On the cover
Eye-catching Cape Classic winner Great Plains should make his presence felt for trainer Justin Snaith as the champion defends his Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas title on Saturday. Chase Liebenberg took the pic.
LIFE’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE
Winx-sponsored JP van der Merwe sips from the ‘cup of success’ after winning Saturday’s World Sports Betting Gr2
on Oriental Charm, on whom he also won the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July. JP will take the ride on Sail The Seas for Justin Snaith in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on Saturday. Chase Liebenberg captured the fun moment.
Green Point Stakes
HOME OR AWAY…?
2024 CAPE GUINEAS HUMDINGER ON CARDS
Sponsored for the third consecutive year by Hollywoodbets, a field of 10 will contest the 2024 R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas to be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 14 December. It should be a cracking race, with Cape star One Stripe clearly the horse to beat
Only five visitors have won the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas this century. Four of the five were saddled by Mike de Kock who travels from Randjesfontein with the unexposed but progressive Heather’s Boy, who joins Johan Janse van Vuuren’s one-time winner Bjorn Ironside in a raid on a prime prize in Cape Racing’s Summer Festival Of Racing. Trainer Justin Snaith won’t be flustered by the raiders as he defends his Hollywoodbets
Cape Guineas title on Saturday in the face of a powerful challenge from De Kock and Milnerton veteran Vaughan Marshall, who both bid to lift what will be their respective sixth prized trophy in a race widely regarded as South Africa’s premier classic.
Justin Snaith won his first Cape Guineas in 2010 with Solo Traveller, and has won two of the last three renewals courtesy of Snow Pilot (2023) and Double Superlative (2021). The SA champion sends out Langerman victor Eight On Eighteen, impressive Cape Classic winner
The Marshall duo of One Stripe and All Out For Six will be out to give the Cape veteran his sixth Cape Guineas win Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Great Plains and Sail The Seas in a powerful attack.
Vaughan Marshall trained his first Cape Guineas winner 38 years ago when Sea Warrior won the 1986 renewal and saddles major
hometown hope, the Gr2 Cape Punters Cup winner One Stripe, and the promising All Out For Six on Saturday.
Mike de Kock, who won his first Cape Guineas title with Horse Chestnut in 1999, saddles the
Gavin Lerena is in red-hot form and will be looking for a repeat of the Cape Punters Cup success
Credit: Chase Liebenberg
unbeaten-in-three starts Rafeef colt Heather’s Boy for Khaya Stables.
With a low-profile baby steps campaign so far, he will be ridden by Craig Zackey and remains an interesting dark horse to give De Kock his first Cape Guineas winner since the Australianbred Soqrat in 2018. The latter, a Sandown stallion these days, was also the last ‘away’ winner of the ‘Classic Of Kings’.
Widely acknowledged as South Africa’s premier classic, the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas features as the headliner on the Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie raceday, the third in the series of eight Summer Festival Of Racing events.
Undercard features on the bumper afternoon
include the Ridgemont Gr3 Peninsula Handicap where Sean Tarry travels with the very talented Litigation, who faces a Snaith quartet with possible World Sports Betting Cape Town Met aspirations.
The SplashOut Gr3 Victress Stakes is the first leg of the big day Pick 6, and here Saartjie looks a serious runner after a fast-finishing third behind Double Grand Slam in the Summer Bowl in her season debut at her last start.
Candice Bass Robinson’s trio have not been declared with jockeys, with her topweight Red Palace due to be sold by public auction to dissolve a partnership, after the last race today.
The first race is off at 12h20.
Heather’s Boy (Craig Zackey) steps into the big league on Saturday | Credit: JC Photos
GR1 CAPE GUINEAS
‘It was probably inevitable that the R300 000 Cape of Good Hope Guineas should have been regarded as rather low key in 1990, with the building of the new stand at Milnerton still in progress and no sponsor for the first time in 13 years’ Milnerton as many of us remember the place | Credit: Supplied
Vaughan Marshall saddles One Stripe and All Out For Six in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. The veteran has a particular affinity with the ‘Classic of Kings’ and is set for his sixth title after saddling Sea Warrior in the 1986 renewal run at Milnerton, for his first.
We thought it would be a sentimentally appropriate time to look back at Vaughan’s second Cape Guineas winner – Face North – in 1990.
“Face North was bred by Sydney Press. He was from a batch of horses Millard threw out and started in my satellite yard in PE. He won his maiden in PE at the beginning of November and then I brought him down to Cape Town. In those days you had to win three to qualify for the Guineas. He won his next start in early December and we were under pressure to win another race, so we ran him again about two weeks later and he won that and qualified. Then he won the Guineas and ended up winning 5 in a row. He was a super, super horse,” Vaughan Marshall told the Sporting Post some years ago.
Sadly, Face North was killed in a road accident a few months later. “He was heading to Johannesburg for the old Germiston November Handicap. The idea was to race there and then travel to Cape Town for the Queen’s Plate and Met. I had three horses on the float, the driver fell asleep and they were all killed. Those were my three best horses at the time. It was a big blow for me to take,” he recalled.
Here’s a report from our archives.
It was probably inevitable that the R300 000 Cape of Good Hope Guineas should have been regarded as rather low key in 1990, with the building of the new stand at Milnerton still in progress and no sponsor for the first time in 13 years.
The customary flamboyance and fanfare leading up to the Cape of Good Hope Guineas, the
premier classic, were for the most part missing; the champagne gallops at the beginning of the week and the bookmakers’ callover at the end served as a reminder; but the Cape Turf Club made no secret of the fact that it was not looking to records at the gate or on the tote.
These can hardly have been expected in the circumstances. The concrete greyness of a building site and the steel and wire barricades surrounding it hardly engendered an atmosphere of gaiety and colour; besides, accommodation and viewing space, at best limited at Milnerton, were now at a premium. Even the club stewards had to be relegated to a marquee!
The remarkable thing was that Guineas Day surmounted all the many difficulties, while the race itself fully compensated racegoers for whatever discomforts and inconveniences they might have had to tolerate. The finish was the most rousing since the dramatic In Full Flight / Sentinel dead-heat of 1972 and was on a par with the Prontisimo (Arg) / Clean Break short-head struggle of 1985.
The field that contested the Guineas was far superior to that of the previous year and interest was added by the favourite, Pas de Quoi, and several fancied horses being drawn wide. This prompted the usual debate on their chances of overcoming their draws on the sharp near-bend 1600m, and Prontisimo (Arg) and Young England – two who had in recent years – were cited as proof that this could be done.
Certainly Pas de Quoi’s 15 draw in the field of 16 did not deter punters; he remained a 2/1 favourite from the time betting opened to the day of the race when he firmed to 17/10. This confidence
was hardly surprising. Unbeaten in his five starts, Pas de Quoi had displayed the essentials needed to win the Guineas: speed and stamina.
But in the end it was the draw and the courageous performance of the Natal-trained Face North that were his undoing.
In a thriller, Pas de Quoi held a slight advantage, no more than a neck approaching the final 200m, with Face North pressing him. Eric Chelin had his stick out and Pas de Quoi was giving his all, but it was apparent that Face North, under a great ride by Kevin Shea, still had a bit to come. Stretching to his maximum, Face North stole a little ground with every stride and three strides from the post was alongside and edging to a short-head victory.
It was a tremendous performance by Face North, equally by Pas de Quoi, and it says much for them that they finished 3 lengths clear of the rest of the field. The time of 1 minute 37,2 seconds
was 1,2 seconds outside the record, but excellent time into a fresh southeaster and equal to that set by dead-heaters In Full Flight and Sentinel and also by Prontisimo (Arg).
Face North’s win was a triumph for then Natal based trainer Vaughan Marshall, who saddled the 1986 Guineas winner Sea Warrior. A winner of his three previous races, Face North started his career with Terrance Millard before being sent to Port Elizabeth and the satellite yard of Marshall.
Owners Tony Ross and Adrian Gardiner described Face North after his Guineas victory as “the ugly duckling that nobody wanted.”
Face North was bred by Coromandel thoroughbred Stud by Northfields (USA) out of the Brer Rabbit (GB) mare Shadow Queen whose dam Lady Zia (Preamble II (GB)) produced Quarrytown, 1980 Horse of the Year. Incidentally, Quarrytown’s 12 wins included the Cape Guineas.
Kevin Shea steers Face North to victory for Vaughan Marshall in the 1990 Cape Guineas at Milnerton | Credit: Supplied
Of course the wind blew throughout the afternoon, as it inevitably does on Guineas Day, but at least it was not a flagpole-bending southeaster, and it did help to ease the humidity. The only pity was that it carried a haze of smoke across the course from a veld fire nearby and this muted what colour there was, women’s fashion, jockey’s silks and the like.
At the end of the day the Cape Turf Club had reason to congratulate itself. In spite of the difficulties it faced, everything had gone well. Its track had looked superb in spite of the heat and
wind of the previous weeks; there had been a good turnout of racegoers; the most had been made of the facilities available; and overall tote turnover was a remarkable 7% up on the previous year.
As the chairman, Jeff Bub, told racegoers at the presentation of the Guineas trophies: “Our stand will be completed this year. At next year’s Guineas the Cape Turf Club will give you the best at Milnerton.”
A slightly more youthful Vaughan Marshall back in the day | Credit: Supplied
Fatal Flaw (Piere Strydom) heads home with Scarlet Macaw (Kabelo Matsunyane) chasing for second | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Fatal Flaw ran them ragged in the R1,25-million World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, making all the running from the worst of the draw under an inspired ride by 58-year-old superstar Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom.
And what a training feat by the father and son team of Brett and James Crawford! They were also successful earlier in the day when Oriental Charm made a sensational winning seasonal debut in the World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes.
