Bronzed nuts for golden champion

The South African saying for a job well done is "give that man a Bells".

But for the owners of Whisky Baron, the horse's successive wins - five in a row - come down to his testicles, which they have firmly in their grip.

They believe that the champion horse's pair - which gelders say are the biggest they have ever seen - are the secret to his success.

Whisky Baron, whose balls have been bronzed, made his debut win at this year's Sun Met on Saturday.

The event is one of South Africa's premier horse-racing events, with a grand prize of R2.8-million.

Owners Ross and Craig Kieswetter had the horse' s testicles removed last year.

Ross Kieswetter said they decided to have the balls bronzed after the veterinarian said they were the "biggest they had ever seen".

"Generally, when someone gelds a horse they do tend to improve - and he has.

"He's been undefeated since he's been gelded."

They now take the bronzed sculpture to every race and international crowds might soon be graced by Whisky Baron if the Kieswetters decide to race him overseas.

"The usual route for horses like this is going to Durban for the Durban July, but there's also the option of going overseas in the next week or two," they said.

The decision on where Whisky Baron will have the most success will have a lot to do with feedback from his trainer Brett Crawford, and jockey Greg Cheyne, who the Kieswetters say are very "switched" on.

The Kieswetters said they had received international requests to buy the horse, especially from Dubai, but they would never sell Whisky Baron, who they say is "part of the family".