Top Snaith Mare Stars In South Africa

Ocean of Time continued the stakes winning tradition of Magic Millions graduates in South Africa when she cruised to victory in Saturday night’s listed Ladies Mile (1600m) at Kenilworth.

A member of the Justin Snaith stable, Ocean of Time notched career win five, but importantly her first at black type level, when she cruised to a length and a quarter win.

The Australian bred and sold four-year-old mare defied a betting drift which saw her quote move out dramatically from 7/1 to 13/1 as she easily beat the heavily backed elect A Daughters Legacy (3/1-12/10 fav).

The quality mare had been a runner-up on five occasions leading into the weekend’s race – two of them at black type level – in a Lady’s Bracelet at Fairview and Winter Fillies Mile at Kenilworth.

Ocean of Time was purchased for her South African connections by leading Sydney based bloodstock agent James Bester for $10,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

She was bred by the Australian arm of the powerful Darley operation and was sold through the draft of Victoria’s Swettenham Stud.

A daughter of Sadler’s Wells’ Two Thousand Guineas winning son Refuse to Bend, Ocean of Time is one of three winners, from three to race, for Illustria.

A two-year-old Newbury winning daughter of Seeking the Gold, Illustria is a half sister to international group winners Notability and Simon de Montfort.

Illustria is from the group winning Caerleon mare Noble Rose – herself a half sister to stakes winners Simeon and Noctilucent.

Justin Snaith’s parents Chris and Sue Snaith recently attended and purchased a great line up of prospects from the Magic Millions National Sale.

One of their major stable clients Hassen Adams was also on the Gold Coast and he will be hoping the stable’s hot recent run continues when his Aussie bred colt Gimmethegreenlight runs in this weekend’s Group One Zulu Kingdom Golden Horseshoe.

Felix Coetzee, who rode Ocean of Time to victory on the weekend, will ride Gimmethegreenlight on the weekend.

Winner: Ocean of Time
Breeding: Refuse to Bend-Illustria (Seeking the Gold)
Race: Kenilworth Ladies Mile LR (1600m)
Sold for: $10,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Swettenham Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: James Bester Bloodstock
Owner(s): Druk-My-Niet Pty Ltd (Mgr: Mr G Kirchner)
Earnings: R345,595
Trainer: Justin Snaith

Photos courtesy of Gold Circle