Suzette and Basie Viljoen’s star sprinter, Pistol Pete, delivered a career-best performance at Turffontein on Saturday, showcasing his determination to claim victory in the R250,000 Betway Grade 3 Lebelo Sprint. The event, marking South Africa's final feature race of 2024, also served as the colt’s first win as a 3-year-old and his maiden graded stakes triumph after a listed success as a two year old. 

Trained by Tony Peter and expertly piloted by Kabelo Matsunyane, Pistol Pete went off as the 13-10 favorite. After tracking early leaders Mover And Shaker and Magic Tattoo, Matsunyane confidently sent the colt to the front with 300m to go. In the final strides, Pistol Pete faced a fierce challenge from the fast-finishing Nettleton (7-1) but dug deep to prevail by the narrowest of margins, clocking 58.65 seconds for the 1000m sprint. Magic Tattoo, who had shown erratic behavior at the start, ran impressively to secure third place. He went one better than his second placed effort in the Merchants Gr3 on Summer Cup day when Matsunyane was also onboard. He was criticized in some quarters on that day for not changing his crop at a vital stage to get the colt over the line. There was no such doubt today. 

A product of the stunning Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein breeding program, Pistol Pete was handpicked by Viljoen herself at the 2023 Cape Yearling Sale for R380,000. By the Redoute’s Choice stallion Buffalo Bill Cody, out of the five-time winning Tiger Ridge mare Oklahoma Sky, the colt has now accumulated five wins and three placings from 10 starts, amassing stakes earnings of R673,625. Amazingly, he has only been unplaced twice in his career. 

This gutsy performance cements Pistol Pete as a rising star on the South African sprinting scene and a horse to watch in the 2025 season.

 Image JC Photos/4Racing