SPEED KING RETURNS
DAY ’26! CHAMPIONS
On the cover
Of The DWC Carnival ends on a high
Making Waves Stellar first HK Season for SA Trainer
The 2026 World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship winner Kingdundee is back! The son of The United States lines up in Saturday’s TAB Gr1 Computaform Sprint at Turffontein, with Calvin Habib in the irons again. Chase Liebenberg took our cover photograph as the Dean Smith Racing team led their star back after his career peak success at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 10 January 2026. Read more on page 12.
Issue: 13/2026
COUNTDOWN TO ON 11 APRIL RCS BIG CAP
Entries are due on Thursday 2 April for the second renewal of the R5 million Race Coast Sales Big Cap which will be run over 1400m on the launch of the 2026 SA Champions Season at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 11 April.
Sean Tarry’s Tintin has
The Big Cap, which is open to RCS sales graduates, has been relocated from the Cape after making its debut there last term. It is a slots race with 14 berths being sold at R350 000 each before entry date.
The slot-holders can either use their slots for their own qualifying horses, or sell or share them with connections of other horses that may become eligible for the final lineup.
At the time of writing, there are still two slots available for purchase.
The RCS Big Cap will be run as a handicap, with conditions, and is open to 3,4 and 5 year olds.
At the centre of the 2026 contest is a compelling clash of power and depth. The highest-rated runner in the field sets the standard, while established operations such as Snaith Racing bring strength in numbers and big-race experience.
Other key slot holders, including the Wernars Family, Rikesh Sewgoolam, Ralphs Racing and Peter Moor, add further depth and competitiveness.
The groom of each runner will receive R12 500 irrespective of their particular horse’s finishing position. The groom of the winning horse will receive an additional R17 500.
The final field is limited to a maximum of fourteen starters, plus up to six emergency acceptors, such runners to be determined by the RCS Big Cap Committee at their sole discretion at final acceptances.
The benchmark MR 98 = 52kgs, with a maximum weight of 63kgs, may be adjusted upwards or downwards at the time of weights and at the sole discretion of the operator after evaluating entries.
The support feature on the SA Champions Season opening day is the R3 million Race Coast Sales Slipper, a highlight on the juvenile racing calendar. The Slipper is run over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville, drawing strong attention from across the industry.
Positioned at a key time of the season and staged in KwaZulu-Natal, the Slipper has become increasingly competitive, with top juveniles lining up to contest the rich prize.
The Piet and Elbert Steyn-trained Red Spice is the leading contender with two wins to date, including winning the Gr 3 Ridgemont Cape Of Good Hope Nursery over 1200m.
The Justin Snaith-trained Rafeef filly Champagne Castle will definitely get into the field having followed her Commonwealth Plate win with victory in the Non-Black Type Charles Dickens Stakes, beating Red Spice by 2,75 lengths on both occasions, although she is very quick and failed over 1100m after her two easy wins over 1000m.
Jonathan Snaith said about her, “She’s a bit of a tearaway, so she’d need to settle, even if in the lead, in order to have a chance of seeing out the six furlongs.”
Champagne Castle has been at Summerveld for a while and did a nice canter up the hill on the sand today.
The Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained World Attraction (One World) has won both of his starts, both over 1000m at Turffontein Standside, by 7,30 lengths and 1,70 lengths respectively and the second of them was in a Listed race.
Mike de Kock said about him after the Listed win, “He is a beautifully actioned horse who will go over ground and 1000m is the bottom
end of his range. We are very happy with how he put them to bed today. He’s an exciting young horse and we have lots to look forward to.”
The Kelly Mitchley-trained Marchland (Malmoos) has also won both of her starts essily, both over 1200m, and in the second of them she pulled clear impressively in a Listed event.
The Sean Tarry-trained Secretary Bird (Rafeef) has won her last two over 1000m, including running on impressively in a Listed race last time to win by 2,25 lengths. However, she lost on debut to Volcanic Heat, despite receiving 3kg, and the latter
subsequently lost to World Attraction by 5,65 lengths in a Listed race, although she was only receivng half-a-kilogram from the colt.
The Tarry-trained Turn It Up (Querari), a halfbrother to the Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Proceed (Gimmethegreenlight), has won his last two easily and impressively.
The combination of timing, location, and significant stakes ensures that owners and trainers target the race early, aiming to secure a share of the substantial purse.
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Gqeberha based rising star Marchland – may make trip for the Slipper | Credit: Pauline Herman
FEATURE FEAST AT TURFFONTEIN! LONG WEEKEND
Champions Day will be the long weekend highlight for local racing fans when the twelve-race card is hosted at Turffontein on Saturday.
There are three Grade 1 races and five Grade 2 events on the card and there will be Hong Kong World Pool betting on four races, which will allow TAB punters to bet into massive pools.
There are 11 runners carded to run in the HKJC World Pool Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m and a really exciting field fires up the 2026 renewal.
Hazy Dazy – on the brink
The current Champions Challenge is the old Summer Handicap because it evolved from the changes made to the name, date and conditions of the original Summer Handicap.
The Summer Handicap was run as the Holiday Inns in 1972 and then in 1973 it became a conditions race and by 1974 it was a weight-for-age race plus penalties.
And then it became the Sun International followed by the decision to move virtually the entire Summer Feature Season to Autumn, which is why the old Summer Handicap/then Sun International was run in Autumn instead of its traditional December date.
This year’s renewal is headed up by Justin Snaith-trained See It Again and Okavango, as well as last year’s winner and runner-up Alec Laird’s Fire Attack and Royal Victory, who is now trained by Weichong Marwing.
Interestingly, log-leading jockey Craig Zackey will be riding the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met winner See It Again this time while Richard Fourie will be aboard Okavango. This was a decision made by Snaith Racing as it was felt that the individual rider’s styles would suit their mounts.
Laird also has 2024 Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch in the field.
Trainer Tony Peter has two runners in the field, in the quirky The Ultimate King and UK import The Equator.
Of particular interest are the two threeyear-olds taking on their elders. Sean Tarrytrained Grand Empire and Candice and Tammy Dawson’s Trust, first and second respectively in the TAB Gr1 SA Classic over 1800m at this course. There was just a short head separating the pair and both give the
impression they will handle the additional 200m.
The TAB Gr1 Empress Club Stakes previously run as the Turffontein Fillies and Mares Stakes, was renamed for one of the greatest female talents to grace the South African turf.
Bred in Argentina by Haras Abolengo, Empress Club was foaled in 1988. She was a daughter of Farnesio out of the El Gran Capitan mare Elysee, making her a half-sister to Gr1 fillies, Ecurie and Epoque. Empress Club raced in the interests of Laurie and Jean Jaffee and was trained in South Africa first by Terrance Millard and from her 3yo career onwards by his son, Tony.
Nicknamed ‘The Galloping Goldmine’, she was nothing short of a phenom on the track, concluding her career with 16 wins – which included a staggering nine Gr1s - from 26 starts in South Africa and the USA. She was ARCSA Champion 3yo Filly as well as SA Horse Of The Year for 1992 and ARCSA Champion Older Female in 1993, retiring with record earnings of R3.1 million.
The fairer sex Grade 1 contest is run over 1600m and sees Snaith-trained three-time Gra1 winner Double Grand Slam make her debut on the Highveld.
Another Western Cape raider is Candice Bass-trained Rainbow Lorikeet who was narrowly beaten by Double Grand Slam in the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 31 January.
Again, Zackey has picked up the ride for the Snaith yard on Double Grand Slam in the absence of the indisposed Andrew Fortune, while Aldo Domeyer will be back on Rainbow Lorikeet.
Alan Greeff had entered Golden Palm for both the Empress Club Stakes and the Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks over 2450m but he has opted for the 1600m race and Fourie will be on board.
It comes as no surprise that Ryan Munger will be riding Corne Spies charge, William Robertson, in the Computaform Sprint.
The 17-time winner is the defending champion but he will have to face Petertrained Buffalo Storm Cody, the highest rated horse in the country, at the current time.
Richard Fourie will be aboard Buffalo Storm Cody this time.
Plenty of interest on the day will be on Spies-trained Hazy Dazy in the Gr2 SA Oaks as she will be attempting to close out the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara. She has drawn wide at 13 but will have apprentice Trent Mayhew up again.
It is interesting that Mike and Mathew de Kock have opted to run Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial winner Curious Girl in the Grade 2 TAB SA Derby where she will take on the colts.
The three-year-old Futura filly has drawn well and will have the benefit of a 2.5kg sex allowance.
There are two carryovers on the day!
The Pick 6 starts in the fourth race at 13h15 with a R1 million carryover likely to see a pool of R5 million.
Jackpot 3 starts in the ninth at 16h15 with a R500 000 carryover likely to deliver a pool of R2 million.
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Buffalo Storm Cody contests the speed Grade 1 – Richard Fourie rides | Credit: JC Photos
DRAKENSTEIN’S NATIONAL SALE
COUNTDOWN
It has been 49 years since the National Yearling Sale moved from the old Milner Park Showgrounds in Johannesburg to the TBA’s Gosforth Park complex.
Despite the ever-changing precinct environmental dynamics, and a nationally competitive and robust sales landscape, the trusted platform always delivers and we are looking forward to the 2026 renewal on 16 & 17 April.
One of the major role-players is Drakenstein Stud, one of South Africa’s premier stud farms, who have a superb record at the National Yearling Sale.
Past champions and Grade One winners sold by Drakenstein at the National Sale in years gone by include South Africa’s reigning Horse Of The Year Eight On Eighteen, as well as the likes of Future Pearl, Legend Of Arthur, King Pelles, Safe Passage and Trip Of Fortune.
This year, Drakenstein will be offering another outstanding draft at the National Yearling Sale. Their draft not only includes yearlings by their own highly popular resident sires Futura, Jet Dark, and What A Winter, but also yearlings by top-class stallions Gimmethegreenlight, Legislate, Rafeef, and Vercingetorix.
Multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight has two well-bred colts on offer.
Valleyofdesolation (Lot 141) is out of Track And Ball Gr2 Oaks winner Pink Tourmaline, a half-sister to graded stakes winners King Of Gems and Green Sapphire, while Green Mosaic (Lot 276), who is bred on similar lines
to Gr1 winners Lucky Lad and VJ’s Angel, is a colt out of the What A Winter sired Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery runner-up Winter Mosaic.
Reigning champion sire Vercingetorix continues to dominate sales rings around South Africa, and he is represented here by Snap Out Of It (Lot 217), a colt out of multiple graded stakes winner Snapscan. He is bred on similar lines to the Vercingetorix sired champion and promising sire, Cousin Casey.
Resident sire, and multiple Equus Champion, Jet Dark has made a blistering impression with his first yearlings this season.
The champion son of Trippi has two lots on offer, including the regally bred Take Five (Lot 115). The latter, whose dam won four times, including the Gr2 The Debutante, is a half-brother to five winners led by Equus Champion, and Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner, Safe Passage, and Gr1 Woolavington 2000 winner, Silver Sanctuary.
Other eyecatching lots on offer include Twickenham (Lot 82), a Rafeef half-brother to TAB Gr2 SA Nursery/TAB Gr3 Protea Stakes winner Green Diamond, Fine Winter Day (Lot 128), a What A Winter full-brother to TAB Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes winner One Fine Winter, and Sweet Winter (Lot 239), a What A Winter colt out of Listed Bauhinia Handicap winner Sweet Future.
The Drakenstein draft can be viewed from Blocks A, B and D at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
Ed – the Sporting Post 2026 BSA National Yearling Sale supplement will be published in these pages on Thursday 9 April. Advertising enquiries to editor@sportingpost.co.za
SA OAKS
– A FOUNTAINHEAD FOR TOP BROODMARES
All eyes will be on the bumper meeting at Turffontein this weekend, and while there will be no Triple Crown winner this year, we may witness a Triple Tiara winner being crowned should Hazy Dazy add the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks to her victories in the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Guineas Fillies Guineas and Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.
Speaking of the Oaks, it is quite remarkable what impact this classic has had on the Stud Book as compared to the Gr1 SA Derby. Since the start of the millennium, only a few Derby winners have stood at stud with various degrees of success.
Take Horse Chestnut for instance. The Oppenheimer standout turned the 1999 Derby on its head with his 10-length romp and eventually embarked on a stallion career at the famous Claiborne Stud in Kentucky before returning to South Africa, having sired one American Gr1 winner in nine seasons.
In a South African innings at Drakenstein Stud lasting another five seasons, he added 14 stakes winners which included the Gr1 winners Chestnuts N Pearls and Tilbury Fort, yet never found himself amongst the top echelon of sires.
Same goes for another Oppenheimer-raced winner Greys Inn, who despite siring Horse of the Year Legal Eagle, SA Derby winner Royal Bencher and Gr1 winning miler King Of Pain, never reached commercial heights. For some reason, there was no place for him in the Mauritzfontein stallion barn when he retired to stud, more’s the pity, for who knows what he might have achieved with access to its revered broodmare band.
The 2001 Derby winner Badger’s Drift ticked all the boxes when he retired to birthplace Cheveley Stud. A triple Gr1 winner and beautifully-bred, by champion sire Badger Land from the female line of Blushing Groom, he proved a huge disappointment, with Gr1 Champions Cup winner Ivory Trail by far the best amongst just a handful of stakes winners, albeit that he features as the broodmare sire of Horse of the Year and multiple champion Futura.
Horse Chestnut’s paternal half-brother Elusive Fort clinched the Derby in 2006 and arguably proved superior as a stallion, twice reaching the top ten on the General Sires List. Although his progeny include Durban July/Met winner Kommetdieding, SA Derby ace Out Of Your League, SA Fillies Classic heroine Siren’s Call and Gr1 winning juvenile Lauderdale, it would be fair to say that he hardly received the support he deserved.
Pomodoro, who shared the Derby spoils with Royal Bencher in 2012, retired to Klawervlei on the backfoot, at a time when Captain Al ruled the roost. Nevertheless, he was off to a cracking start, siring champion filly Return Flight and Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock in his first crop, yet, he too has fallen out of favour with breeders.
Perhaps the gods will smile on the most recent Derby winners now at stud, Malmoos and Purple Pitcher.
The former, who completed the Triple Crown with his five-length romp in the 2021 Derby, already boasts a stakes winner amongst his first-crop runners in unbeaten juvenile Marchland.
Purple Pitcher, who led home paternal halfbrother Pure Predator in the 2024 Derby, entered stud last year and will welcome his first offspring this spring.
In contrast to the lack of an elite stallion emerging from the Derby honour roll, the SA Oaks has been a fountainhead for top broodmares, many of which went on to create their own dynasties.
Let’s consider the achievements of some of the modern day Oaks winners, going back 25 years or so.
Weiho Marwing-trained Arcola wins the Oaks in 2010 | Credit: Supplied
Icy Air, who triumphed in 2003, became a noted matron for Lammerskraal Stud, producing six stakes performers, notably champion sprinter Russet Air and Gr2 winner Icy Trail. She also features as the grandam of Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas victress Make It Snappy.
A year later in 2004, Michael de Broglio and Ormond Ferraris teamed up to win the Oaks with Sabina Park, who had claimed the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery as a juvenile. She became a phenomenal broodmare as the dam of four stakes winners, notably the dual Gr1 Sansui Summer Cup hero Master Sabina.
Her most recent stakes winner Okavango won the Gr2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy, was disqualified after failing a blood test, but recently made amends when he won the Listed Kings Cup.
De Broglio celebrated a second Oaks success in 2007, this time with the Geoff Woodrufftrained Festive Occasion. She became a Gr1 producer with her very first foal Do You Remember. A top three-year-old, this daughter of Silvano had the misfortune of being a contemporary of Cherry On The Top, to whom she ran second in all three legs of the Triple Tiara.
Nevertheless, she subsequently carried De Broglio’s silks to victory in the Gr1 Woolavington 2000, before finishing third in a head-bobbing three-way finish to the Durban July won by Heavy Metal. Her Gr3 winning half-brother Made To Conquer went one better when he chased Do It Again home in the 2018 Durban July!
Weiho Marwing-trained Arcola, who claimed the Oaks in 2010, returned to birthplace Varsfontein, where she became dam of Gr2 Daisy Fillies Guineas and Gr1 Woolavington 2000 runner-up Fiorella. Incidentally, she is also dam of the Tarry-trained Master Spy, a fancied runner in this weekend’s Derby.
Four years later in 2014, Arcola’s half-sister Ash Cloud followed in her sibling’s footsteps to give Weiho a second Oaks success and for good measure, added to that the Gr2 Gold Circle Oaks. She too, became a successful broodmare, producing Gr2 WSB 1900 winner Pacaya to Trippi, whilst Silvano daughter Silver Hills beat the boys in the Listed Wolf Power 1600.
This season’s stakes winners include the progeny of two former Oaks winners.
Judpot daughter Juxtapose, who added the 2016 Oaks to her victory in the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic, is dam of Alec Laird’s progressive stayer Daimyo, who most recently added the Aquanaut Handicap to victories in the Woolavington and Java Stakes, and surely has potential Gold Cup/Gold Bowl winner written all over him.
Then there is Silvano’s daughter Wind Chill, a fluent winner of the 2017 Oaks. Now a member of the Maine Chance broodmare band, she features as the dam of this season’s dual Gr1 winner Wish List, who, after claiming the Cartier Paddock Stakes, stepped into the history books as the first female winner of the Cape Derby since 1999.
The Mike de Kock-trained Nother Russia (Craig Zackey) is led in by Jessica & Steven Jell, and Mary Slack, after winning the 2017 Gr1 Empress Club Stakes | Credit: Supplied
Saturday’s star-studded card at Turffontein sees the TAB Gr1 Empress Club Stakes feature as a leading attraction.
Named in honour of the unforgettable champion Empress Club, the elite level contest has an impressive roll of honour. Past winners include champions such as Dancer’s Daughter (Act One), Mother Russia (Windrush) and Princess Calla (Flower Alley). A number of winners have also gone on to enjoy success at stud.
Named in honour of the unforgettable champion Empress Club, the elite level contest has an impressive roll of honour. Past winners include champions such as Dancer’s Daughter (Act One), Mother Russia (Windrush) and Princess Calla (Flower Alley). A number of winners have also gone on to enjoy success at stud.
Few, however, had a more remarkable impact on the Empress Club Stakes itself than the 2010 winner Mother Russia.
Equus Champion Older Filly/Mare of 2010, Mother Russia had a single foal, but that foal was champion Nother Russia (Tiger Ridge). The latter won the Empress Club Stakes in both 2017-2018, and is the dam of Equus Champion, and 2024 Empress Club Stakes heroine Gimme A Nother (Gimmethegreenlight).
Another Empress Club winner to enjoy notable success at stud was the 1999 winner Lady Brompton (Al Mufti). The latter produced seven winners, led by Kings Gambit (Silvano), the Joint Equus Champion Stayer of 2008. Kings Gambit won both the Gr1 SA Classic and Gr1 SA Derby in 2008, before going on to win the Gr3 Bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes in Britain.
Lady Brompton’s daughter Oyster Pond also enjoyed stud success, with her four winners headed by 2024 Mike De Kock Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge winner White Pearl (Danon Platina). The latter also finished third in the 2025 Gr1 Empress Club Stakes.
Fading Light (Bel Byou), winner of the Empress Club in 2002, produced nine winners, led by Gr1 SA Nursery third Mystical Twilight (Great Britain). Her daughter Scarlet Sky (Fort Wood) is the dam of Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes winner Red Chesnut Road
Mike de Kock-trained Nother Russia (Craig Zackey) is led in by Jessic & Steven Jell, and Mary Slack, after winning the 2017 Gr1 Empress Club Stakes Credit: JC Photos
(Pathfork).
Fair Maiden and Little Miss Magic are two other winners of the race to have enjoyed success at stud.
Western Winter’s daughter Fair Maiden came up with a high-class performer in the form of Lady Of Steel (Gimmethegreenlight), winner of her first five starts including the Racing. It’s A Rush Gr3 Acacia Handicap. Lady Of Steel went on to finish third behind champion Summer Pudding (Silvano), in the 2021 Empress Club Stakes.
While Jet Master’s daughter Little Miss Magic has yet to produce a stakes winner, she has come up with two well above average performers in the shape of Miss Katalin (Trippi) and Magic Verse (Vercingetorix). The former won the 2017 Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes and finished second in the Gr3 Diana Stakes, while Magic Verse ran second
in this season’s Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Chairman’s Cup.
While Dancer’s Daughter did prove as successful a broodmare as she was a racehorse, she did produce Listed Kings Cup winner Born To Perform (Silvano), and the regally bred Empress Club Stakes winner Thunder Dance (Jet Master) is the dam of Listed Irridescence Stakes winner Ukuduma (Vercingetorix).
Champion Majmu (Redoute’s Choice), who won the 2015 Empress Club Stakes, produced Mujtaba (Frankel), runner-up in Britain’s Gr2 Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Huxley Stakes (behind young Cape sire Point Lonsdale (Australia), while fellow champion, and Empress Club Stakes winner, Along Came Polly (Judpot) produced the useful USA galloper My Boy Lollipop (Will Take Charge).
Thunder Dance (Karis Teetan) wins the 2013 Gr1 Empress Club Stakes for Brett Crawford
HAWAII: FROM COLESBERG TO CONQUERING TWO WORLDS
Saturday marks the 56th running of the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m on SA Derby Day at Turffontein, a race inaugurated in 1970 – the same year the legendary South African champion after whom the race is named was retired to stud in Kentucky, bringing the curtain down on a glittering international career.
Hawaii’s story begins at breeder Archie Dell’s Platberg Stud near Colesberg on Saturday, 5 September 1964, a crisp spring morning that saw his dam, Ethane, deliver yet another in a long line of high-profile winners.
Hawaii was sired by Dell’s 1963 Italian import Utrillo II, who was mated to the proven speed influence of his prolific broodmare Ethane in an effort to give the new stallion a strong foothold at stud. At 17, she’d already produced champion racers in Just Spirit (Fair Judgement) William Penn, Entrance and Courtella (all by Netherwood).
The young colt was raised tough – like most Karoo-breds at the time – growing up on open, dry and wind-swept plains dotted with grasslands, shrubs and small, rocky hills. Yet his handsomeness and natural class shone through his woolly exterior long before he was sent to the Sale of Thoroughbred Yearlings, staged by the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society in March 1966.
The sale was held at the old Milner Park Showgrounds on a slope in Braamfontein, Johannesburg – then home to the spectacular
Rand Easter Show and just a stone’s throw from the newly built Johannesburg Planetarium – an apt setting for a future star about to make his first public appearance in the auction ring.
Accomplished trainer George Azzie was a member of the three-man panel tasked with identifying the best-conformed yearling on the sale. Hawaii was the unanimous choice, with breeder Dell receiving the rosette for ‘Champion Show Yearling’.
Azzie himself was taken by the beautiful colt, even more so because his brother, Joe Azzie, had trained Hawaii’s grandam Ethyl. Azzie was the first and last to raise his hand in the auction ring. He secured Hawaii for 4,300 guineas (about R9,000), the third-highest price on the day, on behalf of his biggest patron, the American metals magnate Charles Engelhardt.
Hawaii arrived at Azzie’s Wood Ditton House in the village of Newmarket, Alberton, where his grandson Michael Azzie, then just nine years old, recalled this week: “Hawaii was checked into stable 32, alongside Caradoc and Prize Bell, both top performers on the track.”
Hawaii nips at the hedge in the winner’s enclosure, with his farrier Jannie van der Walt (left) and Elizabeth Rhodes looking on | Credit: Supplied
There were several other promising runners in a yard that had already tasted Durban July success with Preto’s Crown (1955) and Numeral (1964). George Azzie was at the height of his powers, operating from a suitably picturesque establishment.
“My grandfather employed two gardeners. There was an exquisite rose garden and perfectly manicured lawns. We visited the stables and the work tracks often, almost daily once Hawaii began racing. He was a striking bay with three black socks, grey on his off fore. He looked quirky when he trotted but had a beautiful, flowing action when he broke into a canter.”
George’s stable jockey was the supremely talented Raymond Rhodes, who had won his first July on Numeral at just 20 and, by 22, was already a master tactician in 1966. In support was promising apprentice Martin Schoeman, a public favourite thanks to his unmistakable mane of flashy blonde hair.
Rhodes, now aged 81 and still walking on the treadmill every morning, has fond memories of Hawaii’s early days. He recalled: “When we started putting Hawaii through his paces, he didn’t seem to enjoy the sand, but he was
a different kettle of fish on the grass. They opened the grass track at Newmarket on Thursdays and, one morning ahead of his first run, he completed 800m in under 46 seconds without me lifting a finger.”
Azzie had an inkling he had something special, and it was confirmed when Hawaii won his wellbacked debut in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 800m at Gosforth Park on 12 November 1966, coming from a slow start to score by seven lengths.
“I hardly moved on him that day,” Rhodes recalled. “Afterwards we started working him with top older horses and he toyed with them. Martin and I usually worked together in different galloping pairs. Hawaii would give Martin’s mounts a few lengths’ start – he was already that good at two.”
Hawaii won his first four starts by a combined margin of 25 lengths, including the Listed African Breeders Stakes over 1400m at Greyville on 27 May 1967. Then, in a surprise reversal, he suffered defeat a week later in the Grade 1 Champions Nursery over the same trip.
• Click on the image below to read more on Hawaii’s impressive journey…
CROP STRIKES LIMIT DOWN TO 10
South African racing adopted a new crop limit ruling from today, Wednesday 1 April 2026, with the maximum permitted use of the crop amended from the current twelve (12) to ten (10) strikes per race.
This follows a one-month implementation moratorium from 1 to 31 March 2026.
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa confirmed in February that its National Board of Directors had unanimously adopted the amendments to Appendix E – Use of the Crop and the associated Crop Penalty Document, as proposed by the Rules Committee on 25 February 2026.
The Rules Committee, which is representative of the entire horseracing industry, comprises National Board Directors, NHA Executive Management, and stakeholders drawn from Operators, Owners, Trainers and Jockeys.
The amendments were said to reflect a consultative, industry-wide process and a shared commitment to equine welfare, regulatory certainty, and the integrity of the sport.
The revised framework provides clearer guidance to riders and officials on acceptable crop use and the consequences of non-compliance.
Penalties, which have been fully revised, commence at the 11th strike, escalating in a structured and proportionate manner.
More serious or repeated contraventions may attract suspensions and, in exceptional cases, referral to a designated crop panel, which has discretion to consider additional penalties where conduct is particularly egregious or falls outside standard parameters.
The revised rules further reinforce that the crop may be used only for encouragement, guidance, and safety, and never in a manner that compromises the welfare of the horse.
MALMESBURY
MISSILE EXPLODES IN STYLE
Follow the yard. We are coming with some serious ammo.
Malmesbury Missile rockets home under Muzi Yeni | Credit: Julia Marnewick
The ominous warning by multiple SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith after his Gimmethegreenlight gelding Malmesbury Missile bounced back after a 14-week break to win the R300 000 Gr3 Byerley Turk at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening.
While beaten in the fairer sex equivalent with Gimme What I Want, a filly green under the lights at her first outing at the City track, Snaith doubled up in his Champions Season prelims after Okavango’s Listed King’s Cup success a fortnight earlier.
Starting at a generous 11-2, Malmesbury Missile rocketed home under Stone-Stamcorsponsored Muzi Yeni to beat the free-striding I’m A Fireball (4-1), who looked a winner late in the race, by a length in a time of 85,09 secs for the 1400m.
The 5-2 favourite Wild Justice led the charge and had every chance from the pole position gate, but faded out to run third, a further two lengths back.
Malmesbury Missile rockets home under Muzi Yeni | Credit: Julia Marnewick
On the podium – Race Coast’s Raf Sheik with trainer Justin Snaith | Credit: Julia Marnewick
Dean Kannemeyer’s 2025 Listed Sophomore Sprint winner Green Gateway never got into the race, appearing to run in snatches and he must be better than the 4,55 length sixth place he delivered here.
Named after Springbok rugby star PieterSteph du Toit, the Drakenstein Stud-bred Listed Gatecrasher Stakes winner of last term registered his first graded stakes success when he charged through in good style, to show the benefit of gelding – something his trainer had apparently not believed necessary, initially.
“Richard Fourie said he needed gelding. I told Richard to start riding him better! I was wrong,” laughed the Futura Park conditioner.
The handsome gelding was bred by Drakenstein Stud and is out of the 2018/19 Equus Champion 2yo filly Gabor, a daughter of the late Kingsbarns.
Now a winner of 3 races with 5 places from 11 starts and stakes of R809 063, Malmesbury Missile originally sold for R900 000 at the 2024 CRS Cape Premier Yearling Sale.
In February 2025 he was purchased for R2,2 million by Jonathan Snaith at a short-notice partnership dissolution sale out of the Glen Kotzen yard. He then transferred to the Snaiths with World Sports Betting partnering with original co-owners, Itssa It & Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd.
Dean Kannemeyer and Craig Zackey were the most successful combination on the evening with a double, while Mauritian Apprentice Divesh Ramkhalawon rode his second career double this month – he has only ridden 5 winners so far – when booting home a 100-1 race on race double for Gary Rich and Paul Gadsby. The young man’s win strike rate is 23,81%!
Calvin Habib also celebrated a double on the evening.
DAUGHTER OF THE UNITED STATES
WINS WELL
Often on the fringes of the big race action, Dean Kannemeyer’s
The United States filly Keukenhof grabbed a long overdue maiden stakes victory when she stormed home from the widest draw to win the R250 000 Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening.
Keukenhof (Craig Zackey) draws away from Gimme What I Want (Callan Murray) in the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes Credit: Julia Marnewick
The Kannemeyer team are now in their extraordinary 53rd season of travelling from Milnerton to take on the best on the East Coast, the victory on the eve of the SA Champions Season would have boosted the confidence for the DKR team.
Keukenhof (3-1) took advantage of conditions and a nice pull at the weights with the top two in the betting to benefit from a great ride by national log-leader Craig Zackey beat fellow Cape raider Gimme What I Want (4-1) by a length in a time of 85,66 secs for the 1400m.
The only Gr1 winner in the field, the top-weighted Quickstepgal (2-1) led for some way but was beaten a further 1,80 lengths back in third.
Raced by leading Grade 1-winning owner Henk Leyenaar in partnership with his daughters Daniela Erasmus & Louisa Huntingford, the winner was a R350 000 BSA National Yearling Sale purchase.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Keukenhof is a daughter of Moutonshoek’s Galileo kingpin The United States (IRE) out of the twicewinning Trippi mare, Dawn Calling by Trippi.
Now a winner of 2 races with 3 places from 11 starts, Keukenhof has earned R353 283.
Team DKR enjoy the moment - Dean Kannemeyer, Craig Zackey and Nicolette Roscoe | Credit: Julia Marnewick
THE GOOSE’S FERRARI IS ONE FOR NOTEBOOK
The
Live It. Love It. Own It. Maiden Juvenile Plate run over 1000m on the turf opened up proceedings on the eight race Hollywoodbets Greyville mixed surface programme on Friday and in what proved to be a real thriller, the Tienie Prinsloo-trained second favourite Flower Tryst showed good improvement to land the spoils.
Third in the Gr3 Cape Nursery, Lady Nancy (raced green) had been touted as the best bet on the card for many, but drawn widest at eleven, she was never going to be a good thing.
Indeed, she was soon under pressure, and it was only over the final 200m that she really got going. The winner broke well and soon positioned in second was always perfectly placed to strike.
She put her head in front 60m from home and only held on from the low flying favourite by the narrowest of margins.
One to look out for next time from this race is Ferrari Flair who finished fourth.
Having only her second career outing here, the daughter of Vercingetorix was positioned
at the back turning for home and recorded the fastest 400m to finish time in the race.
The first of Friday evening’s two feature events to be run was the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes (3yo f) over 1400m and here we saw a smart performance from the daughter of The United States, Keukenhof
The WSB Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Quickstepgal (in season) made the running and just as she did when winning that prestigious event, she slowed things up after getting to the front.
Dean Kannemeyer’s charge meanwhile also broke well and was no more than four lengths away in sixth. She ran on strongly in the straight and after striking the front 170m from home, she went on to score going away with some in hand.
On a night when the better times were slower than the official conditions would suggest, the Gr3 Byerley Turk (3yo) was run in a time of 85,09 seconds and was comfortably the quickest of the evening’s three races over 1400m on the turf.
The race was won by last season’s Omoda Gr2 Golden Horseshoe runner-up Malmesbury Missile
Confidently ridden by Muzi Yeni, the Gimmethegreenlight gelding raced fifth, just four and a half lengths off a good pace set by the locally trained favourite Wild Justice.
A winner of two of his last three outings, the Mike & Matthew De Kock-trained I’m
A Fireball was the first to make a move and after striking the front 400m from home, he looked to have done everything right.
Once given rein though, Justin Snaith’s charge quickened best of all and under a welljudged ride, he got up 70m from home to win going away.
The 22,35 seconds recorded by Malmesbury Missile (hung out in the concluding stages) over the final 400m was the fastest for that segment on the card.
Track Conditions:
Going: Good (turf) – Standard (poly)
Penetrometer: 23 (turf)
Rain: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 14mm
Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil (turf) –Last 7 days 10mm (turf)
False Rail: 9m (turf)
Wind: 10-35km/h North Easterly head wind
Course Variant: 1,61s slow (turf) – 0,76s slow (poly)
The most notable performance amongst the three races on the polytrack was that of Irish Anthem (flyjumped and lost one length) when opening his account in the Join Race Coast Turf Club Today! Open Maiden over 1600m.
Freely available at 20/1 on the off, trainer Paul Gadsby’s only runner on the card was easily nine lengths off the brisk pace set by Catrien early on.
He began to take closer order when circling runners on the bend and after striking the front 250m from home, he won going away by two and three quarters.
Interestingly, Irish Anthem was ridden by apprentice Divesh Ramkhalawon. Claiming 3kg in this race, Divesh only had two rides on the card and rode his first double.
Fastest Times:
PANEL FINDS TRUST
WAS NOT APPROPRIATE LINE-HORSE
An independent panel constituted in terms of Clauses 20.3 and 21.3 of the Constitution and consisting of Messrs K Miedema, G Hawkins and A Maharaj was convened on 26 March 2026 to consider a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by Trainers Mike de Kock, Candice Dawson and Sean Tarry against the merit ratings of SPLITTHEEIGHTS, ONE EYE ON VEGAS, TRUST and GRAND EMPIRE, respectively, following their performances in RACE 7, HKJC WORLD POOL SA CLASSIC on 7 March 2026, at Turffontein Racecourse.
The Panel found that the Official Handicapper’s use of TRUST as a line-horse at MR 119 was inappropriate, as his MR had previously been reduced to 107 following an earlier appeal.
The Panel was of the view that TRUST was not a suitable line-horse in the Classic and instead selected ONE EYE ON VEGAS as
the most appropriate line-horse, retaining his merit rating of 106 for purposes of its analysis.
Using ONE EYE ON VEGAS at an MR of 106 as the line-horse, the Panel recalculated the relative performance levels of the runners in the race.
Flashback - A thrilling finish as Grand Empire (Craig Zackey) holds off Trust (Serino Moodley) in a humdinger
On this basis, the Panel determined that the appropriate merit ratings arising from the race are as follows:
GRAND EMPIRE: 111
TRUST: 110
SPLITTHEEIGHTS: 107
RADIO STAR: 102
In the case of JAN VAN GOYEN, while the recalibration produces a figure of 102, the Panel is satisfied that this does not warrant an adjustment to his official merit rating, as he performed below his established level in this instance.
In accordance with the Rules, the Official Handicapper is to give effect to the Panel’s findings and make the necessary adjustments to the official merit ratings of the relevant horses.
The Appeal was accordingly upheld, and the deposit fees are to be refunded to the Trainers.
Addendum To Press Release: Merit Rating Appeal
Following the outcome of the Merit Rating Appeal, the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa confirms that the following adjustments have been made to the official merit ratings:
GRAND EMPIRE: 120 to 111
TRUST: 119 to 110
SPLITTHEEIGHTS: 116 to 109
ONE EYE ON VEGAS: 115 to 106
RADIO STAR: 95 to 102
• Media release by the NHA on Friday, 27 March 2026.
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IT’S A RICH MAN’S WORLD!
In terms of stake money the Gallop Form Juvenile Plate over 1000m topped the bill on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth summer course on Monday and here we saw an impressive performance from the 7/20 favourite, Rich Man’s World.
A facile winner of his only previous racecourse appearance, the son of One World joined the early leader My Bonny Boy (pinged the gate, and later reported as choked up) shortly after passing the 800m marker.
He steadily began to draw clear and jockey Sean Veale was already looking around for the opposition at the halfway mark.
Vaughan Marshall’s charge only had to be pushed out with Sean continuing to look around all the way to the line, and went on to score unchallenged by five and a quarter.
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Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m was the supporting act and in what proved to be very comfortably the quickest of the three races over the distance, the highly regarded newcomer KALAHARI KING won well by a length and a quarter.
Allowed to ease out to 5/1 from 9/4 favourite at the track, as money came for both Vibe Check and Tag And Release, the Vercingetorix colt raced sixth early on some three lengths off the pace set by the aforementioned Vibe Check.
He was ridden to lead by Aldo Domeyer shortly after passing the 300m marker and only needed to be given a couple of taps close home in order to teach him how to complete his races.
Trainer Justin Snaith spoke particularly highly of Kalahari King after the race.
Indeed, the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas was being touted as a serious target!
Interestingly, the well-supported fourth placed Tag And Release recorded the fastest 400m to finish time in the race, and that, despite being slow into stride, and later reported by the vet as coughing.
Another interesting point in this race is that the first four here finished 6,75 lengths clear of the fifth horse. A form line to follow.
Track Conditions:
Going: Good (both tracks)
Penetrometer: 21 (both tracks)
Rain: Last 7 days Nil
Irrigation: Last 24 hours 10mm –Last 7 days 50mm
False Rail: Original position with a 2m spur at 600m mark
Wind: 25-40km/h Southerly
cross wind
Course Variant: 0,51s fast (straight) –0,35s fast (bend)
Another 2yo to win in very good style on this card was MARGATE when getting off the mark at just the second time of asking in the Lucky Fish Book Of Poseidon Maiden Juvenile Plate (f) over 1200m .
An eyecatching fifth when running on stoutly after losing two lengths in her only previous start, the daughter of What A Winter broke well here and was soon positioned just a length off the pace.
She was ridden to lead going through the 300m and with jockey Aldo Domeyer barely moving a muscle at the business end of the race, she won effortlessly by two and a half.
Two of the three races around the turn were staged over 1400m and in the quicker of these, the Lucky Fish Lightning Roulette Class 4 (f) , JOU LEKKER DING registered her third career victory.
Positioned towards the rear coming off the bend, the daughter of Oratorio looked to have more than enough to do when the always handy My Only Weakness struck the front 400m out.
Undeterred though, jockey Sean Veale gave his all in the closing stages of the race and in what proved to be a real thriller they got up in the dying strides.
Fastest Times:
1000m (2) Rich Man’s World 59,48 1200m (3) Kalahari King
1400m (2) Jou Lekker Ding
AS AN APPIE! DENIS ALSO HIT THE JACKPOT
Denis, then in his third year and, like Thandi Mgudlwa, also Head Boy at SAJA, booted home the four winners of the exotic bet at Hollywoodbets Greyville just over eight years ago.
With the Jackpot paying a healthy R4897-50, Schwarz, who had just come out of writing Matric at the time, scored on Everlasting Love for Robbie Hill, Lala trained by Doug Campbell, Cosima for Garth Puller, and another Campbell winner in Hey Georgie Girl in the final leg.
Thandi Mgudlwa rode the Jackpot at Scottsville in 2011 – 40 years after the legend Michael Roberts had achieved the same feat.
Denis Schwarz showed early talent when winning the 2019 Gr1 Summer Cup on Zillzaal for Sean Tarry.
“I was coming out of my time, it was Christmas – 2019 was ending on a high,” he recalled in an interview some years back with the Sporting Post.
But while riding Sean Tarry’s 56th Gr1 winner was to prove a professional high, the next few months would see Denis’ life turned upside down.
He took a terrible fall at Turffontein in mid February 2020 during the running of the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas when his mount broke down.
Flashback to Fairview and history in October 2024! Denis Schwarz (far right) enjoys King Regent’s momentous East Cape Polytrack Triple Crown victory with Woodhill Racing’s Kuyan Kotzen and Sam Hewitson (Lyle’s Mum)
Credit: Pauline Herman
After a couple of weeks, he returned to the saddle. He was physically okay but told us at the time that he was not quite over the psychological trauma. He was ready in body but not in mind. Then along came COVID-19.
“I think 2020 has been a massive learning curve for the world at large – but also for me personally. It has been a character building exercise of some proportions!” he said at the time.
Fast forward to the well-rounded more experienced jockey of the present, the Sporting Post was happy to catch up recently with the now 26 year old Denis Schwarz who informed us that he had ridden in Mauritius last season for Vincent Allet, where he enjoyed a very solid run with 49 rides and 9 winners.
“Highlights included winning a Gr3 on Sugar Blast and a Gr 2 on William Iron Arm, which were great experiences and important milestones for me. I’ve since returned to South African racing and am currently based in Johannesburg. It’s been a bit challenging with smaller fields and limited opportunities at the moment, but I remain very motivated and grateful for the support I continue to receive, “enthused the man some call ‘Deevee’ after his initials, Denis Willem.
On the immediate future, Denis added that he was always looking to improve and gain more experience.
“I’m open to opportunities both locally and internationally when possible. I can comfortably ride at 55kg and pride myself on being hardworking, professional, and easy to work with,” he concluded.
