CLASSIC!
On the cover
Rafeef’s smart daughter Mon Petit Cherie returns after her peak victory in Saturday’s Gr Western Cape Fillies Championship. Chase Liebenberg took the photograph. see more on page 22
HE AIN’T HEAVY…
Joshwin Solomons enjoyed a season-boosting feature victory at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when he rode Daimyo to a pillar-to-post victory in the Listed Woolavington Stakes for Justin Snaith.
Joshwin is a son of experienced Cape rider Morne Winnaar and is seen here with his biggest fan, his brother Dayaan, after his third victory of the term. Chase Liebenberg took the photograph.
ENTRIES IN FOR CAPE PUNTERS CUP
The CommunityFest, featuring the Gr2 Cape Punters Cup, launches the 2024/25 Summer Festival Of Racing at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 23 November.
Vaughan Marshall saddles leading 3yo, One Stripe | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
The Cape Racing Summer Festival of Racing is arguably the premier season of horseracing in South Africa and offers eight vintage racemeetings from 23 November 2024 to 16 March 2025, all hosted at the Southern Suburbs HQ. Read more on page 54
Entries were received on Monday for the Gr2 Cape Punters Cup, previously the Concorde Cup and prior to that the Selangor Cup, which last produced a Cape Guineas winner a decade ago when Joey Ramsden’s Act Of War achieved the feature double.
Prior to that it was Ramsden’s Milnerton neighbour Dean Kannemeyer who had Le Drakkar (2008) and Express Way (2006) go the same prep-feature double-up route.
While the history of it all doesn’t tell us much, we wonder whether the nine strong entry received for the traditional classic prep will include this year’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner?
On the face of it, just 9 entries is mathematically
disappointing – we had 10 starters in 2023, 16 in 2022, 8 in 2021, 10 in 2020 and 11 in 2019.
Topping the ratings is Vaughan Marshall’s One Stripe (112) who is SA’s joint fifth highest rated 3yo male, with all of those above him, Highveld based.
With stablemate All Out For Six, the son of One World will be a candidate to give veteran Vaughan Marshal’ his sixth Cape Guineas success – his last being Tap O’Noth and William Longsword in 2017 and 2016 – both sons of Captain Al, whom Marshall saddled to win the Guineas in 2000!.
History shows that Snow Pilot was runnerup to stablemate Hluhluwe in the 2023 Gr2 Cape Punters Cup and went on to win the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas.
In 2022 Cousin Casey was the winner – in fact it was the son of Vercingetorix’ last victory ever – of the inaugural Cape Punters Cup, in a field of 16 that did not include Cape Guineas winner, Charles Dickens.
Flashback to 2023 – Hluhluwe (Grant van Niekerk) beats the obscured Snow Pilot and Green With Envy in the Punters Cup | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Like Charles Dickens, Double Superlative skipped the Punters Cup won by Pomp And Power in 2021. Snaith’s Twice Over colt came straight out of his Maiden win in September, to a fourth place behind Trip Of Fortune in Gr3 Cape Classic, and then straight into the ‘Classic Of Kings’.
Russian Rock was a shock winner of the Cape Guineas in 2020. He didn’t go the then Avontuur Estate Gr2 Concorde Cup route either.
The 2020 Cape Punters Cup was won by Malmoos, who beat Linebacker, who subsequently went on to chase Russian Rock home in the classic a month later.
Linebacker was to go on, like Green With Envy, and achieve the hat-trick of the Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Cape Derby, the Gr2 KRA Guineas and the Daily News in his 3yo term. He never won again, but did chase Kommetdieding home in the then Vodacom Gr1 Durban July of 2021.
Supplementary entries for the Cape Punters Cup close at 11h00 on Friday 15 November. Declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday 18 November.
please click here to see the first entries.
