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HISTORY!

STANDARD! THE GOLD

A Magic Mile Saturday’s renewal looks a cracker!

News Dazzler Son of Querari shines

The French Connection A Grade 1 dream come true

On Your Wish List? What a filly

Zac’s 2000!

Brett Crawford saddles milestone winner

On the cover Visiting French jockey Mickaëlle Michel celebrated a career-first Grade 1 success when Star Major won the Daily News 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville last Saturday. Image courtesy of Candiese Lenferna.

AND THEN THERE WERE 39…

The R10 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July entry class of 2026 has been reduced to 39, with scratchings in the past few days.

Sean Tarry scratched Master Spy and Callmegetrix on Sunday 31 May at 08h26.

No reasons are required to be given for the scratchings.

Tarry is a two-time Durban July winning conditioner, having scored with Pomodoro (2012) and Heavy Metal (2013), and still has smart Gr1winning 3yo Grand Empire in the running.

Buster Barnes and Curious Girl are the remaining De Kock Racing Hollywoodbets Durban July entrants after Jan Van Goyen was also scratched on Sunday morning.

Mathew de Kock scratched the 3yo at 10h10 on Sunday 31 May, with no reason given, but commented: “It is clear now that Jan Van Goyen doesn’t see out 2000m, or further for that matter, so there is no point in running him in the Durban July.”

Mat said that Jan Van Goyen will be rested now. “He hasn’t enjoyed a proper holiday yet and he deserves it, so we’ll put him away until spring, and bring him back to the shorter distances over which he has proven to be so effective.”

Three jockeys have been declared so far –Keagan de Melo rides Native Ruler, while JP van

der Merwe will partner Regulation and Tristan Godden is in the saddle on Betway Summer Cup queen, Mocha Blend.

Raceform report that the top of the handicap has not moved: See It Again still anchors the race on 62.0kg off an MR of 130, with Eight On Eighteen on 61.5kg. Legal Counsel and The Real Prince remain together on 61.0kg, and Atticus Finch and Gladatorian share the 60.5kg line.

The 3yo allowance is still doing real work. Note To Self and Star Major remain treated as 3yos, but the updated MR file lifts Star Major to 56.0kg. Hazy Dazy and Wish List sit on 53.5kg, while Chronicle King gets to 52.5kg. If one of the

younger horses is good enough, the scale gives them a chance.

Please read more about the weights by clicking here.

Second declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday 8 June with the final supplementary entry cut-off at 11h00 on Monday 15 June.

Further key Hollywoodbets Durban July dates:

• Weights: Monday 15 June

• Final declarations: by 11h00 Monday 22 June

• Final field & draws: Tuesday 23 June

• Public gallops: Thursday 25 June

ZAKES BANTWINI AND MI CASA AMONG HEADLINE ARTISTS

GRAMMY AWARD WINNER

TOPS JULY BILLING

Dance and music lovers are in for a rare treat at the 2026

Hollywoodbets Durban July. Zakes Bantwini, the Grammy award-winning artist, is set to top the bill at the Pulse big stage on race day, Saturday 4 July 2026.

Bantwini is sometimes styled as the King of Dance, so it’s fitting he will be joined by a veritable royal family of the South African pop and house-music scenes.

Durban-born Bantwini is looking forward to entertaining his home crowd. “KZN, it’s always good to be home! I’ve got something special prepared for you at the Hollywoodbets Durban July. It’s going to be a great one, hope to see you all there!” he said.

Mi Casa, Will Rayz, Will Linley, Angel Mazibuko, Supreme 3 and Tamara Dey have also confirmed they will be performing at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, where guests can expect a winning combination of world-class horse racing, high fashion, music and entertainment.

Mi Casa have a brace of best-selling albums and industry awards under their belts and it was recently announced that the trio will be representing South Africa later this year at the Fifa World Cup. The group’s J’Something said: “We will never forget the very first Hollywoodbets Durban July we did, and we count it as such a blessing to be able to come back. We can’t wait to connect with everybody.”

Singer-songwriter-guitarist Will Rayz , a finalist on SA’s Got Talent, will be bringing some soulful sounds to the Pulse stage while his sort-of namesake, Will Linley, will show why he’s been enjoying radio playtime.

Linley is among a new wave of young singersongwriters helping to redefine local music. “I am so excited to be playing at the Hollywoodbets Durban July. As a kid I would always watch the race with my father so it’s pretty unreal to be a part of such an awesome event!” he said.

Angel Mazibuko is another rising star with a penchant for Afro-pop and RnB. Mazibuko is known for her big smile and even bigger voice — one that has won her comparisons with Tracy Chapman.

Keeping things up tempo will be Supreme 3. The trio of Loyiso Bala, Lloyd Cele and Danny K (all big names in their own right) are set to dazzle down trackside with some Motown magic.

Then there’s DJ and vocalist Tamara Dey, a veteran of the electronic-dance scene. Dey, who counts more than 25 years in the business, said she is “super amped” to be performing at this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July. “Yeehaa fam! True to this year’s theme, I’ll be bringing some country inspo into my vocal sets and bringing big party vibes with my DJ sets,” said Day.

She was referring to “Country Allure”, the theme for what will be the 130th July. It’s an invitation

to designers, fashion-lovers, and racegoers to draw inspiration from our country’s dramatic, rural landscapes and the elegance of our equestrian culture.

Confirmation that Bantwini has signed as headline act, follows hot on the heels of news that Anlia Etzebeth will be singing the national anthem at the be Hollywoodbets Durban July.

A celebrated performer on screen and stage, Anlia has delivered standout live moments, including a powerful rendition of the anthem at Cape Town Stadium in 2022 when her husband, Springbok Eben Etzebeth, marked his 100th Test cap with a Man of the Match performance.

So what are you waiting for, then? Big sounds, inspiring performances and some of the country’s best on and off the track — all for a modest entry fee of R280.

Tickets are now on sale for general admission, picnic sites, VIP hospitality packages, and parking via Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.co.za).

For more information, visit https://www.hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly.co.za/

STAR MAJOR PULLS RANK HOME, JAMES!

Leading internationally experienced French jockey Mickaëlle Michel became the first female rider to celebrate a Grade 1 success on African soil in over two decades when she guided Star Major to victory in the R2 million Gr1 Daily News 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

The success – a first Grade 1 for the smart colt’s trainer James Craword – in the classic was also a personal maiden Grade 1 for the SplashOut-sponsored rider, who has ridden in 14 countries and chalked up winners in eight of those, including stakes wins in France, Japan and the United States.

Mickaëlle, who is travelling with her exjockey husband Fred, recently completed an interprovincial Grade 2 feature double in the space of five days, and on Saturday she made it two in a row on the Querari colt Star Major (3-1), who shortened in to 5-1 and is the new Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post favourite

The Maine Chance-bred galloper jumped from the widest gate and was given a patient ride, turning for home waay down the field.

But when it counted, he stormed home to beat Happy Verse (7-1) by 1,50 lengths in a time of 122,25 secs for the 2000m.

Note To Self (28-10) stayed on quite tamely for third, a further 1,50 lengths back with the

pacesetting Viva’s Liberte (13-2) capping the quartet.

The balance of the Hollywoodbets Durban July entries may be having a rethink, with pacemaker Chronicle King fading out to sixth and 7,30 lengths off the winner.

Jan Van Goyen was 0,70 lengths behind Chronicle King after being dropped out, while the only filly in the race, Hazy Dazy, found it tough going, finishing 11,40 lengths behind the winner. Sean Tarry’s Master Spy was 0,15 lengths behind her.

A R500 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, the winner was bred by Maine Chance Farms and is a son of Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the Silvano mare, Star In The Sky.

Star Major now boasts 4 wins with 5 places from his 11 starts and took his stakes total to R2 067 795.

RULE THE WORLD MAINE CHANCE KINGPINS

The impact of the late, great Silvano continues to be felt in South Africa. Not only is Silvano’s champion son Vercingetorix set to be crowned Champion Sire again this season, but Silvano himself currently sits atop of the Leading Sires of Broodmares premiership.

The success of Silvano as a broodmare was further underlined at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Remarkably, the son of Lomitas is broodmare sire of all three of last Saturday’s KZN feature race winners!

Silvano is broodmare sire of Dance King (out of Cotillion) and Ahead Of The Facts (Nicety), the first two home in Saturday’s Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, Saturday’s Lucky Fish Gr2 Woolavington 2000 queen (and likely Equus Champion) Wish List (out of Gr2 SA Oaks winner Wind Chill), and the Gr1 Daily News 2000 hero Star Major (out of Star In The Sky).

Remarkably, Silvano is paternal or maternal grandsire of five of the seven females who contested Saturday’s Woolavington 2000.

Silvano is also the damsire of the inform De Vlugge (out of the Silvano daughter

Goldandsilver) who made it four wins in a row when victorious at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Silvano stood at Maine Chance Farms, where not only Vercingetorix stands currently but also another red hot stallion in the form of Querari.

The latter looks to have come up with a leading Hollywoodbets Durban July this season in the form of Star Major.

A fifth Gr1 winner for Querari, Star Major has claimed a trio of graded races this season, with his maiden Gr1 victory on Saturday preceded by triumphs in the World Sports Betting Gr2 Guineas and HKJC World Pool Gr3 Politician Stakes.

Star Major, who will be looking to provide Querari - who has yet to have a first three finisher in the July - with his first July win when he lines up in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, is bred on a cross which has already enjoyed plenty of success.

To date, Querari has sired seven graded stakes winners out of daughters of Silvano, with this tally including not only Star Major but also fellow Gr1 winners Bavarian Beauty (Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes)

and Cosmic Speed (Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes).

Querari, who is third on the General Sires premiership at the time of writing, has had a wonderful season with his flagbearers including not only the graded stakes winners Star Major, Querari Dancer, Time Is Precious, and Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge hope Questioning, but also the hugely exciting twoyear-old, Turn It Up.

Querari’s ongoing success has proved poignant this year, with the recent announcement of the retirement of his sire Oasis Dream.

The latter, whose granddaughter Timeforshowcasing won Sunday’s G2r Horn & Company German 1000 Guineas, proved a consistently high-class stallion over the years. Oasis Dream’s tally of stakes winners currently stands at 141, including 18 Gr1 winners.

An outstanding broodmare sire, Oasis Dream is also the sire of Power, Muhaarar, Showcasing, and the aforementioned Querari - all of whom have sired Gr1 winners.

Another son, German classic winner Frozen Power, is broodmare sire of promising young stallion Perfect Power, a half-brother to 2025 Gr1 Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes winner Wise Approach, who recently came up with his first winner.

GLOBETROTTER’S GR1 GLORY!

From a planned five-week busman’s holiday to a career first Grade 1 winner. In short, that’s the Mickaëlle Michel fairytale after the James Crawford-trained Star Major stormed to victory in the R2 million Gr1 Daily News 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville last Saturday.

Mickaëlle Michel and Star Major are led in by Ravi Naidoo and Jonathan and Zach Bloch | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

South Africa was unchartered territory for Mickaëlle and her husband of five years, former jockey Frederic Spanu, when the couple touched down at OR Tambo International late in November 2025.

Mickaëlle’s Mom, who lives in the South Of France, and has no connection to racing, was a little nervous about her talented daughter’s African safari.

“Mothers always worry! The perception of your beautiful country in some minds, is quite far removed from reality. Fred and I have found everybody kind and hospitable in the extreme. The reality is that one has to exercise care anywhere on earth! We have loved our time in South Africa,” mused Mickaëlle as she spoke of the captivating beauty of Table Mountain, which they visited recently.

With a regular flow of winners – she is on 30 as we go to print - including a recent Gr2 double, winning her second ride in the Cape, and last Saturday’s magic moment, the unassuming, yet determined, but always smiling and engaging 30 year old, has captured the hearts of the South African racing public in double quick time.

While top female riders are not a new phenomenon to us – Mickaëlle’s namesake Genevieve Michel won the Gr2 Diadem Stakes in 1998 on Okukama, while dual champion Rachel Venniker lifted the silverware in the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas on Eye Of The Prophet three seasons ago, when still an apprentice, other names of the past like Nadine Rapson and Vicky Minott were also stakes winning riders.

On Saturday 30 May 2026, the SplashOutsponsored Mickaëlle wrote her name into South African racing history as the first female to win a Grade 1 classic, and only the second to win at the elite level – the first being Lisa Prestwood, who won the Gr1 Merchants at

Turffontein on 26 April 2003 on Al Nitak, for the late Buddy Maroun. Lisa was to follow up just five weeks later, when beating superstar National Currency in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint in the KZN Capital City on the very same horse.

The stars were aligned for Mickaëlle at Hollywoodbets Greyville – a track with a vibe and atmosphere that she enjoys, and that has naturally become one of her local favourites.

Her win strike-rate with the young James Crawford, who is in his first season after taking over from his Hong Kong-based Dad, Brett, is hovering close to 40% - a number Mickaëlle suggests is ‘surreal’.

The Hollywoodbets-sponsored James told the Sporting Post that the internationally experienced jockey was ‘a class act’.

“What a day. Thanks to my owners, my team and to Mickaëlle. My Dad left giant shoes to fill, but I have had the best coaching,” adds James modestly.

Still floating on cloud nine after her defining moment as the son of Querari galloped to Daily News glory and the top of the Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post betting boards, Mickaëlle told the Sporting Post that she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the enormous encouragement that she had received from the racing public, and all stakeholders.

“Everybody just keeps coaxing me to do well, and the support across the board has been amazing,” she explained, as she said that the travelling and experience of riding in fourteen countries across the globe, had stood her in great stead.

“It is not easy on family life and it can be an expensive and administratively intensive exercise travelling the world. But it teaches one so much about tracks, conditions - and even life and different people. I was not

nervous at all before Saturday’s big race –and I have only probably ridden in four Grade 1 races in my eight year career, before Star Major,” she said proudly.

Mickaëlle broke the record for a female jockey in France with 72 winners in 2018 and was the leading rider at the winter meeting held at Cagnes sur Mer. She has over 300 winners in eight different countries, including stakes successes in France, Japan and the United States.

“A jockey can only prove his or her credentials when given opportunities. That’s what has happened here in South Africa. For James Crawford and his owners to put their faith

in me with Star Major is a privilege. He is a special horse – even though very different to that top stayer Walderbe.”

Mickaëlle won the Gr2 Gran Premio in Italy –until recently a Gr1 and regarded as ‘Italy’s Arc’ – or ‘Italy’s Hollywoodbets Durban July’, as she now labels it, on Walderbe. She also rode the son of Maxios into second behind Subjectivist in the 2021 $1-million Dubai Gold Cup.

We asked her about Star Major.

“It’s difficult comparing individual top horses on different continents. I’d say Walderbe was lazy – a typical stamina horse. I had to ask

Mickaëlle and Ravi Naidoo listen to the post-race presentations | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

him. Star Major on the other side of the coin has an amazing turn of foot. On Saturday he was just so beautifully relaxed and on his best behaviour. I rode him with the hands and then gave him two or three reminders as he was waiting for the runner-up to join him.”

As to the race itself, we enquired at which point – if any - she thought the Daily News was in the bag, as Star Major was drawn widest and had dropped into last.

“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but around the 900m I thought that this is it! He was relaxed and listened to me –indicating that he was ready to go. Hazy Dazy was falling back and we went around her. Then it was over,” she recalls.

Her husband-agent Fred, who rode over 500 winners, but retired due to weight challenges, is a consistent support and is at her side at every racemeeting.

“Fred said that watching Star Major win the Daily News was like winning a Grade 1 himself!” she laughs, adding that his family

have jokingly suggested that she take his surname.

“I didn’t change my surname when we married as I was already known as Mickaëlle Michel in many places that I had ridden.”

As to the future, Mickaëlle says that she is looking forward to being a part of the Hollywoodbets Durban July build-up and the day itself.

“We have heard so much about Africa’s greatest race – it will be a privilege to just be there and hopefully have a ride or two on the day,” she adds.

The couple plan to leave South Africa after the Gold Cup and return to France.

“We will return to France for visa purposes and have a family get-together. Basically a working holiday as I need to stay race-riding fit. And then I will hopefully return to Japan for a fortnight, and, if permitted, would love to return to South Africa after Japan, in the spring.”

A delighted Mickaëlle Michel and husband, Fred – all smiles after a defining win | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR!

Sporting a new look clean-cut hairstyle, multiple SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith conceded to being nervous prior to the running of Saturday’s R500 000 Lucky Fish Gr2 Woolavington 2000 – and his favourite jockey Andrew Fortune ensured the boss sweated every moment of the 125,57 seconds that it took the popular Wish List to assert her authority.

In a race definitely not run to suit the dual Gr1 winning 5-10 favourite, the daughter of Dynasty stallion Legislate showcased her brilliance and that of her former SA champion jockey Andrew Fortune.

Looking to have a mountain to climb, Wish List was switched in and went to fetch the free-striding 33-1 shot, Minogue. The latter is

no slouch on her day and benefitted from an astute ride by Muzi Yeni, who unfortunately dropped his rein at the 150m marker.

But that made no difference in the end as Hollywoodbets Greyville erupted after Wish List didn’t let her legion of fans down, nabbing the Highveld raider on the post for a nailbiting victory.

Dean Kannemeyer will be pleased with Keukenhof’s (9-2) effort, as she stayed on from last for third, a further 1,80 lengths back.

“I was stuck behind the two Candice Bass runners, who for some reason could not go anymore. So, I circled them. But by then Muzi Yeni had gotten away on Minogue. But this girl is good and for now I am in her corner for the Hollywoodbets Durban July,” quipped the Candyman, who, as we keep saying, is something of a modern medical miracle, riding with vigour and zest, at age 59.

Both the top two are Hollywoodbets Durban July entries.

A Maine Chance Farms bred daughter of SA Horse Of The Year Legislate (Dynasty), Wish List is the first stakes winner produced by Silvan mare Wind Chill, who is also the dam of the useful Windrunner and hails from a powerful female line.

Now a winner of 5 races (2 Gr1’s and 2 Gr2’s) with 4 places from 10 starts for stakes of R2 320 613, Wish List is all set for her 4 July date with destiny.

Zach Bloch and Andrew Fortune enjoy a bit of post-race banter | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

LEGISLATING FOR EXCELLENCE!

Wish List hails from a distinguished female line, best known for the stellar half-sisters Durtal and Detroit, both of which strutted their stuff in the silks of the late racing tycoon Robert Sangster

Wish List (Andrew Fortune) is led in by Jenna le Roux, Zach and Jonathan Bloch, Jono Snaith, Nancy Hossack and Justin Snaith | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

On sheer form, Wish List looked the proverbial penalty kick to add the Gr2 Woolavington 2000 to her already impressive CV and she duly obliged, but only after getting the better of the year older Minogue, who stubbornly refused to capitulate when the chips were down.

In a fierce, head-bobbing finish, the pair were separated by no more than a whisker at the line and there are surely those who would argue that the result could have gone either way.

Be that as it may, it was a third successive Graded success for the winner, who had stepped into the limelight when she defeated male rivals in the Lucky Fish Gr1 Cape Derby before claiming last month’s World Sports Betting Gr2 Fillies Guineas.

A product of the Maine Chance Farms paddocks, Wish List is a perfect example of

‘breeding the best to best’ as she is by Horse of the Year Legislate out of Gr2 SA Oaks winner Wind Chill, a daughter of Silvano.

Legislate’s fertility issues are no secret and when we asked Maine Chance principal Dr Andreas Jacobs as to why he sent Wind Chill to the son of Dynasty, he explained: “Obviously with 20 Silvano mares in our broodmare band, I had to try several stallions. I still believe Mr Prospector is the best cross for Silvano, but as there is not enough of him in South Africa, I chose Legislate. He is a top sire.”

As for the bottom half of Wish List’s pedigree, she hails from a distinguished female line, best known for the stellar half-sisters Durtal and Detroit, both of which strutted their stuff in the silks of the late racing tycoon Robert Sangster.

It is Durtal who features as the ancestress of Wish List. From the first crop of Lyphard, she was crowned England’s champion juvenile filly, having won the Gr1 William Hill Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. At three she ran out an impressive five-length winner of the Gr3 Fred Darling Stakes before sharing second place in the French 1000 Guineas.

Favourite for the English Oaks, fate dealt her a cruel blow however, for she had to be withdrawn after parting company with Lester Piggott and gashing herself on the way to the start. She returned to action four months later, but ran nowhere and never raced again.

As a broodmare, Durtal produced six winners, the most successful of which was undoubtedly Gildoran, who like his dam, was trained by Barry Hills for Sangster. A robust, well-made son of Arc winner Rheingold, he proved himself a dour stayer, twice winning the Gr1 Ascot Gold Cup and the Gr2 Goodwood Cup.

Durtal’s daughters also did their bit to enhance the family fortunes. Lady Isis won the Prix Petite Etoile, Chalamont features as the grandam of Gr1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Roderic O’Connor, while Charroux bred Cheshire Oaks victress Perfect Truth, who in turn produced Gr1 Queensland Derby winner Magicool.

Follies Bergeres bred the Australian stakes winners Latin Quarter and Elected, as well as the Kenmare filly Hasta Lueago, who became the third dam of Wish List.

Durtal’s Riverman half-sister Detroit was bought privately by Sangster as a foal and in contrast to her precocious sibling, only made her racetrack debut in the spring of her threeyear-old career. However, by the time she

lined up for the prestigious Gr1 Prix Vermeille, she was a triple Gr3 winner and had yet to taste defeat.

A troubled trip in the Vermeille cost Detroit her unblemished record as she had to settle for third behind French Oaks winner Mrs Penny and Irish Oaks runner-up Little Bonny. The general consensus was that she had been an unlucky loser and would likely turn the tables in the Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

So it proved, as Detroit won the famous Longchamp race by a half-length, thereby maintaining the magnificent record of fillies in the race. Those who came before her included the likes of the mighty Allez France, Ivanjica and Three Troikas (who finished behind Detroit in fourth place). No surprise that Detroit was rated the Champion 3yo of her gender in Europe in 1980.

She became a broodmare of note, producing no less than five stakes performers, one of which, the Sadler’s Wells colt Carnegie, would follow in his dam’s footsteps by winning the 1994 Arc in what was his first start at the elite level.

Detroit’s feat has since been matched by the 1993 Arc winner Urban Sea, whose son Sea The Stars landed the prize in 2009.

Durtal’s own sister Valderna won the Listed Prix des Belles Filles and reserved her place in breeding lore as the grandam of New Zealand powerhouse stallion Zabeel.

As for Wish List, she has a date with destiny on the first Saturday in July. We are sure though, that Robert Sangster would have given his stamp of approval to the family’s latest star performer.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE PACE MAKES

Same course. Same distance. Three seconds slower. At 0,2 seconds a length that’s fifteen lengths. Fifteen!

In Gr1 language that’s a disgrace. Raceform suggests that for handicap rating purposes, it’s meaningless.

Yet the result of the Lucky Fish Gr2 Woolavington goes in the record books.

Who’ll remember in five weeks’ time?

Luckily for real form studiers sectional times have been captured, put on the record, and made visible in instructive graphs. Just look.

The dotted line is the average pace for 2000m races at Greyville. A proper run should have the same shape, high-class runners above it (faster), lower class most often below.

From the above it is clear that the early pace was a crawl and the race a sprint home. Ratings go out of the window!

This is what a true-run race looks like. Result and ratings are reliable!

You can see graphs for all races on the Raceform results page. Give it a try.

www.raceform.co.za

DANCE KING AT A MARWING FAMILY AFFAIR

Weichong Marwing’s Highveld raider Dance King turned the 2026 renewal of the R225 000 Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup into a family affair at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday when the son of Ascot stallion Global View charged to victory at any old price.

Allowed to relax a few lengths off the pace set initially by Vihaan’s Bomb and then Go Grayson Go, Dance King (16-1) stormed home and was geared right down at the line to clock 149,26 secs for the 2400m and beat Ahead Of The Facts (10-1) by 2,60 lengths.

The only Hollywoodbets Durban July entry in the field, and a 17-10 tote favourite, the Futura filly Curious Girl appeared to have

every chance and was beaten a further 0,60 lengths back in third.

It was a confidence-boosting victory for jockey Wesley Marwing, the son of former international star jockey-turned-trainer, Weichong Marwing.

The Indigo Supplements-sponsored Wesley, who rode Dance King 1,5kgs over, was off for nine months with a knee injury before his recent return to race riding.

Dance King, who is raced by Wes’ fiancé Kayleigh Oakes’ 1 More We Stay Syndicate, was his first winner in over a year.

An R80 000 2023 BSA National 2yo Sale purchase, Dance King was bred by Arne Botha’s Ben Botha Pty Ltd.

The winner is a son of Global View (Galileo) out of the Silvano mare, Cotillion.

Now a winner of 4 races with 12 places from his 22 starts, Dance King took his stakes earned to R491 007.

The R500 000 Pick 6 carryover reached the target pool, with a nett R3 010 652.

On the podium – Race Coast’s Raf Sheik with jockey Wes Marwing | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

HAPPY DAY FOR THE LADY JOCKEYS RACHEL WINDS UP A

Just an hour after well-travelled visiting French lady jockey Mickaëlle Michel sealed her maiden career Grade 1 victory courtesy of Star Major in the Daily News 2000, our very own Rachel Venniker showed the boys how it’s done when steering Black Frost to a smooth win – albeit in a lower-rated contest.

Both Mickaëlle (who rode a double) and Rachel, who between them won three of the nine races on the afternoon, are mobile billboards for the lobby that argues that female jockeys don’t need allowances to be competitive – but that’s a debate for another day, as we look at the sectionals for the big meeting.

Five of Saturday afternoon’s nine races at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Daily News 2000 racemeeting were run on the polytrack with three of those being staged over 1200m.

The E-Editions Class 4 won by the Michael Roberts trained BLACK FROST was marginally the quickest of these.

The pace set by the rank outsider of the party Chicarito was a brisk one, but having been nicely drawn in gate one, the 3yo son of What A Winter raced just three lengths away in fifth.

The gaps in front of him began to close early in the straight and he only really got going after switching out for a run approaching the 200m marker.

He quickened best of all in the closing stages of the race and got up very late to thwart the gamble on the Peter Muscutt trained Little Boy Blue (14/1 into 4/1).

The three feature races were all run on the turf on Saturday with the Gr1 Daily News 2000m , won by the second favourite STAR MAJOR, topping the bill.

Run in a time 3,32 seconds faster than the false paced Woolavington 40 minutes earlier, the pace set by the well-supported Viva’s Liberte (16/1 into 13/2) was a fair one, and the field was well strung out going through the 1000m. Indeed, the Querari colt back in eleventh position was easily nine lengths adrift.

The field did then begin to tighten up a little approaching the home turn, and confidently ridden by Mickaëlle Michel, he soon began to make headway. He put his head in front 150m from home and quickening well below the distance, won going away by a length and a half.

Now a winner of four from eleven in total, Star Major provided both trainer James Crawford and jockey Mickaëlle Michel with their first individual grade one successes.

He had won the Gr2 KZN Guineas for the partnership in similar fashion last time out and has now been installed as the favourite for the forthcoming Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Just seven went to post for the Lucky Fish Gr2 Woolavington 2000 and with no confirmed front runners amongst them the pace was always going to be a serious threat to the well-supported 9/20 favourite WISH LIST.

The best bet on the card for many, Justin Snaith’s charge was seeking a very classy four timer here after winning two Grade 1 events and a Grade 2.

As might have easily been predicted then, there was no pace on in the early stages of the race. Indeed, they were 4,2 seconds slower than the Gr1 bill topper on reaching the 1000m mark. The leader Minogue did then quicken things a little, and taking full advantage of the tail wind at the top of the straight, she soon found herself with a useful advantage.

The daughter of Legislate meanwhile had always been four lengths or so adrift in fourth and very quickly found herself under pressure to quicken off the sedate pace.

The further they went though, she steadily got into her stride and showing her usual smart turn of foot late, she got to the 33/1 shot (whose jockey dropped the rein 100m out) in the dying strides.

Track Conditions:

Going:

Good (turf) – Standard (poly)

Penetrometer: 23 (turf)

Rain: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 4mm

Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 15mm (turf)

False Rail: 6m (turf)

Wind: 10-25km/h South Easterly tail wind

Course Variant: 0,23s slow

The Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m had been the first of the afternoon’s three feature events to be run and here a bit of an upset was to be had when the easy to back DANCE KING registered only his fourth career victory from 22 starts.

Freely available at 16/1 on the off the Global View gelding raced in midfield early on some six lengths off a sedate pace set by Vihaan’s Bomb (cast left hind shoe).

He began to take closer order as they approached the home turn and quickening well in the straight, he drew clear easily after striking the front 150m out.

Shouldering 8,5kg more than the winner, the Gr3 Western Cape Stayers winner Ahead Of The Facts ran on strongly from the rear, but having sat some four lengths behind the winner at the top of the straight, he never got in a blow.

Fastest Times:

1200m poly (2) Black Frost

70,22

400-finish poly Bangkok Magic 22,51

2000m turf (2) Star Major 122,25

400-finish turf Star Major 122,35

MODEL PERFORMANCE CATWALK KING’S

Gelding and a thirteen-week break proved the tonic for Glen Kotzen’s first local feature winner since relocating to Milnerton when Catwalk King finished well to win the R250 000 Listed Somerset 1200 on a beautiful Cape winter’s day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.

Ridden by Keagan de Melo, who marked his second winner of the afternoon, Catwalk King (17-2) improved from near last into the final 300m to turn on the jets and resist a late challenge from impressive debut winner Reef Runner (4-1) by a length in a time of 74,48 secs.

The runner-up’s stablemate The Cullinan (25-2) was a further neck away in third, with Grapes Of Wrath (3-1) a further 1,75 lengths back in fourth.

The top-weighted Winter Nursery winner Tag And Release (5-1) was tote favourite but could do no better than a 4,45 length fifth.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, the winner is by Buffalo Bill Cody (Redoute’s Choice) out of the High Chaparral mare Strutt Your Stuff.

A R200 000 BSA Cape Yearling Sale graduate, Catwalk King has now won 2 races with a place from 6 starts for stakes of R287 376.

The winner may well line up next in the R500 000 Gr3 Langerman, which is run over 1500m. The juvenile feature has been moved from Sunday 21 June to Saturday 27 June.

Andre Nel sent out 4 runners for 4 winners – 2 of which were ridden by Muzi Yeni – on a big afternoon for the Plattner Racing Team.

Catwalk King (Keagan de Melo) charges away to beat Reef Runner (Richard Fourie) | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

KISSES ROMANCES THE QUICKER MILE ON SUNDAY

Ossie Noach has often been described as the fittest jockey in the weighing-room and it was good to see him break a frustrating run when he booted the Ridgemontbred Kisses home for veteran Shane Humby at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.

Run in a time over a second quicker than the Perfectly Placed Class 4 (f) event in which CUTIE PATOOTIE made all and registered her third win from just five starts, The Bet With Tote www.tote.co.za Maiden Plate (f) was comfortably the quicker of the two 1600m races on the card.

Just six went to post in the maiden, but despite that the 33/1 shot Moonshine Bay ensured a strong pace. The winner KISSES raced just two lengths away in second and when Sparkling Sky hit the rail causing interference 600m out, the pair gained a bit of a break on the remainder.

The daughter of Canford Cliffs quickened well early in the straight and after striking the front 300m from home, she went on to score very comfortably from the running on favourite Liefling (carried out 600m).

The Listed Somerset 1200 for 2yo’s topped the bill at Kenilworth on Sunday and in what proved to be only the third fastest of the five races over the distance, the friendless son of Buffalo Bill Cody CATWALK KING (9/2 out to 25/2) registered his second career victory.

Having his first outing since being gelded in March, and also having had a niggly cough, Glen Kotzen’s charge was thought to be in need of the run and was using this race in preparation for the Langerman.

Third in the Gr3 Winter Nursery last time out, Magma Flow elected to make the early running whilst after jumping out slowly and losing a length, Catwalk King raced seventh of the eight some five lengths off the pace. He quickened well when asked for his effort 400m from home and under a well-judged ride from Keagan De Melo he got up 70m out to win going away.

Track Conditions:

Going: Good to Soft (both tracks)

Penetrometer: 27 (straight) – 26 (bend)

Rain: Last 7 days Nil

Irrigation: Last 7 days Nil

False Rail: Original position from 1700m with 3m spur at 550m

Wind: 10-15km/h South Westerly cross wind

Course Variant: 0,64s slow (straight) –0,38s fast (bend)

In terms of prize money and average highest merit ratings, the Champagne Syndicate Class 3 (f) was the joint fastest of the five 1200m events and here we saw a smart performance from the Andre Nel trained BERRY’S BOOGIE.

The first of four winners on the card for the stable, the daughter of Churchill broke well and was soon positioned just two and a half lengths off a good pace set by the friendless Pink Pigeon (3/1 out to 13/2).

She put her head in front just 50m out under a confident ride from Muzi Yeni and drew clear in good style below the distance to score by a length and a half.

Now a winner of four from ten, Berry’s Boogie was having her second run after a rest here and looks sure to improve further. Amazingly, Andre Nel’s four winners came from just four runners.

The opening HWB Kenilworth Welcomes

You Maiden Juvenile Plate was comfortably the faster of the two 1000m events and here jockey Keagan De Melo rode the first of his two winners on the card when guiding SHE’S CHOSEN to victory.

The pace set by World Of Secrets was a good one and she soon had the field very strung out. As with the majority of winners on the card though, the Gimmethegreenlight filly raced handy and with just one and a half lengths to find at halfway she was always poised to strike. She did so as they approached the 200m marker and won well by a length and three quarters from the running on Captain’s Lass.

Fastest Times

1000m (2) She’s Chosen

60,42 1200m (5) Berry’s Boogie/ Music Of The Night 73,27 1600m (2) Kisses

100,01

MANTEL’S

MILLSTREAM JOURNEY

Jan Mantel’s Millstream Stud Farm has quietly evolved into one of the breeding industry’s steadily ascending operations, consistently holding its own among South Africa’s leading farms without losing the identity of a handson, boutique establishment.

Millstream has enjoyed an outstanding opening quarter to 2026. In March, Mantel sold a colt by Vercingetorix out of Gimme Dat (Gimmethegreenlight) for R2,6-million at the 2026 Race Coast Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

The momentum continued in April when a colt by Rafeef out of Driving Miss Daisy (Master Of My Fate) realised R2-million at the Bloodstock South Africa National Yearling Sale, where Millstream achieved an impressive average of R1,112-million from the four yearlings it offered.

