EYES ON 4/7/26!
STARTS HERE! ROAD TO 4 JULY GLORY
Hollywoodbets Durban July Class of ’26 takes shape
U S Ranger
Quite an arresting colt
National Pride
Two days to remember
Ferryman Fires He looks special! 83
Sha Tin On Sunday
FWD Champions Day is here
On the cover
The 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July champions The Real Prince and Craig Zackey are amongst the 62 entries for the 2026 renewal!
Read more on page 04.
Image courtesy of Candiese Lenferna.
Issue: 16/2026
2026 - THE BIGGEST JULY EVER!
63 First Entries Get Ball Rolling
Breaking new ground with all-time record prize money of R10 million as the richest graded stakes race ever run on African soil, the 130th renewal of the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July, to be hosted by Race Coast on Saturday 4 July, has attracted a bumper 63-strong first entry.
The Real Prince (Craig Zackey) beats Eight On Eighteen (Richard Fourie) in a dramatic finish last year – both are back for a possible rematch | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Sponsored for the fifth consecutive year by leading international sportsbook operator Hollywoodbets, the year-on-year 100% boost in prize money will be celebrated with a bold return to the iconic race’s true handicap heritage, reintroducing an ‘open handicap’ designed to boost competitiveness and elevate the spectacle for racing fans and casual spectators alike.
The revised race conditions include bottom weight being reduced from 53kg to 52kg, while top weight has increased from 60kg to 62kg. Restoring the full 10kg spread in the range of weights means the race boasts the hallmark of a true, open handicap.
The quantum of first entries this year, which includes 13 fairer sex gallopers and 21 sophomores, compares favourably with the 61 of last year, while 58 entries were received in 2024, 60 in 2023 and 68 in 2022.
The first entry roll is headlined by last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July top two finishers, Dean Kannemeyer’s The Real Prince, and Justin Snaith’s SA Horse Of The Year Eight On Eighteen, and includes eleven Grade 1 stars, with 29 individual yards representing all of our major racing centres.
Frank Robinson’s Mocha Blend – if she runs, will carry the famous silks worn by Hunting Tower and Greys Inn to victory this century | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Seven of the 29 stables with entries have won the great race previously, with reigning SA Champion Justin Snaith and international bighitter Mike de Kock, now in partnership with his son Mathew, tied on 5 previous winners each. Between the two leading yards, they hold a power hand of14 entries.
Another trainer with a strong entry is Alec Laird, who won the Durban July in 1996 with London News. The Randjesfontein-based horseman has a sextet of entries, headed by 2024 Summer Cup hero Atticus Finch.
The 2025 Summer Cup winner Mocha Blend is also in the mix. The daughter of Ideal World runs in the famous black and yellow silks caried by Hunting Tower and Greys Inn, who won the Durban July in 2007 and 2004, and were also carried with pride in this great race by four Oppenheimer family champions of last century.
Off an MR of 117, Frank Robinson’s champion Mocha Blend is the jointly highest rated female alongside Corne Spies star Hazy Dazy, who recently went down narrowly in her bid for Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara honours.
Reigning Hollywoodbets Durban July winning trainer Dean Kannemeyer has 4 of the prized trophies in his cabinet dating back to Dynasty in 2003, and holds just the single entry of defending champion, The Real Prince.
Milnerton resident Candice Bass made history in 2017 when Marinaresco’s victory bestowed on her the honour of the first lady trainer to saddle a winner of the Durban July. Alongside Randjesfontein-based sisters Candice and Tammy Dawson, and leading horsewoman Robyn Klaasen, the fairer sex stable flag is carried by eight entries.
Former multiple national champion trainer Sean Tarry won the Durban July in 2012 and 2013 , and his trio of entries is headed by recent HKJC World Pool Gr1 SA Classic star Grand Empire.
The first 12 finishers, up from 10 previously, will now earn prize money, while the winning connections will bank a record R6 million.
To uphold the integrity of this world-class contest, Race Coast will assemble a fiveperson national panel of racing experts, responsible for determining the final field.
A final field of 20 – including 2 reserve runners – will be announced on Tuesday 23 June.
All roads will lead to Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 4 July! General admission entrance tickets are now on sale via Ticketpro ( www.ticketpro.co.za ). Until 7 May, these will be available at a special, ‘Early Bird’ price of R250.
All the event and racing information is available on
The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July timeline:
• First declarations:11h00 Monday 11 May
• First supplementary entries: 11h00 Tuesday 12 May
• Second declarations:11h00 Monday 8 June
• Final supplementary entries: 11h00 Monday 15 June
• Weights: Monday 15 June
• Final declarations: 11h00 Monday 22 June
• Final field & draws: Tuesday 23 June
• Public gallops: Thursday 25 June
R10 MILLION HOLLYWOODBETS
MILLION GR1 DURBAN JULY ENTRIES
IF YOU HAVEN’T GOT A TICKET…
One of the potential senior statesmen of this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July training ranks, the 74 year old Patrick ‘Paddy’ Kruyer last saddled a runner in Africa’s greatest horse racing event some 31 years ago.
Hollywoodbets Durban July entry Tenpenny (JP van der Merwe) with co-owner Gina Bortz and trainer Paddy Kruyer
Credit: Chase Liebenberg
First entries for the R10 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July class of 2026 were unveiled earlier today and included the Camargue Stud-bred Tenpenny, a progressive six-time winner of his fifteen starts.
A winner from a mile to the 2500m of the Listed Kenilworth Cup, the gelded son of champion sprinter What A Winter (Western Winter) is out of the five-time winning Silvano mare, Magic Penny – and just keeps upping his game.
“He is a fantastic horse. Every time we ask him to do more, he steps up. He is rated 105, so we will naturally have to do a little more to play our way into serious contention. The plan is to run him in the Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m here at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 3 May. If he wins that, we will ship him up to Durban and let him get a taste of the right-handed track in the KZN Breeders Mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville. It’s not ideal as that is on 20 June, and just a fortnight off the big race. But he is a tough horse and takes his racing in his stride,” Paddy Kruyer told the Sporting Post on Tuesday.
Paddy’s last runner in the Durban July was At The Savoy, who won the King’s Cup - under Craig Arnold - and then the Greyville 1900 in the hands of Gerrit Schlechter, before running in the 1994 renewal. The son of Dancing Champ returned for the July the next year when ridden by Michael Roberts, but failed to flatter.
From a current string of just 25 horses, Paddy is enjoying a terrific season, with a 19,3% win strike-rate and 46% place strikerate this term. He attributes the outstanding performance to solid support from good owners with quality horses.
“Nobody can win races without decent horses.
It’s all about support,” he adds as he modestly points out that he was also very fortunate to ‘learn from the very best’.
He started his apprenticeship in 1967 and rode for Syd Laird, who gave him his first winner Consternation, who scored at Clairwood ‘a helluva long time ago’. He also rode for Willie Kleb and Terrance Millard.
Paddy’s one and only July ride was on Presidium for Willie Kleb in the 1969 Durban July. He ran downfield, with ‘Snowy’ Reid winning on Naval Escort. He recalls the excitement and buzz on the big raceday. To put it into a time context, just two weeks later Apollo 11 delivered Neil Armstrong to become the first man on the moon!
