In the same month that he sired Aragosta to win the WSB Gr1 SA Derby over 2450m, Ridgemont Highlands stallion Rafeef underscored his enormous versatility when his 3yo son Master Archie, SA racing’s newest equine millionaire, stormed to victory in South Africa’s fastest Grade 1, the R1 million Computaform Sprint.
South Africa’s leading first season sire of 2020/21, the champion son of multiple champion sire Redoute’s Choice won the Gr1 Computaform Sprint in 2017 as a 3yo and is fast growing in stature as a young stallion with enormous upward potential.
Gavin Lerena and Master Archie are well clear (Pic – JC Photos)
This was clearly evidenced by his popularity and the demand for his progeny at the past week’s National Yearling Sale.
Master Archie is one of three graded stakes winners to have emerged from Rafeef’s sensational first crop, which includes the Gr1 WSB SA Derby/Gr3 Sea Cottage Stakes winner Aragosta, and Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes victor William Robertson.
Rafeef’s second crop includes Saturday’s eye catching Gr2 Heineken SA Nursery runner-up Union Square and the unbeaten filly Who Do You Love. The future looks bright!
“We couldn’t have imagined a better start in the stallion barn for a horse who demonstrated his class and impeccable breeding on the racetrack. And to have him siring Gr1 winners from 1000m to 2450m is breathtaking and something the entire Ridgemont Highlands team can be excited about. It bodes well for the future,” a thrilled Ridgemont Highland’s Craig Kieswetter told the Sporting Post.
A handsome grey, Master Archie was given every chance in a nationally representative field by the high-riding Gavin Lerena, and turned on the guns at the 300m to streak clear and register a nippy 56,38 secs for the Turffontein 1000m speedway, beating his stablemate Big Burn by 2,25 lengths in a great result for national log-leading trainer Paul Peter.
Johan Janse van Vuuren’s True To Life (16-1) was a gallant third, with another 3yo in Alesian Chief fourth.
Bred by the partnership of Harry, Hanna and Azzie, Master Archie is by Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) out of the eight-time winning Var mare, La Volta.
A winner of 6 races with 2 places from 11 starts, Master Archie took his stakes tally to R1 015 875.
