Sporting Post Sprint - 15 October 2025

SET FOR SUMMER!

GOOD BUY! TIME TO SAY

06

Big In Japan

Standout lot on the sale

17 Setting Sale?

Our updated supplement for Saturday

174

Complex Mr Murphy

Oisin makes it a famous 5

159

Biggest Upset In Gr1 History

Ascot hit by an equine tremor

188 Hong Kong Star Shines

14 in a row!

On the cover Madison Valley (Craig Zackey) has shortened in the Betway Summer Cup ante-post markets after his impressive win over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. He is led in here by owner Sid Moodley’s son Chevay and trainer Frank Robinson. Read more on page 132. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.

‘Pearly Beach was conceived in Germany and is by champion Japan, who raced with distinction, winning both the Gr1 Juddmonte International and Gr1 Grand Prix de Paris. Now based in Germany, his oldest progeny are juveniles.’

LET’S HIT THE BEACH! IT’S SUMMER

Maine Chance Farms will offer a high-class draft at Saturday’s Race Coast Sales Two Year Old Sale, which features a colt certain to make pedigree pundits sit up and take notice.

Catalogued as Lot 49, Pearly Beach was conceived in Germany and is by champion

Japan, who raced with distinction, winning both the Gr1 Juddmonte International and Gr1 Grand Prix de Paris. Now based in Germany, his oldest progeny are juveniles.

What’s more important though, is a name which jumps out of Pearly Beach’s tabulated pedigree at the top of the catalogue page,

Lot 49: Pearly Beach is by Japan out of Paulinia (Sea The Stars) | Credit: Supplied

not once but twice, that of the blue hen mare Urban Sea, through her best sons Galileo and Sea The Stars, both of which captured the English Derby, a rare feat for any broodmare.

While Japan is by the mighty Galileo, the dam of Pearly Beach is Paulinia, a daughter of Sea The Stars, who has become a top stallion in his own right.

Urban Sea’s race record is an impressive one and includes a defeat of male rivals in the Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, yet it is her achievements as a broodmare which has placed her amongst a pantheon of great producers of the modern era.

She produced two English Derby winners in Galileo and Sea The Stars, and her progeny also include Gr1 winners Black Sam Bellamy and My Typhoon, as well as stakes winners Urban Ocean, Melikah, All Too Beautiful and Born To Sea.

She is also one of a select few female Arc winners to have bred a winner of the Longchamp showpiece race, with Sea The Stars, emulating his dam. In addition, all four daughters have become stakes-producing broodmares.

It therefore comes as no surprise that Urban Sea now crops up on both the male and female sides of many a stakes winner’s pedigree, the most notable of which arguably

is that of 2018 English Derby winner Masar. He is by Galileo’s son New Approach and on the dam side, descends from Urban Sea’s daughter Melikah.

Furthermore, when New Approach was mated to a daughter of Teofilo, yet another successful son of Galileo, he sired Irish 2000 Guineas ace Mac Swiney, who had also won the Gr1 Futurity Trophy as a juvenile.

Inbreeding to Urban Sea 3x4!

Galileo’s unbeaten son Frankel likewise sired a Gr1 winner inbred 3x3 to Urban Sea, this the 2022 Grand Prix de Paris winner Onesto, a high-class galloper who also finished second in the Irish Champion Stakes and third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. His dam Onshore is a daughter of Sea The Stars.

As for Pearly Beach’s female line, it has

already clicked with both Galileo and Sea The Stars.

His grandam, the stakes winner Paraisa, is a half-sister to classy Potemkin, a son of New Approach. A stakes winner in three countries, his 16 race win tally included the Gr1 Premio Roma, which earned him an accolade as the joint Champion Older Male in Italy. A tough customer, he won his last Group race as a nine-year-old!

Another half-brother, the Frankel colt Penalty, was last year rated the Champion Threeyear-old Miler in Germany, who in addition to scoring at Gr2 and Gr3 level, finished second in the German Two Thousand Guineas.

Maine Chance owner Dr Andreas Jacobs remarked on Pearly Beach: “This colt is a solid version of his father Japan, whom I bred and sold to Coolmore for over 1.2 million Guineas. He already has a few impressive

Flashback to Nationals 2024 – Dr Andreas Jacobs chats to Barbara and Ian Sanne of Oldlands Stud Credit: Candiese Lenferna

winners in Germany and Britain and as he himself was a Group winner late in his juvenile season, I have no doubt that he will come through strongly in the next few weeks before the close of the European season.”

Elaborating on the female family, he added: “Sadly, Paulinia suffered a paddock injury and never raced but we kept her as she is a daughter of Sea The Stars. The family is very tough. Paulinia’s half-brother Principe, now

seven, was placed again on Sunday, carrying top weight in the highest rated handicap in Germany. He is rated 102 and has earned a few hundred thousand Euros.”

Clearly, given his pedigree credentials, Pearly Beach should appeal to the discerning buyer, especially those on the lookout for a classic prospect. The colt can be viewed at stable A20 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville from Thursday.

SATURDAY’S SALE WORLD-CLASS SIRES REPRESENTED AT

Some of the world’s greatest sires and broodmare sires feature as broodmare sires of two-year-olds on offer at Saturday’s Race Coast Two Year Old Sale. Among the stallions to fall into this category are Bernardini, Fastnet Rock, Frankel, Galileo, Redoute’s Choice, Scat Daddy, Sea The Stars, and Street Cry.

Lot 9: f Gimmethegreenlight –Hollywoodboulevard by Street Cry

The late Street Cry was an exceptional stallion and top-class sire of sires and broodmare sire. He sired more than 130 stakes winners including such exceptional champions as Zenyatta, Winx and Street Sense, as well as South African Horse Of The Year Oh Susanna. His top-class sire sons include the likes of Street Sense, Street Boss, Per Incanto, and Pride Of Dubai. Among the long list of exceptional performers produced by daughters of Street Cry are champions Rebel’s Romance, Romantic Warrior, Farnan, and Vino Rosso. In 2025 alone, runners out of Street Cry mares have earned more than $21,653 million in the Northern Hemisphere.

Lot 39: f Declarationofpeace - Mile High by Fastnet Rock

One of Danehill’s greatest sire sons, Fastnet Rock (whose stakes winners including reigning Australian Horse Of The Year Via Sistina) was Champion Sire in Australia twice, and his tally of stakes winners stand at 197. He has been Australia’s Leading Broodmare Sire in both 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, with Fastnet Rock mares responsible for 20 black

type winners in Australia last season. In total, Fastnet Rock mares have been responsible for at least 16 Gr1 winners including Joliestar, Warm Heart, True Love, and Lady Of Camelot.

Lot 49: Pearly Beach c Japan - Paulinia by Sea The Stars

Once beaten superstar Sea The Stars is an outstanding stallion, whose more than 140 stakes winners include 2025 Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Dayrz. Galileo’s half-brother is also an increasingly successful broodmare sire, with Sea The Stars having already produced Gr1 winners such as Big Rock, Eldar Eldarov, Onesto, and Unquestionable, as well as this year’s top level winners Quisisana, Sibayan and El Cordobes.

Lot 44: c Soqrat - Musaanada by Redoute’s Choice

An outstanding sire, sire of sires and broodmare sire in Australasia, the late Redoute’s Choice has also made a remarkable contribution to the South African racing industry. Redoute’s Choice sired South African champions Majmu, Musir, and Mustaaqeem, while his G1 Computaform Sprint winning son Rafeef is one of the country’s top stallions.

Lot 60: c Querari - Quite Frankly by Frankel

The highest rated horse in Timeform history, Frankel, who has sires titles in both the UK and France to his name, was the fastest

stallion in history to sire 100 group winners. The unbeaten son of Galileo has had another outstanding year in 2025, with his flagbearers including Gr1 winners Minnie Hauk, El Cordobes, Sir Delius, and Lake Victoria. His daughters have already produced Gr1 winners Lead Artist, Sparkling Plenty and Zarigana.

Lot 87: c Horizon - Sydney Opera by Bernardini

The late Bernardini is an exceptional broodmare sire, with his daughters having already produced more than 120 stakes winners including dual Gr1 winner and very promising sire Maxfield.In 2025 alone, Bernardini mares have produced 25 black type winners, headed by Gr1 Kentucky Derby/ Gr1 Belmont Stakes/Gr1 Travers Stakes winner Sovereignty.

Lot 98: c Declarationofpeace - Untoward by Galileo

A horse with claims to being the greatest stallion in history, the late Galileo has become

as outstanding a broodmare sire as he was a sire. The sire of Frankel and 386 other black type winners, Galileo is broodmare sire of more than 390 stakes winners, including 2025 Gr1 winners Al Riffa, Precise, Scandinavia, and Puerto Rico. Galileo mares are also responsible for such outstanding stallions as Night Of Thunder and The Autumn Sun.

Lot 114: f Declarationofpeace - American Prayer by Scat Daddy

The much missed Scat Daddy foundered a remarkable dynasty in a short career at stud. His 136 stakes winners included US Triple Crown winner and top sire Justify, prominent sire No Nay Never, and Gr1 winning sires Mendelssohn, Caravaggio and Sioux Nation. Scat Daddy mares have enjoyed a banner year in 2025, and are responsible for the likes of dual Derby winner Lambourn, and Gr1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner Burnham Square.

BUY A WOODHILL WINNER

Woodhill Racing brings that same winning legacy to Saturday’s Two Year Old Sale, offering a quartet of high-quality juveniles. Each of these four lots reflects the class, preparation and pedigree that make them well worth a closer look.

Lot 68: Lady Jean by Real Gone Kid ex Secret Plan (filly):

Lady Jean’s sire Real Gone Kid is a stallion whose name is on every trainer and breeder’s lips at the moment. He is throwing a really smart horse. This filly has

a great temperament and while she is a little immature, has an amazing action..

Lot 94: Viking Empress by Erik The Red ex Turandot (filly):

By South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2024-2025, Viking Empress is a filly with a lot of Captain Al about her. She has a good head and is a strong filly who should come to hand early. She breezed up really well.

Lot 124: Let It Roll by Elusive Fort ex Bethany (colt):

Woodhill’s Glen Kotzen – busy man at the sales | Credit: Bay Media

From a nursery (Narrow Creek Stud) which produces Gr 1 winners on an annual basis, Let It Roll is a three-parts brother to the Elusive Fort sired stars Big Burn and Catch Twentytwo. This breeze up horse, whose granddam was sired by Captain Al, broodmare sire of Kommetdieding, is really starting to mature and he looks to be a great buy.

Lot 149: Pretty Posh by One World ex Pretty Penny (filly):

This is a well-grown, solid filly and is really easy on the eye. By one of South Africa’s most exciting stallions, Pretty Posh is out of a stakes placed daughter of What A Winter while her granddam is a stakes winning daughter of Silvano.

For more information on this draft, have a look at the full-page advertisements in our Race Coast Sales 2yo Sale supplement which follows. Or please contact Glen on (082)788 9040.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in mid-April for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

RCS 2YO SALE SUPPLEMENT

Standouts And Snapshots

Insights into each lot

Paarl Diamant

True gems

Klawervlei

Class and quality

Big Cap Is Back

On East Coast in 2026

Soetendal

Power-packed draft

Hopes And Dreams

Value principle

Narrow Creek Worldbeaters

Black Swan

A top trio

Winterbach

Winners, winners, winners!

Normandy

A proud record

Paardeberg

Big-hitters

Ambiance

Boxing above their weight

Maine Chance Farms

Best works

Varsfontein

Champion nursery

On the cover Jockeys in the starting stalls at Hollywoodbets Durbanville recently.

took the photograph.

Chase Liebenberg

STARS AND STRIPES… COUNTDOWN TO SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER!

The upcoming Race Coast Sales Two Year Old Sale includes two-year-olds from some of the best families in the stud book, with both high-class local and international female lines prevalent in the catalogue.

A few potential standout lots at the 25 October auction at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, includes:

Lot 4:Unnamed c One World - Glory Days

By one of South Africa’s most popular young stallions, this colt is out of a stakesplaced daughter of reigning champion South African sire Vercingetorix. Glory Days, who won four and finished runner up in the Listed Breeders Guineas, is a direct descendant of Marguerite, the dam of US Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox. The numerous stars descended in female line from Marguerite include the Epsom classic winners Generous and Imagine. This colt is bred on a similar cross to champion One Stripe, with the latter’s dam, like Vercingetorix, sired by Silvano.

Lot 22: Vice And Virtue c Gimmethegreenlight - Juxtapose

A three-parts brother to Listed East Cape Breeders Stakes winner

Pineapplemintgreen, this colt is a halfbrother to Listed Woolavington Stakes winner Daimyo. His top-class dam won both the Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic and Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks, with Juxtapose a half-sister to the dams of both East Cape star Luna Halo, and last season’s Equus Champion 2YO Filly, Golden Palm.

Lot 30: Sweet Cherry f Malmoos - Let It Flow

From the first crop of Master Of My Fate’s Triple Crown winning close relative, this filly is out of Gr2 Gold Circle Golden Slipper runner-up Let It Flow. The latter is a halfsister to Sovereign Flo (sired, like Malmoos, by Captain Al), the dam of both last season’s Gr3 World Sports Betting 1900 winner Selukwe and the very exciting Wild Justice. The latter is unbeaten in two starts to date.

