SP Sprint – Wednesday 16 September 2026

Wednesday 16 September 2026

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ANOTHER! 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 1

SUMMER

ON HORIZON v

In this week’s issue... Hong Kong Apprentice Breaks Ice Stylish first winner

Moutonshoek’s The US Of A A unique achievement

Gr1 E.P. Taylor Success For SA Star Now for the Breeders’ Cup

Irish Champions Festival Fireworks!

Melbourne Cup Countdown The show is on the road

On the cover After riding his first winner on 30 August, courtesy of Louis Goosen’s Smorgasbord, Apprentice Shalton Elrico Sesingi was in the number 1 box again at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Sunday. This time it was on Champagne Mac for the Social Squad Syndicate and trainer Adam Azzie, who is seen congratulating the young rider. Image is courtesy of Candiese Lenferna.

Issue: 37/2026

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FOREVER YOUNG! UNCLE DEN CELEBRATES HIS 80TH

4 and | 16Gill SEPTEMBER 2026 power couple in SA racing | Credit: Supplied Dennis Drier - a respected

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One of the greats of South Africa’s modern era trainers, Dennis Drier celebrates his 80th birthday on Thursday 17 September. 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 5

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A remarkable statesman amongst trainers, Dennis Drier retired three years ago after a career spanning 55 years. He recalled Spanish Galliard’s July victory as a pinnacle achievement in his career alongside winning eight Gr1 Gold Medallions and training the likes of Beach Beauty, Val De Ra and Master Of My Fate. Spanish Galliard is the only July winner owned by the Oppenheimer family whom they did not breed. They have owned six July winners, of which five were homebred, and have bred seven July winners. Dennis Drier is the nephew of Hall Of Fame trainer, the great Syd Laird, who won a record seven Julys Dennis was his assistant for ten years. The Laird family’s history in the game traces back to Dennis’s grandfather Alec Laird, who in 1911 won the July in the saddle on Nobleman, the only two-year-old to ever win the country’s premier race. Dennis’s great Uncle Syd Garret was a legendary horseman known as “The Wizard of Roamer Lodge” and he won two Julys as a jockey and three as a trainer. Garrett passed on what he knew to his nephew Syd Laird, who won a recordbreaking seven Julys and is South Africa’s only Hall Of Fame trainer. Syd Laird was Dennis’s Uncle and mentor. Dennis joined Syd as an assistant trainer in the late 1960s and thus learnt from the best. Dennis won the July once and his cousins Alec Laird and Charles Laird have each won it once apiece too. Dennis became a maestro of his trade and this was reflected in his phenomenal run of 6 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

Grade 1 success in an eleven year period from 2010 to 2020, but this golden time was not reached without many earlier trials and tribulations. He had spent nine years as assistant to Syd Laird and this period of his career was packed with the highlights brought by greats like Mazarin, Politician, Yataghan, Archangel, Ocean City and others. There was also one memorable lowlight when a disgruntled punter attempted to attack Syd Laird in the parade ring after the 1972 July because of Mazarin’s unplaced run. Dennis intervened and was smashed in the face with a pair of binoculars. Laird’s insight into horses and his legendary intuition became deeply ingrained in Dennis and even today when faced with a tough decision he takes his mind back in time and considers what “Uncle Syd” would have done under the same circumstances. Dennis started out on his own with about six or seven horses. He married Gill, who was the daughter of the Oppenheimer’s trainer John Breval, and this might have been one reason why he later became the Oppenheimer’s trainer. He trained for the Oppenheimers for twenty years with success, including winning the July. However, the biggest single blow to his career came when they decided on a change of trainer and he lost 32 horses in one morning. However, he certainly bears no grudges and once said he gets on famously with Mary Slack and Jessica Jell today and added, “They have been very good to me.”

Dennis Drier enjoys a moment with his former star Val de Ra and her daughter at Avontuur | Credit: Supplied

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He said about the blow of losing those horses, “My owners buckled down and I was able to make a recovery.” It was more than just a recovery because he became the perennial KZN champion trainer this millennium, and was often locked in a ding-dong tussle for the title with Mike de Kock and later with Duncan Howells.

Twenty years later he began dominating this two-year-old Grade 1 winning it with Link Man in 2010, Potent Power in 2012, Captain Of All in 2013, Guiness in 2014, Seventh Plain in 2015, Sand And Sea in 2017 and Tempting Fate in 2020.

Uncle Den’s career best achievement will go down as his phenomenal success in Grade 1 races at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

His other Hollywoodbets Scottsville Grade 1 victories were with Sound Of Rhum, Val De Ra and Sommerlied in the 1994, 2011 and 2018 SA Fillies Sprint respectively and with Captain of All in the 2015 Tsogo Sun (Golden Horse) Sprint.

His first Grade 1 success there was with Spook And Diesel in the 1990 Smirnoff, today known as the Gold Medallion.

So that was a total of twelve Grade 1s at the Pietermaritzburg course, ten of them within that amazing eleven year stretch. 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 7

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The two most successful horses he has trained have been Beach Beauty and Val De Ra. However, he regards the unsound 1992-born Harmony Forever (Foveros) and current successful sire Master Of My Fate (Jet Master), whose career was cut short by injury, as the potentially best he ever trained while he said Spanish Galliard was the “gutsiest”. Owners have enjoyed being with the Drier yard over the years not only for Dennis’s meticulous professionalism and fine horsemanship, but he is also a gregarious personality, so clients became good friends.

Gill is a fine horsewoman in her own right, so added immense value and did a lot of the admin. When asked what his philosophy was on the racing game, Uncle Den said: “Take it as it comes – the good and the bad.” And asked for one piece of advice for stakeholders in the racing world, he said: “Be honest and never give up. The dream horse could be around the corner and the game is hard enough without any back stabbing.” Wishing you many more wonderful years, Uncle Den!

NHA CALENDAR THE L ATEST

The Sporting Post presents the National Horseracing Authority calendar per 11 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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QUAADA’S MILESTONE MOMENT! v

Just under two months since joining the South African Jockey Academy at Summerveld, Hong Kongborn apprentice Yan Ting Quaada Leung made a striking impact on her first day of race-riding, piloting a winner at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

The fearless and clearly talented 20 year old booted the consistent Mambo In Seattle mare Your Ladyship home for trainer Garth Puller, at just her fourth ride under rules, after gaining two places earlier in the day.

who has been known to mentor and support the young riders.

“I know Felix Coetzee well, we rode together for many years. He was a champion jockey, a hard taskmaster, who trains and prepares the young “Quaada is very competent, having ridden about 60 barrier trials. At the weights, she just riders well. In fact, a great job is being done by all of the SAJA team,” added had to keep her mount straight – which she did. Life is all about being given opportunities. the former star jockey, who celebrated I rode just 4 winners in my first year,” reflected his 75th birthday a fortnight ago. Puller, a multiple champion jockey of his time, 12 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

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SEPTEMBER 2026 | Lenferna 13 Yan Ting Quaada Leung salutes as Your Ladyship storms16 home | Credit: Candiese

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SAJA Riding Master Mitchell Curtis and a delighted Yan Ting Quaada Leung | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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There was also a thumbs-up from SAJA management. “Quaada has made an impressive start to her South African journey. She has worked hard at track and received positive feedback from the Academy’s riding team for her work ethic, attitude and progress. She completed the necessary requirements and received her licence recently to begin race riding,” said a delighted SAJA COO Tarryn Mason. Having grown up in the Tai Po District of Hong Kong with her parents and two brothers, Quaada didn’t enjoy a traditional equestrian foundation into horse racing. Her Dad is a builder, and Mom a caregiver for the elderly. It was her Grandfather, a keen racing fan, who steered the young Quaada in the right direction with a Hong Kong Jockey Club advertisement. The rest is modern history and her first trip out of Hong Kong with fellow apprentice Chester Choi, who rode a fourth-place finish at his first and only ride on Sunday, to begin a two-year training programme at the Academy’s KZN campus, commenced at end July when the pair arrived in South Africa, accompanied by Felix Coetzee. With her family, including her elder brother, who is studying Sports Science in New Zealand, having watched her milestone race from the KZN Capital City on television, Sunday evening was a busy and exciting time for Quaada.

received a congratulatory note from Nichola Yuen, who South African racing fans will know from her time here!” she said, explaining that the Hong Kong lady riders, including Britney Wong, are a close-knit group. Of her introduction to Africa and its people, Quaada says that all of her weighing-room colleagues, as well as the trainers and SAJA staff, have been ‘so kind and welcoming’. For all her riding ability and beautiful balance garnered in barrier trials at Sha Tin and Conghua, Quaada is a petite 43kgs standing in her boots – quite a daunting thought, one would imagine, on the back of the 511kgs mare that she registered her memorable first victory on! She nevertheless assures us that there were no nerves on Sunday. “Race riding is so exciting. I couldn’t wait to get out there and do the job. How lucky we are in this industry to work with such beautiful animals,” she enthused. Quaada told the Sporting Post that in her spare time she is an avid mountain-biker, but had not yet had an opportunity to pursue her secondary passion locally. “Mountain-biking is a great way to keep fit and I also spend time strengthening up in the gym. Please allow me to extend my appreciation to Mr Puller, Mr Coetzee and all of our riding masters and staff at the academy. I have been given a golden opportunity and I want to make my family and Hong Kong proud by doing the very best I can,” she concluded with a smile.

