On a momentous day for Blue Sky Thoroughbreds and their trainer Frikkie Greyling, Hurricane Cat shed her maiden in the hands of Deryl Daniels to give the veteran conditioner his icebreaking victory for his new team. Here the good mates Deryl Daniels and Frikkie Greyling embrace after a memorable moment at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.
BRAAI, BAK & BREWSETTLE ON A SIZZLER!
Recent country course winner Pas De Nom carries a handy galloping weight in the Settlers Trophy | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
ten race programme headed by the R200 000 Listed Settlers Trophy, the first Cape stakes feature of 2024/25, has been declared for the Hollywoodbets Durbanville ‘Braai, Bak & Brew’ racemeeting on Saturday.
There are 120 runners over the ten races, with a field of nine, including a quartet from the Justin Snaith yard, lining up in the 2000m feature handicap.
With a number of lightly weighted runners, the pace is likely to be on from the break in a titanic tactical duel as three yards send out eight of the nine runners.
Dean Kannemeyer saddles a smart coupling in recent course winner Pas De Nom (52kgs) and topweight, Ponte Pietra (60kgs).
“Pas De Nom won a good race at the course last week. Craig Zackey said he was going well at the 250m marker and then suddenly hung right in. He pulled up sound and he has won over 1900m and goes well at this course. Anthony Andrews is a talented lightweight rider. He’s a runner!” Kannemeyer told the Sporting Post on Monday morning.
When quizzed as to why stable rider Craig Zackey wasn’t partnering World Pool Gold
A THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE
Cup third-placer Ponte Pietra, the Milnerton conditioner said that Sean Veale had gotten to know the son of Vercingetorix.
“Craig Zackey was man enough to concede last term that he and Ponte Pietra weren’t gelling and so Sean Veale was engaged. He is riding well and has ridden two nice races on the 5yo gelding. I gave him a break after the Gold Cup, where he ran a cracker, but he has had some grass-work in KZN. He definitely won’t be 100% on Saturday, but it’s a good starting point for the Cape Summer Of Champions season,” he added.
With Tuesday 24 September marking Heritage Day, the idea is to get a head start on your Heritage and Braai Day celebrations at Braai, Bak & Brew – a vibrant family day that encapsulates the braai-loving heart of our nation against the backdrop of electrifying horse racing.
The first race is off at 11h45 on Saturday.
Savour the smoky goodness of a traditional braai, sample the finest local brews in our beer garden, discover hidden gems and timeless treasures at the Thrift Fest, and enjoy spending the day with family and friends in the heart of Durbanville’s wine country.
Free entry! Free parking!
Form jockey Sean Veale rides Ponte Pietra in the feature on Saturday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE – WEDNESDAY, 31ST JULY 2024
Race 3 - Ayabonga Keteyake - WEST SIDE STORY
Classy Pacaya should win the Fairview feature on Friday | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
SA
Champion trainer
Justin Snaith travels to Fairview on Friday and should go home with the lion’s share of the spoils in the R200 000 Friendly City Stakes where he saddles joint topweight Pacaya, who looks slung in to win the non black-type feature.
A Fairview trainer told the Sporting Post earlier this week that the level of the depth of the powerful Snaith yard is illustrated in no uncertain terms when horses of the calibre of Pacaya travel up the Garden Route to a ‘minor centre’ for a non black-type feature. Read what the trainer said by turning to page 22.
The red-hot Muzi Yeni partners Pacaya from an 11 draw and even taking on the likes of recently crowned Eastern Cape Horse Of The Season Joy And Peace, the 6yo son of Trippi should be a popular exotic anchor.
Pacaya was beaten in the last stride at his most recent start in a Class 2 Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, when Rapidash stormed up from nowhere to grab victory in the very last stride.
Conceding 6,5kgs to the winner, Pacaya was absolutely far from disgraced in defeat and he is sure to make amends on Friday.
Pacaya previously won the Gr3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m where he accounted for the self-same Rapidash. At his penultimate start, the Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes was a puzzling affair and was turned on its head when Anthony
Andrews and The Futurist stole the march of all marches. Pacaya was beaten some 9,25 lengths there.
Muzi Yeni may want to take heed of Richard Fourie’s recent comment about Pacaya’s quirks: “He makes you work, and it’s important to see him through the flat spots and keep him in a good rhythm.”
As Justin Snaith said a few months ago: “1800m is the perfect distance for Pacaya.”
It should be a happy trip for the team.
The Fairview first is off at 12h45. The Friendly City Stakes is carded to jump at 15h35.
CAPE COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS A WINNER!
Introduced in the latter half of last season, the Cape Country Championships is hosted by the Racecape powered by Hollywoodbets Incentive Scheme and is designed for hard-knocking handicap horses to earn decent stakes.
Justin Vermaak explains how the series works and what lies ahead.
THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE
‘It is clear that the Roberto sire line is very much on the backfoot in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as the Antipodes. In contrast, it is flourishing in South Africa, and all thanks to a single son, Al Mufti’
JUST ONE WORLD… ROBERTA RULES IN SA
Is it not curious that a particular sire line can fade into obscurity in many parts of the globe yet continues to thrive in another?
A case in point is that of English Derby winner Roberto, the only horse to defeat the mighty Brigadier Gerard in the inaugural running of the Benson and Hedges God Cup.
This American bred son of Hail To Reason became a fine stallion, yet his sire line has virtually disappeared in both his birth country and Britain.
In the States, it clings on by a thread via Clairborne-based great-grandson Blame, who incidentally, ended the great mare Zenyatta’s historic winning streak in the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic. Based at the historic Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, he has to date sired six Gr1 winners, amongst which the filly Fault, who happens to be out of a stakes winning daughter of our own champion Horse Chestnut.
v
MJ Byleveld (blue cap) sends One World for home in the 2019 Gr3 Matchem Stakes as Donovan Dillon brings Search Party from the clouds | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Blame is a son of Arch, sire also of the Beckraced champion Overarching and Canadian Horse of the Year Arravale. Arch in turn was sired by Roberto’s son Kris S., a massive, course, big-boned horse. Amongst the leading American stallions, he sired a good number of sons who went to stud, the most successful of which has proven to be Arch.
Remarkably, the Roberto sire line is still active in Japan via Ephiphaneia, a son of the Kris S horse Symboli Kris S. A descendant of the Oaks winner Pia and a winner of the Japan Cup, Ephiphaneia sired undefeated Japanese Triple Tiara winner Daring Tact in his first crop.
In South Africa, Kris S was represented by the former Drakenstein-based chestnut
Philanthropist, who initially stood in Canada, where he sired the champion Pender Harbour, while his best local runner proved to be the dual Gr1 winner Golden Ducat.
If success in the breeding shed was anything to go by, the best son of Roberto destined to perpetuate the sire line in America should have been Dynaformer.
No oil painting, he was a coarse and angular individual who was also aggressive and highly dominant (no surprise, since he was out of a Ribot mare), yet he forged his own path to stud success siring 131 stakes winners and was a noted source of stamina, bone, scope, and soundness. Sadly, none of his sons have risen to similar heights as stallions, the best of which
The beginning! Al Mufti – Roberto (USA) ex Lassie Dear (Buckpasser) | Credit: Supplied
probably being Point Of Entry, a five-time Gr1 winner, who to date has sired 32 stakes in his first seven crops and now stands in Canada.
Another son of Roberto, the classic performer Silver Hawk, proved himself a better than average stallion and primarily made his mark as a sire of staying grass runners across the globe, notably English Derby winner Benny The Dip, St Leger hero Mutafaweq, French Oaks victress Lady In Silver and Yorkshire Oaks winner Magnificent Star. His best American runners included the Gr1 winners Wonder Again, Memories Of Silver, Silver Ending, Zoonaqua and Hawkster. Two sons, Fahal and Albarahin, both did stallion duty in South Africa, with moderate success.
Red Ransom, by Roberto out of a Damascus mare, was arguably his sire’s most precocious
colt. A sensationally fast juvenile, he set a new course record over 1000m at Saratoga but sadly, his career was confined to just three starts due to injury. Initially retired in his birth country, he eventually stood at Dalham Hall Stud in Britain, and also shuttled to Australia.
In Britain, his champion son Intikhab sired three exceptional Gr1 winning fillies in Snow Fairy, Paita and Red Evie (who subsequently became the dam of the champion racemare and Arc winner Found). Another of his sons European Champion Sprinter Red Clubs, prematurely died at age ten, thus robbing the industry of arguably a promising young stallion, considering he left the Gr1 1000 Guineas and Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes victress Sky Lantern.
Down Under, Red Ransom sired the Gr1 winner Charge Forward, the leading 2YO sire in New
The champion! Captain Al – Al Mufti ex Off To War (Complete Warrior) | Credit: Jeremy Nelson
Zealand in 2010. Incidentally, he was out of Sydney’s Dream, who raced with distinction in South Africa, winning the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship. Charge Forward became a Gr1 sire when Headway won the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
From the above, it is clear that the Roberto sire line is very much on the backfoot in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as the Antipodes. In contrast, it is flourishing in South Africa, and all thanks to a single son, Al Mufti.
Al Mufti was no slouch on the racetrack. A winner in Britain of his only start at two, he was stakes-placed at three and four and was acquired for stallion duties by the Parkers of Ascot Stud. After covering his first book of mares in 1990, maestro trainer Terrance Millard persuaded his owners to return the handsome bay to training, a wise decision, as he won
three more races and ran the race of his life in the 1991 Rothmans July, where he looked all over but the winner until pipped at the post by Flaming Rock.
Much more refined than his sire, Al Mufti is out of the renowned ‘sire making’ broodmare Lassie Dear, who is also grandam of the influential American sire A P Indy. Al Mufti lived up to his regal bloodlines as the leading freshman sire of 1993; wore the crown of Champion Juvenile sire in 1998 and a year later clinched the General Sires title.
Also a wonderful broodmare sire, he led that list in 2013.
For all his accomplishments, perhaps his greatest gift to South African breeders was his son Captain Al.
A classic winner of the Cape Guineas, he made an immediate impact at stud with a record 22 first crop 2YO winners and took the juvenile sires title in 2008 when he smashed his own record by siring a remarkable 30 juvenile winners. A robust, good bodied individual just like his sire, he went on to claim the General Sires title in 2014.
Captain Al currently has five sons doing stallion service, of which Captain Of All and William Longsword are ‘veterans’ so to speak. Both have put together respectable, rather than spectacular records.
In his defence, the former, a champion sprinter, has never received the cream of the Western Cape’s broodmares, yet has sired the dual Gr1 winner Linebacker, whose principal successes ironically came over 2000m, i.e., in the Cape Derby and Daily News 2000.
A handsome individual of the highest quality, William Longsword was rushed back to birthplace Klawervlei in 2017 as a replacement for his illustrious sire, who had been humanely euthanized after complications from laminitis.
Like his sire, he was a winner of the Gr1 Cape Guineas and given his good looks and top pedigree, looked a likely candidate to follow in his sire’s footsteps. However, given that he had access to Klawervlei’s best mares, he has managed to sire just one top level winner to date, the Cape Flying Championship ace Dyce, who racked up another victory at Turffontein last weekend.
Captain Al currently features as the sire of one of the most exciting young stallions in One World, who took the racing industry by storm as the most dominant freshman stallion in many years.
Captain Al had no peer when it came to
siring precocious two-year-olds and he led the juvenile sires list for eight straight years. He seems to have passed on that trait to his Drakenstein Stud-based son, who matched his sire’s feat when siring 30 juvenile winners in his first crop, his six black type performers headed by stakes winners One Stripe and Lion Rampart and Gr1-placed Grand Crescendo.
Rounding out the quintet of stallion sons are Triple Crown hero Malmoos and Gr2 winner Erik The Red, both of which are yet to be represented on the track, the former’s oldest progeny being newly turned yearlings, whilst the latter will have his first runners this season.
For now, One World can lay claims to being the most likely successor to Captain Al. The country’s champion older male of 2019 and a Gr1 winner over 2000m, he has inherited the good body of his sire and has let down into a magnificent animal.
Whereas Captain Al’s best progeny tended to be excellent sprinter/milers, One World is out of a Giant’s Causeway mare from a fine classic female line, which probably accounts for a number of his progeny getting a mile as juveniles.
An infinitely exciting prospect, he looks set to ensure that the Roberto male line continues to exert its influence, at least in this country, if not the world.
SKYLINE OF CLIFF’S PLACE IN THE SUN
While Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Cliffie Miller has long adjusted to life in Gqeberha, he says he will never give up the dim flicker of the flame of hope that racing will one day return to his ‘Place In The Sun’, Flamingo Park Racecourse.
The late 60’s hit ‘A Place in the Sun’ was performed by, amongst others, Stevie Wonder and Engelbert Humperdinck, and also happens to be Cliffie Miller’s anthem to 42 years of the very best days of his 67 summers since he first saw the light of day in the Free State diamond mining town of Jagersfontein.
A brief stint, courtesy of the hospitality of Gold Circle, in KwaZulu-Natal followed the Flamingo Park closure in 2020. In early 2021 Cliffie and his team again hit the long road to Gqeberha, where he currently plies his trade with 20 horses.
Cliffie told the Sporting Post that he understands some of the economics of the
closure of his hometown track and is adamant that he is not living in the past and very grateful that he is still able to do what he loves.
Unsurprisingly he gets something of a faraway gaze in his eyes when he speaks about the centre where he was crowned champion trainer eleven times.
“In Kimberley we earned a living and life was good. While I am one of the lucky ones to enjoy loyal support from individual owners and a powerhouse like the Hollywood Syndicate, here in Nelson Mandela Bay Racing, the smaller guys are surviving – even though the smaller yards are the backbone of the industry. Look at the field sizes – you have the big three and
then the smaller yards make up the mix. We are crucial to the mix in the racing ecosystem,” he adds.
Asked when he has last been back to the Diamond City, Cliffie explains that he and Heather Reddie, his partner of 46 years, commute between the coast and the Northern Cape.
“I have kept my house there. Heather keeps the home fires burning and we see each other regularly. While it’s not ideal, it is what it is, and there are many people worse off than we are,” he adds as he points out that the basic infrastructure is still there and racing could hypothetically be on with a lick and a paint, and some capital investment.
“The Flamingo Park rails were aluminium and so they were saved and moved to the 4Racing tracks in Gauteng. But nothing much else has changed, other than the fact that the track is covered with vegetation. It has been vandalised a bit, which really breaks my heart. But it could be salvaged. I’m just saying!” he laughs.
Cliffie adds that there is plenty to be positive about.
“It’s expensive to keep horses, but I believe we offer a value-for-money product and lots of thrills and excitement. I bought a new horse for two new owners at the BSA August 2yo Sale last month, and I have three horses for the Hollywood Syndicate, with another unraced galloper for them at Ashburton still. Nobody ever gave up hope with unraced youngsters in the wings and I’m looking forward to this season,” he adds.
There was talk of some local trainers not being too chuffed about not being invited to the recent East Cape Awards. Cliffie says that he has always attended, whether a nominee or not.
“We are like a family here. And no family is perfect. There was an invitation sent out via whatsapp, but there may have been a breakdown in communication. I am sure it will be sorted out for the next awards,” he adds philosophically.
Cliffie has stayed loyal to Marco van Rensburg, but we asked him who would be his frontrunner for the SA Champion jockey title if he was going to have a bet.
“Muzi Yeni is travelling and working extremely hard, as he always does. He deserves to have his top slot and would be a worthy champion. I think Gavin Lerena could definitely be a factor too if he chases it a bit. Then Richard Fourie showed us what he is capable of last term. He hasn’t started yet. It’s going to be bloody interesting!”
Yeni is currently quoted at 4-1 with Hollywoodbets.
Taxed on a likely SA Champion trainer, Cliffie
laughs and suggests it’s a ‘one-horse race’.
“Justin Snaith has won it five times. He has the artillery and widespread support to go all the way again. And I see he has the 118-rated Pacaya running in the Friendly City Stakes on Friday. When you can send a horse of that ability to Fairview on a Friday, you must understand the depth of the yard. Pacaya should win going away, running in reverse!”
While trainers often go on into their late seventies, how long does Cliffie plan to soldier forth at Fairview?
“I am enjoying it and I certainly don’t battle to find the inspiration to be at work. So, realistically for now, I imagine they will have to carry me out of here in a pine box eventually!”
Cliffie Miller – ‘love me, love my horse’ | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
FIRST
SA Champion jockey Richard Fourie – now rides for Ridgemont | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
FOR RIDGEMONT RICHARD FOURIE’S FIRST WINNER
SA Champion jockey Richard Fourie has bid a fond farewell to the Winning Form banner under which he achieved a host of new records last season and stepped out under the Ridgemont flag for the first time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday 14 September.
ourie made it a winning debut for his new sponsors when he booted home the last winner of the afternoon.
The race of produced an interesting finish, with the Piet Botha pair of Rodicchio (Richard Fourie) and Das Gute (Devin Ashby) racing alone up the outside and parachuting into the televised version of the race at around the 150m mark. Those punters shouting the well-supported Captain West home were in for a surprise as the Botha pair ghosted onto the screen.
“This was no master plan. They both hang out and so I can understand how it unfolded. I said at the yard this morning that we could have our first exacta today. They just finished the other way around that I anticipated, but I’m not complaining, “explained the former jockey of the Dare To Dream exacta that paid R28 odd.
For Richard Fourie it was a memorable moment and his first winner for his new sponsors, Ridgemont.
“I was feeling confident. Next minute I heard Devin (Ashby) shouting. I thought, ‘where did you come from?’ But it worked out well. Thanks to Ridgemont. I look forward to a good partnership,” added the newly crowned SA champion who has 14 winners to his name
and must be watching the Muzi Yeni show (now 40 winners), closely.
In a season unsurpassed in the long history of South African horseracing, Richard Fourie went to the start in 1649 races and set a new benchmark of 378 winners for gross stakes earnings of over R45 million in the 2023/24 term.
It’s a record that many experts believe will endure beyond our lifetimes.
In a glorious season of new highs, Fourie sealed his first national title after twenty years in the saddle as he surpassed multiple champion Anthony Delpech’s 25-year long record of 334 winners in a season on 8 June 2024 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
In the process, the passionate hobby fisherman, who rode his first winner on 8 July 2002, earned a R1 million bonus in the Hollywoodbets-sponsored Delpech 334 Challenge. He also set a new Eastern Cape record of 119 winners last season.
Speaking to the Sporting Post, the 38-yearold Fourie said that he looked back on his two years and close on 650 winners, which included 13 Grade 1 victories under the Winning Form banner, with fond memories.
“A much-loved and longstanding brand, Winning Form have been more than just a sponsor. Their inspiration, motivation and encouragement was integral to me reaching new professional heights in what was a career gamechanger over two seasons. While only one man can ride a horse, it’s a genuine team effort that helped me to keep going above and beyond, and staying focussed as I travelled across South Africa, chasing the dream of the national title. While I leave Winning Form with great memories, the offer from the powerful Ridgemont team, who themselves have championship title aspirations, is a super opportunity. It’s an honour and privilege to be kitting up in the silks of an international player and I am very excited about what lies ahead,” added Fourie.
