Selukwe gallops into the big time

From quiet beginnings in the Garden Route to a podium finish in Africa's biggest horse race - that's the story of Selukwe, a five-year-old gelding bred at La Plaisance Stud just outside George by Morné and Karen de Villiers.

- Kristy Kolberg

Up until July last year, Selukwe had only one win and two placings under his belt, with earnings of about R89 000. But since being moved to Durban for training at Plattner Racing's Summerveld yard, the late-blooming gelding has blossomed into a serious competitor.

He has since notched up five more wins and nine placings, boosting his career earnings to over R1.3m.