and N M Shirtliff Blue, white band of diamonds, pink sleeves, white cuffs, pink cap, blue peak Mike Bass (D Cohen & Sons (Pty) Ltd) |
| NOBLE HARRIET 3 ch F Noble Thatch - Harry's Edge by Harry Hotspur Mr E A Braun Royal blue, emerald green, red and white quartered, emerald green sleeves and cap Basil Marcus (Mr W J Engelbrecht (Jnr)) |
| ORACLE NEWS 3 ch F London News - Full Spectrum by National Emblem Messrs P D Chivers, M J Courtney, Michael van Schoor and P H Willcocks Light blue, red star and sleeves, light blue cap P V Lafferty (Yellow Star Stud) |
| OUR GIRL 3 b F Alami (USA) - Home Town Girl by Home Guard (USA) Messrs C N Yiannakis and S Pastellides White, blue 'y', blue collar, cuffs and cap Andries Steyn (Mr C N Yiannakis) |
| PRINCESS ASHARAF 3 b F Tara's Halls (SNL) - Rose Of Persia (AUS) by Persian Heights (GB) Messrs R C Knuppe, A J F Duncan, P A Pearson and Arc En Ciel (Nom: Mr P Pfeiffer) Red, white sash, sleeves and cap Joey Ramsden (Mr R C Knuppe) |
| SECURE 3 ch F Goldkeeper (USA) - Haven by Buck's Bid (USA) Mr and Mrs G J Armitage Red, black cap Mike Bass (Mr G J Armitage) |
| SUN CLASSIQUE (AUS) 3 ch F Fuji Kiseki (JPN) - Elfenjer (AUS) by Last Tycoon (IRE) Mr L I Cohen and Ms W A J Rippon Brown, white braces and sleeves, quartered cap Mike Bass (Mr L Cohen NSW) |
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AVONTUUR CAPE FILLIES GUINEAS DRAW COMPLETE
(25 November 2006)
The Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas Gr 1 takes place at Kenilworth Race Course in Cape Town on Saturday, 2 December. With prize monies of R500 000, this is the most important race for Fillies in South Africa and the quality of horses entered for the draw at Kenilworth on Tuesday, 4 November proves the huge interest generated by the event. About 100 invited guests comprised of owners, trainers, jockeys, media and the racing fraternity listened to Tony Taberer of Avontuur wish them well for this exciting event. Then one of Avontuur's own "fillies", wine maker Adel van der Merwe wowed the crowd with a professional exhibition of "sabrage" which was the official and very dramatic draw method chosen by the Estate!After 36 bottles of Avontuur Brut had given up their "secret" number on the cork and Lindy Taberer had ensured that the numbers were applied to the draw board, guests made short work of the bubbly and snacks!
The draw results are:
| DRAW | HORSE | AGE/SEX | KG | MR | TRAINER | |
| 17 | ANGEL FLIGHT | (3F) | 57 | 91 | Sean Tarry | |
| 11 | ASYLUM SEEKER | (3F) | 57 | 101 | Roy Magner | |
| 5 | BLANCHEFLEUR | (3F) | 57 | 74 | Mike Bass | |
| 36 | CANADIAN SUNSET | (3F) | 57 | 83 | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 1 | COMPETITOR | (3F) | 57 | 83 | Joey Ramsden | |
| 30 | COUNTRY COMFORT | (3F) | 57 | 81 | Dean Maroun | |
| 19 | ETHEREAL LADY | (3F) | 57 | 92 | Sean Tarry | |
| 9 | FESTIVE OCCASION | (3F) | 57 | 89 | Geoff Woodruff | |
| 27 | FLYMETOTHESTARS | (3F) | 57 | 75 | Neil Bruss | |
| 3 | HOT RECEPTION | (3F) | 57 | 83 | Herman Brown | |
| 13 | JABULANI JIVE | (3F) | 57 | 80 | Justin Snaith | |
| 14 | JALANTRA | (3F) | 57 | 81 | Justin Snaith | |
| 8 | LA BELLA DONNA (BR) | (3F) | 57 | 77 | Ricky Maingard | |
| 16 | LAN AIR CEL (AUS) | (3F) | 57 | 89 | Mike de Kock | |
| 34 | LANTANA | (3F) | 57 | 93 | Eric Sands | |
| 10 | MIA ELISE | (3F) | 57 | 81 | Mike Bass | |
| 15 | MILLSIDE | (3F) | 57 | 91 | Justin Snaith | |
| 25 | MORNING RAIN | (3F) | 57 | 82 | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 2 | MYST | (3F) | 57 | 83 | Mike Bass | |
| 4 | NOBLE HARRIET | (3F) | 57 | 84 | Basil Marcus | |
| 7 | ORACLE NEWS | (3F) | 57 | 96 | Paul Lafferty | |