Lot 53: Cue Stick c Querari - Ponal

By the same sire as this season’s smart performers Questioning, Quantum Theory and recent Michaelmas winner Pioneer Square, this colt is a half-brother to two winners, both by Louis The King, including Listed Derby Trial winner and Gr1 World Sports Betting SA Derby runner-up

Pamushana’s Pride. This is the family of champions Horse Chestnut and Monyela, as well as Gr1 winners Sport’s Chestnut and Temple Grafin.

Lot

64: Unnamed c Rafeef - Rose In Bloom

This colt shares his Gr1 Computaform Sprint-winning sire with a number of very exciting three-year-olds this season, including Cognac, Reet Petite, and All The Rage. Rose In Bloom, a daughter of multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight, was a high-class racemare, whose five wins, including three black- type successes, included a triumph in the 2019 Gr3 Vasco Prix du Cap. A full-sister to the dual stakes winner Going Up, Rose In Bloom is out of a stakes winning daughter of the very successful Goldkeeper.

Lot 135: Unnamed f VercingetorixDesert Rhythm

By South Africa’s reigning champion sire, whose daughters include Gr1 winners as Double Grand Slam, Mia Moo, Vernichey and Chansonette, this filly is out of Gr2 Gold Circle Golden Slipper winner Desert Rhythm. The latter, whose sire Mambo In Seattle is broodmare sire of last season’s Gr1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge winner Fire Attack, is out of an Al Mufti half-sister to Gr1 Met runner-up Lion Tamer, with Desert Rhythm’s other relatives including outstanding broodmare Cosmic Dream. The latter, like Vercingetorix, was sired by Silvano.

Click here to enjoy our lot-lot snapshot in Sire alpha order

PAARL DIAMANT’S SMART DRAFT

Paarl Diamant has been in the Schabort family for many decades. The farm has a world-class infrastructure with stables, irrigated grass paddocks, smaller paddocks for rehab horses, lunge rings and large exercise areas and 24-hour supervision.

They currently offer pre-training, spelling & rehabilitation, broodmare and foal care and sales preparation.

Paarl Diamant’s Monique Schabort will be bringing a very smart draft to this year’s Two-Year-Old Sale, with this consignment including two-year-olds sired by the likes of Erik The Red, Gimmethegreenlight, Master Of My Fate, One World and Rafeef.

Monique selected a few potential standouts in her eye-catching string:

Paarl Diamant – Life is good! | Credit: Supplied

Lot 27 - Beach Festival (f) by Master Of My Fate ex Lady Of Scandal

By the sire of Gr1 winning fillies Golden Palm, Sentbydestiny and Zarina, ½ to four winners, bred on the same Master Of My Fate/Var cross as champions Golden Palm and Tempting Fate. A very neat filly that hails from a good female line. Has an incredible temperament and generous eye.

Lot 55 - Speed Storm (c) by Rafeef ex Princess Blitz

Three-parts to Gr1 Computaform Sprint winning sire Master Archie, bred to be fast, with his dam a winning daughter of What A Winter and granddam a stakes winning daughter of Var. Dam a ½ to Master Archie. He looks to be a speedy sort as his name implies.

Lot 83 - Unnamed (c) by One World ex Someone Exciting

By one of South Africa’s most promising stallions, out of a four-time winning daughter of Goldfields Sprint Listed winner Lady Perez. He is an athletic son of One World that shows a good turn of foot. This scopey colt has a good rein and shows great action.

Lot 90 - One Turn (c) by One World ex The Turning Point

From a top-class family, dam is a threeparts sister to multiple graded stakes

winner Future Swing. Very smart son of One World, who looks to be the sort to take on the classics. A very attractive colt.

Lot 126 - Just Because (c) by Erik The Red ex Just Fabulous

By last season’s Leading First Season Sire, closely related to Golden Palm, with the latter sired by Erik The Red’s close relative Master Of My Fate. His dam is a ½ to the dam of Alan Greeff’s top filly Golden Palm. A well-made, scopey colt who oozes quality.

Lot 144 – Unnamed (f) by Gimmethegreenlight ex Fairyinthewoods

A daughter of a multiple champion sire, closely related to the likes of Tail Of The Comet and Chasing Green. Dam won six times, from seven starts, including the Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes. She’s a full-sister to thrice-winning Lighthearted. Dynamite comes in small packages, and this filly works really well!

For more information on this draft, please contact:

Monique on (083) 310 9751.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in midApril for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

A TOP-CLASS DRAFT FROM KLAWERVLEI

Klawervlei Stud, breeders of stars Vercingetorix, One World and Real Princess, will be offering a top-class draft at the upcoming Two-Year-Old Sale.

Their consignment includes progeny of South Africa’s reigning champion sire Vercingetorix, as well as two-year-olds sired by the likes of Gimmethegreenlight, Malmoos, and Querari.

Likely highlights of Klawervlei’s TwoYear-Old Sale draft include:

Lot 9 - Unnamed (f) by Gimmethegreenlight ex Hollywoodboulevard

By the champion sire of star fillies Gimme A Nother, Bless My Stars and She’s A Keeper, half to five winners notably Listed In Full Flight Handicap winner On The Boulevard. Dam a dual Gr3 winner, whose breed shaping sire Street Cry is damsire of such outstanding performers as Rebel’s Romance, Farnan, Romantic Warrior and Vino Rosso.

Flashback – Sales day successes | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Lot 13 - Unnamed (f) by Vercingetorix ex Intergalactic

Bred on the same cross as champion Mrs Geriatrix, this filly shares her champion sire Vercingetorix with star fillies Double Grand Slam, Mia Moo, Mrs Geriatrix and Vernichey. Out of a Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge winner (whose dam Nojoom was sired by Galileo), hails from the immediate family of Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin among many others.

Lot 40 – Unnamed (f) by Malmoos ex

Miss Milanna

From the first crop of Triple Crown winner Malmoos, half to the useful Circumbendibus. Dam twice-winning half to the stakes placed Count To Ten, and Gr1 Sun Met winning champion, and sire sensation, One World. The latter, like Malmoos, was sired by Captain Al.

Lot 60 - Unnamed (c) by Querari ex Quite Frankly

By one of South Africa’s most consistently successful sires, three-parts brother to Querari’s smart son Teflon Man. His dam is a daughter of unbeaten legend and multiple champion sire Frankel, whose broodmare daughters have already produced Gr1 winners Lead Artist and Sparkling Plenty.

Lot 91 - Unnamed (f) by Vercingetorix ex Thunder Dance

Bred on the same cross as graded stakes winners African Warrior, Quickstepgal and Rascallion, a full sister to last season’s Listed Irridescence Stakes winner Ukuduma. Dam won both the Gr1 Paddock Stakes and Gr1 Empress Club Stakes, with her dam Shadow Dancing, a dual Gr1 winning half to champion sire Captain Al.

For more information about this exciting draft, please contact:

Tracey Nash on (066) 185 7197.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in mid-April 2026 for a purse of R3 Million at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

THE BIG CAP RETURNS!

The racing world is bracing for one of the most anticipated events on the 2026 calendar – The RCS Big Cap, scheduled for 12 April 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Boasting a massive R5 million purse, this high-stakes contest will be run over 1400m under set conditions and is expected to draw blue-chip contenders.

The RCS Big Cap is a slot race, offering a thrilling opportunity for owners and syndicates to participate by purchasing one of 14 exclusive slots, each priced at R350,000 (excl. VAT).

With only 14 places in the starting gates, competition for these slots is already heating up, driven by the lucrative prize pool and the prestige of winning one of South Africa’s richest races.

Potential Contenders: A Star-Studded Field

A dazzling mix of seasoned campaigners and exciting up-and-comers are on the radar for potential Big Cap entries. From powerful three-year-olds to seasoned five-yearolds, the depth of talent ensures a fiercely competitive spectacle.

Among the 3-year-olds, Malmesbury Missile, Military Command and Esteemed are generating early buzz. Roland Garros, Dreamworld, Vapour Trail, Randolph Hearst and Happy Verse have shown impressive form in recent starts, while Zalatoris and Winter Snap bring versatility and tactical speed to the fold.

The fillies She’s My World and Glastonbury may also take on the colts, adding a thrilling dynamic to the race.

Looking to the 4-year-olds, the field becomes even more formidable. The flashy chestnut Kaiboy and the ever-consistent Captain West will be looking to assert their class together with Bjorn Ironside, Okavango, Great Plains, Makazole, La Pulga and Musical Score.

Meanwhile, Almond Sea, Just Be Lekker and Little Ballerina represent the leading older female talent, with VJ’s Angel not far behind.

At the top end of the age scale, Coastal Commander and The Grey King bring invaluable experience to the table and could surprise with the right pace setup.

Major absentees from the line-up will be One Stripe, who has been exported to the United States with a focus on the Breeders’ Cup – an exciting move for South African breeding and racing pride on the global stage.

The 2025 HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap winner, All Out For Six, is also set for an international campaign in Hong Kong.

More Than a Race – A R5 Million Opportunity

Whether you’re a racing enthusiast, owner, or punter, the RCS Big Cap is set to be a spectacle you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned for official slot announcements and entries as the road to Hollywoodbets Greyville begins.

For more information, please contact:

Vicky Minott vicky@racecoast.co.za

MJ Byleveld mj@racecoast.co.za

Janine van Blerk janine@racecoast.co.za

SANDOWN’S QUALITY QUARTET

Sandown Stud, whose alumni include champions such as French Navy and Magnificent Seven, continues to produce high-class thoroughbreds. The latest star foaled and reared on the farm is Choisaanada, winner of the 2025 Highveld 3YO Winter Series.

Other current standouts bred at Sandown include 4Racing Gr3 Jubilee Stakes hero

Immediate Edge, along with promising runners like Chieftain’s Shield and Thisiswhatitmeans.

Sandown Stud will be offering, as agent, four well related two-year-olds at the upcoming sale, and James Armitage had the following to say about this quartet:

James Armitage now brings 3 to sale as an agent | Credit: Supplied

Lot 44 - Unnamed (c) by Soqrat ex Musaanada

By resident sire and Equus Champion Soqrat, this colt is a half-brother to the aforementioned Choisaanada, winner of all of the 4Racing Gr3 Sea Cottage Stakes, 4Racing Egoli Mile and Betway Secretariat Stakes last season. This is a lovely big athletic colt who has a good shape with a strong hindquarter.

Lot 99 - Unnamed (f) by Rafeef ex Up Front

By the same sire as the top-class Sandown bred Outlaw King, this filly is a half-sister to five winners, including the Gr3 placed Eau De Vie, and her dam finished runner up in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship. Offered on account of La Berg Stud, this is a big, strong filly. She has a lot of substance, size and scope.

Lot 25 - Unnamed

(f)

by Erupt ex Kinematic Countess

By the same sire as Taxhaven, Moonlight Trader, Karangetang and Mount Pinatubo, this filly’s dam won the Gr3 Sycamore Sprint and her granddam won seven including the Listed KwaZulu-Natal Stakes. A scopey, athletic filly, she is a full-sister to the highly thought of Karate Kid (MR 105)

Lot 129 - Unnamed (f) by Hawwaam ex Buldaan

By the very exciting young sire Hawwaam, this filly, a three-parts sister to a winner, is a half-sister to the smart King’s Express. Her dam, a granddaughter of Redoute’s Choice, is a half-sister to three stakes winners including Gr1 Cape Derby winner Ertijaal and is from the family of Redoute’s Choice’s top-class sire son Not A Single Doubt.

For more information on these three twoyear-olds, please contact:

• James on (072) 680 3549.

All horses purchased off the RCS TwoYear-Old Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in midApril for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

SOETENDAL - A MARKET LEADER

“Soetendal has an exciting draft for this year’s Race Coast Two Year Old Sale, and is most fortunate once again to be consigning on behalf of stud farms, individual breeders and private clients alike. There are some strong pedigrees, including fillies already carrying paddock value, and good specimens to match, so hopefully the sale will once again attract a strong buyers’ bench.”

So says Julia Pilbeam who is one of the most respected horsewomen in a competitive industry and has followed racing since the age of 11.

Julia started the Wellington-based Soetendal on a small scale on 50 hectares

of magnificent Boland countryside in 2005.The establishment has since grown exponentially.

Their main focus is pre-training and facilities for spellers, as well as postop care. They also board a number of permanent broodmares.

While staffing needs are seasonal, the core Soetendal team has been a strong foundation.

The proud Mom of two is supported by her highly qualified husband horseman Deon Ensink.

Julia Pilbeam – industry leader | Credit: Supplied

Julia tells that their Race Coast Sales 2yo sale draft includes the progeny of top sires such as Gimmethegreenlight, Rafeef, Master Of My Fate and What A Winter, as well as exciting younger sires such as One World, Erik the Red and Hawwaam, and first season sires Malmoos and Real Gone Kid.

“Graduates of our 2024 draft are led by the promising Black Eagle, and previous top-class graduates include One Stripe, Frances Ethel, Royal Aussie, The Futurist and Good Council – all horses that are still racing. It’s interesting to note that many of our graduates, including these, are racing successfully into their third, fourth and even

fifth season, encouraging us to continue with our policy of pushing the young horses as little as possible during their sales preparation,” she adds, suggesting that this particular sale is different from past sale.

“In our draft, some horses are unbroken, some are recently backed, and some are backed and cantering. Prospective buyers are welcome to contact me directly for any enquiries with regard to the work any of the horses are doing, or can speak to one of our team at the sale.”

Contact Julia via whatsapp on 082 317 9474.

Soetendal – launch pad of champions | Credit: Supplied

A DREAM DRAFT BY TOP-CLASS STALLIONS

Vercingetorix. Master Of My Fate. Rafeef. One World. These are just three of the top-class stallions represented in Hopes And Dreams Stud’s Two-Year-Old Sale draft.

With two-year-olds hailing from some outstanding families, there is much to like about this consignment.

Likely standout two-year-olds here include:

Lot 4 – Unnamed (c) by One World ex Glory Days

By the same sire as top-class performers including One Stripe, All Out For Six, and Dreamworld, out of a stakes placed daughter of Vercingetorix. Granddam was sired by Sadler’s Wells, hails from the same family as outstanding performers Generous, Moonlight Cloud, Triptych and Imagine.

Hopes And Dreams at the Summer Sale | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Lot 57 - Contrary Mary (f) by Master Of My Fate ex Princess Thiana

By the red-hot sire of current champions

Golden Palm and Jan Van Goyen, out of a full-sister to dual Horse Of The Year and eight-time Gr1 winner Legal Eagle.

Lot 110 – Unnamed (f) by One World ex Abbey Wood

Out of a winning daughter of champion sire Vercingetorix, granddam is a Gr3 placed daughter of seven-times champion sire Jet Master. This filly traces back directly in female line to Soho Secret, ancestress of stars like Malmoos, Master Of My Fate and Pluck.

Lot 123 – Unnamed (f) by Rafeef ex Before The Daw

By the sire of Thunderstruck and fellow Gr1 winners Master Archie, Aragosta and William Robertson, out of a seven-time winning half to Equus champion and sire Thunderstruck, making her a three-parts sister to the Ridgemont based Equus champion. Granddam is Var-sired Gr 2 Post Merchants winner Varikate.

Lot 147 - Gallic Flight (f) by Vercingetorix ex Flight Zone

Bred on the same Vercingetorix/Jet Master cross as the likes of African Warrior, Rascallion and Quickstepgal, half to a

four-time winner, out of a six-time winning half to globetrotting champion, and Gr1 Vodacom Durban July winner, Bold Silvano. The latter, like Vercingetorix, was sired by Silvano.

For more information on this draft, please contact:

Furdy Swartbooi on (073) 919 6285.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in midApril for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

DREAMS

JOHN’S HIGH-QUALITY DUO HAS CLASS

Established by John Everett in 2011, the Narrow Creek Stud has steadily built a reputation for producing high-quality racehorses.

From the globetrotting champion Isivunguvungu to such classy, graded stakes winners as Buffalo Storm Cody and Chronicle King, as well as the classy filly Rifle Queen, Narrow Creek is firmly established as one of South Africa’s leading suppliers of equine talent.

John will be offering a pair of very wellbred colts at the upcoming Two-Year-Old Sale, and he had the following comments to make about his classy duo:

Lot 10 - Moonrise (c) by Querari ex Hungry Heart

By the same sire as Gr 1 winners Cosmic Speed, Querari Falcon and Bavarian Beauty, bred on the same cross as champion Rio Querari, half to two winners

Narrow Creek Stud at the Summer Sale viewing | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

including the very smart Tomyris. Thricewinning dam is a ½ to Gr2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Maybe Yes, the dam of last season’s high-class two-year-old Absolutely Yes. This is an athletic, well-grown halfbrother to Tomyris.

Lot 20 - Mountain Music (c) by Rafeef ex Jin-Go-La-Ba

By one of South Africa’s top sires, whose sons include Gr1 winners Aragosta, Master Archie, Thunderstruck and William Robertson. A full-brother to two winners, ½ to Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes winner, and Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic runner up Sprinkles. From the family of champion

Yorker, dam is a thrice-winning full-sister to the stakes placed Georgia On My Mind. He is a neat classic type.

For more information on these two colts, interested parties are asked to contact:

John Everett on (082) 377 2912

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in midApril for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Life is a breeze at Narrow Creek | Credit: Narrow Creek

BLACK SWAN’S TRIO SET TO STAR

Black Swan Stud, the home to champion and highly successful sire Elusive Fort, continues to produce a number of topclass performers.

Cape Town MET runner-up and now sire, Last Winter, and the winner of the first two legs of the Triple Tiara, Siren’s Call, head the list of stakes winners produced, which also includes Freedom Charter, Sarah, Pretty Betty, Helen’s Ideal, Major Attraction, Ernie.

Walter Cowe will be bringing three highclass fillies, offered by Black Swan Stud

as Agent, to the upcoming Two-Year-Old Sale, and had the following comments to make about his trio:

Lot 46 - Unnamed (f) by Elusive Fort ex Omaticaya

By the same sire as top-class fillies Lauderdale, Siren’s Call and Secret Potion, a direct descendant of Irish 1000 Guineas winner Miralla. Out of a classy listed winning mare, this filly has grown into a real nice type. She has always looked the part for me. She is tall and elegant with a lovely long stride. She’ll be a clever buy for someone.

Fran and Walter Cowe send 3 to the sale | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Lot 100 - Unnamed (f) by Elusive Fort ex Valediction

This filly shares her multiple Gr1 winning sire with Gr1 Vodacom Durban July/Gr 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET winner Kommetdieding among many others. Dam won 4. She issmall but perfectly packaged. She will be a fun horse to race.

Lot 148 - Unnamed (f) by Erupt ex Fynbos

By a dual Gr1 winning son of the legendary stallion Dubawi, granddam is the Silvanosired Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Field Flower. A first foal out of the ½ to Last Winter, I think this is a powerful precocious

filly that you won’t have wait long for. She is correct and looks like a classy horse.

For more information on this draft, please contact:

Walter Cowe on (063) 662 1250.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in midApril for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets

QUALITY IS KEY FOR WINTERBACH

Leading thoroughbred boarding and yearling preparation farm, Winterbach Stud is firmly established as one of the Cape’s leading thoroughbred nurseries.

Established in 2011 by Hendrik Winterbach Sr and now co-managed with his son, Hendrik Winterbach Jnr, the stud offers over 35 years of expertise in the breeding industry.

Winterbach Stud will be offering a highclass draft at the 2025 Two-Year-Old Sale, with their offering including siblings of

top-class performers as well as offspring of high-class racemares.

Likely standouts include:

Lot 47 – Stitchintime (c) by Vercingetorix ex Patchit Up Baby

By South Africa’s reigning champion sire (Vercingetorix progeny have made up to R9 000 000 in the sales ring), full to a winner, dam won the Allez France Stakes. He is from an outstanding female line, granddam a half to star two-year-old, and successful

Winterbach Stud at the March viewing | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

sire, Bakharoff. Further back, this colt is descended in female line from dual English classic winner Imprudence.

Lot 82 - Three Halves (c) by Querari ex Sofala

By the sire of Gr1 winners Bavarian Beauty, Cosmic Speed, Querari Falcon and Rio Falcon, half to five winners including Kuda Sprint winner Agent Of Fortune and fourtime graded stakes winner Rascallion. The latter, who earned more than R2.2 million, finished runner up in the Gr1 Cape Derby, Gr1 Daily News 2000 and Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met.

Lot 56 - Sport Of Kings (c) by One World ex Princess Of The Sky

By the same sire as exported champion

One Stripe, out of Stormsvlei Mile Listed winner. The latter is a Jet Master threeparts to such notable stakes winners as Love Is In The Air, Jet Jamboree and Careful Landing. Jet Master is broodmare sire of champions Hawwaam, Jet Dark, Rainbow Bridge, Lady In Black and Edict Of Nantes.

Lot 85 - City State (f) One World ex State Factor

A daughter of one of South Africa’s best young stallions, three-parts to a winner,

and half to two more. Her Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery winning dam is bred on very similar lines to the National Assembly-sired champion, and star producer, National Colour, and this is also the family of Gr1 winners Cardinal’s Fury and Corning Touch.

Lot 86 - Gimme The Sun (c) by Gimmethegreenlight ex Sunshine Silk

By multiple champion sire

Gimmethegreenlight, bred on the same cross as champion Bless My Stars as well as the likes of Barahin, Let’s Go Now and Cosmic Highway. From the immediate family of current high-class galloper Madison Valley, dam was a top-class racemare whose eight career wins included triumphs in both the Gr3 Caradoc Gold Cup and Gr3 Gold Bowl.

For more information on this draft, please contact:

Hendrik Winterbach on (082) 465 4433.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in midApril for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

A SMALL STUD WITH A POWERFUL PUNCH!

Few, if any, farms have enjoyed more notable success at the upcoming TwoYear-Old Sale than Normandy Stud.

The farm’s flagbearers from this auction include Gr1 winning sprinters Rio Querari and Sergeant Hardy, with a strong supporting cast of high-class stakes winners.

For a small stud, it is safe to say that Normandy Stud punches well above their weight!

Oscar Foulkes is confident that buyers will like what they see in this draft:

Named for Britain’s first woman MP to take her seat, Lady Nancy Astor, this filly is out of a half-sister to Sergeant Hardy. Bred on the hugely successful Sadler’s Wells/Danehill cross, she is super athletic and bred for the classics.

Lot 37 – Russian Fort (c) by Elusive Fort ex Matushka

The final foal of Mother Russia’s full-sister. He’s a big, rangy horse who has taken time to fill into his frame.

Lot 28 – Lady Nancy (f) by Legislate ex Lady Wylie

Normandy Stud at the RC Summer Sale | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Lot 41 – America First (f) by The United States ex Miss Putin

Her parentage presented an interesting naming opportunity, and we hope we’ve delivered on the challenge. She’s the first foal of a talented black-type performer. She is inbred to the great mare, Urban Sea, a pattern that has been hugely successful in Europe. She’s always had presence and has impressed with her athleticism.

Lot 50 – Puhpowee (c) by Erupt ex Pelaya

His name is the Native American word that describes the force which causes mushrooms to pop up overnight. With his plain bay coat, there is nothing flash about him, but he is every bit a racehorse. His dam produced the talented Ocean Warrior by Coup De Grace and her three-year-old, Miami Summer, ran a cracker on debut over 1250m.

Lot 95 – Bicameral (c) by Legislate ex Twice As Nice

Out of a half-sister to Mother Russia, he is a classic example of the family. He’s neat, well put together and moves like a dream.

Lot 97 – Profumo (c) by Legislate ex Two Hearts

It was a blessing in disguise that we had to withdraw him from the January sale. He has absolutely blossomed as he’s matured. Not only is he a magnificent, eye-filling individual, but he also takes to the track as if he owns

it. The first foal of his dam, a daughter of the top race filly Joshua’s Princess, is a winner since the catalogue was printed.

Lot 108 – Sans Serif (f) by Futura ex Yekaterina

As streamlined as the sans serif font after which her sire is named, this filly is very racy. Her dam has a 100% record, with some talented performers. Like her dam, and most other representatives of the Mother Russia family, “size” is a comment that many will make. Mother Russia’s performances on the track gave her greater stature than she had in the flesh – take a look at the attached lead-in pic to see just how tiny she was.

Lot 119 – Line Call (c) by Legislate ex Azarenka

This mid-November colt is only now starting to fill into his frame. He’s a super mover, by one of the country’s best stallions, out of a stakes-place mare with a 100% record.

For more information on this draft, please contact:

Oscar on (083) 297 3402.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in mid-April for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

PAARDEBERG PRESENTS A CLASSY TRIO

Paardeberg Stud is a superb modern equine facility, encompassing 200 hectares of agricultural land in the ‘Voor Paardeberg region, situated close to Paarl in the Western Cape.

It’s a prime location, offering an idyllic environment dedicated to the breeding of high calibre thoroughbred racehorses. The farm, which is home to, among

others, Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Expert Eye, will be offering three wellbred thoroughbreds at the 2025 TwoYear-Old Sale.

Paardeberg Stud’s Two-Year-Old Sale trio consist of two colts, sired by Querari and What A Winter respectively, as well as a filly by the sensational One World.

We are family! Caitlin Jourdan and Sally Bruss | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

The farm’s part-owner Sally Bruss is delighted with her three two-year-olds and had the following comments to make:

Lot 34 - Bullet Catch (c) by What A Winter ex Magic Trick

By the sire of champions Isivunguvungu and Russet Air, as well as smart US campaigner Distant Winter, half to two winners. His Trippi-sired dam is a fullsister to equine millionaire Miss Katalin, granddam is the Jet Master-sired Gr1 Empress Club Stakes winner Little Miss Magic. Bullet Catch is bred on the same What A Winter/Trippi cross as the graded stakes winners Distant Winter and One Fine Winter. This is an attractive, strong, well-made colt.

