SELECT THOROUGHBRED NEWS STUD / TURF / EQUINE SPORTS / HORSES FOR SALE Issue No. 2 - January 2021
SELECT THOROUGHBRED NEWS S E L E C T THOROUGHBRED NEWS is a monthly electronic magazine published on ISSUU that is dedicated to promoting the Thoroughbred as a breed and the people that care for them in South Africa. EDITOR / DESIGN & LAYOUT Charles Baker CONTRIBUTORS Tony Ridgway Anneli Drummond-Hay Wucherpfennig Candiese Lenferna Front Cover: Mrs. Suzette Viljoen’s CAPTAIN’S RANSOM winner of the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth on the 12th December 2020. Trained by Snaith Racing & ridden by Richard Fourie. Photo courtesy Chase Liebenberg.
PHOTOGRAPHERS Candiese Lenferna Tamara & Blake Images Chase Liebenberg Pauline Herman ADVERTISING / ENQUIRIES Charles Baker sarillustrated@gmail.com
Back Cover: Messrs. I.W. Longmore, Bryn Ressell & N.M. Shirtliff’s RUSSIAN ROCK, winner of the Grade 1 Cape Guineas run at Kenilworth on the 19th December 2020. Trained by Dean Kannemeyer & ridden by Grant Behr. Photo courtesy Chase Liebenberg.
Inside Content: A jubilant young Kaidan Brewer who rode the first winner of his career at Greyville on ROY’S MAGIC on the 7th December 2020 for owner Mr. Roy Moodley and trainer Kumaran Naidoo. Photo courtesy Candiese Lenferna.
In this issue of
S E L E C T THOROUGHBRED NEWS - Anneli’s BLACK GRECO, a remarkable story - Well done Kaidan Brewer on your first winner - Rouvaun Smit, the man behind the microphone - Congratulations Ashton Arries on your big 4 at Greyville - MARMARA SEA 8/8 on the Fairview Poly - Bespoke / Commissioned Equine Illustrations - Chase Liebenberg’s Cape Town feature race day gallery - KZN senior citizen SMOOTH SOUND at 26 years old - Michelle Rens Winn warming to her ROYAL ENCLOSURE - Belinda Weyer and her new ride KING OF THRONES - Jenny Millington rehomes gorgeous What A Winter filly - KZN trainer Pat Lunn is open for business - The Golden Age of Thoroughbred Showjumping Horses & Riders in South Africa (Part Two)
GOLDEN DUCAT - Photo courtesy Candiese Lenferna Photography
Anneli’s BLACK GRECO, a remarkable story Above is a photo of an original commissioned artwork by Gavin Doyle that belongs to Anneli Drummond-Hay Wucherpfennig of one of her first big-time thoroughbred showjumpers in South Africa, Black Greco. BLACK GRECO (SAF) 1963, a bay gelding by Grigeresco out of Blank Cheque by Liberality II, was a ½ brother to Mickey Louw’s, Xenophon. Bred by Mr. D.E. Hyland, he managed to win just one race and ran a number of places during his racing career. Anneli tells us about the rather remarkable story of how Black Greco came to have the white area around his off hind stifle that is so evident in the picture above. “I bought the diminutive Black Greco (at just 15.2hh) from Philip Smith when I was short
of a good horse. He was a 10 year old, very hot and very, very brave. He had just gone into the A Grade category and pulled like a train. We very quickly developed a partnership and in record quick time went from the Medium A to National A and into the International A Grade classes. We won many big classes and many Grands Prix together. He won the 1974 Epol Indoor Grand Prix in a very hot competitive battle. We were all elated, one of his best wins thus far.
The next morning my groom came pounding on my bedroom window screaming ‘come quick, come quick’. Throwing on a dressing gown, I ran down the lawn to the stables, to find Black Greco dripping with cold sweat, shaking all over and unable to move. I was horrified to find him in this state with nothing 100% evident as to what the cause might be. My regular vet, Dr. André Rudolph, was there within 10 minutes. After a long consultation, he announced that in his opinion, Black Greco had slipped the ligaments off his stifle, a very, very serious state of affairs as there was nothing that could be done for him. He must have rolled awkwardly during the night. I was devastated, what with his outstanding performance the very night before, I had such high hopes for us as a combination. Dr. Rudolph gave him a sedative to make him comfortable and before any drastic decision was to be made regarding his condition, I decided to have a cup of coffee and mull the situation over. While sipping the coffee at my desk, some papers slipped to the floor and as I bent to pick them up, on the top was a business card of a young vet who had just arrived in the country from Switzerland. Having nothing to lose, I decided to call him immediately and he too arrived within minutes and we found ourselves back in Black Greco’s stable for a second diagnosis. His opinion was 100% identical to my regular vet’s one and they agreed unanimously on the severity of the situation. However, the young vet said he had seen this situation before and he knew it could be repaired, but the big snag for this to happen was, Black Greco would have to be flown to the clinic of Dr. Stihl in Switzerland as that was the home of the very, very special machine needed to treat him with. My heart sank, as at those times there was no equestrian quick travel from South Africa to Europe with African horse sickness being a major issue, not to mention the sanctions on South African sport.
This young vet then asked if he could use the telephone in my house to make a call, and within 3 minutes he was back at my side, with plan ‘b’. He was in contact with a very senior nurse at the Johannesburg General Hospital and together they quickly obtained permission for Black Greco to be allowed to have a treatment with the irradiation machine used for cancer patients. I was overjoyed that Switzerland was not on the cards, but the logistics of a horse in the Johannesburg General Hospital left me reeling. Together we decided on a plan of action. Black Greco was to be starved, tranquilised, feet scrubbed and bandaged, loaded and taken through to the hospital. Once there, the only way up to the floor where the machine was, was in the big lift used for taking patients who were bedbound. Black Greco was very obliging and stepped into the lift as if he had done this his whole life and up we all went to the 8th Floor. The cancer patients sitting around awaiting their treatments or resting after treatment, could not believe their eyes as this horse emerged from the lift and silently glided towards them and the irradiation lead lined treatment room. Black Greco was positioned in the room, cross tied to 2 jump stands and given a hay net to keep him occupied. The treatment was to last for 15 minutes, with the irradiation beam directed to the injured stifle. The process took just a little longer as with a tranquilised horse, they are inclined to shift their weight a little and the beam had to be repositioned and readjusted. We watched with great fascination and interest through a small window. Once the treatment was over, down we went in the same lift to the car park, loaded Black Greco and in 45 minutes we were back home in Pineslopes. Black Greco was then rested for 3 months and slowly the hair around the stifle turned snow white. Gradually he went from being a total cripple to coming 100% sound again and together we won many more excellent classes and Grands Prix, including the
puissance at the Rand Show where he jumped 7 ft. Three years later the same groom once again called me in a panic, ‘çome quick, come quick, its Black Greco’. Overnight, he had started bleeding so very aggressively from his mouth, copious amounts of blood. Was this a side effect from the irradiation 3 years prior? Was the actual treatment that gave us 3 extra wonderful years, the treatment that was eventually going to be his demise? We said our goodbyes, there and then, he had done so much for me, he deserved peace and to be pain free. Black Greco will live on in my heart forever….and he does!”
Above & Below: Anneli Drummond-Hay Wucherfennig & BLACK GRECO competing in the Puissance at the 1975 Rand Easter Show at Milner Park, which they won at 7 ft.
ROY’S MAGIC (AUS) 2013 by Foxwedge out of Wild Storm (CHI) by Hussonet (USA). Jockey: Kaidan Brewer Trainer: Kumaran Naidoo Owner: Mr. Roy Moodley
Well done Kaidan Brewer on your first winner
Photos courtesy Candiese Lenferna Photography
ROUVAUN SMIT THE MAN BEHIND THE MICROPHONE Some 31 years ago, a 21-year-old lad from Wynberg started his career behind the microphone at the Sea point offices of the SABC. Rouvaun Enrico Smit began a 5 year stint as DJ for Radio Good Hope (later Good Hope FM), Cape Town’s biggest radio station at the time. In those halcyon days, Cape racing was thriving, and The Mother City’s beloved radio station crossed over to the Cape courses for live commentary on each race. Rouvaun Smit became the “link” from the Good Hope offices to the racecourse, where he did some banter with Jehan Malherbe and a working relationship began. Malherbe contacted Smit some years later and asked if he would consider becoming a “race caller”, as his knowledge of racing had grown considerably. Moreover, his professional radio presentation, along with an impressive baritone voice, clear as a bell, made Malherbe certain that Smit could well be the man for the job. In 1994, a nervous and apprehensive Smit was “shown the ropes” by the legendary Cape commentator and, after much practice behind a switched off microphone, he was placed in the hot seat for his very first attempt at a midweek Kenilworth meet. At the time, the course hosted one Cape Hunt & Polo Club race, which was contested by “amateur” riders and horses, placed somewhere on the day’s card. So began Rouvaun Smit’s race calling career. A mere five or six starters were in that event, yet Smit still felt afeared, as this was a whole new ball game. He recalls: “Jehan told me to concentrate on the favourite that day, in that race, as he
believed it could not be beaten. Just make sure to call him home first!” And so it was. He called the favourite home to victory. The bug had bitten. As he nears three decades in the commentary box, Smit has enough ”memorable moments” to fill a novel-sized book, but there are a few stand-out memories he shared with me, over a beer at Barristers in Claremont recently. I have known Rouvaun since his SABC days and yes, he still sports that small Errol Flynn moustache he had in his twenties. The larger-than-life personality is quick to point out his three “race calling” heroes as, in no particular order, David Raphael (the legendary Aussie wordsmith who took Hong Kong racing commentary to the next level), Richard Hoiles (British globetrotting legend of big races) and, of course, Jehan Malherbe, Cape Town’s own veteran caller. Smit has the distinction of having called races in almost every SA racing port, except KZN. He was hero-worshipped by the excitable locals in Mauritius when he commentated at Champ De Mars. He was the first INTERNATIONAL commentator to call a race at Meydan in Dubai (he took the microphone and called The Mahab Al Shimaal in 2010, calling Desert Party with no one other than Frankie Dettorri home!) Even more importantly, he was invited to the hallowed Downs of Epsom to call 2016’s Investec Diomed Stakes on Derby Day, June 2016. We watched the video of the race he keeps on his phone and – in his own inimitable exciting style, he called the winner, Tullius, home in a closer than close finish between three outstanding horses. Much to the Brits’ delight, he was labelled “The Cape’s Finest” by the English presenters. I asked Rouvaun, over a second beer, which of the hundreds, if not thousands, of races he’s called over the years stands out as an all-time favourite. Without hesitation, he
Kenilworth’s “eagle’s nest” and, in one of the most exciting Cape calls this year, shouted Run Fox Run home upon his timely return.
