Nelson’s Column brought to you by Varsfontein Stud
2024/25 SEASON
ON THE TRACK
Varsfontein Stud had a record breaking 2024/25 season, achieving its most successful year ever. Its graduates delivered the highest prize money in the stud’s history, which was driven by a remarkable 23 stakes winners securing 34 stakes victories
The stud’s success at the highest level was delivered by producing 6 G1 winners of 7 G1 races, and an additional 10 G1 placings throughout the season.
The 43 Stakes performers include: G1 PERFORMERS:
Atticus Finch (G1 Summer Cup; 3rd G3
Victory Moon S, G3 Jubilee S).
Double Grand Slam (G1 Paddock S, G1 Garden Province; 2nd G1 Majorca S).
Golden Palm (G1 Thekwini S, G2 SA
Fillies Nursery, Listed Lady’s Slipper).
Gimme A Prince (G1 Cape Flying Championship, G2 Diadem S; 3rd G1 King’s Plate, G3 Cape Mile).
Gladatorian (G1 Champions Cup, G2 Drill Hall S; 2nd G2 November H, Listed Kings Cup; 3rd G1 Gold Challenge).
The Real Prince (G1 Durban July, Listed Jet Master S; 2nd G1 Champions Cup).
Golden Sickle (2nd G1 Computaform Sprint, G3 JJ The Jetplane S).
Lucky Lad (3rd G1 Cape Flying Championship).
Roccapina (3rd G1 Majorca S; 2nd G2 Sceptre S).
Garrix (G3 Variety Club Mile, G3 Legal Eagle S; 2nd G3 Politician S, Listed Pocket Power S; 3rd G1 Cape Derby).
Okavango (3rd G1 Daily News 2000).
World Of Alice (G3 Fillies Mile; 2nd G2 SA
THE REAL PRINCE winning the Hollywoodbets DURBAN JULY
over 2200m at Greyville, by 0,25 lengths from Eight On Eighteen and Selukwe.
EQUUS AWARDS 2025
CHAMPION 2YO FILLY 2025
GOLDEN PALM
Breeder: VARSFONTEIN STUD
Owners: Peter Moor
Trainer: Alan Greeff
CHAMPION OLDER FILLY 2025
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM
Breeder: VARSFONTEIN STUD
Owners: Drakenstein Stud, Messrs D MacLean & G Player
Trainer: Justin Snaith
CHAMPION OLDER MALE 2025
GLADATORIAN
Breeder: Jaco & Carolyn Erasmus at VARSFONTEIN STUD
Owners: Messrs Late Agasthamuni Gujadhur, EG Hart de Keating, ML Jean Hardy & MJL Nairac.
Trainer: Stuart Ferrie
CHAMPION SPRINTER 2025
GIMME A PRINCE
Breeder: Khaya Stables at VARSFONTEIN STUD
Owners: Khaya Stables
Trainer: Dean Kannemeyer
CHAMPION BROODMARE 2025
REAL PRINCESS
Owners: Khaya Stables
Boards at VARSFONTEIN STUD
Oaks; 3rd G1 SA Fillies Classic).
G2 PERFORMERS:
Main Defender (G2 Hawaii S; 2nd G3 Victory Moon S).
Anotherdanceforme (G2 Golden Slipper, Listed E-Cape Fillies Nursery, Listed Dahlia P).
Let’s Go Now (G2 Colorado King S, 2nd Listed Acacia S; 3rd G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge).
Questioning (G3 Matchem S; 3rd G2 Diadem S).
My Soul Mate (Listed Caradoc Gold Cup; 2nd G2 Woolavington, G3 KZN Oaks, Listed Spook Express S; 3rd G3 London News S, Listed War Of Athena H, Listed Gold Bowl).
VJ’s Angel (2nd G2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas; 3rd G2 Gold Bracelet).
Gimmie’s Countess (G3 Diana S; 2nd G3 Umzimkhulu S; 3rd G2 Sceptre S).
