20210915 - Sporting Post Sprint Ver 1.2 Single Pages.pdf by Sporting Post

Cover Image The daughter of Capetown Noir, Under Your Spell (Lyle Hewitson) wins fresh off a three month break at Turffontein on Saturday. Image courtesy of JC Photos v

4 Gr2 Golden Slipper winner Desert Miracle – impressed and looks smart

Candiese Lenferna

FAIRER SEX EYE THE CLASSICS v

'That the Tarry team could make merry this season goes without saying. However, one who could upset the5 applecart is Desert Miracle'

Fresh off a three-month break, the daughter of Capetown Noir made light work of her seasonal bow, a Pinnacle Plate over 1450m when she came charging into the lead fully 400m from home and powered home to leave her rivals trailing by almost four lengths. Sean Tarry's charge had proved herself one of the leading juvenile fillies in a splendid juvenile season capped by a commanding four-length victory in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship, after hacking up in similar style in the Gr3

Protea Stakes and Listed Ruffian Stakes.

features as Under Your Spell's broodmare.

Significantly, this was Under Your Spell's first victory beyond 1200m and she clearly relished the extra. This now opens up a myriad of options, none more so than a classic campaign.

Under Your Spell is just one of an exciting array of Tarry-trained sophomore fillies with classic aspirations.

Tarry and his partners will no doubt have the Gauteng Guineas in mind for their star filly, for on pedigree, she looks a natural to excel over a mile, considering her Kahal halfsister Witchcraft twice won the Gr3 Track and Ball Oaks! In addition, she is bred on virtually the same cross as Capetown Noir's East Cape Guineas/ Derby winner Jaeger Moon. He is out of a mare by Parade Leader, whose sire, the outstanding racer and stallion Kingmambo, also

6 Under Your Spell – first time up in trip and eyecatching again Candiese Lenferna

He also has the privilege of training champion Rain In Holland, a Drakenstein homebred who set the seal on a championship season when she made a winning Stakes debut in the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Despite running into all sorts of trouble, she rallied in splendid fashion to get up on the line for a fifth successive win. The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade is closely related to another champion,

JC Photos

Under Your Spell served notice that she is ready to make plenty of noise this season following her scintillating return to action at Turffontein on Saturday.

her dam, Imvula being an unraced half-sister to Dancer's Daughter, who forced a famous deadheat with the mighty Pocket Power in the 2008 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July.

States, whose optimum distance was 2000m and who won a Cup race over 2500m.

Another Drakenstein homebred in Tarry's care is the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes winner Sound Of Warning, who was runner-up to Under Your Spell in the Gr1 Allan Robertson. Tarry also trained the filly's dam, the admirable Siren's Call. A Gr1 winner, this daughter of SA Derby winner Elusive Fort was successful in the first two legs of the Triple Tiara and went down by just a neck in the third leg, the SA Oaks.

However the stamina elements in both pedigrees suggest a mile may just be within their scope.

Drakenstein could have another possible string to its classic bow in Sheela, who is trained by Mike and Adam Azzie. She looked a potential superstar in the making following her sparkling debut win in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes and an equally fine victory in the Gr2 SA Nursery. On the strength of having twice defeated male rivals, she started in the red for the Allan Robertson but proved no match for Under Your Spell and had to settle for third. Notwithstanding the fact that she is out of a speedy Trippi mare, she is by the Galileo horse The United

Granted, both Sound Of Warning and Sheela have yet to score beyond 1200m.

Adding to Tarry's powerful arsenal of sophomore fillies and one sure to find the classics to her liking is Twice The Trip, a winner of the Listed Devon Air Stakes over 1400m. She is a daughter of Twice Over, whose progeny generally excel over ground, while her dam, the Trippi mare Tripinthemist, scored over a mile and interrestingly, is a Rakeen half-sister to none other than the dam of aforementioned Jaeger Moon. That the Tarry team could make merry this season goes without saying. However, one who could upset the applecart is Desert Miracle. "She is perhaps one of the best I have trained", is how Mike de Kock described his classic hopeful. That praise came after the Dynasty filly's remarkable eight-length tour de force in the Gr2 Golden Slipper at Hollywoodbets Greyville. De Kock also trained the filly's dam Welwitschia, who likewise

raced in the Wilgerbosdrift silks and won both the Gr2 Diadem Stakes and Gr2 Camellia Stakes. Dynasty's classic influence will stand Desert Miracle in good stead, considering that her half-brother, the Gr1 Summer Cup third Tree Tumbo, is by yet another classic stallion in Silvano. Dynasty also features as the broodmare sire of Justin Snaith-trained Maria Querol, a facile winner of the Listed Irridescence Stakes over 1500m. The daughter of Querari will no doubt have the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas on her list of classic targets. Arguably the most unlucky juvenile filly of last season was Glen Kotzen-trained 'bridesmaid' Kailene. Twice a winner over 1400m, she finished closest to Desert Miracle in the Golden Slipper, whilst losing both the Devon Air and Thekwini by virtually the bob of a head. By Dynasty's son Jackson, a triple Gr1 winner over 2000m, she too, looks a classic proposition. It must be stressed that the above fillies make up just a sample of possible classic contenders and as the season progresses, more worthy candidates are sure to emerge from the woodwork.

WONDERS OF WINTER v

10 What A Winter (Western Winter – Waseela) is a picture of health for the season ahead

Drakenstein Stud

Triple Equus Champion sprinter What A Winter has the rare distinction of having won at Gr1 level in all three of South Africa's main racing centres, and he won the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship twice. So the team that syndicated him for stud had little doubt that he would succeed as a stallion of note. He was syndicated whilst still in training with the Bass Racing Stable. As luck would have it, many of his new shareholders were on course on 27 April 2013 to celebrate his facile victory in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint at Turffontein. Fast forward to 2021, and What A Winter is now the sire of six Gr1 horses from his first four crops, including two-time Gr1 winner Clouds Unfold, Equus Champion Sprinter Russet Air, and Gr1 winner Warrior's Rest. With 60% winners of 465 races from all of his crops to race, his progeny have amassed over R45m in stakes. The Drakenstein Stud team has prepared What A Winter for the busy months ahead as the breeding season is now well underway. They started at the beginning of July with their preparation, hand-walking him every day. Then in mid-July, the champion stallion went onto the horse walker with slow walking and trotting for

20 minutes a day. "We gradually increase the time to 48 minutes per day, 3-4 days a week. He will continue with this fitness programme throughout the season," says stud manager Gavin Pickford. "He is in fantastic shape and is a picture of health. He has started the covering season full of energy and enthusiasm," Gavin says of the dual Equus Champion Sprinter Award winner. What A Winter enjoyed another outstanding 2020-2021 season, with the former Equus Champion ending the term as South Africa's Champion Sire of 2YOs. Some of his stand-out twoyear-old performers are East Cape Champion 2yo colt Whatever Next, Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery runner-up Winter Mosaic, and Champion Juvenile Cup placed Safari Blue. Last season What A Winter's success was not restricted only to two-year-olds; his threeyear-olds included the graded stakes-winning fillies Celestial Love and Winter Smoke. Drakenstein Stud Farm sent 21 mares to What A Winter last season. A few of which include dual Gr1 winner Snowdance by Captain Al; Montelissima (Montjeu), who is dam of dual Gr1 winner Clouds Unfold

by What A Winter and Dubai Destination mare Gulf Breeze, dam of dual stakes winner Fresnaye. Additionally, he covered twotime Gr1 winner Happy Archer by Dubawi and Biblical Susan by Bernadini, half-sister to Horse Of The Year Oh Susanna and dam of stakes performed High Hosana. For this season, Drakenstein Stud Farm are sending 28 mares to What A Winter. Montelissima will be sent to What A Winter for the second year in a row. In addition, the Gr1 winner Spiced Gold, dam of Gr1 winner Chimichuri Run and Gr1 winner Chestnuts N Pearls by Horse Chestnut, are booked to What A Winter. Peintre Celebre mare Aquatint, dam of Equus Champion Sprinter Kasimir and Gr1 winner Afrikaburn, and Serruria by Galileo, dam of Gr3 winner Seville Orange, are two more top mares going to What A Winter this season. "His breeding programme is on a parabolic curve. He has covered better mares since stamping himself as Champion Freshman Sire Of 2YO's in the 2020/2021 season. If you look at the trend of his progeny's age in related stats to date, it shows that whatever they do as two-year-olds, they improve as three-year-olds," says the

stallion's manager John Freeman.

male winners and 95 female winners".

He adds that What A Winter has also proven that he has no sex bias in his progeny. “That’s the mark of a good stallion! In fact his colts have won 14 stakes races and his fillies have won 14 stakes races to-date. He has 108

With some exciting foals to touch down this year, and plenty more in the mix for next season, there are some exciting times ahead for the outstanding stallion.

R70 000. Nomination of R10 000 and the balance due at live foal. Contact FreemanStallions for more information – email: stallions@johnfreeman.co.za

His stud fee for 2021 is Drakenstein Stud

13 What A Winter colt out of Happy Archer (Dubawi) at Drakenstein Stud

JC Photos

Christopher Robin – the top lot

RANDJESFONTEIN SALE The seven-time winner Christopher Robin topped the charts at the Bloodstock South Africa Randjesfontein September Sale held in Barn 19 at the training centre on Tuesday. A 5yo entire son of Damage Is Done, Christopher Robin is a dual stakes winner and a horse with Summer Cup potential. He won his first start this season.

Christopher Robin (#31) fell to a bid by Oomph Telcoms Inc of R230 000 to easily be the topseller of 38 lots sold by veteran owner-trainer-breeder St John Gray, to rationalise his string, This followed the closure of his Vaal yard run by his late friend and colleague, Romeo Francis. Buyers included KZN, Eastern Cape and local interests.

The 38 lots sold for a gross R957 000 and averaged R25 184,21. Click here to see the full price list. Next up is the BSA November 2yo Sale which will be held on 20 November at the TBA Sales Complex is Johannesburg.

Candiese Lenferna v

FUTURA’S ISLAND STRIKE A Gr2 -winning son of Futura that left South Africa destined for Europe in September 2020, made a winning debut in Mauritius this past weekend – a year later. Former Corne Spies-trained 2020 Gr2 Golden Horseshoe winner Nourbese holds the distinction of being a first stakes winner for his former SA Horse Of The Year sire Futura (Dynasty). The gelded Nourbese started favourite in the eighth at the Champ de Mars on Sunday and was guided to a convincing victory by Corne Orffer for the new owner partnership of Mm D. Bundhoo, P. Joubert, K. Kathapermal & M. H. Maingard. A R140 000 buy from the 2019 Emperors Palace National 2YO Sale, Nourbese has now run seven times for 3 wins – and a Gr1 second place at his final appearance on African soil. He was bred by Ben Botha from the Victory Moon mare, Golden Pathway. The 4yo looks a horse to follow on the island

NO CROWDS YET In a media release published on Monday evening, Cape Racing advise that the NHA has agreed that the horseracing industry follow the capacities as per the updated government guidelines announced by President Ramaphosa on Sunday evening. Venues are now allowed to accommodate 250 people inside and 500 outside, with a maximum capacity of 50% for all events. Spectators for sport are still not allowed, so all racing guests will need to be housed inside the various venues in the buildings at the courses. Inquiries to: Bookings@caperacing.co.za or WhatsApp: 063 929 8630.

SNAITH’S BIG NUMBERS Five listed local features are programmed in South Africa over August and September and entries have been received for the fifth and final of that quintet, the R85 000 Listed Settlers Trophy, due to be run over 2000m at Durbanville on 25 September. With the current overwhelming dominance of the champion Snaith yard, it is not surprising that the Philippi outfit boast 8 of the 14 first entries received for the benchmark 90 handicap.The smart stayer Bayberry heads the Snaith octet and the son of Flower Alley stayed on well for third behind stablemate Sachdev over a distance short of his best last Saturday at Durbanville. Click here to see the entries

Candiese Lenferna

Gold Circle v

WARRIOR GETS THREE Maine Chance Farms’ multiple G1 winning stallion Vercingetorix continues to impress as a sire of high-class winners, and the champion son of Silvano produced three more smart winners on Saturday. His three-year-old Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud-bred daughter Mike’s Chick made a big impression when she romped home to claim the fourth race at Turffontein, the Champion Middle Summer Pudding/Stayer African Adventure Maiden Plate (F&M) (1600m) by seven and three-quarter lengths. Vercingetorix enjoyed an immediate double when his The Achemy-bred son Cleveland caused a 25-1 upset to win Saturday’s fifth race, the Champion Horse War Of Athena/Champion Breeder Summerhill Stud MR 87 Handicap (1450m). Vercingetorix also enjoyed success at Durbanville on Saturday where his Klawervlei-bred son Irish Tractor won the seventh race, the Goals And Gallops Mr 95 Handicap (1400m). Already the sire of Gr1 winners Ambiorix and Vernichey, as well as Equus Champion Nebraas, Vercingetorix has three lots on offer at the 2021 CTS Ready To Run Sale.

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

CAPE BREEDERS

The winners of the 2020-2021 Cape Breeders Awards will be announced during a virtual ceremony on Sunday 19 September. The ceremony will be broadcast on Tellytrack (Dstv 249) during Breeding To Win, with the first awards set to be announced at 19h30.

RACHEL’S TREBLE JOY KZN-based apprentice Rachel Venniker produced another career first at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday. The Dacha-sponsored rider registered a first career treble when she won on Hatta (20-1), Tupelo Honey (5-2) and Patronage (12-1). All three winners were for former multiple champion jockey Michael Roberts. Rachel is halfway to losing her 4kg claim with ten winners this term at a win strike-rate of 16%. She is also in the top ten on the national log! Candiese Lenferna

27 Design by Winning Media

PEPTIDE & PROTEIN In a notice published on their website, the NHA says that they recognise the threat which Class 1, Forbidden Substances pose to the integrity of racing and the welfare of the horse. For this reason sophisticated protein and peptide screening methods have been in place at the NHA for close to 20 years. During the year 2000 the NHA Laboratory established collaboration with some other major racing jurisdictions in conducting the initial research and then developing the basis of approaches and methodologies to screen for commercial Growth Hormones (GH’s), their GH releasing precursors, their messenger growth factors and synthetic analogues of such growth factors. The effective screening of a range of different Erythropoietins (EPO’s) which are commercially available was also devised during that time. The range of peptide and protein forbidden substances and substances of concern to racing has since increased and the research and development of screening and confirmation methods for these has not stood still. The NHA has the expertise, experience, set-up and instrumentation required for the screening of such substances. During the racing year 2020/2021 there was screening of such substances employing internationally approved and adopted methodologies. The specimens screened included those from post-race, pre-race and from out of competition collections (unannounced collection of specimens at stable yards). Similar screening is now again in place during the 2021/2022 season.

SAEHP looks to reinstate direct exports from South Africa

EXPORTS – AN UPDATE Further to the recent announcement in May 2021 regarding the funding agreement between SAEHP, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA), SAEHP says in a media statement published on Friday that the body wishes to update industry stakeholders on the latest developments further to the agreement and SAEHP’s ongoing operations. By way of a background, SAEHP operates in a publicprivate partnership with the South African veterinary authorities to operate and

manage South Africa’s equine disease control systems. SAEHP officials are authorised to conduct these duties under the terms of the Animal Diseases Act and report to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development Director of Animal Health as regards the furtherance of these duties. SAEHP also actively seeks to facilitate the reinstatement of direct exports from South Africa. As part of the aforementioned funding agreement, and to further encourage industry stakeholder involvement in this 30

crucial export initiative, the structure of SAEHP has been enhanced by the formation of a local Steering Committee, which significant funders of SAEHP to date were invited to join. The enhanced structure of SAEHP operates as follows: Board Chairman of SAEHP, David Abery, leads a board consisting of Mike de Kock, Vaughan Koster, and Managing Director Adrian Todd.

Steering Committee Complementing the board is a newly formed local steering committee, which meets regularly and tables both strategic and operational matters. The Steering Committee provides strategic advice and counsel and comprises of David Abery (SAEHP and Chair), Dr John Grewar (SAEHP), Steven Jell (Mauritzfontein), Hazel Kayiya (NHA), Grant Knowles (CTS), Vaughan Koster (TBA), Jehan Malherbe (Wilgerbosdrift), Michel Nairac (Gold Circle), Bradley Ralph (Kenilworth Racing), Susan Rowett (NHA), Fundi Sithebe (4Racing), Kevin Sommerville (Drakenstein Stud), Adrian Todd (SAEHP), and Natalie Turner (Racing Assoc). SAEHP and the NHA also participate in regular strategic meetings with the HKJC. This combination of local and international industry expertise coupled with a professional lobbying strategy and internationally respected scientific advisors working in tandem with South Africa’s veterinary authorities and other government departments provides SAEHP with a broad set of expertise from which to draw in the efforts to reinstate direct exports.

SAEHP again wishes to thank the HKJC for their funding and for their involvement and input into SAEHP’s strategy and export initiatives.

SAEHP is aware of recent media statements expressing dissatisfaction with some of the movement control regulations.

Recent communication with both the EU and the South African authorities indicates that while the EU does not envisage current COVID-19 travel policies and restrictions to enable any physical audits outside of the EU in the remainder of 2021, South Africa has been placed on the list for a 2022 equine audit.

SAEHP strives to operate in a cycle of continuous improvement and stakeholder consultation.

No date is currently available, as this is primarily dependent on COVID-19 restrictions. SAEHP and the South African government are committed to achieving the re-scheduling of the audit as soon as possible. SAEHP and the South African authorities continue to maintain an audit readiness footing. Proof of freedom from disease, within South Africa’s AHS control zones, of which the free zone is the only location from which the EU/SA export protocol allows exports is something that is accumulated over time; one has to show historical data proving freedom from disease. It is for this reason that disease controls can’t be stopped and then re-started.

In the coming weeks, SAEHP will undertake a stakeholder consultative process as part of our pre-audit preparations and to address stakeholder concerns and collectively seek solutions, where possible, within the legislated framework of the veterinary procedural notice. The stakeholder consultation process is a vital part of maintaining the legislated protocols with input from those at the coalface of day to day movement of horses. • Media release by SAEHP on Friday 10 September 2021

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SCOTT ELECTED GOLD CIRCLE CHAIR v

32 Newly appointed Gold Circle Chair Belinda Scott

Following the recent full election of Directors for the Gold Circle Racing Club and Gold Circle (Pty) Ltd, a meeting of Directors was held on Thursday, 9 September, where Belinda Scott was elected as the new Chairperson of Gold Circle (Pty) Ltd together with Sadha Naidoo as Vice-Chairperson. Belinda and Sadha take over from Neil Butcher and Phumla Mnganga, who had served their statutory terms on the Board. “We are so thankful to Neil Butcher, Phumla Mnganga, Babu Nunan, Greg Petzer and Paul Lafferty for their contribution to Gold Circle and what they have done to help

sustain the sport of Horseracing in this province through very challenging times”, said Belinda Scott.

The Standing Committee Chairpersons of Gold Circle (Pty) Limited are recorded as follows:

She continued, “The Horseracing Industry has shown its resilience through the Covid-19 era and the Board, together with management and our partners will ensure that Gold Circle continues to lead the way in South Africa.”

• Audit and Risk Committee – Gary Grant

Mayesh Chetty was elected as Chairperson of the Gold Circle Racing Club with Lance Whiteford as Vice-Chairperson.

• Racing Committee – Mayesh Chetty

“We will maintain the highest standards as we operate with transparency and integrity to support our stakeholders in staging world class horseracing”, said Mayesh.

• Remuneration Committee – Greg Petzer • Social and Ethics Committee – Manana Nhlanhla

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BONUS RACES ARE BACK The Racing Association has reintroduced bonus races for RA members in good standing.

companies, only the nominees of such entities need to be RA Members in order to receive the full bonus.

Added Stakes Bonuses are:

One would need to be a member of the Racing Association for a period of at least 7 days in order to qualify for a bonus cheque.

Highveld R15 000 Western Cape R15 000 Eastern Cape R10 000 The bonuses will be paid together with the winning stakes to RA Members in good standing. Should the winner be owned in partnership, both or all parties will have to be RA Members in good standing in order to qualify for the full bonus. Failing this, the bonus will be halved. In the case of syndicates or

Applications take up to 7 days to process. This members’ benefit will commence with three Maiden Plate races at Fairview on 17 September (1000m; 1600m F&M 1600m). The remainder of the bonus races will be as follows: 2 October - Turffontein Inside • Maiden Plate 1450m; Maiden Plate F&M 1450m

• Maiden Plate F&M 1600m 23 October - Kenilworth • Maiden Plate 1400m; Maiden Plate (F&M) 1400m 30 October - Turffontein Standside • Maiden Plate 1160m; Maiden Plate 1600m; • Maiden Plate F&M 1600m Going forward, members are reminded to consult our monthly newsletter, RA Today, to keep apprised of bonus races programmed for the remainder of the season. Colour holders who wish to join the Racing Association should contact Angie Basel (011) 683-3220 or email angie@racingassociation. co.za

22 October - Fairview Turf • Maiden Plate F&M 1200m; Maiden Plate 1400m;

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IN THE NAME OF LOVE! 38

Zaskia with Emunique

Meet Zaskia Byrne of Equistar Second Stride Thoroughbreds. The horse-crazy Mom of one has rehomed 37 racehorses and is looking to place many more. Zaskia has teamed up with well-known racing personality Frikkie Greyling who helps scout and acquire thoroughbreds needing TLC so they can be assessed, reschooled and sold to approved homes. A phone call from the charismatic Frikkie saw the Sporting Post chatting to Zaskia. “Zaskia is professional, committed and loves all her horses. She is the perfect person to find a forever home for any horse,” quips Frikkie as he introduces us. From age seven Zaskia started riding ponies bareback and then later progressed to showjumping competitions. At the age of 11 came her first association and falling in love with a thoroughbred, bought by her Mom. “He was a ‘rescue case being just skin and bone’ that needed food and much TLC. With that also came learning many of my life skills - true love, trust, patience and more

Who remembers Frikkie Greyling? Seen here with De Bull

- that thoroughbreds can teach us,” says Zaskia. Unfortunately she had a serious horse riding accident at 14, which placed limitations on her showjumping aspirations. But that didn’t stop the determined young lady and horses have been an integral part of her life ever since. Since 2009, she has been homing and selling thoroughbreds off the tracks. In 2018 Equistar Second Stride Thoroughbreds was registered. They are based in Randjesfontein, just behind Northrand training centre. More than eleven trainers, including the likes of Mike Azzie and Gareth van Zyl have supported Equistar. Using Equistar means that one benefits from a professional team which includes a vet, chiropractor, farrier, grooms, work riders, transport and photographer. Equistar focuses mainly on what is best for the horse. “The horse needs to be schooled and desensitized for their new career in showjumping, dressage and/ or eventing. This being quite an adjustment, the transition to some can be easy and

Zaskia gives Eight Lord his daily dose of love

quick, while others take longer to settle in. Depending on the age and maturity basic ground manners, flatwork and jumping are taught and tried. With the assessment we find what the horse really enjoys and shows talent in. Then we work on the best attributes to give best results. Our horses also love going out on walks and having a change of scenery,” says a clearly proud Zaskia. She also assure her customers that when prospective visitors and buyers view the thoroughbreds great care is taken to match the correct type of horse to the potential new owner. “Here it is not only the riding skills and experience that are taken into account but also their personality and expectation of the horse.

Thereafter background checks and references are also required to prevent our horses ending up in the wrong hands.” Zaskia explains that should a home for the thoroughbred not work out for some reason then they offer to help place them to ensure a correct and safe home is sourced. “All sales are done on a strict sales agreement which is kept on file and monthly follow ups are also done.” Having studied psychology and experiencing how therapeutic horses can be in treatment, Zaskia intends practicing Equine therapy after completing her Masters in Psychology. The Services offered: • buying horses from trainers/

owners to be schooled and homed/sold on contract. • schooling of young thoroughbreds off the tracks for new owners. • stabling • lease of thoroughbreds • riding lessons Visit Equistar Second Stride Thoroughbreds via: Facebook Instagram Contact details: Zaskia Byrne-0827168455/ Info@zaskiabyrne.com Frikkie Greyling- 0818274982

41 Zaskia Byrne leads Diamonds ‘N Dust in with part owner Wessel Moolman

44 Justin Vermaak & Dr Andreas Jacobs at Maine Chance Farms

VERMAAK IS FLYING! Guaquistador storms to victory under Craig Zackey 45

Bloodstock agent Justin Vermaak has his sights set on better things. He tells of his passion for bloodstock, his plans for the future and all about his new initiative, The Gulf Racing Club. “Dr Andreas Jacobs plucked me out of the handicappers office at the NHA and invited me into the world of breeding and bloodstock. I haven’t looked back since then. I think having the handicapping and racing form background gives a nice edge when buying and sourcing horses but they are very different disciplines,” Justin tells the Sporting Post in a catch up earlier this week. It was tough starting out as a bloodstock agent, and finding clients was a challenge. So Justin launched Green Street Bloodstock, a pooling together of smaller owners to get the funds to buy horses. Green Street continues to be something he looks back on with immense pride. “We started buying R20 000 horses and in five years had put together over 100 winners, multiple stakes winners and Gr1 placed horses. Anyone who has dabbled in syndication knows how hard it is to rack up those numbers, especially at the top end. It’s another thing entirely operating at a low budget,” enthuses Justin.

Green Street’s performance as a commercial syndicator encouraged many new entities to do the same, which Justin feels is fantastic. Luckily for him , the ability to buy at the bottom and perform reasonably well put him on the map with larger clients. “Nobody has been of bigger assistance than Laurence Wernars. I joined his team through Johan Janse Van Vuuren just over two years ago and we could not be any better.” “Laurence currently has eight horses rated over 110, which is more than any other owner and double the amount of some really big racing operations, which is a feather in his cap,” informs Justin. The first buying crop of horses bought by Justin for Laurence are now four-yearolds. They include Celestial Love, Copper Mountain and Puerto Manzano. The next crop, which are now three already, look very exciting according Justin, with the likes of Mufasa, Val D’orcia, Prince Of Fire and Moonshiningthrough starting their careers off well. When Dr Jacobs once again offered Justin an opportunity to expand his horizons, he jumped at the chance to set up a permanent international

headquarters. “I’ve been flirting with changing base for a few years now since opening up a racing operation in Singapore and becoming more involved in international trade,” says the enthusiastic horseman. While his volume of work has always been about 50/50 in terms of South African revenue vs international revenue, three-years ago that began to change. With up to 75% of Justin’s work international now, the timing was right for a permanent move. “I have a good set of buyers in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East all looking for horses in training. I managed to sell South African horses to all the above mentioned jurisdictions last year, but not one horse had a smooth transit and the travel is always a disaster. “Until that changes, South Africa is not on the radar for them anymore,” says Justin. Over the past few years Justin managed to sustain the international work by regular travel with either one or two international trips per month. But with the difficulty in travel over the past year, it makes sense for him to have a more user-friendly base to work from.

Guaquistador storms to victory under Craig Zackey 47 New Vermaak Equine recruit – Jean-Luc Vermaak

He will be based in Europe during the flat racing period and auction sales season, while being based in the UAE for the winter months, when Dubai has its Carnival. The time in Dubai will also suit his schedule around the new initiative that has been formed. It has recently been seen on social media – The Gulf Racing Club.

Celtic Voyager. He was originally destined for Singapore but during the 12-month travel period, Singapore Racing took a big covid hit and we decided to set the horse up for the Dubai Carnival instead. Considering he would be there early and can target the earlier Carnival racing, it was a perfect fit,” enthuses Justin.

“A local partner and friend of mine is involved with the set up and I will be doing stock sourcing for the team plus a liaison.

According to Justin The Gulf Racing Club bought the remaining shares and will race him with Mike De Kock this winter. Celtic Voyager should have his first run at Chantilly at the end of September, to add a bit of race fitness after his long

“We already have our first horse, Listed Stakes winner

48 Celtic Voyager enjoying his time in France before heading to the UAE

rest. He’ll then travel to Dubai to be ready for November’s racing. “We are busy adding to the string. There is a sale in Dubai on Saturday and we have short listed a few horses which we will try purchase to add to our team. “We are primarily looking at horses with a bit of stamina that may be on the low side and that have the ability to win at Meydan. Then after the Carnival, they can go to Mathew De Kock in Australia to continue racing for high stakes in a distance category

which is a bit weaker over there.” Justin will continue to return to South Africa for the CTS Premier Yearling sales and the BSA National Yearling sales and continue his work for Laurence Wernars at the auctions, as well as his association with Maine Chance Farms. “Most things are pretty manageable remotely these days. The only major

priority for being here is the main auction sales and that’s just a quick flight away. “My first stop will be Germany in November with the intention of starting 2022 already set up in Dubai for the Carnival. It is quite daunting in a way, but my wife and I are very excited about it. Plus after welcoming our son into the world last year October, we owe him the best opportunity to succeed in life.”

“When I look back at everything, having started with buying R20 000 horses for Green Street, to buying for Laurence Wernars and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. It has been quite a journey over the last few years and shows what this amazing sport can do!” concludes Justin with a smile. Contact Justin Vermaak to find out more about The Gulf Racing Club now – justin@ vermaakequine.com

52 Gr1 winner Run Fox Run meeting superstar sire Frankel (Galileo)

CHAMPION TO

CHAMPION 53

Ridgemont Highlands’ top-class sprinter Run Fox Run was covered recently by one of the world’s elite stallions. The daughter of Foxwedge paid a visit to Juddmonte Farms’ unbeaten superstar, and outstanding stallion, Frankel, for a mating to Southern Hemisphere time on Wednesday. The lightning-fast Australianbred mare won eight of just 11 starts, never out of the first four, for earnings of R1 140 350. Trained by Brett Crawford throughout her career, the

Philippi-based trainer held Run Fox Run in high regard.

colt In The Congo), What A Winter, and Sentinel.

“With loads of talent, obviously she was a very good filly, who was exceptionally fast. She had tonnes of ability and I have the utmost regard for her as one of the better fillies I have every trained.”

The speedy Run Fox Run began her career in scintillating fashion, winning each of her first five starts, including the Gr2 World Sports Betting Southern Cross Stakes and Listed Olympic Duel Stakes.

Run Fox Run joined a list of outstanding sprinters when she defeated a superb field to land the 2021 Gr1 Cape Flying Championship. Previous standouts to have won the Cape Flying Championship including the likes of Jet Master, Carry On Alice, Flobayou, Via Africa (dam of the hugely promising Australian

She would go on to end her career with a three-parts of a length win in the 2021 Cape Flying Championship, accounting for eight Gr1 winners including Celtic Sea, Rio Querari, Tempting Fate, Kasimir and Russet Air. Ridden by Anton Marucs in Chase Liebenberg

54 Champion jockey Anton Marcus had a special affiliation with Run Fox Run

six of her eight career wins, the Champion jockey was effusive in his praise of speedster. “Run Fox Run was potentially one of the best sprinters I have ever sat on and I’m of the opinion that she was only starting to realise her full potential and that was proven when she toyed with her opposition in her last win,” stated Marcus. The highest rated runner in Timeform history, Frankel went unbeaten in 14 starts (including ten at Gr1 level). His memorable victories including a six-length romp in the 2011 Gr1 Qipco 2000

Guineas, an 11-length demolition job of the 2012 Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes field, and a seventh length score in the 2012 Gr1 Juddmonte International. An unbeaten Gr1 winner at two, three and four, Frankel was Horse Of The Year in Europe in both 2011 and 2012. Ridgemont Highlands’ Craig Carey has always been a fan of the daughter of Foxwedge since the day he first saw her. “Run For Run was a star from the day we laid eyes on her, and I hope she passes on her ability to her offspring. We are very lucky to be able to use the

incredible sire Frankel for a Southern Hemisphere cover.” “As the old saying goes in breeding racehorses, you send the best to the best and hope for the best. This is definitely the case with this mating.” “She is arguable one of the fastest fillies in the world and combined with the blood of one of the greatest racehorses we have ever seen, let’s hope that the stars align, and we see something very special from this combination.” Since retiring to stud, Frankel has proved a revelation, with

the outstanding son of Galileo already the sire of 78 black type winners of which 18 are Gr1 winners, and recently become the fastest stallion in history to record 50 Group winners. Frankel has now strong claims to being the very best sire son of the late, great Galileo, who sadly died earlier this year. With no decision currently made on where the progeny of this mating would race, if a return to South Africa was on

the cards, then it would be an extremely exciting times for all involved. “To have progeny the quality of the mating between Frankel and Run Fox Run possibly in South Africa in the years to come would be an absolute privilege,” said Marcus. With Crawford clearly excited if the future prospect was to race in South Africa, the possibility to add to the local gene pool in this country would be a bonus.

she is now overseas and that she has been covered by one of the best stallions in the world. It is really exciting for Ridgemont Highlands, their farm and obviously for the future bloodlines down the line for South African racing.” • https://www.ridgemonthighlands.co.za/

“I think it is very exciting that Chase Liebenberg

Brett Crawford is adamant Run Fox Run was one of the best he had trained 56

JC Photos

Winter Smoke – very smart filly

HORSES IN TRAINING TO BE SOLD

A quartet of horses in training, headed by the very smart Gr3 Magnolia Handicap winner Winter Smoke, will be offered for sale by public auction in dissolution of a partnership after the last race at the Vaal on Thursday 16 September. The sale will be held under the auspices of Cape Thoroughbred Sales. The final race on the

afternoon is carded for 17h20.

Lot 1 is Winter Smoke, a stakes winning 4yo daughter of What A Winter – read the catalogue page here Lot 2 is Faeezahs Princess, a 4yo recent debut winning daughter of Var - read the catalogue page here Lot 3 is Maboneng, a 3yo one-time winning (from 3 starts) daughter of What A Winter read the catalogue page here

Lot 4 is Pink Diamond, a lightly raced beautifully bred daughter of Flower Alley read the catalogue page here • Inquiries to Jo Knowles email admin@cthbs.com The CTS RTR Sale is on the 31st October 2021 at Kenilworth Racecourse. Click here to view the catalogue.

Chase Liebenberg

Dancetildaylight has rocketed up the log

AIMING FOR THE R900 000?

The latest CTS Ready To Run log for the 2021 De Grendel Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m has been released. The race is scheduled for Kenilworth on Sunday, 31 October.

The log reflects a number of changes, following some exciting weekend performances by race contenders.

While Allan Greeff’s Fairviewbased stakes winner Whatever Next (What A Winter) still tops the log, a notable mover is Candice Bass-Robinson’s filly Dancetildaylight, who posted her second career win from just three starts at Durbanville last Saturday.

to secure an eye-catching win.

Bass-Robinson noted in her pre-race preview that this was a “top filly who has the worst of draws to beat”, but Dancetildaylight did it in style, storming up from off the pace

Dancetildaylight is bred in the purple, being a daughter of Gimmethegreenlight and the superb broodmare Akinfeet (Fort Wood). She is a halfsister to a host of top runners,

Her merit rating was adjusted by eight points (MR83 to MR91) and she has moved up 11 places from 15th to joint-fourth on the R2R log.

including stallion Capetown Noir, and the R400,000 paid for her by Mark Bass and partners at the 2020 renewal of the R2R sale may well prove to be a shrewd investment. Vaughan Marshall’s Vercingetorix colt, Fifty-Fiver (84 to 91) caught the handicapper’s attention when

5th in the Sophomore Sprint, and moves up seven places from 11th to joint-fourth. Champion owner Suzette Viljoen’s Queen Of Shadows (Vercingetorix), jumped from 17th to 5th on the log following a facile 1400m win at Kenilworth on 4 September, which saw her rating hiked from 82 to 90.

The R900 000 race will be preceded by the R2R Gallops on Friday, 29 October, and followed by the 2021 CTS Ready To Run and Unbroken-Two-Year-Old Sale on Sunday, 31 October. Click here to read more…

Candiese Lenferna

Robin Scott – much respected member of the SA racing community

SAD FAREWELL TO A VETERAN BREEDER

KZN Breeder Robin Scott has passed away.

A co-founder with his brothers Des and Neville of Highdown Stud in 1967, he was 86 and had been ill for some time. The Scott Brothers name has featured at the highest level of South African racing and breeding for over half a century. As owners, their instantly

recognisable silks of the black, white maltese cross, red sleeves and white cap were carried by many a champion, including July winners Illustrador and Devon Air. Their breeding exploits, under the early influence of Eppie Nelson, at their Nottingham Road base of Highdown Stud are well documented, and include the great Durban July winner Politician , who won eleven Gr1 races during his illustrious career.

In later years the globetrotting Gypsy’s Warning and The Apache flew the Scott flag. A local and international Gr1 winner, The Apache represented a breeding dream that came full circle for Highdown Stud - with his 5th dam one of the founding mares of the famed farm in Nottingham Road. While the Scott Brothers only started with a handful of

mares, stallions were planned and their first was Kimberley Kid. The Benoni Guineas winner Diamond Prince came from his first crop. They then also stood Ambiopoise and, the five and six times Champions Foveros and Jungle Cove, while in later years Mogok was their flagbearer. Robin Michael Scott was born in Marianhill on 20 May 1935, and spent most of his early years at Isipingo Beach on the South Coast. He was educated at Durban High School.

His introduction to the industry was via Des Scott and his friend, the late George Rowles. Robin and George were partners in their first racehorse and because of Robin’s interest in breeding he was introduced to Temmie Augustines who knew of a broodmare called Crashland, who was in foal to Bairam, that was for sale. The colt foal was Knockwatch who won the Gr1 Clairwood Winter Handicap. That was the start of over 50 years of breeding winners at the highest level.

The Scott Brothers dispersal sale was held in July 2018. Our condolences and deepest sympathies go out to Robin’s wife Joyce, and their children Genevieve, Russell and Stuart, and their broader families, during this very sad time.

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PARALLEL PATHS

MAGIC WHEN THEY MEET! Sometimes business relations become friendships, and other times friendships become the most interesting business relationships. This is the case with Dacha and Summerveld-based MJO Racing Stables. A strange fit, some might think; Dacha currently sponsors the MJO Racing Stables, but the depth and the vision for the future is for greater than what your

average sponsorship holds. Shannon Smith writes that imagine you are Willie van der Merwe, studying law and you share a house with a few of your mates at Varsity. Mostly rugby players. You’re a bit bigger, rougher, and tougher than your average bloke; but in reality, you’re really just a teddy bear. This shines true whenever a 5 foot nothing jockey lands on

your doorstep, looking for a space to stay. The 3-week accommodation deal turned into 3 years, and a friendship that lasted a lifetime. When that jockey ends up having a successful career and turns to training in his later years, and when that law student ends up being the CEO of a CBD Business, you get a combination of dreams, visions, and many possibilities for these parallel paths.

This path has led to not only an ownership of 22 horses, but for the whole team at Dacha, it means a deepened respect and love for horses particularly the welfare of the horses Dacha now sponsors. This means eyes are glued to screens when we see jockeys adorned in green and white, and it means many early mornings at Summerveld, where the horses are trained. If anyone knows MJ Odendaal, they’ll know him for his laugh, his bright and colourful dress sense, and a personality to match. It’s a perfect fit for a company like Dacha that strives to be a bit different, with a different approach to business. That being said, we do try at every opportunity to get MJ to wear our apparel.Which you can too, by the way. Use your code SPORTINGPOST to get a discount on top of it. And get your Dacha or Bush Vellies on! Dacha’s love for horses has deepened to such an extent that we are also looking at ways to make life better for the horses themselves. It’s

no secret that athletes of any kind run a large risk each time they compete. Their career – or life, for that matter – can end in an instant, and Dacha is aware of how huge this impact is on those, like us, who have fallen in love with each and every racehorse we sponsor. Animal welfare should be pinnacle in industries such as this. It is for this reason that Dacha is now investigating means of improving not only their quality of performance, but also their quality of life by looking into proven technologies already developed for professional athletes in a variety of sporting codes, which can be adapted for the equine industry. The main aim is to develop a health tracker for the horses which will, among other things, track their biorhythms, which in turn will help the trainers to see and hear everything that the horses can’t say during practice times. Heart rate, blood pressure, injuries, pace, and more will be tracked each time the horse practices and runs races. This should assist trainers and their vets to track active performance

curves and hopefully help with the prevention of underlying developing injuries which in turn can develop into more serious or even permanent injuries. At the same time, it will assist trainers with not over training horses, as each athlete is different and reacts different kinda the same way humans do. The beauty of it is that it will also give the trainers a deeper understanding of what the horses capabilities are. What we currently know about horses may only be the tip of the iceberg. Although MJ does feel from time to time that he is a horse whisperer. If you’ve ever seen him work horses, you’d feel the same way. This technology and state of the art devices may very well prove to be a gamechanger. Exciting, right? I guess that’s what happens when parallel paths allow the planets to align by bringing different perspectives together in order to find the perfect solution(s), so watch this space…

Bush Hill Stud (c) Last Winter x Frosty Friday – born 8 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. Outstanding prizes will be offered every month to

readers, who will be asked to select the foal of the month. Breeders are invited to email their foal images to editor@ sportingpost.co.za and provide the date of birth, sec, breeding and any family or

background information. The first foal for this week is a lovely colt by Last Winter out of Frosty Friday by Western Winter. The foal is inbred to Western Winter and was born on 8 August at Bush Hill Stud.

This is Last Winter’s first crop and the son of Western Winter has not disappointed. Next up is a smart filly by Lance out of The Sheik mare

Delightfull Diva. Born at Summerhill Equestrian only a week ago on 8 September, she was welcomed to the world just after midnight. Breeding manager Lara Coulon

Summerhill Equestrian (f) Lance x Delightfull Diva – born 8 September

commented that she was quick to stand and nurse on her own, a by-the-book foaling.

YOUNG AND LOVIN’ IT!

Candiese Lenferna

72 Ryan Munger celebrates his 26th birthday today

Talented Gauteng-based lightweight rider Ryan Munger celebrates his 26th birthday today. Time flies. It’s been nine months since the former Zimbabwe champion jockey returned home from Singapore and he is loving life. Ryan was mulling over the possibilities of a ‘chilled’ day out on the golf course and maybe even some time at a nearby game reserve for his birthday celebration. There can’t be too much of a question as to which option his wife Kelsey may go for. On his progress with the goal of establishing himself on his

return from Singapore in December, Ryan told the Sporting Post that things ‘are going well’. He would not be drawn on commenting about the heavy suspension meted out on his colleague JP van der Merwe by the Singapore Authorities last week. “I wish JP the best of luck and sincerely hope that things pan out well for him.” The personable and very likeably young Ryan has an interestingly simple philosophy on life. “I believe in worrying about

the things I can control – not those that I can’t. Hard work and commitment to my professional and family life is the basis of how I live. There will be good times and tough times for all of us at some time – it’s how we handle the challenges that turns the negatives into positives.” Six months after arriving back from a year in Singapore, Ryan rode his confidenceboosting first Gr1 winner on Singforafa in the SA Fillies Sprint. He has ridden 14 winners this season and is seventh on the national jockey log. He is on target to ride well over 100

winners this term.

supports him.

“Ask any jockey and he will never say that it’s enough winners! But I am enjoying some good support in Gauteng and in the Eastern Cape, and I really have so much to be thankful for. I am fit and am enjoying my riding.”

Unlike some of his weighing room colleagues, Ryan is philosophical about the requirements for covid testing for travelling jockeys, and says that he feels that checks and balances are only introduced to protect stakeholders and their families, while ensuring the continuation of racing.

Resident in Fourways, Ryan says that he gets nice riding opportunities from both the Corne Spies and Ashley Fortune yards, who are based at the Vaal. In Port Elizabeth, Zietsman Oosthuizen

“Nobody would ordinarily choose to have a covid test and it costs money. But it’s part of the package of sacrifice and commitment that a travelling professional faces, and it does

give us all a sense of safety and precaution in an environment that is high risk by its very nature.” And future plans? Are him and Kelsey going to settle down and have a family? “I’m far too young to raise children,” laughs Ryan as he says that establishing his professional credentials in a tough sport is his focus right now. Inquiries regarding Ryan’s availability in any region – please contact Wade Viljoen 064 685 6946

HKJC

SIGHTS SET ON 50 76

Dougie Whyte aims for the 50 winner mark this season

As Dougie Whyte approaches his milestone ‘fabulous 50’ mark on 15 November, the ‘Durban Demon’ can reflect back on nearly a quarter century in Hong Kong as their most successful jockey ever – and now building on his second phase profession as a trainer.

horse-crazy youngster started show-jumping.

The turning point for Dougie was London News, the South African-bred galloper, who delivered him his first Gr1 in Hong Kong, winning the QE II Cup for the late Laurie and Jean Jaffee in 1997.

He joined the SA Jockey Academy when he was 14 and did his 5 year apprenticeship.

What a moment that was for the Joburg-raised son of a champion jockey. His Dad passed away when Dougie was 9, and the

“Thanks to Mom she invested in a pony for me and I used to travel to the Rand Show, Welkom, SA Junior Champs, etc. But at the age of 13 I had to make a decision – sell the ponies and become a jockey or stay home and carry on.”

“I spent the first 3 years in Durban, but I only had 7 winners. I moved to Joburg and finished my last two years as champion apprentice. I rode 272 winners in my apprentice career. Then I moved back to Durban to be stable jockey for David Payne. I rode for him for 4 years and we had

tremendous success.” Time flies. It’s been over two years since the now nearing 50 Dougie commenced his training career at Sha Tin’s Olympic Stables on 15 July 2019. He is only the second rider given the opportunity to go straight from the saddle to training, following in the footsteps of another Hong Kong hero, Tony Cruz. In his third season already, Dougie is contemplating a training career-high of 50 winners for this term after opening the 2021/22 term with winners at each of the first two meetings. Following the victories of First Responder and Turin Redstar

at Sha Tin and Happy Valley, respectively, in the opening week of the season, Dougie missed the board at Sha Tin on Sunday but he will be back amongst the winners soon. Seventh in last season’s title race, he is quickly bearing down on the 100-win mark as a trainer after hauls of 44 and 41 in his first two terms. “To be totally frank, I haven’t set a goal this season, but I would like to hit around the 50-winner mark,” he said. “I’ve learnt a lot over the last two years. I’m enjoying what I’m doing and I think the consistency is starting to show. The horses are running well. I’m getting them into a good frame of mind and when

they do get their chance at the races, they seem to be very competitive. “I’m comfortable with the way things are happening at the moment.” Dougie saddled his first stakes winner in January this year when the Belgian ace – and his one time arch rival – Christophe Soumillon, won on Savvy Nine at Happy Valley. “It was a special moment, Christophe was one of my biggest competitors,” Whyte said. “We had a pretty tough run-in and we didn’t speak for a long time due to incidents which happened, but we overcame our differences,” he added.

He felt the stakes win had been ‘a long time coming’ even though it was only his seventh runner in a Group race. “It was frustrating but I’ve been in the game long enough to know I just needed some patience – it was always going to happen,” says Dougie. Renowned for attention to detail and unstinting professionalism as the most successful jockey in Hong Kong history with a phenomenal 1813 wins and 13 consecutive riding championships, Dougie rode his 1800th winner – the aptly named Good Omen – as a 46-year-old in 2018 before retiring in February 2019.

He retired from the saddle with all-time high prize money of more than HK$1.5 billion. A South African Jockey Academy graduate, in 1996 he rode weekends in Singapore and undertook a short contract in Hong Kong at the start of the 1996/97 season. He returned for the 1997/98 season and made Hong Kong his home. He was the first jockey to reach 1000 wins in Hong Kong, and his tally of 114 wins in 2005/06 stood as a record until Joao Moreira

surpassed it in 2014/15. His major G1 wins in the saddle include the Hong Kong Cup (2013 Akeed Mofeed), Hong Kong Mile (2013 Glorious Days), Hong Kong Vase (1998 Indigenous), QEII Cup (1997 London News, 1998 Oriental Express, 2011 Ambitious Dragon) and Hong Kong Derby (2010 Super Satin, 2012 Fay Fay, 2013 Akeed Mofeed). On Sunday at Sha Tin, Zac Purton rode King’s Capital to victory to join Doug Whyte as only the second rider in Hong Kong racing history to post 1300 winners.

Ironically, it was Purton who ended Whyte’s 13-season reign with the first of his four titles in 2013/14, adding three more successive crowns in 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20. “It had always been a goal of mine to train in Hong Kong and I was hopeful I would be afforded the opportunity but I didn’t think it would happen as quickly as it did,” says Dougie. • Don’t miss Hong Kong racing this week – today at Happy Valley and on Sunday at Sha Tin

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 horseracing and breeding, we would like to hear from you. Please forward your CV to Jacques at jchowles@cthbs.com

MODERN GREATS HONOURED v

Legendary trainer Vincent O’Brien, together with three titans of the turf from the 1970s, Brigadier Gerard, Mill Reef and Nijinsky, have been named as the next four stars to be inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame, which can be found online at Horseracinghof. com. Launched to mark the 10th anniversary of QIPCO’s sponsorship of the British Champions Series, the first

official Hall of Fame for British Flat racing sets out to immortalise the Modern Greats of the sport, both human and equine, from 1970 onwards. On the basis of their undisputed status and achievements within the sport, the quartet will join inaugural inductees Frankel and Lester Piggott in the Hall of Fame, with O’Brien becoming the first trainer to gain membership. Broadcaster Brough Scott, who undertook his first

82 The great Mill Reef

broadcast for ITV Racing in 1971, the year in which Brigadier Gerard completed his incredible unbeaten three-year-old season, was part of the independent panel of horseracing experts who agreed on the inductees. He said: “No racing decade ever had a start like the 1970s. Nijinsky, Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard – three horses of the century only a year apart. No Derby winner more majestic than Nijinsky, no Arc winner

world’s, most illustrious racing operations. Tellingly, the winning machine that Vincent O’Brien helped create and develop continues to flourish to this day. Brigadier Gerad, Mill Reff and Nijinsky’s Hall Of Fame induction can be viewed here. Brigadier Gerard, Mill Reef and Nijinsky – the last-named trained by O’Brien – all lit up the sport during the early 1970s. Between the three, they won an incredible 40 of their 45 races.

Nijinsky II more of a mould-breaker than Mill Reef, no miler more complete than Brigadier Gerard. “Irish genius Vincent O’Brien added to the magic of that era, setting a standard most could only dream of matching. He changed the racing and training landscape, and his legacy lives on at Ballydoyle and Coolmore – which remain two of the world’s greatest racing operations to this day. “They individually and collectively deserve these places within the Hall of Fame and the panel and I offer our heartfelt congratulations to their

connections.” Trainer O’Brien, who registered a total of 141 Group One wins, with 67 in the UK, died 12 years ago but his influence on the sport will go on forevermore. As well as training six Derby winners and a host of other British Classics, he also landed three consecutive Grand Nationals in the 1950s, making him one of few trainers to succeed in both disciplines at the highest level. He also created the superb training facilities at Ballydoyle and played a pivotal role in the development of Coolmore Stud – two of Ireland’s, if not the

The mighty Brigadier Gerard, ridden by the late Joe Mercer, won 17 of his 18 races and is remembered as one of the greatest milers there has been, although he also shone over further. His record in 1971 was phenomenal, winning all six of his races, and his final resumé contained a British Classic in the 2000 Guineas, two Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and two Champion Stakes victories. The Ian Balding-trained Mill Reef had to play second fiddle to Brigadier Gerard in the 2000 Guineas of 1971 but, upped in distance, he would never be beaten again. His exploits included outstanding victories in the Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Vincent O’Brien’s Hall Of Fame Induction can be viewed here. Meanwhile, the majestic Nijinsky, ridden by inaugural Hall of Famer Lester Piggott, made history in 1970 by scooping the Triple Crown. No horse has since achieved this milestone of winning the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger in the same year. Nijinsky went on to become a hugely successful stallion and, to this day, remains the only sire to have a winner of the Derby (Epsom) and the Kentucky Derby in the same year. Connections of these four

stars will receive a specially commissioned medal, designed by Asprey and unique within British racing, to mark their achievement. The four medals will be displayed at Doncaster’s Cazoo St Leger day (Saturday 11th September) as part of a QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame exhibition. The exhibition can be found within the racecourse’s grandstand in the Grandstand Enclosure. Achieving a place in the Hall of Fame has become one of the highest accolades within British Flat racing, reflecting extraordinary achievements

and contributions to the sport. Launched to mark the start of this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series, a number of additional inductions will be announced in the build-up to QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot (Saturday 16th October), including one horse chosen by the public (vote here) which is open until 24 September.

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A SATURDAY TO REMEMBER 86

Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice – Snippet’s Lass)

Multiple champion Australian sire Snitzel had a Saturday to remember, with his progeny making their mark both on the track and at stud. Not only did his son Splintex beat Snitzel's top-class daughter Away Game when victorious in Saturday's Gr2 Lexus Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington, Snitzel's son Shamus Award made headlines when his progressive son Incentivise captured Saturday's Gr1 PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes. Another son of Snitzel, Mr Mozart, captured Saturday's Listed Exford Plate at Flemington. Remarkably, the first six home in the Bobbie Lewis all carry the blood of Redoute's Choice - whose progeny also include current boom South African sire Rafeef - in their pedigree! To date, Shamus Award, winner of both the Gr1 Cox Plate and Gr1 Australian Guineas (his only two wins), is his sire's best stallion son. Incentivise is Shamus Award's fourth Gr1 winner, with the sire also responsible for Mr Quickie (Queensland Derby, Toorak Handicap), Duais (Queensland Oaks) and Media Award (SAJC Australasian Oaks).

Snitzel has made a scintillating start to the 2021-2022 racing season and he is currently heading the Australian General Sires List. Shamus Award is tenth on that General Sires List. Snitzel has been responsible for more than 110 stakes winners and his progeny have earned more than AUS$181 million. The best sire son thus far of legendary Australian sire Redoute's Choice, broodmare sire of Saturday's eyecatching Gr2 Run To The Rose winner Anamoe, Snitzel is also the sire of hugely promising three-year-old In The Congo. The latter, a colt out of the South African bred and raced champion Via Africa, caught the eye when only just run out of it late to take second spot in the Gr2 Run To The Rose on Saturday. Another son of Snitzel, Remarque, finished third in the Run To The Rose. A winner of two of just five starts, In The Congo did his future stud prospects no ham when he won the G3 San Domenico Stakes last time out and he looks to have a bright future ahead of him. In The Congo's big race entries include possible berths in both the Gr1 Golden Rose and Gr1 Caulfield Guineas. Snitzel, Champion Sire in Australia on four occasions

thus far, has a single son at stud in South Africa. The flashy grey Heavenly Blue, winner of the 2017 Gr1 SA Classic, has his first yearlings go on sale in 2022. Also runner up in the 2017 Gr2 Dingaans and third in both the Gr1 SA Derby and Gr2 Gauteng Guineas, Heavenly Blue is out of a winning daughter of champion US sire El Prado, and his granddam is a multiple Gr1 winning daughter of champion, and top-class sire, Theatrical. The latter also ranks as the broodmare sire of top-class US sire English Channel - whose progeny include recent Gr1 Flower Bowl Stakes winner War Like Goddess, and more than 50 other black type winners. Heavenly Blue is directly descended in female line from the great mare Hildene -the dam of champions First Landing - sire of Kentucky Derby winner Riva Ridge and Hill Prince.

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Tony Knapton focusonracing.com

92 Hurricane Lane with William Buick winning the Cazoo st Leger

HURRICANE LANE AIMS FOR ARC 93

The Charlie Appleby-trained Hurricane Lane asserted his authority with a dominant display in the Gr1 Cazoo St Leger Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday. The son of Frankel had only tasted defeat once in six starts and was well fancied at 8/11 to land Classic honours on Town Moor. Hollie Doyle cut out the running aboard the Aidan O’Brien-trained Interpretation, with Mojo Star settling in second and Hurricane Lane positioned in mid-division.

The hot favourite travelled kindly under William Buick before being asked to improve with three furlongs to go. The result was instantaneous as the Irish Derby winner burst clear in great style in front of a huge crowd.

beautifully. You never know until you go this far with a three-year-old.

Mojo Star who had previously finished ahead of the winner at Epsom stuck on well to claim his second Classic silver medal. A tilt at longer distances next season was mooted by trainer Richard Hannon.

Attention now turns to Paris for the winner who is now fancied to contest the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Trriomphe, where he could face stablemate Adayar, among others.

Speaking after the race, winning jockey Buick commented “ It worked out

Click here to watch the replay.

“He took me into the race so nicely and he’s got that turn of foot at the end. He’s a great horse.”

96 William Buick claims the Cazoo St Leger Stakes Victory – next up The Arc

Doncaster Racecourse

THE ARC PUZZLE 97

Last weekend saw the trials for next month’s Arc run at ParisLongchamp – the €5,000,000 championship race of Europe run over 2400m. The Arc trials had their share of disappointments with Epsom Derby and King George VI winner Adayar absent due to a minor setback and the group one winning mare Wonderful Tonight suffering a career-ending injury in the leadup to her run in the Prix Foy. The Gr2 Qatar Prix Niel for three-year-old colts started controversially with the late withdrawal of the Aidan O’Brien trained favourite Bolshoi Ballet due to a technicality over the date of his latest vaccine. A huge shock was what followed just over an hour later in the Gr1 Prix Vermeille for three-year-old fillies. The then Arc favourite and Epsom Oaks heroine Snowfall was turned over at 1/5 by Teona, who was ridden close to the pace by the superb Olivier Peslier. A lack of speed in the race (by the favourite’s stablemate) has been touted as the cause of this result, but winning trainer Roger Varian has always thought highly of the winning filly. So he nominated her for the Arc in April before her seasonal debut. Later, there was a high-class

performance from the Japanese colt Deep Bond in the older horses’ trial, the Gr2 Prix Foy. He made all the running to beat the reliable Ballydoyle trained Broome, who had himself made all to win the Gr1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in June. Japan’s main Arc hope is supposed to be the brilliant mare Chrono Genesis, a narrowly denied runner-up to Mishriff in Dubai earlier this year. Oisin Murphy has already been booked to ride her at Longchamp on the 3rd of October. However, Deep Bond’s high-class effort on his European debut means his Arc claims need to be taken a bit more seriously. Godolphin’s Hurricane Lane was a dominant winner of the St Leger at Doncaster over the past weekend. It might not have been a vintage St Leger in terms of strength of depth, but the placed horses from the Derby had the best form on offer, and they duly finished first and second. Sent to the front by William Buick two furlongs out, he never looked in any danger and won by nearly three lengths. A course and distance winner at Longchamp when winning the Gr1 Grand Prix de Paris by six lengths earlier this season, the big chestnut by Frankel provides trainer Charlie Appleby with a solid back-up to Adayar.

If both Godolphin colts accept for the Arc, jockey William Buick’s choice will be of great interest. The final part of the Arc puzzle was at Leopardstown last Saturday - the Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes and what a thriller it was despite only four runners. It certainly delivered with the three principals covered by less than a length at the line, although spread across the width of the track after winner St Mark’s Basilica carried the runner-up Tarnawa across to the stand rail. After lengthy deliberation, the stewards maintained the result, but the winning rider Ryan Moore received a ban for careless riding. The Aidan O’Brien trained St Mark’s Basilica joined a select list of horses to have won 5 Group 1s in a row and will be a contender when next seen in action. Tarnawa lost little in defeat, dropping down to 2000m on fast ground. With a return to a mile and a half in the Arc sure to suit and the likelihood of her getting her preferred softer ground, the five-year-old mare must be a leading light in Paris next month.

ARE BETTING ON THE ARC! Please click here to read more

COME RACE IN BAHRAIN! Bahrain's horse racing programme is rapidly evolving following the success of the Bahrain International Trophy.

The new series will consist of ten £50 000 handicap races that have been added to the existing 2021/2 Imported Race Programme.

As such a new Turf Series will be introduced in December 2021

The aim of the series is to encourage international horses rated between 85-100

to compete in the Kingdom and for owners to experience the wonderful hospitality that Bahrain has to offer. Click here to read more.

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results up to: 2021-09-14

TRAINERS Name

Runs 116 144 153 81 119

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

Wins Win% 22 23 24 19 17

19.0 16.0 15.7 23.5 14.3

2nd

3rd

16 13 18 7 14

17 21 13 7 15

2nd

3rd

32 23 27 9 11

29 29 24 9 18

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

43.1 39.6 40.5 25.9 42.0

945,000 915,900 934,375 843,000 700,000

1,423,750 1,317,050 1,308,625 1,051,875 1,017,125

Other Places Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

2,416,750 1,451,200 1,355,000 1,335,000 899,425

3,230,875 2,204,950 2,183,875 1,676,875 1,317,775

17 23 31 7 21

50 57 62 21 50

JOCKEYS Name

Rides Wins Win%

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

241 182 212 80 122

52 32 29 27 23

21.6 17.6 13.7 33.8 18.9

36 36 43 8 20

97 88 94 26 49

40.2 48.4 44.3 32.5 40.2

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

Name

Klawervlei Stud 174 Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein 128 60 Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd 49 Ridgemont Highlands 71 Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd

254 197 94 77 123

11,694 14,431 16,743 19,970 13,384

29 23 13 15 12

31 24 16 18 13

16.7 18.0 21.7 30.6 16.9

90 89 41 28 42

1 1 0 0 0

2,034,750 1,847,175 1,004,600 978,5250 950,250

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

1 0 1 0 0

1,370,700 1,053,325 1,005,475 992,350 958,850

SIRES Name

Runrs Runs AEPR

B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs %

Master Of My Fate Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Vercingetorix Twice Over (GB) Elusive Fort

91 75 64 79 71

17 17 15 13 13

138 104 93 111 114

15,063 14,044 15,711 12,561 13,505

18 17 16 15 14

18.7 22.7 23.4 16.5 18.3

68 35 37 43 52

See all the detailed standings - Click here 101

1 0 1 0 0

CHELSEA HARD TO BEAT v

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Are Spurs already showing us their true colours? Maybe it is a little early and so possibly rather harsh, but the trust and excitement building around a Tottenham side who are not without their internal issues was always going to end in tears. Ryan Liberty writes that Chelsea has now proven themselves when everything is going their way and when nothing goes their way, even when supposed ‘lesser’ sides make them work for it. The fact that you could still get around 26/10 on Chelsea to win the league isn’t a price that shoots the lights out, but it’s value one shouldn’t simply pass up! But I digress, another blockbuster weekend awaits, and on Sunday, the curtain will come down on the action with a massive final act. It’s a London derby; it’s Tottenham hosting Chelsea! Chelsea vs. Tottemham | Sunday 19 September | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | 17h30 To Win (90 mins) Tottenham 7/2 Draw 26/10 Chelsea 15/20 Tottenham

Just as we all started believing in Tottenham, relying on Tottenham and to an extent trusting Tottenham, they returned to being just good old Spurs. Their 3-0 loss to Patrick Vieira’s Palace was less emphatic as it was sad. Harry Kane doesn’t look like he’s all there and before the cavalry starts to attack me, consider this: I’m not suggesting that under Nuno Espirito Santo Spurs play the most attractive and end to end football… but they certainly look like a side well-coached and clearly playing to a plan and system. Their use of width with their fullbacks is admirable, and I’ll undoubtedly doff my cap to that. However, Harry Kane made no secret of his desire to win European silverware. It was well-documented that Spurs were constantly in favour of the English talisman delaying his departure from the club. If only Spurs had a chance to cash in on this and look to replace him under their new manager in the northern hemisphere summer. It doesn’t get any easier for the North London side though, a derby game against a rival who come into the fixture with a golden form line. As well as what seems to be a golden strand that runs through and creating a powerful spine for the

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team. Of course, Japhet Tanganga’s red card would change the game, and so I wouldn’t read too much into the scoreline. The defensive solidity of Spurs has been apparent in the league this year thus far – keeping clean sheets against City, Wolves and Watford. Whilst I think they will have the credentials to keep it respectable and force Chelsea to work for it, I still can’t see them completely shutting out Thomas Tuchel’s side. Chelsea As a point of departure, Saul Niguez is an incredibly talented player. I will concede that he struggled on debut against Aston Villa – yet another indication of the level and competitiveness evident in the English league. But his quality is still undeniable. The fact that football fans on social media lamented at his performance and proclaimed that their respective clubs dodged a bullet is somewhat premature if you ask me. However, I did enjoy a tweet by one fan suggesting that Saul was in desperate need of a ‘road to Damascus’ moment. The importance and value of a solid holding defensive midfielder has been well-

documented in the modern game. N’Golo Kante has long been the poster child of such a suggestion, but Thomas Tuchel is blessed with options at Chelsea. So Kante, Saul, Jorginho and Kovacic would all stake steady claims for the position in probably most (if not all) clubs in the league. The value in the traditional ‘holding 6’ not only lies in screening your defence to break-up play in the centre of the park but also having a player who can singlehandedly transition your side from defence to attack. This also increases the pace, effect and ability to build up play or immediately outlet wide and look to go forward. Yes, I am aware this is an oversimplification of the role and responsibility – but you get the point. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Chelsea Football Club is a complete and

dangerous team under Thomas Tuchel. They came away from their fixture with Aston Villa as 3-0 winners, and you wouldn’t be completely exaggerating had you felt it was hard-fought. However, Villa attempted 18 shots at Stamford Bridge – only Liverpool have had more attempts at the Bridge in a league game – and yet still their resolute defence, silky transitions and robust attacking talent seemed largely undeterred. A lot has been said about the importance of keeping players like Lukaku fit, and I couldn’t agree more! Well, why would you when your striker has a 100% shot to goal conversion rate in the box? Prediction: Chelsea (8/10) Chelsea at almost even money is incredible value – value that nobody deserves to miss out on! Make sure to tell everyone

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and anyone that you can – this must be part of your multiple and weekend wagers. Get the provident fund ready because the confidence is being given early! This Chelsea side is truly a well-oiled machine, especially in the so-called big games. I honestly cannot see where Nuno’s Spurs could hurt this side (even if they look nice and neatly compact through the middle, as was the case against City). I’m all in on Chelsea here!

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