Having decided to give the Betway Gr3 Fillies Mile at Turffontein the previous weekend a miss, the logistics were challenging as Fatal Flaw left her Randjesfontein barn earlier in the week, arriving in Cape Town just four days ahead of her most important engagement to date.
A brave decision, but one which brought Grade 1-winning Classic glory for the 3yo daughter of the ill-fated New Predator (Aus).
Fatal Flaw, who boasts an all-Australian pedigree, being out of the Rock of Gibraltar mare, Alinga (Aus), was bred by Laurence Wernars and sold for
a “mere” R210 000 to Arun Chadha’s ASSM Racing Syndicate at the 2023 National Yearling Sale.
In winning aboard Fatal Flaw, Strydom plugged a gaping omission in his stellar CV, having never previously saluted in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas, but for the Crawford stable it was their fourth success, following on the heels of Bad Girl Runs (2005), Front And Centre (2018) and Make It Snappy (2022).
Ironically, their stable jockey Kabelo Matsunyane emerged as the biggest threat when the Candice Bass-Robinson trained Scarlet Macaw loomed up dangerously, but Fatal Flaw had plenty in reserve and quickened again smartly over the final 100m to score decisively by two lengths.
Little Suzie under Sean Veale was doing her best work late to finish in third spot and, being out of
Chief Marketing Manager of WSB, Ryno du Plessis hands over the trophies to Brett and James Crawford | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
the Met-winning mare Oh Susanna, we are likely to only see the best of this daughter of Trippi over slightly more testing trips.
The top four was rounded off by another BassRobinson inmate, Symphony In White, who was beaten with every chance.
Gimmie’s Countess made some progress from the rear of the field but always struggling to find
top gear and had to settle for fifth position, more than four lengths adrift of Fatal Flaw.
Piere ‘Striker” Strydom celebrates his maiden World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas Credit: Chase Liebenberg
GOOD GRADES GO A LONG WAY!
James and Brett Crawford chat to Vicky Minott after their Oriental Charm comeback | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
The fledgling trainer partnership of father and son Brett and James Crawford was off to a flying start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when Fatal Flaw stormed to victory in the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas. Adding an extra touch of magic to the day was the triumphant return of their Hollywoodbets Durban July hero Oriental Charm in the World Sports Betting Gr2 Green Point Stakes.
Fatal Flaw’s victory was all the more remarkable, given that she had to traverse the country from Johannesburg to Cape Town, had never raced over a left-handed track, and jumped from the widest draw. But, in the
capable hands of veteran Piere Strydom, she never looked in danger of defeat and squarely put one over the locals, whilst giving her jockey a way overdue first win in this classic. James, who oversees the Gauteng yard, put the finishing touches to both stakes winners. He is no stranger to Gr1 success, after all, he can arguably take credit for the past two winners of the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July.
Step forward Winchester Mansion and Oriental Charm, both of which travelled from their Johannesburg base to triumph in the country’s premier race.
By the way, the Crawfords are not the first father-and-son team to train under a joint license.
Will Pays (Craig Zackey) landed the Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes for Mike and Adam Azzie in 2017 | Credit: JC Photos
To our knowledge, Mike and Adam Azzie set the ball rolling back in 2017. Barely a month into the season, they were off the mark when Will Pays landed the Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes and would later add the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes. Argentina-bred Hat Puntano too, advertised the stable’s prowess in the Gr2 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile.
Appropriately, the team’s first Gr1 winner was stable veteran Rivarine, who finally succeeded in his quest for top level glory at the age of six when he outgunned champion sprinter Russet Air and Chimichuri Run in the 2020 Gr1 Computaform Sprint.
The Azzies are dab hands at fine-tuning sprinters, a second Gr1 winner following in the shape of Bohica, who travelled to Cape Town to garner the 2022 Cape Flying Championship.
Other stakes winning sprinters for the Azzies were 2019 Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap winner Down To Zero, and the talented, if fragile filly, Sheela. Who will forget her spectacular debut in the Listed Storm Bird Stakes, where she ran her male rivals off their feet to score by the best part of four lengths.
The Drakenstein homebred showed that effort was no flash in the pan when she followed up with another splendid win in the Gr2 SA Nursery. Also, third in the Gr1 Allan Robertson, she matured into a fine sprinter a nd again blitzed male rivals in the Listed Golden Loom Handicap.
The stable sent out a second Spring Spree Stakes winner in 2019 when Angel’s Power shared the honours with Prince Of Kahal, whilst the likes of Gimme A Shot (Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge), Wylie Wench (Gr3 Acacia Handicap) and San Fermin (Gr3 Sycamore Sprint) also added their names to the list of
Azzie-trained stakes successes, as has this season’s Java Handicap winner Poets Warrior. The five-year-old recently completed a fine hattrick when he sauntered to victory in the Racehorse Owners Association Stayers, and he will surely chase more black type in more prominent staying events.
The industry received a timely boost with the announcement by maestro trainer Mike de Kock that he is to join forces with son Matthew, who has decided to return home after spending the past four years in Australia, where he honed his skills in partnership with trainer Robbie Griffiths.
Matthew initially learnt the trade from his famous dad and recalls having sat on the mighty Horse Chestnut as a youngster. Prior to leaving for Down Under, he handled such stable stars as champion Hawwaam, Soqrat and Queen Supreme.
He will initially be based full-time at the Randjesfontein yard, while Mike will oversee operations from Summerveld, with a satellite string in the lucrative centre of Cape Town also on the radar.
This season, Matthew can look forward to acquainting himself with Horse of the Year Dave The King and exciting three-year-olds like Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas hopeful Heather’s Boy, Greaterix and Artist’s Model, as well as the impressive maiden winner Spumante Dolce, a three-part sister to former stable star Sparkling Water.
Father-and-daughter teams are uncommon in South Africa, hence it was the ground-breaking duo of Harold Crawford and daughter Michelle Rix who entered the history books in a big way with Kommetdieding.
A R55,000 bargain buy off the Klawervlei Farm Sale, the colt took them on a heady ride when he stormed to victory in the 2021 Vodacom Durban July and six months later, ran out a smooth winner of the Gr1 Cape Town Met.
As regards the Crawford team, who have some potentially exciting plans in the pipeline, they are in an enviable position and for the
remainder of the season, will go to war with an arsenal headed by Oriental Charm and newlyminted Gr1 winner Fatal Flaw, not to mention Oaks winner Frances Ethel and Winchester Mansion, who is currently on the easy list after his smooth victory in the Allied SteelrodeOnamission Gr2 Charity Mile and will hopefully be back in action before long.
Harold Crawford and daughter Michelle Rix created history with Kommetdieding | Credit: JC Photos
CRAWFORDS’ CHARM WEAVES HIS MAGIC
The 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July hero makes a magical return to the winner’s enclosure under regular pilot JP van der Merwe | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Oriental Charm, the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July hero, made a magical return to racing action at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on
Saturday,
scoring a resolute pillar-to-post victory in the R600 000 World Sports Betting Gr2 Green Point Stakes over 1600m.
Racing for the partnership of Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz, Leon Ellman and Gina Goldsmith, the 4yo son of Vercingetorix was taken to the front by JP van der Merwe and, despite not having raced since 6 July, Oriental Charm showed no signs of being ring-rusty and is now likely to be installed a firm favourite for the R5-million World Sports Betting Cape Town Met on 25 January.
Oriental Charm was bred at Vaughan Koster’s Cheveley Stud although his dam, Souk, has changed hands a few times since.
His victory on Saturday marked the first major
success for the newly formed father and son training partnership of Brett and James Crawford and they now have every reason to look forward to the balance of the Cape Summer Festival of Racing with great optimism. Royal Aussie tried gamely to make late inroads into Oriental Charm’s advantage, but he was a length adrift at the line with Sugar Mountain, who threatened briefly to upstage his more fancied rival, rounding off the Trifecta.
Clearly something went seriously amiss with Green With Envy who trailed in close to a dozen lengths behind the winner and it’s back to the drawing boards for Dean Kannemeyer.
ASIYE PHAMBILI DOMINATES IN SOUTHERN CROSS
Asiye Phambili powers home under Richard Fourie while Candy Town (Corne Orffer) stays on for second | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Translated into English, Asiye Phambili means “moving forward” and the 5yo daughter of What A Winter did just that for Champion Jockey Richard Fourie when called upon for her effort approaching the final 200m to land Saturday’s R250 000 World Sports Betting Gr3 Southern Cross Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in dominant fashion on Saturday.
Candy Town, having her first start since May, flew the start and was many lengths clear at the halfway point. At that stage Asiye Phambili was being hustled and bustled along by Fourie, but the odds-on favourite gathered momentum into the final stages and drew clear to win easing up by a comfortable margin, stopping the clock in 57,22 seconds.
Bred by Hemel ‘n Aarde, owned by the Hollywood Syndicate and trained by Gareth
Van Zyl, Asiye Phambili has won seven of her twenty starts and has banked more than R775 000.
Now a dual Grade 3 winner, Asiye Phambili is a very good-looking mare and will be a valuable asset at stud in the future.
Candy Town stayed on gamely to finish second ahead of the chasing Summer Lily and Miss World, while Nordic Quest was beaten for early pace before making some late headway to earn a minor share of the purse.
Asiye Phambili takes her sire’s female stakes winners total up to 13 | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
WHAT A WINTER’S SOUTHERN CROSS ICEBREAKER
The classy Asiye Phambili, winner of Saturday’s World Sports Betting Gr3 Southern Cross Stakes, will have plenty to recommend her when she retires to stud.
