Ridgemont Highlands’ G1 winning stallion Rafeef came up with an eighth first crop winner when his two-year-old son Aragosta won the first race on Champions Day, at Turffontein on Saturday.

Fifth on his only previous start, the Mike de Kock trained gelding was given a well timed ride by Craig Zackey in Saturday’s 1600m contest.

Zackey bought Aragosta with a strong late run, which saw the son of Rafeef get up close home and land Saturday’s World Sports Betting Juvenile Plate (1600m) by a fluent three and a half lengths, while accounting for several previous winners.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Aragosta was a R220 000 buy from the 2020 National Sale.

The gelding was produced by the Galileo mare Miss Galidora, a half-sister to French classic winner, and successful sire, Clodovil.

South Africa’s Leading First Season, by both stakes and individual winners, for 2020-2021 thus far, Rafeef is also responsible for fellow first crop winners Bella Chica, Civil Rights, Darjeeling, Dockofthebay, Ravensthorpe, Star Of The West and Bloodstock South Africa Cape Yearling Sale Cup victress Mounia.

The son of Redoute’s Choice has members of his first crop entered in both the upcoming G3 Strelitzia Stakes and G3 Godolphin Barb Stakes.