On the cover Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Tristan Godden rode a career first double at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday for trainer Piet Botha, who celebrated his personal century of winners in the process – see more on page 30. After Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting was abandoned, it was good to have one of our jockeys marking our 30th birthday weekend in style. Well done Tristan! Thanks to Chase Liebenberg for the photograph.
Perhaps nothing can capture the meaning of Life better than the bond between a mother and child.
foaled at 07h00 last week Friday and Clifton
a 4-time winner who ran second to the mighty Summer Pudding in the Gr1
this precious moment.
Marygold (Flower Alley)
Stud welcomed this beautiful big colt by Fire Away. Marygold is
Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic. Candiese Lenferna caught
BREEDERS’ CUP BOKS ARE READY FOR ACTION!
South Africa is proudly represented by Grade 1 winners Beach Bomb and Isivunguvungu in the two-day 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar on Friday 1 November and Saturday 2 November.
It’s the 14-race, year-end culmination that every horse, jockey, trainer, and owner across the globe has in their sights!
It all starts with Future Stars Friday, where the sport’s stars of tomorrow compete in five Juvenile (two-year-old) races.
The non-stop action continues on Saturday where the Breeders’ Cup will crown nine more World Champions
across different surfaces and divisions, including the season-defining $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Join the ten day countdown this evening and kick off #BC24 by watching the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Pre-Entry Announcement live.
At 18h00 watch on @FanDuelTV, breederscup.com or Breeders’ Cup social channels!
FAIRVIEW
Racing operators are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, and remain in an invidious position when making relatively long-term calls on racemeeting changes. 4Racing’s decision to move Friday’s Fairview racemeeting, hosting the ‘Gqeberha July’ from the turf to the polytrack, has been met with some puzzlement and questions. Does it serve racing best?
Hong Kong twins! Lyle Hewitson has Cape raider Silver De Lange in command as Luke Ferraris keeps Seeking Wisdom at her task in the last Algoa Cup to be run on the polytrack – back in 2020 | Credit: Pauline Herman
Mother Nature has proven a fearsome foe for racing across the country in 2024.
And the decision was taken following 150mm of rain overnight into Tuesday, continued rain throughout the day, and more rain forecast for Wednesday, off a high penetrometer reading of 50-60, to switch surfaces.
The distance of the second race, the non blacktype Betway Wedgewood Handicap, has been reduced from 2400m to 2200m.
In the 2023 renewal of the then Jonsson Workwear-sponsored Listed Algoa Cup, Justin Snaith maintained the visitor stranglehold and racked up his fifth victory in ten renewals of the 2000m feature, when Future Swing beat fellow Cape raider Han Solo. The race was run on a Sunday last year.
Snaith sadly won’t get an opportunity to maintain his fine record as he has already scratched his duo of Rockpool and recent Listed Settlers Trophy winner Call To Unite from Friday’s racemeeting. The Snaith pair were pulled out at 13h53 today, for reason of ‘change of surface’.
A disappointed Snaith Racing spokesman Jonathan Snaith told the Sporting Post on Tuesday that he was of the opinion that it would have been a far more prudent course of action to postpone Gqeberha’s premier race to another day to preserve the quality and integrity of the event, while keeping it on the turf.
“This is the most important race of the year in the province and upholding the (Listed) status of the race should be considered – it has already slipped from graded status to Listed and it will likely be under even further scrutiny after this decision,” suggested Snaith.
According to collateral information, the Algoa Cup was previously run in 2013 (Disco Al) and 2020 (Silver de Lange) on the polytrack.
While punters are emotional creatures by nature, many suggest that the polytrack often yields inconsistent results, making it feel like a lottery at times.
“I feel for the punters – you have a greater chance at a roulette table. The short run-in often does not promote fair competition, leading to unpredictable outcomes for many horses, owners, and bettors. Additionally, this surface carries a higher risk of injuries, which isn’t an ideal situation for any horse, and more so higher rated horses, in races such as the Algoa Cup,” concluded Snaith.
Longstanding racing fan Michael Jacobs agreed, conceded up front that he was not a ‘fan of polytrack racing’.
“This decision is not a good result to my mind for a feature raceday in a minor centre. in fact, I don’t believe it’s a great decision for all stakeholders. 4Racing, like any racing operator, need to consider punters and sponsors too. I cannot speak for trainers and owners. And the jockeys earn a living on both surfaces,” mused Jacobs, who has been punting for over forty years.
TAB have put up a R500 000 Pick 6 carryover into the racemeeting. This now seems like a genuine longshot to reach the projected R3 million total, with scratchings aplenty likely, and resultant reduced field sizes.
The Sporting Post endeavoured to contact 4Racing for a comment. There was no response at time of publication. Any information furnished by them will be published.
G KOTZEN’S KING CLAIMS THE CROWN!
len Kotzen’s Woodhill Racing Team celebrated an historic victory at Fairview on Friday when the Ridgemont-bred Dynasty gelding King Regent became the first holder of the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge triple crown as he drew away late in the race to win the R175 000 Poly Challenge 1600.
Showing versatility, consistency and courage after a total of close on 4000km of beautiful Garden Route road-tripping from Paarl to Gqeberha behind him and his passionate Groom Siyolise Sikhumba over the past two months, King Regent looked a picture in the pre-race parade and duly delivered on the hype and expectation to crown his 1200m and 1400m victories, with an icebreaking first career success over the mile.
Going off at 3-10, King Regent never looked like being beaten and disposed of long-time pacesetter Cherry Ano (10-1) by 1,25 lengths in a time of 95,72 secs.
The winner’s former stablemate Bush Tracker (20-1) was a further quarter length back in third, with The Mauritian (20-1) capping the quartet.
Jockey Denis Schwarz, who rode King Regent throughout the challenge, said he didn’t get the best of breaks and the pace suited his mount. “I was confident when we turned for home. It’s nice to get our names into the history books. Well done to the Woodhill team,” added the Highveld-based jockey.
History made! Denis Schwarz drives King Regent to a milestone victory chased by Cherry Ano (Craig Zackey) and Bush Tracker (Louis Mxothwa) | Credit: Pauline Herman
Kuyan Kotzen saddled the winner on behalf of his Dad Glen and thanked their loyal UK-based owners Gisela Burg and Martin Wickens and the team in Paarl.
Groom ‘Fafa’ Sikhumba proudly made his charge a springbok skin to denote his new status as the ‘king of kings’. Trainer Glen Kotzen praised his staff and said he was ‘beyond thrilled’ for Fafa, who looks after King Regent ‘like a baby’.
Now a winner of R1 543 563 (including Friday’s R250 000 win bonus) with 7 wins and 7 places from his 17 starts, King Regent is raced by longstanding former UK and now Cape residents Martin Wickens and Gisela Burg, and cost R225 000 at the Cape Yearling sale of his year.
Bred by Ridgemont, the winner is a son of the farm’s late iconic sire Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the three-time winning Mogok mare, Cup Of Rubies.
Next Friday there is more big racing from Gqeberha with the running of the Betway Algoa Cup – a race tagged the ‘PE July’ for many years. It will be run on the polytrack - see page 10.
The winning connections celebrate the King | Credit: Pauline Herman
IT’S IN THE BLOOD
The closest prior to King Regent - Karl Zechner gives the victory salute as Gogetthesheriff storms to victory over Craig Zackey and Rahvar | Credit: Pauline Herman
King Regent is a direct descendant of influential taproot mare Cequillo, with the daughter of Princequillo also ranking as the third dam of Gogetthesheriff’s sire, Go Deputy.
Five-year-old King Regent (Dynasty) made history when victorious in Friday’s Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge 1600m. In landing the spoils in Friday’s contest, King Regent became the first horse to win the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge Triple Crown.
As reported previously, one horse who went close to preceding King Regent as a Poly Triple Crown winner was Gogetthesheriff.
The son of Go Deputy won the first two legs back in 2016, before finishing third in the final leg of that series.
Perhaps coincidentally, King Regent and Gogetthesheriff share some highly illustrious ancestors.
King Regent is a direct descendant of influential
taproot mare Cequillo, with the daughter of Princequillo also ranking as the third dam of Gogetthesheriff’s sire, Go Deputy.
The latter, winner of six races including the 2006 Gr1 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap, was produced by Partygoer (Secretariat).
Partygoer, who in turn was produced by Cequillo’s daughter Quiet Charm (Nearctic), was a very high-class producer, despite winning just once.
Go Deputy aside, Partygoer also ranked as the dam of Gr1 Pacific Classic/Gr1 Strub Stakes winner Dare And Go (Alydar), with Partygoer’s broodmare daughters also enjoying plenty of success at stud.
Group winners Acago, Polytechnicien, Quiet Royal and Sandwaki are descended in female line from Partygoer, yet another top-class broodmare daughter of Secretariat.
Incidentally, Partygoer and her first two dams won two races between them, while Partygoer’s third dam Boldness won just once.
Cequillo produced four stakes winners including Hialeah Turf Cup winning sire Hot Dust (Jet Action) and Man O’War Stakes winning sire Ruffled Feathers (Rough’N Tumble), but it is through her daughters that she established a dynasty.
Her stakes winning daughter Grand Splendor (Correlation) produced a pair of influential daughters in the form of Gonfalon (Francis S.) and Killaloe (Dr. Fager), with the former’s Gr1 Dwyer Stakes winning son Ogygian broodmare sire of a pair of influential stallions in the form of Johannesburg (Hennessy) and Street Boss (Street Cry). Champion Johannesburg sired the outstanding stallion Scat Daddy (whose sons include Justify and No Nay Never), while Street Boss has come up with nine Gr1 winners headed by Australian Horse Of The Year Anamoe and Kentucky Oaks queen Cathryn Sophia.
Gonfalon is also granddam of Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap winner Honour And Glory (Relaunch), whose progeny include Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winning champion Caressing and successful stallion Put It Back.