The Gareth van Zyl-trained mare is one of 26 stakes winners for her sire
What A Winter (Western Winter), twice Equus Champion Sprinter and Equus Champion Older Male of 2011-2012.
South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2016-2017 and Leading Sire of 2YOs in 2019-2020, What A Winter is no stranger to siring top-class daughters with his tally including dual Gr1 Majorca Stakes winner Clouds Unfold and last season’s Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes winner Humdinger.
Of What A Winter’s 26 stakes winners, 13 are female. The Hemel ‘N Aarde-bred Asiye Phambili is, however, the first Southern Cross Stakes winner for her sire.
What A Winter is a grandson of the breed-shaping stallion Gone West, whose other notable male line descendants include current star stallions Wootton Bassett, Quality Road and Munnings.
Asiye Phambili, in all likelihood, also owes plenty of her ability to her dam and female line.
A full-sister to 2020 Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship runner-up Trickster (What A Winter) and the useful Max The Magician (What A Winter), Asiye Phambili is one of eight winners, and three stakes winners, produced by her prolific dam Cast A Spell (Rambo Dancer). The latter, a winner of six races, including the Listed Breeders Guineas, also ranks as the dam of the uber speedy Little Genie (Banyana Handicap, Gardenia Stakes) and Luna Child (Breeders Guineas).
Cast A Spell, whose sire Rambo Dancer also ranks as the broodmare sire of outstanding producer Halfway To Heaven (Jet Master), is also responsible for the stakes placed pair of Neala (Jay Peg) and Ollivander (Silvano).
Remarkably, Cast A Spell’s six black-type performers were sired by five different stallions.
The best horse produced by Hansel mare Flying Magic, Cast A Spell’s granddam is the top-class racemare Magic Gleam (Danzig).
Winner of the Gr2 Child Stakes and runner up in the Gr1 Coronation Stakes, Magic Gleam ranks as the third dam of Czech champion Subway Dancer (Shamardal), and the latter’s Nad Al Sheba Trophy winning half-brother Secret Advisor (Dubawi).
Magic Gleam’s dam All Agleam also made her mark in South Africa, being the dam of Stuttafords Gr1 Fillies Guineas winner Flying Snowdrop, the granddam of Avontuur Estate Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas heroine Sparkling Gem (Joshua Dancer).
The latter, dam of recent debut winner Elizabedi Gold (Gold Standard), is the granddam of graded stakes winning half-siblings King Of
Gems and Pink Tourmaline.
The blue blooded All Agleam was a half-sister to star filly Davona Dale (Best Turn) and the dam of Gr1 Stephen Foster Handicap winner Seek Gold (Touch Gold).
Other members of this star family include Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner Gate Dancer (Sovereign Dancer), Gr1 Futurity Stakes winner Agincourt (Capote), and 2000 Guineas winner Colorado (Phalaris).
Asiye Phambili is a direct descendant of 1928 English Oaks winner Toboggan (Hurry On), whose daughter Hydroplane II produced US Triple Crown winning superstar Citation (Bull Lea).
HOLDING THUMBS COMES THROUGH FOR WOODHILL TEAM
The Glen Kotzen stable has been fighting a lingering virus which has seen many of their runners recently being withdrawn prior to race days, but Holding Thumbs was given the green light to stand his ground in the R225 000 World Sports Betting Listed Cape Summer Stayers Handicap and under a determined ride by Sean Veale, the 4yo son of Vercingetorix brought some relief to the Woodhill Team.
Racing in the colours of Gary Player on behalf of a partnership, Holding Thumbs appeared to have the race safely wrapped up at the 200m pole, but Greg Ennion’s consistent 5yo mare Love Is A Rose kept plugging away and was only a neck in arrears at the line.
The leading duo finished well clear of the Snaith pair of Navy Strength and Call To Unite, with the latter finding little for pressure after making all the early running. Holding Thumbs, who was bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein out of
the Fort Wood mare Withbatedbreath, has now won five of his fourteen starts, with earnings in excess of R400 000, and there may be more to come now that he has been stepped up in trip.
Holding Thumbs (Sean Veale) stays on the winning path! Call To Unite (Grant van Niekerk, pink cap) and Navy Strength (JP van der Merwe) can be seen in the background | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
HOLLYWOOD RACING –ALL SYSTEMS GO
Making the announcement earlier this week, Hollywood Racing spokesman Devin Heffer said that the modernized name better described the scope and diversity of their operation in the present times and that the philosophies and principles underscored by a passion and love of the horse, and of the sport of racing, would remain unchanged.
Ever since Splendid Night stormed to an
December 2024.
icebreaking victory in 2002, the Hollywood Syndicate, the racehorse ownership platform of South Africa’s leading sportsbook operator Hollywoodbets, has become a fixture on South African racecourses and recently celebrated their 600 winner milestone.
The Hollywood Syndicate silks were also carried to victory five months ago by former SA speed champion Isivunguvungu when the son
The instantly recognizable purple and yellow silks proudly carried by runners racing under the banner of the Hollywood Syndicate will be known as Hollywood Racing with effect from Tuesday, 10
Luhamba Phambili (Corne Orffer) won at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 2 November 2024 to register the 600 winner milestone | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
of What A Winter won the Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs in Virgina.
In a watershed moment for all involved, the 6yo went on to acquit himself with honour in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar in early November.
“The administration of the name change has been a seamless exercise and we thank the National Horseracing Authority for their assistance and professionalism. Anthony Delpech remains the nominee of Hollywood
Racing and it’s all systems go from today’s Hollywoodbets Greyville racemeeting,” concluded Devin Heffer.
Click on the image below to follow Hollywood Racing runners.
STRYDOM’S FIREALLEY CONFIRMS NEW LEASE ON LIFE
Trainer Jacques Strydom’s former Cape-based gelding Firealley has found a new lease on life and followed up his cracking recent success in the Algoa Cup with a fluent strike in the non black-type R175 000 Founders Trophy at Fairview on the polytrack on Friday.
The 7yo bounced back to form at his penultimate start when he won the Listed Betway Algoa Cup over 2000m in October on the Gqeberha polytrack and showed his versatility here when claiming this win over the mile.
Well ridden by Marco Van Rensburg, Firealley (11-2) made his way through the field and
stayed on strongly to beat the Alan Greefftrained East Coast (9-2) by half a length in a time of 95,7secs.
It was a decent local debut by the former De Kock resident East Coast, who should not be long in winning on this showing.
The Glen Kotzen-trained tote favourite
Marco van Rensburg drives Firealley up the inside as East Coast (Richard Fourie) chases late | Credit: Pauline Herman
Blackberry Malt (9-2) ran out of the money in a disappointing showing.
The revitalised Drakenstein-bred Firealley races in the partnership of Messrs Do Carmo, De Wet, McCrow, Puggia,Smart, Lorette Louw, the Money Talks Syndicate, SMB Insurance Brokers and the Strydom family, since joining the Jacques Strydom yard at the beginning of the year.
A son of Flower Alley (Distorted Humor), Firealley is out of the Irish-bred Galileo mare, Fire Spinner.
Originally a R275 000 purchase off the Cape Premier Yearling Sale, Firealley has won 7 races with 14 places from 45 starts for stakes of R978 975.
He is another excellent advertisement for horses who may have reached their peak in major centres, being given another chance in the Eastern Cape.
Jockey Craig Zackey rode three winners on the day, whilst trainers Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith both enjoyed a double.
The next scheduled racemeeting at Fairview will be held on Friday, 13 December.
TARA & TEAM - BEST DAYS LIE AHEAD!
The A Team! Tara Laing is flanked by her son Ewan Garratt and partner Gavin Venter| Credit: Pauline Herman
As the sun sets on 2024, Fairview trainer Tara Laing celebrates another year of organic growth against a background of doing the basics right with a team that works, while practising an ethic of old-fashioned hard work, and always keeping her eye on the ball.
The straight-shooting and feisty Scottish lass, an accomplished horsewoman who started life as a top showjumper, has mellowed somewhat – she is 52 on 2 January - and has just marked her twelfth year as a licenced trainer. It’s been blood, sweat, tears – and plenty of champers - along a road on which Tara has built a reputation for passionate horsemanship, consistent results, and a personal approach to every horse in her care.
With two strings in her yard, Tara, who spent a large portion of her formative years with the champion Snaith team, continues to thrive in a highly competitive industry, maintaining an impressive 13% win strike rate and a 32% place strike rate—statistics that really speak for themselves off her 4810 odd runners which have produced 539 winners and 1565 place cheques.
In a chat with the Sporting Post recently Tara sat down with her son Ewan Garratt as she reflected back on a life where she’s trained horses to win big races for local and international owners and has certainly paid her school fees and ridden out a few storms along the way.
“We are proud of our record over the years and have produced competitive horses in a variety of categories. We have always ensured that our approach to training is thorough and wellrounded, focusing on maximizing the potential of each horse under our care. It means that horses in major centres who aren’t making the
cut will be given every chance in a centre that offers dual racing surfaces and a chance to give the owner plenty of fun,” mulls Tara as she looks back on a few body blows that stunned her, but had her bouncing back ever stronger.
“Some never recovered, others are still clawing their way back, but Covid-19 was a knockout all round. We came within a heartbeat of shutting up shop but that probably applies to so many in the horse racing industry. The lockdowns and restrictions on racing, with the financial challenges that the pandemic brought, while hard-hit owners cut back on their horses and racing events were either cancelled or reduced, saw many trainers swerving. But, hey, we are
still here today!” laughs Tara as she moves on to the ‘difficult decisions’ she was forced to make.
“We downsized significantly. At one point, it seemed uncertain whether Tara Laing Racing would survive. But when the going gets tough, you know what happens. There were mouths to feed and we love this game. Horses are all we know. So, I managed to keep a few in training and maintained the focus on delivering results with the depleted resources,” she recalls sombrely.
