The Eric Sands-trained Vercingetorix colt Ferryman was one of three winners for Sabine Plattner at Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting. The other two were both trained by Andre Nel (Picture: Wayne Marks)
The Wilgerbosdrift-based champion broodmare Halfway To Heaven is reportedly one of only eight South African broodmares since 1940 to have produced three Gr 1 winners or their equivalent before the pattern came into being.
However, she is particularly special because her first three foals, Rainbow Bridge (Ideal World), Hawwaam (Silvano) and Golden Ducat (Philanthropist) were all multiple Gr 1 winners.
Eric Sands trained Rainbow Bridge to win five Gr 1s and Golden Ducat to two Gr 1s and he is now bringing out the best of the latest pair of Halfway To Heavens to race, Foudre (Fire Away) and Ferryman (Vercingetorix), both of whom joined him as maidens from other yards.
The story of the weekend in Cape racing was the success of Ferryman at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday under Calvin Habib in his third career start and his first for Sands.
Habib had him in about fifth place on the rail after jumping from a good draw of three and he then displayed a good turn of foot to hit the front by the 350m mark. He then continually found extra when challenged.
The three-year-old has plenty of substance and is the same red chestnut colour as Golden Ducat.
A magnanimous gesture by his former trainer Andre Nel came to light in the post race interview.
Eric Sands said, “Andre Nel asked me … he felt he could not do the horse justice where he was and he felt the horse needed more. He had spoken to Mrs Plattner about me training this horse. At first I said no and they said I would regret it and then they delivered the horse. It takes a big man to do that. To lose a horse like this from a family like this. He put the horse first and that says a lot in my book.”
Ferryman was bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein and was a R2,800,000 buy from the 2024 National Yearling Sale.
Habib said Ferryman is still learning to race, so he looks to have a bright future.
Can either him or Foudre deliver a fourth Gr 1 winner for the mare?
The Khaya Stables-owned Foudre arrived at the sands yard a hard-knocking maiden with five previous starts, but he had suffered a tendon injury.
He made his debut for Sands after a 21 month layoff and has reeled off three wins on the trot, from 1200m to 1600m.
He is now only rated 87, but is on the right track.
Ferryman and Fouudre’s promising wins will have been a boost to Hawwaam’s stallion status.
Meanwhile, Halfway To Heaven has a Gimmethegreenlight yearling filly and a Gimmethegreenlight weanling colt on the ground.
This family also enjoyed success at the BSA National Yearling Sale last week as Gift From Heaven, a Querari daughter of Halfway To Heaven, had a Digital Age colt (Lot31) make R800 000. The colt was bred by Wilgerbosdrift Stud and purchased by Form Bloodstock.