RACE 7 - M JEVU - MON PETIT CHERIE
RACE 8 - ANDRIES - SCARLET MACAW
RACE 9 - CHRISTOPHER NTLUZWANA - ARCTIC WIZARD RACE 10 – JOSEPH - AUGUSTA BLUE
Photo Credit: Chase Liebenberg
RACE 1 - MENGAPHI DADAMASI - ZEITZ
RACE 5 - T NTWENI - DAIMYO
RACE 2 - ZIXOLISILA MBANGA - OZARK
RACE 6– NORMAN MALGAS - MISS MARGUERITE
RACE 3 - MLULEKI - SAIL THE SEAS
RACE 4 - PETROS FAMA - TENANGO
KHAYA PRINCE EYES KING’S PLATE
Craig Zackey and Dean Kannemeyer will be looking for a bit of luck this weekend | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
If
barrier draws were hard currency, Dean Kannemeyer would be a rich man. For the second week running, the Milnerton conditioner takes on a quality feature field with a top horse from a wide gate.
At Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last Saturday, Gimmie’s Countess jumped from a 12 gate under Craig Zackey in the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship, and was dropped out to the rear of the field, before being left with a mountain to climb in the run for home – only beaten just over half a length into fourth.
On Saturday, Kannemeyer sends out his lightly raced 6yo Gimme A Prince (Craig Zackey) in the R350 000 Gr3 Cape Mile.
He says his charge ‘is flying’ at home.
“You don’t only have to be good, you have to be lucky too,” laughed Kannemeyer as he said that he had little choice but to run the top-class Gimme A Prince from the less than favourable draw.
“He has run three outstanding races in the Drill Hall and two consecutive Matchem Stakes
over 1400m in top company and I have always been of the opinion that he would get the mile. Given his 130 rating, this is the perfect race to take the next step and let him show us that he either gets the mile, or he doesn’t. Our aim is the L’Ormarins King’s Plate. If things don’t pan out, we will revert to plan B and focus on the sprints,” he said.
Richard Fourie partners 2024 IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes winner Royal Aussie, who could just need it after a 15 week break. The son of Royal Mo is consistency personified.
Royal Aussie’a stablemate Hluhluwe returns from a 16-week break and makes his seasonal debut.
The son of Trippi was not disgraced in the Gr1 The HKJC Champions Cup last time and no doubt has bigger plans for the season and this outing will bring him on nicely.
DAY-NIGHT RACING AT TURFFONTEIN
The R225 000 Listed Summer Pudding Handicap headlines the Turffontein Day-Night fixture on Friday.
The first is off at 15h35 and the last race is scheduled for 19h40. Follow the latest on www.sportingpost.co.za
DAUGHTER OF RAFEEF SHOWS HER CLASS
Richard Fourie times Mon Petit Cherie’s run perfectly as Beware The Bomb (Sean Veale) looms menacingly on the outside. Symphony In White (Aldo Domeyer, white cap) stays on for third | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Trainer Brett Crawford and the Ridgemont team set the stage for a serious bid for classic glory on 7 December in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas when the progressive Rafeef filly Mon Petite Cherie showed her mettle with a thrilling victory in the R450 000 Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Victorious in the Cape fairer sex classic in 2022 with Make It Snappy and in 2018 with Front And Centre, both daughters of icon Dynasty, the Ridgemont joy at having another classic prospect under their banner for their powerhouse Grade 1 Computaform Sprint winning stallion Rafeef was exemplified in the post-race celebrations and joy that followed a thrilling 1400m contest, where just over half a length covered the first four fillies home.
On a milestone day, Richard Fourie registered his first Grade 2 winner for his new sponsors and rode a typical crackerjack, producing a finely judged effort on Mon Petit Cherie down the rail as the charging pack kept rolling.
At the line, Mon Petit Cherie (16-1) got the verdict by a head from Beware The Bomb (25-1), with Gr1 placer Symphony In White (7-2) in third, and the flying Baker McVeigh Diana Stakes winner Gimmie’s Countess a neck away in fourth, after making up lengths from last in the home straight.
