SP SPRINT - 10 August 2022 by Sporting Post

JC Photos

‘She's a good specimen, with a bit more quality than the average Kahal’ – Mick Goss

Stephen Moffatt and his son Anthony lead Rouge Allure (Gavin Lerena) in

THE IRON LADY RETIRES

“She'll be catching the first float to Wartburg." That's how part-owner Mick Goss officially confirmed the retirement of the 'Iron Lady' of the South African turf, Rouge Allure, who is our Sprint cover star this week. A firm favourite on the Gauteng circuit, the nineyear-old veteran closed out her racing career this

past weekend with a fine third at Turffontein in what was her 102nd career start. Remarkably, her swan song was preceded by two wins.

withstood the rigours of the racetrack can be attributed to her soundness, according to Mick.

In an age where the majority of female runners generally bid the track farewell at age five, maybe six, at a push, Rouge Allure has defied the benchmark. In fact, she only became a stakes winner at age eight when she captured the Listed Jacaranda Handicap on what was her 95th career start! That this tough-as-teak mare has

"She's a very, very goodlegged mare," he remarked. " She's a good specimen, with a bit more quality than the average Kahal."

He makes no secret of the fact that he planned to retire Rouge Allure at the end of her four-year-old season, at

which stage she had a more than respectable six wins to her name. However, Mick was outvoted by his partner Albert Rapp, and he was right, Rouge Allure went on to score nine times more and retires a winner of 15 races and close on R1.4 million in stakes earnings. All credit to Stephen Moffatt, who had the privilege of training the chestnut for her entire career. The last stakes winner sired by top KZN stallion Kahal, Rouge Allure hails from a female family nurtured at the revered Juddmonte Farms. She is the best foal

out of the Pivotal mare Mekyaas, whose dam Land Ahead, is a Juddmonte-bred half-sister to American Gr1 winner Contredance and to Gr2 winner Skimble, the dam of dual Gr1 winner Skimming. While many breeders will frown at her retirement age, history shows that it's not uncommon for a hardraced mare to become a successful broodmare. One who immediately comes to mind is Jet Master's exemplary daughter River Jetez. A Gr1 winner of the J&B Met, the own sister to Pocket Power successfully traversed the globe before retiring to stud, having won 12 of 42 starts. She dropped her first foal at age 10, which turned out to be the Azzie-trained Gr1 Computaform Sprint hero Rivarine, who proved himself to be as tough as his dam and was still winning at the

age of seven. River Jetez subsequently produced his full sister Delta Queen, a winner of the Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery. Then there's Spirit Of Eagles, the American-bred dam of champion Silvano. Another sound individual, she raced 59 times and while not particularly classy, she proved herself to be consistent, scoring 11 times. She became Germany's Broodmare of the Year in 2001 and in addition to Silvano, produced American and German Gr1 winner Sabiango. Where to now for Rouge Allure? She is destined for the paddocks of new KZN breeder Sandra Trethewey's Bloomhill Stud, who is more than excited to welcome the accomplished mare. JC Photos

5 Anthony Moffatt gives their stable star a hug

"I am very lucky," Sandra explained. "I bought six mares at the Summerhill dispersal sale and Mick has since become sort of my mentor. He actually phoned me in March and said to me, I have a mare for you. That was Rouge Allure." Sandra, who is now partowner of Rouge Allure, added: "I could see that Albert was betwixt and between about retiring her and so I said to him, as you have such a special bond with her, why don’t we three own her together and breed from her as a team."

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As for which stallion Rouge Allure will visit first, Mick added: " I haven't discussed it with Sandra yet, but Got The Greenlight could be a possible first mate. Physically, she's probably ideal for him, being a goodbodied mare with a good hindquarter on her. "I haven't seen her in the flesh since I sold her I think and it will be very nice to catch up and see her when she arrives. She's been absolutely remarkable, we should all try to breed her ilk." One thing is sure, Gauteng racegoers will miss this venerable mare, who always gave of her best. We wish her well. Cover star Rouge Allure

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8 The tight-knit Trethewey clan: Lance and Sandra, with Cullum and Taylor-Paige

FLOWER POWER! WELCOME BLOOMHILL STUD

There’s a brand new name in the 2022 BSA August 2yo Sale catalogue. Located in the picturesque surrounds of Wartburg, north east of the KZN capital city Pietermaritzburg, the magnificent Bloomhill Stud is home to the Trethewey family – and of course, to the legendary racemare Rouge Allure! Mum Sandra is the ‘Minister Of Finance’ in the Trethewey household and exudes an infectious enthusiasm as she tells how the long road to their exciting first sale in a fortnight from now started many years ago when family friends Piet and Protea Taljaard arrived from the Free State to visit.

“It was holidays and they arrived with two ponies in tow. Twaksak and Togolosh started my almost lifelong love affair with the horse,” tells the daughter of a cattle farmer and cattle judge. Asked about her background, the articulate Sandra tells that she grew up in Hluhluwe. “My brother and I are fourth generation farmers. I went to The Wykeham Collegiate and studied at the Technikon Natal. I then returned to Hluhluwe to develop family game lodge in Hluhluwe. It’s called Falaza Game Park & Spa ( www.falaza.co.za). That was a great foundation learning experience for me,” she adds. Sandra married Lance Trethewey 18 years ago and the family is resident on Bloomhill with

daughter Taylor-Paige (14) and son Cullum (11). Lance is the current South African off-road car champion driver in his class. Sandra explains that her children also love the adrenaline of the racing car. “We go racing as a family and the kids, and I are his support crew. Both our children want to race with their Dad. I’m not sure my nerves will handle that. I fondly refer to the three of them as my ‘petrol heads’. We are all a sporty bunch; we love the outdoors and spend our days in summer at the dam water-skiing. The bush and beach are our best holidays.”

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All eyes on Bloomhill Beyond the passion for horses and cars, they also farm cattle and flowers and Lance has an earthmoving business. On the flower front, scented garden roses are their speciality and they also grow lisianthus and various other seasonal blooms. “Our market is for the local wedding and events industry but we have also exported for weddings on a few occasions. Then our whole family is very

involved in the horse stud. In our first season I had to ‘pinky promise’ that I would wake my kids to be at each foaling - and they were! We all have our favourite horses, and the children have their own riding horses, but also have their favourite broodmare and the foals are theirs!” The Bloomhill dream started a few years ago when Sandra heard about the Summerhill Dispersal sale and decided she needed to get herself a riding horse. “I contacted Amorette Kramer and she invited me to the

beautiful farm to look at the babysitters, as I was looking for a gelding. We accompanied Amorette while she was showing buyers the horses. After viewing the weanlings and yearlings, we looked at the broodmares. As I walked into the camp with the other buyers and my daughter, a chestnut mare walked up to me and wouldn’t leave me alone. This mare we now own – her name is Wysiwyg! This got me thinking and well, we bought six mares on that sale – and I still

don’t have a horse to ride!” she laughs as she points out Lot 159 in the catalogue for the month end sale. “He is a lovely son of Act Of War,” adds Sandra proudly. Sandra is a hands-on boss and coach of ‘a small phenomenal team’. “We plan to remain a small boutique stud, breeding with top bloodlines and mares with great confirmation. When deciding to breed, we made a conscious decision and commitment to best prepare our horses for their next step in their journey. By remaining small and select, I believe we have achieved that and will continue to

“I am very fortunate to have come from a family where women have always been leaders and businesswomen. Both my great grandmother and my grandmother were farmers, and my mother is a dynamic businesswoman too. My business partner is my husband Lance, who values my opinion and encourages every aspect of my independence and leadership, and I have a father that has been one of my greatest supporters.”

women, whom we have upskilled, and it’s been a pleasure to see them grow. My right hand at the stud farm is a dynamic lady named Beauty Ndlovu. She has taught me so much and together we are sharing our knowledge with other younger interested women, but I couldn’t do without the men that hold very important positions in our team. It’s all about balance and surrounding yourself with the right mix of people that work together as a team, to creative a collective success,” she adds sincerely.

Her open demeanour clearly suggests a love of working with people.

Sandra is a proponent of the philosophy of team strength.

do so,” she says with a steely determination. We asked what Women’s month means to her.

“The flower farm only employs Candiese Lenferna

Who nose what's happening?

“We are all about celebrating our strengths and acknowledging what we are good at and not so great at. Our approach is very real. We are all blessed with gifts and talents, and there is no greater gift than sharing those and offering a hand to uplift those around you. I believe that supporting another person’s success will never ruin yours. I found a lovely quote a few years ago – “And when you get to where you’re going, turn around and help her too. For there was a time, not long ago when she was you.”

Sandra is an open book on first contact. “I love real raw people, people with passion and a zest for life. I love people that can laugh as that’s always infectious. I have a lot of respect for people that are happy to share their knowledge and pay it forward. Honesty, integrity and kindness are at the heart of who I am. I hate dishonesty, entitlement and backstabbers. My family are what I hold closest to my heart – they’re a beautiful bunch, who make me very proud,” she beams. And with the sale just over two weeks away, what is the mood in the Bloomhill camp?

“To say I have mixed emotions is an understatement. I am excited about the sales, and I look forward to seeing how our horses will be received. I just pray that they all go to great homes/yards. I look forward to seeing how they grow and seeing how their careers as racehorses will unfold. It’s very exciting!” Find the Bloomhill draft in stables D8-D13.

Sandra’s notes on the Bloomhill Sextet: LOT 159 Wyze Act Son of Act of War (3 Gr1 performers from his first crop) from one of the nations elite mares (Dam of Cape Flying Championship Gr1 Hero, BOHICA and Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint runner up, BARTHOLDI) LOT 195 JET SPEED son of multiple Gr1 winner, RABADA, brother to black type runner, WAKA WAKA and Flying Dream (3 wins and R289 000.) Late foal.

LOT 117 MIDNIGHT RUBY daughter of South Africa’s highest rated Juvenile of his generation, RABADA; sister to Black type performer FLASHING STAR and Mighty Valdie (R206, 900 in stakes) LOT 43 GOLD AGENT daughter of Drakenstein’s front running first crop sire, GOLD STANDARD, ex Group winning OOCHEE AGENT from the family of HOT GIRL, HARRY’S LADY, SOVIET RISING etc. LOT 57 PERFECTLY PICKED by the sire of RAINBOW BRIDGE, SMART CALL, SAMURAI WARRIOR and VISTULA from a sister to Gr 1 hero, PICK SIX & Saucy Savannah

family of unbeaten champion Juvenile, BRIDAL PATHS. LOT 227 ELEGANT ACT daughter of the sire of 3 Gr1 performers (WAR OF ATHENA, BATTLE FORCE and BARTHOLDI) with his first crop, from the group winning dam of 2 Black type performers. Family of GLAMOUR BOY, ELEGANT BUCK, GAULTIER and KOLKATA.

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CAPE GETS MASSIVE STAKES BOOST

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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 hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cons ectetuer 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. 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 hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cons ectetuer 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. 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 hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero19 eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Kommetdieding (Gavin Lerena) turns to sed head to the start ofnibh the euismod 2022 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, cons ectetuer adipiscing elit, diam nonummy tincidunt ut laoreet dolore

Thanks to a R15-million stakes sponsorship by Hollywoodbets, Cape Racing is delighted to announce a minimum 35% increase in stakes across the feature and minor race programme for the coming season. As a result, stakes will increase from approximately R55 million for the twelve months ended 31 July 2022 to approximately R75 million for the current financial year, commencing 1 August 2022. There have been particularly high increases for lowerlevel handicaps and Maiden Plates, especially during the

‘Out of Season’ programme (March 1 – October 31). Cape Racing is also pleased to announce the launch of the Cape Summer Festival, an exciting innovation coming to the region for the first time. Of the twentytwo meetings during the Summer Season, nine will be designated as Summer Festival meetings. Races on Summer Festival days will be contested for even higher stakes. The dates of this season’s Summer Festival days are: • November 19, 2022 – featuring the Concorde Cup • December 3, 2022 – featuring the Green Point Stakes • December 17, 2022 – featuring the Cape Guineas Cape Fillies Guineas

OUT OF SEASON Previous

• January 7, 2023 – the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate race day • January 14, 2023 – featuring the Jamaica Handicap • January 22, 2023 – featuring the Politician Stakes • January 28, 2023 – the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met race day • February 25, 2023 – featuring the Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby

SUMMER SEASON

NEW

CAPE SUMMER FESTIVAL NEW

Cape Racing’s Executive Chairman Designate, Greg Bortz explained the thought process behind the structure of increases: “It has been very apparent that prize money levels in the Cape have not been of the required standard for some time, especially in comparison to other racing centres in the country. No Cape owner should be racing for R55 000 or R60 000 as we have been in the last few months. “This has played a major role in the drop of ownership and the corresponding reduction in horse population in the Cape. Cape Racing has moved to immediately address this by implementing these new increased stakes levels. Thanks to the unparalleled commitment of Hollywoodbets, the Cape

will rapidly regain its former racing lustre. “There has been a major focus on lifting the Maiden Plates and lowerlevel races to respectable levels. For example, the Classified Stakes have been raised from R55 000 to the new levels of R80 000 Out of Season, and up to R100 000 in the Summer Season, almost double the previous stake levels. “Critically, Maiden Plates will not drop below R100 000 all year. Similarly, also high on the priority list, is the increase of stakes for juvenile racing. We have increased the Out of Season levels from R70 000 or R80 000 to R110 000, and the Summer Season levels from R100 000 to R120 000, with R135 000 available at Summer Festival meetings. This is in line with our strategy of pushing more stake money into the programme for younger horses. Also key to note is that no race will be run for under R100 000 in the Summer Season. The above increases represent

part of the 35% increase in prize money for the racing year ahead. The feature race schedule of increases is even more exciting and will be released in due course. “Needless to say, I believe this season in general, and our Summer Season in particular, will be exceptional. While Cape Racing has barely reached the start line in terms of beginning its transformation and resurrection, this is not a bad way to begin! To the trainers and owners around the country, I would recommend you start making your travel plans very soon, because capacity is filling up quickly!” • Press release by Cape Racing on Thursday, 4 August 2022