And it worked! Tara’s ability to continue producing winners with a smaller, more
Ewan leads Frederico’s Passion (Chase Maujean) in with leading TL Racing owner, Loretta Louw | Credit: Pauline Herman
selective group of horses during a time of enormous emotional and financial strain showcased her skill and adaptability.
“Adapt or die! We focused on quality over quantity, which kept us relevant and successful, despite not having a large number of horses to send out.”
This is where an important lady stepped in.
“Loretta Louw played a key role in backing the yard by providing not only financial support but also by helping with the acquisition of horses, which is vital for the growth and success of any racing stable. Owners like Loretta often provide the necessary resources to help trainers like myself compete in competitive racing circuits, from purchasing promising horses to investing in the proper care, training, and facilities.”
Young Ewan, who is a key link in the Tara Laing Racing chain on the PR and communications side, as well as attracting a new generation of young blood into the game, chips in here.
“With a small string of horses, it can sometimes be more challenging to attract new owners, but it also means the horses get a load of personal attention and care. So it’s a doublededged sword. With a smaller yard, we can give our horses the one-on-one attention they deserve. From daily care to tailored training programmes, each horse is treated as an individual, ensuring they reach their full potential. Either way, horses and owners get the royal treatment with us – guaranteed!” he adds proudly.
Tara’s son also specializes in working with difficult or ‘problem’ horses, using proven training methods to bring out the best in even the most challenging equine personalities. “Ewan’s dedication and skill in rehabilitating horses is unparalleled, giving every horse the best chance to thrive,” adds the proud Mum.
“Communication and transparency is key to racing in 2024 and beyond. Our owners are part of a close-knit, passionate community where we provide regular updates, insights, and opportunities so that they remain actively involved with their horses. Whether you’re new to racing or an experienced owner, we support every investor, big and small, every step of the way,” explains Ewan as he tells how they encourage owners to visit the stables and build a connection with their horses.
“We really go the extra mile to make the whole experience special. People pay hard-earned money to have the pleasure of racing and then often only hear from the trainer when there is a bill or an issue. We are here every day – and on racedays, with VIP access and hospitality, where possible, and the chance to share the excitement with fellow owners. We are an eclectic mixed team of experience and youthful energy. This includes our lead jockey and 16time champion, Gavin Venter, who rides all the work and plays a key role in the success of the yard. We cater for everybody!” enthuses Ewan, as he brandishes his contact emails and hands us his social media handles.
Talk to Ewan or Tara:
• Email: ewan_garratt@icloud.com
• Facebook: Tara J Laing Racing Stables
• Instagram: Laing_racing
FATAL FLAW MOVES TO 115
FATAL FLAW HAS SEEN HER RATING ADJUSTED TO 115 FROM 110 AFTER COMFORTABLY WINNING THE WORLD SPORTS BETTING GR1 CAPE FILLIES GUINEAS OVER 1600M AT HOLLYWOODBETS KENILWORTH ON SATURDAY.
Symphony In White, who finished fourth in this race, was deemed to be the most suitable line horse to rate the race, leaving her rating unchanged on 107.
The following horses also received increases in their ratings. Second placed Scarlet Macaw went up to 111 from 93 for beating the 107 rated line horse by 2.15 lengths (4 points) at level weights.
Third placed Little Suzie went up to 107 from 103 for finishing 0.40 of a length ahead of the 107 rated line horse at level weights.
Mai Sensation was the only runner in this race to receive a drop in the ratings and she dropped to 94 from 99.
World
Sports Betting Green Point
Stakes (Grade 2)
Oriental Charm remained unchanged on a rating of 125 after his win in the World Sports Gr2 Betting Green Point Stakes.
Here it was third place finisher Sugar Mountain who was used as the line horse, leaving his rating unaltered at 116. In rating the race this way, first and second finishers actually run below their official ratings of 125 and 124 respectively.
The only runner to receive a ratings drop was Without Question, who was dropped to 118 from 120.
World Sports Betting Southern Cross Stakes (Grade 3)
Asiye Phambili remained unchanged on a merit rating of 116 following her fluent win in the World Sports Betting Gr3 Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that third placed Summer Lily made for the ideal line horse to rate this race, leaving her unchanged on a rating of 100. In rating the race this way, second placed Candy Town also runs to her mark of 101 effectively making her a line horse as well.
Miss World, who finished fourth in this race, was the only other runner to receive an upward adjustment in the ratings and she went up to 99 from 97.
There were no drops in the ratings for any runner in this race.
World Sports Betting Cape Summer Stayers Handicap (Listed)
Holding Thumbs has seen his rating adjusted from 93 to 99 after winning the World Sports Betting Cape Summer Stayers Handicap (Listed) over 2 500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the opinion that second placed Love Is A Rose made for
the most suitable line horse to rate this race, leaving her rating unchanged on 101.
It must be borne in mind that Holding Thumbs, who was rated 93 (nett 90 after the deduction of Weight for Age), was 4 points under sufferance at the weights, due to the race being benchmarked at 94 = 52kg and therefore his
adjustment of 6 points was inclusive of the under-sufferance amount.
There were no other changes to any of the other horses in this race.
• Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 10 December 2024.
The 2023/24 season KZN Breeders Awards were held at the popular Granny Mouse Country House in Balgowan in the KZN Midlands on Friday evening.
Quid Pro Quo (Piere Strydom) has been crowned Horse Of The Year | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
typically widely supportive turnout from the tightly-knit community celebrated the locally-bred stars of last term, with the Kalil family homebred Quid Pro Quo achieving a thoroughly deserved acknowledgement in being crowned Horse Of The Year off a record-breaking 2yo season.
The Barend Botes-trained daughter of the Heuningsfontein-based largely unheralded Jet Master stallion Lance stole the show, and besides celebrating the evening’s sought-after big trophy earned top honours in the Champion 2yo Filly, Champion Sprinter Female, and Champion Middle Distance Female, categories, as well as a Breeders Achievement award for the delighted Gerald and Karen Kalil.
A home-baked fairtytale for a filly who couldn’t get past a R60k best bid in the sales ring!
Quid Pro Quo, who delivered such an explosive performance last Saturday when obliterating the males in the fashion of a standout champion to win the Betway Gr2 Dingaans, looks well set to continue at even greater heights this season.
Another notable multiple winner on the evening
A CONGRATULATIONS
was the Bush Hill-bred New Predator colt, Purple Pitcher.
A winner of 7 races in a season where his star soared from a humble Vaal maiden winner to a dual Grade 1 achiever, Purple Pitcher gave owner Stinky Pooe the ride of his life, and his runner-up berth behind Atticus Finch in last Saturday’s R6 million Betway Gr1 Summer Cup suggests there is plenty more to come in his 4yo season.
A winner of two legs of the SA Triple Crown in both the TAB Gr1 SA Classic and the TAB Gr1 SA Derby, Purple Pitcher maintained a golden thread of consistency out of the Robyn Klaasen yard.
Purple Pitcher won the Champion 3yo Male, the Champion Middle Distance Male and Champion Stayer titles, while his late sire New Predator was Stallion Of The Year and his Mom, the Count Dubois mare Helianthus, was crowned Broodmare Of The Year.
Bush Hill Stud were named Breeders Of The Year, having also delivered another dual winner on the evening in DantonfromSandton, and Electric Gold, who was named Champion Older Male.
Champion 2YO Filly sponsored by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds – from l to r, Philile Zuma, Karen Kalil, Bruce and Gerald Kalil | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Champion 2YO Colt/Gelding sponsored by Equine Insurance - from l to r, Philile Zuma, Jason Render, Jenny Blyth and Karen Render | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Champion 3YO Filly sponsored by Choice Carriers – from l to r, Philile Zuma, Peter Choice (Choice Carriers), Peter Blyth and Christine Quinn | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Champion 3YO Colt /Gelding sponsored Equifeeds – from l to r, Philile Zuma, Karin Render, Jennifer Harms (Equifeeds) and Jason Render| Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Champion 3YO Colt /Gelding sponsored Equifeeds – from l to r, Philile Zuma, Karin Render, Jennifer Harms (Equifeeds) and Jason Render | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Champion Older Male sponsored by Epol – from l to r, Philile Zuma, Debbie Dick (Epol), Caitlyn Rossouw and Jason Render | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Champion Middle Distance Male sponsored by Iron Horse Feeds – from l to r, Warwick Render, Bruce le Roux (for Iron Horse Feeds), Philile Zuma and Jason Render | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Champion Stayer sponsored by Spurwing Horse Feeds – from l to r, Warwick Render, Karin Render, Philile Zuma and Philip Benson (Spurwing Horse Feeds) | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Stallion of the Year sponsored by TBA – from l to r, Warwick Render, Bradley Ralph (TBA), Karin Render and Philile Zuma | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Broodmare of the Year sponsored by Gold Circle – from l to r, Philile Zuma, Karin Render, Arvin Sewpersad (Gold Circle) and Lindsay Welken| Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Breeders Achievement Award sponsored by BSA – from l to r, Karen Kalil, Alistair Gordon (BSA), Philile Zuma and Gerald Kalil | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Leading Breeder sponsored by Almiray Vet Clinic – from l to r, Philile Zuma, Dene Ratsey (Almiray), Karin Render, Jason Render and Warwick Render) | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Anita Akal Industry Award – Alistair Gordon (far right) accepts obo Michael Holmes – Philile Zuma and sponsor Anita Akal complete the frame | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Horse of the Year sponsored by Gold Circle – from l to r, Karen Kalil, Cathy Martin, Lance Whiteford (Gold Circle), Philile Zuma, Gerald Kalil and Arvin Sewpersad (Gold Circle) | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
Quid Pro Quo owner-breeder Gerald Kalil accepts the Horse Of The Year Award obo his champion, while Paul Lafferty looks on | Credit: Anneke Akal Kitching
CAPE RACING SALES ANNOUNCE 2025 SALES CALENDAR
Cape Racing Sales has announced the first of their 2025 Sales, set to kick off with the Summer Sale at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Thursday, 23 January 2025, at 12h00. The Summer Sale will be held in the Racing Pavilion area at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, with the live auction commencing promptly at 12h00.
