You may remember my post on on January 4th, titled, Kitalpha: A Big Heart in Kentucky! Well, Kitalpha, a full brother to Kingmambo who began his stud career in Zimbabwe, is back in the news in a big way. On January 31, his 3-year-old son Bluemambo ran 2nd in the the Investec Cape Derby (SAf-G1) at Kenilworth — one of South Africa‘s premier 3yo races. Bluemambo (Kitalpha-Blue Cross, by Badgerland) was beaten only a length in the classic and had many foreign-bred runners behind him.
Considering the great international profile of South African breds lately, this is a major feather in Kitalpha’s cap. Now based in Kentucky at War Horse Place, Kitalpha’s first North American crop arrives this year. According to his owner Gerry Aschinger, Kitalpha is booked to 105 mares for 2009, an amazing accomplishment considering the current economic crisis!
Bluemambo’s performance also confirms the black-typ form of Kitalpha’s Zimbabwe-bred runners.
Investec Cape Derby (SAf-G1) (1/31)
Kenilworth, South Africa, January 31, R600.000, 2000m, turf, good, 2.05.29.
1) BIG CITY LINE (SAF), 5.0, br c 3, Casey Tibbs (IRE)-Dollar Crisis (SAF), by Goldmark (SAF). Owner R W Deacon, G S Kotzen, G A Hauptfleisch & G W Mitchell; breeder Mrs J a Wintle (SAf); trainer G S Kotzen; jockey B Fayd’herbe (R375.000)
2) Bluemambo (SAF), 57.0, b c 3, Kitalpha-Blue Acres (SAF), by Badger Land
3) Drakkar (AUS), 57.0, gr c 3, Anabaa-My Mo Rally (NZ) by Mi Preferido
Margins: 1, 1/3/4, 1
Big City Line Defeating Bluemambo in Cape Derby!
- (From www.sahorseracing.com)