Cape Racing Awards 2024
Champion 2yo Filly KINDA WONDERFUL (Gimmethegreenlight)
Champion 3yo Colt GREEN WITH ENVY (Gimmethegreenlight)
Horse Of The Year GREEN WITH ENVY (Gimmethegreenlight)
PROCEED GREEN WITH ENVY GIMME A NOTHER
(Proceed), Champion 3yo Colt (Green With Envy) and Champion 3yo Filly (Gimme A Nother), while he received the award as Equus Champion Sire 2024.
Varsfontein Stud bred Stakes
Performers for the 2023/24 Season: At My Command
4c Querari - Imperious Girl (National Emblem)
2nd G1 Golden Horse Sprint
2nd G2 Green Point S
2nd G2 Premier Trophy 1800m
2nd G2 Merchants S
Atticus Finch
4c Master Of My Fate - Alexia (Caesour)
Won G3 Victory Moon S
2nd G3 Jubilee S
2nd G3 July Consolation Bellevarde
5f Master Of My Fate - High Season (Judpot)
3rd G2 Igugu S
2nd War Of Athena Hcp (L)
Bless My Stars
4f Gimmethegreenlight - Star Express (Silvano)
3rd G1 Summer Cup
3rd G2 November Hcp
Cala Muretta
3f Gimmethegreenlight - Scandola (Fort Wood)
3rd G3 Diana S Countdown
4c Gimmethegreenlight - Imperadora (Philanthropist)
2nd G2 Merchants H
Won E-Cape Sprint Cup (L)
2nd Southeaster Sprint (L)
Double Grand Slam
3f Vercingetorix - Princess Peach (Captain Al)
3rd G1 Majorca S
3rd G1 Garden Province S
Won G2 Tibouchina S
2nd G2 Fillies Championship
2nd G2 SA Fillies Guineas
Won G3 Prix Du Cap
Won G3 Umzimkhulu S
Gimme’s Lassie
4f Gimmethegreenlight - Scandola (Fort Wood)
3rd Milkwood S. (L)
Gimmeanotherchance
3c Gimmethegreenlight - Final Judgement (Judpot)
2nd G2 Dingaans
2nd G3 Byerley Turk
3rd G3 Graham Beck S
Golden Sickle
3f Vercingetorix - Victorian Secret (Captain Al)
2nd G1 Computaform Sprint
Won National Colour S. (L)
Kinda Wonderful
2f Gimmethegreenlight - Outrage (Black Minnaloushe)
Won Irridescence S. (L)
Let’s Go Now
3f Gimmethegreenlight - Star Express (Silvano)
3rd G1 SA Fillies Classic
Won G3 Mother Russia S
3rd G3 Starling S
3rd G3 Fillies Mile
Lucky Lad
3c Gimmethegreenlight - Imperial State (Caesour)
Won G1 Golden Horse Sprint
2nd G1 Mercury Sprint
Won G2 Senor Santa S
2nd G2 Hawaii S
My Best Shot
2c Fire Away - Gypsy Madonna (Fort Wood)
3rd Champion Juvenile Cup (L)
My Soul Mate
3f Master Of My Fate - Secret Obsession (Captain Al)
2nd G2 SA Oaks
2nd G2 Igugu S
3rd G2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas
One Fell Swoop
3f Lancaster Bomber - Imperadora (Philanthropist)
Won G3 National Currency Sprint
Won G3 Sycamore Sprint
2nd Swallow S. (L)
Pineapplemintgreen
3f Gimmethegreenlight - Sunsational (Windrush)
Won E-Cape Breeders S. (L)
Princess Izzy
3f Master Of My Fate - Destiny Dancer (What A Winter)
Won Sweet Chestnut S. (L)
3rd Cape Fillies Classic (L)
Roman Agent
2c Vercingetorix - Secret Of Victoria (Goldkeeper)
3rd G3 Winter Nursery
Won Summer Juv. S. (L)
Sandringham Summit
3c Gimmethegreenlight - Townsend (Captain Al)
2nd G1 SA Classic
Won G2 Gauteng Guineas
Won G2 Hawaii S
2nd G2 SA Guineas
3rd G2 Dingaans
2nd G3 Graham Beck S
Shoemaker
4c Gimmethegreenlight - Moggytwoshoes (Mogok)
2nd G3 Cup Trial
Splicethemainbrace
2f Master Of My Fate - Summer Cruise (Sail From Seattle)
Won E-Cape Fillies Nursery (L)
Won E-Cape Nursery (L)
Won Lady’s Slipper S. (L)
Talk To The Master
2c Master Of My Fate - Canukeepitsecret (Captain Al)
3rd Somerset 1200 (L)
VJ’s Angel
2f Gimmethegreenlight - Tally-Ho (Oratorio)
Won G1 Premier’s Champion S
3rd G2 Golden Slipper
Varsfontein Stud only has space for a few special clients. Varsfontein are proud and delighted when Varsfontein raised progeny have success on the track, and last season was no exception with two G1 winners.