On top of that, three Millstream graduates –Grand Empire, La Pulga and The Ultimate King – are among the 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July entries this year. Winchester Sprint Cup winner, All The Rage, is the farm’s other current flagbearer.

Mantel uses a single phrase when reflecting on the road that eventually led to Millstream Stud and its growth in recent years: “It was meant to be.”

His journey was never a straight line, nor the result of a carefully drawn blueprint. Rather, it was a natural progression of happenings, opportunities and unexpected turns which, only in hindsight, revealed themselves as stepping stones toward the establishment of the farm in 2014.

Perhaps one of the earliest pieces in the puzzle was Jan being born into the formidable Snaith racing family. Sharing the same mother as Chris Snaith, he grew up under the influence of an older half-brother who became both mentor and teacher during his formative years.

Among the memories Jan shared was a photograph of himself as a five-year-old on horseback. The youngest rider at the Blackwell Riding School in Plumstead, he

was already besotted with his pony, Wendy, and developing a love affair with horses that would shape much of his life.

His riding education continued when Snaith, Mike Bass and Fred Blomkamp established a riding school in Muizenberg. It was there that Jan further honed his skills before later helping Snaith with basic stable duties after his half-brother launched his training career from a stable yard near the Muizenberg beachfront.

“I did everything from mucking out stables to transporting horses to the racetrack, and even tried my hand at farriery,” Jan recalled.

A few more formative and demanding years followed when Jan enrolled for compulsory military service. There, another chapter of his equestrian journey unfolded when he was assigned to the South African Defence Force’s cavalry division as a mounted trooper in what was then South West Africa, carrying out duties along the Angolan border.

Jan acquired his foundational stud farm skills as something of an apprentice under Tommy Foulkes at Normandy Stud before receiving his first opportunity to manage a breeding operation.

That chance came through businessman John Fowler, who hoped to launch a stud career for Smackeroo (Mexico II), the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint winner who had raced in the colours of the Harmse brothers and was trained by Jean Barnard.

In the late 1970s, Fowler established the venture on his farm at Faure, south-west of Stellenbosch, where Smackeroo was expected to attract a fair book of mares. However, the fledgling operation struggled for support and the stallion was ultimately unable to establish himself at stud.

Another important step on the journey followed when Chris Snaith introduced Jan to his patron, Shirley Pfeiffer of Rainbow Chickens fame. Jan was entrusted with developing her 165-hectare property near Wellington into a breeding operation and became instrumental in securing an adjoining property as the venture expanded.

Named Arc-En-Ciel in keeping with the Rainbow theme, Pfeiffer’s farm became Jan’s next major project. Over seven years he built the operation from the ground up, establishing stables, paddocks and the foundations of a working breeding farm before an even greater opportunity emerged in 1996.

Jan’s achievements at Arc-En-Ciel opened another door when Sabine Plattner appointed him to undertake a similar project at her newly

established La Plaisance farm in George. The operation developed successfully within a few years and became an important breeding base supporting the growing ambitions of Plattner Racing.

Then came another unforeseen twist in the journey. When Plattner reorganised her racing management structure in 2010, Jan, along with bloodstock consultant Jehan Malherbe and trainer Brett Crawford, departed the operation. It was, he recalled, a time of unexpected turmoil.

“This was a setback my family and I had to navigate, and the years that followed were not easy,” Jan reflected.

Jan moved to Tulbagh, where he was tasked with developing a farm project for David Kerrison. The venture was initially linked to

A young Jan Mantel | Credit: Supplied

Kerrison’s ambition of creating a Glastonburystyle festival, but the plans never fully materialised and, in 2012, the property was sold to the late Georg Kirchner of the wine estate Druk My Niet.

During that period, in August 2012, Jan was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident that left him with broken legs and a fractured pelvis. He spent eight days in a coma and recalls an unexplained vision of “Arabians in full regalia” – something he jokingly attributes to the medication administered during his treatment.

Recovery eventually brought a new opportunity when Jan learnt that the old Riverworld Stud was available to rent.

“With my leg still in a full brace, my wife Nicky and I started out at Riverworld. Dennis Evans was one of our first clients and we had the privilege of looking after and breaking in Legislate, with Felix Coetzee helping us and doing much of the hard work,” Jan recalled.

This became a period of taking stock and reassessing his future at a time when no obvious path lay ahead. Jan was determined to have a farm to call his own, and set out in search of a suitable property to purchase.

After several months of travelling through the Western Cape and Karoo, he eventually came across a farm near Robertson in the Klein Karoo.

Known as Dageraad Farm, it was a tranquil property nestled between the mountains outside Robertson and owned by a Dutch warmblood breeder.

“This was exactly what I had been looking for, but the banks required a 50% deposit to secure the deal and, with the purchase price already stretching the budget, I was snookered,” Jan recalled.

Then came another of those moments that seemed to appear from nowhere. The answer arrived through British entrepreneur Ray Kirsch, who happened to be part of Chris Snaith’s regular poker circle.

“Ray mentioned that he was looking for a South African investment and became interested when Chris spoke to him about an opportunity in thoroughbred breeding.

“He came through to Robertson to see the farm and meet me, and we hit it off immediately. He loved the property as much as I did. We sat down, worked through a deal,

Ray provided the required deposit and, just like that, we were in business as partners in what would become Millstream Farm.”

Jan moved onto the farm in August 2014 with only 12 mares, but lots of hope and renewed energy. Those first few mares included his home bred, Yellow Card (Trippi) who produced Grade 1 Cape Guineas-placed Macthief (Time Thief) and Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes winner Vihaan’s Pie (Futura). Macthief was exported to Hong Kong.

A couple of months later, the story delivered another of those moments that seemed almost impossible to script. Following recommendations from Mike de Kock and Jehan Malherbe, Millstream was chosen as a boarding facility by a leading Arabian Sheikh – someone that resembled the figures from his unexplained vision while in a coma.

Within a short space of time, 32 mares arrived at the farm.

“Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Al Adiyaat, who at the time had major interests in racing and breeding in South Africa and Dubai, gave us a timely lift. I remain extremely grateful to him, as well as Mike and Jehan, for that support,” Jan said.

While Al Adiyaat has scaled back its global involvement considerably, horses such as Greaterix, Grand Empire and The Ultimate King remain important standard-bearers with promising futures still ahead.

The pipeline continues as well, with a fullsister to The Ultimate King (out of Fayrooz) entered for the BSA August Sale, while a full-sister to Grand Empire (out of Palace Of Dreams) is also set to go through the ring. From his own relatively small broodmare band, Jan has also enjoyed notable success with Listed winners Mount Anderson, Baratheon and Get Impressed, as well as

Buster Barnes, the outstanding Zimbabwean performer.

With Jan obtaining full ownership after his partner Kirsch retired, Millstream has also become home to the mares of several highprofile clients. They include Gary Player –whose joint-owned Horse of the Year Dave The King was raised on the farm – Heinrich Kuhn, whom Jan describes as “a lucky owner” he hopes will enjoy similar success as a breeder, and UK-based Bjorn Nielsen of Stradivarius fame.Among Nielsen’s mares is Really Royal (Captain Al), whose first foal, Kalahari King, is regarded as a colt well above average.

“Bjorn has also purchased some older, established mares because he wants to breed fillies capable of continuing important female lines, including Louvre (Doowaley), the dam of Trip To Fortune,” Jan explained.

Although Nielsen’s runners are trained by Justin Snaith, Jan said the decision to board his mares at Millstream had little to do with the family connection.

“Bjorn did extensive homework. He visited a number of farms across different regions before settling on Millstream because of the quality of its limestone-rich soil and the suitability of its flood plain.”

Jan believes the combination of soil, terrain and climate makes the Robertson region one of South Africa’s outstanding breeding areas. “We have relatively low rainfall and an ideal climate for raising horses,” he explained.

The region’s strengths were unexpectedly challenged recently when heavy rains caused the Breede River to overflow. Millstream’s beautifully renovated guest accommodation, managed by Nicky, was flooded and a number of horses had to be moved up a long incline to safer ground.

“One of our long-serving staff members was convinced it could never happen because he had not seen flooding of that nature in his 20 years here,” Jan recalled. “But it did, and restoration work will keep us busy for the next several months. Nicky had been instrumental in bringing the guest house into popular service. It was doing well until this freak flooding event. We will start back up, even stronger.”

Jan speaks warmly and with obvious appreciation of his effervescent and conscientious assistant, Tarryn Nel, who has now spent more than a decade at his side as his trusted right-hand woman.

“Tarryn arrived here out of nowhere back in 2015,” he joked. “Nobody wanted her, so we took her on. She was so thin I had to feed her extra well so we could notice her. Our vet, the late Dr Jim Antrobus, nicknamed her ‘Dingle Bat’.”

