BROODMARE EXTRAORDINAIRE REAL PRINCESS
(Trippi - Pagan Princess by Fort Wood)
Khaya Stables’ REAL PRINCESS with the 2024 Cape Racing Awards for her outstanding son GIMME A PRINCE - 17 runs, 8 wins (1000-1400m), 6 places, with earnings of R3,649,513.
Nelson’s Column
brought to you by Varsfontein Stud
The leading contender for the 2025 Broodmare Of The Year must be REAL PRINCESS. Bred at John Koster’s Klawervlei Stud in Bonnievale, Real Princess was selected and purchased at the 2013 Cape Premier Yearling Sale (Book 1) by trainer Dean Kannemeyer together with Bloodstock Advisor Jehan Malherbe (Form Bloodstock) for R2,7 million.
Real Princess established herself as a topclass sprinter with Dean Kannemeyer, securing 6 victories from 22 starts. Her stand-out performances came in 2016, when she captured both the G1 South African Fillies Sprint and the G3 Poinsettia Stakes. Her triumph in the G1 SA Fillies Sprint was particularly impressive, as she defeated a high-quality field that included five time G1 winning sprinter, Carry On Alice.
Khaya Stables, on the advice of Jehan Malherbe, retired Real Princess to Varsfontein Stud specifically in order to be mated to Gimmethegreenlight. Such foresight has been rewarded with 4 winners (all by Gimmethegreenlight), most notably G1 winners Gimme A Prince and The Real Prince. She is also
REAL PRINCESS as a yearling in January 2013
GIMME A PRINCE winning the 2025 Cape Flying Championship (WFA) G1 at Kenilworth by 5,75 lengths for owner/breeder Khaya Stables.
© Chase Liebenberg
the dam of the G3 winning filly Gimmie’s Countess and the 2yo colt Gimmie Rules, who won first time out over 1200m at Scottsville, on 14 June ‘25 from his only start.
Gimme A Prince boasts 5 G1 victories, including the prestigious 2025 G1 Cape Flying Championship (for the second time), while The
Real Prince was recently victorious in the 2025 G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July.
This feat means that Real Princess has joined a select band of mares to have been responsible for two G1 winners in a single South African racing season.
Dean Kannemeyer recalls: “Real Princess was
THE REAL PRINCE storms home under Craig Zackey to win the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July G1 for owner/breeder Khaya Stables.
JEHAN MALHERBE - Bloodstock Advisor to Khaya Stables
LADY CHRISTINE LAIDLAW and trainer DEAN KANNEMEYER
© Candiese Lenferna
purchased by Jehan and myself as we thought she was a magnificent specimen. She was by a top sire out of a top female line and oozed class - she was the best filly on the sale.
“Structurally, she had a deep girth, and from day one she demonstrated significant ability and natural speed. While her pedigree suggested potential for longer distances, she performed best in races over 1200m. Following her racing career, I was blessed to train several of her progeny.
“The first foal, GIMME A PRINCE, was notably larger than average at birth. I recall Varsfontein mentioned that he was 20kg heavier than the average foal. He is a beautiful beast of a horse and has established himself as a successful sprinter. A firm favourite in the yard.
“The second foal, THE REAL PRINCE, shares similar physical markings with his sibling but is different in type. I was always confident that he would excel over longer
distances and he went on to win the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July over 2200m. His pedigree suggests he inherits stamina, particularly from the second dam. He is a horse that is easy to ride with a lovely temperament.
“The third foal, GIMMIE’S COUNTESS, was a deep, attractive filly with a lovely hind leg who won on debut and earned black type before retiring due to some issues.
“The fourth foal, a 2yo named GIMMIE RULES, also won first time out. He is a big, rangy, promising colt who could be anything at this stage. He is now resting until spring or summer and may be suited to classic distances, with stamina from his dam line suggesting he wants a mile.
“Real Princess has been a remarkable foundation mare. Each of her offspring has brought a unique personality and set of abilities to the training yard, and it has been a privilege to watch their progress and be a part of their journeys.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have played a role in
REAL PRINCESS with multiple G1 winner GIMME A PRINCE - Lady Christine Laidlaw with her sister Patricia Woollett, trainer Dean Kannemeyer and Bloodstock Advisor, Jehan Malherbe.
their careers and look forward with anticipation to what the younger progeny may achieve in the seasons ahead..”
On the selection of Real Princess as a yearling, Jehan Malherbe added: “I had helped get Trippi here and had found VICTORY MOON for Mike de Kock as a yearling - so there was a sentimental attraction to the pedigree as well.”
On the selection of Gimmethegreenlight as the stallion of choice for Real Princess, Jehan relates his reasons: “I gave a lot of thought to the potential mating for REAL PRINCESS - and decided GIMMIETHEGREENLIGHT was a very good option. He was the reigning Champion First Season Sire - the new pretender to the throne. I didn’t want to send her to one of the top older stallions in her first season - they don’t normally like covering maiden mares. His fee was R75k, which was reasonable - seeing that he was the new hot boy on the block.
“We had offers from breeders to purchase Real Princess, but Lady Laidlaw wanted to to ‘go it alone’ with my help.
After the decision to use Gimmethegreenlight, we decided on Varsfontein as a home for her.”
Jehan Malherbe (along with Charles Faull) of Form Bloodstock was responsible for the importation of the sires Trippi, Dancing Champ and Royal Prerogative - all present in Real Princess’s pedigree within four generations.
