When Sandringham Summit crossed the line first in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, the youngster’s first stakes success immediately boosted the fortunes of his older half-brother Eden Roc, who just happens to be the newest stallion recruit at Peter and Jenny Blyth’s Clifton Stud near Rosetta in the KZN Midlands.
Eden Roc shows himself off (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Peter confirmed that Eden Roc arrived at his new home about four weeks ago and when shown to fellow breeders at a special stallion day last week, impressed all and sundry with his demeanour.
“There must have been about 70 people,” Peter explained. “Amid all the razzmatazz, he took it all in his stride and was as calm as anything. He has a lovely nature.”
A real looker (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
That the former Tarry-trained six-year-old is a welcome addition to the depleted KZN stallion ranks goes without saying, and he is sure to provide broodmare owners with the opportunity to tap into a horse who ticked all the boxes.
Let’s consider the following:
He is a Gr1-winning two-year-old.
A debut winner over 1400m, he became a rare Gr1 winner on just his second start when landing the Gold Medallion over the stiff Hollywoodbets Scottsville six furlongs, before stretching his record to three from three with a fine win in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe at Hollywoodbets Greyville. To that he later added the Gr2 Post Merchants and was beaten just a neck when second in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint.
He’s ready for the season ahead! (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
His pedigree screams speed.
He is bred on a potent cross combining Var and Captain Al. A champion sprinter, the former’s progeny generally inherited his fine turn of foot, while the latter had no peer as a sire of precocious two-year-olds, having led the juvenile sires list for eight straight years.
Eden Roc’s pedigree matches his track accomplishments. His dam is the well-performed Captain Al mare Townsend. A dual Graded stakes winner of the Gr2 Odessa Stud Fillies Championship and Gr3 Diana Stakes, she is a half-sister to Regal Ransom who scored a career high in the Gr1 Champions Challenge. The pair are out of multiple Gr3-placed eight-time winner Palace Gossip, who is a daughter of another speed merchant in Dominion Royale.
He has the physique to match his pedigree and performance.
Added Peter: “We measured him and he stands 16hh. He’s physically correct and remarkably sound for a horse who raced from two to six. Overall, he’s a grand specimen, well balanced and athletic.” Glowing words indeed!
Eden Roc, who is owned by the KZN Breeders Club, is in the process of being syndicated at R30 000 a share, which includes infertility insurance and will entitle the shareholder to two covers per season for the first four years.
“I’m really excited about Eden Roc,” Peter said, before adding, “Now let’s hope Sandringham Summit can win a Gr1 race as well, that would be really something!”