Grand Splendor’s daughter Killaloe has also made a notable contribution to the stud book with her progeny headed by Gr1 Prix Jean Prat winner Torrential (Gulch) and Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap winning top sire Fappiano.
The influence of Fappiano continues to grow, with his numerous male line descendants including the likes of American Pharoah, Arrogate, Unbridled, Unbridled’s Song, Candy Ride and Gun Runner.
His dam also ranks as third dam of 1998 Gr1 Kentucky Oaks winner Keeper Hill and granddam of 2000 Gr1 Belmont Stakes winner Commendable (Gone West).
Cequillo’s great granddaughter Michabo (Super Concorde) added another chapter to this illustrious family as an important influence in South Africa.
Among the numerous top South African gallopers descended in female line from Michabo were July winner Hunting Tower, graded stakes winners Barahin, Mocha Java, and Mochachino.
King Regent, a full-brother to 2023 Gr3 Splashout 2200/2021 G3 World Sports Betting Pocket Power Stakes winner Crimson King (Dynasty) is out of Michabo’s granddaughter Cup Of Rubies (Mogok).
TAKING THE GOOD WITH THE BAD
v SCHWARZ
Denis Schwarz (far right) is thrilled after his historic win on Friday – enjoying the moment is Woodhill Racing’s Kuyan Kotzen and Sam Hewitson – Mum of our Hong Kong-based star, Lyle Hewitson | Credit: Pauline Herman
It has been something of a rollercoaster October month for 25-year-old Highveld-based jockey Denis Schwarz.
On Friday at Fairview the talented rider joined the smashing Dynasty gelding King Regent in the history books when the Ridgemont-bred 5yo became the first horse to win the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge.
That would have gone some way to balancing the universe after Schwarz was fined heavily for a conduct related infraction at Turffonteon on 5 October.
The National Horseracing Authority reported on Friday that Schwarz was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.25 in that he misbehaved and conducted himself in an improper manner, in that he initiated an altercation with a security officer in the employ of 4Racing, who was on duty at the security check point at Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday 5 October 2024.
Schwarz signed an Admission of Guilt for a fine of R40 000, of which R25,000 was suspended
for a period of three (3) years on condition that he is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 72.1.25, or any related conduct Rules, during the suspended period.
Schwarz joined the SA Jockey Academy in 2015 alongside the likes of Ashton Arries, Calvin Habib, Louis Burke, Sandile Mbhele, Dylan Lerena, Khanya Sakayi, Liam Tarentaal and Daniel Kotzen.
His first ride under rules was on Sunday 20 March 2016 when he piloted the Craig Eudey trained Last Summer and Gavin van Zyl’s Ginger Biscuit at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, grabbing a 5th place cheque with Ginger Biscuit.
Schwarz’ first winner was aboard Chronological for Gareth van Zyl on 11 May 2016.
He has ridden 16 winners this term, and is nearing his 400 career winner mark.
Joyous Dare To Dreamers celebrate the milestone | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
A man who has never forgotten where he started, Milnerton trainer Piet Botha registered a notable milestone at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, courtesy of the gallant Jackson gelding Baratheon who bounced back from an eight week break since his last victory in KZN to score an impressive win in the R165 000 Cape A Stakes to bring up the Dare To Dream Racing century of winners.
The former jockey, now sponsored by World Sports Betting, took his licence out in 2018 and today he runs one of the fastest growing customer-centric racing stables around, in what is set to be his best season ever.
Ridden by Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Tristan Godden, Baratheon led early before being overtaken by Richard Fourie and Future Turn who were keen to up the ante.
In the run for home, the six-horse field fanned out as Baratheon powered home at 14-1 to bring up the Botha century and beat the game Future Swing (5-1) by 1,75 lengths in a time of 109,88 secs.
Course specialist Otto Luyken (5-1) stayed on for third. It wasn’t a memorable race for the Snaith yard – Rapidash (33-10) was not at his best, while the 28-10 favourite Pacaya finished
tailed off – clearly something amiss.
There was some reservation expressed in advance of the race that Baratheon had not travelled well on his return from Durban. He showed no after effects!
Bred by Millstream Farm, Baratheon is a son of Jackson (Dynasty) out of the four-time winning Jet Master mare, Pure Class.
A R60 000 Cape Yearling Sale buy, Baratheon has won R614 125 in stakes and made it 6 wins from 35 starts and 9 places.
Well done Piet!
A cracking ride by Tristan Godden on the son of Jackson | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
for Grooms!
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE - SATURDAY, 19TH OCTOBER
RACE 1 - SHIPINDANI - ALEX
RACE 4 - POCKET DIAL - KHANYISO
RACE 2 - BARATHEON - GEORGE LONDILE
RACE 5 – SONG TO THE MOON - STANFORD
RACE 3 - RED PALACE - BONGILE MKHALA
RACE 6 - RADICCHIO - VUYANI FAFANI
RACE 7 - OLIVER - JOSEPH RACE 8 - KAIBOY - CHRISTOPHER NTLUZWANA
RACE 9 - PRINCE OF TIBET - ANDILE MAKHOBA
RACE 10 - BE MERRY - SIPHO
PALACE
EYES PADDOCK STAKES AFTER SMART 4YO SEASON DEBUT
Red Palace (Aldo Domeyer) charges clear | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
The Hollywoodbets Gr3 Victress Stakes (14 December) and Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes (4 January) are on the agenda for Saturday’s impressive winner Red Palace, who dished out a galloping lesson to her five rivals, including fellow 4yo and 5-10 favourite Double Grand Slam, at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.
In the absence of a feature proper, the R180 000 Prestige Plate headed the ten-race card at a sundrenched Country Course, where shiny, happy people hugged the rail and added to the atmosphere of the third last racemeeting before the Cape Racing roadshow travels across the Peninsula to their HQ and the start of some big summer season action.
While most of the six-horse field in the 1400m contest were in need of the outing, the pace was a solid one as it inevitably is over the shorter cuts at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. And just when Richard Fourie had Double
Grand Slam poised to swoop for the kill at the 300m, Aldo Domeyer set the last start Riding High Together Gr2 Gold Bracelet victress Red Palace (7-2) alight, and the daughter of Potala Palace (Singspiel) lengthened as she cruised in for a facile victory by 2,50 lengths.
No time was taken, and the 119 Red Palace had Double Grand Slam (118) coming up for air. The Snaith charge will undoubtedly improve and there return match at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in the height of the summer should make for interesting watching.
The mare Time For Love (20-1) stayed on for third, a further length back, without threatening.
Raced by Terry and Annabel Andrews, Mark Bass & C A F Goncalves & Mr H G & Mrs N S C Breydenbach, and Candice Bass-Robinson, Red Palace was one of Ridgemont’s Gr1 sire Potala Palace’s two winners on the day, with Piet Steyn’s gelding Prince Of Tibet forcing JP van der Merwe to earn every cent of his commission, getting up firmly ridden in the ninth.
Winner of both the Riding High Together Gr2
Gold Bracelet and Listed Stormsvlei Stakes last season, the 2023 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas runner-up Red Palace was bred by
Terry Andrews and has now won five of 14 starts and has earned R1 127 012 in stakes. She is out of the Jay Peg mare In Limine.
The inform Potala Palace, a Gr1-winning son of Singspiel from the family of Nureyev, Sadler’s Wells and Fairy King, is also the sire of the progressive colt Eiger Sanction. The latter made it four wins in a row when victorious at the Vaal last Thursday.
Candice Bass-Robinson and Mark Bass welcome back Red Palace and Aldo Domeyer | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
PALACE POWER
– HERE’S ONE FOR SUMMER!
Impressive winner Red Palace (Aldo Domeyer) is led in by Candice Bass-Robinson, breeders Terry & Annabel Andrews, and Mark & Carol Bass | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
‘She was catalogued to sell at the Cape Yearling Sale but kicked the float on the way and got off lame, so she went straight home the next day’ - Annabel Andrews
Candice Bass-Robinson’s talented charge Red Palace served notice that she’s ready to make plenty of noise in the upcoming Cape Summer season following a dominant victory at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last weekend.
The non-black type Prestige Plate had been selected as the four-year-old’s seasonal pipeopener, albeit that the 1400m trip was a tad on the sharp side. No worries though. She proceeded to make light weight of her 61 kg impost and cruised home under Aldo Domeyer with the minimum of fuss, the winning margin of 2,50 lengths flattering runner-up and warm favourite Double Grand Slam.
The winner could not have been more impressive in what was her first outing since a game victory in the 2000m Gr2 Riding High Together Gold Bracelet at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Gold Cup day.
That success capped off a roller-coaster threeyear-old campaign, which started with a fine back-to-back double: an impressive five-length maiden romp over the Durbanville mile in August, followed two months later by a 3.50 length score over the course and distance.
Clearly on the upgrade, connections next opted for the Gr1 Cape Guineas rather than the fillies equivalent and history will show that she nearly pulled off a huge upset. The only filly in the line-up, she gave her male rivals the slip under frontrunning tactics and was only collared close home by the winner Snow Pilot, who scored by less than a length.
However, after that huge effort, things turned a bit pear-shaped and four disappointing efforts went by before she finally regained the winning thread with an emphatic 2.50-length defeat of Gr3 winner Love Is A Rose in the Listed Stormsvlei Stakes towards the end of May.
Sent to Durban, she was not disgraced in the mile Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes where she finished two lengths off the winner Humdinger, before showing great courage to hold off Saartjie in the Gold Bracelet.
Red Palace (Aldo Domeyer) gave her male rivals the slip under frontrunning tactics | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
After a busy season and with a Gr2 win under her belt, she returned to birthplace Sorrento Stud for some well-earned down time.
Proud co-owner Annabel Andrews elaborates:
“After the Gold Bracelet, she went into quarantine and came home for a complete rest, although it was only a two-week break. She’s matured into a lovely filly, and Candice will aim her at the Victress Stakes, with the Paddock Stakes also a likely target.”
