CHAMP!
STEPS UP
Double Superlative
The name says it all
Here’s A Progressive 3yo
Snaith galloper stamps class
Serino On Fire
18 winners in August
Countdown To Breeders’ Cup Dreaming of California
On the cover Sporting Post- sponsored jockey Sean Veale was crowned KZN Champion Jockey on Friday evening after a career-peak performance last term. The Hollywood Racing retained rider looks set to up his game further this term. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.
Lyle Is Set For Sunday
Former SA champion aims at 150
PUZZLE AS CHAMPION AWAITS LICENCE
CHAMPION TRAINER LICENCE RENEWAL
Mauritius horseracing was established in 1812, and boasts the distinction of being the oldest horse racing jurisdiction in the Southern Hemisphere. But the political and power wrangles of recent years have turned the show upside down.
There is, however, welcome new life in the old dog, despite horse population challenges – as we have right here on home soilunderscored by the abandonment announced on Tuesday of an October racemeeting.
Recently South African racing fans enjoyed the return of Mauritius racing as part of our Saturday morning staple diet.
But the name of the Indian Ocean Island’s reigning champion trainer, Dominic Zaki, has been conspicuous by its absence – a fact highlighted by a number of our readers.
Dominic Zaki became Mauritius champion trainer in 2024,almost ten years after calling it a day on a Grade 1-winning career of over two decades in South Africa,
Despite achieving his second highest career mark in the 2013/14 season, Zaki threw in the towel in December 2015, in what was a time of economic doom and gloom in South Africa.
back at the grindstone, doing what he loves most.
This time in the vibrant environs of Mauritius. It was October 2022.
“My first Mauritius runner Pop Icon ran second, and my second runner, which was Enigma Code, ridden by Rye Joorawon, was a winner!” he told the Sporting Post with pride.
His second season produced 17 winners from only about 10 active horses.
It was in 2024, when the decades of Zaki experience and horsemanship shone through.
That glorious third term delivered two Gr1 winners, one of them being the prestigious Maiden Cup with Hasta Manana. He also had two Gr1 runnerup places, and won a Gr2.
“So I don’t believe there is any legitimate or logical reason that I would be ‘punished’ for providing a professional service,” he adds.
“The paucity of new owners and sky-rocketing costs which were not matched by stakes in a battling local industry, meant I could no longer financially justify carrying on with my career,” he told the Sporting Post at the time.
Fast forward seven years and the man who started riding work at Turffontein in 1985 and became a stable employee to George Tambourlas after matriculating in 1987, was
All said, a 45% win strike-rate told the story!
The Zaki list of awards after his peak season speaks volumes, too. Champion Stable. Stable with the most winners. Champion International Stable. Horse Of The Year. Champion owner. Champion Groom. Champion Jockey.
And yet Dominic Zaki has not been licenced in this turnaround season for Mauritius horseracing!
The despondent champion told the Sporting Post on Tuesday that he was in ‘complete despair’.
“In December 2024 I was one of the first trainers to apply for a licence in Mauritius with all the criteria met. Then in March 2025 the GRA sent us an amendment form on which trainers had to reapply for a licence. We completed it successfully and on 28 January I met with Mr Santosh Gujadhur to outline my ambitions and ideas of how to evolve Mauritius Racing into a prosperous sport.”
Dominic said that his main reason for that meeting was also to secure a racing yard at the MTC Stables at Port Louis.
“I explained to Mr Gujadhur that I could bring a lot of investment into Mauritius racing, both via new international and local owners. At the time I was told that once I receive a licence
they would provide me with boxes. This meeting was well covered in the local media.”
Dominic says that earlier this year he got wind that the company in whose name he was applying for a licence, had been rejected.
“The GRA were kind enough to allow us to reapply with another company which passed muster in terms of all the criteria. But there has been no official letter forthcoming and I have been told that there are no boxes, and to reapply in January.”
We are informed that in the interim most of the other trainers have received their licences.
“I am not asking for any special treatment, but I am a 30 year experienced champion trainer with over 1000 winners and multiple Grade 1 successes to my name.
Dad Dom with his eldest daughter Savannah
Yet some of those licenced are assistant trainers with little experience. In my case, apparently everything has been approved in-principle but they don’t have stables for me. This doesn’t make sense to me as we all know that the Mauritius Turf Club don’t have enough horses to stage adequate race meetings.”
Dominic goes on to explain that he has owners who have invested millions of rupees purchasing horses in South Africa.
“These folk are investing for the good of racing on the island. Yet we haven’t had the opportunity to bring their horses to Mauritius, when other trainers were doing so. We are doing things by the book and are being penalized! I cannot understand”
Dominic adds that he has a strong yard to add value to the racing. He also has the responsibility of a family of 6 people, including an ill daughter, to support in South Africa.
But the veteran South African has been in a frustrating limbo for the past 10 months, and is facing personal financial ruin and the devastation of a business that makes a material contribution to racing in Mauritius.
“I have pleaded with the various organisations to grant my licence so I that can import the horses to Mauritius to start the process of getting them on to the track, thus supporting the equine population here. In the process, I will be saving my investor’s money, and most importantly be in a position to support my family.”
Is the political hangover of the People’s Turf Club Plc and Jean Michel Lee Shim, for whom Dominic Zaki trained, the cloud?
“The other trainers that had horses for
the previous management have all been granted licences. So I don’t believe there is any legitimate or logical reason that I would be ‘punished’ for providing a professional service,” he adds.
The Sporting Post contacted President of the MTC Santosh Gujadhur for comment on the Zaki impasse.
“The MTC Jockey Club does not allocate trainer licences and you will have to request feedback from the Gambling Regulatory Authority, which is similar to the NHA in South Africa. We clearly cannot comment on Mr Zaki’s application with the regulator,” said Mr Gujadhur.
Sporting Post enquiries to Mrs Divya Ringadoo, CEO of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, and to MTC Chief Stipe Stephane de Chalain have gone unanswered at time of writing.
The prospect of a successful champion trainer, who is adamant that there is no reason to disqualify him from earning his living, but is being effectively hung out to dry, happening in any racing jurisdiction on earth without any explanation, well and truly defies logic.
“I must also mention that I have my clearance certificate as a trainer from the NHA of South Africa, which is a requirement for all trainers. This clearance certificate allows me the opportunity to train anywhere in the world .I am at my wits end. I do not know where to turn. I have owners and horses. I want to contribute to the well-being of horseracing here in Mauritius for a passionate population in one of the most vibrant arenas of the sport anywhere. Yet doors have been shut in my face,” concluded Zaki.
– 120 ENTRIES FROM 8 COUNTRIES MELBOURNE CUP
The all-conquering nature of the two mega-stables of Australian racing has been further underlined in the entry list for the Melbourne Cup, with Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher supplying a third of the nominations for the A$10 million race.
When the deadline for nominations closed on Tuesday, Waller had entered a stable record of 27 horses and Maher 13 for the nation’s most celebrated thoroughbred event.
Their combined 40 entries represent 33 per cent of the 120 nominations lodged with the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).
The road to the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup
is officially underway, with the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) announcing 120 nominations for the Gr1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Tuesday.
A total of 101 local and 19 international horses have been entered for the 165th running of the Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 4 November 2025. At this same time last year, there were 123 contenders still in the running for the Lexus Melbourne Cup which included 20 internationals.
In a historic first, Hall of Fame American jockey John Velazquez has been booked to ride Parchment Party, potentially becoming the first American jockey to compete in the
Melbourne Cup excitement | Credit: VRC
Lexus Melbourne Cup. One of the most accomplished jockeys in world racing, Velazquez has ridden more than 6,000 winners and is North America’s all-time leader in earnings with more than $US500 million.
Champion trainer Chris Waller heads the local charge with 27 nominations, led by reigning Australian Horse of the Year, Via Sistina, Aeliana and Buckaroo. Defending Lexus Melbourne Cup champion, Knight’s Choice will attempt to become the first back-to-back Cup winner since the legendary Makybe Diva.
Hall of Fame Trainer and VRC Ambassador Gai Waterhouse is searching for her second win in the race alongside co-trainer Adrian Bott with Sir Delius and Vauban among the favoured runners nominated. Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Ciaron Maher
has nominated 13 horses, headlined by Middle Earth, last year’s placegetter Okita Soushi and new addition to the stable Zardozi who finished fourth.
“The Lexus Melbourne Cup continues to capture the imagination of trainers and owners both here in Australia and around the world, and this year’s nominations reflect that global appeal,” Mr Jordon said.
A total of eight countries are represented among the nominations including six internationals with horses from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Ireland, England, France, Germany, and the United States.
Two-time Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien has nominated two horses, led by the now Australian-owned Al Riffa who will be following in the footsteps of Lexus Melbourne Cup winners Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020).
Fellow Irish trainer, Willie Mullins has signalled his intention to travel to Flemington for the third consecutive year with Absurde and Hipop De Loire.
Further opportunities for horses and connections to receive ballot exemption at Flemington include the Gr3 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) on Crown Makybe Diva Stakes Day on Saturday 13 September and the Group 3 Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m)
on TAB Turnbull Stakes Day. Outside of Flemington, the Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Gr1 Cox Plate (2040m) offer ballot exemption.
VRC Chief Racing Officer Leigh Jordon said he was pleased with the nominations for this year’s Cup.
“The Lexus Melbourne Cup continues to capture the imagination of trainers and owners both
here in Australia and around the world, and
this year’s
nominations
reflect
that global appeal,” Mr Jordon said.
Joseph O’Brien with Ivanovich Gorbatov | Credit: Dave Boylan
“The mix of elite homegrown horses, seasoned internationals and promising newcomers makes this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup an exciting build up for racing fans.” The 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Victoria Derby Day on
Saturday 1 November, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 4 November, VRC Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 6 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 8 November.
ENTRY & ACCEPTANCE STAGES DATE
- Tuesday, 14 October
- Monday, 27 October
Declarations 4:30pm - Saturday, 1 November
GOOD DEMAND FOR SUPERLATIVE THE LOOKS AND
THE BLOOD TO MATCH!
Double Superlative enjoys the attention of onlookers at his stallion day earlier this year | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
If the level of support is anything to go by, KwaZulu-Natal breeders have firmly embraced new stallion recruit Double Superlative.
After all, what’s not to like about the imposing bay, who arrived at Blue Sky Thoroughbreds following a successful career which yielded two Gr1 successes. Besides which, he has been pitched at a sensible R10,000 service fee, which has resulted in solid support from local breeders.
“His book is looking good, 58 so far, and people are still phoning and asking.” reports stud master Bruce le Roux, “Looks like we will reach our target of 60 mares.”
