SP Sprint - Wednesday 12 June 2024

Sporting Post-sponsored Kobeli Lihaba, along with colleagues Lannish Taka and Siphesihle Hlengwa (seen from left to right in the pic) came along for the ‘ride’. Thanks are also due to the eyecatching Hollywoodbets emblazoned New Turf Carriers who provided the transport from Summerveld to the beach. COME CATCH A WAVEONLY 24 DAYS TO GO!

The Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July is only 24 days away today and with excitement building, leading photographer Candiese Lenferna captured some stunning shots of a team of Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Louis Goosen’s champions stretching their legs recently in the waves on the beautiful Durban beach between Suncoast and Blue Lagoon.

‘OPEN CLASSICS’ HEADLINE WEEKEND CHAMPIONS SEASON ACTION

Cape Eagle holds off a determined One Way Traffic in the Highland Night Cup – they meet again in the Derby on Saturday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Saturday’s SA Champions Season action hosts two interesting 2400m races. The R500 000 Tabgold Gr2 Oaks and the R350 000 Tabgold Gr3 Derby are run at Hollywoodbets Greyville, having started life in a different format at Clairwood, before being run in the KZN Capital City atr Hollywoodbets Scottsville for the past decade.

Gold Circle announced early in 2014 that a decision had been made that the KZN Derby and the KZN Oaks would be opened to all ages at weight-for-age terms, plus penalties.

It was felt that with the main focus of the 3yo’s during Champions Season on the Guineas, the Daily News 2000, the Woolavington Stakes, and obviously the Durban July, the Derby and Oaks had suffered a downgrade over the years and somehow struggled to find a consistent place in the programme.

While the move came in for flak in certain quarters, it was argued that there was international precedent, such as the Irish St Leger and the Yorkshire Oaks, to vary the terms and conditions of some of the ‘traditional’ Classics. Gold Circle were of the firm view at the time that the quality and depth of both

races would be enhanced by opening them to all ages. In addition, there were no weightfor-age races in South Africa over the distance and the overall programme for stayers was expected to benefit from the change.

There has been no official notification as to why the modified one-time classics have been moved to the inner city Theatre Of Dreams for this renewal, but the good news is that they have attracted reasonable fields, with four Hollywoodbets Durban July entries running in the all-ages Derby.

With final Hollywoodbets Durban July supplementary entries due on 18 June and declarations closing on 24 June, this is as about as close as one gets to a last chance saloon for big race hopefuls.

KRA Listed East Coast Cup winner Saartjie can atone for her last run

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Only three 3yo’s line up in the Tabgold Derby, where Hollywoodbets Durban July entries Cape Eagle, Future Pearl, Aragosta and Without Question will be looking to impress the big-race panel.

The consistent Cape Eagle was second favourite for the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup on 28 May when scratched due to elevated TCO2 levels. That was a prep curved ball of some magnitude for trainer Andre Nel, who has found himself in a race against time for the 6 July clash.

Richard Fourie takes the ride on the 2023 Gold Vase and Gold Cup winner Future Pearl for Sean Tarry. The son of Futura is yet to recapture his better form of last year, but should be near peak fitness and can go very close.

A former Gr1 SA Derby winner, Aragosta failed to catch the eye in the Lonsdale when beaten 6,30 lengths by Down To Business.

Rachel Venniker partners Without Question,

who has had only one run since his smart third behind Double Superlative in the WSB Cape Town Met. That was a low-key 3 lengths off Future Swing in the WSB Gr2 1900, when clearly in need of the run.

In the Oaks, the Listed East Coast Cup winner Saartjie can bounce back after a quiet run behind Silver Sanctuary in the Gr1 Woolavington 2000.

That was her second run post a break and she will likely have most to fear from Richard Fourie and My Soul Mate, one of only two 3yo’s in the field, and who finished ahead of her in the Woolavington and is now a half kilo better off.

Follow all the news through the week on www.sportingpost.co.za.

• The Tabgold Gr3 Derby is off at 14h40.

• The Tabgold Gr2 Oaks is off at 15h15.

• The Hollywoodbets Greyville racemeeting starts at 11h45.

Last Saturday’s bumper Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge raceday was a roaring success, and included thrilling horseracing action and loads of activities.

Regular racegoers and families flocked to Hollywoodbets Greyville to witness our premier milers clash in the highly anticipated Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge, the SA Champions Season’s premier weight-for-age mile, which was contested for an increased stake of R2 million. It was a thrilling day of edge-of-your-seat excitement as equine champions showcased their talents, with many making a bold bid for a prized berth in Africa’s Greatest Horseracing event, the R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July.

Hollywoodbets Greyville was abuzz with activity as an eclectic mix of racing fans and casual spectators enjoyed the action-packed horse racing, and a host of local entertainment designed for the whole family.As always, the Kids Zone was a hit with engaging activities for delighted children, while adults relaxed in the sophisticated ambiance of the Gin Garden. Musgrave Market added a touch of local charm with its diverse array of stalls, and vibrant live music performances throughout the day enhanced the festive ambience of a unique sporting and social occasion.

Saluting Richard Fourie

We are thrilled and honoured to share a historic moment from the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge raceday that will go down in the annals of South African sporting history. Our national champion jockey-elect Richard Fourie set a new season wins record, breaking the long-standing achievement of 334 wins in a single term, previously held by Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador and Racing Manager Anthony Delpech. The sensational previous record remained unchallenged for 25 long years.

Richard Fourie’s extraordinary accomplishment came with a remarkable total of 335 wins in a single season, achieved on Justin Snaith’s Double Grand Slam in the East Coast Radio Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes. This outstanding filly is owned in partnership by SA golfing legend Gary Player, former SA champion owner Suzette Viljoen, and longstanding racing supporter, Dave McLean.

Richard Fourie earned himself a R1 million bonus incentive which was offered by Hollywoodbets in the Delpech 334 Challenge at the commencement of this racing season. Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications Manager, Devin Heffer, expressed pride in Richard Fourie remarkable achievement.

“We are thrilled to witness Richard Fourie make history on the occasion of the prestigious Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge raceday. This milestone not only highlights his exceptional talent and dedication, but also underscores the excitement and passion that horseracing brings to our community,” added Devin Heffer. This historic moment will be remembered as a highlight in the history of the South African turf, proudly showcasing the spirit of excellence and the pursuit of greatness. Congratulations, Richard Fourie, on your outstanding achievement!

Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge

The premier day on the SA Champions Season calendar honoured all of Hollywoodbets partners, and witnessed some extraordinary feats, with the spotlight deservedly focussed on Richard Fourie for his record-breaking performance. Top notch Highveld lightweight rider Muzi Yeni also deservedly shared some of the limelight with a stellar ride in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge, that added to the day’s excitement. In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Muzi Yeni guided the tenacious 4-year-old gelding, Dave The King, to a sensational victory in the high-class weight-for-age mile. This victory was a triumphant moment for multiple champion trainer Mike de Kock and the connections, who once again included golfing legend Gary Player, who also bred the gutsy equine soldier.

The race, widely labelled a vintage 53rd renewal of a contest that has been won by some of the greats over the years, featured six Hollywoodbets Durban July entrants, making the competition fierce. Dave The King, started at 10-1 and demonstrated his relentless galloping prowess, completing the race in 96.15 seconds and outshining some big names in the process.The Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge raceday not only highlighted Richard Fourie’s superhuman achievements in the saddle, but also underscored the thrilling unpredictability of horseracing, where every race can hail a new hero. We thank all of those that shared and supported the day with us.

Here’s to celebrating all the outstanding participants on a wonderful day of racing as we now look forward to counting the days down to the Hollywoodbets Durban July at the Theatre Of Dreams on 6 July!

Winning Form-sponsored jockey Richard Fourie rode his way into the South African racing history books at Hollywoodbets Greyville last Saturday when he registered his 335th winner of a remarkable season, that has seen him displace retired champion Anthony Delpech as our winning-most rider of all time in terms of victories in a single racing season.

The Delpech magic mark of 334, set in the 1998/99 season, shattered Piere Strydom’s existing record at the time, and has thus stood the test of a quarter of a century of intense competition featuring some of the world’s greatest jockeys.

The 38-year-old Fourie produced another exemplary performance in the saddle on Double Grand Slam for the Justin Snaith yard to register the new benchmark, in the process banking the Hollywoodbets Delpech

334 Challenge Incentive bonus of R1 million. In a defining moment for South African sport, the winner is owned in partnership by golfing legend Gary Player, owner Suzette Viljoen and Dave McLean.

At the commencement of the current season, Hollywoodbets ignited unprecedented interest in the chase for a new national record when South Africa’s leading international sportsbook operator offered a record R1 million incentive for the first rider to break the Delpech record.

With an unassailable lead on the national log, Richard Fourie is now set to become the second consecutive Winning Form-sponsored rider, after Hong King-based Keagan de Melo, to be crowned SA Champion Jockey, when the curtain comes down on the current season on 31 July.

Outgoing record-holder, and present-day Hollywood Syndicate Racing Manager, Anthony Delpech was the first to step forward and congratulate the new ‘number one’.

“That was most impressive! I know how tough it is to travel and keep one’s shoulder to the wheel for so many months. It’s absolutely exhausting mentally and physically, and

Richard said that he could never have achieved the record-breaking target without the support of a ‘staunch team’ of wonderful people behind him.

Richard Fourie has made us all proud and shown himself to be a champion of enormous talent and mental strength. I am thrilled for him, and all of those that supported him. And to the Hollywoodbets, team, congratulations for coming up with another winner, in what has been a fan tonic and boost for our racing. This record chase has been the talk throughout the season, and I believe it will be for many years to come. I am personally very proud to have played my small part,” added Delpech.

Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Manager Devin Heffer endorsed Anthony Delpech’s thoughts and said that Richard Fourie’s’s remarkable achievement would serve as an inspiration to every young jockey graduating from the SA Jockey Academy, for many decades to come.

“On behalf of the Purple Team I would like to toast a jockey who has personified

endurance, commitment, and dedication to his profession. He has broken a record that many knowledgeable racing folk suggested was a near impossible task. It’s a privilege for Hollywoodbets to have been a part of Richard’s incredible journey, and I believe the racing industry will still be talking about this achievement in 25 years from now,” added Heffer.

A thrilled Richard Fourie paid tribute to Anthony Delpech and said that it was an honour to have taken the mantle from a true international champion.

Richard said that he could never have achieved the record-breaking target without the support of a ‘staunch team’ of wonderful people behind him.

“No matter how good a rider you are, one cannot do it without the horse. That means

Two amazing men! Richard Fourie and Anthony Delpech celebrate a magic moment in racing history Credit: Chase Liebenberg

the unflinching support of owners and trainers countrywide. Then my sponsors Winning Form have been a major boon in terms of morale, encouragement, and incentive support, and always kept the fires of interest and passion burning brightly.

