The script could not have been written better for Ridgemont, sponsoring the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes for the third year in a row and achieving an exacta result in the process, as the brave and Gr1 deserving Humdinger crossed the finish line ahead of another Ridgemont bred, Happy Chance in the colours of the Hollywood Syndicate.
Humdinger, a daughter of What A Winter owned by Joao De Mata’s International Racing Club in partnership with trainer Mike de Kock, has been the most consistent sort and always puts her hand up in the finish. From her last six starts she has finished second 4 times, including the likes of Gimme A Nother (Gr1) and Double Grand Slam (Gr2). Under another tactful ride from pace master Piere Strydom, she got home to win by an official .15 of a length from Happy Chance (Dynasty).
It was the first Gr1 win for a visibly moved Joao De Mata, a passionate owner who heads up Glistian Events, a syndicate that is doing much to attract potential owners to the game and who recently held a successful and out of the box thinking ‘naming ceremony’ for one of their yearlings at Turffontein racecourse that saw every seat filled in the room.
Humdinger’s winning connections on stage with their silverware. Images: Candiese Lenferna
The Kieswetter’s Ridgemont South Africa are thriving this season with over 51% winners to runners, and will be standing multiple Gr1 sprint champ Thunderstruck for the new season.
Humdinger, a R180 000 purchase off the 2020 National 2YO Sale, is a half brother to 6-time winner Brass Bell and a full-sister to East Cape-based stakes winner and 2021/22 season award-winner Glacier Gold. She has now won 8 races with 15 places from 33 starts for earnings of R2 384 375.
Ridgemont enjoyed a successful July day, following up with Cafe Culture in the Gr2 Post Merchants, immediately after the running of the Garden Province. The Var sired gelding gave Lucinda Woodruff her first Graded Stakes winner, owned by Messrs Drew and Fullard, and ridden by Richard Fourie.
Congratulations to Ridgemont and the winning connections.
Watch the race:
20240706 Hollywoodbets Greyville Race 8 won by HUMDINGER
This channel features race replays from the most recent horse racing event in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, at Hollywoodbets Greyville, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, Hollywoodbets Durbanville or Hollywoodbets Scottsville, as well as interviews with jockeys, trainers, and owners immediately after the race.