answered: “Easy one. The 2018 Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth.” “Of course,” was my reply. The four-way finish of decades, readers will remember, when short-heads all around separated Legal Eagle, Undercover Agent, Do It Again and Rainbow Bridge. “By far the most exciting race I’ve called,” he said.
Was he nervous, after so long a layoff? “Beyond nervous,” he conceded. No one could tell. The commentary sounded like vintage Rouvaun Smit.
Many Smit fans were shocked when in February 2019 he “parted ways” with Cape Racing. We spoke off the record about the politics and policies that surrounded his “retrenchment” (as the racing media put it), but it would be futile to discuss it here.
My final question to Smit was for an opinion on the state of SA racing presently, and of its future. Very succinctly, his reply: “The future is in the hands of racing people. They are too passionate and dedicated to see it go.”
Needless to say, the “big voice” was absent from the Cape tracks for a year-and-a-half. To many, including myself, the “excitement” went missing out the commentary box and hence, the shine off watching local racing.
Passionate and dedicated are two words one can easily use to describe Rouvaun Smit. It was sad to see him go. But now he is back on track, and that big, booming, rousing voice will call this summer’s best home, once again. He has already been “booked” to call this season’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and The Cape Met. We, his fans, cannot wait! TR
But, thank Fortuna, the big man is now back! On the 24th October, he climbed back into
Congratulations ASHTON ARRIES on your BIG 4 at Greyville on the 13th December 2020
Photo courtesy Candiese Lenferna Photography
MARMARA SEA (SAF) 2019 by Soft Falling Rain out of Alboran Sea (AUS) by Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE). Jockey: Greg Cheyne Trainer: Alan Greeff Owner: Mrs. Mary Slack & Mr. M.B. Javett
MARMARA SEA is now 8/8 on the Fairview Poly after winning the 2020 MEMORIAL MILE (Listed)
Photos courtesy Pauline Herman Equine Photography
BESPOKE / COMMISSIONED EQUINE ILLUSTRATIONS by Tony Ridgway “I try to capture the animal’s ESSE, with as little detail as possible. I work in pencil, black inks, acrylics and occasionally oil pastels and charcoal” Prices / Sizes vary – P.O.A. All profits go to animal welfare. All Enquiries: tonyridgway101@gmail.com
2020 Cape Winter Series winner KATAK
Double Grade 1 winning RAINBOW BRIDGE
2020 Horse Of The Year SUMMER PUDDING
CHASE LIEBENBERG GALLERY THE CAPE SUMMER SEASON FEATURES Cape Fillies Guineas (Grade 1) / Greenpoint Stakes (Grade 2) Summer Stayers Handicap (Grade 3) / Southern Cross Stakes (Grade 2) Victress Stakes (Grade 3) / Peninsula Handicap (Grade 2) / Cape Guineas (Grade 1)
BELGARION – Greenpoint Stakes (Grade 2)
GREENPOINT STAKES (Grade 2) BELGARION (SAF) 2015 by Dynasty – Riva by Acatenango Jockey: Richard Fourie Trainer: Snaith Racing Owner: Mr. A.N. & The Hon Mrs G.R. Foster Breeder: Mr. A.N. Foster
CELTIC SEA – Southern Cross Stakes (Grade 2) SOUTHERN CROSS STAKES (Grade 2) CELTIC SEA (SAF) 2015 by Captain Al – Ireland by Mark Of Esteem Jockey: Gavin Lerena Trainer: S.G. Tarry Owner: Mr. A.R. & Mrs. A.B.L Beck Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
CAPTAIN’S RANSOM – Cape Fillies Guineas (Grade 1) CAPE FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 1) CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (SAF) 2017 by Captain Al – Cinnas Ransom by Red Ransom Jockey: Richard Fourie Trainer: Snaith Racing Owner: Mrs. Suzette Viljoen Breeder: Moutonshoek
SUMMER STAYERS HANDICAP (Grade 3) CROME YELLOW (SAF) 2016 by Trippi – Senorita Sol by Jallad Jockey: Grant van Niekerk Trainer: W.A. Nel Owner: Mrs. S. Plattner Breeder: La Plaisance Stud
CROME YELLOW – Summer Stayers Handicap (Grade 3)
NEXUS – Peninsula Handicap (Grade 2) NEXUS (SAF) 2015 by Dynasty – Mystery Dame by Jet Master
Jockey: Piere Strydom Trainer: Snaith Racing Owner: Mrs. N. Hossack & Estate Late Mr. W. J. C. Mitchell Breeder: Rathmor Stud (Nom: Mr. M. A. McHardy)
RUSSIAN ROCK – The Cape Guineas (Grade 1) RUSSIAN ROCK (SAF) 2017 by Pomodoro – Elisium by Proclamation Jockey: Grant Behr Trainer: Dean Kannemeyer Owner: Messrs. I.W. Longmore, Bryn Ressell & N.M. Shirtliff Breeder: Klawervlei Stud
SILVANO’S PRIDE – Victress Stakes (Grade 3) SILVANO’S PRIDE (SAF) 2015 by Silvano – Mary’s Pride by Jet Master Jockey: Richard Fourie Trainer: Snaith Racing Owner: Mr. A.C. Peter Breeder: Mr. A.C. Peter