It is interesting to note that Real Pricess’s sire Trippi and Gimmethegreenlight’s sire More Than Ready were stable-mates, as both were trained by Todd Pletcher and competed against one another in G1 races in the USA. It is amazing to think that Trippi and More Than Ready now combine in the pedigrees of these amazing athletes.
GIMMIE’S COUNTESS winning the Diana Stakes G3 at Durbanville over 1400m for owner/breeder Khaya Stables.
REAL PRINCESS
Forty Niner
End Sweep
Trippi (USA)
Broom Dance
Mr Prospector
File
Dance Spell
Witching Hour
In Reality
Desert Trial
Raise A Native
Gold Digger
Tom Rolfe
Continue
Northern Dancer
Obeah
Thinking Cap
Enchanted Eve
Intentionally
My Dear Girl
Moslem Chief
Scotch Verdict
Tale Of Two Cities
Native Dancer
Raise You
Nashua
Sequence
Ribot
Pocahontas
Double Jay
Courtesy
Nearctic Natalma
Cyane
Book Of Verse
Rosemont
Camargo
Lovely Night
Poupee
Intent
My Recipe
Rough N Tumble
Iltis
Alibhai
Up The Hill
Alsab
Glen Arvis
Tehran
Merida II
Cougar II
Jealous Cat
Only The Loyal
Cindy Lou II
Never Bend
Another Love
Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
Sadler’s Wells
Fort Wood (USA)
Fairy Bridge
Pretense
Fall Aspen
Change Water
Bold Reason
Special
Endeavour II
Imitation
Swaps
Portage
Madara
Maria Bonita
Nasrullah
Lalun
Tudor Minstrel
Amoret
Nearco
Lady Angela
Native Dancer
Almahmoud
Hail To Reason
Lalun
Forli
Thong
British Empire
Himalaya
Hyperion
Flattery
Khaled
Iron Reward
War Admiral
Carillon
Pagan Princess
Dancing Champ (USA)
Dancing Flower
Wild Hyacinth
Nijinsky II
Mrs Peterkin
Royal
Prerogative (GB)
Bluebell Girl
Northern Dancer
Flaming Page
Tom Fool
Legendra
Relko
Bride Elect
Drum Beat (IRE)
Petra Sophia
Nearctic Natalma
Bull Page
Flaring Top
Menow
Gaga
Challenger II
Lady Legend
Tanerko
Relance III
Big Game
Netherton Maid
Fair Trial
Respite
Senor Brume (GB)
Grey Wave
G1 Vosburgh Stakes (1400m) winner, and Champion Sire TRIPPI (USA) at Drakenstein Stud Farm
G1 Grand Prix de Paris (2000m) winner, and Champion Sire FORT WOOD (USA) at Mauritzfontein
S/W PROGENY STAKES RACES
GIMME A PRINCE WON - G1 CAPE FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP 2024/25
WON - G2 DIADEM STAKES 2024/25
3RD - G1 L'ORMARINS KING'S PLATE 2024/25
3RD - G3 CAPE MILE 2024/25
2ND - G3 MATCHEM STAKES 2023/24
WON - G1 GOLDEN HORSE SPRINT 2022/23
WON - G1 CAPE FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP 2022/23
WON - G2 CAPE MERCHANTS 2022/23
2ND - G2 DRILL HALL STAKES 2022/23
2ND - LISTED SOUEASTER SPRINT 2022/23 THE REAL PRINCE WON - G1 DURBAN JULY
WON - LISTED JET MASTER STAKES 2024/25
GIMMIE'S COUNTESS WON - G3 DIANA STAKES 2024/25
2ND - G3 UMZIMKHULU STAKES 2024/25
3RD - G2 SCEPTRE STAKES 2024/25
REAL PRINCESS’S SIRE - TRIPPI
Real Princess’s Sire TRIPPI (USA) was the highest priced stallion ever to be syndicated in South Africa.
Bred by Harry Mangurian, Trippi did not emerge into the public arena until he was offered by Mark Casse, then operations manager of Mangurian’s Mockingbird Farm, at the 1999 Keeneland 2-yearolds in training sale.
Trippi was purchased by Cot Campbell of Dogwood Stable for $65,000. As Campbell recalled later, Trippi was “rail thin” at the sale but still looked to be an athlete.
Born in 1997, trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Todd Pletcher and ridden almost exclusively by fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey, Trippi quickly carved out a reputation as a speedster with flair. His name paid tribute to legendary American football player Charley Trippi, who remarkably lived to see his centenary in 2022. In his memoirs, Cot Campbell described Trippi the horse as “a real gentleman, with a lovely head and a big, generous eye”. Yet behind that noble appearance lay ferocious talent: “Could he ever scorch the earth!”
Campbell wrote. “He’d break half a length behind - but within three strides, he’d be two lengths in front. He had blinding speed.”
Trippi burst onto the scene in early 2000 as a 3-y-o in Florida, winning his maiden by 5 lengths over 1200m. A month later, he destroyed a 1400m field by 9 lengths, then confirmed his rising star status with an effortless win in the G3 Swale Stakes over the same distance.
