Drakenstein Stud have secured recent Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes winner Humdinger to join their broodmare band in advance of the forthcoming breeding season.
Piere Strydom holds the stage, surrounded by the winning team after the Rigdemont Garden Province Stakes on Hollywoodbets Durban July day (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
In a recent social media statement Glistian Events CEO Joao da Mata saidthat no matter how he looked at it, they have to do what’s best for the horse.
He writes:
Indeed, I could have bred with her myself. I flirted with the idea of taking her abroad, but the reality is, at Drakenstein, she will be getting the best sires and more importantly: the best post-racing career.
I know I often tell you I am a genius but in this case it made absolute sense to let the professionals take over. One of the positives, thanks to this experience, is when my son gets called up to play for Denver Broncos, I’ll be ready to let him go.
My tears (to poor Kevin Sommerville) were based on the journey we have had with her. Myself, Mike De Kock and Ian Lewis.
Of course there are so many more people to thank: Mike De Haast, Laura De Haast, Sigi Sauter, Kyle Strydom, Richard Fourie, Kabelo Matsunyane, JP v’d Merwe, Piere Strydom, Diane De Kock, all her grooms, New Turf Carriers, Sherwin Sewlal, Robin Bruss, Mrs Rupert, Aoife Wigzell, Jessy Krevatin Da Mata, Monty Singh and his family, Isabel Silva, Cliff Do Carmo and all her fans and followers.
You all played a part in her journey. Her memories with us are etched forever. A gutsy filly that ran with the best and held her own. Ran from the front, there to be shot at and, to our pleasure, the bullets missed 8 times where she ended up victorious.
After her 3rd in the Garden Province last year, I spoke to the legend, Mike De Kock, and he said, “I’ve always liked to race good mares as 5 year olds.”
I got off the phone and the plan was hatched to race one more season. The rest, as they say, is history.
But is it? Why does it have to be history? Why can’t it be present and future?
I cannot wait to see her babies! I’ll be visiting her at Drakenstein sometime in the future.
The trophy and the saddle cloth from Saturday 6 July are hanging on my wall.
Humdinger, my baby, I wish you and your new owners well. May your offspring be like you: Courageous, tenacious and tough – with the best temperament ever.
Lastly, no Glistian Events newsletter/statement would be the same without a bit of a chirp!
To those that tried and failed to buy her: You should have tried a higher amount. To those that were offered a share but had no faith, perhaps you should consider that myself and my team do actually know what we are doing!
My final words are for Mike De Kock: Thank you.
Ed – A R180 000 2020 National 2yo Sale purchase, Humdinger, a full-sister to the speedy East Cape-based stakes winner and 2021/22 season award-winner Glacier Gold, won 8 races with 15 places from 33 starts for stakes of R2 384 375. Bred by Ridgemont from the Equus speed champion What A Winter (Western Winter), Humdinger is out of the five time – winning Fort Wood mare, Himalayan Hill. No stallion choice has been announced.
