Ridgemont Highlands five time Group 1 winning stallion Canford Cliffs (Tagula) maintained his extraordinary momentum as a pacesetting South African Freshman Sire this season when celebrating his 14th individual winner in the shape of the smart-looking Tabby Kat, who won at her fourth start at Turffontein on Saturday.
By reaching the milestone 14 winners mark, Canford Cliffs maintains his position at the top of the freshman charts and equals the achievement of star stallions Western Winter, Trippi, Gimmethegreenlight, and his own barnmate Rafeef, for first season juvenile winners.
“We really could not have asked for more from Canford Cliffs in his first season, and the combination of the start he has made mixed with the fact that his progeny seem to get better and better the closer they get to a mile is very impressive. He introduces a mix of speed and stamina, and the encouraging aspect is that his offspring were never anticipated to show any precocity. So they are up and running on ability, with plenty of scope. All the trainers have done a fantastic job with the Canford Cliffs progeny they have, and the reports we get back are very exciting!”, said Craig Carey
Having shown good toe over the sprints, the Azzie family-trained Tabby Kat won at odds-on at her second try at a mile on Saturday, and looks to be a youngster going places.
Bred by Ridgemont Highlands from the Machiavellian four-time winner Kindly Kat, Tabby Kat was a R325 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase and has provided thrills and an early return for owner Adam Azzie.
With just two weeks left of the South African racing season, and with his runners showing form across the country, the future is looking very bright for Canford Cliffs and his progeny.
*The second highest number of winners for a freshman sire is the eight scored by Erupt and the fact the NHA have confirmed Canford Cliffs is not eligible for the Freshman Championship, having stood overseas before, will not detract breeders and buyers from their interest in Canford Cliffs.
Picture: Tabby Kat gives Canford Cliffs his 14th individual two-year-old winner this season. (JC Photos).
