SP Sprint – Wednesday 07 January 2026

Wednesday 07 January 2026

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TRUE BLUE? 07 JANUARY 2026 | 1

RIGHT ROYAL

RACING v

11Crowning Glory 165 years of tradition

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Speed Machines Flying!

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Paddock Power Double grand slam in the offing?

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Rachel To The Fore 6 winners over 2 days

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Des Scott Will Be Missed A legend of the turf

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On the cover Jan Van Goyen is the only 3yo in Saturday’s 165th renewal of the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate. He is pictured here with regular rider Callan Murray, and assisted by Mzwanele ‘George’ Liza, after winning the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas on 13 December. Chase Liebenberg took the photograph.

Issue: 01/2026

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SALUTING A LEGEND This issue is dedicated to the memory of the late Terrance Millard who saddled his first Queen’s Plate winner Laddie all of 71 years ago. That happened in 1954, the same year that he finally received his professional trainers’ licence at the age of 24. That first winner came on 27th November 1954 when Laddie won the mile under Frankie Serra. Mr Millard had 20 winners in his first season. Although six of his string of eight were amateur-race horses, that original intake included Laddie, who had been bought for £25. The horse had a wind problem and needed a hobday – another £25. As he didn’t have the money, Mr Millard gave the vet a half share of the horse in lieu, which turned out to be one of the

shrewdest buys in history! Laddie went on to win nine races, including the Queen’s Plate, earning enough money for the vets to start a hospital and for his trainer to marry childhood sweetheart Joyce and buy a house and stables at Milnerton. Before retiring at the end of the 1991 season, Mr Millard amassed 2257 winners, 117 Gr1’s, a Summer Cup, six Met, Durban July and Gold Cup titles and seven SA Champion Trainer awards. Terrance Morgan Millard was born in Cape Town on Sunday, 15 December 1929. He passed away peacefully at his home in Sunset Links on Wednesday, 20 November 2019, less than a month shy of his 90th birthday. He filled his time with an incredible variety of things – friends, family, travel and adventure – but principal among these was horses.

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21 MET ENTRIES IN ACTION ON SATURDAY

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We are halfway through the countdown week to the 165th renewal of

the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate, South Africa’s first major raceday of

2026, which will be hosted at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Glen Kotzen’s stayer Holding Thumbs – can cement WSB Cape Town Met claims Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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The nine-race undercard on Saturday gets underway at 12h25 and incorporates the R1,5 million World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship and the R1 million Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes. The latter contest includes Dean Kannemeyer’s WSB Cape Town Met entry Red Palace and the Snaith-trained defending champion, Double Grand Slam. All three of Saturday’s Grade 1 contests are both Breeders’ Cup ‘win and you’re in’ races. With the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met just over three weeks after Saturday’s blue and white festival of high-quality horseracing, it is not surprising that 21 of the current 25 entries for the Cape flagship on 31 January will turn out on Saturday, with all bar 3 – that is Jan Van Goyen, Questioning and Jet Force – of the 14 strong L’Ormarins King’s Plate field, included in that list. Final WSB Cape Town Met entries are set to close at 11h00 on Monday 12 January, with the weights being published the same day. Met declarations close at 11h00 on Tuesday 20 January, with the final field being announced later the same day. The last horse to achieve the same year Queen’s/ King’s Plate – Met double was Brett Crawford’s Futura, who won both Grade 1’s under Bernard Fayd’herbe in 2015.

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The following WSB Cape Town Met entrants run in the Anthonij Rupert Gr2 Premier Trophy on Saturday: • • • • • • •

La Pulga Legend Of Arthur Master Redoute Native Ruler Okavango Regulation Zeitz

Two Met entries in Holding Thumbs and Magic Verse are carded to line up in the R300 000 Cape Of Good Hope Gr3 Chairman’s Cup, the final leg of the carryover Pick 6 on the day – the R1 million injection expected to boost the popular exotic pool to R4 million. To many racegoers, Saturday’s big race has always been known as the Queen’s Plate, and it was something of a culture shock when it became the King’s Plate in 2023, the year Prince Charles ascended the throne. After all, the majority of today’s racegoers have known no other British Monarch than the late Queen Elizabeth, albeit that during the reigns of Edward VII and George VI, the race was run as the King’s Plate and only reverted to its original name in 1953 after the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne.

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Jan Van Goyen (Callan Murray) slams his Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas rivals last month | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

JAN TO MAINTAIN SOPHOMORE STREAK With Jan Van Goyen the sole representative of the sophomore generation in the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate on Saturday, it is worth noting that only eleven sophomores have been able to hold their own against their elders in the 164 year history of the prestigious mile. The most recent was One Stripe, who registered veteran Vaughan Marshall’s first success in 2025. Prior to that it was Jet Dark in 2021, who duly completed the double as a four-yearold, and in the process became the twelfth dual winner, joining an exalted list which includes the mighty Sea Cottage (1966/67), Sledgehammer (1975/76), Politician (1978/79), Wolf Power (1983/84) and Jet Master (1999/2000). Only one horse has won the race on three occasions, that being the outstanding miler

Legal Eagle, who completed the treble in 2018. The ultimate royal mile record belongs to another legend of the turf, the incomparable Pocket Power. A son of dual winner Jet Master, the Mike Bass-trained champion dominated the race four years running. A dual Horse of the Year by the time he lined up for the fourth time as a seven-year-old, we had run out of superlatives and he went on to prove himself a horse for the ages with a one-length victory, thereby setting an unprecedented record which is unlikely ever to be broken. Only three members of the fairer sex have won the race since it was contested under weight-for-age conditions: Wainui (1989), Empress Club (1993) and most recently Mother Russia (2011). 07 JANUARY 2026 | 11

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The latter was Mike de Kock’s last winner of the race. On Saturday the De Kocks send out two big hitters in 3yo Jan Van Goyen and the relentless galloping former SA Horse Of The Year, Dave The King.

in 2002, while son Dean, who took over in 1999, followed n his father’s footsteps with Capetown Noir in 2014 and saddles his 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince on Saturday.

Empress Club, the ‘galloping goldmine’, was trained by Tony Millard, who also saddled Jet Master in his first of two Queen’s Plate victories, with brother-in-law Geoff Woodruff doing the honours twelve months later. Tony emulated his own father Terrance, who saddled his first Queen’s Plate winner Laddie shortly after being granted his trainer’s licence in 1954. The last of his Queen’s Plate winners was Mark Anthony in 1987.

In the modern era, now six-times SA champion Justin Snaith, who saddles a powerful four-pronged attack on Saturday, has celebrated four winners, three more than his Dad Chris, who sent out the brilliant Irishbred champion Flaming Rock to victory in 1990.

The Millards were not the only father and son team to taste Queen’s Plate success. Sea Cottage, Politician and Yataghan were all trained by Syd Laird, whose son Alec won the 1997 renewal with the mighty London News.

Justin first tasted success in 2012, when future champion stallion Gimmethegreenlight broke a 38-year drought to become the first three-year-old winner since Yataghan back in 1973. He was followed in 2018 by Do It Again, while Jet Dark claimed the 2021 and 2022 renewals.

The late Peter Kannemeyer claimed the race with Free My Heart in 2000 and again

Pocket Power – the ‘King Of Kenilworth’ | Credit: Supplied

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2011 TO 2026

NO RUSSIAN AROUND, BUT IT’S TIME!

Now training in partnership with his son Mat and represented by Dave The King and Jan Van Goyen, Mike de Kock last saddled a winner in Saturday’s big weight-for-age mile when Mother Russia stole the show in the 2011 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate

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Triple Horse Of The Year Pocket Power (Jet Master) was bidding for a fifth consecutive win in the 1600m showpiece, with his rivals including his top-class, paternal half-sister Ebony Flyer (Jet Master). The latter came into the Queen’s Plate off a convincing win over subsequent Horse Of The Year Igugu, in the Avontuur Estate Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas with Ebony Flyer’s previous wins including a five and a half length thrashing of Gr1 winner Emerald Cove (Captain Al) in the Odessa Stud Gr2 Fillies Championship. But De Kock’s Mother Russia owned the day! Under Anton Marcus, the bay roared home in a very fast run race to claim the Queen’s Plate convincingly by

two and a quarter lengths just outside the course record. Ebony Flyer looked to have every chance, but could do no better than third, with Pocket Power, in fourth. The post-race presentation was unique for the fairer sex dominance. A mare won, the owner was Mary Slack, the breeder was Veronica Foulkes, the race sponsor was Gaynor Rupert, and the Queen’s trophy was handed over by the British High Commissioner Nicola Brewer. Mother Russia would go on to have just one start following her LQP win, finishing second to Past Master (another by Jet Master), in the J&B Gr1 Metropolitan.

Nother Russia (Craig Zackey) is led in by Jessica Jell, Steven Jell and Mary Slack after winning the 2017 Gr1 Empress Club Stakes | Credit: JC Photos

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Mother Russia (Anton Marcus) bounds clear to win the 2011 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate | Credit: Supplied

The diminutive bay retired from the racetrack having won or been placed in 24 of her 27 starts, bankrolling an impressive R5 067 640 in stakes. The best runner sired by Windrush, Mother Russia won eight graded races, including four Gr1 contests. Her victories included a triumph in the 2010 TBA Gr1 Paddock Stakes, with Mother Russia’s 1Voucher Gr3 Victress Stakes winning relative Sukhumvit (Silvano) set to contest Saturday’s Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes. Sadly, Mother Russia died after producing a single foal, but the prized daughter has helped ensure that Mother Russia’s legacy remains intact. Nother Russia (Tiger Ridge), emulated her dam in being named an Equus Champion, as South Africa’s Champion Older Female of 2017-2018. While not quite of the same class as her remarkable dam, the super consistent Nother Russia, unplaced just once in 18 starts, won eight times, and was twice victorious in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes, a race Mother Russia herself won in 2010. 18 | 07 JANUARY 2026

Happily Nother Russia has enjoyed a longer stud career than did her ill-fated dam. Her four winners, to date, include champion Gimme A Nother (Gimmethegreenlight). The latter, Equus Champion 3YO Filly of 20232024, emulated Mother Russia and Nother Russia in landing the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes, with Gimme A Nother winning all seven of her starts in South Africa. Gimme A Nother’s local successes included five graded wins headed by the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic. Exported to further her career in the US, Gimme A Nother has flown the South African flag proudly. In 2025, she ran first or second in four graded races run in either Canada or the US, and made a big impression when romping home to land the Gr2 John C. Mabee Stakes by a length and a quarter. The champion is expected to stay in training for 2026. One can but wonder what Mother Russia might have achieved in a longer career at stud. Hopefully her descendants can further burnish her legacy.

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2025’S BARK WAS WORSE THAN ITS BITE…! v

Duncan & Natasha Barry and the Riverton Team wish all our customers and friends warmth, cheer and safe passage over the holiday season and a new year full of peace and joy.

Now let’s welcome 2026 and the prospect of even greater things. Duncan Barry

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PO Box 168,Robertson 6705 Tel: (023) 626 4309 - Cell: 082 335 8951 Email: info@rivertonstud.co.za www.rivertonstud.co.za

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RACE COAST SALES

LAUNCHES ONLINE SALES PLATFORM Race Coast Sales has announced the launch of its new Race Coast Sales Online platform, set to go live in January 2026, with the inaugural online sale scheduled for 27 January 2026.

Bidding can be done seamlessly online via computer, laptop, or mobile phone, ensuring greater reach and convenience without compromising the integrity of the sales process.

Traditionally known for conducting live auctions, Race Coast Sales has quickly established itself as an emerging presence in the thoroughbred sales market.

“Race Coast Sales Online brings the horse from the ring to you,” said Justin Vermaak, Race Coast Executive: Racing & Bloodstock.

As the company continues to grow, the launch of its online sales platform marks a natural evolution—designed to bring greater diversity, flexibility, and accessibility to its services for loyal patrons and new participants alike. Entries for the inaugural online sale open on Wednesday 7 January 2026, with nominations closing on Thursday 15 January 2026. Race Coast Sales Online has been created to facilitate the sale of thoroughbreds at any stage of their career. The platform will cater to a wide range of offerings, including: • Mares in foal • Mares with foals at foot • Weanlings and yearlings • Horses in training • Racehorses for stud • Stallion shares The new platform delivers the Race Coast Sales experience beyond the traditional auction ring, allowing buyers and sellers to participate from any location. 22 | 07 JANUARY 2026

“The platform allows us to better serve the modern thoroughbred industry by offering a flexible and accessible marketplace, while continuing to uphold the standards and professionalism that Race Coast Sales is built on.” “The online sale is the natural progression for Race Coast Sales and an exciting step forward for our energetic and passionate sales team” said Director of Sales, Pippa Mickleburgh. The sale on 27 January 2026 marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Race Coast Sales, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and service within the thoroughbred industry. For more information, entry details, and sale updates, visit the Race Coast website or contact: • Pippa Mickleburgh pippa@racecoast.co.za • Vicky Minott vicky@racecoast.co.za • MJ Byleveld mj@racecoast.co.za

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Buffalo Storm Cody – speed and class unquestioned | Credit: JC Photos

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PETER’S BUFFALO FACES BIG TEST A race that was on the ‘red list’ for a review of its status, Saturday’s R1,5 million World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship has attracted a high-class field of 15, headed by South Africa’s highest-rated galloper in the shape of the 4yo Narrow Creek Stud-bred Buffalo Storm Cody. With more than half the field raiding and throwing the best around into the mix, the status of this historic race looks safe for the immediate future as we look forward to a vintage renewal on Saturday. Since being gelded in March 2025, Tony Peter’s Buffalo Storm Cody has triumphed in seven of eight starts. His only defeat came at Hollywoodbets Greyville in the Post Merchants when behind I Am Giant and O’Tenikwa, who take him on again. Candice Bass’s sprinter Tenango (rejuvenated since a wind op) rushed past O’Tenikwa, who is himself no sluggard, in the Omoda Gr2 Golden Horseshoeso there are lines of form which suggest that Tony Peter’s charge, brilliant as he may be, is not invincible. There is all the long road trip to overcome! The gallant and super-fast 6YO mare, Asiye Phambili, will have supporters too. She was only beaten 1,7 lengths by Buffalo Storm Cody in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint at Hollywoodbets Greyville last season after being used up to get across from a wide draw. So, she is not without hope! 07 JANUARY 2026 | 25

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AFRICA’S

HIGH FLYERS

Now retired, Gimme A Prince (Craig Zackey) wins the Cape Flying last year – one of the most impressive

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The R1,5 million World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday is the first leg of a trio of Gr1 sprints catering for the country’s top speedsters, which also comprises the Computaform Sprint and Mercury Sprint.

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What A Winter (Bernie Fayd’herbe) beats Via Africa (late Alec Forbes) in the 2012 Cape Flying Championship Credit: Supplied

History shows that very few winners of the 1000m dash up the Southern Suburbs venue’s straight end up enjoying successful stud careers. After all, top sprinters in this country invariably end up as geldings. Those who suffered the ‘unkindest cut’ include star sprinters Flobayou, Cordocelli, Signor Amigo and Nhlavini, all of whom won the race more than once, while the only three-time winner Sentinel, proved infertile at stud. This year will be no different, as the 15-strong line-up features just two five-year-old entires in the Gr1 winners Lucky Lad and Snow Pilot, both of whom look likely to join the stallion ranks next breeding season. However, amongst the past winners who succeeded as stallions, one name towers head and shoulders above all others - and that is of the magnificent Jet Master. 30 | 07 JANUARY 2026

Despite being regarded as the king of milers, the strapping entire started a hot 7-10 favourite for the 2000 Cape Flying Championship. Fresh off his repeat win in the Gr1 (then) Queen’s Plate, he was asked to drop back from a mile to the minimum trip, while taking on an assembly of the Cape’s best sprinters at their own game. The mark of a true champion is the ability to excel over any distance and under Anton Marcus, Jet Master put up a performance of epic proportions. He made his rivals look ordinary and came home in isolated splendour to score by 6,3 lengths, a margin which to this day, has not been matched. Subsequent victories in both the Gr1 Golden Spur and Gr1 Mercury Sprint were rewarded with a well-deserved Equus Award as the season’s Champion Older Sprinter. Better yet, he shared the ultimate accolade, that of Equus Horse of the Year, with Durban July hero El Picha.

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There were many who doubted he would make it as a stallion, yet he proved them all wrong and in a big way. After lifting both the Freshman and Juvenile Sires titles, Jet Master became the dominant South Africanbred stallion of the modern era, leading the General Sires List on seven occasions and the Broodmare Sires List four times. He was the complete sire, his progeny winning over all distances. In fact, his son Mystical Flight emulated his sire when he led home a Gauteng trifecta in the 2007 dash, beating Mocha Java and Thunder Key. In the process, the bright chestnut extended an unbeaten record of five wins from five starts and after his comprehensive defeat of Rebel King in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint, was named the Champion 3YO Sprinter of the year. He returned in 2008, but had to settle for second behind O Caesour. For the record, Rebel King got his just reward when he won the 2009 Cape Flying

Championship by a neck from the grey Blue Tiger. He too, was rewarded with championship honours and at stud enjoyed a measure of success, siring the Graded stakes winners Princess Rebel, Royal Dreamer, Prince Of Thieves and Rebel’s Champ. Twelve months later in 2010, the handsome Warm White Night lasted long enough to hold off a flying Blue Tiger by a neck to become trainer Charles Laird’s fourth Cape Flying Championship winner in six years. As a stallion, the son of Western Winter proved a huge disappointment and sired just three stakes winners. Not so paternal half-brother What A Winter, who twice won the Cape Flying Championship. As a three-year-old, he put away a star-studded field to record his first top-level success, but lost his crown to the brilliant Var mare Val De Ra in 2012 when caught short on pace.

The legendary Jet Master (Anton Marcus) wins the 2000 Gr1 Cape Flying Championship | Credit: Supplied

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Twelve months later, many felt he would again be run off his feet by another daughter of Var, the prodigiously fast Via Africa, who had shown the same high cruising speed as Val De Ra. That scenario looked to play itself out in the early stages, but once What A Winter warmed to the task, he joined the filly a furlong out and asserted in the end to triumph for the second time. He too, garnered the Champion Sprinter’s title. What A Winter retired to Drakenstein Stud and has come up trumps as a stallion. The leading freshman sire of his year, he already has five Gr1 winners to his name, amongst which the champion sprinters Russet Air and Isivungungu. The former followed in his sire’s footsteps when he claimed the 2020 Cape Flying Championship, while the latter finished third in 2023. A dual Gr1 winner in his birth country, Isivunguvungu was exported to the States where he has since become a stakes winner. Incidentally, in 2022 What A Winter’s son Mr Cobbs narrowly missed out on becoming

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his sire’s second Cape Flying Championship winner when he lost by a head to Bohica. Who knows, maybe this year What A Winter’s admirable daughter Asiye Phambili could set the record straight and extend her sire’s fine record in Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s flagship sprint. Finally, it would be remiss not to mention the impact 2014 winner Via Africa has had as a broodmare. She has made a name for herself Down Under as the dam of two Gr1 winners, the first of which, the Snitzel colt In The Congo, won the Gr1 Golden Rose and will be represented by his first yearlings at the forthcoming sales. Meanwhile, the superlatives continue to pour in for Via Africa’s exceptional daughter Autumn Glow, one of Australian racing’s most captivating talents. Still undefeated in eight starts, she broke through at Gr1 level in the Epsom Stakes, while her most recent win came in the richly endowed Golden Eagle, which pushed her career earnings to more than A$6,8-million.

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Double Grand Slam (RIchard Fourie) wins the 2025 Cartier Paddock Stakes | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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A SLAM DUNK? Justin Snaith looks to hold the ace in the R1 million Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when he saddles defending champion Double Grand Slam. A daughter of Vercingetorix, Double Grand Slam has won nine of nineteen starts, is high class between 1200m and this 1800m journey, has enjoyed a good prep and tends to go best second up after a freshening, plus she gets the services of Irish wizard, Oisin Murphy. Those are all important boxes to tick, and she could be hard to beat. Dean Kannemeyer’s Red Palace stretched here last year yet was ultimately held safe by a length and a half with the Snaith kingpin much stronger at the finish. Red Palace needs to put an inexplicably poor last start behind her, though apparently, she checked out fine with the vets subsequently. Of the 3YO’s, Cape Fillies Guineas runner-up Reet Petite, Snaith’s Wish List and Keukenhof, who looks to be crying out for the 1800m,

could be factors, receiving 6kg’s from the older champion. Reet Petite, who won her first three starts in some style, chased Quickstepgal all the way around the track when second in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas on 13 December and could enjoy a true run 1800m. Snaith dark horse Wish List also races as if a longer route should be well within her compass – a prediction given added credence by her stamina-laded pedigree. Keukenhof clocked the fastest 400m to finish sectional in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas after being dropped out from a wide draw. When others are gasping for gas, she might only then be getting into full stride, so is a laterunning threat. A fit Double Grand Slam should be the Pick 6 banker. 07 JANUARY 2026 | 35

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Richard Fourie gets Captain’s Ransom home ahead of fourth-placed Princess Calla (Anton Marcus) in the 2022 Paddock Stakes - in an image that doesn’t capture the drama of the finish | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

POWER OF THE PADDOCK If there is one race every breeder strives to win, it is the Cartier Gr1 Cape Paddock Stakes, after all, its honour roll is studded with the names of some pretty influential matrons who have had a profound impact on the Stud Book. The inaugural running of this coveted 1800m race for fillies and mares took place in 1960 and was appropriately won by the grand racemare Sun Lass. She became a veritable goldmine at stud, whose accomplished stud 38 | 07 JANUARY 2026

record consists of no less than six stakes performers, amongst which Yataghan, whose six top level victories included the Durban July, Queen’s Plate and Met; the Merchants winner and Guineas runner-up Gallantry; and the stakes winning full sisters Tallulah and Violetta. In addition, she features as the ancestress of champions Consensual, Just Sensual and Destroyer, as well as the Gr1 winners In Camera, Give Me Five and Attenborough.

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Three years later, Majorca strolled to a fourlength victory and subsequently found only the mighty Colorado King too good in the Gr 1 Cape Derby. Retired to the Klawervlei paddocks, she went on to become a notable broodmare for the Kosters, producing the Gr1 performers Haiti and Aegean, while her descendants include Gr1 winners Rabada and Chimichurri Run. The prestigious Gr1 Majorca Stakes run on Met day, is named in her honour. Then there is Party Time. A classic winner of the Gr 1 Cape Fillies Guineas, she ran third in the Paddock Stakes at three, before setting the record straight as a four-year-old. Notwithstanding her racetrack achievements, the impact she has made on the Stud Book is incalculable. From her descend champions Trademark, First Arrival, Lets Rock’N Roll and In The Fast Lane, the Gr 1 performers

Morisco, Out Of Your League, Eligible and Time Of My Life, as well as classic winners Sally Bowles, Lambarina and Winter Weather. Probably the most visually impressive Paddock Stakes winner was the phenomenal racemare Renounce. She romped to a dominant five length victory in the 1965 renewal and twelve months later, increased that to a stunning eight lengths, still the biggest winning margin in the history of the race. The most successful trainer, and by a proverbial street, is the late maestro Terrance Millard, who practically owned the Paddock Stakes, winning the contest sixteen times. His list of winners reads as a veritable who’s who of top fillies and includes the Horse Of The Year recipients Olympic Duel and Tecla Bluff.

Terrance Millard ‘owned’ this race for years – here Tecla Bluff wins the 1990 Paddock Stakes | Credit: Supplied

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In recent years, the Justin Snaith-trained winners Dancer’s Daughter, Oh Susanna and Captain’s Ransom likewise garnered racing’s ultimate accolade. Equally interesting is the fact that daughters of two Paddock winners have emulated their dams. New Zealand-bred Hoeberg landed the Paddock Stakes eleven years after her dam Petrava won the 1985 renewal. Petrava of course, reserved her place in racing lore as the dam of champion sire Jallad. The 2024 winner Beach Bomb is a daughter of dual champion Beach Beauty, who triumphed as a five-year-old in 2013 and

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showed she hadn’t lost a step at age six to become the first back-to-back winner since Olympic Duel twenty-two years before her. In the finest tradition of the Paddock Stakes, Beach Beauty has become a treasured broodmare as the dam of five stakes performers from her first five foals and not surprisingly, she was voted last season’s Broodmare of the Year. On Saturday, 4yo Little Suzie, is the first foal of 2018 and 2019 victress Oh Susanna. Should the Drakenstein homebred prove equal to the task, she will add yet another chapter to the rich history of this important race.

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SNAITH’S ERIC IS ONE FOR ‘TO FOLLOW’ LIST

Impressive! That’s the overall impression of Justin Snaith’s 3yo gelding Eric Liddell who romped home in the Join The Passion Maiden Plate over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. He was the best bet on the card for most and despite a betting drift, he didn’t let his supporters down. Always in the red, the son of Futura (slow into stride) raced at the back off a good pace early on and was easily eleven lengths adrift of the leader entering the home turn. Once in the long summer course home straight though, Justin Snaith’s charge quickened nicely and won going away by three. When interviewed after the race jockey Richard Fourie said that he is a classic type and one to follow. Interestingly, Eric Liddell’s sire Futura won four Gr1 races which included a rare double of the Queen’s Plate and J&B Met in the same season. The L’Ormarins King’s Plate 10 Jan Class 2 over 1500m topped the bill on Sunday and

here victory went to one of the two fillies in the race KINDA WONDERFUL. Allowed to flirt with odds on at one stage, Captain West gained a soft lead on leaving the stalls and was allowed to dictate at his own pace. Less than four lengths covered the first six coming off the bend and as the front runner came under pressure 400m out the race looked wide open. Despite losing a length at the start the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight had raced close up in third and took up the running 250m out. Get Impressed ran on strongly under a determined ride from J P v’d Merwe below the distance and steadily gaining at the finish, he only went down by a neck. The stipendiary board called for a race review, but after checking the patrol film decided to take no action. The slowly run Live It. Love It. Own It. Class 4 event was the quicker of the two 1600m races on the card. Run in a time just 0,28 seconds faster than that of the maiden plate, there was no real pace early on and between the 1000m and 600m markers they were 0,74 seconds slower than the aforementioned maiden event. The field was always tightly bunched and fanning out early in the straight, the race developed into a sprint. Always handy, the winner FOUDRE ran on stoutly at the business end of the race and after taking up the running 100m from home, he kept on strongly late to beat Smarten Up (who had tracked him throughout) by a neck. 07 JANUARY 2026 | 43

