Avontuur Estate
I like to repeat how lucky I am to be part of the racing and breeding industry because it is true. It is a singular privilege to be welcomed into yards and stud farms across the country and I often have to pinch myself when turning off my car engine in yet another amazing place to speak to amazing people and get to see amazing horses.
It is perhaps more of a testament to the wonderful folks who populate the racing and breeding world that I am always made to feel so welcome. And so it was that I swung my bakkie left into the green and white entrance to Avontuur Estate last week. The security guard on the gate greeted me warmly and with obvious pride when I said I was there to chat to Pippa. While the speed bumps encourage one to keep to a sensible speed, the mares and foals grazing peacefully on either side of the rose lined driveway make the trip even more leisurely as you crane your neck to try and identify the Avontuur matrons and guess at the foals at foot.
Once safely parked and no longer a hazard to fellow drivers, I meet Philip, the younger of the Taberer brothers, setting up the hospitality tent on the stoep for the evening’s entertainment. It’s not often one finds wine estate owners doing things like that, but then Avontuur is no ordinary farm. Off a base of approximately 30 foals a year, there are not many of South Africa’s racing trophies that haven’t been won by either an Avontuur-bred or by progeny of one of their stallions and with the Johannesburg sales season about to commence, I thought it would be a good idea to stop by and see what Pippa has on offer.
Fine Wine and Fast Horses
Pippa Mickleburgh – horses come first
Somewhat unusually, Pippa was running a bit late, affording me the opportunity to find a table and get settled in. I was half way into my cappuccino when I realised that I’d made myself rather comfortable, but instead of feeling like a ‘destination’, with its relaxed atmosphere and rustic charm, Avontuur feels very much like visiting a family home. Fine wines and fast horses is their slogan and the two things sit comfortably alongside one another everywhere one cares to look, from the Henk Vos portrait of Val de Ra to a life sized photograph of Avontuur yearlings taken from the top of the farm, which gaze down over the dining room.
Pippa arrives shortly afterwards in characteristic full swing, going from 0 – 100 in a matter of strides. “We’re weaning the foals at the top of the farm today. We usually park so that other vehicles can get past, but it was 7:30, so we parked together, meaning that other cars couldn’t get past. Then an Eskom van came up and started hooting at us!” The expression on her face tells you that this was not a good move on Eskom’s behalf. What happened? “Well, once I worked out it wasn’t some sort of emergency, I figured he can wait, so I took my time finishing with the horses and then went up to talk to him. He was not happy, but I told him this is not his farm and I won’t be hooted at!” she says indignantly.
It is the fact that the horses come above all else that has built Pippa and Avontuur the formidable reputation they enjoy today. Not a thing escapes her attention – whether it’s a foal with a cracked molar (“I noticed the food had been collecting in the side of his mouth”) or personally overseeing and checking the weekly feed delivery (“I will not accept feed that is more than 2 days old”), Pippa personally manages every detail. Pippa is known for her no nonsense, direct approach and expects the same in return. Her standards are exacting and she expects the same from those around her. Every invoice is scrutinised, any incorrect or double billing is challenged and anyone falling foul is given very short shrift indeed. Whether it’s travel fees for workmen, loo roll for the restaurant, or feed delivery fees, Pippa scrutinises everything with a fine tooth comb. “That’s what you’d do if it was your own money. Perhaps it’s because we also deal with the wine industry, but it’s incredible what the racing industry puts up with. There are far too many middle men adding on their premiums. Some people phone the vet for changing stable bandages or sorting out things like deworming!! Why? We should be using the wholesalers, shop around! This is still Africa – people mustn’t try and get too clever with getting a specialist and charging for every little thing. All these things add up and it’s pushing our smaller owners out of the market,” she exasperates. It’s a valid point.
