Desert Miracle’s thrilling Majorca win

Mike de Kock last won the The G1 Schweppes Majorca Stakes in 2010 with Gluwein, and he was able to chalk it up once more at Saturday’s WSB Met extravaganza at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

This prestigious WFA 1600m success came courtesy of Desert Miracle, the high class daughter of Dynasty who had been knocking at the door of major race glory for the last two seasons and finally bagged it stylishly, and at the expense of Equus Horse Of The Year, Captain’s Ransom.

Desert Miracle entering the winner’s circle.

“She’s an awesome horse with a helluva finish,” said Mike about Desert Miracle and, having always sung her praises, was finally vindicated. “We’ve always thought of her as a miler, but she has had bleeding issues so we kept her to sprinting for a while. But she’s done really well in Cape Town and when things go her way, like it did today, she’s as competitive as they come.”

Mike praised X-factor jockey Christophe Soumillon, his erstwhile Dubai stable jockey, for a super ride and said: “It was like having our old team back together again today with Christophe here, Trevor (Brown, assistant trainer) and Steven (Jell, former assistant).  We’re like a family and Christophe is a family member.”

Soumillon expressed similar sentiments and said: “It’s always been my dream to win a G1 for Mike here in South Africa and to have done it now is fantastic, extra special because it’s for friends like Mary (Slack), Steven and Jessica. I kept Desert Miracle covered today behind the favourite so she could run on. A gap appeared at the 250m mark and she quickened away very well. I am thankful.”

Mike added: “Mary is a wonderful owner because she understands racing and she’s been very patient with Desert Miracle and I am so pleased she has got this G1 to her name now. We bought her dam, Welwitschia, at Goffs, she was talented and won 7 races including two G2 sprints. Her quirkiness probably cost her a G1 win, but now her daughter has done it. So, again, a bit of a family affair.”

Now a winner of 5 races with 9 places from 14 starts, Desert Miracle took her stakes earnings to R1 463 250.

It felt like old times!