06
Kannemeyer, Khaya, Kewl! Prince becomes a King
23 A Day To Remember Saturday 5 July action
48 Time To Reflect
Pace makes the race
94
KZN Yearling Sale
New records
116
On the cover Joy of July! Candiese Lenferna snapped this shot of Hollywoodbets Durban July-winning jockey Craig Zackey embracing Dean Kannemeyer Racing team-member Simthembile Elvis Blayi, who looks after the champion, The Real Prince, on the winner’s podium
Issue: 27/2025
Magnificent Mr Magner No time for retirement!
The Kannemeyer-Khaya Stables relationship has been one of South Africa’s foremost trainer-owner partnerships for close on two decades and the powerful players struck again with their second Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, after Power King won in 2015.
In a feat of training unequalled this season, Milnerton veteran Dean Kannemeyer saddled his personal fourth R5 million Hollywoodbets
Gr1 Durban July winner when the lightly raced
The Real Prince got the better of Snaith’s highprofile 3yo Eight On Eighteen in a humdinger of a finish to the 129th renewal of Africa’s most prestigious race.
A capacity crowd packed the Hollywoodbets
Greyville racecourse on South African racing’s biggest day of the year and the assembled masses warmed to the national anthem and their Marvels Of Mzanzi attire, and definitely weren’t disappointed as a high-class field of eighteen jumped from the 2200m marker amid a roar of approval.
With the much-trumped Eight On Eighteen showing vulnerability in terms of his maturity, Craig Zackey rode a patient race on The Real Prince off a muddling gallop before hitting
the front at the 250m marker and staying on powerfully in the Laidlaw yellow and black flag.
While Eight On Eighteen (2-1) came right back at his senior, Zackey had ridden a pearler and The Real Prince (14-1) dug deep to beat the 3yo by a deceptive quarter length in a time of 134,22 secs.
The Plattner soldier Selukwe (17-2) ran a cracker in third, some 2,40 lengths off the top two, with Royal Victory (20-1) in fourth. Raised at Varsfontein and bred by Khaya Stables, the winner is a full-brother to champion speedster Gimme A Prince and the accomplished Gimmie’s Countess. A son of champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready), he is out of Khaya Stable’s Grade 1 winning star foundation mare Real Princess (Trippi).
What a family this has proven to be since Jehan Malherbe and Dean Kannemeyer bought the champion Real Princess all those years ago!
Trying the trip for the first time since a runaway mile success in February, The Real Prince’s preparation was a master-stroke by Kannemeyer who chose to go straight from his Drill Hall Stakes effort into the July.
There were many doubters- but Kannemeyer proved there is no substitute for experience and horsemanship.
The Real Prince has now won 5 races with 2 places from his 10 starts for stakes of over R3,5 million.
Dean Kannemeyer told the Sporting Post that he was proud of his team and jockey Craig Zackey, and said that Lady Christine Laidlaw deserved the credit as she had been a staunch and loyal supporter over many years.
“Patience and trust in the trainer and his team are key for any owner. Congratulations are due to Khaya Stables and Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe,” concluded Kannemeyer, who won his first July in 2003 with Dynasty, followed by Eyeofthetiger in 2006, and Power King in 2015.
Saturday 5 July 2025 will go down as a memorable day for all of us privileged enough to be at the Theatre Of Champions for the R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July.
Here’s a selection of personalities who dressed for the big occasion!
The dust has settled on the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July, the 129th renewal now consigned to history and cold statistics. It would be fair to say that pace, or the lack thereof, played a huge part in the outcome of the race and played to the strength of the winner The Real Prince, a horse who had yet to race beyond a mile.
The July is the culmination of months of preparation, determination and the heart-felt desire to win an event which is still considered the holy grail of South African racing, so hats off to trainer Dean Kannemeyer for a masterful training feat,
given that his fourth July winner’s preparation consisted of a single race, the Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, where he ran fourth.
Furthermore, The Real Prince’s pedigree suggested that there were valid doubts about him seeing out the 2200m trip.
His sire Gimmethegreenlight was a miler pure and simple, while his dam Real Princess won the Gr1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint and ran third in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint. She has now produced two Gr1 winners to the champion sire, the first being triple Gr1 winning sprinter Gimme A Prince, who in addition to landing the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint, also claimed two renewals of the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship.
The immediate pedigree screams ‘miler’, for none of Real Princess’s siblings won beyond that distance, most notably Gr1 Cape Guineas hero William Longsword and
Silver God, who landed the Wolf Power 1600, while Really Royal captured the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes over 1400m.
Horses tend to make fools of us all, and we are sure there were many who wagered that hot favourite Eight On Eighteen was the proverbial penalty kick. Just goes to show that there is no thing as a racing certainty.
We believe he was beaten by a miler who flashed his superior turn of foot when it mattered most. Beaten in a head-bobbing thriller, the colt lost nothing in defeat though and will live to fight another day.
Considering that the winning time was almost three seconds outside the race record set by Trademark in 2001, who knows what impact a genuine pace would have made on the result. For breeders Varsfontein it proved to be another champagne day.
The newest Durban July winner was foaled and raised at the farm and finally provided resident champion Gimmethegreenlight with a first winner of the showpiece race, given that he had come close on three previous occasions with Got The Greenlight (second in 2020 and third a year later) and Bless My Stars (third in 2023).
The farm earned further bragging rights with wins from two exceptional fillies. First there was Port Elizabeth star juvenile Anotherdanceforme who lived up to all the pre-race hype and duly streaked to victory in the Splashout Gr2 Golden Slipper, in the process stretching her unbeaten record to five from five.
Sired by resident stallion Master Of My Fate, she is a grandaughter of Broodmare of the
Year Akinfeet, whose dam Dance Every Dance won the Gr2 Post Golden Slipper in 1995. That race has since become the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes and was won by another of Akinfeet’s grandaughter, Anything Goes in 2020, which earned her an Equus Award as the season’s Champion Juvenile filly.
A Gr1 success and a possible championship title will no doubt tempt trainer Alan Greeff and owner Peter Moor to have a crack at the mile race at the end of the month.
Fellow Varsfontein-bred Double Grand Slam, already a Gr1 winner of the Cape Paddock Stakes, completed the day on a high note when she added the Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes, with jockey Andrew Fortune saluting the crowd 50m from the winning post. Double Grand Slam is a daughter of Vercingetorix, who continues to forge ahead in the General Sires standings. While last year’s winner Oriental Charm was unable to give his sire a back-to-back July success, it proved to be another good day at the office for the Maine Chance standout, his progeny
claiming three black type events, and four overall.
In addition to Double Grand Slam’s Garden Province success, juvenile son Chronicle King overcame a rough trip to become his sire’s newest stakes winner in the Omoda Gr2 Golden Horseshoe, while the year older grey Zeitz added the Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap to his previous Gr3 Politician Stakes success. Four-year-old daughter Tomyris rounded out her sire’s quartet with a hard-fought victory against male rivals over 1600m.
