OLD TEAM IS BACK!

Mike de Kock last won the Gr1 Schweppes Majorca Stakes in 2010 with Gluwein, and he was able to chalk it up once more at Saturday’s WSB Met extravaganza at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

This prestigious WFA 1600m success came courtesy of Desert Miracle, the high class daughter of Dynasty who had been knocking at the door of major race glory for the last two seasons and finally bagged it stylishly, and at the expense of Equus Horse Of The Year, Captain’s Ransom. “She’s an awesome horse with a helluva finish,” said Mike on his website www. mikedekockracing.com about Desert Miracle and, having always sung her praises, was finally vindicated.

“We’ve always thought of her as a miler, but she has had

She was talented and won 7 races, including two Gr2 sprints. Her quirkiness probably cost her a Gr1 win, but now her daughter has done it bleeding issues so we kept her to sprinting for a while. But she’s done really well in Cape Town and when things go her way, like it did on Saturday, she’s as competitive as they come.”

Mike praised X-factor jockey Christophe Soumillon, his erstwhile Dubai stable jockey, for a super ride and said: “It was like having our old team back together again today with Christophe here, Trevor (Brown, assistant trainer) and Steven (Jell, former assistant). We’re like a family and Christophe is a family member.”

Soumillon expressed similar sentiments and said: “It’s always been my dream to win a Gr1 for Mike here in South Africa and to have done it now is fantastic, extra special because it’s for friends like Mary (Slack), Steven and Jessica. I kept Desert Miracle covered behind the favourite so she could run on. A gap appeared at the 250m mark and she quickened away very well. I am thankful.”

Mike added: “Mary is a wonderful owner because she understands racing and she’s been very patient with Desert Miracle and I am so pleased she has got this Gr1 to her name now. We bought her dam, Welwitschia, at Goffs. She was talented and won 7 races, including two Gr2 sprints. Her quirkiness probably cost her a Gr1 win, but now her daughter has done it. So, again, a bit of a family affair.”

‘Champion Gimmethegreenlight surrendered his crown to Silvano last season, but the Varsfontein stallion has bounced back with a vengeance and looks well on his way to reclaiming the sires title’