Itsrainingwilliam wins the Grade 3 WSB Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m under JP van der Merwe (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The Justin Snaith-trained three-year-old gelding Itsrainingwilliam became the sixth individual stakes winner for William Longsword when winning the Grade 3 WSB Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and he was a 17th individual stakes winner for Drakenstein Stud-breds this season.

Drakenstein Stud set a new record last season with 18 individual Stakes winners, so just need two more this term to break that record.

Last season their individual winners won 25 stakes races between them and this season they have also won 25 to date.

Drakenstein are clinging to their lead in their bid to claim a first Breeders Championship.

Their progeny had earned R21,341,238 in stakes by the end of the weekend compared to reigning champions Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, who were on R20,856,588, a lead of just R484,650.

Drakenstein increased that lead today when the William Longsword colt they bred, the Vaughan Marshall-trained Fibonacci, won at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today.  

Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) were champion owners last season and are breathing down the Hollywood Syndicate’s neck currently this season.

The Hollywood Syndicate were on R12,624,050 in stakes after the weekend’s racing and Drakenstein were on R12,498,113, a lead of a mere R125,937.

Drakenstein’s individual stakes winners this season are Trip Of Fortune, Charles Dickens, Jet Dark, See It Again, Rain In Holland, Santa Maria, Winter Cloud, Somerset Maughan, Sheela, Grazinginthegrass, Pacaya, Bureau Des Legendes, Gold Poker Game, Dawnofanewday, Future Pearl, Distant Winter and Itsainingwilliam.