With her name Umoyawokubambelela meaning ‘spirit of holding on’ in Zulu, the Australian-bred and South African raced daughter of The Autumn Sun didn’t look as if she may even make it to the races at one stage but began her racetrack career in stylish fashion on Sunday, winning by two lengths.
Having been exported from Australia, via Singapore and then on to South Africa in June last year, Umoyawokubambelela was part of a shipment of 15 yearlings and four weanlings purchased in Australia and New Zealand by Craig Ramsay on behalf of the Heffer family’s Hollywood Racing.
Upon arrival in South Africa, the then unnamed Umoyawokubambelela suffered a bout of colic in quarrantine and needed to be operated on, and after recovering from that, another attack of colic occurred with connections feeling at that stage that she may not even survive, let alone make it to the races.
With connections bestowing the filly with the name Umoyawokubambelela, befitting her journey to that point, the daughter of The Autumn Sun was given to Wengesai Masawi to train.
Making her debut on Sunday over 1200m at Scottsville with Gavin Lerena in the saddle, the filly started the equal favourite in the field of ten.
After missing the start when the gates opened, Umoyawokubambelela settled in last position before pulling to the outside of the field with 500m to run to put herself into a challenging position..
While showing signs of greenness in the run to the line, once the filly hit the lead, Lerena put the whip away and rode hands and heels to the line.
With ears pricked, Umoyawokubambelela pulled clear to score by two lengths in what was an impressive performance.
“She's obviously shown us that she's got the ability at home, but mentally very immature,” said Lerena. “On the canter down, I was actually quite worried that she's going to run green, but I always knew she had the ability to finish it off.”
“Once she got up to the field, she travelled very professionally in behind them, and it was just a matter of letting her go at the right time.
“They got away up front, but we had to wait for her, and she quickened up well.
“It's just fantastic to ride beautifully bred horses like this. I'm feeling very blessed. So a big thank you to the Hollywood team and to Wengesai and his whole team.
“This filly, she's had her ups and downs and, you know, they've kept it together so beautifully and I think it's just a very special win.”
“I think this win means more than just a win, it's how she survived, and I think that's what's more important than anything and that's what her name means spirit of holding on and it's a lovely name,” said Hollywood Racing’s Racing Manager Anthony Delpech post-race.
Offered by Glen Lee Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Premier yearling sale on behalf of breeder Arrowfield Stud, the filly was one of five at the sale purchased by Craig Ramsay, knocked down for $180,000.
The first winner out of the Japanese bred Lord Kanaloa mare Bright Path (Jpn), a half-sister to the G2 winner Jeune Ecole and to the dam the dual G1 winner Songline (Jpn), the 2023 Japanese Champion Miler & Older Female, Umoyawokubambelela is also from the family of G1 winners Deirdre and Panja Tower.
Due to foal in the spring to The Autumn Sun once again, with the resultant foal a full to Umoyawokubambelela, the Arrowfield Stud based stallion is the sire of 11 stakes winners headed by five G1 winners including Horse of the Year candidate The Autumn Glow and dual G1-winning 3yo Autumn Boy, who are both likely to resume in the upcoming G1 ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
