Issuu

Thursday 25 September 2025

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CRAFT & CORK FESTIVAL

ON SATURDAY v

Matchem & Diana Now this is racing!

SA Champion Sire A snapshot of his harem

Soqrat – On The Up The Sandown sire does the job

Globetrotter Kaidan Magic in Malaysia

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Hong Kong Under the weather

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On the cover Ridgemont-sponsored Richard Fourie and Drakenstein flagbearer Dezahn Louw pose for Chase Liebenberg after Monday’s fifth race dead-heat at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Read more on page 54.

Issue: 38/2025

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Lucky Sweynesse – up against it on Sunday | Credit: HKJC

15 YEARS SINCE A HONG KONG SPEEDSTER WON

TIME TO GET LUCKY IN JAPAN? The cancellation of Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting proved a blessing for jockey Derek Leung, who seized the chance to put Lucky Sweynesse through his final serious gallop ahead of Sunday’s Japanese Gr1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama. As Typhoon Ragasa lashed his home city with torrential rain and gale force winds, Leung was enjoying a sunny day in Japan after rescheduling flights following the weatheraffected meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday.

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“That was his final gallop before the race so I am grateful for the opportunity, if it wasn’t for the typhoon I would have come on Friday and just ridden slow work,” Leung said. “So this is a real bonus. I got a feel for the track and to see how the horse would handle it.” Idol Horse reports that Lucky Sweynesse, a Group 1 winner who missed more than a year after a fetlock injury and subsequent surgery in 2024, has slowly built back into fitness and form. The seven-year-old returned with two runs late last season and then chased home the world’s top-rated sprinter Ka Ying Rising

on Hong Kong’s opening day earlier this month. Leung was impressed with how the gelding worked over Nakayama’s unique contours and famous final rise in a gallop, but wasn’t surprised, given how the horse handled the even tighter turning Happy Valley course early in his career. “The racecourse itself is beautiful and of course it is a very short straight, but the last corner isn’t as sharp as Happy Valley so he will handle it,” he said. “He won at Happy Valley three times and raced well there as a younger horse. And he handled the uphill too – we just gave him a nice gallop – he handled it very well.”

Trainer Manfred Man was on hand as well – both he and Leung are looking for their first overseas success after some previous placings. The trainer kept his instructions to Leung simple, knowing that if Lucky Sweynesse can reproduce something approaching his best on Sunday he has a live chance, but also that squeezing him on the training track isn’t likely to bring that result. “Manfred just told me ‘nothing fancy, just let him feel the track, let him be comfortable,’” Leung explained. “We know how he performed last time, it’s just about keeping him fit and well – we don’t want to overcook him in the morning, it is about letting him enjoy it.”

Derek Leung – only his second ride in Japan on Sunday | Credit: HKJC

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Man also booked Lucky Sweynesse for some paddock schooling in the spectacular Nakayama parade ring. Leung, whose only previous Japanese rides came at Chukyo, has been doing extra preparation, too. He told Idol Horse he has watched every Sprinters Stakes replay going back to when Hong Kong hero Silent Witness won the race in 2005. “I’ll talk tactics with the owners and trainer once the barriers come out,” Leung said. “But it will be the same: jump nice, travel smoothly and finish strong.” History seems to be against Lucky Sweynesse: It has been 15 years since a

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Hong Kong-trained horse won the Sprinters Stakes, when Ultra Fantasy shocked Nakayama in 2010. Age is not on his side either: the only seven-year-old to have lifted the trophy in the past three decades was Australia’s globetrotting champion Takeover Target in 2006. If Lucky Sweynesse can defy age and history this weekend, Leung’s unexpected midweek gallop in the Japanese sunshine may be remembered as key. “Let’s hope so,” Leung said. “I think at his best he is good enough. I am looking forward to race day.” www.idolhorse.com

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SATURDAY’S v

SHOULD BE

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S MATCHEM v

E A CORKER!

Dean Kannemeyer chats to Craig Zackey – the duo will hope to be amongst the winners on Saturday Credit: Candiese 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 |Lenferna 11

Final fields for Saturday’s Craft & Cork raceday at Hollywoodbets Durbanville have been published with trainer Dean Kannemeyer labelling the headliner Race Coast Gr3 Matchem Stakes ‘a strong renewal’.

Kannemeyer opted not to run Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince in the 1400m feature, possibly influenced to a degree by the unfortunate experience of his classy 3yo Gimmie Rules at the same venue on Monday.

“The Real Prince won the big one last season lightly raced and the Cape Town Met remains his chief target. Wherever I go with him he will be carrying topweight, but I’m thinking of possibly the Green Point Stakes. I have opted to run Outlaw King and the 3yo Aristocratic in what looks a tough renewal. Outlaw King isn’t to well in, but he’s a big hearted hard-knocker, who inevitably does his best. Aristocratic is looking for a mile and ran fourth in the Golden Horseshoe last term. He didn’t always have the best of luck along the way. He’s a different kind of 3yo but he needs to show me on Saturday that he’s a classic horse. I have

opted for Serino Moodley’s experience at the cost of 1kg overweight. He’s a top jockey and you will recall that he won the Diana Stakes on Gimmies Countess last season on this day for us,” added Kannemeyer.

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In the Schweppes Gr3 Diana Stakes, Kannemeyer defends his 2024 title and has two runners in the unbeaten Gr2 The Debutante winner Princess Of Gaul – Sean Veale takes the ride – and the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship fourth-placer, Keukenhof, to be ridden by Serino Moodley.

Craig Zackey can’t do the weight in both cases and rides Kinda Wonderful for Eric Sands. “They are both very smart 3yo’s. Princess Of Gaul goes beyond the 1200m for the first

The third feature of the afternoon is the Listed Settlers Trophy, where Justin Snaith fields a three-cornered attack headed by last year’s

time, while Keukenhof has some excellent form to her credit. All told, we have to start our summer campaign somewhere and Saturday should provide some top-class racing,” concluded Kannemeyer.

winner Call To Unite, who will be partnered by Richard Fourie.

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The Craft & Cork Day is labelled as the perfect day out. So, enjoy sipping on ice-cold beers, savouring locally crafted wines and feel the thrill of racing alongside family and friends. There’s truly no better way to spend a weekend than under the sun, enjoying great company

and the vibrant atmosphere the Western Cape has to offer. Gates open at 10h00 and entrance is free, but please don’t forget to claim your tickets via Computicket.

Course debutante at the time, Rachel Venniker won the Listed Settlers Trophy on Call To Unite in 2024 Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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Princess Of Gaul (Craig Zackey) wins the Gr2 The Debutante from Elegantrix (Gavin Lerena) and Hierachy (Kabelo Matsunyane, centre) in a thriller | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Questioning (JP Van der Merwe) beats Montien to win the Matchem last term. He is back to defend his title on Saturday | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

MATCHEM

A PROUD HISTORY Five future sires have added the Kuda Matchem Stakes silverware to their impressive cv’s over the past thirteen renewals of the 1400m season launch contest and Saturday’s class of 2025 looks set to continue the proud tradition. Defending champion Questioning, a Foster family home-bred is back and will be ridden by Richard Fourie. JP van der Merwe was in the saddle last year. The Matchem Stakes has been won by some big names over the years. Charles Dickens made it a double for Candice Bass-Robinson

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and Aldo Domeyer in 2023 after Trip Of Fortune’s victory in 2022. The combination, who also won it in 2017 with the Aussie-bred Our Mate Art, are represented for the second consecutive year by Sugar Mountain on Saturday. Met winners in One World and Rainbow Bridge won the Matchem in 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Champion miler Capetown Noir won it in 2013, while Joey Ramsden’s dual SA Horse Of The Year Variety Club took the honours in 2011. Another interesting name on the honour roll of relatively recent times is that of present day champion sire Captain Al, who was trained by Vaughan Marshall and won it in the hands of Jeff Lloyd in 1999. The race was run for a stake of R100 000 that year.Twenty six years later, we are racing for R350 000. The Matchem was traditionally run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth but was switched to Hollywoodbets Durbanville in 2010, the year it was again won by Vaughan Marshall

with Tales Of Bravery, who was ridden by MJ Byleveld. The most successful Matchem trainers of the 21st century include pacesetter Vaughan Marshall and the now retired Glen Puller, who won it in 2002 and 2003 with Sevilliano, when ridden by Gerrit Schlechter and Karl Neisius, respectively. Glen Puller also trained the 2005 winner Great Rhythm, who was piloted by Greg Cheyne, and the 2014 winner Reim, who was ridden by his late son, Chris. The earliest traceable record of the Matchem Stakes dates back to 1958. It was open to 2 and 3yo horses and run on 19 April over

La Mancha (Eric Chelin) wins the 1994 Matchem for Greg Ennion and Marsh Shirtliff | Credit: Supplied

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The pedigree of Matchem – fascinating!

1400m at Kenilworth for a stake of £1,250. The idea of running juveniles against threeyear-olds over 7 furlongs in April, at what was more or less weight for age terms came in for a lot of criticism, with many feeling it was too much to ask of the youngsters.

Burweed (8st. 13lb) finished a neck back third and Squeegee (9st 2lb) was fourth.

However, on the day a total of 6 runners faced the starter, including two 2yo’s (Kowloon and Avon) and four 3yo’s. The 1958 running of the Matchem proved the quality and strength of the juvenile crop.

The Matchem Stakes is named after the famous Thoroughbred foundation stallion, Matchem (1748 – 21 February 1781).

Although the game filly Kowloon cantered to post as the favourite, she failed to show and it was left to Mr A Kruyer’s colt Avon. Ridden by M Strydom and carrying 7st 8lb, Avon brought the field into the straight and never looked like being headed, scoring by half a length from the fast-finishing Southern Drawl (8st 13lb) who had been hampered when making his run.

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The 2yo Avon was a bay colt by Naval Prince out of Avonet and was bred by J.R.A. Bailey. He was owned and trained by Mr A Kruyer.

Matchem (also spelled Match’em, possibly after the jockey Match’em Timms), is a direct male tail line descendent of the Godolphin Arabian (or Godolphin Barb as he is also known) and along with Eclipse and Herod is considered one of the three 18th century stallions that produced the Thoroughbred sirelines of modern times. Matchem was bred by John Holme of Carlisle in Cumberland. He was sired by Cade (a son of the Godolphin Arabian), out of a bay mare by Partner. Like his grandsire, he was a small

horse, but with good bone and an athletic build.

a thoroughly genuine competitor, durable and honest, who always gave of his best.

He was dark bay in colour, but exhibited 2-3 bars of white hair at the base of his tail and is thought to have carried the rabicano gene as he went on to produce a number of roan offspring.

Matchem covered a few mares at Bywell during the 1758 season, but wasn’t retired from racing until the following year. Matchem was Champion Sire from 1772 to 1774 and in total, he would go on to sire 354 winners of ₤151,097.

Matchem was sold to William Fenwick and as was the custom at the time, lived at his Bywell stud in Northumberland until he was fully mature and commenced his racing career at the age of 5. On the track, he proved himself good, if not outstanding. He contested a total of 12 races, winning 10 and gaining a reputation for being

His hallmark was excellent temperament and durability, the ‘truth and daylight’ so desirable in breeding. Matchem lived to the ripe old age of 33 and died at Bywell on 21 February, 1781.

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Vercingetorix – has stepped seamlessly into the champion Silvano’s shoes | Credit: Gold Circle

IN THE

WARRIOR’S HAREM The rise of Vercingetorix through the stallion ranks culminated in a well-deserved first championship when the 2024-25 season ended on 31 July. A champion on the racetrack, this imposing individual joined his own sire Silvano at Maine Chance Farms in 2015, and his impact was immediate, given that he emerged as the leading freshman sire of the 2018 season. Vercingetorix has steadily built on that early success and since 2020, he has cemented his place amongst the country’s elite five sires, finishing as high as second twice over the

past three years. He was finally crowned the country’s Champion Sire following a dream season in which he rewrote the record books, posting a scarcely believable 23 individual stakes winners, a benchmark which is unlikely to be bettered soon. In fact, such was his domination that he made it a clean sweep by also heading the Juvenile and 3yo Sires lists. Immensely popular since his retirement, Vercingetorix has enjoyed full support from breeders to the extent that year after year, demand for his services far outstrips the number available.