But between himself, Tarryn and long-time farrier Ian Gird, Jan has a good thing going and much to look forward to. “The farm is full, we have 60 mares, and we’re focused on producing good, sound horses.”

Jan said his approach centres on breeding to conformation, carefully matching stallions to mares according to size, balance and athleticism, although he admits to favouring a touch of speed influence. He also makes use of Gr1 Goldmine and TrueNicks for his matings.

“We try to balance all the right factors, but we also have to remember that our horses are destined for the sales ring and must appeal to buyers. When you take a horse to auction, you only get one chance. For commercial breeders, everything comes back to that.”

www.vermaakequine.com

Millstream’s Guest House | Credit: Supplied

TO 1900M ONE STRIPE STEPS UP

South African racing fans will be tuned in to Gallop TV shortly after midnight on Saturday when champion SAF-bred One Stripe lines up under SA champion jockey Gavin Lerena in the $1 million Resorts World Casino Gr1 Manhattan Stakes to be run over 1900m at Saratoga Racecourse in New York.

Lerena

Stripe

Adam Coglianese

“One Stripe is in good form and it’s a very competitive race, obviously,” trainer Graham Motion told the Sporting Post on Tuesday, confirming that the Drakenstein Stud-bred son of One World has to be at Saratoga by lunchtime today.

The Herringswell Stables boss saddled Spring Quality (2018), Ascend (2017) and Better Talk Now (2007), to win the Manhattan and on Saturday – or Sunday morning in SA – sends out a pair of Grade 1 winners in Hollywood Racing and Rikesh Sewgoolam’s One Stripe and Amerman Racing’s Test Score.

A dual Gr1 winner on African soil One Stripe’s runner-up efforts in both the Gr1 Pegasus World Cup Turf and Gr1 Maker’s Mark Mile suggest he is primed for a serious effort.

Gavin Lerena knows the champion well, having won both the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate and Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas on him. Being a horse who enjoys running at them, his 8 draw of 9 starters is not a concern.

“He was probably a bit unlucky in both starts this year,” Motion reflected, conceding that One Stripe hasn’t done much wrong.

“I’ve been speaking to Mike de Kock about this horse ever since I got him. He always felt there’s stamina in his pedigree and he would know much better than I would. We’ve always been tempted to try and run him a little farther, so this seemed like the logical spot. The spacing is good and he’s done well.”

Stablemate Test Score beat One Stripe in the Pegasus World Cup Turf, capping a strong nine-race February-to-January campaign that included a win in the Gr1 Belmont Derby Invitational.

Given a rest, he returned to finish a disappointing eighth of nine in Rhetorical’s Turf Classic and looks ready to improve.

Regular rider Manny Franco, who won the 2022 Manhattan with Tribhuvan, rides from gate 2.

“I’m totally perplexed by how he ran at Churchill,” Motion said.

“He was just never really traveling last time. I thought the post was fine, going 1800m, but honestly, I think it really hurt him. Before the race, I thought it was not a big deal, but he just got hung wide. Never got over to save any ground. The first time they came in front of the grandstand, I didn’t feel like things were going well. From there, Manny just said he was kind of out of horse at the half-mile pole. I don’t know what to make of it. A complete head-scratcher. This horse is so genuine; he always shows up. That was the only bad race he’s ever run in his life, aside from maybe when he ran at Saratoga as a 2-year-old. He seems great. He’s been training at Fair Hill since Churchill.”

The Manhattan often assembles a complex and accomplished international cast and that is exactly what defending champion Deterministic will have to defy when he attempts to win a second consecutive renewal of one of America’s top grass races.

Contested on the Mellon turf, the Manhattan (race 12) is one of six Gr1’s on the 14-fixture card, and has been won by America’s champion turf male seven times. That includes Up to the Mark (2023), Bricks and Mortar (2019), Flintshire (2016), Gio Ponti (2009), Chief Bearhart (1998), Paradise Creek (1994) and Sky Classic (1992).

The last leg of the US Triple Crown will be run at Saratoga on the same card. The 158th running of the Belmont Stakes will be held at the track for the third time in as many years, due to ongoing construction at its usual home of Belmont Park.

• Off-time of the Manhattan is 00h12 on Sunday 7 June. Further updates to follow.

Credit: Epsom Downs Racecourse

EARHART LOOKS TO SOAR IN OAKS

Cheshire Oaks winner Amelia Earhart has been backed to 7/4 favourite to win the Betfred Oaks at Epsom (17h00).

The daughter of Camelot, one of five Ballydoyle runners in a field of twelve, looks set to continue Aidan O’Brien’s domination of the European Classics.

O’Brien has already won five Classics this season in England, Ireland, and France, with Constitution River the latest when leading home a stable one, two, three in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby).

According to the market the next best of the O’Brien quintet is the recent Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Precise. She impressed at the Curragh when finishing best of all to outrun True Love and win going away. However, the filly has been noticeably weak in the ante-post betting drifting from 5/2 to 9/2 as all the money is for Amelia Earhart.

O’Brien has included Sugar Island, Beautify and Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Cameo in the line-up.

The mount of Ballydoyle’s number one jockey Ryan Moore is not yet known. UK bookmakers expect that to influence the market later in the week.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “A lot will depend on which filly Moore chooses to ride but right now the money, and indeed the one we would rather keep on side, is Amelia Earhart. She is the stronger stayer and with the threat of rain we expect she could shorten even further.”

Ryan Moore switched from Precise to Newmarket 1000 Guineas winner True Love in the Irish equivalent and must now make another really tough decision.

Joseph O’Brien raids with his Frankel filly Thundering On. This well-bred filly was beaten by the re-opposing Cameo and Sugar Island last season but relished the step up to ten furlongs, proving far too good for her opposition in the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan.

The best of the home team looks to be the Juddmonte owned Legacy Link. The Dubawi filly won the Musidora at York last month for the Gosden yard. The reopposing K Sarra made good late headway to finish just over two lengths behind the Colin Keane ridden winner who showed her class in the final furlong to win well.

The balance looks up against it and with O’Brien in red hot form, the strong finishing Cheshire winner Amelia Earhart is taken to land Oaks number 12 for the Ballydoyle maestro

SON OF WOOTTON BASSETT SCORES WELL

Newgate Farm proprietor Henry Field celebrated his first Derby success when emerging Easter colt Providence (Wootton Bassett) scored a decisive victory in Saturday’s Gr1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.

A maiden heading into this preparation, the Chris Waller-trained Providence has come of age over the past few months.

He put the writing on the wall with an eyecatching 3rd in the traditional Derby lead-up – the Gr3 Rough Habit Plate – a fortnight ago and never looked like losing today, thanks to a perfect ride by James McDonald.

Bred by Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock, Providence was offered through the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2024 Easter

Yearling Sale, where he was purchased by the China Horse Club, Newgate Farm, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing partnership for A$625,000.

Munz, through bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne, purchased the subsequently Gr1 Thousand Guineas placed Southbank, the dam of Providence, as a yearling also at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Providence is the 119th individual Gr1winning Inglis graduate since 2018 and in time could join the likes of Extreme Choice, Wild Ruler, Cosmic Force, Russian Revolution, Profiteer and In The Congo as Inglis graduates on the Newgate stallion roster.

James McDonald guides Providence to victory | Credit: Inglis

Providence’s immediate future will likely be decided in the next week – Field revealed there had been significant pre and post-race interest from Hong Kong buyers while Waller would like to target the Gr1 Caulfield Cup in the spring.

“We’ll sit down and talk to Chris over the next few days, he thinks he would make a really nice Caulfield Cup horse but with the Hong Kong interest there as well, we’re running a commercial colts partnership at the end of the day and we’ve got to keep the economics of that working so there’s every chance he could get sold to Hong Kong but it’s too early to say,’’ Field said.

“Whatever happens, it’s a huge thrill to win a Derby and a great race for the partnership to win, it’s our first Derby success and it was great to have that success in the China Horse Club colours.

“Providence was a beautiful yearling at Easter, real quality with lovely size and scope. To be honest we thought he was our Caulfield Guineas horse when we bought him but you can’t complain when you’re winning Derbies, we’re really chuffed.’’

Bhima’s Mike Fleming added: “He was really well received at Easter, Wootton Bassett was popular that year especially so they had to pay for him but they’ve got themselves another Group 1 winner which is great.

“It’s another big result for Jonathan, who puts so much into the game and it’s nice to sell another Group 1 winner to Henry and the partners.

“I know Henry bought the horse as a Guineas prospect more than a Derby prospect but given the mare had won over a trip it’s no real surprise to see Providence getting over some ground too.’’

