Tragedy as SA Horse Of The Year dies while giving birth

Tragedy struck Suzette and Basie Viljoen’s fledgling Wellington-based breeding operation Hopes And Dreams Stud this week when the farm’s flagship mare, 2022 SA Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom, reportedly died while giving birth.

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The Sporting Post reported with sadness on a tragic loss for not only the new breeders but for the broader local breeding industry.

The filly foal is doing well and is reportedly ‘beautiful’ in the words of her distraught breeder.

Great anticipation

There was great anticipation in South African breeding circles in August 2023 when the Sporting Post reported on a ‘star alliance’ of two Justin Snaith champions who were arch-rivals for the SA Horse Of The Year crown in the 2021/22 in an equine ‘marriage made in heaven’.

The outgoing SA Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom was subsequently covered by former stablemate Jet Dark.

The foal, who was due on 17 September was anticipated to be a massive kick-start to the passionate Viljoen family’s new breeding operation.

Captain’s Ransom was a winner of six Grade 1 races from 1 200m to 1 800m in a distinguished career that saw her register 13 wins and 5 places from just 19 starts which earned R3.5 million in stakes.

In addition to nine wins from his 19 career starts, the Drakenstein-bred Jet Dark boasts the distinction of being named 2020/21 Equus Champion three-year-old colt, 2020/21 and 2021/22 Equus Champion Miler, 2021/22 Equus Champion Older Male and 2021/22 Equus Champion Middle Distance Horse.

A group winner at two, three, four and five, the son of Trippi accumulated no fewer than five Grade 1 wins, beating 2021 Horse Of The Year Rainbow Bridge in the 2021 Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

He repeated the feat in 2022, beating Kommetdieding in both the 2022 Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and Grade 1 Champions Cup and put the final seal on his glittering career with victory in the 2023 Grade 1 WSB Cape Met.

He also boasts the unique distinction of being the only two time L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate-winning colt since his maternal grand sire Jet Master, in 1999 and 2000.

The South African website extends its condolences to Suzette and Basie Viljoen as well as the team at Hopes And Dreams Stud.