Gelykfontein, Thoroughbred Race Horses

Race Horse Stud

The Race Horse Stud started in 1935 by Schalk’s farther, JC (Boer) van der Walt. Many well know winning champions has been bred on Gelykfontein over the years, including a Metropolitan Handicap Winner, Guinness Winners, a Merchants Handicap Winner, Race Horse of the Year, Broodmare of the Year and many Grade I, II and III Winners. Stallions of the best quality, were the Stud Breeders at Gelykfontein, to name but a few: Port Rush, Song of Songs, Fats Waller, Electrify, Artic Flower, Mr Higgens, Arbat, Nadir Sha II, Bold Speed, Queer Street II, Reubens etc.

Current

Gelykfontein’s current fifteen mares foal every year from 1 August to December, according to race horse breeding authority’s regulations, to regulate age groups. Eight days after foaling, the mare comes on heat again, but on Gelykfontein, mares are only covered in their second estrous, 30 days after foaling, to give her chance to recuperate after foaling, it helps minimize abortions. Thorough inspections are done, to select the right stallion for each mare, in order to achieve a prospecting foal from the best compatible bloodlines, without in-breeding, with excellent conformation, and off course… speed! The speed required depends on the distances the horse would be racing. The breeder should choose between sprinters, middle distance racers or stayers (long distance). On Gelykfontein sprinters and middle distance racers are bred, which has the most popular market.

Horse Pass Port

The Race Horse Industry appoints veterinarians, usually in January, to inspect each foal before they are weaned. Blood samples of the mother and father of each foal are taken and a micro chip implanted in the foal’s neck for identification. The foals are registered and an Identification Document (Pass Port), are issued for each foal, bearing its micro chip number, breeding and all specific marks on the foal, like white feet, facial markings, whorls and hoof coloration..

Yearlings

At 18 months old, the foals are selected for conformation and are organized into the different Breeding Associations’ SA Bloodstock Auctions, they would be going to. When the yearling foals has been sold, they are saddled for the first time, to start their training for races. Schalk also rent out some fillies to trainers for three years, to have their racing career, then return them to stud for breeding.