Double Grand Slam storms home under Richard Fourie to win the Cartier Paddock Stakes G1
Double Grand Slam
Nelson’s
Column brought to you by Varsfontein Stud
Varsfontein Stud bred
Double Grand Slam is by the leading sire Vercingetorix out of the Captain Al mare Princess Peach. A winner of 7 races and 7 places from 16 starts, Double Grand Slam has earned R2,083,088 to date.
This magnificently conformed filly was purchased at the 2022 National Yearling Sales by Gary
Player for R1,000,000 and is raced by owners Drakenstein Stud, Messrs DD MacLean & GJ Player. Drakenstein Stud bought into the syndicate after purchasing Suzette Viljoen’s share in the filly during 2024.
Double Grand Slam began her racing career on February 20, 2023, at Kenilworth in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, finishing fourth, needing the experience. She quickly found her
Double Grand Slam as a foal.
Double Grand Slam as a yearling.
stride, claiming her first victory on March 14, 2023, at Durbanville, winning a 1250m race by an impressive 4,5 lengths.
After a winter break, she returned to action in October as a three-year-old, securing a win in a Class 4 (F&M) event over 1400m at Durbanville by 2,25 lengths. Her next outing was the prestigious G2 Western Cape Fillies Championship at Durbanville, where she finished second to Rascova - a filly destined to become her fiercest rival. Rascova, a stand-out progeny of the late Drakenstein sire Lancaster Bomber, had already made her mark as his first winner and stakes victor in the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes.
Double Grand Slam then tested her stamina in the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas over 1600m. Despite running prominently early, she faded in the straight, leading to speculation she did not stay the mile. However, her subsequent run in the G2 Sceptre Stakes over 1200m, where she was beaten by 3
lengths by October Morn, suggested something might have been amiss.
Three weeks later, she delivered a strong performance in the G1 Majorca Stakes over 1600m, finishing third, 3,3 lengths behind the exceptional Princess Calla. A month later, she rebounded in style, capturing the G3 Prix du Cap with a dazzling 3 length victory over October Morn.
In March 2024, Double Grand Slam relocated to KwaZulu-Natal where she quickly proved her resilience, dominating the G3 Umzimkhulu Stakes with a commanding 5 length win over Mia Moo.
Her rivalry with Rascova continued in the G2 WSB Fillies Guineas, where the two battled fiercely down the final stretch on the outside rail. Rascova, the front-runner, narrowly edged out Double Grand Slam by 0.5 lengths, with White Pearl a distant 5 lengths behind her. The consensus was that if Rascova hadn’t drifted outward and intimidated Double Grand Slam along the outside rail, she
Double Grand Slam winning the Cartier Paddock S G1
likely would have finished much closer.
The G2 Tibouchina Stakes (F&M) over 1400m at Greyville has a rich history, and has been won by the likes of Humdinger, Silvano’s Pride, Oh Susanna, The Secret Is Out, Just Sensual, Princess Victoria, Gibraltar Blue, Ilha Da Vitoria, etc. Double Grand Slam won the 2024 edition like a ‘champ’ by 1,2 lengths from the top fillies Humdinger and Bavarian Beauty. This was the race that gave Richard Fourie the opportunity to clinch a record 335 wins in a season. The record had stood for 25 years when Anthony Delpech rode 334 winners, and this was officially broken by Fourie when he rode Double Grand Slam to victory.
Moving back up to a mile at her next start, the G1 Garden Province Stakes, she acquitted herself well finishing 3rd, 1,65 lengths behind Humdinger
and Happy Chance. Double Grand Slam was squeezed for a run and had to check and regather herself at the 300m marker. This was a race full of merit, showing she could get the 1600m with ease. The commentator suggested that 1400m was her best trip.
Three months after her last appearance in KZN, Double Grand Slam had returned to Cape Town and delivered a solid performance in the Prestige Plate over 1400m at Durbanville, finishing second to Red Palace. A month later, she shone in the Summer Bowl over 1600m at Kenilworth, securing victory by 0.5 lengths ahead of Rainbow Lorikeet.
