THE young horse on the photo below is the first known colt sired by multiple international stakes winner Soft Falling Rain, who stands at Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud.

He’s only 48 hours old, born on Saturday night at Jessica Slack’s Mauritzfontein Stud from the Jet Master mare, E-Ticket, and Stud Manager Guy Murdoch commented: “He’s got bulk and good legs, you can’t ask for more in a young foal. When we take photos four weeks down the line he will look different altogether!”

As yet unnamed – Jessica is still considering her options – he’s the first foal of E-Ticket, herself a daughter of multiple stakes winning mare, Escoleta Fitz.

The first Soft Falling Rain filly was born at Lammerskraal Stud on 29 July, a good-looking chestnut from the Western Winter-mare Rockaberry Lane, a full-sister to Gr1 winner Solo Traveller. “She’s six weeks old and all quality,” said Sally Jourdan of Lammerskraal.

From Wilgerbosdrift, Manager Gail Bulpitt reported on Monday that the first mare covered by Soft Falling Rain to foal down at the Ceres establishment will be be former champion race mare Alboran Sea, who is “already in the foaling barn” and is due to deliver any day now.

The National Assembly stallion enjoyed a full book of good mares in his first season, the second fully booked as well, and big things are expected.

Soft Falling Rain won eight races for Sheikh Hamdan and Mike de Kock including the Gr2 Godolphin Mile on 2013 Dubai World Cup might and the 2014 Gr2 Nayef Joel Stakes at Newmarket.

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