River Jetez enjoying the beautiful Avontuur farm
River Jetez, one of the toughest and gamest globetrotters of her generation, is enjoying her new life at Avontuur. The big bay, in foal to leading sire Var (Forest Wildcat), looks the picture of health and contentment grazing in a paddock with three other well bred young broodmares.
Among River Jetez’s current companions is a very well bred, and rather flashy, daughter of Danehill Dancer, who goes by the name of Paradise Beach. The latter is from the family of one of Europe’s top 3yos this season, Irish 2000 Guineas winner Magician (Galileo), as well as former 2000 Guineas hero Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo).
River’s other companions include the well bred Var mare Menorah (a half-sister to high-class sprinter Viva) and talented racemare La Brea Pitts’ only filly, Timetogoby. Stud manager Pippa Mickleburgh is delighted by how well River Jetez has settled into her new environment.
Admitting that the mare had taken a while to settle down, Pippa says River Jetez (who arrived at Avontuur with something of a bad reputation) is no problem to deal with, but is not overly fond of people in general. However, River recognises part owner Barbara Amm’s voice – and is quick to make an appearance if grass is in the offing! Due to foal in September, River Jetez is by no means the dominant mare in the small herd, but is quite happy to express herself if displeased by her companions’ behaviour.
The daughter of Jet Master could visit Avontuur’s exciting young stallion Oratorio (Danehill), but no mating has been set in stone yet. River Jetez was a truly remarkable racemare, who demonstrated a toughness and durability which is rarely found in the modern thoroughbred. Owned by Barbara and Cedrick Amm, in partnership with Marsh Shirtliff, River Jetez was bought for a paltry R230 000 at the 2005 National 2yo Sale.
A far cry from the R36 000 000 that the mare would go on to earn during her remarkable career! Sent into training with Mike Bass, River Jetez never raced at two, but quickly showed promise as a sophomore. After breaking her maiden, she was dispatched to KZN, where River Jetez caused the first major upset of her career.
Taking on a high-class field in the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes, the Jet Master duly arrived at the handsome price of 33-1! Among those beaten, was River Jetez’s brilliant stable companion, and subsequent Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner, Sun Classique.
Also beaten that day were Fillies Guineas victress Sally Bowles and future Gr1 Garden Province winner Outcome.
After winning her first feature, River put up good showings when she was placed in both the Gr1 KZN Fillies Guineas and Gr1 Woolavington Stakes (The latter race saw Sun Classique exact her revenge on her stable mate – but River Jetez did not have the greatest of draws and ran on very strongly to be beaten just over a length by the champion).
River Jetez would follow up her consistent performances with a win in the Gr2 Gold Circle Oaks (defeating another well bred filly, Clandestine, into second place). Remarkably, River Jetez won features at three, four, six, and seven. The doughty campaigner won her first Gr1 feature (incidentally her only highest level success) at six, when conquering an outstanding field to win the 2010 J&B Met.
It is hard to think, offhand, of another horse who picked up their first career Gr1 race at the age of six! Behind her that day were no fewer than seven Gr1 winners and three Equus award winners. The beaten Met field included Mother Russia, Pocket Power, Big City Life and Smart Banker.
While she spent much of her racing career in the shadow of famous sibling Pocket Power, River Jetez accomplished something her more acclaimed brother never did – she enjoyed international success. The mare began her overseas campaign at eight – when most mares of her pedigree and record are long at stud. Sent to the stables of Mike de Kock, River Jetez quickly made a name for herself, both as an individual with her strong personality, and on the track.
Desperately unlucky when third on her Dubai debut, River made amends in no uncertain terms next time out. She won the Gr2 Balanchine Stakes over a field which included high-class fillies Reem, Long Lashes and Strawberrydaiquiri. When second to Presvis in the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free, River Jetez had a number of world-class horses behind her, including Gr1 winners Wigmore Hall, Victor’s Cry, Beauty Flash, Beethoven, and Debussy.
Following this run, the eight year old would go on to compete in three different countries, earning placings in the Gr1 Singapore Cup and Gr1 Beverly D Stakes (behind champion Stacelita) to her credit. However, it is unlikely she would have been so competitive so long, had not River Jetez more than a touch of the diva about her.
One of her greatest assets was her spirit – but it did not always reflect in a particularly pleasant manner. Assistant, Steven Jell, commented on the mare’s well known tough disposition, was quoted before the 2011 QE II Cup as described her as “She’s a handful and biting is her idea of fun these days, and on racedays she’s one of the toughest I have ever saddled.”
Nonetheless, her fighting spirit kept River Jetez competitive in world-class competition at the ripe old age of eight. She was also a great tribute to her trainers, who kept her on the boil so long. There have been better fillies to race here, and more brilliant ones, than River Jetez. However, it is hard to imagine any other filly or mare as tough, durable and game as River proved herself to be. Her gallantry will live long in the memory of all who knew her, and hopefully she can pass this down to her foals.