Ridgemont achieved their best new generation results to date and a national top five finish on
the SA Champion Breeder log, with close on R16 million in stakes earned last season.
The Robertson team also achieved the leading national win percentage strike rate of the top echelon of breeders and are expected to unleash an exciting bunch of 2yo’s over this season, and beyond.
Fourie follows in the boot-prints of former Ridgemont jockeys Anton Marcus and Greg Cheyne, who, like the new man, were both multiple champion elite level jockeys.
Craig Kieswetter welcomed Richard Fourie to their team and said that dedicated riders were vital components in any successful racing operation.
“It is extremely exciting to have Richard join Gareth Wright on the Ridgemont Team as a retained pilot, and he will no doubt add
Richard drives Rodicchio to victory | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
great value to our operation. We have always endeavoured to be dynamic in striving for results and this partnership is another step forward in the direction we want to go. We believe Richard, whose record, ability, and professionalism clearly speak for itself, along with Gareth’s exciting potential and work ethic to play a crucial role in our future success,” added Kieswetter.
Winning Form’s James Rich wished Richard Fourie well in his new association with Ridgemont and said that the past two years had produced unprecedented highs.
“The word ‘record’ also became Richard’s middle name and the partnership was a reciprocally winning one for both ourselves and this extraordinarily talented rider. He was always the perfect gentleman and proved a five-star ambassador for both our brand and for horseracing throughout South Africa. We wish Richard every success and will now look to our new generation of sponsored jockeys, who are waiting in the wings to go on and emulate the heady heights and champion example set by him,” said Rich.
Fresh off a superb ride at Doncaster on Saturday to win the Betfred St Leger on Aidan O’Brien’s Jan Brueghel, jockey Sean Levey enjoyed a much easier commission when he partnered the Barnane Stud-bred Lope De Vega filly Zip It Up to an armchair debut victory at Kempton on Monday for a partnership of the Kieswetter family’s County Tipperary nursery and Durban-based Owen Heffer.
It’s been a remarkable few weeks for South African connections in both the USA and
the UK, and Zip It Up’s facile end-to-end victory in the 1200m Unibet Support Safe Gambling Novice Stakes on the all-weather when comprehensively accounting for the experienced 10-11 favourite Mahato, already a winner, spoke of great promise.
Jumping from her pole position gate, the Richard Hannon-trained Zip It Up was full value for her 13-2 starting price and never relented as she drew away from her ten opponents to win easing up by 7,50 lengths.
Zip It Up winning under Sean Levey on debut | Credit: Supplied
“This is a lovely win, and even more so when a plan comes together nicely as she was a filly that needed plenty of time at the beginning, and this is just reward for the team’s patience. Connor Hoban (who breaks in and pre-trains all the Barnane Stud horses to go into training) prepped her perfectly and encouraged us to be patient with her before sending her to Richard Hannon.
Her impressive first run is certainly a testament to him and his team seeing as she was only at the Hannon Yard for two months before making her debut. One knows when they win first up with Richard, that they are often quite nice. She is bred to go further so this is really a pleasant surprise,” Barnane Stud Manager Patrick Wynn-Jones told the Sporting Post on Monday evening.
A daughter of the international class Shamardal stallion Lope De Vega, whose 2024 fee is €125 000, Barnane Stud bred
Zip It Up had the Hannon team smiling after her smooth victory | Credit: Hannon Racing
the impressive winner from the Oasis Dream mare, Button Down.
“The dam is due to foal down Southern Hemisphere time to Coolmore’s No Nay Never stallion Ten Sovereigns. She hails from a very good old Juddmonte family and we are really thrilled. Zip It Up is likely to run again this year – but Richard Hannon and the team will discuss future plans,” added the ex-amateur jockey now avid golfer from Tipperary.
It’s been a memorable run of success over recent weeks for the Kieswetter and Heffer families.
A week ago and just days after celebrating a big victory at Monmouth Park in New Jersey as breeders of the progressive Sea The Stars daughter Maman Joon, who won the Listed Violet Strakes, the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud teamed up with Owen Heffer as owners of the Night Of Thunder filly Greatest Drama to win Gowran Park’s Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden run over 1400m.
In the same week, the Heffer’s Hollywood Syndicate celebrated a maiden victory on US soil when the SAF-bred Breeders’ Cup Turf prospect Isivunguvungu won the 17th renewal of the $150 000 Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs in Virginia.
Zip It Up’s trainer Richard Hannon| Credit: Hannon Racing
FERRIE’S GLADATORIAN DISHES UP A WARRIOR PERFORMANCE
The Vercingetorix gelding Gladatorian, a winner of the 2023 Gr2 Post Merchants, ‘stepped out of his comfort zone’ in the words of part owner Michel Nairac and caught the eye with a fluent victory at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday to take his career stakes earning to a few thousand short of R1 million.
The R120 000 Pinnacle Stakes was run over 1500m and marked a first run as a 5yo for the consistent Gladatorian, who was returning to action after a seven-week break, but nevertheless supported into tote favourite at 9-4.
His form in placing in the IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes and a decent effort in the
Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge made him the class act in the race, and he ran accordingly.
Confidently ridden from off the gallop by Sean Veale, Gladatorian swooped at the 300m marker after Strathclyde had looked dangerous.
Inside the 100m, Veale was looking around for threats as Gladatorian asserted his authority to beat The Shepherd (6-1) by 2,20 lengths in a time of 88,82 secs.
Strathclyde (6-1) stayed on gamely to shade the fast-finishing Wiccan Warrior (20-1) into fourth.
Phillipe and Michel Nairac lead Gladatorian (Sean Veale) in after a smooth win | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Raced by a Mauritian partnership of the Late Agasthamuni Gujadhur, E G Hart de Keating, M L Jean Hardy & Gold Circle CEO Michel J L Nairac, the winner was bred by Erasmus Thoroughbreds and is a versatile son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the six-time winning Dynasty mare Harvard Crimson, who was trained by Justin Snaith.
A R400 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, the Stuart Ferrie-trained Gladatorian has won 7 races with 6 places from 19 starts for stakes of R996 438.
The victory was a happy turnaround for the high-riding Sporting Post-sponsored rider Sean Veale, who did everything right in a position where he could have become a punter’s hero.
This after the dramatic late scratching of the odds-on favourite My One And Only at the start of the opening leg of the Pick 6 threw the cat amongst the pigeons for punters.
The Barend Botes trained filly was reported striding short and Veale found himself carrying the hopes of a lot of exotic players as the Peter Muscutt filly Woza Nawe shorted into 3-10.
Veale did everything right but was marginally hemmed in by Chakpori late – he and Cole Dicken appeared to exchange words after the finish – and the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight failed narrowly to catch the long-striding West Side Story, under another Sporting post rider in Equus champion Kobeli James Lihaba, who kept going at long odds.
“She was very green on debut and there was a lot of kickback. I didn’t expect this, but she pinged the gates today and she’s a long-striding filly. A good ride by James and we will take it with both hands,” said trainer Duncan Howells.
It’s not often that the Pick 6 is paying a minimum of R36 after the first leg!
Punters enjoyed a happy start to the day when national log-leader Muzi Yeni picked up the booking from the indisposed Marco van Rensburg and guided the 5-4 shot Vihaan’s Web to a convincing victory for Hollywoodbetssponsored trainer Gareth van Zyl.
The lead was contested by the son of Vercingetorix and Darryl Moore’s Potala Palace gelding JP’S Palace, and that’s the way they finished.
The Glen Kotzen coupling of Turn Around and Rainwater completed the quartet, with the grey Rich Folks Hoax running on late after playing ducks and drakes at the start. The son of Danon Platina should not be long in winning over slightly further.
Grant Knowles put the deal together to buy the winner after the owners had apparently missed the Klawervlei bred in the sales ring.
The World Sports Betting-sponsored Paul Lafferty’s good-looking grey The Ghost was well-backed to 5-10 to win the second after her placed effort in the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes.
Coming back after a 16 week break which was intended to give her time to mature, she duly obliged under Smanga Khumalo.
Relaxed early on, Khumalo unleashed the daughter of Danon Platina at the 250m marker and she won like a horse with more in the tank. Darryl Moore’s Pathfork first-timer Happy Fortune ran a nice race to pip the well-tried Panthera Uncia for second and she is one who should win soon in similar company.
JOCKEY CAUTIONS PUBLIC AGAINST POTENTIAL SCAM
Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Sean Veale has requested that the public be guarded against persons approaching them on social media in his or his wife’s name and requesting financial assistance.
“There is a person that has approached racing people, using a profile showing my photograph. I would not send random messages requesting any financial assistance and ask that the public treat such requests with caution,” asked Sean.
The Sporting Post has been furnished with the relevant mobile number and Sean will hand the matter to the authorities for further investigation.
PLEASE SHARE THIS WARNING.
“Lance was a completely different class. He was as good a 3yo as anything else that I’ve trained at a similar stage in his career.” Sean Tarry, Multiple Champion Trainer
Stakes winning son of multiple champion Jet Master
Damline has produced multiple group winners
Powerful family of champions - Big Swinger, Duc Du Orleans, Rebel King
50% winners to runners
Covered 25 mares last season - limited opportunity prior to that
Excellent fertility
r 5.000 live foal
KHAYA WINNER Put Him In The Notebook!
Every so often, a horse comes along that delights fans with a surge of adrenaline.
Three-year-old Heather’s Boy, an athletic runner with a sharp turn of foot and an elastic stride, delivered on his home gallops promise with a thrilling debut victory over 1450m at Turffontein on Saturday, hinting at good things to come.
