Woodborough (USA) - What Did He Look Like?

 

Woodborough was born in the USA in 1993. He was by the very popular sire Woodman (by Mr Prospector), who has also sired some big name stallions like Timber Country, Hector Protector and the currently popular Hawkwing. Woodborough's dam, Performing Arts, was by The Minstrel, which is definitely where Woodborough got his very striking white markings!

 

Woodman (by Mr Prospector)

Photo by Tony Leonard

Source: The Bloodhorse.com

 

Epsom Derby winner The Minstrel (by Northern Dancer)









 



Woodborough raced in England, Ireland and France, and was somewhat of a sprint specialist, racing at his best over 1200m. his race record was as follows:

 

At 2 and 3 years old:

 

WON: Curragh Anglesey S., Gr.3 1250m (beating Lidanna and Harghar)

            Goodwood Selsey 2YO Maiden Stakes 1200m

 

2nd: Leopardstown Phoenix S., Gr.1 1200m (to Danehill Dancer and beating Catch A Glimpse

        Newmarket Middle Park S., Gr.1 1200m (to Royal Applause and beating Kahir Almaydan)

 

3rd: Longchamp Prix de la Salamandre,

       Gr.1 (1400m to Lord of Men and With Fascination)

 

Annual Timeform Rating: 110 (at 2), 112 (at 3)

 

He was the Joint highest rated 2yo in Ireland in 1995.

 

 

 

He retired to stud in New Zealand in 1997, where he was Champion First Season Sire for 2001/2002. He sired the Stakes winners: Shinnecock, Ultra Vires, Bank Note, Egyptian Ra and Country Class.

 

In 1998, he stood in the Northern Hemisphere in Ireland, where he was Leading 1st and Leading 2nd Crop Sire in UK (2001/2002). He produced the Stakes performers: Flip Flop And Fly, Bella Tutrice, Caroubier and Yomalo

 

He came to stud in South Africa in 2003, where he stood at Rathmor Stud. Here he produced a number of Stakes winners and placed horses, Including Thandolwami, Execute, Wood Be Magic, Be Assured, Aim High, and Diego.

 

(Photo from http://blog.summerhill.co.za/blog/ )

 



 

"On 24 March 2013, the unthinkable happened, and Rathmor lost their enigmatic stallion, Woodborough. Stud owner Mike McHardy said, 'It was a very sad loss for Rathmor, describing Woodborough as being “very special.” Woodborough was the first stallion to stand at Rathmor Stud.

An eye-catching chestnut stallion - very typical of a sprinter - strong hindquarters and a lovely topline, he had a big honest eye with a striking blaze running down his face, and a very kind and gentle disposition – yet he carried that ‘presence’ that many champion Thoroughbreds do – that special something that sets them apart from the rest.

Woodborough would always emerge through the fir trees surrounding his paddock that divided his and that of Strategic News, walking over very eagerly to approach any visitors who passed by his fence for attention and a rub - he was impossible to resist.'" - Source KZN Breeders website (Candiese Marnewick)

 

Woodborough was the only son of Woodman to stand at stud in South Africa.

 

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Candiese Marnewick

 

Photo Courtesy of Candiese Marnewick

 

Photo Courtesy of Candiese Marnewick

 

Photo Courtesy of Candiese Marnewick

 

Photo Courtesy of Candiese Marnewick

 

Photo Courtesy of Candiese Marnewick

 

 

In recent years, Woodborough has enjoyed success outside of the racing industry. An OTTB called Under The Clocks (NZ) ridden by Australian Murray Lamperd, has been making waves on the international eventing circuit. He has competed at all the big events like Badmington, and more recently at the 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, where he finished 10th overall, and nabbed the Best Placed First Timer award for his efforts!

 

 

Here is Under The Clocks (NZ) pictured at the 2013 Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials:

 



This photo is used with kind permission from Nico Morgan Photography

 

 

http://www.nicomorgan.com/

 

 

In South Africa Woodborough has enjoyed quite a bit of popularity with the OTTB riders and fans.

 

Leading racing journalist Robyn Louw has a striking daughter of Woodborough called Infamy (born 2006), who is now known as In Ferno, or more affectionately, "Iffy". She is out of Lady Warden, who is by Chief Warden. Infamy ran a few places when she raced, but never broke her maiden. Robyn now has her back at home as a riding horse, where she is bring her on slowly:

 

 

Infamy at 3 months

 

Infamy in training at the racing yard

 

Iffy and her owner, racing journalist, Robyn Louw

 

Iffy under saddle

 

 

Best selling South African author, Jassy Mackenzie, also owns an OTTB by Woodborough, called Msasa Magic (born 2006, out of Northern Safari, by Northern Guest). Msasa Magic raced in Kimberley, but never won any races.

 

Jassy does showing, dressage and show jumping on this versatile gelding, who does all this barefoot. Another chestnut with striking white markings, Msasa has done well in the showing ring, winning his most recent classes.