Coming back to The Real Prince - he is not the first July winner to silence the critics who doubted his stamina. We are sure many readers will remember In Full Flight. Affectionately called I’Kunzu by the stablehands, meaning ‘the leader’ or ‘the bull’ in IsiZulu, this brilliant colt likewise was unproven beyond a mile when he lined up for the 1972 July, yet proceeded to skate in by almost two lengths.
The Real Prince, winner of Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, provided his sire Gimmethegreenlight with a notable landmark.
The gelding is Gimmethegreenlight’s first Durban July winner, with the Varsfontein resident having previously been responsible for July placed runners Got The Greenlight (twice) and Bless My Stars.
Gimmethegreenlight, whose champion son Green With Envy was the beaten favourite in the 2024Hollywoodbets July, was represented by two runners in this year’s race.
South Africa’s Champion Sire on three occasions, Gimmethegreenlight is a son of the remarkable late stallion More Than Ready (Southern Halo).
More Than Ready was one of a handful of elite stallions to enjoy tremendous success at stud in both hemispheres. He sired 233 stakes winners, and was responsible for 13 Gr1 winners in the Northern Hemisphere and a further 14 top level winners in the Southern Hemisphere.
Perhaps the true testimony to the versatility and consistency of More Than Ready as a stallion is that he was Leading Sire of 2yo’s in the USA in 2010 and Leading Sire of 2yo’s in Australia in both 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.
More Than Ready also claimed the title of Hong Kong’s Leading Broodmare Sire of 2021-2022, thanks in part to the deeds of his top-class grandson Wellington, who was produced by More Than Ready mare Mihiri.
More Than Ready, whose progeny include a pair of Gr1 Golden Slipper winners, as well as seven Breeders’ Cup winners, continues to make his presence felt as both a sire of sires and broodmare sire.
Among his sons to have sired Gr1 winners are Gimmethegreenlight, Sebring, Daredevil, Verrazano, Better Than Ready, Prized Icon, and Custom For Carlos.
More Than Ready mares have produced more than 200 stakes winners, including 2024 Gr1 Lexus Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice, and fellow top-level winners Carl Spackler, Rebel Dane, Shinzo, and Bivouac.
His Gr2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winning daughter More Than Real is the granddam of Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot.
While Gimmethegreenlight was his sire’s best representative in South Africa, More Than Ready was also responsible for a number of other high-class performers in this country.
His daughter Entisaar was Equus Champion 2yo Filly of 2014-2015 and won three of four starts at two, including the 2015 Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship.
More Than Ready’s other local graded stakes winners, the aforementioned Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winning Gimmethegreenlight aside, included Ektifaa and Readytogorightnow. Another smart local runner by the late sire was Banaadeer, winner of two of four starts in South Africa, including the Listed Storm Bird Stakes.
More Than Ready’s top-class sire son Sebring made his mark as a broodmare sire in South Africa, with Sebring’s blue blooded daughter Circle Of Speed the dam of 2022 Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes winner Full Velocity (Philanthropist).
Coincidentally, More Than Ready ran second to Trippi, broodmare sire of the 2025 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July winner, in the 2000 Gr1 Vosburgh Stakes.
With Gimmethegreenlight joined by a growing number of sons at stud, and More Than Ready’s Gr1 winning son Hit The Road standing at Ridgemont, it appears that More Than Ready is set to continue to make his presence felt in South Africa for years to come.
The Real Prince has earned a revised official merit rating of 125, up from 120, following his thrilling victory in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July, contested over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville this past Saturday.
This was a notable achievement from The Real Prince, as he had previously never raced beyond 1600m, and in fact, his pre-rating of 120 was earned exclusively over shorter trips.
In handicapping terms, The Real Prince transitioned from the miler aptitude category to the longer-distance category and did so with a resolute win.
To structure distance aptitude assessments, Handicappers often refer to the S.M.I.L.E.
acronym:
S Intermediate 1000m - 1300m
M Mile 1301m - 1899m
I Intermediate 1900m - 2100m
L Long 2101m - 2700m
E Extended 2701m and above
In determining the updated ratings, the Handicappers unanimously selected Royal Victory, the ever-reliable fourth-place finisher, as the line horse, leaving him at a rating of 125.
This approach also validated Madison Valley’s performance, as the fifth-place finisher ran precisely to his mark of 115, effectively making him a second line horse.
Eight On Eighteen, the gallant runner-up, reaffirmed his Daily News 2000 merit rating of 129 with a spirited performance. He finished narrowly behind the winner and 2.60 lengths ahead of the 125-rated Royal Victory, while carrying 2kg less.
• Base: MR 125 (Royal Victory, line horse)
• +4 MR points: Margin ahead of the line horse (2.60 lengths = 4 MR points), applying the length distance factor over 2200m
• – 4 MR points: Weight difference as per race conditions (in receipt of 2kg)
• +4 MR points: Weight-for-Age adjustment (3yold WFA allowance in July over 2200m)
• Performance Rating: 129 – Final
Selukwe was the only other runner to receive a merit rating increase, moving from 111 to 115, justified by his under-sufferance position of 2kg going into the race.
All other participants maintained their prior ratings, with the sole exception of Purple Pitcher, whose merit rating was marginally reduced from 122 to 121.
Double Grand Slam has retained her official merit rating of 122 following her fluent win in the Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes, run over 1600m under Weight-For-Age conditions for fillies and mares at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
As the joint top-rated runner going into the race, and having performed to expectations, she was duly used by the Handicappers as the line horse to guide the assessment of the field.
Two fillies received merit rating increases following the outcome of the race. Mon Petit Cherie, the runner-up who finished just 0.80 lengths behind the 122-rated line horse under Weight-For-Age conditions, was raised from 113 to 120.
Meanwhile, Just Be Lekker, who ran a strong fourth and finished 3 lengths behind the winner, had her rating lifted from 109 to 116, reflecting the quality of her performance relative to the line horse.
Two horses received merit rating decreases: VJ’s Angel dropped from 116 to 114, and Beating Wings received a slight adjustment, going down from 113 to 112.
I Am Giant has had his merit rating increased from 116 to 119 following his victory in the Post Gr3 Merchants over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
In assessing the race, the Handicappers identified Outlaw King, who finished fifth, as the most appropriate line horse; accordingly, his rating remains unchanged at 110.
The following horses also received merit rating increases:
O’tenikwa: from 115 to 118
Buffalo Storm Cody: from 112 to 113
Merit rating reductions were allocated to:
Questioning: from 124 to 123
Royal Aussie: from 122 to 120
The official merit rating for King Pelles has been adjusted upward from 112 to 118 following his impressive victory in the Durban Gr3 Gold Vase over 3000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The Handicappers were unanimous in selecting Shoot The Rapids, who finished fourth, as the line horse; his rating remains unchanged at 112.
warranted a higher rating; however, his increase was capped at 118, in accordance with race conditions that limit adjustments to 6 points for winners and 3 points for placed runners.
