WHEN Pomodoro won Saturday’s G1 Vodacom Durban July, he became the third consecutive BSA graduate to win South Africa’s most famous horse-race. Igugu (2011) and Bold SIlvano (2010) were the other previous BSA grads to win the July in the past three years and both Igugu and Bold Silvano subsequently won Equus awards.  This is a phenomenal record in the country’s most famous and competitive race which regular produces champions of the future.

Remarkably, the R3 million July saw BSA grads run 1-2-3-4 in a dominating display.

Pomodoro, who had previously also won the G1 SA Derby and run second in the G1 SA Classic, won Saturday’s big race for trainer Sean Tarry and owner Chris Van Niekerk. Consigned at the 2010 Emperors Palace National Yearling by Ambiance Stud (as agent), Pomodoro was a R325 000 purchase at that sale. By Jet Master, Pomodoro is out of the G2 winner, Golden Apple.

Pomodoro has proven a real bargain, as he has already earned over R3.3 million in prize money, and seems unlikely to stop here. Hearty congratulations to Chris Van Niekerk and Sean Tarry on a momentous achievement.

July runner up, Smanjemanje (Kahal – In Style), has also proved a great bargain. A R210 000 buy at the 2008 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale, the 5yo has won over R1.5 million in prize money. He is surely got a G1 win in him for trainer Tyrone Zackey.

Bred by Summerhill Stud, Smanjemanje has been a wonderful money spinner for owners Mr Barker and Mr & Mrs Backos.

Third home in the Vodacom Durban July was the classy gelding, Chesalon (Fort Wood – Sarabande). Bred by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm, Chesalon cost R250 000 at the 2009 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale. He too has done owners, Messrs Bamford, Sukdeo and Visagie, proud, having earned over over R900 000. It is surely only a matter of time before this dual feature race winner joins the millionaire ranks.

Top-class 3yo Eton Square (Miesque’s Approval – Monroe) ran a smasher in the July on just his fifth career outing, and he is a horse with a very bright future. Owned by Bold Moves 360 Pty Ltd and Mr Visagie, Eton Square was bred by Scott Bros. He was a R280 000 purchase at the 2010 Emperors Palace National 2yo Sale, and it would appear that the sky is the limit for this smart 3yo gelding.

Saturday was truly a memorable one for Bloodstock South Africa. Of the seven graded or listed races on July day, five were won by former BSA graduates. Not only did BSA grads fill the first four placings in the July, they also ran 1-2 in both the G1 Golden Horseshoe and G1 Golden Slipper.

Tribal Dance got the day rolling when he won the G3 Schweppes 2200m, the day’s first feature race. Bred by Sandown Stud, Tribal Dance (Tiger Dance – Navajo Angel) was a steal at the 2010 Emperors Palace National 2yo Sale, when he was knocked down for just R40 000. Owned by the late Roy Eckstein , Tribal Dance is the best performed horses of his generation, and has now earned over R500 000 in prize money.

Former SA Derby winner Seal (Silvano – Prestine Performer) picked up another feature race win, when he landed the G2 Mango Gold Vase, over a top-class field of smart stayers. He was a R210 000 purchase at the 2009 Sibaya Yearling Sale. Well done to breeder Ian Heynes and owners Afrilek Drives (Pty) Ltd. Seal has now won R1.4 million in prize money, and has collected first place finishes in three features.

War Horse (Victory Moon – Star Deputy) has proven himself one of the top 2yos of the season following his victory in the G1 Zulu Kingdom Golden Horseshoe. He had previously won the G2 Protea Stakes and run second in the Storm Bird Stakes. War Horse was a R275 000 buy at the 2011 Cape Premier Yearling Sale. Bred by Mr &Mrs J Erasmus, War Horse is owned by Mr Englezakis.

Runner up in the G1 Golden Horseshoe, Shimmer and Shine (Kahal – Shimmering Sea), was a R180 000 buy at the 2011 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.  The colt, bred by Waterford Stud, is owned by Fred Crabbia.

Bloodstock South Africa were delighted to pay out the R100 000 added futurity to War Horse’s connections. Owner Mr Englezakis received an extra R65,000, while winning breeders, Mr and Mrs Erasmus, received R25,000 following their success. Successful trainer, Corne Spies, won a added R7,000, as did jockey, Jeff Lloyd won an additional R7,000.

The remaining R1,000 of the bonus was given to the National Horse Trust.

Former BSA grads also ran 1-2 in the G1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes, when Princess Victoria beat favourite Ebony Flyer into second place. Both fillies are established champions. Princess Victoria, who was winning her fourth G1 race, was a R325 000 at the 2010 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale. An Equus Champion at two, Princess Victoria (Victory Moon – Platinum Princess) was bred by Maine Chance Farms, and is owned by the Jaffee family, Peter de Beyer and Maine Chance Farms.

A leading contender for Equus honors again this year, Princess Victoria has now earned nearly R2 million in prize money.

Runner up in the Garden Province was Ebony Flyer (Jet Master – Sunshine Lover). Bred by Willem J Engelbrecht Jnr, she was a R700 000 buy at the 2009 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale. Owned by Team Valor in partnership with Anant and Vanashree Singh and Drakenstein Stud, Ebony Flyer has now earned over R1.7 in prize money.

Bloodstock South Africa would like to wish the connections of all these fine horses well done, and may they continue to shine in the highest echelon of South African horse racing.