Weight issues forced Paddy to hang up his saddle in 1972 and he went on to become a farrier, and also worked as an assistant to Terrance Millard.
“Talking about the Durban July, Terrance Millard always said you need a horse that can stay 2400m to win it. The master trainer pointed out that the adrenalinecharged atmosphere of the big day and the guaranteed hot pace means that a horse needed that extra dash of stamina. Tenpenny is a stakes winner over 2500m, so that’s encouraging,” smiles Paddy.
On 1 September 1985 he took over Colin Palm’s yard and subsequently moved to Johannesburg where he stayed for ten years, training for Len Salzman until the leading owner called it a day.
Paddy, who has saddled over 1000 winners, with a host of feature successes countrywide, returned to the Cape some 22 years ago and is at his yard seven days a week. We asked if he has any plans to retire.
“I love my horses and I have been doing this for too long a time to stop now. I don’t struggle to get out of bed in the morning and I really don’t think I will be around for too long if I opt to call it a day and take it easy with a rocking chair on a stoep somewhere!”
Veteran Paddy Kruyer – big race plans! | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
LITTLEMISSMILLION
Buffalo Storm Cody – looks tough to beat, despite carrying top weight in the TAB Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes on Saturday Credit:
A TOP CARD AT TURFFONTEIN
ON SATURDAY!
Turffontein hosts a bumper raceday on Saturday when The Championships Finale brings the curtain down on the 2026 Highveld feature season with an elevenrace card, headlined by three Grade 2 features.
The R500 000 TAB Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes hosts a field of 12 speedsters with recent Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner Buffalo Storm Cody the standout, despite his joint topweight of 62kgs.
The race is named in honour of that game little galloper, Senor Santa, remembered
as one of South Africa’s greatest sprint champions.
They say you can’t give a start in a 1000-metre sprint, but Senor Santa did so every time he faced the starter and still retired with 15 wins (7 at Gr1 level). They said he wouldn’t get the 1600 metres of the Germiston November Handicap and left him out, leading to his famous match race with the Northern Princess. They say “nice guys” finish last, but here again, he was the golden exception. The truth is, whatever they said, he said otherwise.
Chase Liebenberg
A bright chestnut with a white blaze, the colt bred by Dr. Frank Freeman’s Boland Stud from the Mexico II mare, Mexican Charm, was arguably the finest son of Summerhill’s champion sire, Northern Guest.
The R500 000 TAB Gr2 Colorado King Stakes has attracted a field of only seven runners, with Bakwena the only non Hollywoodbets Durban July entry!
The race was named in honour of champion Colorado King, who was bred by Birch Bros at their Vogelvlei Stud in Dordrecht in 1959.
'The King' won ten races in South Africa, including the Cape Derby and Durban July, before being campaigned in the USA.
A full preview of the features will be carried later this week on www.sportingpost.co.za.
MAURITIUS SEASON STARTS ON SATURDAY!
The 2026 Mauritius racing season starts on Saturday with the Gr2 Duchess Of York Cup headlining the card.
The popular Saturday morning racing slot returns for SA viewers, with Gallop TV carrying all the live action from the Champ de Mars.
Betting pools are commingled with PGI, and the pools promise to be healthy.
The Sporting Post will carry a raceday preview on Friday – see more on www. sportingpost.co.za .
FOR GREEFF BIG SIX
Alan Greeff made it an extraordinary six R175 000 Listed East Cape Nursery victories on the trot when the Ascot Stud-bred U S Ranger proved superior, despite running green in the latter stages, to register his second win from four starts.
From clear skies early on, the weather changed with rain falling prior to the start of the 1200m contest. But Mother Nature had little impact on the outcome, with the popular tote favourite winning well.
“He is a wonderful horse but is coltish and big in the neck. He came out aggressively. There is lots to come – he is a horse worth sitting on,” confirmed Richard Fourie
Going through the 400m, U S Ranger (5-4) started hanging in, but had enough in the tank and went on strongly to register 69,98 secs for the 1200m.
He beat the previously undefeated Master Mtoto (5-2) by 2,25 lengths, with the winner’s stablemate First Officer (13-2) a neck back in third.
Bred by Ascot Stud, the winner is a son of Dynasty’s Gr1-winning son Act Of War out of the unraced Soft Falling Rain mare, Rainbow Rock.
Raced by the Pine Lodge Stud and Halo Stables, U S Ranger was a R250 000 buy from the 2025 BSA August 2yo Sale, and is now a winner of 2 races with 2 places from 4 starts for stakes of R173 399.
U S Ranger (Richard Fourie) goes on strongly to win the day’s feature | Credit: Pauline Herman
CAN YOU HEAR THE DRUMS…?
Sometimes fate works in mysterious ways. Take last Friday’s East Cape Nursery winner U S Ranger for instance.
By Cape Guineas winner Act Of War, the Greeff-trained colt was bred at Ascot Stud and is the latest stakes winner to emerge from a female line which has served the Parkers with distinction over many decades.
It all began in 1996 when the Mullineaux mare Swinging Girl foaled Drummer Girl, who as
Ashley Parker recalls “was a good looking filly, but never raced as she was bitten by a puffadder as a foal, which caused her to be lame all her life.”
Little did he know what future impact she would have as a broodmare!
By Al Mufti, Drummer Girl was inbred to the English Derby winner and influential stallion Roberto (the sire of Al Mufti) and his lesserperformed brother Mullineaux, hence she was retained for stud and became the dam of a champion and grandam of three Gr1 winners.
The champion in question is her Lecture daughter Rock Opera. She was trained by Corné Spies and sailed through her juvenile season undefeated, culminating in a twolength defeat of Secret Of Victoria (the dam of champion All Is Secret) in the Gr1 Allan Robertson.
Voted the Champion Juvenile filly, she was sold to race in Dubai where sadly she never regained that sparkle, her best effort a third in the UAE Guineas. However, she became a successful broodmare and a Gr1 producer to boot, as the dam of unbeaten Invincible Spirit colt Royal Meeting, who captured the Criterium International at Chantilly.
His older half-brother, the teak-tough Exceed And Excel gelding Heavy Metal, initially put Rock Opera on the map when successful in the Gr2 Richmond Stakes and subsequently became a dual Gr2 winner in Dubai.
Corné knows the family well, having trained a number of its most successful members.
Trained by the late Gavin Smith, subsequent victories in the Dahlia Plate and Champion Juvenile Cup ensured him of the title as Port Elizabeth’s leading juvenile. A wonderfully consistent galloper, he also landed the East Cape Sprint Cup, Ibhayi Stakes and Racing Association Stakes and ended up a 15-time winner.
In addition to Rock Opera, he tightened the girth on the filly Seattle Singer. By Sail from Seattle out of Rock Opera’s half-sister Royal Drummer, this own sister to Gr1 Cape Flying Championship winner Gulf Storm proved herself a cracking juvenile, chasing home Janoobi in the Gr3 Protea Stakes before beating all the colts bar Always In Charge in the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Medallion.
At three, she got her due reward in the Gr3 Sycamore Sprint. Eerily, history repeated itself, for like her grandam Drummer Girl, she too suffered a snakebite, which for her, proved fatal.
