Sunday's Model Man Mile at Greyville pays tribute to one of South Africa's greatest turf legends of the 20th century. Between August 1985 and November 1987, Model Man won 14 races, including five prestigious Grade 1s, and earned the distinction of becoming South Africa’s first equine millionaire. He was crowned Horse Of The Year in 1987.
Model Man came from humble beginnings. He was sired by Elliodor, at the time a first-season stallion who had received minimal support. His dam, Top Model (Filipepi) was sent to Elliodor as a favour to a fellow-breeder. Despite this, Model Man would go on to prove that remarkable talent can emerge from unexpected and modest circumstances.
Elliodor's own background initially gave little indication that he would become an influential sire. He was born from a mating recommended in 1976 by veteran horseman John Kramer, consulting to breeder Artur Pfaff.
Charl Pretorius writes..
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