Holding Thumbs (runner-up): raised from 108 to 110
Ahead Of The Facts (third): increased from 83 to 86; however, his performance was capped by the same restriction despite meriting a significantly higher figure.
Future Swing received the only rating decrease in this event, dropping from 117 to 115.
Otto Luyken has had his merit rating increased from 114 to 116 following his win in the Magical Zulu Kingdom Gr3 2200 over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Due to interference affecting multiple runners in the closing stages, the Handicappers opted to assess the race using the lowest possible route.
Navajo Nation (runner-up) was selected as the line horse, retaining his rating of 104.
King Pelles delivered a performance that
Further increases:
Johnny The Thief: from 92 to 94 (ran 2.2 lengths behind the line horse while 4 points under sufferance and carrying an extra 0.5kg)
Count Huhtikuu: from 91 to 95 (ran 2.75 lengths behind while 9 points under sufferance)
The following horses were reduced by one point each:
Blackberry Malt: 98 → 97
Thunee Playa: 104 → 103
Hotarubi: 109 → 108
Premier Gateway International Listed Thukela Handicap
Zeitz has had his merit rating raised from 97 to 101 following his victory in the Premier Gateway International Listed Thukela Handicap over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The third-place finisher, Claw, was used as the line horse and remains on 94.
Underworld (runner-up): increased from 109 to 111
Rating drops:
Rapidash: 108 → 107
King Regent: 114 → 112
Choisaanada has had his merit rating increased from 106 to 112 following his victory in the 4Racing Gr3 Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein Standside on Sunday, completing a clean sweep of the Highveld Winter Series.
The Handicappers used the third-place finisher, Musical Score, as the line horse, whose rating remains unchanged at 112.
Although Choisaanada delivered a performance deserving of a higher rating, his merit was capped at 112 in accordance with the race conditions, which permit a maximum increase of 6 points for the winner and do not allow rating increases for placed horses.
No other changes were made to the ratings of the remaining runners.
Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 08 July 2025.
The Hollywoodbets Durban July pre-party hosted by the big race sponsors at Springfield Park on the Thursday evening prior to raceday has become an institution on the racing calendar in the build-up week.
After a humdinger finish to the Hollywoodbets Durban July an hour earlier, SA champion jockey Richard Fourie had to settle for second again as Andrew Fortune produced some showmanship from the saddle with the fancied Double Grand Slam scoring a popular victory in the R1,5 million Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes.
Fourie is retained jockey to leading breeders Ridgemont, who also sponsor the prestigious fairer sex mile. And at the 300m it looked like another dream result was on the cards for the Robertson
nursery as Rafeef daughter Mon Petit Cherie swept into the lead. after Ridgemont-breds went 1-2 in the 2024 renewal.
Putting the traffic issues of the SA Fillies Sprint well behind her, Double Grand Slam (15-10) finished powerfully under a delighted Andrew Fortune to clock 96,02 secs for the mile and beat the outstanding 3yo WSB Fillies Guineas winner Mon Petit Cherie (11-2) by 0,80 lengths.
The ever consistent Rascova (5-1) ran a typically game race in third and 1,40 lengths further back, with Just Be Lekker (33-1) capping the quartet as she lifted her game.
Winning jockey Andrew Fortune produced the entertainment, beckoning to the crowd and quipped afterwards: “Four months ago, who would have thought I’d be riding a Grade 1 winner for Snaith on Hollywoodbets Durban July day?”
Full marks to the Stipes for cutting the former champion some slack when it came to his salute a few yards before the line. But Fortune didn’t escape
the attention of the men in suits who fined him R2000 for removing his skull cap twice on entering the winner’s enclosure.
A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase, Double Grand Slam is raced by Dave Maclean, Drakenstein Stud and Gary Player, and was bred by Varsfontein, who enjoyed a terrific feature performing day. Double Grand Slam is by Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the two-time winning Captain Al mare Princess Peach.
Double Grand Slam has now registered two Grade 1 successes in her eight races with 7 places from 18 starts for stakes of R2 973 713.
In Time Is Money this week, we look at some of Saturday’s standouts at the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July meeting.
An important scientific complimentary tool of the trade for punters and racing enthusiasts, sectional timing data can enhance both the form study and horseracing viewing experience on both KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape race meetings.
Hollywoodbets Greyville 5 July
Track Condition
Going: Good to Soft (turf) –Standard (poly)
Penetrometer: 24 (turf)
Rain: Last 24 hours 4mm –Last 7 days 4mm
Irrigation (turf): Last 24 hours Nil –Last 7 days 15mm
False Rail: Turf: races 3-6 rail 7,5m –races 7-11 spur 2m
Wind: 10-20km/h North Easterly head wind
Course Variant: Turf 0,43s slowPoly 0,21s slow
Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July 2200m
Initially there was no pace on when leaving the stalls and it was only approaching the first bend that last year’s winner Oriental Charm gained a soft lead and injected some speed.
The pace was then considerably quicker than the other two falsely run distance races, but with Oriental Charm pulling, and having to be restrained under tight a hold on several occasions, it visibly wasn’t a fast run race. Indeed, just three and a half lengths covered the majority as the field fanned out for a sprint at the top of the home straight.
To the roar of the crowd the favourite Eight on Eighteen struck the front 400m from home and at that point it looked as if he would run out a comfortable winner.
The actual winner THE REAL PRINCE had tracked Eight On Eighteen throughout though, and moved up to challenge shortly after passing the 200m marker.
Both ran on strongly in the closing stages of the race and in what proved to be a real thriller, the Gimmethegreenlight gelding got the verdict by a head.
King for the day, The Real Prince has now won five of his ten career starts and handed title chasing jockey Craig Zackey his first win in this prestigious event.
Although this was run 0,23 seconds slower than the listed Premier Gateway Handicap, it was nonetheless run at a reasonable pace. Rascova made the running whilst the heavily supported winner DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (7/2 into 15/10) raced some five lengths away in eighth.
Confidently ridden by Andrew Fortune, the daughter of Vercingetorix soon began to reel them in early in the home straight and took up the running 150m out. Running on from towards the rear Mon Petit Cherie finished strongly after
switching out 350m from home, but when asked for more Double Grand Slam did then have that one held at the finish.
By far the faster of the two features for juveniles was the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe won by the biggest priced winner on the card CHRONICLE KING. Freely available at 33/1 on the off, the Gauteng raider was always handy.
He was ridden to lead as they approached the 100m marker and won going away from the second and third placed horses. One to follow from this race is Aristocratic (scalp wound left hind) who finished fourth.
A facile winner of his only previous racecourse appearance, Dean Kannemeyer’s charge had to be hooded at the start, and then not the quickest leaving the stalls he was squeezed out. He then met with serious interference on more than one occasion in the first half of the race and was easily seven lengths off the pace rounding the home turn. He ran on strongly over the final 400m and did well to get within 2,3 lengths of the winner.
Run in a time over a second slower than the Golden Horseshoe, the Golden Slipper was won by the Eastern Cape raider ANOTHERDANCEFORME. Yet another graded juvenile winner on the road for trainer Alan Greeff, this lightly raced daughter of Master Of My Fate raced seventh some 4,5 lengths off a moderate pace set by the listed Devon Air Stakes winner Quickstepgal.