Royal Drummer also produced Global Drummer, who became Ascot stallion Global View’s first stakes winner when he won the East Cape Nursery.
Repeat liaisons between Lecture and Drummer Girl also produced the Gr2 PG Bison Nursery winner Hit Song and the stakes-placed filly Rock Concert, who was sold as a yearling.
Trained by Geoff Woodruff for the Linningtons, she narrowly failed to emulate her champion sister when third in a pulsating three-way finish to the Gr1 Allan Robertson, but has proved her equal in the broodmare paddocks as the dam of the fine sprinter Van Halen.
By Oratorio, he too was trained by Corné and claimed both the Gr1 Mercury Sprint and Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion.
Van Halen’s half-sister, the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes third What About Me produced the Spies-trained filly Me Time, who took a leaf
out of her dam’s book when second in the Strelitzia.
When sent to champion Soft Falling Rain, Rock Concert dropped the filly Rainbow Rock. She likewise, ended up in the Spies yard, but never made it to the track.
“She had no ability whatsoever, but with her blood, I thought I would breed from her myself,” Corné recalls. “I thought I was clever and sent her to Oratorio first time round, which was a disaster, the resultant foal being the size of a shetland pony!”
Oratorio’s son Van Halen (Craig Zackey) out of Rock Concert wins the 2018 Gr1 Gold Medallion Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Corné eventually entered Rainbow Rock on an online sale, while in foal to Act To War. “She was my swansong as a breeder,” he quipped.
She caught the eye of Ashley Parker, who secured the young mare with a winning bid of R27 500.
The foal inside was none other than US Ranger. Rainbow Rock has a Global View filly destined for the 2YO Sale later this year and is currently in foal to
So the saga of Rainbow Rock has come full circle. From a branch lost to the stud when her dam Rock Concert was sold as a yearling, she has returned to her roots and now roams the Ascot paddocks in the company of Royal Drummer’s daughter Queen Of Pop, whose first foal Pop Chart ran third in this season’s Gr3 National Currency Sprint.
Heavy Metal (GB), son of Rock Opera (SAF), wins the US$1 million Godolphin Mile at the 2018 Dubai World Cup meet Credit: Twin Spires
Gimmethegreenlight’s champion son Green With Envy.
MOTHER NATURE RULES – AGAIN!
Last Friday’s Fairview racemeeting was abandoned with two races left to run as Mother Nature stepped in.
Prior to the running of race 7, the jockeys approached the Stewards with their concerns regarding the heavy rain, accompanied by a thunderstorm and the poor visibility. It was then agreed that racing would be delayed for a period of thirty minutes, to give the conditions time to potentially improve.
During this thirty-minute period, the Track Manager approached the Panel and advised that 12mm of rain had fallen in fifteen minutes
and the projected forecast was that rain, with thunder and lightning, was expected to continue until 19h00. In his opinion, the track was unsafe for racing.
The Stewards, after consultation with the Racing Operator, Veterinary Surgeons and senior trainers and jockeys, made a unanimous decision to abandon the remainer of the race meeting in the best interests of safety for horses and riders.
Fairview in the gloom last Friday | Credit: Pauline Herman
NATIONAL DELIGHT AFTER RECORDBREAKING TWO DAYS
Fifty years on, the Bloodstock SA National Yearling Sale this week delivered results that reaffirmed its position at the pinnacle of the South African market.
Faced with an ever-evolving economic and commercial environment, it proved once again why it remains the benchmark event on the South African bloodstock calendar and underlined its credibility and continued relevance.
The 2026 renewal of the two-day sale, which drew to a close on Friday afternoon, produced a record aggregate, a rising average, an increased median, a standout top lot and a clearance rate above 93%, driven by top-end demand and strength across all levels.
The record-breaking total turnover of R208 million was an increase of 21% on 2025.
The top-seller was #163, Red Trix, a colt by Vercingetorix out of the young Western Winter mare Redberry Lane | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
A busy two days of decisions and more decisions! |
Credit: Julia Marnewick
The average price of R647 975 represented a 15% lift, year-on-year, and the median of R425,000 was up 6% on 2025. An impressive 55 yearlings sold for R1-million or more, including 16 above R2-million and 5 that topped the R3-million mark.
The top lot was #163, Red Trix, a colt by Vercingetorix out of the young Western Winter mare Redberry Lane, who famously defeated Snowdance in the 2018 Gr1 Garden Province Stakes. He fetched a standout R5,25-million for Lammerskraal Stud and was knocked down to Form Bloodstock.
Form’s principal, Jehan Malherbe, was the leading buyer overall, securing 19 lots for a combined R29 650 000 at an average of R1 560 526.
Jonathan Snaith was active and landed 20 lots for R16 900 000 with an average of R845 000.
Varsfontein Stud’s consistency in producing quality across the board once again saw them emerge as the sale’s leading vendor. The renowned Paarl operation sold 30 lots for a combined R32 150 000, at an average of R1 071 667.
Wilgerbosdrift had 26 lots sell for R22 985 000 for an average R884 038.
Vercingetorix, well on course for his third successive National Sire’s title, was the undisputed champion of the sale. The exceptional Maine Chance Farm stallion had 29 yearlings sold for a combined R46 200 000 at a standout average of R1 593 103 –accounting for 22% of the total sale turnover.
Michael Holmes, CEO of Bloodstock SA, expressed his delight at the impressive set of figures and stressed that the National
Yearling Sale remains the one sale that unites the full spectrum of the industry.
Holmes commented: “Our sale is the heartbeat of South African thoroughbred breeding. Its enduring strength lies in the massive national support from the country’s breeders, vendors and buyers with varying budgets. The TBA Complex is shaped by tradition and it’s a platform where everyone is welcome. Every year it reminds us why we do what we do – the passion, the investment and the belief that the next champion is in the ring. Our buyers bench reflected depth and support from established powerhouses, alongside new and emerging players.”
That support was evident in the sales ring, where buyers from The United States of America, Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius were active. BSA conveyed special thanks to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for their continued support and commitment to the South African breeding and racing industry.
Holmes added: “The numbers speak for themselves, but what they cannot fully capture is the atmosphere and the vibe around the complex this year, with notably good footfall throughout the week.”
He thanked the auctioneers and noted that Andrew Miller, Steve Davis and Graeme Hawkins had serviced the Sale for 25 years. They were acknowledged for their valued contributions, at the start of Day Two.
The full set of results, including the price list and detailed statistics, can be accessed on the Bloodstock SA website.
The next Bloodstock South Africa physical sale to diarise will be their KZN Yearling Sale on 2 July 2026 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal at the Suncoast Casino.
‘BUYERS
WERE UNDERSTANDABLY SELECTIVE’
The 2026 National Yearling Sale statistics reflect a buoyant and encouraging market, underpinned by real depth, particularly through the middle-to-upper tiers, which remains the clearest sign of a very healthy market.
So says Jonathan Snaith who was right up with the leading purchasers as the sun set on the 50th National Yearling Sale to be held at the TBA Complex.
Snaith bought 20 yearlings for R16 900 000 at an average of R845 000.
