Purple Pitcher produced a late burst to get up in the Gr 2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans under Kabelo Matsunyane and owner Stincky Pooe (glasses) is pictured leading him in. Trainer Robyn Klaassen was not on course but it will forever be a fairytale victory for her because she welcomed her baby son on Friday (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)
The Pedigree Obsessor
Saturday was a sweet day for a rising character of the game whose breathtaking swooping victory in the R650k Jonsson Workwear Dingaans over 1600m at Turffontein Standside with PURPLE PITCHER, now a 5 time a winner on the bounce, must have brought brought him an immense sense of satisfaction.
Rising because it is very noticeable how Mr Pooe has quietly continued to expand his horse string with modest purchases.
Character because his quiet controlled presence on the racecourse, and off it for that matter, is one of strikingly unique fashion.
The horse was a humble R170k purchase by Copper Eagle at the 2022 BSA KZN Yearling Sale out of the first draft presented by Bush Hill Stud by then Freshman Sire, now deceased, NEW PREDATOR (New Approach) x HELIANTHA (Count Dubois).
PURPLE PITCHER has been a bit of a surprise package to many, being an outcross (no common ancestors in the first 4 generations) and therefore escaped much of the conventional assessment that occurs today.
That horseracing contains many highly successful outcrossed horses is not a myth and well proven. Just last week the powerful Magniers of Coolmore parted with 6million Euro for an outcrossed broodmare named ALPINE STAR (See The Moon x Alpha Lupi by Rahy), who holds an 8 run – 3 win – 4 place record for GBP559.132.
In PURPLE PITCHER the promise the Sire showed before his untimely passing are well documented, whilst the credentials of the dam are less well known.
HELIANTHA was an under-performing 1 time winner over 1200m bred at Lammerskraal, trained by Justin Snaith and retired after mere 8 runs. By Count Du Bois x Tropical Garden (Roland Gardens). As a broodmare she has produced 7 foals, all winners, bar one, including the very good CHILLI CHOCOLATE (21 runs 5 wins 4 places) and the Gr 3 winner MISS DAISY (21 runs 5 wins 7 places), the latter also incidentally owned by Mr Pooe. That the Dam made it to the breeding paddocks seemingly originates not from her racing ability but rather based on the broodmare quality of the 2nd Dam who delivered 10 foals with 7 winners including the rather useful 1998 Majorca Stakes winner WILD ASTER. Even those credentials could be termed “paper thin” as a reason to breed with HELIANTHA however, as it turns out, it was a gamble that has paid relative dividends.
PURPLE PITCHER, as has ROYAL VICTORY with whose Stable Mr P is associated, delivered a fillip for relatively smaller owners, yards and breeders who continue to play a crucial role in delivering the industry into the future and without whom horseracing could never be the same.
More importantly, it is a case that supports believers that outcrossing does work.