THE year 2004 was the 10th anniversary of democracy in South Africa and it was for that reason the saddle cloth of the number 10 horse carried the country’s flag. South African viewers watched in awe when Greys Inn, adorned with the number 10 saddle cloth, won the 107th running of the Vodacom Durban July for Bridget Oppenheimer, Mike de Kock and Anthony Delpech.
Geoff Woodruff’s strapping four-year-old, Yard-Arm, was seen by bookmakers and punters alike as the horse to beat and started 8-10. The talented band of three-year-olds, including Grey’s Inn, were all receiving 8kgs from the favourite.
The Woodruff-trained stable companions Cousin John and Yard-Arm set the early gallop with the three-year-olds further back in the field. Coming off the false rail in the home straight Grand Emporium moved up smartly to take the lead. With Yard-Arm feeling the burden of 58kg, the light-weights began streaming past him and Greys Inn put in a strong finishing burst to win impressively from Superwood who came storming up from near last for second place ahead of Red Badge.
Grey’s Inn, by Zabeel, is now a successful stallion based at Rosedene Stud near Beaufort West.
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