The positive side about the lockdown is that it gives the opportunity to reminisce.
Basil Nelson writes in the Sporting Post Mailbag that he was breezing through the 1979 issue of the SA Racehorse magazine which brought back good memories.
1993 Milnerton Handicap
Horses like Rock Star, Quarrytown and Destroyer come to mind.
My wife and I were fortunate to see, Quarrytown who stood with Politician at stud near Addo (the stud owned by the Price’s).
I don’t think Destroyer – whom I followed rewardingly – ever ran in the Cape so I would love to hear from those who were associated with him.
He was by the Neartic stallion Pierlou, who I don’t think was too successful.
His dam Zona was by Tajubena out of Sun Lass’s daughter Tallulah which obviously offered some brilliance.
Tajubena was also not too successful apart from Arion, unlucky in the July when the saddle slipping denied Jack Winshaw any chance of winning. Amazing that an unsuccessful sire and dam sire can create such a good horse!
That’s what makes breeding so interesting. SA imported three sons of Prince Taj viz Jamaico, Prince Sao and Tajubena.
To me the most important part of Prince Taj is that he was out of Malindi, a full sister to Nasrullah.
This has augured well in our pedigrees in South Africa.
I was also not aware that Destroyer was exported to New Zealand to stand at stud there.
