FORMER Bloodstock South Africa buy Shea Shea has been assigned the joint top rating for a South African bred horse in the world. The champion has been given a rating of 120 (which makes him equal to What A Winter and one pound ahead of Horse of the Year Variety Club), by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Shea Shea received his rating following his wins in Dubai and his fine placings in two of Britain’s greatest sprint races – and these ratings cover the period 1st December 2012 to 14th July 2013.

The world’s top rated horse during that period is the now retired Black Caviar, unbeaten in 25 starts. The daughter of Bel Esprit received a rating of 120, ahead of such luminaries as US Horse of the Year Wise Dan, and fellow US stars Fort Larned and Game on Dude.

Shea Shea, who is owned by Brian Joffe and Myron Berzack, was a R550 000 at the 2009 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale from the Klawervlei draft. Following a stellar career in South Africa, where he won four features and over R1 500 000 in prize money, Shea Shea was exported to Dubai – where he took the world by storm.

Following an unplaced debut effort, Shea Shea reeled off two facile feature race victories. After landing the Listed Meydan Sprint, Shea Shea made South African hearts rejoice with a seamless win in the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night.

He has since been placed in two of Britain’s most prestigious sprints – the G1 King’s Stand Stakes and G1 July Cup – andwhose to say his record can’t improve even further?

Shea Shea’s sire, National Emblem, died earlier this year, but the former South African champion does have two intriguing lots on offer at the 2013 Emperors Palace National 2yo Sale: Lot 225 is a brother to 3 winners, out of a daughter of successful sire Geiger Counter. This is the family of US Grade One winner, Pride of Rosewood. Lot 348 is a half-sister to 3 winners. Her dam is  a winning Rakeen half-sister to a stakes placed filly, and this is the family of Oaks winner Haute Cuisine. – sportingpost.