Owner Suzette Viljoen announced on Saturday that her star filly Captain’s Ransom is to retire from racing with immediate effect.
Writing in his eNewsletter this week, leading bloodstock man John Freeman said that he is really pleased about the decision because this gallant mare needs do nothing more to prove herself.
Captain’s Ransom returns after her final race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The winner of six Gr1 races she had amassed an impressive CV as 2022 Equus Horse Of the Year, Equus Champion Sprinter and Equus Champion Older Filly/Mare.
Her 13 wins and 5 places came from just 19 starts which earned R3.5m in stakes. A nice return for a filly that cost R250 000 at the yearling sales.
“Well done Suzette. This much-loved daughter of Champion Sire Captain Al has the temperament of an angel. I have every confidence that Suzette and Basie will give her the very best entry to her stud career and I can’t wait to see who they chose for her maiden cover. With such a beautiful temperament I am sure that she is going to make a great broodmare,” adds Freeman.
The pedigree fundi said that she’s very easy to mate on paper so now it’s just a question of choosing the right companion for her first season for size and scope.
Her dam, Cinnas Ransom by Red Ransom out of a Seattle Slew mare, is a half sister to French Gr3 winner Black Rock Desert, and this is the family of sire Slew City Slew.
A daughter of Captain Al bred by Moutonshoek, Captain’s Ransom sold at the 2019 National Yearling Sale for R225 000.
“Whoever the chosen mate is will be a lucky fella. I have enjoyed several visits to Justin Snaith’s stable where I have seen this beautiful mare enjoy the company of children. She seems to particularly enjoy the company of little girls. The youngest in our family is a gorgeous 5yo horse-mad girl. I took her to the stable one morning to encourage her interest. Our little girl stood calmly just inside Captain’s Ransom’s door. The filly walked towards her and put her head over her shoulder so gently it makes your heart burst,” added Freeman.
