Champion Sire Jet Master
The South African sire log has historically been dominated by imported sires, but in recent years SA bred sires have made their presence felt. For example, the top 5 sires in the 2004/5 season were Western Winter, Jallad, Fort Wood Al Mufti and National Assembly- all imports. SA bred National Emblem made the top 5 the following year, and Jet Master broke into the top 10, writes Peter de Beyer.
In the latest season, 2013/2014, SA bred Jet Master, Captain Al and Dynasty filled positions 1,2 and 4 while imported sires Silvano and Black Minnaloushe made up the top 5. The rest of the top 10 are all imports. We have yet to see an SA bred stallion himself produce a top sire. There have been a few reasonably successful such sires- London News (Bush Telegraph) and Rebel King (National Emblem) head the list, followed by the likes of Crimson Waves (Bush Telegraph) and Special Preview (Model Man).
It would have been no surprise to see an enduring sire line in SA emerge from the well bred top sires Foveros; Jungle Cove and Elliodor and it is disappointing that we don’t have them.
There are a number of imported stallions with sons at, or soon to go to stud that have a realistic shot of establishing a more enduring sire line and of producing a top SA sire grandson in years to come. The contenders are:-
National Assembly
National Assembly– has already come close with grandson Rebel King, and was unlucky that National Currency died before taking up stud duties. Soft Falling Rain goes to stud soon and he still has Announce and Sarge at stud.
Al Mufti– Captain Al is producing plenty of top horses, and there must a decent chance of a sire son emerging .
Western Winter is shaping up as a potential sire of sires. Argonaut, Warm White Night and What a Winter are already at stud and have had good support, and there are more to come.
Var
Var will have his first son at stud next year in the form of world class miler Variety Club, and as a young sire, has plenty of time to produce more possible stallions.
Silvano has Bold Silvano at stud, and will no doubt also have a number of sons who will earn a place at stud.
The real race, however, is on between Rakeen, through Jet Master; and Fort Wood primarily through Dynasty.
Jet Master’s top performing sons Pomodoro and Master of my Fate kick off this season, and join Ravishing and Royal Air Force at stud, and there are still some very good youngsters racing which could add to these.
Fort Wood – The one they all have to beat
Fort Wood is the one they all have to beat. He has had a phenomenal impact on SA racing and breeding. He has already produced successful sires Horse Chestnut and Dynasty, and emerging sire Elusive Fort, as well as the ill fated Fort Beluga.
Dynasty is a top sire, and his sons Irish Flame and Jackson are now at stud, and the likes of Legislate and Futura look likely to follow. He must be the best bet to be the SA bred sire to produce a son who becomes a top sire.
