The late Avontuur supremo Tony Taberer (Pic: SA Horseracing.com)
Today’s R1 million Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas sponsors Avontuur are now in their ninth year of adding their branding and expertise to a race with a long tradition on the Cape racing calendar.
The late Tony Taberer – the Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes is run in his honour today – established Avontuur at the foot of the Helderberg outside Somerset West in the 1980’s. He had the foresight and the dream to establish what has become one of South Africa’s leading brands in fine wines and fast horses.
Stallion Dominion Royale quickly entrenched himself as the backbone of the fast growing stud.
The Avontuur supremo, a tobacco merchant and international businessman, died in April 2007 after a long battle with cancer.
Taberer had by then realised his dream to introduce a high quality speed stallion into the Avontuur portfolio. European sprinter Var arrived in 2005.
Taberer had diverse business interests and also owned Leopard Rock, which boasted a magnificent 18-hole championship golf course and a guest wing with casino which he bought in the late 1980’s.
Pippa Mickleburgh – all set for today
He was also the owner of the Dimon tobacco company, formerly Tabex.
Today Avontuur are a top-rate and well respected international breeding operation with Var having produced many champion sprinters over the past decade.
The farm welcomed Danehill stallion Oratorio to their portfolio in February 2013 and the proven producer of international Gr stakes winners (what a year he has had again!) has made an early impact with some magnificent foals.
They also had an exciting new arrival recently from quarantine when Mss Frankel (naturally by Frankel) out of their multiple Equus champion sprinter Val De arrived home.
We wish Pippa Mickleburgh and the Taberer family well on their big day.
