Issuu

Wednesday 9 September 2026

CLASSIC 21! 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 1

GOING

GLOBAL v

In this week’s issue... Hong Kong Season Launched in Ka Ying style!

The World’s Our Oyster De Kock takes on the big guns

East Cape Stars Honoured Kingdundee rules

Snaith Surges Champion yard grabs four

Point Lonsdale Precocity, class and stamina

On the cover The world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising clocked a blistering 1m 06.11s under Zac Purton to destroy his own 1200m record by almost a second at Sha Tin last Sunday. Ka Ying Rising stretched his winning streak to a Hong Kong record 21 consecutive victories, and claimed a third HK$4,2 million Gr3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap in the process. The Everest is next! Image courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club. Read more on page 04.

Issue: 36/2026

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THE KING OF SPEED v

RINGS IN THE NEW SEASON

David Hayes declared Ka Ying Rising ‘bigger, stronger and better’ as the world’s best sprinter shattered Sha Tin’s 1200m track record for the fifth time before immediately entering quarantine on Sunday in preparation for a defence of the Gr1 The Everest in Sydney, Australia next month.

Ka Ying Rising storms clear under 9 Zac Purton | Credit: HKJC SEPTEMBER 2026 |5

Zac Purton celebrates his 19th win aboard Ka Ying Rising | Credit: HKJC

Clocking a blistering 1m 06.11s to destroy his own 1200m record by almost a second, Ka Ying Rising (135lb) stretched his winning streak to a Hong Kong record 21 consecutive wins and claimed a third HK$4.2 million Gr3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) under Zac Purton, prompting Hayes to describe the victory as one of the six-yearold’s finest. “He spent five or six hours under veterinary attention on Tuesday (1 September) to have the bruising in his hind leg checked out,” Hayes said. “He was having CT scans and Doppler scans under sedation. That would throw most horses off their routine, but he just takes everything in his stride – and then comes out and breaks the track record again. 6 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

“Zac basically eased down in the same race last year for the last 200m, and he let him run to the line today. He hasn’t been let run to the line many times, and of course he smashed his own record – and you don’t see that very often – by (almost) a second. “He’s 29lb heavier (1,172lb) than (he was when he set) last season’s track record time and probably nine (pounds) above his best winning weight, so he’s got bigger, stronger and better.” Posting one of the most dynamic performances of his mercurial career, Ka Ying Rising improved his overall record to 22 wins and two seconds from 24 starts with prizemoney of HK$160,923,900.

Conceding most of his rivals 20lb, Ka Ying Rising forged straight to the lead and ran 23.27s for the first 400m, a searing 21.15s between the 800m and 400m before closing off the final 400m in 21.69s to defeat Copartner Prance (115lb) by seven and threequarter lengths. Magic Control (115lb) was third, a further length-and-a-half back. Both Hayes and Purton predicted Ka Ying Rising was capable of improvement this season despite finishing last preparation with three record-breaking runs in succession – running 1m 19.36s in the Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), 1m 07.12s in the Gr2 Sprint Cup (1200m) and 1m 07.10s in the Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m). The superstar first broke Sacred Kingdom’s longstanding Sha Tin 1200m mark

of 1m 07.50s with a gallop of 1m 07.43s in the Gr2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) in 2024 before lowering it to 1m 07.20s in the 2025 Gr1 Centenary Sprint Cup. Remarkably, Hayes believes the Shamexpress gelding is still open to further development after he was allowed to coast over the final 100m today while lowering the course record by 0.99s. Purton agreed: “We’ve both said that he’s a bigger, stronger horse and that didn’t mean he came back fat. He came back physically more developed and stronger and he’s feeling great. He hasn’t raced since April, so any amount of racing is going to improve him.

Fans flock to Sha Tin for the first fixture of the 2026/27 racing season | Credit: HKJC

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“I’m not going to stand there and say he’s going to improve lengths off that – and I said before, he doesn’t need to – but I’m sure he’s going to pull up better for the run. “When I pulled up, I was interested to see what time he run because the track was very fast during the barrier trials here last week; it’s firm out there today, and they ran good time in the first race. I sort of let him really get into his rhythm and I asked him for an effort, so I just wanted to see where we were at and, obviously, we’re in a good place.” “There could be people out there saying he beat nothing but a few of those horses have won 20 or 25 million Hong Kong dollars. They’re well-rated horses. They’re Group horses around the world, but they don’t look it when they race him. They get taken out of their comfort zone,” Hayes said. Ka Ying Rising entered quarantine less than two hours after caning his opposition, and Hayes is confident the sprinter will be fitter this year when he contests AU$20 million (approx. HK$112 million) The Everest than he was when triumphing in the world’s richest turf race in 2025. “We had him far too fresh arriving in Sydney. I don’t like to change much when they win like that, so we’ll just continue with a bit more base work and that’s holding him in better stead for when he arrives (in Sydney), mentally. It’s more about mentally not arriving too fresh,” Hayes said. “I have no fears because he thrives at Canterbury and he did well here (in quarantine).” Ka Ying Rising was one of three horses to excel in the fast conditions at Sha Tin on Sunday. 8 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

Good Fortune (112lb) posted a new class record of 1m 08.59s in the Class 5 Glenealy Handicap (1200m) for Pierre Ng and Nichola Yuen, before Danny Shum’s General Smart (124lb) clocked a new class record of 1m 33.91s in landing the Class 5 Harcourt Handicap (1600m) under Andrea Atzeni. Shum also combined with Purton to clinch the Class 4 Duddell Handicap (1000m) with Lightness Of Music (135lb) before David Eustace and Luke Ferraris teamed with Light Years Glory (126lb) to win the second section of the Class 4 Edinburgh Handicap (1200m). Francis Lui’s talented Baby Sakura (131lb) remains on course for a tilt at the FourYear-Old Classic Series with a dogged win under Vincent Ho in the Class 3 Cotton Tree Handicap (1400m). Securing his fourth win from seven starts, the Tagaloa gelding is being aimed at the HK$14 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 31 January. Atzeni sealed a double aboard John Size’s Spicy Standard (135lb) in the first section of the Class 4 Edinburgh Handicap (1200m) before Matthew Chadwick coaxed the best out of 104/1 chance Sing Dragon (119lb) to win the Class 2 Albert Handicap (1400m) for Chris So. Hugh Bowman and Mark Newnham opened their seasonal accounts with Joyful Joy (135lb) in the Class 4 Fenwick Handicap (1400m) before Cody Mo’s Jumbo Treasure (132lb) made it five wins from 15 starts with victory in the Class 3 Battery Handicap (1200m) under Derek Leung.

Aaron Kwok delivers the first-ever live performance of the Club Annual Theme Song | Credit: HKJC

Chief Executive Officer, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, and senior officials of the HKJC make their good wishes for the season ahead | Credit: HKJC

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Apprentice jockeys Nichola Yuen and Britney Wong attend the bai-sun ceremony | Credit: HKJC

The Honourable John KC LEE, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, accompanied by The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman, HKJC, officially opens the season by striking the ceremonial gong | Credit: HKJC

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Mat and Mike de Kock – father and son duo ready to take on world | Credit: Supplied

DE KOCK RACING

RETURNS TO

DUBAI AS GLOBAL STABLE LAUNCHED In an exciting development, De Kock Racing is set to reopen its Dubai stable for the 2026/2027 Dubai Racing Carnival as part of the new Global Stable initiative. 14 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

Vermaak Equine reports that the longterm vision is to return South African thoroughbreds to the global marketplace while also sourcing quality horses from other racing jurisdictions to compete in the Middle East, with an eventual eye on the United States. The USA is of particular interest for South African-bred turf performers, who have demonstrated that they can compete at the highest level while racing for its massive prize money. As the team develops its South African racing prospects, the plan is to supplement the stable with quality imports to get the operation off to a competitive start in year one – and the project is already off and running with its first purchase.

Monte (ARG), a dual Group 1-winner in Argentina. The athletic grey colt was purchased for Hollywood Racing and is set to spearhead a new chapter for De Kock Racing in Dubai, the scene of the stable’s remarkable success between 2003 and 2020. Justin Vermaak, who will play a recruitment role, said that the new ‘Global Stable’ has as its main objective the promotion of South African thoroughbred bloodstock on the international stage. It has strategic start-up support from South African interests including Hollywood Racing and Laurence Wernars but will be open to all owners wishing to race their top horses for some of the highest prize monies on the globe.

Vermaak Equine recently announced the acquisition of three-year-old Colorado Del

The handsome Colorado Del Monte | Credit: Supplied

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Vermaak commented: “We aim to create a sustainable international racing programme centred initially on Dubai, while providing pathways into the wider Middle East and selected international jurisdictions, including the United States. “Hollywood Racing are developing a fantastic string of horses in South Africa. They have purchased high-quality yearlings in the last two years which included imported groups from Australasia and Argentina. It is a matter of time before they have a conveyor belt of options to send to Dubai. “Laurence Wernars and his family have taken a similarly global outlook with their acquisition of Klawervlei Stud, with plans to build an internationally focused breeding enterprise featuring a diverse stallion roster and a select band of broodmares. The aim is to establish a nursery producing yearlings of genuine international quality, replenished over time by quality fillies and mares coming off the racetrack. 16 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

“With an abundance of top-level horses already coming through the ranks, that pool can only grow as we move towards 2027, leaving the Global Stable with plenty of options to choose from for its second year at the 2027/28 Carnival. The backing of these two formidable racing operations is a testament to their conviction in our horses and in De Kock Racing.” While these runners are being developed, the Global Stable is tapping into international prospects to bolster its numbers in year one. Vermaak has been hard at work for the Hollywood team in tandem with Anthony Delpech and De Kock Racing. A team trip to Argentina in March led to the purchase of a string of yearlings, now twoyear-olds, which will be raced in Argentina with the intention of exporting the best of them to the Middle East.

