SP Sprint – Wednesday 04 February 2026 by Sporting Post

& FORTUNE…

HAIL FELLOWS, WELL MET

The Championships 2026

The action reverts to Turffontein on Saturday

1,2,3,4 For Snaith – Fortune Gets His Icebreaker See It Again the star

33 Clocking Undercard Hotshots Get the notebook out

Bunter Barlow Still At Crease Course record intact

61 Majorca Magic Great ride as Vercingetorix mare slams ‘em

On the cover

It is a rare raceday when a father and son complete the exacta in the two Grade 1 races on the card! Andrew Fortune and Aldo Domeyer will remember Saturday 31 January 2026 forever. Here the pair strike a happy pose for Chase Liebenberg after See It Again beat Legal Counsel to win the WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met.

Issue: 05/2026

DID

YOU SEE IT?

Two of Andrew Fortune’s biggest supporters at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday were snapped in the moment by Chase Liebenberg, just as See It Again had sailed past the post to win the World Sports Betting Met. Andrew’s third son Keegan (left) gives his best friend Darren (or adopted brother, as he tagged him) a joyous hug after Dad won the big race for the first time in a career spanning over 40 years. Memories are made of this.

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 LAUNCHES ON

SATURDAY

Trust (Serino Moodley) has a good draw on Saturday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

4Racing hosts the opening of the The Championships 2026 on Saturday at Turffontein, with final fields for the R1 million TAB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas and the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Gauteng Guineas, declared on Tuesday.

The two features are the respective first legs of the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara series, and four visitors will take the local stars on in what looks like a very competitive card.

Eastern Cape-based Dean Smith delivered a Grade 1 blow in the Cape last month and is the lone raider when he saddles All Systems Go in the TAB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas on Saturday.

The Gauteng Guineas has a long history.

For the better part of the 20th century, there were three Gr1 races for three-year-old males on the local calendar – all of which were contested over 1600m – the Benoni Guineas at Gosforth Park, the Cape Guineas (at then Milnerton and later at Kenilworth) and the SA Guineas at the now Hollywoodbets Greyville.

The distance of the Benoni Guineas was increased to 1800m in 1982, when it was run as the Sigma Classic, and the contest eventually evolved into the Grade 1 SA Classic of today.

With the distance of the Benoni Guineas adjusted to 1800m, the then Transvaal racing clubs reinstituted a Guineas over 1600m and named it the Listed Newmarket Guineas. It was staged for the

first time in February 1988 at the old Alberton track and won by Cliffie Otto-trained Duzzn’t Stop (Royal Prerogative), ridden by Dickie Roberts.

The race was upgraded to Grade 3 in 1993 and received Gr2 status in 1999 when it was nominated, alongside the Gr1 Cape Argus Guineas, as the first leg of the modern SA Triple Crown.

The 1999 running of the Gr2 Guineas was won by Fort Defiance (Fort Wood), while the 1999 Cape Argus Guineas was won by his exceptional stablemate, Horse Chestnut (Fort Wood). The rest, as they say, is history.

East Cape champion Alan Greeff joins Justin Snaith and Alyson Wright as the raiding war party in the Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas.

The Gr1 Fillies Guineas was run as ‘The Stuttafords Cup’ in December 1981, a race that started a sequence of Graded wins for Breyani. The race was sponsored by Mike’s Kitchen in 1986 and then reverted to the Gr1 Gosforth Park Guineas and later the Gr1 Bloodline Fillies Guineas.

The race was downgraded to Gr2 in 1992, but still attracts the best fillies in the country, with the honour roll including names like Spook Express, (Comic Blush), Promisefrommyheart (Elliodor) and Zirconeum (Jallad). The inaugural winner of the first Triple Tiara Gauteng Fillies Guineas was Sean Tarry’s Golden Apple (Northern Guest) in 1999.

Master Of My Fate’s daughter Golden Palm – carries the East Cape flag in the fairer sex feature on Saturday Credit: Candiese Lenferna

HIGHVELD RAIDER INCENTIVES INTRODUCED

4Racing has announced a comprehensive Raiding Trainer Incentive Programme to encourage participation from visiting trainers and owners across the Highveld feature race season.

The incentive programme runs from Gauteng Guineas Day this coming Saturday and culminates with the Championships Finale on 25 April 2026.

SHOWPIECE DAYS

The following four race days are recognised as Showpiece Days within the programme:

Guineas Day (7 February 2026)

Classic Day (7 March 2026)

Champions Day (4 April 2026)

Championships Finale (25 April 2026)

These fixtures include pinnacle contests of the Highveld feature race season and will carry enhanced incentive structures.

STANDARD RAIDER INCENTIVES

For races on non showpiece meetings conducted from Guineas Day through to the Championships Finale, the following incentives apply to winning raiders:

R10 000 to the Trainer

R10 000 to the Owner

SHOWPIECE RACE DAY INCENTIVES

For the designated showpiece racemeetings, the connections of winning raiders of races worth less than R500k will be eligible for:

R50 000 to the Trainer

R50 000 to the Owner

For events worth more than R500 000 on showpiece race days, an incentive of R50,000 will apply to the winning trainer.

TRANSPORT SUBSIDIES

In addition to the above incentives, transport subsidies will be available, subject to terms and conditions.

Subsidies will apply to runners competing in Grade 1 through to Listed races.

These will be assessed on a province-by-province and case-by-case basis.

Final determinations will be made at the time of entries.

SEASONAL ACCOMMODATION SUPPORT

All raiding trainers will also have the option of complimentary rental accommodation at selected venues, subject to availability, should they elect to base themselves locally for the season through to the Championships Finale.

Additional incentives for owners and trainers are in development and will be released in due course.

THE ROAD TO THE CROWNS

With the 2026 Highveld Feature Season just days away, Turffontein once again prepares to host two series of South Africa’s key three-year-old classics.

The journey begins on Saturday, 07 February with the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas and Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Fillies Guineas over 1600m, the opening legs of the SA TAB Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara.

Attention then turns to Saturday, 07 March,

when the Gr1 SA Classic and SA Fillies Classic over 1800m raise the bar, before the championship paths reach their ultimate tests on Saturday, 04 April in the Gr1 SA Derby and Gr2 SA Oaks over 2450m.

In 2026, a bonus of R2-million will be payable to the winner of the Triple Crown, with R1-million on offer to any filly who can win all three legs of the Triple Tiara.

The two series are modern in structure

Horse Chestnut storms to victory at Turffontein | Credit: JC Photos

One of the race’s greatest ever winners, and a true South African legend, was Lenin (Sunstone), who was victorious in 1940. Lenin outclassed his rivals in the Guineas, winning by 10 lengths.

but rooted in long-established ideals, and they remain the clearest measure of class, progression and stamina among South Africa’s three-year-olds.

Each of these six races has its own history and identity, shaped over decades by changing programmes, venues and priorities, and together they charted the gradual evolution of what would eventually be recognised as South Africa’s Triple Crown and Triple Tiara.

Keep in mind that, for the most part of the 20th century, there were three Grade 1 races for three-year-old males all over 1600m – the Benoni Guineas at Gosforth Park, the Cape Guineas (at Milnerton and later at Kenilworth) and the SA Guineas at Greyville. The distance

of the Benoni Guineas was increased to 1800m in 1982, when it was run as the Sigma Classic, and the contest eventually morphed into the Grade 1 SA Classic of today.

The inaugural winner of the Benoni Guineas in 1913 was a horse named Hailstorm, by Goring Heath.

In the early part of the 20th century, the Benoni Guineas (1600m) formed one leg of the original South African Triple Crown. In those days, the other two legs were the SA Derby (2400m) and Benoni St Leger (2700m).

The first three-year-old to sweep the SA Triple Crown was Colesberg (Wilfrid), who was also a high-class two-year-old and took the honours back in 1920. Remarkably, the

South African legend, Lenin | Credit: JC Photos

South African Triple Crown was won for four consecutive years in the early 1920’s. Colesberg’s victory preceded those of Dignitary (Greatorex – 1921), Antonio (Pietri – 1922), and Red Ronald (Brown Ronald – 1923). This is a staggering occurrence, and one which has happened but rarely throughout the world.

One of the race’s greatest ever winners, and a true South African legend, was Lenin (Sunstone), who was victorious in 1940. Lenin outclassed his rivals in the Guineas, winning by 10 lengths.

An established champion prior to the race,

Lenin went on to win the SA Derby by six lengths and was awarded the Summer Handicap on disqualification of the original winner, Spanish Armada.

Lenin won 18 races during his career and was a famous weight carrier. The champion won from 1000-3200 metres under various heavy weights and once carried as much as 76 kgs.

Arguably the most important horse ever to win the then Benoni Guineas was the great Hawaii (Utrillo II), who took the 1967 renewal for George Azzie and Raymond Rhodes. Not only was Hawaii a champion here and in the USA, he has left a real stamp on the breed mainly through his daughters.

The great Hawaii | Credit: JC Photos

He did sire an Epsom Derby winner in 1980 victor Henbit, as well as 1978 runner-up Hawaiian Sound and third-placed Hunza Dancer in 1975.

Other notable winners were Yataghan (Marsolve – 1972), Wagga Wagga (New South Wales – 1977) and Quarrytown (Silver God –(1979), while Nic van Tonder’s Port Pegasus (Trocadero) won the last 1600m renewal in 1980 under jockey Michael Coetzee.

4Racing’s Robert Garner, who was Racing Editor of The Star from 1975 to 2001, and later worked as Marketing and Communications Manager for Phumelela, said that a decision was made in 1982 to change the distance of the Benoni Guineas to 1800m, and the name of the race changed to the Sigma Classic with different sponsors over the next several years.

