On an historic J&B Met day, the Klawervlei stud scooped back to back group one accolades when Mother Russia bravely held off rival challenger Sparkling Gem to win the R500 000 Fancourt Majorca Stakes. Further more, Casey Tibbs recorded his progenies first group 1 prize as Big City Life claimed top honour’s in the GR 1 Investec Cape Derby.
The rivalry between Mother Russia and Sparkling Gem has developed into one of the highlights of the current season, and the two 3-year-olds produced another thriller when fighting out the finish of the Fancourt Majorca Stakes over 1600m. The courageous Mother Russia galloped on gamely to deny her more imposing rival to land her first victory at the highest level for John Koster’s Klawervlei Stud Syndicate.
This victory provided the diminutive daughter of Windrush with her 6th win from just 10 starts, and now joins an illustrious role of honour along side previous year’s winners Dancers Daughter and Sun Classique.
Trainer Joey Ramsden, who paid tribute to the bravery of both the fillies, said that she had deserved a group 1 and that all had gone to plan on the day. He praised jockey Glen Hatt for a fabulous ride and said that he would discuss all future plans with John Koster, however a Durban campaign looks a likely option at this stage.
Mother Russia is by the Russian Fox mare Russian muse who produced the multiple group 1 winner and champion Equine Horse of the Year Winter Solstice.
Mother Russia - Fancourt Majorca Stakes
Adding to the Klawervlei success was the Glen Kotzen trained Big City Life who took top honours in the 2009 running of the Investec Cape Derby. The victory provided Casey Tibbs with his first group one descendant of his stallion career.
Big City Life had run second to the J&B champion Pocket Power in the Green Point Stakes two runs back and finished just 4 lengths back in his last start in the Cape Guineas. He is now Casey Tibbs’ most successful progeny to date along side the likes of former group winners Festive Occasion, Hilgrove and Caseys Son amoung others.
Big City Life - Investec Cape Derby
Big City Life was purchased for R170 000 off the Equimark ready To Run sale by trainer Glen Kotzen who owns a share in the colt with owners Messrs R W Deacon, G A Hauptfleisch, G W Mitchell. He was bred by Mrs J A Wintle.
Klawervlei would like to congratulate all the connections of Pocket Power for his wonderful record breaking achievement on Saturday.
He is a truly Great Champion and an inspiration to us all.
