Sold On Bortz

BORTZ TALKS FROM THE HEART

Wayne Marks

‘When I came in, I’ve been asked this question a few times – ‘why would you have gotten involved in racing?’ And I can tell you as someone that has a financial background – this must be the dumbest business decision of all time. Like, truly, this makes absolutely no financial sense. But this is not about financials here, this is about passion’ -Greg Bortz

Kenilworth Racing Chairman Greg Bortz addressed a gathering of local and international racing folk prior to the start of what was a very encouraging inaugural Cape Premier Yearling Sale hosted under the auspices of Cape Racing Sales at the Cape Town International Convention Centre last Thursday.

The charistmatic leader’s speech was peppered with his trademark forthright fervour and homebaked humility, and included some very interesting statistics. We say interesting, as hard numbers, tote turnover particularly, is not something that we get thrown dead with by SA racing’s leadership. But read on.

Following popular demand, the Sporting Post has transcribed the speech and it is carried below in its entirety.

Welcome everybody. Welcome to buyers from far and near. Really tickled pink to see people from all over the world here. We’re very honored to have you all.

I would also like to say firstly, it’s already been said but, a huge thank you to Tattersall’s who are our headline sponsor, we are really honored to be associated with the preeminent horse auction house in the world and we are flattered to be the recipient of your largess, so thank you for that.

A few other thank you’s I’d like to extend, a big thank you to Nick Jonsson from Jonsson workwear for all the grooms’ outfits – the grooms all look fantastic, so a big thank you.

Big thank you to Gaynor Rupert for the red and white wine on the tables and to Avontuur for the rosé – we really appreciate all your support, and I’m sure

Wayne Marks

New trainer Tony Peter travelled from Gauteng to buy a few

it’s going to make it a fun and festive occasion.

Everybody, this is as you all know, Cape Racing’s first Cape Premier Yearling sale, and we greatly appreciate the support.

We greatly appreciate all the breeders that are here, it really means a lot. We hope to get more breeders here at our next sale, but this is the beginning of the marathon, certainly not the end – we are grateful to all the breeders for the support, and to all the buyers that are here.

I do want to remind everybody that 100% of all profits on this sale go into the stakes that your horses will race for in the Cape. 100%, so do not be shy, your money will be recycled hopefully for your own benefit!

As already mentioned by Andrew, our sales race is a R1.25million. Cape Racing Slipper – down the straight on WSB Met day in 2024 – we expect to have 20 horses in that field. You can only imagine a stands-packed racecourse, watching 20 of these beautiful horses racing for R1.25million.

The other thing I want to remind you of is, you’re all aware of the Cape Racing RaceCape initiative hopefully, which has put a lot of money back into the pockets of owners and trainers – you need to tick the box in order to be eligible, so please don’t forget when you sign for your horses to tick the box.

If I can, if you will forgive me a brief indulgence, as we reflect back on the last five, six months of Cape Racing – what I would say to you without hesitation, that the biggest achievement that we have achieved is the putting together of our team.

PATHFORK’S DANCER MAKES IT A FAMOUS 5!

Pauline Herman Photography

Louis Mxothwa threw the reins at And We Danced in the final strides to clinch a thrilling victory in a grandstand finish to the R150 000 Listed Lady’s Bracelet at Fairview on a lucky Friday 13th – for some!

The 4yo daughter of Ridgemont Highlands’ Sandown-based Pathfork (Distorted Humor) was celebrating her maiden stakes victory and made it five in a row when the ever improving recent dual Gr1-winning rider threw the kitchen sink at his mount, to withstand a spirited late threat from the 33-20 second favourite Santa Therese (Richard Fourie).

In fact Mxothwa conceded that he had used a few hints once imparted to him by Fourie.

“Richard once told me to put my whip away, put your head down and ride. That’s what I did. And We Danced dug deep for a top win,” he added.

And We Danced made all the running in the mile feature and when challenged late by the year older eleven-time winner, it looked like she would have to settle for second.

But And We Danced (1-1) is courage personified and she held on under an inspired and beautifully balanced ride to grab the verdict by a head in a time of 96,91 secs.

The two dominated the race, with the runner-up’s thirdplaced stable partner Phoenix eight lengths away in third.

Bred by Andy Williams’ Worldwide Bloodstock, And We Danced is a daughter of former Irish champion, and Gr1 boylesports.com Vincent O’Brien National Stakes winner Pathfork out of the oncewinning Commands mare, Dance City Queen.

Pauline Herman Photography

Trainer Sharon Kotzen accepts her trophy from the ROA’s Marilyn Smith

A winner of 7 races with 8 places from 21 starts, And We Danced races in the Andy Williams silks in partnership with Cape breeder David Hepburn-Brown and has banked stakes of R462 838. eyecatching stakes score.

And We Danced’s victory was the second leg of a double on the day for trainer Sharon Kotzen and Louis Mxothwa after the fast emerging KZN sire New Predator’s son War Front won the second race on debut. Leading trainer on the day was Hollywoodbets’ Gavin Smith, who saddled three winners.

The next East Cape racemeeting is on this coming Friday, 20 January.