The hard-knocking Star Performer wins his maiden by 4,25 lengths at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in March (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Hobday Equestrian Enterprises were able to reveal that three of the 32 horses currently in Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Quarantine and who are set to embark on a historic journey to the EU on Saturday, 17 August, are racehorses.
However, they were only able to reveal the name of one of them as the other two are with another agent and they don’t have access to their information.
The horse they do know about is What A Winter gelding Star Performer, who had hard-knocking form under Vaughan Marshall’s care and this culminated in him winning his maiden at the seventh time of asking by 4,25 lengths at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
The Clifton Stud-bred Star Performer was a R500,000 purchase at the BSA National Yearling Sale.
He is a half-brother to the Gr 2 Debutante Stakes (1200m Hollywoodbets Greyville) winner Montreal Mist.
He was purchased by David Ferraris and is owned by Ferraris in partnership with CW Hui.
The horse is likely Hong Kong bound as CW Hui is Hong Kong-based. He used to be a client of David Ferraris’ when the latter trained there and has been a long time supporter of the South African sales.
On debut Star Performer finished 1,10 lengths behind Main Defender over 1100m and in his next start he had the like of King Of The Gauls and The Shepherd behind him and he has finished close to the like of Riverstone, so it was not as if he was a battling maiden.
Three winners have come out of the maiden he won so easily over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth under Bernard Fayd’Herbe in March.
He looks the type who could have a long handicapping career in Hong Kong in 1000m and 1200m events.
It will be fascinating to see how well a South African-bred who has not had to endure a taxing five months long journey via Mauritius takes to Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, there are sure to be more racehorses on the 14 September direct flight to the EU.