Her next target was the G1 Cartier Paddock Stakes (WFA) over 1800m on King’s Plate Day, 4th January, 2025. Dropped out towards the back of the field, she entered the straight positioned one off the rail, and trailing by 15 lengths. Displaying
Double Grand Slam winning the Tibouchina S G2 - giving Richard Fourie his record 335th winner of the season
Lomitas
Silvano (GER)
Spirit Of Eagles
Vercingetorix
National Assembly (USA)
Niniski
La Colorada
Beaus Eagle
Big Spirit
Danzig
Renounce
Nijinsky II
Virginia
Northern
Ridin’
Surumu Literat
Surama
La Dorada Kronzeuge Love
Golden Eagle Right
Beaufield
Big Spruce
Beautiful Spirit
Northern
Maribeau
Bushfield
Herbager
Silver Sari
Bold Bidder
Bold
National Vixen
Royal Vixen
Peacetime (USA)
Scarteen
Roberto
Al Mufti (USA)
Captain Al
Off To War
Lassie Dear
Complete Warrior (USA)
Nijinsky II
Peace
Sweet Song (GB)
Noble Vixen
Tudor
Rowston
Royal Pardon (GB)
Oilshow
Hail To Reason Turn-To Nothirdchance
Bramalea Nashua
Rarelea
Buckpasser
Gay
Dewan
Splendid Spree
Jamaico (FR)
Beylic
Bold
Princess Peach
Badger Land (USA)
Princess Tobin
Alice B Tobin (USA)
Codex
Gimieroom
J.O. Tobin
Gipsy Jet
Arts And Letters
Roundup Rose Minnesota
Racing Room
Crowding In Mime
Pretense
Avignon
Never Bend Nasrullah
Lalun
Hill Shade
Windy Sands Your Host
Samoa Winds
Gipsy Queen Ii
King’s Bench Water Gipsy
remarkable acceleration on the outside, Double Grand Slam surged past rivals, leaving Red Palace and Rascova in her wake to win convincingly by 1.5 lengths. This triumph marked her first G1 victory, cementing her status as a rising star and a champion in the making.
On Met Day 2025, the G1 Majorca Stakes over 1600m delivered a thrilling finish that left the crowd at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in stunned silence. The 7-10 favourite, Double Grand Slam, seemed destined to claim the prestigious trophy in the final strides. However, a determined Gavin Lerena had other plans. In a nail-biting photo finish, the in-form Highveld jockey guided Rascova (5-1) to snatch victory by a nose, clocking 98.34 seconds for the mile. The moderate pace worked against Double Grand Slam, leaving fans speculating about a potential rematch during the SA Champions Season, which promises to be an electrifying showdown. The improving Varsfontein bred Roccapina (7-1) finished 1.25 lengths behind in third, rounding out a memorable race.
SIRE - VERCINGETORIX
Double Grand Slam is by Vercingetorix, South Africa’s current leading sire. He is a son of multiple Champion Sire Silvano (GER), out of the National Assembly (USA) mare National Vixen.
Vercingetorix started racing at 3 years winning his first 4 starts in SA. He won his maiden over 1400m by 5,25 lengths, followed by a graduation Plate over 1600m. His third race was the G2
KRA Guineas which he won from the highly rated Capetown Noir. His fourth race was the G1 Daily News 2000 which he duly won by a short head from No Worries and Capetown Noir.
Very few horses are able to win a G1 at their fourth start, and this is a testament to the greatness of Vercingetorix as a racehorse.
He then travelled to Dubai with trainer Mike de Kock, and 7 months later, won his fifth start in the Ford Taurus Trophy over 1800m. His sixth start was the G1 Jebel Hatta over 1800m where he won his second G1 race, this time against International competition, a truly great accomplishment by horse and trainer.
Now a winner of his first 6 starts (including 2 G1 races), Vercingetorix’s next start was in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes on World Cup Night 2014. He finished second to Just a Way - who put up an incredible performance - Jockey Christophe Soumillon said, “I thought I’d win when we turned for home so I was left speechless when the Japanese horse came flying past me.” Trainer Mike de Kock added, “I thought ours ran a huge race but like everybody else I was left gob-smacked by the winner. Without him, we would still have broken the track record.”