Justin Vermaak and Laurence Wernars – already a powerful partnership | Credit: Supplied

Vermaak said: “Having the Argentinian feeder stable along with the South African operation it will create competitive depth across both turf and dirt surfaces in Dubai. We’ll be drawing horses from South Africa (predominantly Turf performers) and Argentina (predominantly Dirt performers), supplemented by targeted acquisitions at leading international breeze-up and horses in training sales. “Success on the international front will reignite worldwide demand for South African thoroughbreds and help open the most attainable export market for our type of racehorse – the Middle East. Once the operation is firmly in place, we will look to expand into the United States, where there is a massive market for quality turf horses.

“There are already encouraging recent examples of South African-breds performing at the highest level in the US and Canada, including Gimme A Nother, One Stripe and Isivunguvungu.” Colorado Del Monte (ARG) is an exciting and versatile prospect. He is a son of Strategos (Zensational), himself a multiple Group 1 winning Argentine champion who successfully combined blistering sprint speed with middledistance stamina. Strategos was voted Argentina’s Best Sprinter in 2020. He dominated across distances ranging from 1000m to 2000m before retiring to stud at champion breeders Haras El Paraíso in La Luisa, Buenos Aires.

Exciting prospect Colorado Del Monte | Credit: Supplied

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Colorado Del Monte’s dam, Seductive Voice (Sebi Halo) represents one of the most prolific and dependable speedand-mile influences in modern Argentine racing. Argentina Turf Magazine noted: “With three wins from four starts, Colorado Del Monte continues to build an outstanding record. His ability to dominate from the front and maintain control all the way to the finish makes him a colt of enormous potential, with every indication that he can remain a major force in the leading races for his generation over the intermediate distances.” Vermaak pointed out that Colorado Del Monte actually won all four of his starts, but was demoted to third in the Group 1 Gran Premio Montevideo following an objection. “He won that race convincingly, but he hung out at the end of the race which is something they are very strict on in Argentina.” Colorado Del Monte’s race videos attest to the fact that he is getting better with every run, and the replay of the Gran Premio Montevideo shows just how unlucky he was not to be a three-time Group 1 winner.” Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to view. Vermaak added: “As a two-year-old, Colorado Del Monte started on dirt in the Gran Premio Montevideo and then switched to turf winning the Group 1 Estrellas Juvenile, before his recent three-year-old success in the Group 1 Dos Mil Guineas. “His versatility between surfaces is one of the reasons we bought him, but if he doesn’t take to the Meydan dirt or goes the trip, he can run in the Jumeirah Three-Year-old Series after that – three races on turf over 1400m, 1600m and 1800m with good prize money. 18 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

“His versatility also makes the USA is a very realistic target for Colorado Del Monte post the 2027 Dubai Carnival. There is a longerterm plan for him, targeting selected races on the American turf calendar. We already have established relationships with internationally respected US trainers such as Graham Motion.” Mike de Kock remains firm in his belief that the South African thoroughbred is one of the country’s finest export products. “Our horses are capable of holding their own anywhere, and with the new Global Stable we have an opportunity to get them back in view of the racing world. “The new export protocols allow horses destined for Dubai to travel via France and/or the EU, which reduces transit and quarantine time by approximately two months compared with previous protocols. It also brings Mary Slack’s Abington Place at Newmarket back into play for us. “It has been problematic to get the top South African horses to join us in the current market, but owners need to remember that the Global Stable will be a facilitator like we were for owners with the best horses in the past, including Variety Club, Lizzard’s Desire and Sun Classique. We are presently looking at a number of SA-breds to join the stable.” De Kock is excited about Colorado Del Monte and said: “We have been looking for a decent dirt horse for a while. We had amazing runners from South America who won many top races including Asiatic Boy, Honour Devil and Lundy’s Liability. Our new buy is a versatile horse and makes this re-launch of our Dubai operation even more exciting.”

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ERIK’S DAUGHTER IS

DYNAM TE! v

The smart Danish Dynamite, who made it six wins from 13 starts when victorious in last Friday’s Speedsters Stakes, is certainly living up to her pedigree.

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Captain Al’s good son Erik The Red | Credit: Jeremy Nelson

Already a black-type winner, thanks to her success in the 2026 Listed Milkwood Stakes, Danish Dynamite is by the very exciting Erik The Red. A son of Captain Al and bred on similar lines to Captain Al’s Triple Crown winning sire son Malmoos, Erik The Red was one of his sire’s most precocious and best bred sons. Winner of six of ten stakes, and a graded stakes winner at both two and three, Erik The Red’s trio of graded stakes wins included the Cape Thoroughbred Sales Gr2 Cape Merchants, where he beat champion sprinter Rio Querari into second. Erik The Red wasted no time in making his mark at stud, and was South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2024-2025 and Leading Second Season Sire, and Leading Sire of 2YOs, in 2025-2026. Danish Dynamite is one of three stakes winners to have emerged from Erik The Red’s first crop, which is headed by the graded stakes winners Vapour Trail (Gr3 Cape Classic) and Zalatoris (Gr2 Follow @ WorldPool on X Umkhomazi Stakes). Erik The Red himself won the Umkhomazi Stakes in 2020. Erik The Red’s second crop is headed by his first Gr1 winner in the form of World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes winner Erik Dubois, with this crop also including such high-class performers as Ridgemont Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery 1-2 finishers Red Spice and Roskilde, as well as Listed Ridgemont Gatecrasher Stakes hero Viking Leader and Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery second Griselda.

She is the third stakes winner, by three different sires, produced by the twice winning Fort Wood mare Gypsy Madonna. The latter, who had a Master Of My Fate colt fetch R1 000 000 at this year’s National Yearling Sale, is also the dam of 2023 Listed Champion Juvenile Cup winner Questor (by Querari) and East Cape champion My Best Shot (by Fire Away). The latter, whose earnings have reached over R1,118 million, enjoyed a clean sweep of the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Racing Sophomore Challenge when he won all of the Listed Ibhayi Stakes, Listed Bryanston Auctioneers East Cape Guineas, and Listed World Sports Betting East Cape Derby in 2025. The regally bred Gypsy Madonna is a halfsister to three graded stakes winners, led by Gypsy’s Warning. A daughter of Mogok, Gypsy’s Warning won both the Gr1 Thekwini Fillies Stakes and Gr1 SA Fillies Classic in South Africa, before going on to win the Gr1 Matriarch Stakes and Gr3 Eatontown Handicap in North America. Gypsy Madonna and Gypsy’s Warning were both produced by the Royal Chalice mare Gypsy Queen, a full-sister to the Gr2 SA Oaks winners Royal Prophecy and Noble Destiny. Danish Dynamite is in turn directly descended in female line from none other than legendary racemare, and hugely influential broodmare, Sceptre (by Persimmon). Read more on page 26.

Danish Dynamite also hails from an excellent female line. 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 23

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Danish Dynamite (Craig Zackey) prevails in a thriller over Anuschka’s World (Muzi Yeni, obscured) and Warofdynamite (Chase Maujean) | Credit: Pauline Herman

SMITH’S DYNAMITE

CLAIMS A SIXTH

SA champion jockey Craig Zackey rounded off a beautifully taken hat-trick at Fairview on Friday as the Dean Smith-trained Danish Dynamite showed guts and resolve to withstand a pincer attack by the Kelly Mitchley pair of Anuschka’s World and War Of Dynamite in the R175 000 Betway Speedsters Stakes.

with Warofdynamite (16-1) a quarter length back in third. It was an emotional victory for young Dean Smith, who built on his late Dad’s five consecutive previous winners of the Speedsters Stakes.

Having recently tied the knot, Zackey will be keen to get his momentum going in the new season and has ridden 10 winners, with the likes of Keagan De Melo on 28.

Bred by Varsfontein Stud, the winner is by Erik The Red (Captain Al) out of the twice winning Fort Wood mare, Gypsy Madonna. Danish Dynamite is a half-sister to former East Coast Horse Of The Year My Best Shot (Fire Away).

Going off a 7-2 tote favourite, Danish Dynamite was bounced to lead from her 3 gate and despite an onslaught from the Mitchley duo, she kept her head in front to beat Anuschka’s World (11-10) by a head,

Now a winner of 6 of her 13 starts with 4 places, Danish Dynamite took her stakes earnings to R465 203.