“Buyers were understandably selective, but once they identified the right individuals, they were prepared to compete strongly. That level of intent speaks volumes about the confidence in the yearlings on offer,” suggests the Cape-based horseman, who adds that the clearance rate and aggregate figures confirm that breeders were well rewarded for presenting quality stock.
“It’s particularly pleasing to see correct, well-prepared horses consistently recognised and valued by the market, with breeders being handsomely rewarded. From a bloodstock perspective, the message is clear: quality continues to sell, and it sells well. There is genuine depth in the buying bench, along with a willingness to invest in the right horses. That’s a very positive signal for the strength and sustainability of the racing industry, and both 4Racing and Race Coast will be delighted with these results,” he adds.
“Overall, the sale carried strong momentum throughout, building further confidence in the industry. An average increase of around 20% year-on-year is a significant and healthy uplift in any environment!”
Jonathan Snaith – signs on the bottom line | Credit: Julia Marnewick
Nationals done and dusted for 2026 |
Snaith pointed to the sale average of R649 375 as ‘a tremendous result’ and something both breeders and Bloodstock South Africa can take real pride in.
“The BSA team also deserve credit for their excellent service, buyers were superbly looked after, both in the lead-up and on sale day, with a professional and welcoming approach throughout. On a personal note, it was particularly rewarding to see Jet Dark continue his upward trajectory with another outstanding sale, averaging over R700 000. He’s certainly making his mark as an exciting young sire on the rise!”
While the breeders received their credit, Snaith said that the true backbone of the sale are the owners and buyers.
“Their ongoing support and investment are what keep the industry moving forward –without them, there is no sport. I think I speak for everyone when I say we are deeply appreciative of their continued passion and commitment.”
Please click here to see all the sales results.
Credit: Julia Marnewick
RUPERT’S UK GALLOPER
When the Cayton Park Stud-bred I’m The One (Sea The Stars) romped to a six-length debut win in the 2000m Dreweatts Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Newbury last Friday, she was quickly priced up for the upcoming Betfred Oaks.
Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, she was sent off the even-money favourite and despite a wide draw, she travelled strongly before quickening clear when shaken up by William Buick to win by six lengths.
At the time of writing, the Gaynor Rupertbred and owned three-year-old is as short as 4-1 for the Oaks and looks likely to contest an Oaks trial next.
I’m The One is certainly a filly bred for the classics.
By once beaten champion Sea The Stars, winner of two English classics, I’m The One is out of Sunny Queen, a Gr1 winning daughter of Camelot, himself winner of the first two legs of the British Triple Crown and runner up in the 2012 Gr1 Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes.
Sea The Stars, whose legendary half-brother Galileo sired five Epsom Oaks winners, has proved as good a sire as he was a racehorse.
Champion Sire in France in both 2019 and 2025, Sea The Stars has already been responsible for more than 140 stakes winners, with this tally including 24 individual Gr1 winners.
The son of Cape Cross (the sire of brilliant Oaks winner Ouija Board) has already made his presence felt in the Oaks, with Sea The Stars daughter Taghrooda victorious in the 2014 Investec Oaks.
Another daughter of Sea The Stars, Emily Upjohn, appeared desperately unlucky when runner-up in the 2022 Cazoo Oaks, although she made amends for that defeat when victorious in the following year’s Gr1 Dahlbury Coronation Cup.
Sea The Stars, whose 2026 stud fee was published as 300, 000 euros, enjoyed a
remarkable season in 2025, when the Arc winning champion’s three Gr1 winners were headed by Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz. Sons of Sea The Stars ran 1-3 in last year’s Arc.
I’m The One also hails from an outstanding female line. Directly descended from the Deutsches Derby winner and hugely influential mare Schwarzgold (Alchimist), I’m The One is out of the high-class racemare Sunny Queen.
The latter won a trio of black type races with Sunny Queen’s biggest win coming in the 2020 Gr1 Grosser Preis von Bayern.
On that occasion, the daughter of Camelot vanquished 2021 Arc winner Torquator Tasso (Adlerflug) into second.
The classically bred Sunny Queen is out of the four-time winning Suivi, a daughter of outstanding sire and broodmare sire Darshaan.
Notable members of this family include French classic winner Stacelita, dam of Japanese champion Soul Stirring, Japanese champion and classic winner Stars On Earth and French Gr1 winners Sauterne and Sparkling Plenty.
Further back, other stars descended in female line from Schwarzgold include brilliant Derby winner Slip Anchor, Breeders’ Cup winning champion Steinlen, Arc winner Sagace, and Irish Derby winner Zagreb.
The Schwarzgold story is all the more remarkable when taking into account that she only had two foals. One can but imagine what may have happened had she had a longer stud career
FUTURA’S SON WINS ZIM DERBY
Drakenstein Stud’s four-time Gr1 winning sire Futura has had an excellent season in 2025-2026, and the son of Dynasty was back in the headlines last Friday.
Futura gelding Robin Of Locksley provided his sire with another feature race success when he won the Listed Zimbabwe Derby at Borrowdale on Friday.
The Debra Swanson trained three-year-old came into Friday’s 2400m contest off a runner up finish in the Listed Zimbabwe 2000.
Under Jeffrey Syster, Robin Of Locksley stormed home to claim his first black type win
by two and a half lengths. Bred by Hopes And Dreams Stud, Robin Of Locksley, who is out of the Dubawi mare Happy Archer, races for the Centaur Syndicate.
It is not the first time that Futura has enjoyed success in Zimbabwe, with his daughter Dindingwe named Zimbabwe’s Champion 2YO Filly of 2019-2020.
South Africa’s Horse Of The Year in 20142015, Futura has a very smart crop of threeyear-olds this season with this group headed by TAB Gr2 SA Derby winning filly Curious Girl and Lucky Fish Gr1 Cape Derby runnerup Note To Self.
Robin Of Locksley (Jeff Syster) wins the Listed Zimbabwe Derby last Friday Credit: Zimbabwe Equine News
THREE WINNERS FOR PLATTNER!
Milnerton veteran Eric Sands’ success with the progeny of dual SA champion broodmare Halfway To Heaven is well documented and the astute horseman produced another winner from the illustrious family as R2 million National Yearling sale purchase Ferryman (Vercingetorix) ran out a victor of his third start, to give Sabine Plattner three winners on the grey afternoon.
Eric Sands trained Ferryman’s dam Halfway to Heaven (Jet Master) early in her career and also looked after her Grade 1-winning sons Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat.
In a largely unprecedented move in a competitive industry, Plattner Racing trainer Andre Nel moved Ferryman to Sands after his first two starts for the Rondeberg operation.
“It takes a big man to do that. I said no at first,” remarked Eric Sands after Calvin Habib – in his first ride in the Plattner silks – had guided the handsome chestnut to a win at his first start out of Milnerton.
After thanking breeder Mary Slack, Sands added that he would give the colt some time off.
Ferryman (Calvin Habib) charges clear to win the final race | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
The family are as quirky as they are talented, and gelding may be on the horizon. That will be discussed with the Plattner team in due course.
While they had no luck with the well-fancied Lark’s Song (Andrew Fortune) being beaten by a perfectly-timed JP van der Merwe ride on Backinthefastlane in the sixth, the Andre Nel team enjoyed a double to give Mrs Plattner three winners on the afternoon.
