vintage!
A CHAMPION DAY
13
Snaith 1-2 In A Thriller
The 130th renewal was pure gold
18
Fourie & Fortune – Phew!
Best horse won on day
33
Quintessential Quickstepgal Garden Province Stakes glory
96
O’Brien Eclipses Them - Again!
Where to next for top 3yo?
105
Ferraris Heads To Ascot
Luke selected for Hong Kong team
On the cover Varsfontein Stud-bred Note To Self, the winner of the 2026 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July under Richard Fourie.
Photograph courtesy of Candiese Lenferna.
27/2026
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DIRECTORY OF SIRES 2026 - SOUTH AFRICA
ENTRIES ARE IN SEASON DECIDER
Entries
are in for the season climax World Pool Gold Cup day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday 26 July.
While a number of championship titles, including owner, trainer, jockey and stallion, already look to have been sewn up, the final feature day of the 2025/26 will be a potential decider for the champion breeder trophy, with Mauritzfontein & Wilgerbosdrift, shadowing Varsfontein by just under R1,3 million. There are also a number of Equus titles in the melting pot, at this stage.
There are three Gr1 features on the final day, with plenty of interest in what looks to be a hotly contested World Pool Gr3 Cup, despite only 14 entries received.
The clash between reigning Equus champion stayer King Pelles, who ran a cracking third behind Note To Self in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, and progressive Snaith stayer Ahead Of The Facts, who was an easy winner of the consolation July on Saturday, should provide the fireworks.
The HKJC World Pool Gr1 Champions Cup sees a number of big names, some of whom sidestepped the Hollywoodbets Durban July. These include 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince, and the Snaith champions Eight On Eighteen and See It Again. An interesting entry is James Crawford’s 3yo Star Major, who was pulled out of the Hollywoodbets Durban July on a veterinary certificate.
Supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Monday 13 July.
Declarations are due by 11h00 on Thursday 16 July.
Hollywoodbets are offering ante-post betting.
SNAITH 1-2 IN JULY HUMDINGER
On a memorable Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, reigning SA champion trainer Justin Snaith and jockey Richard Fourie celebrated their fourth partnership success in Africa’s greatest race, courtesy of the Varsfontein Studbred sophomore Note To Self.
The lightly raced campaigner stormed to victory in a thrilling 1-2 finish for the top yard and owners Nancy Hossack and Jonathan Bloch in what was a dramatic and recordsetting 130th renewal of the R10 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July at the Theatre of Dreams.
In one of the most storied build-ups to the historic race in recent memory, the massive R10 million stake raised the bar to levels unseen previously as Hollywoodbets marked their fifth year of sponsorship.
Top 4! Note To Self (Richard Fourie) shades Wish List (Andrew Fortune) in a thrilling finish to the 2026 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July. King Pelles (Chad Schofield) and Viva’s Liberte (Craig Zackey) completed the quartet Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The favourite Star Major was dramatically scratched just four days before the race, in an unprecedented lead into the African continent’s most iconic race.
There was also some debate, as there inevitably is, about the final field composition, with the two reserve runners making the cut after a further scratching of The Ultimate King in midweek.
“He’s an unassuming baby. He walks like a leopard. There were people who asked what he’d done up till now. And his Daily News run was all wrong. He had a temperature for two days after. We weren’t sure if this was a year too soon. As it turned out, it wasn’t,” added a delighted Justin Snaith, celebrating his sixth success in the July after two of his big race quintet had the 50 000 crowd on their feet, chasing for the line to lift the honours
and bank the largest graded stakes winning cheque in history on African soil.
After Richard Fourie had taken the bull by the horns and bravely circled his field on Note To Self at the 800m in a bold bid for victory, veteran Andrew Fortune looked to have done enough to rewrite the history books at the age of 59, as Wish List cruised into the lead at the 350m.
But Fourie had a little bit in hand, and Note To Self (11-2) asserted himself to beat his fairer sex stablemate by a quarter length in a time of 133,48 secs.
Gareth van Zyl’s Equus champion stayer King Pelles (25-1) ran the race of his life, finishing 1,30 lengths back in third, with Candice Bass’ lightly raced 3yo Viva’s Liberte back in fourth.
Sportsmanship! Andrew Fortune reaches out to Richard Fourie in a lovely gesture | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Hollywood Racing will be thrilled by the performance of Isivivane (10-1) in fifth, who beat Snaith’s Native Ruler (10-1) by 0,70 lengths.
Of the balance, Erico Verdonese’ first reserve runner Choisaanada ran tenth, some 10 lengths off the winner, while Snaith’s Legal Counsel pipped second reserve runner Curious Girl for twelfth and the final stake cheque of R100 000.
Something of a talking horse in the build-up, Regulation was never in it and ran 16 lengths off, with only two finishers behind him.
A R300 000 BSA National Yearling Sale purchase, the winner is raced by Jonathan Bloch, Jonathan Snaith & Nancy Hossack and was bred by Varsfontein Stud.
A first Gr1 winner for Futura (Dynasty), Note To Self hails from Varsfontein’s celebrated
Secret Pact family, being out of the Judpot mare Guiding Light.
Note To Self’s Erik The Red half-brother Viking Leader won last month’s Ridgemont Listed Gatecrasher Stakes for Michael Roberts.
Varsfontein also astutely bought back Note To Self’s Fire Away half-sister Promise Of Fire on the 2025 BSA August Online Sale for R70 000.
Note To Self took his career earnings to R6 447 538, with his first stakes win and third victory overall, with six places from his nine starts.
Justin Snaith now has 6 Durban July winners, joining Terrance Millard and ranking second to the legendary Syd Laird on 7. Snaith must feel that further records are well within his reach!
THE CANDYMAN ON HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY
Moment in time! Andrew Fortune (white cap) drives hard as Wish List goes down to Note To Self (Richard Fourie) in a thriller
Credit: Chase Liebenberg
The Hollywoodbets Durban July dream remains unfulfilled for former SA Champion Andrew Fortune after his equine soulmate Wish List went down a quarter length to her stablemate Note To Self in a dramatic 130th renewal of Africa’s richest graded stakes race.
In a chat with the Sporting Post after arriving back at his Cape West Coast home on Sunday morning, the 59-year-old, who was bidding to become the oldest jockey in history to win the iconic contest, said that he laid his head on his pillow on Saturday evening in the peaceful acceptance that ‘it was not written in the stars – it was just not meant to be’.
“Everything went right in the race. My position was good. She was relaxed and in a beautiful rhythm. The pace was perfect for us. We couldn’t have done anything better – Note To Self and Richard Fourie were just better on the day,” added the Candyman.
On the Fourie gung-ho move around his field, Fortune was half in admiration of his younger colleague.
“I don’t have the you-knowwhats to do what Richard (Fourie) did! He came from 7 lengths behind me, ran 20 wide into the straight, and still went past! I was the first person to congratulate him as we went past the post– that genuinely came from my heart!”
Fortune added that he had chosen Wish List, as he could never have come to terms with the possibility that somebody else would have won on her.
“She’s still a star. Maybe she didn’t quite get the 2200m. But hey, we are not making any excuses. We were beaten fair and square, as they say!”
Fortune picked up a R28 000 fine for going three strikes over the crop limit.
“It is what it is. That is the rule and it’s against the background of a massive moment. Just remember though – I don’t turn the crop around and give it force. Look at my action. But no excuses again. We did our level best and as the guys in the jockey room observed afterwards, I probably would have been unplayable afterwards if the result went in our favour,” he mused.
The charismatic rider with the magic hands is now off until Tuesday 14 July.
While the day was not a dream one in his own biography, he thanked the owners, the Snaith team and Hollywoodbets and Race Coast for putting on ‘an outstanding event’.
As regards his plans to continue into next season, he is keen to press on into his 60th year, as his wife relaunches her training operation out of Milnerton.
“Ashley (Fortune) has received tremendous support – she has a core of 35 2yo’s and is really looking forward to the new season. I will ride on into next season as I am keen to support her and stay involved. And who knows, maybe I will come back for the Hollywoodbets Durban July in 2027?”
The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July has been confined to the history books and while it was regarded by some commentators as a non-vintage renewal, the result underlined the impact Dynasty has had on South Africa’s premier race.
Note To Self (Richard Fourie, black cap) gets the better of Wish List (Andrew Fortune) in a thriller Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Winner of the 2003 race and sire of previous winners Legislate and Belgarion, the former Horse of the Year celebrated a rare achievement as the grandsire of Note To Self and the filly Wish List, who fought out the finish of this year’s race. In fact, had the filly prevailed, she would have been the third in a direct line of July winners, given that she is by Legislate, who won the 2014 race on an objection after going down by a head to Wylie Hall. Half-a-length behind them was none other than Futura, the sire of Note To Self.
Remarkably, Note To Self boasts no less than two July winners in his genetic make-up for in addition to Dynasty, his fourth dam Secret Pact is a daughter of Bush Telegraph, who made it nine wins from as many starts when he captured the 1987 July.
More important though, this was a landmark occasion for Futura, as Note To Self is his very first Gr1 winner. Granted, it has been a long time coming, considering that the three-year-old hails from his sire’s sixth crop, nevertheless, it could not have come at a more auspicious moment or venue.
Ironically, Futura was robbed of a first Gr1 winner when three-year-old daughter Curious Girl won this season’s SA Derby in the year when it had been downgraded to Gr2 status. It was a remarkable achievement by the De Kock-trained filly, who had the distinction of being the first female winner in over a century.
Originally carded to contest the Gr3 Durban Gold Vase, Curious Girl was allowed to take her chance in the Hollywoodbets Durban July following the withdrawal of The Ultimate King, but alas, she was never a factor and finished amongst the also-rans.
Nevertheless, victory in the 3000m Gold Vase victory went the way of another of Futura’s progeny, the four-year-old Ahead Of The Facts, who made amends for his third place
in last year’s marathon race. Victorious in the Gr3 Western Cape Stayers earlier this season, the gelding has matured into a smart and progressive stayer and could well be priced up an early favourite for the upcoming World Pool Gr3 Gold Cup, a race won by Futura’s son Future Pearl three years ago. That victory capped a grand treble of the Gold Cup, Gold Bowl, and Gold Vase which earned him the accolade of the season’s Champion Stayer.
Clearly, Futura is one of a handful of active stallions capable of siring classic stock. In addition to the abovementioned, he is also sire of Pink Tourmaline, who led home paternal half-sister and Gr2 SA Oaks second Light The Moon in the Gr2 Track And Ball Oaks, Durbanville Cup winner Thefutureisbright, The Scarlet Lady winner and Gr2 Track And Ball Oaks runner-up Dawnofanewday, last year’s Gr3 Chairmans Cup winner and Gold Cup third Future Swing, not to mention this season’s Zimbabwe Derby hero Robin Of Locksley.
One might be forgiven to think of Futura as purely a source of stamina, yet his dam Scribblin’ The Cat is inbred to the full-brothers Thatching and Golden Thatch, both factors for speed and precocity. Intriguing to note too, that Golden Thatch is the sire of Curious Girl’s third dam Daphne Donnelly. The vagaries of genetics indeed!
Whatever it is that allows Futura to augment a mare’s innate stamina, while also ensuring their foal retains the ability to accelerate from a high cruising speed, it makes him a rare commodity.
Now that he has the monkey of a first elite winner off his back, he should appeal to those shrewd breeders whose aim is to produce a ‘classic’ horse. Heaven knows, we are in short supply of stallions of his ilk.
A LEGEND CELEBRATES JULY AT HOME
A notable absentee from Saturday’s capacity Hollywoodbets Durban July crowd was former master KZN trainer Dennis Drier, who has attended Africa’s greatest horseracing event for close on sixty years, having saddled Spanish Galliard to win in 1992.
Unable to travel at the moment, Dennis, who will celebrate his 80th birthday in September, spent July day in the comfort of his Sea Point apartment with his wife Gill and some close friends on Saturday.
Hospitality fundi, magic moments specialist, and longstanding family friend, Pippa
Mickleburgh was in Durban for the big race, but added her special touches that gave the day a real ‘July feel’. Amongst other ambiance additions, Pippa supplied flowers, and arranged homemade biscuits reflecting the Drier-trained Grade 1 winners over the years.
Winning Form provided complimentary form guides, while Hollywoodbets came to the party with a HDJ bandana or two, and some promotional material.
Dennis Drier’s Durban July winner Spanish Galliard, a five-year-old chestnut gelding, had gained a reputation up until his peak win as a perennial bridesmaid.
Dennis and Gill Drier enjoy their ‘July in Sea Point’ | Credit: Supplied
“Yes he was a bridesmaid, but funnily enough that year we were very confident. Well drawn (5 out of 19) and he was well weighted off 54.5kg. I remember Robbie Sham saying to me, ‘You have never had him better and he has never felt better’ … and then the race went for us. It was a great moment,” he is on record as saying.
He recalled the July victory as a pinnacle achievement in his career alongside winning eight Gr1 Gold Medallions and training the likes of Beach Beauty, Val De Ra and Master Of My Fate.
He is the nephew of Hall Of Fame trainer, the great Syd Laird, who won a record seven Julys, and was his assistant for ten years.
He said, “If you are at a university for ten years with one of the greatest, if not the greatest trainer the country has produced, and you didn’t learn anything you would never learn anything.”
Spanish Galliard is the only July winner owned by the Oppenheimer family whom they did not breed. They have owned six July winners, of which five were homebred, and have bred seven July winners.
“I appreciate the love, care and interest shown by Gill and Pippa, and all those that assisted to make the day special. I hope to be back at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 3 July 2027!” concluded Dennis.
SCENE AT THE HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY!
Billy the Kid? No, Gavin Lerena Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Andrew & Ashley Fortune with Brandon Bailey
Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Jock Ewing? Actually, Dermot O’Connell Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Hollywoodbets’ Devin Heffer
Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Gina and Greg Bortz after the Consolation victory Credit: Candiese Lenferna
People and personalities at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday for the 130th renewal of the R10 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July. The Country Allure theme was a hit! Thanks to Candiese Lenferna and Chase Liebenberg for the images.
Mark Bass was on course Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Note To Self co owners Jono Snaith and Nancy Hossack Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Winner! Lucinda Woodruff hugs Callan Murray Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Rachel Venniker arrives for the big day Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Cool Hand Sean Veale Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Owner Jono Snaith congratulates Richard Fourie Credit: Chase Liebenberg
TIENIE’S GAL BRINGS THE DRAMA!
After a dramatic finish to the R500 000 HKJC Gr2 World Pool Stakes at their last start, 3yo Quicktepgal and the year older Mon Petit Cherie renewed rivalry in a rematch of note, with defending champion Double Grand Slam in the mix, in the R1,5 million Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.
The prestigious mile feature is sponsored by leading international breeding outfit Ridgemont, who extraordinarily had to settle for a runner-up berth in the race for the third consecutive year as the gallant Mon Petit Cherie had to play second fiddle to Tienie Prinsloo-trained Quickstepgal.
Registering her second career Grade 1 victory, Quickstepgal (7-2) stalked the pacesetter Whistle The Tune into the run for home and got first run on her rivals.
Keagan de Melo was riding with purpose, and Quickstepgal won her race into the final 200m as she staved off a late challenge from 2025 runner-up Mon Petit Cherie (5-2) and defending champion and 11-10 favourite Double Grand Slam.
Quickstepgal got the verdict by 1,30 lengths in a time of 96,13 secs, with a short head back to Double Grand Slam.
Quickstepgal (Keagan de Melo) registers her second career Gr1 victory on the big day
Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Raced by the Wernars Family and Harry Willson, Quickstepgal was bred by the Greenacres Trust and is out of the three-time winning Jet Master mare Victoriana
Originally a R450 000 KZN Yearling Sale graduate, Quickstepgal has won 7 races with 5 places from 13 starts and stakes of R2 642 189.
Trainer Tienie Prinsloo – all smiles! | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
A FABULOUS FAMILY!
Quickstepgal, the impressive winner of Saturday’s R1,5 million Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes, is certainly bred for the job.
