Issuu

Thursday 18 December 2025

JAN, THE MAN!

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‘THE MORE I PRACTICE…’ It was Gary Player who famously said, ‘the more I practice, the luckier I get.’ The legendary sporting ambassador certainly looks to have this racing ownership game down to a fine art. The Black Knight, who celebrated his 90th birthday on 1 November, was photographed by Candiese Lenferna at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last Saturday, having some fun with Mike and Mat de Kock after Dave The King’s herculean effort to win the Ridgemont Gr2 Green Point Stakes. Assistant trainer Wendy Michel, who stood in as a locum and supervised the feature heroes Dave The King and Jan Van Goyen in their Milnerton prep, is obscured behind the De Kock duo. 2 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

GRAND HERITAGE –

A DECADE! v

Jan’s The Man!

Top win by son of the Master

Double For Sandown’s Armitage

In-form breeder features again

Saluting Stars

KZN Breeders celebrate champions

The Name Game You can call me Al

129

Home James!

On the cover

Callan Murray and Jan Van Goyen after the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas thriller last Saturday. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.

Issue: 50 /2025

World’s best – again

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Aldo Domeyer – a fab four winners at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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BASS-DOMEYER v

MIDWEEK

FOUR-TIMER

Just a week after his former SA Champion jockey Dad rode a four-timer at the same venue, Aldo Domeyer proved to be something of a talented chip off the old block with a repeat of the feat and four winners at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday. Father and son are 1 winner apart on the SA national log with Aldo on 16 winners, and the Candyman on 15. Their individual win strike-rate is just over 18%. After a minor drought, the Bass-Domeyer combination book-ended the third last Race Coast Cape fixture of 2025 with an opening and closing double Domeyer really is forceful in a finish when on song, and he excelled in the opener when getting La Patrona home by the proverbial nostril to hold the imposing Woman In Gold, who won’t be long in winning on this performance. In the second race Domeyer had Wyze Declaration, a half-sister to Gr1 winner Bohica, in the box seat and pounced late to get the better of the overdue Hazel Green. In the penultimate race of the day, the fancied Astronomical Boy was given a peach of a ride by Domeyer, who nabbed the pacesetting Money Extractor (Grant van Niekerk) in the final stride in a head bobbing duel

Lancaster Bomber’s daughter Diamond Bomber races in the Drakenstein silks and rounded off the Bass-Domeyer four-timer. She was the easiest of the quartet of successes when she won the last under a hands ride, for her third win from 15 starts. At the age of 58, Aldo’s old man Andrew Fortune is riding with plenty of viguor and enthusiasm and grabbed a winner when the Master Of My Fate mare Wehaveasituation made it 4 wins from her last 9 starts since shedding her maiden in March. “This was her best win to date,” quipped Andrew Fortune of the mare who is a mobile billboard for patience and perseverance, turning her career around in her 4yo year, after being a one-time battling maiden. The internationally experienced Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winning jockey Rene Piechulek drew a blank with his first two rides in South Africa. The penultimate Cape racemeeting of 2025 is at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday 21 December, with the final fixture on Christmas Eve. 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 5

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A GRAND HERITAGE! 8 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

David Nieuwenhuizen’s Pressonregardless will be ridden by Richard Fourie on Saturday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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The tenth renewal of the R500 000 World Sports Betting Grand Heritage to be run at the Vaal on Saturday has attracted a typically competitive field of 23 on a day that will also see the launch of the newly refurbished Vaal 2nd floor hospitality suite, named in honour of former Vaal training centre resident, Empress Club. Another feature of what is the biggest day on the 78 year old Vereeniging track’s calendar will be the annual Groom’s Race, conducted after the running of the last race, with R35 000 prize money on offer. The inaugural running of the non black-type Grand Heritage was held on 1 October 2016 under the sponsorship of World Sports Betting – who have remained the headline sponsor ever since. It was won by the Wernars Family’s Irish Pride (Ideal World), trained by Johan Janse van Vuuren and ridden to a 1,1 length victory by Gavin Lerena. The race has had its fair share of adventure with the 2018 renewal, originally scheduled

for 29 September, bedevilled by persistent challenges with the weather and running surface. The Phumelela team rose to the occasion, moving the event to Turffontein instead. However, as Turffontein cannot accommodate a 28-horse field, a decision was made to split the race in two and create a multi legged challenge comprising the Grand Series Leg 1 and 2, with the winners facing one another in a Grand Series final. Leg 1, staged on 20 October, was won by the Stuart Pettigrewtrained Soldier On (Brave Tin Soldier) in a narrow victory over Paul Matchett charge, Dan The Lad (Encosta De Lago). Leg 2, staged on 28 October, was won by Ashley Fortune-trained Tsitsikamma Dance. With Stuart Pettigrew opting out on completing the challenge, Soldier On was replaced by Leg 1 second-place finisher, Dan The Lad. In the final, held as a match race at the Vaal on 8 December 2018, Ryan Munger and Tsitsikamma Dance tracked Smanga Khumalo on Dan The Lad all the way up

Gavin Lerena wins the first Grand Heritage on Irish Pride | Credit: Supplied

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Iron Curtain beats sand star Alimony to win the 2010 Emerald Cup | Credit: Supplied

the 1475m straight, but despite a protracted struggle over the final 400m, just could not get past the game leader, who maintained his advantage to claim victory by 0,5 lengths in a time of 102,89 secs. The Vaal Racecourse was originally built by Dorfman Turf Holdings. Initially hosting Pony and Galloway meetings, an attempt to establish night racing at the venue proved unsuccessful when the first meeting, in March 1947, fell foul of a particularly bad Highveld storm, washing out the proceedings along with the hopes of the few enthusiasts who had gathered for the event. Shortly afterwards, the Jockey Club put paid to the activity altogether by threatening to warn off anyone involved with night racing. With racing at Newmarket and Germiston growing in popularity, the Vaal found itself at a

disadvantage geographically and the future of the venue looked uncertain. Eventually the Owners and Trainers Association bought it over and by 1952, 12 meetings a year were being held at the Vaal by the Newmarket-based Owners and Trainers Association. This also allowed the Vereeniging Turf Club (then managed by the Germiston Racing Clubs) to make use of the course as an alternative venue as well, and over the years, the sharing of the Vaal by these two bodies proved a mutually beneficial exercise. A sand track was introduced in 2001. Fast forward to Sunday, 25 September 2005, and with sand racing having established itself as a firm staple on the local racing menu, the Vaal proudly played host to the birth of Africa’s sand spectacular – the Emerald Cup. 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 11

Mrs Oppenheimer’s five-year-old gelding Hilti, trained by Mike de Kock and ridden by Willy Figueroa, won the inaugural event, which was run as an ungraded race over 1 400m for a stake of R200 000. The field included Grade 1 winner National Spirit, course specialist Wild Cherry and Drift Ice, who would go on to campaign successfully in Dubai. Hilti, a big, powerful galloper by Fort Wood out of Rawl Plug, had to shoulder top weight of 59,5kg, but made his fitness count, beating National Spirit by 1,25 lengths, with Tigray in third. National Spirit went on to claim the title the following year. The race changed to a new distance of 1450m with the 2008 renewal of the race, when it was won by the game little St John Gray runner, Alimony. Mrs Oppenheimer won the race again in 2010 with another son of Fort Wood in Iron Curtain, trained by Robbie Sage and ridden

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by Gunther Wrogemann, who hung on long enough to deny Alimony a place in history as the first horse to win the Emerald Cup twice. After years of controversy over the surface, a decision was made to close the track. The final running of the Emerald Cup was held in 2015, under the sponsorship of SAP. Run as the SAP Supreme Cup, it was won by Mike Azzie charge, Deputy Jud under JP van der Merwe in the Adriaan and Rika van Vuuren silks. The Vaal sand track was officially closed in October 2015 and replaced by turf. With the installation of the new turf track, the race was reborn under the guise of the Grand Heritage, open to 28 runners (plus 2 reserves) in the style of popular big field UK handicaps such as the Cesarewitch, Cambridgeshire and the Tote Ebor. We are looking forward to a good day of racing on Saturday – the first is off at 11h50.

Caption | Credit: Credit

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JAN… v

BY A STREET!

Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas Champion Jan Van Goyen proudly shows off his new blanket | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Callan Murray cannot once have regretted his decision to return from Australia six months ago! The SplashOut-sponsored jockey was in top form at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, registering a glorious De Kock partnership feature double, and his fourth Gr1 winner since returning to his homeland. v

Thursda y 18 De cember 2025 v

JAN, THE MAN!

18 DECE

MBER

2025 |

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In what has been something of a symbiotic relationship with the De Kock team over the 12 years since his first career ride under rules – for the very same stable – on the subsequently exported Captain Lars at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 3 November 2013, the 28 year old has blossomed into a rider of genuine quality. A half hour after he massaged the extraordinarily gallant Dave The King over the line to win the Ridgemont Gr2 Green Point Stakes, Murray found things a lot easier on the clearly very talented Jan Van Goyen, who burst clear to register his second career

Grade 1 success from just six starts when slamming a top-class field of contemporaries in the R2 million Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. In a superb feat of training, Jan Van Goyen was despatched from Randjesfontein to Dean Kannemeyer’s Milnerton yard under the care of Wendy Michel, and just two weeks after his first start as a 3yo in the Jackpot City Dingaans at Turffontein, catapulted clear of his field at the beautiful Southern Suburbs Race Coast HQ to give Mike de Kock, now in partnership with his son Mathew, his sixth Cape Guineas winner.

Callan Murray gives the salute as Hollywoodbets’ Devin Heffer hands him the trophy | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Happy owner, Henk Leyenaar | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Clocking 98,45 secs for the mile, Jan Van Goyen (17-10) was a popular 2,75 length winner ahead of the smart Happy Verse (7-2), with Randolph Hearst (10-1) 0,30 lengths away in third. The 4-1 Gimmie Rules ranged up dangerously, but just petered late, to run a 3,35 length fourth. Lifetime owner Henk Leyenaar is enjoying his racing in partnership with his daughters Daniela Erasmus and Louisa Huntingford, and with all of the family’s horses named after their proud Dutch heritage, Jan Van Goyen was baptized in honour of the street where he was born in 1946. Van Goyen was one of the main pioneers of naturalistic landscapes in early 17th-century Holland.

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Bred by RJ & Mrs Trotter, RE Alexander and Bruce Campbell, Jan Van Goyen was consigned as agent by Boland Stud on the 2024 KZN Yearling Sale, where the astute Lucinda Woodruff signed the chit for R600 000. A son of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master), Jan van Goyen is out of the two-time winning Oratorio mare, Daydream Believer.Jan Van Goyen has now won 4 races with a place from 6 starts, and took his stakes to R2 403 888. Jan Van Goyen holds a decent draw entry for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 10 January and after Mike de Kock’s suggestion that he’d like to expose him to older opposition soon, we may see him lining up in the WFA mile. He has moved to the top of the ante-post betting boards.

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The Jan Van Goyen lead in after the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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IT’S THE STUFF OF DREAMS

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Last season’s Champion Juvenile Jan Van Goyen solidified his position at the top of the three-year-old pecking order with an imperious victory last Saturday in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas, his second at the highest level. A sixth Cape Guineas winner for maestro trainer Mike de Kock, the colt is also living proof that it is possible to breed good horses with a bit of luck from a personally chosen foundation mare bought at a reasonable price.

While Flower Power enjoyed a successful stallion career, sadly, neither Amorella nor Aster transferred their racetrack ability to the broodmare paddocks and it was their own sister Fenjal who has carried on the family fortunes so to speak.

It all started almost thirty years ago when KZN breeders Rodney and Jane Trotter outlayed R40 000 on Fine Feather, a Best By Test filly from the Lammerskraal draft at the 1996 National Yearling Sales.

Like her siblings, she was a fine sprinter, winning eight times over the minimum trip but black-type eluded her, albeit that she did run fourth in the Southern Cross.

She was out of Fragrant Air, who had raced for Lammerskraal, winning three times over a mile. A typical Lammerskraal broodmare, Fragrant Air boasted a fine pedigree, being by Harry Hotspur out of the Royal Affair mare Fenjal, who in turn was a daughter of that grand broodmare Crassula.

Nevertheless, she became a Gr1 producer as the dam of ill-fated Gr1 Natal Oaks victress Velozia and Gr1 SA Guineas runner-up Underwood, in addition to which she features as the grandam of champion juvenile filly Historic Lady, stakes winners Fragrant Al, Rekindle and Captain’s Flame, and of course Fine Feather.

