Vercingetorix had another phenomenal Sale at the BSA August 2YO Sale and that included having the Top Lot, the Varsfontein Stud-bred grey colt out of Ciao Bella called Ragazzino (Picture: BSA)
Molly’s Monthly Column
Dave Mollett
Everyone appears to be singing from the same hymn sheet – notably Turf Talk’s editor – when it comes to assessing the performance of the panel judging the Equus awards.
Mr T headlined one story with “Panelists Have Set A Precedent for Consistency.”
The panel won’t have had to burn the midnight oil in naming See It Again as “Horse-of-the-Year.” His form was there for everybody to see.
However, this got me thinking – what would have been the outcome if there was a combined racing and breeding award? Then the panel would have a serious discussion as it would bring into the equation my personal “Horse” of the year. His name Vercingetorix.
If one googles Vercingetorix, it states that – in the Gaulish language – it means “Supreme King of Warriors” and “Great Leader of Heroes.”
A hero is exactly what those breeders who put their faith in the son of Silvano feel about him. They have been rewarded beyond their wildest dreams.
Vercingetorix has also delighted racegoers and punters with Gladatorian, Holding Thumbs, Palace Of Avernia and Quickstepgal some of his progeny to excel. National Sire Statistics show he had 60 more winners than Gimmethegreenlight last season.
If I had to pick out a runner from that quartet which really got into the hearts of punters, it would be Quickstepgal. Tienie Prinsloo’s filly rewarded her backers on a number of occasions and the KZN panel also got it right when naming her their “Horse-of-the-Year.”
Perhaps the first inkling that Vercingetoriix was going to dominate sales in 2026 came at the National Yearling Sale in mid-April. I remember shaking my head in disbelief that the stallion returned the average of R1 593 103 – some R400 000 more than Gimmethegreenlight.
BSA’s, Michael Holmes, was able to announce record turnover for the sale and it was Vercingetorix who took the two-day sale to its dizzy heights.
The most remarkable Sale this year has been the Klawervlei Stud Dispersal Sale on August 10 where eight Vercingetorix shares were sold between R2,5m and R2,7m for a total of R20 900 000.
I wrote in my previous column that there was likely to be a “stampede to Bonnievale” and so it proved with the aggregate reaching an astonishing R83,8m. Amazing how one family were so dominant with 13 lots by Silvano realising R24,8m and Vercingetorix 18 lots for R12,3m.
Here are the leading buyers at the Klawervlei sale.
Numzaan R20,5m
Finch River Stud R15,2m
Lammerskraal R5,3m
Vendel Civils (Pty) R4,6m
Hemel & Arde R3m
Jonathan Snaith R2,1m
Titanium Racing R1,8m
Central Route Trading R1,3m
Fast forward to the August Two-Year-Old sale and more remarkable figures for BSA to celebrate. Turnover was up 32% from R80,5 to R106m. Quite remarkable.
Not surprisingly, Vercingetorix was responsible for the top lot with Form Bloodstock bidding R6m for a colt consigned by Varsfontein Stud.
“Pedigrees don’t get much better than this. He is a terrific specimen. He ticked all the boxes,” commented Johan Malherbe.
All these achievements by Vercingetorix make the quote by Maiine Chance boss, Andreas Jacobs, look prophetic. In an interview he said “Vercingetorix could end up being more famous than his father (Silvano).”
Yes, Vercingetorix did win the Champion Sire category at Equus, but the suspicion remains that he deserves more plaudits.
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If UK champion jockey, Oisin Murphy, thought that winning the 2026 championship would be a walk in the park, the Irishman has had to have a rethink.
There is a 20 year-old on his tail with his sights set firmly on the title.
His name is Billy Loughnane and he is enjoying an outstanding UK season with big race wins in the 2000 Guineas (Bow Echo), St James Palace Stakes (Bow Echo), July Cup (Commanche Brave) and Sussex Stakes (Bow Echo).
“To be competing in these races is what you want and to find a horse like that (Bow Echo) at 20 is a dream come true,” said Billy.
Evidence of his desire for the jockeys title came when he skipped two days of the recent York meeting to ride fancied runners at Brighton.
Born in Ireland in 2006, the Loughnane family moved to the UK in 2011 and Billy soon got involved in the showjumping scene.
His father – previously a trainer in Ireland – suggested he could make the grade as a jockey and that has proved 100% correct.
While Billy is freelance, he rides many horses for Bow Echo’s trainer, George Boughey. Sadly, Bow Echo suffered an injury and has been retired.
