Touching base this weekend with multiple Gr1-winning trainer Charles Laird after Good Council had won the Listed Aquanaut Handicap at Turffontein on Saturday and Gimme Gorgeous had cracked his maiden at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, it was fascinating to hear about one of those small coincidences that make horseracing such an intriguing game.
What’s the chances of two well-bred fillies purchased at Nationals nine years ago, trained by Charles Laird, owned by Alesh Naidoo, and sold in a package to leading Cape breeders Avontuur, having their progeny win impressively within 24 hours of each other on the same weekend?
Charles Laird – snap catch up with the top horseman
So what’s the connection between the Avontuur-bred pair of SA Derby candidate Good Council (Oratorio), who registered his career peak victory at Turffontein on Saturday, and Duncan Howells’ trained Gimme Gorgeous (Gimmethegreenlight), who won down in KZN on Sunday?
Good Council wins the Listed Aquanaut Handicap on Saturday (Pic – JC Photos)
Both winners’ dams were purchased by Patterson Racing on behalf of Alesh Naidoo’s Fire Racing Trust at the 2014 BSA National Yearling Sale, at R550 000 apiece.
Smart Council’s dam Madame Justice (Dynasty) is a full sister to Horse Of The Year Legislate ,and she ran only twice, winning her second start by 9,25 lengths.
Charles Laird trained both fillies from Clairwood and in a snap Sunday catch-up tells the Sporting Post that Anton Marcus rode Madame Justice at both starts.
“She started in the red at both starts and her first outing over 1000m was too short. She finished under a length back in fourth. We couldn’t miss next time over a mile and she duly won unextended by almost ten lengths at 7-10. I then said to Alesh that she would probably win four or five but her paddock value was huge. I could have been selfish but Avontuur were keen to buy them as a package and Alesh understood the value of turning your horses if the price was right,” adds Charles Laird.
Sean Veale steers Gimme Gorgeous to victory (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Gimme Gorgeous’ dam Hannah Gorgeous (Fort Wood) is a half sister to another SA Horse Of The Year in Futura. She never raced but ended up in the magnificent Avontuur paddocks alongside Madame Justice.
“I recall them arriving here. Hannah Gorgeous was a lovely filly. Madame Justice walked behind her and I thought, mmm! But look what she has done today! She has filled out and is a magnificent beautiful broodmare,” recalls a happy Pippa Mickleburgh, who has booked her ticket for WSB SA Derby day already!
The 65 year Charles Laird hails from one of South Africa’s great racing dynasties and took out his licence in September 1995, taking over from his father Russell .
He started on a high when National Emblem won the John Skeaping at his very first meeting, and Charles still rates the great racehorse and stallion as the best he has trained.
Prior to that, he had worked as a handicapper at Turffontein, for the TBA, and at a stud farm.
Retired today in the sleepy Boland town of Paarl, Charles Laird says he misses the racing game and stays in touch. He provides advice and assistance where required.
