Klawervlei has enjoyed a magnificent season this year. The farm stallions ended the season in style with a host of winners on Saturday. Veteran sire National Emblem had a pair of winners at Kenilworth on Saturday, while the consistent winner producer, Casey Tibbs, was responsible for the facile juvenile winner, Cigar Boy.
The weekend’s highlight came when Captain Al’s brilliant daughter, All is Secret, scored her second career G1 victory in the G1 Thekwini Stakes, defeating a star studded cast. She is the front runner for Equus honours for top 2yo filly of the season, having previously won the G1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship.
Another of Captain Al’s progeny, the top-class Captain’s Secret, ran second in the Listed Umngeni Handicap.
Thekwini winner All Is Secret looks a leading contender for classic honours next year, and is another feather in the cap of her sire, Captain Al. The latter has had another wonderful year, and he ends the season as champion sire of juveniles for the fourth time. Captain Al also ended the season fifth on the general sires list.
All Is Secret
This is a superb result for this top-class stallion, and he is firmly cemented as one of South Africa’s top sires of precious, classy stock, who are durable and train on well.
Captain Al had no fewer than five stakes winners this year, headed by the likes of All Is Secret and Trinity House.
Captain Al’s stable mate, National Emblem, also enjoyed a fine year. The veteran son of National Assembly had a pair of G1 winners in 2011-2012, in the form of Shea Shea (Computaform Sprint) and Potent Power (Tsogo Medallion). Both horses will now ply their trade overseas, and local fans will continue to follow their progress with interest.
Casey Tibbs, now standing at Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud, consistently comes up with stakes horses. This season was no exception, with Casey producing the likes of Why Worry and Cash Register. He remains a great value for money sire, and stands this season for a fee of just R5,000.
With fellow sires such as Dupont (sire of top sprinter Depardieu) and Lion Tamer also enjoying promising seasons this year, Klawervlei, and their loyal and steadfast supporters, have plenty to look forward to next year.