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E A S T

C A P E

HONOURS THEIR v

CHAMPIONS

The 2026 East Cape Awards were held in the Bold Silvano Room at Fairview Racecourse on Saturday 5 September 2026. The Kingdundee connections celebrated three trophies! | Credit: Pauline Herman 28 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

Alan Greeff’s powerful Halo Stables was the big winner on the night, going home with the Champion Two Year Old Colt/Gelding award with U S Ranger (Act Of War – Rainbow Rock), Champion Three Year Old Filly and Champion Polytrack Filly/Mare honours with Anotherdanceforme (Master Of My Fate – Destiny Dancer), the Champion Polytrack Colt/Gelding title with Mercantour (Var –

Winter Wood) and, lastly, taking home his sixteenth East Cape Champion Trainer title.

Recovering from a recent accident, Mauritian apprentice Bavish Soodoo earned a standing ovation for winning the East Cape Champion Apprentice award as well as being crowned the region’s Champion Local Jockey.

This year’s judging panel comprised Henk Steenkamp, Nico Kritsiotis and Neil Pretorius.

Dean Smith crowned a stellar first season by lifting the trophies for Champion Older Colt/ Gelding, Champion Sprinter and the coveted Horse Of The Season award with Mr Clive Murphy’s Kingdundee (The United States – Miss Marmalade).

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Marchland connections – Champion 2yo filly | Credit: Pauline Herman

It was a great evening for the Alan Greeff team | Credit: Pauline Herman

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Bavish Soodoo was a dual champion – seen here with Riding Master, Rocky Agrella | Credit: Pauline Herman

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Bad Medicine connections collect the award for Champion Stayer | Credit: Pauline Herman

Epikleros connections with the Champion Older Filly/Mare trophy | Credit: Pauline Herman

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MURPHY’S LAW

WORKS! v

Moutonshoek’s blue-blooded stallion The United States made headlines at Saturday’s East Cape Awards ceremony. His top-class son Kingdundee was crowned the East Cape’s Horse Of The Season for 20252026, and also awarded the region’s Champion Sprinter and Champion Older Colt/Gelding trophies. Bred and owned by Clive Murphy, the brilliant Kingdundee has won eight of 11 starts to date, with the son of The United States having scored a memorable win in the 2026 World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship. On that occasion, Kingdundee accounted for Gr1

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winners of the ilk of Asiye Phambili, Surjay, Buffalo Storm Cody and Lucky Lad. It was an auspicious occasion, for not only was he the first Eastern Province-trained winner of the hallowed sprint, he also provided young trainer Dean Smith with a maiden Gr1 success. What’s more, he won from the widest draw and never saw a rival as he kept up a relentless gallop to defy his 33-1 starting price and defeat the best sprinters in the country.

Kingdundee is being aimed at the 2027 Dubai Racing Carnival and left SA for Rotterdam on 5 August.

Clive bred the mare’s second foal, the Vercingetorix filly Princess Of Gaul in partnership with Maine Chance Farms.

He is destined for the yard of George Peckham, a trainer who specialises in preparing horses destined for Dubai, and will ultimately be based with twice champion trainer Buphat Seemar in Dubai.

She was purchased as a yearling by Fred Crabbia, in whose silks she has garnered the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship, Gr2 Debutante Stakes and Gr3 Prix du Cap and finished third in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint. Clive still owns the mare’s third foal Bavarian Flyer, a colt by Quasillo who is in training with Darryl Moore.

Kingdundee has as his prime target the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint, which was first run in 2007 as part of the then, Dubai International Racing Carnival and subsequently moved to Dubai World Cup night in 2010. In 2009, the race became a Gr3 and is now run at Gr1 level. It is also a race plundered in the past by two exceptional South African sprinters. Out of the Duke Of Marmalade mare Miss Marmalade, Kingdundee has earned R1 471 375.

Kingdundee was one of six stakes winners for The United States last season, with this tally headed by Wilgerbosdrift H F Oppenheimer Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Tin Pan Alley. A son of the breed-shaping sire Galileo, The United States had lots make up to R500 000 at the recent BSA August Two Year Old Sale.

The World Pool Cape Flying Championship stampede - Kingdundee (Calvin Habib) leads as eventual fourth-placer SEPTEMBER 2026 Liebenberg | 35 Asiye Phambile (Sean Veale) ranges up dangerously on the 9inside | Credit: Chase

KZN FRIDAY MEETING ENDS WITH

A MIXED SURFACE MENU v

The Gallop TV Open Maiden (f) run over 2000m opened proceedings at a wet Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday and a major upset was to be had when the odds-on favourite Blenheim Palace (1/5 out to 8/10) failed to deliver.

36 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 Friday Night at Hollywoodbets Greyville – the rain resulted in a change of surface halfway through the meeting | Credit: Candiese

Content to amble along in the rear, Dean Kannemeyer’s charge finished sixth of the eight and never got in a blow. Victory instead, in what was visibly a very slowly run race, went to the 20/1 shot (op 33/1) GUILD THE LILY (weighed out at 50,9kg).

Indeed, this talented young man has already lost his 4kg claim after chalking up 20 winners aboard the Mike & Matthew De Kock trained NEXT OF KIN (the second of his four winners here) in the fastest of the two 1600m events, the Lucky Fish Fortune Cup C Stakes (turf).

Beaten over 15 lengths last time out, and unable to get closer than 6,55 lengths in her five previous racecourse appearances, Kom Naidoo’s charge was soon at the head of affairs.

Allowed to ease out to 8/1 from 5’s at the track, the son of Canford Cliffs was soon very nicely positioned in third just two lengths off the pace.

Allowed to dictate at her own pace for most of the trip, this 3yo daughter of Erupt ran on strongly in the home straight and under a determined ride from the talented Anaas Mosaheb, she held on to score by a neck. The official time of this race was 122,04 seconds which on our clock was a good 10 seconds faster than reality. With rain falling very heavily at times and the turf track deteriorating, the jockeys lodged a protest after the running of race four. The concerns raised were due to the deteriorating track condition due to the constant rain, and in particular, the inconsistent soft underfoot conditions. A panel was formed in terms of Rule 5.2.3, and after hearing evidence from the concerned parties and in the interest of horse and rider safety, a decision was taken to run the remaining four races on the polytrack in terms of the National Racing Operator Conditions 4.8 and 4.9.

He was ridden to lead going through the 300m and after seeing off the well-supported favourite Zagreb (28/10 into 18/10) 150m out, he drew clear in good style in the closing stages of the race to beat the running on Song To The Moon (5/1 into 3/1, lost one length at start) with authority by three and a quarter. The Tote For The Win Middle Stakes (f&m) over 1200m topped the bill and in what marginally proved to be the slower of the two races over the distance on the poly, Adam Azzie’ only runner on the card, MISS WORLD registered her fourth win. In what was one of several races to be run in heavy rain Sign Of Fate made the running whilst the One World mare sat very comfortably just two lengths away in third. She was ridden to lead approaching the 300m marker and after quickly skipping clear, she kept on strongly late to beat the always handy favourite, Sohot Sowhat by a length and three quarters.

Mosaheb was in devastating form at last Friday evening’s turf meeting and he took another giant leap forward in his career by winning on four of his five mounts on Friday. 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 37

Track Conditions: Going: Penetrometer: Rain:

Good to Soft 26 Last 24 hour 3,5mm – Last 7 days 3,5mm

Irrigation:

Last 7 days Nil

False Rail:

Wind: Course Variant:

15-55km/h South Westerly tail wind Unable to be determined given the deteriorating conditions

Run in a time 0,26 seconds faster than the middle stakes was the Join Race Coast Turf Club Today! C Stakes over 1200m (poly) and here victory went to the heavily supported WHO BLINKED (5/1 into 5/4).

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Ridden by Anaas Mosaheb as he had been when making the running from the widest draw and only getting picked off very late last time out, the 5yo son of Erupt again broke well from the widest draw and set the pace. He was ridden with more restraint here though and led by just a length and a half for most of the journey. Once given rein in the straight though, he quickened well and only having to be shown the whip in the straight, he cruised clear over the final 300m to score by four and three quarters. Fastest Times: 1200m poly (2) Who Blinked 1600m turf (2) Next Of Kin

69,82 99,86

DANON v

SCORPION

(JPN)

LO R D K A N A LOA ( J P N ) X L E X I E LO U (C A N ) BY S L I G O B AY B ay C o l t | D O B 2 0 1 9 FOR

2026

NEW

Gr1 placed at 2, Gr1 winner at 3. By a Champion Racehorse, Champion Freshman sire and sire of Champions. Dam a multiple Champion, Horse Of The Year and recently inducted into Canadian Hall Of Fame

STANDING AT

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Anaas Mosaheb gets a hug from birthday boy, MJ Odendaal | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

MORE MAGIC, MR MOSAHEB!

Mauritius-born second-year apprentice Anaas Mosaheb turns 21 later this month and has made giant strides this season, riding seven winners at the last two Lucky Fish Night Racing fixtures at Hollywoodbets Greyville. 40 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

Anaas heads the SA national apprentice championship log on 10 winners at a strike-rate of 24,39%, as we go to print. The young man, who grew up in trying circumstances near Port Louis, has shown maturity, balance and flair in guiding some serious longshots to victory. A glance at his personal winner’s roll will show that there have been no armchair odds-on ‘pointers’. His strike list includes two 25-1 shots, a 20-1 outsider, and a 16-1 roughie, amongst some relatively ordinary rides. After signing his papers in January this year, Anaas booted home his first SA winner for Robbie Hill when Mountainsofthemoon won on 8 April at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Speaking to the Sporting Post on Monday, the polite 20 year old explained that he rode for two seasons at the Champ de Mars, but his fifteen odd rides produced no winners – until the very end! “I struggled to get good riding opportunities, and there was some irony that it was only when I had been given the go ahead to come to the SA Jockey Academy that I rode my only winner on Mauritian soil – at my last ride there!”

