CAPTAIN AL (SAF) 1996

CAPTAIN AL (SAF) 1996, a bay colt by AL MUFTI (USA) out of OFF TO WAR (SAF) by COMPLETE WARRIOR (USA), was bred by the Koster Bros.

He is from the 6^th crop of his sire AL MUFTI (USA) 1985, a son of the great ROBERTO (USA) 1969, winner of the 1972 Epsom Derby and an International sire of sires (please see the earlier detailed article on AL MUFTI).

CAPTAIN AL’s dam, OFF TO WAR (SAF) 1983, a 3 time winner trained by Alan Higgins for Manny Dos Santos, was by COMPLETE WARRIOR (USA) 1976, a grandson of BOLD RULER (USA) 1954. His second dam, INFANTA (SAF) 1977, a 2 time winner, was by the imported French stallion JAMAICO (FR) 1964, the sire of three Durban July Handicap winners (JAMAICAN MUSIC 1976, JAMAICAN RUMBA 1982 and GONDOLIER 1985). OFF TO WAR’s first two foals were bred in the name of Manny Dos Santos, who owned the mare prior to coming to a gentlemen’s handshake share / trade-off type arrangement with a young John Koster from the now highly successful KLAWERVLEI STUD on the mare’s future while at stud. Her first foal, MISS ILLUSION (SAF) 1989, a bay filly by FANTASY ‘N REALITY (USA) won 2 races and her second foal, WAR GATE (SAF) 1990, a bay colt by DAMASCUS GATE (USA) won 10 races. OFF TO WAR was the 2005 EQUUS BROODMARE OF THE YEAR.

For consummate trainer Vaughan Marshall, the CAPTAIN AL story actually started 4 years earlier with his ½ brother, MUSTANG MANNY (SAF) 1992 (by PRINT (GB) 1982 out of OFF TO WAR). He won 9 races in South Africa (+1 in Mauritius), including the 1996 Port Natal Handicap (1600m) Listed and the 1997 Green Point Stakes (1600m) Group 2. He also trained another ½ brother to CAPTAIN AL called KHAMSIN WIND (SAF) 1994, a bay colt by DAMASCUS GATE (USA) who won 8 races. MUSTANG MANNY, KHAMSIN WIND and CAPTAIN AL all raced in the colours of Manny Dos Santos’ sons, Gary & Anthony, after their father passed away.

CAPTAIN AL’s ½ sister, SHADOW DANCING (SAF) 2001 (by FORT WOOD (USA) 1990), won the 2004 Cape Fillies Guineas (1600m) Group 1 and the 2005 Majorca Stakes (WFA) (1600m) Group 1. She is the dam of THUNDER DANCE (SAF) 2008, a bay filly by JET MASTER (SAF) 1994, who won 6 races and had 2 places, including the 2011 TBA Paddock Stakes (WFA) (1800m) Grade 1, 2012 Laurie Jaffee Empress Club Stakes (1600m) Group 1, 3^rd in the 2011 Fillies Championship (1400m) Group 2 and 3^rd in the 2011 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas (1600m) Group 1.

CAPTAIN AL raced 17 times for 10 wins and 3 places. His wins included the following:

1999 Matchem Stakes (1400m) Group 3.
1999 Midsummer Stakes (1400m) Listed.
1999 Cape Argus Guineas (1600m) Group 1.
2000 Merchants Stakes (1200m) Group 2.
2000 WPOTA Diadem Stakes (1200m) Group 2.

To stud at KLAWERVLEI STUD as a share syndicated stallion in 2001, CAPTAIN AL’s stud career started off as spectacularly as the switching on of the Time Square Christmas lights. He was the Champion Sire Of South Africa for the 2014 / 2015 season as well as being runner up six times and 3^rd on the list on two occasions. Champion Sire Of Two Year Olds multiple times and a great broodmare sire, with still so much more to come from his daughters currently at stud. Special mention must be made of his daughter ADORABLE who is the dam of KOMMETDIEDING, winner of the 2021 Vodacom Durban July Handicap and the 2022 WSB Cape Metropolitan.

His principal winners include:

(COLTS)

CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS 9 wins, 2006 1st Jubilee Handicap (Grade 3) (1800m, 2008 1st Drum Star Handicap (Listed) (1800m), 2007 2nd Jubilee Handicap (Grade 3) (1800m), 2006 4th London News Stakes (Grade 3) (1800m).
CAPTAIN IN COMMAND 7 wins, 2004 1st Umkhomazi Stakes (Grade 3) (1450m), 2006 1st Thukela Handicap (Listed) (1600m), 2008 2nd Open Handicap (1400m), (L), R80000, 2005 3rd Matchem Stakes (Grade 3) (1400m), 2007 3rd Green Point Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1600m), 2005 4th Winter Guineas (Grade 3) (1600m).
CAPTAIN’S SECRET 7 wins, 2009 1st Sophomore Sprint (Listed) (1200m), 2009 1st Cape Classic (Grade 3) (1400m), 2010 2nd Drill Hall Stakes (Grade 2) (1400m), 2011 2nd East Cape Sprint Cup (Listed) (1200m), 2011 2nd Umgeni Handicap (Listed) (1000m), 2012 2nd August Stakes (Grade 3) (1200m), 2010 3rd The Mercury Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2011 3rd WPOTA Diadem Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1200m), 2011 3rd Cape Flying Championship (WFA) (Grade 1) (1000m), 2012 3rd Emerald Cup (Grade 2) (1450m), 2011 4th Southeaster Sprint (Listed) (1100m), 2012 4th Post Merchants (Grade 2) (1200m).
CAP ALRIGHT 9 wins, 2011 1st Southeaster Sprint (Listed) (1100m), 2012 1st Betting World Merchants (Grade 2) (1200m), 2013 1st Southeaster Sprint (Listed) (1100m), 2012 2nd In Full Flight Handicap (Listed) (1000m), 2012 3rd Diadem Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1200m), 2012 3rd Cape Flying Championship (WFA) (Grade 1) (1000m), 2013 3rd Diadem Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1200m), 2013 4th Betting World Merchants (Grade 2) (1200m).
HILL FIFTY FOUR 7 wins, 2012 1st Algoa Cup (Grade 3) (2000m), 2012 1st Peninsula Handicap (Grade 2) (1800m), 2013 1st J&B Metropolitan (2000m), 2011 2nd Winter Classic (Grade 3) (1800m), 2012 2nd J&B Metropolitan (2000m), 2013 2nd Premier Trophy (Grade 2) (1800m), 2011 3rd Tekkie Town Winter Derby (Grade 3) (2400m), 2012 3rd Drill Hall Stakes (Grade 2) (1400m), 2013 4th Peninsula Handicap (Grade 2) (1800m).
BARBOSA 9 wins, 2015 1st Umgeni Handicap (Listed) (1000m), 2013 2nd In Full Flight Handicap (Listed) (1100m), 2015 3rd Computaform Sprint (Grade 1) (1000m), 2016 3rd Tsogo Sun Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2015 4th Umgeni Handicap (Listed) (1000m).
CAPTAIN AMERICA 10 wins, 2014 1st Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1) (1600m), 2015 1st Green Point Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1600m), 2016 1st Matchem Stakes (Grade 3) (1400m), 2016 1st Rising Sun Gold Challenge (Grade 1) (1600m), 2017 1st Champions Cup (Grade 1) (1800m), 2013 2nd Grand Parade Cape Guineas (1600m), 2013 2nd Investec Cape Derby (Grade 1) (2000m), 2015 2nd Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1) (1600m), 2016 2nd L’ormarins Queen’s Plate (WFA) (Grade 1) (1600m), 2016 2nd Champions Cup (Grade 1) (1800m), 2013 3rd KRA Guineas (Grade 2) (1600m), 2015 3rd J & B Met (Grade 1) (2000m), 2016 3rd Green Point Stakes (Grade 2) (1600m), 2016 3rd Sun Met (Grade 1) (2000m), 2017 3rd Green Point Stakes (Grade 2) (1600m), 2017 3rd L’ormarins Queen’s Plate (WFA) (Grade 1) (1600m), 2013 4th Daily News 2000 (Grade 1) (2000m), 2014 4th Green Point Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1600m), 2015 4th L’ormarins Queen’s Plate (WFA) (Grade 1) (1600m), 2017 4th Rising Sun Gold Challenge (Grade 1) (1600m).