She is the second consecutive winner of the Garden Province Stakes for her unstoppable champion sire Vercingetorix (Silvano). The latter’s champion daughter Double Grand Slam, who ran third to Quickstepgal on Saturday, won the 2025 race. To date, Vercingetorix has been responsible for six Gr1 winning daughters.
Quickstepgal, who has three lines of British Triple Crown winner Nijinsky II close up in her pedigree, also hails from a family which is no stranger to throwing high-class fillies.
She is out of the Jet Master mare Victoriana, a three time winner who ran second in the Gr3 Champagne Stakes. She showed highclass form and was rated good enough to contest the 2008 Avontuur Estate Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas.
Victoriana, whose Fire Away filly Victory Blaze was knocked down for R600 000 at last week’s KZN Yearling Sale, is a very well related mare.
A three-parts sister to Gr3 Variety Club Mile/ Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes winner Gem King (by
Master Of My Fate), Victoriana is also a halfsister to Hammie’s Hooker (Trippi). The Equus Champion Older Filly/Mare of 2014-2015, Hammie’s Hooker not only won seven black type races, including the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes - a race won by Quickstepgal this season. She also finished second in three Gr1 races. These efforts included a runner up finish in the 2014 Gr1 Garden Province Stakes.
Quickstepgal’s third dam Just Susan was a half-sister to three stakes winners, notably Gr1 South Africa Fillies Sprint winner Susan’s Dream (Esplendor).
Saturday’s winner is directly descended in female line from the high-class racemare My Lady (Comus), who ran third in the Oaks. Among the numerous stars descended in female line from this influential broodmare are Australian star Chester, dual Gold Cup winner Invershin, and Prince Chimay -sire of influential stallion Vatout.
Quickstepgal’s broodmare sire Jet Master also made his mark on the Garden Province Stakes.
The seven-time South African champion is the sire of Garden Province winner Soft Landing while Jet Master’s increasingly successful sire son Master Of My Fate is responsible for 2021 Garden Province queen Zarina.
While he left our mortal shores some years ago, Jet Master continues to make his presence felt as a broodmare sire. At the time of writing, daughters of Jet Master have been responsible for four stakes winners this season, and their offspring have earned in excess of R13.739 million in 2025-2026.
Jet Master is also broodmare sire of promising young sire Hawwaam, as well as champion Jet Dark, with the latter’s first yearlings having made a big impression this season. Jet Master is also the damsire of
Met/Guineas winning young stallion, Double Superlative.
The Garden Province Stakes has an impressive list of winners who have gone on to become outstanding producers. This group includes Beach Beauty, Lyrical Linda, Distant Echoes, Run For Lily, and Lisa Belle, to name a few.
Remarkably, Garden Province winners Beach Beauty (Beach Verse), Happy Archer (Robin Of Locksley) and Bela-Bela (Aquae Calidae) have all been represented by a stakes winner this season! The blue-blooded Aquae Calidae (Vercingetorix) looks particuarly exciting, with the colt having won two of three starts, including the Gr3 Langerman.
ELITE BLOODSTOCK TAKES CENTRE STAGE
AT KLAWERVLEI DISPERSAL
A new chapter in the illustrious history of Klawervlei
Stud will begin under the ownership of prominent businessman and leading racehorse owner Laurence Wernars, while another draws to a close at the farm on Monday, 10 August, with what promises to be one of the most significant dispersal sales of elite thoroughbred bloodstock seen in South Africa for decades.
The six-time champion breeding establishment at Bonnievale recently changed hands after more than four decades under the stewardship of the Koster family.
The transition will be marked by the dispersal of 181 lots – representing Klawervlei’s resident stallions, shares in several leading sires, its outstanding broodmare band and a select draft of just-turned yearlings.
Grant Knowles, the originator of the popular Klawervlei Farm Sale, and a close friend of the Koster family, has been enlisted to assist with conducting the landmark auction, to be handled from the podium by auctioneers Andrew Miller and Tom Hodgson.
The auction will get underway at 11h00 on Monday 10 August with one of the sale’s highlights - the offering of 33 exclusive stallion shares. Klawervlei’s holdings include eight shares in champion sire Vercingetorix, four in Kommetdieding, two each in One World and Rafeef, as well as individual shares in Charles Dickens, Gimmethegreenlight, What A Winter, Real Gone Kid, Malmoos, Erik The Red, Green With Envy, Hawwaam, Point Lonsdale, Oriental Charm and Snow Pilot. Three shares in Captain Of All will be sold as a single package.
Lots 34 to 123 comprise a remarkable offering of 89 broodmares representing some of the most accomplished families in the South African Stud Book, including daughters of Klawervlei’s foundation mares. Most are in foal and due to produce shortly after the sale.
Knowles said: “The quality and depth of this broodmare band is exceptional. It simply isn’t possible to do justice to every mare in a few comments, so I would encourage prospective buyers to study the online catalogue. These mares have formed the backbone of Klawervlei’s success over many years and I’m confident they will continue to reward their new owners.”
The yearlings on offer off the farm always present marvellous opportunities and Knowles said: “This will be a well-attended and competitive auction, but experience tells us that outstanding value can still be found. Every year a few quality lots slip through the cracks. Kommetdieding is the perfect example. He was sold here for just R55 000 in 2019 to a small buyer and went on to become a Durban July winner ,and now a promising young stallion.”
Knowles said the sale would revive the spirit of the popular Klawervlei Farm Sale, which became a highlight of the bloodstock calendar between 2011 and 2020. Renowned for its outstanding hospitality, strong attendance and festive atmosphere, the event attracted buyers from across South Africa, many of whom made a long weekend of it in the Robertson valley as the sale evolved into a three-day celebration of thoroughbred breeding and friendship.
“Most of the familiar members of the Klawervlei staff who assisted at the farm sales will be in attendance,” said Knowles.
An online sales platform and a zoom facility will be available to buyers who cannot make it to Klawervlei on the day, and the buyers card application can be downloaded from the Klawervlei website, here.
Hard copies of the sales catalogue are available on request, and the catalogue can be downloaded on this link.
For more information:
Grant Knowles: 083 882 9774 or centralrtrading@gmail.com Joanne Knowles: 083 399 6353 www.vermaakequine.com
IT’S ALL FOR THE VIBE!
Running in the instantly recognizable silks of past Gold Circle Chairman Chris Saunders which were worn famously by Durban July heroes Jollify and Naval Escort, Vaughan Marshall’s Querari colt Vibe Check ground his opposition into submission with a popular and gutsy victory in the R750 000 Omoda Gr2 Golden Horseshoe on Hollywoodbets Durban July day on Saturday.
Drawn in pole position, the colt looked a million dollars and was given a confident ride out front by Sporting Post-sponsored Sean Veale.
With his big stride carrying him fluently out front, Seamus Burns’ colt was green around
the turn and looking around a bit, but had too much class and carried the day, beating the late finishing Green Energy by 0,40 lengths in a time of 84,24 secs for the 1400m.
Sean Tarry’s Rafeef filly Secretary Bird (33-1) spread a shoe on the way to the start, but produced a great effort for third, just a quarter length back in third.
Bred by Maine Chance Farms, the winner is by Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the four-time winning Captain Al Mare, Victoria Lavelle.
A R650 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase, Vibe Check has won 3 of 6 starts with 2 places for stakes of R687 919.
Vibe Check (Sean Veale) shows his class with a gutsy victory | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
KANNEMEYER’S
PALACE OF DREAMS
Dean Kannemeyer and SA champion jockey elect Craig Zackey combined to break the Snaith stranglehold on the Hollywoodbets Durban July day feature action when the lightly-raced Vercingetorix filly Palace Of Arvernia finished strongly down the middle outside the win the R500 000 Amusnet Gr2 Golden Slipper at the Theatre of Champions on Saturday.
A top-class effort behind Get Up in the Gr2 Allan Robertson last time out after a smart win on debut, was the precursor to the beautifully bred Palace Of Arvernia’s maiden stakes success at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Africa’s greatest raceday.
Kept out of trouble from her wide gate by the in-form Craig Zackey, Palace Of Arvernia (15-2)
finished best of all to beat the 18-10 favourite Alice B Toklas (18-10) by 1,10 lengths in a time of 84,84 secs for the 1400m.
