Everything is going well and is on track for former SA Champion Sprinter Isivunguvungu’s dream bid for glory in the $1 million Prevagen Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar in San Diego, California, on 2 November.
His veteran trainer Graham Motion, who saddled Animal Kingdom to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby and 2013 Dubai World Cup, is based at the Fair Hill Training Centre in Maryland.
Regular rider Fernando Juarez takes Isivunguvungu through his paces at Fair Hill (Pic – Maggie Kimmitt Photography)
He told the Sporting Post on Wednesday that the What A Winter gelding had taken his breathtaking winning effort in the $150 000 Da Hoss Stakes run over 1100m at Colonial Downs in Virginia three weeks ago, ‘really well’.
“We are very much on schedule with him and have been focussed on keeping him ticking over and making sure he is a happy horse. He got what he needed out of the Da Hoss Stakes and he will have his first work since his race outing this coming Friday, which is our standard out here,” Motion told the Sporting Post, adding that the Hollywood Syndicate’s international flagbearer would not have another run before his clash with the stars in California.
Every owner wants a runner in one of the world’s most prestigious horseracing championships. So will Isivunguvungu get a run ‘where the surf meets the turf’, in the face of stiff international interest?
“I am told with confidence that he should make the cut and I feel that his winning the Da Hoss was important, as it underscores recency of form and fitness. And then there is his Group 1 back form collateral in South Africa to support his case,” added the trainer who already has Breeders’ Cup successes to his credit via Shared Account in the Filly & Mare Turf in 2010, and Main Sequence in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf.
When questioned on the 2024 BC race-entry time frames, Motion said that pre-entries were due on Monday 21 October, and fields published on 23 October.
“So all going according to plan, Isi will ship to California on 27 October. The Del Mar turf track will be fast and firm, and that will suit him.”
Looking back at the Da Hoss Stakes, Motion labelled it a ‘really good effort’ at the time.
After travels of 14000km from his native South Africa, and two months interred in quarantine, Isivinguvungu was having his first race in eight months.
No mean performance in anybody’s book and his time for the 1100m on firm turf was a commendable 1:02.58.
“He is a very special horse. Manny Franco gave him a great ride,” Motion said afterwards.
Isivunguvungu was bred by Narrow Creek Stud and is a son of former SA Champion Sprinter, What A Winter, a Champion Freshman Sire of 2017 and Champion 2yo Sire in 2021, who has had winners up to 2400m.
The South African dream of 2024 Breeders’ Cup glory continues!