Anaas married his sweetheart Ishika in Mauritius on 14 December 2025, and says that very day was a turning point for him. “I resolved that I would focus myself on becoming the best jockey I could be. I have a responsibility to my wife, our hopes of starting a family one day, and to my own parents, who looked after, nurtured and educated me, no matter the circumstances. That is my motivation, in a nutshell,” he says proudly. On the challenges of adapting to South Africa, Anaas tells that everybody has been kind and hospitable. “If you don’t act like you already know everything, you can ask - but always with courtesy and manners – or you won’t get any help. The senior jockeys like Nicholas Patel, Keagan de Melo, Serino Moodley and Callan Murray are always willing to listen and advise me. I am very appreciative of their assistance, as well as that of our riding masters at the academy. We are one big happy family,” he smiles. There have been a few special wins along the way, including Who Blinked for MJ Odendaal last Friday. “Mr Odendaal supported me early on with quality rides and guidance, and I was thrilled to win on his horse last Friday – on his birthday!”

Anaas won the La Flora Sunflower Senior Citizen Cup on the 8yo Whipping Boy in September 2024.

Anaas celebrates his 21 st birthday on 25 September, on the same day that his Dad Agmal turns 50.

Looking back, he reflects on how he followed the South African Jockey Academy on social media and set the target of gaining admission to the world-leading institution as his goal.

“Friday 25th is both our birthdays and it’s Lucky Fish Night Racing at Hollywoodbets Greyville. I just heard that Dad will fly out from Mauritius on 21 September, to celebrate with me. What a fantastic surprise!”

“I am the only son in the family, and there were financial challenges. But I knew that my Mom and Dad would move heaven and earth for me to find the funding. But I was reluctant to impose that sort of pressure on them. Until one day, they said ‘let’s make a plan.’ I was so excited and fast forward to today, it is all I ever imagined it would be.”

On his short-term ambitions, Anaas says without any hesitation that his goal is to win the SA Apprentice championship this term. “I have set my sights on it and every day I remind myself where I came from, and the people that are dependant on me succeeding. The rest will happen.” 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 41

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MOSAHEB MAINTAINS PROGRESS v

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A thumbs up from the delighted young apprentice | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Anaas Mosaheb registers his second winner on the evening as Next Of Kin powers home | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Apprentice Anaas Mosaheb has enjoyed two sensational weeks with eight winners from 20 rides, and he managed to get a second win from Hollywood Racing’s grey, Next Of Kin at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening – something five senior jockeys before him couldn’t achieve in the last year. In fairness, of course, Anaas claimed 4kg for his ride in this Class C Handicap over 1600m and that made a massive difference to his fortunes. But, as Mike de Kock rightly pointed out, Next Of Kin is quite a ‘mouthy’ horse’ whose inability to settle during the running has most certainly cost him a few wins. Credit to Anaas. “I was very impressed with this kid tonight,” Mike said about the apprentice. “He has a nice pair of hands and he got Next Of Kin to settle.” He quipped: “Anaas is a nice, humble young man whom I haven’t met before because he rides 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th string (at Summerveld) for MJ Odendaal and the rest of us don’t get a chance!

“Next Of Kin all but won his penultimate start and was very deserving of this win tonight. The 4kg’s off made a big difference.” Anaas, who officially rode out his 4kg claim on Next Of Kin and will now claim only 2.5kg, said: “This is a special win, I am really grateful to Mr De Kock and Mr Delpech. It means a lot to me.” Anaas rode another two winners on the night to bring up his four-timer and while it will get trickier with the lesser claim now, he certainly looks like an exciting prospect coming through the ranks. Next Of Kin, too, probably won’t stop here now that he has found his confidence. There was an eight-time winner and a pair of four-time winners in this race and merit in his success. Next Of Kin is a Ridgemont-bred son of Canford Cliffs and My Friend Lee, by Pathfork. www.dekockracing.com

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FOUR FOR FOURIE v

At Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Sunday, former champion jockey Richard Fourie found the winner’s enclosure on four occasions, three for Justin Snaith, with one of his most notable performances coming aboard the One World filly Star World in the Gallop Form Class 4 (F&M) over 1250m.

9 SEPTEMBER 2026 Liebenberg | 47 Jane and Ken Truter lead Star World and Richard Fourie in after an eyecatching win | Credit: Chase

Confidently ridden throughout, Vaughan Marshall’s charge sat sixth of the seven for most of the journey, some five lengths off a good pace set by the well-supported Fog In Finland (10/1 into 9/2). She was only really asked to race after switching out for a run passing the 300m marker and given just three taps under a welljudged ride, she got up 20m from home to win going away. Star World is clearly much better than this bare form line would suggest. Two maiden plates over 1250m got proceedings underway at the country course and both were won impressively by runners from the stable of champion trainer Justin Snaith. The opening HWB Durbanville Welcomes You Maiden Plate over 1250m was the quicker of these and in what proved to be the fastest of the four races over the distance on the afternoon, the well supported favourite LE SOLEIL (28/10 into 18/10) scored an eyecatching victory. Run in a time one second faster than the second division, Premier Winter set a good pace and kept on strongly all the way to the wire. After jumping slowly and losing one length at the start meanwhile, the son of Vercingetorix was positioned some six and a half lengths away in eighth. Racing green he took a while to get going when asked for his effort in the straight and only really started to engage the upper gears as they approached the 200m marker. He 48 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

showed a nice turn of foot in the closing stages of the race and after striking the front 30m or so from home, he won going away. Justin went on to saddle four winners on the afternoon, and these included all three of the maiden events. Track Conditions: Going: Penetrometer: Rain:

Good 21 Last 7 days Nil

Irrigation:

Last 24 hours 5mm – Last 7 days 10mm

False Rail:

2m out from 1600m with a 2m spur at 510m mark

Wind: Course Variant:

15-25km/h South Easterly cross wind 1,94s fast

In terms of prize money and average highest merit ratings, the Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 3 over 1250m topped the bill and in a time 1/10th of a second slower than that of Le Soleil, the stable of Justin Snaith were again on the mark when BLACK CHEETAH registered his third career victory. Having his third outing since being gelded, the son of Querari broke well and was soon very nicely positioned in third just a length and three quarters of the pace. He ran on strongly under just hands and heels early in the straight and won well by a length and a quarter after taking up the running approaching the 200m marker.

The fastest 400m to finish time in the race, and indeed the fastest for that segment of the afternoon, was recorded by the friendless Oliver (25/2 out to 20/1) who finished fourth. Nineth of the ten some six lengths off the pace turning for home, Adam Marcus’ charge didn’t find the clearest of passages between the 300m and 200m markers, and flying late, did well to get within a length and three quarters of the winner.

Four of the afternoon’s nine races were staged over 1400m and the quickest of these by over 1,5 seconds was the Lucky Fish New Fortune B Stakes in which THREE TIGERS (pulled hard in the early stages) caused a major upset. It Is My Time somewhat predictably set a good pace, whilst the 4yo son of One World raced just a length and a half away in third. After having to switch 300m out, Michelle Rix’s charge quickened to lead going through the 200m and although Pomp It Up ran on strongly from the back in the closing stages of the race, he did have that one held by a length and a half at the wire. Fastest Times: 1250m (4) Le Soleil 74,45 1400m (4) Three Tigers 83,12 400-finish Oliver 22,22

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SNAITH

Richard Fourie gets Verse For Suzanne home in a race where the pace didn’t play ball | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

POWER TO THE FOUR! While it also happened to be his 14th wedding anniversary, SA champion conditioner Justin Snaith was brimming from ear to ear in the number 1 box after the final race at a sun-drenched Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Sunday after saddling four of the nine winners on the card. All four were bred by Drakenstein Stud, while three were partnered by Richard Fourie, suggesting that the highly successful trainer-jockey combination could be in for a big season. “I am glad we got the four winners in as there is quite a break to our next racemeeting here,” added the man who recently celebrated a seventh national trainer’s championship and will no doubt be backing himself to do it all over again. 52 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

While the Lucky Fish National Championships are not based on stakes like the national title, and are instead ranked on wins, giving the likes of Alan Greeff a serious chance, Justin has clearly given that thought and said that his Summerveld yard will ‘fill up the gap’. The Snaith horsepower is difficult to match, and the power of partnerships was illustrated by the fact that Drakenstein Stud bred the winning Snaith quartet, while the first double was provided by horses carrying the aquamarine and grey Bortz flag. Their first winner Le Soleil was no cheapie and grabbed the headlines as the R4 million topseller at the 2025 BSA August 2yo Sale. A son of champion sire Vercingetorix, he is out of the dual Gr1 Majorca Stakes winner,

and five-time graded winner, Clouds Unfold. A mile should be his starting point, and his victory after a quiet debut was a welcome bonus on the day. JP van der Merwe grabbed a slice of the Snaith Sunday sizzle, when he booted the Soqrat first-timer Swaziland home in the second. The R1 million National Yearling Sale graduate was apparently selected largely against ‘expert’ advice by Gina Bortz, but he won like a horse who will repeat the feat. A daughter of Vercingetorix, Verse For Suzanne won the third in the Drakenstein silks. That despite a muddling pace, and a dropping of anchors around the bend by some of the opposition.