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Now the must-have item amongst breeders, he will once again be favoured with the cream of the country’s broodmares and whilst Maine Chance Farms declined to divulge details of their mares destined for the champion’s court, other breeders were more forthcoming. Drakenstein Stud, breeders of Vercingetorix champion Double Grand Slam, will send him a number of their top mares, notably the Gr1 winning trio of Snowdance, the dam of Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot; former Horse of the Year Oh Susanna, whose first foal Little Suzie won last season’s Gr2 Woolavington 2200, and Triple Tiara queen Rain In Holland, the country’s champion twoand three-year-old filly of her generation. Also destined to join his cohorts are Sheela, whose

finest effort on the track was her defeat of males in the Gr2 SA Nursery, as well as Beach Beauty’s Gr2 winning daughter Amanzimtoti, a half-sister to international campaigner Beach Bomb. Wilgerbosdrift homebred Vercingetorix filly Spumante Dolce hardly set a foot wrong last season when she claimed the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and finished second in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and Gr1 Empress Club Stakes. No wonder that her accomplished dam Espumanti will return to Vercingetorix and will be accompanied by Gr2-placed daughter Gin Fizz. Wilgerbosdrift’s dual Broodmare of the Year Halfway To Heaven and her Querari

Plattner’s dual stakes winner Saartjie will visit the champion | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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Triple Tiara star Rain In Holland is on the list | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

daughter Gift From Heaven likewise are destined for a liaison with Vercingetorix, as are homebred SA Oaks winners Ilha Bela and None Other. Quite a line-up. Lammerskraal Stud meanwhile will be sending him two blue-blooded mares: East Cape Oaks victress Virginia Sweet, a half-sister to Horse of the Year Do It Again, and champion Capetown Noir’s stakes-placed half-sister In The Dance, a daughter of Broodmare of the Year Akinfeet. Last season, Vercingetorix sons Cape Eagle and Zeitz both scored at Gr3 level for Mrs Sabine Plattner, and she has selected Vercingetorix as the first mate for her dual stakes winner Saartjie. She will also support the Maine Chance champion with Gr2-placed School Captain, whose offspring include Gr2 winner and Gr1 Met third Head Honcho. Fellow owner/breeder Marsh Shirtliff, whose Greenacres Trust bred last season’s smart

Vercingetorix juvenile fillies Quickstepgal and Elegantrix, is no stranger to supporting the Maine Chance powerhouse and will be sending him some classy mares, including Quickstepgal’s dam Victoriana, whose Vercingetorix filly topped this year’s KZN Yearling Sale at R1.3-million. Joining Victoriana will be Gr1 Mercury Sprint victress Fly By Night and Zarina, winner of the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes. Let’s not forget that Vercingetorix was bred by Klawervlei Stud, who have faithfully supported the champion over the years and have been handsomely rewarded as the breeders of his Gr1 winning daughters Vernichey and Mia Moo, not to mention the multiple Graded stakes winners Seeking The Stars and Ikigai. This season, Klawervlei will once again send the prized stallion a plethora of mares and what a fine bunch they are, featuring a quartet of Gr1 winners in champion Return Flight, For The Lads, The Secret Is Out (a grandaughter 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 | 23

of famed blue hen Mystic Spring) and Thunder Dance, who just happens to be the dam of unbeaten Vercingetorix filly Ukuduma, bred by Klawervlei. Then there is multiple Gr1-placed Safe Harbour as well as Sting Operation, a stakes winner who is dam of Silvano’s Gr2 winning son Silver Operator. On behalf of Klawervlei clients, Vercingetorix has been selected for Sovereign Secret, a stakes winning daughter of champion All Is Secret (also from the Mystic Spring clan); Ntinga, out of Gr1 winner Viva Maria, and Dance At Dawn, an own sister to Broodmare of the Year Real Princess, the dam of champion

sprinter Gimme A Prince and this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July ace The Real Prince. Klawervlei owner John Koster best expressed his admiration for Vercingetorix when he said: “An impressive list for a hugely impressive stallion!” The above is just a small sample of the quality mares destined to visit South Africa’s reigning champion stallion, who it can be safely said, has seamlessly stepped into the shoes of his own phenomenal sire.

SA Oaks heroine Ilha Bela will be covered by Vercingetorix | Credit: Supplied

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Wootton Bassett 2008 – 2025 | Credit: Coolmore Australia

VALE WOOTTON BASSET Coolmore Australia reported on Tuesday 23 September, that Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s great sires, had sadly passed away, having suffered from choke and subsequently developing an acute pneumonia which deteriorated rapidly. Despite round-the-clock care from a dedicated team of vets, overseen by Dr Nathan Slovis from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Kentucky, he was unable to be saved. 28 | 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

Wootton Bassett’s story as a sire is a unique one. Nicolas de Chambure got him off to an incredible start at Haras d’Etreham in France before he was acquired by Coolmore in 2020. In his time at Coolmore, he developed into a world-class sire, with 25 Stakes winners and six Group 1 winners from his current two and three-year-old crops conceived in Ireland. Included amongst these are multiple Group 1-winning sons Camille Pissarro and Henri Matisse, as well as this season’s multiple

Group 1-winning filly, Whirl. His current twoyear-old crop in Europe already includes six Group winners. Albert Einstein, who defeated subsequent Group 1 winner Power Blue in the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes, is considered by both Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore to be one of the best two-year-olds ever seen in Ballydoyle. Two more colts, Constitution River and Puerto Rico, have won Group 2 races in recent

weeks, while a pair of fillies, Composing and Beautify, both scored at the same level. Coolmore’s valued clients have three more crops in the pipeline, the first of which will come under the hammer at the yearling sales in the weeks ahead. In Australia, his first crop is highlighted by this year’s Golden Slipper runner-up and first colt home Wodeton, who lines up in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes this weekend for Chris Waller.

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It’s been a successful September for Keeneland | Credit: Keeneland Sands

KEENELAND SEPTEMBER

3070 HORSES - $531.5M

The 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale closed on Saturday having achieved a defining industry milestone. Over 12 sessions, the sale rewrote records by selling 3,070 horses for a total of $531.5 million: the highest gross ever realized at a Thoroughbred auction worldwide. Historic highlights included 56 yearlings bringing seven figures, besting the previous record of 40 set in 2005 and led by a $3.3 million Gun Runner colt purchased by M.V. Magnier, Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm and Ron Winchell’s Winchell Thoroughbreds. 30 | 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

Held Sept. 8-20, the auction produced $510,544,900 in through-the-ring sales to finish 23.99% higher than last year’s $411,749,500. Gross sales increased to $531,520,400 when the additional $20,975,500 in post-sales reported to date are added. The combined figure also tops the previous record gross of nearly $428 million from 2024. “What an incredible September Sale,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We definitely had reasons to be optimistic going in, but the strength of

the results day after day exceeded even our highest expectations. From start to finish, the energy on the grounds never waned. Buyers from around the world were here in force, the Sales Pavilion was vibrant and the sense of community and excitement was palpable. You could feel that energy. “It cannot be overstated that the success of this sale is a direct result of the loyalty of the breeders, sellers, consignors and buyers who return to Keeneland year after year and place their horses and their trust with us,” Arvin continued.

• •

In other key metrics: • • •

“Our team works hard to honour that trust by striving for excellence in every detail: recruiting buyers from across the globe, providing unmatched hospitality and ensuring the highest standards throughout the sale. It’s the coming together of these efforts –along with the commitment of our participants – that makes moments like this possible. We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this the highest-grossing Thoroughbred sale in history.” Additional September Sale records in sales through the ring were set in the following categories: •

•

For the fifth year in a row, a record cumulative average of $175,807 was established. The average increased 16.78% over last year’s previous record $150,548. Cumulative median price of $80,000 rose 14.29% over last year’s previous record $70,000. Record session average and median ($675,180/$550,000) were set on Day 2, which broke records in both categories set the previous day. Each of the first four sessions posted

a record average and median for the respective sessions. Number of $1 million horses to sell during a single session (20 on Day 2). Week 1 (first four days/Books 1-2) total sales of $307,639,000 with 53 horses bringing $1 million or more.

• •

18 buyers spent $5 million or more, compared to 14 last year. 120 buyers spent $1 million or more, compared to 96 last year. 56 seven-figure horses sold to a record 34 unique buyers. 266 horses sold for $500,000 or more versus 185 last year. “Buying in a record market is a case of perseverance and really believing in the horses that you’re going to try to buy,” bloodstock agent Marette Farrell said.

“Obviously you have to prep the owners that it’s a record sale and be careful: Don’t get caught up in just buying a horse. You still have to hold yourself ransom to all the parameters: value, what makes sense, pedigree, athleticism. And to not get carried away in the moment to bid more to try to get the one you want.” Buyers represented 33 countries with participation from as far away as Asia, the Middle East and Europe to underscore the size and scope of Keeneland’s deep buying bench. “Keeneland has long been a destination for international buyers, and we work hard yearround to build relationships and attract buyers from all over the world,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said.

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“This is a sale where you can find an American classic winner or a European classic winner, like Ruling Court (winner of this year’s Betfred 2000 Guineas-G1 at Newmarket in England). We had incredible interest from European buyers, a wide array of Japanese participants and so many more.” “The results of this sale reflect a shared achievement for the industry and a powerful source of optimism for the future of racing and breeding,” Lacy continued. “Many factors contributed to these recordsetting results beyond the exceptional quality of horses on offer. Strong purses, favourable tax legislation, growing confidence in the sport and broader national visibility through broadcast, streaming and influencers all point to a bright future for our industry.” “Keeneland having a big sale just puts more money into purses, more money into a worldclass experience when you come race in Central Kentucky,” Taylor Made President and CEO Mark Taylor said. “These things are so positive and gives us a lot of optimism for the future. It is one ecosystem, and when those parts are healthy, and they all come together great things happen.” Buyers at the September Sale represented the world’s most prominent entities, with Mike Repole’s Repole Stable topping the category by acquiring 33 horses for $14,155,000. Following Repole on the list of leading buyers by total purchases were Donato Lanni for SF Racing/Starlight/Madaket; Case Clay Thoroughbred Management; Spendthrift Farm; CHC Inc., Maverick Racing and Go First Racing; MWG; Belladonna Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing;

