Ridgemont Highlands’ sensational sire Rafeef came up with yet another stakes winner when his three-year-old daughter Empress Of Jade, a member of her sire’s superb first crop, captured the Listed Zimbabwe Oaks at Borrowdale Park on Wednesday.
Bred by Golden Touch Thoroughbred Services, Empress Of Jade stayed on gamely under Diego De Gouveia to land the 2022 Zimbabwe Oaks by a short head.
The Gokhan Terzi trained filly was winning for a first time on Wednesday, with Empress Of Jade having begun her career in the Western Cape.
Out of the Fort Wood mare Escondida, Empress Of Jade was one of two winners for Rafeef on Wednesday, with that G1 winning son of Redoute’s Choice also enjoying success at Kenilworth with his daughter Demelza capturing the fifth race for Piet Botha and Richard Fourie.
Beaten just three lengths last time out, the three-year-old Demelza powered away to break her maiden on Wednesday by three and a quarter lengths.
Demelza, who had faced the likes of Homely Girl and Chansonette, in her first two starts, is out of the Piccolo mare My Claire.
South Africa’s Leading Second Season Sire for 2021-2022, Rafeef has had a sensational season this year with his flagbearers including such G1 winners as Aragosta (SA Derby), Master Archie (Computaform Sprint) and Thunderstruck (Gold Medallion).