Bruce added: “We initially showed him the ropes with some of our old nurse mares and while it was a bit chaotic at first, he soon got the hang of it, and we got him going. He covered his first proper mare on Saturday. For such a big horse, he is easy to handle, but he’s a Meneer, make no mistake!”
Raced by Nic Jonsson and trained by Justin Snaith, Double Superlative proved himself amongst the leading three-year-olds of his generation, winning the Gr1 Cape Guineas and reaching the frame in both the Gr1 Cape Derby (third) and Gr1 Cape Met (fourth).
Sadly, it all went pear-shaped when he suffered a tendon injury after his sole Durban start, a close-up fifth behind Zapatillas in the Gr2 KZN Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville. That injury threatened to end the talented colt’s career, not to mention a near fatal bout of colic. But thanks to the expertise of world-renowned vet Dr John McVeigh, Double Superlative eventually returned to training.
Off the track for 16 months and having missed his entire four-year-old season, he made his comeback at a low-key Hollywoodbets Durbanville midweek meeting and acquitted
himself with aplomb to finish second in his pipe opener over 1250m, a distance patently too short.
Following unplaced efforts in the Gr3 Cape Mile, Gr2 Cape Merchants and Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, it came as no surprise that he was relatively friendless in the Met market.
However, trainer Justin Snaith always maintained that the Cape showpiece race was Double Superlative’s main mission and the patience and belief in the horse was fully vindicated when he bounced back with a vengeance to land the spoils by a half length.
As a good-looking dual Gr1 winning entire, he had all the attributes of an attractive stallion prospect.
His pedigree, too, demands respect.
On the female side, Double Superlative is a fourth-generation Devine bred, as his first three dams were all bred by Patricia and the late Henry Devine.
More to the point, they raced both his dam Come Fly With Me and broodmare sire Jet Master. A multiple Gr3-placed winner of five races, Come Fly With Me is an own sister to the fleetfooted Fly By Night, who defeated male rivals in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint and came within a shorthead of handing the brilliant Via Africa a rare defeat in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint.
Bruce confirmed that Blue Sky will support Double Superlative with 20 of its own mares. while Nic Jonsson will be sending him ten well-bred mares.
Handsome! Double Superlative has lots going for him| Credit: Candiese Lenferna
“As he is a first-season stallion, it’s a bit of a mixed bunch, both on pedigree and physical, just to see how it will work out and hopefully, he will stamp his foals. He is quite easy to mate and being such a big horse, should put size into his foals. I obviously wouldn’t send him a big mare.”
Bruce was kind enough to identify some of the mares pencilled in for Double Superlative, and it would appear that more than one has strong connections to the late great Jet Master.
Those include his dual stakes winning daughter Rush For John, as well as Krystle Karrington, a Dynasty mare whose siblings include the Jet Master trio of Gr1 winner Little
Miss Magic and stakes-performed Tigress and Without Malice, whilst The Vow, an Oratorio half-sister to champion Lady In Black and Gr2 winner Nexus, is out of Jet Master’s daughter Mystery Dame.
Bytheliteofthemoon, by Gimmethegreenlight, has as her grandam Jet Master’s Gr1 winning daughter Soft Landing, whereas Gr3 Sycamore Sprint victress Tropic Sun is by Jet Master’s underrated son Skitt Skizzle.
The list also includes Fort Wood’s Gr2 Gold Bowl winner and millionaire Magic Smoke and Gr2/3-placed Sleeping Single, an imported daughter of Galileo’s successful son Australia.
Blue Sky Thoroughbreds’ Bruce le Roux – excited by his charge | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
They are joined by stakes producers Diva’s Daughter (Trippi), the dam of Gr1 Allan Robertson winner Miss Florida; Beautiful Princess (Toreador), who bred stakes-placed Aranjuez and Waz Wouter, and Discordia (Western Winter), the dam of stakes winner Just Chaos, whose first foal is stakes-placed Honorable Member.
Other well-related mares amongst his harem include Sunday Seventh, a Seventh Rock half-sister to champion Jay Peg; well-named Dafnes Daughter, who is out of Gr2 winning sprinter Schippers; and Triptothewoods, a Trippi daughter out of Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes winner Fairyinthewoods. Also by Trippi is Triptoroyalty, a half-sister to Gr3 winner Royal Pleasure, from the renowned Taineberry family. A grand stamp of a horse, Double Superlative is clearly a welcome addition to the KZN stallion ranks. Let’s hope much more will be heard of him in the years ahead.
Owner Nic Jonsson shares a moment with his star Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Double Superlative
Observatory 1997
RACE RECORD
3 wins, 1400-2000m, at 3 and 5 (did not race while injured as 4yo) Rated MR 125
at 3 WON Gr1 Cape Guineas (1600m) 3rd Gr1 Cape Derby (2000m) at 5 WON Gr1 Cape Met (2000m)
SIRE LINE
TWICE OVER – 12 wins, 1600-2050m, in UK, Ire, FR, USA, UAE, incl Gr1 Champion S. (2x), Gr1 Eclipse S., Gr1 Juddmonte Int. S.; rated Timeform 128. Sire of Gr1 winners, sire of Champions, sire-of-sires. Notable progeny incl Do It Again (14c –Casey Tibbs, Royal Prerogative) – Gr1w, Champion 3yo Colt, Horse of the Year at 4; See It Again (19c – Visionaire, Casey Tibbs) – Gr1w; Double Superlative (18c –Jet Master, Model Man) – Gr1w; Sand And Sea (14c – Spectrum, Model Man) – Gr1w; Smorgasbord (18c – Var, Fort Wood); Doublemint (14c – Tale Of The Cat, Gulch); Taikonaut (19c – Captain Al, Rakeen); Moon In June (15f – Kingmambo, Sadler’s Wells); Invidia (16c – Parade Leader, Northern Guest); Senso Unico (18c – Captain Al, Fort Wood); Mucho Dinero (19c – Casey Tibbs, Goldmark); Second Request (15f – Kabool, Badger Land); Ballet Shoes (16f – Thunder Gulch, Kitwood); Grinkov (19c – Dupont, Russian Fox); Twice As Smart (14f – Strike Smartly, Caesour); Libra (14f – Captain Al, Slewpendous); Young Love (18f – Casey Tibbs, Last Tycoon); Retro Effect (15c –Roi Normand, Ghadeer); Run Red (14c –Lizard Island, Royal Academy); Resonate (18c – Doowaley, Fine Edge); Team Gold (18c – Kingmambo, Ogygian); Red Lark (17c – Western Winter, Zabeel); Katie To (17f – Modern Day, Badger Land); Triple Time (19c – Var, Goldmark); etc.
KIN-BREEDING: Double Crossed, the dam of Twice Over, is by Caerleon (Nijinsky) out of Quandary (Blushing Groom). The 4th dam Aunt Tilt is half sister to sire Damascus, their dam Kerala close kin to Blushing Groom’s 2nd dam Aimee (the pair 3x3 in Quandary). Twice Over’s significant female line ancestors are Kerala and her dam Blade Of Time. Kerala is close kin to the dam of Buckpasser and to Never Bend. Nijinsky and close kin Storm Bird and Far North feature strongly in progeny of Twice Over’s sire Observatory, as do kin-links from Bramalea/Rarelea (Roberto) and Miss Dogwood/Gold Digger (Mr Prospector).
Distant View-line sires in South Africa: Twice Over (Observatory); Double Superlative (Twice Over)
STUD CAREER
First season at stud in 2025
BRUCE LE ROUX
C: 082 493 5773
TINUS GERICKE
C: 082 802 5028
Office: 083 385 0796
E: info@blueskytb.co.za
Twice Over (GB) 2005
Double Crossed 1998
Jet Master 1994
Come Fly With Me 2011
Fly The Wind 2000
PEDIGREE
Distant View Mr Prospector - Raise A Native
Seven Springs - Irish River
Stellaria Roberto - Hail To Reason
Victoria Star - NORTHERN DANCER
Caerleon Nijinsky - NORTHERN DANCER
Quandary
Rakeen
Jet Lightning
Model Man
Brave The Wind
2nd dam
The assumption is that a stallion’s best progeny splits into two, continuing the affinities of either of the parents going their separate ways. The stallion’s sire should give ample evidence of his affinities. His dam’s affinities usually are less easy to assess, because of her having a relatively small number of progeny. For her, bottom female-line kin-links can give suggestions.
SUITABLE LINES
The affinities of Double Superlative’s sire Twice Over appear to have two notable directions. One points at the pedigree of Sadler’s Wells, the other is Captain Al.
Sadler’s Wells is widespread, among others leading to Casey Tibbs, Fort Wood (Dynasty & sons, Elusive Fort, Horse Chestnut), Doowaley, Dupont, Pathfork, Flower Alley, Global View, Potala Palace, William Longsword, etc.
Captain Al is well represented in the SA mare population, and through sons including Captain Of All, William Longsword, One World. His pedigree elements could also lead to Hail To Reason (Roberto), Damascus (Complete Warrior), Buckpasser (Al Mufti, National Assembly, etc).
Double Superlative’s female line has focal points of Drum Beat (also shows with Joy in female line of Jet Master), Abernant (widespread), Court Martial (among others leading to Lyphard, Elliodor, Model Man).
This is the female line of Shirley’s Doll (3-part sister to 4th dam Heaven Help Us, by Drum Beat), her daughter Our Joy (by Joy, who in this context leads to Dynasty), The Eliminator (by New South Wales, by Abernant). Our Joy is 3rd dam of Star Effort (by Esplendor, who brings Joy’s close kin Ambiorix).
