Oratorio, one of two resident stallions at Avontuur Estate, the Helderberg based breeding operation, delivered great results at the end of the 2013 season, achieving 4th place on the European Sire’s List for Individual Winners with a total of 128.
Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh was overjoyed with the outcome which includes shared 5th place for individual Black Type winners and 10th spot in order of prize money, making him the only stallion currently standing in South Africa featuring in these international ratings.
“He more than held his own against the world’s best, and with two recent winners in South Africa namely Ottimo and Oreo Shake, we look forward to seeing increased numbers of his progeny on local race tracks soon,”she commented.
Oratorio was well received by breeders in the 2013 season in South Africa and covered 120 of the countries best mares.
Some of the leading race fillies who visited him last year included Gr 1 winner, Bambina Stripes (Arg), Avontuur-owned A Daughter’s Legacy, queen of the track River Jetez, Gr 1 winner Sarabande, Princess of Light and Jet Trail.
He covered proven mares as well: Moonlight Prairie (Dam of current J & B Met and Queens Plate favourite Jackson), Gardener’s Delight (Dam of international star Soft Falling Rain, Viva la Belle (Dam of Queen’s Plate and J & B Met hopeful King of Pain), Bump and Grind (Dam of Gr 1 winner Via Africa), Aretha (Dam of international winner Nocturnal Affair), Egyptian Rain (Dam of leading filly Go Indigo), Requista (Dam of current leading 3Yo Captain America), Fine Wood (Dam of Gr 1 winning Contador), Mysterious Land (Dam of 6 times winner Tandragee), Mystic Spring (Dam of Equus champion Rabiya and Gr winner Secret of Victoria) and Stage Coach (Dam of Grade winner Silvano’s Jet) to name a few.
“He had a great first season, coped well and is taking a well-deserved rest now. We’ve got some exciting mares booked to visit him this year and some interest for the northern hemisphere off-season, in the hope that our export protocols will be in order for 2016,” says Pippa.
Avontuur Estate is grateful for all the support for Oratorio and their champion sire Var, who himself covered 115 mares in 2013 and was well supported across the country too. The Stud Farm looks forward to a positive 2014.
See below for excerpts from the Lists:
LEADING SIRES IN EUROPE IN 2013
In order of individual winners
Sire Winners
1 OASIS DREAM 146
2 GALILEO 133
3 INVINCIBLE SPIRIT 129
4 ORATORIO 128
5 ACCLAMATION 126
6 FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND 125
7 HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR 121
8 DANSILI 114
VERGLAS 114
10 SHAMARDAL 113
LEADING SIRES IN EUROPE IN 2013
In order of individual black type winners
Sire BT Winners
1 GALILEO 29
2 DANSILI 19
3 DUBAWI 17
4 OASIS DREAM 15
5 INVINCIBLE SPIRIT 13
ORATORIO 13
7 MONSUN 12
8 CAPE CROSS 11
HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR 11
SHAMARDAL 11
LEADING SIRES IN EUROPE IN 2013
In order of prize money
Sire Total Money £
1 GALILEO 7,095,457
2 MOTIVATOR 4,047,019
3 DANSILI 3,896,736
4 OASIS DREAM 3,565,730
5 DUBAWI 3,379,919
6 TEOFILO 3,208,847
7 PIVOTAL 3,106,076
8 MONSUN 2,989,743
9 INVINCIBLE SPIRIT 2,826,779
10 ORATORIO 2,800,504
