The highly temperamental Pomp And Power, winner of the 2022 Grade 1 Cape Derby and retired to Heversham Park in 2023, is becoming more relaxed by the day.
Farm manager Nadia Duvenhage recently took what the farm staff regarded as a bold step when she saddled Pomp And Power, climbed aboard and took him for a ride. (Scroll down for videos).
Nadia said she still smiles when she thinks about it. “I’d heard all about Pomp And Power’s quirks and how difficult he could be to manage, but I’ve always liked him and he’s been kind to me – very laid back. One day I decided, ‘today is the day,’ and told the staff I was going to see what would happen if I tried to ride him.
“They laughed and shook their heads. Philip Maluka just said ‘good luck’ and threw his hands up in the air. But Pomp And Power was fine and relaxed – he loved the ride. He bucked once and sweated a bit afterwards because he hasn’t done that in a while, but I ride him regularly now. He’s a stunning horse.”
Pomp and Power with Pooh Bear and Sylvester, after his arrival in 2023.
Heversham’s Advocate Nigel Riley said: “We put Pomp And Power in the same paddock as two old jumping ponies, Pooh Bear and Sylvester. He was wary of them at first, but they’ve become great friends and spend most of their time together. Pooh Bear is approaching 30 and Sylvester is 16. The little fellows must have taught him some manners!”
Pomp and Power raced for Greg Bortz, Etienne Braun & Marsh Shirtliff’s Greenacres Trust He won five races, including the Gr1 Cape Derby, and finished second in the Daily News and third in the Cape Town Met.
He was bred by Maine Chance Farms and is a son of their champion Vercingetorix out of the Candy Stripes mare, Peru.