To say it has been an amazing two weeks in the life of Count Dubois is an understatement. He has arrived and in no uncertain terms. The beautifully bred stallion`s progeny lit up the turf over two consecutive weekends in an amazing display of racing ability that has placed the stallion amongst the top 3 stallions for 3 year olds by stakes per runner. He has also surpassed Jet Master as top Freshman sire in the same category. 

It is an amazing feat for a stallion who has had only 14 runners and 10 wins this season. Competing with established giants in the form of Fort Wood and Western Winter, Count Dubois has sounded his arrival in the big league. 

John Freeman, stallion manager extraordinaire, calls Count Dubois, "the first I have seen with a small first crop that comes close to the feats of the mighty ELLIODOR" Two weeks ago, Count Dubois was regarded as an exciting new with potential. 

Two weeks on, and he is one of hottest stallion properties in the land. Litchfield Stud, his home, has been inundated with congratulatory calls after two spell binding weekends of racing that have surely set this stallion on a collision course with stardom. 

Zaitoon gave warning when third to Remembrance in the Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and then led the way with a resounding in the S.A Fillies Classic over 1800m at Turffontein to bag the bulk of the R500 000 on offer for the event.

SAHorseracing.com`s editors described the victory: "Candy Critic and Remembrance became engaged in a thrilling duel over the next furlong, but just when it appeared as if it was going to be a De Kock one-two, up stepped Zaitoon under Figueroa and they took off down the centre of the track and surged past the De Kock runners close home en route to a sensational victory."

Zaitoon is a daughter of Count Dubois out of the unplaced Caerleon mare, Dolces Suenios who was imported from Australia as a half sister to just two modest half siblings. The R40 000 purchase has to date notched up four victories from thirteen outings for career earnings of just over R450 000.

The following weekend saw yet another stunning victory in the listed Ruffian Stakes for The Count, as Ethics romped home. Ours editors described the scene, "Ethics was cut loose on the grandstand side of the track and she exploded into the lead close home to win well. Asylum Seeker stayed on well for second with Evening Attire just holding onto third, ahead of Carry On Katie."

Count Dubois also sired the runner up to make it a 1-2 for this up and coming stallion. Ethics, a filly, ran a faster time than the equivalent colts race winner, Sovereign Circle, who is touted to be a future champion.

Count Dubois` sire is ZAFONIC by Gone West. He was a champion at 2 and 3 in England and Europe. He is a big (16,3), deep-bodied horse and successful speed sire who, from a very short career at stud, produced the likes of COUNT DUBOIS (Gr 1), XAAR (Dewhurst Gr l), ALRASSAAM (Budweiser Int. Gr 2), ENDLESS SUMMER (Richmond St Gr 2), PACINO (Gr 2), SHENCK (Gr 2), ZIPPING (Gr 2), CLEARING (GR 3), KAREYMAH (Gr 3), OZONE LAYER (Gr 3).

A Gr 1 wining juvenile, COUNT DUBOIS`, dam is MADAME DUBOIS who won 5 races in France and UK, including the Park Hill Stakes (Gr II), Prix Royallieu (Gr II). She was 2nd in the Galtres St and was rated 121 by Timeform. Her pedigree is inbred to NASRULLAH, FAIR TRIAL, COURT MARTIAL, HYPERION, SOLARIO, LADY JOSEPHINE. FAMILY of top sires KRIS and DIESIS. MADAME DUBOIS produced three group winners COUNT DUBOIS, LADY HIGH HAVENS and INDIAN HAVEN (stands at stud in Ireland). Her half sister produced the young stallion DAGGER`S DRAWN.

From only 6 life time starts prior to injury COUNT DUBOIS (GB) established himself as a high class running machine. From 5 starts at two he won twice over 1200m and 1600m. He was placed 2nd and 3rd at his other starts including a 1.25 length run off top sprinter, MOZART in the Houghton Stakes over 1400m. He was then 3rd to the outstanding NAYEF (TFR 125) in the Autumn Stakes over 1600m. He then won the Gran Criterium (Gp1).

At 3, Count Dubois was shipped to Dubai to take on the best 3year olds in the world in the UAE 2000 Guineas. He ran a cracking 3rd to subsequent Dubai World Cup winner, STREET CRY and the brilliant NOVERRE, winner of the French Guineas. Unfortunately, he pulled up lame after this run, but the world`s loss was South Africa`s gain as he was sent by his owner Bernard Kantor to Litchfield Stud for stallion duties. Incidentally, it was that same stud that bred the high class VICTORY MOON, who set the world alight in Dubai.

Count Dubois`s career has changed. He is on a path that will see him at the top of his game, if the last two weeks is anything to go by.

Stallion Manager Freeman reports that the horse is already nearly fully booked for the 2006 breeding season and enjoys the support, for the first time in his career, of the top breeders in SA.