CAPTAIN OF ALL 7 wins, 2012 1st Tsogo Sun Medallion (Grade 1) (1200m), 2014 1st Diadem Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1200m), 2014 1st Golden Horse Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2014 1st The Mercury Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2014 2nd Cape Flying Championship (WFA) (Grade 1) (1000m), 2012 3rd Golden Horseshoe (Grade 1) (1400m), 2014 3rd Computaform Sprint (Grade 1) (1000m).
SERGEANT HARDY 8 wins, 2015 1st Summer Juvenile Stakes (Listed) (1000m), 2015 1st Cape Of Good Hope Nursery (Grade 3) (1200m), 2017 1st Southeaster Sprint (Listed) (1100m), 2017 1st Betting World Cape Flying Championship (WFA) (Grade 1) (1000m), 2017 3rd Diadem Stakes (Grade 2) (1200m), 2015 4th Somerset 1200 (Listed) (1200m).
WILLIAM LONGSWORD 6 wins, 2016 1st Cape Guineas (Grade 1) (1600m).
KASIMIR 11 wins, 2018 1st Cape Merchants (Grade 2) (1200m), 2018 1st Betting World Cape Flying Championship (1000m), 2018 1st Diadem Stakes (Grade 2) (1200m), 2018 1st The Mercury Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2019 1st Diadem Stakes (Grade 2) (1200m), 2020 1st Matchem Stakes (Grade 3) (1400m), 2020 1st Pinnacle Stakes (1200m), 2020 1st Post Merchants (Grade 2) (1200m), 2016 2nd Summer Juvenile Stakes (Listed) (1000m), 2016 2nd Somerset 1200 (Listed) (1200m), 2019 2nd Drill Hall Stakes (Grade 2) (1400m), 2019 3rd Cape Flying Championship (WFA) (Grade 1) (1000m), 2019 3rd Golden Horse Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2018 4th Post Merchants (Grade 2) (1200m).
TAP O’ NOTH 4 wins, 2016 1st Langerman (Listed) (1500m), 2017 1st Cape Classic (Grade 3) (1400m), 2017 1st Cape Guineas (Grade 1) (1600m), 2019 2nd Western Cape Stayers (Grade 2) (2800m), 2017 3rd Guineas (Grade 2) (1600m), 2017 3rd Daily News 2000 (Grade 1) (2000m), 2017 4th Champions Cup (Grade 1) (1800m), 2018 4th Matchem Stakes (Grade 3) (1400m), 2018 4th Premier Trophy (Grade 2) (1800m).
UNDERCOVER AGENT 7 wins (+1 win in Mauritius), 2017 1st Byerley Turk (Grade 3) (1400m), 2017 1st Rising Sun Gold Challenge (Grade 1) (1600m), 2018 1st Drill Hall Stakes (Grade 2) (1400m), 2017 2nd Cape Classic (Grade 3) (1400m), 2017 2nd Drill Hall Stakes (Grade 2) (1400m), 2017 2nd Champions Cup (Grade 1) (1800m), 2018 2nd Green Point Stakes (Grade 2) (1600m), 2019 3rd Matchem Stakes (Grade 3) (1400m), 2018 4th Sun Met (Grade 1) (2000m), 2018 4th Tsogo Sun Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m).
ONE WORLD 10 wins, 2017 1st Langerman (Listed) (1500m), 2018 1st Concorde Cup (Grade 2) (1600m), 2018 1st Winter Guineas (Grade 3) (1600m), 2019 1st Matchem Stakes (Grade 3) (1400m), 2019 1st Sun Met (Grade 1) (2000m), 2018 2nd Winter Classic (Grade 3) (1800m), 2019 2nd WSB Green Point Stakes (Grade 2) (1600m), 2019 2nd L’ormarins Queen’s Plate (WFA) (Grade 1) (1600m), 2018 3rd Cape Guineas (Grade 1) (1600m).
ERIK THE RED 6 wins, 2019 1st Summer Juvenile Stakes (Listed) (1000m), 2019 1st Cape Of Good Hope Nursery (Grade 3) (1200m), 2019 1st Somerset 1200 (Listed) (1200m), 2020 1st Umkhomazi Stakes (Grade 2) (1200m), 2020 1st Cape Merchants (Grade 2) (1200m), 2019 3rd Golden Horseshoe (Grade 2) (1400m), 2019 4th Golden Horse Medallion (Grade 1) (1200m).
MALMOOS 7 wins, 2020 1st Graham Beck Stakes (Grade 3) (1400m), 2020 1st Concorde Cup (Grade 2) (1600m), 2020 1st Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) (1600m), 2020 1st SA Classic (Grade 1) (1800m), 2020 1st SA Derby (Grade 1) (2450m), 2020 TRIPLE CROWN winner.

