EL CAPITAN is a gelding by Rafeef (AUS), out of the Western Winter (USA) mare Baqueira. Purchased by the Hollywood Syndicate at the 2023 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Powered by Tattersalls, he was bred by Ridgemont.
Name: EL CAPITAN
Named By: Ridgemont
Sex: Bay Gelding
Sire: Rafeef (AUS)
Dam: Baqueira
Damsire: Western Winter (USA)
DOB: 22 August 2021
Breeder: Ridgemont
Pedigree: See Here
Trainer: Cliffie Miller
Previous Trainer: Gareth van Zyl
Record: 15-1-5
UPDATES – El Capitan
May 15th, 2026
Raced over 1300m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 5th out of 9 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He was badly squeezed at the 200m. He would have finished much closer than fifth.
April 24th, 2026
Raced over 1300m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 5th out of 11 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He was squeezed at the top of the straight which cost him finishing much closer. One to watch next time.
March 27th, 2026
Raced over 1300m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 2nd out of 12 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: A good second. The winner was too good. He had every chance.
October 31st, 2025
Raced over 1400m at Fairview on the turf. Finished 9th out of 12 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He over-raced in the early part of the race. He didn’t run badly considering. Watch him next time on the poly.
October 1st, 2025
Raced over 1600m at Fairview on the polytrack. Finished 5th out of 6 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: A fair first run out of the maidens. He will win his races in PE.
September 1st, 2025
706 – EL CAPITAN sheds his maiden tag in his first outing for Hollywoodbets-sponsored Trainer Cliffie Miller. Jockey Marco van Rensburg sent him to the front over 1400m on the Fairview turf track and he found extra where it matters most. Race Replay & Interview.
August 9th, 2025
He has relocated to the Eastern Cape and will be trained by Cliffie Miller.
August 1st, 2025
Raced over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the polytrack. Finished 5th out of 11 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He has been a very disappointing horse to follow. I do feel a weaker centre would be better for him. He will be moving to PE.
July 9th, 2025
Raced over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Finished 6th out of 12 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: A very disappointing run. He was in the perfect position at the top of the straight but found nothing. We will give him one more run over 1200m on the poly. If he doesn’t improve, he will move to Gqeberha.
May 18th, 2025
Raced over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Finished 3rd out of 12 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: A good run. I feel he will win next time over a bit further.
April 28th, 2025
Raced over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the turf. Finished 3rd out of 9 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He returned from a break, running on from his poor draw. I feel he would prefer shorter, and with a good draw he should win next time.
December 1st, 2024
Raced over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Finished 2nd out of 9 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He missed the start and then over-raced throughout the turn. He is better than that run which went all wrong for him. He should win next time.
August 13th, 2024
He was gelded this morning.
August 7th, 2024
Raced over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the turf. Finished 2nd out of 8 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: A good run after a long break. He will improve from the run. The jockey said that he may need gelding.
April 20th, 2024
Raced over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Finished 6th out of 10 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He was never in the race and needs further.
February 24th, 2024
Raced over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Finished 3rd out of 14 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: Good 3rd. He has shown good improvement and looks like he needs more ground and will improve further with time.
December 16th, 2023
Raced over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Finished 9th out of 11 runners.
Anthony Delpech post-race comment: He was very green and outpaced in the early part of the race. He will improve a lot from this run.
January 12th, 2023
The Hollywood Syndicate purchased El Capitan who is a Rafeef bay colt out of the dam Baqueira (by Western Winter) at the 2023 Cape Premier Yearling Sale (Lot 117). He is bred by Ridgemont.