Wednesday 19 August 2026
v
SAOF HORSE THE YEAR! 19 AUGUST 2026 | 1
v
2 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 3
SALUTING
OUR STARS! v
06
See It Again For Snaith Equus excellence
16
Palace Of Power Broodmare of the year
26
Cape Stars Sparkle Wish List honoured
63
Fortune Fights Back Veteran eyes the summer
66
BSA August 2yo Sale Time to source a star
On the cover Twice Over’s good son See It Again was crowned SA Horse Of The Year at Equus on Tuesday evening. A R125 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase, See It Again was bred by Drakenstein Stud and is raced by Nic Jonsson, who looks on as Andrew Fortune celebrates victory in the WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met. Image by Chase Liebenberg.
Issue: 33/2026
4 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 5
SA STARS v
SHINE BRIGHT AT
6 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Justin Snaith was crowned SA Champion trainer for the seventh time and enjoyed the honour of celebrating his seventh SA Horse Of The Year title, courtesy of Nic Jonsson’s Drakenstein-bred chestnut soldier See It Again, as South African horseracing and breeding personalities again gathered to celebrate the season’s stars at the Equus Awards, hosted by 4Racing, held in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening. v
The Hollywood Racing Team – champion owners | Credit: JC | Photos 19again AUGUST 2026 7
v
The accolade for the 6yo gelding, who won two Grade 1 contests in the season and marked a fairytale moment in January 2026, when winning the R5 million World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met, was well deserved, as he gave Andrew Fortune a first victory and Nic Jonsson an extraordinary fourth consecutive winner in the Cape showcase. Jonsson recalled that he had been a lone bidder and acquired the now four-time Grade 1 winner for just R125 000 at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale. “It just shows that anything is possible in racing,” he added. The awards recognised the outstanding achievements of the 2025/26 racing season, with champions honoured across the country’s racing, breeding and media communities. It was a night of celebration for Justin Snaith, who was named Champion Trainer and collected further honours for his charges Wish List (Champion Three-Year-Old Filly), Double Grand Slam (Champion Older Female) and dual Gr1 winner for the season See It Again, who took the honours for Champion Older Male, Champion Middle Distance Horse and the coveted Horse Of The Year title. Additionally, See It Again’s handler, Sokhe Mwelase, was named Groom of the Year. It was a 7th National Trainers title for Snaith, who first claimed the accolade at the age of 39 for the 2013/14 racing season. He followed up in 2017/18 and added a third title in the Covid-19 ravaged 2020/21 term. Paul Peter set a new SA season winner benchmark of 221 and grossed R23 431 563 in 2021/22, but Snaith was back in the driving seat the next year and has been the reigning National Champion Trainer for the last four consecutive seasons. Justin Snaith told the Sporting Post that, as they reflect on what has been a truly unforgettable 8 | 19 AUGUST 2026
season, the overwhelming feeling is simply one of gratitude. “First and foremost, to our incredible owners – thank you. None of this is possible without your trust, your loyalty, your passion and your willingness to dream alongside us. Every horse that walks into our yard carries someone’s hopes with them, and we never take that responsibility for granted,” he added, before confirming that the real stars of the show were the horses. “They are the reason we all get up in the morning. They give us the great days, the difficult days, the unforgettable moments and the dreams that keep this sport alive. This season they have taken us on an extraordinary journey, and we are immensely proud of every single one of them.” The evening also celebrated a first Apprentice Jockey title for Blaine Marx-Jacobson, a first Champion Jockey title for Craig Zackey and a second Champion Owner award for Hollywood Racing (Nom: Mr A Delpech). In the breeding categories, Palace Of Dreams was named Champion Broodmare, Vercingetorix was crowned Champion Stallion for a second successive season, and Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein added another Champion Breeder award to their trophy cabinet. The event also recognised the contribution of racing media, with Charl Pretorius receiving the award for Print Media for his submission, ORMOND FERRARIS – A portrait assembled from moments, with special mentions for the submissions from Michele Wing and Ravi Naidoo. In the category for Still Photography, Chase Liebenberg took the honours with his entry titled A Moment To Remember. Newcomer Julia Marnewick received a special mention by the judge.
v
Chad Karstens received the Videography Award for A Day in the Life – Paardeberg Stud Farm, with special mentions to Owen Greeff and Dyllan Govender for their entries.
Raymond Rhodes was represented by Frank Lowe and honoured for his illustrious career in the saddle, which spanned the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s.
Additionally, the Equus Committee awarded Special Achievement Awards to Vaughan Marshall and Raymond Rhodes.
Big race wins included two Durban Julys and two Queen’s Plates and he was Champion Jockey for the 1970/71 season.
Vaughan Marshall was acknowledged for his achievement of saddling thirty-two Gr1 winners – including six Cape Guineas, two Cape Town Mets and a L’Ormarins King’s Plate title – over his 45 year career to date, and his reputation as a stallion maker with the likes of Captain Al and his sons in particular.
He was associated with great horses such as Numeral, In Full Flight and the mighty Hawaii and rode for trainers including Henry Eatwell, George Azzie, David Payne, JF ‘Cookie’ Coetzee, Ormond Ferraris, Syd Laird, Nic van Tonder and Bert Sage. He regarded the late Coetzee as the best trainer he worked for.
Our congratulations to all the winners. AWARD Champion 2-Y-O Filly: Champion 2-Y-O Colt/Gelding: Champion 3-Y-O Filly: Champion 3-Y-O Colt/Gelding: Champion Older Female: Champion Older Male: Champion Sprinter: Champion Miler: Champion Middle Distance: Champion Stayer: Champion Broodmare Champion Stallion Champion Breeder Champion Apprentice Champion Jockey Champion Trainer Champion Owner Print Media Still Photography Videography Horse Of The Year Groom Of The Year Special Achievement Awards
WINNER Palace Of Arvernia Haute Couture Wish List Star Major Double Grand Slam See It Again Buffalo Storm Cody Questioning See It Again Holding Thumbs Palace Of Dreams Vercingetorix Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein Blaine Marx-Jacobson Craig Zackey Justin Snaith Hollywood Racing (Nom: Mr A Delpech) Charl Pretorius Chase Liebenberg Chad Karstens See It Again Sokhe Mwelase Vaughan Marshall, Raymond Rhodes 19 AUGUST 2026 | 9
v
Piere Strydom handed new SA champion jockey Craig Zackey his trophy | Credit: JC Photos
Peter Power! Champion Sprinter recipients pose in honour of Buffalo Storm Cody | Credit: JC Photos
10 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
Dean Kannemeyer and the Palace Of Arvernia connections | Credit: JC Photos
The Wish listers! Champion 3yo filly honours | Credit: JC Photos
19 AUGUST 2026 | 11
v
HERE’S TO
ANOTHER
GREAT YEAR! 12 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
The Equus winners gathered on the stage for the traditional team photograph at the end of a long evening. We congratulate one and all and extend our sincere thanks to the JC Photos squad for assistance with the images, which were delivered before midnight.
Photos 19 AUGUSTCredit: 2026 JC | 13
v
14 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 15
EQUUS BOOST v
FOR MILLSTREAM FILLY
16 | 19 AUGUST 2026
The TBA Sales Complex in Johannesburg will be abuzz this week in advance of the August 2YO Sale. Once again, the catalogue oozes quality and one lot sure to feature on the shortlist of many discerning buyers will be an unnamed daughter (#130) of Vercingetorix from the Millstream Farm draft. v
Equus Champion 2yo Filly Palace Of Arvernia (Craig Zackey) seen winning the Gr2 The Debutante – her full sister by 19 AUGUST 2026Marnewick | 17 Equus Broodmare Of The Year Palace Of Dreams sells on Thursday | Credit: Julia
v
In demand! Millstream’s Lot 130 comes up on Thursday afternoon | Credit: Troy Finch
Not only is she an own sister to last season’s Gr1 SA Classic winner Grand Empire, her full sister Palace Of Arvernia came away with the Champion Juvenile Filly award at this week’s Equus Awards function. And, wait for it, further gloss was added to the pedigree page when her dam Palace Of Dreams was named Broodmare of the Year. That will surely earn the filly an extra bid or two! Truth be told, if not for the fact that Palace Of Arvernia won the Golden Slipper in the first year it was downgraded to Gr2 level, Palace Of Dreams would have joined an elite band of broodmares who produced more than one Gr1 winner in the same season. If memory serves right, the last to achieve that feat was in 2020, and it was none other 18 | 19 AUGUST 2026
than the remarkable Jet Master mare Halfway To Heaven, who made history as the dam of no less than three individual Gr1 winners in a single season: Rainbow Bridge (Gold Challenge, Golden Ducat (Cape Derby) and champion 3yo Hawwaam (Premier’s Champions Challenge, SA Classic, Daily News 2000). Palace Of Dreams is owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, who bred both Grand Empire and Palace Of Arvernia under the Al Adiyaat moniker. Best known for his association with champions Bold Silvano, Igugu and Vercingetorix (whom he owned and raced), the Sheikh would probably not have looked twice at Palace Of Dreams, but for the fact that she had won the Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes on her third start as a juvenile.
v
After all, she was by Potala Palace, a then unproven grandson of Sadler’s Wells, whilst her dam Cheery Berry Bim had failed to reach the frame in four starts at three. First impressions can be deceiving, for delving into her pedigree, the foundations of her female line were rock solid. She traces to Pax Romana, a half-sister to none other than the champion sprinters Harry Hotspur and Rotterdam. By standout stallion Royal Prerogative, Pax Romana produced the Champion 3yo filly Kiss Of Peace and Graded stakes winners At The Savoy and Magnolia King, whilst her descendants also include Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Kilindini. Cheery Berry Bim is out of her unraced daughter Via Condotti, as are Gr2-placed La Boutique and Roman Dream, the dam of Bauhinia winner Onehundredacrewood and grandam of Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes hero Christopher Robin. It never fails to amaze how a female line may lie dormant, yet suddenly comes back to life.
It was always going to be just a matter of time before the latent class in Palace Of Dreams’ distaff line re-emerged through her progeny. Perhaps it took the magic of Vercingetorix to rekindle that spark. Be that as it may, she has clearly ‘clicked’ with the son of Silvano. Currently South Africa’s dominant stallion, Vercingetorix has just notched up a second successive Champion Sire title, whilst three of his progeny scooped an Equus award on the night: Palace Of Arvernia, Champion Stayer Holding Thumbs and Double Grand Slam, who repeated as the Champion Older Filly/ Mare. Interestingly, both Palace Of Arvernia and Holding Thumbs are out of mares from the Sadler’s Wells sireline, as are the Vercingetorix champions Cousin Casey (out of a mare by his son Casey Tibbs) and Gladatorian (dam by Dynasty, a son of Fort Wood, the damsire also of Holding Thumbs). As for Palace Of Dreams, she has visited no other stallion than Vercingetorix since she retired to stud, with the most recent foal, her fifth, being a newly-turned yearling colt.