She quickened in good style early in the straight and despite shifting badly halfway across the course as she took up the running 200m out, won going away by a length and a half.
The trainer of the runner up launched an objection after the race. In the view of the board though, this objection had no prospects of success and consequently it was overruled, and the deposit was forfeited.
The only sprint race to take place on the turf at the meeting was the Gr3 Post Merchants and here we saw a smart performance from the Querari gelding I AM GIANT. There wasn’t much initial pace and going into the bend the field was
tightly bunched and there was a lot of scrimmaging.
Cruise Control then took up the running and the pace quickened considerably. That effort took its toll early in the straight though and going through the 300m there were plenty with chances.
Stuart Ferrie’s charge meanwhile had always been well positioned just three and a half lengths off the pace and quickened nicely when given rein. He struck the front 60m from home and went on to score a tad more cosily than the official three quarters of a length would suggest.
Known as the July Consolation race, the Gr3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200m was the first of the seven graded events on the card to be run and here victory went to the James Crawford trained OTTO LUYKEN.
Allowed to drift out to 25/2 from 6/1 at the track, the son of Flower Alley was positioned in sixth some four lengths off the pace in a slow run race. The unfancied Navajo Nation was the first to make a move in the straight, and he did find extra when challenged by the winner 150m out.
Otto Luyken clearly had his measure below the distance though, and asserting his authority late on, won a little more easily than the official margin of a neck would suggest. This race was run 2,59 seconds slower than the July.
Run in a time close to eight seconds outside the course record, the Gold Vase proved to be a very false paced affair. The 20/1 shot Mo Ment made the running and they went particularly slowly in the first half of the race.
The winner King Pelles raced just four lengths behind the leader for most of the journey and always perfectly positioned to strike was cleverly asked to quicken by former champion jockey S’manga Khumalo 600m out. He circled runners quickly at that point and struck the front 400m from home.
The always handy Holding Thumbs ran on strongly in the closing stages of the race, but in what proved to be a repeat of the Gr3 Tote Derby last time out, the Duke Of Marmalade gelding beat that one again quite comfortably.
Just 26/100th of a second separated the winners of the two 1200m poly track races that opened up proceedings and in the faster of these, a class 4 event for fillies & mares, the easy to back RUGGER LOVER registered her third career victory.
Freely available at 14/1 on the off, this daughter of What A Winter raced third from the back for most of the trip. She ran on best of all in the straight and under a well-judged ride from Sean Veale, she got up 50m from home.
Rugger Lover recorded the fastest 400m to finish time on the afternoon of the three races on the poly track.
A bumper crowd turned out in full force at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse for the running of this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, as tens of thousands of fashionistas, racing enthusiasts, and culture lovers came together in true Mzansi style.
Celebrating one of the biggest events on the South African social calendar, those attending were blown away by the ‘Marvels of Mzansi theme inspired designs that provided a spectacular explosion of colour, creativity, and culture.
From fashion to fascinators, racegoers and designers embraced every inch of South Africa’s rich heritage. Bold ensembles pushed the limits of conventional design, while other under-stated creations provided the crowds with entertainment all day long.
On course, in a thrilling duel to the line,
The Real Prince was crowned king at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Ridden by Craig Zackey and trained by Dean Kannemeyer, The Real Prince narrowly got the better of race favourite Eight On Eighteen in the main race.
Third was Selukwe with Royal Victory finishing strongly for fourth.
His rivals had no answer as The Real Prince fought off Eight On Eighteen who was attempting to become the first three-year-old to
win the Gr1 WSB Cape Met and the July in the same season.
At the vibrant Infield Pulse Stage, the Raceday Fashion competitions, open to the public, took centre stage. Entrants dazzled in the four different categories: Most Striking Couple, Classic Racewear – Female, Classic Racewear – Male, and Exceptional Raceday Hat or Fascinator.
Invited Designers and judges Kathrin Kidger, Sandile “The Duke” Mngadi, and Vuyisile Ngobese, public relations officer of Hollywood Foundation, had their work cut out for them, choosing winners from a pool of exceptional talent.
With prizes of up to R5 000 in cash and R2 500 Gateway Theatre of Shopping gift cards, the stakes were sky-high for entrants looking to claim their moment in the spotlight.
Durban designer Pregasen Govender, made a comeback after six years with designs inspired by the Indian Ocean, traditional jewelry,
Japanese influences, and local flora.
“Durban’s greatness lies in its beaches and its culture,” he said. “My designs are a celebration of that unique blend.”
The spotlight also shone on South Africa’s next generation of talent with the much-anticipated Hollywoodbets Young Designer Awards. Cheers and joyful tears echoed across the venue as Andile Cele from uMgungundlovu TVET College, was crowned the winner.
Her Ndebele-inspired design, influenced by global icon Dr Esther Mahlangu, captured the
judges’ hearts and set a new benchmark for student creativity. “I am flabbergasted,” said an emotional Cele. “This is beyond amazing.”
As the sun set over Hollywoodbets Greyville, one thing was clear: the Hollywoodbets Durban July continues to be more than just a day at the races.
It’s a vibrant canvas for South African style, talent, and spirit to shine, year after unforgettable year.
From power couples with bold designs, to individual elegance, and eye-catching accessories – there was a category for all to shine.
Stepping into the spotlight, entrants took to the Infield Pulse stage in four dazzling categories:
• Most Striking Couple,
• Classic Racewear – Female,
• Classic Racewear – Male, and
• Exceptional Raceday Hat or Fascinator.
With prizes including R5 000 in cash and a R2 500 gift card from Gateway Theatre of Shopping for each first-place winner, the stakes were high. It was everyone’s dream runway moment.
The category winners were:
• Exceptional Raceday Hat:
1 Nirvana Nolene
• Classic Racewear Male:
1 Mnotho Ngema;
2 Siphesihle Mkhize;
3 Athenkosi Mfungula
• Classic Racewear Female:
1 Happiness Mkhwanazi;
2 Ciara Mikkelsen;
3 Nomonde Langa
• Most Striking Couple:
1 Pamela Shabane and Larnelle Maddocks;
2 Kevin Ellis and Gareth Greaves;
3 Kish Ramdewu and Cherilee Thangalan
On a memorable day for champion Paarl nursery Varsfontein Stud, Anotherdanceforme, a daughter of their homebred stallion Master Of My Fate and bred at the beautiful farm, maintained her impeccable record with a career-best performance to win the R500 000 SplashOut Gr2 Golden Slipper.
Trained by Gqeberha-based Alan Greeff, who has enjoyed a terrific season across South Africa, Anotherdanceforme stormed home under Richard Fourie to land the Golden Slipper by 1,40 lengths, despite hanging badly and racing green.
Starting at 33-20, Anotherdanceforme beat local star Quickstepgal (7-2) by 1,40 lengths and clocked 86,99 secs for the 1400m.
