WELL-performed six-year-old mare Welwitschia (GB) will be retired to stud after her disappointing effort in Saturday’s Gr2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein.

She will be joining Mary Slack’s increasingly impressive broodmare band at Wilgerbosdrift Stud while her first suitor has been identified as former Champion stallion Fort Wood, who stands at the family’s Mauritzfontein Stud in Kimberley.

It’s farewell to Welwitschia and good luck with her career as a broodmare!

Mike de Kock commented: “Welwitschia was favoured by the conditions of the Camellia Stakes, a race she has won before. But she ran below par, missing the places. When fillies, or mares start holding back like this, running below their best when there is nothing obvious wrong, they signal that they are ready for stud. She will go to Wilgerbosdrift in top condition, another excellent mare for Mary’s stud, and will be a good mating for Fort Wood. He’s a staying sire who has nicked well a number of times with mares who were predominantly sprinters.”

Welwitschia, by Oasis Dream from a mare by Pursuit Of Love, did her owner and the stable proud, winning seven races including two Gr2 sprints, and placing a further 14 times from 29 runs, including three Gr1 places. She earned in excess of R1,52-million.