Tudor Rose (8-1) came for some betting support late and ran a superb race after her Hollywoodbets Scottsville debut win at end May, to run into third, a further half-length back.
The winner is raced by Sandy Irvine and Peter Moor, who have owned horses together for forty years. Peter Moor won last year’s Golden Slipper with the Alan Greeff-trained Anotherdanceforme.
A R575 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Palace Of Arvernia is a full-sister to Gr1 SA Classic winner Grand Empire and has won 2 of 3 starts with a place and stakes of R415 625.
Palace Of Arvernia finishes strongly under Craig Zackey | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
VAN NIEKERK JETS IN WITH FORCE
After kicking his heels in the jockey room all of Hollywoodbets
Durban July day, Grant van Niekerk produced a gem of a ride at his one and only engagement of the afternoon as Jet Force landed the stand-out gamble of the day as he enjoyed the step down to 1200m to win the R500 000 Post Gr3 Merchants at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The one-time prodigal son of Cape racing, Van Niekerk has made a good start to his Mauritius stint with 10 winners, trailing Raymond Danielson by 3.
With a weight of money on his shoulders after Jet Force was backed from 20’s to 5-1 as if Buffalo Storm Cody had stayed at home on the Highveld, Van Niekerk showed his ice-cool demeanour. He knows the Des McLachlantrained gelding well and relaxed him as Café Culture and Ziyasha cut out the early fractions.
With Buffalo Storm Cody (7-2) looming dangerously, Jet Force (5-1) was driven through with keen judgement to grab the lead and powered away to hold the Tony Peter favourite by half a length in a time of 70,34 secs for the 1200m.
The Candice Bass-trained pair of Tenango (101) and Future Variety (20-1) rounded off the quartet.
Racing for a partnership of Mauritius-based Denis Le Breton and Allan Taylor, Mr K & Miss K Geemooi & Mrs G C Hutchinson, the 4yo gelding was bred by Beaumont Stud – Anton Shepherd was dressed for the occasion and on course to lead him in – and is a son of Master
Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of the Var mare, Ooh La Var, a half-sister to champion, Legal Eagle.
A R350 000 BSA November 2yo Sale graduate, Jet Force has won 7 races with 2 places from 13 starts and stakes of R960 144.
Grant van Niekerk smiles for the camera as Jet Force crosses the line | Credit: Julia Marnewick
SNAITH’S CONSOLATION DRESS REHEARSAL
The R300 000 Magical Zulu Kingdom Gr3 2200 opened the Hollywoodbets Durban July feature programme and produced what could have been a perfect headliner dress rehearsal for stablemate Regulation as Zac Lloyd binned a slow pace to win the ‘consolation July’ on the Vercingetorix gelding Magic Verse in the Bortz silks for the Snaith Racing Team.
Saddling a second winner on the card, Justin Snaith crowned a perfect start to the big day as a muddling pace was probably the undoing of favourite Imilenzeyokuduma.
For 22-year-old Zac Lloyd, a son of champion Jeff ‘Guv’ Lloyd, the feature success – a maiden victory on African turf – buttoned up an early career third pattern race winner on
three continents, after his recent Royal Ascot success.
Going for home early, Zac Lloyd produced Magic Verse (25-2) with a sustained effort to clock a tardy 134,93s for the 2200m to beat longshot Johnny The Thief (33-1) by 1,40 lengths.
Zac Lloyd produces Magic Verse with a sustained effort | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Defending champion Otto Luyken (14-1) stayed on into third, a further quarter length back.
Interesting the third and first finisher were reversed in the 2025 renewal!
A second winner on the day bred by Drakenstein Stud, Magic Verse is raced by Greg & Gina Bortz and Leon Ellman
A son of champion Vercingetorix (Silvano), the winner is out of the twice winning Jet Master mare Little Miss Magic.
A R400 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Magic Verse, who was scoring a maiden stakes success, has won 5 races with 12 places from 29 starts for stakes of R899 197.
The Place Accumulator pool reached a healthy R1 684 713,20, and was paying a minimum dividend of R2,80 after the opening leg.
The first two races on the card were both won by favourites.
Callan Murray and Lucky Fishsponsored Lucinda Woodruff won the opener with the progressive Maine Chance-bred Sommerstern, while Justin Snaith and Keagan de Melo won the Bipot opener with the well-supported Drakensteinbred gelding, Please Be True.
Zac Lloyd celebrates his maiden victory on African soil | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
WHEN FACTS
ARE FACTS!
Run at a muddling pace, the R300 000 Durban Gr3 Gold Vase maintained the golden thread of a 100% win strike-rate on the big day for Justin Snaith, when the SA champion saddled his third winner on the trot, and a popular one at that.
A spectacle for the festive and very substantial crowd at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the Hollywoodbets Durban July day, the Pick 6 opener started in front of the crowd and developed into a race of chapters in the ensuing 3000m.
Touted, alongside stable companion Double Grand Slam as one of the good things on the day, Ahead Of The Facts came for steady support to jump at 15-10 and was confidently guided by Richard Fourie as the pace switched on and off.
Running a cracking Gold Cup prep, the 4yo son of Futura skated clear down the inside to beat gutsy former Gold Cup champion Master
Redoute (10-1) by half a length in a time of 191,88 secs.
Shoot The Rapids is consistency personified and stalked his pacemaking stablemate The Mikado for much of the way, before staying on timidly for third, a further 0,80 lengths back.
Bred by Syrilla Stud, the winner, who is raced by Zev Blieden, Ryan Copeland, Darren Smith, Jarrid Murcia, Dave Musikanth & Garth Musikanth, is a son of Futura (Dynasty) out of the one-time winning Silvano mare, Nicety.
A R100 000 National Yearling Sale purchase by Jonathan Snaith, Ahead Of The Facts has won 5 races with 8 places from his 18 starts for stakes of R961 025.
The R2 million carryover Pick 6 on the day reached a nett R11,1 million, which was short of the projected R15 million. The exotic was paying R2,50 after the first leg.
Ahead Of The Facts is confidently guided by Richard Fourie as Master Redoute (Serino Moodley) stays on for second Credit: Chase Liebenberg
SERINO EXCELS
ON TALK TO THE MASTER
Serino Moodley keeps Talk To The Master at his task | Credit: Julia Marnewick
There is no question that Talk To The Master was an emotional winner of the R200 000 Listed Premier Gateway Handicap, the final feature on the bumper Hollywoodbets Durban July day on Saturday.
The participation on the big day of the talented son of Master Of My Fate was in the balance after trainer Dominic Zaki’s interim suspension was announced on Friday 26 June.
But the owners were determined to forge ahead and with trainer Frikkie Greyling stepping into the breach, the 4yo gelding took his place and stayed on resolutely at 10-1 to gain his maiden stakes success under Winning Form-sponsored Serino Moodley, holding off the attentions of a hard-ridden Landoftherisingsun (20-1) by 0,60 lengths in a time of 96,41 secs for the mile.
A long-time hopeful to run in the day’s headline feature, JP’s Palace (25-1) ran another consistent race for third, with the well-backed Better Man (17-10) having too much to do, and capping the quartet in fourth. The top four finished within 0,80 lengths of the winner.
Talk To The Master is raced by Messrs G P Arnassalom, Balraj Chinniah & S D Smit and was a second winner – after Note To Self won the Hollywoodbets Durban July – for Varsfontein Stud.
The winner is a son of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of the three-time winning and well related Captain Al mare, Canukeepitsecret.
Originally a R400 000 Cape Yearling Sale graduate, Talk To The Master originally raced under the Vaughan Marshall banner for Marsh Shirtliff and Bryn Ressell for his first 10 starts, and now boasts 5 wins with 8 places from 16 starts and stakes of R1 793 145.
Frikkie Greyling said that he could take no credit for the win.
PAARDEBERG POWER BREAKS WINTER ICE
After the heady highs of a dazzling Hollywoodbets Durban July day on the East Coast, it takes both passion and energy to bounce back with enthusiasm at Turffontein 24 hours later.
