Wilgerbosdrift’s ill-fated sire Soft Falling Rain was responsible for his first two-year-old runner and winner of the 2019-2020 South African racing season, when his son Garden Paty made a hugely impressive debut at Turffontein on Saturday.
One of two juvenile winners on the day for the combination of Paul Peter and Warren Kennedy, the Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein bred Garden Party was very green in running, and ran off a straight line several times during the closing stages, but had far too much class for his opponents.
Despite his greenness, the Soft Falling Rain colt powered clear to post a 2.75 length in the 800m Maiden Juvenile Plate (just the second of the South African season), and he looks a smart sort in the making.
Out of the Kildonan mare Rosier, Garden Party was a R200 000 buy from the 2019 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.
His sire Soft Falling Rain, South Africa’s Champion 2YO Colt of 2012, made a tremendous impression with his first crop. To date, Soft Falling Rain has been responsible for 21 first crop winners, including G2 Gagasi FM Debutante winner Montreal Mist, G2 Joburg Spring F&M Challenge runner up Gin Fizz, the talented World Radar and the stakes placed Alramz.