“They are all so happy and proud. My Mom was particularly emotional. And I also 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 15

Amanda Carey – vast experience | Credit: Supplied

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AMANDA CAREY TO

HEAD UP RACE COAST SALES

Race Coast Sales announced the appointment of Amanda Carey as Sales Executive, alongside confirmation of the company’s full vendor and buyer terms for its 2027 season, in a media release published on Thursday 10 September 2026.

Amanda brings an extensive background in South African bloodstock sales to the role, having run both the Equimark Sale and Cape Thoroughbred Sales. She is hugely experienced across every aspect of running a sale, from catalogue to settlement, and 16 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

has built excellent relationships with breeders, buyers and bloodstock agents both locally and internationally over the course of her career.

“Race Coast Sales is entering 2027 with a genuinely new approach, and Amanda is exactly the right person to lead it. Her record running Equimark and Cape Thoroughbred Sales speaks for itself, and the relationships she has built across the industry — with breeders, buyers and agents, locally and internationally — are exactly what our Sales business needs behind it. Race Coast is fully committed to this investment in a more open, more rewarding sale for everyone involved.” — Kaamilah Finch, Acting GM, Race Coast Western Cape

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Race Coast Sales will run three sales in 2027 — the Premier Yearling Sale, the Digital Mare/Filly Sale and the Two-Year-Old Sale — on an open, unified catalogue: every consigned horse is accepted, subject only to standard veterinary and soundness checks, with no conformation-based selection panel deciding in advance which horses are good enough to be catalogued, the vendor stands behind the horse.

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Vendor Incentive Scheme: Vendor incentive scheme is being reviewed with implementation being planned for 2028 Sales.

The Digital Mare/Filly Sale is a new addition to the Race Coast Sales calendar. Mares and fillies have changed hands around Race Coast’s other fixtures before, but on an ad hoc basis — this will be the first time Race Coast Sales runs a formal, dedicated sale for this segment of the market, held entirely online.

“A flat commission on an open catalogue means a horse well below standard costs almost nothing to enter. A meaningful minimum levy changes that arithmetic for the Premier Sale specifically — if it sells, even cheaply, it still carries a real fee. That’s how we protect the Sale’s standard without a gatekeeper. I’ve spent my career watching good horses get overlooked because they didn’t fit a particular mould, and I’m excited to be building a Sale that does things differently.” — Amanda Carey, Sales Executive, Race Coast Sales

Vendor Terms:

Buyer Incentives:

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Guaranteed payment: vendors are paid within 45 days of the fall of the hammer, regardless of buyer settlement timing.

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Entry fees: R5 000 per entry for the Premier Yearling sale, in two stages. Preliminary nomination fee is free, with fee only payable when vendor confirms final entry. R3 500 per entry for the Two-Year-Old Sale, and R1 000 for the Digital Mare Sale, payable at final entry.

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Sales Levy: the Premier Yearling Sale carries a tiered commission — a R10 000 minimum levy on horses selling at R150,000 or below, and 7% on horses selling above that threshold — designed to protect the calibre of the Premier Sale now that every horse is catalogued rather than screened by a panel and for horses not sold, a 2.5% Sales Levy is charged on the reserve price. The Two-YearOld Sale carries a flat 6% Sales Levy and for horses not sold, a 2.5% Sales Levy is charged on the reserve price. The Digital Mare/ Filly Sale carries a flat 6% Sales Levy and for horses not sold, a 2.5% Sales Levy is charged on the reserve price.

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RCS Juvenile Bonus Scheme: R100,000 paid on a graduate’s first juvenile maiden win — R80,000 to the Owner, R18,000 to the Trainer and R2,000 to the Groom — for graduates of the Premier Yearling Sale and the Two-Year-Old, capped at the first 40 winners – a guaranteed pot of R4,000,000. A voluntary R7 000 buyer buy-in at the point of purchase to qualify.

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Sales Races: four R1,000,000 races open to any 2027 Race Coast Sales graduate, with no buy-in required.

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RCS Big Cap: a R5,000,000 slot race for Premier Yearling Sale and Two-Year-Old/ Ready-to-Run Sale graduates, run over 1,400m with 14 slots available on a firstcome, first-served basis.

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Travel and accommodation: assessed on application.

Full catalogue and entry details for the Premier Yearling Sale, the Digital Mare/Filly Sale and the Two-Year-Old will be released ahead of each fixture. 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 17

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CANDYMAN AIMING AT

OCTOBER RETURN v

A regular face at the Milnerton Training Centre, where his wife Ashley is prepping an exciting string for her first assault from her new base on the Cape summer season, Andrew Fortune has his mind set on a return to riding in the second week of October. 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 19

Andrew Fortune - popular rider hopes to be back soon | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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The Candyman was full of the joys of spring on a grey and wet Monday morning when chatting to the Sporting Post about his plans to start riding winners again. It’s been nothing short of a remarkable comeback twenty months since Var Park won at the Vaal on 6 March 2025, for the former SA champion. Peppered by glorious Grade 1 highs, including a career first WSB Cape Town Met success, as well as injury lows that have tested his 59 year old frame to breaking point, Andrew Fortune’s journey has again been a newsmaking epic and a source of inspiration to many. 20 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

But, like the rest of us mere mortals, he is not getting any younger and spare parts in an electronic age are less replaceable and difficult to fit to old models. Just under six months after breaking his shoulder and collarbone, as well as suffering six broken ribs and puncturing his lungs, Fortune fell at Fairview on the Women’s Day public holiday on Monday 10 August. After being eased out of the race, his mount stumbled, and fell on top of the veteran rider, injuring the very same side of his body. X-rays showed that the right clavicle had fractured at the edge of the plate and point of the shoulder. He also suffered broken ribs. “It’s unfortunate that it was in the same area and now we have more screws and plates and things. That compounds matters. But I am keen to get back to action and help Ash (Fortune) get things going. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy and frankly, I’d rather die in the saddle than having shied away from my profession. Fear and race-riding are not good bedmates!” he laughs, as he points out that he is due for further x-rays at end September. “I am aiming at a return in the second week of October. But obviously I will be guided to a degree by medical advice. And with the great incentives on offer by Lucky Fish, there is plenty to play for this season. I need to keep the top jockeys on their toes!” Sportsbook operator Lucky Fish, who sponsor Ashley Fortune, 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.

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World’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising | Credit: HKJC

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KING OF SPEED

LEADS LONGINES WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSE RANKINGS

KA YING RISING (NZ) [135] leads the seventh edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2026 following his record-breaking performance in the Gr3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday, 06 September. LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings: Leading Horses: Rank 1 2 3 4 4 4

Horse KA YING RISING (NZ) OMBUDSMAN (IRE) BOW ECHO (IRE) DARYZ (FR) ITEM (GB) ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE)

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Rating 135 131 127 126 126 126

Trained KH GB GB FR GB HK

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Click here for complete rankings. With his win, Ka Ying Rising recorded his 21st consecutive victory and took nearly a second off of his own track record at Sha Tin. He also improved his rating to 135 from 131, which is the highest rating a sprinter has received under the current system. The previous record was held by Black Caviar, who achieved a rating of 132 in 2011. Joining the Top 5 is ITEM (GB) [126], who won the Juddmonte International Stakes (Gr1) by a head over ALMAQAM (GB) [125]. Off of that effort, Item raised his rating to 126 from 122, while Almaqam’s rating increased to 125 from 122. Finishing behind that pair in third and fourth place, respectively, were CONSTITUTION RIVER (FR) [124] and OMBUDSMAN (IRE) [131].

