Mauritzfontein have reported on their social media account that star unbeaten Gimmethegreenlight filly, a strong contender for Equus Horse Of The Year last season, has arrived in France enroute to the USA.
The Instagram post from Mauritzfontein reads: “Gimme A Nother has arrived safely in France. My sincerest gratitude to JJ and Candice and their transport teams as well as everyone in the Cape Quarantine who took such good care of our girl. Dr. Charles, you are my hero! Gimme A Nother will spend the next two months in France, with the hopes that she will then join the Graham Motion stable in the USA.”
Graham Motion trained Isivunguvungu (What A Winter) to win recently in America who will be looking a tilt at Breeders Cup, whilst Beach Bomb (Lancaster Bomber) placed second on debut. South African-breds have excelled since landing in America; Feather Boa (also bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein) finished third on her recent US debut, after coming from last, 22 lengths off the leaders for Team Valor International, who have been stalwart supporters of purchasing South African fillies and racing them with outstanding success in South Africa and America.
Gimme A Nother pictured in France. Image: Mauritzfontein
Feather Boa showed an amazing turn of foot to finish less than a length off the winner, running over a distance that was not considered her ideal and preferably wanting further. Her trainer Todd Pletcher was elated with her performance over the sprint distance and described her as “some powerhouse!”
Princess Calla (another by Flower Alley) is rumoured to be putting in good work and her name, along with Isivunguvungu can be spotted on Breeders Cup website as possible candidates for entry.
Graham Motion has trained SAF-breds to Gr1 victory previously, with Gypsy’s Warning (Mogok – Rathmor Stud) winning the Gr1 Matriarch Stakes.
The seven time unbeaten filly with two Gr1’s under her belt, won over distances of 1450m – 1800m. Amongst her victories saw her beat Feather Boa by over four lengths in the Gr2 Mike de Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge, and Humdinger in her last start, the Gr1 TAB Empress Club Stakes. Humdinger went on to win the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes later in the season. She was partnered by JP van der Merwe in all of her starts and trained by Mike de Kock.
Gimme A Nother is out of Tiger Ridge mare Nother Russia, who won the Gr1 Empress Club stakes twice amongst her five career wins and was named Equus Champion Older Female for 2017 / 2018. She has a grey half brother in training by Danon Platina, cleverly named Molotov Cocktail, and another grey to follow, a filly named Special Star gifted to Mrs Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift.
The Empress Club Stakes is strong in the family – Mother Russia, Gimme A Nother’s third dam, won four Gr1’s including this race amongst her 13 incredible victories, and was named Equus Champion Older Female in 2010. This female line includes the likes of Bravura and Winter Solstice.
The headline image features Gimme A Nother with a young fan, Neo Hanna and Gimme A Nother’s outstanding groom Godphrey. Neo was over the moon to meet his favourite racehorse whose career he has been following avidly, earlier this year at Randjesfontein and Neo got to see her win on course at Turffontein.
Nother Russia will be visiting Gimmethegreenlight this season.
South Africa have a lot to look forward to in the immediate future following our horses performances overseas, watch this space!
Headline image: Candiese Lenferna
