SOFT FALLING RAIN is the sire of one of our National Yearling Sale purchases, Blessed Rain. We take a look back at Soft Falling Rain’s career, which included wins in the Godolphin Mile, the UAE 2000 Guineas and the Nayef Joel Stakes at Newmarket. Read more here.
Soft Falling Rain
Sire: National Assembly
Dam: Gardener’s Delight
Damsire: Giant’s Causeway
Race Record: 13 Runs: 8 Wins, 2 Places
A R350 000 purchase as a yearling, Soft Falling Rain soon made his mark on the turf by winning the Gr1 SA Nursery as a 2 year old.
He was named Champion 2 Year Old Colt in 2011 after remaining undefeated in 4 starts that season and he was just getting started. His unbeaten record didn’t stop there, after being exported to Dubai he landed three impressive victories in the Gr2 Godolphin Mile (see video), Gr3 UAE 2000 Guineas and the Guineas Trial respectively – taking his record to 7 wins from 7 starts.
Having been a runner up in his English debut, it was unfamiliar territory for Soft Falling Rain and he answered his critics on what many might say was his most impressive victory of them all, by bouncing back to win the Gr2 Nayef Joel Stakes at Newmarket in his very next start.
The following season entailed more travel between Europe and Dubai and despite it taking a tremendous toll on him he still managed to notch up a close second to Champion Miler – Variety Club when attempting to defend his crown in the Gr2 Godolphin Mile.
He spent his entire career under the care of top South African trainer Mike De Kock, who spoke highly of his former star:
“Soft Falling Rain was a world class sprinter-miler and will bring a valuable pedigree, remarkable versatility and true international quality to our community of breeders. That Sheikh Hamdan has kept a share is most encouraging. He will support Soft Falling Rain with some of his top broodmares. Wilgerbosdrift, too, has a terrific broodmare band.”
With his first crop of runners about to hit the South African scene later this year, we are very excited to have picked up one of his progeny, BLESSED RAIN, at the April National Yearling Sale (2018).
Watch here:
