Maine Chance Farms’ champion sire Vercingetorix came up with his 15th G1 winner when his son Grand Empire won the G1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic (1800m) at Turffontein on Saturday.
In the process, Grand Empire became the second son of Vercingetorix to win a leg of the South African Triple Crown with his paternal half-brother Splittheeights having won the G2 TAB Gauteng Guineas last month.
The SA Classic was another resounding triumph for Vercingetorix with his sons Grand Empire and Splittheeights finishing first and third respectively.
Trained by Sean Tarry, the gelded Grand Empire had just been beaten when second in the Gauteng Guineas and he duly went one better on Saturday.
Under a great ride from log-leading jockey Craig Zackey, the three-year-old put his head down where it mattered most and held off a fast charging Trust to win by a head.
Bred by Al Adiyaat, Grand Empire is owned by Mrs Kuhn.
The three-year-old, who is out of the Potala Palace mare Palace Of Dreams, has won four of six starts with Grand Empire yet to finish out of the first two.
Saturday’s G1 SA Classic winner was a R400 000 buy from the 2024 National Yearling Sale.
Grand Empire is one of 68 stakes winners for his champion sire, with Vercingetorix having also supplied the R900 000 sales topping colt at the recent Cape Yearling Sale.