The consummate professional Richard Fourie, having ridden 3 winners on the day up to that point, said that the race ‘worked out well’ and that the WSB Fillies Guineas over the longer summer straight run-in would be an interesting race.
Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer Brett Crawford confirmed that the winner ‘can only get better.
“This
is the bottom of her range and there’s no reason she can’t step up and go forward,” he added.
Ridgemont’s Craig Kieswetter, who races the impressive winner in partnership with Devin Heffer, suddenly showed no after effects of
his jet lag post the Breeders’ Cup, and was delighted to lead the classic prospect in.
“Finally, Brett Crawford and his team pulled finger and got a winner for us. And Craig Carey also finally picked a black-type horse,” he joked.
“Seriously though, this was a wonderful win and the whole team is coming together. We are getting stuck in and are looking forward to a great season,” added Kieswetter.
The winner is a Ridgemont-bred daughter of the leading farm’s champion sire Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) out of the Galileo mare Exotic, who won at 2400m in Ireland. So there are interesting times ahead!
The Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship has well and truly set the stage for a vintage renewal of the R1,25 million World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas for which entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 19 November. Supplementary entries can be made by 11h00 on Friday 29 November.
Declarations are due by 11h00 on Monday 2 December.
A reminder that the 2024/2025 Cape Racing Summer Festival of Racing is back and better than ever, offering eight captivating racedays, featuring the Gr2 Cape Punters Cup on 23 November and running all the way to 16 March 2025.
An elated part-owner Craig Kieswetter celebrates the big victory | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
BLOOD WILL OUT!
Mon Petit Cherie’s happy connections | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
‘Black type updates for fillies and mares are an essential way to highlight the quality of their pedigree and Mon Petit Cherie’s breakthrough at stakes level yet again underlines the excellence of this power-packed family.’
The adage ‘blood will out’, definitely applies to new Gr2 winner Mon Petit Cherie. The Ridgemont -bred threw her hat into the ring for next month’s WSB Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas with a gutsy victory in the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship last Saturday, on what was just her fifth racetrack appearance.
A 21st stakes winner for Ridgemont ace stallion Rafeef, she is the second stakes winner out of the Galileo mare Exotic, the first being the fine sprinter Capitana, a winner of both the Olympic Duel and Laisserfaire Stakes, whose first foal incidentally, is a yearling filly by Rafeef.
Mon Petit Cherie joins Gr1 SA Derby winner Aragosta and his Gr1-placed own sister Mrs Browning as yet another Rafeef stakes winner sired from a daughter of breed-shaper Galileo, whose utter dominance as a broodmare sire
continues unabated. Taking it one generation further, Rafeef has also sired SA Oaks victress Frances Ethel, Zimbabwe Oaks winner Empress Of Jade and Gr3 winner Shantastic from daughters of Fort Wood, who like Galileo, is a son of Sadler’s Wells.
Although Exotic managed just one win over 2400m, she hails from a female line which has churned out readily identifiable champions over the decades.
Her dam, the Danehill Dancer mare Ice Queen, won the Gr3 Noblesse Stakes and ran second in the Gr1 Irish Oaks, while grandam Wadud is a Nashwan own sister to Gr3 Gordon Stakes winner Rabah, an underappreciated stallion who spent his stallion career in South Africa and Zimbabwe, siring Gr3 Cape Nursery winner Firebolt in his first crop.
What’s all the fuss about? Mon Petit Cherie is a beauty | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
The next dam The Perfect Life, by Try My Best, proved her class when victorious in the Gr3 Prix du Bois and Listed Prix Imprudence, but more importantly, she was one of five stakes winners out of the Mill Reef mare Mill Princess.
A half-sister to Irish Derby victor Irish Ball, this modest one-time winner did Kilfrush Stud proud, for also amongst her five stakes winning progeny was Last Tycoon, an own brother to The Perfect Life.
