From Dettori to Drier, and Marcus to Marshall, the accolades that poured in this week in response to the breaking news of the retirement from stud duties of the once fastest horse on earth have been fittingly glowing and extraordinarily emotional.
The late Tony Taberer’s greatest gift to South African racing and breeding, and Avontuur’s illustrious flagbearer for what feels like a lifetime to many a lover and student of the sport of kings in South Africa and beyond, VAR will enjoy a well-earned retirement and go down in our studbook history and paddock folklore for much more than his mindboggling raw champion statistics.
Place of beauty and a home to champions-Avontuur Estate
The VAR story has its roots back in 1983 when Mr Tony Taberer bought Avontuur Estate, a magnificent stretch of real estate and a landmark home to ‘fine wines and fast horses’ on the R44 between the student mecca of Stellenbosch, and the upmarket residential town of Somerset West, that stands as a sentinel to the distant icy Atlantic Ocean.
After Divine King and Dominion Royale had made their mark as sires, Mr Taberer resolved to take Avontuur to the next level, and, with the assistance of bloodstock guru Robin Bruss, acquired VAR for a purchase consideration that set a new import benchmark at the time.
It was a gamble on a brand new stallion that history shows separated genius and foresight from the everyday talkers and also-rans.
Var – what an innings!
A foundation syndicate of 44 shareholders invested in the son of Forest Wildcat, a 2004 Joint Champion British Older Male, who achieved 7 wins up to 1200m in a career that had seasoned racing folk turning heads.
VAR shares were priced at R120 000 each.
Ask any one of the shareholders for a thought today, and they are saying, ‘please find us another!’
“The late Tony Taberer would be proud of the contribution to the breed that VAR has made – an enduring source of speed and a stallion that has given great pleasure to the breeders who bred to him, the owners, trainers and riders that have his progeny, and the public that bet on them. Like all champion stallions it’s a legacy always to be remembered,” the veteran Robin Bruss says proudly.
The late Avontuur supremo Tony Taberer Horseracing.com)
A stallion that has galloped his way into all of our hearts and minds, VAR captivated a spectrum of personalities and ordinary people, made hardened racing men shed tears of joy, and boasts a dual SA Horse Of The Year and international Gr1 winner amongst his 27 elite level performers.
He is also the most unlikely mobile advertisement for his favourite treat, polo mints.
Multiple Gr1-winning trainer Mike Azzie told the Sporting Post that every one of his many visits to the magnificent farm in the shadow of the Helderberg over the past sixteen years, have included a stop at the local ‘Woolies’ for a packet or three of polo mints.
“I always loved visiting Avontuur, especially to see VAR as he always loved his polo mints. He was just such a gentle soul. It is amazing to see a stallion with such a lovely nature and he passed this on to many of his progeny. It was a pleasure for me to train them, especially Rivarine who won the Gr1 Computaform Sprint for us,” added an emotional Azzie.
Berthwell Arosi, an Avontuur man for life, has been a caretaker to the stars, and looked after Divine King and Dominion Royale before VAR.
“I have been side by side with my champion since the day he set foot on African soil at the quarantine station. VAR is special – his proud character and ability set him apart,” says Berthwell, who tells us that he will be sticking with his best mate through retirement.
While his impact will be felt for decades yet as a potential sire of sires and a broodmare producer, VAR’s paddock pages make for glittering reading. He was Leading Sire of 2YO’s in in 2016-17 and 2017-18, and Champion Sire of Winners in 2018-19.
While the stats register ticks over every day, VAR is currently the sire of 750 progeny to race with 553 winners at a strike rate of 73%.
His offspring include 55 stakes winners and 49 stakes placegetters, who have earned well over R250 million.
Anton Shepherd of Beaumont Stud bred VAR’s dual SA Horse Of The Year, and international Gr1 winner, Variety Club.
Speaking from Australia, Joey Ramsden, who trained Variety Club to his 17 wins from 23 starts, told the Sporting Post that his involvement with VAR and his progeny ‘was the best job I ever had’.