But leave it to veteran Joey Soma and his merry band of owners who provided the fireworks in the shape of the Master Of My Fate gelding Errol Flynn. The 3yo made it three wins on the trot with a facile score under Keagan de Melo in the R250 000 TAB Gr3 Sea Cottage Stakes.
“He was a beautiful yearling, with a fabulous temperament,” Paardeberg’s Sally Bruss told the Sporting Post of the progressive well-named 3yo, who was part of the beautiful Paarl nursery’s inaugural National Yearling Sale draft back in 2024. Sally’s notes at the time called him ‘a handsome, deep bodied, well balanced, very smart colt.’
“Errol Flynn went for R400 000, and our draft included Corne Spies’ four-time winner African Pride and dual winner and Derby runner-up,
Salani Kahle, who is with Gareth van Zyl. Interestingly, they were prepped from birth into the sales ring without stables, as we had none. A lovely bunch of horses!” enthused the veteran breeder as she said that Errol Flynn’s Mom What A Player, had a beautiful Expert Eye weanling colt on the ground.
The first horse bought by the partnership of the Wernars Family and Dayalan Chinsammy, who race the exciting gelding in partnership with Trevelen Pillay’s TKP Racing, Errol Flynn started at a prohibitive 4-10, but made short work of his opposition, to beat Chronicle King (4-1) by 1,75 lengths in a time of 111,14 secs for the 1800m.
Joey Soma has trained many Grade 1 winners, and, in his own words, ‘loves winning any race’. He said that it was ‘a special honour’ to win a race named after the great legend of the SA turf.
Part-owner Dayalan Chinsammy recalled that he was sitting ‘quietly at home’ as he was banned –he didn’t say by whom – from the sales at the time Errol Flynn (lot 16) was being sold.
Errol Flynn (Keagan de Melo) draws clear to win the final leg of the Highveld 3yo Winter Series
Joey Soma popped the question as to when the partners were going to get a horse together. The trainer was given a brief to buy a horse. The rest is history, as they say.
Officially bred by the Paardeberg team of Sandra Ajax & Target Acquired, Errol Flynn is a son of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of the What A Winter mare, What A Player
Now a winner of 5 races, including the last two legs of the Highveld 3yo Winter Series, with a place from 7 starts, for stakes of R497 801, Errol Flynn will be given a break until the summer.
Errol Flynn was the second leg of a Soma – De Melo double on the day, with the former SA champion registering a treble after a double, including a Grade 1 success in the Wernars silks, down at Hollywoodbets Greyville the previous day.
After the disappointment of Saturday, Tony Peter enjoyed a happy afternoon with 3 winners, while Clinton Binda saddled a double for the Hollywood Racing team.
The Highveld feature is named in honour of Syd Laird’s mighty champion, Sea Cottage (Fairthorn – Maritime).
Bred by the Birch Bros’ Vogelvlei Stud in Dordrecht, Sea Cottage is widely regarded as one of the best horses ever to grace the South African turf.
He made national headlines after being shot in the weeks leading up to the 1966 Durban July and still managing a fourth-place finish, despite meeting interference in the race and having to run with the bullet still lodged in his hindquarter.
Sea Cottage would go on to win 20 of his 24 career starts, including a dead-heat in the 1967 Durban July, two Queen’s Plates, two Clairwood Winter Handicaps and the 1967 Champion Stakes.
A champion in each of his 4 seasons of racing, he was the first equine athlete inductee into the South African Hall Of Fame in 2019. A once in a lifetime racehorse!
The next Turffontein racemeeting is on the inside course on Thursday 9 July.
Sea Cottage on parade in 1986 | Credit: Supplied
LEGISLATE IS MAKING ALL THE RULES
Former SA Horse Of The Year Legislate is enjoying a big season and hit the high notes at the BSA KZN Yearling Sale at Suncoast on Thursday, as the sire of the two top-selling lots, with his three offspring averaging R908 333.
The holiday city came alive in Hollywoodbets Durban July week, with the 2014 Durban July winning Cheveleybased sire in the news, courtesy of his dual Gr1-winning daughter Wish List and his gelded sons Legal Counsel and Regulation, who were all serious contenders for the big race.
Topseller at the one-day sale was the unnamed Cheveley Stud consigned lot 54, a handsome chestnut colt out of a half-sister to Listed Michael Roberts Handicap winner Wild Wicket, who like Legislate is sired by Dynasty. He fell to a bid of R1,2 million by Summerveld trainer Tony Rivalland.
Lot 54 takes the top spot | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The second highest priced lot, and the topselling filly, was Beaumont Stud’s lot 88, a Legislate filly inbred to Danehill, and out of a four-time winning full-sister to Gr3 Cape Nursery second The Stone Thrower and half-sister to Gr1 Cape Guineas winner and successful sire Act Of War – the latter, like Legislate, a son of Dynasty. Antony Beck signed the chit at R1,1 million.
The regional sale was largely on a par with the results of 2025, with 168 of the 178 lots to go through the ring sold for an aggregate of R39 060 000, at an average of R232 500 and median of R180 000.
Sterling Miller’s Pound Bloodstock was the top buyer on aggregate, their 10 yearlings totalling R2,8 million.
Clifton Stud brought 17 yearlings and sold them all for an aggregate R3 870 000, an average of R227 647.
Please click here for all the prices.
The next bricks ‘n mortar sale is the BSA August 2yo Sale on 20 and 21 August at the TBA Sales Complex in Johannesburg.
HAPPY PLAYER CELEBRATES
BUT DIDN’T WAGER R50 MINIMUM
Lifetime racing fan Ramox Govindsamy bounced back from ‘doing his boots’ on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, to selecting the winners of the ten races on the Turffontein card on Sunday, to happily walk away with the jackpot prize of R100 000 in the popular Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge .
Three players, EugeneT, Ayla4 and Ramox Govindsamy were 9 from 9 going into the final Turffontein race, with the last-mentioned coming out on top as the Hollywood Racingowned Sky Pilot scored under Gavin Lerena, to give trainer Clinton Binda and the SA Champion owners a double on the day.
Labelling his Turffontein ten race winning streak on a dream day ‘the great escape’ and ‘unbelievable’, the Gauteng-based 55-yearold used-car trader said that he ‘religiously’ participated in the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge at every possible opportunity.
We put it to him that had he just wagered a minimum of R50 on the programmatic betslip generated by his entry, that he would have banked R1 million, as well as the winnings on his various combinations.
“I went all in on Hollywoodbets Durban July day. I thought it was a high-quality fantastic card and put my head down. But as any punter will tell you, some days don’t turn out like we’d like to believe they will. So, on Sunday morning I was a little shell-shocked. But I thought, let’s be strong and soldier on. I
made my Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge selections but literally didn’t have spare cash to bet. So, I sat and enjoyed a day that only a loyal lifetime punter would understand. A sort of zero to hero moment!” he laughed, explaining that his Dad had introduced him to racing at the age of 11.
“My wife moans at me some days. But we are in it for the long haul. It’s a great game and the best toughest habit to break – and today I proved the value of sticking it out. Please believe me, the cash will come in very handy!”
Here’s how Ramox progressed on his dream day – note that he had the scratching in the eighth – so was allocated the winning tote favourite, Taxi To The Moon.
Over R44 million has been paid out in South Africa’s most popular horse racing competition of all time.
All one needs to enter the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge is a Hollywoodbets account and to get your selections in at least five minutes before the first race on a card.
This puts you in contention to win either a share of the Must-Be-Won prize or the whole/ share of the All-Or-Nothing prize.
The idea is to find as many winners – or all as Ramox Govindsamy did – on any local, Hong Kong or selected international fixtures as possible.
Points are awarded based on finishing positions and the total number of runners in a race and the starting price of your selection if it wins.
The Must-Be-Won prize of R5 000 is shared among the top 20 players on the leaderboard at the end of each eight-race (minimum) meeting.
If you place a R50+ bet using the Bet Slip Feature, the Jackpot amount rockets to R1 million, irrespective of the number of horses carded to run, so long as at least eight races are run on the day.
On days when seven or fewer races are carded, the All Or Nothing prize will be capped at R100 000, provided you’ve taken a R50+ bet using the bet slip feature.