Aldo Domeyer, who rode his only Met winner some twelve years ago in the Plattner silks, got the Erik The Red filly Blue Lagoon home for an overdue maiden victory in the Pick 6 opener.
And it was replacement Chad Little who scored an end-to-end win in his first ride in the famous silks on Cutie Patootie (16-1) in driving rain to win the eighth.
With My Only Weakness falling back, Richard Fourie found himself with nowhere to go on Magic Mary, who flew late for second.
Milnerton trainer Piet Botha and 2,5kg claiming apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane enjoyed a Master Of My Fate double at the rain-tempered meeting.
Former jockey Piet Botha has seen his yard’s fortunes pick up well with three winners at the last two Cape racemeetings, and both Hedrivesmecrazy (5-2) and Avignon (8-1) were not winning out of turn.
Avignon (Sifisokuhle Bungane) gets ahead of Ozark (Eduan J Muller) in the rain-tempered meeting
Credit: Chase Liebenberg
That said, young Bungane had a nervous moment late in the race when dropping his rein on Hedrivesmecrazy, who had enough in reserve to beat Sicily (9-4) by 1,25 lengths.
The 2,5kg claiming KZN-based apprentice Damyan Pillay has forged a winning partnership with Palace Gift and the son of Potala Palace justified solid betting support from 6’s into 2-1 to come home a ready winner of the seventh, a R120 000 C Stakes over 1000m.
A little above himself at his previous start, the Prosper Stud-bred Palace Gift made it 4 wins from his 19 starts. As part-owner Mia Nothnagel observed, against the background of the big-tickets of Nationals over the previous two days,it’s special that R20 000 purchases can provide so much pleasure!
The tote favourite Winter Pirate, a 2yo in
open company, pulled replacement rider Trent Mayhew’s arms out of their sockets on the way to the start and trailed in last. Put a line through this run.
A horse for the notebook this winter could be the first race winner, Tag And Release.
The Ten Einde Stud-bred son of Canford Cliffs built on his two placed efforts (when slow off) to run out an easy winner under Corne Orffer.
A typically astute R100 000 buy by Greg Ennion, the colt was compared to some serious ‘small’ horses of the ilk of La Mancha and Karthala, by his trainer.
The next Race Coast Cape racemeeting is scheduled for the Freedom Day public holiday on Monday 27 April, when the Gr3 Champagne Stakes heads the programme.
Tag And Release (Corne Orffer) – one for the notebook | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
CANFORD CLIFFS COLT SHOWS HIS BRAWN
With much needed rain falling throughout the afternoon in Cape Town on Saturday the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth track condition disseminated in the morning, would have been continually changing and as a result no realistic course variant for the day could be calculated.
It was no surprise then that the fastest of the three 1200m races was the opening HWB Kenilworth Welcomes You Maiden Juvenile Plate won in good style by the heavily supported TAG AND RELEASE.
Initially priced up at 9/2, Greg Ennion’s charge was eventually sent off a strong favourite at 14/10.
He broke well when the gates opened and along with the second favourite Redford, the son of Canford Cliffs set a fair pace. He quickened well when given a couple of taps inside the final 200m and went on to score with some in hand by two and a quarter.
Another to find the winner’s enclosure after being heavily backed into favouritism was the 5yo Potala Palace gelding PALACE GIFT (11/2 into 28/10) in the Gallop TV Apprentice C Stakes over 1000m
In what proved to be the quickest of the three races over the distance, despite being the last
to be run, the pace in a tightly bunched field early on was set by the friendless Volegov (10/1 out to 40/1).
Shane Humby’s charge meanwhile raced fifth with no more than two and a quarter lengths to find going through halfway. He was ridden to lead approaching the 200m marker and ran on strongly in the closing stages of the race to win going away.
Track Conditions:
Going: Good (both tracks)
Penetrometer: 23 (both tracks)
Rain: Last 24 hours 17mm –Last 7 days 37mm
Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil – Last 7 days Nil
False Rail: 2m out from 1700m with a 4m spur at 600m
Wind: 20km/h Northerly cross wind
The first of the three races to be run around the turn was the Race Coast Incentives –HWB D Stakes over 1800m and here the 3yo BACKINTHEFASTLANE (7/1 out to 10/1) caused a bit of an upset.
It was another 3yo Lark’s Song who attracted the baulk of the money in the betting market, and she was sent off a strong favourite at 13/10 after opening at 4/1. They raced together in midfield with five lengths to find turning for home. The winner quickened smartly early in the straight and was already at the front passing the 300m marker.
The money horse mounted a serious challenge over the final 150m, but although the pair drew well clear of the remainder, she was held by a half at the wire.
The Hollywoodbets Bright Future Open Maiden over 1400m brought proceedings to a close and here victory went to the lightly raced 3yo FERRYMAN.
Having only his third career outing here, and indeed his first for his new stable, the son of Vercingetorix raced fifth during the early part of the race just three lengths off the front running Rhythm King.
He made headway quickly coming off the bend and under just hands and heels struck the front 400m out.
He only needed a couple of taps in the closing stages of the race and won well by a length and a quarter from the favourite Charlie Bucket (stubborn loading). Owned by Mrs Sabine Plattner, Ferryman joined the Eric Sands’ stable in March at the request of trainer Andre Nel.
One to look out for next time from this race is third placed Oh So Onederful. Drawn widest of the eleven, Vaughan Marshall’s charge raced at the back early on and was easily eight lengths adrift of the leader.
He was shopping for a clear run between the 400m and 150m marks and only really got going 120m from home. He fairly flew once seeing daylight and did very well indeed to get within a length and a half at the wire.
Interestingly, Oh So Onederful has been ridden by apprentices in the latest seven of his eight career starts.
Fastest Times:
1000m (3) Palace Gift 59,63
1200m (3) Tag And Release 73,37
- LITTLE ROOM FOR LATE CHALLENGERS 25/26 CHAMPIONS
With more than three months remaining before the 2025/6 South African racing season draws to a close on July 31, sustained dominance across the main categories has left only one championship still genuinely in play.
Champion Jockey log-leader Craig Zackey | Credit: Alet Pretorius
The championships are often finely poised at this time of the year, but a handful of contenders have tightened their grip over the last few weeks. There is little room for late challengers.
A closer look at the standings tells the story.
Craig Zackey is almost 50 winners clear of Richard Fourie in the race for Champion Jockey. This looks destined to be a first senior national title for the 31-year-old, who claimed the Champion Apprentice title in 2014/15.
Zackey’s come a long way since, having suffered several injuries, double hip surgery and a number of suspensions. He also enjoyed a short and successful stint in New Zealand in 2022 and said he would probably still have been there if he was granted a Jockey Club visa at the time.
But he hasn’t looked back since returning. If anything, his spell in Kiwiland sharpened him to what some experts will argue is approaching the complete package. This augurs well for his Hong Kong ambitions.
Wilgerbosdrift & Maurtizfontein’s Jessica Jell and Mary Slack | Credit: Supplied
Balanced, stylish and confident, Zackey believes that he is more mature and ‘selfdependent’ now. He rode a personal-best 247 winners last season to go close to the title, and his numbers at the top level have climbed steadily too, with his Grade 1 tally rising from 10 to 25 over the past four years.