The Mike de Kock website reports that Heather’s Boy, a son of Rafeef and stakes winner Folk
Dance, made his first racetrack appearance in a competitive field.
All the trainers were interviewed before the race and six of his seven rivals were considered to have winning chances. He came from off the pace, picked them off one by one and then drew away to win, hitting the line strongly.
Mike de Kock commented: “There was merit in this win, and it starts with the comments from our rival trainers, who all fancied their runners.
Heather’s Boy bounds home under Kabelo Matsunyane | Credit: JC Photos
Assistant trainer David
So, it looks as if this was a quality Maiden Plate from which we’ll see the form well franked. We expected him to have enough pace in the early part to actually go out and lead them from his good draw. I told jockey Kabelo Matsunyane to ride him confidently. He was a bit slow out of the pens and green and it’s not easy from a slow start on this tight track. But despite his inexperience he won very well. He’s a good prospect, we look forward to his progress this season.”
groom
Matsunyane said: “He was slow away, we had ground to make up. But when I shook him up he showed a nice turn of foot and lots of class. This was impressive.”
Heather’s Boy races for Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables and Mike said: “Lady Laidlaw is a pleasure to to train for and we are pleased that this looks like a horse with a future.”
Hlamine,
David Blaai and jockey Kabelo Matsunyane. Blaai also recently handled Humdinger and Iphiko | Credit: JC Photos
SA HORSES SHINE DESPITE STATES CHALLENGES
“South African horses are by nature very tough,” enthused trainer Graham Motion after Isivunguvungu had won the Listed Da Hoss Stakes over 1100m at Colonial Downs last Saturday.
The Da Hoss, named after a strong and courageous gelding who overcame a number of physical problems on his way to winning two Breeders Cup Miles, is considered a pointer to the prestigious G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Saturday, 2 November at Del Mar.
Isivunguvungu was raised at John Everett’s Narrow Creek Stud in the Wolseley district of the Western Cape, where icy breezes sweep down from snow-capped mountain peaks in
winter, and the young horses grow up facing the raw challenges of nature, without any mollycoddling.
This philosophy made old-school breeders like the Birch Brothers renowned for producing runners that could withstand the rigours of training.
Everett echoed this approach, stating: “We leave them out there, come rain, shine, or even snow. They’re only stabled about eight weeks before heading to the sales.”
Narrow Creek has been a Top 10 contender on the breeders’ log for the last six seasons and the latest news is that Isivunguvungu’s dam,
Isivunguvungu wins the Da Hoss Stakes | Credit: TDN
Miss Tweedy (Tiger Ridge) has been sent to Ridgemont Stud to be covered by Captain Al’s Triple Crown-winning son, Malmoos.
Motion, meanwhile, is confident that Isivunguvungu will make the final field of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, with or without a further preparation run into the race.
He said: “This is a very special horse. He spent two months in quarantine. I think we are going to see a lot more (South African horses), coming in.”
Industryman Robin Bruss, alongside shipper Gerard Connolly, engineered the 11 horse USA consignment including Isivunguvungu on behalf of the Hollywoodbets Syndicate, Team Valor’s Barry Irwin and Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud.
He said: “The beauty of the USA direct flight is that horses can race right up to shipment
time in Johannesburg, with no Free Zone constraints, let alone quarantine – Princess Calla for example, ran in the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes at Turffontein on 1 March, and four days later arrived in New York.”
Whether there will be another shipment soon, remains to be seen, as the associated costs are astronomical. The cost of flying a single horse to New York could be as high as R1-million for the flight alone.
Bruss explained: “The USA protocol has been in place since 1958 and would be a preferred system of export were it not for the high cost of chartering a Boeing to USA and a period of 60 days post arrival quarantine costing a further $17,000 per horse.”
The purpose of this first shipment, said Bruss, was bold and enterprising: to try and make a South African impact in the world’s biggest market, using a direct flight Post Arrival
Industryman Robin Bruss | Credit: Hamish Niven Photography
Quarantine (PAQ), which is accepted in the USA, rather than the burdensome Free Zone Pre-Travel Quarantine (PEQ) demanded by the European Union (EU).
There is a way to reduce the financial responsibilities for owners with horses considered good enough to race in the USA. Bruss said: “To make the charter financially economic, quantities of horses are required – the plane can take 60 horses – or freight needs to accompany the horse shipment in a split cargo. Plus, it would help if the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) would accept an update in the 1958 protocol set down when no tests were known for African Horse Sickness (AHS) virus.”
The PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test for AHS is highly sensitive and widely used in medical diagnostics. It takes four hours to
complete and is considered the most stringent virus test ever devised.
According to a quantitative scientific analysis, administering three PCR tests during a 14-day lockdown quarantine, results in a risk profile of 1.6 billion to one, against any infected AHS horse passing through undetected.
Bruss said: “To provide for numbers on the flight we need to establish a market in USA. We can only do this by sending horses to race in America and having the type of success South African horses enjoyed pre 2012 when the EU’s Free Zone protocol was suspended.”
Team Valor’s trailblazing Group 1 successes with South African horses globally was the feature of the first decade of this millennium. We should not be expecting more of the same, however.
SAEHP CEO Adrian Todd | Credit:Supplied
Barry Irwin said that, in his view, the lack of transparency, behind-closed-doors dealing and stranglehold some veterinarians have on the export aspect of the industry continues to put South African owners and breeders at a tremendous disadvantage on the world stage.
He also described the National Horseracing Authority as remaining “mired in chaos and short-sighted petty concerns”.
Irwin said: “The export dilemma has not really been solved. The export issue pretty much sums up the major issue that will stymie the sport for a long time in South Africa. I am glad that Isivunguvungu won and Beach Bomb ran a good second, because I was involved with Robin and Gerard in putting together the flight that brought them to the United States. I had three on the same flight. I laud those owners who sent their horses on the flight for their sportsmanship, courage and commitment, but I will not be doing that ever again. I don’t think it is fair to the horses and it became way too costly.”
Bruss said that the focus of our veterinary authorities on the EU Protocol and the AHS Free Zone as the most desirable and workable system has prevented exports to the USA, and that the suspension of the EU protocol from 2012 to 2024 has crushed the global marketing of SA bloodstock.
He feels that one of the solutions would be for South African Equine Health and Export Protocols (SAEHP) to request and negotiate an amendment to the USA quarantine period to try and reduce the 60 days PAQ to 14 days. “This can be done by simply updating the science
and thereby dramatically reduce the cost and time period of post arrival and therefore out of training effect on racehorses,” he noted.
Bruss said that the EU’s approach to the AHS Free Zone system is a highly flawed system which added new burdensome requirements after the initial health certificate and which may well hinder rather than enhance trade. “I would suggest a better approach is to aim for Post Arrival Quarantine (PAQ) to be negotiated with the USA and other countries who both desire SA horses and are willing to work with us in a positive stance seeking economic benefit for both sides.”
Adrian Todd, MD of SAEHP, said that he encouraged constructive engagement. “We are pleased that the first shipment to the US was successfully concluded. There is still work to be done, and this includes looking at streamlining the US protocol.”
Bruss pointed to work done in previous years by Peter Gibson and his team at the now disbanded Racing South Africa and suggested it was time we pick up the pieces.
He said: “In order to market South African horses into the USA, we need our organisations to unify behind a marketing thrust to increase export numbers, reducing logistical costs and create awareness of the product. We put our faith in horses like Isivunguvungu and Beach Bomb performing well in the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup events and drawing global attention to our bloodstock. Other SA horses like Team Valor’s Bless My Stars, Feather Boa and Egyptian Mau are in the wings getting ready to run.”
Irwin believes that the jury remains out on whether the current crops of South African horses will make the same impact in North America that previous SAF-breds did, but US-based bloodstock adviser, Kip Elser, said that Isivunguvungu’s win could lead to bigger things.
He described himself as “a believer” in SAF-breds and expects that Irwin’s new runners will do well.
Click on the image below to read the full story.
FIRE AWAY RELATIVE HEADS KEENELAND BOOK 4 FINALE
Legion Bloodstock went to $375 000 to acquire a Nyquist filly (Hip 2611) at Tuesday’s Book 4 Session at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
The filly was consigned by St George Sales.
Offered as Hip 2611, she is out of Raise the Flag (Awesome Again). “From a physical standpoint, the first time we saw her, she was a queen to us,” explained Legion Bloodstock’s Kristian Villante. “She was the one we really wanted today. He added, “We showed her to Jayson and his son Jackson, they loved her too. Really the whole team really loved her.”
The filly is a granddaughter of GrI Coaching Club American Oaks heroine My Flag, herself a half-sister to Grade I winners Makers Mark and Traditionally. That daughter of Easy Goer is also responsible for juvenile champion filly and MGISW Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat).
My Flag, also victorious in the 1995 G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, is one of three Grade One winners produced by unbeaten Breeders’ Cup winning champion Personal Ensign (Private Account), with the latter, Broodmare Of The Year in 1996, also granddam of Wilgerbosdrift’s successful young sire Fire Away.
The latter’s outstanding sire War Front has also been in the news of late, with the son of Danzig responsible for Saturday’s G1 E. P. Taylor
Stakes winner Full Count Felicia. The latter, now a triple graded stakes winner, is one of 25 Gr1 winners for her sire, with War Front also sire of the inform stallion Omaha Beach. Omaha Beach, winner of the G1 Arkansas Derby, Gr1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship and Gr1 Malibu Stakes, is responsible for Saturday’s Gr1 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes winner And One More Time.
War Front’s son Fire Away has made a flying start to his stud career, with Fire Away’s first two crops having unleashed five stakes winners and a further four stakes placed runners.