Garner explained: “In a huge stride forward for SA racing, the distance of the race was increased to 1800m in 1982. In the same

year the race was moved to autumn from its traditional time slot towards the end of the year. Until the distance was increased, the three principal races for three-year-olds in South Africa had all been run at 1600m, which was illogical in light of the country’s major races for older horses being decided over 2000m and 2200m. Proper middledistance classics were critical and the now SA Classic was the first followed later by the Daily News 2000.

“In the 1990s the SA Classic alternated between Gosforth Park and Turffontein for several years. In 1999 the race was returned to its traditional venue at Gosforth Park, but Turffontein later became its permanent home after the East Rand racecourse was closed and sold.”

Click on the image below to read the full story…

See It Again (Andrew Fortune) stayed on best to beat Legal Counsel (Aldo Domeyer) and third-placed The Real Prince (Craig Zackey, obscured)

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

SNAITH GETS HIS 4 ON THE TROT –

In a fairytale moment scripted in the stars, the 58-year-old Andrew Fortune registered a milestone career first R5 million World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met success when the athletic chestnut See It Again flashed through late to give trainer Justin Snaith and owner Nic Jonsson an extraordinary fourth consecutive winner in the Race Coast showcase event at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Records were broken and new benchmarks set as See It Again (5-2) stayed on best of all to beat stablemate Legal Counsel (33-1) by three quarters of a length in a time of 123 secs for the 2000m.

Bidding to give Dean Kannemeyer and Craig Zackey a first win in the race, Hollywoodbets Durban July and L’Ormarins King’s Plate winner The Real Prince had no luck in running, but stayed on relentlessly to bank third, a half length back.

Snaith, who was celebrating a fifth Met winner, also saddled the fourth and fifth finisher, with Okavango (33-1) shading Native Ruler (100-1).

The 2-1 favourite Eight On Eighteen failed to spark in defence of his title and was beaten 5,15 lengths into eighth.

In what must be a minor record, both the afternoon’s Grade 1 events were dominated by the father and son combination of Fortune and Aldo Domeyer, who

also occupied the top two places in the Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes run a half hour earlier. Riding his fourth winner on the big afternoon, the crowd and television viewers were entertained by the charismatic Andrew Fortune, who forged a relationship with See It Again when the chestnut transferred to Futura Park from Michael Roberts in KZN in October last year, after developing behavioural issues.

A change of environment and the magic mind and hands of behaviourist Malan du Toit made the difference, and after placed runs in the Ridgemont Gr2 Green Point Stakes and the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate, Fortune was confident that he would score what will go down as one of the most emotional victories in his amazing story of overcoming challenges, that most of us would only experience in movies.

While he hasn’t confirmed it, this could be Fortune’s final Met ride – just adding more drama and emotion to the best-seller!

A R125 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase, See It Again was bred by Drakenstein Stud and is a son of Twice Over (Observatory) out of the Visionaire mare Supreme Vision .

This was the gelding’s third Grade 1 success and he took his tally to 8 wins with 14 places from 29 starts and stakes of R8 712 625.

Justin Snaith makes history as he accepts his tropy for his 5th Met win and an extraordinary 4th on the trot | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Snow Pilot (Richard Fourie) stays on powerfully to register his first win since November 2024 | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

FEEL-GOODS AND FAIRYTALES

There is nothing more heart warming than to see a class horse come back successfully. The 2026 World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Met provided us with one of those ‘feel-good’ moments in racing, as it was third time lucky for the winner See It Again, who continued the Snaith stable and owner Nic Jonsson’s stranglehold on the race as their fourth consecutive winner, whilst providing 58-year-old jockey Andrew Fortune with a maiden Met success.

Fourth in 2024 and 2025, See It Again last saw the inside of the winner’s box in November 2024, but was coming off an excellent prep run in the L’Ormarins Gr1 Kings Plate, where he flew up for a close-up third.

He finally put it all together in his third Met attempt, thanks in no small part to the skills of renowned ‘horse whisperer’ Malan du Toit, who appears to have sorted out the gelding’s reluctance to enter the starting stalls.

It was a third Gr1 success for the six-year-old and brought back memories of his splendid threeyear-old campaign which yielded victories in the Gr1 Cape Derby and Gr1 Daily News 2000 when trained by Michael Roberts. Spare a thought for the former champion jockey, who partnered the mighty Sledgehammer to victory in 1975 and would have earned bragging rights for both riding and training a Met winner.

Remarkably, See It Again is not the first Met winner to overcome training problems.

Pas De Quoi looked set for a spectacular sophomore season after winning the Gr1 Cape Derby, but for the attack of a disgruntled groom when trainer Geoff Woodruff was away at the National Sale. The extent of injuries to the colt’s legs were such that he was out for the rest of the

season. Nursed back to health, he ran fourth in the Gr1 (then) Queen’s Plate at four and spent a season at stud before joining the Kannemeyer yard as a seven-year-old. What followed was the stuff of fairytales, for the entire not only captured the 1994 Met, he also landed the Gr1 Schweppes Challenge and as an eight-year-old, won the Gr1 Champion Stakes.

Fast forward to 2024, when Double Superlative scored a splendid win in the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met. A paternal half-brother to See It Again, the Twice Over colt likewise ranked amongst the leading three-year-olds of his generation with victory in the Gr1 Cape Guineas and a third in the Gr1 Cape Derby.

Sadly, it all went pear-shaped when he suffered a tendon injury after finishing a close-up fifth in the Gr2 KZN Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville. That injury could have ended 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 after a 16-month layoff and became Nic Jonsson’s first Met winner.

See It Again repaid the patience and perseverance of his connections, as did stable companion and former Gr1 Cape Guineas hero Snow Pilot, who also returned to winning form, albeit that he overcame a physical injury, having spent ten months on the sidelines recovering from

Foudre (Graig Zackey) makes it three on the trot – a great story! | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

a ligament injury. Following a promising third on his return to action, the Drakenstein homebred failed to feature in both the Green Point Stakes and Cape Flying Championship but firmly put those disappointing efforts behind him on Met day to land the 1400m sixth race.

The son of Lancaster Bomber has matured into a magnificent specimen and according to winning rider Richard Fourie, can be quite a handful, all 550 kg of him.

“Today, I was relaxed and so was he,” the rider quipped after the bay’s victory, his first since November 2024!

Another ‘feel-good’ moment ended a perfect day’s racing when Khaya Stable’s Foudre claimed the final race.

Allowed to dictate matters from the front, he landed the spoils by a facile length to make it a hat-trick of wins, one which no one would have imagined possible two years ago.

Unraced at two, Foudre placed in all five starts at three for Candice Bass when disaster struck and he did a tendon. Foudre spent almost 22 months recuperating at birthplace Wilgerbosdrift before returning to action in November.

Entrusted to Eric Sands, the man who had put the polish on Foudre’s Gr1 winning siblings Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat, the now five-year-old promptly left the maiden ranks in his first outing for his new stable, winning over 1200m.

He backed that up with a neck victory over 1600m and duly completed the hat-trick on Met day.

Winning rider Craig Zackey, who has partnered the gelding in all eight starts was full of praise and said:

“This horse, being off for two years, he is just getting better with every run. Let me tell you, he’s a proper horse, never mind him being a five-yearold. I am really excited to see what this big boy can do in the future.”

Kudos to Eric Sands for a fine training feat, he has clearly put the spark back into Foudre.

“Racing brings him on as he is not a horse that you can give the work you want to all the time,” the trainer remarked. “We try to save him. Racing makes him stronger and I thought he won well. I think he is a really nice horse and as for the future, we will take it step by step, he will come first.”

Incidentally, Sands knows the family well, for he also trained Foudre’s dam, the Gr3 Prix Du Cap and Listed Off To Stud Handicap winner Halfway To Heaven, whose prowess as a broodmare has earned her three Broodmare of the Year titles.

“I am grateful for this family, I think I’m related to them,” he quipped. By the way, Foudre’s name means ‘lightning’ or ‘thunderbolt’ in French, so let’s hope he continues to make plenty of noise this season.

Snow Pilot - NEWSBREAK

The owners of Grade 1 winner Snow Pilot, a son of deceased War Front stallion Lancaster Bomber, have extended an invitation to join them as they syndicate the class galloper for stud.

The opportunity includes the balance of his racing career at no cost.

A total of 50 shares will be sold at R80 000 each plus vat, and the share entitles the holder to two services per year for the first four years, and thereafter one service per year.

The service fee will be set by the Management Committee. The 2023 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas winner, Snow Pilot registered his fifth

win last Saturday and is now being targetted at the SA Champions Season in KZN.

His likely targets include the IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes and the R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge.

In an innovative move, all costs associated with Snow Pilot’s Durban campaign, including training fees, transport, entry fees and related expenses, will be funded from stakes earned during this period. Should there be a shortfall, this will be covered by Drakenstein Stud.

Syndicate members thus participate fully in the racing campaign, without downside risk.

SEEING DOUBLE

When See It Again won Saturday’s World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met, he added further gloss to his sire’s record in the big race. See It Again is the second Met winner for Twice Over, with the stallion’s Gr1 Cape Guineas winning son Double Superlative having won the race in 2024.

Like See It Again, Double Superlative was trained by Justin Snaith for owner Nick Jonsson.

See It Again, who is out of the Visionaire mare Supreme Vision, is a three-parts brother to Twice Over’s best son Do It Again.