Zackey took a short break with his family this week and said: “I’ve set myself a goal to ride 275 winners this season, which equates to about 30 winners per month for the next quarter. The travelling can be taxing, especially with all the airport procedures, but when the meetings are close together you quickly get into the rhythm of it.”
Zackey’s long-time sponsors, Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, are on target to regain the
Champion Breeders title they’ve won twice in the last five seasons but lost to Drakenstein Stud last year.
Their flagbearer is Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup winner, Mocha Blend (Ideal World), who is due for a racetrack return this winter; backed by stakes winners Holding Thumbs (Vercingetorix), Keukenhof (The United States) and One Eye On Vegas (Buffalo Bill Cody).
Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein’s competitive band of stallions – including Buffalo Bill Cody, Fire Away, Hawwaam and Danon Platina –has kept the winners flowing. At the time of writing, they’ve produced 130 winners from 178 races.
That tally may well fall short of their record 267 winners in the 2022/23 season, but this championship is decided on stakes earned rather than volume alone. With a buffer of more than R5-million over Drakenstein past mid-April, the prospects look bright for Mary Slack and Jessica Jell to reclaim the laurels.
There’s been no recent betting market for the Trainers’ Championship, but Justin Snaith would be hovering around the 1-20 mark if anyone would even dare frame a book.
Snaith (50) is cruising towards a fifth successive Trainers’ Championship and, last month, became the first South African trainer to surpass R400-million in career earnings.
Snaith is on the verge of bringing up his 100th winner for the 2025/2026 season, and
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UNNAMED HORIZON x
Sparkled by
NEWMARKET SET FOR GUINEAS CLASSICS
The first two Classics of the 2026 British Flat season take place at Newmarket in less than a fortnight’s time.
A guaranteed purse of £525,000 is up for grabs in the Betfred 2000 Guineas on Saturday 02 May, while the girls have their turn the following day with the running of the Betfred 1000 Guineas.
The George Boughey trained Bow Echo tops the ante-post market for the 2000 Guineas, currently at around 11/4.
The Night Of Thunder colt won the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes over the course and distance on his final start last September. He has impressed since in a racecourse gallop recently and heads straight to the Rowley Mile attempting to stay unbeaten.
In what looks an open renewal most racegoers and punters alike are wondering what champion trainer Aidan O’Brien will run in the race. The Ballydoyle maestro currently has eight runners declared in the 2000 Guineas but looks likely to only run one.
O’Brien has an incredible ten 2000 Guineas wins to his name with the last coming in 2019 when Magna Grecia won with his son Donnacha aboard.
He provided an update over the weekend and confirmed that both Albert Einstein and Gstaad were removed from the first Classic of the season following an administrative error.
He added: “Puerto Rico is there (in the Betfred 2000 Guineas) at the moment, and it is very possible that Puerto Rico could go to the Guineas and Gstaad could go to France. Very possible.”
“Obviously Puerto Rico has won the last twice in France and he is a pacy horse, a quick horse. We’re very happy with him, he progressed with every run and we’re very happy with how he wintered.”
“Gstaad ran at lots of different tracks (last year) and is a very straightforward horse. It is possible that if everything keeps going well with Gstaad, and that if everyone is happy, he could go to the French Guineas.”
Their much-vaunted stable companion Albert Einstein disappointed on his seasonal return at the Curragh, before finishing third behind Alparslan in Saturday’s Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
Reflecting on the Greenham run, O’Brien said: “I had decided to put a hood on him which probably might not have been the right thing. Ryan just said he didn’t respond as quickly as he wanted, he was just a little bit confused when he did ask him to start going forward, which was probably a little bit (because of) the hood. The penny didn’t really drop until late.”
The question now is whether O’Brien has seen enough in a couple of starts over seven furlongs to supplement the horse in the Guineas.
He remains non-committal at this stage, but the six-furlong Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock on May 23 could be the next start for the Wootton Bassett colt.
“Listen, we still believe that he is quick,” said
O’Brien. “We still believe that when he goes back - or if he goes back sprinting - that we’re probably going to see the best of him.”
O’Brien also provided a positive update on the progress being made by 1000 Guineas favourite Precise. She was an impressive winner of the bet365 Fillies’ Mile when last seen in October.
The daughter of Starspangledbanner was held up in her work earlier in the spring but is looking back on track for a return to the Rowley Mile based on more recent work at home.
“She is doing good, we were very happy with her last piece of work,” O’Brien said.
“The plan always was for Precise to go back to Newmarket and for Diamond Necklace to go to France. When Precise had that hiccup, she missed a bit of time, and we didn’t know whether she would get back in time. She’s not back yet but she’s coming back and coming back quickly. So, it’s very possible.
Newmarket Racecourse will host the Betfred 2000 Guineas on 02 May | Credit: The Jockey Club
SNITZEL COLT WINS CHAMPAGNE STAKES
The Inglis Millennium winner Fireball (Snitzel) cemented himself as a future stallion with a tenacious victory in Saturday’s Gr1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick.
Tim Clark drives Fireball to victory | Credit: Inglis
Chris Waller won his second Champagne Stakes but it wasn’t the colt that most punters wanted. Waller saddled up three runners, race favourite Campione D’italia, Fireball and Diameter, and they dominated the finish.
Fireball fought back after being headed to defeat Campione D’italia with the Godolphin colt Diameter close up in third.
Fireball is arguably the most versatile juvenile of his crop – he won a pre-Christmas race over 1100m, won the A$2m Inglis Millennium in February and has contested all three legs of the 2YO Triple Crown, culminating with his Champagne victory over 1600m.
The James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership teamed up with Tony Fung Colts to purchase the Chris Waller-trained Fireball for A$460,000 at last year’s Easter Yearling Sale, from the Yarraman Park Stud draft.
Bred by Michael O’Keeffe, Fireball has now won three of his six career starts and earned A$2,030,000 in prizemoney.
Harron described Saturday’s victory as ‘really special’.
“He dug so deep there at the end, I’m really proud of the horse,’’ Harron said.
“He’s such a versatile horse and in today’s landscape, I think that’s what people want as there’s so many races for these horses and to win from 1100m to a mile at two, it just opens up so many possibilities going forward.
“He was always a gorgeous colt at the Easter Sale, a lovely big scopey son of Snitzel, he’s a horse we just had to have. It was our first year teaming up with TFI and to get a Gr1 winner in that first year of the partnership is super special, it means an awful lot, we’re thrilled to get the win today. Obviously Snitzel unfortunately is not with us anymore but he’s left an incredible mark in the industry and continues to do so every single week. To have a son like him waiting in the wings is exactly what we’re trying to do, we’re targeting sons of Snitzel to be in this position and it’s nice when a plan comes off because it’s a hard game to make plans come off.’’
Winning trainer Waller added: “Full credit to the horse because he’s been able to deal with [a long preparation]. As I said to the owners before the race, he’s coping so well, you wouldn’t know he’s deep into a prep, each run has had so much merit and not a lot of luck, so he deserved that today.”