Lot 53 - Cue Stick (c) by Querari ex Ponal

By one of South Africa’s leading sires, half to two smart winners led by Derby Trial Listed winner, and Gr1 World Sports Betting SA Derby runner up, Pamushana’s Pride. Dam full to Gr3 Track And Ball Derby winner Cape Speed, and Cue Stick hails from the same family as champions Horse Chestnut and Monyela among others. A brilliant young colt. He has lovely quality, athleticism and depth.

Lot 118 - World Princess (f) by One World ex Arissa

Bred on the same cross as dual Gr1 winner, and Equus Champion, One Stripe, out of the high-class racemare who was placed in four graded races and finished runner up in the Gr3 Magnolia Handicap. A well-bread three-parts sister to Oaks Trial Listed winner Inaninstant, full to Storm Bird Stakes Listed winner American Grafffiti and the stakes placed Arabian Air. A robust, filly of substance

For more information on this draft, interested parties are asked to contact:

Sally Bruss on (066) 220 1587.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-Year-Old Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in mid-April for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

AMBIANCE STUD’S STRONG OCTET

Ambiance Stud’s Dr Marianne Thomson continues to breed top-class thoroughbreds.

Already the breeder of champions, namely, Al Nitak and Royal Victory, Marianne is also responsible for breeding current smart performers She’s My World, George Handel, and Royal Kailani.

Ambiance will be offering an eight strong draft at the upcoming Two-YearOld Sale at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, and Marianne picked out the following lots of particular interest:

Out of a daughter of one of my old favourites, State Coach. I am very pleased with this filly, she is very classy looking with a good walk and is nicely grown. This is a consistently strong distaff side.

She is correct and has a lovely temperament.

Lot 92 - Trendy Vibe (f) by Erupt ex Trendy Babe

Out of a winning half-sister to Tiger’s Touch, this is a typically powerful looking Erupt

Lot 17 - Musk Jet (f) by Futura ex Jetano

Veteran breeder Dr Marianne Thomson keeps an eye on her draft together with her team | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

filly with plenty in the engine room! She is strong, compact and walks like she’s going somewhere. She’ll be brave and bold.

Lot 2 - Fourth Of July (c) by The United States ex Gimmegifts

I’m so pleased with how this colt has grown, he is well developed and strong and walks with purpose.

He has a lovely quarter and a good strong shoulder. Only a second foal for the mare, her first is now a winner.

Lot 62 - Miss Prosperity (f) by The United States ex Red And Gold

From the family of Pomodoro, this looks like a filly with a future, she is beautifully put together and walks well. Although the dam never ran, she is from such a strong female line and as a first foal, I’m delighted.

For more information on this draft, please contact:

Dr Marianne Thomson on (082) 557 1442

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in midApril for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

A GR1 DRAFT FROM MAINE CHANCE

Grade One producers and star stallions are a striking factor of the consignment that Maine Chance Farms are bringing to the 2025 Two-Year-Old Sale.

This draft includes progeny of outstanding producers as well as two-year-olds by the likes of Japan, Legislate, Master Of My Fate, Querari and Maine Chance’s own champion sire Vercingetorix.

Five likely standouts are:

Lot 49 - Pearly Beach (c) by Japan ex Paulinia

By Galileo’s Gr1 Grand Prix de Paris/ Gr1 Juddmonte International winning son Japan, Pearly Beach, closely inbred to the legendary Urban Sea, half to a winner, and his Sea The Stars-sired dam is out of a stakes winning Red Ransom half to Gr1 winning champion Potemkin.

Maine Chance at the March viewing | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Lot

59

- Qilin (f) by Master Of My Fate ex Quena

By the same sire as such top-class fillies as Golden Palm, Anotherdanceforme, Zarina and Sentbydestiny, half to two multiple winners. Her Silvano-sired dam hails from the same family as champion, and top-class South African sire, Querari among many others.

Lot 79 - Fine Silver (c) by Futura ex Silver Stripe

By one of the best sons of star sire Dynasty, half to both Equus Champion, and dual Gr1 winner, One Stripe, and last season’s Gr3 Langerman third Vapour Trail. His Listed Spook Express Handicap winning dam, full to Gr3 Winter Derby winner Gifted For Glory, was produced by Gr1 Paddock Stakes winner Badger’s Gift.

Lot 81 - Snowblade (c) by Vercingetorix ex Slalom Queen

By South Africa’s reigning champion sire, bred on the same cross as the likes of Chansonette and Peach Daiquiri, out of speedy Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes runner-up. Three-parts to Vercingetorix’s stakes placed son The Mauritian, has black-type performers as his first three dams, with his third dam Bardot having produced three graded stakes winners led by Gr1 winners Viva Maria and Warrior’s Rest. Viva Maria

produced impressive debut winner Viva’s Liberte to the cover of Vercingetorix.

Lot 132 - Cherryblossompink

(f)

by Vercingetorix ex Champery

Full to Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas winner Chansonette, produced by Querari’s stakes placed daughter. The blue-blooded dam is out of the Mr. Greeley mare Celigny, half to Gr1 Las Virgenes winner Eden’s Moon. This is the family of outstanding international gallopers Theatrical, Paradise Creek, Wild Event and David Junior among others.

For more information on this draft, please contact:

Ross Fuller on (082) 587 7045

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in midApril for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

VARSFONTEIN FAB-FIVE SET TO SHINE!

Varsfontein Stud’s resident stallions

Erik The Red, Gimmethegreenlight and Master Of My Fate all enjoyed excellent seasons in 2024-2025.

Erik The Red was South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire last season, multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight’s 14 individual stakes winners included Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince, and Master Of My Fate’s trio of Gr1 winners included two Equus Champions.

The string is made up of two-year-olds sired by the aforementioned Varsfontein trio, as well as by the red-hot Rafeef.

Varsfontein will be offering five colts, each with a stallion’s pedigree, at the upcoming Two-Year-Old Sale:

Lot 22 - Vice And Virtue (c) by Gimmethegreenlight ex Juxtapose

By multiple champion sire, half to two winners including 2024 Woolavington Stakes Listed winner Daimyo. A three-parts brother to the Gimmethegreenlight-sired

Varsfontein bring 5 to 2yo | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

stakes winner Pineapplemintgreen, out of the top-class racemare who is a winner of both the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic and Gr 2 SA Oaks.

Lot 35 – Diaval (c) by Master Of My Fate ex Maleficent

By the sire of champions Golden Palm, Jan Van Goyen and Tempting Fate, half to three winners including the smart Handsome Prince. His dam won the Devon Air Stakes Listed and she is a full to Gr1 SA Derby runner up Rocketball and half to Michaelmas Handicap Listed winner Blackball.

Lot 70 - Another Hero (c) by Gimmethegreenlight ex Sentbydestiny

By the same sire as such stars as Gimme A Prince, Green With Envy and The Real Prince, out of the Master Of My Fate-sired Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner. The latter is full to Listed World Sports Betting East Cape Derby winner American Princess and half to the Gr3 winning dam of champion Double Grand Slam.

Lot 134 - Sossusvlei (c) by Erik The Red ex Desert Pride

A son of one of South Africa’s most exciting young sires, who is also closely related to the sensational Master Of My Fate. Closely

inbred to champion sire Al Mufti, out of a thrice-winning half to Gr2 Gold Circle Golden Slipper winner Desert Rhythm, and is from the family of last season’s Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Cosmic Speed.

Lot 131 - Caught Speed (c) by Rafeef ex Catchafallingstar

By the sire of Gr1 Computaform Sprint winners Master Archie, Thunderstruck and William Robertson, out of a Gr2 placed Gimmethegreenlight half to no fewer than three Oaks winners! This trio includes Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks winner Ash Cloud, the dam of stakes winners Pacaya and Silver Hills.

For more information on this draft, please contact:

Carl De Vos on (082) 800 8490.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-YearOld Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in midApril for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

READ BEFORE YOU BUY!

The Raceform Buyers’ Guide is a detailed summary of the dam and siblings of the Race Coast Sales 2yo’s.

It gives insight as to what to expect of the youngsters in terms of class, stamina, sale price.

It’s essential reading for the prospective buyer and includes an overview of the

dam’s racing history, alongside a record of all her offspring.

Understand the quality and potential of the offspring each dam produces, enabling informed and strategic purchasing decisions.

The Sprint is interactive – click here to read the Raceform Buyers’ Guide.

SA RACING MOURNS A CHAMPION GAVIN SMITH

The South African horseracing industry was reeling on Sunday morning with the shocking and sad news that thirteen-times East Cape champion trainer Gavin Smith had lost his battle with cancer at the age of 59.

Gavin Dean Smith was born in Gqeberha on 6 July 1966 and learnt the ropes from his champion trainer Dad, Andy.

At the age of 10 Gavin started riding work at the Smith family operation. Before his two years compulsory National Service Gavin

studied a National Diploma in Marketing and Sales, which included courses in computers and advertising. He took over the reins from his accomplished Dad at the age of 30.

Gavin was to saddle 32 654 runners for 3 032 winners in the ensuing 29 years.

At the recent East Cape Racing Awards he received a special award for reaching the 3000 winner benchmark and was also one of only three South African trainers to saddle over a 100 winners last season.

Gavin and his son Dean at a beach morning back in February | Credit: Pauline Herman

Gavin Smith trained many big name multiple winners, including a horse he labelled his best in subsequent Durban July winner Bold Silvano, a champion who enjoys the honour of having had a room named after him at Fairview racecourse.

Other Smith flagbearers include Stormy Appeal, Shoes Of Silver, Newbury Racing’s lightning fast Muscatt, In A Rush, who has the distinction of being one of the few local horses to beat international champion Variety Club. In recent times the speedball Cruise Control and promising 3yo Kingdundee come to mind.

Gavin Smith will be remembered as a true gentleman and a trainer who always called us back, if he missed our call.

In an interview with him twelve years ago, we asked him to describe his best trait.

“I never try to bring others down to achieve success. I will rather try to lift my game. I am a very straight person and will not talk behind your back as many do in this game. If I have a beef with you I will confront you straight up as I would expect others to do to me, rather than go behind my back and be my friend to my face!”

That message was true then, and it holds true today.

Gavin is survived by his wife Marilyn, son Dean and daughter, Abbi van der Merwe.

Our condolences go out to the Smith family and their wide network of friends.

MHDSRIP.

Forest Spy (Craig Zackey) was Gavin Smith’s 100th winner last term | Credit: Pauline Herman

LET’S KEEP HITTING THEM HARD,

SUNSHINES!

Remembering Shaheen Shaw

19 June 1969 – 23 October 2024

Time flies. It’s a year on Thursday since we bid farewell to a friend, a racing fanatic, a legend.

Shaheen Shaw, a husband, loving Dad and Grandad, passed away suddenly at the age of 55 on Wednesday 23 October 2024.

We are privileged to dedicate this week’s issue of the Sporting Post Sprint to the memory of a special guy.

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

VALLEY OF THE KINGS

There was disappointment for supporters of Michael Roberts’ flagbearer and Betway Summer Cup log-topper See It Again, who was withdrawn for delaying the start of the www.gallop.co.za Conditions Plate at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

While we didn’t note the exact time leeway allowed to See It Again, it came as something of a surprise to hear that the Twice Over gelding had been waved away by the starter.

A question was also posed from certain quarters about the time afforded, including

The Madison Valley gang! Trainer Frank Robinson, Craig Zackey and owner’s son Chevay Moodley pose for our photographer after the sensational season debut | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

by subsequent winning jockey Craig Zackey in the post-race interview, after Frank Robinson’s Madison Valley ran the perfect big race prep to win the 1400m in good style.

Besides being a massive body-blow to the Roberts stable’s preparations plans for the 29 November Highveld showpiece, exotic punters took a knock as the subsequent replacement tote favourite On My Honour ran on steadily to finish fourth.

“These rules are ancient. They need to make winning easier for the punter. Not harder!” said an irate veteran punter in a call to the Sporting Post after the race.

But that’s racing.

The Sporting Post queried the Stipes’s seemingly ‘hasty’ decision and NHA CEO Vee Moodley confirmed that the loading started at 16h09 and See It Again was waved away at 16h11.

He added that the starter then pulled the runners out to allow the public time to restructure their bets and the reload restarted at 16h14, with the field being despatched in 35 seconds.

Mr Moodley said that See It Again had only one previous record of trouble at the start, but that dated back to his 3yo days in 2022.

The Stipes thus exercised their discretion and requested trainer Michael Roberts to reschool the dual Gr1-winning chestnut before his next start.

After winning the final race of the day on Fate Of Fortune, jockey Rachel Venniker diplomatically told Deez Dyanand that ‘it is a long story and that there was plenty going on behind the start and that See It Again was being a bit quirky’.

But, as it is in most sports, one camp’s despair is another’s joy and staunch owner Sid Moodley and trainer Frank Robinson will be celebrating the season debut of their 5yo Mambo In Seattle gelding Madison Valley, who came in here off a fifth-placed finish in both the Hollywoodbets Durban July and the World Pool Gold Cup.

