Varsfontein Stud’s homebred stallion Erik The Red is set to be crowned South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire for 2024-2025.
The multiple graded stakes winner came up with his 14th first crop winner when his son Cardinal Chief won at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday.
Trained by Garth Puller, two-year-old Cardinal Chief was making just his second start on Wednesday, with the Erik The Red colt having finished third on debut.
Under Siphesihle Hlengwa, Cardinal Chief stormed home to get up and land the Online Form Guide www.gallop.co.za Maiden Plate (1200m) by a length.
Bred by Malachi Stud and Racing (Pty) Ltd, Cardinal Chief races for Mr and Mrs Steadman.
The colt, who is out of the Silvano mare Africa’s Delight, was a R110 000 buy from the 2024 August Two Year Old Sale.
Cardinal Chief is one of a growing number of winners for his sire Erik The Red, with the latter’s first crop including the stakes placed performers Polar Light, Vapour Trail and Reigning Alice.
Closely related to boom sire Master Of My Fate, Erik The Red has three sons entered for the G1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes.