Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm’s world-class sire Oratorio enjoyed yet another profitable weekend this week, when represented by two eye catching South African winners.

Former European champion and triple G1 winner, Oratorio was responsible for the first juvenile winner in the Cape this season when his Boland Stud bred son Jephthah made a winning debut over 900m for trainer Vaughan Marshall and Avontuur sponsored jockey MJ Byleveld on Saturday.

Jephthah, who was produced by the Spectrum mare Sacred Vow, was a first juvenile runner for his sire this season. (Oratorio has some exceptionally well bred 2yos representing him in 2017-2018 including siblings to stakes winners Fantastic Mr Fox, Fort Winter, Folk Dance, Captain’s Lover, Ebony Flyer and champion Val De Ra).

Oratorio was also responsible for War Legend, who scored over 1800m at the Vaal on Saturday for trainer Lucky Houdalakis. Bred by Sidney Cassel, War Legend was a R200 000 purchase from the 2016 Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale.

It could be a big weekend for Oratorio, who topped Italy’s General Sires Lists in both 2012 and 2013.
The son of Danehill will be represented in Saturday’s G2Forus Premier Trophy by his impressive recent winner Opera Royal, rated a potential classic contender by trainer Glen Kotzen.

Opera Royal is one of several notable performers to have emerged from Oratorio’s first South African crop, with others including the G1 performer Ancestry and G2 filly Mrs O.

Oratorio has 11 lots on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale including a half-brother to smart sprinter Attenborough (Lot 33),  a colt out of G2 Sceptre Stakes winner Reflective Image (Lot122), a half-sister to G1 winner King Of Pain (Lot 171), and a colt out of stakes winning 2yo Darling Moon (Lot236).