Trained by Alistair Gordon, the Trotters’ Sired by English 2000 Guineas winner acquisition proved herself to be both speedy Thunderhead II, Crassula flashed her talent and precocious, by winning six winning the Gr3 races, in addition Strelitzia Stakes to which she He is our first Gr1 winner. and finishing third ran second in a It was unbelievable, I am in the Gr1 Allan number of stakes sure you must have heard Robertson Fillies races, notably the me screaming him home! Championship Majorca Stakes. as a juvenile. To that she added As a broodmare, the Listed Summerveld Sprint at age five and she was a regular consort of Royal Affair, eventually retired to stud a seven-time winner. and with great success. In four successive visits to that grand sprinter she bred a colt As a broodmare Fine Feather would become and three fillies, three of which earned blacka foundation mare for the Trotters and type; the multiple stakes winning sprinter Flower Power, as well as Amorella and Aster, their partners and served her owners with distinction as the dam of nine winners from as winners respectively of the Gr2 Southern many foals. Cross Stakes and Gr3 Sceptre Stakes.

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A liaison with Jet Master yielded the Gr3 Byerley Turk winner Phantom Fighter, to which she added the Captain Al gelding Barbosa, who landed the Listed Umgeni Handicap and finished third in both the Gr1 Computaform and Tsogo Sun Sprint. Both were trained by Dennis Drier. Fine Feather produced her last foal at age 20, a filly by the Danehill stallion Oratorio. Named Daydream Believer, she too was trained by Drier and won twice for the Trotters, long-time partner Rob Alexander and Bruce Campbell, both co-breeders of Jan Van Goyen. Daydream Believer is the breeding partnership’s only broodmare and is a permanent boarder at Boland Stud where

she started out by producing the dual winner Jane’s Vision, followed by the winning One World colt Fine One. However, it is her third foal which has put the young mare on the map. For her 2021 covering, it was decided to send her to Master Of My Fate in an effort to tap into the Jet Master blood, and she duly foaled Jan Van Goyen eleven months later. Boland Stud’s Eugene Freeman, still on a high following the colt’s Guineas success, recalls: “He was a beautifully balanced yearling, very neat. Daydream Believer is not very big but is strong and robust, so Master Of My Fate made perfect sense.

Man and machine! Callan Murray gives Jan Van Goyen some affection after the big victory | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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1959 Queen’s Plate winner Royal Affair features in Jan Van Goyen’s pedigree | Credit: Form Organisation

She has a lovely yearling filly by Rafeef destined for next year’s Nationals. There’s a lot of Rafeef about her. The mare has a very nice Jet Dark colt at foot and is back in foal to Rafeef.” Rodney Trotter too, is as proud as punch and enthused: “He is our first Gr1 winner. It was unbelievable, I am sure you must have heard me screaming him home!” 26 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

As an aside, Rodney was quick to point out that Master Of My Fate spent some time at their then Ambleway spelling farm while in training. Who would have thought that a liaison between the son of Jet Master and a grandaughter of Fine Feather would one day come up with a dual Gr1 winner. Such is the stuff of dreams.

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A performer adds a kaleidoscope of sequins and smiles to the day | Credit: Supplied

HOLLYWOODBETS KENILWORTH

COMES ALIVE WITH

KLOPSE VIBES

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth burst into life on Saturday, 13 December, at the ‘Festive Fair’ featuring the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas when visitors were treated to a full day of festive shopping, live entertainment and Cape culture. Families and friends took in thrilling horse racing action and lingered between artisan stalls, seasonal flavours and photo-worthy backdrops, soaking up a relaxed summer atmosphere that felt more like a city festival than a feature race day. 28 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

Later, the energy dialled up even further when the Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie turned the venue into a display of music, colour and Cape Town heritage. As afternoon turned to evening, more than 8,000 performers from 16 Kaapse Klopse troupes paraded along the track in a kaleidoscope of sequins and smiles. The Voorsmakie offered a high-energy taste of the upcoming Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade on 5 January 2026, with brass bands, harmonies and choreographed moves drawing spectators to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

The Kaapse Klopse, with roots tracing back to the mid-19th century among Cape Malay communities, has grown into one of South Africa’s most vibrant cultural traditions, celebrated through joyful music, lively dance and colourful costumes during the annual Cape Town Minstrel Carnival. “The Voorsmakie is a relatively new innovation that allows the Troupes to come out and to offer a teaser show of their colours and their music for the season,” shared Muneeb Gambeno, Director of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA). “Belonging to the Kaapse Klopse has become a sport. Although it’s competitive, these Troupes are active community clubs, helping to keep the youth off the streets by empowering and educating them, as well as fostering harmony and togetherness in our communities,” Gambeno added. Throughout the day, visitors browsed a bustling festive market showcasing local makers and unique gifts, making last-minute holiday shopping part of the outing. Live sets from DJ Sophie, DJ Vinny and singer Jarrad Ricketts kept the soundtrack upbeat, while a dedicated Kids’ Zone with games, inflatables and treats ensured younger guests were just as entertained as the adults. Racegoers didn’t go hungry either, with gourmet street food offerings from local food trucks. The result was a destination day out that blended fashion, food, music and culture, with the track forming the backdrop to a bigger summer experience. “The combination of the ‘Festive Fair’ featuring the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and the Klopse Voorsmakie showcases our commitment to vibrant, inclusive experiences that build momentum into the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and World Sports Betting

Cape Town Met,” highlighted Devin Heffer, Brand and Communications Manager for Hollywoodbets. Against this lively scene, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth delivered its own brand of excitement on the turf as the nuggety threeyear-old colt Jan van Goyen streaked to glory in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas feature. The compact yet supremely athletic son of Master Of My Fate won well. In the preceding race, former Horse of the Year Dave the King took strategic advantage of the fast-running track and calm conditions to win the Grade 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes against a very classy field. These two victories made it a ‘red-letter’ day for the father-and-son training partnership of Mike and Mathew de Kock who, together with jockey Callan Murray, captured the day’s two major races, elevating Jan van Gooyen and Dave the King to early favouritism for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 10 January 2026. “Despite Jan van Goyen being a champion two-year-old last year, there were a few doubts as to whether he’d stand up to some of the best in the Cape in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. However, he did so with absolute aplomb, winning by two and a half lengths. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a Dave The King and Jan Van Goyen match race in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 10 January,“ said Stephen Marshall, Events & Marketing Executive at Race Coast. The Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, first run in 1924, has a roll of honour filled with some of South Africa’s most celebrated champions. In 2024, the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas was won by One Stripe, who was also first over the line in the 2024 Cape Punters Cup and 2025 L’Ormarins King’s Plate. 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 29

Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie – a display of music, colour and Cape Town heritage | Credit: Supplied

The bay colt went on to make his North American debut in September 2025. Themed ‘Festive Fair’, the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas is one of the cornerstones of Race Coast’s Summer Festival of Racing that reimagines a race day as a lifestyle destination rather than a single sporting event. Over the coming weeks, the festival will continue with must-attend featured days: the L’Ormarins King’s Plate on 10 January 2026, the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met 30 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

presents Symphony of Style on 31 January 2026, and the Seafood & Jazz Festival feat. the Lucky Fish Cape Derby on 28 February 2026. Whether visitors arrive as seasoned punters, content creators, fashion lovers or families looking for a memorable day out, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth is Cape Town’s summer playground where racing, culture and entertainment meet. For more information on the line-up of events, visit www.caperacing.co.za

2025’S BARK WAS WORSE THAN ITS BITE…! v

Duncan & Natasha Barry and the Riverton Team wish all our customers and friends warmth, cheer and safe passage over the holiday season and a new year full of peace and joy.

Now let’s welcome 2026 and the prospect of even greater things. Duncan Barry PO Box 168,Robertson 6705 Tel: (023) 626 4309 - Cell: 082 335 8951 Email: info@rivertonstud.co.za www.rivertonstud.co.za 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 31

Jan Van Goyen – will he get the 2000m of the Met? | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

WILL JAN VAN GOYEN STAY? 32 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

“He looks just like Jet Master” That was Lucinda Woodruff’s reply to Eugene Freeman, to his question “Why did you buy him?” Lucinda should know. Her father Geoff trained Jet Master to win the Queen’s Plate twenty-five years ago. The ‘him’ referred to was a yearling at the KZN sale in 2023, now named Jan Van Goyen. He was born, prepped and consigned by Eugene’s Boland Stud on behalf of a syndicate of breeders Trotter, Alexander & Campbell. In the footsteps of the Hugh Jonsson-bred Jet Master, could last year’s Champion 2yo be another great in the making for Natal breeders? Jan Van Goyen is a grandson of Jet Master, through sire Master Of My Fate. Jan’s dam Daydream Believer is a permanent boarder at Boland Stud. Her first three foals are all winners, and there’s more to come. She has a Rafeef yearling going to the KZN sale, she has a colt foal by Jet Dark, and is foal again to Rafeef. You may be wondering whether Jan will be in the line-up for the King’s Plate and Cape Met. Or more pointedly, whether he’ll stay the Met’s easy 2000m. His female line oozes speed. Jan’s dam (by Oratorio) won twice over 1000m. She’s a half sister to Phantom Fighter (by Jet Master, 3 wins over 1200-1400m) and

Barbosa (by Captain Al, 9 wins over 1000-1200m). Jan’s grandam (by Best By Test) won seven over 1000-1200m. His third dam is by Harry Hotspur (winning three over a mile! wtf), while his 4th dam (by Royal Affair) won eight times over 1000m, and is full sister to Flower Power. Master Of My Fate’s stamina influence needs more careful consideration. The Raceform website covers many aspects www.raceform.co.za Master Of My Fate shows this aptitude pattern: 86/98/119/108/The 119 rating was earned over 1800m (Peninsula Hcp). He ran in the Met (2000m) 3 weeks later, beaten 3 lengths in a false run race (won by Hill Fifty Four), and rated 108. That was his only run beyond 1800m. He pulled a tendon 4 months later and was retired. His offspring’s stamina (by highest winning distance of 3yo and up; over 360 counted) • 800-1399m: 20% • 1400-1600m: 43% • 1601-1999m: 19% • 2000-2399m: 13% • 2400m+: 5% For his offspring, half of the stamina will come from the mares. Care must be taken with interpretation. Further research may shed light. So what’s your verdict, will Jan stay 2000m? www.raceform.co.za – also on Facebook. 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 33

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Gr1 stars like King Gold are in action on Friday | Credit: DRC

A FESTIVE FRIDAY AT MEYDAN Meydan Racecourse gets the festivities underway this weekend when Gr1 winners Kabirkhan, Walk Of Stars and King Gold are among a host of equine stars in action on ‘Festive Friday’. The nine-race card includes one Purebred Arabian Group 1, two Group 2s and three Listed events, with the official feature being the Gr2 Al Maktoum Mile (sponsored by Emaar), race 7, which is worth AED1million. Defending champion Meshtri is among 13 runners for the 1600m dirt event, but faces some tough rivals, including Gr1 winner King Gold, runner-up in the Gr2 Godolphin Mile in

April after winning the Gr3 Firebreak Stakes over this same trip in January. “That horse is just amazing, with the final 200m he ran in the Godolphin Mile,” said Marine Henry, wife and assistant to King Gold’s trainer Nicolas Caullery. “We think he is still in the same form – he is certainly happy to be back in Dubai!” Trainer Bhupat Seemar sends out eight runners, including Gr2 Al Maktoum Classic winner Imperial Emperor, whose rise through the ranks last season saw him finish up running in the Dubai World Cup.

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“He got the privilege of running in a handicap last season even though he was a Group horse in the making,” said the trainer. “He’s filled out a bit and is a much thicker horse, so I just hope he’s fit enough first time out.”

said Paul Ebbs, Managing Owner of the Suited & Booted Syndicate. “He’s had the run, compared with some of the others, so we’re ready, and he hasn’t done anything wrong over the mile so far.”

Seemar also runs Killer Collect, who has won three of his six starts but hasn’t been seen since December last year, when running second to the reopposing Mendelssohn Bay.

The Gr2 Al Rashidiya [sponsored by Emaar], race six, is an early pointer to the Gr1 Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup night.

“He’s a seriously good horse and a gorgeous horse, with a lot of talent,” said the trainer. “He’s just got terrible feet and they hold him back. It’ll be good to get him back as his owners [Michael and Negar Burke] have been tremendous supporters of ours.”

The 1800m turf contest has been won five times by Charlie Appleby, and the Godolphin handler has a team of three this time. The exciting Opera Ballo is the mount of William Buick, James Doyle gets on four-time G1 winner Nations Pride and Billy Loughnane rides dual course winner First Conquest.