This exclusive sale will feature 95 carefully selected lots, showcasing top-tier bloodstock. We are thrilled to confirm the catalogue is available online www.caperacingsales.co.za and the printed catalogue will be available in the coming weeks, offering buyers a chance to purchase some of the finest horses on the market.
Cape Racing Sales looks forward to hosting this exciting event and invites all buyers to join us for an unforgettable experience at one of the most beautiful times of the year in the Cape.
The Summer Sale provides a unique opportunity to purchase high-quality bloodstock amidst a week of action-packed events leading up to the highly anticipated WSB Cape Town Met race day, held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, 25 January 2025.
Cape Racing Executive: Racing and Bloodstock, Justin Vermaak “At Cape Racing Sales, we are passionate about bringing together the best in racing and bloodstock. The 2025 sales season represents an exciting opportunity to connect buyers with exceptional horses that have the potential to become future champions. With the unwavering support of our breeders and the vibrant energy of the Cape, we are committed to delivering a worldclass experience for all involved, ensuring the continued growth and success of our racing community.”
Following the Summer Sale, Cape Racing Sales will host the prestigious Premier Sale, scheduled for 14 and 15 March 2025 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
After having received overwhelming support from breeders this auction has become a twoday sale. The quality within the select day of the sale is sure to shock the thoroughbred industry in South Africa.
The final sale of 2025 will take place on 26 October 2025. This sale will continue the popular format of a combination of breeze-up and unbroken 2-year-olds, offering the perfect opportunity to purchase up-and-coming stars.
Cape Racing Sales remains committed to providing buyers with access to top-tier horses in an exciting and vibrant environment. We look forward to welcoming all participants to these exceptional events in 2025.
• Media release by Cape Racing Sales on Monday, 09 December 2024.
BURKE BANKS ANOTHER WINNER
Chase Liebenberg
The second leg of the 2024/5 Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series saw an exciting finish at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday when first leg hero Louis Burke again stamped his authority with a nicely balanced display from the saddle as he drove Elsinore to victory clenching the 1000m sprint by less than half a length in a time of 59.86s.
Louis Burke and Luke Coleman had finished 1-2 in the opening leg of the Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series, and it was a case of copy and paste in Leg 2 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday.
Riding a supremely confident race aboard the short-priced favourite Elsinore (13/10), Burke produced the Justin Snaith-trained quirky 3yo son of Querari from a few lengths off the pace to score narrowly, but with something in hand.
Coleman’s mount, Peanut Pops, was the subject of inspired betting support, shortening from 33/1 to 8/1. The gamble was nearly landed, but Elsinore kept on well in the closing stages and held on to score by a neck.
Mrs Shackleton (Bikwe) and Cosmic Cliffs (Nkunzi) were well beaten in third and fourth, while Fencing Captain (Bambiso) again failed to fire and faded tamely over the last 200m.
Now we move on as the competition hots up even further. While the workriders earn the
standard riding commissions, a grand prize of R25 000 is on offer in the Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series and will be shared amongst the top five riders on the final log.
Points are earned by individual positions in each of the four races and to keep all stakeholders updated, Cape Racing will publish a regular log.
The R25 000 prize pool will be allocated as follows:
• Winner earns R12 000
• Runner-up earns R6 000
• Third place earns R4 000
• Fourth place earns R2 000
• Fifth place earns R1 000
We look forward to the following dates, 29 January and 22 February as the The Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series continues, culminating in an exciting finale on 16 March 2025, the Cape Racing Sales Day, featuring the inaugural running of the R5 million CRS Big Cap.
SA JOCKEY ACADEMY SET FOR ANOTHER BIG YEAR
The South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) held its 2024 Annual Awards Ceremony on Friday 6 December at the Summerveld Club House, marking a year of growth and success.
Guest speaker Mr Phendulani Phepsi Buthelezi with apprentices | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The event, attended by Academy board members, apprentices, and special guests, celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of its apprentices and the ongoing support of its partners.
The ceremony featured a special address by Phendulani “Phepsi” Buthelezi, star player of the Hollywoodbets Sharks rugby team.
The Academy also celebrated the completion of the second phase of campus renovations, made possible by the Hollywood Foundation. New facilities, including a revamped entrance, multipurpose court, and upgraded dormitories, have created a modern and inspiring environment for the apprentices.
With support from partners like DataCentrix and Hollywoodbets, the Academy has also enhanced its technological capabilities, providing apprentices and staff with upgraded Wi-Fi and laptops to support their education.
Prestigious awards were presented during the ceremony, including the Ben Jonsson Trophy to Girish Samo-Burthia, the McDonald Trophy to Nirvan Nastili, and the Elevation Trophy to
National Champion Apprentice Kobeli Lihaba. The Nicky Armstrong awards were presented in memory of the Academy’s late teacher, with Damyan Pillay and Brevan Plaatjies receiving the Proxime Accessit and Dux awards.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Academy is set for continued growth, with strategic relocations to Gqeberha and Cape Town offering more race experience and career development opportunities for apprentices.
The rebranding of the Academy also includes a new logo, signifying its bright future.
Special thanks were extended to the Hollywood Foundation for its ongoing support, including funding 25 full bursaries since 2020, and to the various partners, including racing operators and trainers, who make the Academy’s success possible.
Credit: Candiese Lenferna
SAJA’S FUTURE STARS!
CONGRATULATIONS THE CLASS
SAJA’S FUTURE STARS!
CONGRATULATIONS TO CLASS OF 2024
Grade 11 - Jacey Botes, Mxolisi Mbutho, Andries Botha, Blaine Marx-Jacobson | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Grade 12 - Jeremy Davids, Damyan Pillay, Brevan Plaatjies, Marius Nel | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Riding Masters Martin Ball, Rocky Agrella and Mr Robert Moore with apprentices | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Springbok and Hollywoodbets Sharks loose forward Phendulani Phepsi Buthelezi
Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The Vinay Harry Inter-house Trophy recipients: Carlisle House: Martin Ball, Vishek Ramdhonee, Brevan Plaatjies, Varun Jodhee, and Siphesihle Hlengwa| Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Grade 11 Academic Awards: Blaine Marx-Jacobson, Mxolisi Mbutho, Jacey Botes and Mrs Babongile Mkhize | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Post Matric Awards: Eduan Muller, Girish Dookhit, Vishek Ramdhonee, Girish Samo-Burthia, Mrs Babongile Mkhize | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Qualifying Apprentices: Siphesihle Hlengwa and Siyanda Sosibo with Robert Moore and Mrs Babongile Mkhize | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
2025 SRC: Jacey Botes, Damyan Pillay, Sfisokuhle Bungane and Nirvan Nastili | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Apprentices Eduan Muller, Girish Dookhit, Nirvan Nastili and Vishek Ramdhonee | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Academy Chairman Basil Thomas Credit: Candiese Lenferna
2024 Hollywood Foundation bursary recipients | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Robert Moore, Marius Nel, Babongile Mkhize, Phendulani Phepsi Buthelezi, Meghan Hourquebie, Basil Thomas, Devin Heffer and Martin Ball | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
2024 Hollywood Foundation bursary recipients, Hollywood Foundation team and Phendulani Phepsi Buthelezi | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Academy Staff | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
HENDERSON’S JONBON
WINS IN EMPHATIC STYLE
Jonbon (Nico de Boinville) wins the Gr1 Betafir Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown | Credit: Coolmore on FB
Jonbon emulated Kauto Star by defending his title in the Gr1 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding (8/13 favourite) was always prominent, travelling easily for jockey Nico de Boinville. Clear of the opposition two out, he ran on readily up the hill, winning in emphatic style.
Irish raider Quilixios who tried to match strides with the winner for a long way, was a brave second ahead of the running-on JPR One, but this race was all about Jonbon, now a 5/2 favourite for the Champion Chase. Henderson reported Jonbon to be “bright as a button” on Sunday and that his next target is the Ascot highlight in January.
“Surely, we go the Clarence House next and then hopefully we’ll get into a fight with whoever they send over from Ireland at Cheltenham.
If for any reason he has to wait for the Game Spirit at Newbury in February, he may have to take on the Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase winner L’Eau Du Sud.
Ultimately, it will only be a matter of time before Jonbon clashes with the Dan Skelton-trained Arkle Trophy Novices’ Chase hope who has taken his very good handicap hurdle form to new heights over fences.
A satisfied Skelton was adamant L’Eau du Sud will be better on drier ground, observing: “He was untidy at the last two fences, but the good ones find a way. There was also an unanswered question with him about how resilient he is in a battle. I think he has answered that quite emphatically.”
On Sunday, Energumene won a third Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase as he made a successful return to action at Cork. Willie
Mullins’ 10-year-old, not seen in public since April 2023, duly picked up where he left off, coming home a clear winner by ten-lengths.
Paul Townend took up the running early on aboard the brilliant Energumene and he had all bar one of his rivals in trouble heading into the home straight. Dinoblue stayed on to take the runner-up spot, with Appreciate It third. Bookmakers cut the winner to 5/1 from 10/1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, a race he won in 2022 and 2023.
