Last season’s Gr1 Mercury Sprint winner Red Ray (Western Winter) has been retired and will stand his first season at Klawervlei in 2017.

One of the most brilliant performers of his generation, Red Ray retires to stud having won five of 16 outings and earned over R1.9 million.

In total, the entire won or placed in seven Gr1 races, including the Mercury Sprint, Grand Parade Cape Guineas, Golden Horse Casino Sprint (twice) and Cape Flying Championship (twice).

Bred by Lammerskraal Stud, and racing for Mayfair Speculators, Red Ray won his first three on the trot at two, culminating in a two and a half length romp in the Listed Somerset 1200. Sent to Gauteng, he was not disgraced when second, to subsequent Gr2 Dingaans winner Willow Magic (Dubawi), in the Gr1 SA Nursery.

At three, Red Ray thrashed subsequent Horse Of The Year Legislate (Dynasty) when victorious in the Gr3 Cape Classic, and was second in three major features, including the Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes.
Exported to Dubai, Red Ray made just one start there, when unplaced in the Gr2 Al Fahdi Fort.

Returned to South Africa, Red Ray downed some of South Africa’s top sprinters to land the 2016 Gr1 Mercury Sprint. Among those beaten by the entire were Equus Champion Sprinter Talktothestars (Overlord), and Gr1 winners Real Princess (Trippi), Gulf Storm (Sail From Seattle) and Fly By Night (Jet Master).

He is one of 20 Gr1 winners sired by triple champion South African sire Western Winter (also sire of SA’s current leading first crop sire What A Winter) and is one of five stakes winners produced by now deceased mare Nacarat (Pas De Quoi).