Warwick and Karin Render of Bush Hill Stud would have been celebrating on Saturday evening after not only achieving a double at Turffontein, but another Gr1 winner for the Mooi River farm after Purple Pitcher (New Predator) won the TAB SA CLASSIC (Grade 1) over 1800m under Hollywoodbets Durban July winning jockey Kabelo Matsunyane, and give trainer Robyn Klaasen her first Gr1 winner of her young training career and a possible tilt at winning the Triple Crown in a few weeks time.
A half brother to Gr3 winner Miss Daisy (Crusade), both aforementioned horses owned by passionate race goer Mr ‘Stincky’ Pooe as he is fondly known, Purple Pitcher (which Karin Render explained is a flower in keeping with the theme of his dams name, Heliantha) turned the tables on the mighty Sandringham Summit to win by almost a length, making it his sixth victory to date.
Bush Hill Stud have enjoyed a stellar season with an AEPR of R61,368 and R3,498,000 in stakes earned; they are currently sitting 12th on the National breeders Log and Purple Pitcher has given them a Gr2 and a Gr3 win this season. This is Bush Hill Stud’s fourth Gr1 winner bred to date – they enjoyed past Grade 1 successes with the likes of Wolf Whistle, Zirconeum and Stellite.
They kick started their day by giving trainer Mark Khan his first winner from his first runner, Sea Shanty – a son of Lance (who recently relocated to Heuningsfontein Stud) out of The Black Pearl by National Emblem.
Karin and Warwick Render. Image: Candiese Lenferna
An astute purchase by Mr Pooe, Purple Pitcher was purchased from the 2022 KZN Yearling Sale where he sold for R170 000, and has earned R1,755 000 in stakes to date. Out of a Count Dubois mare Heliantha, she is a half sister to Gr2 winner Wild Aster, and it is the family of Eyes Wide Open, Alastor and National Flame.
The only son of Epsom Derby winner New Approach to stand at stud in South Africa, dual Gr2 winner New Predator began his stud career at Bush Hill Stud before relocating to Blue Sky Thoroughbreds for a short period of time. After making an immediate impression with his two year olds who began lighting up the tracks straight away, a decision was made to relocate New Predator to Ridgemont where he unfortunately passed away shortly thereafter in a paddock accident.
New Predator left a good impression from his numbers covered, and buyers should scoop them up whilst he still has babies available in the next couple of sale seasons on offer. He produces an excellent type, a workmanlike thoroughbred with an honest head, good bone and substantial muscle tone.
Look for the BSA National Yearling Sales catalogue which will be coming soon.
Watch the race:
Racing Today on Twitter: “Race 7 #turffontein || PURPLE PITCHER (New Predator – Heliantha) has won the TAB SA CLASSIC for trainer @RobynKlaasen64 and ridden to victory by @Kabelo735, congratulations to winning owner Mr S S Pooe and bred by @BushHillStud. pic.twitter.com/T05HmgzoWK / Twitter”
Race 7 #turffontein || PURPLE PITCHER (New Predator – Heliantha) has won the TAB SA CLASSIC for trainer @RobynKlaasen64 and ridden to victory by @Kabelo735, congratulations to winning owner Mr S S Pooe and bred by @BushHillStud. pic.twitter.com/T05HmgzoWK
