The Magic Millions/Atkins Photography SA Owner of the Month award winner for February is Sam Scaffidi-Muta part owner of Sabaj. We spoke to Sam about his time in racing.

Sam has bred and raced horses for many years tasting early success with three times black type winner Let Him Ride (by Mustin Lake). Other good performers Sam has been involved with over the years include Gamblin Guru (by New Approach) another three-time black type winner and Follow The Ride (by Don’t Say Halo) who won an SAJC Christmas Handicap.

Several of Sam’s horses have been owned in partnership with Harry Perks and most have been bred on the limestone pastures of Mill Park Stud. Indeed, Sam bred stakes winner and promising stallion Peltzer (by So You Think). Currently Sam has around fifteen mares at stud including Sabaj’s dam Bouzy

Sabaj is a three-year-old gelding by Manhattan Rain from the Uncle Mo mare Bouzy, at the time of writing he has won three and placed second in his four starts earning  a touch over $110,000. He his trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly with Richard having won on Let Him Ride back in his riding days.

Bouzy was unraced and has also produced the handy mare Tipsy Vixen who is by Foxwedge and is also raced by Sam. Tipsy Vixen has won three from 17 and just shy of $150,000. Sam sent Bouzy to Peltzer and that mating has produced the yet to race Bred ‘Em All, she has returned twice more to Peltzer.

The granddam is Champagne Jane (by Starcraft) she was very lightly raced for one win but has left Pimm’s Party (by Street Boss) winner of three, and Legless Lady (by Foxwedge) another three-time winner amongst others.

The third dam Victory Cry (by General Nediym) is the dam of listed winner Guard Of Honour (by Northern Meteor) and Run Fox Run (by Foxwedge) winner in South Africa.

Like most breeders Sam is still searching for that elusive Group I winner, here’s hoping that Sabaj can take him some way down that path.