Avontuur’s leading sire Var, who is currently South Africa’s Leading Sire by Prize Money, looks to have a really smart sort on his hands in the form of Isle De France.
The latter defied shocking weather conditions to make an impressive winning debut at Turffontein on Saturday. Isle De France, who is trained by Mike de Kock, romped home as she liked to make a 4.1 length winning debut when victorious in Turffontein’s first race.
The filly produced a devastating turn of foot, which swamped her rivals, to win the 1450m race as she liked, and Isle De France looks a very exciting future prospect.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift (who own her) and Mauritzfontein, the 3yo Isle De France is a gray daughter of the Fort Wood sired SA Oaks winner Ilha Bela.
She is thus bred on the same Var/Fort Wood cross as 2013 G1 Golden Horse Sprint winner Contador.
Isle De France is one of three Var daughters entered for the G3 Starling Stakes, to be run on Charity Mile day at Turffontein next month.
Her sire Var has been South Africa’s Champion Sire of 2YOs the past two seasons and appears to have a strong crop of 3yos representing him this year.
Other promising Var sired 3yos this season include recent G2 Joburg Spring F&M Challenge third Ghaalla, G2 SA Nursery hero William The Silent –who recently landed an assessment plate over 1000m, impressive recent winner Big Blue Marble and impressive debut winner Varsity Lover. The latter is one of three Var daughters entered for the G2 Western Cape Fillies Championship.
The G1 winning son of Forest Wildcat has two lots on offer (including a colt bred on the same cross as Isle De France) at the 2018 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale, and three 2yos on offer at this year’s CTS Ready To Run Sale.