Vercingetorix winning the Gr1 Jebel Hatta
In a press release dated 30 March 2015, Maine Chance Farms confirmed that super star son of Silvano, Vercingetorix, will take up stud duties as a Maine Chance Farms resident stallion at the start of the new breeding season.
Vercingetorix had a phenomenal race record which saw him winning 7 of his 10 starts, including an exceptional, unbeaten record in his home country, South Africa.
He was exported after his impressive victory in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 where he beat subsequent Gr1 L’Ormarins Queens Plate winner and new stallion, Capetown Noir, as well Gr1 Vodacom Durban July runner up, Wylie Hall. This prestigious victory earned him the Equus Champion Three-Year Old award.
Vercingetorix followed up this major success by winning at the highest level on the international stage, when claiming the Gr1 Jebel Hatta in Dubai, maintaining his unbeaten record, until meeting a phenomenal Just A Way on Dubai World Cup night in the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free. The Japanese galloper put in a performance that earned him the title of Longines World Horse Of The Year.
A great effort followed for Vecingetorix in Hong Kong, where he earned third place when he was desperately unlucky in the Gr1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup, a race he probably should have won.
Vercingetorix then returned to Dubai where he trotted up in the Gr2 Al Rashidiya before unfortunately injuring himself in the Gr1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday, forcing him into early retirement.
Vercingetorix was bred by champion breeder Klawervlei Stud and was sold for R1.4 million as a yearling, a price indicative of his outstanding conformation and pedigree.
Vercingetorix now returns to his home country, to the benefit of the South African breeders .
Dr Andreas Jacobs
“He is the best son of Silvano, a horse that has always been close to my heart, who became a record-breaking Champion Sire in Germany and in South Africa. Both were Champion race horses, each with a phenomenal race record in their respective home countries, as well as abroad.”
– Andreas Jacobs – Owner, Maine Chance Farms
“I challenge anyone to find fault with Vercingetorix’s credentials. He is an outstanding stallion prospect for South Africa.”
– John Slade – Stud Manager, Maine Chance Farms
Mike De Kock
“Since his first day of training in the yard, he has always stood out as a superior athlete. His relatively short career allowed him international Group 1 success on one occasion. Had he been around longer, I am sure it would have been more.”
– Mike de Kock – Trainer, Vercingetorix
“The South African breeding industry is blessed to have Vercingetorix come home to stand at stud, he would not be out of place standing in any country around the world.”
Jehan Malherbe – Form Bloodstock, South Africa
Justin Vermaak
“The fact that Vercingetorix won group one races in both South Africa and Dubai, meant that we had to try to stand him at stud and we are delighted to have struck a deal, beating off some competition from other farms, for a highly desirable stallion.”
– Justin Vermaak – Racing Manager, Maine Chance Farms
Maine Chance Farms is currently in the process of syndicating Vercingetorix and there has been a rapid and enthusiastic response from South African breeders.
(source: Maine Chance Farms)