TEAM VALOR INTERNATIONAL APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT
Chief Executive Officer Barry Irwin announced on Tuesday that Team Valor International has hired Baltimorebased lawyer Frederick Heyman.
The 62-year-old racing industry veteran has been named president of the Florida-based Limited Liability Company.
“I plan to spend more time each summer and
fall abroad, where we source most of our stock. I want to focus on the stable in Ireland, England and Europe. Being able to eyeball what we buy is an advantage,” Irwin explained.
“Running a stable domestically and internationally makes prospecting abroad difficult. Having Fred on board will free me up to do what I do best. Fred initially will learn the administrative ropes of TVI, gradually take
Fred Heyman – takes on his new role | Credit: TVI
over operating the domestic branch of our international stable and eventually move into a role as my successor.
“Fred
has tangentially been associated with our company for the past few years. As I’ve gotten to know him, I have gained a lot of confidence in his ability both as an administrator, liaison with our racing partners and as a horseman. He is a great fit, the clients really have taken to him, as have the staff.”
Heyman grew up in greater Baltimore, was a high school All American wide receiver, and graduated cum laude with a degree in political science from the University of Maryland.
After graduating from Temple University School of Law 1987, where he was awarded the William R. Spofford Scholarship for outstanding legal scholarship, he practiced law.
In the racing industry, he managed the racing and Marathon Farm’s operations of the late Baltimore Orioles’ owner Peter Angelos and sat on the board of Fair Hill training center.
He has formed racing partnerships and managed stakes-winning runners in the Mid-Atlantic.
He also worked privately as a consultant to owners and breeders in acquiring racing and breeding stock, both privately and at public auction.
Irwin stressed that he has no plans to step back or retire.
“Look: there are things I can do abroad that will help our operation. But I need help on the domestic front and Fred can provide it,” he said.
“It is a bonus that when I do decide to step back, I know that I have selected a fellow capable of continuing our operation.”
Irwin twice weekly generates about 20 to 25 pages of original content in the well-received inhouse publication named the Insiders’ Bulletin. Heyman will contribute to that, thereby relieving Irwin of the obligation to turn out the publication by himself.
Barry Irwin – an eye on Ireland, England and Europe
GALILEO
While a growing number of sires have been touted as ‘the best stallion in the world’ few, if any, will exert the influence on the breed to the extent that the late Galileo has done. His influence was once again well and truly felt this past weekend, when made his mark all over the world in days, and not for the first time.
His sons Jan Brueghel and Illinois gave Galileo a 1-2 when they fought out the finish to Saturday’s Gr1 Betfred St Leger, with the unbeaten Jan Brueghel becoming the champion’s 101st Gr1 winner with his neck victory. Galileo is either sire or grandsire of five of the seven runners in the 2024 Betfred St Leger!
Remarkably, Galileo’s star son Kyprios provided his sire with a Leger double of sorts when he won Sunday’s Gr1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger. He was also victorious in the 2022 Irish St Leger. Galileo runners have captured the Irish St Leger seven times in the past ten years.
A full-brother to 2019 Gr1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner Sovereign, Jan Brueghel is his sire’s fourth St Leger winner, with Galileo sons Sixties Icon (2006), Capri (2017) and Kew Gardens (2018) having preceded him Galileo is also the broodmare sire of 2023 Betfred St Leger winner Continuous (by Heart’s Cry out of the Galileo mare Fluff).
Sixties Icon led home his paternal half-brothers The Last Drop and Red Rocks to give Galileo a memorable 1-2-3 finish in the 2006 Ladbrokes St Leger.
Galileo sire sons and broodmare daughters also made their mark over the weekend.
His star son Frankel had a memorable few days with Frankel colt Diego Velazquez victorious in Saturday’s Gr2 Tonybet Solonaway Stakes, and Frankel fillies Lake Victoria and Exactly running first and third in Sunday’s Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Former Qipco 2000 Guineas/Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes winner Night Of Thunder (by Dubawi out of the Galileo mare Forest Storm) had a mighty few days with his unbeaten daughter Desert Flower landing Thursday’s Gr2 Betfred May Hill Stakes and son Economics victorious in Saturday’s Gr1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.
The Galileo was well to the fore in the 2024 Irish Champion Stakes -not only did Night Of Thunder sire the winner, but runner up Auguste Rodin and third place finisher Shin Emperor are both out of daughters of Galileo.
Night Of Thunder, bred on the hugely successful Dubawi/Galileo cross, has had a wonderful year in 2024 with his flagbearers including, at the time of writing, 15 individual stakes winners.
Saturday stakes winners this past week produced by Galileo mares include Green Impact (Gr2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes) and Point King (Gr3 Lexus Archer Stakes), while Galileo’s son Teofilo is broodmare sire of Saturday’s Gr2 Betfred Champagne Stakes winner Bay City Roller (New Bay). Another Galileo son, New Approach, is broodmare sire of Sunday’s Gr1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes winner Scorthy Champ (Mehmas).
Galileo is also broodmare sire of Saturday’s Gr1 E.P. Taylor Stakes winner Full Count Felicia (War Front), a daughter of the Galileo mare Clair De Lune.
At the time of writing, Galileo mares have produced 58 Gr1 winners, and his daughters have enjoyed notable success with War Front. Full Count Felicia is the 12th stakes winner bred on the War Front/Galileo cross and she joins siblings Roly Poly and U S Navy Flag, as well as Fog Of War, as Gr1 winners.
Galileo also made his presence felt in South Africa on Saturday. Top sprinter Dyce, whose dam is the Galileo mare Beshaayir, picked up his eighth career win when running out a convincing winner over 1000m at Turffontein,
having won all of the Gr1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship, Gr3 New Turf Carriers Merchants and Listed Golden Loom Handicap last season.
Anfields Rocket (SA Classic), Aragosta (SA Derby), Dyce, Green With Envy (Cape Derby, Daily News 2000) and Hero’s Honour (SA Derby) are all South Africa Gr1 winners out of Galileo mares,with runners out of Galileo daughters winning ten black type races in South Africa last season.
A SMART SHOWING BY EXPERT EYE’S SON
It was only the second outing for the Juddmonte homebred juvenile, who had shown great promise with a fluent debut win at Deauville in early August.
The very soft underfoot conditions probably did not suit the youngster, given that he had won on good going.
Misunderstood (Hello Youmzain) jumped favourite in the €80,000 Prix des Chênes and taking an early lead, he extended his advantage and kept his opponents at bay throughout the straight. Nesthorn’s effort came hot on
the heels of a comfortable victory by fellow Juddmonte-bred juvenile Exposure over a mile at Saint-Cloud. A half-brother to the Gr3 Musidora Stakes winner Shutter Speed, the gelding stayed on well to shed his maiden tag by just over a length.
Their sire meanwhile, is off to cracking start to his first South African season and has already covered eight mares.
The octet includes the proven stakes producer Mina Salaam. By Medaglia d’Oro and a multiple stakes-winning daughter of champion racemare
Expert Eye’s son Nesthorn wins on debut at Deauville – he earned black type on Thursday | Credit: Supplied
Juvenile colt Nesthorn continued the fine streak of form for new Paardeberg recruit Expert Eye and became his sire’s latest black type performer with his second in the Gr3 Prix des Chenes at Longchamp on Thursday.
Circle Of Life, she is the dam of Gr1-placed Gr3 winning sprinter True To Life.
Another stakes producer who has visited the Gr1 Breeders Cup Mile winner is the Gr2placed Oratorio mare Mrs O, whose first foal is the stakes-placed Var filly Priscilla Maisey.
Also covered is the maiden mare and Gr2 Golden Slipper winner Love Bomb, as well as Pathfork’s multiple stakes winning daughter And We Danced.
That Expert Eye covers like a pro, goes without saying. “He’s hugely enthusiastic,” quipped the stud’s Sally Bruss.
Considering that the local broodmare population currently hovers around the 2000 mark and that about six elite stallions cover
120 or more of the best mares, that means fierce competition for the remainder.
Sally thought that the Gr1 winning son of Acclamation would have to settle for Paardeberg mares only, but with the support from bigger studs like Ridgemont and Drakenstein, it looks like he will cover at least 50 mares. “That has exceeded our expectations, and it will be more about quality, rather than a bigger book of lesser mares.”
Witness Stand wins by 3 lengths at Goodwood
Witness Stand (Expert Eye) wins the Whispering Angel Handicap at Goodwood by 3 lenghts over 1400m on 3rd August 2024, on good to firm ground.
Expert Witness (Expert Eye) won the Peter Bromwich Handicap at Epsom by 3/4 length over 2000m on 1st August 2024, on good to firm ground. (view the race here).
Witness Stand
Data Is The World’s Top Assistant Trainer!
Leading Australian trainer Ciaron Maher suggests that every sport on earth has improved with sport science and horse racing should be no different. Data is something that doesn’t lie. Racing has always been a sport of opinions: that’s what it’s based on. I’ve always been wanting to push the boundaries of ‘why’ that opinion is the right decision or the wrong decision. EQUIMETRE
“ Our unique know-how comes from the alliance between data and equine physiology”
Absolute Equestrian Services & The Arioneo Offering
After a lengthy and dedicated career, Eric Fordred retired from race-riding in 2004 due to his commitment to his insurance business.
It so happened that at the same time, he was given the opportunity of establishing Absolute Equestrian Solutions, which focused on the building of training tracks, dressage and show-jumping arenas.
Eric writes that after a lengthy and dedicated career, I retired from race-riding in 2004 due to my commitment to my specialty insurance business. In a nutshell, it was designed by me as speciality cover for all disciplines of horse-riding, but more so for professional jockeys and other sports disciplines, such as rugby and soccer and is still available in the marketplace today.