Fireball becomes the 119th Gr1-winning Inglis graduate since 2018.
He is also the third Australian 2YO Gr1winning colt to be produced from Inglis sales over the past two seasons.
The success of Fireball is yet another boost to the catalogue for the upcoming Chairman’s Sale, as his dam Advance Party is to be offered by the Newgate Consignment as Lot 28.
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KARIS GRABS A TREBLE IN SIZE QUARTET
Master trainer John Size delivered a timely reminder of enduring skill and patience with a quartet highlighted by the triumphant return of Sky Jewellery under Karis Teetan and the stunning Hong Kong debut of Nautical Force at Sha Tin on Sunday, as Zac Purton powered to the 100win milestone for the tenth consecutive season.
Chasing a 14th trainers’ championship, Size moved to 40 wins for the 2025/26 campaign to trail Caspar Fownes (49), Mark Newnham
(48), Danny Shum (46), David Hayes (44) and Francis Lui (42) with 24 meetings left in the season following the victories of Sky Jewellery, Nautical Force, Noble Deluxe and Must Go.
Sky Jewellery (135lb) had not raced since 06 April 2025 and had been sidelined from racing after bleeding from both nostrils following a barrier trial last November but was superb in clinching the Class 3 Helping Older Adults Age Handicap (1400m) under Hugh Bowman when resuming from a 378-day break.
Despite long absence, the one-time 2026 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) fancy showcased undeniable quality in surging from ninth on the home turn – clocking 22.51s for the final 400m – to clock a slick overall time of 1m 20.92s.
“That’s nice the way, he (Sky Jewellery) returned. That’s the way you’d hope he’d come back. You know, it might be a blessing, all these things are sent for a reason. So hopefully if his health maintains, he can win a few races,” Size said of The Autumn Sun gelding.
“It’s just nice to see them come back and do well. You know, it’s not about my gratification, it’s just about the horses that have a problem and can overcome in some way.
“Now, he still had a pre-existing condition, this doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to be okay forever. I mean, one swallow doesn’t make a spring. So, we’ll be quite mindful that that’s always there.”
Nautical Force (115lb) was no less impressive in producing a phenomenal first-up effort to come from last on the turn to clinch the Class 2 Fostering An Enabling And Inclusive Society Handicap (1800m), clocking 22.46s for the final 400m and earn a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million.
Karis Teetan caps a John Size treble with Nautical Force | Credit: HKJC
The Ghaiyyath gelding, a dual winner in Ireland for Johnny Murtagh, was the third leg of a treble for Size and Teetan after the pair had also combined with Noble Deluxe and Must Go.
“He’s (Nautical Force) a lovely horse, he’s only a little fella and he’s probably going to improve with racing in Hong Kong. I think for his first day, that was a wonderful effort,” Size said. “The 115lb has helped with that (coming from last) and he’s obviously got plenty of stamina; he’s got the job done well.”
Noble Deluxe (130lb) posted his second course and distance victory by claiming the Class 5 Supporting Sports All Around Handicap (1200, dirt) before Must Go (115lb) struck in the Class 3 Lifting Every Young Life Handicap (1200m, dirt).
Eight-time champion jockey Purton reached a century of winners in a season for the 10th straight campaign and the 11th time overall with Gold Patch’s (122lb) fighting victory in the Class 3 Enabling Professionals To Flourish For Their Charge Handicap (1200m) for Lui.
Gold Patch gives Zac Purton his 100th winner | Credit: HKJC
Purton, 43, first achieved the feat in 2013/14 with 112 victories and has repeated each season since 2016/17 with hauls of 107, 136, 168, 147, 125, 136, a Hong Kong record 179, 130 and 138 in 2024/45 for a career tally of 1,978 in the city.
“It sounds good, doesn’t it? It’s got a nice ring to it and an even number, which is good,” the Australian said. “He’s (Gold Patch) a nice, young, improving horse – he still doesn’t know what he’s doing.
“He overcame a bit of adversity again in the mid-stages and he’s shown a nice ability to quicken. He did a really good job.”
Fownes reclaimed the lead in the trainers’ championship when Target Audience (132lb) led throughout to win the Class 4 Enabling A Sustainable Future Handicap (1200, dirt) when resuming from a 280-day break after overcoming leg injuries.
Absolute Honour broke through at his 18th Hong Kong start for Frankie Lor in the Class 4 Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy Handicap (1600m). A dual winner in Ireland where he raced as Surpass for Aidan O’Brien, the Saxon Warrior gelding was given the run of the race by Purton behind leader Mega Mastermind (130lb) before edging clear late.
Apprentice Britney Wong notched a double aboard Shum’s Foremost Teddy (128lb) in the Class 5 Racing For Charity Handicap (1800m, dirt) and Tony Cruz-trained Parents’ Love (125lb) in the Class 4 Promoting Health For All Handicap (1000m).
“I’m very happy. Today, we started off with a good note. We drew barrier one and back in Class 5, so I knew he (Foremost Teddy) would stand a chance as long as we stuck to the lead. We worked a bit to get to the lead, but he held on very well,” Wong said.
“It didn’t work totally to plan (with Parents’ Love) because we thought we would be positioning a bit more forward but it’s okay because it’s down the straight and we had time to get into it slowly and the horse responded very well. I’m very happy with the results.”
Chris So’s Proud Box (117lb) landed the Class 4 Embracing Success In Its Many Ways Handicap (1400m) under Harry Bentley before Manfred Man’s Blossomy (123lb) sprinted hard late under Andrea Atzeni to clinch the Class 4 Enriching Lives Through Arts And Culture Handicap (1650m, dirt).
TO UNLOCK IMPROVED DOCKLAND EUSTACE LEANS ON FRESH APPROACH
Harry Eustace believes a different preparation can unlock an improved performance from Docklands in the HK$24 million Gr1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) on 26 April.
The six-year-old is no stranger to Hong Kong as he has run in the last two editions of the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), including a smart fourth-place finish behind Voyage Bubble in December.
The winner of last year’s Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot, a premier event for older milers in Europe, Docklands will travel to Hong Kong after a comfortable victory in the Listed Doncaster Mile Stakes (1600m) last month.
Eustace said: “The interesting thing about this run this time is that Hong Kong has always been on the way back from something else, and this is the first time it’s the whole point of the trip, so I hope that will help him.
“He seems fine after Doncaster and it was lovely to see him come back in as good order as ever, and I haven’t had to do much with him since.”
Docklands often runs admirably in top mile events, having finished fourth in the Gr1 Prix Jacques le Marois (1600m) and Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m) last season, while he was also fifth in the Gr1 Sussex Stakes (1600m).
The son of Massaat was campaigned ambitiously in Britain, France, Japan and Hong Kong last year, and Eustace believes he is reaching peak maturity as he returns to Sha Tin for FWD Champions Day.
“Towards the end of last year, he was finally running well,” Eustace said. “Everyone had him down as a straight-track horse, but he put up a good performance in the Hong Kong Mile and he’s becoming more versatile with age.
“He just allowed himself a better run. He jumped a bit better and put himself into the race and once he does that, he’s obviously got the class to be competitive.”
