Drakenstein Stud achieved a remarkable milestone with a record-breaking 21 stakes winners in a single season, thanks to the impressive victory of the Lancaster Bomber colt, Eight On Eighteen, in the R500,000 Gr3 Langerman at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. This achievement surpasses their previous record of 20 homebred stakes winners in one season, marking a significant moment of celebration for the stud. It was also a bitter sweet moment for the stud as the sire is no longer with us in what was a huge loss to local breeding.
Guided expertly by champion elect Richard Fourie, Eight On Eighteen, a recent maiden winner trained by Justin Snaith, surged powerfully down the center of the track. With odds of 3/1, he managed to catch the long-time leader All Out For Six, the marginal 9-4 tote favorite, who had garnered much attention following the last-minute withdrawal of his stablemate, One Stripe.The 4/10 favouite was scratched due to elevated TC02 levels. He was part of a bunch of horses scratched throughout the meeting.
Eight On Eighteen secured victory by 0.75 lengths, completing the 1500m race in a time of 96.02 seconds. The experienced Mauritius Kestrel, at 8-1, finished third, 1.25 lengths behind the runner-up.
Purchased for R700,000 at the National Yearling Sale, Eight On Eighteen has now accumulated 2 wins and 2 places from his 4 starts, earning a total of just over R400k in stakes.
Sex: Colt Age: 2
Sire: LANCASTER BOMBER (USA)
Dam: SEMPRE LIBRE
Dam Sire: CAPTAIN AL
Breeder: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)
Owner: Anyasec (Pty) Ltd & Mr N Jonsson