(FILLIES)

CAPTAIN’S LOVER 5 wins SAF, 1 win France, 1 win USA, 2007 1st Odessa Stud Fillies Championship (Grade 2) (1400m), 2007 1st Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas (Grade 1) (1600m), 2008 1st Prix Du Pin (1400m), Grade 3, 2009 1st Vinery Matchmaker Stakes (1800m), (Listed), 2007 2nd Diana Stakes (WFA) (Grade 3) (1400m), 2007 3rd TBA Paddock Stakes (WFA) (Grade 1) (1800m), 2009 3rd Miss Liberty Stakes (1700m), (Listed), 2009 4th Beldame Stakes (1800m), Grade 1.
CAPTAIN’S GAL 9 wins, 2008 1st Syringa Handicap (Listed) (1600m), 2009 1st Flamboyant Stakes (Grade 3) (1600m), 2009 1st Camellia Stakes (Grade 2) (1160m), 2009 1st South African Fillies Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2009 2nd Johannesburg Spring F&M Challenge (Listed) (1450m), 2008 3rd Goldfields Sprint (Listed) (1200m), 2008 3rd Tibouchina Stakes (Grade 2) (1450m), 2009 3rd Ipi Tombe Challenge (Grade 2) (1600m), 2008 4th Three Troikas Stakes (Grade 3) (1450m), 2009 4th The Mercury Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m).
DANCE WITH AL 6 wins, 2009 1st Southern Cross Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1000m), 2010 1st Betting World Merchants (Grade 2) (1200m), 2008 2nd Lady’s Pendant (Listed) (1200m), 2008 2nd KRA Fillies Guineas (Grade 2) (1600m), 2010 2nd Sceptre Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1200m), 2010 2nd Poinsettia Stakes (Grade 3) (1200m), 2011 2nd Champagne Stakes (WFA) (Grade 3) (1200m), 2009 3rd WPOTA Diadem Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1200m), 2009 3rd Sceptre Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1200m), 2009 3rd Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1) (1600m), 2010 3rd Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1) (1600m), 2011 4th Klawervlei Majorca Stakes (WFA) (Gr 1) (1600m).
TOWNSEND 5 wins, 2009 1st Stormsvlei Mile (Listed) (1600m), 2009 1st Odessa Stud Championship (Grade 2) (1400m), 2010 1st Diana Stakes (WFA) (Grade 3) (1400m), 2009 2nd Sweet Chestnut Fillies Stakes (Listed) (1400m).
EMERALD COVE 5 wins, 2009 1st Irridescence Stakes (Listed) (1500m), 2010 1st TBA Paddock Stakes (WFA) (Grade 1) (1800m), 2010 2nd Odessa Stud Championship (Grade 2) (1400m), 2010 2nd Woolavington 2000 (Grade 1) (2000m), 2010 2nd Gold Bracelet (Grade 2) (2000m), 2011 2nd Jet Master Stakes (1600m), 2010 3rd Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas (Grade 1) (1600m), 2009 4th Perfect Promise Fillies Sprint (Listed) (1200m), 2010 4th Klawervlei Majorca Stakes (WFA) (Gr 1) (1600m).
FRAGRANT AL 5 wins, 2010 1st Ibhayi Stakes (Listed) (1400m), 2010 1st Olympic Duel Stakes (Listed) (1200m), 2010 1st Tibouchina Stakes (Grade 2) (1450m), 2009 2nd Golden Slipper (Grade 1) (1450m), 2010 3rd Sweet Chestnut Stakes (Listed) (1400m).
