Dual stakes winner Freedom Charter is yet another top-class mare set to visit multiple Gr1 winner Canford Cliffs this season.
An established international stakes producing sire, Canford Cliffs, whose first South African-bred yearlings will go through the sales ring in 2021, is set to produce fireworks in the years ahead as the offspring of his star-studded black-type mare roll make their presence felt. The quality of support for Canford Cliffs from his home base, as well as breeders nationwide, has created the groundswell of excitement for future high-class performers.
The strategy of sending the best to the best is the foundation of the Ridgemont Highlands philosophy of striving for quality above all else.
A lovely roomy daughter of an SA Derby winner Elusive Fort, with speed and heart to match her courage and consistency on the track, Freedom Charter was bred by Peter de Beyer from his Captain Al mare, Betty Burke.
A dual stakes winner, who peaked with an emphatic and authoritative victory in the Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes at the start of the 2019 SA Champions Season, Freedom Charter raced in top-class company, placing in the major league behind fellow Ridgemont Highlands Gr1 star Front And Centre and the champion Clouds Unfold, amongst other high-flyers.
Top Cape trainer Candice Bass-Robinson trained Freedom Charter, who raced with distinction for Mark Bass, her breeder Peter de Beyer, Brendon Lemos and Wehann Smith.
“What an all-round top class racemare! We had Freedom Charter from a 2yo when she was already a big scopey but leggy sort. She matured into a scopey athlete and I couldn’t have hoped for a more faultless and big hearted horse. Her race record against the best of her generation speaks for itself and she ticks all the boxes to develop her second career as a really super mare. She is lovely and roomy and will suit any sire in my opinion. Going to Canford Cliffs first time is a real bonus!” added Candice.
Craig Kieswetter of Ridgemont Highlands was pleased to confirm to the Sporting Post on Wednesday that Freedom Charter would be covered by Canford Cliffs.
“We are on record that our intentions are to uplift our broodmare band on an ongoing basis. Quality of blood and top level racecourse performance are imperative, and in the case of Freedom Charter we have further diversity in the mix, and the basis of a really smart broodmare, as Candice Bass-Robinson points out. Freedom Charter’s suitor Canford Cliffs has been in great demand and that is hardly surprising, given his excellent proven record – and his foals have taken the anticipation to a whole new level,” added Kieswetter.
A brilliant winner of five Gr1 races in a row, Canford Cliffs’ progeny have already earned over $22 million in stakes and beside forty other black-type mares, some of the big names he will, or has covered, include Front And Centre (Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner), Our Table Mountain (US-bred multiple stakes winning Champion Broodmare), Nastergal (Gr3 Kenilworth Champagne Stakes winner), Dancer’s Daughter (multiple Gr1 winner and Champion Older Female 2008-2009), Takingthepeace (Gr1 South African Fillies Classic winner), Sabina’s Dynasty (Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes winner), and Crimson Blossom (Gr3 Kenilworth Final Fling Stakes winner plus the mother of Dynasty’s Blossom).
Canford Cliffs’ first South African-bred yearlings will go through the sales ring in 2021.
Any enquiries to Craig Kieswetter at craigk@ridgemont.co.za.
