The Gareth van Zyl-trained Grade 1 winner Vernichey (Klawervlei Stud and Birch Bros-bred) has been sold to the same Australian owner and breeder who bought Missisippi Burning (Rathmor Stud) and the latter, having arrived in the UK, will be covered by the top European stallion Kingman.

Meanwhile, Van Zyl, who comes off his best ever season, said he would be chasing the KZN Championship this term and he outlined a possible route for his top horse She’s A Keeper (Gimmethegreenlight), who is currently enjoying a well deserved rest on the farm.

Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Vernichey (Vercingetorix) will only be able to depart the country next February, so although she has been bought for stud purposes she might still have one or two more runs in South Africa.

The buyer insisted the Vercingetorix four-year-old filly be sent to the African Horse Sickness Free Zone as soon as possible, so she has consequently joined the Milnerton yard of Adam Marcus, who was the trainer of Missisippi Burning (Captain Al).

The travel schedule might allow her to line up in the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship.

She was an unlucky fifth in last season’s Grade 1 Computaform Sprint, when taken out by the winner Rio Querari just as she was moving into contention.

Missisippi Burning is a dual Guineas winner, having won the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth before returning from a six month layoff to win the Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Kingman was the European Horse Of The Year and Champion Three-year-old colt in 2014, having won four Group 1s over a mile that season in three different countries, including the Royal Ascot meeting’s St. James Palace Stakes.

He is a Juddmonte Farm stallion and his success, despite not receiving the same quality of mares as his colleague Frankel, sees him now commanding a cover fee of 150,000 pounds for a Northern Hemisphere-timed mating. Missisippi Burning will be covered to Southern Hemisphere time, which is apparently done at a lower fee.

Meanwhile, Van Zyl said he had not yet discussed a route for She’s A Keeper with the owners but said she would likely be heading for the Cape Summer Season.

In her last start she romped home by four lengths in the Gold Bracelet over 2000m on Marshalls World Of Sports Gold Cup day, her sixth win in eight starts and second Grade 2 victory, and she was consequently raised to a 116 merit rating.

Van Zyl said, “Her July run flattened us a bit but her last run gave us hope again. It looks unlikely she is a Group 1 horse against colts and gelding but looks to be one against her own gender, so we will stick to fillies and mares races.”

Van Zyl was disappointed by Gallic Chief’s last start but hoped this Grade 1 Gold Medallion third-placed gelding by Vercingetorix could bounce back.

Van Zyl earned the most stakes of any trainer in KZN last season and his 47 winners was just seven behind the return of KZN champion trainer Garth Puller.

He took out his license in 2016, having learnt the ropes as assistant to his father Gavin.

His aim is to produce Graded winners and he has gained a reputation for his ability to peak them at the right time.

Picture: VERNICHEY (Candiese Lenferna Photography).