Successful in the Gr1 King’s Stand Stakes and Gr1 William Hill Sprint Championship, he was voted Europe’s Champion 3yo Sprinter and went on to become a successful sire.
Mill Princess left several daughters to be bred from, hence she is also grandam of champion
Immortal Verse, who claimed both the Gr1 Coronation Stakes and Gr1 Prix Fresnay le Buffard Jacques Le Marois; Gr1 French 1000 Guineas victress Valentine Waltz and Gr1 French 2000 Guineas hero Tie Black.
Then there is her winning daughter Zelda, who has established another golden thread as the dam of champion sprinter Zipping. The Gr3 winning Zelda produced the blue hen mare Beauty Is Truth, who of course is the dam of Gr1 winners Hydrangea, Hermosa and Moutonshoek-based sire The United States.
Black type updates for fillies and mares are an essential way to highlight the quality of their pedigree and Mon Petit Cherie’s breakthrough at stakes level yet again underlines the excellence of this power-packed family.
Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice x National Colour) | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES – NHA ISSUES CAUTIONARY
The NHA has highlighted crucial information from their Laboratory concerning the detection of subtherapeutic concentrations of antiinflammatories in both race day and out-ofcompetition specimens.
Recent screening analysis has revealed a significant increase in the detection of antiinflammatories, specifically MELOXICAM, FLUNIXIN, AND FLUMETHASONE, over the past few months compared to other times of the year.
It is important to note that these levels remain below the thresholds established by both the NHA and IFHA and are therefore not enforceable at this time.
In light of these findings, the NHA strongly advise against the indiscriminate use of antiinflammatories as race day approaches. Any administration of these substances must be justified by a valid clinical diagnosis and conducted in the best interest of the horse’s welfare.
Trainers will be in violation of Rule 10.5.14 if the entries in the Veterinary Treatment Register of your stable do not accurately reflect or indicate the usage of these medications prior to racing.
Any questions or clarification regarding this notice, please contact the NHA Veterinary Department at veterinary@nhra.co.za or via WhatsApp on +27 66 471 4527.
Miss Marguerite (Ashton Arries, blue cap) and Asiye Phambili (Craig Zackey) go head-to-head in a thrilling finish | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
STEYN SADDLES A WELCOME FEATURE WINNER!
The R225 000 Listed Laisserfaire Stakes run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on a blustery
Saturday afternoon produced a grandstand finish with two game mares going hammer and tongs over the final 200m.
Thirteen fillies and mares lined up in what looked a tricky 1100m contest, with chances to many.
After Golden Tatjana had steamed out front ahead of Nordic Quest and Great Cat, replacement rider Craig Zackey had Asiye Phambili ghosting up the rail as Ashton Arries unleashed Miss Marguerite up the centre.
While Asiye Phambili (25-1) looked to have nabbed Miss Marguerite (16-1) at around the 50m, a determined Ashton Arries wasn’t giving a feature winner up without a fight and the two went to the line as one.
The photo showed that Miss Marguerite had gamely fought back to register her deserved first stakes victory and win by a nose in a time of 64,84 secs.
Summer Lily (7-1) ranged up menacingly and stayed on for third, with the tote favourite Nordic Quest (5-2) completing the R29 000 plus quartet.
Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Miss Marguerite is a daughter of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of the Captain Al mare Lantana Lady.
A runner-up behind Bonika in the 1500m Listed Irridescence Stakes of 2022, Miss Marguerite is a winner of 5 races with 10 places from her 30 starts, and took her stakes bank to R629 301
for owners Marsh Shirtliff and Piet Steyn, who also trains the winner out of Milnerton.
“Piet (Steyn) always ropes me in when he is looking for a partner,” laughed Shirtliff, who won’t be complaining as the consistent mare boosted her paddock value and cost only R90 000 at the Cape Yearling Sale of her year.