The latter went close to providing Twice Over with more Met success when he finished

second, to Rainbow Bridge (Ideal World), in the 2019 renewal. Do It Again contested the Met five times, with his close relative See It Again having now run in the Met three times.

The pair seem to have inherited some of their class and durability from Twice Over, with the latter having raced from two to seven.

By far the best runner for his dual G1 winning sire Observatory, Twice Over won 12 of his 33 starts and amassed more than £2,45 million in prize money. In an era when it is unusual for a Gr1 winning entire to stay in training at the age of seven, Twice Over finished first, second or third in more than 20 black type races. Twice Over won four Gr1 races, namely the Emirates Airline Gr1 Champion Stakes in 2009 and 2010,

the 2010 Gr1 Coral-Eclipse and the 2011 Gr1 Juddmonte International.

While the list of Gr1 races won by Twice Over makes for impressive reading, so too does the list of horses he competed against. Among those were Frankel, Zenyatta,St Nicholas Abbey, Nathaniel, Canford Cliffs, New Approach and Henrythenavigator, and Dar Re Mi.

The four time Gr1 winner made a superb start to his stud career, with his memorable first crop yielding Gr1 winners Do It Again and Sand And Sea, as well as five time graded stakes winner Doublemint. This crop also highlighted Twice Over’s versatilty as a stallion, with Sand And Sea winning the Gr1 Gold Medallion over 1200m, Do It Again landing the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July (twice) over 2200m and Doublemint winning the G3 Chairman’s Cup (twice) over

2500m. Other runners highlighting their sire’s versatilty range from graded stakes winning sprinters Smorgasbord and Taikonaut, to Moon In June. The latter won the 2020 Track And Ball Gr2 Oaks over 2400m.

See It Again provided Twice Over with another notable success when he won the 2023 SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby. Twice Over was the sire of four of the ten runners who contested the 2023 Cape Derby, a memorable feat indeed.

While best known as the sire of high-class colts and geldings, Twice Over went close to having a graded stakes double on Saturday with his daughter Lavender Bay finishing second in the World Sports Betting Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes on the World Sports Betting Cape Town met undercard.

Father-and-son return! Runner-up Legal Counsel (Aldo Domeyer) escorts the winner

See It Again (Dad Andrew in saddle) on an historic occasion Credit: Chase Liebenberg

WHEELS OF FORTUNE –THEY GO ROUND ‘N ROUND!

Former SA champion jockey Andrew Fortune continues to defy every aspect of life’s perceived boundaries and simple logic since his comeback – which was not his first – to the saddle just under a year ago.

On Saturday Fortune almost singlehandedly provided racing with the greatest tonic and boost the sport could have dreamt of, and that on a major day.

“Andrew Fortune has given a new light to racing,” quipped international golfing legend Gary Player after a genius of a tactical ride by the 58 year old Candyman from a wide draw got Double Grand Slam home in the Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes.

A half hour later, Fortune registered a groundbreaking first WSB Cape Town Met victory when the chestnut See It Again finished powerfully to beat stablemate Legal Counsel. See It Again thus got it right at his third attempt, having run fourth in

the big race the past two years

“I just want to thank God. I came from addiction, nobody wanted me, and here I stand on the biggest stage,” added the man who grew up on the mean streets of Elsies River, just a few kilometers away from the leafy historic racecourse, and is the oldest jockey to win the Met – certainly in the modern era.

In both Grade 1’s, there was an added touch of fairytale drama with the old boy’s son Aldo Domeyer chasing his Dad home.

Fortune thus rode both Gr1 winners on the day, with the Met being his fourth elite level winner – not a half bad strike rate – since returning to the saddle, and his fourth winner on the afternoon!

We couldn’t script this stuff, but there was a damper…

The National Horseracing Authority, not unexpectedly, reported on Sunday that the winning

years ago!

rider had been charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.26. He was deemed to have behaved and conducted himself in a manner which may bring racing into disrepute by using foul language during the Met post-race interview.

Fortune signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined R20 000 of which R15000 was suspended for a period of one year. In considering an appropriate penalty, the Stewards reportedly took into consideration the status of the race and the emotions of the occasion.

“I am sorry if I offended anybody and I respect the NHA’s decision. There was no plan or script to shoot my mouth off. I was caught up in the surreal emotion of it all. At the end of the day, none of us can apologise for who we are. It’s the way we speak, but I understand there is a place and time for everything. Hopefully the great day will be remembered for all the outstanding achievements by so many people that made it all possible – the trainers, the jockeys, the grooms, Race Coast and all the officials and folk who were doing the less glamorous stuff behind the scenes, while I was getting carried away on the stage. And of course, let’s also acknowledge the most important people, our families and Joe Public,” Fortune told the Sporting Post in a chat on Sunday afternoon.

He added that he was privileged to be getting the support of the powerful Snaith team, with their arsenal of big owners.

“I joke that their best decision has been getting me on their horses. But I have applied myself – I was there working every day. I am not sure I would have been so conscientious a few years ago, but I have grown up – not a bad thing to have achieved at age 58!” laughed Fortune, as he clarified that his reference perceived by some to be his ‘last ride’, was actually his ‘last round’.

“No, I definitely said ‘last round’. But I am strong and looking ahead – but haven’t taken a Hollywoodbets Durban July ride, just yet!” he roared.

“It’s just incredible. If anyone out there is thinking you’re at your lowest point and nothing is possible, Andrew has just proven you can come back from anything. He was there every week. He worked flat out and solely deserved this. Right horse, right time and right person,” added Justin Snaith, who unveiled a rare touch of emotion with a show of tears tears on the historic fourth consecutive Met success for his powerful yard.

What a day!

Thirteen

Aldo rode Martial Eagle to victory in the Met – Dad was there, but as a spectator Credit: Hamish Niven Photography

Western Cape

BASS’ BUNTER BARLOW STILL HOLDS MET CLOCK HONOURS

The runners with the highest merit ratings on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville card contested the Non-Black Type African Holly Stakes over 1100m and in a race where just five went to post, victory went to last season’s runner up William Robertson.

Mike Bass, who celebrates his 81st birthday on Monday, saddled Bunter Barlow under Glen Hatt who beat his more fancied stablemate Trademark (Gerrit Schlechter), in a momentous first Met winner for the veteran Milnerton horseman.

In what were very different days, Kenilworth was jam-packed after the gates had been shut at 3pm.

And the Bass runners Bunter Barlow (33-1) and Trademark (10-1) had the large crowd on their feet as they fought out the finish of the R1million J&B Met.

Owned by Jimmy Renske, who was on the mend following a triple by-pass operation, Derek Wilsnagh reported that Bunter Barlow almost gave his owner good cause to go right back to hospital as he came from the clouds to beat his stable companion. In the process he toppled the favourites El Picha and Free My Heart.

For jockey Glen Hatt the victory came as an especially sweet moment in his illustrious career, as he was stable jockey to Dean Kannemeyer (trainer of Free My Heart) and had

to stand aside when Piere Strydom expressed interest in the ride.

The Met, threatened as a spectacle in the morning as steady drizzle continued till lunch, came alive from noon onward as people flocked to the course when the weather at last broke. By 3pm the full-house signs were up and people were turned away at the gates, revellers standing shoulder to shoulder as they poured refreshments down parched throats.

Free My Heart had steadied as 2-1 favourite with El Picha next at 9-2, one of the most open betting boards in a long while… and with good reason it transpired.

Things already went wrong for Free My Heart in the parade, the favourite being ‘spooked’ by a huge bunch of helium balloons tied at the side of the track, cantering down clearing distressed.

He was then caught out four wide in the back straight as the race started, with nothing prepared to set the pace, forcing the field to race in very close order. Eventually The Sheik was forced to take over from Maiwand and Marine Academy with El Picha beautifully positioned on the rail about four lengths back,

In what were very different days, Kenilworth was jam-packed after the gates had been shut at 3pm.

And the Bass runners Bunter Barlow (33-1) and Trademark (10-1) had the large crowd on their feet as they fought out the finish of the R1million J&B Met.

For jockey Glen Hatt the victory came as an especially sweet moment in his illustrious career, as he was stable jockey to Dean Kannemeyer (trainer of Free My Heart) and had to stand aside when Piere Strydom expressed interest in the ride.

Free My Heart had steadied as 2-1 favourite with El Picha next at 9-2, one of the most open betting boards in a long while… and with good reason it transpired.

Things already went wrong for Free My Heart in

the parade, the favourite being ‘spooked’ by a huge bunch of helium balloons tied at the side of the track, cantering down clearing distressed.

Turning for home Maiwand moved in alongside The Sheik and the crowd roared as El Picha appeared at their heels on the inside, clearly full of running.

Free My Heart, wide the entire turn, had lost a bit of ground and looked in deep trouble as the front trio quickened, with Trademark in hot pursuit. As the 200m pole approached Free My Heart put in a strong charge and it appeared he would float through to take the lead.

However, the extras mileage on the turn caught him out and he started tiring just as he got to the leaders. The Sheik cried enough 100m out leaving El Picha and Maiwand ahead, but Trademark was bearing down on them wide out and obscured, Hatt weaved through aboard Bunter Barlow.

Gerrit Schlechter sent Trademark hard and the gelding looked to have the race wrapped 50m from the post. However, Bunter Barlow, set alight by Hatt squeezed between them and powered through to grab the verdict by a short head.

For Hatt the moment was too much and he almost catapulted himself out of the saddle as he punched the air with his victory salute.

Third went to the outstanding miler Maiwand,

who capitalised on the slow pace to run the race of his life, just holding out El Picha whose lack of match fitness found him out at the ‘11th hour’.

“The race suited Bunter Barlow perfectly,” beamed Hatt, who has been plagued with back problems and was at one stage in danger of missing his Met ride. “This horse likes to be covered up and must be hidden away until the last second. If he hits the front too soon, he packs it in. Mike said I must give him a big chance and wait till the last minute. It all worked out perfectly. I actually ended up further back than I intended but it all played our way and we found a path through. What a feeling!”

For Bass, the moment still needed to sink in!

“I have been coming to the Met with horses for a long time and never with a realistic chance of winning it. This year I knew I had two in with a chance and here I am. I know they are saying this and that about the pace, but you know a faster pace would have suited my horses better. So I reckon they are worthy in first and second. When Delta Form left my stable, I said we could beat him with Trademark or Bunter Barlow who is right up with that one on ability. Here they have proved it.”

Congratulating Hatt on his ride, Bass admitted Glen had said would love to beat the Kannemeyer horse.

Switching to Trademark, Bass, who was to go on and saddle another 4 Met winners before his daughter Candice took the reins in 2017, empathised with Schlechter, saying his jockey had said they had hit the front a trifle too early.

“They both rode great races. I must say thanks to my team, my wife Carol, assistant Trevor Taylor, the Barnards who bred the horse, and of course Jimmy Renske.

So many have contributed to this win”.

Renske, out of breath with excitement, said Bass had chosen the horse for him and surprised him with the purchase price (R55 000). “I had to take it. This feeling is tremendous, it is something I never thought I would experience in my life.”

Bunter Barlow set the course record that day for the 2000m of 122,10 secs, which still stands at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today. See It Again carried 7kgs more on Saturday when clocking just 0,90 secs slower.

Going: Good (both tracks)

Penetrometer: 22 (both tracks)

Rain: Last 7 days 4mm

Irrigation: Last 24 hours 10mm –Last 7 days 60mm

False Rail

Original position back straight with a 3m spur at 600m

Wind: 22-31km/h Southerly cross wind

Course

Variant: 0,41s fast (straight) –1,29s fast (bend)

Fastest Times: 1100m (2) All The Rage 64,80 1200m (2) Babelicious 71,44 1600m (2) Double Grand Slam 98,86 2000m (3) See It Again 123,00

TCHAU, FRANKIE!

A few hours after the Fortune fest in Cape Town, and two years after the 55 year old Frankie Dettori reversed his decision to retire and headed instead to North America to carry on, the final raceday of the Italian’s career had arrived at the end of a farewell tour of South America, and it brought one more dazzling Classic, a 288th-Group 1 victory, the Grande Premio Estado do Rio de Janeiro on the aptly named, Bet You Can

“I’m emotional, but in a happy way,” Dettori said, admitting to nerves, “To ride a winner on the last day is magical.”

Idol Horse reports that in such moments, life’s troubles, the years of living and working at a stripped-

back weight, the controversies, the cocaine positive, the debt, the bankruptcy and £765 000 in unpaid tax, are mostly forgotten as one last career memory is made: a worthy one to bookend the many great triumphs, the champion he has been, the champions he has ridden, and the outright brilliance of the man.

Poet Alexander Pope reminded us that to err is human, to forgive, divine.

For SA racing fans, Frankie will be fondly remembered, while Fortune’s story continues… Shirtliff, Vanashree & Anant Singh, GreenacresTrust & Barry Irwin’s Team Valor International, has now won 5 of his 8 starts with 3 places and stakes of R539 126.

Frankie Dettori has called it a day | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Internationally Experienced Rider aims to extend SA stay

Leading French jockey Mickaëlle Michel rode the seventh winner of her current busman’s holiday in South Africa at Turffontein on Sunday and is enjoying her first experience of race-riding on African soil to such a degree that she intends applying to have her licence extended to the end of the current racing season, with an eye on the SA Champions Season, as well as visiting the fairest Cape and Gqeberha.

The vastly experienced Mickaëlle, who arrived in South Africa with her ex-jockey husband Frederic in early December last year, rode a cracker on the third of Sean Tarry’s four winners on Sunday, Warning Zone. She is clearly an asset to the local riding ranks and goes to scale at 49kgs. She is also afforded a claim of 1,5kgs.

With the Hollywoodbets Durban July weight scale extended to 52kgs from this year’s

renewal, her dream would be to take a ride in Africa’s greatest horserace. “I have heard and read so much about the SA Champions Season and would love to enjoy some of the finest feature racing on the African continent. And yes, the Hollywoodbets Durban July is internationally known and it would be a dream to be a part of it all!” she adds.

In an interview with the Sporting Post on Tuesday afternoon, Mickaëlle waxed lyrical about her South African racing experience so far, the people and ‘your beautiful country’ – and that without yet having set foot yet in Cape Town!

“It has simply been wonderful. I have enjoyed such a warm welcome from trainers, owners and my colleagues. The racing is professional and well policed, the racecourses are in great condition and very fair, and it has just been an experience that we have enjoyed so much,” she enthused, explaining that she had been

Mickaëlle Michel and trainer Sean Tarry after Sunday’s winner | Credit: JC Photos

fortunate to receive tremendous support from Mike and Mat de Kock, as well as Sean Tarry.

Mickaëlle has ridden her winners so far for five different trainers in Gauteng and KZN, and has the Cape and Eastern Cape on her local bucket-list.

“We are currently based in Johannesburg, but we would consider taking in other provinces if the opportunities arise. I have found that South African racing offers a great lifestyle balance – in France it’s a busy programme and there it’s sometimes a ten hour road trip to get to the racecourse - and then hotels and overnighting. Here some of the folk seem to think that the hour drive to the Vaal is far away!” she laughed.

We put it to Mickaëlle that South Africa is a lifetime away from the professional opportunities in France and the proximity of travel opportunities to a variety of destinations in the UK and Europe.

“Believe me, the grass is not always greener

on the other side. South African racing offers plenty!” she says enthusiastically. Mickaëlle has a strong CV. She broke the record for a female jockey in France with 72 winners in 2018 and was the leading rider at the winter meeting held at Cagnes sur Mer.

A highly experienced rider, she has already ridden in 14 countries and has chalked up just over 300 winners in eight of those, including stakes wins in France, Japan and the United States. Among her big successes are the Gr2 Gran Premio in Italy – until recently a Gr1 and regarded as ‘Italy’s Arc’ – on Walderbe (Maxios), a horse she rates as the best she’s ridden. She also rode Walderbe into second behind Subjectivist in the 2021 $1-million Dubai Gold Cup.

Mickaëlle finished second in a race on Shergar Cup Day at Ascot in 2021, and helped the International Ladies Team comprising herself, Haley Turner and Nicola Currie, to win the coveted trophy that year. More recently she’s enjoyed extended stints in the US (working for the late Hall Of Famer

D Wayne Lukas), Australia and Japan. “I had a memorable winner at Churchill Downs and it was truly thrilling.

I was thinking, ‘this is where they stage the Kentucky Derby, a real privilege!’ In Australia my best moment was winning a race at Flemington in front of a good, supportive crowd.” Beyond South Africa, she is on record that she has enjoyed her riding most in

Australia, where the vibe on course is electric, and in Japan, where she has an outstanding record, and adds that these countries are respectful of female jockeys.

Mickaëlle goes to scale at 49kgs. Trainers and owners in any province wishing to consider engaging her may contact her SA agent, Wade Viljoen, on 0646856946.

Mickaëlle Michel gives the thumbs-up. She is keen to travel to all provinces in South Africa | Credit: JC Photos

TACTICAL WIN FOR DOUBLE GRAND SLAM

The tactical genius and horsemanship of South Africa’s oldest jockey Andrew Fortune was demonstrated in no uncertain fashion when the former SA champion got the top-class Double Grand Slam home for a popular win and Justin Snaith’s seventh success in the R1 million Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

“I told Justin (Snaith) I would have to change tactics on her. We had a wide draw and there was no pace. As long as I had her off the bit. I knew she would give it to me,” said the high-riding Candyman after he rode an outstanding forward race for his second Grade 1 success on the magic mare since his comeback to the game just over a year ago.

“I played major golf tournaments for $10 million

dollar prize money and I never choked. Today I had to have a glass of wine before the race,” laughed sporting legend and part owner Gary Player, who lauded the value added to the game by Fortune who kept the 13-10 daughter of Vercingetorix at her task to hold off a flying Rainbow Lorikeet (25-2) in the hands of the winning rider’s son, Aldo Domeyer.

Justin Snaith labelled the win by Double Grand Slam his highlight in the prestigious fillies and mares contest.

Double Grand Slam clocked 98,86 secs for the mile and her winning margin of 0,30 lengths belied the fluency of her victory.

Mon Petit Cherie (16-1) stayed on a length back for third, with the winner’s stablemate Gimme What I Want (16-1)

Double Grand Slam (Andrew Fortune) shows fight as Rainbow Lorikeet (Aldo Domeyer) has to settle for second Credit: Chase Liebenberg

the first 3yo to finish, a half length back in fourth. A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase, Double Grand Slam raced in the distinctive Gary Player silks in partnership with Dave Maclean and Drakenstein Stud.

Bred by Varsfontein, she is by Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the two-time winning Captain Al mare Princess Peach.

Double Grand Slam has won 10 races with 8 places from 21 starts for stakes of R3 721 838.

Part owners Gary Player and Gaynor Rupert embrace after a thriller | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

FORTUNE’S ALL THE RAGE!

Candice Bass has a very smart sprinter on her hands in the shape of the Millstream Farm-bred All The Rage who benefitted from a typically cucumbercool Andrew Fortune ride to win the R250 000 Schweppes Non Black-Type Winchester Sprint Cup at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Starting a 5-2 favourite against some hard-knocking older speedsters, the 3yo All The Rage, who races in the famous What A Winter royal blue and shocking pink silks, confirmed his enormous promise and overcame obstacles, including a puzzling stumble at around the 900m marker, to storm home at 5-2 and beat the flying Teflon Man (25-1) by three quarters of a length in a time of 64,8 secs for the 1100m.

In a blanket finish, the winner’s stablemate Future Variety (40-1) ran third, and Dance Variety in fourth. “He’s very immature. But I’d say right now that he is a horse with a Gr1 in him,” enthused Andrew

Fortune, who was booting home his second winner of the afternoon. Trainer Candice Bass didn’t commit to a possible SA Champions Season campaign but mentioned the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes at the end of February as a possible next target.

Craig Zackey rode runner-up Teflon Man a half kilo over and said the grey was a desperately unlucky loser and a horse for the notebook.

Bred by Millstream Farm, All The Rage is a son of the top-class Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) out of the highly versatile five-time winning Al Mufti mare, Gilded Minaret, who was Gr1 winner and won her races from 1000m to 2000m.

A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase, All The Rage, who races in a partnership of Guy & Marsh Shirtliff, Vanashree & Anant Singh, GreenacresTrust & Barry Irwin’s Team Valor International, has now won 5 of his 8 starts with 3 places and stakes of R539 126.

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

PROMISING STAYER SHOWS HIS METTLE

Modestly labelled by winning rider Richard Fourie as ‘a jockey strike’, Justin Snaith’s Ahead Of The Facts made it two winners from the first three races on WSB Cape Town Met day for 2015 Met winner Futura and for the Snaith team, when he ran away from the opposition to win the R500 000 New Turf Carriers Gr3 Western Cape Stayers at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Gqeberha visitor Zatara Magic led the charge for much of the journey, before being swallowed up by Magic Verse and Holding Thumbs, who were drawn into battle early in the home run.

The unfolding of the contest saw Richard Fourie capitalising as the fancied duo fought each other, and this allowed Ahead Of The Facts (4-1) to run on into the final 300m and charged clear to clock 180,85 secs for the 2800m and beat Highveld raider Navajo Nation (16-1) by a comfortable 3 lengths, with Holding Thumbs (2-1) hanging on for third, ahead of the late finishing Master Redoute (33-1).

CRAWFORD COLT UPSETS PICK 6 HOPES

The 2026 Lucky Fish Cape Derby picture was thrown wide open when James Crawford’s Star Major scored an upset win in the R350 000 HKJC World Pool Gr3 Politician Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Ridden with restraint by Sporting Post-sponsored Louis Mxothwa after a fair fringe effort from a wide gate in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas, Star Major (33-1) finished best of all to dash many live Pick 6 hopes when he reeled in the fancied Happy Verse (5-4) in the latter stages to win by 0,40 lengths in a time of 111,61 secs.

Better Man (14-1) was well beaten in third.

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

Only a maiden winner up to his victory here, Star Major has 4 places from his 8 starts and took his stakes total to R363 742.

The projected Pick 6 pool of R7 million fell marginally short at R6 230 950, with the exotic paying a dividend of R73 796.

Star Major (Louis Mxothwa, purple cap) takes the lead from Happy Verse under Andrew Fortune Credit: Chase Liebenberg

A MET DAY DOUBLE FOR CANDICE BASS

Gavin Lerena registered his first winner since his close call on One Stripe in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes a week earlier, when he rode a well-judged race on the Varsfontein-bred 4yo Babelicious in the R250 000 Windhoek Listed Olympic Duel Stakes as the shadows lengthened at a vibrant Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Going off at 14-1 to give Candice Bass a second victory on the big day, Babelicious was given a judicious ride by Lerena who produced her with a sustained effort down the inside, just as Craig Zackey looked to have done everything right on the 28-10 Princess Of Gaul.

The latter was ridden positively and hit the front at the 250m, only to be grabbed by the Var filly who went on well to win by a length in a time of 71,44 secs for the 1200m.

The super consistent Dame Of Trix (14-1) was beaten 2,25 lengths into third, with the 3-1 favourite Pink Pigeon capping the quartet.

The winner is a daughter of Var (Forest Wildcat) out of the well-related Fort Wood mare, Babe Paley.

A second winner on the day for Team Valor International and Vanashree & Anant Singh, Babelicious took her tally to 5 wins with 7 places from 17 starts for stakes of R610 590.

Gavin Lerena steers Babelicious to victory as Princess Of Gaul (Craig Zackey) stays on for second | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

STEYNS ADD A dash f sp ce TO MET DAY

The second leg of the Race Coast Summer Juvenile Series, the R600 000 JC Le Roux Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes opened the 2026 WSB Cape Town Met feature menu with a jolt at a sunny Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Thirteen juveniles went to post for the 1100m contest, and after the fancied two-time winner Champagne Castle led for most of the journey, it was recent impressive debut winner St Harry who moved into the lead and looked a winner under Craig Zackey.

That was the situation until Keagan de Melo had other ideas on the fast-finishing maiden Red Spice (16-1), who swept by to beat St Harry (2-1) by 0,40 lengths. No time was published officially, but the SP team timed it at 66,41 secs.

Roskilde (40-1) flew up for third, with Querari Dancer (7-1) capping the quartet.

Champagne Castle faded right out. It was a great start to the day for father-and-son training team Piet and Elbert Steyn, who saddle Garrix in the big race later.

Raced by Messrs T Gujadhur, J M Lim Fat & the Wernars family, and bred by Terry Andrews, the winner is a son of Erik The Red (Captain Al) out of the five-time winning Right Approach mare Ikebana, who was one of the first horses raced in South Africa by the Gujadhur family.

Purchased by Justin Vermaak for R250 000 off the 2025 Race Coast Sales March Yearling Sale, Red Spice has now registered his first victory with 2 places from his 4 starts and stakes of R479 750.

Red Spice (Keagan de Melo) is led in by Zac Bloch and the Gujadhurs after an impressive win in the opener Credit: Chase Liebenberg

THE LATEST RATINGS ARE IN

Following his fluent victory in the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, See It Again has had his official merit rating increased from 127 to 130.

The Handicappers unanimously elected to use third-place finisher, The Real Prince , as the line horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unchanged on 128.

The following runners also received merit rating increases:

• Legal Counsel (2nd): Raised to 128 (from 116) for finishing marginally ahead of the 128-rated The Real Prince at WFA terms.

• Okavango: Adjusted to 123 (from 120).

• Native Ruler: Adjusted to 123 (from 119).

Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes (WFA)

Double Grand Slam has retained her merit rating of 122 following her victory in the Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes (WFA) over 1600m.

In assessing the race, the Handicappers identified fourth-place finisher, Gimme What I Want, as the most suitable line horse, leaving her rating unchanged on 112.

There were merit rating increases for two horses:

• Rainbow Lorikeet: Raised to 115 (from 113), finishing 1.5 lengths ahead of the 112-rated line horse at WFA terms.

• Keukenhof: Received an adjustment, moving up to 108 (from 105).

Champion Trainer Justin Snaith with his WSB Cape Town Met winner, See It Again | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Three runners received merit rating reductions following this contest:

• Mon Petit Cherie: Dropped to 118 (from 120), having failed to confirm her Grade 1 Garden Province adjustment in four subsequent runs.

• Scarlet Macaw: Reduced slightly to 107 (from 108).

• Fatal Flaw: Rating reduced to 118 (from 120). While the Handicappers acknowledged this specific run was below her best, the reassessment reflects her failure to confirm the 120 peak she achieved in the 2025 Grade 1 Empress Club, as well as the subsequent form of the other runners that competed in that event.

HKJC World Pool Gr3 Politician Stakes

Having shown improvement over his last three starts - moving from a rating of 88 to 109 for his 5th and 6th-place finishes in the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup and Grade 1 Cape Guineas respectively - Star Major has earned a revised merit rating of 114 following his victory in the HKJC World Pool Gr3 Politician Stakes over 1800m.

The Handicappers identified runner-up, Happy Verse , as the most appropriate line horse, leaving his rating unchanged on 113. In addition to the winner, Better Man also went up in the ratings, from 100 to 105.

Count Of Rouen received a merit rating reassessment, dropping to 96 (from 100).

World Sports Betting Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes

Time For Love has had her merit rating adjusted upward to 105 from 102 following her comfortable victory in the World Sports Betting Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes.

The Handicappers were of the view that thirdplace finisher, Queen Regent , made for the most appropriate line horse, leaving her rating unchanged on 94.

The runner-up, Lavender Bay , was the only other horse to receive an increase in the ratings, moving up to 95 from 90.

The following runners received downward adjustments:

• Give Me Everything: Dropped to 106 (from 108).

• Little Suzie: Reduced to 108 (from 111).

• World Of Alice: Lowered to 104 (from 106).

New Turf Carriers Gr3 Western Cape Stayers

The official merit rating for Ahead Of The Facts has been adjusted from 97 to 110 following his impressive victory in the New Turf Carriers Gr3 Western Cape Stayers over 2800m.

The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that runner-up, Navajo Nation , was the most suitable line horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unaltered on 104.

There were no further increases, but a few horses received merit rating reductions:

• Master Redoute: Dropped to 113 (from 114).

• Magic Verse: Reduced to 115 (from 116).

• Triple Time: Lowered to 105 (from 107).

