1
2
Candiese Lenferna
Dean Kannemeyer is flanked by Keagan de Melo and Assistant Nicolette Roscoe
Kannemeyer Has Eye On The July Lane Dean Kannemeyer saddled Dynasty (2003) and the illfated Rabiya (2005) to win the Gr1 Daily News 2000, and will saddle the recent impressive Gr3 Byerley Turk winner Waterberry Lane in Saturday’s R1 million renewal at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Kannemeyer’s son of Soft Falling Rain is the third highest runner on 115 in a nine horse field, headed by Justin Snaith’s Cape Derby winner Pomp And Power (118) and Joey Soma’s SA
Classic hero, Red Saxon (118). Talking to the Sporting Post on Monday, Kannemeyer said that he had put a line through his charge’s WSB Guineas run last time. “It was a slow-run race and Waterberry Lane was overracing. He finished on the fringes of the placed horses and 2,30 lengths off Zapatillas. It didn’t teach us much so we will hopefully get a better pace on Saturday and we will see how he handles it. I need him to show us he goes the trip
3
and stamp his Hollywoodbets Durban July entry with a decent effort,” he added. Mike de Kock saddles the SA Classic runner-up Safe Passage (117), who will be ridden by a new pilot in Muzi Yeni, and the SA Derby winner Aragosta (109), who comes off a short break. Vaughan Marshall won the Daily News last year with Linebacker and saddles longshot Senso Unico (104) on Saturday.
JC Photos
Barend Botes is looking for a big day with Light Of The Moon – seen here (Muzi Yeni up) on the inside as she holds off Princess Kesh (Ryan Munger) in the Oaks Trial
R5 Million Pick 6 Projected The withdrawal of SA Triple Tiara champion Rain In Holland may have taken the shine off things, but the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 for three-year-old fillies is there for the taking. Sean Tarry will be represented
by Marigold Hotel who, along with Paul Peter-trained Sprinkles, are the joint besthandicapped runners. Barend Botes and Yolande Vosloo have Light Of The Moon in the field. The daughter
4
of Futura won the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial over 2000m and followed that up with a 0.75-length second behind Rain In Holland in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks over 2450m.
She proved those runs were no fluke by easily winning a middle Stakes over 2400m at the Vaal, beating the boys in the process.
must be a leading contender this time.
Muzi Yeni rode her in all three of those races and he will be back on board come Saturday.
The Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m is the third feature race on the card.
Candice Dawson saddles Perfect Witness who has been beaten four times by Rain In Holland but ran an excellent 1.25-length second to her last time in the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes over 2000m at Turffontein and
Gavin Lerena rides and will jump from No 2 draw.
There is a Pick 6 carryover of R1-million going into the Hollywoodbets Greyville racemeeting with the pool likely to reach R5 million. Follow all the news on www. sportingpost.co.za
Keep Up With The
PACE! The Sporting Post Sprint offers winning advertising options
email advertising@winningmedia.co.za
5
6
Chase Liebenberg Pomp And Power - now a firm favourite for Hollywoodbets Durban July
July Golden Tickets Up For Grabs The forthcoming weekend is set to present another defining moment in the long road to the 2022 Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, with two of the final three ‘golden ticket’ races to be run. The running of the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and the Woolavington 2000 will leave just the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge to be contested at Hollywoodbets
Greyville on 11 June, as a guaranteed ticket into the big race. Hollywoodbets’ Patrick Bradley told the Sporting Post on Tuesday that the recent withdrawal of top 3yo’s Double Superlative and Rain In Holland has seen a few of the fancied runners shortening marginally in the Hollywoodbets Durban July antepost betting market.
7
“Pomp And Power is now firm favorite at 5/1. The withdrawal of Double Superlative has been fortuitous for him and some of the other fancied 3yo’s in the Daily News, as they would have picked up a substantial merit rating hike if they had beaten him - and thus extra weight for the Hollywoodbets Durban July,” says the veteran Turf Accountant.
Bradley goes on to observe that the result of the Daily News on Saturday could see a significant shuffle in the big race betting. “Probably not so much in the case of the Woolavington and the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, where the quality of the fields are not particularly strong. At the moment the betting is fairly settled with a good spread of wagers across the board.”
The Hollywoodbets Durban July second declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday 30 May. Final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 14 June. The big race weights will be published on Tuesday, 14 June No penalties shall be incurred after the publication of weights. The Handicapper will raise all weights proportionately to 60kg. Should the top weight
8
originally allotted be less than 60kg at final declaration Final declarations close at 11h00 on Monday, 20 June.
9
Chase Liebenberg
FATE SAYS MARSH DOES IT AGAIN...
Cover Image Gr1 Daily News 2000 candidate Waterberry Lane captured by Candiese Lenferna
10 Richard Fourie and Gem King en route to the winner's circle
‘Pocket Power in 2006. Then Katak in 2020. Now Gem King…?’ 11
Owner Marsh Shirtliff is on the cusp of an historic third Cape Winter Series championship title after Gem King stormed home to win the R250 000 World Sports Betting Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday. A doyen of the Cape owner ranks, Shirtliff’s familiar pink, white and blue flag was carried by two of the only three previous winners of the winter triple crown. African Night Sky won the series in the Fred Crabbia silks in 2017. The first of the Shirtliff strikes was the Mike Bass-trained multiple champion Pocket Power, who wrapped up the series when winning the Gr3 Winter Derby on 17 June 2006 beating the top notch grey, and subsequent dual Dubai feature winner, Silver Mist (Glen Hatt), with Golden Dice (Piet Botha) in third. Marsh had to wait 14 years for his next winter triple crown winner, Katak. The son of Potala Palace made it five from when winning the Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes on 26 July 2020. He was subsequently exported to Singapore, where he coincidentally unsuccessfully contested the Gr1 Kranji Mile just hours before Gem King eclipsed the second leg on Saturday. The highs and lows of the game!
On Saturday, the Legal Eagle Stakes belonged to Gem King – despite bullish overtures from the connections of the impressive and uber-consistent Future Prince. Turning for home last after Snaith’s recent maiden winner Navy Strength had made the pace, Gem King (3-1) picked it up beautifully and strode clear to beat the low-flying Winchester Mansion (14-1) by three quarters of a length in a time 111,77 secs. The fancied Future Prince (1110) appeared to have every reasonable opportunity, and just didn’t lift when the button was pressed. He plodded into third, a further 1,25 lengths in arrears. Winning rider Richard Fourie, who replaced the unavailable Bernard Fayd’herbe, said he had simple instructions to give his mount ‘a chance’. “This horse has such an amazing turn of foot. There was some scrimmaging on the turn. He blew me away today. I think he will find all of the trip in the 2400m as he doesn’t touch the bridle. The Steyn team have done a great job. And thanks to Tyron Langdon who does all the work when I’m not here.” Trainer Piet Steyn conceded that he was not as confident this time round as he had been before the first leg.
12
“His work hasn’t been that good and he didn’t go down all that well. But he is a good horse and he won with authority. Thanks to Marsh (Shirtliff) and Bryn (Ressell) for buying him for me and to Varsfontein for breeding another top horse. After Katak didn’t put it in a performance this morning, I was a bit down. Then finally, thanks to my son Elbert and my staff too. And it was a great ride from Richard Fourie,” concluded the veteran with an eagle eye for a decent horse. The Varsfontein-bred Gem King was a R250 000 buy from the 2020 Cape Yearling Sale. He is one of several talented three-year-olds representing Master Of My Fate this season with others including recent Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas winner and Hollywoodbets Durban July candidate, Zapatillas. Varsfontein Stud resident Master Of My Fate had a successful day at Kenilworth on Saturday when siring the winners of three of the nine races run on the card. Gem King is out of the speedy Damascus Gate mare, Gem Queen, and took his record to 5 wins with 4 places from 12 starts for stakes of R483 850. The final leg of the series, the R250 000 WSB Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes will be run
Chase Liebenberg
Piet Steyn – master trainer with limited opportunities over 2400m at Kenilworth on Saturday 25 June, and offers a bonus of R200 000 to Gem King’s connections if he wins that. Jockey Richard Fourie clearly sees no stamina doubts for the smart gelding. However. Racing Manager
Mark van Deventer wasn’t quite as bullish. Time will tell! Currently fourth on the General Sires List (he was second last season), Gem King’s sire Master Of My Fate has three lots on offer at each of the
13
upcoming CTS Farm Yearling Sale and the 2022 BSA KZN Yearling Sale.
