Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm’s prominent sire Var, South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2Yos the past two seasons in a row, looks to have a useful filly to his name in the form of Ilha Da Varlette.
The latter made a pleasing introduction to racing when making a winning debut at Turffontein on Thursday.
One of two winners on the day for trainer Geoff Woodruff and jockey Gavin Lerena, Ilha Da Varlette jumped the second favourite for Thursday’s contest, a maiden plate over 1000m, and duly obliged to win first time out by one and a half lengths from fellow Var daughter, and tote favourite, Coyote Girl.
Bred by the Gold Star Stud, the 3yo filly was produced by the Rock Of Gibraltar mare Ilha Da Rock.
Ilha Da Varlette is one of several promising 3yos representing Var this season, with others including G2 SA Nursery winner William The Silent, G2 SA Fillies Nursery runner up Ghaalla, recent Listed Sophomore Sprint third place-getter Top Of The Class, facile recent winner Big Blue Marble, and the smart Var-La-Ree. The latter made it three wins from just five starts when scoring a comfortable win over 1000m at Scottsville on Wednesday.
Var has made an excellent start to the 2018-2019 season and is currently South Africa’s Leading Sire by Prize money earned (his progeny have already earned more than R1.7 million this season thus far).
The sire of more than 20 G1 horses, including last season’s South African Fillies Sprint winner Sommerlied, Var will be represented by two lots at the November Johannesburg Ready To Run Sale –a colt out of G2 Gold Circle Oaks winner Sweetie Pie who is bred on the same cross as G1 winner Contador (Lot 20), and a full-sister to brilliant stakes winning filly Schiffer and G2 performer and Dubai winner Mastermind (Lot 98).