Windhoek Listed Olympic Duel Stakes

Babelicious has had her merit rating increased from 100 to 106 following her victory in the Windhoek Listed Olympic Duel Stakes over 1200m.

Here, third-place finisher Dame Of Trix was used as the line horse, leaving her rating unchanged on 90.

The runner-up, Princess Of Gaul, also received an increase, moving up to 113 (from 110).

Three horses received merit rating decreases following this race:

• Wild Applause: Dropped slightly to 86 (from 87).

• Disting: Reduced to 96 (from 99).

• Be Merry: Lowered to 104 (from 107).

Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 03 February 2026.

SOME WINNERS WORTH WATCHING AFTER MET DAY

In what proved to be the slowest of the three 2000m events on the big day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, the WSB Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes was won by last season’s runner-up Time For Love.

There was no pace on, on leaving the stalls, and the Time Thief mare gained a very soft lead.

Following the pattern of earlier races, the feather weighted Queen Regent (6/1 into 33/20) then made a move entering the home turn and quickly went two lengths clear. Always travelling well within herself under a confident ride from Gavin Lerena though, Michelle Rix’s charge regained the lead 250m out, and went on to score with authority from the always handy Lavender Bay.

The first of the afternoons’ five graded races to be run was the G r3 New Turf Carriers WC Stayers over 2800m and here we saw a smart performance from the 4yo AHEAD OF THE FACTS.

Confidently ridden by Richard Fourie (3 winners on the day), the son of Futura raced seventh for the majority of the trip some five and a half lengths off the very sedate pace set by the PE raider Zatara Magic (hanging throughout & jockey reported something amiss). He cut through the field with ease early in the straight and won going away by three after striking the front shortly after passing the 200m marker.

Going: Good (both tracks)

Penetrometer: 22 (both tracks)

Rain: Last 7 days Nil

Irrigation: Last 24 hours 10mm –Last 7 days 60mm

False Rail

Original position back straight with a 3m spur at 600m

Wind: 22-31km/h Southerly cross wind

Course Variant: 0,41s fast (straight) –1,29s fast (bend)

The JC Le Roux Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1100m had opened up proceedings and in what proved to be a real thriller the friendless RED SPICE (10/1 out to 16/1) showed good improvement to land the spoils.

The hat-trick seeking Champagne Castle made the running and was quickly two and a quarter lengths clear. The son of Erik The Red meanwhile raced three and a quarter lengths away in fifth.

The always handy favourite St Harry was the first to make a move and on striking the front approaching the 200m marker he looked to have done everything right. Piet & Elbert Steyn’s charge quickened well in the closing stages of the race though, and got up to deny the market leader 40m from home. St Harry had been troublesome loading, and was reported by both his jockey and the vet as making an abnormal respiratory noise.

There was no real pace on early in the Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes over 1600m, and reading the situation well, Andrew Fortune aboard the 13/10 favourite DOUBLE GRAND SLAM cleverly nipped around runners as they approached the bend.

Then after racing just a length and a quarter off the front running Fatal Flaw in second the Vercingetorix mare took up the running going through the 400m. Ridden with just hands and heels throughout under one of those typically cool rides by her jockey, she went on to score a bit more easily than the official winning margin of a neck would suggest. Although the quicker of the two 1600m events on the card, this race was only 0,33 seconds faster than the C Stakes.

The final leg of the Pick Six was the HKJC World Pool Gr3 Politician Stakes over 1800m and here an upset was to be had when STAR MAJOR (14/1 out to 25/1) registered his second career victory.

Six lengths off the fair pace set by Better Man, the 3yo son of Querari raced sixth of the eight for most of the journey. The heavily supported favourite Happy Verse (Andrew Fortune) was the first to make a move in the straight and on striking the front 200m out, he looked to have the race at his mercy. Having been very troublesome at the start though, the Vercingetorix colt could find no extra when James Crawford’s charge under a determined ride from Luyolo Mxothwa

moved up to challenge 50m from home. In a time 1,82 seconds faster than the listed juvenile race, the Schweppes Winchester Sprint Cup was very comfortably the quicker of the two 1100m races on the card. As might easily have been predicted, Elusive Winter set a brisk pace.

Having been drawn wide at fourteen, the eventual winner ALL THE RAGE meanwhile, raced some six lengths away in eleventh. He ran on strongly over the final 400m and under a well-judged ride from Andrew Fortune, he struck the front with just 30m left to travel. Interestingly, the grey Teflon Man (lost a length at start) recorded the fastest 400m to finish time in the race. Two lengths behind the runner up at the halfway mark, the friendless son of Querari (10/1 out to 25/1) couldn’t find a clear passage and had to be switched right out around runners 250m from home. He was fairly flying at the finish and did well finish second beaten just three quarters of a length.

Comfortably the quicker of the two 1200m events was the Windhoek Listed Olympic Duel Stakes won by the 4yo BABELICIOUS.

The second winner on the card for the stable of Candice Bass, the Var filly, came from off them. Backed into favouritism at the track (7/1 into 28/10), the always handy Princess Of Gaul struck front 300m out and quickly going clear looked sure to land the gamble. Undeterred though, Babelicious gave her all at the business end of the race and under a strong ride from Gavin Lerena she got up 50m from home to win going away.

Fastest Times:

1100m (2) All The Rage 64,80 1200m (2) Babelicious 71,44 1600m (2) Double Grand Slam 98,86 2000m (3) See It Again 123,00

RACE COAST SALES MAIDEN ONLINE SALE A SUCCESS

Race Coast Sales’ brand new online platform produced some outstanding results as the curtain came down on their maiden digital sale on Friday.

The Cape-based player, which services stakeholders nationally and internationally, has quickly established itself as an emerging presence in the thoroughbred sales market and the launch of the new-age platform is a natural evolution of their traditional bricks ‘n mortar product offering.

The digital arena is designed to bring greater diversity, flexibility, and accessibility to its services for loyal patrons and new participants alike and facilitates the sale of thoroughbreds at any stage of their career. This includes mares in foal, or with foals at foot, weanlings and yearlings, horses in training, racehorses for stud and stallion shares.

Despite opening day technical teething issues that resulted in the sale being delayed 72 hours, history will reflect that the RCS January ’26 online sale went off smoothly and saw 33 lots sold for an aggregate R3 294 000 and an average of R99 818, with a clearance rate of 85%.

Top-seller was the consistent 4yo Vercingetorix gelding Arbitration (#4), offered by Snaith

Racing and which was purchased by

Mauritius-based Dr Vicky Ruhee for R465 000. “This was an outstanding overall result for our first online sale, which attracted the interest of a diverse buying bench and plenty of support from our loyal existing and new clients,” said RCS Sales Manager Pippa Mickleburgh, who added that the initial delay ‘hardly caused a ripple’.

Click here to see all the results.

This year’s Race Coast Sales Premier Yearling Sale is set to take place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Friday 13 March and Saturday 14 March. The first day’s trading commences at 16h00, with Saturday’s sale set to get underway at 12h00. Potential buyers are invited to view the yearlings on the Wednesday and Thursday prior to the sale.

For any enquiries about the exciting two-day sale, interested parties are asked to contact Vicky Minott at vicky@racecoast.co.za or Pippa Mickleburgh pippa@racecoast.co.za.

KAID D’AUTHIE –THE BETTER CHASER

With all the rain about, Saturday’s fixture at Leopardstown was abandoned and moved to Monday. As a result, the Sunday card started the Dublin Racing Festival on heavy ground.

Kaid d’Authie (Mark Walsh) storms away from the pack to take the Ladbrokes Novice Chase

Credit: Horse Racing Ireland

The return to the track of the unbeaten novice chaser Final Demand in the Gr1 Ladbrokes Novices’ Chase was much anticipated. The Willie Mullins-trained runner jumped off the 3/10 favourite and was thought the banker of the meeting.

However, his jumping let him down in the back straight and his stablemate Kaid D’Authie, who had matched strides with him up front from the get-go, was travelling much the better under Mark Walsh.

The JP McManus-owned Kaid D’Authie already looks a much better chaser and was not stopping at the line despite helping force things at the front. He was big and bold at his fences and now heads to Cheltenham as a leading contender for Group 1 honours.

At the line he had four and a quarter lengths to spare over runner-up Western Fold, with Final Demand fading into third.

“He’s always shown me plenty at home,” said winning trainer Willie Mullins. “I think putting cheekpieces on today has made a huge difference and it’s bringing out the sort of ability he shows at home. I’d imagine he’ll run in the Brown Advisory.”

Just over an hour later owner JP McManus was back in the winners enclosure to lead in his highly talented, but somewhat enigmatic six-year-old, Majborough. He produced an impressive front-running performance to land the Gr1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase by 19-lengths under an enterprising ride from Mark Walsh. In doing so, he supplanted the distant runner-up Marine National as the new Champion Chase favourite.

After a promising novice chase campaign, Majborough had done himself no favours with a series of jumping errors leading to

a surprise reversal in the Hilly Way on his seasonal return, before an underwhelming third at this track over Christmas.

But the addition of cheekpieces and the switch to more positive tactics in testing ground allowed him to show his true ability as he attacked every fence with precision before making his way up the final straight to win with ease.

The day’s highlight, the Group 1 Irish Champion Hurdle, went the way of the Gigginstown-owned mare Brighterdaysahead. She started as second favourite at 11/4 behind another mare, the Mullins-trained grey Lossiemouth in a field of five.

Brighterdaysahead travelled sweetly throughout and found plenty when asked to see off Lossiemouth up the straight. She readily reversing the form from their clash in the December Hurdle and a re-match between these two high-class mares could be a possibility at Cheltenham in the Champion Hurdle.

