8 BUGATTI BLUE – 2022 TANKARD RUNNER

8 Drawn 5 55.5 7-year-old gelding

Owner:  Centaur Syndicate (Nom: Mr C J Danckwerts)

Breeder: Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd – Trainer: Debra Swanson

Breeding: Traffic Guard (USA) – Vintage Event by Braashee (GB)

Colours: Orange, black maltese cross, white cap

Jackie Cocksedge is a member of the Centaur Syndicate so who better to ask for a few pointers about their Castle Tankard runner?

She said: “Bugatti Blue was originally named Oldsmobile.  He is by far the most successful progeny of the very disappointing sire, Traffic Guard (USA).

“He was spotted by the eagle-eyed trainer, Kirk Swanson, on the Ready To Run Sales, from the videos they produce of the gallops. Centaur Syndicate were looking for a horse, and we chose him from a selection of three, and we changed his name.

“As a three-year-old Bugatti Blue ran fourth to Knuckleball in the middle leg of the Triple Crown over 2000mm and in the Zimbabwe Derby over 2400m. He does not sprint and seems to prefer a bit of give in the going. He likes to run from the front as he doesn’t really have a turn of foot in a finish.

“He has now won 8 races for the Centaur Syndicate and been placed in 42 starts. He is as honest as the day is long and has been a wonderful horse to own. Not bad for an R11 000 purchase.”

Thank you, Jackie.  I will only add that Bugatti Blue opened at 14/1 in the betting, and I would not leave him out of a larger quartet.  Have a close look at his last three starts – two over 2000m and the last over 1600m – and who else ran there.  It is interesting reading.

Photograph by Laurent Viguie