FEMALE LINE
1st dam
Come Fly With Me (11f, Jet Master): 5 wins, 10001600m; 2nd Gr3 Diana S., Gr3 Champagne S.; 3rd Gr3 Diana S., Gr3 Champagne S.; dam of
DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE (18c, Twice Over):subject stallion Cloud Chaser (19f, Silvano): 3 wins, 14001600m Powerandtheglory (21c, Gimmethegreenlight): won, 1400m
Foreseer - Round Table
Blushing Groom - Red God
Lost Virtue - Cloudy Dawn
NORTHERN DANCER - Nearctic
Glorious Song - Halo
Rollins - Damascus
Jolly Laughter - Jolly Drummer
Elliodor - Lyphard
Top Model - Filipepi
Great Brother - Great Nephew
Heaven Help Us - Drum Beat
Fly The Wind (00f, Model Man): 2 wins, 1200m; dam of FLY BY NIGHT (09f, Jet Master): 6 wins, 10001200m, Gr1 Mercury Sprint, Gr2 Southern Cross S.; 2nd Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, Gr2 Diadem S.,Gr2 Post Merchants, Olympic Duel S. (L), Lady’s Pendant (L); 3rd Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, Gr2 Diadem S., Sweet Chestnut S. (L); dam of Ohwahtanight (17f, Trippi): 3 wins, 10001200m
Botz (18c, William Longsword): won, 1000m Hammies Hero (19c, Twice Over): 3 wins, 1000-1200m
Come Fly With Me (11f, Jet Master): 5 wins –see above
Targaryan (12f, Var): 2 wins, 1200-1400m
Jet Into The Wind (06c, Jet Master): 5 wins, 1200-1400m
3rd dam
Brave The Wind (91f, Great Brother): won, 1100m; dam of Fly The Wind (00f, Model Man): 2 wins – see above
Catch The Wind (05f, Jet Master): won, 1600m
Brave Dominion (01c, Dominion Royale): 7 wins, 1000-1400m
4th dam
Heaven Help Us (75f, Drum Beat): won, 1200m; dam of CARDINAL SIN (85c, Great Brother): 7 wins, 1000-1600m, Newmarket Guineas (L); 2nd Administrator’s Hcp (L); 3rd Gr2 Dingaans, Christmas Hcp (L), Tvl Tattersalls Bookmakers Hcp
Brave The Wind (91f, Great Brother): won – see above
5th dam
Naughty Nell (66f, Masham): 4 wins, 1200-2000m
6th dam
Mistress Gwyn (45f, His Highness): 12 wins in UK & SA; dam of Shirley’s Doll (60f, Drum Beat) – female line ancestress of THE ELIMINATOR (72g, New South Wales)sire
STAR EFFORT (87f, Esplendor) – Champion 2yo & 3yo
2025 FEE: R10.000 LIVE FOAL
Owner: A Syndicate P18 Middlerus Road, D54, Mooi River 3300
Stincky Pooe chats to Cecil Mthembu after another Grade 1 success | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
PASSIONATE OWNER MINES HIS PURPLE GOLD
Dual Gr1 classic winner Purple Pitcher (New Predator) has joined the stallion ranks at Hadlow Stud in KwaZulu-Natal. He will remain in the province for the foreseeable future, not only because KZN racing is in the midst of a revival, but also for the convenience of his owner, Stincky Pooe.
Pooe, who has a holiday home in Inchanga and divides his time between his business in Gauteng and the Valley of 1000 Hills, said he looks forward to enjoying close access to his stallion.
Pooe said: “I loved Purple Pitcher as a young horse, before he even raced. He was always special to me. I want to be able to visit him when I am in the region. Also, there is too much competition among stallions in the Western Cape. His own sire, New Predator, was moved to the Western Cape before his unfortunate death, and this is my tribute to him. Purple Pitcher has given us much joy and I trust there will be more highlights at stud.”
Cathy Martin of Hadlow Stud described Purple Pitcher as a
strong, athletic individual with a calm demeanour, and expects that he will get the support he deserves, especially as his covering fee has been set at R5 000 live foal, with the added bonus of sending an extra mare for free.
Pooe said that he has one more talented son of New Predator in training.
Now three years old, Copper Eagle won his two-year-old debut last June and went straight into a handicap for a close second to Tommy Shelby.
“Copper Eagle has just been gelded. We didn’t want him to become as heavy as Purple Pitcher did. His trainer Robyn Klaasen thinks a lot of him, so we’re hoping he can be just as good as Purple Pitcher was on the racetrack.”
Pooe’s rags-to-riches story is marked by the same guts and perseverance so beautifully displayed by Purple Pitcher. Born in Charterson, a small ‘location’ near Nigel on the East Rand, his mother was an orphan, and Pooe himself grew up without a father
during a period of political upheaval and extreme hardship for people of colour.
The Pooe family was forced to resettle to the township of Duduza, 30km away from Nigel, because Charterston was considered by the government to be too close to a white town. ‘Duduza’ means ‘comfort’, but conditions were all but comfortable and in later years this became one of the most highly active townships in South Africa in the struggle against apartheid.
On the brighter side, there was ‘bush racing’ in the area, much enjoyed by the township folk. This is where Pooe first came into contact with horses and betting. “The kids loved going to a bush race. We took small bets among each other on which horses would win and this was exciting.”
The family was forced to move again and ended up in the small farming town of Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, where Pooe managed to complete his secondary education with a matric certificate in 1976. With no job opportunities, he returned to the East Rand and started digging gold like his grandfather did, mainly on the mine dumps scattered on the outskirts of towns like Brakpan, Boksburg and Benoni.
Pooe eeked out an early living with a hammer, a chisel a carpet to filter sand through water so he could get to particles of gold dust, using old sewage pipes to channel some water for his activities. But he started to prosper, selling grams of gold dust, then ounces. He drew some of his friends into his venture and can justifiably be called, the ‘father’ of the original Zama-Zamas – by its official meaning, people
Purple Pitcher People! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
who work illegally in abandoned mining areas and mineshafts in order to retrieve metals or minerals.
Pooe said: “I have to say that being a ZamaZama was something to be very proud of in the 1980s and 90s. There weren’t many of us, our only objective was to earn money to survive and we worked long, hard hours in awful conditions. We were friendly with the police, we helped them to protect cables and catch the cable thieves. There were no criminals among us.”
With some cash on hand, Pooe started attending race meetings, mostly at the old Gosforth Park and Newmarket tracks, in the 1980s. He discovered a knack for picking the right outsiders and cashed out big money, often.
With a new government in place in 1994, Pooe applied for a mining licence. He battled for several years, but the licence
was eventually granted in 2000. This led to the establishment of his company, Copper Eagle Trading, near Brakpan. He employs 12 workers.
Pooe, a happy investor in the racing industry, enjoys helping smaller stables and said: “The racing industry, like most others, is linked to the country’s economy. People do not have money to spend. Our government needs to fix the economy and create jobs. This will get the industry to flourish again. Racing is popular still, people love it. They’ll come back the moment they have jobs and earn money.
“Our government needs to licence mining activities for individuals, followed by strict control and policing of the industry. There is plenty of gold all over South Africa, enough for everyone for at least the next century. The only thing a worker needs to start a business is a chisel, a ten-pound hammer and a big towel to use as a filter. They can all make money.”
Aldo Domeyer had positive things to say about Happy Verse | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Despite drifting in the betting, Justin Snaith’s upwardly mobile 3yo Happy Verse stayed on doggedly to beat the seasoned hard-knocker Carriacou in a thrilling finish to the R200 000 Winter Country Championship 1500 Final at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.
Snaith saddled three of the four winning finalists in the Winter Country Championship, and Happy Verse (5-2) looks a classic prospect after he dealt with Carriacou (17-2) by three quarters of a length and stayed on well to register 91,7 secs for the 1500m.
Aldo Domeyer was clearly impressed.
“There’s a lot of horse and I like the way he moves. Suffocating his stride wasn’t ideal. He had the class in the end and was toying with the opposition. He gives me the feeling of one of the better horses I have ridden. Hollywoodbets Durbanville is also probably not ideal for him. He has all the ‘utensils’ to become a top sort,” said Domeyer.
Cole Dicken and his mount Golden Angel look to have enjoyed a lucky escape, after appearing to clip heels at the 600m. Early reports indicate horse and rider had pulled
up shaken but in one piece.
Happy Verse, a R1, 6 million buy from the 2024 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, made it 3 wins from his 4 starts and took his stakes bank to R264 219.
Bred by Drakenstein Stud in partnership with Katom and Maine Chance Farms, Happy Verse races for Reon Barnard, Gary Player, and Drakenstein Stud.
By champion sire Vercingetorix (Silvano), Happy Verse is the fourth winner produced by the Giant’s Causeway mare Song Of Happiness, a winning daughter of former Equus Champion Captain’s Lover. A halfsister to multiple Gr 1 winner Ebony Flyer, Captain’s Lover won black-type races on three different continents, including victory in the Avontuur Estate Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas.
JP van der Merwe produces African Prince late to win a cracker | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
African Prince has proven a tough frustrating to follow but JP ‘Winx’ van der Merwe produced the magic on the Justin Snaith-trained gelding to win the R200 000 Winter Country Championship 1200 Final – run over 1250m – at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.
Originally scheduled for Hollywoodbets Kenilworth which has failed to withstand the ravages of what actually appeared to be a kinder Cape winter than recent years, the Winter Country Championship finals, run for the final time, were carded for the Country Course and run on a sunny Saturday.
JP van der Merwe had Handsome Prince relaxed well back in the sprint, as Fort Red led Boundless Love and the 28-10 tote favourite Commanding early.
Into the home run, the field fanned out, with an upset on the cards as Shifting Path dug deep under a determined Craig Zackey.
But it was JP van der Merwe who had the gun loaded and he pulled the trigger on the Snaith 4yo with a sustained burst.
At the line, African Prince (10-1) clocked 75,45 secs to beat the Piet Botha deadheaters Shifting Path (16-1) Escarpment by 0,30 lengths. Chad Little found himself tight on the rail on Azzurri (9-2), who was relegated to fourth.
A R1 million Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, the Klawervlei-bred African Prince is raced by Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith and has won 2 races with 3 places from 12 starts for stakes of R279 913.
The winner is a son of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the Captain Al onetime winner, African Daisy.
Introduced in 2024, The Country Championships was aimed at the lower merit-rated horses in the province, which race predominantly in Class 4 and Class 5 races.
Class 4 races cater for merit ratings of 62 – 78, while Class 5 races are for horses with merit ratings of 66 and below.
The Country Championships series balanced the landscape in a region renowned for producing champions and gave the connections of lower-rated horses in the Cape the opportunity to enjoy their racing, with boosted earnings opportunities. Race Coast have promised something new to replace the series this term
Earlier on the sunny afternoon, Richard Fourie and Eric Sands teamed up to win the first with even money shot Magical Place going start-to-finish to score in the 1000m Maiden Plate at his third start. Fourie suggested that the Drakenstein Sud-bred ‘bull of a chestnut’ can be followed at the Country Course.
A happy trainer - Justin Snaith is all smiles! | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
CURTAIN COMES DOWN ON COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The curtain came down on Cape Racing’s Country Championships at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, with some exciting racing marking a good day for punters, with just a single knockout result.
After three favourites won the opening three races, Devin Ashby produced the What A Winter mare Girl Like Us (25-1) in the opening leg of the Pick 6 for his father-in-law Paul Reeves and staunch owner Andy Elton, to beat the 9-10 favourite Wander Dune.
