Sprint - 22 June 2022 by Sporting Post

Candiese Lenferna

ROLL ON 2 JULY! The much anticipated final field announcement and barrier gate draw for the R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July was hosted by the big race sponsors at their Head Office in Umhlanga Rocks on Tuesday morning. The event was hosted by Hollywoodbets ambassador Carol Tshabalala and Gold Circle’s Graeme

Hawkins, and attended by leading horseracing and sporting personalities. By late on Monday, after the 11am declarations, there were a number of trainers still hunting jockeys. Given the weight conditions, half of the 18-horse field were carded to carry less than 53.5kg and by the time the draws were made, Johan Janse van Vuuren was still to declare riders for his two runners, Puerto Manzano and Second Base.

JP van Der Merwe retains the ride on Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge winner Astrix who drew wide at 17 with Warren Kennedy, usually first call for Peter, picking up the ride on the Mike de Kocktrained Gr1 SA Derby winner Aragosta who subsequently finished a close-up third behind stable companion Safe Passage in the Gr1 Daily News 2000.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex eaOwen commodo consequat. Duis autem eum iriure dolor inenjoy hendrerit vulputate velit esse molestie Hollywoodbets' Heffer, trainer Michelle Rixvel and Phil Georgiou the in Tuesday function He drew pole position at gate 1. S’Manga Khumalo, has opted to ride De Kock’s filly Sparkling Water in preference to dual Gr1 L’Ormarins Queens Plate and Gr1 Champions Cup winner Jet Dark. Justin Snaith has replaced him with top heavy-weight rider Bernard Fayd’Herbe who will jet in from Mauritius for the ride. Sparkling Water finished a short-head back to surprise

winner Astrix in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes but is now 0.5kg better off in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. With four runners in the race, De Kock was quick to snap up lightweights Muzi Yeni, Kennedy and Khumalo, while Callan Murray, now resident in Australia, made the call for Al Muthana, a horse that he has won on in the past. Murray will be comfortable with the 58kg allotted his mount although he has drawn wide at 16. With the filly Marina not making the cut for Candice Bass-Robinson,

Aldo Domeyer has picked up the ride on Do It Again for Justin Snaith. Twice winner of this race and a tad unlucky in fourth last year, the seven-year-old veteran of the turf will have many supporters this year after his emphatic win in his warm-up in the Gr2 World Sports Betting 1900. He drew barrier 2. Piere Strydom makes a return to racing after lengthy break from the saddle. He suffered a semi-detached retina in a

riding accident and it was touch-and-go whether he would ever ride again. He intimated that if he did not get a mount in this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July that he would probably hang up his boots. Justin Snaith headed the call and Strydom will attempt to equal Anton Marcus’s record of five July victories when he partners former July winner Balgarion who pulled a plum gate at 11. Marcus is currently on the injury list and will miss the riding in the race for the first time in many years.

Last year’s winner Kommetdieding and runner-up Linebacker will renew rivalry. Kommetdieding, drawn 18 last year, has a more favourable gate in 13 this year while Linebacker has drawn 4. Gavin Lerena will again be aboard Kommetdieding while Grant Van Niekerk will be hoping to go one better on Linebacker. Mike Rattray’s biggest dream was to win this race and although coming close twice, he was never able to realise the passionate pursuit as he passed away earlier this year. His colours will be carried by Waterberry Lane as Dean Kannemeyer promised. Kannemeyer has won this race

three times and Waterberry Lane pulled a plum draw at 7. Sporting venues are still restricted under covid regulations to 50% of capacity. Stephen Marshall, Marketing Executive for Gold Circle said that this equates to 27 500 but pointed out that ticket sales have been brisk and way ahead of what was expected. He estimated that there were about 3000 tickets left available through Computicket.

Candiese Lenferna

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY GALLOPS Most of the runners will be put through their paces at the traditional July gallops at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Thursday morning. The first gallop will be off at 07h00 sharp. Runners still on the Highveld will gallop at Turffontein and shown. Watch the action on GallopTV!

Entrance to the course is free and the whole family is invited to enjoy the visual spectacle of these magnificent thoroughbreds in the flesh. Premier coffee and pastries will be served. If you fancy a more substantial breakfast, book a seat in the Durban View Restaurant. Breakfast at R120 per person.

Reservations: 031-3141659. The Winning Form and official Gold Circle racecard for the Hollywoodbets Durban July day racemeeting will be on sale at the Gallops.

RACING IS A SUPER SPORT! In a scoop for local horseracing, Supersport (Dstv 208) will broadcast the official Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops, which will take place on Thursday morning at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The broadcast will run from 07h00 to 08h30 and will include the workouts as well as a panel discussion hosted by Graeme Hawkins, and including past Durban July winning heroes Anthony Delpech and Kevin Shea.

The big race build-up event will also be broadcast by Racing 240 (Dstv 240) and streamed live on GallopTV Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications manager Devin Heffer said that the new sponsors were trying to break down the barrier that existed between the public and horseracing’s stakeholders. Sporting personalities, including Hollywoodbets Dolphins, Sharks and ex-Springboks have been invited to be at Hollywoodbets Greyville on

Thursday – gates open at 06h30. The Hollywoodbets Durban July Panel Discussion promises to be top quality this year. It takes place at Hollywoodbets Greyville in a purpose built temporary studio in the Classic Room, and the line up, which will include two top trainers and two top jockeys, will be hosted by Alistair Cohen.

Candiese Lenferna

RACHEL'S JULY HISTORY MOMENT

SA Champion apprentice elect Rachel Venniker makes Hollywoodbets Durban July history in the 126th renewal of the premier race on 2 July when she becomes the first female jockey to ride in the 2200m contest of champions.

Belgarion, the news that the pretty 21 year old rookie will jump a couple of gates to his inside on SA Classic winner Red Saxon in her personal first full season as a professional, is the stuff of media manna for the first-time sponsors of a race that has captivated the public imagination over the decades like no other.

Following hot on the heels of the announcement that our 56 year old multiple champion Piere Strydom makes a comeback in the R5 million event to ride

Throw in the talk this week of the possible lifting of covid-19 restrictions, and who knows how big the first Saturday in July could yet get?

It is ironic in many ways that a showjumping fanatic, vegetarian and hobby artist, who had to break down walls to get an opportunity to ride professionally, now finds herself with a Gr1 winning mount in Africa’s greatest horserace, in what is her first professional opportunity to do so. A year ago, Rachel, a member of Generation Z, was still riding in qualifying races down the Hollywoodbets Scottsville

straight. All races at Hollywoodbets Greyville are run around the turn – and Rachel needed to earn her stripes first. Talking to the Sporting Post after the announcement of the final field at the Hollywoodbets headquarters in Umhlanga on Tuesday, Rachel was clearly over the moon. “I am so very excited! This is such an honour and a privilege. I cannot thank Mr Joey Soma and the owners enough. Some guys wait years and years for an opportunity like this. Here I am as a newbie, and I get the call-up. It feels surreal!” Rachel, who hails from

a dynasty of showjumping champions headed by her Dad Brett and has been riding since the age of 4, competed in the show arena, and rode work on racehorses from the age of 14. She is loathe to harp on the past and the obstacles she faced to realise her dream. But her reference to surreal is squarely appropriate given the fact that she was still riding in workrider events in 2021! After a meeting with her parents, the respected veterans Michael Roberts, Garth Puller and Kevin Wright made a presentation to the riding masters of the SA Jockey Academy, who had rejected her previous applications. “All’s well that ends well. And sometimes the doors that slammed

shut and the challenges in life build character. This career didn’t land in my lap. So I value my every day experience twice as much, and am more determined than ever to succeed.” Now sponsored by Jonsson Workwear, things really are looking up for Rachel, who only enjoyed her maiden Grade 1 race experience just weeks ago. She rode Crown Towers in her sponsor’s silks in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on 11 June. A chance meeting with veteran trainer Joey Soma at Summerveld, led to her doing a bit of work on Red Saxon.

Chase Liebenberg Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in Red Saxon’s trainer Joey Soma gives the young apprentice a golden opportunity

“Mr Soma only asked me the other day whether I was engaged to ride in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. I didn’t exactly have a choice of 5 rides, so I said no. Next I got the call that I was riding Red Saxon. I had to pinch myself. He’s a lovely horse too. I can’t wait for 2 July!” An astute veteran conditioner, Joey Soma explained that Red Saxon’s regular rider Julius Mariba had done nothing wrong, but that they wanted a rider that knew Hollywoodbets Greyville well – Rachel was that person. Interestingly, Red Saxon has been declared plus a half kilo in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

“Apprentices are restricted to ride at certain weights. We are also monitored and weighed regularly. We met with the Stipes who said that if I was to ride Red Saxon, who was allotted 53kgs, I would have to do so at plus 0,5kg. I have no doubt that given the time to the race, that I could have comfortably done the 53kgs. But rules and procedures are in place and we have to respect them. Thankfully Mr Soma was happy with that arrangement, so it’s all systems go!” Red Saxon, who will jump from a 14 draw, is currently priced at 50-1 on the Hollywoodbets Durban July betting boards. When he won the Gr1 SA Classic back in April, he was Joey Soma’s third success in that race in six renewals. Bred by Narrow Creek Stud, he is the first offspring of Birch Bros Western Winter stallion Red Ray to start in

the Hollywoodbets Durban July. He is also Red Ray’s maiden Gr1 winner. A son of triple SA Champion Sire Western Winter, the very fast Red Ray, who was trained by the charismatic Joey Ramsden, won or placed in 13 of 16 outings while racing in South Africa and Dubai. He scored his biggest win when running out an easy winner of the 2016 Gr1 Mercury Sprint – also run at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Red Saxon gets his ground legs from his Casey Tibbs three-time winning dam Rodeo Sioux, who, like his granddam Dancing Sioux, was also trained by Joey Soma and won to 2600m. So it’s quite a family affair!

