7yo Gladatorian added another major success to an already distinguished career when the Erasmus Thoroughbreds-bred gelding won the Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge under Tristan Godden for trainer Stuart Ferrie.

The son of Vercingetorix has now won 12 races, with his previous major victories including the Gr1 HKJC Champions Cup, Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes and Gr2 Post Merchants. His outstanding 2024/25 campaign also saw him crowned Equus Champion Older Male.

Gladatorian is out of the stakes-winning Dynasty mare Harvard Crimson and is a full brother to Listed Flamboyant Stakes winner Ladyofdistinction, another Erasmus Thoroughbreds-bred daughter of Vercingetorix.

Earlier on the card, the promising Flower Island continued her rapid rise with victory in the Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring F&M Challenge for trainers Mike and Mathew de Kock and jockey Muzi Yeni.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, the three-year-old daughter of Rafeef has now won three of her four starts. She is out of Gr1 SA Fillies Classic winner Orchid Island, a five-time winning daughter of Silvano.

Flower Island descends from an outstanding female line. Her granddam Ilha Grande, a stakes-winning daughter of Tiger Ridge, is out of South African Horse of the Year Ilha Da Vitoria, whose progeny also include Gr2 SA Oaks winner Ilha Bela.

The victory continues an exemplary period for Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, whose graduates have recently been flying the South African flag with distinction internationally with the likes of Gimme A Nother (Gimmethegreenlight) and Egyptian Mau (Fire Away).

From an established Equus Champion still competing at the highest level at seven to an exciting three-year-old filly whose career is only beginning, the Turffontein Spring features provided another showcase for the quality being produced by South African breeders.

Images: JC Photos