Docklands left Britain on Friday (17 April) and will be ridden by Mark Zahra in the FWD Champions Mile, where he will clash with fellow Group 1 winners Voyage Bubble, Lucky Sweynesse, Red Lion and Jantar Mantar.
He finished ninth behind the Japanese star in the Gr1 Mile Championship (1600m) at Kyoto in November, but there is reason to believe he can improve on that effort because he broke slowly from the stalls and was forced to challenge from wide on the track.
“He was well beaten by Jantar Mantar in Japan, but he’s been competitive with everything else in the race, so we go there with a good each-way chance,” Eustace said. “If we get some racing luck, he can go well.
“He’s a very good horse, but he isn’t a champion miler, and he isn’t building a stud career, so he’s chasing money and there’s good prizemoney in Hong Kong.”
Eustace will be able to count on his brother David, who trains in Hong Kong full-time, to help oversee his horse’s preparation for the race.
He said: “It’s certainly an added bonus to go where he’s training and to have a competitive runner there adds another layer of excitement.”
NG’S
HIGHEST-RATED
HORSE TARGETS FWD CHAMPIONS MILE
Galaxy Patch has always displayed Gr1 qualities and trainer Pierre Ng is hopeful the bay gelding can secure a breakthrough when he contests the HK$24 million Gr1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 26 April) at Sha Tin.
Trainer Pierre Ng is hopeful Galaxy Patch can secure a breakthrough when he contests the Gr1 FWD Champions Mile on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin
Twice Gr1-placed, Galaxy Patch is one of Hong Kong racing’s leading milers and is a dual winner at Gr2 and Gr3 level; however, an elite-level crown is all that’s missing from his
solid 25-start record, which is headlined by eight wins. He was also a neck second behind Massive Sovereign in the 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).
Galaxy Patch won November’s Gr2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) when luck fell his way as he skimmed the rail from near-last on the turn while the field dispersed across the home straight, capturing his most important victory for Ng.
Ng said: “He just needs everything to go right for him – there can’t be too much traffic, but he’s been doing well across the last few seasons and, hopefully, he gets his chance.”
Galaxy Patch is Pierre Ng’s highest-rated horse | Credit: HKJC
More recently, the six-year-old – showcasing his exciting get-back run-on style of racing – was fourth from barrier nine in the Gr2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on 6 April.
“He’s doing well. He finished fourth and pulled up fine. He was three-wide and it wasn’t a very fast pace. He did make up a fair bit of ground,” Ng said. “Hopefully, we get a better draw next time.”
Galaxy Patch finished fourth in a barrier trial last Thursday (16 April) in 1m 11.23s behind fellow FWD Champions Mile entrants Little Paradise, Red Lion and Invincible Ibis.
“It will be normal training with him. He’ll probably have a gallop on Thursday (23 April) and then he’ll be ready for it. Karis Teetan rides. Generally, I’d like him to be wherever he wants to be – just not switched on. The
horse needs to switch off in the run,” Ng said.
Now in his fourth season as a trainer in Hong Kong, Ng is nearing the 200-win mark in the city. The 42-year-old is the son of former trainer Peter Ng, who earned three Hong Kong Horse of the Year titles with Mystic (1984/85) and Quicken Away (1988/89 & 1989/90).
“We’ve won Gr2 races and Gr3 races. We’re just missing that Group 1. The team has been doing so well with the horses, so we’ll just keep trying. Hopefully, we don’t have to wait too long to get a Gr1,” Ng said.
FWD Champions Day on Sunday at Sha Tin also features the HK$30 million Gr1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) and HK$24 million Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m).
RACING REGULATOR THE LATEST FROM THE
The Sporting Post presents the National Horseracing Authority Calendar per 17 April 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:
MCDONALD & ROMANTIC WARRIOR REUNITE!
Freshly crowned Australia’s greatest Gr1-winning jockey, James McDonald is hoping to add another victory at the highest level when he reunites with Romantic Warrior in the HK$30 million FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
McDonald surpassed the Group 1 record of retired jockey Damien Oliver’s 129 wins at the highest level when he rode Autumn Boy to victory in the Gr1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill in Sydney for champion trainer Chris Waller on 21 March.
Predicting he’ll eventually notch up 200 Gr1s, the 34-year-old New Zealander left Rosehill that day with another two Gr1 victories.
And the tally continues to climb.
McDonald can thank Danny Shum-trained Romantic Warrior for providing 12 of his Group 1 victories, with two of those achieved in the FWD QEII Cup – 2023 and 2024.
A win in this year’s race would match the gelding’s four Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) victories, which started with a win in the feature in 2022.
Injury robbed the eight-year-old of defending his FWD QEII Cup title last year, but he’s made a sensational return to racing, and the general consensus is that he is as good as ever as he chases an extension to the record of FWD QEII Cup victories.
Champion jockey Hugh Bowman rode Romantic Warrior in a 1200m barrier trial last month and gave a glowing report, which excited McDonald.
“He feels great and just as powerful as ever,” Bowman said.
And Romantic Warrior, again ridden by Bowman, was untested when finishing second in a 1600m barrier trial at Sha Tin last Tuesday (14 April).
McDonald said he can’t wait to get back to Hong Kong and be reunited with Romantic Warrior.
“They say he is in fantastic form,” he said. “Hughie said he is as good as ever. He is a marvellous horse, but it is a big race coming up.
“I speak to Hughie quite often and he is over the moon with him, the same as Tommy Simpson who is his physio and the same with Danny. They have all sent me videos.
“They are just over the moon with the way he is feeling and looking. It’s a tough test, but he deserves it. If you want to be the best you have to beat the best, don’t you?”
McDonald says there is plenty of quality in this year’s FWD QEII Cup, headed by overseas raider Masquerade Ball who, along with Romantic Warrior, Royal Champion and Sosie, is an international Group 1 winner.
Four-year-old Masquerade Ball, who was beaten a head by Calandagan in record time at his most recent race in last November’s Gr1 Japan Cup (2400m), has a higher international rating of 128, compared to Romantic Warrior’s 125.
“Not after next Sunday,” McDonald quipped of his horse’s lower rating.
A well-credentialed four-year-old like Giovanni, who is trained by Haruki Sugiyama, is also a danger and has strong form lines through Croix du Nord, who has six wins from his nine races.
Forever Young was also a four-year-old when he narrowly defeated the older Romantic Warrior in last year’s thrilling finish to the Gr1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt).
“This is a good test for sure,” said McDonald, who has also been booked for rides in the other two Gr1 features.
He’ll partner last-start HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Invincible Ibis, who set a new race record in triumphing, for in-form trainer Mark Newnham in the HK$24 million Gr1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m).
“Hughie gave him a terrific ride that day, so he had every opportunity to win it, but he still won it,” McDonald said. “He is still a Derby winner which is good.”
McDonald will ride Fast Network in the HK$24 million Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m),
where he’ll again face champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising.
“He has proven that he can run second to the big horse, so he is in with a good place chance,” he said.
As well as finishing second to Ka Ying Rising, McDonald has ridden Fast Network to two thirds behind the sprint star, whom he rates as one of the best he’s ever seen.
“He just seems to be getting better,” he said.
TRAINERS
JOCKEYS
BREEDERS
SIRES
