Turf Talk Newsletter – 14 January, 2025

Botha Is Proud Of His Met Hope Montien

Montien is a homebred of Terry and Annabel Andrews and is also owned by Greg & Des Delponte & Mr M P Williams. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Montien was totally ignored by pundits and punters in the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and after he had run second some would have rued not having looked closer at his overall form as well as the finer details of his LKP run last year.

The Piet Botha-trained Louis The King gelding now runs in the WSB Met, along with his stablemate Baratheon, and many will be more aware of him than they were last time out.

Botha thought he had the LKP won and revealed, “I always knew that One Stripe was the horse to beat. So, watching the race I thought One Stripe was out of his ground behind the wrong horses, so I sort of wrote him off. I said, ‘Well he can’t beat us, so that’s fine’. In the last 200m I’m thinking ‘Ok we’ve got it’ and all of a sudden that horse (One Stripe) bursts through and I was like, wow, I don’t undestand how that horse did it! But I was quite happy. One Stripe obviously deserved to win it. He is a better horse than I initially thought. I was still very proud. It is not often you are going to run against a horse like One Stripe, who is a phenomenal horse, so I was super, super excited (to finish a 1,75 length second).”

Montien, a big, rangy horse who possesses a big action, finished a 4,60 length fifth in the LKP last season.
However, he had a valid excuse as the jockey dropped the rein halfway down the straight.

Considering the victor last season was the celebrated Charles Dickens, Montien’s price for this year’s renewal of 75/1 was too big and the shrewd would have been handsomely rewarded.

He is now 20/1 for the WSB Met, although there would be more confidence if it was over a mile.

Botha was asked about his stamina capacity and replied, “I am not convinced that in Cape Town he is a 2000m horse. I think he is probably just, just going to get the 2000m. 1800m is nice for him, but I think he can just, just get 2000m.”

Montien did run in the WSB Met last year. After a slow start he was last early. He quickly moved up into the lead before settling behind pacemaker Rascallion, who came around from a wide draw to take it up before the first turn. Montien was prominent until about the 200m mark. However, he faded late to be beaten 7,65 lengths into sixth place.

The slow start coupled with his stamina question marks had not augured well.

However, Piet added, “But last year there were also so many hiccups. There were a lot of sick horses in our yard at the time and they were doing a lot of rennovations at the yard too. There was just too much going on for him, so he didn’t have a good prep last year.”

Piet said at present he was doing “very, very well.”

Another thing in his favour will be the prevailing going at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, which is firm and very fast. That should make the 2000m trip slightly easier to get.

Piet said he would like to land a draw of six or seven which would allow him “to go to the front, if nothing else goes, or sit second or third.”

He added, “From a one draw you need to bustle a horse and that’s not always ideal, I wouldn’t want him to have to do that.”

He said about Baratheon, “He’s also doing very, very well. He has unfortunately not had the greatest preparation. His blood was not good, so things haven’t really gone well for him, but he’s looking very good at the moment and he came back well from his last run. He’s a six-year-old and has never won a Graded race, so it’s a tough race. To expect him to win a race like this is obviously ludicrous but I just feel he will hold his own and if the form horses don’t pick up their heels he will be there and can get into the placings if all goes well for him.”

The Jackson gelding finished just 2,85 lengths back in the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy over 1800m last time out and was at level weights with the winner Rascallion.

Piet concluded by pointing out, “Rascallion must be one of the horses to beat in the Met, so there’s no reason Baratheon can’t run a place.”

Explaining The New Racing Program In KZN And The Incentive Scheme

Punters enjoying themselves at KZN’s flagship racecourse, Hollywoodbets Greyville. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

KZN racing has always been a popular jurisdiction for punters and they might have been confused lately by the new descriptions of races such as A Stakes, B Stakes, Class 2, Class 3, Open Maiden etc.

They might have assumed that both the “Class” races and the “Stakes” races are handicaps, but in fact the “Stakes” races are merit rated band races, which makes them the equivalent of Pinnacle Stakes races.

Open Maidens are handicap events with various conditions also attached.

The KZN program, initially covering the period 1 January to 28 February 2025, has introduced the stakes-boosted class racing structure to the province, while unveiling financial incentives via the RaceCoast incentive scheme.