19 AUGUST 2026 | 19
Palace Of Dreams wins the Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes | Credit: JC Photos
v
MANTEL MAGIC
FOR AUGUST SALE Millstream Farm heads into the BSA August Two-Year-Old Sale on the back of another memorable season. Their graduate Palace Of Arvernia, rounded off the 2025/26 term with victory in the Grade 2 World Pool With Race Coast Debutante on Gold Cup Day, a performance that propelled the promising filly to the top of the Equus Awards standings for Champion Two-YearOld Filly, which award she duly received on Tuesday evening. Millstream Farm has consigned a strong draft of 13 two-year-olds to the Bloodstock South Africa August Two-Year-Old Sale on 20 and 21 August. 20 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Mantel believes the draft offers buyers a blend of proven sire power, good female families and individuals with the scope to make their mark. He highlighted a handful of the standouts among the consignment. He is most excited about Lot 130, a full-sister to Palace Of Arvernia and Grade 1 winner Grand Empire, sired by Vercingetorix out of Palace Of Dreams (Potala Palace).
v
“She’s a chestnut like Grand Empire – a lovely, high-quality filly and only the fourth produce from this exceptional mare,” said Mantel. Lot 60 is a Rafeef colt, and he’s a second foal out of Grade 2 winner Keep On Dancing (Silvano), from the close family of Let’s Rock ’n Roll and In The Fast Lane. “He’s a strong and athletic colt with black type all the way down the page.” Millstream brought a number of well-received yearlings by Danon Platina to the National Yearling Sale in April, and Lot 112 is another good-looker by the Deep Impact stallion. He’s a first foal out of a two-time winning Silvano mare, aptly named ‘Tokyo Shine’, and from the terrific family of Triple Tiara winners Summer Pudding and Cherry On The Cake. Lot 152 is a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of Quetta, by Kabool. Her record shows five winners from six runners, including stakes
winner Sukhumvit and Grade 1 placed Satchdev (both by Silvano). “He’s big and strong and will take some time. We’re hoping that her mating with Gimmethegreenlight will produce a top, classic horse,” said Mantel. Another mare with a good record is the breeder’s own unraced Danehill Dancer mare, Dee Dee Roo. She’s had three winners from three runners and her fourth foal is Lot 324, a colt by high-flying Malmoos. He’s a youngster with scope. Lot 29 also received a mention. He is a son of Hawwaam and Fresh (Querari), whose first three runners Tyrion Lannister (Royal Mo), Plumbago Park (Rafeef) and just recently Hoc Est Vita (Canford Cliffs) have all made good racetrack impressions. This one is named ‘Missing Piece’ and Mantel said that he may well turn out to be the mare’s best, so far – a colt with high promise. www.vermaakequine.com
19 AUGUST 2026 | 21
v
Vaughan receives Questioning’s Race Coast Cape Champion Miler award from Hollywoodbets Brand 22Marshall | 19 AUGUST 2026 Ambassador Vernon Philander, last Saturday | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
CONGRATS, MR MARSHALL…
A GENTLEMAN v
Richly deserved and a genuine gesture of respect and acknowledgement for a lifetime of service to South African racing. That was the universal consensus after widely respected Grade 1-winning Milnerton veteran Vaughan Marshall received a Special Achievement Award at the 2026 Equus Awards function held on Tuesday evening in Johannesburg.
The award, alongside that of jockey Raymond Rhodes, who is retired in the Cape and in his early 80’s, is a welcome accolade for a true gentleman of the turf, who continues to train Grade 1 winners at the age of 75. “We had a very nice season,” Vaughan told the Sporting Post on Tuesday ahead of the awards function. We certainly regard R6 million in win stakes from a string of 20 horses as ‘very nice’ and the Grade 1 success in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge by newly crowned Equus Champion Miler Questioning, adds to an honour roll a half century in the making. “Well done to the owners of Questioning! Gr1-winners remain the ultimate goal and that single Grade 1 victory could so easily have been three, as Questioning came within a heartbeat of victory in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, and Rich Man’s World went down a neck to Haute Couture in the Gr1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. But luck plays a part in racing and those weren’t our days – and now we look forward to the Cape summer and some great racing,” added Vaughan.
TURF!
OF THE
We asked Vaughan what keeps him motivated after all these years? “My wife asked me just the other day if I was ever going to call it a day. But why would I? I am up at 03h45 every day and this is no job – it’s a lifestyle. And I have the support of my wonderful family, loyal friends and owners, and a great team at Milnerton. I love the horses and the people. Maybe when I start battling to get out of bed in the early morning, that could be a sign – but until then we have a job to do and races to win!” he enthuses. This week Vaughan was doing the inspection hard yards at the TBA Sales Complex in Johannesburg, ahead of the BSA August Sale. We asked if he short-lists from the catalogue and then views only those horses. “We have never ranked amongst the big spenders, so we will look at all the 2yo’s. That way one has the opportunity to uncover the diamonds in the rough. And as I said, we don’t spend the big numbers – Rich Man’s World is an example – we got him for R450 000. Linebacker cost R420 000. One World cost R425 000. And then Grant Knowles got One Stripe for R100 000 at this very sale.” He told the Sporting Post that he thought that the catalogue was of particular quality. “The quality has been upped. That’s full marks to the breeders. The market has picked up nicely so we will go out and try and get a few nice horses!” 19 AUGUST 2026 | 23
v
24 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 25
v
CAPE CHAMPIONS
SALUTED AFTER A
SUPER SEASON Justin Snaith’s star filly Wish List galloped her way into the hearts and minds of the racing public last season, and it came as no surprise when the daughter of Legislate was crowned Race Coast Cape’s Horse Of The Year at the season awards held at the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racemeeting on Saturday.
26 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Justin Snaith – crowned champion trainer yet again! | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 27
v
Enjoying a glorious season in which she won two Grade 1 races and two Grade 2 contests, Wish List came within a heartbeat of winning the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July when she was beaten in the final strides by her stablemate Note To Self.
Merchants and put in some sterling Grade 1 performances en route to his Champion Sprinter award, while Milnerton neighbour Vaughan Marshall and his connections were thrilled by Questioning’s Champion Miler award.
Raced by Nancy Hossack and Jonathan Bloch, Wish List was also awarded the Champion 3yo Filly and Champion Middle Distance trophies. Bred by Maine Chance Farms, she is all set to continue her starring role in the upcoming Cape Summer Of Champions Season.
Another big-hearted son of Querari, Questioning won five races in a glorious season, culminating in a sensational success in the prestigious Hollywoodbets Gr 1 Gold Challenge.
Hosted by SA cricketer and Hollywoodbets Brand Amabassador Vernon Philander, the regional awards were synchronised between races on the day, with guests hosted in the 1881 Lounge. Hollywoodbets Durban July champion Note To Self was one of a quartet of Justin Snaith charges to be acknowledged on the afternoon, winning the Champion 3yo Male title. A winner of the World Sports Betting Gr 1 Cape Town Met and the HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge at Turffontein last April, the ever-popular See It Again was crowned Champion Older Male, while stable companion Double Grand Slam was another ‘home and away’ Grade 1 star, winning the Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes and the TAB Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes on the Highveld. The Varsfontein-bred daughter of Vercingetorix has a character all of her own and proved a popular choice for the Champion Older Female title. Dean Kannemeyer’s Rafeef gelding Outlaw King won the SplashOut Gr 2 Cape 28 | 19 AUGUST 2026
As he did at the KZN Awards 24 hours earlier, World Pool Gold Cup hero Holding Thumbs was crowned Champion Stayer. In the 2yo ranks, Piet and Elbert Steyn’s Red Spice was crowned Champion 2yo Male, while champion Charles Dickens’ smart Gimmethegreenlight half-sister Grapes Of Wrath was acknowledged as Champion 2yo Filly after winning the Listed Irridescence Stakes. The combination of Justin Snaith, owner Nick Jonsson and jockey Richard Fourie enjoyed plenty of success over the 12 months and were crowned regional Champion Trainer, Champion Owner and Champion Jockey, respectively. A student at the Cape satellite of the SA Jockey Academy, apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane has improved under the guidance of Coach Colinda Austin and was a deserving recipient of the Champion Apprentice trophy. All eyes are now on the forthcoming Cape Summer Festival of Racing, where the next generation of stars will write their names into the history books!
v
Gaynor Rupert collected the Champion Older Female award for Double Grand Slam as Vernon Philander looks on Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Vernon Philander looks on as Tracey Benson collects the Sprinter Of The Year Award for Outlaw King Credit: Chase Liebenberg
19 AUGUST 2026 | 29
v
Elbert Steyn collected the Champion 2yo Male award for Red Spice Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Karl Neisius looks on as Sifisokuhle Bungane collects his Champion Apprentice award Credit: Chase Liebenberg
30 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
Cape Racing Award Winners: AWARD
WINNER
Champion 2yo Male
Red Spice
Champion 2yo Filly
Grapes Of Wrath
Champion 3yo Male
Note To Self
Champion 3yo Filly
Wish List
Champion Older Male
See It Again
Champion Older Female
Double Grand Slam
Champion Sprinter
Outlaw King
Champion Miler
Questioning
Champion Middle Distance
Wish List
Champion Stayer
Holding Thumbs
Champion Jockey
Richard Fourie
Champion Trainer
Justin Snaith
Champion Apprentice
Sifisokuhle Bungane
Champion Owner
Mr Nick Jonsson
Champion Breeder
Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)
Horse Of The Year
Wish List
19 AUGUST 2026 | 31
v
32 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 33
VACANCY
v
QUARANTINE EQUINE MANAGER LOCATION: Cape Town, WC
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
We are looking for a dedicated, organised, and experienced Quarantine Facility Manager to oversee the day-today operations of our equine quarantine facility in Cape Town. This is a hands-on management role requiring excellent horsemanship, strong administrative skills, and the ability to maintain the highest standards of horse care, biosecurity, and facility management.
• Matric (Grade 12) • South African citizen • Fluent in English (written and spoken) • Valid driver's licence • Non-smoker • Computer literate (Microsoft Office, email and basic spreadsheets) • Previous equine experience (yard management or similar) • Excellent horsemanship skills • Strong administrative and organisational skills
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
• Oversee the daily management and smooth operation of the quarantine facility. • Ensure all horses receive the highest standard of care and welfare. • Supervise and coordinate grooms and facility staff. • Maintain strict biosecurity and quarantine protocols. • Liaise with veterinarians, government officials and shipping agents. • Keep accurate records and complete all required documentation. • Monitor horse health and promptly report any concerns. • Manage feed, bedding, medication and facility supplies. • Ensure the facility is clean, organised, and maintained to a high standard. • Coordinate arrivals, departures, inspections, and export schedules. • Assist with loading and unloading horses when required.
• Is calm, confident and experienced around horses. • Has excellent attention to detail. • Can work independently and make sound decisions. • Is a team player, has strong leadership and people management skills. • Basic knowledge of equine first aid and wound care would be advantageous. • Is reliable, punctual and professional. • Can work under pressure and manage multiple priorities. • Is physically fit and willing to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays when required. • Has a strong understanding of horse health and can recognise signs of illness or injury. • Maintains confidentiality and represents the company professionally at all times.
If you are passionate about horses and have the experience and organisational skills to manage a professional equine quarantine facility, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV together with a brief cover letter outlining your equine experience and relevant qualifications. Email: admin@hee.co.za 34 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Tienie and Elsa Prinsloo enjoyed a terrific season with Quickstepgal Credit: Candiese Lenferna
v
2026
KZN RACING AWARDS C E L E BR AT E D A proverbial constellation of stars turned out at the second racemeeting of the current Lucky Fish Friday Night Racing season at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening, as Race Coast proudly hosted the 2026 KZN Racing Awards in a champagne celebration of the champions of the past racing season. 19 AUGUST 2026 | 35
v
Ladies Night at the Theatre Of Champions saw the industry salute the big achievers of the first full racing season for Race Coast, launched in May 2025 and born from the merger of Gold Circle’s operations in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape-based Cape Racing, united under the Hollywoodbets banner.
Another veteran conditioner with an extraordinary backstory, Louis Goosen took all of 35 years to achieve a maiden Grade 1 victory courtesy of Erik Dubois, winner of the R1 750 000 World Pool Moment Of The Day Gr1 Champion Stakes on World Pool Gold Cup day at last season’s end.
The all-important equine categories on the big evening were characterised by the dominance of KwaZulu-Natal-domiciled trainers Tienie Prinsloo, Louis Goosen, Duncan Howells and Frank Robinson, whose charges lifted the silverware in all but two of the award categories.
Bred by Dr Alan Miller, the son of Captain Al’s Varsfontein Stud-based son Erik The Red, the 2025/26 season’s Champion Sire of 2YOs, is out of the four-time-winning Count Dubois mare Comtesse Dubois and was crowned Champion Two Year Old. It was another success on the evening for the Wernars Family.
