Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Hear The Drums sets new SA record for races won

Hear The Drums galloped into the history books last Friday at Arlington in Port Elizabeth when winning for the 33rd time in his career to set a new South African record for races won.
The seven-year-old, who had been well beaten on his last start a fortnight earlier, drifted ominously from 6-10 to evens for a 1 000m event at Arlington in Port Elizabeth, even though champion-elect Anton Marcus had flown from Johannesburg for his only ride of the day.
However, the favourite made his customary rocket-like start and was soon the best part of three lengths clear of the other six runners.
Two furlongs out he had them all off the bridle, bar second favourite Oceans Away, but a furlong out he looked in real trouble, under strong pressure while Oceans Away was upsides and travelling the better.
Historic victory
But the gelding fought back courageously for a brave and historic victory to break the 32-win record set by Screech Owl nearly 50 years earlier.
Marcus said: “This is a moment for everyone to savour. Going through the 200-metre mark, I thought I would be lucky to run fifth but this horse is all heart.”
Trainer Des McLachlan added: “I am very relieved that Hear The Drums has actually gone to where we wanted him to get. It’s been an honour and privilege to train a horse like him, and I don’t think I will see another break his record.”
Hear The Drums, only 15.2hh, was bought for owner Peter Fabricius for only R42 000 as an unraced two-year-old. He has won more than R1,8 million in 59 starts. In addition to his 33 wins, he has been placed 17 times.
Bred by the country’s champion breeders, the Summerhill Stud, he is a son of the American-bred Gold Press and is out of the Gallic League-mare Winning Glory.
- Racingpost

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