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Chase Liebenberg
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Kommetdieding - Derby favourite goes for a famous five in a row
KAAPSE KOMMET IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The sun sets on the Cape Summer Season in classic style at Kenilworth on Saturday with the R750 000 Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Cape Derby headlining a quality card. The final classic of the local term holds plenty
of interest, thanks largely to the presence of the fairytale favourite, Kommetdieding.
The father-daughter team of veteran Harold Crawford and the lovely Michelle
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Rix have gripped the attention of the good news-starved racing public with the unbeaten four-from-four streak of the Elusive Fort colt Kommetdieding. The Klawervlei-bred galloper is set for
Chase Liebenberg
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Russian Rock - can the Guineas winner give his boss a third classic double? an acid test as he faces his first mountain, after negotiating the molehills in style, under regular pilot, Sihle Cele.
Snaith’s The Gatekeeper – a full brother to champion Legislate – and a horse who ran a cracking fifth in the Guineas.
Speculated offers of in excess of R6 million may have given owner Ashwin Reynolds sleepless nights but Kommetdieding runs on Saturday in the red, white and blue flag that have made him famous so far – and there won’t be a dry eye in the house if he wins it!
Milnerton trainer Vaughan Marshall, who won the Derby ten years ago with longshot Top Seller, spoke to Gold Circle’s David Thiselton. The Guineas crackerjack sends out two horses with proven class, Rascallion and Linebacker, and an outsider he is quietly confident about, Dubai Lights.
Dean Kannemeyer will be looking to halt the happy story in its tracks and the three-time Derby winner saddles Cape Guineas victor Russian Rock and the scopy Dynasty gelding, Legitimate. Read more of Kannemeyer’s thoughts later on in this issue.
LInebacker, a big, long-striding individual, finished second last time out in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas. However, he does have a stamina doubt on pedigree for Saturday’s 2000m race.
The money has come in buckets for another son of Dynasty in Justin
Marshall told David Thiselton: “We are all in the same boat wondering whether
he will get the trip but I hope his class carries him through.” In the Cape Guineas Linebacker was caught wide but still relaxed well and stayed all the way to the line. The run suggested he is easy to switch off and Grant van Niekerk, who replaces Donovan Dillon, will thus have hope he stays. However, he does have another tough draw of 12. Rascallion ran an unlucky third in the Cape Guineas, having had to be snatched up halfway down the straight when sandwiched between a couple of horses before rallying to finish just 2,75 lengths back. It should be a cracker of a race – tune in to Tellytrack (DStv 249) at 16h30.
Derby Day Pick 6 – Who Knows? While Phumelela announced a R1 million Pick 6 carryover for the Turffontein 6 March Classic Day meeting on Monday, there has
been no news of the major exotic bet carryover for Saturday’s Cape Derby meeting. Other carryovers have been advertised for Saturday – so does that
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mean that there is no Pick 6 carryover at Kenilworth?
FEED YOUR DESIRE TO WIN v
SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS FOR RED MILLS’ CUSTOMERS
RAINBOW BRIDGE
WINNER OF THE CAPE TOWN MET (Gr.1) for the second time in three years Trainer: E. SANDS Jockey: L. FERRARIS Owner: MR & MRS M L P RATTRAY
RUN FOX RUN
WINNER OF THE CAPE FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP (Gr.1) Trainer: B. CRAWFORD Jockey: A. MARCUS Owner: RIDGEMONT (NOM: MR. WAYNE KIESWETTER)
KOMMETDIEDING
WINNER OF THE POLITICIAN STAKES (Gr.3), undefeated in 4 races Trainer: HWJ CRAWFORD/M RIX Jockey: S. CELE Owner: MR. A. REYNOLDS By kind permission of trainers
Contact our distributor: Ridgemont Highlands 80 Haaskraal Road, Wellington, 7655 Tel: 0829206005 Email: ross@ridgemont.co.za Ireland: +353 599 775 5 800 Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland Email: info@redmills.com
www.redmills.com
THE DERBY
A DYNASTY OF STARS v
Cover Image: At the start prior to the 2020 WSB Gr1 Cape Guineas – image by Chase Liebenberg
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Dynasty son Jackson wins 2012 Cape Derby The curtain comes down on the Cape Summer season at Kenilworth on Saturday with a sumptuous smorgasbord of racing headed by the Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Cape Derby.
tered the Derby off a facile victory in the Metropolitan and to this day, remains the only three-year-old to have completed the coveted Met/Derby double in the same season.
Contested over 2000m as opposed to the true classic distance of 2400m in metric terms, the race was first run in 1946 and what an auspicious event it proved to be. The winner was the Birch-bred colt Feltos, who sprouted wings from a hopeless position in the straight to get up on the post.
The Derby has been won by some extraordinary gallopers and its honour roll boasts the names of such Titans of the Turf as Colorado King, Sea Cottage, Mazarin, Politician and Bold Tropic, while those of a more recent vintage include the champions Dynasty, Jay Peg, Rabiya, Russian Sage, Capetown Noir and Legislate.
