The Wilgerbosdrift/Mauritzfontein bred Orchid Island picked up the first G1 win of her career when victorious in Saturday’s G1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, the second leg of South Africa’s Triple Tiara.
Third last time out in the G2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, Orchid Island turned the tables on Smiling Blue Eyes and Al Hawraa, who had beaten the daughter of Silvano last time out.
She was given a fine ride by Anthony Delpech, who bought the filly with a late outside run to score by a neck over the top class Safe Harbour. The promising Bi Pot finished fourth, ahead of the well related Wilgerbosdrift/Mauritzfontein bred Oriental Oak, a full sister to G1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes winner Nightingale.
The 19th G1 winner sired by former Champion Sire Silvano (also sire of Wilgerbosdrift’s recent G1 winner Nightingale), the Wilgerbosdrift owned Orchid Island gave trainer Mike de Kock the first of two G1 winners on the day, with de Kock also saddling Heavenly Blue to win the G1 SA Classic.
Orchid Island, who has now won three of just six outings, is out of former Listed Oaks Trial winner Ilha Grande, a daughter of former leading first crop sire Tiger Ridge and recently deceased Horse Of The Year Ilha Da Vitoria.