Jane Thomas of Far End Stud believes that she has a ‘money horse’ for Sunday’s Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale hosted by CTS at the Inanda Club in Sandton, and not without good reason.
Far End’s 16-strong consignment includes an unnamed colt by leading international stallion Hard Spun (the sire of Gr1 Cape Derby winner Ertijaal) from former star sprinter Noble Heir, the cracking little mare who won eight races including the Gr1 Computaform Sprint before being sold and exported to Australia.
He’s Noble Heir’s first foal, this bay youngster, and Thomas commented: “He was bought for a syndicate by Kerry Jack Bloodstock and imported, we’re fortunate to have him. He’s a nice specimen, bigger than his dam who you will remember was on the small side. He’s not as forward as some would probably have liked him to be, I give my young horses time. But he has lots of scope. He’s bred for South African racing and I’m confident he’ll develop into a very nice horse.”
A more precocious type is Midnight Messenger (Lot 95), a “forward and well balanced” horse by Kahal from the immediate family of Stellite and Zirconeum. “He galloped very well at Summerhill and Dean Kannemeyer spotted and mentioned him,” tells Thomas. “He’s really nice, the type of horse I can see as a Cup contender next year!”
Thomas is also chuffed with the offspring of Curved Ball – represented by three fillies (Lots 10, 38 and 69) in Far End’s draft and she said: “They look like they can run. I think the Curved Ball offspring will represent good value.”
Others who should get their share of bids include Colour Code (Lot 63), a Bezrin filly from a mare who won seven races before injury ended her career; a hard-galloping filly by Warm White Night (Lot 86) and a “nice, racy” Pathfork colt from a black-typed damline (Lot 134).