Drakenstein Stud’s consistently successful sire What A Winter enjoyed a good double at Durbanville on Wednesday, with the former Equus Champion’s two winners headed by an eye catching debut winner.
What A Winter’s two-year-old son Hithemhardsunshine made the perfect start to his racing career when making a winning debut to land the first race on Wednesday.
Trained by Eric Sands, Hithemhardsunshine showed an eye catching turn of foot when romping away to land the Welcome To Cape Racing Maiden Juvenile Plate (1000m), under Richard Fourie, by a length and three-quarters.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, the gelded Hithemhardsunshine was a R575 000 buy from the 2021 National Yearling Sale.
Out of the Trippi mare Agra, Hithemhardsunshine is the sixth two-year-old winner this season, thus far, for What A Winter -South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2YOs last season.
What A Winter’s second success at Durbanville’s mid-week meeting came when his daughter What A State captured the fifth race, the Computaform Online FM 78 Handicap (1000m). Under Craig Zackey, the Adam Marcus trained filly came with a tremendous late rush to win Wednesday’s sprint by a length, going away.
Bred and owned by Drakenstein Stud, three-year-old What A State has now won twice from just five starts and she looks another progressive sort for her very much inform sire.
What A Winter, who hails from the same female line as Coolmore’s exciting young sire St Mark’s Basilica, has an exceptional draft on offer at this year’s National Yearling Sale. Among What A Winter lots on offer at the National Sale are a half-sister (Lot 20) to Singapore champion Lizarre, a half-sister (Lot 34) to this season’s top-class three-year-old Trip Of Fortune, and a filly (Lot 408) out of Equus Champion, and millionaire, Hammie’s Hooker.
Original article written by Cape Breeders Club