Avontuur Thoroughbred Estate’s evergreen Danehill sire Oratorio came up with his ninth G1 winner when his two-year-old daughter Canadian Summer won the G1 Thekwini Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Winner of the Listed Hollywoodbets Super League Devon Air Stakes two starts back, Canadian Summer had finished a close up second in the Bloodstock SA Sales Cup last time out, and was duly sent out tote favourite for Saturday’s R500 000 Thekwini Stakes.

A first G1 winner for Jason Gates and Darryl Moore, Canadian Summer was launched down the inside of the Greyville track and kept finding more to withstand a host of challenges a score a thrilling short-head win.
Long shot Rock The Fox (25-1) finished second, with impressive debut winner Bless My Stars (33-10) a further neck away in third place.

Bred by Oldlands Stud, Canadian Summer has now or finished second in each of her five starts.

Canadian Summer, who is out of the Silvano mare Autumn Splendour, was an R80 000 buy from the 2021 August Two Year Old Sale.

She joins Hong Kong Horse Of The Year Military Attack and the likes of Banchee, Beethoven, Biz The Nurse, Manawanui, Mourinho,Temida and top sprinter Van Halen as G1 winners sired by Oratorio.

Twice a Leading Sire in Italy, Oratorio has a single lot on offer at the 2022 August Two Year Old Sale.