From humble beginnings to the highest levels of South African racing, Summerveld-based Tienie Prinsloo’s journey has been one of determination and perseverance. Summerveld resident Tienie Prinsloo, who had never had a runner in a Grade 1 event prior to Quickstepgal’s remarkable victory in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas just over eight months ago, celebrated a momentous Horse Of The Season accolade for the daughter of champion sire Vercingetorix, who also, unsurprisingly, scooped the Champion Three Year Old award. Raced by the Wernars Family and Harry Willson, Quickstepgal won the HKJC World Pool Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes and the Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes to end a dream season on a high. She was bred by the Greenacres Trust out of the three-time-winning Jet Master mare Victoriana and remains an exciting prospect ahead of the Cape Summer Of Champions Season down south. There was also special recognition for the dedicated people behind the equine stars, with Moses Tlali, groom of Horse Of The Season Quickstepgal, honoured as Groom Of The Year. Tlali has played an integral role in the care of the outstanding filly throughout her memorable season, which saw her rise to the top of the KZN racing ranks. 36 | 19 AUGUST 2026
The third of the quartet of victorious Summerveld trainers, Duncan Howells, achieved ‘double gold’ when the Hemel ‘n Aarde-bred What A Winter mare Asiye Phambili lifted the Champion Sprinter title for the second consecutive year, as well as the title of Champion Older Female. In a breakthrough season, the gallant speed queen carried the Hollywood Racing silks to victory in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, brought to you by The Witness, after two Grade 3 victories earlier in the season. When it comes to fairytales, Frank Robinson wrote his own chapter to cap the quartet of locals to lift silverware, as the Mauritzfonteinhomebred Ideal World filly Mocha Blend, who was responsible for the veteran horseman’s first elite-level victory when she won the 2025 Betway Summer Cup, was awarded the Champion Middle Distance trophy. Mocha Blend left it until the final feature day of the season to win the Bet With The World Gr2 Gold Bracelet and secure a deserved acknowledgement. Glen Kotzen was one of only two ‘away’ trainers to achieve an award on the evening, when his gallant Vercingetorix longhauler Holding Thumbs secured the Champion Older Male and Champion Stayer titles.
v
Louis Goosen holds the Champion 2yo Male award for Erik Dubois | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
19 AUGUST 2026 | 37
v
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Holding Thumbs sealed his awards after winning the 106th renewal of the R1 million World Pool Gr3 Gold Cup in the famous black-and-white silks of golfing legend Gary Player, for a partnership of loyal owners. Dean Kannemeyer’s Palace Of Arvernia is a dual Gr2 winner of 3 of her 4 starts and the daughter of Vercingetorix was a well-deserved Champion 2yo Filly recipient. Sandy Irvine and Peter Moor race the promising Al Adiyaat-bred filly. The human categories included a second consecutive Champion Trainer title for Gareth van Zyl, while Hollywood Racing again lifted the Champion Owners trophy.
Former SA champion jockey Keagan de Melo has made great strides since returning from Hong Kong and looks set for a serious bid at a second national title this season. He was crowned Champion Jockey, while future star Damyan Pillay was a popular Champion Apprentice recipient, watched by his delighted and supportive family, who hardly miss a racemeeting. Champion-producing Cape nursery Varsfontein Stud was crowned Champion Breeders after a host of outstanding performances throughout the twelve months of racing at all levels.
Asiye Phambili was a dual winner – Hollywood Racing’s Anthony Delpech (far left) and Devin Heffer (far right) enjoy the moment with big race pilot, Sean Veale | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
38 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
The full list of honours:
AWARD
WINNER
Champion Two Year Old Filly
Palace Of Arvernia
Champion Two Year Old Male
Erik Dubois
Champion Three Year Old
Quickstepgal
Champion Sprinter
Asiye Phambili
Champion Middle Distance
Mocha Blend
Champion Older Female
Asiye Phambili
Champion Older Male
Holding Thumbs
Champion Stayer
Holding Thumbs
Champion Apprentice
Damyan Pillay
Champion Jockey
Keagan De Melo
Champion Trainer
Gareth Van Zyl
Champion Owners
Hollywood Racing
Champion Breeders
Varsfontein Stud
Groom Of The Year
Moses Tlali
Horse Of The Season
Quickstepgal
19 AUGUST 2026 | 39
v
40 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
VAR’S ‘KING OF THE POLY’
TO DEFEND THE
TITLE
The 11th renewal of the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge gets underway at Fairview Racecourse on Friday 21 August 2026, with another competitive three-leg series dedicated to the country’s Polytrack specialists.
Flashback – Mercantour (Richard Fourie) moves ahead of Bingwa (Craig Zackey) in the 3rd leg of 2025 Poly Challenge 19 AUGUST 2026 | 41 Credit: Pauline Herman
v
Mr and Mrs Peter J Moor’s Mercantour (Var – Winter Wood), trained by Alan Greeff, returns as the defending champion and will attempt to retain his title as the “King of the Poly” at the age of seven. Mercantour became only the second horse to sweep the series when he won all three legs in 2025, following in the footsteps of Miss Gisela Burg & Mr Martin Wickens’ King Regent (Dynasty – Cup Of Rubies), trained by Glen Kotzen, who achieved the feat in 2024. Mercantour’s path to the R250,000 bonus last year was particularly impressive. He beat stablemate Fairy Knight by 0.1 lengths in Leg 1 and stablemate Guy Gibson by 0.75 lengths in Leg 2, before besting Mr & Mrs C R Stonebridge’s grand old campaigner Bingwa by 0.5 lengths in the final leg. Greeff says Mercantour has been specifically prepared for another tilt at the series. “It was always part of the plan,” says Greeff. “He does face stiff competition in the first leg, so we will have to wait and see.” Four of the seven contestants from last year’s opening leg return on Friday, including the first three past the post – Mercantour, Fairy Knight and Golden Pavilion. Fairy Knight is also from Greeff ’s Halo Stables, while Golden Pavilion is trained by Dean Smith. Mercantour comes into Friday’s opening leg on the back of two excellent Polytrack victories over 1200m and 1400m respectively, making him hard to oppose. Greeff is hoping his charge can maintain that momentum, saying: “I just hope he carries
42 | 19 AUGUST 2026
on in hot form.” The trainer will unfortunately not be at Fairview to watch Mercantour’s bid for a successful title defence, as he will be in Johannesburg for the sales. Mercantour’s victory in last year’s final leg over 1600m was the only time he has won over the distance, which raises the question of whether he could face a sterner test this time around. The Greeff stable has several potential threats in the series, particularly Kleinzee and Zinovi. Kleinzee, a five-year-old mare, is unbeaten in six starts since relocating to the Eastern Cape, with two of those victories coming over 1400m and four over 1600m – all on the Polytrack. Zinovi is also unbeaten in his last five races at Fairview, with three of those victories coming over 1600m on the Polytrack. Greeff acknowledges that the strength of his stable could present him with a welcome dilemma as the series progresses. “It’s a nice problem to have, as some would say, but listen, we will have to cross that bridge when we get to it.” About the Nelson Mandel Bay Racing Poly Challenge Introduced following the installation of Fairview’s Polytrack in 2013, the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge has become one of the Eastern Cape’s most popular racing events.
v
The inaugural running in 2016 produced one of the series’ most memorable stories when Gogetthesheriff, trained by Jacques Strydom, won the opening two legs before being denied a clean sweep by just half a length in the final. However, the son of Go Deputy cemented his reputation as one of Fairview’s standout Polytrack performers and helped establish the Challenge as a popular feature on the East Cape racing calendar. Open to all horses, this year’s Challenge will be contested across three legs and three different distances, with each leg carrying prize money of R175,000: • • •
Leg 1: Friday, 21 August – 1200m Leg 2: Friday, 25 September – 1400m Leg 3: Friday, 16 October – 1600m
In addition to the stake money, 4Racing offers a R250,000 bonus to the connections of any horse that wins all three legs of the series. A R50,000 consolation bonus will also be paid to the connections of any horse that contests all three legs and wins at least one.
With R525,000 in stakes on offer across the three legs, together with the attractive bonus incentives and the return of the defending champion, the 2026 Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge promises another exciting series. •
Media release by 4Racing on Tuesday, 18 August 2026.
19 AUGUST 2026 | 43
Zinovi (Aldo Domeyer) produces a successful title defence | Credit: Pauline Herman
v
ZINOVI
RETAINS THE CROWN Aldo Domeyer stepped in for his champion Dad Andrew Fortune at Fairview on Friday and booted home a listed stakes feature double for the Alan Greeff yard.
Fortune was injured on the Women’s Day public holiday after earning an August callup for the champion team in the absence of Richard Fourie. But a sad turn of events that saw the loss of the mare Ayuwi Yuwi had Fortune seeking the 44 | 19 AUGUST 2026
assistance of an orthopaedic surgeon with a fractured clavicle and broken ribs. Aldo stepped into the breach with aplomb though to provide Alan Greeff with his sixth winner in seven renewals of the R175 000 Listed Memorial Mile.
v
Zinovi (4-10) came from last off a muddling pace and produced a successful title defence to beat Cape raider Gold Giboski (4-1) by 1,75 lengths in a time of 94,79 secs. It was Aldo’s second victory in the race in the ASSM Racing Syndicate silks after winning it in 2023 with Grazinginthegrass, who provided the Greeff team with their 3000th winner, and their fourth straight victory that year. For history’s sake, it is worth noting that the late multiple champion trainer Gavin Smith saddled the 2024 Memorial Mile winner Cherry Ano, to temporarily break the Greeff stranglehold.
Bred by Danika Stud, Zinovi is a high-quality son of Ascot’s Gr1-winning Snitzel stallion Heavenly Blue and is out of the Jallad mare Zayna. Zinovi was a R200 000 buy from the 2022 National Yearling Sale and has now won 12 races with 9 places from 29 starts for stakes of R1 148 059. It was a good weekend for the ASSM Racing Syndicate, with Red Coral winning at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening, while the 8yo Sugar Mountain put a cracking sprint performance together to register his 12th career victory at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The latter two winners were trained by Candice Bass.
19 AUGUST 2026 | 45
v
46 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 47
DOMEYER DAZZLES v
WITH A
DOUBLE
Aldo Domeyer gets Enchanting Choice into the black-type zone with a smooth victory Credit: Pauline Herman
Aldo Domeyer rounded off a feature double for Alan Greeff at Fairview on Friday when the 6yo Enchanting Choice registered an overdue black-type credit with a smooth victory in the R175 000 Listed Jockey Club Stakes. Given a confident ride, Enchanting Choice (2-1) grabbed the ascendancy 300m from home and went on well to beat stablemate Bkawena (17-2) by three quarters of a length in a time of 120,22 secs for the all-weather 2000m. Originally a R650 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale buy for Khaya Stables, Enchanting Choice was a R260 000 second-hand purchase by Peter Moor off the May 2025 BSA Online Sale. She has won 8 races with 17 places from 31 starts for stakes of R776 163 and now has the paddock-boosting black-type to go with her perfect conformation and race record – an exciting broodmare prospect! Interestingly, 13 of her starts in the Moor silks have been in the Eastern Cape for 6 wins – and she has never missed a cheque! 48 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Enchanting Choice was bred by Ridgemont and is a 6yo daughter of their star sire Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) out of the stakes-winning daughter of Daylami, Super Elegant. That makes the winner a full-sister to the promising dual Gr1-placed sophomore of last term, Reet Petite.
There was good news on the day when we learnt that regional champion apprentice Bavish Soodoo, who was badly injured at Fairview on the final day of last season, has been discharged from hospital. The Mauritian-born rider celebrated his 21st birthday on Saturday 15 August. We wish him well for his special birthday and a speedy recovery. Dean Smith saddled three winners on the day, while Calvin Habib equalled Domeyer’s double. The next East Cape racemeeting is at Fairview on the polytrack on Friday 21 August, where the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge first leg will be contested over 1200m.
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 49
v
50 | 19 AUGUST 2026
HIGH FIVE FOR DE MELO! v
Former SA champion jockey Keagan de Melo has started the new term like he means business. De Melo rode five winners on the trot for five different yards at the Lucky Fish Night Racing fixture at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening. We are at the halfway mark of the first month of the new season, and De Melo is flying, with 19 winners on the board! On Friday, he was also crowned 2025/26 KZN champion jockey on an evening where Race Coast celebrated the achievers of the last season. Read more about the award winners on page 33. Race six on the evening’s polytrack card was the joint bill topping Champion Trainer And Breeder B Stakes over 1000m and in guiding the heavily supported BLAZING FURY (5/1 into 18/10 favourite) to victory, jockey De Melo rode his fifth winner in a row. The friendless Mighty Zambezi (25/2 out to 25/1) made the running, and the pace was a good one. Another friendless runner Kythera (4/1 out to 25/2) was the first to make a move and after
striking the front 300m out, the 6yo Erupt mare ran on determinedly. Louis Goosen’s charge meanwhile had raced sixth and soon began to make headway when asked for his effort. He moved up to challenge as they approached the 100m marker and with Kythera finding extra below the distance, it was only with ten metres to travel that the son of Vercingetorix put his nose in front. The fastest 400m to finish time in the race, and indeed, the fastest on the evening for that segment, was recorded by third placed Magic Surprise. Doug Campbell’s charge had raced at the back of the ten and was only beaten by just over a length. His time of 21,2 seconds was just 6/100th of a second faster than that of the winner. The longest race on the card, the Champion Owner B Stakes over 1600m, jointly topped the bill and in what proved to be a real thriller, the friendless ROLLO THE VIKING (6/1 out to 25/2) scored an eye-catching victory.
