Kildonan, the two year old son of the ill fated Rich Man’s Gold trained by Mike De Kock, destroyed the opposition in a scintillating performance at Scottsville on 5 July, 2006 that set tongues wagging, writes BERNARD IKER.
Historically he has always been a quiet sensible horse, however, he is a man’s horse and managed to get himself quite worked up when saddled. There was further drama when he reared in the starting stalls. After trotting him for the veterinary examination Weiching Marwing dismounted to the dismay of the connections who thought he was going to be withdrawn. After adjusting the saddle Weichong remounted and loaded.
Kildonan comes home hard-held at Scottsville.
He broke well from the gates and showed good early speed, when asked for his effort he drew clear and extended to win by five in an impressive performance. Kildonan pulled up fine this morning and will aimed at the Grade 1 mile at the end of the month.
Kildonan is the second runner for the RMG (Rich Man’s Gold) Syndicate who bought four RMG’s at last year’s National Yearling Sale and a further two this year. Earlier this year they tasted success with the filly Aircon, who is also on target for the Grade 1 fillies event at the end of the month.
Joe Stravino, Gary Grant and Chris Haynes were on hand to lead Kildonan in at Scottsville. Congratulations too are extended to Mike Destombes, Peter Sargent, Gary Westwater and Mary Slack whose Wilgerbosdrift bred Kildonan. Dr John McVeigh informs us that Kildonan is the namesake of a gold mine in Scotland.
In the second race yesterday, the impeccably bred Scarlet Letter, got up on the wire to land the spoils for Chubby Chandler, Lee Westwood, Brian Roux and Dr John McVeigh. Scarlet Letter is a son of Danehill out of a Machiavellian mare, it was an impressive effort for a horse who was out at the weights and clearly looking for further.
Special thanks are extended to Jehan Malherbe and Dr John McVeigh who were instrumental in securing Scarlet Letter, Andronicusofrhodes and Carpocrates.