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AMO Racing; M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm; and Bradley Thoroughbreds. “The selection was incredible,” buyer Dean DeRenzo said. “The horses that checked the boxes, so to speak, were very well received. The stallions that have had the credibility of having great racehorses have been tremendously well received. It looked like people had really done their homework. “We didn’t buy as many horses as we would like to have, and we came home with, I think, 15,” DeRenzo added. “We were hoping to come home with 20 to 25. It was short of what we wanted, but we just kept getting outbid. I think other buyers were in the same position and not getting what they needed.” Bloodstock agent Lauren Carlisle said the difficulty in purchasing yearlings “can be frustrating at times, but I view it as a positive that so many people want to buy. It seems like a lot of new entities and different partnerships are buying, and that’s a great thing for our sport. You expect that Keeneland is going to have good offerings. I thought the catalog was very nice from top to bottom. Our team has had horses we liked every day. Between all of us, we’ve accounted for buying 50 horses in this sale.” The dynamic results of Week 1 had a direct impact on the remaining eight sessions, each of which posted double-digit increases in total sales and average price for horses sold through the ring. Three additional $1 million horses came during Session 5. The landmark of $500 million in through-the-ring sales occurred in Session 10 when a Liam’s Map colt sold for a session-record $480,000. Session 11 throughthe-ring gross of $6.7 million was 88.57%

higher than the average for the corresponding session last year. “The sale was strong, and it was consistently strong from the first session to the last,” Keeneland Senior Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach said. “We saw remarkable depth and balance throughout. When you’re looking at the sale as a whole, it’s really exciting to have 56 sevenfigure horses. It’s really exciting to have 120 buying entities that spend at least a million dollars. Those are the metrics that show the depth and breadth of this entire two-week period. “But ultimately, it comes down to the median and the RNA rate when you really look at the health of a sale top to bottom because a median is the middle market,” Breathnach continued. “The middle market in Session 1 is different than the middle market in Session 12. If you have a healthy median or an improving medium, like we did this year, and an equal or better clearance rate, that’s as good of an indicator of the health of the market as any other — or better than any other. “The sale has been record-breaking on all of those metrics, not just at the top, but all the way through today. And that’s the most gratifying thing to us and hopefully to the breeders that support us.” Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, was the leading consignor at the September Sale for the 26th year since 1988, selling 333 yearlings for an all-time consignor record $68,515,000 (including post sales). The consignment was topped by a Gun Runner colt purchased by Wesley Ward for $2.2 million. “It’s been a fantastic sale,” Taylor Made’s Mark Taylor said. “I was optimistic it was going to be

a good sale, but I didn’t foresee it being this good. Last year we had an incredible sale, and this year we’re up almost 30% over last year. I attribute it to, first and foremost: We have really good customers that give us really good horses. The September Sale is the hub of the entire industry. It’s very important for breeders.” Other leading consignors by gross included Gainesway, Lane’s End Farm, Paramount Sales, Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, Warrendale Sales, Indian Creek and Four Star Sales. Clearsky Farms led consignors by average with six yearlings averaging $604,167, boosted by a $1.6 million Flightline colt purchased by Douglas Scharbauer. “We’ve been delighted with this year’s result,” Clearsky’s Bernard Cleary said. “Keeneland September is breeders’ bread and butter, and there is great demand for horses. The results speak for themselves. We had a good group of physicals by the right sires. Purse money is strong, and the bonus depreciation helps. “Obviously, you need the horses and to be placed in the right spot (in the catalog),” Cleary continued. “I give the Keeneland team a lot of credit because they’ve really upped their game in recent years, and it’s paying off.” Consignors who sold their first million-dollar yearling included Headley VanMeter’s VanMeter Sales, who made waves minutes after the sale start when he sold Stock Rising, a Flightline colt, for $1.5 million to John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock. Larry and Karen Doyle’s KatieRich Farms reached their own milestone when they sold a $1.15 million colt by Not This Time to Albaugh Family/Railbirds/West Point/St. Elias. Not This Time was the September Sale’s 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 | 33

leading sire by total sales. Fifty-five yearlings by the stallion sold for $38.58 million (includes private sales).

The amount is a record price paid anywhere in the world for a member of Flightline’s first crop.

They included 14 horses sold for $1 million or more, led by a $2 million filly purchased by David Lanigan, Ted Durcan, agent for Mrs. Cindy Heider. Not This Time was the leading sire of four sessions, Day 3-6.

Fourth by progeny sales was Into Mischief, whose 41 yearlings sold for $26.9 million (including post sales to date). They included six seven-figure yearlings, led by a $2 million colt consigned by Gainesway, agent, and sold to Justin Casse/M.V. Magnier/White Birch.

During Week 1, 12 yearlings by Gun Runner brought seven figures or more, and his colts topped every session to help him to an average of $932,917 for 36 horses. For the entire sale, 40 yearlings by Gun Runner sold for $35,085,000 (includes post sales to date). The September Sale catalog featured nearly double the number of yearlings by first-crop sires compared to last year. Leading the group was Horse of the Year Flightline, whose 44 yearlings –including eight seven-figure horses – brought a total of $30,550,000 (includes post sales to date). Gainesway, agent, consigned Flightline’s most expensive yearling, a filly purchased by LSU Stables for $2.2 million.

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During Saturday’s final session, Keeneland sold 230 yearlings for $3,600,200, up 35.24% from last year’s gross of $2,662,000 for 203 yearlings sold in Session 12. The average was $15,653, 19.37% higher than $13,113, and the median dipped 10% from $10,000 to $9,000. Grovendale Sales, agent, consigned the $150,000 high seller, a colt from the first crop of Speaker’s Corner purchased by Faris Breeding. From the family of Group/Grade 1 winners Lord Nelson and Miss Linda (ARG), he is the first foal out of City of Sass, by City of Light.

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Richard Fourie and My Best Shot are well clear of the opposition | Credit: Pauline Herman

EC HORSE OF THE SEASON

BACK TO BEST

The 2024/25 Eastern Cape Horse Of The Season My Best Shot bounced back to his best to give trainer Alan Greeff his sixth Friendly City Stakes victory with a smooth win in the R175 000 non black-type feature at Fairview on Friday. Alan Greeff and Richard Fourie helped themselves to four winners on another fabulous Fairview Friday, that included a sensational 3yo debut for their unbeaten Canford Cliffs filly Direct Hit. But the day belonged to Fire Away’s good son My Best Shot, first winner of the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Sophomore Challenge from 1400m to 2400m last term, and reigning Horse Of The Season.

Starting at what looked a fairly generous 3320 after a lacklustre 4yo season debut in midAugust, the gelding floated into the lead after stablemate Global Ally had done the donkey work. My Best Shot simply proved too good, beating the courageous 7yo Global Ally (20-1) by 2,25 lengths in a time of 109,98 secs for the 1800m. “He had an excuse last time after a hard campaign, that included a trip to KZN for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He was a bit aggro last time. Today he was the horse that we know. I was always cantering and in full control. Full kudos to the boss and the team. He’s a horse that makes me and the boss look good,” added Ridgemont-sponsored Richard Fourie. 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 | 37

Justin Snaith’s Royal Aussie (33-10) was a half-length back in third, with Cliffie Miller’s clearly progressive Lanciafamme (25-2) staying on well to cap the quartet. Raced in partnership by Nick & Val McFall, Greg Blank, Gary Piha, Hilton Yutar, Darryl Yutar, and the trainer and his wife, Glennifer, the winner registered his 11th victory with 6 places from 19 starts for stakes of R1 035 131. This total does not include the R250 000 Triple Crown bonus he earned in May last term. A R120 000 Cape Yearling Sale graduate, My Best Shot is a half-brother to the region’s Champion 2yo colt of 2022/23 Questor and was bred by Varsfontein Stud.

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He is a gelded son of Wilgerbosdrift’s War Front stallion Fire Away out of the twicewinning Fort Wood mare, Gypsy Madonna. Tara Laing saddled a double on the day, with Malesela Katjedi booting home the longshot Beneath The Moon to open the Pick 6, and Chase Maujean rounding off matters on New Mexico in the last. The next Fairview racemeeting is on Friday 26 September on the polytrack and is the first of the day’s double-headers with Hollywoodbets Greyville hosting a twilight meeting.

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The majestic Soqrat at Sandown Stud | Credit: Supplied

SOQRAT STRIKES WITH A

SUNDAY DOUBLE Shadwell Stud-bred offspring of Sandown stallion Soqrat, who enjoyed a 100% strikerate on the afternoon, won the first two races on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville card on Sunday, much to the delight of seasoned breeder, James Armitage. Sandown Stud’s triple Gr1 winning Epaulette sire was Equus Champion 2yo Colt of 20172018 and went on to capture both the Gr1 Cape Guineas and Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes at three enjoyed a good last season, with his flagbearers including dual stakes winner, I Salute You.

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“Soqrat stamps his offspring with his good looks, and we have had some magnificent foals again. He is achieving great results from limited opportunities and strangely, his third crop, with 55 mares was his busiest. For the rest he has averaged 30 mares a season, so he hasn’t had a lot off opportunity. His 2-year olds this season will be interesting!” added Armitage. In the opener on Sunday afternoon, it was a case of patience rewarded when Peter Muscutt’s 4yo Showgirl, having her first outing in 87 weeks after fracturing her pelvis when expected to win her second start, romped home in good time under Richard Fourie.

“When James Armitage pulled her out the box at the National Sale in 2023, I said to Ros (my partner) we aren’t leaving without her. She looked just like Winx as a yearling. Hence her name, as Winx was out of Vegas Showgirl,” reflected the thrilled Summerveld conditioner, who has trained with success in Zimbabwe, Singapore, and Australia, where he worked for trainer Chris Waller (of Winx fame) for seven years, a man he labels ‘the premier trainer in the world today’.

In the second race, Nathan Kotzen saddled the Soqrat gelding Chicarito, who started at 80-1 and won a cracker under talented 4kg-claimer, Dezahn Louw.

Peter lauded the patience of the Showgirl owners, who stayed loyal for 19 months. Armitage confirmed that Showgirl was a beautiful yearling and she changed hands for R575 000.

Soqrat is a great grandson of the great Danehill, being by the latter’s grandson Epaulette (Commands), whose five wins from 1200m to 1400m, included two Gr1’s. Soqrat has plenty of black type in his female line

“The Moodley family love his full-brother My Boy Lollipop, so they wanted Chicarito. He is out of a Bernardini mare but walked a bit like Charlie Chaplin so only went for R90 000. But he can clearly run, and I wish them best of luck and lots of fun with him,” added Armitage.

Showgirl (Richard Fourie) romps home in good time | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching

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Chicarito (Dezahn Louw) wins a cracker | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching

At next month’s Race Coast Sales October 2yo Sale, James offers a Soqrat half-brother (#44) to Erico Verdonese’s 2025 Highveld 3yo Winter Series ‘Triple Crown’ winner Choisanaada (Querari):

Soqrat looks to be a genuine good value option at a cover fee of R12 000 for a live foal.

“He’s a lovely athletic individual with a powerful hindquarter, out of a Redoute’s Choice mare who produced the Highveld Winter Triple Crown winner, as you observed,” added James.

Sandown Stud

There is also a Soqrat filly on the sale – #102 is offered by Soetendal as agent. We were unable to reach Julia Pilbeam for a comment.

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Click here to Read his Raceform pedigree page.

• • • • • •

James Armitage, W. Cape 2025 FEE: R12.000 LIVE FOAL Owner: Shadwell Enquiries: JAMES ARMITAGE C: 072 680 3549 E: james@sandownstud.co.za

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VAAL UPGRADE v

UNDERWAY

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4Racing has announced that renovations of the secondfloor hospitality suite at the Vaal Racecourse have commenced. The Vereeniging venue is loved by many for its relaxed race day atmosphere and the refurbishment aims to significantly enhance the Vaal’s ‘country course’ charm. Renovations commenced on Monday, 22 September and from today (Thursday, 25 September) and for the duration of the project, guests will be welcomed in the Ascot Room on the first floor. The initiative is part of 4Racing’s larger commitment to providing an exceptional race day experience at all their venues and they thanked their valued patrons for their understanding while work is under way. Completion is anticipated by the end of October 2025, and they look forward to sharing our new look venue with you. At Turffontein Racecourse, the upgraded Elevation Room has already been transformed into a more inviting space, setting new standards for guest experiences. As from the 1 October, the popular Elevation Room 4-course Buffet Lunch will now be available for R390 per person, with a special discounted rate of R340 for all ROA members. *Please note: Special rates apply for Betway Spring Challenge, Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile and Betway Summer Cup day.

Vaal Racecourse – upgrades in progress | Credit: JC Photos 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 | 45

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Andrew Fortune points out his enormous talents to Justin Snaith and Craig Zackey in the second box as the Ricky Maingard team enjoy the lead-in | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

CANDYMAN

SHOWS THE YOUNG GUNS HOW Never a dull moment between Andrew Fortune and some tight finishes. That was the story of an entertaining Monday afternoon of horseracing at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, that included some enterprising riding by apprentice jockeys. Andrew Fortune is making hay while the sun shines ahead of a six-week suspension which starts on Saturday, and South Africa’s oldest active jockey booted home a double for his old boss Ricky Maingard.