“That was a very exuberant display from him,” Mullins said. “I thought Dinoblue would make more of the running, but Paul said his horse was just looking for fences to jump and wanted to go a better gallop, so he let him on instead of fighting him.”
“I was very happy with how he jumped, and he had been doing everything right since he came back in August. Hopefully, he can keep going that way and it was a nice performance to build on for the season.”
Energumene memorably came off second-best in a titanic clash with Shishkin in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January 2022 and whether he will head back to Berkshire for a possible clash with Shishkin’s stablemate Jonbon next month remains to be seen.
HOMETOWN HERO MAKES HISTORY
In the end, history was achieved in the most impressive way imaginable! Romantic Warrior became the first horse to win the HK$40 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup three times in a manner befitting his status as his homeland’s pre-eminent equine ambassador
So easily did the six-year-old defy an array of international competition, in fact, that jockey James McDonald was able to stand up in his irons and salute the packed Sha Tin grandstands as he passed the line a length and a half clear of Japan’s Liberty Island.
The heavily-backed favourite jumped slickly from the gates and McDonald was able to allow him to settle into an easy rhythm in fourth place
as Irish filly Wingspan set the pace.
Another Japanese challenger, Tastiera, had tracked in second and really provided the only competition to Romantic Warrior as they turned for home in a race very few got into. Liberty Island edged past her compatriot in the closing stages but the winner had already wrapped up the contest with a quite stunning demonstration of power, speed and grace.
Romantic Warrior with James McDonald wins the Longines Hong Kong Cup in Hong Kong | Credit: Alex Evers / HKJC
“That was unbelievable, I’m so proud of this horse,” said McDonald. “He’s just been remarkable and it’s some effort by Danny (Shum, trainer) and his team.
“The Japanese (horses) put it to him but with no luck. He’s the best, forget the rest, he’s the best. He’s been flying and anyone could ride him because he’s that easy but I’m the lucky one. He’s the horse of a lifetime. This was our moment to create history and it felt like I was lining up for the winning kick for the All Blacks. It was a ‘pinch-me’ moment.”
Shum said: “He was confident and full of energy. I stayed in the stables the whole time, I didn’t want to go out to talk too much. I work hard, I love my team and my team has done a great job.”
Romantic Warrior has already flown the flag for Hong Kong in several other jurisdictions, winning the Gr1 Cox Plate (2000m) in Australia in October, 2023. Shum and his team then took the brave decision to head to Japan this June, where he won the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in Tokyo.
This latest achievement in an unbeaten streak lasting longer than a year sees him move past another Hong Kong great, Golden Sixty, as the biggest money-earner in racing history. Next February, another enormous date is circled in his diary with a crack on the dirt for the lucrative Gr1 Saudi Cup (1800m).
“He’s the best, but I have to take another bigger challenge to go to Dubai and Saudi Arabia, just because I haven’t been to Dubai for 25 years,” said Shum.
“At that time, I was assistant trainer for Mr Ivan Allan, I had a new experience. I will make sure the team that go there are in the best form.
“The owner Mr Peter Lau said it’s a once in a lifetime chance to take the challenge in Saudi Arabia for the top prize-money in the world. We are experimenting with dirt but I’ve tried him in an all-weather trial with a pacifier and he was quite good.”
HAYES SPEED STAR MAKES IT STRAIGHT EIGHT
Ka Ying Rising continued a meteoric rise to clinch the biggest win of his career with victory in the HK$26 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Overcoming difficulties at the start and pressure throughout, the gelding responded courageously for Zac Purton and David Hayes to record his eighth successive victory.
Slowly away, the four-year-old eventually triumphed by half a length from Hong Kong’s Helios Express, with Japanese raider Satono Reve a short head further away in third place, triumphing at 1.1 – the shortest-priced favourite in the history of the race.
The overall time of 1m .08.15s was outside Ka Ying Rising’s course record of 1m 07.43s, set at his previous start.
Purton, who has now won the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint four times, claiming his 12th LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) win, said there were reasons for the Shamexpress gelding being short of his best and described the win as better than it looked.
“Something lunged at the gate just before he went and it took his mind off it and he turned his head, so he was a little bit slow to step,” Purton said. “And then Victor The Winner just bored my neck the whole way and he never quite relaxed the way he has. He was working the whole way and never had time to relax.”
Eight in a row! Zac Purton steers Ka Ying Rising to a maiden Gr1 success | Credit: HKJC
Purton also said Ka Ying Rising jumped something in the straight which distracted the four-year-old, who improved his overall record to nine wins from 11 starts.
“He wasn’t at his best today and is better than this and still got the job done,” Purton said.
It was Hayes first Group 1 victory since his return to the Hong Kong training ranks four years ago – and his first since All Thrills Too in 2002.
Hayes said he was proud because Purton said everything went wrong really.
“The start wasn’t perfect and he got pressure when he normally gets a bit of cover, so I think it was a better win than it looked,” he said.
“You’re never confident going into international Group 1’s because there’s so many unknowns, but I was as confident as you could be.
“Probably not as confident as the market, but in market terms I thought $HK1,80, not HK$1,10.”
Hayes will wait to see how his rising star recovers before deciding on his next assignment.
“We’ll see how he pulls up, but the initial one will be the Group 1 sprint in late January, six weeks between the runs and then after that, we’ll make a decision whether we go to the (Hong Kong Classic) mile (1600m) or not,” Hayes said.
Hayes said it had been the first time in his past three runs that Ka Ying Rising didn’t get everything his own way and didn’t relax.
“He was going to relax, Victor (The Winner) came up to him and really eyeballed him,” he said
“So, I think when he relaxes, we all know he’s more explosive. That was probably the least exciting to the eye, but I know that was a great win because he did pull.”
Hyped for weeks as closing in on the title of the world’s leading sprinter, Ka Ying Rising will continue his path to the world’s richest turf race, the HK$100 million Gr1 The Everest at Randwick next October.
Such was the dominance of Ka Ying Rising’s lead-up races to the sprint that opposition trainers and jockeys had all but conceded defeat and were hoping at best to share some of the minor money in the HK$26 million prize pool.
Drawn in barrier 11 in the 14-horse field, the only pre-race worry for Hayes was whether the gelding could be caught wide. Japan’s threepronged attack of Toshin Macau, Satono Reve and Lugal was aiming to break Hong Kong’s stranglehold on the race.
They had hoped to emulate Japanese horses Lord Kanaloa (2012 and 2013) and Danon Smash (2020) as the only internationals to stop the local horses from saluting in the past 12 editions of the race.
Britain, was also hoping to break the trend with Ralph Beckett’s Starlust.
Coming off a last start win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (1000m) but he finished second last, in front of Victor The Winner.
The other international in the field, Australia’s Recommendation finished 12th.
NO BURSTING YIU’S BUBBLE!
Voyage Bubble sealed his status as Hong Kong’s premier miler with a spirited victory in Sunday afternoon’s HK$36 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin under James McDonald for trainer Ricky Yiu.
Banishing memories of chasing former champion Golden Sixty’s tail in this race last year when second, Voyage Bubble followed his HK$5.35 million Gr2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) triumph last month by staving off opposition from Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, France and Great Britain on
Sunday as 2.6 favourite in a time of 1m 33.34s.
Unplaced in Dubai and Japan late last season, Voyage Bubble had his third run this term following an arduous 2023/24 campaign after finishing second first-up to Galaxy Patch in October, who was seventh today after contending with the widest of 14 barriers and an interrupted run in the home straight.
This was Voyage Bubble’s second at Group 1 level after winning January’s HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup.
Voyage Bubble with James McDonald wins the Longines Hong Kong Mile | Credit: Alex Evers / HKJC
“He’s (Voyage Bubble) a great horse in his own right. He felt excellent going to the gates today – he was really on the job. Credit to Ricky and his team – they’ve prepped him up beautifully,” McDonald said. “He just gives his all. He has a very big heart and he’s very uncomplicated.”
Settled on the speed after the jump, Voyage Bubble jostled for the lead with Beauty Eternal before leaving Zac Purton’s mount alone at the head of the field. Asked the question with 350m to run, Voyage Bubble responded with trademark tenacity as Soul Rush unleashed late.
Japan’s raider Soul Rush – who finished fourth in 2023 behind Golden Sixty – made up significant ground to pinch second as Beauty Joy did similar under Brenton Avdulla, but it was Voyage Bubble who savoured victory by one and a quarter lengths.
Yiu said: “Mentally he is a lot more mature. He’s very smart and he’s developed – he’s gotten taller and a little bit bigger. He has enjoyed Conghua very much.”
Sunday’s win was the fourth at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races for Yiu, who captured the Hong Kong Sprint with Fairy King Prawn (1999) and Sacred Kingdom (2007 & 2009).
“Out of all of jockeys who have won on him James knows him the best and the draw (five) helped him. The way the race was run suited him. We have wonderful team and we work together very nicely,” Yiu said.
Of Soul Rush, Moreira said: “It was a fantastic run, I just think he was beaten by the gate (10).”
Speaking of Beauty Joy, Avdulla said: “He ran terrific. He’s not easy to ride, he gives them a start, but he closed off hard. He handled himself well.”
Australian raider Antino finished 11th, Great Britain’s Docklands and Ramadan were 12th and 14th, respectively. French visitor Lazzat was ninth, while Jantar Mantar from Japan finished 13th.
Beauty Eternal faded to fourth with Happy Together behind him, while Chancheng Glory was sixth – one spot ahead of Galaxy Patch.
Jockey Vincent Ho said: “He (Galaxy Patch) came across some interference a couple of times, but he ran well.”