Met victory in 2018 when she became the first 3yo filly to win the Cape showpiece in over a century. Oh Susanna dominated the Equus Awards later that same year, as she was named Champion Three- Year-Old Filly, Champion Middle distance Horse and Horse Of The Year! A handsome black gelding with four white socks, Black Cheetah ended the day when he won a competitive Class 3 in good fashion to give Snaith Racing their 21st winner of the new term. The son of Querari is raced in partnership by Fiona Carmichael’s Westward Bloodstock and Drakenstein Stud. The next Race Coast Cape racemeeting is on Wednesday 16 September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.

The winner is out of the Street Cry mare Oh Susanna, who marked Snaith’s first

NHA CALENDAR PER FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2026 The Sporting Post presents the National Horseracing Authority calendar per 4 September 2026. The calendar is a summary of the past week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information. Please click on the image below:

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I’m A Fireball (Muzi Yeni) wins easily | Credit: JC Photos

I’M A v

FIREBALL

O N C O U R S E F O R G R A N D H E R I TA G E

De Kock Racing’s I’m A Fireball had to do some early work to get to the front in a Pinnacle Plate over 1450m on the inside track at Turffontein on Saturday, but that was always likely to be the key to the race. There was plenty of early speed among his rivals and I’m A Fireball had to be purposefully pushed to establish his desired position. Once there, however, he was able to dictate matters in the manner he prefers. He maintained his pace and won by 1.75 lengths from Mastership and Texas Red. Assistant trainer Johanne Taylor commented: “The goal was to go forward, as I’m A Fireball likes to take the race by the scruff of the neck. They made us work to get there, but Muzi (Yeni) did a good job, they persisted and went on very nicely.” Muzi said that I’m A Fireball’s intelligence contributed to this victory. 56 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

“He is smart and clever, quite a streetwise horse. I kept pressing to get him to the front and then he was quite a gentleman. His ears came back and he allowed himself to relax. “He took a beautiful breather up the hill and into the straight, and when I asked him to get away, he gave me a good kick; his response was immediate.” I’m A Fireball beat last season’s Grand Heritage winner, Mastership, into second and Muzi suggested that the popular Vaal 1475m contest could be a nice target for the four-year-old, who holds the 1450m course record at the country track. I’m A Fireball races in the Hollywood Racing silks. He is a Klawervlei-bred son of Vercingetorix out of Gibraltar Blue and is four from 13 with more to come.

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HOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION & SAJA v

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

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A multi-million-rand infrastructure upgrade at the South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) in Summerveld has officially launched, marking Phase 1 of a major longterm investment by the Hollywood Group and Hollywood Foundation to revitalise South African horse racing v

From left apprentice Damyan Pillay, Hollywood Group brand and communications manager Devin Heffer, 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 59 SA Jockey Academy chief operating officer Tarryn Mason and apprentice Fezile Ngobese | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The new intake of female jockeys in 2027 will be housed in Block C Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The comprehensive revamp of campus dormitories is set to modernise facilities, support economic growth in KwaZuluNatal, and empower the next generation of professional jockeys through the world-class education and training programme provided at SAJA. “This project is not simply an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in people, opportunity and the future of South African horse racing. Through funding, the Hollywood Foundation is creating an environment where young people can live with dignity, receive a quality education, develop their horsemanship and riding skills, and ultimately enter the racing industry as trained and qualified professionals,” says South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) chief operating officer, Tarryn Mason. Speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony for phase one of the multi-million-rand upgrade of 60 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

the facility at Summerveld, in Durban, Mason said that the total revamp of the international and female apprentice dormitories would go a long way to realising SAJA’s mission of developing world class jockeys. Already, the 69-year-old campus has trained jockeys that have gone on to win big races and championships on every continent including in countries such as the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Macau, Mauritius, Singapore, Japan and Australia. Phase one is just the first of a four-phase comprehensive infrastructure upgrade at Summerveld and forms part of the R500-million investment by the Hollywood Group as part of the long-term rescue of horse racing in KwaZulu-Natal. Hollywood Group brand and communications manager, Devin Heffer, said that this initial phase created approximately 30 direct

employment opportunities through the project’s main contractor and specialist subcontractors, including Msomi T Projects, Thaidon Flooring, Suburban Roofing, NK Furniture and Rooted Electrical. It also supported indirect economic opportunities through local supplier purchases and specialist service providers, including plumbers, tree fellers and other local services. While these indirect opportunities are more difficult to quantify accurately, the project contributed to local economic activity, supporting additional businesses, trades and service providers.

Investing in the future of racing The Hollywood Foundation’s commitment to the horse racing sector also includes funding full bursaries for previously disadvantaged apprentices. Thirty-five apprentices have already benefited with 15 having qualified as professional jockeys and nine becoming work riders and stable managers. The academy – which includes the main Summerveld Campus as well as satellite campuses in Gqeberha, Cape Town and Johannesburg – is the only institution in South Africa that offers an apprenticeship programme for professional jockeys. As one of the potential casualties of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was on the brink of closure just five years ago.

Great weather and great prospects for the future of SAJA | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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It operates as a boarding school and provides both comprehensive academic education and practical riding training for the 40 future jockeys that are currently at the institution. This includes 18 apprentices from South Africa, two from Hong Kong, five from South Korea, two from Qatar, 12 from Mauritius and one from Hungary. Four apprentices are females in a previously male dominated space. The new intake of female jockeys in 2027 will be housed in Block C, which forms part of the first phase of the upgrade. Rachel Venniker, a SAJA alumna who has progressed from being an apprentice at the Academy to becoming the country’s only professional female jockey, previously lived in the very dormitories that are under renovation.

Mason emphasises that SAJA goes beyond simply providing accommodation or riding lessons: “We are developing young people through a structured five-year apprenticeship that combines academic education, practical riding, horsemanship and experiential learning, ultimately preparing them for professional careers in racing. We want our apprentices to know that they are valued and that the industry is invested in their future.” On successful completion of the programme, apprentices are awarded a jockey licence from the National Horseracing Authority of South Africa (NHA) and a Diploma in Jockeyship from the South African Jockey Academy.

Familiar racing faces – Race Coast’s Raf Sheik and Warren Lenferna - in attendance | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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The School and the Foundation - smiles all round! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Mason believes this adds an important level of professionalism and credibility to the industry, demonstrating that a jockey has progressed through a structured programme of academic education, practical training, assessment and supervised experience before entering the professional racing environment. “It also helps elevate jockeyship as a profession. Jockeys are professional athletes who carry significant responsibility, and their role requires far more than simply being able to ride a horse. A jockey needs to understand horse behaviour, handling, training and welfare, as well as riding technique and the risks associated with working around horses and racing. Ultimately, we want our apprentices to understand that the horse is at the centre of the sport. Professional training therefore contributes to creating a safer environment for both horse and rider and reinforces the industry’s responsibility towards equine welfare,” she says.

Investing beyond the academy Training and academy operations have continued throughout the construction period. This is particularly important because SAJA operates as a residential boarding school and apprentices follow an extremely rigorous and structured daily programme. Work on phase two of the SAJA upgrade is imminent. The Hollywood Group is committed to further investment in South Africa’s horse racing sector, confident that this contribution will strengthen communities, create jobs and support sustainable growth. “By investing in racing, including upgrades to courses and the SAJA, the Group is preserving jobs. These support an estimated 300,000 South Africans, while creating opportunities for service providers, boosting local and national economies,” concluded Devin Heffer. 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 63

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JOCKEYS: THE HIDDEN REALITY v

L I V I N G

H U N G R Y

Image for illustration purposes only | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Following on her editorials, ‘What We Don’t See…Insights Into The ‘Glam’ Life Of The Jockey’ published 6 July 2026 and ‘When Winning Doesn’t Feel Like Winning’ published on 27 July 2026 on the Sporting Post website, Michele Wing (MSc, Brunel University Londoan) provides more insights in another instalment of her series, entitled ‘The Hidden Reality’. There is a moment on raceday when everything comes down to a number. In the weighing room, a jockey picks up the saddle and steps onto the scales. Around the weighing room are the clerk of the scales, other jockeys waiting their turn, trainers and stipendiary stewards. The clerk calls the carded weight and checks it against the reading on the scales. If the jockey is under, lead is added. But if he is over, he has to put up overweight. Another jockey steps up. Another carded weight is called. It is a familiar routine in horseracing. Precise. Repetitive. Almost clinical.