During that period of time, I was given the opportunity of establishing Absolute Equestrian Solutions, which focused on the building of training tracks, dressage and jumping arenas. Some of the bigger arena’s we built were Val de Vie and Europa warm up.
I have since added Arioneo to my portfolio as part of Absolute Equestrian Services and am committed to lending my extensive experience to establish a presence for Arioneo as a technology within the racing industry.
Most notably, during the 2022/23 Cape Town Summer season, I worked with trainer Peter Muscutt, utilizing Arioneo to track and analyze horses’ performance. This collaboration has resulted in significant improvements in training outcomes, demonstrating the efficiency of his approach. In the last 3 weeks I have been training Peter's staff on how to use the Arioneo in the most effective and efficient way possible. During this time, through the Arioneo platform analysis we dedicated horses that would potentially win - we also deduced from Arioneo Data which horses might need another gallop or race, but most of all we learnt to trust the data!
Having completed my EquiScience Certification as an Equine Performance Analyst, alongside some very well-known racing personalities, such as, South African Racehorse owner Rosemary Waterman- Wentzel, (Equine Physiotherapist), Laura Fritz Harris (the veterinarian, specializing in ECG) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Veterinarian Steve O Conner, who assists top Hong Kong Trainer Dougie Whyte.
I am now certified in the deployment and support of Arioneo systems, and my services include on-going support to ensure that users can fully leverage the technology. My commitment to simplifying complex analyses ensures that the data provided by Arioneo is easily interpreted and applied, empowering trainers to make data-driven decisions without the need for extensive technical exper tise.
As a result of the focus on the welfare and overall health of Racehorses, I decided to venture into technology that would not only assist trainers in adopting a science-based training methodology using the Arioneo Monitoring solution, but also to use the analytics to identify the underlying risks to the racehorses during their training and racing.
The Arioneo Offering
Arioneo technology represents the forefront of innovation in equine performance monitoring and analysis. This system is specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of the racing industry, offering comprehensive data collection and analy tics that provide trainers with actionable insights.
Arioneo’s capabilities include:
Heart Rate
Evaluate your horses’ fitness and closely monitor the training workload.
Identify the optimal fitness to race.
Evaluate the recovery quality.
Analyse the heart rate zones and the energy production processes.
Watch for any heart rate abnormalities.
GPS: Speed, Distance, Acceleration
Quantify your horses’ speed abilities.
Monitor your horses’ top speed and ability to hold it.
Analyze split times and find the most suitable race accordingly.
Keep track of the speed evolution during workouts until the finish line
Locomotion and Stride data
Determine the stride profile and the preferred distance.
Quantify stride frequency and length to choose which distance to race.
Analyze the acceleration strategy.
Monitor symmetry and regularity to watch for any signs of lameness.
Evaluate the data evolution over the season.
`Identify areas for improvement and measure changes in physical ap titudes over time.
Has recovery improved from one period to the next? Is the V200 faster?
Easily compare multiple horses’ aptitudes
Identify which horses have the best physical abilities.
Individualize training according to the needs of each horse.
Collect and build a training history for the entire stable
With historical data collected and stored, you can easily detect an abnormal value and act quickly.
Watch for the warning signs.
Identify a bad recovery, an abnormal heart rate or a change in locomotion to act accordingly..
Closely monitor your horse’s workload to ensure a successful return to work and Racing after a break or injury.
Easily communicate data to your veterinary team to facilitate your horses’ care.
Remotely share data with your veterinarian to ensure a regular and complete follow-up. ECGs are automatically collected at each training session allowing trainers to investigate an anomaly retroactively and remotely.
By staying informed of the latest trends and technological advancements, Arioneo can offer solutions that are not only current but also future proof, providing long-term value to our clients.
RESOURCES OF INTEREST
Arioneo Case Studies :https://training.arioneo.com/en/arioneo-resources-case-studies/
The Role Of Data In Racehorse Pre-Training : https://Training.Arioneo.Com/En/The-Role-Of-Data-In-Racehorse-PreTraining/
How to make sure that my horse is ready to race? https://training.arioneo.com/en/blog-make-sure-horse-readyto-race/
SOME TESTIMONIALS
How Ciaron Maher Racing has improved his striking rate with its equine sports science unit?
���� Australia | +500 horses
«Every sport in the world has improved with sport science and I always thought horse racing should be no different. The data is something that doesn’t lie. Racing has always been a sport of opinions: that’s what it’s based on. I’ve always been wanting to push the boundaries of “why” that opinion is the right decision or the wrong decision. By curating a sports science division, we’ve made a commitment to this, and see the results on the track.»
How David Menuisier adapts his racehorses’ routine according to their data?
�������� United Kingdom | 50 horses
«It can explain sometimes a poor performance. We got a new rider who started in March, April, maybe. Because of that system, I could tell you that he used to go far too fast to gather momentum and so his horses would kind of not do their best here, where it matters. At least you can actually put data and put science into what was wrong and correct it very quickly. This is a short run benefit of Arioneo.»
How did Douglas Whyte use the data to support his feelings?
���� Hong Kong | +60 horses
« It never lies to you. I can pick up on a problem way before it becomes a problem. People ask me why I still ride, and that’s one of the reasons I still ride because the beauty of it is if I can feel something out and I can go back and pick it up on a computer it’s just so satisfying, you know, two minds are better than one.»
Mikel Delzangles
Racehorse Trainer And Equimetre User Since 2018
«Thanks to EQUIMETRE we have additional parameters on the analysis of the performance and work of thehorses. As much as the trainer can be subjective from time to time, the machine remains objective. I think that with the analysis of both we can take correct decisions.
CONTACT
Meet with one of our consultants to learn more about EQUIMETRE
DRAMA AS MINOR PLACINGS
J REVERSED
an Brueghel just outbattled stablemate Illinois as Aidan O’Brien saddled the first two home in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.
Racing TV reports that following on from the success of Continuous 12 months ago, the master of Ballydoyle has now claimed the world’s oldest Classic eight times.
He was holding all the aces entering the home
straight, with Grosvenor Square leading from Illinois and Jan Brueghel. Grosvenor Square was passed at the two-furlong pole, from where 11-4 joint-favourites Illinois and Jan Brueghel took control.
And it was Jan Brueghel, partnered by former Ballydoyle apprentice Sean Levey, who ultimately stayed on the strongest to get home by a neck and stretch his unbeaten record to four.
Sean Levey shows his delight as he holds the prized silverware aloft | Credit: Doncaster Racecourse
There was drama in terms of the minor honours, as Deira Mile went past the post in third and Sunway was fourth home, but those placings were reversed following a stewards’ inquiry.
Levey, who won the 1000 Guineas on Billesdon Brook in 2018 and this year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas with Rosallion, said: “You’ll take any Classic, any Classic at this stage. Another one on my belt.
“Absolute privilege to get the ride from Aidan and the team. He looks like a very nice horse, he gives me the impression he could be a Gold Cup horse next year maybe, but I’m sure they will find a nice place for him to go next.
“I think he’s just a baby, he’s only a young thing. He ran in snatches a little bit down the
back, but I got what I needed from him.
“I thought he might stop if I challenged too early. I always knew I would head him (Illinois) when I needed to.”
Levey, who joined O’Brien as a 17-year-old before moving to England in 2011, added: “No doubt he (O’Brien) has been very good to me. I’ve got him a winner and he’s been happy to use me and give an opportunity like today.”
Christophe Soumillon was full of praise for Sunway, who again ran creditably in defeat behind Jan Brueghel in the Betfred St Leger, having come close in the Irish Derby earlier in the season.
Deira Mile and Sunway were third and fourth past the post respectively, with a nose separating them.
However, Owen Burrows’ Deira Mile had given David Menuisier’s Sunway a hefty bump and their placings were reversed.
Soumillon said: “He ran really well, but when we were fighting it out inside the last 250 yards he got a big bump from the horse on his outside, which meant we lost third place on the line.
Jan Brueghel fends off Illinois (rail) with Sunway (noseband) and Deira Mile in behind (Mike Egerton/PA)
“He’s a very nice horse, he did everything perfect today and I’m very happy with the run. There’s a nice race in him.”
Menuisier, speaking before the reversal was confirmed, said: “He would have clearly finished third and I’d be amazed if we don’t get it.
“He ran another good race as usual, he just found a couple of better ones today.
“He could have done with a stronger pace but we have no excuses, he was third best today.
“I think he’ll run again this season as he’s had a little break, but I don’t know where yet.”
Burrows had no complaints about Deira Mile being demoted from third, and expected to be so in the immediate aftermath.
“He’s run a good race and probably could have done with a stronger gallop, but unfortunately he gave Sunway a bump and I think we’ll lose third,” he said.
“With the blinkers on I was conscious I didn’t want him seeing loads of daylight, so Jason (Watson) dropped him in, but the way the race was run, it was an advantage to be closer to the pace.
“The race wasn’t run to suit. He travelled into it good, stayed the trip well, but they dictated the pace from the front. “The owner is keen to have a crack at the Arc and why not, he likes a punt.
“He’s run a similar race to what Hukum did in this, but I don’t think he’s another Hukum, unfortunately!”
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CON DITIONS CHANGE – BOOKIE S VOID
A number of bookmakers have voided ante-post bets on the Turners Novices’ Chase at next year’s Cheltenham Festival due to the incoming changes to the conditions of the contest.
On Tuesday, the Racing Post reported the Turners would be downgraded from a Grade 1 conditions race to a novice handicap chase as part of a revamped programme aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the festival.
Under Tattersalls Committee rules that govern bets placed on races in Britain, a customer is entitled to a full refund “if the conditions of the race entry are changed prior to the start of the race”.
