THREE-year-old colt Enbharr (IRE) is one of the best-bred runners in training – he’s a half-brother to Johannesburg, the UK and US Champion Two-Year-old colt of the Year in 2001 – and he aptly won his Maiden at the Vaal, near Johannesburg, on Thursday.

A son of Fastnet Rock, he was purchased at Goffs in 2014 by Mike de Kock and Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe and syndicated to a group of owners including Mike himself, Mrs and Mrs Arun Chadha, Warne and Wendy Rippon, Paulo Do Carmo, Paulo Do Castro of Fazenda Mondesir and Noeline Malherbe.

Enbharr, full of running. (JC Photos).

There is a long way to go with Enbharr still, but the partnership would have been delighted with his first win over the tough straight mile as he showed a nice turn of foot to put his rivals well in their place, winning by 6.75-lengths.

Enbharr was slow away and all at sea in the two sprints that started his career, but with the addition of blinkers and over the longer trip he left the gates on terms in his third attempt and got it all right in promising style.

“I worked him last week and he galloped very well, so I asked to come and ride him,” said Anthony Delpech, who made the trip from Durban. “He’s a big baby, very dumb. He’s green and learning and in six months time he will be a stronger horse.”

Part-owner Arun Chadha was at the Vaal and proudly led in his winner. He commented: “We’re hopeful with Enbharr congratulations to the partners.”

Chadha, who owns shares of Umgiyo and the retired Akii Bua, said he was looking forward to another seven or eight partnership-owned runners to come through the ranks in Mike’s stable.