Cousin Casey’s boom sire Vercingetorix, an Equus champion racehorse of his time, stands his tenth season and is well on his way to being crowned national champion, while the new champion’s Dad Silvano (Lomitas) was a champion globetrotting racehorse of his time, and a multiple champion sire here.
Cousin Casey’s dam Bretton Woods is a full-sister to Equus Champion and Durban July winner, Big City Life.
The Equus Champion 2yo colt of his year, Cousin Casey raced to the age of 5 this season, and had one start, whereafter he was injured and retired to stud.
Rated 125 at peak, Cousin Casey won 5 races (1 x Gr1, 2 x Gr2, 1 x L) from 1400m to a mile, with 13 places, and earned over R3,6 million.
He ran one of his greatest races in defeat, when beaten just 0,30 lengths by Oriental Charm in the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2200m), when conceding 3 kgs to the winner.
Passionate owner Ravi Naidoo, who campaigned the popular champion under his Kalinga brand, is being assisted by Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe and Freeman Stallions’, John Freeman.
Ravi told the Sporting Post that he was grateful and privileged that Cousin Casey would stand under a yellow and black flag at Mauritzfontein.
“Hallowed ground steeped in legend and history. I must express my gratitude to Steven and Jessica Jell,” he added.
There are 40 shares for sale at R80 000 plus vat each, and shareholders will enjoy double nominations for the first four years.
John Freeman has reported multiple share sales, since the news broke of Cousin Casey’s second phase career move late this week.
Cousin Casey’s service fee is set at R10 000, with a deposit of R2 000 and R8 000 at live foal.
The son of Vercingetorix’ new home Mauritzfontein has a long and impressive history, and has churned out stars of the turf for decades.
Having operated previously as a remount station for the British Army during the Boer War, Mauritzfontein was bought by Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer in 1945. The couple became involved in horse racing shortly after the war, in the 1940s.
Kimberley was headquarters of the De Beers Mining Company, of which Harry Oppenheimer was Chairman, and he held a seat in Parliament from 1948-1957. Mauritzfontein is only 15 minutes from the centre of Kimberley, so it seemed the perfect place to build their home from home and begin their breeding operations.
Since its establishment, Mauritzfontein has become one of the great thoroughbred nurseries in South Africa, with early top stallions including the likes of Janus, Wilwyn and Free Ride.
The farm also owes a great deal of its success to the late champion sire Fort Wood, and Cousin Casey will stand alongside Ideal World, Danon Platina and Digital Age.
On his arrival at Mauritzfontein on Friday, the vastly experienced Nigel Page said. ‘he’s a cracker!’
-sportingpost.co.za
