Illuminator Shines on Big Day in South Africa

The Glen Puller-trained Illuminator downed favorite Silver Mountain to win the inaugural CTS Million Dollar at Kenilworth on Saturday, Jan. 23 in South Africa.

The result was a dream for apprentice Heavelon Van Der Hoven, who picked up the winning ride on the colt after scheduled rider Weichong Marwing was stood down. Van Der Hoven, while still an apprentice, looked a likely choice to replace Marwing as he knows the colt (described by his trainer as difficult) well, and had ridden Illuminator to victory in his first two starts. The pair are now unbeaten in three starts.

Illuminator, coming off a second in the Listed Sophomore Sprint, was allowed to start a 16-1 chance, with World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas (SAF-I) favorite Silver Mountain being dispatched a 17-10 favorite for what was the richest horse race ever run on African soil.  

The field spread out across the track with 400 meters to go, with early front runners dropping out of contention. Silver Mountain produced what looked a strong run down the center of the track, but further out, Illuminator was producing a fast late finish and got up to prevail by three parts of a length, with Silver Mountain just edging Victorious Jay for second prize of $200 000. 

Fourth home was Seventh Plain, with last year's champion now yet to win in three appearances as a 3-year-old.

Illuminator's success was a memorable triumph for veteran Cape trainer Glen Puller, as well as his loyal and longstanding owners. Puller said of his choice to ride an apprentice, "He (Illuminator) is a difficult boy but Heavelon knows him well. I knew he would do his best work late on."

For Heavelon Van Der Hoven it was truly a dream come true, with the young rider overcome after his win. 

"After I found out about Weichong (being stood down), I quickly asked for the ride. I get on well with the horse and know him well," Van Der Hoven said. "He was a bit sluggish out the gates, but I tracked Aldo (Domeyer on Silver Mountain) and felt confident coming for home. He is an amazing horse." 

The winning rider pocketed R800,000 ($48,573) for his win.

Bred by last season's champion breeders Klawervlei Stud, Illuminator will take his place in the record books as one of the great buys in South African history. He cost owners Francis Carruthers and Ian Robinson just R180 000 ($10,929) at the 2014 March Yearling Sale. Following Saturday's win, he has earned more than R8,000,000 ($485,730).

A son of Trippi, Illuminator is out of the five-time winning Al Mufti mare Pacific Lights, a stakes-placed half sister to Allan Robertson Fillies Championship (SAF-I) winner Silver Arc.

The Million Dollar, which will be run in two $500,000 contests next year, formed part of three major features on Saturday's Investec Day Of Dreams race card. The Day of Dreams, held for the first time this year, came about as a result of Cape Thoroughbred Sales and Investec Bank joining forces to put together the richest horse race event in African history.

The first of the two other features saw 16-1 shot It's My Turn cause an upset when the unheralded gelding won the Investec Cape Derby (SAF-I). Rated by the handicapper more than 20 pounds inferior to fancied runner Brazuca and eight pounds below stablemate Black Arthur, It's My Turn appeared to have it all to do at the weights, but proved himself as a horse with a future over ground. 

It's My Turn, who was giving trainer Justin Snaith a third win in the Derby, was given a fine ride by former champion jockey Piere Strydom, who bought his mount with a late run up the outside while the majority of the field followed front runner Kemal Kavur down the inside. 

Fred Crabbia's It's My Turn defeated recent group I winner Brazuca, who finished second, with Marinaresco third after being tricky in the parade. It's My Turn's stablemate, and favorite, Black Arthur, could only finish back in fourth. The winning jockey had ridden Black Arthur to victory in the Cartier Politician Stakes (SAF-III) only to subsequently to lose the ride.

Bred by Willem Engelbrecht Jr, It's My Turn has now won twice in just five outings and earned more than R700 000 ($42,500) in stakes. His sire Dynasty, who won the Cape Derby back in 2003, has certainly left his mark on the Kenilworth classic, with It's My Turn being his third son to win the race.

The third major race on the day, the Klawervlei Majorca Stakes (SAF-I), proved a triumph for Drakenstein Stud, who owned the first three past the post.

The farm, whose resident sire Trippi dominated the feature race proceedings Saturday, bred and owns both the winner Inara and third-place Lanner Falcon. Drakenstein is part owner of runner-up and favorite Same Jurisdiction.

Inara, who was winning the Majorca Stakes for a second year in a row, provided the Bass yard with some consolation after Million favorite Silver Mountain could only manage second in the day's rich feature.

Jockey Grant Van Niekerk, who picked up his first group I success aboard Inara when the pair landed the 2015 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes, adores his winner, and said after partnering Inara to a late running, three parts of a length win on Saturday, "I love this filly, she always tries so hard. She has a big heart and is really special to me."

Saturday's win was a third group I victory for Inara, who stopped the clock in 1:39.68. She has now won six of 16 outings with the 4-year-old having banked over R2.6 million ($157,862).