Thank you so much to Hollywood for putting up the R1 million bonus. This was never about the money for me, but it’s created massive public interest and racing fans from Fairview to the Vaal have really and truly bought in with enthusiasm.”

Richard added that he could not possibly begin to name all the individuals that who had made a difference, as he clocked up the air miles in his nationwide quest for winners. But he chose to mention a handful.

“All those that made a difference and were a part of this record know who they are. I am eternally grateful, but at the same time I’d like to applaud my agent Ken Nicol, who has been different class. His insight and knowledge has meant that I was often riding the right horses. Then Gavin Govender in KZN, who fetched and carried, and allowed me to meet my commitments with minimal stress, and while resting. Alan Greeff in Gqeberha has been a major contributor to my tally, and riding for Halo Stables has been a gamechanger in the scheme of things. Then my wonderful Mom, and my Uncle Billy in Johannesburg. And my beautiful family, and my very supportive partner Andrea, who have pushed me and sacrificed down-time to allow me to pursue the dream,” he added emotionally.

In an age where the racing programme is substantially leaner than it used to be, it’s worth noting that Richard has ridden with unparalleled consistency, currently boasting a 23% win strike-rate.

Last season Keagan De Melo won the national title with 277 winners from 1434 mounts at a win average of 19.3%. Richard Fourie was runner-up there with 258 winners from 1170 rides at a win strike rate of 22.1%.

In the 2022/23 term, de Melo fell short of the Delpech record by 57 winners, while Fourie was 76 short.

Asked whether he ever thought it would take him 23 years to win the national title as he walked through the doors of the SA Jockey Academy back in 2001, alongside Raymond Danielson, Muzi Yeni, Keanan Steyn and Gavin Lerena, Richard nonchalantly responded: “You know, I have never actually chased the title before.”

He went on to say that he has always tried to maintain a balance in his life between work and home.

“Chasing the record and titles requires enormous sacrifices. But towards the end of last season I thought that as I am not getting any younger, let me give it a shot. The Hollywoodbets incentive has been a massive bonus and I’m truly fortunate to be the recipient,” he said.

A moment worth celebrating - Hollywoodbets’ Devin Heffer presents a momento to Richard Fourie alongside Anthony Delpech | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Having ridden his first winner on Groovy Baby for Dennis Bosch at Scottsville on 8 July 2003, Richard’s first Grade 1 winner came as an apprentice when he got the Glen Kotzentrained Badger’s Gift home to beat Jeff Lloyd and the champion Sun Classique in the TBA Gr1 Paddock Stakes on New Year’s day of 2007.

To this day, Richard still labels the now retired Jeff Lloyd as his toughest opponent in a tight finish.

Lucky Lad’s sensational victory in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint was his 50th career Grade 1 winner and his fifth of the season. While Richard begs to differ, many have labelled it the ride of the season.

“I don’t think I exactly shone and that was hardly my best ride. He is a fabulous horse and should have won the Golden Horse by many lengths. Let’s just say I believe I have produced better rides this season,” he laughed. On his highlights of the season, Richard said

that while every winner counted, he had to single out Princess Calla’s courageous win in the Majorca, Thunderstruck’s scintillating effort in the Computaform Sprint, and Lucky Lad snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in the Senor Santa Stakes, as rewarding moments that he would cherish when looking back on his pinnacle term.

When asked to nominate a season disappointment, he was quick to nominate missing the opportunity to ride Bless My Stars for Sean Tarry in the WSB Cape Town Met.

“There were travel restrictions that prevented her participation. She’s a fantastic filly and Mr Tarry had her in a good space. That was a blow,” he added.

Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Garth Puller, a legend of the saddle for decades, paid tribute to Richard Fourie, and said that it was a great achievement that spoke volumes of his dedication, commitment, work ethic, and, most importantly, his ‘racing brain’.

The best cheer squad – Richard’s daughters Eva, Mia and Bella are his biggest fans | Credit: Supplied

“That affinity with the horse and his ‘racing brain’ sets Richard apart and makes him a thinking jockey. That’s a vital asset in his match winning make-up. He doesn’t ride at the minimum weight, and wisely didn’t chase the light rides either. So, he always came racing at full strength, albeit slightly fatigued from the travel. He has focussed on clean riding and fortunately was accident-free, which is a blessing too. Taking the leap of faith to turn down a big job at the powerful Snaith stable to chase the title and the record also took buckets of courage. I would like to doff my cap and say great respect also to Anthony Delpech, whose personal outstanding achievement in a different era will always have a place and a chapter in the history books,” concluded Puller.

SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith is the man who gave Richard Fourie his early opportunities in a powerful yard, and ironically his record-breaker last Saturday!

“Many criticised me when giving the then young and inexperienced jockey the opportunity to ride exclusively for our stable. But I never regretted that decision for a moment. In racing, luck is the dividend of sweat. I believe that jockeys mostly don’t realise that the more you sweat, the luckier you get. Richard became a champion as a result of his attitude, dedication and flawless temperament, and he has mastered his craft. The way in which he respects and cares for his horses is what I admire the most – he is a very kind rider. Frankly, he’d hold his own anywhere in the world,” added Justin Snaith.

Sean Tarry, who saddled Richard’s half century of Grade 1 winners when Lucky Lad won the Golden Horse on 1 June, said that the record achievement was just reward for the commitment and vigour with which Richard approached his goal.

Gone Fishing! When this jockey isn’t on the track, you can find him at sea | Credit: Supplied

“There is a saying that attitude determines altitude. And Richard certainly demonstrated that this season. He is a rider who doesn’t try and find a reason why he can’t win, and approaches everything positively, always going out there to do his best. A refreshing attitude and I am not surprised that he has set the new benchmark. My congratulations and best wishes to him,” added the former multiple SA champion.

One of the greatest jockeys this country has ever produced, internationally respected champion Michael Roberts said that the dedication, focus and hard work that this record took, was ‘absolutely enormous’.

“It just goes to show what you can achieve when putting your mind to something! I hope other jockeys will take a leaf out of Richard’s book. I saw him on course some days, and he looked tired. But then he’d bounce back and ride winners. We are very proud of him and I extend my congratulations to him and wish him the best,” said Roberts.

Richard Fourie has ridden over 100 of his winners this term in the Eastern Cape, and local multiple champion trainer Alan Greeff said that the Carletonville-born rider has shown singleminded focus and determination.

“Richard set himself a goal and has displayed true professionalism in his quest to set a new benchmark. He is the consummate professional and has balanced his journey with short breaks, while also sacrificing valuable family time. It’s a privilege for us to have been a part of the amazing journey,” said Greeff.

KZN weighing room colleague Athandiwe Mgudlwa said that Richard Fourie is a jockey that fellow professionals admired and looked up to.

“Richard is a man of character and a jock of enormous ability. It must be mentally and physically draining to do what he has done with such polish and aplomb. He is just so focussed, and the key is that he makes less mistakes than most of us. I believe his record,

Richard with his first Durban July winner, Legislate. What can we expect from him at this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July? | Credit: Supplied

whatever number he ends on this season, will endure beyond our lifetime. I am honoured to call myself a colleague of this champion human being and salute him,” said the Sporting Postsponsored rider.

Multiple past SA champion jockey Piere Strydom said that the fact that Richard Fourie had started the season slowly makes the new record even more remarkable and meritorious. “Richard has had a season like nobody before him, with Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 winners in the mix. With over seven weeks left of this season, it’s difficult to see anybody ever surpassing his new mark. He’s a great rider and I can only wish him every success into the future,” said Strydom.

There have been whispers of a possible Hong Kong season ahead for our champion elect. Richard just smiles when asked whether he would return to the top-notch jurisdiction where he once rode 34 winners, including achieving a Grade 2 victory.

And what of the holidays and his plans for August?

The hobby fisherman, whose biggest catch remains a 97kg Yellowfin Tuna, says that he will probably be calling Jakes at Simply The Best Charters, and will also be looking at spending a bit of time with the people closest to him. His daughters Mia (16), Bella (12) and Eva (10) are growing up fast, and Dad is almost 40! The middle of two siblings – Raymond is 3 years

older and Monica is 3 years younger – Richard says that the importance of family and loyal friends takes on greater significance as one gets older.

So where to now for the man who lives by the maxim that one should do unto others, as you would have them do unto you?

“I will keep at it. I am too invested in this season not to go all the way and raise the bar again!”

So that means more possible Grade 1 wins, and everybody is asking who Richard Fourie will ride in the Hollywoodbets Durban July on 6 July, as he bids for his fourth win in the big one?

“I have focussed on clocking up the numbers, rather than on Grade 1 rides, so 5 is good – I’d obviously love to make it 5 more! It’s probably too early to talk about my Hollywoodbets Durban July ride at this stage. I am obviously very keen to win Africa’s Greatest race and am very fortunate to have a few options at this stage. And thanks again to all the fans – the buzz here at Hollywoodbets Greyville today was something else! I feel extremely proud to have achieved this record. Thanks to all those that made it happen!”

In a lovely gesture by Cape Racing personnel and his weighing-room colleagues, Winning Form’s record-breaker Richard Fourie was given a guard of honour at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday.

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

FOURIE TO RIDE FOR SNAITH IN BIG RACE

High-riding SA recordbreaker and national champion jockey elect Richard Fourie will partner recent WSB Gr2 1900 winner Future Swing for Justin Snaith in the forthcoming R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July.

Richard Fourie won the Durban July in 2014 on Legislate, in 2019 on Do It Again and in 2020 on Belgarion.

All three were trained by SA Champion Justin Snaith, and the 38 year old jockey is sticking to a tried and trusted recipe as he bids for a fourth victory in the great race on 6 July.

“Richard has partnered Future Swing particularly well and he is the perfect rider for this son of Futura – our horse likes to be up on the pace, with a good turn-of-foot as he is a relentless galloper.

He’s as honest as they come and with a weight of 54kg, he has to be a serious contender,” Justin Snaith told the Sporting Post on Monday.

Bred by Drakenstein, Future Swing is a son of former SA Horse Of The Year Futura (Dynasty) out of the twice winning Carousel Swing, a daughter of retired champion Trippi (End Sweep).

Raced in partnership by Drakenstein, Kalinga and Pamela Isdell, Future Swing is a R600 000 National Yearling Sale graduate and a winner of 7 races with 8 places from 17 starts for stakes of R1 119 850.

Future Swing is currently quoted at 25-2 in the Hollywoodbets Durban July ante-post betting market.

Justin Snaith celebrates Richard Fourie’s record-breaking win aboard Double Grand Slam on Saturday Credit: Chase Liebenberg

THE KING GOES FOR GOLD!

Muzi Yeni celebrates his third Gr1 for the term as Dave The King registers a royal | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Almost two years to the day since making a winning 40-1 debut for Vaughan Marshall in the winter mud over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the lionhearted Dave The King finally cracked a highly deserved feature victory – and that in cavalier style when sweeping home to win the R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge.

