News

Aus-Bred Named Champion South African 2YO Colt

17th Aug 2009

Aushorse - Media Release - Monday, 17 August 2009

Musir, a colt bred on the cross of Australia's two leading stallions, capped off a top debut season when he was named South Africa's Champion 2YO Colt at the weekend.

He now joins New Zealand-based The Heckler as an Australian-bred Champion 2YO in a foreign country. The Heckler was recently crowned NZ's Champion 2YO of last season.

Musir (pictured) is by Redoute's Choice from Encosta De Lago's stakes placed daughter Dizzy De Lago.

He was bred by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa al Maktoum and was offered for sale by Coolmore Stud at the 2008 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where he failed to reach his reserve price of $1million, being passed in at $900,000.

The decision was taken to send the colt to South Africa, where he joined the stable of champion trainer Mike De Kock.

Musir was an easy debut winner in May over 1000m at Clairwood before running second to fellow Australian-bred Redoute's Choice colt Solid Choice at the same track in June.

Despite that defeat he then went onto become the dominant juvenile in South Africa when he landed the Group 1 Golden Horseshoe (1400m) by three and a half lengths.

In winning, he became the 15th individual Group 1 winner for Redoute's Choice and the first Group 1 winner from an Encosta De Lago mare.

Charles Laird was named South Africa's Trainer of the Year and Mr & Mrs Marcus Jooste were named Owners of the Year.

Laird and Marcus Jooste have been strong supporters of Australian sales in recent years, with Group 1 winners amongst their successful purchases.