THE former Mike de Kock-trained Archipenko was an excellent all-rounder who won five Graded races and was Graded placed on three continents, with wins including the 2008 Gr 1 Audemars Piquet QE II Cup over 2000m at Sha-Tin in Hong Kong.  Early signs are that the son of Kingmambo is passing on his versatility at stud.

Archipenko – “Archie” for short – was a real character when he was in training. He’s clearly retained his cocky nature and from his first crop (2013) has already sired the winners of races in the UK, Italy and Switzerland. Here in South Africa three-year-old Kingston Mines (S’Manga Khumalo) added to the tally when winning his Maiden over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday.

‘Archie’ is doing the job at stud.

Archipenko stands with the likes of Aussie Rules and Sir Percy at Kirsten Rausing’s Lanwades Stud near Newmarket, UK.  Rausing retained a share in Kingston Mines with Rose Parker of Ascot Stud, who herself raced Archipenko in partnership – along with Mike, Gill Thomson, Larry Nestadt and Ascot’s neighbouring studs Danika, Milkwood and Wicklow. We wish this impressive list of owners well with Archie’s son!

Julius Mariba talks even faster than the political upstart who carries his name, but the promising apprentice will argue that results on the track are more important than the notes from his post-race interviews, for which a course in shorthand is required.

Mariba scored with a well-judged ride on another three-year-old Gone Baby Gone, who completed the 1800m of a MR92 Handicap in a time of more than 2s faster than his stablemate half-an-hour before him.

Julius Mariba.

Bred by Graeme Koster at Rosedene Stud, Gone Baby Gone is by another of Mike’s erstwhile international winners Grey’s Inn, who is also doing a good job as a stallion. Mike kept a share in this one along with Dr John and Mrs Amanda McVeigh, Noeline Malherbe and Patrick Reinecke, who paid a visit to the Joburg track to lead in his winner. Reinecke raced Gone Baby Gone’s dam Native Gem, who didn’t lack talent, but he believes this improving gelding will be his best runner yet.

Both winners were saddled by assistant trainer Mathew de Kock.