Klawervlei Stud's Equus Champion South African sire Captain Al (SAf) (Al Mufti–Off to War {SAf}, by Complete Warrior) underwent surgery Tuesday after developing laminitis in one of his hind legs, but passed away on July 12, reported Sporting Post. He was 20.
Bred by the Koster Bros in South Africa, Captain Al raced in the colours of Messrs A M & G J Dos Santos. During his seven-race career, the bay saluted four times, with his biggest win coming in the G1 Cape Argus Guineas at Kenilworth. He also scored wins in the G2 Merchants S., the G2 Diadem S. and the G3 Matchem S.
Retired to Klawervlei Stud, the son of Al Mufti would go on to sire 10 champions and 14 Grade 1 winners, among them champion 3-year-old filly Captain's Lover (SAf), who also landed the G3 Prix du Pin in France and the Listed Taylor Made Matchmaker S. in the U.S.; champion sprinter and three-time Grade 1 winner Captain of All (SAf), who joined his sire at Klawervlei in 2015; All Is Secret (SAf), champion juvenile filly; five-time top-shelf heroine Carry On Alice (SAf), and G1 J & B Met hero Hill Fifty Four (SAf). He was also South Africa's champion sire of 2-year-olds eight times consecutively from 2008 to 2016 and has 42 graded winners among his 79 black-type winners, good for 9% SW from foals of racing age. In addition to his Equus Champion Sire title, Captain Al also earned Cape Stallion of the Year 2014/15 and was a two-time Equus Outstanding Stallion for 2009 and 2011.
“We didn't have a gate at the top of our driveway,” said Klawervlei's John Koster to Sporting Post of his champion sire. “What we did have were two wolves called debt and overdraft. There was one horse guarding my family from those two wolves and that was Captain Al. Every time those wolves got too close, Captain Al would come through. He put my kids through school. It's amazing what one horse can mean to a family.”
Out of Broodmare of the Year Off to War (SAf), Captain Al was a half-brother to MGSW Mustang Manny (SAf) (Print {GB}) and G1 Cape Guineas heroine Shadow Dancing (SAf) (Fort Wood). The latter is already responsible for MG1SW Thunder Dance (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf}).
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