29-09-21- single-pages by Sporting Post

SUNDAY, BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY! 4

Paris Longchamp

Longchamp in Paris is the place to be on Sunday, with the 100th running of the Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, run over the classic 2400m for threeyear-olds and older. The race boasts the largest winning purse in Europe, a massive €2 551 000. The leading fancies from England and Ireland raid France together with two horses from as far afield as Japan. There is even a German Gr1 winner nominated - Torquator Tasso, one of the potential long shots. Ante-post favourite Tarnawa at 5/2 is one of 14 contenders to stand their ground at the six-day forfeit stage. Dermot Weld’s five-year-old mare heads the market for Sunday’s 12-furlong showpiece after winning the Gr3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on her belated return this season in August. She followed that up with a narrow and unlucky second to star colt St Mark’s Basilica in the Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes over an inadequate 2000m on fast ground. Derby and King George hero Adayar is next in the betting market (around 11/4 in places) – and is due to supplemented for the race on Wednesday. He showcased a

high cruising speed and electric turn of foot in the Derby on good to soft ground, and left Mishriff trailing in his wake in the King George VI on good ground. Retained Godolphin jockey William Buick will be aboard. He is one of two planned contenders for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin along with St Leger victor Hurricane Lane, who is already entered in the race and has reportedly been working well since his classic victory at Doncaster. Aidan O’Brien has last year’s classic winner, the filly Love and group one winner Broome among the 14, although his Oaks winner at Epsom this June, Snowfall is expected to be supplemented on Wednesday. She suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Roger Varian’s Teona in the Gr1 Prix Vermeille on her latest outing, and the pair could renew their ParisLongchamp rivalry. St Leger runner-up Mojo Star, from the Richard Hannon yard, and the William Haggas-trained sophomore Alenquer complete a very strong British and Irish line-up. Home hopes look underwhelming in comparison to previous years, possibly Baby Rider, Sealiway and Bubble Gift – with the mare

Raabihah another although she holds an alternative entry in the Prix de l’Opera on the same card. Japan’s pair of Chrono Genesis – the mount of Oisin Murphy – and Prix Foy winner Deep Bond add an extra international element to this prestigious race. The mare Chrono Genesis, by 2004 Arc winner Bago, finished a neck behind the Gosden trained star Mishriff in the Sheema Classic at Meydan earlier this year. Deep Bond was an end to end winner over course and distance last month over another credible yardstick in the Ballydoyle trained Broome. Supplementary entries are due today, and final declarations for the race are on Thursday. Hollywoodbets are betting on the Arc – please click here for more

Paris Longchamp

7 2020 Arc winning jockey Cristian Demuro kisses the prized trophy Candiese Lenferna

It’s Not A Race – It’s A Monument Hailed as Europe's most prestigious horse race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is considered a national institution and one of the highest regarded international competitions in any sport. The famous contest grew out of two former French races. The Societe d'Encouragement, the governing body of French racing in the nineteenth century, originally only approved races for French born and bred horses, but this restriction was removed in 1863 with the inaugural running of the Grand Prix de Paris. This was the first race within the country to be open to the best three year olds from around the globe. It took thirty years for the next international event to be born, the Prix du Conseil Municipal, run over 2400 metres in October and open to the best horses of different age groups. A handicapping system was

in operation based on each individual's previous results. A third race was proposed in 1920 to complement the Grand Prix de Paris, again to be held at Longchamps. It would differ to the Prix du Conseil Municipal in that each horse would compete as equals without any handicapping from previous results. In honour of the victory parade held around the Arc de Triomphe in 1919 following the successful completion of World War I, it was decided to give this new race the name it still holds today, although Prix de la Victoire was also suggested. Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe had been used for a small event held at Longchamps and so the race was born. For the first time it was held on Sunday 3 October 1920 and was won by Comrade. The popularity of the race helped it gain state funding in 1935 and this was used until 1938, when World War II 8

interrupted its running in 1939 and 1940, until it commenced again in 1941 and 1942 in Longchamps. It was then run until 1945 at Le Tremblay before returning home in the last year of the War. More government funding was awarded in 1949, allowing the prize money to be attractive enough to warrant external visitors to enter the race. This funding steadily decreased after the 1970's and 1982 saw the final pot of gold from the government and lottery funding. Since then sponsorship has helped fund this prestigious race, big names drawn in by the high profile and global coverage. Names such as CIGA Hotels, Trusthouse Forte, Groupe Lucien Barriere and current sponsors, the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club have proudly been associated with the great sports spectacle.

10 Cosmic Highway is led in by Young One Skeyi, Thanduxolo Mbungendlu & Dean Kannemeyer

WHAT A DAY!

Chase Liebenberg

RUGGER AND RACING v

With the Springboks taking on the All Blacks at 12h00 and the first race due off at 13h05, Cape Racing will welcome owners and their guests to a quality double feature day of racing at Durbanville on Saturday. A Bedouin tent including big screen television, totes, food and drinks, and other ‘entertainment’ will add to the capacity at the country course as the first genuine signs of the big season now begin to show. The Gr3 Matchem Stakes and the Gr3 Diana Stakes – both run at weight for age plus penalties – are traditional starting points for many quality horses with an eye on the Cape Summer Season and have attracted quality fields.

Dean Kannemeyer has two runners in the race, including the 3yo Cosmic Highway, a dual stakes winner from just 4 starts, and a Cape Guineas candidate. Cosmic Highway comes in off a break of over three months following his victory in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 12 June. The Maine Chance-bred son of Gimmethegreenlight ‘has not put a foot wrong’, in the words of trainer Dean Kannemeyer. “He won the Cape Nursery and the Gatecrasher Stakes up in KZN and now commences his Guineas prep. He has the draw at 1 and a galloping weight of 52kgs, so I felt it was worthwhile putting him to the

test. There are some very capable older hardknockers in the field and he hasn’t run since June. But he has been to Durbanville for a gallop, so won’t be completely ringrusty.” The veteran trainer said that one had to take cognisance of the reality that there were 3yo’s coming out that had not raced as 2yo’s. “But I believe Cosmic Highway is very smart and now he needs to show us that he is good enough to warrant a berth in the Cape Guineas. My intention is to give him another outing in November and then straight into the Guineas a week prior to Christmas.” The first race is off at 13h05.

Chase Liebenberg

ZACKEY GETS

THE GREENLIGHT 14

Talented Craig Zackey is the new man in the hot seat

“It looks like Muzi Yeni has fired us. But we are very pleased to have Craig Zackey aboard our champion Got The Greenlight for his seasonal debut on Saturday. Equally exciting is that Craig is very chuffed to have been engaged and he has been pleased with the work the big boy has shown.” Charismatic veteran trainer Joey Soma always has a chirp and a friendly word for the media and his initial response to the Sporting Post’s query as to why his multiple Gr1 winning flagbearer has seen a change of rider for Saturday’s Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge – Yeni has ridden him six times on the trot for two Gr1 successes – was a typical show of his very welcome transparency.

“To answer the question - we haven’t heard from Muzi since Got The Greenlight ran fourth in the Champions Cup behind Jet Dark at the end of last season. It’s a free world and we have a new jockey on board. Simple as that!” said the top conditioner as he pointed out that his 5yo entire was ‘no good thing’ but had started last season in grand style when pipped by MK’S Pride in the Hawaii Stakes when running fresh. That afternoon MK’S Pride had received 5kgs from Soma’s star and on Saturday the premium is reduced to 1,5kgs – and it’s over 50m further. Match fitness favours the Paul Peter runner. “Got The Greenlight has been working well and it’s a really nice race to win. However it is slightly short of his best and he has been off for over two and a

half months. So all we want to see is him running on as we gear him up for a tilt at the Summer Cup at the end of November.” In the fairer sex equivalent, the Gr 2 Joburg Spring F&M Challenge, Sean Tarry’s cracking Capetown Noir filly Under Your Spell looks tough to beat. She really and truly caught the eye when winning her last start over Saturday’s track and trip. Despite jumping outwards at the start, Under Your Spell raced from a handy position that day and cruised clear of the opposition to win under the hands. The first race at Turffontein on Saturday is off at 12h50.

NOW FOR THE NEXT 2000! 16

Arthur C. Clarke said that the moon is the first milestone on the road to the stars. For any sportsman, raw statistics are a subconscious stock whip – a sort of straight and narrow compass that all is well. For former SA Champion jockey Gavin Lerena, riding his 2000th career winner at Turffontein on Saturday was extremely satisfying – and he is now en route to the next 2000. Speaking to the Sporting Post on Monday, the Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein-sponsored 36 year old said that he was in a good space professionally and enjoying his riding. “I can’t complain and have so much to be grateful and thankful for. The global pandemic has revealed so many flaws and weaknesses across the spectrum. Yet racing continues and there is a positive vibe amongst stakeholders that the game will bounce back to the glory days of yore.” Gavin steered the aptly named Quantum King to victory for trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren in the eighth race at Turffontein on Saturday to reach the 2000 winner mark.

He laughs almost sheepishly when he tells that every solitary one of his winners are documented in a book maintained accurately by one of his biggest fans – his Mom, Avril. The first entry in the log-book dates back to Clairwood Park on 3 November 2003. The horse’s name was Waves Of Argosy and Gavin broke the ice in style for trainer Jeff Freedman. “He also gave me my second win, 11 rides and 23 days later at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Neither of us had been round the Hollywoodbets Greyville circuit before, so I was nervous. But he ended up in front again and won another good race. I thought it was an easy game!” laughs Gavin as he recalls that terrific start. “So the 2000 winner mark wasn’t going to pass unnoticed! ”says Gavin as he adds that besides Mom’s impeccable archival skills, his entire family has been the bedrock of his success in one of the toughest and most dangerous professions. Gavin, SA Champion in 2014/15, certainly has the pedigree to go all the way. His great grandfather and grandfather were trainers, while Great Uncle Frederick Chapell was also a jockey and trained the winner of the 1957 Durban

July – a 3yo filly called Migraine. Another relative is his Uncle Spike – a former jockey and Gauteng trainer – who trained the great Jungle Rock. Gavin’s cousin Brandon is riding professionally in Australia, while his Dad Tex – we have to say it - a dead ringer for rock legend Mick Jagger, was a top jockey for 22 years, who also rode successfully in Mauritius, before weight issues put paid to his career. While not a memorable year on many fronts internationally as a result of the havoc wreaked by the Covid-19 pandemic, Gavin is happy with the way 2021 is progressing. His Vodacom Durban July victory on the people’s horse Kommetdieding was an obvious highlight and a fairytale ending to a tough 2020/21 season. The avid golfer with a genuine sweet tooth made a commitment to lose 4kgs in four weeks and despite not factoring in the temptations that would abound at his son Ashton’s 7th birthday on the Thursday prior to the July, and his own 36th birthday celebration the day before the Hollywoodbets Greyville extravaganza, he rode the popular Cape champion at a

lean and mean 53kgs. “I know we have spoken about the July success previously, but that was a really meaningful achievement in the context of my career, and I have stuck to a lot of the good lessons learnt in terms of my diet. I am feeling fit and healthy and

am riding at 55kgs at the moment. That is comfortable for me.” Gavin has ridden 13 winners this season at a strike-rate of over 20% and he is looking forward to the start of the Highveld season this Saturday. He is also available and keen to travel to the Cape for their

summer season. He rides Thumbs Up and Copper Mountain for trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren in Saturday’s Turffontein Gr2 double feature.

19 Design by Winning Media

22 In The Congo (Snitzel x Via Africa) enjoys international Gr1 success

VAR STRIKES GOLD DOWN UNDER v

Former champion sprinter Via Africa reached a significant milestone, that of Gr1 producer, when her three-year-old Snitzel colt In The Congo put up a sensational frontrunning performance to win the Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday, while shaving more than a half second off the existing race record. Via Africa is of course, a daughter of former Avontuur standout Var, who is currently enjoying a well-deserved retirement following an illustrious stallion innings.

Twice the country's Champion Juvenile sire, he has to date sired more than 50 stakes winners, of which a dozen have triumphed at Gr1 level. Stud manager Pippa Mickleburgh was tickled pink at the news of In The Congo's success and remarked: "To have an international Gr1 winner out of the champion Via Africa is just really a special moment for all connected to Var in any way. Yes, Snitzel is a proper sire - although one cannot but feel that the sheer speed of mom has shone through."

24 Via Africa Lenferna – daughter of Var retired to stud in Australia Candiese

"Long before In The Congo won his Gr1, Var's daughters were starting to show exciting talent on the broodmare front and the whispers were already out there. No doubt the pure speed his daughters bring to a pedigree will ignite most, so the excitement is now real." In a country where a premium is put on speed, it was always a given that Var would make his mark as a damsire and it was in 2019 that he slipped into the top ten leading broodmare sires, a position he also maintained last season.

Candiese Lenferna

Tempting Fate (Master Of My Fate – Miss October) is led in by his connections after his recent win In The Congo is his second Gr1 winner in that sphere, the first being the Master Of My Fate colt Tempting Fate, who took his unblemished record to four from four in the 2020 running of the Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. The Dennis Drier-trained colt then lost his form as a three-year-old, the cause of which was eventually found to be a breathing problem. Surgery appears to have done the trick as he had little trouble dispatching of his rivals in his first post-op start which was also at the Pietermaritzburg track. Tempting Fate was bred at Avontuur Stud, where a good number of Var mares now roam the paddocks, the most famous of which being

champion Val De Ra. She too, was trained by Dennis Drier and was the country's undisputed sprint queen of 2010-11, having defeated What A Winter in both the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship and Gr1 Computaform Sprint. Like Via Africa, she left her birth country and started her broodmare career in the UK, but returned to South Africa in foal to the unbeaten superstar Frankel, to whom she foaled a filly at Avontuur. Named Miss Frankel, she duly emulated her dam in the Listed KwaZuluNatal Stakes and is now at stud in France. With Via Africa already in its fold, the famous Arrowfield Stud snapped up Val De Ra's Trippi filly All That Jazz at last year's

Cape Premier Yearling Sale, and she is now in training in Australia. "To have Val de Ra daughters in both Europe and Australia can surely only help this pedigree fly," Pippa remarked proudly. However, Val De Ra's Silvano colt Madison Square had the misfortune of injuring himself on the way to the National Yearling Sales. "It was heart-breaking, as we couldn't sell him and he has needed time to heal. Let's hope we can race him and perhaps, he could be a future sire for us." Val De Ra's latest foal is a yearling filly by Oratorio and she has been covered by champion sire

Gimmethegreenlight. Tempting Fate's dam, the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur victress Miss October, is an own sister to Gr1 Mercury Sprint hero August Rush. She is a grandaughter of none other than the exceptional import Devon Air, one of six Durban July winners trained by maestro Terrance Millard. Also dam of the Gr2-placed Trippi filly Spring Break, Miss October has a 'fabulous' yearling filly by the Drakenstein sire. Miss October mare foaled a

full sister to Tempting Fate earlier this month and will next visit Vercingetorix. Also destined for the court of Maine Chance's rising star is Valeta, who foaled a colt to the champion son of Silvano this spring. Out of Gr1 winner Sarabande and a Gr1-placed own sister to the stakes winner La Volta, Valeta boasts a 100% strike rate with seven winners from her first seven foals, amongst which the Gr1-placed Gr3 winner She's A Giver. Interestingly, Valeta's stakes winning own sister La Volta is

the dam of the progressive Rafeef colt Master Archie, who recently completed a fine hat-trick for Paul Peter. Rafeef is a son of Redoute's Choice, as is In The Congo's sire Snitzel, which makes the Ridgemont/Highlands stallion a logical choice as a mate for any Var mare. To that end, Avontuur has already cashed in on the cross and sold a Rafeef colt out of the Gr2 Post Merchants victress Varikate for a million at the Nationals earlier this year. Not surprisingly, she is already safely back in foal to him.

hamishNIVENPhotography

26 Val de Ra (Var – Minelli) has daughters in both the UK & Australia Candiese Lenferna

Also marked down to visit Rafeef this season is Var's daughter Star Burst Galaxy, a dual stakes winner of nine races. Her yearling is by Silvano (the sire of her Gr3 winning half-sister Star Express) and she has a Vercingetorix colt at foot. Although not a stakes winner, the Var mare Kitco has made a fine start to her broodmare career with her first two foals, the Gr1-placed stakes winner Pray For Rain and stakesplaced On The Double. She is a member of the prolific Platinum Lady family of

Princess Victoria, Princess Royal and Cup Of Grace. "Kitco has a super foal on the ground by Oratorio and visits William Longsword this season," remarked Pippa. With a view to the future, Avontuur has retained Courante, the Var full sister to Valeta and La Volta. "She is in training with Mike de Kock, so let's hope she can keep the family flag flying." Var may be retired from active duty - however if the success of both Via Africa and his

Avontuur-based daughters is anything to go by, his legacy as a broodmare sire looks assured.

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to watch the race replay

SETTLING FOR ONE WAY TRAFFIC v

Chase Liebenberg

A professional and perfectly polished ride by Snaith anchor man Richard Fourie gave Ridgemont Highlands’ deceased champion Dynasty a hat-trick of winners in the R85 000 Listed Settlers Trophy at a sunny Durbanville on Saturday. The beautifully played end-toend victory by the progressive 4yo One Way Traffic was a text-book lesson for any young jockey looking to dictate a race on the right horse. Taking advantage of his handy 52,5kgs, One Way Traffic (3-1) had his ears pricked out front in the seven-horse contest.

And despite coming under extreme pressure in the run for home, Fourie kept his mount balanced – almost flippantly – to steer the son of Dynasty to his maiden stakes success, beating stablemate Bayberry (16-1) by half a length in a time of 123,04 secs. Lucinda Woodruff’s 6yo Retro Effect (12-1) flashed through late to grab third, a further 0,75 lengths back. Defending champion Black Knap (2-1) was never in the hunt and ran last and 5 lengths off the winner in the small field. The winner, an R800 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase was bred by Ridgemont Highlands and is out of the thrice

winning Spectrum mare, Careful Hiker. The latter is a daughter of Champion Broodmare, Our Table Mountain. Clearly a fellow on the up, One Way Traffic has won 4 races with 2 places from his 9 starts and stakes of R182 725. Since winning his maiden, he has won 4 of 5 starts for Messrs Nic Jonsson and Bjorn Nielsen. Brett Crawford was the leading trainer, saddling three winners on the afternoon, with the jockey accolade shared by Keagan de Melo and Luyolo Mxothwa, who rode two winners each.

The Merits ONE WAY TRAFFIC has had his merit rating increased from 93 to 98 following his success in the Listed Settlers Trophy over 2000m at Durbanville on Saturday. The

Handicappers were of the unanimous view that consistent 3rd placed RETRO EFFECT made for the ideal line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 93.

GET NOTICED 32

The only other increase was for 2nd placed BAYBERRY, who goes up from 103 to 105, while there were no ratings drops for any runners in this race.

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34 Got The Greenlight – tops the big race log

Candiese Lenferna

SUMMER CUP LOG FIRST LOOK v

It comes as no surprise to see Got The Greenlight, Malmoos and War Of Athena hold the top three spots respectively on the first log for the Gr1 Gauteng Summer Cup to be run over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday 27 November. Joe Soma-trained Got The Greenlight is a winner of five Grade 1 races and is the

highest rated runner in the field so far.

restricted to a maximum of 20 runners.

Malmoos and War Of Athena are the respective winners of last season’s SA Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara.

Second Entries close at 11:00 on Monday 1 November 2021, final entries close at 11:00 on Monday 15 November 2021 after which the weights will be posted.

First entries for the R1-million race closed on Wednesday and 46 runners have been nominated. The final field will be

Declarations must be in by 11:00 on Tuesday 16 November 2021.

GAUTENG SUMMER CUP FIRST LOG: Log Position

Age

Sex

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

5 4 4 4 4 4 6 5 4 5 6 4 4 6 4 4 4 4 5 5

H C F G F G G G G G M G G G F G G C G G

Horse

NMR

GOT THE GREENLIGHT MALMOOS WAR OF ATHENA SECOND BASE NETTA PAMUSHANA'S PRIDE AFRICAN ADVENTURE SHANGO PUERTO MANZANO (ARG) EXPRESSFROMTHEUS RUNNING BRAVE ELIUD BINGWA TIERRA DEL FUEGO SPARKLING WATER HOEDSPRUIT THE GATEKEEPER FLYING CARPET TREE TUMBO JOHNNY HERO

126 125 122 122 120 116 117 114 113 122 115 112 111 114 109 108 108 109 108 106

126 124 121 121 119 115 117 114 112 122 115 111 110 114 108 107 107 108 108 106

Trainer Joe Soma Mike de Kock Paul Matchett J A Janse van Vuuren Paul Peter Alec Laird Joe Soma Sean Tarry J A Janse van Vuuren Stuart Pettigrew Fanie Bronkhorst Candice Dawson Dorrie Sham Sean Tarry Mike de Kock Justin Snaith Justin Snaith Sean Tarry Sean Tarry Tyrone Zackey

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL LOG

38 Futura (Dynasty x Scribblin’ The Cat) is enjoying a busy 2021 breeding season

Drakenstein Stud Farm

FUTURA – THE DYNASTY LIVES ON v

‘It's an old adage to illustrate that only the best horses win the biggest races. Just one or two of such winners in a hundred sets you way apart theCraig also-rans in the great Guaquistador storms to from victory under Zackey genetic lottery’ - Karel Miedema 39

Widely respected pedigree guru Karel Miedema's opening gambit when Futura entered stud in 2016 was that ‘Gr1 horses win Gr1 races’.

winners – a formidable career average of 69% runners to winners. In addition, he had an incredible 79 stakes winners – 12%. The global benchmark for greatness is 10%.

"It's an old adage to illustrate that only the best horses win the biggest races. Just one or two of such winners in a hundred sets you way apart from the also-rans in the great genetic lottery," mused Miedema.

His sixteen Gr1 winners included six sons at stud, including Futura, Legislate and Act Of War.

As a champion son of Fort Wood, widely recognised as one of the most significant South African Stud Book contributors, Futura's sire Dynasty has left his mark in no uncertain terms.

The handsome athlete started his racing career in the same manner as his illustrious sire Dynasty - late maturing and winning as an early three-yearold over a distance that would soon prove to be short of his best.

He entered stud in 2005 and produced 665 runners for 460

Our stallion focus this week will be on Drakenstein Stud Farms Triple Equus Champion Futura.

Dynasty ended his career as

a four-year-old due to injury while contesting the L’Órmarins Queen's Plate. Futura made his winning debut over 1200m showing versatility, and continued to race successfully until he was five years old. Dynasty's trainer at the time, Peter Kannemeyer, always believed that he was versatile enough to win a sprint at the top level. The similarities don't end there. They both won nine races, and both concluded their careers being crowned Horse Of The Year. Additionally, both star gallopers won four Gr1 races each. While Dynasty won the Durban July, Futura won the Met and the Queen's Plate.

Drakenstein Stud Farm v

Drakenstein Stud farms Futura filly out of Rock On Baby at eight weeks old He is one of only a handful of horses to accomplish that feat in such rapid succession. The talented Futura also won the Gr1 Champions Cup twice, setting a track record the first time as a three-year-old. Futura has had an outstanding career at stud so far. His first crop includes six stakes winners of nine stakes races, including stakes winner Nourbese. Having won the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe, placing second in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes and running third in the Gr2 SA Nursery, he was involved in a phantom AHS scare in Mauritius whilst en route to the Saudi Cup last year.

Unfortunately, he didn't return to SA after finding a buyer in Mauritius, where he beat a good field first time out a few weeks ago. That first crop also included Drakenstein Stud Farms Gr2 placed and Listed winner filly Sweet Future, RidgemontHighlands' promising Gr3 winner Warrior, Gr3 winning filly Vihaan's Pie, and the Zimbabwe triple stakes-winning Champion 2YO Dingdingwe, to name a few. Futura’s first crop has delivered 60% winners to runners, and 20% of his winners have earned bold type. His stakes and win stats prove that his colts are as good as his fillies!

Like his sire and grandsire, Futura's progeny are late maturing. However, there is a clear pattern of stamina emerging in his progeny report. His stakes winners range from 1000m to 2000m. "Trainers that have Futura's progeny report them to be straightforward and uncomplicated. Inspiring reports are coming in about his new youngsters in training," says stallion manager John Freeman. "My clients and I purchased several more this year. So we have boundless confidence in his progeny," he enthuses. The stallion has had some impressive sales numbers over the years.

His top prices include R1, 3million, R1,2million, R600 000 and several more over the R400 000 mark. With Futura having covered 119 mares last season and with another good book of over 100 mares this season, there are many more exciting years to come for the handsome horse. Gavin Pickford, Stallion manager at Drakenstein Stud Farm, reports that Futura has a superb temperament and is a pleasure to deal with. He covers efficiently and is extremely fertile. Last season the classy stallion received encouraging support, with many impressive mares due to foal

down this season including the likes of Champion 2YO daughter of Western Winter – Lady Windemere, stakes winner Joshua's Mistress, multiple winner and Gr1 placed mare My Kazzie, and Se Agabor, whose first foal is Gr1 winning Champion 2YO Filly Gabor. Drakenstein Stud Farm are sending 26 of their mares to Futura this breeding season. These include Street Cry’s daughter Oh Susanna, an Equus Horse Of The Year and four-time Gr1 winner, five-time Gr1 winning Trippi mare Inara, and dual Gr1 winner Snowdance by Captain Al. Another two mares are Gulf Breeze by Dubai Destination, dam of multiple stakes winner Fresnaye, and the two-time Gr1

winning Dubawi mare, Happy Archer. “Futura is an incredible physical specimen, one of those horses that you could clearly see why he could run. Most importantly he passes on those traits to his yearlings. He gets well grown yearlings that have athletic walks and really catch the eye at the sales,” concludes Kevin Sommerville, Stud manager at Drakenstein Stud Farm. Futura’s service fee for 2021 is R20 000: a deposit of R5000 and the balance due at live foal. Contact FreemanStallions for more information: stallions@ freemanstallions.co.za

FRANKIE’S MAGNIFICENT 7 Tuesday marked twenty-five years since Frankie Dettori’s life was changed forever in a single afternoon. So too was racing history. A quarter of a century later his Magnificent Seven is no less magnificent. Dettori went to Ascot on Saturday, September 28, 1996, as the reigning champion jockey. He was there for the Festival of British Racing, a seven-race card highlighted by the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, in which Godolphin’s retained rider was booked to partner 2,000 Guineas winner Mark Of Esteem. Dettori won that race and all the other races. It was an epoch-making achievement. Prior to Dettori, only two jockeys – Sir Gordon Richards and Alec Russell – had gone through an entire British card undefeated, but they did that at fixtures with only six contests. Read the full story here

A GR1 OVER 4000M Stradivarius moved closer to a longawaited rematch with Trueshan after he was confirmed on target for the Qatar Prix du Cadran at Longchamp on Saturday. The seven-year-old, who broke the record for Group race wins by a horse trained in Europe when landing the Doncaster Cup this month, worked over a mile on the Limekilns long gallop on Tuesday under Frankie Dettori before his first tilt at Saturday's 4000m contest.Joint-trainer John Gosden said: "It was good to get Stradivarius on some nice ground this morning and he went well with a lead horse. The plan is to take him to the Prix Cadran which, if you like, is the French version of the Ascot Gold Cup.”

WEATHER RULES AT VAAL Tuesday’s race meeting on the Vaal Classic track was abandoned after the running of the fourth race due to weather issues. After numerous delays, it was eventually decided to cancel the remainder of the meeting. The racing operator said that the safety of the equine contestants, jockeys and all ground staff takes precedence and the they had no other option than to halt proceedings. – Phumelela. All bets on Races 5, 6, 7 and 8 were refunded as was Jackpot 1 and Jackpot 2. Dividends were declared for the BiPot, Place Accumulator and Pick 6.

CONSULTATION THE KEY! The British Horseracing Authority are doing things properly when it comes to reviewing whip use in their racing. An online questionnaire formed the first stage of the open, public consultation concluded earlier this month. Over 2000 responses were received from industry participants, stakeholders, followers and members of the general public. These submissions will now be assessed, with the aid of an expert independent data analyst. Focus groups with volunteers remain ongoing, with detailed discussion sessions with relevant industry individuals and groups to follow. All elements of the consultation to then be considered by the Whip Consultation Steering Group, which contains representation and expertise from across the racing industry and wider sectors. Implementation is expected in a year from now. In South Africa we performed the exercise as a one-man show, with the National Horseracing Authority’s twelve strike amendment to their rule 58.10.2 implemented in May 2019. Day after day, the NHA’s coffers are bolstered by offenders who either don’t care about the implications or, more likely, are steadfastly focussed on their job of winning. On Sunday a jockey won a race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville after striking his mount 18 times. That’s 50% over the limit. He was fined R2 500. The jockeys are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. We have given up counting the infringements and maybe it’s time for the industry to tell Mr Arnold Hyde that his unquestionably well-intentioned implementation of the rule in the face of international public scruitiny, is clearly not working. Stakeholder consultation is the way to go. But let’s not hold our breath.

MORE FUTURE STARS The Sporting Post is proud to partner with BUSH to bring you the cream of this season’s foal crop – our future stars. Outstanding prizes will be offered every month to readers, who will be asked to select the foal of the month.

on 20 September. Her dam, Trip To India, is a stakes performed daughter of Trippi. The mare has already produced the dual stakeswinning filly Sheela, who won the Listed Storm Bird stakes in her first start and then went on to beat the boys in the Gr2 SA Nursery in her second start.

Breeders are invited to email their foal images to editor@ sportingpost.co.za and provide the date of birth, sex, breeding and any family or background information.

Next up is Bush Hill Stud's Last Winter colt out of Greys Inn mare Rajasthani Queen. Born on 27 August, this tough fellow showcases the high quality we can expect from this stallion.

Our first foal this week hails from Drakenstein Stud Farm. This One World filly was born

The third foal this week was born at Spring Valley Stud. The first by New Predator was

born on 30 July. Out of Kahal mare Karatage, she already is an impressive youngster, showcasing her sire's good looks. Last, but not least, is a striking chestnut filly by Act Of War out of the Trippi mare Island Girl. Born on 28 August at Blue Sky Thoroughbreds, she is maturing into a powerful foal. We look forward to watching these youngsters grow and develop into top racehorses. Next week - vote and win!

Candiese Lenferna

52 Blue Sky Thoroughbreds (f) Act Of War x Island Girl – born 28 August

Bush Hill Stud (c) Last Winter x Rajasthani Queen – born 27 August Drakenstein Stud Farm

Candiese Lenferna

Drakenstein Stud Farm (f) One World x Trip To India – born 20 September

53 Spring Valley Stud (f) New Predator x Karatage – born 30 July

Bush Hill Stud

Candiese Lenferna

PAWS UP FOR CBD! 54

Our boy Shavout (Anton Marcus) is led in by trainer MJ Odendaal

If you read our article last week where we discussed the potential benefits CBD has for horses, then you’ll know where we’re going with this statement. At Dacha we’ve been researching the various ways in which CBD has been tested across the board for animals of all shapes and sizes, and we’re starting to relish in the news we’ve been finding, writes Shannon Smith. Take the state of Nevada, for example. Veterinarians will soon be able to administer CBD as a treatment for animals, after a recent Bill was passed with absolutely zero objections from anyone on the board. Not one objection, from a space where this plant was once considered criminal. This particularly excites us, because we know that although there are already hundreds of products on the market that can be used for pets which really do work, this

takes the industry leaps and bounds ahead as a whole. The calming chews you give your doggy for his anxiety is one thing, but what about treating him to CBD Oil for a tumor when mainstream medicine fails…?

Throughout October, you’ll see Spirit Of Dacha, Cannatonic, Grandaddy Purple, Pineapple Express and of course Shavout, who has caught the attention a few times already.

Although our veterinarians can’t yet administer CBD for our horses, Dacha has still found a way to get the strains in there. But it’s not in the way you think!

Starting next week, we’ll be launching a competition where you can vote for your favourite Dacha horse & stand a chance to win a gift pack of our CBD Infused Blends!

You may have seen in a few races, names such as ‘Pineapple Express’ and ‘Durban Poison’ have been making an appearance.

Keep your eyes peeled for So Dacha today, and get your creative juices flowing as you decide which of the October horses you’d like to back!

This is no coincidence, but rather a fun way our team is engaging with the concept of normalising cannabis as household names. Through this fun, we thought that we’d add an extra cherry on top by getting you involved too!

The competition starts next week – please keep your eyes peeled!

Over the course of the next month, there are a few Dacha sponsored horses running – starting with So Dacha at Hollywoodbets Greyville today!

Until then, why wait to win Dacha when you can order from our online store? You can even get a 10% discount by using the unique SPORTINGPOST promo code. Now that’s the Spirit Of Dacha!

Brave Tin Soldier v

S to r m C at – B l e S S b y m r P r o S P e C to r

(USA)

Sold for US$3-million as a foal Stakes winning miler in UK & USa - timeform 115 at 2

Classic

Gr1

by Champion Sire & Sires-of-Sires

sire of

producing sire-of-sires

to the core

Rabada

StoRM Cat

won Gr1 Daily News 2000, Gr1 Premier’s Champion S.; sire - first crop will be yearlings

out of full sister to Kentucky Derby winner & G1 sire

bRave MaRy

FuSaiChi PeGaSuS

won Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship

and grandam full sister to Preakness Stakes winner & Gr1 sire

RunninG bRave

won Gr2 Gold Bracelet (2x); 2nd Gr1 Empress Club S. (2x), 2nd Gr1 Summer Cup

Pine bluFF (by Danzig) R5.000 live foal Contact: Jill Fox

072 289 8471 • nfo@thefortstud.co.za Property of The Fort Stud

Design by Winning Media

New Predator (New Approach x Head Over Heels) enjoying his life in the stallion barn

A NEW APPROACH TO LIFE

Conveniently situated in the heart of the KZN Midlands breeding area lies Bush Hill Stud. Owned and run by Warwick and Karin Render, the stud has been a successful commercial operation for over forty years. Between them, Warwick and Karin have an excess of fifty years experience in the thoroughbred breeding

industry in South Africa.

As the first son of New Approach to stand in South Africa, New Predator has been an excellent addition to the breeding ranks of Bush Hill Stud. He is out of a winning Fastnet Rock mare, Head Over Heels, a half-sister to Australian 10-time winner (including three Listed races) Presently, as well as Gr3 horse Another Time.

His Gr1 form line was exceptional having defeated the Vodacom Durban July winners in Graded Stakes races, The Conglomerate and Legislate. New Predator also dominated Gr1 sprint masters Rafeef, Will Pays, Attenborough, Talktothestars and the likes of multiple Gr1 winners Abashiri, Rabada and Deo Juvente. With the 2021 breeding

season well underway, the Sporting Post caught up with Warwick to discover how the stallion is enjoying his life at stud. "New Predator looks the picture of health with a lovely coat despite the late cold weather. He always loves his job and is an absolute pleasure to work with," tells the longtime horseman. Warwick informs us that the impressive stallion is a naturally active and fit horse, so New Predator requires very little additional preparation for the season other than his routine health checks and tests. "We always have the chiropractor go through our stallions before the season starts, just to make sure they are comfortable before the work begins," he adds. Warwick is proud to confirm that New Predator has en-

joyed good support in his first two seasons and that he has seen some quality mares.

World Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner, Go Indigo, to name a few.

"Not just quantity, which is a vital factor in trying to get a young horse off to a good start."

"The quality of mares New Predator has covered in his second season is primarily due to how impressive his first foals were," he explains. While the handsome stallion heads into the notoriously tough third season, Warwick is not concerned as he will again get some quality mares from the stud and New Predator's shareholders.

New Predator has a few standout foals that have touched down at Bush Hill Stud this breeding season. A few of his top picks are the smart and strong half-sister to Gr1 performer Neptune's Rain, a quality racy colt out of stakes-winning mare Cold Cash, a big scopy filly out of stakes performer Winter Passion and a strong colt out of the stakes-winning Singspiel mare Polzeath. "We are still looking forward to foals out of mares such as Tracy's Legacy - her first foal is Remember When, who is a Gr2 placed performer this season, Gr1 Garden Province winner, Temple Grafin, and the Gr1 Betting

"Some of the aforementioned mares will return to him again this season based on the strength of the foals they have thrown," he says. "With New Predator having covered two good books of mares to date and proven excellent fertility - he has had an exceptional conception rate of well above 90% - we are looking forward to another great season!"

Candiese Lenferna

A strong foal by New Predator out of Karatage from Spring Valley Stud As his first crop will be heading to the National Yearling Sale next year, Warwick expects the stallion to be well-represented but feels it would be premature to pick out any specific individuals at this stage.

of what we as South African breeders look for in terms of pedigree, looks, and performance. Having been a Gr1 quality sprinter miler, we believe he has all the attributes of a stallion with a bright future!" concludes Warwick.

"New Predator offers so much

His fee remains unchanged for

the 2021 season at R10 000 live foal guarantee. Contact Bush Hill Stud for more information: bushhillstud@futurenet.co.za

Candiese Lenferna

Part-owner of Quantum King – Justin Vermaak

VERMAAK PIN-HOOK PUTS HIS HAND UP This week’s mover on the 2021 De Grendel Ready To Run Stakes log is Johan Janse Van Vuuren-trained Quantum King (Querari), who returned from a rest to beat Super Agra in a 1200m Handicap at Turffontein last Saturday. Quantum King (MR94) moves up nine positions to joint second-place on the latest log, and plans are in place for him to contest the R900,000 Ready To Run race over 1400m at Kenilworth on Saturday, 31 October, despite the stable having

some doubts over the distance. Part-owner Justin Vermaak commented: “He is a 1200m horse and he pulls in a race, which is problematic. There was a lot to like about the way he fought to beat Super Agra, but we are concerned about the 1400m. If all goes to plan, however, Quantum King will contest the R2R race – the prize money is good, and he is a decent horse.” Vermaak pin-hooked Quantum King off the farm at Klawervlei just after his half-brother, Kommetdieding had won the

2020 Farm Sale race in impressive style. Quantum King was originally intended to go to the National Sale, but the pin-hooking opportunity presented itself when the sale was postponed. The 2021 renewal of the sale takes place on Sunday, 31 October, at Kenilworth, and will follow the R2R Gallops on Friday, 29 October, and the race on Saturday, 30 October. Click here to see the latest log

Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud

Jay Peg (Camden Park x Laptop Lady) was one of South Africa’s greatest champions

FAREWELL TO A CHAMPION South Africa lost one of its greatest, globetrotting thoroughbred champions with the passing of Jay Peg on Thursday. The former Equus Champion passed away suddenly at the Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud, where he had been standing for the last part of his stud career.

Born in the Hemel ‘N Aarde valley, Jay Peg died in the valley of his birth. The Camden Park sired champion proved a tremendous advertisement for the quality of thoroughbred bred in South Africa, with Jay Peg winning Gr1 feature races in three different countries.