Appleby said: West Saratoga “We have taken is an interesting “Dubai Treasure won a Listed race on her latest start and has Opera Ballo to newcomer to been working nicely going into the Rowley Mile the Seemar this,” he said. “It is her first run [Newmarket] barn, having of the winter and I’m looking twice and been won the Gr3 forward to seeing how she goes.” beaten on both Iroquois Stakes occasions, so I in the US and think we can say finishing twelfth in the 2024 Kentucky Derby for the late trainer it’s not his course. We were keen to get him back on a turning track and the style of racing Larry Demeritte. at Meydan will hopefully suit. We feel he is a nice colt and we are hoping to get him back to “He’s doing great and I have to thank Sheikh winning ways here. Rashid [bin Humaid al Nuaimi, [owner] for sending me the horse,” said Seemar. “We “Nations Pride knows his way round here and may have to do a little factfinding with him. has benefitted from a break following his runs I know he ran in the Kentucky Derby, but he in the US and Canada. We also know First may have to start at a level and work up to Conquest enjoys racing around Meydan and the big races. At the moment we’re going to start in the big races and see where he goes.” he goes into this fit and well. I feel we have three strong contenders.” Mendelssohn Bay beat Killer Collect a year Those taking on the formidable blue army ago and was impressive when winning in include Listed winner Chicago Critic, for Listed company last time out. trainer Johnny Murtagh, and Caramelito, a Group 3 winner in France who is now in the “He stamped his authority over some very care of Caullery. highly rated horses in the Dubai Creek Mile,” 36 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

The Listed Entisar Stakes [sponsored by Emaar], race five, is a typically strong renewal, with Gr1 winners Walk Of Stars and Kabirkhan clashing with G1 Preakness Stakes fifth Heart Of Honor, a three-time course winner. Trained by Seemar, Walk Of Stars won this race last year before landing the Gr1 Maktoum Challenge and bouncing back from a disappointing 12th in the Saudi Cup with a good fourth in the Dubai World Cup. “The plan was originally to skip this race, but after talking with the owners [Athbah Racing] we decided that going into a Group 1 the next

time [Maktoum Challenge, 23 January] might not be the most ideal thing for the horse,” said Seemar. “So we are going into this race slightly undercooked, but he’s ready to run.” The dual UAE Champion Trainer is also responsible for the Kazakhstan-owned Kabirkhan, winner of the Gr1 Maktoum Challenge in 2024, who joined him from Doug Watson at the end of last season. “Kabirkhan was healthy when he came from Doug’s,” said Seemar. “So far, I can’t fault him. For a huge horse, and for a horse who doesn’t have the perfect conformation, my gosh he can stride on that dirt track.

Charlie Appleby goes for a sixth win in the Gr2 Al Rashidiya | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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“He’s another one working back from the Dubai World Cup.” As one of only two three-year-olds in the field - along with last time out winner Honest Moon – Heart Of Honor receives weight from all bar one rival. Jamie Osborne’s gelding returned to Meydan a month ago with a facile win over 1600metres. “I’d hoped I would see him win like he did and thankfully he did, phew!” said Osborne. “This is the first time he’s been against older horses, and it is a pretty strong Entisar, so it’s going to test him.

“It’s hard to know how he’s going to stack up against those older horses at this stage, but we’re obviously hopeful.” Cover Up and Ponntos, the last two winners of the Listed Ertijaal Dubai Dash, clash in this year’s renewal of the 1000m turf event, which has also attracted dual course Group winner West Acre. Cover Up returned to the UK in the summer, winning at Ascot, and co-trainer Ed Crisford has been pleased with his progress. 38 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

“He had a good summer, running in some good races, and has been going super well since he arrived back here,” he said. “We didn’t over-race him, with a view to coming back to Dubai, and he’s another year older and stronger.” After going close last week with Righthere Rightnow, trainer Richard Spencer saddles three-year-old The Man, a dual winner in the UK, in a quest for his first Dubai winner. “He’s lightly raced and comes here a fresh horse off the back of some nice races in England,” said the British handler. “Whatever he does here, he’ll come on for the run.” Saeed bin Suroor runs the Listed-winning filly Dubai Treasure, who drops to this distance for the first time. “Dubai Treasure won a Listed race on her latest start and has been working nicely going into this,” he said. “It is her first run of the winter and I’m looking forward to seeing how she goes.” The Listed Business Bay Challenge [sponsored by Emaar], race two, looks very competitive. It features multiple Group race winner Marbaan and Mysterious Night, who finished second to him twice last season and won the 2024 G2 Al Fahidi Fort over course and distance. Mysterious Night is trained by Appleby who also runs G1 winner Al Qudra and dual UK winner Anno Domini. “Mysterious Night always runs well fresh and has shown his liking for this course and distance in the past,” said the trainer on Godolphin.com. “His homework has been good and we are very happy with him.

“Al Qudra has been gelded and has enjoyed the benefit of a long break since his last start in the spring. We feel the track at Meydan and style of racing suits him and the best of his form will make him a player at this level. He is a younger set of legs compared to some in the field and I have been pleased with his preparation.

Later, 15 two-year-old fillies run in the Emaarsponsored Shahama Stakes, race three, over 1400metres on dirt. They include Julio Olascoaga’s Tjareed who aims to go one better after finishing second to the re-opposing Yuno on her Meydan debut.

“Anno Domini also comes into this on the back of a layoff. This will be his first run at Meydan, so it will be a new experience, and he is drawn a bit wider than my other two, which will make it slightly tougher.”

“She ran a very good race in second when she desperately needed the run and needed experience, so I think there is a lot more to come from her,” said the trainer. “She came out of the race super well and I think she will be hard to beat.”

A high-class field of Purebred Arabians lineup in the opening G1 Maktoum Challenge Round I [sponsored by Emaar], including Mubeed, who defends his title, and G1 winner Muraad who has joined trainer Majed Al Jahouri after a successful career in France.

The card winds up with the Dubai Racing Club Classic [sponsored by Emaar] over 2410metres on turf, and the closing Emaar Stride Conditions race for juvenile colts, in which Seemar’s Salloom looks an interesting contender.

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Despite the urgings of a determined Muzi Yeni, Minogue (obscured) just fails to catch Philasande Mxoli on Rodeo Drive Credit: JC Photos

OVERDUE STAKES SUCCESS FOR DAUGHTER OF THE UNITED STATES

Just days after the Stone Stamcorsponsored Philasande Mxoli ruffled the feathers of the Cape Summer Season power players with a Gr3 catch on Sukhumvit in the 1Voucher Gr3 Victress Stakes on Saturday down in the Cape, the King Williams Town-born rider produced an outstanding front-running performance to win the R500 000 Mike de Kock Gr2 Ipi Tombe Stakes at Turffontein on Tuesday, to give breeders James Armitage a terrific feature double. Sean Tarry is credited with having provided Mxoli with his maiden Grade 3 success, and on Tuesday the former multiple national 42 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

champion trainer repeated the feat with a Gr2 for the jockey who produced another outstanding performance, riding a perfectly judged race from the front. Giving his mount a breather as they cornered into the long Turffontein home straight, Mxoli rode the 4yo daughter of The United States (Galileo) with confidence and held the advantage to the line to gain a narrow victory. At the line, the 4-1 Rodeo Drive held the flying improved again Minogue (14-1) to a nose verdict in a time of 97,04 secs for the mile. The winner’s stablemate and tote favourite Callmegetrix (33-20) may have overraced

early and stayed on without threatening for third, a further 2,75 lengths back. Mike Azzie’s 100-1 shot Daisy Hones boosted the quartet in fourth. The winner marked a public holiday feature double for James Armitage’s Sandown Stud. The famous breeding family have been churning out the winners for many decades and have hit a veritable purple patch! The Gr1-placed winner is out of the five-time winning Horse Chestnut mare, Crystal Cavern.

Now a winner of 4 races with 12 places from 17 starts, Rodeo Drive was a R300 000 National Yearling Sale buy and took her stakes earnings to R1 087 738. It was a lovely touch to hear that one of the winning owners, Colleen Spalding, had flow in from the UK to watch her filly win. Rodeo Drive was trainer Sean Tarry’s third winner of the afternoon.

On the podium – 4Racing’s Cherise Tem Tem Sham with trainer Sean Tarry | Credit: JC Photos

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RODEO DRIVE MOVES UP TO 113 v

Following her victory in the Mike de Kock Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge for fillies and mares over 1600m at the Turffontein Standside track on Tuesday, Rodeo Drive has had her merit rating increased from 107 to 113. The Handicappers identified Callmegetrix, who finished third, as the most suitable line horse for this assessment, and her rating remains unchanged on 110.The runner-up, Minogue, received an increase from 107 to

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112, while the fourth-placed finisher, Daisy Jones, was given a partial adjustment, moving from 85 to 99. Two horses received merit rating reductions following this contest. Willy Meet Again was adjusted from 107 down to 104, while Spumante Dolce was lowered from 115 to 112. • Media release by the NHA on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.

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Louis Nhlapo guides Royal Invitation to a big win | Credit: JC Photos

WEBBER’S INVITATION CONFIRMED

The Elusive Fort mare Royal Invitation capitalized on a slow pace to get back into the winner’s enclosure after an absence of 32 months when she ran on powerfully under Louis Nhlapo to win the R150 000 Non Black-Type Sun Chariot Handicap at Turffontein on the Day Of Reconciliation public holiday. Formerly raced by Mario Ferreira with Candice Bass in the Cape, and then trained by Louis Goosen in KZN, Royal Invitation looked perfectly placed by Brett Webber on Tuesday and duly arrived at 33-10 in a time of

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156,72 secs for the 2400m standside track. Poplar Park (33-10) was beaten 2 lengths into second, with Azaleas For All (33-10) a further 2,40 lengths back in third. Bred by James Armitage, who has enjoyed a terrific run of winners in recent weeks, Royal Invitation is a daughter of Elusive Fort (Fort Wood) out of the top-class Western Winter (Gone West Mare) mare Early Spring. Up to this stage of the day, Gavin Lerena and Sean Tarry were the leading jockey and trainer with a double apiece.

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DAVE, THE GLOBAL KING When champion Dave The King won last Saturday’s Ridgemont Gr2 Green Point Stakes, he picked up the fourth graded stakes win of his illustrious career. Horse Of The Year and Champion Older Male in 2023-2024, Dave The King’s previous graded successes came in the Hollywood Gr1 Gold Challenge (2024 and 2025) and The HKJC Gr1 Champions Cup (2024).

Dave The King is the best runner thus far for his sire, the blue-blooded Global View. The latter had enjoyed feature race success earlier this season when his daughter Disting claimed the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes. One of 387 stakes winners for his own legendary sire Galileo, Global View was a high-class performer whose victories included the Gr3 Generous Stakes (2013) and Gr2 (run as a Gr1 in 2025) American Turf Stakes (2014). Out of the Storm Cat Egyptian Queen (also the granddam of US Gr1 winner and sire Gun Pilot), Global View is bred on the hugely successful Galileo/Storm Cat cross. This cross has produced a plethora of blacktype winners, including Churchill, Clemmie, Misty For Me, Decorated Knight and Gleneagles. The latter is the sire of, among others, the outstanding galloper and 2025 Cartier Horse Of The Year, Calandagan. Global View’s fifth dam is Canadian Oaks winner South Ocean (New Providence), whose champion son Storm Bird (Northern Dancer) sired Global View’s outstanding 48 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

broodmare sire Storm Cat, among many others. South Ocean was descended in female line from the taproot mare Lady Alice Hawthorn, ancestress of numerous outstanding performers including Ile De Bourbon (Nijinsky II), Quest For Fame (Rainbow Quest), Celtic Arms (Comrade In Arms), Azamour (Night Shift), and The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice). Dave The King’s sire shares his sire Galileo with a host of top-class stallions, including Frankel, Teofilo, New Approach, Nathaniel, and Australia, with the in-form South African stallion The United States, another sired by Galileo. Global View was South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2019-2020, with his first crop producing more than 30 winners led by Track And Ball Gr3 Derby winner Decorated and Eastern Cape champion, and multiple stakes winner Global Drummer. The latter won four of five starts at two, including the Listed East Cape Nursery, Listed Dahlia Plate and Listed Champion Juvenile Cup.

Global View – star son of Galileo | Credit: Pauline Herman

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Based at Ascot Stud, Global View’s second crop was headed by Castle Tankard winner Ideal View, Listed 4Racing Caradoc Gold Cup winner Rule Book, and Gr3 Sycamore Sprint runner-up Kissing Point, while his third crop is headed by the magnificent Dave The King. He produced another black type winner in his fourth crop, ncluding multiple stakes winner Fairy Knight.

