One of South Africa’s leading thoroughbred breeders and an astute businessman, Hassen Adams is known as the man with the midas touch and besides being bullish and excited about Nadeson Park’s high quality draft for Friday’s CRS Winter Mixed Sale, he also has some exciting plans to develop his stud farm.
Hassen presents lot 1 at 11h00 and is enthusiastic as he has ever been about his breeding operation after retiring in December 2019 from a lifetime of community and business life, as well as holding office in horseracing.
Hassen Adams and his son Rayaan at Nadeson Park – exciting times ahead! (Pic – Wayne Marks)
But beyond board meetings and going to the office daily, he has never really stopped.
His lengthy CV included chair of Grand Parade Investments, executive chair of Burger King SA, director of Gold Circle, director of Cape Town Fish Market and director of Afriserve, and his focus has now shifted to maintaining his Nadeson Park Stud as a force on the racing scene as well as developing an eco-village in the magnificent Hemel en Aarde Valley.
Ten different cancers have not slowed him down much, and a sprightly Hassen and his son Rayaan welcomed the Sporting Post to his beautiful home earlier this week after he had bounced back from a liver treatment, just days earlier.
“Did you expect to find me in bed?” he laughed as he picked up on our surprise at how well he looks, despite his enormous health challenges.
“I am lucky. I have good doctors. I’m in good hands. I’m not going anywhere! And I know you are here to chat about the sale on Friday, but I want to tell you something,” he roars as he goes on to talk about his latest venture in the beautiful valley.
“This is just the kind of project that gives me lots to think about! We are planning eco mountain lodges and banqueting facilities, with activities such as horse trails, mountain bike trails, and planned hikes through the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Valley mountains. These are all integral to the planning philosophy behind what is a much sought-after tourist destination,” he enthuses.
Hassen adds that Nadeson Park is a quiet refuge.
“Look at this place. It’s tranquil, and ideal for meditation hope and healing. The most beautiful natural indigenous environment which is perfect for the production of high-quality racehorses. This compliments the other features which make it a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, enabling one to re-energize,” he explains.
He tells that the lodges will be aesthetically designed to fit into the environment, with meandering trials through the indigenous flora, forest and rivulets.
“This is exciting – believe me, it’s a truly beautiful part of the world. I have been all over the globe. It’s a winner. I will keep your readers informed. It’s an eclectic mix of nature, horses and self!
On his draft for Friday, Hassen was enthusiastic.
See his comments below:
- Lot 1 Rendevous In Rio
“We open up the sale with this beautifully proportioned Trippi filly out of one of my foundation mares, Fairyinthewoods, a speedy mare who was unbeaten in six starts and won the G2 Southern Cross Stakes. She has produced some good horses.”
- Lot 2 Fate Of Peace
“A nice, strong filly by Master Of My Fate out of Flichity, another of our foundation mares.”
- Lot 3 Unnamed filly
“A Captain Of All from Fortissimus, a bold black type mare by Mogok. Beatifully topped and proportioned, I think a lot of her.”
- Lot 4 Lady William
“A filly by William Longsword. She is big and strong, could be a nice filly to buy at a reasonable price.”
- Lot 28 More Inclined
“A filly by Master Of My Fate out of a four-time winning More Than Ready mare. I like her, she looks a bit light, but I think that’s the way this family starts off. I think she’ll grow into something nice. More Than Ready is the sire of Gimmethegreenlight, his fillies are sought after all over the world.”
- Lot 29 Greenlight Jet
“A colt by Gimmethegreenlight out of Mysterious Jet, by Jet Master, whose full-sister La Bella Mia won eight races. He’s only starting to develop now, will be a stunning colt as a late two-year-old.”
- Lot 33 Green Street
“Here we have a Gimmethegreenlight filly, an absolute beauty and the best of my fillies. The blood says it all, she is from the close family of Vercingetorix.”
- Lot 36 Rama Forseca
“This is a magnificent colt by What A Winter, one of our best. He is out of Omega Force (Gimmethegreenlight), from the potent Aquila Rapax family.
- Lot 47 Global Rock
“He is by Global View out of a Rock Of Rochelle mare who in turn is by our foundation mare, District Six. Good family.”
- Lot 52 District Master
“A very nice colt by Captain Of All from Six Of The Best, a Jet Master mare who has done well so far, with Cane Lime and Soda one of her runners.”
- Lot 56 Path To Heaven
“A smart Pathfork colt out of Spring Orchid from the great Spring Lilac (Mystic Spring) family. Spring Palace (her Potala Palace colt), won just a few weeks ago.”
- Lot 66 Chinese Fortress
“By Potala Palace out of What A Gal, who has produced many good runners including stakes winner Perovskia. A strong family.”
- Lot 68 Aftershock
“This is an Erupt filly from a Western Winter mare who has already produced a small black-type horse by Vercingetorix and a promising two-year-old by William Longsword. A decent entry buy for newcomers.”
- Lot 69 All Is Green
“A Captain Of Al filly from Arctic Green, herself by Gimmethgreenlight out of G1 Allan Robertson winner Silver Arc. A well-topped filly from good family.”
- Lot 70 Fencing Captain
“By Captain Of All out of Arikara, from the extended family of Rock Lobster, Tellina and Tibouchina. A well put together colt, strong hind quarters and good girth.
- Lot 73 Unnamed filly
“An Erupt filly, she is a first foal, born from Captain Wheelson, by Captain Al, she’s a nice filly and I like the family. She could go for a reasonable price, another entry-level horse for first-time buyers.
- Lot 81 Chrome Horizon
“A beautiful Horizon filly from a mare who has produced 100% winners, including speedy Chrome Tourmaline who won in her second start recently.”
- Lot 85 Winter Emmeralds
“A magnificent What A Winter colt out of a Galileo mare, well put together from a strong international family.”