Singapore Turf Club
Lim's Lightning (Wong Chin Chuen) wins the Gr1 Kranji Mile on Saturday
NO LUCK FOR KATAK Owner Marsh Shirtliff missed Gem King’s sensational victory at Kenilworth on Saturday. That’s because he was 9661 km away in Singapore, watching his former Winter Series champion Katak take on some top sorts in the SG$1 million Gr1 Kranji Mile. And while it was not Katak’s
day, many felt that the best horse won. It was as simple as that, with the reigning Singapore Horse of the Year Lim’s Lightning winning in a thrilling finish. With his stablemate – Lim’s Kosciuszko (Danny Beasley) – sent out favourite on the back of a late jockey change and excellent form, Lim’s Lightning snuck under a few pundits’
14
radars heading into the race but again showed why he is the best horse in Singapore with his fourth Gr1 victory in just over twelve months. From the jump, race-rider Wong Chin Chuen had him beautifully positioned behind the obvious leader in Fame Star (Jerlyn Seow) and with the fast early tempo; the run was always going to appear
for the patient young rider. And when it did, Wong pushed the trigger and Lim’s Lightning did what he does best by first putting paid to the other on-pace runners – including his stablemate Lim’s Kosciuszko – before holding off the fast-finishing Sacred Croix (Shafiq Rizuan) and Mr Malek (Bernardo Pinheiro) by half-a-length and one length respectively. The winning time of 1 min 33.25secs set a new course record over the mile on the Long Course, shaving 0.03 seconds off Magneto’s in 2014. The win was also Lim's Lightning’s 11th from 19 starts
in Singapore and took his total prizemoney earnings close to SG$2,2 million for the Lim’s Stable. Winning trainer Daniel Meagher was very emotional at the winner’s circle. He was full of praise for the horse that has given him the biggest wins in his short training career. “He’s an amazing horse,” Meagher told racing presenter Scott Bailey immediately after the win. “We were struggling with him this time. He was not the same horse and I feel sorry for Danny but great for CC (Chin Chuen). He’s a great horse, he showed his true class, but as I said, we were struggling with him… it’s
15
just good.” Meagher would have liked to say more but the emotions of such a win got the better of him and the young trainer was also keen to congratulate the winning jockey and connections at the winner’s enclosure. In the Champagne Room after the presentations, Meagher – who joined his father John’s achievement (Mayo’s Music in 2004 and Recast in 2006) by winning the Kranji Mile – continued his praise of the horse and was thankful of those behind the scenes.
16
Chase Liebenberg
Gem King sweeps ahead under Richard Fourie to beat Winchester Mansion (Greg Cheyne)
ANOTHER WINTER DAMASCUS MOMENT! Gem King kept his Winter Series dream alive when adding last weekend’s Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes to his earlier victory in the Gr3 Variety Mile Stakes. With the first two legs in the bag, the three-year-old now rates a likely favourite for the final leg, the Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes, which, incidentally, is named in honour of the first Winter Series winner. A triple Horse of the Year, this legend of the
turf raced in the pink, white and blue silks of Marsh Shirtliff, as does Gem King. Pocket Power was by the late great Jet Master, as is Master Of My Fate, the sire of Gem King. Based at birthplace Varsfontein Stud, this imposing bay has become a high-profile stallion and has been churning out the winners at a rate of knots. In fact, Gem King was one of a treble of winners on the day.
17
Last season, he gave his illustrious barnmate Gimmethegreenlight a run for his money to finish second on the General Sires List and is currently vying for second place with What A Winter and Gimmethegreenlight. No wonder then that respected bloodstock consultant John Freeman, who manages the stallion, made a bold statement after Gem King’s latest success when he remarked on social
media:’This son of Master Of My Fate has now won the first two legs of the Winter Series congrats all round. I wouldn’t be surprised if Master Of My Fate makes champion sire this year.’ Varsfontein can take credit as breeders of both Gem King and Master Of My Fate's recent Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas winner Zapatillas. The similarities do not end there, for Gem King is out of Gem Queen, a daughter of Damascus Gate, who also features as the broodmare sire of Dame
Of Damascus, the grandam of Zapatillas. Further reinforcing Damascus Gate’s affinity with Jet Master
Bosworth Farm Stud and is by underrated Jet Master stallion Skitt Skizzle, while her grandam is Damascus Gate’s daughter Lady Be True. In addition, Scorched, the dam of Gr2 Dingaans winner and Gr1 SA Derby second Shango, is by Jet Master out of the Damascus Gate mare Run To Daddy.
and his sons is the filly True Beauty. A recent winner of Zimbabwe’s premier racing event, the Castle Tankard, she was bred at the Orford’s
Freeman Stallions
18 The magnificent Master Of My Fate – a champion sire in waiting
No doubt the name Damascus Gate fails to ring a bell with many readers. This former Highlands stallion was trained by the late Terrance Millard and ran three times for two wins and a second before
chronic ringbone put paid to his racing career.
Sadly, he didn’t get the chance he should have.”
He nevertheless deserved a place at stud due to his superb pedigree. By successful sire Damascus,he was out of the Buckpasser mare Spring Adieu, a winning half-sister to breedshaping stallion Northern Dancer, while her half-sister Razyana produced another powerhouse stallion in Danehill.
Stark words. Damascus Gate nevertheless managed to sire a dozen stakes winners, topped by the Champion 3YO sprinter Damasco and Graded stakes winners Your Eminence (Gr2) and Lawrence Of Arabia (Gr3).
Former Highlands stud manager Mike Sharkey remembers Damascus Gate well and remarked: “He was a pleasure to work with, a solid, good-looking horse with a lovely temperament, who also threw good-looking foals.
Damascus Gate was one of just a handful of Damascus stallions to stand in this country, and for the purpose of this article, another was Rollins, who just happens to be the damsire of Jet Master! Tragically, Rollins’ tenure at the late Chris Saunders’ Ivanhoe Stud in the Natal Midlands was all too brief, he was killed
19
by lightning when just eight years old. His untimely death was an immense loss, considering he left behind such fine gallopers as Champion juvenile filly Point With Pride, the Gr1 winner Love Of London, Gr1 performer and sire Raise A Raucus, as well as the stakes winners Lady Rollinda, Road To Reform, Game Of Glory and Strawberry Girl. Ironically, Damascus Gate also found his way to KwaZulu-Natal, exchanging Highlands for Golden Acres, where he died in obscurity in 2008.
20
Chase Liebenberg
Craig Zackey and Maria Querol return after a narrow win
QUERARI 1-2 IN STORMSVLEI STAKES Craig Zackey returned from a week out of the saddle to produce a gem of a ride and win the R150 000 World Sports Betting Listed Stormsvlei Stakes run over 1800m on the Kenilworth winter course on Saturday on the Querari filly, Maria Querol.
Under a length covered the top four home in the small field.
The Snaith Racing Team have certainly turned the corner both at home and away after a quiet spell, and saddled their third winner of the nippy Cape Southern Suburbs afternoon.
“This was a gutsy win. She has a few issues with her knee and it causes her to hang out. They headed us about the 300m, but she dug down well. She enjoys the sting out the ground,” added Zackey.
Maria Querol (10-1), trying the 1800m for the first time, dictated matters for much of the trip, and despite being overtaken briefly about 300m out, came right back under a determined Craig Zackey ride to gain a short head victory over 7-1 shot Fleeting in a time of 114,09 secs.
Jonathan Snaith said that they have been waiting for the wet with Maria Querol.
The winner’s stablemate Peut Etre Moi (11-2) was 0,30 lengths back in third, with the 9-10 favourite Going Up a half length further in arrears in fourth after appearing to have every chance.
“We were bullish today – the trip was naturally a concern but she came through well. I’m really pleased for Greg Bortz who is on his way back from the States, and then it’s
21
great to have Braam van Huyssteen’s silks back in the number 1 box. Hopefully he will start buying horses again!” he added. Bred by Maine Chance & Coolmore, Maria Querol was a R225 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale buy. She is by Querari (Oasis Dream) out of the twice winning Dynasty mare, Maria Theresa. A winner of 4 races with 4 places from 11 starts for stakes of R271 400, this was Maria Querol’s first victory since scoring an easy win in the Listed Irridescence Stakes in June last year. The third and final leg of the fairer sex series is the R150 000 Listed River Jetez Stakes run over 2400m at Kenilworth on Saturday 25 June 2022.
22
Chase Liebenberg
Querari daughters Maria Querol and Fleeting fight out the Stormsvlei Stakes finish
THE ABUNDANCE OF THE DESERT
Descendants of Danzig's July Cup winning son Green Desert shone on both the international and South African stage this past weekend.
In South Africa, daughters of Querari (a son of Green Desert's champion sprinter son Oasis Dream) in the form of Maria Querol and Fleeting, ran first and second respectively in Saturday's Listed World Sports Betting Stormsvlei Stakes, while Green Desert sire sons and grandsons made their mark overseas on the same day.
Oasis Dream made headlines in Ireland on Saturday when his champion son Native Trail ran out a convincing winner of the Gr1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas. Cartier Champion 2YO Colt last year, and runner up in the Gr1 Qipco 2000 Guineas earlier this year, Native Trail is a second Irish 2000 Guineas winner for Oasis Dream, whose son Power won that Irish classic back in 2012.
Oasis Dream's consistently successful sire son Showcasing is broodmare sire of another top-class three-yearold in El Caballo (Havana Gold)
23
who made it six wins in a row when landing Saturday's Gr2 Cazoo Sandy Lane Stakes. El Caballo is inbred to Green Desert, with his Gr1 Prix Jean Prat winning sire out of a daughter of Green Desert's son Desert Style. Prominent Australian stallion I Am Invincible (a son of Green Desert's Gr1 Haydock Sprint Cup winning son Invincible Spirit) came up with his 13th Gr1 winner, and fourth Gr1 winner for the current season, when his son Lombardo captured Saturday's Gr1 SAJC Goodwood Handicap at
Morphetville. Ironically, I Am Invincible had finished second in the Gr1 Goodwood Handicap of 2009. His consistent success this season has seen I Am Invincible currently head the Australian General Sires List for 2021-2022. Another son of Invincible Spirit, Kingman, also made his presence felt on Saturday, with his four-year-old daughter Technical Analysis capturing the Gr3 Gallorette Handicap at Pimlico on the Preakness Stakes undercard. Technical Analysis, who
vanquished Crystal Cliffs, a daughter of Ridgemont Highlands' inform sire Canford Cliffs, into second place on Saturday, has now won a trio of graded races and was also second in the 2021 G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. She is one of 45 stakes winners for the once beaten Kingman, whose son Kingentleman captured the Gr3 Prix Texanita last Monday. Yet another son of Invincible Spirit, Cable Bay, provided Royal fans with some joy with his son King's Lynn capturing Saturday's Gr2 Cazoo Temple Stakes for Her Majesty
The Queen. Remarkably, Invincible Spirit is either sire or paternal/maternal grandsire of each of the first three finishers past the post in the 2022 Temple Stakes. However, perhaps the best flagbearer for the Green Desert male line is another once beaten superstar in the form of Sea The Stars. The latter, a half-brother to Galileo and son of Green Desert's Gr1 Lockinge Stakes winning son Cape Cross, is having a wonderful spell this season with his current star performers headed by unbeaten star miler Baaeed,
Shadwell
24 Green Desert
current Oaks favourite Emily Upjohn and legendary stayer Stradivarius. Between them, that trio has already captured the Gr1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, Gr3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes and Gr2 Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup Stakes this season - and they are unlikely to stop there! The Green Desert male line also looks to be alive and well
in South Africa. His grandson Querari consistently comes up with stakes winners (he also heads the Leading Sires of 2YOs List at the time of writing), while his half-brother Quasillo (by Sea The Stars) is the sire of this season's Ge3 Strelitzia Stakes victress Ameena, despite having a small number of runners representing him.
Invincible Spirit is also set to make his mark in South Africa with the consistently top-class stallion's Gr1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes winning son Digital Age set to make his debut at stud this season.
Hannon All At Sea Trainer Richard Hannon sought to persuade a BHA disciplinary panel on Tuesday he should not be punished over an elevated level of arsenic discovered in Oh Purple Reign when he finished last of six in the Gr3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket in 2019. Seaweed was at the heart of the eight-hour hearing, as the BHA contends the longstanding practice at the Hannon yard of feeding it to every horse three times per day was behind the positive test. The Racing Post reports that practice has now ended but conflicting scientific evidence was presented as to whether seaweed could be blamed. "Clearly that result happened but we don't know how," said the vet David Rendle, who was called as an expert witness by Hannon. "I can't see how
it can be explained just from the feeding of seaweed." The BHA said Hannon had been warned of the risk of a positive when David Sykes, who was then its director of equine health, phoned to advise that a number of runners from the Wiltshire yard had shown elevated levels of arsenic in raceday tests. They discussed the feeding of seaweed as a possible cause. Giving evidence to the panel, Hannon recalled the conversation as "a casual chat" and said he had seen no reason to change the yard's feeding regime, seaweed having been part of the diet for the stable's horses for around 40 years at that point. "One horse was close to the threshold," said the trainer, recalling what Sykes told him. "But he wasn't over. 25
"Three generations of trainers. Not one over the threshold. Why would there be a need for panic when there has never been one in 30 years? Mr Sykes made it clear that all of mine were under the threshold and we could proceed with caution, which is what we do anyway. There was no reason to think one would be over." The panel heard the BHA had only been testing for arsenic since January 2019, Sykes suggesting the technology had not been available to do so before then. The evidence was unclear as to exactly when the use of seaweed was stopped at the Hannon yard but it appears to have been at least reduced in November 2019, since when the trainer's runners have not shown elevated levels of arsenic in tests.
Chase Liebenberg
MJ puts another subject on the spot! Craig Zackey and Maria Querol after a thrilling win in the Stormsvlei Stakes
How The Handicappers Saw It
The feature race action was restricted to Kenilworth this past weekend. The National Horseracing Authority handicappers have reported on the second legs of the respective sex winter series. Gr3 WSB Legal Eagle Stakes
GEM KING has had his merit rating raised from 98 to 104 following his success in the Gr3 WSB Legal Eagle Stakes for three-year-olds over 1800m on the winter course at Kenilworth on Saturday 21 May. The Handicappers were of the unanimous view
that ultra-consistent 3rd finisher FUTURE PRINCE made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 97. Runner-up WINCHESTER MANSION was raised from 85 to 99, while 4th placed BARATHEON and 5th finisher NAVY STRENGTH go up to 90 and 85 from 84 and 76, respectively.