19 AUGUST 2026 | 51
v
In what wasn’t a fast run race comparatively, Sundance Kid predictably made the running whilst the best bet on the card for many PLEASE BE TRUE (sent off 11/20), with Keagan De Melo now looking for six winners in a row, nicely positioned in fourth. The 5yo son of What A Winter meanwhile raced sixth with some four lengths to find on the leader coming off the bend. He quickened in good style after switching out for a run 300m from home and did very well indeed to get up in the dying strides to deny the easy to back French Trip. Please Be True (over raced early and middle stages) held every chance but battled to quicken at the business end of the race. Jockey Serino Moodley was fined R1000 for striking French Trip more than two times in consecutive strides. The quicker of the two 1200m races on the card was the Champion Older male/ Older Female C Stakes and here we saw a smart performance from the lightly raced 3yo BANGKOK MAGIC. Touted as a possible banker by the stable of champion trainer Justin Snaith, the Willow Magic colt was always top of the boards. Initially priced up as the 14/1 outsider of the party the Mathys J Odendaal trained WHO BLINKED (wide on bend, shifted 350m-250m) was heavily supported into 11/2 on course and after flying out of the pens was soon three and a half lengths clear. Bangkok Magic meanwhile raced sixth of the seven after losing a length at the start and was easily six lengths adrift.
52 | 19 AUGUST 2026
The pacemaker ran on strongly in the straight and going through the 200m he was looking sure to land the gamble. His stride shortened considerably over the final 100m though, and running on stoutly at the business end of the race, the favourite got up in the dying strides.. Track Conditions: Going: Standard Rain: Last 24 hours Nil Irrigation:
Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days 67mm
Wind:
15-35km/h North Easterly head wind
Course Variant: 0,36s slow Three of the evening’s eight races were staged over 1400m and by just 8/100th of a second the fastest of these was the closing KZN Horse Of The Season Class 5 (f&m) in which the 4yo daughter of Rafeef, RED CORAL, registered her second career victory. With no one in a rush on leaving the stalls the widest drawn Hearts On Fire gained a soft lead whilst Candice Bass’ charge, who herself broke very well, sat just two lengths away in the box seat in third. Red Coral only had to be shaken up, in order to draw level with the leader 150m out, and then given a couple of taps by Gavin Lerena, she quickly asserted her authority. Fastest Times: 1000m (2) Blazing Fury 1200m (2) Bangkok Magic 1400m (3) Red Coral 400-finish Magic Surprise
57,89 70,47 84,15 21,20
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 53
v
54 | 19 AUGUST 2026
AGE v
– BUT A NUMBER, SOME DAYS! While the Moutonshoek-bred 8yo Silvano gelding Sugar Mountain stepped out at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday in a youthful mood to register his twelfth career victory in a quality A Stakes, Documenting became the oldest Flat winner in Britain in a decade when defying his age in a 1400m handicap at Doncaster on the same afternoon, as a 13-year-old. The veteran of 77 races, Documenting has been based with Kevin Frost during his British career, which began in 2018, and he fittingly claimed his 13th career success when edging past Starliner to win under Jack Mitchell. “He’s an old character but he’s still got plenty of fire in his belly,” Frost told the Racing Post. “He loves fast ground and flat tracks, and when he gets that he doesn’t often run a bad race. He’s a hooligan at home. He’s bitten everyone at the yard violently at some stage. He’s hard work but he makes it all worth it. We only paid 1 000 guineas for him and he’s earned about £240 000, so he’s been a superstar. “He’ll be a very, very hard horse to retire though, because he’ll want to be training until he’s 22.”
Documenting is the oldest British Flat winner since Megalala rolled back the years to score at Lingfield at the age of 15 in 2016. While Sugar Mountain doesn’t quite match the age benchmark of Documenting, and the likes of our own William Penn, or Garth Puller’s Queue Wing, he dented the myth that horses lose their speed or toe, with age. Until his 1200m victory on Saturday, the Candice Bass-trained miler had never won below 1400m!
19 AUGUST 2026 | 55
v
In terms of prize money and highest average merit ratings, the Champion Sprinter And Miler A Stakes topped the bill and in what not surprisingly proved to be the quicker of the two 1200m events that opened up proceedings. Just five went to post, but despite that the pace set by Dreamworld (carried 54,9kg; vet reported coughing) was a fair one. The 18/10 favourite The Us Of A raced second and on taking up the running 150m out, he looked to have done everything right. Running on best of all under a well-judged ride from Aldo Domeyer though, Sugar Mountain struck the front with just 30m to travel. A R160 000 purchase, Sugar Mountain has now amassed stake earnings of over R1,28 million. There were suggestions that this was mooted to be his swansong – but plans may change! Track Condition: Going:
Good to Soft (both tracks)
Penetrometer: 25 (both tracks) Last 24 hours Nil – Last Rain: 7 days 8mm Irrigation: Last 7 days Nil Inside rail moved out False Rail: from 1700m; 4m spur at 430m mark Wind:
10-15km/h Southerly cross wind
Course 2,54s slow (straight) – Variant: 0,05s slow (bend) The Champion Older Male/Older Female Open Maiden was the quicker of the 56 | 19 AUGUST 2026
afternoon’s two 1800m races and here we saw a smart performance from the wellsupported Born To Master. Backed into favouritism at the track (15/4 into 2/1), Robert Barrett’s only runner on the card sat sixth for most of the journey, and in a very strung-out field was at least six lengths off the pace turning for home. O’Fellow (slow into stride) made the running and after comfortably setting the fastest pace of the four races around the turn between the 1000m and 600m markers, he answered every call from Sean Veale in the straight and it looked as if he would go on to score. The son of Master Of My Fate ran on strongly once in the straight though, and under a confident ride from the apprentice Brevan Plaatjies he won going away after striking the front 100m from home. This victory maintained Robert Barret’s 100% strike-rate for the new season! After riding five winners in a row on the Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack the previous evening, jockey Keagan De Melo followed up with three winners here. He completed his hattrick in the quicker of the two 1600m events, the Champion Trainer Class 5 (f&m) when scoring a very comfortable victory aboard MISS ATTITUDE. Another to find support into favouritism (7/2 into 9/4), Adam Marcus’ charge was soon nicely positioned in third just two and a half lengths off the pace. She was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 200m marker and drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to score by two and a quarter. Three 1000m races brought the day’s racing to a close and in the quickest of these, the
v
Champion Breeder Class 3, Adam Marcus was again in the winners’ enclosure when the lesser fancied of his two runners, OLIVER notched up his sixth career victory. Always one to run on stoutly from off the pace, this friendless 7yo son of Twice Over (11/2 out to 16/1) was racing over the distance for the first time. He sat second to last early on and was easily six lengths off the pace. Patiently ridden by Kabelo Matsunyane though, Oliver didn’t find the clearest of passages when initially looking to make his run. Once seeing daylight after switching out 200m from home though, he fairly flew and in what proved to be a real thriller, he got up in
the dying strides to deny another friendless runner in Pink Pigeon (9/2 out to 16/1). Jockey Dezahn Louw the rider of Oliver’s more fancied stable companion All About Al (also didn’t find the clearest of passages and finished third) was suspended for 10 days for failing to ensure that he did not cause interference to Magical Place at the 200 and 100m marks. Fastest Times: 1000m (3) Oliver 1200m (2) Sugar Mountain 1600m (2) Miss Attitude 1800m (2) Born To Master 400-finish Chinwag
61,14 75,30 101,11 111,58 23,55
NHA CALENDAR BRINGING YOU THE L ATEST
The Sporting Post presents the National Horseracing Authority calendar per 14 August 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:
19 AUGUST 2026 | 57
First on the board – Dezahn Louw scores on Baton Rouge | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
v
HIGHS AND LOUWS Wit h Dezahn
While Keagan de Melo maintained his heady form with a three-timer at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday to take his season tally to 22 at the halfway mark of the first month, it was young apprentice Dezahn Louw who grabbed a double, dampened by a ten-day suspension for failing to ensure he did not cause interference in running. 58 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
Dezahn Louw grabs a double courtesy of Easy Money | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
While there is no confirmation that the two events are linked, the eighth race was marred by some untidy riding and the Cape Stipendiary Stewards report that they are investigating an alleged incident that took place in the Jockeys’ quarters after the running of this race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Ironically, the Cape Town-born rider finished the day with two winners for the in-form Piet Botha team. Botha, a former jockey, was complimentary about the young rider, who won the fourth on Baton Rouge and the ninth with another frontrunning ride on the 33-1 Easy Money in the same ownership.
“There was an incident in the previous race (eighth) and full marks to Dezahn for keeping his head. It says a lot about him,” quipped the Milnerton trainer. The very likeable Louw rode 28 winners last season, a highlight of which was a Progress Plate victory on the top-notch dual Gr1 winner Quickstepgal, who was crowned KZN Horse Of The Season on Friday evening. Louw, who is sponsored by Drakenstein Stud, already has 5 winners to his name in a fortnight of this season – so is clearly on the improve. He will learn from Saturday’s experience and looks a bright prospect for the future. 19 AUGUST 2026 | 59
v
60 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 61
v
62 | 19 AUGUST 2026
T H E
C A N D Y M A N v
CERTAINLY CAN Andrew Fortune went under the orthopedic surgeon’s knife yesterday (Tuesday, 18 August) after fracturing his clavicle and ribs in a fall at Fairview on Friday 7 August.
The Candyman explained that the delay in having the operation was as a result of the fracture happening near the recently installed plate.
In a catch up with the Sporting Post on Saturday, the irrepressible 59-year-old played down the discomfort and pain of the injury, which came just six months after a similar fracture at the same venue.
“We are off to the TBA Sales Complex on Sunday to start inspections of the 2yo’s ahead of the sale this week. I will be back in Cape Town on Tuesday for the operation and then will fly back to Joburg on Wednesday ahead of the sale on Thursday and Friday,” he added.
“Look, at my age, I expect a break when I fall. It’s called wear and tear! But I will definitely be back for the Cape summer season. It’s a great time to ride winners and I want to support Ashley (Fortune) as she gets her Milnerton string up and running.”
Once he has had a follow-up with the surgeon post the operation, he will have a better idea of a return date to the saddle. “There is no time to waste. I am fit so will focus on getting back to health and I have some big horses to ride still in the summer!”
Andrew Fortune – old man river keeps rolling! Credit: Chase 19 |AUGUST 2026Liebenberg | 63
v
64 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 65
v
HANDSOME DAD
WAS A
FLYER ACROBAT FILLY IS GEARED FOR SPEED
Acrobat (Fastnet Rock ex Hips Don’t Lie) – fastest 2yo ever over 1000m at Randwick, has a daughter on Thursday’s | 19 AUGUST 2026 BSA66 August 2yo Sale Day 1 | Credit: Coolmore
v
The 2026 BSA August Two Year Old Sale on Thursday and Friday this week will offer buyers a rare opportunity on Day 1 to buy a filly by the unbeaten Acrobat.
19 AUGUST 2026 | 67
v
Standing at Coolmore Australia, Acrobat ran out a ready winner by 2,25 lengths in track record time of his only start when victorious in the AUS$500 000 Listed Inglis Nursery.
An early favourite for the Gr1 Golden Slipper, Acrobat took plenty of pedigree power with him when he retired to stud. He is a son of dual Australia Champion Sire Fastnet Rock, a son of Danehill and sire of 200 stakes winners.