In April, Trippi continued his unbeaten run in the G3 Flamingo Stakes over a mile. Heading into the Kentucky Derby as the third favourite - behind Fusaichi Pegasus and stable-mate More Than Ready (sire of Gimmethegreenlight) - he arrived with 4 wins from 4 starts. However, the 2000m Derby proved beyond his range. After being part of the early speed, Trippi faded in the stretch to finish 11th, as Fusaichi Pegasus triumphed and More Than Ready placed fourth.
A swift reset followed. In June, Trippi dropped back to his ideal distance - 1400m - and crushed the G2 Riva Ridge Stakes field at Belmont Park by 8 lengths. Just weeks later, he faced older horses in the G2 Tom Fool Stakes and romped home by 5
lengths. With 6 wins from 7 starts in just 7 months, Trippi had cemented his status as one of America’s top sprinters.
By August, the long campaign began to take its toll. As the hot 5/10 favourite in the G3 Amsterdam Stakes, Trippi finished 3rd, his only loss at a sprint distance. But his sights were set on greater glory: the G1 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont in September, America’s premier 1400m test, and a likely stepping stone to the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
The Vosburgh set the stage for a dramatic showdown with stable-mate More Than Ready, another brilliant colt who would go on to become one of the World’s leading sires. As The BloodHorse reported at the time, Pletcher’s dream was to make both colts G1 winners - and perhaps even crown one as Eclipse Champion Sprinter.
In the Vosburgh, Trippi jumped smartly and seized the lead, while More Than Ready lost ground at the start and was forced to close from behind. Trippi held on tenaciously, winning by half a length from More Than Ready, in a fast 1:21.66, his 4th victory from 4 starts at the distance. This was the first sprint loss of More Than Ready’s career, but the race settled no clear superiority between the two stars.
“It’s tough when you have two horses you respect so much,” said Pletcher. “They give everything they’ve got every time. You hate to see either one get beaten.”
Sadly, both horses endured rough trips in the 2000 G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint over 1200m. The race was won by the veteran Kona Gold, while More Than Ready was bumped and forced wide, finishing 5th. Trippi, pinned on the rail, had no clear run and finished 9th. The loss likely cost Trippi the champion sprinter title - but it may have been a lucky twist of fate for South African breeding, as success on that stage would have kept him in America.
Trippi returned as a 4-y-o but was hampered by
a lingering foot issue. He went winless in 4 starts and was subsequently retired with a record of 7 wins from 14 starts and $666,220 in earnings. He was sold to Michael O’Farrell’s Ocala Stud in Florida, where he began his stud career at a stud fee of $7,500.
Following in his sire’s hoofprints,Trippi jumped quickly from the gate in his new career, leading all Florida freshmen sires with 16 juvenile winners from his first crop and finishing second to Exchange Rate in progeny earnings.
By the following season, in 2006, Trippi led all Florida sires by juvenile earnings and had accounted for five stakes winners. When Gaynor Rupert arrived to visit Trippi at Ocala Stud, operated by J. Michael O’Farrell Jr. and his family, the stallion had sired 12 stakes winners, 16 stakes-placed runners and the earners of nearly $11 million.
GAYNOR RUPERT REFLECTS ON TRIPPI’S LASTING LEGACY
“Trippi has been an incredibly special horse for us, and his impact on the stud has been immense. He is quite possibly the most significant stallion acquisition I’ve ever made,” says Gaynor Rupert.
“I remember seeing him for the first time in America and being immediately struck by his sheer beauty, exceptional quality, and physical presence. He stood out as the best horse I had ever viewed, and I was determined to secure him.”
At the time of purchase, Trippi was already gaining prominence as Florida’s leading young sire. His first crop, which raced in 2005, produced 17 juvenile winners - including 3 stakes winners. His second and third crops yielded 5 stakes winners each, bringing the total to 13 by 2008. While only 3 were graded stakes winners, the stand-out among them was Miss Macy Sue, who claimed one G3 and 5 listed victories.
Michael O’Farrell, of Ocala Stud, described the sale of Trippi as bittersweet. “Two of Trippi’s
Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)
Jeremy Nelson
Champion Sire GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT (AUS)
G1 winner REAL PRINCESS (SAF)
partners were dispersing, and a third was downsizing, so the time was right. Fortunately, the sale provided a strong return on investment,” he noted. “We hated to see him go,” said Michael O’Farrell’s son, David. “But they (Gaynor and her team) were such nice people, and that gave us confidence.”
The acquisition proved pivotal - providing Gaynor with a proven sire around whom she could build Drakenstein Stud.
The stallion was subsequently syndicated in South Africa, with Drakenstein retaining a 50% share and inviting other breeders to invest. With several crops already in the pipeline in America, it wasn’t long before Trippi’s name began making headlines across the Atlantic.
In 2009, the Trippi filly Jealous Again (USA) turned heads with a blistering debut over 900m. Her owners made an unusual move, flying her to Europe to compete in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot - one of the fastest juvenile races for fillies. She stunned the field, winning decisively and establishing herself among Europe’s best.
Another stand-out, R Heat Lightning (USA), became one of America’s top juvenile fillies. She captured the G1 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga and went on to place 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies G1, ranking her #2 among her age group nationally.
Trippi’s 2007 and 2008 crops each produced 9
Miss Macy Sue (Trippi) is now the dam of Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway), sire of 7 G1 winners,19 graded stakes winners, 41 black type winners, including Cogburn - Highest Rated Sprinter in the World in Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, and World Record Holder over 1100m with a time of 59.8 seconds.