Denis Schwarz wins the 2019 Gr1 Summer Cup on Zillzaal | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
AN EYE ON THE JULY!
A former two-time Sydney champion apprentice, the Durban-born Zac Lloyd has been the proverbial toast of the town after registering his first ‘major’ and fourth Group 1 success when he scored on Victorian colt Guest House in the recent A$5 million TAB Gr1 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.
The 22-year-old Zac has declared his aspirations to ride in Hong Kong and Japan, the latter being a jurisdiction he has labelled, ‘the best in the world’.
But he is on record that there is one race on earth, he’d love to win more than any other - and that’s the Hollywoodbets Durban July!
His Dad Jeff Lloyd aka ‘The Guv’, who rode extensively in South Africa, Hong Kong, Mauritius and Australia, never managed to win the Durban July, and that reality has only intensified Zac’s ambitions.
“That is probably the biggest race in the world I want to win. The fact my dad hasn’t won it means it would be very special to win it and have my dad on track. That would be a peak moment in my racing career.”
The Hollywoodbets Durban July stake was hiked to a record-breaking R10 million for the 130th renewal, in an announcement made in early December last year.
Internationally acknowledged as Africa’s Greatest Horse racing Event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July has been run without interruption every year since Saturday 17 July 1897.
Zac’s Dad Jeff never stopped trying to win the July after a commentary on a transistor radio of Yataghan winning the July in 1973, triggered the future champion jockey’s path to the SA Jockey Academy, and a glittering career.
Rising star Zac Lloyd – has Hollywoodbets Durban July ambitions | Credit: Supplied
Jeff Lloyd rode a frustrating nine third-place finishes in the July, and his last bid in 2018 delivered a second cheque when he piloted Made To Conquer in a Snaith exacta, with Do It Again scoring the first of his two wins.
While Zac Lloyd is yet to regularly compete in Hong Kong or Japan, he has an affinity with the former having spent some of his early years there while dad Jeff, now retired, was on the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s riding roster.
Very much like Luke Ferraris, who has now firmly established himself in Hong Kong, Zac Lloyd spent his early childhood years running around the apartment blocks at Sha Tin.
Lloyd, who has a place in history as the most successful Sydney apprentice in the last 40 years for the number of winners in a single season, is keen to ride on a more permanent basis throughout Asia.
He has finished second and third to James McDonald in the Sydney jockeys premiership in the last two seasons. McDonald has been crowned the world’s best rider and regularly visits Hong Kong for Group 1 feature racedays.
Still only 22, and now a fully-fledged rider, Lloyd emerged from his apprenticeship with the type of record reserved for only special talents.
He booted home 76 winners in the 2022-23 metropolitan season – the most by an apprentice rider since Wayne Harris in 1980-81. He returned to defend his title the following year.
His lofty finishes on the premiership table against senior riders means he qualifies for a potential short-term riding licence in Japan. Jockeys who finish in the top three can be licensed by the Japan Racing Association. A reflection of the enormity of the Golden Slipper win is that Coolmore Australia have now purchased Guest House in a big money deal rumoured to be worth around A$30 million.
A son of the operation’s resident first-season sire Home Affairs, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnrtrained Guest House will now race in a partnership run by Coolmore after a deal was reached with the colt’s owners, upwardly mobile syndicator, Roll The Dice, who will remain in the ownership. Guest House will continue to sport Roll The Dice’s unique colours as part of the terms of the new deal.
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier said: “Home Affairs is a stallion that we have had such great faith in for a number of years and Guest House has been on our radar since his debut win in December. He is exactly the type of colt we strive to stand at Coolmore – a Golden Slipper winner by a brilliant young sire, with the speed and physique to make a top-class stallion. The Slipper remains the most important stallionmaking race in Australia and he couldn’t have been any more impressive in winning it.”
In an ironic twist on the spectrum of fortunes, another former Durban lad in Gr1-winning Chad Schofield will appeal a careless riding ban picked up in the Golden Slipper, in a bid to ride day one of The Championships at Royal Randwick.
Schofield was hit with a pair of careless riding charges for his ride on fifth placegetter Stretan Ruler. Stewards gave the Cox Plate-winning rider an eight-meeting penalty and a seven-meeting ban for two separate incidents, ruling he could serve them concurrently.
Zack Attacks Double Gold
Our 30 year old SA Champion jockey elect Craig Zackey steps into gigantic boots at Turffontein on Champions Day this Saturday when he takes the reins on Andrew Fortune’s regular mounts, the Justin Snaith-trained See It Again and Double Grand Slam, in the R2 million HKJC World Pool Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge, and the R1 million TAB Gr1 Empress Club Stakes, respectively.
Talking to the Sporting Post last week, Craig mused that the ‘real pressure’ would come from Andrew Fortune!
“Riding the best horses in Grade 1 races makes anybody look good. It’s a top stable. Andrew (Fortune) has given me plenty of insight and advice, and I have watched the replays. We will be ready to do our best!” he added.
The Candyman said that Craig Zackey was ‘nearly a champion’ and that both stars ‘were in good hands’. Fortune indicated that he hoped to be on course for the big day. If that happens, Craig is going to have a heap of instructions to listen to!
The first of 12 races at Turffontein on Saturday is off at 11h35.
AFTER FALL LERENA ALL-CLEAR
Doctors have given reigning SA Champion Jockey Gavin Lerena the all-clear after he was airlifted to hospital on Tuesday following his mount Warning Light breaking down during the running of the Vaal seventh race.
The Hollywood Racing-retained Lerena complained about being ‘a bit sore’ after a heavy fall, but was cleared following a medical examination.
Warning Light was humanely euthanized after the incident.
Lerena is scheduled to ride One Stripe for trainer Graham Motion and Hollywood Racing in the Gr1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland on Friday 10 April. It is not clear whether he will travel, and more news will follow in this regard.
Gavin Lerena – fortunate to escape serious injury |
Candiese Lenferna
IN WORLD CUP KNOCKOUT MAGNITUDE STRETCHES FOREVER YOUNG
When Dubai welcomed the world to old Nad Al Sheba Racetrack for the first time in 1996, ‘America’s Horse’ Cigar repelled what seemed an inevitable challenge from compatriot Soul of the Matter to help cement Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s goal of creating a worldwide spectacle in the Emirates.
On Saturday, the eyes of the racing public were on sprawling Meydan Racecourse for the 30th renewal of the event – at $12 million now worth triple the original pot – and Forever Young, looking to complete an unprecedented sequence of the world’s three richest races on dirt.
Ultimately it was not meant to be, as Magnitude took control right out of the stalls
and Forever Young – doing his best to reel him in – ran out of real estate.
Having missed the Gr1 Saudi Cup – won with less energy expenditure than in 2025 by Forever Young – Magnitude prepped with a soft victory in Gr3 company and was a reasonably fresh horse. He hit the ground running from gate one, going along smoothly for Jose Ortiz while tracked along by Forever Young and Saudi Cup third Tumbarumba.
Still travelling strongly into the final 800m, Magnitude was asked for acceleration nearing the entrance to the straight and left Forever Young a bit flat-footed, putting about two lengths on the reigning Breeders’ Cup Classic winner.
Jose Ortiz salutes a massive victory for Magnitude | Credit: Dubai Racing Club / Liesl King
Still clear at the furlong marker, Magnitude rolled away from the inside, but the best Forever Young could do was to get to the Not This Time colt’s tail at the wire. Meydaan won a photo for third, well behind the top two.
“We knew we had a very good horse, but obviously Forever Young is the best horse in the world,” said winning jockey Jose Ortiz.
As for race strategy, Ortiz added: “We left all the options open – if he jumps well we can go to the lead, if somebody jumps better than him, just sit off, maybe behind the speed. He didn’t have a running start, but he jumped well and I knew it was time to go. I asked him to run and he was there for me.”
Added winning trainer Steve Asmussen, who took the 2008 World Cup with Curlin and sent out Gun Runner to be second in 2017: “What an incredible win. We just wanted to let him to run his race from point A to point B. The horse is running with a lot of confidence and
that gave us confidence. It unfolded just how we wanted it to.”
Ortiz said the celebrations will be rather muted ahead of an early morning flight back to the United States on Sunday.
“I’m not used to racing late at night under lights,” he said. “I’m hungry, I want to go and eat! We fly pretty early tomorrow so I’d rather wait and celebrate with my family and friends. Maybe we’ll have a cookout.”
Forever Young’s trainer Yoshito Yahagi believes that the Meydan track “doesn’t seem to suit” his horse, having finished third in the Dubai World Cup last year. He did win the Gr2 UAE Derby on the track in 2024, but it was a workmanlike success that rated below the rest of his performances at three.
“Everything went the way we planned but the winner was good today,” said Forever Young’s regular partner Ryusei Sakai.
The thrilled Magnitude team pose for the media | Credit: Dubai Racing Club / Liesl King
MAGNITUDE OF ONE WORLD X TRIPPI CROSS HIGHLIGHTED
The pedigree of recent Dubai World Cup hero Magnitude could have positive implications for popular young Drakenstein-based stallion One World.
Magnitude is by the hugely successful American sire Not This Time, whose dam Miss Macy Sue is an accomplished daughter of Drakenstein’s linchpin stallion Trippi.
So how does this bring One World into the equation?
Well, Not This Time is a son of Giant’s Causeway, who just happens to be the broodmare sire of One World.
Incidentally, Giant’s Causeway is also broodmare sire of American Gr3 winner Firenze Flavor, who is by Liam’s Map, a half-brother to Not This Time.
This bodes well for One World, as he has plenty of access to the many well-bred Trippi mares amongst Drakenstein’s broodmare band.
In fact, the cross of Trippi mares on One World has already yielded promising results.
According to NHA returns, One World’s first crop includes nine foals out of Trippi mares, of which eight have run and six have won. Whichever way you look at it, that’s an impressive strike rate of 75%.
Most successful to date has been the now Hong Kong-based All Out For Six, whose dam is the Trippi mare Howl. Trained by Vaughan Marshall, the now four-year-old has scored three times and has reached the frame in all of the Gr2 Cape Punters Cup, Gr3 Langerman, Gr3 Cape Classic and Gr3 Champagne Stakes.
Remarkably, One World’s second crop features just three live foals out of Trippi mares, of which two have run and placed to date.
Nothing in thoroughbred breeding is a guaranteed recipe for success, yet Magnitude’s success in Dubai adds further proof that the cross of One World over Trippi mares may be worth pursuing.