Victory atop Voyage Bubble was the first of a Group 1 double for McDonald, who captured a record-setting third HK$40 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup one race later aboard Romantic Warrior for trainer Danny Shum.
GIAVELLOTTO STAMPS HIS AUTHORITY AT SHA TIN
Giavellotto produced an irresistible surge up the Sha Tin straight to stamp his authority on the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase under Oisin Murphy at Sha Tin on Sunday, ending a 12-year drought for British-based trainers at this meeting, dating back to the Ed Dunlop-trained Red Cadeaux in 2012.
Giavellotto produced an irresistible surge up the Sha Tin straight to stamp his authority on the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase under Oisin Murphy at Sha Tin on Sunday, ending a 12-year drought for British-based trainers at this meeting, dating back to the Ed Dunlop-trained Red Cadeaux in 2012.
The five-year-old son of Mastercraftsman has established himself as a high-class stayer over trips between 2800m and 3200m and trainer Marco Botti gave credit to Murphy for giving
him the confidence to come back in trip to 2400m at this rarified level.
“Credit to Oisin because first thing after the Gr1 Irish St Leger, he mentioned this race and he was adamant that we should come here,” said Botti. “We followed Oisin’s advice and it worked out well.
“Giavellotto was fresh coming into the race and it was only his sixth race of the year. We knew that, if he handled a drop back to a mile and a
Giavellotto storms clear in the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase | Credit: HKJC
half on a sharper track than Newmarket, where he won in the summer, we had a chance.”
Giavellotto slid comfortably along the rail down the back straight in the third wave but his challenge looked to have hit the buffers when the gap slammed shut at the top of the straight, just as Joao Moreira launched Japanesetrained favourite Stellenbosch with a big run down the outside.
Murphy refused to panic and, having spotted the leaders a couple of lengths start, cut back to the inside and broke the logjam at the head of the race, coming home two and a half lengths clear of fellow Newmarket resident Dubai Honour, while Stellenbosch stayed on for third.
“It was all very comfortable until I got to the turn, then I had to wait,” said Murphy. “And of course then you’re worried that the race is going to get away from you.
“But he showed an incredible kick to get going. He was always going to win from a furlong out so I was really able to soak it up. Murphy lost his UK jockeys’ championship title to William Buick in 2023 but is still able to reflect on the perfect end to a strong season.
“It’s very special,” said Murphy. “I was dreaming about winning this morning and then I stopped myself because you don’t want to pre-empt and get into that frame of mind. You have to approach the race with instinct and fortunately it worked out.
Oisin Murphy returns after winning the Gr1
“That’s my fourth Group 1 winner of the year and I had five last year. You always want more – how many have Ryan (Moore) and ‘JMac’ (James McDonald) had this year? – but I’ve no complaints and hopefully next year can be a good one as well.”
Botti has always had to fight both numerically larger yards in Britain and the irresistible pull of big-money offers to buy his best middledistance horses to race abroad, so felt a special sense of satisfaction that he had been able to repay breeder and co-owner, Francesca Francini.
“The owner was very brave to resist some very good offers and most of the time they get sold and we lose the horses,” said Botti. “Then to find the next one is not easy.
“Credit to the owner, who has a lot of faith in this horse and it has paid off. It’s just a dream come true. He was in Saudi early in the season and ran a solid race, and then went to Dubai. He’s just got better and better and he loves travelling.”
Tom Marquand also had to wait his turn before launching Dubai Honour, who added second in
the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase to a third and a seventh in two tries around Sha Tin in the Gr1 FWD QEII Cup, as well as a fourth in the 2021 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
Assistant trainer Maureen Haggas said: “He was just a little bit keen early and Tom wanted to get him to settle. He was well back and travelling really well turning in and you thought if he got the gaps, he was going to run a really very good race, which he did.
“The winner is a very good horse and got first run on him but he ran a hell of a race on ground that we all know is faster than he really likes, so you’ve got to be thrilled.”
Stellenbosch was given a patient steer from stall 13 by Moreira until making a major move around the home turn, and the three-year-old Epiphaneia filly ran courageously to be third for trainer Sakae Kunieda and owner Katsumi Yoshida.
Moreira said: “She was fantastic. We were a bit unlucky because we couldn’t get onto the fence but she is a proper horse and I’m very proud of how she ran.”
NOT ABOUT THE TURNOVER - IT’S ABOUT THE HORSE
“I personally think it was one of the best, if not the best, LONGINES Hong Kong International Races and an incredible week. Starting with the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship, it was an amazing success. Today (Sunday), we hoped to create a highlight and I personally think everything went to perfection,” he said.
“When one looks purely at the results, it was a tremendous success for Hong Kong horses, but our overseas horses also ran really well. When you talk to the overseas owners, even if their horses finished second or third, they say
it was a wonderful experience to come to Hong Kong and support the meeting.
“This meeting was broadcast into 29 countries live and in Hong Kong, we saw tremendous attendance figures with overall attendance of 80 000. We also had 6 511 visitors from the Mainland, which is a record – 40 percent more than we had last year.”
Sha Tin hosted 69 916 attendees, while Happy Valley drew 10 775 people for a total of 80 691 – the highest LONGINES HKIR attendance since 2018.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has lauded the 2024 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) as ‘one of the best days of racing’ in Hong Kong racing history.
HKJC Executive Director, Racing Andrew Harding and Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges at a media briefing on Sunday | Credit: HKJC
The Sporting Post was privileged to attend a superb celebration of racing passion and excellence and endorse Mr EngelbrechtBresge’s views.
On a day when Hong Kong racing shimmered on the international stage as Ka Ying Rising (Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint), Voyage Bubble (Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile) and Great Britain celebrated its first win at the “Turf World Championships” since 2012 with Giavellotto (Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase), Romantic Warrior created history with victory in the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
Danny Shum’s champion stayer became the first horse to win the Hong Kong Cup three times and, in doing so, took his career prizemoney earnings to HK$177 million – a world record – and overtook Golden Sixty’s mark of HK$167 million.
“When you look at the sporting performances, Romantic Warrior is the best 2000m horse in the world. It was an absolutely dominant performance, he showed that he is absolutely world-class and to win this race (LONGINES Hong Kong Cup) for the third time is an incredible effort.
“He has now broken the world prizemoney record of Golden Sixty with total prizemoney of HK$177 million, which is an amazing achievement.
“It was a very good win by Giavellotto. It was the first time since 2012 for a British horse and with Ka Ying Rising, he had tremendous competition from another Hong Kong horse (Victor The Winner), which disrupted his rhythm, but he is an amazing sprinter.
“Voyage Bubble has shown how good he is and I think it was a tremendous performance from the runner-up (Soul Rush).”
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges thanked international and local owners, trainers and jockeys as well as Club staff for the staging of a landmark meeting as turnover reached HK$1,716.3 million, including a commingling record of HK$473.8 million – an increase of 10 percent on last year’s LONGINES HKIR.
“Our strategy to bring the best races from Hong Kong and show them overseas is really proving a great success with our races today for the first time under the World Pool banner, which shows our racing product is extremely well received,” Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
“Today is not about the turnover. Today is about the sport – it was a fantastic spectacle. The crescendo was the fireworks to close this wonderful meeting. We have one new racing fan in Sir Alex (Ferguson). He was absolutely enthused about Hong Kong and what he saw, so he promised me to come back.
“This meeting attracts a global audience, global recognition and this reflects positively on Hong Kong.
“We would like to thank all the owners, trainers, jockeys who have brought their horses here
because we can make this a global event only if we have the support of the owners, trainers and jockeys from overseas.”
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Racing Mr Andrew Harding described Sunday’s race meeting as “an amazing day of sport, capping an amazing week of sport.”
“The emphasis was on international. We were so pleased to see the entries from so many countries, including for the first time for a little while from Australia, and the quality of the entries was outstanding – I would like to acknowledge our team in achieving that,”
Mr Harding said.
“We saw today of the 80 000 people who came to the races here at Sha Tin and also Happy Valley, so many of those people were from all
over the world. Of the many things we work at the Club, it is putting Hong Kong on the world stage.
“We are always excited to stage events of the quality we have seen this week for our partner, LONGINES and I would like to thank the many teams at the Club who have worked so hard to make this week a success.”
Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges thanked Club staff in staging the flagship meeting and for allowing Hong Kong to shine.
“I want to thank our tremendous teams because of the work they do behind the scenes to make Hong Kong such a wonderful place to visit and to be able to connect to the world as a vibrant, world-class city,” he said.
Champion James McDonald accepts his award from HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges as LONGINES Chief Executive Officer Matthias Breschan looks on | Credit: HKJC
James McDonald, who is on a short riding stint in Hong Kong until he returns to Sydney on 22 December, was formally announced as the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award winner during a special ceremony and presentation at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre last Friday evening.
It was the second time the Australia-based McDonald has won the award, after first winning it in 2022.
He won nine of the world’s top 100 Group 1 features from December 2023 until November 30, 2024 – LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (Romantic Warrior), Stewards’ Cup (Voyage Bubble), Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (Romantic Warrior), Ranvet Stakes (Via Sistina), FWD QEII Cup (Romantic Warrior), Yasuda Kinen (Romantic Warrior), W.S. Cox Plate (Via Sistina), VRC Champions Sprint (Sunshine in Paris) and VRC Champions Stakes (Via Sistina).
The 32-year-old held on to win the award by just 10 points from four-time winner, Englishman Ryan Moore (150). William Buick was third with 105 points.
Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, six points for second, and four points for third in races which feature in the LONGINES World’s Top 100 Group 1 races.
McDonald was presented with a watch from LONGINES Chief Executive Officer Matthias Breschan and a crystal vase by The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, in his role as Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).
