SA exacta as Variety Club beats Soft Falling Rain in Godolphin Mile
Dual SA Horse Of The Year Variety Club surprised defending champion Soft Falling Rain to win the $1,000,000 Godolphin Mile which turned out to be a battle between South African trainers and horses.
The son of Avontuur stallion Var and trained by Joey Ramsden, led from start to post, to beat Mike de Kock’s Soft Falling Rain comfortably.
Flotilla came in third.
Trainer Joey Ramsden said: “To come here to compete means a lot, but to win is something special. Anton gave him a fantastic ride, and he got into a soft lead, and this gives me so much pleasure and all of South Africa. It may take a while to sink in.”
Superman! Anton Marcus rode a confident race from a wide draw
Jockey Paul Hanagan was full of praise for Soft Falling Rain’s efforts. “He has run a great race, and it’s no disgrace to be beaten by the winner. He was beaten by a very good horse and the race went exactly as I would have liked it to.”
Variety Club was bred by Beaumont Stud.
It is rumoured that he may be headed to Hong Kong
