Lucky Lad -an exciting addition to the South African stallion line up (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Cape Breeders
Lucky Lad, who is set to stand his first season at Hopes And Dreams Stud in 2026, looks to be a hugely attractive addition to the Cape stallion line-up.
Lucky Lad started his career with four successive wins as a two-year-old, including the 2023 World Sports Betting G2 SA Nursery over 1160m and the G1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville by 5.30-lengths.
He raced only five times as a three-year-old for three victories, including the 2024 G2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein and a sensational triumph in the G1 Golden Horse Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. On that occasion, Lucky Lad defeated established older stars such as Dyce, At My Command, I Am Giant and Cruise Control with a barnstorming late run from a seemingly impossible position.
In the same season, he finished second with a strong performance in the G2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m, proving his versatility against Sandringham Summit, the champion three-year-old.
Lucky Lad was twice G1-placed at four, including a third to star sprinter Gimme a Prince in the Grade 1 HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. While not at the peak of his ability, he again finished ahead of top sprinters including Dyce, Questioning, Asiye Phambile and Café Culture, reminding everyone of the depth of his ability.
An R850 000 buy from the 2022 National Yearling Sale, the Varsfontein Stud bred Lucky Lad earned more than R2.4 million during his career.
He is one of more than 80 stakes winners for multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight, with Lucky Lad a full-brother to G3 Fillies Mile winner Follow Me.
From the family of such G1 winners as Bavarian Beauty, Bilateral, Little Miss Magic and Tara’s Touch, Lucky Lad is directly descended in female line from the Derby/Oaks winner Fifinella.
Lucky Lad will be managed by John Freeman. John had the following to say about this exciting prospect, “My old pal Antony Beck and our dear friend Suzette Viljoen asked us to syndicate and manage dual Gr1 winner Lucky Lad’s stud career. I go back a long way with the Beck family. We have had wonderful success over the years including champion sires Jallad and Dynasty.
Lucky Lad has retired from racing and is presently in quarantine in Jhb. He travels to the Cape on the 15th June. Winner of seven races Lucky Lad is a MR125.
He stands 16.1hh and is a well made indvidual with great temperament. I looked at my notes when Sean bought him for Antony at the 2022 yearling sales: I gave him my highest rating at that sale. My notes say: very typical Gimme, Very good hind leg, good short canons, good head and eye, robust, deep girth, well balanced, good mover, quality. Sean agrees.
Sean Tarry and his son Daniel have each got a share. Antony Beck is keeping 10 shares and Suzette and Basie are taking 10. Four more have sold even before this offer was prepared.
He is a 42 share horse.
Shares are: R90,000 + VAT +R5,000 for the capital fund plus insurance.
Each share gets double nominations for the first 4 seasons.
His service fee is R15,000 (R5k + R10k @ LF) and shareholders can access extra nominations (for own mares) at a dispensation fee of R10k (R2k +R8K @ LF).”
