Danie Toerien
Murphy's Law dictates that anything that can go wrong, will.
Well, when it comes to breeding horses, the exact opposite seems to be true of Clive Murphy, who can do no wrong as owner and breeder of Kingdundee.
This son of The United States out of Duke Of Marmalade mare Miss Marmalade, earned himself an automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup World Championships with his victory in the Grade 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Murphy, an owner of horses for 37 years, says that the Breeders Cup entry is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"I'm definitely considering it," says the breeder-owner.
"I've had a few people talking that they want to buy him from me and do it. I obviously said yes, but that was Monday morning talk.
"But if somebody wanted to buy him from me and go with me to America, I would do it.
"I love my breeding and nothing would please me more than to see that horse win in the USA. It would be amazing because I bred it.
"I am happy to sell all the shares in the horse, because I'm happy to give him his best chance, or to keep a bit (of the shares).
"I bred his mother, I bred it for a big heart, all the genetic elements, it's what I've been plugging away at for years and I finally got it right. And they've been coming out shot for shot. I've just seen his brother, who is exactly the same and you can already see he is a champion.
"I'm happy to sell him in total, I'm happy to sell a share. I just want to have fun."
Should Kingdundee line up in the Grade 1 Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in Kentucky at the end of October, it will be the greatest breeding achievement Murphy could ever imagine.
"That's actually the bottom line. You get the point," says Murphy.
"A few people have asked if I can give them until the end of the week, and well, honestly, they can take as long as they want. That's where it is. If anybody comes with a reasonable offer, I will consider it. I'm not talking 40 million stuff. I'm talking a reasonable figure."
In the meantime, Kingdundee's next mission will be the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint at Turffontein on 4 April - confirmed by trainer Dean Smith.
According to Smith, Kingdundee might have a prep run before that, but perhaps they will unleash him on the Highveld fresh.
"I think that if anybody wants to take him to America, they have to buy him now," says Murphy. "They have to take him over sooner rather than later. They have to get all the paperwork done now.
"He's fully grown as a four-year-old, he's won eight races from 11, so if he has a pimple on his nose, it doesn't affect him. He's a machine. He is a proper racing machine. And he runs a 1000 in 55. The time on Saturday was 57, but he can do a 55 too. He's quick. And he runs on his own. You don't have to push him. He runs himself. He knows his ability."
According to Murphy, Kingdundee's breeding started three generations back.
"I bred the horse myself, and I bred his mother. I was in love with Rambo Dancer and then I was in love with Duke Of Marmalade, then I was in love with The United States. I bred this horse back three generations.
"I mated his grandma through Duke Of Marmalade, who then produced his mom, (Miss Marmalade) who raced twice. She won her first start and I said no, she's too good to race, so she must go to stud."
Miss Marmalade went to The United States and produced Kingdundee.
Her second foal is Princess Of Gaul by Vercingetorix, a three-year-old filly who has won three times from six races, including two Grade 2 races.
"The next one is my one," says Murphy, referring to Miss Marmalade's third foal. "He is called Bavarian Flyer (by Quasillo) and he looks a machine. I worked him today (Monday) and I thought here we go again."
The two-year-old is expected to make his debut only after turning three, says Murphy.
"In this game I can see a horse that can fly, and boy, we've found another one."
According to Murphy, part of Kingdundee's success has been the fact they he has not been overraced. "A lot of people have said that I've raced him too seldom. But I've let him have long breaks, and I've let him relax, that's why we've done so well with him.
"He's won his last four starts. He doesn't get beaten because he doesn't like being beaten.
"He is by a Galileo stallion. They are very mentally strong horses. They hate being worked with other horses and they hate getting beat. That's the difference."