Tragedy struck Suzette and Basie Viljoen’s fledgeling Wellington-based breeding operation Hopes And Dreams Stud on Monday evening 14 October 2024 when the farm’s flagship mare and 2022 SA Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom reportedly died while giving birth.
The Sporting Post reports with sadness on a tragic loss for not only the new breeders but for the broader local breeding industry.
The filly foal is doing well and is reportedly ‘beautiful’ in the words of her sad breeder.
The beautiful champion Captain’s Ransom – a sad loss (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
There was great anticipation in South African breeding circles in August 2023 when the Sporting Post reported on a ‘star alliance’ of two Snaith champions who were arch-rivals for the SA Horse Of The Year crown in the 2021/22 in an equine ‘marriage made in heaven’.
The outgoing SA Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom was subsequently covered by former stablemate Jet Dark.
The foal, who was due on 17 September was anticipated to be a massive kickstart to the passionate Viljoen family’s new breeding operation.
Besides their respective champion track records, the mating of the star duo was based on some interesting in-breeding.
Roberto is on the top line of both Captain Ransom’s sire Captain Al and her dam Cinnas Ransom.Roberto’s full-sister Glorious Spring is the dam of Rollins, the damsire of Jet Master, who is damsire of Jet Dark.
Captain’s Ransom was a winner of six Gr1 races from 1200m to 1800m in a distinguished career that saw her register 13 wins and 5 places from just 19 starts which earned R3,5m in stakes.
Her dam, Cinnas Ransom by Red Ransom and out of a Seattle Slew mare, is a half sister to French Gr3 winner Black Rock Desert, and this is the family of sire Slew City Slew.
Captains Ransom beats Princess Calla in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
In addition to nine wins from his nineteen career starts, the Drakenstein-bred Jet Dark boasts the distinction of being named 2020/21 Equus Champion three-year-old colt, 2020/21 and 2021/22 Equus Champion Miler, 2021/22 Equus Champion Older Male and 2021/22 Equus Champion Middle Distance Horse.
A group winner at two, three, four and five, the son of Trippi accumulated no fewer than five Gr1 wins, beating 2021 Horse Of The Year Rainbow Bridge in the 2021 Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
He repeated the feat in 2022, beating Kommetdieding in both the 2022 Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and Gr1 Champions Cup and put the final seal on his glittering career with victory in the 2023 Gr1 WSB Cape Met.
He also boasts the unique distinction of being the only two time L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate-winning colt since his maternal grand sire Jet Master, in 1999 & 2000.
Jet Dark combines all the best attributes of Drakenstein stalwart and Champion Sire Trippi, and seven time Champion Sire and four time Champion Broodmare Sire Jet Master, WHILE his impressive pedigree also boasts 1997 French Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, Peintre Celebre.
Our sympathies go out to Suzette and Basie Viljoen and the entire Hopes And Dreams team at this sad time.
Ed – Article updated at 08h50 on 15 October 2024.