MASTER OF THE JET – SALUTING HENRY DEVINE! ‘Henry may be on the verge of becoming a centenarian, yet he remains as sharp as a tack and still does the books for his manufacturing business, in addition to which he takes a keen interest in the breeding of his mares, which are boarded at Winterbach Stud’

As far as racing goes, veteran breeder and owner Henry Devine has done and seen it all. That comes as no surprise, for he will celebrate his 100th birthday on Wednesday 29 June, a remarkable milestone. Born in (then) Mafeking, Henry served in Palestine with the third The Kings Own Hussars during the Second World War. This being a cavalry regiment, all the officers had a great love of horses and as the British Army maintained remount depots in the Middle East, there were many opportunities to ride out. When opportunities arose, Henry hunted with the ‘Ramley Vale Hunt’ and even had the privilege of riding Jimmy James, a horse who had run in the Grand National! After the war, Henry studied to become a Chartered Accountant and was in practice for about 25 years before selling out to his partners. Henry started a lifelong passion for the racing game when he was granted his colours in 1976 and purchased his first yearlings, mainly fillies, at the very last sale held at the old Milner Park. He became heavily involved in racing, to the extent that at one stage, he had about

80 horses in training. Henry also ventured into breeding and established the Golden Oaks Stud in Paardeberg, outside Paarl, which became home to the stallions Great Brother, Mr Eats and homebred Lauterbrunnen – the latter named after the Swiss village where Henry and wife Pat spent their honeymoon! Neither of these stallions set the world alight, yet history will show that Great Brother features as the sire of Brave The Wind, who just happens to be the third dam of the Devine-bred Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative. Even more significant, if it wasn’t for Mr Eats, there would be no Rafeef! Arguably the hottest young sire around, his dam, the champion sprinter National Colour is out of Rainbow Cake, one of just two stakes winners sired by Mr Eats. Successful in the Champagne

Stakes, she was bred by Henry and also features as the grandam of Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Basadi Faith and Gr3 Lebelo Sprint ace Anna Capri. However, it is with the legendary Jet Master that Henry will forever be associated. As Pat quipped:”We were joined at the hip, so to speak!” Purchased as a weanling for a mere R15 000, the KZNbred son of Rakeen blazed a trail as a racehorse and a stallion. Initially trained by Tony Millard, he won the Gr1 Cape Argus Guineas, Gr1 Queen’s Plate, Gr1 Golden Spur and Gr1 Nissan Challenge. When Millard left for Hong Kong, Jet Master joined the stable of brotherin-law Geoff Woodruff, under whose expert care he added a second Gr1

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat Pat and Henry Devine

Queen’s Plate and proved himself the country’s leading sprinter, winning the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship and Gr1 Mercury Sprint, while successfully defending his Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint crown. With the accolade of Horse of the Year and Champion Sprinter in the bag, Jet Master retired to stud where he confirmed the promise of his remarkable racing prowess and proved a roaring success, thereby silencing the sceptics who had doubted his pedigree credentials.

Having made an immediate impact as the Champion first-season sire, he reached the top of the South African sires list with just three crops at the track. Seven times the country’s leading sire, Jet Master has become the dominant broodmare sire of recent years, whilst his sons Pomodoro and Master Of My Fate are both Gr1 stallions. The latter, who sired aforementioned Basadi Faith, also established himself as a blue-chip stallion when runner- up on the General Sires list in 2020/21. Henry and Pat have bred their fair share of Jet Master’s stakes winners, prime amongst which the

outstanding dual champion sprinter J J The Jet Plane (a globetrotting Gr1 winner who also emulated his sire’s feat with a Golden Horse Sprint double) and Gr1 winners Soft Landing, Love Is In The Air and Fly By Night. This Saturday, four days before Henry’s 100th birthday, the Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes will be run at Kenilworth. Formerly the Winter Derby, the third leg of the Cape’s Winter Series was fittingly renamed in honour of Jet Master’s most iconic offspring

The great Jet Master

Pocket Power. The country’s Horse of the Year on three occasions, he was also the first Winter Series winner. One of a remarkable 17 of his sire’s first-crop stakes winners, the Zandvliet-bred gelding rewrote the history books as the sole three-time winner of the prestigious Gr1 Met, while his record of four consecutive victories in the Gr1 Queen’s Plate will probably never be equalled.

Henry and Pat, who have been married for 33 years, moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town eight years ago and now live in Oranjezicht. They still race a handful of horses, which are spread amongst Snaith Racing, Bass Racing and Alan Greeff. Henry may be on the verge of becoming a centenarian, yet he remains as sharp as a tack and still does the books for his manufacturing business, in addition to which he takes a keen

interest in the breeding of his mares, which are boarded at Winterbach Stud. There is no way of cramming all the anecdotes and memories into this tribute, which just leaves us to thank Henry for his contributions to racing and breeding. and most importantly, wish him a wonderful 100th birthday!

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore memorable day for the Kieswetter magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis .A nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipitbrothers lobortis

ROYAL ASCOT CHAMPAGNE FLOWS FOR KIESWETTER FAMILY The Kieswetter family of the Cape based nursery Ridgemont Highlands celebrated a champagne first at Royal Ascot on Friday when their magnificent Kingman gelding Candleford produced the performance of his career to slam his Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes

rivals by an emphatic six lengths. The scintillating victory by Candleford was a first homebred success for the Kieswetter’s Co Tipperary Barnane Stud at the Royal Meeting, and a maiden Royal Ascot trophy for the passionate family who have made great strides in international horseracing and breeding.

Barnane Stud is an Irish satellite of the Ridgemont Operation in South Africa. Candleford’s victory was a 14th Royal Ascot winner for trainer William Haggas and his second of the week after Baaeed’s success in the opening Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes.

A thrilled Craig Kieswetter was back in South Africa on Monday and told the Sporting Post that the prized trophy had ‘travelled well’. “I am very happy to report that the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes trophy is safely on Dad’s desk at Ridgemont Highlands in Robertson! As William (Haggas) said, never mind having a winner at Royal Ascot, to have a runner is an incredible achievement in itself - so

we are absolutely delighted. It’s pretty surreal still, and a huge deal for all of the team at Barnane. Our appreciation and thanks go to William and Maureen Haggas, Tom Marquand, and the whole team at Summerville Lodge too on a superbly professional job.” Kieswetter said that he and brother Ross and their partners had enjoyed a terrific time at the worldclass festival. “The way it worked out was a trifle odd though, as Mum, Dad, Pat, Topsy and Craig Carey left

after Thursday, and thus missed out on the thrills of Friday. However, they all got to watch Urban Fox storm home in the Group 1 Pretty Poly in 2018 so it’s equal now. But we have all enjoyed watching the replay a good few times!” he laughed. The sizeable son of Kingman, sent off a wellbacked 11/2 chance, burst out of the pack and stormed passed eventual runner-up Ajero in the manner of a

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis Left to right :Ross Kieswetter and Julia Conway, Tom Marquand, nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie Groom, Bianca Perez, Craig Kieswetter and William Haggas

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore Candleford bounds to a great win magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis horse that will have more to come. William Haggas added that Candleford likes going right-handed. “He improved quite a lot during the autumn last year – I think he last won in December – and a righthanded mile and a half was right up his street. He won well, but a bit too well! I thought all winter we’d win the Duke of Edinburgh – but not with him! I didn’t think he’d ever get in. A lot of them may not have handled the ground, but he handles it.I would like to mention

Alison Samuel, who rides him every day and tells everyone about him every day, and she will be in tears for a week.” Winning jockey Tom Marquand said: “That was unbelievable. William brought Candleford here without having a run this year. It was a bold thing to do, but he clearly knew where this chap was. He said he was feeling great and just to enjoy it. It’s great to get one on the board and well done to everyone at home. They had Baaeed earlier in the week, but it’s great to keep the Royal Ascot winners flowing. Candleford has trounced them. I could’ve been a little nicer to him at the twofurlong pole, but I thought I had to

go and put the race to bed. I didn’t expect him to do it in that fashion. “That was a really good performance. He is a horse that is improving and there is no reason why he can’t step up up.”

Godolphin

Naval Crown and Creative Force slug it out

DUBAWI – 50 GR1 WINNERS ON THE BOARD! One of the world's top stallions reached a notable landmark on Saturday. When Naval Crown downed his paternal half-brother, and 2021 Gr1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes winner, Creative Force to win Saturday's Gr1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes he became the 50th Gr1 winner for his outstanding sire Dubawi. Dubawi dominated proceedings at Royal Ascot last week -between him and his son New Bay, they

were responsible for no fewer than seven winners at the Royal meet. Dubawi's versatilty was also well highlighted at this year's Royal Ascot meeting, with sons Naval Crown, bred on the same Dubawi/ Dansili cross as fellow Gr1 winner Nezwaah, and Eldar Eldarov winning the Platinum Jubilee Stakes and Gr2 Queen's Vase over six furlongs and one mile and six furlongs respectively. When Eldar Eldarov won the Queen's Vase (it was a second year running that a son of Dubawi

won the Queen's Vase), he became the 150th group winner for his prolific sire, with Dubawi consistently hitting the high notes since retiring to stud in 2006. Another son of Dubawi, Gr1 Qipco 2000 Guineas winner Coroebus, made it back to back Gr1 wins when he won Wednesday's G1 St James's Palace Stakes over one mile. Other Dubawi runners to salute at Ascot were Secret State (King George V

Stakes) and Dubai Future (Wolferton Stakes). Dubawi's French Derby winning son New Bay also had a breakout spell at Ascot last week with his Mary Slack owned son Claymore winning the Gr3 Hampton Court Stakes, and New Bay's Gr1 Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes winning daughter Saffron Beach romping to victory in the Gr2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes. New Bay's relative Kingman also enjoyed notable success at Ascot this year, with that son of Invincible

Spirit responsible for Saturday's Gr3 Jersey Stakes winner Noble Truth, Britannia Stakes winner Thesis, and the Barnane Stud bred and owned Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes winner Candleford. This year has been another exceptional one for Dubawi, whose sons Coroebus and Modern Games landed the English and French 2000 Guineas respectively, with yet another son, Lord North, capturing the Gr1 Dubai Turf for a second year running. Dubawi, now the sire of three English 2000 Guineas winners, is represented in South Africa by his sire sons Willow Magic, sire of Saturday's eye-catching winner Girl

Of Tregunter, and Erupt. The latter is currently the second Leading First Crop Sire for 2021-2022, with the Maine Chance stallion’s early winners including Gr3 Protea Stakes/Listed Storm Bird Stakes winner Karangetang. Dubawi's Gr3 Jacaranda Handicap winning daughter Amber Orchid also recently made her presence felt -with Amber Orchid dam of recent debut winner Time Fo Orchids.

DECORATED GOES TO 100 Hollywoodbets Scottsville played host to the allages Derby and Oaks on Saturday. Sponsored by Track And Ball, both races produced exciting finishes. Here are the National Horseracing Authority handicapper’s assessments of the features: Gr2 Track And Ball Oaks PINK TOURMALINE remains unchanged on a rating of 108 following her victory in the Grade 2 Track And Ball Oaks for fillies and mares over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday 18 June. The Handicappers noted that 5th placed SCENTED MISTRESS and 7th finisher

KEEP ON DANCING replicated the form they had shown when they met in a Listed event won by SHE’S A KEEPER at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 14 May and elected to use these two as joint line horses here. As such, SCENTED MISTRESS and KEEP ON DANCING remain unchanged on mark of 94 each.

the Handicappers were unwilling to take this literally when looking at the filly’s overall career record.

In assessing the race this way, PINK TOURMALINE only runs to a mark of 98, hence her unaltered rating, while runner-up LIGHT OF THE MOON only runs to a mark of 97 and accordingly remains unchanged on a rating of 110.

DECORATED has had his rating raised from 88 to 100 following his win in the Grade 3 Track Ad Ball Derby over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

There were ratings increases for 3rd placed SILVER MARIA, who is up from 88 to 96, and for GREENGROWTHELILACS, who was given a partial raise from 75 to 81. GREENGROWTHELILACS actually runs to a rating of 93, but

The Handicappers were of the view that runner-up SALVATOR MUNDI made for the correct line horse when assessing this event, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 100. The

The only ratings drop was for OPERA GLASS, who is down from 106 to 101. Gr3 Track And Ball Derby

Handicappers could see no reason for DECORATED not to be rated at least equal to SALVATOR MUNDI, given that they met at level weights and that there was no more than a head between them at the line. DECORATED had performed higher than his official rating of 88 which was pointed out on the press release issued after the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, which read

“DECORATED has had his rating increased from 84 to 88. He in fact runs to a rating of 94, but the Handicappers were very reluctant to take this literally even though he also ran above his rating when running to a mark of 92 in the nonBlack Type Highland Night Cup at the same venue in April’’. The winner aside, the only increase was for 3rd placed SPRING FLING. Who goes up from 93 to 96 to at least make him the equal of 96-rated 4th finisher CHEWBACA who confirmed the adjustment he

received for finishing 4th in the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup on the 28 May. No horse from this race was given a rating’s drop. Media release by NHA on Wednesday 22 June 2022

HOLLYWOODBETS PARTNERS WITH

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (YES) TO COMMEMORATE YOUTH DAY

JOHANNESBURG, 15 June 2022: In celebration of Youth Day, Hollywoodbets joined forces with YES to continue with their programme that aims to empower future leaders. For the third year running, the programme will give unemployed youth the opportunity to gain the necessary skills and abilities to enter the workplace. YES is a business-led collaboration which is aimed at addressing the issue of youth unemployment in South Africa. The organisation’s 12-month quality work experience programme offers them a toolkit, which includes devices that allow for the access of workplace modules and courses. The young recipients will be placed at Hollywoodbets in different provinces and various departments, where team members will mentor them for the year. At the end of the programme, they will receive reference letters, CVs and certificates of completion. Since 2020, Hollywoodbets have assisted a total of 66 youth through the YES programme. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in unemployment and a lack of opportunities. This year, Hollywoodbets is proud to double their intake to 74 youth, in an effort to improve employment opportunities in the country. The 2022 programme announcement took place on 15 June 2022 at Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg. Representatives from Hollywoodbets and YES, as well as some of the youth candidates, were in attendance. The programme included the presence of Ayanda Borotho, a South African Television Personality and Humanitarian, who provided a motivational speech to uplift the youth. “Hiring youth internally through YES is a great way to test if young people fit within an organisation. The 12-month contract these young people are offered, enables businesses to find the real gems who can add value to their companies. The GBS and gaming industries have been highlighted as sunrise industries, which will help bolster the economy and create thousands of jobs. We are so excited that our YES Youth are at the forefront of these future-facing opportunities through our partnership with Hollywoodbets,” said acting COO at YES, Leanne Emery Hunter. “It is an honour for Hollywoodbets to partner again with YES this year, to make a difference in the lives of these young leaders. Education, Training and Development continues to be a major focus for us, as we look to open many doors and opportunities for the youth, that will also have a long-lasting impact on our communities and businesses,” said Babongile Mkhize, Group Transformation Manager at Hollywoodbets.

Candiese Lenferna

Frank Robinson celebrates a second Derby win as he leads Decorated (Muzi Yeni) in

FRANK NEVER GETS ENOUGH OF THE DERBY A tactical move to include a pacemaker was probably the key to Summerveld trainer Frank Robinson winning the all-ages Gr3 Track & Ball Derby for the second time, courtesy of the Global View gelding Decorated, at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. A genuine staying son of Ascot stallion Global View, Decorated ground away after enjoying a decent pace set by his stablemate Catch The Tune. Frank Robinson tasted

success in this race in 2019, when Anton Marcus booted the Australian-bred Roy Had Enough home. The stake that year was R250 000, and in a sign of the times, they raced for R175 000 on Saturday. On Saturday, maintenance just behind the stalls at the 100m marker delayed the start and many were left standing for some time before being sent on their way. Muzi Yeni has enjoyed a terrific feature season on the East Coast and the competitive jockey rode a perfectly judged race, despite being run off his feet at the top of the straight.

Just when Smanga Khumalo looked to have poached it on Salvator Mundi (8-1), Yeni got Decorated (14-1) gunning and the gelding snatched victory in the final strides to win by a neck in a time of 150,99 secs. Spring Fling (10-1) stayed on just over a length back in third, with Chewbaca (8-1) in fourth. The fancied Senso Unico (3-1) and Hollywoodbets Durban July entry Silvano’s Timer (33-10) finished out of the money in disappointing efforts.

Raced by Dudley Cherry, Decorated was bred by Mr & Mrs John Slade and is a first graded stakes winner for Ascot’s Galileo stallion Global View. The winner is out of the twice-winning Dynasty mare, Art Deco. Decorated took his stakes total to R372 625 with his fifth win and 6 places from 24 starts. Gold Circle made the move in 2014 to open the KZN Derby and the KZN Oaks to all ages at weight-for-age terms. This was based on the rationale that the main focus of 3yo’s during the SA

Champions Season is the individual sex Guineas, the Daily News 2000, the Woolavington Stakes and the Hollywoodbets Durban July. This meant that over the years the Derby and Oaks had suffered and were downgraded and battled to find a consistent place in the programme. It was decided to try and enhance the quality and depth of both races by opening them up to all and move away from the traditional 3yo classic restriction. The decision was supported by international precedent, such as the Irish St Leger and the Yorkshire Oaks.

Further justification was seen in the fact that there are no weight-for-age races in South Africa over the distance, and it was hoped that the overall programme for stayers would benefit from the change. Has it? You be the judge.

BETXCHANGE, LAUNCHES ITS PENULTIMATE DURBAN JULY SPECIAL - TOP 3 REFUND!

BetXchange is the best place to get value for your money when it comes to wagering on the illustrious Durban July this year. The race is due to take place on Saturday 2 July and will once again feature a talented line-up looking to etch their names into the history books. This year’s race offers a purse of R5 million and will see horses aged three and older compete over a mile. However, BetXchange is ensuring customer satisfaction for the big race with a Top 3 Refund promotion.

popular promotions that you can find anywhere online for the Durban July this year. Bettors with BetXchange will be able to get their money back on selections made should their selected horse finish the prestigious Gr1 in second or third place.

should they finish second or third. If you follow the terms and conditions of the bonus, the refund will be added to your account as soon as the final announcement regarding finishing positions has been made.

It is likely to soften the blow for bettors should they have backed the horse that finishes in second and third, and once again shows the commitment that BetXchange has for its customers.

Kommetdieding Bidding For History

What Is The Top 3 Refunds?

Getting involved in the Top 3 refund special offered at BetXchange is straightforward for all existing customers. The promotion is eligible for all bets placed on the Durban July in 2022.

One of the ways in which legends are made in the Durban July is by retaining their title as the Durban July winner. To this point, only five previous winners have been able to win back-toback Durban July races, with the most recent coming in 2019 when Do It Again did just what his name suggested he would.

The Top 3 Refund is likely to be one of the most

You will get a maximum cashback of R500-00 on your selections

Campanajo was the first horse to win back-to-back

How Do I Get Involved?

races in 1897 and 1898, while Corriecrian, Milesia Pride, and El Picha would later achieve the feat. Do It Again’s win in 2019 saw him become the first horse in 19 years to win backto-back Durban Julys, and that is something that Kommetdieding will be looking to achieve this year. BetXchange currently has him as a 12/1 chance to

achieve a second straight win in the race this year, which is slightly higher than the 10/1 he was sent off at last year. This year, his form looks solid enough to merit support for trainers Harold Crawford and Michelle Rix. His 2022 campaign started with a second in the Gr1 Queen’s Plate against Jet Dark, before he reversed the form at the end of January with victory in the Gr1 Cape Town Met over Advertorial

an extended distance of one mile and two furlongs. However, he has struggled on his previous two starts, which includes his latest outing, which saw him finish four and a half lengths behind Astrix in the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge at the end of April.

Candiese Lenferna

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DRAKENSTEIN BLUES DOMINATE AGAIN MJ puts another subject on the spot! MJ puts another subject on the spot!

Cover Image Hollywoodbets ambassador Carol Tshabalala and two hostesses at Tuesday's final field announcement - pic courtesy of Candiese Lenferna

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43 True blue 1-2! Drakenstein silks dominate as Pink Tourmaline (Louis Mxothwa) powers on to beat Light Of The Moon (Muzi Yeni) in the Gr2 Track & Ball Oaks

In a sensational result for Drakenstein Stud’s four-time Gr1 winning resident sire and former SA Horse Of The Year Futura, the son of Dynasty produced the Drakenstein owned and bred exacta in Saturday’s R300 000 Gr2 Track & Ball SA Oaks at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. The Drakenstein team have enjoyed a purple patch nationally and their success continued in the KZN Capital City track, with Pink Tourmaline coming in fresh off her Highveld campaign, to win a cracker. Louis Mxothwa was aboard when Pink Tourmaline ran a gutsy third behind another proud Drakenstein product in SA Triple Tiara star Rain In Holland in the Gr2 Gerald

Rosenberg Stakes at Turffontein at the end of April, and the takented rider produced a polished performance again on Saturday. Tracking her paternal half-sister and pacesetter Light Of The Moon from midfield, Mxothwa switched Pink Tourmaline out wide at the 300m and rode a confident race after the pacemaker had looked to have done enough. But Pink Tourmaline (10-1) had plenty in hand and she stormed home to beat Light Of The Moon (28-10) by 0,40 lengths in a time of 151,18 secs. Dean Kannemeyer would have been thrilled with the run of the super consistent Lammerskraal owned earner Silver Maria (25-1), who kept on doggedly for third, just ahead of the late-finishing favourite She’s A Keeper (15-10).

Bred and raced by the highriding Drakenstein Stud, Pink Tourmaline has won 6 races with 4 places from 17 starts for stakes of R482 150. Out of the Trippi mare Sapphire Gem, she is bred on the same Futura/Trippi cross as Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes winner Vihaan’s Pie and Listed Bauhinia Handicap queen Sweet Future. South Africa’s Horse Of The Year in 2014-2015, Futura is also responsible for this season’s impressive WSB Dahlia Plate winner Ekoria, who ran fourth in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship, and the Gr3 WSB Variety Club Mile runner-up Future Prince.

O’BRIEN’S TOP TUESDAY It’s just over two weeks since Tuesday edged out Emily Upjohn, the favourite, in a headbobbing finish to the Cazoo Epsom, after a compelling Classic in which the first stride proved to be as significant as the last. Frankie Dettori, on Emily Upjohn, slipped leaving the stalls and found himself last after a furlong, and while he passed nine opponents over the next two and a half minutes, Emily Upjohn was

still a short head behind Tuesday at the line. It was not only the lost ground at the start which counted against Dettori as he was, after all, back within a length of Tuesday and Ryan Moore as they came down the hill. Moore, though, was able to take a more direct route to the finish from his position on the rail and pick the perfect moment to kick for home. Dettori was forced to come wider, around several opponents, allowing his rival to carve out (just) enough to hold on. A full-sister to Minding, who took 44

the Oaks six years ago, she was also Aidan O’Brien’s 41st British Classic winner, giving her trainer possession of a record he had shared with John Scott, who was active in the first half of the 19th century, since Snowfall’s runaway Oaks success last year.

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Pearl Of Asia wins 2021 Gr1 Mercury Sprint

RIVERTON – THEY CAN RUN!

Leading Robertson thoroughbred nursery Riverton Stud is no stranger to enjoying success at the KZN Yearling Sale.

Notable equine stars sold by Riverton off the KZN auction include Gr3 Umkhomazi Stakes and KZN Million victor Al Mariachi, and current high-class sprinter Pearl Of Asia. The latter, a bargain R35 000 purchase from the 2018 KZN Yearling Sale, showed his class when accounting for an outstanding field to win the 2021 Gr1 Mercury Sprint, and the Pathfork

gelding has already earned in excess of R600 000 in prize money.

Star filly Same Jurisdiction was also consigned by Riverton Stud when the daughter of Mambo In Seattle daughter made R270 000 at the 2013 Suncoast KZN Yearling Sale. Sent into training with Duncan Howells, Same Jurisdiction would go on to win seven of 14 starts in South Africa, winning both the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes (over multiple Equus Champion Carry On Alice) in 2014, and the following year's Gr1 Garden Province Stakes. When victorious in the 2015 Garden Province Stakes, Same Jurisdiction accounted for subsequent Met winning champion Smart Call, as well as the likes of fellow

champions Hammie's Hooker and Carry On Alice and five time Gr1 winner Inara. Riverton Stud will again be offering a quality draft at this year's KZN Yearling Sale, with the farm's string made up of yearlings by Captain Of All, Noble Tune, Pomodoro, Twice Over and William Longsword. Lot 32 Pomodoro -Ninefold colt Riverton Stud is no stranger to the progeny of former Gr1 Vodacom Durban July winner Pomodoro,

having bred his R5 million plus earning son Cirillo as well as Pomodoro's smart, stakes placed son Indlamu. Riverton will be offering another son of Pomodoro (whose progeny also include champion Return Flight and Gr1 Cape Racing Presents The Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock) at the upcoming KZN Yearling Sale. The colt in question is a half-brother to the very smart and now five time winner Lady Catherine, and his granddam is a half-sister to Australian five time Gr1 winner Boban. This well related colt's third dam Kenbelle won the Gr1 Australian Oaks and further back this is the family of legendary sire Blandford. Pedigree update: Half-sister, Lady Catherine by Captain of All, streaked ahead of the pack to win race 7 over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 13 June 2022 making her a 5 time winner.

Lot 33 Noble Tune -Nutcracker Sweet colt Regally bred, but sadly deceased, Unbridled's Song horse Noble Tune has a well-bred yearling on offer in Riverton Stud's KZN Yearling Sale draft. A half-brother to US champion, and successful sire, Honor Code, Noble Tune left behind his fair share of winners prior to his death, with his progeny headed by Gr3 World Sports Betting Gold Cup winner Paths Of Victory and KwaZulu-Natal Breeders Mile winner Copper Mountain. He is also the sire of a half- brother to tough staying mare She's A Cracker bred by Riverton Stud, whose victories included a score in the 2021 Listed Spook Express Handicap. She's A Cracker was sired by a son of Storm Cat -and Storm Cat also ranks as the broodmare sire of Noble Tune. The colt on sale is out of a half-sister to exported Gr2 Golden Slipper winner Princess Sassi and Listed Syringa Handicap heroine Secret Obsession, the dam of Gr2 winner Bunker Hunt, Fillies

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Al Mariachi wins Gr3 Noble Salut Cup

Guineas runner up Silver Thursday and this season's Kenilworth Cup victor Salvator Mundi. Further back, this is the family of champion sprinter, and multiple G1 winner, Mythical Flight. Lot 47 William Longsword -Ruby Dancer filly Captain Al's Gr1 Cape Guineas winning son William Longsword made a fine start to his stud career, with the Klawervlei resident's five first crop stakes horses headed by impressive Gr2 Epol Umkhomazi Stakes winner Dyce, Model Man Mile victor Hasta Manana and the talented fillies Bon Vivant and Remember When. Riverton Stud, who have enjoyed so much success with the progeny of William Longsword's sire Captain Al, will be offering a filly by William Longsword at this

MJ puts another subject on the spot! Gr3 Umkhomazi Sprint success for Al Mariachi year's KZN Yearling Sale. This filly, whose dam topped the 2017 March Yearling Sale, is out of a twice winning half-sister to a quartet of talented race mares, notably graded stakes winners Fanzene, dam of Gr1 Thekwini Stakes runner up Kailene and dual Gr2 Camellia Stakes winner Joan Ranger. Further back, this is also the family of such star Gr1 winning fillies as Brave Mary and Takingthepeace, to name but two. Lot 100 Captain Of All -Brave And Bold colt The Riverton bred champion

Captain Of All, officially rated the second fastest horse in the world in 2015, made a sparkling start to his stud career, with the son of Captain Al South Africa's Leading First Season Sire of 2018-2019.

sister to the Gr1 placed dam of G1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic winner Takingthepeace -who earned over R1.754 million in prize money!

The triple Gr1 winner's first crop was headed by dual graded stakes winner Shango, while Captain Of All's second crop was headed by dual Gr1 winner Linebacker and Gr2 Pospack SA Fillies Nursery winner Springs Of Carmel.

Lot 101 Twice Over -Brigtnumberfour filly

Captain Of All is represented here by a colt whose five time winning dam (by Brave Tin Soldier) hails from the immediate family of the Brave Tin Soldier sired Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Brave Mary. This colt, inbred closely to Complete Warrior, is also out of a half-

Former European champion Twice Over has had a sensational season with his three-year-olds in 2021-2022. Among Twice Over's notable sophomores this season are Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative, Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes victor Smorgasbord, Zimbabwe Guineas winner Call The Wind and the stakes winners Resonate and Young Love.

Riverton will be offering a filly by this red hot sire at this year's KZN Yearling Sale, with this filly a daughter of Kahal's speedy, stakes placed daughter Brigtnumberfour. The latter, a direct descendant of legendary producer Drohsky, won three and finished second in the Listed Banyana Handicap, with Brigtnumberfour's fullsister none other than Gr1 Computaform Sprint queen Noble Heir. The latter, who earned over R1 000 000 in prize money, went on to enjoy success at stud in Australia where Noble Heir produced Gr3 Quezette Stakes winner

Crown Witness. Pedigree update: Her two year old half-brother, Action Stations by Time Thief, won race 3 over 1700m in open company at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 13 June 2022, making her dam the producer of 2 runners 2 winners. Lot 129 Captain Of All x Durban Bourbon colt The Riverton bred champion, and Leading First Season Sire of his year, Captain Of All has an intriguingly bred colt on offer at the 2022 KNZ Yearling Sale. Out of a daughter of champion sire, and hugely successful broodmare sire Trippi, this colt's

dam is a three-parts sister to the Trippi sired millionaire Miss Katalin. His granddam (whose sire Jet Master is also broodmare sire of Captain Of All's topclass son Shango) finished second in the Listed Oaks Trial and she rates as a fullsister to Gr1 Empress Club Stakes queen Little Miss Magic. This colt's third dam, the three time winning Al Nibari, was sired by former champion South African sire Al Mufti -the grandsire of Captain Of All himself.

RIVERTON STUD COLLECTION KZN YEARLING SALES LOT 32

COLT

POMODORO X NINEFOLD

Big, strong, colt with loads of presence

LOT 33

COLT

NOBLE TUNE X NUTCRACKER SWEET

Strong, well balanced, good legged colt

LOT 47

FILLY

WILLIAM LONGSWORD X RUBY DANCER

Strong, good walking, high quality filly

Passion Pedigree Performance 50

SUNCOAST CASINO DURBAN 30 JUNE 2022 11:00 LOT 100

COLT

CAPTAIN OF ALL X BRAVE AND BOLD

Great walking, well balanced colt

LOT 101

FILLY

TWICE OVER X BRIGTNUMBERFOUR

Big, good walking filly with great stride

LOT 129

COLT

CAPTAIN OF ALL X DURBAN BOURBON

High quality, correct, good walking colt

Duncan Barry +27 (0)82 335 8951

www.rivertonstud.co.za

Kelly works her first runner Hilarity this week

Pauline Herman

SA TRAINING RANKS WELCOMES KELLY 53

It takes a brave woman to swim against the tide. But Kelly Mitchley is determined to realise her ambitions and live her dreams, rather than worry about a shrinking racing industry and other stories of economic doom and gloom. Officially South Africa’s newest racehorse trainer, Kelly Mitchley is now the Eastern Cape’s fourth lady conditioner and cannot wait to saddle her first runner at Fairview on 1 July. Kelly, who only turns 26 on Monday 27 June, assures us she is no starryeyed daydreamer who is cross with her cash and blundering forward. “Some people have been

taken aback and asked me if I have thought about the decision to open a yard. But I absolutely have, and I believe that I have the skills and experience to do something that I have always yearned to do,”she tells the Sporting Post in clearly determined tones. The lifetime horsewoman runs a highly successful rehoming operation on her family’s De La Ranch, just 3km away from the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing headquarters. And her experience with a variety of trainers will stand her in good stead. “I have worked for Justin Snaith, Corne Spies, Gavin Smith, and helped out at Yvette Bremner. More recently I worked for Johan Janse van Vuuren and we enjoyed our fair share of winners. They are all top trainers, but also all very varied in their methods and

54 Kelly Mitchley – horsewoman extraordinaire

processes. I have tried hard to absorb all of their input, advice and knowledge, and have coupled this with my own experience and love and passion for the horse,”she explains. Kelly follows a daily routine of riding work every morning at Fairview and then returns to De La Ranch Equestrian from 11h00 until 13h00. She returns to her yard from 14h00 to 16h00 every afternoon. So nothing changes as she readies the former Rugg yard with her handful of horses. She will be assisted by her partner Kyle Paddock – son of former trainer Grant – and a young man who shares her passion for the horse and knows his way

around the stable yard. Her first runner looks likely to be the British-bred Hilarity, a former Justin Snaith charge, who is owned by SA Champion owner, Suzette Viljoen. “Justin (Snaith) has been very helpful and I will be running her at Fairview on the turf on 1 July. I won’t have too much time with her as she is very well bred and destined for stud. But I am keen to make it a good start – and Mrs Viljoen, along with a few other top owners, has pledged her support. The reality is that we need supportive owners to make it in this game. I am a workaholic and this is not a job! I intend to do my

very best for every horse, as I have always done.” Kelly was still in the womb when her Mom bought her two ponies and a horse. “As far back as I can remember, there has always been a love for horses, as I have come from a family that has always had horses. Both my Mum and late Dad used to ride. I can’t actually remember a time in my life having any other interests but horses. I started going to shows and I have had some really very special horses throughout my life. The Westering High School graduate has her own house on De La Ranch and lives on the beautiful farm with her Mum and partner Clement, her sister Paige, and Mum’s ‘left and right hand’, 55

Vonnie. She tells that she got her foot into the racing door as her Mum had known former trainer Grant Paddock for many years. “My friend Joshua Sutton and I went to stables before school to ride work every morning. I absolutely loved it! And then we all went to races one Friday at Arlington after school. I was hooked!” she laughs as she reflects back. We wish her the best of luck and many winners! · Kelly has boxes available – she may be contacted at 081 266 6763.

Candiese Lenferna

Gold Circle Racing Executive Raf Sheik hands Graham Bailey a gift after he was hosted at Monday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville racemeeting 60 MJ puts another subject on the spot!

BAILEY RETIRES FROM SAJA South African Jockey Academy headmaster Graham Bailey retires at the end of the month after 13 years at the helm. Previously Graham had spent 26 years at Pinetown Boys High, 10 years as headmaster. He then spent two years in an educational advisory capacity but when the headmastership of the academy was advertised he jumped at the opportunity to once again mentor young people. “The comments at the time were ‘good luck’ but I have enjoyed every minute of it.” Graham is proud to have introduced a more scientific and professional approach as to how apprentices are

taught in a professional sporting environment. He is also proud of the achievements and success of the academy apprentices when pitted against others from foreign countries in apprentice challenges. He did however, point out that racing in South Africa has been shrinking and although the top half of the current 79 registered riders earned comfortable salaries, those at the bottom were struggling and the system can hardly cater for more than two new jockeys each year. The academy was building close ties with other racing jurisdictions, the aim being to attract foreign apprentices, “but Covid struck and poked us in the eye.” The focus now is on diversification with the equine side of the academy to possibly be re-opened

and the up-skilling of participants in tradition rural racing. Graham suffered a heart attack in December last year and this was a key factor in his decision to retire. He and his wife Marianne will be moving to Pretoria to stay with their daughter and son- in-law. “We will do the usual grandparents thing and keep up with my woodworking, but we have caravanning trips planned and will do a bit of birding.” Gold Circle and the entire racing industry wished Graham a long and healthy retirement.

MJ puts another subject on the spot!

TOP FARMS – TOP BLOOD – DON’T MISS THE CHANCE The CTS Mares, Fillies For Stud and Weanling Sale scheduled for Friday 24 June at Kenilworth has drawn 113 quality lots, and the catalogue is available online. This is an auction of exceptional strength, reflected in the representation of several leading stud farms, and mares from a host of proven, high-profile

broodmare sires. Among the weanlings, there are a number of impeccably bred foals which can be acquired long before they reach the yearling or two-year-old auctions. Drakenstein Stud, Klawervlei, Maine Chance and Ridgemont Highlands are among the vendors, and the offspring of leading broodmare sires Dynasty (3 lots); Captain Al (2); Jet Master (3); Silvano (4); Var (5), Horse Chestnut (2); Kingsbarns (2); New Approach,

Galileo, Exceed and Excel, Hard Spun and Dubawi (one apiece), will ensure active bidding. Click here to read the catalogue. Below are some of the top offerings, discussed in lot order: • Lot 14 (Drakenstein) Dark Song is a young,

winning mare by Kingsbarns from an impressive female line.

covered by sire sensation Rafeef in 2021. • Lot 34 (Beaumont)

• Lot 16 (Sandown) Estidrjaaj (Hard Spun) has produced two good sorts from four previous runners. She was covered in the 2021 breeding season by Hawwaam. • Lot 17 (Evergreen) Field Star (Lecture) produced Gr1 sprinter Ultra Magnus (Oratorio) in 2015 and was again covered by him in 2021. • Lot 22 (Drakenstein) Happy Archer (Dubawi), the brilliant Gr1-winning race mare, has every chance of fulfilling her potential at stud, having already thrown four winners from five runners. • Lot 29 (Klawervlei) Talented race mare Joan Ranger (Horse Chestnut) has two foals yet to race, but she is a mare that holds huge promise. • Lot 31 (Ridgemont Highlands) The speedy exploits of Kissable (Antonius Pius) will be fresh in the memory of racing fans. She has had a single – so far unraced – foal by Willow Magic, and was

Madam Magnolia (Duke Of Marmalade), from the immediate family of Silver Host and Lanner Falcon, was covered in 2021, by Fire Away, her first on its way. • Lot 47 (Maine Chance) Princess Vicky (Silvano), herself a two-time winning daughter of Gr1 star Princess Victoria, was covered by Elusive Fort in 2021 and has her stud career ahead of her.

• Lot 59 (Stonehill) What You Are (Captain Of All) showed huge talent on the racetrack, and was G2placed. She has potential for any investor. • Lot 62 (Sandown) Al Haawra is a daughter of New Approach, with one winner from two foals on record. Gr2-placed on the track, she is one with much promise and was last covered by Soqrat in 2021. • Lot 66 (Drakenstein)

• Lot 49 (Sandown) Dynasty mare Sakura Trick, from the family of Silver Host and Lanner Falcon, is in foal to freshman sire Soqrat. The mating holds promise, and the mare has a lot going for her.

Emerald Waves is an unraced daughter of Gimmethegreenlight out of Irish Torrent, by Giant’s Causeway. She hails from the immediate family of Sheela and White River.

• Lot 51 (Klawervlei)

• Lot 70 (Drakenstein)

Sing For Me is a daughter of Galileo from a Group-winning international female line. She was covered in 2021 by Captain Of All.

From a female line featuring the revered race mare Ipi Tombe comes Mama Tembu (Trippi), a close relation of classic runner Zimbaba.

• Lot 53 (Drakenstein)

• Lot 72 (Stephen Moffatt) Former Cape Fillies Guineas winner, Sparkling Gem (Joshua Dancer) is one of the plum buys at this sale. She has thrown four multiple winners from four runners, including G1-placed King Of Gems and Listed winner Pink Tourmaline. She was covered in 2021 by Dynasty stallion Horizon, the highest priced yearling of his generation. 64

Fresh off the racetrack, Rio’s Winter (Oratorio) showed pace and some stamina and was multiple Gradedplaced. • Lot 77 (Klawervlei) A recent runner (and winner), is smart Gr2-placed

Tropic Sun (Skitt Skizzle), herself from a mare by Captain Al, and has good relations deeper in her female line.

Futura and Ekaterina, a half-sister to the superb Mother Russia, with a rich female line.

• Lot 78 (Klawervlei)

Unnamed, this daughter of Vercingetorix and Larking Around is a half-sister to Graded-placed speedster, Romi’s Boy.

Victoria Paige, by Captain Al, could be anything as a broodmare. She is a fourtime winning, multiple Graded-placed mare, with every chance of success. • Lot 85 (Klawervlei) Unnamed filly by Rafeef from the potent Golden Apple female line (Pomodoro, Golden Chariot, et al.) • Lot 88 (Normandy)

• Lot 95 (Klawervlei)

• Lot 97 (Klawervlei) Here is an unnamed colt by exciting freshman One World from Marquesa Naranja, who herself is a half-sister to former international superstar, Alexander Goldrun.

A Captain’s Offer! Four stallion shares have become available, and they will be sold after the CTS Mare and Weanling Sale to be held at Kenilworth Racecourse on 24 June. Three shares of Captain Of All, and one share of William Longsword, will come under the hammer. Both sires are by former star stallion Captain Al, one of the very few sire lines of Roberto still remaining.

• Lot 115 (Klawervlei) A Pomodoro filly, and only the second produce of Alileo (Captain Al) from the family of Sidera.

An unnamed daughter of

WATCH ME NOW! Outstanding racemare Watch Me Dance has been supplemented to the racehorse section of Sunday's Magic Millions Perth Winter Sale in the Swan Valley. A winner of almost A$900,000, Watch Me Dance holds the rare distinction of being crowned Western Australia's Champion Two-Year-Old and Champion Three-YearOld in her first two racing seasons. As a juvenile she progressed from a maiden win at

Bunbury to become the state's premier performer. At three she was again the state's best with a Gr3 Champion Fillies Stakes win before backing up seven days later for an outstanding win against the boys in the Gr2 Western Australian Guineas. Across her 26 starts for trainer Steve Wolfe and her all female ownership group, Watch Me Dance has notched five wins - three at group level. As well as being a high class racehorse, Watch Me Dance has a wonderful pedigree. The daughter of the ill fated I'm 65All the Talk, she is a full sister to the triple stakes

placed Hear Me Sing and is from the stakes performed Oratorio mare Coventry to Rio. The 2022 Perth Winter Sale will commence at 12 noon (WA time) on Sunday at the Magic Millions Sales Complex, Dale Road, Middle Swan.

A PINHOOK COULD PAY DIVIDENDS! Internationally, the two prongs to pinhooking involve the purchase of weanlings for later sale as yearlings, or the purchase of yearlings for ready-to-run auctions. Every practitioner of the dark art has stories of their greatest successes, whether turning a fabulous profit, or finding a graded stakes-winner.

Oscar Foulkes writes that buying for RTR has been the dominant form of pinhooking in South Africa, with many opportunities to buy yearlings - although I found future Gr2 stakes-winner Wonderwall on a broodmare sale. The weanling to yearling market has been much less active, but it has its own stories, none bigger than the purchase of Vercingetorix as a weanling by the Riverton

grooms, and his sale as a yearling for R1.4 million. This week’s CTS auction is an attempt to develop that market, both on the part of the sales company, and by the vendors. We don’t yet know if that market will ever grow to the level of pinhooking for RTR, but if we don’t make quality weanlings

available, we’ll never know. In my opinion, the weanlings on offer this week are a sincere attempt to do just that. Speaking as a vendor, I’ve selected weanlings at a variety of price levels, all the way up to select sale, to give the concept every chance of finding its natural place in the market. I believe that other vendors have done the same. Purchases could be traders looking to turn a profit, or owners/trainers aiming to get top prospects at a reduced cost. Beginning at the top of the heap, the Futura colt we’re offering this week has loads going for him. Firstly, he’s a good-sized, strong colt with real presence. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, there’s his pedigree, which is extremely topical. He’s a half-brother to Grinkov, who is running in the Grade II Golden Horseshoe on Hollywoodbets Durban July day. Also a well above average two- year-old from the family is Return To Russia, who is out of his half-sister. His dam is a half- sister to Mother Russia, making his page jam-packed with seriously high-quality black type … and one that could grow in stature between now and sales time.

From the first crop of One World, we have an impressive looking colt out of a half-sister to Cape Flying Championship winner Sergeant Hardy. He’s got size, quality, scope, and he moves very well. From tiny crops, Potala Palace has bred Grade I winners out of the worst mares in the Stud Book. We couldn’t be happier with the tall, scopey colt out of Prima Donna. With his dark colouring and high quality, he’s bound to make an impression in the sales ring as a yearling. Also by Potala Palace is the first foal of a four-time winning What A Winter mare. He’s going to develop into an athletic, neat, high quality yearling. We have one filly. She’s by Futura, the sire of first and second in the Gr2 Track And Ball Oaks at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She’s a backward November foal with loads of improvement to come. Finally, there’s an Erupt colt out of a well-related Australian mare. He’s an absolute speedball; if he’d been foaled Down Under he’d be a Golden Slipper candidate. He’s from the immediate family of Champion Sire I Am Invincible. Erupt has made an auspicious start to his career, producing a surprising degree of early speed considering that he was a 2400m GrI winnner. Of course, Vercingetorix was not the only future Champion Sire to be sold at this stage. The Devines bought Jet Master as a weanling for just R15 000. I’m not 68

suggesting that Friday’s catalogue contains a future stallion, but it may be a profitable route to GrI glory. The CTS Mares, Fillies For Stud and Weanling Sale scheduled for Friday, 24 June at Kenilworth Racecourse has drawn 130 quality lots in total, and the catalogue has been published online – please click here.

Lot 31 – the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight topped the sale

NADESON PARK FILLY TOPS SALE A filly by South Africa’s reigning champion sire Gimmethegreenlight proved the star attraction at Sunday’s CTS Farm Yearling Sale. Consigned to the sale by the Nadeson Park Stud, the Gimmethegreenlight daughter named Jet Green

(Lot 31) was knocked down to Weiho Marwing for R300 000. The well-bred youngster, a daughter of the Jet Master mare Mysterious Jet, is a full-sister to Gr2 Post Merchants winner La Bella Mia. The sale aggregate was R6 850 000, at an average of R72 872. The

median was R60 000. The Hollywood Syndicate was top buyer, their four lots averaging R125 000 for a total of R500 000. Klawervlei Stud topped the vendor charts, with their 20 lots selling for a gross R1 375 000, at an average

of R68 750. Nadeson Park grossed R1 030 000 for their 15 lots, averaging R68 666. Maine Chance Farms topped the averages thought by some distance, with their 9 lots grossing R980 000 for an average of R108 888.

the son of More Than Ready had 14 lots fetch R5,05 million in total.

The topseller’s sire Gimmethegreenlight has already enjoyed plenty of success in the sales ring in 2022.

The Varsfontein sire also had a memorable National Yearling Sale, where his yearlings made up to R2 000 000, and Gimmethegreenlight also headed the Sires table at the 2022 National Sale, with his 37 lots grossing R26.02 million and averaging over R700 000.

Gimmethegreenlight yearlings made up to R1 100 000 at this year’s Cape Premier Yearling Sale, where

Gimmethegreenlight’s sales success continued at the 2022 Cape Yearling Sale, where his Varsfontein Stud consigned son Alphenaandenrijn made R1 000 000 to jointly top that sale.

Sire of 2020-2021, Gimmethegreenlight.is currently fifth on the South African General Sires List for 2021-2022. See all of Sunday’s sale prices here. Next up, the CTS Mares, Fillies For Stud and Weanling Sale is scheduled for Friday, 24 June at Kenilworth Racecourse and has drawn 130 quality lots in total. The catalogue has been published online – see here.

South Africa’s Champion

TRIPPI SON TO STAND IN KZN Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint winner Chimichuri Run conditioned by multiple champion trainer Sean Tarry, will be returning to his KZN pedigree roots to stand at Bruce Le Roux and Tinus Gericke’s Blue Sky Thoroughbreds operation in Mooi River. The Drakenstein-bred son of Trippi is the second to go to stud for his sire, out of Gr1 #kznbred Kahal mare, Spiced Gold – herself bred by Greenhill Farm. With a desire for speed and precocity in South African horseracing, Chimichuri Run who started his multiple

Group race career in the colours of Chris Van Niekerk and will complete it in the yellow and purple stars of the Hollywood Syndicate, is without a doubt a very desirable prospect for stud in South Africa. The smashing chestnut colt who sold as a winning juvenile in training at the Super Sale for R1,600,000, went on to a star studded career which included 46 starts from age 2-5, with 8 Stakes Wins and 20 places, 11 of those Stakes Placed. He is Merit Rated at 126 and earned over R2,2-million in stakes. His race record and age prove his courage, tenacity and soundness, and he won and

placed in Gr1 company over 1000m-1600m. Sire Trippi needs little introduction; a winner of five Group races himself over 1200m-1800m, he was the Equus Champion sire of 2015/16 and has sired 80 stakes winners worldwide, including nine individual Grade 1 winners. Chimichuri Run will stand for a fee of R5 000 + Vat, shares are available for purchase at R20 000 + vat. Please contact Bruce Le Roux on 082 493 5773.

GOOD GOLLY, MISS HOLLIE! 74

British Champions Series

75 Hollie Doyle is congratulated after Nashwa's stunning win

Leading jockey Hollie Doyle made racing history on Sunday aboard Nashwa with victory in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly. The Gosden trained filly narrowly denied long shot La Parisienne in the finish over the extended ten-furlong trip. The third-place finisher was nearly five lengths back and considering that the Frankel filly raced prominently due to her inside draw, she showed her class and great determination over the final furlong to win by a neck at the line. In doing so Doyle became the first female jockey to win a Group 1 Classic in Europe.

She has once again done her part to push racing to the front pages with this landmark success but ensured that the bay filly was the star of the show in her statements post-race. "Nashwa is an absolute dream,” said Hollie. “She's got a great mentality and is everything you want really. She's probably the best I've ever sat on. As a team we've really thought a lot of her from day one.” Nashwa had no problem backing up her third-place finish in the Oaks at Epsom just sixteen days ago dropping down in distance to win the French Oaks. Her trainer John Gosden suggested the Gr1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp on Arc weekend as possibly her end of season target.

Hollie Doyle added: “Physically there's still a lot more to come and hopefully she can get bigger and stronger. She's still quite unfurnished and we've always thought she was going to be better next year.” Doyle, who rode 172 winners in Britain last year and was third in the 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year behind Lewis Hamilton, was delighted with her week's work, having also notched her third success at Royal Ascot aboard Gr2 Coventry Stakes scorer Bradsell last Tuesday. She said: "It's really humbling to see how many people are behind me and

British Champions Series

76 A very happy Hollie!

are happy to see me have success like this." Fellow English rider Joanna Mason, who rode her 100th winner at Redcar on Saturday, celebrated Doyle's Classic victory and thanked her for her work in recent seasons to promote female riders. "It's brilliant, she's the first female jockey to win that

race and fair play to Hollie, she's a grafter," said Mason. "She's made the pathway for a lot of us girls. We're very thankful to her. She's breaking down the barriers of stereotypes of girls and boys."

Add Nashwa to her growing list of quality rides and Hollie looks destined for the stars.

Last October Hollie Doyle had a British Champions Day to remember at Ascot, winning the Gr2 Long Distance Cup on Trueshan and then claiming her first Group One aboard Glen Shiel in the Champions Sprint Stakes.

TOP TRAINER PASSES AWAY Alec Head, who has died at the age of 97, was one of the greatest allrounders in the history of modern racing. The Racing Post reports that the son of dual-purpose trainer Willie Head, Alec could lay claim to being among the most successful French horsemen since World War II, saddling four winners of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and launching a stream of successful raids to Britain and beyond,

with a Derby, a 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, an Ascot Gold Cup and an Eclipse among his triumphs in Britain. His list of training credits only scratches the surface of his contribution to the sport, since he was one of Europe’s most important and influential breeders of the post-war period, as well as father and mentor to two more of the greats of French racing, Criquette and Freddy Head. Despite spending much of his retirement in the Bahamas, Head

was a constant presence during the summer racing and sales season at Deauville and frequently spent the autumn back in Chantilly as wise counsel to his daughter as she prepared her string for the big end-of-season targets.

ANNE UPTON – A TRUE BLUE LEGEND OF THE TURF South African horseracing is mourning a true blue legend of the turf. Anne Upton passed away on Sunday at the age of 86.

a reputation for being good with difficult horses, which attracted the admiration and support of the likes of Fred Rickaby, Syd Laird and George Azzie.

A formidable horsewoman, Anne was only the second lady trainer in South Africa, taking out her licence at the tender age of 21.

Despite never having more than 20 horses, she achieved a string of successes, including two Holiday Inns and a gazebo at Hollywoodbets Scottsville built in her honour – but she is most strongly associated with the mighty Furious.

Anne started training in Hilton, mainly for her parents and her late husband Lou and forged

Anne Upton was born in

Pietermaritzburg on 13 December 1935. From farming stock and good ‘horsey’ people, Anne grew up in the Hilton Road area of the Natal Midlands and was educated at Wyckeham Collegiate. Her father, Jimmy Hampson, had racehorses in training with George Salter and her mother taught her to ride at the tender age of four. Anne was the younger of their two children.

Although only the second woman to hold a trainers licence in South Africa, it’s not something she made a particular fuss about. “I always wanted to train and never felt intimidated by the fact that it was a male dominated profession. I didn’t go into it thinking I was somebody special and I’ll show them – you don’t in racing! I got a license to train in 1957. My first trainers badge was No. 13 – good for me as I was born on the 13th December,” Anne once told the Sporting Post. Frank Lambert (Gold Circle Ambassador Bill Lambert’s father) was the Chairman of Pietermaritzburg – the City

Sporting Club as it was known in those days. He knew the Birch Bros and introduced Anne to Ted and Rosa Birch, who invited them to visit them. Her and Lou got married in 1958 and while they were on honeymoon down in the Cape, they – stayed at the Birch Bros. They gave Anne three horses – all older animals that had raced, but still had races in them. One, a Ranjit gelding named Infringe, became her first winner. Of the other two – one was an entire called Dowry. They used him for stud and he delivered Anne one of her greatest racing memories – Dowrys Son won the Kruger Day Handicap in 1962, to give her a first feature success. Anne initially trained from her

parents’ Hilton Road property, later moving to her own farm in Howick in 1981. She seemed to have a gift with difficult horses and trainers soon started sending her problem horses to fix. “In the mid-sixties I was offered an unmanageable Drum Beat gelding called Tympanist, owned by the late Walter Grinrod. He was a non-sweater and had a phobia of the starting tapes. Basically that horse made my name in racing because he was on the point of being warned off the racecourse for life when he was sent to me. We brought him up to

81 A very happy Hollie!

Hilton Road, which was a bit colder than Clairwood and he eventually came right and started sweating normally. I made a replica of the barrier tapes and strung them in front of his loose box. At first he was terrified, but he gradually accepted them. He won nine races, ridden mostly by David Payne,” Anne recounted in an interview with the Sporting Post.

when tragedy struck and he died of African Horse Sickness. Whittingham invited me to America anyway and it was the start of many visits to one of the most respected trainers and racing stables in the world,” recalled Anne in an interview with the Sporting Post.

In 1971 Anne met Mill Ridge Stud’s Alice Bell, breeder of English Derby winner, Sir Ivor, on a visit to Scott Bros (Alice was visiting her fiancée Dr John Chandler, the resident stud vet at the time).

Fred Rickaby’s top pick of the 1976 National Sale, Cyril Hurvitz had to go to R17 000 for the son of Savonarola. Ten days after the sale he developed a temperature that ran for weeks and later suffered an attack of biliary. Then he developed hock and knee trouble and because he needed a long rest, he was cut. For months afterwards he struggled with an extremely low blood count.

Alice invited her to the Kentucky and showed her the great studs and some of the best horses in the world – Nijinsky, Bold Ruler, Sir Ivor and South African champion, Hawaii. Alice had a horse named Commentary in training with Lucien Laurin. When Commentary came to stud in South Africa, Anne bred two top colts from him – Redwing and Bold Comment. “When beef baron Cyril Hurvitz brought Charlie Whittingham to South Africa, he selected two horses to take back with him – Bold Tropic from Buller Benton and Redwing from me. Redwing was due to leave South Africa

Although Anne counted two Holiday Inns to her credit, it’s Furious that people associate her with most strongly.

On 9 December 1978, less than 11 months after his first win, Furious won the Holidays Inns in style. Asked what her emotions were at the time she told the Sporting Post some years ago: “You know, it’s great to win a big race, I can tell you that now, but with Furious I was very relieved because the scary thing about Furious was his owner!” Hurvitz was the biggest gambler in SA at the time and had started backing Furious in March. He won a fortune.” Anne won the Holiday Inns for a

second time in 1983 with a horse called North Island. Anne moved her training operation to Ashburton and in about 2000, Gold Circle decided that trainers should buy their barns. “I was 64 at the time and I had bought a farm and I thought well I can’t take out a bond at 64, build up a farm and train horses, so I decided to retire. The last race I won was the King’s Cup at Greyville on 24 March 2001, which I won for Peter White with Abernant Star After retiring from training, Anne focussed on her farm and her cattle. She sold the farm about 10 years ago and moved to the Sakabula Estate just outside of Howick with her husband Lou. Our condolences are extended to Anne Upton’s family and friends at this very sad time.

83 Lou and Anne Upton - loved their racing

results up to: 2022-06-22

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

Mr P A Peter Mr S J Snaith Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mr G D Smith

1060 1121 792 460 1106

200 145 100 82 117

18.9. 12.9 12.6 17.8 10.6

2nd

3rd

145 138 81 63 115

116 144 81 51 109

Other Places Place % 217 237 160 89 186

478 519 322 203 410

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

45.1 14,558,313 20,739,438 46.3 11,121,525 16,973,650 40.7 9,479,125 13,737,063 44.1 8,233,688 11,658,125 37.1 5,240,938 8,297,900

JOCKEYS Name

Rides Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Mr W B Kennedy Mr R D Fourie Mr K de Melo Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni

1470 950 1019 1041 1258

223 151 149 126 156

195 130 118 117 143

242 174 161 156 142

16.5 18.3 15.8 15.0 11.3

Other Places Place % 277 199 227 211 262

695 480 494 454 561

47.3 50.5 48.5 43.6 44.6

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

13,891,313 14,898,738 10,235,825 10,691,263 9,504,313

21,562,625 19,998,150 16,165,150 16,427,025 15,291,338

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

295 1625 350 1991 167 905

70,977 142 214 54,044 140 193 99,968 82 134

48.1 40.0 49.1

655 772 388

14 7 16

19 10 22

20,938,163 18,915,350 16,694,725

156 145

73,851 61,871

42.9 35.2

350 319

7 4

9 5

11,520,700 8,971,288

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

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

18 13 6 10 4

14,036,713 12,481,388 12,030,625 12,007,638 11,920,225

846 946

67 109 51 80

SIRES Name Vercingetorix * Silvano (GER) What A Winter Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Master Of My Fate

Runrs Runs AEPR 150 873 93,578 153 818 81,578 185 1051 65,030 194 1043 61,895 194 1160 61,444

82 70 86 88 91

121 114 141 123 140

54.7 45.8 46.5 45.4 46.9

375 353 457 432 515

See all the detailed standings - Click here 84

13 9 6 9 2

ERIK CONTROL FREAK, OR KINGPIN? 86

At their core – and yes, I am unashamedly about to speak on behalf of United fans – followers of Manchester United want to be assured that they will see their side play and produce a brand of football they can be proud of. This is an English club rooted in the tenets of attacking football and given the success they have attracted, it’s strange the identity hasn’t always prevailed. Erik ten Hag has taken the helm at Old Trafford, and to be fair, I think it’s a bold move for United. The media had reported the likes of Mauricio Pochettino – who would have brought Premier League experience - as well as Julen Lopetegui and Luis Enrique, all of which have major league experience. What Ten Hag lacks in experience, he certainly makes up for in his teams showcasing consistently slick and fluid football. He has shown over again that he is able to bring a squad of players together to play for each other and work at an incredible rate of 90 minutes each week. This is, however, where I am less excitable about the ten Hag appointment. The media and fanbase, so often associated with major clubs around the world, love

to identify that which a manager has achieved elsewhere and then assume a copy and paste approach is imminent. This is arguably the greatest fallacy in world football. Management is less about bringing together ‘players for a system’ and more about implementing a ‘system for players’. Manchester United have a squad of world class football players. Surely should the manager find a balance between attack and defence, assertions rather than responsiveness and an underpinning philosophy which gets bought into – success surely follows? Ten Hag has shown that whilst he has a belief in what football looks like, adapting an approach to speak life into the players at his disposal earns a higher currency. The difference in his Ajax sides between 2019 and 2022 are evident. The introduction of a classic striker and the adapted formations suggest versatility without the sacrifice of success. This is a manager who might not have worked in a major European league, but he has shown that he can compete with the very best in Europe. He has been described by ex-players as a manager who is a control freak, someone who wants to hold everything close to his influence and then unapologetically looks to impart his winning mentality. Erik ten Hag is a manager who loves the attacking beauty in football, surely this is what Manchester United stand for? 88

United are stepping into a new era with their new manager. If there is anything United fans should be excited about and look to expect, it’s this: Ten Hag has shown that his love for expansive football is never compromised, but the way in which it is achieved isn’t set in stone. This is a worldclass coach coming to Old Trafford, where he will work with world-class players – what he does with them is left to be seen. That, my dear friends, is what should excite you!