SP - Sprint 16 October 2024

RIP CHAMP

On the cover Eralier this week, South African racing was devastated to learn that former Horse Of The Year, Captain’s Ransom had died during foaling at Hopes And Dreams in Wellington. This image exemplifies the love of Suzette Viljoen for her champion. Candiese Lenferna captured the priceless moment.

TALKING TURKEY!

Cape Racing oncourse presenter and former Met winning jockey MJ Byleveld has a serious chat to jockey Anthony Andrew outside the weighing room at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday. Maybe it was about Andrews’ birthday celebration on Sunday? Chase Liebenberg took the photo.

TRAGEDY STRIKES NEW CAPE BREEDING OPERATION

The beautiful champion Captain’s Ransom – a sad loss | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Tragedy struck Suzette and Basie Viljoen’s fledgeling Wellington-based breeding operation Hopes And Dreams Stud on Monday evening when the farm’s flagship mare and 2022 SA Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom reportedly died while giving birth.

The Sporting Post reports with sadness on a tragic loss for not only the new breeders but for the broader local breeding industry.

The filly foal is doing well and is reportedly ‘beautiful’ in the words of her sad breeder.

There was great anticipation in South African breeding circles in August 2023 when the Sporting Post reported on a ‘star alliance’ of two Snaith champions who were arch-rivals for the SA Horse Of The Year crown in the 2021/22 in an equine ‘marriage made in heaven’.

The outgoing SA Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom was subsequently covered by former stablemate Jet Dark.

The foal, who was due on 17 September was anticipated to be a massive kickstart to the passionate Viljoen family’s new breeding operation.

Besides their respective champion track records, the mating of the star duo was based on some interesting in-breeding.

Roberto is on the top line of both Captain Ransom’s sire Captain Al and her dam Cinnas Ransom.Roberto’s full-sister Glorious Spring is the dam of Rollins, the damsire of Jet Master, who is damsire of Jet Dark.

Captain’s Ransom was a winner of six Gr1

Captain’s Ransom beats Princess Calla in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

races from 1200m to 1800m in a distinguished career that saw her register 13 wins and 5 places from just 19 starts which earned R3,5m in stakes.

Her dam, Cinnas Ransom by Red Ransom and out of a Seattle Slew mare, is a half-sister to French Gr3 winner Black Rock Desert, and this is the family of sire Slew City Slew.

In addition to nine wins from his nineteen career starts, the Drakenstein-bred Jet Dark boasts the distinction of being named 2020/21 Equus Champion three-year-old colt, 2020/21 and 2021/22 Equus Champion Miler, 2021/22 Equus Champion Older Male and 2021/22 Equus Champion Middle Distance Horse.

A group winner at two, three, four and five, the son of Trippi accumulated no fewer than five Gr1 wins, beating 2021 Horse Of The Year Rainbow Bridge in the 2021 Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and Gr1 Champions Cup.

He repeated the feat in 2022, beating Kommetdieding in both the 2022 Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and Gr1 Champions Cup and put the final seal on his glittering career with victory in the 2023 Gr1 WSB Cape Met.

He also boasts the unique distinction of being the only two-time L’Ormarins Queen’s Platewinning colt since his maternal grand sire Jet Master, in 1999 & 2000.

Jet Dark combines all the best attributes of Drakenstein stalwart and Champion Sire Trippi, and seven-time Champion Sire and four time Champion Broodmare Sire Jet Master, WHILE his impressive pedigree also boasts 1997 French Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, Peintre Celebre.

Our sympathies go out to Suzette and Basie Viljoen and the entire Hopes And Dreams team at this sad time.

KING TO DO WHAT SHERIFF COULDN’T

Denis Schwarz and King Regent are set for an entry into the history books on Friday |

Credit: Pauline Herman

Paarl trainer Glen Kotzen and his Woodhill Racing Team bid to make history at Fairview on Friday when their Dynasty gelding King Regent tackles six opponents in the R175 000 Nelson Mandela Bar Racing Poly Challenge 1600 and bids to become the first horse in history to win the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge Triple Crown.

Raced by Cape stalwart owners Gisela Burg and Martin Wickens, the Ridgemont bred 5yo was a smooth winner of the first two legs over 1200m and 1400m, and it’s difficult to see him being beaten – even if he is yet to win over further than 1400m in 16 starts.

King Regent does, however, have some smart collateral over a mile and beyond in decent company, including a fourth placed finish behind Itsrainingwilliam in the WSB Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes last term and a second behind Somerset Maugham in the Winter Mile.

An honest and consistent galloper, King Regent can bank the R109 375 first cheque as well as the R250 000 bonus on offer, to add to his current earnings of in excess of R1,1 million and his six career victories.

Something of legend in his time in the Eastern Cape, the Lammerskraal bred Go Deputy gelding Gogetthesheriff, the reigning East Cape Polytrack Horse Of The Year, came within a proverbial heartbeat of winning the Polytrack Triple Crown in the inaugural running in 2016.

Jacques Strydom trained the late-dash specialist for owner Freddie van Onselen.

Gogetthesheriff won the first leg under JP van der Merwe beating Happy Lion, and then followed up under Ryan Munger when accounting for Cruzcampo in the 1400m second leg.

The fairytale ending sadly failed to materialize in the final leg on 13 May 2016 when Gogetthesheriff flew up for third under JP van der Merwe, beaten by the Snaith’s Jet Explorer (Smanga Khumalo) and Ochoncar (Andrew Fortune).

The key to beating King Regent on Friday lies with Alan Greeff and Gavin Smith who saddle five of his six opponents. But Denis Schwarz knows King Regent well, and with the benefit of a pole position draw and some pace in the race, the duo should make the long trip up the beautiful Garden Route worth the effort.

The Kotzen team also saddle State Capitol in the final event. The lightly raced 5yo is a late bloomer, only winning her maiden this season, but ran a decent follow-up earlier this month at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and must be a consideration if she takes to the polytrack.

The Fairview racemeeting enjoys an early start at 11h30 on Friday. The feature is off at 14h25.

Flashback to 2016: Gogetthesheriff runs on for third behind Jet Explorer (Bling Khumalo) and Ochoncar (Andrew Fortune) as his bid to win the inaugural Poly Triple Crown is shattered | Credit: Coastal Photos

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

‘The 2021 stallion intake saw just four recruits to the sire ranks, comprising champions Got The Greenlight and Hawwaam, Gr2 winner Erik The Red and American stakes winner Declarationofpeace’ Wilgerbosdrift-based Hawwaam (Silvano ex Halfway To Heaven) | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

FRESHMAN SIRES – LET THE GAMES BEGIN

With almost three months of the racing season consigned to the history books, the time draws ever closer when the first juveniles will step out.

There is always a growing sense of anticipation, especially amongst those who have a vested interest in the progeny of new season sires, as their first runners hit the tracks.

In contrast to the Northern Hemisphere, where top colts are raced with a stallion career in mind, the majority of South African-raced males invariably suffer the ‘unkindest cut’. No surprise then, that the 2021 stallion intake saw just four recruits to the sire ranks, comprising champions Got The Greenlight and Hawwaam, Gr2 winner Erik The Red and American stakes winner Declarationofpeace.

Sadly, that was whittled down to three, when Got The Greenlight failed to get any of his mares in foal.

So much depends on a freshman sire’s initial market appeal and first book of mares, and judging by the NHRA returns, none of the trio lacked support.

The Champion 3yo Male of his generation, Hawwaam returned to birthplace Wilgerbosdrift following a stellar career which yielded ten wins from just 13 starts.

Eight of those were at Graded stakes level and included the Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge (twice), Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut, Gr1 Daily News 2000 and Gr1 SA Classic.

By the ubiquitous four-time champion stallion Silvano, he is the youngest of three Gr1 winners out of the remarkable Halfway To Heaven, the only mare in history to be named Broodmare of the Year three years running. Her first foal Rainbow Bridge was named Horse of the Year and Equus Older Male, while second foal Golden Ducat won the Gr1 Cape Derby and defeated his sibling by a shorthead in an epic finish to the 2020 Gr1 Champions Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

As befits his credentials, Hawwaam enjoyed fine support from breeders and boasts a quality first crop, one which made quite a splash at this

year’s sales and included several seven-figure yearlings.

Top of the heap was a R5-million half-brother to champion and Hollywoodbets Durban July victress Sparkling Water, while Justin Vermaak gave R2-million for the half-brother to Horse of the Year Princess Calla and Ebrahim Khan outlaid R2,2 million on two colts, one of which a R1,2-million son of Gr2 Fillies Guineas winner Festival Of Fire.

The R5-million colt was purchased by the Hollywood Syndicate and is out of the grand racemare Espumanti, who incidentally, was regularly partnered by former champion jockey and now the Hollywood racing manager Anthony Delpech. He reports that the colt, now named Cool Gambler is currently in pretraining: “He is doing everything right and is very professional.”

Varsfontein’s Erik The Red (Captain Al ex Covenant) in race action | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

No decision has been made yet as to who will train the colt, but as Anthony remarked, “it looks like he will take his time and will not be early.”

Hawwaam’s first crop also includes siblings to a number of stakes performers, notably Rascova, Wrecking Ball, Montien, Joy And Peace, Secret Identity and White Pearl.

Varsfontein Stud homebred Erik The Red retired at the end of his three-year-old season as the first sophomore winner of the Gr2 Cape Merchants in 22 years, a notable effort. Bred in the purple, he is by successful sire of sires Captain Al out of Gr1 winner Covenant, whose half-sister, the champion Promisefrommyheart, produced successful stallion Master Of My Fate and is also grandam of Triple Crown winner and young sire Malmoos.

As a fine sprinter, it was always a given that Erik The Red would be immensely popular, and so it proved. He was widely supported by both Varsfontein and fellow breeders, to the extent that he covered in excess of 100 mares first time round and will have plenty of ammunition to go to war with. His arsenal includes siblings to champion Bless My Stars, Gr1 winners Lucky Lad, Kilindini and Undercover Agent, and the stakes winners Let’s Go Now, Blackball, Maleficent, Atticus Finch, One Night In Paris and Queen Forever.

In the sales ring, he too weighed in with a seven figure yearling, a R1 million filly out of Monroe Spring, the last foal of blue hen mare Mystic Spring and thus a half-sister to champion Bela-Bela, whose Erik The Red colt fetched R650 000.

Rounding out the treble of freshman sires and the sole import is the well-related and performed Declarationofpeace, who stands at Macrath Stud in Nottingham Road, as did his Gr2 winning half-brother Noble Tune before him.

From the proven Danzig sireline, Declarationofpeace is by War Front (sire also of Fire Away and much-missed Lancaster Bomber) and raced successfully for Ballydoyle, scoring the pinnacle win of his career in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

A specialist sprinter, he is out of Storm Cat’s stakes winning daughter Serena’s Cat, the dam also of American champion and sire Honor Code.

Declarationofpeace was given the thumbs up by KZN breeders, who supported him to the hilt with a first book of over 80 mares, a good number of which were black type performers/ producers.

He boasts amongst his first crop of foals siblings to champion Lady In Black, the Gr1 winner Bohica and stakes winners Nexus, Mercury Rising, Jo’s Bond, Harry Lime and Leaving Las Vegas.

As a footnote, there were hopes that Got The Greenlight’s fertility problems would only be temporary. Alas, from latest reports, the fivetime Gr1 winner has yet to get a mare in foal this season. A cruel blow to Camargue Stud and KZN breeders indeed.

The wait is over! The 2025 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET is back on Saturday, 25 January, and tickets are now on sale.

The iconic annual event, now in its 163rd year, is one of the muchanticipated fixtures on the country’s horseracing calendar, drawing both sports fans and social butterflies to the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse.

The theme for the 2025 event has been announced as ‘Couture Unleashed.’ Attendees are encouraged to push boundaries and reimagine luxury by blending art, technology, and fashion in bold, innovative ways. From avant-garde ensembles to unexpected couture designs, racegoers are invited to unleash their creativity and make a statement.

“With this daring theme, we’re looking forward to racegoers redefining fashion and bringing their most creative visions to life. We can’t wait to see the fusion of style and artistic expression on display,” says Cape Racing COO, Donovan Everitt.