Trained by the great Syd Garrett and ridden by Stanley Amos, the colt en-
That the Derby serves as a springboard to further Gr1 success goes without saying
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and many of its winners subsequently embellished their reputations in the country's premier events. A good number of Cape Derby winners have also gone on to enjoy stallion careers and none have been more successful than 2003 winner Dynasty. Although he never topped the Sires Log, the former Ridgemont Highlands stalwart was a permanent fixture among the country's elite and has stamped his authority on the Derby as the sire of a quartet of winners in the space of six years: Jackson (2012), Legislate (2014), It's My Turn (2016) and Eyes Wide Open (2018). In Crimson King,
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Legitimate and The Gatekeeper, he has three worthy candidates to make it a record five winners this weekend. What's more, his influence now stretches to the next generation, as his son Legislate is the sire of Snaith-trained contender Hoedspruit. Former champion Jallad has come closest to matching Dynasty's record with his trio of winners Grande Jete, Rabiya and Russian Sage, in addition to which he also features as the broodmare sire of 2016 winner It's My Turn and Eyes Wide Open (2018). Another to have succeeded in that sphere is his contemporary Foveros, the sire of 1997 winner Shah's Star and broodmare sire of 2006 winner Floatyourboat. Remarkably, the latter was sired by
the mighty Jet Master, who has followed suit as the damsire of 2017 winner Edict Of Nantes and last year's victor Golden Ducat. It could well be three this weekend, as he is also broodmare sire of a live contender in the Vaughan Marshall-trained Rascallion. Strange as it may seem, very few fillies have worn the Derby crown. In modern times, only two have managed that feat, and what an exceptional pair they proved to be. The Terrance Millard-trained champion Taima Bluff ripped through the 1980 season by defeating high-class colts Highborn Harry and Quarrytown in the classic before landing both the Natal Derby and Oaks. She was followed almost 20 years later by the Oppenheimer homebred Dog Wood, who lowered the colours of future Gr1 winner Young Rake in 1999. The daughter of Fort Wood was the first Cape Derby
Potomac – 1986 Cape Derby winner
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winner trained by Mike de Kock who, like the legendary Millard before him, has never been averse to letting a talented filly tackle male rivals. Whereas De Kock already has a treble of Cape Derby winners to his credit - he also saddled the Sheikh Hamdan-owned winners Ertijaal (2015) and Atyaab (2019) - this year's renewal could be a first for the father-daughter team of Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix, the trainers of ruling favourite Kommetdieding. A super-impressive winner of the Gr3 Politician Stakes on Met day, this grandson of Fort Wood will attempt to emulate 2010 winner Bravura, who likewise entered the classic with an unbeaten four-win streak in tow.
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A LEGITIMATE ROCKER v
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Chase Liebenberg Image Credit
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‘One doesn’t necessarily have to have a horse that genuinely stays 2000m to win the Cape Derby…’ 13
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Twenty two years after taking over the reins from his late Dad Peekay, Dean Kannemeyer proudly shows off his three Cape Derby trophies on the mantelpiece at his Milnerton office. On Saturday he bids to make it a rare hat-trick of Cape Guineas-Cape Derby doubles with the handsome grey, Russian Rock. Gravitas is a powerful word. It could also be Dean Martin Kannemeyer’s nickname – he just has that knack of producing pearls of racing reality. “One doesn’t necessarily have to have a horse that genuinely stays 2000m to win the Cape Derby, as evidenced by Capetown Noir. He won the Guineas and the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and
was a genuine high-class miler. His class carried him to his Derby win. Similarly so, Noordhoek Flyer – a really high class miler. He was on his way to winning the Derby in 2010, but just got tired that last bit and Joey’s Bravura came to grab him.” Dean adds that there is, coincidentally, an interesting parallel between Bravura and Kommetdieding. “Bravura won his first four just like Harry’s (Crawford) horse. Kommetdieding is clearly a very smart 3yo and a worthy favourite. He has done all that they have asked of him, and more. Beyond Bravura, I can’t think of another horse in the modern era that has gone into the classic unbeaten,” he muses.
Dean’s first Cape Derby winner was in 2003 when Dynasty won - the outstanding son of Fort Wood has gone on to sire 4 winners of the classic. Kannemeyer’s next two Cape Derby victors both won the Cape Guineas too – Rabiya in 2005 and Capetown Noir in 2013. He saddles Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock and one-time winner, and Politician Stakes runner-up, Legitimate on Saturday. “I exposed Legitimate in the Politician Stakes as he has been a horse who has been a touch unlucky and a bit quirky as things haven’t always gone his way. He is a tricky fellow to train and to ride! But he has a touch of class and
Chase Liebenberg
Russian Rock (Grant Behr) beats Linebacker to win the WSB Cape Guineas thriller
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two leading contenders with multiple runners – so that suggests there could be a gallop. Let’s wait and see.” Dean has four other runners on Saturday, including what must be a first for Kannemeyer – two of the six runners in the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery. That’s a lot of baby boom for a yard that traditionally takes their time with their youngsters.
