Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm’s G1 winning sire Var, fresh off an excellent season in 2019-2020, got the new South African racing season off to a fine start when he supplied a pair of winners at the Turffontein meeting on Sunday.

The former G1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner was responsible for the winners of Sunday’s first two races, with Var daughter Anna Capri landing the first race, and Var gelding Vars Vicky victorious in Sunday’s second race.

Newly turned three-year-old Anna Capri, third on her only previous start, justified tote favouritism when romping home to a clear-cut six and a half length maiden win for trainer David Nieuwenhuizen and jockey Chase Maujean.

Bred by Riethuiskraal Stud, Anna Capri is out of the Daylami mare Zemfira and she was a R200 000 buy from the 2019 National Sale.

Var’s second success at Turffontein on Sunday saw his gelded son Vars Vicky romp home to a facile two and a quarter length maiden win over 1000m.
Bred by the Gary Player Stud Farm, the 3yo is trained by Stuart Pettigrew, who also trains the unbeaten Var filly Anything Goes.

Second on his only previous start, Vars Vicky is out of the Captain Al mare Seminole and is thus bred on the same Var/Captain Al cross as graded stakes winners Eden Roc, Ghaalla and William The Silent.

South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2YOs in both 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, Var had an excellent season in 2019-2020 with his flagbearers last season headed by G1 winners Vardy (L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate) and Rivarine (Computaform Sprint).