Trusted Brand
Oratorio (Danehill – Mahrah)
It is exactly this unwillingness to compromise when it comes to her horses that has helped build the Avontuur brand into what it is today and why the Avontuur string is always given such serious consideration by racing’s cognoscenti. “Let’s be honest, we’re selling the dream, and we want the dream to run, but not everyone who’s bought has had a good horse from me. Yet they keep coming back and trying again because they know what we do and how we do it. I’ve made each horse that comes off this farm. I’ve designed the mating, and hand delivered each foal. I’ve watched them every single day of their lives. They grow up in large paddocks with good water, good food and clean air. They’re as good as we can get them and I think it’s a testament to the farm that people like buying from us. Sales can be a funny business – when I first started out I was offered all sorts of deals and commissions, but people have learnt that we don’t do business that way and they’ve stopped asking. If we’ve set a reserve on a horse, it’s a realistic one. You will see me bidding up to my reserve and if the horse goes for more, we let it go. It’s all done out in the open and what you see is what you get. There’s no funny business.”
Over a farmhouse breakfast, we talk through some of the challenges and ups and downs the industry faces. It’s a pity that she no longer serves on some of our industry committees as Pippa has some useful ideas on how to improve things. “If I had enough time, I could change the world!” she jokes, but opines that one has to devote your energy to your core business to avoid losing focus and at Avontuur the focus is on growing and selling. There are two yearling sales coming up in Joburg and it’s the first year Avontuur is selling at both. Pippa states flatly, “I’m not interested in the politics. I need to sell horses and it’s my job to get the right horse to the right sale for the right buyer.”
It’s something she’s very good at and Avontuur’s sales record speaks for itself. Var remains a model of consistency – both in the sales ring as well as on the track – and Oratorio has got off to a good start in the sales ring. “I think the important thing for people to understand is that Oratorio isn’t a first season sire. Everyone’s heading off overseas trying to find the next big thing, but we’ve got one right here! There is no wait and see with Oratorio – he is a proven sire. He’s already got 7 international Gr1 winners – name another horse in this country that can say that?’ she asks proudly. “They’re not going to be precocious horses – his job is a mile up – but he’s producing horses with bone, substance and quality and there is no question that he deserves to be considered alongside the rest of our top stallions.”
CTS Emperor’s Palace Select Sale
Lot 150 – Mardi Gras (Oratorio – Sarabande)
There are 5 Avontuur-breds on offer at CTS’s Emperor’s Palace Select Sale. “I’ve got two ‘wow’ Oratorio’s. The first is a colt called Mardi Gras out of Sarabande (lot 150) – he’s a magnificent high quality horse. Then there’s lot 193, a first foal out of Varsity Queen – that’s the ‘Wise’ family of Schiffer, Wise Dame, etc. He’s a big, strong, magnificent specimen of a horse and he’s called Graduate. We’ve also got a Silvano colt out of La Normandie (lot 90) called La Scala. This is a half brother to Normanz and Le Harve, who won first time out for Justin Snaith a few weeks ago. The only Var on that sale is lot 177. He is a first foal out of Street Wise. I’d say he perhaps stands over a bit more ground than your typical Var and he is from the immediate family of Redoute’s Choice and Hurricane Sky. He has a stallion’s pedigree and a strong name – Talk Of The Town.”
National Sales
Lot 314 – Chantyman (Oratorio – Sea Of Calm)
“For Nationals, two have had to come off, so we’ve got 8 left. Lot 192 is the last foal from London Belle who has been retired from stud duties. He’s called Hampton Court and this is the family of Gee C and Right Prerogative. There’s an Oratorio colt called Chantyman out of Sea Of Calm (lot 314). He’s a big, strong, strapping colt. Lot 398 is a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of Valeta (a daughter of Sarabande) called Keyboogie and looks a speedy type. Lot 452, by Var out of Avian Talk, is a full brother to Twitter and is a big block of a horse named Duffield after the famous commentator.”
“As far as the fillies go, we’ve got 2 Var fillies on offer. Lot 21 is Kindavar out of the Jet Master mare, Without Malice. This is a good, strong first foal and has a lot of Jet Master about her. Our second filly is lot 163, Sweet Treat. She’s by Var out of Candy Vous and is a full sister to Vous Et Var. She’s not a flashy looker, but is a very correct, racy, athletic type.”
“Var is having a wonderful run and there are lots of Oratorios on both sales, so we’re looking forward to the sales. At the moment everything seems to be going well for the farm – the stallions are firing, the mares are doing well, we had three runners in 3 Gr1 races on Classic Day and Legal Eagle really flew the flag high in the Horse Chestnut Stakes. Of course, with horses you never know how long it’s going to last, so one just has to enjoy it while you can!”
