Hanno Joubert of La Berg in the Bonnievale district (Klawervlei’s nearest horse neighbour) flew to Singapore to fetch Jay Peg last week. Hanno is not only an experienced stallion man but has logged many hours as a pro-groom, so John Koster persuaded him to fly to Singapore and help us bring the champ "Peg" home.

Hanno and "Peg" have landed and we enclose a few pics in this eNews of his travel prep in Singapore to keep his many fans in touch. Hanno told me today that they travelled very well - the only occupants of the cargo end of a Singapore Airlines stretched upper deck Jumbo 747. "He was totally calm in the entire flight process, you can see he has done this before like a jet setter". "On the ground in Singapore he left us in no doubt that he is a stallion, but he is a really good natured, lovely horse and I am sure that he is going to let down into a really handsome stallion". Hanno also added that the Champ still looks like he is in training as they kept him in light work in Singapore. "He is a handsome 16.1hh and I can’t wait to see him cover my mare" is how Hanno described Peg.

We all can’t wait to see him but will have to wait a bit longer while he does his stint in quarantine. We are so grateful to everyone that has played a role in making it possible for "Peg" to fly straight home. Prof Alan Guthrie and Prof Koos van den Berg, who is now head of veterinary services at Singapore Turf Club, sorted out the protocol issues and we are extremely grateful to them for their input.

One is always reluctant to say that any horse is the greatest racehorse ever bred in SA as that is always a matter of conjecture and opinion - but with TFR 126 and earnings or around R40m he is the highest rated and biggest earner ever bred in SA. And we feel very passionately that this Champ is going to be our next home-bred star at stud. The Champ has returned to do what he is surely bred to do - BECOME AS GOOD AT STUD AS HE WAS ON THE TRACK. Now all we need to do is persuade Tellytrack to give the good news to everyone that is not on this eNews address group...