Annabel and husband Terry bred Red Palace from the Jay Peg mare In Limine, a four-time winner trained by Greg Ennion. She retired to stud with small black type to her name, courtesy of a third place in the Listed Sun Classique Handicap.
Red Palace is her second foal and as her name suggests, is by Potala Palace, who, despite his bona fide credentials as a well-bred, Gr1winning juvenile, has been distinctly underappreciated by breeders.
Not so Annabel: “We sent him In Limine as we like him as a stallion. In fact, we purchased two of his yearling fillies at auction this year, one bred on the same cross as Red Palace, while the other was like a ‘baby’ Red Palace. Both are currently at Sorrento before they will go into training.”
In contrast, Red Palace never saw the inside of a sales ring, for as Annabel explained: “She was catalogued to sell at the Cape Yearling Sale but kicked the float on the way and got off lame, so she went straight home the next day.”
Ironically, that twist of fate has turned into a huge windfall, so to speak, with Annabel and Terry retaining a half-interest in their filly which they race in partnership.
Red Palace is now a Gr2 winning millionaire and judged on her cracking seasonal debut win, is not done for by a long stretch.
“We are just going to enjoy her this season,” Annabel added.
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A EARN YOUR STRIPES - BUY A WINNER
head of Sunday’s CRS Breeze Up and Unbroken 2yo Sale, it’s good to reflect on history. The old cliché which is muttered-when it comes to Ready To Run Sales of seeing a winner gallop past you rather than seeing it walk around sales complexes-could not be more appropriate. Buyers from all around the country have descended upon gallops over the decades whether they were held at the fabled Summerhill Stud or racecourses around the land. Some of the famous graduates from South African Ready To Run Sales include plenty of great names.
Arguably the most famous name among the South African Ready To Run Graduates was Igugu. The Mike de Kock trained winner of the 2011 Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara was given the monicker of ‘as priceless as an uncut diamond’ by commentator Nico Kritsiotis. Part owned by Andre and Joyce McDonald with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Makhtoum; her silverware claims did not stop there. Anthony Delpech rode her to her most famous wins.
Her victory in the 2011 Hollywoodbets Durban July was memorable when she turned over Pierre Jourdan. Many wrote off her chances being a three-year-old filly with the maximum weight a horse her age could carry. She claimed Africa’s greatest race with ease. Her best win though must have been at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when winning the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met against all odds. De Kock reported that she came into the race with a poor preparation and against
– One Stripe | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
one of the best fields the Cape Town Met had attracted, she overcame adversity and won a race that no ordinary filly would have won.
Surcharge was always going to be an attractive proposition after he galloped. The handsome son of Gimmethegreenlight had everything moving in the right places at the gallops and he was purchased by Ian van Schalkwyk for trainer Stuart Pettigrew. He claimed the Daily News 2000 in the same year that Do It Again, Majestic Mambo and Monks Hood were three-year-olds, one of the strongest crops in recent years. Surcharge also won his generations’ Ready To Run Stakes with ease. He was exported to Australia where he once claimed A$900 000 prize.
Takingthepeace was a short head away from claiming Triple Tiara glory for new, enthusiastic owners while legendary sprinters, Rio Querari, Bold Respect and Sargeant Hardy
were all winners Grade 1. Rio Querari won the Computaform Sprint while Bold Respect claimed the Cape Flying Championship and the Golden Horse Sprint. Sargeant Hardy was also victorious in the Cape Flying.
Captain America was such a hero of Brett Crawford’s yard having been picked off the sale for R500 000. The son of Captain Al gave his heart and soul whenever he turned up at the races and that attribute and guts was shown at his gallop when his long, elastic action convinced Crawford to follow through with him. A two-time Grade 1 winner with taking glory in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge in 2017 before signing off his career taking out the Grade 1 Champions Cup 13 months later. He earned over R6 million through his career.
The latest poster boy of Ready To Run fame is One Stripe by One World who was at the top of plenty observers’ list sale 12 months ago. Vaughan Marshall went to R1.4 Million to acquire the horse who easily put up the best gallop of the day. This was the first justification that trainers who had One World’s progeny in their yard that they could be onto a winner.
One Stripe stayed in Cape Town through winter and became Champion Two-Year Old Colt/ Gelding of the Western Cape claiming the Cape of Good Hope Nursery in great style and then revving up for the Winter Nursery a few months later. He ended his two-year-old campaign with three wins from four starts with the promise of happy days ahead as a three-year-old. Many await his summer season with great interest.
Other hard-hitting graduates include Brave Mary who was exported to France, Rabada who was a Daily News 2000 winner, Champagne Haze, Seeking The Stars, Royal Aussie and Red Ray.
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 SECTION
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.
GOODBYE WINTER AS CRS MARCHES ON!
The dynamics of the Cape Racing Sales landscape continues to evolve at speed with the news that following unprecedented interest from vendors across South Africa, the recently announced innovation of the CRS March Premier Sale has now grown to a broad-based and diverse two day sale.
In an industry showing exponential growth in the post-covid boom, Cape Racing Sales recently introduced the Cape Racing Sales Festival, a high value racemeeting offering high stakes racing from R6,5 million up to R10 million over the initial three years, and which dovetails the brand new CRS March Premier Sale, creating a racing and sales festival like no other in South Africa.
While the festival effectively extends the bumper Cape Summer Season Of Champions, creating an eighth festival racemeeting to book-end close on five months of highquality horseracing, the addition of an extra day of action in the sales arena is set to accommodate the high numbers of entries, and will mean a restructuring of the CRS programme, with the Winter Sale falling away.
“We have the Summer Sale, a high-end boutique auction for forward and well-grown yearlings in January, and had anticipated holding the inaugural CRS March Premier Sale on Saturday 15 March, with the big stakes raceday on Sunday 16 March. The market has, however, spoken and a solid flow of entries has meant that we will have sufficient support from breeders to now hold the March Sale over two days, commencing Friday 14 March. Given the rigours of the local climate, the logistics for breeders in terms of, inter alia, personnel absence, and given the national focus of attention on the SA Champions Season on the East Coast in June, we have dropped the Winter Sale from the roster. Vendors now have an opportunity to prep their youngsters for a slot on either of the January Summer Sale or the March Premier Sale, or hold them over to our October Breeze-Up & Unbroken 2yo Sale in 2025. This also broadens the horizon for some potentially exciting pin-hooking opportunities for the astute buyer,” added Cape Racing Executive: Racing & Bloodstock Justin Vermaak.
The new-look festival creates a terrific opportunity for prospective buyers to acquire a CRS graduate which will potentially be able to participate in a R3 million race as a juvenile, and then have a R5 million race available every season.
The reality is that having R10 million on offer across four individual races is unlike any sales race incentive structure encompassing all ages and sexes seen in South Africa.
The R5 million CRS Big Cap, which is programmed as a handicap with conditions, is the exciting new ‘slot’ race which will headline the Festival race day.
The Big Cap was modelled on the Everest concept introduced in Australia, and the concept has been featured successfully previously in South Africa as the ‘Gold Rush’. 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.
The R3 million CRS Slipper will be run over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in 2026. This means that next year’s CRS graduates will run for the highest stake on offer for a juvenile race in South Africa.
The CRS Slipper will be open to all graduates of CRS auctions in 2025, not just the January auction, as was the case before.
The R1 million CRS Sprint & R1 million CRS Mile will be run for three-year-olds only. Thus graduates of CRS auctions in 2025 can run for R3 million in the Slipper as juveniles, and then return to take their chance in the CRS Sprint or CRS Mile at three!
A release detailing the full programme for the inaugural three-day Cape Racing Sales Festival will be published soon – watch this space!
Please visit www.caperacingsales.co.za
For any sales related information, please contact:
justin@caperacing.co.za
vicky@caperacing.co.za
Tel: +27 (0) 21 700 1600
SAVOUR SOME SANDOWN ON SUNDAY
The Armitage family have been in the thoroughbred breeding game for a long time and continue to punch way above their weight at Sandown Stud. This high-quality, boutique farm sends five youngsters to market at the CRS Breeze Up and Unbroken 2yo Sale, scheduled for this coming Sunday, 27 October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
James Armitage has utilized a selection of good value sires – Pathfork, Potala Palace, Rafeef, Elusive Fort and Futura. Sandown also acts as agent for Lot 110, a filly by new sire Soqrat, out of the Var mare, Varachino. She has produced the very highly thought of Teagans Champ who has won three from three; Al Jabath who won two from three and was placed 2nd in his third start, and her full brother I Salute You who is a winner and placed from only 3 starts.
The Pathfork filly is Lot 70. She is out of Glamourous Life, a half-sister to Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner, Lady of Power. Third dam, Duchess Daba was trained by Geoff Woodruff to win the Gr1 November Handicap and the SA Fillies Guineas.
Rafeef has already made an impact with SW’s Thunderstruck, Aragosta, Master Archie, William Robertson, Mrs Browning and Frances Ethel across a wide distance range. He is responsible for Lot 79, a bay colt ex Lady Al – best of her progeny to date is 8x winner
Winter Waves, by speed sire, What a Winter. An update - Lot 79’s half-sister Warrior Royal won on Sunday, so she has won and been placed second from 3 starts.
Lot 85 is a bay filly, Royal Style by Potala Palace ex multiple-winning Second Empire mare Miss Scaramanga. Potala Palace has shown he can drop the bomb – Red Palace, Katak and Singforafa are his Stakes winning flag bearers.
Elite Squad is an Elusive Fort colt ex Sound the Flute. She produced Majestic Mozart, narrowly denied in the Gr1 Summer Cup at Turffontein and Bonnie Prince who won 7x in South Africa and Mauritius. Elusive Fort, of course, is well established as a rock-solid sire able to deliver the goods at reasonable prices, think of the Hollywoodbets Durban July ace, Kommetdieding and the outstanding filly, Siren’s Call from his haul of 17 SW’s.
