An Exciting Debut: BAKWENA, Half-Sister to Divine Odyssey

The grandstands filled with excitement as Bakwena (Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) x Divine Right by Dynasty), the half-sister to Divine Odyssey, made her stunning debut at Turffontein. This remarkable filly, bred by Laurence Wernars and his dedicated team, marked our first winner of the season, setting an exhilarating tone for what’s to come.

What made the day even more special was the return of a dear old friend and former South African champion jockey, Keagan de Melo. Taking a brief holiday from his riding commitments in Hong Kong, Keagan returned to the Highveld to deliver a stellar performance, expertly guiding Bakwena to her first victory.

Eric with Keagan aboard and Laurence – JC Photos

Bakwena’s success isn’t just a result of her inherent talent and rigorous training. Much credit also goes to her groom, Laurence who shares the same name as Mr Wernars. This brilliant young man also tends to the renowned Puerto Manzano. Laurence chose Bakwena in the babies yard during the allocation process, demonstrating his keen eye and deep understanding of potential. His dedication has undoubtedly contributed to Bakwena’s outstanding debut, showcasing the importance of teamwork and passion.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Wernars family. It couldn’t be nicer than this, given her exceptional breeding. Here’s to a thrilling and successful season. Let’s also take a moment to celebrate strong fillies and inspiring women this Women’s Month. Cheers to Bakwena and all the incredible women in the sport! Well done team!

What does Bakwena mean?

The Bakwena or Bakoena (“those who venerate the crocodile”) are a large Sotho-Tswana clan in Southern Africa – Meaning people of the Crocodile. They honour the Crocodile as their totem and the meaning of the Crocodile also denotes inner strength and power.