Summerveld local Wendy Whitehead would have been thrilled with the showing of her charge Limitless Sky (50-1), who was a further 1,60 lengths away in third.
After what felt like a length delay, the objection hooter sounded as trainer Tienie Prinsloo objected on behalf of the runner-up on the grounds of late stage interference.
The Stipes reported that the winner showed a tendency to hang in shortly after entering the straight. At the 150m, approaching the shadow cast by the grandstand, Anotherdanceforme commenced to hang in badly and consequently Quickstepgal, Green Diamond, Captains Envy and Educator were carried inwards and Princess Keira was also steadied and switched outwards to continue her run.
The Objection Board, after carefully considering the evidence that was tendered during the objection proceedings, established that Anotherdanceforme had trailed Quickstepgal until the 300m, had raced clear, despite hanging in badly, and that the margin between these two horses was 1,40 lengths.
It was the view of the Board that the Prinsloo objection had no prospects of success and consequently it was over-ruled and the deposit was forfeited.
Interesting to note that winning jockey Richard Fourie stated during the objection proceedings that Anotherdanceforme had exhibited greenness in running. This was, after all, her first race away from her home base and that the filly had seen a shadow in the closing stages of the race and had commenced to hang in
despite his best efforts to keep her on a straight course. The Stewards accepted his explanation and took no further action in this regard.
So probably a fair outcome for owner Peter Moor!
Bred by Varsfontein, Anotherdanceforme had previously won the Listed World Sports Betting Dahlia Plate and Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery.
Anotherdanceforme is a full-sister to Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes winner Princess Izzy, and was a R650 000 buy from the 2024 National Yearling Sale.
She is out of the What A Winter mare Destiny Dancer and has now won 5 from 5 for stakes of R600 633. She looks one to follow!
Randjesfontein trainer Candice Dawson pulled off something of a giantkilling act at a buzzing Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday when her Vercingetorix colt Chronicle King became his sire’s 60th stakes winner when scoring a decisive victory in the R750 000 Omoda Gr2 Golden Horseshoe.
Suggesting the 1400m contest was a scrappy affair is understating matters, with Chronicle King and Muzi Yeni emerging to score after a ‘brawl’ with Smanga Khumalo and eventual third-placer Tin Pan Alley at the 300m marker.
The Stipes reported that they have opened an Inquiry into the incident in which the winner was bumped on at least three occasions and carried inwards by Tin Pan Alley, with severe interference caused to the apparent perpetrator, Elegantrix, Count Of Rouen and Charming Cheetah.
In the end, loyal owner John Finlayson won’t be unhappy that his Narrow Creek Stud-bred galloper, despite running green, bounded home in promising fashion at 33-1 to clock 85,91 secs and beat the highly vaunted Malmesbury Missile (18-10) by 1,10 lengths.
Tin Pan Alley (4-1) stayed on his feet to run a creditable third a further half length back, with Dean Kannemeyer’s recent debut winner Aristocratic (10-1) overcoming early traffic issues to run a very decent fourth.
Chronicle King, who is out of the three-time winning Western Winter mare Written, has won two of just four starts and took his stakes earnings to R535 876.
He is the second son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) to win the Golden Horseshoe, with the latter’s champion son Cousin Casey, currently on his way to stud, victorious in the 2022 renewal.
Querari’s good son I Am Giant’s career best performance in winning the R500 000 Gr3 Post Merchants under the lights at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday evening marked his sire’s 44th individual stakes winner and also put the seal on a hefty Pick 6 payout of R678 562.
Having his second start for Summerveld trainer Stuart Ferrie, and also his second after a rest since relocating from the James Crawford yard, the 5yo gelding scythed through the centre under Sean Veale at 25-1 to beat Lucinda Woodruff’s smart 3yo filly Mai Sensation (10-1) by three quarters of a length in a time of 70,65 secs for the 1200m.
The consistent O Tenikwa (7-2) maintained his honest form 0,20 lengths back in third, with the 33-10 favourite Buffalo Storm Cody capping the quartet.
Third in the 2024 Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint, I Am Giant was originally purchased for R350 000 off the BSA August 2yo Sale and acquired in-training by Hollywood Racing.
Now a winner of 5 races with 8 places from 18 starts, I Am Giant took his stakes earnings to R852 313.
Bred by AC Dickerson, the winner is out of the Var mare Vars Honour, and his victory here means he is the second son of Querari to win the Post Merchants after his paternal half-brother Kangaroo Jack won the same race back in 2016.
South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2yo’s in 20182019, Querari is currently fifth on the General Sires premiership with his flagbearers this season headed by the very smart Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Cosmic Speed.
I Am Giant found his best form on Saturday when winning the R500 000 Gr3 Post Merchants. The son of Querari was turned out in fine fettle by Stuart Ferrie, for whom he was having his second start.
The 5yo is also a mobile billboard for the love and care dispensed by Nicole Wille and the Hollywoodbets Life After Racing initiative which is based at Ashburton and was established in 2021.
Hollywoodbets Life After Racing was launched as a support platform for the Hollywood Racing horses upon their retirement from the racetrack.
“My role is to ensure that via Hollywoodbets Life After Racing every Hollywood Racing horse and retiree is provided with the best possible chance of having the best life after racing. My primary goal is to show the nonracing community of equestrians that we really do care a great deal about our horses and always want to see them have the best life in and out of racing.”
Nicole told the Sporting Post on Monday that I Am Giant arrived from the Crawford yard at Randjesfontein in early February.
“He wasn’t performing as his normal self in Johannesburg. James Crawford reported him being sick often and that was why he wasn’t at his best. When he arrived his coat was a bit dull and he was generally lacklustre in his demeanour - obviously all from being unwell. He spent 10 weeks with us. In that time he was treated for ulcers and given immune boosters. Overall he just got some time out in the sunshine and green grass,” explains Nicole proudly.
After some time off the team started working him on the treadmill.
“I find this a very good tool to build muscle up correctly without a rider. Once he was strong and feeling better we did some track work to get him going. When we were happy with his condition and health he went off to Stuart Ferrie to get ready for the Durban season. He received plenty of physio sessions in between to help him feel good,” says Nicole, who gave Megan Trott a big high five.
“Megan was a big help with this horse as she did most of his treadmill work with him and I must compliment my amazing team of Grooms for their top class care of all of our horses. I Am Giant underwent a big change in his time with us and it showed in his performance improvement. His class came through and he is such a gentleman with a genuine will to please attitude. We are so thrilled!”
James Crawford enjoyed an omen ahead of Oriental Charm’s defence of his crown in the Hollywoodbets Durban July a few hours later on when Otto Luyken stormed home in the Bortz aquamarine and grey silks to win the consolation race, the R300 000 Magical Zulu Kingdoom Gr3 2200, at a filled to capacity Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The recent Listed Pocket Power Stakes winner produced a strong late run, and despite hanging in had enough in the tank to score under Sporting Post rider Louis Mxothwa.
Otto Luyken (25-2) beat the gutsy Navajo Nation (25-1) by 0,20 lengths in a time of 136,81secs for the 2200m.
Magic Verse (9-2), who runs in the same silks as the winner out of the Snaith yard, was a further 1,60 lengths back.
The tote favourite The Equator never showed and ran last in his first run after a long break since being imported.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Otto Luyken, who is a R180 000 BSA Cape Yearling Sale graduate, has won 5 of 27 runs with 12 places for R869 349.
A son of Flower Alley (Distorted Humor), Otto Luyken is out of the Ideal World mare Laurel Cherry.
In an impressive follow-up on his Tote Derby victory three weeks earlier, Gareth van Zyl’s King Pelles stamped himself a genuine Gold Cup prospect with a fluent win in the R300 000 Durban Gr3 Gold Vase at a sold-out Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The 3000m contest jumps at the 200m marker in front of the crowd and proved a spectacle both visually and on the track, as Smanga Khumalo brought King Pelles (9-4) down the
outside with a sustained run to clock 193,10 secs and beat the hard-working Holding Thumbs (8-1) by 3 lengths in a popular opener to the carryover Pick 6.
Justin Snaith’s Ahead Of The Facts (9-2) ran out of his skin with Muzi Yeni declaring a half kilo over as he stayed on in third a further 1,60 lengths back. His merit rating adjustment is awaited with some interest.
Raced in partnership by Lucky Vest 12 CC (Nom:Ravi Padayachee), Messrs Dave MacLean, Gary Player & N V Parmanand, the athletic chestnut King Pelles was chosen by the astute Gavin Van Zyl and purchased for R475 000 off the BSA National Yearling Sale.
Now a winner of 6 races with 7 places from 21 starts, King Pelles has earned R909 070. Bred by Drakenstein Stud, the winner is a son of the champion farm’s late stallion Duke Of Marmalade out of the four-time winning Galileo mare, Grail Maiden (AUS).
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Maine Chance Farms’ stallion Vercingetorix proved a dominant force on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, with the Sabine Plattner grey Zeitz rounding off a feature treble for the sought-after stallion.
The champion son of Silvano sired three feature winners on Saturday, courtesy of Chronicle King, Double Grand Slam and Zeitz winning the Omoda Gr2 Golden Horseshoe, Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes and Listed Premier Gateway International Handicap, respectively.
Winner of the City Of Cape Town Gr3 Politician Stakes earlier in the season, the Andre Nel trained Zeitz (33-20) was given a finely timed ride by Serino Moodley as he moved through from 5 lengths off the gallop to stay on too strongly for the accomplished Underworld (7-2) by 0,60 lengths in a time of 95,79 secs for the mile.
Highveld raider Claw (8-1) was a further 1,50 lengths back in third, with the 9-2 shot I Salute You crowning the quartet.
Bred by Maine Chance Farms out of the once winning Redoute’s Choice mare Zappy Choice, and owned by Sabine Plattner, Zeitz has won 3 of 9 starts with 4 places and stakes of R482 101. He was purchased for R625 000 off the National Yearling Sale.
The victory was a welcome compensation for the Rondeberg-based stable’s soldier Selukwe, who earlier ran a cracking third behind The Real Prince and Eight On Eighteen in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
A SUPER SATURDAY FOR
Congratulations to the winners of the MUST BE WON prize in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Punters’ Challenge.
They took home a share of the R500 000 prize pool after dominating the competition with 7 out of 12 winners on the day.
A Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud-bred full-sister to the exciting Quickstepgal was the topseller as the curtain came down on a well-attended BSA KZN Yearling Sale held on Thursday at the Suncoast Casino complex on the eve of the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Set to be crowned our Champion Sire for the current season, Vercingetorix has enjoyed another outstanding term with his numerous flagbearers including the likes of Double Grand Slam, Mia Moo, Greaterix, Oriental Charm, Spumante Dolce and Garrix.
It was not surprising to see the enthusiastic demand for the son of Silvano’s sole offspring in the 202 lot catalogue, with Jonathan Snaith sealing the winning bid, the hammer falling at R1,3 million.
Aptly named V Squared, lot 202 is out of Victoriana, a Gr3 placed half-sister to champion Hammie’s Hooker and 3/4 sister to dual Gr3 winner Gem King. Her full-sister Quickstepgal won the Gr3 Tote Strelitzia Stakes recently and is fancied to make it four on the trot in the SplashOut Gr2 Golden Slipper on Saturday.
“We believe she was the standout filly on the sale, both in terms of pedigree and conformation, and she was beautifully presented by Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud,” a delighted Jono Snaith told the Sporting Post, pointing out that he had loved her sister, Quickstepgal, who sold for R450 000 on the 2024 renewal of the July week sale.
“We are thrilled to have her sibling, who we hope will follow in her footsteps. Quickstepgal looks like the filly to beat in the Gr2 Splashout Golden Slipper on Saturday, which would significantly enhance her pedigree,” he added.
Showing no big race nerves ahead of Saturday’s date with destiny for their stable star Eight On Eighteen, Snaith pointed out that with their former Grade 1 champion Double Superlative standing in KZN, they would like to support local breeders more.
“They are incredibly important to our horse population and truly wonderful people. Bloodstock SA was, as always, accommodating and made the experience pleasant for all their customers,” he concluded.
Snaith was the top buyer on aggregate, his 6 lots costing R2 825 000 at an average of R470 833.
Overall the sale produced a pleasing record aggregate of R44 725 000 and a record median of R180 000, the 195 lots producing an average of R229 359.
On the sire’s table, Ridgemont’s Redoute’s Choice crackerjack Rafeef sold his 8 lots for a chart-topping aggregate of R4 385 000, at an average of R548 125.
Hermanus nursery Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud enjoyed one of their best sales in years, their 12 selling for an aggregate of R6 290 000, at an average of R524 167.
Please click here for the full price-list.
Ridgemont’s boom Redoute’s Choice stallion Rafeef enjoyed very pleasing results at last Thursday’s KZN Yearling.
The former Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner ended the day as the Leading Sire by Aggregate.
Rafeef had eight yearlings on offer, with all eight selling for an aggregate of R4,385 million, and Rafeef’s KZN Sale yearlings averaged an impressive R548 125. The son of Redoute’s Choice was responsible for the second top lot sold at Thursday’s sale.
His filly (Lot 156) out of Riqaaby was knocked down to Kestorm Investments for R1 200 000.
Consigned to the sale by Sandown Stud, As Agent for Shadwell SA (Pty) Ltd, the classy filly, whose relatives include this season’s top threeyear-old Eight On Eighteen, is out of a winning Dynasty three-parts sister to the Dynasty sired champion Bela-Bela.
The sought-after Rafeef also had yearlings make R675 000, R625 000 and R475 000 at the 2025 KZN Yearling Sale.
AS EASY AS IT LOOKED,
Sporting Post’s ‘forecast the Hollywoodbets Durban July quartet straight line competition’ received plenty of support, but only two entrants selected The Real Prince for first.
