The Equus Champion Sprinter of the 2013/2014 season, the former Duncan Howells-trained Var filly Via Africa, has appeared in an apparently shocking condition and with a sad looking demeanour at a Sale in Australia.
The pictures above and below were sent by a former South African racing industryman.
The industryman was incensed by what he saw in the pictures and believes there should be an investigation.
Via Africa has produced a Gr 1 winner in Australia and the farm who acted as agent in the sale are apparently reputable, so it is hard to understand.
An experienced breeder out here was asked to comment on the pictures and this breeder said, “Undoubtedly a lack of good nutrition. Has not been fed even a maintenance diet. Maintenance meaning that a barren mare can do well on good hay alone/ good pasture. Which means she has received far less than the minimum 10kg’s /day quality hay she should have received, had she not been on good grazing. No way she has been though. Disgraceful!”
The video advertising the sale paints Via Africa in a better light.
Asked to comment on the video the above breeder said, “Yes in the video her coat has a good sheen to it. She does however look like an “old” mare.
She is actually only 14 years old, so should be in a lot better shape.
An AUS$600,000 reserve was set on her at the Sale.
She was not surprisingly passed in.
Her produce record tells a story on its own:
Produce Record: Dam of 4 live foals, 2 to race, both winners.
2017 Pleasant Endeavor (g by Redoute’s Choice). 6 wins at 1000m, 1200m,
$1,158,815, to 2023-24, HKJC Choi Yuen H., Citi Private Bank H.,
Parmigiani Fleurier Excellent H., Magazine Gap H., Mai Po H., Lugard
H., 2d HKJC Magnolia H., Panasonic Lighting H., Chinese Banyan H.,
3d HKJC Pok Oi Cup, Tenpin Bowling H.
2018 IN THE CONGO (c by Snitzel). 3 wins–1 at 2–at 1100m, 1400m,
$1,769,075, ATC Golden Rose S., Gr 1, San Domenico S., Gr 3,
Heineken 2YO H., 2d ATC Arrowfield 3YO Sprint S., Gr 2, Run to the
Rose, Gr 2, Sydney S., Gr 3, Rosebud H., L, Fujitsu General 2YO H.,
Newcastle JC Hunter H., 3d ATC Galaxy H., Gr 1.
2019 Protea (f by Vancouver). Unraced.
2021 Autumn Glow (f by The Autumn Sun). Unraced.
2022 (foal by Snitzel). Dead.
2023 (foal by Snitzel). Dead.
Missed in 2020