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Going:

Good

Penetrometer:

22 (both tracks)

Rain:

Last 7 days Nil

Irrigation:

Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 60mm

False Rail:

3m out from 1700m with 5m spur at 600m

Wind:

26-34km/h South Easterly cross wind

Course Variant: 0,11s slow (straight) – 1,66s slow (bend) By far the faster of the two 1200m events was the opening Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Welcomes You Open Maiden in which WAVE OF GLORY got off the mark. Nibbled at on course into 8/1 from 10’s, Shane

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Humby’s charge broke well after rearing in the pens and going through halfway he was a length and a half clear. He ran on strongly in the closing stages of the race and only having to be shown the whip, won well by a length and a quarter. One to look out for from this race is the runner up Ferryman. Initially priced up favourite (2/1 out to 5/1), Andre Nel’s newcomer was restless in the pens and lost a length at the start. Positioned towards the rear, the 3yo son of Vercingetorix battled to find a clear passage when looking to start his run 450m out. He ran on well in the latter stages of the race and is sure to come on stacks next time. Fastest Times: 1200m (2) Wave Of Glory 1600m (2) Foudre

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IT’S FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED…

RAID OUR YEARLING PADDOCKS! Normandy Stud-bred Rio Querari (Grant van Niekerk) wins the Gr1 Computaform Sprint Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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The story of Northern Dancer being passed over by yearling buyers is one I keep coming back to. Even at a modest price he was deemed too small. Breeder E.P. Taylor’s strategy at Windfield was to pre-price all his yearlings, which were then offered by private sale off the farm. Anything that didn’t sell went into training for his account. We all know how well that turned out for him with Northern Dancer, but the little bay that won two legs of the US Triple Crown was by no means the only homebred star that Taylor raced. The part that intrigued me was this thing of private sales off the farm, whereby all the yearlings were pre-priced and then the horsemen made their choices. Circumstances relating to this year’s crop of Normandy yearlings have thrust us into a similar situation - although I’m not suggesting any parity with the mighty Windfields Farm! The first – potentially disastrous – occurrence was our yearlings breaking through a fence

on the night of 2 August. Fortunately, there were no broken legs, but a few picked up cosmetic scarring as a result of cuts and scrapes. Then, after entries had closed for the BSA Cape Yearling Sale, we discovered that our much-loved sales channel, the Race Coast October Two-Year-Old Sale, would no longer have a breeze-up section. Therefore, we have 15 yearlings that are available direct off the farm. Sires represented are Legislate, Jet Dark, The United States and more. Our participation in the conventional yearling auction programme remains intact, with five yearlings on Race Coast’s Premier Yearling Sale in March. We don’t ‘push’ our sales yearlings at the best of times, but the group of 15 is available to view pretty much as nature intended. They cover the spectrum from August to November foals. The immaturity of some will reward the horsemen who can cast ahead to imagine fully-grown racehorses. It goes without saying that they represent our best families, including those of Equus Champions Rio Querari, Mother Russia and Winter Solstice, not to mention Grade I winners like Sergeant Hardy. Pricing starts at R80k, with an average price that’s in the vicinity of regional sales. It’s first come, first served. We look forward to showing them to you! Please contact Oscar Foulkes (083 297 3402 or oscar@normandystud.co.za).

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Top galloper Got The Greenlight – honoured on Sunday | Credit: JC Photos

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FEATURE ACTION AT TURFFONTEIN ON SUNDAY

While all the focus of attention has been on the LKP raceday down South, Turffontein kicks off the feature race schedule for 2026 on Sunday 11 January with three feature race events, headed by the Betway Gr3 Got The Greenlight Stakes.

Trained by Joey Soma from his Turffontein base, Got The Greenlight showed his class right from the word go, winning 4 of his 7 juvenile starts, including a scintillating victory in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

A race for 3yo’s over 1400m, the honour roll boasts the likes of Pedometer, Pierre Jourdan, Pomodoro, Hawwaam and more recently, William Robertson, Royal Victory and Main Defender. The race was formerly known as the Tony Ruffel Handicap and changed its name to the Got The Greenlight Stakes in 2024.

From 6 starts at 3, he won the Gr1 SA Classic and the Gr1 Daily News and was unlucky in both the SA Derby and 2020 Vodacom Durban July.

Got The Greenlight was bred by Nadeson Park Stud. Foaled in 2016, he was from the 4th crop of the late Hassen Adams’ champion Gimmethegreenlight out of Command Chi, an Australian-bred daughter of Commands. A R110k purchase from the 2018 CTS Book 2 sale at Durbanville, Got The Greenlight raced in the interests of Dayalan Chinsammy, Hassen Adams and Joe Soma. 50 | 07 JANUARY 2026

At 4, he added two more Gr1’s with victories in the Horse Chestnut Stakes and the Champions Challenge, dubbed the ‘race of the century’, where he beat the likes of Malmoos and Summer Pudding, before another luckless run to finish 3rd in the 2021 Vodacom Durban July. Got The Greenlight was a Gr1 winner at 2, 3 and 4, retiring a 5-time Gr1 winner, with R3,4 million in earnings and Equus Champion 2yo Colt, Equus Champion 3yo Colt and Champion Middle Distance Horse honours. He stands at stud at Camargue Stud in KZN.

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The Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes is supported by the Betway Mother Russia Stakes (Listed) and the Wolf Power 1600 (Listed). The Betway Mother Russia Stakes (Listed), a race for 3yo Fillies over 1400m, was formerly run as the Three Troikas Stakes after the French champion race filly who won the Prix de’l Arc de Triomphe in 1979. The honour roll boasts the likes of Hollywoodboulevard and War Of Athena. The race changed its name in 2024 in honour of L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner, Mother Russia. Mother Russia, a bay filly, foaled in 2005 by Veronica Foulkes at Normandy Stud, was arguably the best horse by Highlands Farms Stud’s Seeking The Gold stallion Windrush. She was the fifth foal from the Russian Fox mare Russian Muse, who won only one race over 1100m, but who is a half-sister to the dam of dual Queen’s Plate winner and former horse-of-the-year, Winter Solstice. Mother Russia was originally acquired for R160 000 at the 2007 Grandwest Yearling Sale and trained by Joey Ramsden in the interests of Klawervlei Stud. She was put on the market at the end of her 3yo season, having already won the 2009 Gr1 Majorca Stakes. Mike de Kock approached longstanding patron, Mary Slack. “It was a lot of money at the time, but I told Mary that in my opinion the filly should not be on the market. I said don’t question it, let’s just put our heads down and buy her.” Mary, who not only has an eye for a good filly, but a healthy sense of adventure, phoned back five minutes later and said OK. Fortune favours the brave and Mother Russia went on to add the Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge, the Gr1 Paddock Stakes, the 2010 Gr1 Empress Club Stakes and the 2011 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate – famously denying Pocket Power a record-breaking 5th victory as well as finishing 2nd in both the 2010 and 2011 runnings of the J&B Met.

Mother Russia was named Equus Champion Older Filly in 2010 and concluded her career with 13 wins (including 4 at Gr1 level), plus an enormous haul of places in top company. From 27 starts, she only finished out of the money twice. Retired to Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud in Piketberg and mated to resident stallion Tiger Ridge, she produced a single filly foal, Nother Russia, in 2012, before her untimely death at the age of 10. Nother Russia, in turn, went under the hammer at the 2014 National Yearling Sale and was purchased for R550k by Mike de Kock on behalf of Jessica Slack. Equus Older Female of 2018, Nother Russia won 8 of her 18 career starts, including the 2016 and 2017 Gr1 Empress Club Stakes and Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge. She has subsequently retired to the Mauritzfontein paddocks and produced Sharapova (Querari) in 2019, Gimme A Nother (Gimmethegreenlight) in 2020, Molotov Cocktail (Danon Platina) in 2021 and Special Star (Danon Platina) in 2022. While all have won, Gimme A Nother has been the most successful to date. Also trained by Mike de Kock and campaigned in the Mauritzfontein silks, Gimme A Nother was unbeaten in 7 starts in South Africa, including the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic and Gr1 Empress Club Stakes. She was exported to the USA and placed in the care of Graham Motion and from 5 starts, she has achieved three 2nds and a win in the Gr2 John C Mabee Stakes at Del Mar on 7 September 2025. The third feature of the day is the Wolf Power 1600 (Listed), featuring 2025 Winter Series winner, Choisaanada from the Erico Verdonese yard and the unbeaten Grand Empire from the Sean Tarry string. The race is named for Ricky Maingard’s mighty ‘Grey Ghost’, who terrorised the South African turf in the 80’s.