Craig Zackey, who booted home three winners on the day to move 3 ahead of Richard Fourie on the national log, rode a confident race and confirmed that Madison Valley, currently at 10 on the big-race log, will be his Summer Cup ride – his confidence boosted by the likely turnaround in the weights. Madison Valley holds an entry in the R1-million Allied Steelrode Onamission Gr2 Charity Mile to be contested at Turffontein on 1 November:

Glen Kotzen’s On My Honour, at 11 on the first Summer Cup log, was having his first outing since running 6 lengths off The Real Prince in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and stayed on with zest to run a 2,25 lengths fourth.

Having his first outing since being scratched after refusing to canter to the start for the HKJC Champions Cup at the end of last term, the reschooled Royal Victory, who was posted at 2 on the first big-race log, was on his best behaviour, but didn’t get into the race and finished 6th and 3,75 lengths behind Madison Valley. Not a bad prep for the 2023 Summer Cup champion!

Paul Lafferty’s Bruh (50-1) ran out of his skin to finish a 2,20 lengths second, with new Summerveld resident Adam Azzie’s Claw (10-1) a further 0,40 lengths back in third.

A R220 000 BSA November 2yo Sale graduate, Madison Valley was bred by

Clifton Stud and is a 5yo son of deceased Kingmambo stallion Mambo In Seattle out of the five-time winning Al Mufti mare Valdovino, who raced for Verna Roberts.

Madison Valley has now won 6 races with 5 places from 22 starts for stakes of R1 142 875.

A total of 42 horses were entered for the R6 million Gr1 Betway Summer Cup to be run at Turffontein on 29 November, with the field limited to 20 runners. Okavango and Count Huhtikuu have been withdrawn.

Second entries for the Betway Summer Cup close at 11h00 on Tuesday 4 November 2025.

Final Entries close at 09h00 on Monday 17 November 2025. Weights will be published on Monday 17 November 2025. Declarations

are due by 11h00 Wednesday 19 November 2025.

Jockeys wore black armbands and the Hollywoodbets Greyville flags were flown at half mast in honour of multiple East Cape champion trainer Gavin Smith, whose passing, after a battle with cancer, shocked the SA racing industry on Sunday morning.

SOME SUNDAY STANDOUTS

The Hollywoodbets Greyville racemeeting on Sunday produced a host of good performances. In Time Is Money this week, we look at a few standouts.

The Greyville Convention Centre B Stakes was not surprisingly the quickest of the three 1200m races and here we saw a gutsy front running performance from the 5yo mare TARA STAR. Now a winner of six of her sixteen outings to date, the daughter of Just As Well raced a length and a half clear and set good fractions throughout.

She ran on strongly under just hands and heels at the business end of the race and won well by a half. Tara Star was reported coughing post-race. One to look out for next time from this race is the runner up Maphaka. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge was eight lengths adrift at the back coming off the bend, and did very well indeed to get as close as he did.

Going: Good to Soft Penetrometer: 26

Rain: Last 24 hours 2,5mm –

Last 7 days 14,5mm

Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil –Last 7 days 5mm

False Rail: 3m

Wind: 10-30km/h South Westerly tail wind

Course Variant: 0,76s slow

Some very useful equine athletes went to post for the bill topping Form Guide www.gallop.co.za Conditions Plate over 1400m and here we saw a smart performance from the Summer Cup entry MADISON VALLEY (raced equipped with blinkers).

Run just 6/100th of a second faster than the Class 4 event, there was no pace on in the early stages and nicely positioned in fourth, the son of Mambo In Seattle only had three lengths to find turning for home. He ran on best of all in the straight and won going away by a length and three quarters.

The time of 22,37 seconds recorded by Madison Valley over the final 400m was the fastest for that segment of the afternoon. When interviewed after the race, jockey Craig Zackey said that he would be riding Madison Valley in the Summer Cup.

Run at a true pace, the Tote For The Win D Stakes was by far the quickest of the two 1600m races on the card. The nibbled at outsider Gardener’s Pride (hung in from 250m) was swiftly guided over from a wide draw to make the running, whilst the eventual winner GLOBAL MOVEMENT sat some five lengths away in sixth. The 7yo grey quickened well at the top of the straight and after taking up the running 150m from home, he won going away by two and a half.

The two 1900m races were both false paced affairs with the quicker being the Live It. Love It. Own It. Class 4 event won by the Vercingetorix gelding SPECTACULAR (4/1 into 5/2 favourite). The pace was a steady one throughout and confidently ridden by Serino Moodley, Glen Kotzen’s charge sat some six lengths behind the leader in eighth. He was ridden to lead 160m out and won well by just over a length. Spectacular was reported as coughing after the race.

Fastest

HERO FOR STUD IRISH CHAMPION STAKES

Economics, one of last season’s standout stars with an impressive victory in the Irish Champion Stakes, has been retired.

Trained by William Haggas for Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the son of Night Of Thunder became one of the best three-yearolds of his generation when dominating the Dante Stakes at York with an impressive six-length win, defeating the previous year’s Futurity Trophy scorer Ancient Wisdom in the process.

He followed up in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano in Deauville by two lengths from a high-class field which included Jayarebe,

Almaqam and Arrow Eagle before producing his best performance when striking at Leopardstown, where he defeated dual Derby hero and Breeders’ Cup victor Auguste Rodin, as well as Irish Derby winner Los Angeles and the multiple Group 1-winning Luxembourg.

Following that Group 1 success, Economics ran just twice more, when down the field in the last two runnings of the Champion Stakes.

“He had everything you look for in a top-class racehorse – athleticism, temperament, and an extraordinary will to win,” said Haggas. “His performance at Leopardstown was one of the most thrilling I’ve witnessed, it’s hard

Economics wins The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes 2024 from Auguste Rodin in second and Shin Emperor in third

Credit: HRI

to believe we could have had a horse of this calibre so close to Baaeed. He retires with our deepest admiration and is certainly one of the best colts we’ve had.”

Jake Warren, bloodstock and racing advisor to Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, added: “Economics showed us on numerous occasions how brilliant he was, in particular when defeating a seasoned field of Group 1 winners, including Auguste Rodin, in the Irish Champion Stakes last year where he rightfully secured his place as one of the highest rated mile-and-a-quarter colts in the world.

“His page is very strong, he’s by Night of Thunder who’s breaking records on the track and in the sales ring and out of an

exceptionally tough Group 2-winning race mare. He’s an incredibly good-looking horse with a tremendous step so I’m sure breeders will be very interested in him as I have no doubt he’ll produce very attractive, easymoving, commercial offspring.

“We haven’t decided on where he’ll stand just yet, we’ve been taking calls, but options are still open at this stage.”

Tom Marquand, who partnered Economics in six of his seven starts, said: “He was simply brilliant, when you pressed the button he just went through the gears effortlessly. His Irish Champion win showed what he was capable of against some of the very best mile-and-aquarter colts in the world.”

FOR CAPE GROOMS R2 MILLION MILESTONE

Following an initiative that was launched by Hollywoodbets in KZN in 2019, one of horseracing’s most strategically important front-line stakeholder sectors, the Grooms, are acknowledged countrywide with a variety incentives for winners.

The sixth race, a R148 000 Progress Plate, at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last Saturday represented a notable chapter for the Cape region as the local Grooms’ initiative powered by Hollywoodbets and Race Coast reached the R2 million milestone.

Zanekhaya Mahesi of the Candice Bass team was the happy man who celebrated the smart milestone winner in the shape of the Horizon filly, Scarlet Macaw.

The unsung heroes and strategic back-room men are instrumental in playing a vital role in the delivery of a world-class product, and a further boost for the Grooms will be the Khaya Stables Star Groom campaign, which will run for the duration of the Cape Summer Festival Of Champions from 2 November to 28 February.

This campaign will reward the Grooms of the top 5 finishers in the 36 graded and listed races over the period.

First place will receive a cash prize of R5 000, second will be R2 000, third R1500, fourth R1000, while the Groom of the fifth placed finisher receives R500.

Khaya Stables’ Lady Christine Laidlaw has been a prominent supporter and passionate personality in South African horseracing since 2008.

Sponsors of the Diadem Stakes and this valued Grooms’ incentive, the Khaya Stables journey started in South Africa with the purchase in 2008 of Pivotal’s son Noordhoek Flyer (SNL), who won the Gr1 Bloodstock SA

Cape Guineas and the Gr2 KRA Guineas in KwaZulu-Natal, before becoming a sire.

Lady Laidlaw races exclusively under the Khaya Stables banner, without partners.

Dean Kannemeyer is the main trainer for the operation and has won most of the feature races for Khaya Stables.

FOUR FOR SNAITH CLOCK THIS!

There were some very smart performances at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday and none more so than that of Mente Et Manu when winning the Lucky Fish Winning Streak C Stakes over 1600m.

In what proved to be by far the faster of the two events over the distance, the son of Lancaster Bomber raced seventh some five lengths off a fair pace set by It Is My Time. Ridden with just hands and heels throughout by Richard Fourie, Justin Snaith’s charge took up the running shortly after passing the 400m. He only had to be pushed out from there onwards and with a ton in hand, he went on to score impressively by two and three quarters. The third of four winners on the card for champion trainer Justin Snaith, Mente Et Manu was very highly regarded as a youngster and has clearly come right since undergoing a wind operation.

Going: Good

Penetrometer: 22

Rain: Last 24 hours 1mm –Last 7 days 2mm

Irrigation: Last 24 hours 10mm –Last 7days 40mm

False Rail: Original position back straight with 3m spur at 450m

Wind: 17-22km/h South Easterly cross wind Course Variant: 1,52s fast

Another to impress from the Snaith stable was the Gimmethegreenlight colt SMARTEN UP when opening his account in the One World Racing Syndicate Maiden Plate over 1400m. Ridden by J P v.d. Merwe who partnered his mother Smart Call to victory in the 2016 J&B Met, Smarten Up raced sixth for most of the journey just four and a half lengths off the pace set by Blue Steel. He was always travelling well and with J P looking around after striking the front 100m from home, he won going away with plenty in hand.

Four of the afternoon’s nine races were staged over 1250m and run in a time only marginally faster than the three maiden plates over the distance, SCARLET MACAW registered her third career victory in the Perfectly Placed Progress Plate (f) . By far the slowest of the four to the 1000m mark, the field was always very tightly bunched and although racing at the back, Candice Bass’ charge was only five lengths off the pace. She ran on best of all when the race developed into a much shorter sprint early in the straight and recording the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon, she got up close home to score by a half.

The horses with the highest average merit ratings on the card contested the Dare 2 Dream Racing Syndicate A Stakes over 1400m and in what proved to be a very false paced affair, the 5yo OUTLAW KING gained his fifth career victory. There was no real pace on in the early stages of the race and usually

one to run on stoutly from off them, the son of Rafeef found himself at the front. He ran on strongly when the race developed into a sprint 400m out and won comfortably from the running on Zeitz by a length.

The newcomer SAACHI ONE recorded the second fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon when winning the opening

HWB Durbanville Welcomes You Maiden Plate (3yo fillies) over 1250m.

WINS POLY CHALLENGE HOMETOWN HERO

The Alan Greeff-trained Mercantour made history at Fairview on Friday when he became the first hometown-based galloper to win the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge ‘triple crown’.

After Glen Kotzen’s raider King Regent wore the crown at the ninth renewal of the series last year, the former Stuart Pettigrew-trained Mercantour, a Varsfontein-bred son of the late Forest Wildcat stallion Var, showed his class with his first victory over the mile, when staying on strongly at 7-10 to beat the 8yo Bingwa (41) by a half length in a time of 95,91 secs.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge 1600 saw Strathclyde smartly

out of the gates to lead affairs under jockey Charles Ndlovu. Bingwa, from the Gavin Smith yard ridden by Craig Zackey, secured second spot and Richard Fourie had Mercantour in a ground-saving rail position, content to track the leaders in third.

Bingwa moved into the lead at the 1100m mark, with Strathclyde and Mercantour still tracking the leaders.

Mercantour used the turn to weave his way past Strathclyde and set his sights on Bingwa. The 6yo unwound into the straight, sweeping into the lead.

Alan Greeff’s team were all smiles as Mercantour (Richard Fourie) returns to the number 1 box | Credit: Pauline Herman

“He has done well and he is a worthy winner of all three the legs of the Poly Challenge,” said Fourie after the race.

“Finally having a Triple Crown Poly champion from Gqeberha is absolutely amazing. We didn’t go fast at all and I was in daylight –not where I’m comfortable with this horse. I’d rather have him looking at horses. Just before the 900m mark it started stretching a bit behind the initial leader. He quickened up really well, but I was at my max. Thank goodness I had a horse with a brave heart and he just kept plugging through to the line. He won a great race.”

Trainer Alan Greeff admitted that the last leg of the Poly Challenge was the most nervewracking as Mercantour had never won over 1600m before. “When he won the first leg, I was relieved,” said the trainer, adding that the Poly Challenge only became their main goal after Mercantour proved that the Polytrack is his favourite surface. “This was the most nervous race for me, but Richard (Fourie) was full of confidence after his last run that he would get the distance, and he has done so.”