| 20 | OUR GIRL | (3F) | 57 | 94 | Andries Steyn | |
| 18 | PIPATUNE | (3F) | 57 | 82 | Glen Kotzen | |
| 24 | PRIME GOLD | (3F) | 57 | 84 | Neil Bruss | |
| 32 | PRINCESS ASHARAF | (3F) | 57 | 93 | Joey Ramsden | |
| 33 | RIVER JETEZ | (3F) | 57 | 78 | Mike Bass | |
| 12 | ROCK CANDY (ARG) | (3F) | 57 | 74 | Ricky Maingard | |
| 35 | ROYAL FANTASY | (3F) | 57 | 102 | Geoff Woodruff | |
| 6 | ROYAL OBSERVER (AUS) | (3F) | 57 | 84 | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 31 | SECURE | (3F) | 57 | 85 | Mike Bass | |
| 21 | SHE'S A REBEL | (3F) | 57 | 74 | Piet Steyn | |
| 22 | SPRING LILAC | (3F) | 57 | 92 | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 28 | SUN CLASSIQUE (AUS) | (3F) | 57 | 101 | Mike Bass | |
| 29 | WHISPERING JET | (3F) | 57 | 76 | Basil Marcus | |
| 26 | WINTER ADE | (3F) | 57 | 0 | Dean Maroun | |
| 23 | WOODLAND CITY | (3F) | 57 | 81 | Geoff Woodruff |
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CORKS POP AT FILLIES GUINEAS DRAW
(23 October 2006)
Celebrations are in order at Avontuur Estate’s draw for the Grade 1 Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth Race Course on Tuesday, 14 November when the Estate’s limited-release Sparkling Wine will be used in a unique way to draw the positions for the R500 000 race on 2 December 2006.
Avontuur Estate from Somerset West, have invited participants, trainers, owners, interested parties and the media to attend the event which will take place in the parade ring from 11h00.
“After the launch which took place at the Estate, the Draw is the next step in the build-up to this hugely exciting new day on the Western Cape Racing Calender,” says Pippa Mickleburgh, Avontuur’s GM.
After the draw, guests will mingle under the Oak trees and enjoy Avontuur’s Methode Champenoise Brut and exotic snacks to celebrate the event. Check out the media for the draw results.
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AVONTUUR ESTATE SPONSORS FILLIES GUINEAS
(10 August 2006)
| Pippa Mickleburgh of Avontuur Estate announced today that the Winery and Thoroughbred Stud farm near Somerset West will be sponsoring the R500 000 Cape Fillies Guineas Group 1 Race at Kenilworth Race Track in Cape Town on Saturday, 2 December 2006. The race, which is the first group 1 of the Cape Summer Race Season, always sees some of South Africa’s top Fillies competing. After the announcement, Lita Futeran, Board member of Gold Circle, thanked Avontuur for their commitment to South African racing and expressed the hope that the event would become a regular on the racing calender and achieve all Avontuur’s objectives. Commenting on the sponsorship, Avontuur GM, Pippa Mickleburgh said that she was very excited about it as it would mean huge exposure for the Stud and Winery to the right people. “There is a synergy between the wine and breeding parts of our business and I believe that our involvement with the Fillies Guineas will enhance the Avontuur brand in a market which is currently trading under difficult conditions” |
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Professor Denis Viljoen, CEO of FARR discussed this scourge and the foundation’s projects in the Western and Northern Cape, which are wholly dependent on fundraising efforts.
“South Africa has the highest known incidence of Alcohol Fetal Syndrome in the world, but thanks to FARR’s research and support from local and international donors and the government, we are starting to make inroads into understanding the causes of the disease. Eventually our objective is to eradicate it completely as well as assist those born with it”, he said.
