Equus Champion Broodmare Real Princess added another winner to her exceptional record at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Sunday when her latest runner, Continue The Dream, made a winning debut over 1400m.
Bred and owned by Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables, the 3yo colt is by Varsfontein Stud’s Champion Sire Gimmethegreenlight and is the fifth runner and fifth winner produced by Real Princess, all five bred on the same successful Gimmethegreenlight cross.
Trained by Dean Kannemeyer and ridden by Craig Zackey, aptly named Continue The Dream started favourite and accounted for Godric Gryffindor by a length and a half, with Cosmic Dan finishing third.
His debut success adds another chapter to what has become one of the most remarkable current broodmare records in South Africa.
Real Princess’s first foal, Gimme A Prince, won eight races and five stakes races during an outstanding career. His victories included three at Grade 1 level, including two renewals of the Cape Flying Championship and the Golden Horse Sprint – as well as the Gr2 Cape Merchants and Gr2 Diadem Stakes. He was subsequently crowned Equus Champion Sprinter for the 2024/25 season.
His younger full brother The Real Prince has established an equally imposing record. Winner of the Listed City Of Cape Town Jet Master Stakes, he defeated Eight On Eighteen to win the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in 2025 before adding the Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in January this year.
Real Princess has also produced Gr3 Diana Stakes winner Gimmie’s Countess, who has earned further black type with placings in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes and Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes.
Gimmie Rules continued the mare’s remarkable record when winning on debut and has since taken his tally to three victories, while Continue The Dream has now followed in the footsteps of his siblings by making a successful start to his racing career.
Real Princess was an exceptional racehorse herself. Bred by Klawervlei Stud, the daughter of Trippi and Fort Wood mare Pagan Princess was purchased for R2.7 million at the 2013 Cape Premier Yearling Sale.
Racing for Khaya Stables from the Dean Kannemeyer yard, she won six races, headed by the Gr1 South African Fillies Sprint and Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes, and was also Gr1-placed.
Her pedigree offered every indication that she could prove equally valuable at stud. Real Princess is a half-sister to Gr1 Cape Guineas winner and successful sire William Longsword, as well as stakes winners Silver God and Really Royal. Their dam Pagan Princess is a half-sister to champions Victory Moon and Kelly.
Real Princess, who is based at Varsfontein Stud on behalf of Khaya Stables, was deservedly crowned South Africa’s Champion Broodmare for the 2024/25 season.
Five runners, five winners and three stakes winners, including two individual Gr1 winners, represents an exceptional start to her stud career, and Continue The Dream may yet add further lustre to that record.
ANOTHER OUTSTANDING FEMALE FAMILY
Another beautifully bred three-year-old representing one of South Africa’s most influential female families was also in action at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Sunday.
Drakenstein Stud-bred and owned Over My Shoulder is by Vercingetorix out of the unraced Captain Al mare Sempre Libre and is trained by Justin Snaith.
The filly made a winning debut over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in August and boasts a pedigree with considerable distinction.
Over My Shoulder is a half-sister to outstanding Drakenstein-bred Eight On Eighteen.
By the late Lancaster Bomber, Eight On Eighteen was crowned South Africa’s Horse Of The Year, Champion Three-Year-Old Colt and Champion Middle Distance Horse for the 2024/25 season following a season which included victories in the Grade 1 Cape Town Met, Gr1 Cape Derby and Grade 1 Daily News 2000.
He subsequently added a fourth Gr1 victory when winning the HKJC Champions Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville in July this year.
Trained by Justin Snaith for owners Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert, Eight On Eighteen has won six races.
Sempre Libre has already produced another black-type performer of note in Future Free. The Drakenstein-bred son of Futura, who races for Drakenstein Stud in partnership with Bernard Kantor, won the Listed Pocket Power Stakes over 1950m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in May and has won four races.
The family becomes even more formidable one generation further back.
Sempre Libre is a daughter of former Broodmare Of The Year Mystic Spring, whose influence on the South African Stud Book has been considerable.
Mystic Spring produced Champion 3yo Colt Rabiya and Champion 3yo Filly Bela-Bela, while her daughters have continued the family’s success through horses including champions and Gr1 winners All Is Secret and The Secret Is Out, as well as Gr2 winner Ciao Bella and numerous other stakes performers. Another stallion prospect who has retired to Drakenstein from this exceptional female line is Snow Pilot.
The emergence of Continue The Dream from the exceptional Real Princess family and Over My Shoulder from the prolific Mystic Spring dynasty once again underlines the enduring importance of outstanding female families in South African breeding.
Images: Chase Liebenberg