Ballyburn had headed the ante-post market for the Turners – a position he also holds in the My Pension Expert Arkle and Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – following his impressive victory in the 2m5f Grade 1 novice hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival.
Bet365, Paddy Power, Sky Bet, Betfair, BetMGM and Betfred refunded customer stakes on bets involving the Turners and will settle multiple bets without the inclusion of any horse selected for the race. Other firms are expected to refund bets once confirmation of the changes are announced.
In addition to refunding bets, spokesmen for Paddy Power and Sky Bet said customer bets had been recorded and would be paid out as winners, in addition to the refunds, if the selection they had initially made went on to win the revised Turners Novices’ Chase.
The change to the Turners at next year’s festival will not be the only change to the race programme, with the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase reverting to a handicap from a conditions race and horses being required
to run more often before being eligible for handicaps.
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “We are happy with the changes as they should only help with competitiveness at what is already one of the best weeks of racing. This increased competitiveness is something racing fans want to see.”
Last season, there were seven odds-on favourites at the festival and the changes were viewed positively by bookmakers. Barry Orr, Betfair head of racing PR, said: “Anything that increases the competitiveness at Cheltenham is always welcome for punters. It’s not been ideal having as many odds-on favourites as there have been and these changes should make for more competitive betting heats.
“The novices’ handicap chase that used to be run at Cheltenham was always a cracking betting heat, and its reintroduction can only help the Arkle and the Brown Advisory too.”
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE - SATURDAY, 14TH SEPTEMBER 2024
Photo Credit: Chase Liebenberg
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Franny Norton has announced that his long career in the saddle will come to an end with one final hurrah at Chester on Saturday. Norton rode in the International Team for the 2019 World Sports Betting International Jockey Challenge supported by Sun International and Air Mauritius at Turffontein on Saturday 16 November. He replaced the withdrawn Nooresh Juglall.
The 54-year-old has earned a reputation as something of a specialist on the Roodee, finally winning the Chester Cup on Making Miracles in 2019.
Other big-race successes came on Mark Johnston’s Sir Ron Priestley, the Ebor in 1991 on Sir Michael Stoute’s Deposki and the Cambridgeshire on the Tony Martin-trained She’s Our Mare. “An amazing chapter”
In a post on social media Norton said: “After an incredible journey spanning over 35 years, the time has come for me to hang up my boots and call it a day in horse racing. On 21 September at Chester Racecourse, I will ride my final race, marking the end of an amazing chapter in my life.
“From the early days in the saddle to the many highs and lows that followed, this sport has given me memories I will treasure forever. I’ve been blessed to ride alongside some of the
best jockeys, work with the finest trainers, and compete at the most iconic racecourses. Every moment has been a privilege.
“To the fans who have supported me over the years, your encouragement has meant the world. To the owners, trainers, and stable staff, it’s been an honour to share the track with you. And to my family and loved ones – your unwavering support has carried me through every victory and every challenge.
“While I may be stepping away from the track, I will always remain connected to the sport that has been my life. Racing has taught me resilience, passion, and humility, and I’m forever grateful for the incredible journey it has taken me on.
“I look forward to seeing you all at Chester for one last race. Let’s make it a day to remember!”
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The weekend Group 1 features on both sides of the Irish Sea lived up to all the hype with exciting finishes on display at Doncaster and Leopardstown.
Ballydoyle Galileo colts Jan Brueghel (Sean Levey) and Illinois (Wayne Lordan on the rail) fight out a thrilling finish to the St Leger | Credit: Ballydoyle
At Doncaster, Aidan O’Brien won an eighth Betfred St Leger Stakes
as Jan Brueghel led home
stablemate Illinois after a protracted battle between the two over the final two and a half furlongs.
The Ballydoyle-trained pair were sent off the 11/4 joint-favourites and it looked like O’Brien would win the race from a long way out. Just which one would prevail in arguably the most exciting finish to a British Classic this season.
Their stablemate Grosvenor Square took them along, but Illinois travelled up besides him powerfully with three furlongs to go, while the unbeaten Jan Brueghel was responding to pressure for jockey Sean Levey.
It got tight in the closing stages, but Jan Brueghel prevailed by a neck, ensuring a 21st Classic winner for super stallion Galileo, who was responsible for the first two home.
There was drama regarding the minor honours, as Deira Mile went past the post in third and Sunway was fourth, but those placings were reversed following a stewards’ inquiry.
Sean Levey observed post-race: “He looks like a very nice horse; he gives me the impression he could be a Gold Cup horse next year maybe.”
The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown was packed with Group 1 scorers, the likes of last year’s winner and dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin, this year’s Irish Derby and Great Voltigeur victor Los Angeles,
and 2022 race winner and Coronation Cup scorer Luxembourg, but for all that English raider Economics was sent off 7-4 favourite and delivered a hard-earned victory.
The three-year-old looked something special when a devastating sixlength winner of the Dante at York in May and confirmed that promise when taking the Group 2 Prix
Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville last month with relative ease. This was his biggest test, a huge step up in class.
Luxembourg took them along, dictating the gallop. Auguste Rodin was a bit keen early, but Moore soon got him settled in the rear with cover. Economics was forced wide.
Pulled wide with two furlongs to go, Auguste Rodin began his challenge. Luxembourg still led, Ghostwriter was second, Economics, ridden more prominently, was responding to Tom Marquand’s urgings in third.
Moore had Auguste Rodin in front when it looked like he leaned into and intimidated the running on Economics, the pair suddenly away from their rivals as their class kicked in. Economics looked to be headed, he looked beat, but Marquand conjured one last, brave, effort from the white-faced son of Night Of Thunder.
Economics showed a tremendous attitude to battle past Auguste Rodin in the closing stages, vindicated his connections’ decision not to supplement for the Derby. He should prove hard to beat in the Champion Stakes at Ascot next month.
26-TIME HONG KONG CHAMPION RETIRES!
Golden Sixty, one of Hong Kong’s greatest champions, has been retired from racing.
Owner Stanley Chan announced the threetime Horse of the Year’s retirement on Friday 13 September at trainer Francis Lui’s Sha Tin stable.
Chan said: “Golden Sixty has been more than just a racehorse to me and my family; he has been a companion, a friend, and a true champion. Watching him compete has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
“I want to thank everyone who has been a part of his journey – his dedicated team, the fans and, most importantly, Golden Sixty himself for giving us unforgettable moments.”
The Medaglia d’Oro gelding raced in the familiar white, blue and gold silks of his owner, accumulating world record earnings for a racehorse (HK$167.17 million) by crafting one of the sport’s most remarkable careers in history.
Golden Sixty is known as the ‘Pride of Hong Kong’ – a testament to his standing as the hometown hero of Hong Kong racing throughout the challenging COVID-19 pandemic.
An unmatched 26-time winner in Hong Kong, Golden Sixty’s accolades include: Horse of the Year (2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23), Most Popular Horse of the Year (2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23), Champion Miler (2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23), Champion Four-Year-Old (2019/20) and Champion Middle-Distance Horse (2020/21).
Lui reflected: “It has been an honour to train such an extraordinary horse. Golden Sixty has brought immense pride to our stable and to Hong Kong racing. His fighting heart is unmatched.
“I will always cherish the memories we created. Thank you, Golden Sixty.”
Owner Stanley Chan, trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho at Golden Sixty’s retirement announcement | Credit: HKJC
Jockey Vincent Ho was ever-present across a magical 31-start career, starting in 2019 as an unraced three-year-old before concluding in 2024 as a decorated nine-year-old.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride such an amazing horse. He is not just a phenomenal athlete but also a horse with a big
heart. I want to thank him for trusting me on the track and for all the incredible experiences we shared,” Ho said.
“Over the years, I have tried to enjoy every moment when riding him, no matter during races or trackwork. He will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will host a Golden Sixty retirement ceremony at the Celebration Cup race meeting on 22 September at Sha Tin. A Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Owner Stanley Chan at the retirement ceremony to recognise Golden Sixty’s accomplishments.
Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Golden Sixty is one of the all-time greats in the history of Hong Kong racing. His exceptional ability to accelerate and dominate against not only the best of Hong Kong but also a string of world-class international contenders makes him a horse of a lifetime.
“I congratulate Stanley, Francis and Vincent on their fantastic management of an extraordinary equine athlete. Through their efforts, and Golden Sixty’s sheer talent and will to win, Hong Kong has been privileged to watch this amazing horse throughout a glorious career which has brought immense joy to the city and also to his fans around the world.
“Golden Sixty has captured the hearts of Hong Kong people and his last win at the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races created a strong emotional reaction from our racing fans in celebrating their champion. When he accelerated leaving world-class opposition behind, the reception he received was an experience which many people including myself will never forget. He is a real Hong Kong hero.
“While his imperious career has come to an end, we are forever indebted to him and will always cherish his incredible accomplishments.”
Mr Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “Golden Sixty bows out not only as a colossus of Hong Kong racing but also as a titan on the international racing stage. His record speaks for itself and his feats will remain forever etched in Hong Kong racing history.
“His performances provided the city with vital inspiration and pride during the COVID-19 pandemic and, from a personal point of view, I cannot recall a more commanding performance than his demolition of a world-class field in the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile last December – first-up as an eight-year-old.
“As popular as he was across his career, especially in victory, Hong Kong’s deep affection for its equine hero was laid bare last April with the ovation he received after his fourth placing in the FWD Champions Mile. That reception – after rare defeat – illustrated once again how Golden Sixty transcended sport.
“I congratulate Stanley, Francis, Vincent and the team on the management of their champion, and I wish Golden Sixty the very
best in a richly deserved retirement.”