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To date, Global View has sired stakes winners out of mares sired by a host of different stallions, including Jet Master, Dynasty, Kilconnel, Lecture, Ideal World (two), Medicean, National Assembly and Var. His star son Dave The King was produced by the Jet Master mare Touche, a winning full-sister to Listed Ladies Mile winner Butterfly Girl.

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LAIRD STAR STILL

ON TRACK

- REVISED PREP PLANS IN PLACE Highveld Horse Of The Year Fire Attack was withdrawn from Saturday’s Ridgemont Gr2 Green Point Stakes but is reportedly still very much on track for his L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate and WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met targets. Trainer Alec Laird, who enjoyed a feature winner on the day when Sukhumvit won the 1Voucher Gr3 Victress Stakes, said: “He’s been staving off a virus this week and was not ready to race in Saturday’s intended prep race for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate. His blood reading has come down the right way, but not enough to run.” Fire Attack’s SAA reading on Saturday morning was 55. He was thus scratched with ‘elevated SAA’ as the official reason. Laird added that besides Fire Attack recovering from a virus that should run its course in a couple of weeks, he had also missed some crucial workouts due to the excessive rain in Johannesburg. “The good news is that he’s going to be fine by next week. To have run on Saturday would have set him back for his ultimate missions in four weeks time and seven weeks time, respectively.” The new plan is to run Fire Attack in a 1000m race on 24 December at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and then gallop him with Sunset Riot at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 3 January 3 in preparation for the King’s Plate a week later. L’Ormarins King’s Plate supplementary entries are due by 11h00 on Monday 29 December 2025, with declarations deadline at 11h00 on Tuesday 30 December 2025. 52 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

Trainer Alec Laird and jockey Philasande Mxoli after Sukuhmvit won on Saturday | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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Craig Zackey drives Outlaw King up to beat Our Giant (Sean Veale) in a thriller | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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KANNEMEYER’S

1,2,3,4

MERCHANTS! Milnerton master trainer Dean Kannemeyer made it four straight victories in the R500 000 SplashOut Gr2 Cape Merchants at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when Rafeef’s good son Outlaw King defended his title with a gutsy victory under regular pilot, Craig Zackey.

After the now retired champion Gimme A Prince’s win in 2022 and Cosmic Highway’s success in 2023, the DK Racing Syndicate’s Outlaw King produced a courageous effort down the inside rail to hold off a determined effort by KZN raider Our Giant by a neck in a time of 70,96 secs for the 1200m. The 11-2 O’Tenikwa (11-2) maintained his consistency a length back in third, with the winner’s stablemate Teflon Man (25-1) coming from nearl last to boost the quartet, ahead of the favourite The US Of A(5-2). Bred by James Armitage, Outlaw King was a R300 000 National Yearling Sale graduate and is a son of Ridgemont’s top-class Redoute’s Choice stallion Rafeef out of the four-time winning Greys Inn mare, Way Of Escape. Outlaw King has won 6 races with 5 places from 18 starts and took his stakes earnings to R1 496 532. 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 57

SNAITH LAYS DOWN JULY LAW

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The R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July is the medium term plan for the Legislate gelding Regulation, an eyecatching winner of Saturday’s R350 000 Ownpay Gr3 Peninsula Handicap at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Greg Bortz gives the thumbs-up to co-owner Gina Goldsmith after Regulation’s smart win | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Regulation was the second graded stakes winner of the 2025/26 Cape summer season for the Snaith Racing team and the son of Cheveley Stud’s homebred champion Legislate is a progressive sort, who made it two on the trot and has clearly overcome his breathing issues. Interestingly, Snaith’s other graded stakes winner was Legal Counsel, also a son of Legislate, who won the Durban July in 2014 in dramatic circumstances. Under a well judged ride from the cucumber cool Winx-sponsored JP Van Der Merwe, the four-year-old settled well off the front running The Futurist early on. Into the home run, Regulation (5-2) appeared to lose some of his rhythm but quickly regained his momentum and powered home down the centre of the track and stayed on gamely to hold off a determined challenge from Major Master (7-1) by a neck in a time of 110,37 secs.

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The grey Zeitz (5-2) was beaten a further 3 lengths back in third. Bred by Alec Foster, the Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith owned Regulation has won 5 of 13 starts with 4 places and stakes of R583 077. A three-parts brother to Snaith’s Durban July winner Belgarion, Regulation is out of the Acatenango mare Riva. His four time Gr1 winning sire Legislate has already enjoyed plenty of feature race success this season. Legislate’s other stakes winners this season include Race Coast Gr2 Cape Punters Cup winner Good For You as well as Gr3 Cape Mile hero Legal Counsel, while Legislate’s classy daughter Wish List ran third in the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas. Another Legislate filly, Lowveld Lily, was runner-up in the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship earlier in the season.

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DAUGHTER OF SILVANO

CHANGES HER LUCK 62 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

Philasande Mxoli is well clear as Sukhumvit finishes strongly | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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The Highveld combination of Alec Laird and Philasande Mxoli scored a Cape Summer Season success at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when the Silvano mare Sukhumvit made her local debut a winning one when she streaked clear under her light weight for top honours in the R225 000 1Voucher Gr3 Victress Stakes. A Turffontein maiden winner at peak, but multiple stakes placed in a lightly campaigned career, the Nic Jonsson-owned Sukhumvit turned her luck around in the space of the 111,73 seconds that it took her to outgun her nine opponents over the summer course 1800m. Philasande Mxoli, down from Gauteng for just the one ride, converted the golden opportunity in style after running wide and she stayed on

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well to beat Rainbow Lorikeet (7-1) by 3,25 lengths, with tote favourite Swiatek (3-1) shading Kamchatka (5-1) for third. The classy Red Palace finished tailed off and we await the Stipes report. A R500 000 National Yearling Sale purchase selected by Jonathan Snaith, the winner was bred by Normandy Stud and is by late champion Silvano (Lomitas) out of the Kabool mare Quetta.Sukhumvit, who arrived at Eric Sands’ Milnerton yard just a week earlier, has won 2 races with 8 places from her 12 starts for stakes of R393 594. The R500 000 Pick 6 carryover pool reached R2 652 496,66 with 224 846 live combinations surviving the opening leg, with a minimum dividend of R11,80.

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Richard Fourie has Champagne Castle in control to win the opener on Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas day Credit: Chase Liebenberg

SPEEDBALL BLAZES HER WAY FROM

GUN TO TAPE Justin Snaith made his mark early on the 2025 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas day when the Maine Chance Farms-bred Rafeef filly Champagne Castle showed the benefit of her natural speed and experience to win the R250 000 Light And Wonder Commonwealth Plate.

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First time out she was slow away, but on Saturday there was no stopping Champagne Castle who rocketed out and was never headed to beat Red Spice (40-1) by a confident 2,25 lengths in a time of 59,58 secs for the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth straight 1000m. “I’d rather be riding the horses today than punting them,” quipped Richard Fourie, labelling it a difficult day ahead for punters.

Bred by Maine Chance Farms, the winner is raced by Jonathan Bloch, Mukund Gujadhur & the Wernars Family and is a daughter of Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) out of the Querari mare Camika. A R900 000 2025 Race Coast Sales March Yearling Sale purchase by Triple 8 Clothing, Champagne Castle has now won once with a place from two starts for stakes of R172 188.

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100 UP FOR

ZACKEY

A top-notch ride that passed with little fanfare. That was Craig Zackey’s 100th winner of the current season when he got Outlaw King home to defend his title in the SplashOut Gr2 Cape Merchants run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1200m last Saturday, in what proved to be by far the fastest of the three races over the distance. Drawn widest of the eighteen runners that went to post, the friendless CAFÉ CULTURE (25/2 out to 50/1) was the only runner to stick to his station on the outside rail and set a brisk pace. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge meanwhile had been drawn in gate one and sticking to his station on the inside rail raced just four lengths away in fifth. He put his head in front as they approached the 200m marker and ran on strongly in the closing stages of the race to beat last season’s Gr3 Post Merchants winner I Am Giant by a head. Running on from 11th position, some six lengths off the pace, Stuart Ferrie’s charge was very steadily gaining 70 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

under a determined ride from Sean Veale and would surely have gotten up with a few more metres to travel. Track Conditions Going:

Good (both tracks)

Penetrometer:

22 (straight) – 23 (bend)

Rain:

Last 24 hours 6mm – Last 7 days 6mm

Irrigation:

Last 24 hours nil – Last 7 days 50mm

False Rail:

Inside rail out 2m from 1700m with 3,5m spur at 600m

Wind:

12-14km/h South Westerly cross wind

Course Variant: 0,93s fast (straight) – 0,49s fast (bend) The first of the afternoon’s quintet of graded races to be run was the 1Voucher Gr3 Victress Stakes (F&M) over 1800m and here we saw a smart performance from the visiting SUKHUMVIT. Drawn widest of the ten, Alec Laird’s charge steadily worked her way around the field in the back straight and was already nicely positioned in third entering the bend. The Silvano mare had moved up to second coming off the bend and struck the front going through the 400m. She quickly went clear and although last season’s winner of this race Rainbow Lorikeet

ran on strongly from midfield in the closing stages of the race, she went on to score with authority by three and a quarter. The R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas over 1600m topped the bill and here we saw a very smart performance from the Mike & Matt De Kock trained JAN VAN GOYEN. Backed into favouritism at the track, the son of Master Of My Fate raced sixth for most of the journey some five lengths off a good pace set by last season’s Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Good For You. He made his move after switching out for a run passing the 400m marker and struck the front 200m out. He quickly drew clear and went on to score in impressive fashion by two and three quarters. A R600000 purchase, Jan Van Goyen has now won four of his six career starts and has already amassed stake earnings of over R2,4M. The visiting stable of Mike & Mathew De Kock were also on the mark in the Ridgemont Gr2 Green Point Stakes over 1600m when the 2024 horse of the year DAVE THE KING registered his ninth career victory. He broke well from his gate five draw and initially led before the determined Snow Pilot took up the running entering the bend. The pair were four lengths clear at that stage and then, running quickest of all of the races between the 1000m and 600m markers, the field became very strung out. Indeed, Sail The Seas racing in fourth was easily ten lengths behind the leader.

His job done Snow Pilot soon began to fade in the straight whilst the gutsy Global View gelding had always been travelling well within himself and only came under the whip 200m out. Dave gave his all under the master front runner Callan Murray in the closing stages of the race and in an event where less than three lengths covered the first ten home, he held on by a neck from Garrix. The runner up recorded the fastest 400m to finish time in the race. The Ownpay Gr3 Peninsula Handicap over 1800m rounded off the afternoon’s five feature events and in another tight finish, the strongly fancied joint favourite REGULATION did the business. The Futurist made the running and after opening up on the bend he led by seven entering the straight. Regulation meanwhile had raced third under a confident ride from J P v.d. Merwe some four lengths ahead of the eventual runner up Major Master at the back. Major Master quickened well at the top of the straight and struck the front 220m out. The son of Legislate joined him 70m later and after drawing clear of the remainder in a thrilling tussle below the distance, Regulation only got the verdict by a head. This race was run 1,36 seconds faster than the Gr3 Victress Stakes over the same distance. Fastest Times: 1200m (3) Outlaw King 1600m (3) Jan Van Royen 1800m (2) Regulation

70,96 98,45 110,37

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GIRL MAGIC RULES The Lucky Fish Magic Mile Class 4 (F&M) run over 1600m topped the bill on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth summer course on Wednesday and here the lightly raced Girl Magic registered her third win from just seven starts.

Nibbled at on course into 6/1 from 8’s, Shane Humby’s charge was taken straight to the front by Luyolo Mxothwa and at a fair pace led throughout. She kept on strongly all the way to the wire and although the always handy Queen Regent (seeking a third win from nine starts) was steadily gaining below the distance, she held on to score by a neck. The only race to be run on the straight course on the day was the Race Coast Incentives Hwb Maiden Plate (f) over 1000m and here the best bet on the card for most WHIRLWIND did the business. On leaving the stalls it was the 66/1 shot Three Tulips who elected to make the running whilst the 8/10 favourite raced just two lengths away in fourth. Panjandrum, a stable companion to the winner was the first to make a move and struck the front approaching the 400m marker. She found extra when Whirlwind then hit the front 250m out, but asked to do no more than was really necessary by Richard Fourie, the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight went on to score a little

more easily than the official margin of just half a length would suggest. When interviewed after the race jockey Fourie said that Track Conditions: Going: Good (both tracks) Penetrometer: 22 (straight) – 23 (bend) Rain: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 6mm Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 45mm False Rail: Inside rail out 2m from 1700m with 4m spur at 600m Wind: 20-25km/h South Easterly head wind Course Variant: 0,75s fast (bend) Whirlwind had brought the house down in a gallop a week earlier. One to follow. Five of the afternoon’s nine races were staged over 1400m and just 16/100th of a second separated the three fastest of these. Quickest of all was the closing Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 5 (f&m) event won with authority by DIAMOND BOMBER. The fourth winner on the card for the combination of Candice Bass and Aldo Domeyer, the Lancaster Bomber filly sat sixth 4,5 lengths off the fair pace set by the unfancied Zena’s Act.

