Ridgemont Highlands’ prominent young sire Rafeef was the toast of Turffontein racecourse on Saturday when his classy son William Robertson captured the G2 Topbet Mike O’ Connor Joburg Spring Challenge (1450m) in courageous fashion.
Runner up in his two previous starts, William Robertson made amends for those defeats when storming home to land the Joburg Spring Challenge by a neck, while holding off a fast finishing After The Rain.

Trained by Corne Spies, four-year-old William Robertson was ridden to victory by replacement rider Muzi Yeni.

It was a second graded win for Wlliam Robertson, who had also claimed the 2022 G3 Tony Ruffel Stakes.
The gelding, now a six time winner from 18 starts with earnings of more than R1 000 000, was knocked down for R500 000 at the 2020 National 2YO Sale.

Out of the Trippi mare Massachusetts, William Robertson has a full-sister on offer at the upcoming November Two Year Old Sale.

The gelding, runner up in the G1 Mercury Sprint last season, is one of a growing number of top-class performers to have emerged from Rafeef’s first crop.

This crop has also produced G1 WSB SA Derby winner Aragosta, G1 Computaform Sprint winner Master Archie, the stakes winning fillies Empress Of Jade and Franca, and classy performer Cleaver Greene.

South Africa’s Leading Second Season Sire of 2021-2022, Rafeef has two lots on offer at this month’s Cape Racing Ready To Run & 2YO Unbroken Sale.