Wilgerbosdrift’s impeccably bred War Front stallion Fire Away celebrated his first stakes success when the progressive Luna Halo stormed clear under Richard Fourie to win the R150 000 Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery.
On a day where Alan Greeff saddled a treble, with Richard Fourie piloting a double, Luna Halo (11-10) came home powerfully as a popular winner in a time of 70,72 secs.
Luna Halo powers home under Richard Fourie (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Cape raider Siddeley (5-2) stayed on well 1,50 lengths adrift in second ahead of the 7-1 shot, Idita.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, the winner was a R160 000 National Yearling Sale purchase and has won 2 races with a place from 3 starts for stakes of R153 575.
Out of the Captain Al mare Sun Sentinel, the winner is by Fire Away who won seven times, and earned more than $600 000, during his career with his trio of stakes wins headed by a triumph in the 2018 G3 Dixie Stakes.
The latter race has been won by a plethora of equine stars previously, with past stars to have won the Dixie Stakes including such Breeders’ Cup winners as World Approval, Better Talk Now and Lure, as well as highly successful sire Nassipour, and champions Bowl Game and Fort Marcy.
Fire Away is a half-brother to graded stakes winners Vigilantes Way (G3 Eatontown Stakes) and Mr Speaker (G1 Belmont Derby). The latter has also enjoyed success at stud, with Mr Speaker having sired the G1 winners Speech (Ashland Stakes) and Speaking Scout (Hollywood Derby).
Fire Away’s dam Salute, a daughter of Kentucky Derby winner and outstanding sire Unbridled, won at two when she also finished runner up in the Gr2 Demoiselle Stakes and third in the Gr3 Tempted Stakes.
Salute, a half-sister to the Gr1 winners Miner’s Mark, My Flag and Traditionally, was produced by unbeaten champion, and Gr1 Breeder’ Cup Distaff winner Personal Ensign. The latter, whose son Our Emblem sired Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem, was USA’s Broodmare Of The Year in 1996.
Fire Away’s 11 lots on offer at this year’s National Yearling Sale include a half-sister (Lot 260) to the graded stakes winners Our Emperor and Platinum Class, as well as a full-brother (Lot 319) to impressive recent debut winner Rani Of Kittur.