SMOOTH SOUND (SAF) 1994 by Darby Fair – Smooth As Silk by Instrument Landing Owner: Caryn Ferriére Breeder: Birch Bros. – Vogel Vlei Stud Rehomed by the Highway Horse Rescue Unit as a 3 year old, SMOOTH SOUND looks an absolute picture in his 27th year and is the love of Caryn’s life. He is still lightly hacked and is allowed to do pretty much as he pleases at the Yellowwood Park Gymkhana Club just South of Durban.
KZN senior citizen SMOOTH SOUND at 26 years old
Multiple Grade 1 winning trainer Pat Lunn is back! Patrick Lunn has recently taken out his trainer’s license once again and has already had a winner and five places from six runners since the 28th October 2020 – already yielding results from a small stable, and he is receiving support from owner Suzette Viljoen. Amongst his stable and familiar red, white and black silks is the courageous 10-time winner Ginger Biscuit, a daughter of Admire Main out of Lady Red. The now 9-year-old mare, bred by Summerhill Stud, has also finished 2nd on nine occasions of her career! Her two-year-old half-brother by Act Of War looks to be continuing the legacy, Rollwiththepunches winning on debut at the
Vaal recently and they are both related to 6time winner, Caliente. Originally taking out his license in 1977, Patrick continues to enjoy support from long time patrons Mike Destombes (since 1979) and Shane Harty for approximately 15 years. The stable is proudly sponsored by World Sports Betting through Warren Tannous, who owned 9-time winner Mr Whatever in a partnership, with the stable. Patrick says, “we are so grateful for the support of such a small yard from a dynamic company such as World Sports Betting.” Associated with great horses such as Run Free, Model Man, The Barbican, En Avant and
Above: This photo, which dates back to 1975, is of a morning at track at Clairwood. The late Mr. John Lunn (Pat’s dad) is pictured on the left, visiting Canadian jockey Richard Grubb is in the centre and a very young Patrick Lunn as an assistant trainer on the right. The occasion would have been to give Richard Grubb a chance to acquaint himself with the very smart 3 year old Olean colt, Run Free, before his run in the 1975 Bull Brand International at Scottsville where they finished third, beaten a ½ length. I have an idea that the man partially hidden with the hat on was trainer Les Hammond. Northern Princess amongst many, we asked Patrick what his most memorable racing moment was. “It has to be winning the Met in 1987 – flying Model Man down to the Cape as Equine Flu had postponed the race to April, and he won three Gr1’s in three different provinces in one year! The other was of course the match race between Northern Guest’s progeny – when our filly Northern Princess, with champion international jockey Michael Roberts in the irons, took on Senor Santa over 1600m and she beat him at Greyville. But the best horse I ever trained was Model Man.” Model Man’s influence continues today – according to the nhra.co.za website, he is currently on 26% winners to runners as a broodmare sire. His most prominent is that of Prince Of Kahal – who had a stellar season last year to win five races in a row, and taking home several Group wins to be voted KZN Breeders Sprinter Of The Year.
Above: Model Man with Pat Lunn and Basil Marcus in the saddle after winning the 1987 J&B Met. Model Man was flown down to Cape Town by the Lunn Family due to the Equine Flu. The race was held in April as a result of the flu. “My most satisfying moment was being awarded Sprinter Of The Year and Horse Of The Year in the same year. We also won many Graded Stakes Races always with a small string – we have never had more than 40 horses in training at a time.” The yard currently has several consistent sorts in training – Querari’s Cowboy, since remaining in the care of Patrick has won and placed from all three of his starts. The Toreador filly Matadora’s Parade is another – a winner who has placed five times, only out of the cash on three occasions. There is also the ever-consistent Greys Inn gelding, Tromso, also bred by Summerhill, who is a winner and placed for owner Mr Destombes, and newcomer to the yard Sofia Erin will be looking to improve – unfortunately she was taken out at the start in her first run for the stable but the fast Vercingetorix filly will have more to come and may prefer the track at Pietermaritzburg for owner Suzette Viljoen. The Lunn stable has always enjoyed receiving raced horses, improving and winning with them - which they have had great success with.