The 25 January event will once again showcase the very best horseracing action with a number of thrilling races on the card, including the 2000m Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET.

Held at the newly revamped Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, the event will not only showcase thrilling racing but also offer exceptional hospitality, exciting activations, high-fashion, renowned DJs, and world-class entertainment. Once the final race concludes, the venue will transform into an unforgettable party.

“This is the city’s social event of the season,” adds Everitt.

“We’re pulling out all the stops to make the 2025 MET the best one yet, and everyone is invited to join us and keep the celebrations going late into the night.”

“The World Sports Betting Cape Town MET has always been a standout event, and in 2025, we’re elevating it with ‘Couture Unleashed,’” says Ryno Du Plessis, COO of World Sports Betting.

“We’re excited to see fashion lovers and racing enthusiasts come together for this bold fusion of style and sport.”

What to Expect:

• Fashion Shows: Featuring cutting-edge designs and daring interpretations of couture.

• Art Installations: Immerse yourself in a visual spectacle that challenges traditional boundaries.

• Best Dressed Competitions: Show off your boldest looks and compete for exciting prizes.

• Live Entertainment: Dance the day and night away with top DJs and live performers.

• Food & Drink: Enjoy a range of culinary delights and refreshing beverages.

• Afterparty: Celebrate into the night with an unforgettable party at the Official World Sports Betting Cape Town MET Afterparty.

• Cape Turf Club members have already received their packages and options.

Prospective members and owners may enquire via members@caperacing.co.za or WhatsApp 071 012 0486.

Ticket Information: General Access – R150 per person

• Entry to the 2025 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET

• Access to public bar facilities and food experiences

• Unreserved outdoor seating

• Live entertainment throughout the day

• Entry to the Official Cape Town MET Afterparty

• Attendees wanting a more exclusive experience can also explore the Pongracz Trackside Lounge (R500 per person), the Peninsula Room (tickets from R2 000 per person) and the Cruz Racing Pavilion (R4 900 per person).

Tickets are available now via Quicket.

Gates open at 10h00 and the festivities continue until 22h00. Please note, no one under 18 is allowed at the event.

Whether you’re a racing enthusiast, a fashion lover, or just looking for an incredible day out, the 2025 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET is an event you won’t want to miss.

Get your tickets now and be part of the ultimate Couture Unleashed experience!

Littleblackvelvet comes home easily to give Shaya Mbuto his icebreaker | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

A master horseman and a champion jockey and trainer, Garth Puller has kickstarted many a young apprentice’s career and his latest protégé Mxolisi ‘Shaya’ Mbuto looks to be a young man of particular promise.

The delighted 17-year-old booted home his first career winner when the gutsy filly Littleblackvelvet bolted up at 25-1 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 9 October 2024.

“Shaya rode a very nice race to win on Littleblackvelvet. He’s small but very strong, and can handle horses that some of the bigger appies can’t,” Garth Puller told the Sporting Post as he spoke of a young man, he believes has all the characteristics and attributes to go all the way in a profession that really and truly separates the men from the boys.

“It’s early days. But Shaya’s hardworking, polite and humble, and, what I admire, he is also extremely respectful of his Mom, who sells vegetables at a streetside stand. He hasn’t had things easy in life and his humility shines through. I have Spare Hlengwe looking after him and helping him. The two of them, for instance, are there on Sunday mornings. That routine and commitment cultivates an ethic of hard work. He is a real trier and he is small, so he won’t have weight issues. The racing brain comes later with experience. I’d say he is a guy who can make it,” added the veteran.

Shaya’s only carded mount last Sunday was scratched, and he thus had time to chat to the Sporting Post. He was thrilled with the snap appraisal by the highly revered Garth Puller, a man who holds iconic status amongst the jockey fraternity.

“Mr Puller is an amazing man. He never stops teaching. He has stories to tell of forty years before I was born. He gives credit when we do well. But he shoots straight from the hip when he needs to point out where we have gone wrong. He explains everything well and has unlimited patience and experience that many

will never gain in two lifetimes,” tells Shaya as he goes on to talk about his victory on Littleblackvelvet.

“When taking instructions in the ring, Mr Puller said I must give her a chance. But when we jumped, she was keen and we found ourselves in front. So, I thought, let’s go with plan B. I stuck with that, even though it crossed my mind a few times that I am going to be in trouble if it goes pear-shaped. But at the 600m, I thought this must really and truly be what a winner feels like! She had pricked her ears and was going so well. What a feeling. I won’t forget that race as along as I live,” adds Shaya proudly.

Born at King Edward Hospital on 4 March 2007, Mxolisi ‘Shaya’ Mbuto went home with his Mom Nokulunga to the family’s humble Umkomaas home and life was tough. He recalls that he never knew his Dad.

“We didn’t have much but there was family love. My Grandfather had a few horses and they fascinated me. So I always imagined riding them but was not allowed to,” he laughs.

Despite the economic challenges, Shaya received a good education and was at Riverdene Secondary School in Newlands West when his Mom researched opportunities for her son at the SA Jockey Academy on the web.

Shaya, whose nickname means to ‘strike’ (as in the ball), loved soccer, He recalls how he scored many goals, and has all the attributes – size, sporting ability as a lethal striker on the soccer field, and a fascination with horses, to build a promising career in his chosen profession.

The Mamelodi Sundowns and Borussia

A smiling Mxolisi ‘Shaya’ Mbuto after his first winner last Wednesday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Dortmund supporter joined the SA Jockey Academy in January 2023.

He admits that while the English language education medium has tested him, he has improved his communication skills tenfold, and simply loves life at Summerveld. He is currently completing Grade 11.

“We are like one large family here. My home at Ntuzuma is very small and my room is occupied. So, while I love to see my Mom and stepsister, I’m not in a hurry to rush home like some of the guys!”

On his immediate goals, Shaya says he is determined to get a full card of rides.

“Opportunities give us a chance to show what we are made of. Without chances, there won’t be winners. So I am working hard – every morning I dash from ring to ring. I need to get noticed and gain experience.”

Asked to list what he sees to be his personal strong characteristics, Shaya says ‘hard work, no weight issues, a good listener, and strong mentally and physically’.

“I’m lucky – I have played a lot of sport. So I’m fit and I can ride at 47kgs in need. I don’t panic. I am not scared to be shouted at and told I messed up. I take criticism as education. I also love the horses.My 100% commitment to horseracing can only improve my lot in life. Without a regular income, my Mom has a tough time looking after my 12 year old stepsister. Mom always made sure I had a hot meal and attended school. It’s my turn to help them. Being the best jockey I can will assist me to improve their lives, like the SA Jockey Academy has improved mine.”

Shaya proudly holds his Grade R certificate | Credit: Supplied

v

v It’s official! The highly anticipated running of the 164th L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate is set to take place on 4 January 2025, promising a spectacular day of racing at the iconic Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

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L’Ormarins King’s Plate 2025 –

January 2025 – Save the date | Credit: L’Ormarins King’s Plate FB

Adding to the excitement is the announcement of a significant increase in prize money for the main event.

Runners in the Gr1 feature, hailed as the country’s premier weight-for-age mile, will compete for R3 million in stakes, an increase of 50% from the previous year.

The first Gr1 feature race meeting of the New Year, the L’Ormarins King’s Plate (LKP) is named after the original silver plate that was presented to the winner by Queen Victoria, after the inaugural running of the race in 1861.

A race steeped in history, previous winners include champion sires Jet Master and Gimmethegreenlight, as well as multiple Equus award winning champions Pocket Power, Do It Again, Jet Dark and Charles Dickens.

The L’Ormarins King’s Plate not only showcases some of the country’s highest rated racehorses, but also celebrates the elegance and sophistication associated iconic race meetings such as Royal Ascot, Goodwood Festival, and the Kentucky Derby.

With its classic dress code of blue and white, patrons are encouraged to elevate their daytime attire and come together in celebration of racing heritage and contemporary elegance.

As excitement builds towards the event, further race card and hospitality packages will be announced in the coming weeks, including Stud Club and Style Village tickets, which are set to go on sale at the end of November.

Website: https://lormarinskingsplate.co.za Instagram: @lkp_ct

Snow Pilot (Richard Fourie) – no need to look back at secondplaced One Stripe (Gavin Lerena) | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

While it was a quiet day by his own high standards, reigning SA champion jockey Richard Fourie displayed his tactical mastery at a sunny Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday when he steered a ring rusty Snow Pilot to an eyecatching victory over champion 3yo One Stripe in the R135 000 Progress Plate.

The country course season is winding down with only three fixtures left as the action is scheduled to return to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth for the running of the Gr3 Cape Classic and two support features on Saturday 2 November.

The 2023 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas winner, Snow Pilot (18-10) hadn’t won since his career peak day on 16 December 2023. But he was weighted to win on Saturday, receiving a kilo from the year younger Marshall star One Stripe.

The Ridgemont -sponsored Fourie bounced Snow Pilot out, and despite carrying some condition without any work under the belt, the son of Lancaster Bomber sprouted wings and never looked like being caught as he went on to hold One Stripe (14-10) to a length in a time of 84,38 secs for the 1400m.

The runner-up’s stablemate Talk To The Master (10-1) was way out of his ground early, but made some ground to grab third spot.

While Vaughan Marshall and visiting Highveld jockey Gavin Lerena would have been disappointed that One Stripe didn’t start his classic season with a victory, the duo will be happy with their double of overdue maiden victor Water Dragon, and the revitalized 7yo Seeking The Stars who came off a 54 week break following a tendon injury to beat a hot Cape A Stakes field in the lucky last.

A son of the ill-fated 2018 Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Lancaster Bomber (War Front) Snow Pilot is out of the Cape Fillies Guineas winner Snowdance, who was also conditioned by Snaith.

Now a winner of 3 races with 9 places from 15 starts, Snow Pilot clearly wasn’t happy on the right-handed KZN tracks during the SA champions Season, and but for hanging across Hollywoodbets Greyville, could well have beaten the top-class Green With Envy in the WSB Guineas.

Snow Pilot took his earnings to R1 593 838 on Saturday and could be a R3 million L’Ormarins King’s Plate candidate come 4 January 2025.

Richard Fourie rode only the one winner on the

afternoon, with the big disappointment for his followers being the fly jump at the start of the chaotic ninth race by the previously consistent The Abdicator, who dashed many exotic hopes when ruining his chances at the gate.

That said it was a great run by the Ridgemontbred Dean Street, who enjoyed a superb ride by Sporting Post-sponsored jockey, Louis Mxothwa. The 6yo kicked on repeatedly when challenged to register his sixth victory from 25 starts.

Training honours on the afternoon were shared by Justin Snaith (both progeny of Lancaster Bomber), Vaughan Marshall and Gareth van Zyl.

Grant van Niekerk, who said he would have won the ninth if things had gone his way on the very good-looking Handsome Prince, shared riding honours with Gavin Lerena, both grabbing two.

• The next Hollywoodbets Durbanville racemeeting is on Saturday 19 October.

• A reminder about the second in the series of breakfast gallops at the same venue on Thursday 17 October at 17h30.

SA HORSE OF THE YEAR TOPS BIG RACE LOG

4Racing, in conjunction with the NHA Handicappers, have published the first log for the 2024 R6 million Gr1 Betway Summer Cup to be run at Turffontein on Saturday 30 November.

In a press release published on Tuesday15 October 2024, 4Racing advise that Mike De Kock trained dual Grade 1 winner and Equus Horse Of The Year DAVE THE KING, owned in partnership by Messrs L M Nestadt & G J Player & Ralphs Racing (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Miss K Ralphs) heads the log.

De Kock fields a total of seven entries with SILVER SANCTUARY, SAFE PASSAGE, ARAGOSTA, SHOEMAKER, EAST COAST and MARAUDING HORDE making up the balance.

Another two-time Grade 1 winner in SEE IT AGAIN is second on the log. Owned by

Nic Jonsson and trained by Michael Roberts, he tops the current Betway ante-post betting.

Defending 2023 Betway Summer Cup champion Royal Victory occupies third on the log. Trained by Nathan Kotzen, he runs for the partnership of Messrs PJ Victor, Late BJ Wiese, Mesdames Natasha Sturdy, BA Victor & Itssa It & Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd.

Sean Tarry charge COUSIN CASEY, owned by Kalinga, is fourth on the log. Sean Tarry has a total of seven entries, including HOTARUBI, FUTURE PEARL, LITIGATION, RED MAPLE, NEBRAAS and JORDAN.

Dave The King – tops the Betway Summer Cup first log | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Gr 2 SA Oaks winner FRANCES ETHEL, the ride of international superstar Oisin Murphy, appears in tenth on the log. She started her campaign with a cracking run in last weekend’s stacked Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein.

She runs for Team Valor International, Mr H P Sambor, Mrs Vanashree & Mr Anant Singh and is trained by Brett Crawford.

Second entries close at 11am on Tuesday 05 November, and final entries at 9am on Monday,

18 November 2024, after which weights will be announced. Declarations must be in by 11am on Wednesday, 20 November 2024 and barrier draws will be conducted at a Betway event on 20 November 2024.

The final log will be published on Tuesday 05 November 2024.

Ante-post betting is now available with Betway.

BRITISH CHAMP ALL SET FOR HIGHVELD SUMMER SHOWPIECE

The R6 Million Betway Summer Cup is Africa’s Richest Race – and is now set to attract international interest.

4Racing has announced that the three-time British Champion jockey Oisin Murphy will ride in the Betway Summer Cup 2024, adding an element of international zest to Africa’s Richest Race.

“The Betway Summer Cup 2024 is flying the flag high for South African racing. The increased stakes of R6m makes this Africa’s Richest Race, which was followed up by 2023 winner Muzi Yeni’s sumptuous Singapore victory last week – and now we have the honour of welcoming a global superstar in Oisin Murphy,” said Fundi Sithebe, 4Racing CEO.

The soon-to-be crowned 2024 British champion

jockey is no stranger to the international racing scene, with triumphs in Group 1 races across 8 countries.

“I am really looking forward to my trip to Johannesburg. It would be a feather in my cap to win a Grade 1 race in Africa. I can’t wait to meet all the racing fans,” said Murphy.

Barry Irwin, the Team Valor CEO said about the champion jockey, “Oisin is my favorite British/ European rider. He reminds me a lot of Bill Shoemaker, of whom it was often said that he bothered a horse less than any other jockey. Oisin is just the same. And he rides with such confidence that he transmits this feature to his mounts. It is beautiful to watch.”

British Champion jockey Oisin Murphy will ride in the Betway Summer Cup 2024 | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Murphy has his sights firmly on the Turffontein’s biggest race and is set to ride Team Valor’s Frances Ethel.

Assistant trainer, James Crawford said, “We are very grateful to Team Valor for having the filly in South Africa and the ability to achieve some good success with her.”

With 42 entries received for the race, it brings together the best of the nation’s talent including a Gr1 Durban July winner, two Gr1 Betway Summer Cup winners, Royal Victory (2023) and Puerto Manzano (2022), two Gr1 Premier’s Champion Challenge winners, the Gr2 SA Oaks winner, the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 winner, three Gr1 SA Derby winner and a Gr1 SA

Classic winners.

The Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup is set to take place on 30 November at Turffontein Racecourse. This is now South Africa’s Richest horseracing prize with a stake of R6 million – which is in keeping with the stature of this age-old race, which was first run a year after Joburg itself was founded. The 2024 theme “Silks In The City” encourages racegoers to dress up showing off their favourite colours combinations.

For hospitality queries contact reservations@4racing.com or visit www.Ticketpro.co.za to purchase tickets from just R100.

RAFEEF DAUGHTERS ON POINT WITH BETWAY SUMMER CUP PREP

The fairer sex dominated what in effect was a Betway Summer Cup trial race at a hot Turffontein on Saturday with Rafeef daughters Beating Wings and Frances Ethel filling the top two places in the R175 000 Pinnacle Stakes run over the 1600m inside course.

Africa’s richest race, the R6 million Betway Gr1 Summer Cup attracted 42 first entries this past week, with 9 of them lining up in Pinnacle on Saturday.

Winner of the TAB Gr2 Igugu Stakes last season, Stuart Pettigrew saddled Ridgemont Highlands-bred Beating Wings to her first start as a 4yo and Diego de Gouveia did the rest –keeping her in touch with the pacesetting River Romeo before taking charge halfway down the straight.

Enjoying a nice weight advantage, Beating Wings (8-1) went on strongly beat the fastfinishing Frances Ethel (6-1) by three quarters of a length in a time of 98,56 secs.

It was a great day for Ridgemont’s super sire Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice), who sired the exacta here and had 3 winners on the afternoon as we went to publication.

Frances Ethel is bound to shorten in the bigrace antepost markets with this effort under the belt, and the news earlier on Saturday that British star Oisin Murphy will make the long trip to ride her.

Diego de Gouveia drives Beating Wings to victory |

Credit: JC Photos

Calvin Habib guided Atticus Finch (7-2) into third a further 1,25 lengths away, with Silver Sanctuary (4-1) completing the quartet, thus completing 3 of the top 4 places for fillies.

Of the balance of the Summer Cup entries, there will be more work to be done, although all were making their season debut, bar Puerto Manzano.

The balance were Safe Passage (2,80 lengths), Puerto Manzano (7,50 lengths), Litigation(10,50 lengths), Future Pearl (13,50 lengths) and Winchester Mansions (19 lengths), the last mentioned never getting into the race.

Raced by all of Messrs Dayalan Chinsammy, S Govender, L Grammer, Reashan S D Maharaj, Andre’ Mey & Miss Trinisha Pillay, the victorious Beating Wings was originally a R325 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase.

Bred by Ridgemont, she is a daughter of Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) out of the three-time winning Western Winter mare, Cool River.

Now a winner of 5 races with 3 places from 10 starts, Beating Wings has earned R757 938.

The Betway Summer Cup can host a maximum field of 20 and is a compressed handicap,

with a spread from topweight of 60kgs to a minimum impost of 54kgs.

The winner will bank a gross R3 450 000, with stakes paid down to tenth (R60 000) place.

Second entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 5 November, with final entries due by 09h00 on Monday 18 November – on which date the weights will be published.

Declarations are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 20 November. The final field will be embargoed and announced later the same day. The determination of the final field is at the discretion of the NHA in consultation with 4Racing.

4Racing, in consultation with the NHA Handicappers, will publish a series of logs from Tuesday 15 October.

KZN HOPE RUNS SMART BETWAY SUMMER CUP TRIAL

A Betway Summer Cup entry, Frank Robinson’s DStv Gr3 Gold Vase winner Madison Valley got the upper-hand in an incident filled R120 000 PinkDrive Michaelmas Handicap at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday to stamp his well-being and big race claims.

Downgraded from listed status last year, the non black-type Michaelmas Handicap was the headline event on the excellent good cause

PinkDrive raceday, and provided a grandstand finish, despite only four contestants jumping from the 1900m.

After the scratchings of Golden Peace and the eventual winner’s stablemate Mexican Pete, Rachel Venniker was dislodged from Trois Trois Quarte in the pre-race, and the De Kock gelding was withdrawn after bolting.

After Officer In Command led Cape Eagle,

Gavin Lerena has Madison Valley in charge as subsequently relegated Natyam (Craig Zackey) and promoted objector Cape Eagle (Serino Moodley) chase hard | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Natyam and Madison Valley early, the in-form Gavin Lerena made a bold round the field move just before they turned for home, and the astute initiative proved a winning one – despite a few incidents down the home straight.

Just when Natyam and Craig Zackey looked to have moved in for the kill at the 300m, the Gareth van Zyl-trained gelding crossed Serino Moodley and Cape Eagle, who looked to be full of running at that stage.

Natyam and Zackey then leant on Madison Valley, before a determined Lerena found some extra from Madison Valley.

At the line Madison Valley (5-1) clocked 118,81 secs for the 1900m and won by a quarter length.

The runner-up and tote favourite Natyam (1310) was subsequently relegated to third after an objection by jockey Serino Moodley. Cape Eagle (3-1) was promoted to second.

Trainer Frank Robinson was pleased with Lerena’s ride and said he had mentioned to the top jockey that Madison Valley is a stayer, ‘so if they crawl, get going a bit early’. A R220 000

BSA November 2yo Sale graduate, Madison Valley was bred by Clifton Stud and is a 3yo son of deceased Kingmambo stallion Mambo In Seattle out of the five-time winning Al Mufti mare Valdovino, who raced for Verna Roberts.

Madison Valley has won 4 races from his 14 starts with 4 places and stakes of R464 000.

While the villain of the peace in the feature, the talented Craig Zackey was the most successful jockey on the day with 3 winners, while Gavin Lerena grabbed the final two races on the card.

One player in the popular Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge, Dineo Vukeya found the first seven winners on the card, but sadly fell at the final hurdle when his selection Grape Shot went missing. He would have won R710 000 –and R1 420 000 had he wagered the minimum R50 on the programmatically generated betslip!

A MOTHER’S LOVE

We thought we’d share this special image with our readers. Romi Bettison caught this moment a couple of weekends ago at Wilgerbosdrift. The mare had just foaled in the beautiful golden hour light.

BETWAY SUMMER CUP LIGHTS UP JOBURG CBD

Johannesburg is buzzing with anticipation as it gears up for Africa’s richest race – the R6 million Betway Summer Cup.

This year, the theme ‘Silks in the City’ adds a unique flair to the event, inspired by the vibrant and colourful silks worn by jockeys during races.

Appropriately, the Johannesburg CBD was the setting for this year’s Betway Summer Cup photoshoot, featuring Miss South Africa winners Tansey Coetzee (2007) and Ndavi Nokeri (2022), directed by Glamour Magazine’s Fashion Director Tania Durand.

“I’m extremely excited about this partnership and lending Glamour’s voice of authority in all things fashion for this prestigious event. The shoot was such a fun experience and working with Tansey and Ndavi was an absolute pleasure as well as the entire 4Racing team. Being able to capture the essence of JHB in this editorial was essential in setting the tone for the event. We hope the attendees will be inspired by some of the looks we’ve styled and ultimately enjoy the event while looking amazing!” said the Fashion Director.

As the Official Fashion Partner, Glamour provides inspiration on how to look your best for race day. Make sure to visit https://www.glamour.co.za/more/ betway-summer-cup for the fashion shoot images and a guide to Betway Summer 2024 fashion.

The Miss SA 2007 winner Tansey Coetzee said, “Shooting in the city was a lot of fun! There’s so much going on around you; it’s vibrant, colourful, artistic, and exciting.

Ndavi Nokeri and Tansey Coetzee strut their stuff

The everyday people of the city were such an inspiration – we gave them a surprise fashion show dressed in some of South Africa’s leading designer outfits, serving a glimpse of what’s to come at this year’s Betway Summer Cup, whilst truly capturing the energy of the city.”

“I love the fact that we were literally ‘out in the streets’ for this year’s Betway Summer Cup shoot. Johannesburg is such a vibrant city full of texture and contrast, and it’s relatable as a central hub for the people of South Africa. It’s a place where people walk every day and speaks directly to the Summer Cup being The People’s Race, so I think South Africans will relate to how we captured Silks in the City,” said Nokeri.

Silks are the intricate patterns and colours help identify the horse and owner. The theme ‘Silks In The City’ offers a playful nod to the famed HBO series ‘Sex and the City’, which left a lasting legacy on urban lifestyles and fashion –an apt homage to Johannesburg’s flourishing fashion industry and metropolitan energy, while capturing the colourful heritage of horseracing.

“As we look forward to this year’s Betway Summer Cup, we are thrilled to put on Africa’s richest race but to provide an experience that brings together the very best of South

African horse racing, entertainment, fashion and urban sophistication. Our 2024 theme perfectly captures the colourful heritage of this sport alongside the energy of Johannesburg, ensuring an unforgettable day for everyone,” said Fundi Sithebe, 4Racing CEO.

True to its name as The People’s Race, there’s something for everyone at the Betway Summer Cup. Attendees can enjoy a variety of stylish hospitality areas for the perfect view of the races on the day, enjoy delicious food offerings, witness local designer fashion shows and spot Mzansi’s hottest celebrities on the glamorous black carpet.

This year’s entertainment will be headlined at the halftime show by the dynamic South African trio Mi Casa, who have recently released their much-anticipated sixth studio album, ‘THR3E’. Ricky Tyler and Gigi will perform the Summer Cup Anthem ‘City Lights’, and the FunkItUp DJs, including Chrizz Beatz and Vin Deysel, and Miss Cosmo will hit the decks for the official Betway Summer Cup after party.

For hospitality queries contact reservations@4racing.com, or visit www.Ticketpros.co.za to purchase tickets from just R100.

BUYING A STAR IS A BREEZE!

Hollywoodbets Durbanville will be the venue for the Cape Racing Sales Breeze Up & Unbroken 2yo Sale on Sunday 27 October when 125 lots will go through the ring from 14h00.

The breeze up gallops, fuelled by Winx Insurance Brokers, will be held at the sales venue on Friday 25 October from 13h00, when lots 1 to 66 will go through their paces. Winx will also host a lunch from 12h00 to 15h00.

Viewing is from 09h00 to 17h00 on Thursday 24 October, Friday 25 October and Saturday 26 October.

On Sales day, Sunday 27 October, viewing is from 09h00 to 13h00.

This sale coincides with Cape Racing Sales’ launch of its new online buyers’ card profile login system, designed to enhance the buying experience. This innovative platform allows buyers to create a profile, manage details, and access their digital buyers card once approved.

Prospective buyers can create a profile on the CRS website to begin the process of obtaining a buyers’ card. After logging in, users can apply for their card, which will streamline the purchasing process for upcoming sales. Upon approval, buyers can select the specific sale they wish to participate in and must agree to the outlined terms and conditions.

“We are thrilled to introduce this new online system to our buyers,” said Justin Vermaak, Executive, Racing and Bloodstock at Cape

Racing Sales. “Our goal is to streamline the buying process, making it more efficient and user-friendly. This upgrade is a significant step toward enhancing the overall experience for our customers.”

For more information or assistance with the registration process, please visit the sales company’s website at https://www. caperacingsales.co.za/ or contact their support team via email at vicky@caperacing.co.za

The lot-by-lot snapshot is outlined in sire alpha order below:

guide 2024/25

CONDITIONS GUIDE

CAPE A STAKES

For All Horses

Ÿ Benchmark at 61,5 kg = 113 & above

Ÿ Benchmark at 60,0 kg = 110 to 112

Ÿ Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 107 to 109

Ÿ Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 104 to 106

Ÿ Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 101 to 103

Ÿ Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 98 to 100

Ÿ Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 95 to 97

Ÿ Benchmark at 51,0 kg = 94 & below

Ÿ The winner of this race will not incur a penalty of more than 6 Rating points

Ÿ There will be no rating increase for placed & unplaced horses

Ÿ Sex allowance of 2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5 kg for Fillies and Mares, subject to a minimum weight of 50 kg

CAPE B STAKES

For All Horses with a nett rating of 96 and below

Ÿ Benchmark at 61,5 kg = 94 to 96

Ÿ Benchmark at 60,0 kg = 91 to 93

Ÿ Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 88 to 90

Ÿ Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 85 to 87

Ÿ Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 82 to 84

Ÿ Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 79 to 81

Ÿ Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 76 to 78

Ÿ Benchmark at 51,0 kg = 75 & below

Ÿ The winner of this race will not incur a penalty of less than 2 and not more than 6 Rating points

Ÿ There will be no rating increase for placed & unplaced horses

Ÿ Sex allowance of 2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5 kg for Fillies and Mares, subject to a minimum weight of 50 kg

CAPE C STAKES

For All Horses with a nett rating of 78 and below

Ÿ Benchmark at 61,5 kg = 76 to 78

Ÿ Benchmark at 60,0 kg = 73 to 75

Ÿ Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 70 to 72

Ÿ Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 67 to 69

Ÿ Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 64 to 66

Ÿ Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 61 to 63

Ÿ Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 58 to 60

Ÿ Benchmark at 51,0 kg = 57 & below

Ÿ The winner of this race will not incur a penalty of less than 2 and not more than 6 Rating points

Ÿ There will be no rating increase for placed & unplaced horses

Ÿ Sex allowance of 2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5 kg for Fillies and Mares, subject to a minimum weight of 50 kg

Ÿ Maidens to receive a 1.0kg allowance

CAPE D STAKES

For All Horses with a nett rating of 64 and below

Ÿ Benchmark at 61,5 kg = 62 to 64

Ÿ Benchmark at 60,0 kg = 59 to 61

Ÿ Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 56 to 58

Ÿ Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 53 to 55

Ÿ Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 50 to 52

Ÿ Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 47 to 49

Ÿ Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 46 & below

Ÿ The winner of this race will not incur a penalty of less than 2 and not more than 6 Rating points

Ÿ There will be no rating increase for placed & unplaced horses

Ÿ Sex allowance of 2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5 kg for Fillies and Mares, subject to a minimum weight of 50 kg

Ÿ Maidens to receive a 1.0kg allowance

MIDDLE STAKES

For All Horses with a nett rating of 102 and below

Ÿ Benchmark at 61,5 kg = 99 to 102

Ÿ Benchmark at 60,0 kg = 95 to 98

Ÿ Benchmark at 58,5 kg = 91 to 94

Ÿ Benchmark at 57,0 kg = 87 to 90

Ÿ Benchmark at 55,5 kg = 83 to 86

Ÿ Benchmark at 54,0 kg = 79 to 82

Ÿ Benchmark at 52,5 kg = 75 to 78

Ÿ Benchmark at 51,0 kg = 74 & below

Ÿ The winner of this race will not incur a penalty of less than 2 and not more than 6 Rating points

Ÿ There will be no rating increase for placed & unplaced horses

Ÿ Sex allowance of 2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5 kg for Fillies and Mares, subject to a minimum weight of 50 kg

Ÿ Maidens to receive a 1.0kg allowance

MAIDEN PLATE

For Maiden Horses

OPEN MAIDEN

For all Maidens Weights:

Ÿ 61.5kg to be determined by the highest nett rated horse, for all merit rated horses below the highest nett rated horse, weight to be determined from 61.5kg downwards, using 2 merit rating points = 1 kg

Ÿ Unrated horses to carry 60.5kg

Ÿ 2-year-old Allowance of 4kg will apply to unrated horses

Ÿ 2-year-olds to be weighted as unrated horses

Ÿ Sex Allowance of 2.5 kg for all Fillies

Minimum Weights:

Ÿ 4-year-olds and over C&G - 53.5kg / Fillies 53kg

Ÿ 3-year-olds C&G - 52.5kg / Fillies 52kg

OPEN MAIDEN (F & M)

For all Filles and Mares

Weights:

Ÿ 61kg to be determined by the highest nett rated horse, for all merit rated horses below the highest nett rated horse, weight to be determined from 61kg downwards, using 2 merit rating points = 1 kg

Ÿ Unrated horses to carry 60kg

Ÿ 2-year-old Allowance of 3kg will apply to unrated horses

Ÿ 2-year-olds to be weighted as unrated horses

Minimum Weights:

Ÿ 4-year-olds and over - 53.5kg

Ÿ 3-year-olds - 52.5kg

RESTRICTED MAIDEN PLATE

For 3-year-olds

Ÿ Colts and Geldings 60,0 kg

Ÿ Fillies 57,5 kg

JUVENILE PLATE

For two-year-old horses

MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE

For two-year-old maiden horses

RESTRICTED MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE

For 2-year-olds

Ÿ Colts and Geldings 60,0 kg

Ÿ Fillies 57,5 kg CLASS 2 CLASS 3 CLASS 4 CLASS 5

CLASS GUIDE 2024/2025

PLEASE NOTE

Fillies & Mares allowances in A/B/C/D Stakes races

2.5kg : 1000-1250m

3.0kg : 1400-1600m

3.5kg : 1700m+

Cape Racing

RaceCape

2024/25 SEASON:

CONSECUTIVE RUNS BONUS:

Horses that race consecutively in the Cape qualify for the following bonuses. If horses raid out of the Western Cape they will NOT QUALIFY for the Consecutive Runs Incentive.

PRIZE MONEY BREAKDOWN:

• R 25,000 – 12 consecutive Race starts

• R 35,000 – 15 consecutive Race starts

RaceCape

HOLLYWOODBETS KENILWORTH | 1400M | 16 MARCH 2025 R5 MILLION

I N C E N T I V E S

JUVENILE BONUS

• The CRS R100 000 bonus is a juvenile bonus stakes incentive for qualifying sale graduates earned for their maiden juvenile win only.

• Bonuses of R100 000 will be paid for the qualifying graduate’s first juvenile maiden win in any maiden and/or juvenile race.

• R75 000 is awarded to the winning owner

• R25 000 is awarded to the winning vendor. The vendor bonus will be paid out to the vendor from the first Cape Racing Sales auction from which the horse was sold.

• Bonuses are limited to the first 40 juvenile winners

• The total payout is R4 Million *Terms and conditions apply

CAPE RACING SALES SLIPPER

• The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Cape Racing Sales, this race forms part of the Cape Summer Festival of Racing at the picturesque Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse. Cape Town is an alluring tourist destination for world travelers during a temperate summer, with exceptional racing and quality sales, creating an experience that is quintessentially Cape Town. This lucrative race will be run for a purse of R1.5 million in 2025 and R3 Million in 2026.

CRS BIG CAP

• The R5 million CRS BIG CAP is the exciting new ‘slot’ race which will headline the Festival Cape Racing Sales race day and will be run as a handicap, with conditions. The inaugural running of the R5 million CRS BIG CAP in 2025 will be contested over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and is open to all CRS sales graduates

Race 1 - GLAMORZ - William Modwa

Race 1 - DAPPER - William Matwa

Race 5 - NEITHERHERENORTHER - Siviwe Mchiliza

Race 5 - SPIRITED FLIGHT - Buyisili Ketei

Race 2 - MASTERBLING - Masivuye Nzilane

Race 2 - LADYOFDISTINCTION - Siyabonga Gcelu

Race 6 - GIVERS GRACE - Mxolisi Mtoti

Race 6 - LITTLEBLACKVELVET - Sphesande Tomose

Race 3 - AFRICAN DUSK - Lwandile Jojo

Race 3 - WONDERFUL - Lwandile Jojo

Race 7 - MADISON VALLEY - Velile Jali

Race 7 - SAVANTRIX - Luyanda Mantiffma

Race 4 - CHILL IN THE AIR - Zanobomi Ngcongo

Race 4 - AMIGO - Goodwell Jali

Race 8 - SHANTA’S PRIDE - Shoes Nyonizonke

Race 8 - QUERARI’S DREAM - Olwethu Keteki

– THE WOODHILL WAY BREEZING

Glen Kotzen is an enduringly successful trainer with an incredible eye for purchasing inexpensive horses that compete at the highest level – just recall the exploits of Big City Life, Eyes Wide Open, Gold Standard, Princess Victoria, Lady Windemere and Cousin Casey to name a few recent examples.

His private Woodhill Racing operation, out near Paarl, takes on a slightly different guise in prepping six potentially exciting young’uns to be unveiled on 27 October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in the Cape Racing Sales Breeze Up.

Lot 15, Life of Leisure, is a Gold Standard filly ex La Collossa. She is a dam of just two foals to race and both won. The three-year-old has won two from three starts with Dean Kannemeyer. The second dam, La Calima, threw Los Colmos, a speedy eight-time winner and direct family of sire Lomitas who is the sire of our very own Silvano.

Lot 19 is a Rafeef filly out of Lip Service. Second dam, Lyrical Linda, a fabulous race mare, was a prolific winner between 1400m and 2000m with her career best achieved when triumphing in the G1 Garden Province Stakes. Family of Lance who produced Equus champion Quid Pro Quo. For his part, Rafeef has already sired 20 SW’s from only 207 runners so this is an attractive mating.

Lunar Descent is a very good-looking Captain of All colt out of Lunar Landing. There is plenty of speed on the page and he will go through the ring as Lot 21.

Alpha World follows soon after as Lot 24 One World colt ex Mon Cherie is a young mare and a three-part sister to Mill Queen as stakes winner. Met victor, One World has made the headlines breaking the SA record for freshman sire with his oldest progeny 3YO’s. One Stripe, Lion Rampart and All Out For Six shone as juveniles last term.