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The first of the Fortune winners was the Avontuur bred Oratorio gelding Set To Music, who shares his name with the Joey Ramsdentrained Badger Land stayer who famously downed his highly vaunted stablemate Winter Solstice, in an agonizing third leg of the Cape Winter Series back in 2004. A subsequent Durban July winner in Dunford was fourth in the same race. But we digress! Raced by the Wolf Power Syndicate, Monday’s winner is no star, having taken 11 runs to shed his maiden ticket, but gave the charismatic Fortune much pleasure as

he downed Craig Zackey on the Snaith’s Greenchoice. “I love Justin (Snaith) but I just saw his face and I thought I want this. And the jockey on the second horse – what’s his name, Zackey? Is he an apprentice?” roared Fortune, who is probably going to need six weeks to recover from his exertions, after booting home the Erupt filly Hunga Tonga in the penultimate race of the day. She was winning after a 132day break. “I just love riding for Ricky Maingard. Thank heavens he can’t hear me most of the time!” added the former SA champion.

Justin Snaith enjoyed a treble on the day, including a 76-1 last double, where the first leg winner Steadfast was returning from 492-day break following a tendon injury. Races 4 and 6 were dedicated to the apprentices in terms of a new policy by Race Coast to hold two apprentice meetings in KZN and one a month in the Cape as a joint venture with SAJA to restore the glory years of one of the world’s most respected jockey schools. Mauritian born apprentice Girish Samo– Burthia won the first of the two, riding a cracker to get the R40 000 buy Elusive Gift home for trainer Greg Ennion.

Sifisokuhle Bungane is congratulated by colleague Devin Ashby after winning on Miss New York | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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It was a feather in the cap for the 4kg-claimer who got the measure of the experienced SA Champion Brevan Plaatjies on the more fancied Hazel Green. Greg Ennion was pleased: “He sort of lost the plot late, but righted things and it was a great ride,” said the veteran.

rider got What A Fortune through a tight gap to share with the favourite Saudi Cat. The result was declared a dead-heat by the Judges, but there has been much debate as to whether they got it right. We await the Stipes report and comments from the operator and regulator before reporting further.

Owner Andy Elton arrived in South Africa a fortnight ago to greet a knockout winner in the shape of Decidedly French, and his yellow and pink silks were back in the winner’s circle courtesy of the Andries Steyn-trained Miss New York, who was given a peach of a ride by apprentice Sifisokuhle ‘Ncale’ Bungane to win the sixth at any old price.

Dean Kannemeyer’s well-related debut winner Gimmie Rules was the eye-catcher in this race, running on strongly, only to be checked late off a tiring Boogiefied, and running just out of the placings.

The chestnut daughter of The United States was sold for stud two months earlier, but the buyer apparently reneged, and Mr Elton wasn’t whinging. The talking race of the afternoon was the fifth, where apprentice Dezahn Louw almost realized his dream of beating Richard Fourie a short head, when the Drakenstein-sponsored

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The Pick 6 paid R226 547, with a R394 058 carryover. We’d love to see that in Saturday’s Cork & Craft day pool, which sees the running of the Race Coast Gr3 Matchem Stakes and the Schweppes Gr3 Diana Stakes at the same venue. Gates open at 10h00 and entrance is free, but you need to grab a ticket from Computicket.

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FILLER REQUIRED 150 Words Required

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THE DEAD-HEAT DEBATE!

There has been no further official word after Monday’s Hollywoodbets Durbanville fifth race dead-heat call by the Judges Ms M Benjamin & Mr E Fisher, led to a number of questions being raised as to the alignment of the equipment, specifically the photo-finish mirror. In an article published early on Tuesday, Turf Talk suggested that the judges had little option but to declare a dead-heat in the race because one of the horse’s nose was obscured and the mirror image could not be used as evidence because it was clear that

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it was not properly aligned with the positive image. The fifth race over 1250m at the nine-race meeting was particularly intriguing, because it pitted a trio of relatively highly rated threeyear-olds against some seasoned older handicappers. As it turned out the topweight Boogiefield was bettered by the Richard Fourie-ridden favourite Saudi Cat late in the race only for 4kg claiming apprentice Dezahn Louw to bravely drive the 6/1 shot What A Fortune between the pair and this brought the judges into it.

The judges deliberated for an unusually long time in an attempt to separate the Vaughan Marshall-trained Saudi Cat and the Candice Bass-trained What A Fortune, and in the end they were forced to declare a dead-heat.

individual have any contact with the judge and/or his assistant and/or his authorised substitute. •

65.3 No PERSON or individual other than the photo-finish camera operator and/or his authorised assistant shall be permitted to enter the photo-finish operating room until the judge has put the numbers of the winner and placed HORSES in the frame. When a photo-finish picture has been called for by the judge, the door or any other opening in the room shall remain closed until the judge has declared the result of the RACE and has exhibited the numbers in the frame.

•

65.4 As soon as possible after the RACE, the judge shall name the first 6 HORSES past the finishing post or such further number as the SB may instruct him to do, and his placings shall be final unless an OBJECTION to the winner, or any placed HORSE, is made and upheld, provided that this RULE shall not prevent a judge from correcting a mistake, where such correction is made before expiry of the time allowed for the notification of intention to object under RULE 68.2. 65.5 Except where a HORSE’S nose is not visible, the judge shall base his decision exclusively on the HORSE’S nose and if there is a discernible difference, he shall not give a dead heat.

The mirror image on a photo finish can be used as a guide for the judges to assist when a horse’s nose is obscured in a close finish. However, in this case it showed that the same horse was not on the same line in the mirror image as it is was on the positive image (as is displayed in the photo finish below). On the mirror image all of the horses’ noses are over the line, which showed the mirror image taken was not lining up with the positive image. This was also the case for the third and fourth-placed horses The mirror image could therefore not be reliably used to make the judgement. The rules about photo-finishes are shown below: Judging And Photo-Finish Films And Photographs •

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65.1 A judge or his assistant or his authorized substitute shall be in the judge’s box at the time of the start and shall remain in the box until the HORSES have passed the winning post, the result has been declared and the ALL CLEAR given. 65.2 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the RULES, during the running of the RACE and until the judge has given his decision, no PERSON or individual other than the judge and/or his assistant and/or his authorised substitute shall be permitted to enter the judge’s box, nor, save for the SB, shall any PERSON or

•

65.6 A judge shall satisfy himself as to the correctness of the placings from the photograph. If there is no photograph available due to a failure of the photofinish camera or if, in the sole opinion of the judge, the images on the photograph are indistinct, then the judge may have regard to the race film to satisfy himself as to the correctness of the placings. If there is no race film available, the judge shall, 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 | 55

to the best of his ability determine the placings as his personally observed them. The judge’s decision shall be final and binding In accordance with rule 65.5, the judge was only able to use the positive image to make the judgement. He could not use the mirror image as a guide due to the alignment error. A question which could be asked is whether the judge could have used Rule 65.6, which allows some discretion, to apply logic? After all, every photograph on the day that could have a line placed on its nose on the positive image was through the line by the same margin on the mirror image and What A Fortune’s nose was not through the line? However, there is no place for ‘reasonable doubt’ in the racing rules as is also shown in the objection rules whereby a third-placed horse successfully objects against the winner, but is then officially placed second whereas logically, it should be placed first – in racing the argument is there is no way to prove the third-placed horse would have otherwise beaten the second-placed horse.

recently and had no choice but to revert to the racing rules. In the first leg of the PA on September 12 a horse called Eradikate, who was contesting third place, finished very close to the horse on his outside and had his head down. Despite the photo finish camera being positioned high up in the grandstand above the judge’s box in order to create an angle that can easily separate horses, Eradikate’s nose was still hidden from view. The mirror placed on the far side of the finish line is there specifically to accommodate such an occurrence but, most unusually, Eradikate’s nose was hidden from view from that side too by a horse close to him on his inside. Rule 65.5 states, “Except where a HORSE’S nose is not visible, the judge shall base his decision exclusively on the HORSE’S nose and if there is a discernible difference, he shall not give a dead heat.”

There was actually a plethora of close finishes on the day at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, but the race five photo finish was the only one that had an obscured nose.

Although it seemed probable that Eradikate had finished fourth, stipendiary stewards and judges have for a long time abided by an interpretation of the law that makes no place for ‘reasonable doubt’. In the case whereby the nose is not visible a dead-heat must be awarded.

There was strangely no reference made to the issue in the official Stipes Report.

www.turftalk.co.za – additional reporting by SP editorial staff

A historical similarity happened at the now defunct Clairwood Park on September 12, 2007. See an article written at the time: Clairwood judges, Warren Eisele and Robert Moffatt, faced a problematic photo finish 56 | 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

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A FEW WORTH KEEPING AN EYE ON The Hollywoodbets Durbanville racemeeting on Monday was very entertaining on all fronts, but despite two winners, it proved a costly afternoon for the wizard, Andrew Fortune.

In the third race, Fortune was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) as he misused his crop on winner Set To Music, going 3 strikes over the limit of 12. He was fined R7 500.

The former SA Champion picked up a total of 44 days suspension and a R7 500 fine in the opening three races on the card.

Let’s have a look at our Time Is Money analysis:

In the opener, Fortune was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3 in that he failed to ride first-timer Zagreb out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stipendiary Stewards, thereby prejudicing his chance of obtaining 4th place.

Track Condition

The Candyman signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in races for a period of fourteen (14) days. In the second race, he was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3 in that he failed to ride Meet The King out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stipendiary Stewards, thereby prejudicing his chance of obtaining second place. He was suspended from riding in races for a period of thirty days, which takes him up to 10 November. Also, in the second race, jockey Muzi Yeni, who is having a frustrating run cracking his 2500th winner milestone, was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3 in that he failed to ride Fort Liam out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stipendiary Stewards, thereby prejudicing his chances of obtaining 5th place. Yeni was fined R2 612.00

Hollywoodbets Durbanville 22 September

Going: Good Penetrometer: 24 Rain: Last 24 hours 4mm – Last 7 days 10mm Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 5mm False Rail: Out 2m back straight with 6m spur at 450m Wind: 11-15km/h Southerly head wind Course Variant: 0,72s fast Team Blu Syndicate Class 4 – 1250m Four of the nine races at the country course on Monday were staged over 1250m. The Class 4 event with a benchmark of 80 was the fastest of these and here a dead-heat was declared between the 5/2 favourite SAUDI CAT and the 6/1 shot WHAT A FORTUNE. Both raced handy off a fair pace set by Boogiefied, and as they moved up to tackle the frontrunner 150m out there was barely three quarters of a length between them.