One jockey interviewed in the research put it starkly: “I am more concerned about getting on the scale… than I am about the horses I’m booked to ride.” What happened before the scales usually isn’t visible. The meal that was skipped, the food that was carefully measured, the water that wasn’t drunk and the hunger that had to be ignored. For a jockey, making weight is not simply about a number. It shapes what they eat, what they drink, how they prepare and, sometimes, how they eat with their family.

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Most people don’t have their livelihood tied to a number on a scale. But for a jockey, they do. Perhaps this is where the story begins. Not with the weight itself. But with what it takes to live with it. The Number Unlike athletes who compete in weight divisions based on their own body weight, jockeys do not choose the weight they compete at. Rather, the weight they must carry is assigned to the horse under the conditions of the race. For jockeys who have to work to make that weight, it is not simply a matter of stepping onto the scales and reading the number.

But then comes maintaining it. Again. And again. The Body The assumption can be that because jockeys are small in stature, low weight comes naturally to them. But being small and sustaining a racing weight are not necessarily the same thing. The jockey still has to be strong enough to ride, fit enough to work and alert enough to make split-second decisions repeatedly across a race meeting. The body has to perform. And it has to make the weight.

Image for illustration purposes only | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Even then, the number on the scale is not simply the jockey’s body weight. The saddle and other riding equipment are included in the weight carried, so the body itself has to be lighter still. Two of the best-known examples of what jockeys have sometimes asked of their bodies came in the Durban July. In 1987, Garth Puller lost 10.5 kilograms in just two and a half weeks to reach 49 kilograms for the Rothmans

Durban July, following a strict diet of brown rice and stewed apples. He rode the unbeaten Bush Telegraph to victory. More than three decades later, Gavin Lerena reduced his riding weight from 57 to 53 kilograms in four weeks ahead of the 2021 Vodacom Durban July. He won aboard Kommetdieding from the widest draw, 18, in his first victory in the race. Their stories became racing history. But the daily negotiation with weight usually doesn’t. That negotiation follows the jockey home. The Dinner Table Food is something that has to be calculated. One jockey described trying to make a small meal appear more substantial: “I tried eating off a small plate to fool myself my meal looked normal.” Looked normal.

A younger Garth Puller with his Durban July winner Bush Telegraph | Credit: Supplied

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One partner of a jockey with a young family described what happens at home: “We don’t eat like normal families. I make dinner for the family and then a separate meal for him … like a small piece of plain white fish or chicken breast and a few steamed veges. It’s tough to try and come up with tasty meals when he can only eat so little … every calorie counts.”

One jockey put it starkly: “I think we must be the only sportsmen who compete whilst being dehydrated.”

Yet the requirements of racing are at the table with them.

One jockey described becoming so dehydrated that his ears would block, making it difficult to speak to owners in the parade ring because his own voice sounded amplified in his ears.

As one jockey put it: “Boxers weigh in 2 days before a fight and can eat after, where we weigh in immediately before each race.”

And if a later ride is at a lighter weight, drinking becomes another calculation: “If it’s a hot day There is no racecourse in this description. No with a full book of rides, you sweat terribly but scales. No weighing room. Just a family sitting can’t drink if you have a light ride later in the down to dinner. meeting.”

“When you eat as little as we do, you end up living in constant hunger.” And the effects of hunger do not necessarily stay at the dinner table. “When you’re not eating, your social battery goes flat … I find myself grumpy even with those I love.”

And still, the jockey rides. Still performs. Still weighs in for the next race. The weight is made. The ride is taken. The race is run. From the outside, that looks like discipline. Professionalism. Competence. And it is. But competence can conceal the cost.

“Food becomes your enemy … it’s like living with a life sentence.” The Raceday Then comes raceday. A jockey may have spent days restricting food and water before arriving at the track. Once weighed out for a ride, even eating or drinking can become a calculation, especially when a lighter ride may still be ahead.

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“Wasting can flick a switch and put you in a bad mood no matter how disciplined you are.” One of the jockeys interviewed was 57. For some, managing weight can become part of a working life that spans decades. While the body changes, the number remains. The jockey turns up. The jockey weighs in. The jockey rides. The jockey does the job. And everyone gets used to seeing it.

Image for illustration purposes only | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Image for illustration purposes only | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

What It Takes

But perhaps you will see something else too.

Something can be difficult and still become normal. Perhaps the next time you watch a jockey go out to ride, the picture will look much the same.

The meals behind the number. The hunger. The discipline. The years. The family sitting around a dinner table where one plate is different from the others.

The horse. The silks. The number. The jockey settling into the saddle as the field moves towards the start.

The number tells us what the jockey carries. But it doesn’t tell us what it takes to carry it.

2026 | 69 Image for illustration purposes only9| SEPTEMBER Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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HABIB WINNER

SUSPENDED

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa confirms that, following laboratory analysis conducted by its laboratory, the presence of an anabolic steroid, a forbidden substance in terms of the Rules, was detected in a urine specimen taken from Corsaro Super after the gelding won Race 2 at the Vaal Racecourse on 13 August 2026.

The analysis also revealed the presence of a corticosteroid in the specimen. In accordance with Rule 91.2, the Chief Executive has imposed an interim suspension

on Corsaro Super pending the outcome of an Inquiry. The horse is in the care of trainer Fabian Habib. The date for the Inquiry has not yet been finalised.

This interim suspension is a precautionary regulatory measure and does not constitute a finding of guilt. It has been imposed solely to safeguard the integrity and proper functioning of horseracing pending the conclusion of the Inquiry process.

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A handsome guy – Point Lonsdale | Credit: Supplied

THE

POINT LONSDALE PAC K AG E Vermaak Equine has taken the reins of Maine Chance Farms’ second-season sire Point Lonsdale (IRE), a son of Derby winner Australia (by Galileo) out of a mare by Acclamation, who represents pure speed. 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 75

This makes him a stallion with the rare dual benefit of having been exceptionally precocious while also training on with distinction – a duality that makes him particularly relevant as the industry seeks to rebuild the market for classic and staying horses, while retaining an element of precocity. As a racer, Point Lonsdale ultimately developed into a middle-distance performer, but there is no doubt that the most successful stage of his career was his juvenile campaign. Incredibly, his stellar juvenile career seems to have been overlooked, with many apparently viewing Point Lonsdale as primarily a stamina horse – an assumption that is difficult to reconcile with his race record. In the care of Aidan O’Brien, Point Lonsdale won his 1400m debut at The Curragh by 5.25 lengths before reeling off three further victories over the same trip, each at a higher level. He followed up with commanding wins in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown and the Group 2 Galileo Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at The Curragh.

His only defeat at two came at the hands of Godolphin’s star colt Native Ruler in the Group 1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes over 1400m at The Curragh, with his conqueror being crowned 2021 Cartier Champion TwoYear-Old colt on the strength of that win. Justin Vermaak said: “Point Lonsdale was exceptional as a two-year-old, a fact that appears to have been overlooked by many local breeders. When Northern Hemisphere timing (where thoroughbreds officially age on 1 January) is converted to Southern Hemisphere timing (1 August), his precocity becomes immediately apparent. “In South African developmental terms, Point Lonsdale would have won a Listed race in mid-January, a Grade 3 in late February, a Grade 2 in late March and finished runner-up in a Grade 1 by mid-April. Those achievements are remarkable for a juvenile and provide compelling evidence of the natural speed and class he possessed at an early age.

Point Lonsdale in the paddock | Credit: Supplied

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“It is incredible that people can see this record and come out with the viewpoint that the horse may have ‘too much’ stamina. In fact, one could easily argue that he is the most precocious horse at stud in South Africa. Unless there is another stallion that would have been good enough to win the Chesham at Royal Ascot. Our very best juvenile of any year would be lucky to find the top half of the field.”

O’Brien described Point Lonsdale as a lovely, genuine horse with a great mind, and said that he was the best two-year-old in his stable in 2021. Dr Andreas Jacobs of Maine Chance Farms commented: “I confirmed that with Aidan, and it is quite incredible when you consider that he normally has a virtual armada of 70 to 80 twoyear-olds in training at Ballydoyle, excluding those still in the pipeline.” At four, Point Lonsdale won the Group 2 Huxley Stakes over 2050m at Chester, followed by the Group 3 Alleged Stakes over 2000m at The Curragh. He also ran third to Emily Upjohn in the prestigious Group 1 Coronation Cup over 2400m.

At five, he gave another good account of his class and versatility finishing third in the 2024 Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud over 2400m, a race his own brother Broome won in 2021. Broome is not his only Group 1 winning sibling. His half-brother, Diego Velazquez (Frankel), won the Gr1 Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois over 1600m at Deauville. He stood as a first-season sire at Newmarket’s National Stud, and is currently shuttling at Australia’s Swettenham Stud, majority-owned by Ben Sangster from the Sangster family, a household name in the breeding industry.

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Jacobs noted in a Racing Post article: “There’s very little Galileo blood in South Africa, and Point Lonsdale brings the appealing Acclamation factor to the table.

It is this combination of precocity, class and the ability to train on that Vermaak believes deserves greater recognition in a breeding industry increasingly preoccupied with speed.

“Both sire lines are sparsely represented in the country. There’s no Acclamation blood in South Africa except for Expert Eye, who was sold from Juddmonte, so I think this is a great chance for South Africa with fresh blood.”