Newcomers to the rankings this month include ERDENALI (FR) [124], MALTESE CROSS (FR) [124], and ALMERAQ (GB) [123]. Erdenali joins the rankings after winning the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Gr1) over TEN BOB TONY (IRE) [121], GSTAAD (GB) [125], and OPERA BALLO (IRE) [123]. Maltese Cross earned his rating by winning the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Gr2), which came one start after his victory in the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1). Almeraq impressed in the Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes (Gr1), which he won by 4 ¼ lengths. Meanwhile, in the United States, ENGLISHMAN (USA) [122] improved his rating to 122 from 120 with his 3 ¾-length victory in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (Gr1), while KNIGHTSBRIDGE (USA) [122] raised his rating to 122 from 119 by taking the Pacific Classic Stakes (Gr1) by 6 ¼ lengths.

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MOUTONSHOEK’S v

MAGIC MAN Moutonshoek’s blue-blooded stallion The United States enjoyed a breakout season in 2025-2026. The son of Galileo was responsible for six stakes winners of eight black- type races in South Africa last season, and his offspring banked more than R10,934 million in 20252026. The Moutonshoek resident also achieved the feat of having a son feature on the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. His son Tin Pan Alley received a rating of 117 from LONGINES during the period of 1 January 2026 to 8th March. The gelding received this mark following a three and three quarter length thrashing of subsequent Horse Of The Year See It Again in the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.

Tin Pan Alley – reached the world rankings | Credit: JC Photos

Also victorious in the Betway Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge and Betway Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes last season, Tin Pan Alley was one of two Gr1 winners for The United States last season. The United States gelding Kingdundee, who is poised to continue his career overseas, provided his connections with an emotional top level win when he won the World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship. On that occasion, Kingdundee accounted for a host of stars, including subsequent Gr1 winners Asiye Phambili and Buffalo Storm Cody. The United States’ success in 2025-2026, however, was not restricted to males, with his daughters Rodeo Drive (Mike De Kock Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge) and Keukenhof (Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes) both enjoying graded stakes success in this period.

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Sheela’s full-brother Wild And Free was an eyecatching debut winner at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The United States’ great run has continued into the new season, with the chestnut having come up with a good looking debut winner at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

The United States, who is standing for a fee of R40 000 this season, is from one of the best female lines in the stud book, and his family has continued to fire in 2026.

His three-year-old son Wild And Free, a fullbrother to 4Racing Gr2 SA Nursery winner Sheela, made the perfect start to his career when winning first time out on Sunday.

His outstanding fourth dam Mill Princess, whose progeny include Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and champion sire Last Tycoon, is ancestress of 2026 Gr3 West Virginia Derby winner Zihnal, as well as this year’s Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes winner Ten Bob Tony.

The speedy Sheela helped to provide The United States with a flying start to his stud career when she became his first winner and stakes winner when romping home to a three and three quarter length win in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes prior to her Nursery success. Sheela was one of just nine runners in her sire’s first crop, which included the useful performers Alabama Anna and Mel’s Princess. 26 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

Other stars of this remarkable family include Coolmore Stud’s French classic winning sire Henri Matisse, and high-class females Mon Petit Cherie, Whirl and The United States’ star full-sisters Hermosa and Hydrangea. With some well-bred crops in the pipeline, the future looks very bright for The United States.

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Buffalo Storm Cody has not had his season officially mapped out for him | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

THE TRAINERS ON BIG-RACE PLANS THIS SEASON

As Gauteng moves into its 2026 spring/summer racing season, Off The Record caught up with trainers across the 4Racing regions for a brief update on their principal feature contenders and the plans being mapped out for the months ahead. They reveal some interesting information – and, for astute punters, a few names worth putting in the notebook. There is no better place to hear about the actual ability of horses than from the trainers 30 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

themselves. Those closest to the coalface often provide clues that don’t necessarily appear in the form guide – and for those who listen with intent, that information can be particularly valuable when assessing race prospects and structuring exotic bets.

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Starting with Turffontein-based Tony Peter, presently third on the National Log with a 28% winning strike rate from his first 60 runners. Peter and his father Paul have made recent appearances on Racing Today’s Saturday morning tipping show, where their insights into their runners have proved most useful to punters.

like next season’s Horse Chestnut Stakes could become our prerogative to build towards this term.

Peter’s Equus Champion Sprinter, Buffalo Storm Cody (Buffalo Bill Cody), has not had his season officially mapped out for him, and this is quite interesting because there is a chance that we’ll see him racing up to 1600m. Peter explained: “Richard Fourie and Gavin Lerena are both adamant that Buffalo Storm Cody will be at his best over a mile, so a race

“Option two is to follow the pure sprinting route, like we’ve done effectively over the last few seasons, culminating with the sprinting features during the KZN Champions Season. The third option would be an overseas campaign, which could include a sprint and a 1600m race in Dubai. He added: “Considering Buffalo Storm Cody’s prowess in sprints, I remain sceptical about trying him over further, but we are in discussion with his owners and we’ll come to a decision in due course.”

Diogenes will be competing for a bigger prize | Credit: JC Photos

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Tin Pan Alley – the Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge is first on his roster | Credit: JC Photos

Buffalo Storm Cody’s talented counterpart, Taxi To The Moon (Vercingetorix) won last season’s Grade 3 Lebelo Sprint and the Grade 2 Golden Horse Sprint and Peter has those and several other Graded sprints, to choose from in 2026/7. Among his other older horses, Money Heist (Gimmethegreenlight) is a Grade 3 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile contender, while the hardknocking mares Kisshoten (Erupt) and Tomyris (Vercingetorix) also have options available, including races like the Listed Betway Summer Pudding Handicap and the Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes. Perfect Miracle (Hawwaam) is fast, maturing well at four and a contender for the sprint features, which may include November’s Listed Carry On Alice Stakes over 1160m. 32 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

Peter said he was excited about two three-yearolds, Noble Saint (Fire Away) and Sands Of Valhalla (Erik The Red). “They’re both maturing and showing plenty of promise. I only noticed the other day that Sands Of Valhalla is a halfbrother to the current Mauritian champion, Cumbre Vieja, so the pedigree is proven. He’s a 1400m-1600m prospect, the Grade 3 Graham Beck Stakes is a possibility for him. Peter’s Turffontein colleague Weichong Marwing will be relying on WSB Listed Hawwaam Stakes winner, Diogenes (Hawwaam) to compete for a bigger prize this season and said: “He had a fair pipe-opener recently and I’d like to get him back to his best for a race like the Grade 3 Victory Moon Handicap. The handicapper hammered him after his Listed win, so our options are limited.”

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Marwing has been competitive with a small string of runners and recently was given his first chance to train a runner for Mary Slack, for whom he won many Grade 1s as a jockey. Slack’s Brief Encounter (Buffalo Bill Cody) finished fourth over 1200m on his debut and is expected to make natural improvement. Scented Alley (Flower Alley) earned a thirdplaced cheque on her debut and American Red Ray (Red Ray) finished eight lengths off on his first visit to the track. Marwing said: “They all need further so we were happy with what we saw first time out. They have the scope to win races this season and this could give us some momentum.”

gradual build-ups in mind. He said: “We’re starting slowly this spring, with an eye on finishing strongly into the second half of the season, and we’ll look at raiding Cape Town with a few suitable runners in summer. But as we’ve seen, one can’t go to Cape Town with horses who won’t be competitive, so we’ll assess how things develop over the next few months.” Tarry is hoping to start off his highest-rated older runner, Tin Pan Alley (The United States), in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge on 3 October, a race he won as a three-year-old last year en route to his stunning victory in the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes. •

At Randjesfontein, Sean Tarry has started putting his big guns through their paces, with

Click on the image below to read the rest of the Trainers’ plans…

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Gimme A Nother (John Velazquez) scores her first Gr1 victory in the US Credit: The Thoroughbred Breeders Association Of South Africa on FB

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GUTSY VICTORY FOR DAUGHTER OF GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT

South African champion Gimme A Nother prevailed in a blanket finish in Saturday’s $750 000 Gr1 E.P. Taylor and punched her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup in the 2000m event over Woodbine’s main turf. DRF reports that John Velazquez carved out a lovely inside stalking trip from post 1 in the eight-horse field on Gimme A Nother. Achieve, who finished a close second to Gimme A Nother in the Gr2 Beverly D. at Colonial Downs on 01 August, set a moderate pace before tiring badly in the stretch. Gimme A Nother split horses near the eighth pole and went on to score by a neck, in a 34 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

time of 2:02.71 and gave Velazquez a second consecutive victory in the race after She Feels Pretty won last year for Cherie DeVaux. The Europeans See The Fire and Jancis rallied wide in unison, and the former got second by a nose over the latter. Venetian Lace faded from second to fourth, and the favoured Diamond Rain was a hard-ridden fifth in the eight-horse field. “When I asked her, she went through that little hole between horses and kept running – very impressive,” Velazquez said.