TRINITY HOUSE 5 wins, 2010 1st Perfect Promise Fillies Sprint (Listed) (1200m), 2010 1st Kenilworth Fillies Nursery (Grade 3) (1200m), 2011 1st Umzimkhulu Stakes (Gr 3) (1400m), 2011 2nd Fillies Championship (Grade 2) (1400m), 2011 2nd Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas (Grade 1) (1600m), 2011 2nd Sceptre Stakes (WFA) (Grade 2) (1200m), G2, R200000.
ALL IS SECRET 6 wins, 2011 1st Allan Robertson Championship (Grade 1) (1200m), 2011 1st Thekwini Stakes (Grade 1) (1600m), 2012 1st Choice Carriers Championship (Grade 2) (1400m), 2012 1st Poinsettia Stakes (Grade 3) (1200m), 2012 1st The Mercury Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2011 2nd The Debutante (Grade 2) (1200m), 2012 2nd Sceptre Stakes (Grade 2) (1200m), 2013 2nd Kwazulu-Natal Stakes (Listed) (1000m), 2012 4th Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas (Grade 1) (1600m), 2012 4th South African Fillies Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m).
CARRY ON ALICE 11 wins, 2013 1st SA Nursery (Grade 1) (1160m), 2014 1st Man O’ War Sprint (Grade 3) (1100m), 2014 1st South African Fillies Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2015 1st Southern Cross Stakes (WFA) (1000m), 2015 1st Computaform Sprint (Grade 1) (1000m), 2016 1st Betting World Cape Flying Championship (WFA) (Grade 1) (1000m), 2016 1st South African Fillies Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2013 2nd Tsogo Sun Medallion (Grade 1) (1200m), 2013 2nd Thekwini Stakes (Grade 1) (1600m), 2014 2nd Computaform Sprint (Grade 1) (1000m), 2014 2nd The Mercury Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2015 2nd Gardenia Stakes (Listed) (1000m), 2016 2nd Southern Cross Stakes (Grade 2) (1000m), 2016 2nd Sceptre Stakes (Grade 2) (1200m), 2013 3rd Pretty Polly Stakes (Grade 3) (1100m), 2014 3rd Ipi Tombe Challenge (Grade 2) (1600m), 2014 3rd Cape Flying Championship (WFA) (Grade 1) (1000m), 2015 3rd Betting World Cape Flying Championship (WFA) (Grade 1) (1000m), 2016 3rd Computaform Sprint (Grade 1) (1000m).
PINE PRINCESS 5 wins, 2014 1st Yellowwood Handicap (Grade 3) (1800m), 2014 1st SA Oaks (Grade 1) (2450m), 2013 2nd Devon Air Stakes (Listed) (1450m), 2014 2nd Ipi Tombe Challenge (Grade 2) (1600m), 2014 2nd Woolavington 2000 (Grade 1) (2000m), 2013 3rd Golden Slipper (Grade 1) (1400m), 2014 4th Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes (WFA) (Grade 1) (1800m), 2014 4th SA Fillies Classic (Grade 1) (1800m).
THE SECRET IS OUT 6 wins, 2015 1st Strelitzia Stakes (Grade 3) (1100m), 2015 1st Allan Robertson Championship (Grade 1) (1200m), 2016 1st Poinsettia Stakes (Grade 3) (1200m), 2017 1st Tibouchina Stakes (Grade 2) (1400m), 2016 3rd South African Fillies Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2017 3rd Poinsettia Stakes (Grade 3) (1200m), 2017 4th South African Fillies Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m).
