"Ex Ballydoyle Star for South Africa"

That’s how the European Bloodstock News headlined the announcement of the arrival in South Africa of GRAND CENTRAL, Sadler’s Wells regally bred and commendably performed son destined for stud duty at Summerhill this season. The Thoroughbred Daily News devoted a column to the same story.

Sadler’s WellsGRAND CENTRAL has had a tough time in quarantine, following a severe bout of travel sickness on his journey to South Africa, but the bulletin this morning suggests he’s turning the corner. No doubt he’ll be summoning all the courage and guts his pedigree suggests he has (he’s by the great Sadler’s Wells from Champion Rebecca Sharp) as he overcomes this challenge, and already we’ve been active at the Cape Broodmare Sale this week, accumulating his first book of mares.

As an indicator of the extent of our faith in this fellow, we shelled out close to R1 million for seven top prospects, headed by a R250 000 Ellidor half sister to Special Key, Thunder Key etc a winning Fort Wood mare from a sister to the legend, HORSE CHESTNUT; 5 time winner California (by Rakeen) and 5 time winner County Mayo, from the immediate family of last weekends Juvenile Group 2 hero, ROYAL TRIBUTE. And we’re far from done yet.