Parade magazine march 2017

MARCH 2017 SALES EDITION

Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale 21 April 2017 LOT

NAME

SEX

SIRE

DAM

32

Cizeron

c.

Var (USA)

84

Dickens

c.

Oratorio (IRE)

Classique Story

153

Cue The Music

c.

Oratorio (IRE)

Minelli

Sarabande

“Quality not Quantity”

The Avontuur bred LEGAL EAGLE Equus Horse Of The Year 2016

National Yearling Sale 3 - 5 March 2017 LOT

NAME

SEX

SIRE

DAM

90

Cloud Break

f.

Oratorio (IRE)

Pan Amm

91

El Sereno

c.

Oratorio (IRE)

Paradise Square

159

Making Waves

f.

Oratorio (IRE)

Sea Of Calm (USA)

269

Top Of The Class

c.

Var (USA)

Academia

298

Jardin

c.

Var (USA)

Azabu Park (AUS)

324

Laduree

f.

Var (USA)

Candy Vous (ARG)

327

Rags To Riches

c.

Dynasty

386

Miss International

f.

Var (USA)

469

Caesura

c.

Oratorio (IRE)

Jeter

490

On The Double

f.

Twice Over (GB)

Kitco

Captured Time Europe To Africa (AUS)

• South Africa’s Leading Breeder by % Stakes Winners to Runners 2016-17 (NHRA - 15 or more runners - to 23 Feb 2017)

AVONTUUR THOROUGHBRED FARM • PO Box 1128, Somerset West 7129 General Manager: Pippa Mickleburgh • Tel: (021) 855 1442 • Mobile: 083 658 4404 Email: stud@avontuurestate.co.za • Web: www.avontuurestate.co.za

Liesl King cover – model Chante Claire Holloway and Whisky Baron.

arade is a Gold Circle publication and showcases thoroughbred horseracing, breeding and tote (pari-mutuel) betting in South Africa. Views expressed in Parade are solely those of the writers and the organisations they represent.

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES: Andrew Harrison (Editor) T: 031 314 1917 E: andrewh@goldcircle.co.za

ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTIONS: Warren Lenferna T: 031 314 1922 F: 031 314 1779 E: warrenl@goldcircle.co.za

GOLD CIRCLE PHOTOGRAPHER Nkosi Hlophe T: 031 314 1922 E: nkosih@goldcircle.co.za

DESIGN & LAYOUT Denzil Govender T: 031 314 1920 E: denzilg@goldcircle.co.za

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starting stalls 06 The Sun Met 10 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate 16 PE Racing - a testing time 19 Maurice - a Japanese hero 22 International Thoroughbred

Breeders Federation (ITBF)

26 National Yearling Sale - a source of champions 31 Cape Premier Yearling Sale - hot property 34 The Horse vs The Punt 40 Mathew de Kock - Onamission 44 Punter vs The old enemy 48 Why I own a racehorse 51 Anita Akal - zooming in 54 Pat Shaw - master horseman 58 Always a bridesmaid 60 South Africa’s obsession with speed 62 Two-year-old Sires 66 Coats of many colours 68 Broodmares making their mark 70 Racing Association 72 Across The Ice - A retired champ 74 Graded Race Results 88 Horsing with Hennessey arade MAGAZINE

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Editor’s Note Millennials, those aged between 18 and 34, proved to be the all-consuming topic at the first international Tote conference that was held in South Africa in January.

“This age group is by far the largest on the planet, it comprises your future customers, punters and racegoers – and they are spoilt for choice,” said Mark Steinhobel, chairman of leading market group VWV.

Contributors

“So what can you do?” he added before answering his own question. “For a start you can stop taking yourselves so seriously. I know the traditions of racing go back a long way and, while you may alienate some of the older racegoers, the alternative is a long slow slide into obscurity.”

However Paul Cross of Australian wagering company Tabcorp countered that racing is still hugely popular, just that the way of watching it has changed.

He explained: “Many people argue that racing is in the doldrums with less and less people going but in fact there are more eyeballs watching racing today than there have ever been.”

While racing operators the world over are struggling to remedy dwindling on-course

Andrew Harrison Editor

attendances as pointed out by Steinhobel, it is betting turnover that ultimately greases the wheel. So if Cross is correct, and I assume he is talking television and social media, then the trick is to convert viewers into punters.

The struggle to get horses out of the country within a reasonable time to compete on the global stage continues but it is not for a lack of trying. Derek Brugman, racing manager for Mayfair Speculators, was at the head of a recent attempt to go via the USA whose quarantine protocols are less stringent than other racing jurisdictions but the plan was finally

Ada van der Bent

Henk Steenkamp

shelved as the costs proved prohibitive.

But it must be a powerful lobby that is preventing a change in export protocols. As Summerhill boss Mick Goss pointed out in his recent address to delegates at the ITBF conference in Cape Town, “While I don’t want to downplay the necessity of containing the disease, it’s worth mentioning that during the First and Second World Wars and those of the British empire before that, we exported more than 450,000 horses to those conflicts

Liesl King

Robyn Louw

wherever they took place, without ever infecting the recipient countries; that without the benefit of any pre-export quarantine other than the duration of the ship’s journey.

“It’s puzzling to me, that despite the technological age and the vast investment we’ve committed to our export facilities, it’s now more problematic than it’s ever been to get a horse out of South Africa, more so given the reality that the disease it not contagious.”

Sarah Whitelaw

Candiese Marnewick

I trust that you enjoy this edition of PARADE and it can also be viewed electronically on facebook https://www.facebook.com/Parade.Equine and issue.com/parade.mag

Michael Clower

David Thiselton

SOUTH AFRICAN RACECOURSE GPS CO-ORDINATES KENILWORTH S 33 59.808 E 18 28.723 8km from centre of Cape Town and 12 km from Cape Town International airport

DURBANVILLE S 33 50.446 E 18 38.308 20 km from centre of Cape Town and 14 km from Cape Town International airport

TURFFONTEIN S 26 14.386 E 28 03.185 4km from centre of Johannesburg and 25 km from OR Tambo International airport

GREYVILLE S 29 50.833 E 31 00.965 35 km from from King Shaka International Airport

FAIRVIEW S 33 56.008 E 25 22.865 26km from centre of Port Elizabeth and 22km from Port Elizabeth airport

SCOTTSVILLE S 29 36.618 E 30 24.047 arade MAGAZINE March 4 2km from centre of Pietermaritzburg and2017 75 km from centre of Durban

KIMBERLEY S 28 43.677 E 24 50.346 7km from centre of Kimberley and 10 km from Kimberley airport

VAAL S 26 44.601 E 27 54.283 8 km from Vereeniging, 60km from Johannesburg and 75km from OR Tambo international airport

Whisky raise a glass for

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Baron

by David Thiselton & Michael Clower

Sun Met winner Whisky Baron’s part-owner Ross Kieswetter admitted emotions had run high in their second floor box at Kenilworth and even a few tears were shed among the hugs and kisses.

H

is parents, Wayne and Belinda, and brother Craig, together with racing manager Craig Carey and his wife Amanda, have poured both professionalism and passion into the owning-and-breeding operation named Ridgemont Stud.

To have won the Met so early in Ridgemont’s existence was beyond words and Ross said, “The July is the July, but for a Capetonian to win the Met … it’s huge.”

Ross and Craig, who are the official owners of Whisky Baron, decided over dinner one night to name the Australian-bred horse in honour of their father and this made the win even more special.

Wayne is an entrepreneur whose business successes include a partnership in a whisky distillery company in Scotland.

Belinda was born in Scotland and sons Craig and Ross thus chose racing colours which resemble the national flag of Scotland, the St. Andrews Cross.

Ross became confident of victory at roundabout the 300m mark, at which stage Whisky Baron was ranging up to the favourite Legal Eagle. “Greg Cheyne had once told me this horse’s biggest asset was that he has a second kick,” he revealed.

Whisky Baron duly found another gear to draw clear and win by a cosy 1,5 lengths, thus giving trainer Brett Crawford his third Met and Cheyne his first.

Ross described racing as an “addiction” and said if this characteristic had not previously existed within him it had now “definitely kicked in!”

His father Wayne had been involved in racehorse ownership many years ago on a small scale and even used to work ride for his trainer Chris Snaith on Muizenberg beach.

When Wayne recently returned to the game his passion was evidenced by him buying Ross a racehorse for his 18th birthday. The Australian-bred colt by Elusive Quality, trained

by Joey Ramsden, went on to win four races.

About two years ago Wayne founded Ridgemont Stud as a

banner for the family’s racing and breeding operation.

Kieswetter brought in Craig and Amanda Carey, who have vast experience working with and breeding thoroughbreds as well as being involved in other industry concerns (Craig is a Director of Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) and Amanda is CTS’ Sales Manager).

Although racing and breeding is Wayne’s hobby, he has, dedicated himself to the Ridgemont operation “big time”, according to Carey and he and Carey have strategy and feedback meetings a few times a week.

Ridgemont Stud’s emphasis is on quality not quantity and they in fact currently have only about 24 horses in training.

It was decided at the time of Ridgemont’s formation that Craig and Ross Kieswetter would race the colts in their colours, while the fillies would run in the Ridgemont colours.

Whisky Baron, who was selected in Australia by Carey and trainer Joey Ramsden, was in fact the first racehorse Craig Kieswetter ever owned.

Craig Carey recalls Whisky Baron at the sales. He had a “huge hindquarter” and was a very good “mover”, so was purchased despite his sire Manhattan Rain having still been unproven at that stage.

Carey points out Ridgemont is very much a team effort and everybody involved participates actively. Ross, for example, has had a stint at both Klawervlei Stud, under the guidance of John Koster, and with trainer Willie Haggas in England, in order to learn the ins and outs of breeding and racing. He has also done some bid spotting.

Ridgemont recently bought one of South Africa’s most established stud farms, Highlands Farms Stud, which was taken to great heights by the late great business magnate Graham Beck. They have thus overnight landed some top quality bloodlines, including the reigning Equus Champion Broodmare, Our Table Mountain.

Ridgemont had earlier bought a plot in Wellington, where Craig and Amanda Carey now back and pre-train the

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company’s racehorses.

Mike Sharkey, the long-time stud manager of Highlands, will continue in his role, so is now also part of the Ridgemont team.

This suits Craig Carey as the plot in Wellington is a good base from which to visit Ridgemont’s horses in training (Racing Manager is one of Carey’s roles). The plot is also conveniently close to the airport, as Carey attends many sales around the globe on behalf of Ridgemont.

Craig Kieswetter played one day cricket for England 71 times as a wicketkeeper-batsman before an eye injury ended his career. He is now attempting to qualify for the European golf tour.

However, he flies back and forth between South Africa and Europe, so is still able to play an active role in Ridgemont.

Carey envisages Craig one day being very much part of the day to day running of the operation.

Ridgemont already have a couple of valuable broodmares overseas in Cold As Ice and In The Fast Lane, through whom they will be able to bring good thoroughbred genes into South Africa. The pair will stand in the UK and Australia respectively and will thus have access to top sires. However, their progeny will be imported to South Africa. Cold As Ice looks likely to go to Oasis Dream this season, while In The Fast Lane is in foal to one of Australia’s leading sires Snitzel.

Brett Crawford is currently Ridgemont’s chief trainer, but they also have five or six horses with Candice Bass-Robinson, one with Eric Sands, some with Alan Greeff in Port Elizabeth and a couple with Ormond Ferraris.

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However, they intend expanding their number of trainers.

Whisky Baron was given a well-deserved rest at Drakenstein Stud and Carey said the big horse would then likely be on his way to KZN, where the Vodacom Durban July will be his chief target.

Whisky Baron has been accorded a 120 merit rating by the handicappers, who used third placed Captain America as the line horse, so is likely to be top weight in the July.

Craig and Ross are only 29 and 23 years-old respectively. To have such dynamic youngsters achieving success as owners is brilliant news for South African racing.

MICHAEL CLOWER Whisky Baron, one of the gambles of the race, powered home to a famous victory in the Sun Met at Kenilworth.

Greg Cheyne set him alight halfway up the straight and struck the front 100m out, drawing clear to beat 2-1 favourite Legal Eagle by a length and a half with long-time leader Captain America third at 22-1.

Richard Fourie, fourth on Gold Standard, promptly lodged an objection to Captain America for interference but this was over-ruled by the stipes.

Cheyne said: “I tried to get into a good position early on but unfortunately I couldn’t maintain it. Luckily Anthony Delpech on Bela-Bela found the fence and I was able to get in and tack on the back of Legal Eagle. When I asked him for his effort he turned it on superbly.”

This was the third Met success for trainer Brett Crawford who confessed to a few anxious moments: “I was very worried at

the back turn because he couldn’t get cover and early in the straight I thought he was labouring. But it has been a fairytale. Since we gelded him in July he has won all his five races.”

The four-year-old is owned by Ross Kieswetter and his brother Craig who played cricket for England. They named him after their father Wayne whose whisky interests include a distillery in Scotland.

The brothers now have their sights set on the Vodacom Durban July with the family’s racing manager Craig Carey saying: “Brett must decide but the obvious route is Durban and head for the July.”

Just under an hour earlier Frankie Dettori thrilled the crowd by winning the Investec Cape Derby on Edict Of Nantes, raising his arms in triumph as he entered the winner’s circle and leaping into the air in trademark fashion.

His mount was only an 11-2 chance but the colt strode clear a furlong out to beat Zodiac Ruler by nearly two lengths with 100-1 chance Captain Gambler third.

Dettori said: “I got in a good position and played my cards at the 500m mark. I kicked really hard and soon got the field in trouble.

“I’ve won a lot of Derbies and after winning at Epsom on Golden Horn in 2015 Bernard Kantor asked me to come out for the Cape one so this was a very touching win for me.”

This was another major triumph for Crawford and the colt also has the July on his shopping list.

Candice Bass-Robinson had her first Grade 1 winner when Delpech and Nightingale finished fast to get up almost on the line in the Klawervlei Majorca Stakes.

Greg Cheyne, won on Whisky Baron: “When I asked him for his effort he turned it on superbly. Some horses quicken but this one has two kicks.”

Anton Marcus, second on Legal Eagle: “He tried hard and he ran up to his best. In fact he ran the same race as last year.”

Corne Orffer, third on Captain America: “I thought for a time that he might hold on but then he started running outwards, using up his energy. I could have been a lot closer had he kept straight.”

Richard Fourie, fourth on Gold Standard: “It was a good run but I got interfered with. Captain America carried me out the width of eight horses.”

Grant van Niekerk, fifth on Marinaresco: “He is not travelling in a race like he used to and I need to figure out why his putting in only half the effort he should.”

Weichong Marwing, sixth on French Navy: “Everything went according to plan but he just kept on at the one pace.”

Piere Strydom, eighth on It’s My Turn: “He didn’t take the bend and I had to slap him down the shoulder to keep him in.”

Frankie Dettori, 13th on The Conglomerate: “He was OK early but he was soon throwing out distress signals. He took me to the straight and then he ran flat.”

model – Uavhona Thenga and Whisky Baron.

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Anton Marcus and legal eagle.

King Queen’s of the

by Michael Clower

Liesl King

Legal Eagle became the first dual winner of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate since the mighty Pocket Power when sweeping to an almost effortless victory at Kenilworth on the first Saturday of the New Year.

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A

nton Marcus had the odds-on favourite ideally placed throughout and, when he pressed the button in earnest approaching the furlong marker, Markus Jooste’s five-year-old stormed clear to beat 28-1 shot Captain America by two and a quarter lengths with 66-1 stable companion Sail South finishing like a rocket to take third, a fast-dwindling three-quarters of a length away.

“It was straightforward. He is a very good horse and he is five for five over a mile,” said the four-time champion who immediately pointed to the threat that will be posed by Whisky Baron in the Sun Met on Saturday fortnight.

Champion trainer Sean Tarry, though, revealed that he had had a few concerns beforehand, saying: “I wasn’t convinced about his last gallop which I thought was a bit ordinary although Anton was happy with it. But this win gets us all excited for the things to come.”

Marinaresco, the 2-1 second favourite, was the big disappointment of the race which he spent most of with only one behind him. Approaching the furlong marker he was still eight lengths off the leader and, although he made up five of them, fourth was as close as he could get.

“I was miles back and way out of my ground,” reported a deeply disappointed Grant van Niekerk. “The horse didn’t enjoy it and we never had much of a chance. It would have been better if I’d had a decent draw.”

His mount will be better suited by the extra 400m of the Met when Captain will also renew rivalry with Legal Eagle who now looks like going off a short-priced favourite. Bela-Bela also seems certain to be in the line-up after getting up almost in the last stride of the Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes.

Marcus rode this one too but had a far more difficult time.

“I had a few anxious moments – the pace was ordinary and in the straight they sprinted away from her. To get up from the position she was in was full of merit. It was her class that did it.”

The Varsfontein four-year-old is in the Klawervlei Majorca but trainer Justin Snaith has long had the Met as his ultimate target as it is one of the few races that he, and indeed his father too, have never won.

Whisky Baron, trained like Captain America and Sail South

by Brett Crawford, has been heavily backed for the great race in the last few weeks and he ran out a comfortable winner of the Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap under Greg Cheyne.

Horizon, who cost a staggering R5.2 million as a yearling, may yet prove worth it because he ran out a supremely convincing winner of the Cartier Politician Stakes and now goes for the Investec Cape Derby.

Van Niekerk, who had to do nothing more strenuous than give a single wave of his whip, said: “He was looking around a bit but he won with authority.”

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Anton Marcus and bela-bela.

“To get up from the position she was in was full of merit.

It was her class that did it.”

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Klawervlei Stud had an outstanding Cape Summer Of Champions Season in which they were breeders of four individual Gr 1 winners.

In the process they sealed a clean sweep of the Summer’s Gr 1 Classic races, courtesy of William Longsword, Just Sensual and Edict Of Nantes.

Their other Cape Summer celebrity was the brilliant sprinter by Captain Al, Carry On Alice, whose win of the Cape Flying Championships ensured she has won a Gr 1 in all four seasons in which she has raced.

Klawervlei also bred Gr 2 winner Jo’s Bond and Listed winner Epona.

William Longsword looks to be a ready-made successor to his ageing father Captain Al, a Champion Sire who has played a massive part in the Klawervlei success story.

The long-striding bay stands out in the running, such is his presence, and proved himself the best three-year-old in the country when exacting revenge on Selangor Cup winner Gold Standard in the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas. The strapping pair dominated the finish and William Longsword emerged the winner by half-a-length. He followed up with a cosy win in the US$500,000 CTS Mile. A decision pends on whether William Longsword trains on or retires to stud.

However, he will have already attracted a ton of interest from breeders.

In the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas the beautifully-bred Dynasty filly Just Sensual moved up readily in the straight and in a thrilling duel over the last 300m got the better of the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes winner Safe Harbour. Front-running tactics from a wide draw did not suit her next time out in the CTS Mile. However, in her next start in the Gr 3 Vasco Taverna Prix du Cap she proved suited to a handy role over the shorter 1400m trip and came away to win in impressive style.

The Count Dubois colt Edict Of Nantes was a narrow runner up in the Selangor Cup over 1600m and a running on fifth from a wide draw in the Cape Guineas. However, he then proved middle distances were more his game by winning the Cape Derby over 2000m in comfortable fashion under the legendary jockey Frankie Dettori. He settled beautifully behind a slow pace and drew away in the closing stages to win by 1,75 lengths from the Gr 2 winner Zodiac Ruler.

William Longsword’s dam Pagan Princess has also produced the Gr 1 winner over 1200m Real Princess. Pagan Princess was barren last year and is now in foal again to Captain Al. Just Sensual’s dam Consensual, who was an Equus Champion Two-year-old, has a Captain Al foal at foot and is in foal to Klawervlei’s new sire Coup de Grace, a USA-bred Gr 2-winning son of Tapit.

Edict Of Nantes’ dam Pagan Dance has an Elusive Fort filly at foot and is in foal to Trippi.

Klawervlei had, not surprisingly , carved out a big lead on the National Breeder’s log by the end of the Cape Summer. They look set to regain the title they won for two years consecutively in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons.

Klawervlei

Stud

Leading SA Breeders 2016-17 (to 26/2/2017) EDICT OF NANTES

WILLIAM LONGSWORD

JUST SENSUAL

G1 INVESTEC CAPE DERBY

G1 GRAND PARADE CAPE GUINEAS

G1 CAPE FILLIES GUINEAS

A Guineas Double & The Derby in 2017 CARRY ON ALICE

JO’S BOND

WILLIAM LONGSWORD

G1 CAPE FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP

G2 CTS SOUTHERN CROSS STAKES

THE $500,000 CTS MILE

Champion SA Breeders 2014 & 2015

The Source

Klawervlei Stud | PO Box 266, Bonnievale 6730 | Tel: (023) 616 2980 | Fax: (023) 616 2548 John Köster | Cell: 082 880 7943 | E-mail: john@klawervlei.co.za or Grant Knowles | Cell: 082 882 9774 | E-mail: grant@klawervlei.co.za

Something

Scandal and Craig Zackey win the Glendore Sprint in south african course record time at Fairview.

Prove TO

by Henk Steenkamp

Just when the role players involved in racing in the Eastern Cape can give themselves a pat on the back a new challenge now awaits their urgent attention.

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I

t is not a nice feeling when there are setbacks soon after certain goals have been achieved through hard work but unfortunately there is no time to sit back and reap the rewards. The East Cape must get ready for the next fight and the hard work has already started to prove the province has an important role to play in South African racing.

This year the East Cape has no Gr3-races to look forward too. The World Sports Betting (WSB) East Cape Derby, the Betting World Algoa Cup and the Champion Juvenile Cup have all been downgraded to Listed status.

The chairman of the local Racing Association (RA), trainer Grant Paddock, acknowledge that the downgrading of the big races in the province is a huge setback.

The impact that the downgrading will have on racing in the East Cape will probably only be felt after those three events later this year.

Paddock and the other decision makers in Port Elizabeth are not quite sure what steps they are going to take to counter these setbacks, but they are up for the fight.

“The downgrading is a problem and I don’t think we will be getting the Gr3-status back but at least the prize money stays the same,” says Paddock.

“That the Derby meeting will be on a Saturday this year is a huge positive for us.”

The PE racing fraternity have been crying out for a Saturday meeting for a long time now and they get that opportunity on 13 May. “That weekend we will be racing on the Friday and Saturday. That will be much better with no gap between the meetings. Racing people from outside the province will be able to join us for that weekend.

“We will now just have to market our big races even more and make sure quality horses still visit Fairview for those races,” Paddock said.

Another setback is that PE now has to wait for a turn to host the first leg of the annual Air Mauritius International Jockeys’ challenge again.

