On what could prove to be a red-letter day in the years ahead for KwaZulu-Natal horseracing, two of Thursday’s top-priced BSA August 2yo Sale Day 1 chart-toppers are set to enter yards at the Summerveld Training Centre.
The magnificent Vercingetorix colt – headed for Tienie Prinsloo’s Summerveld yard (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Former Northern Cape Champion trainer Tienie Prinsloo is the man who astutely purchased the top-class Main Defender for R140 000 at the 2022 BSA Cape Yearling Sale, and he is now the proud and ‘absolutely thrilled’ conditioner of the magnificent Wilgerbosdrift-consigned Vercingetorix colt Torremolinos, who was knocked down to his existing patrons, Stanger-based businessman Rakesh Singh and Umdloti resident Zane Kirsten for R2,8 million to top Day 1.
Owners Zane Kirsten and Rakesh Singh – proudly survey their new flagbearer (Pic – Supplied)
Sid Moodley, who had a nice winner when the Master Of My Fate gelding Intuitive Spirit showed his appreciation for the extra ground when shedding his maiden over 2300m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Thursday afternoon, purchased the second top lot of the day when Bangladesh (lot 169), who was also consigned by Wilgerbosdrift, sold for R1,3 million. He is likely to go to Frank Robinson
The man who won the trainer’s championship in the Diamond City years ago with R20 000, R40 000 and R80 000 purchases, and is the literal sole survivor of the Flamingo Park trainers who relocated to the holiday province after the closure of the Northern Cape’s only racetrack in 2020, Tienie Prinsloo told the Sporting Post on Thursday evening that he was ‘still pinching’ himself.
“It’s been a tough few years, but we have kept going with the support of some staunch and loyal owners. Two passionate racing men in Zane Kirsten and Rakesh Singh have bought me some stunning horses and partnered to purchase this magnificent son of Vercingetorix today. He is a beautiful strong boy. He has the blood. He is out of a champion mare.He was bred by a champion operation. He ticks all the boxes, he really does. Elsa and I have been up here in Joburg looking at horses since Tuesday. When I saw Torremolinos, I fell in love with him. I told Rakesh and Zane that they would love him too. And they did! We got him! I am absolutely over the moon,” enthused the 52 year old trainer, who said that he would relish the pressure of training a big ticket racehorse, rather than battling along and trying to compete with the big guns on what is often an uneven playing field.
Tienie Prinsloo at Summerveld (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“I have never been in the league where I can pick or choose. But I can train winners, and this is an honour and privilege in more ways than one for me. I understand this game is a great leveller so I won’t be doing things differently. We will keep our feet on the ground and take it one day at a time,” added Tienie, who said he was deeply moved when meeting breeder Mary Slack.
“What a lady Mrs Slack is. She thanked me and I could see that this was like a child leaving home for her. She was emotional. She wished us luck and asked me to keep her posted on the colt’s progress. What a day this was,” he added, saying that it was only when he sipped the traditional post hammer-fall champagne that he realized he wasn’t dreaming.
On what was an unforgettable day, another leading owner Preggie Somasundram told Tienie that he would be sending him a lovely Declarationofpeace filly that he had bought.
Elsa and Tienie Prinsloo (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Tienie, whose three runners at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the afternoon ran two seconds and a fourth, including a cracking runner-up finish from Zane Kirsten’s Stormy Choice, said that he would now have a total of 22 horses, but had place for more.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to get my name out there and show what I am capable of doing with proper horses. We offer a warm and hospitable racing experience, and we love all of our horses, Communication with owners is our focus. It really feels like things are finally coming together.”
In an uncompromising industry, where lesser men may have thrown in the towel, Tienie Prinsloo has stuck things out and overcome adversity and challenges. Like saddling Main Defender to his first win, and then dealing with the dreadful disappointment of losing the star after a change in ownership saw the son of Pathfork move to Tony Peter.
“Horseracing is one of the toughest sports on earth. It’s also the greatest game on earth,” says Tienie.
The BSA August 2yo Sale continues at 10h30 on Friday.
