There have been many outstanding broodmares in South Africa over the past two decades. A number of really good mares have achieved plenty with their offspring – but, for a number of reasons, were never named Broodmare of the Year. Here are my top ten SA mares of the past 20 years never to be named Broodmare of the Year:
Mystic Spring
All Is Secret
Described by her connections as a “small, light, narrow mare with a fierce temperament”, Mystic Spring overcame these defects to become an outstanding broodmare. All seven of her runners won – and she has bred four stakes winners. Her seven winners, who have won over R2 200 000 in prize money, include ill-fated Equus Champion Rabiya (Jallad), who won both the Cape Guineas and Derby. However, Mystic Spring’s influence is also being felt through her daughters at stud. Two of her daughters, Secret of Victoria (Goldkeeper) and Spring Lilac (Joshua Dancer), have already bred stakes winners – with Secret of Victoria doing particularly well as the dam of champion All Is Secret (Captain Al) and the now exported Secret Command (Captain Al).
Aquasarto
Few mares ever breed five stakes winners and without ever winning an official title – however, Aquasarto was one such mare. Dam of 10 winners, Aquasarto’s tally of six stakes horses includes champion 2yo and sire Argonaut (Western Winter) and Gr1 Fillies Guineas winner Finest View (Fine Edge). Her other stakes winners includes the very talented Simply Salmon (who was Western Winter’s first winner and stakes winner). Aquasarto’s sire, Del Sarto, was a particularly good broodmare sire – with his daughters breeding over 30 stakes winners including The Sheik, Young Rake and Private Reserve. However, Aquasarto holds strong claims to being her sire’s best!
Thousand Nights
A smart, eight time stakes winning daughter of the great Foveros, Thousand Nights did even better at stud than on the track. She bred five stakes horses -which include champion stayer and dual Gold Cup winner Highland Night (Badger Land) and multiple Grade One winner and sire, Warm White Night (one of two sires produced by her dam). Remarkably, four of her top horses were by different sires! Thousand Nights, whose progeny earned over R4 400 000, is also making her presence felt through her daughters at stud, who have produced the likes of ill-fated Fort Vogue (Fort Wood) and smart 2yo Winterinthewoods (Western Winter).
Young Polly
Along Came Polly
Young Polly was a high-class racemare, who like Aquasarto was by the underappreciated sire Del Sarto. She won six races including the Gr3 Vaal Stayers, and then did even better in the paddocks. Her eight runners included seven winners – three of whom were stakes horses. Her best offspring was Equus Champion, and R2.5 million earner, Young Rake (Rakeen), but it is through her daughters that the name of Young Polly is truly to be noted. To date, no fewer than five of her daughters have bred black type horses, and Young Polly is the second dam of both Equus Champion Along Came Polly (Judpot) and the now Singapore based Master Plan (Jet Master).
Sara’s Warning
An unplaced daughter of an ordinary sire would seem an unlikely choice to become an outstanding broodmare – but Sara’s Warning overcome these obstacles to make a tremendous name for herself at stud. Her 7 winners won 16 races – and included two Oaks winners in Royal Prophecy and Noble Destiny respectively. Interestingly, neither Oaks winner did as well at stud as their unplaced full sister Gypsy’s Queen did. The latter became dam of US Gr1 winner Gypsy’s Warning as well as high-class sprinter, Surabi (Wolfhound). Another daughter of the mare produced the high-class performer, now based in Mauritius, Tales Of Bravery (who earned over R1 000 000 in South Africa).
Elegantly
Daughters of Danzig have done well at stud the world over, and Elegantly proved no exception. When exported to stud in South Africa, Elegantly went on to produce 9 winners. These included three stakes winners – two of whom were millionaires. She will forever be remembered as the dam of the gallant, flashy Glamour Boy, whose eight wins included the Gr1 SA Classic, and the Model Man gelding won or placed in a further 12 features. Elegantly’s other stakes winners included top sprinter Gaultier and Massimiliano. She is also the second dam of top stayer Kolkata.
Lady Shirley Bird
A daughter of dual Derby winner Shirley Heights, whose daughters have bred 174 stakes winners, Lady Shirley Bird never won, but is a half-sister to smart sprinter Lady Of Habit (third dam of English Garden). She produced 13 foals – ten of whom won, and seven of whom were black type performers. Her best offspring was the multiple Gr1 winner Lord Shirldor, but she is also dam of Fillies Guineas winner Dog Rose. The latter, in turn, is the second dam of promising Cape performer Flying Comfort. Another daughter, Clair Anne, is dam of classy but ill-fated filly Annawood, and recent Singapore winner Coronet Peak.
Countess Kiwi
Blue Tiger
Another prolific producer, Countess Kiwi bred 15 foals – of whom four were stakes winners. Her offspring included the tough filly Wainui – winner of the Queen’s Plate, and seven other features. Wainui’s half-brother Waitara, won seven and was second twice in the J&B Met. However, it is through her daughter Manuka, that the influence of Countess Kiwi is most felt today. Dam of top sprinters Rodoille and Blue Tiger (himself now at stud), Manuka is also the second dam of Equus Champion and Guineas winner Pointing North, and is also second dam of the tough, and talented, filly Louvre.
Tawny Red
As a Northfields four time winning half-sister to Royal Chalice, Tawny Red always had plenty to recommend for her when she retired. She duly lived up to expectations – producing 12 foals, 11 of whom won. Her foals included four stakes winners – including Gr1 winning millionaires Set Afire and Rudra (whom won nearly R5 000 000 between them!). Tawny Red’s daughters have also done well at stud – her filly Naccarat herself has produced four stakes winners, including Gr1 winner Nania and the exciting 3yo Red Ray.
Secret Pact
One of eight stakes winners produced by Broodmare of the Year Soho Secret, Secret Pact was an own sister to London News. At stud, Secret Pact has proved an exceptional producer – her seven winners include champion Promisefrommyheart, Gr1 winner Covenant, and Secret Heart. The latter is dam of Gr2 Breeders Cup winner Pluck, while her champion half-sister, Promisefrommheart, is the dam of stakes winner Justthewayyouare and the very exciting colt Master Of My Fate.
– Sarah Whitelaw
