Multiple SA champion trainer Mike de Kock dominated the R600 000 Gr2 Golden Horseshoe run over 1400m at Greyville on Vodacom Durban July Day when stablemates Barahin and Soqrat – both owned by Sheikh Hamdan – fought out a thrilling finish to the 2yo feature.
Barahin (Bernard Fayd’herbe) and Soqrat (Randall Simons in red cap) ) fight out the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe finish (Pic – Candiese Marnewick / Gold Circle)
It was the SA-bred Barahin who came out tops under a hard ride by Bernard Fayd’herbe to give breeders Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein a nice 2yo feature double after Captain Al’s daughter Celtic Sea won the Gr2 Golden Slipper earlier on.
Anton Marcus took the smart Oratorio colt Cue The Music out to lead, but the colt with the impressive cruising speed came under pressure 300m out.
That left the De Kock duo to fight it out.
With the more fancied Soqrat running green, course experience told and Barahin asserted himself to get the verdict by a head in a time of 83,61 secs.
Mike de Kock said that he could not seperate his duo in the build up to the race.
“They are two very good horses. And it was the right result for our SA breeders! I am very happy for Sheikh Hamdan – he is a massive supporter of the sport in this country,” said De Kock.
Bernard Fayd’herbe – hard and determined ride
Bernard Fayd’herbe said that his mount had a very laid-back temperament.
“Once he took the bit, it was a case of just finding the gaps. He will be better at a mile,” confirmed the heavyweight jockey.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, Barahin is a son of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the Silvano mare Mocha Special, a one-time winner.
The winner was a R2,6 million buy from last year’s National Yearling Sale and looks a very decent classic prospect in the making.
He has won 3 races with 1 place from 4 starts for stakes of R533 625. That excludes the BSA Added Value Stakes bonus of R102 500.
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Gr2 Golden Horseshoe (SAf-Gr2)
Greyville, South Africa, July 7, R600k, 1400m, turf, good, 1.23.61
1 – BARAHIN (SAF), 60.0, b c 2, Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – Mocha Special (SAF) by Silvano (GER). Owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum; Breeder Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein; trainer MF de Kock; jockey B Fayd’herbe
2 – Soqrat (AUS), 60.0, b c 2, Epaulette (AUS) – Elzeeza (AUS) by Hussonet (USA)
3 – Sulka (SAF), 60.0, b c 2, Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – Cruise Collection (SAF) by Model Man (SAF)
Margins: 0.05, 2.25, 1.75