NHA CALENDAR

29 MAY 2026

The Sporting Post presents the National Horseracing Authority calendar per 29 May 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:

2000TH WINNER BRETT CRAWFORD SADDLES ZAC PURTON’S

Zac Purton broke new ground at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon as the Australian became the first jockey to ride 2 000 winners in Hong Kong, reaching the milestone aboard Brett Crawford’s Rising World (121lb) in the Hong Kong Wu Hua General Association Cup Plate (1200m) for Griffins.

Breaking swiftly from barrier 10 on Brett Crawford’s two-year-old debutant, the eighttime Hong Kong Champion Jockey attained the phenomenal landmark on his 11,229th ride in the city, finishing a short-head in front of Almighty Warrior (126lb) in 1m 09.74s.

“At least I’m not going to have to go home tonight and listen to Cash say ‘why didn’t you have a winner today, Daddy?’, so we’ve had the winner and he’s got the trophy – so it’s job done,” Purton said.

Purton, 43, is from Lismore, Australia and moved to Hong Kong in 2007. He rode his first winner at Happy Valley in September, 2007 aboard Elfhelm. Since then, he’s won riding titles in 2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25, surpassed the 100-win mark in a season 10 times and, holds singleseason records for wins (179) and earnings (HK$277,712,060) – both attained in 2022/23.

Zac Purton reached the 2,000-win milestone in Hong Kong aboard Rising World

An Australian Racing Hall of Famer and alltime great of Hong Kong racing, Purton’s win strike rate in Hong Kong exceeds 17% across his career. He said: “It is (a wonderful achievement) when I reflect back upon it and look at some of those great moments that I’ve had in my career. It truly is amazing.

“I’ve been very fortunate and, of course, I couldn’t do anything without the support that I get from the owners, trainers, and Hong Kong’s been such a great place for me.”

Purton has won the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) – Hong Kong’s most sought-after prize – with Luger (2015) and Massive Sovereign (2024), and after Gary Moore and Noel Barker, he is only the third Australian to win a riding championship in Hong Kong.

Purton’s career began as a fresh-faced apprentice in Coffs Harbour with trainer Trevor Hardy some 30 years ago. He rode his first winner – Magic Zap – at Armidale in Australia on 6 May, 2000 before his move to Hong Kong as a 24-year-old.

His first elite-level win in Hong Kong was for Paul O’Sullivan on Fellowship in the 2010 HKG1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m). Purton, who is admired for his hard work, captivated the racing scene with famed tussles against great championship rivals Douglas Whyte – who Purton surpassed as the jockey with the most Hong Kong wins when he rode his 1,814th last year – and ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira.

Whyte and Moreira are the only other jockeys in Hong Kong racing history to ride more than 1 000 winners.

Zac Purton celebrates with his family and Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, The Hon Martin

Liao | Credit: HKJC

Purton’s renowned for associations with Beauty Generation, Exultant, Aerovelocity, Ambitious Dragon, Southern Legend, Lucky Sweynesse, Military Attack and more, while nine-time Group 1 winner Ka Ying Rising tops them all, he says.

“Ka Ying Rising has been very big, of course; he stands atop. The association I had with Beauty Generation, I really enjoyed that. Aerovelocity – going to Japan and winning there with him was fantastic. There’s so many horses – I could stand here all day and name them all but there’s been a fair few Horse of the Years that I’ve been able to throw my leg over and it’s made it a lot easier,” Purton said.

Exultant’s 2020 Gr1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) success saw Purton become the only jockey to have won all 12 Group 1 races in Hong Kong racing’s calendar. He is also a threetime LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship winner in 2017, 2020 and 2021.

Purton won the Gr1 The Everest (1200m), Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Gr1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) with Ka Ying Rising this term, while Voyage Bubble provided him with a fifth Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) score after Ambitious Dragon (2012), Beauty Only (2016), Beauty Generation (2018) and California Spangle (2022).

“To come here and not have the red carpet rolled out for me; I had to work for everything that I have got and that wasn’t easy to stay determined, resilient and keep turning up, and everything that comes with that to be standing here today – it makes it, obviously, feel like it’s all been worthwhile and obviously it has. I’ve had to work for it,” Purton said.

UNNAMED HORIZON x

Sparkled by

BRETT CRAWFORD’S HONG KONG FIRST SEASON SUCCESS

Success in Hong Kong seldom comes easily, particularly for newcomers adjusting to one of world racing’s most demanding environments.

Yet Brett Crawford has made a strong start.

Up to 2 June, he had saddled 21 winners and 97 placings from 282 runners during an encouraging first season in the territory.

Crawford’s affable nature and easy-going demeanor have vindicated jockey Karis Teetan’s early prediction that he possessed the temperament required to succeed in Hong Kong. Crawford’s former South African stable jockey, a seasoned Top Five professional in the local ranks, has also played a central role in helping Brett to settle and adapt quickly to his new environment.

It was indeed Teetan that opened Crawford’s account on 28 September 2025, five meetings into the start of the Hong Kong racing season. He rode the New Zealand-bred six-year-old Speedy Smarty to a 0.50-length over 1200m on the allweather track at Sha-Tin. Another South African Lyle Hewitson made it a Crawford double from just two runners on the day, winning a turf contest over 1600m by 2.75-lengths.

Speedy Smarty and Ninja Derby, both battling before they joined Crawford, have both won again since, and Ninja Derby was the first winner in the completion of another stable double, posted at Happy Valley on 3 December 2025.

Brett Crawford with jockey Karis Teetan – a strong partnership over many years | Credit: HKJC

Crawford’s biggest moment in his new home arrived on 9 November when he and Teetan combined to land the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap over 1800m with the seven-year-old Encountered, a gelding by Churchill owned by Vincent Wong Yin Shun.

“Encountered was very similar to a Jackson, with whom Karis and I won the Grade 1 Cape Derby and the Grade 1 Daily News in South Africa,” Crawford told the South China Morning Post. “He was very similar in stature and it brought back a lot of memories. Encountered was injured and has been retired, but I will always be indebted to him.”

Crawford’s operation has expanded rapidly, growing from 15 horses last September to a team of 70 spread between Sha Tin and the Conghua Training Centre, situated about 200km away on mainland China.

His South African experience, managing horses between Johannesburg and Cape Town, provided an ideal grounding for Hong Kong’s two-centre model. Now among the leading trainers for Conghua-prepared winners, Crawford makes the trip at least twice monthly.

“The facilities at Conghua are state-of-theart,” he said. “The stables are excellent with good ventilation, while the rehabilitation and training infrastructure includes swimming pools, aqua walkers and treadmills. There is so much available to help bring out the best in each horse.”

Crawford and his partner, Gwen Macgregor, have also settled comfortably into life at Sha Tin. “We live in an apartment on the Hong Kong Jockey Club premises, only about 100 metres from the track. The humidity took some getting used to, but we’re happy as can be,” he said.

Adapting to Hong Kong racing also meant familiarising himself with the local rating system, the regular barrier trials and the rule allowing trainers only one runner per race.

However, Crawford praised the professionalism of the administration. “If you don’t get a run for a

horse this week, you move onto a priority list for the following meetings. Everybody knows what’s happening and you can plan well in advance.”

While the Hong Kong Jockey Club provides assistance, trainers are still responsible for marketing themselves to attract owners and source horses. As in every racing jurisdiction, luck remains an important ingredient.

“You have to be seen as a lucky trainer or a lucky jockey because, otherwise, you’re up against it.”

Crawford said that racing is fast, tough and competitive, with no false rail on the tracks and lots of hard-luck stories. Horses fall back on others, which leaves them no room to get a run sometimes.

“But we enjoy competition, that’s what it’s all about The good thing is that the Jockey Club helps trainers with administrative issues and financial management of patrons’ bills. On top of that we draw tack, feed and other supplies from a central store. This gives us more time to focus on training our horses, the job we came here to do.”

Crawford applied for a licence in Hong Kong before the outbreak of Covid-19 and said: “I’ve always been interested to train here. Back then, they politely dismissed my application and said they’d consider me for the future. I thought nothing would come of it, but I got the job in 2025.”

He concluded: “In looking back, the offer came at the right moment and I accepted it. The time was right for my son James to step up, and he has done very well. It was the right decision for both of us.”

Ed – Brett’s son James saddled his first Grade 1 winner when Star Major scored in the Daily News 2000 on Saturday 30 May.

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RIP ROLAND

It is with very heavy hearts that all family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of passionate racing man, Roland Leslie Pretorius.

The family writes that your presence, whether in person or online, would mean so much as they come together to remember, honour, and celebrate a life well lived.

May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.

Deeply loved, forever remembered

• Date : Thursday, 4 June 2026

• Time : 11h00

• Venue : Northfield Methodist Church, Benoni

All are welcome to join.

For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be available live on YouTube.

The Sprint is interactive please click here to access the editorial to find the broadcast.