Kannemeyer’s third Derby – Karl Neisius guides Capetown Noir to win in 2013 is a scopy sort. He was beaten 1,50 lengths by Kommetdieding in receipt of 6 kgs last time. He earned a 101. On the Politician Stakes form, it doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that the favourite holds us firmly on Saturday. But Legitimate stayed on well in his first outing in feature company and showed that he can hold his own. He will enjoy the 2000m on breeding and his style of racing. The only way to find out if he can step up is to give him the opportunity. I expect him to be staying on smartly at the business end, and when the penny does eventually drop, he is going to be a very nice horse.” Russian Rock benefitted from a peach of a ride by Grant Behr to win the Guineas. “I was really very impressed with his Guineas win. It takes a more than good horse to get out of trouble the way he did – then to stay on from midfield and fetch the horse in front the way he managed was most encouraging. There were a few traffic issues in the Guineas – but there will always be excuses in most races. You only have to stand at the jockey room when they come back afterwards to understand that! So let’s see how he goes – he came into the Guineas unexposed and delivered. On breeding he should stay the 2000m.” Asked why he hadn’t given Russian Rock a sharpener between the Guineas and Derby, Dean says the programme didn’t provide a lot of opportunities.
“I wanted to give him a blow up the 1200m straight. But he was allotted 66kgs in one race we entered him for. So I thought I’d go the gallop route rather. We sent him over 1800m at Kenilworth with a companion on Saturday 13 February. Grant Behr was happy and Russian Rock moved well and only started showing signs of tiring in the final 100m. That will have brought him along nicely for Saturday. He is a happy horse. Let’s put him to the test again on Saturday!” We asked him what else, beyond Kommetdieding, could be realistic opposition in the Derby. “Look, it’s never been our policy to worry about the opposition – let them have the sleepless nights about us rather! But Vaughan’s (Marshall) duo of Linebacker and Rascallion are both consistent at feature level and very smart. And Malmoos’ victory in the Gauteng Guineas recently brings Guineas runner-up Linebacker’s good run behind him in the Concord Cup right back into perspective. There is also a lot of talk about Legislate’s brother The Gatekeeper. There was plenty to like about his just over two lengths fifth in the Guineas. The 2000m on Saturday should be right up his alley. But we are focussed on our duo, as I said.” Will there be a pace on Saturday? “One certainly hopes so – it just won’t be provided by us. Both of mine like to relax early and run at them late. Pace means a true-run race. Pace also means there is less chance of traffic issues. There are
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“Times change! We all have to adapt, or fall behind. We won the fillies nursery last year. Both my Nursery candidates are ready for it on Saturday. Cosmic Highway won a good race on debut. I was looking for a 1200m race for him to debut before the nursery. But had to settle for a 1000m contest. He lost lengths at the jump – and still won. I have no idea of the quality of what he had behind him, but I like him and he deserves the chance to show his capability.” On his stablemate Sheldon, who is owned by Durban-based Sterling Miller, Dean expects him to enjoy the 1200m. “He won his debut keenly at Hollywoodbets Greyville, but was caught a bit flatfooted in the Summer Juvenile on Met day, when he ran fourth. He will definitely enjoy the 1200m and he is very well.” Dean runs Azores in the New Turf Carriers Listed Jet Master Stakes. “I was in two minds to run him here. I found that in the Cape Summer Stayers and the Chairmans Cup – both races oner 2500m – he just got tired late. I think he is best from a mile to 2000m. He has shown good ability and cannot be discounted.” Sterling Miller’s Soft Falling Rain debut winner Edgartown takes his chances in the inaugural R550 000 BSA Cape Yearling Sale Cup. “He won smartly on debut, surviving an objection, at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last month and has only been with me for a few weeks. He looks a lovely horse and owners are understandably keen to go for the rich sales races when they do come up. He is fit and well, and interestingly the only winner in a field of mostly unexposed maidens. It should be an interesting race and there is lots to play for!”
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ARE THE JOCKS BEATABLE?
The inaugural Khaya Stables Work Riders vs Jockeys Challenge will be run over 1200m at Kenilworth on Cape Derby day. Seven jockeys will go head to head against seven work riders in the first race of its kind.
The race, a maiden event, is being run for a stake of R160 000, which is more than the individual stakes offered on five features on the afternoon. Riders were chosen on the log
standings and the winning team will be calculated off a points system.
The jockeys will be managed by MJ Byleveld, with the Captain’s role filled by Louie Mxothwa. The work riders Manager is Craig Du Plooy, with veteran William Bambiso donning the Captain’s hat. The work riders team is made up of Erin-Lee Watkinson, Sebenzile ‘Johnny’ Temela, Sibusiso Booi, Lungisani Geledu, Mncedi ‘Godfrey’ Sigenu and
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Andile ‘Shorty’ Nzongo. The professional riders team is loaded with champions and includes a diversity of experience. The team is Grant van Niekerk, Richard Fourie, Anton Marcus, Greg Cheyne, Keagan de Melo and Luke Ferraris. Work riders will enjoy a 3kg allowance. The unique race is the final leg of the Pick 6 and will be off at 17h40 – live on Tellytrack (DStv 249).
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Pauline Herman Photography
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Aldo Domeyer guides Roll In The Hay to victory
A ROLL IN THE HAY The Cape raiding duo of trainers Candice Bass-Robinson and Glen Kotzen dominated proceedings at Fairview on Friday, winning six of the eight races on the turf card. While fellow Capetonians, the Snaiths, hit a rare blank sheet on the day, Milnerton-based Candice Bass-Robinson and Paarl horseman Glen Kotzen enjoyed a profitable jaunt up the Garden Route. Candice’ hat-trick included a welcome black-type strike for Gimmethegreenlight 4yo Roll In The Hay (3-1) in the R85 000 Listed Lady’s Pendant. Chasing her maiden stakes success, Roll In The Hay was relaxed early
under Aldo Domeyer as Racine cut out the pace. Inside the 300m, Roll In The Hay was going twice as well as her opposition and she drew off smartly to record her first win over 1200m in a time of 67,22 secs. The 35-1 Racine stayed on well for second 2,50 lengths back. The rest were well beaten, with the 2-1 favourite World Radar disappointing and finishing 10 lengths back. Winning jockey Aldo Domeyer said that their main concern was to get his mount cover and to settle her. This worked out perfectly.
always finished off her 1200m races. “I think this track’s downhill makes it easier. She has had her issues – including a wind problem. I have no doubt she would have been a lot better had she been in good health.” The winner was bred by Nadeson Park and is a daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the three-time winning Mon Sang mare Country Girl. A R400 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Roll In The Hay, who races in the red and green of Team Valor and Vanashree and Anant Singh, has won 4 races with 5 places from 17 starts for stakes of R250 300.
Candice said that Roll In The Hay had not
Just Getting Started
Sponsors of Dundalk Stadium, Hollywoodbets have joined forces in an exciting partnership with new age Irish Horseracing Podcaster, ‘The Finishing Line’.
The Finishing Line ‘fellows’ are Andrew, Dave and Tom, who take a fresh new approach to horseracing information with their casual, chatty and straightshooting banter that takes us through their selections and a discussion of the week’s racing.
Andrew told the Sporting Post that he launched The Finishing Line Podcast with the specific goal of trying to change the perspective and stigma that surrounds horseracing with a younger audience – and to try and show that horseracing is a world where everyone from any background can get involved. “Dave, Tom and myself have 21 started to achieve this goal with how we
present The Finishing Line Podcast, as not only an entertainment show, but also one brimming with years of racing knowledge and industry experience to back it all up.” The Road To Cheltenham will be featured live at 21h30 on Friday evening - it's worth a watch! Click here to subscribe
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Jono Snaith has done his time
SNAITH STEPS DOWN
A key player in the efforts to re-energise Cape Racing as a desirable destination for owners, trainers, punters and sponsors, Jonathan Snaith resigned from the Kenilworth Racing Board on Monday. The loss of the energetic younger brother of Cape and former SA Champion Justin was described as ‘no conspiracy’, and was in line with his plans to end his term in racing office at the end of February. “The Cape Racing team is crazy busy and changes will continue –the future is bright,” said Snaith Racing’s marketing and financial whizz, who described his
tenure as ‘a long and rough journey but a fruitful one in the end’. Read more about Cape Racing – click here
Once described by brother Justin as ‘probably more important than I am in our business’, Jonathan’s marketing endeavours include forging the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate association with the Breeders’ Cup’s challenge series.
family business weighed in to some degree on his decision to limit his term of office.
He expressed positivity about MOD’s plans in 2021 and he wished his fellow Directors and Management well. Snaith’s departure leaves Kenilworth Racing chaired by Bradley Ralph, with Wehann Smith, Faeeza Heuwel and Althea Dlamini as Directors.
There have also been moves to bring local racing back into the mainstream channels via radio and print media. It is likely that Jono’s strategic role in the
Spit And A Polish? Horseracing is to become the first major sport in Britain to introduce saliva testing that will screen jockeys on the day for banned substances, including cocaine. Previously, jockeys were tested using blood, urine and hair sampling. By taking samples of saliva, results will be almost immediate, meaning jockeys can be stood down from racing that day. It is hoped more tests
can be carried out because the method is cheaper. A pilot - being conducted by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in conjunction with the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) - is due to begin in the spring, and the BHA said it could have a ‘huge impact’ on its ability to protect the wellbeing and safety of jockeys and horses. 23
Last week, jockey Philip Prince was banned from racing for six months after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine at Wolverhampton Races on 16 November last year. A BHA disciplinary panel heard his sample had a "concerningly high" level of cocaine, representing more than 56 times the threshold.
Candiese Lenferna
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BIG WEEKEND FOR BSA A capacity field of 16 will line up at Kenilworth on Cape Derby day on Saturday for the inaugural R550 000 BSA Cape Yearling Sale Cup, on the eve of Sunday’s Cape Yearling Sale at Mistico. In a big weekend for Bloodstock South Africa, sixteen sale graduates will go head to head just after 17h00 on Saturday, with their regional sale set to start at 12h30 on Sunday. Dean Kannemeyer and Sterling Miller will have their eye on the big prize with R360 000 ticket Edgartown, a son of Soft Falling Rain bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein. An impressive Hollywoodbets Scottsville debut winner last month, Edgartown is reported to have settled well and looks set for a big run.
Sean Tarry (Mounia) and Ashley Fortune (Take Control) are the visiting yards, with local big guns Justin Snaith, Glen Kotzen and Candice Bass-Robinson fielding eleven runners between them. Sunday’s sale has a proven track record for genuine value-for-money and boasts an impressive list of Gr1 winners and top performers. If you can’t make it to the venue on the day, there is a Zoom facility available – contact Bloodstock SA for more. Past graduates of this sale include Drakenstein Stud’s promising young sire Gold Standard, coincidentally represented by five lots on the catalogue, and fellow graded stakes winners Doosra, Elusive Heart, Final Judgement, Green Pepper, Hack Green, Princess Peach.
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In total, 181 horses are catalogued for this sale, with the majority of the Cape’s top farms represented. There is an exciting list of stallions with their first local yearlings on offer, including Canford Cliffs, Erupt, Gold Standard and Royal Mo. Qualifying graduates of this sale could feature in the linked 2022 Cape Yearling Sale Cup, which has already been underwritten by Bloodstock South Africa for a minimum stake of R500 000, of which the winning breeder will bank R100 000.
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THE BUYER’S GUIDE v
The Raceform Buyer’s Guide is an amazing, detailed summary of dam and siblings of Bloodstock SA Cape Yearling Sale yearlings. It gives insight as to what to expect of yearlings in terms of class, stamina, aptitude, racing performance and sale price. The sale starts at 12h30 on Sunday – there is plenty of time to do some studying.
Click here to read this handy buyer’s tool 34
Candiese Lenferna
CAPE YEARLING SALE
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34TH GLOBALLY! A dominant player on the South African and international racing and breeding landscape, it was good to see Bernard Kantor’s name at position 34 on the TRC Global Owners Rankings last week. Kantor started Investec in 1975, and 22 years later took the plunge and moved to London. A shareholder in Klawervlei Stud, Kantor’s now standardised yellow silks have been carried to victory in major races across the world. Please click here for the rankings
MARKETING MAGIC The marketing professionalism of Griffiths de Kock Racing is an example for many trainers. We received an invitation to attend their marquee at the Melbourne Premier Sale on Sunday 28 February. The sale extends to Tuesday 2 March and is on from 10h00 each day with ‘Happy Hour’ from 17h00 to 18h00. ‘We would love to see as many of you there as possible and will keep you updated on our socials with guest speakers and purchases throughout the sale.’ South African Mathew de Kock and Robbie Griffiths are the partners.
JAAP’S GOING Former Flamingo Park Track Manager Jaap Visser opted against Milnerton as it would be too strong for a trainer starting from scratch and will commence his new Fairview career with just 6 horses. He will be doing his first entries on Thursday for a non black-type race as well as a handicap. We wish Jaap the very best.
CROWDED The British Horseracing Authority says it will ‘engage with Government’ over allowing owners to return to racecourses as soon as possible, after it was confirmed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday that no crowds will be permitted at sporting venues until mid-May at the earliest.
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Pivotal (Polar Falcon – Fearless Revival)
PIVOTAL RETIRES
The announcement last week that leading British sire and broodmare sire, Pivotal (Polar Falcon), has been retired from stud duties marked the end of a significant era in the world of thoroughbred racing and breeding. The chestnut, who spent his entire stud career at the Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket, is 28 years old in 2021. Pivotal began his stud career standing at a fee of 6000 pounds. He was a lightly raced sprinter, winning four of six starts, including the 1996 Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes and Gr2 King’s Stand Stakes. He would go on to exert his influence on the Nunthorpe at stud, with his son,
Kyllachy, winning the race in 2002 and Kyllachy’s son, Sole Power, landing the same race in both 2010 and 2014.
To date, Pivotal has been responsible for 32 individual Gr1 winners, with his progeny having enjoyed top level success around the world and over a range of distances. Pivotal’s very first crop impressed and included US champion, Golden Apples, and Preis der Diana (German Oaks) winner, Silvester Lady. Since then, Gr1 winners have come consistently, with Pivotal’s later stars including Sariska, Halfway To Heaven, Somnus, Regal Parade, Immortal Verse, Lightning Spear, Saoire, Falco, and Dubai World Cup winner, African Story.
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His most recent Gr1 winner was Glen Shiel, who won the 2020 Gr1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes over another son of Pivotal, and Gr1 winner, Brando. Pivotal has also produced a top-class sire son in the form of Siyouni – France’s Champion Sire of 2020. Siyouni – who, like Pivotal, has achieved notable success when mated to daughters of Galileo – enjoyed a huge year last year with his son, Sottsass, now standing at Coolmore, landing the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and also supplying Gr1 winners Etoile, St Mark’s Basilica, and French 1000 Guineas winner, Dream And Do. Other sons of Pivotal to have already sired Gr1 winners include Captain Rio, Excellent Art, Falco, Farhh and
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Kyllachy. His Champion Stakes/Lockinge Stakes winning son, Farhh has shown considerable promise at stud, with his stud career unfortunately blighted by poor fertility. As excellent a sire as Pivotal was, he is, if anything, shaping up to be an even more outstanding broodmare sire. To date, Pivotal has been Champion Broodmare Sire in GB/Ireland in 2017/2018 and 2019, with his daughters already responsible for a
flurry of Gr1 winners. This tally includes all of Advertise, Cracksman, Hermosa, Hydrangea, Love, Magical, One Master, Rhododendron, and The United States.
Pivotal was also responsible in South Africa for Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes winner, Headstrong, and the useful Pivotal Blue.
Pivotal has also enjoyed success in South Africa, notably through his son, Noordhoek Flyer, and daughter, Amanee. Noordhoek Flyer won both the Gr1 Cape Guineas and Gr2 K R A Guineas of 2009-2010, while Amanee won both the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes and Gr2 KRA Fillies Guineas of her year.
Both The United States and Magical and Rhododendron’s own brother, Flying The Flag, are now at stud in South Africa, as is Pivotal’s Dante Stakes winning son, Wings Of Desire.
FOR THE LOVE OF
HORSES
Hollywoodbets recently donated R11 000 to the National Horse Trust (NHT) and the Coastal Horse Care Unit, which is one of the three units affiliated with the NHT.
The generous donation represented winnings by Hollywoodbets’ Team Members and Affiliates who took part in the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge. This is a FREE-to-play horse racing challenge where players need to select all the winning horses on the day for every KZN race meeting. This contribution by the Hollywoodbets Team Members further cements the company’s commitment to giving back to the horse racing community, an industry that contributes to much of the company’s core business. The NHT has been looking after the health and protection of equines since 1988 and, in February 2020, Hollywoodbets announced their support to the horse racing fraternity by donating R2 250 000 to the NHT over a period of three years.
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JC Photos
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War Of Athena is establishing her credentials
CLASSIC COUNTDOWN
The second leg of the WSB SA Triple Crown and the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara will be staged at Turffontein on Saturday 6 March and both first leg winners will be in action in their respective races.
Malmoos, who triumphed in the Gr2 World Sports Betting Gauteng Guineas, has been entered for the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic over 1800m on the Standside track, while War Of Athena, who claimed the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, will be in action in the Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic. However, in both cases, their main rivals who were the runners-up in their respective events, will be there to ensure victory will not come easily. Mike
de Kock-trained Malmoos beat Catch Twentytwo by a neck and Paul Peter’s charge will be looking to avenge that defeat.
War of Athena and Anything Goes are currently considered the two best three-year-old fillies on the Highveld and they will go at it again in the Fillies Classic. War Of Athena, trained by Paul Matchett, took top honours in the Fillies Guineas to level the head-to-head 2-2 with Stuart Pettigrew’s charge and Anything Goes will no doubt be fighting to edge ahead of her arch-rival once again. Johan Janse van Vuuren has nominated Guineas third and fourth Copper Mountain and Second Base respectively. The latter
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found plenty support in the Guineas but will no doubt prefer the extra 200m this time around. In the SA Fillies Classic De Kock could throw a spanner in the works with lightly raced Sparkling Water, a well-bred daughter of Silvano who has won two of her three races. A Pick 6 carryover of R1-million has already been announced for this meeting with a likely pool of R5 million. Supplementary entries close on Monday 1 March, with declarations on Tuesday 2 March. Click here to see the entries
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REMEMBER?
A reader sent us these old racecards on a trip back in time.
If you have pics of anything that is racing or breeding related from yesteryear, please send it to us on email at
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editor@sportingpost.co.za
Saudi Cup FB
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David Egan and thrilled connections
GLORY FOR
21 YEAR OLD!
In a thrilling finish to the second renewal of the world’s richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh on Saturday, the John Gosden-trained Mishriff produced a late surge to catch the fancied American entry Charlatan in the final stages.
The French Derby winner was perfectly ridden by 21 year old Kildare jockey David Egan
to head in the early stages.
The John Gosden-trained colt, owned by Prince Faisal, made his stamina tell over the 1800m after the fancied US duo Charlatan and Knicks Go had gone head
Egan was able to stay on their heels as the pair turned for home and after Knicks Go called it a day, Mishriff dug deep and gradually reduced Charlatan’s
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Watch the race – just click here
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lead to get up in the closing stages. Great Scot stayed on nicely and finished third. edging fourth-place Knicks Go out. Sleepy Eyes Todd was fifth. Gosden told the Irish Examiner from his Newmarket base: “It was a wonderful performance. He showed a lot of grit and courage, and he was able to go the pace of the American horses. It was great.” Egan said: “I can’t believe it. He’s an absolute champion. It’s unbelievable.” The winner is a 4-year-old son of Make Believe.
• 3rd Great Scot – $2m • 4th Knicks Go – $1.5m • 5th Sleepy Eyes Todd – $1m • 6th Military Law – $600k • 7th Tacitus – $500k • 8th Bangkok – $400k
The Sporting Post Sprint is interactive. Click on the live links throughout and enjoy the read!
• 9th Chuwa Wizard – $300k • 10th Derevo – $200k
What they earned:
SUGGESTIONS? Please email editor@sportingpost.co.za
• 1st Mishriff – $10m • 2nd Charlatan – $3.5m
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HKJC
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Golden Sixty also made it three Gr1’s on the roll!
A GOLDEN 13
Golden Sixty extended his unbeaten run to 13 straight wins with victory in Sunday’s Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin.
However, Hong Kong’s highest rated horse was forced to spare no effort as he scrambled to add a third consecutive Gr1 to his glittering record which now stands at 16 wins from 17 starts, four shy of Silent Witness’ record 17 consecutive wins. Dropped out to his customary position at the rear of the field, the Medaglia d’Oro gelding began his surge in the straight but the challenge from Furore on the inside required jockey Vincent Ho to call on everything that Golden Sixty could give and, it proved just enough in a time of 2m 0.25s by a short head, the smallest margin of any of his wins. “I was quite confident that I would stay
ahead of them but we fought hard – it wasn’t easy, it was a bit unexpected to be that close. “I was just worried about the horse to the inside of him because Golden Sixty laid in a bit, he would have won easier if he didn’t do that,” Ho said. “Once he went past Exultant he wanted to lay in – it made it difficult for me but it’s still a victory,” the 30-year-old added. Sunday’s win was both a first in the Gold Cup for trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho.
“I think you can’t really change the horse’s character – when he passed the third horse (Exultant), Golden Sixty thinks he has finished the job, but there’s another horse on the inside,” Lui said. The 131-rater is now only two wins shy of Beauty Generation’s single-season record
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of eight and, he has the first two legs of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown in the bag after claiming last month’s Gr1 Stewards’ Cup. “I will think about the third leg of the Triple Crown, we also have a race in April in mind,” Lui said referencing FWD Champions Day. The third and final leg of the Triple Crown is the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup on 23 May and, if successful stepping up to 12 furlongs in three months time, he could become the second horse after River Verdon in the 1993/94 racing season to win the Triple Crown. Horse of the Year Exultant battled into third place under Zac Purton, while Glorious Dragon sealed fourth under Matthew Poon behind him, the second of the Lui-trained runners.
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updated 2021-02-23
TRAINERS Name
Runs
Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Mr S J Snaith Mr P A Peter Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mr A C Greeff
743 545 519 353 580
115 79 66 56 89
94 62 50 48 84
71 50 57 40 80
15.5 14.5 12.7 15.9 15.3
Other Places Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
34.1 31.0 32.9 38.0 40.9
5,704,475 4,029,200 3,174,050 3,123,600 2,457,000
8,580,300 5,914,050 5,129,200 4,528,925 4,002,500
Other Places Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
5,620,775 2,664,600 3,955,000 3,870,525 3,820,650
8,744,700 4,084,400 5,553,613 5,181,650 6,204,950
88 57 64 46 73
253 169 171 134 237
JOCKEYS Name
Runs Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Mr L Hewitson Mr G M Cheyne Mr S Khumalo Mr A Marcus Mr M A Yeni
928 492 450 365 698
120 57 42 53 76
110 78 57 35 84
134 93 85 85 80
14.4 18.9 18.9 23.3 11.5
137 67 55 53 88
367 202 154 141 248
39.5 41.1 34.2 38.6 35.5
BREEDERS Name
B.T. B.T. Total Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R) Rnrs %
Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein Klawervlei Stud Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd Varsfontein Stud
247 365
1013 40,582 1504 26,851
96 113
134 143
38.9 31
339 502
5 6
7 6
10,023,713 9,800,713
133 196 105
546 48,064 817 29,126 439 41,595
59 58 40
98 88 55
44.4 29.6 38.1
205 207 146
5 3 5
5 6 9
6,392,575 5,708,763 4,367,450
SIRES Name Master Of My Fate Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) What A Winter Silvano (GER) * Captain Al
Runrs Runs AEPR 158 161 144 134 97
741 675 626 594 405
33,453 32,660 35,645 38,013 46,294
B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 60 63 57 56 39
78 84 77 74 58
38 39.1 39.6 41.8 40.2
276 215 219 172 143
See all the detailed standings - Click here 52
3 5 2 5 5
B.T. Wins
Total Stakes (R)
3 5 2 5 11
5,285,650 5,258,200 5,132,825 5,093,675 4,490,525
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CITY OF NO CHOICE
Just the eight fixtures to look forward to this weekend in the Nedbank Cup as 16 teams still have a shot at earning a piece of silverware for their cabinet. Current holders, Mamelodi Sundowns, have a stern test against Polokwane City in between a hectic CAF schedule. The highlight fixture of the round, though, will be in the City of Choice where Maritzburg United host Orlando Pirates. Could we see a few upsets in the Last
16 of the Nedbank Cup? Let’s find out what our writer Jesse Nagel has to say… Friday 26 February 15/10 Cape Town All Stars | Draw 2/1 | Cape Town Spurs 18/10 (15h00) We kick things off with a Cape derby as the All Stars face Spurs in Parow. The home side come into this encounter in decent form, enduring a four-game unbeaten run across all competitions,
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which include three successive clean sheets. Cape Town Spurs got through to the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup after knocking out Baroka via a penalty shootout. With the form in their favour, I’m backing Cape Town All Stars to get the job done in 90 minutes. 9/2 Tshakhuma FC | 28/10 | Swallows FC 11/20 (18h00) In one of the few all-top flight matches,
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Tshakhuma look to continue their decent run of form when they host draw-laden Swallows. The hosts knocked out cup kings, SuperSport United, then went on to win their two DStv Premiership matches that followed, keeping clean sheets in all of those ties. Swallows are still unbeaten this season, but some of their steam has died off, with the Dube Birds winning just one of their last six games across all competitions, drawing five times. This should be a cracking encounter, but I fancy Tshakhuma on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 12/10. Saturday 27 February 1/4 Sundowns | 4/1 | Polokwane City 10/1 (15h00) Sundowns face a familiar foe when they take on Polokwane City in the Nedbank Cup this Saturday. The Brazilians beat them home and away in the top flight of the league last season, but Rise And Shine will have a point to prove as they continue to climb up the GladAfrica Championship table. The visitors are unbeaten in five games across all competitions, although Sundowns are without defeat since their exit in the MTN8. With Sundowns’ strength in depth, they should ease past Polokwane City. 26/10 Black Leopards | 22/10 | AmaZulu 19/20 (15h00) In another all-top flight encounter, Black Leopards look to put their league form aside when they take on AmaZulu. Leopards have lost five in a row in the league, but managed to get through to the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup after beating Jomo Cosmos 2-1. AmaZulu
are unbeaten in eight games across all competitions, and fought hard to knock Golden Arrows out of the cup last round. Usuthu are on a rich vein of form and recently won in Limpopo – where they beat Baroka 2-0 in January. Get on AmaZulu here at 19/20! 9/2 Maritzburg United | 28/10 | Orlando Pirates 11/20 (18h00) Maritzburg United look down for the count with the players not biding into Ernst Middendorp’s tactics. The Team of Choice did well to beat Sekhukhune United 2-1 in the Last 32 of the Nedbank Cup, but in the league, Maritzburg United have suffered four defeats in a row. Since their 2-0 defeat at Golden Arrows, Orlando Pirates have gone well over 380 minutes without conceding a goal across the league, Nedbank Cup and CAF Confederations Cup. With the defence finally performing as a unit, the Pirates attack should find a way past a leaky Maritzburg side. Back the visitors to leave KZN as quarter-finalists. Sunday 28 February 14/10 Pretoria Callies | 2/1 | JDR Stars 19/10 (15h00) GladAfrica Championship enthusiasts will be looking forward to this fixture as fifth-placed Pretoria Callies host promotion hopefuls, JDR Stars. The hosts are two points off their opponents in the league and have a game in hand, which could see them leapfrog into second spot. JDR Stars are unbeaten in five games across all competitions, including a win in extra time against the University of Pretoria in the Last 32 of the Nedbank Cup. It’s tough to separate these two sides, so I’ll put my money on a draw.
21/10 TS Sporting | 2/1 | Richards Bay 13/10 (15h00) TS Sporting will have a huge task on their hands when they host Richards Bay this Sunday. The KZN outfit famously knocked out Kaizer Chiefs in the last round of the Nedbank Cup and currently lead the standings in the GladAfrica Championship. Richards Bay are also unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions, while TS Sporting are without a win in three games. The away win is a banker here. 5/2 Chippa United | 22/10 | Cape Town City 1/1 (18h00) Chippa United are back in the Eastern Cape and welcome their provincial neighbours, Cape Town City, to the Nelson Mandela Bay this Sunday. The Chilli Boys are on a run of three consecutive draws, which includes a penalty shoot-out victory over Free State Stars in the last round of the Nedbank Cup. Cape Town City showed what they’re all about in the Last 32 of the Nedbank Cup, hammering Bloemfontein Celtic 4-0. Despite their winless run in the league, I fancy the visitors to advance to the quarter-finals in 90 minutes. TREBLE @ 8/1 AmaZulu Win 19/20 Richards Bay Win 13/10 Cape Town City Win 1/1
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