The magic of Majmu! Anthony Delpech salutes in triumph as the daughter of Redoute’s Choice wins a cracker (JC Photos)
Trumped by champion international trainer Mike De Kock as the best filly he has trained, the outstanding Majmu silenced her critics with a scintillating second career Gr1 victory when clinching honours in a dramatic R1 million Laurie Jaffee Empress Club Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
In a disappointing incident at the start, and a major blow for the supporters and connections of Majmu’s major opponent, the starting gate appeared to bounce back and hamper KZN visitor Same Jurisdiction.
Jockey Piere Strydom can clearly be seen glancing to the inside at the Starter a few strides into the race, no doubt appealing for a false start call in his own mind. His mount was declared a non-runner by the Stipes, resulting in major deductions in winning bets and refunds on tote bets.
While we will never know how much the gate impediment cost Same Jurisdiction, nothing could take the gloss off an outstanding performance by Majmu, a magnificent daughter of Redoute’s Choice, who who was having her first start in 18 weeks since her Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas win during her brief Cape summer campaign.
The race was run at a good clip with Majmu five lengths off the pace in fourth, as Tamaanee led Smart Call and Banbury. Same Jurisdiction looked relaxed after the start incident, about ten lengths off and a few from the rear.
Anthony Delpech – good day at the office
The order remain unchanged into the home run and at the 400m marker Delpech gave Majmu the office and she lengthened her stride.
Same Jurisdiction made her move at the same moment from two lengths behind Majmu and became tight between Not Sulking and Trophy Wife. But she had little to come and ran out of the money – only to be tagged a non-runner by the Stipes.
But at the 300m, the magnificent Majmu was out in the open and she drew clear to win by 3 lengths in a time of 97,50 secs as her regular rider saluted victoriously at the post.
It was a third winner for Delpech and De Kock on the day.
The perennial bridesmad Trophy Wife ran on best for second from many lengths back, ahead of her vastly improved stablemate Tamaanee, with Cape visitor Hammie’s Hooker holding fourth after briefly looking dangerous down the inside rail.
Majmu has now won 6 of her 7 starts with 1 place for gross stakes of R1 895 000.
The grey was bred in Australia by Arrowfield Stud and was purchased at the 2013 Inglis Australia Easter Yearling Sale for $300 000 by Shadwell Stud.
She is the second foal of South American Group 1 winner Spontaneous.
She obviously wasn’t at her peak today and De Kock is on record as saying she is good enough to win a Gr1 overseas. So anything could be next.
The world really is Majmu’s oyster right now!
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Gr1 Empress Club Stakes (SAf-Gr1)
Turffontein, South Africa, April 11, R1 million, 1600m, turf, good, 1.37.05
1 – MAJMU (AUS), 57.5, gr f 3, Redoute’s Choice (AUS) – Spontaneous (CHI) by Hussonet (USA). Owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum; Breeder bred in Australia; trainer MF de Kock; jockey A Delpech
2 – Trophy Wife (SAF), 57.5, b f 3, Tiger Ridge (USA) – My Squeeza (SAF) by Goldmark (SAF)
3 – Tamaanee (AUS), 57.5, b f 3, Teofilo (IRE) – Cangino (AUS) by Perugino (USA)
Margins: 3.00, 0.50, 0.75