 



Msasa at his first Show Jumping Training show

 

Msasa in the Dressage Arena

 

Msasa on his way to winning a Showing class in August 2014

 

Msasa looks very much like his sire!

 

 

 Beryl Shuttleworth, who has the Herbal Horse supplement range, also owns a son of Woodborough, called In Extreme. Born in 2005, this dark bay gelding was out of another Chief Warden mare, called Sweet Whisper, and was bred by Robyn Louw's father, Mike Louw. In Extreme was fairly useful on the racetrack, winning 4 races. He was by Gavin Smith in Port Elizabeth. The characteristic white blaze and white socks are still there, in spite of him being the same colour as his dam sire!

 

He has proven to be a match made in heaven for Beryl, and in her own words: "He is probably the most awesome horse I have ever owned. Never afraid of anything. From day one off the track he was doing outrides, etc. I adore him...." 

 

She has recently started to do Le Trec with him, an equine sport which is fairly new to South Africa, but is slowly gaining momentum. The wide range of equine pursuits that Woodborough's progeny have done well in, are testament to his versatility as a sire.

 

 





 In Extreme as a foal. Photo courtesy of Robyn Louw

 

Beryl and In Extreme, aka Streamy, on a Le Trec course

 

In Extreme taking a Le Trec obstacle in his stride

 

Beryl and In Extreme at a training show jumping show

 

Kim Wallace, fiancé of popular Kwazulu Natal racehorse trainer, Des Egdes, also had a son of Woodborough, Fields of Omaha. An eye catching light grey, Omaha, as he was affectionately known, excelled in the show jumping ring, jumping in the 1.10m classes. As a racehorse he was trained by Julie Dittmer and had 3 wins and 12 places over 4 seasons. His dam was Platinum Tours, who was by the Elliodor stallion, Model Man. 

 

 Kim and Omaha

 

Kim and Omaha

 

Kim and Omaha

 

While they were not the same colour, Fields Of Omaha definitely

looks like his sire Woodborough

 

 

Thandolwami (which means "My Love" in isiZulu) is the best performed son of Woodborough on the South African racetracks. His dam is My Sweet Love, who is by Prontisimo(ARG). Trained by Craig Eudey, at the world renowned Summerveld Training Centre, near Durban, Thandolwami won 6 races and placed 20 times, amassing over R1 Million in stake money! Craig is still in contact with the new owner, and receives regular updates on Thandolwami's progress.

 

When he retired from racing he was originally ridden and brought on by top South African event rider, Heidi Klische Caine (Represented South Africa at WEG 2010 on Quantum Leap in Eventing), he is now ridden by Donne Allen. He is very bold and brave through the country, absolutely revelling in his new vocation!

 

 





Heidi and Thandolwami in the Show Jumping phase 

 

Heidi and Thandolwami flying through the country

 

Thandolwami in the warm up arena

 

Just like his sire!

 

Woodborough progeny seem to be incredibly versatile, and in some cases are excelling in these pursuits barefoot. With only 213 lifetime foals, finding one of them may well be a hard task - the last few were born in 2011. But they are definitely worth looking out for!



All Fired Up (USA) - What did he look like?

All Fired Up has been one of the most prolific stallions that South Africa has ever seen. He was born in the USA, in 1981, which is where he also raced. He had a total of 5 wins, including the Gr 1 Arlington Washington Futurity, and a Gr 3 Juvenile Stakes race, both as a 2yo. AT 3 he has to places in stakes races. His wins ranged from 1000m to 1400m. His sire, Timeless Moment, was a 10 time winner of multiple Gr 3 races. His dam Anjelicco (by Angle Light) won 5 races.

 

 

All Fired Up was a very striking, closely coupled, 16hh red bay stallion, who had incredible presence. Many accounts of him recall his exceptional temperament, which he passed onto to many of his progeny. One of his most famous stakes winners is Golden Hoard, a 3 time Gr 1 winner here in South Africa. Golden Hoard was trained by champion trainer Mike De Kock. Other Stakes winners include: Sound Of Light (Gr 2), Irish Ranger (Gr 2), Molten Magic (Gr 3) and Supersonic Surprise (Gr3). I worked with a son of his called Burning Secret, who won 8 races (including the Germiston Consolation November Handicap, beating stable companion Hard Ball by the shortest of short heads!). Burning Secret was given a name by the stable staff, Benny McCarthy, after the then striker for the South African national football team, Bafana Bafana - apparently because he could run so fast! He had a fantastic temperament, and was an absolute pleasure to work with.

 

All Fired Up has also excelled as a broodmare sire. All in all, he stood at stud for 16 seasons, from 1986 to 2001. His very last foal, One For The Road, won 11 races, in South Africa and Mauritius. He sired 603 foals, of which 530 were runners. 329 of those runners won races, including 27 individual stakes winners and 24 stakes placed horses.

