Gimmethatworldcup is out on his own on the Fairview poly on Friday (Pauline Herman Photography)
When the Alan Greeff-trained Gimmethegreenlight gelding Gimmethatworldcup powered in by 7,25 lengths under Richard Fourie over 1600m on the Fairview poly on Friday the 10th it seemed that Varsfontein Stud should be praised for fine foresight having seemingly predicted that the horse would have his first win during the Football World Cup.
Susan Rowett, who owns the stud farm with twin brother John Kalmanson, always puts a lot of thought into the names of the stud’s progeny and comes up with some real gems.
However, she pointed out this two-year-old’s name in fact referred to the 2023 Rugby World Cup and added, “He was born right at the start of the final! Just as everyone was settling down to watch, the watchman called and Jaco (Erasmus) had to go up to the stables and foal down Captive Lady.”
Nevertheless, the son of Gimmethegreenlight looks to have promise.
It was his second start and Fourie said, “He has a beautiful action. On debut the fixture was switched from grass to poly and it wasn’t going to suit him. It was a good experience for him though and I said afterwards to the boss, ‘He is one of our loveliest horses, so put him straight into a mile.’ He moved well to the post and came out on good terms and was just idling nicely around the turn. Before the straight he started unwinding and when I gave him a squeeze he quickened, but he was looking around, and when I tapped him with the stick he ducked immediately. He’s going to end up in a big race somewhere, he is a good horse.”
His placed dam Captive Lady is by Sail From Seattle and is a full-brother to Gr 1 Cape Guineas winner Elusive Gold.
Gimmethatworldcup is also from the family of the like of ARCSA Horse Of The Year Enchanted Garden as well as the Equus Champion Three-year-old filly Dog Wood among a plethora of other stakes winners.
Gimmethatworldcup was purchased for R600,000 at the BSA National Yearling Sale and is owned by Peter Moor.