Futura seems like a clear influence for stamina. He has a filly out of Parade Leader mare, Tuscan Treasure. Lot 109’s page features the second dam, Akinfeet, famous for throwing Cape Town Noir, Champion Miler in SA in 2013/14. San Gimignano can be viewed in stable A32.
James Armitage is readily approachable to handle any queries about Sandown’s stock. His contact details are 072 680 3549 or else via email, james@sandownstud.co.za.
REAL HANDICAPPING MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE AND GETS ALL THE FUN!
In celebration of our 30th birthday, the Sporting Post asked our readers to submit personal anectdotes of a magic memory, or the best or worst moment of their racing life. The competition closed on Tuesday 22 October at 12h00.
We were inundated with entries, and to be fair to each and every entrant, we are holding over the announcement of the winners until we have had the opportunity to read eand properly consider very single one.
One entrant graciously accepted disqualification, as he had exceeded our word count guide by 300%. But we felt that his story is worth publishing!
Karel Miedema writes that SP’s ‘memories’ competition set the bar at 250 words, but I cannot possibly do it that quickly.
My story is about the joys real, proper handicapping brings. It was first published in my Racing Record Annual of 1994.
This is it, verbatim.
Surfing Home wins the Met in 1995 | Credit: Supplied
The third volume of Racing Record Annual, which dealt with Surfing Home’s 3yo career in 1992, made the following observation about the American-bred’s fourth place in the 1992 Rothmans July: What made the performance so remarkable was that US-import Surfing Home was born in April ’89, and had only just turned three in real terms – unlike the South African three-year-olds whose birthday falls somewhere near October, some seven months earlier.
In terms of weight-for-age, Surfing Home’s performance was some four or five kilos better than that of a South African 3yo would have been. Given normal weight-for-age progress, this means that Surfing Home can be rated 110 in the season to come, and probably more if we take into account that he only made his debut in February, less than five months before his run in the Rothmans July”.
It was about a year-and-a-half before Surfing Home was to see the track again, as he spent that time on the Cohen’s Odessa farm near Ceres to recuperate from a tendon injury. Gelded as well during his time off, Surfing Home reappeared in April ’94, now just about 5 years old.
He was beaten 8 lengths in an Open (old style race-figure!) Handicap at Scottsville, after showing his customary pace early in the race.
He ran to a rating of 94, and a month later to 97 in the competitive Gr2 Greyville 1900, again making the pace, to finish 8th beaten less than three lengths.
Clearly he was sound, hadn’t lost his ability and it was on the cards that he’d return to form soon.
Imagine our surprise, therefore, when the opening betting for the Rothmans July listed Surfing Home amongst the 100/1 bar’s. If he’d run to his former rating of 110 he’d be on top of our race ratings. Clearly, here was an opportunity no to be missed – and we didn’t.
Not since Take A Walk had opened in the Cape Guineas betting at 33/1 a year ago had there been such value around.
Surfing Home set our pulses racing with his next run three weeks later. That was in the Gr3 Mainstay Trial over 1800m at Clairwood. He had to put up a bold showing in that race to make the final twenty for the Rothmans July, and did so in no uncertain terms. Making the pace as usual he simply kept finding more and more when under pressure, a hallmark of all his subsequent runs. If ever there was a motto to suit Surfing Home it would be ‘Never Give Up’. He won the Trial by over a length, going away, from Making Mischief.
There was no shortage of money in the betting for Surfing Home after that. Our 100/1 voucher was beginning to look positively obscene, when in the end Surfing Home started at 7/1 for the big race. As usual, he made all the running, to win by a short head from Space Walk, with Flaming Rock half a length back in third. Surfing Home showed his customary rally after he’d looked to be caught a 100m from the post.
Unfortunately Surfing Home got there by foul means rather than fair. With just over 200m to go the big gelding started to hang, first to the inside rail, then out again, giving the impression that his jockey simply couldn’t control him.
In the process Surfing Home hampered Pas de Quoi twice and there was no doubt that he’d lose the race – even though Pas de Quoi might still not have beaten him had he kept a straight course.
Karel’s post script: Surfing Home lost the race in the boardroom. Interestingly, had the 2024 interference Rules applied he would have kept the race and we’d have got the money. Still, the moral of the story is that real handicapping makes all the difference and gets all the fun. After more than fifty years of doing the work I still get big thrills.
OUR BIRTHDAY WINNERS
So Far So Far
The Sporting Post is proudly celebrating our 30th birthday and we have been running competitions to give something back to our loyal readers.
On Friday we ran a ‘predict-the quartet’ competition at Fairview.
We had 7 winners of a R500 Hollywoodbets betting voucher each.
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Philip Goldberg
Gareth Goliath
Deena Pillay
Henry Steyn
Desmond Nadasen
Damian Govender
Vinny Govender
On Saturday we ran a ‘predict-the quartet’ competition at Hollywoodbets Durbanville & Turffontein.
We had only 1 winner, with Shane Subramoney enjoying a R1000 Hollywoodbets betting voucher.
Earlier this week, we gave away 30 Betway Summer Cup tickets.
The undermentioned SP readers each won 3 Betway Summer Cup entrance tickets, courtesy of 4Racing.
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Mannie Sookdhew
Pithumbar Ramparak
Josephine Moonsamy
Damian Govender
Previn Naicker
Shane Subramoney
Dean Iyer
Kurt Walters
Sanele Mchunu
Siphiwe Kubeka
Thanks to our generous sponsors, there is more to come! We asked readers to tell us a great racing story. We have been inundated with entries and will hold over the announcement for our next issue.
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)
EXCITING GR1 WINNING
FILLY ON MARKET
AA winner of the 2024 Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint and one of the most well-bred fillies around, the top-class October Morn has come up for sale by the Executor of the Estate of the late David Abery. stakes winner at 2 and 3, with victories in then Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, the Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes and the Listed Perfect Promise Sprint, the 4yo daughter of Trippi, who was bred by Avontuur Stud and the late David Abery, has not been out of the money in all her 12 starts and her sale presents a rare opportunity to acquire a high-class racehorse and top broodmare prospect.
October Morn is currently based at the BassRobinson racing stable at Milnerton.
She has only run four times this year and has not seen action since winning the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint on 1 June.
The rules of engagement for the sale, together with the catalogue can be found by clicking here.
All offers need to be submitted in writing via email to michelle@smiedtlaw.co.za by 17h00 (SAST) on Thursday 24 October 2024.
The two highest offers so received will be contacted to revise, but not withdraw, their offers by no later than 17h00 (SAST) on Friday 25 October 2024.
October Morn has the pedigree to match her fine race record.
She is one of 92 stakes winners for Trippi, South Africa’s Champion Sire of 2015-2016, and is one of 14 Grade One winners for her superb sire.
She is the second daughter of Trippi to win the G1 South African Fillies Sprint, with the sire’s subsequent top-class producer daughter Real Princess (dam of dual Gr1 winner Gimme A Prince and the exciting Gimme’s Countess) having captured that Hollywoodbets Scottsville sprint feature back in 2016.
Trippi is also a top-class broodmare sire, with his daughters having already produced more
Campaigned in KZN, Devon Air reeled off wins in the Gr2 Republic Day
Handicap, Gr1 Rothmans
July Handicap and Gr2 Gold Cup before retiring to stud.
than 40 stakes winners. Arguably his best broodmare daughter to date has been Miss Macy Sue, the dam of four black type winners including highly successful US stallions Liam’s Map (by Unbridled’s Song) and Not This Time (by Giant’s Causeway).
October Morn’s dam – the Var mare Miss October | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Other notable performers produced by daughters of Trippi include South African Gr1 winners Gabor, Gimme A Prince, Miss Florida and She’s A Keeper.
Even granddaughters of Trippi mares are enjoying success at stud, with Trippi mare Tuscan Sunset the granddam of 2024 Gr3 Lecomte Stakes winner and 2024 G2 Risen Star Stakes runner up Track Phantom (by Quality Road).
October Morn’s female line is outstanding and packed full of high-class black type performers.
She is out of high-class racemare Miss October,
who showed top-class sprinting form, and won the 2014 Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap (one of her five career wins), she was also runner up in both the Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes and Listed KwaZulu-Natal Stakes and third in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes, Gr3 Lebelo Sprint, and Listed Gardenia Handicap. A Var full-sister to Gr1 Mercury Sprint winner August Rush, Miss October has proved to be an excellent producer.
South Africa’s Champion Stayer of 1983, Devon Air’s first South African start saw the daughter of Sparkler romp home to an 11-length score over 1900m. Devon Air went on to win the Listed Sidney Benjamin Cup by 13 lengths
Devon Air – 1984 Gr2 Jockey Brand Gold Cup
before running third, to Wolf Power, in the 1984 Gr1 J&B Metropolitan.
Campaigned in KZN, Devon Air reeled off wins in the Gr2 Republic Day Handicap, Gr1 Rothmans July Handicap and Gr2 Gold Cup before retiring to stud.
She made a good start at stud, with her first two foals, the filly Cream Of The Crop and Plymouth Rock winning the Gr2 Chairmans Handicap and Listed Settlers Trophy respectively (Cream Of The Crop also went on to enjoy success at stud with her 7 winners headed by Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes winner She’s On Fire). However, Devon Air had only produced one more winner by the time she was bought at a 1996 auction at Summerhill Stud by
Zimbabwean breeder Christopher Peech. Her first Zimbabwean foal was by Huntingdale and was called Bushgirl, who had to be delivered by caesarean section. She barely survived and was too weak and unsound to be raced.
Bushgirl was snapped on auction up by the astute Robin Bruss, and the rest is history with Bruss breeding both Miss October and August Rush.
The late Var, sire of Miss October, is fast becoming a top-class broodmare sire with his daughters having already produced the likes of Gr1 XXXX Golden Rose winning sire In The Congo and South African Gr1 winners Alesian Chief, and present day sires Master Archie and Thunderstruck, to name but a few.
THE ONE PACED PETER SAGA
On 30 November 2024, 4Racing will celebrate the running of their stakes-boosted flagship, the R6 million Betway Gr1 Summer Cup.
But a dark cloud hangs ominously above Turffontein as the controversial metaphorical smash and grab that was the scratching by the National Horseracing Authority of the Tony Peter runners that scarred the big day last year, remains unresolved.
While exciting developments have unfolded in racing regions countrywide, and the local and international sales arena is buoyant in the postcovid boom, South African racing stakeholders continue to ponder over the unfinished
business of a day that apparently started with a breakfast at the Peter stable yard to celebrate the arrival of a bonny grandson and ended with scratchings and a subsequently lifted suspension, as well as a video that did the rounds.
The sad reality is that no matter who did what wrong, the Peter saga has been a scar on the SA horseracing landscape for far too long and besides the old favourite of justice delayed, it has lingered lengths ahead of
Frustrated Tony Peter – where to next? | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
KZN star Royal Victory’s big win in the 2023 renewal of the Highveld showpiece.
In more Dick Francis style melodrama, Tony Peter issued a summons of R70 million in December 2023 against the National Horseracing Authority, with the regulator named as first defendant and Racing Control Executive Arnold Hyde as the second defendant, jointly and severally.
There are three individual claims listed, including damages arising from withdrawals from a race meeting on 27 July, following Out of Competition specimen collection that took place at Randjesfontein Training Centre and Turffontein Racecourse on 24 July 2023.
In between, we have had a variety of hearings, social media mud-slinging, statements from the beleaguered family operation and an ominous silence from the racing regulator – all patently bad PR for a game trying desperately to reinvent itself.
The latest postponement of the hearing, on Thursday 10 October 2024, happened as a result of a review application by the Peter family concerning the Inquiry Board’s decision not to disallow all of the evidence given by the NHA’s investigator, Riaan Janse van Rensburg.
When the Board received the application, they despatched a note saying that they did not believe the inquiry should proceed on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 October.
The NHA’s counsel objected and opposed the postponement application, and the Peter legal team were thus made to argue a postponement, which was ultimately granted. This is said to have effectively cost the racing regulator two days of legal fees as well as the Inquiry Board expenses, including airfares etc.
The Sporting Post is in possession of an application in the South Gauteng High Court brought by the Peter family. This is a public document and can be read here.
“For reasons best known to its board, the NHA has delegated this matter to a firm of private investigators, who appear to be running the matter and on information at my disposal even appointed the NHA’s legal team. This exercise has cost the NHA an estimated almost R2millon to date according to our legal team,” added Tony Peter.
The trainer went on to explain that at the previous hearing in August, whilst NHA investigator Janse van Rensburg was still being cross examined by the Peter’s representative, Advocate Nigel Riley, a representative of the private investigation firm was found to be instructing Mr Janse Van Rensburg as to what he should say to Riley while he (Van Rensburg) was being cross examined.
“I am informed that this is against every legal principle and practice in existence. And when the behaviour was brought to the inquiry boards’ attention, the NHA admitted what had happened. Previously, during the proceedings, and while he was being cross examined, Janse Van Rensburg also revealed that he had read the evidence of a previous witness, before he gave evidence himself,” added Peter.
“The real question is how the NHA board can continue to allow this almost comedic wastage of funds in a process effectively driven by an external service provider. The unnecessary delays and outrageous expenses have not been of our doing, and we simply want this matter finalized and to be allowed to get on with our professional lives,” concluded a clearly frustrated Tony Peter.
HEART AND COURAGE – THE GREY WINS QE11 STAKES
Charyn (13/8F) secured his third Gr1 prize of the season with a top-class performance in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The son of Dark Angel moved through the contest like a class act but needed to dig deep when French raider Facteur Cheval threw down a strong challenge entering the final furlong.
Charyn responded like a champion, finding plenty for Silvestre de Sousa’s urgings to pull away and score by two lengths. Facteur Cheval (11/2) filled the runner-up spot for the second successive year, with Tamfana (7/2) four
and a quarter lengths further back in third.
The Roger Varian-trained winner, who is owned by Nurlan Bizakov, was following up victories this season in the Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes and Gr1 Prix Jacques Le Marois.
Varian said: “Charyn is a super horse and that was fantastic. Everything went very smooth, and it was a lovely race to watch. Silvestre got me a bit nervous! He just sat comfortable and you could see the second coming, and then Charyn had to get to work and he showed his battling qualities. He’s got everything, that horse.
Charyn wins the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) | Credit: Megan Coggin
“I promise you, he’s got the most amazing constitution. Every time I’ve run him in his life, I’ve thought he was too heavy, because he just holds his condition like no other horse. Touch wood, he’s sound, he loves his work, he loves his racing. He’s just got such a good mentality for the game, and an engine to go with it.
“He recovers from his races so well and takes his training so well. He doesn’t waste any energy at home. He has had a long year, but he doesn’t stress about life. He is under the radar at home. He is not wasting energy doing barn-storming gallops or flashy canters; he is completely cool to the point where you’re not sure, ‘Come on, mate’! But when he gets to the races, he’s completely here, which is why I think he can get through the year like he has done.
“I think it’s already been announced that he will retire at the end of this season. He will be a stallion for Nurlan Bizakov’s stud operation in France. I, of course, would love him to stay in training, but I think that’s not going to be the case. We’ll have to see how he comes out of this race, we might just contemplate one more international run.”
On a turbulent season that included QIPCO 1,000 Guineas success and losing two significant owners in Amo Racing and Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, Varian said: “I think the game matches Charyn. It’s a tough game with ups and downs every month and every week but I’ve got great people around me, great people at home, support and some wonderful owners. I am very lucky to train some special horses and you pick yourself up
when you take a knock and you get on with it. I could reflect on the year and say yes, it’s had its challenges, but it’s been a fantastic year; we’ve got one of the top milers in Europe, if not the world, and we’re housing an English Classic winner amongst plenty of other good stuff, so we’ve had a good year. It’s had its ups and downs but we’re here again in the winner’s enclosure on Champions Day.”
De Sousa said: “Charyn just had a look there at the big screen, but he’s such a good horse and I hope it’s not going to be too long before I sit on something like him again. Roger has done such a great job with this horse, and the whole team at home as well.
“I thought I was in front a bit too soon, but the ground is so wet and, when it’s wet, you can lose momentum if you try and take them back. You just have to sit quiet and I knew that, whatever challenged me in the final furlong, I had plenty left.
“Charyn can do it from fast ground to bottomless ground. He has proved he is a true champion and deserves to be here on a day like this and be favourite in this race. He’s a dream horse. I always thought I would bump into one one day, and he’s the dream.”
Facteur Cheval’s trainer Jerome Reynier said: “You can’t really be frustrated by being beaten
by such a big champion like Charyn – he is the number one miler in Europe. Obviously, we beat him last year in the Sussex on testing ground, so we were hoping to be able to do it again, but obviously he has been improving a lot this year and Charyn is just unbeatable. It’s like a victory to be second and Facteur Cheval is so consistent – he never lets you down and is a dream horse.”
Oisin Murphy said of Tamfana: “Huge effort from her. It was different ground to what she’s faced before, but she’s only been beaten by colts and it’s a long way back to the rest of them. I am looking forward to next year with her.”
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) (Group 1)
• 1 - Charyn (Nurlan Bizakov) Roger Varian 4-906 Silvestre de Sousa 13/8F
• 2 - Facteur Cheval (Team Valor International LLC & Gary Barber) 5-9-06 11/2
• 3 - Tamfana (Quantum Leap Racing VIII & Friends) David Menuisier 3-9-00 Oisin Murphy 7/2
12 ran
• Roger Varian – 5th winner on QIPCO British Champions Day
• Silvestre de Sousa – 3rd winner on QIPCO British Champions Day
SHADWELL’S 40-1 CHAMPION STAKES KNOCKOUT
Shadwell runner Anmaat overcame trouble in running to cause a 40/1 upset in the Gr1 QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
In what proved to be an eventful edition of the day’s showpiece event, Anmaat, like eventual runner-up Calandagan, was unable to get a clear run as the field bunched early in the home straight.
However, Jim Crowley managed to extricate the six-year-old with time to spare, at which point his mount stormed home to collar 6/4F Calandagan in the final strides. The winning margin was half a length, with Royal Rhyme (25/1) just under two lengths further back in third.
Anmaat, who landed last year’s Gr1 Prix d’Ispahan on his only other appearance at the highest level, disappointed on his latest start when fifth in the Gr2 Prix Dollar.
Winning trainer Owen Burrows, enjoying his first winner at the meeting, said: “We’ve always thought a lot of this horse. I know it sounds easy afterwards, but last year after he won his Group One in France, I did really fancy him for the Eclipse – but he had a very complex foot injury, which took a long time to come right.
Jim Crowley is beaming as Anmaat causes the knockout | Credit: Megan Coggin
Credit to the team back at Shadwell, and obviously Sheikha Hissa’s patience with him as well.
“It just went wrong in France two weeks ago. It was a muddling old race and I think Jim will admit it probably wasn’t his finest hour, but the horse came back fine.
“I had to convince Sheikha Hissa to come today but credit to her, I spoke to her on Monday morning and sent her a video of an easy piece of work he did last Saturday. She was happy with it and so was I.
“I was never too fussed on ground conditions, as he won on very soft ground in France last year. How he’s done it has surprised me. I put my binoculars down halfway up the straight, as
I thought he had no chance from where he got pushed back to. To pick up in this ground like that, I thought it was a heck of a performance.”
Crowley said: “We had a nice draw and I wanted to go and sit third or fourth, one off the rail, and give myself an option. But I could see early on that Los Angeles wasn’t taking Ryan [Moore] at all and, when we turned into the straight, I had horses on my outside keeping me in.