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Past winner Main Defender | Credit: JC Photos

Foaled in 1978, Wolf Power was bred by the Birch Bros, by Flirting Around, one of the highest TF-rated horses to be imported to South Africa at the time, out of Pandora, a daughter of Casabianca (also dam of SA Derby winner, Artistry). Ricky Maingard actually saw him in the Vogel Vlei paddocks as a juvenile and tried to acquire him at the 1980 National Yearling Sales, but was outbid by Herman Brown Snr who purchased him on behalf of Godfrey Kuter. He raced for Kuter for his first 4 starts. Kuter decided to liquidate his racing interests and Maingard bought the colt for R100,000 towards the end of his 2yo campaign, after which he ran for The Wolf Power Syndicate of Denham Rodwell and the Birch Bros. Campaigning in some of the glory years of local racing, Wolf Power touched gloves with the best. He won 18 of his 31 racecourse appearances, 16 of which were graded races. At 2, he won the Gr1 Administrators Champion Juvenile Stakes; at 3, he took the Gr1 Clairwood Champion Stakes from the mighty Foveros. As a 4yo, he won the Gr2 Germiston November by 5.5 lengths, the Gr1 Hawaii Stakes and the Gr1 Queen’s Plate. Second in the Met to Arctic Cove (conceding 52 | 07 JANUARY 2026

him weight and still bettering the track record even as runner up!), he closed off the season with wins in the Holiday Inns Trial, Drill Hall Stakes and Gr1 Clairwood Champion Stakes. However, he really hit his straps at 5, winning all of the Keith Hepburn Champion Stakes, Germiston November, Hawaii Stakes, a spectacular second Queen’s Plate victory, the J&B Met & Drill Hall Stakes in a 6-race display of dominance so great that John Scott from the Sporting Life was prompted to rate him the World’s Champion miler. Wolf Power was the first horse to break the 94 second mark for 1600m (in the 1983 Germiston November Handicap), he broke numerous race and track records, was awarded Champion Miler, Champion Older Horse and Horse Of The Year Honours and retired South Africa’s highest track earner. In an incredible career that spanned some of the glory years for local racing, he faced and beat - the best and is rightly revered as a South African turf legend. Wolf Power enjoyed a successful stud career in America and is best remembered as the damsire of dual US Horse Of The Year, Wise Dan. Wolf Power passed away at Gainesway Stud in November 2002.

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THREE BANKERS OR TRICKIER THAN THAT? The best way to start 2026 will be a big Pick 6 win on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day on Saturday! With a R1 million carryover and a likely pool of R4 million on the cards, Prof Milkovitch will again be co-ordinating the Sporting Post Readers King’s Plate Pick 6 permutations. The key again will be structure and the natural question facing Pick 6 players on Saturday will be - can the Double Grand Slam, Buffalo Storm Cody and Jan van Goyen treble be thwarted? Early notes received from regulars have suggested that we take the Pick 6 with the Big 3 bankers at 100% to counter a possible smaller payout. Outsurance?

If you are interested in participating, simply e-mail the Prof on williammilkovitch@yahoo.co.uk to be included in our Sporting Post Readers King’s Plate Pick 6 plans. You will be requested to select 2 horses for three of the legs and 3 horses for the remaining 3 legs (if you so wish to) for the bet. Kindly note that every attempt will be made to accommodate/include all your selections. Minimum buy-in will be R100 and all communication will be done via Bcc e-mail. Cut off time will be 09h00 Saturday morning.

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TCO2 SECOND TESTERS v

WORTH INCLUDING

Caption | Credit: Credit

Keagan de Melo drives Master De Rouvray (inside) to victory as Callan Murray tries hard on Gotta Go Eddie Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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The only two TCO2 ‘second-testers’ at Hollywoodbets Greyville last Friday evening both won, underscoring a theory held in some quarters that it is worth following horses who register close to the margins.

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The Mark Dixon-trained Master Du Rouvray (6’s to 4-1) and Yadav Singh’s Iron Will (6’s to 4-1) were narrow winners of their respective races.

prior to the published race time. Immediate analysis is performed as a first test by means of an NHA approved handheld blood gas analyser.

The previous second-tester was the Wendy Whitehead-trained Pretty Kara who won at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Boxing Day!

Where such analysis shows that a horse has a TCO2 concentration of more than 36 mmol/L, a second blood specimen is collected a minimum of 10 minutes after the first test.

The National Horseracing Authority introduced the specimen analysis procedure for TCO2 measurement on racedays in March 2024. The introduction of the measure was met by some resistance as stakeholders adjusted, but the process has now become an integral part of racedays and out-of-competition testing, and the Sporting Post learns that the incidence of second tests has reduced drastically since the start of the current season. The TCO2 (total carbon dioxide) test is performed on the blood as a means of fighting the practice of administering alkalizing agents for the purpose of enhancing performance of horses. Trainers are notified well in advance of the horses randomly selected for pre-race TCO2 testing and analysis. A blood specimen is collected from each selected horse approximately 60 minutes

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If the TCO2 concentration of the second blood specimen is more than 38 mmol/L, the Stipes withdraw the horse from the race and detain the horse for additional specimen collection. Under these circumstances, a third blood specimen is collected a minimum of 30 minutes after the second test. Streamlined processes to provide transparent information, including horses subjected to second tests, to Joe Public were introduced by the racing operators in tandem with the National Horseracing Authority late in 2024, and besides ongoing announcements on course, punters who wish to monitor TCO2 testing in real time race-by-race can now do so online via the SA Horse Racing website. Users can click on Public/SimDraw on the home page and then proceed to ‘card changes’ for the relevant racemeeting.

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RACHEL KICKS OFF 2026 WITH A FAB FOUR! Trainer Michael Roberts leads in Black Frost and Rachel Venniker | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Rachel Venniker celebrates a meeting quadruple on board Siberian Winter | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Former dual SA champion apprentice Rachel Venniker dominated the first KZN racemeeting of 2026 when she booted home a career first four-timer at Hollywoodbets Greyville last Friday evening. In a chat with the Sporting Post after racing, Rachel recalled that close to four years ago – on 19 January 2022 to be precise – she came within a heartbeat of riding four winners, when still a 4kg claimer. She won on My Elouise (Tienie Prinsloo), Golden Grove (Michael Roberts) and Quickstep Lady for Andre Nel. “I was riding Crazy Blues for Gareth van Zyl to make it four winners and was beaten a nose by Donovan Dillon on Hot Money. I was very disappointed at the time as it’s every apprentice’s dream to get your photo on the wall at the SA Jockey Academy for a four-timer. But it’s all character building and it has taken me a while, but I finally registered my four winners this evening. Thanks to Mr Roberts and Mr Puller, and all their owners for the support – we can’t do it without them,” enthused Rachel. The 24-year-old horsewoman had six rides on the evening and went close to setting up a

potential five-timer when she was runner-up in the opener on the Michael Roberts-trained Winter Blessing. Three of the Venniker winners were for Michael Roberts, while the other was a superbly judged ride on the 14-1 Cardinal Chief for Garth Puller. The veteran trainer paid Miss Venniker a compliment in the post-race interview: “I thought he would need the run. But Rachel came to gallop him in the week, and she said she felt he was fit. She was spot-on,” added Puller. Her three for Michael Roberts were Black Frost (17-10), Fortress Of Fire (2-1) and Siberian Winter (11-2). The Barrington Stables string has turned the corner in the past two months, and Michael Roberts said he had asked his wife Verna and daughter Carolyn to come racing as he expected to have a good evening. “Unfortunately, they chose to stay at home, but I’m sure they will have some bubbly on ice,” he added. Click here to follow Rachel’s progress this season! 07 JANUARY 2026 | 63

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IRON WILL LIVES UP TO HIS NAME There were four 1400m races on the first Hollywoodbets Greyville card of 2026 on Friday (02 January) and the fastest of these was the Gallop Tv Class 5 won by the 7yo Iron Will. A winner in similar company when setting the pace over 1200m last time out, Yadav Singh’s charge again raced from the front. The veteran was challenged strongly by the always handy Grand Appeal over the final 150m and after a ding-dong battle, the Flower Alley gelding only got the verdict on the nod. Although run in a time 0,4 seconds quicker than the Progress Plate won by Cardinal Chief, this again was not a fast run race. Jockey Callan Murray received a fine of R10 000 for striking the runner up more than twelve times. Going:

Good

Penetrometer:

23

Rain:

Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 27mm

Irrigation:

Last 24 hours 5mm – Last 7 days 5mm

False Rail:

0m

Wind:

20-35km/h South Westerly tail wind

Course Variant: 0,92s fast

The Live It. Love It. Own It. Progress Plate over 1400m topped the bill on the turf track on Friday evening and in what proved to be a false paced affair victory went to the lesser fancied of Garth Puller’s three runners, CARDINAL CHIEF. In what was always a tightly grouped field the second favourite The Marquee made the running, whilst the nibbled at 14/1 shot raced sixth just three lengths away. He quickened well when the race began in earnest and although the front runner kept on strongly in the straight, he put his head in front 230m out. The Erik The Red gelding only had to be shown the whip in the closing stages of the race and won going away by a length and a quarter. Two maiden plates for 3yo’s over 1000m had gotten proceedings underway. The girls’ division, the Compliments Of The New Year Maiden Plate (3yof), was the quicker of the two and here we saw a smart performance from CAPTAIN VENTURA. The only runner on the card for trainer Darry Moore, the Captain Of All filly broke well and was soon a length clear. She kept up a healthy gallop throughout and although the fastest finisher in the race Winter Blessing ran 07 JANUARY 2026 | 65

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on well from fifth of the seven, she still had a length and a quarter to spare at the wire. The only other sprinting event on the eightrace program was the Bet With Colossus www.tote.co.za Class 4 over 1200m won in good fashion by the progressive 3yo FORTRESS OF FIRE. The pace wasn’t a fast one on leaving the stalls and coming off the bend just three and a half lengths covered all. The second favourite Phutulicious quickly skipped a couple clear when the race developed into a shorter sprint at the top of the straight, and going through the 300m just 1,5 lengths covered the remainder. Michael Roberts’ charge had been positioned at the back of the six and was forced wide between the 300m and 150m.

