Willow Magic emerged as one of the new stars of South African racing with a stunning win in Saturday night’s R1 million Group One South African Nursery (1160m) at Turffontein.
Showing speed throughout, Willow Magic cruised to the line a length and three quarters ahead of boom galloper and red hot favourite Red Ray.
There were no excuses for any of the rivals with Willow Magic out in the lead throughout down the tough 1160 metre straight track.
Prepared by Sean Tarry, Willow Magic was ridden to victory by Piere Strydom. He was well backed into second favouritism – 14/1 into 8/1 at the jump.
The win was one of two at Group One level on the card for graduates of Magic Millions. Later in the afternoon the exciting three-year-old Wylie Hall won the R1.5 million SA Derby.
The day’s two-year-old star Willow Magic was bred by Rothwell Park and sold through their draft at the 2011 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $28,000.
He was then prepared by the Newgate Farm team for the 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was purchased by Mark Tarry for $40,000.
Rothwell Park have another outstanding draft of youngsters being prepared for this year’s National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast.
Among the 17 weanlings catalogued by Rothwell are lots by sires including Commands, Denman, Exceed and Excel, Lonhro. Manhattan Rain and Wanted.
Willow Magic is one of three winners for the stakes performed Tierce mare La Willow.
A winner of two races at two and three in all, including a Sydney victory, La Willow earned black type with thirds in listed races in both Sydney and Brisbane.
La Willow is a half sister to the Malaysian Magic Millions Classic winner Time Speed (Second Empire).
Winner: Willow Magic
Breeding: Dubawi-La Willow (Tierce)
Race: Turffontein South African Nursery G1 (1160m)
Sold for: $28,000
Sale: 2011 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Rothwell Park
Buyer: Magic Millions as agent
Sold for: $40,000
Sale: 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Newgate Farm
Buyer: Mark Tarry
Owner(s): Messrs S Mathen, A Lahoud & Allan F Peters
Trainer: Sean Tarry
