When Tabby Kat won at Turffontein on Saturday, she became the 14th two-year-old winner to hail from the first South African crop of star miler, and Ridgemont Highlands resident sire, Canford Cliffs.
Notably, Tabby Kat’s victory means her sire has equalled the feats of such outstanding stallions as Western Winter, Trippi, Gimmethegreenlight and his red hot stablemate Rafeef.
Given that the first three sires all became champion sires, and Rafeef is one of the most exciting stallions in South Africa, this is a fantastic achivement by Canford Cliffs.
“We really could not have asked for more from Canford Cliffs in his first season, and the combination of the start he has made mixed with the fact that his progeny seem to get better and better the closer they get to a mile is very impressive. He introduces a mix of speed and stamina, and the encouraging aspect is that his offspring were never anticipated to show any precocity. So they are up and running on ability, with plenty of scope. All the trainers have done a fantastic job with the Canford Cliffs progeny they have, and the reports we get back are very exciting!”, said Ridgemont Highlands’ Craig Carey.
Bred by Ridgemont Highlands, Tabby Kat had caught the eye when finishing second, after stepping up to 1600m, at her previous start before going one better with a over one and a quarter length win in Saturday’s TAB 4Racing App Maiden Plate (1600m).
Trained by Michael and Adam Azzie, Tabby Kat was ridden to victory by S’Manga Khumalo.
The filly was a R325 000 purchase from the 2021 Cape Premier Yearling Sale.
Canford Cliffs was quick to get back into the winners enclosure, with his progressive daughter Totally Rocks winning a good race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday. Trained by Dennis Drier, the Ridgemont Highlands bred Totally Rocks has now won two in a row, with the filly running out a facile near three length winner last time out.
Himself a five time G1 winner, and group winner at Royal Ascot three years running, Canford Cliffs has 11 lots on offer at next month’s August Two Year Old Sale.