Not This Time’s stud fee for 2025 is US$175,000, and is the sire of 2 Eclipse Champions.
stakes winners, with an additional 3 emerging from his 2009 crop. That year, he was crowned:
#1 Leading Sire in Florida
#1 Leading Sire of 2-Year-Olds in Florida
#3 Leading Third-Crop Sire in the USA
With a winner-to-runner ratio of 75% and progeny earnings exceeding $16 million, his progeny fetched up to $1,600,000 (for G1 winner R Heat Lightning) at auction.
In total, Trippi’s seven American crops yielded 33 stakes winners, who collectively won 72 stakes races - a remarkable achievement that underscored the brilliance of his acquisition.
Reflecting on the decision, Gaynor adds:
“I was incredibly lucky with Trippi. When I first saw him, he was the most beautiful horse I’d ever encountered. I fell in love with him, and my gut told me he’d be a success for us - and that’s exactly what happened.”
TRIPPI AS A SIRE IN SA
When Trippi arrived in South Africa, he stood for R100,000 - significantly less than leading sires like Western Winter and Jet Master. Yet it didn’t take long for him to make his mark. He was crowned Champion First Crop Sire, and by his third South African crop, he had produced four G1 winners, including his first Champion, Inara, who won five G1 races across three provinces and was crowned Equus Champion Filly.
Trippi’s versatility silenced all doubters - siring
MISS MACY SUE (USA)
winners from 800m to over 2500m, on turf, dirt, and polytrack. He became Champion Sire in 2015, and his progeny include G1 stars like Deo Juvente, Afrikaburn, Real Princess, Chimichuri Run, and Lobo’s Legend.
His most illustrious son, Jet Dark, won five G1 races, was crowned Horse of the Year, and now stands at stud at Drakenstein, covering 134 mares in his first season.
Another stand-out, Charles Dickens, became Drakenstein’s best-ever home-bred with 10 wins from 13 starts and over R5 million in earnings, including the prestigious L’Ormarins King’s Plate G1.
In 2023, Trippi had a stellar year: Winchester Mansion won the Hollywoodbets Durban July G1, Trip Of Fortune took the Horse Chestnut S. G1 and Charles Dickens confirmed his status as a superstar.
All three earned Equus Awards, helping Drakenstein Stud achieve the rare double of Champion Breeder and Champion Owner in the same season.
Trippi has sired over 830 winners of more than
2,800 races, with 13 individual G1 winners (12 in South Africa, 9 bred at Drakenstein). His most successful nick has been with Dynasty mares, yielding a remarkable 80% winners and 50% stakes winners, including Charles Dickens.
Now retired from stud duties, Trippi’s legacy will live on through his sons Jet Dark, Charles Dickens and Chimichuri Run, and a band of over 30 stakes-winning daughters at Drakenstein. Trippi is now on his way to becoming a Champion Broodmare Sire in SA.
“He’s the best stallion I’ve ever worked with,” says Drakenstein’s Kevin Sommerville.
“Trippi gave us a foundation. The future now belongs to his sons and daughters.”
TRIPPI’S SIRE - END SWEEP
Forty Niner’s son End Sweep was raced by Christiana Stables and later by Harry Mangurian’s Mockingbird Farm, the colt out of G1 winner Broom Dance (by Dance Spell by Northern Dancer) won 6 of his 18 starts, including the Highlander Handicap G1 at Woodbine at 3. He was also third behind Prenup in the Jerome
JEALOUS AGAIN (USA) by Trippi - winning the 2009 G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot
Handicap G1 at Belmont before entering stud at Mockingbird Farm in 1995. He swept all before him with a World record
TR IPPI AS A SIRE - SA STAKES W INNERS
Gimmethegreenlight Green Pepper ('19f) Sweet Pepper
Winter Romance Skin Tight ('10f) For The Lads
Western Winter Barberton Daisy ('15f) Lesedi La Rona 1
Western Winter Gone Wild ('14c) Lobo's Legend
Kingmambo Kelly's Olympics ('12f) Speedy Suzy
Kingmambo Peace Bell ('11f) One Fine Day
Kahal Spiced Gold ('15c) Chimichuri Run
Machiavellian Pleine Nuit ('09c) Night Trip
Kahal Bold Ellinore ('11f) Ha Lucy
Street Cry Hollywoodboulevard ('14c) On That Boulevard 1
Street Cry Oh Susanna ('21f) Little Suzie 1
Jallad Senorita Sol ('14c) Crome Yellow 4
Spectrum Sea Point ('18c) Winchester Mansion 4 3
Jallad Jalberry ('13f) Love To Boogie 2 1
Candy Stripes Rock Candy ('11c) Punk Rocker
Jallad Pearl River ('11c) Triptique
Complete Warrior Girlish ('10c) Trip Tease
Complete Warrior Circle Of Life ('11c) Deo Juvente 2
Flaming Rock Dame Kiri ('12f) Jane S Piddy 1
Yes It's True Big Mona ('12f) Fromafar 1
Shirley Heights Mountains Of Mist ('11f) Inara
Rambo Dancer Prestine Performer ('12c) Fifty Cents
National Assembly Scented Samantha ('09f) Franny
National Assembly The Taj ('09f) Agra
Danehill Dancer Crimson Blossom ('12c) Brilliant Crimson
Honor Grades Hide My Grades ('10c) Graduation Day 1
National Assembly Viva ('13f) Live Life
Rock of Gibraltar Uber Rock ('11f) Beloved Country
Model Man Olympic Dam ('13c) Gold Standard
Peintre Celebre Aquatint ('11c) Afrikaburn
Jet Master Night Jet ('17c) Jet Dark
Jet Master Hear The Rain ('15c) Tristful
Dynasty Demanding Lady ('19c) Charles Dickens
Doowaley Louvre ('18c) Trip Of Fortune
Elusive Fort Siren's Call ('18f) Sound Of Warning
Fort Wood Cutty Sark ('18f) Santa Maria
Fort Wood Pagan Princess ('11f) Real Princess
Dynasty Beach Beauty ('16c) Wild Coast
Dynasty Beach Beauty ('18f) Amanzimtoti
Dynasty Demanding Lady ('17c) Somerset Maugham
Fort Wood National Banker ('11c) Mombela
Fort Wood Red Growler ('11f) Sunset Tripp
Fort Wood Royal Aspen ('11f) Royal Trip
Horse Chestnut African Lily ('16c) Trip To Africa
General Nediym Generous Anna ('16c) Guru's Pride
Black Minnaloushe Ash Cloud ('18c)
33 individual 2-year-old winners from 50 runners in 1998 - from 75 foals. With the exception of a lone winner in Japan, the others made him an overwhelming Champion Freshman Sire, on a $6,000 season. Clearly his days down at Ocala were numbered.
