Unbeaten 2yo colt War Room (Judpot) will continue to do his future racing overseas after being sold to an undisclosed Asian interest in an exciting deal brokered by Justin Vermaak of Vermaak Equine.
Making his debut at Turffontein in December, the Paul Peter-trained colt highlighted his class with a three-quarter length victory before emphasising his ability with a stunning six and a half length win at his next start at the Vaal.
Third time out, the Ndoro Stud-bred colt tackled the Listed Storm Bird Stakes at Turffontein, and after his two prior victories started a warm favourite despite the fact he was conceding weight to each of his five rivals.
Taking the prize by a length and a half margin, in a time of 56.98 over the 1000m, the colt’s performance highlighted his capabilities to an international audience.
While thrilled to be able to facilitate the purchase of War Room, Vermaak laments just what the exportation process is doing to South Africa’s ability to further globalise its outstanding product.
“We all understand that exportation process from South Africa is arduous, and sometimes unfathomable, but it’s a great show of faith in South African thoroughbreds by our buyer, considering the fact that it takes 4 months for the horse to get to the United Kingdom via Mauritius,” stated Vermaak.
“But for some unknown reason, horses going to Dubai only have to do 30 days residency in the UK, while horses traveling to Hong Kong only have to do 60 days, but horses going to Singapore have to do 90 days residency in the UK, while horses going to Australia have to do 6 months.”
“It’s just mind boggling that there’s such a wide variance of times required for different export destinations, but for our client to purchase War Room, it shows his belief in the ability of not only the colt, but also in the South African thoroughbred.”
“Along with outlay of expenses needed and the time frame to get the horses to it’s destination, it continues to highlight that we have the ability to produce thoroughbreds of the highest order that are desired internationally.”
Set to depart South Africa in the next shipment to Mauritius at the end of June, or early July, War Room will not race again in South Africa.
In recent weeks we’ve seen South African-bred highlight their class internationally with the likes of Chefano (Silvano) winning the G3 The Queen Mother Memorial Cup at Hong Kong’s Sha Tin racecourse before finishing second to Hong Kong’s Champion Stayer Exultant in the HK$10m G1 The Standard Chartered Champions And Chater Cup at his start.
“Having previously sold Viva Rio to interests in Hong Kong, and now with War Room also being purchased by Asian interests, I’m confident that once international clients get a taste of success by our bloodstock, they’ll be back to make further purchases, continuing to highlight the ability of the the South African thoroughbred on the world stage.”
