SP Sprint - 7 February 2024

Wednesday 07 February 2024

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JUMP FOR JOY!

A delighted Danny Mullins salutes as Il Etait Temps charges to a courageous victory in the Gr1 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday. The gelding races for the Hollywood Syndicate and the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud.

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CONTENTS

Issue: 06/2024

On the cover

Gavin Lerena and Sandringham Summit are on their own at the finish of the TAB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas at Turffontein on Saturday. Image kind courtesy of JC Photos.

3YO STARS STEP OUT

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Gimme The Power!

David Nieuwenhuizen champion is back!

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Five From Five Another for Gimmethegreenlight

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Gr1 Joy At Leopardstown Hollywood Syndicate and Barnane Stud celebrate

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Erupt – On The Up Maine Chance stallion is exciting

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Dubai World Cup Takes Shape Entries from near and far!

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SUMMIT HITS A NEW HIGH Sandringham Summit stretches out beautifully under Gavin Lerena | Credit: JC Photos

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A Gr1 winning champion juvenile, and certainly one of the most talked about and exciting prospects this season, the David Nieuwenhuizen trained Sandringham Summit stamped his claims on the 2024 SA Triple Crown trophy as he made it a winning debut in the Varsfontein silks when running out an easy winner of the R1 million TAB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas at Turffontein on Saturday.

While his Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer will be hoping that there will be no serious hurry to ship the sensational athlete off to commence his second phase duties down in magnificent Paarl, Sandringham Summit is definitely set for a return to his birthplace as a possible successor to his champion Dad, after being syndicated for stud duties late last year.

We really can’t blame the Turffontein conditioner for being all smiles though as his handsome ‘pressure’ colt put a below-par last run behind him when the real Sandringham Summit pitched up for racing on Saturday.

He showed his ability in no uncertain means under a forward ride from Gavin Lerena, as he shrugged off any side effects from his ten week break to give his sire a dual sex Guineas double on the day.

Lerena grabbed his fourth winner of a memorable afternoon when the 5-4 favourite, who had always been within striking distance of the pace, stormed clear to beat the late finishing Hotarubi (66-1) by 3 lengths in a time of 97,59 secs.

William Iron Arm was backed into 18-10 and stayed in touch with his pacemaking stablemate House Of Romanov all the way, before staying on for third.

Purple Pitcher (14-1) was going for six on the trot but was well beaten into sixth.

The winner was bred by Varsfontein Stud and is out of the Captain Al mare Townsend. She won both the Gr2 Odessa Stud Fillies Championship and Gr3 Diana Stakes, and in addition to Sandringham Summit, she is also dam of Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Eden Roc, who now stands at Clifton Stud.

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Townsend is a half-sister to Gr1 Champions Challenge winner Regal Ransom and hails from the female line of Gr2 Guineas winner Zapatillas and Gr2 Dingaans second Shoemaker, both of which were bred at Varsfontein.

Originally purchased for R1,7 million off the National Yearling Sale, Sandringham Summit has now won 4 of his 8 starts with 4 places and stakes of R1 612 250.

Significantly, Sandringham Summit offers breeders a wonderful outcross pedigree, free of the all-pervading Northern Dancer and Mr Prospector blood in the first four generations.

The last winner of the SA Triple Crown in 2021 was a Varsfontein Stud product called Malmoos.

Can Sandringham Summit follow him, and the likes of Abashiri (2016), Louis The King (2014) and Horse Chestnut (1999)?

Time will tell and we can’t wait for the second leg, the R1 500 000 Gr1 SA Classic to be run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday 2 March.

The final leg is the R1 250 000 Gr1 SA Derby run over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday 6 April.

A bonus of R2 million will be paid to the connections of the horse that wins all three legs of the SA Triple Crown.

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Sandringham Summit (Gavin Lerena) shows his field a clean pair of heels | Credit: JC Photos

SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT’S JAMAICO CONNECTION Saturday’s Gr2 TAB Gauteng Guineas winner Sandringham Summit (Gimmethegreenlight) is without question, a well-bred colt.

A half-brother to 2019 Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion winner, and now Clifton Stud based stallion, Eden Roc (Var), Sandringham Summit is out of 2009 Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship winner Townsend. The latter, in turn, is a Captain Al half-sister to 2010 Gr1 Champions Challenge victor Regal Ransom (Caesour), with Townsend’s dam, Palace Gossip, winning eight times and running second in the Gr3 TR Lewis Memorial Stakes.

Sandringham Summit is also very closely related to the smart Gimmethegreenlight sired galloper Shoemaker -whose half-brother Zapatillas (Master Of My Fate) won the 2022 Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas.

Summit’s dam Townsend is that she is closely inbred to Jamaico. Her sire Captain Al’s granddam Infanta was sired by Jamaico, while the latter also ranks as the sire of Townsend’s third dam, Island Farewell.

Another interesting fact about Sandringham

A direct male line descendant of the legendary

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A son of 1957 French 2000 Guineas third place getter Prince Taj, the grey Jamaico won five times from 1850m to 2100m and was runner up in both the 1967 Gr3 Prix De Guiche and 1967 Gr3 Prix La Force.

The latter race saw Jamaico finish second to Topyo (Fine Top) -who would go on to win the 1967 Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

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St Simon, Jamaico was out of the Wild Risk mare Suze, whose ancestress Hersey also ranked as the ancestress of such classic winners as Dunfermline (Oaks, St Leger), Tabasco Cat (Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes), and Judea (Irish Oaks).

Retired to stud in 1969, Jamaico enjoyed success with his 29 individual stakes winners headed by eight Gr1 winners.

Jamaico is one of a handful of stallions to have sired more than two Durban July winners, with his sons Jamaican Music (1976), Jamaican Rumba (1982) and Gondolier (1985) all victorious in the July. Jamaico also sired champion fillies Breyani, Cerulean Blue, and Grey Sun, as well as the top-class Run For Lily.

He also enjoyed notable success with his broodmare daughters producing such Gr1 winners as Bold Chieftain (Singh), Silver Sliver (West Man), Pedometer (Averof), Ndabeni (National Assembly), and San Louis (Folmar), to name a few.

His daughter Home Honey was South Africa’s

Broodmare Of The Year in 1990, and produced Gr1 OK Gold Bowl winner Honey Chunk (Hobnob) and multiple graded stakes winner Honey Bear (Roland Gardens).

Jamaico’s daughters A Song Is Born, Calypso Queen, Grey Blue, Island Farewell, Mustique and Run For Lily, all made considerable contributions to racing in South Africa through a plethora of high-class descendants.

Inbreeding to Jamaico has enjoyed success, previously producing the likes of the dam of Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Potent Power (National Emblem), as well as high-class broodmare Betty Burke (Captain Al). The latter produced a trio of stakes winners, including graded stakes winners Freedom Charter (Elusive Fort) and Pretty Betty (Master Of My Fate).

Jamaico’s daughter Infanta, the granddam of Captain Al, will ensure the former Riverton Stud resident’s name continues to pop up in topclass South African thoroughbreds for years to come.

1976 Durban July winner Jamaican Music with Bert Abercrombie up | Credit: Supplied

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DID YOU KNOW? The Sandringham Summit dates back to January 2020 when Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle threw the Royal family into disarray.

location for talks: with none of the rigidity of Buckingham Palace or Balmoral.

In a subtle power play, the Queen summoned all of the senior royals to her Sandringham Estate to discuss the future of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, following the couple’s shock announcement of their plans to step back from their roles, become financially independent and split their time between North America and the UK.

The Sandringham Summit, as it was dubbed in the press, is thought to be the first time the Queen had seen Harry in person since his and Meghan’s bombshell, a surprise which reportedly left her ‘disappointed’ with the couple. Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton were all in attendance, while Meghan, who returned to Canada to be with Archie Harrison, joined via video call.

Sandringham is thought to be the most ‘calming’

Now you know!

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‘A PROPER FAMILY AFFAIR!’ There was plenty of historic familiarity about the winner of Saturday’s first leg of the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara.

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Gimme A Nother storms home under regular pilot JP van der Merwe | Credit: JC Photos

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Gimme A Nother made it five straight victories, and three graded stakes successes on the trot, when she flew from last into the straight to win the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein on Day 1 of the 2024 The Championships Season.

“A proper family affair,” added trainer Mike de Kock, who sent an ominous warning for SA Fillies Classic aspirants when he suggested that ‘the winner could be even better than this’.

“She was a bit above herself in the preliminaries. But to be fair, she had a bit of an ‘on-off’ prep as she was supposed to travel to the Cape for the Paddock Stakes,” observed the man who knows a decent filly when he sees one.

From the worst draw of 11, regular pilot JP van der Merwe, who won the Met eight years ago on Smart Call in the same silks, had to take his mount back, before settling her in last as stablemate Mary’s Greenlight was followed by Key Element in the dash for home.

The further they went, the less the stress for her supporters as JP gave the undefeated filly her head and she put them to bed in a matter of strides.

Gimme A Nother (1-1) swept down the middle to beat stablemate Silver Sanctuary (28-10) by 1,75 lengths in a time of 97,74 secs.

Candice Dawson’s My Soul Mate (40-1) was the best of the balance, a further three quarters of a length away in third. Gimme A Nother is now in line to follow in the footsteps of Rain In Holland, War Of Athena, Summer Pudding, Cherry On The Top and Igugu. Both Summer Pudding and Cherry On The Top raced in the same famous yellow and black strip.

