Australian-breds Take On The Durban July

South Africa’s richest race, the G1 Durban July at Greyville on Saturday, will feature four Australian-bred runners.

The quartet are Mac De Lago (Encosta De Lago x Macavelli Miss by Vettori), Samurai Blade (Where's That Tiger x Shao Shao by Shinko Forest), The Conglomerate (Lonhro x Republic Lass by Canny Lad) and Ten Gun Salute (Henry The Navigator x Ladybird Blue by Bluebird).

Mac De Lago, trained by Weiho Marwing, is a last start G1 winner of the Greyville Gold Challenge on June 11 and is expected to be a big player in Saturday’s crack field over the 2200m.

“He is probably better suited over a mile, but he has plenty of heart and I think that will allow him to get over the trip,” Marwing said.

Mac de Lago was purchased from the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $65,000 by leading South African-born bloodstock agent James Bester.

Understandably, Marwing now holds Australian-bred horses in high regard.

“I was in Australia two years ago and I really like them as types. I believe they are a lot bigger and stronger and good pedigrees too.”

The Sean Tarry-trained Samurai Blade is yet to win at stakes level but was placed in the G1 South African Classic and G1 South African Derby in April.

The Conglomerate, from the Joey Ramsden yard, was a $160,000 Melbourne sale graduate. He was a dual G2 winner in South Africa in 2015.

The Duncan Howells-trained Ten Gun Salute is one of many Australian horses secured for South African clients by bloodstock agent Paul Guy.

Ten Gun Salute was purchased in Australia as a yearling for only $10,000 before being on-sold at the 2014 CTS Ready To Run Sale in South Africa for R1,150,000” (approx. $100,000).

Since joining the Howells stable, Ten Gun Salute has recorded three wins and two placings from nine starts and come sinto the Durban July off a run in the G1 Daily News over 2000m.

“Ten Gun Salute is training on very well and is a sound, quality horse,” Howells said..

“The 2200m will suit him down to the ground and I think he’s well above average.

“He gave them too much start in the Daily News and I believe he’s an outstanding chance in the Durban July.”

Although South African buyers have ventured regularly to Australian yearling sales for more than 30 years trade has definitely increased in recent years with approximately 80 to 100 Australian horses exported to South Africa annually.

“A lot of South African buyers are interested in the European bloodlines,” Guy said.

However Australia’s ‘colonial’ sires are definitely making inroads in South Africa.

“A good example is a stallion like Magic Albert who has four winners in South Africa including the Group One winner Fighting Warrior, plus the multiple stakes winner Suyoof,” Guy said.

“Not A Single Doubt is another Australian stallion who is enjoying considerable success. His only two runners in South Africa are both winners and include the dual stakes winner Castlethorpe.

“Australian-bred horses make up only around 3% of the South African racing population, but punch well above their weight.

“Recent years have seen champions like Horse of the Year Igugu, who won the Durban July in 2011, champion 2YO colt Harry’s Son, champion 2YO filly Majmu, last season’s champion 2YO filly Entisaar and champion 3YO filly Alboran Sea.

“Igugu only cost $65,000 (approx R732,000) but went on to become one of the greatest fillies ever to race in South Africa, winning four Group Ones.

“This season the trend is continuing. New Predator won a Group 2, so too did Fursa and Ma Chox, Tiger’s Touch, Sugartube, Muwaary and Suyoof are all Group winners.

“Ovidio is a Group 2 and Listed winner who cost only $30,000 (approx R338,000) as a yearling in Sydney where the sale average is around $280,000 (R3,155,000).

“Last Saturday at Kenilworth Australian-bred horses filled all three placings in the Group 3 Lagerman Stakes while 3YO filly Chevauchee was successful for the second time in a month at black type level when she won the Ladies Mile.”