Two of the Cape’s premier stallions, Dynasty and Silvano, dominate the fields for Friday and Saturday’s LQP feature races.
Reigning champion sire Silvano will be represented by a staggering 15 runners in LQP feature races this weekend.
The multiple champion has no fewer than four runners in Friday’s Listed Ardmore Jamaica Handicap, with all of Epona, Oriental Oak, Northern Ballet, and Silver Willow lining up in that R150 000 contest.
Silvano also has 11 feature race contenders on Saturday –with no fewer than five runners in the G1 Cartier Paddock Stakes. Silvano’s Paddock Stakes contenders include Nightingale, Star Express, Silvan Star, Wind Chill and Orchid Island. Silvano is also damsire of Paddock Stakes hopefuls Goodtime Gal and Louisiana.
The son of Lomitas will be represented in the G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate by July winner Marinaresco, while Silvano’s five runners in the G2 Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap are Nebula, Ollivander, Black Arthur, Elusive Silva and Platinum Prince.
Silvano will also be represented in Joburg features on Sunday, where daughter Girl On The Run contests the G3 London News Stakes, and sons Royal Crusade and Silver God line up in the Listed Sea Cottage Stakes.
Horse Of The Year and four times Equus Outstanding Sire Dynasty will also be powerfully represented in the LQP festival with 12 runners. He has a trio of runners in the Listed Ardmore Jamaica Handicap (Qing, Skip A Beat, Baroness Mary), and two in the G2 Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap –namely favourite Horizon and G1 winner Eyes Wide Open. His champion daughter Lady In Black is a runner in the G1 Cartier Paddock Stakes, while his blue blooded son Big Parade contests the G3 Politician Stakes.
Dynasty also has two runners in the G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate itself-namely Winter Series king African Night Sky and former G3 Christmas Handicap hero It Is Written.
Another prominent Cape stallion well represented in the major festival is former champion sire Trippi, who has no fewer than three runners in the G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate (Gold Standard, Deo Juvente and Fifty Cents), as well as Live Life in the G2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes and The Sun Also Rises (BMW Politician Stakes).