CHAMP!
COUNTDOWN TO AUGUST 2YO SALE
12
Freshman Foals
Next generation on the hoof
35
BSA August 2yo Sale
The supplement!
125
Clocking The Winners
Time is money
137 Rupert Family Success Winner for Cayton Park
146
Shergar Cup – Asia Strike! An upset for the books
On the cover
A horsewoman of impeccable breeding, Lucky Fish-sponsored Milnerton trainer Lucinda Woodruff is our Sprint cover star this week after her and star warmblood, Rivendell Baldor won the bronze medal at the 2025 Westown SA Showjumping Championships at Shongweni Club last weekend. In just her 3rd round at 1,50m level, the highest level in the country, Lucinda showed she’s equally as good as our best showjumpers, as she is at training Grade 1 thoroughbreds! A phenomenal achievement and we congratulate her. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.
AS RACE COAST UPS THE PACE STAKEHOLDERS SET TO BENEFIT
Stakeholders racing in the Cape and KZN can look forward to enhanced Race Coast incentives, powered by Hollywoodbets, in the new season, after over R25 million was paid to owners, trainers and jockeys last term.
While the KZN portion of the Race Coast Incentive, amounting to R9 632 500, was only paid for the final seven months of last season, incentives of R12 222 000 were paid to owners in the Cape, with R2,7 million to trainers and an additional R817 625 paid out to jockeys in the region last season.
The launch of South Africa’s new age coastal racing operator, spawned from the merger of Gold Circle’s operations in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape-based Cape Racing, at the end of May signalled the arrival of a vibrant new force in South African horse racing, with the innovative Race Coast Incentive Scheme a key driver in bold plans to rebuild and reignite a passion for the sport, while attracting a new and diverse audience.
Looking ahead, incentives have now been standardized over the two Race Coast regions, with an amount of R38 475 000
Race Coast Executive Justin Vermaak – ‘exciting times ahead!’ | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
budgeted to be paid to stakeholders during the period 1 September 2025 to 31 July 2026.
Race Coast Executive Justin Vermaak told the Sporting Post that the Race Coast Incentive Scheme had been streamlined over the past three years and had ‘unquestionably worked’ in achieving some of the goals set, while remaining a ‘work-in-progress’.
“We set out with the aim of boosting racehorse ownership and achieving enhanced field sizes, which naturally provides the knock-on vital lifeblood of increased betting turnovers. In 2022, the Cape had fallen to sixty race meetings for the season while managing a paltry 8,86 runners a race. The completion of the 2024/25 season saw the region complete 67 race meetings with 10,17 runners per race. This is solid growth, despite the national trend of reduced meetings. This provides further opportunities for our local racing communities, and increased employment prospects for grooms and work riders, as well as raising the bar for all related and ancillary horse racing services. We have exciting times ahead with KZN now under the umbrella,” said Vermaak.
On the season-to-season changes being implemented, Vermaak said that logistical considerations and stakeholder consultation had resulted in ‘tweaks’ while also striving to keep incentives uniform and simple to understand.
“Historically, we have not paid appearance fees to the first and last placed horses. This changes in 25/26 as we now do not pay the winner and runner-up, and the last-place horse gets paid. We have also not paid the trainer and jockey of the first and last-placed
horses their respective fees. That changes this season to only the winning trainer and jockey not receiving their fees. The appearance fee payable to owners will be R2 500, the trainer will earn a R700 saddling fee, and the jockeys R250 extra per ride. This will be standard across both Race Coast regions,” he added, while also confirming that the team are thrilled to announce the extension of the ‘raiders bonus’ incentive for the Cape Summer Season.
“Historically, owners and trainers of winners during the Summer have been rewarded with added bonuses in line with having won at a standard Summer meeting, or at a Festival meeting. This has been a great hit with our visitors, and we expect to welcome them again this season” concluded Vermaak.
RCIS 25/26 Incentive Summary:
• R2 500 a runner (Owner)
• R700 a runner (Trainer)
• R250 a runner (Jockey)
• R10 000 a winner (Owner) at any meeting during the Cape Summer Season (1 Nov - 28 Feb)
• R10 000 a winner (Trainer) at any meeting during the Cape Summer Season (1 Nov - 28 Feb)
• R50 000 a winner (Owner) at any Festival meeting during the Cape Summer Season (Not payable in races with a gross stake of R500 000 and higher)
• R50 000 a winner (Trainer) at any Festival meeting during the Cape Summer Season
• Free seasonal stable rental for raiding horses
• Healthy transport rebates once meeting racing criteria
YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
Gavin Lerena was crowned SA Champion jockey for the second time when the sun set on a dramatic 2024/25 season on Thursday 31 July.
Lerena, the man who smashed Michael Roberts’ 30-year record for record wins by an apprentice in 2007, when he notched 238 successes en route to three champion apprentice titles, won his first national title in 2014/15.
Incidentally, the apprentice record was subsequently improved by Lyle Hewitson in 2018 when he registered 285 wins.
Lerena, who will be crowned at Equus in Durban on Thursday evening, rode 277 winners last term at a strike-rate of 24,8% and total stakes of R36 724 998 to beat reigning record-breaking champion Richard Fourie by 18 wins. Fourie’s strike rate of 25,3% was the best in the land, and the Capetonian also banked the most stakes, his R37 812 723 beating Lerena’s gross by just over a bar.
With 1421 rides, Craig Zackey (17,4% strikerate), regarded by many as the hard-luck story of the season, was the hardest working rider in the country, and he managed 247 wins – 12 behind Fourie – to round off the national trifecta.
The top trio, all achieved a double century plus, and were streets ahead of the balance, with Muzi Yeni’s 145 winners (12,5%) giving him a distant fourth.
Sean Veale’s 116 (13,5%) marked a top five finish in his best season in over 20 years.
While it was not the first time it has happened in the hurly burly of the chase for the national title, the past season was again marked by a measure of legal gamesmanship, with the
processes of the National Horseracing Authority coming under fire, sometimes uninformed and unjustly so, for being something of a lame duck.
The fact is that our internationally respected Constitution is one of the most progressive in the world and the thread of rights of the individual runs through almost every paragraph.
The NHA’s processes are structured within the broader framework of the laws of the land, and an appeal, for example, is a right in most cases. And in legal processes, delaying games are par for the course – professional fouls that don’t always get the red card that sectors of the public demand.
In the end, the noise and side-shows aside, the championship is ultimately won on the track, not in the boardroom. So well done to Gavin Lerena!
But William Shakespeare was on the mark when he said ‘uneasy lies the head that wears a crown’. It won’t be easy to do it again!
So who will lift the trophy this season?
It takes a lot of voyager miles, support from top yards, and dedication to get the job done. Beyond Lerena, Richard Fourie and Smanga Khumalo are the only past SA champion jockeys in the mix.
It is difficult to see one of the trio not lifting the trophy again.
The Sprint is interactive – click here and please let us have your vote!
AUGUST MARKS START OF FOALING SEASON CIRCLES OF LIFE
Following the conclusion of the KZN winter season, there’s a hiatus of sorts as racing heads into a quiet period. In contrast, the breeding industry is entering its busiest time of the year, with the month of August marking the start of the Southern Hemisphere foaling season.
We caught up with a number of stud masters who have been looking forward to the arrival of the season’s first foals, in particular those by stallions who entered stud last year.
Drakenstein Stud reports that their first foal
by homebred champion Charles Dickens was born as early as August 2.
Stud manager Gavin Pickford elaborates: “It’s a filly and she is out of Winter Cloud, who is an own sister to Clouds Unfold. She’s very nice, given that she is the mare’s first foal.”
Winter Cloud, by What A Winter, retired to the paddocks a millionaire and a triple Gr3 winner of the Champagne Stakes, Cape of Good Hope Nursery and Strelitzia Stakes, in addition to which she chased home Mrs Geriatrix in the Gr1 Allan Robertson
It’s August and family time! | Credit: Syrilla Stud
Championship. Her own sister Clouds Unfold won two renewals of the Gr1 Majorca Stakes.
The popularity of Charles Dickens as a racehorse was always going to spill over to his stallion career and not surprisingly, Drakenstein supported him with some of its most prominent mares, amongst which former Horse of the Year Oh Susanna, Gr1 Rain In Holland, Silver Darling, Clouds Unfold and Snowdance, the dam of Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot.
Charles Dickens’s first harem also included Gr2 winner My Sanctuary, the dam of Gr1 winners Safe Passage and Silver Sanctuary, as well as See It Again’s dam Supreme Vision.
Varsfontein Stud seems to have that magic touch with its homebred stallions.
Master Of My Fate is a proven elite sire, whilst close relative Erik The Red is off to a flying start and finished last season as the leading freshman stallion. Hopes are high that Gimmethegreenlight’s champion son Sandringham Summit will follow suit. He returned to his birthplace in 2024 and lacked nothing in support either.
Syrilla Stud welcomed one of his early foals in the very first week of August, a colt out of the Duke Of Marmalade mare Yasmeen.
“He’s a nice upstanding foal,” remarked manager Tiaan Ellis.
Well-related, Yasmeen is an own sister to the fine sprinter True To Life, a winner of both the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur and Gr3 Magnolia Handicaps, whilst running second in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint and third twice in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint.
Tiaan is eagerly awaiting a foal by A Case Of You, another Drakenstein newcomer whose career-best came in France’s premier sprint race, the Gr1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp.
“Unfortunately, the mare we sent to him is overdue,” he lamented. Tiaan is clearly a fan of the stallion: “A seriously good-looking horse with a superb temperament.”
Just up the road at Paardeberg Stud, Sally Bruss reports the arrival of the first local foal by Gr1 Breeders Cup Mile winner Expert Eye, who has enjoyed a fine run of recent overseas success with his British-bred stakes winners Witness Stand and Snellen.
“A lovely, robust and well-made filly out of Mary Lamb,” enthused Sally. “We are delighted, she’s full of bounce!”
The mare, a dual winner by Dynasty, is a halfsister to Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Brave Mary, out of Swallow Stakes victress Mary Lou.
Sally is also keenly awaiting the Expert Eye foal out of Mina Salaam, which is due any day now.
An American-conceived daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of dual champion Circle Of Life, she just happens to be the dam of aforementioned Yasmeen and True To Life.
Meanwhile, Basie and Suzette Viljoen of Hopes And Dreams Stud are on tenterhooks, they have yet to welcome the first foals by their Frankel horse Frantastic, an own brother to multiple Gr1 winner and sire Cracksman.
Explained Suzette: “Frantastic arrived at the farm late, so his foals will only be coming at the end of August, early September.” Exciting times ahead.
As the season progresses and gathers momentum, we will obviously keep our readers up to date with further notable arrivals.
Watch this space!
Ed – feel free to email your foal pics to editor@sportingpost.co.za – please include breeding / sex/ date of birth / back story, if applicable.
Drakenstein’s homebred champion Charles Dickens’ first – a filly out of Winter Cloud | Credit: Drakenstein Stud
OUR BLUE-BLOODED COUSIN! CASEY…
Champion Cousin Casey is one of a handful of new stallions retiring to stud in South Africa this season.
The handsome bay will stand at Mauritzfontein and is one of 13 Gr1 winners for his sire Vercingetorix, to date.
Vercingetorix, the sire of 62 black type winners and counting, was South Africa’s Champion Sire, Leading Sire of 2YOs and Leading Sire of 3YOs in 2024-2025.
The champion son of six-time South African
Champion Sire Silvano enjoyed a remarkable season in 2024-2025, when Vercingetorix was responsible for 23 stakes winners.
Among Vercingetorix’s stars last season were the Gr1 winners Double Grand Slam, Mia Moo and Gladatorian.
The Maine Chance Farms’ resident also went close to reeling off a Gr1 treble on World Sports Betting Cape Town Met day where the Vercingetorix-sired Oriental Charm, Surjay and Double Grand Slam finishing second in the Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, Gr1
Cousin Casey looks set for retirement | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship and Gr1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes, respectively.
Vercingetorix, who had yearlings make up to R9 000 000 in 2025, is not only a champion sire, but a versatile one as well. Stars sired by Vercingetorix range from such Gr1 winning two-year-olds as Ambiorix, Cousin Casey and Mrs Geriatrix, but also include the evergreen champion stayer Nebraas.
Cousin Casey, who is one of three Equus Champions (at the time of writing) for his sire, hails from a top-class family.
A three-parts brother to two winners, notably Listed Breeders Guineas/Listed Lady’s Slipper Stakes third Klever Kathy, Cousin Casey is out of the unplaced Casey Tibbs mare Bretton
Woods.
The latter is a full-sister to the ill-fated champion, and 2009 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July winner, Big City Life, as well as to Gr3 Final Fling Stakes/Listed Ladies Mile heroine Cash Register. While Big City Life never got to enjoy a stud career, his full-sister Cash Register proved to be a top-class producer in a relatively short career as a broodmare. Her six foals included no fewer than five stakes winners, led by the graded stakes winners Mucho Dinero and Snapscan.
Big City Life and Cash Register were two of seven winners produced by the dual winning Goldmark mare Dollar Crisis. The latter’s dam, the Gr3 placed Gran Moza, was a full-sister to Argentine champion Hard Up, who enjoyed success at stud in South Africa through Gr1
winners of the ilk of Drum Star and Young Harvest, as well as champion Tatler.
Cousin Casey is directly descended in female line from the 1865 English Oaks winner Regalia (Stockwell), whose other notable descendants include French classic winners Annita, Launay, and Tilly.
Casey Tibbs, a son of legendary stallion Sadler’s Wells, has enjoyed plenty of success as a broodmare sire.
Among the notable performers produced by daughters of Casey Tibbs are dual Gr1 Durban July winner Do It Again (Twice Over), and the latter’s Hong Kong Gr3 winning half-brother Horse Of Fortune (Stronghold), Gr1 WSB SA Classic winner Red Saxon (Red Ray), and Gr1 Woolavington 2000 winner Do You Remember. The latter, like Vercingetorix, was sired by Silvano.
The Equus Champion 2yo colt of his year,
Cousin Casey raced to the age of 5 last season, and had one start, whereafter he was injured and retired to stud.
Rated 125 at peak, Cousin Casey won 5 races (1 x Gr1, 2 x Gr2, 1 x L) from 1400m to a mile, with 13 places, and earned over R3,6 million.
He ran one of his greatest races in defeat, when beaten just 0,30 lengths by Oriental Charm in the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2200m), when conceding 3 kgs to the winner.
It was announced some weeks ago that there were 40 shares for sale at R80 000 plus vat each, and shareholders will enjoy double nominations for the first four years.
Cousin Casey’s service fee is set at R10 000, with a deposit of R2 000 and R8 000 at live foal.
Please click here to read more about Cousin Casey.
Cousin Casey – top class racehorse | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
IT’S YOUR BID!
Hotter Than July!
KZN Breds In Demand
Ascot Stud
Benmarne Stud
Blue Sky
Thoroughbreds
Boland Stud
Raceform Buyer’s Guide
Camargue Stud
Drakenstein Stud Farm
Klawervlei Stud
Moutonshoek
Narrow Creek Stud
Ndoro Stud
Riverton Stud
Sandown Stud
Winterbach Stud
TWO DAYS
– ONE GOAL!
Bloodstock South Africa will be hosting the August 2yo Sale on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 August at the TBA Sales Complex in Johannesburg.
The August Two Year Old Sale is a well established thoroughbred auction, which produces top-class thoroughbreds year in and year out. In recent times, notable graduates of this sale include such graded stakes winners as Elegantrix, Golden Palm, Let’s Go Now, Nourbese, and White Pearl.
The majority of South Africa’s top stud farms will be represented, while top stallions represented here include Gimmethegreenlight, Master Of My Fate,
One World, Querari, Rafeef, Vercingetorix and What A Winter.
Exciting young sires with members of their first crop on offer at the August Sale include Chimichuri Run, Malmoos, and Real Gone Kid.
The Raceform Buyer’s Guide can be accessed here.
The sale starts at 10h30 on both days.
Golden Palm – champion was purchased at the August 2yo Sale | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
This year’s August 2YO Sale, to be held on 21 and 22 August at the TBA sales complex near Germiston, features just a handful of KwaZulu-Natal studs, but as the catalogue shows, it’s very much a case of quality over quantity.
Peter and Jenny Blyth of Clifton Stud enjoyed a fine season as the province’s leading breeders, whilst finishing in twelfth position on the General Breeders list. Their haul of stakes winners included a trio of Gr3 winners in Madison Valley, who won the Cup Trial, Merchants hero Mount Pilatus and Mai Sensation, winner of the Poinsettia Stakes. In addition, Gocekwithlove won the Listed Lady’s Pendant while juvenile colt Charming Cheetah claimed the Listed Storm Bird Stakes before finishing second in the Gr.1 Gold Medallion. Clifton’s quality draft for this year’s sale
includes the progeny of a fine array of stallions, from the stalwarts Act Of War, Canford Cliffs and What A Winter, to the young Turks Erik The Red, Declarationofpeace and Chimichuri Run.
Clifton are also proud breeders of the champion filly Mrs Geriatrix, a grandaughter of the Model Man Vogue, who did sterling service for the farm, producing stakes winners Fort Vogue, Whatalady and Prince Of Kahal. Clifton will offer the What A Winter colt Winston’s Guard (Lot 68), whose dam Duchess Of Windsor is a daughter of Whatalady.
Vogue is also grandam of Red Hot Guy (Lot 84), a colt by Fire Away out of three-time winner Fashion Talk. Fire Away is a son of War Front as is Declarationofpeace, the sire of Gutsy Girl (Lot 50), a filly out of Gr3-placed Captain Al mare Copiapo, the dam of three
KZN Breeders Chairperson Cathy Martin and Justin Snaith at the recent raceday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
multiple winners to date. Grandam Urabamba won the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic and hails from the famed Bosworth Farm family of Royal Line, Topa Inca, Cholula and Cordillera.
They say timing is everything, and Clifton Stud certainly hit the jackpot at last year’s sale with a R500 000 for a colt by One World, who had just been crowned champion freshman sire. Twelve months on and the stud may well cash in on a colt by another boom first-season sire
Erik The Red. Named Erikson, Lot 272 is the first foal of Verinova, a winning Var half-sister to Copiapo.
The sizeable draft from Blue Sky Thoroughbreds likewise represents the progeny of a diverse selection of stallions.
Rafeef is the sire of Lot 247, a half-sister to last season’s smart juvenile Jingleberry. A winner on debut, she picked up black type in her only other start when second in the Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes.
Rafeef is also sire of Lot 262, a filly from a female line nurtured at Blue Sky over many years, that of the Rainbow Dream mare Fancy Fantasy.
Just a modest one-time winner on the track, she proved a veritable goldmine as a broodmare, producing Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Indiscreet Fantasy, as well as stakes winner Silver Fantasy , Gr1 Cape Flying Championship third Personal Fantasy and multiple Gr2-placed ten-time winner Malinga. The Rafeef filly is out of her Trippi grandaughter, the four-time winner Trippi’s Girl.
The death of New Predator was a sad loss to the South African breeding industry, and he is represented here by Lot 125, a colt from another fine Blue Sky female line, that of Equus
Champion Broodmare Trade Enquiry. A stakes winner of nine races, she produced the Gr.1 winners Count The Money and Buy And Sell, as well as Gr2 SA Oaks victress Bedloe’s Island, the grandam of this colt.
Bedloe’s Island is also grandam of Lot 118, a filly by Legislate. Stud master Bruce le Roux will no doubt hope that lightning strikes twice, as he was handsomely rewarded for a filly by the same sire at last year’s sale. Snapped up by Laurence Wernars for R600 000 and subsequently named Serengetti Sun, she made a first dent in her purchase price with a debut victory at Scottsville before finishing a close-up fifth in the Gr2 Debutante at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Blue Sky bred last season’s dual stakes winner Lady Fallon, a daughter of Act Of War, who is the sire of Lot 30, a colt out of the versatile Gr3-placed mare Bold Wonder, a winner of seven races trained by Duncan Howells.
Blue Sky will also offer three youngsters from the first crop of its exciting resident stallion, the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint ace Chimichuri Run, amongst which Lot 263, a filly whose pedigree screams ‘speed’, as she is the first foal out of Gr3 Sycamore Sprint victress Tropic Sun.
Camargue Stud boasts a 15-strong draft, which for the most part is made up by the progeny of Declarationofpeace, prime amongst which the half-sister to multiple Gr1 performer Royal Aussie. Set to step into the ring as early as Lot 3, stud master Brett van Laun describes her as “a real stunner.”
Brett also raved about Lot 55, the Danon Platina filly out of Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winner Cousin Liz, a half-sister to multiple Gr3 winner Gimme One Night. “She is a quality filly, sure to be a showstopper.”
Camargue will also be offering a colt by leading first-season sire Erik The Red in Ulez Camera (Lot 110), the first foal out of High Dudgeon, a Judpot half-sister to the stakes winning Gimmethegreenlight siblings Third Runway and Kinda Wonderful.
The Fort Stud rounds out the KZN contingent with a pair of smart youngsters. First through the ring, and offered on behalf of Aldora Stud, will be Majik Wine (Lot 96), a big strong filly by Willow Magic out of an own sister to Gr1 Empress Club Stakes winner Ronnie’s Candy.
Those in search of a classic prospect, look no further than Dance For Darling (Lot 144).
By stalwart Ideal World, the chestnut is the first foal out of Littlewood, a five-time winning daughter of Fort Wood. She is bred on a proven cross, one which to date has already yielded eight stakes winners, besides which Ideal World also sired multiple champion Smart Call from a mare by Fort Wood’s son Horse Chestnut.
Peter and Jenny Blyth with Sarah Baldegger (middle) | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
MORE ROYALTY AT AUGUST SALE ASCOT
Ascot Stud has unleashed more than its share of high-class performers at the August Two Year Old Sale.
Among the smart performers sold by Ascot at this auction are the likes of Three Rocks, United Council, Rockie Reef, Precious Pansy, and Arabian Beat. Dr Ashley Parker will be offering another high-class draft at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale and will be offering two-year-olds from some of the best families in the stud book.
Ashley mentioned the following lots as being particularly appealing:
Lot 42 - Fish Tales (c) by Heavenly Blue ex Caviar
A strong, powerful colt out of a five-time winning Var mare from the Soho Secret family. This colt is a half-brother to Listed Champion Juvenile Cup winner King Prawn
Lot 89 - Gallic Flight (f) by Vercingetorix ex Flight Zone
She is a scopy, racy late filly by Vercingetorix out of a six-time winning Jet Master mare who is a half-sister to July winner Bold Silvano. The family of top-class filly Silvan Star
Lot 198 - Princess Bianca (f) by Gimmethegreenlight ex Princess Zena
She is a classy late filly by Gimmethegreenlight out of a two-time winning half-sister to multiple Gr1 winner Smart Banker. The family of Arabian Lass, Prairie Breeze
Lot 225 - Seattle Glow (f) by Querari ex Seattle Gold
A strong, powerful Querari filly out of a stakes winning full sister to Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Elusive Gold. The family of Horse Of The Year Enchanted Garden.
Lot 277 – Unnamed (f) by Heavenly Blue ex Waywest Goddess
A strong, racy, good quartered Heavenly Blue filly out of a Gr2 The Fillies Nursery and Listed winner who is the dam of 5 winners.
This draft can be viewed from Block B at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
QUARTET! A QUALITY
Benmarne Stud, whose graduates include such top-class performers as Monks Hood and Querari Falcon, will be offering four two-year-olds at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale.
This draft consists of two lots sired by Erupt, as well as two-year-olds sired by the likes of Querari and Heavenly Blue.
Top sire Querari, whose numerous highclass offspring include the aforementioned pair of Monks Hood and Querari, is responsible for Glimpse Of Heaven (Lot 90).
The latter is a full-sister to 2025 Gr1 TAB SA Derby third place getter Solar Sail, with her dam a five-time winner whose numerous high-class relatives include US Gr1 winner Broadway Flyer.
Dual Gr1 winner Erupt continues to churn out winners, and the blue-blooded son of Dubawi is doubly represented here.
Sukhoi (Lot 105) is a colt whose twicewinning dam is a half-sister to the dam of Gr1 World Sports Betting Presents The
Gauteng Summer Cup winner Flying Carpet, while Clara Lume’ (Lot 257) is a filly whose dam is a full-sister to Listed Java Handicap winner Fulcrum and three-parts sister to champion Captain’s Lover.
Last but not least in this draft is Queen Leila (Lot 197) a filly by Heavenly Blue whose Querari-sired dam hails from the immediate family of the Querari sired Listed Ruffian Stakes winner Dagmar, among many others.
This quartet can be viewed from Block B at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
CLEAR DAY… ON A
From Act Of War and Legislate, to Chimichuri Run and Danon Platina and the ever popular Rafeef, Blue Sky Thoroughbreds will be offering something for everyone at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale.
Their imposing August string consists of two-year-olds sired by some of the country’s most exciting and popular stallions, and below are just a few likely standout lots.
Star stallion Rafeef has had another excellent season and the son of Redoute’s Choice is doubly represented here.
Strawberry Line, a three time winning ownsister to Gr1 winners Redberry Lane and Solo Traveller, has a Rafeef filly (Lot 247) on offer as does Trippi’s Girl (Lot 262) , a four-time winning daughter of champion sire Trippi.
The latter’s Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint winning son Chimichuri Run has three lots in this draft. They include a filly (Lot 10) out of a four-time winning daughter of Captain Al, and a filly (Lot 263) out of Gr3 Sycamore Sprint heroine Tropic Sun.
The death of New Predator was a sad loss to the South African breeding industry, and the sire of Gr1 winners Purple Pitcher and Fatal Flaw is represented here by a colt (Lot 125) whose five-time winning dam is a daughter of Kahal and Gr2 SA Oaks winner Bedloe’s Island.
Other appealing sorts on offer include the Danon Platina filly (Lot 8) whose dam is a Cape Cross half-sister to multiple group winner Maraahel, and the Legislate halfsister (Lot 118) to four winners whose granddam is the aforementioned Bedloe’s Island.
Blue Sky Thoroughbreds’ August draft can be viewed from Block C at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
SHINES BRIGHT BOLAND QUALITY
Boland Stud have enjoyed a fine year in the sales ring. At the 2025 National Yearling Sale, Boland consigned yearlings made up to R2 200 000, while at this year’s KZN Yearling Sale, the farm had yearlings fetch up to R700 000.
Eugene Freeman will be offering eight, blue blooded two-year-olds at the upcoming August Two Year Old Sale.
High-class sires Fire Away, One World, Querari and Rafeef are all represented here, making Boland Stud’s August string not one to miss.
Below is a brief description of potential stars to be found in Boland’s string:
Lot 109 – Filly by One World ex Hidden Thought
From the same female line as 2025 Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Real Prince, this daughter of sire sensation
One World is out of a three-time winning half-sister to Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Hidden Beauty.
Lot
122 –
Filly by Fire Away ex Jet Princess
By the same sire as Gr1 winners as Confederate and Fire Attack, this filly is a half-sister to four winners including Gr3 Magnolia Handicap runner up Dancing Queen.
Lot 124 – Filly by One World ex Joshlin
A half-sister to four winners, led by Listed Secretariat Stakes winner Jimmy Don, this filly is out of Gr2 Sceptre Stakes/Gr3 Diana Stakes winner Joshlin.
Lot
212
– Filly by Fire Away ex Red Label
By the sire of classy fillies Luna Halo and Egyptian Mau, this filly is a half-sister to three winners including the useful filly Red Roses Too.
Lot 48 – Filly by Rafeef ex Comedy Of
Manners
By one of South Africa’s top sires, this filly (bred on the same cross as Gr1 winning sires Master Archie and Thunderstruck) is out of a winning daughter of champion Lady Windermere.
Lot 73 – Colt by Hawwaam ex Elusive Butterfly
By a five-time Gr1 winning champion son of Silvano, this colt hails from the same family as such Gr1 winners as African Appeal, Brave Mary and Takingthepeace.
Lot 156 – Colt by Querari ex Mary Lee
By the same sire as the likes of Cosmic Speed and Rio Querari, this colt is out of a three-time winning half-sister to Listed Dahlia Plate runner up Turbo.
Lot 37 – Filly by Malmoos ex California Cool
This filly is a daughter of the Captain Al sired Triple Crown winner Malmoos, and her lightly raced dam is a winning full-sister to Listed In Full Flight Handicap winner On That Boulevard.
This draft can be found in Block C at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
GET YOUR GUIDE HERE BUYING?
The Raceform Buyer’s Guide is an amazing, detailed summary of dam and siblings of Bloodstock SA August Sale 2yo’s.
It gives insight as to what to expect of the youngsters in terms of class, stamina,
aptitude, racing performance and sale price. The sale will be held on 21 and 22 August–there is plenty of time to do some studying.
The Sprint is interactive - click here to read this handy buyer’s tool.
What to expect…? Get the Raceform Buyer’s Guide! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
AUGUST SALE BET ON BRETT AT
Camargue Stud will be handsomely represented at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale.
Brett Van Laun will be bringing a quality packed draft to the Germiston auction, with Camargue offering two-year-olds sired by the likes of Captain Of All, Chimichuri Run, Danon Platina, Declartionofpeace and Erik The Red.
Brett is delighted with his string, and suggests the following lots are likely to prove popular:
Lot 3 – Unnamed (f) by Declarationofpeace ex Abelia
A racy, half-sister to Royal Aussie, this filly is a real stunner.
Lot 40 – Unnamed (c) by Declarationofpeace ex Carnelian Bay
This is a strong colt who is a good walker
Lot 55 – Unnamed (f) by Danon Platina ex Cousin Liz
She is a quality filly from a top female line.
This filly is sure to be a show stopper.
Lot 110 – Unnamed (c) by Erik The Red ex High Dudgeon
He is a correct racy colt by boom freshman stallion from good family.
This draft can be viewed from Blocks E and F at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
SENSATIONAL SEASON ANOTHER
Drakenstein Stud enjoyed another wonderful season in 2024-2025. The increasingly successful farm was responsible for breeding 21 individual stakes winners in 2024-2025, with Drakenstein bred horses winning no fewer than 30 black type races in South Africa.
Among the stars to fly the flag for Drakenstein in 2024-2025 were multiple Gr1 winner Eight On Eighteen, as well as the likes of Sail The Seas, Little Suzie, One Fine Winter and star stayer King Pelles.
Drakenstein will be offering some exceptionally well bred two-year-olds at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale.
One lot which is bound to attract attention is Le Soleil (Lot 47) , an exceptionally wellbred son of champion sire Vercingetorix.
Le Soleil, a colt with a stallion’s pedigree, is out of dual Gr1 Majorca Stakes winner Clouds Unfold, herself a full-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Winter Cloud.
Another champion sire represented here is Gimmethegreenlight. The latter is the
sire of Gimmeagamble (Lot 39) , a colt out of Listed Irridescence Stakes winner Captain Gambler, and this colt is bred on the same cross as champions Proceed and Sandringham Summit among others.
Turn To The Law (Lot 193) is a Legislate full-sister to Gr3 Flamboyant Stakes winner Zimbaba, while Torrent Of Gold (Lot 117) is a Gold Standard three-parts brother to Mauritian champion, and Gr1 Cape Guineas runner up, White River.
Drakenstein’s successful resident sire Futura has some well-bred two-year-olds on offer. They include Future Call (Lot 113) , a half-brother to the very smart All Out For Six, and Snap Your Fingers (Lot 238) . The latter, offered by Drakenstein as Agent, is a filly out of dual graded stakes winner Snapscan and is from the same family as the recently retired champion Cousin Casey.
This draft can be found in Blocks A, B and D at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
HOT AUGUST KNIGHTS MOUTONSHOEK’S
Moutonshoek, breeders of champion Captain’s Ransom and 2025 Gr1 TAB SA Classic winner Confederate among others, will be offering five smart colts at the upcoming August Two Year Old Sale.
Four of the five colts on offer were sired by Moutonshoek’s successful resident sire The United States, while Confederate’s sire Fire Away is the other stallion represented in this draft.
The Fire Away colt got a handsome boost to his page when his half-brother Big Joe (by The United States) won impressively on debut at Turffontein on Saturday.
One colt bound to prove popular is Steel Pier (Lot 164) , with this chestnut a fullbrother to multiple stakes winner Khaya’s Hope.
Point Barrow (Lot 233) is a The United States full-brother to the smart performers Banff and Rockets Red Glare, and halfbrother to the stakes placed Stone Cold.
Lucius Verus (Lot 241) is a The United States half-brother to the smart performer Champion Warrior, and the cleverly named Mercury (Lot 278) is a full-brother to the useful Teo Torriatte.
Fire Away is the sire of Moose (Lot 12) , a colt bred on the same Fire Away/Mambo In Seattle cross as the brilliant Fire Attack, and this colt’s third dam is Gr2 winner Red Dor.
This draft can be found in Block E at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
Moutonshoek - home of The United States | Credit: Moutonshoek
HAVE GOT THE AUGUST FEELING NARROW CREEK
Narrow Creek Stud have enjoyed another wonderful season in 2024-2025.
Among the stars bred or raised by Narrow Creek to grace the South African turf in 2024-2025 were Gr2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe winner Chronicle King and Gr3 Post Merchants victor I Am Giant.
Narrow Creek Stud are also the breeders of promising two-year-old Got The Feeling, a winner of two of his first three starts.
The farm will be offering three lots, including a half-sister to Got The Feeling, at the 2025 August Two Year Old Sale.
John Everett had the following comments to make about his August Sale trio:
Lot 21 – Loaded Gun (f) by Real Gone Kid ex Beat It
From the first crop of Snitzel’s speedy son Real Gone Kid, this filly is out of a four-time winning half-sister to the Gr3 placed Stuck On You.
First foal by popular first season sire Real Gone Kid from a speedy family. Neat strong type
Lot 74 - Wild Star (f) by Canford Cliffs ex Elusive Stars
By the same sire as the likes of Direct Hit and Tenango, this filly is a half-sister to Got The Feeling, and her dam was twice stakesplaced.
This is a very athletic filly and is a full-sister to the promising Pointer.
Lot 222 - Boogy (f) by Rafeef ex Sassy Sal
By one of South Africa’s best stallions, this filly is a full-sister to three winners, and her dam is a twice-winning High Chaparral fullsister to dual stakes winner Chevauchee.
She is a strong, good boned filly.
These three yearlings can be viewed from Block C at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
AGAIN! NDORO STUD GO ON THE ATTACK,
Ndoro Stud, the breeders of a growing number of top-class performers including 2025 Gr1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack, will be offering a top-class draft at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale.
Not only does Ndoro’s string include the progeny of such high-class stallions as Legislate, Malmoos, Querari, Rafeef and The United States, but it also features offspring of both top-class racemares and broodmares.
One such example is the Querari colt (Lot 150) out of Maggie Muggins. By the same sire as this season’s Gr1 winning gelding Cosmic Speed, this colt is a halfbrother to Gr2 4Racing SA Fillies Nursery winner Heavens Girl.
The prolific Querari is also the sire of a colt (Lot 228) , whose stakes placed dam Seemyvision is a half-sister to Gr1 winning sire MK’s Pride.
Querari’s Gr2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes winning daughter Caya Coco has a Rafeef filly (Lot 43) on sale, while the
aforementioned Heavens Girl is represented in this draft by a Malmoos colt (Lot 108) .
Enchanted Kingdom was a high-class racemare, whose five career wins included a triumph in the Gr3 Yellowwood Handicap, and that daughter of Kahal has a filly (Lot 76) by The United States on offer.
Other eye-catching prospects in this imposing draft include a Legislate colt (Lot 175) whose dam is a stakes-placed winner of five, and the Ideal World half-sister (Lot 182) to the useful Easy Money.
Ndoro’s August Sale draft can be found in Block F at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
CLASSY QUARTET DUNCAN’S
Riverton Stud will once again be bringing a high-quality draft to this year’s August Two Year Old Sale.
Duncan Barry will be offering four classy two-year-olds, with his draft composed of lots sired by Captain Of All, Erupt, Master Of My Fate and Rafeef.
Duncan likes what he sees in his string and had the following comments to make about his quartet:
Lot 114 – Colt by Erupt ex I’m Serious
By the same sire as such stakes winners as Taxhaven, Karangetang and Moonlight Trader, this colt is out of a full-sister to the Riverton Stud bred champion, and successful sire, Captain Of All.
Strong quartered, good walking, correct horse.
Lot 172 – Colt by Rafeef ex Moulin Royale
By the same sire as such star performers as William Robertson, Thunderstruck and Master Archie, this colt is out of a twicewinning half-sister to Gr3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes winner Mill Queen.
Strong, well-balanced colt with good walk.
Lot 187 – Colt by Captain of All ex Nutcracker Sweet
This colt shares his Riverton bred sire with such Gr1 winners as Fiery Pegasus and Linebacker, and he is a half-brother to two winners including Listed Spook Express Handicap winner She’s A Cracker.
Big, strong, imposing colt with great presence.
Lot 192 – Colt by Master Of My Fate ex Petra
This colt shares his inform sire with such current high-class performers as Anotherdanceforme, Atticus Finch and Golden Palm. He is out of a Gr3 placed winner of five, and hails from the family of champions Horse Chestnut and Monyela.
Neat, correct, well-balanced colt.
These four two-year-olds can be viewed from Block H at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
SET TO SIZZLE SANDOWN Sandown Stud will be offering a host of wellbred two-year-olds at the August Sale this year.
Amongst the stallions represented here are Buffalo Bill Cody, Canford Cliffs, Erik The Red, Querari and Rafeef.
Potential highlights to be found in Sandown’s August string include:
• Warrior’s Way (Lot 186) , a Rafeef halfbrother to Equus Champion Nebraas,
• the Futura half-brother (Lot 275) to topclass sprinter Outlaw King, and
• the Querari colt (Lot 165) out of Listed East Cape Oaks winner Miss Scaramanga.
The latter colt is a three-parts brother to the Querari sired Gr2 Prosport International Debutante winner Maryah and hails from the immediate family of world-class sprinter Sacred Kingdom.
This draft can be viewed from Block F at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
SUCCESS STORY BUY INTO A
Winterbach Stud is a farm which continues to enjoy success with its graduates, both on the track and in the sales ring.
Hendrik Winterbach will be giving the buyers a chance to acquire their own piece of the Winterbach Stud success story when he brings a quality string to this year’s August Two Year Old Sale.
Hendrik will be bringing two-year-olds sired by the likes of Futura, Master Of My Fate, Rafeef and Vercingetorix, with the Winterbach draft including lots from some of the best families in the South African stud book.
While this is a high-quality offering in general, Hendrik mentioned the following two-year-olds as likely standouts:
Lot 82 - La Petit Liquorell (f) by Vercingetorix ex Fair Rosalind
By South Africa’s champion sire, this filly is a half-sister to 6 winners including Gr2 World Sports Betting Camellia Stakes winner Schippers.
A filly from a lovely family. She is a big filly with scope.
Lot 121 - Disco Jet (c) by Rafeef ex Jet Aglow
By one of South Africa’s top stallions, this colt is out of the Jet Master sired Gr3 Victress Stakes winner Jet Aglow. He is a top colt with a great walk.
He ticks all the boxes
Lot 128 – Unnamed (f) by Rafeef ex Kilauea By the same sire as such high-class fillies as Mon Petit Cherie, Chasing Happiness and Mrs Browning, this filly is a half-sister to three winners including the stakes placed Sakurajima.
A very nice filly, she looks athletic
Lot 242 - Stand And Deliver (f) by Master Of My Fate ex Springisintheair
By the same sire as top fillies Sentbydesting, Zarina, Anotherdanceforme and Golden Palm, this filly is out of a three-time winning daughter of Gr1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes winner Love Is In The Air.
This is a beautiful filly with a great girth.
This draft can be found in Block D at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
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BOUNCES BACK IN STYLE AGRELLA
One of the most powerful riders in a finish, and a man who achieved the very rare feat of winning a national title while being based in the Eastern Cape, a ‘lean ‘n mean’ looking Wayne Agrella made a winning return to race-riding at Fairview on Friday.
After an absence of two years spent breezingup youngsters for the Hassett family at Ballyhannon Stud in Quin, County Clare, Ireland, the 42 year old Wayne Agrella showed he means business this term when he booted home the 33-1 Bright Future on his old hunting
He’s back! Wayne Agrella chats to Lunga Gila as journalist Henk Steenkamp looks on after Bright Future’s win on Friday
Credit: Pauline Herman
ground at Fairview on Friday. Bright Future was Wayne’s first winner at Fairview in the two years since he rode a double on Mon Tresor and Twice A Saint for Cliffie Miller on 11 August 2023.
After his then major supporter Yvette Bremner gave up her trainer’s licence in 2020, and then finding himself battling the weight monster, Wayne left SA in September 2023 and made the move to Ireland, a country he sums up in one word – ‘cold’.
“I was only riding 60kg mounts. So, I was battling to get the rides in numbers. So, I’d win the maiden, but then not get the followup rides. But I’m back, riding comfortably at
55kgs, and I couldn’t have hoped for a better start by breaking the ice early, thanks to Lunga (Gila),” added Wayne.
So how did he move with a 60kg plus weight issue from sunny South Africato a colder climate, and yet return in fine trim, and able to ride at 55kgs?
“True. Work that one out,” laughs Wayne, as he explains why he ultimately decided to return home.
“I fractured my wrist and took some time to get back. And then watching the racing from Fairview on the telly in Ireland, I kept thinking, ‘that’s where I belong’. I will never regret having spent the time in a beautiful country with lovely
Wayne ‘Faf’ Agrella was a ‘Bok’ on the rugby field in his school days
people, but there is just no place like home.” Wayne decided to spend the tail end of last term getting fit and rode work for the Marwings on the Highveld, before renewing his licence for the new season.
“Andrew Fortune went through it recently and I had to undergo the process, with fitness, medical, insurance requirements. But it’s all in place and I’m ready!”
Wayne says that he will be freelancing and will be doing his own rides, as well as being available to travel.
“One doesn’t need an Agent in Gqeberha, but I may consider that if the offers of rides come from outside of the Eastern Cape,” he observes with a smile.
Raised in the South of Joburg, Wayne was the South African national champion apprentice of 2002/3, and was a reserve for South Africa at the World Sports Betting International Jockey Challenge in 2019.
Wayne opened his career account when he won on the Dennis Bosch-trained Razor Boy at Clairwood on Saturday 2 November 1999.
“Coincidentally, my elder brother, Rocky, now a riding master at the SA Jockey Academy in Summerveld, won on the same horse at Hollywoodbets Scottsville four days earlier! I beat Weichong Marwing – so that was no mean feat. But sadly, I picked up a week’s suspension and they didn’t give me the credit of a qualifying ride. So, I missed out on the traditional academy braai too! But I have gotten over that character-building early trauma,” he laughs.
A former Westonaria and Jacques Fourie High School pupil, he also has three sisters, and their Dad was a champion boxer.
Interestingly, Wayne is the only jockey still riding from his first year at the SA Jockey Academy.
“Nathan Danster had that bad car accident. Lisa Jones went overseas and got married. I was eventually transferred to PE and to Uncle Barry Steenkamp. Those were great days. He was a superb teacher,” he says sentimentally.
Wayne topped the national apprentice log for three years – subsequent SA and New Zealand champion Warren Kennedy was two years ahead of him and achieved the same feat from PE.
“It doesn’t happen anymore. To think we did it with one, maybe two meetings a week, whereas the other guys had plenty of meetings in the major centres. And look how well Warren is doing today! He is a top jockey and he cut his teeth right here in the Windy City,” he adds with pride.
Wayne was also the leading PE-based rider from the 2010/11 season for three years while riding for the likes of Justin Snaith, the now retired Dorrie Sham, and the late Barry Steenkamp.
COULD HAVE MORE TO COME PULLER MAIDEN WINNER
It’s often tricky assessing maiden winners and whether they will go on and win more. But all they can do is actually win, and although Clintostar kept his birthday celebrating co-owner DJ Jazzy D on the edge of his seat at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, the son of The United States gave the impression that he has scope for more.
In Time Is Money this week, we unpack a few observations.
Hollywoodbets Scottsville 10 August
Track Condition
Going: Good (both tracks)
Penetrometer: 23 (both tracks)
Rain: Last 24 hours Nil –Last 7 days 1mm
Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil –Last 7 days 8mm
False Rail: 9m
Wind: 10-15km/h East South
Easterly cross wind Course Variant: 0,79s fast straight –0,69s fast bend
Three 1200m Races
The afternoon’s top liner was the Tote. Speed. Power. Glory. Class 3 event over 1200m and in what proved to be comfortably the fastest of the three races over the distance, the Michael Roberts trained
FUTURE FLO registered his fifth career victory. Close to the pace throughout, this son of Futura was always travelling well and joined the front running Riverstone under just hands and heels 300m out. He only had to be shaken up in order to assert his authority on hitting the distance, and went on to win well by a length and a quarter.
Two 1000m Races
Albeit by just 0,28 seconds, the Gallop Form Class 4 event for fillies & mares was the faster of the two 1000m races. Moscow Miss and Prankster made the early running whilst the eventual winner DARK MATTER sat some three and a half lengths away in fifth. A winner of her maiden last time out, this daughter of The United States quickly made headway when given rein. She struck the front 150m from home and kept up to her work all the way to the wire by Tristan Godden, won going away by three. Nibbled at into 5/1 from 6’s on course, Robbie Hill’s charge has now won two from four.
Two 1750m Races
Run in a time 1,69 seconds faster than the fillies & mares maiden event, the www.galloptv.co.za D Stakes was by far the quicker of the two 1750m races, and here we saw a very easy victory for the well handicapped 5yo CONNOISSEUR. Dropped 25 points by the handicapper since gaining his last win some 511 days ago, the son
of Canford Cliffs raced 5th for most of the journey easily 4,5 lengths off the pace. He quickened well at the top of the straight, and cruised clear to score by four after taking up the running 250m out.
Quickies
First and second respectively in the opening maiden plate over 1000m, Cowdray Park and Holy Star recorded the two fastest 400m to finish times on the card.
Positioned ninth of the ten some eight lengths off the pace for most of the journey, the lightly raced The United States colt CLINTOSTAR ran on strongly under a determined ride in the home straight and did well to get up in the dying strides. Garth Puller’s charge has improved with every run and clearly has more to come. Jockey Callan Murray was fined R4000 for misusing the crop by striking the horse more than the permitted twelve times.
Fastest Time:
Hollywoodbets Greyville (turf) 6 August
Track Condition
Going: Good
Penetrometer: 23
Rain: Last 7 days Nil
Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil –Last 7 days 20mm
False Rail: 6m
Wind: 25-60km/h South South Westerly tail wind
Course Variant: Given the rain, a single variant could not be determined.
Six 1400m Races
Very unusually, six of the afternoon’s eight races were staged over 1400m and although some rain did fall on occasions, the Tote For The Win Progress Plate was run much faster than the other five. The odds on favourite Go Grayson Go made the running whilst the friendless winner MASTER JOSH (returning from a 23 week layoff) raced just three quarters of a length away in second. He joined the leader passing the 300m pole and despite shifting inwards twice in the latter stages of the race, he got the verdict by three quarters. The veterinary surgeon reported that Master Josh made an abnormal respiratory noise.
The faster of the two maiden plates over 1400m was the opener in which the boys were allowed to contest. The Captain Of All colt MOHAVE PRINCE was sent off a strong favourite and although he was made to work, he didn’t let down his supporters. Soon up handy just three lengths off the pace, Garth Puller’s charge was always well positioned to strike. He hit the front at the same time as the second favourite Master Du Rouvray (speedy cut near hind) 200m out, and only got the upper hand 50m from home. Mohave Prince was reported coughing by the veterinary Surgeon after the race.
Race seven on the card was the 1400m Race Coast Class 4 event and here the 4yo Rafeef gelding WING WALKER completed a hattrick. Lucinda Woodruff’s charge raced sixth some four lengths off the pace for most of the journey. He was always travelling well under a confident ride from Chad Little, but when the heavily supported Run To Rio (25/2 to 9/2) struck the front full of running 300m out, it soon became clear that he had a race on his hands. Once given rein though, he quickened well and in a classic finish he got up 30m
from home. Now a winner of three from eight, Wing Walker finished well and clearly won’t be stopping here. Run To Rio cast right front shoe in running.
Two Sprint Races
Much the quicker of the two sprint races comparatively was the www.galloptv.co.za 1000m event won by the 6yo MUSIC IS LIFE. Freely available at 10/1 on the off, Gareth Van Zyl’s charge made the early running, before being headed by Ndaka 600m out. He had to be hard ridden in order to regain the lead over
the final 200m, but did quicken well below the distance. Officially, Music Of Life recorded the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon. However, there was no official 400m to finish time for the fifth placed One Irish Rover, and this 6yo finished at least as well as the winner.
Fastest Times: 1400m (6) Master Josh 84,51
400-finish Music Of Life/One Irish Rover 22,12
WISHES HE COULD HAVE STAYED ON FORMER JOCK
When the masterful Piere Strydom bowed out after the Vaal racemeeting on 31 July, he wasn’t the only one calling it a day. Quietly, and with less fanfare, long-time Starter Herman van der Westhuizen also announced his departure, having reached retirement age.
The contrast was bittersweet. ‘Striker’ had had enough and was ready to go. Herman wasn’t. In a brief but touching interview, he said he loved his job and wished he could have stayed on for many more years.
Adding to the sadness, Herman officiated his last meeting on his 65th birthday. “I expected to be able to work through my 65th year,” he said, “but about four months ago, the National Horseracing Authority (NHA) informed me that official regulatory requirements had to be followed. They were unable to extend my contract.”
Fittingly, Herman had watched Strydom go through the starting gates at Highveld racecourses thousands of times in his time at the gates, which started in 1985.
Retired Highveld Starter, Herman van der Westhuizen | Credit: JC Photos
Reflecting on the retiring champion, he said: “Piere is the best jockey I’ve ever seen. I followed his progress since he was a youngster, and he always amazed me with his natural talent. Early in his career, he learnt to shift his weight just enough when needed, so his mounts could change legs. These were carefully timed moves. His horses could edge across, left or right, to intimidate rivals. Piere perfected the art. He did it so well, he very seldom got into trouble with the stipes. Other jockeys have tried to copy him. They still do. But they bump others, cause interference, and end up with suspensions.”
Herman has a treasure trove of tales from past and present, and battle scars to show from 50 years in an unforgiving industry. The
man who grew up in the gritty surrounds of Boksburg-North also survived a broken back and emerged unscathed from a horrific car crash. In between, he worked as an extra on a Hollywood blockbuster!
He joined the SA Jockeys Academy (SAJA) at age 15, alongside Danny Lombard, David Kuit, Alan Gordon, and Jeff Lloyd. Reflecting on those early days, he said: “I’d already ridden horses on a farm, so I was quite familiar with them. But I remember Jeff Lloyd and his dad, casually showing up at the Academy in socks and sandals. Jeff had never even touched a horse before. We all wondered, ‘What’s this strange little Englishman doing at jockey school?’ Well, the rest is history. He became a champion jockey in three countries.”
Herman’s own spell as a jockey produced a few hundred winners. He was apprenticed to Teddy Bowker and Boet Huckell at Newmarket and later picked up several top rides as a qualified professional, including George Tambourlas’ talented filly Grand National and IJ van der Merwe’s capable handicapper, Tandago.
But his riding career came to a premature end due to weight issues. “I tipped the scales at 58kg when the maximum riding weight was 57kg and the bottom end was 46kg, so getting rides became almost impossible. Wasting 5 or 6kg a week just wasn’t a healthy option.”
