Previous G1 Durban July Winners
Read about the horses from our stable who have been victorious in the G1 Durban July.
POMODORO
Owner: Chris Van Niekerk
Breeder: Chris Van Niekerk
Pedigree: Jet Master –Golden Apple
Pomodoro became the Tarry stable’s first July winner when he won the Vodacom Durban July in 2012.
Under Piere Strydom, Pomodoro got up on the line at 28-1 to collar the 55-1 Smanjemanje by a nose.
It was a fine performance from Pomodoro, with the colt having to overcome the widest draw of all. But in a driving and determined surge to the winning post, Strydom kept Pomodoro at it and the pair stayed on to score a courageous win.
HEAVY METAL
Owner: Chris Van Niekerk
Breeder: Bosworth Farm Stud
Pedigree: Silvano –Percussion
Heavy Metal made it back-to-back July wins for the stable and owner Chris Van Niekerk when he won South Africa’s most famous horse-race in 2013. In landing the R3.5 million contest, Heavy Metal provided his jockey, S’Manga Khumalo with his first win in the July. The talented Khumalo also became the first jockey of colour to win the race. Into the straight they fanned out off the 9 m false rail as Jet Explorer looked dangerous with a beautiful run down the inside, as a few of them got bogged down in the going.
Inside the final 300m Run For It commenced his charge as Khumalo kept a cool head and pushed Heavy Metal through to challenge.
In a desperate charge for the wire, Heavy Metal stormed clear to win by 0,25 lengths