Both Fourie and Greeff were full of praise for owner Peter Moor, who purchased Mercantour and then relocating him from the Highveld down to the Eastern Cape. “Well done to

Mr Moor. He has done a huge favour for PE racing. We can’t thank him enough for his support and I am very grateful that he is being richly rewarded here with a nice triple crown bonus,” concluded Alan.

A son of the deceased speed champion Var (Forest Wildcat), the Varsfontein-bred winner is out of the Western Winter mare, Winter Wood. The latter is a half-sister to Royal Vintage, a stakes winner in both Dubai and South Africa, and Gr2 November Handicap winner Alderry.

A R200 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Mercantour is now a winner of 11 races with 15 places from 39 starts for stakes of R1 255 853 – that excludes the R250 000 bonus banked here for his hat-trick over 1200m, 1400m and 1600m.

Richard Fourie grabbed a treble on the afternoon, while Alan Greeff saddled a double.

The next East Cape racemeeting is on Friday 24 October when the Listed Racehorse Owners Association Stakes will be the headliner.

TO STAND AT COOLMORE DUBAWI SON

Delacroix has now retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore for the coming season.

As a two-year-old, Delacroix broke his maiden at the Curragh in August earning TDN Rising Star status, became a Group winner when landing the Autumn Stakes and missed out on a Group 1 success by just a nose in the Futurity Stakes.

After two facile Derby Trial wins at Leopardstown in the spring, Delacroix was sent off favourite for the Derby. Things

didn’t go to plan at Epsom and he was dropped back in trip for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. Here he displayed a devastating turn of foot to defeat Ombudsman from a seemingly impossible position. “What he did at Sandown, you don’t see horses do that,” commented his trainer Aidan O’Brien. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horse do what he did.”

That burst of acceleration was again seen to great effect in the Irish Champion Stakes, when Delacroix put the race to bed in a matter of strides, swooping to the front two furlongs from home. The Eclipse/Irish

Delacroix seen winning the Coral Eclipse | Credit: Coolmore

Champion Stakes double has previously been achieved by notable stallions like Sadler’s Wells, Giant’s Causeway, Sea The Stars and St Mark’s Basilica.

“Delacroix is a gorgeous horse, undoubtedly the best-looking son of Dubawi we’ve ever seen,” said Coolmore’s David O’Loughlin.

“He’s out of one of America’s greatest racemares of recent times and was an exceptionally sound, tough and talented racehorse with a lethal turn of foot. Dubawi’s sons like Night of Thunder, Too Darn Hot, Zarak and New Bay are all excelling at stud and Delacroix was higher-rated and ran more times than any of them. His pedigree is free of Sadler’s Wells, Galileo, Danehill and Green Desert so he will be a very important outcross for Coolmore and many of our clients.”

Delacroix is out of $8,000,000 mare purchase Tepin who was twice champion grass mare in North America. In 23 starts she won no less than 13 races including six at the highest level and defeated a top class field in the Queen Anne Stakes over the straight mile at Royal Ascot. Sadly Tepin only had four foals before her untimely passing but two have scored at the highest level, the other being Grateful, a Group 1 winner in France.

A stud fee for Delacroix will be announced at a later date.

FOR SEA THE STARS FILLY SA CONNECTIONS CELEBRATE VICTORY

With the prospects of an exciting classic season ahead on South African soil for the Roberston nursery Ridgemont, the Kieswetter family celebrated a winner in partnership with Owen Heffer in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday when the silks of their County Tipperary-based Barnane Stud was carried to victory by the beautifully-bred 3yo Sea The Stars filly Candleford Green, who showed courage and heart to win an 1800m fillies’ maiden at Gowran Park at her fourth outing.

Title chasing Colin Keane, who won the Gr1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Saturday on the defending champion Kalpana, was in the saddle on the 5-4 favourite Candleford Green who took up the lead early.

Pressured by Rocket Robyn at the 300m, Candleford Green was kept beautifully balanced by Keane and was not throwing in the towel. She maintained her advantage to the line, with the 7-1 Metamorhic well beaten in third.

Trainer Willie Mullins said: “She was second on her only run last year in Leopardstown, but maybe it turned out to be not quite as good as we thought it looked at the time. We’re very happy to win her maiden and I’ll have a word with Barnane Stud to see where to from here.”

Candleford Green is out of the Norse Dancer Listed Pretty Polly Stakes winner Dorcas Lane, who is also dam of the useful Atty

The Barnane Stud flag flies high as Colin Keane steers Candleford Green to a well earned victory | Credit: Supplied

Persse. A direct descendant of legendary broodmare Horama, Dorcas Lane’s third dam is Irish Oaks winner Give Thanks.

The winner is a full-sister to both Barnane bred Maman Joon who won the Listed Violet Stakes and ran fourth in the Oaks, and a half-sister to the accomplished Candleford (Kingman), who was raced by the breeder and won all of the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot, Listed Weatherbys Digital Solution, and the Listed Charlie Woods Stakes.

Candleford Green is by champion Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) who had a colt fetch

3,7 million guineas (US$ 5 205 900 ) at the recent opening session of Book 1 of the 2025 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The colt became not only the most expensive yearling of 2025 but the most expensive ever sired by Sea The Stars, who has 24 Grade 1 winners to his credit.

“We are very chuffed that Candleford Green got stuck in, on ground not favourable to her, to pick up her maiden win. She is a neat filly who, on pedigree, should enjoy racing into her four year career, so she will most likely head back to Barnane for a little break while we discuss a plan for her with Willie and his team.” added Craig Kieswetter.

MURPHY’S LAW! OISIN’S LIFE…

“It will remain absent of chaos provided I stay sober.” Irishman Oisin Murphy summed up his life earlier this week after he had secured the British Champion Jockey title for a fifth time on Saturday, having taken the accolade in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024. The enigmatic talent ends the championship on 143 winners, with Billy Loughnane next best on 108.

In a season of dizzy highs, and personal lows, Murphy’s on-track big moments included a Gr1 double at York’s Ebor Festival on Australian mare Asfoora in the Nunthorpe

Stakes and Never So Brave in the City Of York Stakes.

Murphy said: “You always dream about winning the title once and it is great to pick it up again today. William Buick and I travel a lot together and he was revving me up in the springtime on the way to Dubai, Saudi and Qatar, saying ‘you have to try’, and that probably got inside my head.

“I had a good start in May, winning the Lockinge on Lead Artist, and that gave me momentum. It has been great to carry that

Oisin Murphy proudly lifts the trophy at Ascot last Saturday | Credit: Megan Coggin

through the season. In the last six weeks, I have had three and four-timers, which has meant the last fortnight has been pretty relaxed as I had a decent lead over Billy Loughnane, who has been riding terrifically well.

“The weighing room is very competitive. There are some very good riders in the British weighing room, Group One-winning riders with loads of experience and plenty of young talent as well. This is a difficult competition to win and I am pleased to get it over the line.”

But not everybody is singing the champion’s praises. William Haggas, one of Britain’s most successful and respected trainers, said on Sunday that he believes Oisin Murphy employs riding tactics that amount to a ‘professional foul’.

Haggas also claimed the champion jockey has been ‘getting away with blue murder for a while’ as local stewarding panels are deciding that resulting interference is accidental.

Speaking on Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday programme, Haggas said that Murphy, is ‘the best around’ and ‘an outstanding rider’, but added that he feels the jockey can allow his mount to ‘lean across’ an opponent, stopping their momentum at a vital stage of a race.

While he was sharply critical of what he sees as potentially dangerous tactics employed by Murphy and other riders, Haggas also suggested that the blame lies with Stipes failing to treat such incidents as deliberate, and accepting jockeys’ explanations – such as that inexperienced horses are running ‘green’ – too readily.

A shocking personal jolt came in April when Murphy was driving at night with a passenger alongside him. He crashed into a tree and

was fortunate that no one was hurt because, hours after the accident, he was ‘just shy’ of having twice the legal limit for alcohol in his system. When the case went to court in July, he was fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months.

Murphy’s longest riding suspension occurred in December 2021 when he was banned for 14 months by the British Horseracing Authority after he admitted various disciplinary offences, including misleading BHA officials, breaches of Covid-19 protocols and two failed breath tests.

Still only 30, Murphy looked booked for big things from a young age, truly announcing himself as a top talent on Ayr Gold Cup day in 2013.

A single championship was once a key goal, with as many as five titles a distant prospect in the earlier stages of his career.

He said: “I didn’t ever envisage five championships. I was hopeful I might get one, I remember finishing second to Silvestre de Sousa and hoping I could build on that year and maybe be there or thereabouts as it was a huge ambition of mine. Some years have been easier than others, this season I’ve had a commanding lead for quite some time but you are always looking over your shoulder, checking the results every day. You are aware that one careless riding ban or broken collarbone can impact on your season, so it’s never quite safe until you are in this sort of position. I am aware I’m in a privileged and strong position riding for a lot of big stables at the moment and without that backing I wouldn’t be at the top of the championship.”

While Murphy is likely to have a few rides abroad in the winter, and has travelled far and wide this term. At the close of the season

it is the young rider Billy Loughnane that he suspects will be a key rival in the future.

He said: “I tried to achieve everything this year, I didn’t want to miss anything abroad and I’m well down on numbers ridden here as a result. I think the likes of Billy Loughnane will be hard to beat next year. He’s got huge hunger but statistically he’ll have to be stronger - but you have to remember his age, he’s only going to get better.”

Murphy grew up in Killarney, County Kerry.

A premature baby, he weighed just 1,3 kg at birth. He started riding aged four and got his own pony, Rusty, when he was seven.

When he was fourteen, the family moved to Buttevant, County Cork, so that Murphy could ride under the tutelage of his uncle Jim Culloty, three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and Grand National hero. Having sat on a racehorse for the first time at the age of fourteen, Murphy abandoned his earlier ambition to be a show-jumper and embarked on the pony-racing circuit.

When he was fifteen, he spent the summer at Tommy Stack’s yard in County Tipperary and the following summer worked at Ballydoyle.

In October 2012, at the age of seventeen, he moved to England and joined Andrew Balding’s yard at Kingsclere in Berkshire.

Oisin Murphy’s part-autobiography, part-diary written in real-time, Sacrifice was published earlier this month and is described as an immersive memoir charting the champion’s year in the saddle, laying bare the pressures of life at the pinnacle of horse-racing. Surely well worth a read!

CALANDAGAN! GIANT KILLER

Calandagan (Mickael Barzalona) returns to the winner’s enclosure | Credit: Megan Coggin

Calandagan (15/8) atoned for his narrow defeat in last year’s Gr1 QIPCO Champion Stakes as he stormed to a two-and-aquarter-length success over market rival Ombudsman on Saturday in a brilliant 2025 edition of the 10-furlong showpiece.

The market principals were held up a long way off a strong gallop but it was Calandagan and Mickael Barzalona who showed the best change of gear as the cream rose to the top in the home straight.

Ombudsman (13/8F), the highest-rated horse in the world, threw down a strong challenge alongside Calandagan approaching the final furlong but could not go with the winner late on. Almaqam (28/1), who beat Ombudsman at Sandown Park earlier in the season, edged out Delacroix for third.

Calandagan has shone twice at Ascot this year for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs, having produced another top-class effort to defeat Kalpana and Rebel’s Romance in July’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The gelded son of Gleneagles becomes the fourth French-trained winner of the QIPCO Champion Stakes since it moved to Ascot, following Cirrus des Aigles (2011), Almanzor (2016) and Sealiway (2021).

Graffard, who also trains Arc winner Daryz, said: “Calandagan is a fantastic horse. The way he was working coming into this race was just incredible. He loves this track, and we know him very well. When he took his stride in the straight, it was just so beautiful to watch. Ombudsman was trying to challenge him, but Calandagan is a very good horse.

“I kept him fresh. We haven’t been very

greedy with him by trying to run him too much – and the horse gives back to us now. He is a real star. We love horse racing and today was a beautiful horse race to watch.

“I think Calandagan is a real champion. Work is so easy for him, but he needs to work. I was quite far from the Champion Stakes, but I had to put him in a gallop with Daryz before Arc weekend because I needed him to be fitter for today. He was looking at Daryz like this [glances to the side and smiles] ‘come with me, I’ll show you how it works’. It was unbelievable but looking back now it was a gallop with an Arc winner and a Champion Stakes winner.”

Asked whether the horse is better this year, he said: “He is maturing and strengthening. Before it was hard to put him in the stalls, now it is not a problem. Everything is going the right way. I was very stressed before the race, because I was expecting more tactics and it was difficult to read the racing from the beginning of the afternoon, so I was very stressed about that, but it worked out well and it’s easier when you have a champion.”

DEFENDS TITLE IN STYLE KALPANA

The Gr1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Saturday turned into a one-horse show from the two-furlong pole as 11/8 market leader Kalpana quickened away in brilliant style to win the race for a second successive year.

Following her seventh in the Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe earlier this month, Kalpana produced her best performance of the season and, in doing so, boosted Andrew Balding’s trainers’ title hopes to the tune of £301,271.87.

