Griffiths, De Kock receive good SA support

Mathew de Kock, in his partnership training capacity alongside Cranbourne’s Robbie Griffiths, received some notable South African support at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale in January.

Veteran South African owner Larry Nestadt, countryman Lindsay Ralphs and US-based Gary Barber bought into a colt by Highland Reel and one by American Pharoah (from Sundaze), while Basie and Suzette Viljoen took a share of another American Pharoah colt (from Swift Lady). The stallion, incidentally, sire his first Australian winner last week and looks promising indeed.

Mathew said: “We are grateful to Larry and company for their support, he has always been involved with my dad, who has taken shares as well.

American Pharoah colt from Swift Lady.

“I never had the pleasure of meeting Suzette and Basie in South Africa, thanks to them too, I am sure we will meet in due course.”

The Griffiths/De Kock purchases can be viewed on the Magic Millions website, following this link, and the specimens, from photos, look exceptional. “The yearlings we bought are of a high standard,” said Mat. “They have been sent to Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, about 45km from Cranbourne, for a period of spelling.”

The Griffiths/De Kock partnership, in its first season, occupies a Top 20 position on the Melbourne Trainers’ Log, in the company of names like Chris Waller, James Cummings and Matt Cumani.

“There are about 800 trainers in Melbourne alone,” Mat noted.