He said: “Breeding for speed has become a convenient excuse. I’d like to drag the industry by the tail, because what we hear too often are complaints about races being downgraded and that the standards of our races for stayers are poor.

“Point Lonsdale’s dam, Sweepstake, was herself a stakes winner in May as a two-yearold when beating the colts, which is also impressive. I liked the earliness plus the fact he went on and was still a Group winner at four and five. He was the most expensive son of Australia ever and is a wonderful walker; that’s something Aidan O’Brien stressed at all times.”

“It’s time for all to put their money where their mouths are and start to breed more middledistance horses. After all, the bulk of the country’s prestigious and richest races are middle-distance events or run over at least a mile.

“The notion that the industry is increasingly catering towards juvenile and speed racing at the expense of traditional middle-distance and classic racing is clearly debunked by the table below. Only TWO sprints feature among South Africa’s highest-stakes black-type races.”

Vermaak added: “With regard to auction prices, not too long ago the progeny of Silvano and Dynasty dominated every sale, and to this day the sales-toppers are the ones which have some sort of classic attraction in their female lines. If there is any data or proof that shows 78 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

sprinters are more ‘commercial’, I would love to see it. Every owner wants to win the big middledistance weight-for-age events. That remains the top priority for all major owners in South Africa!”

Point Lonsdale received a solid first book of mares in 2025, including strong support from Maine Chance Farms and his shareholders, most notably Laurence Wernars, who acquired a substantial stake in the new stallion. The Klawervlei Stud owner was attracted by Point Lonsdale’s exceptional pedigree and the prospect of breeding fillies capable of carrying this valuable blood forward for generations. In his first year, Wernars alone supported Point Lonsdale with the Group winners Follow Me, Alula’s Star, Netta, Sprinkles and Troppo Veloce, as well as Gr1 winner Temple Grafin. Several others, including his prized mares She’s A Giver and True To Life, are booked to the stallion this year.

Jacobs concluded: “When I brought Silvano to South Africa in 2003, I found he was the perfect middle-distance horse for the country’s biggest races, and he duly delivered. I believe Point Lonsdale can do the same.” With Maine Chance and the Wernars family firmly behind Point Lonsdale, breeders can be confident that he will continue to receive quality books of mares – and that his first crop will have strong commercial support when they reach the yearling sales. For services to Point Lonsdale, and shares inquiries, please mail Justin Vermaak on justin@vermaakequine.com www.vermaakequine.com

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CONSTITUTION HILL v

MOVES UP DESPITE FIRST FLAT DEFEAT

Constitution Hill’s official rating has been raised 7lb to 108 after he finished fourth in Saturday’s Group 3 William Hill September Stakes at Kempton.

had yet to be decided in the aftermath of his run, but a trip to Australia for the Lexus Melbourne Cup is now off the table as he did not finish in the first three.

Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old was handed a rating of 101 by the handicapper after backto-back victories in all-weather novices this year, but has now jumped up again following his latest outing, which saw him finish five and three-quarters of a length behind Pride Of Arras, who has been raised 3lb to 117.

An official mark of 108 rules him out of 0-105 handicaps, in which the topweight can race off 2lb higher with a mark of 107, but some top-end handicaps, such as the November Handicap at Doncaster on November 7, allow runners rated higher than 105.

It was the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner’s first defeat on the Flat, but his performance under Billy Loughnane was deemed to be an improvement on his previous showings considering he was clashing with proven Group performers for the first time. A plan for Constitution Hill, who posted a Racing Post Rating of 109, 6lb higher than for his runaway Flat debut win at Southwell in February,

Speaking after the race on Saturday, Henderson said: “I do think he’s going to come on for that. He got there as if it was going to happen and he just couldn’t quite [go on]. He’ll sharpen up. He’s going to be eligible for a handicap mark and it’ll be interesting to see the reaction to that.” www.racingpost.com

82 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 Flashback – Constitution Hill (Oisin Murphy) celebrates a debut victory on the flat | Credit: Southwell Racecourse

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Kevin Shea at Man United’s Megastore, Old Trafford | Credit: Supplied

RACING FOLK FLEX THEIR

FOOTBALL COLOURS There is one sport South Africa’s racing personalities seem to love almost as much as racing – and, surprisingly, it’s not rugby! 84 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

Paul Lafferty and Charlie Pegram at the Spurs Stadium | Credit: Supplied

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With the English Premier League season now underway, racing fans are throwing their support behind their favourite teams for the 2026/27 campaign. Many are every bit as passionate about their football clubs and star players as they are about their favourite stables and thoroughbreds, while plenty are also happy to put their knowledge to the test with TAB’s array of boutique soccer bets. We asked some familiar faces from the racing world where their football loyalties lie, and, if we hadn’t cut short their enthusiasm, Off The Record would have been late this week! The second surprise was that the majority of the racing aficionados interviewed, support North London club Tottenham Hotspur – the outfit that provides conclusive proof that you can have a world-class stadium without a world-class trophy cabinet. Trainer Paul Lafferty is proud to call himself the ‘biggest Spurs supporter in South Africa’, and has supported Spurs through thick and thin – mostly thin – all his life. Everyone knows that ‘Laff ’ played professional soccer for Durban City early in his career, when they won the league two years in a row. These days, however, he is hoping to see his English favourites get just a rare sniff of a league title, and said: “They’ve started at the bottom of the log, but things will improve. Our striker Richarlison needs to be replaced. If he jumps off a boat, he won’t hit the water!” Laff has a long-standing friendship with Spursconnected Charlie Pegram, a former top-flight goalkeeper. They attend matches at the Spurs stadium a few times a year. He likes to take fixed-odds soccer doubles and the occasional Soccer 6, and said his weekly online show, OnSide SA, presented alongside

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renowned expert ‘Budgie’ Byrne on YouTube, is a must-watch for serious soccer punters. The show includes local and international previews, a link to UK expert ‘Stevie B’ and Budgie’s best bets. Laff said: “Budgie is an ace tipster. He looks at games from all angles and knows every detail about every team. You can’t beat him for expertise, and his advice is unmissable if you play the soccer exotics.” Another seasoned expert, SuperSport’s Neil Andrews, is a fellow long-time Spurs supporter, as are former Race Coast chair Greg Bortz, presenter Deez Dyanand, NHA chair Mark Currie, 4Racing’s Johnny Geroudis, veteran industryman Graeme Hawkins and racehorse owner Mike Wittstock. Andrews, who runs 4Racing TV’s Play Of The Day show, believes picking the right football teams is even trickier than picking the right horses. “With horses, you have a fair chance following form factors like course and distance, but soccer brings the human element into play and the results can be erratic. “That is what makes the exotic soccer bets so special, and if you can go against the grain and select the underdogs in the right places, you can get the cash!”

Andrews enjoys the Soccer 4 and has taken his share of the pools, regularly winning in the R2,000 to R15,000 range, but the massive payday has eluded him. His advice for those seeking the big payouts is simple: “Look for a ‘bogey’ team. Every team has a bogey rival – those mid- and bottom-of-the-log teams who often beat a major contender against the odds. Brighton, for example, have had some great results against Manchester United in recent years.

Devonne Govender in Man U gear | Credit: Supplied

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“It’s like the Pick 6 in racing. If you can bank a 10-1 shot in a race with a 5-10 favourite, you’ll be in the pound seats because 90% of Pick 6 players will be out. If you can find the right ‘bogey’ teams against the big guns, a single ‘bogey’ result in a Soccer 6 or Soccer 10 can contribute to a whopping dividend.” Deez Dyanand takes his soccer bets seriously and is especially keen on the Soccer 13, where pools are commingled with those of Sweden’s national operator, Svenska Spel, creating the potential for massive jackpots. “There were respective jackpot payouts of over R21-million and R17-million a few years ago, and just recently there was an R18-million payout and also another day when 24 winners shared over R1-million each. So I try every week and it fascinates me. I’ve considered and played many combinations and done the maths to give myself the best chance possible on my budget. “I spend R192 using seven bankers and covering with two or three options in the other legs, or maybe R432 for bigger cover. I’ve taken bigger perms on occasion, and once came desperately close to winning R800,000. I was in line for the cash cow until the 96th minute, when a goal went against me in injury time. I couldn’t sleep for four days!”

like to compare facts and figures, and this was confirmed by his colleague Devonne Govender, who has Deez’s love for soccer in common, but fortunately not his favourite football team. Govender, a fiery Manchester United follower alongside the likes of Kevin Shea, Brandon Bailey (who grew up near the Old Trafford stadium), Michel Nairac, Dave Goss, Troy Finch and Budgie Byrne, concedes that his group of supporters are essentially like racing punters who keep backing the same horse because it won three Group 1s 15 years ago. However, like most of them, Govender has remained staunchly loyal to the Red Devils – despite Gary Neville being among the club’s so-called ‘legends’. Now that is loyalty! Govender said: “You have to study soccer results like you study race form. That will give you an edge. There are excellent sources of information, with plenty of historical data and tothe-minute updates. Flashscore is probably the best around.” Then, sadly, we come to Liverpool supporters, most of whom are never short of an opinion on refereeing. There is always a decision, somewhere, that requires forensic investigation. •

Dyanand reminded soccer punters that there is a wealth of information available for those who

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There’s more to it… click on the image below to read the full story.

