Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Tropical Empire for stallion duties

David Thiselton
The Duncan Howells-trained Tropical Empire could soon be off to Australia for stallion duties. The Australian-bred seven-year-old entire went close to breaking Eldoriza’s 1994 Greyville 1 400m course record last Saturday evening when producing an exhilarating finish from way off the pace to catch Thanks Dad on the line. Eldoriza was carrying 50kg when recording a time of 81,50 seconds, while Tropical Empire carried 62kg to a time of 81,57.
For owner Chips Pennells last Saturday’s performance sorted out a long-lasting personal debate. “I always used to think the best horse I ever owned was Tandaga, but Michael Roberts disagreed and said it was Dunmore,” he explained.
“But after Saturday night I now have no doubt that Tropical Empire is the best I’ve had. I haven’t seen a finish like that in a long time. It reminded me of the terrific finish Jet Master used to produce. That’s what racing is all about, the excitement of seeing finishes like that.”
Pennells revealed he had been approached by some Australian breeders with an offer for Tropical Empire. “It’s on the cards,” said Pennells. “I think he will make a terrific stallion. He has all the attributes. I think he will be far better than his father (Second Empire). He has a tremendous dam line and has the conformation. Another thing about him is his superb nature. He really is a lovely horse.” Tropical Empire’s immediate programme includes the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes over his favourite Greyville 1 400m in early May before he has another tilt at the Grade 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint at Scottsville over 1 200m, which usually falls at the end of May.
Tropical Empire finished second in the Drill Hall Stakes from a wide draw last year, beating recent J&B Met winner River Jetez into third.
Two years ago in the Golden Horse Casino Sprint he suffered the worst luck of his career as he was caught in a pocket and had to be snatched up when travelling ominously well inside the final 500m.
Pennells continued: “If his next two runs go well it will be a done deal and he will be off to Australia.” Pennells and his wife, Elma, have a number of broodmares in the Mooi River area, but said that with each year they seemed further away. In the same way he said it would be sad to see Tropical Empire depart, but it made economic sense. He will retain some shares in the horse.
Pennells former stakes winning filly, Silver Empire, whom he bought at the same time as Tropical Empire, is already back in Australia. She has just had her first foal by Danehill Express. Although Pennells no longer has a share in the mare he has the “first refusal” option on her foal, for whom he has received outstanding reports. He bought a Pegasus Flyer yearling at a recent Australian sale and is returning for the two-year-old sale in June where he hopes to buy “three or four” horses with the eventual aim of sending them to Basil Marcus in Singapore. “There are great incentives for owners and trainers in Singapore and the stakes are unbelievable,” he said. Maiden races in Singapore carry a stake equivalent of about R190,000.
Pennells will first send the horses to former South African jockey, George Davies, who now trains in Perth. Perth has many trainers who, like Davies, keep about 10 or so horses in their backyard.
He recalled in his youth being taken to Turffontein by his father to watch the horses walking through the streets to the track early in the morning and then being allowed by some trainers to “do a little bit of work”.
Pennells’ father later moved his successful furniture business to the industrial area near Clairwood, which was previously used as an army base.
Pennells’ love of horseracing grew and he vividly recalled almost falling off the old second grandstand at Greyville in his excitement when Gay Jane won the Durban July in 1951. His father had an interest in Gay Jane.
One of his other best racing memories was when he and his wife were very courteously congratulated by the Oppenheimers after Michael Roberts had brought home Dunmore at Clairwood.

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