Big news this past week as champion racemares Val De Ra and Bela-Bela have foaled down.

Val De Ra, the dam of KZN Stakes Listed winner Miss Frankel (Frankel), foaled a smashing Silvano colt. Val De Ra, a daughter of Var bred by Avontuur and a resident of Avontuur, she is herself a daughter of one of the great broodmares in their band, Minelli (Elliodor). Val De Ra is a half-sister to the likes of Mitra, Palladium, Tevez who recently retired and Hong Kong export, Cue The Music.

Bela-Bela, a daughter of one of the greatest mares in the South African stud book Mystic Spring who was voted Equus Champion Broodmare of the Year in 2016/17, lived up to her pedigree as a racehorse – voted Equus Champion 3YO Filly in 2015/16 with 7 wins,  R2,636,875 in stakes earned and three Gr1 wins under her belt.  Her full brother (by Dynasty) sold for R800 000 at the recent Emperors Palace National 2YO Sale and will go into training with Gavin Van Zyl. Bela-Bela foaled a lovely filly to Gimmethegreenlight, who produced a smashing Gr1 on Gold Cup Day with the speedy Got The Greenlight, crowned Equus Champion 2YO Colt.

Congratulations to the breeders concerned!

Images: Avontuur and Varsfontein respectively.