This article explains the conditions of the various new types of race and also reveals the incentives in place as per the RaceCoast Incentive Scheeme (RCIS).

The ultimate aim of these changes is to improve racehorse ownership and to achieve enhanced field sizes with the knock-on effect of increased betting turnovers.

The “Class” races are the handicaps and the higher the class the higher the stake money to be won.

5% of the stake of each race is put into the RaceCoast incentive scheme (RCIS).

Class 2 handicaps have a merit rated benchmark of 112, meaning a horse merit rated 112 will carry 60kg and the weights are worked out using that horse as the pivot.

Class 2 races have a total stake of R150,000 with R7,500 of that going to the RCIS.

Class 3 races have a benchmark of 96 and total stakes of R135,000 of which R6,750 goes to the RCIS.

Class 4 races have a benchmark of 80 and total stakes of R120,000 of which R6,000 goes to the RCIS.

Class 5 races have a benchmark of 66 and total stakes of R90,000 of which R4,500 goes to the RCIS.

For fillies and mares handicaps the benchmarks are the same, but the total stakes are R135,000, R125,000, R110,000 and R80,000 respectively and the RCIS contribution is R6,750, R6,250, R5,500 and R4,000.

The A, B, C and D “Stakes” races and Middle Stakes races are merit rated band races.

A Stakes Races:

Benchmark at 61,5 kg = 113 merit rating and above

Benchmark at 60,0 kg = merit ratings of 110 to 112

Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 107 to 109

Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 104 to 106

Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 101 to 103

Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 98 to 100

Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 95 to 97

Benchmark at 51,0 kg = 94 & below

For B Stakes races the 61,5kg benchmark is for 94 to 96 merit rated runners and the weights per merit rating will go down by the same proportions as in Class A.

For C Stakes races the 61,5kg benchmark is 76 to 78 and will also go down by the same proportions.

For D Stakes race the 61,5kg benchmark is 62 to 64 merit ratings and the weights per merit rating also go down by the same proportions.

The Middle Stakes race have a different structure, which will be to the benefit of the higher rated horses, because the weights are compressed, as shown below:

MIDDLE STAKES

For All Horses with a nett rating of 102 and below

Benchmark at 61,5 kg = 99 to 102 merit ratings

Benchmark at 60,0 kg = 95 to 98

Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 91 to 94

Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 87 to 90

Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 83 to 86

Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 79 to 82

Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 75 to 78

Benchmark at 51,0 kg = 74 & below

For A, B, C, D and Middle Stakes races the winner of this race will not incur a penalty of more than 6 Rating points.

There will be no rating increase for placed & unplaced horses.

Sex allowance of 2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5 kg for Fillies and Mares, subject to a minimum weight of 50 kg.

In C, D and Middle Stakes races maidens will receive a 1kg allowance.

The Open Maidens will have the below structure:

OPEN MAIDEN

For all Maidens

Weights:

61.5kg to be determined by the highest nett rated horse.

For all merit rated horses below the highest nett rated horse, weight to be determined from

61.5kg downwards, using 2 merit rating points = 1 kg

Unrated horses to carry 60.5kg

2-year-old Allowance of 4kg will apply to unrated horses

2-year-olds to be weighted as unrated horses

Sex Allowance of 2.5 kg for all Fillies

Minimum Weights:

4-year-olds and over C&G – 53.5kg / Fillies 53kg

3-year-olds C&G – 52.5kg / Fillies 52kg

Open Maidens for females will have the same structure, except of course for the gender allowance.

The incentive schemes include a R2250 rebates for the owner of every runner and a R500 saddling fee to the trainer of every runner and also a R250 fee to the jockey of every runner.

However, these incentives are excluded if the horse wins or if it finishes last or if it is scratched.

There is also good stakes money for the KZN Juvenile Series and for juveniles in general.

The KZN Futurity Plate at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, which was leg 1 of the series, carried a total stake of R300,000; leg 2, The Hollywoodbets Greyville Futurity Plate on March 2, also has a R300,000 stake; and leg 3, the Gr 3 Godolphin Barb on April 27, has a total stake of R500,000.

Juvenile Plates will all carry a total stake of R150,000 and Restricted Maiden Juvenile Plates will carry a R200,000 stake.