Lot 150 – the unnamed Acrobat filly | Credit: Supplied
68 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
Among Fastnet Rock’s more than 30 Gr1 winners are Via Sistina, Avantage, Atlantic Jewel, and Shoals. His star Northern Hemisphere performers included triple Gr1 Prix de la Foret winner One Master, champions Fascinating Rock and Zhukova, and the Oaks winning Qualify. Australia’s Leading Broodmare Sire for three seasons running, Fastnet Rock, who died last year, was one of his breed-shaping sire’s very best sons. Famed for his success with daughters of Galileo, Fastnet Rock was also responsible for Gr1 producing stallions like Hinchinbrook, Foxwedge, Smart Missile, Merchant Navy and Eothesay. As great a sire as he was, Fastnet Rock shows signs of becoming an even greater broodmare sire. In the 2025-2026 Australian racing season alone, daughters of Fastnet Rock produced 15 black-type winners in Australia, while the season before Fastnet Rock mares had been responsible for 20 stakes winners - of 28 black type races - in Australia. His son Acrobat, bred on the same Fastnet Rock/Stravinsky cross as multiple Gr1 winner Mosheen, is a full-brother to both the Gr3 winning dam of champion Learning To Fly, and Gr1 ATC Golden Slipper third placer Lake Geneva. Acrobat made a pleasing start with his first runners last season. His first two-year-olds of 2025-2026 headed by the Gr3 placed King Of The Fall. Catalogued as Lot 150 on Thursday, the Acrobat filly will be consigned by Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud.
The unnamed filly in question is out of Queens Carriage - a three time winning daughter of Gr2 Richmond Stakes/Gr2 July Stakes winner, and top sire, Mehmas. Queens Carriage was a well above average filly with her record including a fourth place finish in the Listed Coral ‘Beaten By A Length’ Free Bet Scurry Stakes. In turn, Queens Carriage is out of a twice winning half-sister to Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Rosdhu Queen (Invincible Spirit). Queens Carriage, whose sire is a byword for speed and precocity, is directly descended in female line from Gr1 Sorority Stakes winner Sparkalark (Cornish Prince). The latter has already made her mark in South Africa, where Sparkalark’s descendants include useful sorts such as Sullenberger, The Navy Lark, and Elusive Rose. Sparkalark also ranks as the granddam of Gr1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Flash Of Steel (Kris) and was the dam of Gr1 Ladies Handicap winner Spark Of Life (Key To The Mint), with the latter also dam of Gr1 Premio Roma winner Fire Of Life (Nijinsky II). Whatever the future brings, it is safe to say that this Acrobat filly is bred to be speedy. The sale starts at 10h00 on Thursday, with lots 1-185 going through the ring on Day 1. The action kicks off again at 10h00 on Friday, with the balance of the 338 lots going under the hammer.
19 AUGUST 2026 | 69
v
70 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 71
v
72 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Veteran players! James Armitage and Louis Goosen in a flashback to the 2024 BSA August 2yo Sale Credit: Candiese Lenferna
v
AUGUST 2YO SALE
YOUR BUYER’S GUIDE The Raceform Buyers’ Guide is a detailed summary of the dam and siblings of the BSA August Two Year Old Sale. It provides insight as to what to expect of the youngsters in terms of class, stamina, and sale price. It’s essential reading for the prospective buyer. The sale takes place at the TBA Sales Complex in Germiston and runs over two days – 20 and 21 August. Click here for more information. 19 AUGUST 2026 | 73
v
74 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 75
v
76 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 77
v
78 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 79
v
80 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 81
v
KLAWERVLEI’S
AUGUST DIAMONDS Among the numerous stars bred by Klawervlei are champions One World and Vercingetorix, both among South Africa’s top stallions, Gr1 winner and outstanding producer Real Princess, and the likes of William Longsword, Carry On Alice, and Kommetdieding.
Buyers have the chance to acquire some typically well-bred Klawervlei stock at the upcoming August Two Year Old Sale. The Klawervlei bred champion sire Vercingetorix has two lots on offer. The regally bred Vauxhall Cross (Lot 192) is out of a stakes winning daughter of champions Dynasty and All Is Secret, and Vercingetorix is also sire of a filly (Lot 227) whose winning dam, by outstanding sire Uncle Mo, hails from the family of numerous Gr1 winners including top local sire The United States.
82 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Champion, and dual Gr1 winner, Return Flight has a Gimmethegreenlight colt (Lot 157) on sale, while another well performed mare, Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas victress Heaps Of Fun, has a What A Winter colt (Lot 42) on offer. Other appealing sorts on sale include the Rafeef colt (Lot 14) from the family of Epsom classic winners Ezeliya and Taghrooda, and the Querari colt (Lot 164) out of a winning Medaglia D’Oro half-sister to Gold Reef Resorts Gr1 Medallion winner and sire Seventh Rock. This draft can be found in Block H at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 83
v
84 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 85
v
86 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 87
v
MORE ROYALTY FROM ASCOT Ascot Stud, the breeders of such outstanding performers as Rock Opera, Pacific Trader, Warning Zone, and Arabian Lass, will be once again offering a quality packed draft at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale.
Not only does this draft include the stock of such sires as Act Of War, Digital Age, Fire Away, Global View, Hawwaam, Heavenly Blue and The United States, it also contains two-year-olds from some of the best families around. Ashley Parker is pleased with the quality of two-year-old he is bringing to Germiston, and singled out the following lots as being especially attractive: Lot 10: Soldier’s Hollow c Declarationofpeace -Entrench He is a big good looking Declarationofpeace colt out of an Oasis Dream mare from the family of two broodmare of the years and multiple international Champions Lot 82: Trump It Up c The United States -Linda Loves Lace He is an imposing, big and powerful The United States colt out of a Captain Al mare, who is the dam of the G1 placed Tina Lovelace. This is the family of champions Gold Flier and Successful Bidder
88 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Lot 153: Mount Kiara f Global View -Rainbow Rock She is a racy, good-quartered filly who is a half sister to the dual Listed winning and exciting US Ranger from the family of Champion Rock Opera and Gr1 winners Van Halen,Gulf Storm and Royal Meeting Lot 177: Flash Point c Heavenly Blue -Sheema He is a extremely well made and attractive Heavenly Blue colt out of an Archipenko mare from the family of the G1 winning sprinter Dyce Lot 257: Unnamed c Heavenly Blue -African Sky He is a late but attractive Heavenly Blue colt out of a half sister to a G3 winner and family of Champion and 6 time G1 winning Desert War Lot 319: Fiery Heart c Fire Away -Crafty Heart He is a strong-quartered Fire Away colt out of a three-time winning Mastercraftsman mare. This is the family of the Gr1 winning Leicester as well as Gr2 winner Await the Dawn This draft can be viewed from Block B at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 89
v
90 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 91
v
92 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 93
v
94 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 95
v
96 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
Q
HERE FOR QUALITY QUERARI HAD A FANTASTIC SEASON IN 2025-2026. QUERARI HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR SEVEN STAKES WINNERS IN SOUTH AFRICA THIS SEASON, WITH THE SON OF OASIS DREAM’S RUNNERS HAVING CLAIMED 12 BLACK TYPE RACES IN 2025-2026. Among his star performers this season are Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner Star Major, Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge winner Questioning, graded stakes winners Time Is Precious and Vibe Check, and the hugely exciting Turn It Up.
Lot 178: Lookatemyoyo’s c Querari -Shield Maiden He is a very good looking colt, and a good mover. He is from an outstanding family, with his dam a winning half-sister to champion Via Africa, the dam of Australian Gr1 winning stars Autumn Glow and In The Congo.
Benmarne Stud, who has already enjoyed plenty of success with the progeny of Querari, will be offering a pair of well-bred Querari twoyear-olds at the upcoming August Two Year Old Sale.
Lot 326: Drop Of Honey f Querari -Delia’s Delight She is a three-parts sister to champion Rio Querari, and is out of a seven time winning Dynasty mare. This is an excellent family, with this filly’s relatives including such Gr1 winners as Captain’s Gal and Good For You.
Arne Botha is understandably pleased with his two horses and had the following to say about them.
These two two-year-olds can be viewed from Block B at the TBA Complex in Germiston. 19 AUGUST 2026 | 97
v
98 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 99
v
VARSFONTEIN ON FIRE!
Varsfontein Stud, long one of South Africa’s top thoroughbred nurseries, has had another outstanding season in 2025-2026. The Varsfontein Stud bred Note To Self won the 2026 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July, while Varsfontein bred thoroughbreds won a total of 21 black type races in South Africa in 2025-2026. Varsfontein Stud will be offering an exceptional draft at the upcoming August Two Year Old Sale, with their consignment including the progeny of such outstanding sires as Gimmethegreenlight, Master Of My Fate, Rafeef and Vercingetorix. Reigning champion sire Vercingetorix has two blue-blooded offspring in this draft. Ragazzino (Lot 316), a colt with a stallion’s pedigree, is out of a Gr2 winning daughter of Gimmethegreenlight and multiple Gr1 winning champion Bela-Bela. This colt is bred on similar lines to Vercingetorix’s high-class sons Aquae Calidae (who is out of Bela-Bela), Roland Garros and Roman Agent. Varsfontein, as Agent, are also offering the beautifully bred Vercingetorix colt (Lot 124) out of the speedy Nous Voila. This colt is another with a stallion’s pedigree, with Nous Voila herself hailing from the same female line as such breed-shaping sires as Danehill, Machiavellian and Northern Dancer, among others. Varsfontein’s champion resident sire Gimmethegreenlight also has some well-bred two-year-olds on offer. They include Capital Call (Lot 93), a three-parts 100 | 19 AUGUST 2026
sister to Cartier Gr2 Sceptre Stakes winner Gimme What I Want, Planet Friendly (Lot 201), a three-parts brother to champion Bless My Stars, and Gala Event (Lot 311),a three-parts brother to Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes winner Gimmethatpearl. Fellow Varsfontein resident Master Of My Fate continues to impress, and his flagbearers this season include star filly Anotherdanceforme and graded stakes winners of the ilk of Aladdin’s Lamp, Atticus Finch Errol Flynn and Jet Force. Master Of My Fate’s representatives here include Master Knotter (Lot 61), a half-brother to Listed World Sports Betting East Cape Derby runner up Ardabil and the smart filly Kensal Green, Whathappensontour (Lot 239), a filly from the family of champion Proceed, and Noble Truth (Lot 288). The latter is a full-sister to 2026 G2 TAB SA Derby third Master Spy. Other exciting prospects on offer include Redskyinthemorning (Lot 216), an Erik The Red three-parts brother to promising two-year-old Roskilde, Jetliner (Lot 264), a Jet Dark halfbrother to the high-class performers World Of Alice and Alice B Toklas, and Aitsa (Lot 128), a Rafeef colt out of G1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship winner On Her Toes. This draft can be viewed from Blocks A, B and C at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
v
BLOOMHILL’S
CLASSY 2YO SALE DRAFT
Bloomhill Stud looks set to enjoy good success at the BSA August Two Year Old Sale. This family run KZN stud farm will be offering a quality string at the August Sale, with the Bloomhill draft made up of two-year-olds sired by all of Eden Roc, Jet Dark, Last Winter, Rabada and What A Winter.
What A Winter is the sire of a three-parts brother (Lot 245) to Pongracz Gr1 Cape Flying Championship winner Bohica (whose sire was sired by Western Winter), and Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint runner-up Bartholdi.
One lot sure to attract attention is the filly (Lot 104) from the first crop of multiple Gr1 winning champion Jet Dark.
Another exciting prospect is the Eden Roc filly (Lot 148) out of Princess Vicky. By a promising, Gr1 winning son of Var, this filly’s granddam is dual Equus Champion Princess Victoria, and this is also the family of champion fillies Hoeberg, Petrava and Princess Calla.
By a sire whose first National Sale yearlings made up to R4 000 000, this filly, a half-sister to the smart Flying Fate, is out of a twice winning full-sister to Gr1 The Mercury Sprint winner August Rush and Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap queen Miss October. The latter is the dam of champion Tempting Fate and Gr1 South African Fillies Sprint winner October Morn -who, like Jet Dark, was sired by Trippi! Jet Dark’s stablemate, and top-class sire, What A Winter is another champion represented here.
