Inglis graduate The Conglomerate has stormed to victory to claim South Africa’s premier race, the Group 1 Durban July over 2200m at Greyville.

The Conglomerate (Lonhro x Republic Lass) sped across from barrier 18 to sit just behind the pace and once jockey Piere Strydom got into the straight the combination burst clear, then held off the late challenge of Marinaresco and Mac De Lago.

Both The Conglomerate and Mac De Lago were sold at the 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne. Sunday was the second Durban July success from the sale following the win of fellow Inglis Premier graduate Igugu in 2011.

It was the first Durban July win for leading owners Ingrid and Marcus Jooste as well as trainer Joey Ramsden, realising their dreams of winning South Africa’s greatest horse race.

Co-owner Ingrid Jooste accepted the trophy together with Mayfair Speculators’ Racing Manager Derek Brugman, who purchased The Conglomerate for $160,000 from the draft of Tyreel Stud at the 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Joey Ramsden remembers The Conglomerate as a yearling: “He was the most impressive specimen. Derek and I did a lot of leg work at the sale and this was the one horse we really wanted.”

Brugman recalls telling Marcus Jooste “You have to let me buy this horse as he is your July horse, and those words have proved to be true.”

The eighth Group 1 winner for Darley’s champion sire Lonhro, The Conglomerate is the fifth foal of Australian Oaks and Ranvet Stakes winner Republic Lass, which was covered again by Lonhro last season.

The win of The Conglomerate was the 99th victory in South Africa this season by an Inglis graduate and twelfth at stakes level. Other stakes winners include Mac De Lago, Ovidio, Fursa, Ma Choix, Muwaary, Suyoof, Table Bay, Ten Gun Salute and Chevauchee.

The Conglomerate 
Race Record: 17: 6-0-1 
Prizemoney: R3,425,325 
Breeding: Lonhro x Republic Lass (by Canny Lad) 
Breeder: DR Fleming 
Sale: $160,000 at 2013 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale 
Buyer: Global Bloodstock/Mayfair Speculators