MUSHREQ AND AWAIT THE DAWN POST IMPRESSIVE DUBAI WINS

Click above to watch Mushreq winning the Al Fahidi Fort
(Image and Footage - Dubai Racing Meydan)

DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL
21 February 2013

Mushreq and Await The Dawn posted stunning wins on another successful Dubai World Cup Carnival night for Mike de Kock’s stable at Meydan on Thursday.

Await The Dawn put the yard on the board early, winning a handicap over 2000m on turf and Mushreq took the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort over 1600m on turf in commanding fashion from his rested stablemates Master Of Hounds (2^nd) and Musir (4^th), who both produced eye-catching comeback runs.

In both winners Mike has the fabric that serious horses are made of and he said: “Mushreq has been a revelation. He’s made the kind of rapid improvement we last saw from Lizard’s Desire here a few seasons ago before he ran his great race in the Dubai World Cup. Mushreq’s getting better and stronger every day and he’s defied his penalties. He’s just doing everything right, going the right way.”

Mushreq (Paul Hanagan) beat a talented field in the Al Fahidi Fort, giving Mike his fifth win in the race since Ipi Tombe burst onto the scene at Nad Al Sheba in 2003. The merit of Mushreq’s win will warrant a re-think of the stable’s immediate plans for him and Mike said: “After this top class performance I feel like putting him on ice and going straight into the Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night, but we’ll have to discuss the way forward with Sheikh Hamdan and Angus Gold.”

Mike was also excited about Master Of Hounds (“he surprised us”) and Musir (“showed some of his old sparkle and ran a good race”) - both are likely to hold entries in suitable races on the big night at the end of March. The pair had only been back in work in Dubai for a little while, making considerable progress.

Click above to watch Await The Dawn winning the Al Naboodah Commercial Group Trophy
(Image and Footage : Dubai Racing Meydan)

The stable’s most satisfying feat on the night, however, was Await The Dawn’s stylish success in a turf contest over 2000m. The six-year-old entire by Giant’s Causeway galloped home boldly under “Pikey” Pat Cosgrave in his second outing for his new handler.

Await The Dawn had won five of his first six starts in the UK, including the 2011 Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot, but was sidelined after injuring himself in the 2012 Dubai Duty Free.

Mike told: “Await The Dawn was what we call a ‘project’ horse. He’s suffered a multitude of problems and we got him from Coolmore as a challenge, a long-term project. I’m happy to say everything has come together for him, it was a massive team effort and I’m very proud. Await The Dawn spent two months with Fozzy Stack in Ireland. He ran around the paddock with an old hack and it did him the world of good. It’s hard to get horses of this calibre - he was rated 121 and came down to a 118 for last night’s race, but he’s a horse with serious ability, a proper thoroughbred.”

Mike said he would have a “good think” about where to go next with Await The Dawn. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for a horse he rates up there with the big guns.

Await The Dawn’s part-owner Gary Grant, watching the race from Durban, commented: “The lease from Coolmore connections was negotiated by the usual suspects, Jehan Malherbe, Mike and the ‘Hairy Doc’ (John McVeigh). Mike and the team have done wonders to get him back to good form, well done!”

Racing Post analyst Ron Wood liked what he saw from Await The Dawn and wrote on racingpost.co.uk. “He travelled strongly before striding out well for pressure and he should be competitive back in Group company.”

Extract from Mike de Kock Racing

SOFT FALLING RAIN POWERS TO UAE 2000 GUINEAS WIN

Click above to watch Soft Falling Rain winning the UAE 2000 Guineas
(Image and Footage : Dubai Racing Meydan)

UAE 2000 GUINEAS (Group 3)
Meydan, All Weather, 1600m
14 February 2013

“This is the birthday present I wanted!” said an overjoyed Mike de Kock after Soft Falling Rain had won Thursday night’s US$250,000 UAE 2000 Guineas (Group 3) at Meydan in Dubai. Stablemate Zahee finished third.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and brother His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum were on course to witness Sheikh Hamdan’s three-year-old earn a record fifth win in this race for South Africa’s globetrotting trainer.

Soft Falling Rain, winner of the 1400m trial three weeks ago, coped admirably well with the extra 200m here under the owner’s main jockey Paul Hanagan recording a first UAE 2000 Guineas win for his owner.

Champion Juvenile of 2012 in South Africa, Soft Falling Rain has now won all six career starts.

“He is a really nice horse and we will have to decide where he runs next,” said Sheikh Hamdan. “This 1600m really seems to suit him on this surface and we could stick to this trip. The UAE Derby is possible but he has a lot of speed. Wherever he runs here next we are keen to take him to England and Royal Ascot would be a possibility for him.”