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The race looked wide open as she struck the front 400m out, but after quickly going a couple clear, she only had to be pushed out in order to maintain her advantage. Although far from being a fast run race, the One World Racing Syndicate D Stakes was the quicker of the two 1800m events and here we saw a very easy victory for the Master Of My Fate mare WEHAVEASITUATION. Sent off second in the betting market at 7/2, Paddy Kruyer’s charge sat seventh of the

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eight some five lengths off the pace for most of the journey. Only having to be ridden with hands and heels throughout under a typically cool ride from Andrew Fortune, she cut through the field like a knife in the straight and after striking the front 200m out, won with plenty in hand by a length and a quarter. Fastest Times: 1400m (5) Diamond Bomber 1800m (2) Wehaveasituation

87,02 112,70

CAPE GUINEAS WINNER

STAYS A 118

The De Kock-trained Jan Van Goyen’s official merit rating remains unchanged at 118 following his commanding victory in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas run over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last Saturday.

The Handicappers noted that Jan Van Goyen, who started the race at least eight merit rating points superior to any other runner, did not need to improve on his pre-race figure to secure the win under level weight conditions. As a result, he was used as the line horse to assess the race, and his rating stays at 118. To establish the correct pecking order, the Handicappers applied merit rating increases based on each runner’s proximity to the winner and line horse: • • • •

HAPPY VERSE (2nd): raised from 103 to 113 Randolph Hearst: increased from 106 to 112 Gimmie Rules: lifted from 102 to 111 Fox On The Run: adjusted from 95 to 110

• •

Star Major: moved from 101 to 109 Beware: up from 91 to 103

Three horses received merit rating reductions following this contest: • • •

Malmesbury Missile: lowered from 110 to 108 Aristocratic: dropped from 103 to 101 Absolutely Yes: reduced from 103 to 100

Ridgemont Gr2 Green Point Stakes The official merit rating for Dave The King remains unchanged at 128 following his gutsy victory in the Ridgemont Gr2 Green Point Stakes run over 1600m. The Handicappers were of the opinion that Dave The King was the most suitable line horse for assessing this race, hence his unchanged rating. Two horses received merit rating increases: •

Garrix: raised from 118 to 123

•

Jet Force: raised from 93 to 120 after finishing 6th in a field averaging 122, a performance well above his pre-race ranking where he had been rated to finish last

The following horses received merit rating drops: • •

Cosmic Speed: reduced from 126 to 125 Snow Pilot: reassessed from 125 to 122 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 75

SplashOut Gr2 Cape Merchants Outlaw King has earned a revised rating of 118, up from 115, after successfully defending his SplashOut Gr2 Cape Merchants title over 1200m. In this event, third placed O’tenikwa was deemed the most suitable line horse for assessing the race, and his rating remains unchanged at 118. The runner up, I Am Giant, increased from 122 to 124 for finishing a full length ahead of the line horse. No fewer than three horses received merit rating reductions in this race: • • •

Cafe Culture: lowered from 122 to 120 Dance Variety: reduced from 113 to 112 Air Raid: dropped from 97 to 94

1Voucher Gr3 Victress Stakes Sukhumvit has had her rating increased from 94 to 100 following her victory in the 1Voucher Gr3 Victress Stakes over 1800m. Although she achieved a higher performance figure in this race, her rating was capped at 100 in accordance with the race conditions, which prevent Handicappers from raising the winner by more than six points.

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The Handicappers identified the runner up, Rainbow Lorikeet, as the most suitable line horse for assessing the race, leaving her rating unchanged on 113. Little Suzie and Time For Love received two points drops each, from 113 to 111 and from 104 to 102 respectively. OwnPay Gr3 Peninsula Handicap Regulation has had his merit rating adjusted from 99 to 105 following his victory in the Grade 3 OwnPay Peninsula Handicap over 1800m. Third placed Zeitz was identified as the most suitable key horse for assessing the race, and his rating remains unchanged on 101. The runner up, Major Master – who was 1 point (0.5kg) under sufferance at the weights and finished three lengths ahead of the line horse – was raised accordingly from 96 to 102. Promettere was the only runner to receive a drop in the ratings, going down to 100 from 101. •

Media release by NHA on 16 December 2025

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Chad Little guides Zatara Magic to victory in a new record time | Credit: Pauline Herman

RABADA’S SON BREAKS RECORD

The first leg of a double at Fairview last Friday. for the Dean Smith yard, the gutsy 6yo Zatara Magic became our newest equine millionaire when he went start to finish in the R108 000 Racing Today Pinnacle Stakes to shatter the previous course record for the polytrack 2200m set by Tara Laing’s Drill Sargeant on 10 October 2014. Coming in to his second run after a break and six weeks following his victory in the Betway Algoa Cup, Zatara Magic proved his lionhearted class and staying ability to win a good race under the in-form Chad Little, who would have enjoyed the confidencebooster ahead of his ride on Good For You in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas on Saturday. “When they challenged in the home straight, I thought we were in trouble, but he changed legs and kicked again. His Algoa Cup form to Holding Thumbs suggests he could well be competitive over ground in one of the major centres,” quipped Little who got the 3-1 shot home in a new record time of 132,50 secs, 78 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

beating Dill Sargeant’s 2014 benchmark by 0,01 second. Bournemouth (20-1) stayed on best of the rest a further 2,25 lengths back, with George Handel (14-1) a neck back in third. The 9-4 tote favourite Heemstede ran 3,85 lengths off the winner in fifth. A Summerhill bred son of the Bloomhill-based Brave Tin Soldier stallion Rabada, who has a first-timer in the first KZN juvenile race of the term at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, Zatara Magic is out of the five-time winning Parade Leader mare Maritime Mist who scored up to 2200m. A R120 000 November 2yo Sale graduate, Zatara Magic has won 9 races with 13 places from 37 starts for stakes of R1 006 042. Hollywoodbets-sponsored Dean Smith was the most successful trainer on the day with a double, while no jockey rode more than a single winner. • The next Fairview racemeeting is on Friday 19 December.

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The Quid Pro Quo Award went to Limitless Sky | Credit: Anneke Akal

KZN BREEDERS

CELEBRATE THE STARS

The annual KZN Breeders Awards function was held at Hartford House last Friday evening and celebrated another great year for the local breeding fraternity. Paul Lafferty was Master Of Ceremonies on an evening filled with spirit and camaraderie. Fatal Flaw, daughter of the ill-fated New Predator (Aus), was crowned KZN Breeders Horse Of The Year. Out of the Rock of Gibraltar mare, Alinga (Aus), she was bred by Laurence Wernars and sold for R210 000 to Arun Chadha’s ASSM Racing Syndicate at the 2023 National Yearling Sale. 80 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

A list of the nominees and winners: 1 CHAMPION 2YO Filly sponsored by EQUINE GROUP Nominees: • Limitless Sky • Jingleberry Winner: Limitless Sky Breeder: Jonathan and Cathy Martin

2 CHAMPION 2YO Colt/Gelding – sponsored by BLUE SKY THOROUGHBREDS Nominee: • Charming Cheetah Winner: Charming Cheetah Breeder: Clifton Stud

4 CHAMPION 3YO Colt/Gelding – sponsored by EQUIFEEDS Nominee: • Cool Cat Winner: Cool Cat Breeder: Bush Hill Stud

3 CHAMPION 3YO Filly – sponsored by CHOICE CARRIERS Nominees: • Fatal Flaw • Olivia’s Way • Quid Pro Quo • Cocomelon • Mai Sensation • Stars and Bra’s Winner: Fatal Flaw Breeder: Mr Laurence Wernars

5 CHAMPION Older Female – sponsored by RACE COAST Nominee: • Gimme a Shot • Callmegetrix • Minogue • Lady Fallon • Gocekwithlove Winner: Lady Fallon Breeder: Blue Sky Thoroughbreds

MC Paul Lafferty was in top form | Credit: Anneke Akal

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Blue Sky Thoroughbreds’ Bruce and Delia Le Roux enjoyed the evening | Credit: Anneke Akal

6 CHAMPION Older Male – sponsored by EPOL Nominees: • Purple Pitcher • Mount Pilatus • Madison Valley • Magic Tattoo • Cherry Ano Winner: Purple Pitcher Breeder: Bush Hill Stud 7 CHAMPION SPRINTER Female – sponsored by ODDS ON COLOURS Nominees: • Jingleberry • Mai Sensation • Gimme a Shot • Minogue • Gocekwithlove Winner: Mai Sensation Breeder: Clifton Stud

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8 CHAMPION SPRINTER MALE – sponsored by DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE Nominees: • Charming Cheetah • Mount Pilatus • Magic Tattoo Winner: Mount Pilatus Breeder: Clifton Stud 9 CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE FEMALE – HOLLYWOOD BETS Nominees: • Limitless Sky • Fatal Flaw • Olivia’s Way • Quid Pro Quo • Stars and Bra’s • Callmegetrix • Minogue • Lady Fallon Winner: Fatal Flaw Breeder: Mr Laurence Wernars

10 CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE MALE – sponsored by IRON HORSE FEEDS Nominees: • Purple Pitcher • Madison Valley • Cherry Ano Winner: Purple Pitcher Breeder: Bush Hill Stud 11 CHAMPION STAYER FEMALE– sponsored by SPURWING HORSE FEEDS Nominee: • Cocomelon Winner: Cocomelon Breeder: Bush Hill Stud 12 CHAMPION STAYER MALE– sponsored by EDEN ROC Nominee: • Shoot the Rapids Winner: Shoot the Rapids Breeder: Wynnholme Stud

13 Quid Pro Quo Award sponsored by GERALD AND KAREN KALIL Winner: Limitless Sky 14 Stallion Prospect sponsored by HOPEWELL SUPPLIES Winner: Declarationofpeace 15 Stallion of the Year sponsored by THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS ASSOCIATION Winner: New Predator 16 BROODMARE OF THE YEAR – sponsored by RACE COAST Winner: Alinga 17 BREEDERS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – sponsored by BLOODSTOCK SOUTH AFRICA Winner: Mr Laurence Wernars

Peter Blyth and the Clifton Stud team enjoyed another terrific year | Credit: Anneke Akal

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18 LEADING BREEDER AWARD – sponsored by MOOI RIVER VET CLINIC Winner: Clifton Stud 19 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – sponsored by ALMIRAY VETERINARY CLINIC Winner: Bush Hill Stud

20 ANITA AKAL INDUSTRY AWARD Winner: Christine Terblanche 21 HORSE OF THE YEAR – sponsored by RACE COAST Winner: Fatal Flaw Breeder: Mr Laurence Werners

The evergreen Anita Akal was on hand to present her Industry Award | Credit: Anneke Akal

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Tristan Godden steers Master Magician to victory | Credit: Candiese Lenferna v

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IMPRESSIVE v

WINNER

– BUT KZN OPENING JUVENILE COURSE RECORD ‘NOT REALISTIC’ The validity of a ‘course record’ set by a first-time juvenile at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday is under question on a day that delivered quicker than expected times, given the conditions and the penetrometer readings. In the first race on the card, it was trainer Mike Miller who once again dominated the opening juvenile race of the season when the impressive Master Magician won at a wellbacked 13-10, beating the filly Lady Godiva by 5,40 lengths. The Waterford Stud-bred son of Querari won unextended under 60kgs and was not hard ridden by Tristan Godden to officially clock 54,39 secs for the 1000m. In the process he shattered the 55,41 secs record set by the eight-time winner Filippo, who was ridden to victory by Luke Ferraris on Valentine’s Day in 2021, in a Pinnacle Stakes, under 57kgs. Ironically the well-beaten runner-up on Sunday, a filly carrying 56kgs, clocked 55,28 secs and thus also shattered the Filippo record. “This is not the middle of winter. The same thing happened a few years ago on the Golden Horse Sprint day when a Tienie Prinsloo-trained maiden ran a faster time than the four Grade 1 winners,” said racing aficionado Hilton Witz in a chat with the

