Ridgemont Highlands’ red hot resident stallion Rafeef has some very exciting two-year-olds this season, and the G1 winning son of Redoute’s Choice looks to have yet another bright juvenile prospect in the form of Union Square.
The latter, a colt trained, like Rafeef himself, by Mike De Kock, lived up to the hype when he made a winning debut at Turffontein on Saturday afternoon.
Under Richard Fourie, Union Square raced off the pace early on in Saturday’s #ThisIsRacing Welcomes You Juvenile Plate (1160m).
Fourie coaxed a strong late rush from his mount, which saw Union Square flash up late and win, going away, by two and a quarter lengths.
It was a fine performance from a colt who still appeared very green in running.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Union Square was a R700 000 purchase from the 2021 National Yearling Sale.
Saturday’s impressive debut winner is out of the Oasis Dream mare Square Dance, a dual winner who finished second in the Listed Oaks Trial.
Union Square is the third juvenile winner for Rafeef this season, following fellow debut winner in Who Do You Love and G3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery runner up Spywing.
South Africa’s Leading Second Season Sire of 2021-2022, Rafeef has some well bred yearlings on offer at the upcoming National Yearling Sale, including a half-brother (Lot 5) to graded stakes winners Olympic Owen and Speedy Suzy, a filly (Lot 71) out of G3 Magnolia Handicap winner My Friend Lee, and a half-sister (Lot 432) to G1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes heroine Temple Grafin.
Image: JC Photos
