Skukuza, in the familiar Drakenstein Stud colours, is just three-quarters of a length shy of the winner Mickley at the line (Picture: Sky Sports)
Royal Ascot straight mile handicap The Brittania Stakes is nearing its 100th renewal and today South Africans cheered as the Ed Dunlop-trained Skukuza ran on strongly from off the pace to claim a clear second place in the 29 horse field at odds of 16/1.
Skukuza is a Cayton Park Stud homebred and the latter is the UK breeding operation of Gaynor Rupert, owner out here of South Africa’s current champion breeders and champion owners, Drakenstein Stud.
Skukuza runs in the familiar Drakenstein colours, cornflower blue with a white square and cornflower blue sleeves and cap.
Skukuza is a three-year-old colt by Blue Point out of Trippi mare Shingwedzi, who was out of a Sadler’s Wells mare.
Shingwedzi won three races from 1600m to 1800m in SA, including the Oaks Plate on the Fairview poly, and she did well in stakes races inluding three Gr 2 thirds, a Gr 3 third and fourth, and two Listed runner up finishes.
Shingwedzi was effective from a mile up to 3200m.
Skukuza was patiently ridden by Callum Shepherd today and sat at the back of the group that ran down the middle.
When asked the question he ran on powerfully and for a brief moment it looked like he could even catch the eventual winner Mickley, who had been more handy in the same centre group.
Skukuza, who carried the same weight of 8 stone 11 pounds as the winner, was only 0,75 lengths shy at the line.
Mickley, who is by Soldier’s Call, gave Yorkshire trainer Ed Bethell and jockey Callum Rodriguez their respective first Royal Ascot winners.
He converted odds of 15/2.
Just before the race Jonathan Snaith was interviewed on the live Royal Ascot television feed, which would have been beamed to millions around the world.
He did an excellent job of promoting South African racing.
He spoke of the current wave of optimism among the South African racing fraternity, especially the breeders, due to the opening of direct flights to Europe again after a wait of well over a decade.
He said South African horses could well be seen at the Royal Ascot meeting next year.
Asked whether they would be good enough he said it would only be known once they took part, but he was confident they would be.
Skukuza then came out a few minutes later and proved the point.