Vercingetorix then travelled to Hong Kong in April 2014 to compete in another International G1 race - the Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 2000m at Sha Tin. Boxed in close to home, Vercingetorix had to force a gap and was too late to challenge the leaders and finished 3rd, 3 lengths behind Designs On Rome and Military Attack.
Back in Dubai, Vercingetorix was rested and prepared for the 2015 season. On 29th January he competed in the G2 Al Rashida which he duly won by 2 lengths from True Story.
After failing in the G1 Jebel Hatta in March, due to soundness issues, he travelled back to South
Vercingetorix
Africa to retire to stud.
Vercingetorix has been knocking on the door of the sire’s championship for some time. He was Champion Sire of 3yo’s and was the leading sire by stakes winners (14) in 2021/22. He was 3rd leading sire in 2022/23, 2nd leading sire in 2023/24, and is the current leading SA sire in 2024/25.
DAM - PRINCESS PEACH
Varsfontein Stud sold Princess Peach as a yearling at the Val de Vie Yearling Sale on 14th February 2016 for R700,000 and bought her back in a package from Hugo Hattingh in 2019. She was in foal to Gold Standard.
Princess Peach, trained by Glen Kotzen, showed promise from an early age and was highly regarded by her trainer. She made a winning debut in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m at Kenilworth in December 2016. Following this success, she competed in the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes on Met Day in 2017, finishing six lengths behind the winner.
She then travelled to KZN for the remainder of the 2016/17 racing season, where she ran commendably in high-profile events. Princess Peach secured 4th place finishes in both the G3 Strelitzia Stakes and the G1 Allan Robertson
Championship before claiming victory in the G3
The Debutante over 1200m under Richard Fourie.
As a 3-year-old, her form dipped, though she delivered a glimpse of her earlier brilliance by finishing 3rd in the G2 Sceptre Stakes over 1200m at Kenilworth. She retired to stud in 2018.
Princess Peach is a daughter of Champion Sire Captain Al, out of Princess Tobin (by Champion Sire Badger Land) ex Alice B Tobin (USA) (by J.O. Tobin). J.O. Tobin (TFR 130) is best remembered as the horse who knocked Seattle Slew from the ranks of the unbeaten, he was a brilliantly fast horse at his best and was a member of an elite group of thoroughbreds that have earned championships on both sides of the Atlantic.
Varsfontein Stud purchased Princess Tobin privately at an Equimark Broodmare Sale on a cold and wet day in Durbanville in 2010. Varsfontein did a deal with Peter Mills for two mares, Princess Tobin (barren to Captain Al) and Al Nibari (in foal to Dynasty). Princess Tobin was already the dam of Badger’s Cove (G2w) and Princess Alberta (subsequently a stakes winner), and Varsfontein Stud have since bred Sentbydestiny (G1w), Princess Peach (G3w) and American Princess (SW) from her.
Arch-rivals Double Grand Slam and Rascova are poised to clash again during the Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal, promising an exhilarating racing spectacle and one to look forward to!
PRINCESS PEACH’S BROODMARE CAREER
2019 Star Coin (Gold Standard) - colt
2020 Double Grand Slam (Vercingetorix) - filly
2021 Bird On A Wing (Master Of My Fate) - filly
2022 Peaches And Cream (Gimmethegreenlight) - filly
2023 Princess Daisy (Master Of My Fate) - filly
2024 (Gimmethegreenlight) - colt
Princess Peach as a yearling in 2016
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM - FEMALE LINE: 1st dam
PRINCESS PEACH, 2 wins, R326,625, at 2, 1000 - 1200m, incl The Debutante G3; 3rd Sceptre S G2; 4th Allan Robertson Championship G1, Strelitzia S G3; ownsister to PRINCESS ALBERTA; half-sister to SENTBYDESTINY, BADGER’S COVE, AMERICAN PRINCESS; dam of 2 winners incl:
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (20 f. by Vercingetorix): 7 wins, R2,083,088, incl Paddock Stakes G1, Tibouchina S G2, Prix Du Cap G3, Umzimkhulu S G3; 2nd Majorca S G1, Western Cape Fillies Championship G2, WSB Fillies Guineas G2; 3rd Majorca S G1, Garden Province S G1, etc.
