News

Turffontein Breaks Through

21st Sep 2009

Racing And Sports - Nathan Exelby - Saturday, 19 September 2009

Anthony Cummings has long held the view Turffontein was a Group 1 horse – just check his consistent purchasing record with progeny of Spirit Of Grace – and the opinion was justified today.

After placing three times at the highest level, Turffontein was rewarded for persistence when landing the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes today.

Today was his eighth attempt in Group 1 company, with Cummings searching far and wide to land a top level win for the Johannesburg entire.

Turffontein is the standout runner in Australia for former World Champion juvenile Johannesburg.

He is from the Dr Grace mare Spirit Of Grace, a winner of four races, who has had three winners from four to race. Turffontein's previous stakes wins came in the G2 Queensland Guineas and LR Wellington Race Club Stakes.

This is the family of the great producer Betty Box, whose descendants include fellow Group 1 winners Alynda, Penny Gem and Victoria Derby winner Hit The Roof.

Promising young stallion Fast 'N' Famous is another classy family member.

Anthony Cummings secured Turffontein for $70,000 from the 2006 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

He also purchased the Redoute's Choice filly at Easter a year earlier.

Since buying Turffontein, he outlayed $90,000 for the 2007 Premier Danzero colt and then $140,000 at this year's Premier Sale for an Elvstroem colt.