South Africa’s highest-priced racehorse – at least the highest-priced to run so far – proved expensive for punters when he started favourite and finished with only four behind him on debut at Kenilworth yesterday.
Bookmakers thought they were playing safe with the R5.2 million purchase when they opened Horizon at 4-1 but he was the one above all others of the 17 in the Racing Association Maiden that the money came for.
Half an hour before the race he was down to 18-10 and at the off you struggled to find better than 22-10 even though some of those connected to the stable were voicing fears about the strong tailwind – the complete opposite to the normal south-easter – being all against a horse bred to need a lot more than this 1 200m.
The colt certainly looked the part. A handsome bay with three white socks and beautifully turned out, he moved like a well-oiled machine and strode to the start like a future star.
All went according to plan in the early part of the race, thanks at least in part to Grant van Niekerk niggling at his mount to keep his position, but then it all started to go pearshaped and the favourite dropped back through the field to finish over 12 lengths behind the winner.
It’s at moments like these that racehorse trainers need the diplomacy of an ambassador, the sympathy of a sister and the belief of a convert. Seemingly Piet du Toit, the top game breeder who spent all that money, is in good hands.
Candice Bass-Robinson dealt with the situation in the manner of one who has lived with the foibles of racehorses, and the uncertainties of their performance, since birth and who regularly has disappointment served up for breakfast.
“The horse is still very green and he just needs patience,” she explained. “On his pedigree – by Dynasty out of a full sister to Silvano – he is going to take time and he has only just come to hand.
“He used to be very lazy and laid back, and he has only just started showing us things. Grant said that he didn’t enjoy having other horses around him and that his mind wasn’t on the job. We will try again in a few weeks – but he is going to be a decent horse.”
The winner, 12-1 chance Para Handy, is owned by many of the people (and has the same jockey and trainer) who shared over R8 million for winning the CTS Million Dollar in January.
Just to add further irony Icon King, who lead for all except the final 30m, was bought for the equine equivalent of peanuts and on extended credit.
“There was no bid for him at the Klawervlei Farm Sale in June last year and I said to breeder Duncan Barry that I would take the horse home with me and pay him five grand the first time he ran,” reported Mike Stewart. “It was one of my better buys!”
Michael Clower