At his peak, Variety Club was Longines’ joint second best horse in the world, with an international rating of 127.
His star-studded CV included four Gr1’s in his home country and all the way through to his grand finale in the International Gr1 Hong Kong Champions Mile at Sha Tin.
Variety Club – International Horse of the Year Award – Dominique & Anton Shepherd
“No VAR, no Variety Club – and then I would not have had one of the best rides of my life! What a magnificent stallion. Three runners from Beaumont – a three time winning filly, a Merchants winning filly and the highest Timeform -rated horse in South African racing history. Don’t think any other stallion I ever use will do that ! A great stallion!” adds Anton Shepherd.
VAR’s extraordinary genes produced stakes winners from 1000m to 2600m, as well as two SA Champion Sprinter daughters in Val De Ra and Via Africa. The champion roll extends beyond the scope of this story!
East Cape lady trainer Tara Laing summed VAR up beautifully when she told us that ‘a great horse will change your life, while the truly special ones define it’.
Tara with Normanz (photo: Pauline Herman Photography)
“Thank you VAR for affording me the opportunity to train some of your progeny. Starburst Galaxy, Vauclair and Normanz shall forever be a testament of what a damned good sire you were. Happy retirement VAR!” she concluded.
Avontuur General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh has had the honorary title of ‘Lady Var’ bestowed on her by the SA racing media, hungry for fairytales.
After thirty winters of dedicated Avontuur service, some great horses – champions aplenty – have passed through her caring hands.
Pippa says that while she loved them all, VAR has that extra special space in her heart.
“I will still visit him every day as I have done for the past sixteen odd years. To say he has changed lives is an understatement!”
The widely respected breeder points out that the testimonials and messages of love that have come in from all corners of the globe bear the ultimate testament to the impact VAR has made on so many.
“We have had complete strangers pitch up at our gate and ask if they can say hello to VAR. I’d really like to give all the credit to the VAR Syndicate for their marketing initiatives. But this great horse did his talking on the racetrack and has a mystical charisma – let’s call it star quality, like no other I have ever worked with. Mr Taberer left a legacy that will endure beyond all of our lifetimes. Are the cameras off? I am not going to cry, hey!” she laughed through misty eyes.
Even the tough as teak VAR has battle scars after sixteen years in the stallion barn and his attending Vet Dr Garth Nieuwenhuis says that the ruler of the Avontuur domain has always been a gentleman to work with in all his dealings with him over the years.
“With his big jowls, dark bay coat, strong quarter and shoulders he is a looker – qualities seen in many of his progeny at the sales ground. A perennial sire of champions, his class has prevailed time after time. Enjoy your retirement champ, it is well deserved! Celebratory polo mints when I see you next.”
What a team! Var is the centre of attention with, from left to right, Philip Taberer, Pippa Mickleburgh & Michael Taberer
Michael Taberer said that VAR certainly was a major piece of the legacy and dream of his late father.
“His decision to acquire VAR and bring him to South Africa is one of the best decisions that both Avontuur and the horse racing industry has greatly benefitted from. On behalf of the family and the amazing Avontuur team we thank every shareholder, breeder, supporter and racing fan who played a role in making him a success. We pay tribute to this remarkable stallion honouring his career and life thus far,” he concluded
Philip Taberer added: “At the saddest time in my life VAR was there to take care of many difficult decisions and add a silver lining to the passing of my Dad.”
Who knows what tomorrow brings? VAR has one son at stud in the movie star looks Backworth-bred, Talk Of The Town, who stands down the road from Avontuur at Winterbach Stud.
The handsome Talk Of The Town – set to continue the legacy
We have left the last word to international champion jockey Frankie Dettori, a man who is probably more used to being first.
Frankie – thought the world of VAR
“I had the opportunity to ride VAR from an impossible draw to win the Prix D Abbaye in record time. He was incredibly fast and balanced. He just flew out from the jump with such gate speed. What he has achieved as a sire in South Africa is remarkable. Speed like his is breed shaping. I wish him a wonderful retirement!”
Hear, hear, Frankie.
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