Varsfontein Stud’s graduates include the following Stakes Performers during the 2023/24 Season:
First Street
7f Pathfork - Audrey Rose (Dynasty)
B: AN Foster
2nd Jockey Club S. (L)
Gimme A Prince
5c Gimmethegreenlight - Real Princess (Trippi)
B: Khaya Stables
2nd G3 Matchem S
The Record Breaking Champion Sire
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN HISTORY, GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT HAS ACHIEVED CHAMPIONSHIP IN ALL 3 CATEGORIES (from records since 1953)
2024
CHAMPION SA SIRE
CHAMPION SA SIRE OF 3YO’S
CHAMPION SA SIRE OF 2YO’S
Gimmethegreenlight’s
Gladatorian
4c Vercingetorix - Harvard Crimson (Dynasty)
B: Erasmus Thoroughbreds
3rd G2 Drill Hall S
2nd G3 Merchants H
Green With Envy (Equus Champion 3yo Colt)
3c Gimmethegreenlight - Miss Coco (Galileo)
B: Khaya Stables
Won G1 Cape Derby
Won G1 Daily News 2000
Won G2 SA Guineas
3rd G2 Selangor Cup
Won G3 Politician S
3rd G3 Cape Classic
Main Defender
3c Pathfork - Alessia (Judpot)
B: Jagessar Limited
Won G1 Horse Chestnut S
Won G2 Spring Challenge
Won G3 Graham Beck S
Won G3 Got The Greenlight S
Questioning
3c Querari - Wheredowego (Captain Al)
B: AN Foster
Won G3 Cape Classic
3rd G3 Champagne S
Senso Unico
5c Twice Over - Wheredowego (Captain Al)
B: AN Foster
Won Settlers Trophy (L)
STALLIONS
GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT
Varsfontein Stud’s stallion, Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) (2024 Equus Champion Stallion), has once again made history in 2024 by repeating his remarkable
achievement from 2023. He became the first sire to secure championship titles in all three categories: Champion Sire of 2yo’s, Champion Sire of 3yo’s, and General Champion Sire.
Gimmethegreenlight sired the highest number of stakes wins with 24 for the season, and his total stakes earned exceed R30m - the highest ever achieved in a season by a sire in South Africa.
Gimme’s stakes performers last season include:
Barbaresco
3c Gimmethegreenlight - Negroamaro (Fort Wood)
B: LMF Wernars
3rd G1 Daily News 2000
2nd G3 Got The Greenlight S
Bjorn Ironside
2c Gimmethegreenlight - Dance At Dawn (Trippi)
B: Klawervlei Stud & DG Abery
3rd G2 Umkhomazi S
Bless My Stars
4f Gimmethegreenlight - Star Express (Silvano)
B: Varsfontein Stud
3rd G1 Summer Cup 2000m
3rd G2 November H
Cala Muretta
3f Gimmethegreenlight - Scandola (Fort Wood)
B: Varsfontein Stud
3rd G3 Diana S
Cosmic Highway
5c Gimmethegreenlight - Cosmic Dream (Silvano)
B: Maine Chance Farms
Won G2 Merchants H
3rd G3 Cape Mile
Countdown
4c Gimmethegreenlight - Imperadora (Philanthropist)
B: Varsfontein Stud
2nd G2 Merchants H
Won E-Cape Sprint Cup (L)
2nd Southeaster Sprint (L)
Gimme A Nother (Equus Champion 3yo Filly)
3f Gimmethegreenlight - Nother Russia (Tiger Ridge)
B: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
Won G1 SA Fillies Classic
Won G1 Empress Club S
Won G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge
Won G2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas
Won G3 Fillies Mile
Gimme A Prince
5c Gimmethegreenlight - Real Princess (Trippi)