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Apprentice Dezahn Louw bravely took a tight gap between the pair below the distance and got up to share on the line. Interestingly, the fastest 400m to finish time in this race, and indeed the second fastest of the afternoon, was recorded by sixth placed Gimme Rules (33/10 out to 8/1), and that despite having to snatch up when baulked for a run 30m from home.

of Lancaster Bomber regained the lead as they approached the 200m marker. He was challenged strongly by the heavily supported favourite Industrial Strength (18/10 into 9/10) over the final 150m, but running on stoutly below the distance, he did have that one held by three quarters at the wire. Ready Steady Go Syndicate C Stakes 1000m

Given a clear passage Gimme Rules would have at least made the first three. Hollywoodbets Durbanville Welcomes You Maiden Plate 1250m A maiden plate over 1250m had opened up proceedings and here victory went to the wellsupported favourite SIRIANO. Backed into 11/10 from 9/4 at the track, the son of Querari broke well and was soon a length and three quarters clear. He was always travelling well and kept on strongly down the 600m straight to win comfortably by a length and three quarters. One to look out for next time from this race is the runner up Miami Summer. Solid in the betting market at 7/2, Justin Snaith’s charge raced at the back and was easily eight lengths off the pace turning for home. He fairly flew in the closing stages of the race and did well to get as close as he did. Miami Summer’s 400m to finish time was 22,22 which proved to be the fastest for that segment of the afternoon. Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 4 – 1600m The closing Class 4 event was comfortably the fastest of the three 1600m races on the card and in what proved to be a real thriller, the 14/1 shot MENTE ET MANU registered his second career victory. Justin Snaith’s charge led for the first 300m or so before a determined Sir Korski set a fair pace. Content then to race in second the son 60 | 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

Champion trainer Justin Snaith was also on the mark with a big priced runner when the lightly raced 5yo STEADFAST registered his third career victory. Freely available at 25/1 on the off, the son of Gimmethegreenlight (slow into stride) was easily eight lengths off a fair pace in seventh turning for home. He fairly flew after switching out for a run 350m from home, and in a blanket finish he got the verdict by the narrowest of margins. Fastest Times: 1250m (4) What A Fortune/Saudi Cat 75,53 1600m (3) Mente Et Manu 97,95 400-finish Miami Summer 22,22 On Sunday, we raced at Hollywoodbets Scottsville: Track Condition Going: Good (both tracks) Penetrometer: 23 (both tracks) Rain: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 6mm Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 4mm False Rail: 9m Wind: 10-15km/h East North Easterly tail wind Course Variant: 0,48s fast straight – 1,03s fast bend

Welcome To Hollywoodbets Scottsville Maiden Plate (f) 1200m The fastest of the three maiden Plates that opened up proceedings in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday was the fillies’ event in which we saw a smart performance from the lightly raced 4yo SHOWGIRL. Off the track for 575 days after fracturing her pelvis when expected to run a big race by her trainer last time out, Peter Muscutt’s charge led throughout. She was always in command, and only having to be given one tap to keep her mind on the job approaching the 200m pole, she went on to score with some in hand by two and a quarter. Another to win well in the maiden ranks over 1200m was the newcomer COGNAC in the event for 3yo’s. Sent off second in the betting market at 5/1, the son of Rafeef was always prominent in a race where just three lengths covered virtually all at halfway. Ridden with just hands and heels throughout, Stuart Ferrie’s charge began to assert his authority going through the 400m and ran out a facile winner by three and a quarter. When interviewed after the race, jockey Sean Veale said that he rates Cognac quite highly.

score comfortably from the always handy Dapper by a length and three quarters. As a result of the interference caused by Wild Justice, his jockey S’manga Khumalo received a seven-day suspension. Online Form Guide www.gallop.co.za 1000m The bill topping progress plate was not surprisingly the faster of the two 1000m races and here the nibbled at MAJOR TOMMIE (7/1 into 5/1) gained his second win from just six starts. The recent maiden winner Blazing Beauty set a hot pace whilst the two favourites raced two and a half lengths away in second and third. Slow into stride meanwhile the son of One World raced at the back of the eight and was easily five lengths off the leader going through the 600m. He quickened well when asked for his effort and recording the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon, he got up 70m from home to deny Hierarchy (3rd in the Gr2 Debutante last time out) who had hit the front 150m out. Tote Soccer Bets Class 5 – 1400m By just 3/100th of a second, the Class 5 event was the faster of the two 1400m races.

There were four 1200m races on the card in total, and in the fastest of these, the Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 4, the Vercingetorix colt WILD JUSTICE made it two from two. A winner over 1000m on debut last time out, Gareth Van Zyl’s charge broke well and disputed the lead with Ibhele for most of the journey.

On leaving the stalls it was the aptly named Ultra Quick who elected to make the running whilst Paul Gadsby’s only runner on the card ROY TAKING OFF sat some 7 lengths back, off a good pace, in seventh. The 6yo mare quickened well early in the straight and under a well-judged ride from Tristan Godden, she put her head in front 50m from home.

He was carried out by Ibhele between the 300m and 200m poles, but then shifting back inwards away from the whip he caused interference to four runners 150m out. He ran on strongly in the closing stages of the race and went on to

Fastest Times: 1000m (2) Major Tommie 1200m (4) Wild Justice 1400m (2) Roy Taking Off 400-finish Major Tommie

56,71 69,18 85,14 22,90

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Marsh Shirtliff and partners lead United Front (Sean Veale) in after his win earlier this month at Hollywoodbets Durbanville Credit: Chase Liebenberg

PRAVIN AND MARSH

FORM A UNITED FRONT I first started owning horses, albeit a leg here and a tail there, in 2010, though my love for the sport has endured since 1973, when Yataghan stormed home in the Durban July, shouted home by myself and my grandfather, an avid racing fan. Pravin Chetty writes in the Sporting Post Mailbag that he has been fortunate to have had a Durban July runner, in Pierre

Jourdan, and some graded race wins with Champagne Haze. A lifetime total of 74 winners – I acknowledge that ‘big’ owners have more than this in a season, but every winner brought down the ceiling, whether it was a lowly Maiden win in Kimberley, or a feature at the Big T.

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In 2021, I was afflicted by Gastric Cancer, and 4 months later hospitalised in ICU, for 7 months, and eventually diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP).

subsequent race, and we have high hopes for him.

Having survived three flatline episodes, I embarked on a mission to create awareness of autoimmune disease, and registered a non-profit called CIDP-SA, primarily pillared by Support, Education, Research & Advocacy. I have leveraged off the work initiated by the GBS-CIDP Foundation, based in Philadelphia, USA, and am the Volunteer for South Africa.

I’ve yet to meet the man, but his actions epitomise the generosity of the Racing Family and justify my own endeavours in ‘The Sport of Kings’.

However, despite this calling, an imperative remained to renew my horse racing interests. My main stable and true friends in Gary & Dean Alexander, having relocated ‘Down Under’, (though I still keep an interest there), I reached out to a number of the successful trainers in Johannesburg. With often zero response, I changed my focus to Cape Town, and got involved in two smart youngsters with the Ennion & Kotzen stables. Rather serendipitously, I owned a share in a horse with Marsh Shirtlif, a doyen of racing and colloquially nicknamed ‘Mr Pocket Power’ in my circles. As a result of the decision to sell the horse to Mauritius, and the other being auctioned, to settle a dispute, I assumed that my sojourn into Cape racing had come to an abrupt end. However, unrivalled benevolence came to the fore, when Mr Shirtliff called me from the National 2-yr old Sale and announced that he was ‘gifting’ me a share in United Front, a promising 3-year-old, trained by Vaughan Marshall. The horse went on to win his

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However, ability aside, Mr Shirtlif ’s unselfish gesture remains commendable, and is the catalyst for me penning this reference.

Thank you Mr S. Have your say – drop a line to editor@sportingpost.co.za and please let us have your address and contact telephone number.

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BETWAY SUMMER CUP IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT Racing has announced JETOUR SOUTH AFRICA as the Official Vehicle Partner for the 2025 Betway Summer Cup, Gauteng’s premier horse racing event. The Summer Cup has been Johannesburg’s marquee race day, dating all the way back to the very first running on 15 July 1887, making it as deeply rooted in the Highveld soil as the City itself. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, 29 November 2025, at Turffontein 66 | 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

Racecourse, and is themed ‘Jozi Rising’ to celebrate all that makes the metropolis unique. Jetour South Africa joins headline sponsor Betway, supported by TAB, Racing Today, Racing 240, New Turf Carriers and BET International. “We extend a warm welcome to Jetour South Africa to the Summer Cup family,” said 4Racing CEO, Patrick Duff. “Their brand aligns perfectly with the spirit of the event

— entrepreneurial, innovative and dynamic – and we look forward to partnering with them for our premier race day.” “At Jetour, we embrace experiences, excitement and adventure. As the official vehicle sponsor of this prestigious horseracing event, we are proud to bring our touch of affordable luxury to a celebration steeped in tradition and heritage that is the Betway Summer Cup. With our sporty 5-seater Dashing, the versatile 7-seater X70 Plus, and our two exciting T series launching next month, we see this partnership as an opportunity to share the thrill, style, and elegance of our vehicles and this iconic event with our new and future customers,” says Nic Campbell, Vice President of Jetour South Africa.

entertainment and hospitality options and Johannesburg’s best end of year party! General Access tickets start at R100, while full hospitality packages start at R2250 per person. The Betway Summer Cup is perfect for corporate year-end parties and businesses are encouraged to book their packages soon, before hospitality areas reach capacity. Tickets are available via Ticketpro at www. ticketpro.co.za. To stay up to date with the latest event information, please visit our website https:// betwaysummercup.co.za/ and social media pages @summercupracing on Instagram and X and Summer Cup Racing on Facebook. Media release by 4Racing on Tuesday 23 September 2025.

While the full undercard will be announced in the coming weeks, attendees can look forward to a competitive race card anchored by the R6 million main event, a mix of

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SHARE SOLD WEDNESDAY SHE RUNS IN GR1 ON FRIDAY A 10% share in Gr1-winning mare Charm Stone has topped the Inglis September (Late) Online Sale selling for A$310,000, the second highest price for a racehorse share on the platform this year.

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Charm Stone (I Am Invincible), a winner of the Gr1 Robert Sangster Stakes in April as well as three other Stakes races, is set to line up in the Gr1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley this Friday night for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

She will be looking to join the likes of Private Eye, Light Infantry Man, Private Harry and Baraqiel as subsequent G1 winners who have had shares offered through Inglis Digital. The 10% share – purchased by Walnut Farm – was offered by Rob Cummings and was the subject of fierce competition, with three individual bidders over the A$250,000 mark. “I’m very happy with the result,” Cummings said. “I’m downsizing my breeding operation and Will Stott – who looks after me at Inglis – advised me to list the share on Inglis Digital. Inglis did a great job with the marketing and Will goes over and above and beyond.The ownership group have been great, I’m still good friends with them and I wish them, and the new part-owner, the best of luck with her Friday night and into the future.” Cummings has enjoyed a lucrative year with Inglis, selling Enbihaar (Magnus) for A$1.6m at the Chairman’s Sale in May, as well as her Too Darn Hot colt for a sales record A$775,000 at the Australian Weanling Sale the same week. The second top lot was 3YO colt Valedictorian, which sold to Eric Yeung for A$200,000. By Zoustar from Gr3-winning mare Cosmology, Valedictorian was offered by James Harron Bloodstock on behalf of the ownership group. “The Inglis team continues to do a sterling job with the digital platform, and we have always been very happy with our results through it,” James Harron said.

“Having a seamless way to showcase our horses has been a real benefit to our business and we are proud to have sold many future winners through Inglis Digital. Many thanks to Eric for purchasing Valedictorian – he’s a lovely horse with very few miles on the clock, so our fingers are crossed for good success for his new owners.” In total the September (Late) Sale grossed A$2,919,050 with Braveheart (A$110,000 to Executive Racing Club) and Field of Myrtle (A$110,000 to Kianben Bloodstock) and 2YO Castelvecchio colt from Miss Helsinki (A$100,000 to Monarch Racing Syndications) also selling for six figures. There have been 111 lots sold for A$100,000 or more so far in 2025. Fairview Park Stud’s Linda Duckworth was thrilled to secure Field of Myrtle, daughter of Deep Field and Hurtle Myrtle, who was offered by Matthew Dunn Racing. “We’ve been on the hunt for a mare on Inglis Digital for the past few sales, but the market has just been so strong, we kept missing out,” Duckworth said. “So, we are very excited to have secured Field of Myrtle, she’s a winner herself and she’s a half-sister to Holyfield and Vamos Bebe, it’s a strong family and there are plenty of fillies still working in it. Will Stott has been an enormous help trying to find one that suited what we wanted and we both felt she fitted out bill.We’ll get her home before we decide where to send her,” Duckworth said. Entries will close for the October (Early) Sale next Wednesday, October 1. The sale will run October 3-8.