The past two years the first leg of the Challenge was hosted

by PE and was one of the highlights on the racing calendar.

Now Fairview will only get a chance every third year, as this meeting will alternate between venues.

Paddock is proud of the fact that PE hosted this meeting successfully and that it attracted a lot of spectators to the track.

“The Derby and Algoa Cup meetings were also well attended in recent years. It was hard to get the crowds to the track but we have succeeded in that. If the quality horses don’t come to us anymore the crowds also won’t come.

“Tremendous work has been done on the marketing side and we had great crowds at Fairview. I think we have showed that here in PE we can get the big crowds to the track, but we need good racing to keep those crowds coming.

“We got new sponsors in and the WSB Poly Challenge was a huge success. It was a big draw card.

“We have got great facilities and our tracks are top class.

Along with the good racing we can offer spectators all the extras, especially in the HB Christian Room, for a great racing experience,” Paddock explained.

Every year Port Elizabeth trainers say that racing in the Friendly City is getting more and more competitive. Paddock agreed with these opinions and reckons PE racing has become stronger than Durban.

“The PE horses are of a better quality now. We are incredibly strong. You can’t keep a moderate horse for too long in PE,” he said.

What is encouraging for the PE stables is that they have been competing better in the big races recently than in previous years. Many Listed races in PE were won by local stables, where in the recent past the raiders made a clean sweep.

“I think we have showed that here in PE we can get the big crowds to the track, but we need good racing to keep those crowds coming.”

Last season the Alan Greeff trained filly O’ Tamara won the then Gr3 Champion Juvenile Cup. Oomph, Crown Of Gold, Bella Spumante, Clear Sailing, Purely Atomic, Memphis Mafia, Copper Parade and Strong Scent all won Listed races.

“We have good quality trainers in PE. Here are horsemen and women than can hold their own anywhere in the country.

“In all, the big PE races we were competitive. We don’t mind that good horses like Nebula and Gold Standard came and raced here. We want those horses here for the big races.

Good horses attract the crowds and the crowds attract turnover,” Paddock added.

Paddock sees it as the duty of the local RA to protect the interest of the PE owners and trainers.

“It is a difficult task and at times frustrating. We are a small group of local owners. We must look after them. The owners must be on top of the ladder.

“A problem is that we haven’t got enough young owners.

There is some work to do getting the young people involved in the sport. It is scary not to see young owners getting involved.

We need that new blood.

“But we are still here. We live for the sport. We are passionate for the game and everybody needs to stand together to make things work.

“But we must always remember to put the horse first in this industry. Without the horse we are nothing.”

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Global tar S Maurice - the story of a

by Liesl King

On the 2nd of March 2011 a bay colt by 2008 Japan Cup winner Screen Hero (JPN) was born. Bred by Togawa Bokujo, the good-looking colt with a star and four white socks was out of the unplaced Carnegie mare Mejiro Frances (JPN).

C

onsigned as a two-year-old at the Hokkaido Breeders’ Association sale, the colt fetched 10,500,000 Yen and was bought by Kazumi Yoshida, wife of the renowned Katsumi Yoshida, owner of Northern Farm.

Sent to trainer Naohiro Yoshida, the colt named Maurice won a 1400m race at Hanshin Racecourse at two, but failed to shine as a three-year-old and was transferred to the stables of trainer Noriyuki Hori. As a four-year-old Maurice made his first start for his new trainer a winning one. Hori then stepped the colt up in class, entering Maurice in the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy over 1600m at Nakayama Racecourse on the 5th of April 2015.

It was to be the start of a five race, winning spree. During the next 13 months Maurice captured the G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse and the G1 Mile Championship in Kyoto, before jetting off to Hong Kong to add the prestigious G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and the G1 Champions Mile both

at Sha Tin to his record. Maurice, who ended the year with the title of JRA Horse of the Year, was now one of the world’s milers.

A trip to the Dubai World Cup at Meydan loomed, with connections nominating Maurice for the G1 Dubai Turf, run over 1800m. Maurice however, had been turned out at Northern Farm after his Sha Tin victory and Hori battled to get the colt, who gives his all in every race, ready in time.

“His main asset is that he tries so hard in every race, but it is also his weakness as it takes him time to recover”, explained Hori. A training setback followed and any chance of a run in the Dubai Turf was scuppered. 5 June 2016 saw Maurice back in Tokyo to defend his G1 Yasuda Kinen crown, but it was not to be with the now five-year-old going down by 1.25 lengths to Logotype (JPN). Another second followed, this time in the G2 Sapporo Kinen with Maurice beaten two lengths by Neorealism (JPN). The Sapporo Kinen being a 2000m race, was Maurice’s first attempt at a step up in distance.

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Liesl King

Now most trainers would immediately drop back to the entire’s tried and tested distance of the mile. Hori however, is not most trainers and barely a month later, Maurice stepped out on the Kyoto turf to line up in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) again over a distance of 2000m. The only change being the jockey, with Ryan Moore, who was aboard for his Mile Championship victory in Kyoto and the Longines Hong Kong Mile, back in the saddle.

This time Maurice took no prisoners, beating G1 Dubai Turf winner Real Steel (JPN) by a convincing one and a half lengths with Logotype back in fifth. With stud duties on the horizon, Hori decided that Maurice would have one final race before retiring to stud. What better place for a farewell than the World Turf Championships, the Longines Hong Kong International Races held at Sha Tin in December.

Most expected the talented entire to finish off his glittering career with an easy defence of his G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile crown. For Hori though it was go big or go home and he nominated Maurice for the hotly contested G1 Longines

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Hong Kong Cup over 2000m.

This would not be an easy swansong, with the likes of the 2015 start to finish winner A Shin Hikari (JPN) in the field. A Shin Hikari had in the mean time added the G1 Prix d’Ispahan at Chantilly to his impressive record and with regular rider Yutaka Take in the saddle many considered him the firm favourite to take the Hong Kong Cup for a second year running. The star studded line up also included the Andre Fabre trained G1 winner Elliptique (IRE), John Moore’s multiple G1 winner Designs On Rome (IRE) and Japanese G1 winners Queens Ring (JPN), Lovely Day (JPN) and multiple G1 placed Staphanos (JPN). The 2016 Longines Hong Kong Cup would be no walkover.

After causing havoc in the parade ring when breaking loose from his handlers, the quirky A Shin Hikari set a strong pace from the jump and Yutaka Take seemed happy to let the striking grey dictate the tactics. The pair turned for home six lengths clear of the field and a runaway victory seemed inevitable. Moore however had not yet moved on Maurice.

The Japanese certainly know how to celebrate their heroes and on the 15th of January, fans gathered in their numbers at the Nakayama Racecourse to bid farewell to the six-time Group 1 winner.

The World Champion rider is not one for flamboyant tactics and keeping Maurice close to the rail, Moore quietly weaved his mount through gaps as and when they appeared.

Half way up the straight, Moore steered Maurice alongside A Shin Hikari’s and in a matter of strides it was race over.

Maurice took command, storming clear to win by three lengths from Secret Weapon and Zac Purton, with Staphanos and Christophe Soumillon in third. This time A Shin Hikari’s free running style did not do the trick, with the entire dropping back to finish a distant tenth. “He is a very talented horse, but he either wins really well or loses really badly", explained his trainer Masanori Sakaguchi.

Moore, a man of few words if any, in fact just marginally more than Hori, could not contain his joy. “He’s very good at a mile but he is even better at ten (furlongs). He gets better every time I ride him.” Then after his last ride on the entire who had achieved the impossible, winning an International Group 1 over a mile and over 2000m, Moore, who rarely cracks a smile and only offers the bare minimum on any horse, added

with a smile, “He’s lots of fun to ride!”

In winning the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup Maurice became only the second Japanese horse to win three Group 1’s abroad, following in the footsteps of triple Sha Tin winner, Eishin Preston. The Japanese certainly know how to celebrate their heroes and on the 15th of January, fans gathered in their numbers at the Nakayama Racecourse to bid farewell to the six-time Group 1 winner.

Maurice was treated to a superb retirement ceremony with 30 lucky fans given a chance to pose for photos with the superstar. Racing’s loss is the breeders’ gain. Maurice, who retired with 11 wins and including six at Group 1 level will stand the 2017 season at stud in Japan, where he will covered amongst others the two-time Horse of the Year and multiple Group 1 winner Gentildonna (JPN). A Southern Hemisphere shuttle to Arrowfield Stud in Australia has also been announced. Farewell Maurice, you have entertained and enthralled us well.

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orldwide W

by Robyn Louw

Kirsten Rausing and Gimmethegreenlight.

The International Thoroughbred Breeders Federation (ITBF) is the representative body for thoroughbred breeders worldwide and provides a platform for member countries to reflect, solve problems, educate and create opportunities for mutual collaboration and assistance.

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T

he ITBF acts as a liaison body with racing and allied institutions and authorities, so that the International Thoroughbred Breeding Industry is represented and given space on worldwide forums.

This year’s congress was hosted by the TBA at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town from 6-12 January 2017. The speakers and subjects were as interesting as they were varied, covering subjects ranging from genomics to vaccine manufacture, sustainability and ethics to insurance. But it didn’t stop at the rostrum - the assembled delegates came from far and wide across the Thoroughbred breeding spectrum and beyond and all had wonderful knowledge to share. It was a fascinating, challenging and inspiring couple of days.

After settling in and adjusting to the local time zone, delegates were treated to South Africa’s famous hospitality with an outing to the inaugural Queen’s Plate Festival weekend.

Day 1 Proceedings began in earnest on Sunday, 8 January, with a closed session on Infectious Diseases. The open session started at 11am with a presentation from Dr Tarryn Dent from global animal health company Zoetis on the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) vaccine, particularly pertinent after the recent outbreak in Kentucky. Zoetis (which has morphed from Fort Dodge, to becoming a subsidiary of Pfizer and finally to Zoetis) has encountered logistical difficulties caused by their administrative changes, which has resulted in a shortage of the vaccine worldwide. There was lively Q&A and while there were some tough questions for Dr Dent, it proved productive and informative.

Dr John Grewar (formerly of State Vet Boland and currently working for Wits Equine Health Fund, brought the assembly abreast of the most recent changes and developments on the battle on AHS. He briefly explained South Africa’s existing export options (Mauritius and the USA), sketching how these work. With talk of a group of horses being readied for a possible foray to the USA, this received close attention, with the lack of exercise facilities and resultant loss of bone density of particular interest as well as South Africa’s CEM status, which requires additional post quarantine testing. Dr Grewar outlined South Africa’s planned roadmap to being able to export globally and Prof Ian Sanne was on hand to shed some additional light, sharing the very welcome news that efforts are being pooled for a new vaccine based on a Canary Pox construct. The development of this vaccine is predicted to have a 3 year timeline, but will require some allimportant funding to be successful.

The afternoon session was dedicated to Genomics, with Professor Max Rothschild giving a brief overview of the discipline and then discussing the current market offerings from Equinome, Equine Analysis Systems and ThoroughGEN and giving a critical evaluation of each. Dr Brandon Vellie followed up with an explanation of Genetics and Genomics in racing in his presentation “Speed isn’t everything” including

Dr John Grewar.

very interesting data and case studies for how the application of genomics and gene mapping can identify and address genetically related health problems. Although the discipline may not yet offer a fail proof recipe for success, it can be successfully employed to avoid unnecessary and costly problems and as he said ‘Having 99 things to worry about is better than 100’. The presentations generated lively Q&A from the delegates, which closed out the afternoon’s session.

Day 2 Day two began with a fascinating overview of global breeding and racing data by the Irish Equine Centre’s Dr Des Leadon and it was thought-provoking – and a little surprising – to see where and how the world’s horses – and Thoroughbreds – are spread. Figures indicate that we are an industry in decline on a global basis, but contrary to most, Dr Leadon interprets this data as an indicator that we need to market ourselves better. He also emphasised that the industry should campaign together with one voice to reach sufficient critical mass in order to effect change.

Professor Warwick Bayly from Washington State University discussed the value of the existing products of the breeding industry and the latest veterinary advances in Reproduction, Orthopaedics, Respiratory dysfunction, general medical issues and Imaging. Included was a discussion on uterine

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“Iris is going to give you the opportunity to reflect on those casual assumptions and to do so in a very organised and systematic way. Some of you aren't going to like what she's going to say because she's going to shatter your illusions.” health and fertility, orthopaedic injury and disease and the existing diagnostic options as well as new technologies. The most interesting new bit of science was the use of sound analysis as a substitute for the over ground scope in assessing respiratory dysfunction. Perhaps the most important point we were left with was his statement that in terms of diagnosing disease, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence – just an indication that we need more time to figure things out.

I cannot improve on Dr Leadon’s introduction to Dr Iris Bergmann whose presentation centred on sustainability. Dr Leadon said “Iris introduced a concept that made me think very deeply and I know will make you think very deeply. She introduced the concept of sustainability of what we do and what we take for granted.

And what we believe that society welcomes us doing.

Iris is going to give you the opportunity to reflect on those casual assumptions and to do so in a very organised and systematic way. Some of you aren't going to like what she's going to say because she's going to shatter your illusions.”

And that's exactly what she quietly and determinedly did.

Perhaps the most arresting of Dr Bergmann’s statements was that “The idea of a competitive animal sport operating in its own bubble is archaic. We operate under a social license.”

The reasons are many and varied, but it is clear this issue will require careful thought going forward. I highly recommend that everyone watch Dr Bergmann’s presentation. Preferably twice.

The afternoon was rounded off with a three-pronged presentation by David Ashby, the MD of Amlin and Chairman of the Lloyds Livestock Committee who sketched the history of Lloyds. He handed over to Juliet Redfern, the MD of Markel International and the lead underwriters on local bloodstock, who explained some of the processes, risks and rewards of insuring horses. It was gratifying to hear her praise not only of our local animal husbandry practices, but also our local expertise.

Dr Fred Barrelet of Newmarket’s Rossdale & Partners provided a veterinary perspective of the Bloodstock Insurance. He stated that the horse’s welfare must always

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be at the forefront of any decision made on its behalf and stressed the need for vets not only to be taught horsemanship, but to be an advocate for the horse. He had strong opinions on issues such as sales prep and medication rules and echoed Dr Leadon in saying the industry needs to work together with other aspects of the horse world firstly to gain an effective voice and secondly to be the voice of reason to those making policy decisions.

Hospitality Varsfontein treated the guests to a champagne reception, a viewing of their resident stallions and we were also given a demonstration in a new microchipping technique developed by the Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Traceability Systems Specialist, Adrienne Herron. It is perhaps less of a new technique, than an infinitely more sensible application site, which uses the top lip of a horse, rather than the traditionally accepted nuchal ligament area of the neck. It appeared simple, easy and painless for the horse, as well as offering the important additional benefits including that mucosal tissues heal faster, scar less and are also a more sterile environment than the neck area and that ‘lip chips’ are much less likely to migrate. Crucially, the site makes use of the horse’s natural curiosity and behavior, making scanning far simpler.

The Varsfontein team laid on a magnificent menu of local food for the visitors and delegates were treated to a predinner speech by Summerhill’s Mick Goss. Extracted at no small effort from his family holiday on the coast, he quipped ‘never in the field of human endeavour has so much been spent by so few to get a single Zulu farmer to a supper date.’

There are few to rival Mick’s oratorial skills and he did us proud. Being used to the stringent export protocols which have been part of our lives for so long, it is something we rarely stop to fully appreciate and it was a jolt to see it again through Mick’s eyes. He closed off by appealing, as only he can, to the assembly and explaining in terms of exporting the dreaded African Horse Sickness, how dangerous our horses’s aren’t. One can only hope his words fell on fertile soil.

Our visitors finished off their Cape tour on Wednesday, with a stallion viewing and magnificent lunch at Avontuur Estate hosted by the ebullient Pippa Mickleburgh and then a drive to Drakenstein Stud for a stallion viewing and high tea.

It was an incredible collection of veterinary, breeding and academic minds from across the spectrum and the world and a rare privilege having access to all of them. I barely got to scratch the surface in talking to everyone during their stay, but can attest that anyone who did not attend, sorely missed out.

All the open session speakers’ addresses were videod and can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/user52282223 and I would highly encourage everyone to set aside time to view them. Thanks are due to the ITBF for selecting South Africa to host this year’s congress, to the TBA for doing such a magnificent job as host and to all the speakers and attendees for a most thought-provoking and enlightening few days.

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Champions stuff of

by Ada van der Bent

Nkosi Hlophe

The blockbuster Cape Premier Yearling Sale may have overtaken the National Sale as far as hype and international support goes, however, a rock-solid entry from local breeders clearly points to a steadfast belief in this time-honoured sale.

T

he quality for which the champion-making sale is renowned, is best illustrated by the success of its graduates. Over the past four seasons alone, the Nationals have been the source of a dozen individual Gr1 winners who have captured 28 of the country’s most coveted races. These alumni include the Horse of the Year recipients Legislate and Legal Eagle, Triple Crown winner Abashiri and last season’s top three-year-old Marinaresco.

To be held over three days starting May 3, a total of 492 choice yearlings are set to go under the hammer, prime amongst which are siblings to champions Ebony Flyer,

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Captain’s Lover, Marinaresco, Bela-Bela, Rabiya, Along Came Polly and Talktothestars, such Gr1 winners as Red Ray, Querari Falcon, Nania, Forest Indigo, Smart Banker, Heavy Metal and Wavin’ Flag, as well as a three-parts brother in blood to Triple Crown winner Louis The King.

A hallmark of the sale is the depth of its sire roster and all of the biggest names in the local sires ranks feature amongst the 52 different stallions represented.

Ruling champion Trippi created the headlines at last year’s sale as the sire of the most expensive yearling, the R2.5 million filly out of Ilha Grande, a stakes winning daughter of former Horse of the Year Ilha Da Vitoria. With just six lots on offer, the rarity value of his draft will guarantee brisk bidding, particularly on the colt out of champion juvenile and Gr1 winner Laverna.

Captain Al, who topped the general list two seasons ago, is enjoying another stellar season with Gr1 winners Carry On Alice and William Longsword. On paper, the standouts amongst his 16-strong draft are a coveted pair of fillies, a daughter and a grandaughter of broodmare extraordinare Mystic Spring. She has achieved lasting fame as the dam of champions Rabiya and Bela-Bela, while her Gr3 winning daughter Spring Lilac’s yearling is an own sister to the R2million filly sold here twelve months ago.

Silvano Former champion Silvano had a boomer of a sale in 2016 when he amassed the highest aggregate of any stallion, selling 16 lots for over R13,7 million. The Maine Chance stalwart now has 20 choicely-bred youngsters on offer, headed by an

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Former champion Silvano had a boomer of a sale in 2016 when he amassed the highest aggregate of any stallion, selling 16 lots for over R13,7 million. own brother to Gold Cup hero Wavin’Flag and the first foal, a filly, out of champion Princess Victoria.

Dynasty remains one of the hottest stallions around and he will be represented by 24 lots, ten more than last year. The former Horse of the Year, who narrowly missed out on a first champion title two seasons ago, is the sire of a half-sister to Gr1 winner Ivory Trail and three-part siblings to the stakes winners Negroamaro, Fort Petersburg and Stormy Coast.

Leading sprint stallion Var is as popular as ever and choice amongst his 27 lots are siblings to stakes winners Hammie’s Hooker, Forries Waltz, Control Freak, Fragrant Al, Rekindle, Isphan and Jet Set Go, as well as a filly out of Gr1 winner Urabamba and colts out of Gr2 winning mares Festival Of Fire and Checcetti.

Varsfontein’s Judpot is the most represented sire in the catalogue with 30 yearlings. He covered an enviable book of mares in 2014 and a quick glance at his draft reveals a mouthwatering selection which includes own-brothers to Gr1 winners Forest Indigo and Along Came Polly, half-brothers to Gr1 winners Captain America, Potent Power and Flax and to Singapore champion Lizarre.

His barnmate Gimmethegreenlight continues to build on his flying start as last season’s leading freshman sire and amongst the dams of his 17 on offer are the stakes winners Oceana, Valor Red and Polzeath.

Visionaire, the leading freshman sire of two seasons ago, has 16 catalogued, headed by a half-brother to Fenerbahce and yearlings out of stakes winners Legally Blonde (Gr1), La Pucelle, Silver Nun and Comtesse Dubois.

What A Winter and Oratorio, whose first-crop yearlings made a notable impact in the sales ring last year, are sure to be in demand, having tasted success on the track with their first runners. The former is the sire of the latest scion out of the blue hen mare Nacarat, a three-part brother in blood to the Gr1 winners Red Ray and Nania, while Oratorio’s halfbrother to champions Ebony Flyer and Captain’s Lover rates as his prime representative. Crusade, too, has registered his first winner and he is sire of a half-brother to ill-fated Gold Cup hero Wild One. As is so often the case when a stallion dies, his progeny suddenly come to life. Sail From Seattle is a classic example for at the time of writing, the son of Gone West is leading the

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way with nine individual two-year-old winners. He has on offer 24 youngsters from his final crop, headed by the half-brothers to Gr1 winner Smart Banker and Gold Cup runner-up Balance Sheet.

On a more poignant note, the sale will also feature the final yearlings of Mauritzfontein’s grand stallion Fort Wood and his famed son Horse Chestnut. A champion sire, broodmare sire and successful sire, Fort Wood has cast a long shadow on the South African racing and breeding industry and as befits a horse of his stature, his small, but select draft of eight warrant the greatest respect. These include a half-brother to KZN Derby winner Cape Speed as well as the first foals, both colts, out of the accomplished speedsters and graded stakes winners, Franny and Welwitschia.

Exciting new stallions Whereas this will be swan song for some, a number of exciting new stallions will be making their National Sales bows, hottest of which is likely to be Drakenstein newcomer, the proven European classic sire Duke Of Marmalade. His quality 21-strong draft features siblings to stakes winners Halve The Deficit, Captain Splendid, Princess Ofthesky and Changingoftheguard, as well as youngsters out of the stakes winning mares Bad Girl Runs (Gr1), Louvre, Sangria Girl, Schiffer, Candy Singer, Rei Rei and Mina Salaam.

Master Of My Fate, a Gr2 winning son of the late powerhouse Jet Master, likewise has 21 first-crop youngsters on offer, amongst which are siblings to stakes winners The Merry Widow, Double Whammy and Badger’s Cove, as well as a three-parts brother in blood to the mighty sprinter J J The Jet Plane.

Noble Tune is the only son of Unbridled’s Song at stud in South Africa. A Gr2 winner and Gr1-placed to boot, he is also a half-brother to multiple American Gr1 winner Honor Code.

He is the sire of a colt, the first foal of SA Fillies Nursery victress Hidden Beauty.

