The newest addition to the impressive Ridgemont stallion roster, dual Grade 1 winning Equus champion sprinter Thunderstruck has already covered 40 mares and is proving a true professional in the lush paddocks of the magnificent Robertson farm.
Thunderstruck – proving to be a true professional at stud (Pic – Supplied)
“Some stallions inevitably take more time than others to find their feet. But Thunderstruck has let down beautifully and is the consummate professional. It’s hardly surprising that he is proving very popular. He ticks all the boxes and we are very excited about his prospects, “ said Ridgemont’s Craig Carey of the third member of the Redoute’s Choice clan to stand at the historical Robertson nursery.
Thunderstruck’s champion Dad Rafeef, a fellow Highveld Champion Sprinter and Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner, is by the revered former Arrowfield champion, whilst speed demon barnmate Real Gone Kid is by his champion son Snitzel.
This concentration of Redoute’s Choice blood immediately brings to suggests that ‘you can never have enough of a good thing!’ Yet it is nothing new, considering that the world-famous Coolmore Stud have made it practice to simultaneously stand a number of sons of breed-shaping stallions – the prime examples being Northern Dancer, his son Sadler’s Wells, and grandson Galileo.
A tough, sound and ultra-consistent speed star who thrived under the guidance of champion conditioner Sean Tarry, the now 5yo won graded stakes races in all of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
Thunderstruck’s wide spectrum of appeal will lie in the fact that he is a third-generation winner of the Computaform Sprint, given that he is by 2017 winner Rafeef, whose own dam National Colour dominated the Turffontein dash in 2006.
The handsome athlete was also Rafeef’s second Computaform Sprint winner, his grey son Master Archie having preceded Thunderstruck in 2022.
Bred on a proven sprinting cross out of a VAR mare, Thunderstruck was that rare breed of precocious juvenile who trained on over three illustrious seasons to retire with 8 wins from 1000m to 1200m and a rating of 128.
Speed, rather than stamina, is very much a feature of Thunderstruck’s female line. His dam Varikate beat the boys in the Gr2 Post Merchants – and it doesn’t stop there! Grandam Katies Star won six races, and is by Kings Cup winner Modern Day, a son of the lightning fast Dayjur, while the next dam, stakes placed Five Star Suite, is out of Irish import Royal Suite, a daughter of the excellent sprinter Habitat.
The standout name in Thunderstruck’s extended family is that of Champion American 2yo Honest Pleasure, who racked up six Gr1 victories in a star-studded career.
Precocity, heart, courage, class and speed were Thunderstruck’s trademarks on the track and his offspring are sure to be lightning fast out of the blocks.
Champion breeder Mrs Mary Slack, who raced Thunderstruck, has retained a substantial share in his stallion career. His mare support has been quality!
- Thunderstruck’s first season service fee is set at R20 000 live foal.
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