Maine Chance's Super Seven Will Cause A Stir

Lot 22 is a Vercingetorix colt out of the Argentinian mare, Kay Tee Perry.

Maine Chance Farms, in the famous B.A.R. region, is consistently in the upper echelon of SA’s thoroughbred breeding industry and has been ranked in the Top 10 for the past twenty years.

Representatives from their draft are always worth scrutiny given the Stud’s outstanding record of production. They send seven yearlings to the Summer Sale – “Where you future champion awaits.”

Lot 22 is a Vercingetorix colt out of the Argentinian mare, Kay Tee Perry (see picture above the article headline). Second dam Krysia foaled Keane, the Champion Older Horse in Argentina in 2016/17. Devil’s Bag, Halo and the family of Machiavellian work extremely well with Lomitas, Silvano and Vercingetorix. And inbreeding to Danzig delivered Rock of Gibraltar.

Lot 23 (Pictured above) is a daughter of Rafeef – Leading First Season Sire in SA in 2020/21. Irish dam Kitoko (by Montjeu) has a couple of foals to race – both winners. And there is an abundance of Black Type on the female side with high quality French and Irish influences. To illustrate, third dam Yogya, produced Six Perfections (by Celtic Swing) – the Champion 2YO filly in Europe in 2002 and Champion 3Y) Miler in France the following year. A prolific Niarchos family over generations!

Lot 40 (pictured above) is an end of August, Vercingetorix filly out of Perfect Princess. She is from the same regal family as Princess Victoria, Princess Royal and HOTY Princess Calla, a family line that continues to produce fillies of the highest order.

If you seek a speedy youngster then Lot 67 (pictured above), in stable A3, is worth a gander. Querari is a proven sire of sprinters and currently the best producer of 2-yr-olds. (e.g. his son, Rio Querari won the G1 Computaform Sprint) and dam Victoria Lavelle was fleet-footed over the short cuts.

The same, good- value sire is represented by Lot 80 (pictured above) – a filly ex Bandola (by Silvano.) One of only three foals of hers to race was Bavarian Beauty, who took out the G1 Douglas Whyte as a 2YO. Further down the page, there is Black Type aplenty tracing through the second (Buccelati) and third dam (State Treasure).

Maine Chance’s final offering is an intriguing blend of stamina and speed. Futura is an influence over middle distances and beyond, whilst the dam of Lot 85 (pictured above), Cat’s Paw was a zippy sprinter. Amongst her five winners to date is speedball, Celtic Voyager, winner of the Umgheni and Durban Dash.

Maine Chance, who stands terrific stallions, Vercingetorix and Querari, together with fine producers, Erupt and Quasillo, have recently added Point Lonsdale to their team. The tough and consistent son by blue-blooded Australia out of the super-swift, Acclamation mare, Sweepstake is an exciting stallion prospect at a time when SA breeders are looking to add fresh blood to the gene pool.

Whilst viewing yearlings for this Summer Sale, it will be opportune to discuss Point Lonsdale’s syndication options with Maine Chance’s owner, Dr Andreas Jacobs.

Dannielle Kuttel – danni@mainechance.co.za can provide helpful assistance in the build up to the 23rd January auction at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth
ENDS

For further information, contact
Vicky Minott vicky@caperacing.co.za
Janine van Blerk janine@caperacing.co.za
Phone: 021 700 1600

Social media
Facebook: @caperacingsales
Instagram: @caperacingsales
Twitter: @CapeRacingSales
Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

Querari Continues To Dominate 2YO Season

Mike Miller cashed in in the first leg of the KZN Juvenile Series on Sunday, The KZN Futurity Plate, as he ran first, second, third and fifth with Comic Relief (Querari), Captains Envy (Pomodoro), Siesta Sunset (Querari) and Holds The Key (What A Winter), meaning he took almost the whole R300,000 total stake for the race home himself. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Cape Breeders

Maine Chance Farms’ resident sire Querari has made a great start with his two-year-olds this season, and his good run continued at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

Querari’s two-year-old daughter Comic Relief made it two wins from two starts when she won the first race on the card.

A two and a half length winner on debut, the Michael Miller trained Comic Relief duly followed up in Sunday’s KZN Futurity Plate (1000m).

Under Tristan Godden, the Querari filly stayed on smartly to win by over three-parts of a length.