B: Khaya Stables
2nd G3 Matchem S
Gimme’s Lassie
4f Gimmethegreenlight - Scandola (Fort Wood)
B: Varsfontein Stud
3rd Milkwood S. (L)
Gimmeanotherchance
3c Gimmethegreenlight - Final Judgement (Judpot)
B: Varsfontein Stud
2nd G2 Dingaans
2nd G3 Byerley Turk
3rd G3 Graham Beck S
Green With Envy (Equus Champion 3yo Colt)
3c Gimmethegreenlight - Miss Coco
GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT (AUS)
© Jeremy Nelson
(Galileo)
B: Khaya Stables
Won G1 Cape Derby
Won G1 Daily News 2000
Won G2 SA Guineas
3rd G2 Selangor Cup
Won G3 Politician S
3rd G3 Cape Classic
Just Reckless
2f Gimmethegreenlight - Sommersonne (Silvano)
B: Boland Stud
Won G2 Debutante S
2nd G2 SA Fillies Nursery
Won G3 Strelitzia S
2nd Ruffian S. (L)
Kinda Wonderful
2f Gimmethegreenlight - Outrage (Black Minnaloushe)
B: Varsfontein Stud
Won Irridescence S. (L)
Kwinta’s Light
5f Gimmethegreenlight - Kwinta (Kahal)
B: Syrilla Stud
Won G2 Southern Cross S
3rd G2 Sceptre S
3rd Southeaster Sprint (L)
Let’s Go Now
3f Gimmethegreenlight - Star Express (Silvano)
B: Varsfontein Stud
3rd G1 SA Fillies Classic
Won G3 Mother Russia S
3rd G3 Starling S
3rd G3 Fillies Mile
Lucky Lad
3c Gimmethegreenlight - Imperial State (Caesour)
B: Varsfontein Stud
Won G1 Golden Horse Sprint
2nd G1 Mercury Sprint
Won G2 Senor Santa S
2nd G2 Hawaii S
Miss Greenlight
5f Gimmethegreenlight - Miss Respect (Mark of Esteem)
B: Ascot Stud
2nd E-Cape Breeders S. (L) Money Heist
4c Gimmethegreenlight - Copper Jet (Lecture)
B: Limestone Thoroughbred Trust
2nd Compendium H (L)
3rd Darley Arabian (L)
Pineapplemintgreen
3f Gimmethegreenlight - Sunsational (Windrush)
B: Varsfontein Stud
Won E-Cape Breeders S. (L)
Port Louis
4c Gimmethegreenlight - Winning Eyes (Qui Danzig)
B: Klawervlei Stud
2nd G3 Variety Club Mile Proceed (Equus Champion 2yo Colt)
2c Gimmethegreenlight - Xplosive Kiss (Captain Al)
B: LMF Wernars
Won G1 Gold Medallion
2nd G2 Golden Horseshoe
Won G3 Protea S Ready To Charge
3c Gimmethegreenlight - San Fermin (Charge Forward)
B: Drakenstein Stud
3rd G2 Spring Challenge Sandringham Summit
3c Gimmethegreenlight - Townsend (Captain Al)
B: Varsfontein Stud
SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT
© Candiese Lenferna
2nd G1 SA Classic
Won G2 Gauteng Guineas
Won G2 Hawaii S
2nd G2 SA Guineas
3rd G2 Dingaans
2nd G3 Graham Beck S
Shoemaker
4c Gimmethegreenlight - Moggytwoshoes (Mogok)
B: Varsfontein Stud
2nd G3 Cup Trial
Silent War
5c Gimmethegreenlight - Nona In Command (Commands)
B: Ridgemont Highlands
3rd Wolf Power H (L)
Summer Lily
3f Gimmethegreenlight - Impala Lily (Trippi)
B: Drakenstein Stud
2nd Cape Fillies Classic (L)
Vj’s Angel
2f Gimmethegreenlight - Tally-Ho (Oratorio)
B: Varsfontein Stud
Won G1 Premier’s Champion S
3rd G2 Golden Slipper
MASTER OF MY FATE
Master Of My Fate delivered a highly consistent performance over the season, securing 4th place on the 2024 General Sires list with 92 winners of 150 races, including 4 stakes winners of 7 stakes races. He also finished 4th on the Leading Sires of 3yo’s, boasting an impressive 57.5% winners-to-runners ratio.