For Hong Kong meetings, you must have taken a R50+ bet slip wager to qualify for the All Or Nothing Jackpot. The Jackpot prize will be R250 000 for meetings with eight or nine completed races, doubling to R500 000 if 10+ races are completed.
UNNAMED HORIZON x
Sparkled by
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS DRC STRENGTHENS
Dubai Racing Club has announced a landmark international partnership with Fasig-Tipton, North America’s premier Thoroughbred auction house, bringing together two of the sport’s most influential organisations to strengthen international collaboration and create new opportunities for owners, trainers and breeders across the global racing industry.
Fasig-Tipton - North America’s premier Thoroughbred auction house | Credit: DRC
The strategic partnership will see Fasig-Tipton establish an enhanced presence throughout the 2026–27 Dubai Racing Carnival at Meydan Racecourse, while both organisations collaborate to promote greater international participation, facilitate the movement of elite bloodstock between key racing jurisdictions, and further strengthen the global Thoroughbred ecosystem.
United by a shared Dubai heritage and a commitment to excellence, the partnership represents a significant step in reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for Thoroughbred racing.
By connecting one of the world’s leading bloodstock sales companies with one of international racing’s premier race seasons, the collaboration will create new pathways for American owners and trainers to compete in Dubai, while providing UAE-based connections with greater access to North America’s most prestigious bloodstock sales.
H.E. Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Racing Club, said: “This partnership creates a stronger bridge between two of the world’s most important racing markets. It provides our owners and trainers with greater visibility of North America’s finest bloodstock, while giving Fasig-Tipton graduates an even clearer pathway to compete on one of the sport’s biggest international stages through the Dubai Racing Carnival and Dubai World Cup.”
“As international participation continues to grow, our focus remains on creating meaningful opportunities that strengthen Dubai’s position as a destination where the world’s best horses, owners and trainers come together to compete.”
Founded in 1898, Fasig-Tipton is North America’s oldest Thoroughbred auction company and has been responsible for the sale of many of the sport’s most accomplished racehorses and breeding stock.
The partnership builds on an already successful relationship, with recent Fasig-Tipton graduates enjoying notable success at Meydan, including 2026 Gr2 Godolphin Mile winner Banishing and 2026 Gr3 Firebreak Stakes winner Mendelssohn Bay.
“International competition has become the standard in Thoroughbred racing, and Dubai has firmly established itself as one of the world’s great racing centers,” said Boyd Browning, President of Fasig-Tipton . “We are delighted to forge this partnership with the Dubai Racing Club as we continue to expand our presence in the region and strengthen our relationships with the owners, breeders, and racing professionals who have become such an integral part of our industry. We look forward to welcoming our new partners to our iconic Saratoga Sale, which takes place next month on August 10 and 11.”
The collaboration will commence immediately, with Dubai Racing Club represented at the prestigious Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale this August, marking the first of several joint initiatives planned throughout the forthcoming season.
The announcement forms part of Dubai Racing Club’s continued strategy to strengthen international participation across the Dubai Racing Carnival, which last season welcomed 47 international trainers, 130 overseastrained runners and winners from five different countries—the highest number in the event’s history.
The partnership marks another important milestone in Dubai Racing Club’s ongoing commitment to strengthening international racing relationships and enhancing the global appeal of both the Dubai Racing Carnival and the Dubai World Cup.
www.dubairacingclub.com
A CLASSIC DREAMER
“He has all the options, the Juddmonte, the Irish Champion and the Champion, and I'm not sure what the lads are thinking, but he will have an easy time now. This is such a prestigious race and a difficult race to win and you need a good horse to win it.”
The 59-year-old Aidan O’Brien was talking after Constitution River, who has emerged as a potential Ballydoyle great, slammed his field under Ryan Moore to win the Gr1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown last Saturday. O’Brien described himself as ‘over the moon’ with his tenth Eclipse winner.
“He’s heavier today than he’s ever been and Ryan said he had to move a little bit earlier than he wanted. He’s maturing, he’s big, scopey, proper physical. Everything he’s done has been so special all the way. We felt that
we’d never seen the bottom of him. He’s thriving, improving, loves racing, classy, pacey ... we’re delighted.”
It has already been a year packed with rich pickings for O’Brien, who has been snapping up Classics in Britain, France and Ireland. Frankly, after Saturday, Constitution River looks the pick of his exceptionally deep squad of three-year-olds. “I think he has to be,” he adds.
Jockey Ryan Moore, who doesn’t ever shoot his mouth off, reckons the winner has enough pace to be top-class at a mile and told the trainer: “You can go wherever you want.”
But there is such a strong programme for mileand-a-quarter horses that it would be surprising if Constitution River didn’t simply follow it.
The stats speak loudly of Aidan O’Brien’s dominance of the Sandown Group 1, as he was winning the race for the fourth time in a row, and a tenth overall!
And what an impact the Champion Amateur Jockey of 1993/94, the same season in which he trained his first winner, on his first day as a licensed Trainer, has made in his personal capacity, these past three decades.
O’Brien was champion Irish National Hunt trainer in the 1993/94 season and went on to lift the title for the next 5 consecutive seasons. His most successful horse during this time was the famed Istabraq.
In 1996, he would become Ireland’s youngest ever Champion Trainer, a title he has now held
continuously since 1998. Also in 1996, he was approached by John Magnier to train at Ballydoyle. For a number of years, he retained his Piltown yard.
In 2001, he became the youngest ever Champion British Trainer, and the first overseas holder of the title since, well, since one Dr. M.V. O’Brien.
On Saturday, while Aidan O’Brien was saddling his Gr1 Coral-Eclipse winner with Constitution River stepping into the spotlight, his son Donnacha O’Brien sent out Kensington Lane to secure the Gr1 Belmont Oaks.
Constitution River’s winning margin on Saturday was three lengths. But a gulf appeared to separate one horse’s ability from the rest.
“He was a little bit idle,”
Moore said. It seems likely that Constitution River will be equal to much sterner tasks than this. After the race, the trainer cheerfully answered a long series of questions about the recent ‘team tactics’ hearing without ever losing his good humour.
The jockey dallied to discuss Constitution River at length. O’Brien told everyone: “Ryan said he doesn’t think he’s ever ridden a better horse,” then
wondered aloud if Moore had meant that for his ears only.
Moore playfully declined to confirm if he’d said anything so gushing. “I think he’s smart, I think he’s really good. But they have to go and do it. So far, he has.Look, I think he’s a proper one. He’s a big horse and, looking at
his pedigree, you’d say he would continue to improve. There’s size and substance there. I think he’s a lovely horse. Keep going.”
O’Brien concluded: “I don’t mind what people say, or do, or think, or write about me. I never think about that. People think I say things to boost up horses, I don’t. Ever. I promise you. I only say what I think at the time. Maybe I’m a bit of a dreamer, but that’s just me.”
10! O’BRIEN STRIKES AGAIN IN CORAL-ECLIPSE
Constitution River (3c Wootton Bassett – Chuppy, by Le Havre) backed up his Prix du Jockey Club triumph with another facile win in the CoralEclipse at Sandown on Saturday.
The Ballydoyle-trained colt has now won his last five starts, his sole defeat coming when a narrow second on debut at Newmarket last July.
A Group 2 winner last year with an eyecatching score in the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh, Constitution River landed this year’s Listed Dee Stakes at Chester by seven lengths from subsequent Royal Ascot scorer Generic, before registering a determined win in the Prix du Jockey Club.
Ridden again by Ryan Moore, Constitution River settled towards the rear before waiting for a gap from three furlongs out. He took up the lead with two furlongs left to run and went clear when ridden out, pulling three lengths clear of A Boy Named Susie (by Starspangledbanner), with Hawk Mountain (by Wootton Bassett) in third.
Aidan O’Brien said: “He’s a very good horse and Ryan said he’s not sure he’s ridden a better horse, which is unlike Ryan.
“He was a bit green there early in the straight and it’s a good thing he races a little lazy
as we’re always trying to slow those horses down and get them to relax. It’s easy to wake them up. He’s a proper horse and you know me, I don’t sit on the fence which gets me into trouble, but he has to be the best of our threeyear-olds.”