Sporting Post on Sunday. Witz was one of a number of readers to raise questions. “The times on the going, and given the quality of horse, and without a huge tailwind are simply not logical or believable. There is no ways that a 2yo – in fact two of them in the same race – can run that quickly and break records, set by quality older horses, that have stood for years. I don’t believe the issue is restricted to the Pietermaritzburg track but extends to other regions too,“ added Witz. Race Coast KZN Racing Executive Raf Sheik noted the concerns after being contacted by the Sporting Post and undertook to do a review of the times on the day with the use of the replays. “I can’t say whether it’s equipment deficiencies or distance measurement issues. Hopefully that will come out in the wash,” concluded Witz. The Sporting Post’s Sectional Timing expert confirmed that a number of the official times on the day appeared at variance with expectations, and that it was an excellent win in good time, while noting that the connections spoke very highly of Master Magician. But he is adamant that it was ‘no course record’ and hand-timed the winner at 56,44 secs. 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 87

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SUNDAY CLOCK

UNDER SPOTLIGHT In what in the grand scale of things was a rather moderate card in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, the Gallop TV Maiden Juvenile plate over 1000m topped the Hollywoodbets Scottsville bill in terms of stake money. For a number of years now trainer Mike Miller has consistently produced early 2yo winners and so it was no surprise to see one of his seven runners in the event, MASTER MAGICIAN sent off a strong favourite at 13/10 (op 18/10). Despite bucking and playful on the way to the start, this son of Querari broke well and was very quickly two and a half lengths clear. He was always in command and only having to be given a couple taps to keep his mind on the job 200m out, he cruised clear to score by 5,4 lengths. The time disseminated for the race was 54,39 seconds, which would have broken the course record by 1,02 seconds (approximately 6 lengths). This of course was not correct, with Race Coast subsequently having confirmed an adjusted official time of 56,10 secinds. 90 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

We timed the race at 56,44 seconds, which nonetheless was 0,2 seconds faster in our book than the official 56,64 seconds recorded by the winner of the only other 1000m race on the day, the Hollywoodbets Bright Future D Stakes won by Arverni Princess. A half-brother to Woodlands Retreat, a runner up in both the Gr2 Golden Slipper, and Listed Devon Air Stakes, Master Magician is clearly one to keep tabs on. As well as the official time being incorrect for the opener, one has to question the state of the going, and penetrometer readings disseminated on the day. Why, because all of the races, yes, all of the races, were run considerably faster than this information would suggest. And, there was a 10-15km/h head wind to boot. See our course variants.

Track Conditions Going:

Good to Soft (both tracks)

Penetrometer:

25 (both tracks)

Rain:

Last 24 hours 7mm – Last 7 days 11mm

Irrigation:

Last 7 days Nil

False Rail:

Wind:

10-15km/h North Easterly head wind

Course Variant:

1,41s fast (straight) – 1,61s fast (bend)

Four of the nine races were staged over 1400m. The Tote For The Win Class 5 event was very comfortably the fastest of these and here the Michael Roberts trained COWDRAY PARK caused an upset. Freely available at 16/1 on the off the son of Legislate raced second in what soon became a strung out field, and found himself with a very useful advantage when taking up the running 250m out.

He ran on strongly in the closing stages of the race and went on to score with authority by almost four. Running on from the back, the runner up Sun Dazed (drawn 13 of 13) made up five lengths on the winner in the straight and recorded the best 400m to finish time of the afternoon. Interestingly, Sun Dazed also ran on strongly from the back when fifth beaten 2,6 lengths in his previous outing. The faster of the two 1200m races was the Join www.socialsquad.co.za Class 4 event and here the 3yo FORTRESS OF FIRE gained his second career victory from just six starts. The second winner on the card for the combination of Michael Roberts and Rachel Venniker, the Fire away gelding was drawn widest of the sixteen, but despite that was soon up handy. He was ridden to lead passing the 200m marker and kept on strongly in the closing stages of the race to beat the always handy favourite Maphaka (lost one length at start) by a length and a half. Fastest Times: 1000m (2) Master Magician 1200m (2) Fortress Of Fire 1400m (4) Cowdray Park

56,44 68,11 82,97

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The great race mare Winx, immortalised in a movie, a name that will never be forgotten | Credit: Racenet

INSIDE RACING’S MOST CREATIVE TRADITION Long before a thoroughbred carries a saddlecloth, it carries a name, often borrowed from a memory, a loved one, a celebrity, a private joke, a world event or a lifelong dream.

In the picking of a name, the horse becomes personal. The simple question of what to name a horse carries a world of sentiment, superstition, humour and hope. Across the globe, naming conventions reflect culture as much as pedigree. In Europe, breeding giants like Coolmore favour names that echo history and heritage — Galileo, Churchill, Dylan Thomas, Los Angeles, City Of Troy, Australia, and other figures or

nations whose resonance extends beyond the racetrack. In the United States, names often emphasise strength and distinction, with champions like American Pharoah, Gun Runner, Flightline, and California Chrome. In Hong Kong, horses are registered with both English and Chinese names, and superstition and numerology heavily influence the choice; 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 93

Odwa Ndugane with Isivunguvungu | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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translations can produce curious results, such as Everyday Lettuce or Happy Lucky Dragon Win. In Australia, colloquialism and playful creativity come to the fore, with champions like Winx, allegedly inspired by exotic dancers; Makybe Diva, named using an amalgamation of five staff members at her owner’s fishing business; and Waikikamukau, a nod to a rural town. South Africa tends to favour the colloquial style familiar in Australia, but with its own flavour. Over the past decade, our country’s rich and diverse population has started to make its mark on racehorse names. Owners draw inspiration from local languages, heritage, pop culture, and everyday life, producing names that are distinctly South African, often clever, sometimes cheeky and full of character. Hollywood Racing started exploring local cultures when naming their horses several

years ago and Devin Heffer, Hollywoodbets’ Brand and Communications Manager, said that every unique name has a story behind it. “Our horses are named in English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans or even French! We push to use names in the vernacular so that it can identify with a wider audience. But not only that, also to showcase the culture of South Africa to the world.” Heffer elaborated: “We don’t have a set policy, probably only to not give a horse a bland name, or something that doesn’t mean anything to us. We have team members, brand ambassadors, colleagues, presenters, commentators, friends and more. Sometimes they are just from our own personal experiences or funny stories, and we don’t always have to share the story. Sometimes it’s fun to leave it up to the imagination. If you think about it, we could give our runners names like ‘Storm’, ‘Legs of Thunder’, ‘We Are Moving Forward’, ‘Brother’, or ‘Go Well’. Instead, we get Isivunguvungu, Imilenze Yokududuma, Asiye Phambili, Mfethu and Salani Kahle.

Asiye Phambile, “moving forward” | Credit: Wayne Marks

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“Having Isivunguvungu run at the Breeders’ Cup in San Diego last year was a talking point across the whole festival weekend. Everyone wanted to know how to pronounce the name and what the name meant. They even had a fun social media challenge to see who could pronounce it correctly. It got people talking and learning about our South African culture. But not only that, how cool is it to be South African, see a South African runner on an international stage, and have his proudly South African name being called to the world. It’s what we dreamed about, and got to experience it.”

Another high-profile Hollywood runner is 2025 Betway Summer Cup-placed gelding, Busstopinhounslow, who was named after a chant sung by fans of Hollywood-sponsored English Premier League club, Brentford: “We’re just a bus stop in Hounslow.”

Last Saturday’s Grade 3 Southern Cross Stakes winner Asiye Phambile was named by Hollywood staffer Wilson Khumalo, and means “we are moving forward” in isiZulu.

Tapping into the popularity of Springbok lock forward, Eben Etzebeth, a gelding by Gold Standard was named, Elizabedi Gold. Etzebeth received the nickname “Elizabedi”

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Originally used by rivals as a taunt, supporters from Brentford, situated in the Borough of Hounslow, embraced the phrase as a badge of pride, reflecting the club’s rise from one of London’s smallest teams to Premier League success, with self-mocking humour at its heart.

after a video went viral on social media of a young Springbok fan Siya Dlamini celebrating Eben’s try against France in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Another recent winner that Devin Heffer regards as special is Salani Kahle, who was named by racing presenter Deez Dayanand. Deez uses this as his ‘sign off’ phrase, having a familiar meaning to a wider audience. Not only was Deez over the moon when Salani Kahle won, but Hollywood got isiZulu

commentator Sanele Mchunu to lead him into the winner’s box. This was Mchunu’s first ever privilege of doing so and Heffer said, “Sanele is a rising star in the industry. His smile was from ear to ear and, being able to share in that excitement and joy, purely through the name of the horse, literally made my day.” Click on the image below to read the full story…

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Dylan Cunha’s Silver Sword won a thriller! | Credit: Supplied

DYLAN CUNHA IN WINNER’S ENCLOSURE AT MEYDAN British-based trainers have made a fine start to the Carnival and Dylan Cunha followed Jamie Osborne onto the Meydan scoresheet on Friday evening when Silver Sword collected his second Meydan win in as many seasons. The five-year-old was backing up quickly, from a dirt run last week, in the Palm Beach Towers Handicap, the first turf race of the season. Ridden by George Wood, he battled hard to see off the favourite Emperor’s Star by just under half a length.

Dylan and his team as he was in cracking form.

“I wasn’t too sure, coming to the final furlong, whether he would stick his head out, but he really did today,” said Wood. “Fair play to

Reflecting on his first Meydan win, he added: “It means everything. I was over here four or five years ago for Charlie Appleby and had

“I was a bit worried that Billy [Loughnane, jockey, Emperor’s Star] had kicked and gone but luckily the gap opened just in time.”

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a great experience before the opportunities dried up, but it’s going well now.” Appleby had his own win when the exciting Devon Island picked up his second Meydan success from as many starts in the Como Residences Conditions event, for two-yearolds over 1600m. The son of Practical Joke provoked Gr2 UAE Derby chatter after this latest success, which was achieved despite facing the kickback he avoided during his initial win. Piloted again by James Doyle, he came from behind horses to beat Brotherly Love – also second to him last time – by three and a half lengths.

The stable switch meant he was ridden by Tadhg O’Shea who kept the five-year-old wide from his draw in 12 and unleashed him at the 300m point for a seven-length win over Echo Point. “It was my first time riding him in a race,” said the 12-time UAE Champion Jockey. “He was third to Tuz in the Gr3 Al Shindagha Sprint but there was no Tuz in there tonight. “He was a Stakes horse in the States and he had top weight this time, which is not easy to do around here – he impressed me tonight.” Doyle rode a double, completed when Native American took the closing Palm Jumeirah Handicap, over 1800m on turf.

“He got enough kickback to suggest that he faced it well,” said Doyle. “He feels like The win was a first at Meydan from Wathnan a galloper, so ten furlongs [2000m] around here shouldn’t be a problem. He’ll have a few Racing’s new permanent base in Grandstand Stables, but it was close enough, by a quarter stepping stones between now and the big of a length, from Laneqash. night [UAE Derby, 28 March] and he would need to keep improving. He’s a big raw baby “He ran well last and has plenty year here from a of things to bad gate so I was do mentally to “This horse had been knocking on the door at Jebel keen to get him really switch on, Ali,” said the jockey. “We out quickly tonight but I believe thought a flat track would suit even if it meant he will.” him and Bhupat and the team forfeiting some had him in excellent shape.” ground,” said It’s taken three Doyle, who was trainers and drawn in 12. “He almost two traveled through the race very smoothly and years, but Drew’s Gold finally got his win in the UAE, taking the feature race on a magical came home well. Friday evening for Bhupat Seemar at “We’re a small team here, led by Hamad [Al Meydan Racecourse. Jehani, trainer] and Tommy [Allen, Assistant Trainer], so it’s nice when the team all come The dual UAE Champion Trainer collected out to watch.” Group 1 winner Vizhir showed four wins, but Drew’s Gold was peerless in he has adapted extremely well to his new the Dubai Island Handicap, race six, over home in the UAE, taking the opening Gr2 1200m on dirt. Originally brought to Dubai by Madjani Stakes (sponsored by Nakheel) – US-based Chad Summers in 2024, he had a the card’s sole pattern contest. Formerly spell with Julio Olascoaga before moving to based in Saudi with trainer Salem Alotaibi, Seemar. 100 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

the five-year-old remained in the UAE after finished tenth in the Gr1 Dubai Kahayla Classic in April and made an immediate impact for new trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri. Ridden by O’Shea, he hit the lead in the led final 300m but had to be tenacious when headed by Nassif, eventually winning by half a length. “I was on a Thoroughbred the other day and was struggling to keep up with him!” said O’Shea. “He’s a good Arabian and I’m thankful to get the ride. Connections were super-confident and they told me to ride him accordingly. He went around there like a motorbike! “I would imagine they will work back from the Kahayla Classic now.” The second leg of O’Shea’s treble came when

Muzaahim won the Palm Central Handicap, over 1200m on dirt. Riding for his main boss Seemar, O’Shea galvanised the three-year-old for a half-length win over Royalcorrespondent. “This horse had been knocking on the door at Jebel Ali,” said the jockey. “We thought a flat track would suit him and Bhupat and the team had him in excellent shape.” Seemar struck again 35 minutes later when Power For Power caused a shock in the 1400m Palm Jebel Ali maiden on turf. The Blue Point colt was slowly away under Silvestre de Sousa but came home best, downing hot favourite Do Or Do Not by threequarters of a length, with Zumbezi third. “He’s a lovely horse; I know him from

Tadhg O’Shea steers Drew’s Gold to victory on Friday evening | Credit: DRC

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England,” said the reigning UAE Champion Jockey. “I rode him work at Roger’s [Varian] and I always thought he would suit Dubai. He quickened for me and then I got within half a neck of the other horse and didn’t want to ask him for much more, but he stuck to his task.” Owners Local Creator Racing and Seemar celebrated another winner in the very next race, when Zandvoort picked up his second career win in the Nakheel Handicap, over 1600m on dirt.

