Impeccably-bred, with movie star looks, Captain Al’s strapping son Erik The Red was marked as a sire prospect from the day that he won his first start in January 2020. Just three weeks later, on Met day, he won his first black type in the Summer Juvenile Stakes equally impressively and then went on to become Cape Champion 2yo of the year, see his complete race record below. I put my hand up for the job to syndicate him – and got it.

My thanks to the team at Varsfontein. They have been wonderful to work with on two highly successful previous stallion syndications; Gimmethegreenlight and Master of My Fate. Erik will join their barn and our team in 2021.

Last Saturday in winning the Gr2 Cape Merchants he became the first 3yo to beat older rivals in 22 years sealing his right to stud. The team decided to syndicate Erik as a stallion with the rest of his racing career. You may recall that Marsh, Bryn and Mike allowed me to do that with What A Winter and he went on to win the Gr1 Computaform Stakes a few months before retiring to stud. Fingers crossed for a repeat.

I started sending email invitations on Monday morning, one hopes to get them out as fast as possible, but individualising each email takes time. I always try to reach everyone but sometimes internet issues get in the way so I hope this newsletter fills the gaps. The news got out by word of mouth before I’d even sent the first batch of emails and he was syndicated virtually overnight. We have the last three shares on “reserve” right now which I have no doubt will be confirmed today.

Erik not only has the distinction of hailing from one of the foremost pedigrees in our Stud Book but he is also as well made a horse you could ever wish to see.  I stood alongside this Gr1 performer after he won the Merchants last Saturday and was awestruck by his imposing stature and clean, strong build: he has the look of eagles about him. Justin Snaith confirms that he is an absolute pleasure to work with; please read what he says in the brochure.

In the post-race interview Justin added that if it hadn’t been for the Covid interrupted 2020 season and the colts delayed departure for the KZN feature season, this handsome colt would already be a Gr1 winner. He literally stepped off the float after the long-haul from the Cape in June, just in time for the Gr1 Medallion. There may still be time for him to add a Gr1 win to his CV before he takes up stud duties at Varsfontein in 2021. Justin and his jockey confirm that he certainly has that class about him.

Please take a look at the brochure (click here) because I am sure that you will be adding him to your mating plans for 2021 and in future years.

His dam Covenant is one of Western Winter’s top Gr1 winning daughters and Erik is one of her 4 winners (she has 100% winners/runners) including two Gr1 horses. All of her progeny are stakes performed. Covenant’s dam Secret Pact hails from the illustrious Soho Secret family; stacked with top class performers and of course this seasons leading sire Master Of My Fate is close up.

I know that Varsfontein and his shareholders will support him very well so there will only be a small number of nominations available. His fee will only be set at the syndicates first AGM mid-2021.

I hope that the breeding season has treated you well.

Kind regards,
John Freeman