Ridden with just hands and heels under a confident ride from Rachel Venniker though, the Fire Away gelding only had to be pushed out in the closing stages of the race to beat the fancied Maphaka going away. Now a winner of three from seven, Fortress Of Fire (cast right hind shoe) did very well given the pace and the unclear passage and is better than this bare form line would suggest. Rachel Venniker rode her first ever four-timer at this meeting, whilst trainer Michael Roberts saddled three of her four winners and a runner up from just four runners. Fastest Times: 1000m (2) Captain Ventura 1400m (4) Iron Will 400-finish Fortress Of Fire

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ALL THE INFORMATION UNDER ONE UMBRELLA

NHA CALENDAR The Sporting Post presents the first National Horseracing Authority Calendar of 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:

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BREAKING NEWS

MOVES FIXTURE TO VAAL 4Racing has advised that the race meeting scheduled for 15 January 2026 on the Turffontein Inside track will be moved to the Vaal Classic track. This change is due to the delayed scarification of the Turffontein Inside track, which was postponed by two weeks as a result of excessive rainfall. Turffontein recorded more than 343 mm of rain during November and December 2025. During this period, the Inside track accommodated two additional race meetings (27/11/2025 and 02/12/2025), while the Vaal tracks were waterlogged. Scarification only commenced on 8 December 2025, and as a result of this delay, the decision has been taken to move the

15 January 2026 meeting to allow the Turffontein Inside track sufficient time to recover fully. There is an intention to return to the Inside track for the meeting scheduled on 22 January 2026. Further communication will follow in this regard. Distance changes: 2600m will be reduced to 2400m All other distances will remain unchanged

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FORTUNE PAINTS v

GQEBERHA SILVA Andrew Fortune adds a buzz and edge to most racemeetings and it will be good news for the 58 year old’s legion of fans that he will be making regular trips to Gqeberha to fill a few gaps for Alan Greeff, and anybody else that may require his services.

“I’m enjoying riding here. It’s the only other region other than the Cape that will have me! We flew in last night and I rode work this

Fortune rode a double in the Fairview polytrack on Tuesday afternoon, opening the card on the 18-10 favourite Desert Cloud for Zietsman Oosthuizen and then rounding it off on Silva City in the afternoon’s feature.

It was good to see the winning rider’s wife Ashley Fortune and family back from Australia and supporting the former national champion. A Gr1winning trainer, Ashley is planning to set up a yard in South Africa.

The riding honours were shared on the day between the Candyman and second year Mauritian 4kg-claimer Bavish Soodoo, who booted home a winner apiece for Kelly Mitchley and Jacques Strydom to bring up his, hopefully lucky, 13th career success.

Raced by Mr & Mrs D L A Matthews, Messrs L F Scribante & D R Scribante, Mr & Mrs A C Greeff & breeder Dr Ashley Parker, the winner was bred by Ascot Stud and is a daughter of the top farm’s Galileo stallion Global View out of the six-time winning Bold Silvano mare, Silva Key.

Relaxed in third as Call Of The Karoo and Haze And Smoke made the pace in the R150 000 non black-type Aloe Stakes for 3yo’s, the 15-10 Silva City produced a professional performance and moved forward under a typically balanced Fortune ride to beat lesser fancied stablemate Augusta Rosso (16-1) by a half length in a time of 77,14 secs for the all-weather 1300m.

A R70 000 BSA 2024 KZN Yearling Sale purchase by Pine Lodge Stud, the progressive Silva City is now a winner of 4 races (2 on turf and 2 on the poly) with 4 places from 13 starts for stakes of R332 000.

Haze And Smoke (25-1) stayed on two lengths back for third, with Gorgeous Cape (25-1) capping the quartet.

morning. Alan (Greeff) and I go back a long way – although he is younger than me,” quipped Fortune, in his typically chirpy demeanour.

Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Dean Smith was the only conditioner to saddle two winners on the day. The next East Cape racemeeting will be at the same venue and surface, on Friday 9 January.

Owner and breeder Dr Ashley Parker proudly leads Silva City (Andrew Fortune) in with winning connections and accompanied by Sean & Ashley Fortune | Credit: Pauline Herman 74 | 07 JANUARY 2026

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Caption | Credit: Credit

CRISFORDS’

SECOND STRIKE

IN ZABEEL MILE! 76 | 07 JANUARY 2026

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Quddwah wins the Zabeel Mile under James Doyle Credit: DRC

Father and son training team Simon and Ed Crisford won their second Gr2 Zabeel Mile [Sponsored by Phi Advertising] in a row when Quddwah scored in the feature at Meydan’s first Dubai Racing Carnival meeting of 2026 last Friday evening. 07 JANUARY 2026 | 77

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Following Poker Face’s win a year ago, Quddwah faced a strong field including Godolphin’s Gr2 winner Aomori City and Gr1 winner Audience. The latter made a bold showing, charging clear in the straight but was met at the 200m point by Quddwah, who strode away for a length and a quarter win over the closing Aomori City, with Audience staying on for third. “It was quite a sweet race to ride in. I had a load of space to go when I wanted which was nice,” said jockey James Doyle, who also won this race in 2020 on Zakouski. “He’s been very consistent over the years and gets his head in front when he needs to. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden him, I won on him first time and we were quite sweet on him then too.” On the potential of Quddwah emulating his dam Sajjhaa, winner of the Gr1 Dubai Turf [formerly Dubai Duty Free] in 2013, he added: “It would be a notch up from the runners he faced tonight, with Japanese contenders and all that, but I’m sure he’d run his race.” “To win it the way he did was really pleasing,” added Ed Crisford. “He’s settled in nicely here and he has bigger and better things ahead hopefully. You can sort of put him where you want in a race but at the beginning of the year, we decided to drop him in a little and it worked out well.” The Crisfords and Doyle celebrated a double when their classy Meydaan gained his first win at the track of almost the same name in the closing Zoho Handicap, over 2810m on turf.

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The five-year-old, last seen finishing tenth in the Gr1 Melbourne Cup, was too good here, beating two British runners in Burdett Road and Nightwalker by two lengths and four lengths. “He’s a very high-class horse,” said Doyle. “He didn’t run badly in Australia but was a bit stretched [by the distance] in the Melbourne Cup. He showed his quality in the straight tonight.

The team will have a chat about what they’d like to do, but my inkling would be maybe come back in trip to a mile and a half [2400m].

El Nasseeb beat three of his Gr3 Dubawi Stakes [Sponsored by France Galop] rivals in the Listed Garhoud Sprint in December and he did the same again, pouncing late to deny Mufasa in the card’s dirt feature. Tadhg O’Shea went for home on Mufasa off the final turn and looked to have the race won but Silvestre De Sousa had plenty of horse left and profited from his tiring rival, cruising past for a three-length win. “I rode the race to repeat the form. I was delighted when I took him back at 1000m as he likes a fast pace,” said De Sousa. “He’s a lovely horse and once he switched leads he really went for home.” It was a double for De Sousa, the UAE Champion Jockey having earlier won the

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Binghatti Handicap on Lahfaty, for Michael Costa. The five-year-old mare just held on from last time out winner Welcome Dream, giving Costa his 99th UAE winner and initiating a treble for owner HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Rebel Racing operation has invested plenty in Dubai this season with a team of ten based at Meydan and they collected their first winner when Two Tribes took the ARN Handicap, over 1200m on turf. Ridden by Billy Loughnane, for whom it was also a first Dubai winner, the five-year-old held on by a diminishing head from Indian Springs. “Two Tribes winning in Meydan tonight was great,” said trainer Richard Spencer. “Billy Loughnane gave him a great ride and it was his first run for a few months so he is entitled to come on from that. “There’s a race in Saudi in February [Gr2 1351 Turf Sprint] that he’s entered in, which might be interesting. Hopefully we can have a lot of fun with him out here during the winter.” A good night for British trainers continued when Ed Walker got off the mark in the UAE thanks to Northern Champion, who just got home in the Jumeirah Stakes [Sponsored by The Jockey Club]. Ridden by Kieran Shoemark who was also celebrating his first UAE winner, the threeyear-old battled back to deny Catullus and William Buick right on the line. “I thought William went three quarters of a length up, but my lad is gutsy and showed a lot of determination, he’s an improving horse,” said Shoemark.