It was also a momentous moment for Dr Ashley Parker and the Ascot Stud team as it marked an overdue first Grade 1 strike for their Galileo stallion, Global View.

Hollywoodbets Greyville was buzzing on Saturday, as the innovative and energetic Hollywoodbets team marked their fourth year of sponsorship of the prestigious mile.

With most of the attention deservedly focused on the record-breaking superhuman achievements of Richard Fourie, who scaled new heights when shattering Anthony Delpech’s 25-year-old season winner record, Muzi Yeni somehow managed to wrest

some of the limelight away from his friend.

This came courtesy of a polished ride on the gutsy 4yo gelding Dave The King to win the SA Champions Season’s premier weight-for-age mile with an emphatic performance that would have wiped the slate clean after 24 frustratingly patient months for his connections.

With six Hollywoodbets Durban July entrants in the line-up of what was widely labelled a vintage 53rd renewal of the magic mile, the relentless galloper was allowed to start at 10-1 and he made a mockery of some serious sophomore reputations in the 96,15 seconds that he took to register his pinnacle victory.

After the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot had led briefly, Dave The King pulled Muzi Yeni into contention at the 700m, and it was race over thereafter.

With challenges coming from all sides, Yeni celebrated his third Grade 1 winner of the term as Dave The King enjoyed the roars of the crowd to hold off the improved again Cousin Casey (25-2), whose winning turn can’t be far off either!

See It Again (6-1) ran a cracking Hollywoodbets Durban July prep, coming from some way off to stay on smartly for third, a neck in front of the first 3yo home, Sandringham Summit (28-10).

The expectation from Main Defender (5,45 lengths) and Lucky Lad (11,65 lengths) failed to materialize and both failed to fire – but one could find reasonable excuses for both.

It was the first time that Muzi Yeni had ridden Dave The King in a race, and the competitive Johannesburg jockey conceded that he had endured a quieter season than usual.

Mike de Kock, who previously won this race with Al Muthana (2022) and Golden Hoard (1998), said that the owners deserved every credit and he thanked them for consenting to the unkindest cut of all, which has clearly enhanced Dave The King’s focus on matters of winning

In a touching gesture, Mike de Kock also dedicated the victory to Oupa Lucas Mosala, a longserving member of his team who passed away suddenly from a heart attack at Summerveld last week. Lucas was 55 years old.

Raced by Larry Nestadt, Gary Player (what a day the legend enjoyed after Double Grand Slam’s win earlier!) and Ralphs Racing (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Miss K Ralphs), the Gary Player Stud bred Dave The King is a son of Global View (Galileo) out of the one-time winning Jet Master mare, Touche.

A R175 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase, Dave The King started his career with Vaughan Marshall in the Cape, before transferring to Mike de Kock early in 2023.

A winner of 5 races with 8 places from 20 starts for stakes of R3 547 550, Dave The King is a high-class miler whose heart and class carries him into the realms of Grade 1 competition at 2000m, and beyond.

He ran sixth (5,50 lengths) behind Winchester Mansion in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July.

It will be interesting to see what the connections decide to do when the gate closes on the big race entries on 24 June.

Di and Mike de Kock enjoy a glass of champers with Anthony Delpech and Devin Heffer Credit: Candiese Lenferna

DE KOCK’S KING COUNTS THE GOLD

The handsome Ascot resident Global View (Galileo) | Credit: Pauline Herman

‘This is why we’re in the game, it’s all about group 1 racing and these are the ones we want all the time’ – Mike de Kock

A first Gr1 winner is a significant landmark in any stallion’s career and Ascot Stud’s Global View reached that milestone when his son Dave The King ran out a smashing two-length winner of the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Always racing in close proximity to the pace, the big-striding bay boldly took the lead a long way out and kept up his relentless gallop in the straight to score unharassed.

It was a performance out of the very top drawer from Mike de Kock’s four-year-old, given that he soundly defeated no less than seven Gr1 winners in a vintage renewal of this revered mile event.

This was a deserved and overdue first Gr1 success for Mike de Kock’s charge and ended a frustrating string of placed efforts in distinguished company going back to last year, when he ran second in the Gr1 Daily News

2000 and third in the Gr1 Champions Cup, whilst this season, he again had to settle for second in the Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.

Dave The King’s sire retired to Ascot Stud in 2016 as a rare American-raced son of the mighty breed-shaper Galileo.

He had proved himself a tip-top miler with Gr2 and Gr3 victories on turf and boasted a fine female line, his dam, the Storm Cat mare Egyptian Queen, tracing to Canadian Stakes winner Ocean’s Answer, a three-parts sister in blood to Storm Cat’s own sire Storm Bird. Significantly, he is bred on the same Galileo x Storm Cat cross as successful Coolmore stallion Gleneagles.

Global View made a promising start to his stallion innings, with his first two runners Delicasea and Global Drummer being sharp enough to score on debut.

Dave The King strides clear under Muzi Yeni to score a career peak victory | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The latter, in particular, gave notice of a bright future when trotting up by the best part of six lengths and would become his sire’s first stakes winner with victory in the Listed East Cape Nursery.

He eventually ended up as Port Elizabeth’s leading juvenile, having added the Listed Dahlia Plate and Champion Juvenile Cup. Now six, he is very much a local hero, his formidable 15-win tally featuring no less than half a dozen stakes successes.

Stakes-performed Storyland and Fireview also featured amongst Global View’s first-crop juveniles, hence it came as no surprise that he won the battle for supremacy amongst the 2020 freshman class.

Remarkably versatile, his black type winners to date have come over a wide range of distances.

Second-crop daughter Sound Check won the East Cape Fillies Nursery, the very smart threeyear-old Fairy Knight claimed the East Cape Guineas, Zimbabwe-raced Ideal View won the Castle Tankard and Decorated landed the Gr3 Track And Ball Derby.

Bred by co-owner Gary Player, Dave The King is a half-brother to dual stakes-placed My Bestie and is one of four winners out of Jet Master’s daughter Touche, whose own sister Butterfly Girl won the Ladies Mile and produced Gr3 Merchants runner-up Tread Swiftly.

Global View’s fifteen-time winning son Global Drummer | Credit: Pauline Herman

While Dave The King is the horse driving this family at present, he is also its second stakes winner of the current racing season.

The Beck-owned Fire Away colt Fire Attack, a fluent winner of the Gr2 SA Nursery, just happens to be out of Bonnie Beers, a half-sister to Touche and Butterfly Girl.

Grandam Fire Tread, who claimed both the Gr3 Diana Stakes and Sophomore Sprint, went on to do sterling service at the Gary Player Stud, for in addition to Butterfly Girl, she also bred Gr3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery victress Empress Crown and Mighty Atom, who finished second in both the Gr2 Peninsula Handicap and Gr2 Selangor Cup.

With a view to future targets, the jury is

probably still out on Dave The King’s optimum distance, suffice to say that he has been entered for next month’s Hollywoodbets Durban July.

In the same race twelve months ago, he pulled his way to the front and faded late to finish sixth, 5,50 lengths behind the winner Winchester Mansion.

With maturity and gelding, he has learnt to settle better and his connections must be tempted to let him have a second crack at the most coveted race on the racing calendar.

As De Kock remarked: “This is why we’re in the game, it’s all about group 1 racing and these are the ones we want all the time.”

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY –THE FINAL LOG!

The final log for the R5 000 000 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July was published on Tuesday, 11 June 2024, with an updated log (due to scratchings) released on Wednesday, 12 June.

See It Again retains top spot on the Hollywoodbets Durban July log as issued by Gold Circle.

Supplementary entries, Double Superlative, winner of the 2024 WSB Cape Town Met (Gr 1), and Flag Man, a close second behind Green With Envy in the Daily News 2000 (Gr 1), occupy positions 4 & 6 respectively.

Double Superlative has accepted to run in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, his first appearance since his Met victory, and his performance will provide a valuable clue as to his

current well-being. Dual Grade1-winning 3yo, Green With Envy, is the 28/10 ante-post favourite with the sponsors, while See It Again (9/2) and recent Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial winner, Oriental Charm (7/1), are the only other two runners quoted in single figures.

Defending champion Winchester Mansion is currently on offer 12/1 along with Royal Victory and Flag Man, while record breaking Richard Fourie’s ride, Future Swing, is at 10/1.

Media release by Gold Circle on Tuesday, 11 June 2024.

UPDATED: WEDNESDAY 12 JUNE

ALL HAIL CAESOUR!

Broodmare daughters of Varsfontein Stud’s late Nureyev sire Caesour continue to make their mark in races across Southern Africa.

On Saturday 1 June the brilliant three-yearold Lucky Lad (Gimmethegreenlight) scored a breathtaking win in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, and on Saturday Zimbabwe Triple Crown winner Buster Barnes (Erupt) landed the OK Grand Challenge at Borrowdale.

Lucky Lad is out of the Caesour mare Imperial State, while Buster Barnes was produced by Caesour’s daughter Servilia.

Lucky Lad, whose dam ran second in both the Gr3 Final Fling Stakes and Listed Ladies Mile,

is a full-brother to Gr3 Fillies Mile queen Follow Me (Gimmethegreenlight), while, in contrast, Buster Barnes is the only stakes winner for his Listed Lady’s Pendant winning dam Servilia.

Another daughter of Caesour, Alexia, is the granddam of this season’s high-class threeyear-old Main Defender (Pathfork). While disappointing in Saturday’s Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, Main Defender had earlier in the season won all of the Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge, Gr3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes, and Gr3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes.

His Caesour sired granddam also ranks as the dam of this season’s Gr3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes winner Atticus Finch (Master Of My Fate) (runner up in Sunday’s Gr3 Jubilee Stakes), as well as 2019 Listed Swallow Stakes winner All At Once (Captain Al).

Alexia’s winning daughter Andermatt (Western Winter) produced 2023 Listed Durbanville Cup winner Thefutureisbright (Futura) to add to this family’s growing impact.

It is not, however, the first time that Caesour’s broodmare daughters have enjoyed notable success.

Caesour not only ranks as the broodmare sire of former Equus Champion Dancewiththedevil (Modus Vivendi), but also such Gr1 winners as Attenborough (Western Winter), Emerald Cove (Captain Al), Royal Bencher (Greys Inn) and Oleksandra (Animal Kingdom). The latter won the Gr1 Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park in 2020 and won a further three black type races.

His top-class daughter Irridescence, winner of Hong Kong’s Gr1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2006, produced dual US G3 winner Hopper (Declaration Of War) , while another Caesour mare Caughtintheslips (like Irridescence winner of the SA Fillies Classic) produced four black-type horses, including Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes winner Doosra (Captain Al) and Gr1 SA Fillies Classic runner up Green Top (Gimmethegreenlight).

