Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm’s perennially successful sire Var looks to have another smart two-year-old on his hands in the form of Ashford Castle.

The latter made a big impression when he made a winning debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday afternoon.

A colt bred by the Gold Star Stud, Ashford Castle romped home on Saturday to post a 2.6 length debut win for apprentice Khanya Sakayi and informt trainer Glen Kotzen (Kotzen having also won Saturday’s first race with Light That Loose.

Ashford Castle, who was produced by the Dylan Thomas mare Wild Ash, was a R325 000 buy from the 2019 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.

He is the sixth two-year-old winner for his sire this season, with Var having been South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2YOs in both 2016-2017 and 2017-2018.

Var’s G3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap winning daughter Miss October also made waves on Saturday with her unbeaten son Tempting Fate winning the G3 Godolphin Barb Stakes brought to you by Independent Media.

Also sire of this season’s G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner Vardy, Var has nine lots on offer at this year’s Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.