Kalpana kicks clear under Colin Keane | Credit: Megan Coggin

Always ideally placed on the heels of the leader under Colin Keane, Kalpana kicked clear in the straight and never looked like being caught.

Estrange (6/1) stayed on well into second after waiting for a run, two and a half lengths behind the winner, while French raider Quisisana (6/1) finished third.

Balding said: “That was really good. Kalpana has had a frustrating season but looked right back to her best there. Things haven’t quite gone how we wanted them to this year, but that was a pretty good performance.

“It was always a bit of a risk running her back quickly, but maybe we have underdone her all year? You never know, she seems to thrive on it. We had the full support of Barry Mahon and the Juddmonte team, which makes a big difference. When they’re right behind you, which they invariably are, it makes life a lot easier.

“I thought that Colin got her in the perfect position and watching it I didn’t have many anxious moments. It was a strong performance. We thought if she was anywhere near her best, she had an outstanding chance.

“Champions Day is a really good way to end our season and it has become an important focal point for every trainer. To get a winner is special.”

Colin Keane said: “Kalpana is very deserving of her win. It was brilliant. She has been very consistent all year. Obviously, the last day in France was a little bit disappointing, but fair play to Andrew and the team for bouncing her back quick – if you had seen her beforehand,

you would not have thought that she only ran a couple of weeks ago.

“We were going steady, and the brilliant thing about her is that she’s good from the stalls and will shut down wherever you put her. She relaxes, conserves energy, and when you ask her, she is good and genuine. She is a dream to ride.”

Barry Mahon of Juddmonte said: “This is massive. This is one of the biggest days of the year in British racing and to be here with a filly like that is amazing. The owners are here and it’s nice to be able to take part – and to have a winner is extra special.

“Kalpana is tough. It didn’t work out for her in the Arc. The owners are sportsmen and said roll the dice if Andrew is happy and he gave us the green light on Wednesday – and thank God he did.”

200-1!

Powerful Glory produced one of the greatest shocks in horse racing history with a remarkable 200-1 last-gasp success in the Gr1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot on Saturday.

The lightly raced winner was the beneficiary of another masterful ride on Ascot’s Straight Course from Jamie Spencer, who smuggled the three-year-old into contention in the near side group before getting up to collar 2/1 favourite Lazzat in the final strides.

Winner of the Gr2 Mill Reef Stakes last year, Powerful Glory usurps 150/1 Sussex Stakes scorer Qirat as the longest-priced winner of a Group One race in the UK. The son of Cotai Glory required wind surgery earlier in the year and lined up after finishing last of five in a conditions race at Beverley.

This was a second QIPCO British Champions Sprint victory for trainer Richard Fahey, who lifted the prize in 2018 with Sands Of Mali, and a second for Spencer, who gave Maarek a similarly brilliant ride in 2012.

Powerful Glory (Jamie Spencer, yellow cap) beats Lazzat to win the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Credit: Megan Coggin

Fahey said: “Powerful Glory was undefeated as a two-year-old, including in the Mill Reef on ground no doubt he hated. The plan was to get him ready for the Commonwealth Cup, but we had our prep and he completely emptied, so we did some investigations and he had a tiny wind issue. Of course, we had to do the operation and recuperation.

“This race closed ages ago, so even after that first disappointing run, I had made the entry. I would have loved to get a run into him and the only one I could find was a five-furlong race at Beverley – I had to run him, and fair play to Sheikh Rashid, I said, ‘sir, the horse will need this badly’. I always love to get a run into them after a wind operation, to get a bit of confidence into them that they are right now. You could say he was disappointing, but I was delighted, if that makes sense, as he was staying on again at the end of a sharp five at Beverley.

“Since Beverley, he has been training extremely well. I am not saying I thought he would come here and nearly win, but I knew he would do his best and, when I saw 200/1, I nearly had a bet. I don’t bet, but I nearly had a bet. We have seen the real Powerful Glory today – and he has only had four starts.

“I am delighted for everybody; it has been tricky for us this year, and to finish with a Group One is fantastic, especially for Sheikh Rashid, who has been a huge supporter for me. It is always great to reward owners that are faithful to you.”

Spencer said: “I am lost for words. Powerful Glory is a good horse and travelled nicely. I thought I was going to be placed and all of a sudden I thought I actually have a chance. He jinked a little bit left and I had to put my whip away and I thought ‘oh, I pray I’ve held on’. Just shocked really. James [Doyle] was

second and he is one of my best friends –disbelief!

“I have known Richard a long time – great guy, great trainer, and it’s a good result for him too. I thought this morning when I saw the horse was 80/1, well, Khaadem was 80/1, so you never know. But not in your wildest dreams are you expecting to win after finishing last in a five-runner conditions race, but that’s what the good trainers do, they turn the screw.

“The horse felt really good going down; from the minute I got on him, he felt good and had his ears pricked. For the first couple of furlongs, I was getting him settled because they split into groups and I was trying to get cover. But from two out I thought, ‘I’m going to run a good race’, and then actually, ‘I’ve got a good chance of winning now’. It is a different set of emotions as the race progressed, I am just glad that it worked out. I haven’t got much road left in me – I doubt I’ll have another one [at that price]!”

HOOK, LINE & SINKER!

Trawlerman (5/6F) cemented his status as the leading stayer around with a gritty success over stablemate Sweet William in the Gr1 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Saturday.

In a strongly run race, William Buick kicked for home on Trawlerman approaching the home turn and, although Sweet William (5/2) made good headway in the straight, a length and a half separated the John & Thady Gosden-trained duo at the line.

Godolphin’s star stayer, winning this race for a second time after his defeat of Kyprios in 2023, is unbeaten domestically this year after wins in the Gr3 Henry II Stakes, Gr1 Gold Cup and Gr2 Lonsdale Cup.

John Gosden said: “I think Trawlerman was at his imperious best in the Gold Cup; I think today he might not totally be… Sweet William ran a blinder. They are two lovely horses, seven years old and six years old, great staying horses. They are part of the family.

“When they go to take a breather, that’s when Trawlerman says ‘no, we’re running two miles at a proper gallop, we’re not fiddling about’. He probably idled a bit, but the other horse was running on, so it was a great performance from both of them.

“Sweet William has won the Doncaster Cup two years running, and the crowd gave a hell of a roar, because they saw the pink colours coming, and thought we’re going to have a hell of a battle. There was a moment when I

Photographer Trawlerman (William Buick) after winning the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup Credit: Megan Coggin

thought Sweet William might get it, and then didn’t. At the furlong pole I thought he might. “They are two fabulous horses. We will put them away now, bring them out next year and get a run in before the Gold Cup. That would be the plan. Trawlerman is a relentless galloper and I couldn’t be more thrilled with him. It is late in the year for him – he has been on the go for a long time, but it was a great performance.”

Buick said: “Trawlerman is a superstar. I am delighted for him that he can cap his year off in such style. He goes out there, wears his heart on his sleeve and is a proper horse – he is a joy to ride.

“We always have a very open mind [with regard to tactics], the only thing we want is some pace and, if there’s not a good pace, he can make his own running. Al Qareem took us along for the first part of the race and we took it up from half a mile out. This is proper racing, championship racing.

“Trawlerman is the champion stayer and did what we expected of him. I think he is a better horse than he was last year. Frankie [Dettori] won this race on him a couple of years ago and it’s my turn right now. I am very fortunate to be the one riding him.”

HRH Queen Camilla was seen at Ascot on Saturday | Credit: Ascot Racecourse

A GIFT AT 100-1!

Cicero’s Gift became the second shock winner at the QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday as he defied odds of 100/1 for trainer Charlie Hills in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO).

Despite being the lowest rated of the 16 runners, Cicero’s Gift made good progress up the far rail to lead passing the furlong pole

and saw his race out strongly under Jason Watson to win by a length and a quarter.

The Lion In Winter (12/1), also racing on the far side of the track, produced his best performance of the season in second, while Alakazi (22/1) stayed on down the middle to edge out Docklands for third. The 13/8 favourite Field Of Gold held every chance but could not find the gears to challenge late on.

Jason Watson causes chaos as he drives 100-1 outsider Cicero’s Gift home | Credit: Megan Coggin

Hills, whose father Barry passed away in June, said: “Amazing, I am speechless to be honest with you. It has been a really tough year for us at home, but we are a tight family and we’ve stuck strong. The old man would be looking down and would be so chuffed, I’d say. He’d be terribly proud of his family –Michael, Richard, George, we’re a good unit and always try to do the best for each other. I think he’d be over the moon. It is fantastic for Jason, too.

“I have always believed in the horse, but I thought he’d want a bit more cut in the ground than this. The race has worked out perfectly. We thought, ‘oh, there’s been a 200/1 winner already, so that counts us out!’

“The owners are a yard syndicate we set up to try to buy a few horses. We had this race in mind all year. We hoped it would be softer than it was today, but this was his end goal. He is getting better – he was very unsound at one point and had to have a whole year off, but Ian Wright [veterinary surgeon] did a fantastic job with him, and it’s taken a lot of patience. He is very talented, but he hasn’t been the soundest.

“When he won his second race, he beat Docklands giving him nine pounds, and Docklands is a very good horse. We will really look forward to next year. It has been a tough year, but hopefully this will help us spring forward to next year. It is a great meeting, this, every race is top drawer, and just to be part of it makes me very proud.”

Watson said: “I am very lucky to be riding this horse today and a massive thank you to connections and to Charlie who has been a big supporter of mine this season. Nicola, who has been at Charlie’s for a long time and rides Cicero’s Gift every day, said he is in the best form of his whole life – so credit to her and the team at home.

“You don’t expect this to be happening to you! I thought the luck of the day had struck out when the 200/1 winner came in earlier. It means a lot. You need a lot of support. My mum and dad have been good supporters of mine over the years. I didn’t grow up in this industry. It was really difficult for me when I was younger to have the success that I did and then lose it pretty quick. I have been trying to build on it the last few years to get back to the position I know that I’m capable of and I hope today I’ve proved to some people that I’m as good as I used to be.

“I had a job [with Roger Charlton] at a young age, and people kept on saying that I was very young at the time and probably couldn’t handle the job. That always struck a chord with me because I felt that, in my first year with Charlton as a professional, we had a very good year. We had Group Ones together, and the way the season ended – it was to do with my age, I think, and my maturity at the time, being a bit naive to the sport. But I always felt I should be in the game at a very high level, and that’s what I try to prove.”

The leaves are falling, the days are shortening, and Cheltenham returns on Saturday. The 2025 Flat season is nearly done and the curtain raiser to the National Hunt season, the William Hill Showcase meeting takes place at Cheltenham this Friday and Saturday.

The first Saturday meeting at Cheltenham since January, the Showcase meeting remains a crucial one with an eye to the future.

The opening day of the meeting features a seven-race card headlined by the Gr2 Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (16h00).

At time of writing there were 15 declarations including the exciting Un Sens A La Vie from the inform Twiston-Davies yard. The Skeltons are represented with their five-yearold Fortune De Mer who ran an encouraging third on his seasonal return late last month, while trainer Olly Murphy has entered his progressive four-year-old Sir Galahad.

Saturday’s card also features seven races including the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (15h55). It is a qualifier for the festival later in the season, and as a result, Willie Mullins has a rare runner at the meeting.

Britain and Ireland’s champion trainer looks set to saddle six-year-old Chart Topper in the three-mile contest. Chart Topper brings some promising form from big handicaps, having finished sixth behind Jeriko Du Reponet at the Punchestown festival. He has not been seen since finishing third at Galway this summer but has to be respected for Mullins, whose sole runner at this meeting in 2022, Dads Lad, was a winner.

The trainer’s nephew Emmett could saddle Chance Another One, who made a winning chasing debut at Ballinrobe when last seen, and recent Tipperary maiden hurdle winner Watchful Protector.

Other Irish entries include the Henry De Bromhead-trained Quantum Quest who is seeking a hat-trick of wins, while Gordon Elliott has Semrandzarak and Winning Smut in the mix.

Trainer Olly Murphy has his useful Sir Galahad also included in the day’s feature, the Masterson Holdings Hurdle (16h30), run over two miles.

It looks to be a small field of four-year-olds with only seven declared, including the Harry Derham trained Filibustering, who impressed at Kelso last season.

However, Give It To Me Oj is the potential star turn in the field. Winner of the Bet365 Novices’ Championship Final at Sandown in April, he’s two from two this Flat season for joint-trainers Gary and Josh Moore.

AND 14 IN A ROW! BIG BUCKS

Ka Ying Rising confirmed his status as one of the world’s premier sprinters with a devastating display to win the AU$20 million Gr1 The Everest run over 1200m on Saturday at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia, delivering career-high thrills for Zac Purton and David Hayes.

Purton and Hayes both declared the win the highlight of their decorated careers as Hong Kong, China’s Ka Ying Rising (129lb) banished the doubters who questioned his temperament, spearing into history as the first overseas horse to win the world’s richest turf race, earning AU$7 million (approx. HK35.3 million) with victory over Tempted (112lb) and Jimmysstar (129lb) in 1m 08.13s.

