May 4, 2015Newhaven Celebrate Another South African Group One Victory
April 26 -It was a day to remember for Australian thoroughbreds at the big Turffontein meeting in South Africa on Saturday with four stakes-winners headed by the Newhaven Park bred and sold Wylie Hall, who took out the day’s biggest event, the Group I President’s Champions Challenge.
The Group I President’s Champions Challenge over 2000 metres produced a Group I quinella for champion sire Redoute’s Choice when his older star Wylie Hall defeated his champion three year-old filly Majmu by a length and a quarter.
Prepared by Weiho Marwing for Michael Leaf, five year-old Wylie Hall has been performing at the top level since his three year-old days when he won the Group I South African Derby and he was always going to be a tough customer for Majmu to overcome.
The Mike de Kock trained filly was sent out favourite, but came up short at the line, chasing valiantly but beaten a length and a quarter. Watch the race here.
An outstanding galloper, Wylie Hall has won six of 20 starts, four of those wins coming in stakes races.
A $205,000 Magic Millions purchase from the draft of Newhaven Park, Wylie Hall is a half-brother to Group I winning sprinter Absolute Champion and is one of seven winners from Ideal Planet mare Beauty Belle, whose family features Group I winners Grand Armee, Drum, Anamato and Dealer Principal.
Turning 20 this year, Beauty Belle is now back in foal to Redoute’s Choice.
