Drakenstein Stud’s four time G1 winning stallion What A Winter enjoyed yet more feature race success in 2022-2023 when his son Isivunguvungu captured the G1 Mercury Sprint (1200m) at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
In landing Sunday’s R1 000 000 sprint, Isivunguvungua emulated his sire, with What A Winter having claimed victory in the 2012 Mercury Sprint.
Trained by Peter Muscutt, four-year-old Isivunguvungu was given a superb ride by Richard Fourie in Sunday’s G1 feature.
Fourie wasted no time in taking Isivunguvungu to the front, with the gelding going out to make much of the running.
Despite appearing beaten close home, Isivunguvungu showed great heart and tenacity when he fought back to claim the R625 000 first place prize by a long neck.
Bred by Narrow Creek Stud, Isivunguvungu has now won six of 14 outings, with his previous victories including the 2023 G1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint.
A leading contender for the 2022-2023 Equus Champion Sprint award, Isivunguvungu is out of the Tiger Ridge mare Miss Tweedy.
One of two runners in the 2023 Mercury Sprint sired by What A Winter, Isivunguvungu is one of six black type winners this season for What A Winter. The latter is also responsible for 2022-2023 graded stakes winners Cold Fact, Distant Winter, Humdinger and Winter Cloud.
South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2YOS in 2020-2021, What A Winter has four lots on offer at the 2023 August Two Year Old Sale.
Original article written by Cape Breeders Club