G3 PERFORMERS:
She’s A Bomber (G3 KZN Oaks).
Princess Izzy (2nd G3 Prix Du Cap; 3rd G3 Diana S).
Zapatillas (2nd G3 Cape Mile).
Gem King (2nd G3 Champagne S).
Garlandsofgreenery (3rd G3 Carry On Alice S).
Regeneration (3rd G3 Umzimkhulu S).
Polar Light (3rd G3 Strelitzia S).
At My Command (3rd G3 Matchem S)
On My Honour (Listed Racing Association S; 3rd G3 Cup Trial).
LISTED PERFORMERS:
My Best Shot (Listed Ibhaya S, Listed E-Cape Guineas, Listed E-Cape Derby; 3rd Listed Racing Association S).
Mascherina (Listed Off To Stud S,
Listed East Coast Cup).
Splicethemainbrace (Listed Breeders Guineas; 3rd Listed E-Cape Guineas).
Daimyo (Listed Woolavington S).
Miss Marguerite (Listed Laisserfaire S).
Littlemarysunshine (Listed Spook Express S).
Give Me Everything (Listed Cape Fillies Classic).
Ardabil (2nd Listed E-Cape Derby).
Gimme’s Lassie (2nd Listed Milkwood S).
Kinda Wonderful (2nd Listed Cape Fillies Classic).
Electromagnetism (2nd Listed Irridescence S).
Allez Moris (3rd Listed Settler’s Trophy, Listed Algoa Cup).
Bela Vista (3rd Listed Breeders Guineas).
First Wish (3rd Listed E-Cape Oaks, Listed E-Cape Derby).
Reigning Alice (3rd Listed Storm Bird S).
2025 EQUUS AWARDS
The 2025 Equus Awards celebrated the success of Master Of My Fate, with his progeny awarded Champion 2yo Colt (Jan van Goyen) and Champion 2yo Filly (Golden Palm). Dual G1 winner Double Grand Slam was awarded Champion
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (Vercingetorix) - dual G1 winner in 2025.
©
Candiese
Lenferna
SOUTH AFRICA’S
RECORD BREAKING SIRE
2025 - 2nd Leading Sire
2024 - Champion Sire - 2yo, 3yo & General Sires list
2023 - Champion Sire - 2yo, 3yo & General Sires list
2022 - 3rd Leading Sire
2021 - Champion Sire, Champion Sire of 3yo’s
2020 - Champion Sire of 2yo’s
2016 - Champion Freshman Sire
Older Filly, while the brilliant Khaya Stables’ Gimme A Prince received the Champion Sprinter award. Varsfontein resident Real Princess was awarded the well deserved Champion Broodmare title, for owner Khaya Stables.
STALLIONS
GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT
In the tapestry of SA Thoroughbred breeding, few names have become as synonymous with success as Gimmethegreenlight. This Australian bred stallion, a son of the Champion Sire More Than Ready, has not merely produced winners, he has consistently redefined the standards of excellence in the local racing and breeding industry.
His journey from a top-class racehorse to
a multiple Champion Sire is a testament to the potent combination of his own racing talent and a rare ability to pass on his most desirable traits.
His legacy has been forged in the breeding shed at Varsfontein Stud, and he has once again performed admirably in 2024/25, finishing 2nd on the log with 14 stakes winners of 20 stakes races.
Trained by Justin Snaith, Gimmethegreenlight was G1 placed at 2, and was the first 3yo in 42 years to win the G1 Queen’s Plate, when beating SA’s superstar, Variety Club (Timeform 131).
Gimmethegreenlight became the highest rated 3yo in SA in 2012.
He sired his first G1 Durban July winner in 2025, with 4yo The Real Prince, and has produced an additional Equus Champion in Gimme A Prince, bringing his total of Equus Champions to 7.
Gimmethegreenlight’s achievements as a sire include:
CHAMPION First Season Sire 2016. CHAMPION Sire of 2yo’s 2020, 2023 and 2024.