It was a first and third finish for Querari in the KZN Futurity Plate, with the sire’s Siesta Sunrise taking third.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Comic Relief is out of the Ideal World mare What Fun.

She was a R225 000 buy from the 2024 National Yearling Sale.

Comic Relief is one of five two-year-old winners, from eight runners, for Querari in 2024-2025, with Querari’s other juvenile winners this season including Black Cheetah, winner of each of his first two starts.

South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2YOs in 2018-2019, Querari is also the sire of last season’s G2 Durban Golden Horseshoe winner Cosmic Speed, who finished third in Saturday’s G3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes.

Querari’s five individual two-year-old winners this season can be compared to What A Winter’s two, Rafeef’s two and no other sire has more than one juvenile winner.

Rattlesnake's Late Rattle Could Get Him Home

Rattlesnake could be the one to side with in the 8th. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

The Justin Snaith-trained Gran Canaria looks set to open his account at just the third time of asking in the fourth race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. While the formbook suggests that Gran Canaria can expect plenty of cheek from recently gelded Red Dawn as well as Afrique, who debuts for the Lucinda Woodruff yard, Snaith has made no secret of the fact he believes Gran Canaria to be a really bright prospect in the making and one to follow.

Gran Canaria found strong market support when beaten by stable companion Native Ruler on the Winter course last time, but he raced from a wide draw on that occasion whereas he jumps out of pole position this afternoon. Red Dawn and Afrique were very close behind Gran Canaria, but with the draw reversal and the longer run-in on the Summer track I fancy Gran Canaria might well confirm the form with a little more in hand.

Red Dawn and Afrique were drawn in gates 1 & 2 last time but that was only Red Dawn’s second run as a gelding, and he could have scope for further improvement. He is a nice type but based on Snaith’s optimism I am happy to row in with the Nick Jonsson-owned Gran Canaria.

The jockey arrangements are interesting. In the absence of Grant Van Niekerk, Corne Orffer has been engaged to ride Gran Canaria with JP van der Merwe aboard Tenpenny in preference to Afrique which appears to suggest that Tenpenny should be taken seriously. The 3yo son of What A Winter has improved steadily with each run and finished a promising second behind Green Garnet over 1400m a month ago. All three of his formlines have produced direct winners and the extra 200m should be right up his alley. Fourie rides Umfula for his sponsor Ridgemont and Aldo Domeyer will be aboard Red Dawn for the Candice Bass-Robinson team.

Race 8, a Cape C Stakes over 1000m, could be fought out by Furious Queen and In The Green Zone. The Eric Sands-trained Furious Queen has shown a touch of class and the well-bred daughter of Querari bounced back to best form when runner-up behind Love Shack three weeks ago. In The Green Zone was nearly two lengths further back in third spot but is now 1,5kgs better off which could bring the pair closer together. The improver in the race could be Rattlesnake who recovered well from a bad start last time to finish on the heels of the placed runners. This will be his third run after being rested and gelded.

A lowly Cape D Stakes over 1000m closes out the day’s racing at 17:00 and the ultra-consistent Electric Feels should prove the one they all have to beat. She appears to have the measure of Xplicit Content and Tambourine Man while King Viserys and Easy Money have the ability in this class to upset the applecart.

The race meeting opens with a Maiden Plate over 1200m at 12:15 and a very interesting newcomer is the Andre Nel-trained Manikongo (Aus). In 2015 his sire, American Pharoah was the 12th American Triple Crown Winner in history before winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic that same year, and in winning all four races, American Pharoah became the first horse to win the “Grand Slam of Thoroughbred Horse Racing”. Manikongo’s dam, Ngaga, is a half-sister to the legendary Igugu, winner of the 2011 Triple Tiara on the Highveld before going on to achieve glory in the “July” and the Cape Town Met.

Manikongo (Aus) thus boasts a high-class Stallion’s pedigree which clearly suggests that 1200m will be very much on the sharp side – a view confirmed by his trainer’s pre-race comments – but we look forward to seeing him in the parade ring and to following his progress over the coming months. Interestingly there has been some ante-post support for Manikongo (Aus) but the on-course betting activity will probably be a better guide.

