Q: Will a partner ever be able to watch these horses run on the computer?
A: Right now, South African racing is only shown on Tuesdays from Newmarket; however, HRTV is doing a trade out with South Africa and increased coverage of South African racing in North America is likely. Phumelela racing is the worldwide hub for distribution of races such as the Breeders’ Cup and Dubai World Cup. They are based in South Africa and have streamlined their operation and are poised to present the South African product worldwide in the near future.

Q: How many of these yearlings can be reasonably expected to be good enough to come to the United States?
A: Last year, we wrote “If we get one filly and one colt and they are good enough to import, than this venture will have been well worth the while. Frankly, however, we expect to do better than that.” Well, now that results are known fuller, it is now obvious that the filly partnerships are going to be hugely successful. The first colt venture is apparently going to be a bust. The colt venture from last year has a reasonable chance for success based on early reports. The big colt Field Event looks like a home run.

Q: When can the first one be expected to race?
A: Based on our experience over the past two seasons, it is possible to run before the first of our calendar year. However, the type of horses Barry Irwin selects are not chosen for their precocity, so the first ones can be expected to debut in about March or April. Some of them will not race at 2 at all.

Q: Is 2-year-old racing stressed in South Africa?
A: Not really. The 3-year-old Classics are more important than juvenile racing and the best races are for older runners, especially those that can race over 11 furlongs.

Q: How would you rate these horses in terms of their quality?
A: There are a couple of colts each year that are as full of quality as anything presented all year long in Kentucky. There are a handful of fillies that are of star quality.

Q: How would you rate their pedigrees?
A: Better than state-bred program like California and Florida, but not as good as Kentucky, England, Ireland or France. Better than Italy. Right up there with Germany. And they are improving.

Q: How would you rate these horses in terms of bone and soundness?
A: Among the very best in the world, right behind Argentina, which is probably the best place to raise a horse in the world.

Q: How would you rate the trainers in South Africa?
A: The top half dozen are on a par with any horsemen anywhere in the world.

Q: How are the purses in South Africa?
A: Much improved and getting better all the time. The purses received a big booost earlier in the year. The SA economy is on the upswing, too. The stock market is up 72 percent from a year ago. Purses for the top races, which used to be worth about $12,000 to the winner, how are up in the $50,000 range and the biggest race is worth $500,000, with $300,000 to the winner.

Q: What markets are available to sell the horses we don't want to import?
A: South African runners are all the rage in Australia and Dubai. Hong Kong sent a representative looking to buy South African horses this month. Countries looking to import them on a regular basis include Dubai, Mauritius and Bahrain. There is also a strong local market since the economy has been on an upswing the past year or so.