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To enter CLICK HERE. Wrednesday’s sale follows another successful weekend of racing for Inglis Digital graduates. At Newcastle last Friday, A$120,000 Inglis Digital graduate Headley Grange took out the Gr3 Cameron Handicap. Headley Grange was bought by HDB Bloodstock in the 2023 November (Late) Online Sale and has won over A$820,000 in prizemoney. On Saturday at Caulfield, Half Yours gained ballot exemption for the Gr1 Caulfield Cup next month with a decisive win in the Gr3 Naturalism Stakes. Half Yours was a A$305,000 buy for Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock, when offered as part of

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the Halo Racing Unreserved Reduction Sale in the from the 2024 November (Late) Online Sale. Sentimental Hero, a A$50,000 purchase for Andrew Inglis from the 2024 July (Late) Online Sale, won the Listed Boulder Cup at Kalgoorlie on Sunday for connections, including trainer Peter Fernie. In addition, the dams of Gr3 Tibbie Stakes winner Oh Diamond Lil, Gr3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude winner Estremo and Victoria Derby Preview winner Stop Making Sense, have all been sold on Inglis Digital in the past 18 months.

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Harry’s Charm (Piere Strydom) wins the Mondi Sprint | Credit: Supplied

THE BRILLIANT CAREER

OF HARRY’S CHARM – PART 2 At the close of the 1994/95 season, Michael Azzie chose to give Harry’s Charm an extended break. By then she was already well developed and close to her full growth, so the spell wasn’t about physical maturing – it was simply a well-earned rest for a filly who had already given so much on the track. “She’d won seven of eight starts in a busy campaign, gave us her all, and was already a beast of a horse,” Azzie noted. Harry’s Charm only returned to the track eight months later, in March 1996, and she was stronger and better than ever. In her comeback run in the hands of Piere Strydom, she galloped her rivals dizzy in the Grade 3 Henry Eatwell Memorial over 1000m at Newmarket, leaving quality sprinting fillies like Studio Star and Sydney’s Dream in her wake.

This proved to be Harry’s Charm’s sole preparation for the Grade 1 Mondi Sprint over 1200m, staged on 26 April – a clash against some of the nation’s top sprinters, among them Shoe Shac, who had downed the mighty Tommy Hotspur to capture the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint just six weeks earlier. With such quality collateral form among her rivals, some experts suggested that Azzie had bitten off more than he could chew, asking Harry’s Charm to take on hardened campaigners in just her second run back after a long break. But Azzie, in true racing parlance, “didn’t want to know.” On race day, Harry’s Charm opened odds-on at 6-10, drifted to 12-10, and then shortened again to 1-1. Punters were clearly confident in the imposing

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chestnut filly, who by all accounts seemed to be near the peak of her powers. To them, the result was as good as “in the frame,” and once again Harry’s Charm put her rivals to the sword with a breath-taking display of pace and power, guided effortlessly by Strydom. She left Casey’s Honour nearly three lengths behind at the line, with Shoe Shac a further two lengths back in third. Unexpectedly, Harry’s Charm’s decisive win in The Mondi Sprint was followed by a frustrating losing streak of six runs, beginning with a shock defeat at the hands of rank outsider Wonderful World in the 1996 Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint at Scottsville. Ironically, Azzie pointed out, she had also been beaten at the same meeting in 1995 by Gold Flier, and, in both cases, her conqueror was ridden by Robbie Fradd. At this stage of her career, it should be noted, Harry’s Charm was up against some of the finest male sprinters South Africa had seen in decades – a generation of proper champions.

“Frankie unsaddled her and said, ‘Mike, she wasn’t using herself in the race.’ When I looked down, I saw that Harry’s Charm had spread a shoe. It was still on her hoof but twisted to the side, which explained her inability to stride out fully. Thankfully, she wasn’t hurt, and we pulled the shoe off.” As it happened, Dettori rode two other runners for Azzie that day – Blue and Hot Masala – both also well fancied. But they, too, were beaten into third. Azzie quipped, “We thought we had the treble wrapped up with the world’s best jockey on a rare visit to Johannesburg, but it wasn’t to be. We got a hiding.” Harry’s Charm gave Golden Loom a hard race in the Syd Laird Memorial over 1000m at Newmarket a month later, going down by just half a length. “Goofy” was approaching his prime, already the winner of eight races, and would eventually retire five seasons later with 22 victories to his name.

She finished third to Bold Thatch and Flobayou in the Grade 1 Gilbeys Stakes at Scottsville in June 1996, before taking fourth behind Tommy Hotspur, Golden Loom, and Divine Force in November’s Listed Joseph Dorfman Memorial over 1000m at Gosforth Park. Harry’s Charm was again outpaced by the now bang-in-form Divine Force in the Listed Merchants Handicap over 1200m at Turffontein on New Year’s Day 1997, finishing third under visiting jockey Frankie Dettori and nearly six lengths adrift. Azzie was puzzled that she hadn’t won or at least closed in on the winner, but there was a valid explanation that put his mind at ease. Johnny Geroudis in his riding heyday | Credit: Supplied

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Next, Harry’s Charm went off the boil in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint, turning in the worst run of her career, seven lengths adrift of Tommy Hotspur. “She looked lacklustre. I began considering what to do, searching for reasons behind her below-par efforts. “There were plenty of jockeys eager to ride Harry’s Charm in the mornings, but I felt some may have pushed her too hard. So Johnny Geroudis and I decided to team up and get to the bottom of it,” Azzie recalled. “We sat down with a sheet of paper and mapped out her next several workouts meticulously, down to the second for each fraction, on both grass and sand.” With Johnny as her sole work rider, Harry’s Charm seemed to turn the corner. In the week leading up to her next race, the second renewal of the Grade 1 Mondi Sprint on 19 April 1997, Azzie believed she was ready to deliver a massive run. Geroudis told his trainer, “It’s race over, she cannot lose.” Remarkably, the contest was scheduled almost exactly a year after her last victory, which had come in the same race.

This was arguably the finest performance of Harry’s Charm’s career. Among her rivals were arch-enemies Golden Loom, Flobayou, and Divine Force; the rising star July Day; the awardwinning champion Special Preview; and multiple winners such as Turbo Star, What A Chance, and Planetary Music. Harry’s Charm fought July Day all the way to the line, edged clear close home, and successfully defended her title with a three-quarter-length victory, Divine Force and Flobayou following in close order. Geroudis, in his post-race interview, remarked: “I love it when a plan comes together!” and he said earlier this week: “Harry’s Charm was a machine, one of the best I came across in my career. In my short spell with her, I rode her every day of the week and enjoyed every moment of her progress.” Azzie engaged his old friend Gavin van Zyl to ride Harry’s Charm in her second tilt at the Grade 1 Fillies Sprint at Scottsville on Saturday, 24 May 1997 – an interesting day all round. Click on the image below to read the full story…

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DON’T MISS OUT

BETWAY SUMMER CUP TICKET DISCOUNT! The 2025 Betway Summer Cup will be held at Turffontein on Saturday, 29 November 2025. As Johannesburg’s oldest horse race — with a legacy dating back to 15 June 1887 — 4Racing are celebrating Heritage Month by offering fans 50% off General Access and Summer Garden tickets until 30 September. To claim the offer: • • • •

Visit www.ticketpro.co.za/seller/betwaysummer-cup-2025-ogni Select either General Access or Summer Garden Enter promo code 4HERITAGE (all caps) Your discount will reflect at the checkout

While the full undercard will be announced in the coming weeks, attendees can look forward to a competitive race card anchored by the R6 million main event, a mix of entertainment and hospitality options and Johannesburg’s best end of year party. The Betway Summer Cup is perfect for corporate year-end parties and businesses are encouraged to book packages before hospitality areas reach capacity. To stay up to date with the latest event information, please visit: https://betwaysummercup.co.za/ Instagram and X: @summercupracing Facebook: Summer Cup Racing 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 | 77

Baeeza storms home to win the Pennsylvania Derby last weekend | Credit: Pennsylvania Derby

PENNSYLVANIA DERBY WINNER

JUMPS IN BC CLASSIC RANKINGS C R K Stables and Grandview Equine’s Baeza, dominant winner of the Gr1 Pennsylvania Derby, has risen to seventh place in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings, while Sovereignty maintains the overall lead.

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The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings are a weekly rating of the top 10 horses in contention for the $7 million Longines Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be run on 1 November at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, during the 42nd Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

Baeza, trained by John Shirreffs, produced a powerful stretch drive for a 2 1/2-length victory in last Saturday’s Pennsylvania Derby for his first Grade 1 triumph. The win boosted the son of McKinzie in the Classic Rankings with 167 votes after the eighth week of the poll. Godolphin’s Sovereignty, winner of the Gr1 Kentucky Derby, Gr1 Belmont Stakes, and Gr1 Travers Stakes for trainer Bill Mott, leads the rankings with 391 votes. Repole Stable, Derrick Smith, Michael B. Tabor, and Mrs. John Magnier’s Gr1 Pacific Classic winner Fierceness, trained by Todd Pletcher, is in second place with 347 votes.

Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook T. Smith’s Sierra Leone, winner of the Gr1 Whitney Stakes, and last year’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, is in third place with 319 votes for trainer Chad Brown. The Pletcher-trained Gr1 Stephen Foster Stakes winner Mindframe is in fourth place with 257 votes for owners Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith’s Journalism, winner of the Gr1 Preakness Stakes and Gr1 Haskell Stakes for trainer

Forever Young – one of those to have already qualified | Credit: Dubai Racing Club/Liesl King

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Michael McCarthy, is in fifth place with 225 votes. Susumu Fujita’s Gr1 Saudi Cup winner Forever Young (JPN), trained by Yoshito Yahagi, is in sixth place with 189 votes. Following Baeza in eighth place is Centennial Farms’ 4-year-old Antiquarian, winner of the 31 August Gr1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Antiquarian has 133 votes. Godolphin’s 5-year-old homebred Highland Falls, runner-up in the Gr1 Whitney Stakes, moved up one spot and into ninth place with 62 votes for trainer Brad Cox. Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC’s Magnitude has joined the top 10 for the first time following his fast-closing second-place finish in the Pennsylvania Derby. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Magnitude earned 23 votes for 10th place. Fierceness (Pacific Classic), Sierra Leone (Whitney), Mindframe (Stephen Foster),

Journalism (Haskell), Forever Young (Saudi Cup), and Antiquarian (Jockey Club Gold Cup) have each earned automatic starting positions, and fees paid, into this year’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In. The final automatic qualifier for this year’s Classic will be this Saturday’s Gr1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita Park. The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings are determined by a panel of leading Thoroughbred racing media, horseplayers, and members of the Breeders’ Cup Racing Directors/Secretaries Panel. Rankings will be announced each week through Oct. 7. A list of voting members can be found here. In the Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings, each voter rates horses on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 system in descending order.

Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings – Sept. 23, 2025*

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Kaidan Brewer drives Pantong to victory | Credit: Supplied

SPORTING POST RIDER SHOWS HIS SKILLS, AGAIN!

SA jockey Kaidan Brewer rounded off his short visit to Malaysia with another winner at the Selangor track on Sunday. Just a week earlier, the SA Jockey Academy graduate booted Thunderous home for trainer Simon Dunderdale and on Sunday he rode a finely judged race for the same trainer. Taking Australian newcomer Pantong into an early lead in the sixth, a 1200m Open Maiden event, Kaidan made no mistakes as the son of Pendragon confirmed his form at Hawkesbury, Gosford and Newcastle, where he had registered six placings from nine starts.

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In the very next race, he rode another Australian newcomer in Cool Man, who just found one too good for him when Jin Sakamoto flew from last. Cool Man was one of three places on the day for Kaidan, who clearly made his mark at his first stint on foreign soil. He and his Agent/Dad Andrew flew back to Johannesburg on Tuesday.

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URBAN SEA

THE DYNASTY GROWS The influence of 1993 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Urban Sea shows no signs of slowing. Her Derby winning sons Galileo and Sea The Stars continue o make their respective marks on the breed, while Urban Sea’s female line descendants are creating their own formidable dynasties.

sire, with half-brother Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) sire of this year’s French Gr1 winners Aventure and Sosie. Between them Galileo, whose more than 100 G1 winners include 2025 G1 Betfred Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel, and Sea The Stars, have been responsible for more than 500 stakes winners!