Lot 29 is an unnamed colt by USA stallion, Declarationofpeace out of a speedy mare that Kotzen trained to win five races, Our Destiny who got beat a short head in the Fillies Guineas. This is a family he knows well, second dam, Plumosa, a seven-time winner, also passed through his expert hands.

Woodhill Racing’s action will be done by Lot 42 when the chestnut colt, Safe Travel by good value sire, Elusive Fort ex Sapsan who is a halfsister to stakes winner Rocket Countdown goes under auctioneer, Andrew Miller’s hammer. He can be checked out in stable D24.

Glen Kotzen is happy to personally field enquiries on 021 8698845. Alternatively email admin@woodhillracing.co.za to make viewing arrangements.

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?

Soetendal Estate has a strong draft for the CRS Breeze Up and Unbroken 2yo Sale on 27 October and is once again proudly consigning on behalf of some of top stud farms, individual breeders and private clients alike.

Soetendal boss Julia Pilbeam tells the Sporting Post that there are some mouthwatering pedigrees, and good specimens to match, and she is very hopeful that the sale will attract a strong buyers’ bench.

Julia notes that they are excited to be offering four colts by first season War Front stallion, Declarationofpeace.

War Front has had great success in South Africa through his sons, Fire Away and Lancaster

Bomber, and there is widespread hope to see Declarationofpeace follow in their footsteps.

Declarationofpeace was a top class two year old, winning the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in electrifying style please click here to see the replay.

Reflecting back, Julia tells that promising graduates of their 2023 draft are led by the exciting One Stripe, with multiple other winners already making their mark.

Julia has pointed out that the whole draft, with the exception of only two, have been vaccinated against African Horse Sickness in 2024, so prospective buyers can move them anywhere in the country with peace of mind.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT ON BEHALF OF AVONTUUR STUD

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 30: Black Eagle (colt by Rafeef – Pan Amm by Jet Master): a beautifully balanced, striking grey colt from a 6-time Listed winning mare – all five siblings are winners with two having earned black type.

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 23: Mighty Mary (filly by Querari – Mary Hinge by Second Empire): quality filly showing plenty, with a good constitution, as you’d expect from a full sister to MARYAH (Gr2 winner at 2), with half sister MARY O also a black type performer.

Lot 33: Winter Snap (colt by What a Winter – Perfect Air by Dynasty): a ¾ brother in blood to MAKE IT SNAPPY, he’s a powerful, progressive colt.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT ON BEHALF OF VARSFONTEIN STUD

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 6: Dancewithdiamonds (filly by What a Winter – Heart’s Content by Jet Master): strong, racy filly, a must see. All four siblings are winners, from the fantastic JALBERRY family.

Lot 28: Quicksmart (colt by Gimmethegreenlight – On Her Toes by Western Winter): Brother to two black type performers, from a Gr1 winning mare. We expect a good breeze up from this very attractive and classy colt.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT ON BEHALF OF VARSFONTEIN STUD

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 32: Peace Broker (colt by Master of my Fate – Peace Flower by Ideal World): this is a confident, racy and precocious colt from a top family (Quickwood, Nightingale, Rainbow Lorikeet)

Lot 52: Riviera (colt by Vercingetorix – Victorian Secret by Captain Al): beautifully put together colt who is a full brother to GOLDEN SICKLE. From the family of Mystic Spring, no need to say more!

SOETENDAL AS AGENT ON BEHALF OF VARSFONTEIN STUD

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 60: Magnus the Good (colt by Erik the Red – Bushiri by Master of my Fate): well-grown, scopey son of a promising first season sire. From a winning half-sister to BEATABOUTTHEBUSH and TRUE MASTER, he shows ground covering action.

Lot 65: Olive Oyl (filly by Vercingetorix – Cousin Annie by Kahal): big striding, well-grown filly with a fluent action, all four siblings are winners, and include MASTER SUPREME and WECANGOALLNIGHT.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 8 Unnamed (colt by Vercingetorix – Hollywoodboulevard by Street Cry): half brother to five winners including ON THAT BOULEVARD, this colt moves beautifully and is developing into one of the stand outs of our draft.

Lot 10 Unnamed (filly by Gimmethegreenlight – Imperial Wish by Silvano): half sister to Listed winner LUNA WISH, this tough, eye catching filly has a deep girth and looks speedy.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 12 Scandalize (filly by Master of my Fate – In A Huff by Judpot): from a winning halfsister to THIRD RUNWAY and KINDA WONDERFUL, this filly has a ground covering action and looks early.

Lot 13 Unnamed (filly by Captain of All – Jet Set Model by Jetmaster): Rangy filly with scope, she will keep improving as she matures. From a winning half-sister to Joshua’s Mistress.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 17 Unnamed (colt by One World – Lady Wylie by Wylie Hall): the dam’s first runner is already a winner, and this neat colt looks to be hot on his heels with a spectacular action, don’t miss this gallop!

Lot 26 Matroosberg (colt by What a Winter – Noor by Dynasty): bred on the same cross as Cape Town Noir and Humdinger, this powerful, well-grown colt has good substance and scope. He is half brother to two winners including Grade 2 performer EVENING PRIMROSE.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 27 Unnamed (colt by Rafeef – Nordic Light by Warm White Night): From the prolific Normandy Stud family of NORDIC BREEZE, RUSHING WIND and RIO QUERARI, this colt has an exceptionally good walk, we expect him to float down the track.

Lot 31 Gallic King (colt by Vercingetorix – Patricia’s Gift by Master of my Fate): this beautifully put together colt from the family of JJ THE JET PLANE oozes quality and has an elastic action.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 34 Unnamed (colt by Gimmethegreenlight – Princess Milo by Fort Wood): an attractive, muscular colt, half brother to four winners, the dame is a half to SLUMDOGMILLIONAIRE. CYCAD and TRADE SPECIALIST.

Lot 37 The Muffin Man (colt by Rafeef – Respectable Lady by Kabool): a half brother to the ultra quick BOLD RESPECT as well as SUPER SILVANO, this handsome colt is bound to attract a lot of interest.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 40 Unnamed (colt by Rafeef – Sails Set by Captain Al): a classy colt with substance and a good walk, he has a low sprinting action. He has an exceptional temperament and always gives his best.

Lot 41 SupposeYou’veHeard (colt by Querari – Sally Called by Captain Al): bred on the same Querari / Captain Al cross as recent Grade 3 Matchem Stakes winner, Questioning, this colt is a precocious and speedy sort.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 43 Unnamed (filly by Vercingetorix – Secretariat’s Girl by Captain Al): from the family of LEEWARD and MELTING MOMENTS, this filly has just thrived and improved through her preparation. She has plenty of class about her, and looks quick.

Lot 44 Leif Erikson colt by (Erik the Red – Secret Risk by London News): this colt is a 3/4 brother to UNDERCOVER AGENT, and there is a lot to like about his fluent action and good constitution – he takes his work very well, and has an excellent temperament to go with it.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 45 Surreal Moment (filly by Erupt – Shastina by Dynasty): From a winning half sister to JANOOBI, this strong filly has a beautiful head, deep girth, and good low action – a lot to like about her.

Lot 48 Raffish Trend (filly by Rafeef – Trendy Babe by Lion Heart): an elegant filly with a superb action, she will go from strength to strength as she matures. The dam is a half sister to TIGER’S TOUCH and has already produced four winners.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 49 Unnamed (filly by Gimmethegreenlight – Trinity House by Captain Al): From a Grade 3 winning half sister to VERCINGETORIX, this blue-blooded, filly is bred on the same cross as Sandringham Summit and Proceed. I’m expecting an excellent breeze up from her.

Lot 51 Masteronthemoon (colt by Master of my Fate – Uptothemoon by Victory Moon): From a multiple black-type performing mare, this long striding, athletic colt has plenty of presence.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

Lot 54 Zen State (colt by Erupt – Zeta Jones by Silvano): from a ¾ sister to MARINARESCO, MARINA and BULSARA, this straightforward colt is a trainer’s dream and has not put a foot wrong and will just continue to improve.

Lot 55 Dream Boat (One World – Africa Blue by Horse Chestnut): big, strong filly from the fantastic CIRCLE OF LIFE family, she’s going to develop into a magnificent filly.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 56 Unnamed (Erupt – At A Great Rate by Arch): Half sister to four winners of multiple races including black type performer GOOD RHYTHM, it’s hard to fault this filly. She’s muscular, thrives on work, is honest and works well.

Lot 58 Unnamed (filly by Rafeef – Bell Tower by Ideal World): with Rafeef fillies constantly in the headlines, it’s exciting to be offering this big, scopey filly. She has good substance and constitution, and is already working well although she will continue to improve as she matures.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 63 Half Moon Island (colt by Oratorio – Cat’s Game by Black Minnaloushe): tall colt who stands over ground, he has an exceptional action and is a ¾ brother to CANADIAN SUMMER to boot!

Lot 64 Midnight Miracle (filly by Master of my Fate – Cause and Effect by What a Winter): tough, racy, quick filly, she’s been forward throughout her prep. The dam’s first foal is already a winner at two.

2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE SOETENDAL AS AGENT - UNBROKEN

Lot 76:Unnamed (colt by Declarationofpeace – Jeweller’s Joy by Trippi): From a 3-time winning black type mare, this is an athletic colt who stands over ground.

Lot 78: Unnamed (filly by What a Winter – Kitoko by Montjeu): Bred on same What a Winter / Montjeu cross as CLOUDS UNFOLD, a well-grown filly - good walk and plenty of scope. Dam is 100% winners to runners, from family of TOURNESOL, SIX PERFECTIONS.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT - UNBROKEN

Lot 88: Blizzardboy (colt by Declarationofpeace – Off Piste by Western Winter): Bred on same cross as Declaration of War, grandam ZIRCONEUM was a multiple Gr1 performer.

Lot 113: Unnamed (colt by Declarationofpeace – West Ridge by Tiger Ridge): plenty of speed through the first four dams in this colt’s pedigree, and he certainly looks to be precocious – a beautifully put together colt and racy too.

SOETENDAL AS AGENT

- UNBROKEN SECTION 2024 CRS BREEZE UP & UNBROKEN 2YO SALE

Lot 120: Captain Lightning (colt by Declarationofpeace – Bold Speed by Captain Al): Should be another early type, with the dam a half sister to the top class RIVER QUERARESS, a Gr1 performer at 2.

Lot 124: Driving Snow (colt by What a Winter – Driving Miss Daisy): First foal of multiple Gr1 performer DRIVING MISS DAISY, he looks speedy and early – his dam won at 2.

VERCINGETORIX SEXTET FOR CRS SALE

Maine Chance Farms offer six youngsters by their resident and renowned stallion, Vercingetorix at the Cape Racing Sales Breeze Up and Unbroken 2yo Sale which takes place on Sunday 27th October 2024 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.

Lot 91, Primal Instinct is a bay colt out of Gr1 SA Oaks winner, Pine Princess. All three of her foals to race have won, including Pyromaniac (5x winner plus a second in the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas) and Passchendaele who has recently been on the tear in the Eastern Cape. There is loads of Black Type going back through second dam, Scent of Pine and third dam, Northern Pine, making this October colt a most attractive proposition.

Surreal Song goes in as Lot 97 – this daughter

of Vercingetorix is a first foal of Duke of Marmalade mare, Sanskrit. The second dam, Shina was a fine producer throwing the high class, Horizon who is now a stallion, and Hollywoodbets Greyville KRA Fillies Guineas winner, Santa Clara. Third dam, Spirit of Eagles produced Silvano, an awesome stallion who, safe to say, made a massively positive impact on the SA Stud Book.

Slender Silhouette is a filly by Vercingetorix ex Sommerlied, a speedball whose career

The home of Vercingetorix | Credit: Maine Chance Farms

highlight was a victory in the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint. Vercingetorix has sired 397 runners for 284 winners, including 41 SW’s and 10 Gr1 heroes. Some of his best progeny include 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July star, Oriental Charm, Mrs Geriatrix, Cousin Casey, Alesian Chief, Pomp and Power, Vernichey, Ambiorix, Chansonette, Double Grand Slam and Surjay.

Victoria Lavelle was also super-quick. This Captain Al mare won four races including the Laisserfaire Stakes. She has a bay filly by Vercingetorix, stabled in D37 who goes through the ring as Lot 111.

Maine Chances next offering is Be All You Can Be, Lot 119 out of Bilateral, a Gr1 Golden Slipper winner who went on to be an accomplished middle- distance performer. Second dam Buccellati was a prolific producer

as was 3rd dam State Treasure – their pages are laden with Black Type.

Maine Chance’s draft concludes with Lot 123 – the bay colt, Cedar Point is out of the Galileo mare, Cidada who sports an intriguing, predominantly Irish pedigree.

Ross Fuller will be available to assist with viewings and handle any queries relating to a typically high quality, Maine Chance draft. He is contactable on 082 587 7045 or via email –ross@mainechance.co.za

1-2-3 FOR RAFEEF ON SATURDAY

Ridgemont’s inform stallion Rafeef had a good day on Saturday when the former G1 Computaform Sprint winner came up with a trio of winners.

Rafeef’s graded stakes-winning daughters

Beating Wings and Francis Ethel showed their well-being when running first and second respectively in Saturday’s Betway Pinnacle Stakes at Turffontein.

Trained by Stuart Pettigrew, Beating Wings made a winning four-year-old debut when she downed a star-studded field to claim Saturday’s 1600-metre contest.

The Gr1 Betway Summer Cup entrant showed her class when staying on strongly, under

Diego De Gouveia, to deny her paternal halfsister, and last season’s Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks winner Frances Ethel victory by three parts of a length.

Further back in the running came such graded stakes winners as Atticus Finch, Silver Sanctuary, Safe Passage, Puerto Manzano, Future Pearl and July-winning champion Winchester Mansion.

The lightly raced Beating Wings, winner of last season’s Gr2 TAB Igugu Stakes, has now won

The top-class Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice ex National Colour) | Credit: Supplied

five of 10 starts for earnings of R757,938.

Bred by Ridgemont Highlands, Beating Wings is out of the Western Winter mare Cool River.

Her sire Rafeef came up with two more winners at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, with the Ridgemont sire’s son Water Dragon victorious in the third race and Rafeef filly Heliotrope successful in race six.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Water Dragon got off the mark when running out a gamewinner of the Cape Turf Club Syndicates Maiden Plate. Bred by the Klawervlei Grooms Trust, four-year-old Water Dragon was ridden to victory by Gavin Lerena.

Four-year-old Water Dragon is out of the Captain Al mare Span Die Seile.

Rafeef filly Heliotrope picked the second win of her career when she won the Celebrating Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz’s Birthday Class 4 (1800m) on Saturday. The Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein bred filly stormed home, under Sean Veale, to score by nearly half a length.

Trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, Heliotrope had finished third, to the useful King Pelles, on her penultimate start. Rafeef, who was responsible for nine black type winners in South Africa last season, is currently sixth on the General Sires premiership for 2024-2025.

ANOTHER STAKES WINNER FOR EXPERT EYE

Paardeberg Stud owners Steve Ajax and Charles Palmer will be filled with a quiet sense of satisfaction for having imported the Gr1 Breeders Cup Mile winner Expert Eye as their foundation stallion.

A son of acclaimed sire of sire Acclamation, he stood a couple of seasons at birthplace Juddmonte Stud prior to arriving in South Africa and has enjoyed a fine run in Europe and Britain this year, his latest success being a newly-minted stakes winner in four-year-old daughter Entrancement, who scored a career best in the Listed Beckford Stakes at Bath.

Ridden by Oisin Murphy, who be travelling to SA for the Betway Summer Cup next month, she moved into the lead turning for home and held on gamely to prevail by a head. It was a back to back success for the five-time

winner, following her victory over the same 2800m trip at Goodwood last month.

She is one of three winners out of the dual Listed winner Entree, who also finished second in the Gr3 Prix Allez France. The female family is one developed at Juddmonte and is that of the Gr1 winners and sires Zambezi Sun and Midships.

Remarkably, Entrancement is her sire’s first stakes winner over an extended distance, given that he is better known for siring precocious stock who display plenty of zip up to a mile.

Expert Eye – top class racehorse now stands at Paardeberg Stud | Credit: Dan Abraham

As a matter of fact, juvenile daughter Shining River showcased her sire’s versatility as a stallion on the same afternoon when she strode to a facile maiden victory over 1400m at Southwell.

Expert Eye is currently working his way through a first local book of quality mares at Paardeberg, with the stud’s Sally Bruss reporting that those already tested in foal to the son of Acclamation include the stakes winners Mina Salaam, And We Danced, Love Bomb and Ripple Effect.

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Expert Eye is the first son of Acclamation to stand in South Africa.

The veteran, who is still going strong at Rathbarry Stud at the advanced age of 24, enjoyed an excellent day at the recent Arc meeting, where daughter Makarova swept to a first Gr1 victory in the Prix de l’Abbaye, while his red-hot son Mehmas sired the Gr1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Vertical Blue.

Witness Stand (GB) wins the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes

20 Sep ‘24 - 3yo WITNESS STAND (Expert Eye) wins the Dubai Duty Free Cup S. (Listed) (above) at Newbury (GB) by 3 lenghts over 1400m, on soft ground.

19 Sep ‘24 - 2yo EVE’S BOY (Expert Eye) won the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice S. at Ayr (GB) by 2 lengths over 1400m, on good ground.

17 Sep ‘24 - 2yo NAINA (Expert Eye) won the Download The Raceday Ready App Nursery H. at Yarmouth (GB) by 1,25 lengths over 1400m, on good ground. NAINA has won 3 of her last 4 starts.

17 Sep ‘24 - 4yo SNIPER’S EYE (Expert Eye) won the SPP - That Get You Noticed H. at Yarmouth (GB) by a head over 2000m, on good ground.

12 Sep ‘24 - 2yo NESTHORN (Expert Eye), 2nd Prix des Chenes (Group 3) at Longchamp (FR) over 1600m, on soft ground.

6 Sep ‘24 - 2yo EXPOSURE (Expert Eye) won the Prix Kendor (ON DEBUT) at SaintCloud (FR) by 1,25 lengths over 1600m, on soft ground.

Witness Stand (GB)

OCTOBER BOOK 2 BREAKS RECORDS AT TATTERSALLS

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale continued its record-breaking pace on the second day (Tuesday, 15 October) with the highest grossing session in the history of the sale and six lots realising 500,000 guineas or more.

Turnover surpassed 20,000,000 guineas for the second consecutive day, the average and median both realised double figure increases and the clearance rate was a remarkable 91%.

Appletree Stud Celebrate 600,000 Guineas Too Darn Hot Sale

The joint top lot on the second day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was the TOO DARN HOT filly out of the GALILEO mare LOLA PAIGE who sold for 600,000 guineas to the bid of agent Alex Elliott on behalf of Al Shaqab / Amo Racing.

The sale reduced Robert “Choc” Thornton, stud manager at Paul Dunkley’s Appletree Stud, to tears. It is the highest price achieved to date by the farm.

“Paul puts so much into the stud,” said Thornton. “She is a queen, I thought she’d

Lot 898 - Too Darn Hot filly out of the Galileo mare Lola Paige | Credit: Tattersalls

get 200,000 guineas or so, and then thought maybe 400,000 guineas, but to do that… She has been a star all the way through, and of course we were tempted to keep her, but the boss has put a lot of money in – he deserves to get some back.

“We have been with Too Darn Hot from the word go, and we have already produced a filly by him with another Galileo mare, she is in training with Roger [Varian] and has not run yet, but she is gorgeous. We sold a foal by him very well, and the sire has done us well.”

Buyer Alex Elliott said: “She has been split

between Al Shaqab and Amo. A trainer is yet to be decided, but we have a team of trainers who we are very happy with and she will go to one of those. Both sides gave her top marks, she is by Too Darn Hot who is a global stallion now, and she is out of a Galileo mare. She was always going to cost a lot of money.”

Thoroughbred Racing Corporation Buy Sea

The Stars Filly for 600,000 Guineas

The last lot into the ring equalled the sessiontopping price of 600,000 guineas when knocked down to Jane Mangan on behalf of the Thoroughbred Racing Corporation after seeing

Lot 963 - Sea The Stars filly out of the Siyouni mare Monaawara | Credit: Tattersalls

off a determined effort from American agent David Ingordo.

The SEA THE STARS filly out of the SIYOUNI mare MONAAWARA was consigned to the sale by Philipp Stauffenberg on behalf of Meadow Farm Stud.

Jane Mangan, in charge of bidding, said: “The stallion is alright isn’t he? We have been trying to buy the right type of filly for the last two weeks and we got two last week. This filly stood out, I thought she is the best filly in this book. She comes from a great farm, she is just very easy on the eye, there is no mystery here! She is the first foal out of a Siyouni mare, and we are very happy to get her.”

Mangan continued: “We want to win Classics, middle-distance Classics. She fits that bill. She is by the right horse, she has a great damsire, she has got the scope to hopefully be good. I learned over the last two weeks that we all have a similar set of eyes, it doesn’t matter what time of day a horse sells, people will go to the moon for the right horse.”

TRAWLERMAN WILL DEFEND AT ASCOT!

Ascot racecourse hosts Champions Day on Saturday with racegoers set for a thrilling finale of the British Flat season. The six-race card includes four Group 1’s with the highlight, the Qipco Champions Stakes (16h55) over ten-furlongs.

Saturday looks sure to take place on soft ground after 10mm of rain fell through Sunday night, and the going went soft on the straight course and heavy, soft in places on the round course. A switch to the inner course looks likely for the three races on the round track.

The meeting starts at 14h20 with the running of the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, run over two miles.

Aidan O’Brien’s staying star Kyprios is odds-on to go one better than last year when narrowly denied by Trawlerman under an inspired Frankie Dettori.

The Ballydoyle trained son of Galileo is 8/11 to win a remarkable ninth Group One and arrives here off the back of a victory in the Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp last time. In contrast, last year’s winner Trawlerman arrives here fresh having not raced since going down

Trawlerman wins the 2023 Gr2 British Champions Long Distance Cup under Frankie Detorri | Credit: Godolphin

by a length to Kyprios in the Gold Cup at the Royal meeting back in June. A large field is expected for the six-furlong Gr1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (14h55).

On Monday 22 runners stood their ground, including Kinross, winner in 2022 and second last year, Betfair Sprint Cup one-two-three Montassib, Kind Of Blue and Unequal Love, and July Cup winner Mill Stream.

The Juddmonte operation look to hold a strong hand in the Gr1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (15h35), represented by both Kalpana and Time Lock.

Three-year-old Kalpana for Andrew Balding looks progressive and was a taking winner of the September Stakes at Kempton last time. Time Lock landed the Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket last month on soft ground.

Ballydoyle have five entries with Yorkshire Oaks winner Content and fellow three-year-old Grateful very much in the mix.

Top-class four-year-old miler Charyn attempts a third Group 1 success this season in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (16h15). The Roger

Varian trained grey’s main opposition looks to be the impressive Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Tamfana and French trained ‘mudlark’ Metropolitan.

A mouthwatering clash between star threeyear-olds Economics and his French rival Calandagan looks likely after they both remained in the entries on Monday for the Gr1 Qipco Champion Stakes (16h55).

The William Haggas-trained Economics is 5-4 to add a second Group 1 win in Ascot’s Saturday highlight, having won a thrilling Irish Champion Stakes last month.

He is one of 17 horses who remain in contention including Calandagan, who is set to return to the scene of his wide margin win in the King Edward VII Stakes at the royal meeting in June.

The Francis Graffard-trained gelding then ran an admirable race when second to City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International at York’s Ebor meeting.

Aidan O’Brien has left six still in contention and is leaning towards running Irish Derby hero and Arc third Los Angeles once more.

GODOLPHIN STAR WINS DEWHURST

Shadow Of Light became only the second horse in 42 years to complete the Middle Park Stakes/Darley Dewhurst Stakes double with a courageous victory in the Gr1 highlight of day two of the Dubai Future Champions Festival at Newmarket on Saturday, 12 October.

