South African Winner for Zoffany

Opening his account with a stylish debut victory at Kenilworth in South Africa on Wednesday was Australian bred colt Soweto Moon (2c Zoffany x Soweto, by Umatilla), who becomes the first Southern Hemisphere bred winner for his young sire.

Prepared by Justin Snaith, Soweto Moon raced clear to win the 1000 metre maiden by a length and three-quarters.

A $17,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase for Hassen Adams from the Riversdale Farm draft, Soweto Moon was bred by Nick Hodges.

He is the first winner for handy winning Umatilla mare Soweto, a half-sister to stakes-winner Dancing Penny from the family of Group III winner Our Quivira and stakes-winners Kishkat and Panipique.

The sire of two place-getters from his first three runners in Australia, Zoffany sired 33 first crop winners in Europe last year including five stakes-winners to be Champion First Season Sire.

His burgeoning results in Europe last year sparked considerable interest in Zoffany from Australian breeders and he covered an impressive 213 mares at Jerry's Plains last spring.