As reported previously, Gimme A Nother is a fairytale on her own as a third-generation stakes winner trained by Mike de Kock. Bred

by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, she is out of the Tiger Ride champion, Nother Russia, Mary Slack purchased Gimme A Nother’s 18 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

grandam Mother Russia from Klawervlei Stud as a dual Gr1 winner of the Fancourt Majorca and Empress Club Stakes. Mother Russia duly rewarded her new owner with victory in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes and in what was arguably the highlight of her star-studded career, the coveted Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, a memorable occasion given that she thwarted the mighty Pocket Power’s bid of a fifth consecutive victory in the celebrated mile race.

There were high hopes for the champion daughter of Windrush when she retired to her owner’s Wilgerbosdrift paddocks as a four-time Gr1 winner. However, racing and breeding is fraught with incredible highs and the heartbreak that is the flip side, hence it was not just a cruel blow when Mother Russia died at age ten, her innings as a broodmare yielded just a single foal by Tiger Ridge.

Fortunately, that foal, a filly named Nother Russia, is keeping the dream alive.

Like her mom before her, she joined the De Kock stable but raced in the colours of Jessica Jell , who had purchased the chestnut from the Wilgerbosdrift draft for R550 000 at the National Yearling Sale.

She ended up a dual Gr1 winning eight-time winner.

As it stands, Gimme A Nother has all the credentials to join the SA Triple Tiara honour roll!

Leg 2 is the R1 250 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic to be run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday 2 March.

The third leg is the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Oaks over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday 6 April.

A bonus of R1 million will be paid to the connections of the filly that wins all three legs of the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara.

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4RACING CEO FUNDI SITHEBE SAID: “It has been a spectacular start to ‘The Championships, paving the way for more exhilarating races ahead. We could not have hoped for better than seeing Joburg’s very own stars like Gimme A Nother and Sandringham Summit win!

Congratulations to the winning connections. We would like to thank our partners Wilgerbosdrift for sponsoring the Triple Tiara series as well as TAB for sponsoring the Gauteng Guineas race.

With the success of the first race day, this year’s ‘The Championships’ promises to surpass the previous one and one never knows, we could crown a series winner by the end of Day 3 on 6 April – a World Pool event. Racegoers should anticipate a stellar season filled with unforgettable moments and fierce competition.”

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Jessica Slack-Jell and Mike de Kock with the WIlgerbosdrift Fillies Guineas trophy | Credit: JC Photos

THE BIG 60 LOOMS FOR UNCLE MIKE With a bonny grandson in each hemisphere and racing interests in Australia, South Africa’s all-time leading international ambassador and eight-times national champion conditioner boasts the distinction of saddling a SA record 135 Gr1 winners, and counting.

Mike de Kock celebrates his 60th birthday on Valentine’s Day next week, and after Saturday’s superb showing by the undefeated Gimme A Nother, he could be on the verge of yet another SA Triple Tiara victory. And who knows, maybe even a sixth Hollywoodbets Durban July victory?

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Mike has trained over 3500 winners in South Africa, UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, United Kingdom and the USA, and when it comes to getting the job of converting any remote potential into champions, he’s the right man.

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After Gimme A Nother had registered her fifth straight victory on Saturday, he observed that these kind of horses ‘don’t come round too often’.

“She’s versatile. She could just as well have led them. This was all very special and a proper family affair. I trained the grandmother, mother and now the daughter – I’m really feeling old!

What an honour to train horses like this,” he added.

While Igugu, who won the Triple Tiara in 2011, is De Kock’s only SA Triple Tiara winner to date, the Slack family have enjoyed the thrill of shouting home Cherry On The Top in 2013 (Ormond Ferraris) and Summer Pudding in 2020 (Paul Peter).

Their own Horse Chestnut was saddled by De Kock in 1999 to win the Triple Crown – although

a humour misjudgement almost meant that it all never happened!

When the late Bridget Oppenheimer personally rang on 10 April 1995 to offer him some horses to train, the then much younger Mike de Kock didn’t realise it was the start of decades of yellow and black clad stars, and actually thought it was a joke. It was not until the then Mauritzfontein stud manager Gavin Schafer rang to ask whether he’d taken leave of his senses, that he realised his blunder.

Happily Mrs Oppenheimer saw the funny side of things and the black and yellow silks have become a part of the furniture at the De Kock Randjesfontein HQ. And he made the tardy start up to Mrs O on 12 December 1995, ensuring that his first runner in the Oppenheimer silks, a filly named

Three generations - Mary Slack, the late Bridget Oppenheimer and Jessica Slack-Jell | Credit: Supplied

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Langoustine, came home a winner.

The Oppenheimer connection has continued via their daughter Mary Slack, and more recently, her daughter Jessica Slack-Jell, and through them Mike has forged a powerful association with Jehan Malherbe and Dr John McVeigh.

So who is SA racing’s newest 60 year old?

He grew up in Alberton and was only 23 when he started training horses. The eldest of six children, his Dad Terry sold cars, and Mom Anne managed the busy home.

Despite neither of his folks having an interest in racing, Mike was obsessed from an early age and soaked up any information he could – long before the days of social media and keyboard warriors.

He used to sneak into Newmarket to get as close to the action as he could, and even secured a job at Southern Timbers across the road from the course – not only did the company have a lot of racing connected customers, he could also watch the live show from his office window.

He met David Ferraris at Alberton High School and the two became friends. They discussed racing endlessly and David took Mike to his Dad Ormond’s yard, where he got to watch and learn.

After school, Mike spent his national service furthering his knowledge by joining the equestrian unit at Potchefstroom, receiving a grounding in anatomy, feeding and stable management and completing his riding instructors’ course.

He then contacted his old friend and got a stable employee job for Ormond Ferraris. He once described that time as ‘some of the hardest, yet most rewarding’ times of his life, but most importantly, his foot was now firmly in the door.

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He worked briefly for Robbie Sage, before joining Ricky Howard-Ginsberg in 1987. When Mr Ginsberg suddenly died of a heart attack in December 1987, a reluctant Mike was persuaded to take-over the reins.

“I think it’s a mark of what a good man he was that his friends all still wanted to race together and wanted me to carry on with the yard when he died,” he recalled in an earlier interview.

The motivated youngster saddled his first winner one week into the job, when Evening Mist won the Gerald Rosenberg Handicap. She would also give him his first Gr1 in the April 1989 Administrator’s Champion Stakes and, carrying 55kgs, finished a 1,6 lengths fourth in the mud bath that was the 1989 Rothmans July.

Mike completed the half term with 25 wins and notched 41 wins in 1989/90, his first season as a fully-fledged trainer.

He moved to Randjesfontein in the early ‘90’s with his then wife-to-be, Diane Cawcutt, who had been working for James Goodman as an assistant-cum-work-rider. Diane is the daughter of the late champion jockey Johnny Cawcutt and is bred in the purple as far as racing pedigrees go. She cut her teeth with Terrance Millard’s string on Blaauwberg beach before relocating to Johannesburg in 1985.

Although Mike got a head start by inheriting the Ginsberg string and his early years included the likes of Evening Mist, Record Edge, Golden Hoard and Spook Express, his really big break came in the form of the Mauritzfontein marvel, Horse Chestnut. Just goes to show, how life can turn on a tickey!

Today Mike de Kock runs a powerful string. His son Mathew is in partnership with multiple Gr1 winning trainer Robbie Griffiths in Australia, while daughter Kirsten is married and lives in the USA. Grandsons Liam and Owen mean Oupa also travels a lot!

Happy birthday, Mike.

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HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY ANTEPOST PRICED UP 28 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

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Hollywoodbets have opened the first antepost market for Africa’s greatest race which will be run on 6 July 2024, and as the Sprint is interactive, you can see more by clicking here.

Priced at 20-1 for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, Dean Kannemeyer’s Green With Envy is seen winning the R350 000 Schweppes Gr2 Politician Stakes on Met day | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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Following their respective victories at Turffontein on Saturday, could there be two trainers eyeing Hollywoodbets Durban July glory at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 6 July?

First up after Saturday, let’s look at Gimme A Nother who made it five from five with victory in the Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Fillies Guineas.

David Mollett writes that when he drove away from the city track, it’s possible Mike De Kock was thinking the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight could follow in the hoofprints of 2002 July winner, Ipi Tombe, who under a great ride from Kevin Shea, became the first three year-old filly to win SA’s most famous race in 50 years. She was also drawn on South Beach!

“These horses don’t come along too often,” enthused De Kock who has won the July five times with Ipi Tombe (2002), Greys Inn (2004), Bold Silvano (2010), Igugu (2011) and Sparkling Water (2022).

Main Defender in his box – Sandringham Summit looked set to reward both punters and Varsfontein Stud.

I monitored the betting prior to the start closely on World Sports Betting and there was an avalanche of support for Tony Peter’s runner, William Iron Arm, who shortened through all rates from 26-10 to 19-10.

It was a memorable meeting for Gavin Lerena and he gave his mount a textbook ride – worth showing to young apprentices at the Academy.

Sandringham Summit was bred by Varsfontein and the decision by John and Susan Kalmanson – with top horseman Carl De Vos at the helm – to acquire the horse they bred rates on a par with Bayern Munich spending 95 million euros on football star, Harry Kane.

Of course, the purchase price will be nowhere near that figure, but it shows forward-thinking

by Varsfontein.

It was understandable that owner-breeder, Jessica Jell, felt “we were in trouble when he was last.” So were many punters who looked to her filly and Sandringham Summit to retrieve losses incurred at the WSB Cape Town Met meeting.