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Ridden by Richie Mullen, the ex-Steve Asmussen trainee was wayward in the closing stages but had enough in reserve to see off Gun Carriage by a length and three quarters. Meydan is back on Friday 19 December for the first feature meeting of the season, Festive Friday. The Gr2 Al Maktoum Mile and Gr2 Al Rashidiya are the highlights on a nine-race card.

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FILLER REQUIRED 150 Words Required

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WHERE THE WORLD

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D’S GREATEST MEET

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Zac Purton salutes on Ka Ying Rising | Credit: HKJC

KA YING RISING IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN Ka Ying Rising, the world’s best sprinter, stands on the brink of Hong Kong racing immortality after stretching his consecutive winning streak to 16 with an imperious victory in the HK$28 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on Sunday. The gelding secured his sixth Group 1 victory to match the mighty Golden Sixty’s feat of posting 16 straight wins to be now only one short of Hong Kong, China’s record of 17, held by Silent Witness, and enhanced his own record to 17 wins and two seconds from 19 starts with prize money of HK$122.5 million. In a powerhouse display after drawing barrier one for the first time in his career, the

Shamexpress gelding produced one of his best victories with another masterful ride from Zac Purton, who steered the champion into the middle of the home straight in search of the best ground. Ka Ying Rising surged away to beat Raging Blizzard by three-and-three-quarter lengths, with Fast Network third in 1m 07.7s after being eased down by Purton over the closing 150 metres. Purton said Ka Ying Rising’s performance was what everyone wanted to see. “His last run showed us that it was on the cards today,” he said. “He drew the right gate, 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 109

and when the barrier came out, they said, ‘What do you think?’ And I said he would win by further. “He is just in a league of his own now. And not having to do that extra work into the first corner from a wide gate to try and get forward, probably helped him. Purton said Ka Ying Rising travelled beautifully throughout the race, and he just made sure he gave him his chance. Declaring Ka Ying Rising the best horse he has trained, David Hayes said he was relieved the five-year-old gelding didn’t let the stable or the public’s expectations down. “He was just superb today,” he said. “The messages he was sending the week of the

race suggested he’d do something like that. We are not running fast times today, but he did – running a lot faster than the other races.” Hayes said he hoped the six-time Group 1 winner had another 20 races in him. Hayes said there were horses in the race with Royal Ascot, Dubai and Breeders’ Cup form and they were probably the best sprinters around, and while Ka Ying Rising was making them look ordinary, he said they certainly weren’t. He said every time Ka Ying Rising races, there was something significant he had to do, including his next two starts when he aims to equal and then break Silent Witness’ winning streak.

The champions in the dash for home | Credit: HKJC

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Group photo at the presentation ceremony of the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint | Credit: HKJC

“He is a lot heavier and stronger now, so physically he is really improving, and it is showing on the track,” Hayes said. “The great thing about him is that he doesn’t have to lead. Today Zac wanted to take all of the risk out of it so he could get off the fence and that is another string to his bow.” Hayes said Ka Ying Rising would be again set for Hong Kong’s Speed Series, and it would be fun to see him stretch out to 1400m like last year.

“It will then be the big international sprint here and then he’ll be going to The Everest,” he said. “Let’s just hope he is sound and well and if he is in the form he was today, we’d love to take those Aussies on again.” Hayes predicted Ka Ying Rising will soon beat his Sha Tin 1200m track record of 1m 07.20. “Zac has been easing him down in his past couple of races,” he said. “He probably ran about 20 lengths quicker than the Class 3 and the Class 4, which he probably should.”

Partrick Aoun, President and CEO, LONGINES, presents models from the LONGINES Master Collection Chronography to jockey Zac Purton | Credit: HKJC

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VOYAGE BUBBLE

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Voyage Bubble fights strongly to defeat Soul Rush | Credit: HKJC

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Voyage Bubble proved he more than belonged on the billing for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races alongside two greats when a herculean winner of the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on Sunday.

an illustrious list of multiple Mile winners comprising Monopolize (1995 & 1996), Good Ba Ba (2007-2009), Beauty Generation (2017 & 2018) and Golden Sixty (2020, 2021 & 2023).

He may not have the same magnetic allure as local legends Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior, but last season’s Triple Crown winner more than did his bit to contribute to a wonderful day at Sha Tin by fighting off the challenge of Soul Rush and landing his second HK$36 million LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. Unlike in last month’s Gr2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup, there was no Romantic Warrior standing in the way of Voyage Bubble this time, and the local hero added his name to

His hard-fought half-length victory over Soul Rush represented a repeat of last year’s result and formed part of a memorable day for Zac Purton, who was replacing the sevenyear-old’s regular partner James McDonald for the second time in succession. Once again, it was bravery, so often a trademark of Voyage Bubble’s performances, that came to the fore. “I think he just showed what type of horse he is,” Purton said. “He’s not the horse who is going to give you a ‘wow’ performance, but he’s got such a big heart that he’s always up for the fight.

Zac Purton celebrates victory with Voyage Bubble | Credit: HKJC

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The winning connections | Credit: HKJC

“He’s in the shadow of the big two, unfortunately, but in his own right, he’s a supremely good horse. A Triple Crown winner, he’s come back today off the canvas to win. “When we reflect back upon all the great horses that have been in Hong Kong, he’s certainly going to be remembered in the way that he should. His CV is outstanding. To come out and go back-to-back in the Hong Kong Mile, it’s not an easy thing to do.” Voyage Bubble broke wide from stall 12 and found a prominent position behind the trailblazing Pray For Mir, with Docklands and Copartner Prance positioned prominently further inside. Last year’s runner-up Soul Rush was encouraged to improve by Cristian Demuro as

the race developed, and he joined Pray For Mir and Voyage Bubble around the home turn. It was the visiting horse, Soul Rush, who defeated Romantic Warrior in a pulsating finish to the Gr1 Dubai Turf in April, who looked to have the edge on his final start before being retired to stud. However, the battle of the seven-year-olds was won by the local star as Voyage Bubble secured a sixth Group 1 success for trainer Ricky Yiu and his owners, the Sunshine and Moonlight Syndicate. “The horse has great heart,” Yiu said. “A lot of credit goes to the jockey, Zac, he did it so well. It seemed to me that he’d ridden the horse for a long time, but obviously, he knew him well from his last start.

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“Although he’s seven, I don’t really feel the age of him. He’s still full of beans. After we got beaten last time we decided to go for the Mile.” Red Lion, who conquered Voyage Bubble in the Gr1 FWD Champions Mile in April, slipstreamed the protagonists into the home straight and responded admirably to Hugh Bowman’s urgings to finish a gallant third. Docklands was competing in his fourth jurisdiction of the year after contesting the Gr1 Mile Championship last time and

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improved vastly on his 12th-placed effort in the race last year to finish fourth under Tom Marquand. On Voyage Bubble’s owners, the Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate, Yiu added: “It’s a really nice group of people. Every time the horse runs, they’re cheering.” They weren’t the only ones, for it was a day when the mighty Voyage Bubble gained another deserved success on the biggest stage.

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Sosie lands the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase under Maxime Guyon | Credit: HKJC

OCTOGENARIAN FABRE’S

RECORDBREAKING VASE In the week he celebrated his 80th birthday, Andre Fabre became the first trainer to win the HK$26 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase four times, as Sosie surged to success under a cool and confident Maxime Guyon at Sha Tin on Sunday. Defending champion Giavellotto pursued Sosie all the way to the line but ultimately could not reverse the placings from October’s Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in which the pair finished third and fourth. Elisabeth Fabre has long been an integral part of her husband’s training empire and her concise summary of Sosie’s performance placed his victory in the wider context of a year which has brought the Sea The 120 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

Stars colt three Gr1 wins over a variety of distances. “Everything went perfectly,” Madame Fabre said. “The race unfolded perfectly, he had a great trip and Maxime knows his horse very well, while Sosie had trust in him when he asked him for his effort. “He is a very good horse with a wonderful mind and a lot of natural energy. He is

magnificent to look at and he will stay in training next year.”

really sustain his run, and he is such a hard horse to pass.

Alert from stall eight, Guyon had Sosie handily placed one off the rail and two slots back from the early leader Eydon, who was passed halfway down the back straight by Urban Chic as Christophe Lemaire attempted to inject some urgency into proceedings.

“The horse has such a great temperament and he is so easy to put anywhere in a race.”

As the field fanned out turning for home, Guyon went the safe route to the outside of the fading Urban Chic while Christophe Soumillon took the daring route up the rail aboard Goliath, staying on well for third. “Everything went very smoothly,” Guyon said, who added to wins in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase aboard Flintshire (2014) and Junko (2023). “I followed Los Angeles for three-quarters of the race, but halfway round the home turn, Ryan’s horse began to falter. This horse can

Paying tribute to a fine season in which Sosie also triumphed in the Gr1 Prix Ganay and the Gr1 Prix d’Ispahan, Guyon added: “It’s his fourth career Group 1 and he was in such great shape. We know he is capable of winning big races like this, and this year he has won at the top level over 1850m [in the Ispahan], 2100m [Ganay] and now the 2400 metres. “He is an incredible horse,” Guyon said. “This was the first time he’d travelled across continents, and yet he’s been relaxed every morning this week, and he’s looked amazing.” Marco Botti expressed his pride at the effort of Giavellotto, who chased Sosie hard and was three-quarters of a length down at the line.

Sosie’s jockey Maxime Guyon and connections celebrate their success after taking the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase Credit: HKJC

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Botti said: “As we thought beforehand, it wasn’t going to be a strong pace. Andrea said he thought the winner had first run, but he got to his girth for second and I thought it was a good effort. The winner is a proper horse, and they’re two good horses.” Already a winner this season of the Gr1 Grosser Preis von Baden, Goliath turned in arguably his best run of 2025, finishing a further length and a quarter back,

while Al Riffa and Los Angeles ensured that international challengers filled the first five places. But the plaudits mostly belong to the ageless Fabre, for whom Sosie joins Borgia (1999), Flintshire and Junko on the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase roll of honour, edging the Chantilly maestro one win ahead of Aidan O’Brien.

Ingmar De Vos, President of the International Equestrian Federation presents a prize of HK$5,000 to the Stable Assistant responsible for Los Angeles, the Best Turned Out Horse | Credit: HKJC

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Romantic Warrior and James McDonald storm clear | Credit: HKJC

THE WARRIOR’S ‘HOME JAMES’

WITH FOUR CUPS!

Romantic Warrior turned on the style at Sha Tin as he headed further into folklore with an unprecedented fourth straight victory in the HK$40 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup on Sunday. It was a performance that the fans lining the rails sporting the champion’s light blue colours would have expected as James McDonald steered his mount a convincing length and three-quarters ahead of Bellagio Opera. Hong Kong International Sale graduate Romantic Warrior has now reached a tally of 11 Group 1s in four different jurisdictions. 124 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

Just short of his eighth birthday, he does not seem to be stopping any time soon. McDonald broke cleanly and sat just behind a steady pace set largely by Galen, whose rider Dylan Browne McMonagle sought to get first run on the field as the group of seven turned into the home straight. Romantic Warrior, though, was travelling well within himself and the crowd began to roar. With 400m remaining, he was in front and never looked to be passed despite the delayed challenge of Bellagio Opera, with Quisisana sneaking in late for third.