In a tactical renewal, the five runners split into two groups, with Shadow Of Light tracking Seagulls Eleven in second of a group of three down the centre of the course as Expanded led a free-travelling Ancient Truth towards the stands’ rail.

Shadow Of Light quickened under William Buick to lead his group over two furlongs out, although it soon became apparent that Ancient Truth and Expanded held a significant advantage.

Ancient Truth and Expanded battled for the lead, with Shadow Of Light drifting over towards the stands to join the duo with just under a furlong to race.

Little separated all three throughout the final half-furlong until Shadow Of Light found more close home to deny Expanded by a neck.

Ancient Truth stuck to his task for James Doyle in third, a further neck in arrears.

Guineas could be on radar for Shadow Of Light | Credit: Godolphin

Nine of the previous 10 winners of the Darley Dewhurst Stakes have been crowned European Champion Two-Year-Old, including current Darley stallions Too Darn Hot, Pinatubo and Native Trail.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of both Shadow Of Light and Ancient Truth, said: “Full credit to all the team, because you need to have full confidence in the people around the horse. Paul Eddery and all the lads associated with Shadow Of Light have done a fantastic job. We were happy to supplement on Monday but, had the horse not been firing on all cylinders come declaration stage, we wouldn’t have run. All the right signs were there, and everyone was giving us confidence that he was doing everything he needed to, coming into a race like this. He has gone and proven it.

“When you have a five-runner race and they split, the reason you have these jockeys is that they have to make the quick decisions. James stuck to following Ryan [Moore on Expanded] and that looked a good decision. Ancient Truth ran a bit fresh and free early and it probably paid in the last 100 yards. He has run a very creditable race and I feel he will do very well from two to three.

“I thought William was in a nice position and they looked to be going a nice, even pace. My concern was from the three to the two, when I thought Shadow Of Light was coming under the pump a bit earlier than I would have liked. Once they hit the rising ground, I could see that

he was staying at it, but I knew the stands’ side had the edge.

“William said that he felt Shadow Of Light was picking up all the time but, once he got company, he found again. On that evidence, he is a horse who we will train towards the 2,000 Guineas and, if he doesn’t stay a mile in May, we know that we can drop him back in trip for a Commonwealth Cup. I see no reason not to head to the 2,000 Guineas with Ancient Truth either as he was coming off a break and ran a bit too free for the first furlong.

“For His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and team Godolphin, this is the Darley Future Champions Festival and we are all looking for the champions of next year over these 48 hours. These are the best indicators for who is going to be a Guineas winner – the Dewhurst and the Fillies’ Mile. To win both races, it puts us on the front foot hopefully for the spring.”

William Buick added: “Shadow Of Light had to win two races today. We had a good tail to follow from the get-go and then the field separated. I could see that the stands’ side were in front and, to be honest, I was just amazed how competitively he could race by himself. When he joined the others, he found another gear. It was a fantastic performance.

“Credit to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Charlie for letting him take his chance two weeks after his impressive Middle Park Stakes win. Today, he showed a lot of courage and a lot of class. It was an amazing performance because it was made very difficult for him.”

SON OF JUSTIFY OFF TO STUD

Coolmore has announced that European Champion 2yo and European Champion 3yo elect City of Troy will retire to their base in Fethard following his final start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has always been in awe of the son of Justify.

“He’s definitely the best we’ve ever trained, no doubt about it,” said O’Brien.

“Everything he’s done from the start has suggested that. He’s the most amazing horse with a fantastic temperament and an incredible stride. He just never seems to tire and is really

only getting going at the end of his races so Ryan has often had a job to pull him up. We still don’t really know how much more there is under the bonnet. I think he’ll make into an unbelievable stallion.”

City of Troy went unbeaten in his two-yearold season with three striking performances including a 6½-length rout in the Gr2 Superlative Stakes on Newmarket’s July course

City of Troy will retire to the Coolmore base in Fethard | Credit: Coolmore

and another deeply impressive display in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.

Three more successes at the highest level have followed this season in the Epsom Derby, the Eclipse Stakes and the Juddmonte International.

“As a yearling he was rated the nicest Justify we have bred and even before he won his maiden at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend, Aidan was enthusing about him like no other before,” said Coolmore’s MV Magnier. “It’s seriously exciting to watch him in his work and in his races. He also seems to have really caught the imagination of the racing public which is great for the sport. The team in America were very keen for him to stand alongside his sire

Justify at Ashford but the home team have won the day and we’re delighted to be able to offer such a unique talent to our European clients. He’s the perfect blend of Justify and Galileo; a remarkable horse who seems to be getting better and better as his last run at York – where he lowered Sea The Stars’ track record – was undoubtedly his best performance.”

City of Troy boasts a pedigree to match his looks and race record being by Justify out of Galileo’s 2YO Group 1 Fillies’ Mile winner Together Forever, herself an own-sister to Gr1 Epsom Oaks winner Forever Together.

A fee for City of Troy will be announced at a later date.

HONG KONG WELCOMES NEW GENERATION STAR

Synonymous with Golden Sixty’s towering feats, Vincent Ho has anointed Galaxy Patch as Hong Kong’s ‘next future star’ after the gelding’s dominant HK$5.35 million Gr2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap victory at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Ho piloted Galaxy Patch (129lb) to an emphatic one and half-length win over Gr1 winner Voyage Bubble (135lb) and rising talent Chancheng Glory (115lb) in 1m 33.49s in another confirmation of Galaxy Patch’s extraordinary talent.

“He (Galaxy Patch) has got great talent and he will be the next future star, I would say,” said Ho, who partnered Golden Sixty to 26 wins from 31 starts, crowned by a Hong Kong record 10 Group 1 triumphs and world record

prizemoney haul of HK$167.17 million.

“At the moment, he’s only 70% fit – based on his form last-season, he would have smashed them easier today but it was enough for him to win today by just stretching out by himself.”

Settling in second last place in the nine-horse field led by Beauty Eternal (131lb), Galaxy Patch loomed on the home turn before Ho angled into the middle of the track, clocking 22.11s for the final 400m without fully extending.

Galaxy Patch – an impressive victory | Credit: HKJC

Voyage Bubble was brave in defeat after covering ground, while Chancheng Glory held on well for third as stayer Straight Arron (125lb) charged from the rear for fourth.

Ho combined with Golden Sixty to win last December’s LONGINES Gr1 Hong Kong Mile – the race trainer Pierre Ng hopes to claim this season with Galaxy Patch – and Ho believes Galaxy Patch has the attributes to emulate Golden Sixty.

“He (Galaxy Patch) is a horse that (will) probably replace Golden Sixty at the mile. He’s still maturing, of course. Once he relaxed, he can put the race to sleep and he also had a great turn of foot. It’s early-season, the first race for him, and the preparation is (going) very well.”

By Wandjina, Galaxy Patch raced only once in Australia as Gulinga Spirit, winning a Morphettville maiden race over 1100m for Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea before transferring to Hong Kong, where he has now won seven of 13 starts and prizemoney of more than HK$25 million.

Extending his lead at the top of the trainers’ championship, Ng will aim Galaxy Patch at the Gr2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile on 17 November before the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on 8 December.

“He’s the right horse that every trainer wants to train,” Ng said. “We’re very pleased. With four trials, we just wanted him to be settled and he was today. Of course, he’s not 100 per cent fit, but we just tried to get him fit enough for today and he did very well.

“With his stride length, he definitely looks improved from last season. Racing-wise, he’s more professional, more relaxed and if he can

be more relaxed in the parade ring, I’ll be a bit happier.

“Definitely he’s got the potential – it’s how we manage to get him up there. We’ll just do it by each race and hopefully he can go further and better.”

John Size’s emerging sprinter Wunderbar posted his sixth win from seven starts with success in the Class 2 Artistic Gymnastics And Triathlon Handicap to give Zac Purton a treble.

“Like all of John Size’s horses, he’s improved with the run and he’s going the right way, he just got to learn to switch off a little bit better in the middle stages,” said Purton, who also scored on Charmander and Savvy Brilliant.

Frankie Lor-trained Savvy Brilliant earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million for victory in the Class 3 Athletics And Judo Handicap. By Toronado, Savvy Brilliant raced in Australia as Gallaroo, winning his only start for Anthony & Sam Freedman at Mornington.

Purton then combined with David Hall to clinch the Class 5 Badminton And Cycling Handicap atop Charmander.

Luke Ferraris slotted his fourth win of the campaign when Manfred Man’s Patch Of Cosmo landed the Class 4 Swimming Handicap before Britney Wong teamed with David Hayestrained Awesome Treasure to win the Class 4 Fencing Handicap (1200m).

“It’s really amazing for me because Mr Hayes has offered me a couple of mounts but I couldn’t take them because I had to ride a horse for my boss (David Hall) or I had already taken another ride,” Wong said.

“I’m so thankful that Mr Hayes kept offering me rides and this horse is such a straight-forward

ride, a very honest boy. He’d been running very close this season and that means he tries hard.

“Luckily, we got the 10lb claim today and thankfully the draw didn’t cost us the race today because I was concerned about barrier 10. Once I put him in the lead, he did everything right – he knew what to do – and turning into the straight, I had 100% percent confidence in him, and he gave me everything. It was an awesome win.”

Wong now has three wins and will maintain her stance of not targeting a number of victories for the rest of the season.

“I wouldn’t say I’m aiming for a number, but I

hope I can keep the number coming – that’s the main goal. As long as I’m improving, I’m very happy,” she said.

Hayes sealed a double with Stellar Swift in the Class 4 Rowing And Table Tennis Handicap for Hugh Bowman, who earlier partnered Caspar Fownes-trained Family Jewel in the Class 4 Sailing Handicap.

Lucy In The Sky continued his solid progress for trainer Me Tsui with victory in the Class 3 Taekwondo Handicap, while dual Chilean Group 1 winner Winning Dragon landed the Class 3 Hong Kong, China’s Paris 2024 Olympic Team Celebration Cup Handicap for Tony Cruz and Brenton Avdulla.

Vincent Ho gives the thumbs up | Credit: HKJC

WORLD’S RICHEST TURF RACE ON SATURDAY

EQUIVALENT OF R235 MILLION!

The final field for the 2024 The Everest to be run at Randwick on Saturday has been confirmed. A star-studded lineup of sprinters set to battle it out for the world’s richest turf race.

Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman‘s I Wish I Win leads the charge as the early favourite in betting on the A$20 million sprint through Ladbrokes drawing barrier nine.

Luke Nolen will be in the saddle for this talented gelding, who comes into the race with strong form and a history of performing well at Randwick including the luckless second from barrier one behind Think About It in last year’s The Everest results.

Clayton Douglas‘ now five-year-old son of Scissor Kick, Giga Kick, won the 2022 The

Everest and is keen to salute in the now Group 1 feature again.

He has drawn barrier three and will be ridden by a new hoop in Mark Zahra.

Joseph Pride‘s Private Eye, a consistent performer having placed in the past two The Everest races when 2nd in 2022 and 3rd last year, is another contender to watch despite being a notable drifter in the markets.

He has drawn barrier ten and will be ridden by Jay Ford.

Private Eye has placed in the past two Everests – but has drifted in betting for Saturday| Credit: Supplied

Ciaron Maher‘s brilliant mare Bella Nipotina, a multiple Group 1 winner, has plenty of claims even drawn out in barrier 12 for jockey Craig Williams to overcome.

The airborne I Am Me, another mare trained by Maher who has his first three The Everest contenders all in the field this year, has been in excellent form and secured barrier one. She will be ridden by Nash Rawiller.

Maher’s third hope is the Ladbrokes Manikato runner-up Growing Empire with the colt drawn

barrier seven for three-time The Everest winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy.

Godolphin’s recent Golden Rose runner-up Traffic Warden, ready to drop back to 1200m and get some weight relief at WFA against the older sprinters, is the best fancied of the threeyear-olds this year after a favourable barrier two draw.

Two-time The Everest winning trainer and slot holder Chris Waller meanwhile saddles-up the early market mover with talented four-year-old mare Joliestar set to shine from her ideal gate four draw for ace hoop James McDonald.