Beginning his career with Basil Marcus, the High Season Stud bred Jay Peg won twice at two when he finished second in the Listed Western Cape Breeders Stakes. South Africa’s Equus Champion Classic Male at three, Jay Peg won all of the Gr1 Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas, Gr1 Investec Cape

Derby, and Gr2 Selangor Cup as a Sophomore. Transferred to Herman Brown in Dubai, Jay Peg showed his mettle on the international stage, when overcoming a slipped saddle to beat a world-class field in the 2008 Gr1 Dubai Duty Free. Among those beaten by Jay Peg on that occasion were such international standouts as Darjina, Archipenko, Vodka, Finsceal Beo, Seachange, Creachadoir, Niconero, Literato, and Bullish Luck. Jay Peg followed up that historic win when he landed the Gr1 Singapore Airlines International Cup at his very next start.

Retired to stud in South Africa, Jay Peg ended his career having won 10 of his 22 starts and earned over $6.818 million in prize money. The A.P. Indy grandson made a mark with his very first crop headed by the graded stakes winners Flash Drive (Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery), Olympic Owen (Gr3 Protea Stakes), and Silicone Valley (Gr2 Cape Merchants). Subsequent crops yielded further stakes winners including the likes of graded stakes winners Exit Here, Hot Affair, Peggy Jay, and Woljayrine, with Jay Peg also the sire of Castle Tankard winner Peggson and R3 million plus earner Victorious Jay.

Out of the Al Mufti mare Laptop Lady, Jay Peg was a half-brother to four black type horses headed by the graded stakes winners Barack Street and Cyber Case. John Freeman wrote in his eNews letter today that David Hepburn Brown, the master of Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud called him with the sad news that Jay Peg, our 2007 SA Champion Classic Horse and International Horse Of The Year has passed away. Thanks for looking after the champ so well. Sympathies to all concerned. “Peg” won 10 races from 2 to 5 years including 4 Gr1 races and over R40m in stakes to become the all time leading

earner bred in SA. His wins included the Gr1 Singapore International. He also won the Gr1 Cape Guineas (always a pointer to quality), the Gr1 Cape Derby and the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free where his saddle famously slipped in the closing stages of the race, making his win epic. I really admired his racing record and good looks and

was delighted when Etienne Braun, Marsh Shitliff and Paul Loomes allowed me to syndicate their champ for stud duties.

Jay Peg started his stud career at Klawervlei with John Koster in 2009 and some time later returned to stand with David.

Peg was bred at High Season Stud by Ken Truter and David who subsequently formed his current Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud across the road.

He produced the winners of 200 winners of 339 races (58%) and over R43 million but he never quite cracked the big time. His best was Gr2 winner Silicone Valley.

David shared this with me “he is now buried in the same valley where he was born”.

67 Jay Peg winning the $2.2 million Singapore Airlines International Cup on Sunday May 18, 2008

TAT T E R S A L L S O C T O B E R Y E A R L I N G S A L E , B O O K 1

U N R I VA L L E D S U C C E S S v

Highest Rated Horse in the World 2021 ST MARK’S BASILICA

purchased at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale

TAT T E R S A L L S O C T O B E R YEARLING SALE Book 1 October 5 – 7 featuring the £20,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus CATALOGUE ONLINE

Jeremy Nelson T: +2783 2617953

69jeremy.nelson@tattersalls.com www.tattersalls.com

70 Whoa Whoa Whoa – first runner & first winner for sire Maurice in South Africa

Chase Liebenberg

NO STOPPING WHOA WHOA WHOA 71

Considered to be the best Japanese racehorse ever to stand at stud outside of Japan, Maurice sired his first SA winner when his first runner on African soil, Whoa Whoa Whoa, won her debut start at Durbanville on Saturday. Bred in Australia by local champion outfit Ridgemont Highlands, who also race her, Whoa Whoa Whoa showed maturity and ability to win first time up from a wide gate at the tricky Durbanville circuit. Ridden by Anton Marcus, trainer Brett Crawford launched the first of his three winner streak on the

afternoon when the chestnut stormed home to beat Magna Mater by 1,50 lengths as she clocked for the 75,72 secs for the 1200m. Maurice, Japan's 2015 Horse of the Year, six-time Group 1 winner and $12 million earner is one of the all-time great racehorses to grace the turf in Asia. Now the leading 2nd season sire in Japan, and making his mark with his first-crop Australian performers, Arrowfield said that they are delighted to welcome him back in the wake of his eight first-crop Australian 2YO winners & 6 stakes performers,

including Mazu & Silent Impact (in Sydney), Sharp Response (in Melbourne) and Balmaurice (in Brisbane). Season earnings of almost $950,000 put Maurice among Australia's top 10 First Season Sires in 2020/21, but as Racing & Sports analyst Adam Blencowe pointed out: Maurice... has been undersold by conventional measures in this year's first season sire race. He tops the list ordered by median Timeform rating... Named his country’s 2015 Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter & Champion Miler, Maurice was also honoured

with a 2016 Special JRA Award for three elite victories including his spectacular swansong, the Longines Hong Kong Cup G1 at Sha Tin. On the 2016 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings he was awarded a figure of 127, placing him fifth overall, and third on turf in the world. Maurice is now one of the hottest young stallions in Japan, leading the 2021

Second Season Sires' list with 60 winners including 3 Group winners, and commanding a fee of ~A$100,000 at Shadai Stallion Station. Whoa Whoa Whoa is out of the eight-time winning Fast ‘n Famous mare Whats New Pussycat – also the dam of Ridgemont’s exciting undefeated Kitty Cat Chat – a daughter of Press Statement. Saturday proved a great day

at the track for Ridgemont as the champion Robertson nursery also bred the eyecatching Durbanville feature winner One Way Traffic, who won the Listed Settlers Trophy, and the final winner on the Cape card, Arctic Drift.

74 Scat Daddy (Johannesburg x Love Style) is a sire of sires

SCAT DADDY MADE HIS MARK

New Market Racecourse

In a relatively short stud career, the late Scat Daddy more than made his mark. A multiple champion sire in Chile, whose progeny were named Horse Of The Year in both Chile and the USA, Scat Daddy left behind 136 stakes winners, including more than 30 Gr1 winners. His progeny have earned in excess of $260 million and include US Triple Crown winner Justify. The sire of Gr1 winners on both dirt and turf, Scat Daddy is showing signs of becoming a major sire of sires, making his premature death all the more regrettable. An example of this can be seen by the fact that the last two Gr1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes have both been won by daughters of a Scat Daddy stallion. Scat Daddy’s Gr1 Prix Morny winning son No Nay Never is the sire of 2020 Cheveley Park heroine Alcohol Free, while Scat Daddy’s dual Gr1 winning son Caravaggio is responsible for this year’s impressive Cheveley Park queen Tenebrism. Alcohol Free has gone on to capture both the Gr1 Coronation Stakes and Gr1 Qatar Sussex Stakes this year, with her sire No Nay Never also sire of this year

Alcohol Free in action Gr2 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes/ Gr3 Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes winner Zain Claudette and Gr3 Markel Molecomb Stakes winner Armor. In total, No Nay Never (Leading First Season Sire in GB/Ireland in 2018) has been responsible for more than 30

black type winners, including the Coolmore based dual Gr1 winner Ten Sovereigns. His paternal half-brother Caravaggio has made a fine start with his first two-yearolds this year. At the time of writing, the son of Scat Daddy’s first crop is

Design by Winning Media

headed by the aforementioned Tenebrism and dual group winner Agartha, as well as the stakes winners Dizzy Bizu and Her World. Caravaggio went close to having a Gr1 first crop double, with his daughter Agartha beaten just threeparts of a length when second in the recent Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. Another Scat Daddy son El Kabeir (winner of the Gr2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, Gr3 Gotham Stakes, and Gr3 Jerome Stakes) has also made a pleasing start with his first crop this year. El Kabeir’s early winners are headed by Listed winners Don Chicco and Masekela – with the latter also second in

the G2 Superlative Stakes. At the time of writing Caravaggio heads the Leading First Season Sires List in Ireland where El Kabeir is eighth. With the likes of Justify (whose yearlings made up to $1.55 million at the recent Keeneland September Yearling Sale), brilliant UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn, and Gr1 Phoenix Stakes hero Sioux Nation yet to have runners, it is hard not to believe that Scat Daddy’s already impressive record as a sire of sires will further be handsomely enhanced over the coming years. His ongoing success also

continues to bolster the strength of the potent Storm Cat male line, whose other star current representatives include multiple US champion sire Into Mischief (already sire of promising and successful sires Goldencents and Practical Joke) and top Irish sire Lope De Vega. Also broodmare sire of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint winning champion Whitmore, Scat Daddy had a South African connection -his Gr1 Hopeful Stakes winning grandsire Hennessy is out of Gr3 Adirondack Stakes runner up Island Kitty, the latter a daughter of the South African champion Hawaii.

