20210908 - Sporting Post Sprint Ver 1.2 Single Pages.pdf by Sporting Post

Cover Image Past Equus Champion son of Master Of My Fate, Tempting Fate (Sean Veale) registers his first victory in over a year at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. Image courtesy of Candiese Lenferna v

4 Zapatillas and Luyola Mxothwa slip down the inside as Anton Marcus tries to coax more out of Safe Return

Chase Liebenberg

MXOTHWA & CRAWFORD’S SHOE-IN 5

South Africa’s second leading sire of last season, Varsfontein’s Master Of My Fate continued his dream start to the new term on Saturday. The handsome son of Jet Master sired his 14th overall stakes winner courtesy of the Brett Crawford-trained Zapatillas – an impressive victor in the R85 000 Listed Sophomore Sprint at Kenilworth.

ground.

The new combination enjoyed a double on the day after Futura’s son Future Prince won the third on debut, also in the Pam Isdell silks.

But the clearly talented Zapatillas – seemingly the Spanish word for a slipper or sneaker – was not one of those. And he benefitted from a really very brave ride by Mxothwa.

Young Craig Bantam then rounded off a happy afternoon for the Crawford Racing team, with Miss Smarty Pants winning the ninth race. With racing conducted under sunny skies, but on a track classed as heavy and showing a penetrometer reading of 34, the ten races proved tough going for some, with a variety of horses failing to act on the

After being bumped by Xavion at the jump, Zapatillas was a couple of lengths off the action which was led by his stablemate Masked Vigilante early on. At the 300m, Anton Marcus unleashed Safe Return as Zapatillas looked to be under pressure to even run a drum.

Chase Liebenberg

The 1200m contest marked the first stakes success for the Philippi-based Brett Crawford and his Royal Aces-sponsored jockey,

Luyola Mxothwa.

6 A pleased John Freeman pays a compliment to the promising winner Candiese Lenferna

But Mxothwa and his talented steed had other ideas and the duo started unwinding. As they arrived at the first wave, Safe Return was hanging in and the gap down his inside was narrowing fast. As Marcus switched crop hands to his left to straighten Safe Return, Mxothwa switched Zapatillas in and at the 100m he caused Fifty River to be tightened for galloping room as he surged down the inside rail. Tellytrack presenter Grant Knowles correctly observed that few jockeys have ever passed Superman down the inside. But Crawford’s new rider had taken up the challenge and come out smiling – Zapatillas(4-1) getting the verdict by 0,30 lengths in a time of 78,11 secs. After an accomplished SA Champions Season, Safe Return (5-1) was not disgraced in defeat and will

be back for more. Captain’s Knot (16-1) was the first of the Snaith trio home in third. Mxothwa conceded that things had not gone his way. “We were squeezed at the jump and played chase the whole race – and it got tight late,” he quipped. Brett Crawford complimented his team and said that his jockey had astutely bided his time early. The trainer also complimented the winning partnership of Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud, Ravi Naidoo, who watched the race from New York, and the clearly lucky owner Pamela Isdell, whose flashy purple and white flag seem to know where the winner’s enclosure in.

John Freeman was instrumental in this very clever buy and congratulated the partnership. The veteran also rightly grabbed the opportunity to trump another stakes success for his stallion Master Of My Fate. A son of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master), the Varsfontein Stud-bred winner is out of the five-time winning Mogok mare, Moggytwoshoes. The winner was a R260 000 National Yearling Sale purchase and took his stakes bank to R87 325 with his two wins in two starts. On breeding he should easily get the mile and on today’s showing of overcoming of all the odds, he looks a very promising sort in the making. Roll on summer!

The partnership apparently purchase three horses every year.

The Merits Undefeated ZAPATILLAS has seen his rating raised from 88 to 104 after he recorded a second win from as many outings in the Listed Sophomore Sprint for three-year-olds over 1200m at Kenilworth on Saturday. The Handicappers felt it highly unlikely that 3rd placed CAPTAIN’S KNOT would have run below his

rating by finishing where he did in a contest of this nature and therefore used him as the line horse, which leaves his rating unchanged on 96. Runner-up SAFE RETURN has had his rating raised from 98 to 103, while 4th finisher XAVION goes up from 91 to 95. There were increases also for FIFTY FIVER, who is 7

up from 84 to 91, and for 6th placed MASKED VIGILANTE, who was raised slightly from 87 to 88 in order to make him rated equal to 7th finisher ON THE ROAD AGAIN. The only drop was for YOU KNOW WHO, who is down from 87 to 85.

MASTER OF OUR UNIVERSE! v

8 Master Of My Fate – Jet Master x Promisefrommyheart – is fit and healthy for the season ahead

Jeremy Nelson

With another quality book of mares, Varsfontein’s handsome Jet Master stallion Master Of My Fate is in great physical shape for the season ahead. Stallion Manager John Freeman informs us that Master Of My Fate has covered an average of 112 mares each season for the past seven years. With his blood, his handsome and athletic physical presence, and outstanding results, he is naturally proving a popular stallion and is close to fully booked again this year. “A few of his shareholders don’t have enough mares to use all of their stallion shares this year, so we can take a few more bookings," says John

as he tells that with the foaling season well underway the team are particularly excited about the three Gr1 winning mares that are still due to foal. "They are Townsend (by Captain Al, dam of Gr1 winner Eden Roc), Miss October (by Var, dam of Tempting Fate) and Mamalushka (dam of Zarina),” adds John with his characteristic enthusiasm. And he is full of praise for the widely respected Varsfontein team. “Carl, Jaco and Frikkie have their stallion routine down to a fine art. The stallions are always kept fit and healthy,” he adds. South Africa’s second

leading sire last season, Master Of My Fate continued his dream start to the new term on Saturday. The Brett Crawford-trained Zapatillas scored an impressive victory in the Listed Sophomore Sprint at Kenilworth. He is now undefeated in two starts. Master Of My Fate rounded this past weekend off with a further two winners. Shell Seeker opened the Hollywoodbets Scottsville racemeeting by storming home to win the first race of the day on debut. A few hours later, the Gr1 winner Tempting Fate powered in to win the Gold Circle Racing Youtube Channel Pinnacle Stakes.

“I personally have shares in a few other good-looking youngsters that we hope to see on the track soon,” enthuses John. Over the 2020/21 season Master Of My Fate produced 161 winners from his first four crops to race and over R33 million in stakes. He has 14 stakes winners and 15 stakes placed horses to his credit, including Gr1 winning past Equus Champion Tempting Fate, Equus nominee Zarina, Gautengbased Gr1 winner Sentbydestiny, and the multiple Gr1 placed Twist Of Fate who has won 7 races and over R3,5 million in stakes. He has seven Gr1 horses to date.

“We often forget to mention his star filly, Silverstone Air. She was Horse Of The Year in Kenya. We tried to get her to South Africa because there was simply nothing to match her there. It never came to pass,” says the vastly experienced veteran. Master Of My Fate was leading sire of 3yo’s by number of stakes races won last season. “He ranked third in leading sire of 3yo’s by stakes and was joint second leading sire of 3yo’s by number of stakes winners last season,” continues John. He is currently the leading sire in South Africa by stakes and by number of races won, and he is joint leading sire by winners and stakes winners.

John tells us that Master Of My Fate has also enjoyed a good season in the sale arena. His top prices have been R675 000, R525 000, R460 000 and R350 000 overall. His stud fee for 2021 is R25 000. The deposit is R5000, with the balance due at live foal. “There is also a share on offer. I am sure that someone will want to get involved,” concludes John. Contact John Freeman for more information - stallions@ johnfreeman.co.za

WE’RE

HIRING! JOIN OUR TEAM

Bookkeeper / Administrator Cape Thoroughbred Sales is looking to employ a bookkeeper and administration assistant. The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the accounting function to trial balance. Experience in dealing with debtors and engaging with clients is required. You will be based at our offices in Durbanville, and will be expected to travel to and from meetings from time to time. If you are a team player, looking for an exciting challenge, and have a keen interest in 11horseracing and breeding, we would like to hear from you. Please forward your CV to Jacques at jchowles@cthbs.com

Candiese Lenferna

Tempting Fate (Sean Veale) is led in by Brian Airey on left and Eric Buhr

FATE’S BACK! The Dennis Drier trainer Gr1 winning Equus Champion Tempting Fate, a son of Master Of My Fate, is our cover star this week after his comeback victory at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. And breeder Pippa Mickleburgh had double cause to break out the bubbly with his full sister born on the beautiful Avontuur Estate on Friday

evening. Despite shifting in late in the race, Tempting Fate registered his fourth victory from nine starts in the 1100m Pinnacle Stakes under regular pilot, Sean Veale. It has been over a year since Tempting Fate won the Gr1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, but a

trip to Cape Town, five races later and an operation to sort out a breathing problem, saw Dennis Drier’s charge back in top form at the same venue. An issue that ostensibly started in the fairest Cape, saw Tempting Fate struggling to breath because of an entrapped epiglottis. But the veteran trainer was

lavish in his praise of some delicate surgery by vets Johnny Cave and Manfred Rower that appears to have been successful as Tempting Fate landed the race and the money. Owners Brian Airey, David

Abery, Eric Buhr, Mark Currie and Varsfontein Stud have stuck loyally by Tempting Fate, who is still a colt – and a handsome fellow at that. Interestingly, Dennis Drier trained both parents of Tempting Fate, a R550 000

Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate Stamped with his Dad Master Of My Fate’s flashy good looks, Tempting Fate is out of the super quick Gr3 winning Var mare, Miss October, a full sister to Gr1 winner August Rush.

Pippa’s Pleased As Punch! Tempting Fate’s fullsister arrived at Avontuur on Friday evening, and despite being run off her feet with 5 foals arriving in the space of 36 hours in the beautiful nursery of champions, General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh had a chance

to tell the Sporting Post that she was thrilled for all the connections of Tempting Fate. She was also pleased for trainer Mike Miller, owner Garth Gericke and breeder Tinus Gericke after October Song shed her maiden at her 16

second start on the same programme as Tempting Fate. October Song is a Rafeef half-sister to Tempting Fate’s dam, Miss October. “What a family!” added Pippa.

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NORTHERN HEMISPHERE IMPACT BY SA MARES v

20 Champion Celtic Sea – set to join the broodmare band of her owner Anthony Beck at Gainesway Farm

Chase Liebenberg

Following our article in last week’s Sprint highlighting the success of South African-bred broodmares in Australia, the focus this week is on the exploits of their counterparts based in the Northern Hemisphere. With access to the world's best bloodlines, British breeders understandably look askance at South Africanbred fillies, yet those few who have put faith in our female lines have been handsomely rewarded. None more so than respected Irish breeders Airlie Stud, who acquired the Sportsworld mare Kournikova at the conclusion of her racing career. Trained by Paddy Kruyer for owner-breeder Frank Sharp, she left South African shores with a CV embellished by a defeat of the mighty Ipi Tombe in the Gr1 Triple Tiara 1600 at Turffontein. Adding to her credentials, she had an attractive pedigree in that her dam, the Russian Fox mare Faberge Flowers, was out of a Royal Prerogative halfsister to champion sprinters Harry Hotspur and Rotterdam. Kournikova rewarded Airlie with three stakes winners, the first of which, the Peintre Celebre filly Slight Advantage, crossed the channel to win the Preis der Silbernes Band

des Rheinlandes. Next came the Jeremy filly Pearl Of Africa, a dual Irish stakes winner and twice Gr2-placed in Dubai. Rounding out the trio was the Dylan Thomas gelding Spark Plug, whose string of stakes places included a third in the Gr3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes. Rose and Ashley Parker have bred some fine fillies at their Ascot Stud over the years, yet they never dreamed that one of them would become the dam of a French Gr1 winner! This was the Corne Spiestrained Rock Opera, who earned Championship honours following an undefeated juvenile season capped by victory in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship. Exported to Dubai, Rock Opera failed to add to that tally, although she did finish third in the UAE 1000 Guineas. The daughter of Lecture and Al Mufti mare Drummer Girl has since become a valued member of Godolphin's broodmare band as the dam of undefeated Gr1 winner Royal Meeting. An impressive debut winner, he earned his Gr1 stripes second time out in the Gran Criterium at Chantilly, where he defeated Aidan O'Brien-trained Galileo filly Hermosa, who would go on to complete the Gr1 English and

Irish One Thousand Guineas double. The Australians won the battle for this Gr1 winning son of successful sire Invincible Spirit and he took up stud duties in Victoria in 2020. Royal Meeting was Rock Opera's second stakes winner, the first being the admirable Exceed And Excel gelding Heavy Metal, a multiple Group winner in Britain and Dubai of 15 races. Corne has enjoyed remarkable success with members of this female line. He also trained the Ascot-bred Seattle Singer, a Sail From Seattle filly out of Rock Opera's three-part sister Royal Drummer. Winner of the Gr3 Sycamore Sprint, she had found only Always In Charge her superior in the 2016 Gr1 Gold Medallion. Two years later, Spies went one better with the filly's close relative Van Halen, who defeated paternal halfbrother Cue The Music in an epic finish to the Scottsville sprint. Out of Rock Opera's Gr1-placed own sister Rock Concert, the son of Oratorio left South Africa after winning the 2020 Gr1 Mercury Sprint and is currently in training in France. Thanks mainly to Barry Irwin's Team Valor International, the success of South African-bred mares also stretches across the pond. The American has never been shy of extolling the virtues of South African

Team Valor’s Breeders Cup winner and current Australian sire Pluck – a son of Secret Heart stock and has reaped handsome rewards with fillies he purchased here. Those who made their mark as broodmares in the States include Secret Heart and Sally Bowles. A Fort Wood daughter of Varsfontein Stud's top matron Secret Pact and a grandaughter of celebrated Broodmare of the Year Soho Secret, Secret Heart won the Listed Prix du Cap and ran third in the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas and SA Filllies Guineas. For Team Valor, she came up trumps with her first foal, the Breeders Cup Juve-

nile Turf winner Pluck. A virtual ringer for his sire More Than Ready, he stands at Vinery Australia where he has to date sired four stakes winners and has become renowned "for breeding toughness, soundness, versatility and a straight-forward, trainable attitude into his progeny." Secret Heart's death at just age 15 was a huge loss, one which Irwin described as “a hard one to swallow," and underlined when Hard Spun daughter Three Hearts became her dam's second stakes winner with victory in the Gr3 Red Carpet Handicap

at Del Mar. She is owned by leading SA breeders, the Kieswetters, and is based in Ireland. Lest we forget, the family has flourished at Varsfontein in recent years. Secret Heart's champion half-sister Promisefrommyheart produced red-hot sire Master Of My Fate and is also the grandam of Triple Crown winner Malmoos. Another Gr1 winning halfsister Covenant features as the dam of new resident stallion Erik The Red. Sally Bowles proved another

Team Valor success. A daughter of London News bred in the Karoo by David Southey, she gave notice of her talent as a juvenile when beaten a head in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship. She went on to win the Gr2 KZN Fillies Guineas in the Team Valor silks, while defeating future Gr1 winners Royal Fantasy and River Jetez! Exported to the States, she produced the More Than Ready filly Consumer Credit, a Gr3 winner who also finished third in the Gr1 American Oaks. Mated to Proud Citizen, Sally Bowles

foaled London Citizen, who crossed the Atlantic, scored twice in Britain and also ran second in the Swedish Derby. The latest top performer to make the journey to the States is star sprinter Celtic Sea, who is set to join the broodmare band of her owner Anthony Beck at the famed Gainesway Farm. Trained by Sean Tarry, this daughter of Captain Al carried the famous Beck silks to repeat victories in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, whilst also defeating Horse of the Year Oh Susanna in the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes. Although her

departure is yet another loss to the South African gene pool, she will have access to some of the best stallions in Kentucky which greatly enhance her prospects of making her mark as a broodmare.

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20 YEARS ON… v

VAN BASSEN’S FIRST STAKES STRIKE

26 Vaseem (Muzi Yeni) bounds clear to register a hat-trick

JC Photos

Saturday’s Turffontein feature, the R125 000 Listed Spring Spree Stakes, produced one of those feelgood stories that makes racing a happier game than some of our local boardroom squabbles would often have us believe. Owner Andre van Bassen, a handler at the start during his varsity days, and his attorney daughter Teegan celebrated their first stakes success with ex-Al Adiyaat galloper Vaseem, who hasn’t stopped earning since they bought him out of the Mike de Kock yard on a BSA Online Auction.

The Durban-based Andre van Bassen, the CEO of a Managed Health Care company, told the Sporting Post that he has owned horses for twenty years, and his previous closest stakes high was a third placing. “During my student days at Tuks, I was a handler at the start. I resolved then that I would own a racehorse one day. It has always been a passion – some would say a sickness! But we love the game and the horses are just so special,” he added. The Klawervlei-bred 5yo Vaseem originally raced in the world famous Al Adiyaat yellow and blue silks for Mike de Kock.

But when the gelding came up on a BSA Online auction, astute veteran trainer Roy Magner told his loyal client that they ‘had to get him’. “We thought we’d pick him up for R60 000 or so. But we had to go to R90 000. That said, we aren’t exactly complaining – he has run two places and won three times from five starts for us in under six months. All credit to Roy Magner. The man is a salt of the earth professional. No nonsense and just an honest assessment. What more can an owner ask for?” says the elated Andre.

JC Photos

29 Veteran Roy Magner poses with the trophy

The thrilled Durbanite’s 31 year old Attorney daughter Teegan is a partner.

team. Just goes to show what a small trainer can do when given decent horses to train!”

Her and Mom are at Sun City spending some ‘MomDaughter’ time away.

Drawn on the outside in the 1200m round-the-turn sprint, Muzi Yeni rode a cracker and unleashed Vaseem (6-1) up the inside rail to beat topweight Mr Flood (20-1) by 0,70 lengths in a time of 70,85 secs.

Andre says that he was contemplating flying up to Turffontein, but thought about it and felt that the flight was a ‘bit of a schlep’. “Boy, am I regretting that decision. What an honour it would have been to be there to lead my first stakes winner in. Oh well, we are all just so proud and thankful to have enjoyed the winner and full marks to Roy Magner and his

Visiway (5-1) showed a lot of toe and finished third. Puerto Manzano (3-1) returned from a four month break and was run off his feet early, but quickened impressively to run a 3,35 length fourth. He should strip ready for the Charity Mile.

The Zimbabwe-born and Randjesfontein-based septuagenarian Roy Magner has been around horses all his life and has recently enjoyed a nice boost to his string, which now numbers over 40, with a well-known owner joining the team. Originally a R275 000 Cape Yearling Sale buy, the bang in-form Vaseem has won 5 races and run 5 places from 16 starts for stakes of R1 119 450. He was bred by Klawervlei Stud from Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the twicewinning Giant’s Causeway mare, Giant’s Bounty.

The Merits VASEEM has had his merit rating raised from 100 to 105 following his win in the Listed Spring Spree Stakes (handicap) over 1200m on the Turffontein inside track on Saturday. The

Handicappers were of the unanimous view that 3rd placed VISIWAY was the correct line horse to use here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 100. The winner aside, the only

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other change was for 2nd placed MR FLOOD, who goes up from 119 to 122. None of the runners in this race were given ratings drops.

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WAR OF ATHENA – GAUTENG HORSE OF THE SEASON v

32 War Of Athena wins Champion Horse Of The Season

JC Photos

The Racing Association was not able to host events on the Highveld, in the Western and Eastern Cape for the 2020/2021 regional awards due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact of the level 3 lockdown and its related restrictions. They considered it important though to honour the equine and human winners who entertained racing enthusiasts throughout the racing season. The Highveld winners are listed below. Trophies will be awarded to

Highveld winners at Turffontein on 11 September.

and bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein

Equine winners:

• Champion Three Year Old Filly:

• Champion Two Year Old Filly: Winner: Sheela, owned by Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert), trained by MG/AA Azzie and bred by Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert) • Champion Two Year Old Colt/Gelding: Winner: Smorgasbord, owned by Messrs JF & LMF Wernars & Mr H Wilson & Mrs T J Wernars, trained by Paul Peter

Winner: War of Athena, owned by Mr RS Wentzel and Dr RE Waterman-Wentzel, trained by Paul Matchett and bred by Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd • Champion 3 Year Old Colt/ Gelding: Winner: Malmoos, owned by Late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum, trained by Mike de Kock and bred by Varsfontein Stud JC Photos

34 African Adventure – Joey Soma’s champion stayer

• Champion Older Horse:

• Champion Stayer:

Winner: Gotthegreenlight, owned by Messrs D Chinsammy, H Adams and JA Soma, trained by Joe Soma & bred by Nadeson Park Stud

Winner: African Adventure, owned by Messrs JT Peter & JA Soma, trained by Joe Soma and bred by Mr and Mrs JR Slade

• Champion Sprinter:

• Champion Horse Of The Season:

Winner: Rio Querari owned Mrs RD Edmondson & Bryn Ressell & Dr JA Warner, trained by Justin Snaith bred by Normandy Stud

• Champion Groom Of The Season Jack Landile • Champion Apprentice Luke Ferraris • Champion Jockey

Winner: War of Athena, owned by Mr RS Wentzel and Dr RE Waterman-Wentzel, trained by Paul Matchett and bred by Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd

S’Manga Khumalo

• Champion Middle distance horse:

Human Winners: (Based on a points system)

• Champion Breeder

Winner: Summer Pudding owned by Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs JB Jell) trained by Paul Peter and bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein

• Champion Work Rider Joe Gwingwizha

• Champion Trainer Paul Peter

Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd • Champion Owner Chris van Niekerk

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Pauline Herman

SURVIVOR SOUTH AFRICA – AT FAIRVIEW! 38

Hollywoodbets sponsored Jarett Rugg - living the dream and beating the odds

Hollywoodbets-sponsored Fairview trainer Jarett Rugg is South African horseracing’s poster boy for survival against seemingly insurmountable odds.

soon-to-be 39 year old Jarett has found the magical elixir – that cocktail of the power of positive thought and keeping one’s eye on the ball, that may well have eluded, and probably destroyed, a lesser man.

tomorrow and keep trying to saddle that next winner,” he assures the Sporting Post.

The closure of a popular racecourse. Two interprovincial moves. A global pandemic. The sale of his prized Harley-Davidson. An eighteen month gap between his last and most recent winner on Friday.

How else can Jarett be getting out of bed every day to pursue his first love?

“It works for me. It’s cost effective and I am also hands on – basically on 24 hour call for my horses if anything goes wrong,” he explains.

And through all that, the man remains positive in his outlook! Somebody once said that the ability to delude oneself may be an important survival tool. And clearly the cheery

“It goes without saying that it hasn’t been an easy few years. Training horses is not a cakewalk even in good times, and for myself and many of my colleagues, the cumulative impact of circumstances mostly beyond our control in recent times has tested all of our resolve. I don’t want to play the role of victim, and many are much worse off – so I will wake up before the sun rises again

Being a single man with no family to care for, Jarett lives at his yard.

And his prized Harley? “I have to cut my cloth to fit my situation. My bike has been sold. I enjoyed it but it’s a material possession. I am a positive person, so won’t close the door on the future!” Jarret learnt the ropes from his Dad Vernon, who sadly

passed away in July 2015. The young man was then supported by his late Dad’s cousin Duncan McKenzie, a veteran conditioner in his own right, who allowed him to complete his professional time running a satellite yard at Flamingo Park. Granted his professional licence by the National Horseracing Authority, on Monday 6 November 2017 Jarett Rugg sent out his first three runners at Flamingo Park. In a fairytale start to a new career, the R7 500 purchase

Easy To Please, a son of the unfashionable sire Newton, went and did the unexpected – ‘something that dreams are made of’, in Jarett’s words. “He stamped his name in the book of the best horseracing stories by winning his 6th career race under my stable jockey Jarryd Penny on my first race meeting as a trainer, giving me my first winner as a trainer. From the saddest moment in my life to the happiest, Easy To Please has been a part of them both. He gave my father his last win as a trainer and gave me my first as a trainer two years later.”

Two days after his Dad’s memorial service, Jarett saddled Easy To Please for the second time on 20 July 2015, with Gavin Lerena on board. “As Gavin passed the finish line, he pointed up to the heavens in salute to my father,” says Jarett quietly. “With so much hurt and sadness in my heart, watching Easy win that day was the first time I felt joy and happiness flow back into my life.” Easy To Please, who was raced in partnership with Rugg stalwart owner Peter Hosking, can still be found in the yard at Fairview. And his staunch owner is also still Candiese Lenferna

40 Craig Zackey and the Rugg team in the winner's box at Fairview

with Jarett. “Easy is retired now at the age of 10. But he is just too special to me to give away. So he is my sentimental friend and stays with me through thick and thin. Peter Hosking has been in the yard since the days my Dad trained. He is still involved with Purple And Gold and Wichita. Loyal owners of his ilk are priceless!” He suggested that a filly that he got from Glen Kotzen called Subterfuge and an unraced youngster, Indigo, who races for Clinton Lines and Gebhard Wolf, are worth

watching out for. And then Julie Dittmer sent him the game mare Purple And Gold, with whom he is determined to win a race. The main reason for our catch-up chat this weekend though was Jarett’s terrific Fairview winner on Friday. Ridden by Craig Zackey, who grabbed a treble on the afternoon, the Beaumont Stud-bred Guaquistador romped home at 75-1 to shed his maiden ticket at his twelfth start – and in handicap company, to boot! “He is a horse that is still

maturing and a little soft still. So I looked at the race and thought he could take on the winners with a bit of weight off his back. It worked out and I am really pleased and thankful to Craig Zackey for a top ride, and to my partner Deon Snyman, whose first winner it was.” Jarret said that Deon Snyman was a Gautengbased new owner, who was clearly a lucky charm – he has been involved with Guaquistador for just two runs - a fourth place on the Fairview polytrack a fortnight ago and now the victory on Friday. Pauline Herman

Guaquistador storms to victory under Craig Zackey 42 Guaquistador storms to victory under Craig Zackey

“Deon unfortunately wasn’t on course but I am sure he will enjoy watching the replay many times over! I must also thank my former KZN colleague, Ashburton trainer Shane Humby, who kindly arranged that I get Guaquistador and another horse.” Jarett doffed his cap to his small staff of three and his sponsors Hollywoodbets, who have stuck by him – “every but of support in whatever form is a godsend,” he adds, as he says he is proud to have finally got one into the winner’s enclosure for SA’s leading bookmaking brand. The enormity of Guaquistador’s victory on Friday is illustrated by the fact that the Pomodoro gelding was Jarett’s first visit to the number 1 box since Gingerspathtoglory won at Flamingo Park on 13 January 2020. That’s a lifetime in any racing man’s language! “As I said earlier, it’s been tough and more! I had 55 horses at Flamingo Park and had my regular winners. Today I have eight. It’s a hard grind for survival monthto-month. But I am living my dream – and I am my own boss and I never battle to get up and won’t stop believing that things will turn.” Jarett’s optimism is under-

scored by his perseverance. “I have a barn – which means I am paying for 24 boxes. So I have the space to grow. But it’s a catch 22. Without horses, there are no winners. Without winners, there are no horses. Empty boxes cost. There is no leeway or charity anywhere. You pay your rent, or you go. But that said, I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support – on Whatsapp and Facebook. So many people have contacted me to say they are happy and thrilled for me. It’s heartwarming and encouraging.” He was considering running Guaquistador again on Tuesday but this time on the polytrack. He will assess his charge before a decision is made. He is upbeat by two horses particularly in his small string – a filly that he got from Glen Kotzen called Subterfuge and an unraced youngster, Indigo, who races for Clinton Lines and Gebhard Wolf. Julie Dittmer sent him the game mare Purple And Gold, with whom he is determined to win a race. Jarett says the camaraderie amongst the East Cape racing community against the background of the covid dark cloud, has also been fantastic. “We are all here to help each other. I saddled Cliffie Miller’s

horses on Friday. Our good friend and colleague is still in hospital, but thankfully things are looking better and we are praying that he is back home this week.” Jarett has been tested after his covid exposure and he says he is negative. That’s a bit of genuine good news for the man who was one of the first Northern Cape trainers to take up Gold Circle’s relocation assistance to KZN in 2020 as Kimberley was closed by a decimated Phumelela. “It was always going to be difficult winning races in KZN with horses that were mostly chuck-outs from that very centre. But our backs were against the wall and if we don’t try we would never know. I am richer in spirit for the experience. I just would love to try and fill a few more of my boxes here in the Eastern Cape. And, as we all know, winners are the very best advertisement!” Any enquiries: Please email Jarett at jvruggracing@gmail. com

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Chase Liebenberg

Warren Kennedy and Atyaab

DESERVED HONOUR FOR

GALLANT ATTIE

One of the most popular horses to grace the South African turf in recent years, Gr1 Cape Derby winner Atyaab, who was sadly euthanized after injuring himself in the Gr3 Gold Vase at Hollywoodbets Greyville last season, received some welldeserved recognition when named East Cape Racing Horse Of The Season for

2020/21.

A son of Dundeel, the former Mike de Kock-trained stayer and his charismatic second phase conditioner Zietsman Oosthuizen caught the public’s imagination with some brave ventures into the major centres. SA Champion owner Suzette Viljoen’s brave gelding’s biggest moment came at

Kenilworth on Met day this year when he beat Justin Snaith’s subsequent champion Silver Host to win the New Turf Carriers Gr2 Western Cape Stayers. Trophies will be awarded to Eastern Cape winners on 10 September at Fairview.

EASTERN CAPE:

Thoroughbred Farm

and bred by Mr TD Andrews

Equine winners:

• Champion Older Colt/ Gelding:

• Champion Horse Of The Season:

Winner: Marmara Sea – Owned by Mrs M Slack & Mr MB Javett, trained by Alan Greeff and bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein

Winner: Atyaab, owned by Mrs S Viljoen, trained by Zietsman Oosthuizen and bred by Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd & Planette Thoroughbred

• Champion Sprinter:

Human Winners:

Winner: Carioca – Owned by Messrs GD Tooch, GL Blank, LH Paletz, Joel Wilensky, trained by Alan Greeff and bred by Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm

Champion Work Rider

• Champion 2 Year Old Filly: Winner: Sound Check – Owned by Messrs G and M du Toit trained by Alan Greeff and bred by Ascot Stud • Champion 2 Year Old Colt/ Gelding: Winner: Whatever Next – Owned by Mr Anthony Williams & Mr and Mrs Greeff, trained by Alan Greeff and bred by Mr A N Foster • Champion 3 Year Old Filly: Winner: Santa Theresa – Owned by Messrs CG and LF Scribante and Mr and Mrs Steven Jell, trained by Alan Greeff and bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein • Champion 3 Year Old Colt/ Gelding:

• Champion Stayer: Winner: Atyaab, owned by Mrs S Viljoen, trained by Zietsman Oosthuizen and bred by Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd & Planette Thoroughbred • Champion Polytrack Colt/ Gelding:

Winner: Global Drummer – Owned by Mr VC Veeramootoo trained by Gavin Smith and bred by Ascot Stud

Winner: Marmara Sea – Owned by Mrs M Slack & Mr MB Javett, trained by Alan Greeff and bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein

• Champion Older Filly/ Mare:

• Champion Polytrack Filly/ Mare:

Winner: Carioca – Owned by Messrs GD Tooch, GL Blank, LH Paletz, Joel Wilensky, trained by Alan Greeff and bred by Avontuur

Winner: Beneficiary, owned by Money Talks Syndicate (Nom: Mr JVA Strydom), Mrs MO Strydom & Mr JVA Strydom, trained by Jacques Strydom

• Gilbert Shuping & Nkosikhona Mphotye Champion Groom Of The Season • Robert Boti Fiks Champion Apprentice • Yuzah Ramzan Champion Jockey • Greg Cheyne Champion Trainer • Alan Greeff Champion Owner • Suzette Viljoen

Abbi and JP van der Merwe

YEAR OFF FOR JP In shock news from Singapore, the 2016 Sun Met winning SA jockey JP van der Merwe has been hit with a twelve month suspension after stewards were unhappy with ride on Fast And Fearless at last Saturday’s Kranji meeting.

in that he, as the rider of FAST AND FEARLESS, in Race 7, failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his horse was given full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best possible placing.

disqualified for a period of one year with immediate effect from Wednesday, 08 September 2021 to Wednesday, 07 September 2022, both dates inclusive in accordance with the provisions of MRA Rule 44(8) (a).

The Singapore Turf Club have reported as follows: The Inquiry into the running and handling of FAST AND FEARLESS in Race 7 at the Singapore Turf Club Meeting on Saturday, 04 September 2021 was concluded on Wednesday, 08 September 2021.

The particulars being: from the 400m until the 150m, he failed to ride his mount with sufficient vigour and determination when at all times it was reasonable and permissible for him to do so.

He was advised of his Right of Appeal.

After taking evidence from Jockey JP Van Der Merwe and Trainer J Peters, the Trainer of FAST AND FEARLESS, Jockey Van Der Merwe was found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 44(8)

When deciding on a penalty, the Stewards took into account the serious nature of the charge, his record and his personal circumstances. Watch the race here – JP is in the blue and red silks Jockey van der Merwe was

JP’s wife Abbi told the Sporting Post that they were bearing up and were ‘okay’. “Many owners and trainers have called us and have pledged to stand with and supporting us. It’s a big help to us in a foreign country where we do not have the support of our family.”

52 Rainbow Bridge wins Horse Of The Year

Candiese Lenferna

CAPE STAR

HONOURED 53

Trophies will be awarded to the winners at Durbanville on 14 September. Equine winners: • Juvenile Male Of The Year: Winner : Ambiorix – Owned by Burns Racing (Nom: David Allan), trained by Vaughan Marshall, and bred by Oldlands Stud • Juvenile Filly Of The Year:

RG Philps, Estate late Mr BA Schwegmann & Mr HF Schwegmann, trained by Glen Kotzen and bred by Mr PU van Schoor. • 3 Year Old Male Of The Year: Winner: Jet Dark – Owned by Messrs CT Crowe and N Jonsson, trained by Justin Snaith and bred by Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

Winner : Kailene – Owned by Messrs RG Hampson & Chase Liebenberg

Speed queen Run Fox Run – champion older female 54

• 3 Year Old Filly Of The Year: Winner: Captain’s Ransom – Owned by Mrs S Viljoen, trained by Justin Snaith and bred by Moutonshoek • Older Male Of The Year: Winner: Rainbow Bridge – Owned by Mr and Mrs M L P Rattray, trained by Eric Sands and bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein • Older Female Of The Year: Winner: Run Fox Run – Owned by Ridgemont (Nominee: Mr Wayne Kieswetter), trained by Brett Crawford and bred by Mill Park, Quality TB Joint Venture SA • Champion Sprinter Of The Year: Winner: Rio Querari – Owned by Messrs RD Edmondson & Bryn Ressell & Dr JA Warner, trained by Justin Snaith and bred at Normandy Stud • Champion Miler Of The Year: Winner: Rainbow Bridge – Owned by Mr and Mrs M L P

Rattray, trained by Eric Sands and bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein • Champion Middle Distance Horse Of The Year:

• Cape Apprentice Of The Year Josh Solomons • Cape Jockey Of The Year

Winner: Linebacker – Owned by Mesdames C Gabler & Jane Truter & Mr K P Truter, trained by Vaughan Marshall, and bred by Klawervlei Stud

• Cape Trainer Of The Year

• Champion Stayer Of The Year:

• Acknowledgement Of Achievement Award

Winner: Silver Host – Owned by Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert), Nancy Hossack & Mr M Jonsson, trained by Justin Snaith and bred by Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert)

Connections of Kommetdieding Trainer: Harold Crawford/Michelle Rix and Owner Ashwin Reynolds

• Horse Of The Year: Winner: Rainbow Bridge – Owned by Mr and Mrs M L P Rattray, trained by Eric Sands and bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Human Winners:

Grant van Niekerk

Justin Snaith

• Owner Of The Year Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert) This award is not only based on official NHRA stats (excludes all sales/bonus stakes races) but also takes into account the overall contribution to racing in the Western Cape.

• WP Grooms School Workrider Of The Year Ms E Watkinson

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56 Design by Winning Media

Chase Liebenberg

Worlds Your Oyster streaks to victory under Greg Cheyne

THE WORLD’S HER OYSTER While she missed opening her account in Women’s Month by a matter of days, 27 year old Lucinda Woodruff celebrated her first winner at Kenilworth on Saturday when the handsome grey Worlds Your Oyster powered home to win the sixth, a 1000m Pinnacle Stakes. In a race dominated in the build-up by the return of former Equus Champion Sprinter Kasimir, regular pilot Greg Cheyne, a substitute for the indisposed Grant van

Niekerk, rode a well judged race on the handsome grey to give the young lady trainer a moment that she will never forget – and the Klawervlei Stud-bred gelding a hat-trick of victories down the straight.

with eight youngsters, and she will be keen to make her presence felt in the Cape summer – with Worlds Your Oyster a likely feature contender, if he continues on his winning ways.

Worlds Your Oyster, who races in the famous ‘Badge Boys’ silks, was her ninth runner, and she also boasts a healthy short-term place strike-rate of 44%.

A daughter of champion Geoff Woodruff, and granddaughter of legend Terrance Millard, Lucinda has the genes and the upbringing to make it big in a male dominated world, and she will be thrilled to have broken the ice early – after a few frustrating places during August.

Lucinda returned home to the Mother City from the recent BSA August Two Year Old Sale

IGNATIUS FOURIE SAYS THAT…

RACING’S A STATE OF MIND The Sporting Post ran an informal poll recently, calling on our readers to come up with positive suggestions to right our racing. We asked for no criticism, no swipes, no harping on the wrongs of the past – only constructive suggestions. We were inundated with ideas and suggestions from the real people – the customer. The information is being collated and will be sent to anybody and everybody who counts in the industry. And we will ask politely for feedback from the powers-that-be. But more about that in next week’s issue. We congratulate Ignatius Fourie who will soon be enjoying a case of Avontuur premiere range wine. Ingnatius wrote that excitement, interest and passion. That’s the main objectives we need, to be able to pick up racing. Changing the current format or betting will not attract new blood. We need all the bookmakers to jump aboard. Tote, Hollywood, World Sports Betting, GG gaming etc. It’s all marketing, and that is something we lack in

horseracing currently. Here are some ideas that would attract a new crowd and get some new people involved. 1. Run free racing competitions in the newspapers, online and via social media. Run daily and monthly events that shows pictures of the runners, their trainers and draws the imagination of the public. Why all the betting operators havent tried that as marketing ideas I don’t know? We first need to give before we receive. Sponsoring betting vouchers and prizes will attract a lot of new people and increase our pools. 2. Get the public involved, launch open days for training centres and tracks. Let the public, young and old, interact with the horses. Give them a carrot or two. It’s all about creating those moments that will last and keep the public interested. 3. If covid allows, hold monthly events at our tracks. Not only on big race days like the July or Met. Events like the prawn festivals were a major hit and it drew in a lot of familys and new faces. It’s all about having fun while we enjoy the races. 4. Open horseracing for all to see. At the moment we are only 60

running Tellytrack for paying Dstv customers. How will this ever attract a new market? We have to get involved with SABC to also air most of the racing events as well as racing documentaries to be viewed on other Dstv channels. Horse racing is not supposed to be only for the elite that can afford Dstv, but for everyone to enjoy. There are so many ideas we can come up with. But it’s all about the implementation thereof that will make or break our industry. I see all these young trainers stepping up and how full of energy and ideas they are. That’s what we need to get young and old excited again to watch these magnificent animals in action. Racing is less a sport then a state of mind. It’s a mythology, a religion with its own high priests and ritual sacrifices (ups and downs) and then that magnificent feeling of choosing that winner.

CTS

A close relation to Mother Russia, from Normandy Stud (lot 34), will be sold at 2021 R2R

READY? IT’S ONLINE! The 2021 CTS Ready To Run and Unbroken Two-Year-Old Sale catalogue is online. The sale, scheduled for Sunday, 31 October, will be preceded by the R2R gallops on Friday, 29 October. This will be followed by the 2021 De Grendel Ready To Run Stakes Race (R900,000) on Saturday, 30 October, for which CTS and Cape Racing

have joined forces. The extended deadline for this year’s auction drew several additional entries from among several top breeders, including Klawervlei Stud, Drakenstein, Lammerskraal and Normandy, with Julia Pilbeam’s Soetendal Estate again well represented with a variety of beautifullybred and well-prepped two-year-olds.

“This is a catalogue with outstanding depth and variety. One of the best we have had, and there will be the customary value-buying potential for pedigree students willing to do their homework,” said Grant Knowles, MD of CTS. Please see the catalogue – click here

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Giant’s Causeway

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF A GIANT

Charismatic champion Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat) is shaping up to be a considerable force as a broodmare sire and his daughters more than made their mark in South Africa this past weekend. Giant's Causeway is the broodmare sire of Saturday's Listed Spring Spree Stakes winner Vaseem (Vercingetorix), and also ranks the damsire of former

Equus Champion Soft Falling Rain - whose son Marmara Sea captured Friday's Friendly City Stakes. Giant's Causeway also appears up close in the pedigree of Saturday's Listed #Womeninracing Sophomore Sprint contenders Silver Salmon and You Know Who.

Gauteng Chris Gerber Summer Cup winning son Zillzaal was produced by Giant's Causeway matron Zulaal, while Giant's Causeway also rates as the sire of Giant's Slipper-the granddam of the Vercingetorix sired Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner, Vernichey.

Interestingly, Vaseem's sire Vercingetorix was sired by Silvano and the latter's Gr1

Vaseem hails from one of the best families in the stud book, descending from

Border Bounty. The latter, whose progeny included champion sire Pitcairn among others, also ranks as the fifth dam of Giant's Causeway's champion grandson Pinatubo. Other notable members of this family include current star Mishriff and leading sire half-brothers Invincible Spirit and Kodiac. To date, Giant's Causeway mares have produced more than 160 stakes winners, a total which continues to grow. Among the many stars produced by Giant's Causeway mares include Gr1 Sun Met winning sire

One World (Captain Al), Gr1 Prix Ganay winner Planteur (the sire of this year's Gr1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup hero Trueshan), and US Horse Of The Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride). The latter has made a hugely impressive start to his stud career, with the six time Gr1 winner currently the leading First Crop Sire in North America by progeny earnings. Giant's Causeway also made headlines as a sire of sires on Saturday - his deceased son Shamardal being responsible for the Gr1 Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes winner Emaraaty Ana. The latter is one of more than 20 Gr1 winners for Shamardal

thus far, with the late sire also responsible for dual French classic winner, and now high-class sire, Lope De Vega among others. Lope De Vega enjoyed success on Sunday when his son Rodaballo won the Gr2 Kronimus Oettingen Rennen. Another son of Giant's Causeway, the 2000 Guineas winning Footstepsinthesand, rates as the broodmare sire of Saturday's Gr3 Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Sirenia Stakes winner Eve Lodge (Ardad).

68 Dual stakes winner Christopher Robin is on the market

JC Photos

BUY A SUMMER CUP RUNNER! 69

St John Gray’s going nowhere – for now, anyway. The veteran owner, trainer and breeder is rationalising his string to keep the numbers down to manageable levels that suit his social lifestyle and professional life, as he approaches his septuagenarian decade. Bloodstock South Africa are hosting the 38 lot Randjesfontein September Sale in Barn 19 at the training centre on Tuesday 14 September at 12h00. “I have given thirty years of my life to this wonderful sport and have loved almost every minute of it,” says the former legal eagle as he feeds the Sporting Post’s curiosity as to what has led to him putting horses on the sale next week. While nearing his 70 milestone, the top horseman doesn’t look a day over 60. “When my good mate and colleague Romeo Francis passed away in November last year, I continued the yard at the Vaal which was run by Romeo’s fiancé, Chantal Bowles. It worked well but Chantal has decided to do something else with her life now, and I have no wish at this stage of my life – I’m old, hey – to run a Vaal stable and have more than 50 horses at my Randjesfontein home base. Remember I still have

youngsters coming in from the farm, too. So we are packing it in at the Vaal, and we have put 38 horses on the sale on Tuesday. Let nobody say Gray’s dumping horses – there is lots of quality and it’s pure mathematics, simple as that.” The charismatic St John went on to explain that he and his wife Claire also wanted to travel a bit and that he had a two year plan to eventually retire. “It makes no sense to flood the market now. Every one of those 38 horses on the sale are available for inspection. Any interested buyer can make a time and bring their jockey to take any horse they may be interested in out on to the track. They are being sold without reserve and I am a very realistic man who is fully aware of the economic climate and the rest. That said, stakes are going up 20% in a few weeks as recently announced by the RA.” A standout lot looks to be #31, dual stakes winning 5yo, Christopher Robin. St John agrees and suggests that the seven-time winner still has plenty of racing life left to give a new owner plenty of fun. The 5yo entire won his only start of the season on 1 August. “Christopher Robin is a horse who is worthy of another tilt at 70

the Summer Cup. He won the Victory Moon last year and is in good spirit and shape.” St John says that all the paperwork is in order for all the lots on offer and that he was pleased that BSA were offering a Zoom online bidding platform too. “People aren’t moving around like they used to. But there is something that could appeal to many trainers and owners all over the country. And I’d just like to record that anybody who likes any of our horses that may not even be on the sale, is welcome to come and talk to me.” Click here for the catalogue

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THE NAME THAT SAYS IT ALL v

74 Pineapple Express – another Dacha flagbearer on debut under Anton Marcus on Saturday

Chase Liebenberg

What’s in a name? Some cultures name their children based on the first thought or encounter post-birth. Others choose names months in advance, usually to ignite family heritage and carry through tradition. Dacha’s Shannon Smith writes that when it comes to horses, they could be named after a sentimental life experience, a missed girlfriend or a catchy oneliner. Lineage is a common theme, with immense pride held at the core of each naming process. The team at Dacha have chosen to shake things up a bit. First, let’s backtrack slightly. Perhaps to the day that you first experienced horse racing – bright eyed and bushy tailed, you were in awe and weren’t entirely sure about the ins and outs of the events, the processes

and what a ‘favourite’ even meant. In fact, your favourite was probably the horse whose name resonated most with you. For me, it was ‘Zip Code’. I don’t know why, but I thought this was just the coolest name ever. I was young, it seemed different and bizarre, and I screamed and shouted the entire race - even when my favourite Zip Code ran stone last. To this day, I will always remember that horse & will probably bet on him again. Dacha, being the cooky CBD enthusiasts that we are – we couldn’t resist the opportunity to share that enthusiasm with others, both within and outside the horsing fraternity. For the recreational cannabis users, a high quality strain is as important as your horse having a pure-bred mother and father. It speaks lineage, quality and performance. This is why we have decided to name the newest Dacha sponsored horses after famous cannabis brands.

Hailing from champion breeders Klawervlei, Granddaddy Purple, Cannatonic and, of course – Durban Poison. Could we be pushing the boundaries, or are we adding a level of fun through awareness that nobody knew about in the industry before? It is only recently that the benefits of CBD have been increasingly recognized and even advised in South Africa. Dacha’s aim is to educate and to have fun in the process. Why don’t you join in the fun, and crack a bottle of your favourite CBD Infused red or white blend while you watch Cannatonic and Granddaddy Purple race on the 19 September In fact, if you visit our online shop via this link, you can even get a 10% discount by using the discount code SPORTINGPOST. You’ll thank us all later.

Drakenstein Stud (f) Lancaster Bomber ex Shout Out Loud - born 25 August

FUTURE STARS – THE LAUNCHING PAD

The Sporting Post is proud to partner with BUSH to bring you the cream of this season’s foal crop – our Future Stars.

Terrific prizes will be offered every month to readers, who will be asked to select the foal of the month.

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

By kind courtesy of Drakenstein Stud, this beautiful Lancaster Bomber filly ex Shout Out

Loud was born on 25 August. Shout Out Loud (Philanthropist) is a full sister to the Hong Kong Classic Cup and Dingaans winner, Singapore Sling.

80 Brave Tin Soldier – Storm Cat x Bless – is ready for the season ahead

Candiese Lenferna

BRAVE THE DAY

Candiese Lenferna

Brave Tin Soldier showcasing his classic good looks The powerful son of Storm Cat enjoyed another winner on Tuesday, 31st August at the Vaal. The Brave Tin Soldier filly Princess Kesh stormed home to win by an impressive six and a half lengths. The Ashley Fortune-trained 3yo left her competition behind with Wesley Marwing in the saddle. The Rupert Plersch bred filly continues to bolster Brave Tin Soldier’s name as the multiple Gr1 winning racehorse proves his class. “With the few mares he has had, he still produces win-

ners,” says Jill Fox of The Fort Stud in Fort Nottingham KZN. Jill is a long-time horsewoman, owning and operating The Fort Stud since 2006. The Fort has bred, backed and pre-trained numerous winners of races up to a Gr1 level both in South Africa and abroad, including racehorses in Dubai, England, France, Germany, Maurituis and Zimbabwe. Jilly has now had the pleasure of standing the top stallion Brave Tin Soldier at The Fort Stud too. She tells us how he is getting fit and strong for the coming season.

“He is being walked in hand daily. He walks out in front of the two-year olds that have just been backed. “The youngsters really seem to enjoy following him. He has a calm and positive influence over them. His intelligence is impressive, and he knows exactly what he has to do,” Jill says with pride. “He loves to walk out in front and show the two-year olds the way. It has been a privilege to work with such an outstanding horse, he is the perfect example of the quality thoroughbred industry can

produce,” says the experienced horsewoman. Jill is looking forward to Brave Tin Soldier’s foals being born on the farm. With a mare by Champion American Thoroughbred Fusaichi Pegasus due to foal soon and another two other mares with Fusaichi Pegasus in their pedigree due later in the season. “We are very excited for their arrival as this cross is known to produce some incredible progeny.” Jill is also looking forward to a few more of Brave Tin Soldier’s foals touching down. Mares by Crusade, Jay Peg, Fort Wood, Rebel King and

Querari are due any day now. The Fort Stud’s aim is to produce horses that are well bred and that are both mentally and physically prepared to handle the rigours of being an athlete. Jill believes the sire of Gr1 winner Rabada can offer this and more. “I am looking forward to next year! I have two very correct and classic youngsters that I will be preparing for the yearling sales. The first is a colt out of Johannesburg mare named Storm Prospector. The second Brave Tin Soldier progeny is a filly out of a National Emblem mare. “Both are turning into welldeveloped individuals, so I look

83 Gr1 winning stallion is feeling fit & healthy

forward to their day in the sales ring. “Brave Tin Soldier has a classic pedigree and his progeny have his classic looks. What more could you ask for?” smiles Jill. If you’re interested in sending your mare to Brave Tin Soldier- contact Jill Fox now. Cell- 072 289 9471 Email- info@thefortstud.co.za

Brave Tin Soldier v

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

(USA)

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

Classic

Gr1

by Champion Sire & Sires-of-Sires

sire of

producing sire-of-sires

to the core

Rabada

StoRM Cat

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

out of full sister to Kentucky Derby winner & G1 sire

bRave MaRy

FuSaiChi PeGaSuS

won Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship

and grandam full sister to Preakness Stakes winner & Gr1 sire

RunninG bRave

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

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

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

Hamish Niven Photography

MAN

AMONGST MEN 86

Bill Prestage - Widely respected by all who crossed his path

South African Racing mourned the passing last week of veteran Cape owner-trainer and a highly successful businessman in his own right, Bill Prestage. The much respected gentleman was 86. Bill Prestage took over the reins from his father who passed in 1978. In about 1994 he stopped training for seven years because of commitments to his business and then started up again in 2001. He held an open licence but preferred to train for his own account only as his business kept him busy early on. A gentleman of the turf, Bill Prestage’s entrance to racing came in the heyday of the Durbanville Gymkhana Club, where he was a talented jockey. One of three boys, all of whom rode, he worked in the early days for trainers Georgie Brown and CB de Meillon. His brother Bobby rode for Heine Schultz. He cut his race riding teeth alongside the likes of Terrance Millard and Ralph Rixon. “Before us, there was Willie Kleb. Colin Tyler was a top rider – he became the manager of Highlands. Arthur Gray also rode for

Heine Schultz. I think the other guys are all gone, virtually. In 1955 Durbanville became a professional club and that was the end of us at Durbanville,” he told the Sporting Post in an interview in 2018. While he only ever conditioned a small string, he was a man who knew how to prep his horses and enjoyed feature success in 2017. Red Peril won the Listed Settlers Trophy at Durbanville and just months later his Lateral gelding Milton pulled off a giantkilling act when beating the highly vaunted Last Winter in the Gr2 Premier Trophy at Kenilworth. The passing of the veteran has shocked the industry. Garth Puller rode for Bill Prestage’s father and told the Sporting Post that they were a wonderful hardworking family with a work ethic second to none. He told how Mr Prestage senior would walk to work as he didn’t have a vehicle. “George Zeelie would pick Mr Prestage up at 4am along the road and give him a lift. Salt of the earth people, believe me!” Garth said that Bill Prestage was old school – a true gentleman and a horseman who will be sorely missed. “I feel his passing like I did

my own Dad and Mr Allan Higgins. He is the last of an era – Frankie Serra, Dennis Houston, Jackie Bell, Willie Kleb. They don’t make racing folk like that anymore! My deepest sympathies to Christine and the entire Prestage family. I am so very sad to hear this dreadful news,” said Puller. A shocked Dean Kannemeyer said that he had known the Prestage family since he was 5 years old and that Bill provided wise counsel and was an astute deep thinker. Bill Prestage told the Sporting Post years ago: “I don’t work very hard any more, my son runs the business now. I go there most days, but quite frankly, I don’t do a lot.” That wasn’t exactly true. Up to as recently as Saturday we believe he was still working. The old-fashioned modesty and dedicated contribution of a top racing man will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to the Prestage family at this sad time.

HKJC

Karis Teetan wins the feature on the impressive Naboo Attack

KARIS GRABS THREE While Luke Ferraris failed to conjure up a dream start from his six rides, fellow SA jockey academy graduate found the winner’s enclosure three times at the start of the Hong Kong racing season at Sha Tin on Sunday. One of Teetan’s winners was on Naboo Attack for trainer

David Hayes. The conditioner has identified the HK$24 million LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 12 December as Naboo Attack’s primary target after the hulking import’s impressive triumph in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 5 September.

Fulfilling predictions that he was primed to have an immediate impact on the 2021/22 term, the dual champion Hong Kong handler delivered in style with a treble, which included the jaw-dropping debut victory of Nervous Witness, Lucky Maryknoll’s success and Naboo Attack’s triumph in the programme feature.

“It’s a big thrill. I didn’t manage to win one (a feature) last season, so it was good to be on the track getting a trophy,” Hayes said before outlining potential Group 1 action in December for the Naboo Attack. “Depending on handicapping, I think he’ll still be under 100, so we’ll probably give him one more sprint in about a months’ time and then after that we’ll look to run in the big races,” Hayes said. “I reckon he’ll get to a mile but if he’s winning at the sprint trips, I’ll just keep him fresh. His two fresh runs have been brilliant. We might try stretching him out after December – (but the Hong Kong Sprint) would be the early target race. “He’s a horse who can run 1:07 off a hot tempo and that’s good enough to compete in December.”

Maintaining his unblemished record for Hayes in Hong Kong after posting five wins from seven attempts in Australia as Command ‘N’ Conquer, the massive gelding is quickly becoming a cult figure in the city – principally because of his imposing stature, but also because of his stunning acceleration. Tipping the scales at 1377lb, Naboo Attack had the benefit of a barrier extension to curb the five-year-old’s claustrophobia, which surfaced when he missed the start in two barrier trials before his season-opening race. The extra room at the back of the barriers worked perfectly for Naboo Attack, who jumped on terms with the field before settling midfield for Karis Teetan.

him in the trials,” Hayes said. “When he jumped well I just thought he needed a little bit of luck and he got that at about the 300m and he was able to get into his stride. I think he’s a top-class horse with more to come.” Teetan agreed: “He’s a lovely horse, when he won first up, he looked impressive. “Just grateful to get the ride on his horse with the light weight (113lb) and he won like a really good horse. I think he’ll get a mile for sure. Once you switch him off, he’s got a great turn of foot. The way he quickened is the sign of a really good horse.”

“He stood like a lamb with the special gates and Karis having a couple of cracks at learning

Telephone Numbers! The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said that Sunday’s season opening Sha Tin racemeeting had surpassed expectations. Crowds of 16 356 at Sha Tin and 1207 at Happy Valley for an overall attendance of

17563 and record turnover of HK$1.441 billion made for a dream season-opening fixture. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried EngelbrechtBresges addressed the media and said: “On the business side,

turnover is a record – the highest turnover for the start of the season – beating HK$1.376 billion last year. I personally think it is a tremendous start to the season.” Hong Kong racing continued at Happy Valley today.

Doncaster Racecourse

Frankie Dettori has some big rides!

LADIES DAY HIGHLIGHT ON THURSDAY

The Cazoo St Leger Festival at Doncaster gets under way today, with the world’s oldest Classic, the Cazoo St Leger, the highlight on Saturday.

Trainer John Quinn is hoping for another bold showing from the ultra-consistent Highfield Princess in the Gr3 Japan Racing Association Sceptre Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster on Wednesday at 16h25.

Since dominating her rivals in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, Highfield Princess has won a listed prize at Chelmsford, placed in a group three at Goodwood and then filled the runner-up spot in the Gr2 City of York Stakes. Going back against her own sex, the daughter of Night of Thunder is expected to be in the finish once more.

“I’m very happy with her – she’s in grand nick,” said Quinn. “She’s a very consistent filly who is versatile, genuine and tough. She bumped into a Group One horse at York (Space Blues), so fingers crossed she can go one better on Wednesday.”

The partnership of Frankie Dettori and John and Thady Gosden are targeting most of the features at the St Leger

Festival. They team up with leading chances for the two group contests on Ladies' Day (Thursday). Dettori is set to ride the unbeaten Inspiral in the Gr2 Cazoo May Hill Stakes 15h40, and the juvenile filly is odds-on to land the prize for her owners Cheveley Park Stud. Inspiral was an easy winner of a listed race at Sandown last time and will face six rivals in this event. Thirty-five minutes later at 16h15, nine fillies and mares

contest the Gr2 Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes over 2900m. Dettori rides the George Strawbridge owned and Gosden trained filly Free Wind, who looks well in at these set weights. The daughter of Galileo won last time out in France where she contested a group 3 event over 2500m. Her main danger could be the Roger Varian trained Save A Forest who won a strong listed race at Newmarket over 2400m at the end of July. That form has been boosted by the fourth placed Yesyes (over three-lengths behind) who subsequently won her next

start beating the colt Dancing King in the listed Chester Stakes. Friday’s racing will be highlighted by Stradivarius (15h40) who was the standout performer at York’s Ebor meeting thanks to his titanic battle with Spanish Mission to win the Gr2 Lonsdale Cup. The sevenyear-old won this race in 2019 but missed out last year as he raided France with the Arc his objective. He returns and attempts a second Gr2 Doncaster Cup victory. His Doncaster Racecourse

Doncaster Racecourse – home of the Cazoo St Leger Festival 94

superb mental strength and sassy attitude endears him to racing fans old and new and hopefully ground conditions allow for a re-match with rival Trueshan. High Definition has been supplemented into Saturday's Cazoo St Leger for which there were 13 five-day entries. Aidan O'Brien's charge was winter favourite for the Epsom Derby but missed the race before disappointing in the Irish version at the Curragh. He's one of six in the final Classic

for the Ballydoyle team including the very progressive Interpretation. Hurricane Lane, the Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Paris winner is Godolphin's sole representative. The hot favourite has a superb record with his only defeat in six starts coming in the Derby at Epsom. It was reported that he lost both front shoes in running that day on soft ground. As a son of the mighty Frankel out of a mare who stayed two miles, the step up to a mile-and-six should not be an issue.

Irish raider Ottoman Empire trained by Johnny Murtagh and Epsom Derby runner-up Mojo Star from the Richard Hannon yard look his chief rivals.

results up to: 2021-09-08

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

100 116 121 72 93

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

17 20 19 15 14

17.0 17.2 15.7 20.8 15.1

2nd

3rd

14 7 14 7 11

14 15 11 7 12

2nd

3rd

30 15 26 11 9

24 24 18 18 8

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

43.0 34.5 41.3 26.4 44.1

712,500 777,775 731,250 666,000 578,125

1,130,875 1,027,700 1,022,625 866,750 828,625

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

2,151,875 1,259,200 1,024,500 818,175 1,023,000

2,886,125 1,810,450 1,770,125 1,234,900 1,349,750

15 18 25 5 18

43 40 50 19 41

JOCKEYS Name

Runs Wins Win%

Mr W B Kennedy Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni Mr C Zackey Mr L Hewitson

211 155 184 115 67

46 28 22 21 20

21.8 18.1 12.0 18.3 29.9

31 30 38 19 6

85 69 82 48 23

40.3 44.5 44.6 41.7 34.3

BREEDERS Name

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

Klawervlei Stud 166 Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein 117 55 Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd 44 Ridgemont Highlands 51 Varsfontein Stud

221 168 79 67 73

10,448 12,615 16,025 18,455 15,228

26 20 11 13 12

26 20 14 15 12

15.7 17.1 20.0 29.5 23.5

76 71 34 25 30

1 1 0 0 1

1,734,300 1,475,975 881,350 812,025 776,650

SIRES Name Master Of My Fate Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Elusive Fort Twice Over (GB) * Silvano (GER)

Runrs Runs AEPR 83 68 68 74 64

113 83 104 97 80

13,595 14,013 13,235 11,728 11,988

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 15 16 12 13 12

16 16 13 13 12

18.1 23.5 17.6 17.6 18.8

55 27 48 38 33

See all the detailed standings - Click here 97

1 0 0 0 1

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

1 0 0 0 1

1,128,375 952,850 899,975 867,850 767,250

IT’S A BIG WEEKEND! v

The greatest league in the world returns and one of the greatest players of all time returns! What a weekend this is shaping up to be. Ryan Liberty writes that Arsenal entertain a Norwich side looking to add to the misery, Liverpool go toe-totoe with Leeds and Monday evening brings down the curtain on the round. I’ve included a treble at around 5/1 so be sure to have a dabble and get through that betting slip! Saturday 11 September 33/10 Crystal Palace | Draw 5/2 | Tottenham 17/20 (13:30) Spurs have got off to an unblemished start under their new Portuguese boss Nuno Espirito Santo, however, still the armchair critics point out the dull and mundane approach to their play and their lack of attacking impotence. Last time out against West Ham, Palace looked much improved. Patrick Vieira’s shape and patience on defence was evident and they frustrated West Ham for large parts of that game. Importantly, they also proved to be a threat going forward and scoring twice to earn a

9/4 Watford | 43/20 | Wolves 13/10 (16:00)

Brighton have been flying under the radar a bit this season. Winning against Burnley and Watford (scoring four and only conceding one) before going down to Everton wouldn’t have drawn too many complaints from their fans. They are one of these teams who get the odd results against the supposed ‘big boys’ but also punish their immediate competition.

This is a tough game to call. Both sides have produced promising displays in the first three weeks of the season but are yet to really gain anything from it. I know Watford got a victory over Aston Villa on the opening day, but since then their performances have deserved a bit more…but that is football.

Brentford, on the other hand, have had an immaculate start to life in the league! They are yet to lose a fixture and have only conceded a solitary goal. The Brentford Community Stadium will be bouncing again on Saturday and those cauldron-type stadiums with the addition of fans will play a massive role this season.

Wolves have certainly looked to be a more attacking threat and that was clear against Spurs, Leicester and United. Bruno Lage will know his chargers have been tested against well-drilled and structured teams with quality all over the pitch, Watford could be the fixture they eye as the one to get those coveted three points.

I like the look of Brentford on the Win/Draw Double Chance. Get on at 4/10.

massive point. I’m not confident that Spurs will break this Palace side down. I think Palace’s shape and discipline will be everything and Nuno will have a frustrating day. At a very enticing 5/2, I think we could make a suitable argument for the draw to get things underway.

For the first time this season – and at 13/10 – I can say: Back the Pack! 17/10 Brentford | 21/10 | Brighton 17/10 (16:00)

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5/10 Arsenal | 34/10 | Norwich 46/10 (16:00) If I’m honest, I can’t believe the prices the bookmakers have available for this one. It really is a massive encounter for Arsenal, and I don’t mean any facetiousness by the comment. Arsenal have had a torrid start to the season and surely something to has to give eventually if they aren’t

able to find a win on Saturday. They have been flat and uninspiring in every area of the club and really the only thing we can give them credit for is being so incredibly consistent for three weeks. Norwich won’t be as simple a fixture as some makes it out to be. No, they don’t have a brilliant squad. No, they have not ripped up trees so to speak so far this year. But they will run at you and ask questions of your defensive organization and set up. Arsenal will need to be up for this game, lest they condemn themselves to further embarrassment. The fact that the game is being played at the Emirates, is for me the real game changer. I would have no confidence in Mikel Arteta’s side at Carrow Road. Nevertheless, 5/10 is not good enough for me to put any money on Arsenal – I might rather consider Both Teams to Score at 8/10. 1/5 Manchester United | 58/10 | Newcastle 11/1 (16:00) I cannot wait for this game! Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford as a Manchester United player and say whatever you like but the man is still an incredible player and athlete. I was surprised my editor didn’t classify this

game a feature – I mean the ‘Goat’ is back in the league. United have done some good business in the window, and whilst I still think the inclusion of a true holding midfielder would have topped it off perfectly…I’m not sure you can have too many complaints. Newcastle have yet to win a game this season and I can’t see that changing on Saturday. The atmosphere at Old Trafford will be electric and I think United get up for this and run away. Back the Red’s on the Half-time/ Full-time double at 6/10, and throw it into every multiple. 37/20 Southampton | 24/10 | West Ham 14/10 (16:00) Here are two sides who have proverbially put all their eggs in one basket. The basket being attacking football and the eggs being that of a very fragile nature. This game has all the makings of being an absolute humdinger but only because I think both sides will look to have a real go. Together a massive 25 goals have been seen in their collective matches so far this season and neither has managed a clean sheet. Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 goals at 19/20 is another for every multiple.

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48/10 Leicester City | 33/10 | Manchester City 5/10 (16:00) This is a rather interesting game. It has everything it needs to be an absolute humdinger, but by the very same token, everything is there to be an absolute thrashing. I’ve always said that I love the fact that Brendan Rodgers can go into a club, understand their culture and then adapt seamlessly. The Foxes haven’t had the greatest start this year, but they have certainly approached every game with their unwavering confidence in their attacking ability, as well as their security to attempt to impose themselves onto the game. But this is Manchester City, if Leicester play as open as they did against West Ham, it could get ugly. Nevertheless, I’m hoping for a tight and tactical affair which City win anyway – but at least we’d be entertained and given good bang for our buck at 5/10. 2/7 Chelsea | 44/10 | Aston Villa 9/1 (18:30) It’s incredible that Chelsea is still yet to concede a goal in open play. Their defensive solidity is honestly a dream. I love watching it and we

should appreciate the art of defending even in a world full of exhilaration and incredible goals. I maintain that Chelsea will be a threat for serious silverware this season – be it domestically or in Europe. Aston Villa will give it whack but I can’t see them causing Chelsea too many issues anywhere on the football field.

which looks to draw blood early on, coupled with that, Leeds will certainly swing for the hills from the first whistle as well. I think a really smart bet might be an unpopular one – but could turn out to be incredibly beneficial.

Chelsea to Win to Nil at 9/10 can be backed with confidence.

You can get as much as 5/4 for Over 1.5 goals in the first half of the game. For me, that is the play for this game. Of course, for bigger multiples back the away win at 7/10 but for the crumpled notes in the cup holder of your car? A bit of 5/4 never hurt anyone.

Sunday 12 September

Monday 13 September

34/10 Leeds United | 3/1 | Liverpool 7/10 (17:30)

7/10 Everton | 26/10 | Burnley 38/10 (21:00)

Two sides happy to play at a high tempo and two sides with a clear identity and a manager who will not settle for anything less than the imposition of their style and approach on the game. What could possibly go wrong?

Burnley are seriously struggling for form. Sean Dyche’s men have not managed to come anywhere near looking like the side we’ve come to expect, and they will know that the longer they allow the rot to set in, the season quickly becomes unyielding. In such an unforgiving league, a solitary point after playing Brighton, Liverpool and Leeds will certainly be seen as below par.

It’s the only game on Sunday and I’m hoping it turns into a spectacle. Liverpool are well known for being the side

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Everton have been consistent this season and whilst they might be at the very least satisfied with their start, I still don’t think they are firing on all cylinders. The dynamics between Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be something to watch because they both bring such an intensity and quality to this Everton side. 7/10 is generous and without further ado, get stuck in. TREBLE @ 5/1 Southampton vs West Ham BTTS & Over 2.5 19/20 Chelsea Win To Nil 9/10 Everton Win 7/10

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