End of an era as Avontuur Estate closes breeding operations
In a deeply emotional moment for South African thoroughbred breeding, Avontuur Estate has officially closed its storied stud operations after nearly four decades of excellence.
Under the watchful eye and expert stewardship of general manager Pippa Mickleburgh, the Somerset West-based farm became a cornerstone of local bloodstock development, renowned for producing elite racehorses and standing champion stallions.
The estate, once home to legendary sires such as Var and Oratorio, will now continue solely as a wine farm, restaurant, manor house accommodation, events venue, and recreational hub.
However, in racing terms, the iconic barns and paddocks that once echoed with the sounds of future champions have now fallen silent.
Mickleburgh confirmed that the final transport carrier departed Avontuur Estate in early May, marking the end of a 35-year journey filled with triumphs, challenges, and unforgettable moments.
'This farm has been my life for 35 years. My blood, sweat and tears are in the soil,' Mickleburgh said, visibly emotional.
'Many of the staff have been around for 20 or even 40 years – they're like family. It's a very sad time for all of us.'
The decision to wind down breeding operations was made by the owners of the estate, with all horses – including 27 broodmares – relocated to Ridgemont, another leading South African stud operation.
Avontuur's impact on the industry is difficult to overstate.
Season after season, the farm produced Grade 1 winners, and most recently, it achieved a final flourish when the One World colt, Dreamworld, bred by Avontuur, won the Grade 3 Winter Nursery at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Mickleburgh, attending the event, was visibly moved during the winner's lead-in.
'That was the final group winner for Avontuur while it was still an operational stud. It was incredibly emotional,' she said.
At last month's 2025 BSA National Yearling Sale, Mickleburgh attended her final sale as Avontuur's representative.
The standout colt October Rush (by Rafeef out of Grade 1 winner Miss October) was sold to Form Bloodstock for R4.25 million, topping the sale.
In total, Avontuur's seven yearlings fetched R6.45 million, with an average of R921 429.
Mickleburgh, whose tenure ends on 30 June, remains uncertain about her next chapter.
'I think I'll take a break. I need time to reflect. Avontuur is in my DNA, and watching it wind down has been very tough – physically and emotionally,' she said.
Though its breeding chapter has closed, the legacy of Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm will live on through the champions it produced and the lives it touched within the South African racing community.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Newspaper headlines from around the world - Thursday, 5 June 2025
Here are the stories that made headlines on the front pages of newspapers worldwide on Thursday, 5 June 2025. The New York Times front page reported that the G.O.P's bill would swell the U.S. debt by $2.4 trillion. The Wall Street Journal front page reported that spycraft and homegrown weapons powered Kyiv's surprise attack. The Hindustan Times' front page reported that the government has finally announced the long-postponed census. Daily Mail's front page reported that battle lines have been drawn over immigration. The Guardian front page reported that chaos fears arise over the return of winter fuel payments. If you wish to stay up-to-date – for FREE – on the latest international and South African news, then bookmark The South African website for all that plus the latest in the world of finance, sport, lifestyle – and more. Did we mention it was 100% free to read …?
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
DSD briefs parliament on basic income support policy
The Department of Social Development aims to provide basic income support for citizens between the ages of 18-59. During a briefing with the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, DSD updated parliament on the progress of the development of the Basic Income Support Policy. 'Work on the policy has been ongoing, with the first draft of the policy having been presented to the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster Cabinet Committee on 26 November 2024', said DSD spokesperson, Bathembu Futshane. The committee raised that more consultations were needed in order to discus the policy. It was further suggested that meetings should be held with internal stakeholders. The meeting would focus on the affordability of the policy and linkages of its proposed beneficiaries with economic opportunities. An interdepartmental workshop was held in order to communicate the directive of collaboration. According to Futshane, the workshop affirmed the need to link the policy's beneficiaries to other employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities. 'A follow up workshop will be held in June 2025. Followed by bilateral engagements with the Presidency, the Department of Labour and National Treasury', said Futshane. He said once the consultations are concluded, DSD will approach the SPCHD Cabinet Committee in the second Quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. They will request cabinet to consider the revised policy. Once the policy is approved, it will be published for public comments. Futshane said that in order to ensure stability during the consultation period, the department will consult National Treasury for the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant be extended. The grant will remain in place until the legislative process is complete. Beneficiaries will be protected from extreme poverty and vulnerability while they wait for the policy to come into effect. 'The Department, has for the interim, been granted an extension by the National Treasury to continue with this provision for the 2025/26 financial year', concluded Futshane. DO YOU THINK SOCIAL GRANTS ARE HELPING SOUTH AFRICANS OR ENCOURAGING A CULTURE OF LAZINESS? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
MTN, Turkcell legal wrangle over allegations of bribery continues
Turkcell is set to oppose MTN's bid in the Constitutional Court Image: supplied Turkish mobile network operator, Turkcel, is set to oppose MTN's bid in the Constitutional Court to appeal a recent ruling that will allow allegations of bribery against MTN to be heard in South Africa. MTN, Africa's largest mobile network operator, approached the Constitutional Court arguing that South Africa doesn't have jurisdiction to hear legal bids over alleged corruption in Iran, and the matter should be heard there. In April, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) allowed Turkcell to present evidence alleging MTN committed bribery and corruption to overturn an Iranian GSM licence award. The SCA ruling marked the first time a South African court determined whether misconduct allegations abroad could be heard locally. On Thursday, Turkcell said it was opposing MTN's application to the Constitutional Court. In a statement, it said that this was 'in Turkcell's ongoing pursuit of justice for damages estimated at over $4.2 billion, stemming from allegations that MTN paid bribes to Iranian and South African officials to overturn a public tender awarded initially to Turkcell for a multi-billion-dollar GSM telecom license in Iran'. Should Turkcell be victorious in its defence of MTN's appeal, Turkcell can take its allegations of bribery to the Johannesburg High Court. Its previous bid, two years ago, failed with a finding then by that court that South Africa was not the correct geography to hear the matter. This is the decision that has been overturned through the SCA ruling. Turkcell's legal wrangle with MTN dates back more than a decade, when it initially approached the US courts in an action it later retracted, contending that MTN secured its 49% stake in a telecommunications licence in Iran through bribery. Turkcell said that the local 'case has significant implications for South Africa's stance on international bribery and corruption'. The Turkish operator argues that MTN paid off both Iranian and South African officials to overturn a public tender, which it lost to Turkcell, for a multi-billion-dollar opportunity to run an Iranian GSM telecom licence. MTN has denied these allegations, publicly stating that it has always 'maintained that the Turkcell litigation was without merit and has expressed confidence that it would successfully defend these proceedings'. In 2012, the UK's Lord Leonard Hoffmann released a report that exonerated MTN of any shady dealings in securing the licence. In part, the report stated: 'All the allegations are a fabric of lies, distortions and inventions.' Cedric Soule, counsel for Turkcell, said that MTN's reliance on this report, which its commissioned, is improper as 'the process that MTN put together lacked the independence, rigour and transparency of a judicial proceeding'. Soule added that 'the Hoffmann Committee failed to interview key witnesses, did not independently gather or assess evidence, and did not use independent counsel; its conclusions are therefore unreliable and irrelevant to the current proceedings'. MTN, however, has said that 'these claims were the subject of a comprehensive and independent investigation led by Lord Hoffmann, the findings of which did not support the allegations'. The Constitutional Court will now decide whether to grant the request for leave to appeal filed by MTN and the other defendants. Turkcell expects a decision within three months.
