Cartier Champion, and resident Drakenstein Stud stallion, Duke Of Marmalade has made an excellent start with his first South African bred and born runners this season.
The five time G1 winner had yet another smart looking first South African crop winner on Saturday when his two-year-old Sans Regrets justified favouritism at Kenilworth.
Trained by Joey Ramsden (a big fan of Duke Of Marmalade!), Sans Regrets showed plenty of courage to score a cosy neck win over 1400m. The regally bred filly, a R500 000 buy from last year’s Cape Premier Yearling Sale, had been third over 1250m at Durbanville at her only other racecourse appearance.
To date, Duke Of Marmalade, whose yearlings fetched up to R800 000 at the recent National Yearling Sale, has been represented by five first South African crop runners to have won or placed, with his early runners including impressive recent winner Santa Clara.
His early success, however, comes as no surprise as Duke Of Marmalade enjoyed considerable success at stud overseas. The half-brother to Investec Derby winner Ruler Of The World (his other relatives including the likes of A P Indy and Lemon Drop Kid) is currently responsible for nearly 60 stakes horses, with Duke Of Marmalade’s progeny have already banked $31 000 000-and counting!
Duke Of Marmalade’s star representatives overseas include the G1 winners Big Orange, Star Of Seville, Simple Verse, Nutan and Sound Of Freedom, and he is also responsible for the very smart racemare Responsibleforlove –who was third in the recent G2 San Luis Rey Stakes at Santa Anita.
Original Article Written By: Cape Breeders Club