Other appealing sorts to be found here include the Rabada colt (Lot 100) out of a Gr3 placed daughter of Gimmethegreenlight, and the Rabada filly (Lot 122) from the family of US champion Riboletta. This draft can be viewed from Block C at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
19 AUGUST 2026 | 101
v
102 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 103
v
104 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 105
v
106 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 107
v
108 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 109
v
110 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 111
v
112 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 113
v
NO CLOUDS FOR
BLUE SKY Top-class and inform stallions are a key factor of the draft that Blue Sky Thoroughbreds will be presenting at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale. Equus Champion One World, whose progeny include the likes of globetrotting champion One Stripe and the hugely exciting Rich Man’s World, is represented by a filly (Lot 94) out of a twice winning full-sister to Gr2 Cape Merchants winner Vikram. This filly hails from one of the best families in the South African stud book, with her relatives including such notable Gr1 stars as Nania, Red Ray, Royal Chalice and Rudra. Galileo’s son The United States, the sire of recent Gr1 winners Kingdundee and Tin Pan Alley, is another proven sire represented in Blue Sky’s August string. His filly (Lot 138) is out of the Vercingetorix sired East Cape champion Phedra, a full sister to the stakes winning I’m So Pritti, a three-parts sister to the Vercingetorix sired Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Cape Derby winner Pomp And Power. Cape Guineas winner Act Of War, whose recent flagbearers include the likes of Hazy Dazy and U S Ranger, has three lots on offer.
114 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Classy racemare and Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes runner-up Twice As Smart has an Act Of War colt (Lot 225) on sale, as does Vanilla Orchid (Lot 230), a mare who hails from the immediate family of Gr3 Gold Vase winner Walter Smoothie. Act Of War is also sire of Oh So Sassy (Lot 240), a filly out of a Gr3 placed full-sister to the Gr1 winning dam of 2026 Magical Zulu Kingdom Gr3 Campanajo 2200 winner Magic Verse. Yet another top-class sire represented in Blue Sky Thoroughbreds’ August Two Year Old Sale draft is Futura. The former Horse Of The Year, and sire of recent Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July winner Note To Self, is the sire of a filly (Lot 259) whose dam is a Cape Cross half-sister to seven time group winner Maraahel. Other appealing lots include the What A Winter filly (Lot 253) out of Gr2 winner A Womens Way and the Master Of My Fate colt (Lot 268) whose dam is a half-sister to Gr1 Thekwini Stakes winner Querari Falcon. This draft can be viewed from Block C at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 115
v
CAMARGUE
DRAFT GETS THE
GREEN LIGHT Camargue Stud’s Brett Van Laun is very bullish about the got the greenlight colt (lot 234) that he is bringing to this year’s august two year old sale.
Brett says, “Obviously our August Sale standout is the Got The Greenlight colt who was held back as he’s a November foal.” Bred to be classy, this half-brother to three winners is out of the high-class Silvano mare Vino Veritas, a full-sister Hong Kong Gr3 winner Chefano and half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Madison Valley. Another potential star attraction here is the Futura colt (Lot 38) out of Listed Gardenia Handicap winner Ha Lucy. Brett describes this well-bred colt (who is bred on the hugely successful Futura/Trippi cross) as a ‘smashing colt with lots of presence about him’. Polar Jet, the dam of six winners including Gr1 116 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Daily News 2000 runner up Padre Pio, is another represented by an exciting prospect here, with Brett describing the Declarationofpeace filly (Lot 141) out of Polar Jet as a ‘stunning filly with a great walk’. Other lots to take note of in Camargue Stud’s August draft include the full-sister (Lot 33) to the smart Golden Operator, the Eden Roc filly (Lot 176) out of Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes winner She’s A Stunner, and the Act Of War filly (Lot 271) from the family of smart sprinter and successful sire Ballad Rock. This draft can be viewed from Blocks E and F at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 117
v
118 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 119
v
LIFE’S A
BEACH!
The lengthy list of Clifton Stud bred stakes winners received another update last season when the Clifton bred Better Never Ends proved to be one of the best two-year-olds around in South Africa during 2025-2026. The son of Declarationofpeace and the Hussonet mare Endearment has already earned more than R600 000, with Better Never Ends having claimed the TAB Gr2 SA Nursery. Clifton also bred the classy Fortress Of Fire, a sparkling winner of the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap. The prolific Clifton Stud, who come up with highclass performers year in and year out, will be strongly represented at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale. Clifton’s BSA August Sale draft includes twoyear-olds sired by the likes of Act Of War, Eden Roc, Fire Away, and Jet Dark -as well as by Declarationofpeace, the sire of Better Never Ends. Titanic Hero (Lot 46) is a colt by proven Gr1 sire Fire Away and he is out of Gr3 Acacia Handicap winner High Seas Beauty, a daughter of dual Derby winner and outstanding sire High Chaparral.
120 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Act Of War, another proven source of Gr1 winners, has two lots on offer here, including Act Of Zar (Lot 117) a colt whose five time winning dam is a daughter of unbeaten champion Husson. Promising young Gr1 winning sires Eden Roc and Jet Dark are both represented here. Var’s Gr1 Gold Medallion winning son Eden Roc is doubly represented here, with his pair including On The Rocs (Lot 229), a beautifully bred half-sister to no fewer than 11 winners including Hong Kong Gr3 winner Chefano and multiple graded stakes winner Madison Valley. Trippi’s five time Gr1 winning son Jet Dark is the sire of Dawn To Dusk (Lot 231), a half-sister to two multiple winners whose dam is a three-parts sister to graded stakes winners August Rush and Miss October. This draft can be viewed from Block E at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 121
v
122 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 123
v
MORE MAGIC FROM MOUTONSHOEK
Moutonshoek’s resident stallion The United States has enjoyed a wonderful season in 2025-2026. The blue-blooded son of Galileo has already been responsible for six stakes winners, with his offspring having won eight black type races this season. Among The United States’ top current performers are the Gr1 winners Kingdundee and Tin Pan Alley, Mike De Kock Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge winner Rodeo Drive and Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes winner Keukenhof. Moutonshoek will be offering five well-related two-year-olds by their star sire at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale. Sunset Strip (Lot 35) is a half-brother to three winners, and this well-bred colt’s dam Grecian Dancer is a half-sister to champion Consensual, 124 | 19 AUGUST 2026
herself the dam of a fellow Equus Champion in the form of Just Sensual. Two fillies bound to catch attention are Dreaming (Lot 106) and Giannina (Lot 195). The former is a full-sister to multiple stakes winner Khaya’s Hope and the latter is a half-sister to the smart performer Champion Warrior. Other appealing two-year-olds by The United States are Queen Abigail (Lot 250), a filly bred on the same cross as Khaya’s Hope and Scarra (Lot 266). The latter is a full-brother to two winners including Big Joe, who made a big impression when winning on debut. This draft can be found in Block E at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 125
v
126 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 127
v
128 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
NARROW
CREEK’S QUALITY QUARTET Narrow Creek Stud bred horses have enjoyed another wonderful time of it this year. From the Narrow Creek bred champion Isivunguvungu winning in North America, to the farm’s star sprinter Buffalo Storm Cody landing the TAB Gr1 Computaform Sprint and the Mercury Sprint, Narrow Creek thoroughbreds have shone in both hemispheres. The farm also bred this season’s World Sports Betting Gr3 1900 winner Isivivane, who put up a bold showing when fifth in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July. Buyers will have their chance to acquire the next Narrow Creek Stud bred superstar when John Everett brings four classy two-year-olds to the August Two Year Old Sale. Narrow Creek has an excellent record with Buffalo Bill Cody, and the son of Redoute’s Choice is represented here by Texas Smile (Lot 282). A half-sister to the promising filly Let It Roll, Texas Smile hails from the family of the Narrow Creek bred graded stakes winners Big Burn and Catch Twentytwo, among others.
Triple Crown winner Malmoos has made a promising start to his stud career, and the regally bred son of Captain Al is responsible for a filly (Lot 103) whose relatives include Canadian champion King Ruckus and Ge1 Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Repent, among others. No Name (Lot 185) is a colt from the first crop of Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner Master Archie, and this colt is a three-parts brother to two winners, and a half-brother to B Fiftytwo, who recently won again. Digital Age is another Gr1 winning young stallion represented here. The son of Invincible Spirit is the sire of a colt (Lot 191) whose stakes placed dam hails from the immediate family of 2026 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks winner Littlemissmillion as well as World Sports Betting Gr1 SA Derby hero Son Of Raj. This quartet can be found in Block C at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
19 AUGUST 2026 | 129
v
130 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
NDORO’S SPARKLING FEMALE LINES
CLASSY RACEMARES AND OUTSTANDING FEMALE LINES ARE A STRIKING FEATURE OF NDORO STUD’S DRAFT FOR THE 2026 AUGUST TWO YEAR OLD SALE.
While this draft includes the offspring of popular and promising stallions of the ilk of Buffalo Bill Cody, Fire Away, Jet Dark, Legislate, Malmoos and The United States, it is the quality of female line which is the standout aspect. Champion Legislate enjoyed a wonderful season in 2025-2026, and the sire of Wish List and Legal Counsel has two lots on offer. The stakes placed Expedite, a half-sister to Betway Gr1 Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch, has a Legislate colt (Lot 18) on offer, as does Rose Dancer (Lot 161). The latter, dam of useful filly Fiery Rose, is a half-sister to the smart Legislate filly Arashi and Listed Storm Bird Stakes winner War Room.
High-class racemare Caya Coco, winner of both the East Coast Radio Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes and Listed Prince Florimund Irridescence Stakes, has a Malmoos colt (Lot 309) on offer, while Andermatt, the dam of Listed Durbanville Cup hero Thefutureisbright, has a colt (Lot 270) from the first crop of champion Jet Dark on sale. Mistressofmyfate, a winning three-parts sister to Gr1 winner Stratos, is represented here by a Buffalo Bill Cody filly (Lot 109), while Fire Away (whose progeny include the Ndoro bred Gr1 winner Fire Attack) is the sire of a half-brother (Lot 105) to both Zimbabwe champion Dindingwe and Gr3 Politician Stakes winner Rockpool. This draft can be found in Block F at the TBA Complex in Germiston. 19 AUGUST 2026 | 131
v
132 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 133
v
134 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
SUPER
SANDOWN! High-class sprinter Outlaw King is a wonderful advertisement for the quality of thoroughbred bred by Sandown Stud.
A R300 000 buy from the 2022 National Yearling Sale, Outlaw King has earned more than R1,681 million during a career which has seen the son of Rafeef win all of the 2023 Tabgold Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes, 2024 De Grendel Cape Merchants, and 2025 SplashOut Gr2 Cape Merchants. Sandown Stud will be offering Iwanttobreakfree (Lot 236), a full-brother to the talented Outlaw King at this year’s August Two Year Old Sale. By one of South Africa’s top sires Rafeef, this colt is out of the four-time winning mare Way Of Escape, a half-sister to two black type horses led by dual Gr3 winner My Choice. Resident sire, and proven source of Gr1 winners, Pathfork has three well-bred lots on offer. Powerful Passage (Lot 13), a half-brother to a multiple winner, is a colt out of a six-time winning three-parts sister to Gr3 Politician Stakes winner
Blaze Of Noon. Pathfork filly Written In Red (Lot 156) is a half-sister to three winners including Listed East Cape Nursery winner Vision Of Wonder. Sandown will also be offering, as agent for La Berg Stud, a Pathfork colt (Lot 41) whose dam won the Gr3 Final Fling Stakes, and this colt’s granddam is a half-sister to Listed Spook Express Handicap winner Miss Galilei. The red- hot Legislate, whose flagbearers this season include the likes of Wish List and Legal Counsel, is the sire of Lay Down The Law (Lot 327), a colt whose four-time winning dam is a half-sister to the Gr3-placed Chosen Goddess. This colt hails from an outstanding family whose members include this season’s World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met winner See It Again. This draft can be viewed from Block F at the TBA Complex in Germiston 19 AUGUST 2026 | 135
v
136 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 137
v
138 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 139
Now Out! v
DIRECTORY OF SIRES 2026 - S
140 | 19 AUGUST 2026
OUTH AFRICA
v
SOETENDAL
STANDOUTS GRADUATES OF SOETENDAL ESTATE HAVE ENJOYED ANOTHER FINE SEASON IN 2025-2026, WITH THE LIKES OF VIBE CHECK, AQUAE CALIDAE, RICH MAN’S WORLD AND QUESTIONING HAVING ALL SHONE ON SOUTH AFRICAN TRACKS.
