Ridgemont Highlands’ sensational young stallion Rafeef came up with his second first crop G1 winner when his super quick son Master Archie landed the G1 Computaform Sprint (1000m) at Turffontein on Saturday.
In landing Saturday’s R1 000 000 sprint, Master Archie emulated his sire’s success, with Rafeef having triumphed in the 2017 G1 Computaform Sprint.
A third graded winner on Saturday for inform trainer Paul Peter, three-year-old Master Archie made it back to back graded wins with his Computaform win, with the grey having captured the G3 World Sports Betting Man O’War Sprint last time out.
Given a patient ride by Gavin Lerena, the flashy Master Archie raced off the pace (set ironically by Rafeef’s speedy relative Anna Capri), before producing a strong late burst which saw the Rafeef gelding get up and win the 2022 Computaform Sprint by two and a quarter lengths.
Bred by Messrs Vasan Harry, Shaun Hanna and Adam Azzie, Master Archie has now won six of just 11 starts, with the grey victorious in six of his eight starts since relocating to Gauteng.
Master Archie, who is out of the Var mare La Volta, is the second G1 winner for his sensational young sire, with the versatile Rafeef also sire of this season’s G1 World Sports Betting SA Derby winner Aragosta.
“We couldn’t have imagined a better start in the stallion barn for a horse who demonstrated his class and impeccable breeding on the racetrack. And to have him siring Gr1 winners from 1000m to 2450m is breathtaking and something the entire Ridgemont Highlands team can be excited about. It bodes well for the future,” a thrilled Ridgemont Highland’s Craig Kieswetter.
Rafeef, whose son Union Square put up a smart effort when runner up in Saturday’s G2 Heineken SA Nursery, enjoyed fine success at the recent National Yearling Sale where Rafeef yearlings made up to R700 000.
Master Archie Image: Candiese Lenferna Photography