Miss Marguerite (Ashton Arries) is lead in by Piet Steyn, Marsh Shirtliff, Elbert Steyn and Team Steyn | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
SNAITH’S DAIMYO GOES ALL THE WAY
Impressive Woolavington Stakes winner Daimyo (Joshwin Solomons) is led in by Jabulani Mdludlu, Bobby Norton, Chris Snaith and Justin Snaith | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Justin Snaith made it a year-on-year R225 000 Listed Woolavington Stakes double at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when Joshwin Solomons went gun-to-tape over the 2500m to register a maiden stakes success on the progressive 4yo stayer Daimyo.
The Woolavington, run last year over 100m shorter at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and won by Snaith’s Mucho Dinero, is a summer starter for the stayers and looking to be a few lengths ahead of the handicapper off his 86 rating, Daimyo showed the necessary improvement over the stamina trip to carry his 50kg to an easy victory.
In a field of nine, with a number of lightweights in the mix, the pace was always going to be reasonable and the cucumber cool Solomons led 2022 winner Baratheon and Otto Luyken early.
At around the 1000m, Sean Veale took Ponte Pietra round his field, but that effort was short-lived and Daimyo (11-2) kept at his task up the short winter home run to register a commendable victory, beating the solid mare Love Is A Rose (66-1) by 1,25 lengths in a time of 153,37 secs.
Holding Thumbs (5-1) came out the pack for third, a further 0,40 lengths back.
The tote favourite Future Swing (28-10) never got going and finished a 4,10 length fifth.
A R600 000 November 2yo Sale graduate, Daimyo is raced by Messrs K P Nagendran & R V Norton & Mrs C Nagendran and was bred by Erasmus Thoroughbreds & Syrilla Stud.
A son of Vercingetorix, Daimyo is out of the Gr1 SA Oaks winner Juxtapose (Judpot).
The winner has earned R368 063 with his third win and 5 places from 11 starts. The winner of this cannot incur a penalty of more than 6 Merit Rating points, so Daimyo is worth following!
Earlier on in the afternoon, the overdue Zeitz (8-10) got punters off to a good start to the day when the Maine Chance Farms-bred
son of Vercingetorix enjoyed the addition of the blinkers and the kinder dynamics of the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth track to shed his maiden at his fourth start. Corne Orffer rode the Plattner winner for trainer Andre Nel.
Richard Fourie and Paul Reeves maintained the run of fancied winners in the second race, a mixed bag Cape D Stakes, when the popular 4yo Ozark (5-2) hit the front earlier than anticipated but kept on gamely to warn off the Mike Stewart-trained Querrai mare, Hang Out The Stars, who showed good resolve over the mile. Bred by Terry Andrews, Ozark is a son of Oratorio out of the Var mare, Spice Girl and is now a three-time winner from 19 starts for R240 675 in stakes – not bad for a Cape Yearling Sale R50 000 buy!
Ridgemont-sponsored Richard Fourie followed up with a double when he steered the wellsupported 3yo Sail The Seas (33-20) home for the Snaith Racing team in the third, a Class 4 race over 1600m.
The Drakenstein-bred winner is a son of Vercingetorix and was labelled a potential Cape Guineas contender by his top jockey, and his trainer concurred that winning two handicaps suggested that his charge had earned his stripes for the classic on 14 December.
Aldo Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson opened the Pick 6 with an eyecatching win in the 1100m Cape B Stakes by the Canford Cliffs gelding Tenango (9-2) who was returning from a 39-week break following a wind operation. Now a two-time winner from 8 starts, the Ian Longmore bred and raced 4yo should make his presence felt this summer on today’s showing.
Vercingetorix in action! Joshwin Solomons drives Daimyo to victory, chased by Love Is A Rose (Ashton Arries in green cap) and Vercingetorix sons, Holding Thumbs (Siphesihle Hlengwa) and Call To Unite (Anthony Andrews) on the rail | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Equus Champion Vercingetorix looks set for a big season ahead in 2024-2025! The son of six-times South African Champion Sire Silvano has some top-class older representatives to his name and also looks to have a very promising crop of three-year-olds batting for him.