This year’s brilliant two-year-old filly True Love (No Nay Never), winner of both the Gr2 Queen Mary Stakes and Gr2 GAIN Railway Stakes, was produced by Urban Sea’s stakes winning great granddaughter Alluringly (Fastnet Rock). True Love is a full-sister to 2024 Gr2 Airlie Stud Stakes winner, Truly Enchanting.

Both Galileo and Sea The Stars continue to enjoy great success as broodmare sires, with Galileo’s daughters responsible for, among others, top-class sires Night Of Thunder (Dubawi) and The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice), as well as the exciting pair of Ghaiyyath (Dubawi) and St Mark’s Basilica (Siyouni).

The 2024 Gr1 Criterium International winner Twain (Wootton Bassett) is out of Urban Sea’s Gr2 Rockfel Stakes winning granddaughter Wading (Montjeu). While not directly descended in female line from Urban Sea, this season’s Listed Stonehenge Stakes winner Morris Dancer (Palace Pier) is descended in female line from Urban Sea’s dam, Allegretta (Lombard). Other notable performers descended in female line from the prolific Urban Sea include Gr1 winners such as Athena (Irish Oaks), Bracelet (Irish Oaks), Masar (Derby) and Sir Dragonet (Cox Plate). While Urban Sea’s Gr1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby runner up Born To Sea has not been a great success at stud, the son of Invincible Spirit is the broodmare sire of dual Gr1 winning young sire Blackbeard (No Nay Never). The latter is a full-brother to 2025 Gr2 Norfolk Stakes winner Charles Darwin, with the pair produced by the Born To Sea mare Muirin. Born To Sea’s legendary half-brother Galileo (Sadler’s Wells), while sadly deceased, continues to make his mark as a sire, sire of sires and broodmare

Sea The Stars’ broodmare daughters have produced nine G1 winners to date including Big Rock, Makarova, Eldar Eldarov, Al Husn, Quisisana, Unquestionable, Onesto and El Cordobes. The latter pair both being sired by Frankel, a son of Sea The Stars’ outstanding half-brother Galileo. Sea The Stars’ versatility has seen him feature as broodmare sire of horses ranging from G1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines winner Makarova (Acclamation) to dual St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov (Dubawi). Inbreeding to the remarkable Urban Sea is also reaping plenty of success. This cross has produced G1 Investec Derby winner Masar, G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Onesto, the classy Lion In Winter, and 2025 G1 Sword Dancer Stakes winner El Cordobes. With numerous descendants continuing to excel at stud, the Urban Sea success story looks a long way from finished!

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Sepals (Craig Williams) wins the Sportsbet Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield | Credit: Inglis

‘PRETTY SPECIAL’

VICTORY FOR PERRY

Breeder Greg Perry has celebrated many Gr1 successes over the years but admits Saturday’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes win by Inglis Classic graduate Sepals (Calyx) is ‘pretty special’.

The progressive 4YO gelding – trained by former champion Singapore trainer Cliff Brown – was having just his seventh career start in Caulfield’s A$1m feature and stamped himself as a star on the rise with a tenacious victory over the 1400m.

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He clocked a sizzling 1:21.39, which is just shy of Exceed and Excel’s 1400m track record, set in the same race 22 years ago. In a 15-horse field, Sepals, who jumped from barrier 14, had to work to settle outside the leader Zarastro before hitting the front on the turn, staving off late challengers to give trainer and part-owner Cliff Brown his first Australian Gr1 success since returning to these shores four years ago. Brown paid A$80,000 for Sepals at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, when offered by Vinery Stud. “The story goes back a long way, which is what makes it so special,” breeder Perry said. “I had the granddam Pussycat Dream (Oasis Dream) and she rated really well with Casino Prince so I sent her to him and she foaled a filly called What’s New. “At the time Cliff Brown had said that he’d love to give a couple of fillies a chance in Singapore, so What’s New went there and she won two Stakes races and almost won the Triple Crown for 4YOs. “In her maiden season, she matched up really well with first season sire Calyx, who was brilliantly fast himself. It was 4×4 inbreeding to Hope, the symmetry is magnificent. “So, I duly sent her to Calyx and the result was Sepals. Cliff Brown had the inside knowledge when he saw him at the Classic Sale, having trained What’s New and it’s pretty special to see it come full circle like this. “It was a genius ride from Craig Williams but for the horse to just keep finding, after being

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pushed up the hill at Caulfield – well, the sky looks to be the limit with him. Greg Perry also tasted Stakes success last week when Inglis Easter graduate Sixties (Flying Artie) – a full brother to Artorius – scored impressively in the Gr3 Ming Dynasty Quality. “I spoke to Chris Waller last week and I think he’ll head to the Golden Rose,” Perry said. “As anyone will tell you, racing and breeding is a four-legged lottery, but I’ve been obsessed with it since I was a young boy. I’m 71 now and it’s been my passion. It’s really rewarding, and I’ve been very blessed.” Sepals is the 109th individual Gr1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018 and one of 46 that could have been bought for A$100,000 or less. Earlier on the Caulfield card, Estremo (Extreme Choice) raced into Gr1 Caulfield Guineas calculations with victory in the Gr3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m), his second win in five starts. The Chris Waller-trained 3YO colt was bred by SF Bloodstock and Blake Sandblom. Offered at the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Newgate Farm, he was bought by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock for A$230,000.

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George Wood – big smiles with the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup and Silver Cup | Credit: Racing TV

RUN BOY RUN!

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Run Boy Run won the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday to give trainer Richard Spencer a famous sprint double. Jockey George Wood steered home the 12-1 shot just over an hour after enjoying another victory on 8-1 Candy in the Silver Cup. What a day for Phil Cunningham, Richard Spencer & George Wood! The trio land the Ayr Racecourse Gold & Silver Cups! With owner Phil Cunningham watching on, Wood delivered a great ride to see off Desert Falcon and Jubilee Walk who crossed the line in second and third. Strong favourite Purosangue finished fourth. Spencer told ITV Racing: “He ran in the Portland the other day and he ran really well and George and I had a chat after and he was thinking he didn’t go hard enough. “We thought we were the wrong side of the draw [six] but he is very fast, he holds a good cruising speed and he gave him a great ride.” Cunningham was visibly overwhelmed after the race and felt emotional after the double. “It’s amazing, absolutely amazing,” he said. “What about the jockey? He’s done a lot of work with us over the last couple of years and I can’t thank George enough.” Wood added: “We came up here with 11 runners in total with Richard and Phil and fair play we came up with some big chances and it’s great to come away with the two big ones.”

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Skybird – aimed at the world’s richest turf sprint | Credit: Inglis

SKYBIRD TO FLY FOR INGLIS

Inglis has confirmed Gr1 winner Skybird (Exosphere) as their representative for the running of the A$20m The Everest. The Mitch Freedman-trainee claimed her breakthrough Gr1 victory when she produced an explosive performance to win the Lightning Stakes over 1000m at Flemington in February. In winning the Lightning, at just her 12th start and her first attempt in Gr1 company over a sprinting distance, Skybird earned a 102 WFA Performance Rating to announce her arrival amongst the most dynamic sprinters in the country.

Ruled out of the remainder of the autumn due to injury, Skybird made her return in the Gr1 Moir Stakes just over a fortnight ago and was beaten by just two lengths despite a luckless run. Skybird will contest the Gr1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley before progressing to The Everest at Randwick on October 18. Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch is delighted Skybird will be representing Inglis in what is the world’s most valuable race on turf.

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“Since it’s inception, The Everest has been a captivating spectacle and the race in 2025 is shaping up as the most enthralling yet,” he said. “We work diligently through the year in consideration of prospective runners for our slot and Skybird catapulted to the forefront of our consideration with her win in the Lightning, which was nothing short of awesome. “Mitch Freedman is a young trainer that the market has a lot of respect for and he has been very patient in his development of this filly, she is unexposed, progressive and shaping as a candidate to produce a career best at Randwick on Everest day. “It’s been enjoyable to liaise with (Managing Owner) Michael (Scalzo) through the slot negotiations and the ownership experience of the Skybird owners is yet another fantastic promotion of our business and the industry as a whole, a $110,000 Inglis Classic Yearling that becomes a GrA1 winner of almost A$1.3m in prizemoney and is now competing in the best sprint race in the world. “It’s the stuff that dreams are made of. “We are under no illusions as to the challenge that race presents, but we are very much looking forward to the build up to the race, which will include the Inglis Ready2Race Sale at Riverside Stables on October 16, and the race day itself,” added Hutch. For trainer Mitch Freedman, the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious race is a reflection of the hard work of the team behind Skybird. “We all go to the yearling sales with a dream of finding a horse like her. To purchase a 98 | 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

horse like Skybird, bring her through our system and to now to be a part of the most elite sprinting race in our country, if not the world, truly is an honour,” said Freedman. “She has been part of the stable since she was a yearling and her success to date is truly a credit to the team around me who help to prepare her. “She is an exceptional talent and it’s very exciting to take up the Inglis slot, given she was an Inglis purchase, and it really is a dream come true for all of the team at Mitch Freedman Racing. “We are looking forward to taking her to Randwick to have her compete with some of the best sprinters in the world and I think she is more than capable of making her presence felt,” said Freedman. Skybird is a A$110,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale graduate for Mitch Freedman Racing, offered by her breeder HP Thoroughbreds in 2022. She is the ninth confirmed runner in the world’s richest turf race and the sixth Inglis graduate to earn a slot alongside Overpass, Joliestar, Lady Shenandoah, Private Harry and Angel Capital. Skybird is one of 109 individual Gr1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018 and will be looking to become the third consecutive Inglis graduate to win The Everest, as well as giving Inglis it’s seventh graduate win in the ninth running of the world-famous race.

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Haulin Ice storms to victory under jockey Edgard Zayas | Credit: Gulfstream Park

HAULIN ICE TO THE

BREEDERS’ CUP

Haulin Ice is headed to the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint after crushing her foes in the $200 000 Gr3 Princess Rooney Stakes on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. C2 Racing Stable, Paul Braverman, Miller Racing, and Timothy Pinch purchased the Arkansas-bred daughter of Coal Front last year, and the now 4-year-old filly trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. will be pointed to the yearend championships at Del Mar, a winner of five of her last six races and the highestearning Arkansas-bred of all time. The Princess Rooney was a Breeders’ Cup

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Challenge Series event, awarding the winner a fees-paid spot in the 1 November Filly and Mare Sprint. Joseph also trained last year’s Rooney winner Soul of an Angel , co-owned by C2, who went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and be crowned champion female sprinter. “Haulin Ice is unbelievable—back-to-back Rooneys and we’re headed back to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint,” C2’s Clint Cornett said.

“I’ll tell you what, this little horse, since we bought her out of Oaklawn, she’s a little grinder. We couldn’t be any more excited for C2, Miller Racing, and all our partners. This is great. Last year was really stressful with how far (stretch-running) Soul of an Angel had to come from, but this little filly will be on the front end, and she’s gonna see if she can get it. We couldn’t be any happier for the breeders and everybody in Arkansas who has supported her.” Joseph has won the Princess Rooney three years in a row. Sent off as the 2.50-1 second choice Saturday, Haulin Ice and jockey Edgard Zayas broke well from post 2 and didn’t have to work that hard to grab the lead with an opening quarter of :23.01 over a dirt track rated good.

furlong test in 1:22.80, crossing the wire 4 3/4 lengths in front. Porta Pia Stables’ Nerazurri finished second, and it was a half-length back to MyRacehorse and JR Ranch’s Reputation in third. Bred by Eugenia Thompson-Benight, Haulin Ice is the first foal of out of the unraced Half Ours mare She’s Smoke. With the win, Haulin Ice surpassed two-time champion older horse Nodouble, who earned his money in 1967-70 dollars, as the leading earner in Arkansasbred history. She has won 10 of 17 starts and earned $958,650. Coal Front, also the sire of Rebel Stakes (Gr2) winner Coal Battle and Carter Stakes (Gr2) winner Crazy Mason , stood at Red River Farms in Louisiana this year for a fee of $2,000.

