Since the gallant El Picha carried the Argentine flag with a double in 1999 and 2000, six foreign-bred horses have won the Durban July.
The Zimbabwe-bred Ipi Tombe won in 2002, the American-bred Greys Inn scored in 2004, Brazillian-bred Eyeofthetiger won in 2006, the British-bred Dancer’s Daughter dead-heated in 2008, while Igugu (2011) and The Conglomerate (2016) hail from Australia.
Puerto Manzano (Keagan de Melo) gets the better of Perfect Witness (Muzi Yeni) to win the Jubilee on Sunday (Pic – JC Photos)
After his impressive win in Sunday’s WSB Gr3 Jubilee Stakes at Turffontein, another Argentine product has put his Hollywoodbets Durban July hand up.
Puerto Manzano is a Haras Carampangue-bred son of Speightstown’s Gr1 Hollywood Derby winning son Seek Again and is out of the two time winning Orpen mare, Poser.
His victory on Sunday gave the passionate Laurence Wernars, recipient of a special acknowledgement at the recent Highveld Feature Season Awards, another special moment.
And that’s not only due to the fact that the smart 4yo’s half-brother, the 2yo Puerto Plata, is in training with Johan Janse van Vuuren.
“We bought Puerto Manzano on a second trip to Argentina. On the first Justin Vermaak bought Mohican, who bolted up at his second start, but unfortunately went in the wind. He also bought Kay Tee Perry who got black type. Also on the second trip, Justin went back to buy Kay Tee Perry’s sister and we needed two colts for the flight. Puerto Manzano was well priced and by a first season sire, but as a specimen he was the best yearling Justin felt he had seen all year. So Justin added him to the group,” Laurence Wernars told the Sporting Post on Sunday, in what rings vaguely of shades of the El Picha fairytale!
Mr Wernars points out that although Puerto Manzano was by an unknown sire, his brother Puerto Real was a champion 2yo in Argentina.
“He is out of an Orpen mare. As you may be aware, Orpen is a fantastic broodmare sire of Gr1 winners in 7 different countries around the world, and also sired top horses in South Africa, including the likes of Private Jet.”
The Vermaak Equine- Wernars Argentina buying expeditions have proved fruitful. From just five purchases, two have earned black type – 40% stakes horses to purchases – and all are winners.
The Wernars winning team – winning jockey Keagan de Melo with Jarryd Wernars, Laurence Wernars and Johan Janse van Vuuren (Pic – JC Photos)
“Puerto Manzano was bred at Haras Carampangue by Dr Ignacio Pavlovsky who bred Private Jet and many other top Argentine imports that ended up here. He really is a top breeder,” adds Mr Wernars.
He closed by saying that he can give all the credit to Justin Vermaak for his astute selection ability and to trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren who learnt the trade of dealing with the Argentinian horses whilst working for Geoff Woodruff – who trained many winners born in the South American country.
“At the end of the day, it’s a team effort. Kudos to my team for all their efforts to make my racing enjoyable and rewarding,” concluded Laurence Wernars.
Argentinian-bred El Picha (Anton Marcus) after his second July win in 2000, with Steven Jell and Geoff Woodruff
While Puerto Manzano has a long road ahead, another horse that was something of stall-filler from Argentina was dual Durban July winner El Picha – one of only four horses in the 125 year history to have won the big race in consecutive years.
He was included after a trip by trainer Geoff Woodruff’s late father-in-law Terrance Millard in 1995, when a mistake by the forwarding agent left one stall having to be filled. El Picha was bought for only $15 000 and was a bargain as no commission was payable either!
El Picha’s feat is underscored by the fact that only three other horses had won the July in consecutive years.
The very first time was in the first two runnings of the race in 1897 and 1898, which were both won by Campanajo.
Corriecrian was victorious in 1907 and 1908, Pamphlet won it with a break in between in 1918 and 1920, while Milesia Pride won back to back races in 1949 and 1950.
Do It Again subsequently joined the honour roll when he won the big race in 2018 and 2019.