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DUBAI – BIG SEASON AHEAD v

Dubai Racing Club have announced an enhanced racing calendar for the 2021/22 season, which will now include a four-race ‘Jumeirah Series’ on turf launched for the Classic generation, plus an exciting new race for Super Saturday. Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook, Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said: “The introduction of new races within the framework of the Dubai World Cup Carnival is part of His

Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s effort to continually improve Dubai’s equestrian offering and also to support racing both within the UAE and overseas.” The Dubai World Cup Carnival, which begins on January 13th at Meydan Racecourse, will have several new races for 2022. The popular Super Saturday card, sponsored by Emirates Airline, scheduled for March 5th, will welcome the addition

of a new race in the form of the US$300,000 Ras Al Khor over 1400 meters on turf. Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook, said: “1400 meters or seven Furlongs is one of the most popular distances in thoroughbred racing yet has very few high valued feature events run over the trip. We believe the Ras Al Khor will eventually become a global fixture that will be promoted to our Dubai World Cup meeting.Moreover, the Classic generation are well

catered for on both turf and dirt in the upcoming season. Longstanding three-year-old dirt events such as the UAE 2000 Guineas, Al Bastikaya and UAE Derby have all been given prize money increases. We have also introduced the Jumeirah Series of turf races which is a significant addition to the program. The series features the US$150,000 Jumeirah Classic Trial over 1,400m, the US$75,000 Jumeirah Derby Trial over 1,800m, the US$150,000 Jumeirah Classic over 1,600m and the US$200,000 Jumeirah Derby over 2000m.”

Meanwhile, the prize money for the world’s most spectacular race day, the Dubai World Cup, which boasts a dazzling card of six Group 1s and three Group 2 contests and has been enhanced to a value of US$ 30.5 million. Due to take place on Saturday, March 26th, 2022, all races will be run for at least US$ 1 million, which ensures Dubai’s commitment to supporting the industry. Dubai Racing Club also announced that the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic is offering a US$6 million purse, moving it back to

its pre-pandemic value. The Group 1 Dubai Turf, sponsored by DP World, is being increased to US$5 million, whilst the flagship event – the Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline – is maintaining the highest purse of the night at US$12 million. The 2021-2022 race season, which will kick-off on Thursday, 4 November, will include 22 meetings in all.

HISTORIC RACECOURSE CLOSES Arlington International Racecourse hosted its final race of the season, and possibly ever, on Saturday. After nearly 100 years in business, owners of the park announced the racecourse will “cross the finish line” with an evening firework display to celebrate closing day. This year’s racing season could be the last for the facility, as the owners of Arlington Racecourse announced plans to sell the

property to a developer. The track also did not apply for racing dates with the Illinois racing board by the deadline this summer, meaning there will be no racing at the Arlington Heights venue for 2022. According to a press release from Churchill Downs Incorporated, the 326-acre property in suburban Arlington Heights will be sold, and the company selling the property will aim to find a buyer who will redevelop it.

“Arlington’s ideal location in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, together with direct access to downtown Chicago via an on-site Metra rail station, presents a unique redevelopment opportunity. We expect to see robust interest in the site and look forward to working with potential buyers, in collaboration with the Village of Arlington Heights, to transition this storied location to its next phase,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI.

Arlington Racecourse

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this season’s race days did not include live entertainment events, family days nor carry-in items. The track has been a Chicago-area staple for nearly a century, opening in 1927. It briefly shut down in 1998 and 1999, but it reopened in 2000 after Churchill Downs Incorporated purchased the

track and rechristened it Arlington Park. It changed its name to Arlington International Racecourse in 2013. Local resident Dan Knight told Bloodhorse.com that he lives close enough to Arlington to walk to the races and for decades has liked the fact he could hear the roar of the crowd from his yard. He attended over the years “as much as I can,” he said.

Asked who might be held accountable for the likely demise of the track, Knight declined to name Churchill Downs Inc or local track officials. “The fact is, for quite a few years now, I haven’t been able to hear a crowd roaring from my house. People just haven’t been coming out to the races,” Knight said.

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FIND YOUR MAGIC MILLION

The quality packed catalogue for Australia’s best producing breeze-up style auction, the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO’s in Training Sale, is now online.

To be held at the Gold Coast Sales Complex on November 8, the sale features 152 exciting prospects for buyers looking to secure their next stakes winning star. Youngsters represented by 77 individual sires including American Pharoah, Capitalist, Deep Field, Exceed and Excel, Extreme Choice, Flying Artie, I Am Invincible, Invader, Pierro, Rubick, Russian Revolution, Shalaa, So You Think, Spieth, Spirit of Boom, Star Turn, Written Tycoon and Zoustar. “The quality this year’s catalogue possesses is really exciting. Our vendors are tried and true preparers, and year on year continue to offer top quality prospects, which is reflected in the outstanding

racetrack results of our graduates in recent years,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said.

“The information provided for this sale by both Magic Millions and our vendors will be second to none in giving buyers the opportunity to participate with confidence from anywhere they are situated in the world.” Domestic graduates sold at the sale include recent Australian carnival stars and million dollar earners Krone, Tyzone and Victorem. Over the weekend Kranji based star Lim’s Lightning scored a sensational win in the Raffles Cup for trainer Dan Meagher and Lim’s Stable. He was one of two Gold Coast 2Yos in Training Sale purchases in the big race – the other, Top Knight, flashed home to run second. Late last month the international success for past graduates was on display when Star of Yiu Cheung scored 85

another feature win, this time in the Macau Gold Cup. In a boost for buyers 103 lots are BOBS Eligible, 55 are nominated to the Magic Millions Race Series, five are nominated for the Golden Slipper, two for the Blue Diamond Stakes and 19 lots are QTIS Fully Paid. Some 23 lots are Super VOBIS Nominated including four who are VOBIS Gold Nominated. Youngsters will breeze at one of four sessions across three states in the lead up to the auction giving prospective buyers a great chance to see each lot gallop on a similar surface. The catalogue for the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale is now available for online viewing here. It can also be downloaded via the Equineline iPad app.

FRIDAY FESTIVITIES

AT SHA TIN

Hong Kong celebrates National Day on Friday. It marks the founding of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949 and is also celebrated throughout Mainland China and Macau. In Hong Kong, celebrations have been held since 1997, the year of the handover of the territory from British hands to China. The Public holiday also means that this week’s racing programme has been shuffled.

Reuniting with old ally Super Wealthy (51kgs) for the first time in close to a year, the in-form Alexis Badel is putting his faith in the bay’s talent and featherweight impost as the pair look to spoil a hot edition of the Gr3 National Day Cup Handicap over 1000m at Sha Tin.

“Whenever you go into a Group 3 under handicap conditions it’s always a huge advantage when you have a talented horse and a light weight,” Badel said.

