SP Sprint - Wednesday 16 November 2022

COUSIN WELCOMES PUNTERS ON SATURDAY

Candiese Lenferna

Cover Image

Gr1 winner Cousin Casey makes his season debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday

A unique shot of an Egyptian Goose captured above Jason Gates' head as he wins the third at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday on the Louis 'Goose' Goosen-trained Sea Goddess. Dual Equus Award winner Candiese Lenferna was the photographer. Outstanding as always!

Glen Kotzen’s exciting Gr1 winner Cousin Casey will make his season debut on a bumper multi-feature ‘punter centric’ raceday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday in the newly baptised R500 000 Gr2 Cape Punters Cup.

A Riyo Stud-bred son of leading sire Vercingetorix, Cousin Casey has not seen track action since winning the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville last term.

He has had a grass gallop in the past few weeks and has impressed his trainer, who expects to have him in fighting trim for the R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1

Cape Guineas on 17 December. On the terms of the race, the 113-rated colt is set to give 2kgs to the balance of the sixteen-strong field.

His nearest rated challenger is Brett Crawford’s recent Gr3 Cape Classic runner-up At My Command (107), who has, as his name would ironically suggest, drawn in the Youngsfield Military base at 15.

At first glance the name, the Cape Punters Cup, may sound strange, but in fact the 1600m contest has a well-entrenched history in the Cape as a Guineas ‘trial’, having been run for decades as the Selangor Cup, in conjunction with the partners of the time, the Malaysian Turf Club.

In recent years, sponsorship by

Concorde saw it run as the Concorde Cup.

An enthusiastic KR Head Of Racing Operations Justin Vermaak, said that the team was looking forward to the newly-styled and configured Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Summer Racing Festival.

“Saturday’s raceday is the first of nine Festival meetings. Every one of our meetings has a core theme built around it and the team at Cape Racing felt that this would be the perfect event to position as a day for our punters. It will be punter centric, and naming the headline event after the initiative, led to a decision to rename the Selangor/

Scene at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last Saturday – television presenter MJ Byleveld and jockey Gavin Lerena enjoy the shade

Concorde, the Cape Punters Cup. We look forward to this day becoming our Festival opener each year and we intend building on it as the event grows.”

Vermaak went on to point out the stakes increases for the Festival days.

“We are pleasingly seeing more than 13 runners a race on average for our first Festival card. The on -track experience has also been ramped up. Incorporating themed days like this for each meeting is contributing to elevating the pleasure of the on-course experience as

well,” enthused Vermaak.

A spokesperson for the Cape Racing team said that they are creating an amazing experience for the 1881 Lounge.

So the highlights of the day include:

• Free Entry to the racecourse with cash prizes to be won.

• Entertainment throughout the day from @Kai Liam Connor.

• Live performances by Matthew Mole & Choccy Chox after the last race!

• The whole family is welcome

with a designated kids area provided.

Book hospitality at www. caperacing.co.za

“Those that prefer A La Carte can book in the Pocket Power, which has price options for everyone – and the ground floor food spectrum boasts a big variety, including the great news that the popular Buddy is back with her popular Indian menu!”

The first of eight races is off at 12h40.

DAY-NIGHT!

Racing under the lights at Turffontein! When last did we experience that? Well Friday’s weather

delayed Tab4Racing Gr3 Fillies Mile racemeeting sets up the opportunity to enjoy that pleasure, albeit with a day-night cocktail.

Racing starts at 14h50 and ends with the tenth race at 20h00.

CAPTAIN'S BACK

The powerful Snaith Racing machine raised the bar a notch again for the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Summer Racing Festival when their flagbearer Captain’s Ransom made short work of a powerpacked Pinnacle Stakes lineup on her season debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today (Wednesday).

The six-time Gr1 winning

SA Horse Of The Year went off at around 9-10, which now looks a tad generous in hindsight.

But with bigger fish to fry in the months ahead, and 15 weeks since her last start, there were some doubts whether she would summararily put them to bed.

line full of running to beat Firealley by 2,25 lengths in a time of 83,87 secs.

Winning Form-sponsored Richard Fourie said he had his favourite mare third one off the rail.

Justin Snaith described the winner as an amazing filly.

8

There were no doubts, however, as Richard Fourie unleashed the Moutonshoek-bred mare at the 300m and she unwound to hit the

BORTZ - BIG PLANS FOR RACING?

After securing a 35,14% stake in empowerment investment counter Grand Parade Investments in recent weeks, Kenilworth Racing Chairman Greg Bortz looks to have spurred further major player action with gaming and leisure giant Sun International snatching a 10.56% stake in GPI.

Bortz’ stake has led to a mandatory buyout offer to GPI’s shareholders, and there is speculation aplenty in the horseracing community as to what these moves hold for a sport looking to lift itself off the mat after some trying times.

Bortz told Marc Hasenfuss of Business Day in October that it was too early to divulge future plans for GPI. “I have taken a meaningful position. These are quality (gaming) assets that fit the value investing thesis.”

Business Day reports that a takeover battle is now on the cards at Grand Parade Investments (GPI), which holds stakes in two of the most profitable gaming assets in SA.

A surprise disclosure on

Friday saw gaming and leisure giant Sun International snatching a 10.56% stake in GPI. This came only days after GMB Liquidity Corporation bumped its stake in GPI to over 35.14% — triggering a mandatory buyout offer to GPI’s shareholders.

The developments have been good for GPI shareholders with a 25% gain in the share price since mid-October.

Sun has not yet articulated its intentions at GPI. But GPI and Sun have endured a long, and sometimes tempestuous, relationship.

GPI has been Sun’s 15% empowerment partner at its cash-

spinning GrandWest casino in Cape Town since the late nineties, and also holds a 15% stake in the Sun’s Golden Valley casino in Worcester and 30% of Sun’s highly profitable SunSlots, limited payout machine (LPM) and sports betting business.

Gaming experts regard these assets highly — GrandWest being a consistent profit spinner at high margins and SunSlots holding a viable niche that has shown a faster-thanexpected recovery after Covid-19 restrictions were eased and then lifted.

Greg Bortz seen with partner Gina Goldsmith & golfing legend Gary Player

While the Golden Valley casino is small in terms of revenue and profit, the property holds strategic value if plans for a second casino in the Cape Town metropole materialise. This would involve one of the existing Western Cape licences being transferred to Cape Town — and ending the exclusivity that the GrandWest casino has enjoyed for more than two decades.