“I was going well, but then we had to try and work our way through and we got completely stopped. There was no option at the time, we were just stuck. I won’t tell you what I was thinking. But when he got the gap, it was extraordinary the way the horse picked up and, believe me, it was no fluke.
“I thought he’d win the Eclipse last year against Paddington. I was convinced he would win and he went wrong the day before. It looked like he would never race again and everyone has done a wonderful job to get him back.
“He won on his reappearance at Haydock – he scraped home but he was probably only 70% ready. Then we decided to go to France to have a nice, easy win and then go here. I held him up off a slow pace, but he just didn’t pick up that day, and he’s gone under everybody’s radar here. It was touch and go whether he ran in this race off the back of France and it was a brave call; we were coming here to finish third and fourth so to go and do what he did is great.
“This year has been a bit slow. I am used to having these big winners all the time and this is my first Group One this year. To do it on a horse that has come back from injury, and Owen has done this with Hukum as well; it’s a great comeback. Anmaat will be around next year all being well and he can show everyone again how good he is.”
Calandagan’s trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said: “Second again – I am so upset! We had a very difficult draw and, in that ground this horse
makes too much effort. But we had a very good race; he quickened clear and I thought the race was for us. Then I got caught on the line, so that’s it. Another second! He made too much effort in that ground, especially over 10 furlongs. We have to ask him to follow the pace. Yes, he will stay in training next year.”
Marie Velon, who took fourth on Iresine, said: “That was very good – he liked the ground. I followed Calandagan as much as I could, and he finished very well.”
William Haggas said of Economics (6th): “Disappointing obviously. Tom [Marquand] felt the ground was a bit soft for him, but I said I wouldn’t use that as an excuse so I’m not going to. He’s fine. There’s a little blood in his nose, so we’ll sort that out.”
QIPCO
Champion Stakes (Group 1)
• 1 - Anmaat (Shadwell Estate Company Ltd) Owen Burrows 6-9-07 Jim Crowley 40/1
• 3 - Royal Rhyme (Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum) Karl Burke 4-9-07 Clifford Lee 25/1
11 ran
• Owen Burrows – 1st QIPCO British Champions Day winner
• Jim Crowley – 5th QIPCO British Champions Day winner
FAMILY TRADITION ENDURES IN CHAMPIONS SPRINT
Kind Of Blue (10/1) followed in the footsteps of relatives The Tin Man and Deacon Blues by winning the Gr1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot on Saturday for trainer James Fanshawe.
The lightly raced sprinter travelled strongly towards the middle of the track before finding plenty under pressure to hold off Swingalong (17/2) and Flora Of Bermuda (25/1) by a head and a neck.
Racing in the colours of Wathnan Racing for the first time and partnered by retained jockey James Doyle, Kind Of Blue was purchased after losing out narrowly in the Gr1 Sprint Cup at Haydock Park last month.
Fanshawe trained Deacon Blues, a full-brother to Kind Of Blue’s dam Blues Sister, to win the inaugural running of this race in 2011. The trainer followed up in 2016 with The Tin Man,
who is a half-brother to Blues Sister.
Fanshawe said: “Kind Of Blue is the third close relation that has won this race, all from the same family and all bred by the Hoppers, the Grundys and the Morrises. All trainers get attached to families that do them well and this is a family that has done us tremendously well.
“Wathnan Racing bought him three weeks ago and he’s a really exciting horse for them going forwards. He’s got the Group One under his belt now. It’s been a big team effort to get him here. Dan Muscutt has ridden him in all his races and done all the homework on him; obviously to all the team back home, I’m really grateful.
“Kind Of Blue had a couple of niggles as a two-year-old, but up Warren Hill in the spring he was looking pretty special early on. He’ll be
Kind Of Blue (centre) wins the QIPCO British Champions Sprint | Credit: Megan Coggin
done for the year now. Obviously, we’ll talk with Richard Brown and the connections but he’s had a long season and we’ll look forward to next spring.”
Doyle said: “To think Kind Of Blue was unraced before the start of this season, he has made giant strides and run some cracking races in defeat. He ran well here back in June in the Commonwealth and ran great in the Haydock Sprint, when he was just touched off. “He improved with every race and there’s no greater man than James Fanshawe to prepare a Champions Sprint winner here at Ascot – he knows what he needs. It was great.
“It was a long last 10 strides! He was very brave. For a very inexperienced horse to lead a furlong and a half out and still knuckle down
when he felt the second horse come to me is a true testament to not only his ability but the heart that he has.
“There is a superb team behind Wathnan Racing, headed by Richard Brown, that source these horses. We’ve had some near misses through the season, so to get one of these proper Group One winners is very important. The team did a great job.”
Swingalong’s trainer Karl Burke said: “I am delighted with the filly. Three seconds in Group Ones in a year is a bit frustrating, but she’s a fantastic filly to have and credit to everyone in the yard. She’s brilliant. Two furlongs out I thought, surely, we’ll get there. Then I thought I was beaten, then she was coming again at the death. She just doesn’t know when to give in.
Once she’s in that rhythm, she doesn’t stop, whatever the ground is.
“It is a good question as to whether she stays in training – it will be up to the owner. Whatever he decides to do, she has done enough to go off to the paddocks; if she had won today, I’d have said pack her in. But there’s no reason why she can’t go on another season physically – she’s a very sound filly, touch wood. It’s the owner’s choice and I wouldn’t like to recommend either way.”
Anna Lisa Balding said of Flora Of Bermuda: “Absolutely delighted. She is a very special filly. She has had a lot of bad luck and was pretty unlucky at Haydock; that would have been her best career run. Today she has taken it off the charts. Jake Warren bought her; we’ve had a few little hiccups with her, and to do it like that on Champions Day, that’s what we were dreaming of. She will stay in training and you never know, we might bump her up to seven furlongs in time.”
Oisin Murphy added: “That’s a career best. Flora Of Bermuda deserved that. She had a
good trip behind the winner throughout, and I think the form is pretty strong.”
QIPCO British Champions Sprint (Group 1)
• 1 - Kind Of Blue (Wathnan Racing) James Fanshawe 3-9-03 James Doyle 10/1
• 2 - Swingalong (Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum) Karl Burke 4-9-01 Billy Loughnane 17/2
• 3 - Flora Of Bermuda (Bermuda Racing Limited) Andrew Balding 3-9-00 Oisin Murphy 25/1
20 ran 7/2F Kinross (7th)
• James Fanshawe – 4th winner on QIPCO British Champions Day
• James Doyle – 3rd winner on QIPCO British Champions Day
Juddmonte three-year-old Kalpana (10/3F) continued her progression with a dominant victory in the Gr1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The Andrew Balding-trained favourite could be called the winner a long way out, travelling sweetly under a confident William Buick, who unleashed the daughter of Study Of Man approaching the final two furlongs.
Kalpana quickly put the race to bed and galloped out strongly to beat Wingspan (12/1) by two lengths, with Tiffany (13/2) three lengths further back in third.
This was a third straight victory for Kalpana, following similarly impressive wins in the Listed Glasgow Stakes and Gr3 September Stakes.
Balding said: “I have never known a horse improve as much as Kalpana. I think I even mentioned to Barry [Mahon, Juddmonte] that we might put her in a sale this time last year! Just every time we started doing more with her, she’s just improved and improved, from Wolverhampton to here in 10 months.
“I don’t think she’d even done any fast work at this time last year, so it has been a pretty steep trajectory from Wolverhampton to here. I very much hope she’ll stay in training, that was
JUDDMONTE FILLY A CLASS APART
the plan anyway unless something has changed tonight.
“She is just an absolute diamond, as you can see afterwards. She has a very special temperament and is by an exciting young stallion. She’s from the first crop of Study Of Man, so it’s pretty exciting for them as well.
“He is a great guy William, a brilliant jockey, and when Oisin [Murphy] couldn’t ride, Barry Mahon was very keen to have William and, given the history, I was very, very happy with that. He gave her a perfect ride.”
Buick said: “Kalpana has an incredible mind and is a jockey’s dream. I parked her up three-wide with no cover but she was always comfortable, never wasted any energy and saved the whole way in that ground.
“It is a very special moment because it is my first Group One winner for Andrew. I started with Andrew, and Andrew and his whole family have played a huge part in my career so thank you to him and, obviously, Kalpana; what she did there was very good and she’s only going to improve.”
Aidan O’Brien said of Wingspan: “She looks to have got the trip well, and I’m delighted with the run. It isn’t decided yet whether she will stay in training, but it’s definitely possible.”
Kalpana wins the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes | Credit: Megan Coggin
Tiffany’s trainer Sir Mark Prescott said: “She ran very well. We had every chance, I thought. She was in a lovely position all the way. She’s done everything, except win a Group One. She’s been placed in one, so she has to run in Group Ones, and it is up to the trainer to be as devious and Machiavellian as possible to find the right Group One to run her in. But that’s what she has to do. She may go to Germany – I think it is November 10 [in Munich]. We won the race with Alpinista. So, if she is alright after this, we will go there.”
Luke Morris added: “Tiffany ran a brave race. She got a perfect trip throughout and she’s got some very valuable Group One black type. Fingers crossed we might be able to win a Group One with her.”
QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)
• 1 - Kalpana (Juddmonte) Andrew Balding 3-9-01 William Buick 10/3F
• 2 - Wingspan (Westerberg, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith) Aidan O’Brien IRE 3-9-01 Sean Levey
• 3 - Tiffany (Elite Racing Club) Sir Mark Prescott 4-9-07 Luke Morris 13/2
14 ran
• Andrew Balding – 2nd winner on QIPCO British Champions Day William Buick – 3rd winner on QIPCO British Champions Day
O MURPHY’S ON TOP OF THE WORLD AGAIN!
isin Murphy, who will ride Frances Ethel in the Betway Summer Cup at Turffontein at end November, was presented with his fourth Champion Flat Jockey trophy at Ascot on Saturday as he regained the title, he won in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The 29-year-old has turned this year’s championship into a procession and ends the campaign on 163 winners, more than 50 clear of his closest challenger Rossa Ryan.
