Australian
bred thoroughbreds excelled at Kenilworth in South Africa on Saturday with
unbeaten colt Ertijaal capturing the Group I Cape Derby and exciting two
year-old colt Buckinghampshire winning the Listed Sun International Summer
Juvenile Stakes.
A homebred for Shadwell, foaled and raised at Yarraman Park, Ertijaal made it four
wins in as many starts when led throughout and strode clear to win the 2000
metre feature by four and three-quarter lengths.
A three year-old Hard Spun (USA) colt prepared by Mike de Kock, Ertijaal had
been impressive in the lower grades and looked good winning a Listed race on
January 11, but his dominance here suggests he's a colt that will win many more
races.
A half-brother to Dubai Group III winner Mushreq, who was also Group I placed
in South Africa and Macau stakes-winner Jazza Bell, Ertijaal is the sixth
winner for stakes-placed Jeune (GB) mare Alharir, a half-sister to the dam of
Group I winner Rewaaya from the family of Group I winners Snippets and
Forensics.
It's a sensational family that has been producing at the top level for quite a
while now, although as a Derby winner Ertijaal is bringing something new to the
table for what is generally perceived as a speed family.
Alharir has a filly foal by Shadwell's Blue Diamond winner Nadeem, who is now
at stud in New Zealand and was one of 114 mares covered last year by Darley's
Group I winner Dawn Approach (IRE), the first son of Galileo's Epsom Derby hero
New Approach to go to stud.
Ertijaal is the first Australian bred Group I winner for Darley based Hard
Spun, who shuttled to Victoria for six seasons, but did not come last year and
is his sixth Group I winner overall.
An $80,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Sledmere Stud draft for Hassan Adams,
two year-old Lonhro colt Buckinghampshire made amends for his debut second when
slowly away to win the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1000 metres by a length
and a quarter for the Justin Snaith stable.
He turned the tables on Seventh Plain, the colt that beat him on debut in
December and onbisouly has bright prospects for the future.
Bred by Jennifer Mackay, Buckinghampshire is a full brother to Group III placed
Cautious and is the second foal of stakes-placed Exceed and Excel mare Seeking
Attention, a three-quarter sister to Group III winner Stryker from the Joy and
Fun branch of the Denise's Joy family.
Sledmere Stud will offer the third foal of Seeking Attention, a filly by Street
Cry (IRE) at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale as Lot 164.
Seeking Attention is off to a flying start with her stud career and has a colt
foal to follow by Street Cry and was covered by Medaglia D'Oro last year.
Buckinghampshire is the 49th stakes-winner for champion racehorse
and sire Lonhro.
Making it a treble of Australian winners on the card was four year-old Choisir mare
Ma Choix, who posted her third win when successful over 1800 metres for Yogas
Govender.
A $125,000 Inglis Easter purchase for James Bester Bloodstock from the Kitchwin
Hills draft, Ma Choix rusn for Mrs Sabine
Plattner and is from the Montjeu (IRE) mare Moniette.