Australian-based Arrowfield purchased End Sweep in the first part of 1999. End Sweep was
shuttled from Australia to Shadai Stallion Station in Japan for Northern Hemisphere coverings.
His record as a stallion clearly shows excellence in all 3 countries producing the following: Admire Moon (JPN), Swept Overboard (USA), Sweep Tosho (JPN), Rhein Kraft (JPN), Nany’s Sweep (USA), Incentive Guy (JPN), Focal Point (JPN), Only Words (AUS), Wonderer (AUS), Aim For Gold (AUS), Clean Sweep (NZ), Loulan Congre (JPN), Laissezaller (USA), Alix M (USA), Trippi (USA), Tagano Dangerous (JPN), Sweeping Story (USA), etc.
Champion Sire End Sweep was euthanised on 12th July 2002 at the Shadai Horse Clinic in Japan. The decision of the joint owners representing Australia’s Arrowfield Stud and Shadai Stallion Station was made after they were informed by the clinic’s head, Dr. Masaaki Tagami,
that the 11 year-old horse had “gone down” and could not regain his feet.
End Sweep was working his third season in Japan, having covered 100 and 98 mares in the two years since Shadai purchased a 50% interest in the Forty Niner horse. That was soon after End Sweep left North America for what would be the last time in 1999.
Messara is convinced that End Sweep was set to make a big impact when his first Australian runners hit the tracks. “Biased as I am about End Sweep, I believe his loss will ultimately prove a significant one to the Australian breeding industry.”
TRIPPI’S SA STAKES WINNERS
As a sire, Trippi has produced 28 stakes winners to Northern Dancer line mares, of which 12 are descendants of Sadler’s Wells - through Dynasty, Fort Wood, Horse Chestnut, Doowaley and Elusive
SHE’S A KEEPER (SAF) by Gimmethegreenlight - Gold Trip by Trippi - winning the 2022 G1 Garden Province Stakes over 1600m
© Candiese Lenferna
Fort. Other Northern Dancer lines descend from Danzig (6; National Assembly, Danehill Dancer, Honor Grades and Rock Of Gibraltar), Storm Cat (3; Black Minnaloushe, Var and Giant’s Causeway), Rakeen (2; Jet Master), Shareef Dancer (1; General Nediym), Vice Regent (1; French Deputy), Rambo Dancer (1), Lyphard (1; Model Man) and Nureyev (1; Peintre Celebre).
Mares descending from the Nasrullah male line have produced 10 stakes winners - 5 through Blushing Groom (Jallad, Spectrum and Candy Stripes), 4 through Bold Ruler (Complete Warrior, Flaming Rock and Yes It’s True), and 1 through Mill Reef (Shirley Heights).
Mr Prospector lines have produced 9 stakes winners of which Machiavellian (Kahal, Machiavellian and Street Cry) is responsible for 5, while Western Winter and Kingmambo are each responsible for 2.
Other sire lines that have produced stakes winners to Trippi include Captain Al (3), Damascus (2; Damascus Gate and Skip Away), Badger Land (1), In Reality (1; Cee’s Tizzy), Tudor Minstrel (1; Winter Romance) and Gimmethegreenlight (1).
TRIPPI AS A BROODMARE SIRE - SA STAKES WINNERS
As a broodmare sire, Trippi has produced 18 stakes winners to Northern Dancer line stallions. Sadler’s Wells has produced 11 through the following sires - Futura (6), Kingsbarns (2), The United States (1), Legislate (1) and Jackson (1). Danzig produced 4 through Rafeef (2), Fire Away (1) and Lancaster Bomber (1). Nijinsky II has produced 3, all through Vercingetorix, and Storm Cat has produced 1 through Var.