Golden Sixty swept the 2020 Four-Year-Old Classic Series, comprising the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), Hong Kong Classic Cup and BMW Hong Kong Derby, as only the second horse to accomplish the feat after Rapper Dragon.
Returning as a five-year-old, Golden Sixty secured four of his record 10 career Group 1 triumphs, which also formed part of a 16-race unbeaten streak – one shy of Silent Witness’ Hong Kong record (17).
Overall, he won the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile three times – in 2020, 2021 and 2023 –joining Good Ba Ba as the race’s only triple winners.
Such was Golden Sixty’s domination of Hong Kong’s mile ranks, he won the Gr1 Stewards’ Cup twice in 2021 and 2023, as well as the Gr1 FWD Champions Mile three times in succession from 2021-2023 – the only horse to do so.
Best known for his exploits over eight furlongs, Golden Sixty successfully rose to 2000m three times, including a pair of Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup victories in 2021 and 2023, notably denying Romantic Warrior by a head in the most recent of the two.
At the end of 2023, Golden Sixty received a career-high mark of 126 in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, following on from ratings of 124 in 2022, 125 in 2021 and 124 in 2020 – illustrating his remarkable longevity among the elite level of horses in world racing.
Golden Sixty also won five Group 2 races and two Group 3 contests. He will head to Australia initially before retiring permanently at Northern Farm in Hokkaido, Japan.
A FLYING START FOR ZAC!
Jerry Chau pilots Sunlight Power to a brilliant win
Ricky Yiu believes emerging talent
Sunlight Power can continue a sharp rise and eventually join the city’s elite after the gelding’s stunning win at Sha Tin on Sunday as Zac Purton dominated the meeting with a quartet.
Ridden by Jerry Chau, Sunlight Power travelled three-wide before surging clear of his rivals to win by two lengths and easing down before the line to notch his fourth win from 15 starts.
The authority of the performance fuelled the wily Yiu’s hopes he has another quality galloper on his hands.
Clocking 1m 21.17s to land the Class 3 Yiu Tung Handicap, 74-rater Sunlight Power will be next aimed at Class 2 contests before Yiu considers even loftier targets after shouldering 129lb with ease today. “I wish I could tell you how good he can be, but I’m aiming high. I think he can get to over 100 (in the ratings) but I can’t tell you how high he can go because he keeps on improving,” Yiu said.
Notching his second four-timer from only three meetings so far this season, Purton scored aboard Chris So-trained duo Devas Twelve and Super Win Dragon, Mark Newnham’s Super Infinity and David Hall’s Charmander.
With nine wins from 24 rides, Purton boosted his Hong Kong career haul to 1,749, leaving the Australian only 64 victories shy of 13-time champion Douglas Whyte’s record of 1,813.
“It’s a good way to start the season. I’m pushing for a little bit more support out there if I can get it. So, hopefully the other trainers want to train a few winners as well and we can work together,” he said.
Purton, 41, figured in two running doubles – the first aboard Super Infinity in the Class 4 Kwong
Fuk Handicap and Charmander in the first section of the Class 5 Wah Fu Handicap.
Newnham was delighted with the performance of Super Infinity, a son of Star Witness.
“He’s still not a finished product, but good enough to win today,” Newnham said. “I think at the moment, I’ll just hold him back to 1200m.
He’s not doing enough right yet, I think, to step up.
“Even today, Zac had to sort of force him into a position, which was good for today and to get the job done, but I think as he matures and gets another couple of starts under his belt, he’s probably a horse who’s a better chaser.”
With four wins across three meetings, Newnham has laid the foundations for another strong campaign.
“I’m very happy. We’ve got some quite nice horses like this horse that weren’t over-exposed last season, so they’ve got wins in them,” he said.
Purton provided Hall with the first leg of a stable double atop Charmander before combining with Harry Bentley and Mr Energia in the Class 4 Hing Wah Handicap.
“Mr Energia has always shown ability, but he hadn’t shown that ability in races, but the blinkers have transformed him,” Hall said of the Swiss Ace gelding who finished fifth in a Sha Tin 1050m trial on 3 September.
Purton linked up with So in consecutive races, scoring in the Class 4 Tung Wah Group Of Hospitals Challenge Cup Handicap on Devas Twelve before Super Win Dragon posted his fifth course and distance triumph in the Class 3 Oi Tung Handicap.
“Devas Twelve did a nice job last season as a young horse, he progressed with every run and got that win and then he went over the top – he’d had enough and then he got a break during the off-season and he’s come back a better horse,” Purton said.
“He raced against his normal pattern today and still got the job done at his first start this season. He did a good job.”
Magic Control became the first horse this season to claim a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million when the former Australian sprinter dominated from the front to land the Class 3 Lok Wah Handicap under Matthew Chadwick for Cody Mo.
Clocking 55.74s over the straight course, the Sioux Nation gelding lived up the reputation he
created in Australia where he was a three-time winner for Matt Laurie when known as Archo Nacho. The gelding’s best Australian victory came in the Gr3 Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley in October.
“It’s nice to achieve the first winner of the season and this is a great horse to get it with. You could see from his win overseas that he’s a very good horse. Even in his latest trial he went very easily with Ka Ying Rising, who is a Group winner. He just followed him nicely without too much pressure and kept going,” Mo said.
Family Jewel provided Caspar Fownes with his first win of the campaign with victory in the Class 4 Hong Tung Handicap under Hugh Bowman. Setting a new class record of 1m 33.70s, the Time Test gelding impressed Fownes.
Zac Purton has nine wins from 24 rides in 2024/25 | Credit: HKJC
“I’m very happy to see that, it was a good effort. I’m surprised they ran that time and the track is very hard but he handled it well. He ran very well last start and he was unlucky,” Fownes said. “I think this horse is quite nice so hopefully he can continue to improve.”
Pierre Ng, runner-up in last season’s trainers’ championship, matched So and Hall’s feat in slotting doubles. Ng notched his first victory of the term with Gale Saga, who gave Matthew
Poon his fourth win of the season in the second section of the Class 5 Wah Fu Handicap and then struck again with 40/1 outsider Team Happy in the second section of the Class 4 Mei Tung Handicap under a positive ride from Angus Chung.
“Very happy with the double. It seems a little bit late but it’s a good start to the season and hopefully we can keep going to the end again,” Ng said.
Magic Control sweeps to his first Hong Kong victory | Credit: HKJC
DOUBLE FOR LE GRANGE IN PINHEIRO FIVE-TIMER
Brazilian jockey Bernardo Pinheiro continued his stellar run of form in the saddle after he equalled his best haul of five wins in a day in Singapore on Saturday for a second time.
The red-hot hoop kicked off the day with a win on Windfall in the SG$30,000 Class 5 Division 1 race over 1200m for trainer Ricardo Le Grange and bookended the meeting in the Lucky Last with Energy Baby in the SG$70,000 Class 3 race over 1400m for trainer Jerome Tan.
His three other wins on Saturday were the Le Grange-trained Strike Gold in the Class 4 Division 1 race over 1200m and Wind Of Dubai in the SG$30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race over 1200m and Jin Sakamoto in the SG$30,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m, both for trainer Richard Lim.
It was a memorable day for Pinheiro and it was perhaps his ride in the last race that showed the confidence he brought to every race. He sat favourite Energy Baby into third last on the fence while Aniki (Bruno Queiroz) made the pace with the speedy Lord’s Command (Faiz Khair) on his shoulder.
As the field turned into the straight, Pinheiro still had a wall of horses in front of him, albeit confident as they found a calculated path. When the pair found clean air at the 300m, the chase got serious with three lengths to make up on Aniki.
Energy Baby (Bernardo Pinheiro) makes a beeline for the winning post in Race 10 | Credit: STC
The gap closed quickly and while Te Akau Ben (Wong Chin Chuen) kept him company late to finish half-a-length back in second, Energy Baby had the race won by the 100m, making it a relatively easy watch for his supporters.
Aniki stayed on well another half-a-length back in third. The winning time was 1 min 22.34 secs for the 1400m on the Long Course. Energy Baby’s fifth win from 27 starts took his prizemoney to over SG$230,000 for connections.
Pinheiro’s five wins on the day came off an all-time high of six wins in one meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Sunday, which included the Gr1 Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) on Antipodean, making it 11 wins from 20 rides in the last six days.
Furthermore, the 29-year-old jockey also hit his 700th milestone win in a huge week.
“There’s no words to describe how happy I am or how proud I am of my achievements in the last few months,” said Pinheiro, who previously claimed five wins in Singapore on 3 June last year. I’m enjoying every day at the moment, especially as Kranji is closing, so to ride five winners was amazing.
“None of this would be possible without support from trainers and owners.
“I’m fit and prepare as well as I can every week, but you still have to be on the good horses.
“So, I’m forever thankful to all the trainers and owners who supported me and I’m glad that I can repay them with winners.
“And thanks to my wife, Gabriella, who is always by my side.”
Of his winning ride on Energy Baby, Pinheiro praised Tan for having a plan to suit the situation.
“I had a good discussion with Jerome on how best to ride this horse fresh,” he explained.
“We have a good relationship, and I know the horse well, so we thought the best way to win today would be to settle him (Energy Baby) back and give him a chance to finish off in the race.
“Jerome had given him a break, so he wasn’t 100% fit and it was a tough Class 3 race, but he was ready to win if things went his way.
“I was happy to save ground on the fence at the back of the field and I told Jerome after the race that I knew at the 700m if we had some luck, we would go very close.
“The gaps opened at the right moment and everything went perfectly. It was a nice win and I’m very happy for Jerome and the owners (Happy Baby Stable).”
