VARDY SIBLING WINS AGAIN!

Promising three-year-old Universal, a half-brother to recently retired champion Vardy, made it two wins from just four starts when winning at Kenilworth on Wednesday.

Trained, like his famous half-brother, by Adam Marcus, Universal had failed to fire when last, as favourite, in the G3 Cape Classic last time out, but made amends for that run with a cosy victory in Wednesday’s Racing Association MR 95 Handicap.

Under Craig Zackey, Universal came with a late rattle to snare Wednesday’s 1600m contest by nearly half a length, with inform Firealley taking second spot. It was another two lengths away to All Lit Up, with the Justin Snaith trained Myhopesanddreams back in fourth.
Universal claimed his second win in a time of 97.7 seconds and he looks a colt with a bright future ahead of him.

One of two winners at Kenilworth on the day for reigning champion South African sire Gimmethegreenlight, Universal was bred by the Tawny Syndicate.

Purchased from the Cape Thoroughbred Sale Premier Yearling Sale for R2,2m from the draft of Klawervlei Stud, Universal has all the makings of a stallion prospect if he can show the form of his older half-brother.

The well bred colt is a half-brother to both Equus Champion, and G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner, Vardy and to Listed East Cape Oaks winner Eros’s Girl.

Universal’s dam is the Jet Master mare Cupid -a full-sister to triple G1 winner Ebony Flyer and half-sister to Equus Champion Captain’s Lover.

Image: Chase Liebenberg Designs, Vardy winning on August 10.