The galloper will step up to Gr3 level for the first time in the feature, he is however, aided by a dangerously low weight at the bottom of the handicap following a tidy first-up course and distance win in Class 2. “Even in Class 2, he always gave me a very good feeling, he’s a strong horse and I’m just happy to be on him,” Badel said. Partnering Super Wealthy to a hat-trick of wins two HKJC

87 Alexis Badel celebrats aboard Super Wealthy

seasons ago, Badel has paired the four-time winner seven times but hops back in the seat for the first time since November, 2020. “I’m happy to ride this horse again because he gave me a few nice wins last year – I know him very well and I’m just happy to be able to ride him with a good chance,” Badel said. The six-year-old spent the first 11 starts of his career under the care of trainer Douglas Whyte before an off-season stable change transferred him to David Hayes. “His last win was a good effort, it’s not a surprise to me because he always has been a very good and promising horse, he just did what he can do and it’s good to see him in good form,” Badel said.

The field of 14 in total also features last year’s winner Computer Patch (57,6kgs), Sky Field (60,3kgs), Stronger (58kgs), Voyage Warrior (54,4kgs) and Wishful Thinker (54,4kgs). Fresh off a double at Sha Tin on Sunday – his second this season – Badel is looking to maintain his momentum with seven rides across the including the 97-rater in the HK$3.7 million sprint. “I try to get as many winners as possible but having a double at Sha Tin is always good, I just always try to stay competitive and do my best,” he said. Last season Badel racked up 58 wins; this campaign he has six, positioned behind only Zac Purton (13) and Joao Moreira (9) in the jockeys’ championship standings.

”It’s very good to keep the momentum going. Voyage Star was a very nice pick, it was a very good effort from the horse and he has a good heart. “I thought Trillion Win got a very well-deserved win, I’m glad to win for Manfred (Man) because he gives me a lot of support and trusts me with this horse, so I’m glad he delivered,” Badel said. Badel also rides Beauty Fit (54,4kgs) in a stacked Class 2 Beijing Handicap over 1400m which features Californiadeepshot (60,3kgs), Master Montaro (56,6kgs), Mister Snowdon (54,8kgs) and Sight Success (54,4kgs). Friday’s, 1 October, 10-race fixture at Sha Tin kicks off at 7am with the Class 4 Chengdu Handicap over 1200m.

results up to: 2021-09-27

TRAINERS Name Mr S J Snaith Mr P A Peter Mr G D Smith Mr A C Greeﬀ Mr S G Tarry

Runs 214 147 203 164 106

Wins Win% 31 25 30 23 22

14.5 17.0 14.8 14.0 20.8

2nd

3rd

26 22 24 16 10

33 23 19 21 13

2nd

3rd

40 32 38 13 23

44 32 28 16 22

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

42.5 43.5 40.4 42.1 31.1

1,286,525 1,075,500 1,193,750 943,750 973,500

1,997,750 1,707,875 1,706,125 1,358,938 1,289,500

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

2,869,750 1,962,200 1,674,000 1,512,000 1,217,175

3,959,250 2,909,075 2,758,875 1,989,750 1,747,050

32 19 39 32 10

91 64 82 69 33

JOCKEYS Name Mr W B Kennedy Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni Mr L Hewitson Mr R D Fourie

Rides Wins Win% 315 220 265 110 145

62 43 36 31 29

19.7 19.5 13.6 28.2 20.0

51 41 51 12 20

135 105 117 41 65

42.9 47.7 44.2 37.3 44.8

BREEDERS B.T. B.T. Total Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R) Rnrs %

Name

Klawervlei Stud 207 Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein 153 75 Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd Drakenstein Stud 81 (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) 79 Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd

347 260 141

13,455 17,530 20,793

38 36 21

41 38 25

18.4 131 23.5 112 28.0 62

1 1 0

2,785,100 2,682,150 1,559,450

137 151

17,150 15,286

20 16

22 17

24.7 20.3

0 0

1,389,175 1,207,625

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

1 1 0 0 0

1,694,950 1,602,250 1,582,825 1,489,125 1,479,138

58 51

SIRES Name

Runrs Runs AEPR

Master Of My Fate 103 76 Vercingetorix 99 Querari (GER) Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) 93 95 What A Winter

182 129 176 142 163

16,456 21,082 15,988 16,012 15,570

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 19 23 23 22 17

22 26 25 25 21

18.4 30.3 23.2 23.7 17.9

88 52 62 50 63

See all the detailed standings - Click here 91

1 1 0 0 0

THE GAME OF THE WEEKEND! v

It's another riveting fixture. Again, it's two sides more than capable of having a coronation day. Again, it's two sides with exceptional managers looking to outdo each other. Ryan Liberty writes that it is without a doubt the game of the weekend. Read on to see how I see this colossal clash playing out at Anfield. Liverpool vs Manchester City | Sunday 3 October | Anfield | 17:30 To Win (90 mins) Liverpool 19/10 Draw 5/2 Manchester City 13/10 Liverpool Liverpool has certainly got their swagger and class back – no, their swagger and style hasn't changed after their all-encompassing fixture at the Brentford Community Stadium, and yes, because of their last fixture, you could argue against this point… But the free-flowing, pacey and passionate style of attacking football (synonymous with Jurgen Klopp and Anfield) is back and already looking to get cozy with their all too familiar defensive solidity.

I'll be the first to admit, I didn't think the effect of the return of Virgil van Dyk would be as immediate as it has, and – when you couple that with the fact that Liverpool has gone from being at odds and ends defensively to having arguably the best defensive unit fit and available – that is massive for the football club. If I'm frank, the home win being priced up to 19/10 is tantalizing and mouthwateringly enticing…but the only red flag I keep seeing is the ineffective and almost weak approach the Reds displayed to hosting a 10-men Chelsea. Anfield is probably one of the most hostile places in world football. The cry for more and more from the Kop urges even the most exhausted and average Liverpool sides to have played, and most times, the result is success. However, even a buzzing Anfield and talented, skilful, honest Red army couldn't get over the line and cause Tuchel's Chelsea any real danger. Manchester City How dare we write off City? How dare we class them as a common derelict of English

topflight football? They are the champions of England! Serial EFL Cup winners and (almost) Champions of Europe, for goodness' sake! Put respect on their name. In all seriousness though, City has managed to create just as resolute and compact a defensive shape as Liverpool. They have slipped under the radar recently in terms of the quality they can produce (I know! It was even crazier to write). But just when the talk began to shift to the defending Champions finishing fourth – or just about – and I'll admit I was part of the furniture on that bandwagon – they managed to convince us otherwise. This is a classy team with depth and quality like none other. Against Chelsea at the weekend Pep Guardiola proved tactical genius, and efficiency can be found even in modern football's most simple and straightforward ideas. City was back to bossing the ball and field space, making the field as small as possible when out of possession and being very direct when looking to progress forward. Gabriel Jesus played through the middle mostly and

imitated an out and out nine for large portions of the game. This, in my opinion, was the reason they were able to break down Chelsea and cause confusion and structural inconsistency in Chelsea's defensive line – something severely lacking when the Citizens hosted Southampton. Prediction: Draw/ Manchester City + Over 2.5 (31/20) Expect a slow burner styled game, an approach that I think will largely favour the away side, with little space and a serious emphasis on counterattack. Of course, going for an outright winner in a fixture so dependent on an adopted style is an extreme sport that I'm okay not participating in. But nevertheless, I think the high-profile nature of the encounter will be on display for all to see. I can't wait for this game! If

City are as defensively sound as they were against Chelsea, I think they will frustrate Liverpool…and yet if they look to attack ferociously, I think they play into their hosts' hands. Of course, you have two very successful and demanding managers looking to impose their approach on the game – a game of checkers if you will. But it's the second fixture between title favourite clubs in as many weeks, and I'm not sure there are too many of us complaining. This monumental game of football will be one that will likely be decided by tight margins and in-the-moment decisions. However, in Liverpool you have a side not shy to completely have a go – with little to no inhabitations. I think City controls the game's tempo and pace, and I can't see them losing to this Liverpool side. Of course, Jurgen Klopp will demand his

side go on the offensive early on and try play City off the field, an approach which will be supported by those inside Anfield. But I think City will slowly get the game under control, seduce it and take advantage of Liverpool's forward playing attitude. A result for the visitors, and yet another statement, without the tact we saw at the Bridge.