There will be plenty of interest in the six progeny of Moutonshoek stallion The United States at the Cape Yearling Sale on Sunday after the son of Galileo broke the ice at feature level in style at the Vaal on Saturday with his first ever runner.
A versatile globetrotting seven time winner from 1400m to 2500m in Ireland, Australia and Hong Kong, the Coolmore raced Gr1 winning The United States, a brother to the high-class fillies Hermosa and Hydrangea, could not have hoped for a better start on a great afternoon for the Azzie family racing team.
Impressive! Sheela charges home under S’manga Khumalo (Pic – JC Photos)
His Drakenstein-bred daughter Sheela made her debut in mixed company in the R100 000 Listed Storm Bird Stakes which was run over 1000m at the Vaal, after Turffontein was deemed unsafe for racing.
After losing a few lengths at the start, Sheela (15-10) was relaxed under S’manga Khumalo at the rear off a fast pace.
But moving effortlessly through her field at the 350m, she drew away to beat Social Image (5-1) by 3,75 lengths in a time of 56,69 secs.
Smart Hollywood Syndicate debut winner Hope Is Power (5-1) was well beaten a further 2,75 lengths back in third.
The United States (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Bred and raced by Drakenstein Stud, Sheela is out of the one-time winning stakes placed Trippi mare, Trip To India. The latter hails from the family of European Gr1 winner Continent, who struck in the July Cup and Prix de l’Abbaye, and Grand Prix de Paris scorer Zambezi Sun.
Trainer Adam Azzie said that Sheela had shown enormous promise at home and was specifically prepped for the Storm Bird Stakes.
Progeny of The United States at Sunday’s BSA Cape Yearling Sale are: #58, #120, #130, #131, #148 and #166.
The sale starts at 12h30 – see the catalogue here
