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Louis The King digs deep for Robbie Fradd as he storms to Triple Crown fame (JC Photos)

The brilliant Black Minnaloushe colt Louis The King soared into the rarified atmosphere graced by the legend of the great Horse Chestnut when he became only the second horse in fifteen years to lift the SA Triple Crown at Turffontein on Saturday. His victory in the R2 million Gr1 SA Derby was achieved in the face of serious pressure and compounded by the horseracing media machine which had kicked into an unlikely top gear  in the build up to the climax of the Gauteng season.

This smashing little horse, who cost something in the region of eight months keep, was the star of the show and played his part perfectly.

We frankly haven’t seen anything like it in years.

Horse Chestnut and Pocket Power were different characters. Brilliant racehorses, they were followed passionately and swept all before them. They had books written about them.

But in this new enlightened age of social media voyeurism and in your face marketing, Louis The King was just about everywhere.

Trending on twitter, flying on Facebook and surely the best thing to happen to the game in five years, Louis is likely to have given rise to a new generation of followers.

Another angle on Louis The King’s great win (JC Photos)

To top it all, and despite the cynics suggesting that he could’t and wouldnt stay the 2450m trip, he actually won and provided his sire Black Minnaloushe with a priceless, premium boosting fillip(excuse the pun Mr Kahan) on the eve of the National Yearling Sale, after he also produced the winner of the Gr1 SA Oaks run just over an hour earlier.

The race mapped out perfectly, although veteran jockey Robbie Fradd conceded afterwards that nerves may have gotten to him when he let Louis go early at the top of the straight.

But he got away with it and history will only remember the glorious win,

Anton Marcus took Ilitshe up to lead from As You Like, Leeuloop Jet and Supertube.

Louis The King was about eight lengths back turning for home but he ghosted through the centre of the course and hit the front at the 400m with As You Like sticking to him like a dirty piece of old chewing gum.

With Fradd riding for his life (and a nice commission) Louis The King stayed on courageously to beat As You Like by a length in a time of 156,10 secs.

The gallant runner up’s stablemate Earl Of Derby stayed on well at any price for a 4,50 length third, with Gone Baby Gone running into fourth.

Jockey Robbie Fradd, who flew in (but threatened that he would have swum if he had to) from Australia said that the Triple Crown triumph was a once in a lifetime opportunity for a jockey or trainer:

“When these golden opportunities come along we have to grab them with both hands. And what a terrific ride Louis The King has given us. Every time we have asked him,  he has given us. I was off the bridle in the  backstretch but he picked it up going up the hill. I probably let him go earlier than I should have and that may have just been a ‘bit of nerves’!”

Geoff Woodruff enjoyed a well earned drink after the race

Trainer Geoff Woodruff, who had a fantastic day, said that his nerves were ‘pretty frayed’ but felt that he had won fair and square.

“I sit at the back in the gazebo and watch with my mates and the grooms. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet but I am thrilled for the van der Vyver family, for Philip Kahan, and for my staff. I think  I am going to have a drink now,” he said.

Owner Tiaan van der Vyver was on course with his son (Louis naturally). He was ecstatic and said that he was so proud of everybody involved in the team effort.

“Geoff and his team did so well. Robbie (Fradd) made the effort to travel back from Australia. After overcoming the first two legs we tackled the third hurdle and we did it. I’m so proud of this wonderful horse.  Thanks are due to the sponsors and the public for making the occasion. We may not have the sea like Durban, but things are happening in Joburg!” he said.

Robbie Fradd flew in from Down Under

Louis The King was bred by The Alchemy and is by Black Minnaloushe out of the Rich Man’s Gold mare, Pamushana.

His dam was bought by The Alchemy at the 2010 Vintage mare sale for R20 000 in foal to Black Minnaloushe.

The Alchemy sold that foal (Louis The King)  for R55 000 at the KZN yearling sale to Limestone Thoroughbreds.

Louis The King is the only foal of the mare registered so far.

He has now won 5 of his 6 starts with 1 place. His only career defeat was his 3,25 length second to Lance in the 2013 Secretariat Stakes.

Louis The King took his earnings to R3 342 500 and that does not include that generous SASCOC Triple Crown bonus of R2 million!

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