SA Derby Winners From Previous Years
The TAB SA Derby is one of South Africa’s premier races, held on Champions Day as the third leg of the prestigious Triple Crown. This race is a thrilling showdown of the country’s best three-year-old thoroughbreds as they compete for a coveted place in history. Sean Tarry Racing will be represented by two runners—Legend of Arthur and Don’t Cry For Me—both looking to make their mark on this exciting event. Sean Tarry has had success in the Derby before with Pomodoro, Legal Eagle and Al Sahem. Read more about some of these remarkable SA Derby winners from previous years:
POMODORO: Jet Master -Golden Apple, by Northern Guest
A son of champion Jet Master and G2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Golden Apple, Pomodoro was as versatile as he was talented. He showed plenty of courage when dead-heating for first with Royal Bencher in the 2012 G1 SA Derby, with Pomodoro having finished a close second in the G1 SA Classic prior to that Derby effort. The bay would go on to confirm his class when he provided the Tarry Yard with their first July success, when Pomodoro won the 2012 Vodacom Durban July. On that occasion, Pomodoro accounted for such high-class performers as Solo Traveller, Gold Onyx, Beach Beauty, Pierre Jourdan, Top Seller, and Jackson. Retired to stud, Pomodoro became South Africa's Leading First Season Sire of 2017-2018, and he has sired the likes of Return Flight, Russian Rock, Black Thorn, Cirillo, Golden Belle, Epsom Girl, Mount Pilatus, and Pomodoro's Jet.
LEGAL EAGLE: g Greys Inn -Young Sensation, by National Emblem
South Africa's Horse Of The Year in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017, the mighty Legal Eagle picked up his first G1 victory when he saluted in the G1 SA Derby of 2015. The son of Greys Inn romped home in the third leg of the Triple Crown to thrash runner-up Deputy Jud by a convincing three lengths. Legal Eagle's stablemate, French Navy, had won the 2015 G1 SA Classic but proved no match for Legal Eagle in the Derby, with French Navy finishing a well beaten third. The brilliant Legal Eagle, who would retire from racing with more than R12.239 million and eight Equus Awards to his name, would go on to win another seven G1 races—three runnings of the Horse Chestnut Stakes, three runnings of the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate, and the 2016 Champions Challenge.
AL SAHEM: Silvano -Alderry, by Al Mufti
The regally bred Al Sahem was bred to be good, by multiple champion sire Silvano; he was produced by G2 November Charity Mile winner Alderry. A full-brother to the smart Al Mutawakel and 3/4 brother to Listed Jacaranda Handicap winner Seehaam, Al Sahem showed high-class form in each leg of the Triple Crown. After finishing second in the first two legs (G2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas, G1 SA Classic), Al Sahem picked his biggest win when he landed the G1 SA Derby by a length and three quarters. He would go on to finish second, beaten just a head by Marinaresco in the 2017 G1 Vodacom Durban July.