Ridgemont’s stallion, Canford Cliffs (IRE), has firmly established his presence in South Africa with a remarkable weekend, producing his first Grade 1 winner and securing a feature double on the sprint day at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
On Saturday, his two-year-old unbeaten filly, Direct Hit, delivered a commanding performance in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship. Trained by Alan Greeff from his base at Fairview in the Eastern Cape and ridden by Richard Fourie, Direct Hit showcased her class by leading from the start and accelerating away from the field to win decisively. It was the first Gr1 win for the partnership of Ridgemont’s Craig Kieswetter and Devin Heffer.
Direct Hit broke her maiden at Fairview, and won the Gr3 Splashout Cape Of Good Hope Nursery in her second start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. She followed up with the Listed East Cape Nursery by almost five lengths, and remains unbeaten after her Gr1 win on the weekend – the only Gr1 feature for juvenile fillies in South Africa. Ridgemont are enjoying another stellar season, with 52% winners to runners and 11 Black Type wins for the season. Direct Hit is out of Wrecking Ball by Great Britain. She won the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur and placed in the Gr2 Umkhomazi.
Adding to the day’s triumphs, Tenango, a four-year-old gelding also sired by Canford Cliffs, clinched the Gr 2 Golden Horse Sprint. Under the guidance of trainer Candice Bass-Robinson and jockey Andrew Fortune who is enjoying a successful return to the saddle, Tenango surged down the centre of the track to secure victory in a highly competitive field. Out of a Trippi mare and owned in partnership with breeders Ian Longmore and Mark Bass, it was the 6th victory for the gelding who won the Gr3 Champagne Stakes in his prior start. His second dam is Fisani (Kahal), a multiple Gr2 winner and Gr1 placed, including the Gauteng Fillies Guineas.
Canford Cliffs, a five-time Group 1 winner during his racing career, has been making waves since his arrival at Ridgemont. His pedigree is now translating into tangible success on South African tracks. Canford Cliffs was crowned Champion 3yo male miler in UK & Ireland (2010) and Champion Older male miler in UK (2011), and Timeform Rated 133.
Canford Cliffs stands for a fee of R10 000 + vat.