It took just the one outsider to push the Pick 6 dividend to a healthy R 80 076-70.
As part of the former Cape Racing landscape, the Country Champs were included in the inaugural RaceCape incentive programme and the related races played a vital role in revitalizing the racing calendar and increasing field sizes by providing mid-to lower-division horses the chance to earn significant stakes for their owners in high-stakes, non-black type races, namely the Summer and Winter
Michelle Rix received the cheque for Electric Feels from Race Cape’s Felix Nguni | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Country Championships Finals over varying distances.
With Race Coast formed from the merger of Cape Racing and Gold Circle, we are informed that the Country Championships will be discontinued.But watch this space for news of lucrative new incentives for both the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal regions.
The 2024/25 season of the Country Championships concluded on a high note, with Electric Feels, trained by Crawford/Rix,
topping the overall standings and earning a R100 000 bonus. Close behind were Captains Destiny, Black Path, Lovers Lane, and Bluff On Bluff, who completed the top five.
The results of the final events on Saturday were:
• 1000m: She’s My World (Justin Snaith)
• 1250m: African Prince (Justin Snaith)
• 1500m: Happy Verse (Justin Snaith)
• 2000m:Heal And Soul (James Crawford)
SHINE BRIGHT KZN STARS
Devin Heffer holds the trophy for the proud Hollywood Racing team | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Equus Champion
Gladatorian was the star of the show at the annual KZN Racing Awards which took place in the Classic Room at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening.
The Stuart Ferrie-trained son of Vercingetorix was voted Champion Horse of the Season and part-owner, recently retired Chief Executive Officer of Gold Circle/Race Coast KZN, Michel Nairac, was on hand to receive the trophy on behalf of his Mauritius-based partners. Victorious in the Season-opening 1400m IOS Drill Hall Stakes (Gr2) in May and the 1800m Hong Kong Jockey Club Champions Cup (Gr1) on the final day of Champions Season at the end of July, Gladatorian also finished a close third in the 1600m Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge (Gr1) in June and rounded off his 5yo campaign with earnings of just under R3-million.
Ferrie is now planning to send Gladatorian to the Cape, with the 2026 1600m L’Ormarins King’s Plate (Gr1) and the 2000m World Sports Betting Cape Town Met (Gr1) the obvious targets.
Gladatorian was also honoured as KwaZuluNatal’s Champion Older Male and Champion Middle Distance performer.
For Gladatorian’s regular pilot, Sean Veale, the 2024/2025 season proved a breakthrough year with Veale riding more than 100 winners for the first time in his career.
Of these, 70 were recorded in his home province – enough to secure the popular Hollywood Racing-retained and Sporting Post-sponsored rider the honour of being crowned the Province’s Champion Jockey.
Gareth Van Zyl retained his Champion KZN Trainer title with 49 winners, comfortably clear of Dean Kannemeyer and Garth Puller who saddled 43 winners each on the East Coast. Van Zyl also played a major role in Hollywood Racing’s Asiye Phambili being voted Champion Sprinter & Champion Older Mare.
In his care, the daughter of What A Winter won the Grade 2 Sceptre Stakes and Grade 3 Southern Cross during the Cape Summer, before being transferred back to Duncan Howells for Champions Season.
In search of an elusive Grade 1 victory, Asiye Phambili was denied by the narrowest of margins in the SA Fillies Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville before finishing a highly creditable third against the boys in the Mercury Sprint on the final day of Champions Season.
Dual Feature race winners, Quickstepgal and I Salute You, emerged as the respective
Champions in the Two-Year-Old and ThreeYear-Old categories. Quickstepgal is trained by Tienie Prinsloo and raced in the colours of Rakesh Singh but has now subsequently been sold to the Wernars family, while I Salute You hails from the Peter Muscutt stable.
King Pelles, trained by Gareth Van Zyl, was a dominant winner of the Champion Stayers Award, having closed out his season with victories in the Tote Derby, the Durban Gold Vase and the World Pool Gold Cup.
The Champion Apprentice Award was shared by Brevan Plaatjies and Mxolisi Mbuto who each rode 14 winners in KZN, although Plaatjies’ additional winners around the country were enough to secure him the Equus Award as National Champion Apprentice.
Hollywood Racing were crowned Champion Owners of KwaZulu-Natal while Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein emerged as leading breeders in the province for the second consecutive year.
In the special awards’ category, Tawanda Taruvinga was voted KZN’s Racing Personality of the Year. Tawanda’s infectious smile, fiery passion, creative talent, and effervescent personality have made him a popular figure amongst the local racing fraternity and a valuable asset to Race Coast KZN’s social media and broadcast teams.
Anita Akal presented her annual award to Race Coast KZN’s Marketing Executive Stephen Marshall, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport of horseracing in general, and the success of Champions Season 2025 in particular.
Brevan Plaatjies is becoming adept at public speaking! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Stuart Ferrie holds the trophy with the Gladatorian team in attendance | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Anthony Delpech has done a great job for the Hollywood Racing team | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Sean and Maxine Veale proudly show off the Champion Jockey trophies | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
SECOND SPRING SUCCESS FOR BLING & QUANTUM THEORY
Purchased off the BSA August Online and having his opening start for Sean Tarry and the Wernars Family, the 6yo Quantum Theory registered his second success in the R175 000 Betway Listed Spring Spree Stakes at the meeting moved at the last minute to the Vaal on Saturday.
A landfall fire near Turffontein forced the switch of the racemeeting to the Vaal Classic track, and despite concerns about the already small fields being knocked by withdrawals, there were only four scratchings due to a change of venue.
4Racing’s launch of their Highveld Spring / Summer feature race programme went ahead with some entertaining track action, even
if the R500 000 Pick 6 carryover fell well short of the R3 million target, ending on a nett R1 665 162 on the local double-header afternoon.
Having won the same feature in 2023 (with a stake of R250 000 versus R175 000 today) when ridden by Smanga Khumalo, who was on board on Saturday, the former Robbie Sage charge Quantum Theory (5-4) put his sixth behind Back To Business in the 2024 renewal to bed, when he tracked Night Bomber before pouncing inside the 250m to score a popular victory.
The son of Querari beat Kamensky by half a length in a time of 70,02 secs for the 1200m.
Smanga Khumalo and Quantum Theory register their second Betway Spring Spree Stakes win | Credit: JC Photos
Kamensky finished with a rattle and a half and would have been a glorious sixth winner for the veteran Roy Magner, who coincidentally won the inaugural running on 30 August 2008 of the feature when it was known as the August Stakes and run over 1200m on the Vaal sand .
The winner all those eighteen years ago was Red Mist under Marthinus Mienie for Wally Brits and B L Welch.
Upon the closure of the Vaal sand track, the race name changed to the Spring Spree Stakes and migrated to Turffontein. It was run on turf for the first time on 3 September 2016 and won by Mrs M J Wallace’s Kangaroo Jack (Gary Alexander / Andrew Fortune).
But back to the astute purchase of Quantum Theory, who was acquired for R270 000 by Laurence Wernars’ Triple 8 Trust on the
August Online Sale, when sold by former coowner Ian van Schalkwyk.
Quantum Theory is a Lammerskraal Studbred son of Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the eight-time winning Control Freak (Tamburlaine).
Originally a R210 000 National Yearling Sale purchase by Stuart Pettigrew, Quantum Theory is a winner of 6 races with 17 places from 34 starts for stakes of R1 021 594.
Trainer Sean Tarry thanked his colleague Robbie Sage for despatching the gelding in top order, conceding that ‘it is not easy to lose a horse like this’.
Kangaroo Jack wins the 2016 Spring Spree under Andrew Fortune | Credit: JC Photos
NIEUWENHUIZEN’S FAMOUS LADY TWO ON THE TROT FOR
A daughter of the now Cornerstone Studbased Var stallion Talk Of The Town, Famous Lady went all the way under SplashOut-sponsored Calvin Habib to win the R150 000 non black-type Betway The Lady’s Stakes at the Vaal on Saturday.
Sadly, two withdrawals in the support feature reduced the field to just five runners.
But it was a victory full of merit for the 4yo Famous Lady, who benefitted from a confident ride by Calvin Habib, who grabbed a soft lead and turned on the screws in the run for home.
Raced by Valerie Koterba, Famous Lady (7-1) made it two wins on the trot as she stayed on well to beat That’s My Baby (28-10) by 3,50 lengths in a time of 69,55 secs for the 1200m.
The 17-10 favourite Blizzard Snow failed to kick and ran a modest fourth and some 5 lengths behind the David Niewenhuizentrained runner.
Calvin Habib is riding with great confidence and has made a sparkling start to the new season, boxing amongst the leaders
Calvin Habib steers Famous Lady to an easy win | Credit: JC Photos
Bred by James Goodman’s Kiliminjaro Bloodstock, Famous Lady is a daughter of the lightly raced Talk Of The Town (Var) out of the twice winning High Chaparral mare, Lady Val.
A sire with limited opportunities so far, Talk Of The Town stands at Anthon and Liz Hoek’s Cornerstone Stud which was established in 2017 and is situated in Centurion near Pretoria.
The stakes-placed Famous Lady has won 3 races with 3 places from her 11 starts for stakes of R288 014.
Hollywoodbets-sponsored David Nieuwenhuizen deserves credit for a job well done, with a filly who should win again soon.
HIGH CHAPARRAL MARES BIG IN SA!
When Famous Lady (Talk Of The Town) won Saturday’s Betway The Lady’s Stakes, she turned the spotlight on her dam Lady Val (High Chaparral).
The latter is responsible for Famous Lady, runner up in the 2024 Gr3 Tab Pretty Polly Stakes, and also last season’s Cape Racing Sales Cape Slipper winner, Military Command (Fire Away).
A dual winner up to 1700m, the classically bred Lady Val is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Took, a full-sister to Gr3 Oklahoma Derby runner up Bay Of Biscay.
High Chaparral, the sire of Lady Val, has had a considerable impact in South Africa, both as a sire and broodmare sire.
His local runners include Enaad, Equus Champion Stayer of 2015/16 , Gr3 Acacia Handicap winner High Seas Beauty, dual graded stakes winner Cascapedia, Gr3 Politician Stakes runner-up Newlands, and Listed Olympic Duel/Listed Ladies Mile winner Chevauchee.
However, it is as a broodmare sire that the late High Chaparral has made his mark in South Africa of late.
Famous Lady wins the Betway Lady’s Stakes | Credit: JC Photos
The 2025 Gr3 Betway Mother Russia Stakes winner Gimmefabulous was produced by High Chaparral mare Being Fabulous.
