Red hot Pirates Coup

By Windsor Lass

It must have been difficult for the sponsors ‘Mars and Mim Haynes to suppress a feeling of pride at Ngong race course last Sunday.

The stands and enclosures were all full, while the hospitality lent an ambiance of ‘bonhomie’ to the whole proceedings not forgetting compliments to the food by Steve Vaz. It was delicious.

Timothy Pretorius, brought in from South Africa, added yet more spice to the day. For all this, a great deal of credit goes to Jockey Club of Kenya, their staff and the stewards who give their time.

Pirates Coup (SAF) owned by Tom Tam and Gilly Fraser, won the Pedigree Fillies Guineas 2009, in impressive style, capturing the 1,600m race by 6 1/4 lengths ahead of second placed horse Mim Hayness, on Fire.

Tiffany Blue was two lengths away in third place.

From nine starts Pirates Coup has now won fives times and Sh349,131 in stake money.

Both second and third placed horses were imported by the imported stallion Makaarem (USA).

Trained by Patsy Sercombe, one Fire looked a picture to behold, but that was not enough to beat Pirates Coup.

Next meeting February 22, featuring three main features — the Nakuru Race Club Cup, the Chili Cup and the Arkle Cup.