It's so interesting that you have run this subject on your website. The
battle between Captain Al and Jet Master really is a significant milestone
in the history of breeding racehorses in South Africa. Dare I say that our
bloodstock industry has come of age. Our racehorses win amongst the best all
over the world (and regularly beat well-bred expensive imports at home as
well) and now we have home-bred sires that outclass the imports as well. I
enjoyed reading the comments posted. We love the passion.
I am so proud of our 3 local boys; Captain Al, Dynasty and Jet Master who
has proven himself to be one of the best sires in the world. Long may they
all triumph. Never before in the history of SA breeding have we had that
strength of local sire dominating so obviously.
Jet Master has won 4 sire championships to match his superb record as a star
racehorse - this is what it is all about. Just as his owners look out for
Jet Master we pray that we beat him this year. It won't be for the lack of
trying if we get beat. The fierce contest for top honours is so exciting -
may the best horse win. We are back to square one with these two: just like
when they went to the wire with their very first juveniles - the two of them
fought a battle that saw Jet Master edge Captain Al by stakes but Captain Al
had one more winner than Jet Master. They both set new standards - that
first crop broke the record for the number of 2yo winners - 22 in one season
(and that as first season sires beating records set by established sires)
they also both smashed the 2yo sires earning records, both for sires of
2yo's and for freshman sires earnings.
This year they are locked in the same battle. Captain Al has more winners
(99 vs 90) that have won more races (170 vs 145) , more individual stakes
winners (11 vs 7) and more stakes races won (14 vs 10) and a higher stakes
winner percentage as well (11% vs 8%). According to the Sporting Post stats
attached Jet Master is just R38 000 ahead of Captain Al at 17th July - AND
VOILA! Captain Al had a winner in Kimberley yesterday for R22 500 -
catching up every day. He had 5 winners in 5 race days last week. Jet Master
has 4 runners in Durban today but Captain Al has just one - that's how
narrow this race is. We have two weeks to go in this season and there is
little chance of any of the others overtaking them but there are some big
races to come and anything can happen. Nail-biting stuff.
Apart from the battle between these two giants that we all enjoyed with
their first crop I have seen two other contests as fiercely fought; both
were between Jallad and Western Winter. In 2003 Western Winter won by less
than R200k and in 2005 Jallad lead all the way until the last day of the
season - you know the end of July Champions Day at Clairwood where a R250
000 Chapter Challenge was won by a son of Western Winter and he took the
lead on that one day and just in time to clinch the championship. So I know
all too well that it aint over until the last day.
The fascinating race between these two magnificent stallions means that we
can be proud that SA has done so well with home-bred stallions of our own.
Sure we need imported blood all the time, we need them to upgrade our Stud
Book so that we can breed stock here that is worth taking to stud. The sire
stats this year, once again, prove that we have achieved this. I salute them
and no matter who wins I will be proud that they both did so well.
Don’t forget about the new up and coming chaps like Dynasty. He has done as
much as any new sire ever. A 3yo Horse of the Year from his first crop - as
you can see from the attached he is 2nd only to Western Winter (who is
having a superb run with his 3yo's) by 3yo Average Earnings per runner and
with 10% stakes winners he holds his own on the all ages log as well. We
have Argonaut, Jay Peg and Rebel King coming through as the next phase of
local stallions trying to prove themselves. They all have their first foals
on the ground now and we have high hopes. Cant wait to see their youngsters
on the track. All 3 of them champion racehorses with fantastic credentials.
Best regards
John
This is from: John T. Freeman
www.freemanstallions.co.za