GIMME A NOTHER (Gimmethegreenlight) winner of the G2 John C. Mabee Stakes (USA) on 6th September 2025, over 1800m.
THE REAL PRINCE (Gimmethegreenlight) winner of the 2025 G1 Durban July over 2200m. © Candiese Lenferna
The 2025 EAST CAPE RACING AWARDS celebrated the achievements of our stud and our outstanding stallion, Master Of My Fate.
CHAMPION 2YO FILLY 2025
GOLDEN PALM (Master Of My Fate)
Breeder: VARSFONTEIN STUD
Owners: Peter Moor
Trainer: Alan Greeff
CHAMPION 2YO COLT/GELDING 2025
KING PRAWN (Master Of My Fate)
Breeder: Ascot Stud
Owners: Messrs J F & L M F Wernars & Mrs T J Wernars
Trainer: Alan Greeff
CHAMPION 3YO FILLY 2025
SPLICETHEMAINBRACE (Master Of My Fate)
Breeder: VARSFONTEIN STUD
Owners: ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Chadha)
Trainer: Alan Greeff
HORSE OF THE SEASON 2025 & CHAMPION 3YO COLT/GELDING 2025
MY BEST SHOT (Fire Away)
Breeder: VARSFONTEIN STUD
Owners: Nick & Val McFall, Messrs G L Blank, G Piha, H N Yutar, D Yutar, Mr & Mrs A C Greeff
Trainer: Alan Greeff
CHAMPION OLDER FILLY/MARE 2025
JOY AND PEACE (Master Of My Fate)
Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
Owners: Pine Lodge Stud & Halo Stables T/A Halo Syndicate
(Nom: Mr A C Greeff)
Trainer: Alan Greeff
CHAMPION Sire of 3yo’s 2021, 2023 and 2024.
CHAMPION Sire 2021, 2023 and 2024.
2nd Leading Sire 2025.
Gimmethegreenlight is the first South African sire in history to achieve Champion Sire status in all 3 categories in 2023 and 2024
What makes Gimmethegreenlight’s success particularly noteworthy is his ability to produce horses of genuine classic quality while maintaining a reputation for speed and soundness.
He has established a fresh South African sire-line that is not only successful in its own right, but is also producing promising sire-sons, ensuring his influence will continue to shape the breed for generations to come.
Gimmethegreenlight is sire to date of 78 stakes winners of 145 stakes races, and 82 stakes-placed runners, including 13 G1 winners and a further 27 individual G1 performers.
Gimmethegreenlight’s 2024/25 stakes winners include:
Gimme A Prince
(Equus Champion Sprinter 2025)
Won G1 Cape Flying Championship
Won G2 Diadem S.
3rd G1 King’s Plate
3rd G3 Cape Mile
Gimmefabulous
Won G3 Mother Russia S.
Won Acacia S. (L)
Gimmeforsure
Won Acacia S. (L)
Gimmethatpearl
Won E-Cape Paddock S. (L)
3rd Ladies Mile (L)
Give Me Everything
Won Cape Fillies Classic (L)
Green Diamond
Won G2 SA Nursery
Won G3 Protea S.
2nd Ruffian S. (L)
Green Sapphire
Won G2 World Pool S.
Won G3 Umzimkhulu S.
Let’s Go Now
Won G2 Colorado King S.
2nd Acacia S. (L)
3rd G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge
Malmesbury Missile
Won Gatecrasher S. (L)
2nd G2 Golden Horseshoe
3rd G3 Godolphin Barb S.
Mary’s Greenlight
Won Flamboyant S. (L)
Mascherina
Won Off To Stud S. (L)
Won East Coast Cup (L)
On My Honour
Won Racing Association S. (L)
3rd G3 Cup Trial 1800m
The Real Prince
Won G1 Durban July
Won Jet Master S. (L)
2nd G1 Champions Cup
Wild Wild Green
Won Summer Juvenile S. (L)
3rd G3 Cape Nursery
MASTER OF MY FATE
Master Of My Fate had a stand-out season finishing 3rd on the General Sires List, and was 2nd Leading Sire of 2yo’s.