GR1 RECOGNITION BLOW FOR EVEREST AND ALL-STAR MILE

Australia and New Zealand’s leading thoroughbred pedigree provider Arion Pedigrees announced today that it will not be recognising the recent upgrades to Group 1 status of The Everest and The All-Star Mile.

Kristen Manning writes in the Thoroughbred Report on www.ttrausnz.com.au on Monday that she chatted to Arion Pedigrees Managing Director Kyla Johnston as to the reasons behind this decision.

In a decisive move that underscores its commitment to global standards, Arion Pedigrees has taken a firm stance against Racing Australia’s decision to upgrade The Everest and The All-Star Mile to Group 1 status. While Racing Australia hailed the upgrades

as a landmark moment for Australian racing, Arion Pedigrees has opted not to recognise the new classifications until formal ratification is received from international authorities.

The pedigree database, respected for maintaining the highest standards in thoroughbred bloodstock cataloguing, has made it clear that it won’t be rushed into recognising races that, in its view, have not yet gone through the appropriate global processes.

This move comes in response to what many in the industry see as Racing Australia “jumping the gun.” The announcement that The Everest and The All-Star Mile had been upgraded to Group 1 status was met with enthusiasm locally but concerns quickly surfaced about the lack of formal ratification from key international bodies, including the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC) and the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA). These approvals, Arion argues, are essential to maintaining the credibility of Australia’s race classifications on the world stage.

Kyla Johnston, Managing Director of Arion Pedigrees, expressed the company’s steadfast commitment to integrity in an interview with The Thoroughbred Report. “We prefer to wait for formal international confirmation rather than rushing to upgrade races prematurely. For us, it’s about ensuring the trustworthiness and uniformity of our pedigrees in line with global standards,” she said.

Arion Pedigrees’ refusal to prematurely adopt the Group 1 classifications for The Everest and The All-Star Mile reflects a broader ethos at the heart of its operations.

Founded in 1996, Arion has built its reputation on producing pedigree pages that not only meet but exceed global standards.

By maintaining strict adherence to the International Cataloguing Standards, Arion ensures that its clients—whether breeders, buyers, or sellers—can rely on the accuracy and credibility of the pedigrees it produces.

Johnston emphasised the importance of this approach, noting that international buyers, particularly those from markets with more rigid black-type systems such as Europe and Japan, depend on the integrity of Australian pedigrees when investing. “It’s not just about putting a Group 1 label on a race; it’s about ensuring that label holds the same weight here as it does in any other leading racing jurisdiction,” she said.

Arrowfield’s John Messara | Credit: Supplied

“Our clients deserve to know that when they see a Group 1 race in an Arion pedigree, it’s been recognised by the highest international authorities.”

The decision by Racing Australia to push through the Group 1 upgrades without full international ratification has raised significant concerns within the industry. While The Everest and The All-Star Mile have undoubtedly attracted world-class fields, many are wary of how such unilateral upgrades might affect Australia’s standing within the global thoroughbred community.

Johnston pointed to the potential long-term damage of rushing such decisions. “It’s not just about these two races,” she explained.

“There’s a much larger issue at play here. Racing Australia has indicated that up to 50 races across the country are under review for possible upgrades, many of which are based solely on local race ratings. Without international validation, we run the risk of inflating the black-type system and losing credibility on the global stage.”

Indeed, the influx of proposed upgrades has sparked fears that Australia could face pushback from the international racing community.

The Asian Pattern Committee has approved the Group 1 status for The Everest and The All-Star Mile, but none of the other proposed upgrades have yet received international approval.

This could lead to Australia being relegated to part two of the International Cataloguing Standards, which would severely limit the international appeal of its black-type races.

Johnston expressed concern that these premature upgrades could undermine the hard-

fought reputation Australia has built in recent years. “Australia has become a major player in the international bloodstock market, with significant investment from overseas buyers. If those buyers begin to feel that Australia’s black-type system is bloated or lacks credibility, it could have a serious impact on sales and investment,” she warned.

At the heart of Arion’s decision is a commitment to maintaining alignment with international standards.

Johnston made it clear that Arion’s position was not an indictment of Racing Australia’s desire to innovate or promote its most prestigious races. Rather, it is a call for patience and transparency in the process of upgrading races to black-type status.

“We fully understand the importance of races like The Everest and The All-Star Mile,” Johnston said. “These are races that have brought excitement and global attention to Australian racing. But to ensure that their new Group 1 status is respected internationally, we need to go through the proper channels. That means waiting for formal ratification from bodies like IRPAC and SITA.”

This alignment with international bodies is more than just a formality for Arion—it’s a core principle that protects the integrity of the global bloodstock market.

Johnston pointed out that other racing jurisdictions, such as the UK and France, have strict protocols for upgrading and downgrading races, and it is this consistency that ensures their black-type systems are trusted worldwide.

“The last thing we want is for Australia to be seen as lowering the bar when it comes to Group 1 races,” she said.

Arion’s stance has resonated with others in the Australian racing and breeding community, many of whom have voiced concerns about the potential consequences of Racing Australia’s upgrades. Industry stalwarts like John Messara and Vin Cox have been vocal in their opposition, with both warning that the rapid expansion of black-type races could devalue Australia’s racing program.

Messara, a breeding giant and owner of Arrowfield Stud, expressed fears that the Pattern system had been “hijacked” by state Principal Racing Authorities (PRAs), who are now making decisions without sufficient international oversight.

Similarly, Vin Cox, a former member of the now-disbanded Australian Pattern Committee, criticised the lack of consultation with breeders and sales companies, arguing that the PRAs had effectively taken control of the black-type system and ignored the required due process.

Johnston echoed these concerns, noting that while innovation is important, it must be balanced with the long-term interests of the industry. “We all want to see Australian racing grow and thrive,” she said. “But we have to be careful not to sacrifice credibility for short-term gains. The integrity of our black-type system is what attracts international investment, and that’s something we can’t afford to lose.”

“The integrity of our black-type system is what attracts international investment, and that’s something we can’t afford to lose.” –

Kyla Johnston

For now, Arion Pedigrees will continue to operate under the existing guidelines set by the 2024 International Cataloguing Standards Book. While the local racing community may celebrate Racing Australia’s decision to elevate The Everest and The All-Star Mile, Arion’s

decision to withhold recognition until formal international ratification is received serves as a reminder that credibility on the global stage is paramount.

“We remain hopeful that these issues will be resolved quickly and transparently,” Johnston said. “It’s in everyone’s best interest that we work together to ensure that Australia’s black-type system remains strong, respected, and in line with international standards.”

“It’s in everyone’s best interest that we work together to ensure that Australia’s black-type system remains strong, respected, and in line with international standards.” – Kyla Johnston

In an industry where prestige and trust are vital to maintaining international investment, Arion Pedigrees stance is focused on ensuring that every upgrade is thoroughly vetted and aligned with the highest standards. The company’s cautious approach may well be the safeguard the Australian industry needs to maintain its reputation in the international bloodstock market.

The Thoroughbred Report reached out to Racing Australia for comment but didn’t receive a response before publication deadline. We will include the response when and if we receive one.

Find more news on www.ttrausnz.com.au

JP van der Merwe guides Sansa Stark to victory for Piet Botha’s 99th

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

MILNERTON TRAINER IS DARING TO DREAM

Piet Botha doesn’t need Heritage Day to come around once a year to have a braai. Every Sunday is his braai day. It’s Botha’s happy place, around a fire, tongs in hang and turning his signature seasoned chicken wings on a raised grid above hot coals.

It’s also where he dares to dream, which is also the name of his stable and the syndicate of which he is the nominee.

Gary Lemke writes that he dreams of Liverpool winning the English Premier League and dominating football’s club landscape, he dreams of one day winning the Cape Guineas and he dreams of another Rockin’ Ringo.

As Botha took a step closer to his 100 career winners as a trainer when Sansa Stark made it 99 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, he is on course for this to be his most successful year since saddling his first runner in 2018.

That runner was Head Of The Pack, who also became the yard’s first winner, when William Bambiso won a work riders’ maiden on him that October.

A month later Bambiso won another work riders’ maiden, this time on the 12-1 shot Rockin’ Ringo. Who could have predicted at the time that the son of Rock Of Rochelle would go on to win 11 races, earning nearly R700,000 in stakes and take his place against stars like

Kommetdieding and Jet Dark in the Cape Town Met.

“Rockin’ Ringo was a once in a lifetime type horse,” Botha says. “He wasn’t the best horse that I had (the one-time winner Warrior Tiger holds that distinction), but he was the most courageous that I’ve ever had. From day one he never saw the vet. He was just so strong, and his nickname was Skollie, because he was like a real street fighter. He ran against the best horses of his generation. I don’t think I’ll ever have another horse like him.”

Then again, his stable syndicate is Dare 2 Dream, and in racing, dreams do come true. Rockin’ Ringo duelled it out for a 54th and final time in February 2023, and it was time for the old gunslinger to move on. He’s now enjoying

himself on a farm in Yzerfontein up the West Coast.

“Rockin’ Ringo was the third and final foal out of Tisane, and the first two foals were by Gimmethegreenlight and Jay Peg, but they were useless,” Botha says. “He was a tiny, horrible looking horse, so David Hepburn at Hemel ’N Aarde decided to not take him to the sale. Owner Barry Nel asked me to find the horse a home, and sent him in. And when he came in, I just loved his attitude. He wasn’t scared and from day one took control of the whole yard. I said, ‘Barry, let’s have a go at this horse, please. There’s something about him which I really like’. And so he said, ‘Okay, fine’. And he got his best friend (Ron Caris) to partner with him.

”He was a real character. He got loose like every day. Somehow, he’d break free and you can’t catch him. But if you just left him, eventually he came back, walked into his box, and that was it. And eventually, we got to know, ‘okay, Rockin’ Ringo is loose again, don’t worry about it, he’ll come back’.”

Botha’s 10 wins this 2023/24 season has put him on track to better the 19 that he saddled last season and the 23 he had in his best campaign in 2021/21. “I’m just a very positive person. I like to just stay positive all the time. I try to avoid negativity and negative people. I do believe that this will be our best season.”

It’s well documented that the 48-year-old has had his fair share of ups and downs in this industry, winning 202 races from 3100 rides.

LAUNCH OF PICK 6 QUICKMIX

TAB and TAB Gold have added a Pick 6 to their daily menu of QuickMix bets, which are popular with many customers because they combine races from different local and international meetings and are completed much quicker than multi-race bets on single meetings.

The addition of the Pick 6 brings the number of QuickMix pools offered most days to six – three Jackpot QuickMixes and a QuickMix BiPot, Place Accumulator and Pick 6. Until further notice, the QuickMix Pick 6 will always be the last six legs of the Place Accumulator QuickMix.

To play the Pick 6 QuickMix, TAB retail customers must mark VENUE OVAL 9 and RACE 2 on the betting form.

It must be noted that the Pick 6 first-timer rule will apply to South African races in the bet if these races form part of a South African Pick 6.

The first-timer rule will not apply to all other races, including South African races that are not part of a local Pick 6.

• Media release by TAB-TABGold on Thursday 10 October 2024.

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NHA UPDATE: AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS VACCINE

Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) held a meeting to discuss the availability of African Horse Sickness (AHS) vaccine.

The NHA, representing several stakeholders from the equine industry, expressed concerns over the insufficient and irregular production of AHS vaccines over the past four years, which has had a significant impact on the racing industry.

It was emphasised that horses should be adequately vaccinated as mandated by legislation and the Rules of the NHA between 1 June and 31 October annually.

Vaccination coverage of at least 60% of the equine population, estimated at 300 000, was proposed by the NHA as a target to achieve adequate herd immunity and ensure optimal health and welfare of the broader equine population.

The OBP acknowledged that whilst there were challenges in the past, there was improvement in the production and the availability of the AHS vaccine.

The OBP indicated that it would be able to supply the doses proposed by the NHA in the current financial year.

The parties noted that the forecast looks good for improved vaccine production in 2025 as a result of the arrival of the freeze-dryer that the organisation has procured.

It was agreed that a follow-up meeting between the CEO of the OBP and the NHA’s Chief Executive would be scheduled to discuss AHS vaccine distribution.

• Media release by the NHA on Friday 11 October 2024.

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