SNOWDANCE 5 wins, 2017 1st WCF Championship (Grade 2) (1400m), 2017 1st WSB Fillies Guineas (Grade 1) (1600m), 2017 1st Klawervlei Majorca Stakes (WFA) (Grade 1) (1600m), 2017 2nd Fillies Guineas (Grade 2) (1600m), 2017 2nd Rising Sun Gold Challenge (Grade 1) (1600m), 2017 2nd Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1) (1600m), 2018 2nd South African Fillies Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2018 3rd Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1) (1600m), 2018 4th The Mercury Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m).
CELTIC SEA 12 wins, 2017 1st Pretty Polly Stakes (Grade 3) (1100m), 2017 1st Golden Slipper (Grade 2) (1400m), 2018 1st South African Fillies Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2018 1st Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1) (1600m), 2019 1st Sceptre Stakes (Grade 2) (1200m), 2019 1st South African Fillies Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2020 1st Southern Cross Stakes (Grade 2) (1000m), 2020 1st Sceptre Stakes (Grade 2) (1200m), 2017 2nd Allan Robertson Championship (Grade 1) (1200m), 2018 2nd The Mercury Sprint (Grade 1) (1200m), 2019 2nd Majorca Stakes (WFA) (Grade 1) (1600m), 2019 2nd Garden Province Stakes (Grade 1) (1600m), 2018 3rd Gauteng Fillies Guineas (Grade 2) (1600m), 2020 3rd Cape Flying Championship (WFA) (Grade 1) (1000m), 2017 4th S A Fillies Nursery (Grade 2) (1160m), 2018 4th Tony Ruffel Stakes (Grade 3) (1400m).
CAPTAIN’S RANSOM 10 wins, 2019 1st Perfect Promise Sprint (Listed) (1200m), 2020 1st Diana Stakes (Grade 3) (1400m), 2020 1st Cape Fillies Guineas (Grade 1) (1600m), 2020 1st Majorca Stakes (WFA) (Grade 1) (1600m), 2020 1st Fillies Guineas (Grade 2) (1600m), 2021 1st Diana Stakes (Grade 3) (1400m), 2021 1st Paddock Stakes (WFA) (Grade 1) (1800m), 2021 1st Majorca Stakes (WFA) (Grade 1) (1600m), 2019 2nd Irridescence Stakes (Listed) (1500m).

CAPTAIN AL is one of 5 sons of AL MUFTI to have stood at stud in SOUTH AFRICA. He is on record as having 6 of his own sons take their place at stud here, including CAPTAIN OF ALL (sire of LINEBACKER) & WILLIAM LONGSWORD standing at KLAWERVLEI STUD, ONE WORLD at DRAKENSTEIN STUD, ERIK THE RED at VARSFONTEIN STUD and the very exciting new stallion recruit MALMOOS, who will stand at RIDGEMONT HIGHLANDS. As a South African bred stallion, CAPTAIN AL is in the strongest position yet in the history of any of the other successful and dominant South African bred stallions at stud here, where there is potential and a real chance of seeing their sire line successfully extended for generations to come.

He was at stud from 2001 until 2017 and has produced 104 Stakes Winners (25 of them at Group 1 level) to date. He was sadly humanely euthanized after post laminitis surgery complications on the 12^th July 2017 at almost 21 years old. A truly amazing stallion who has done so much for the South African Stud Book and there is no reason why he will not continue to do so for generations to come.

Fittingly KLAWERVLEI STUD has had the great horse immortalised by way of a fabulous plinthed statue of him at the stud created by the super talented R. ROBIN KUTINYU.