Mike added: “We were a bit concerned about his stamina but he has seen it out well and we will have to think about his next race. The Godolphin Mile is a possibility. A race like the July Cup in the UK could be ideal later, but we’ll play it by ear.”

Anaerobio (2^nd), Rerouted (4^th) and Kavanagh (2^nd), also earned for the stable on the night.

Mike paid tribute to Sheikh Hamdan and described Soft Falling Rain’s win as “great for South African racing!”

Extracts from Mike de Kock Racing and Emirates Racing Authority

SOLID GAINS FOR 2013 CAPE PREMIER YEARLING SALE BOOK ONE

Click above to watch a summary of the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1
(Image and Footage : Cape Thoroughbred Sales)

CAPE PREMIER YEARLING SALE BOOK 1
Cape Town International Convention Centre
24 - 25 January 2013

The second session of the Cape Premier Yearling Sale did not quite reach the heights of the first session, but with 19 yearlings breaking the million Rand barrier, it demonstrated that there was a solid band of quality individuals on offer during the sale.

The final aggregate of the sale was just under the R100 million mark, coming in at R98,510,000, while the average was R482,892. Klawervlei Stud overtook Highlands Farm Stud as top vendor, consigning 32 lots for a total of R15.445 million, while Trippi did the same to Dynasty in the sire stats, totalling R15.130 million for his 24 yearlings. Markus Jooste’s Mayfair Speculators continued their buying spree, eventually signing for 21 yearlings totalling R14.225 million, to remain at the top of the buyers list.

“It was a successful sale”, Cape Thoroughbred Sales Chairman, Chris van Niekerk summarized. “The vendors provided quality horses and the wide spread of buyers confirmed the quality and good value of South African stock, which was underscored by a 20% increase in the average from the prior year.”

After a sluggish start to the second session, Kip Elser could not resist signing for a lovely grey filly by Tapit out of the Orientate mare Charmz. From the female family of Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and Champion Older Female Sprinter, Harry’s Charm, Lot 136 was knocked down to Elser for a mere R700,000. For Elser the equation was a simple one: “She is a great mover and the 2nd dam was a champion!” Mike Sharkey, manager of vendor Highlands Farm Stud explained the low purchase price: “The buyer clearly appreciates and understands the sire better than the local market. She is a lovely filly from a good solid South African family and definitely well bought.”

Lot 150, the grey colt Imibala, was one of the talk horses during the week and it therefore came as no surprise when he topped the second session, with the hammer falling at R2 million. By Group 1 Vodacom Durban July winner Dynasty out of the Vodacom Durban July winner Dancer’s Daughter, he epitomises the adage of breeding the best to the best. Signed for by John Freeman, the colt will be trained by Justin Snaith, who also trained his dam. Brother Jonathan Snaith was extremely pleased to have acquired the handsome grey. “We trained the mom and he looks just like her. We are very excited to have one of her produce in our stable, after missing her daughter last year. With a beautiful conformation, he was our pick of the colts at the sale.” Mike Sharkey, manager of Highlands Farm Stud confirmed that it was only the second time in South African history that a yearling was by a July winner out of a July winner. He cheekily added that the colt should have been named Triple D! “He is a lovely yearling and a great walker. He was a late foal and I look forward to seeing him furnish into a proper horse.”

Just three lots earlier, the top filly of the second session, consigned by equine vet, Dr Bennie van der Merwe of Moutonshoek was knocked down to trainer Gavin van Zyl for R1.7 million. Lot 147, the aptly named Eros’s Girl, is by Captain Al out of the unraced Jet Master mare Cupid, herself a sister to multiple Group 1 winning filly Ebony Flyer and a half sister to Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Captain’s Lover. Dr Van der Merwe was thrilled, calling her a lovely well put together filly and a great mover. Van Zyl was extremely happy to have picked up such a well-related individual and added that if she runs like the other females in the family she will be a champion.

Third on the buyers list after the sale, Chris van Niekerk’s Rainbow Beach Trading signed for Lot 179, the exquisite bay Trippi colt, Trip to Heaven (R1.4 million) and Lot 197, the flaxen maned chestnut colt from the last crop of champion Sire Jet Master. Both will be trained by Sean Tarry. Out of the imported Cee’s Tizzy mare, Helleborus Blue, Lot 179 is a half brother to Group 1 winning two-year-old The Hangman. Tarry was very pleased to have acquired the brother to his star, commenting that the colt is a classic type and if he has half the ability his brother has, he will be very good. Van Niekerk, who also owns 2012 Vodacom Durban July winner Pomodoro, was very pleased with his purchase. “As much as we think we have a champion in The Hangman, we believe that we have a more refined individual in Trip To Heaven”, he said. Speaking on behalf of vendor Highlands Farm Stud, manager Mike Sharkey added: “He is a quality individual, he looks just like his sire and being the half brother to The Hangman, Chris van Niekerk just couldn’t stay away.” Having trained Mythical Flight, a very speedy Jet Master colt with a flaxen mane and tail, Tarry was the one who could not stay away from Lot 197. “He is a strong colt from a good female line and of course with a flaxen mane and tail. We hope he is as good as our last Jet Master with a flaxen mane and tail”, he said.