Highlights for the Irishman include a Gr1 double at Royal Ascot aboard Australian challenger Asfoora in the King Charles III Stakes and Khaadem in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Murphy finished second to William Buick in 2023, having been unable to defend his title in 2022 owing to a 14-month suspension.
Murphy said: “This is something I really tried to achieve this year. I have had great support from so many trainers and owners and having a fair lead has meant I have been able to enjoy it over the last month or so.
“It has taken a lot of hard work from my agent [Gavin Horne]. With the one meeting a day rule, it is paramount that he chooses the correct meeting to send me to, which is not easy when there are three or four meetings. I think he has done a great job, and that has been key to me riding so many winners.
Oisin Murphy – fourth time feels as good as the first | Credit: Megan Coggin
“It is high pressure, especially when you are going racing everyday with chances, which I am lucky enough to be doing. It can be frustrating if you are not winning, but thankfully I had a good Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and York.
“The British weighing room is full of stars. It is one of the most, if not the most, competitive weighing rooms in the world. There are so many Group One-winning jockeys in there and many of them are young and ambitious.”
On the future, Murphy added: “There are many races that I have not won. The two standouts for me are the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Derby. The Arc has so much international appeal and recognition nowadays, while the Derby has so much history.”
SEVENTH BRITISH FLAT TITLE FOR O’BRIEN
At Ascot on Saturday, Aidan O’Brien wrapped up his seventh British Flat Trainer’s Championship, the first time he has landed the title since 2017.
While the season officially runs from January 1 to December 31, the Ballydoyle handler leads the standings by more than £3 million after a string of big-race victories.
City Of Troy has spearheaded O’Brien’s efforts in Britain this year, reeling off a Gr1 hattrick in the Betfred Derby, Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International.
Kyprios returned to the top of the staying tree with victories in the Gold Cup and Al Shaqab
Goodwood Cup, while Jan Brueghel led home a one-two for the stable in the Betfred St Leger.
O’Brien’s juveniles have also excelled, with Lake Victoria taking the Gr1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes.
O’Brien said: “It is a big team effort from everyone in Ballydoyle and Coolmore. There are so many special people in so many different areas that if I started talking about them, I would be here until tomorrow.
Aidan O’Brien proudly holds the trophy | Credit: Megan Coggin
You can have the horses and the place but, if you don’t have the people, it won’t happen.
“The owners are the people who put the resources in every year, to try and help us make it better. They put a lot of time in and give us advice. We do our best, give information back, and try to follow the roadmap that they draw for us. Some years it goes very well, some years it is ordinary, and some years it is medium.
“This
was
a good year for us. We won plenty of good races. I am just delighted for everybody when we do have a good year. We don’t take anything for granted and try to look to the future.”
Godolphin was crowned Champion Owner in Britain for a 16th time thanks to a campaign that has yielded Classic success and more than £4 million in prize money.
The Dubai-based operation started the season with a bang as Notable Speech captured the Gr1 QIPCO 2,000 Guineas, with the son of Dubawi going on to defeat all-aged opposition in the Gr1 Qatar Sussex Stakes during the summer.
Shadow Of Light and Desert Flower were the standouts as the two-year-olds came to the fore in the second half of the season, with the latter extending her unbeaten record to four in the G1 bet365 Fillies’ Mile.
Shadow Of Light looks a front-runner for Europe’s Champion Two-Year-Old honours after completing a rare Gr1 double in the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes and Darley Dewhurst Stakes.
Hugh Anderson, Managing Director of Godolphin (UK and Dubai), said: “Everyone at Godolphin is immensely proud to receive the UK Champion Owner trophy for a 16th time.
“It has proved to be another exceptional season, led by our brilliant 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner Notable Speech. It’s also particularly exciting to see the next generation coming through, with Shadow Of Light and Desert Flower establishing themselves as the best two-year-olds in the country. With several of our senior stars set to remain in training, we can look forward to 2025 with great anticipation.
“All of our trainers have done a superb job once again, while it has been extremely rewarding to see our homebreds and stallions perform so well. Thank you to every single Godolphin employee, who have all played their part in this success. Our greatest thanks must go to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, whose endless passion for the sport continues to prove an inspiration for us all.”
Sean Dylan Bowen clinched the Champion Apprentice title following a hard-fought battle with Joe Leavy.
The riders were neck and neck entering the final week of the season, but Bowen partnered crucial winners at Chelmsford, Haydock Park and today at Catterick to swing the pendulum in his favour.
Bowen, who finishes the campaign with 45 successes, has been based in Newmarket with James Owen since moving over from Ireland at the start of the season.
Bowen said: “My plan at the start was to go jumping, but everyone said I was mad because I was too light. They said I should go on the Flat first and switch after if I did get heavier. My weight is reasonably good at the minute, so we will see how long I can get out of it.
“I joined Mr Owen’s yard in May. Time has flown since I came over. The main reason for doing so was opportunities – there is more racing than back home in Ireland. My aim was to pick up as many rides as I could and hopefully get some winners along the way.”
KYPRIOS IS UP WITH THE BEST
Aidan O’Brien was crowned British Flat Champion trainer for 2024 on Saturday at Ascot. This is the seventh time he has achieved the feat with his raids of UK Group races and festivals unparalleled.
His star stayer Kyprios has provided a substantial portion of his championship earnings. Kyprios has won all seven starts this season including his three in the UK – a second Ascot Gold Cup, a second Gr1 Goodwood Cup and Saturday’s Long-Distance Cup.
The six-year-old entire by Galileo was also successful in the Gr1 Irish St Leger and Prix du Cadran at Longchamp, and according to O’Brien will now be prepared for a third attempt at the Gold Cup next June.
When looking at his stats the Moyglare bred horse has recorded 15 successes from 19
starts including an incredible 8 Group 1 victories. He has raced against some fellow greats including the Bjorn Neilson owned Stradivarius and Alan King’s star stayer Trueshan. Kyprios always came out on top of those two rivals which is no mean feat considering Trueshan, a multiple Group 1 winner has won 16 races, and the great Stradivarius has three Ascot Gold Cups to his name.
Race commentator Richard Hoiles stated: “Kyprios, the King Of Stayers!” as he crossed the line 2,25 lengths clear of Sweet William, and perhaps he might just be right. After all,
O’Brien’s star stayer Kyprios has recorded 15 successes from 19 starts | Credit: Megan Coggin
his only two defeats in 15 starts since racing over further than a mile and a half were when returning from an injury enforced year layoff as a five-year-old where he missed the majority of the season.
“At one stage we weren’t sure he would live.” O’Brien added: “He got an infection in his joint, and it got into the joint capsule. Usually what happens is that they lose the movement in the joint – and for a while he did – but it came back.”
Apart from his dual Ascot Gold Cups, Kyprios has had dual Group 1 success in the Goodwood Gold Cup, two Prix du Cadran’s, and two Irish St Leger’s at the Curragh.
The benchmark must be former Ballydoyle stablemate, Yeats. Now a stallion in Ireland, the 23-year-old son of Sadler’s Wells won 15 races from 26 starts in a career that included the incredible feat of four successive Ascot Gold Cups.
He was a well backed favourite for the 2004 Epsom Derby but met with a setback just days before the race and missed the rest of the season, only returning almost a year later.
Mixed form as a four-year-old didn’t hint at what was to come, but from five to eight years of age this wonderful dark bay with a small white star and two white marks on his hind legs
was invincible in the UK and Ireland staying ranks.
Successful twice in the Goodwood Cup and numerous features in Ireland, his only blemish was that he could only place on two occasions from three tries in the Cadran at Longchamp.
Kyprios reminds legendary jockey Mick Kinane of the great Yeats. He should know having rode Yeats to his second win in the Ascot Gold Cup, and he sees similarities between the two.
“The way he goes reminds me of Yeats in that he’s laid back, just seems to do enough, and saves everything for the extreme trip. With the Gold Cup, it’s very difficult to know if your horse will get the trip until you try, but we know that Kyprios does get the distance, which is a big bonus.”
For now, the jury’s out on who was the best ever stayer. Sagaro won three Gold Cups in the 70’s and his jockey Lester Piggott described him as “the greatest long-distance horse I ever rode.”
Stradivarius was another great with a huge following also winning three Gold Cups with Frankie Dettori aboard, but Yeats was the only one to win four.
The big chestnut Kyprios has still to complete his career and then the final reckoning can be made. So far, he has been faultless and is right up there with the best.
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Bella Nipotina (Craig Williams, outside, red sleeves) trained by Ciaron Maher wins the Everest at Randwick on October | Credit: Martin King/Sportpix – Inglis
Magical mare Bella Nipotina (Pride of Dubai) scored the win of her career at Randwick on Saturday, defying a wide run to defeat a field of world class sprinters in the Gr1 A$20m The Everest.
The 7YO mare has earned herself the reputation of being the toughest horse in Australian racing, securing a 10th career win with a phenomenal victory.
Jumping from the outside gate of barrier 12, the Ciaron Maher-trained Bella Nipotina was never better than three wide for the 1200m journey but staved off challengers inside and out to score the memorable win.
Bella Nipotina is bred by Michael Christian, who races the mare with Siobhan Miller, Brad and Pauline Christian, Andy Ingersole, Mick and Alise Johnston, Tim and Bronwyn Porter and Wayne and Vicki Pelchen.
The mare was just an A$80,000 purchase out of the Rosemont Stud draft at the Premier Yearling Sale for Lindsay Park, Andrew Williams and Mt Hallowell Stud.
From 55 career starts – which included placings in both the Inglis Banner and Inglis Millennium as a 2YO – Bella Nipotina has now won A$18.3m in prizemoney.
She is one of 100 individual Gr1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018 and one of 44 that could have been purchased for A$100,000 or less in that period.