The Kalmansons will be aware that Gimmethegreenlight (sire of both Guineas winners on Saturday) is now 16 and new sires – noticeably Charles Dickens – will soon be represented at the yearling sales.

De Kock also saddled the runner-up, Silver Sanctuary, for Drakenstein Stud. They’ve had a tremendous last 12 months but this race belonged to the Wilgerbosdrift/Mauritzfontein operation.

It would signal that – unlike Charles Dickens retired before the Met – Sandringham’s owners were up for any challenge.

Now, obviously winning the Triple Crown This was the first leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple will be David Nieuwenhuizen’s major Tiara and – given her pedigree – one is tempted objective, but his star colt has already won to think the next two legs will be a walk in the two races at Hollywoodbets Greyville and it park. will be interesting to see his price when the Hollywoodbets Durban July market opens. Ed Of course, racing has its bumps in the road as – we expect the ante-post market to open this we saw with See It Again. But commentator week.

Nico Kritsiotis surely got it right when saying “the world’s her oyster” as Gimme A Nother Victory in that race would surely give returned to the winner’s enclosure.

Varsfontein bragging rights!

On to the TAB Gauteng Guineas where – with 30 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

With David Shawe – whose star is well and truly in the ascendancy in the owners ranks – speaking at the post-race interview, it’s clear

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Varsfontein will race the three year-old with some prominent owners, including Laurence Wernars.

Finally, a word about Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer David Nieuwenhuizen.

I have witnessed many Godolphin deals in the UK where a small trainer with a star on his hands sees the horse leave his stable and head for Charlie Appleby.

It must have occurred to the likeable Turffontein trainer that the new partnership might be favouring a big stable like Justin Snaith, Sean Tarry, Candice Bass-Robinson or Brett Crawford.

Happily, that hasn’t occurred and David will have retired to bed on Saturday knowing he had delivered the goods and the weight was off his shoulders.

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SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT EASY AS 123 Sandringham Summit had his rating increased from 121 to 123 after easily winning the Tab Gr2 Gauteng Guineas over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.

121 from 120 after making it 5 wins from 5 starts to impressively win the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas (Gr2) at Turffontein over 1600m on Saturday.

The Handicappers were of the opinion that 4th placed Purple Pitcher made for the most suitable line horse here and his rating remains unchanged on 114.

5th place finisher Egyptian Mau who was rated 110 was used as the line horse to rate this contest and remained unchanged on that mark.

The Handicappers noted that Purple Pitcher did appear to replicate his Gr2 Dingaans form here as he beat Gimmeanotherchance and The Africa House by similar margins.

2nd placed Hotarubi as well as 3rd placed William Iron Arm were adjusted to a rating of 116 from 98 and 94 respectively. They both beat the line horse Purple Pitcher rated 114 by a full length on level weight terms here which equals to a 116 performance.

There were partial rating increases for Storm Brasco who went from 91 to 104 and Navajo Nation to 103 from 93. This ensures that all of Storm Brasco, Navajo Nation, The Africa House, Mondial and House Of Romanov are ranked correctly in the pecking or balloting order.

The following horses received ratings drops, Gimmeanotherchance from 112 to 111 and The Africa House to 102 from 103.

Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas (Gr2) Top rated, Gimme A Nother was adjusted to 34 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

The runner up, Silver Sanctuary went up marginally from 115 to 116. My Soul Mate who finished 3rd beating the 110 rated line horse Egyptian Mau by 2,5 lengths at level weights was adjusted to 115 from a rating of 103. Fourth place finisher Let’s Go Now was adjusted to 111 from 105 after finishing ahead of the 110 rated Egyptian Mau. There were also partial increases for Champagne Cocktail from 102 to 104 and Mia Moo to 103 from 90. Mia Moo had to be capped at a rating of 90 in the Gr3 Mother Russia stakes due to the race conditions that placed 3 points cap on placed runners in that race, she actually performed to a similar level here.

There were no drops to ratings in this event.

• Media release by NHA on Tuesday 06 February 2024

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Celebrations – The proud Il Etait Temps connections celebrate their Gr1 success | Credit: Supplied

DUBLIN RACING FESTIVAL GR1 GLORY FOR SA CONNECTIONS CHELTENHAM BECKONS FOR SON OF JUKEBOX JURY The Gr1 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday turned into something of a champagne celebration for local players when two horses with South African ties fought out the finish.

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The Willie Mullins-trained grey Il Etait Temps, who runs in the Hollywood Syndicate silks and is owned in partnership with the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud, gained the upper hand in terrific fashion to register his second Gr1 success.

Robertson and the Barnane Stud in County Tipperary, Ireland, has gone from strength to strength and delivered yet another superb Grade 1 success that suggests tickets are hurriedly being booked for the Cheltenham Festival next month!

It has been a stellar year for the Hollywood Syndicate, who only last month celebrated their 500th winner milestone after 22 years in horseracing, having upped the ante over the past three years.

In a thrilling finish Danny Mullins made it three winners from three rides (a 535-1 treble!) on the day as Il Etait Temps found reserves of courage and stamina to grind his way past the game pacemaker Found A Fifty, with the popular favourite Marine Nationale suffering his first defeat.

Their association with the internationally active Kieswetter family, who own Ridgemont in

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The runner-up Found A Fifty is a son of late Summerhill and Heversham Park Danehill stallion, Solskjaer, who was reinvented as a jumps sire when Gauteng breeder Nigel Riley shrewdly saw an opportunity after he failed to make the grade commercially on the flat in South Africa.

It was a second Grade 1 success for the 6yo Il Etait Temps, who beat his better-fancied stablemate Facile Vega at the meeting last year.

Bred in France by Emmanuel Clayeux, the winner is a son of Jukebox Jury (Ire) out of the Dom Alco (Fre) dam Une Des Sources (Fre).

He was found by the astute Ross Doyle after two relatively ordinary starts on the flat in France.

Doyle was given the heads up by Irish Bloodstock man Harold Kirk, who along with France-based Pierre Boulard, are the chief

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scouts for trainer Willie Mullins. The rest is history, as they say!

After Saturday’s thriller, trainer Willie Mullins, who has been in sizzling form, told the Racing Post: “Danny is just on fire today. This horse is improving, his jumping is improving and he’s settling as well. He didn’t have much respect for hurdles and has more respect for fences which is bringing about improvement.

“It just shows you that chasers come in all shapes and sizes as he’s not the biggest horse in the world. He’s obviously very effective over this trip and we look forward to the Arkle at Cheltenham.”

According to the Racing Post, bookmakers reacted by cutting Il Etait Temps to 4-1 (from 12) for the Arkle in March with Marine National still heading the betting at 3-1, out from 4-7, following his disappointing effort.

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Raising the trophy - Gr1 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase | Credit: Supplied

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EXPLOSIVE! ‘What Erupt lacks for in inches, he certainly made up for in ability, being a dual Gr1 winner of the Grand Prix de Paris and Canadian International, both over 2400m’ The market for yearlings dictates that elite stallions will invariably hog the top of the buyers list, hence it is refreshing when a lesser regarded sire pops up with a million Rand youngster.

Chaparral mare Being Fabulous, who carried the Wernars silks to victory in the Listed Syringa Handicap and was twice placed at Gr3 level.

IThat happened at the recent Cape Racing Premier Yearling Sale, where Mano Pandaram gave an even million for a colt by Maine Chance-based Erupt, the only son of hugely successful sire Dubawi currently standing in South Africa.

Pandaram’s purchase looked a shrewd one, given that Erupt celebrated a new stakes winner barely 48 hours later when his daughter Ripple Effect opened her black type account in the Listed Pongracz Olympic Duel Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Consigned by Ridgemont and named Lava Runway, the chestnut is out of High

The three-year-old made her own bit of history, as she is also the first stakes winner

Karangetang – Erupt’s first stakes winner in action | Credit: JC Photos

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owned by new breeding outfit Paardeberg Stud.

This is not the first time that an Erupt youngster broke through the seven-figure barrier.

At last year’s August 2YO Sale, Laurence Wernars went to R1.2-million to secure the Erupt colt out of Lil’ Bacio, the dam of Gr1 SA Derby winner Out Of Your League, Gold Cup runner-up Paybackthemoney and Java Stakes winner Zeus, who notched up his tenth career win at last weekend’s Turffontein meeting.

Incidentally, on that same card Erupt’s son Unzen caught the eye when he made virtually all in a 1400m Pinnacle Stakes whilst defeating such class acts as champion Cousin Casey, dual Gr1 winner and Highveld champion Puerto Manzano, Safe Passage, MK’s Pride and Dave The King.

Robbie Sage’s charge, who came within a head of winning the Listed Wolf Power 1600

in his penultimate start, appears to be on an upward curve and it is safe to say that he will be amongst the entries for the 1400m Gr2 Hawaii Stakes.

By the way, Wernars co-owns Erupt’s very first stakes winner Karangetang, who made an auspicious start to his career when he dashed up the Turffontein straight to win the Listed Storm Bird Stakes on debut and followed up in the Gr3 Protea Stakes next time out.

Physically, Erupt is very much his father’s son, a not overly big, burly bay. In fact, as a respected breeder remarked: “I took a mare to Maine Chance and when I saw this small horse, I thought it was the teaser.” Turned out it was Erupt, who had just arrived at the farm!

What Erupt lacks for in inches, he certainly made up for in ability, being a dual Gr1 winner of the Grand Prix de Paris and Canadian International, both over 2400m.

Jockey Stephane Pasquier guides Erupt to victory in the CAD$1,000,000 dollar Pattison Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack | Credit: Michael Burns

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The athletic Erupt (Dubawi ex Mare Nostrum) | Credit: Jeremy Nelson

True to his female line - his first three dams are by Caerleon, Spectacular Bid and Sir Ivor respectively - he was a late maturing stayer, yet his best progeny tend to be sprinters. Whether that is because breeders supported him with fast mares is a matter of conjecture, however, virtually all sport fast female lines.

In addition to Karangetang (out of a Var mare) and Ripple Effect (grandam won the Gr2 Prix Robert Papin as a juvenile), these include the stakes-placed fillies Golden Tatjana, Hot Pearl and Flowerbomb.

Glen Kotzen, who trains both Ripple Effect and Golden Tatjana, is also of the opinion that the best Erupt progeny conform to the same phenotype as their sire and grandsire.

“Both are small, strong and quick,” he said.

“Ripple Effect is such a game little filly, we will aim her at the Prix du Cap at the end of the 46 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

month. That is over 1400m and if she stays, we may consider the KZN Fillies Guineas in Durban.”

Golden Tatjana proved herself a smart juvenile last season when third in the Gr3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery and was beaten just a head when second in the Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m.

“She didn’t have a good summer season and is enjoying a nice rest,” Glen remarked, following the filly’s disappointing efforts in the Southern Cross and Cartier Sceptre Stakes.

Interestingly, she is out of a Silvano mare, yet has made her mark as a sprinter. That said, her grandam and third dam were by National Assembly and Golden Thatch respectively, so there’s speed aplenty on the bottom line.

Likewise, Flowerbomb, a stakes-placed fourtime winner over the minimum trip, is out of an

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unraced daughter of the fine sprinter Fastnet Rock.

of an action, this filly is smaller, but has a big engine on her!”

Wendy Whitehead, who trains last season’s Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes runner-up Hot Pearl agrees that the better Erupts come in small packages: “Hot Pearl is small, strong and compact and a real go-getter!”

From a pedigree perspective, there’s plenty of speed, considering their third dam is none other than the Azzie-trained flyer Harry’s Charm. The champion 2yo, 3yo and Older Female Sprinter of the mid-nineties, the daughter of Harry Hotspur won the Gr1 Allan Robertson and SA Nursery Plate as a juvenile and went on to claim the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint and Gr1 Mondi Sprint twice.

Wendy is another fan of the stallion. “ I love them, because I know they are going to come early, and they are just so competitive. I have another Erupt, a juvenile filly out of a Trippi mare. She can run and will be coming out soon.”

Wendy is also looking forward to the Erupt halfsister to Mvulazana, a Soft Falling Rain mare who has won her five races.

“She’s coming off the farm soon. While Mvulazana is a big, rangy filly with one hell

Glen Kotzen’s remark “Erupt is certainly value for money” appears to be spot on, considering Lava Runway was conceived off a R20,000 service fee!

Erupt has three lots catalogued for the upcoming Cape Yearling Sale, including a filly out of Starling Stakes winner Kiribati.

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BIRTH OF A STUD

PAARDEBERG’S FIRST RUNNER WINS THE OLYMPIC DUEL STAKES TO MAKE A DREAM START 48 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

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‘We don’t view our investment in the 140 ha new farm as a vanity project.

It’s a serious attempt to run a successful enterprise on business principles, focused on the aim of producing top end Graded Stakes winners.’

Ripple Effect charges home under Raymond Danielson for the Paardeberg Stud to win the Pongracz Olympic Duel Stakes on Met day | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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When Ripple Effect (3f Erupt (IRE)-Sea of Calm (USA) by Quiet American) flashed past the post in the R200 000 Pongracz Listed Olympic Duel Stakes on Met Day, she realized the first step of the ambitions of new breeding farm Paardeberg Stud (Pty) Ltd, a joint venture between British businessmen Charles Palmer and Steve Ajax, and South African Sally Bruss, at their newly acquired property in Paarl.

Both Britons were on hand at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and it was especially thrilling for Charlie and Rachel Palmer, who had flown out from England, as it was their first ever winner.

The very speedy Ripple Effect was acquired at the Ashley Fortune Dispersal Sale last July for R850,000 after winner three times as a 2 year old, running 3rd in the colt’s South African Nursery Plate (Gr.2), and running Champion 2 Year Old Filly Mrs Geriatrix to ¾ length at level

weights in the Ruffian Stakes.

When put into training with Glen Kotzen in Paarl, it was discovered that she had a small fetlock chip and it had to be removed, delaying her preparation for the Cape season.

Finishing well back 6 lengths off the winner in the Southern Cross Plate (Gr.2) in her debut, Ripple Effect improved in her next start, the Sceptre S. (Gr.2) finishing 4,6 lengths behind winner October Morn, but significantly only 2.5 lengths off Winter Cloud, who was to start 18/10 for the Olympic Duel Stakes with Ripple Effect ignored at 50/1!

Both Charlie and Steve decided to have a flutter at 50/1 and roared the filly home as she bolted from near last early on to rocket into a clear lead to win going away in a fast 1 min 10,6 sec for the race.

Rachel Palmer and Sandra Ajax in the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth winner’s circle with Ripple Effect | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Gr1 winner Canadian Summer | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Bred by Avontuur Stud, Ripple Effect is the 8th winner from Sea of Calm (USA), an American mare bought by Pippa Mickleburgh for Avontuur Stud at the 2006 Tattersalls December Sales.

Sea of Calm’s sire Quiet American sired 55 stakes winners including a Kentucky Derby winner, but excelled as an important broodmare sire with 149 stakes winners and features as dam-sire of important stallions Bernardini and Saint Liam. She has been a stellar mare for Avontuur.

Ripple Effect’s sire, Erupt (IRE), won the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr.1) over 2400m in France and never raced below 2000m, yet continues to breed more sprinters than anything else.

If Ripple Effect’s victory had come at 2000m, one would not be surprised on pedigree, but like many Erupt progeny, she is built like a sprinter.

The grandam Ocean Ridge (by Storm Bird) won the famous 1200m Prix Robert Papin (Gr.2) for 2 year olds in France, was 2nd in the Coronation S. (Gr.1) (1600m) at Royal Ascot and 4th in the Cheveley Park S. (Gr.1), whilst the next dam Polar Bird (Thatching) was a SW sprinter that placed in Ascot’s Diadem S. (Gr.2).

Ripple Effect is most likely a sprinter, but given her grand finishing kick, she will try 1400m in the Prix du Cap (Gr.3) on 24 February.

Her importance to the Paardeberg Stud is that she signals the endeavour of the partners’ serious intention to stock the farm with high grade stakes winning mares.

“We don’t view our investment in the 140 ha new farm as a vanity project” says Charlie, “it’s a serious attempt to run a successful enterprise on business principles, focused on the aim of producing top end Graded Stakes Winners.”

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“For this reason, we aim to steadily build a broodmare band of quality stakes winning performers, each acquisition carefully selected and regarded as a foundation mare. We are also doing some partnership mares with local owners who would like to breed with us. We want to make a success of it.”

Designing a stud farm from scratch is a blank canvass which starts with the quality of the land, and Paardeberg Stud is located in Paarl close to Varsfontein and other top nurseries in a famed area for breeding thoroughbreds.

Sally Bruss, who set up Lammerskraal Stud in Ceres from inception for the late Mike Rattray and managed it to a highly successful level, breeding more than 20 individual Grade 1 winners, two Horses of the Year and multiple Equus Champions, is the managing director of the Paardeberg enterprise.

“The first challenge has been to build the infrastructure from scratch” says Sally. “The

Gr3 winner Marigold Hotel | Credit: Supplied

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paddocks, the barns, the stables and the facilities, all brand new - and we are doing it at deliberate speed since we acquired the property less than a year ago”.

“Luckily, I have a very loyal reliable and hard working staff. Many have been with me for many years and have followed me to the new farm. We have a great energy here in building something new, so there is an excitement in the air, and we are loving what we are doing.”

Sally is also building her own family into the next generation as daughter Cait recently started the student course at the Irish National Stud, generating an international expertise and experience which will flow into Paardeberg one day.

“We are acquiring our broodmares cautiously and carefully” she says. “We want to focus on Stakes Winning fillies off the track and young Stakes Winning mares in foal”

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Gr3 winner Full Velocity | Credit: Supplied

The Stud has already acquired several Graded Stakes winners in recent months, including their first Grade 1 winner: Canadian Summer (Oratorio (IRE) -Autumn Splendour by Silvano) was Equus Champion 2 Year Old 2022, winning three Stakes events the most important of which was the Thekwini Fillies S. (Gr.1) defeating future Champion Bless My Stars.

Marigold Hotel (Querari (GER)- Indira by Tiger Ridge) won the Poinsettia S. (Gr.3) and was 3rd in the Empress Club S. (Gr.1).

Full Velocity (Philanthopist (USA)-Circle of Speed (Aus) by Sebring) won 7 races and R647,000 including the Poinsettia S. (Gr.3) and Kwazulu Natal S. (L.). More importantly her grandam is the brilliant champion National Colour, mother of Gr.1 winners Rafeef and Mustaqueem.

The Foundation Sire for Paardeberg Stud is the Gr.1 Breeders Cup Mile Champion EXPERT

EYE (GB) who was bought from Juddmonte Stud.

He is already on the farm, although his own stallion box is still under construction.

“EXPERT EYE is a very beautiful horse” says Sally. “He stands 16 hands, he is very correct and extremely athletic. He was a wonderful racehorse and already a proven sire, particularly of good two year olds, and I love that he comes from Juddmonte breeding.

“When a farm has bred selectively from generation to generation over 40 years, any faults that arise are largely eliminated by selecting away from them and so you end up with a purity of breed which affirms a predictable and greater rate of success.

You only have to look at all the champions in Expert Eye’s female line to realise the level of genetic strength he carries. He is a true son of Juddmonte breeding!

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“In England, Expert Eye’s first crop which raced in 2022 had 22 individual two year old winners, his second crop last year had 17. That he can be so prolific when running in the white heat of British racing against the likes of progeny of Franke and Dubawi reassures me that he is going to be a big success in South Africa.”

“He sired some really good two year olds in England last year including a Royal Ascot 2YO Stakes Winner, plus the brilliantly fast Gr.3 winner Juniper Berries and a good colt Witness Stand, beaten a head in the Horris Hill S. (Gr.3) at Newbury.”

Charlie Palmer is best known in business circles as a London Property developer, but his group of companies include diverse and interesting businesses. They include Tried And Tested Technologies Pty Ltd which developed Antigen and Antibody tests to combat COVID and was appointed by the British Government in the roll out of rapid lateral flow tests. It places Charlie in an understanding position in

regard to the AHS virus and the potential for South African bloodstock to move beyond the constraints of the current export problems.

“Ultimately, we aim to think globally, rather than locally” says Charlie “and this is why I developed the interest with Steve in founding Global Team Racing. I have long been an ardent sports fanatic and when I couldn’t play rugby any more, I began refereeing.”

“The idea that racing might re-invent part of itself and attract a new and different generation of fans and customers intrigued me. It led us to experimental racemeetings at Greyville and was the stepping stone to the origin of Paardeberg Stud” Steve Ajax is the founder of Global Team Horseracing and its CEO. It’s an innovative hybrid which creates a shortened version of a night horserace meet, galvanizing and attracting youngsters.

Gr1 Breeder’s Cup Mile Champion Expert Eye holds court as the foundation sire | Credit: Melanie Sauer

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Global Team Horseracing – serious fun! | Credit: Supplied

Steve sees it as a sports entertainment barrier breaker – one which could empowe horse racing to directly challenge and compete with the world’s premier sports entities, including contemporary sports innovators like LIV Golf, the Indian Premier League and established sports leagues like the NFL and NBA.

“GTH is on a mission to positively transform racing and ignite a passion for the sport amongst an entirely new generation of sports fans” says Steve.

“Our expertise spans live events, broadcast productions, and cutting-edge digital experiences.

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From electrifying night-time race meetings that fill stadiums to mind-blowing content, GTH creates, produces, broadcasts, and distributes premium, family-friendly, racing entertainment” “ At the core is industry-leading technology which can deliver innovation and excellence “ says Steve.

“Our first trial meeting took place at Greyville in 2022 and since then we have refined our concepts and expanded the innovation to several jurisdictions across the world” “It was also very exciting to win the British Sports Industry Award for Event of the Year

– and this tells us we are on the right path to create innovation for the horseracing industries around the world. We very much value the part that South Africa has played and are grateful for the support in our trial runs.”

Fresh thinking, innovative design, new technologies, creative paths and the birth of a new stud which aims high and hopes to help South African racing and breeding to expand beyond its own borders in years to come.

This is Paardeberg Stud and for Charlie Palmer, Steve Ajax and Sally Bruss, it’s going to be an interesting and intriguing life.

Charles & Rachel Palmer in the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth parade ring with Raymond Danielson in the Paardeberg Stud silks. Trainer Glen Kotzen (obscured) looks on | Credit: Supplied

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WILLIAM’S BIG FOUR Klawervlei Stud’s homebred sire William Longsword has enjoyed a wonderful few weeks, and his great run continued when he came up with four winners over the past weekend.

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Rachel Venniker steers the Varsfontein Stud-bred Imaginable to victory at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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His first success came on Friday when William Longsword filly Tipsy Tina won the fifth race run at Fairview.

Runner up in the 2023 Listed Milkwood Stakes, four-year-old Tipsy Tina, who was bred by Klawervlei, claimed the fourth win of her career when she captured Friday’s Play Soccer 6,10 And 13 FM 78 Handicap (1000m).

Under Trent Mayhew, the Zietsman Oosthuizen trained filly stormed home to score by a length and a quarter, with another William Longsword daughter, Lady Majorca, finishing third.

Her sire William Longsword struck again at Turffontein on Saturday when his Klawervlei Stud bred son Bob, who had finished second in his previous two starts, got off the mark in convincing fashion.

has now won twice from four starts and he looks an exciting prospect.

The red hot William Longsword had a double at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday with his sons Heaven’s Will and Imaginable winning the second and fourth races respectively.

Trained by Dennis Bosch, gelded three-yearold Heaven’s Will stayed on strongly, under Muzi Yeni, to win Sunday’s GallopTV Youtube Channel Maiden Plate (1200m) by nearly threeparts of a length.

Heaven’s Will, who has won or been placed in three of his four starts, was bred by Varsfontein Stud.

William Longsword’s great run continued when his Varsfontein bred son Imaginable landed Sunday’s Bet With Tabgold -The Intelligent Bet! Maiden Plate over 1600 metres.

Under Jason Gates, the Tony Peter trained three-year-old came with a late flourish to win Saturday’s Wilgerbosdrift Maiden Plate (1160m) Under Rachel Venniker, the Alyson Wright by a neck, despite being bumped close home. trained gelding powered home down the outside of the track to break his maiden by His Gr1 Cape Guineas winning sire looks to nearly a length and three quarters. have sired a three-year-old of real promise Sire of this season’s graded stakes winning in the form of William Iron Arm, with the sprinters Dyce and Rulership among others, latter catching the eye when finishing third in William Longsword has four lots on offer at the Saturday’s G2 TAB Gauteng Guineas. upcoming Cape Yearling Sale.

Bred on the same William Longsword/Galileo cross as recent G1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship winner Dyce, William Iron Arm

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Champion Celtic Sea – another outstanding Mauritzfontein product | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

MAURITZFONTEIN UNCOVERING MORE STARS BSA Cape Yearling Sale 2024 Mauritzfontein, the breeders of such outstanding fillies such as Summer Pudding, Cherry On The Top and Celtic Sea to name but three, looks to have bred yet another top-class filly in the form of Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara winner Gimme A Nother.

A daughter of South Africa’s reigning champion sire Gimmethegreenlight and dual Gr1 winning Equus Champion Nother Russia, the blueblooded Gimme A Nother won each of her first five starts, culminating in a breath-taking victory 66 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

when she flew from last into the straight to win the Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein on Saturday.

She looks set to follow in the footsteps of both her dam Nother Russia and granddam Mother Russia in becoming a Gr1 winner!

Mauritzfontein will be offering buyers a chance to acquire their own outstanding prospect when they bring a top-class draft to the upcoming Cape Yearling Sale at Hollywoodbets

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Kenilworth on 25 February, with the farm offering yearlings sired by a range of different stallions, including Danon Platina, Fire Away (sire of impressive recent two-year-old winners Fire Attack and Tintamarre as well as Listed Spook Express Stakes winner Explosive Bond), Querari, Rafeef, and The United States.

Their draft also includes yearlings from the families of such high-class international and local Gr1 winners as Arravale, Dawn Approach, Inara, Mount Abu, Serious Attitude,Topa Inca, Vintage Tipple and remarkable Melbourne Cup winner Vintage Crop among others.

While he is understandably keen on the whole draft, Mauritzfontein’s Mike Sharkey has singled out a pair of colts who look likely to attract plenty of attention.

• Lot 33 Diamond Days c Rafeef ex Dalley He is a very nice, well balanced colt, and is a good mover and looks an early type.

• Lot 70 Mount Kennedy c The United States ex Irish Martini A well grown colt, he covers ground and is nicely topped.

Mauritzfontein’s string can be viewed from Block G at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE VIEW THE FULL CATALOGUE HERE!

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KLAWERVLEI’S CAPE QUALITY! BSA CAPE YEARLING SALE – 25 FEBRUARY Vercingetorix, William Longsword, Carry On Alice, Kommetdieding, One World these top-class thoroughbreds are just a few of the outstanding performers bred

by Klawervlei Stud over the years.

Vercingetorix, William Longsword, Carry On Alice, Kommetdieding, One World - these top-class thoroughbreds are just a few of the outstanding performers bred by Klawervlei Stud over the years.

Based just outside Bonnievale, Klawervlei will be bringing a large and exciting consignment to the upcoming Cape Yearling Sale on 25 February at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Their

Klawervlei Stud – a source of champions | Credit: Supplied

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2024 draft includes yearlings sired by the likes of Vercingetorix, William Longsword, and Twice Over to name but a few.

This draft includes the only yearling by outstanding sire Vercingetorix in the catalogue with the Lot 32 filly out of a stakesplaced winner of six, and granddam is an A.P. Indy half-sister to none other than Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos.

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Safe to say, this is a filly with plenty of paddock value!

season’s Listed City Of Cape Town Sophomore Sprint runner up Captain Arrow.

Resident sire Twice Over has also got just one lot on offer at this year’s Cape Yearling Sale, with this Klawervlei consigned Lot 112 filly who shares her sire with impressive recent Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met winner Double Superlative among many others, who is a half-sister to this season’s classy three-yearold Just Be Lekker.

Captain Of All’s paternal half-brother William Longsword, sire of impressive recent Gr1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship winner Dyce, is represented here by the Lot 45 filly out of the Var sired Gr3 Man O’War Sprint winner Exquisite Touch and the Lot 64 filly out of a three-time winning own sister to Gr2 winner Paterfamilias.

The filly’s dam is a four-time winning daughter of Judpot and hails from the immediate family of the Judpot sired champion Along Came Polly, as well as the likes of Rock Opera and promising young Australian sire Royal Meeting.

This draft can be found in Blocks C and D at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Fellow Klawervlei stallions Captain Of All and William Longsword have three and two lots respectively in this draft, with Captain Of All’s trio including a full-sister at Lot 67 to this

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE VIEW THE FULL CATALOGUE HERE!

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THE CLASSY FOUR FROM HEUNINGSFONTEIN Heuningsfontein Stud will be offering a small but well-related draft at the upcoming BSA Cape Yearling Sale at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 25 February.

The Heuningsfontein draft is made up of fillies sired by the likes of Gold Standard | Credit: Drakenstein Stud

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Their 2024 consignment is made up of fillies sired by the likes of Gold Standard, New Predator, Skitt Skizzle and Lance.

Heuningsfontein’s Leon Lotz introduces us to his draft: Lot 25: Speed Spice (f) by Gold Standard ex Captain’s Treasure A very well balanced, quality filly. The sire is firing and with a Captain Al dam anything can happen!

Lot 76: Unnamed (f) by Lance ex Kissmeatthegate Sire look-alike with an excellent step in her stride - typical of the sire. This girl is a definite sprinting type.

Granddam is 11-times race winner. Lance recently had two runners – second and a win.

Lot 90: Nothing Cooler (f) by New Predator ex Mademoiselle This is an exceptionally good-looking filly. A strongly put together speed-machine well.

The magnificent filly is bred on the exciting New Predator-Var cross, which is already producing winners.

Lot 99: Unnamed (f) by Skitt Skizzle ex Nemesia A racy, athletic, good-sized and well-balanced filly. Her dam has produced three winners from four runners.

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE VIEW THE FULL CATALOGUE HERE!

DRAKENSTEIN SIRE EARNING HIS STRIPES Drakenstein Stud’s exciting young sire One World celebrated his fifth first-crop winner on Tuesday when his son One Stripe romped home at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

The R1,4 million sales topper at the 2023 Cape Racing Ready To Run And Unbroken Two Year Old Sale, One Stripe had made a promising debut when a close-up fifth on his only other outing and duly built on that effort with an impressive win on Tuesday.

Trained, like his sire, by Vaughan Marshall, One Stripe was quickly away in Tuesday’s RaceCape Powered By Hollywoodbets Maiden Juvenile Plate (1200m).

When Bernard Fayd’herbe asked him the question, the exciting colt quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals and drew away to win as he liked by six lengths.

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, One Stripe is out of

the Silvano mare Silver Stripe.

His sire One World was Equus Champion Older Male of 2019-2020, with his ten wins, from just 14 starts, headed by a triumph in the 2020 Gr1 Sun Met. Out of a mare by Giant’s Causeway (also the broodmare sire of outstanding stallion Gun Runner), One World is one of more than 100 stakes winners for his outstanding sire Captain Al. One Stripe joins the likes of Lion Rampart, Sahara Cat, Fine One and debut winner Address The Nation as early winners for One World, with the champion son of Captain Al currently heading South Africa’s First Season Sires premiership for 2023-2024.

One World, who is currently second on South Africa’s Leading Sires of 2YOs table, has 11 lots on offer at the upcoming Cape Yearling Sale.

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TRENT AND ZIETS’ FAB FRIDAY A career-first treble for the young rider!

At the top of his game - Louis Mxothwa gives Vegas Gold a perfect ride | Credit: Pauline Herman

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Zietsman Oosthuizen and Trent Mayhew enjoyed a Friday to remember | Credit: Pauline Herman

Fairview trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen and apprentice Trent Mayhew were the toast of Gqeberha racing on Friday.

The Vereeniging-born Trent Mayhew only rode his first winner in August last year and boosted his career total by 25% with a career-first treble on the day.

The well-related Trent – his Dad Craig has been training racehorses for many years and sister Kelsey Mayhew-Munger is married to senior jockey Ryan Munger – is growing in confidence and booted home a double for Zietsman Oosthuizen, and a single winner for D Trent won the first on Lady Camper (14-1) for Duncan. He followed up in the fifth on 16-1 Tipsy Tina and the seventh on the 14-1 Alado’s Pride for the Ziets double.

“It’s been a long three years since November 2023 but it’s amazing that 20% of our stable won on the day,” chirped the delighted former Kimberlite Zietsman Oosthuizen, who said that he only has 11 horses, including the lead 74 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

horse.

It was also a day of mixed fortunes for jockey Louis Mxothwa, who booted home his first winner for the Hollywood Syndicate as a new Sporting Post sponsored rider.uncan McKenzie.

Mxothwa is riding at the top of his game and gave the sharpened-up Vegas Gold a perfect ride to win the sixth.

But for him and and colleague Robert Khathi it was tough day on the scale, and they may face a riding weight restriction in the future.

They were charged with a contravention of Rule 55.4 in that that they failed to weigh out at the carded weight or at the higher weight confirmed with the trainer – Mxothwa on Hildelita in the fifth and Khathi on O’Captain in the seventh. Both received a R5000 fine.

• A reminder that the next Fairview racemeeting is on Friday 9 February.

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PULLER’S MARULA BOMBSHELL 78 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

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Spare has Captain Bombshell in front where it counts as Gavin Lerena chases on William Robertson | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Summerveld trainer Garth Puller’s reference in Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville feature winner’s box to the wisdom of Willie Kleb, who apparently said that ‘if your horse is well, then let them worry about you’, took us back to the days of the man who trained the champion half-brother to Hawaii, William Penn.

Much like the evergreen William Penn, who would have turned 63 this year, the ageless Garth Puller just keeps rolling on and is sending out winners with regularity.

Just for a quick reminisce, William Penn, pictured above, raced from two to eleven years of age, winning 16 races.

He was at it for 9 seasons against some of the best including, Sea Cottage, Renounce, Java Head, his half-brother Hawaii, Peter Beware, Home Guard, and In Full Flight.

William Penn would prove infertile as a stallion and would return to racing after a brief stint at stud in 1969.

On Sunday the Hollywoodbets-sponsored Puller (and the handicappers) didn’t think he could beat the well-weighted Gauteng soldier William Robertson in the R90 000 Marula Sprint, but he adopted the Willie Kleb pearl with his own Captain Bombshell in a good space.

And he gave his Mauritius-based owner Ramraj Chintalloo the confidence to have a ‘fun bet’ – whatever that is.

Given a perfect ride by Heversham Parksponsored apprentice Siphesihle ‘Spare’ Hlengwa, the 66-1 Captain Bombshell showed his wellbeing as he led for most of the 1200m trip before staying on best to derail the hopes of the supporters of the popular 7-10 banker William Robertson, who was given every chance by the bang in-form Gavin Lerena.

At the line, there was 0,90 lengths separating the banker from the bomb, in a time of 67,99 secs.

For those who played to beat the favourite, the exacta paid a generous R205,90.

Sun Blushed (25-2) finished well to grab third a further 0,70 lengths back.

The Haras del Carmo-bred Captain Bombshell was registering his first victory for Ramraj Chintalloo and is a son of Captain Of All (Captain Al) out of the two-time winning Elusive Fort mare, Bombshell Girl.

The 4yo has now won 4 races with 4 places from 15 starts for stakes of R333 125.

The Pick 6 paid R827 831,50 to 1,05 lucky tickets.

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Emirate Gina is on the outside – Bling wears the red cap | Credit: JC Photos

BLING’S 17 STRIKES COSTS HIM Jockey Smanga Khumalo has fallen foul of our crop use regulations and his ride on runnerup Emirate Gina in the Listed Richard Maponya Handicap at Turffontein last month will cost him R22 250 and a painful income draining suspension of 21 days.

In South Africa, the crop is permitted to be used twelve times during a race, while contraventions in Listed and Graded races carry both monetary and riding suspensions.

In the Emirate Gina case Khumalo signed an admission of guilt for a charge of a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he misused his crop by striking his mount more than twelve times – seventeen to be precise – which the Stipes considered to be unwarranted when considering the circumstances of the race.

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Emirate Gina started at 10-1 and was only beaten 0,20 lengths by Litigation in a tight finish.

Khumalo was given a fine of R22 250 and a suspension of 21 days was imposed.

While the crop use debate inevitably rages on, and 1 or 2 over can be classed a misjudgement, an excess of 40% over the permissible level of strikes has to be regarded as a bridge too far for a top jockey.

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We concede that the stampede at the finish, and the fact that the top 5 finished within three quarters of a length of each other, makes it tough.

A miscount can undoubtedly happen with a 1 or 2 strike excess, and based on current earnings the 5 extras will cost Bling over R150 000, with the fine and loss of earnings.

There is a lobby worldwide against the use of crops in horseracing, with Norway and Sweden having banned the use thereof.

In a quick survey, South Africa appears to only rank around sixth out of the top ten leading racing jurisdictions worldwide on ‘strictness’.

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WHIP COUNT A DISTRACTION – PURTON Champion jockey Zac Purton lashed out at the restricted use of the whip in Australian racing, on the eve of the running of The Everest last year.

‘Then you have to try and not hit the horse too many times. It is extremely frustrating, I must say, it is the hardest thing about going back there [Australia], for sure.

Regarded as the top hoop in the racing mecca of Hong Kong since leaving Australia in 2007, the 40-year-old was speaking on the eve of riding in the country’s richest horse race.

‘Instead of allowing me to think about the race and think about what I am doing, obviously you don’t want to cause interference, so you are trying to keep your horse straight and all the things you need to be thinking about, like how your horse is responding.

While jockeys in Hong Kong can use the whip as often as they like, their counterparts down under are far more restricted.

The Australian Rules of Racing state hoops can only use the whip five times in non-consecutive strides before the last 100 metres of a race.

There are no limits on whip use in the last stretch.

Purton said not breaking the rule will be an ‘extremely frustrating’ process for him during the Everest.

‘From the time I get on the horse, I have that thought going through my head - whip, whip, whip - and it is hard when you are in big fields, you are making runs between horses, you are trying to time your run correctly and then you have to try to look out for the markers to see where you are,’ he told racenet.

‘On top of that I am thinking about the whip. Is it don’t hit it? Hit it once? Hit it twice? For me it is really difficult.’

Purton added that the rule puts him at a disadvantage because obeying it has become ‘second nature’ for hoops who are based in Australia.

Purton ended Douglas Whyte’s 13-season dominance with his first Hong Kong jockeys’ championship in 2013/14 (112 wins) and in earning his second title in 2017/18 he halted Joao Moreira’s title streak at three. During his first championship season, the Australian ace raced to what was then the fastest 50 in Hong Kong history and became the second rider, after Whyte, to notch 100 wins in a season.

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Grooms School staffmember Wiseman Mlindi, Hollywoodbets Jackson Masengesho, Cape Racing’s Teresa Esplin, and Riding Master Craig Du Plooy with his colleague Bongi Maqelana give the thumbs up on a happy day! | Credit: Troy Finch

CAPE GROOMS SCHOOL – ON THE UP! ‘COMMITMENT IS VALUED’ - CRAIG DU PLOOY The Cape Racing Grooms School continues to play a critical role in upskilling a strategically vital support sector of the horseracing industry, and Riding Master Craig Du Plooy and his team were proud recipients of further operational and logistical support from Hollywoodbets at an official handover at the Milnerton Training Centre last Thursday.

Former professional jockey Craig du Plooy has been inspirational in providing career enhancing training for Grooms and Workriders, who make an important contribution 365 days a year to the ecosystem of a muti-faceted sport.

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On Thursday a delighted Du Plooy and his team took delivery of kitchen, office, medical and stable supplies at a short ceremony at the refurbished and vibrant Hollywoodbets Cape Racing Grooms School HQ at Milnerton.

The Hollywood Foundation has been the primary source of the investment in providing top quality facilities to improve the specialist skills.

Du Plooy, who gave the thumbs up in a photograph with his team-mates Bongi Maqelana and Wiseman Mlindi, as well as representatives of Cape Racing and the

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sponsors, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for the donation of the equipment and the investment in the future wellbeing of racing in the region.

“I cannot thank all involved who made this happen, enough. The commitment, support and donation of vital equipment is valued and, be assured, will go to great use. We are excited to start the new revamped school and just looking around us today, it’s clear that we have upped our game again. It feels good to know that the importance of this institution is valued

by Hollywoodbets and Cape Racing. The gesture is appreciated by every past and future student, as well as the various stakeholders who directly benefit from the upgraded skills of those that graduate from the Hollywoodbets Cape Racing Grooms School,” added a thrilled Du Plooy.

Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Manager Devin Heffer responded, and said that

it was an honour and privilege for them to have played a role in the resurgence and ongoing success of the Cape Racing Grooms School.

“Milnerton Training Centre has undergone a major facelift courtesy of the partnership between Hollywoodbets and Cape Racing, and the Grooms School, under Craig du Plooy, was a major part of that project. The completion of the upgrades and refurbishment of the training facilities will enable the school to take their courses to the next level and provide a foundation for producing even more skilled riders and stable personnel. The commitment of all the students to increase their knowledge and practical skills has also been inspirational, and we look forward to seeing more graduates participating in the Hollywoodbets Workriders Series soon!”

• The Hollywoodbets Workriders Series is set to reach an exciting conclusion on 17 February.

Hollywoodbets’ Jackson Masengesho looks the part as he tries out the equiciser | Credit: Troy Finch

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Ready to bounce back! Jill Fox smiles as she contemplates the wonderful support of the community after her accident | Credit: Supplied

JILL CAN’T WAIT TO GET BACK IN SADDLE KZN breeding personality Jill Fox is back at home and recovering from an operation after a riding accident last Tuesday.

Jill, an experienced rider, owns the popular The Fort Stud in Fort Nottingham and was out exercising a horse when she fell and injured herself.

000 was raised in double quick time.

Without medical aid, things could have turned out a lot worse, but the racing and breeding community rallied around and with fundraising efforts spearheaded by KZN Breeders Club Chairperson Cathy Martin, an amount of R257

“From the bottom of my heart I would like to say a very big thank you to each and every one of you who have helped contribute to getting me back on my feet. There are too many to mention but a big thank you to KZN Breeders,

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This allowed Jill access to hospital care and she underwent surgery just days ago.

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and those involved with raising funds to get me the help I needed. I would also like to thank all my family, friends and my fabulous team of staff members who have been there to support me through my accident. For all the calls messages, visits and all the lovely treats but most important the positive vibes you have all brought me. I am happy to say that I am back home with a new hip and counting down the months,then weeks, and then finally the days, until I can get back on a horse again,” said a clearly happier Jill on Monday.

KZN Breeders’ Cathy Martin said that she had no words for the generosity shown by Breeders, racing people and many in the showjumping community and other equine disciplines.

“The response has been unprecedented. We have raised just over R257 000 which should

cover her costs. Depending on aftercare etc if there is money left over, we will use it to start some form of medical cover going forward.

Thank you all again,” concluded Cathy.

Jill is still in need of assistance to cover post-surgery costs, those wishing to assist may forward all donations to the KZN Breeders Club via: Standard Bank Acc: 060 200 456 Branch: Mooi River – code:057 825 Please quote reference: Jill Fox – followed by your name, if you so wish.

Any inquiries may be addressed to Cathy Martin on: • Mobile: 082 331 5697 • Email: cathym@futurenet.co.za

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28TH DUBAI WORLD CUP 2024 – 868 FROM 19 COUNTRIES The 2023 winner Ushba Tesoro is among a glittering collection of top equine names nominated for the 28th Dubai World Cup meeting, on Saturday 30 March 2024.

2023 winner Ushba Tesoro| Credit: Dubai World Cup

In total, 868 horses from 19 countries have been nominated across the nine races, which are set to take place at Dubai’s iconic Meydan Racecourse.

200 of the entries have come from Japan and they include Derma Sotogake, winner of the 2023 Gr2 UAE Derby, who has been nominated for the US$12million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

In that race he could have a re-match with his Breeders’ Cup Classic conqueror White Abarrio, who is one of 150 nominations from the USA, along with Preakness and Pegasus World Cup winner National Treasure. Already in the field is Dubai-based Kabirkhan, winner of 90 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

the US$1million Gr1 Maktoum Challenge which was a Dubai World Cup Bonus Series race, allowing automatic entry.

The Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, worth US$6million, was one of the Top 5 races in the world in 2023, and the 2024 renewal could be even stronger.

Among the standout nominations is top Japanese filly Liberty Island, while Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin could represent trainer Aidan O’Brien. Shahryar, winner of the race in 2022 and fifth in 2023, has also been nominated, as has top British-trained filly Emily UpJohn.

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The US$5million Dubai Turf, sponsored by DP World, is always a truly international affair and there would be few more popular winners than Lord North, aiming to win it for an unprecedented fourth time. Up against him could be Arima Kinen winner Do Deuce, while Voyage Bubble brings top Hong Kong form into the mix.

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby is yet to win this race but that could change with Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Master Of The Seas among those nominated.

There are plenty of defending champions elsewhere on the card, with Sibelius entered for a defence of the Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Nakheel.

He could be up against 2023 runner-up and 2022 winner Switzerland. 2023 Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Azizi Developments, winner Danyah could also be back to defend his crown and could face last year’s runner up, The Astrologist, as well as fellow Australian Star Patrol.

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MULLINS’ EIGHT GROUP 1’S MAGIC Willie Mullins raised the bar even higher over the weekend at Leopardstown. The Irish Champion trainer won all eight Group 1’s on offer at the Dublin Racing Festival, sending an ominous warning to all his rivals on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Paul Townend gives State Man a kiss after he completed the Gr1 eight-timer for Willie Mullins by defending his Irish Champion Hurdle title | Credit: Sporting Life FB

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Mullins’ nine wins meant he topped last year’s record by one, and he took a moment to reflect on the magnitude of it all.

“It’s been a superb weekend. It’s extraordinary and we know that” he said. “We have tremendous owners, and they invest in Irish racing. We are the beneficiaries and are very lucky.”

Nephew Danny Mullins started the ball rolling for the yard on Saturday winning the first three Group 1’s on stable ‘second strings’ whilst securing a 534/1 winning treble.

official ratings.

Sunday followed a similar pattern in that Willie won all four Group 1’s, but these were all more fancied.

Fact To File was victorious for JP McManus and jockey Mark Walsh in the Ladbrokes Novices Chase, just the second Group 1 match in Ireland after Gaelic Warrior fell at the last.

Paul Townend, the stable’s retained rider, then got into the action delivering aboard Ballyburn, El Fabiolo and State Man.

Dancing City (16/1) stayed on from the frontend to deny his more fancied stable-companion Predators Gold by a length and a quarter in the Novice Hurdle.

Ballyburn cemented his place atop the betting for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham with a thoroughly convincing seven-length victory in the Novice Hurdle.

Half an hour later, Danny was to the fore again, in the vanguard on the mare Kargese, they found that little bit extra to fend off stable-mate Storm Heart by just over a length.

Mullins said of the performance: “He met hurdle after hurdle right and was in control the whole way. Paul was very happy with how he did things. He did everything right over the minimum trip, which is good.”

Danny completed his Group 1 hat-trick aboard the tenacious grey Il Etait Temps in the Irish Arkle.

Going into the weekend many assumed the Arkle division to be cut and dried, with Marine Nationale hard to oppose.

That was not to be with the odds-on favourite never able to get competitive, trailing in a disappointing fifth of six runners.

Il Etait Temps produced a career-best chase performance, running on strongly after landing in fourth after the last fence to snare the gallant pacemaker Found A Fifty by a neck at the line.

Galopin Des Champs confirmed his seasonal resurgence by defeating his arch-rival Fastorslow and secure back-to-back Irish Gold Cups.

The emphatic four-and-a-half length victory confirmed Galopin Des Champs’ status as the best ‘jumps’ horse on the planet according to

The most eye-catching of the whole weekend was when El Fabiolo maintained his unbeaten record over fences in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase.

A little tactical, as the mare Dinoblue made the running at an initially steady pace in attempting to bag a fifth straight success, with El Fabiolo racing just off the pace in second. Taking it up approaching two out, the result was not in doubt, and El Fabiolo come home in a canter by eight-lengths.

State Man completed the Group 1 eighttimer for Willie Mullins by defending his Irish Champion Hurdle title.

He did so in facile fashion quickening up smartly approaching the final hurdle to pass his stablemate, Impaire Et Passe and ease home by over five and a half lengths.

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Willie Mullins – the greatest! | Credit: Sporting Life FB

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IT’S AN EXPRESS TICKET! Delivering on lofty pre-race expectations with a convincing victory in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday, Helios Express will next attempt to emulate Golden Sixty with success in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup on 3 March.

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Helios Express triumphs over Helene Feeling | Credit: HKJC

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Golden Sixty and Rapper Dragon stand alone as the only horses to sweep the series with victory in all three legs, culminating in BMW Hong Kong Derby success, and Size hopes Helios Express can continue a blazing ascent after showcasing unmistakable talent with his fifth win from seven Hong Kong starts.

By Toronado, Helios Express provided Size with his fourth Hong Kong Classic Mile win after Sun Jewellery (2016) – who also snared the Hong Kong Classic Cup – Nothingilikemore (2018) and Excellent Proposal (2021), while Hugh Bowman slotted his first Hong Kong Classic Mile victory since Furore in 2019.

race to the next. The good horses overcome a different style of running and they win. He has to do that – he has that in front of him.

“It’s always very exciting, and a bit of a relief actually to have another good horse come along. You look forward to it and hope it happens. You can’t design the stable to achieve that, but it’s always gratifying to see another good horse come along in this age group, and hopefully he has a good career.”

Bowman said: “The critical side of me says I would have liked for Helios Express to settle a bit better in the run but it was a very sedate tempo which encouraged him to travel the way he did – but that’s the sign of an exceptional horse – and when I’m excited to I gave him room and asked him for an effort, that’s exactly be riding such what we all saw. I’m excited to be riding such a magnificent a magnificent individual.”

Given a patient ride by Bowman behind a moderate pace set by Chancheng Glory, Helios Express forged into clear running over the final 400m to down Helene Feeling by one and threequarter lengths, while Star Mac individual. charged from the rear of the field to be third, a further neck Nimble Nimbus powered to back. Speed Dragon, who narrow success in the HK$4.2 struggled for clear running late, finished fourth. million Gr3 Centenary Vase Handicap for Ricky Yiu and Andrea Atzeni, earning the praise of Acknowledging the soft tempo and an overall both trainer and jockey. time of 1m 34.44s, Size has no doubts over Helios Express’ class after the gelding stamped “He’s an amazing horse, he never gets telling authority. beaten far and is very consistent no matter the distance,” Yiu said. “I always thought that this “It was a slow run race and he was able to horse would go well over 1800m and Sha Tin is adapt to a very slow tempo, which is a good a better course than Happy Valley for him as it’s thing in a racehorse. He was able to overcome a longer straight. He was drawn wide last time that and still win the race,” Size said. “Of this and had a much better draw this time.” generation of horses, he seems to be the quality horse amongst the ones he’s competing Jumping from barrier five, Nimble Nimbus against, and it was a very convincing win.” advanced to his sixth win from at his 27th start after Atzeni took the gelding to the outside of Size confirmed plans to head to the Hong Kong the field before denying Five G Patch by a head Classic Cup and is confident in Helios Express’ with Straight Arron an impressive third. adaptability.

Atzeni said: “I think Nimble Nimbus deserved “There’s always some concern about the step it – he’s been knocking on the door. He’s not up in distance because the circumstances of had the best of luck with the draws and when the races can change dramatically from one I looked at the draw and we’d drawn five, I 98 | 07 FEBRUARY 2024

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thought ‘Thank God, we’ve finally got a decent draw with him.’

“Ricky was very confident, and he put no pressure on. He told me to ride him quiet and challenge as late as I could.”

Yiu made it a double when Sunlight Power landed the first section of the Class 4 Gladiolus Handicap under Harry Bentley before Size clinched a brace when Bundle Of Charm snared the Class 2 Azalea Handicap for Alexis Badel.

Frankie Lor hopes Illuminous can develop into a BMW Hong Kong Derby contender after the gelding’s fast-finishing victory in the Class 3

Peach Blossom Handicap under Karis Teetan.

Making his first appearance in Hong Kong after racing in Australia as Cosmic Enigma for Richard Cully, the four-year-old settled at the tail of the field before surging strongly in the straight to down fellow Hong Kong debutant Young Champion to collect a HK$1.5 million PP Bonus.

“He won really well. The jockey said the pace was fast, and that was really good, so he can come strong from behind,” Lor said before outlining a possible Derby path. “The Hong Kong Classic Cup is 1800m, so I need to think about maybe skipping the Classic Cup and let him run over 1400m or 1600m.”

Nimble Nimbus (No12) arrives in the last stride | Credit: HKJC

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Fellow BMW Hong Kong Derby nominee Ka Ying Generation, a Churchill gelding, showcased his staying capacity with a dogged win in the Class 3 Daffodil Handicap for Pierre Ng and Atzeni.

“He’s a stayer and I think at least 2000m upwards will suit,” Ng said. “It’s good to have a stayer in the stable. We’ll try and build him up and hopefully he gets into the Derby and he runs well in the Derby.

“I know it’s a bit rushed and that was only his fourth run in Hong Kong, but he managed to do that today and I’m very happy with him.”

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A polytrack winner in Deauville in 2021, Manfred Man’s Spangle Fortune broke through for his first Hong Kong win with success in the Class 5 Primula Handicap under Derek Leung before Dennis Yip’s Panda forged to success in the Class 4 Peony Handicap for Zac Purton.

Yip completed a double with Vantastic Choice’s win in the second section of the Class 4 Gladiolus Handicap under Angus Chung. The rider later prevailed aboard Baby Crystal for trainer Francis Lui in the Class 3 Cineraria Handicap.

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results up to: 2024-02-07

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Mr S J Snaith

587

63

10.7

69

66

102

237

40.4

7,920,819

12,077,213

Mrs C L Bass-Robinson

360

48

13.3

40

39

76

155

43.1

6,081,875

8,504,138

Mr S G Tarry

332

41

12.3

34

44

84

162

48.8

3,692,188

7,192,388

Mr M F de Kock

307

37

12.1

44

38

58

140

45.6

3,330,625

6,754,938

Mr B J Crawford

464

57

12.3

49

51

74

174

37.5

4,151,944

6,642,581

Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Mr R D Fourie

780

158

20.3

133

81

167

381

48.8

10,323,938

16,633,500

Mr M A Yeni

850

114

13.4

119

98

198

415

48.8

9,890,313

14,126,300

Mr G J Lerena

465

81

17.4

75

75

94

244

52.5

6,542,375

9,672,463

Mr C J Habib

653

79

12.1

55

73

134

262

40.1

5,555,938

8,189,400

Mr S Khumalo

451

74

16.4

59

65

79

203

45.0

4,587,813

6,985,138

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

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

Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

163

614

100,036

60

90

36.8

276

13

17

16,305,806

Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

271 1126

54,248

103

137

38.0

472

6

8

14,701,338

Varsfontein Stud

136

571

64,808

39

51

28.7

242

5

5

8,813,881

Klawervlei Stud

220

895

38,396

70

84

31.8

348

0

0

8,447,200

Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd

131

496

50,290

49

61

37.4

183

3

3

6,588,050

Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

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

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)

197

728

58,882

55

75

27.9

315

6

8

11,599,713

Vercingetorix

170

640

60,798

71

93

41.8

261

2

2

10,335,700

Querari (GER)

164

660

51,048

61

73

37.2

288

6

7

8,371,925

Master Of My Fate

166

675

46,189

53

75

31.9

285

1

1

7,667,438

William Longsword

136

556

50,509

47

58

34.6

222

2

4

6,869,263

SIRES

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