High Chaparral’s blue-blooded daughter Grande Roche (whose dam won the Gr1 South Australian Oaks) produced both Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes winner Galla Vanting (Querari) and Listed In Full Flight Handicap winner, King Of The Gauls (Vercingetorix).
Another High Chaparral mare, Honour Roll, is the dam of 2025 TAB Gr2 SA Nursery runner up Esteemed (Rafeef).
In the 2024-2025 racing season, High Chaparral mares produced three black-type winners of four stakes races in South Africa.
Classy racemare Chevauchee is the dam of the 2024 Listed Christmas Handicap winner Imilenzeyokududuma (Dynasty), while Chevauchee’s full-sister Sassy Sal is the dam of four winners from four local runners.
The 2024 Listed Racehorse Owners Association Stakes winner On My Honour (Gimmethegreenlight) is yet another local black-type winner produced by a daughter of High Chaparral – his dam is On My Mind.
Last season’s impressive debut winner Rachel Wall (Buffalo Bill Cody) was produced by the High Chaparral mare Gypsy Pirate, a three-parts sister to champion Igugu. Casadeus, a daughter of High Chaparral from the family of Rock Of Gibraltar, produced
four winners from her first five runners in South Africa.
One of the best sons of Sadler’s Wells, High Chaparral joins his paternal half-brothers Casey Tibbs, Fort Wood, Galileo and Montjeu, as having enjoyed success as both a broodmare sire and sire in South Africa.
High Chaparral is also broodmare sire of 2025 Betfred Gr1 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court (Justify), who sadly died last week.
In total, High Chaparral mares have, at the time of writing, produced more than 90 stakes winners, headed by Gr1 winners such as Look De Vega, Suavito, The Wow Signal, A Raving Beauty and Dubai Mile.
Roaring Lion, Lope De Vega, Mastercraftsman, Starspangledbanner and Pentire have all sired at least one Gr1 winner out of a High Chaparral mare.
Listed Racehorse Owners Association Stakes winner On My Honour is yet another local black-type winner produced by a daughter of High Chaparral | Credit: Pauline Herman
18 IN AUGUST
- SERINO IS FLYING!
Serino Moodley – riding with confidence and commitment
Credit: Candiese Lenferna
One month down and Winning Form-sponsored Serino Moodley is flying! After his book-ending double at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, the Hillcrest resident ended the first month of the new season on 18 winners, and in second position on the national log.
“To be honest, it’s really just about riding more this season. Last season I managed to build a few more relationships outside of KZN.A trainer gave me a casual call to come out to the Vaal, and I thought, why not? I was at home doing nothing, and I love being on a horse’s back — so I went,” the quietly spoken Serino told the Sporting Post on Monday.
Taxed on the secret to his flying start, the modest Serino says it was never a ‘big plan’.
“You can ask my manager Deez Dayanand. We just got the offers, and I’m happy to go anywhere, as long as it means I get to be on a horse’s back.”
While he has confined his riding to his home province of KwaZulu-Natal and travelling to Gauteng, Serino says he is available if the call comes. He seemed bemused when we projected his season target to 216 based on his first month.
“I’d love to keep the momentum going, but as we know, it all depends on support from owners and trainers. I really hope I can get that backing.”
When it comes to character and commitment, the Meyersdal-raised Serino, a father of two, looks to have what it takes to go all the way.
The natural lightweight joined the SA Jockey Academy in 2012 alongside Diego de Gouveia, Callan Murray and Tristan Godden. He left the Academy at the end of that same year and went back home.
But a job riding work at the James Maree school saw him recognised by legendary now retired SA Hall Of Fame trainer, Ormond Ferraris. In a matter of months, Diego de Gouveia and Serino were race riding as apprentices in Zimbabwe.
While in Zimbabwe, rode his first winner – Princess Kate – for present day Snaith Assistant trainer Gokhan Terzi, and also bagged another three.
He returned to South Africa in 2016, but things were not easy. In five months, he only had four rides. But Byron Foster and Andre Nel gave him a chance. Serino came out of his time in 2019 and with the Winning Form backing he had the world at his feet.
“There is great moral and team support and it’s a true privilege being part of the Winning Form stable. The association with an industry-leading brand is a confidence-booster in itself,” he adds.
Serino’s first Grade 1 winner came at Hollywoodbets Greyville when the Robbie Hill-trained longshot Pearl Of Asia won the 2021 Gr1 Mercury Sprint. He is looking for more of those this season!
LICENCE TO THRILL! MILLER’S
Despite a stumble at the start, Mike Miller’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville 1200m specialist Licence To Thrill made it six track-and-trip successes on Sunday.
An important scientific complimentary tool of the trade for punters and racing enthusiasts, sectional timing data can enhance both the form study and horseracing viewing experience on both KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape race meetings.
In our weekly column Time Is Money , we look at some of the standouts at recent KZN and Cape racemeetings.
Hollywoodbets Scottsville 31st August
Track Condition
Going: Good (both tracks)
Penetrometer: 23 (both tracks)
Rain: Last 7 days Nil
Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 16mm
False Rail: 5m
Wind: 0-15km/h Westerly tail wind
Course Variant: 0,59s fast (straight) – 1-19s fast (bend)
Gallop Form Middle Stakes 1200m
In terms of stake money the Gallop Form Middle Stakes topped the bill in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday and in what
proved to be very marginally the faster of the two 1200m races, the 5yo Twice Over gelding LICENCE TO THRILL registered his sixth career victory.
The heavily supported Bourbon Warrior (9/2 into 5/2) made the early running whilst in a compact field Mike Miller’s charge raced just three lengths behind in eighth, and that after stumbling at the start.
He ran on best of all over the final 400m and under a well-judged ride from Tristan Godden, he got 50m from home to deny the always handy Icy Blast. Licence To Thrill has gained all six of his wins over today’s course and distance.
Two 1000m Races
The first of the two 1000m events on the eight race program to be run was the Maiden Plate in which the 20/1 shot LOVE MY STYLE opened his account at just the second time of asking.
The supported Senor Resfrio set a good pace whilst the favourite That’ll Be Day raced close up in third before taking up the running 400m out. Tony Rivalland’s charge meanwhile raced
some three lengths off the pace in fifth and when the race began in earnest, he battled to get a run. After switching out 150m from home though, he quickened in good style, and in a classic finish, he got up on the nod.
Run in a time of 57,14 seconds, the Tote For The Win Class 5 event won by the lightly raced 7yo FATE OF FORTUNE (stubborn loading) was the quicker of the two 1000m races.
Drawn twelve, the well supported Master Of My Fate gelding was taken straight to the front on the outside rail by Musi Yeni, and was soon two lengths clear. He kept up a healthy gallop throughout and won without any anxious moments by just over a length. His 400m to finish time of 23,04 seconds was the fastest of the afternoon.
Form Guide www.gallop.co.za C Stakes 2400m
In terms of distance, the easiest victory on the card was recorded by the Dean Kannemeyer trained CONTINENTALEXPRESS in the C Stakes over 2400m. Unhappy with the early pace on leaving the stalls, jockey Craig Zackey took the son of Vercingetorix to the front shortly after passing the 1900m mark and was never headed thereafter.
He asserted his authority as they approached the 200m pole and won well by two and three quarters.
Fastest Times:
1000m (2) Fate Of Fortune 57,14 1200m (2) Licence To Thrill 68,82 400-finish Fate Of Fortune 23,04 Hollywoodbets Durbanville 30th August
Track Condition
Going: Good
Penetrometer: 20
Rain:
Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 16mm
Irrigation: Last 7 days Nil
False Rail: Original Position back straight with 2m spur at 550m
Wind: 10-12km/h South Easterly crosswind
Course Variant: 1,61s fast
Winter Country Championship Final - 1250m
Although they were comfortably the quickest in the first segment to the 1000m mark, the Championship Final was overall the second fastest of the four 1250 races. On leaving the stalls it was Fort Red who elected to make the running whilst the eventual winner AFRICAN PRINCE (squeezed out at the start) raced some eight lengths away at the back of the ten. The dead-heater for second Shifting Path got first run in the straight and looked to have done everything right on striking the front 120m from home.
The first of four winners on the card for champion trainer Justin Snaith though, fairly flew after having to switch out for a run passing the 300m marker, and in what proved to be a real thriller, he got up in the dying strides.
Two 1000m Races
The Hollywoodbets Welcomes You Maiden Plate over 1000m had gotten proceedings underway at the country course on Saturday and in a time 0,94 seconds faster than the only other event over the distance, the Championship Final, we saw a very smart front running performance from the even money favourite MAGICAL PLACE.
Out of the pens in a flash, the son of What A Winter was quickly two lengths clear, and the rest soon became well strung out. He kept on strongly at the business end of the race and only having to be pushed out, he won very easily by four and a half.
Although never any kind of a threat to the winner, the filly William’s Woman ran on strongly from well off the pace and although beaten 6,5 lengths, she recorded the joint fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon.
Always in the red, the odds on favourite SHE’S MY WORLD won the aforementioned Winter Country Championship final. Soon positioned very close to the speed, Justin Snaith’s charge took up the running 220m out.
She ran on strongly from there onwards and did no more than was necessary in the closing stages of the race to beat the 10/1 shot Easy Money. One to look out for next time from this race is December Dawn (brush wound right hind) who finished third.
Running on from second last, Candice BassRobinson’s charge had to switch 200m out and fairly flying at the finish, she was only beaten by a length and a quarter.
Along with William’s Woman, December
Dawn recorded the joint fastest 400m to finish time on the card.
Winter Country Course Championship Final – 1500m
Run in a time just 13/100th of a second faster than that of the only other 1500m event on the card, victory in the Hollywoodbets Bright Future Maiden Plate went to the highly regarded Happy Verse.
Now a winner of three from four, Justin Snaith’s charge was surprisingly allowed to drift right out to 5/2 from even money at the track. In what was a very false paced affair, Happy Verse raced sixth less than three lengths off the leader in a very tightly bunched field approaching the straight, and at that point Golden Angel lost her jockey.
He put his head in front 300m out and although the runner up Carriacou tried his best to make a race of it over the final 200m, the son of Vercingetorix always had his measure.
Fastest Times:
1000m (2) Magical Place 58,02
1250m (4) Girl Like Us 74,90
1500m (2) Happy Verse 91,70 400-finish William’s Woman/December Dawn 22,60
SA RACING
COMMUNICATION & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS ARE KEY
The South African Horse Racing Industry is experiencing a welcome but fragile resurgence after years of decline following incredible private investment and effort.