Before the Covid-19 break out Sun was at an advanced stage in negotiating to buy GPI’s remaining stake in SunSlots. But negotiations were called off as Sun’s debt worries increased during the long shutdown periods for

casinos during the early stages of the pandemic.

Initially Sun — which is still in the throes of curtailing its debt burden of R5.9bn — seemed in no rush to revisit negotiations with GPI to acquire the remaining 30% in SunSlots. GPI, on the other hand, had bigger fish to fry over the Covid period in finalising the sale of its stake in fast food chain Burger King.

The emergence last month of GMB — which has merchant banker and horse racing enthusiast Gregory Bortz as its prime mover — as the largest shareholder in GPI might well have spurred Sun into action.

Indications are that GMB would reconfigure GPI as a pure gaming play with speculation that other

gaming assets could be ushered into the company in the longer term. GMB was earlier this year involved in taking over the struggling Kenilworth Racing, which was undertaken in partnership with sports betting business Hollywood Bets.

As things stand, GMB is offering GPI shareholders 333c a share for their shares. GMB has indicated it does not want to delist GPI from the JSE. The slender premium offered in the mandatory offer on GPI’s average share price over the past 30 days also seems to indicate that GMB is not banking on convincing all GPI shareholders

to sell their shares.

It seems Sun may have paid about 350c a share for its 10.4% stake.

Market watchers are now speculating whether Sun will tilt for more GPI shares. There are several sizeable shareholders, including activist investor Value Capital Partners (VCP), that could be approached if Sun intends building a larger

holding to challenge GMB.

Market watchers, however, have questioned whether Sun would be keen — at this point — to stretch its balance sheet to acquire control of GPI or even make a pitch to buy out the company.

Sun has made great inroads in reducing its SA debt, which only a few years ago stood at more than R9bn. The initial foray into GPI would have cost Sun over R165m.

GPI has a current market value of just more than R1.6bn.

• www.businesslive.co.za / additional by SP editorial staff

Ascot Stud’s Snitzel stallion Heavenly Blue – an exciting prospect!

'Three years on, their racing careers are a fading memory but the new young sires are set to make an impact!'

Pauline Herman Photography

There's just something about this time of year that makes one's pulse quicken. It's almost time for the new crop of twoyear-olds to make their racetrack debuts and we are especially looking forward to watching the progeny of new young sires, those who retired to stud in 2019.

Three years on, their racing careers are a fading memory, so this week, let's recall the credentials of the more prominent newcomers.

Historical Mauritzfontein Stud, which built its fame around predominantly classic stallions such as Free Ride, Fort Wood, Strike Smartly and Ideal World, opted to add some

precocity to its roster in the shape of the Japanese champion juvenile Danon Platina, a son of Deep Impact, Japan's dominant stallion since 2012.

Essentially a miler, Danon Platina recorded all five career wins over the trip, with his career-defining victory coming at two in the Gr1 Asahi Hai Futurity on turf.

Danon Platina, who inherited his grey coat from damsire Unbridled's song, proved popular at the yearling sales. Buyers liked what they saw and paid generously for his youngsters, the highestpriced of which a grandaughter of American champion Eliza, for which Suzette Viljoen outlayed R720 000.

Argentinian-bred Hat Puntano likewise is a grandson of the mighty Sunday Silence, albeit through another son, the

globetrotting champion Hat Trick.

A product of Argentina's famed La Biznaga Stud, the handsome brown colt arrived in South Africa a dual Gr1 winner of the Gran Criterium at two and that country's Guineas at three. Trained by the Azzie team, he proved himself a top miler on two continents with a splendid victory in the Gr2 Charity Mile at Turffontein.

His first youngsters include a most interesting colt, a halfbrother to the Gr1 winner MK's Pride. Out of the Admire Main mare Ikimasu, he is linebred 3x3 to Sunday Silence.

It was only a matter of time before South African breeders took notice of

Danon Platina

the success of leading American sire War Front, Danzig's most accomplished stallion son barring Danehill and Green Desert. Mauritzfontein's 'sister stud' Wilgerbosdrift took the plunge when it welcomed his multiple stakes-winning son Fire Away.

In a campaign spanning five seasons, the Phipps homebred proved himself a tip top miler with two Listed Stakes victories at Aqueduct. While both these races were over turf, he also claimed Pimlico's Gr3 Dixie Stakes on dirt.

Fire Away hails from arguably the most successful Phipps female family, that of American Broodmare of the Year and undefeated champion racemare

Personal Ensign, who features as the grandam of Fire Away. Wilgerbosdrift supported its newcomer with some pretty decent mares and reaped ample reward in the sales ring, most notably when the half-brother to Gr1 winning duo Rainbow Bridge, Malmoos and Golden Ducat fetched R1,6 million.

War Front also features as the sire of ill-fated Lancaster Bomber, who joined the Drakenstein stallion roster after spending one season at the National Stud in Newmarket.

Trained by O'Brien for the Coolmore partners, he was a smart juvenile, finishing second in both the stallion-making Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes and Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. A close fourth to Churchill in the 2000 Guineas, he then ran second in the fastest ever renewal of the Gr1 St James's Palace Stakes (beating Churchill)

and was also runnerup in the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Mile. His crowning achievement at four was a thoroughly convincing twolength triumph in the Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup.

A half-brother to the multiple Gr1 winner Excelebration, Lancaster Bomber's female line is out of the top drawer, his dam being a grandaughter of the Gr1 Irish 1000 Guineas and Gr1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine, Sarah Siddons.

As befits his fine credentials, breeders clamoured for his services and he will go to war with a superb firstcrop arsenal which includes siblings to champions Kasimir and Gabor, the Gr1 winners Chimichuri Run, Forest Indigo, Russian Rock,

Fire Away

Brave Mary, Afrikaburn as well as youngsters out of champion Beach Beauty and the Gr1 winner Snowdance.

Lancaster Bomber's premature demise at the tender age of seven came as a huge shock. Ironically, as is so often the case when a horse dies, his progeny set the world on fire and given the superb first book of mares he covered, he rates a strong candidate for leading Freshman Sire honours!

Another young sire whose first runners are eagerly awaited is Heavenly Blue, the first son of champion Australian sire Snitzel to join the South African stallion ranks. A grey, just like his broodmare sire El Prado,

he was unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile and went on to become a tip top classic performer, winning the Gr1 SA Classic and running third in the Gr3 SA Derby.

