TIME FOR SOME DECISIVE AND BOLD STEPS

Those who eagerly watched the high-class and riveting action from Dubai a few weeks ago could hardly have failed to notice that the baton of superior bloodstock breeding appears to have passed from the traditional sources, such as England, Ireland and France, to countries which were once looked down upon. For the second year in a row, horses from the European powerhouses were completely shut out of the winners’ circle on Dubai World Cup day.

At Nad Al Sheba on March 29th 2008, the evening’s honours were split evenly between runners trained in the U.S.A. (3 wins) and those trained by South African schoolers (3 wins), with honours unquestionably going to the latter, as until the last decade or so, South African-trained horses have been unknown quantities outside their native land while the Americans are always expected to win anyway.

Arguably the most significant effort on the part of a South African-bred in recent times has been that of London News, who annexed the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Gr.1, in Hong Kong in 1997. Further proof of the calibre of South African-breds followed. The stunning Broward Handicap, Gr.3, win of Horse Chestnut in Florida in 2000 and the brilliant performances of the ill-fated Spook Express in 2001, which included a runner-up effort to Banks Hill in the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Gr.1, in New York, highlighted the treasures that were to be found South of the Zambezi.

Admittedly one of this year’s victorious SA-trained brigade (Honour Devil) was bred in Argentina, and has never raced in South Africa while another was bred in Australia (Sun Classique) – but by a South African breeder, Lionel Cohen, in whose home country she raced successfully at Gr.1 level before beginning her triumphant Dubai odyssey. The third, Jay Peg, was a product of the Cape Province’s High Season Stud and was sold as a yearling for 130,000 rand (about Rs. 6.5 lakhs) at the 2005 Equimark Vintage Sale – in his Dubai win he demonstrated sterling fighting qualities while beating nine Gr.1 winners from around the globe!

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OWNING A DERBY CHAMP AND A CHAMPION JUVENILE...

It’s every owner’s dream to win a Derby, and for J. K. Rattonsey, the dream just came true. Barely recovering from the euphoria of winning the 2008 Indian Derby, Juventus, the full-brother of Hotstepper, the Derby winner, trounced the opposition to rekindle hope for a great future.

“A fter 20 long years of racing, my appetite to win the big one was finally satisfied and it has taken me quite a while to digest the fact that I too have joined the league of Derby winners. I consider myself very lucky to own these two outstanding colts and I am absolutely proud of their performance,” exclaimed Rattonsey in zesty elation.

Barely a month after winning the coveted Indian Derby, the excitement and expectations of a repeat performance were thwarted, when in spite of having the famous Dubai-import Dettori on board, Hotstepper failed to produce any magic in the Invitation Cup at Hyderabad. What went wrong? “May be the track or the travel didn’t suit him. It could have been anything.” Many questions that simply can’t find any answers. “In racing, you have to take it in your stride,” said Rattonsey pensively; and for the time being, Hotstepper will get the much deserved rest and will be unleashed by the time the rains hit the tracks in Pune.

Having run four times, the improving Juventus has had his fair share of challenges. Starting his career as a two-year-old, he placed fourth to Red Romeo over six furlongs; then again over the same distance, couldn’t make it to the winner’s enclosure with Kiara taking the laurels. However, in the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi- Million, he finished on strongly in fourth, barely three lengths off the winner, Autonomy. But, it was in the Colts Championships that he made a stormy recovery and won the race brilliantly. “Juventus has all the qualities of a Classic horse. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that he maintains his condition and keeps improving in the future,” said a hopeful Rattonsey. Both, Hotstepper and Juventus will be horses to look out for come Pune 2008. Rattonsey also has other well bred horses which are capable of making an impact, but he feels it’s too early to talk about their capabilities.

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