Faithful Neo storms home under Jarryd Penny (JC Photos)
Cape Breeders
Faithful Neo, whose dam Aunty Carol hails from the immediate family of Drakenstein Stud’s popular young sire Charles Dickens, made the perfect start to her racing career on Tuesday.
The Tony Peter-trained three-year-old made a big impression when storming home to win on debut at Turffontein, despite starting at odds of 40/1.
Under Jarryd Penny, the three-year-old Horizon filly came from the clouds to win the 4Racing Welcomes You Maiden Plate (F and M) (1000m) by two and a quarter lengths.
Bred by Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud, Faithful Neo is from an outstanding family.
Her winning dam Aunty Carol (by Oracy) is a half-sister to G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge winner Demanding Lady (like Horizon, sired by Dynasty), Equus Champion Broodmare of 2022-2023.
To date, Demanding Lady has produced five winners headed by dual Equus Champion Charles Dickens, G1 Gbets Cape Derby runner up Charles and Listed Settlers Trophy winner Somerset Maugham.
A son of champion sire Trippi (also responsible for the recent G2 Alllied Steelrode -Onamission Charity Mile hero Winchester Mansion), the brilliant Charles Dickens won ten of 13 starts and earned R5,119,813.
A stakes winner at two, three and four, Charles Dickens’s six graded stakes wins included the 2024 G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, 2022 G1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and 2023 G1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.
The handsome chestnut was fully booked for his first season at stud.