McDonald finished third in the award last year. Frankie Dettori, who is also a four-time winner, was second.
Ed - The Sporting Post was privileged to again attend the week of the Longines HKIR and the Gala dinner, and we thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club and LONGINES for their hospitality.
Welcome bubbly, complimentary drinks & a 3-course feast. Indulge in culinary mastery as you witness the action! THE ULTIMATE VIP RACE DAY EXPERIENCE SCAN HERE
‘BALL OF FIRE’ TUZ BRILLIANT IN GARHOUD SPRINT
Tuz (Tadhg O’Shea) put up a strikingly similar performance when winning the Listed Al Garhoud Sprint | Credit: DRC
He dominated the Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup Day and Tuz put up a strikingly similar performance when winning the Listed Al Garhoud Sprint (sponsored by Phi Advertising) – the feature race of Dubai Racing Carnival meeting three.
Being drawn seven of seven was a minor concern for jockey Tadhg O’Shea, but once he got Tuz onto the rail the race was effectively over and he barely saw another rival, cruising home by five and three-quarter lengths from defending champion Colour Up. It was a superb performance, even against lesser rivals, and signalled an intent for a defence of the Golden Shaheen on 5 April.
“He’s very, very good and he got there to the front easily,” said O’Shea. “He’s awesome out of the gates – you just lie up his neck and let him at it. The difference between Tuz and other horses is that he lands running.
“He’s a ball of muscle and a ball of fire.”
“In my opinion he’s one of the fastest horses in the world,” said trained Bhupat Seemar. “He beat some of the fastest horses from Japan and America in the Golden Shaheen. He had to do what he did today, but then there’s always a worry because he’s a big horse, a seven-yearold, and he was drawn seven.
“He set some very fast fractions, and you can see from the horses who finished around him that the early horses didn’t finish in the money and they came from the back to finish second and third.
“We’ll probably run next in January (Gr3 Dubawi Stakes) and then Super Saturday (Gr3 Mahab Al Shimaal) and then the World Cup (Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.)”
Osborne Strikes for the Europeans
There was a first international winner of the Carnival when Jamie Osborne struck at his first
attempt with Heart Of Honor, the professional winner of the opening ARN Conditions Stakes for two-year-olds.
The son of Honor A.P. was purchased specifically for a Dubai campaign and owners Jim and Claire Bryce were at Meydan to celebrate the victory. Ridden by Adrie De Vries, Heart Of Honor stalked the pace from three wide and then forged ahead in the straight, comfortably holding Estmrar by four and a half lengths.
“Jim and Claire came here last year with Many A Star, who wasn’t good enough, and this year we wanted to do things differently so thankfully they backed me in buying dirt horses,” explained Osborne. “It was also my brief to give Claire a winner two days before her birthday, and it’s not often a plan comes off!”
Heart Of Honor will now be aimed at a NonWinners of Two contest on 10 January, added the trainer.
Treble for Tudhope and Al Mheiri
Musabbeh Al Mheiri is rarely out of form and he and stable jockey Danny Tudhope celebrated a treble. The most eye-catching of the three wins
was El Nasseeb in the closing Daman Markets Conditions Stakes for three-year-olds, over 1200metres.
The son of Profitable had been off for more than a year since breaking his maiden by seven lengths in November 2023, but was superb on his belated return here. Towards the back of the field on the home turn, he suddenly grew wings and charged past favourite Falcon Of Arabia, winning by four lengths.
“He’s a good horse so we wanted to make sure he was 100 per cent before running him again,” said Al Mheiri. “He wasn’t injured, just had some small soreness problems. He has so much ability, but we were worried tonight that he was against race fit rivals.”
The finish of the night came in the Binghatti Developers Handicap, over 1400metres, when Al Mheiri’s Onight came out the best of a threeway dash to the line.
The four-year-old had been well beaten on his three previous UAE starts but put his head down at the right time to deny Gamekeeper by a diminishing nose, with Matloob only a head behind.
“It’s a great feeling as Onight last year wasn’t in his best condition; he took a lot of time for Musabbeh Al Mheiri to get him back,” said coowner Tawfiq Mohammed. “Today he surprised us. We thought he’d run much better than last year, but Danny Tudhope gave him the best ride ever!”
Tudhope and Al Mheiri also took the 2000metre Zoho Handicap with Elyabri – again in dramatic fashion.
Runner-up Mount Kosciuszko was unlucky under Pat Dobbs, being stopped in his run, but still tried valiantly to get back on terms with the winner, failing by half a length.
Connor Beasley and Ahmad Bin Harmash were cruelly denied on the line with Gamekeeper but they made amends in the very next race, the 2200m Binghatti Developers Handicap, when Ezaj demolished his rivals.
The four-year-old was always on the heels of the leaders but kicked clear inside the final 400metres for one of the most impressive wins of the night, beating Aldhaja by five lengths.
“Ezaj is training very well in the yard,” said Bin Harmash. “We train him two circuits in the morning and he just keeps galloping. We’ll see what the handicapper does, but if he goes too high we can move to the turf.”
Doug Watson described the victory of Welcome Dream as a “nice surprise” after the
three-year-old broke his maiden at the ninth attempt in the ARN Network Handicap, over 1200metres. Ridden by Pat Dobbs, he made good use of his rail draw in one, dictating from the front, and never looking like being passed, beating Barq Al Emrat by just under five lengths.
“The one draw was very important, I thought, but I had plenty of horse to hold my position,” said Dobbs. “He showed a lot of speed and stayed well to the line and I struggled to pull him up. He’ll get further.”
Trainer Michael Costa was a notable absentee due to illness but would surely have been feeling a little better after Alsayel scampered home in the Phi Advertising Maiden, over 1600metres.
The City Of Light colt had been a promising second on debut and built on that here under Ben Coen. He took the lead, went four lengths clear in the straight and had enough in reserve to hold off the fast-finishing School Of Art.
“They put him under pressure early; probably out of his comfort zone a little bit, but as soon as another horse joined him coming to the line he picked up again and was nice and competitive,” said Johanne Taylor, Assistant Trainer.
“We’ll see what his rating goes to. It would be nice to take him through the grades and build his confidence.”
Meydan Racecourse is in action again on Friday, 13 December, when the Gr2 Madjani Stakes is the feature race.
www.dubairacingclub.com
INGLIS 2025 PREMIER CATALOGUE – AVAILABLE ONLINE!
The catalogue for next year’s Premier Yearling Sale – the source of three of the past four The Everest winners – is now available online.
A total of 803 yearlings have been finalised for the auction, which will be held at Oaklands in Melbourne from March 02 to 04 2025
Of the entries, 474 yearlings are either VOBIS nominated or eligible while others are BOBS, QTIS, Racing Rewards SA and Westspeed.
There are 119 stallions represented in the catalogue including Extreme Choice, I Am Invincible, Snitzel, Zoustar, Exceed and Excel, Written Tycoon, Toronado, Too Darn Hot, Wootton Bassett, Harry Angel, Savabeel, So You Think, The Autumn Sun, Alabama Express, Dundeel, Capitalist, Deep Field, Lonhro, Street Boss, Tassort, Maurice, Ole Kirk, Proisir, Per Incanto, Pierro, Pride Of Dubai etc as well as international sires Frankel, Justify, Camelot, Kingman, Lord Kanaloa, Mehmas and New Bay.
There is also a quality range of First Season Sires represented like Acrobat, Captivant, Delaware, Extreme Warrior, Finance Tycoon, Home Affairs, Palace Pier, Pinatubo, Portland Sky, Profiteer, St Mark’s Basilica, Stay Inside, Sword of State, Tiger of Malay, Wild Ruler and Wooded, while the Premier Sale is offering the
only Starspangledbanner yearling conceived in the Northern Hemisphere for this 2025 yearling crop.
Again, Victorian breeders have supported the catalogue with quality in great quantity, with Yulong, Rosemont Stud, Blue Gum Farm, Maluka Thoroughbreds and Stonehouse Thoroughbreds amongst the largest vendors by draft size.
In total, 66 individual vendors will present drafts at Oaklands next year.
The selling schedule will remain the same as 2024 – two days of Book 1 (565 lots) with the third and final day of the sale exclusively for Book 2 (238 lots).
The Premier Sale continues to be a source of significant success both in Australia and abroad, as Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch pointed out.
“The recent success of the Premier Yearling Sale makes it a no-brainer to shop at the sale in 2025,’’ Hutch said.
“There is no greater selling point for this sale than the fact three of the past four winners of the A$20m Gr1 The Everest – Bella Nipotina, Think About It and Nature Strip – were offered at the Premier Yearling Sale.
“The trio could have been purchased for a combined A$270,000 and between them, they have won more than A$53m in prizemoney and counting.
“Throw in the likes of Attrition, I Am Me, Nadal, Griff, Tuvalu, Benedetta, Socks Nation, Mariamia, Santa Ana Lane, Ole Kirk, September Run, Hey Doc, Gytrash, Kenedna etc and the fact that of the 31 Gr1-winning graduates out of the sale since 2018, 16 could have been secured for A$100,000 or less, it really does paint a picture that buyers simply need to be involved in the sale in 2025.
“Premier has also been the source of incredible recent Hong Kong success through the likes
of recent Gr1 winners Victor The Winner and Invincible Sage, as well as a host of other highclass performers such as Senor Toba, Mugen, Full Of Beauty, Champion’s Way, Handsome Bo Bo etc and we’re already excited to see what the 2025 graduates develop into.’’
All entries are eligible for the fabulous incentive schemes on offer as part of the hugely lucrative Inglis Race Series.
Media release by Inglis on Sunday, 08 December 2024.
TRAINERS
JOCKEYS
BREEDERS
SIRES