Winning trainer Danny Shum took a brief moment to write down the final result in his racebook before he was descended upon by well-wishers. “I’m very proud of Romantic Warrior and our stable team, they work really hard,” Shum said. “It’s a big relief. He always gives me a lot of happiness, not only me but my stable, owners, my family and in Hong Kong, even racing fans or non-racing fans, they all love Romantic Warrior. “To be honest, there was a lot of pressure. He had his surgery, when a screw was inserted in his left front leg at the end of May, but he is such a good, calm, lovel y horse. He’s part of my family, I love him. My son says I love

Romantic Warrior more than him! “He’s very easy to train. He doesn’t need too much work, and his body weight will tell you, his appetite will tell you how fit he is.” McDonald, however, was almost lost for words in the immediate aftermath. “He’s so special, he’s so special,” he said. “He’s just a freak. I don’t know what to say … I just love him. I love him.” Romantic Warrior is very much a star of the modern age, his exploits documented in vivid high definition across every form of media. In some ways, though, he is a throwback to the boldly campaigned heroes of yesteryear.

James McDonald shows his delight | Credit: HKJC

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While both inflation and the lucrative purses on offer around the globe make it likely that his position as the highest-earning racehorse of all time will be eclipsed at some point, his feat in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup will stand the test of time. Romantic Warrior was already the only horse to have won this race three times since it was first staged in 1988, even before adding a fourth. He is likely to now be geared towards another face-off with Forever Young, who he had pushed all the way to the line in that famous Gr1 Saudi Cup showdown earlier this year. Shum, however, will wait for the go-ahead from the gelding’s owner, Peter Lau, before committing to plans. “I always say, we know he’s turning eight really soon, but he doesn’t know he’s turning eight,” he said. “This is amazing. He’s been in Australia, Japan, Dubai, second in the biggest prize money in the world in Saudi (Arabia). Also second in the Dubai Turf. He’s come back and had two wins. “The plan is always made by the owner, Peter. He has wisdom, we all trust him. If he says, ‘Danny, go to Saudi Arabia’, I’ll go to Saudi Arabia. If he says, ‘Danny stay in Hong Kong’, I’ll stay in Hong Kong. We’re a good team, I trust Peter a lot.”

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Trainer Danny Shum with his victorious Romantic Warrior | Credit: HKJC

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James McDonald – what a year! | Credit: HKJC

THE NAME’S JAMES… JAMES MCDONALD 003 “He’s so special, he’s so special. He’s just a freak. I don’t know what to say… I just love him. I love him.” The words of newly crowned Longine’s World’s Best Jockey James McDonald after the legendary Romantic Warrior shrugged off the sideshow distractions of a gate-crashing protester to register an unprecedented fourth straight victory in the HK$40 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.

After achieving back-to-back victories as the Longines World’s Best Jockey, McDonald capped another sensational season on a horse who has galloped his way into local folklore. It was a performance that the fans lining the rails, while sporting the champion’s light 18 DECEMBER 2025 | 129

blue colours, would have expected as James McDonald steered his mount to a convincing win over Bellagio Opera. Romantic Warrior has now reached a tally of 11 Gr1’s in four different jurisdictions. Just short of his eighth birthday, he simply does not seem to be stopping any time soon! While both inflation and the lucrative purses on offer around the globe make it likely that his position as the highest-earning racehorse of all time will be eclipsed at some point, Romantic Warrior’s feat in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup will stand the test of time for any self-respecting racing fan anywhere. He was already the only horse to have won this race three times since it was first staged in 1988, even before adding a fourth. He is likely to now be geared towards another faceoff with Forever Young, who he had pushed all the way to the line in that famous Gr1 Saudi Cup showdown earlier this year. “This is amazing. He’s been in Australia, Japan, Dubai, second in the biggest prize money in the world in Saudi Arabia. Also second in the Dubai Turf. He’s come back and had two wins.My son says I love this horse more than him!” enthused trainer Danny Shum. The 33-year-old James McDonald, who also won the Longines World’s Best Jockey award in 2022, was presented with a crystal vase trophy last Friday evening by Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair, International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, at the Longines Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. McDonald, who also received a special 130 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

Longines watch from Patrick Aoun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Longines, said it was great to again win such a prestigious award. “The first was time in the clouds sort of job and I suppose if anyone gets a good horse, they can win the award once but to do it three times is pretty cool and Ryan (Moore) Frankie (Dettori) have won it four times and we are talking about the greatest jockeys on earth,” McDonald said. McDonald modestly added that he would not put himself in that category and believes his success was propelled by being lucky enough to ride three exceptional horses – Romantic Warrior, Voyage Bubble and Via Sistina – in the one year. “Romantic (Warrior) is the best, Via (Sistina) is phenomenal for what she has achieved and so is Voyage Bubble, who showed his courage and class when winning the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on Sunday,” he said. McDonald won 13 of the world’s Top 100 Group 1 or Grade 1 races. Three of those were on Voyage Bubble, two on Romantic Warrior, who was sidelined for several months following fetlock surgery, six on Via Sistina and also one each on Joliestar and Sunshine In Paris. He topped the LONGINES rankings with 184 points, from Mickael Barzalona (132), William Buick (114) and Ryan Moore (102). The Longines World’s Best Jockey title is based on performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee.

The scoring incorporates races from 1 December of the previous year until 30 November of the current year where jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for second, and 4 points for third. McDonald said it had been a wonderful year, but it was only through the deeds of the champion race horses he rode throughout the year that allowed him win the award. “And I mean they are incredible race horses, a (Hong Kong) Triple Crown winner (Voyage Bubble), a Hong Kong champion (Romantic Warrior) and an Australian champion as well (Via Sistina),” McDonald said. “To get them all in one year doesn’t happen often at all, and to be partnering them is just an incredible feeling and I feel very humbled to be riding them.”

McDonald, who is on short-term contract in Hong Kong and will return to Sydney just before Christmas, said the standout of all the performances was Voyage Bubble’s Triple Crown victory in HK$13 million Gr1 Stewards’ Cup, HK$13 million Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, and the HK$13 million Gr1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m), while Sunday’s victory on Romantic Warrior simply capped it all! McDonald has indicated that he would love to return with Romantic Warrior for another crack at the US$20 million Gr1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh – appropriately on Valentine’s Day 2026 – to avenge the narrow loss to Forever Young last year.

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HONG KONG’S THREE KINGS SHINE AT

LONGINES WORLD STAGE! 134 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has hailed the 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) as “a very, very special day” after an afternoon of history and world-class racing at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges at media briefing | Credit: HKJC

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As Hong Kong racing glistened on the international horseracing stage with the historymaking feat of Romantic Warrior to win a record fourth Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup and the victories of Ka Ying Rising (Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint) and Voyage Bubble (Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile), Mr EngelbrechtBresges said the competition was “absolutely world-class.” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said: “Today was, in our view, a very, very special day where we saw tremendous sport. We are really proud that we attracted a record number of international and Chinese Mainland visitors of 13,370, double last season’s HKIR. The attendance today included almost 10,000 Mainland visitors – an increase of more than 50 percent on last year. This season alone, the number of tourists to Sha Tin is more than 110,000. “In summarising, when we look at the racing itself, it was absolutely worldclass. The LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship, on Wednesday, 10 December, was a wonderful prelude but today was the absolute pinnacle of what we could have hoped for. “We believe this was one of the greatest days of Hong Kong racing.” For the second year in a row, Hong Kong’s three heavenly kings – Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble – claimed Group 1 glory, watched by attendance of 48,494 as Sosie triumphed for the visiting brigade in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase. “We saw an outstanding Vase with the winner Sosie being a wonderful stayer and last year winner Giavellotto as runner up, which has confirmed the quality of the Vase, and both horses repeated their Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe form. I would like to send my appreciation and 136 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

Romantic Warrior wins an unprecedented fourth Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup | Credit: HKJC

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thanks to Andre Fabre, who had his birthday this week and hopefully this is a little birthday present for him and wife who was here,” said Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges described Ka Ying Rising as one of Hong Kong All Time Greats after the gelding’s devastating LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint victory for David Hayes and Zac Purton.

“I call it poetry in motion, I call it the best horse I have ever seen at least in the sprinting distances. He’s not from this planet — the way he dominated from the gate and left other world-class horses trailing in his shadow was simply extraordinary,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “Coming to the Mile, only two times in the history of Hong Kong racing, we have only two winners of the Triple Crown and that Voyage Bubble is able to beat a top-class horse in Soul Rush, who beat Romantic Warrior in Dubai, is incredible. The way he showed tremendous eagerness and determination to catch Soul Rush in the final 50m was remarkable. I congratulate Zac and Ricky. 138 | 18 DECEMBER 2025

“To see a horse in Romantic Warrior winning for the fourth time – it’s never happened in history – in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup and in emphatic style is amazing and he is now on HK$240 million in prizemoney and Danny Shum and James McDonald are incredible team with this champion horse. “For us, it is extremely satisfying to see with a population of 1,350 horses, which is 0.7 percent of the world’s horse population, that we have horses of this class. I would also like to congratulate our three trainers for their outstanding training performance. It is gratifying to see two-home grown talents able to be successful on the highest level. Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges praised the entertainment performances of Rain and Now United as Hong Kong shimmered on the world stage with the successful staging of the Club’s flagship meeting. He also thanked LONGINES’ great sponsorship for the flagship event. Mr Andrew Harding, Executive Director Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “We have a saying that Winfried coined some years ago of ‘One club, one team and one vision’ and the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races is the embodiment of that. “So today, is not just the result of the efforts of the Racing Division, but colleagues right across the Club and we’ve seen just extraordinary and how excellent they are. “This year has generated a level of international attention that has been quite exceptional and the Club is grateful for all of that.”

Ka Ying Rising dominates the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Sprint | Credit: 18Kong DECEMBER 2025 |HKJC 139

Voyage Bubble wins his sixth Group 1 with victory in the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile Credit: HKJC

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Sosie wins the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase Credit: HKJC v

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Racegoers receive a commemorative LONGINES Hong Kong International Races cap as a souvenir of the annual sporting extravaganza Credit: HKJC

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A huge number of fans flocked to Sha Tin for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Credit: HKJC v

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After the races, international pop group Now United takes the stage at Sha Tin in the Parade Ring to perform their biggest hits Credit: HKJC

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ALL THE INFORMATION UNDER ONE UMBRELLA

NHA CALENDAR The Sporting Post presents the past week’s National Horseracing Authority Calendar. The calendar is a summary of the past week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information. Please click on the image below:

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results up to: 2025-12-18

TRAINERS Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

200

47.5

4,794,125

8,376,244

45.1

3,938,700

5,361,703

44.6

3,283,438

5,110,413

117

44.8

3,206,250

4,977,319

17.3

141

42.1

3,449,094

4,857,445

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Mr C Zackey

607

100

16.5

111

140

324

53.4

7,204,563

11,331,983

Mr R D Fourie

373

24.1

179

48.0

6,590,763

9,094,034

Mr Serino Moodley

403

15.1

195

48.4

4,450,444

6,883,138

Mr C Murray

420

14.3

186

44.3

5,601,794

7,981,206

Mr M A Yeni

509

11.4

117

249

48.9

4,102,225

7,764,614

Other Places

Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr S J Snaith

421

13.5

Mike/Mathew De Kock

204

18.6

Mr A P Peter

213

17.8

Mr S G Tarry

261

12.6

Mr A C Greeff

335

Name

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

B.T. B.T. Total Wnrs/ Wnrs Wins Rnrs% Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R)

Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

251

815

53,110

30.7

377

13,330,706

Varsfontein Stud

168

483

51,846

32.1

234

8,710,056

Ridgemont Highlands

133

395

48,540

36.1

173

6,455,816

Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd

112

375

43,104

28.6

161

4,827,600

Klawervlei Stud

144

441

33,168

25.7

182

4,776,245

Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

B.T. B.T. Total Wnrs/ Wnrs Wins Rnrs% Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R)

Vercingetorix

206

602

63,084

37.4

258

12,995,362

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)

195

578

42,503

29.2

253

8,288,153

Master Of My Fate

155

425

45,302

25.2

194

7,021,781

Rafeef (AUS)

150

444

41,021

27.3

202

6,153,116

Querari (GER)

150

454

38,838

26.7

209

5,825,731

SIRES

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