THERE'S A HORSE FOR EVERYONE IN THE READY TO RUN

The Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup
(Photo : Gareth Du Plessis)

“YOU CAN’T GET A GOOD MAN DOWN…”

Three months ago, Mooi River farmer, Rob Pickering picked up an unraced colt for R5,000 at a “fat stock” auction. His name is “Chip Shot” and Tuesday the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup’s selection panel gave him the green light for a place in the line-up for Saturday’s R1,5 million prize.

Hardly credible, you might argue, but Rob Pickering is a seasoned stockman, and between him and his wife Michelle, they’d know a good thing when they see it. A R100,000 buy from the Summerhill draft at last November’s Ready To Run sale, Chip Shot (Solskjaer - Civil Affair) was one of a couple of youngsters picked by one of the game’s “old master’s”, Herman Brown Snr, for English-based owner, Dr Jim Hay. A “clear-out” programme initiated by Dr Hay, resulted in Chip Shot’s consignment to the Mooi River auction, and there must’ve been any number of sceptics out there, wondering why a horse of this value should be part of a breeding stock auction, and particularly an unraced colt.

Our team was on hand, and we have to confess to a missed opportunity. He looked like a “progressor,” and Rob Pickering had the “balls” to put up his hand. Who knows, the better part of the R900,000 winner’s cheque could be in the vaults of a Mooi River bank, come Monday morning.

Editors note :

You can’t get a good man down. Herman Brown Snr’s been looking at horses for nearly 70 years now. And you’d have to say, he’s picked a few. They include; Sledgehammer, Sun Monarch, Foveros, Rock Star, Gatecrasher for size. And Chip Shot wasn’t his only pick from last year’s sale for Dr Hay. Also in Saturday’s line-up is the Way West filly, Danehill Darling, who goes to post as one of the Mike de Kock quintet.

Dates to remember :

Saturday 6 November 2010 - Raceday
Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup

Sunday 7 November 2010 - Auction Sale
Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale

For more information please visit :

www.tba.co.za
and
www.summerhill.co.za

Our Workshop Manager by Another Name

A very proud Vimba DlaminiScottsville’s meeting this afternoon was a triumph not only for trainer Ivan Moore and the Ready To Run sale, but also for one of the winners’ namesake, Vimba Dlamini, our genial Workshop Manager.

The equine version, Vimba, strode home after threatening to do so for a while now, and served as another vindication of Rob Pickering and David Makin’s decision to repatriate his sire, Makaarem, from Kenya.

Highlights of The 2007 Kenyan Yearling Sales

MakaaremThe Kenyan Yearling Sales recorded their second highest prices ever, with a Makaarem colt, sold by Rawhide Farm, achieving the top sale price of 1,050,000 KShillings. Makaarem, who was recently repatriated to Rob Pickering’s Middlefield Stud in South Africa, also had the second highest price of 800,000KShillings and averaged 480,000KShillings. Incidentally, ex-Summerhill Desert Team was the second leading sire with an average of 430,000KShillings.

Joe and Janet Mills
Joe and Janet Mills, of Rawhide Farm in Kenya, were the leading vendors, averaging 340,000KShillings. The Mills’, together with their daughter Tanya, who manages the stud, have been closely connected with Summerhill since standing both Desert Team and Makaarem on their farm for Sheikhs Maktoum and Hamdan since Kenyan racing’s centenary year, 2003.

New BarnReports from Kenya are generally very upbeat with much of their success being attributed to the assistance of the Maktoum stallions and the intervention of Gold Circle and Phumelela.

Sale RingMakaarem has since been sold back to South Africa, but Russian Revival, who is experiencing one of his best seasons and has a number of promising juveniles is now on his way to Rawhide, where he will be taking up duties in Makaarem’s place.