Caesour boasts an impressive record as a broodmare sire Credit: Hamish Niven Photography

The Caesour sired Gr2 SA Oaks winner Arcola produced Gr2 Fillies Guineas winner Fiorella (by Captain Al), while another daughter Bearing Strait is the dam of this season’s Listed Southeaster Sprint winner Kiss Me Captain (Captain Of All).

Caesour, whose broodmare sire Graustark sired outstanding broodmare Glowing Tribute among many others, was a son of outstanding sire Nureyev, himself a superb broodmare sire. Not only was Nureyev broodmare sire of outstanding stallions Kingmambo (Mr. Prospector) and Zabeel (Sir Tristram), but he also ranks as the maternal grandsire of Gr1 Kentucky Derby/Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown (Boundary).

The latter has sired an outstanding broodmare daughter in the form of Puca, whose son

Dornoch (Good Magic) won Saturday’s Gr1 Belmont Stakes. Dornoch is a full-brother to 2023 Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic).

Caesour daughters continue to enjoy notable success | Credit: Supplied

ERUPT SIRES GR1 OK GRAND CHALLENGE WINNER

It was one of those remarkable days of racing that can only happen at Borrowdale Park. Packed stands, loud local music, 51 cars raffled and the nation’s best horses lined up for the Gr1 OK Grand Challenge over 1800 meters.

Amongst the fifteen contenders was the favourite, Raffles, recently imported from South Africa by his connections – at considerable expense - to compete in the nation’s big three, the Tankard, the OK and the Republic Cup.

He won the first leg convincingly with Gavin Lerena on board but the OK was going to be a bigger challenge – he was worse off at the weights carrying 62kg, he didn’t have Lerena as his pilot and there was a much younger pretender to his crown in the field.

Three year old, Buster Barnes had just nailed the Triple Crown and was now stepping up in class.

Buster is by a very underrated sire in RSA – the Maine Chase based Erupt by

Dubawi – a horse that ran well in both the Prix de L’Arc De Triomphe and the Japan Cup – and was bought from Millstream Stud for R200,000. The winner is out of the Caesour mare, Servilia.

Lazarus man, Deryl Daniels wasted hard to get down to 52 kg so that he could ride without any overweight.

Throughout the race he had Buster positioned well and had him poised to strike as they entered the straight for the finish.

When he asked him for his effort, Buster Barnes obliged with enthusiasm cutting past the field of 14 in the last four hundred meters in effortless fashion and in doing so blowing away Raffles by an extending two lengths.

Deryl Daniels has Buster Barnes in charge | Credit: Zimbabwe Racing

It is very rare that a three year old can take on the older and best horses in Zimbabwe and come out on top but Buster Barnes did so with consummate ease – he simply blew them all away – going away.

Centaur Chairman, “CJ” Smith said: “In truth I never had any doubt about the outcome of this this race, Buster Barnes is head and shoulders above every horse here. The exciting thing for us is that the boy is still totally unfurnished –

his best years are ahead of him, as a three, four and five year old. But where should he race now? Prospects in Zim are a bit thin – so it will have to be elsewhere – RSA or even further afield. Well done to sponsors, OK, and to the MTC for keeping racing going – the future for Borrowdale Park is now very much assured – and for his sake, I hope Deryl’s future is assured too – he is certainly a jockey of immense skill and talent – his time has come”

STALLION SHARE RECORD!

The share in Widden’s headline stallion Zoustar was billed as a rare opportunity and it lived up to the hype as it became the most expensive stallion share ever sold at public auction in Australia midweek when realising a sale-high of A$1.3 million (£675,000/€800,000) on the Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale.

The 1/60th share in the 13-year-old was offered by Qatar Bloodstock and the price tag effectively values the star stallion at A$78m.

Interest in the Qatar Bloodstock offering was global and led to some extraordinary participation, with 15 bids placed above A$1m alone. The eventual winning bidder was Bangaloe Stud.

THAT’S BETTER, GRANT!

Mercurial Cape talent Grant van Niekerk broke the ice in his birthday month with three winners on the anniversary of the first ever ride of his career, at what was an unseasonally warm Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday.

Van Niekerk, who had his first ride at Clairwood on 11 June 2008 on a horse called Combat Leader, was beaten just three parts of a length into second behind Yarnmaster that memorable day. Exactly two weeks later registered his maiden career winner on the same horse.

After a roller-coaster recent few months punctuated by suspensions - Van Niekerk only rode 3 winners between April and May – the lad from Bellville South turned on the charm in the way we know he can with a treble on Tuesday.

His first came on Kelp Forest who followed up on his last win last month when grabbing the spoils in the sixth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m, for Adam Marcus.

He was back in the number 1 box for a quick

double when bringing Katsu home for Lucinda Woodruff to win the seventh race, a Cape B Stakes over 1600m.

Adam Marcus enjoyed a double as Van Niekerk clocked up his third winner when Royal Lytham won the ninth race, a Class 5 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m.

Grant now has 63 winners on the board for the season. He is so much better than that. Maybe some travelling and hard work will do the trick.

Corne Orffer and Milnerton veteran Greg Ennion also enjoyed a terrific day with a well-taken treble.

The next Cape racemeeting is on Tuesday 18 June.

Grant van Niekerk gets Katsu up to beat Chollima (Rob Khathi, obscured) and Solar Power (Corne Orffer) in a tight finish to the seventh | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

RECORD FALLS ON THE DOUBLE!

The elated Snaith Team celebrate an epic victory | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

The Vercingetorix filly Double Grand Slam broke the SA Champions Season ice for the Snaith team when winning the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes at the end of March, when she was also Richard Fourie’s first winner this season for his former boss.

On Saturday she galloped into the history books again, as she carried the SA Champion elect to a record-setting 335 winners.

Starting a 5-10 favourite over her preferred 1400m trip, Double Grand Slam erupted through late amid cheers from the crowd as Fourie raised the bar in a record that looks set to last for a very long time.

Highveld raider Bavarian Beauty set the pace stalked by Humdinger and Gimme A Shot, as Double Grand Slam loped along in midfield.

In the run for home Fourie got to work, and

Double Grand Slam lengthen impressively as Piere Strydom worked at Humdinger (11-2).

But none had any answers as the Snaith sophomore stamped her authority, a delighted Fourie saluting at the wire to register 84,33 secs and hold her advantage by 1,20 lengths.

The pacesetter Bavarian Beauty (25-2) held on for third a further 1,40 lengths back. Win Time: 84.33

A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase, Double Grand Slam is raced by Dave Maclean, Suzette Viljoen and Gary Player, and was bred by Varsfontein.

She is by Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the twotime winning Captain Al mare Princess Peach.

Double Grand Slam has won 5 races with 4 places from 11 starts for stakes of R1 008 263.

VERCINGETORIX COLT IS ALL THE CHARM

The Cheveley Stud-bred Oriental Charm booked his Hollywoodbets Durban July berth with a powerful front-running display to win the R250 000 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Gr3 Cup Trial at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

The lightly raced 3yo lifted his game again after drifting off the boards, with JP van der Merwe riding a well-judged race for the Brett Crawford Racing Team.

In a field that included eight Hollywoodbets Durban July entries, Oriental Charm (7-1) showed that he had improved post his WSB Gr2 1900 runner-up finish a month ago and kept at his task all the way to beat Shoemaker (7-1) by 1,20 lengths in a time of 110,42 secs for the 1800m.

Michael Miller’s improved 4yo Narina Trogon (14-1) stayed on well for third, 0,40 back, with

Kannemeyer’s Ponte Pietra (15-2) completing a quartet of Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls.

Winning rider JP van der Merwe thanked colleague Kabelo Matsunyane for the hard work and said that he had broken positively from the wide draw and nobody challenged him early.

A R375 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Oriental Charm, who races for Greg Bortz, Leon Ellman and Gina Goldsmith, has now won 3 races with 2 places from 9 starts and stakes of R 544 376.

Oriental Charm (JP van der Merwe) has booked his Hollywoodbets Durban July berth | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The Cheveley Stud-bred colt is a son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the three-time winning Greys Inn mare, Souk.

Final supplementary entries for the Hollywoodbets Durban July closed at 11h00

on Tuesday 18 June, where after the weights were published.

Final declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday 24 June.

JP van der Merwe rode a well-judged race for the Brett Crawford Racing Team | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

‘YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THE HANDICAPPER IS GOING TO DO ’

Nathan Kotzen has decided against running Royal Victory in the Pinnacle event on June 15 at Hollywoodbets Greyville as a prep for the big race on 6 July.

He said, “I can’t take a chance. We would be the highest rated horse going in to the race, but they could still end up giving me a point, you never know what the handicapper is going to do.”

David Thiselton writes that Royal Victory is currently merit rated 125 and with the one point drop See It Again got for his third place finish in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, it means he will now have to carry 57kg in the Hoillywoodbets Durban July.

Nathan did not agree with the one point drop given to See It Again.

The handicapper awarded it because having given him a one point raise for his impressive win in the Gr 2 WSB Green Point Stakes, the horse has failed to confirm his rating of 132 in three subsequent runs.

However, Nathan pointed to See It Again’s Gold Challenge run being a comeback run, so was surprised he could be given a one point drop.

However, he said Royal Victory had been doing well and was not perturbed by him missing that race on June 15 and going in to the

Hollywoodbets Durban July with just one run under the belt.

He pointed out, “We went in to the Premier’s with just one run.”

He has pointed out in the past that Royal Victory is not a horse who takes a lot of work to reach his peak.

His plan now is to simply give him a harder workout in the Hollywoodbets Durban July gallops than previously intended.

He will gallop the four-year-old Pathfork gelding with a companion on that day, Thursday 27 June.

Ask as to whom he felt were the dangers to Royal Victory in the July, Nathan replied,

“Watching how Oriental Charm has been running and how he has come on, I would think he is one of our main dangers.”

www.goldcircle.co.za

HISTORY WAS MADE ON THE GREAT PLAINS

Mauritzfontein stallion Danon Platina’s maiden stakes winner could well be overshadowed momentarily by the news that Winning Form-sponsored rider Richard Fourie produced a beautifully judged ride to win the R200 000 Hollywoodbets Sharks Listed Gatecrasher Stakes on the Justin Snaith-trained Great Plains to equal Anthony Delpech’s SA season winner record of 334.

“It’s been hard work and I’m very grateful for the support. It’s an honour to have equalled the record. And a special thanks to Anthony Delpech – he’s being behind me all the way and an utter gentleman about it,” said Richard Fourie.

And what a ride it was to reach the record!

Great Plains was drawn widest of all, and jumped tardily and outwards, before trailing his field into the home straight.

Fourie was confident though and clearly knew what he had under him as he slipped the handsome grey down the inside rail.