Patrick comments that he has had three of his loyal grooms working for him for over 20 years. “Sam does such a good job with the lead pony sponsored by Gold Circle (National Appeal who won 6 races), he is my righthand man. Magoba is a fantastic work rider who I couldn’t do without – and Wickliff – also a very good rider. My stable couldn’t operate without their assistance.”
Above: The Pat Lunn trained HENCHMAN (SAF) 2005 by Silvino, who raced for 10 seasons, winning 7 and placing 35 times from 105 starts, is seen here winning at Clairwood with Karis Teetan in the saddle.
Having trained horses for 43 years and working with the best, Patrick comments that some of the best jockeys he has seen of all time are Karis Teetan and Dougie Whyte. “Both rode for me as appies and have gone on to be great!” In closing, when asked what advice he could give young aspiring trainers, Patrick replies “be honest to your owners!”
Michelle Rens Winn is building up a super partnership with ROYAL ENCLOSURE (SAF) 2013 gelding by Great Britain
Somewhat by default, Gauteng based rider Michelle Rens Winn is busy building up a very promising partnership with the seven year old gelding Royal Enclosure. ROYAL ENCLOSURE (SAF) 2013 by Great Britain out of the Al Mufti mare, Al Cosa Coma. No great shakes as a racehorse having been unplaced in 6 starts, Michelle tells us more. He belonged to our neighbour, jockey Hennie Greyling, who mostly hacked him out in a rather spirited fashion, occasionally joining hubby Graham Winn’s jumping lessons. He jumped everything at speed, but was brave and careful with it. During lockdown Hennie asked me to help sell Royal Enclosure, so I offered to ride him for a few weeks before putting an innocent buyer on him.
In that time my current jumping horse injured a tendon, so with six months of no horse I decided to buy Royal Enclosure and rather compete him up the grades a bit before I put him on the market and sell him. However as it has turned out, he just keeps getting better and better every day! So at this stage I plan to keep him for myself. He’s almost ready for his first 1m classes now.
Belinda Weyer is oh so chuffed with her new haven’t had a horse since 1992! I thought to hell with I’m going to go and try buy ride Riverton’s KING OFit, THRONES another fancy dressage horse - big mistake selling King’s Kaboom. (SAF) 2012 gelding by Apostle
KING OF THRONES (SAF) 2012 by King’s Apostle out of Kadie by Scuffleburg, was bred at Riverton Stud. The previous owner added the stud name as a prefix. I was competing in Advanced dressage on my previous horse Gondor UberKaboom. We were about to go Small Tour and I was feeling the economic pinch so I reluctantly decided to sell him. I was supposed to keep that money as a nest egg for emergencies. After a month I wanted to chew my arm off, the first time I
haven’t had a horse since 1992! I thought to hell with it, I’m going to go and try buy another fancy dressage horse - big mistake selling Kaboom! So I started scouring the internet for suitable horses. I had a bit of a check list. I saw some incredible horses, but the big box on my check list was ridability (I have become a nervous rider). Two of the main contenders I found ticked the boxes, but I have to admit, I was rather intimidated by their size.
Then out of the blue my sister and brother in law, Michelle & Graham Winn, said I should look at this Thoroughbred that Graham had just got to be schooled and sold for the owner. It’s a funny story actually, whilst I was looking I was sending videos to my two dressage trainers and some of the horses had rather big price tags. So I sent them the videos of King and LIED. I told them he was a French Warmblood. I didn’t want them to be prejudiced and to view him in the same light as the warmbloods I had just ridden.
Two days later it was a done deal. They were horrified! Knowing I’m not exactly financially ’strong’, they were feeling rather responsible for me putting my entire nest egg in one basket. The truth is though he cost nowhere near as much as his warmblood counterparts that I was considering.
They both said he was the best out of the lot that I had been considering (ha ha ha)!
After he passed the vet, and I had paid for him, I confessed that he wasn’t a French
He has three good paces (walk, trot & canter), a great hind leg, lovely attitude, is forward going and he’s sporty and elegant. So I said fabulous, I’m buying him!
Warmblood (Selle Francais), but actually a Thoroughbred. They couldn’t believe it! When he went for the vetting, Michelle & Graham took a couple of horses (all warmbloods). When King got off the box the vet said “now there’s a PROPER horse”! He had started his career with a young girl and done some eventing (3 phase dressage, cross country and show jumping). He’s a rather sensitive horse and I don’t think this discipline suited him (eventers need to be pretty bomb proof), so I think the exowner decided to sell him. (Luckily for me!!) When he arrived (from Gauteng) at Umdloti Beach on the KZN North Coast, he was very spooky and used to panic and bolt. I had major post purchase regrets! I got hold of Mike Shaw who we playfully call Magic Mike, he’s a whizz with ‘difficult’ horses. We did our homework along with my weekly training with Johnathan Wisdom and Riverton King Of Thrones has since his arrival exceeded all my
expectations. Since September 2020 we’ve been to four shows and been well placed at three of them. He is currently ranked 3rd Dressage SA Challenge (DSA) Prelim (they send the same team of judges, and we do the same dressage test, around the country so it’s a bit of an SA Champs vibe). He won the Thoroughbred section of the recent KZN Dressage Champs and was placed 3rd in the overall Championships against all breeds. He definitely has the Big Match Temperament we need. He was also placed in the showing section – the judge said perfect manners, perfect conformation, but he’s just lacking some condition. I’m pretty good at putting on condition over December so let's hope he can too! He’s also a proper Vaalie! Loves the sea, which I take him down to regularly for a dip!