Avontuur has called on some of South Africa’s top “fillies” in the racing and wine industries to support them as Charity Ambassadors in raising funds for this worthy cause. Led by Lindy Taberer and Adel van der Merwe of Avontuur Estate, the ladies will ensure that FARR will benefit from a healthy cash injection after the Fillies Guineas race in December. The additional Charity ambassadors are Lita Futeran of Gold Circle Racing, Kiki Miedema (Editor of The Sporting Post), Veronica Foulkes(Chairman of the Western Cape Breeders Club), Caroline Simpson (Marketing Manager: Thoroughbred Breeders Association), Nina le Roux (CEO: Stellenbosch Wine Routes), Katinka van Niekerk (Food & Wine pairing expert), Christine Rudman (Cape Wine Master), Caroline Rillema (Owner: Caroline’s Fine Wines, Cape Town)
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20-year-old Dominion Royale makes his mark in a big way
By CHARL PRETORIUS
THE progeny of Avontuur Farm's 20-year-old stallion Dominion Royale are setting tracks alight around the country.
Dominion Royale sired I'm Like Hello and Royal Charm, the winners of the two Grade 3 features at Durbanville last week, while Inner Peace was another of his foals to win on the day. Over the weekend, five more Dominion Royale progeny showed their rivals a clean pair of heels. Sacrosant won Race 3 over 1900m at Greyville last Friday and Jamaican Royale (1000m), Dominion Warrior (1800m) and Di Caprio (1400m) were successful at Kenilworth on Saturday. Meanwhile, Brentwood upset favourite Russian Duke in Race 6 over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday.
``Dominion Royale is earning some respect at last,'' Avontuur Stud manager Pippa Mickleburgh told Racing Express yesterday. ``He may be old, but he's not cold. He's the hero of Avontuur and we're pampering him.''
Dominion Royale has a full book of 55 mares for this season and Mickleburgh said: ``He's been a tremendous stallion for us, although he was under-rated for many years by the breeding industry. When he arrived year eight years ago we had to plead for mares, but now it's easier. He stands at a fee of R12 000, which is lot less than many stallions with much higher fees who finished below him on the stallions' log last season.''
She added: ``Dominion Royale has a 95% fertility rate - he's a one-jump stallion, so to speak, and he produces strong, sound horses who win from 1000m up to 2200m. He's produced the likes of Domino Man, Royal Deed and Zolaroyale and we're hoping he can add more Grade 1 winners to his list before his days are over.''
Dominion Royale is from the rare Derring Do line out of Sharpen Up mare. This, according to Mickelburgh, has been a good and much-needed nick to mares from a variety of bloodlines in South Africa.
She said: ``The previous Derring Do stallions were the dominant Jan Ekels, who sadly died after only two seasons at stud, and Roland Gardens, who produced many top horses including Roland's Song.''
Dominion Royale was required from a breeder in Ireland and is owned by a syndicate that Mickleburgh said ''has made its money back a few times, never having to pay in''.
Another stallion having a tremendous run is Lammerskraal's well-travelled hero Rakeen, who produced four weekend winners. We've sung his praises before and he continues to produce winners at all levels of racing.
The Rakeen winners at Turffontein at the weekend were Row To Russia (Saturday) and Bright Future, Miletus and Avion (yesterday).
Judged by the way they won, the foursome will all earn a few more winning cheques before the season is over.
Paddy Kruyer trains Row To Russia and Avion, two lightly raced foals who will be coming into their own as they mature. Both have only had a handful of outings, but have quickly found their feet over long distances and are set to capitalise on the lack of depth currently prevalent in marathon events.
Bright Future is owned by a syndicate comprising of former National Horseracing Authority chairman Alick Costa, Vincent Faris, Bernard Kantor, David Kuper and Norman Sanan. He shed his maiden tag with a good win in Race 2 over 1160m at only the second time of asking and should be watched over 1400m an up.
Bright Future is the first foal of Wolf Power's multiple-winning daughter Wild Wolverine and was picked up for R150 000 at last year's National Yearling Sale. Trainer Ormond Ferraris said: ``He's a small horse, but he's got a beautiful action and I'm hoping he can go on from here.''
Trainer Mike de Kock was worried that the form of Miletus' last win in KwaZulu-Natal would not stand up, but the four-year-old rose to the occasion with a fluent win in Race 6 over 2000m. He's won four of 14 starts for Bernard Kantor and Larry Nestadt and this smart-looking half-brother to champion sprinter Al Nitak has the pedigree and conformation to play a role in minor features this summer.
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NEWS ARCHIVE:
For all queries, contact Pippa Mickleburgh at +27 (021)855-1442 or stud@avontuurestate.co.za