“She’s been there twice [Cheltenham] and hasn’t won but hopefully she’ll put that right,” her trainer Gordon Elliott said on her return to the number one box.

“We knew she’d improve from the last day,” said Elliott. “Whether she was good enough to beat Lossiemouth, we weren’t sure, but she was very tough. I think the fast pace suited her and Jack said she never jumped or travelled as well as she did today.”

Willie Mullins noted: “I was disappointed. From early on it looked like she didn’t turn up.

I don’t know why. Possibly [it was] this very heavy ground but we will see how she comes out of it.”

A BIG PERFORMANCE FROM Little Paradise

Emphatically dispelling stamina doubts, Little Paradise surged to a devastating victory in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday to underline imposing credentials for the remainder of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

Little Paradise sweeps clear under Vincent Ho | Credit: HKJC

Trained by Jimmy Ting, who won this race on Industrialist in 2000 when it was known as the Hong Kong Classic Trial, and ridden by Vincent Ho, Little Paradise weaved his way through the field over the final 300m, before explosively accelerating to a two-length margin over Infinite Resolve, with a further half-length back to Beauty Bolt, in 1m 33.31s.

Sagacious Life finished fourth after a three-wide trip from barrier 13, while Top Dragon finished solidly for fifth.

Settling in tenth place, Little Paradise was given a patient ride by Ho – who won the Hong Kong Classic Mile in 2020 as part of Golden Sixty’s clean sweep of the series – before being initially blocked for a run at the top of the straight.

Ho changed direction twice in search of clear running before Little Paradise stormed to his sixth win from nine starts – clocking a searing 22.51 for the final 400m, and 11.16s for the closing 200m –while giving the impression the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup on 1 March and the

HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby on 22 March are well within his grasp. Ho believes Little Paradise’s laidback disposition will allow the Toronado gelding to cope with 1800m and beyond.

“Today, he relaxed very well and at the top of the straight, I was looking to come out and I could see Zac in the three-wide position (on Sagacious Life) and for some time I needed to hold him back because the horse in front of me wasn’t going anywhere, but luckily we ended up having room to track Zac up and move to his outside,” Ho said.

“Once I pressed the button, he just kicked it. He finished off very well, so he can definitely handle a mile without a problem, and I told Jimmy even for 1800m, he will also produce that sort of kick as long as we relax him early. So, I’m looking forward to the (Hong Kong) Classic Cup and the (BMW Hong Kong) Derby. I’m very grateful for the support I’ve had in coming back from injury and to win the (Hong Kong) Classic Mile is encouraging and I’m always grateful for everything. Little Paradise is a very nice horse. The main thing stepping up to the mile for

Hugh Bowman celebrates Class 1 glory with Patch Of Theta | Credit: HKJC

him was to relax no matter what and I didn’t rush him because we couldn’t and we know he has a really good turn of foot from his last run. He’s a really flexible horse as well. If the pace is slow, he can be very close to the speed and still give you a give turn of foot when you ask him. So, he’s a really nice horse to handle. Also, thanks to Jimmy and (owner) Mr Ko for the opportunity.”

Celebrating the most important success of his training career, Ting said: “He’s a very good horse, but at the last 300m I got a bit scared because he got stuck (behind runners) but when he got a gap, Vincent Ho said he was flying home. He’s a very good horse. It’s fantastic.”

John Size vaulted into fifth place in the trainers’ championship with 24 wins after firing in a treble. The 13-time Hong Kong champion trainer unveiled promising talent Master Lucky (127lb), who landed the Class 4 Clear Water Bay Handicap (1000m) under Dylan Browne McMonagle, before Zac Purton piloted Crossborderdude (128lb) to victory in the second section of the Class 4 Lam Tsuen Handicap (1200m).

Size completed an excellent meeting when BMW Hong Kong Derby nominee Super Express (121lb) claimed the Class 3 Yan Chau Tong Handicap under Maxime Guyon.

Mark Newnham fielded four runners in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, finishing second with Infinite Resolve, sixth with Invincible Ibis, 11th with Crimson Flash and 13th with Winfield but the Australian horseman scored at the meeting when another BMW Hong Kong Derby entrant, Lucky Sam Gor (120lb), landed the Class 3 Kat O Handicap (1600m) for Jerry Chau. Francis Lui’s blistering form continued with the

victory of Hong Kong International Sale graduate Patch Of Theta (135lb) in the Class 1 Mirs Bay Handicap (1400m) under Hugh Bowman. The Zoustar gelding nudged through a narrow gap late to claim Drombeg Banner (116lb) and Light Years Charm (132lb) to give Lui 11 winners from the past 10 meetings and 22 for the campaign.

Lui will consider a tilt at Ka Ying Rising in the HK$13 million Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup on 22 February for Patch Of Theta.

“It was a good performance, we will look towards the Queen’s Silver Jubilee (Cup) on February 22, but I will need to consider it fully,” he said.

“The jockey knows him well and the horse is a very honest one. The pace was not that slow and that was my worry – if they slowed down the pace, he would have fought with Hugh and would not have finished.”

A rising star on the international stage, Irishman McMonagle posted a double when Ricky Yiu’s Blazing Wukong (135lb) overcame gate 12 to prevail in the Class 4 Long Valley Handicap, while Happy Shooter (123lb), another Hong Kong International Sale graduate, broke through for his first victory in the first section of the Class 4 Lam Tsuen Handicap for Danny Shum and Lyle Hewitson.

David Hall slotted a double with Shotgun (130lb) in the Class 5 Kiu Tsui Handicap under Matthew Poon and Rising Phoenix (131lb) for James Orman in the Class 4 Robin’s Nest Handicap, before Poon also sealed a brace when Michael Chang’s Glowing Praise (125lb) surprised at 31/1 and claimed a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million with victory in the Class 3 Hoi Ha Handicap.

The A$1.7m Easter colt Hidrix (Extreme Choice) surged into Golden Slipper contention with a dominant debut victory in Saturday’s Gr3 Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill.

The Chris Waller-trained 2yo produced arguably the most noteworthy performance of any juvenile this season so far and hence firmed into an A$8 second favourite with Ladbrokes for the Gr1 Golden Slipper, to be run at Rosehill on March 21.

Bred by Kate Nivison, Hidrix was purchased by trainer Chris Waller, Guy Mulcaster and Ricky Surace’s B2B Thoroughbreds at last year’s Easter Sale, out of the Coolmore draft.

Nivison, who was in tears at Riverside 10 months ago when the colt (ex Shadow) sold, was stunned with this performance.

“I’m a bit in shock, I’m speechless which is unusual for me,’’ Nivison said. “But you know what? It’s everything I want. I want to breed proper racehorses and be known for breeding proper racehorses.

“I don’t give a sh*t about sale ring prices, my job as a breeder is to produce horses that win, that’s all I want to see, so it’s really satisfying to see a colt like this do what he just did on debut in a key 2yo race.’’ Surace was equally taken aback at the ease of Hidrix’s victory.

“We knew he went pretty good but it was about giving him a run today and see how he ran home,’’ Surace said. “Chris [Waller] was confident he’d run well and then progress to his next race but he was pretty impressive there, especially at the end, he was eased down that last 50 or 75m and the jockey said post-race that he had plenty left.

“He was a nice colt at the sale, there was obviously plenty on him for us to have to go to A$1.7m to get him but he wasn’t always going to be a Slipper type. “He didn’t look like an early 2yo and it wasn’t until jockey James McDonald worked him the other morning and said he was really happy with him and really surprised by how well he felt, that we started to get thinking we might have a Slipper horse.’’

Hidrix is part-owned by Henry Field and Newgate Farm, where his sire Extreme Choice stands.

The next eight weeks provides buyers with a number of opportunities to acquire offspring of the freak stallion, with 11 of his progeny to be offered

at the Easter Yearling Sale at Riverside on 29 and 30 March, nine at the Premier Yearling Sale on March 1-3 at Oaklands and three at next weekend’s Classic Yearling Sale, which starts next Sunday 08 February at Riverside and runs for three days.

“Extreme Choice, what he does so consistently with such limited opportunities is nothing short of extraordinary and he’ll go down as one of the greatest stallions this country has ever seen,’’ Field said.

“I can categorically say there’s never been a better selection of Extreme Choice’s progeny in one sale, ever, as there will be at Easter in 2026.

“Additionally, we have two in the Newgate consignment – in partnership with Gooree – going to Classic next week that were both accepted for Easter, however we wanted to stand them out at Classic.

“Bringing them to Classic really shows that we mean business at Classic this year with the calibre of horses in our draft.’’

Another impressive 2YO winner on Saturday was Big Sky (Bivouac) in the Gr3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield, winning by three lengths to remain undefeated and firm into a A$4.20 equal favourite for the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes with Ladbrokes in three weeks.

A Spirit Of Boom half-sister (ex Zoom By) is being offered by Eureka Stud as lot 607 at next weekend’s Classic Yearling Sale at Riverside.

Meanwhile two supplementary lots have been confirmed for the Classic Sale.

Newgate Farm will offer an Artorius colt out of American mare Kiss the Daddy (lot 799) while a Home Affairs x Word On The Street colt has been catalogued as lot 800 in the Tyreel draft.

The two supplementaries will be offered in catalogue alphabetical order – lot 799 after lot 111 and lot 800 after lot 586.

GODOLPHIN DRAFT THE FEB ATTRACTION

A typically interesting Godolphin draft, a yearling by first season sire sensation Anamoe and many exciting racing and breeding prospects feature in a 361-strong catalogue for the Inglis Digital February (Early) Online Sale.