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Trainer Graham Motion said everything worked out perfectly for Gimme A Nother, who won her three previous starts in graded stakes after a leading second in the Grade 2 Canadian here last summer. “I loved being in the 1-post,” Motion said. “Johnny just had a beautiful trip. You have so much confidence when Johnny’s riding. He said even today, she’s a better horse than she was last time. She took him there. It was very impressive.”

“She came to me undefeated,” Motion recalled. “That was a lot of pressure, but she’s been remarkable. We hoped to get her to the Breeders’ Cup last year, and it didn’t quite work out. Ever since we gave her a little break over the winter, she’s been unbeatable. She’s very special.” The winning owner is Newstead Stables of Steve and Jessica Jell of Lewisville, PA.

The winner, who is out of the Tiger Ridge Motion got the Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein- champion Nother Russia (SAF), was an undefeated multiple Group 1 winner before bred Gimme A Nother, a daughter of SA joining Herringswell at Palm Meadows. champion Gimmethegreenlight, in 2024 after she had won all seven of her starts in South Africa.

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Hotazhell and Shane Foley wins the Gr1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, the feature event on Day One of Irish Champions Festival | Credit: Patrick McCann/Racing Post/HRI v

IRISH CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL

GETS HOTAZHELL! Day One of Irish Champions Festival on Saturday produced racing of the highest quality and delivered the most gripping – and surprising – finish imaginable as Hotazhell prevailed by the narrowest of margins in the featured Gr1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes. Jessica Harrington, one of the most garlanded trainers in the history of Irish racing, reached a new peak as her 50-1 chance pipped British raider Wimbledon Hawkeye by a nose in the 1.25 million Euros showpiece. “People were saying the win in Germany wasn’t good enough but look at how they finished! I didn’t think he deserved to be 50-1,” she

laughed. “We have always believed in this horse. It is so fantastic to win this. He is in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October and we will probably go there next.” This was a third Group 1 title for the Americanowned Hotazhell and, quite remarkably, each one has been by a nose! Much of the prerace attention centred on Item, Almaqam and Constitution River who finished 1-2-3 in the Juddmonte International at York. Constitution River, the 11-8 favourite, ran third with Almaqam fourth and Item coming home sixth of the eight runners.

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Day One of Irish Champions Festival featured three Group 1 races for the first time. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Darkness Falls (evens fav) confirmed his status as a colt of immense promise with a four-length romp in the inaugural running of the Group 1 HKJC World Pool Golden Fleece Stakes. “He can go anywhere. He is a Camelot who is going to be a Guineas horse and that’s the way his Dad was,” the Ballydoyle maestro said. Juddmonte filly Blue Bolt (4-5 fav) made it three Group 1 wins on the spin in the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes. Colin Keane steered trainer Andrew Balding’s daughter of Blue Point to a comfortable margin of over two lengths. Asked if this was a career best, Balding replied: “I think it probably is. She ran straight today. The last time she tended to lay a little left but not today. She hasn’t put a foot wrong all year. She has been faultless.” Keane managed two winners on the day in the Juddmonte silks having also won the opening race, the Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes for juvenile fillies on Maire Rua (5-2) for trainer Ger Lyons. Lyons doubled up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path, a Premier Handicap over seven furlongs, when the lightly weighted Krasimir collected for up-and-coming apprentice Reese Holohan. Three of the day’s nine races went for export. Arabian Crown (11-1) won the World Pool Bet With The Tote Gr3 Kilternan Stakes for Godolphin, making all the running for jockey James Doyle. 38 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, Quddwah then looked a cut above his rivals in the Tonybet Gr2 Solonaway Stakes over a mile to give Doyle his second win of the day. The meeting closed with two fiercely competitive Premier Handicaps. Tipperary trainer Joe Murphy and jockey Gary Carroll combined successfully with 25-1 chance Immutable in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap. Willie McCreery, based on the Curragh, won the closing World Pool Bet With The Tote Autumn Fillies’ Premier Handicap with Rebel Wave (7-1), ridden by Ben Coen. Leopardstown welcomed an attendance of 11 516, a figure 2% up on the 2025 gate. Commenting on the day’s events, Mark Clayton, CEO of Leopardstown said: “It was a phenomenal day’s racing featuring the crème de la crème of the Irish and international racing scene. “It has been great to see such a good spread of winners, including three from Great Britain. I am delighted for Team Harrigton to win their first Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes with Hotazhell. “Thanks also to the team behind Wimbledon Hawkeye who was supplemented at a late stage and came so close. So many factors contributed to a memorable day outside the nine races, delivering a great day’s entertainment for all.”

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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‘SUN GODDESS LOOKS A FREAK’ v

- O’BRIEN

Sun Goddess (Ryan Moore) shines in the Moyglare | Credit: Coolmore

Sun Goddess (2f Sioux Nation – Etoile Bleu, by Starspangledbanner) further cemented her Classic credentials for next year with an impressive win in the Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. The Ballydoyle-trained filly was landing a second Group 1 after victory in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last month. She had also run out a six-length winner of the Harry’s Half Million at York just 11 days after her first toplevel success.

“It’s a seriously important race. Ryan was very patient on her. She’s a big, powerful, strong filly. She’s by Sioux Nation and it looks like Sioux Nations are really taking off. He was a sprinter himself, but it looks like they are going to stay as well which is very unusual.”

Ridden by Ryan Moore, Sun Goddess was in touch with the leaders and was asked to close from three furlongs out. She led over a furlong out and quickened clear to win by a widening six and a half lengths from Green Empress (by Saxon Warrior).

On future targets, he added: “Obviously the Cheveley Park is there in two weeks. She’s coming out of her races like she’s not having races. She has an awful lot of natural class. She’s a very big filly and you’d imagine looking at her she should be a way better filly next year. She’s just natural, really, very unusual.”

Aidan O’Brien has landed the Moyglare on 12 occasions since his first in 2000, and made it three on the trot, said: “She looks a freak. Everything she’s done has been freakish. She went up to seven furlongs today on soft ground. Our other filly, we felt, wanted a mile. This filly we weren’t even sure would stay but there was only one place we were going to find out. 42 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

Moore added: “She’s just kept on improving. She’s up to seven today on slower ground, and it’s the most impressive she’s been. She relaxes and gets into a beautiful rhythm. When I asked her to go and win her race, she opened up very impressively. She’s thriving.” Sun Goddess was bred by Owenstown Bloodstock.

SLACK FILLY WINS v

DONCASTER GR3 UNDER DANNY MUSCUTT Pina Sonata (Pinatubo x Moonlight Sonata, by Galileo) produced an impressive performance at Doncaster on Saturday to land the Japan Racing Association Gr3 Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes under a peach of a ride by Hollywoodbetssponsored jockey Danny Muscutt.

Taking on a competitive field of 19 fillies and mares, the James Fanshawe-trained fouryear-old travelled strongly through the race before making smooth headway approaching the final two furlongs. She struck the front over a furlong from home and stayed on strongly to score by 1½ lengths.

type credentials following her victory in the Listed Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton earlier this season. Bred in England by Wilgerbosdrift (UK) Ltd and racing in the colours of Mrs Mary Slack, Pina Sonata is out of the Galileo mare Moonlight Sonata.

The victory marks a first success at Group level for Pina Sonata, adding to her black-

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Pina Sonata (Danny Muscutt) storms home in the Mary Slack silks | Credit: Supplied

Kaidan Brewer - making progress after terrible fall | Credit: JC Photos

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STEADY PROGRESS FOR KAIDAN AFTER FALL

Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Kaidan Brewer was admitted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after a shocking fall in the final stages of the fifth race at Turffontein on Saturday. 44 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

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An incident near the finish line saw Kaidan’s mount Kudikaran appear to go wrong and stumbling, unseating the rider before tumbling over him. Speedy action by the on-course medics saw Kaidan transported to the hospital. In a statement issued by the Brewer family on Saturday evening, we were advised that Kaidan had been placed in Trauma High Care, where medical staff were closely monitoring some bleeding on the brain. He also sustained severe facial bruising and a slight cheekbone fracture.

Providing daily media updates, Andrew Brewer reported on Tuesday 15 September that he is pleased to share that Kaidan has made remarkable medical improvement, and his surgeon and medical team are very happy with his progress. * 100% body functionality with no limb fractures – in fact absolutely nothing broken, didn’t even chip a tooth. Not a single cut on his body just facial bruising which has significantly decreased. * Physiotherapy: His surgeon has scheduled a session with the physiotherapist for late this afternoon so we hoping we can see him off the bed for the first time today. * Recovery & Rest: While Kaidan appears physically fine, doctors explain that after an injury or concussion, keeping his eyes closed and retreating into sleep is a natural psychological self-defense mechanism. It is the brain’s way of avoiding emotional overwhelm, painful thoughts, and sensory fatigue following the incident. * Psychological Support: A psychologist will also be seeing him later today to support his overall recovery. On a lighter note, half asleep he did say that I need to get him to work on Sunday as his riding a horse that will win on the 24th! Once again, heartfelt thanks to everyone for the continued prayers, well-wishes, and overwhelming concern—both locally and from friends and supporters far and wide across Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

The family advise that they appreciate the overwhelming outreach, love, and support from everyone during this time.

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Blaine Marx-Jacobson steers Into Dancing to victory for a special moment that he will savour in the years ahead | Credit: JC Photos

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BLAINE ON

THE WAY UP!

SA champion apprentice Blaine MarxJacobson reached a milestone in his career at the Vaal last Thursday (10 September) when he booted Into Dancing home for his 50th career winner. The Stuart Pettigrew-trained filly went off at 5-2 and was a comfortable winner of the TAB Telebet 011 074 0300 FM 91 Divided Handicap run over 1700m. After ‘stalling’ on the 49 winner mark and knocking on the door with an incredible 11 second-place finishes across five meetings, Blaine was thrilled that winner number 48 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

50 finally arrived! He will be awarded the traditional white blazer, which marks the important milestone.

Blaine is sponsored by Equus Award-winning photographer Chase Liebenberg, who told the Sporting Post that he was extremely proud of the promising young jockey’s progress. Blaine is currently quoted at 16-10 on the Lucky Fish betting boards for the 2026/27 championship competition, with Anaas Mosaheb at 2-1 and Dezahn Louw next best at 3-1.

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Trainer Dominic Zaki | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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DOMINIC ZAKI

GUILTY ON SIX CHARGES The Inquiry into Trainer Mr Dominic Zaki, which commenced before an Independent Inquiry Board on 14 July 2026, continued on 28 and 29 July 2026 and evidence was concluded on 17 and 18 August 2026. 52 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

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The following charges were preferred against Mr Zaki: Charge 1 On or about 24 April 2026, at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, the horse NOTABLE, of which the Trainer was the licensed trainer and which was under the Trainer’s care, custody and control, was presented for an official veterinarian’s gallop, in terms of Rule 49.7, and a urine specimen was collected. Analysis disclosed the presence of the prohibited substances: • Caffeine, a Class 3 Prohibited Substance; and • Procaine, a Class 2 Prohibited Substance in the circumstances. Mr Zaki pleaded not guilty to a contravention of Rule 73.2.6, insofar as the charge related to the presence of Procaine at a level constituting a Class 2 contravention. Charge 2 On or about 13 May 2026, at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, a urine and plasma specimen was collected from the horse NOTABLE, of which the Trainer was the licensed trainer. Analysis disclosed the presence of the prohibited substance Caffeine, a Class 3 Prohibited Substance. By reason of the presence of Caffeine in the specimens collected from NOTABLE whilst the horse was under the Trainer’s care, custody and control, the Trainer contravened Rule 73.2.3. Mr Zaki pleaded guilty, on a strict liability basis, to a contravention of Rule 73.2.3.

Charge 3 On or about 3 June 2026, at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, the horse QUICKSMART, of which the Trainer was the licensed trainer and which was under the Trainer’s care, custody and control (prior to it being euthanized) ran in Race 3 and a plasma specimen was collected following the horse breaking down. Analysis disclosed the presence of the prohibited substances: • Acepromazine, a Class 3 Prohibited Substance; • Caffeine, a Class 3 Prohibited Substance; and • Lidocaine, a Class 2 Prohibited Substance Charge 4 On or about 17 June 2026, at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, a plasma specimen was collected from the horse CRAFT MARKET (GB), of which the Trainer was the licensed trainer. Analysis of specimen B59492 disclosed the presence of the prohibited substance Caffeine, a Class 3 Prohibited Substance. By reason of the presence of that prohibited substance in the specimen collected from CRAFT MARKET (GB) whilst the horse was under the Trainer’s care, custody and control, the Trainer contravened Rule 73.2.3. Mr Zaki pleaded guilty, on a strict liability basis, to a contravention of Rule 73.2.3. Charge 5 During the period preceding the collection of specimens from the horses NOTABLE, QUICKSMART, CRAFT MARKET (GB), the Trainer was the licensed trainer responsible for those horses. 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 53

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The Trainer failed accurately and legibly to record, or cause to be accurately and legibly recorded, in the Veterinary Treatment Register: •

•

veterinary treatment administered to NOTABLE, QUICKSMART, CRAFT MARKET (GB); and/or preparations containing a prohibited substance administered to NOTABLE, QUICKSMART, CRAFT MARKET (GB), as required by Rule 10.5.14.

Charge 6 During the eight-day period immediately preceding the race on or about 3 June 2026, whilst QUICKSMART was under the Trainer’s care, custody and control, the Trainer administered, alternatively caused or permitted to be administered, preparations containing prohibited substances including: •

• • • •

Flunixin, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), on 26 May 2026; Ketoprofen, an NSAID, on 29 May 2026; Meloxicam, an NSAID, on 30 May 2026; Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, on 30 May 2026; and Flumethasone, a corticosteroid, on 31 May 2026.

In addition, on or about 3 June 2026, whilst QUICKSMART was under the Trainer’s care, custody and control, the Trainer administered, alternatively caused or permitted to be administered, preparations containing Acepromazine, Caffeine and Lidocaine, alternatively failed to prevent such administration. The administration of the substances referred to in paragraphs above, had the effect, alternatively was intended to have the effect, of masking pain, altering the horse’s behaviour or physiological responses, or permitting the horse to race notwithstanding an underlying clinical condition. 54 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

Mr Zaki denied the allegations in respect of Charges 5 and 6, and pleas of not guilty were entered on both counts. The Inquiry Board subsequently issued its judgment and order on 22 August 2026, having considered the charges, pleas, evidence and submissions made by the parties. The Inquiry Board found Mr Zaki guilty of the following: Charge 1 •

A contravention of Rule 73.2.6, which revealed the presence of: o Caffeine, a Class 3 prohibited substance; and o Procaine, a Class 4 prohibited substance.

Charges 2, 3 and 4 •

Guilty on a strict liability basis, in accordance with the pleas entered.

Charge 5 •

Guilty of a contravention of Rule 10.5.14.

Charge 6 •

Guilty of abusing and ill-treating the horse QUICKSMART, in contravention of Rule 72.1.10.

The matter has been adjourned for argument on the appropriate penalty and will resume on 29 September 2026. Mr Zaki and the NHA continue to be legally represented. Mr Zaki’s interim suspension remains in place pending the finalisation of the inquiry. •

Media release by the NHA on Friday, 11 September 2026.

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Rachel Venniker - steady progress in long road back | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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STEADY PROGRESS AND RACHEL IS

‘FEELING STRONGER’ Former dual SA champion apprentice Rachel Venniker is making steady progress and is ‘feeling stronger’ after being injured in a fall at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday 28 August. In what was widely regarded as a freak incident, Rachel was minding her own business on the Social Squad-owned Beer With The Boys approaching the 600m marker. At that point Wander Skitt ran on to, and clipped, the heels of Record High (Cole Dicken), and stumbled badly and fell, dislodging Nicholas Patel. Rachel’s mount had nowhere to go, and could not avoid the fallen horse and rider, stumbling badly and fell, dislodging her. After falling awkwardly, Rachel damaged lower vertebrae in her back and was operated on. Patel emerged largely unscathed. Talking to the Sporting Post on Monday morning, the tough-as-teak 25 year old reported that she is doing well. 58 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

“I am still in the rehab unit. It is difficult to give a prognosis or time-frames yet as we are still in the early stages of swelling. As it goes down, we’ll know more. So for now we take it day by day,” said Rachel. On a likely return date, Rachel indicated that she would definitely be out for another six weeks. “I use a back brace every time I move as I have to let the discs heal. But I’m moving around more and starting to do some physio. And definitely getting a lot stronger. Thank you to all the kind folk asking after me. I appreciate the care and interest!”she added. Last Saturday at Turffontein, Kaidan Brewer was hospitalised after a terrible fall in the final stages saw the accomplished young rider incur facial injuries and bleeding on the brain.

VEALE DOUBLES ON

GREEN AND GOLD EVENING v

On a Lucky Fish Night Racing evening at Hollywoodbets Greyville themed ‘Green and Gold’, riding and training honours were largely shared, with Sporting Post-sponsored Sean Veale grabbing a double on the card. Three 1200m events got proceedings underway on the polytrack with the quickest being the In The Box Seat Podcast-Gallop TV D Stakes in which the 6yo gelding NAVAJO DANCER gained his second career victory. Winning for the first time since shedding his maiden tag just eight weeks short of three years ago, Gareth Van Zyl’s charge was soon nicely positioned just three lengths off the pace. Backed into favouritism, Kaapse Klopse (4/1 into 9/4) was the first to make a move, and on striking the front 300m out, he looked to have done everything right.

Navajo Dancer ran on stoutly at the business end of the race though, and under a determined ride from Calvin Habib, he put his head in front 50m from home. Run in a time just half a second slower than the D Stakes was the Lucky Fish Diamond Rise Open Maiden over 1200m and here a major gamble was landed when XIPHOS opened his account. Making his seventeenth racecourse appearance here, the son of William Longsword was heavily supported into 4/1 from 16’s. He broke well when the gates opened and soon at the head of affairs led by a length for most of the journey under a tight hold.

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Xiphos opens his account under Sean Veale | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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He was only really asked to race 150m out and went on to score with authority under Sean Veale by two. Xiphos was later reported to be coughing by the vet.

In terms of distance the easiest victory on the card was undoubtedly that of the friendless CAPTIVE PRINCE (10/1 out to 25/1) in the Live It. Love It. Own It D Stakes over 2000m.

Track Conditions:

Another to race handy in third off what wasn’t a fast pace, Tony Rivalland’s charge was always poised to strike.

Going: Standard Rain: Last 7 days Nil Wind:

10-40km/h South Westerly tail wind

Course 0,18s fast Variant: The Lucky Fish Power Pick C Stakes over 2000m topped the bill and here victory went to the Adam Azzie trained NO PRESSURE. Racing a little unsettled Gardener’s Pride under a tight hold made the running, and off what was a rather moderate pace, the son of Ideal World sat close up in third. Both Red Carnival and the well-supported favourite Prince Of Troy (4/1 into 5/2) ran on stoutly from eight lengths off them in the home straight to fill second and third position respectively, and in a race that had resembled a cavalry charge going through the 200m, No Pressure only got the verdict by less than a half.

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He did so as they approached the 300m marker and perhaps not really needing the couple of taps that he received from Jabu Jacobs between the 150m and 100m marks, he cruised clear below the distance to score by five and three quarters. At the start of this race the heavily supported Dancing On a Cloud (10/1 into 28/10) stood and then put his head into the next stall. As a result of this he lost many lengths and was never effectively in the race. Also, at the start gate 11 did not open and so Record High (25/2 into 11/2) was declared a non-runner. Fastest Times: 1200m (3) Navajo Dancer 2000m (2) No Pressure

70,72 122,62

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HIERARCHY SHOWS v

WHO IS TOPS

In terms of prizemoney and highest average merit ratings the Gallop TV Progress Plate over 1200m topped the bill at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.

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Hierarchy shows the way under Callan Murray | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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The 4yo daughter of Windrush HIERARCHY (restless in pens) was clearly best in at the weights and so it was no surprise to see her register her third career victory. She got away well when the gates opened and along with the highly regarded 3yo Erik Dubois, she raced up with the speed throughout. She began to assert her authority going through the 400m and kept up to her work all the way to the wire by Callan Murray, she went on to score comfortably by a length and three quarters. The Justin Snaith trained PLEASE BE TRUE was sent off favourite to win the Tote For The Win B Stakes over 1400m, and in what proved to be a real thriller, he only narrowly landed the spoils. Run in a time almost a second faster than the only other event over the distance, the heavily supported second favourite Nordic Chief (25/2 into 3/1) set the pace whilst the son of One World was content to sit some three and a half lengths away in fifth. The money horse ran on strongly under a determined ride from Serino Moodley and it was only on the nod in the very last stride that Please Be True got up to thwart the gamble. Track Conditions: Going: Penetrometer: Rain:

Good (both tracks) 23 (both tracks) Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 3mm

Irrigation:

Last 7 days Nil

False Rail:

7m

Wind:

10-15km/h North Easterly head wind

Course Variant:

1,05s fast (straight) – 0,97s fast (bend)

Another very tight finish was to be had in the fastest of the three 1000m races on the card, the Bet With Colossus www.tote.co.za C Stakes won by the veteran CHARA SANDS. Ridden by champion jockey Craig Zackey, the ten-time winner Arverni Princess made the running, and the pace was a good one. Indeed, the overall time was only 0,77 seconds outside that of the course record. The 8yo son of Visionaire meanwhile raced third and with the frontrunner staying on strongly, he marginally took up the running as they approached the 200m marker. The easy to back Rushing Chimes ran on well from midfield to finish second in the closing stages of the race and in an event where marginally over a length separated the first four home, Michael Roberts’ charge only got the verdict by a nose. Apprentice Divesh Ramkhalawon was fined R1000 for striking Chara Sands more than two times on consecutive strides, and a further R2200 for striking this gelding more than ten times in total. The fastest 400m to finish time in the race, and indeed the quickest for that segment of the afternoon, was recorded by Smorgasbord who finished sixth.

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A winner over the course and distance last time out, Louis Goosen’s charge was only beaten by two and three quarter lengths after racing at least six and a half lengths off the pace at the back. The official times show race 2 (a D Stakes) as being run 1/25th of a second faster than this race.

Sent off as one of three 4/1 co-favourites after opening up at 28/10, Justin Snaith’s charge wasn’t the quickest into stride from gate eleven and was easily eight lengths adrift of the front running Magical Spring when that one skipped a couple clear at the top of the home straight.

However, on our clock race 2 is incorrect. We timed that race as being 0,46 seconds slower than this one.

Given a confident ride by Keagan De Melo though, That’s A Gimme soon began to make headway when asked for her effort and although the pacemaker ran on strongly all the way to the wire, she got up in the dying strides.

The Join Passion www.racecoast.co.za Maiden Plate (f&m) over 1600m was the longest event on the eight-race program and here we saw good improvement from the Gimmethegreenlight filly THAT’S A GIMMIE.

Fastest Times: 1000m (3) Chara Sands 1200m (2) Hierarchy 1400m (2) Please Be True 400-finish Smorgasbord

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56,18 67,68 83,44 21,86

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GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT COLT v

IS PROGRESSIVE Three-year-old Gimme A Fireball arrived at Turffontein with a reputation on Saturday, had to fight for his win, and left with it intact – along with high hopes for the season ahead.

everybody associated with the sport. We once again extend our heartfelt condolences to the connections of a brave horse and to jockey Kaidan Brewer, who is recovering from a shocker of a fall.

There were three other well-performed and more experienced contenders in a six-horse field of such quality that Mike de Kock described it as ‘almost a Listed race’.

Gimme A Fireball raced a bit green when the combat intensified over the last 200m, but pleasingly stuck to his task, changed legs and geared down to seal the battle by half-alength.

The fact that Gimme A Fireball won the 1200m contest right after his maiden win – and first time on the bend – is most encouraging for his future. The connections of Bisou Bisou, Whatsdamatterwithu and Rivera knew what they were up against and, admirably, took on the recent Hollywoodbets Scottsville winner fearlessly and with purpose. A fourth, Kudikaran, also got into the brawl late with a committed run, but his clipping of heels and subsequent fall was a seriously unfortunate incident, and a gut-wrenching moment for

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Mike de Kock felt that jockey Sean Veale would have been better off finding cover on the fence early, though Sean did note that he had to push Gimme A Fireball for a few strides so he could hold the bit. If his early rush indeed made his task harder, the win carries even more merit. “It is no secret that we rate Hollywood Racing’s Gimme A Fireball highly. He is green, a bit of a handful, but if he keeps his head, he is a horse that’s going places.” Gimme A Fireball is an Avontuur-bred colt by Gimmethegreenlight out of Dream De Ra, by Oasis Dream.

Gimme A Fireball (Sean Veale) impresses with a post-maiden success | Credit: JC Photos

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BARNANE-BRED GALLOPER

OUTFOXES THEM v

His quicksilver Mom was South Africa’s fastest Grade 1 winner in 2021 and while it has taken him nine runs to put it all together, the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud-bred Madra Rua delivered an accomplished performance at cramped odds to win the Fairview polytrack opener last Wednesday (09 September). Formerly trained by James Crawford out of Philippi, the Irish-bred Madra Rua was saddled by Dean Smith and won his opening outing in the Eastern Cape in the Hollywood Racing silks with authority, clocking 75,97 secs for the 1300m under Callan Murray. SplashOut-sponsored Callan Murray, who will be riding for Hollywood Racing in Gqeberha, suggested that they had not yet quite gotten to the bottom of the full potential of the winner, and that there was more to come. Trainer Dean Smith had fitted the cheek pieces after a gallop, and that seems to have done the trick.

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A 4yo gelded son of champion Frankel, the winner’s Australian-bred dam Run Fox Run, a daughter of Foxwedge won her first five starts in the Ridgemont finery for Brett Crawford and retired as a winner of eight out of eleven starts and was never out of the frame. She won the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship in her final start, beating four Equus champions in Rio Querari, Celtic Sea, Kasimir and Russet Air. That complimented her WSB Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes win and her shorthead loss to Celtic Sea in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint. Her sire Foxwedge won the Gr1 William Reid Stakes over six furlongs at Moonee Valley. He is a son of Fastnet Rock and has produced five individual Group 1 winners. The winner’s sire Frankel (Galileo) needs no introduction as the highest Timeform rated horse in history. The Frankel-Run Fox Run mating produces 3X4 in-breeding to Danehill. For interest’s sake, Madra Rua is an Irish language term that literally translates to ‘red dog’, which is apparently a common regional way of saying, ‘fox’.

Callan Murray steers Madra Rua to victory | Credit: Pauline Herman

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GODOLPHIN STAR DOUBLES v

IN WOODBINE MILE

Notable Speech became only the second horse to win back-to-back renewals of the Woodbine Mile as the Godolphin star secured a seventh Gr1 success with another assured display in Canada on Saturday, 12 September. America’s reigning Champion Male Turf Horse had powered home to take the Woodbine feature 12 months ago before going on to glory in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile and the Dubawi entire returned on the back of Gr1 wins this term in the Lockinge Stakes and City Of York Stakes. Four-time Gr1 winner Deterministic attempted to make it a test from the outset as he strode on into an early two-length lead, with Notable Speech settled behind Silius, Gas Me Up and Pierre in fifth. William Buick had to wait for a gap to appear as Deterministic kicked at the top of the straight. After finding room, Notable Speech unleashed a strong run and collared the long-time leader just inside the final half-furlong before quickening away for a length-and-a-quarter verdict, joining fellow US champion Wise Dan as a two-time winner of the race.

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Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “I am delighted for Notable Speech, who has proven an ultraconsistent horse throughout his career and deserves each of his seven G1 wins. He is a testament to the whole team at home and a real favourite in the yard. “We will give him a little break now before heading back to the Breeders’ Cup Mile.” William Buick added: “It was quite a tactical race, and Notable Speech showed his quality, having had to fight for a bit of space at the top of the straight. “I was looking to follow Deterministic down the back straight but that position just wasn’t available, so I took the next best spot. Notable Speech has a true turn of foot, so I was never that worried. “Deterministic is a multiple Gr1 winner and it took a good horse to run him down. This fella is exactly that. He is so versatile and his resolution is amazing. He is a joy to ride. “Notable Speech has all the attributes a champion miler needs, including a great racing brain. As he has showed here today and last year, he does not mind a one-turn mile or a twoturn mile.”

Notable Speech and William Buick – notable double | Credit: Woodbine Racecourse

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SAFFIE OSBORNE

MAKES HISTORY! v

History was made at Doncaster on Saturday with the running of the 2026 St Leger as Saffie Osborne became the first woman to ride the winner of a British Classic.

76 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 Saffie Osborne became the first woman to ride the winner of a British Classic | Credit: Doncaster Racecourse

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Everyone knew history was going to be made, that was why the stands were so full, in anticipation of the 250th anniversary running of the world’s oldest Classic. Ten colts and one filly jumped away from the mile and three- quarter start with the Epsom hero Christmas Day, the 7/4 favourite, attempting to become the first Derby winner since Reference Point’s facile victory in 1987 to complete the famous double. The Ballydoyle runner had every chance halfway up the straight but faded under pressure finishing unplaced. Victory went the way of the fellow Irish trained Highwayman for Joseph O’Brien with an elated Saffie Osborne in the saddle. Easy to back at 11/1, Highwayman powered to an impressive two and a halflength success over his stable companion

Enceladus, with the sole filly Amelia Earhart making it an Irish-trained trifecta in third. It looked remarkably easy for the pair two out when Osborne sent the improving Highwayman to the front and they never looked in serious danger thereafter. Dealing with the emotions was not so straightforward. Saffie Osborne punched the air passing the post and admitted afterwards: “I’m in shock. I burst into tears.” “When I saw it was the 250th year I thought there has to be a good story this year and surely a girl winning it would be quite a good story after 250 years!” “This is the kind of thing that changes your life. No-one can ever take it away from you. Hayley and Hollie are two people I’ve always looked up to enormously and they had their firsts doing things.” “I was more forward than I originally planned to be, but he travelled so beautifully and I hit the front sooner than I planned, if I was going to hit the front, but he kept going well,” she said. “A furlong and a half out I half felt Billy Loughnane come to my girths and he went again. I crossed the line and I’ve never celebrated before, but I’ve never won a race good enough to celebrate in.” Joseph O’Brien, speaking from Leopardstown, said: “It’s special. It’s a historic race and to have the first and second is very special. Saffie gave him a great ride, and I’m delighted for both ownerships, John Neocleous and the Niarchos family who own the second, it’s really special.”

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Kizlyar, who defeated stablemate Defiantly, is among seven horses to enter quarantine | Credit: VRC

LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP

WEIGHTS OUT ON THURSDAY Some clarity around which internationals might take part in this year’s Spring Carnival features in Melbourne was provided late on Saturday when seven horses entered quarantine in the UK and Ireland. Joseph O’Brien quartet Kizlyar, Omni Man, Small Fry and Starford entered alongside Roger Varian’s Enfjaar in Ireland, while the Harry Charlton-trained Wine Dark Sea and Ciaron Maher’s Point Of Law were isolated in England. 80 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

All are entered for both the $6 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17 and the $10 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) 17 days later and have passed Racing Victoria’s necessary veterinary protocols to this point. “The first seven international horses targeting the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival yesterday entered pre-export quarantine in the UK and Ireland where they will remain for two weeks prior to travelling to Melbourne,” RV head of racing Paul Bloodworth said.

“All seven hold nominations for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and have satisfied RV’s pre-travel veterinary protocols, passing a compulsory scan of their distal limbs and completing two physical veterinary examinations so far - they must undergo a final examination in PEQ.”

There were also Lexus Melbourne Cup developments over the weekend with Highwayman racing up betting charts following victory in the Group 1 English St Leger (2921m) at Doncaster on Saturday night, Australian time.

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Being in the first shipment, which is scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on the final weekend of this month, enables horses to participate in the Caulfield Cup. Last-start Group 3 Glorious Stakes (2414m) winner Enfjaar and Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (2715m) winner Wine Dark Sea are the shortest-priced international contenders in this year’s Caulfield Cup, ahead of O’Brien’s Omni Man and Starford. Point Of Law, previously trained by John and Thady Gosden, will join the Ciaron Maher stable. Small Fry is no certainty to contest the Caulfield Cup with O’Brien and owners OTI also considering a start in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m), while Varian is not committed to a Lexus Melbourne Cup start with Enfjaar, who could run in the Group 1 TAB Champions Stakes (2000m) on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Trustyourinstinct finished fourth beaten four-and-a-half lengths behind star Aidan O’Brien-trained stayer, Scandinavia in the Group 1 Irish St Leger (2816m) at the Curragh. Trustyourinstinct holds a nomination for the Lexus Melbourne Cup. The 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Howden Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 31 October, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 3 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 5 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 7 November. The full list of nominations for the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup can be found here. www.vrc.com.au

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Wine Dark Sea won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury | Credit: VRC

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Zac Purton steers Nyx Gluck to a smooth victory | Credit: HKJC

ZAC FIRING EARLY WITH SHA TIN DOUBLE

Zac Purton’s quest for a 10th Hong Kong jockeys’ championship – and a sixth title in succession – continues to gather early momentum after the Australian snared a double at Sha Tin on Sunday to share riding honours with Derek Leung and Ellis Wong. While Leung and Wong enjoyed their best hauls of the season so far with braces, Purton continued metronomic progress towards a 10th jockeys’ crown with a third double from the first three meetings of the 2026/27 season. 84 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

Successful on Manfred Man’s Ruby Thrive (126lb) in the Class 4 Hing Wah Handicap (1000m), Purton closed the card with a typically unflustered ride on Danny Shum’s Nyx Gluck (121lb) in the Class 3 Yiu Tung Handicap (1400m). “It was a nice win, he obviously had a light weight and a good gate (barrier one), but he had to take another step from what he was doing last season,” Purton said. “They went hard and had him out of his comfort zone a little bit.