Winning Form-sponsored rider Richard Fourie and the handsome grey Great Plains | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

In a drive to the wire, Great Plains (18-10) proved too classy and hit the line full of running to beat stablemate (Makazole) by 1,20 lengths in a time of 85,62 secs.

Mike de Kock’s recent maiden winner Waheed (16-1) finished well for third, just 0,30 lengths behind the runner-up.

Raced by Nic Johnsson, the Drakenstein bred Great Plains is a first stakes winner for Danon Platina (Deep Impact) out of the one-time winning Var mare, Mara.

He cost R700 000 at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale and took his stakes tally to 3 wins from his 4 starts and stakes of R287 500.

Owner Nic Jonsson and Trainer Justin Snaith lead in the winning duo | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

A STRAIGHTFORWARD TASK FOR KOTZEN FILLY

On what could turn yet out to be a landmark day in his racing career, Richard Fourie produced a perfectly judged ride to get the best out of the Arundel family’s Whistle The Tune to win the R200 000 Hollywoodbets Super League Devon Air Stakes at an overcast Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

At this point in the racemeeting Richard was just two wins away from breaking the Anthony Delpech 334 season record mark. The opening feature on the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge raceday proved a relatively straightforward task for Fourie on the Glen Kotzen trained filly, who tracked the Highveld raider and pacesetter You Bring Me Joy all the way around.

Hitting the front fairly early, Whistle The Tune (28-10) ran on to be a popular winner, beating the late-finishing Varvara (33-1) by 0,70 lengths in a time of 85,15 secs.

Dark Winter (4-1) was slightly slow away, but stayed on doggedly for third, a further 2,90 lengths away.

Richard Fourie said that he had taken Whistle The Tune out of the parade ring early as she was nervous.

“I had nothing left to follow at the top of the straight, and she was looking at everything. They were chasing us late, but she had enough in reserve,” added the top jockey.

Richard Fourie produced a perfectly judged ride to get the best out of Whistle The Tune | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Owner Sandy Arundel said that on Whistle

The Tune’s work in the week, they were quite confident of her winning.

A R140 000 Cape Yearling Sale purchase, the Oldlands Stud-bred winner is a daughter of Captain Of All (Captain Al) out of the unraced Vercingetorix mare, Penny Whistle.

Now a winner of 2 races with 2 places from 6 starts, Whistle The Tune took her stakes tally to R276 513.

The Mike de Kock charge Khetiwe’s Destiny was withdrawn from this race due to inflated TCO2 levels. Thankfully for her supporters, the tote favourite won.

Smiles all round - Winning Form-sponsored Jockey Richard Fourie, flanked by Sandy and Eugene Arundel | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

OH, SO CLOSE!

Dean Kannemeyer and Craig Zackey produced the magic in the R175 000 Non Black-Type SABC Topsport Durban Dash at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, when the Querari colt Teflon Man sprouted wings to nab King Of The Gauls in the final stride of the 1100m contest to bring the curtain down on a bumper feature menu.

With Richard Fourie looking set to move ahead of his record mark of 335 set earlier as King Of The Gauls continued to roll out front, Zackey unleashed Teflon Man (3-1) from what appeared to be a hopeless position to seal the victory on the line.

Teflon Man beat the favourite King Of The Gauls

(9-4) by the proverbial nose in a time of 65,78 secs for the 1100m.

Common Grounds (25-2) was third, with Romance In Rome (25-1) and Except Temptation (17-2) sharing the spoils for fourth. The top five finished under a length off the winner.

Craig Zackey unleashes Teflon Man to beat King Of The Gauls under Richard Fourie | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Teflon Man was bred in partnership by Klawervlei Stud and part owner David Abery and is a son of Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the once-raced Irish-bred Dark Angel mare, Lost In Love.

A winner of 4 races with 3 places from 11 starts, Teflon Man has won R387 863 in stakes and

looks unlikely to stop here. He is raced by David Abery, Mike Fullard, James Drew, Dean Kannemeyer, Ernie Rabe & Lee-Anne Drew.

The Kannemeyer yard celebrated an unexpected winner earlier on in the day when Bugalugs shed his maiden at any price under Sean Veale.

Post-race

discussions between Craig Zackey and Dean Kannemeyer | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

EU EXPORTS –HERE’S THE LATEST

On 25 March 2024, South African Equine Health and Protocols (SAEHP) announced, in conjunction with the South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), that DALRRD has received official notification that the reinstatement of direct exports of registered horses from South Africa to the European Union (EU) has been approved.

This notification followed an amendment to Annex IV of the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404, placing South Africa’s African Horse Sickness (AHS) Free Zone back on the Annex IV list as a zone within South Africa from which registered horses are authorised for direct entry into the EU.

The SAEHP announcement of 25 March also noted that this EU amendment will come into effect after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, which was subsequently published on 30 April 2024 when the European Commission published Regulation EU 2024/1170, updating Annex IV of EU 2021/404.

This regulation permits direct export of horses from South Africa to the EU, effective from 20 May 2024, with specific newly included conditions incorporated by the EU, summarised below:

Zone ZA-1 (South Africa’s AHS Free Zone) and the current AHS Surveillance and Protection Zones in the Western Cape must be maintained. These combined zones are the AHS controlled area and controls must include movement control into and within this area, as well as surveillance with notification and control of AHS infection should it occur; and No AHS vaccination is allowed in Zone ZA-1 (the Free Zone) and the surrounding Surveillance Zone.

The EU requirement of no vaccination in the Free Zone and the Surveillance Zone means no AHS vaccinations in these two zones

for trade to commence. SAEHP is working with the South African Veterinary authorities to implement a road map to facilitate the movement of equines resident in the Free and Surveillance zones.

SAEHP will contact stakeholders in the near future to discuss the effects of this EU requirement and to arrange a joint working session to work on the above road map.

In the meantime, those persons wishing to export equines should contact Cape Racing, the operator of the Free Zone quarantine centre at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth race course, to schedule their entry into quarantine.

In addition to the requisite testing, horses will require 40 days residence in the Free Zone and at least 14 days in the Kenilworth quarantine centre in order to qualify for export.

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE

READ MORE ON THE BREEDERS’ OPINIONS

AUSSIE TRAINER NOT IMPRESSED

Industry participants that made the trip to Bathurst’s meeting on Tuesday were left gobsmacked when stewards called it off 10 minutes prior to the first race.

The seven-race card was rated in the heavy (9) range but upon a further track inspection, they deemed a section of the track near the 1000m unsuitable for racing.

Warwick Farm trainer Marc Conners made the 2½-hour, 190km trip with five-year-old

gelding Rapid Impact and only found out the meeting had been postponed when grabbing the saddle for his horse.

“It’s just disgraceful, I was there and I had my horse ready to go,” Conners said. “We live in an age where we are supposed to be a professional industry, and it’s a disgrace.I only found out when we went to get the saddle to saddle up. This is going to cost the industry tens of thousands of dollars.”

NUMBER 5 FOR BILL

Wilgerbosdrift’s promising young stallion Buffalo Bill Cody came up with a fifth first-crop winner on Sunday when his two-year-old son Wolf Mountain won smartly at Turffontein.

Second in both of his previous starts, Wolf Mountain was all the rage for Sunday’s Play Soccer 6, 10 and 13 Maiden Juvenile Plate and jumped the 5-4 tote favourite.

Trained, like his sire, by Mike De Kock, Wolf Mountain was given a confident ride by Piere Strydom on Sunday.

Strydom took his mount to the front, and the pair never really looked in danger, with Wolf Mountain staying on powerfully to win by over a length and a half.

Bred by James Armitage, Wolf Mountain is out of the Silvano mare Princess Salme.

The colt was a R300 000 buy from the 2023 August Two Year Old Sale.

Wolf Mountain is the fifth winner, from just 12

runners, for his sire. Buffalo Bill Cody went close to having a double on Sunday, with the stallion’s daughter Roaming Spirit finishing a close-up third in the first race run at Turffontein.

Buffalo Bill Cody’s small first crop also includes Listed HKJC World Pool Event 6 April Storm Bird Stakes winner Pistol Pete and impressive debut winner Buffalo Storm Cody.

The latter won first time out by nine lengths before finishing third, to subsequent Gr1 winner Proceed, in the Gr3 TAB Protea Stakes.

A son of Redoute’s Choice (whose sire sons include the likes of Snitzel, Not A Single Doubt, Rafeef and The Autumn Sun), Buffalo Bill Cody also enjoyed success at the recent Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale, where yearlings by the Wilgerbosdrift resident made up to R300 000.

BHA CEO WILL CALL IT A DAY

Julie Harrington has announced she will leave her role as chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) at the end of 2024.

Harrington has been at the helm during a period of significant change in British racing, overseeing a new governance structure, a premierisation of the fixture list and tighter rules around whip use.

In a statement confirming her departure, Harrington said: “With so much now in

place to develop and grow the Industry Strategy, which will secure a brighter future for British horseracing, it felt like the right time to move on and let someone else steer the sport through its next exciting phase.

“It has been a huge privilege to lead the BHA during what has been a period of real change as the sport has developed and implemented shared strategies for a sustainable future, and an ability to speak with one united voice.”

TC02 testing with hand-held analysers | Credit: 4Racing

TCO2 TESTING – TRAINERS BE WARNED

In a media release published on the eve of another big weekend of racing, National Horseracing Authority CEO Vee Moodley has reinforced the fact that the racing regulator remains committed to maintaining the integrity of horse racing in South Africa by ensuring fair competition, prioritising horse welfare, and supporting the sport’s sustainability.

The NHA has increased its frequency and the number of runners selected for TCO2 testing with the ultimate goal to test every runner in the new season.

To address the potential unfair advantage of increased blood alkalinity on performance,

which is internationally acknowledged, Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) analysis is now conducted on race days using an approved handheld blood gas analyser.

Since 2002, the NHA Laboratory has been screening all pre-race blood specimens for TCO2 using a Beckman analyser.

It is very likely that specimen handling and storage time may affect TCO2 stability in blood, the Abbott i-STAT handheld blood gas analyser was identified in 2005 as a suitable instrument for race-day TCO2 analysis.

A comprehensive study in South Africa from 2004 to 2008 compared 1 956 pre-race specimens analysed using both the Abbott and Beckman analysers, finding minimal variation between the two instruments. Repeated analysis of the same specimen on different i-STAT analysers produced consistent readings.

Each specimen is analysed using a brand-new cartridge, taking approximately four minutes, which include the time for the i-STAT analyser to identify and record the specific unique cartridge, perform the calibration, and the analysis of the specimen to ensure accurate results.

The study’s findings were presented at the 17th International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV) in Turkey in 2008 and published in the conference proceedings. Subsequently, other international racing jurisdictions adopted the i-STAT for TCO2 analysis of pre-race blood specimens.

In late 2023, pre-race blood specimen analysis for TCO2 indicated that a few horses displayed levels high enough to warrant further investigation by the NHA. In March 2024, the NHA published the procedure for TCO2 analysis using an approved handheld blood gas analyser on race day.

The first official use of the i-STAT occurred on 6 April, following a phasing-in period where pre-race blood specimens were once again

analysed at the NHA laboratory using both the Abbott and Beckman analysers.

Between 6 April 2024 and 6 June 2024, a total of 1 351 TCO2 analyses were performed on 1 242 horses.

Of these, 89 horses (7.2%) tested above 35 mmol/L and were retested within a timeframe of 10 – 15 minutes later, with 20 horses (1.6%) withdrawn from races due to TCO2 levels above 36 mmol/L. The remaining 1 222 runners had levels between 26 and 36 mmol/L, consistent with the normal physiological range for Thoroughbred Racehorses.

Carbon Dioxide is classified as a Class 2 prohibited substance according to the Rules of the NHA, with a regulatory threshold of 36 mmol/L established in Article 6 of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering, published by the International

Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). This threshold was established internationally many years ago, primarily from the analysis of a large population of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Australia. Several factors can elevate TCO2 concentrations in horses, including dehydration, supplements, medications (alkalinising agents), feed, electrolytes and salts, ambient environment, and the horse’s clinical physiology.

The effects of transport and excitement have not been extensively studied locally or internationally. The NHA as a member of the IFHA accepts the international threshold as being reliable and robust, with the approved testing minimising the chance of false positives.

An alkalinising agent is any substance that may elevate a horse’s TCO2 levels when administered by any means, and thus, no person shall administer an alkalinising agent to a horse on race day.

Prohibited alkalinising agents include substances containing bicarbonates, citrates, succinates, acetates, propionates, maleates, lactates, alkaline water, and trometamol (THAM, Tris Buffer, or Tromethamine), as well as products marketed as urinary alkalinisers, neutralising agents, and lactic acid buffers.

Alkalinising agents in commercial feeds and balanced electrolyte supplements, when used according to the manufacturer’s

recommendations, have a negligible effect on TCO2 levels.

Trainers are reminded that a TCO2 concentration in the blood above the threshold for a horse presented to race constitutes prima facie evidence of alkalinisation (regardless of the means or methodology by which the elevated levels were facilitated), or the use or administration of an alkalinising agent and will result in the horse’s withdrawal from the race.

If the taking of a specimen from a horse is refused by the trainer and/or the person in control of such horse, then that horse shall be withdrawn from the race in question.

The NHA has increased its frequency and the number of runners selected for TCO2 testing with the ultimate goal to test every runner in the new season.

MERIDIUS COULD BE JULY UNDERDOG

Meridius (Muzi Yeni) powers home ahead of Atticus Finch (Gavin Lerena) and Son Of Raj (Calvin Habib) | Credit: JC Photos

With just 27 days to go to the big race, there were no real fireworks from the quartet of Hollywoodbets Durban July entries who lined up in Sunday’s R250 000 Gr3 Jubilee Stakes at Turffontein.

A traditional last chance saloon for Highveldbased big race hopes, all four of the current entries participating failed to fire with Pomodoro’s Jet (2,25 lengths), Indian Ocean (3 lengths), Purple Pitcher (4,75 lengths) and Pyromaniac (7,50 lengths) not raising the rafters.

On the flipside, Tony Peter’s impressive winner Meridius could be a name to pop up when the Hollywoodbets Durban July final supplementary entries gate shuts at 11h00 on Tuesday 18 June.

The 4yo son of Canford Cliffs, who won the Listed Darley Arabian in his first start for the Peter yard on Hollywoodbets Durban July day last year, didn’t put a foot wrong under the revitalized Muzi Yeni, when he burst through late at 17-2 to beat the improved again Atticus Finch (25-2) by 0,70 lengths

in a time of 100,49 secs.

Stablemate to the winner, Son Of Raj (20-1) also upped his game to run third, with Candice Dawson’s staunch Flower Alley mare Perfect Witness (25-2) closing off the quartet, 1,75 lengths off the winner.

Sadly, Mike de Kock’s imported stallion prospect Mujbar went wrong in running.

Raced by Faizal Vahab and the River Palace Racing Syndicate, Meridius has now won 6 races with 12 places from 24 starts for stakes of R706 875.

Bred by the Stellenbosch-based Winterbach Stud, the winner is a son of Ridgemont’s high quality five-time Gr1 winning stallion Canford Cliffs (Tagula) out of the five-time winning Parade Leader mare Zili.

HIGHVELD WINTER WARMED BY AN ANGEL

Calvin Habib and Tony Peter didn’t enjoy much luck at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, but the combination got some compensation when the clearly promising VJ’s Angel went from pillar to post to win the Non Black-Type R150 000 Highveld Winter Juvenile Stakes at Turffontein 24 hours later.

Starting a well supported 9-10 fancy, Calvin Habin took the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out to lead from the break and she never looked like being caught.

VJ’s Angel went on resolutely to beat World Of Alice by 2,25 lengths in a time of 85,36 secs, with Across The Pond (25-2) rounding off the trifecta.

Another winner for Varsfontein Stud in their 50th anniversary year, the winner looks like a bargain buy at R200 000 off the Cape Premier Yearling Sale and took her stakes bank to R225 000 with her third win and a place from 5 starts.

She is out of the one-time winning Oratorio mare, Tally-Ho.

A comfortable win from Calvin Habib and VJ’s Angel | Credit: JC Photos

STENGER’S MASTERSHIP STAYS ON POWERFULLY

In a knockout blow for many exotic punters, Chase Maujean and veteran lady trainer Diane Stenger teamed up with the consistent gelding Mastership to win the Non BlackType R200 000 Egoli Mile at Turffontein on Sunday.

Gelding has proven a gamechanger for the progressive galloper, who has now won three on the trot since shedding his maiden tag on 20 April.

Ridden with restraint some lengths off the pace set by Judgement Day, Mastership (20-1)

stayed on powerfully down the inside to beat the 33-1 shot Jury’s Out by 0,40 lengths in a time of 98,45 secs.

The tote favourite Presley (9-4) was given every chance by Richard Fourie but had no answers and was beaten a further 0,35 lengths away in third.

Winning rider Chase Maujean confirmed that gelding has made all the difference, and he expects him to go further in time and suggested that there is scope for improvement.

Mastership (Chase Maujean, stars on cap) beats Jury’s Out (Marco van Rensburg) and Presley (Richard Fourie) in a thrilling finish to the Egoli Mile | Credit: JC Photos

Bred by longstanding racing supporters, Cecil Baitz and his Aussie based Veterinarian son Gary the winner is by Varsfontein Jet Master stallion Master Of My Fate out of the terrific nine-time winning Argonaut mare, Clear Sailing.

Bred by Geoff Armitage, the latter is out of the

five-time winning daughter of Goldkeeper, Clear Up.

A R200 000 BSA November 2yo Sale graduate, Mastership, who is raced by Messrs De Andrade and Gaskell, has won 3 races with 6 places from 10 starts for stakes of R349 375.

SINGAPORE’S EXCITING STAR

Lim’s Saltoro stamped himself as the most exciting horse in Singapore when winning at Group level for the first time in Sunday’s SG$110,000 Gr3 Silver Bowl over 1400m.

And the relatively easy win suggests the son of Shamexpress has a stranglehold on the next two four-year-old features: the Gr2 Stewards’ Cup over 1600m on 30 June and the Gr1

Singapore Derby over 1800m on 21 July.

Sent out the red-hot favourite in the Silver Bowl, Lim’s Saltoro jumped well from barrier five with jockey Marc Lerner pushing his mount to sit on the leader’s (Aniki) flank in the small field of just seven runners. A kick by Lim’s Saltoro at the 150m put the race to bed in an instant.

THE KING GOES UP

DAVE THE KING was adjusted to a merit rating of 127 from 126 after emphatically winning the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge on WFA terms over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 08 June.

It was the runner up COUSIN CASEY who was considered to make for the most suitable line horse, which is the reason for his unchanged mark of 123.

COUSIN CASEY and DAVE THE KING have a lifetime of form with each other, in fact DAVE THE KING had beaten COUSIN CASEY at level weight terms on no less than four occasions over distances from 1400m, 1600m and 2000m prior to the 2024 running of the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge.

So, it is indisputable that DAVE THE KING is superior to the 123 rated COUSIN CASEY on ability (merit).

Despite this fact, many experts and commentators (anyone who has commented on this subject) alleged, prior to his win in a Pinnacle on 19 May 2024, that DAVE THE KING was overrated on a rating of 126 by virtue of him being a 3-time winner.

This shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the Merit Rating system that has been applied for the last 24 or so years.

SEE IT AGAIN, who failed to confirm the 1-point adjustment he received for his win in the World Sport Betting Gr2 Greenpoint Stakes in his 3 subsequent performances was dropped that 1 point from 132 to 131.

5th placed GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE was adjusted to 119 from 115 after he finished 1.65 lengths behind the 123 rated line horse, COUSIN CASEY, at WFA terms.

The only other horse to receive a drop in ratings was AL MUTHANA, who was

dropped to 120 from 123.

East Coast Radio Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes

DOUBLE GRAND SLAM remained on a rating of 118 after easily winning the East Coast Radio Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that the runner-up HUMDINGER made for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 116.

There were increases for 3rd placed BAVARIAN BEAUTY, who is up from 113 to 116 and 4th placed GIMME A SHOT, who is up from 106 to 108.

HAPPY CHANCE and RIPPLE EFFECT were both dropped a point each from 113 to 112 and 106 to 105 respectively.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins Gr3 Cup Trial (Handicap)

ORIENTAL CHARM has had his rating raised from 118 to 121 after winning the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Gr3 Cup Trial (handicap) over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

It was 3rd placed NARINA TROGON who was used as the line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a rating of 100.

Interestingly, the winner was adjusted from 87 to 113 for his 3rd place Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby finish, and then was adjusted another 5 points from 113 to 118 for his 2nd place finish in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900.

ORIENTAL CHARM took the total of 31 points adjustment which was based on his performances and won the Hollywoodbets Cup Trail with a degree of ease.

This win not only vindicates the Handicappers’ assessment of ORIENTAL CHARM but also vindicates the Handicappers’ assessment of GREEN WITH ENVY’s win in the Daily News 2000.

ORIENTAL CHARM will now meet GREEN WITH ENVY on correct Handicap terms (3kg pull at the weights) based on their meeting in the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby where GREEN WITH ENVY beat ORIENTAL CHARM by 3.25 lengths.

SUNDANCE KID, who was a full 9 points under sufferance in this benchmarked handicap, was adjusted by 6 points from 91 to 97, having finished 3 points in margin behind the line horse NARINA TROGON.

There were ratings’ drops for three horses. NAVAJO NATION was dropped from 110 to 108, NOBLE CITY was dropped from 107 to 105 and SOVEREIGN STATE was dropped to 102 from 104.

Gr3 Jubilee Stakes

MERIDIUS was adjusted to a mark of 113 from 110 after winning the Gr3 Jubilee Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein on Sunday 09 June.

3rd place finisher SON OF RAJ was used as the line horse here, hence his unaltered rating of 119.

The specific conditions of this race do not allow for any ratings increase for any horse beyond the winner and accordingly there were no other increases to ratings in this event.

There were rating drops for three horses. PYROMANIAC dropped from 100 to 99, STREET ART dropped from 109 to 108 and lastly EYE OF THE PROPHET dropped from 112 to 108.

• Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 11 June 2024.

R3 IS HONG KONG MINIMUM

In a media release by 4Racing on Monday 10 June 2024, all TAB and TAB Gold customers were advised that effective Wednesday 12 June, a R3 minimum unit will be in operation on all commingled bets on Hong Kong race meetings.

The minimum bet amount will remain R6 except in the case of Quinella and Swinger bets for which a R3 minimum will apply.

Five bet types on Hong Kong races at Happy Valley and Sha Tin are commingled into Hong Kong Jockey Club tote pools – Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella (first, second any order) and Swinger (minimum 7 runners).

From this Wednesday’s meeting at Happy Valley a R3 minimum unit will apply to all these bets. This will result in the minimum cost per combination increasing to R3, so a 3-horse

Swinger Box will cost R9 (3 combinations x R3 per combination = R9) and a 5-horse Swinger Box will cost R30 (10 combinations x R3 = R30. A 3-horse Exacta box will be R18 (6 combinations x R3 = R18).

Above R3, the unit of betting or cost per combination can be increased in R1 increments, enabling a 4-horse Swinger Box for R24 (6 combinations x R4 = R24) or R30 (6 combinations x R5 = R30).

The minimum cost of an eachway bet will be R6 (R3 Win, R3 Place).

TAB and TAB Gold have delayed increasing the minimum unit on commingled bets on Hong Kong races for as long as possible, but cannot afford to continue to do so with no reasonable prospect of the exchange rate improving in the foreseeable future.

ANOTHER RECORD LOOMS

Drakenstein Stud’s red hot young stallion

One World came up with his 21st first-crop winner when his daughter Maritzburg Memory won at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday.

In the process, the son of Captain Al is now within one winner of equalling his own’s sire first-season record of 22 juvenile winners.

Trained, like her sire, by Vaughan Marshall, Maritzburg Memory was always up with the pace in Tuesday’s Cape Turf Club Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) (1200m), and when asked the question by Oswald Noach, she kicked away to win by two lengths.

Bred by Laurence Wernars in partnership with Braam Van Huyssteen, the winner is out of the Pathfork mare Mighty High.

Her Gr1 Sun Met winning sire

One World is not only South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2023-2024, but he is also the country’s Leading Sire of 2YOs.

Stars of One World’s first crop include Gr3 City Of Cape Town Cape Of Good Hope Nursery/Gr3 Winter Nursery winner One Stripe and Lion Rampart and Miss World -the first two home in the Listed Somerset 1200.

A WARM WINTER FOR CAPE RACING SALES

Topseller – a One World colt (#95) bred by Drakenstein fetched R1 million | Credit: Chase Libenberg

The 2024 renewal of the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Thursday proved a winner, despite some stiff opposition from the Cape winter weather.

Described as a ‘Grade 1 event with a fabulous vibe’ by Jonathan Snaith, who signed for seven yearlings on a busy afternoon, the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale outstripped the 2023 edition, with 99 of the 115 catalogued lots going through the ring, producing an aggregate of R14 730 000 with an average of R171 279 and median of R135 000.

Gina Goldsmith paid R1 million for the top-seller, a handsome son of this season’s fast ascending freshman sire One World (Captain Al). Lot 95 is bred on a similar cross to Gr1 winner Miss Florida, and his dam is a winning daughter of Trippi and Gr3 Champagne Stakes winner State Blue.

Cape Racing Executive: Racing & Bloodstock

Justin Vermaak said that it was very pleasing that a regional sale could prove to be an attractive platform for both breeders and buyers, and that the increased size catalogue, and the 75% increase in average price year-on-year, was clear evidence that it was popular on all fronts.

“The results are a reflection of a strong yearling market and that our bonus series, and the pinhooking and syndicate incentive schemes, are popular drivers. Our topseller at R1 million also demonstrates again that good horses put their hands up, and that there is always money for quality,” he added.

On the vendor charts, Klawervlei Std (as agent) topped the aggregate, with turnover of R3 020 000, and their 13 lots averaging R232 308.

An impressive attendance on sale day | Credit: Chase Libenberg

Bid spotter Devin Pretorius | Credit: Chase Libenberg

Spotted at the sale - Ken Truter and Vaughan Marshall | Credit: Chase Libenberg

Drakenstein sold their 5 yearlings for a total of R1 520 000.

While Gina Goldsmith topped the buyer averages, with her duo grossing R1 030 000 at an average of R515 000, Equine Excellence was top on aggregate, with their spend of R1 220 000 on a quartet, averaging out at R305 000.

On the sire charts, One World (Captain Al) and Vercingetorix (Silvano) paced it out, with the freshman’s aggregate of R2 470 000 for 6 sold at an average of R411 667, marginally pipping the Maine Chance resident, whose 5 yearlings fetched R2 350 000, resulting in a leading average of R470 000.

Jono Snaith said that the rain didn’t dampen the mood of buyers, with the increase of 75% in the average price, ‘a staggering number’.

“The quality of the draft was in no way superior to that of 2023 so this clearly indicates a healthy upward trend. Hopefully the EU protocol will be fully operational soon so yearlings could walk out of the sales ring, across the track and directly into the quarantine station for export,” he added.

Snaith said that he was thrilled to see the owners and buyers having a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in The 1881 Lounge.

“Owner experience is crucial to the success of racing and Cape Racing Sales really produced a Group One event today – the vibe was fabulous,” he concluded.

Please click on the image below to see all the prices:

AFFORDABILITY THE KEY!

Gqeberha-based Ewan Garratt was over the moon to welcome the Bright View Racing Syndicate’s first winner at Fairview on 31 May, when the 6yo Frankel gelding Juan Carlos charged to victory under Charles Ndlovu.

Ewan says that this is where a passion for horse racing meets the thrill of ownership.

“At Bright View, we offer an unparalleled ownership experience, providing access to top-quality racehorses, expert training, and the excitement of watching your horse compete at prestigious racetracks around the world. With a focus on transparency, integrity, and the utmost care for our equine athletes, Bright View Racing Syndicate is your gateway to the exhilarating world of horse racing ownership.”

Ewan says that they have over 62 members from all over the world and their youngest member is just 20 years old - from being a R5 punter to being new to the game.

“We have three horses with Tara laing racing

stables and she gave Bright view racing club their first winner with a horse called Juan Carlos last week friday. Tara laing is a very underrated trainer and she needs more support and horses ( i urge other owners to support her yard) trust me you wont regret it - we are updated 24/7 about our syndicate horses and most importantly they are a very honest and is a transparent yard, we will be looking at getting syndicate horses in Durban and our manager will be Rowan Padayachee. bright view racing is owned by Ewan Garratt and Brandon Vermaak.”

For more information visit www.brightviewracingclub.weebly.com

Contact Ewan Garratt on mobile 071 352 1361 or email him on ewan.laingracing@gmail.com

CARSTENS GETS A MONTH

Whatever possessed jockey Xavier Carstens to take his foot off the gas just a matter of strides before the post in the finish of the ninth race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday, has cost the young man a month on the sidelines.

Replacing the stood down Ashton Arries on Lunga Gila’s 40-1 shot Grue Of Ice, Carstens made the running on the mare, before being passed late by the high-flying Grant van Niekerk on the eventual winner Royal Lytham.

Grue Of Ice, who ended up in third a nose behind the runner-up, paid R8-40 for a place on the tote, with the Exacta 7/13 showing a dividend of R 110-20, the Trifecta 7/13/9

paying R1 768-30 and the Quartet 7/13/9/10 R13 137-90

Whether he didn’t see Robert Khathi ranging up wide out on I’m The Buzz, fractionally misjudged the line, or just got tired, Carstens was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3.

The Stipes felt that he failed to ride Grue Of Ice out to the end of the race to their satisfaction, thereby prejudicing his chances of obtaining second place. J

Carstens signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in races for a period of 30 days.

Charles Ndlovu gives the thumbs up after Juan Carlos became Bright View’s first winner | Credit: Pauline Herman

GIMME A NOTHER MAINTAINS EQUUS LEAD

The logs have been updated following the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge race day on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, and the running of the Gr3 Jubilee Stakes at Turffontein Racecourse on Sunday.

There are two more marquee race days on the South African racing calendar which can still make an impact to the following categories.

We anticipate the Hollywoodbets Durban July and Gold Cup Race meetings to settle a few debates.

Horse Of the Year

Gimme A Nother (104) still holds a lead on the

Equus Horse of the Year log. In fact, three-yearolds take up 3 of the top four positions on the points table at this stage of the season.

The unbeaten Gimme A Nother added a 2nd Gr1 win to her impressive record after winning the TAB Gr1 Empress Club Stakes. She had already won the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic which along with her wins in the Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas, Mike De Kock Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge and Betway Gr3 Fillies Mile which gives her a total of 104 points so far this season.

Green With Envy (98) has added to his points tally and has moved into contention for the top spot. He added to his impressive SplashOut Gr1 Derby win with wins in the World Sports

Equus Horse of the Year log - 2023/2024 season

TAB Gr1 Empress Club Stakes winner Gimme A Nother remains at the top of this week’s Equus Awards log | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Betting Gr2 Guineas and Daily NewsGr1 2000m.

Thunderstruck (90) has accumulated the 3rd highest points so far. He showed great determination in winning the Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Computaform Sprint. He has accumulated points for his 2nd in the World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship as well as for his win in the Khaya Stables Gr2 Diadem Stakes.

Main Defender (84) won the Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut which earned him 48 points due to this Weight For Age race being awarded Super Gr1 status. He also accumulated points for winning three other Graded races so far this season namely, the Betway Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge, the Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes as well as the Betway Gr3 Got The Greenlight Stakes.

Champion Three-Year-Old Male

Green With Envy (98) takes a clear lead in the Champion Three-Year-Old Colt standings with Main Defender (84) in 2nd place, closely followed by TAB SA Gr1 Derby and TAB SA Gr1 Classic winner Purple Pitcher (80) in 3rd spot.

Sandringham Summit (74) is in 4th place with the TAB Gr2 Hawaii Stakes as well as the TAB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas wins to his credit so far this season.

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly

Gimmer A Nother holds a clear lead in the Champion three-year-old filly category and has accumulated 104 points so far, she has won two Gr1 races along with two Gr2 races and a Gr3 race.

Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes and World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Beach Bomb (80) is currently in second spot, she also accumulated points for her Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby runner-up finish.

Silver Sanctuary (76) was rewarded for her consistency when landing the Gr1 Woolaving-

ton and now finds herself in 3rd place on the standings.

Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship and World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas winner Rascova (60) is in 4th place.

Champion Older Male

Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner Thunderstruck leads the standing for the Champion Older Male category with 90 points followed by World Pool Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge and Betway Gr1 Summer Cup winner Royal Victory on 80 points. Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge winner Dave The King, added 48 points to his tally for this WFA race that has been awarded Super Gr1 status and moves up into 3rd spot on 78 points.

World Sports Betting Gr2 Green Point Stakes winner See It Again added 12 points for his 3rd place finish in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge and overtakes L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate winner Charles Dickens (64) in 4th spot.

Champion Older Female

City Of Capetown Gr1 Majorca Stakes winner Princess Calla (60) is a clear leader of the Champion Older Female category from Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint runner-up and Gr2 Camellia Stakes winner Mrs Browning (40).

Gr1 Woolavington runner-up Hold My Hand (26) is currently in 3rd place followed by Jo’burg Gr2 Spring Challenge winner Feather Boa (24) and Humdinger (24) in joint 4th.

Distance Categories (excludes points from races restricted to 3-year-olds)

Champion Sprinter

Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Computaform and Khaya Stables Gr2 Diadem winner Thunderstruck leads the Champion Sprinter category. He has accumulated 80 points, which is lower than his overall total due to this category being a distance specific category.

October Morn and Lucky Lad have both moved up the standings to joint 2nd with 52 points each after their Gr1 successes in the SA Fillies Sprint and Golden Horse Sprint respectively.

World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship winner Dyce is in 4th spot with 48 points.

Champion Miler

Dave The King takes the lead as he did when winning the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge to head the Champion Miler category having now accumulated 72 points in total.

Main Defender (68) finds himself in 2nd place after disappointing in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge, his accumulated points for this distance specific category is lower than his overall points tally due to this category excluding the points accumulated in 3-year-old only races.

The retired Charles Dickens (64) is in 3rd place on the standings followed by World Sports Betting Gr2 Green Point Stakes winner See It Again (60).

Champion Middle Distance

Multiple Gr1 winner Royal Victory (80 points) leads the Champion Middle Distance category with his two Gr1 wins over the distance of 2000m.

World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met winner Double Superlative (48) is in 2nd place ahead of Beach Bomb and Silver Sanctuary in joint 3rd with 32 points each.

Champion Stayer

Crimson King joins Master Redoute at the top of the Champion Stayers category with 10 points each after winning the Listed TAB Gold Bowl to add to his Listed WSB Aquanaut Handicap.

Master Redoute won the New Turf Carriers Gr3

Cape Stayers Handicap, Triple Time (9) is in 3rd place, marginally ahead of Gr3 Chairmans Cup winner Future Swing on 8 points.

Champion Two-Year-Old Male

Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Proceed leads the Champion Two-Year-Old standings with 40 points after his win on 01 June 2024.

Winds Of Change, One Stripe

, Cosmic

Speed and TAB SA Gr2 Nursery winner Fire Attack share 2nd place with 16 points each.

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly

Gr1 Allan Robertson Stakes winner Quid Pro Quo leads the Champion Two-year-Old Filly log with 32 points after her success on 01 June 2024.

Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Little Ballerina is in 2nd place with 18 points, ahead of Rodeo Drive and Just Reckless who share 3rd place with 16 points each. The 2024 Equus Awards will take place on Thursday, 15 August at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Enquiries regarding the 2024 Equus Awards can be directed to Vicky Minott at vicky@caperacing.co.za

For more information on categories, nominees, and logs, visit: https://equusawards.co.za

Follow the Equus Awards

• https://www.facebook.com/EquusRankings

• https://twitter.com/EquusRankings

• https://www.instagram.com/equus_awards/

Media release by Cape Racing on 10 June 2024

O’BRIEN’S JUSTIFY COLT DROPS BACK IN TRIP

The first three home at Epsom will not all re-oppose in the Irish Derby.

Derby hero City Of Troy will bypass the Irish equivalent and instead line up in Sandown’s midsummer showpiece - the Gr1 Coral-Eclipse on the first Saturday of July.

Aidan O’Brien’s colt was outstanding when bouncing back from Guineas disappointment to earn Classic glory at Epsom, with connections subsequently undecided between Sandown and the Curragh.

On Sunday it was announced that the Justify

colt will drop back in trip to a mile and a quarter. He will represent the three-year-old crop against older horses for the first time, but the stable is confident he can follow up on his easy Derby victory.

O’Brien stated: “City Of Troy has pleased everyone since Epsom and the plan is to head to Sandown next for the Eclipse. We were delighted with him at Epsom, and we’ve been delighted with him at home since then too. It’s all gone smoothly.”

Aidan O’Brien’s City Of Troy is heading for the Gr1 Coral-Eclipse in July | Credit: Racing TV

“He has plenty of pace so the drop to ten furlongs won’t be a problem for him and we’re all looking forward to seeing what he can do at Sandown.”

City Of Troy is an even-money favourite (from 6-4) with the sponsor for next month’s Coral-Eclipse and will attempt to become the first Derby winner since Golden Horn in 2015 to follow-up at the Esher track.

Epsom runner-up Ambiente Friendly will raid Ireland in search of Classic success in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at month-end.

The Gleneagles colt chased home City Of Troy at Epsom but with the winner bound for Sandown, the James Fanshawe-trained runner’s main opposition looks to be Epsom third Los Angeles. Bookmakers have priced up Ambiente Friendly as 5-4 favourite, with the Aidan O’Brien trained Los Angeles 6-4.

Ambiente Friendly will have to be added to the Curragh Classic at a cost of €100,000, although that supplementary fee is covered as part of an incentive linked to his win in the Lingfield Derby Trial in May.

Owner Tim Gredley said: “We’re going to take Ambiente Friendly to the Irish Derby. We genuinely want to keep him to a mile and a half and it’s a Classic.”

“Rab Havlin will keep the ride and both he and James Fanshawe and Freddy Tylicki have been included in the discussions.”

O’Brien who could well win both Group 1’s reflected on his Irish Derby hopeful: “Los Angeles ran a big race at Epsom and has done well since. We think the Irish Derby will suit him.”

TREBLE FOR PURTON AS COPARTNER RULES

Zac Purton’s relentless push towards a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ championship continued at Sha Tin on Saturday when the Australian snared a treble highlighted by a fifth successive victory on Copartner Prance in the Class 2 Lung Mun Road Handicap.

Purton increased his lead in the 2023/24 championship over Karis Teetan (77) to 37 wins with only nine meetings remaining after victories on Copartner Prance for Francis Lui, Dennis Yip’s Fast Network and Stunning Peach for Tony Cruz.

Copartner Prance earned a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million as well as HK$1.59 million in prize money and improved his record to five wins from nine starts with a gripping win over Duke Wai and then survived an objection

from the runner-up’s rider Teetan.

“It was another good effort. He began really well which helped – it was very fast mid-race –and I just waited for the right time, but he was good to the line. He just seems to keep doing enough,” Purton said.

Copartner Prance’s victory left Lui and Pierre Ng tied on 61 wins at the top of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with Ng holding sway by virtue of more seconds – 48 to 46.

Copartner Prance (Zac Purton) Pedges out Duke Wai (Karis Teetan) | HKJC

Purton and Yip – who combined to land the BMW Hong Kong Derby with Massive Sovereign in March – struck with debutant Fast Network in the Class 4 Chai Wai Road Handicap. A three-year-old by Wrote, the gelding was well supported on the strength of impressive trial performances.

“He trialled very good and also overseas, his trial was very good. I was watching the trial and I thought ‘we must buy this horse’. He’s done the job. Hopefully he will keep improving and I think for the future, later he will stay longer. Right now, he’s just learning,” Yip said.

Stunning Peach delivered the third leg of Purton’s treble with success in the Class 3 POLA Cup Handicap. The three-year-old was Group 1-placed in Ireland and France when he raced as Islandsinthestream for Joseph O’Brien.

Purton was impressed with the colt’s Hong Kong breakthrough, which was accompanied

by a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million.

“It was good. He drew the right gate (2) to have the right run and the tempo in the early and mid-stages set it up for him but he had to carry the weight (135lb) and come with a long sweeping run.

“Although he came to the end of his run probably about 100m out, his class got him through. He’s heading in the right way and as long as he keeps on taking those steps, we’ll be happy.”

Cruz registered his 50th win of the campaign when Angus Chung piloted Beauty Glory to victory in the Class 3 Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap.

Hugh Bowman predicted a bright future for John Size-trained The Winnabe after the grey maintained an unbeaten record after two starts with an impressive victory in the Class 4 Pok Fu Lam Public Riding School Handicap.

Zac Purton has 114 wins for the season | HKJC

“He was very professional, he’s shown us a nice bit of talent from the time we started working with him and he’s continued to progress,” Bowman said after posting his 60th win of the season. “It was a strong performance, he had to navigate a bit of a path and he did that with a sense of maturity, which is encouraging.

“What I liked the most is that when I got out after the leader, I then needed a second effort and he did it with ease – he’s got a bright future.”

Bowman sealed a double aboard Enjoy Golf for Frankie Lor in the Class 4 Lei Yue Public Riding School Handicap.

Lo Pan Spirit continued an impressive rise with victory in the Class 4 Hong Kong Riding For The Disabled Association Cup Handicap under Harry Bentley.

By Charm Spirit, the three-year-old controlled the tempo before spearing clear in 1m 09.37s to improve his record to two wins and a third from three starts.

“He’s a nice horse and he has a big stride. I think he will keep improving as well. Maybe next season he needs a bit further – that will be better for him I think,” Ting said after reaching 10 wins for the season. “If the horse is eating

well and is healthy then I think I can run him one more time.”

Ka Ying Victory made it two straight-course wins in a row with a dogged performance under Alexis Badel in the Class 3 Tuen Mun Public Riding School Handicap.

Continuing David Hall’s strong season, the Charm Spirit gelding slotted his fourth victory from eight starts and is unbeaten in three attempts over the 1000m course.

David Hayes’ patience with Ariel was rewarded when the gelding triumphed at his 26th Hong Kong start, landing the Class 4 Pok Fu Lam Park Handicap. The gelding had logged eight seconds and two thirds before saluting the day.

Antoine Hamelin ended a 44-ride run of outs when Size-trained Noble Win notched his first Hong Kong win with success in the Class 5 Butterfly Bay Handicap.

“I’m very glad to win this one,” Hamelin said. “Last run was really good, I had a better draw (4) than last time and the horse was even more focused and concentrated and did everything well. I’m very happy with the win.”

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