Master Of My Fate’s stakes performers last season include: Atticus Finch
4c Master Of My Fate - Alexia (Caesour)
B: Varsfontein Stud
Won G3 Victory Moon S
2nd G3 Jubilee S
GREEN WITH ENVY ©
SPLICETHEMAINBRACE
2nd G3 July Consolation
Bellevarde
5f Master Of My Fate - High Season (Judpot)
B: Varsfontein Stud
3rd G2 Igugu S
2nd War Of Athena H (L)
Broadway Girl
4f Master Of My Fate - Nzinga (Dynasty)
B: Boland Stud
3rd G3 Summer Fling S
Greeting My Master
3c Master Of My Fate - Eastern Greeting (Kahal)
B: Syrilla Stud
2nd G3 Sea Cottage S
Han Solo
7c Master Of My Fate - I’m Too Sexy
(Model Man)
B: JA Wintle
2nd Algoa Cup (L)
Joy And Peace
3f Master Of My Fate - Amazing Grace (Spectrum)
B: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
Won E-Cape Oaks (L)
Won E-Cape Derby (L)
3rd Breeders Guineas (L)
Lady Of Power
4f Master Of My Fate - Duchess Delight (Fort Wood)
B: GJ Armitage
2nd G3 Flamboyant S
Love Is A Rose
4f Master Of My Fate - Amarillo Rose (Silvano)
© Pauline Herman
ATTICUS FINCH
B: WJ Engelbrecht Jnr
2nd Stormsvlei S. (L)
Master Fuego
3c Master Of My Fate - Umlilo (Fort Wood)
B: Patricia Devine Inv
3rd G3 July Consolation
My Flower Fate
4f Master Of My Fate - Flaming Flower (Western Winter)
B: Lammerskraal Stud
2nd Ladies Mile (L)
3rd Sweet Chestnut S. (L)
My Soul Mate
3f Master Of My Fate - Secret Obsession (Captain Al)
B: Varsfontein Stud
2nd G2 SA Oaks
2nd G2 Igugu S
3rd G2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas
Princess Izzy
3f Master Of My Fate - Destiny Dancer (What A Winter)
B: Varsfontein Stud
Won Sweet Chestnut S. (L)
3rd Cape Fillies Classic (L)
Splicethemainbrace
2f Master Of My Fate - Summer Cruise (Sail From Seattle)
B: Varsfontein Stud
Won E-Cape Fillies Nursery (L)
Won E-Cape Nursery (L)
Won Lady’s Slipper S. (L)
Sundance Kid
4c Master Of My Fate - Far Hills (Fort Wood)
B: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
LOT 256 NYS 2024 GREEN GATEWAY
Sold for R2,200,000
2nd Darley
Arabian (L)
2024 AUCTION SALES
Varsfontein Stud sold a total of 72 horses from their 2022 crop, along with 9 horses sold ‘as agent’ across the CR Cape Premier Yearling Sale, BSA Cape Yearling Sale, BSA National Yearling Sale, CR Winter Yearling Sale, and BSA August 2yo Sale.
At the 2024 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, Varsfontein sold 5 lots, averaging R845,000, with a top price of R1.5 million. At the 2024 BSA Cape Yearling Sale, they averaged R226,667 for 18 lots, with a top price of R400,000, while a single yearling sold ‘as agent’ fetched R360,000. Varsfontein ranked as the second-leading vendor.
During the 2024 BSA National Yearling Sale, Varsfontein sold 27 out of 28 lots, averaging R644,444, with the highest
price reaching R2.2 million. Of the two yearlings sold ‘as agent,’ one sold for R750,000, while the other was not sold. Gimmethegreenlight saw 39 of his 42 lots sold, bringing in an aggregate of R35,450,000 and an average of R908,974. Master Of My Fate performed exceptionally well, averaging R369,565 for his 23 lots, with a top price of R850,000.
At the 2024 Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale, Varsfontein sold 6 yearlings for an average of R155,000, with two ‘as agent’ yearlings selling for R300,000 and R50,000, respectively.
The 2024 BSA August 2yo Sale was another success for Varsfontein, finishing as second-leading vendor with an aggregate of R8,160,000 for 16 lots, averaging R510,000. Gimmethegreenlight averaged R767,500 for 10 lots, with a top price of R2 million. Master Of My Fate averaged R233,500 for his 10 lots,
©
Jeremy Nelson
LOT 330 AUG 2YO 2024
GO JOHNNY GO
Sold for R2,000,000
achieving a top price of R400,000
Varsfontein Stud extends its gratitude to all buyers and under-bidders for their continued support and wishes them all the best with their purchases.
2024 EQUUS AWARDS
The 2024 Equus Awards Ceremony was held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth where Varsfontein’s Stallion Gimmethegreenlight was celebrated with 4 awards:
Champion 2yo Colt - Proceed Champion 3yo Colt - Green With Envy Champion 3yo Filly - Gimme A Nother Champion Stallion - Gimmethegreenlight
Varsfontein Stud Congratulates the owners and trainers of the 2024 Equus Champions.