Congratulations and well done KYLE STRYDOM on your 3 very impressive wins at Fairview on Monday 21st December 2020
Photo courtesy Candiese Lenferna
CHRISTMAS HANDICAP (Listed) MOUNT ANDERSON (SAF) 2016 by Vercingetorix – Gilded Minaret by Captain Al Jockey: Keagan De Melo Trainer: Dean Kannemeyer Owner: Mr. & Mrs. M.L.P. Rattray Breeder: Millstream Farm Photo courtesy Candiese Lenferna
2020 Boxing Day feature race winners from Hollywoodbets Greyville & Kenilworth
FLAMBOYANT STAKES (Grade 3) INDI ANNA (SAF) 2015 by Master Of My Fate – Zahara by Argonaut Jockey: Raymond Danielson Trainer: Peter Muscutt Owner: Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Macdonald Breeder: Klipdrif Stud
Photo courtesy Candiese Lenferna
SOUTHEASTER SPRINT (Listed) ELUSIVE TRADER (SAF) 2015 by Elusive Fort – Armatrading by Var Jockey: Anton Marcus Trainer: Greg Ennion Owner: Messrs. Bryn Ressell & N M Shirtliff Breeder: Mr. T.D. Andrews
Photo courtesy Chase Liebenberg
WHAT A JEWEL rehomed by Jenny Millington and joins the string of Chad Cunningham Rehoming and placing retired racehorses for their second careers to the best of one’s ability can often be a slow, costly and very frustrating affair. Jenny Millington from the Western Cape works tirelessly away ensuring nothing but the best for the horses placed in her care for rehoming. Jenny was recently asked to rehome the gorgeous four year old What A Winter filly, WHAT A JEWEL (SAF) 2016, out of the Model Man / Complete Warrior mare, Sea Jewel. She is 100% sound, athletic, full of quality and promises to let herself down into a substantial and very beautiful mare. These attributes, together with her extremely well related pedigree from a showjumping perspective, which is solidly underpinned by some of the biggest and most successful names in showjumping success terms, like Court Martial / Fair Trial, Tourbillon and Hurry On, have seen her join Chad Cunningham’s string in Gauteng. All the best Chad!
DRUM BEAT with Mr. Granville Gorton in his first season at stud in South Africa at Noreen Stud in 1959. Photo scanned from the August 1959 issue of the South African Racehorse.
DRUM BEAT (IRE) Bay Horse 1953 By Fair Trial out of Respite by Flag Of Truce Stood at Noreen Stud – Mr. Granville Gorton
DRUM BEAT as a foal at Kildangan Stud in Ireland in 1953 with his mom, Respite. Photo scanned from the September 1953 issue of The British Racehorse.
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National Horseracing Authority Statistics Category: Trainers Season: 2020 / 2021 Region: South Africa (All Venues) Excluding Restricted Races
Last Update: Results Up To:
2020-12-28 2020-12-27
www.nhra.co.za/index.php/statistics/racing
National Horseracing Authority Statistics Category: Jockeys / Apprentice Jockeys Season: 2020 / 2021 Region: South Africa (All Venues) Including Restricted Races
Last Update: Results Up To:
2020-12-28 2020-12-27
www.nhra.co.za/index.php/statistics/racing
National Horseracing Authority Statistics Category: Stallions (Sires) Season: 2020 /2021 Region: South Africa (All Venues) Does Not Include Restricted Stakes
Last Update: 2020-12-28 Results Up To: 2020-12-27 * Denotes stallions that are deceased. ** Denotes stallions standing overseas. www.nhra.co.za/index.php/statistics/racing
National Horseracing Authority Statistics Category: Broodmare Sires Season: 2020 /2021 Region: South Africa (All Venues) Does Not Include Restricted Stakes
Last Update: Results Up To:
2020-12-28 2020-12-27
www.nhra.co.za/index.php/statistics/racing
THE GOLDEN AGE OF THOROUGHBRED SHOWJUMPING HORSES & RIDERS IN SOUTH AFRICA (PART TWO)
Above, a beautiful photo of Gail Foxcroft with MARITIME HOUSE, by Sea Cottage. A complicated and very large growth on his lung unfortunately brought a premature and sad end to the life of this extremely talented young horse. The following horses and riders are featured in Part Two. Horse