Back At The George Could Be In Front

Back At The George has been tipped to win the 7th (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Wednedsay Formguides And Selections

RACE 1

12 MASTER BOMBER comes back to the races from a small break of 81 days, he has run some very good races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville around the turn, he will love racing up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and must have a good winning chance here. 1 CLIFF SWALLOW is as honest as they come, he tries hard and should be right there again in the finish, include him into all bet types. 3 SECRET PASSAGE was well beaten behind his stable companion last time, he will be a better horse over further in time, he could sneak into the places with some luck in running. 4 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE ran a decent race on the 22nd of December behind Warbird, she now drops back in trip, watch her closely at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 1 – 3 – 4)

RACE 2

8 VICTOR HUGO ran a cracker last time in a very competitive race, he moved up extremely well and then stayed on to the line in the last 150m, the drop in trip to 1400m is ideal and he will be a tough horse to beat here. 7 BEL CANTO DREAM ran a fair race behind Heal And Soul on the 22nd of December, he should enjoy the step up in trip, there is no doubt he will be a big threat for Victor Hugo in the finish, include him. 3 SMART HORSE will improve lengths from his debut performance, he was unfortunately drawn poorly and never really managed to get into the race, watch for big improvement now that he gets a decent draw. 6 GRAND ALLEGRO has been rested for 81 days, on his best form, he could earn some money for the connections. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 7 – 3 – 6)

RACE 3

2 BLIND AMBITION ran a super race behind her stable companion last time, she stayed on strongly late, from a good draw here and stepping up in trip to 1600m, she will be a massive runner. 6 BRIGHT GOLD improved nicely when stepping up in trip in her last start behind Warbird, she enjoys racing handy, if the race works out for her, she will be competitive again. 7 SUPREME FATE was only beaten just under one length in her last start behind Tap Shoes, she is improving with every start and should enjoy the step up in trip, there is no doubt she will have a serious winning chance on Wednesday afternoon. 13 ENGLISH MISTRESS returns from a small break of 71 days, she is ultra consistent and will be low flying late, include her. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 6 – 7 – 13)

RACE 4

3 TENPENNY ran a great race behind Green Garnet on the 14th of December when finishing nicely for second, he looks very progressive and should love the step up in trip to 1600m, from a good draw, he will be a serious runner. 1 GRAN CANARIA stayed on powerfully to the line in his last start behind Native Ruler, he was drawn poorly on that occasion and still managed to run a cracker, now that he gets a good draw of one, he should go very close. 11 UMFULA has run two fair races down the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he is crying for this step up in trip, with some luck in running from a poor draw, he will be closing them down late. 8 AFRIQUE has moved stables, on his best form, he could sneak into the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 1 – 11 – 8)

RACE 5

6 ISCHYRO moved up to run a great second in his last start behind Dream Searcher, he is not the biggest of horses, but he has a huge heart, he tries extremely hard and should be there in the finish again. 9 OZARK carries a big weight in this Class 5 event and has unfortunately drawn poorly as well, life won’t be easy for him, but he will be running on strongly, watch him late. 3 NOON DAY GUN is far better than his most recent start where he was well beaten in a Class 4 event, the drop in trip and the drop-in class here will help his chances, he could be some value. 4 WHAT A FORTUNE quickened up well to exit the maiden ranks in his last start, he really enjoys the 1400m trip and should remain competitive despite the big weight. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 9 – 3 – 4)

RACE 6

12 DECEMBER DAWN powered away from her field to win a good race last time, she has won two very good races in succession now, even though she has gone up in the ratings and the weights, she will be running at them strongly and must be included into all bets. 6 WHY NOT JACKIE was given 3 points for her latest victory on the 4th of December, she is a tricky mare to ride, if the race works out for her and she gets some cover early, she could certainly win again. 4 NILE THE BOSS ran a fair race over 1400m on the 11th of December, she drops back in trip to 1200m on Wednesday afternoon, off this rating, she should be a big danger to them all. 7 ROYAL LYTHAM never runs a bad race, she is very consistent and should be able to earn some money again. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 6 – 4 – 7)

