Rafeef Takes First Season Sire Honours

With the Australian-bred Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) capturing the South African Champion Sire title for the recently completed season, it was great to also see Australian-bred Rafeef (Redoute's Choice-National Colour, by National Assembly) has proven the best in the First Season Sire category, achieving 14 individual winners, double his nearest competitor William Longsword (Captain Al). Purchased at the 2015 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Angus Gold on behalf of Shadwell Stud for $800,000, the Arrowfield Stud-consigned colt highlighted his class with victory in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint during a stellar race career under the care of Mike de Kock. Upon his retirement from the track, the full-brother to Gr1 winner Mustaaqeem went on to stand at the Kieswetter's Ridgemont Highlands Stud farm alongside a high-class roster which included five-time Gr1 winner and former Blue Gum Farm shuttle stallion Canford Cliffs (Taglua). While the progeny of Rafeef didn't manage to win at black type level, his exciting son William Robertson finished a gallant third at Gr1 level on the final day of the season, and his 3YOs have already kicked off 2021-22 in fine style, recording a race double on just the second day of the new season.