Mauritzfontein’s well bred resident sire Ideal World was back in the news this past weekend, with his son Dark Moon Rising impressing when winning first time out.

Bred by Dr Ian Heyns, Dark Moon Rising came with a late rattle to win on debut for trainer Paul Lafferty and apprentice Ashton Arries over 1200m at Greyville on Sunday.

His sire Ideal World has enjoyed another good season in 2016-2017, with his top performers including Listed Wolf Power 1600/Grand Heritage winner Irish Pride.
The latter has won or placed in 12 of his 17 outings and has already banked more than R840 000 in prize money for his connections.

Ideal World, best known as the sire of Met winning champion Smart Call and Derby winner Cape Speed, has two lots on this month’s Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale –a colt out of a sister in blood to top class filly Cover Look (Lot 54), and a colt out of a winning half-sister to G1 Paddock Stakes winner Emerald Cove (Lot 70).

The son of Kingmambo and Breeders’ Cup winner Banks Hill also has 20 yearlings on offer at the 2017 National Yearling Sale, including a half-brother to July winning champion Heavy Metal (Lot 97), a half-brother to former star 2yo Oomph (Lot 123), a colt out of a winning half-sister to millionaire Kavanagh (Lot 222) and a half-brother to G1 winner and Equus Champion Marinaresco (Lot 418).