Andreas Jacobs’ Maine Chance Farms consigned Lot 216, another chestnut Jet Master, who was knocked down to Gareth Pepper for R1.4 million. Named Legato, the colt is out of the Jallad mare, Lyrical Linda, a mare very near to Jacobs’ heart. “She was my first Group 1 winner in South Africa and she is very special to me. I was thrilled when she produced such a beautiful individual”, he commented. The young bloodstock agent had to wait patiently until the end of the second day, before signing for the colt on behalf of KwaZulu-Natal trainer and ex Mauritian Champion jockey, Robbie Hill. With Hill’s daughter getting married on Saturday, he wisely decided to stay at home.

Cape trainer Vaughan Marshall could not believe his luck when Lot 226, the strapping son of Var and full brother to Champion Sprinter Val De Ra, was knocked down to him for R1.1 million. “It is wonderful to have an owner like Ken Truter, who buys me horses like this. We are thrilled to have got him, as we thought he would go for much more”, said a grinning Marshall.

Angus Gold purchased six yearlings for Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud South Africa, signing for Lot 81 (R375,000), Lot 92 (R800,000), Lot 170 (R600,000) and Lot 206 (R900,000), before some spirited bidding landed him Lots 230 and 232 right at the end of the sale. Consigned by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm, both are by Champion Sprinter Var out of very speedy mares. Lot 230 is the first foal of Silvano mare Mochachino, who scorched to victory in the Group 2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein. Despite being a first foal, Gold commented on how precocious the filly looked. “She is a very racy filly and she looks sharp. If she were in Australia, she would be a Golden Slipper filly. Mike de Kock loved her and we are very happy to have her.” Lot 232, named Mastermind, reminded Gold more of his damsire Jallad, than his sire Var. “He was a lovely horse, a big strong powerful colt from a fast family. He reminded me a lot of Jallad, who we bred and raced in the UK.”

Gold is no stranger to the Cape Premier Yearling Sale or to South Africa and explained his continued support. “We are very happy to be buying here, as the yearlings are very good value by international standards. The objective is of course to take the horses to Dubai if they are any good. We got lucky with Soft Falling Rain, who was Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and who easily won his first start in Dubai. It is early days yet, but from Sheikh Hamdan’s viewpoint, South Africa is a good value alternative to buying in Europe or America.”

CAPE PREMIER YEARLING SALE
Cumulative Statistics

	2013	2012
Catalogued	234	350
Offered	220	294
Sold	203	238
RNAs	17	56
RNA %	7.7%	19%
Highest Price (ZAR)	3,250,000	2,800,000
Gross (ZAR)	98,510,000	106,835,000
Average (ZAR)	482,892 (+19.8%)	403,151

For more information, please visit :

www.capethoroughbredsales.co.za

SOFT FALLING RAIN WINS THRILLING UAE 2000 GUINEAS TRIAL

Click above to watch Soft Falling Rain winning the UAE Guineas Trial
(Image and footage : Dubai Racing Meydan)

UAE 2000 GUINEAS TRIAL
Meydan, All Weather, 1400m
17 January 2013

“By my personal standards of impressive performances, this was right up there, excellent!” enthused Mike de Kock after Sheikh Hamdan’s South African-bred three-year-old Soft Falling Rain produced a thrilling comeback run to win the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial over 1400m on the All Weather track at Meydan, Thursday night.

Soft Falling Rain, with several question marks over his head in his first start since April 2012, answered all in true style, the way only a top-class thoroughbred could do it.

Fast out of the gates, Paul Hanagan allowed Soft Falling Rain to stride his way to the front to set a steady pace, slowing down a fraction as he relaxed and controlled the clip up front. On the home bend, however, the smooth-striding colt quickened again, putting a few lengths between himself and his opposition within a matter of strides. With 200m to run, the race was over as a contest and Soft Falling Rain crossed the line 2.50-lengths clear of I’m Back and Snowboarder, giving 7,5kg to both the runner-up and the third horse. Zahee, in his first run for the stable, ran on steadily into fourth.