FRANKIE TURNS ELLEEGANT! "Frankie finally gets to ride a Melbourne Cup winner!" This was the quip from Brae Sokolski, part-owner of Verry Elleegant, as he confirmed Frankie Dettori will ride his champion mare in her European debut later this month. Verry Elleegant, winner of the 2021 Melbourne Cup and Australia’s reigning Horse of the Year, is due to

have her first run for new trainer Francis-Henri Graffard in the Gr1 Prix Jean Romanet (2000m) at Deauville on August 21. Dettori, the most famous jockey in world racing, has had a celebrated career in the saddle but the Melbourne Cup has proven frustratingly elusive. He has ridden in the Flemington two-miler 17 times with seconds on 21

Central Park (1999) and Max Dynamite (2016) his best results. But Sokolski said it was a coup to secure Dettori to ride Verry Elleegant. “We have the King (Dettori) and Queen (Verry Elleegant) combining – there is a real ‘romantic’ aspect to it,’’ Sokolski said.

EST.1985

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HUMDINGER GOES ALL THE WAY

The Ridgemont Highlandsbred Humdinger led her rivals a merry dance at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday when she went from gun to tape to register her maiden stakes success in the R150 000 Listed Off To Stud Stakes. A second winner from just two starters on the afternoon for the Mike de Kock team, Humdinger was given a clever ride by Winning Form-sponsored Kabelo Matsunyane in a race where nobody was particularly keen to do the donkey work.

The 4yo daughter of What A Winter (Western Winter) made it a KZN Capital City double after a smart win over shorter a fortnight earlier.

Racing for a partnership of the International Racing Club (Nominee Joao da Mata), Mrs Laura de Haast and Mike de Kock, the 28-10 favourite Humdinger took the step up to stakes level like a filly with more to come, and was never troubled as she kept on resolutely to beat the late finishing Victoria Paige (25-1) by 0,80 lengths in a time of 96,49 secs. The 11-2 shot Macara ran a game race to grab third a further 0,40 lengths back in third, with Time To

Roll (12-1) shading Mount Laurel to snare fourth.

A R180 000 2020 National 2yo Sale purchase, the versatile Humdinger, a fullsister to the speedy East Cape-based stakes winner Glacier Gold, has now won 4 races with 6 places from 12 starts for stakes of R348 750. Bred by Ridgemont Highlands from the Equus speed champion What A Winter, she is out of the five time – winning Fort Wood mare, Himalayan Hill, who won this very feature in July 2012.

Pauline Herman

Ewan Garratt and Richard Jezi lead Integrity (Ryan Munger) in

TEAM TARA ON TOP OF THE WORLD Eastern Cape stalwart Tara Laing and jockey Ryan Munger got the 2022/23 season off to a terrific start at Fairview on Friday when the super-consistent Flower Alley mare Integrity went all the way in a gutsy performance to win the R150 000 Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes. Taking on two hardknockers in fellow Flower Alley

daughter Santa Therese, and the high quality Cape raider Rain In Newmarket, Integrity scored a deserved stakes credit when she kept on resolutely under a magnificently judged Munger rider to score the upset at 12-1. Riding a clever race, Ryan Munger cheekily played them on the break and got his mount to find more when it counted, as Integrity kept galloping to hold off Santa Therese (14-10) by 1,25 lengths in a

time of 100,34 secs. The 18-10 Rain In Newmarket ranged up dangerously under Piere Strydom, but had no answers and had to be content with third, a further 0,75 lengths back. Raced by Tara Laing Racing supporter Mr R Bundhun, the winner was bred by Maine Chance Farms and

made it an exacta clean sweep for Mauritzfontein’s Distorted Humor stallion, Flower Alley. The latter sired a winning double at the Vaal 24 hours in a good start to the season. The Gr1 Travers Stakes winning sire enjoyed a wonderful season in 20212022, with his flagbearers headed by Gr1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes winner Princess Calla, and fellow graded

stakes winners Bold Fortune, Firealley and Maharanee. The winner is out of the versatile six-time winner Illumiere (Giant’s Causeway) and cost R600 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale. She has won 7 races with 9 places from 20 starts for stakes of R482 525. The Gr1 Travers Stakes winning sire had a wonderful season in 20212022, with his flagbearers headed by Gr1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes winner

Princess Calla, and fellow graded stakes winners Bold Fortune, Firealley and Maharanee. Flower Alley has 11 lots on offer at the upcoming BSA August Two Year Old Sale.

Pauline Herman

Grazinginthegrass (Smanga Khumalo) charges clear of Nexus (Piere Strydom) in an exciting finish to the Listed Memorial Mile

THE GREEN GREEN GRASS OF HOME Drakenstein Stud’s outstanding achievement as breeders of a record 18 individual stakes winners last season continued at Fairview on Friday when the champion Cape nursery bred the winner of the R175 000 Listed Memorial Mile – only the second feature of the new term.

The Drakenstein achievement put the previous benchmark of 12 individual stakes winners, jointly held by Wilgerbosdrift/ Mauritzfontein and Summerhill Stud to bed last term, and the blue and white team will be thrilled to have watched the Philanthropist gelding Grazinginthegrass score his maiden stakes success. The 5yo gelding was overdue

after a string of placed efforts, and he finished with a powerful burst under Smanga Khumalo to beat the record-chasing Piere Strydom on his old pal Nexus (2-1) by a length going away in a time of 99,29 secs. Cape raider My Bestie (7-2) was back in third a quarter

length away, with the winner’s Greeff stablemate Marmara Sea (12-1) coming from a hopeless position, to run a commendable fourth. A former Mike de Kock resident, Grazinginthegrass has blossomed in the Eastern Cape, where he has shown versatility with cracking showings on both surfaces.

He is raced in a partnership of the ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr Arun Chadha), Mike de Kock and Mrs Noelene Malherbe. By former Drakenstein Kris S sire Philanthropist, he is out of the fivetime winning Singspiel mare, Candy Singer. A R300 000 buy on the National Yearling Sale, the Alan Greefftrained Grazinginthegrass has won

7 races with 10 places from 28 starts for stakes of R503 500.

Pauline Herman

Klaserie (Ryan Munger) is led in by Siphe Ngqabuko, Kelly Mitchley and Kyle Paddock

KELLY BREAKS THE ICE!

August is a great month for women and it was appropriate that 26yo Gqeberha lady trainer Kelly Mitchley joined in the celebrations when saddling her first winner at Fairview on Friday.

eighth runner since taking out her licence last month.

from 14h00 to 16h00 every afternoon.

She also runs a highly successful rehoming operation on her family’s De La Ranch, just 3km away from the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing headquarters.

A daughter of Flower Alley who races in the instantly recognised silks of another leading lady of the SA turf in Suzette Viljoen, the wellbred 4yo Klaserie confirmed her recent improvement to get her maiden win under the belt.

She enjoyed a varied ‘apprenticeship’ with a variety of trainers including Johan Janse van Vuuren, Justin Snaith, Corne Spies, Gavin Smith, and also helped out at Yvette Bremner.

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’, Vonnie.

A lifetime horsewoman, Kelly was only saddling her

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

Pauline Herman

Sanctity returns to the 1 box as Kyle Strydom is congratulated by his famous uncle Piere Strydom after riding his century of winners

STRYDOMS MAKING THEIR MARK The former SA Champion Apprentice Kyle Strydom continues to climb the ladder and he enjoyed another milestone at Fairview on Friday when booting home the 100th winner of his professional career with a polished ride to win the last race of the afternoon on Sanctity for

trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen and owner Suzette Viljoen. It was a thrilling moment for the Durban-based Kyle, who doesn’t travel back to his old hometown too often these days in view of the exorbitant cost of air travel. He turned 21 on Sunday 31 July – just a few days prior to his

milestone moment. What added to the occasion was that Kyle had his legendary champion jockey Uncle Piere Strydom on course, as well as Dad Jacques, Aunt Tania Koen and his sister Johanne. For Piere Strydom, en route

to a holiday in Cape St Francis, it was a rewarding afternoon too as he managed to cut his chase to his personal 5500 winner milestone to just 6 winners required, after he won the fourth race on the 6yo maiden entire Absolu Noir

for Emmanuel Kaknis. The Strydoms are relocating to the Cape where they will run an Airbnb, while Piere’s wife Krisna will continue to practice law. Following a semi-detached retina injury, Piere recently told

the Sporting Post that at the age of 56 he was not going to ‘go forever’, but would ride during the Cape summer with the goal of cracking the 5500 winner milestone.

JOCK FALLS OUT OF LOVE WITH RACING

Oakley Brown, who won the Ayr Bronze Cup at the age of 16 in 2018, has quit the saddle after ‘falling out of love’ with racing. The Racing Post reported recently that injuries, falls and struggles with his weight have disillusioned Brown, now 20, who switched to riding over jumps after a flying start to his career as an apprentice on the Flat.

He rode several winners as a conditional for Joseph O'Brien in Ireland but has found it hard since breaking his wrist and several ribs when a horse reared over on top of him at Hexham last year. "I've loved my time in racing

but it's not for me any more," said Brown. "I've had a few injuries in the last year and I stopped getting rides. I wasn't making money, I was riding only once every two weeks, and I fell out of love with it. I didn't want to go racing any more. "I'm off travelling to Australia for six months and then America for another six. And I'll probably take over my dad's business when he retires, he has a renewable energy company. But I'm only 20, I'm still young and I'll see what I want to do."

Brown started out as a prolific winner in pony races before joining Richard Fahey in his home town of Malton, landing the Bronze Cup on Lucky Lucky Man. He recalled: "I had a bit of luck: my second ride was a winner at York and I had another winner the next

day and I thought, 'This is easy!'

"I won the Bronze Cup for my dad's best mates, they all drink in the same pub, and that was a special day, though it seems a lifetime ago now. "But I always wanted to go jumping, I've known Mark Dwyer all my life, and I had a few rides in England, then went to Ireland. I had around 200 rides and 20odd winners and I rode a lot of good horses for good trainers, but I had a few bad falls and Joseph O'Brien started to move more towards the Flat."

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Candiese Lenferna

WILL IT BE THE YEAR OF YENI? Muzi Yeni raises his hands in delight after Feeling Groovy’s milestone victory on Friday evening

With a move to New Zealand on the cards for SA champion jockey Warren Kennedy, and the plum Paul Peter job up for grabs still, could this finally be the big season for the determined Claremont Durban-born 35 year old Muzi Yeni? While it is early days, Muzi has started like the proverbial house on fire and leads the log with ten

winners after ten days of the first month, including two local blank slots. Six of his winners have been for newly crowned SA Champion trainer Paul Peter. Yeni clinched the 2000th winner of his career on the Glen Kotzentrained Canford Cliffs filly Feeling Groovy in a 1600m maiden at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday night. For the now mature Yeni, the SA title will be well within his sights if

he keeps focussed and things go his way. He has finished in the top five in the past two seasons. He also found our greatest apprentice since Michael Roberts in Lyle Hewitson, who had his measure somehow, and beat him to the title in 2017/18 (by 34 winners) and 2018/19 (by just 3 winners). This could be Yeni’s year!

Chase Liebenberg

TRIPPI STATUE GREETS STALLION DAY GUESTS 43

The Drakenstein Stallion day held on Thursday 4 August saw breeders from across the country gather at the picturesque Franschhoek stud farm to view the impressive line-up of stallions. The day was opened with the unveiling of a beautiful new statue in the form of a

life sized replica of Trippi. Trippi was then brought out first as the leading sire on the farm, followed by his first son at stud, Gold Standard. Gr1 sires What A Winter, One World and Futura were all incredibly well received by the breeders and media alike.

Visit www.drakensteinstud. co.za for more information.

The covering season starts 1 September.

Chase Liebenberg

Chase Liebenberg Chase Liebenberg

WHAT A WINTER! Drakenstein Stud’s four-time Gr1 winning stallion What A Winter has made a cracking start to the 2022-2023 racing season.

Humdinger on Sunday, the former champion sprinter was on fire at Turffontein on Tuesday when he registered three winners on the nine race card.

After siring the Listed Off To Stud Stakes winner

His three winners were headed by the Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

bred Vanderbilt, with that four-year-old gelding making it four wins in a bounce when victorious in Tuesday’s Anne Upton Memorial MR 84 Handicap.

JC Photos

Lightly raced Skitt Skizzle on the racetrack

SKITT SET TO SIZZLE

There is no denying that Bosworth Farm Stud's resident stallion Skitt Skizzle is a vastly underrated sire.

Described by his trainer Sean Tarry as ‘good as any of the others’, Skitt Skizzle won his first start by ten lengths, and went on to win twice more and beat the likes of Welwitschia and Link Man when fourth in the Gr2 Senor Santa Handicap of 2014. Despite having a small first crop of just seven runners,

Skitt Skizzle made an immediate impact at stud, with the Jet Master son's initial crop headed by Listed Secretariat Stakes queen Cordillera and the very classy Tierra Del Fuego.

Old, and these fillies are all worthy of a second glance.

His subsequent crops have also been small in number, but they have yielded a number of highclass gallopers including Gr3 Sycamore Sprint winner Tropic Sun and top Zimbabwean galloper True Beauty.

Cartagena (Lot 12): f Skitt Skizzle -Magic Dynasty

Bosworth will be offering five fillies by their beautifully bred sire at the upcoming August Two Year

Bosworth's Neil Orford has the following to say about his August sale draft:

We did this mating because there is a strong affinity between Skitt Skizzle and Dynasty mares

Superskitt (123): f Skitt Skizzle -Super Pursuit The Skitt Skizzle/Silvano cross produced True Beauty -winner of the Castle Tankard and second in the OK Grand Challenge Granchaco (Lot 163): f Skitt Skizzle -Aconcagua This mating between Jet Master half-siblings has produced a

high-quality, robust filly Drumskitt (Lot 224): f Skitt Skizzle -Drum Fire High-quality, robust filly from a top Bosworth family Spice Trade (Lot 244): f Skitt Skizzle -Goede Hoop Her granddam produced three good winners from just three runners

Bosworth Farm Stud's August Sale draft can be found in Block A at the TBA complex in the days leading up to this year's August Two Year Old Sale. Watch out for our comprehensive August 2yo Sale preview!

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Nicole and Piet Botha- mine hosts!

DARE TO DREAM – BRAAING HIGH ON A SUNDAY

Piet Botha and his wife Nicole have made great strides since bravely taking the plunge with just nine horses out of the Dare To Dream Stable’s Barn 9 at Milnerton in August 2018. They recently moved into their new accommodation and have been upgrading and refurbishing, while introducing innovative concepts. The Dare To Dream team hosted a braai on Sunday

afternoon at their hospitable new yard. Coupled with their determination to make racing fun and affordable, Piet is elated at the news of the new RaceCape initiative and the announcement last week of a stakes boost in the region. “The latest news is the cherry on the top. We are so excited to know that racing now has a real chance to regain its status as a great entertainment medium for a wide range of people. The mood has been upbeat and

positive since Greg Bortz and Hollywoodbets have stepped in and I wish them, and new chief of racing operations Justin Vermaak every success.We are all behind making racing work!” said Piet.

51 MARRIED 9/8/2022 - CONGRATS ALISTAIR & CANDICE!

Candiese Lenferna

Hollywood's Hannah Powell-Rees, Groom Fikani Noqhethe, Trainer Peter Muscutt and Hollywood's Caroline Hartog enjoy the handover

CENTURY UP FOR HOLLYWOOD SYNDICATE

The Hollywood Syndicate enjoyed their most successful season to date when the curtain came down on the 2021/22 season. With a record 101 winners on the board, the yellow and purple silks are expecting a big season ahead – even if the milestone will be a tough act to match in a very competitive environment. The stated goal of the syndicate to support

the South African horseracing and breeding industry by investing back into the sport and also by taking an active role in thoroughbred racehorse ownership, was achieved in numbers and goodwill, with the 101 winners for the season being registered by 65 different horses for 21 different trainers countrywide. A diverse group of 31 different jockeys, of which 8 were apprentices and one a workrider, booted home the proud

Hollywood Syndicate winners across the length and breadth of South Africa. The century maker accolade, and 100th winner honour, went to the smart What A Winter 3yo Isivunguvungu, meaning ‘storm’ in isiXhosa, who romped home in the Marshalls World Of Sport Listed Umngeni Handicap, in the season finale on 30 July at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

The Peter Muscutt-trained galloper was ridden by new Winning Form-sponsored rider Richard Fourie, who had earlier brought up his season peak of 9 Gr1’s with an elite double earlier on the big day. It was a proud moment for Isivunguvungu’s Groom Fikani Noqhethe, who certainly makes for a

winning combination with the speed merchant. In a special award ceremony hosted by Hollywood at the Peter Muscutt stables at Summerveld in the week following the terrific milestone, cash awards were made of R10 000 to Peter Muscutt, R10 000 to Richard Fourie, and R2000 to Fikani Noqhethe, as a token of appreciation for a job well done.

In a sweet cherry on the top for the Hollywood Syndicate, Brett Crawford saddled La Vida to win at Kenilworth at the final meeting of the 2021/22 season, the very next day! Onwards and upwards from here on in!

Candiese Lenferna

Chase Liebenberg

Captain’s Ransom (Richard Fourie) charges clear to win the Gr1 Mercury Sprint

MARK YOUR X FOR EQUUS Public voting in the official Equus polls opened on Monday and will close on Friday 12 August. This year for the first time the equine categories for the Equus awards will be decided on three elements: a points system for performance, a vote by an expert panel and a vote by the public.

UK’s Cartier Racing Awards. The nominees from which the panelists and Joe Public can choose were listed according to the number of points they gathered in Group and Listed races.

The public are now able to visit the Equus website to vote.

In a readers’ poll being conducted by the Sporting Post for the highly debated SA Horse Of The Year Award, the popular mare Captain’s Ransom has netted 45% of votes ahead of our unique option of a tie – Jet Dark / Captain’s Ransom share title- which has netted 25%.

The system is based on the

Jet Dark to win it on his own is a

third choice at 22%, ahead of the 6% garnered by impressive Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, Sparkling Water. Click here and have your say via a vote in our SP poll – results to be announced on Monday 22 August.

NEWSFLASH: CAPE AWARDS – 3 SEPTEMBER The 2022 ROA and Breeders Awards will be held in The 1881 Lounge, Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday 3 September 2022.

Racehorse Owners Association and Cape Breeders to honour and celebrate the achievements of the champions during the Western Cape racing season.

The event is hosted by the

The nominees for the 2022 ROA

and the Cape Breeders awards can be seen by clicking here.

Sporting Post's Sindi Thwala, 4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe & Luthando 'Lootlove' Shosha at Turffontein on Tuesday

FUNDI HOSTS RACING LADIES AT TURFFONTEIN Sporting Post representative Sindi Thwala was a member of a group of female industry stakeholders who enjoyed a rare ladies day out at the Turffontein races. “It’s a great sport and it’s for anybody – that’s the message that we have to get out there to females of all demographics, especially the younger generation. We can see it in our racing viewership figures – 51% are women! And then the Nielsen sports betting stats indicate that there are more

female than male punters – us girls just don’t talk about it!” she laughed. The enthusiastic Fundi Sithebe told Ms Thwala that it wasn’t a case of just getting the interest going on the big days. “We have to look beyond the obvious attractions of the big days like the Hollywoodbets Durban July, the WSB Met and the Gauteng Summer Cup, and get a more consistent support. I take myself as the first and only black female in the operator management space to show that anybody can get involved and

inspired. I never had horses or racing in my background. So anybody can start today,” she added. The guest of honour was South Africa’s only current female professional jockey Rachel Venniker – who has just been crowned the country’s champion apprentice jockey. 4Racing paid tribute to Venniker, who took Ms Sithebe on a walkabout to explain the dynamics of race-riding.

All of the races on the afternoon, which was held in tandem with the Racehorse Owners Association, honoured some of the leading historic female figures in South African horseracing with the main race being the Anne Upton Memorial Handicap, named in honour of the legendary female trainer and former Summer Cup winner who passed away in June this year. Races named after other leading female figures in the sport included South Africa’s first female jockey Genevieve Michel, the first trainer Hilda Knaupp and legendary Nelson Mandela Bay breeder Rose Parker. Other prominent female

trainers also honoured are Jean Heming and female steward Joan Ruffel. Top jockey turned television presenter Nadine Low Ah Kee anchored the special Women’s Day broadcast on Racing 240.

SA Champion owner of last season Suzette Viljoen was amongst the invited guests, along with Luthando ‘Lootlove’ Shosha, host of the new Racing Today show on SABC Sport.

Rachel Venniker & Nadine Low Ah-Kee

61 Gavin Lerena and Fundi Sithebe enjoy the celebrations

JOANNA – PROUD ROSE AMONGST THE THORNS With a Masters degree in Sports Nutrition, former amateur rider Joanna Mason could be doing a lot of other things to earn a living. But she was born into the saddle, and on Saturday celebrated her first Ascot winner when claiming the Dubai Duty Free Ride Of The Day Award on Amanzoe in the opening Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Curtain Raiser Classified Stakes. The ‘tough versus touch’ debate around female jockeys has been a hot topic

since the National Horseracing Authority of South Africa decided to join the French and allocate a 1,5kg claim for the fairer sex. It is 25 years ago last month since lady jockey Alex Greaves dead-heated in the five furlong Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Ya Malak, a sprinter trained at Sessay by her late husband David ‘Dandy’ Nicholls, to become the first woman in Europe to win a Gr1 race. At that time, such a success by a female jockey was the exception rather than the rule, whereas the likes of Hayley Turner, Hollie Doyle,

Bryony Frost and Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider Rachael Blackmore, are now making it the norm in both codes. “Hayley was someone I looked up to, but there weren’t many others and I think that probably influenced me because it was a man’s world,” explains Joanna. “With Hayley and Hollie it is getting to the point where there’s no real barrier for girls. Faye [McManoman]

is doing well and it is nice to see a lot more female apprentices coming up through the ranks.” She says facilities for female riders are improving all the time at UK racecourses, adding: “Things are moving with the times and losing the stereotype that ‘boys are stronger than girls’, because it is not all about strength; there’s fitness and race tactics, being able to get a feel off the horse and so on. So whether you are a girl or a boy - it doesn’t really matter.” Mason, 32, granddaughter of legendary Sheriff Hutton trainer Mick Easterby, told The Yorkshire Post: “I didn’t start riding regularly on the Flat until about a year and a half ago. I rode as an amateur, so I rode a bit on the flat in the summer and did point-to-pointing in the winter. I was joint amateur champion twice and runnerup a couple of years and then Covid came and I was given a push in the right direction from fellow jockey Serena Brotherton. “I had thought about turning professional a couple of times but probably didn’t have the self-confidence to back myself as I was in the comfort zone of being an amateur. But during Covid, amateurs weren’t allowed to ride so that gave me the

push and Serena said I would be stupid if I didn’t.” Joanna has held a professional jockey's licence riding for 14 seasons as one of the country's top amateur riders. She rode her first winner as a professional when Marwari won at Newcastle on New Years' Eve 2020. The 2021 season saw her establish herself as one of the top riders in the north of England, recording 44 winners. Joanna rode out her claim 66

in May 2022 and in June this year rode her 100th winner as a professional The time was right for Joanna to switch as COVID restrictions had limited her rides somewhat in 2020. As she says, it was now or never and she didn't want to look back at a missed opportunity. The Malton-based jockey had a very lucky escape

Joanna was born into the saddle back in 2016 when she broke her back in a pointing fall. And although Mason has a professional qualification to lean on, like many with the ‘horse bug’, she had no intention of quitting and could not wait to get back in the saddle again. “I sat on a horse after five weeks and could only walk and canter - five weeks is the longest I had never sat on a horse. I had eight pins and two rods in my back and had that in for a year. I was allowed to ride in it and it was three months and a week to the day that I was back raceriding.

have ridden again? I don’t know… “After a year I had it all out - I was very lucky - as it was an unstable fracture and very close to my spinal cord, so I do count my blessings.” Joanna says that the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday was ‘amazing’ and the team morale ‘wonderful’.

“That was down to Jack Berry House [in Malton] they helped massively, if they weren’t about would I

“It’s an honour to be picked to represent the girls and we have given it our best shot. We thought we would have a really good chance and we have come second, so everyone has done themselves proud. We have won three races and done well. It was also an honour to ride for Mr [William] Haggas and a good horse

makes it a lot easier. I just had to really steer Amanzoe to victory, all the hard work has been done at home. It was a thrill to ride a good filly like her. She admitted that she was very apprehensive about the big day beforehand.

“I was not sure what to expect but it has been an absolutely brilliant day and I have loved every minute of it. I would love to do it again.I have loved the team side of it, too, it adds a different dimension. To get the chance to ride with some famous and well-known jockeys when you never would normally – Emma-Jayne Wilson, who is

Ascot breakthrough and Shergar Cup joy!

a sensation in Canada, Kerrin McEvoy, Christophe Lemaire. And to get my first winner at Ascot, on a Saturday – I am loving it!”

Candiese Lenferna

The energy was electric as fans came out in support of the KwaZulu Royals (blue) and Gauteng Gijimas (red)

TEAMS CONCEPT TAKES OFF IN STYLE

Teams competing in the new Global Team Horse Racing night series (GTH) met at Durban’s Hollywoodbets Greyville racecourse last Friday evening to demonstrate a thrilling new style of thoroughbred horse racing in front of hundreds of local Durban families and new horse racing fans. The team jockeys also put their first scores on the series’ leaderboard. After night one of the series, the KwaZulu Royals took the lead with a total of 452

points compared to the Gauteng Gijimaz’s total of 448. Teams and their followers will make their way back to the track this coming Friday for night two of the four-week series, where the Cape Stingers take on the Gauteng Gijimaz. GTH has a similar format to T20 cricket in that teams will accrue points for every race in the series. The team with the most points wins. Race meetings are being held under spotlights on consecutive 70

Friday nights throughout August. There is plenty of track-side entertainment for families. The series comes to a dramatic finish on Friday, September 2, 2022. The Cape Stingers, KwaZulu Royals and Gauteng Gijimaz are competing for more than R3.5-million in prize money. Jockeys are gunning for the Night Rider prize at the finale, where they can cash in R30,000, R20,000 and R10,000 for first, second and third place respectively.

This past Friday, August 5, jockeys for the KwaZulu Royals rode against the Gauteng Gijimaz. On August 12, the Cape Stingers will meet the Gauteng Gijimaz. On August 19, it is KZN against the Cape. The two teams with the most points after the three weeks will ride in the final. The winning team will also be the proud owner of a 40cm Africanised horse bust Floating Trophy, which was hand-carved by Josphat Phiri, a Durban artist. GTH Marketing Director, Angus Campbell, described the first night as a breakthrough and hopes to see even more families at the race track this coming Friday when the Cape

Stingers take on the Gauteng Gijimaz. Local celebrities were at the series opener and Social Pioneers also hosted their guests, which Campbell said had helped to grow the series’ following.

responsible for choosing which horses to feature in each of the races.

GTH has managed to attract some of the racing industry’s top talent.

Michelle Rix will lead the Cape Stingers, while Wendy Whitehead and Candice Dawson will manage the KwaZulu Royals and Gauteng Gijimaz respectively.

The Cape Stingers is being led by team captain Mark Khan, a well-known SA Champion Jockey. Muzi Yeni, who has won numerous Grade 1 races, is captain of the KwaZulu Royals. Gavin Lerena has the team reins belonging to the Gauteng Gijimaz. Lerena was SA’s Champion Jockey in 2014/15.

The GTH race programme has been condensed into 2.5 action-packed hours. Races start at 18h00 and finish by 20h30 each week. Gates open at Hollywoodbets Greyville at 17h00 every Friday afternoon.

Three winning female trainers have been appointed to manage the teams. The managers are also

For more information about GTH, visit https://www.gthracing.co.za Candiese Lenferna

71 From left; socialites Ruan Scheepers, Sinotho Msweli, Shoreek Sheoratan and Ndumiso Shezi relished in the energy of the night from the VIP Box over looking the finishing line

SCAT DADDY SONS ARE DOING IT! 76

Coolmore

'Scat Daddy’s most famous son Justify is inbred to Hawaii, through Hennessy and broodmare sire Ghostzapper' 77 The late Scat Daddy – an outstanding sire

The world lost an outstanding stallion in the form of Scat Daddy who died at the age of 11 back in 2015. The son of Johannesburg had already established himself a top-class source of speed and class, having been responsible for 69 stakes winners at the time of his death.

legacy appears to be thriving, with a number of the Gr1 Florida Derby/Gr1 Champagne Stakes winner’s sire sons enjoying plenty of success in 2022. The unbeaten Justify has gotten off to a flying start with his first two-year-olds this year.

Scat Daddy’s reputation would burgeon further following his son Justify landing the Triple Crown in 2018. Also victorious in the 2018 Gr1 Santa Anita Derby, Justify, victorious in all six of his races, would be crowned Horse Of The Year and Champion 3YO Colt in the USA in 2018.

Justify, who never raced at two, is currently the second Leading First Crop Sire, by stakes, in North America for 2022. He is responsible for unbeaten Irish Gr2 winner Statuette and Gr3 Schuylerville Stakes heroine Just Cindy, and his daughter Justique made a big impression when winning on debut by two and a half lengths. From his first 15 runners, Justify has six winners, and gives the impression that there is plenty more to come from him.

Happily, the Scat Daddy

Scat Daddy’s most established

sire son, thus far, is Gr1 Prix Morny/G2 Norfolk Stakes winner No Nay Never. The latter, also responsible for Gr1 July Cup/Gr1 Middle Park Stakes winning sire Ten Sovereigns and Chilean Gr1 winner Brooke, is enjoying a superb season in 2022, with No Nay Never two-year-olds firing on all cylinders. His brilliant son Little Big Bear, already successful in both the G3 Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes and Listed Windsor Castle Stakes this season, claimed his first Gr1 score when romping home to a seven length win in Saturday’s Gr1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. He is, however, but one of Racing TV

78 Little Big Bear charges home to a seven length win in Saturday’s Gr1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh

several high-class juveniles for his sire this year, with No Nay Never also sire of this season’s impressive Gr2 Darley Prix Robert Papin winner Blackbeard and G3 Albany Stakes queen Meditate. No Nay Never is also responsible for star filly Alcohol Free – who made it Grr1 win number four when she captured this year’s Gr1 Darley July Cup.

sons, like Justify, who look poised to make their mark at stud. Dual Gr1 winner Caravaggio, winner of both the Gr1 Phoenix Stakes and Gr1 Commonwealth Cup, made an impression with his first crop, now three, headed by dual Gr1 winning filly Tenebrism and Gr2 German 2000 Guineas hero Maljoom.

Yet another son of Scat Daddy, former Chilean Horse Of The Year Il Campione, is responsible for recent Argentine Gr1 winner Dona Yerba.

Sioux Nation, like Caravaggio a winner of the Gr1 Phoenix Stakes, is another son of Scat Daddy to have made a smart start with his first runners. Among Sioux Nation’s first two-year-old winners this year are Gr3 Jewson Sweet Solera Stakes winner Lakota Sioux and Gr3 Prix Six Perfections winner Sydneyarms Chelsea.

Scat Daddy also has a plethora of younger sire

Arguably, Scat Daddy’s best bred son, Mendelssohn, has also made 79

a pleasing start with his first two-year-olds and is currently the seventh Leading First Crop Sire, by earnings, in North America. Scat Daddy had links to South Africa as well, with his Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winning sire Johannesburg’s sire Hennessy being produced by a daughter of South African champion Hawaii. Scat Daddy’s most famous son Justify is inbred to Hawaii, through Hennessy and broodmare sire Ghostzapper.

Ascot Racecourse

‘It's very clear something has got to change, and it needs to change now, as quickly as possible. Our sport is in a decline in this country, we're getting further and further behind the superpowers like Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and America, and it's damaging our sport irreparably’ – Charlie Fellowes

BRITISH RACING AT CROSSROADS

Leading trainers have once again called for urgent action from their racing authorities to save British racing from decline. Last week, William Haggas suggested that 300 fixtures, more than twenty percent of the season, be scrapped.

Haggas, who trains the world's highest-rated racehorse Baaeed, said field sizes were falling because there were too many fixtures for the current number of racehorses and pressure should be put on racecourses to act.

Fellow trainer Charlie Fellowes said change was needed “as quickly 81

as possible”, while Mark Johnston, trainer of the most winners in Britain, said he “wouldn't be against” the immediate cutting of fixtures. Mark Johnston agreed with proposals on the future of British racing submitted by

former BHB chairman Peter Savill. These included a reduction of races for horses with ratings between 80 and 100, more emphasis on the marquee fixtures and festivals, and providing the British Horseracing Authority with more power to enforce these changes and fixtures with racecourses. A plan to remove 300 races from next year's fixture was prevented after opposition from some racecourses, but William Haggas thinks this must take place for British racing to have a chance to grow and compete with overseas markets. Haggas said: "We as a body – the National Trainers Federation – were very much in favour of cancelling 300 races, and I would cancel 300 fixtures and make the pool of races smaller. “If the same amount of money is available, then that [prize-money] would go up. We have an issue at the moment with too much racing, there's no doubt, and it's only the trainers who are saying this and the trainers are the ones who benefit from too much racing.”

Those against this measure include racecourse representatives and bookmakers who have warned that a significant reduction in fixtures would likely lead to a corresponding reduction in media rights and levy income for the sport, therefore no guarantee that prize-money would increase for the remaining fixtures. The BHA, Thoroughbred Group and Racecourse Association had jointly issued a letter in the Racing Post regarding their concerns on the future of racing in Britain, providing proposals to “deliver tangible change in important areas.” That change is wrapped up in an industry strategy review whose recommendations would be unlikely to be implemented before 2024. However, fellow Newmarket trainer Charlie Fellowes argues that action is required urgently. He said: “It's very clear something has got to change, and it needs to change now, as quickly as possible. Our sport is in a decline in this country, we're getting further and further behind the superpowers like Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and America, and it's damaging our sport irreparably.” “It's very clear that the way the sport is structured and governed

is not helping. You've got bookmakers, racecourses and horsemen all pulling in different directions, all wanting different things and not working together. How are we meant to get anything done when we have three sections of the sport that can't agree?”

results up to: 2022-07-31

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

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

1232 1261 507 871 1244

221 163 87 105 134

165 157 65 87 127

137 162 56 92 119

17.9 12.9 17.2 12.1 10.8

Other Places Place % 248 263 103 176 210

550 582 224 355 456

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

44.6 16,273,938 23,337,813 46.2 13,318,400 21,181,650 44.2 11,404,938 15,546,375 40.8 9,738,500 14,408,438 36.7 5,976,875 9,406,313

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

1609 1117 1187 1167 1418

241 174 172 142 182

214 156 137 129 168

263 200 194 171 160

16.3 17.9 16.3 14.7 11.3

Other Places Place % 301 235 266 245 293

756 565 575 516 643

47.0 50.6 48.4 44.2 45.3

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

16,198,813 17,772,488 12,407,700 14,501,888 10,448,063

24,700,325 23,884,300 19,313,775 21,095,275 17,639,463

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 Ridgemont Highlands

314 1844 85,2890 160 361 2231 58,2430 148

244 51.0 210 41.0

738 872

14 9

22 12

26,780,663 21,025,688

177 1031 115,072 164 958 78,5850 144 876 72,8660

151 49.7 127 46.3 117 50.7

447 390 406

18 9 8

25 11 10

20,367,663 12,888,000 10,492,675

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

B.T. Wins

Total Stakes (R)

16 21 14 5 7

17,688,263 16,425,825 14,330,913 13,350,300 13,318,975

88 76 73

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

Runrs Runs

164 920 107,855 78 157 989 104,623 87 208 1180 68,899 94 209 1320 63,877 102 196 1194 67,954 92

131 140 140 158 155

47.6 55.4 45.2 48.8 46.9

395 430 493 577 514

See all the detailed standings - Click here 84

10 14 12 3 6

WHO WILL BE LONDON’S PRIDE? 87

Two sides who are vying to stake a claim for the ‘pride of London’ meet at the Bridge on Sunday evening. These games always captivate the attention and hardly ever disappoint. It’s Thomas Tuchel against Antonio Conte, Blue against Coy, Chelsea against Spurs – what could possibly go wrong? Chelsea vs Tottenham | Sunday 14 August | Stamford Bridge | 17h30 Ps. I’m absolutely buzzing for this one – bullish prediction and all! To Win (90 mins) Chelsea 12/10 Draw 24/10 Tottenham 23/10 Chelsea Ryan Liberty wrote that Chelsea saw their domestic season opener against Everton decided by Jorginho’s penalty at Goodison Park. Thomas Tuchel gave debut starts to Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling, but in what was a seriously scrappy affair – I count myself disappointed by that Chelsea performance. To be fair, Chelsea played in relative comfort and limited pressure on their defensive line…but you must read that in context. They played an

Everton side completely devoid of any attacking threat! Now before I am accused of falsifying a narrative, Raheem Sterling showed he will bring certain quality and pace to this Chelsea outfit. Koulibaly’s composure on the ball and ability to play out looks as though he is a player from the preface of the Tuchel bible and Marc Cucurella never really got into the game – but his nippy approach continues to intrigue…

their response to a 12th minute James Ward-Prowse volley is what can be seen as more impressive. Before the end of the first half, Spurs had edged ahead and seemed to grow in confidence with every passing minute thereafter. They went forward with direct intention and looked as though they could score whenever they won possession of the football.

Chelsea didn’t necessarily themselves ask any serious questions of Everton’s defence themselves but given the inability of their hosts going forward the Blues could almost afford to cruise. At the end of the day, they were able to get their season off to a winning start and not everyone on Merseyside can say that now, can they?

Antonio Conte lauded over their performance and rightly so! The Italian manager would have been most impressed with the way his side worked off the ball, putting pressure on the Saints in the right moments and wanting to close their central space with unmatched aggression.

The media continue to suggest that Thomas Tuchel will want to bring in some new faces before the window closes at the end of the month – but I suspect that will be more of an embellishing task than anything else. This is a strong squad and whilst I think the attacking ability of Spurs can take advantage of their hosts – I wouldn’t read too much into the opening weekend.

Conte has invited supporters to be ‘dreamers’ and with a full preparation complete, a full season ahead and new faces in the camp…this isn’t a manager who is seen as a serial winner for no reason. Yes, it is still early on but there’s a good feeling around that Spurs camp and serious expectation of success.

Tottenham

The boys from North London will go into this derby full of confidence after seeing their side put out an entertaining and positive display of football already. I think their

Tottenham had to come from behind to get their league campaign off to a winning start. Spurs were inevitably comfortable winners against Southampton, but 88

attacking threats can get into possession which put Chelsea under all sorts of pressure – and then you couple this with the work to close spaces the likes of Mason Mount and Sterling would otherwise want to occupy. Predicted Line-up: Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva,

Koulibaly; James, Kante, Jorginho, Chillwell; Mount, Havertz, Sterling. Spurs: Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Sessegnon; Kulusevski, Kane, Son. Prediction: Tottenham (23/10) I think Spurs win this, and with all the respect in the world, I say this with banker, provident fund, and delirious confidence! Spurs should be a banker in all bets this

weekend, hell it should be part of the Sunday roast. 23/10 is an invitation to profitable euphoria – why on earth would you pass this us?