What a fantastic whirl of non stop activity all the breeders have put on for everyone this past week. I made it to the gym this morning, but I think I was alcohol pouring out of my skin not sweat!
Last Friday was a day spent visiting the studs of Highlands, Maine Chance, Klawervlei and Drakenstein. Not only did we see world class yearlings on offer but the most spectacular scenery the Cape has to offer, some of it not for the faint hearted and probably by choice I would not choose to sit next to the window again when traversing a winding, steep pass through the mountains because the tunnel was blocked by two lorries. I am not going to discuss the yearlings as far more knowledgeable people have given views and verdicts but all the studs had them tuned to perfection. I, like some have been sceptical about whether managers would be able to get them ready in time but as John Slade remarked he has chosen the yearlings that he knows will look the part and he feels the preparation has gone very smoothly as they have just worked progressively and been exercised accordingly. Everyone could see the hours of work that has gone into the yearlings and all of the grooms must be so proud of their charges as they were an absolute credit to them. I must mention one in particular at Maine Chance, whose name escapes me, ( I am not telling you lot anyway as I really liked him!), but his groom had managed to find from somewhere a beautiful gold gleaming bridle and had polished his yearling till his coat absolutely gleamed. I am going to steal that groom John and taking him back to the UK to produce my show horses, he is a perfectionist and his attention to detail ensured his colt stood out amongst a bunch of excellent yearlings. It was lovely to see the stallions at Maine Chance and Drakenstein. I absolutely adore Black Minnaloushe, he is such an exciting horse. The Johny Deppe of the stallion world, wild and naughty but so sexy! Johnny not the horse! He has such class and oozes quality, I love that wildness. I think his yearlings are ultra special and I saw some at each stud that I am definitely going to have a punt on if they stay in the Great Gamblers price bracket. Silvano is the sophisticated James Bond of the horse world, cool, beautiful manners and already proved himself with the ladies. His adverts are already on the track and there is no doubting that both these guys will carry on and produce talented offspring.
Horse Chestnut knows he is world class. He knows he is the King of the Mountains up at Drakenstein. He looked at us standing there watching him as if we were totally inferior to him and as he swaggered through rows of gawping 2 legged admirers he just seemed to be totally in charge. That horse has the most imposing presence and is a horse of incredible beauty. I have never seen a horse be so disdainful of all around him and yet so totally at ease. Remarkable, and I could not possible compare him to any man as I don’t think I have met one yet with that sort of aloofness bordering on arrogance. I would love him as a partner for Discover Diamonds and will have to ask the Ed to look at the mating.
Thank you all the studs on behalf of us all on the notorious coach. The trip was organised by Grant Knowles and we had a lovely day and so appreciated all the work you all put into the day. I know it must have been a lot of work as those days that seem so effortless from the outside actually take hours of work by a lot of people so thank you all at Highlands, Maine Chance, Klawervlei and Drakenstein. Your hospitality and professionalism are what sums up this wonderful Country.
We have started the second week with the Klawervlei Golf Day up at Paarl. I am not playing as my golf clubs have been pinched from the garage here but I am sure I will have a wonderful time instead joining lots of other ladies partaking of High Tea at The Vineyard Hotel. What a great idea. I am not sure what we will be doing but if all we do is eat sandwiches, drink tea and chat then I for one will be very happy as I love the company of other women. I never have time to be a “lady that lunches”and so it will make a lovely change. I am sure we will also have lots more to talk about than horses! I am then going to dash up to Paarl for the Kalwervlei Golf prize giving and dinner. I really hope that the golfers are feeling generous and will support the Auction. John Koster has donated the racing filly of a grey filly this year so I am hoping Neil Smith will be at the auction as I know Maureen loves her greys! I might just bid myself as the filly is going to Brett Crawford and we are so enjoying Brett’s company this year and it was lovely to see him have a winner at Kenilworth last Saturday with Gavin and Shireen Almanza’s Tigers Eye. Vaughann Marshall trains the filly we bought last year at the same auction, Rosali Hope, thankyou to Rowhann Smitt for pronouncing the name right! We were thrilled to see her run so well last Saturday and this quietly spoken gentlemen of a trainer has given us hope that she might come out and do very well next time. One to watch I feel and also one that couldn’t be ignored was Mike’s What a Winter. A sensational racehorse with the most incredible speed. It must be so exciting for Mike to have a horse of this astounding speed. Maybe he will be the one that persuades Mike to give Dubai a shot and not to pass him over to any other trainer. I hope so as my most favourite of all trainers in the World should be seen by the rest of the World and show them what a Master he is. I know Mike does not do it for the glory and I know he is recognised here as one of the best if not the best but it would be lovely to see him honoured as such on the World stage.
Tuesday is the Equimark Ready to Run sale and bargains can always be picked up at this sale. I think Ready to Runs are great for owners wanting to get going and at least they know they will be on the track and watching fairly quickly. I am sure Equimark will again put on a good sale and the Great Gambler and I look forward to spending precious time with Lionel and hopefully Caroline if they come over from Australia as we miss them both. We will then drive over to Kenilworth in the evening for Rodney Dunn’s Cocktails and Racing. Rodney tirelessly works for the good of racing and this Charity evening is always well supported by the racing community. Every year Rodney raises thousands and if he was a Brit the Queen would be awarding him an OBE for services to Racing. I am sure Graeme Hawkins, the auctioneer will once again persuade the Great Gambler to part with some of his hard earned!
The Convention Centre is where will be Wednesday evening for the TBA Sales cocktail party. A new event so not sure what to expect. I am taking a few friends along and hope they will be inspired enough by the occasion to want to go along to the auction the next day.
The sales were really well covered last week by this paper and the Editor put together the most comprehensive guide I have ever seen and must have taken him hours of work. The Great Gambler and I spent a few hours in bed yesterday morning pouring over the guide, believe me it is that interesting and we have been married a long time! We were specifically looking for yearlings bred to stay with a bit of speed on the dam side. The guide made it so easy to identify them and saved us hours of donkey work. Needless to say there were just a handful that fitted our criteria as nobody breeds them any more, short sighted I feel as these babies will give owners so many more years of pleasure but as they say each to their own and I am just glad nobody seems to want what I want! Good hunting!