Godolphin will offer a draft of seven 3YOs –including two fillies – headlined by the Stakes performer Chergui, which most recently was beaten less than two lengths earlier this month at Flemington by the Gr1 raced Gallant Son.

Recent Godolphin drafts on Inglis Digital have included subsequent Stakes winners Barber, Alegron and last weekend’s Listed Carrington Stakes winner Sandpaper.

The Godolphin listings have been catalogued as lots 1-7.

Mount Bona (Night Of Thunder) is another standout entry in the February (Early) catalogue.

She is offered as a racing and breeding prospect having won her past three starts – and four of her eight career outings – and is a rare opportunity to acquire a daughter of Night Of Thunder, who sired

32 individual Stakes winners around the world in 2025.

There are a number of appealing breeding prospects catalogued for the sale headlined by Velours Bleu (Nicconi) – one of a limited number of mares in foal to elite Gr1-winning American sprinter Cogburn – and Be Optimistic, a dual Stakes winner with earnings of almost A$750,000.

In total the catalogue of 361 lots includes 179 racehorses (86 race fillies), 79 broodmares, 77 racehorse shares, 24 yearlings and two 2YOs.

To view the catalogue CLICK HERE.

Other highlights include:

Avila – Daughter of three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, offered in foal to Russian Camelot and with a Russian Camelot colt at foot. Blackthorn – Undefeated The Autumn Sun 3YO.

Duchess Kate – Offered in foal to Henry Longfellow, she’s a Gr3 winner whose yearlings have sold up to A$950,000.

Entrusting – Has won three of his 12 career starts, Group raced as a 3YO.

Stakes performer Chergui leads the Godolphin draft | Credit: Inglis

Layton Abbey – Three-quarter sister to Gr1 winner Nakeeta Jane, offered in foal to Jacquinot.

Lovelier – Young Snitzel mare, offered in foal to King’s Gambit and with an Artorius filly at foot.

Moby Dick – Metro winner defeating the likes of Baraqiel, Headwall, Nadal etc, he is Stakes raced and already a three-time winner.

Rhythm of Love – Stakes-placed as a 3YO, he’s also a Sydney metro winner that’s defeated the likes of Stefi Magnetica, Schwarz, Abounding etc.

Sovereign Hill – 5% share in this Written Tycoon 4YO that won his most recent start at metro level by 4.8 lengths.

Star Flight – Half-sister to dual Gr1 winner Viddora, offered in foal to Written By

The Real Mahjong – Undefeated from two starts for Ciaron Maher, he’s a 3YO with significant racing upside.

Wind Shift – Half-sister to dual Gr1 winner Tropical Squall, offered in foal to I Am Immortal and with a King’s Gambit filly at foot.

There are also mares in foal to Bivouac, Cylinder, First Settler, Henry Longfellow, Jacquinot, King’s Gambit, Mo’unga, Russian Camelot, Spirit Of Boom, Wild Ruler, Written By etc and mares with foals at foot by Artorius, Brutal, Jacquinot, King’s Gambit, Portland Sky, Russian Camelot, Spirit Of Boom, Tiger Of Malay, Yes Yes Yes etc.

The catalogue also contains yearlings by Anamoe, Capitalist, Cool Aza Beel, Hitotsu, In The Congo, Kermadec, Lope De Vega, Pinatubo, Shamus Award, Stay Inside, Wild Ruler etc.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are leading vendor with 21 entries while the catalogue has again been supported by many of the industry’s leading players including Archibald Racing, Lindsay Park, Ciaron Maher, Michael Freedman, Snowden Racing, Gollan Racing, Three Bridges, Trilogy, Corumbene, Kingstar, Bennett Racing etc.

The final countdown of bidding for the February (Early) Sale began today, 04 February 2026.

Click here to view the catalogue, arrange finance or to participate in the auction.

Meanwhile two supplementary lots have been confirmed for next weekend’s Classic Yearling Sale.

Newgate Farm will offer an Artorius colt out of American mare Kiss the Daddy (lot 799) while a Home Affairs x Word On The Street colt has been catalogued as lot 800 in the Tyreel draft.

The two supplementaries will be offered in catalogue alphabetical order – lot 799 after lot 111 and lot 800 after lot 586.

Inspections for the Classic Sale officially begin at Riverside on Tuesday, although almost 100 yearlings will be available for inspection from Monday. The Classic Sale will be held from February 8-10.

Click here to view the Classic catalogue.

World’s Oldest Bookie Passes Away

Racing clubs from across outback New South Wales are paying homage to one of the ‘great characters’ of country racing following his death at the age of 100.

ABC.net.au have reported that Broken Hill bookmaker Doug Carroll was thought to be the world’s oldest bookmaker when he retired at the age of 98.

Between 1955 and 2024, Mr Carroll was a regular presence at thoroughbred, harness and greyhound race meetings across far west NSW.

Mr Carroll died on January 18, and his funeral was held last week in Broken Hill, where officials, punters and community members paid tribute.

Louth Turf Club president Jim Strachan said seeing someone remain dedicated to the industry over many decades was inspiring.

“He’d been coming to Louth races over a period of 50 years. Just every race meeting he’d be there and made a wonderful contribution,” Mr Strachan said. “He was certainly popular and very well known, [and] his contribution to bookmaking and the racing industry in general has been incredible.”

Pooncarie Race Club president Lyle Massey said Mr Carroll had a similar presence at meetings in southwestern NSW.

“Doug was a great character, and he played a big part being a bookmaker in our race meetings for a long time,” Mr Massey said.

Outside his track-side betting, Mr Carroll held roles with local racing committees when bookmakers were still allowed to do so.

Cheryl Krutli, secretary-treasurer of the Broken Hill Regional Events Centre, which hosts the city’s two annual race meetings, said she first met Mr Carroll more than 30 years ago.

She said his dedication to race day was unrivalled, recalling one instance in the early 2000s when he had personally refurbished part of a women’s toilet block hours before fielding a race.

“We’d put a new floor in there because it was quite damaged with white ants and it needed to be sealed,” Ms Krutli said.” And Doug went out to the racecourse that afternoon, saw that the tins of sealer were still sitting on the floor and hadn’t been applied, so he stripped off, and my husband came across him in his shoes, socks, and jocks putting the sealer on the toilet floor. Everyone got a jolly good laugh about that because he then put his suit back on and went to the trots and fielded on the Friday night.”

In 2020, it was reported Mr Carroll, then 94, had claims to be the world’s oldest bookmaker, with the Guinness Book of Records at the time listing the oldest as 88.

When Mr Carroll retired at the age of 98 in 2024, Guinness had not officially updated its records.

With Mr Carroll’s death this month, the ABC reached out to the organisation, but did not receive a reply before deadline.

His prominence in the broader racing industry was also recognised in 2019, with a 1,300-metre race at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse named in his honour.

Mr Massey said, despite modern race-betting being increasingly online, there was still something special about the region’s dedicated group of bookmakers, and Mr Carroll would likely be remembered as one of the best.

“We’ve had well-known bookmakers like Tony Petrac and Johnny Green over the years, and Doug was certainly up there,” Mr Massey said.

“You’re losing sort of a legend really, and that’s very, very sad, but he had such a great innings and obviously loved every minute of it,” Mr Strachan said.

www.abc.net.au

Doug Carroll | Credit: ABC Broken Hill

NHA CALENDAR

ALL THE REGULATOR’S HAPPENINGS THIS PAST WEEK

The Sporting Post presents the National Horseracing Authority Calendar per 30 January 2026.

The calendar is a summary of the past week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information.

Please click on the image below:

SP Sprint – Wednesday 04 February 2026

& FORTUNE…

HAIL FELLOWS, WELL MET

DID

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 LAUNCHES ON

HIGHVELD RAIDER INCENTIVES INTRODUCED

SHOWPIECE DAYS

STANDARD RAIDER INCENTIVES

SHOWPIECE RACE DAY INCENTIVES

TRANSPORT SUBSIDIES

SEASONAL ACCOMMODATION SUPPORT

THE ROAD TO THE CROWNS

FEEL-GOODS AND FAIRYTALES

Snow Pilot - NEWSBREAK

SEEING DOUBLE

WHEELS OF FORTUNE –THEY GO ROUND ‘N ROUND!

Western Cape

BASS’ BUNTER BARLOW STILL HOLDS MET CLOCK HONOURS

Going: Good (both tracks)

TCHAU, FRANKIE!

Internationally Experienced Rider aims to extend SA stay

TACTICAL WIN FOR DOUBLE GRAND SLAM

FORTUNE’S ALL THE RAGE!

PROMISING STAYER SHOWS HIS METTLE

CRAWFORD COLT UPSETS PICK 6 HOPES

A MET DAY DOUBLE FOR CANDICE BASS

STEYNS ADD A dash f sp ce TO MET DAY

THE LATEST RATINGS ARE IN

Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes (WFA)

HKJC World Pool Gr3 Politician Stakes

World Sports Betting Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes

New Turf Carriers Gr3 Western Cape Stayers

Windhoek Listed Olympic Duel Stakes

SOME WINNERS WORTH WATCHING AFTER MET DAY

RACE COAST SALES MAIDEN ONLINE SALE A SUCCESS

KAID D’AUTHIE –THE BETTER CHASER

A BIG PERFORMANCE FROM Little Paradise

GODOLPHIN DRAFT THE FEB ATTRACTION

World’s Oldest Bookie Passes Away

NHA CALENDAR

ALL THE REGULATOR’S HAPPENINGS THIS PAST WEEK

TRAINERS

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS

SIRES