South Africa’s stallion band received another blow when it was announced that Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm’s leading sire Var had been pensioned from stud duties.
Now 22 years old, Var was a top-class sprinter who went on to prove a highly successful sire.

Winner of the 2004 G1 Prix de lÁbbaye, and six other races, Var was Joint Champion Older Male Sprinter in Britain in 2004.

The son of Forest Wildcat was exported to South Africa in 2005, and he instantly proved a successful sire, whose progeny impressed both in the sales ring and on the racetrack.

Twice Leading Sire of 2Yos in South Africa, Var’s current tally of stakes winners stand at 55, with his 12 G1 winners headed by the Equus Champions Anything Goes, Val De Ra, Vardy, Via Africa and Variety Club.

At the time of writing, Var (whose progeny include over 100 black type horses) was responsible for more than 550 winners, and his progeny have banked over $17 million.

Var, whose son Talk Of The Town stands at the Winterbach Stud, has also made his mark as a broodmare sire, and is the damsire of G1 winner, and Equus Champion, Tempting Fate, among others.