Moore added: “I think he’s very smart and they have to go and do it and so far he is, long may it continue.
“The others have been winning at a mile and a half, but I think he’s a proper one who has done nothing wrong and has a great record. He really would have the pace to come back to a mile but he’s a big horse out of a Le Havre mare and looking at his pedigree, you would say he has the scope and size to just continue improving.
“There’s plenty of size and substance there and he’s a lovely horse who so far has done nothing wrong.”
Constitution River was bred by Gerard Laboureau.
CALANDAGAN – A HORSE WITH A WILL TO WIN
Calandagan (5g Gleneagles – Calayana, by Sinndar) registered his sixth Group 1 success with a battling win in the Grand Prix de SaintCloud on Sunday.
The Aga Khan Studs homebred was named the world’s best racehorse last year after landing top-level triumphs in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Champion Stakes and Japan Cup.
He returned to action this year with victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, while he made amends for a defeat at Epsom last time out with a brave strike over Group-winning pair Cualificar and Sunly.
Ridden by Mickael Barzalona, the Francis Graffard-trained gelding settled at the rear of the field before making a move over a furlong out. The son of Gleneagles led narrowly to score by a neck at the line.
Graffard said: “ [I’m] delighted with that. I was upset with myself at Epsom and today he was sweating a little bit too much and I can see he was a little bit worried, so I was worried and then at the end of the orders I said to Mickael
forget everything we said – just ride him for himself.
“It doesn’t matter if he’s beaten, we just need to get his confidence back so just ride him for himself and trust in him and that’s what he did. But he’s such a good horse.
“He’s like a greyhound. If you put a rabbit in front of him he’d try to catch it! As soon as he hit the front, like he did in Dubai he just relaxed and like Mickael said his acceleration is so long and he can keep going, accelerating like that for so long. He’s an unbelievable horse.
“He’s got that will to win, that’s very important for these horses, especially at the top level. Mentally I like them to enjoy themselves and I think it was really good for him and hopefully he comes back well, but I think mentally he will be very pleased with himself.”
He added: “The plan was to go back to the King George and we are closer. It’s very hot today so we will see how he comes out of it, but it’s the obvious race for him – he loves Ascot, he loves a mile and a half. Today’s a good day.”
LUKE FERRARIS TO RIDE
AT SHERGAR CUP
Emerging stars Jerry Chau and Luke Ferraris have been selected to join Vincent Ho on the international stage at Ascot on Saturday 08 August when the talented trio will represent Team Hong Kong in the prestigious Shergar Cup and compete against some of the world’s premier jockeys.
Chau and Ferraris, two of the most gifted young riders in the world, were announced on Saturday by The Hong Kong Jockey Club as Ho’s team-mates in horse racing’s equivalent of golf’s illustrious Ryder Cup competition.
Representing Team Hong Kong, Ho, Chau and Ferraris will vie against a host of champion jockeys representing Great Britain & Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World at one of the most famous racecourses in the
world in the annual battle for international glory.
The Shergar Cup is unique on the international racing calendar, with individual skill and national pride forming key elements in search of the ultimate glory, much like the Ryder Cup, where golf’s elite competitors – who traditionally compete as individuals – unite to represent Europe and the United States of America in the teams’ event.
Returning to the esteemed jockeys’ competition for a second time, Ho has the honour of captaining Team Hong Kong after previously helping the Rest of the World team prevail in 2019, when he scored his first winner at Ascot – located west of London in Berkshire, England – aboard Power Of Darkness in the Shergar Cup Mile.
Ho, 36, is one of most decorated graduates from The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s worldrenowned Apprentice Jockeys’ School in 2012. He is the winner of 646 races in Hong Kong and gained widespread recognition through his association with legendary galloper Golden Sixty, a record-breaking force and winner of 10 Group 1 races, each under Ho.
Ho said: “It’s definitely a privilege to represent Team Hong Kong. It’s the first time Team Hong Kong has participated in the Shergar Cup; we’ll definitely do our best to represent Hong Kong. I had a really great experience at Ascot (in 2019). It’s definitely one of the best racecourses in the world.”
Chau is also a product of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School, having graduated in 2021. The 26-year-old is fifth in the current riding
championship, which remains one of the most fiercely competitive rosters in the world, featuring 2017 LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Hugh Bowman, and Zac Purton, second in the current LONGINES World’s Best Jockey standings. Chau leads homegrown riders with 46 wins this season as he pursues the Tony Cruz Award as the season’s leading homegrown rider.
Chau’s first full season in the city saw him accrue a record 58 winners – the most by an apprentice in Hong Kong racing history. His biggest success came in last year’s Gr3 Korea Sprint (1200m, sand) with Self Improvement.
Chau said: “I really want to thank The Hong Kong Jockey Club for the amazing opportunity. It’s a privilege for me to represent Team Hong Kong and I will do my absolute best.”
Jerry Chau captures Group 3 glory with Light Years Charm last month | Credit: HKJC
Luke Ferraris is a two-time South Africa Champion Apprentice (2018/19 & 2019/20) | Credit: HKJC
Luke Ferraris is part of South African racing royalty as the third generation of one of the country’s most distinguished horse racing families.
He grew up in Hong Kong while his father, David Ferraris, trained in the city and handled star galloper Vengeance Of Rain, the 2006/07 Hong Kong Horse of the Year. Luke returned to South Africa in 2017 and was indentured as an apprentice to his South African Hall of Fame grandfather Ormond, one of the nation’s greatest horse racing figures, who trained about 2,600 winners across a 60-plus year period in the sport in South Africa.
The cool-headed 24-year-old, who is ninth in the current standings locally, captured South Africa’s Triple Crown (2021) with Malmoos before returning to Hong Kong to ride full time. He has amassed 164 wins in the city since, including 34 this term.
Ferraris said: “It’s a big privilege to be part of the Hong Kong team and an honour. It’s a well-covered event that should be really interesting this year; I think there’s some good riders going, and to ride at Ascot is a big feat in itself – it looks like a lovely track. Hopefully, we can pull some nice horses and make Hong Kong proud.”
Group 1-winning riders Jamie Melham and Suraj Narredu are also set to compete this year. Both have climbed the pinnacle of horse racing in their home countries of Australia and India, respectively, and return to the Shergar Cup in August, which has seen previous participation from champions including Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and Gerald Mosse.
Adding to the event’s international appeal, the 25th Shergar Cup will be run under the
World Pool banner for the first time. The six-race card will join the global commingling pool’s fixture list, which is powered by over 20 international wagering partners.
Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “The Hong Kong Jockey Club is thrilled to be represented with Team Hong Kong at the 25th running of the Shergar Cup. Joining captain Vincent Ho is the talented duo of Jerry Chau, who graduated from our own Apprentice Jockeys’ School, and Luke Ferraris, a global rising star who has had a long association with Hong Kong racing.
“The introduction of Team Hong Kong reflects Hong Kong’s world-class racing, with the jockeys’ roster in Hong Kong representing the most competitive anywhere on the planet. It is also incredibly exciting to see this year’s Shergar Cup run as part of the World Pool, which is a natural development of our commitment to the continued globalisation of horse racing and the development of premier racing events around the world.”
Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs, Ascot Racecourse, said: “Today’s announcement marks probably the most important milestone in the 25-year history of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.
“To partner with The Hong Kong Jockey Club, who have so kindly organised today’s events, takes the competition to a new level on the world stage. The Hong Kong Jockey Club have unveiled their team, to carry their club colours, against the best jockeys from around the world and I am sure they will perform with distinction.
“We at Ascot are delighted to be staging the first World Pool event outside Group 1 parameters. This completes the portfolio of World Pool feature days at Ascot, which already includes Royal Ascot, King George Day and QIPCO British Champions Day.
“Having launched this global phenomenon with HKJC at Royal Ascot in 2019, this is a proud moment for us. I’d particularly like to thank Dubai Duty Free, our longstanding event sponsors, for their support, which has enabled us to build the competition’s global appeal and popularity over the years.”
The Shergar Cup is an annual team competition.
