RACING phenom Sepfourteen is on the cusp of racing greatness as he attempts to sweep this year’s championship series for 3-year-olds and become only the 11th winner of the local Triple Crown on July 30 at the Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.
Fresh off his recent narrow victory in the second leg of the series, the handsome chestnut colt is expected to go all out for the coveted crown in what has now become an exciting grand finale set over a classic distance of 2,000 meters.
Interestingly, the connections of the main protagonists of this year’s championships are all horse racing and breeding associates who have developed a common passion for thoroughbreds over the past years.
Locked in friendly competition are Oliver “Jojo” Velasquez of SC Stockfarm, breeder and owner of Sepfourteen and Brilliance; Joseph “Joey” Dyhengco of Cool Summer Farm, breeder-owner of Hiway One and Raymund Puyat of RB Farm, breeder of Smokin Saturday, winner of the Triple Crown Hopeful Stakes.
“Despite the fact that our horses compete against one another, we only leave the competition at the track and have become better friends over the years, regularly attending bloodstock sales abroad and supporting each other’s breeding programs,” according to Velasquez.
In fact, Velasquez’ Brilliance, is sired by Dyhengco’s stallion Keep Laughing (by Distorted Humor) out of a mare he purchased at the US Keeneland Sales which they regularly attend with Raymund Puyat, who also purchased Smokin’ Saturday’s dam (Smokin) at the same sale.
“Based on our experience, we have come to realize that US-pedigreed runners have a distinct advantage in our local tracks, being more adept at dirt racing, compared to other breeds who are better suited for turf or racing on grass,” noted Dyhengco.
All three friends maintain US-bred stallions in their farms and have retained breeding rights in each other’s prized breeders, as well as, of those of other racing colleagues.
“Just like Sepfourteen, who is sired by US-bred stallion Consolidator (by Storm Cat) standing at Manny Santos’ Jade Bros Farms, we have also retained breeding rights to the said stallion, who is also an accomplished racehorse or Grade 1 winner in the US,” explained Puyat.
Although the outcome of the third and final leg of the local Triple Crown is still a good month away, the three racing buddies are optimistic that they will equally share the glory of Sepfourteen’s victory and carry the hope that they also be blessed with a once-in-a-lifetime runner from their future breeds.