On a darkly ironic note, had Herman not retired in 1985, he would likely have been aboard the fateful flight from Bloemfontein that crashed into a mealie field near Hennenman in 1987—an accident that claimed the lives of 13 of his former colleagues, including his Academy friends Danny Lombard and Mark Nel. “Bloemfontein was my most successful
hunting ground,” he recalled. “I rode for trainer George Scott and lived in his house for a few years, we had plenty of winners together.”
Herman said that he, too, sometimes flew back after race days at the Bloemfontein track, often in a small eight-seater aircraft carrying just a handful of jockeys and racing officials. One particular flight stood out.
“Halfway back,” he recalled, “heavyweight jock Willem Ferreira —another tough Boksburger— got into an argument with one of the stipes, whose name escapes me now. Things got heated. Willem grabbed the official, dragged him toward the exit door, and began to force it open. If senior jockey Joey Taylor hadn’t stepped in, something terrible could’ve happened.”
The late Ferreira, a crafty horseman who later turned trainer, once showed Herman a novel way to calm fractious horses that shake their
Herman as an apprentice jockey, Newmarket, 1975 | Credit: Supplied
heads aggressively during stalls practice.
“Willem filled a plastic bag with water, placed it between the horse’s ears and shook it so it made a ‘glug, glug’ sound. The horses would prick their ears and listen, and most would settle down enough to be taught how to jump from the gates.”
There’s much more on this story – please click on the image below:
FOR JELLS AT SARATOGA GR2 WINNER
Jessica
and Steven
Jell’s
Newstead Stables (USA) and trainer Graham Motion have a good one on their hands in Laurelin (IRE).
A perfect 4-for-4 to start her career, including a trio of one-mile stakes wins, the daughter of Zarak aced her biggest test yet while stepping up in company and stretching out in distance to win the Gr2 $500,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse on Saturday, 9 August.
“This is a grade 1 horse,” the 3-year-old filly’s satisfied rider, Kendrick Carmouche, declared in the winner’s circle. “You can feel the confidence and the relaxedness in this horse. ... She just keeps getting better.”
Under expert piloting, the chestnut filly completed the 1 3/16-mile contest in 1:52.60.
The victory was potentially sealed at the start as she broke sharply from the outside of the six-horse field, pushing Totally Justified to her inside up to the lead as favoured Opulent Restraint took up the chase. Evershed was directly to Laurelin’s inside, allowing Carmouche to see everyone he wanted to.
“I really wanted to see if I could take a couple of guys out of the race where they can think that I’m going to go,” Carmouche said of the quick break and then rating back. “I thought the three horses that could have beat me were the two in front of me and the one inside of me.”
“It’s like driving a Maserati to be exact,” Carmouche said of the ride. “She sits in your hand. You move your hand, and she goes. If you pull your hands back, she relaxes. ... She makes you feel like a winner, and when a horse makes you feel like a winner, you are one.”
Laurelin was selected and bought by Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe at the Goffs September Yearling Sale.
FIRST STAKES-WINNER ST MARK‘S BASILICA’S
The Rupert family’s Cayton Park Stud have enjoyed a purple patch internationally and celebrated a stakes winner in partnership with Coolmore at Tipperary on Friday when smart 2yo colt Thesecretadversary won the Listed Churchill Stakes over 1500m at Tipperary.
Back in Australia this spring for his fourth season, 2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark‘s Basilica is now on the board with his first stakes-winner after Thesecretadversary’s (2c St Mark’s Basilica x Too Soon to Panic, by Gleneagles) good victory.
Wootton Bassett colt Brussels was favourite for this assignment following a debut win and last start fourth in Gr2 company, but
the Aidan O’Brien trained colt came up short when overpowered by flashy chestnut Thesecretadversary.
Trained by Fozzy Stack and ridden by Seamie Heffernan, Thesecretadversary racked up three successive second placings in his first three starts including when runner-up in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He powered to the line to win by a length and will no doubt take a lot of confidence out of the win.
Fozzy Stack was thrilled to see his colt return a winner and has further stakes plans in the pipeline.
Seamie Heffernan drives Thesecretadversary to victory | Credit: Coolmore
“His run at Ayr (previous start) was a mess-up and while maybe the winner isn’t too bad, they went no gallop and the ground was soft. He had run well in Ascot though and backed that up today,” he said.
“He did it well, so it might be worth taking our chance in those big races now and there’s a Gr1 Summer Stakes race for him in Canada on the same day as the Gr1 National Stakes, which might be an option.”
Bred and raced by Coolmore in partnership with Cayton Park Stud, Thesecretadversary is the first winner from stakes-winning Gleneagles mare Too
Soon to Panic, a daughter of Group III winner Scream Blue Murder with his next two dams Holly Blue and Nettle also stakes-winners.
Thesecretadversary is the sixth winner and first stakes-winner for St Mark’s Basilica, who will have his first Australian runners this season.
The champion son of Siyouni stands at a fee of A$38,500.
DUBAI DUTY FREE DEBUT ASIA MAKES WINNING
Asia made a winning debut at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, with a team comprising Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata edging out Europe by one point in a thrilling conclusion to the international jockeys’ competition.
Asia posted two victories on the card, with Narredu guiding Fireblade to success in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers and Sakai scoring on promising three-yearold Prince Of India in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint.
Iwata delivered a vital contribution as well on runner-up Cerulean Bay in the closing race, leaving Asia with a final points total of 68.
Europe (67 points) was second, with Great Britain & Ireland (62) third and Rest of the World fourth (55).
It was the second time a team has won the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup by a single point after Europe denied the Ladies in 2014.
Narredu, Asia’s team captain, said: “I am absolutely delighted. After my winner, to win the Shergar Cup on my debut is the icing on the cake. I know this is a new team that was introduced this year and I am sure in future they will be a force to be reckoned with.
“The Asian team deserves to get recognition and I am proud to captain the team. It was
Asia rules! From left to right, Suraj Narredu, Ryusei Sakai and Mirai Iwata | Credit: Megan Coggin
fabulous for us to get two winners and some place points from the six races. We all enjoyed ourselves and it is a big deal to have come. It will be big back home in India.
“I would love to come again, every year! I am open. I am staying in Britain for three more weeks to ride out for a few trainers, primarily Marco Botti, before I head home. It is a very short time, but I hope I can pick up a few rides.
“I am glad to have made full use of the opportunity I was given. It is always good to learn, explore and experience things like this. I am always open to do that.”
Rest of the World’s Hugh Bowman captured the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle award, 18 years after receiving the leading rider prize on his Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debut in 2007.
The Australian was successful on Vintage Clarets in the opening Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and scored points in two subsequent races, ending the day with 32 points. Europe’s Per-Anders Graberg was second on 26 points, with Asia’s Ryusei Sakai and Robbie Dolan both picking up 25 points.
Bowman said: “I am delighted. It is great to be here, the Shergar Cup is a unique event. Riding on this track is something that all jockeys around the world aspire to do. I have
had the privilege of doing it previously and to come back and win a race – I thought I might have been in with a squeak of winning a couple, but nevertheless we have come out with a major prize.
“It has been a lovely afternoon and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. My family is here, and they have enjoyed it, too. It has been special. All the teams won a race and I think everyone has had as much fun as I have – the spoils were shared, which is good. We all want to win everything, but that’s not how life goes. Many congratulations to team Asia, they were racking up points in every race, so credit where it is due.”
Team Standings FINAL
• Asia - 68
• Europe - 67
• Great Britain & Ireland - 62
• Rest Of The World - 55
Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle Standings FINAL
• Hugh Bowman – ROW - 32
• Per-Anders Graberg - EUR - 26
• Ryusei Sakai - ASI - 25
• Robbie Dolan - GBI - 25
• Hollie Doyle - GBI - 24
• Suraj Narredu - ASI - 23
• Delphine Santiago - EUR - 22
• Karis Teetan - ROW - 20
• Mirai Iwata - ASI - 20
• Dario Di Tocco - EUR - 19
• Joanna Mason - GBI - 13
• Katie Davis - ROW - 3
Hugh Bowman and his daughters proudly show off the Silver Saddle trophy | Credit: Supplied
SHERGAR CUP GLORY NARREDU MAKES HISTORY WITH
Asia’s Suraj Narredu became the first Indian jockey to ride a winner at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup as he guided Fireblade (13/2) to success in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers at Ascot on Saturday.
In a steadily run two-mile contest, the 40-year-old was the first to strike for home on Fireblade, a full brother to Cracksman, who kept on finding to repel all-comers by almost two lengths.
Rest of the World captain Karis Teetan drove Almuhit (8/1) into second, a length and a half in front of Artisan Dancer (7/1), who kept on down the outside under Europe’s Per-Anders Graberg.
Narredu, who performed a Frankie Dettori flying dismount, said: “Absolutely fabulous, I can’t explain my happiness. I have been waiting for this day, it’s a big day for us Indians and for the entire Indian racing fraternity. It is my dream come true to have a winner at Ascot.
