SA Influence In Australia | Sporting Post
That South Africa’s most successful taproot mare, Drohsky, is continuing her influence beyond our borders was underlined last weekend.
As far away as Australia, teenage filly Steel City became the youngest stakes winner to descend from the remarkable little mare when she went from a damsel to an easy win in the Gr3 Magic Night Stakes at Sydney’s Rosehill circuit a Graded Stakes winner.
Drohsky has never raced, but her stud dog record is unmatched, her legacy powerful. Bred by mining magnate SB ‘Solly’ Joel by Eclipse winner Polyphontes, she was one of three fillies sent to South Africa to race in 1932.
Regarded as the weakest of the trio, she never made it to the track and was instead sold to EV Birch, founder of the famous Birch Bros, a wise purchase considering she built her own dynasty at stud Birch’s Vogel Vlei and continues to this day at.
Birch Bros
She is the descendant of two titans of the area, the mighty Lenin, considered the finest pre-war horse, while close relative Sea Cottage, the first horse to be inducted into South Africa’s Hall of Fame, is still considered by many to be one of they are considered the best, if not the most famous, horse to grace post-war lawns.
Aside from Lenin and Sea Cottage, Drohsky achieved immortality through the achievements of her daughters, and their offspring include winners of every elite race in the country.
As Syd Birch, great-grandson of EV Birch, once remarked, “She built her own dynasty and I wonder if any other lineage has produced as many feature winners. No wonder the homestead we live in is named after her!”
But back to Steel City.
Steel City wins the Magic Night Stakes (Image – Coolmore)
She descends from Drohsky’s daughter Commune, a four-time winner sired by Durban July winner Bird Of Prey. From her progeny Gr1 Cape Guineas Held Ocean City (a Sea Cottage son, so inbred 4 x 4 on Drohsky), Champion Stayer Aquanaut, Champion Juvenile Bold Speed, Gr1 Winner Agitator (SA Derby), Record Edge (Premier’s Cup) and Golden Peak (Gold Bowl), as well as young champion filly Warning Zone, who happens to be Steel City’s granddam.
Out of Ginistrelli mare War Women, this daughter was bred by Elliodor von Ascot Stud, and breeder Rose Parker remembered her as “a big, light filly.”
Mike de Kock coached the aforementioned Gr1 winner Record Edge, so it came as no surprise that Warning Zone also joined the maestro’s stable. She added further luster to the family to the extent that after winning the Gr2 Golden Slipper and Gr3 Debutante she was named State Champion Junior Filly 2002/3.
She became another smart purchase from Team Valor boss Barry Irwin, who sent her to the States, and she rewarded him with another field win at the landmark Marie G. Krantz Memorial at the fairgrounds. Australia eventually became her next home, where in due course she produced Pittsburgh Flyer filly for Street Cry, sire of wonder mare Winx and of course Drakenstein-bred Horse of the Year Oh Susanna.
Despite not playing in their upper league, the Pittsburgh Flyer counted a Gr3 win among her three wins and as good as her race record was, she has already surpassed it as a broodmare.
She quickly became not only a stake but also a Gr1 producer with her first foal, Exceed And Excel filly September Run, winner of the Coolmore Stud Stakes in Flemington.
Steel City is her third foal, followed by a one-year-old full brother of September Run. Pittsburgh Flyer visited powerhouse stallion I Am Invincible last spring.
Watch the replay here:
Notably, Steel City entered the Magic Night as a virgin after an unplaced performance in the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes, having previously finished second in the Gr3 Widden Stakes 1100m.
The filly, bought for A$700,000, was a turning point in the young career of new stud Merchant Navy. She has the honor of being the first stakes winner for Fastnet Rock’s Gr1 winning Sprint son.
After all, it would be remiss not to mention that Drohsky’s influence extends as far as Hong Kong.
Silvano’s son Chefano, winner of the Gr3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup in Sha Tin, descends from her daughter Lindro.
Chefano wins in Hong Kong (Image – HKJC)
A mare’s fate has fluctuated over the decades, some fading from prominence altogether, but Drohsky’s name runs like a golden thread through the cream of the South African bloodline. Long may it go on like this.