Sadly, Heavenly Blue's subsequent career was bedevilled by illfortune, and he was not seen out again for eight months due to various ailments and mishaps, which effectively ended a highclass career and led to retirement to Ascot Stud.

For the pedigree pundits, his dam, the El Prado mare Simply Carina, is inbred to the exemplary blue hen mare Special through the threepart brothers Sadler's Wells and Nureyev.

"He's a handsome grey and a beautiful mover, very light on his feet," remarked Ascot Stud's Rose Parker, herself a

renowned show judge.

Let's not forget, his illustrious sire has led Australia's Juvenile Sires List on three occasions and already has a proven Gr1 sire son in Shamus Award, all of which bodes well for the handsome grey.

New Predator likewise hails from Down Under and is by Galileo's successful son New Approach. While Galileo has been a classic influence par excellence, New Predator possessed a sharp turn of foot and proved effective from 1200m to a mile.

A six-length maiden winner, the Wernars-raced colt immediately followed up with a splendid second in the Gr2 Dingaans when

beaten by subsequent Gr1 Cape Guineas hero Noah From Goa in a headbobbing finish. A relentless frontrunner, the colt opened his stakes account in the Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes where he had the likes of Horse of the Year Legislate and Durban July winner The Conglomerate behind him. Also successful in the Gr2 Charity Mile at four, some of New Predator's best efforts came in defeat at the very top level, notably when beaten just a length when third in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint.

As a smart sprinter/miler, New Predator's appeal clearly resonated with

buyers in the sales ring, his first crop yearlings selling for up to R300 000 off a R10 000 service fee.

Finally, there is Horizon. Arguably one of the best-bred horses to retire to stud in 2019, he ticked all the boxes: a record-priced yearling, a Graded stakes winner, by top stallion Dynasty, out of an own sister to champion Silvano. You don't get much better than that.

Sold for a then record of R5,2 million as a yearling, Horizon was never going to recoup that lofty price, yet proved he was no slouch by scoring a signature win in the Gr3 Politician Stakes and earning Gr1 black type when third in the Daily News 2000.

Dynasty's record as a sire of sires is beyond reproach, suffice to say that his son Act Of War already has a pair of Gr1 winners to his credit, whilst all of Futura, Legislate and Jackson have sired Graded stakes winners. Given his blueblooded pedigree, there is every reason to believe Horizon could follow in their footsteps.

New Predator

Your chance to get amongst the bucks

Bloodstock South Africa proudly hosts a superb catalogue for this year’s November Two Year Old Sale.

The November Sale has been scheduled for the TBA Complex in Germiston on Sunday 27 November and trading is to get underway from 11am sharp.

The catalogue is online and can be viewed at www.bsa. co.za

With BSA auctions having enjoyed some wonderful results already in 2022, hopes are high that those upward trends will continue.

Many of South Africa’s leading breeders will be represented this year, with the catalogue made up of 195 two-year-olds.

All of the country’s leading active sires are represented in this catalogue, with prominent stallions with lots on offer at the November Two Year Old Sale including Flower Alley, Futura, Gimmethegreenlight, Ideal World, Master Of My Fate, Querari, Rafeef, Vercingetorix and What A Winter.

Young sires with their first twoyear-olds on offer include such exciting prospects as Danon Platina, Fire Away, Hat Puntano, Heavenly Blue, Horizon, Lancaster Bomber, and New Predator.

A few potential star lots on offer at the sale this year include:

Lot 20 -a Rafeef full-sister to recent Gr2 Topbet Mike O’Connor Spring Challenge winner William Robertson

• Lot 21 -a half-sister to Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint winner Battle Force

• Lot 28 -a Danon Platina half-brother to triple graded stakes winner Barahin

• Lot 45- a Master Of My Fate half-sister to stakes winners Bonika and Whatever Next

• Lot 60 -a Querari filly out of a stakes winning halfsister to champion Rebel King

• Lot 62 -a Vercingetorix half-brother to champion French Navy

• Lot 87 -a Futura halfsister to Guineas runner up Supreme Warrior

• Lot 98 -a Querari filly out of Gr2 winner Tempted

• Lot 107-a half-brother to Hong Kong Gr3 winner Chefano

• Lot 108 -a Danon Platina half-brother to graded stakes winners Smorgasbord and Zen Arcade

• Lot 109 -a Danon Platina colt out of Gr2 winner Virgo’s Babe

• Lot 120 -a Querari halfsister to Thefutureisbright

• Lot 123 -a Vercingetorix colt out of a Gr3 placed daughter of Jet Master

• Lot 125 -a Danon Platina half-sister to dual stakes winner Covered In Snow

• Lot 128 -a Futura halfbrother to Gardenia Stakes heroine Nicky Noo

• Lot 129 -a Vercingetorix

filly out of Ladies Mile winner Butterfly Girl

• Lot 135 -a Master Of My Fate colt out of East Cape champion Clear Sailing

• Lot 149 -a Lancaster Bomber half-sister to Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock

• Lot 158 -a Flower Alley own sister to the Gr1 placed Perfect Witness

• Lot 159 -a Royal Mo half-sister to Kailene

• Lot 160 -a Vercingetorix halfbrother to graded stakes winners Cousin Liz and Gimme One Night

• Lot 161-an Ideal World colt out of a stakes winning daughter of Bernardini

• Lot 172 -a Gimmethegreenlight filly out of Var’s Gr3 winning daughter Ghaalla

• Lot 182 -a What A Winter colt out of a Gr3 winning daughter of High Chaparral

• Lot 185 -a Willow Magic half-sister to Gr2 winner Springs Of Carmel

• Lot 195 -a Vercingetorix colt out of Gr1 winner Juxtapose

BELLA BOOKS CAPE FILLIES GUINEAS BERTH

While they have had their ups and downs like all champions, there is no question that Richard Fourie and Justin Snaith will go down in history as one of SA racing’s most effective trainer-jockey combinations of the 21st century.

The duo look set for a big bid at winning their fifth Cape Fillies Guineas title after the royally bred Varsfontein flagbearer Ciao Bella made short work of her opposition to win Saturday’s

R400 000 Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship.

Captain's Ransom (2020), In The Fast Lane (2013), Sparkling Gem (2008)and Captain's Lover (2007) span 15 illustrious years for the combination, and the Varsfontein team will fancy that Ciao Bella could make it five.

The Winning Form-sponsored Fourie scoffed at suggestions from on-course presenter Fiona Ramsden earlier on in the beautiful afternoon that he was ‘on fire'. But 'Dutchy' isn’t a fishing for compliments kind of professional on an average day and he left

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth with five well taken winners, that included a composed effort on the exciting grey.

With the luck of the barrier gates playing against some of the leading contenders, there would have been a few hard-luck stories, but none that could detract from Ciao Bella running a dream Fillies Guineas prep.

She was unleashed from some way off the gallop by Fourie, and as she gained momentum into the final stages the top jockey’s

Ciao Bella storms up the outside under the rampant Richard Fourie

body language spoke of something special under him. Fourie conceded afterwards that he may be listening to Justin Snaith with more regularity, as he personally had thought of Ciao Bela as a sprinter.

"I obviously got that wrong!" he laughed.

At the line, Ciao Bella (21), who clocked 85,75 secs for the 1400m, was three quarters of a length ahead of a game Time Fo Orchids (20-1), who was having her first run for the Vaughan Marshall yard. The daughter of Time Thief would have done her Gold Rush aspirations no harm firth a gutsy run from her 12 gate.

Gimme’s Lassie (8-1) moved up dangerously, albeit a bit early, and was not disgraced

in third, ahead of a flying Golden Hostess (7-1). The daughter of Gold Standard made up plenty of ground late after being dropped right out from her terrible draw, to grab fourth and only 1,35 lengths off the winner.

A daughter of champion Gimmethegreenlight, Ciao Bella is out of Equus Champion BelaBela (Dynasty), a daughter of one of 2016/17 Equus Champion Broodmare of the Year and one of the greatest mares in the South African stud book in Mystic Spring.

A beautiful grey flyer, Bela-Bela only managed a fifth place in the 2015 Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas behind Silver Mountain but certainly lived up to her pedigree as a racehorse and was voted Equus Champion 3YO Filly in 2015/16 with 7 wins (including 3 Gr1’s) and R2 636 875 in stakes.

Ciao Bella has now 3 races with 1

place from her 5 starts for stakes of R359 375. She now heads for the R1 million WSB Cape Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 3 December.

It’s set to be a vintage renewal judging by what we saw of the best of the Cape on Saturday. Then there are a few up-country prospects in the wings too. Mouthwatering stuff for Cape Racing and their growing legion of fans.

Entries for the classic close at 11h00 on Monday 21 November. Supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Friday 25 November. Declarations are due by no later than 11h00 on Monday 28 November.

BELLA’S ROYAL CONNECTION

Exciting filly Ciao Bella, who ran out an impressive winner of the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, certainly lacks nothing in terms of pedigree.

By champion sire Gimmethegreenlight, Ciao Bella is out of a three time Gr1 winning and champion daughter of a top sire in the form of Dynasty. Her charismatic dam Bela-Bela is a half-sister to no fewer than

six stakes winners, including shortlived champion Rabiya (Jallad).

Ciao Bella's outstanding granddam Mystic Spring was sired by 1990 Gr1 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Royal Academy, one of the very best sire sons of Nijinsky II, and a horse who has more than made his presence felt -both in South Africa and further afield.

From a handful of runners, Royal Academy made a big impression in South Africa, with his superb broodmare daughter Mystic Spring joined by the likes of July winning

champion Eyeofthetiger, Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Express Way, Gr3 Winter Derby runner-up Marine Academy, Gr3 Winter Guineas/Gr3 Winter Classic winner Royal Chalon and Lavery. The latter, winner of Ireland's Gr1 Phoenix Stakes in 1998, went on to show smart form in South Africa, where his efforts included a third place finish in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship of 2001.

Ciao Bella and Richard Fourie are assisted at the pull-up by the triumphant Snaith team

Chase Liebenberg

Royal Academy’s 2000 Guineas runner-up son Tamburlaine retired to stud in South Africa, and he left behind Zimbabwe star Control Freak (dam of this season's promising threeyear-old Quantum Theory as well as former Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship runner-up Cavivar), and the graded stakes winners Katy's Lane, Mike's Choice, Reflective Image and Sharp Mistress.

Another son, Krisflyer International Sprint winner Ato, is the sire of the game Chijmes, who defeated subsequent Gr1 Gbets Cape Derby winner Atyaab

when he won the 2019 Listed Sea Cottage Stakes.

Interestingly enough, Royal Academy's relative Goldkeeper is the sire of Bela-Bela's top-class half-sister Secret Of Victoria. The latter won both the Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes and Gr2 Sceptre Stakes and also produced a pair of Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winning own sisters in the form of All Is Secret and The Secret Is Out.

Royal Academy's influence was felt globally with the bay leaving behind Gr1 winners in all of Australia, Brazil, Britain, France, Hong Kong and North America, to name but a few places. In total, Royal Academy left behind 167

stakes winners, while his daughters have produced more than 200 stakes winners.

His name looks likely to appear in pedigrees for years to come, through the deeds of multiple champion sire Fastnet Rock (whose dam Picadilly Circus was sired by Royal Academy), while Royal Academy's Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes winning son Bel Esprit, famed for siring unbeaten champion Black Caviar, is broodmare sire of Hong Kong superstar Beauty Generation as well as dual Gr1 winning Australian sire Ole Kirk among others.

The rising star’s Mom Bela-Bela wins the 2016 SA Guineas under Anthony Delpech – Nightingale (Grant van Niekerk) stays on for second

Gold Circle Gold Circle

SNAITH FLYER TO 110

Justin Snaith’s Ciao Bella has had her merit rating raised from 96 to 110 following her success in the Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship for three-year-olds over 1400m on Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (winter course) on Saturday 12 November. The Handicappers were of the view that Hold My Hand made for the most suitable line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 102.

There were ratings increases

also for four other fillies. 2nd placed Time Fo Orhids is up from 104 to 107, while 3rd finisher Gimme’s Lassie goes up from 90 to 107.

4th placed Golden Hostess goes from 103 to 106, Bevies Delight rises to 104 from 99, and lastly Echo Of Life was raised from 93 to 102. This ensures that these fillies are rated correctly relative to one another, and the Handicappers see no valid reason why this should not be the case.

The only drop was for Miss Marguerite , who is down

slightly from 93 to 92.

• Media release by NHA on Tuesday 15 November 2022

The Snaith Team refresh Ciao Bella post race

Chase Liebenberg

SURJAY PUTS THE BOOT IN!

Chase Liebenberg

Kabelo Matsunyane steers a rampant Surjay to victory ahead of Kommetdieding flying down the inside rail – Trip Of Fortune (Aldo Domeyer) ran a cracker in third

Confirming his status as something of a Kenilworth 1200m course specialist, the improving 4yo Surjay produced another solid effort to beat a high-quality field in the inaugural R150 000 The Bantry Bay Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

A brand new non blacktype race on the Cape summer calendar, the Banty Bay Stakes is part of the streamlining of the local speed programme, with the Southeaster Sprint moving to October, and the stakes boosted R450 000 Cape Merchants now being run in December to complete a sensible path for the speedsters into the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at the end of January.

Ridden by Kabelo Matsunyane, who was subbing for the suspended Louis Mxothwa, Surjay (6-1) turned a quiet day around for Philippi trainer Brett Crawford in 69,06 seconds when he finished with a sustained run to beat a lowflying Kommetdieding (33-10) by a diminishing 0,30 lengths.

The consistent Trip Of Fortune (4-1) was a further 0,75 lengths back in third with Bereave (33-1) boosting the quartet in fourth.

Racing in the familiar blue and shocking pink silks of leading owner Suzette Viljoen and bred by the late Dr Jim Antrobus, the winner is a son of SA General Sires List leader Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the twice-winning Badger Land mare, Something Of Value.

An Equus Champion, and a winner of the Gr1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan, the ever popular Vercingetorix

has 12 lots on offer at this month’s November Two Year Old Sale.

Surjay has now won 4 races with 7 places from 13 stars for stakes of R234 975.

The run of the race was undoubtedly that of the 2022 WSB Cape Met champion Kommetdieding, who was having his first start in the 15 weeks since his titanic duel with Jet Dark in the HKJC World Pools Gr1 Champions Cup at the end of last season. The 5yo son of Elusive Fort caught the eye and looks set for a big season, with his final two Gr1 appearances.

A KOMMET AND TWO CAPTAINS!

Approaching two veteran ‘captains’ of the industry to syndicate your champion for stud is akin to giving your son a kickstart and sending him to Oxford or Harvard!

That’s surely the rationale behind leading owner Ashwin Reynold’s move to syndicate ‘The People’s Champion’ Kommetdieding with the assistance of seasoned thoroughbred breeding professionals, John Freeman

and John Koster.

The news that the modestly priced yearling, who has boosted horseracing’s man-in-the-street popularity ratings over the past few season through his outstanding performances on the track, will return to the magnificent place of his birth after the Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and a swansong in the Gr1 WSB Cape Met, has been received with excitement and anticipation.

The simple fact – the fabulously versatile Kommetdieding was

syndicated for stud in a matter of hours late last week and will return to multiple national champion base Klawervlei after the Met, where he will commence the second chapter of a fairytale that will be retold for decades to come.

The rags-to-riches story of the humble colt who went from obscurity to the unique Durban July/Cape Town Met double will go down in history as one of the great

Gavin Lerena and Kommetdieding beat Linebacker and Jet Dark to win the 2022 WSB Cape Town Met

stories in South African racing folklore. Racing folk fondly claimed him as ‘The People’s Champion’.

A modestly priced yearling, within three months he started maturing and grew into a magnificent looking colt.

His proud owner came up with a masterstroke of a name, which means ‘bring it on, we’re ready’.

He won on debut over 1200m as a two year old and reeled off an undefeated sequence of four races at Hollywoodbets

Kenilworth, culminating in a stunning victory in the Gr3 Politician Stakes in January 2021.

Ashwin’s phone started ringing, as big-time racing people from around the globe wanted to buy this talented youngster.

The offers were in the millions, but the soft-hearted Ashwin declined them all, saying this colt was for South Africa.

On Saturday 3 July 2021, Kommetdieding won the R2million Vodacom Durban July as a three year old. In the process, the history books were updated as Ashwin Reynolds became the first racehorse owner of colour to

win Africa’s most famous horserace.

Again the offers came, and this time even greater than before. Ashwin was unyielding, opting to keep the colt in South Africa and instead to go for the 2022 Met in front of his adoring home crowd who had come to revere their favourite.

He duly won Cape Town’s most prestigious race, and in so doing joined the elite racing heroes Politician, London News, Pocket Power and Igugu. His trainer Michelle Rix also became the first female conditioner to win the prestigious race.

Jodi Pieters and Michelle Rix welcome Kommetdieding to Precentor Place for a break in May

Candiese Lenferna

In his dream to keep the colt in South Africa and embark on a second career as a stallion, Ashwin has again pledged his unique support to the breeding ranks by sharing the Cape Kommet’s 5 year old racing career as part of the breeding deal. He will thus compete in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and the Met for the proud new syndicate.

A seriously magnanimous gesture in which the two John’s have joined forces to repeat the success of the Captain Al syndication formula, and we must think shades of the What A Winter syndication success story where over 30 proud owners crowded the winner’s enclosure

at Turffontein after the Equus champion had won the 2013 Gr1 Computaform Sprint!

After an outstanding performance where he came from near last over a trip well short of his best in The Bantry Bay Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, trainer Michelle Rix said that she felt that for the first time in her champion’s career that his mental maturity has matched his physicality.

“He has always been an extremely laid back and gentle horse on and off the track. However, this season he has pushed himself to another level. While last year’s Cape season was spectacular, it is this year that I find myself extremely excited simply because of the vast mental improvement in the horse I’m working with!” she concluded.

What a terrific story for racing and of a horse that cost a mere R55 000 on the 2019 Klawervlei Farm Sale!

Kommetdieding is a son of Gr1 SA Derby / Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner Elusive Fort (Fort Wood) out of the three-time winning Captain Al mare Adorable.

He has won 6 of his 15 starts for stakes of over R3,7 million – and he is far from finished!

So why not bring them on, he is ready!

• Enquiries – john@ johnfreeman.co.za

Leading stallion manager John Freeman – delighted to be driving the Kommet

Candiese Lenferna

WILLIAM’S BABY SISTER WILL BE IN DEMAND!

Long time leading vendors Boland Stud will be offering a superb draft at the November Two Year Old Sale.

Not only does this draft include two-year-olds sired by such popular stallions as Danon Platina, Lancaster Bomber, Querari and Rafeef, but there have been a number of exciting updates

to lots in Boland's November sale string.

The Captain Of All colt Tribal Leader (Lot 38) got a handsome boost to his pedigree page when his promising half-sister Broadway Girl ran out a brilliant winner of the recent Beach Beauty Mile, and Broadway Girl looks to be a filly going places!

Boland Stud will also be offering a

filly (Lot 149), by the much missed Lancaster Bomber, who hails from a truly exceptional family. From the immediate family of recent Gr1 Qatar Prix de l'Opera Longines heroine Place Du Carrousel, this filly is a halfsister to Gr1 Cape Racing Presents The Cape Guineas hero Russian Rock (beaten just over two and a quarter lengths in the recent Gr3

Betway Gr1 Summer Cup prospect William Robertson – has a beautiful full sister on the sale

Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes) and also to Seconda Errore, who recently caught the eye when she won at Turffontein.

However, perhaps the most notable update to Boland's draft for this year's November Sale is the boost to the pedigree page of the blue blooded filly Work

Of Time (Lot 20). This daughter of boom sire Rafeef is a full-sister to William Robertson, who recently claimed the second graded win of his career when storming home to land the Gr2 Topbet Mike O'Connor Spring Challenge while taking his earnings to over R1 000 000 in the process.

Boland Stud's draft for this year's November Two Year Old Sale can

be found in Block C at the TBA complex in Germiston.

ON WINGS OF DESIRE!

Heversham Park Farm's resident sire Wings Of Desire has a truly exceptional pedigree. Winner of the Gr2 Dante Stakes (a race won previously by subsequent top South African sire Hobnob), Wings Of Desire is not only a full-brother to Gr2 winners Eagle Top and The Lark, he is also a three-parts brother to outstanding filly Sariska, winner of both the G1 Investec Oaks and Darley Irish Oaks in 2009.

Wings Of Desire, who also hails from the same female line as recent standouts Magna Grecia and St Mark's

Basilica as well as legendary stallions Hyperion and Sir Tristram, is one of 160 stakes winners sired by the late great Pivotal.

The latter, also an outstanding broodmare sire, has become a highly successful sire of sires thanks to the likes of his top-class sons Siyouni, Farhh and Kyllachy to name but three!

Heversham will be bringing no fewer than seven two-year-olds by Wings Of Desire to the upcoming November Two Year Old Sale.

They include the filly (Lot 39) from the immediate family of globetrotting Gr2 winner Kapil, the half-sister (Lot 41) to Derby Trial winner and Gr1 SA Derby

runner up Pagoda, and the half-sister (Lot 173) to the dam of Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Vernichey.

Other well bred two-yearolds to be found in this draft include the Erupt filly (Lot 2) out of dual Gr3 winner Katy's Lane, and the Willow Magic half-sister (Lot 179) to former Listed Derby Trial victor Bankable Teddy.

This draft can be found in Block D at the TBA complex in Germiston, and they can be viewed in the days leading up to the 2022 November Two Year Old Sale.

The impressive Wings Of Desire (Frankie Dettori) has seven youngster carrying the Heversham flag

LOSE… WORLD-FIRST GUARANTEE BY HEVERSHAM PARK

Heversham Park Farm of South Gauteng has announced a unique incentive for buyers attending the Bloodstock SA November National TwoYear-Old Sale at the TBA Complex, Gosforth Park.

With ten quality lots on offer, Heversham will return

WIN IF

fifty percent (50%) of the nett proceeds of every Hevershambred – if such purchase does NOT earn a stake cheque in its first five career runs. This, we believe, is a worldwide first for thoroughbred buyers.

“We’ve raised our standards year on year and we have a nice base of supporting clients. This is a gesture

of thanks to them, a back-up and some recovery should their sales purchases not make the grade.”

Find out more – mobile: 071 138 8133 / email: katerina. kavalaris123@gmail.com

YOU

BRIGHT BLUE SKIES

Bruce Le Roux and Tinus Gericke's Blue Sky Thoroughbreds is a growing force in the South African breeding industry. This fact is underlined by the exciting young sires who are standing at Blue Sky Thoroughbreds this season.

The Blue Sky based Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint winner Chimichuri Run recently had his first mares test in foal,

with the blue blooded son of Trippi standing alongside the likes of Hat Puntano, New Predator and Willow Magic.

This week we proudly showcase five Blue Sky Thoroughbred foals.

A reminder that this is your free chance to brag about your future stars!

Just drop us a line with a good quality snapshot to editor@ sportingpost.co.za and tell us the

pedigree/sex/date of birth/ family connections and a back story, if there is one.

Future Stars is proudly sponsored by Karoo Breeders.

Danon Platina ex Steelheartcolt born on 6 August

Willow Magic ex Gaian Glorycolt born on 26 August

Willow Magic ex Hot Springscolt born on 26 August

Rabada ex The Angelus –filly born on 7 August

Willow Magic ex Regal Rosefilly born on 30 September

MARSHALL CHARGE MAKES HER MOVE

The innovative R7,5 million Gold Rush will be run over 1600m, on 28 January at Cape Met day.

The Gold Rush offers 16 ticketholders the opportunity to race for the massive stake and is open to graduates of the 2021 Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

The race is owned by the 16 slot holders, who will be looking to include their own horse, or even look to do a deal with the owners of the horses on the log.

The latest log issued on 14 November sees Vaughan Marshall's Time Fo Orchids move to first place after an eye-catching run in the Gr2 Western Cape

Fillies Championship at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, 12 November. She ran from a wide draw, and it was her first run for the new yard - definitely one for the notebook!

Time Fo Orchids has moved into first place after a great run on Saturday

The latest log for information purposes:

DAVID ALLAN WILL BE MISSED

The Cape racing and breeding industry lost a much valued member with the recent passing of David Allan.

David’s love for racing started early, as he watched racing as a child -when he proved astute enough to pick a number of winners of the legendary Grand National Steeplechase.

After university, David

moved to Japan where he lived for 18 years, where The Sporting Life kept him well in touch with the goings of the horse-racing industry.

He first came to South Africa in the early 2000’s, where David imported brilliant G1 July Cup winner Lake Coniston to the country.

Other sires managed by Allan Bloodlines in South Africa included Stagelight, Where’s That Tiger and the hugely successful Elusive Fort.

David also managed the South African stud career of the impeccably bred Alado.

However, Allan Bloodlines operated widely in the world -in over 30 years, David was active in the UK, USA and, for 17 years, in Kazakhstan. David leaves behind wife Yoshiko.

PIEMONTE STUD DISPERSAL CATALOGUE NOW ONLINE

One of KwaZulu-Natal's biggest thoroughbred stud farms, Piemonte Stud, is set to conduct a dispersal sale early next month.

Lee and Nancy have decided to relocate to Knysna and, as a result, will be conducting a sale with no reserves on each lot.

Piemonte Stud will hold its auction at Summerveld on December 1st, and the catalogue for this sale can now be viewed online at www.bsa.co.za The

Piemonte Dispersal Sale has been scheduled to get underway at 13:00 PM sharp.

A total of 52 lots have been catalogued for this dispersal sale, with the catalogue made up of both broodmares and yearlings.

Covering sires represented in this sale include Act Of War, Capetown Noir, Fire Away, Got The Greenlight, Heavenly Blue, Legislate, Malmoos, Rafeef, Real Gone Kid, and Soqrat, while the Piemonte Dispersal Sale will also offer buyers the chance to acquire yearlings sired by the

likes of Act Of War, Duke Of Marmalade, Fire Away, Gimmethegreenlight, Gold Standard, Heavenly Blue, Lancaster Bomber, Last Winter, Master Of My Fate, New Predator, One World, Querari, Soqrat and What A Winter.

View the catalogue here: https://bsa.co.za/piemontestud-dispersal-cataloguenow.../ and their Facebook page: Piemonte Stud

Piemonte - dispersal sale on 1 December

Breeders’ Cup Championships

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LOVE IS THE BIG WINNER!

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Cody Dorman – what a beautiful story

It's a story that transcends form-lines, prestige, dollars – in fact, racing itself! A special horse provided a perfect Hollywood ending in Keeneland, USA, at the Breeders' Cup Meeting on 5 November.

Whether you believe in miracles or not, it would be tough to pretend there wasn't a tiny cloud of mist over your eyes watching a fairytale that would have captured the attention of even the most hardened of cynics.

It centers around Godolphin's recordbreaking fourth winner at the 2022 Breeders' Cup meeting. Cody's Wish won the Dirt Mile under Junior Alvarado, and produced a real life tear-jerker that captured the hearts of those watching in person and at home.

Bill Mott's colt is named after a teenager suffering with a rare genetic disease called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. The young man's name is Cody Dorman and he struck up a connection with the horse as a foal.

It all started when 16 year old Cody went with his parents Kelly and Leslie, and his sister Kylie, to Godolphin's Gainsborough

Farm where he was introduced to a six-month-old weanling by stud farm manager Danny Mulvihill.

“We had 40-odd foals on the farm and we could have chosen any one of them for Cody to meet,” says Danny. “What happened from there was special. The foal came up to Cody and put his head in his lap.”

Cody's condition means that he has undergone '40 to 50 procedures' during his life so far. “But the hardest thing we've watched him go through is depression,” says Leslie.

So, to lift Cody's spirits, his parents decided to take him back to visit the foal they first met at Gainsborough Farm two years previously.

“The horse kept pulling until he was right in front of Cody,” says Danny. “It was like the horse knew who was there to see him.”

“I can count on one hand the number of times Cody has belly laughed and he did it that day,” says Leslie. “From that day on, Cody completely changed.”

When it came to his performance on the racecourse, Cody's Wish didn't win any of his first three races.

“Cody said 'Cody's Wish won't win until I'm there in person', and sure enough [the day Cody was there] he won,” says Kelly.

Cody's Wish has now won seven

of his last eight races, beaten only by a length into second in the other, and has clocked up almost £1m in prize money.

When Cody, who speaks through a machine, is asked why he thinks he has a bond with Cody's Wish, his answer is simple: “Because he found me and he hasn't forgotten me. He has always looked for me – we have the same heart and drive, and we never give up.

“He always makes me smile and I love it when we get to hang out together – thank you Cody's Wish – you are a very special horse and a very special friend.”

Kelly says that the change in Cody since meeting this horse is remarkable.

“He now laughs and hugs me – it's been amazing. The doctors told us he would only live two years when he was born and now he's getting ready to turn 17.”

“I think that horse has the legacy Cody wasn't given,” says Leslie.

“It's been an unbelievable story from the get-go when Cody Dorman first met Cody's Wish as just a foal in the barn,” Godolphin's US representative Michael Banahan told H&H's Marcus Armytage. “And they developed this bond

seemingly. He saw him a year-and-a-half later and we were worried about him being a rambunctious, strong two-year-old, dealing with him at that stage. But the horse put his head down in his lap. We were all surprised about that.

“It just seemed they had a connection. The Dormans

came out last Wednesday and Bill had the horse out with Cody Dorman as well. He got down, nosed at him as well. It seems like he knows who Cody Dorman is and to have this little relationship with each other – he's just a special horse for the family, for us, and it's just like a Hollywood story. It's hard to script.”

The emotional scenes at

Keeneland were captured on TV and streamed around the world.

We will see you at Breeders' Cup 2023, Cody!

JUMPS STARS TAKE CENTRE STAGE THIS WEEKEND

Constitution Hill is ready for Ascot!

The National Hunt season has only just started, but the quality of horses declared is top-class judged by the feature events at Ascot and Haydock on Saturday. Winter hasn’t arrived, but champions Constitution Hill, L’Homme Presse and A Plus Tard should all be in action.

Officially rated 170, last season’s Champion Novice hurdler Constitution Hill prepares to make his seasonal debut in Saturday’s Gr2 Coral Hurdle at Ascot. Trainer Nicky Henderson was pleased to see the rain arrive on Monday ahead of the contest which will ease the ground sufficiently for the Champion Hurdle favourite.

Speaking at a Coral Gold Cup gallops morning at Newbury, which is 30 miles east of Ascot, Henderson said: "We hope the rain arrives swiftly at Ascot. I've been stood in it since half past six and I'm drowned in it!"

The Seven Barrows trainer has been dazzled by Constitution Hill's work at home. He added: "He is just quite

extraordinary. I said to Charlie Morlock [assistant trainer] that the beauty of this horse is he's so uncomplicated.

The Michael Buckley-owned fiveyear-old made a phenomenal statement during last season’s Supreme at Cheltenham, and the unbeaten hurdler is expected to be one of the leading lights of the jumping sphere over the next few years.

Earlier on Saturday on the same card, dual Group 1 winner L’Homme Presse is set to begin his campaign in the Gr2 1965 Chase over 2 miles and 5 furlongs. Venetia Williams’ seven-yearold demonstrated his ability as a top-class staying chaser last term when stepping up to 3m½f to win the Gr1 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham.

Seven rivals are declared including course and distance winner Dashel Drasher and the Paul Nicholls trained recent winner Pic D’Orhy. It looks to be fascinating contest with half the field making the seasonal debuts, but L’ Homme Presse was scintillating over fences last season and his connections will be hoping for another winning seasonal debut this time around.

Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard is one of five entered in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock — the first Group 1 of the British jumps

season.

Owned by Cheveley Park Stud, A Plus Tard was a beaten favourite in the Savills Chase, but then went on to glory when landing the feature of the Cheltenham Festival in March by an impressive 15 lengths.

Having landed this £200,000 contest last year, the Henry de Bromhead-trained eightyear-old is a short-priced 4/10 with the race's sponsor to repeat the feat.

The Dan Skelton-trained seven-year-old Protektorat is likely to be A Plus Tard’s main rival on Saturday. Winner of last season’s Gr2 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree by 25 lengths, this progressive younger rival has clearly enjoyed the change to chasing.

2020 Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mail and recent Badger Beer winner Frodon are fellow competitors that will ensure a strong pace from the start, but Protektorat showed enough potential when third in last season’s Gold Cup to be a serious contender on Saturday.

TATTERSALLS DECEMBER MARES SALE IS AROUND THE CORNER!

PEARLS GALORE, the brilliant winner of the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend, is to be offered at the forthcoming Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

The Paddy Twomey trained racemare joins a stellar cast already announced to headline the all-new Sceptre Sessions which includes Group 1 winning fillies ALCOHOL FREE, LA PETITE COCO, SAFFRON BEACH

and DESERT BERRY, the dam of this year’s Derby winner DESERT CROWN.

PEARLS GALORE has won five Group and Listed races for her owner/breeder Andreas Putsch’s Haras De Saint Pair and also finished a close second in last year’s Group 1 Matron Stakes behind NO SPEAK ALEXANDER as well as second in the Group 1 Prix de La Foret at Longchamp behind triple Group 1 winner SPACE BLUES.

PEARLS GALORE is by INVINCIBLE

SPIRIT out of the Group 3 winning PIVOTAL mare PEARL BANKS, herself a daughter of the outstanding Haras De Saint Pair matriarch PEARLY SHELLS who won the Group 1 Prix Vermeille. She is a halfsister to two Listed winners, LUCKY LYCRA and PEARLY STEPH who is herself the dam of 2022 dual Group 3 winner ETERNAL PEARL.

INVINCIBLE SPIRIT is already the broodmare sire of four individual Group 1

Pearls Galore winning the Group 1 Matron Stakes by 3 lengths, leaving three Group 1 winners in her wake

winners as well as this year’s Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes winner TRILLIUM and last year’s Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes second FLOTUS.

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented; “Haras De Saint Pair’s homebred Pearls Galore is another top-class Group 1 winning filly coming to this year’s Tattersalls December Mares Sale and anyone who saw her recent emphatic victory in the Group 1 Matron Stakes could not fail to have been impressed. She joins her Group 1 winning Paddy Twomey trained stablemate LA PETITE COCO and is another wonderful addition

to the inaugural Sceptre Sessions which promise to showcase some truly exceptional fillies and mares at this year’s December Mares Sale.”

Haras De Saint Pair’s Andreas Putsch added; “Pearls Galore has everything you could want in a broodmare prospect. A May foal, she has progressed throughout her career putting up an exceptional performance on her last start to beat three other Group 1 fillies by 3 lengths and more in the Matron Stakes. Over four seasons racing Pearls Galore proved herself again and again to be tough, consistent and very gifted. She is sound and healthy after 17 career starts.

She comes from a great family we have had at Saint Pair since her grand dam Pearly Shells won the

Prix Vermeille but which also includes the Classic winners St Mark's Basilica, Magna Grecia, Sariska and Beauty Parlour. She has no Sadler's Wells, Danehill or Mr Prospector in her pedigree and will be an attractive cross for most of the world's best stallions.”

The Tattersalls December Mares Sale takes place from 28th November to 1st December with the Sceptre Sessions taking place on the evenings of Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th November.

Senegal vs Netherlands | Monday 21 November | Al Thumama Stadium | 18:00

The second Group A game of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 sees Senegal take on the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium on Monday.

The Dutch will arrive as group winners of their qualifying stage, whilst the Teranga Lions are sure to take great confidence from their African Cup of Nations success.

Both teams are in the top 20 of the FIFA World Rankings and have lofty expectations to go far in the tournament.

To Win Senegal 42/10 Draw 23/10 Netherlands 13/20 Senegal

Senegal finished top of their qualifying group, winning five and drawing one of their six games before beating Egypt on penalties for the second time in 2022 to earn their place in Qatar. This will mark only the third time that they have qualified for the World Cup, most recently exiting in the group stages of the 2018 tournament. Still, the Teranga Lions enter the competition on a high after winning the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

No African side has ever made it past the quarter-final stage of the World Cup, but Aliou Cisse’s side can be the ones to make history for the second time this year.

Senegal boast a formidable squad, with Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, but the injury to their talisman Sadio Mane is a hammer blow. Without him, the Teranga Lions' chances of progressing far in the tournament are slim.

Netherlands

The last time the Dutch national team played at a FIFA World Cup, they finished third after beating hosts Brazil in 2014, four years after having played in the 2010 World Cup final. The Oranje powered their way to Qatar 2022 after finishing top of a difficult qualifying group that contained Turkey and Erling Haaland's Norway.

The Dutch are, undisputedly, the best national team never to have won the World Cup, but after getting to the semi-finals the last two times they took part in the competition, Louis Van Gaal's side will be hoping third time’s a charm.

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk continues to marshal the defence as team captain alongside Matthijs de Ligt of Bayern Munich, while the Barcelona pair of Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay are key figures further up the pitch. There’s Valencia’s Justin Kluivert as well.

Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals (15/20)

This is the first time both sides will be facing each other, and it will be a battle of the likely top two teams in Group A, which is why this is such an important game. I suspect we’re in for a cagey affair here which makes the Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – market a rather attractive prospect at 15/20