Drakenstein Stud continues to rack up Stakes winners this season, with King Pelles (by Duke Of Marmalade) becoming the latest to add to their impressive tally. His victory in the Gr3 TOTE Derby over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville marked Drakenstein’s 27th Stakes win of the season.

His dam, Grail Maiden, a daughter of Galileo, joins the ranks of elite broodmares, having produced three Graded Stakes winners and a Gr1 runner up with her daughter, Railtrip. Her previous stars include Hero’s Honour (bred by Summerhill Stud) and the more recent Legend Of Arthur — both notably winners of the Gr1 SA Derby.

Trained by Gareth van Zyl and ridden by Smanga Khumalo, King Pelles was a R475,000 purchase off the 2022 National Yearling Sale. At the 2024 Nationals, Grail Maiden’s Lancaster Bomber colt, beautifully named Trip To Camelot, fetched R5.25-million and was knocked down to Sandy Arundel.

King Pelles, owned in partnership by Lucky Vest 12 CC (Nom: Mr Ravi Padayachee), Messrs D.D. MacLean, G.J. Player and N.V. Parmanand, beat Holding Thumbs and Field Marshal to secure the win, leading from start to finish with Holding Thumbs stalking him until the finish. Now a five-time winner, he previously defeated Holding Thumbs at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when taking the Gr3 Glorious Goodwood Chairman’s Cup and has also placed in the Gr3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers.

According to NHRA records, Grail Maiden produced a Master Of My Fate filly in 2023 named Vivien, and visited Fire Away in 2024.

Well done to all concerned.

Text and images: Candiese Lenferna

Watch the race:

20250614 Hollywoodbets Scottsville Race 7 won by KING PELLES

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.