Rider
Born
Colour
Sex
Sire
Dam
Dam Sire
Grandam Sire
BLUE ROCK
Bryce McCall
1984
Chestnut
Gelding
Trocadero
Blue White
Budapest
Open Sky
BYE & BYE (BLOCKADE)
Gail Foxcroft
1971
Chestnut
Gelding
Yankee Clipper II
Mariolina
Thunderhead II
Mehrali
COGNAC (DELWARA)
Anne-Marie Esslinger
1972
Chestnut
Gelding
Bosun's Whistle
Marionetti
Abadan II
Mehrali
DUAL (ROYAL PASSION)
Heather Hillcoat
1969
Brown
Gelding
Joie De Vivre II
Kings Fancy
Kings Counsel
Buchan Noble Chieftain
ESPLANADE
Anne-Marie Esslinger
1985
Bay
Gelding
Esplendor
Nucat
New South Wales
HAMADAN / BOLD HUSSAR
Bryce McCall
1974
Chestnut
Gelding
Arsoli
Queen's Guard
Escort II
High Veldt
JONGLEUR
Tony Lewis
1965
Chestnut
Gelding
Dramatic II
Countess Mitzi
Royal Pardon
Niccolo Dell'arca
MARITIME HOUSE
Gail Foxcroft
1986
Bay
Gelding
Sea Cottage
Venturous
Escort II
Abadan II
MERRIMENT
George Myburg
1967
Bay
Gelding
All A Gogg
At Home
Goodliest
Downrush
PANACHE (FULL PARTNER)
Ronnie Lawrence
1987
Brown
Gelding
Tilden
Bristol Flyer
Who Duzzit
Ambiopoise
ROVIAN (RUNNING RIOT)
Ronnie Lawrence
1983
Chestnut
Gelding
Really And Truly
Rushin Around
Flirting Around
High Veldt
TIME TO DANCE
Gail Foxcroft
1983
Bay
Mare
Trocadero
Time Recorder
Ragtime
Abadan II
Horse
Breeder
Racing Record
BLUE ROCK
Birch Bros.
Runs: 14 Wins: 1 Placed: 3 Runs: 22 Wins: 0 Placed: 4
BYE & BYE (BLOCKADE)
Verborgvontein Stud (PTY) LTD
COGNAC (DELWARA)
Phillips Bros.
Runs: 2 Wins: 0 Placed: 0
DUAL (ROYAL PASSION)
Phillips Bros.
Runs: 27 Wins: 1 Placed: 6
ESPLANADE
Messrs. P.J. de Wet inv. (PTY) LTD
Runs: 0 Wins: 0 Placed: 0
HAMADAN / BOLD HUSSAR
Mr, & Mrs. C.H. Botha
Runs: 12 Wins: 0 Placed: 1 Runs: 27 Wins: 2 Placed: 7
JONGLEUR
Mr. R. Koster
MARITIME HOUSE
C.J. Malcomess
Runs: 7 Wins: 0 Placed: 0
MERRIMENT
Mr. S. Bekker
Runs: 41 Wins: 6 Placed: 9
PANACHE (FULL PARTNER)
Mrs. Y.A. Bawden
Runs: 17 Wins: 0 Placed: 3
ROVIAN (RUNNING RIOT)
Birch Bros.
Runs: 15 Wins: 1 Placed: 0
TIME TO DANCE
Brig. G.C. Krummeck
Runs: 5 Wins: 0 Placed: 0
Interesting to note that the dam of BYE & BYE, Mariolina, was a ½ sister to Marionetti, the dam COGNAC (Anne-Marie Esslinger) and his ½ brother, CHANNEL ISLES (Gonda Betrix). Pictured opposite is a photo of Gail and BYE & BYE competing at the 1989 Sun City Indoor. Over the years Gail has produced a long list of horses up through the grades to the top end of showjumping.
The very approachable and likable Gail Foxcroft broke into the top ranks of adult showjumping in South Africa in the late 1970s with her very brave and successful junior horse, DESERT KING.
Gail purchased her tremendously talented mare, TIME TO DANCE (pictured below), by Trocadero out of the Ragtime mare, Time Recorder, as a D Grade and finished up qualifying and competing with the mare on the international stage when representing South Africa at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome, Italy!
Gail has been a prolific winner of titles and classes ever since, including, but not limited to, both the South African Eventing Championships and the South African Showjumping titles, as well as multiple Grand Prix wins, the Mercedes Riders Championship and is a three-time winner of the South African Showjumping Derby. Gail’s fiancé was the late Lachlan McLachlan who originally produced the legendary BYE & BYE. Lachlan tragically died in a car accident, but not before winning the 1982 SA Showjumping Derby on BYE & BYE. Gail went on to win two more SA Derbies on BYE & BYE, in 1987 and 1990 (aged 19), as well as numerous other competitions. He must surely be one South Africa’s most consistent, courageous, soundest and most loved Thoroughbred showjumpers of all time.
Photos on the next page (Top) Gail Foxcroft and Bye & Bye competing at the 1989 Royal Show. Below: The late Lachlan McLachlan and Bye & Bye competing at the 1982 Dunhill Derby show at the Inanda Club.
