Saturday’s Gr2 TAB Gauteng Guineas winner Sandringham Summit (Gimmethegreenlight) is without question, a well-bred colt.
A half-brother to 2019 Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion winner, and now Clifton Stud based stallion, Eden Roc (Var), Sandringham Summit is out of 2009 Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship winner Townsend.
The latter, in turn, is a Captain Al half-sister to 2010 Gr1 Champions Challenge victor Regal Ransom (Caesour), with Townsend’s dam, Palace Gossip, winning eight times and running second in the Gr3 TR Lewis Memorial Stakes.
Sandringham Summit (Gavin Lerena) shows his field a clean pair of heels (Pic – JC Photos)
Sandringham Summit is also very closely related to the smart Gimmethegreenlight sired galloper Shoemaker -whose half-brother Zapatillas (Master Of My Fate) won the 2022 Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas.
Another interesting fact about Sandringham Summit’s dam Townsend is that she is closely inbred to Jamaico.
Her sire Captain Al’s granddam Infanta was sired by Jamaico, while the latter also ranks as the sire of Townsend’s third dam, Island Farewell.
A son of 1957 French 2000 Guineas third place getter Prince Taj, the grey Jamaico won five times from 1850m to 2100m and was runner up in both the 1967 Gr3 Prix De Guiche and 1967 Gr3 Prix La Force.
The latter race saw Jamaico finish second to Topyo (Fine Top) -who would go on to win the 1967 Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
A direct male line descendant of the legendary St Simon, Jamaico was out of the Wild Risk mare Suze, whose ancestress Hersey also ranked as the ancestress of such classic winners as Dunfermline (Oaks, St Leger), Tabasco Cat (Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes), and Judea (Irish Oaks).
Retired to stud in 1969, Jamaico enjoyed success with his 29 individual stakes winners headed by eight Gr1 winners.
1976 Durban July winner Jamaican Music with Bert Abercrombie up (Pic – Supplied)
Jamaico is one of a handful of stallions to have sired more than two Durban July winners, with his sons Jamaican Music (1976), Jamaican Rumba (1982) and Gondolier (1985) all victorious in the July. Jamaico also sired champion fillies Breyani, Cerulean Blue, and Grey Sun, as well as the top-class Run For Lily.
He also enjoyed notable success with his broodmare daughters producing such Gr1 winners as Bold Chieftain (Singh), Silver Sliver (West Man), Pedometer (Averof), Ndabeni (National Assembly), and San Louis (Folmar), to name a few.
His daughter Home Honey was South Africa’s Broodmare Of The Year in 1990, and produced Gr1 OK Gold Bowl winner Honey Chunk (Hobnob) and multiple graded stakes winner Honey Bear (Roland Gardens).
Jamaico’s daughters A Song Is Born, Calypso Queen, Grey Blue, Island Farewell, Mustique and Run For Lily, all made considerable contributions to racing in South Africa through a plethora of high-class descendants.
Inbreeding to Jamaico has enjoyed success, previously producing the likes of the dam of Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Potent Power (National Emblem), as well as high-class broodmare Betty Burke (Captain Al). The latter produced a trio of stakes winners, including graded stakes winners Freedom Charter (Elusive Fort) and Pretty Betty (Master Of My Fate).
Jamaico’s daughter Infanta, the granddam of Captain Al, will ensure the former Riverton Stud resident’s name continues to pop up in top-class South African thoroughbreds for years to come