Longwood Thoroughbred Farm’s Michael Christian was trackside at Randwick to witness his mare’s extraordinary performance and was lost for words post-race.
“It’s unbelievable, I’m not sure what to say,’’ an elated Christian said.
“She’s just a freak. She’s seven years of age, she raced as an October 2YO and now she’s reached the pinnacle. She’s won The Everest. It’s a dream come true.
“I’m on cloud nine. Our fear all week from the gate was that she’d be caught three wide with no cover, and she was. And she was still good enough. What more can she do?’’
Christian was flanked by friends and connections of Bella Nipotina after the win, including trainer Ciaron Maher.
Maher also trained the third placegetter and Easter Yearling Sale graduate Growing Empire and was full of praise for Bella Nipotina, who he described as “phenomenal’’.
“We were pretty confident leading into today, she was in career best form,’’ the trainer said.
“She’d been doing on firm tracks what she used to do on tracks with give in it and she got her preferred surface today.
“She can sometimes not step so well but sometimes she can get a flyer and we decided that if she stepped well, let’s go, so we wanted to be forward and we were.
“We thought if she could do that, she’d be hard to beat. I thought with the run she had she might have got beat but she’s bloody tough.
“She’s a bit like me, she doesn’t like to miss out on a carnival. She’s a phenomenal horse to train, the team has done such a super job with her. She looked pristine this week.’’
When asked if Bella Nipotina could come back next year as an 8YO and go back-to-back in The Everest, Maher quipped: “I’m done trying to say what she can’t do.’’
THE MAGICIAN HEADS DOWN UNDER
SA Jockey Academy graduate Karis Teetan has again been granted permission by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to travel to Australia on Saturday to partner Evaporate for trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes in the Ladbrokes A$5 million Gr1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Racecourse.
The only condition is that the ‘Mauritian Magician’, as he was popularly known in his time here in South Africa, has to be back for the Happy Valley racemeeting on Sunday 27 October, and the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday 3 November!
Currently tied in third spot on the Hong Kong jockey log alongside the ‘two Matthews’, Chadwick and Poon, with 8 winners each, Karis Teetan rode the unplaced pacesetter Coco Sun in last Saturday’s Caulfield Cup. He now gets a decent chance aboard Evaporate, a winner of the Gr2 Stutt Stakes at The Valley before his third in the Gr1 Caulfield Guineas, when beaten
less than a length by Private Life and Feroce. Evaporate will be a second 2024 Cox Plate runner for Lindsay Park, who will also saddle up last year’s runner-up Mr Brightside.
Described as one of the most positive people in Hong Kong racing, Karis Teetan has an inspiring backstory. From humble beginnings in Mauritius to conquering the competitive Hong Kong racing scene, his journey is a reflection of his unwavering determination and resilience.
Now, he is set to ride in the Cox Plate and, looking ahead to the first Tuesday in November, the iconic Lexus Gr1 Melbourne Cup.
Karis Teetan is all set for Moonee Valley Credit: HKJC
Growing up in Mauritius, Karis Teetan’s passion for horses ignited at a young age. “We grew up with nothing really,” he shared. “The only thing I was doing in Mauritius was running away from school and riding horses.”
His father, a sugarcane cutter, recognised his son’s passion and made sacrifices to support his dream. “Dad would go and work in the afternoon to get extra cash to be able to take me to a riding club,” Teetan said.
At the tender age of 13, his dedication led him to leave Mauritius to attend the prestigious South African Jockey Academy in Durban, a breeding ground for champion jockeys like Douglas Whyte and Felix Coetzee.
Eventually he landed in Hong Kong, where his talent really blossomed. He became a mainstay in the highly competitive jockey ranks, and has achieved significant milestones, including winning the ‘Hong Kong Derby and the QE II Cup aboard Romantic Warrior.
Reflecting on his journey, Karis expressed gratitude for the support he’s received. “It’s amazing,” he remarked in an interview with the Victoria Raing Club. “I never thought I’d be in the position I am at the moment, but you know, I’m just grateful for everyone’s support throughout my years in Hong Kong.”
The lightweight jockey embraces the multicultural environment of Hong Kong racing. “We have Australian, South African, French, and me [in the jockey’s room], so it’s a whole mix-up of languages throughout the race meeting. But, you know, we all get along pretty well. When we go out on the track, it’s really tough, but when we come back after the race, we just all get along pretty well.”
Teetan’s ambition extends beyond Hong Kong, and he has his sights firmly set on the Lexus Melbourne Cup, a race that has captivated him since his early days in South Africa. “When I came to Hong Kong, I learned a lot about the Melbourne Cup,” he said. “Really how big the race is and how important it is for a lot of Australian people. It’s just amazing, the people that come to the races and the atmosphere. You can already feel it just by watching.”
He remembers his first encounter with the iconic Melbourne Cup trophy. “I’d seen it on social media but seeing it in front of me was really like, wow, a privilege, you know?” he said. “I can just picture me holding it when I win the Melbourne Cup one day!” he told the VRC media team.
His dream now appears to have come true, with a ride in the Melbourne Cup on the cards.
Like any ambitious and smart jockey, Karis recognises the importance of showcasing his skills on the Australian stage. “It is good for me to get my name out there a bit as well in those big carnival days, because there are always lightweight horses in those big handicaps like the Melbourne Cup,” he said.
The 164th renewal of the Melbourne Cup, tagged the ‘race that stops a nation’, will be run over 3200 m on Tuesday 5 November the Flemington Racecourse.
LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT ON RADAR FOR HAYES SPEEDSTER
Clocking one of the fastest 1200m times ever recorded at Sha Tin, Ka Ying Rising continued a relentless march towards the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in December with an imperious victory in the Gr2 Premier Bowl Handicap at
Posting his seventh win from nine starts, Ka Ying Rising (128lb) was unextended in running 1m 07.57s to narrowly miss eclipsing Sacred Kingdom’s long-standing 1200m course record of 1m 07.50s while cruising to a one and a half-length margin over Helios Express (115lb). Three-time Group 1 winner California Spangle (135lb) was third, a further one and a half lengths away.
Last season’s Hong Kong Champion Griffin and Most Improved Horse, Ka Ying Rising jumped cleanly and settled third behind California Spangle and Harmony N Blessed before
unleashing a devastating sprint over the final 200m to give Zac Purton his third Premier Bowl win and David Hayes his first.
“Zac came in and said ‘When do you want to break the track record?’,” Hayes said. “He’s a very special horse. He can quicken off a fast pace. Those two horses in front are fast horses. I’m very excited about him.
“You really felt comfortable at the 600m mark with the Zac positioned him perfectly. He’s got a good turn of foot when he lets him down and I think he’s got a little bit more to offer.”
Exciting sprinter Ya King Rising – on the up |
Credit: HKJC
Sha Tin on Sunday.
Hayes has mapped an ambitious programme for the Shamexpress gelding, who will next contest the Gr2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) on 17 November in preparation for the HK$26 million LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint on 8 December.
“He’s getting stronger and physically he’s still got a bit of improvement in him. He hasn’t got the body of California Spangle, but he went up 14 pounds between runs and he’s getting stronger,” Hayes said before indicating Ka Ying Rising would also be set for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 31 January.
“The Classic Mile is part of his programme. He relaxes, takes the box seat and he was actually bought as a 1400m horse or a miler. For a fouryear-old race, I’ll give it a go, that’s the race to try it in.
“He’s bred to run a mile, he’s got the manners to run a mile and after that we can work out
whether we keep him as a sprinter or be tempted by the (BMW Hong Kong) Derby (2000m). He relaxes beautifully and that’s what a good horse does.”
Purton, who has ridden some of Hong Kong’s best sprinters including Lucky Sweynesse and Aerovelocity, said Ka Ying Rising continued to mature and improve with each run.
“He’s getting better every start, he’s just handling the pre-race things a lot better and standing a lot better in the gates. He’s a really intelligent horse, he knows his job really well now and hopefully this is just the start of what could be an exciting journey,” Purton said.
“He always had it in his control. I just had Beauty Waves getting on my heels mid-race, firing him up a little bit, but apart from that it all went pretty smoothly.
“He hasn’t got to his grand final yet and produced a performance like that so until he
does that, he’s still got it ahead of him but he continues to improve. He’s maturing all the time, he seems to be handling his races a lot better, pulling up nicely.
“It’s another soft win for him today. Even though he’s run really good time, it’s a win that shouldn’t take a lot out of him and there’s a nice gap now between his next run and the one after. I didn’t have to really get to the bottom of him so hopefully he eats up well and is happy.”
Purton scored on Francis Lui’s Packing Hermod in the Class 3 Shared Prosperity Handicap (1200m) and also combined with Hayes and Master Mastermind in the Class 4 Community Growth Handicap (1400m).
Hayes also struck with Youth Power in the Class 5 The With You. Then. Now. Always. Handicap (1600m) under Keith Yeung. A three-time winner in Italy as a two-year-old, the gelding had been unplaced in 15 attempts until today’s success.
Mark Newnham’s strong season continued with a double. The Australian produced Win Speed to land the Class 4 You Make Good Possible Handicap (1400m) for Matthew Chadwick before former Argentina Group 1 winner Bravehearts snared the Class 3 Creative Spirit Handicap (1600m) under Matthew Poon.
John Size teamed with Brenton Avdulla to win the Class 4 Striding On Together Handicap (1200m) with Majestic Express before Karma posted his third win in four starts with success in the Class 2 HKJC 140th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1600m) for Caspar Fownes.
Cody Mo’s Hong Kong International Sale graduate Patch Of Time finished powerfully under Karis Teetan to land the Inspiring Community Handicap (1200m) before Ricky Yiu-trained Green N White resumed in convincing fashion by winning the Class 3 Love Racing Handicap (1400m) for Hugh Bowman.
Packing Hermod stays unbeaten under Purton | Credit: HKJC