The very popular, likeable and hardworking rider, Ronnie Lawrence, made the move from Rhodesia / Zimbabwe to South Africa in the late 1970s. Over the last four decades Ronnie has held his own at the very top of the sport both here in South Africa as well as on shorter trips abroad to ride internationally. A great producer of young showjumpers, together with an uncanny knack to spot superior young talent in the hands of others has always seen him very competitively mounted and a rider that is never afraid to not have a full go in a jump-off when the chips are down. Ronnie’s association with great horses like High Hopes, Vallon Rouge, Panache and Rovian (as well as many others) have seen him top the rolls of most of South Africa’s major showjumping titles. Pictured above is Ronnie with the very glamorous PANACHE, a Zimbabwean bred Thoroughbred by Tilden and on the right with Rovian, by
Really And Truly, who Ronnie purchased from Gary Werth, then competed and sold him in Europe. Ronnie has not been well in recent times and has been in hospital receiving medical treatment, we wish him well and hope that he has a full and speedy recovery soon.
Anne-Marie Esslinger is undeniably one of the most hard working and focused people in South African showjumping.
Pictured below is Anne-Marie with her exceptionally talented Esplendor gelding, ESPLANADE.
She is a highly qualified course designer, a much desired and successful coach, a rider of note and a managing partner in the stunning Burlington Stables.
What a tremendous and tragic blow it was for Anne-Marie when ESPLANADE was diagnosed with COPD related breathing complications, which brought this awesomely young talented horse’s life to an end in just his first year of the pair competing in the big classes.
Anne-Marie is pictured above and below on her wonderful campaigner of yesteryear, COGNAC (originally named Delwara, by Bosun’s Whistle), with whom she won the 1988 South African Showjumping Derby.
Anne-Marie is still actively competing at the top end of showjumping and she remains as stylish as ever and a joy to watch.
Heather Hillcoat, pictured above on the fabulous DUAL, originally named Royal Passion, who was a graduate of the 1971 National Yearling Sales as pictured above left, were an extremely strong partnership together during the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979 the pair won the International Accumulator at the Pretoria Show (see top photo) as well as the 1979 South African Outdoor Grand Prix held in George. In 1981 they were second in the South African Showjumping Derby at Inanda after a jumpoff with Janie Myburg and Dress Suit. They also convincingly won the 1981 South African Showjumping Championships.
Smith and is by Dramatic II, out of the Royal Pardon mare, Countess Mitzi. DRAMATIC II, by Fair Trial, needs special mention here. Firstly, as a sire of many brilliant horses and secondly through his sons JEREZ (and his son PYRMONT) & ARCTIC CIRCLE. Between them they represent SA’s most successful thoroughbred male line ever. Tony and JONGLEUR are pictured below negotiating the extremely steep and difficult bank as obstacle No. 9 in the old Derby arena at Inanda in 1982. The pair secured a shared victory with four other horse and rider combinations after a torrential rainstorm at the end of the first round.
Consummate professional, Tony Lewis, really needs little introduction having enjoyed a long and very successful career that spanned five decades. Together with JONGLEUR, the pair were a real joy of a showjumping partnership to watch during that late 1970s and early 1980s! A jubilant Tony is pictured above with the very handsome, JONGLEUR, after winning the 1978 Showjumping Championship of South Africa. Owned by Mr. & Mrs. Clifford and bred by Mr Ralph Koster at his Klavervlei Stud, JONGLEUR was originally produced by Phillip
Below we see JONGLEUR displaying his awesome technique and scope, with Tony giving him every chance from the saddle, over a very big triple bar during the 1979 Grand Prix at the Pretoria Show. The pair were the eventual winners of the class.
Bryce McCall pictured above on the super brave and careful little horse, BOLD HUSSAR (also known as HAMADAM). This combination won the 1984 South African Outdoor Grand Prix in fine
style. Pictured below that is without a doubt Bryce’s best horse, BLUE ROCK, by Trocadero. This horse burst onto the South African showjumping scene in the early 1990s with Bryce and in 1993 the pair really excelled with super wins in the South African Showjumping Derby and the South African Showjumping Championship.
of them were always consistent in the big classes and are pictured above being congratulated during the prize giving of the 1982 NCD Clover Championship at the Royal Show held in Pietermaritzburg after
Veteran Springbok showjumper George Myburg, son of the Late Jack Myburg, is one of the old school legends of the sport. George struck up successful partnerships with horses like THE LAIRD, MERRIMENT, CAROLUS, CLOUD STAR, EVEN LEAD and EVEN DEAL in the 1970s and 1980s, nearly all in the sponsorship of TOYOTA. He was a member of the seven-strong Springbok team in 1966 that competed in an international team event on borrowed horses at the Arena North International Horse Show where he won a class on Harvey Smith’s horse, Marshall. Both photos attached are of George and his very faithful partner, MERRIMENT. The pair
winning the class. Young Eastern Cape racehorse trainer, Montana Turner, who is having a fantastic first season, is George’s granddaughter. News is that George has not been well lately and we hope that he is feeling better and well on the mend.