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LUCKY FISH PRICE UP

ON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Lucky Fish have opened their betting markets for the Lucky Fish National Championships. Sportsbook operator Lucky Fish recently announced its sponsorship of the SA National Trainer and Jockey Championships, together with an unprecedented Apprentice and Grooms Championship for the 2026-27 season, with all four competitions encompassing race meetings staged in all four racing jurisdictions in South Africa. The variation on the traditional national championship criteria is that this competition measures trainers on wins as opposed to stakes, with various criteria applying to geographics in respect of home and away victories. Similar criteria apply to the jockeys and apprentice categories.

Ruling champion Justin Snaith and multiple East Cape star Alan Greeff are quoted as joint 18-10 favourites on the trainer’s boards. Interestingly, Greeff has beaten Snaith in terms of pure winners for the past three seasons. Reigning SA champion jockey Craig Zackey is easy to back at 4-1, while dual past champion Gavin Lerena is at 6-1, with another former champion in Keagan de Melo topping the boards at evens in the very competitive jockey challenge. Newly crowned SA champion apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson is quoted at 15-10 on top of the apprentice board. But there may be some support for Mauritian Anaas Mosaheb, who is in a rich vein of form, and currently boasts a 24,4% win strike-rate. Anaas is at 2-1. Visit the Lucky Fish site to view all the odds.

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Makybe Diva wins the 2005 Melbourne Cup. | Credit: Supplied

FLEMINGTON FEATURES O N S AT U R D AY

This weekend’s premier feature race from Australia is named after one of the greatest thoroughbreds of all time, not just in Australia, but globally. Makybe Diva won three consecutive Melbourne Cups in 2003, ‘04 and ‘05, a feat that will, quite frankly, never be repeated. Saturday’s Gr1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington is shaping up as a field truly worthy of that great name. While final fields are yet to be confirmed, the nominations alone are enough to get pulses racing. Rising superstar mare Sheza Alibi looks set to return to Melbourne alongside three-time defending champion Mr Brightside, Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, Queen Elizabeth Stakes champion Sir Delius, and the likes of Aeliana, Autumn Boy and Treasurethe Moment, to name just a few. 94 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

It’s shaping up to be the highlight of the season so far. The other prize on the line at Flemington this week is the Gr3 Archer Stakes run over 2500m, which carries a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup. Traditionally run on Derby Day, the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the race was moved to this slot to give Cup contenders a better preparation and is sure to unearth a Cup contender for first Tuesday of November. Meanwhile in Sydney, Spring racing heads to Rosehill for a trio of Gr2 features, headlined by the Run to the Rose for three-year-olds, the key lead-up to the Golden Rose. It’s a race with a proud Godolphin pedigree, boasting past winners including Tempted (2025), In Secret (2022), Anamoe (2021), Bivouac (2019) and Exosphere (2015). It’s shaping up to be the biggest day of Australian feature racing this season.

Almeraq (Tom Marquand) wins at Haydock Park | Credit: Great British Racing

ALMERAQ LEAVES THEM IN THE DUST

The weekend highlight in the UK was the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup run at Haydock Park. The winners from the July Cup and Commonwealth Cup were missing, but Almeraq, victorious at the royal meeting in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, certainly turned up winning the six-furlong feature by a street. The lightly raced four-year-old has always been highly regarded by his trainer William

Haggas. He ran on well to win by a nose on good to firm ground in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee at Royal Ascot. That was his first start at Group 1 level, and he showed he is a different animal on going softer than good, when quickening away from the Ed Bethell trained, Paborus winning impressively by four and a quarters length. 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 95

Now officially rated 123 he looks much the one to beat back at Ascot on Champions Day, especially if the expected autumn rains arrive. Down at Kempton all eyes were on the 4/6 favourite Gethin and former Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill in the Group 3 September Stakes. The mile and a half Group 3 was also contested by last season’s Great Voltigeur winner Pride Of Arras, somewhat overlooked in the market at around 11/2. The New Bay four-year-old whose most recent start was when runner-up to subsequent Juddmonte winner Item at York in July ran out a convincing length winner. On turning into the home straight, Constitution Hill was travelling well under Billy Loughnane, but they got racing from a long way out and the nine-year-old was tapped for toe. Just in front of Constitution Hill, Rossa Ryan had Pride Of Arras well placed on the heels of the pace setting Gethin. Pride Of Arras made rapid headway to lead a furlong out and always had the measure Gethin who kept on for second. Constitution Hill was disappointing in fourth, almost six lengths back. Sunday belonged to the Aga Khan Studs, trainer Francis Henri Graffard and jockey Mickael Barzalona who completed a Group treble at Longchamp. Their lightly raced three-year-old Caravaggio gelding Erdenali dented a few reputations when running out an easy 96 | 9 SEPTEMBER 2026

winner of the Moulin over a mile. He had the Irish raider and race favourite Gstaad over four lengths behind in third, while the Godolphin four-year-old Opera Ballo finished back in fourth. The trio then landed the Prix Niel with 11/2 shot Varandir. In a strongly run affair, Barzalona had him in midfield behind the pace making Ballydoyle runner Montreal. He made up the leeway to lead inside the final 110 yards before seeing off the late challenge from Alam. Ballydoyle’s poor form continued with their Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini weakening quickly, finishing fifth. The winner Varandir could represent good value in the Arc next month, although he’ll have to beat his stable companion and the defending champ Daryz. Daryz brought up the treble with a facile victory in the Gr2 Prix Foy over the Arc trip. He only had the smart English raider Bay City Roller to beat in a four-horse field and Oisin Murphy decided to go forward on Bay City Roller with Barzalona content to sit in his slipstream. Once in the straight, Barzalona switched Daryz out for his run and in a matter of strides was upsides his rival. From a furlong out he only needed to be shaken up to go on and score easily by nearly two lengths. Judged on this easy success, the four-yearold son of Sea The Stars looks to be on track to defend his Arc crown next month.

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JOHN STUART – REMEMBERED AS

A PASSIONATE RACING MAN v

A man who played an instrumental role in the globalisation of the South African racing product, John Stuart has passed away at the age of 70 after a short battle with cancer. John Stuart’s introduction to horse racing came at an early age. He grew up listening to racing commentaries on steam radio from the age of 7 with his Dad, who was a keen punter and a friend of the late trainer Des Rich. John’s career path started in accounting and in 1979 he joined the then TAB Natal as an internal auditor. His path led him to join Phumelela where he worked for the late Derrick Wiid, who had a big influence on him. John credited Wiid with being the man who hatched the idea of televising and betting on much of the overseas racing we see on our screens today. John Athol Stuart was born in Eshowe on 17 July 1956. He served his articles with KPMG before joining TAB KwaZulu-Natal in 1979 as Internal Auditor, and occupied various positions there before leaving in 1996 as Assistant General Manager.

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He then joined TAB Transvaal, which was transferred to Phumelela as part of the corporatisation process, in 1997 and served in various positions before heading up the international division in 2006.

He led the Tellytrack operation on behalf of the Tellytrack partnership and was an Executive Director of Premier Gateway International. He was also non-executive director of Automatic Systems Limited, one of the two totalisator operators in Mauritius at the time. John Stuart took over as Phumelela CEO on the departure of Rian du Plessis in September 2018. He resigned 20 months later at the age of 63 after battling with the challenges of a company facing serious financial issues, exacerbated by, amongst others, tax cuts, and expensive litigation, with Covid-19 having turned the world upside down. John will be remembered as a passionate racing man. He is survived by a son and three daughters. Our condolences and sympathies are extended to his family and friends at this sad time. MHDSRIP.

John Stuart – racing was his passion | Credit: Supplied

results up to: 2026-09-09

TRAINERS Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

50.5

1,292,900

1,953,815

54.8

958,313

1,320,856

51.8

1,004,625

1,285,659

47.3

769,500

1,157,604

14.8

45.9

605,625

905,231

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Other Places

Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr S J Snaith

101

18.8

Mr A C Greeff

21.9

Mr A P Peter

28.6

Mr D G Smith

14.3

Candice Bass

JOCKEYS Other Places

Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr K de Melo

113

24.8

46.0

1,997,969

2,536,413

Mr K Matsunyane

20.0

51.6

1,247,469

1,775,408

Mr Serino Moodley

20.5

53.4

1,181,563

1,721,741

Mr G J Lerena

18.3

54.9

1,064,000

1,622,125

Mr M A Yeni

14.0

57.0

764,750

1,368,869

BREEDERS Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

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

Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

144

192

16,632

13.9

2,395,006

Varsfontein Stud

116

23,179

24.1

2,016,613

Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

18,725

17.1

1,423,135

Ridgemont Highlands

19,555

21.1

1,388,401

Klawervlei Stud

14,757

11.0

1,077,253

Runrs Runs

AEPR

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

SIRES Name Vercingetorix

105

29,145

28.2

2,273,288

Rafeef (AUS)

114

20,949

21.8

1,822,580

Master Of My Fate

120

19,681

18.5

1,810,621

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)

114

17,480

16.9

1,555,694

Querari (GER)

107

16,282

12.0

1,351,375

See all the detailed standings - Click here 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 99