The Sporting Post Mailbag has received an open letter from ETHANICTY Research, who write that the South African Horse Racing Industry is experiencing a welcome but fragile resurgence after years of decline following incredible private investment and effort.
It is a journey rather than an event. However, the journey forward is threatened by issues
that could frustrate the revival and impact of the lifeline it has received.
The issues that threaten the forward momentum are not unique to Horse Racing and are surprisingly universal in the modern era.
Notwithstanding these threats are being dangerously and inexplicably ignored in the global obsession to pursue profit over principle, and materialism over survival, despite the issues being historically accepted as key business drivers of success.
The relevance for this industry is amplified by the fact that Horse Racing is not born of financial necessity, but fundamentally from emotional necessity – the value it delivers to human pleasure – it’s output.
It can be argued that it is dependent on the investment and the extent to which that is sustained rests heavily on the extent to which the emotional expectation is delivered and fulfilled. If you will, that the input relies on the output.
or failure to follow up with a concluding response.
When disregard and insincerity extends into the realm of the customer experience it has a profoundly negative impact on the forward journey and growth of the industry as a whole.
Above all, the industry must recognize that without addressing fundamental issues with deliberate intent, its proud legacy risks being overshadowed by avoidable shortcomings that frustrate its journey.
And so if this proposition is true, then the human aspects of how the industry satisfies its patrons and stakeholders become critical review considerations.
Whilst there are many considerations, we wish to explore 2 standout interlinked considerations - communication and appropriate professional standards.
Communication is more than courtesy; it is the cornerstone of professionalism. When industry stakeholders — from regulators to operators, trainers, and stud farms — fail to respond, engage meaningfully, transparently, completely, sincerely, or resolve issues they emit a message of disregard, insincerity and lack of professionalism. This lack of communication is not simply frustrating; it undermines confidence in the industry as a whole.
The Author can cite numerous real examples of direct approaches at various levels within the industry that have simply been ignored (received a zero response), and others that have received an inconclusive response
And when that poor experience is received by new entrants to the market it scars their impression at the get-go, causes them to reconsider their approach, and invariably turn around and walk away from the industry and/or to restrict their investment to the absolute minimum.
At its root, these communication and professionalism challenges may be founded in a deeper structural issue: the absence of formal standards at critical points of industry investment.
Relationships between owners and trainers and owners and stud farms lacks industryinsisted formal agreements wherein minimum mutually beneficial conditions are enforced to protect ultimately protect the integrity of the industry.
The Racehorse Owners Association valiantly proposed a Voluntary Agreement - however this initiative does not appear to have received industry support and therefore fell through the cracks – or so it appears due to a lack of further communication on the subject.
The industry regulator chooses to distance itself from the issue and is reluctant to take responsibility for creating the minimum standards that some global regulators have
adopted for the critical interfaces. Trust is left to assumption and chance, and authority is too often interpreted as unlimited licensing of an environment that is loosely defined. And yet these crucial industry contact interfaces underpin the very investment that the industry relies on.
In such an environment, it is no surprise that other symptoms, such as poor communication results, and sub-standard professionalism is the industry norm.
The danger is clear - if the industry, through its key role players, cannot, or refuses to lift standards, then professionalism will not exist, the power of communication is lost and industry revival is directed toward jeopardy.
Investors will hesitate, owners will lose confidence, enthusiasm will wane or remain low, investment will be denied and the broader public will disengage or choose another place to seek their emotional pleasure and thrills.
Globally, industries thrive when they place the customer experience at the centre of their focus – not to be confused to submitting to the consumer, but rather recognising and pursuing a heightened experience that exceeds
expectation as a driver of growth. Horse racing is no different. Communication must be prompt, transparent and response must exist. Formal agreements must be introduced to protect both service providers and investors.
Above all, the industry must recognize that without addressing fundamental issues with deliberate intent, its proud legacy risks being overshadowed by avoidable shortcomings that frustrate its journey.
South African Horse Racing has the talent, the history and the potential to succeed.
But to secure its future, it must confront some of its greatest challenges, including the standards it holds itself accountable, in addition to the way it interacts with its customers and audience in creating a heightened customer experience conducive to attracting new entrants/participants, whilst retaining existing patrons.
• Ethanicity Research is a private & independent SA Horseracing Research Agency with no 3rd party affiliations.
• Have your say – the Sporting Post Mailbag is keen to consider submissions from readers. Write to editor@sportingpost.co.za
PIPPA OWNS AUGUST
As the sun sets on Women’s Month, we caught up with one of South African horseracing’s most dynamic and experienced role-players, and a longstanding ROA member.
Respected and loved by all, former Avontuur GM, and a recently appointed Race Coast Sales Director, Pippa Mickleburgh exemplifies the very spirit of morality, integrity and strength demonstrated by the 20 000 individuals who participated in the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings, to protest the apartheid government’s pass laws at the time.
That watershed moment in our history is acknowledged with pride and emotion every August by South Africans, and we thought it a good time to catch up with a woman who has made a massive impact in her own right over the decades in the sport we love all love so dearly.
It was Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich that suggested that ‘wellbehaved women seldom make history.’
“Hey, I am not badly behaved, ever! But I love the quote – this world needs us woman to make a difference,” muses Pippa as she
ROA’s August Owner Of The Month – Pippa Mickleburgh | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
tells how she has always been a person to consider both sides of the proverbial coin, and speak her mind.
Couple Pippa’s character with an empathetic passion for horses and people, and a deep sense of purpose, and she can only make a difference as she sets out on her brand new challenge.
The recent winding down of equine operations at the internationally renowned Avontuur Estate signalled the end of an era in South African racing and breeding. For the lady breeder it also coincided with the start of a new personal era, in a multi-faceted role.
The facilities and the food have always been first class and it’s very nice to be able to ring the ROA in advance and know that I am sorted out.
From running a busy stud farm, where ‘Ms Fixit’ or ‘Mrs Var’, as she was fondly labelled, spent over three decades producing champions, wining and dining a wide spectrum of stakeholders, fixing toilets, repairing padel courts, getting the wi-fi sorted, playing Mom to staff, protecting her beloved horses in storms, and even sorting out the odd bakkie that wouldn’t start, one imagines her new role at RCS should be a proverbial walk in the park!
“It’s never easy changing perceptions and mindsets but we are in it to win it!” she adds with a smile.
Being something of a straightshooter hasn’t always made Pippa popular everywhere, but she has the sport at heart – and knows almost everybody!
“If we want to make a difference, we have to stay true to ourselves and engage with an open mind. But always say it as one sees it, in the most diplomatic manner possible!” she says, adding that her new role at Race Coast represents exciting challenges and the opportunity to contribute to the renaissance of the sport, and to building bridges.
“I am very excited! From mostly running my own ship in the relative bubble of beauty that was Avontuur, to the dynamic
corporate environment that is Race Coast. One could say they are worlds apart – yet with so many commonalities. People and horses are at the core of both. Always aiming at raising the bar in terms of service and value are other shared threads. We just have to communicate and talk to our customer – that’s a basic,” adds the forthright horsewoman, as she goes on to explain her dual roles.
“The hospitality experience on raceday –all racedays big and small – is part of my portfolio. We can’t control the weather or always forecast the winners. But we can get the infrastructure operating at a world-class level in all areas. Folk go racing primarily to watch horses race. Adding good food, superb service and great aesthetics into the day makes it a more memorable holistic experience and is likely to organically broaden our market.”
Race Coast Sales, formerly known as Cape Racing Sales, will hold their first Two-YearOld Sale under the new brand on 25 October 2025. It’s an arena – excuse the pun – that Pippa knows well.
“At Avontuur I was dealing with the Sales companies all the time – but that was as a vendor. Now I have responsibilities to both sellers and buyers, in fact all stakeholders –that includes Grooms and Trainers and the back-room folk that prep the horses. I believe that if one looks after the people, the project will succeed.”
Pippa stresses that she and her team are only a phone-call, whatsapp or email away.
“My brief is to widen the spectrum and embrace more exclusivity on the equine and human capital side of our sales. We already cater for all pockets and expectations. We will focus on a range of horses from a spread of farms, and buyers in all ranges that are kept in the loop – from incentives to catalogues to technology. For example, the syndication incentives offered by Race Coast and modern international trends, means that
most everybody anywhere can get involved in the thrill of racehorse ownership. And for many that starts in the adrenaline-charged atmosphere of the sales ring.”
To show that they mean business, Pippa points out that the Race Coast Sales raceday — which was hosted in Cape Town in March 2025 — has been moved to Hollywoodbets Greyville in KwaZulu-Natal for the 2026 renewal on 12 April
This strategic change enables easier participation for graduates based in KwaZuluNatal, the Eastern Cape, and the Highveld, and better aligns with national seasonal planning.
“Looking ahead to 2026, we have already announced two key dates. That is the March Yearling Sale is on 13 & 14 March 2026 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and the October
Two-Year-Old Sale is on 24 October 2026 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. So things are happening. This is an open invitation to breeders and prospective buyers in all four corners of South Africa – please talk to us!”
Need help with anything from a catalogue to a buyer’s card?
Please visit www.caperacingsales.co.za or Contact pippa@racecoast.co.za
Having been an ROA member for many years, Pippa says that her membership provides great value in terms of hospitality on racedays.
She also appreciates being kept informed of matters of relevant interest via their newsletters.
“Owners are a vital stakeholder component in the sport and it’s good to know we have representation and a voice. I live in the Cape but have raced often on the big days on the Highveld. The facilities and the food have always been first class and it’s very nice to be able to ring the ROA in advance and know that I am sorted out.”
On the subject of ownership, she has enjoyed racing some top horses over many years and is proud to have personally bred two Gr1 winners in Attenborough (Gr1 Computaform Sprint) and Contador (Golden Horse Sprint). “I also raced Attenborough’s dam In Camera. What a mare! I’d have to say that Attenborough and Contador’s Grade 1 wins were my two highlights, although when you’re an owner, winning a Maiden race can really be just as much fun, believe me!”
Pippa explains that in recent times she has spread her minor shares in her current horses amongst five or six trainers.
“I like to try and support a mixed spread of trainers nationally, as it gives one a different perspective and is a great networking tool to meet like-minded people, who share a common passion for the sport. Nominal shares in a number of horses makes sense, and I see that many people are racing that way these days. It’s affordable and provides great enjoyment as one can share the ups and downs from a social viewpoint.
The ROA thanks Pippa for her continued support and we wish her success in her new role.