Ridden perfectly by Purton, Ka Ying Rising enhanced his record to 15 wins from 17 starts – and extended his unbeaten streak to 14 wins, a Hong Kong sequence bettered only

Ka Ying Rising storms home to make it 14 on the trot | Credit: HKJC

by fellow champions Silent Witness (17) and Golden Sixty (16), while taking his career prizemoney beyond HK$100 million.

Settling third after jumping smoothly from barrier seven, Ka Ying Rising emerged from the slipstream of leaders Mazu and Overpass to claim the lead inside the last 200m and comfortably held off his pursuers, clocking 33.62s for the last 600m.

Describing the victory as the “biggest moment of his career”, eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey Purton said Ka Ying Rising was not at his absolute best – but was still superior to the cream of Australia’s sprinters.

“I would say probably the single biggest moment (of his career) just because of the stature the race has got now and everything that came with it. The build-up, the horse, coming from overseas, all those things – I think it was probably the single biggest moment,” Purton said.

“He got a little edgy in the gates but to his credit he still began well and we had a beautiful run in the race. Overpass skipped clear (at the top of the straight) but to my horse’s credit he got moving and chased him down and we just coasted to the line after that.

“He’s a special horse. I don’t think we saw him at his best today but even not at his best, he’s still good enough.”

David Hayes said: “It was an absolute thrill and I can’t wait to watch the replay and enjoy it. It’s a long straight, Randwick, when you hit the front, but I think he held on pretty well.

“Great ride by Zac and I was actually going to be shattered today if he lost. I think there’s more to come with this horse but it’s certainly the biggest thrill in my life – and it’s been the longest 10 days in my life.

“I really have to thank my team, they haven’t missed a beat with him and they’ve given just a wonderful effort.”

Representing the Ka Ying Syndicate, Mr Leung Shek Kong immediately indicated he wanted Ka Ying Rising to return to The Everest next year.

“We want to come back next year,” Mr Leung said. “We have all enjoyed our time in Sydney and we want to thank the ATC (Australian Turf Club) and TAB (Totalisator Agency Board). I want to thank David Hayes and his team and The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“I was very nervous before the race but after the parade, I was more comfortable. I felt confident after the parade rings.”

Determined to avoid a repeat of the anxiety Ka Ying Rising experienced before his barrier trial at Royal Randwick on 7 October, Hayes was given approval to keep the gelding cosseted away from the milling crowd in a quiet area of the tie-up stalls.

Hayes briefly took Ka Ying Rising to his allocated stall, where he was greeted by spectators who stood 10-deep in front of his

box to catch a glimpse of the sprinter, before whisking him back to a more secluded stall.

Hayes said the heavily scrutinised barrier trial when Ka Ying Rising finished third behind Linebacker – who easily won the G3 Silver Eagle (1300m) at Royal Randwick today and Overpass (fourth in The Everest) – was pivotal to today’s success.

“He blew out all the mothballs and a lot of people were very critical of the trial. He still beat Group 1 winners and he still ran third. The trial was important for him to get used to Randwick,” Hayes said.

Purton said the raucous atmosphere created by a capacity crowd of about 50,000 had created a pre-race challenge for Ka Ying Rising.

“The crowd did a good job of buzzing him up before the race. I didn’t expect them to boo him and be as vocal as they were when he came out onto the track and it was all the way down until he got to the end of the crowd,” Purton said.

“He handled it really well and I was impressed with that and I just love him – he’s such a nice horse to ride.”

Purton struck in the race immediately before The Everest with a brilliant ride on Robert Heathcote-trained Rothfire in the G3 Sydney Stakes (1200m).

Ka Ying Rising will be prepared for the HK$28 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin’s HK$130 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 14 December.

THE PINNACLE OF SUCCESS

The ninth running of Sydney’s Gr1 A$20 million TAB Everest set a new record for World Pool wagering on Saturday as a 50 000 plus crowd at Royal Randwick watched Hong Kong’s Ka Ying Rising win the world’s richest race on turf.

Watched by hundreds of millions of other viewers around the world, Ka Ying Rising, trained by Australia’s David Hayes and

ridden by ex-pat Aussie Zac Purton, scored a dominant win.

A total of $A16,44m million was bet via the World Pool, which allows co-mingling of international wagering operators into the one pool – easily eclipsing the previous record of $A13,10m in 2023.

TAB Everest Day also broke its own spectator record with a total of 50 167 people on course for a second consecutive year of a sold-out event.

It was also a modern-day Royal Randwick crowd record.

Almost 60 per cent of attendees at Royal Randwick were aged under 26.

A broadcast viewing audience across the United States and more than 200 countries and territories reached more than 560 million viewers.

Australian Turf Club Interim CEO Steve McMahon said Royal Randwick had hosted one of world racing’s most memorable events.

“To see the world’s highest rated sprinter from Hong Kong win in front of a modernday record crowd has further cemented the TAB Everest as an event like no other,’’ Mr McMahon said.

“The youngest crowd in the history of Sydney racing has confirmed the vision of Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club of bringing new fans to a racing and entertainment event that leads the world.’’

TOASTED AT SHA TIN EQUINE HERO

As the dust began to settle on Ka Ying Rising’s seismic triumph in The Everest at Royal Randwick on Saturday, it was fitting that David Hayes scooped Sunday’s Sha Tin closer, the Class 3 Sha Kok Handicap, with exciting talent Fortune Boy, ridden by Karis Teetan, who wrapped up a double in a thrilling blanket finish.

Earlier in the day, a ceremony was held to congratulate the victorious duo of Hayes and Purton on their Sydney heroics.

Of the horse of the hour, Hayes said: “We’re very lucky with this horse, he’s incredibly sound. He’s got a great appetite and the constitution of an elephant. He’d recovered within 20 minutes of the race, and if we needed to – which we’re not – you could run him in two weeks. He’s a fantastic horse.He arrived home on Monday night and will be in Hong Kong for a couple of easy weeks in quarantine.”

Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director Andrew Harding and CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges toast David Hayes and Zac Purton on Ka Ying Rising’s victory | Credit: HKJC

ANOTHER HONG KONG WINNER BET ON BRETT!

South African trainer Brett Crawford claimed the third winner of his Hong Kong debut season with his sole runner of the day at Sha Tin on Sunday when Double Show got up to claim the card-opening Class 5 Shek Mun Handicap under Karis Teetan.

Produced by Teetan 200 metres out after trailing the front-running Lucky Blessing (130lb), Double Show prevailed by one-and-threequarter lengths.

“I’m happy that he’s won the race and I thought he won quite well,” Crawford said.

“He’s dropped a lot in the ratings – obviously he’ll get some of them back today, but I do think

he’s a horse that’s got the ability to follow up.”

The victory nudged the South African horseman’s strike rate up to a remarkable 16% from just 19 starts.

My Wish underlined his mounting HK$36 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile credentials with a scintillating performance to scoop the HK$5.35 million G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap.

The five-year-old remained on course for his long-term target at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 14 December as he continued his rise through the grades under trainer Mark Newnham, after scooping his second Group prize of the season.

Brett Crawford moved on to three winners for the season with Double Show’s victory | Credit: HKJC

Given a fine steer by stand-in pilot Alexis Badel, tracking the brisk pace set by Keagan De Melo on Copartner Prance (117lb) before moving from his haunches and bursting clear to salute by one-and-a-quarter lengths, My Wish (115lb) claimed the sixth win of his sparkling career so far. Copartner Prance held on for an excellent second whilst Derek Leung and Beauty Joy (117lb) completed the frame in third.

“I had an awkward gate but we decided to make it simple not complicated and he just relaxed,” Badel said. “He was waiting for me to ask him (for an effort) and when I did, he just responded well.”

Newnham was gushing about his stable star and his improvement this season.

“His race manners have improved as he’s matured,” Newnham said. “He’s got that good gate speed. He (Badel) had to use him a little

bit – the inside runners weren’t going to make it easy for him. But when he got there, he waited and conserved energy.”

But the handler, who oversaw 43 black type wins in his native Australia, sounded a note of caution that he won’t enjoy the benefit of minimum weight – as he did today – when the December extravaganza rolls around.

“By that stage (HKIR), we’re meeting more on level weights,” Newnham said. “So, he’s got to continue to improve, but he’s doing the job well and I think there’s enough improvement to see him at that level.”

The next test for the Flying Artie gelding is to navigate November’s HK$5.35 million Gr2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m).

The dream weekend continued for Zac Purton, fresh from his landmark victory in the G1 The

Badel

Everest (1200m) on Saturday (18 October), as he bagged a double to move to 1,899 Hong Kong wins.

The first leg of his brace came in the Class 4 Sun Tin Wai Handicap (1000m) aboard the promising Robot Lucky Star (125lb). The Manfred Man-trained four-year-old claimed his maiden win, quickening nicely with 100m to go along the Sha Tin straight course to pull clear and prevail comfortably over California Blitz (122lb).

Purton improved to 21 wins for the season when he combined with Man for another success, this time aboard Patch Of Stars (134lb) in the Class 3 Lek Yuen Handicap (1200m).

After seven runners-up finishes before today, Matthew Poon netted an overdue win after a sterling effort from Gracious Express (127lb) in the Class 3 Wo Che Handicap (1400m). The Ricky Yiu inmate was forced to dig deep to fend off a spirited charge from Purton’s mount, Everyone’s Star (127lb).

Lyle Hewitson continued his impressive form this term, striking on Special Hedge (121lb) in the Class 4 Chun Shek Handicap (1800m) to notch his seventh win so far. The Michael Chang-trained gelding got up by a short head after a desperate battle to the line with Chris So’s Firefoot (120lb).

JACARANDA FM CUP TUNES IN TO

4Racing have announced Jacaranda FM as the Official Radio Partner for the 2025 Betway Summer Cup, Gauteng’s premier horse racing event. The Summer Cup has been Johannesburg’s marquee race day, dating back to the very first running on 15 July 1887 and making it as deeply rooted in the Highveld soil as the City itself.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, 29 November 2025, at Turffontein Racecourse, and is themed ‘Jozi Rising’ to celebrate all that makes the metropolis unique.

Jacaranda FM joins headline sponsor Betway, supported by Jetour South Africa, TAB, Racing Today, Racing 240, New Turf Carriers and BET International.

“We extend a warm welcome to Jacaranda FM to the Summer Cup family,” said 4Racing CEO, Patrick Duff.

“Partnering with Jacaranda FM as our official radio partner for the 2025 Betway Summer Cup is a powerful alignment of two brands that understand the importance of community, energy, and unforgettable experiences. Their passion for storytelling and connection mirrors our own commitment to revitalising racing and bringing it closer to the people. We are excited to work with a media partner that not only amplifies our message but shares our vision for celebrating Johannesburg’s vibrant spirit. This collaboration is key to our broader strategy to reimagine the future of racing — and we’re just getting started.”

“Partnering with the Betway Summer Cup is a natural fit for Jacaranda FM. Both brands share a passion for bringing people together through unforgettable experiences. We’re excited to amplify this iconic event and celebrate Johannesburg’s dynamic spirit across our platforms,” adds Vuyani Dombo, Managing Director at Jacaranda FM.

A stellar draft of 42 nominations was received at first entry stage on 8 October, including 2024 Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch and 2023 winner Royal Victory.

Supported by a host of some of the top racing talent from around the country, the field is shaping up to being another clash for the ages.

The final fields and draws will be announced on 19 November. With announcements for the full undercard and entertainment eagerly awaited, the 2025 Betway Summer Cup is

firmly on track to deliver as Johannesburg’s best end of year party!

General Access tickets start at R100, while full hospitality packages start at R2250 per person and don’t forget to take advantage of the ‘4Friends’ promotion, offering 4 tickets for the price of 3 until 25 November. The Betway Summer Cup is perfect for corporate year-end parties and businesses are encouraged to book their packages soon, before hospitality areas reach capacity. Tickets are available via Ticketpro at www.ticketpro.co.za .

Found your favourite? You can Bet On TAB at www.tab.co.za , or social media pages @ TABSouthAfrica on Facebook, Instagram and X.

To stay up to date with the latest event information, please visit https://betwaysummercup.co.za/ and social media pages @summercupracing on Instagram and X and Summer Cup Racing on Facebook.

NHA CALENDAR PER 17 OCTOBER 2025

The Sporting Post presents this week’s National Horseracing Authority Calendar.

The calendar is a summary of last week’s penalties and registrations, and is an easy-read snapshot of information.

Please click on the image below:

Parade ring activity at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday – image for illustration only | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

“TOP OF THE MORNING TO YOU!”

Equus champion photographer Candiese Lenferna got this shot of a happy Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Sean Veale taking the Hollywood Racingowned galloper Place Of Practice through his paces at Summerveld a matter of days ago.

1,204,719 1,309,219 3,609,394 3,077,881 2,148,844 2,079,123 1,809,156

3,085,244 2,565,600 2,289,500 2,212,313 5,286,380 4,144,316 3,919,676 3,728,675 3,261,381 J

4,762,168 3,938,909 3,428,600 2,493,288 2,399,038

4,688,965 4,202,453 3,217,230 2,741,103 2,667,318 S I RE S