Varsfontein Stud’s homebred stallion Erik The Red came up with an eighth first crop winner on Sunday.
His two-year-old son Zalatoris made a very impressive debut when winning as he liked at Turffontein to become his promising young sire’s latest winner.
Trained by Paul Matchett, the gelded Zalatoris was allowed to start at 25/2 for Sunday’s Take A Bet Wina Numba Numba Maiden Juvenile Plate (1200m) but made a mockery of his starting price.

Under Philasande Mxoli, Zalatoris hit the front 150m from home and stormed away to score emphatically by three and a half lengths.

Bred by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm, Zalatoris is out of the Silvano mare Charisma.

He was a R200 000 purchase from the 2024 Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2024-2025, Erik The Red hails from the same family as promising three-year-old  Kamensky. The latter, a son of What A Winter, made it three wins from his last five starts when winning at Turffontein on Saturday.