When New Zealand-based bloodstock consultant Ric Wylie inspected a variety of entries for the 2020 Cape Premier Yearling Sales for CTS last September, he was so impressed with two fillies that he bought them at the January auction for Australia’s renowned Arrowfield Stud.

Wylie, Kerry Jack and John Kramer selected the best lots from stud farms throughout South Africa, and in doing his rounds the New Zealander made a mental note of a Visionaire filly from Lammerskraal Stud and a daughter of Trippi from the Avontuur paddocks.

Wylie recalled: “They were two of the standouts, both products of famous farms from great ladies, Sally Jourdan and Pippa Mickleburgh, who run world class operations.” (Sally has since left Lammerskraal).

“Pippa’s staff at Avontuur and their horsemanship were obvious from the outset, while the land and pasture at Lammerskaal was as good as any stud farm I have visited during my 45 years in this industry.

“When the catalogue came out, I saw that they were two of several fillies I rated highly, and that they also had very good pedigrees. Lot 104 was Lammerskraal’s Red Boulevard, a Visionaire filly from Red Strawberry (Jallad), from the family of Solo Traveller, Redberry Lane and Silvano’s Pride and Lot 120 was Avontuur’s All That Jazz, a filly by Trippi from your former sprinting superstar Val De Ra, by VAR.

“I approached prospective clients in Australia and New Zealand, with the view that long term breeding and racing fillies could be sourced at attractive prices in South Africa. From the interest this idea generated, Arrowfield Stud followed through and we succeeded in acquiring these two at the auction.

“The pair went into quarantine and originally they were to be landing in Australia this month. But with Covid-19 delays in Mauritius, they’ve only reached the UK now and we expect them to arrive in Australia in January.

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“They are presently based and exercising at Louise Allen’s stables at the foot of Warren Hill, Newmarket. Dwayne Woods of Brook Stud and Jamie Piggott (son of Lester) are managing them for me.

“Luckily they will have had a great foundation to their racing career on the Newmarket Gallops and hopefully can race as late two-year-olds in Australia. Arrowfield also has a wonderful in-house training programme where owner John Messara’s son Paul has a licence, so they will start their careers from there.

“As you can see from the depth in the pedigrees of these fillies, they were also bought with their long-term broodmare value in mind.”

Wylie concluded: “Through my association with CTS and long-time friendships with Adrian Todd, Mike de Kock, Dr John McVeigh and Jehan Malherbe, I’d always wanted to experience your industry first hand.

“When the opportunity came about through CTS, it was a natural progression for me to find business opportunities. Arrowfield is the industry leader in Australia and they’ve already had successful association with South Africa through the likes of National Colour. I wish to thank them for the opportunity to purchase these fillies for them.

CTS