Not This Time’s son Magnitude storms home to win the big one – a victory that caused waves in SA breeding circles
Credit: Dubai Racing Club / Liesl King
Barzalona gives Calandagan a pat
CALANDAGAN SHOWS HIS HEART AND POWER, AGAIN!
The ‘World’s Best Racehorse’ Calandagan added the $6 million Gr1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic to his record at Meydan on Saturday.
When your horse has already gone around the world once to prove himself the best, the pressure of reproducing that seems to mount for the humans around him with each new challenge.
Four months on from becoming the first foreign-trained winner of the Japan Cup in 20 years, Calandagan put Princess Zahra Aga Khan and trainer Francis-Henri Graffard through two and a half minutes of what must
have seemed agony, as Mickael Barzalona spotted the leader West Wind Blows a lead in excess of 10 lengths at a pace which meant there was little chance of the runaway stopping.
Yet such is his confidence in Calandagan that Barzalona only gradually moved forward around the home turn and still had four lengths to make up at the 400-metre mark.
Mickael
When he finally said go, the result went from suspense to a formality in a matter of strides as the five-year-old homebred stamped his abundant class on the race, running out an easy three-quarters of a length winner from the gallant West Wind Blows.
Asked how much she enjoyed watching the race unfold, Princess Zahra said: “No, not a bit of it!
“It was terrifying. They went slow but Mickael has been riding him like that for two years ago, so we weren’t terrified until the final turn. Now we’re not anymore. He has an amazing stride, and he also has an amazing motor and a will to win. You can always tell with him, the last few strides, he puts his entire soul into it. It’s amazing to watch.”
Asked about future targets, Princess Zahra added: “I think we might go home for a while, because the rest of us are exhausted, let alone the horse.
“I think we might take a bit of a breather and then stay in Europe at the start of the summer, then we’ll see.
“Ultimately if we end up going back to Japan at the end of the year – I mean it’s a very long way off – all the races he’s run in already are options. Francis and the team and I have to discuss it.”
At the start of last season Calandagan continued a run of heartbreaking seconds but Graffard never lost faith in his horse and has now masterminded a sequence of five straight Group 1 victories.
He admitted to suffering ahead of the Japan Cup and once again he appeared to momentarily age before the race, aware of the disappointment that would come with
anything other than victory.
“That was really hard,” said Graffard. “It became such a tactical race and it’s difficult because there’s a lot of pressure that comes with running a horse like this.
“The difference now is that Mickael knows him so well.”
While owner and trainer went on a Meydan rollercoaster, the man in the saddle maintained laser-focus to deliver a millimetreperfect steer on a horse he only inherited when becoming first jockey to the Aga Khan Studs at the start of 2025.
“He’s an incredible horse, he’s got his own attitude,” said Barzalona. “I know him very well now and he always gives plenty in the end, I just need to trust him.
“That’s all that jockeys dream about, to find this kind of incredible horse and I’m very glad and very grateful for the opportunity to be part of this team as well.”
Reflecting on the run of the race, Barzalona added: “I thought my main dangers were Giavellotto and the Mullins horse [Ethical Diamond] which was behind me.
“And when I thought I was going much better than Giavellotto, it was my turn to go. I didn’t expect West Wind Blows to give me that hard a race.”
Confidence breeds confidence, and the partnership between Calandagan and Barzalona has now forged an unshakable belief in their ability to take on any opposition and any situation.
The rest of the world will have a hard time dislodging his crown as the season unfolds.
GODOLPHIN’S OMBUDSMAN BRINGS HOME ANOTHER DUBAI TURF VICTORY
Ombudsman provided another famous success in the blue silks of Godolphin at the 30th Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan on Saturday as he showed his undoubted quality in the $5 million Gr1 Dubai Turf, sponsored by DP World.
Trainer John Gosden, now a joint licence holder with son Thady, had secured three consecutive victories in this 1800m showdown with Lord North between 2021 and 2023 and this time around he decided to unleash one of the very best performers from last year’s European Flat season.
William Buick was content to settle the winner of last year’s Prince Of Wales’s and International Stakes towards the outside and in the middle of the small field as Japanese challenger Gaia Force set the pace.
Ombudsman was unleashed with 300m left and was quickly in full control, finishing just under two lengths ahead of Quddwah and Andreas Vesalius. Representing HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s racing operation, it was a moment not lost on the rest of the happy connections.
William Buick said: “Congratulations Dubai. We have some beautiful racing, it’s a pleasure to be part of and Ombudsman showed there, first run of the year, what he can do. It was how we hoped it would happen, very smooth and, look, he’s going to have a very exciting year ahead.
“It’s an honour for me to ride for Godolphin and His Highness. Dubai World Cup night is the biggest night in horse racing so to represent His Highness on his best horses and to have winners is a dream come true.”
John Gosden said: “It’s a great sense of relief. It’s not easy coming out of a winter in England, bringing a horse in ready to run. I think he’ll come on for the race, he was probably coming in here at 90 per cent but it was enough to get the job done. I thought William was wise, he said I’ll give the ground away, go wide, lose the ground there but I want a clear run in the straight. Absolutely thrilled with him.
“I was here for the first one [World Cup], Allen Paulson flying in Cigar, Bill Mott, Jerry Bailey. It’s been a great run through and some credit to put this on. It’s quite thrilling to be here tonight.
“We’ll see how he get on the rest of the year, he’ll got to Royal Ascot now for the Prince Of Wales’s and from there we’ll know where we go.”
Ed Crisford said of Quddwah: “This sort of style of racing he really enjoys, being tucked in and not an end-to-end gallop. He had a dream run up the rail, finished well and Ombudsman is obviously a fantastic horse as he showed last year.
“He’s a nice horse that can be winning some good races. I think he can win a Group 1 – he’s been knocking on the door. He just needs the right sort of track and the right style of racing and I think he can do it.”
DARK SAFFRON SHINES IN GOLDEN SHAHEEN
Off form for the bulk of the 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival, Sultan Ali’s Dark Saffron was put right into play from a wide draw in defence of his title in Saturday’s Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Nakheel, and outsprinted reigning Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion Bentornato to give jockey Connor Beasley and trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash a rolling Group 1 double.
The pair earlier teamed to win the Al Quoz Sprint with Native Approach.
Defeated by a combined 50 lengths after taking his seasonal debut in November, Dark Saffron perked back up with a runner-up effort to El Nasseeb in the Gr3 Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Saturday and was back to his very best just after sunset on Saturday.
First to break the line from barrier 11, Dark Saffron argued the pace outside of 2024 winner Tuz and inside of Khanjar as Bentornato was forced to take his medicine just in behind Tuz. In front passing the 500m marker, Dark Saffron found more for pressure and was always holding
the American raider in the run to the line. Cats By Five ran on for third, while Tuz dropped away to finish fourth.
Dark Saffron joins the likes of Caller One and Mind Your Biscuits as back-to-back winners of the Dubai Golden Shaheen, which serves as a ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland.
“Obviously he won this race last year and he come back and run really well, it was a bit of a workout first time he ran this season,” Beasley said. “Then he had a bit of an incident in the stalls and banged his head and sort of lost his way. I think he lost a bit of confidence for his next three or four runs, but his last run we felt he was coming back to himself.”
“I think the post position cost us the race,” said Bentornato’s trainer Jose D’Angelo. “It’s the first time that we’ve seen him running in behind the speed. We have plenty of races and of course, the ultimate goal is the Breeders’ Cup again. We’ll give him time as always and be ready for that.”
IN AL QUOZ SPRINT EMIRATI SPEEDSTER’S POPULAR WIN
Native Approach sprang something of a surprise – albeit a hugely popular one for the UAE-based combination of trainer Ahmad bin Harmash and Connor Beasley – in running down Japanese challenger Lugal inside the final 200m.
Native Approach was rated 97 before his previous start but a win over several of today’s rivals in the Gr3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint saw him re-rated at 109, and the ex-Godolphin inmate took another step forward here in dispatching a high-quality international field.
For Beasley the link up with Bin Harmash has been a huge boost to his career and Native Approach follows on from Dark Saffron’s Gr1 Golden Shaheen victory in 2025.
Beasley said of his association with Bin Harmash: “This is the eighth season. I came over as a
second jockey to him, and everything fell into place, right place, right time.
“He’s been a big supporter and put plenty of trust in me. It just shows, when a team clicks, it goes through to the horses too.”
Drawn nearest the standside rail Beasley was denied any cover and forced to do his own thing with a horse he freely admitted is “not easy”.
Beasley said: “He’s a bundle of speed, when I first sat on him at the start of the season, I said to the boss that he feels like a sprinter. He puts his heart on his sleeve every morning, he’s not easy.
“When I won on him on Super Saturday, I got a little bit of a tow into the race. Today, there was nothing able to take me so it was one of them, the more you fight with them, the more energy you’ll lose.
Connor Beasley drives Native Approach
CUP (LISTED)
Trainer: J Snaith | Owner: Mr N Jonsson | Breeder: Mr M de Broglio
IN DWC OPENER HISTORIC MOMENT
Falaah provided Oman with a historic first victory on Dubai World Cup night as he powered home on Saturday to win the Gr1 Dubai Kahayla Classic, sponsored by Zabeel Feed.
Drawn 15 of 15, Falaah was patiently ridden by his Omani rider Al Moatasem Al Balushi.
Settling off the pace, as his usual style has been all season, the eight-year-old son of AF Al Bahar travelled powerfully despite going wide throughout.
It looked all over coming into the straight as YAS Racing’s Muraad kicked for home with a few lengths in hand, but the Omani raider kept knuckling down as the finish line approached, getting up to score by a short head.
Mubeed was more than six lengths away in third.
Falaah won Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge on Super Saturday in similar fashion – his first Group 1 victory – and had previously contested the Kahayla on World Cup night in 2024, finishing a modest fifth to Saudi Arabia’s Tilal Al Khalediah.
Jubilant trainer Ahmed Al Balushi said: “Thanks to God. It is a first Kahayla Classic for Oman, so we are obviously delighted. On Super Saturday when he won, I thought he could perform at this level and he did not disappoint. Gate 15 is never an easy thing for any horse, but he showed his class there.”
Jockey Al Moatasem Al Balushi said: “I can’t describe how happy I am. I probably won’t sleep for another week. I ran the scenarios in my head before the race many times and I had a plan A, a plan B and a plan C. Thankfully it went the way it did.”
Owner HH Sayyid Shihab bin Harib bin Thuwaini Al Said said: “One month ago, someone called me and asked if I was willing to sell the horse. But I would never sell the best horse in Oman’s history for any money.”
Muraad’s beaten rider Silvestre de Sousa said: “He ran a blinder. It’s only his third run in the UAE and he’s won two Group 1s. He ran very genuinely for me. Unfortunately, there was one that ran better.”