MARCO & CLIFFIE SWEET JUSTICE FOR
Prior to the commencement of the race meeting, the Jockeys raised concerns with regard to patches on the track at the 50m, approximately five horse-widths off the inside running rail and another patch just past the finish line, next to the inside rail.
After a meeting with the Stipendiary Stewards, it was agreed that the Jockeys would ride in the first race, with caution on the identified areas of concern. If there were still issues of concern after the opener, the Jockeys would approach the Stipes with a
formal protest and a decision would be made thereafter.
As it turned out, the riders were of the opinion that the turf track was suitable to continue racing, but all agreed to race towards outside of the track and in line with the position of the starting stalls.
The competitive Van Rensburg rode a 16-1 double with the Hollywood Racing-owned El Capitan going all the way at 5-2 to shed his maiden ion the third, while the market drifter Lanciafamme (7-2 to 10-1) got up wide out on
the line to snare Muzi Yeni on the free-striding King’s Ransom.
Despite a possible ‘virus’ at the Cliffie Miller yard, it was a terrific double, and Lanciafiamme’s victory particularly was clearly a sweet moment for Van Rensburg, who was not pleased that Yeni had gone against the sporting agreement to avoid the inside rail.
“Muzi decided to get clever and sneak a few lengths – I’m glad it got back to him,” observed a clearly peeved Van Rensburg,
The Fairview turf surface was under the spotlight | Credit: Pauline Herman
who was also happy about the winner who he says will get 1800m to 2000m in time and is being aimed at the Algoa Cup. Lanciafiamme was a bargain R12 000 buy by owner Willie Coates off the Piemonte Stud Dispersal Sale back in 2022.
Yeni appeared before the Board and was reminded that all riders had agreed to ride their mounts to the centre and outside of the course to avoid the patches that were a concern.
Yeni was further advised that should he ignore this instruction and continue to ride his mounts towards the inside in future engagements, disciplinary measures would be considered.
Earlier in the day, the Veterinary department raised concerns with regard to the nonavailability of running water on course for post-race cooling and hydration of horses.
The Operators made provisions that water was available in tanks. The situation was closely monitored by the NHA throughout the race meeting.
The most impressive winner on the afternoon was Fred Crabbia’s Pop Chart, a runaway winner of his second start under Craig Zackey for the Gavin Smith yard.
The next Fairview racemeeting is on Friday 5 September.
The Friendly City will celebrate all that made the season great at the 2025 Eastern Cape Regional Awards on Saturday 6 September in the Bold Silvano Room at Fairview.
– BEHIND THE MICROPHONE NAQEEB MUNSHI
In under three years behind the microphone, Naqeeb Munshi has established himself as one of South African racing’s most promising voices.
He recently called his 1,500th race, a milestone that reflects both his steady progress and his growing presence in the industry. Fellow commentator Alistair Cohen
4Racing’s Naqeeb Munshi | Credit: JC Photos
describes him as “unflappable,” a fitting compliment in a profession where every word is under the spotlight.
Speak to Naqeeb, and you meet a young man with surprising emotional maturity and a calm temperament that the role demands.
Naqeeb made his first race call at 19 and, now 21, has already navigated the testing late-teen years in the company of seasoned professionals, much like fellow callers Cohen and Clyde Basel once did.
In Gauteng’s ‘Lion’s Den’ — the commentary box — he has settled in with patient guidance, plenty of laughs, and the occasional mistake.
Racing runs in Naqeeb’s blood, as a relation to the prominent Mansour family. His own journey began in 2015 when his grandfather showed him how to place a bet.
“It was on Legal Eagle,” he recalls. “I can’t remember the race, but I put R6 on him to win and got back about R20. It was a wonderful feeling. The bug bit me right there.”
During a few bored afternoons in the Covid lockdown, he would switch off the sound and call races off the television, purely for fun.
“I practised calling for all tracks, but only did it when my parents were outside and couldn’t hear me,” he laughs. “I have no problem broadcasting races to a track or TV audience now, but I’m still shy at home, and I don’t like it when my mother posts comments about me on social media!”
Naqeeb’s first professional break came through 4Racing’s ‘Racing4Real’ promotion. At the last minute, he submitted a few voice calls to Clyde Basel. “I wanted to do it, then decided not to,” he recalls.
“But on the last day of submission, I saw a video of another candidate — a shirtless guy calling a race from his bed — and I thought, what the heck, I may as well try. I didn’t expect anything, but then Clyde’s PA phoned out of the blue. I was summoned to Turffontein, and that’s where it all began.”
After his test runs, senior commentator Nico Kritsiotis suggested he “get the presenting bit out of the way first.” Naqeeb, however, dove straight into the deep end. “Presenting came easily to me,” he says.
“Calling was harder, so I wanted to tackle that first.” He has since presented for live crossings from the interviewer’s podiums as well and adds, “I still think it’s the easier part. It comes naturally once you get to know the owners and trainers being interviewed.”
Naqeeb rates Kritsiotis and Basel among the best race callers in the world, alongside Englishman Mike Cattermole, and feels privileged to have had both as mentors. His training began with the basics: learning the silks, calling runners to the start, and mastering the procedures before off-time.
“I practice all the time,” he explains. “I walk around with my Computaform all day, memorising the silks and testing myself, especially right before a race. I prefer learning them close to race time rather than the night before, and I take the same approach with tricky names.”
Every caller is bound to make the odd mistake, but Naqeeb believes that studying form — and selecting likely winners — helps build both memory and confidence.
“I’m getting better at reading form, which is essential when you’re presenting at the parade ring,” he says.
Fairview is Naqeeb’s favourite track. A regular Friday traveller to Gqeberha, he enjoys the
close-knit Eastern Cape racing community and the welcoming atmosphere on course. With fewer silks to memorise, he finds the workload a little lighter and has built strong relationships with owners, trainers, and travelling jockeys.
Click on the image below to read the full story…
Naqeeb, Nico Kritsiotis (rear) and Dubai commentator, Pat Comerford | Credit: JC Photos
The Equator (Gavin Lerena) has been doing well | Credit: JC Photos
THE EQUATOR IS IN HIS ELEMENT!
Imported 2025 Betway Summer Cup hopeful, The Equator (IRE), has been doing very well since his eye-catching first South African win on 2 August at Turffontein.
Imported 2025 Betway Summer Cup hopeful, The Equator (IRE), has been doing very well since his eye-catching first South African win on 2 August at Turffontein.
Trainer Tony Peter reported: “The tracks are really hard at the moment so we are going to wait for rain, so the tracks are nice and green, and then we can step him out again. We only have a programme until the end of September, so it doesn’t help with exact planning. He will be aimed at the Summer Cup via a Pinnacle Plate or two and the Victory Moon Handicap.”
Peter added: “He’s a good horse, we’re really happy with him, he is enjoying life.”
The Equator races for Heversham’s Advocate Nigel Riley, in partnership
with Willem Ackerman.The Betway Summer Cup returns to Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday, 29 November 2025.
Announced last month, the 2025 theme, Jozi Rising, symbolises a renewed purpose.
Originally named the Johannesburg Handicap and inaugurated on 15 June 1887, the Betway Summer Cup is Johannesburg’s oldest and most storied race and the marquee meeting of the 4Racing calendar.
As Gauteng’s premier race day, hosted at Turffontein, a racecourse almost as old as the City itself, the Betway Summer Cup is worth R6 million, adding to its prestige by making it the richest race in the country.
A BIT OF SPIRIT GOES A LONG WAY!
A Bit Of Spirit edged a thrilling four-way finish by a nose in the Group 3 BetMGM Solario Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.
Sent off the 2/1 favourite to regain winning ways after finishing second in a listed contest over a mile, the Paul & Clare Rooney-owned colt did not let his supporters down snatching victory from the jaws of defeat under a determined ride by Rossa Ryan.
Racing up with the pace throughout the seven furlong feature, it looked as though the market leader was going to have to settle for a place at best.
But despite being headed and shuffled back to third over the final half furlong, A Bit Of Spirit found plenty under pressure, forging a gap between rivals to make it a line of four over the final fifty yards to the line.
With one last lunge Ryan galvanised his mount to prevail by nose from Ocean Drive, who was demoted to third following a stewards’ inquiry with the intimidated Humidity placed second.
“He’s unbelievable and wears his heart on his sleeve,” said Rossa Ryan. “I went half a length down with 100 yards to go but he kept finding. He’s not the biggest but by God he’s got a heart of gold and tries very hard.”
The Solario has been won by numerous Group 1 winners, including Godolphin’s 2018 Derby winner Masar and this year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace winner Field Of Gold, whose stablemate Publish was ruled out on Friday evening due to the testing ground.
“He’s so tough and has remarkable courage,” said trainer Clive Cox. “We didn’t know if he’d cope with these easy conditions, but he’s knuckled down well and we’re proud of him.”
“Even on his first start he showed his qualities, and he was quite green at that early stage. He has got more battle hardened now and is displaying even more courage.”
“Rossa was great there. He had all confidence he would handle the ground, and he proved that was the case.”
Following the race the son of Palace Pier was trimmed into 10/1 for the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket and 25/1 for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at the same track.
However, Cox raised the possibility of a trip to France for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp in October as potentially his next start.
“He is in the Royal Lodge, but we might prefer to stay at seven furlongs. He is in the Lagardere over in France.”
“We probably stepped up to a mile early enough the other day, but I think the fact he goes on the soft ground gives me confidence that we should keep going with those options and hopefully he will develop further next year.”
Gold Phoenix (IRE) (11) ridden by Flavien Prat wins the Del Mar Handicap Presented by
Japan Racing Association | Credit: Breeders’ Cup World Championships
CAN HE MAKE IT A FOURTH?
Del Mar track management may need to rethink the name of the Gr2 Del Mar Handicap after Gold Phoenix captured the 2200m turf event for the fourth year in a row on Saturday.
Despite losing in his three prior starts this year, Gold Phoenix brought his A game to his favourite race, gutting out the victory in a four-way blanket finish on Saturday at Del Mar.
By prevailing in the Del Mar ‘Cap, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In contest for the November 1 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf , the gelding will be bringing his connections back to the World Championships for the fourth time.
“It’s an incredible story, this horse will now bring us to four consecutive Breeders’ Cups,” said Gary Fenton, the managing partner for co-owner Little Red Feather Racing. “He’s just a tremendous horse, a horse that you don’t get very often.”
Gold Phoenix, the 2-1 favorite, was reunited with jockey Flavien Prat for the first time since 2022 when the pair landed the 2022 Del Mar ‘Cap before
finishing 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
As Saturday’s race unfolded, Gold Phoenix took up his customary midpack position as front-running Final Boss attempted to lull the field to sleep through leisurely early fractions of :25.05, :50.89, and 1:16.51.