“I did know I won but I was in a bit of disbelief as he did far too much early. He’s a likeable horse and this is a good start to his winter campaign.” On getting off the mark at Meydan, he added: “I’m thrilled, you want to be riding winners at a place like this and I’m staying out here for two months.” Out of luck there, Buick still rode a double on the card, the highlight of which was Six Speed in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial [Sponsored by Churchill Downs]. On a rare ride for Bhupat Seemar, whose stable jockey O’Shea opted to ride Lino Padrino, Buick guided Six Speed to a three and a quarter-length win over the Argentine-bred Legalaized, who ran a fine race on local debut, conceding weight. “He was superb, very professional and he’s very likeable horse,” said Buick. “He has a lot of natural speed, he’s quick into stride and was happy to take a lead but when the split came, he was straight through and away. “This is the Guineas Trial and he’s entitled now to go to the Guineas.” Buick took the opening Zabeel Turf [Sponsored by Binghatti], on Arabian Light who collected his second course success in the 2000m contest. The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old raced wide from his draw in 12 for much of the race but ran on strongly once hitting the front at the 100m mark and won by threequarters of a length from stablemate Bedouin Prince. The Dubai Racing Carnival continues on Friday 9 January, when the AED350 000 Lord North Handicap is the feature race.

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Aisling Oscar (Oisin McSweeney) wins at Newcastle Credit: Grossick Racing Photography

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AISLING OSCAR

SECURES £20,000 AW BONUS FOR DECEMBER

Aisling Oscar was the outright winner of December’s AW Bonus Horse of the Month competition, taking the spoils for Malton trainer Adrian Keatley and owner Dan Astbury. The five-year-old scoops the £20,000 prize with a maximum 75 points following three straight wins at Newcastle, a run that culminated on 20 December 2025. Seven horses had the chance to match Aisling Oscar’s tally over the festive period, with the Tony Carroll-trained Towerlands faring best as he filled the runner-up spot at Newcastle. Towerlands tied for second on 68 points with Jim Boyle’s Dandy Khan and the Heather 84 | 07 JANUARY 2026

Main-trained Zoulu Warrior, with connections of each horse receiving a bonus of £5,000. In addition, the stable staff involved with Aisling Oscar get £5,000, while the staff associated with the other three horses share a further £5,000. Keatley said: “We are delighted to win the AW Bonus for December with Aisling Oscar. It is great for his owner Dan and all the staff in the yard. Josh Brown, our amateur, Oisin McSweeney and Barry McHugh ride out regularly and each of them have had a win on the horse since he joined us, so thanks to them as well. “I was away in Dubai for much of the final week as we had a runner over there, but Dan was keeping an eye on

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the other horses going for their third win and keeping me updated with the results. Thankfully, every time a text came through, the result had gone in our favour. The AW Bonus is a fantastic initiative, and it is nice to not have to share the first prize!” Formerly trained in Ireland, Aisling Oscar was picked up for 3,200 guineas in September and sits eighth in the AW Bonus Horse of the Year standings, having also posted a win and third from two appearances in November. Keatley added: “We thought there could be plenty of improvement in Aisling Oscar when we bought him, just by switching up

his routine. He is a very straightforward horse and has pleased us in his work from day one. The fact he has not been winning by big distances has been a help from a handicapping perspective as well. “The £100,000 AW Horse of the Year bonus will have to be his goal now for the rest of the winter. We will have a crack at the January bonus in the meantime as there are a few races pencilled in for him from halfway through the month. We will try and win as much money as we can, that is for sure.”

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Andrea Atzeni keeps Stellar Express going to win well | Credit: HKJC

A STELLAR SIXTH BAUHINIA FOR SIZE

John Size’s dominance of the HK$4,2 million Gr3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap continued at Sha Tin on Sunday when Stellar Express delivered the master trainer’s sixth victory in the race. Ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Stellar Express delivered 13-time Hong Kong champion trainer Size’s third win in the race since 2022 – after the previous triumphs of Grand Delight (2003), Amazing Kids (2017), Premiere (2018), Sight Success (2023) and Howdeepisyourlove (2025).

Size slotted a double to continue a familiar mid-season surge to have 16 wins for the campaign after Stellar Express posted his fourth course and distance triumph with an explosive display of speed.

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“He seemed to leave nothing else to chance, he jumped cleanly and got to the front and just made one act of it,” said Size. “He’s done that before, when he gets some favours on this track, down the outside, he seems to keep running – he certainly enjoys it. The light weight is going to help, but he looks like a track specialist over the course and distance.”

Stellar Express accelerates to Group 3 success at Sha Tin.

Jumping from gate five, Stellar Express quickly cleared the rest of the field and crossed to the grandstand rail to take control of the contest. Leading by four lengths at the 200m, the French-bred gelding posted his fourth course and distance victory in 55.85s to comfortably defeat luckless Colourful King by three lengths in 55.85s. Group 1 winner Invincible Sage was third.

“I tried to hang onto him for as long as a I could, and when I let him down, he picked up good and when I looked up at the big screen, I couldn’t believe how far clear I was. I thought it was a good performance.”

Zac Purton delivers Sagacious Life in style | Credit: HKJC

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Atzeni said: “He was carrying a light weight, and it was all about the start. Once he pinged up the gates and linked up with the horses on my outside, I knew I could get to the rail and once I managed to get to the fence, he travelled comfortably.

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Mark Newnham leads the 2025/26 trainers’ championship with 28 wins | Credit: HKJC

Colourful King could not get clear until too late, steaming over the final 400m sectional in a race-best 22.05s. Size also struck in partnership with Brenton Avdulla when Sight Hermoso charged to victory in the Class 4 Tsam Chuk Wan Handicap. Sagacious Life underlined his rich potential ahead of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series with a strong win in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Leighton Handicap for Pierre Ng and Zac Purton. Jumping smartly from gate three, the Brazilian import settled fourth behind fellow South American Winfield before angling out approaching the home straight and sprinting sharply to defeat Soleil Fighter by threequarters of a length in 1m 34.09s. Fellow Four-Year-Old Classic Series aspirant Top Dragon was third.

Sagacious Life stamps impressive Four-YearOld Classic Series credentials. The authority of the victory prompted Ng to outline plans to head directly to the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile on 1 February – the first of the three-race FourYear-Old Classic Series, which also includes the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup on 1 March and HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby on 22 March. “Straight to the Classic Mile – that’s our plan,” Ng said. “He’s got the rating 90 already. We tried to put as light a pressure on him as possible and he handled it brilliantly. We’ve got pressure off our back and look forward to the next one. He’s got very good form, and you always trust the rating – he still needs to be a little bit mature. When he’s parading, he’s still looking around and a bit toey. If we get that out of him, he’ll be much nicer.”

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Purton was also effusive in his praise of the Put It Back gelding. “It was a really good effort for a young horse to carry a big weight in that case. Of course, he was in the right spot, had the right run, but he still had to get the job done,” he said. Mark Newnham extended his lead at the top of the trainers’ championship when Supreme Sea debuted successfully in the second section of Class 4 Tai Mong Tsai Handicap under Lyle Hewitson. A three-year-old by Sebring Sun, Supreme Sea was trained in Australia by Steve Hodge, who also prepared Newnham’s stable star My Wish before the subsequent winner of last season’s Hong Kong Classic Mile was exported to Hong Kong. With 28 victories for the term, Newnham leads Caspar Fownes (27), Danny Shum (25) and David Hayes (24) after 34 meetings. Hayes scored with Positive Smile under a facile Keith Yeung ride in the Class 4 Po Leung Kuk Cup Handicap before Loyal Bright claimed a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million for victory in the Class 3 Pak Tam Chung Handicap for Frankie Lor and Derek Leung.

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Maxime Guyon continued an impressive short-term stint with a double, scoring on Ricky Yiu’s The Concentration in the Class 5 Tai Lam Handicap and Francis Lui’s Gallant Epoch in the first section of the Class 4 Broadwood Handicap. “It’s been amazing, I start really well this year,” Guyon said after posting his ninth win from 65 mounts. “Gallant Epoch ran well last start when he was second and, today, he was favourite and we could go to the front – not too fast – and he kicked again and was strong.” Yiu and Purton completed doubles when Victory Sky swept to victory in the Class 3 Tai Tong Shan Handicap. Tony Cruz and Angus Chung combined with Bright Mortar in the first section of the Class 4 Tai Mong Tsai Handicap before Lovero claimed his first Sha Tin success by landing the Class 3 Tai Tong Handicap for Brett Crawford and Harry Bentley. Reminder – The free-to-enter Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge is available on all Hong Kong racemeetings.