WONDER DEAN TARGETS KENTUCKY DERBY
Japanese colt Wonder Dean will attempt to succeed where his compatriots have not as he eyes off the Kentucky Derby following his victory in the Gr2 UAE Derby, sponsored by Jumeirah, at Meydan on Saturday.
Daisuke Takayanagi-trained Wonder Dean became the fifth straight Japanese winner of the UAE Derby, following Crown Pride (2022), Derma Sotogake (2023), Forever Young (2024) and Admire Daytona (2025). Each of them also went to Churchill Downs for the Gr1 Kentucky Derby but could not win; Forever Young went closest, just edged out by Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone.
Takayanagi finished fifth in that same Kentucky Derby with T O Password and can dream of the famous garland of roses with Wonder Dean after he stayed on stoutly under Cristian Demuro to take the UAE Derby.
Wonder Dean (Cristian Demuro) becomes the fifth consecutive
Derby winner trained in Japan Credit: Dubai Racing Club / Liesl King
Like his stablemate Commissioner King in the Gr2 Godolphin Mile earlier in the card, Bhupat Seemar-trained Six Speed set a ferocious tempo early that both exposed stamina and made it almost impossible for any horse beyond midfield to get into the race.
That was perhaps not an ideal scenario given Six Speed had his own stamina queries, but it served the purpose of putting most of his rivals under pressure – including Wonder Dean.
From a middle gate, Demuro bustled Wonder Dean early but he was outsped into the first turn and ended up midfield.
Throughout, he was niggled by the Italian jockey but it meant that – approaching the 800m – he was able to race into second with momentum as others around him struggled.
As they approached the straight, it appeared a race in two – Six Speed three lengths ahead of Wonder Dean with fellow Japanese contender Pyromancer hard-pressed to hold down third five lengths away.
And while Six Speed stuck to his guns resolutely, Wonder Dean was making ground with every stride as the pair pulled clear of the field.
In the end, stamina proved the difference; Wonder Dean was simply more stout than Six Speed. Two and a half lengths separated the pair at the line, with six lengths to Pyromancer in third.
It means that the last non-Japanese winner of the UAE Derby remains the remarkable globetrotter Rebel’s Romance, who has not raced on dirt since his 2021 triumph at Meydan.
Takayanagi said: “This is my first international success so I feel amazing. I was truly impressed by his performance. I was confident beforehand as I thought the extra distance would definitely help, and that Meydan would suit him.
“I was expecting the leader Six Speed to stop a lot earlier than he did and so I was a bit worried, but I always thought he would get there.”
Takayanagi is already planning the logistics for his second Kentucky Derby sojourn.
“Yes, of course (we will go),” he said. “We will go directly to America from here. Wonder Dean is developing physically and mentally all the time, and I am very excited about what he can do in the future.”
Demuro hopes he can make his maiden appearance in the Kentucky Derby.
“I had a dream run around,” he said. “I was able to ride him how I wanted and although he didn’t have too much cover, he came there so easily and then really picked up well. If I am asked to ride in the Kentucky Derby it would be a first and a wonderful experience.”
A Kentucky Derby rematch may be on the cards as Seemar has his own plans to head to Churchill Downs with Six Speed.
“He just didn’t stay,” he said. “He doesn’t help himself. He’s got so much speed, but he needs to learn to relax. The plan is to go to Kentucky Derby next.”
Added Barzalona: “We knew there was a chance he might not stay because he has so much speed, but I let him roll on the way he likes. At the end he was very tired and it was his heart that kept him in it.”
CRAWFORD ENJOYING A FLYING FIRST HK SEASON!
South African trainer Brett Crawford has wasted no time making his mark in Hong Kong. In his debut season, he has already saddled 18 winners from 58 meetings, boasting a first-three strike rate of 29.27%.
Brett Crawford has made an immediate impact in Hong Kong
A dual-site trainer since last September, Crawford quickly embraced the facilities at Conghua, which he describes as “important to my stable operation.”
“At the beginning of the season, we already arranged some of our horses in Conghua,” Crawford recalled. “I was deeply impressed with the racecourse. The facilities are stateof-the-art – excellent stables with good ventilation, plus rehabilitation and training facilities like swimming pools, aqua walkers and treadmills. There’s so much available to help bring out the best in each horse.”
Crawford’s experience managing horses between Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa prepared him well for Hong
Kong’s dual-site system. He is among the leading trainers recently for winners prepared at Conghua prior to their last start. Six of his 10 victories since the start of January have come from Conghua-trained runners.
Mr Incredible was his latest Conghua-trained victor, scoring on his Hong Kong debut on 15 March.
“There’s more space, more variety, and it allows horses to break free from the routine of Hong Kong,” Crawford said. “We rotate our horses regularly so each one gets the chance to train there. Some even remain based in Conghua, only travelling to Hong Kong to race before returning.
“Conghua is good for training young horses, as they will have more opportunities to exercise on turf and that will give them more experience on turf before they start to race in Hong Kong.”
Mr Incredible is a prime example, as the three-year-old Toronado gelding spent most of 2026 in Conghua before opening his account in Hong Kong.
Crawford named Win Speed as one horse in his stable that has benefitted most from training in Conghua.
“He hasn’t won yet after joining my stable, but his form has improved. He looks happier and much better after returning from Conghua,” Crawford noted.
Crawford’s other recent winners stabled at Conghua prior to their last start also included
Gor Gor, Sovereign Fund, Island Buddy and Speedy Smartie. Lovero, a winner this term who has also placed on three occasions, has shown similar improvement after spells in Conghua.
“Hong Kong has the tough season from the beginning of September right through to the middle of July. The more you can give them the opportunity to recover from races, it’s a big thing, and I think Conghua gives us the opportunity to do this.
“Conghua is good for a horse’s mind and if you have a happy horse, they will do their best for you,” Crawford added.
Crawford is confident Conghua will be a worthy racing venue. “It’s a fair, even track, and I believe it will prove to be an excellent stage for racing.”
Win Speed (blue silks) during a barrier trial at Conghua | Credit: HKJC
BACK ON TOP! NEWNHAM
Mark Newnham’s marvellous March continued at Sha Tin on Sunday when the Australian handler snared a treble that saw him return to the top of the trainers’ championship.
The third-year trainer claimed his first HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) triumph earlier this month, comfortably the biggest win of his Hong Kong career. On 18 March, he saddled the first quintet of his career.
Sunday’s treble fired him back to the trainers’ standings summit on 45 wins, two clear of Caspar Fownes on 43. Danny Shum sits two wins back on 41.
Ace (133lb) launched Newnham’s super Sunday when he finally broke through in the Class 5 Chung Chi Alumni Handicap (1400m) for Jerry Chau, who collected another pair to take his tally to 33 for the season.
“I think he’s better than Class 5,” Newnham said. “He galloped very well during the week. He drew a good gate, Jerry gave him an excellent ride, and I think that’ll help the horse’s confidence.
“He won with a bit of authority so I think there’s still improvement to come.”
Max Que (120lb) continued his remarkable season with his first victory in Class 2 company when he took out the Shaw Alumni Handicap (1600m) under Alexis Badel. The Newnhamtrained five-year-old has now won four times and has finished in the frame in all nine races this season.
“The horse has been very consistent this season – he’s just a really solid horse,” Newnham said. “Today, with a nice light weight, and a good stalking ride from Alexis, it was a really good run.
Mark Newnham celebrates the three-timer | Credit: HKJC
“At the start of the season, I probably didn’t think it was going to be a Class 2 winner. So, I’m happy what he’s achieved so far. You can send him out there and know he’s going to do his best. If that’s good enough to keep winning, great, but he’s had a fantastic season.”
Newnham brought up his treble when Ever Luck (135lb) claimed the Class 4 Faculty Of Education Alumni Handicap (1000m). The Capitalist threeyear-old has now won two from five outings in his debut season, with James Orman in the saddle on both occasions.
“He’s always had natural speed, so with the blinkers back on and dropped to 1000m, we just decided to play to his asset,” Newnham said. “He’s struggled previously at 1200m carrying 135lb, but I thought today, with the blinkers on, he just had to use the outside fence as his guide and use that speed.
“As a three-year-old, I think the 1000m trip is as far as he wants to go. He won’t have too many more runs this season.”
Frankie Lor-trained Salon S (134lb) maintained his exceptional record with his fourth win in as many career starts, and further boosted his 2026/27 Four-Year-Old Classic Series credentials.
Ridden by Matthew Poon, the three-year-old son of Zousain produced his usual front-running performance and found another gear in the home straight as the chasing pack began to close, saluting by a length to claim the Class 3 S.H. Ho Alumni Handicap (1400m).
“I was a little bit worried because this time he needed to carry 134lb in Class 3 and he’s only a three-year-old,” Lor said. “But he did a good job. I’ll talk to the owner to see whether we give him one more run. He’ll go up to Class 2 now.
“He’s still learning. The jockey said that if he can relax more, 1600m will be no problem.
“He’s quite exciting. You can see this sire has had some OK horses in Hong Kong, but this one is quite good. I hope he can keep going.”
Young Champion (122lb) dug deep under Andrea Atzeni to grab his first win of the season in a class record time of 1m 07.74s. The John Size-trained gelding may not have worked harder for a victory in his whole career after holding off a battling Patch Of Stars (129lb) in the closing stages of the Class 2 CW Chu Alumni Handicap (1200m).
“He put himself straight there to win the race and he actually fought today too and showed a bit of character; he was there to get beat but didn’t, so I’m very pleased,” Size said.
Shotgun (119lb) was an impressive one-andthree-quarter-length winner of the Class 4 New Asia Alumni Handicap (1400m) and brought up the double for Atzeni. David Hall chalked up his 22nd win of a solid season and looks set to surpass last season’s mark of 26 wins.
David Eustace declared “the penny has finally dropped” after Charity Together (125lb) provided Chau with his second winner of the day and got off the mark in Hong Kong at the 11th time of asking in the Class 4 United Alumni Handicap (2000m). The four-year-old Irish-bred had been
knocking at the door, having never finished outside the top five in five runs this term.
“He hasn’t had a huge amount of luck with his barriers,” Eustace said, “but he’s drawn well in his last two starts. He’s only a four-year-old, so I think there’s room for progression there.”
Francis Lui and Vincent Ho combined to grab the Class 4 The CUHK Alumni Cup Handicap (1400m) when King Dance (123lb) got up by a neck at 33/1, while Lor found his way back to the Winner’s Arch courtesy of Better And Better’s (120lb) narrow victory in the Class 4 Graduate School Alumni Handicap (1200m). The win also provided Badel with his second success of the meeting.
