Chave De Oura
Following on a year which saw exceptional performances on the racetrack, 2013 sees a number of horses worth following. Racehorses and stallions alike, there are a number of contenders waiting in the wings, who could go on to bigger and better things over the next 12 months.
Horses such as Variety Club, Jackson, Princess Victoria and other proven stars speak for themselves, and don’t need to be included.
Horses in training
CHAVE DE OURA
A beautifully bred horse, Chave de Oura is a son of Jet Master and the top-class, Gr1 winning sprinter Wonderful World. He looked impressive when winning two in a row in KZN, before coming down to the Cape to contest the bigger 3yo events. He made it a hatrick of wins when landing the Gr3 Cape Classic, but was subsequently unplaced in the Gr2 Selangor Cup (albeit finishing only two lengths off King of Pain). However, he made amends subsequently when finishing second in the Gr1 Cape Premier Yearling Sales Guineas, behind the ultra impressive Capetown Noir.
His pedigree suggests Chave de Oura maybe best over sprint distances, and, if so, he could prove formidable.
Hammie’s Hooker
HAMMIE’S HOOKER
An exceptional 2yo, Hammie’s Hooker confirmed that she had trained on well when putting in a fine effort when second in the Gr1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas. A very talented filly, Hammie’s Hooker did not have the perfect prep for the Guineas, and it is a true tribute to her class, that she got so close to the unbeaten Rumya. A filly to follow this season, Hammie’s Hooker looks overdue her first Gr1 success and should be very competitive in some of the bigger features for the fairer sex.
MOOHAAJIM
Looked something special when he won the Gr2 Mill Reef Stakes last year. Moohaajim displayed an impressive turn of foot when mowing down his rivals. While he did not beat any stars in the Mill Reef, Moohaajim followed up this win with a fine run in the Gr1 Middle Park Stakes, when beaten just a neck by unbeaten 2yo, Reckless Abandon.
By the vastly underrated sire Cape Cross, Moohaajim’s pedigree suggests he will make a better 3yo than juvenile, and he looks a horse worth following in 2013. Yet to try further than 1200m, he should stay at least one mile. His sire’s stock have an average winning distance of 1700m, whilst Moohaajim’s dam, Thiella, won twice up to 1600 metres.
Moohaajim, rated just off the very top 2yos (his official rating is 116), has a style of racing and pedigree, coupled with the fact he has made just four starts, suggest he could train on better than some of his contemporaries.
Royal Zulu Warrior
ROYAL ZULU WARRIOR
He provided punters with an impressive spectacle when romping home in the recent Gr3 Lebelo Handicap in the style of a truly top-class athlete. Royal Zulu Warrior, previously troubled by joint and ligament injuries, had been off the track for nearly a year prior to his first feature race victory, and produced an eye catching turn of foot to win over more experienced rivals. While he was not facing the country’s big guns, Royal Zulu Warrior could not have won more impressively, and has the scope to improve still further.
MARS
A horse whose home preceded him, Mars was established as favourite for the 2013 Investec Derby before he set foot on the racetrack. The Aidan O’Brien trained colt made just one start in 2012, when bolting home in a lowly maiden at Dundalk. Mars started at the prohibitive odds of 4/7, and strolled home by four and a half lengths. While he did not beat much, it is difficult to ignore a horse from such a powerful yard who has such a staggering reputation. Mars is very well bred, although it is worth remembering that his dam, Massara, was a very quick racemare – who is a half-sister to Gr1 winning sprinter and leading sire Invincible Spirit. He is bred on the potent Galileo/Danehill cross, which has produced numerous Gr1 winners, including Frankel. It is worth noting that Mars has been headed by stable companion Kingsbarns in the betting for next year’s Derby, but he is definitely a horse worth watching when he returns to the track.
E-JET
A promising 3yo, E-Jet has done nothing wrong since returning to the track after a break and gelding. The son of Jet Master, who ran fourth to Slumdogmillionaire and Pomodoro in last season’s Gr1 SA Classic, made a good return to the track when third over the inadequate trip of 1160 metres. He made amends next time out, however, when scoring an impressive all the way at Turffontein over 1600 metres from bridesmaid Brooks-Club. It was another 14 lengths back to the third placed finisher. Lightly raced, the beautifully bred E-Jet (yet another classy member of the “E” family), has the scope to progress. He could be a contender for some of the bigger races in the KZN season.
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Sires for 2013
Judpot
JUDPOT
Judpot could not have made a better start to his stud career, with his daughter Lady Morgana romping home on debut at Turffontein. Another daughter of the sire ran fourth in the same race.
At the time of writing, Judpot has had just two runners, and he has made the perfect start to his stud career. Judging on his pedigree, by A P Indy out of champion Miesque, Judpot’s progeny should get better with time and distance.
SEA THE STARS
One of the best horses of recent times, the mighty Sea The Stars has his first runners representing him this year. No fewer than 33 of his first yearlings have been entered for the 2014 Investec Derby, and it will fascinating to see how the first Sea The Stars offspring perform. While he himself was best as a 3yo, Sea The Stars won two of his three starts as a juvenile – including the important Gr2 Beresford Stakes. He made his first start in July, which many would regard as an unusually early beginning for a classic hopeful.
A half-brother to world’s number sire Galileo, Sea The Stars has had every chance at stud, covering some of the world’s finest racemares and proven producers. A better racehorse than Galileo, it is hard to see Sea The Stars achieving the same distinction at stud – but only time will tell.
Dynasty
DYNASTY
An exceptional sire, Dynasty looks set to have a terrific season ahead of him this year. Already represented in the 2012/2013 by such stakes winners as Beach Beauty, Taipan and Demanding Lady, Dynasty has three offspring among the leading fancies for the J&B Met, including the warm favourite, Jackson.
It surely is only a matter of time Dynasty’s Run For It cracks a good win, and it is safe to say, that Dynasty is more than matching his superlative racetrack performance at stud!
He has some well bred 2yos representing him this season, including siblings to Agra, Ancestral Fore, Ravishing, Little Miss Magic and former Horse of the Year, Irish Flame.
