Varsfontein’s red hot resident sire Gimmethegreenlight enjoyed more big race success over the weekend, when his daughter Simona downed male rivals to win Saturday’s G2 OK Grand Challenge at Borrowdale.
The five-year-old mare, who had won the 2018 OK Grand Challenge, made it a double when scoring for trainer Bridget Stidolph and jockey Calvin Habib.
Out of the Western Winter mare Ginger Hill, Simona was named Zimbabwe’s Horse Of The Year, and Spey Bridge Champion Older Horse, for 2017-2018.
Gimmethegreenlight, whose progeny have been in fine form this season, went close to enjoying a big race double with his dual G3 winning son Gimme One Night running a blinder when running on strongly for second place in Saturday’s G3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup.
The son of More Than Ready has enjoyed a tremendous season in 2018-2019 with his star representatives including National Park (G2 Gauteng Guineas), Barahin (2nd G1 SA Classic), Rose In Bloom (G3 Prix du Cap), and the aforementioned Gimme One Night (who has now earned over R700 000).
Gimmethegreenlight has also enjoyed a good season with his two-year-olds –at the time of writing, the former G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner has been responsible for an impressive 14 individual juvenile winners in 2018-2019, with the sire’s notable 2yo performers including such smart black type performers as Me Time, Green Laser, Emerald Tiara, Emerald Band and the exciting Captain Tatters.
The son of More Than Ready has nine lots on July’s KZN Yearling Sale.