The winner of the Hollywoodbets R1000 betting voucher is Stephen Carter of Rondebosch, who was adjudged to be closest to the pin.
A delighted Stephen tells us that he has loved horseracing ‘since the 70’s’.
The Race 7 quartet of 5-11-6-17 paid R3,826-20.
Congratulations Stephen, and thanks to all who participated.
Save the date for 2026!
Salute Erico Verdonese! The veteran trainer produced the Querari gelding Choisaanada in fighting fettle to win the 2025 Highveld 3yo Winter Series ‘Triple Crown’ and bank the R500 000 bonus for his connections at Turffontein on Sunday.
Having beaten the likes of Immediate Edge, Confederate and Fire Attack from 1400m to 1800m in the three-leg championship, Choisaanada (7-2) was full value for his thrilling
end to end victory on Sunday, with the rampant Callan Murray riding a peach of a race to cap four winners on the afternoon.
“I don’t need to tell you what I was calling this poor jockey when I saw him in front,” admitted trainer Erico Verdonese with an understandably broad smile on his face. But the internationally poloshed Murray used his judgement with no pace evident early, and it paid dividends! Had he gotten beaten, we may have not been waxing lyrical.
Inside the final 150m, the connections’ hearts were in their throats as Calvin Habib looked to spoil the party on the fast-finishing Fire Attack (33-20) who got to within an uncomfortable 0,20 lengths of the gallant Verdonese galloper, who clocked 112,20 secs to score a memorable win.
Musical Score (13-2) looked dangerous late but had to be content with third a further 2,30 lengths back.
Roy Magner’s Kamensky (3-1) was a neck back in fourth.
“I didn’t have to do too much with him,” observed Erico Verdonese in typically modest fashion as his daughters and the owners and their families enjoyed a memorable moment.
A R180 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, the winner took his stakes tally to R1 028 938, including his bonus, with his fifth win and a place from 10 starts.
Bred by Shadwell Stud, the winner is a son of Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the unraced Aussie-bred daughter of Redoute’s Choice Musaanada.
Well done to octogenarian Brian Jossell and the Lombards!
A part of the furniture in South African horseracing, the Zimbabwe-born Roy Magner is rising 77 this year but continues to churn out the winners from his Randjesfontein yard. In a world where most folk of his age are idling on the porch in a rocking chair watching the world pass by, Roy Magner has maintained his passion for his profession.
“I am fortunate to have a world-class team around me. It may sound cliched, but no team no dream,” adds the man who was born in the then Rhodesia on 24 October 1948.
The Magner family relocated from England to Rhodesia in 1947. Roy’s Dad was a keen racing man and from the age of 6 his son’s love for horses saw him riding ponies and show -jumping.
Over seventy years later, the horse is still the centrepoint of Roy Magner’s world.
We asked him for one standout highlight.
“There is one horse that stands out and has a special place in my heart. He was called Strike It Rich. I bought him as a maiden for R1000 from Sid Hallan. He went on to win 22 races, including three Thomas Meikles, two Queen Elizabeth Cups, the Castle Tankard and ten other group races,” he recalls, continuing that he has been fortunate in the 2000’s to have the likes of Asylum Seeker (Grade 1 winner), Prince Of Kahal (multiple feature winner), Emirate
Gina, Taikonaut, Vaseem, Rollwiththepunches, Phunyuka, Kinematic Countess, Anna Pavlova, Sweet Sanette, and of course their current top rated filly, Olivia’s Way, in his care.
“We currently have some very progressive horses within the barn including the likes of Olivia’s Way, King Harald, Kamensky, and some unexposed juveniles who look to have some class about them. Melech always gives a good account of himself and will hopefully pick up that ‘illustrious’ big one. He has really had some tough luck but he’s even tougher!” he laughs.
“Rollwiththepunches has been good to us, winning 7, including a Gr3 and Guy Gibson, who is relatively lightly raced, and seems to be finding his form again.
“Alongside them we have some super breadand-butter horses who continue to earn and run creditable races. It is very hard to compete with the big trainers who enjoy a lot of support from studs, and have owners with very deep pockets. Where they would get 30-40 juveniles
in, we currently only have 30 horses in training.
But cowboys don’t cry and we continue to chip away and win our races.”
Looking back, Roy says that he has been fortunate to train many champions in his day.
“You are taxing my memory now but a few that come to mind include the mighty Circle Of Life, Leopard Strike, Susan’s Dream, Pasqueflower
and Strike It Rich, as I mentioned earlier.”
Like any industry, racing has its cycles, and Roy has felt the pinch.
“The yard is significantly down in numbers, but I think so are most yards. It is fantastic that breeders are receiving the prices that they are at the sales, but it makes buying horses on even the friendliest of budgets, extremely
challenging!” he explains as he adds that we are only starting to see the effects now as for the past two years, sales prices have been significantly higher.
“Where we used to have 17-22 yearlings arriving at the yard every year, we now have 7 to 10. Not only yearlings are the issue, but owners, understandably, no longer want to hang on to their older horses as the programmed races and incentives within racing, target younger horses.”
The bottom line is that there is no substitute for experience, and Roy Magner has plenty to offer
as a yard in existence for a half century with literally thousands of winners.
“I’m probably biased, but we have fantastic owners who share a WhatsApp group that adds an element of fun, some banter and loads of support. We are competitively priced, especially for a yard that has runners consistently in the shake-up in feature races, and our horses retire multiple winners.”
Roy states emphatically that horse welfare always comes first.
“We love our owners, but our horses always come first! I am proud to say that our yard is immaculate, horses have plenty of bedding, wholesome meals, and access to roughage 24/7. This is evident by their condition and overall well-being at races, as evidenced in their coats and happy attitudes.”
He points out the vital aspect of life after racing. “This is also of great importance to us and those horses that leave us are found super homes where they go on to be great competition and companion’s horses.”
Roy’s team consists of Assistant Casey Botha, Reid Patterson as a stable employee, barn foreman Johannes Hlakuza, and racing representative Jacob Dhlamine.
“Casey Botha is also a Zimbabwean who grew up showjumping. Ironically my loyal patron, Gerald Sadleir, secured her first job without her having ever met me or been involved in racing. She spent some time in Ireland working for a very successful bloodstock agent, Joe Foley at his stud farm Ballyhane, in Leighlinbridge Co.Carlow. She then went on to work as a student at Drakenstein Stud for over a year or so before taking up the role as a pre-training manager at Paarl Diamant. She joined my
team in early 2020 as someone looking for two weeks internship into the world of racingnearly 6 years later, I’m happy to say that she’s still here!” Roy adds proudly.
He tells us that Reid Patterson has been a part of the top team for many years now.
“He was my stable jockey for multiple years in Zimbabwe and South Africa, rode plenty of winners for me and piloted Strike It Rich to a number of wins. We spent some years apart in our own occupations, but he has now joined the team again and has been a real asset.”
Barn Foreman Johannes Hlakuza is a Magner Racing stalwart, with close on 35 years of service.