Further afield, Soetendal’s former charge One Stripe ran second in both the Gr1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes and Gr1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes, with the Equus Champion having romped home to a five and a quarter length win at Gulfstream Park in December. Soetendal will be offering, as agent for Owloon Horses, two choicely bred colts at the August Two Year Old Sale. Frosty McFreeze (Lot 188) is by the consistently successful Rafeef. This flashy grey is out of the smart racemare Snow Palace, a six time winner who ran third in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes, and this is the famous Lily family. Among Snow
Palace’s numerous top-class relatives are such Gr1 winners as Bold Thatch, Coral Fever, Ravishing, Vega and Villandry, to name a few. Winter Kisses (Lot 295) shares his four time Gr1 winning sire What A Winter with a host of highclass horses, including globetrotting champion Isivunguvungu and 2026 Gr1 South African Fillies Sprint winner Asiye Phambili. This colt is out of the stakes-placed Calandra, a half-sister to Gr3 Champion Juvenile Cup winner O Tamara, and Winter Kisses’ fourth dam is Gr2 SA Oaks winner Rootin’ Tootin’. These two colts can be viewed from Block A at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
19 AUGUST 2026 | 141
v
142 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 143
v
144 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
SUMMERVIEW’S
SOMETHING SPECIAL SUMMERVIEW STUD WILL BE OFFERING A VERY APPEALING
CONSIGNMENT AT THIS YEAR’S AUGUST TWO YEAR OLD SALE. Colleen De Klerk had the following Amongst comments to make about her August Sale draft: the stallions Lot 59: Supasonic c Jet Dark represented in this -Joyful Noise A quality colt by Champion Jet Dark out string are such of the seven-time winner Joyful Noise Vercingetorix), a stakes-performed exciting prospects (by mare from the prolific family of Proud Peyton. as Digital Age, A well-made, athletic individual with plenty Eden Roc, and Jet of appeal, quality and scope, he combines an exciting young sire with a proven, durable female family. Remarkably, this Dark, as well as colt’s first four dams are all black type such proven sires performers! as Act Of War, One Lot 69: Norse Ruler c William Longsword -Lady Carter World, Pathfork A well-balanced colt with good size and an excellent topline. By William Longsword out and Rafeef. of Lady Carter, he is a half-brother to the 19 AUGUST 2026 | 145
v
stakes-performed Just Carter and comes from a current family that continues to produce winners. Bred on similar lines to the high-class sprinter Cartel Captain, this colt’s third dam is a full-sister to three high-class performers including G1 KwaZulu-Natal Oaks winner Carolera. Lot 142: Polly Poppet f Eden Roc -Polly’s Destiny A quality, speedy and correct filly out of the well-related Polly’s Destiny. An attractive individual with good balance and athleticism. By the exciting young sire Eden Roc, she combines an appealing pedigree with an eyecatching physique. This filly hails from the same family as such top-class fillies as Along Came Polly, Marie Galante, and Rock Opera. Lot 165: Digital Divide c Digital Age -Sahara A nicely put together, correct and wellbalanced colt by Digital Age out of the outstanding producer Sahara. He is a halfbrother to multiple stakes winner Matador Man and stakes performer Hawker Typhoon. Sahara has an exceptional production record, having produced eight winners from nine foals to race. A quality individual with plenty of balance and substance, he represents an outstanding combination of proven pedigree and athletic physique. This colt is directly descended in female line from the great mare Marchetta.
Lot 200: Ace Of Blades f Rafeef -Steelheart A gorgeous filly by the proven sire Rafeef out of Steelheart, from the distinguished family of ARCSA Champion Damasco. An eye-catching individual with an outstanding topline, she is well balanced, athletic, walks well and covers ground. Combining a strong
146 | 19 AUGUST 2026
pedigree with excellent physical attributes, she is an exciting racing prospect. Lot 244: Desert Victory f Act Of War -Writteninthesand A correct, precocious filly by the proven sire Act of War out of Writteninthesand, a daughter of the outstanding producer Sahara. A quality individual with plenty of balance and athleticism. Combining a proven sire with one of the farm’s strongest female families, she offers plenty of appeal. Lot 276: Unnamed f One World -Awfaa A lovely filly by the exciting and wellperformed One World out of Awfaa. A wellbalanced individual with a strong topline and plenty of quality, she is a half-sister to the mare’s only runner to date, already a threetime winner. From a current, active family, she combines a progressive pedigree with an athletic physique, making her an appealing racing prospect. Bred on the same cross as champion One Stripe, this filly hails from the immediate family of Gr1 winning females On Her Toes and Savannah Queen. Lot 290: Bourbon Balls c Pathfork -Bon Bon A handsome colt by the proven sire Pathfork out of the six-time winning mare Bon Bon. An athletic, quality individual with an excellent topline, plenty of scope and a fluent walk. His combination of proven race performance on the dam’s side and an appealing physique makes him an attractive offering. His granddam is a Gr2 winning daughter of Kahal -the broodmare sire of Pathfork’s champion son Royal Victory. This draft can be viewed from Block E at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 147
v
148 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 149
v
MORE WINTERBACH WINNERS Winterbach Stud has been associated with an eyecatching number of top-class performers over the years. This list has grown considerably in recent times, with this season’s exciting two-year-olds Turn It Up, World Attraction and Shezaripper among the classy performers raised by Winterbach. Winterbach Stud will be offering a hugely exciting draft at the 2026 August Two Year Old Sale. Not only does this consignment include the offspring of such popular stallions as Gimmethegreenlight, Kommetdieding, One World and Querari, but Winterbach will also be offering an exceptionally well-bred filly from the first crop of resident sire Master Archie. Hendrik Winterbach is very pleased with his August draft and had the following comments to make: Lot 26: Que Que f Querari -Flaming Dame This is a smart filly from a great family. She is very correct and looks like she will run. By one of South Africa’s best stallions, Que Que is out of a stakes placed full-sister to the dam of champion filly Lady In Black. Lot 204: Fire Bomb f Fire Away -Sylvan On Fire This filly has solid breeding and the page is improving. Fire Bomb is a great walking filly with a lot to offer. By the same sire as Gr1 winners Confederate and Fire Attack, Fire Bomb is out of a mare who won six, including the Gr3 Yellowwood Handicap. 150 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Lot 249: Unnamed f Master Archie -Zili She is a Master Archie filly. This filly looks speedy with a great page for breeding. From the first crop of her Gr1 winning sire, this filly is a half-sister to seven winners including Gr3 Jubilee Stakes winner Meridius. Lot 25: Elusive Mirrari c Elusive Fort -First Street This is a first foal out of successful racing mare. This is a classic horse, who is very well put together. By the same sire as the likes of Kommetdieding, Siren’s Call and Littlemissmillion, Elusive Mirrari, who is closely inbred to Fort Wood, is out of a stakes placed winner of six. Lot 110: Sokomocha c Soqrat -Mocha To Go From a top family, he has lovely scope and could be a classic horse. He is very correct and smart. A son of triple Gr1 winner and Equus Champion Soqrat, Sokomocha is out of a three-parts sister to multiple graded stakes winner Barahin. Lot 198: Anneofgreengables f Gimmethegreenlight -Springisintheair This is a Gr1 family, and she is very well bred. Looks a smart filly with a lot of promise. By multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight, Anneofgreengables is bred on similar lines to the Gimmethegreenlight sired multiple stakes winner Gimme The Stars. This draft can be viewed from Blocks D and G at the TBA Complex in Germiston.
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 151
v
152 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 153
v
154 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 155
v
156 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 157
v
158 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 159
v
R AV I A N D T H E C O U S I N
OUTSIDE THE
If there is such a thing as a proverbial box, flamboyant entrepreneur and racehorse owner Ravi Naidoo is certainly not sitting in it.
Ravi alternative 160 |Naidoo, 19 AUGUST 2026thinker | Credit: Design Indaba
BOX!
v
Cousin Casey with his handler, Regan van Rooi, reading The Kimberley Recorder | Credit: Supplied
Caption | Credit: Credit
He doesn’t need to think ‘out of the box’ because that is where he operates naturally – in a world of unusual ideas, creativity, energy and a constant urge to do things differently. At a time when most advertising is delivered through social media, websites and digital campaigns, Ravi took his unique approach to promoting his Vercingetorix stallion, Cousin Casey. After covering 90 mares in his first season at Mauritzfontein Stud, the secondseason sire is now at the awkward stage where unproven stallions invariably find themselves – in need of a second round of support. Ravi produced a broadsheet newspaper and mailed it to people in the racing and breeding industry. Called The Kimberley Recorder, after the location of the stud farm, it is an exceptionally well-designed, high-quality publication, filled with superb and insightful
industry articles built around its central character, Cousin Casey. A broadsheet is the traditional large-format newspaper, the sort of publication once associated with serious journalism and substantial stories. Turning one into a piece of stallion advertising is about as far removed from the usual racing advert as you could get – and in an age when almost everything has moved online, it is wonderfully old-school and completely original. It is also a pretty good introduction to Ravi Naidoo. We tracked him down earlier this week, 38,000ft above the Atlantic on a Boeing bound for New York City. We correctly assumed that he had turned left upon boarding and was sipping vintage red wine while plotting his next big idea. 19 AUGUST 2026 | 161
v
Ravi wasn’t travelling just for business, though. On Wednesday, 12 August he celebrated his 62nd birthday with his New York-based sons, Rahul and Rohan, a pair of Harvard-educated lads who have clearly inherited their dad’s grey matter and entrepreneurial acumen. Ravi’s own journey began with an MBA and BSc (Hons) from the University of Cape Town, followed by a stint at advertising agency Young & Rubicam. He describes his “biggest kicker” as pitching the idea for Vodaworld Magazine to telecoms giant Vodacom and landing the contract for his company, Interactive Africa. The free quarterly publication ran from 1994 to 2010, eventually reaching a circulation of more than a million copies across South Africa and parts of Africa. During this period, he founded Design Indaba, a multidisciplinary design institution. Known globally for its influential creative conference, held between 1995 and 2020, Design Indaba grew into a major annual Cape Town event that brought together leading international and African thinkers and practitioners across design, architecture, advertising, fashion, art, technology, music and other creative fields. It championed creativity as a force for innovation and social change, with the slogan: “A better world through creativity.”
162 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Ravi’s broad creative background provides a useful clue to the thinking behind The Kimberley Recorder, of which he said: “On one hand it’s a love letter to Cousin Casey. Simple as that. He’s given me so much, and I wanted to really do well by him. A brochure was never going to do it. “Then on the other hand, it’s a bit of a homage to the industry. As we said in the covering letter – a thank-you to all the stakeholders who galvanised around the crisis and did so well to resurrect the South African industry, in many ways. Everyone held on through the lean years, and now you can feel the upside coming, and it should be everyone’s upside. It’s also a tribute to Mauritzfontein, who gave Cousin Casey the most beautiful home.” Ravi said that The Kimberley Recorder was also about, ‘just having fun’, – a follow-up to ‘Cousinology 101’ – a promotional video clip featuring comedian Barry Hilton, used when Cousin Casey was retired to stud in 2025. Cousin Casey was syndicated to a broad base of individuals, including the smaller, so-called ‘Indie’ breeders, and Ravi said: “I like the spread of investors, comprising more than just the industry’s ‘alphas’. Racing needs the long tail to thrive.” Read the full story… Click on the image below:
v
T WO Y E A R OLD SALE
S AV E THE DAT E 24.10.26
24 OCTOBER 2026 | HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE For sale-related queries, please contact Vicky Minott - vicky@racecoast.co.za
www.racecoastsales.co.za
19 AUGUST 2026 | 163
v
VA N N I E K E R K FA C E S
SUSPENSION & FINE IN MAURITIUS
After enjoying a decent start to his stint on the island, South African jockey Grant van Niekerk has been suspended for eight Mauritius racemeetings and fined Rs 50 000 after he was deemed to have failed to ride Bounceback to the satisfaction of the stewards at the Champ de Mars racemeeting of 25 July.
