Drakenstein Stud’s bang in-form stallion Philanthropist looks likely to be represented by a leading runner in the upcoming G1 Champions Mile, which will take place at Sha Tin on April 29th.
His Tony Millard trained son Singapore Sling, who is currently one of the top four-year-olds in Hong Kong, is one of 12 runners selected to line up in the HK$18 000 000 feature.
Singapore Sling will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Variety Club, with that South African bred champion having captured the Champions Mile in 2014.
Bred by Drakenstein Stud, and winner of the G2 Investec Dingaans in South Africa, Singapore Sling has proved a revelation since relocating to Hong Kong. The chestnut has won or placed in four of his five Hong Kong outings thus far, with Singapore Sling having run out an eye catching winner of the Hong Kong Classic Cup recently, before running a very smart second in the BMW Hong Kong Derby.
His sire Philanthropist has also been enjoying good success in South Africa. The regally bred son of Kris S enjoyed a memorable weekend double recently, when daughters Rendezvous and Make Me Happy winning over 1300m and 1400m respectively.
Make Me Happy, who was bred by Maine Chance Farms, has now won two in a row for trainer Mike de Kock.
Philanthropist, whose other notable recent runners include feature race winner Raven Girl, will be represented by 14 runners at this week’s April Yearling Sale, including a colt out of a stakes winning half-sister to the dam of recent G1 SA Classic winner Lobo’s Legend (Lot 36) and a filly who is bred on the same Philanthropist/Western Winter cross as Singapore Sling (Lot 314).
The sire of this season’s top 3yo Pack Leader will also represented by 12 lots at this month’s Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.