 

Winning the Gr 2 Arlington Washington Futurity as a 2yo

 

 

 

 

 

www.equilife.co.za

 

 

 



Mokaro

Mokaro was an exceptional racehorse. By Manaloj, out of a Fort Wood mare called Matumi, Mokaro was born at Mrs Oppenheimer's Mauritzfontein Stud in 2003. Over 4 seasons, he won 7 races, had 14 places, and amassed over R1.4 million in stake money, in just 33 starts. His biggest win was in the  2009 Grade 1 Canon Gold Cup 3200m at Greyville, in Durban. He also was victorious in the Grade 2 J&B Reserve Stayers, on J&B Met Day, in 2009, at Kenilworth in Cape Town. He raced in the famous black and yellow Oppenheimer silks, and was trained by Stephen Page, who is based in Cape Town.

He is now owned and ridden by Carey-Anne Radford, a prominent racing personality on the KZN racing circuit, who has taken him to the top level of Eventing, where he has excelled immensely.

Here is his story in her own words:

"I was given Mokaro through my aunt (my mother's sister), Gail Page, who works at Mauritzfontein with her husband Nigel Page. Gail had asked Mrs Oppenheimer if she would be happy if Mokaro was given a new home with me. He had been retired to the farm after racing, and had been there a year and a half relaxing. It seemed a waste of a nice horse, as he loved working and attention from people. Mrs O agreed on the grounds that if Gail was happy it was in Mokaro’s best interests to be with me where he could be kept active and he was never sold elsewhere she was happy for us to give it a try.

 

Mokaro as a racehorse: He was trained throughout his career by Stephen Page (Nigel’s brother). For Stephen he won 7 races (3 of them graded) and ran 14 places (7 of them graded) from 33 runs. His major success’s being the Gold Cup and the J&B Reserve stayers handicap which he won by 6.75L. He was also Equus champion stayer for the 2008/9 season. Mrs Oppenheimer and Stephen Page had a 1-2 in the Gold cup that year with Mokaro first and Noblewood second. Stephen says that Mokaro, like most stayers, did not show much in the early days as a racehorse but his talent showed when he was put over ground. He also described Mokaro as “portly” and he took a lot of work to keep him in shape and fit. Luckily Mokaro thrives on work and it brought out the best in him.  Mrs O had always kept a keen interest in Mokaro’s eventing success with me until she sadly passed away at the age of 92 last year. When I got Mokaro he had just turned 8, It was December 2011. His jumping talent was evident from the start as he has an incredible bascule over a jump and I was very excited about him.

 

My Riding Career: I have been able to ride since I was 5, I competed on ponies and then a Thoroughbred mare as a junior to D grade. I stopped show jumping when I was about 17, and started working in racing where I worked for Colin Lee and then Alistair Gordon and so I rode track work every morning. I took up show jumping again when I was 27 and was mildly competitive in lower grades until I was given Mokaro. I have always wanted to event, and so as Mokaro’s schooling came along, I started started Cross Country clinics with him. He took to it like a natural and loved it. From then till now, he has competed successfully right through the grades and we have completed two 2* events, both of them clear in the country and show jumping. He is also graded 1.20m in show jumping.

 

He is a clever, careful and brave horse and he has taken me to do things I would never have dreamt I was capable of doing. In the country he travels exceptionally well between his fences and trusts me to jump what I ask him to, I can honesty say there is no greater feeling than riding a horse like him. Behind every good athlete is a good coach and I must thank Heidi Caine for her inspiration and guidance with Mokaro from the start. (Heidi Caine represented South Africa in Eventing at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky).

 

Our plans for the future: I would love to compete 3* one day and I know he has what it takes, so for now I need to keep him enjoying it, confident and brave. We will keep at the 2*’s until I know I am confident enough to be  100% accurate as a rider at that level.

 

Mokaro stands about 16 and a half hands and has always been a tubby looking horse. He is sound, well put together with good comformation. His sire Manaloj was not a very successful racehorse stallion, and now stands at Callaho Warmblood Stud. On the weekends, when he isn't being a serious competition horse, he is patiently giving rides to my two small nieces in the stable yard. He is an absolute pleasure to work with in every way. He is very special to my whole family for the success he brought to the Page’s as a racehorse and the good times we have with him as a family now. He is my absolute champion."

 

Mokaro's success as both a racehorse and in his new career as a "ReTrained" OTTB Event horse, shows exactly how athletic and versatile the Thoroughbred racehorse really is! We will keep you posted on Mokaro and Carey's progress as they progress further through the grades.

 

2009 Grade 1 Canon Gold Cup 3200m Greyville

(photos courtesy of Gold Circle)

 

Cantering to the start

 

 

A victory salute from jockey Richard Fourie 

 

 

 

Trainer Stephen Page and Mrs Oppenheimer

with the rose filled Gold Cup

 

2009 Grade 2 J&B Reserve Stayers Kenilworth

 

 

In His New Career: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With his very proud out-of-racing owner, Carey-Anne Radford

 

 

Sire: Manaloj:

 

 

 

Dam Sire: Fort Wood:

 

 

 

 

 

www.equineservicessa.co.za