RACE 7

6 BACK AT THE GEORGE ran on strongly for second in her most recent start behind Babelicious, she looks to be getting better and better with every start, watch her closely, she will be right there in the finish again. 3 ALL IS GREEN is much better suited to this trip of 1200m, ignore her last start over 1400m, the yard thinks highly of this filly, and she should be able to bounce back to her best form at a decent price. 8 SOHOT SOWHAT quickened up in devastating fashion to win really well on the 22nd of December, she looks extremely progressive and must have a good winning chance again. 9 FIRST MASTERPIECE stayed on well to run second in her last start behind Kyalami Girl, that was a strong field, with a similar performance on Wednesday, she could upset them all. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 3 – 8 – 9)

RACE 8

1 BARNEY MCGREW at the ripe old age of 7 continues to run great races, he ran a lovely race behind Kelp Forest on the 11th of December, off this rating in a similar field again, he will go very close to winning, include him into the play. 4 CASINO ACE pretty much lead them from start to finish to win a super race last time up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, this is a big jump in class for him, but he should come out running and will be a tough horse to fetch late. 6 FURIOUS QUEEN finished like a train behind Love Shack on the 22nd of December, she has a good turn of foot, and she gets the services of champion jockey Richard Fourie, include her into all bets. 10 RATTLESNAKE is quite a speedy sort, on his best form, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 4 – 6 – 10)

RACE 9

3 ELECTRIC FEELS is as gutsy and honest as they come, she needs a particular ride, you must sit and wait as long as possible before producing her late, if she gets something to pull her through, she will be very hard to beat. 7 TAMBOURINE MAN ran a fair race with the blinkers on last time behind True Horizon, that wasn’t the strongest of races, but he is consistent and should be able to earn again. 5 KING VISERYS drops back in trip now to 1000m, he will probably be beaten for speed early and then run on strongly late, watch him closely. 6 XPLICIT CONTENT should be at home over this trip of 1000m, he is very fast and could do enough for the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 7 – 5 – 6)

Pendenra's Single Lot Is Full Of Quality

Picture: Lot 31

Judy Davies offers a Rafeef colt out of the Dynasty mare, Maria Theresa that will enter the ring as Lot 31. Best of her progeny to date is Maria Querol (4 wins including the Stormsvlei and Irridescence Stakes) and Maria Corolina (six victories) whilst the full brother, Rhydian showed real promise as a youngster in training with Dean Kannemeyer. Major update to pedigree is that Voyage Bubble (under 3rd dam) is now winner of 8 races as successful in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Mile last month. Rafeef was the Leading First Season Sire in South Africa in 2020/21.

ENDS

For further information, contact
Vicky Minott vicky@caperacing.co.za
Janine van Blerk janine@caperacing.co.za
Phone: 021 700 1600

Social media
Facebook: @caperacingsales
Instagram: @caperacingsales
Twitter: @CapeRacingSales
Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

Today's Question

Which 1974-born horse became one of the cornerstones of German thoroughbred breeding?

Picture: Subject horse

FIELDS, Wednesday, 15 January

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth

Today’s Question Answer

Today’s Question Answer

Surumu, a chestnut, was foaled in 1974 at the Jacobs family’s Gestüt Fährhof near Bremen. He was from the Dark Ronald male line. His sire was Literat and his dam was Surama by Reliance II.Literat was a German 2000 Guineas winner, who, as a hot favourite and ridden by Lester Piggott, broke down in the Deutches Derby, nevertheless finishing 5th in that race.

Racing career

At three Surumu won both the Union Rennen (Grade 2) and the Deutches Derby (Grade 1). His total earnings € 192.507. On both occasions he was ridden by George Cadwaladr a top quality flat jockey who rode in the UK, Germany and Hong Kong.

Stud record

After retirement Surumu became one of the cornerstones of German horse breeding. He was six-time champion sire in Germany (from 1985 to 1986 and from 1989 to 1992). In addition, he was named twice as champion broodmare sire, and died on 3 November 1999.

Among his notable sons is Actenango, who won seven Grade 1 races, including the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Others include Mondrian, Temporal and Italian Derby-winner Osorio. Surumu was also grandsire of the Japan Cup winner Lando, the 2002 German champion sire Lomitas (sire of Silvano) and Borgia. Surumu was damsire of Monsun.

Surumu comes from the sire line of the amazing German stallion Alchimist, who was unfortunately a victim of World War II.

Source: wikipedia