Gimmethegreenlight red-hot!

by | Aug 14, 2016

Varsfontein-based Gimmethegreenlight is the talk of the town, following his grand double at Scottsville earlier today.

Progeny of the newly-crowned freshman sire scooped both Million Races restricted to graduates of Bloodstock SA’s 2015 yearling and two-year-old sales, and remarkably, both winners were bred at the farm, as was the runner-up in the Sprint!

Hack Green started a warm order for the Million Sprint on the back of his impressive victory in the Gr.2 Umkhomazi Stakes run on Gold Cup day. In a thrilling one-two Gimmethegreenlight finish, Dennis Drier’s charge duly obliged, but he had to pull out all the stops to hold off fellow Varsfontein-bred filly and paternal half-sister Green Pepper.

Hack Green was the second-highest lot at the inaugural Val De Vie yearling sale when knocked down to part-owner Hassen Adams at R950,000. Out of the Fort Wood mare Secret Mission, he is the result of an astute mating, being closely related to Breeders Cup Juvenile winner and young Australian-based sire Pluck, who is by More Than Ready (sire also of Gimmethegreenlight) out of Secret Mission’s stakes winning own sister Secret Heart.

The runner-up was picked up for R120,000 as a juvenile and like Hack Green, she is out of a Fort Wood mare,  this being Pimento, a half-sister to SA Oaks winner Sabina Park, whose son Master Sabina landed the Gr.1 Sansui Summer Cup.

In the Million Mile, Duncan Howells saddled recent maiden winner Legend and the progressive colt delivered in fine style under Anthony Delpech to make it a memorable double for his young sire. He was bred by stud manager Carl de Vos and wife Amanda from Colour Fast, a Spectrum half-sister to champion juvenile filly Consensual and Gr.2 Gold Bracelet winner Dance Along. Howells secured Legend for R160,000 at last year’s National Yearling Sale.

Gimmethegreenlight’s fine achievement has not gone unnoticed and will undoubtedly boost the fortunes of his youngsters scheduled to sell at the National 2YO Sale this coming Thursday and Friday, five of which will be consigned by Varsfontein.