Gimme A Nother cheers amid Bok roars
Jells' superstar mare books a place in US's Breeders' Cup.
Amidst the sea of green and gold at the weekend's rugby Test in Baltimore, a small patch of purple stood out. The group of Springbok fans, clad in purple Breeders' Cup caps, were watching horse racing on their cellphones. Their cheers weren't quite as loud as the roar accompanying Kurt-Lee Arendse's sensational try, but the presence of the fans added more joy to South Africa's triumphant day.
The fans were part of a festive, patriotic Test match party, including Steve and Jessica Jell from Mauritzfontein Stud and Newstead Stables in the US.
The victorious horse, Gimme A Nother, was bred by South Africa's champion breeders Mauritzfontein & Wilgersbosdrift. The stud operation, owned by Jessica Jell and her mother Mary Slack, is a descendant of South Africa's Oppenheimer racing dynasty. Gimme A Nother had a stellar career, with an unbeaten run as a youngster and 11 wins in her 15-race career. Her first Grade 1 win in North America was at the Group 1 EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine in Toronto, Canada, making her the 11th winner in that event.
South Africa remembers Gimme A Nother for her remarkable seven-race unbeaten run on these shores before she was exported to Maryland. Trainer Mike de Kock described her as "remarkable," noting that she had come to him undefeated. Since his winter break, she has been unbeatable, according to trainer Graham Motion. Jockey John Velazquez praised her performance, saying she took him to victory with a "beautiful trip."
This praise comes from a man with 3,000 winners in the US, including a Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup champion. The racehorse received high praise from its trainer, who described her as "pure class."
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