EL Picha passes away

1999 & 2000 DURBAN JULY CHAMPION PASSES AWAY

Gold Circle are sad to learn of the news that double Durban July Champion, El Picha, passed away last night at the age of 22 years.

A Facebook posting from Jessica Woodruff announced his passing:

Our darling boy, El Picha passed away in his stable last night. 22 wonderful years of a feisty and gutsy horse who was never even supposed to set foot in SA. He and his best friend, Andy the pony were careering up and down the property just yesterday afternoon with Vusi huffing and puffing and working hard to try catch the two octogenarians for evening sup.
He lived a wonderful life, even though after racing he refused to be ridden for very long and would shake off his occupants (myself included). He had paid his dues.
Run swiftly peech, we love you so very much and thanks for trying your heart out for us ? We will miss your feisty, snappy self who always made us laugh ? ””

Rest in Peace, El Picha. An utmost honest thoroughbred that was inches away from winning the big three races in South Africa after winning the July, the Summer Cup and losing out in the Met to Badgers Coast.

El Picha 1999 (July win)

EL PICHA (1994), a Bay Thoroughbred foaled in 1994 by TOUGH CRITIC out of ANAYANSI by CIPAYO

Cumulative in SAF over 5 seasons : 40 starts, 12 wins, 19 places, R3821720
1st HARD KNOT HANDICAP (2000m), (L), R65000
1st PENINSULA HANDICAP (1800m), G3, R100000
1st ROTHMANS JULY HCP (2200m), G1, R1250000
1st THE SUMMER HANDICAP (2000m), G1, R2000000
1st JUBILEE HANDICAP (1700m), G3, R150000
1st ROTHMANS JULY HCP (2200m), G1, R1250000
1st SHARP ELECTRONICS CUP (2000m), G1, R500000
2nd EASTER HANDICAP (RATED)(1600m), (L), R100000
2nd J&B MET (2000m), G1, R1000000
2nd CHAMPION STAKES (2000m), G1, R750000
2nd LONDON NEWS STAKES (1800m), G3, R125000
3rd GREYVILLE 1900 (1900m), G2, R200000
3rd PREMIER'S HANDICAP (1700m), G2, R250000
3rd COLORADO KING STAKES (2000m), G2, R200000
3rd HORSE CHESTNUT STAKES (1600m), G1, R750000

3rd GOLD CHALLENGE (1600m), G1, R500000
3rd COLORADO KING STAKES (2000m), G2, R200000
4th WINTER DERBY (G3) (2000m), G3, R70000
4th J&B MET (2000m), G1, R1000000
4th CHAMPION STAKES (2000m), G1, R750000
4th CHAMPION STAKES (2000m), G1, R50000

El Picha 1999 (Summer Cup)

1999 July



Summer Cup

El Picha 2000 (July Handicap) Winning it for the second time and in consecutive years.

Ooooops, Bob, we posted at the same time.

I remember like it was yesterday when everyone was waiting to see who gets the nod....top horse and these bring back loads of memories.

RIP big EL

i will never forget that july,i had just moved into my new house and had doubles running into that race to win nice money and 200 meters from home i was counting my money and when they crossed the line i picked up a heavy ashtray and was about to throw it at the tv when i just sat down on the ground and tried to calm myself, never ever did i think he had won,not even on slow motions,when they said he won i sped down to the bookmakers to collect before they change the result.I day i wont forget.And a horse i wont forget.

Rip big guy