Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm’s in-form stallion Oratorio has been on a roll of late, with his progeny picking up a number of South African feature races, and Danehill’s triple G1 winning son was at it again on Thursday.

Oratorio’s two-year-old daughter Rio’s Winter made a winning debut when she scored an all the way win over 1200m at the Vaal on Thursday.
Trained by Stephen Moffatt, and ridden to victory by Sherman Brown, Rio Winter’s strolled home to score a three length win on debut in the style of an above average performer.

Out of the Western Winter mare Winter Ade, the Gold Star Stud bred Rio’s Winter was a R70 000 buy from last year’s National Yearling Sale.

She is the second juvenile winner for Oratorio this season.

A dual champion sire in Italy, Oratorio has been firing on all cylinders of late, with his recent winners including Mardi Gras (G2 Senor Santa Stakes), Van Halen (G3 Man O’ War Sprint) and Divine Odyssey (Drum Star Handicap).

The sire of nearly 100 black type performers the world over, Oratorio has 18 lots on offer at the 2019 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.