He sired 10 stakes winners of 14 stakes races, including 3 individual G1 winners
over the season (Atticus Finch, Golden Palm & Jan Van Goyen), and now has 3 Equus Champion 2yo’s to his credit. His consistency as a sire is well documented, and the demand for his progeny has blossomed.
On 27th July 2025, the outstanding filly Golden Palm, who had previously travelled to Gauteng and won the G2 SA Fillies Nursery, confirmed her class in the G1 Thekwini Stakes, making it 4 wins from just 5 starts. On the same afternoon, her paternal half-brother Jan Van Goyen captured the G1 Premiers Champion Stakes - underlining the dominance of their sire.
Another star 2yo in 2024/25 was the unbeaten Anotherdanceforme, trained, like Golden Palm, by Alan Greeff. She racked up 5 wins from as many outings, with her hat-trick of black type victories headed by the G2 Golden Slipper at
Greyville, while raiding from Gqeberha. This golden crop also produced Listed Champion Juvenile Cup winner King Prawn, the highly regarded debut scorer Echo Check, and the smart filly Clairwood Rose. In all, Master Of My Fate’s 2yo’s delivered 11 individual winners, including 4 stakes winners, who between them landed 8 stakes races.
His success stretched well beyond the juvenile ranks. He was responsible for the G1 Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch, while his son Greeting My Master got the better of Atticus Finch in the G3 Victory Moon Stakes. His older daughters also excelled - My Soul Mate won the Listed Caradoc Gold Cup, Miss Marguerite took the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes, Splicethemainbrace claimed the 2025 Listed Breeders Guineas, and Joy And Peace won the Listed Jockey Club S.
ATTICUS FINCH (Master Of My Fate) winning the 2024/25 Summer Cup G1 at Turffontein over 2000m. © Candiese Lenferna
M ASTER O F M Y F ATE
© Jeremy Nelson
In total, Master Of My Fate has now sired 34 stakes winners of 56 stakes races, 6 at G1 level
His earlier stars include Equus Champion 2yo Colt Tempting Fate, G1 Premiers
Champion Stakes heroine Sentbydestiny, and G1 Garden Province Stakes winner Zarina, who defeated champions Princess Calla, War Of Athena, and Captain’s Ransom.
The son of Jet Master is out of the Champion Filly Promisefrommyheart, and hails from the immediate family of Erik The Red, South Africa’s Champion First Season Sire of 2024/25. Erik The Red is out of G1 Majorca Stakes winner Covenant, the halfsister to Promisefrommyheart.
Master Of My Fate’s 2024/25 stakes winners include:
Anotherdanceforme
Won G2 Golden Slipper
Won E-Cape Fillies Nursery (L)
Won Dahlia P. (L)
Atticus Finch
Won G1 Summer Cup
3rd G3 Victory Moon S.
3rd G3 Jubilee S.
Golden Palm
(Equus Champion 2yo Filly 2025)
Won G1 Thekwini S.
Won G2 SA Fillies Nursery
Won Lady’s Slipper S. (L)
Greeting My Master
Won G3 Victory Moon S.
Jan Van Goyen
(Equus Champion 2yo Colt 2025)
Won G1 Premier’s Champion S.
Joy And Peace
Won Jockey Club S. (L)
King Prawn
Won Champion Juvenile Cup (L)
2nd Dahlia P. (L)
Miss Marguerite
Won Laisserfaire S. (L)
My Soul Mate
Won Caradoc Gold Cup (L)
2nd G2 Woolavington 2000
2nd G3 KZN Oaks
2nd Spook Express S. (L)
3rd G3 London News S.