Triple Gr1 winner Jackson joined his sire Dynasty at Highlands Stud following a star-studded career and of particular interest amongst his nine catalogued is the three-part sister to classic winner Alexis. His barnmate Potala Palace, a R3.6 million graduate of the 2010 sale, retired to his birthplace a Gr1 winner and his trio on offer includes the half-brother to Gr3 winner Ultimate Dollar.

Rounding out the first-crop sires are Royal Academy’s South African-bred son Ato, a champion and dual Gr1 winning sprinter in Singapore and the exciting Storm Cat Horse Where’s That Tiger, who has impressed with his Australian-bred imports, the Gr1 performer Samurai Blade and stakes winners Supertube, Tiger’s Touch and Tiger Quest. Ato is the sire of a first-crop colt out of Gr2 Oaks runner-up Sky Pirate, while the latter has on offer a half-sister to Gr2 winner Cosmic Light.

Space constraints limit the mention of many other choice lots, however from the above sample it is clear that there is plenty to whet the appetite of the most discerning buyer.

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Heating Up Cape Premier Yearling Sale

by Ada van der Bent

The 2017 Cape Premier Yearling Sale lived up to its billing as the hottest of its kind on the South African circuit.

H

eld in air-conditioned comfort over two days, Cape Town’s inner city sale has become a firm favourite on the global sales calendar and just as last year, a deep international buying bench again dominated proceedings.

Now in its seventh year, frenetic trade on the second day lifted the 2017 renewal to new heights, resulting in double digit increases in both aggregate (14%) and average (16%).

At the close of business, 222 youngsters had changed hands for a total of R155 225 000, at an average price of R699 212.

The median stood at R387 500, up from R375 000 in 2016, while the clearance rate was an impressive 94%.

Spirited competition among the buyers resulted in no less than 41 yearlings breaching the seven figure mark, up from 32 in 2016.

Coolmore’s M V Magnier, the buyer of last year’s record R6-million Silvano colt, equalled that price when he snared a son of Trippi from vendor Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud on the opening day. The colt is the first foal of Dynasty mare Demanding Lady, whose signature win came in Turffontein’s Gr.2 Ipi Tombe Challenge. Amongst the standouts on the pedigree page was a name quite familiar to Magnier, that of young Coolmore stallion and Dewhurst Stakes winner War Command.

The Trippi had been touted as a likely sales topper in the days leading up to the sale, as had a high quality Dynasty colt from Lammerskraal Stud, Sovereign Sway. Offered towards the end of the second day, this one fell just short of the record price when the hammer came down at R5.75 million. Kuda Holdings signed for this most coveted of colts, who was purchased ‘for a partnership” and is destined for the Bass stable. The bay is the first foal of Lammerskraal’s homebred Jet Master mare Viva Maria, a runaway winner of the Gr.1 Woolavington 2000.

Coolmore added another choice Lammerskraal offering to its list of high-profile purchases when Tom Magnier went to R4.5-million for the Dynasty half-brother to Gr.1 Cape Guineas winner and young Summerhill stallion, Solo Traveller. Magnier

gave his vote of confidence in the local industry when he tweeted on social media: “Exciting purchases at the CTS. Imagine if there was freedom of movement for South African horses … “ A quartet of yearlings by the mighty Frankel was always going to be a main draw card and it was only fitting that one of his daughters became the sale’s dearest filly at R4-million.

American agent Justin Casse had kept his powder dry for the grandaughter of champion English juvenile filly Damson and held off all challengers for the bay.

In another coup for CTS, David Redvers made an auspicious debut at this sale. He is adviser to Pearl Bloodstock, the moniker of Qatar’s Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who of course raced Duke Of Marmalade’s excellent daughter Simple Verse. Redvers made his mark when he snapped up a pair of Captain Al colts for R4.5 million and R3,25 million respectively.

The rise of the China Horse Club has been well chronicled and after making its debut twelve months ago, the powerful global entity returned to feature amongst the top buyers, outlaying R3.75-million on a Captain Al colt and R2.8-million on a son of popular freshman sire What A Winter, who is fast making an impact with his first runners.

Not surprisingly, Frankel emerged as the sale’s leading sire by average, his four lots selling for R4-million, R2.5-million R1-million and R900 000 respectively, at an average of R2.1 million.

Whereas the progeny of established stallions Captain Al (the sales leader by aggregate), Dynasty, Silvano, Var and Trippi deservedly cornered the market, newcomers Jackson and Duke Of Marmalade also piqued the interest of the buying bench, emerging as the leading freshman sires by average and aggregate respectively.

Klawervlei, through sheer weight of numbers, led all vendors by aggregate, having sold 53 lots for a total of R47 075 000, while Lammerskraal edged out Drakenstein as the sale’s leading vendor by average, returning an excellent average of R2 325 000 for their five lots sold.

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lot 32.

Reflecting on the sale, CTS Director Craig Carey remarked: “This is definitely the highlight on the South African sales calendar. The sale has been building year after year and I think this was by far the strongest catalogue ever. Well done to all the vendors. The quality of the horses on offer was amazing and the market extremely competitive. South African breeders can be extremely proud of the standard of bloodstock produced.”

South African breeders can be extremely proud of the standard of bloodstock produced.”

Top Lots Lot

Sex

Breeding

Vendor

Buyer

32

colt

Trippi-Demanding Lady

Drakenstein

MV Magnier

6 000 000

220

colt

Dynasty-Viva Maria

Lammerskraal

Kuda Holdings

5 750 000

41

colt

Captain Al-Ebony Flyer

Drakenstein

Bernard Marais

4 500 000

142

colt

Captain Al-Orator’s Daughter

Klawervlei

David Redvers B/S

4 500 000

194

colt

Dynasty-Strawberry Lane

Lammerskraal

Tom Magnier

4 500 000

114

filly

Frankel-Little Fastnet

Klawervlei

Justin Casse

4 000 000

79

colt

Captain Al-Happy Archer

Drakenstein

China Horse Club

3 750 000

9

filly

Var-Captain’s Lover

Drakenstein

Lammerskraal

3 600 000

143

colt

Captain Al-Pacific Dynasty

Drakenstein

David Redvers B/S

3 250 000

226

filly

Captain Al-Zippy Zitter

Klawervlei

Lindsay Ralphs

3 000 000

183

colt

What A Winter-Seeking

Maine Chance

China Horse Club

2 800 000

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Price (R)

HORSE from the

Has the advent of advancing technology been a driving force behind the decline in attendance and ultimately interest in thoroughbred horse racing as focus moves from the horse to the punt?

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A

tough question. Betting on races, and any other sporting event for that matter, is now a mere touch of the button away be it smart phone, I-pad, tablet, laptop or computer; the rub being that you no longer have to attend the races to have a bet and all information is dished up on an electronic plate.

In the ‘70s tote betting was restricted to win, place and doubles on designated races. There were no exactas, trifectas, jackpots, place accumulators or pick anythings until the 1980s. To bet on out of province meetings one had to

Punt to the

by Andrew Harrison

have a separate betting account registered in that province or bet with a bookmaker and listen to a wireless broadcast commentary.

The start of the current trend can possibly be traced to the advent of off-course tote outlets as previously all wagering was on-course only. To compensate for the expected drop in race course attendance these outlets closed an hour before the start of the first race. But as thoroughbred horseracing was deemed by the government of the day not to be a game of chance but rather one of skill, it was the only legal form of

gambling and attendances were hardly affected.

In fact, racing was so popular in those days that in Pietermaritzburg on a Wednesday, if you needed a doctor, lawyer, architect, plumber or your husband, you telephoned the barman in the owners and trainers bar, the only telephone on course with an outside connection – cell phones had yet to be invented.

However, as off-course turnover and popularity grew, especially amongst the section of the population that were unable to make it to the course, closing times were extended

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In fact, racing was so popular in those days that in Pietermaritzburg on a Wednesday, if you needed a doctor, lawyer, architect, plumber or your husband, you telephoned the barman in the owners and trainers bar, the only telephone on course with an outside connection – cell phones had yet to be invented. to after the meeting with off-course punters glued to the broadcast commentary.

Now, racing fans can sit at home and choose between any one of a dozen bets at any one of a dozen racetracks.

They can bet on cell phones, iPads, laptops, and computers, on any racetrack in Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mauritius, United States and Australia at almost any hour of the day or night.

Possibly more damaging is that punters are spoon-fed every available piece of information without having to stir from their armchair. Comprehensive formguides are available on line as are all betting moves that are scrolled continuously across the television screen. These television commentaries are accompanied by in-depth analysis by presenters whose job is to do the homework and pass on the information.

Video replays are available and races can be watched and analysed ad nauseam.

While all this is an invaluable service to punters, it is what punters did themselves years ago, when there was an actual visual connection with the horses. That connection unfortunately has been lost through technology.

It has got to the stage that the more punters get into a routine of spending an entire “day at the races” in front of a keyboard and television set, the more they distance themselves from the horses on whom they are betting. In fact, it has reached the point where the new methods of betting are so convenient that stirring themselves to get to the track is such an effort that most prefer staying at home.

Racing operators will argue, and they have a solid case, that with the advent of legalised casinos and sports betting, racing would be nowhere without technology.

But as Welsh comedian Max Boyce put it, referring to rugby and Wales beating England but equally pertinent to

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thoroughbred horse racing, there is nothing like saying; “I was there!”

If you think about it there are two types of racing enthusiast.

Those that have an intense passion and love for the horse and those who get their kicks by having a bet. Those that are mainly interested in the aesthetics of the sport are often seldom moved to bet and if they do, not to the extent that it becomes all consuming. The two do overlap of course but it is the latter, the dedicated gambler, that provides the grease that keeps the wheel turning and for them technology is a godsend.

Gone are the days where you mixed with the crowd, binoculars around one’s neck and a racecard in hand. The well-heeled mixed with the battlers and information shared.

The only thing that mattered was the horse and regulars knew their horses intimately. Whether they had trimmed down or picked up weight, looked ready or off colour or were behaving differently to normal. They also knew the habits of every trainer, jockey and many of the owners, giving a hint as to whether their horse was fancied or not.

Everyone had their favourites and they did not need or rely on a paid presenter to spoon-feed the information. Regulars of old would put many of today’s parade ring ‘experts’ to shame.

The advent of private boxes and separate lounges also put paid to a long and unheralded tradition and it was only in hindsight that it became obvious that the private box was another nail in the coffin of racecourse attendances. Gone was the adage of “all are equal on the turf”. Now all are only equal under it. To make matters worse, there is more action in the city morgue than those private boxes on any given raceday.

Binoculars Gone too are the days of watching races through binoculars. Most if not all huddle around the on-course television sets to watch races and you will be hard-pressed to see a pair of binoculars on course these days. But watching a race through binoculars adds a whole new dimension to a race. You see things that are not always obvious on television replays. For me one endearing memory was watching Senor Santa in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint at Clairwood. When rider Gavin Howes asked for an effort, the powerful chestnut seemed to flatten and lengthen his stride as he drew away from his rivals. It was something not obvious when I watched the television replay but the picture of Senor Santa at his brilliant best is etched in my memory.

To quote celebrated Bloodhorse columnist Steve Haskins, writing in a similar vein: “I am fully aware that my pulpit overlooks an empty congregation, but if even a handful of people listen and attempt to experience the racing world into which I was drawn so many years ago, it will be a fruitful endeavor. Continue to embrace technology, but never forget how to use the computer with which we are born, where images are stamped forever.”

Onamission Mathew de Kock and Puget Sound are

On 14 January 2017, my attention was caught by a Facebook post from Mathew de Kock who wrote, “Still pinching myself at how well today came together. What a fairy tale start to something that I hope goes from strength to strength.”

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O

namission syndicate, one runner - one winner. So many people to thank and you all know who you are. Well done to all the shareholders and the MDK racing team. The biggest thank you goes out to Puget Sound who humbled us with his heart and courage. All we wanted from him was to give his best but he gave us more. Special moment.”

Syndicates With costs for both racehorses and keep spiraling year on year, partnership / syndication is becoming an increasingly

by Robyn Louw of racing, then it is fitting South Africa should have a few stories of our own, which brings me neatly back to Mathew de Kock and Puget Sound.

The Horse Puget Sound was bred by Wilgerbosdrift by Sail From Seattle out of the imported Trempolino mare, La Bella Donna.

He was originally sold as lot 5 on the 2016 CTS August 2yo Sale, passing through the ring for R25k when the hammer fell the way of CBS Investments. He was put through the ring again at the CTS Johannesburg Ready To Run sale in late November, where he caught the eye of Mathew de Kock and purchased for R120k via Form Bloodstock.

Mathew says, “I went to the Ready To Run sales because CTS offer interesting sales races and also because I love watching a horse’s action. When I looked at this horse, I enjoyed his gallop. He was a neat individual and he was bred by Wilgerbosdrift. We really trust the farm – they breed rock solid horses and give them a solid upbringing. I felt he went for a fair price, so we put our heads down and bought him.”

The Plan

mathew de kock.

popular – and affordable – way for Joe Normal to buy a little piece of the dream that is the Sport of Kings. If you can get a group of people to pool resources, you share the costs, but also the fun, which is what racing is meant to be about anyway.

Perhaps the most famous syndicate is the Royal Ascot Racing Club who became the first syndicate to own an Epsom Derby winner when all 230 of them led Motivator into the winner’s enclosure that sunny Surrey afternoon back in 2005.

Ok, perhaps it wasn’t ALL 230 of them, but it was still quite special. If syndication is bringing about the democratization

However, it wasn’t just any ordinary purchase - Mathew had big plans in mind. “I’ve just got to say thank you to my dad. When I came to him with the idea, he said ‘run with it’, explains Mathew. I just kind of had this idea to try and get new people into racing. I felt like there’s not really any reason for people to go racing besides betting, which they can do at home. If people stay home, there’s not much atmosphere or excitement at the track, so there’s no reason for young people to go racing unless they have a runner and owning a racehorse is out of reach for most young people because of the cost.”

“I was inspired by Charles Savage and his Easy Equities concept in the investment industry, which allows you to buy portions of shares in big companies. I consider my dad’s stable a ‘big company’ in racing, so I just adapted their idea and applied it to racing. I bought the horse and then broke down shares into 1% and worked out an all inclusive package that included insurance, vet bills etc.”

“We kept 50% and gave 50% to our grooms and staff because we believe in the horse and the idea and in promoting the industry from the ground up. The other 50% we broke down into shares of 1% (although people weren’t limited to buying 1% and could take more), so we’ve got 17 owners from 4 different countries and we’ve called the

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“I was inspired by Charles Savage and his Easy Equities concept in the investment industry, which allows you to buy portions of shares in big companies. I consider my dad’s stable a ‘big company’ in racing, so I just adapted their idea and applied it to racing. I bought the horse and then broke down shares into 1% and worked out an all inclusive package that included insurance, vet bills etc.” syndicate Onamission. “We’ve got teenagers, 30, 40 and 50 years olds invested in this horse!”

Everyone hates having to pay bills and contracts at the end of the month, so I worked out a rate for the whole year so that it’s a once off fee of R3,200 and then everyone can just enjoy it.” When I exclaim that at that price, I’d happily buy in, he says with satisfaction, “That’s EXACTLY the reaction I wanted.

Training fees are high and they can vary on a monthly basis which makes it difficult to budget, but if you make it a one off fee for the year, that’s very different. Also, and I think this is the most important part, owning a 1% share does not dilute your fun and that’s the point I was trying to get – whether you own 1% or 50%, the enjoyment is still the same and if we can make it more affordable, we can get more people involved.”

At that price, it also doesn’t hurt so much if the horse doesn’t set the track alight. Mathew agrees, “Racing should be more about the enjoyment of owning a horse than the financial benefit. At the end of the day it’s a hobby, not an investment and I think it’s important for us to be realistic and say that. It’s very expensive to own horses these days, so it’s important to get that point across, otherwise people will end up being disappointed.”

The Story So Far Puget Sound did anything but, thrilling his connections with a gutsy debut win. “I just wanted him to run his best and hopefully not come last and watching the race, I really felt the horse was done and dusted and would get 3rd. I would

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honestly have been satisfied with that, but it’s almost like he knew how much was at stake and dug down to give us his all and come back and win. Well, that’s how it felt to me,” he says shyly. “He’s bred to go further, which is why it was such a big thing for him to win first time out.”

Because Puget Sound was bought on a CTS sale, he automatically qualified for the CTS sales race programme and qualified for the R1 million KUDA Sprint on Met day.

Mathew continues, “I have to say it’s a great initiative from CTS and KUDA offering this additional race on Met day. I did gamble on all that when I planned this initiative. It wasn’t an unrealistic goal, but obviously it’s hard to predict beforehand, so we just decided if it happens, it happens. His race was the last opportunity to run and qualify for a place as the declarations were that Monday. So we worked towards that Saturday and we never had a hiccup or a single day when things went wrong.”

Met Day It was a festive bunch that turned up on the inaugural Sun Met day to watch their runner and although he finished in the middle of the 20 horse field, a good time was had by all.

Mathew says, “We always knew it was going to be difficult running him two weeks after he broke his maiden. Add the fact that he had to travel to Cape Town and run on a track he’s never seen before with all the tents and big crowds, in a direction he’s not used to – it was a big ask. In an ideal world one wouldn’t do that, but the opportunity of running in that sales race and offering the experience to the shareholders – most of which are first time owners – was just too good to turn down.”

“We were a bit disappointed about where he finished, but in the same breath, we know he’s better than that and were just glad he came back safe and happy. Everyone had a great time, which is the most important thing. Kenilworth Racing was kind enough to allow all the members into the ring which was important to us to let them all share in the experience as that is the whole aim. Some of the shareholders were lucky enough to be there when Frankie came up to the box and that really added to what was already an unbelievable day.”

Puget Sound has had a two week break and will be brought back slowly with an aim to run him again in April or May, but the break is posing an interesting problem. “It was such a high for everyone, they are now having withdrawal symptoms and everyone keeps asking what’s happening next! If you’ve only got one horse, you don’t get to go racing all that often, so we’re looking to purchase some more horses to syndicate in the same manner. I think it will give an opportunity for people who are really keen to buy into 2 or 3 horses at a really low price and be at the races a bit more regularly. I haven’t got a definite yes from everyone yet, but a few have said that if I do get another horse to please ask them first. However, if anyone else is interested, I’ve set up a dedicated email address onamissionbloodstock@gmail.com and people are welcome to contact me if they would like to join in.”

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Punter vs

Bookmaker Liesl King

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by Michael Clower

T

he problem is that there is too much information– there used to be just the newspapers but these days you’ve got trainers and jockeys telling everybody everything on Tellytrack.” Bertie Dobbie is expounding the lot of the presentday bookmaker from his spot in the Kenilworth betting ring.

In fact the so-called ring is an L-shaped, green-roofed single story right in front of the stands with accommodation for six bookmaking firms. It’s a disconcerting sign of the times that only half the boxes are occupied. “In the old days you could put up 100-1 about some horses and people would come up and put on a few rands,” Dobbie continues in the same troubled vein. ”But not anymore – punters have become shrewder. They know that those sorts are not going to win.”

Dobbie, despite his grey hair going as white as his closecropped beard, looks younger than his 73 years. Maybe it’s because he revels in the life he has led ever since he was a teenager. “I love it,” he grins, almost sheepishly, before lowering his voice and adding “although I’m not loving it as much as I used to.”

“There aren’t the people on the course anymore and a lot of punters phone us instead of coming racing. It was the face-to-face interaction that made it so vibrant and exciting.

Every bookmaker had a runner and whenever I took a big bet my man would run across the course to back the horse with somebody else. People would see him running, watch what horse he was putting the money on and come rushing to get on.”

The enterprising Dobbie was not averse to stimulating the market by suddenly and drastically shortening a horse’s price. “You could cause chaos like that,” he says, a broad smile spreading across his features. “We also had big punters like Abe Bloomberg. People would follow him around just to see what he was going to back. But these days people don’t see which horses are being laid.”

You would lay R100 000

The punter versus the bookmaker.

Michael Clower hears the layer’s side of the story from Bertie Dobbie

Bertie, in short- sleeved shirt and jeans, stands with younger brother Melvyn who is a mere 66. In appearance chalk could hardly be more different from cheese. Whereas Bertie is slight Melvyn is 50% bigger and the facial resemblance is zero.

Both are sons of the late Oscar Dobbie, also a bookmaker.

Melvyn used to clerk for him in the days when his day job was running a Stellenbosch furniture shop but in 1980 he went into bookmaking full time.

“It’s not really a partnership – the business is registered in my name,” Bertie explains. “But I give Melvyn the same as I take out. After all he is my brother.”

They used to have an office in Cape Town’s Loop Street Tattersalls but last November they decided to cut that out and the office (for telephone customers) is at home in Sea Point.

Considering how few people go racing, particularly midweek, it’s surprising that there are as many as three on-course bookmakers but apparently what you see is no more than the tip of the financial iceberg.

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“However I’m also a trading bookmaker” - there is a glint in his eye as he says this – “I phone other bookmakers, see what prices they are offering and try to back the horses I’ve laid at a bigger price - Just a minute.”He turns towards the front of the box. A regular punter, racecard in hand, puts on a whole string of R100 doubles.

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”You lay bets within your comfort zone and on Met day that can be a lot. If somebody wanted R100 000 on a horse you’d lay it,” says Bertie. “Not on a day like today though (the Horses For Causes meeting in February). But I’ve already laid one of R40 000 to R1,000 and another of R20 000 to R1 000.”

The first race is still half an hour away. “If somebody wants R5 000 on a favourite that will also be fine but nobody is going to lay anyone who asks for R20 000 on a 20-1 chance.”

“However I’m also a trading bookmaker” - there is a glint in his eye as he says this – “I phone other bookmakers, see what prices they are offering and try to back the horses I’ve laid at a bigger price - Just a minute.”He turns towards the front of the box. A regular punter, racecard in hand, puts on a whole string of R100 doubles.

“OK, that’s for your father. What about yourself?” Bookmaker and client both roar with laughter at what is obviously an inhouse joke. Dobbie reverts to his more serious vein to explain what trading means in the bookmaking profession. Some of his rivals use the BODS prices that emanate from Durban and are distributed to all bookmakers.

Graham Cann’s BetSport on the other side of the L uses these whereas Marshalls (the third Kenilworth bookmaker)

make their own. Betting World puts its prices on Interbet which bookies use for trading while some of the others tend to have the favourite a bit shorter.

“I take mine from Interbet but there is always somebody I can phone who has a better price. When I ring and they say it’s say 6-1 I will ask them to lay me 7-1. No,” he turns to another customer who seemingly has misheard. “Victorious Captain is 15-10.” He takes the bet, a small one.

Take the loss or gamble But what happens if he accepts a big bet on something, the punter hits a number of layers at the same time and sends the price tumbling? “In cases like that I will often trade straightaway but sometimes I can do nothing about it. One day last year I laid a particular punter R25 000 to R5 000 and, as I picked up the phone, the price went to 3-1 and then 2-1.

I had to either take the loss or gamble on the horse.

“The horse won so I lost,” Dobbie laughs at the memory but he didn’t at the time and the loss hurt so much that he promptly abandoned the lessons of lifetime and the selfimposed strictures that emanated from them. “I gambled, which is something I never normally do, and I laid bets madly.

I am a firm believer in cutting my losses but that day I was lucky. I got most of them back.”

The legendary Irish gambler JP McManus, himself a former bookmaker, once said “Remember, bookmakers are just glorified punters and when they start losing they can panic.

When that happens the value often lies with the punter.”

Dobbie operates on a similar axiom – “The day I started my father told me ‘When you are winning you play because you are playing with someone else’s money. But when you are losing you stop because you are playing with your own money.’”

Do any of the punters regularly make a profit out of betting?

Dobbie strokes his beard as he considers the question. “No,” he says slowly, mentally running through an apparently long list of names and faces. “I wouldn’t say so….. No.” The emphasis, a little disappointingly for the interviewer, is on the final word.

But there have been punters who have won big. “One of our clients kept backing one particular horse, Arctic something……”He pauses, searching for the name. Melvyn hasn’t forgotten, the pain of 34 years ago still lingers – “It was a Terrance Millard horse …. Arctic Cove. And it was in the Met.” “That’s right,” Bertie continues, his memory refreshed. “This man kept backing it, we kept taking the bets and luckily I kept trading because we had to pay out R 350 000.”In today’s terms that is about R6.3 million!

Computerisation the life-changer But it’s the computer, not inflation, that has changed the bookmaker’s life. “it’s a government-controlled computer with a programme specially for bookmakers,” Melvyn takes

“This man kept backing it, we kept taking the bets and luckily I kept trading because we had to pay out R350 000.”In today’s terms that is about R6.3 million! over. “Everything has to be recorded like it was written in a book in the old days and it will tell us at the end of each day how much each client owes, how much we have won and the tax liability.

“No,” he gives me a knowing look, seemingly anticipating an obvious question. “You can’t put in a winning bet afterwards to save tax because the computer records the time each bet is laid. The Gambling Board is very strict and they audit everything we do. The can even link into our machines, ring our clients and ask them what bets they placed with us.”

Computer benefits But the computer benefits are considerable. “On Met day we used to have to work all through the night to calculate our liabilities etc,” Bertie resumes the discourse once more. “The old way, writing everything down on a piece of paper, could be dangerous and on Met day very dangerous. Sometimes we were so busy that we would forget a horse that was in a double or a treble.Afterwards you would suddenly remember and say “Ooh, we were lucky that got beat.” He winces before breaking into a grin. ”Now the machine works out such bets as we go along and it tells us how much is going on the horse in the next leg.”

Old-fashioned operators But in one way at least the brothers are still old-fashioned operators. They write the names of the horses in each race on bits of card which they slot into their display board. The price of each horse is on a roller which is turned manually to change it. BetSport and Marshalls display their odds on a computer screen which also shows each horse’s trainer, jockey and colours. “People are more used to looking at these,” says Bertie. “They are what they see in the betting shops.”

Why don’t the Dobbie brothers move with the times on this one? The answer from both is a shrug of the shoulders. Maybe it’s because they remember the old days with such affection.

“They were fun even though it was all much more official,” Bertie recalls. “There were 30 of us standing, we all had to wear a tie and we couldn’t go on leave without permission.

But you know,” he strokes his beard again and smiles. “If I was to put the clock back I would want to do it all again.”

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Race Horse why own a

by Rob Haswell

The old adage that “there is something about the outside of a horse which appeals to the inside of a man”, was even used by Winston Churchill to account for man’s predilection for horses.

N

o doubt owning a race horse is a status symbol, for both the well-to-do and the nouveau riche, but I am neither. Why then did I acquire a race horse last year?

Yes it is a hobby -- an expensive one at that -- and it does give you something to get up for in the morning. But, in my case it was primarily to fulfil a boyhood wanting and regret.

My father, Reg Haswell, came to South Africa in 1936, to establish and run greyhound racing in Johannesburg. I was

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born in 1944 at the Turf Club Nursing Home, which faces onto Turffontein racecourse, and we lived at Clonmel Kennels, in what was then the southern outskirts of the City of Gold.

It was an idyllic setting with the dogs being bred, fed and trained on site, and my father could afford to own both riding and race horses. His racing colours were purple and brown, but according to him “they should have been black and blue”, on account of the hiding he took. Each of my four

older siblings had a horse, and the Sunday ride to Tampico Roadhouse in Alberton, and watching the horses slake their thirst in the Natalspruit, was epic stuff. I was too young to ride on my own, so my father bought a western saddle with a horn, which I could hold onto while he rode Sandy, his horse.

Our world, and especially my dream of owning and riding my own horse, came to abrupt end in 1948, when the government abolished greyhound racing,. We moved from Clonmel and our horses had to be sold. Thus, all I have are memories, a photograph of my older siblings riding their horses, and one of my father helping me off a horse – my brother John’s horse at that.

My interest in, if not longing, for horses, lay dormant until the summer of 69. I was a geography graduate student at Southern Illinois University in the U.S.A., and in order to retain my scholarship I had to be enrolled for courses every semester. I had taken every geography course that I was even remotely interested in by then, so I registered for Animal Science (Horses) 101. There I was amongst a class of first year farm and cowboys, who had grown up on horses. I dressed and “spoke funny” according to them. My saving grace, after fumbling my way through conformation and dressage, was to be top of the class when it came to working out feed ratios. A field trip to Kentucky was memorable, and passing that course meant I could acquire a trainer’s licence , if I had horses. However, a short stint of mucking out stables on a farm in Ocala Florida, where Jollify stood, convinced me to stick to academia.

In 1984, I was elected, as the Councillor for Scottsville, onto the Pietermaritzburg City Council, and my wife and I were thereafter regularly invited to the big race meetings at Scottsville. How could my interest in horse racing not be rekindled by watching Lester Piggott win a juvenile race on the mighty Sledgehammer, or his masterful ride on The Malster? I was able to guide the purchase of the race course property, at the then market value, by the turf club, and later the construction of the casino complex.

Come retirement, and the passing of my wife in 2014, I sorely needed a new lease on life. Andrew Harrison introduced me to Duncan Howells. Cathy Howells suggested that I look at a particular colt, and Duncan said he liked the look of the as yet unnamed horse. Then fate intervened. Before I had laid eyes on the horse, one of my granddaughters in America, Emma, upon hearing that I may buy a horse, wrote a story and drew a picture of a reddish chestnut, which she named Fire Bolt. Lo and behold when I first set eyes on the horse, he was a red chestnut, and just had to have that name. Another granddaughter, Tia, who lives in Ashburton, got in on the act, by designing my colours: a combination of flame orange and fiery red chevrons – the authorities rejected her technicolour flames motif. However, the name Fire Bolt was already taken.

Undeterred, I drove to the NHRA offices in Turffontein, a stone’s throw from where I entered this world, and while I pleaded my case, miraculously, the existing Fire Bolt was exported, and Emma’s name for my horse became available.

Getting the horse insured, obtaining his passport, ordering my colours, watching him pass his starting stalls test, and receiving vets bills all followed in quick succession.

I was expecting inoculations, shoes, blankets etc but not dental work. He became number 53 in the Howells yard, and I watched, along with my punting partner Des McDonald, week by week, as Duncan transformed him from a burly colt into a strapping race horse. He was clearly the happiest horse in the yard, as his tail never stopped swishing and wagging. His early work showed that he was better on the turf than the sand, and that he would need ground. But therein lies the catch: maiden races over ground on the turf, are very few and far, to far, between in KZN. The result is that maiden races are oversubscribed with nominations – 50, 60 and 70 nominations and outside draws are the order of the day. One has therefore, to run the horse whenever he gets in, rather than prep him for the right race over his best distance.

Accordingly, Fire Bolt did not cover himself in glory, in his first few races. He showed some promise but something was clearly bothering him, as he was both pulling and racing with his head all over the place. His mind was not on the job, and the unkindest cut of all followed, and that meant another six weeks of recovery. Now, he looks and is working better than ever, but, once again it is nigh impossible to get him into the right race.

One regularly reads of the need to attract new owners into the game that is horse racing, yet owners, and trainers, are expected to put up with the glaring lack of sufficient maiden races. One accepts that not all horses will win a race, and that very few win more than one, but unless this paucity of maiden races is addressed as a matter of urgency, many owners, including those like me who have a long held love for racing, will ask: why own a race horse? Why indeed?

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ooming Z nita A

in on

by Robbyn Ramsay

Anita Suzanna Akal (nee Meulman) was born in Utrecht in Holland and she and her family immigrated to South Africa when she was a child. Amazingly she’s never lost her Dutch accent, she never misses the opportunity to support her native country wearing bright orange outfits, and she often selfdeprecatingly still refers to herself as a “kaaskop”!

V

eteran racecourse photographer Anita Akal has seen it all. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt could be her mantra as she has been around racing in KwaZuluNatal for well over 40 years now. Forced to temporarily put her feet up due to a nasty fall where she broke the hip she had replaced some years back, a cheerful chuckle is never too far away as she takes stock and discusses her life.

“We came out to South Africa on the flip of a coin – had the coin gone the other way I would have grown up in South America,” recounts Anita. Her father had various business interests over the years including a farming enterprise on the Natal South Coast and art galleries in Johannesburg.

“I attended Maris Stella Convent in Durban North and my best friend as a 10 year-old was a little girl called Lorraine who helped teach me how to speak proper English. We were inseparable.”

As fate would have it, it was at that tender age of 10 that Anita met her future husband Ronald Akal. He was none other than her little friend Lorraine’s older brother!

Proud “Ronald and I have known each other since we were kids. I went on to finish my schooling at Roosevelt High in Johannesburg and went to work for my father. We eventually married and had two children, Fred and Anneke. I’m immensely proud of them; they are both qualified Chartered

Accountants by profession and have made us grandparents four times over. Today Fred runs his own accounting and tax consultancy business; Anneke is currently a busy Mom, lives just down the road from us, and has been helping me out enormously during my recuperation.”

During the time spent living in Johannesburg Anita did a photography course through the “Practical College of Photography” and majored in child portraiture and architecture. On re-locating back to Durban she began taking colour photos of the racehorses owned by her husband and his friends. Back in those days the majority of photos were shot in black and white and were then hand-coloured. It was then through her husband’s involvement in racehorse ownership that Anita got involved in photographing races.

“Various people got to know what I was doing and one day I was approached by Gerald Lee, the then Secretary of the Durban Turf Club, to photograph finishes at Greyville full time. In those days, believe it or not, I was quite shy but said I would “give it a go”, she recalls. Clairwood and Scottsville soon came aboard too and so in 1971 Anita Akal’s little photographic enterprise was born.

“I took photos of the finish of each race and then of the owners leading their horse into the number one box. I obviously had to sell my photos to the connections to make my business viable and one of the first people I ever approached was the late Syd Laird. I didn’t have a clue who he was and also had

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no idea that he was one of the country’s leading trainers with an incredible record in races like the July. I nervously asked him if he would like to buy the picture I had taken of the horse he had just led in. He gave me a rather quizzical look but gruffly agreed. Years later we had a good laugh about it because he said that I had sold him a picture of a very moderate horse who had finally won a maiden plate for an owner that he was about to chuck out of his yard! He bought my photos because he said that he felt sorry for me!”

Fellow photographer and long-time friend John Lewis tells a story about the day Anita processed some film only to find that there was a scratch on the negative that ran right between the owner’s eyes! “No trouble to Anita,” says John, “she guillotined the picture to get rid of the scratch and offered the owner a 10% discount!”

The Cape Guineas, traditionally run on the first Saturday in February, was the pinnacle event at the now defunct Cape Turf Club. In 1970, sponsored by Mellow-wood, the big race was won by an eye-catching Persian Wonder colt called Shah Abbas under an inspired ride from top jockey Clive Hyde.

Shah Abbas was part-owned by Anita’s husband Ronald in partnership with Captain Tommy Wells and Eugene Sanan whose father Toufic was his accredited trainer - although the official records show that legendary Cape trainer HE “Cookie” Amos saddled Shah Abbas that day.

Shah Abbas had won 9 of his 11 starts by the close of his 3yo

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career and the handicapper had caught up with him so the colt, like two other Cape Guineas winners before him, namely Colorado King and Hawaii, was sent to continue his racing career in America. He won two more races in the US running in the silks of philanthropist and precious metals magnate Charles Engelhard before breaking down and being returned to stand at stud in South Africa.

Highlight Another highlight and one of the biggest surprises for Anita came in the 1984 Rothmans July. Versailles (a son of Elevation), part-owned by her husband Ronald, John Sanan, Bernard Basel and Tom Mezher, flew up under a strong ride from jockey Robbie Hill to finish a close second behind the outstanding Terrance Millard-trained mare Devon Air who’d led virtually from start to finish under Felix Coetzee.

“Versailles was a rank outsider and trainer Herman Brown Snr had in fact even suggested to Ronald and his partners that they should not bother to stand their ground with their horse at final acceptance stage for the July as he was the least fancied of the yard’s runners! Luckily they didn’t take that advice!

“I have photographed thousands of races but that day at Greyville I had such butterflies as the July field went down to the start, was incredibly exciting. I heard Versailles’ name being called as they got close to the line and I nearly dropped

Today Anita’s racing photographs adorn the walls of racecourse hospitality suites, private pubs, studies and offices of owners, trainers, breeders and jockeys across the country.

Some 40 of her pictures even grace the walls of the 5-star Oyster Box Hotel’s special Durban July function room in Umhlanga Rocks. my camera as the horses flashed past me. I kind of fluffed the shot of the finish that year but I think I can be excused,” she laughs.

Big names Over the years, Anita has seen a lot of big names come and go in racing – both human and equine but she is, as always, way too diplomatic to name any outright favourites!

She has fleetingly met a multitude of celebrities from all walks of life too and on this score she does not hesitate to say that HM Queen Elizabeth II made the biggest impression on her.

“I was the official photographer when the Queen visited Greyville in 1995 and she impressed me enormously. I really thought she would be aloof but she was far from it. She was a very warm and friendly person. Princess Anne too, I went with her to the SA Jockey’s Academy at Summerveld and she was really nice and so interested in everything she was being told and shown. Ian Smith (former Prime Minister of Rhodesia) is another “celebrity” that I really enjoyed, he was such a gentleman.

Today Anita’s racing photographs adorn the walls of racecourse hospitality suites, private pubs, studies and offices of owners, trainers, breeders and jockeys across the country.

Some 40 of her pictures even grace the walls of the 5-star Oyster Box Hotel’s special Durban July function room in Umhlanga Rocks. And, she has lost count of the number of publications she has contributed to over the years. A highlight in the latter department is having once had the honour of supplying a cover shot for the internationally respected Pacemaker magazine.

Always the first to champion, acknowledge and congratulate other people on their achievements, for many years Anita has presented an award for “contribution to the industry” at the annual KZN Breeders Awards dinner. So, it was

another completely unexpected highlight in her life when she in turn was honoured by Gold Circle with The Roy Eckstein KZN Personality of the Year award in 2014. Gill Mostert, Gold Circle’s PR & Communications Manager takes up the story: “It was very difficult keeping this one a secret as Anita does the framed photos for us of all award winners on the evening.

I contacted her daughter Anneke to arrange a framed photo of her mom and Anita was told that Mike de Kock was being awarded the trophy. As we wanted her family to be at the event it was impossible to present the award at the end of the evening as is customary so it had to be presented first. Once everyone was seated her family were slipped around the back and were waiting in the wings to present her with the trophy. Picture Anita standing in front of the stage, camera in hand when her name was called out. The shocked expression on her face was priceless. The moment she saw her family walking out was one of the most touching moments I have ever witnessed at an awards evening.”

Outside of her work Anita collects antiques, enjoys doing the odd bit of needlework and adores her dogs and her grandchildren who know that their “Oumi” always has a secret stash of special sweeties just for them.

Anita Akal’s glass is never half empty, it is always half full; she is blessed with boundless energy and compassion and the amazing ability to seek out only the best qualities in everyone she encounters. It’s going to take a lot more than a wonky hip to keep her away from the races and God-willing it won’t be too long before she is back at trackside with a camera slung around her neck.

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For Shaw Rocket Man and pat shaw.

A top conditioner

by Ash Maharaj

Pat Bernard Shaw is synonymous with racing in South Africa and Singapore.

Over the last 15 years he has become one of the most sought after conditioners on the globe, growing not only the Singapore Racing brand from his Kranji base but the image of South African horsemen.

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Rocket Man and Barend Voster.

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acing is in the Shaw blood, both his grandfather and father were trainers, he grew up around thoroughbreds and quickly developed an affinity to the sport. Shaw started to learn the ropes in 1973 when he became his father’s assistant, and set out on his own 17 years later in 1990. The definitive moment of Shaw’s training career in South Africa was when he won the 1995 Rothman’s July with the regally bred Teal.

Shaw also trained winners of the Gold Cup, Derby, Classic, First National, Guineas, Champion Stakes, Dingaans and the Daily News, thus earning him a reputation as a prolific conditioner of horses who could get a trip. He was faced with an extremely tough decision, when in 1999 he was offered an opportunity to train in Singapore, a relatively new player on the world horseracing scene. Shaw, always one to look for opportunities to expand his base, began to evaluate his career. He had it all in Johannesburg.

In an interview at his Durban home recently, Shaw recollects the time. “We had a lovely home, luxury car, the stable

was absolutely flying, many would ask why even consider leaving the country?” However the pending groom strikes at Randjiesfontein and Clairwood barns coupled with the uncertainty in racing was weighing heavily on his mind. “We needed to make a decision,” he recalled in our discussion, ironically on a sunny Durban afternoon, a far cry from the politically charged gloom of the late ‘90’s.

Shaw was more often than not ranked amongst the top trainers in South Africa and being a family orientated individual he considered his wife Wendy, whilst still deciding whether to make the move to Singapore. “If she thinks she could stay here I’ll let you know by December,” is what he told the Singaporeans when the offer arrived.

The Shaws eventually opted to take the chance to move to the burgeoning city of Singapore with its bright lights and beauty, but things didn’t go according to plan initially. He had handpicked 18 horses from his South African stable to fill up his new Kranji barn, but a sudden two year ban on the exportation of South African horses put pay to that.

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Rocket Man trackwork.

Incidentally, Rocket Man was offered to a few owners before Shaw received a call from Andy Williams. Rocket Man is after all a half brother to South African star, Our Giant.

Like Teal another champ had “found” Shaw.

“I was committed to Singapore. I flew my dog over, paid upfront rent for the stables, got a house.

“What have you done!” he expressed almost reliving the feeling of helplessness of that time.

Sitting back on his sofa overlooking the golf course at his Mt Edgecombe home, he began describing the plan of action, “I was forced to come up with an idea as quickly as possible.

I phoned an Argentinean connection, Ignacio Pavlovsky, I said to him “find me ten horses at US$10,000 each.” Pavlovsky was able to help Shaw find eight, but he was still two short.

After a while they arrived and Shaw began aedous task of

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training average class horses. “They were like this,” gesturing with his arms, as horsemen do, at their confirmation. After a few months of training he expressed with a sigh, “Then we stared to run them.” They were unsurprisingly average but still fairly competitive in Singapore.

Shaw’s very first winner in Singapore came in a feature, when one of his Argentine imports scored in a Gr.3 over 1800m.

He was able to get on his feet in his newfound land through the willingness of loyal patrons such as Bernard Kantor and Fred Crabbia, and it would not be long until he delivered the goods.

Following his feature race success Shaw realised that if he had a higher class of horse, his stable could achieve even greater things, “My hacks from Argentina were running up their jack’s,” he said.

In a call to Fred Crabbia he said “Either we call it a day, or we buy a better class horse,” to which Crabbia replied, “don’t explain it to me on the phone, I’ll be there next weekend.”

Crabbia met up with Shaw and his wife Wendy at a luxury hotel. Crabbia was straight forward, “What do you need” to which Shaw replied “5 or 6, USD$50,0000 - $60,000 horses.”

The rest was history.

The support he received from Bernard Kantor, Fred Crabbia and Singaporean Mark Yong was simply unwavering, they continued to buy him horse after horse, but with just cause

“One of the finest products to be born into South African racing, and one of the nicest people I know, his knowledge of racing is unsurpassed.” many friends and keeping his owners happy. Even though he only won the championship (judged by number of winners) once in his time there, he was one of the highest stakes earners nearly every time.

Long time supporter, Bernard Kantor, had the following to say about Shaw “one of the finest products to be born into South African racing, and one of the nicest people I know, his knowledge of racing is unsurpassed. Shaw’s biggest patron Fred Crabbia added to that by saying, “He has a lot of time for horses, he really cares about the animal, not just the win, he is dedicated to the animals themselves and to say that he is a top class trainer is an understatement.”

Pat Bernard Shaw will always be remembered as a pioneer of racing in this country. A man with the rare ability to connect people with horses and get the best out of both.

as Shaw’s new stable was successful, he was on the way up.

His first horse of note came in the form of Palace Line who won the Gr.3 Singapore Classic and Guineas in 2002, just a year after Shaw relocated to the island. From then on he never looked back conditioning the likes of Blizz Bless, Que Expression, War Horn, and the mighty Rocket Man who rewrote Singapore racing history by becoming the first Singapore trained horse to win an international Group 1 when he took top honours in the 2011 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan; not only did Shaw have an excellent reputation with horses over ground but proved that he could make a world champion of a sprinter as well.

Incidentally, Rocket Man was offered to a few owners before Shaw received a call from Andy Williams. Rocket Man is after all a half brother to South African star, Our Giant. Like Teal another champ had “found” Shaw.

Shaw also conditioned the lightning quick Ato who scored in the 2012 Kris Flyer, and later retired to stud at Summerhill where he now resides, the achievements of this brilliant horsemen are truly remarkable.

The 2016 season was Shaw’s final one in Singapore before taking a sabbatical but keeping a close eye on his stable now in the hands of Ricardo Le Grange, his long time assistant. Never one to hold a grudge in this the toughest of industries, the always welcoming Shaw played an important ambassadorial role for South Africans in Singapore making

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Bridesmaid always a

by Lisa Barrett

www.abc.net.au red cadeaux and dunaden in a driving melbourne cup finish.

Red Cadeaux

We tend to celebrate the horses that win the big races, the Group Ones and Group races, but we often forget the horses that are runner-ups to these horses. History is littered with stories of these “bridesmaid” horses, and it’s time we pay tribute to their guts and determination and give them the accolades they so richly deserve.

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ver the years there have been several memorable “bridesmaids” in the horse racing world, two of them, famous Australian horses: Red Cadeaux, the British bred son of the great Cadeaux Genereux was a Group One and Group winner (Hong Kong Vase, York & Curragh Cup), but remarkably he never won a race on Australia soil. He lost the 2011 Melbourne Cup by a whisker to Dunaden, and then was runner up to Fiorente in 2013 and Protectionist in 2014. As if to confirm his unfortunate status, he then finished second to Criterion in the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. His never say die attitude and bravery garnered him a huge following of fans, who, come race day, would noisily cheer him all the way. Tragically, the 2015 Melbourne Cup was to be his last race, breaking down in the closing stages, the brave horse was found to have a sesamoid fracture in his left front fetlock, and despite immediate surgery, complications developed and the heart-breaking decision to euthanize him was made.

Despite his perennial second place finishers, Red Cadeaux garnered over $8 million in prize money for his efforts, showing what a class act he really was.

It’s clear from these stories that although these horses didn’t achieve the Group One or Group glory that they might have wished, they are still winners for never giving up and giving us some wonderful memories in racing.

hay list.

Hay List vs Black Caviar The other Australian horse who seemed to spend his life playing second fiddle in spite of having three Group One victories to his name, including a victory under top weight in the Newmarket Handicap in 2012, a feat not achieved for over six decades. Hay List had the unfortunate distinction of racing against one of the greats of her generation, Black Caviar. The great mare beat Hay List into second place in six separate Group 1 races, to his credit though, he was the one horse who pushed the superstar in his races against her. One got used to seeing Black Caviar sweep past the rest of the field who seemed paralysed as she headed for yet another Group One victory, but Hay List never gave up and pushed Black Caviar hard in many of her races, garnering respect from Moody and Black Caviar’s connection. Sadly, just like Red Cadeux, Hay List was not to enjoy the fame he had fought so hard to obtain, succumbing to complications from a lengthy battle with laminitis in 2015.

Sham vs Secretariat Sham was an imposing colt (standing at 16.2 hh), a Group Two and Group One placed winner, however he had the distinct misfortune to come up against one of the greatest horses of the recent age, Secretariat. Their rivalry provided

some memorable racing moments for the racing public, and the 1973 American Triple Crown series highlighted the brave colt’s bridesmaid status. In both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, he played second fiddle to the great horse, but it wasn’t until the Belmont Stakes that one saw the true courage and guts of Sham.

Racing on the outside of the field, Sham kept up a furious pace with Secretariat and matched him stride-for-stride until they entered the backstretch and Secretariat pulled away from the exhausted Sham to win by a massive 31 lengths in a time of 2:24 flat, which remains a world record for 1 1⁄2 miles on a dirt track to this day. In spite of his perennial bridesmaid status, Sham was a hero who gave the great Secretariat a run for his money. It was ironic then that on his death in 1993 at 23, he was found to have an abnormally large heart, twice the normal size of a regular horse, which like his contemporary Secretariat, gave him that winning “X” factor that he was denied in racing.

Pablo Zeta vs Horse Chestnut South Africa is fortunate to have had several horses that have been perennial bridesmaids over the years, the most well known – and still living is the Argentinean born son of Candy Stripes, Pablo Zeta.

A Group Two winner of the 1998 Gosforth Park Juvenile Colts & Geldings Stakes, he was also unlucky coming up against one of the best horses of his age, Horse Chestnut - South Africa’s first Triple Crown winner, who consigned this tough gutsy campaigner to eternal bridesmaid status, when he “blasted” past him in several Group races; Graham Beck Stakes, the Dingaans, and the Cape Argus Guineas.

According to Klawervlei’s John Koster, if Pablo Zeta hadn’t have come up against Horse Chestnut, he might have easily won those Group races, as he had enormous talent and will to win. Now living in glorious retirement, Pablo Zeta is finally a winner, having beaten Horse Chestnut by still being alive!

It’s clear from these stories that although these horses didn’t achieve the Group One or Group glory that they might have wished, they are still winners for never giving up and giving us some wonderful memories in racing.

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With Speed obsession

by Ada van der Bent

Stayers in South Africa - a dying breed?

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hat the odds are heavily stacked against staying horses in this country cannot be disputed.

A clear prejudice against stamina is quite evident from our racing programme, which dictates speed above everything else. An analysis of the 2015-16 season reveals that of the 3854 races contested on South African racetracks (Zimbabwe excluded), 1591 (or 41%) catered for the pure sprinter, i.e. distances from 800 to 1300m.

Those horses best over 1400-1500m, contested 799 races (21%) and the specialist milers (1600m) 726 races (19%). The middle-distance category, i.e. from 1700-2000m, was made up of 575 races (15%). For South African purposes, the term ‘stayer’ defines those horses best suited to trips beyond 2000m and this category makes for dismal reading. Stayers

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had access to just 163 races, which translates to a measly 6% of the racing programme! Almost half (81) were over the classic Derby trip, but beyond that (2500-3600m), only 36 races were run over true lung-bursting distances.

That the bulk of the races (a staggering 62%) caters for sprinters and sprinter-milers, clearly illustrates how the programmes put on by the racing operators is contributing to the decline of the staying horse in this country.

Yet another nail in the coffin is the loss of Gr.1 status of the country’s premier staying event, the Gold Cup. In addition, none of the Oaks classics carry Gr.1 status and as far as the two Gr1 Derbies are concerned, only the SA Derby at Turffontein is contested over the true Derby distance of 2450m. Worse still, in KwaZulu-Natal both classics, initially run at the elite level,

The changing pattern in breeding is best illustrated by the ten leading stallions of the past 25 years. There are no Derby winners amongst them, those coming closest, Fort Wood (1998) and Silvano (2013), both winning up to 2200m.

Significantly, the latter was bred in Germany, a country renowned for breeding tough and late maturing stock, with a focus on stamina.

With the exception of Silvano, the last decade has seen sprinter/milers top the sires list, led by the dominant seventime champion Jet Master. In fairness, his well-documented wind problem no doubt impacted on his lack of stamina on the track, for as a stallion, he was capable of siring superior runners over the entire stamina spectrum.

With a racing programme heavily weighted towards speed, it comes as no surprise that the two most recent champions are the sprinter/milers Captain Al and Trippi.

Taking the current state of racing in South Africa into account, is there room for the staying thoroughbred and thus a place at stud for a staying stallion?

Guy Murdoch, stud manager at Mauritzfontein, the home of middle-distance stallions Ideal World and Byword, believes there is: “There is a place for ‘stoutish’ horses as long as their progeny show some form at two. Don’t forget, the majority of our prestigious races, like the July and Met, are run over ground. Both my stallions have milers in their pedigrees and both are popular: Ideal World covered over a hundred mares last season, while Byword had more than 60, and that in the dreaded fourth season.”

Short-sighted

have been downgraded over the years and suffered the final injustice when opened to all-comers in 2014.

Demands of the racetracks That a dearth of staying races also has a direct impact on the breeding industry goes without saying. It’s a foregone conclusion that commercial breeders have to cater to the demands of the racetrack. Yearling buyers frown on late maturing youngsters, hence breeders opt for stallions capable of siring early speed. In the sales ring, early speed sells, stamina does not, which offers little incentive to breeders to support a true Derby winner at stud. In fact, one has to go back to the fifties and sixties to find successful sires who won over 2400m (the likes of Noble Chieftain, Preamble II, Pent House and High Veld) and only SA Derby hero Elevation features amongst the dominant stallions of the seventies and eighties.

Another stud master remarked: “To penalize a stallion for winning the Derby is short-sighted. One must take into account a horse’s juvenile form and also which distance he reverted to as an older horse. If he is a class horse he remains a class horse. As far as pedigree goes, one does want to see some good miler speed or a speedy ancestress.”

As a viewing spectacle, staying races never fail to stir the blood and tactics come into full play. That there is an art to training and riding stayers cannot be disputed and sadly, the paucity of staying races seems to have resulted in a lack of tactical nous amongst the majority of our jockeys. Inevitably, staying races are run at no more than half-pace before becoming a mad dash for home.

Surely there has never been a more urgent call for a carefully considered and enhanced race programme, with a greater emphasis on the diversity that the stayer brings to racing.

Perhaps it’s time the racing operators take heed of the words of noted breeding authority Sir Charles Leicester, written more than half a century ago in his standard reference work Bloodstock Breeding: “The breeding of stayers plays now - and always has done - a vitally important part in the production of our best-class horses. If a policy of breeding sprinter to sprinter or middle-distance stock, is continued indefinitely, gradually the result will be shorter and shorter runners.”

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Off THe Mark SOUTH AFRICAN JUVENILE SIRES

by Candiese Marnewick

Candiese Marnewick

what a winter

Crusade, Oratorio and What A Winter have got their first crop of juveniles off to a cracking start early in the year with winners between them. What A Winter is currently leading the pack on the National Log for 2YO Sires by stakes earned.

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he speedy son of sire of sires Western Winter is fulfilling his high expectations at stud and has come out firing with two winners in quick succession, and six places from his nine runners to date.

The Drakenstein Stud resident stallion and a superb sprinter in his day, was trained throughout his career by the BassRobinson stable so it is no surprise that the yard has saddled both winners - the first being Rex Stud-bred Dutch Philip on debut by over a length (and placed in his second start) and Maine Chance-bred Magical Wonderful stamping herself as one to watch by winning clear by over two lengths. Both juveniles are owned in partnership, notably incorporating What A Winter's former racing owners, Bryn Russell and Marsh Shirtliff.

What A Winter What A Winter has a stallion's pedigree being out of the Ahonoora mare Waseela (IRE) in turn out of a Troy mare.

He won 15 times from age two to five. A courageous horse with plenty of strength, two of his four Gr1 wins came at age five, which is good news for his future progeny if their sire's soundness is anything to go by. What A Winter dominated South Africa's premier Gr1 speed races, winning the Cape Flying Championship twice, the Mercury Sprint and Computaform Sprint, showing his versatility over the major

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crusade

Merit Rated at an impressive 127, What A Winter was voted Equus Champion Sprinter in 2012 and 2013, and Champion Older Male in 2012. racecourses in South Africa.

Merit Rated at an impressive 127, What A Winter was voted Equus Champion Sprinter in 2012 and 2013, and Champion Older Male in 2012. In 2013, he was the highest rated South African horse on the international scale and the highest Merit Rated horse locally of that year.

What A Winter throws size and quality into his foals and his future looks bright indeed as the current national leading Juvenile sire, and stood for a very accessible fee of R20 000 in 2016.

What A Winter's early success has not been ignored, with China Horse Club purchasing a smashing colt off the CTS Premier Yearling Sale in January for a show-stopping R2,8million, consigned by Maine Chance Farms. The colt is

named Superstitious.

Gr1 Middle Park Stakes winner Crusade follows on the freshman juvenile sires log by stakes earned, producing a shock winner from the Belinda Impey stable with Miss Millionaire, a R70 000 KZN Yearling Sale purchase.

The Spring Valley-bred filly out of the Only A Pound mare Really Rich, took no prisoners as she galloped to a bold debut victory at Greyville over 1000m, from a well-bred field of two year old fillies. Crusade, by Mr Greeley, is a half-brother to dual Gr1 Oaks winner in the UK by Galileo namely Seventh Heaven who accentuated her brilliance and reinforced the quality of her dam line by defeating Gr1 Prix de l'Arc De Triomphe winner Found, in the process.

Crusade Crusade has stamped his progeny in no uncertain terms when it comes to looks. He has several second placed babies that are all knocking on the door, with the likes of the imposing Greenstreet Bloodstock-owned Calladi, Hoppertunity, The Grey Crusader and the Bass-Robinson trained Romantic Crusade.

From 12 runners, 12 have placed so it is only a matter of time before they make the winners enclosure.

Crusade's dam, La Traviata, has now produced two Gr1

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oratorio

winners from her first three foals (the other Gr1 placed), and after having only four career starts during her three year old career of which she won three, her final start saw her light up the boards bravely with a nine length win after stumbling at the start in the Gr3 Victory Ride Stakes. Crusade, a Scott Bros resident that has been well supported by the province's breeders each year, stood for a fee of R20 000 last season.

A proven sire of seven international Gr1 winners, the handsome classical looking son of Danehill - Oratorio, was the first sire of juveniles this season to open his winning account.

Sacred Oration came out in the first juvenile race of the season to skip over the 800m at Fairview and win by almost a length clear for trainer Grant Paddock and owners Greg Bortz and Braam Van Huyssteen. The colt, out of a Giant's Causeway mare, was consigned on behalf an Agent by Klipdrif Stud at the CTS 2016 Cape Premier Yearling Sale and sold for R125 000.

Oratorio Oratorio has only had a handful to race since his first winner with five places – including an exciting and very recent second from Joey Ramsden-trained Ancestry, a half-brother to Gr2 winner A Woman's Way.

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Oratorio was always destined for greatness – a six-time winner including three European Gr1 victories and a further six Gr1 places, he was crowned Champion 2YO in France and Champion 3YO in Ireland, and Timeform Rated at 119 age 2 and 128 at age 3.

A leading sire in Europe in 2013 ahead of greats Galileo and Monsun, his leading progeny overseas include 2013 Hong Kong Horse Of The Year, Military Attack, Mourinhou – an Australian Gr1 winner and British Gr1 Dewhurst winner, Beethoven to mention but only a few of his superb progeny to race. His son Fencing Master has taken up stud duties in South Africa.

Oratorio is indeed a coup for Avontuur Stud and South African breeding with 76 Stakes Performers behind his name and 20 Group winners.

In 2016 at the CTS Emperors Palace Select Yearling Sale, Oratorio had two colts each sell for R3,2million respectively.

Oratorio, out of a Vaguely Noble / Alydar mare, stood for a fee of R100 000 in 2016.

Other first season stallions in South Africa to have juveniles to come through this year include Await The Dawn, Byword, Eightfold Path, Irish Flame, Marchfield and Twice Over.

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Emperors New Coat the

by Lisa Barrett

Whether we are aware of it consciously or not, we tend to talk about or refer to horses by their colours, for example, a chestnut, bay, grey, roan and so on. From the time we domesticated horses in about 3500 BC, we have developed our own cultural and sometimes religious bias towards certain colours and patterns in horses.

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ew research by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin, Germany has come up with fascinating evidence that the diversity in colours of horses coats has been strongly affected by our cultural and religious beliefs.

The Institutes scientists analysed data from 201 samples of DNA taken from ancient horses. 14 different colour types were found to exist, early breeds showed just six varieties of colour. Up until now we have had precious little information about the history of horse domestication and our impact on them. According to Dr. Arne Ludwig “Horses have undergone extensive breeding and breed-specific homogenisation (uniformity in breeds), especially during the last few centuries.

Therefore, analysing only modern individuals can lead to false conclusions about the history of the domestic horse.” The present study done by the Institute is the most comprehensive to date, by addressing historical changes in a phenotypic character in ancient domestic animals, and provides important and significant implications regarding the origin and development of modern horses as we know them today.

The benefits to breeders and bloodstockers of having this information on hand could be invaluable, and could help with breeding out certain negative characteristics such as legs and conformation issues from horses, as well as reinventing and reinvigorating lines that have faded away.

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The study revealed that early breeds showed six colour variants, of which three were already present in pre-domestic horses. By the time of the Bronze and Iron Ages, the number of colour varieties increased to nine, a significant jump, indicating that we were after more and new colours. During these times, spotted or diluted horses were all “the rage”, although no clear reasons are provided, it is thought that they provided better camouflage for horsemen from tribes that were attacking their enemies.

Spotted horses During medieval times, the attractiveness of spotted horses decreased and solid coat colours, especially chestnut, became dominant. By the beginning of the Middle Ages when religious fervour was at its height, this played a significant role in the mind set and shift in the decline in popularity of spotted horses to solid coloured horses. Stories have got twisted and embellished over time, but the accepted version of the change of preference relates to Revelations, the last book of the New Testament, in which there is a passage referring to four horsemen of the Apocalypse riding on differently coloured horses. The rider of victory was sitting on a white or white spotted horse, whereas the riders of famine (black), death (bay) and war (chestnut) rode on solid coloured horses. Several plagues and epidemics later, and

the meaning and symbolism changed a bit: the “good” rider of victory was replaced by the “bad” rider of the plague, who still sat on a white or white-spotted horse. As a result, white and spotted horses developed a negative image and connotation and the colour lost popularity over the years.

There might though, have been another more logical and possibly practical reason, white horses stood out more, which was not necessarily a good thing if you were in the middle of a battle or trying to stay concealed from an enemy.

From white to pinto Colour bias has taken many turns over the years, even straying into the realm of art, this is reflected in a famous painting by Jacques-Louis David of Napoleon astride his horse crossing the Alps. Over the centuries, the colour of the horse has changed from white to pinto and many other shades in between as tastes and preferences have changed.

Despite the age of technology and all our modern conveniences, we seem to have carried our colour biases right through into the modern age. A good example of this the association of famous racehorses and stallions by the colour of their coats: the legendary Man O’ War was known as “Big Red”, and American Triple Crown winner Secretariat was known as “Red”. As a result chestnuts have enjoyed continued and sustained popularity from both breeders and fans: from Affirmed’s golden chestnut and Giant’s Causeway’s liver chestnut to South Africa’s very own red

chestnut – Horse Chestnut and California Chrome’s brilliance at the track, its definitely the age of the chestnut.

Certainly one of the most distinctive and unusual colourings of recent times was that of the British wonder colt of 1913, The Tetrach, grey with white spots, which ensured that he stood out by a mile. Although he passed his colouring down to his daughter the “flying filly” Mumtaz Mahal, yet one of his descendants the great American classic, Mr. Prospector showed none of that colouring either in him or his progeny.

Thanks to the explosion of social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram over the past decade, the popularity of certain horse colours have reared their heads once again.

Champion American sire Tapit has had a major influence on this, his striking white colour has enhanced the appeal of white and grey horses, and with the recent addition of Frosted (grey roan) to the American stallion ranks, his ancestor is none other than The Tetrach, it seems the wheel on the colour spectrum is turning once again.

The study done by the Liebniz Institute is a critically important study in not only the evolution of horses, but of our influences on their destinies over the millennia. In order to understand these graceful sentient beings, we need to understand where they come from, and just how much of an impact we’ve had on their development and colouring. Who knows what future generations will chose as their colour preferences, and we might be in for some interesting combinations in years to come. arade MAGAZINE

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South African major matriarchs’

by Sarah Whitelaw

legacy

Throughout the history of the turf, a number of prominent broodmares and their sons and daughters have made their mark on the South African turf. Here is a brief selection of some great producers who, more than most (Drohsky apart), have made their mark on the local stud book.

Missy Baba

T

he great mare, Missy Baba (My Babu), won just one race but more than made amends for her modest racing record when retired to stud. She herself produced US champion sire, Raja Baba (Bold Ruler) and the G1 winning 2yo, Sauce Boat (Key To The Mint). Missy Baba is also dam of Gay Missile, whose G2 Gallinule Stakes winning grandson, Sportsworld (Alleged), enjoyed success at stud in South Africa.

Sportsworld has since become a highly successful broodmare sire, with the likes of G1 Met winner, Hill Fifty Four, (inbred to Gay Missile herself) and Equus Champion, Hot Ticket, to his credit. Missy Baba’s granddaughter, Lassie Dear (Buckpasser) went on to produce former Champion South African sire, Al Mufti (himself sire of another champion sire in Captain Al) and her daughter, Weekend Surprise, (dam of AP Indy and Summer Squall) went on to produce former South African leading first crop sire, Tiger Ridge.

Sister Sarah A descendant of the great race mare and producer, Pretty Polly, Sister Sarah left her mark on the South African scene through both male and female line descendants. Not only is Sister Sarah the ancestress of such South African champions as Mazarin (Preamble II), Roland’s Song (Roland Gardens) and National Emblem (National Assembly), but she was also ancestress of champion sire, Sybil’s Nephew (Midas or Honeyway). The latter sired the brilliant Panjandrum, and SA Guineas winner, Gipsy Hill. Sister Sarah is also seventh dam of recent sprint star and millionaire, Trip Tease (Trippi) and the sixth dam of Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes winner, and G1 Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes runner up, Safe Harbour (Elusive Fort).

Other notable South African descendants of this mare

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(whose relatives included Preamble II-the sire of Mazarin!) included the flying fillies, Termoli (New South Wales) and Nobely Born (Complete Warrior), and G1 Cape Guineas winner, Savonarola (a close relative of Mazarin). The latter went on to enjoy success at stud, with his most notable runner being G1 Holiday Inns (now Summer Cup) winner, Furious.

Former champion National Emblem –another from this familyalso enjoyed success at stud. Not only did the sire of 10 G1 winners head the Leading Sires of 2YOs List in South Africa, but he is also broodmare sire of reigning Horse Of The Year, Legal Eagle.

The E Family Few, if any, Argentine mares, have had a more direct impact on the South African turf than the mare Empiric (Voodoo). Her daughter, Elysee, (El Gran Capitan) produced three South African G1 winners (two champions), including former Horse Of The Year, Empress Club (Farnesio) –one of the greatest race fillies ever seen in South Africa. Elysee also produced the unraced colt, Ethique (Farnesio), who went on to sire champion, Kelly, and she is the third dam of recent Equus Champion and promising young sire, Elusive Fort (Fort Wood), who is sire of G1 winners in his first two crops to date and sire of the above mentioned Safe Harbour. Empiric is also ancestress of South African G1 winners and champions, Escoleta Fitz (Fitzcarraldo), Eventuail (Candy Stripes), and Emerald Beauty (Equalize), among others.

Turbinia A daughter of Met runner up, Jubie, the six time winning Turbinia is not only dam of the great South African broodmare, Sun Lass, (Sun Compass) but also ranks as the second dam of G1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner and outstanding broodmare, Party Time (Filipepi).

Between them, Sun Lass and Party Time produced 18 individual winners, including five stakes winners. While Sun Lass produced July winner, Yataghan, (Marsolve) and top sprinter, Gallantry (Plum Bold), Party Time’s legacy came through her daughters, who would go on to produce G1 winners and international graded winners. Her great granddaughter, First Arrival, (Northern Guest) stamped herself as a top-notch producer, with her offspring including the Equus Champions, Let’s Rock ‘N Roll (Muhtafal) and In The Fast Lane (Jet Master), as well as recent Dubai hero, Light The Lights (Western Winter). Other notable winners descended from Party Time include champion and July winner, Trademark (Goldmark), US graded winner, Consumer Credit, (More Than Ready) and her Fillies Guineas winning dam, Sally Bowles (London News), and G1 winning 2yos, Chestnuts N Pearls (Horse Chestnut) and Morisco (Royal Chalice).

Turbinia is also the seventh dam of this season’s G1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas winner, Just Sensual, (Dynasty).

Lavendula One of the greatest mares in the stud book, Lavendula,(Pharos) and her descendants have exerted a

To advertise in Parade Magazine contact Warren Lenferna 031 314 1926

considerable influence on the South Africa stud book.

Lavendula’s grandson, Turn-To, is the grandsire of former champion sire and broodmare sire, Al Mufti, whose numerous high class performers include champion sire, Captain Al, while Lavendula’s son, Ambiorix is paternal grandsire of former G1 Natal Fillies Guineas winner, Forever Amber, ancestress of G1 winning siblings, Amberpondo (Model Man) and Ethereal Lady (Model Man), as well as current smart performers, African Ruler (Trippi) and St Tropez (Silvano).

Former successful South African sire, Joy II (Djebe), is out of Perfume (out of Lavendula), and he left behind a number of top class performers including G1 Cape Guineas winner, Onyx, Met winner, Snow Fun, top sprinter, Double Eagle, and high class racemare, Joan.

Lavendula is also the ancestress of former Horse Of The Year and outstanding sire, Dynasty (Fort Wood), whose recent representatives include such G1 winners as Bela-Bela and Just Sensual. Dynasty already has a plethora of top class sire sons at stud, headed by his former champions, Futura, Irish Flame and Legislate, all of whom were previously named Horse Of The Year.

Lavendula is also ancestress of this season’s effortless G3 Racing Association Handicap winner, Fortissima.

by Merle Parker

celebs.

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The Racing Association and The Thoroughbred Racing Trust turn 20 this year and are proud of their achievements over the past two decades. The Thoroughbred Horseracing industry underwent enormous transformation in the 1990’s when the government demanded change and the Racing Association and The Trust played an integral role in ensuring the commercial viability of the industry.

A

t the time of corporatisation of the industry, the Clubs racing in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Free State voted to join Phumelela thus falling under RA jurisdiction. Western Cape Racing came on board later in 2011.

The main objective of the RA is to advance and promote the interests of its members and the sport of Thoroughbred Horseracing. From the outset the focus has been to maintain stakes at a level attractive enough to encourage racehorse ownership and to keep owners interested in the sport. In this regard the RA has been able to increase stakes in their racing jurisdictions by between 8-10% in most years. Another important aspect of the Association is to work hand in hand with the racing operators and the National Horseracing Authority to ensure international standards are maintained relating to the racing product, race tracks, training tracks and entertainment facilities. In particular, the racing product that encompasses the programming and grading of races.

A number of strategic amendments have been made to the initial agreement entered into by the RA and the Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust with Phumelela Gaming and Leisure which enabled the RA and the Trust to be more in control of their destiny and act in the best interests of owners and the industry.

Upgrades of facilities by the RA have taken place at all racecourses. These include the revamping of facilities, purchase of new television sets and the moving of the parade ring to the front of the grandstand at Turffontein.

All colour holders are entitled to become members of the Racing Association. However, it is not a prerequisite for all colour holders to join.

Some of the benefits enjoyed by RA members are: • Bonus cheques pertaining to a limited number of maiden plates • Acknowledgement on the RA website for all PGL racing jurisdictions • Free viewing of live racing on Tellytrack.com, compliments of the RA

• Awarding of trophies to winning connections of all graded and listed races • Personalised badges • Exclusive dining and parking facilities • Representation on various racing committees through the directors • Invitations to RA members with runners in Group 1 races • Attendance at an annual cocktail party • Gifts to winning connections who are on course • Subscription to a racing publication • Complimentary Racing calendar • Hosting of RA Awards in various racing jurisdictions In addition to our interest in members and owners requirements, the RA has been involved in a number of promotions and provides financial support for a number of racing initiatives, namely: • Re-Introduction of the Triple Crown • Re-Introduction of the Triple Tiara • Hosting the International Jockeys Challenge • Donations to Horse Care units countrywide • Donations to the Owners and Trainers Benevolent Fund • Financial support for Equine Research Likewise, The Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust of which five of the seven Trustees are appointed by the RA, have been involved in the following projects: • Work Rider’s Programme • Gauteng Jockeys Academy • Health Programmes for grooms – HIV and TB • Protective riding gear for grooms • Donations to Equine Research Programmes • Donations to the stakes pot On behalf of the RA directors past and present, Larry Wainstein, director and Chief Executive Officer of the Racing Association, wishes to thank all RA Members for their continued support.

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Do you recognise me?

Town Noir Full brother to Cape n Feet (Western Winter x Aki

by Fort Wood)

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Retired Champ Having won my first start by 6 lengths, I went on to notch up another 10 wins, for R1 373 875, at 2 to 7, over 1000 - 1400m, including the G3 August Stakes, placed 34 times, including 2nd in G3 August Stakes, 3rd Senor Santa Handicap G2 and 3rd in G3 August Stakes.

B

red by Lammerskraal Stud and trained by Sean Tarry for Chris van Niekerk and Markus Jooste, this is Across The Ice. Across the Ice: The 10 year old gelding was retired from racing in February 2016 to former assistant trainer to the Tarry yard, Debbie le Roux. He has merely moved a few stable blocks down from his previous stable in Randjesfontein and is much loved companion and sometimes lead pony for Debbie in Alec Laird’s yard. With his relaxed demeanour and quirky character it’s easy to see why Debbie fell in love with him after working with the sand soldier for three years. He is very clearly very well and looks more like a quarter horse ready for barrel racing, despite the fact that he is fed only hay and Lucerne cubes!

Hard Currency: (Hard Up x Soviet Bride by Jallad) Bred by Normandy Stud and trained by Erico Verdonese for the Smith/Heynes partnership for 2 wins, R152 350, at 4, 1600m, placed 7 times.

His owner Michelle Williams, tells her story: “He came off the Track in mid-2012, with a tendon injury. I was involved at the stable yard that he was sent to, to rest. While he was there, the decision was made not to bring him back into training and to let him retire to a recreational home. I was the lucky person to be in the right place at the right time.

I purchased him and he became mine as of November 2012. He was sound but due to his legs we allowed him to rest until January the next year. We worked with him on the ground and allowed him to experience being a horse. He discovered water and loves playing in a dam and rolling. He looks an absolute sight at times, but he is a happy boy and that is all that matters to me. He has been brought on slowly and he loves his life. He is looking amazing, I am sometimes jokingly told he looks like he is in foal but he is round and happy.

I ride him in smaller classes at shows, where he looks after me but Billy du Toit rides him in the 1.20m classes and he’s a gem.

He is honestly an amazing horse, and I am privileged that he chose me to be his person when he stopped racing.

https://www.facebook.com/BeyondRacingSA/

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Graded

race

Results

by Ada Van der Bent

CAPE GUINEAS FILLIES (GRADE 1) - R1,000,000 - 1600m - Kenilworth 1st R625,000, 2nd R200,000, 3rd R100,000 - December 3 1. JUST SENSUAL 3yo b.f. by Dynasty - Consensual (Camden Park 2nd dam: Isadora Duncan (Dancing Champ) 3rd dam: In Camera (Contraband) Owners: Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Klawervlei Stud Trainer: J Ramsden Jockey: A Marcus 2. Safe Harbour 3yo b.f. by Elusive Fort - Saint Isidore (Rakeen) Owners: C J H van Niekerk and W Smith Bred by: Dr J Antrobus 3. Querari Falcon 3yo b.f. by Querari - Pretty Waves (Crimson Waves) Owner: Drakenstein Stud (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Estate Late B H Botha and A J Botha and Mrs M E Botha Then came: Sail, Lady Of The House, Smokey Affair, Maleficent, Final Judgement, Captain Gambler, Whose That Girl, She’s A Giver, Dawn Calling, Red Light Girl, Quick Brown Fox (Aus), Visuality Won by: neck - 3.25 - shorthead Time: 1-14,10 Dynasty filly JUST SENSUAL brushed aside some big names to pass her first acid test with flying colours. Handicapped by a wide draw, Joey Ramsden’s charge looped the entire field from a hopeless position on the turn and edged out Safe Harbour close home to take a timehonoured classic which has been won in recent times by champions Princess Victoria, Rumya and In The Fast Lane.

The winner came into the mile classic off two excellent victories. She cracked her maiden over 1200m second time out and relished the extra furlong to score an equally facile win next time out. Thrown in the deep end here against a number of Gr1 performers, she took the step up to Gr1 company with aplomb.

For Ramsden it was a second success, having trained 2004 winner Shadow Dancing, like Just Sensual, a Klawervlei-bred.

A R2-million graduate of the Cape Premier Yearling Sale, Just Sensual was bred to excel. She is the tenth Gr1 winner sired by Dynasty, while her dam, the champion juvenile filly Consensual, won the Gr1 (then) Durban Golden Slipper for trainer Mike Bass and the late Laurie and Jean Jaffee.

Just Sensual was bred at Klawervlei and is the third foal of her dam.

Consensual’s first foal Ad Idem (Jet Master), was exported to Dubai after just two starts as a juvenile in Sheikh Hamdan’s silks, for a maiden win and a close-up third in the Gr2 Debutante. Her second foal, a

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Silvano filly, has won three times this season.

This is the illustrious family of Paddock Stakes winner and celebrated broodmare Sun Lass, the dam of outstanding performers Yataghan, Tallulah, Runnymede, Gallantry and Violetta (the fourth dam of Consensual).

GREEN POINT STAKES (GRADE 2) - R400,000 - 1600m - Kenilworth 1st R250,000, 2nd R80,000, 3rd R40,000 - December 3 1. LEGAL EAGLE 5yo b.g. by Greys Inn - Young Sensation (National Emblem) 2nd dam: Fair Model (Model Man) 3rd dam: Winged Princess (Another Prince) Owners: Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm Trainer: S G Tarry Jockey: A Marcus 2. Marinaresco 4yo b.g. by Silvano - Gay Fortuna (Fort Wood) Owners: M W Bass, F Green, B Ressell and N M Shirtliff Bred by: Mauritzfontein Stud 3. Captain America 6yo b.g. by Captain Al - Requista (Fort Wood) Owners: Mesdames Adam Gurney, Diane Nagle and D J Sherrell Bred by: Varsfontein Stud Then came: Sail South, Abashiri, New Predator (Aus), Black Arthur, Helderberg Blue Won by: 0.50 - 4.25 - 3.25 Time: 1-36,92 Reigning Horse of the Year LEGAL EAGLE set him himself up perfectly for his defence of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate by defeating a small, but select field in this Gr2 event.

Under a peach of a ride from Anton Marcus, the gelding surged past long-time leader Sail South in the straight and as expected, the race developed into a battle of the two principal contenders, as last season’s champion 3YO and market rival Marinaresco gave chase.

However, the Mayfair runner got first run, and although the younger horse was steadily making up the deficit, Tarry’s champion showed class and courage to score by a just over a neck. The pair had pulled lengths clear of last year’s winner Captain America, who ran third in a well strung-out finish.

Successful in four of his last six starts, Legal Eagle returned to action on November 13 following a seven-month break and gave notice of his well-being when a fast-finishing third in a Turffontein sprint.

A classic winner of the Gr1 SA Derby, Legal Eagle last season put together a fine Gr1 treble comprising the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate,

just sensual.

Legal Eagle.

H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes and Champions Challenge, in addition to chasing home champion Smart Call in the J&B Met. Lightly-raced, the five-year-old has run just 14 times for eight wins and four places. This latest success pushed his career earnings to over R6million.

Bred by Avontuur Stud manager Pippa Mickleburgh, Legal Eagle is by champion Greys Inn out of Young Sensation. Likewise trained by Tarry, she finished second in the Listed Scarlet Lady and third in the Gr3 Gerald Rosenberg Handicap. A half-sister to Gr2 Selangor Cup runner-up Young Warrior (Complete Warrior), she is out of Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship winner Fair Model. Young Sensation’s last registered foal is a juvenile filly by Philanthropist.

12, that after a five-month break. Following a smart maiden win over a mile in January, the then colt was campaigned around the turn, but after finishing almost 25 lengths behind champion Marinaresco in the Winter Guineas, he suffered the unkindest cut of all. Gelded, he reverted to pure sprinting and with great success, as in four starts since, he has tasted defeated just once, and that by the shortest of shortheads.

A R450,000 National Yearling Sale graduate, the budding sprint star is

by Captain Al out of English import Princess Magdalena and was bred

by Rose and Dr Ashley Parker at their Ascot Stud.

Although she won just once at three, Princess Magdalena’s appeal was quite evident, she is a half-sister to the multiple champion and five-time Gr1 winner Dancer’s Daughter (Act One), who proved the equal of racing legend Pocket Power in the 2008 Vodacom Durban July.

Grandam Reason To Dance finished third in the Gr2 Falmouth Stakes and also produced Gr3 winner Diktatorial (Diktat). This family’s impact on South African racing goes back to 1991, when David Payne won the Gr1 Gold Cup with Icona (Green Dancer), a half-brother to Search Party’s third dam La Nureyeva (Nureyev).

CAPE MERCHANTS (GRADE 2) - R400,000 - 1200m - Kenilworth 1st R250,000, 2nd R80,000, 3rd R40,000 - December 3 1. SEARCH PARTY 4yo b.g. by Captain Al - Princess Magdalena (Pennekamp) 2nd dam: Reason To Dance (Damister) 3rd dam: Lanureyeva (Nureyev) Owner: Mrs D J Sherrell Bred by: Ascot Stud (Pty) Ltd Trainer: B Crawford Jockey: C Orffer 2. Silicone Valley 6yo b.g. by Jay Peg - Prize Collection (Model Man) Owners: C F Bester, F M Carruthers, P Fourie, K Martin and I Robinson Bred by: Klawervlei Stud 3. Captain Alfredo 5yo b.g. by Captain Al - Zooming Zellie (King Of Kings) Owner: A L A Crabbia Bred by: Highlands Farms Stud (Pty) Ltd Then came: Victorious Jay, Tevez, Captain Swarovski, Hack Green, Ernie, Orion Quest, Seventh Pain, Triptique, Mambo Mime, Asstar, Gunner, It Is Written, Exelero, Line Break Non-runners: Red Ray, Real Princess, Percival Time: 1-11,59 SEARCH PARTY proved beyond a doubt that he has found his metier as a sprinter when he ran a classy field off their feet to record a first stakes success.

Blessed with extraordinary gate speed and with just a postage 52 kg on this back, Brett Crawford’s charge left the stalls like a scalded cat. He soon had his rivals gasping for air as he scorched over the Kenilworth turf and was never headed to win by a half-length Search Party’s win did not come as a big surprise, he had after all defeated a number of his rivals in his seasonal debut on November

SOUTHERN CROSS STAKES (GRADE 2) - R400,000 - 1000m - Kenilworth 1st R250,000, 2nd R80,000, 3rd R40,000 - December 10 1. JO’S BOND 4yo b.f. by Captain Al - Itlaaq (Muhtafal) 2nd dam: Balsam (Cadeaux Genereux) 3rd dam: Diali (Dayjur) Owners: A Attieh, J Chowles, M P van Tonder, N C Cooper, M A Govender et al Bred by: Klawervlei Stud Trainer: S J Snaith Jockey: D Dillon 2. Carry On Alice 5yo b.m. by Captain Al - Carry On Katie (Western Winter) Owners: C J H van Niekerk, Dr J A Warner

and Klawervlei Stud (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Klawervlei Stud 3. Scandal 4yo ch.f. by Muhtafal - Lewinsky’s Lover (Jallad) Owners: F N Englezakis, D Fleischman and F van Wyk Bred by: Backworth Stud Then came: Beach Goddess, Real Princess, Victoria Lavelle, Varumba, Champery, Anime, Rock On Baby Won by: 0.50 - 0.50 - 0.75 Time: 59,00

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william longsword.

icy trail.

Notwithstanding a six-month break, triple Gr1 winner Carry On Alice was regarded as the proverbial penalty kick to make it back-to-back victories here and as expected, she went to post a red-hot favourite.

Sean Tarry’s charge toed it out with JO’S BOND from the start and briefly stuck her head in front at the quarter mark, however, the superior racing fitness of Justin Snaith’s four-year-old told in the end and she edged ahead a furlong from home. While Carry On Alice gamely battled back, the younger filly overcame the unwanted attentions of her rival to assert by a half-length at the line. Carry On Alice had a similar margin to spare over the fast-finishing Scandal, who had recently scorched to a new South African 1000m record at Fairview.

Jo’s Bond finally broke through at stakes level and is a true 1000m specialist, having registered all seven career wins over the minimum trip.

The Klawervlei bred, a R325,000 yearling purchase, certainly has lived up to her speedy pedigree. She is the latest stakes winner for the stud’s standout stallion Captain Al, a renowned source of speed, having sired such champion sprinters as Captain Of All and All Is Secret.

This Southern Cross exacta also came on the back of the previous weekend’s Gr2 Merchants, where his son Search Party had run his rivals off their feet in the 1200m dash up the straight.

Jo Bond’s first three dams are all by renowned speedsters: her unraced dam Itlaaq is a daughter of Muthafal (also the sire of Scandal), grandam Balsam is by champion sprinter Cadeaux Genereux and third dam Diali is by the incomparable Dayjur, who proved invincible over five furlongs.

Then came: Elevated, Edict Of Nantes, Africa Rising, Singapore Sling, Elusive Path, Heavenly Blue (Aus), Hack Green, I Travel Light, Bishop’s Bounty, Zodiac Ruler (Aus), Pacific Spirit, Craven, Gunner Non-runners: A New Dawn (Aus), Boldly Respectable Won by: 0.50 - 3.25 - 0.50 Time: 1-39,34

GRAND PARADE CAPE GUINEAS (GRADE 1) - R1,000,000 - 1600m Kenilworth 1st R625,000, 2nd R200,000, 3rd R100,000 - December 17 1. WILLIAM LONGSWORD 3yo b.c. by Captain Al - Pagan Princess (Fort Wood) 2nd dam: Dancing Flower (Dancing Champ) 3rd dam: Wild Hyacinth (Royal Prerogative) Owners: Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Klawervlei Stud Trainer: V H Marshall Jockey: M Byleveld 2. Gold Standard 3yo b.c. by Trippi - Olympic Dam (Model Man) Owner: Chrigor Stud (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Mr and Mrs C F de Vos 3. Table Bay (AUS) 3yo b/br.c. by Redoute’s Choice - Gabriella (Cape Cross) Owners: Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Raffles Dancers (NZ) (Pty) Ltd

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Trainer Vaughan Marshall broke a 16-year drought when his progressive three-year-old WILLIAM LONGSWORD landed him a fourth success in the Western Cape’s premier mile classic.

In 2000, Marshall had put the finishing touches to the colt’s sire Captain Al, who likewise overcame an outside draw to take the time-honoured classic.

Jockey M J Byleveld quickly settled William Longsword within striking distance of the pace set by favourite Table Bay, who maintained his advantage well into the straight, but was collared by William Longsword approaching the furlong mark. The colt quickly skipped clear and it was left to Selangor Cup hero Gold Standard to chase him home. Alas, the bird had flown and the Marshall runner maintained his advantage to score by half a length and turn the tables, having finished sixth in the Selangor.

Now a five-time winner from seven starts, William Longsword also gave champion owners Markus and Ingrid Jooste their third victory in this event, two years after Act Of War (Dynasty) carried their colours to victory, while dual Horse of the Year Variety Club (Var) took the honours in 2011. Their third winner likewise looks a specialist miler in the making, having scored all but his maiden win over the trip.

Marshall had given R2.2-million for the Klawervlei-bred colt at the 2015 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, and rightly so, as he boasts a pedigree right out of the top drawer.

A half-brother to last season’s Gr1 City of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint Real Princess (Trippi), he is the second top level winner out of Pagan Princess, a half-sister to the outstanding galloper, Dubai Horse of the Year and successful stallion Victory Moon (Al Mufti) and to champion stayer Kelly (Ethique).

SUN INTERNATIONAL PREMIER TROPHY (GRADE 2) - R400,000 - 1800m Kenilworth 1st R250,000, 2nd R80,000, 3rd R40,000 - December 17 1. ICY TRAIL 4yo b.g. by Go Deputy - Icy Air (Jallad) 2nd dam: Nordic Air (Northern Guest) 3rd dam: Laughing Music (Luthier) Owners: Mr B P and Mrs K Finch Bred by: Lammerskraal Stud Trainer: C L Bass-Robinson Jockey: G van Niekerk 2. Krambambuli 5yo ch.g. by Black Minnaloushe - Sailing To Rio (Woodman)

goodtime gal.

Owner: Mrs S Plattner Bred by: La Plaisance Stud 3. Bold Rex 3yo b.g. by Bold Silvano - Rexana (National Assembly) Owners: M F de Kock, G M Grant, C S Haynes, J R van der Linden

and Mrs N P Malherbe Bred by: Ascot Stud (Pty) Ltd Then came: Prince Of Waes, St Tropez, Ovidio (Aus), Dynamic, Helderberg Blue Won by: neck - neck - 0.50 Time: 1-52,21 The Kenilworth crowd was treated to a humdinger finish which saw ICY TRAIL register a game first stakes win.

Patiently ridden by stable jockey Grant van Niekerk, the blinkered four-year-old raced three wide around the turn, angled out to the standside at the top of the straight and hooked up with Krambambuli approaching the 300m mark. The pair engaged in a battle royal to the line, but Icy Trail asserted in the closing stages to score by a neck.

It was an auspicious first stakes victory, not just for the winner but also for trainer Candice Bass-Robinson, who took over the stable licence from father Mike Bass at the start of the racing season.

Owner Brian Finch paid R270,000 to acquire Icy Trail as a yearling and with earnings of R566,025, the gelding has more than doubled that investment.

He is the latest stakes winner to emerge from the Lammerskraal paddocks and made it a day to remember for the Ceres farm and his sire, resident stallion Go Deputy. His victory set up a fine graded double for the son of Deputy Minister, who of course is best known as the sire of last season’s Triple Crown winner Abashiri.

The dam Icy Air was voted the champion classic female following a season which saw her complete an Oaks double and land both the SA Fillies Classic and Woolavington Stakes. Although Icy Trail is her first stakes winner, she already counted three black-type performers amongst her offspring, the Western Winter fillies Icy Winter Air (third in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery) and Izora (runner-up in the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes), as well as Listed Ibhayi Handicap third Iceagelegacy (Rakeen).

Out of the Northern Guest mare Nordic Air, Icy Air is a half-sister to Gr2 Gold Circle Derby second Ice Axe (Solskjaer), whose successes in Mauritius saw him crowned the island’s Horse of the year in 2012.

CTS VICTRESS STAKES (GRADE 3) - R250,000 - 1800m - Kenilworth 1st R156,250, 2nd R50,000, 3rd R25,000 - December 17 1. GOODTIME GAL 4yo b.f. by Royal Air Force - Tirza (Silvano) 2nd dam: Derry Wood (Fort Wood) 3rd dam: Ballinderry (Royal Prerogative) Owner: J H van Heerden Bred by: Dr S C Davis Trainer: M J Robinson Jockey: R Fourie 2. Nightingale 4yo b.f. by Silvano - Quickwood (Fort Wood) Owners: Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd and Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Wilgerbosdrift 3. Qing 4yo b.f. by Dynasty - Riva (Acatenango) Owners: Mr A N and The Hon Mrs G R Foster Bred by: Mr A N Foster Then came: Tonya, Icy Fire, Anglet, Fear Not, Quine, Francia, Harlem Shake, Adorada, Tambalang Won by: 0.75 - 1 - 0.75 Time: 1-52,76 GOODTIME GAL is a feature race bridesmaid no longer after scoring a well-timed win in the Victress, her first at stakes level.

Turning for home within striking distance of the lead, Mike Robinson’s charge willingly responded when jockey Richard Fourie let out the reins. She delivered the knockout blow approaching the final furlong, surged clear of her field and always had the measure of a fast-closing Nightingale to score by the best part of a length. It was an overdue first stakes win for Goodtime Gal, who has been on the cusp of stakes success with a string of seconds in all of the Gr3 Diana Stakes, the Sweet Chestnut Stakes and Stormsvlei Mile. A model of consistency, she has won four times and has finished out of the money just once in her career, while rewarding owner Juan van Heerden with earnings fast approaching R500,000. Goodtime Gal also has the honour of being the first stakes winner for her sire, a strapping son of the late great Jet Master, whose daughters River Jetez (2009), Jet Aglow (2013) and Jet Supreme (2014) are past Victress Stakes winners. Tirza, the dam of the newly-minted stakes winner, is a placed half-sister to Gr2 winner Royal Vintage (Rich Man’s Gold), who went on to a successful career in Dubai, where he landed the Al Bastakiya and ran second in both the UAE Derby and Guineas. Her Al Mufti half-sister Alderry won the Gr2 November Handicap and is the dam of the exciting three-year-old Al Sahem. An impressive winner of both starts, he is by Tirza’s sire Silvano.

Tirza has a yearling colt by Captain Al and visited Judpot in 2015.

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royal badge.

rikitikitana.

GRAND WEST CAPE SUMMER STAYERS HANDICAP (GRADE 3) R250,000 - 2500m - Kenilworth 1st R156,250, 2nd R50,000, 3rd R25,000 - December 17 1. ROYAL BADGE 4yo b.g. by Go Deputy - So Royal (Kahir Almaydan) 2nd dam: Diamond Blade (Lear Fan) 3rd dam: Sharp Heiress (Blade) Owners: M J Baigel, Mr E G & Mrs L C Bouwer and Mr B Marcus Bred by: G J Armitage Trainer: A N Marcus Jockey: C Orffer 2. Three Balloons 5yo b.g. by Judpot - Souen (Montjeu) Owner: Jagessar Limited Bred by: Jagessar Limited 3. Smart Mart 5yo b.g. by Mambo In Seattle - Joyful Dancer (Almushtarak) Owners: Mr & Mrs F Ladeira & M C Gerber, R M Parkin

& G R Sadleir & Drs M W Roberts et al Bred by: Moutonshoek Then came: My World, Roman Discent, Cape Speed, Arezzo, Gothic, Arch Rival, Captain Splendid, Dynastic Power, Balance Sheet, Ultimate Dollar Won by: 2.75 - 0.75 - longhead Time: 2-36,80 The formbook went out the window in this stayers’ event when 22-1 longshot ROYAL BADGE blindsided his rivals with a dominant, careerbest effort.

In his first attempt over this extended trip, the Adam Marcus-trained bay settled on the rail, no more than five lengths off the pace. At the quarter mark, he stormed into the lead and quickly kicked clear.

Kenilworth Cup runner-up Three Balloons gave chase, but Royal Badge had the race in the bag and went on to cruise home by the best part of three lengths.

The winner’s formline reflected his generous starting price. Since reeling off a double over 1600 and 1800m a year ago, his best effort in five subsequent starts came in the Gr3 Winter Classic, where he ran third, 1.65-length behind champion Marinaresco.

This dominant return to winning form suggests he may have found his metier over ground and his future engagement will likely be in the staying ranks.

For the record, he completed a fine graded double on the day for Lammerskraal stallion Go Deputy, his victory following on Icy Trail’s score in the Gr2 Premiers Trophy.

Bred by Geoff Armitage, Royal Badge joins an accomplished trio of

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fillies as the fourth stakes winner produced by the grand broodmare So Royal, a stakes-placed five-time winner in Zimbabwe. Her first foal, the Royal Extravagance (Kitalpha), won the Listed Lady’s Pendant and ran third in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint. Mated to Ashaawes, she produced the dual Gr3 winner Priceless Jewel, who likewise notched up Gr1 black type when third in the Majorca Stakes, and to Horse Chestnut, she bred Listed Stormsvlei Mile victress Crystal Cavern. So Royal has a yearling filly by Ashaawes.

CHRISTMAS HANDICAP (GRADE 3) - R250,000 - 1600m - Greyville (Turf) 1st R156,250, 2nd R50,000, 3rd R25,000 - December 26 1. RIKITIKITANA 4yo b.g. by Toreador - Russian Foxtrot (National Emblem) 2nd dam: Kazatzka (Russian Fox) 3rd dam: Don’t Forget (Jamaico) Owners: Dr K G Bakos, G M Bakos and C C Basel Trainer: S G Tarry Bred by: The Alchemy Jockey: L Hewitson 2. Celtic Captain 4yo b.g. by Captain Al - Celtic Chalice (Royal Chalice) Owner: B D Burnard Bred by: Patricia Devine Investments (Pty) Ltd 3. Budapest 4yo b.g. by Lithuanian - Fashion File (Count Dubois) Owner: B D Burnard Bred by: Witzenberg Stud Then came: Stormy Eclipse, Ashton Park, Capel Top (Arg), Sylvester The Cat, Mr Roy, Royal Navy Ship (Usa), Great Rumpus, Lunar Approach Won by: 0.50 - 0.75 - 1.75 Time: 1-38,00 RIKITIKITANA gave his connections a belated Christmas gift, courtesy of a career best effort in this traditional Boxing Day event.

Apprentice Lyle Hewitson drove Sean Tarry’s charge into the lead 300m out and although hard-pressed by top weight Celtic Captain, the four-year-old gamely stuck to his task to open his stakes account by a half length. Considering the winner enjoyed an 8kg pull in the weights, Celtic Captain was ultra-game in defeat.

Rikitikitana had been knocking on the door with big weights in lesser company and took the step up to graded stakes level in his stride.

He is the latest stakes winner sired by Danehill stallion Toreador, who relocated to Bush Hill Stud in 2013, having spent the first 8 seasons of his stallion career at The Alchemy.

The Robertson nursery bred Rikitikitana from Russian Foxtrot, a fourtime winning full-sister to Gr1 Thekwini victress Royal Emblem. By

rivarine.

fort ember.

National Emblem, they are out of accomplished racemare Kazatzka, who twice captured the Gr3 Gerald Rosenberg Handicap. The last registered foal out of Russian Foxtrot is a juvenile filly by Seventh Rock.

a career which saw her traverse the globe, she carried the yellow Amm silks to victory on 11 occasions, the highlight of which a stunning victory over Mother Russia and Pocket Power in the 2010 Gr1 J&B Met. A subsequent international campaign yielded an impressive score in the Gr2 Balanchine in Dubai, runner-up efforts in the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free and Gr1 Singapore Airlines International Cup, as well as a third in the Gr1 Beverly D Stakes at Arlington Park.

Returned to her birth country and retired to Avontuur Stud, resident speedster Var was selected as her first mate, with Rivarine the result.

River Jetez has a juvenile filly by Oratorio called Jetori which will race in the Avontuur silks; she has a Dynasty colt at foot and is back in foal to Var.

LEBELO SPRINT (GRADE 3) - R250,000 - 1000m - Turffontein 1st R156,250, 2nd R50,000, 3rd R25,000 - December 31 1. RIVARINE 3yo b.c. by Var - River Jetez (Jet Master) 2nd dam: Stormsvlei (Prince Florimund) 3rd dam: Distant Echoes (Prince Sao) Owners: B Riley and T Gericke Bred by: Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm and Mr and Mrs C A Amm Trainer: M G Azzie Jockey: L Hewitson 2. Queen Laurie 3yo b.f. by Great Britain - Maggie Kay (Lecture) Owner: G J Maroun Bred by: Worldwise Breeding Syndicate 3. Wrecking Ball 3yo b.f. by Great Britain - Picadilly Miss (London News) Owners: G J Maroun, G H Normand and J C Buffy

and Mr and Mrs M Aboud Bred by: Worldwise Breeding Syndicate Then came: Dollar Dazzler, Greasepaint, Captain’s Causeway, Manx Park, African Ruler, Seattle Singer Non-runner: Easy Game Won by: 2.25 - neck - 0.50 Time: 55,85 Making his first start for new owners Brian Riley and Tinus Gericke, RIVARINE opened his stakes account with a potent finishing burst down the Turffontein straight.

Galvanized by jockey Lyle Hewitson, the bay quickened past longtime leader Greasepaint to strike the front 150m out and despite drifting right across the track, he cruised home by just over two lengths.

It was an overdue first stakes success for the three-year-old, a private purchase from previous owners Adriaan and Rika van Vuuren. In their colours, he had run second in last season’s Gr1 SA Nursery and third in the Gr1 Gold Medallion. His sole defeat in three starts this season came at the hands of stakes winning filly Green Pepper, who defeated him by a head while in receipt of6.5 kg.

Now a four-time winner, the colt has finished out of the first three just once in his career, that when he pulled up short in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over the Greyville mile.

Rivarine is the first foal of the outstanding racemare River Jetez, an own sister to the legendary triple Horse of the Year Pocket Power. In

FLAMBOYANT STAKES (GRADE 3) - R250,000 - 1600m - Greyville 1st R156,250, 2nd R50,000, 3rd R25,000 - January 1 1. FORT EMBER 4yo b.f. by Elusive Fort - Glowing Amber (Kahal) 2nd dam: Compass Fire (All Fired Up) 3rd dam: Compass Queen (Verdino) Owners: Dr K G Bakos and Messrs G M Bakos, I Levitan

and P A Peter Bred by: Arc-En-Ciel Stud Trainer: P A Peter Jockey: L Hewitson 2. Impala Lily 4yo b.f. by Trippi - Barberton Daisy (Western Winter) Owner: Drakenstein Stud Bred by: Drakenstein Stud 3. Dawn Calling 3yo b.f. by Trippi - Acquavella (Danehill) Owner: D D MacLean Bred by: Mr and Mrs A W Procter Then came: Olma, Lala, Heaps Of Fun, Well In Flight, Playboy Buddy, Crackpot, Littleblacknumber, Work Ethic, Music World, Miss Minver Won by: 2 - 3.50 - head Time: 1-36.64 Gauteng visitor FORT EMBER opened the New Year on a high when she scored a dominant first stakes win in the Flamboyant Stakes.

The daughter of Elusive Fort patiently stalked the leader Littleblacknumber, who set no more than a moderate pace up front.

At the top of the straight, she delivered the coup de grace, kicked clear of her field and was punched out by apprentice Lyle Hewitson to win unchallenged.

It was a stylish display from the Paul Peter-trained winner and one which greatly enhanced her value.

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Live life.

Legal Eagle.

Snapped up for a bargain R60,000 at the Cape Ready To Run Sale, the now five-time winner boasts prize money of R455,875 and has earned a cheque in all but one of her nine starts. Her success added to a redletter week for Kevin and Glen Bakos, co-owners also in Rikitikitana, winner of the Gr3 Christmas Handicap over the course and distance on Boxing Day. The filly is the fourth stakes winner for her accomplished sire, who stands at Klipdrif Stud. A champion son of Fort Wood, Elusive Fort is having a fine time of it at the moment, with stakes winning son Ernie finishing an eye-catching third in the Listed Southeaster Sprint on December 24.

Bred by Arc-En-Ciel Stud, Fort Ember is the only known foal out of dual winner Glowing Ember, one of six winners produced by stakes-placed Compass Fire.

course and distance.

Although this third lifetime success more than doubled her earnings to just over R400,000, Candice Bass-Robinson’s charge still has a long way to go to recoup her yearling price of R2.5-million! Nevertheless, her achievements on the racetrack embellish an already flawless pedigree.

By ruling champion sire Trippi, Live Life is the second stakes winner produced by Avontuur Stud’s Gr3 Champagne Stakes victress Viva, whose broodmare record to date has mirrored her racetrack achievements.

The mare’s first foal, the hugely talented but fragile gelding Viva La Var (Var), ripped through his first four starts unbeaten and in a career restricted to just nine starts, also ran second in the Listed Umngeni Handicap. Viva’s second foal, Cold As Ice (Western Winter) put her dam on the map with Gr2 victories in the Choice Carriers Championship and Sceptre Stakes. Sent to England, she won on British soil before a tendon injury ended her racing career. Viva’s most recent foals, both fillies, are a Var juvenile and a Silvano yearling.

CARTIER SCEPTRE STAKES (GRADE 2) - R400,000 - 1200m - Kenilworth 1st R250,000, 2nd R80,000, 3rd R40,000 - January 6 1. LIVE LIFE 3yo b.f. by Trippi - Viva (National Assembly) 2nd dam: Hot Grass (Harry Hotspur) 3rd dam: Green Pastures (New South Wales) Owner: Hunkydory Investments (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Avontuur Thoroughred Farm Trainer: C L Bass-Robinson Jockey: G van Niekerk 2. Carry On Alice 5yo b.m. by Captain Al - Carry On Katie (Western Winter) Owners: C J H van Niekerk, Dr J A Warner

and Klawervlei Stud (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Klawervlei Stud 3. Beach Goddess 5yo b.m. by Kildonan - Rock Goddess (Giant’s Causeway) Owner: I W Longmore Bred by: Klawervlei Stud Then came: Champery, Scandal, Our Destiny, Come Fly With Me, Real Princess, Acaciawood, The Merry Widow, Visuality, Victoria Lavelle Won by 0.75 - neck - 1 Time: 1-12,60 On collateral form, multiple Gr1 winner Carry On Alice looked a racing certainty and she was backed as if defeat was out of the question.

She took command a long way from home but approaching the final furlong, was flat to the boards and could find no extra when 16-1 shot LIVE LIFE loomed on her inside. The three-year-old surged into the lead close home and bounded away to score by just under a length.

This was by far a career best effort from the winner, who as a juvenile, had run a close second in the Listed Perfect Promise Sprint over the

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L’ORMARINS QUEEN’S PLATE (GRADE 1) - R1,500,000 - 1600m Kenilworth 1st R937,500, 2nd R300,000, 3rd R150,000 - January 7 1. LEGAL EAGLE 5yo b.g. by Greys Inn - Young Sensation (National Emblem) 2nd dam: Fair Model (Model Man) 3rd dam: Winged Princess (Another Prince) Owners: Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm Trainer: S G Tarry Jockey: A Marcus 2. Captain America 6yo b.g. by Captain Al - Requista (Fort Wood) Owners: Mesdames A Gurney, D Nagle and D J Sherrell Bred by: Varsfontein Stud 3. Sail South 6yo b.g. by Sail From Seattle - Southern Pride (Northfields) Owners: Mrs G J Dempsey and Mr and Mrs G N Pott Bred by: Mr and Mrs G N Pott Then came: Marinaresco, Silicone Valley, Midnite Zone, The Conglomerate (Aus), French Navy, Fifty Cents, Bold Rex, Abashiri Won by: 2.25 - 0.75 - neck Time: 1-37,73 The mission towards the Gr1 Met is ‘full steam ahead’ for ruling Horse of the Year LEGAL EAGLE after he won the Queen’s Plate in a common canter, leaving his owner, trainer and jockey all licking their lips in anticipation of a glorious day come January 28.

bela-bela.

The defending champion was all the rage to make it back-to-back victories in the 156th renewal of the country’s premier mile event and in yet another dominant display, he duly obliged Confidently ridden throughout by Anton Marcus, the gelding bided his time in third. Shaken up approaching the final furlong, he smoothly moved into the lead and it was race over. The champion bounded clear of his rivals to come home unchallenged, proving yet again that he has no equal in the older horse division.

A winning victory in last month’s Gr3 Green Point Stakes over Marinaresco set him up perfectly for his Queen’s Plate defence and as stated, it’s on to the Met, where he will aim to go one better, following his second behind the filly Smart Call twelve months ago.

Bred by Avontuur Stud manager Pippa Mickleburgh, Legal Eagle is now a millionaire seven times over and is by far the best stakes winner sired by champion Greys Inn. (For pedigree details, see Green Point Stakes above).

MAINE CHANCE FARMS PADDOCK STAKES (GRADE 1) - R1,000,000 1800m - Kenilworth 1st R625,000, 2nd R200,000, 3rd R100,000 - January 7 1. BELA-BELA 4yo gr.f. by Dynasty - Mystic Spring (Royal Acamey) Owner: Varsfontein Stud (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Cheveley Stud Trainer: S J Snaith Jockey: A Marcus 2. Safe Harbour 3yo b.f. by Elusive Fort - Saint Isidore (Rakeen) Owners: C J H van Niekerk and W Smith Bred by: Dr R J Antrobus 3. Silver Mountain 4yo b.f. by Silvano - Our Table Mountain (Fusaichi Pegasus) Owner: Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Highlands Farms Stud (Pty) Ltd Then came: Nightingale, Star Express, Final Judgement, Sail, Goodtime Gal, Icy Fire, Whose That Girl, Chevauchee (Aus), Tahini Won by: 0.50 - 1 - 0.75 Time: 1-51,51 Third in last year’s race, champion BELA-BELA shone brightly on a glorious day’s racing and downed an elite weight-for-age field to double her tally at the top level.

The grey gave her connections a few anxious moments when jockey Anton Marcus ran out of running room at the top of the straight and was forced to take the overhead route. Racing up the stand side, she set out after Safe Harbour, who had taken the lead entering the final

furlong and having made up the deficit, she surged past Sean Tarry’s filly close home to win going away. It’s on to the Met for the popular grey, who was welcomed into the number box by her rapturous connections.

The four-year-old daughter of Dynasty had prepped for this event with a seasonal win in a seven-furlong conditions race, a distance far short of her best. Now a six-time winner from just nine outings, the Varsfontein colour bearer was crowned the champion filly of her generation after recording a classic double in last season’s Gr1 Woolavington 2000 and Gr2 Daisy Guineas.

Bred by Vaughan Koster at his Cheveley Stud, the grey commanded a sizeable R1.4-million at the 2014 National 2YO Sale, an amount she has now returned with interest, this latest victory pushing her career earnings past the R1.8-million mark.

Few superlatives remain to describe her dam, broodmare extraordinaire Mystic Spring, whose last known foal is a juvenile colt by Var. In addition to Bela-Bela, she also counts ill-fated champion threeyear-old Rabiya (Jallad) amongst her six stakes winners (four of which graded) and she is the grandam of champion juvenile All Is Secret (Captain Al). Grandam Secret Sunday is a winning own sister to English 2000 Guineas hero Mystiko.

GLORIOUS GOODWOOD PENINSULA HANDICAP (GRADE 2) R400,000 - 1800m - Kenilworth 1st R250,000, 2nd R80,000, 3rd R40,000 - January 7 1. WHISKY BARON (AUS) 4yo b.g. by Manhattan Rain - Tazkara (Sinndar) 2nd dam: Tashiriya (Kenmare) 3rd dam: Tashtiya (Shergar) Owners: C and R Kieswetter Bred by: Arrowfield Group Ltd Trainer: B Crawford Jockey: G Cheyne 2. Milton 5yo ch.g. by Lateral - Missing No More (Unaccounted For) Owners: Mr and Mrs W G Prestage Bred by: Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd 3. It’s My Turn 4yo b.g. by Dynasty - Jallad’s Queen (Jallad) Owner: A L A Crabbia Bred by: W J Engelbrecht Then came: Krambambuli, It Is Written, MacDuff (Aus), Icy Trail, Nebula, Star Chestnut, Spirit Of Hamilton, St Tropez, Winter Prince, Mambo Mime, Waiting For Rain Won by: 2 - 0.50 - 0.50 Time: 1-50,60

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horizon.

whisky baron.

Favourite WHISKY BARON confirmed he is firmly on an upward trajectory following his barnstorming first stakes win in the Peninsula.

Flashing an impressive turn of foot, the Australian-bred took aim at long-time leader, last year’s runner-up Milton and having taken the lead 100m from home, powered home to win by two lengths. Milton again had to settle for second and had a half length to spare over It’s My Turn.

This was a well-deserved and way overdue stakes success for Whisky Baron and extended his winning streak to four on the trot.

Brett Crawford’s charge has been the epitome of consistency and sports a grand formline of five wins and seven places from a dozen starts. He has always been on the cusp of stakes class, in fact, he chased home champion Marinaresco in both the Winter Guineas and Classic last season, before running fourth in the Winter Derby on bottomless going. The Kieswetter colour bearer has yet to taste defeat in four starts this season and now has his eye on the big prize, the Gr1 Sun Met! Bred in Australia, Whisky Baron is by Manhattan Rain, a Gr1 winning son of Encosta De Lago. His dam Tazkara is an unraced half-sister to the French stakes winners Tashelka (Mujahid) and Tashkandi (Polish Precedent). They are out of Gr3 Prix Vanteaux runner-up Tashiriya, who in turn is out of Gr3 Princess Royal winner Tashtiya.

Three-year-old HORIZON lived up to his lofty reputation when he ran out a convincing winner of the race named for one of the greats of the South African turf.

Content to sit some lengths off the pace set by Carbon Offset, the Bass-Robinson runner unleashed his rally in midstretch and surged into the lead approaching the final furlong. From that point, it was a case of who would run second, as the colt powered home to win in style.

This was poetic justice for Horizon, whose first stakes success made up for his unlucky second in last month’s Listed Jet Master Stakes where, despite suffering interference, he was beaten just a half length. Very much on an upward curve, the colt will no doubt return to Kenilworth for the Gr1 Investec Cape Derby on Met day.

This was only the second victory for the handsome bay, the country’s most expensive yearling of 2015 when he topped the Cape Premier Yearling Sale at R5.2-million, a then South African record.

The Maine Chance Farms-bred was produced from German import Shina, an unraced full sister to its champion stallion Silvano and a half to the German and American Gr1 winner Sabiango. Shina’s previous offspring include the German stakes winner Solapur (Ekraar) and tentime winner Sauber (Medicean). Horizon’s Duke Of Marmalade halfsister sold for R1-million at the recent Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

CARTIER POLITICIAN STAKES (GRADE 3) - R250,000 - 1800m Kenilworth 1st R156,250, 2nd R50,000, 3rd R25,000 - January 7

BMW CHAIRMAN’S CUP (GRADE 3) - R250,000 - 3200m - Kenilworth 1st R156,250, 2nd R50,000, 3rd R25,000 - January 7

1. HORIZON 3yo b.c. by Dynasty - Shina (Lomitas) 2nd dam: Spirit Of Eagles (Beau Eagle) 3rd dam: Big Spirit (Big Spruce) Owner: Hunkydory Investments (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd Trainer: S J Snaith Jockey: G van Niekerk

1. BANNER HILL 4yo b.g. by Tiger Hill - Bless You (Dynaformer) 2nd dam: Girchoop (Storm Cat) 3rd dam: Bubbles Darlene (Fappiano) Owners: Mesdames A Devachander and M J Watson

and Tripple H Trust Bred by: Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd Trainer: G S Kotzen Jockey: R Fourie

2. Newlands (AUS) 3yo b.g. by High Chaparral - Delphi Lodge (Fusaichi Pegasus) Owner: Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Goldendale, NSW and Chelsaus

2. Ovidio (AUS) 6yo br.g. by Danehill Dancer - Pre Nup (Red Ransom) Owners: Mrs J and Mr K P Truter Bred by: B T Agnew, NSW

3. Ollivander 3yo b.g. by Silvano - Cast A Spell (Rambo Dancer) Owners: B Ressell and N M Shirtliff Bred by: Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein

3. My World 5yo b.g. by Ideal World - Magic In The Air (Sadler’s Wells) Owners: M I Fullard, J H Drew, J H Kinsley, D C Lyall, D H Reich

and T L V Whittaker Bred by: Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd

Then came: The Great One (Nz), The Slade, Carbon Offset, Coyote, Strathdon, King Of The Raly (Aus), Sunset Eyes Won by: 1.25 - 0.75 - 1 Time: 1-53,07

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Then came: Coltrane (Arg), Arezzo, Royal Badge, Gothic, Roman Discent, Smart Mart Won by: 0.50 - 0.75 - 1.25 Time: 3-36,36

whisky baron.

Making his stakes debut in this lung-bursting Gr3 marathon, BANNER HILL took the step up in class in his stride with a come-from-behind victory. Settled at the rear of the field, Glen Kotzen’s charge cornered for home stone last under Richard Fourie as long-time leader My World brought them into the straight. Galvanised into action by Richard Fourie, he swooped on new leader and top weight Ovidio close home before asserting by a half length. The runner-up was more than gallant in defeat, as Banner Hill enjoyed a 10.5 kg pull in the weights.

The newly-minted stakes winner completed a fine graded double on the day for breeders Maine Chance Farms, as both he and Politician Stakes winner Horizon are products of the Robertson Nursery, as is thirdplaced My World.

Banner Hill’s dam, the American-bred winner Bless You was imported in 2012, in foal to German champion Tiger Hill (Danehill), a resident stallion at Maine Chance’s German sister stud, Gestut Fährhof. Banner Hill was the result of that mating. Maine Chance sold Bless You, in foal to Black Minnaloushe, at auction last year.

THE SUN MET (GRADE 1) - R5,000,000 - 2000m - Kenilworth 1st R2,850,000, 2nd R1,000,000, 3rd R500,000 - January 28 1. WHISKY BARON (AUS) 4yo b.g. by Manhattan Rain - Tazkara (Sinndar) 2nd dam: Tashiriya (Kenmare) 3rd dam: Tashtiya (Shergar) Owners: C and R Kieswetter Bred by: Arrowfield Group Ltd Trainer: B Crawford Jockey: G Cheyne 2. Legal Eagle 5yo b.g. by Greys Inn - Young Sensation (National Emblem) Owners: Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm 3. Captain America 6yo b.g. by Captain Al - Requista (Fort Wood) Owners: Mesdames Adam Gurney, Diane Nagle and D J Sherrell Bred by: Varsfontein Stud Then came: Gold Standard, Marinaresco, French Navy, Bela-Bela, It’s My Turn, Mac De Lago (Aus), Brazuca (Aus), Cape Speed, Baritone, The Conglomerate (Aus0, Macduff (Aus), Mambo Mime Won by: 1.50 - neck - 1 Time: 2-2,71 The Kieswetter-owned WHISKY BARON registered his first Gr.1 success with a block-buster performance which saw him claim the scalp of the favourite and ruling Horse of the Year, Legal Eagle.

carry on alice.

The four-year-old came from mid-field in the straight and unwound a potent forward move up the stand side to take aim at Legal Eagle, who had just about mastered long-time leader Captain America.

However, Whisky Baron stepped up another gear and he surged past the favourite inside the final furlong before romping to a length and a half success. Legal Eagle, second behind Smart Call twelve months ago, again had to settle for the runner-up spot and held off a resurgent Captain America by a neck.

It was a fine one-three for trainer Brett Crawford, who was winning the big race for the second time in the past three years, having put the finishing touches to 2015 winner, Futura. Prior to that, he had saddled 2003 winner Angus. On a champagne day for the stable, Edict Of Nantes had landed the preceding Investec Cape Derby. For winning jockey Greg Cheyne, it proved a first-time success.

Whisky Baron firmly put himself in the Met picture with a barnstorming victory in the Gr.2 Peninsula Handicap three weeks previously. Gelded at the end of his sophomore season, he has been a revelation since and has put together an unbeaten five-win streak this season. Sporting a grand formline of six wins and seven places from as many starts, the rich win stake immediately catapulted him into the rank of multimillionaire, pushing his career earnings to R3,446,375.

Sourced for just $50,000 at the 2014 Easter Yearling Sale, the Australianbred is the first top level winner for his sire Manhattan Rain, a Gr.1winning half-brother by Encosta De Lago to three-time champion Australian stallion Redoute’s Choice. For further pedigree details, see Peninsula Handicap above.

Gr.1 BETTING WORLD CAPE FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP (GRADE 1) - R1,000,000 - 1000m - Kenilworth 1st R625,000, 2nd R200,000, 3rd R100,000 - January 28 1. CARRY ON ALICE 5yo b.m. by Captain Al - Carry On Katie (Western Winter) 2nd dam: Katie Firth (Best By Test) 3rd dam: Kyle (Free Ride) Owners: C J H van Niekerk, Dr J A Warner

and Klawervlei Stud (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Klawervlei Stud Trainer: S G Tarry Jockey: S Khumalo 2. Trip To Heaven 5yo b.g. by Trippi - Helleborus Blue (Cee’s Tizzy) Owners: C H J van Niekerk and M J Jooste Bred by: Highlands Farms Stud (Pty) Ltd 3. Red Ray 6yo b.h. by Western Winter - Nacarat (Pas De Quoi) Owners: Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Lammerskraal Stud

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edict of nantes.

Then came: Jo’s Bond, Tevez, Talktothestars, Search Party, Percival, Gulf Storm, Tar Heel, Brutal Force, Captain Alfredo, Rivarine, Asstar, Daring Dave, Seventh Plain Non-runners: Generalissimo, Line Break Won by: neck - head - 0.75 Time: 58,22 It was a case of third time lucky for CARRY ON ALICE when she claimed this coveted sprint prize at the expense of a star-studded field of sprinters. Always prominent as Captain Alfredo cut out the early pace, Sean Tarry’s mare struck the front 200m out and in a furious charge to the line, she held on by a tenacious neck from her luckless stable companion Trip To Heaven who was caught for running room at a crucial stage and was flying at the end. He in turn had but a neck to spare over a resurgent Red Ray. As for the winner, she finally cracked this coveted sprint prize, after finishing third in the last two renewals of this Gr1 dash. It was also a fourth success at the top level for the daughter of Captain Al, to go along with victories in the SA Nursery at two, the City of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint at three, and last season’s Computaform Sprint. Blessed with a high cruising speed, she is lethal over the minimum trip and will no doubt be aimed at a defence of her Computaform crown.

The now nine-time winner boasts earnings of R3,941,250 and will be a valuable addition to the Klawervlei broodmare band, where she will be a fine replacement for her much-missed dam Carry On Katie, who died after producing just two foals. A talented performer herself, she captured the Gr.2 Debutante and finished second in all of the Gr.1 TBA Paddock Stakes, Gr.2 Gold Bracelet and Gr.2 Ipi Tombe Challenge.

Grandam Katie Firth is a half-sister to Gr.1 SA Derby hero Kale (Elliodor).

This is the family of champion Kildonan and Gr.1 victress Sound Of Rhum, the dam of SA Guineas winner Dunsinane.

KLAWERVLEI MAJORCA STAKES (GRADE 1) - R1,000,000 1600m - Kenilworth 1st R625,000, 2nd R200,000, 3rd R100,000 - January 28 1. NIGHTINGALE 4yo b.f. by Silvano - Quickwood (Fort Wood) 2nd dam: Quick Succession (Al Mufti) 3rd dam: Inca Goddess (Gatecrasher) Owners: Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd and Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd Bred by: Wilgerbosdrift Trainer: C L Bass-Robinson Jockey: A Delpech 2. Star Express 4yo ch.f. by Silvano - Majestic Star (Doowaley) Owners: W J Laird, G Ragunan and Dr Dave and Mrs Sue Whitelaw Bred by: Dr I R Heyns

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3. Goodtime Gal 4yo b.f. by Royal Air Force - Tirza (Silvano) Owner: J H van Heerden Bred by: Dr S C Davis Then came: Final Judgement, Silver Mountain, Sail, Captain’s Flame, A Time To Dream, Lady Of The House, Neala, Beach Goddess, Tahini, Moonlight ‘N Roses, Olma, Alexis, Real Princess Non runners: Chestnuts N Pearls, Quine, Miss Marker, Party Crasher Won by: 0.50 - longhead - 1.25 Time: 1-39,01 NIGHTINGALE made the breakthrough at the elite level with a virtual last-to-first stakes victory in this coveted mile race for fillies and mares.

Candice Bass-Robinson’s charge had to do it the hard way, having jumped from the widest draw of all and after racing wide throughout, she cornered into the home straight with just one behind her.

Galvanized by jockey Anthony Delpech, she unleashed a powerful challenge, as did Star Express on her inside. Racing head to head, the pair surged past leader Goodtime Gal close home, where Nightingale finally subdued a game Star Express and drew clear to win by a half length. Goodtime Gal rallied splendidly to finish just a head behind in third. Remarkably, Nightingale had finished fourth, just a head in front of Star Express in the Gr.1 Paddock Stakes won by old nemesis Bela-Bela. It was just reward for the newly-minted stakes winner, who has mixed it with the best since reeling off a hat-trick of wins at three.

She has reached the frame in seven subsequent stakes races, prime of which a third behind Bela-Bela in the Gr.1 Woolavington 2000.

Racing’s newest millionaire, she also led home a one-two finish for Maine Chance’s former champion stallion Silvano, whose tally of locally-bred Gr.1 winners now stands at 18. The stallion stamped his authority on the race in no uncertain manner as he is also the broodmare sire of Goodtime Gal. Nightingale races as a homebred for the mother and daughter duo of Mary and Jessica Slack and is their first Gr.1 winner in partnership.

Her dam, Wilgerbosdrift-bred Quickwood, won the Gr.3 Magnolia Handicap and is an own sister to Gr.1 SA Guineas hero Heir Apparent, a subsequent winner in the US. Their half-sister The Heiress (Rich Man’s Gold) produced the Fort Wood filly Athina, who carried Mary Slack’s colours to victory in the Gr.1 SA Fillies Classic.

Quickwood has a juvenile filly by Marchfield and a yearling filly by Var. INVESTEC CAPE DERBY (GRADE 1) - R1,000,000 - 2000m - Kenilworth 1st R625,000, 2nd R200,000, 3rd R100,000 - January 28 1. EDICT OF NANTES 3yo b.c. by Count Dubois - Pagan Dance (Jet Master) 2nd dam: Welsh Pagan (Al Mufti) 3rd dam: Yuppie (Del Sarto) Owners: Mayfair Speculators (Pty) Ltd

nightingale.

Bred by: Trainer: Jockey:

Klawervlei Stud B Crawford L Dettori

2. Zodiac Ruler (AUS) 3yo b.c. by Zoffany - Sybarite (Last Tycoon) Owner: A L A Crabbia Bred by: Fowler Thoroughbreds (Pty) Ltd, Vic 3. Captain Gambler 3yo b.f. by Captain Al - Skip Poker (Skip Away) Owner: Drakenstein Stud Bred by: Drakenstein Stud Then came: Newlands (Aus), Horizon, Table Bay (Aus), Ollivander, Omaha Tribe, Elevated Non-runner: Winter Is Coming Won by: 1.75 - 0.75 - head Time: 2-7,43 International star Frankie Dettori treated the Kenilworth crowd to an exhibition of top class jockeyship when he piloted EDICT OF NANTES to a first stakes victory in this slow-run classic.

Stalking pacesetter Zodiac Ruler into the straight, Dettori went to work on the Mayfair colour bearer fully two furlongs out and once he had collared the leader 300m from home, it was race over.

Brett Crawford’s charged scooted home unchallenged to score by the best part of two lengths from a game Zodiac Ruler who came again, but proved no match for the winner. Captain Gambler flashed up late for third to head Newlands on the line, while favourite Horizon failed to quicken in the straight and finished just over a length back in fifth.

It was a deserved first stakes win for Brett Crawford’s charge, following a number of eye-catching efforts leading up to the Derby. Third in the Gr.3 Cape Classic off a troubled run, he was nabbed late by Gold Standard in the Gr.2 Selangor Cup and most recently, he made late headway to run fifth in the Gr.1 Cape Guineas.

One of five top level winners sired by Zafonic’s Grand Criterium winner Count Dubois, Edict Of Nantes is the second foal of the Jet Master mare Pagan Dance, a four-time winning half-sister to multiple gradedplaced sprinter Lightning Lecture (Lecture) and last season’s Gr.3 East Cape Derby runner-up Welsh Emperor (Go Deputy).

The colt’s fourth dam, English import Lady Firebird (Hot Spark), bred Gold Cup victress Colonial Girl (Stage Colony), while her half-sister Lady Shirley Bird (Shirley Heights) produced dual Gr.1 winner Lord Shirldor (Elliodor), the Gr.2 winning Fort Wood siblings Kestrel and Dog Rose (dam of Gr.3 winner Saluki (Dubai Destination)), and the dual stakes winner Maximum Power (Elevation).

krambambuli.

THE BLUE LABEL TELECOMS CAPE STAYERS (GRADE 2) R400,000 - 2800m - Kenilworth 1st R250,000, 2nd R80,000, 3rd R40,000 - January 28 1. KRAMBAMBULI 5yo ch.g. by Black Minnaloushe - Sailing To Rio (Woodman) Owner: Mrs S Plattner Bred by: La Plaissance Stud Trainer: S J Snaith Jockey: A Domeyer 2. Helderberg Blue 6yo b.g. by Jet Master - Our Table Mountain (Fusaichi Pegasus) Owners: N M Shirtliff, M J Jooste, B Ressell and Mrs I Jooste Bred by: Highlands Farms Stud (Pty) Ltd 3. Ovidio (AUS) 6yo br.g. by Danehill Dancer - Pre Nup (Red Ransom) Owners: Mrs J Truter and Mr K P Truter Bred by: B T Agnew, NSW Then came: Royal Badge, Captain Splendid, Zafira, Enaad (Aus), Three Balloons, Coltrane (Arg), Arch Rival, Solar Night, Gothic, Oh So Modus Won by: 1.25 - 0.50 - neck. Time: 3-3,72 KRAMBAMBULI lifted his career to a new high when he opened his stakes account in this slow run affair. To put the pedestrian early pace into perspective, his winning time was almost ten seconds outside the course record. Pacesetter Solar Light set a pedestrian pace as he led from Helderberg Blue and odds-on favourite Ovidio, with Krambambuli racing about six lengths back.

In the straight, Ovidio picked it up and set sail for home up the inside rail. Approaching the furlong mark, he was flat to the boards and coming under pressure from Three Balloons and Krambambuli. The latter swept into the lead close home and stayed on strongly to hold the late charge of Helderberg Blue, who came flying up the stand side, while Ovidio rallied back for third.

Although he had not visited the winner’s enclosure in 15 months, Krambambuli has seldom failed to earn a cheque in ten subsequent starts. Now a five-time winner, this career-best effort pushed his earnings to R663,000. Sabine Plattner’s homebred is the latest stakes winner for Maine Chance-based Black Minnaloushe and was produced from the Australian-bred Sailing To Rio. A five-time winner in the Plattner silks, she missed out on Gr.1 glory by a shorthead when going down to champion Jamaica in the 2005 Cape Of Good Hope Paddock Stakes.

Out of Gr.3-placed stakes winner Money Thinks, Sailing To Rio is a halfsister to Gr.2-placed Heritiere (Anabaa), the dam of Prix de l’Avre winner Green Byron (Green Tune). This is the family of champion New Zealand juvenile Sheralee and Australian Gr.1 winners Cologne and Swick.

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use of each one? … What is a surcingle and why is one fitted over the saddle? … What are the different types of martingale? Which one should always be fitted to the reins of a horse about to race? Why? … Why are breastplates fitted to runners?

The answers to these questions, together with any other tack-related info shared with you by your patient tutor, will add an extra dimension to your racing pleasure. While watching runners in the Parade Ring or on their way to the start you can enjoy spotting the various pieces of equipment, knowing just why they’ve been fitted.

Grackle noseband.

Race commentators, unlike race-day presenters can’t just “wing it”. Punters simply wouldn’t tolerate that.

Kudos for our Commentators …

Race-calling is a specialized field of Broadcasting and the career of a commentator is an exacting one. Despite the ample leisure time that must attend the job, fulfilling the requirement of accuracy, at all times, demands the constant application of skill, honed by experience, alertness and real dedication. Race commentators, unlike race-day presenters can’t just “wing it”. Punters simply wouldn’t tolerate that.

It’s easy enough to get to know one set of colours from another, but putting a name to every horse whose rider is wearing those colours is a race-by-race challenge. Add to that the need to be interesting and engaging, to spot incidents while horses are at full stretch, to discern which horses are falling back, which horses are full of running and likely to feature in the finish.

Without wishing to sound provincial, (a crazy ol’ hag, a former housemate, once described me using the three p’s … provincial, parochial and pedestrian … none of the derogatory adjectives being remotely apt), I have the highest regard for our South African commentators. They do a jolly fine job. Their diction is clear, their race calling is apace with the action, they are accurate and they infuse every race with colour and excitement. Thank you and Kudos to you all.

R120 4 ISSUES

Subscription Enquiries Contact Kaylene T: 031 314 1994 E: kaylenej@goldcircle.co.za SOUTH AFRICA’S PREMIER HORSERACING MAGAZINE

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Horsing with Hennessey

EternaL hope springs

I

t was Elizabeth, Queen of England, who introduced most of us older folk to the Latin phrase, “annus horribilis”. Looking back on the year 1992, she rather understatedly commented that it had not been one of “undiluted pleasure”, but rather an “annus horribilis” - a horrible year.

It had, indeed, been a ghastly year for the dutiful monarch, particularly in her role as the cohesive matriarch of the British Royal Family. It was a period during which her second son, Andrew, separated from his wife, Sarah Ferguson, and daughter Anne divorced her husband, Sir Mark Phillips. Also, mid-year, a biography by her daughter-in-law, Princess Di, hinted at the imminent end of her marriage to the queen’s eldest son, Charles, because of his renewed dalliance with old flame, Camilla Parker-Bowles. Then, in late November, if all the family upsets weren’t enough, a fire destroyed nine, and damaged more than a hundred, principal state rooms in the Upper Ward of Windsor Castle, the queen’s country residence.

Last year, twenty-five years on from Elizabeth’s rotten year, an “annus horribilis” came my way. Not through illhealth (I’ve only missed one day’s work in over forty years of employment), theft, a traumatic assault, hijacking, financial misfortune or broken relationships.

It was a massive affront to my perceived ability as a racing fundi, coupled with the sad passing of two of the finest, kindest friends that I have ever known, that soured the year for me. I had the odd straight win here and there - Pipkin at long odds comes to mind - but it was the first year, in almost fifty years of punting, that a moderately decent pick-up didn’t come my way.

I studied form, I viewed as much racing as I could and I even went as far as sleeping with Computaform under my pillow, with the primitive hope that it might bring a change of fortune, but all of that to no avail. There were often times when, despondent and dispirited, I thought the Universe was trying to get me to abandon my interest in Racing, perhaps, if only, from the gambling side of the Game.

However, as any stalwart punter will tell you, when it’s “in your blood”, you just can’t quit. The challenge then is to dust yourself off and re-enter the fray with renewed vigour and optimism. Twenty-seventeen promises to be an “annus

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mirabilis”, a year of marvels, for me. I’m going to continue my form studying but plan to make greater use of omens, hunches and the creative right-brain thinking that sometimes kicks in after a glass or two of Dry Red.

Professor Caslicks …

I’ve only watched two surgical procedures performed on racehorses - both may have been necessary, both upset me.

The first was the castration (gelding)of a strapping chestnut colt named Polished Silver. Trained by the perenniallysuccessful Dennis Drier, Polished Silver won, among many other races, the Computaform Sprint (as a three year old), run at the now defunct Gosforth Park track, if I remember correctly.

The other procedure was something which is known as a Caslicks, named for the fanny-tampering Professor Caslicks, a French veterinarian who pioneered the operation in the early 1930’s.

The Caslicks procedure, performed under local anaesthesia, involves the removal of slivers of flesh from the outer labia of a filly or mare’s vulva. Once cut away, the raw, bloody sides of the vaginal opening are sutured together, leaving a small opening for the evacuation of urine.

The relatively simple operation, not to be witnessed by the squeamish, is believed to help prevent vaginal infections, and in the case of many broodmares, increase fertility, by minimizing the likelihood of abortion during gestation.

Know your Tack …

A runner fitted with a Grackle noseband. Grackle, winner of the 1931 Grand National, is purported to have been the first horse fitted with this figure of-eight attachment.

For those of you not particularly informed with regard to tack, may I suggest that you find someone who can teach you the names of the various pieces of equipment used on racehorses and the reason for their use.

This year I challenge you to get to know the answer to these questions: Name at least three different bits? When is a horse fitted with a citation bit? … Why are some runners fitted with Blinkers, Pacifiers, a Cornell Collar or French Blinkers? … How many different nosebands are there? What is the specific

P.T.O