AN emotional Erik Lobben conveyed his joy after his part-owned filly Here To Win (BRZ) dead-heated with Spiced Gold in the Grade 1 SA Classic (R1 million) over 1800m at Turffontein on Classic  Day.

This was Lobben’s second trip within the month to South Africa – he flew in on Guineas day when she finished fourth to Fisani in the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas. His enthusiasm is infectious. Elated, he lifted his trophy high and the tears flowed as he was interviewed on Tellytrack.

Erik, emotional after the race.

Erik, who owns Here To Win with partner Morten Myhre, said: “I picked her in Brazil and we paid the equivalent of R500 000 for her, we won’t pay that amount without reason. I loved this filly and felt she was worth the price, she is very special. There are many stud farms in Brazil and I go around looking for value at the smaller farms or even the bigger ones not frequented by the active worldwide buyers. ‘Still I often leave sales grounds without making a single purchase. We don’t buy for the sake of buying.”

Jockey Anthony Delpech said: “She is still green, we should have won but she dug her toes in with 50m to go. I am happy to share this race rather than lose it though, Here To Win will win many more races.” Here To Win was Mike de Kock’s 72nd Grade 1 winner. She is by Roi Normand from Ascot Belle and she’s won three of six starts and over R750 000 in stakes, recovering her purchase price.

A teacher and journalist based near Oslo, Lobben says he is “a normal guy” who is always in the market to sell his bloodstock. “Here To Win has a bright future and if we don’t sell her we will breed with her ourselves.“