3rd War Of Athena H (L)
3rd Gold Bowl (L)
Splicethemainbrace
Won Breeders Guineas (L)
3rd E-Cape Guineas (L)
ERIK THE RED
Erik The Red finished the season off as Champion First Season Sire. From 38 runners, he had 14 (37%) winners of 16 races, 1 stakes winner and 5 stakes placed. His sons and daughters have both performed admirably, and trainers are highly complimentary of his stock.
Erik The Red offers breeders a unique and desirable combination, a direct line to two of South Africa’s most influential sires, and a performance record that leaves no doubt about his racing class.
He is a son of the late, great Captain Al, a Champion Sire whose influence on South African racing is immeasurable. The success of Captain Al, and his standing as a Champion Broodmare Sire, make Erik The Red a direct link to a dominant male line. His maternal side is equally impressive - his dam, Covenant, was a G1 winning mare by another legendary South African Champion Sire, Western Winter.
2yo ZALATORIS (Erik The Red) (above and left) won the FOLLOW @WORLDPOOL on X UMKHOMAZI STAKES G2 over 1200m at Greyville on 27th July 2025.
2yo KING HARALD (Erik The Red) ran 4th in the WORLD POOL MOMENT OF THE DAY PREMIERS CHAMPION STAKES G1 over 1600m at Greyville on 27th July 2025.
ERIK THE RED is by Champion Sire CAPTAIN AL ex COVENANT - G1 winner by Champion Sire WESTERN WINTER - From a family of CHAMPIONS -
CHAMPION FIRST SEASON SIRE 2025
37 % FIRST CROP WINNERS TO RUNNERS
‘Erik’s’ dam Covenant produced 6 foals, 5 runners - all winners. Her only progeny ever sold at auction was her 2nd foalVarallo (Var) - a beautiful colt that was sold to Alesh Naidoo for R2 million at the 2016 National Yearling Sale. Varallo was a leading 2yo in SA, and was later exported to Hong Kong.
Covenant’s first foal was the stakes placed filly Scandola (Fort Wood) - the dam of stakes performers Cala Muretta,
Roccapina and Gimmie’s Lassie. Scandola recently sold a colt (by Master Of My Fate) (pictured bottom left) at the 2025 August 2yo Sale for R1,6m.
‘Erik’ will be standing his 5th season at stud in 2025, and I have no doubt that we will see the best of his progeny over the coming seasons.
His 2024/25 stakes performers include: King Harald
4th G2 SA Nursery
4th G1 Premiers Champion S. Polar Light
3rd G3 Strelitzia S.
Reigning Alice
3rd Storm Bird S. (L)
Tenjiku
4th Gatecrasher S. (L)
Vapour Trail
3rd G3 Langerman
Zalatoris
Won G2 Umkhomazi S.
ZALATORIS (Erik The Red) winner of the 2024/25 Follow @Worldpool on X Umkhomazi S G2 at Greyville over 1200m.
© Candiese Lenferna
Sandringham Summit
2YO COLT 2023 MR 123 AT 3 YEARS
By a Champion Sire; dam by a Champion Broodmare Sire.
by GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT - TOWNSEND by CAPTAIN AL
SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT
The transition of a champion racehorse from the track to the breeding shed marks a pivotal moment, a new chapter where a brilliant athletic career gives way to the promise of a genetic legacy.
In the South African thoroughbred world, this narrative finds a compelling protagonist in Sandringham Summit. As a formidable racehorse, he earned the respect of an industry; as a stallion, he now carries the hopes of an entire racing and breeding community.
Equus Champion 2yo Sandringham Summit is standing his 2nd season at stud in 2025. His first foals already carry a stamp of greatness, which brings with it the promise of something special.
This handsome son of Champion Sire
Gimmethegreenlight is beautifully balanced, and has a wonderful shoulder and hindquarter. His fluid action is what makes him so athletic, and this is demonstrated in his stride, and the way he could accelerate, and cut through his opposition at a moments notice.
Sandringham Summit’s direct lineage from a proven sire line immediately elevates his standing. What makes his pedigree even more remarkable is his dam, Townsend, a G2 winning mare by the late, revered stallion Captain Al.