Riders will carry their team’s silks in races, with points awarded to the first five horses past the winning post: 15 for first, 10 for second, seven for third, five for fourth and three for fifth. The team with the most points at the end of the competition wins, while the Silver Saddle – secured by Hong Kong racing’s own Matthew Chadwick in 2012 and the Hong Kong-based Hugh Bowman in 2025 – goes to the jockey who accumulates the most points.
Andrew Harding (right), Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Nick Smith (left), Director of Racing and Public Affairs, Ascot Racecourse, attend the announcement | Credit: HKJC
YIU PLOTS SUPREME DERBY PATH
Celebrating a quartet with a string of emerging gallopers at Sha Tin on Saturday, Ricky Yiu outlined long-range hopes to contest the 2027 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with Victor Supreme (125lb) after the promising stayer’s crushing victory.
Jubilant after similarly impressive performances from Rising Force, Lucrative Eight and Chill Easy, Yiu said Victor Supreme would be aimed at the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which features the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and the 150th BMW Hong Kong Derby.
“He won by reasonable margin – I thought he was a winning chance by maybe a length or two, but not in this style,” Yiu, Hong Kong Champion Trainer in 2019/20, said of the Super Seth gelding’s four-and-a-half lengths romp in the Class 4 Ip Jug Handicap (1800m) under Vincent Ho.
“He’s an up-and-coming long-distance horse, even a mile is a bit sharp. He’ll be one of the Derby candidates. When the first stage Derby entries open, I’ll put him in. The way he looks, he’ll be a decent stayer.”
Victor Supreme showcases BMW Hong Kong Derby potential with a runaway win at Sha Tin
Yiu won the 2023 BMW Hong Kong Derby with subsequent Hong Kong Triple Crown victor Voyage Bubble.
Taking his season’s tally to 44 wins, Yiu was delighted with the performance of Rising Force (126lb), who confirmed his rich promise with all-the-way success in the Class 2 Li Cup Handicap (1200m) for Zac Purton, earning a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million.
“He won this race like a different horse. That was a great performance by jockey Zac Purton, he rode a very good race. He pinged out of the gate like a bullet, and that’s a big advantage,” Yiu said. “He is a pretty versatile horse. He’s sharp, he’s got natural gate speed – your typical sprinter.
“He might be a horse who’s winning over 100 (rating) because he’s not really exposed yet, he’s only had limited races.”
Lucrative Eight (132lb) landed the Class 4 Chow Silver Plate Handicap (1200m) under Purton despite having to wait for clear running in the straight before powering to a three-length margin over debutant Road To Glory (128lb).
“He (Lucrative Eight) was very naughty going to the gates,” Purton said. “He’s very immature, he might be better next season with blinkers on. Anyway, he’s done a good job, he’s been consistent and I think next season, he’ll show his best.”
Jerry Chau piloted former Irish galloper Chill Easy (133lb) to an easy win in the Class 3 Lee Trophy Handicap (1400m), completing a stellar day for Yiu.
“Jerry said even around horses he’s ever so relaxed and he just kept going. He’s got a very good mindset and maybe next season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he handled the mile,” Yiu said. “To be honest – looking at the runners I had today – I was almost certain that most
of them would run well. Four winners were expected, especially with two of them coming from Zac.”
For all of Yiu’s dominance, Frankie Lor produced the most spectacular winner on the card with Solid State’s (125lb) five-anda-quarter length triumph in the Class 3 Philip Chen Trophy Handicap (1200m) in a striking Hong Kong debut under Alexis Badel, securing a HK$1.5 million PP Bonus.
Winless in seven starts in Australia, where he raced as United States for Chris Waller, the Snitzel gelding surged to the front and gave nothing else a chance while clocking 1m 08.26s.
“I knew he seemed to be a quality horse and a nice individual,” Badel said. “I trialled him in Conghua and he gave me a great feel. He’s done everything correctly in the morning, so I was very confident from gate two.
“I didn’t plan to lead but he began well, and I put him on the rail, used his action. He’s got a lot of speed, big stride and I was surprised to see that he was a maiden in Australia, but he’s obviously a nice horse.”
Lor said: “He’d raced well in Australia, but I think after gelding him, he’s a bit different. In the mornings you could see his barrier trials were good.
“We’ll have to see how many points he gets, but we’ll give him a break for next season. I think 1000m, 1200m and maybe later on 1400m will be suitable for him.”
Francis Lui’s Almighty Warrior (126lb) upset 1.1 favourite Jedi Spurs (128lb) when the Saxon Warrior gelding powered clear to win the Purves Quaich Plate (1200m) for Griffins under Ethan Brown, who completed a race-to-race double on John Size’s Noble Fans (125lb) in the Class 5 Swaine Cup Handicap (1200m).
Ricky Yiu celebrates a four-timer | Credit: HKJC
With six wins across the past five meetings and a total of nine victories overall starting his shortterm stint in April, Brown was delighted with the brace.
“You could say I’m starting to get the hang of it now,” Brown said. “It’s a good way to finish the season, for sure. I’m getting great support and I’m just happy to execute and show them what I’m capable of.”
Lui also struck with Graceful Heart (123lb) and Lyle Hewitson in the Class 4 Arculli Trophy Handicap (1400m) after the Russian Revolution three-year-old crossed from barrier 11 to win comfortably.
Size also completed a double when Noble Deluxe (135lb) scored in the Class 5 Wong Cup
Handicap (1200m, dirt) under Hugh Bowman, propelling the 13-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer to 53 wins for the term, before Pierre Ng’s Healthy Healthy (130lb) burst to victory in the Class 4 Stevenson Cup Handicap (1200m) once Andrea Atzeni found clear running on the gelding.
David Hayes claimed the final dirt race of the season when Bustling City (127lb) blitzed his rivals by four-and-a-half lengths to land the Class 4 Chan Trophy Handicap (1200m) for Brenton Avdulla.
“He’s adjusted to Hong Kong, and he’s started running to his trial ability. He’s trialled well and now he’s put it together in a race, and I expect him to be a good horse next season,” Hayes said.
Ethan Brown prevails with Almighty Warrior at Sha Tin |
– A RIVETING READ NATIONAL DANGER
The
latest Grand National protest group turns violent when their plans to destroy the world’s most famous steeplechase are exposed by racing journalist and amateur jockey Rod Hutchinson.
Hutchinson is lured into a trap and drugged. He comes round to find himself drowning in the sea – his legs are weighted down and the tide is coming in fast. He is rescued only in the nick of time.
The protestors then intensify their threats. A series of anonymous phone calls – ‘You will not live to see the National’ – rattle Hutchinson who has been promised a ride in the great race but fears being knifed in the huge crowds. The threats frighten his pregnant wife even more.
But he goes ahead with his intention to ride his own horse, Brown River, in the Foxhunter Chase over the National fences on the first day of the three-day Aintree meeting. However the protest group are still intent on taking their revenge on the journalist - and they decide to strike at Becher’s Brook.
The tension makes for an exciting read and this is the third racing thriller written by Michael Clower following Riding For A Fall (‘a fast-moving action-packed book well up to the standard of his racing biographies.’ Sporting Post) and Stitched Up. (‘Move over Dick Francis, here is Michael Clower.’ Cape Times).
Clower, despite qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (and being placed first in the UK finals), has been a racing journalist for over 50 years. He started in Kenya where he rode as an amateur against the professionals, winning on three of his first six rides.
He moved to Ireland in 1973 to become a full time racing journalist, starting with The Irish Field. He became Irish correspondent of The Sporting Life and, when that paper closed, he joined the Racing Post and also wrote for The Sunday Times and the Sunday Mirror.
He wrote widely acclaimed biographies of Mick Kinane (The Sporting Life’s racing book of the year), Charlie Swan and the legendary champion hurdler Istabraq.
He ‘retired’ to South Africa and for ten years wrote for the Cape Times. He was South Africa’s Equus Racing Journalist of the Year in 2015.
National Danger is available on Amazon in paperback (R187.21) and on kindle.
THE 130TH THE 130TH
DONE & DUSTED! DONE & DUSTED!
Candiese Lenferna captured the Hollywoodbets Durban July stampede after it was all over.
Save the date for the 131st renewal – Saturday 3 July 2027.
TRAINERS
JOCKEYS
BREEDERS