2024 CAPE RACING AWARDS
The Cape Racing Awards took place at Hollywoodbets Durbanville Racecourse
© Jeremy Nelson
on Saturday 17 August, where
Gimmethegreenlight’s progeny earned another 3 awards:
Champion 2yo Filly - Kinda Wonderful
Champion 3yo Colt - Green With Envy Horse Of The Year - Green With Envy
2024 HIGHVELD RACING AWARDS
The Highveld Racing Awards held at The Galleria in Sandton on 18th May.
Champion 3yo Filly - Gimme A Nother (by Gimmethegreenlight).
Champion 3yo Colt - Main Defender (bred and raised at Varsfontein Stud for Jagessar Ltd).
Horse Of The Season - Gimme A Nother (by Gimmethegreenlight).
2024 EAST CAPE RACING AWARDS
The 2024 East Cape Awards were held at Fairview Racecourse on Friday 6 September.
Champion 2yo Filly - Splicethemainbrace (by Master Of My Fate; bred by Varsfontein Stud).
Champion 3yo Filly - Joy And Peace (by Master Of My Fate).
Champion Polytrack Filly - Joy And Peace (by Master Of My Fate).
Horse Of The Season - Joy And Peace (by Master Of My Fate).
2024 KZN RACING AWARDS
The KZN Racing Awards were held in the Classic Room at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 30th August.
Champion 3yo Colt - Green With Envy (by Gimmethegreenlight).
Stud graduates that have previously won this
in recent years include SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (2023), SENTBYDESTINY (2020) and GUNNER (2016). Gimmethegreenlight has sired the winners of this race in 2024, 2023, 2019 and 2016. Photo: Candiese Lenferna.
Varsfontein Stud bred filly VJ’S ANGEL (by Gimmethegreenlight) - winner of the 2024 G1 PREMIERS CHAMPION STAKES (beating the colts). Varsfontein
race
Gimmethegreenlight was crowned Champion Sire for the third time, and for the second consecutive year, led the rankings as the Champion Sire of both 3yo’s and 2yo’s. Gimmethegreenlight’s progeny amassed a recordsetting R30,732,600 in stakes earnings in 2024. Photo: Tracy Robertson.
2024 BREEDING SEASON
Varsfontein Stud’s 4 stallions have all started the covering season (from 1st September) and all have been widely supported with wonderful books.
GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT - Equus Award winning journalist Charl Pretorius writes that he was crowned National Champion Sire for the third time and, for the second consecutive year, led the rankings as the top sire of both three-year-olds and twoyear-olds.
This remarkable feat, unmatched since at least 1953, may make him the first in history to achieve such a distinction.
As the season concluded, Gimmethegreenlight’s progeny amassed a record-setting R30,732,600 in stakes earnings, further enhancing his already impressive legacy. Already a sire of sires, his roster of top-level runners expanded over the last two seasons with stars including Gimme A Nother, Lucky Lad, Sandringham Summit, Proceed, Green With Envy, and VJ’s Angel. Despite recently having to face the challenges of laminitis, the life-threatening hoof disease, the King of Varsfontein Stud continues to thrive....
READ THE ARTICLE HERE.
MASTER OF MY FATE has been a tremendously consistent sire with a very high percentage of winners to runners (64% - lifetime) and has consistently been in the top 5 sires on the General Sires List in SA. He was 4th leading sire in 2024 with 4 stakes winners of 7 stakes races. Master Of My Fate also finished the season as 4th Leading Sire of 3yo’s. His yearlings sold for
GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT
MASTER OF MY FATE
ERIK THE RED
up to R850,000 in 2024, and his progeny remain as popular as ever.
ERIK THE RED’s first yearlings were on offer in 2024 and have been very well received with them selling well at all sales with his highest price being R1,000,000.
We await his progeny’s racing debuts with high expectations.
SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT is the new kid on the block. He stands 16 hands and has great depth, length of quarter, and a good length of rein. He is an extremely athletic individual and demonstrated this as a 2yo in the G2 Golden Horseshoe when cutting through the field from an impossible position to win going away.
As an Equus Champion son of current Champion Sire Gimmethegreenlight, and out of Townsend - a multiple group placed winner of 6 races - he is a half-brother to G1 winner Eden Roc, who is already at stud. Townsend is by Captain Al - a Champion Sire, a multiple Champion Sire of 2yo’s, and now a multiple Champion Broodmare Sire and sire of sires.
Sandringham Summit is a winner of 5 races including the G1 Premiers Champion Stakes. He has only once, in his 11 starts, finished out of the first two places - when 3rd in the G2 Dingaans.
SANDRINGHAM
