On the eve of the 2022 renewal of the CTS Farm Yearling Sale at Kenilworth on Sunday, the linked contest for the class of 2021 ended in something of a media coup for the locally-based sales company on Wednesday when an already stakes-winning R15 000 graduate picked up the first cheque of R250 000.
Cape Thoroughbred Sales CEO Grant Knowles was understandably beaming from ear-to-ear in the post-race formalities, handing out cheques and champagne to the elated winning connections, after Gr3 Cape Nursery winner We’re Jamming had hacked up under a hands ride by Aldo Domeyer to win the R400 000 Cape Thoroughbred Farm Sale, a 1200m race, down the Kenilworth straight track.
Aldo Domeyer poses as We’re Jamming strides clear to a facile win – he is one for the notebook! (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Starting at 5-10, We’re Jamming breezed in to beat the Paul Reeves filly Hear My Voice (25-1) by 4,50 lengths in a time of 75,18 secs.
In a blanket finish for the places, Brett Crawford’s Capitaine Maurice was third, with Scalini in fourth.
Justin Snaith’s Ideal World filly Fur Baby picked up the fifth and final cheque of R10 000.
Part owner Greg Bortz – he races the smart 2yo with his camera shy partner Gina Goldsmith – pointed out in jest that trainers only seem to win races on the eve of sales. He thanked Chris Snaith who had found We’re Jamming as a horse worth buying – and that was before the colt’s Cape Nursery success.
Bortz said he had paid over the budget, but that the victory in this race had balanced the books.
Jockey Aldo Domeyer was quizzed by Bortz as to why he had settled the son of Duke Of Marmalade.
“We want to teach him to settle and race,” responded Domeyer, who suggested that we will see the best of the exciting winner in the summer. That underscored trainer Piet Steyn’s suggestion that he could be another Katak – in a reference to the Cape Winter Series winner who was unbeaten when leaving Steyn’s Milnerton base for Singapore in 2020.
Looking at the Ridgemont Highlands-bred We’re Jamming today, it’s difficult to understand how he sold for a handful more than a top stable’s month’s keep at R15 000.
The Duke Of Marmalade colt was having only his second start for the Justin Snaith yard, after being purchased by Greg Bortz for an undisclosed sum from Milnerton ‘Cheapie Champ’ Piet Steyn – described by SA Champion Snaith as the most underrated trainer in the country – and certainly a man with the most astute eye for value.
We’re Jamming (Aldo Domeyer) is led in by Justin Snaith, Gina Goldsmith and Greg Bortz – Chris Snaith looks on at the back (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
“My biggest concern must be how my expert team of selectors missed this magnificent horse at the sale,”quipped a smiling Justin as he paid tribute to the sporting Steyn, who had been the first man to congratulate the winners.
The third foal of the one-time winner Maidstone (Windrush), We’re Jamming is by the deceased Drakenstein Champion Duke Of Marmalade.
He has now won 2 races with 4 places from 6 starts and stakes of R487 650 – a healthy return on his price ticket of R15 000!
The 2022 CTS Farm Yearling Sale will be held at Kenilworth Racecourse and starts at 14h00 on Sunday.
Justin Snaith called on his colleagues to attend the great value-for-money auction. “If you don’t, you’re lazy,” he laughed, pointing out the list of top-notch vendors.
He also complimented Kenilworth Track boss Dean Diedericks and his team on turning out the course in such magnificent trim hours after one of the worst winter rain storms in recent memory.
“I don’t believe we would have raced anywhere in the country after this rain. Compliments to Dean – he does a great job and on his budget, I’m surprised there is even grass on the track!”
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