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Numbers wins his first race in Hong Kong after arriving from Australia | Credit: HKJC

ROAD TO DERBY: LAYING DOWN THE LOR!

In the third instalment of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Road to the Derby series, the Club zeros in on a pair of Frankie Lor-trained up-and-comers with the potential to make an impact in the 2025/26 Four-Year-Old Classic Series. With less than four weeks until the first leg of the prestigious series – the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile on 1 February – and with the 149th HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby on 22 March on the horizon, Numbers and Regal Gem have both built ratings that will ensure them a start should their esteemed handler choose to head that way. Numbers looks certain to play a part in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series after an impressive last-start victory, with the gelding 92 | 07 JANUARY 2026

flashing his stamina with an all-the-way victory in the Class 2 Long Ke Handicap on 27 December 2025. Smartly away under Derek Leung, Numbers enjoyed a sedate first 400m in front before injecting some serious pace into the race during the second sectional – clocking 1.22 seconds inside standard between the 1600m and the 1200m – before continuing to apply the pressure and eventually finding enough to hold off Winning Wing by a length.

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By Tivaci out of Zabeel mare Sheezababe, Numbers came to Hong Kong with his stamina credentials already proven after finishing second in the Gr1 Queensland Derby last June.

Invincible Ibis only won over 1600m last time. But I think there are still some fouryear-old PPs to come out so we don’t know exactly at this moment what the Derby will look like.”

“It was a nice win. The 2000m was good and I think 2400m will still be okay,” said Lor, agreeing Numbers possesses similar traits to his former charge Dark Dream, who won the Queensland Derby before running fourth behind stablemate Furore in the 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby.

After securing his owners, the 23/24 Frankie Lor Fu Chuen Trainer Syndicate – who raced Unbelievable in the 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby – a HK$3 million Private Purchase Bonus for his victory on 27 December, Numbers will have one more run before likely entering the Four-Year-Old Classic Series in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup on 1 March.

“At this moment I can’t see too many four-year-olds that can handle 2000m – Sagacious Life could be one of them, but

Regal Gem is a three-time winner at Happy Valley | Credit: HKJC

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“Maybe we will skip the Classic Mile because the 1600m will probably be a bit short for him. The Classic Cup could be better,” said Lor. “I will talk to the owners about his next move – we will give him one more race before the Classic Cup. It’s just whether it’s 2000m or 1800m.” Numbers jumped to a rating of 90 after his first Hong Kong win – he finished third on debut in the city at Happy Valley earlier in December – and he’s joined by stablemate Regal Gem as horses impressing during their Classic season. Sitting on a mark of 83 after three Happy Valley 1200m wins from nine Hong Kong starts, Northern Hemisphere three-yearold Regal Gem is the joint leader of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge and may

target the riches in that competition – which concludes on 4 February – rather than the Hong Kong Classic Mile. “Maybe he will go to the Classic Series, but maybe not because we will be looking at Happy Valley first and trying to win the Million Challenge. Maybe we will aim for that. I’ll run him on 14 January and then we’ll decide,” said Lor of Regal Gem, who was a recent sixth over the extended Happy Valley mile in his first run over further than 1400m. “For me 1600m should be no problem because last time with Zac Purton on at his first time at 1650m he jumped and then he couldn’t get cover. He sat second all the way with no cover and he still finished sixth, only two and a half lengths behind the winner, so it wasn’t too bad.”

The Contenders

Name

Rating

Trainer

Owner

Record

Country of Origin

Import Type

Sagacious Life

90

Pierre Ng

Leslie Lui Chi Yuen

1-0-0-2

Brazil

PP

Invincible Ibis

83

Mark Newnham

Ibis Syndicate

3-2-1-6

Australia

PPG

1-0-1-2

New Zealand

PP

3-1-0-9

Great Britain

PP

Numbers

90

Frankie Lor

23/24 Frankie Lor Fu Chuen Trainer Syndicate

Regal Gem

83

Frankie Lor

Everest Syndicate

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Des and Robin Scott Credit: Supplied v

DES SCOTT A RACING MAN WILL BE MISSED

The passing at the age of 97 over the past weekend of breeder and passionate racing man Des Scott marks the end of an era. 96 | 07 JANUARY 2026

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Des and Neville Scott lead in 1969 Diadem winner, Leta | Credit: Supplied

Alongside his brothers Robin and Neville, Des Scott helped grow Scott Bros from a single Durban shoe store into a national retail and manufacturing powerhouse. That success gave the family something very rare in horseracing: financial stability. It allowed them to think long-term, to absorb setbacks, and to invest in bloodlines rather than headlines. That approach took shape in 1967 with the establishment of Highdown Stud. Des Scott played a central role in shaping the leading farm’s philosophy. Numbers never mattered as much as quality. Elite female families, carefully considered matings and continuity were the foundation. Trends were secondary. Results were everything.

Few horses demonstarted the Scott philosophy better than Politician — a racehorse whose popularity, at his peak, eclipsed that of any real politician in South Africa. Racing was drawing huge crowds around the country at the time, and Politician became the sport’s leading attraction. Along with the late Laurie Jaffee, he introduced South African horses to the world when sending London News to win the QE II CUP in Hong Kong. The Scott Bros produced so many Group Winners over the years and they also raced Querari and Quasillo’s brilliant Gr1 winning third dam, and have been behind some of the most significant horses to date – including 07 JANUARY 2026 | 97

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the damline of Legislate, and importing the dams of Teal, Ipi Tombe, La Fabulous and the unforgettable Devon Air. Another example is Star Of Arcole bred by Scott Bros, who has brought Varsfontein Stud the likes of Ash Cloud, Fiorella, Princess Of Light and Drill Sargeant. The Scott Bros stood South African Champion sires, amongst them Foveros and Jungle Cove, and its fitting that towards the end of an era, The Apache returned home to stud. Famously an R80 000 buy off the National 2YO Sale, the son of Mogok crossed the line first in the Gr1 Arlington Million, won a Gr2 in Dubai and took home two Gr1 wins – winning in four countries and earning over R17-million in stakes. The Apache represented four generations of Highdown blood, starting with fifth dam Lenore, who gave them Leta, and went on to

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produce the great Bold West – The Apache’s third dam. Mogok has also done them proud, producing American Gr1 winner in the USA, Gypsy’s Warning, and is holding her own at stud producing winners. Scott Bros also had winners in Hong Kong, Singapore, America, England and Kenya. Importing mares over the years from the world’s breeding establishments paid off, and in the last few years had Equus Award winners such as The Apache, Wild One and Talktothestars – and as recently as the past Vodacom Durban July, a runner with Matador Man who Robin has retained a share in. The Scott Bros have consistently been in the top 10 of the National Breeders Log for years. The Scott Brothers dispersal sale was held in July 2018.

RIP Des.

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results up to: 2025-01-07

TRAINERS Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

215

47.9

5,055,945

8,845,639

62

114

45.1

3,856,406

5,883,950

28

83

147

46.8

3,758,438

5,870,218

34

23

46

103

44.2

4,229,638

5,790,228

16.7

56

45

72

173

43.0

3,949,625

5,658,699

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Zackey

683

115

16.8

122

82

157

361

52.9

8,138,828

12,652,860

Mr R D Fourie

444

101

22.7

73

62

82

217

48.9

7,344,231

10,283,466

Mr C Murray

476

70

14.7

68

34

108

210

44.1

6,355,856

9,031,387

Mr C J Habib

557

66

11.8

57

70

133

260

46.7

4,848,563

7,356,910

Mr M A Yeni

585

66

11.3

77

77

135

289

49.4

4,631,850

8,790,502

Other Places

Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr S J Snaith

449

60

13.4

67

63

85

Mr A P Peter

253

45

17.8

22

30

Mr S G Tarry

314

40

12.7

36

Mike/Mathew De Kock

233

42

18.0

Mr A C Greeff

402

67

Name

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

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

Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

264

951

55,896

86

104

32.6

434

4

4

14,756,561

Varsfontein Stud

173

554

56,684

64

76

37.0

268

4

4

9,806,317

Ridgemont Highlands

137

454

53,779

53

73

38.7

198

0

0

7,367,749

Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd

113

416

49,900

36

50

31.9

180

2

2

5,638,734

Klawervlei Stud

146

503

37,760

43

48

29.5

210

1

1

5,512,945

Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

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

Vercingetorix

213

692

69,662

85

112

39.9

297

9

10

14,838,086

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)

198

652

48,912

68

87

34.3

292

2

2

9,684,554

Master Of My Fate

158

490

50,636

43

53

27.2

230

4

4

8,000,499

Rafeef (AUS)

155

514

46,643

49

62

31.6

231

1

1

7,229,728

Querari (GER)

156

520

43,911

48

59

30.8

242

2

2

6,850,045

SIRES

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