With the Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship coming up this Saturday at Kenilworth Race Course in Cape Town, all eyes are on brilliant debut winner Varsity Lover who is representing Var, the current SA Stakes leader as well as being the current 3yo Sire’s list leader, in this prestigious event.
According to Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh he is working well at the moment which has led to his book being opened for a few more mares this year. “We were keeping his covers quite low initially, only offering his services to stakeholders, but he is holding up so well that we are keen to add a few more visits,” she says. She can be contacted at stud@avontuurestate.co.za to book your mare.
His ongoing success was proven again by last weekend’s wins in three different countries.
Var’s treble was highlighted by his daughter Mia Finola’s impressive score in the ZRP Fillies Mile at Borrowdale on Sunday. Trained by Bridget Stidolph, the 3 yo made it win number four from just eight outings when recording a length and a quarter win in Sunday’s Listed race.
Mia Finola, who has now reeled off three wins in a row, was bred by the Piemonte Stud. The filly, who is out of the Wolfhound mare Basilica, had previously tasted feature race success when landing the Champagne Stakes back in July and also finished third in last season’s Champion Juvenile Stakes.
She is one of a number of high class 3 yo’s representing Var this season, with others including SA Nursery winner William The Silent, G2 filly Ghaalla, Sophomore Sprint third Top Of The Class and Varsity Lover.
Var also enjoyed success in both South Africa and Mauritius over the weekend, with his son Lucius Fox shedding his maiden over 2000m at Greyville on Friday night, and another son, Varside, scoring at Champ de Mars on Saturday.
Info courtesy of Cape Breeders Club.
