Sean Tarry saddled his third SA premier marathon success when Richard Fourie guided the Futura 3yo Future Pearl to a resounding victory in the famous Beck silks in the 103rd renewal of the R1 million World Pool Gr3 Gold Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, in the process landing the unofficial stayers triple crown of the Gr2 Gold Bowl and the G2 Gold Vase.
The Randjesfontein-based Tarry saddled his first Gold Cup winner in 2011 when Gavin Lerena booted Aslan home, and then followed through with Nebraas in 2021. Lyle Hewitson rode that winner and the now Hong Kong-based rider was aboard the same tough gelding on Sunday, when the son of Vercingetorix ran a gallant third.
For the massively talented Richard Fourie, Future Pearl was a second victory in the 3200m test of courage after he rode Mokara to victory in the Oppenheimer silks for Stephen Page in 2009.
Future Pearl comes home lonely under Richard Fourie (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Future Pearl is the first 3yo to win the Gold Cup since Mike de Kock’s Ancestral Fore scored under under Kevin Shea in 2010.
On Sunday, Future Pearl (15-10) went through the motions, and showed that he is our brightest staying prospect in some time when he stormed away to beat the hardknocking 4yo Arumugam (10-1) by 2,40 lengths in a time of 208,78 secs.
Past winner Nebraas (25-2) surged through at the top of the home straight and looked dangerous, staying on for third a further quarter length back.
The defending champion Shangani was never in it and ran last.
The Drakenstein Stud-bred Future Pearl was a R525 000 National Yearling Sale purchase and took his stakes earnings to R1 192 624 with his fifth win and 6 places from 14 starts.
The three-year-old, who looks set to be crowned Equus Champion Stayer this season, is by Drakenstein Stud’s four time Gr1 winning stallion, and former Horse Of The Year, Futura. He is out of the twice-winning Al Mufti mare Arabian Pearl, who won up to 2400m.
Enjoy the post-race interview:
