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GRADE 3 WINNER FOR RAFEEF WILLIAM ROBERTSON (Rafeef x Massachusetts) Grade 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein Racecourse 1st January 2022 Congratulations to all the connections.
Craig Carey | E: craig@ridgemont.co.za3 | M: +27 (0) 82 654 5169 | w w w .r id g em o n t h ig h l a n d s .c o .z a
Chase Liebenberg
SNAITH’S NOT IN THE DARK
4 Can Jet Dark defend his title?
Cover Image Equus Award winner Candiese Lenferna captured a happy crowd at the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate
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The fields for the sixth annual L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Racing Festival, to be contested on Friday and Saturday at Kenilworth, were published on Monday afternoon and it’s all systems go for the opening day. The highlight of the two day festival will be the 161st running of the R1,5 million Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday. The weight-for-mile hosts a field of eleven, headed by defending champion Jet Dark and the evergreen 7yo
Rainbow Bridge. South Africa’s highest rated racer, Rainbow Bridge (134) has his fourth bid for glory in the prestigious mile after placing third behind Do It Again (2019), third behind Vardy (2020) and was runner-up behind Jet Dark last year. Jet Dark was only the second 3yo to win the race this century since Gimmethegreenlight in 2011, and Justin Snaith looks for a unique treble with Concorde Cup winning 3yo Pomp And Power lining up alongside fellow sophomore Pacaya in the Snaith quartet.
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David Thiselton writes on www.goldcircle.co.za that Snaith is bullish about Jet Dark’s chances of defending his Queen’s Plate title on Saturday and said he had enjoyed the pressure being off him. He said, not in as many words, a line could be drawn through his last run and explained, “S’Manga was suspended on the day of scratchings for that run and Jet Dark is a horse you need to know and trust and Gavin (Lerena) had never had that opportunity before. S’Manga has won a Group 1 on him
and has galloped him and is back aboard so don’t count him out.” Snaith explained the reason for the scratching of Warrior from his last start, which had raised a few eyebrows as it stated “insufficient recovery time” despite him having run six weeks previously. He said, “He had run great fresh (beating Rascallion over 1600m on November 6 after a five month layoff) and as he does not take much work we realised we had him in the right condition at the time of that last scratching to have him spot on for the Queen’s Plate. The originally intended preparation race over 1400m, in which there was a lot of pace, would only have served to flatten him. The punters would have expected him to win the 1400m but it would have been better from everyone’s perspective,
including the punters, to rather have him perfect for the Queen’s Plate. Rather than make an untrue excuse for scratching him we explained the situation to the Stipes and they agreed, considering the races were on top of each other, the “insufficient recovery time” was a legitimate reason for scratching. We gave him a gallop instead of the race. The gallop was alright, I had hoped for better, but he never shows much galloping on his own. Beating the top class hard knockers is never easy but he has a great jockey in Anton aboard and could get the run of the race.” Snaith also runs the Gr1 Cape Guineas runner-up Pomp and Power in the Queen’s Plate and said, “He is not a big horse but has a big stride and doesn’t know how to lie down. His sister will be the same (as was his three-parts brother Punta Arenas). His mother had fire in
Candiese Lenferna
7 Kommetdieding – don’t write him off!
her belly.” Pomp and Power likes to be up there, so a wide-ish draw will give him the space to do so and in an ideal scenario he might be able to slot in behind the likely pacemaker Seeking The Stars. Keagan de Melo retains the ride on the Vercingetorix gelding. Pacaya was unplaced in the Cape Guineas but Snaith clearly sees a bright future for this Duke Of Marmalade colt and expects a better run on Saturday in the Queen’s Plate. He said, “He had a bad draw so was dropped out and was going to make his run down the outside but everybody had gone that way and he was a little bit unlucky. We will see a different horse in the Queen’s Plate.”
NEW TICKETS added to LQP this weekend
Garden Party, Style Village and Stud Club tickets are now available via computicket.
View tickets here
Tables of ten in the Kenilworth Building are available to any guests. Bookings can be made via admin@caperacing.co.za or whatsapp 063 929 8630.
View all hospitality options here
Please note a full vaccination policy is in place to access the racecourse. No mask, no entry. Please do not attend if you are in any way unwell.
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Roxy Joubert
'It's hard to believe that all of eleven years have passed since the mighty Pocket Power powered to a record fourth consecutive victory in the Gr1 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate, a feat unmatched since'
THE KING OF THE QUEENS 10
Pocket Power and Bernard Fayd’herbe at Hemel ‘n Aarde during his retirement
It's hard to believe that all of eleven years have passed since the mighty Pocket Power powered to a record fourth consecutive victory in the Gr1 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate, a feat unmatched since. That the champion son of Jet Master made the prestigious mile race his own would be an understatement and as the 2022 renewal looms ever closer, let's go back to that historical achievement. Raced in partnership by Marsh Shirtliff and Arthur and Rina Webber, Pocket Power announced his arrival in the upper echelons when he defeated a star-studded field in the 2006 Queen's
Plate. Racing towards the rear of a strung-out field early on, he moved up ominously in the straight and locked horns with old adversary Silver Mist, who had chased him home in both the Winter Classic and Derby. Joey Ramsden's grey provided doughty opposition, but in a driving finish, Pocket Power held on grimly to prevail by a shorthead. This was a win full of merit, considering he had to overcome an unfavourable outside draw. Pocket Power was partnered by jockey Jeff Lloyd, who remarked: “I may have hit the front a bit early, he has such a good turn of foot. He’s such a lazy bugger."
11 Pocket Power storms to another L'Ormarins Queen's Plate victory
Twelve months later, Pocket Power returned as the country's Horse of the Year and as such, treated the Kenilworth crowd to another masterful performance Sent off an even-money favourite, the champion once again languished amongst the backmarkers and when stable companion Floatyourboat struck the front a furlong out, he still had a mountain to climb. But once the turbo kicked in, his trademark whirlwind charge was a sight to behold as he stormed home in breathtaking fashion to score by the best part of two lengths. By now, Bernard Fayd'Herbe had become the gelding's regular pilot and he was
suitably impressed: “Lame, sound, sick or lazy, he always gives 125%. When we were at the back, he was off the bit and I had to keep at him, but once I got into him, he did it easily." Onwards to 2008, and with yet another superb performance, Pocket Power rolled into the history books as the first triple winner of the Queen’s Plate. Sent off the odds-on favourite, the champion raced midfield early on and after cornering six lengths off the pace, he was switched to the centre of the track. With a bold forward move, he surged
into the lead 250m from home and strode away in fine style to score by just over a length, which prompted Fayd'Herbe to remark: "He is just amazing. He took hold of the bit at the 400m mark and I thought, wow, that’s a change. I thought I had gone too soon because he started to idle in front as if waiting for company. But when they came at him, he found another gear." Remarkably, that was Pocket Power's eighth win over the course and distance and in the process, he also went one better than his own sire Jet Master, who won the race in 1999 and 2000.
By the time Pocket Power lined up for the 2009 Queen's Plate, he was a seven-year-old veteran, yet proved himself a horse for the ages when bagging an unprecedented fourth Queen's Plate and ninth victory at the highest level. As was custom, Pocket Power again came from well back and when Fayd’Herbe switched the long-striding bay to the outside, it was race over. Delivering his lethal finishing kick, the gelding forged into the lead inside the final furlong and easily held off a
12 Arthur and Rina Webber hold the LQP trophy aloft with Gaynor Rupert and Marsh Shirtliff to the right
fast-finishing Kapil by the best part of a length.
“I’m speechless," Fayd'Herbe remarked afterwards.
Never a man of many words, trainer Mike Bass was glowing in praise of his favourite charge: “I’m in awe of him. You can see he’s a bit older and it’s a bit tougher for him. He tried to stay in touch with them early on but as he’s such a big-striding horse, he battles to go with the early pace, that’s why he has to have a fair pace. He really is as game as they come and he puts it in and has a full go."
"At the 600m mark I was like, boy you’ll have to pick it up now. At the end he drifted in a little bit looking for company. He once again proved he’s a real, real champ.”
Few superlatives remained to describe this mighty warrior, one of the greats to have graced the South African turf. Brave and talented, he was plagued by a chronic foot
To add further credence to this historical feat, he broke the previous race record by almost a quarter of a second, while increasing an unbeaten streak at Kenilworth of fifteen victories over distances around the turn.
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problem, yet thanks to the expert care of his master trainer, put together a stellar career highlighted by his unique Queen's Plate quartet, a record hat-trick in the Gr1 Met and a deadheat in the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July. Pocket Power died on 31 July 2021 - a day before what would have been his 19th birthday.
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The 1995 Gr1 Queen's Plate winner Counter Action (Karl Neisius again) is led in by the Bass’ and late Ishmail Patel
HISTORY RUNS DEEP Kenilworth hosts the 161st running of South Africa’s oldest racing event, the Gr1 L’Omarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday. The race was first run in honour of Queen Victoria after she gifted a silver plate and 500 sovereigns to the South African Turf Club. The inaugural contest was staged as a heats event in April 1861, with the honours going to Cape Town owner Mr
Chiappini’s horse, Dispatch. The Queen’s Plate has kept its royal ties meticulously. After the death of Queen Victoria, it was run as the King’s Plate during the reigns of Edward VII and George VI and then reverted to being named the Queen’s Plate when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1952. The monarch maintains strong ties with the event, and is represented every year by the
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British High Commissioner. A lot has changed since 1861 and the race has grown in stature to become South Africa’s premier weight-forage contest over 1600m. These conditions ensure that the race is won by a true champion and the laurels have been claimed by some of the greatest horses ever to grace the South African turf, including the mighty Sea Cottage, William Penn, In Full Flight,
Yataghan, Sledgehammer, Politician, Wolf Power, galloping goldmine Empress Club, international superstar London News, champion sire Jet Master, Winter Solstice and Variety Club. Of course, the undisputed King of the Queen’s Plate, with 4 successive trophies, is the unforgettable Pocket Power.
Those are very large shoes to fill, but Justin Snaith’s 4yo Jet Dark takes his next step on Saturday as he bids to join the modern stars like his sire, Jet Master and the champion Winter Solstice, who have won the race in successive years. In 2014, it was listed by The Telegraph in the UK as one of the top five race days in the world – alongside renowned
race meetings including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Paris), Breeders Cup (California), the Melbourne Cup and The Dubai World Cup It is a day of royal racing which celebrates the sport of kings.
The 1990 Queen's Plate winner Flaming Rock (Karl Neisius) led in by the late Shirley Pfeiffer
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Candiese Lenferna
Promising Rachel Venniker is looking forward to the LQP Festival
Rachel’s Big Moment Promising KwaZulu-Natal based apprentice Rachel Venniker adds some muchneeded glamour to the Cape jockey room when she has her first rides at Kenilworth, and a maiden career Gr2 opportunity, at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival on Friday and Saturday. It’s difficult to recall when last a lady jockey graced the emerald green Kenilworth track, and it would likely be Vicky Minott some nine years back, and prior to that the likes of Chantal Moys and
Genevieve Michel. A short head runner-up behind Vodacom Durban July winning owner Ashwin Reynolds in the recent Sporting Post 2021 SA Racing Person Of The Year Award, and current runaway leader on SA National Champion Apprentice table, Rachel Venniker jets in on Friday morning for just her second ever visit to the fairest Cape and is looking forward to make a professional impression at South Africa’s only racing festival. “I have only been to Cape Town once before in my life 16
and then we got lost! So I’m hoping to have a lot more purpose and direction this time round,” smiled the easy going 20 year old who has made a seamless progression from the workrider ranks to pursue her professional jockey ambitions. Rachel told the Sporting Post that she was excited and honoured to have been given the opportunity to be hosted by the Snaiths and to partner seven of the substantial and powerful SA Champion outfit’s attack at the two-day festival.
“It is really such a great opportunity to ride for the top team at my very first visit to Kenilworth. I have four rides on Friday, including my first ever graded race ride! I will partner SA Champion Owner Suzette Viljoen’s Maryah in the Cartier Gr2 Sceptre Stakes, and then three on Saturday – headed by Magnificent Seven in the
Okapi Gr3 Chairman’s Cup.” When asked if she has sourced a blue and white outfit, and whether she will be staying on after races for the legendary LQP after-party, and maybe even a trip up Table Mountain and a visit to the magnificent winelands on Sunday, she said, ‘oh, definitely no parties!’
“I have six rides at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and Mr Michael Roberts has already reminded me that I need to get to Pietermaritzburg bright, fresh and absolutely on time! So it won’t be any parties or sight-seeing this trip. I will rather leave that until I can afford to take a holiday,” she laughed.
Swede Heads For Saudi Racing at Meydan on Saturday, the first UAE meeting of 2022, was highlighted by the Listed Garhoud Sprint which was turned into a procession by Switzerland, completing doubles on the card for jockey Tadhg O’Shea and trainer Bhupat Seemar. Over 1200m on dirt, the surface on which the whole card was staged due to issues with the turf track caused by inclement weather, it was contested by a select sextet but, having raced in the rear, O’Shea took aim at the other five leaving the home turn and found a willing partner. They hit the front with about 300m remaining and with the prize in safekeeping. The 8yo Speightsown gelding is owned by RRR Racing as is well beaten
runner-up Gladiator King, also trained by Seemar. It was a seventh career success for Switzerland and first since last year’s winning seasonal debut, over this 1200m dirt course and distance, in the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes. That was in January and he ran just twice more last season. Seemar said: “That was very pleasing and we hoped for a good effort because he had been working very well. We have learned a lot about him after just three runs for us last season. “Gladiator King has also run a very big race so we can only be delighted with the whole race.” The main support race, the 1400m UAE 1000 Guineas Trial for 3yo fillies, provided the exciting Shahama the perfect opportunity to defend he unbeaten record,
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something that only ever looked in doubt, briefly, when short of racing room early in the straight. Once extricated from traffic by Adrie de Vries, the daughter of Munnings quickened in taking fashion and was soon in control, an effort pretty reminiscent of her breathtaking winning debut, over the same course and distance, three weeks ago. Trained by Fawzi Nass for KHK Racing, she was an expensive purchase by her trainer in April at Ocala when he signed the docket at $425,000. She has certainly done nothing wrong in two racecourse appearances and the 1600m of the UAE 1000 Guineas is likely to suit her
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‘When he got off the float, I thought, oh my goodness, no, what an unimposing little guy!’ – Piet Botha
Rockin’ Ringo (Anthony Andrews) chases Firealley (Greg Cheyne) home in the Gr2 Peninsula Handicap 20 Rockin’ Ringo (Anthony Andrews) chases Firealley (Greg Cheyne) home in the Gr2 Peninsula Handicap
Chase Liebenberg
RINGO TAKES ON THE ROYALS!
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When the 6yo Rock Of Rochelle gelding Rockin’ Ringo heads to post for the Glorious Goodwood Gr2 Premier Trophy on Day 2 of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival at Kenilworth on Saturday it marks the next chapter in a proud and satisfying mini fairytale for Milnerton trainer Piet Botha and his loyal owners, Barry Nel and Ron Caris. Racing needs happy stories more than ever right now, and the tale of a near chuckout standing on the brink of giving two owners with over 80 years combined investment in racing their first Graded winner is a happy, albeit longshot dream, if Hollywoodbets’ 12-1 betting odds are to be used as a gauge. The truth be told, Rockin’ Ringo, affectionately known as ‘Skollie’ to all who love him, would probably not have been a nine-time winner today, and boasting earnings of over half a bar, as he is unlikely to have made it past the front gate with most trainers. When calling time on his riding career after almost a quarter of a century in the saddle, Piet started his Dare To Dream Stables with his wife Nicole at Milnerton in August 2018. Rockin’ Ringo was the very first of a humble starting string of nine horses. Today the Bothas have grown to a
population of 35. But Piet has never forgotten the day the Hemel ‘N Aarde Stud-bred youngster stepped off the float. “I thought, oh my goodness, no, what an unimposing little guy,” he says diplomatically with a broad smile. The very experienced breeder David Hepburn-Brown had stepped out of the partnership and given his share in Rockin’ Ringo to Barry Nel. The youngster wasn’t anything to look at, and while he was out of a winning Jet Master mare, he wasn’t exactly commercially bred to hit six figure telephone numbers on the sales boards either. Barry Nel sent him into training and suggested Piet see how he goes - and even maybe find him a nice home with a little girl at a local pony club, who might love and enjoy him. “He was nothing to look at. He was small, and the reality dawned that this is my first horse and, while I always knew it, training really wasn’t going to be a walk in the park!” says Piet. But a few minutes later the fledgeling trainer had watched his new student walk and saw his attitude. He felt a tingle of excitement and hope. “I phoned Barry and said let’s give him a chance. He walked
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really well and, for his size, he had a sense of presence and attitude that could stand him in good stead. Ron Caris got involved, and today we look back and he has given us the ride of our lives.” Piet found ‘Skollie’ to be an uncooperative and difficult customer though, and that first month of getting acquainted wasn’t a bed of roses. But the newbie trainer started doing some feed research and found that salmon oil contains the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA and these have several health benefits for both humans and horses. An increase in omega-3 levels inhibits inflammatory responses. “We had all day to devote to our small string and the introduction of the feed, coupled with our TLC seemed to help. Rockin’ Ringo calmed down and applied himself enthusiastically to his work. He has never cost one cent at the Vet – he really is a dream horse, even if he wasn’t exactly a textbook pick for any sales ring!” History shows that the little gelding won at 12-1 on debut three months later at Kenilworth under William Bambiso in a Workriders race. Interestingly, the accomplished Bambiso had booted home Piet’s first winner, Head Of The Pack,
just a month earlier. Today Rockin’ Ringo has featured in all of the Botha yard’s three daily double achievements, is a Cape Town Met entry and the Premier on Saturday is his Met prep. His second behind Firealley in the Gr2 Peninsula Handicap last time, marked a career highlight as Piet’s first Graded runner. “We had him entered in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate but we realistically felt that the much faster pace there would
take too much out of Ringo just three weeks before the Met. So the Premier makes more sense and it’s all systems go,” confirmed Piet. So do they really believe they can win it? “Let’s put it this way. I don’t believe I will ever train a horse with so much heart and fight. What he lacks for in class and ability, he makes up with a never-say-die approach. On paper he is weighted to run nearer last, but he is going to run his heart out and won’t go
down without a fight. That’s just him! Win lose or draw, it’s an honour for the owners and for my team to have a runner on such a prestigious raceday.” Piet says that if anything, he would rather have been drawn a bit wider than 3. “I know from my riding days that it’s easier to recover from a slow start if you are a bit wider out. But I know we are up against a dual July and former L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner, and a Cape Chase Liebenberg
23 Piet Botha – daring to dream and loves what he does for a living
Guineas winner. But if we don’t have a ticket, we don’t have a chance.” On the pace, Piet accepts there is no glaring pacemaker in the field and Ringo needs a gallop, otherwise he is going to fight the whole way. “That is in the lap of the gods. Anthony Andrews knows him well, and he will adapt as circumstances warrant.” And will he go for the Met? “Yes, at this stage. While we were keen to try and achieve a tenth win for him, I think the Met may be his farewell performance. I’d rather he go out on a well-deserved retirement on a high and well. So we will take it one race at a time.” Since we chatted to Piet just over three years ago on his launch, there have been changes as life moves on. The youthful looking former jockey turned 45 on 29 December. His eldest son Kyle has bought a place of his own and has moved out of the house, and is doing very well in his career. The younger sibling Aidan has just finished matric and is still awaiting his results. He is looking into different universities. We asked Piet if he has any regrets about becoming a trainer?
“No definitely not. It has been very tough, but I believe that I am exceptionally lucky to be surrounded by these marvelous horses every day.” He does concede though that one of the challenges is not always being able to purchase the horses that he wanted at the sales. “I have gambled on purchasing some of the cheaper horses at the sales, but I have found it very hard to find owners to take up all the shares. I don’t think that is a problem unique to my yard, though. We live in tough times.” Being a horse lover and a genuine people’s person, Piet takes great joy in seeing the delight on his owners faces when their horses have reached certain milestones in their racing careers. “I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many people from all walks of life coming together for the same love we all share, the horse.” The next major project for the Dare To Dream Team is a move from their current barn to the yard previously occupied by Joey Ramsden, in the same complex. “We are all very excited about this and have big plans - but it is not going to be easy to get them all done in the near future. We are a yard that
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encourages our owners to enjoy the experience. We braai and encourage visitors to the stable. Our intention is to upgrade the yard. We have some great plans. Watch this space!” Piet has three runners on Friday, Day 1 of the festival. “Sonic Burst is probably the best of my trio. She runs in a tough race but has ability and should be in the mix. Bella Mo has her second run in the opener. She was telling me she was ready to race. Physically she may not be quite there yet, but the second run will benefit her greatly. Thrilla goes round the turn for the first time in the third. She isn’t well drawn, but with a bit of luck in running she could find a quartet position.” As a closing thought, Piet says he still believes horseracing is a great industry, but it has been hurt over the last few years. “I really hope that we can all work together with the same goal in mind and that is to get racing back to where it was when we proudly called it the Sport Of Kings. Please allow me to also thank all my owners that have supported me throughout this journey. I have been blessed with genuine loyalty and support.”
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Ken Truter – let’s do something now
IT’S TIME TO DO SOMETHING! A sobering plea without agenda, and based solely on his passion for and commitment to horseracing in the Cape, has been made by former National Horseracing Authority Chairman Ken Truter. Mr Truter has been an owner and breeder since 1979
and in 2000 was named the Western Cape Owner of the year. Besides enjoying ownership in a number of top horses over many years, his highlight, as a breeder, was as a shareholder of the High Season Stud that bred the international champion Jay Peg.
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He is a man steeped in horseracing and has held various positions of office in the industry. While he had intended to retire after the Asian Racing Conference hosted in Cape Town in 2020, he has indicated that he will step down from the NHA board
at the 140th AGM on 12 January. On a social media post last week, Mr Truter said that he was sad that the first racemeeting of the year at Kenilworth had to be cancelled, due to a lack of entries. “I am concerned for racing in the Cape as I believe we have also been reduced to 60 meetings this year. I believe that the directors of racing here should be proactive and call an urgent meeting of owners and trainers – all stakeholders – to discuss the issues and challenges going forward,” he states. He also posed the question as to why the final fields for
the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival, which commences on Friday 7 January, were not finalised last week. Declarations were done at 11h00 on Monday. “The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate weekend is a major social and racing event and the fields should have been finalised, published and promoted by now.” He called on Cape Racing, citing his ‘pet complaint’ of barrier draws, to implement the system that the other centres do. He says that clearly draws on acceptance have been a ‘big fail previously and continues to be’.
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Mr Truter confirmed to the Sporting Post on Sunday that his call for urgent discussion was made purely out of a love of the game and a deep concern that there appeared to be little being done to address the very real challenges facing racing in the region. “I realise that there are complex issues at play and very real problems, but we need to put our heads together and do something proactively in order to arrest the slide.”
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Form Organisation
1959 Queen’s Plate winner Royal Affair
It’s Always Been A Royal Affair The great Johnny Cawcutt deemed him 'the fastest I have ever seen'. The 1959 Queen’s Plate winner Royal Affair was a chestnut horse by Royal Pardon out of a Tenon mare named Zorina.
The trainer came to examine the colt, but turned down the offer after finding what he considered to be ten major faults with the colt. Dodie Silbowitz decided to take over my uncle’s half-share.”
According to Leslie Cawcutt, his uncle Wilfy Cawcutt bought Royal Affair in partnership with Dodie Silbowitz, a bookmaker and big punter, directly off the farm from Jimmy Hill. “They paid £1000 for him. It wasn’t long after we had put him into work that my uncle needed cash to pay a deposit on a house he was buying, so he offered his half-share to a leading Cape trainer for £500.
Big race rider Johnny Cawcutt, widely regarded as one of the greatest jockeys ever to grace a saddle in this country, stated firmly: “Royal Affair was not only the fastest horse I ever rode, but, in my opinion, the fastest I have ever seen. I rode him to victory in his first 7 races and only extended him on one occasion. That was in the Cape of Good Hope Nursery when he raced with very sore shins. He won 5 29
of the other 6 in a common canter.” Based on his Diadem victory, the decision was made to aim him for the Queen’s Plate. Cawcutt reported that as they came to take the lead, he felt the horse go wrong just after the 200m marker. “He stumbled when his leg gave way, but fought on with the courage of a lion.” Royal Affair finished the race on three legs and in what must have been extraordinary pain, but still mustered sufficient courage to win by 2 lengths.
- Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden
n Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies -
Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies
Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golden Oldies - Golde
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Chase Liebenberg
War Of Athena – excited team are almost ready for the Met
GAUTENG STAR JETS IN FOR MET SA Triple Tiara star War Of Athena will not be lining up in the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday. But plans are well advanced to fly her in for the R2 million WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met on 29 January. Final supplementary entries for the close at 11h00 on Monday 10 January, when weights will be published. In a chat with the Sporting
Post on Sunday morning, War Of Athena’s part-owner Dr Rose Waterman-Wentzel explained that frantic behindthe-scenes activity with regard to interprovincial flight travel logistics had been underway for some weeks already, after the champion 4yo had wound up her prep with a facile victory at Turffontein on 18 December. “We had hoped to get Athena to Cape Town by air so that she could contest
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the Paddock Stakes and the Met. We do understand that currently interprovincial travel between Gauteng and the Cape is a stressful road trip exercise, and it would really be great for South African racing if all of our horses could move easily. While we are still sorting issues out with the Met flight, we are positive and hopeful of getting our chance to take on the big boys in the fairest Cape on 29 January. We thought it only fair to let the
betting public know that the Paddock Stakes is now out of the equation. It also gives our jockey Muzi Yeni a fair notice and a chance at securing another ride for the prestigious fairer sex Gr1,” explained Dr WatermanWentzel. The passionate owner said that trainer Paul Matchett was replanning the trip and that the idea now was to include
a few of their other horses on the trip. Once the first flight is completed, she explains that they want to show it can work. And with more support, costs will naturally drop and that it is hoped that flying will again become a viable option for other owners keen to see the best compete against the best.
“We have to start somewhere and try and open it up to all. We are really very excited about the prospect of racing in the Met. Athena is fighting fit and has finally lost all of her ‘holiday pudding’! So now it’s all systems go for the big race – albeit, in nerve wracking times,” she laughed.
De Kock Aims At Met Day Mike de Kock’s first winner of 2022 looks to be headed to the Cape and will target the R400 000 Gr2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers to be run over 2800m on Met day, 29 January. Sparkling Water (S’Manga Khumalo) was the top yard’s first winner for 2022 at Turffontein on Saturday, and Clafoutis (Keagan De Melo) followed up, making it a double for the stable and owner/breeder Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift Stud. Sparkling Water is one of 14 entries received today for the marathon event on Met day. Speaking on his website, De Kock said that it’s always nice to train dams and
siblings. Sparkling Water is a 4yo daughter of five times champion South African sire Silvano and is out of the Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge/Gr2 Betting World 1900 winner Espumanti (Dansili). The veteran trained Espumanti and Berry Blaze, dam of Clafoutis – and the latest pair both have good careers ahead of them. Mike said of Sparkling Water: “She furnished in her period of rest after the Summer Cup, where she was unlucky from a poor draw. She’s come back stronger, this was an excellent win. It’s the further the better for her, she showed that in the SA Oaks when she and War Of Athena went clear of the others over 2450m.”
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Sparkling Water is likely to go next for the stayer’s race at Kenilworth on Met Day. “There aren’t too many options for us, she’s likely to enjoy that.” Clafoutis is also looking for ground and Mike said: “She’s a nice filly. She had to go fetch a free-running older runner on Saturday whilst giving her weight. And she did so well, that was good to see. She’s an Oaks prospect.” Supplementary Entries for the Gr2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers can be made up to 11h00 on Friday 14 January. Declarations are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 19 January.
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a Sparkling Water flies up to win the Victory Moon
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JC Photos
THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE a
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Sparkling Water, winner of the 2021 Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes and a facile winner at Turffontein on Saturday, looks a very exciting future broodmare prospect. Not only is the four-yearold a daughter of five times champion South African sire Silvano, her Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge/Gr2 Betting World 1900 winning dam Espumanti was sired by a truly top-class sire in the form of Dansili. The latter, who died towards the end of 2021, established himself as one of the best sire sons of legendary stallion Danehill-despite never winning at the highest level. A full-brother to a pair of Breeders’ Cup winners in the form of Banks Hill (dam of successful South African sire Ideal World-whose daughter Eternity Ring ran second in Saturday’s Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes) and Intercontinental, Dansili, who died at the ripe old age of 25, left behind 22 Gr1 winners with his offspring consistently enjoying success
at the highest level. The Gr2 Prix du Muguet winning Dansili’s current tally of stakes winners stands at 151 and his legacy looks set to live on through his sire sons and numerous high-class broodmare daughters. Dansili’s notable feats as a stallion include siring three winners of the Gr1 Grand Prix de Paris (Rail Link, Zambezi Sun and Flintshire), supplying Gr1 winners in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and siring two winners of the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf - a race won previously by his own sisters Banks Hill and Intercontinental. His standout performers include brilliant Gr1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Harbinger, champions Flintshire, Rail Link, and The Fugue, and 1000 Guineas queen Miss France (As an aside, Dansili’s son Zoffany sired 2021 1000 Guineas winner Mother Earth, while Dansili’s own brother Champs
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Elysees is the sire of 2018 1000 Guineas queen Billesdon Brook. Dansili’s legacy has continued through his sire sons and numerous broodmare daughters. Among his sons to have enjoyed notable success at stud are Bated Breath, Harbinger, and Zoffany, while Dansili currently rates as the broodmare sire of nearly 100 stakes winners including the Breeders’ Cup Mile winners Expert Eye (Acclamation) and Uni (More Than Ready), and promising young sire Time Test (Dubawi). His son Bated Breath has consistently come up with his share of stakes winners, with his tally headed by Gr1 Matriarch Stakes winner Viadera and Gr1 Woodbine Mile second Space Traveller, while Dansili’s brilliant son Harbinger is currently responsible for five Gr1 winners including Nassau Stakes victress Deirdre, champion Blast Onepiece.
and Hong Kong Cup winner Normcore. Zoffany, who died young at the age of 13 but left behind the likes of Mother Earth and fellow Gr1 winners Albigna, Thunder Moon, and Ventura Storm, also made his mark in South Africa – his son Zodiac Ruler won the Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe in 2016, before finishing second in the following season’s Gr1 Cape Derby. Dansili enjoyed success
when mated to the South African raced champions Mahbooba and Igugu -with Mahbooba producing Gr3 Winter Derby winner Dubai Warrior and fellow Gr3 winner Mootasadir to Dansili and Igugu dam of the useful Dansili sired son, El Misk.
Fugue, as well as Gr2 winners such as Father Time, Testosterone, and Thomas Chippendale.
Not perhaps surprisingly, Dansili enjoyed tremendous success when mated to daughters of Sadler’s Wells, with this combination producing Gr 1 winners Flintshire, Passage Of Time, and The Juddmonte
37 Dansili enjoying the attention of Juddmonte staff
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SILENCE FROM GOLD CIRCLE Who rolls a grass track after one race and then why the focus on the racing lines? A veteran Gr1 trainer has raised the question, along with many other readers, after the Hollywoodbets Greyville racemeeting on Monday was delayed after the first race. Joey Soma has trained Gr1 winners and been around this game for more than 40 years. In a call to the Sporting Post’s offices after the KZN opening race, he stressed that he was not pointing fingers or knocking anybody – he just needed to understand. “I grew up in this game and have enjoyed racing from all over the world. Are we now global pioneers by virtue of the fact that we roll the track after one race of a turf meeting? And part of the official announcement about the delay referred to ‘racing lines’. So they focussed on the racing lines? Does Joe Public know what the racing lines are and where they are?” he asked. Joey went on to add that rolling a track piecemeal would inevitably create advantages and disadvantages. “There have been legendary cases where the roller was used down certain paths to create an edge. But this takes things to a whole new level when it is done in the course of a racemeeting. I would love to be enlightened and informed and there are people with great knowledge and insight on your platform who may add some value,” he said. Efforts to contact the Hollywoodbets Greyville Duty Manager were unsuccessful, but we did briefly reach Racing Executive Raf Sheik, who confirmed that the jockeys had complained after the running of the opener about the track being ‘patchy’ around the turn. When asked about the ‘racing lines’, Mr Sheik said that these were the path travelled by the runners around the turn. He was in a meeting and was obliged to cut our call short. The question has arisen as to why the track was not cut on Sunday and also why – as has been questioned previously – the Stipes do not walk the track and an official handover is not done. An angry senior racing man said that it was shocking that in an age where racing could ill afford to take its eye off the ball, that apparent blunders like this managed to occur. “We are under severe pressure and can ill afford to lose one customer. And we are commingling, there are international eyes on us and then let’s not forget our punch drunk local supporters. We should hang our heads in shame. But without accountability, what stops it happening again next week?” There has been no official announcement or response from Gold Circle.
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NHA AGM The One Hundred and Fortieth Annual General Meeting of Members will be held at the offices of The National Horseracing Authority, Turf Club Street, Turffontein, on Wednesday, 12 January 2022 at 12h00 to transact the following business: • To consider and confirm the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Members held on Wednesday, 13 January 2021. • To consider the Report of the Chairperson of the National Board of Directors for the year ended 31 July 2021. • To receive and consider the audited Financial Statements of The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa for the period ended 31 July 2021. • To consider the appointment or re-appointment of the Auditors for the NHA. • To transact any business which may be transacted at an Annual General Meeting. Proxy Forms are available Click Here
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JC Photos
Sprinkles charges clear under Warren Kennedy to beat Eternity Ring (Muzi Yeni)
SPRINKLES TAKES THE CAKE!
The Elusive Fort filly Sprinkles put her hand up as a potential contender for the SA Triple Tiara series when she took the step up to win the R200 000 Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.
After an eyecatching third, with excuses, in the Gr3 Fillies Mile last month, Sprinkles was easy to back at 6-1 and delivered a superb late run down the outside to hold off a late challenge by Eternity Ring (12-1) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 85,67 secs. Topweight and Gr1 winner
Rain In Holland (3-1) had the blinkers fitted but failed to kick and finished a further 1,50 lengths away in third.
Corne Spies star Supreme Quest (2-1 favourite) looked dangerous late in the race, but did not really go on with it and ran fourth. Jockey Warren Kennedy said he was pleasantly surprised by Sprinkles’ effort. “She needs a bit more strengthening up, she’s quite a leggy and has plenty of improvement to come,” he added. 43
Assistant Tony Peter confirmed that Sprinkles is still mentally immature. He thanked part owners Laurence Wernars and Harry Wilson who bought into the chestnut. Cape breeder Spencer Cook and the Hyperpaint Syndicate are the other partners. Bred by Narrow Creek Stud, the winner is a daughter of Elusive Fort (Fort Wood) out of the three-time winning (with fourteen placed efforts!) Tiger Ridge mare, Jin-Go-LoBa.
Sprinkles is the 15th stakes winner for Elusive Fort, whose G1 Vodacom Durban July winning son Kommetdieding is a runner in the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth
this weekend. A R50 000 BSA Cape Yearling Sale graduate, Sprinkles was recording her first stakes success and took her stakes tally to R255 125 with her third
win and 2 places from 5 starts.
The Merits SPRINKLES has had her merit rating raised from 99 to 107 following her success in the Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes for threeyear-old fillies over 1400m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 1 January. The Handicappers felt that consistent 4th finisher
SUPREME QUEST made for the most suitable line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 102. Runner-up ETERNITY RING was picked up from 99 to 105, while 3rd finisher RAIN IN HOLLAND (who carried 3 kgs more than any other contestant due to her carrying a Grade 1 winner’s penalty
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in terms of the specific race conditions) goes up from 106 to 109. The only other increase was for IMBEWU, who goes up from 91 to 94 to make her the equal of last placed runner BUREAU DES LEGENDE. There were no rating drops for any horses in this event.
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JC Photos
William Robertson charges home to win the Tony Ruffel under Ryan Munger
RAFEEF ROCKS THEM! The Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes produced a humdinger of a finish at Turffontein on Saturday with the smashing William Robertson providing his breeders Ridgemont Highlands with a milestone first graded stakes winner for the champion farm’s exciting Redoute’s Choice stallion, Rafeef. Vaal trainer Corne Spies is known as an astute judge of well-priced horses who can run, and he really and truly stretched the cheque book to buy William Robertson, a horse that spoke to him.
But the R500 000 outlay at the BSA National 2yo Sale is well in perspective now after the exciting galloper stamped himself as a top 3yo with a courageous effort to pip the Johan Janse van Vuuren pair of Outofthedarkness and Prince Of Fire. It was a perfectly judged frontrunning ride by Ryan Munger on a horse that loves a fight. “I must say I thought we were in serious trouble 200m out,” quipped Corne Spies afterwards. Just when it looked like William Robertson would keep rolling
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after loping along out front with his ears pricked early on, the Janse van Vuuren pair came through powerfully. It was a terrific second run after a rest by William Robertson (3-1) who got the verdict wide out by a nose in a time of 86,46 secs. The lesser fancied of the Van Vuuren coupling, Outofthedarkness (7-1) secured second ahead of Prince Of Fire (3-1). Jockey Ryan Munger labelled the winner ‘tough and hard as nails’.
“I am over the moon – he is the type of horse that gives one goosebumps. Thanks to Mr Spies and the owners and the entire team,” said Munger. The Ridgemont Highlandsbred William Robertson is out of the thrice winning Trippi mare, Massachusetts and cost R500 000 on the BSA National 2yo Sale.
A winner of 3 of his 7 starts with 4 places, he has earned R503 250. SA’s leading first season sire of 2020/21, Rafeef currently heads our Second Season Sire log.
Mustaaqeem, is one of more than 170 stakes winners sired by multiple champion Australian sire Redoute’s Choice, and he is out of former South African Horse Of The Year National Colour.
The blue blooded champion, a full-brother to Equus Champion and Gr1 SA Nursery winner
The Merits WILLIAM ROBERTSON remains unchanged on a rating of 105 following his success in the Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes for threeyear-olds over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday. The 4th placed SUPER EXCITED which was used as the line horse, remains unchanged on a rating of 102.
In rating the race this way, WILLIAM ROBERTSON runs to his rating of 105 and effectively makes him a line horse as well. Runner-up OUTOFTHEDARKNESS – who met all of his seven rivals at level weights – has had his rating increased from 89 to 104, as there is no reason for him not to be rated correctly relative to the horses who finished around him. The only other
increase was for 3rd placed PRINCE OF FIRE, who is up slightly from 103 to 104. Two horses were given a ratings drop. NOBLE STRIKER is down slightly from 98 to 97, while PYROMANIAC was dropped from 106 to 101 to leave him rated lower than any of the first four finishers.
Sydney Covid Worry The Sydney jockeys’ room will be on high alert after a string of leading riders including Tommy Berry were forced out of the saddle under tight Covid protocols on Wednesday. Berry, Glyn Schofield and Regan Bayliss all had to forgo their rides at Wednesday’s Warwick
Farm meeting due to stringent Racing NSW (RNSW) Covid protocols. Schofield is the only rider of the three who has bookings for this weekend’s meetings. At least four Sydney riders are now set to be sidelined from Friday’s Listed Christmas Classic meeting at 47
Canterbury and Saturday’s Listed January Cup card at Rosehill as Covid case numbers spiral in NSW. It comes as Covid case numbers have exploded in Sydney to start the New Year with NSW Health reporting just over 35 000 new positives on Wednesday alone.
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JC Photos
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Joshua & Tony Peter lead Second Base (Muzi Yeni) in after his top win
WERNARS’ SILKS DOMINATE The Wernars’ family’s white, black and red silks were prominent in the Turffontein feature action on Saturday. Sprinkles won the Three Troikas, Outofthedarkness was pipped in the Tony Ruffel (Prince Of Fire was in third), and then Second Base found
his best form to win the Gr3 London News. The Johan Janse van Vuuren yard has clearly turned the corner and it was a well-timed early birthday present for the trainer who celebrated his 40th birthday on Sunday.
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And it was South Africa’s reigning champion sire Gimmethegreenlight who played a leading role and was to the fore in two of the graded races on the afternoon. The Varsfontein champion sired the exacta in the Gr3
London News Stakes, while his sons Outofthedarkness and Prince Of Fire kept William Robertson honest in the Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes. Finally finding some of his best earlier form and promise, Second Base (8-1) benefitted from a cool and confident ride by substitute jockey Muzi Yeni as he powered up the outside to snare the dangerous looking Johnny Hero (10-1) by 0,30 lengths in a time of 111,18 secs.
The consistent Astrix (4-1) stayed on for third, just ahead of Barend Botes’ soldier Golden Pheasant (9-2), who put in another honest effort, albeit for a well-beaten fourth spot. A winner of 6 races with 6 places from 16 starts for stakes of R921 150, the Gold Star Stud-bred Second Base is out of the one-time winning Fort Wood mare Passionate Kiss.
cross as Tony Ruffel runnerup Outofthedarkness, and the graded stakes winners Gee For Go, Green Pepper and Hack Green. South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2015-2016, Leading Sire of Winners and Leading Sire of 3yo’s in 20202021, Gimmethegreenlight has 15 lots on the upcoming Cape Premier Yearling Sale.
He is thus bred on the same Gimmethegreenlight/Fort Wood
The Merits SECOND BASE has had his rating raised slightly from 115 to 116 after his victory in the Gr3 London News Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday. It was the ever-consistent 3rd placed ASTRIX who was used as the line horse, which leaves him unaltered on a rating of 112. Runner-up JOHNNY HERO
has had his rating raised from 110 to 114, while the only other increase was for 5th finisher SAVANNAH STORM, who goes up from 93 to 97. SAVANNAH STORM in fact ran to a rating of 106, but the Handicappers are of the view that a literal reading of the numbers would greatly flatter him based both on his past form and the fact that he
enjoyed the run of the race and was allowed to dictate his own pace up front. Three horses were given a ratings drop. SHANGO is down from 114 to 111, SARAGON drops to 98 from 101, and lastly SEEHAAM was dropped from 105 to 102.
Let’s Go To The Met! The 2022 Cape Town Met, presented by WSB, will be hosted by Kenilworth Racing on 29 January 2021. Lets Go Travel is offering a racing travel package. Pricing is subject to availability at the time of booking. Package Includes :
2 X flights in economy class /5 nights accommodation including breakfast ( 26 January to 31 January 2022 ) Airport Transfers / Race Day Transfers Race Day Hospitality including 3-course meal and early evening canapes ( 1881 Lounge ) 50
Price per person sharing : R 9750 . Extended stays and single supplement available on request. Please contact Denese Govender at Lets Go Travel. TEL : +27 31 764 0143 A/H : +27 63 295 2815
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Chase Liebenberg
The R375 000 CPYS buy Double Superlative wins the WSB Gr1 Cape Guineas
PREMIER SUPERLATIVES & OTHER QUALITY! The CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale has produced a steady sequence of highquality Graded stakes winners since its inception in 2011. CTS will be going into its 11th year with high confidence of another superb sale for
buyers and vendors on 6 February 2022, the graduates of CPYS sales having recorded a GR1 Colts and Fillies Guineas double in December. On 4 December, Sabine Plattner’s Chansonette posted a surprise win in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas when
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she defeated Highveld raider – and hot favourite – Desert Miracle in a pulsating finish. Trainer Andre Nel, who saddled his first Gr1 winner, enthused: “She is a special filly – she came in so well. I joked that it would take more than a miracle to beat
us. Grant van Niekerk rode a pearler of a race. I have an issue that he can be too far back sometimes, but he assured me today he was on a mission. Thanks to Mrs Plattner and our whole team.” Chansonette was bred by Maine Chance Farms and is a daughter of their rising star stallion Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the twicewinning Querari mare, Champery. A R500 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase, Chansonette has had 3 wins
and 2 places from just 5 starts, for stakes of R427 400. Her sire will be represented by six lots on the 2022 Cape Premier Yearling Sale. A fortnight later, on 18 December, racing fans were treated to an authoritative display from owner Nic Jonsson’s lightly-raced Twice Over colt, Double Superlative, ridden by Anton Marcus. Double Superlative was bred by Patricia Devine Investments, and has earned R539 600 from only five runs. He was bought at the 2020 Cape Premier
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Yearling Sale for R375 000. “Nic Jonsson views on Twice Over have been vindicated. He has been saying that the sire’s progeny have been undervalued at the auctions and asked us to buy every one of them,” said Snaith. Twice Over has eight lots on the 2022 Cape Premier Yearling Sale. The sale takes place on 6 February at De Grendel Estate.
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Jeremy Nelson
56 VAR A much-loved sire of champions!
A HORSE THAT CHANGED LIVES
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Var at his retirement with, from left to right, Philip Taberer, Pippa Mickleburgh & Michael Taberer The king is dead, long live the king! A breed shaper, a lifechanger and a sire who galloped his way into the hearts of a generation of racing fans and personalities across the world, Avontuur’s 21st century flagbearer VAR has sadly moved on to his forever paddock in the sky. Making the announcement late on Monday afternoon, a distraught Avontuur General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh confirmed that her beloved champion and best friend for close on sixteen years had been humanely euthanized at the age of 23. “VAR was my pride and joy. He changed the lives of untold racing and non racing
folk both here and across the world. He was a character and a champion extraordinaire. The scars of a battle bravely fought caught up with our loyal soldier in the end. We couldn’t leave him to bear the pressure and the pain on his limbs anymore and after agonising over veterinary advice, we were left with no choice. We are all devastated,”she said in a voice breaking with emotion. The champion’s keeper, and a man who looked after Divine King and Dominion Royale before VAR, Berthwell Arosi told the Sporting Post that he had been at VAR’s side since the day the handsome bay with the three white socks set foot on African soil. “I am lost today. VAR was special and he took me to 58
heights that others doing my job will never reach. I will never forget my special horse,” added the man who has been at Avontuur for his entire working life. The news of the world’s once fastest racehorse’ retirement from the stallion barn in July last year evoked an outpouring of accolades internationally, including from champion jockey Frankie Dettori who rode the speed star to win the Gr1 Prix D Abbaye in record time from an impossible draw. Described as the late Avontuur supremo Tony Taberer’s greatest gift to South African racing and breeding, the 2004 Joint Champion British Older Male
achieved 7 wins up to 1200m in an illustrious track career.
daughters in Val De Ra and Via Africa.
In the paddock, VAR boasts a dual SA Horse Of The Year and international Gr1 winner amongst his 27 elite level performers.
His progeny continue to earn and add to their well over R250 million in earnings at the time of his passing.
While his legacy will live on for decades yet as a potential sire of sires and a broodmare producer, VAR’s paddock pages make for glittering reading. He was Leading Sire of 2YO’s in in 2016-17 and 2017-18, and Champion Sire of Winners in 2018-19. His offspring include close on 60 stakes winners from 1000m to 2600m, as well as two SA Champion Sprinter
Michael and Philip Taberer said that VAR was part of the proud legacy and dream of their late father and that the South African stud books bore proud testimony to the son of Forest Wildcat’s extraordinary ability. “But beyond the raw statistics, he captivated hearts and will live on in his place of honour at Avontuur forever. We thank every shareholder, breeder, supporter and racing fan who played a role in making him
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a success. What an honour it has been to be a part of a modern day fairytale,” said the brothers. VAR has one son at stud in the handsome Talk Of The Town, who stands down the road from Avontuur at Winterbach Stud. The South African racing industry celebrates the life and achievements of a stallion that made us all proud. • We’ll miss you big boy! RIP VAR : 1998 to 2022
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The winner! Sherwin Jerrier’s Master Of My Fate filly out of Regardstobroadway
TRISH TIES THEM IN KNOTTS We have had plenty of fun over the past four months showcasing foals from across the country. The Sporting Post has proudly partnered with BUSH to offer our readers the opportunity of enjoying the
new generation of Future Stars. Trish Knott is this week’s winner of the BUSH WELLNESS HAMPER for December and we congratulate her on her choice of Sherwin Jerrier’s Master Of My Fate filly (8) out of Regardstobroadway.
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Trish labelled the gorgeous girl ‘a very correct foal’. Congratulations to all of our winners and thanks to all of our breeders and our readers for participating with such enthusiasm!
FUTURE STARS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BUSH Winner announced! And more fun facts in the Dacha article, hiliting CBD in women's health
CBD Health for all genders Holistic health is getting easier, and Bush is 62 bringing it closer to you.
NEW YEAR WE DREAM ON
In the season’s spirit of fun and giving, last week Avontuur Estate offered a case of wine to the Sporting Post reader who could come up with the best horseracing resolution. We suggested that if you are cutting down to sixty Peter Stuyvesant a day, running the Comrades, or even signing
up for a gym membership, we wish you the best of luck.
But we were frankly more interested in your horseracing resolutions! Neill de Bruyn of Pretoria was adjudged to have submitted the winning resolution and receives a case of Avontuur wine. Neill said:
‘No resolution just a wish: solve the AHS problem, enter a South African horse for the Arc de Triomphe….and win it.’ The wine is on its way! Thanks to all those who participated and to Avontuur for their support.
Save The Date! The Art & Equus Exhibition will be a popular port of call during the Cape’s Sizzling Summer Season, and with the highlight calendar drawcards of the WSB Cape Town Met on 29 January and the CTS Cape Premier Yearling Sale on 6 February, interest amongst local and international horse and art-lovers, as well as racing fans, is building. Participating artists include Riaan Van Zyl, Tarryn Stebbing and Robin Kutinyu, while the internationally acclaimed racing photographer Liesl King, Equus Champion photographer Candiese Lenferna and local lensman
Chase Liebenberg, will showcase their individual thoroughbred trademark in what will be a feast for the eyes, heart and soul.
will be open daily from 12 January to 13 February 2022.
The trademark eclectic Avontuur blend of horses and wines will be celebrated against a backdrop of fine wine and fabulous food in the intimate gallery space at the Avontuur Wine Estate, where a spectacular range of equestrian art will be showcased.
021 8554296 Or openhand@polka.co.za
Avontuur is open daily for wine tasting and a delicious meal, or even consider spoiling yourself with an overnight stay at the Avontuur Manor House.
Email enquiries@ avontuurestate.co.za, speak to Chantelle, or visit www. booking.com
The ‘Art & Equus Exhibition’
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Restaurant inquiries:
Art inquiries: 021 8553450 Or info@avontuurestate. co.zaxxxxxx Accomodation inquiries:
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Kempton Park
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DREAMS TAKE SHAPE
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There have been 13 Gr1’s between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day in Britain and Ireland with many topclass performances from the likes of Ferny Hollow, Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame. These top-class sorts will now be aimed at the Cheltenham Festival later in the season. Champion trainer Willie Mullins saddled 33 winners during December, including 16 of them in the six days after Christmas. That total included two of Britain’s big prizes - the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day with Tornado Flyer and the game front-running mare Stormy Ireland’s victory in the Relkeel at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
Mullins kept his ‘big guns’ in Ireland for the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown where the yard added a further four Gr1 successes.
Another Mullins novice chaser with top-class prospects is Galopin des Champs after his spectacular chasing debut at Leopardstown last week.
Ferny Hollow’s win in the Racing Post Novice Chase was most impressive. The new Sporting Life Arkle favourite put up a top-class performance when successfully conceding 13lb’s to the exciting four-yearold Riviere d'Etel on Boxing Day.
Galopin des Champs jumped with the ease of an established group performer on his way to a 22-length success over the useful Ain't That A Shame. Only Ferny Hollow and Edwardstone are rated higher than Galopin des Champs among this season's novices by Timeform and he has definitely not reached his full potential.
Riviere d'Etel had won her three previous starts over fences by a cumulative margin of 43 lengths, but she wasn't able to match strides with the Cheveley Park six-year-old who set a strong pace and kept up the gallop to score by a length and a half.
Bravemansgame is now likely to run at the Cheltenham Festival according to his trainer Paul Nicholls. The seven-year-old extended his unbeaten run over fences to three with a comfortable
Swede Heads For Saudi Three-time Stockholm Cup winner Square De Luynes is set for a first foray outside Scandinavia, with his trainer Niels Petersen revealing the Saudi Cup meeting on 26 February to be the destination for one of his stable star's first international ventures. Having won seven of his nine starts, it will be interesting to see how the
seven-year-old fares in the Gr3 Neom Turf Cup worth $1.5million. The Saudi Cup has been a long-term target for Square De Luynes who may have appeared at last year's meeting had it not been for a harsh Norwegian winter which scuppered preparation. Petersen, explaining the motive behind making the journey, said: "I think the track in Saudi will suit him – lefthanded, two bends, it should
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be spot on – and the 2,100m distance should be ideal. "Looking at last year's Neom Turf Cup, he should be good enough and he's so well in himself. He's the best horse in Scandinavia – by the figures, by his performances, by everything. He's the star of the show here – he's such a popular horse."
success over the smart Ahoy Senor in the Gr1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Bravemansgame is now second favourite for the Brown Advisory at the Festival, but Galopin Des Champs is now into 6-4 favouritism following his scintillating chasing debut at Leopardstown. However, Bravemansgame’s trainer Paul Nicholls is up for the challenge. "He's all fine, he's A1," Nicholls said on Sunday. "I still need to sit down and have a discussion with the lads, but I think that's probably where we'll head off to.”
Meanwhile, last year’s Gold Cup runner-up, A Plus Tard’s next start will be back at Cheltenham where connections hope he can go one better. He was beaten on the line at Leopardstown in the Savills Chase by the Gordon Elliott trained Galvin under an inspired ride by the veteran jockey Davy Russell. Then at Naas racecourse on Sunday, Ginto provided the Elliott yard with even more to celebrate in the Gr1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle. Carrying the colours of Noel and Valerie Moran's Bective Stud, he provided the trainer's biggest supporters with a breakthrough Group One success and did so in the style
Willie Mullins – 33 winners during December!
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of a highly promising and progressive sort. Elliott said: "It's a first Grade 1 for Bective and I'm delighted for Noel and Valerie. They are huge supporters of Cullentra and of Irish racing and this is very important." "All Ginto does is stay. We had to stretch them because, if it turned into a sprint, it wouldn't have worked. It's been an unbelievable Christmas. That's four Grade 1s now. It's been great.” The lightly-raced hurdler will surely be on the float with stablemate Galvin to Cheltenham in March.
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results up to: 2022-01-04
TRAINERS Name
Runs
Wins Win%
449 583 340 212 531
Mr P A Peter Mr S J Snaith Mr S G Tarry Mr M F de Kock Mr G D Smith
86 84 42 45 57
19.2 14.4 12.4 21.2 10.7
2nd
3rd
68 75 32 32 60
49 77 32 22 52
2nd
3rd
115 69 83 70 56
95 67 78 58 57
Other Places Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
87 120 55 45 97
45.4 46.7 35.0 46.7 39.4
4,852,063 4,326,525 3,302,625 2,746,188 2,359,375
7,089,813 6,619,975 4,527,938 3,837,500 3,718,113
Other Places Place %
Win Stake (R)
Total Stakes (R)
138 104 135 78 94
6,713,500 4,849,075 4,129,000 3,409,050 2,890,200
9,915,000 6,992,463 6,813,588 5,115,088 4,786,025
204 272 119 99 209
JOCKEYS Name
Rides Wins Win%
Mr W B Kennedy Mr S Khumalo Mr M A Yeni Mr R D Fourie Mr K de Melo
735 556 661 396 427
128 95 80 76 58
17.4 17.1 12.1 19.2 13.6
348 240 296 206 207
47.3 43.2 44.8 52.0 48.5
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
233 277
792 980
37,769 27,119
86 114 77 94
36.9 332 27.8 378
7 3
7 4
8,800,288 7,511,950
124 115 90
414 402 336
38,170 38,964 38,355
43 42 36
34.7 175 36.5 170 40.0 163
7 2 2
7 2 2
4,733,025 4,480,863 3,451,988
B.T. Wins
Total Stakes (R)
9 5 1 4 0
5,597,163 4,868,988 4,678,750 4,611,088 4,530,438
62 56 45
SIRES Name Vercingetorix * Silvano (GER) Master Of My Fate Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) Querari (GER)
Runrs Runs AEPR 123 127 143 144 148
407 422 531 449 523
45,505 38,338 32,719 32,021 30,611
B.T. Wnrs Wins Winrs/ Places Winrs Rnrs % 54 50 46 44 51
69 62 57 56 61
43.9 39.4 32.2 30.6 34.5
163 184 247 176 212
See all the detailed standings - Click here 71
7 5 1 4 0
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FA CUP TIME!
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It’s the FA Cup, the oldest club competition in the world, and it returns in all its glory. There have been a couple rumblings in the past about whether this tournament stills holds all its prestige, but I think it’s all nonsense. Ryan Liberty writes that it’s a massive competition in England and with all the big boys joining this weekend, it’ll no doubt catch fire. Friday 7 January 25/1 Swindon Town | Draw 10/1 | Manchester City 1/14 (22h00) The only point worth mentioning here about Manchester City, is their squad selection. I doubt Pep Guardiola will travel with a full-strength squad…but that wouldn’t change the outcome in my opinion anyway. Swindon’s fans will want their side to remain upbeat, and if they could give City a competitive game, that would be a dream. The hosts struggle to keep a clean sheet but their attacking nature in League Two usually earn them a spot on the scoresheet. I like the look of both teams to score at 5/4.
Saturday 8 January 5/10 Leicester | 33/10 | Watford 5/1 (17h00) An intriguing affair awaits us at the King Power Stadium. Watford have become an increasingly more difficult side to breakdown since their appointment of Claudio Ranieri, but I wonder whether they are able to invest in the FA Cup this season. The league will certainly be their focus, and their limited squad will be a worry. Leicester is very good value here; they’ve become that sort of team – a cup team – and I think it’s a good fit. Brendan Rodgers hasn’t had the greatest league start but a strong defence of their cup will satisfy everyone at the King Power. Back the Foxes at 5/10. 1/20 Chelsea | 12/1 | Chesterfield 33/1 (19h30) At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, the squad selection from Chelsea will be paramount. It’s not exactly as though everything in their camp is sunshine and Amapiano anyway! They come into this game fighting on all fronts for silverware and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Thomas Tuchel rest some of his stars. Again, I’m not suggesting this brings Chesterfield into
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the game…I just think we should be mindful of such – considering Chelsea are currently trading around 1/20. I suspect we might see some inexperience from Chelsea, and although I think they will go on and win…there is value in having a dip on 1st half totals. For the multiples, under 2.5 at 7/20 is good enough for me. Sunday 9 January 13/20 Wolves | 28/10 | Sheffield 4/1 (16h00) Sheffield United have sort of been floating around the Championship table this season. They would have certainly expected a better showing, but do come into this game with a rich vein of form. Unbeaten in their last five, scoring seven times. Wolves, on the other hand, are starting to come into their own under Bruno Lage, the Portuguese coach has seen his side contain opponents with expert precision, and when opportunities present themselves…they certainly pounce. The home win could be a banker. 8/10 West Ham | 26/10 | Leeds 31/10 (16h00) This could turn out to be a cracker. West Ham have been exceptional this season
and the way they have played at home has been brilliant. In the interest of giving credit where credit is due – the Leeds players, fans and assumedly the board have been incredibly resilient and resolute in their support for the manager. The two sides will want to give this a go, knowing the value of a positive showing in the FA Cup. I think 8/10 about the home win is an early gift for 2022 though, get on. 1/16 Tottenham | 11/1 | Morecambe 28/1 (16h00) Tottenham have been incredible since the arrival of Antonio Conte, and again (in true Italian fashion) their defence has shored up almost immediately. Spurs have been jousting in and around those Champions League spots and although they too might ring in the changes for this game, I cannot believe you can get around 5/10 about the home win to nil! There’s no reason you shouldn’t back it with hefty confidence. 1/8 Liverpool | 8/1 | Shrewsbury 17/1 (16h00) Shrewsbury have had a somewhat up and down season so far. They had a slow start to the season but now come into this game off
the back of a run of four games unbeaten. A lot has been made about what Liverpool look like without their African superstars, but that answer won’t be offered in this sort of game. There is nothing to suggest this isn’t a Liverpool win, but for a little more value have a look at Liverpool + over 3.5 goals at 17/20. 32/10 Nottingham Forest | 26/10 | Arsenal 8/10 (19h10) I’m not sure whether I’m missing something here, but Arsenal at 8/10 is almost disrespectful. They have been fantastic, ticking all the right boxes and showing up to games like a team expecting to win, as opposed to a team wanting to compete. I’m not taking anything away from the hosts who have enjoyed a mixed bag of a season, but I can’t see how Arsenal lose. Arsenal win and both teams to score at 28/10 looks to be the right bet. Monday 10 January 11/20 Manchester United | 32/10 | Aston Villa 48/10 (21h55) I don’t want to come across as someone who simply hops onto the bandwagon…but United have been disjointed, uninspired and incredibly frustrating to watch. There isn’t
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any real change – granted the new manager has only been there for a month – but the personnel selection and setup are very reminiscent of a Ole Gunnar Solskjaer side who were abused and criticized. Aston Villa have gone through a bit of a dip now, but they will be up for this. A cup run and sort of midtable finish would be welcomed, and I would even suggest celebrated by the powers that be at Villa Park. I can’t give you confidence on the home side, so Villa on the Win/Draw Double Chance is unfortunately the play. Get on at 13/10. TREBLE @ 34/10 Leicester Win 5/10 West Ham Win 8/10 Wolves Win 13/20
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