The Cape Summer Of Champions season launches on Saturday with the running of the Gr3 R200 000 Elusive Fort Cape Classic at Kenilworth Racecourse. With the Listed Woolavington Handicap supporting the main feature, the raceday provides an exciting curtain raiser for the Cape summer racing season.
The Elusive Fort syndicate sponsor the Cape Classic for the first time this year. Spokesman Peter de Beyer said recently: “The Elusive Fort syndicate has great pleasure in sponsoring the Elusive Fort Cape Classic, a Grade 3 race for 3 year olds, which is also an important preparation race for horses that will contest the major classic races later in the season.”
The syndicate will be very pleased with the high quality field that will line up on Saturday. Elusive Fort raced with distinction in South Africa, winning 7 races including Grade 1 SA Derby, Grade 1 Daily News 2200, Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes and Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes.
He was voted Equus Champion Male Stayer in 2006. Exported to race in USA, he ran 2nd in Grade 3 Appleton Handicap, until injury curtailed his international career. He returned to South Africa in 2010 and was syndicated amongst leading Western Cape Breeders. A robust, tough and talented horse, he should be in great demand at stud. He has the race record and the blood, being by Champion Sire Fort Wood.
He hails from the famous E-family of Champions, Empress Club, Ecurie, Epoque etc. Elusive Fort’s book had grown last season to 83 mares. He is set to relocate from Arc En Ciel to Klipdrift Stud from 1 January 2014.
