Thabo Mhlongo, who has risen from a gardener into a prominent businessman, had a dream start to racehorse ownership last Wednesday at Scottsville when his part-owned Al Miqdaam colt Ishnana won on debut for the Garth Puller yard.

To add to the fairytale the horse acquired its name by combining the first names of Thabo’s children Ishmael and Nana.

Ishnana is an eye-catchingly robust two-year-old and has a lovely, resolute action, which creates the impression he is enjoying himself. After a bit of a tardy start and being forced sideways for a stride or two, he quickly made up the ground and was in the leading line. The handsome bay’s big white blaze and white socks makes him easy to pick out in the running. It soon became evident his ability matches his good looks.

He has a big stride and good cruising speed and he produced a good turn of foot when asked the question by Mandla Ntuli. He then wore the favourite Blackball down and won by half-a-length with the rest of the field spread out like the washing, which always suggests good form. He was not stopping at the line and Puller believes he is looking for further. On pedigree, he should do so as his dam Bird Strike, who is by Northern Guest, won over 1600m.

The story begins with the acquisition of the Australian-bred Al Miqdaam by KZN Midlands breeder Robert Smith in 2008.

Al Miqdaam, born in 2002, is bred in the purple being by the immortal Danehill out of St. Clemens Belle, who won a Gr 1 in Australia over a mile. St. Clemens Belle is by Don’t Say Halo, a son of the twice champion North American sire Halo.

Al Miqdaam was purchased at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for Aus$716,430 by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum in 2004. He ran in a number of barrier trials before leaving to be trained by Mike de Kock in South Africa.

Nathan Kotzen, De Kock’s Summerveld assistant, remembers Al Miqdaam as a very strong horse who was very quick too. He used to produce good work at home. On his South Africa debut as a five-year-old in September 2007 over 1000m at Scottsville, he finished a 2,25 length second at odds of 7/1.

However, he didn’t improve much on that effort in four further starts over trips from 1000-1600m. He needed gelding, but the yard were reluctant to do so as he was so well bred. A deal was then struck by KZN trainer Lennie Taylor, who purchased him as a stallion on behalf of Robert Smith.

Al Miqdaam is still owned by Smith, but currently stands on Roy Moodley’s farm in the Midlands. Moodley has sent many of his own mares to Al Miqdaam. Smith owned and trained Bird Strike, who ran 27 times for a win over 1600m and nine places. Garth Puller actually rode Bird Strike to second place in a maiden back in 2005.

In recent times Smith sold his main breeding farm to well-known KZN racing couple Avison and Mary Carlisle. However, the Carlisles allowed Smith’s mares to stay on. Bird Strike’s first foal Shikra, a filly by Al Miqdaam, won one race for Lola Crawford over 1600m on the poly and her second foal by Atso only managed one place in many starts.

However, both Smith and the Carlisles said Ishnana, who was originally named Blue Swallow, had been a striking colt from day one. Smith had always liked him and had as big hopes for him as the other one he bred that season, Queensberry Rules, who is a full-brother to the useful Al Miqdaam gelding Al Ciberano.

However, to Smith’s chagrin, Ishnana was rejected by the selectors for the Sibaya KZN Yearling Sale. Smith subsequently invited Thabo Mhlongo to come and have a look at a few horses on the farm. There were about four in the paddock when the latter arrived.

However, the colt with the big white blaze jumped out at Mhlongo immediately. He had made his mind up in seconds and nothing would budge him from that decision. Mhlongo has apparently had shares in a sheep farm before and Smith believed perhaps this experience had taught him a good eye for bloodstock.

Whatever the reason, Ishnana has proved to be an intuitive purchase by Mhlongo. Unfortunately, Ishnana will be Bird Strike’s final runner as she was found to have cancer on her neck. However, her legacy looks likely to live on for a while, considering the manner in which Ishnana won after shortening from 20/1 to 15/1.

Mhlongo was clearly elated by the victory last week and the bug is likely to have bitten. KZN racing have welcomed another passionate owner into their midst.

By David Thiselton