Lot 59 at the BSA Cape Yearling Sale on Sunday has a fine pedigree and a most interesting name, Sherifflawfulmoses.
He is by Varsfontein Stud’s champion freshman sire Erik The Red out of a Gimmethegreenlight mare called Rapid Charge, who is a full-brother to the top class Surcharge, who won the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 before being purchased by an overseas owner, renamed Yulong Prince and going on to win a Gr 1 in Australia.
Pietermaritzburg resident and long-time passionate racing fan Ross Payne is behind the naming of the colt, who is named in honour of another passionate Pietermaritzburg racing man.
Most would be wondering in what complex way such a name would be honouring somebody.
But believe it or not that is in fact the honoured person’s actual registered birth name, “Sheriff Lawful Moses”.
Ross recounts the full story:
The real “Sheriff Lawful Moses” is a retired gentleman in his mid-seventies. He is a loose- limbed fellow with the gait of someone at peace with himself and with the world around him. … He was once the head painter at St John’s DSG, a private girls’ school within walking distance of Scottsville Racecourse.
Sheriff, whom I first met when I joined the staff at the school as Transport Manager in 2001, is the most lovable of human beings. He is kind, humble and friendly, with a roguish sense of humour. … I instantly warmed towards him when I discovered that he was the only sensible staff member at the school who shared my Love of Horse Racing.
I had always promised Sheriff that if I ever won the “Lotto”, I’d buy a racehorse for him, rename it SHERIFFLAWFULMOSES ( Yes, I checked his identity document and that is indeed his full name), apply for a set of colours for him and pay the training fees while it was in a trainer’s yard.
Such a scenario didn’t materialise ; and just under two years ago, I was inspired to contact my favourite stud farm, Varsfontein, with an unusual appeal. … Please would they name a youngster for my friend, Sheriff Lawful Moses.
In a magnanimous gesture, Susan Rowlett, part-owner of Varsfontein, acquiesced to my somewhat strange request, relayed to her by Carl and Amanda de Vos, the pair who manage the day-to-day running of the stud farm.
And so it came to pass that in November 2024 a broodmare called RAPID CHARGE gave birth to a foal which was then named, SHERIFFLAWFULMOSES.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Sheriff Lawful Moses could one day lead in a victorious Sherifflawfulmoses at Hollywoodbets Scottsville!