EXTREME CHOICE COLT

TAKES TOP SPOT

A colt by Extreme Choice topped Day Two of the 2026 Magic Millions National Sale on the Gold Coast on Tuesday helping to bring down the curtain on a successful two weeks of sales.

Presented as Lot 1077 in the Newgate Farm draft, the colt from the imported stakes winning Awesome Again mare Coco As in Chanel sold for A$400,000.

Michael Freedman, Darby Racing and Andrew Williams joined together to secure the colt who is a full brother to this year’s Sydney winner Pimlico.

“What’s not to like about buying an Extreme Choice colt,” Darby Racing’s Scott Darby

said. “The way he’s going – he’s dominating, he’s world class. Michael and myself just loved this colt. We have some very good clients to put into him.”

“Being a late December foal there’s plenty of improvement (to come). This sale has always been a good one for Darby Racing. We’ve had a lot of success out of here including Group winners Irithea and Dark Eyes and many others.”

“We were knocked off yesterday on three of the top lots, so we’re ecstatic to grab this Extreme Choice colt from Newgate,” Darby added.

The four youngsters by Extreme Choice offered over the past two days all sold –averaging A$357,500.

The second top seller on the day was the Zoustar colt from the stakes performed Snitzel mare Cafe Royal, a mare who hails from the Redoute’s Choice family.

That colt, offered by Glenbeigh Farm, was snapped up by KPW Bloodstock for A$275,000.

“He was value for money this horse,” KPW Bloodstock’s Kevin “Millie” Walls said. “You’re virtually paying less than a service fee, so you can’t lose can you! We missed out on a couple earlier (in the year) at the other sales. So we came here to target the well bred horses and good types.”

“We’re happy with what we’ve got. We bought three (colts) and we paid A$20,000 for a filly just on type and then these two colts,” he added referring to Day One’s Lope de Vega at A$600,000, the aforementioned Zoustar colt for A$275,000 and another by Zoustar for a$110,000.

The two day National Yearling Sale (Book 1) grossed over A$11.9 million for 212 lots sold at an average price of A$56,231. The clearance rate currently sits at 75 per cent.

“The results show that when you target this sale specifically with the right sort of horse you will be well paid and well supported,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said.

“There was plenty of the right people here to buy these horses and when they vetted out well were highly competitive in the sale ring. We sold 35 horses for above A$100,000 which was a strong increase on last year. I think 90 horses went to overseas parties –and that’s big numbers.”

“I think this sale has a real future. It’s a genuine alternative for horses that need time or they’re late foals.”

“To have a clearance rate over 75 per cent, a gross up over A$1.6 million on last year and an average of A$56,000, which is up over A$10,000 on last year – these are strong numbers and it’s a pleasing result for our vendors who have worked really hard to get these horses ready for the sale.”

“The results over the past couple of days has really seen the whole National Sale, through weanlings, racefillies, broodmares and yearlings, end on a positive note.”

“To gross some A$97 million across the three sales is a big number,” Bowditch added. “It was a good, strong and competitive market right from the start to finish – everyone got involved.”

To view the results of the National Yearling Sale or to make an offer on a passed in lot click here.

The focus switches immediately to the current Magic Millions Digital (29 May – 4 June) Sale with an outstanding catalogue featuring the Geisel Park Stud Unreserved Dispersal and Hesket Thoroughbreds Unreserved Reduction.

Other highlights of that offering include the Group One winner Vibrant Sun, straight off the track, who is being offered unreserved.

Book 1 Sale Statistic (2025 Book 1 in brackets)

• Lots Catalogued: 308 (381)

• Lots Sold: 212 (249)

• Lots Withdrawn: 29 (54)

• Lots Passed In: 67 (78)

• Top Price: A$600,000 (A$850,000)

• Average Price: A$56,231 (A$41,434)

• Median Price: A$30,000 (A$25,000)

• Sale Gross: A$11,921,000 (A$10,317,000)

• Sold %: 76 (76)

Day Two Top Sellers

• A$400,000 – Extreme Choice-Coco As in Chanel colt (Lot 1077)

• Vendor: Newgate Farm (As Agent) / Buyer: Michael Freedman Racing/Darby Racing/ Andrew Williams B’stock (NSW)

• A$275,000 – Zoustar-Cafe Royal colt (Lot 1063)

• Glenbeigh Farm (As Agent) / KPW Bloodstock (Qld)

• A$250,000 – Extreme Choice-Iron Mizz filly (Lot 1150)

• Newgate Farm (As Agent) / Own a Hair (Qld)

• A$200,000 – Extreme Choice-Artemis Rose filly (Lot 1040)

• Newgate Farm (As Agent) / Linsheng Zhang (China)

• A$120,000 – The Autumn Sun-Gladwell filly (Lot 1122)

• Taghadoe Stud (As Agent) / Hayfields Racing (Vic)

Overall Sale Top Sellers

• A$600,000 – Lope de Vega-Palme d’Or colt (Lot 913)

• Vendor: Glenbeigh Farm (As Agent) / Buyer: KPW Bloodstock (Qld)

• A$580,000 – Extreme Choice-Volks Lightning filly (Lot 1002)

• Newgate Farm (As Agent) / Michael Freedman Racing/Andrew Williams B’stock (NSW)

• A$500,000 – I Am Invincible-Loveyamadly filly (Lot 872)

• Newhaven Park (As Agent) / Gall Bloodstock/Mitchell Bloodstock (NSW)

• A$400,000 – Extreme Choice-Coco As in Chanel colt (Lot 1077)

• Newgate Farm (As Agent) / Michael Freedman Racing/Darby Racing/Andrew Williams B’stock (NSW)

• A$380,000 – Zoustar-Mnemonic colt (Lot 897)

• Baramul Stud / Macedon Lodge Pty Ltd (Vic)

Leading Buyers (Book 1 – ranked by total spend)

• A$1,005,000 – KPW Bloodstock – 4 lots

• A$832,500 – Linsheng Zhang – 9 lots

• A$600,000 – Macedon Lodge Pty Ltd – 3 lots

• A$580,000 – Michael Freedman Racing/ Andrew Williams B’stock – 1 lot

• A$500,000 – Gall B’stock/Mitchell B’stock – 1 lot

Leading Sires (Book 1 – ranked by average – 2 or more sold)

• A$357,500 – Extreme Choice – 4 sold

• A$228,750 – Zoustar – 4 sold

• A$118,333 – Toronado – 3 sold

• A$98,750 – Home Affairs – 4 sold

• A$93,000 – The Autumn Sun – 4 sold

Leading Vendors (Book 1 – ranked by gross)

• A$1,430,000 – Newgate Farm – 4 sold

• A$1,245,500 – Baramul Stud – 18 sold

• A$1,215,000 – Glenbeigh Farm – 7 sold

• A$978,500 – Arrowfield Stud – 16 sold

• A$813,000 – Newhaven Park – 7 sold

Leading Vendors (Book 1 – ranked by average – 2 or more sold)

• A$357,500 – Newgate Farm – 4 sold

• A$173,571 – Glenbeigh Farm – 7 sold

• A$116,143 – Newhaven Park – 7 sold

• A$92,500 – Middlebrook Valley Lodge – 2 sold

• A$80,000 – Kulani Park – 2 sold

SP Sprint – Wednesday 03 June 2026

HISTORY!

STANDARD! THE GOLD

AND THEN THERE WERE 39…

ZAKES BANTWINI AND MI CASA AMONG HEADLINE ARTISTS

GRAMMY AWARD WINNER

TOPS JULY BILLING

STAR MAJOR PULLS RANK HOME, JAMES!

RULE THE WORLD MAINE CHANCE KINGPINS

GLOBETROTTER’S GR1 GLORY!

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR!

LEGISLATING FOR EXCELLENCE!

WHAT A DIFFERENCE PACE MAKES

DANCE KING AT A MARWING FAMILY AFFAIR

HAPPY DAY FOR THE LADY JOCKEYS RACHEL WINDS UP A

MODEL PERFORMANCE CATWALK KING’S

KISSES ROMANCES THE QUICKER MILE ON SUNDAY

Track Conditions:

The opening HWB Kenilworth Welcomes

MANTEL’S

MILLSTREAM JOURNEY

TO 1900M ONE STRIPE STEPS UP

EARHART LOOKS TO SOAR IN OAKS

SON OF WOOTTON BASSETT SCORES WELL

NHA CALENDAR

29 MAY 2026

2000TH WINNER BRETT CRAWFORD SADDLES ZAC PURTON’S

BRETT CRAWFORD’S HONG KONG FIRST SEASON SUCCESS

RIP ROLAND

EXTREME CHOICE COLT

TAKES TOP SPOT

Day Two Top Sellers

Overall Sale Top Sellers

TRAINERS

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS

SIRES