After the announcement of the acquisition of the majority shareholding in River Jetez in June, Avontuur Estate has been looking forward to the arrival of one of our country’s greatest racers, and on Friday the dream came true when she finally set foot on Avontuur’s green paddocks.
“She has been in Gauteng for the obligatory 60 days quarentine and we can’t wait to get her to peak condition and make sure that she settles in to achieve her full potential as a key player in our future breeding strategy,” says GM Pippa Mickleburgh. “After ending her racing career in March 2012, we salute her for the huge amount of goodwill she generated for South African racing all over the world and we feel privileged to look after her for this next phase of what will surely be a glittering brood mare career too”, Pippa concluded.
The 9 year old mare started her racing career in Durban on 28 April 2007 and after an incredible 11 wins ended it in fine style only on the 10th of March this year, a tribute to her stamina, heart and talent and the support and careful management of champion trainer Mike de Kock, Mike Bass and many others over the years.
One of the highlights of her career and the event which made her a household name in South Africa was her winning the prestigious J & B Met in Cape Town in 2010 and thereby denying her legendary brother , Pocket Power his 4th attempt at winning this race!
She then took to the skies and ran some classy races in England, Dubai, the US, Singapore and Hong Kong, ending off in Dubai after which she returned to home soil.
Plans are to have her visit VAR this season and we look forward to watching her progeny grown up on the farm and continue their dam’s good record in years to come.
Avontuur Estate will be working with Cedric and Barbara Am as our partners in this fantastic horse and we look forward to a successful partnership.