Gimmethegreenlight himself has produced 7 stakes winners including G1 winners Gimme A Prince, The Real Prince and She’s A Keeper. The Mr Prospector line has produced 3 stakes winners through What A Winter (2) and Twice Over (1). Hail To Reason has produced 2 stakes
winners through Captain Al (1) and Canford Cliffs (1).
REAL PRINCESS’S’ MATERNAL GRANDSIRE FORT WOOD
A superbly bred horse, Fort Wood was one of four G1 winners produced by the great broodmare Fall Aspen, a G1 winner who was also dam of 1995 G1 Preakness Stakes winner and sire Timber Country. She also produced the French group winner Colorado Dancer, who is the dam of 2000 G1 Dubai World Cup winner and sire Dubai Millennium.
Bred in Kentucky by Hullin Co. N.V., Fort Wood lived up to his pedigree on the racetrack, winning three of his six outings in Europe when racing for Sheikh Mohammed. Fort Wood’s victories included a memorable win in the 1993 G1 Grand Prix de Paris over 2000m.
Retired to stud in South Africa in 1994, Fort Wood was quick to make an impression on local tracks. His first crop to race included 11 stakes horses, of which 3 were G1 winners.
Fort Wood became Champion Sire in 1998, and is by the great Sadler’s Wells (14 times GB/ IRE Champion Sire). He is the sire of G1 winners and sires Horse Chestnut, Dynasty (sire of Futura, Legislate, Act Of War) and Elusive Fort, as well as G1 winners Celtic Grove, Kimberley Mine, Hunting Tower, Fort Defiance, Forest Path, Shadow Dancing, Dog Wood, Athina, Heir Apparent,
FORT WOOD (USA) winning the 1993 G1 Grand Prix de Paris.
Wendywood and Thundering Star. His daughters have proved exceptional broodmares and Fort Wood became Champion Broodmare sire in South Africa in 2012/13. From his daughters, he has produced the G1 winners Capetown Noir, Cherry On The Top, Marinaresco, Malmoos, Captain America, Humdinger, Mokaro, Royal Fantasy, Noah From Goa, Real Princess, Thunder Dance, Forest Indigo, Bouquet-Garni, Contador, William Longsword and Nightingale.
REAL PRINCESS’ MATERNAL GREAT GRANDSIRE DANCING CHAMP
Dancing Champ was a well-bred son of Nijinsky II and a half-brother to Kentucky Oaks winner Sweet Alliance, the dam of Irish Derby hero Shareef Dancer. He hailed from the same illustrious female line as the legendary Zenyatta, a daughter of Street Cry.
A big bay of notable quality and masculinity, Dancing Champ claimed victory in the prestigious G2 Massachusetts Handicap, a race previously won by such icons as Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, Cigar, and Skip Away. Initially retired to stud in Canada, he relocated to South Africa in 1984, where he made a lasting impact with ten crops.
In South Africa, Dancing Champ sired over 30 stakes winners, including Champions Olympic Duel, Son Of A Champ, Golden Taipan, Dancing Duel, Space Walk, and Prairie Oyster, as well as G1 winners Cool Success and Castle Walk. His progeny showcased exceptional versatility, with G1 victories from 1200m to 3200m. Remarkably, his offspring won the Durban July in consecutive years - Dancing Duel in 1993 and Space Walk, who was promoted to first in 1994.
Yet it is as a broodmare sire that Dancing Champ truly cemented his legacy. His daughter Fashing was crowned South Africa’s Broodmare of the Year in 2003, thanks to her producing three stakes winners, most notably Horse of the Year and five-time G1 winner Yard-Arm. Fashing remains
DANCING CHAMP (USA)
influential, as her descendants include black type performers such as Current Event (¾ brother to Abashiri), Simona, Just Chaos, and Green Haze. With numerous daughters and granddaughters still active in the breeding shed, her legacy continues.
Donya, Fashing’s G3-winning daughter, also excelled at stud, producing Triple Crown winner Abashiri and Dubai stakes winner Drift Ice.
Another stand-out Dancing Champ daughter, Meretricious, was Broodmare of the Year in 2006. She produced the outstanding full sisters Irridescence and Perfect Promise (both by Caesour), who became G1 winners in South Africa before shining internationally - Irridescence in the G1 QE II Cup (Hong Kong) and Perfect Promise in the G1 C.F. Orr Stakes (Australia).
Dancing Champ mares proved especially potent when crossed with Al Mufti and Western Winter.
With Al Mufti, they produced champions like UAE Derby winner and G1 sire Victory Moon, G2 Gold Vase winner Al’s Dancer, champion Almah (dam of G3 winner Sensible Lover), and G1 Golden Slipper victress Gilded Minaret.
The Western Winter cross proved especially fruitful, despite a limited number of runners. This nick produced champions including Yard-Arm, November Handicap winner Swartland, Golden Horseshoe victor Weston Blaze, and Gold Cup winner Reveille Boy.
Other top-class runners out of Dancing Champ
REAL PRINCESS with colt ‘GIMMIE RULES’ by Gimmethegreenlight.
mares include Equus Champion Consensual (dam of Equus Champion Just Sensual), Cape Derby winner Ultrasound, and G1 Daily News 2000 hero Flying Duel - a son of Dancing Champ’s greatest racemare, Olympic Duel.