Hanagan, for whom this proved to be no more than a strong hands-and-heels ride, was suitably impressed by his mount, saying: “He felt like a bit of class. He was easy and relaxed and has a nice change of gears.”

Mike paid tribute to Sheikh Hamdan and said: “This is the reason Sheikh Hamdan invested so much into South African racing - to find good horses in our country to race at the Carnival. Now we have a really good one for him, an unbeaten South African two-year-old champion showing his international worth at three,  and it’s very rewarding. Sheikh Hamdan deserves every bit of success for his support of our industry and we are humbled by his support of my stable. Dubai is a window to the racing world and once again we have a top South African-bred runner showing what our breeding industry is capable of - I am sure people around the globe took note tonight. Soft Falling Rain was purchased at the inaugural Cape Premier Yearling Sales and here he is setting the track alight in Dubai.”

Mike discussed Soft Falling Rain’s immediate future, saying: “Our main aim with Soft Falling Rain is the UAE Guineas in three weeks time, we believe he has a few more lengths of improvement to come. On what we saw tonight it appears as if he will see out a mile, though one can never be certain. He’s a big-striding horse, he likes to get on with it an Paul rode a good race in letting him go. Whatever he can contest after the Guineas will be a bonus.”

Extracts from Mike de Kock Racing

CAPE PREMIER YEARLING SALE : LIVE WITHOUT FEAR

Tom Goff (Blandford Bloodstock) and Angus Gold
(Photo : Barronstown Stud, Grangecon, Co Wicklow, Ireland)

CAPE PREMIER YEARLING SALE
Cape Town International Convention Centre
Cape Town, South Africa
26 - 27 January 2012

Mick Goss
Summerhill Stud CEOJust recently, The Economist magazine, Europe’s leading voice on global economic opinion, carried a foreboding graphic about an uncertain future on its front page, with the words “Be Afraid”. The message is misleading, representing as it does a world view of historical western political, economic and social dominance that is struggling to come to terms with its own relative decline, and with the emergence of another world, stepping boldly into a future of momentous change and great opportunity.

The results of the past week’s thoroughbred trade at Cape Town’s International Convention Centre tell us to their credit, that few of those at whom The Economist’s warning was directed, namely the Brits and our European friends, took any notice. To the astonishment of many, and especially our foreign visitors, the international community splashed out of the order of USD$ 5 million (around R40 million) of the gross turnover of R107 million. When you factor into the equation the suspension of our exports and the fact there is no resolution in immediate sight, it says something for the esteem in which our horses are held, and the marketing job the organisers did. In the end, an average of R403,000 (last year R404,000) was a satisfactory performance, given the entry of an extra 60-odd lots, and while there are still some questions to be asked regarding the future structure of the sale and where it goes from here, in broad terms it was a great way to begin the New Year.

The disparities between the top end and the rest which were apparent at last year’s inaugural version, were still there, however, and while the national propensity to concentrate largely on the progeny of those sires that have proven track records, is understandable, you can’t help thinking that it’s taking risk-aversion too far when it’s done to the point of almost ignoring the stock of a troupe of freshmen which carry some of the best credentials we’ve known. One of the world’s top “bloodstockers”, Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock, was among several who made that observation during the week. We all know the attractions of the proven sires, but in some respects, that’s a little bit like kicking for touch. Back in Europe, the old adage ‘get in, before they get out of reach’ is very much on the minds of those with a respect for the first crop of a top class racehorse, and an eye for a good looker. In a country in which courage and enterprise have been the foundation stones of what we are today, it’s strange to find that being “fearful” is the characteristic of South African horsemen these days, and it seems our people are paying more attention to The Economist, than their own.

Another man whose name is known around the world, racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan, Angus Gold, pointed to the yawning gap between the top and the bottom of the sale, and especially the hole in the middle market, and wondered whether the concentration of resources by so few on so many of the top lots, isn’t a deterrent to outside investors. It is a point, though it’s fairly typical of what happens in boutique sales wherever you go, and was a hallmark of the old days at Keeneland July, scene of the world’s most famous slugging matches between the Maktoum family and the old O’Brien, Magnier and Sangster firm.

There is something though, about a horse sale that transcends all cultures and all tastes. This was a triumph for the organisers, bringing together players from 15 different countries. The lure of a good horse is as compelling today as it ever was, and in a world in which government debt and sovereign bonds are demoted to junk status, the international currency of horse trading is right back in vogue. Nowhere in the world can you hook up with a greater diversity of people, and in this lies a salutary lesson. We teach history the wrong way around. The first thing we should learn as a child, is that we’re part of the human race, the last thing we should learn is that we’re Protestant, South African and of European descent. The horse world, and raising horses, teaches you that.

www.summerhill.co.za