It’s official – Cape star mare Clouds Unfold, a dual winner of the Gr1 Majorca Stakes in a top-class track career, has run her last race and will retire to the serene paddocks of her birthplace, Drakenstein Stud.
Candice Bass-Robinson’s champion chestnut was a racing public favourite, winning nine of her twenty starts for earnings of close on R2,9 million.
Clouds Unfold pictured after she won on debut at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate festival in 2018. Image: Candiese Lenferna
Her career highlights have to be her consecutive Gr1 Majorca Stakes victories, and she was only thwarted by the youthful star quality of Snaith’s Cape Fillies Guineas winner Captain’s Ransom when bidding to register what would have been a historic Majorca hat-trick at her penultimate start on Met Day this year.
Clouds Unfold failed to bring her A-game to the track on Cape Derby day last month and finished downfield at what would turn out to be her swansong. The Gr3 Prix Du Cap was won, coincidentally, in smashing style by her 3yo stablemate Zarina.
Candice told the Sporting Post that the daughter of What A Winter was ‘a very special filly’.
“She had an exponential influence on me at the start of my career as a trainer. She is the best of have trained and it’s been very emotional to see her go – but I am also really looking forward to her stud career. I am most grateful and fortunate to Drakenstein Stud for entrusting these fillies’ racing careers with me. Clouds will always have a very special place in my heart.”
Clouds Unfold. Image: Candiese Lenferna
The Drakenstein Stud-bred Clouds Unfold enjoyed the distinction of being a first Gr1 winner for treble Equus champion sprinter and Bass stable favourite, What A Winter (Western Winter).
She certainly has the blood, looks and racetrack CV to make an impact at stud.
Clouds Unfold is out of Montelissima, a Montjeu half-sister to Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes winner Arria and Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes third Pivotal Pursuit. Her second dam Issa is a full-sister to unbeaten Yorkshire Oaks winner Catchascatchcan, dam of Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and former Highlands Stud sire Antonius Pius.
