Wilgerbosdrift dominated the finish to Sunday’s Listed Sunshine Sweepstake Algoa Cup, otherwise known as PE’s July, when the Wilgerbosdrift bred Nebula beat the Wilgerbosdrift bred Ollivander by two and a quarter lengths.
Both Nebula and Ollivander are sons of champion sire Silvano, with the latter also responsible for Wilgerbosdrift’s bred and owned G1 winning fillies Orchid Island and Nightingale.
Trained by Brett Crawford for owner Edmond Siu, Nebula (out of G3 placed Jallad mare Seeking The Wind) was given a magnificent ride by jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe, with the pair drawing clear to win by two and a quarter lengths, with Ollviander (out of the six time stakes winning Rambo Dancer mare Cast A Spell) game in second.
Nebula, who was giving Ollivander no less than 7kgs, had previously won the Algoa Cup (when a G3 contest) 12 months ago.
The bay clearly relishes the Eastern Cape, and his latest win is a tremendous credit to the Crawford team who have done so well with Nebula.
A full-brother to the Wilgerbosdrift bred Met winner Martial Eagle, Nebula was the top lot sold off the 2014 National Sale, when knocked down for R3.75 million.