Haulin Ice turned up the pressure from there, and none of her six competitors had an answer. She led by 1 1/2 lengths through a half in :45.50, and her advantage grew to about four lengths as she clicked off six furlongs in 1:10.27. She completed the seven-

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My Wish wins the Hong Kong Classic Mile | Credit: HKJC

MY WISH CAN MAKE

TRIUMPHANT START Mark Newnham is optimistic My Wish can make a triumphant start to an ambitious 2025/26 campaign when the rising star resumes in the HK$4.2 million Gr3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Newnham orchestrated My Wish’s stunning advance last season when the diminutive gelding progressed from a rating of 54 and Class 4 company to a mark of 105 and standing as a genuine Group 1 contender with four wins, two seconds, two thirds and a fourth from nine starts. 104 | 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

The Australian horseman believes My Wish has benefited from a spell and natural maturity after the 2025 HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) winner and HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up’s rousing trial win at Sha Tin on 19 September. “I’m really pleased with him. He’s mentally and physically stronger and he’s more relaxed in the mornings. His appetite is better so I would say he’s made improvements in a lot of little areas,” Newnham said of My Wish.

Drawn in barrier four for Luke Ferraris, My Wish will carry 130lb on Sunday when he faces 13 rivals – Happy Together, Copartner Prance, Patch Of Theta, Victor The Winner, Moments In Time, Packing Hermod, Sunlight Power, Rubylot, Divano, Pray For Mir, Light Years Charm, Johannes Brahms and Markwin.

“He’s just strengthened up that much more and I think he’s got a good season ahead.”

“I would say he’d be very hard to beat,” Newnham said.

Newnham plans to give My Wish another tilt at elite company when the five-year-old will be aimed at the HK$36 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 14 December.

“He’s a horse that doesn’t carry a lot of excess weight, so he gets himself fairly ready and he’s run well and won first-up last season. He’s a horse that performs fresh. He’s actually weighing at over 1,000 pounds at the moment and everyone will be happy with that.

Fourth in the HK$24 million Gr1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) in April behind Red Lion, My Wish is unbeaten in two attempts over Sha Tin’s 1400m course.

“The international mile is his main goal so this week’s race is three months before then with the two Group 2 miles (Gr2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap and BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile) in between,” Newnham said.

Rubylot wins the Hong Kong Classic Cup, defeating My Wish | Credit: HKJC

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My Wish will renew a burgeoning rivalry this Sunday with David Hayes-trained Rubylot, who is also on a pathway to the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. The six-time Sha Tin winner – from 1000m to 1800m – reappears for the first time since running second in the HK$13 million Gr1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) behind Voyage Bubble on 25 May. To be ridden by Hugh Bowman, Rubylot will start from gate 14. “He’s definitely improved. He’s a bigger, stronger horse. I thought his last trial was excellent and he never runs a bad race fresh,” Hayes said. “He’s got good form from 1000 metres to 2400. I have a concern for My Wish.

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“There wasn’t much between him and Rubylot last year and I was quite taken by My Wish’s trial from an opposition point of view.” Hayes said the HK$5.35 million Gr2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) would be used to decide whether Rubylot is set for the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile or the HK$40 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m). “The Sha Tin Trophy will be the race we decide which race we’ll target on international day – either the Mile or the Cup,” Hayes said. Sunday’s 11-race card starts with the Class 5 Tropicbird Handicap (1200m, dirt) at 06h45.

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FOWNES AND WONG v

ON FIRE

An abridged Sha Tin race meeting on Sunday was cut short due to the deterioration of the track in torrential rain, but not before Hugh Bowman secured an imposing double that took him to five wins for the season.

Hugh Bowman – a nice double | Credit: HKJC 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 | 109

The Australian got off to the best possible start after landing the opener in yielding conditions, the Class 5 Kowloon Tsai Handicap (1800m), aboard Hakka Radiance (130lb) for trainer Danny Shum, who moved level with Caspar Fownes at the top of the trainers’ rankings. Five-year-old Hakka Radiance held on gamely in driving rain under a late challenge from Yeaboi (120lb) to secure his first win in Hong Kong. “I was able to get him into a nice flowing rhythm and he appreciated the softer conditions, too,” Bowman said. “He really did let go on that softer ground, but it was vital: the fact he was able to get into a good, consistent gait throughout the race.” The second leg of his double was a contender for ride of the day as the 45-year-old emerged from the back of the field, swinging wide on Solid Win (132lb) before blazing through the centre of the track to take the Class 4 Kowloon Bay Handicap (1400m) by a length after a final-50 metre tussle with The Heir (128lb) under Vincent Ho. It represented a first win of the season for trainer Ricky Yiu. “I didn’t expect to be quite so far back,” Bowman said. “But if I didn’t do that, I was going to be wide and covering a lot of ground. “When he started to come into it, he picked up with quite a bit of purpose and I went out to the middle of the track where there was some fresh ground – that wasn’t the plan, it just unfolded – and he went to the line with a bit of authority. So, two good winners.” Trainer Cody Mo picked up a double of his own when Motor (127lb) claimed the Class 4 Sam Shing Handicap (1200m) smartly under

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Derek Leung, who inched to 499 Hong Kong winners. A front-running ride delivered Motor’s first win from six starts. After coming off Mazing Grace’s (124lb) heels with 250m to go, he powered past him and landed the win by a length-and-a-half from Winning Champion (125lb). “This horse was bred in Ireland, so the (wet) track is good for him,” Mo said. “For this season, I put the blinkers on and he’s more focussed. He has improved a lot and I hope he can keep going.” Mo’s second win came courtesy of Emblazon (125lb), who rattled home in the Class 4 Yi O Handicap (1200m), with Jerry Chau getting off the mark for the campaign in Hong Kong. The burgeoning partnership of Fownes and Ellis Wong continued to flourish when the pair combined with Sky Trust (132lb) to scoop the feature race, the Class 3 KPMG 80th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1200m). Well-positioned in the slipstream of early leader Wonderstar (126lb), Wong shifted Sky Trust out at the 300m mark and quickly put a length on his rival. “His work had been good,” Fownes said. “Good preparation leading into the race and obviously, he’s handled the wet conditions today, that’s been very beneficial to him. “Ellis put him in a beautiful position; the horse did the rest, so it was good,” he said. “He’s a very versatile horse, and if you train them right, you can run them over shorter distances.”

Singing in the rain! Cody Mo enjoyed a nice double | Credit: HKJC

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A nice surprise! Good Good charges home in the rain under Brenton Avdulla | Credit: HKJC

An imperious showing from Precision Goal (128lb) gave David Hayes his fourth winner of the season in the Class 4 Ting Kau Handicap (1650m, dirt), with Luke Ferraris delivering a fine front-running performance on the son of Tavistock. Good Good (126lb) provided a pleasant surprise for John Size and Brenton Avdulla when he landed the Class 4 Kau To Shan Handicap (1600m) at 13/1. After making all, the five-year-old son of Savabeel was forced to dig deep for his scalp in the final 200m during a spirited battle with the well-fancied Pearl of Pang’s (128lb). Mojave Desert (129lb) backed up a thirdplace finish last week for Mark Newnham perfectly in the Class 3 Pat Sin Leng Handicap (1650m, dirt). Given every chance after a patient steer stalking the leaders along the rail under Andrea Atzeni, he strode clear to salute by two lengths from Endeared 112 | 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

(125lb), punching on in second. New Forest (125lb) made it two in the first three for Newnham. “He’s a good back-up horse because he does well in between,” Newnham said. “He’s versatile enough distance-wise on the allweather, and he loves that stalking position from the inside barrier. “He’s been a good horse since he joined the stable, and there are more wins in him, especially on this surface,” he added. “He ran well on Happy Valley for me another time, so I’m not saying he’s just going to race on the all-weather, but while his form’s this good, I’ll keep him there.” Due to the deterioration of the track under adverse weather conditions and with the safety of the horses and horsemen as a top priority, the Club decided to abandon the last two races of the race meeting.

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TYPHOON RAGASA

THE STRONGEST STORM OF 2025 114 | 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

In light of the forecasts issued by the Hong Kong Observatory regarding the approach of Super Typhoon Ragasa, the Hong Kong Jockey Club took the decision, late last week, to cancel Wednesday’s (24 September) Happy Valley race meeting. v

This decision was made in the interest of public and equine safety, and to support the operational needs of stakeholders across the racing industry. Due to the deterioration of the track under adverse weather conditions and with the safety of the horses and horsemen as their top priority, the Club decided to abandon the last two races of the race meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday. Tropical activity over the Western Pacific has ramped up this week. Two monster tropical cyclones, Ragasa and Neoguri, are ongoing. Both have rapidly intensified into Super Typhoon status, with Category 4 winds, and are expected to gain further strength and reach the maximum strength of a Category 5 equivalent storm. While Super Typhoon Neoguri will remain far from any land interaction, the greatest concern is with Ragasa, which made landfall at Babuyan Islands on Monday. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expected that the storm would head towards Hong Kong on Tuesday and then barrel west towards southern China. The BBC reported on Tuesday that the super typhoon had “slightly” weakened, however, packing wind gusts of 285km/h, Super Typhoon Ragasa has been labelled as the strongest storm so far this year. Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday, 28 September – click here to view the Programme Amendments. 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 | 115

Hollywoodbets Durbanville canter down – for illustration only | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

REGISTRATIONS, CHANGES & PENALTIES

19 SEPTEMBER ‘25

The Sporting Post presents this week’s National Horseracing Authority Calendar. The calendar is a summary of the past week’s penalties and registrations and is an easyread snapshot of information. Click on the image below to read the calendar:

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results up to: 2025-09-25

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Mr S J Snaith Mr A C Greeﬀ Mr G D Smith Mr A P Peter Mike/Mathew De Kock

127 142 155 80 66

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

15.7 19.0 9.7 18.8 21.2

20 16 17 10 12

14 16 17 10 8

Name

Rides Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr C Zackey Mr R D Fourie Mr Serino Moodley Mr C J Habib Mr M A Yeni

235 119 159 188 179

41 17 20 23 29

35 17 22 22 22

20 27 15 15 14

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

44.9 42.3 48.4 48.8 51.5

1,454,688 1,556,813 824,125 985,625 908,438

2,144,594 2,085,131 1,393,911 1,365,031 1,334,756

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

2,050,813 1,917,931 1,689,813 1,507,531 1,459,438

3,488,455 2,509,876 2,480,700 2,353,204 2,460,440

23 28 41 19 14

57 60 75 39 34

JOCKEYS 33 32 26 25 23

14.0 26.9 16.4 13.3 12.8

52 24 32 51 37

128 58 74 96 88

54.5 48.7 46.5 51.1 49.2

BREEDERS Name

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

Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein 176 Varsfontein Stud 103 Ridgemont Highlands 89 Klawervlei Stud 100 Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd 81

294 156 132 157 137

18,692 22,397 23,229 16,136 19,499

31 18 20 11 15

34 20 21 13 16

17.6 17.5 22.5 11.0 18.5

135 82 61 72 63

1 0 0 0 0

3,289,726 2,306,879 2,067,363 1,613,606 1,579,446

B.T. AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs %

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

0 1 1 0 0

2,761,170 2,713,875 1,991,035 1,868,276 1,693,823

SIRES Name

Runrs Runs

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) 128 Vercingetorix 120 Querari (GER) 103 What A Winter 89 Rafeef (AUS) 93

199 162 165 138 147

21,572 22,616 19,330 20,992 18,213

24 26 18 18 14

28 28 20 18 15

18.8 21.7 17.5 20.2 15.1

88 76 77 62 74

0 1 1 0 0

See all the detailed standings - Click here 25 SEPTEMBER 2025 | 117