164 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Grant van Niekerk – no news on plans after suspension and fine | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
v
Bounceback ran third behind Brave Bomber and Makazole in the Aqua Springs Live Healthy Cup, the fifth race of the eleventh racemeeting of the Mauritius season. The Stipes report states that on inquiry into the handling of Bounceback, Trainer Jevin Awotar explained that the gelding was having its fifth race this season, was racing over 1600m and had pleased in the lead up to the race. As such, a forward showing was expected from it. He also said that after studying the race, he was somewhat wary that there would be a lack of pace in the race, as such, he instructed Jockey Van Niekerk to ride this gelding as per its usual racing pattern, which was to settle it at the back of the field and move from the road as its turn of foot was its main asset. He also said that should the pace prove to be slower than expected, Jockey Van Niekerk was to move early and loop the field as it had the ability to do so according to him. Jockey Van Niekerk confirmed these instructions and explained that from the start, the pace proved to be a fast one in the race with Bounceback coming under pressure from a long way out in the race. He added that he felt that the horse had not put its best foot forward on the day and had hung in when asked for an effort, being disappointing. When further questioned, Jockey Van Niekerk explained that the going was sticky which
was to the advantage of the leading horses and it put horses coming from behind at a disadvantage. He also added that he could not have been closer to the pace in the early stages of the race due to the fast pace set by the leader. He further stated that he felt he had ridden Bounceback as he usually rides it and had moved at the right time to be able to win the race, but that the leader had kept going and Bounceback did not accelerate as it did in its last start. After consideration, the Stewards found Jockey Van Niekerk guilty of a breach of Rule 414 (b) for failing RM12– 08/08/2026 Page 11 of 13 to ride Bounceback to the satisfaction of the Stewards, the particulars being that shortly after the start when there was an opportunity for him to urge his mount forward in order to get it to race closer to the pace, he failed to do so, resulting in that gelding racing at the back of the field about 7 lengths off the leader. Furthermore, when there was an opportunity for him leaving the 700 metres, to start urging his mount forward with his usual vigour and determination, in order to bridge the gap with the rest of the field, he failed to do so, this being counterproductive to its chances in the race. Van Niekerk was suspended from riding in races for eight race meetings and fined Rs 50 000. There are 13 racemeetings left of the current season. Van Niekerk is third on the local log with 13 winners.
19 AUGUST 2026 | 165
v
166 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Reckless Abandon (Callan Murray) sheds his maiden tag | Credit: JC Photos
v
R A F E E F
C O LT
IMPRESSES ON DEBUT
Reckless Abandon pinged the gates, found the lead and led from pillar to post to win his 1200m debut at Turffontein on 16 August. His stablemate Razzpath Rebel – another newcomer – ran on well into second. The stable has not done a lot of grass work with the unraced horses recently, and Mat de Kock and Callan Murray were pleasantly surprised with the way Reckless Abandon handled his first visit to the races.
“He was sharp out of the gates, and I was a bit surprised. He was a bit too keen for the first couple of strides but raced professionally for the rest of the way,” said Callan.
Abandon and Razzpath Rebel both have good improvement to come. Well done to Hollywood Racing and Ridgemont. We visited their amazing farm last week and it’s no wonder they breed great horses.” Reckless Abandon is by Rafeef out of Three Hearts (USA), by Hat Trick, whose only previous runner is her first foal, Exocet (Mehmas), also a smart winner on debut for De Kock Racing in July 2025 and a winner again since. “Three Hearts is proving her mettle. She is presently again in foal to Rafeef. We’re looking forward to the return of Exocet, there are some exciting times ahead,” said Hollywood’s Devin Heffer.
Mat said: “We haven’t galloped too much with where the grass is at present, so Reckless 19 AUGUST 2026 | 167
v
168 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
UNNAMED HORIZON x TWICEASFAST
FROM THE FARM… TO THE STABLE… TO THE RACETRACK. Meet our newest addition to the Champagne Syndicate. In partnership with IDUN and trained by Crawford Racing, this is your chance to be part of something special.
Sparkled by
TAMMI@CRAWFORDRACING.NET | CRAWFORDRACING.NET
19 AUGUST 2026 | 169
Ombudsman (here under William Buick) is a force to reckon with! | Credit: DRC
v
Ebor Opener:
OMBUDSMAN VS CONSTITUTION RIVER The iconic Ebor Festival kicks off today at York. The festival is named after the Ebor Heritage Handicap which runs on Saturday, but the highlight of the week is most definitely Day 1’s feature - the Juddmonte International. 170 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
The track recorded 6mm of rain on Sunday night, with more forecast, but on Tuesday evening the going was posted as on the quick side of good. With prizemoney of £1.5 million, the Group 1 Juddmonte International (16h35) is the richest race ever staged at York and has attracted a cracking field. The ten-furlong feature may field nine runners, but all eyes will be on the top two in the betting. It is Ombudsman versus Constitution River in an epic clash of the middle-distance generation this year, as the best older horse meets the star three-year-old. In the one corner we find the in-form Gosden trained five-year-old Ombudsman. He is the form pick having won the race last year in emphatic fashion by over three-lengths. He tops the boards at around 11/10 after three unbeaten starts this season, the last of which was the best. That was in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot where he was four lengths superior to Minnie Hauk in second with the re-opposing Almaqam a further three lengths back. The Night Of Thunder horse encounters optimum conditions and has a pacemaker to ensure a suitable gallop. William Buick stays aboard the Godolphin star. Taking the champ on is the three-year-old star Constitution River, currently priced at 7/4. Unbeaten in three starts this year, the Wootten Bassett colt has improved with each run.
in May where he overcame his wide draw of 15 to win the Gr1 Jockey Club. Further improvement was on display at Sandown in early July when he landed the Eclipse in style, looking the winner two furlongs out. He certainly has more to come and receives a 7lb age allowance. Ryan Moore rides once more and stable companion, Action is there to set the fractions. Both camps provided updates for the big clash. Joint-trainer John Gosden: “He had a nice, normal solid piece of work, which is just what we wanted before York. He’s a pro now and doesn’t want to do anything flashy, not that we wanted it.” “The way he quickened up at Ascot was probably his best performance, and it was a solid, evenly run race. We’ll have one pacemaker in there and I’m sure Aidan will. I expect a really truly run race. I can’t imagine it any other way.” Ballydoyle’s Aidan O’Brien: “That’s what we’re aiming him for and that’s what we’re really looking forward to. Everything has gone great with him since Sandown; we couldn’t be any happier. He’s very well in himself and we’re all very happy with everything he’s doing.” “I know there will be others in there too, but hopefully Ombudsman will run. That’s what the sport is all about, seeing horses like that take each other on. It’s going to be very interesting.” Enough said, it’s now game on and may the best horse win.
Aidan O’Brien started him off at Chester in the Dee Stakes where he was far too good for four rivals. Chantilly, France was his next stop 19 AUGUST 2026 | 171
Mickaël Barzalona drives Rayif to victory | Credit: Aga Khan Studs
v
SON OF
SEA THE MOON AND RAYISA
WINS WELL
172 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
The second edition of the Aga Khan Studssponsored race-day at Deauville on Sunday was capped by the success of Rayif in the Gr1 Prix Jacques Le Marois. Rayif, who is a half-brother to Group 1 placed sprinter Rayevka, becomes only the tenth horse to win this race and the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, and the first to do so for 25 years. “He’s a very smart horse,” said winning trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. “He’s very laid back at home, but he knows what he’s doing and he’s very game. Everybody was saying he’s a soft ground horse, but you need to keep trying. To find a place at stud they need to be performing at this level. “The Jacques le Marois is a very famous race, probably the second-most famous race in France after the Arc, so it’s a wonderful one to win. Once he found his rhythm, he travelled very easily,” added jockey Mickaël Barzalona. “I had a few nice horses in front of me, who I knew could take me closer to the front line. When I asked him to do the job, he did it very well and won the race in a nice way. He seems like he’s improved since the Guineas and he’s just a very good horse who can go wherever.” The victory marked a seventh Group 1 success for the Aga Khan Studs in 2026, and Princess Zahra Aga Khan was present
to collect the trophy, which she handed to her daughter Sara, from France Galop President Guillaume de Saint-Seine. “It’s a family that we’ve added some speed back into, and it seems to work,” said Princess Zahra of her homebred son of Sea The Moon and Rayisa. “He has an interesting pedigree, he’s an interesting horse, he’s very good-looking, and he’s very brave.” “Rayif was born in Ireland, so everyone is part of this. All of the studs in Ireland, the studs in France, and the stable yards in both countries. You know, everyone is working together to get to this point and to be able to produce good horses. It [the win] means an awful lot to the entire team.” There were nine races on the Aga Khan Studs day card, with Godolphin, Coolmore and the Wertheimer brothers amongst the winning owners together with Mme Christian Wingtans, Mr Gérard Augustin-Normand, Mme Marianne Pasler and Mme Corine Barande Barbe. The Listed Prix Nureyev went the way of Wertheimer et Frère’s homebred Zaraki, who became a new Stakes winner for Zarak. 19 AUGUST 2026 | 173
v
174 | 19 AUGUST 2026
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 175
Brian Locke – gone too soon | Credit: Supplied
v
B R I A N
L O C K E
WILL BE SADLY
MISSED
For many decades, Brian Locke was one of the most recognizable faces on Cape racecourses.
Welch, Brett Crawford, Dean Kannemeyer, James Crawford, Greg Enion, Paul Reeves and Fareed Anthony, amongst others.
On Thursday 6 August 2026, the man who grew up in Heathfield and was passionate about his horse racing, passed away after a year-long battle with motor neurone disease, the same illness that afflicted late Springbok rugby legend, Joost van der Westhuizen.
“I was so sad to hear of Brian’s passing. I originally got to know him through his nephew Mark Khan. A lovely guy and a passionate racegoer for many years, he also loved his music and played in a band. He was a true professional in his industry. Brian will be sadly missed by all of us. My sincere condolences to his family,” said Karl Neisius.
A quietly spoken gentleman, Brian Peter Locke was a sportsman who lived a healthy lifestyle and his diagnosis came as a shock. A self-employed Auto Technician who learnt his trade from the best in Namibia, Brian Brian specialized in Mercedes Benz. He was a popular figure and a friend to a host of Cape racing personalities, including veterans Freddie Macaskill, Karl Neisius, Gerrit Schlechter, Louis Mxothwa, Terrance 176 | 19 AUGUST 2026
Brian is survived by his wife Chermaine and children, and a wide network of family and friends. A Requiem Mass was held on Tuesday 18 August. The Sporting Post wishes his family and friends strength at this very sad time. MHDSRIP.
v
19 AUGUST 2026 | 177
v
results up to: 2026-07-31
TRAINERS Name
Runs
Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Other Places
Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
Mr S J Snaith
955
135
14.1
148
119
202
469
49.1
24,381,839
37,751,144
Mr S G Tarry
810
118
14.6
96
83
185
364
44.9
11,598,352
17,463,376
Mike/Mathew De Kock
542
90
16.6
79
68
113
260
48.0
10,252,935
14,705,462
Mr A P Peter
609
106
17.4
81
79
135
295
48.4
9,171,659
14,300,719
Mr A C Greeff
862
138
16.0
114
104
172
390
45.2
8,193,964
12,218,324
Name
Runs
Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Other Places
Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
Mr C Zackey
1633
276
16.9
242
208
367
817
50.0
24,895,999
38,143,969
Mr R D Fourie
1005
218
21.7
170
129
189
488
48.6
26,261,089
35,941,288
Mr K de Melo
749
155
20.7
102
107
156
365
48.7
15,786,940
21,350,895
Mr M A Yeni
1217
144
11.8
155
150
304
609
50.0
10,265,912
18,690,540
Mr C J Habib
1179
133
11.3
114
149
271
534
45.3
10,656,072
16,607,634
JOCKEYS
BREEDERS Runrs Runs
AEPR
B.T. B.T. Total Wnrs/ Wnrs Wins Rnrs% Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R)
Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
326 2133
101,440
165
260
50.6
948
11
12
33,069,559
Varsfontein Stud
233 1393
135,031
117
184
50.2
675
16
20
31,462,279
Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)
187 1080
114,448
82
130
43.9
482
11
13
21,401,770
Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd
139
881
133,440
67
114
48.2
388
7
12
18,548,142
Ridgemont Highlands
173
966
93,296
91
137
52.6
437
5
6
16,140,159
Name
Runrs Runs
AEPR
B.T. B.T. Total Wnrs/ Wnrs Wins Rnrs% Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R)
Vercingetorix
253
1575
153,768
134
239
53.0
703
21
31
38,903,245
Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)
245
1414
93,787
122
180
49.8
630
6
6
22,977,931
Querari (GER)
196
1197
112,278
90
138
45.9
557
7
12
22,006,476
Master Of My Fate
204
1195
100,471
87
146
42.6
558
11
16
20,496,155
Rafeef (AUS)
222
1249
91,030
105
157
47.3
565
6
6
20,208,743
Name
SIRES
See all the detailed standings - Click here 178 | 19 AUGUST 2026