River Jetez: A champion broodmare in waiting, in foal to Var
Pocket Power’s brilliant full-sister River Jetez has been tested in foal to superstar stallion Var, while globetrotting South African champion sprinter Val de Ra has been covered by Oasis Dream.
That’s the exciting news from Avontuur – the stud that consistently produces fast horses and fine wines.
Sending the best to the best is a principle that is bound to produce optimum results. South Africa’s foremost and favourite flying filly was covered this past Sunday morning at the soon-to-be new home of Frankel, Banstead Manor, by Juddmonte Farm’s son of Danzig.
This is an exciting speed mix. Green Desert’s son Oasis Dream was Champion 2 year old and World Champion Sprinter in 2003. His wins from 1000m to 1200m,included the Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes over 1000m at York, the Gr1 July Cup at Newmarket and the Gr1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket over 1200m.
Oasis Dream has sired 19 individual stakes winners in 2012 to date, including the Irish 2000 Guineas Gr.1 winner Power. He is the only stallion in the top five of both the Leading Sires in Europe and Leading Sires of Two-Year-Olds in Europe lists in 2011. No sire in the history of the European pattern has sired more two-year-old pattern winners from their first four crops.
The multiple Gr1 winning daughter of Var, Val De Ra, won 11 of her 13 starts, including a glorious victory against the males in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at Kenilworth in January this year. The race, labelled, the ‘Century’s Clash of The Sprint Titans’ saw the flyer down the likes of 2011/12 SA Sprinter Of The Year What A Winter as well as the brilliant JJ The Jet Plane.
River Jetez
River Jetez is in foal to Var! Our Champion Pocket Power’s full sister famously grabbed top honours in the 2010 Gr1 J&B Met, thereby denying her full-brother his attempt at an historic fourth win in the Cape’s big race.
She also won the Gr2 Balanchine amongst her eleven career wins that saw her race with distinction in England, the USA, Singapore and Hong Kong, ending off in Dubai, after which she returned to home soil. She was trained in her racing career by South Africa’s champion Mikes – Bass and De Kock.
Nursery
The Avontuur nursery has also been a hive of activity recently and amongst the new-born foals are a full brother to Val De Ra, a full sister to the talented 3yo Epic Tale, who made a sparkling debut at Durbanville on Saturday, and first foals by Var for A Daughters Legacy and Baltic Beauty.
Pippa is also excited by the half-brother to Chesalon by Dynasty, a full brother to Twitter and the Dynasty colt out of the Gr winner, Sports Chestnut
The sensational son of Forest Wildcate Var is extremely fertile and is the consummate gentleman, belying the nature and stress of his work.
He has a list of mares this season that any stallion could be proud of and the maternity roll at the beautiful farm reads like the whose who of our female Group race performers of recent years.
They include the likes of instantly recognisable top names like Ebony Flyer’s dam Sunshine Lover; the Gr1 Alan Roberston winner On Her Toes as well as the filly she dead-heated with Geepee S; the multiple Group winning daughter of Montjeu, Gorongossa; Star of Arcole; My Kazzie; the Gr2 Betting World Merchants winner Dance With Al; A Daughters Legacy; champion Cape juvenile King Of Pain’s dam Viva La Belle; Count The Money; Horse Chestnut’s daughter Woman Of The Year; SA Fillies Sprint winner Joie De Grise(Aus); Jet Trail; Promisefrommyheart and the ill-fated Vodacom Durban July winner Big City Life’s dam, Dollar Crisis.
If that doesn’t take your breath away, nothing will!
Oratorio
Avontuur’s new stallion Oratorio is due to commence quarantine on 1 December in Australia. The son of Danehill was recently purchased from Coolmore and will stand alongside Var in what amounts to the beginnings of an awesome assault on our Group race silverware in the seasons to come.
Oratorio was a versatile racehorse, winning from 1200m to 2000m. A Gr 1 winning two-year-old, Oratorio was also a dual Group 1 winner of the Eclipse Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes at three.
He commenced stud duties in Ireland and Australia in 2006.
His first two Australian crops include exciting Gr 1 winner Manawanui, New Zealand Gr 1 winning two-year-old Banchee and Torio’s Quest, winner of the Gr 2 Queensland Guineas and the Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
According to Avontuur General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh, the interest in Oratorio has been unparalleled and he has been fully syndicated. Pippa confirms further that his bookings are coming along well for 2013 and she says that his covering book is sure to be full.
Oratorio was amongst the top 10 sires in Europe and has constantly produced winners all around the world. He is bound to make a huge impact here, joining the ranks of the elite stallions.
Oratorio’s arrival on African shores will be officially launched at the Gr1 Avontuur Fillies Guineas raceday at Kenilworth on 8 December.
