Wilgerbosdrift’s exciting resident sire Flower Alley looks to have come up with a really promising sort in the form of Marygold.
From the first South African crop of her sire, the Clifton Stud bred three-year-old made a big impression when making a winning debut at the Vaal on Thursday.
Under jockey S’manga Khumalo, Marygold romped at the first time of asking when scoring by two and a half lengths over 1450m, with runner up Flower Scene finishing nearly three lengths clear of the third home.
Flower Alley, whose San Juan Capistrano winning son Nessy takes part in Saturday’s G1 Pattison Canadian International this weekend, has made a very encouraging start to his South African stud career.
His 14 first South African crop winners thus far include the unbeaten Alibi Guy, the stakes placed Parterre, the aforementioned Marygold, and the very promising Bayberry.
The sire of more than 40 black type performers in total (including Kentucky Derby winning champion I’ll Have Another), Flower Alley has four lots on offer at the 2019 Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale including a half-brother (Lot 36) to the graded stakes winners Express Queen and Our Emperor.