The Gimmethegreenlight/Captain Al cross is a proven recipe for success, and Sandringham Summit embodies this genetic jackpot in a single horse. Furthermore, he is free of the globally dominant Northern Dancer and Mr.
SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (SAF)
© Jeremy Nelson
Sandringham Summit
- by Jeremy Nelson
ex Black Flame (Silvano) - colt - born 17 August 2025.
ex Je Ne Sais Quoi (Duke Of Marmalade) - colt - born 25 August.
First Foals of 2025
ex Sensual Kiss (William Longsword) - colt - born 18 August (first foal).
ex Winter Frolic (What A Winter) - colt - born 2 August (first foal).
G REEN W ITH E NVY
by GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT - MISS COCO by GALILEO
Prospector bloodlines in his first four generations, offering a valuable outcross for breeders.
In a sport where a single horse can redefine a generation, Sandringham Summit stands as a beacon of promise. He is more than just a sire, he is a culmination of a breeding dynasty, a potent blend of speed, stamina, and mental fortitude. The foals of his first crop are currently being born, and their performance on the track will be the ultimate measure of his success.
Sandringham Summit represents the hopeful future of South African Thoroughbred breeding, a living testament to the power of a well crafted pedigree and the enduring legacy of a champion.
GREEN WITH ENVY
Equus Champion Green With Envy has officially begun his new chapter at Varsfontein Stud, adapting exceptionally well to his stud duties for the 2025 season.
Foaled in 2020, Green With Envy boasts a lineage that would make any turf connoisseur take notice.
Sired by the multiple Champion Sire Gimmethegreenlight, himself a son of the legendary More Than Ready, he inherits a legacy of speed and class.
His potent paternal line is brilliantly complemented by his dam, Miss Coco, a daughter of the incomparable Galileo. This blend of Australian speed and European stamina has created a colt with a combination of speed and endurance,
Sons of Gimmethegreenlight - GREEN WITH ENVY and SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT fight out the finish of the G2 KZN Guineas
2025 Highveld Feature Season Awards Champion Breeder of the Season
making him a formidable force over a variety of distances.
With his impeccable pedigree, outstanding race record, and athletic physique, he represents a highly exciting prospect for breeders. In a sport that is always searching for its next champion, Green With Envy has emphatically answered the call. He is a horse that embodies the aspirations of his breeders, the skill of his trainer, and the foresight of his syndicate members.
2025 CAPE BREEDERS AWARDS
Champion 2yo Filly - VJ’s Angel. Stallion Of The Year - Gimmethegreenlight.
Champion 3yo Colt - Green With Envy
Green With Envy was bred by Khaya Stables at Varsfontein Stud.
SUSAN ROWETT and JACO ERASMUS with the awards for VJ’S ANGEL and GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT
2025 HIGHVELD SEASON AWARDS
Champion Breeder of the Season - Varsfontein Stud.
2025 EAST CAPE RACING AWARDS
Champion 2yo Filly 2025 - Golden Palm.
Champion 3yo Filly 2025 - Splicethemainbrace.
Horse Of The Season & Champion 3yo Colt / Gelding 2025 - My Best Shot.
2025 KZN RACING AWARDS
Champion Middle Distance - Gladatorian.
Champion Older Male - Gladatorian. Horse Of The Season - Gladatorian.
Gladatorian (below) was bred by Jaco and Carolyn Erasmus at Varsfontein Stud.
2025 AUCTION SALES
Varsfontein Stud consigned progeny to 5 auction sales in 2025, with 1 additional 2yo sale still to take place in October. Starting with the Summer Sale on 23rd January with 11 yearlings, Varsfontein have sold 84 individuals so far during January, February, March, April and August 2025, with 10 individuals selling for a million or more.
Varsfontein Stud extends its gratitude to all buyers and under-bidders for their continued support and wishes them all the best with their purchases.
© Candiese Lenferna