Can the Brett Crawford-trained prospect revive interest in Twice Over?
Cape Racing Sales have replaced the former Western Cape sales company Cape Thoroughbred Sales, who bought a number of mares over from Ireland and Britain a few years ago in what was known as the CTS Mares Project.
The mares were imported in foal, then later mated over here before being sold on.
One of the success stories of the project was Grade 1 WSB SA Derby winner Aragosta, who is out of the Galileo mare Miss Gallidora.
Champion Warrior looks like becoming another success story.
He is one of the horses on everybody’s lips at present after his scintillating performance over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville yesterday, which saw him remain unbeaten from two starts.
The Klawervlei Stud-bred colt is out of a Fastnet Rock maiden, who is out of a Sadlers Wells mare who won a Listed race over a mile and two furlongs.
If they priced up now for the R7.5 million Gold Rush, Champion Warrior would likely be favourite.
Being by Twice Over coupled with that female line he should be crying out for at least 1600m.
John Koster of Klawervlei Stud, who bred Champion Warrior, lamented that Twice Over was just about “the most maligned” stallion in the country, considering his record.
Twice Over has not only produced the greatest July horse in history, Do It Again, but last season had six individual stakes winners of seven races including the Grade 1 Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative.
Yet he is not in fashion with breeders.
However, John said he did still sell well and had recently had a R1,4 million sales progeny as well as a R700,000 and R600,000 pair.
He is also a fine stallion to have on the farm to breed to the farm’s own mares.
Champion Warrior looks like a Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas prospect, as well as a Gold Rush prospect.
It will be hard to ignore a sire who has produced two successive Cape Guineas winners, so a Champion Warrior Guineas win would be a dream result for Klawervlei Stud.