REAL PRINCESS - FEMALE LINE:
REAL PRINCESS (Trippi), 6 wins, R996,225, at 2 to 4, 1100 - 1400m, incl SA Fillies Sprint G1, Poinsettia S G3; 3rd Mercury Sprint G1, Southern Cross S G2, Laisserfaire S L; half-sister to WILLIAM LONGSWORD, SILVER GOD, REALLY ROYAL; dam of 4 foals; 4 runners; 4 winners:
GIMME A PRINCE g (2018, Gimmethegreenlight): 8 wins, R3,649,513, at 2 to 6, 1000 - 1400m, incl Cape Flying Championship G1 (twice), Golden Horse Sprint G1, Cape Merchants G2, Diadem S G2; 2nd Diadem S G2, Drill Hall S G2, Matchem S G3, Southeaster Sprint L; 3rd L’Ormarins King’s Plate G1, Cape Mile G3. THE REAL PRINCE - g (2020, Gimmethegreenlight): 5 wins, R3,404,094, at 3 to 4, incl Hollywoodbets Durban July G1, Jet Master S L, from only 10 starts.
GIMMIE’S COUNTESS - f (2021, Gimmethegreenlight): 2 wins, R125,875, at 2 to 3, 1200 - 1400m, incl Diana S G3; 2nd Umzimkhulu S G3; 3rd Sceptre S G2; 4th Allan Robertson Championship G1. Gimmie Rules - c (2022, Gimmethegreenlight): 1 win from 1 start at 2 years 2025.
1st dam
PAGAN PRINCESS (Fort Wood), winner, R65,720, at 3, 1600m, placed 3 times, from only 8 starts; half-sister to FLAME, KELLY, VICTORY MOON, Off The Peg, Arabian Pearl (dam of FUTURE PEARL); dam of 6 previous foals; 6 runners; 5 winners:
REAL PRINCESS (as above).
WILLIAM LONGSWORD - c (Captain Al): 6 wins, R4,117,500, at 2 to 3, 14001600m, incl Cape Guineas G1, placed, from only 8 starts; Sire. SILVER GOD c (Silvano): 5 wins, R385,613, at 2 to 5, 1450 - 1600m, incl Wolf Power 1600 L.
REALLY ROYAL - f (Captain Al): 3 wins, R147,700, at 2 to 4, 1200 - 1600m, incl Sweet Chestnut S L. Dance At Dawn - f (Trippi): winner, R117,625, at 4, 1200m; dam of 2 winners: Robert Burns - g (Twice Over): 2 wins, R166,625, at 4, 1200m.
Gimme’s Laddie - g (Gimmethegreenlight): 5 wins, R403,688, at 3 to 5,
1200 - 1400m, placed 8 times.
Viking Princess - f (Trippi): unplaced in 1 start at 3; dam of 1 winner. 2nd dam
DANCING FLOWER (Dancing Champ), 3 wins, R38,415, at 3 to 4, 1400 - 1600m, placed 3 times; half-sister to WILD COCKTAIL, Fov’s Flower; dam of 13 foals; 10 runners; 9 winners:
Pagan Princess (as above).
FLAME - c (Flaming Rock): 4 wins, R220,595, at 3 to 4, 1600 - 2400m, incl Woolavington H L; 2nd Chairman’s H G3; 3rd Cape Summer Stayers H G3.
KELLY - g (Ethique): Equus Champion Older Male Stayer, 5 wins, R485,450 and Dhs30,000, at 4, 1900 - 3200m, incl Gold Bowl G1; 2nd Cape Summer Stayers H G3, Lonsdale Stirrup Cup G3; 3rd Racing Association H G2.
VICTORY MOON - c (Al Mufti): Horse Of The Year In UAE, 7 wins in SA/UAE, at 2 to 3, 1200 - 2000m, incl UAE Derby G2, UAE 2000 Guineas G3; 3rd Dubai World Cup G1, from only 10 starts; Sire.
Off The Peg - g (Al Mufti): 2 wins, R75,300, at 2 to 3, 1600m; 2nd Summerveld S G3.
Arabian Pearl - f (Al Mufti): 2 wins, R230,500, at 3, 1400 - 2400m; 2nd Woolavington 2200 G1; 3rd Spook Express H L, Queen Palm H L; dam of 5 winners:
FUTURE PEARL - Equus Champion Stayer, 6 wins, R1,411,375, at 3 to 4, 1400 - 3200m, incl Gold Bowl G3, Gold Vase G3, Gold Cup G3, Tabgold Derby G3; 2nd Derby Trial L.
Arabian Winter - 2 wins, R180,350, at 3, 1800m; 2nd East Cape Oaks L; dam of 2 winners:
BUREAU DES LEGENDE - 6 wins, R424,625, at 3 to 4, 1600 - 1800m, incl Jacaranda H L.
Liwa - winner, R40,475, at 3, 1600m; dam of 2 winners:
EXPLOSIVE BOND - 3 wins, R301,063, at 3, 1400 - 2400m, incl Spook Express S L; 2nd Caradoc Gold Cup L, Java S L.
Thru’ The Tulips - f (Al Mufti): winner, R46,200, at 3, 1000m; dam of 3 winners: Fragrant Breeze: unplaced at 3; dam of 2 winners: Fresh - winner, R114,075, at 2, 800m; 3rd Storm Bird S L; dam of 1 winner. Arctic Lily - f (Western Winter): unraced; dam of 2 winners: African Lily - 2 wins, R94,750, at 3, 1400m; dam of 5 winners: TRIP TO AFRICA - 5 wins, R331,500, at 3 to 4, incl Kings Cup L. Zambaq - 2 wins, R161,550, at 2, 1400m; 2nd Breeders Guineas L.