Passing the mile marker, Gold Phoenix, racing in the clear the entire journey, suddenly sprang to action under Prat. Full of momentum and widest of all into the lane, the gritty gelding fought off rivals from all sides in a hair-raising stretch drive.
In the end, he was a neck in front of Stay Hot, who had taken the lead in mid-stretch, and Atitlan, with a comebacking Truly Quality crossing the line in fourth on the far outside.
“I thought at the sixteenth pole he wasn’t going to get there,” said Little Red Feather Racing’s founder Billy Koch on the partnership’s X page. “He’s got so much guts.”
Gold Phoenix ($6.20) stopped the clock in 2:16.09 over the firm turf, running the distance a second faster than his time from last year’s race.
By Belardo, who was represented by a graded winner on the East Coast on Saturday in Ladies Turf Stakes (Gr3) winner Special Wan, Gold Phoenix gave trainer Phil D’Amato an unprecedented 10th title in the Del Mar Handicap. Bred in Ireland by Mighty Universe, Gold Phoenix races for the ownership group of Little Red Feather Racing, Agave Racing Stable, Sterling Stables, and Marsha Naify. The gelding joined D’Amato’s barn at the start of his 4-year-old campaign.
Gold Phoenix has come a long way since his initial North American win in April 2022. Seven graded stakes wins, including a
grade 1, and three trips to the Breeders’ Cup Turf later, the old warrior will carry his team to the World Championships once again. Perhaps this will be his year in a fitting ending to a memorable career.
Bloodhorse.com
HONG KONG STARS ALL SET FOR NEW SEASON
As we count the days down to the start of the new Hong Kong season, it was business as usual for Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin on Saturday.
Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year (2024/25) strode confidently through another eyecatching barrier trial ahead of his highly anticipated return to racing on Sunday 7 September at the 2025/26 Season Opener.
A winner of his past 12 consecutive races, headlined by four at Group 1 level, David Hayes’ record-breaking sprinter clocked an unforced 56.45s over 1000m on turf by two lengths in first place as he prepares to defend his HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief
Executive’s Cup Handicap crown at Sha Tin on Sunday week.
Two-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer (1997/98 & 1998/99) Hayes said: “Pleasure to watch. He’s so fluent, his action is perfect and, the most important thing, he’s mentally more mature this year.Last year if you watch his trials, he was jumpy and out of his skin a bit – too fresh. This year he’s walking around how you want them to walk around.”
Now a five-year-old, Ka Ying Rising will enter quarantine in Hong Kong for a fortnight straight after his first-up run in the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup as he prepares to fly to Sydney, Australia for his shot at the
Zac Purton and Ka Ying Rising caught the eye on Saturday | Credit: HKJC
AU$20 million (approx. HK$100.34 million)
Gr1 The Everest at Royal Randwick.
“To run 56s with his eyes shut is pretty impressive. He’s a more mature horse now, so he’s always going to be heavier (body weight) than last year,” Hayes said.
Ying Rising was also acclaimed Hong Kong Champion Sprinter (2024/25) and Hong Kong Champion Four-Year-Old (2024/25).
Zac Purton was aboard Ka Ying Rising as he crossed the line to the sound of a light cheer from the crowd in attendance at the Owners Carnival.
“He’ll come down with this trial, but I want a bit of wriggle room for travelling and, I think by Everest time we should have him at around 1,150 (pounds) – which is about 15 pounds heavier than last year.”
Zac Purton was aboard Ka Ying Rising as he crossed the line to the sound of a light cheer from the crowd in attendance at the Owners Carnival.
Along with the mantle as Hong Kong Horse of the Year last season, freakish talent Ka
“He (Zac) was very happy. He was thrilled with his manners behind the gates. He changed legs, which is the only criticism Zac has of him, he never
changes legs. But when you don’t get under pressure, you don’t have to change legs. You change legs when you’re under pressure. Today, he thinks he changed legs – from Zac’s point of view,” Hayes said.
Prior to the trial session, James Orman and Derek Leung were celebrated as Hong Kong’s fastest on foot. The two riders landed the 2025/26 Jockeys’ Sprint in a bunched finish ahead of Brenton Avdulla and Ellis Wong (second), while Hugh Bowman and Jerry Chau were close-up in third position.
Lyle will be back! | Credit:HKJC
– FIT AND READY FOR COMBACK! LYLE
Lyle Hewitson is ready to return to competition at the start of the new Hong Season on Sunday 7 September at Sha Tin after recovering from injuries sustained in a race fall last June at Happy Valley, which cut his 2024/25 campaign short.
There are 88 meetings offered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club this season, split 52 at Sha Tin and 36 at Happy Valley.
Hewitson, 27, has been permanently based in Hong Kong since the start of the 2021/22 season.
He posted 27 wins that term and collected a career-high 50 successes in 2022/23. Last campaign’s 29 victories lifted the South African rider to 149 career wins in Hong Kong.
Hewitson attributes his swift recovery to the offseason break: “I’ve done a lot of work and used the machines where I could to help. I think it’s all paid off in the end because when I went for my X-rays it all looked really good. They were predicting 10 weeks and it turned out to be eight weeks to the day that I was cleared to return to trackwork.
“I did everything from day one. Lots of physio work and then our physio here, Chris, he set me up when I got back to South Africa (in the offseason) with the practice he used to work at. I went there every three days and towards the last two weeks while I was still back home it was every three days doing physio and in between also doing Pilates.”
Hewitson secured the SA champion apprentice title in 2016/17 with 124 wins.
He took the title again in 2017/18 with 184 wins and in doing so made history as the first apprentice to win the full South African Jockeys’ Championship since Michael Roberts in 1972/73.
He was SA champion again in 2018/19 and 2020/21.
Turf Talk reported in early August that SA trainer Brett Crawford had 23 horses in his Hong Kong stable at that time. Crawford’s horses range from the 90-rated six-year-old Irish-bred Churchill gelding Encountered down to a 28-rated two-time winner, although the second highest rated horse in his yard at the time was only rated 69
Look out for the announcement this week of the 2025/26 season Hollywoodbets
Punters’ Challenge!
VALE RULING COURT
The impressive winner of this year’s Gr1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket has sadly been euthanised following complications due to laminitis.
His Classic win was part of a history-making weekend for Godolphin and he was never out of the frame in all six of his starts.
His trainer Charlie Appleby said on Friday: “Everyone at Godolphin is deeply saddened by the loss of Ruling Court. He gave everyone a fantastic day at Newmarket in May and he will be sorely missed. I would like to thank all
of the team, who did everything they could to save him.”
Ruling Court failed to match the performance of his Gr1 2000 Guineas victory when he finished third behind Field Of Gold and Henri Matisse in the Gr1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Ruling Court | Credit: Godolphin
Soviet Rising (Brandon Morgenrood) is led in by Barry Donnelly and Crunchie Cronje | Credit: supplied
RACING HAS LOST A CHAMPION
Crawford Racing reported on Monday that it was with great sadness that they shared the passing of their long-standing assistant trainer, Barry Donnelly, at the age of 70.
Barry was an integral part of the Crawford Racing team for over 20 years, standing alongside Brett from the very beginning. His passion for horses, his loyalty, and his dedication made him more than a colleague –he was family, said the statement.
A great old friend of Barry is former jockey and trainer, Izak ‘Crunchie’ Cronje, who met the passionate horseman in 1977.
“I knew Barry for close on 50 years. We lived in Tygerhof and I was mates with Terry van der Poel, who lived around the corner and whose folks looked after me as an apprentice. Barry and Terry were buddies, and we became true friends,” recalled Crunchie.
After weight issues forced Crunchie out of the saddle, he trained on a farm in Richwood from 1987, before moving to Milnerton.
“This is not about me but I was licenced on 13 February 1988 and I saddled my first winner Duke Of Dunkirk on 12 March that year. I got him from Guy Rixon and he was headed for the Cape Hunt. Barry was there with me from the start. He used to work for the Cape Town City Council Electrical Meter testing department. Every morning, rain, hail or sunshine, Barry was at stables, taking one or
two horses to work. After his daytime job he was back in the afternoon. He did it without a wage, such was his passion!”
Crunchie recalled that in those days one could not just walk through the gate to go racing.
“I kept having to ask for a complimentary ticket for Barry. In those days you only needed to do two years as a stable employee. So one day I approached the late Mike Tillett, who was Chief Stipe. I asked him if I could register Barry as an assistant. Mr Tillett asked – ‘what are you paying him?’ I said nothing! Barry passed his exam with flying colours.”
Crunchie goes on to explain that Barry eventually took a package from the City Council – around 1994 – and came to work for him.
“I said Barry, I can’t simply pay you nothing. He said – give me petrol money then.”
Barry then went to work for Willie Ries for about a year, before returning to Crunchie.
“He knocked on the door and said that he would work for a Head Groom’s salary. Once again, we worked together. He was a top guy. Then one day he asked if he could join Glen Puller, who had approached him. I said, ‘go for it’. He was there a number of years, before applying for the Plattner job when Brett Crawford went on his own. Barry didn’t get the job – Yogas Govender was employed –
but he then connected with Brett, where he stayed until his passing. I don’t think they make assistant trainers in the mould of Barry Donnelly anymore!”
Beyond the yard, Barry had a love for the casino, football (an avid Arsenal supporter), and most of all, his family.
His two beloved children and grandchildren meant the world to him. He also shared a
special life with his partner Rhoda, cherishing her children and grandchildren as his own.
Barry’s presence, humour, and heart will be deeply missed, and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
Our condolences are extended to his family and friends at this sad time. Racing has lost a champion human being.
Friends in happy days: Barry Donnelly, Terry van der Poel, Crunchie Cronje and Gavin Zurnamer | Credit: supplied
Is
The Sporting Post keeps you in the loop with this week’s National Horseracing Authority Calendar.
The calendar is a summary of the week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information.
Click on the image below to read the calendar:
It
My Time leaves them in the dust at Hollywoodbets Durbanville! | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Mr
Mr
Mr
R A I NER S
922,688 819,375 715,469
1,368,000 1,199,375 1,126,344 1,069,344 1,008,781 2,156,441 1,626,963 1,717,436 1,465,280 1,577,048 J O CK E YS results up to: 2025-09-03
BREEDERS
1,166,125 1,142,375 963,894 730,883 697,894
1,800,406 1,284,976 1,104,690 964,654 888,359
1,642,218 1,595,864 1,242,446 1,007,773 956,365 S I RE S