Rising Force (130lb) showcased a stunning burst of speed in the last 200 metres to win the Class 3 Wu Yee Sun Alumni Handicap (1200m) under Richard Kingscote for trainer Ricky Yiu, before Francis Lui-trained The Golden Knight (118lb), ridden by Harry Bentley, prevailed in a blanket finish to the Class 3 Morningside and Lee Woo Sing Alumni Handicap (1600m) to close the meeting.
Andrea Atzeni drives Young Champion to a hard-fought
AT KEMPTON PARK SA CONNECTED FEATURE VICTORY
The Wilgerbosdrift-bred and Mary Slackowned Pinatubo filly Pina Sonata served a reminder of her class when taking the Listed Virgin Bet Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton on Saturday under Hollywoodbets-sponsored jockey, Danny Muscutt.
James Fanshawe’ four-year-old impressed in modest company at both Wolverhampton and
Leicester last term, before being tried in much deeper waters in the Prix Rothschild and then Sandown’s Fortune Stakes without much success.
However, she left those performances behind on her seasonal return, with the 11-2 chance coming home a cosy winner of the Listed contest.
Danny Muscutt steers Pina Sonata to victory
Credit: Kempton Park Racecourse
Fanshawe said: “When she won her first two starts last year I probably just threw her into the deep end a bit too quick and I think the fact she’s had a nice long break, as a big filly, she’s just grown and built into her frame. A winter on her back has done her good and she’s been moving really well, and it was a good performance today as I felt it was a strong Snowdrop this year. I think it’s great for the owner Mary Slack, as she has bred both her and Sky Safari (Winter Derby winner) who has had a wonderful winter and it’s great to see this filly start off the year this way.”
Fanshawe previously won the Snowdrop with Captivator (2012) and subsequent Gr1 scorer Ribbons (2014) and the Newmarket handler has hopes Pina Sonata could tread a similar path to those heights.
27 MARCH - ALL THE ADMIN ACTION
FROM THE NHA
The Sporting Post presents the National Horseracing Authority Calendar per 27 March 2026.
The calendar is a summary of the past week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information.
Please click on the image below:
UNNAMED HORIZON x
Sparkled by
NO APRIL FOOL’S JOKE
– THE TOPPIE IS BACK!
Some may have thought it was an April Fool’s joke to see a senior citizen riding work at Summerveld this morning.
But it wasn’t a bird, and it certainly wasn’t a plane. It was 58 year old former SA Champion and recent WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met winner Andrew Fortune, who was back doing what he loves, nearly six weeks after a terrible fall at Fairview.
“Time may seem to have flown by. But I was in such a great tempo at the time of the accident, it knocked me. But, hey, it’s all part
of the journey and was meant to be! Maybe it was even a sign that I should be slowing down, rather than gathering momentum?” he laughed as he reflected on six broken ribs, punctured lungs, a fractured clavicle and a shoulder blade ‘severed in half’.
The Candyman’s glorious comeback season may have come to a grinding halt when riding Witching Hour for Zietsman Oosthuizen on that forgettable Fairview Friday, but his spirit and Duracell Battery powered energy has never faltered.
Andrew Fortune – ready to rock ‘n roll again! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
“I have visited the hyperbaric chamber regularly. Listened to my doctor and stayed in the loop at the Snaith team. I have been up here with Frank Robinson, who is doing a great job at Summerveld. I’m privileged to sit on champions like See It Again and Double Grand Slam ahead of Saturday’s Champions Day. I’d love to be riding them in the Grade 1’s, of course, and I could do so with one arm. But the problem is if I have to start pushing, then I need both limbs. There is still pain and I need to get fit again.”
The Candyman said that he was aiming to get back to race-riding by 18 April (that will be 8 weeks post the fall and is acceptable to the medical men) or latest, 25 April.
“I need to put my body under pressure now and show that I will be ready for the 2 May feature racemeeting – the two Guineas and the Drill Hall Stakes are run that day. And then on 9 May Note To Self runs in the WSB 1900 and Eight On Eighteen is also pencilled in for a run. I am privileged to be part of a champion team but, believe me, there is no place for passengers! I need to show I am ready!”
The Champions Season regular opening slot has been brought forward to the RCS Big Cap racemeeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 11 April. Traditionally it has commenced in early May with the Drill Hall Stakes and the dual sex Guineas.
RECORD AVERAGE AS INGLIS EASTER DEFIES GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY
A Too Darn Hot colt topped Day 2 of an Easter Yearling Sale that ended with a record average and a staggering 26 A$1m+ lots, despite ongoing global uncertainty.
Sir Andrew and Lady Madeleine Lloyd Webber’s Watership Down teamed up with Johnny McKeever and Waterhouse/Bott Racing to secure the day’s leading lot for A$2.2m from the Widden draft.
On a significant two days at Riverside:
• A total of 26 horses sold for A$1m or more – up from 25 last year – to 18 different entities, by 10 different stallions and for 12 different vendors
• The sale’s average sits at A$464,108, a record for the Easter Sale
• Arrowfield ended as leading vendor by gross, while Newgate was leading vendor by average at a staggering A$867,778 from 18 sold
• Andrew Williams Bloodstock was leading buyer, spending A$9,860,000 either outright or with partners while Dean Hawthorne bought the most lots, signing for 16 purchases outright or with partners
• The depth of the buying bench was again incredible with purchasers coming from China, France, USA, UK, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore and all around Australia
Too Darn Hot Colt
• Snitzel was the sale’s largest-grossing stallion with 32 of his progeny selling for a total of A$19,205,000 while Extreme Choice was the best by average, with nine of his 10 progeny offered selling at an average of A$1,561,111 and incredibly seven for A$1m+
Monday’s top lot was the Too Darn Hot colt from Widden, one of seven A$1m+ lots for the famed Hunter Valley nursery at the sale.
“It’s a lot of money, it’s fantastic, that was a wonderful result and to see the joy and delight for the Watership Down, Johnny McKeever and Gai and Adrian partnership to win that titanic bidding battle was really cool,’’ Widden’s Antony Thompson said.
“It’s been an incredible week, an amazing two days of selling. We came here with what we thought was an incredible draft…we had some anxiousness with where the market might be at but it’s just been a stunning set of results right across the board. We’re so proud.’’
Watership Down’s Simon Marsh was “absolutely delighted’’ to have secured the highly-touted colt.
“To be honest with you, from the first time I saw him I said to Johhny ‘we’re going to have to have this horse’, he was just so exceptional,’’ Marsh said.
“It’s been a wonderful week and Inglis do a fantastic job. They look after everybody really well so we can’t thank Inglis enough for everything they do for everybody, especially those of us coming from overseas.’’
McKeever added: “I just didn’t want to lose him because my whole week centred around
him but having said that, I knew it was asking a lot of Simon. He was simply the best yearling on the grounds I thought.’’
Monday’s second-top lot honours were shared between a pair of A$2m colts.
The first was Newgate Farm’s Extreme Choice x Giza Goddess colt which sold to Yulong and trainer Matt Laurie.
The colt’s breeder Steve O’Connor – who was gifted the mare as a wedding present by his employer Go Bloodstock owner Sir Own Glenn – was stunned by the result.
“It’s nerve-racking but we thought this was the best place to advertise this colt and it couldn’t have worked out any better,’’ O’Connor said.
“She’s such a beautiful mare that we wanted to breed her to the best to give her the best opportunity and Extreme Choice is the top stallion and he just kept getting better and better and the stars aligned for this sale. It’s great to come to Easter and get rewarded like this.’’
Yulong’s Jun Zhang said: “He’s the one we definitely had to buy. He ticked all the boxes, he moves well and has a very strong body and we believe he could be a very good racehorse in the future. Also we wanted to buy Extreme Choices, he’s a very successful stallion.’’
The other A$2m colt late in the day was the brother to Gr1-winning Easter superstar Switzerland (Snitzel x Ms Bad Behavior) which Arrowfield sold to James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, Tony Fung Colts and Coolmore.
Harron was delighted on the purchase and how the Easter Sale played out overall.
“Pedigree aside, we just thought he was an awesome horse and we’re delighted to get a horse of that calibre,’’ Harron said.
“It’s been a super strong sale. It’s very good to see the quality in the market, there’s been great depth to the buying bench and such beautiful animals being presented, I think everyone should be walking away tonight feeling very buoyant about the industry.
“If you brought a really nice, well-bred horse here – which is what [Inglis] is trying to achieve with the Best of the Best – you got very well rewarded.’’
Arrowfield’s Jon Freyer added: “He was quite a special colt, we loved him and I think this colt was as good as [Ms Bad Behavior] has ever had. He was a horse everybody admired.
“He was late in the sale but it didn’t make any difference, everybody stayed here for him and he made a great price.’’
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was pleased with the sale’s overall numbers.
“I am very proud of the efforts of the while Inglis team, in not only assembling and promoting a great catalogue, but also executing the sale with incredible professionalism and dedication,” Hutch said.
“Our objective with each sale is to try and achieve the best possible results for each horse offered by each vendor and in the case of this sale, there is an unparalleled level of pressure given the profile of the stock, so I think the team has done an admirable job under the circumstances.
“The records might not reflect it, but I will always remember the extraordinary effort of
our group to conduct an Easter Yearling Sale to the standard that they have against the backdrop of a major international conflict and the ensuing economic crisis.
“There are a lot of positives to take from the sale, including the entry to the Australian market for the first time of major international investors like ‘The Flying Dutchmen’ and Sumbe, as well as the demand for quality stock that met the criteria of buyers.
“The Day 1 clearance is now up to 82% and there are a number of other sales in the process of being finalised, while we will continue to work with vendors and buyers over the coming days to generate further sales and bring the clearance rate up further.
“We are hugely grateful to the vendors and breeders for their support of the sale with a group of fantastic yearlings, and to the buyers for their patronage of the sale, I have no doubt that this sale will be particularly significant as a source of top-class racehorses of the future and look forward to following their exploits on the racecourse.”
Buyers’ attention now switches to Inglis Digital, with the April (Early) Sale now open for entries. The sale will run from 10 – 15 April, with entries closing on Wednesday 08 April.
2026 Easter Yearling Sale Statistics(2025 in brackets)
• Offered: 415 (387)
• Sold: 314 (332)
• Clearance: 76% (86%)
• Average: A$464,108 (A$451,913)
• Median: A$350,000 (A$360,000)
• Gross: A$145,730,000 (A$150,035,000)
TRAINERS
JOCKEYS
BREEDERS