3rd dam
WILD HYACINTH (Royal Prerogative), 4 wins, R37,875, at 2 to 3, 1200 - 1600m, incl Majorca S G3; 2nd Allan Robertson Fillies Ch’ship G1; 3rd Cape of Good Hope Paddock S G1; own-sister to Regal Blue (dam of ROYAL AIR FORCE, CITY STATE, IMPERIOUS SUE - dam of BLUE HEATHER, IMPERIOUS STAR); dam of 10 foals; 9 runners; 8 winners: Dancing Flower (as above).
WILD COCKTAIL - 9 wins, winner in Zimbabwe, R412,725 and $135,700, at 2 to 7, 1000 - 1400m, incl Festive Season Sprint L; 2nd Schweppes Gold Cup G3, Mashonaland Holdings Sprint G3, DHL International Sprint G3, TAB (OFS) Sprint H L, John Breval Memorial H L, Tony Ruffel H L, Founders Day H L, TAB(OFS) Sprint L; 3rd Topsport Bloodline Classic G1, Tvl Racecourse Bookmakers Ass. H L, The J&B Sprint L. Fov’s Flower - 6 wins, R163,065, at 3 to 5, 1400 - 1800m; 3rd Smirnoff Ladies Day H L; dam of 6 winners: Al Pasha - 3 wins, R222,630, at 3 to 4, 1600m; 3rd Winter Derby G3.
French Bloom - 2 wins, R69,840, at 3 to 4, 1400m; dam of 4 winners: Hammie’s Boy - 6 wins, R327,900, at 2 to 5, 1000 - 1800m; 2nd The Sledgehammer L.
We Have Lift Off - winner, R57,800, at 3, 1200m; dam of 3 winners: D’ Arrivee - 5 wins, R575,525, at 3 to 5; 2nd Wolf Power 1600 L, Drum Star H L.
Garden Verse - unraced; dam of 9 winners:
SPRING GARLAND - 5 wins, R576,480, at 3 to 5, 1000 - 2000m, incl Gerald Rosenberg S G2, Acacia H G3; 2nd Jacaranda H G3; 3rd Renounce S L; dam of 4 winners:
Highly Decorated - 4 wins, R224,075, at 2 to 4; 2nd Fillies Championship G2; dam of 1 winner. Kalanchoe - 2 wins, R201,925, at 3 to 4, 1600 - 2000m, dam of 1 winner: CARALLUMA - 4 wins, R319,250, at 2 to 5, 1200 - 1450m, incl Devon Air S L; 2nd Golden Slipper G2; 3rd Starling S G3, Three Troikas Stakes G3.
IMBONGI - 5 wins, winner in Britain, winner in UAE, R989,425 and Dhs220,800, at 3 to 5, 1200 - 1600m, incl Gauteng Guineas G2, KZN Guineas G2, Drill Hall S G2, Zabeel Mile G2, John Bovington Memorial Criterion S G3; 2nd Gold Challenge G1; 3rd Dubai Duty Free G1; 4th Jebel Hatta G2, Al Fahidi Fort G2.
MAHUBO - 2 wins, winner in UAE, 2 wins in USA, R236,250, at 3 to 7, incl Three Coins Up S L; 3rd Godolphin Barb S G3. Full Spectrum - 3 wins, R209,655, at 2 to 3, 1300 - 1600m; 2nd Debutante S G3, Darley Arabian Fillies S L; dam of 1 winner:
ORACLE NEWS: 7 wins, R629,080, at 2 to 4, incl Southern Cross S (WFA) G3; 2nd Prix du Cap G3, Poinsettia S G3; 3rd Garden Province S G1, Thekwini Fillies S G1, Betting World Merchants S G2; dam of 2 winners. Prima Versa - 5 wins, R312,875, at 2 to 3, 800 - 1600m; 2nd Premier’s Trophy G2, Algoa Cup G3, Woolavington H L; 3rd Memorial Mile L, Victory Garden - winner, R42,600, at 3; dam of 5 winners: PATHS OF VICTORY - 5 wins, R647,450, at 3 to 5, incl Gold Cup G3; 2nd Michaelmas H L, Blushing Bloom - 2 wins, R28,100, at 3 to 4, 1000 - 1200m; dam of 6 winners: Poppy - 6 wins, R318,950, at 3 to 4, 1000 - 1200m; 3rd Mondi Sprint G2, Swallow S L; dam of 6 winners: THE WEST IS WIDE - 9 wins, R644,315, at 2 to 6, incl Cape Of Good Hope Nursery G3, Somerset 1200 L, Southeaster Sprint L. Red Lucifer - 3 wins, R280,795, at 3 to 5, 1450m; 2nd Duchess Of York Cup L, Vicario - unplaced in 4 starts; at 2 to 3; dam of 6 winners: Sanshaawes - winner, 2 wins in UAE, R245,710, at 3 to 4; 2nd Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 G1, Cape Classic G3, Langerman G3; 3rd Investec Cape Derby G1, Abu Dhabi Championship G3.
REAL PRINCESS with THE REAL PRINCE at foot.
REAL PRINCESS with GIMME A PRINCE at foot.