“My family is here, including my uncle [Malesh] – he is the one who came here and rode in 2009 – and I’m sure I made his dream come true. For all the family, my kids, my wife, my parents, it’s amazing that they’re here to cheer me on. There is nothing better than this.”
On the race, he added: “Karis [Teetan, on Almuhit] was going too slow. He was going at
Fireblade and Suraj Narredu | Credit: Megan Coggin
a crawl! I kept yelling at him for two furlongs to step up, but he wouldn’t do it. I was lucky to find a spot to get out and make ground; I had to make the other guys stay and that’s what we did. The last three furlongs, it was brilliant.
‘‘The flying dismount was definitely a tribute to my hero. It is a dream come true to do something like this over here. On Thursday I came to have a picture here without a horse. I wanted to be in this winner’s enclosure. Now I have done it with a horse.
‘‘All the effort we have put in in the last three or four months with the Shergar Cup in mind has paid off today. My family has done a lot to support me, so big thanks to them and all my well-wishers. Thanks to all the prayers and blessings of India, we have done it.’’
Narredu’s uncle Malesh, who rode in the 2009 Shergar Cup, said: ‘‘He has worked hard on his fitness coming into the Shergar Cup. He wanted to be at his best. I could see him working really hard at home and it has paid off. I have already had calls from back home with the Indian flag being in the winner’s enclosure. It is a great moment for all of us. I am very proud.’’
William Jarvis, representing winning trainer Dylan Cunha, said: “I am so happy for Dylan and the team at Phantom House, and I am thrilled for Suraj, who gave him a lovely ride. I gave him the instructions and he followed them absolutely to the letter. There was no pace early on, he used his initiative and kicked off the bend, wonderful ride.
“We bought the horse from the Gosdens at the start of the year and Dylan has done really well with him. He has won two races and he’s been placed on occasions as well. He is a lovely horse to have.”
Karis Teetan said of runner-up Almuhit: “That was a good run. He did everything right. I tried to hold him up back here from the mile – I thought I had an easy section until that horse made a run, but my horse was gutsy and ran well. This is a great event, it’s fantastic to be here and be part of this.”
Almuhit’s trainer Faye Bramley said: “He ran really well. He is a consistent horse and we are really pleased with the run. The pace was probably a little bit too slow for him, if they’d rallied on a bit, I think he might have stayed on. On the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup as an event, she said: “It is such a big stage, especially for somebody like me. I have watched it ever since I started in racing and I absolutely love the day, so to have a runner here is amazing – and to have a placed horse is even better.
Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers
• Fireblade (ASI) Dylan Cunha 4-9-03 Suraj Narredu 13/2
• Almuhit (ROW) Faye Bramley 6-9-03 Karis Teetan 8/1
• Artisan Dancer (EUR) Charlie Johnston 5-8-13 Per-Anders Graberg 7/1
• Scottish Anthem (ASI) Michael Keady 6-904 Mirai Iwata
• Spirit Mixer (GBI) Andrew Balding 7-9-12 Joanna Mason
IN THE SILVER SADDLE! HUGH’S
The Hong Kong-based Hugh Bowman spoke of enjoying the atmosphere and the camaraderie among an international slate of riders on his return to the Shergar Cup at Ascot last Saturday. But when the chance to land the Silver Saddle, awarded to the competition’s top rider, was on the line, the Australian dug deep to claim his second in three editions.
Hugh Bowman proudly hoists the Silver Saddle | Credit: Ascot
It was Asia who prevailed in the main competition, with the Cup going right dwn to the wire in one of the closest competitions in recent memory. A rallying Europe were edged out by a single point (68-67) in a tense finale, with Great Britain & Ireland finishing third on 62 points. The Karis Teetan-captained Rest of the World team had to settle for fourth with 55 points.
Bowman got himself and his team off to the perfect start when he gave the Richard Fahey-trained Vintage Clarets a splendid ride in the opener, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash. Teetan claimed third place on Venture Capital, but it was the Australian who showed daring as he drove his four-year-old charge through a vanishing gap 400m out
and held on for maximum points to take Rest of the World to 25 after Race 1.
It was a third Shergar Cup win for the 44-year-old, who first competed in the event in 2007 when he captained the Rest of the World team to victory and claimed his first Silver Saddle.
“It’s a great feeling. [Vintage Clarets] was a bit of a handful when I got him. He’s a real character, but once I cantered down to post, he relaxed beautifully,” Bowman said. “When I let him go, he just put them away.”
Asia struck in the second, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers, with Suraj Narredu claiming the win on Fireblade –
Hugh Bowman wins the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash on Saturday with Vintage Clarets | Credit: Ascot
a performance that earned him the Ride of the Day plaudits, and the honour of being the first Indian jockey to win at the Shergar Cup.
Another strong ride from Bowman saw him claim 10 points for an unlikely second-place finish on the front-running La Pulga in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge and put the Rest of the World team back on top. The Charlie Johnston-trained six-year-old led all the way but lost out by half-a-length to Great Britain & Ireland’s Robbie Dolan on 11-4 favourite Night Breeze.
Japan’s Ryusei Sakai, enjoying a superb season, added a first UK victory to his glittering CV when he struck in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint – the fourth leg of the competition – to claim another 15 points for Asia. And with Narredu claiming an additional five points for the fourth-place finish on Up The Pace, Asia again opened up a gap over Rest of the World at the top of the standings.
The standings were turned upside down after the fifth, however, when Europe claimed a one-two in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic.
French rider Delphine Santiago prevailed on short-priced favourite Tenability, leading home Italian teammate Dario Di Tocco on 9/1 chance Team Player and dropping Rest of the World to the bottom of the standings, albeit with just 10 points separating first from fourth with one race remaining.
Both the main competition and the Silver Saddle award came down to the final race, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile.
But it was to be bittersweet for Bowman, who could only manage a battling third place on
the 11/5 favourite Urban Lion – good enough to secure his second Silver Saddle by six points over Europe’s Per-Anders Graberg, but not enough to lift his team from the foot of the standings.
“It’s been a good afternoon,” Bowman said. “It’s my second Silver Saddle, actually – from three attempts – so it’s a lovely afternoon. I’m very proud to have won the Silver Saddle again,” he added, “and it’s great to see the racegoers come and support the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, because it is an annual event, it is recognised globally, and it’s great to be a part of it.”
Organisers rejigged the format of the six-race showdown for 2025, with the Ladies team replaced by Asia.
But they will no doubt be pleased with the result, given that four Shergar Cup debutants claimed victories and all the teams registered at least one win in one of the closest events to date.
That said, Maureen Haggas, daughter of legend Lester Piggott, urged the organisers to improve the overall quality of riders invited to future Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cups, after she claimed trainers had questioned the capabilities of some of those taking part on Saturday. She also expressed opposition to Ascot’s decision to replace the event’s Ladies team with one representing Asia.
Look out for the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge on selected UK racemeetings this month!
HAS PLENTY TO BE EXCITED ABOUT CHARLIE APPLEBY
Godolphin’s El Cordobes enjoyed a perfect US debut as he unleashed a late surge to capture the Gr1 Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, 9 August.
The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old headed across the Atlantic for his first toplevel appearance on the back of several strong efforts in the UK, including winning the Gr2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket’s July Festival.
Vote No was pushed along into an early lead in the 12-furlong contest, with El Cordobes settling on the inner rail in third behind stablemate Nations Pride, until Far Bridge rushed up to go second after the first three furlongs.
El Cordobes continued to save ground on the inside, with Padiddle and Rebel Red shuffling the Godolphin runner back to a close sixth halfway down the back.
Nations Pride took up the running turning in and soon opened up daylight over the field, with William Buick kicking into a three-length lead approaching the final furlong.
Having patiently waited for a gap to present itself turning in, Flavien Prat found a seam on El Cordobes at the top of the straight and the son of Frankel bravely quickened between horses.
Rebel Red and El Cordobes swept by Nations Pride just inside the final half-furlong, with
Flavien Prat drives El Cordobes to victory | Credit: Coolmore
El Cordobes asserting in the final strides for a half-length verdict. Nations Pride kept on at the same pace to finish a further threequarters of a length back in third.
Charlie Appleby said: “We were delighted with El Cordobes. He has booked his place in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and we might look at the Canadian International beforehand, depending on how Rebel’s Romance gets
on in Germany. Nations Pride put up a solid effort and I think we might have a look at dropping him back to a mile and a quarter.”
ON THE PAST WEEK YOUR NHA CATCH-UP
The Sporting Post presents this week’s National Horseracing Authority Calendar.
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:
Hollywoodbets Greyville night racing action on the season opening day – 1 August 2025 | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
J O CK E YS results up to: 2025-08-13
S I RE S T R A I NER S
543,923 607,406 577,806 704,665
BREEDERS