In the case of the latter two, the Handicappers were of the view that both horses may have been somewhat flattered by their proximity to the principals at the finish and opted to raise them both by half of the achieved amount.
26
In rating the race the way it is, Baratheon and Navy Strength actually run to marks of 97 and 94 respectively. The only drop was for PACAYA, who is down from 105 to 100. Listed WSB Stormsvlei Stakes MARIA QUEROL remains unchanged on a rating of 96 following her success in the Listed Stormsvlei Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1800m at Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was 3rd placed PEUT ETRE MOI who was deemed to make for the most suitable
line horse, leaving her unchanged on a rating of 84. In rating the race this way, MARIA QUEROL only runs to a mark of 87, hence her unaltered rating. 2nd placed FLEETING goes up from 79 to 85, making her 1 pound higher than PEUT ETRE MOI, whom she beat by one pound at level weights. There were no other ratings increases from this race, but
two fillies were given a drop. 4th finisher GOING UP drops from 94 to 92, while SHE’S A RAINBOW is down from 97 to 90. These two were given drops because they both failed to repeat what they had shown in the very slow-run (and thus false-run) Sweet Chestnut Stakes run at Kenilworth on 24 April.
Stakes and that approach was justified by the result of the Stormsvlei Stakes as observed by the form reversals. · Media release by National Horseracing Authority on Tuesday 24 May 2022.
The Handicappers took a conservative view when assessing the Sweet Chestnut
Racing Needs To Up Game The chief executive of the Racing Foundation has called on British racing to drive through improvements more quickly as the charity marked a record year for funding to the industry in 2021. Rob Hezel voiced frustration at slow progress and warned the sport does not operate in a vacuum and needed to maintain its social licence. The Racing Foundation was established ten years ago to oversee the distribution of funds to charitable causes within the racing and thoroughbred industry following the sale of the Tote. It delivered more than £7 million in funding to the
industry in 2021 – the largest sum it has handed out in a single year - bringing the total to £30m since 2012. Hezel said: "Despite the progress made in 2021 and a bumper year for giving, it hasn’t been without its frustrations." The length of time it took for markings on fences and hurdles to be changed to white from orange was cited as an example of those frustrations. Hezel said: "We are encouraged by the capability and approach of the Horse Welfare Board’s new programme team, who are taking a fresh approach to delivering improvement in the industry.
27
"One of the first projects to be delivered was changing the colour of take-off and height markers across all British racecourses from orange to white. This improves the fence’s visibility for horses and will lead to a better level of equine safety. "The equine vision study that underpinned it was funded by the Racing Foundation and carried out by the University of Exeter in 2017. It’s great to see research leading to improvement, yet the time it took for this change to happen – four years in this case – is frustrating. Racing does not operate in a vacuum."
Candiese Lenferna
MJ puts another subject on the spot! Sean Tarry’s Full Velocity – an entry for the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint
Decade High Entry For Speed Raceday A total of 98 entries – the highest turnout since 2012 - were received on Monday for the Hollywoodbets Scottsville speed spectacular of four Gr1 races to be held on 4 June. In a terrific turnout of the cream of our speed crop, 45 entries were received for the R750 000 Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint, 21 entries for the R600 000 SA Fillies Sprint and 16 entries apiece for the R500 000 Gr1 Gold Medallion and R500 000 Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship.
Sean Tarry probably has the best Gr1 record at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in history, having sent out 13 winners there at the highest level. That is two more than KZN veteran Dennis Drier, who is often labelled the ‘Medallion Man’for his own outstanding record.
Eden Roc.
Tarry will have a strong hand in all of the Gr1’s at the Festival Of Speed meeting.
Tarry said: “He needed his last run and was sent for home way too early. He has a short run in. Throughout his career he has never ever threatened winning when going for home early. If Kabelo had sat for another 150m he just about wins it. His Scottsville form is deadly
David Thisleton writes on www. goldcircle.co.za that the former multiple national champion trainer believes his best value runner at the Festival Of Speed meeting will be his VAR entire
28
This five-year-old has not made the frame in four starts this season but is consequently seven points lower than the 118 merit rating he finished second off in last year’s Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint.
and he will come in well weighted. He is spot on at present and I think he will be one of the horses to beat.” Eden Roc won the Gr1 Gold Medallion as a two-year-old and Tarry will likely have two other Scottsville Gr1 winners in Chimichuri Run and Warrior’s rest lining up in the Golden Horse too. They are both former winners of the Golden Horse. Tarry was thrilled with Chimichuri Run’s last outing when he came from way back to run fourth in the Gr2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400. The fact he was 40/1 in the betting showed what a strong field that was.
He remains on a 115 merit rating which is effectively seven points less than his Golden Horse winning mark in 2019 because there was a ten point across the board raise in the season after that win. Warrior’s Rest was pulled up in the Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes but came back to finish just three quarters of a length behind Eden Roc last time out over 1200m. Tarry said, “He needed that last run and before the mile he finished second in a Gr2 sprint (Senor Santa) and he has won a Gr1 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville before.” This big horse won the Golden Horse off a 113 two years ago
29
and is currently merit rated 111. The top conditioner is avoiding the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 with Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas winner Under Your Spell and aiming her at the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint instead. She is another of Tarry’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville Gr1 winners, having won the Allan Robertson last year. Tarry said: “We are taking the more conservative route, but if the 1200m proves too sharp for her now, it will serve as a good prep for the Gr1 Brentford FC Garden Province Stakes.”
He will also have threeyear-old Sound Of Warning involved in the SA Fillies Sprint. She is rated 111, eleven points lower than Big Burn. However, she beat the latter in the Gr3 WSB Magnolia Handicap when receiving just 1kg.
and Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes, might also line up.
Tarry said: “Last time (when a 0,75 length second in the Gr2 Camellia Stakes) she went too hard and Richard (Fourie) would have been better off letting her go forward than fighting her, I think if he had done so she could have fought off the winner.”
Her 3,25 length loss to Big Burn when receiving 7,5kg gives her a hard task on paper but Tarry pointed out the combination of the blinkers and being fresh that day had not helped her cause. She had previously got within a neck of Big Burn on worse terms than that.
Full Velocity, winner of the Listed Kwazulu-Natal Stakes
On Tuesday his filly Sweet Pepper (Trippi) impressed in
He said: “She might still be a little shy in the merit ratings (108). She has improved from her first feature to her second and there is no reason for that trajectory to be capped.”
30
a Maiden Juvenile for fillies to remain unbeaten and she has a fine chance of defending the yard’s crown in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship. He also believes impressive second time out winner Thunderstruck will be competitive in the Gr1 Gold Medallion. Supplementary entries are due by 11h00 on Friday 27 May. Declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday 30 May. Please click here to see all the Gr1 entries for 4 June
31
32
33
JC Photos
MJ puts another subject on the spot! Master Archie team! From l to r: Trevor Basson, Shaun Hanna, Vasan Harrie, Marc Peter, Tony Peter & Martin Zaki
Sun Shines On The Rain! The connections of SA Triple Tiara champion Rain In Holland received some compensation for the bad news this week that their star won’t be racing again this season, when she was crowned Highveld Horse Of The Season at the regional awards ceremony held at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg on Saturday, to honour equine and human achievements during the Highveld feature race season.
Tarry played tribute to the filly. “She is a true professional and easy to work with. I would also like to thank Gaynor Rupert who is a pleasure to train for.
There is no pressure, and she leaves you alone to get on with your job.”
JC Photos
The standout in a terrific season, the Drakenstein bred and raced Rain In Holland was a multiple award winner. She is trained by Sean Tarry and is bred by Drakenstein Stud.
ROA CEO Natalie Turner and James Maree
34
Drakenstein was also named as Champion Owner.
MK’s Pride and Astrix.
was Alistair Cohen.
Rain In Holland was also unopposed in the Champion Three-Year-Old Filly category.
Master Archie, winner of the Gr1 Computaform Sprint claimed two awards, Champion Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding and Champion Sprinter.
All the winners:
The rest of the night belonged to trainer Paul Peter and runners from his yard. He was named Champion Trainer while Equine Awards went to Maharanee, Master Archie,
The Awards are presented by the Racehorse Owners Association. The judges for the Equine Awards were Robert Garner, Nico Kritsiotis and Jack Milner. The master of ceremonies for the evening
Owner: Mr MK Nkale & Hyperpaint Syndicate (Nom: Mr JT Peter)
Champion 2 year old filly: Maharanee
JC Photos
Trainer: Paul Peter; Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein
MJ puts another subject on the spot!
35 Keshree Naidoo, Benni Langa and Refilwe Mekoa enjoy the awards evening
JC Photos
MJ puts another subject on the spot! Robert Moore and Champion Apprentice, Jeff Syster Champion 2 year old colt/ gelding: Karangetang Owner: Messrs JF & LMF Wernars, Varun Kewal, W Pirzl & Mr LW & Mrs NJ Evered-Hall Trainer: Johan Janse van Vuuren; Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein Champion 3 year old filly: Rain In Holland Owner: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert)
Trainer: Sean Tarry; Breeder: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert) Champion 3 year old colt/ gelding: Master Archie Owner: Messrs Vasan Harry & SA Hanna Trainer: Paul Peter; Breeder: Messrs V Harry, SA Hanna & AA Azzie Champion Older Horse: MK’s Pride Owner: Mr MK Nkale
36
Trainer: Paul Peter; Breeder: Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd Champion Sprinter: Master Archie Owner: Messrs Vasan Harry & SA Hanna Trainer: Paul Peter; Breeder: Messrs V Harry, SA Hanna & AA Azzie Champion Middle Distance Horse: Astrix Owner: Mr GD Tooch & Hyperpaint Syndicate (Nom: Mr JT Peter)
Trainer: Paul Peter; Breeder: Riverton Stud Champion Stayer: Nebraas Owner: Al Adiyaat South Africa (Pty) Ltd Trainer: Sean Tarry; Breeder: Al Adiyaat (Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum Special Award: Laurence Wernars
Work Rider of the Season:
Champion Owner:
Sam Mosia
Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs GA Rupert)
Champion Apprentice Jockey: Jeffrey Syster Champion Breeder:
Horse of the Season: Rain In Holland
Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Limited and Mauritzfontein Champion Jockey: Warren Kennedy Champion Trainer: Paul Peter
JC Photos
MJ puts another subject on the spot! 37 4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe and Paul Peter Racing Assistant, Tony Peter
38
JC Photos
MJ puts another subject on the spot! Laurence Wernars receives his award from ROA CEO Natalie Turner
Leading Owner's Proud Acknowledgement When it comes to horseracing and breeding, few match the passion and the raw rands and cents investment of Studio 88 Group Chairman, Laurence Wernars. His familiar red, white and black silks have enjoyed a terrific season so far – and it’s far from over, with Sprinkles and Shangani running in the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 and the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup respectively, at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Laurence also has 5 of the 49 currently standing 2022 Gr1
Hollywoodbets Durban July entries, and is looking to finish the term with a flourish. The successful businessman, who feeds about 200 horses, with 110 in training – mostly in partnerships-and approximately another 90 in total on the farm, was the recipient of a Special Award at Saturday evening’s Highveld Feature Season Awards function at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg. “What an unexpected honour, and I must say, most humbling experience to have received this award. Simply, horseracing
39
is my true passion and love, so to be awarded for something that consumes my every waking moment – is surreal!” he told the Sporting Post on Monday. While he is kept very busy with a highly successful business to run, he admits that he lives to watch and participate in the game. “An incomplete day is one without talking, watching and punting horses. It also gives me great pride that we at Studio 88 are able to
support the Groom initiative. Their role is integral to the well-being of the magnificent animals that give horse racing enthusiasts so much pleasure.” Laurence adds quickly that he is also cognisant of the fact that much of his racing accomplishments needs to be attributed to all of his trainers - especially Johan Janse van Vuuren and Paul Peter, who have been responsible for producing the most winners. He also mentions his jockeys Keegan de Melo, Warren Kennedy and Gavin Lerena, who put in the time and effort for the various stables that in turn help them to win the amount of races that they do.
“I’d also like to acknowledge Justin Vermaak for streamlining my racing portfolio. His management of my inventory, buying expertise, and implementation of a more efficient racing portfolio is very evident - the results have been a game changer.” “The acknowledgement from the Racehorse Owners Association on Saturday evening has to be shared with the many people that have contributed to my achievement in horse racing. I am truly humbled and thank the Association from the bottom of my heart for this acknowledgement of my passion. Like any owner, Laurence is thrilled to be competitive at the elite level.
40
“Gr1 is the super league, but a maiden winner also gives me plenty of pleasure,” he adds. While he has enjoyed many trebles in his three decades plus in horseracing, the Wernars four-timer on Saturday 26 March 2022, which included a Gr2 and Gr3 trophy, was a milestone. “While I have a professional team behind me, if it wasn’t for my best friend and major partner in a lot of our horses, Harry Willson, this achievement wouldn’t have been possible,” Laurence told the Sporting Post at the time.
Pimlico Racecourse
MJ puts another subject on the spot! Jose Ortiz keeps Early Voting going to win well
EARLY VOTING GETS THE PREAKNESS X! Early Voting captured the 147th Gr1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, providing Klaravich Stables Inc. and trainer Chad Brown with a second win in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown by following their game plan with 2017 victor Cloud Computing. Like Cloud Computing, Early Voting bypassed the Kentucky Derby (G1) two weeks earlier and joined the
Triple Crown campaign in the Preakness. Saturday’s Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown headlined a 14-race program featuring 10 stakes, including six graded races. The Preakness Day celebration included InfieldFest, an infield celebration featuring popular music and recording artists, Chainsmokers, Marshmello, Frank Walker and Moneybagg Yo.
41
Klaravich Stable Inc.’s Seth Klarman, who grew up in Baltimore a few blocks from Pimlico, celebrated his 65th birthday in style while watching Early Voting’s thoroughly professional 1 ¼-length victory over 6-5 favorite Epicenter in the 1 3/16-mile spring classic for 3-year-olds. Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Early Voting broke alertly to chase early pacesetter Armagnac along the front-stretch and
around the first turn following a 24.32-second first quarter of a mile. After the first halfmile was completed in 47.44, the 5.70-1 third-betting choice was still the closest pursuer of Armagnac along the backstretch and around the far turn. Ortiz said, ‘Go,’ leaving the turn into the homestretch, and the son of Gun Runner responded by opening up a 3 ½-length lead in mid-stretch. Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC’s Epicenter, who finished second behind 80-1 longshot Rich Strike in the Kentucky Derby, had a less-than-ideal trip under Joel Rosario. Squeezed back between horses shortly after the start, Epicenter saved ground while racing in eighth on the backstretch. The son of Not This Time staged an inside rally on the far turn and through the stretch but was no match for the fresh
legs of Early Voting, settling for second again, 2 ¼ lengths ahead of Creative Minister, who raced evenly for jockey Brian Hernandez. Briland Farm’s Secret Oath, the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner who was the only filly and the 5-1 second betting choice in the ninehorse Preakness field, finished fourth for trainer D. Wayne Lukas after dropping back to last in early traffic. Skippylongstocking, Simplification, Armagnac, Happy Jack and Fenwick completed the order of finish. Early Voting, who ran 1 3 /16 miles in 1:54.54, got a late start in his racing career but showed a lot of promise while winning his Dec. 21 debut at Aqueduct by 1 ½ lengths at a mile. The $200,000 purchase at the 2020 Keeneland September sale came right back to capture the Withers (G3) by 4 ½ lengths on
42
Feb. 5. He earned sufficient qualifying points to run in the Kentucky Derby when he finished second, beaten a neck by Mo Donegal, in the April 9 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct, but Brown opted to wait for the Preakness with the lightly experienced colt. Cloud Computing finished third in the 2017 Wood Memorial in his third career start, and Brown chose to wait for the Preakness, which the son of Maclean’s Music won by a head over Classic Empire. The 2022 Triple Crown series concludes in the June 11 Gr1 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, but Brown didn’t commit to the 1 ½-mile classic following Early Voting’s Preakness triumph.
Supplied
MJ puts another subject on the spot! Lot 5 by Snitzel and in foal to What A Winter, sold to Mick Goss for R260 000
KZN BREEDERS BUY THE BEST KZN Breeders Summerhill, Rathmor and Blue Sky Thoroughbreds invested in the top three sellers the BSA Cape Mare Sale which took place at Kenilworth last Thursday. Mick Goss’s Summerhill Stud has enjoyed a Gr1 winning season. The veteran invested in a Shadwell mare Lot 5, Masaaquaat (NZ), daughter of speed sire Snitzel in foal to What A Winter. This is the family of co-Champion
Australian 2yo colt Invader and was knocked down to Summerhill Stud for R260 000.
Lot 59 from the family Attenborough and in foal to Rafeef, sold to Rathmor Stud.
Rathmor followed suit with an impeccably bred daughter of Dynasty for R200 000. Out of a Jet Master mare, in turn out of the brilliant mare Consensual, Lot 59 Jamaheery consigned by Sandown for Shadwell Stud, this is the female line of Attenborough, Al Sakeet, Just Sensual and Tatler. The Dynasty mare is in foal to dual Gr1 producing Rafeef.
Blue Sky Thoroughbreds bought Dynamic Diana by Dynasty, for R155 000 in foal to One World. A full sister to multiple feature winner Sing Out Loud, this is the family of Gr1 Breeders Cup winner Magnificent Song.
43
Other KZN Breeders to invest were Summerview, purchasing a full sister to
sire Jackson in foal to Master Of My Fate, and Camargue who bought 10-time winner Hurricane Katrina in foal to Querari. Another mare with KZN roots was sold to Suzette Viljoen for R90 000 – an Australian bred daughter of Frankel out of a KZN -bred Gr1 winning daughter of Kahal, Chocolicious – bred by Backworth Stud. Mazaaher is in foal to Soqrat. Breeders in KZN are using the KZN Breeders Premium Scheme to invest
Keep Up With The
PACE! into bloodstock and improve the breed. The Scheme has been updated to operate in the form of a voucher system towards the purchase of mares, stallion shares and services – a tremendous advantage
44
The Sporting Post Sprint offers winning advertising options email advertising@winningmedia.co.za
to breeders in challenging economic times and more reason to breed in KZN! Please view the sale results at www.bsa.co.za.
45
Chase Liebenberg MJ puts another subject on the spot! We’re Jamming – promising sort
FARM SALE RACE - COUNTDOWN The latest log for the 2022 CTS Farm Sale race has been published. The 1200m race, scheduled for 15 June at Kenilworth, will be contested for a stake of R400 000, doubling its previous purse. Glen Kotzen-trained colt Grinkov (Twice Over) still tops the log ahead of We’re Jamming (Duke Of Marmalade), who has moved to Justin Snaith’s stable following his Cape Of Good Hope Nursery over 1200m in February, and a subsequent change of ownership.
Having his first run for the Snaith team on Tuesday at Kenilworth, We’re Jamming ran a gallant second after a break.
a projected MR67 rating, comes into the log at Number 17 following a fair debut in midweek behind Port Louis.
The next five runners on the log (positions 5 -7) remain the same as it has been since the first log was released on 28 April, with a notable mover from 13th into 8th spot in Vesuvio, a colt by Erupt from Tyrone Zackey’s yard.
See the latest log – please click here
Vesuvio followed a fair debut run with a workmanlike win over 1200m and has been allotted a merit rating of 78. Quatermain (Erupt), with
46
47
48
HKJC MJ puts another subject on the spot! Russian Emperor coasts to victory for Shinn and Whyte
WHYTE’S EMPEROR SETS STANDARD Russian Emperor confirmed his status as the kingpin of Hong Kong’s staying division with a domineering last-to-first win in Sunday afternoon’s HK$12 million Gr1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin. Partnered with jockey Blake Shinn for trainer Douglas Whyte, Russian Emperor savoured his second Group 1 success with a performance deserving of recognition as Hong Kong Champion Stayer
(2021/22) after previously blitzing the Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and Golden Sixty in February. Returning to Australia at the conclusion of this season, Shinn savoured his third Group 1 crown this term and a running treble on the card, while Whyte also sealed his third toplevel win this campaign after Stronger’s G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) triumph. “The big races in Hong Kong are so prestigious and well
49
recognised around the world, so to be competing is one thing; to be winning them, is another. We're on the world stage now and to win such a prestigious race, I feel like I'm on top of the world right now,” Shinn said. Without blinkers for the first time this season, the Galileo gelding was dropped out to settle clear last at the jump, like in the past, while Nordic Sky charged forward to lead.
Shinn made his move in the home turn, peeling out to pop the question and the five-year-old responded with a withering burst, hitting the front with 200m left to lead Ka Ying Star by a length and three quarters, while Senor Toba closed for third. “To win two Gr1’s on him now and to win the last Group 1 in Hong Kong (of the season) is real big buzz, I tell you,” Shinn said. “It's a team effort and it's a really big thrill to win today.” “I must thank Douglas because after his last run at 2000 metres, he pulled quite hard and I thought going to 2400 metres, we're not going to win if he pulls. “So, I suggested considering taking the blinkers off. Douglas stewed over it, he thinks about it very carefully and he said it was the right call and honestly the horse switched off the whole race and his turn of foot is electric when he switches off,” Shinn said.
is his first as a trainer. “It’s the longest 2400 (metres) of my life. When you’re a jockey, things unfold and you can see them unfolding in front of you but when you’re standing on the side and watching it, it gets quite daunting. “He showed that he has got a really good turn of foot for a stayer. If he can continue to race in this sort of form and with these racing manners, he’s an exciting horse for all these staying races next season,” Whyte said. Out of the champion Australian mare Atlantic Jewel, Russian Emperor boasts a rating of 122 in Hong Kong.
The winning time of the race was 2m 26.67s (winner’s sectional time – 26.44, 25, 24.65, 24.02, 23.38, 23.18).
“He is part of the family. I learned in my time as a jockey that you can get on one good horse one season and you might not get another good one for three seasons, so when you get a champion in your hands, you take care of him and there is pressure involved but I love and thrive on pressure, it’s one of the things that keep me going but at the same time, you still have to get the horse to the races and perform, same as a jockey.
Douglas Whyte claimed three Champions & Chater Cups as a jockey with Cheers Hong Kong (2002), Packing Winner (2008) and Helene Super Star (2015); today’s triumph
“The reason the pressure is there with him is I don’t know when the next one will come along. When you get one, you care for them and you try to present them in the best
50
possible form when they step out,” Whyte said. Russian Emperor will now take a break until next season, expected to follow a similar pattern of races as this term including a tilt at the 2022 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. “He’s a much more rounded horse, you can see in his racing patterns and mannerisms that he can go to sleep and any horse that can do that over this kind of trip and has a good turn of foot, they’ll stay even further. It’s the first 600 to 700 metres that’s critical and he literally went to sleep. If he can do that, he’ll be very competitive in the big races next season. “The reason for the improvement is that he was a younger horse, still on the up and maturing. He had gone through a big stage of his career with the pressure of Hong Kong and he hadn’t quite adapted to the firmness of the ground. I think he had a lot of things against him leading into this race last year but we’ve come out on top this year. “There’s a lot of people I have to say thanks to especially the owners. They have stuck by me and been the biggest supporters.” Shinn’s run of form across the last three race meetings has
returned two doubles and one treble, enhancing his overall figure this season to 36 wins. “I've had some great support since I came to Hong Kong and I've taken time to adjust but this season I really feel like I've started to figure what's required to compete at the top level. I've got some great support on and off the track and it's been rewarding to repay everyone who's stuck by me because it's taken a bit to get where I am now and I'm sure everyone who's been on this journey is really satisfied,” he said. “It means a lot. It was a tough decision to go home (at the
end of the season). The last year has been an extremely tough time, especially for myself. It was almost a breaking point. I made the decision because I was pretty much battling there mentally. “Hong Kong has been a great place for me but for a few months there, it was really tough - not just for me, but a lot of people in Hong Kong. It's hard to walk away because I've worked so hard, but mental health is very important. “Things have eased now but first and foremost, I have to make sure my well-being is where I need it to be and hopefully in time, I can get it
51
back to where I need it to be and you can see me back in Hong Kong in the future,” Shinn said. Shinn’s running treble kicked off with victory aboard Wide Blue Yonder in the second section of Class 4 Helene Super Star Handicap (1400m), before Star Brite nailed the Class 3 River Verdon Handicap (1200m) for trainer Francis Lui. Hong Kong racing continued today at Happy Valley.
52
Mauritius Turf Club
ISLAND RACING ON SHAKY GROUND In a further twist to the frustrations facing Mauritius horseracing stakeholders, it was announced on Friday that the Indian Ocean Island’s Ministry of Housing and Land Use Planning has granted the control and maintenance of the Champ de Mars property to the Côte d’Or International Racecourse and Entertainment Complex Ltd. The company was registered by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development with the Registrar of Companies on Friday 29 April. In a statement on Friday 20 May, the Ministry of Housing state that Côte-d’Or
International Racecourse and Entertainment Complex Ltd has been granted the control and maintenance of the State Land known as Champs de Mars. The company invited tenders from prospective local Horseracing organisers for the use of the Champ de Mars, particularly the racetrack, for organising horse-racing activities. Applications closed at 16h00 on Tuesday 24 May. In April the City Council of Port Louis issued a notice terminating the lease of the Mauritius Turf Club’s use of the state-owned land on which the Champ de Mars racecourse is situated.
53
The Mauritius Turf Club (MTC) was informed that it currently does not hold a licence issued by the Gambling Regulatory Authority as a horse racing operator, and the underlying purpose of the lease agreement, which was signed on 2 July 2005 between the MTC and the government, for the use of the property housing the Port Louis racecourse, could thus not be legally fulfilled. Please click to read more here
54
GTH
The GTH Live Series is set to engage and entertain a new audience with its action-packed teambased format
Something Brand New & Exciting! It was recently announced that the Super Six Series that ran last year, is now back as Global Team Horse Racing (GTH), only this time it will be bigger and better than before!
WHY promote this form of horse racing?
revenue streams to the sport, including:
While all the usual betting options remain, GTH is not reliant or dependent on betting and introduces a host of new and previously untapped
• Team ownership and sponsorship
55
• Additional broadcast opportunities
• Digitally based revenue opportunities • Merchandising The team-based format of GTH is ideal for gamification where fans may engage as much as they would at a live event. Most importantly, the GTH approach ensures greater access to the sport by people of all ages. It also means that sponsors and companies traditionally averse to racing can now be targeted and attracted to this family-focused event. The objective is to build and engage a new fan base for horse racing in the same way that T20 boosted cricket audiences by offering short, actioned packed entertainment. The emphasis is on creating new audience interest in horse racing that also has a family appeal and consequently increased media coverage and participation. “We believe that this will translate to increased income from broadcast revenue as well as commercial
sponsorship,” says Angus Campbell, who heads up GTH in South Africa. Some of the potential benefits are as follows: • OWNERS – Increased prize money and greater appreciation and publicity through GTH content marketing. • JOCKEYS – Opportunity to participate in more races, benefitting from increased exposure and athlete profiling. • RACECOURSES – With larger audiences and more competitive fields there should be increased income. • TRAINERS & BREEDERS – Rejuvenating the interest in the sport has the potential to increase profitability from more owners and horses in training. • BETTING OPERATORS – More competitive racing gives rise to growing betting turnover. “While it is true that there are still successful international signature horse racing events such as the Melbourne Cup,
56
The Kentucky Derby and The Dubai World Cup and closer to home, the Hollywood Bets Durban July, the truth is that horse racing, like all sporting entertainment businesses, needs to be rejuvenated to appeal to contemporary/ modern audiences”, comments Angus Campbell. “Racecourse operators are frantically trying to find a solution to this problem and GTH has a product, a business model, a commercial plan with an experienced team ready to radically re-invent horse racing globally!” • GTH promotes greater access to the sport to people of all ages. • A new product that will compete with the biggest global brands in sporting entertainment.
57
Ryan recuperating at home gives a thumbs-up to his fans
ACCIDENT: RYAN IS BACK HOME Jockey Ryan Munger is recovering at home after being admitted to ICU following a heavy fall from his mount at Turffontein on Thursday. Munger was dislodged when Edward Longshanks flyjumped leaving the stalls for the eighth race at Turffontein on Thursday.
The Stipes described Ed ward Longshanks as ‘having fly-jumped, throwing its head violently sideways dislodging Jockey Munger’. Ryan’s wife Kelsey told the Sporting Post that her husband was in pain but in good spirits. “The CT scans came back clear and he is happy to be out
58
of hospital and back at home. It was a lucky escape and we appreciate all the interest and well wishes.” There is no indication as to how long Ryan will be off at this stage. We wish him a speedy recovery.
2022 CAPE BREEDERS CLUB STALLION AUCTION AND DINNER INVITATION
You are hereby invited to attend the Stallion Auction Dinner at Pearl Valley Estate on Thursday 2 June 2022. The dinner takes place in conjunction with our Cape Breeders Club Golf Day and we hope you are able to join us. Please find pertinent details below: Date: Thursday 2 June 2022 Venue: Pearl Valley Golf Estate - Golf clubhouse Time: 18h00 for 18h30 start Please note: As a non-golfer, you will be joining the golfers for the evening function. The schedule for the evening includes: • Welcome from the Cape Breeders Club • Dinner 59 • Stallion Auction • Golf Prize Giving
• Welcome from the Cape Breeders Club • Dinner • Stallion Auction • Golf Prize Giving Accommodation: For those who would like to stay over at Pearl Valley following the dinner, there is a special rate for the 1-bedroom suite of R1800 per suite per night ROOM ONLY. Bookings can be made by contacting the hotel directly on (021) 867 8000 or gail.roux@mantiscollection.com and quoting the Cape Breeders Club Golf Day. Auction: The auction is supported by Meerkat. Download the Meerkat app to register and bid: • Samsung & Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.co.dankospark.meerkat • iPhone & iOS Apple: https://apple.co/2yDd362 • Huawei: https://appgallery.huawei.com/app/C104745269 • Bid live on the website: www.meerkatonline.co.za Please RSVP by replying to this email before Friday 27 May. For any enquiries pertaining to the Auction Dinner, please contact Wendy Probert at secretary@capebreeders.co.za. We look forward to your response. Cape Breeders Club
60
You are hereby invited to participate in the 2022 Cape Breeders Club Golf Day – proudly sponsored by Bloodstock South Africa. Date: Thursday 2 June 2022 Venue: Pearl Valley Shotgun Start: 12h00 Format: Betterball Stableford
Entry Fee: Fourball Entry Fee: R5,000 incl Vat Hole Sponsorship: R4,000 incl Vat Fourball and Hole Sponsorship: R8,000 incl Vat* *For further details on the
61
Hole Sponsorship and other sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Event Office on the details provided below. Your Entry Fee Includes: • Green Fee • Shared Golf Cart • Premium Brand Golf Shirt • Premium Brand Golf Cap
• Driving Range (warm up) • Halfway House • On-Course Drinks and Activations • Prize Giving Dinner and Auction
player(s) you require, plus provide your invoicing details. You will then be emailed the relevant invoice. Your place in the day is only confirmed upon receipt of payment.
Registration on the Day: 10h00
Please contact the Event Office on the below details with any queries:
Please RSVP by clicking here and replying with the number of fourball(s) or
Brad: 082 899 2645 / marketing@corporategolf.co.za
62
We look forward to your response. Cape Breeders Club Golf Day
results up to: 2022-05-25
TRAINERS Name
Runs
Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Other Places Place %
Mr P A Peter Mr S J Snaith Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mr G D Smith
944 1036 701 420 991
180 133 87 76 110
121 126 73 60 106
104 132 75 46 99
198 220 134 82 166
19.1. 12.8 12.4 18.1 11.1
423 478 282 188 371
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
44.8 13,589,563 18,805,063 46.1 9,868,400 15,008,800 40.2 8,188,500 12,036,188 44.8 6,621,188 9,838,500 37.4 4,936,250 7,697,700
JOCKEYS Name
Rides Wins Win%
2nd
3rd
Other Places Place %
Mr W B Kennedy Mr R D Fourie Mr K de Melo Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni
1358 821 899 905 1135
206 136 137 106 141
183 115 102 99 131
254 170 203 183 237
226 149 142 140 126
16.6 18.1 15.8 15.5 11.1
643 421 442 388 509
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
47.3 12,992,250 20,016,825 51.3 12,515,925 16,824,563 49.2 8,960,825 14,218,900 42.9 9,878,763 14,704,900 44.8 7,566,813 12,456,188
BREEDERS Name
B.T. B.T. Total Runrs Runs AEPR Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R) Rnrs %
Wilgerbosdri� & Mauritzfontein Klawervlei Stud Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert) Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd Summerhill Stud (Pty) Ltd
282 1466 342 1824
69,356 138 203 51,115 133 178
48.9 588 38.9 704
14 7
19 10
19,558,513 17,481,163
159 148 139
85,164 72,789 59,472
44.7 345 42.6 317 35.3 293
13 7 4
17 9 5
13,541,100 10,772,813 8,266,663
B.T. Wins
Total Stakes (R)
802 759 855
71 113 63 102 49 74
SIRES Name Vercingetorix Master Of My Fate What A Winter Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) * Silvano (GER)
Runrs Runs AEPR 146 789 86,016 183 1035 60,375 180 949 61,001 180 925 60,609 147 744 71,941
B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 80 89 84 80 65
112 133 131 108 102
54.8 48.6 46.7 44.4 44.2
337 458 412 385 318
See all the detailed standings - Click here 63
12 2 5 9 8
16 4 5 10 11
12,558,325 11,048,575 10,980,250 10,909,650 10,575,388
EATING AT THE KINGS TABLE! 64
65
It is truly the Kings Table of club football! And so, it is truly right and just that we see these two mammoth clubs contest Europe’s crown.
slipping on the precipice of a season quad… oh sorry… treble! … (Ok that was probably unnecessarily drenched with ‘tongue in cheek’ dressing, but here we are!)
Jurgen Klopp, the supreme advisor who has seen his charge return to their former glory! Carlo Ancelotti, the subtle Godfather ensuring respect and tradition are maintained in the Spanish Capital. Ryan Liberty writes that the stage is set in the city of Love, but I doubt love, in any of its forms, will make an appearance come Saturday evening!
Look, the Reds have been brilliant this season! The fact that they have become a side who can compete on almost every front in the season is a testament and powerful nod toward the work Jurgen Klopp and his team have done.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid | Saturday 28 May | Stade de France | 21h00 To Win (90 mins) Liverpool 11/10 Draw 26/10 Real Madrid 23/10 To Lift the Cup Liverpool 9/20 Real Madrid 15/10 Liverpool At the time of writing, Liverpool head into this Champions League final
I’m not going to jump on the bandwagon and give Liverpool plaudits for the ‘grueling’ route that have had to take to get to the final, but they have swatted some serious European clubs en route to the city of Love. That should stand them in good stead considering they now face the most decorated football club in all of Europe. I’m not going to speak about the goals and the victories that Liverpool have enjoyed so far this season – it has been extensively documented already. Instead, I want to comment on the mentality which has become palpable to the point that you must admit to feeling every time you see Liverpool play. They don’t ever look as though they know when they have been beaten. Jurgen Klopp’s side have only tasted defeat once this calendar year (against Inter Milan in March) and – at least
66
on paper – look to be the better side. They are as close to a banker (again) as one can get in the European final. My only concern is, should they not get out of the blocks quickly, Real Madrid can put the game beyond them. The Reds might be without Thiago, but with a well-rested Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz you can be rest assured they will score. But how well do they contain the weapons held by Los Blancos? Liverpool route to the final: Round of 16: (On aggregate) 2-1 vs. Inter Milan Quarter-Finals: (On aggregate) 6-4 vs. Benfica Semi-Finals: (On aggregate) 5-2 vs. Villarreal Real Madrid Real Madrid have had a season which is itself almost a microcosm of their club – and probably something of their opponents’ recent persona. You just can never count them out, especially on the biggest stage…under the brightest lights…for all of the marbles. Lest we forget that Real Madrid were 2-0 down to PSG in the 61st minute of their round of 16 clash;
beat Chelsea 3-1 in the first leg of the semi-final before welcoming three unanswered goals in the second leg; and then 5-3 down to City on the cusp of stoppage time before performing the great escape through their unrelenting passion and French talisman upfront. I don’t think it would be considered an office ‘wildcard’ statement if I said that Karim Benzema was playing like the best player in the world right now and at times even pulling his side through dark places! Then again, it might help to have the likes of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior supporting him. Unlike their English counterparts, Real Madrid managed to get over the line and win the La Liga title for their fans and a pleased Carlo Ancelotti. There is no love lost between these two sides and given their general history, let alone their history in this tournament, this fixture has all the makings of an absolute humdinger.
Real Madrid route to the final: Round of 16: (On aggregate) 3-2 vs. PSG Quarter-Finals: (On aggregate) 5-4 vs. Chelsea Semi-Finals: (On aggregate) 6-5 vs. Manchester City Predicted Line-ups: Liverpool (4-3-3) Allison; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Keita; Salah, Mane, Diaz. Real Madrid (4-3-3) Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Junior. Prediction: Draw/Real Madrid + BTTS (15/10) If this football game was being played on paper, Liverpool walks it (at a canter). However, football isn’t played on paper and heck at times it doesn’t
67
even make sense! Real Madrid has quality players throughout their spine and shouldn’t be underestimated. This is a side who have found a way to win against the very best teams in the world this season. Liverpool will not be playing toward a ‘Kop’ and their 12th man will have to remain in Merseyside – and yes, I say that tentatively, knowing what their passionate fans are capable of. I think this is going to be a spectacle with goals galore…but within 90 minutes, back the Spanish giants to get a result and both teams to score at 15/10. Liverpool haven’t always shown a killer instinct within the 90-minute window – and so I’m not ruling out extratime and late twists – but for me the Madrid Win/Draw Double Chance is nugget among the excitement. This is Spanish pedigree after all.
68
69