The remarkable Lance filly Quid Pro Quo, sired by the Jet Master stallion Lance, is carving out a legacy for owner and breeder Gerald Kalil, who has enjoyed great success in racing and breeding, but has achieved the ultimate accolade of breeding his first Grade 1 winner and giving her sire, her trainer and breeder all a series of firsts as Gr1 winners.
As owners the Kalil’s had achieved Gr1 Mercury Sprint success with the purchased son of Pathfork Pearl Of Asia (a R35 000 purchase off the 2018 KZN Yearling Sale), but this filly trained by the astute pedigree buff Barend Botes, is a special one as Gerald has much of the family at stud, and from a promising young foal to a history-making champion has been nothing short of extraordinary. Barend Botes trained her dam Delightfull Diva for the Kalil’s, a five-time winner who placed approximately 15 times. Her daughters Daring Diva and Queen Diva (both by King Of Kings), half sisters to Quid Pro Quo, reside at Summerhill Equestrian and continue the dynasty for the Kalil family. Gerald Kalil was heard on stage whilst receiving his trophy for the Gr2 World Pool With Gold Circle Debutante, “she is building the [catalogue] page”.
Quid Pro Quo’s full sister Dee Dee’s Delight was offered at the recent July KZN Yearling Sale, and knocked down to Sterling Miller of Pound Bloodstock for R340 000. Quid Pro Quo herself was offered on the KZN Yearling Sale in the previous year, and Gerald bought her back for just R60 000.
Out of Delightfull Diva (The Sheik), she is the last foal on offer from the mare, who was humanely euthanised due to the infirmities of old age. The pedigree is reminiscent of Scott Bros – the mare by The Sheik is out of a Sapieha mare Delightful Miss, in turn out of a Jabal Tarik mare. Delightfull Diva left behind six winners; amongst them Daring Diva (King of Kings) a 3-time winner including the Listed Ruffian Stakes and placed in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery – clearly no slouch. She is a fitting South African Thoroughbred success story – the three stallions in her first two generations are all locally born and raised.
Quid Pro Quo debuted at the Vaal in January this year to finish second over 1000m, and finished second in her next start – her first race in KZN after Barend relocated his yard to Summerveld from the Vaal. She finished second to Just Reckless that day, a winner earlier on World Pool Gold Cup day where she clinched the Gr2 The World Pool With Gold Circle Debutante, and is a very smart filly with good Black Type Gauteng form and who won the Gr3 Tabgold Strelitzia Stakes in April this year.
Quid Pro Quo has gone on to improve with each race, winning five races in a row and etching herself in the KZN Champions Season history books, having won the unofficial juvenile triple tiara – first the Gr1 Allan Robertson, followed by the Gr2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper and making it official in Sundays Gr1 Douglas Whyte Thekweni Stakes over 1600m.
There was an audible gasp on course when it was announced that Quid Pro Quo had lost her shoe en route to the start. A quick consultation with her trainer Barend before the race saw a decision made to remove both of her front shoes before the race. It never hindered her – S’manga Khumalo switched her in as the field entered the straight to join Fatal Flaw, racing head-and-head for a few strides, with Quid Pro Quo finally getting the upper hand to win well in her first race over a mile.
A small irony in her name, that Quid Pro Quo, in the process rewarded her groom with a R100 000 prize on offer from the Hong Kong Jockey Club for capturing THE WORLD POOL MOMENT OF THE DAY, an initiative introduced last year to reward the Grooms. Quid Pro Quo’s groom, Asithandile Mgadeni, said that even though the filly finished second in her first two starts, she never ran a bad race.
Smanga Khumalo has stuck with the filly for four of her last five starts. These stellar performances have made her a prime candidate for the Equus Award Champion 2YO Filly, a fitting recognition for her outstanding achievements.
Raised at Summerhill Equestrian for Gerald and Karen Kalil, she is a daughter of Lance who relocated last season to Leon Lotz’ Heuningsfontein Stud. Lance won three races including the Secretariat Stakes (L) (1400m) from only six starts.
Lance, a handsome son of Jet Master and a half brother to Liege, injured himself in training and was retired prematurely as a result. His first year started off just three runners but two winners. He has averaged just three runners a year since, this past season being his best with five runners and 7 wins to date, averaging 60% winners to runners and 12 places to date.
in 2021 his son Kuuma (MR 94) finished second to Dyce in the Gr2 Epol Umkhomazi Stakes, retiring with three wins and 10 stakes cheques earned. Silver Tudor (MR 90), a full sibling to winner Voltron, won the Monaco Sport of Kings Charity Maiden Sprint for a stake of R300 000 and Sea Shanty gave former Champion Jockey turned Trainer Mark Khan, his first winner in his new profession.
Lance will be standing for an advertised fee of R5000 live foal for the season. Out of Lyrical Linda by Jallad, his full brother was Lockheed Star and his half brother is Gr1 Summer Cup winner Liege. It is the family of Uncle Tommy and Rebel King, Big Swinger and Golden Taipan.
Gerald Kalil is enjoying a tremendous run as a breeder. His stats read for the current season 9 runners, 5 winners with 9 wins, 26 places and 55% Black Type.
So where to from here for the star daughter of Lance? Karen Kalil advises that the filly will be enjoying a well deserved holiday at Al Khayl Pretraining before planning a possible mission to Gauteng for the season coming up.
Watch the race:
20240728 Hollywoodbets Greyville Race 4 won by QUID PRO QUO
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.
Images and text // Candiese Lenferna
