Mid Winter Wind wins on debut in Hong Kong after producing a devastating finish from last in the running under Luke Ferraris. (Picture – HKJC)
Sarah Whitelaw
Mid Winter Wind’s recent win in Hong Kong was a tribute not only to his immediate connections but to all those behind the scenes who got him to Hong Kong.
Hobday Equestrian Enterprises (HEE) played a major role in Mid Winter Wind’s success.
For the first time in 14 years South Africa got the green-light for exporting horses directly to Europe and the first direct export from Cape Town to Europe in just under 14 years was successfully dispatched on 17 August 2024, from Cape Town International Airport to Liège Airport in Belgium. This was a full charter of 32 horses using a company called Easy Charter. In an effort to create a cohesive transport solution, Hobday Equestrian Enterprises accommodated three horses that were booked by other equine shipping agents.
Due to the lack of cargo freighters in SA, the Intradco/HEE team experienced logistical constraints in securing a suitable charter date. These difficulties initially led to several flight date changes. Due to these changes, there were availability issues with respect to transport from quarantine to the Airport, but luckily New Turf Carriers came to the rescue.
Mid Winter Wind, who began his career with Sean Tarry, showed very smart form in South Africa. After finishing third over 1160m on debut, Mid Winter Wind went on to finish second in the R300 000 Betway Conditional Maiden Plate on 2023 G1 Betway Summer Cup day. (In finishing runner up in that race, Mid Winter accounted for the smart performer Presley by three and a half lengths, with multiple winners Mastership, Two Miles West and Forgiveness (third in the 2024 G3 Allied Steelrode Yellowwood Handicap) further back in running.
After finishing second, to Ryans Boulevard, next time out, Mid Winter Wind then commenced on a four race winning streak. After thrashing Theres A Light to break his maiden by nearly four and a quarter lengths, Mid Winter Wind went on to give weight and a near one length beating to his stable mate Champion Warrior. The latter would go on to finish second next time out, before recording back to back wins the following season.
Mid Winter Wind made a hatrick of wins when he won a middle stakes over 1400m at Turffontein. Runner up to Mid Winter Wind was Texas Red, who finished a good third, to G1 winner Main Defender, most recently.
A one and a half length win in the G3 Byerley Turk of 2024 would prove to be Mid Winter Wind’s final victory in South Africa. Byerley Turk runner up Gimmeanotherchance was beaten just a length and a half next time out when fourth, to Royal Aussie, in the G2 Independant On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, although he has proved somewhat disappointing since. Red Bomber, third to Mid Winter Wind, ran G1 winner Dyce to under three lengths next time out, while Byerley Turk fourth place finisher, 2023 G1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot, ran third, beaten just 0.6 of a length, in the G2 World Sports Betting Guineas (where he turned the tables on Mid Winter Wind).
Mid Winter Wind failed to feature in his final two starts in South Africa, running fifth in both the WSB Guineas and G1 Daily News 2000.
The gelding was bred to be well above average, with Mid Winter Wind a son of Equus Champions What A Winter and Lady In Black. His sire What A Winter, a dual Equus Champion Sprinter and Equus Champion Older Male of 2011-2012, was South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire 2016-2016, and Leading Sire of 2YOs in 2019-2020.
A regular fixture on the top ten on the General Sires premiership, the four time G1 winning What A Winter has been responsible for nearly 30 stakes winners, with each of his first seven crops producing at least three black type winners per crop.
What A Winter’s growing list of graded stakes winners is headed by Equus Champion Sprinters Russet Air and Isivunguvungu (with the latter landing the Da Hoss Stakes in North America last year), as well as G1 winning females Clouds Unfold and Humdinger. His stars also include G1 Tsogo Sun Sprint winner Warrior’s Rest as well as this season’s G2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes/G3 World Sports Betting Southern Cross Stakes winner Asiye Phambili.
Isivunguvungu could bring further international attention to his sire should he contest the G1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai at the end of March.
Bred on the same What A Winter/Dynasty cross as 2023 G2 World Sports Betting Camellia Stakes winner Cold Fact, Mid Winter Wind is out of the Dynasty sired mare Lady In Black, Equus Champion 2YO Filly of 2016-2017.
A full-sister to dual G2 Peninsula Handicap winner Nexus, Lady In Black won five times, from 1200m to 1600m, including the G1 Thekwini Stakes of 2017, and the following year’s G3 Umzimkhulu Stakes.
Twice runner up in the G1 Paddock Stakes, Lady In Black also pulled off a memorable feat when she accounted for Met winning champion Oh Susanna in a pinnacle stakes over 1600m in 2018.