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“He had to shoulder his way through but once he balanced up, he got to the line nicely.”

4 Tung Wah Group Of Hospitals Challenge Cup Handicap (1600m) for Pierre Ng.

Purton, 43, leads the 2026/27 standings with six wins from Vincent Ho (four) and Leung (three).

Alpha Strike again displayed his effectiveness when resuming over the straight 1000m course, despite shifting in markedly.

Leung also figured prominently with wins on Cody Mo’s Draco (120lb) in the second section of the Class 5 Hong Tung Handicap (1400m) and David Hayes-trained Absolute Awakened (124lb) in the Class 4 Mei Tung Handicap (1400m) to continue his solid start to the season.

“He jumped good but half way, he started to shift. I tried to keep him straight, but he still tried to hang in. But he won tough. I think he likes that fresh feeling,” Wong said. “I’m very happy today and so happy to win for Boss (Fownes).”

Wong matched Leung and Purton’s feat by scoring on Alpha Strike (120lb) in the Class 3 Wah Fu Handicap (1000m) for Caspar Fownes and Luck Is Back (115lb) in the Class

Fownes, the reigning Hong Kong Champion Trainer, said: “Very happy for Ellis, he’s been working very hard so he deserves some luck coming his way. I hope he can continue to improve.”

Ellis Wong steers Alpha Strike to victory | Credit: HKJC

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Draco sets a new Class 5 1400m record | Credit: HKJC

Wong’s decision to press forward on Luck Is Back paid off handsomely when the 31/1 chance led throughout to clinch the trophy race. A dual Group 1 winner in Brazil, the six-year-old was never headed to post his first win in Hong Kong at his 22nd start. Fellow former South American Kempes (134lb) demonstrated his class with victory in the first section of the Class 4 Lok Wah Handicap (1200m) under James Orman. Prepared by David Hall, the Argentine Group 1 winner sprinted strongly along the inside fence to post his second win in Hong Kong. “He’s been a hard horse to handle (in) the Hong Kong environment. He’s not the easiest horse to deal with and the further he goes into his ‘prep’, the harder he finds it to handle the tracks,” Hall said. “But I think his ability’s always been better than Class 4, there’s no doubt about that. It’s good to get another win on the board and hopefully we can keep working as he gets a bit older and a bit more 86 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

mature – he might be able to get back into Class 3.” Rattan Galaxy (128lb) set a new 1400m class record of 1m 21.26s in the first section of the Class 5 Hong Tung Handicap (1400m) for Manfred Man and Luke Ferraris – only for the mark to be lowered to 1m 21.01s an hour later by Draco. Man sealed a double with Ruby Thrive in the Hing Wah Handicap as Hong Kong International Sale graduate Happy Shooter (135lb) posted his second victory for Danny Shum and Lyle Hewitson in the second section of the Class 4 Lok Wah Handicap (1200m) before apprentice Nichola Yuen led from the outset on Me Tsui’s Lucy In The Sky (118lb) in the Class 3 Oi Tung Handicap (1200m). Shum’s double saw last season’s runner-up in the trainers’ championship move to four wins, one clear of Mo, Hayes, Fownes and Ng.

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The Kensley family - Kit is far right, and from l to r: Ryan Kensley, Simon Kensley, Gill Kensley (holding Granddaughter Willow) Credit: Supplied

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Kit Kensley passed away on 10 September 2026 at the age of 76, following a courageous six-year battle with cancer. 88 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

KIT KENSLEY v

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Diagnosed in 2020, Kit fought hard and faced his illness with incredible strength and determination, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in both South African horse racing and competitive cycling.

What began as a love for the sport developed into a highly competitive pursuit. He continued to race among some of the country’s top riders, competing in age-category events and winning multiple age-group titles.

Kit’s life in racing began in the 1970’s when he joined the South African Jockey Academy, coming through the ranks during a golden era of South African racing alongside many of the sport’s most recognised riders, including Garth Puller, Michael Roberts, Vince Curtis, David Payne, and Patrick Kruyer.

His achievements on the bicycle reflected the same qualities that defined his life in racing: determination, discipline, competitiveness, and an enduring love of sport. Even as the years passed, Kit continued to challenge himself and compete at a high level.

Following his career as a jockey, Kit learned the art of farriery from the highly respected Cape Town farrier, Toodles Rudman. Kit remained close friends with Toodles’ son, Jacques, throughout the years. With his natural ability and exceptional understanding of horses, Kit quickly established himself as one of the country’s leading and most respected farriers. He had a unique connection with animals—particularly horses—and an instinctive understanding of their needs that set him apart. Kit remained closely involved in racing, spending many years as an assistant trainer to Brian Cherry at Summerveld. He later obtained his own trainer’s license and established himself as a trainer in his own right. His knowledge of horses and racing, developed over decades, earned him the respect of everyone within the racing fraternity. He was a familiar and much-loved figure in the South African racing community, particularly during his years in KwaZulu-Natal and later in the Western Cape. Away from the racecourse, Kit found another great sporting passion in cycling. 90 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2026

For more than five decades, horses and sport were an integral part of Kit’s life. From the saddle of a racehorse to the saddle of a racing bicycle, he remained passionate about competition and doing what he loved. Kit will be remembered for his contribution to South African horse racing, his achievements in cycling, his knowledge and love of sport, and the lasting impression he made on the many people who knew him. Kit leaves behind his beloved wife, Gill, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage, and his sons, Ryan and Simon. He treasured the many years spent coaching and supporting them through their baseball and soccer teams, creating memories they will carry with them always. The family will not be holding a memorial service, but have requested that all who knew Kit raise a glass and drink a toast in their own time to a man who made a lasting impact on the lives of so many. His ashes will be scattered on his favourite cycling path by his wife, Gill. Ride on, Kit. May you find peace beyond the finish line. You will be forever loved and remembered. MHDSRIP.

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Kit Kensley | Credit: Supplied

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Kit as a young Farrier | Credit: Supplied

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Kit Kensley is led in after riding a winner | Credit: Supplied

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A recent pic of Kit with granddaughter, Willow | Credit: Supplied

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Kit was a keen cyclist | Credit: Supplied

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results up to: 2026-09-16

TRAINERS Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

54

50.9

1,468,056

2,167,684

23

55

45.1

1,305,063

1,795,339

5

19

32

48.5

1,203,531

1,502,140

11

10

25

46

49.5

1,068,750

1,464,781

27.8

8

7

1

16

44.4

712,500

962,350

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Other Places

Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr S J Snaith

106

21

19.8

20

9

25

Mr D G Smith

122

23

18.9

15

17

Mr A P Peter

66

19

28.8

8

Mr A C Greeff

93

18

19.4

Mr St John D Gray

36

10

JOCKEYS Other Places

Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr K de Melo

134

31

23.1

16

14

35

65

48.5

2,232,500

2,915,011

Mr K Matsunyane

102

22

21.6

15

8

28

51

50.0

1,446,375

1,982,389

Mr C Zackey

99

19

19.2

17

14

20

51

51.5

1,187,500

1,743,124

Mr G J Lerena

99

17

17.2

23

9

23

55

55.6

1,188,688

1,867,463

Mr Serino Moodley

89

16

18.0

16

15

15

46

51.7

1,264,688

1,912,929

BREEDERS Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

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

Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

162

239

18,799

26

29

16.0

113

0

0

3,045,399

Varsfontein Stud

105

145

22,627

24

25

22.9

68

0

0

2,375,831

Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

82

101

20,018

15

15

18.3

44

0

0

1,641,445

Ridgemont Highlands

72

106

20,586

15

16

20.8

54

1

1

1,482,214

Klawervlei Stud

80

106

16,890

11

12

13.8

53

0

0

1,351,233

Runrs Runs

AEPR

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

SIRES Name Vercingetorix

87

123

27,944

23

24

26.4

56

0

0

2,431,154

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)

100

137

19,956

20

21

20.0

62

1

1

1,995,568

Master Of My Fate

99

137

20,031

18

20

18.2

68

0

0

1,983,046

Rafeef (AUS)

93

132

21,081

20

21

21.5

62

1

1

1,960,520

One World

77

120

19,625

14

15

18.2

46

0

0

1,511,149

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