“He is quiet spoken, but rules with an iron fist and is a true horseman. He takes on the jobs of breaking in the yearlings and managing the staff. Want to know a good horse? Ask Johannes! He is very seldom wrong and doesn’t sugar-coat his thoughts.”
Jacob Dhlamine will be heard before being seen!
“He is a larger-than-life personality and attends every race meeting as our back-up to assist in saddling and making sure the horses arrive safely and are given water and a good wash prior to their starts. He has been around for 25 years.”
Roy says that support professionals are a vital cog in any racing stable.
“We are very fortunate to have a fantastic team of Vets, Farriers and Physios behind us. Dr Terry Casey and Dr Mike Last share the vet work. Russell Waterson and Roly/ Tristan May share the farrier work and Dr Jani Coetzee is instrumental in keeping our horses feeling elastic and free through her Mai-Ho Acupuncture treatment.”
Roy says that Randjesfontein has been his ‘home’ for many years now.
“It’s a stunning training facility with great tracks and super management. There are multiple champion horses that come out of here and it is a lovely environment for a horse to be in.”
As regards the improvements in the sport postcovid, Roy observes that it is encouraging to see the change within racing with the upgrades
of some of our courses and the influx of owners.
“Now if only they could influx to our barns!
We need some young blood. Maybe some incentives for the youth?” he ponders.
While his team is pure gold, Roy is very aware of the reality that there is no game without the horses and the owners.
“Great owners bring you great horses and great horses attract more great owners which attract even more great horses. I have always had fantastic support behind me and the list would be endless as to who to thank. Honestly, each and every one of the owners who have supported me come to mind. Some owners come and go quicker than others, but I’m still eternally grateful for their support. Peter Moor is a stalwart, owns some fantastic horses and has been with me since my Zim days and still continues to support the yard in a big way. Stuart Robinson was my very first client in South Africa, and over 30 years later, he still supports me - and only me!”
Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse was run for the first time as a £1m contest, and the historic mile-and-a-quarter clash of the generations proved to be a spectacle worth every penny to those on course and the racing public worldwide.
Sandown’s showpiece attracted a high-class field of six-runners featuring five previous Gr1 winners, but the winner was the exception, the three-year-old colt Delacroix.
The Dubawi colt had failed to produce any sort of challenge at Epsom when sent off favourite for last month’s Betfred Derby.
In his defence he was badly hampered early on and then forced to race in rear for most of the contest, finishing a disappointing ninth behind stablemate Lambourn.
In a messy and tactical race, it looked like more of the same on Saturday for Delacroix as he was
shuffled back to the rear of the field on the rails heading into the straight.
Short of room multiple times as Ryan Moore on board looked to challenge, he eventually managed to switch to the outside, gathered his stride, and then flew home to deny the favourite Ombudsman in a thrilling finish that left many spectators shaking their heads in amazement.
From the jump French raider Sosie and Hotazhell set the fractions with both Ombudsman and Ruling Court keen early on.
The William Buick ridden Ombudsman looked to have overcome that issue making his run a furlong and a half out, and he looked the clear winner, before being outpaced by Delacroix, beaten a neck.
2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, unlucky in third when having no clear run for over a furlong, was a length and three-quarters back in third.
Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien were completing a hat-trick in the Eclipse after Paddington (2023) and City Of Troy (2024); with the trainer recording a ninth victory in the race.
after his Epsom failure while contrastingly, his stablemate Camille Pissarro arrived at Sandown after winning the Prix du Jockey Club.
The jockey’s faith was rewarded, and O’Brien observed: “Ryan’s always loved him, which is why he rode him in the Derby. He’s just won a very good race. It’s always tough when the three-year-olds meet the older horses and you need one who’s a bit different to beat a horse like Ombudsman.”
“It was mind-blowing to make up that ground from where he came from,” he added. “I thought Ryan was going to make the running but obviously you don’t tell him what to do.”
Jockey Ryan Moore summed it up, adding: “I wanted to go forward but got caught in a pocket and was a long way back, so I had to wait and go around them. He showed a very good turn of foot and got up to beat a very good horse.”
Moore has always held Delacroix in high regard, but it was still a brave decision to side with him
A half hour prior to the Ridgemont team having enjoyed a vintage renewal of the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes, a prestigious fairer sex feature sponsored by them, at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, they shouted their Barnane Stud soldier Candleford home as the Kingman 7yo was a facile winner of the inaugural Listed Charlie Wood Stakes at Beverley.
Run on South Africa’s premier raceday of the year, the Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes brings together the best of our fillies and mares and Saturday proved no exception, with Double Grand Slam beating the year younger Ridgemont bred Mon Petite Cherie, a daughter of the farm’s Redoute’s Choice crackerjack, Rafeef.
“We were delighted to breed the first and second in this fantastic race last year and we are again thrilled as it’s absolutely no shame to be beaten by an older more experienced top-notch dual Gr1 winner,” added Craig Kieswetter, still on cloud nine after their Barnane Stud flagbearer Candleford’s Listed stakes strike under Cieren Fallon at Beverley.
Successful in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2022, as well as the August Stakes at Windsor a year later and Orby Stakes at the Curragh last year, the William Haggas trained gelding travelled strongly on Saturday
behind the front-runner Abingworth before taking up the running at the 500m marker.
Sweeping into the lead and stamping his authority, Candleford went on to beat the 5-6 favourite Karmology by three lengths.
“He didn’t disgrace himself at Ascot,” Fallon said. “If he put his best foot forward today, he was going to take a lot of beating and he did. He was very impressive. He showed a nice turn of foot to put the race to bed when he needed to. He felt like his old self, so it’s nice to see him back on track.”
Unashamedly a Kieswetter family favourite, Candleford holds the distinction of being the leading racing and breeding family’s first homebred winner and first Royal Ascot winner when capturing the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at the world-renowned racing festival in 2022.
By Invincible Spirit’s illustrious son Kingman, Candleford is out of the Norse Dancer Listed Pretty Polly Stakes winner Dorcas Lane, who
is also dam of the useful Atty Persse.A direct descendant of legendary broodmare Horama, Dorcas Lane’s third dam is Irish Oaks winner Give Thanks.
Saturday’s Charlie Wood Stakes was previously run as the Fred Archer Stakes at Newmarket and honours the rags-to-riches jockey who won the Triple Crown aboard Galtee More in 1897.
The Sporting Post keeps you in the loop with last week’s National Horseracing Authority Calendar. The calendar is a summary of the week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information. Click on the image below to read the calendar:
Mr
T R A I NER S
23,295,256 26,604,594 10,882,313 8,468,000 32,881,125 32,749,924 35,413,996 18,518,683 14,013,813 J O CK E YS results up to: 2025-07-09
19,494,406 10,987,100 9,369,031 8,522,656 6,382,000 29,545,163 14,891,596 14,522,394 11,165,000 11,072,150
33,992,244 31,534,486 26,075,383 16,031,966 12,835,050 BREEDERS
35,200,109 25,718,180 19,144,464 17,859,233 16,929,444 S I RE S