- by Jeremy Nelson
2nd dam
Princess Tobin; 2nd Lady’s Slipper S L; dam of 9 winners:
SENTBYDESTINY (f. by Master Of My Fate): 4 wins, R484,750, incl Premiers
Champion S G1; 3rd Ipi Tombe Challenge G2; 4th Three Troikas S G3.
BADGER’S COVE (f. by Joshua Dancer (USA)): 5 wins, R526,260, incl Sceptre S G2; 2nd The Debutante G2, Sceptre S G2, Poinsettia S G3, 3rd Prix du Cap G3, Sweet Chestnut Fillies S L; 4th SA Fillies Sprint G1; dam of:
Saltire (f. by Var (USA)): 3 wins; dam of 2 winners:
LION RAMPART (by One World): 4 wins, R514,188, incl Somerset 1200 L, Sophomore Sprint L; 2nd Winter Nursery G3.
PRINCESS ALBERTA (f. by Captain Al): 6 wins, incl East Cape Fillies Nursery L.
PRINCESS PEACH: see above.
AMERICAN PRINCESS (f. by Master Of My Fate): 4 wins, incl East Cape Derby L; 4th Breeders Guineas L. 3rd dam
ALICE B TOBIN (USA) (by J.O. Tobin), 2 wins in USA; half-sister to CAP BADGETT (USA), APPLEBY FAIR (USA), PAINTED WAGON (USA), OUT OF THE EAST (USA); dam 6 winners: Princess Tobin: see above.
Alice Blue Gown: 3 wins; dam of 4 winners: Kilconnel’s Blue: 10 wins, R560,380, 2nd East Cape Derby G3.
4th dam
GIPSY JET (USA) (by Windy Sands (USA)); dam of 9 winners:
OUT OF THE EAST (USA): 9 wins in USA, $246,105, incl Children’s Hospital H L, San Francisco S L; 2nd Santa Anita H G1, Thanksgiving Day H G3; 3rd Santa Anita Derby G1, Argonaut H G2, Lakeside H G2, Will Rogers H G2, San Felipe H G2, San Vicente S G3; sire
APPLEBY FAIR (USA): 10 wins in USA, incl Stars and Stripes H G2, Stagecoach Inn H L.
PAINTED WAGON (USA): 8 wins in USA, $267,875, incl Citation H L, Lakes & Flowers H L, Bay Meadows H L, 2nd San Antonio S G1, Del Mar Invitational H G2, 3rd Santa Anita H G1; sire.
CAP BADGETT (USA): 11 wins in USA, $88,100, inc. Nine Furlong Championship S L.
Durability (USA): unraced; dam of:
FINAL ACT (USA): 7 wins, $255,600, incl Stampede Futurity L, Budweiser Emerald H L; 2nd Auburn Breeders’ Cup H L.
EVER LASTING (USA): 10 wins, $355,475, British Columbia Oaks L, Ballerina H L, Belle Roberts Breeders’ Cup H L.
Loretta W(USA): placed; dam of 6 winners:
OLIVE WREATH (USA): 4 wins incl Pasadona S L; 3rd Monrovia H L, Monrovia H L; dam of:
Shamme (USA): unraced; dam of 4 winners: HELLO SWEET THING (USA): 3 wins in USA, incl It’s in the Air S L.
Rioshamme (USA): unraced; dam of:
RIVER MASTER (USA): 7 wins in USA, $446,100, incl All American H G1, Ascot H G3, La Jolla H G3, All-American H G3, Khaled H L; 2nd Del Mar
Derby G2, Rolling Green H G3, San Francisco Mile H G3, 3rd Hollywood
Derby G1, Rolling Green H G3.
Bel Air Paster (USA): 3 wins in USA; 3rd Oceanside S L,
Fortune Teller (USA): unraced; dam of 3 winners:
Fortune’s Kingdom (USA): 5 wins in USA; 2nd California Breeders’ Ch’ship S L, 3rd Cougar II S L, Hoist the Flag S L.
Peaches And Cream (2022 f by Gimmethegreenlight)
Princess Daisy (2023 f by Master Of My Fate)
2024 c by Gimmethegreenlight