The Maine Chance-based Vercingetorix enjoyed more success at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, with his sons Zeitz and Sail The Seas landing races one and three, while Daimyo was victorious in the Listed Woolavington Stakes.
Sons of Vercingetorix finished 1-3-4 in the Woolavington Stakes, Daimyo relegating his paternal half-brothers Holding Thumbs and Call To Unite to third and fourth spots, respectively.
The result of the Woolavington confirms Vercingetorix’s versatility as a sire, with the champion having sired top-class horses over a range of distances, from Gr1 winning sprinters Alesian Chief and Surjay to champion stayer Nebraas.
While Vercingetorix’s older runners this season could include Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm, multiple graded stakes
winner Double Grand Slam, and the likes of Get Impressed, Celtic Rumours, and King Of The Gauls, it is his current crop of three-year-olds that have been catching the eye of late.
This crop, which includes the mentioned Zeitz and the very promising Sail The Seas, recent Gt3 Cape Classic runner up Boundless Energy, speedy gallopers Cymric and Taxi To The Moon, and promising prospects Greaterix and Garrix.
The latter, second to another promising threeyear-old son of Vercingetorix Let It Be Said on debut, made a big impression when breaking his maiden at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth recently.
Vercingetorix’s current three-year-old crop includes seven horses who have either won or been placed in stakes races and this tally looks sure to increase in the coming months.
Vercingetorix, who has five sons nominated for the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup, is currently leading the South African General Sires premiership. He is tied with reigning South African champion sire Gimmethegreenlight for number of stakes winners this season, having supplied Celtic Rumours (Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring F & M Challenge), Call To Unite (Settlers Trophy), and the aforementioned Daimyo.
Another son, 2023 Gr2 Post Merchants winner Gladatorian, impressed when running on strongly for second in the recent Gr2 Allied Steelrode - Onamission Charity Mile at Turffontein. The versatile Gladatorian has now earned over R1,2 million in stakes and he is another son of Vercingetorix who could have a good pay day this season.
To date, Vercingetorix has been responsible for 44 black type winners, and it is interesting to note the number of Vercingetorix sired stakes winners who have either Al Mufti or his sons Captain Al or Victory Moon in their pedigree. These include the graded stakes winners Vernichey, Asterix, Double Grand Slam, Ikigai, Rascallion, African Warrior, and La Moohal.
Another son of Al Mufti, champion Cataloochee, is broodmare sire of Vercingetorix’s Gr2 winning son Bereave.
Vercingetorix’ late sire Silvano could well make his influence felt further in the forthcoming Betway Summer Cup, as eight big race entries are sired by either his late Dad Silvano or himself.
Maine Chance kingpin Vercingetorix (Silvano ex National Vixen) | Credit: Jeremy Nelson
MAINE CHANCE FARMS TO SPONSOR
Maine Chance Farm-bred SA Horse Of The Year Princess Calla returns after her Majorca Stakes success earlier this year | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Breeders of champions in South Africa for over two decades, internationally acclaimed Robertson nursery Maine Chance Farms have announced that they will sponsor the 2025 R1 million Grade 1 Majorca Stakes, one of the most historic and strategically important fairer sex weight-for-age contests on the local racing calendar.
The 1600m race is run on Cape Racing’s flagship World Sports Betting Cape Town Met day and it is notable and appropriate that the current title-holder is the superstar Maine Chance Farms-bred SA Horse Of The Year Princess Calla, who won it in the season of her reign, prior to her export to the USA.
The move to add their international brand to a leading Grade 1 race in the height of the Cape’s premier Summer Festival Of Racing season, endorses Andreas and Natalie Jacobs’ ongoing longstanding support of, and investment in, South African horseracing.
Maine Chance Farms previously sponsored the Grade 1 Paddock Stakes, and the sponsorship of the Majorca Stakes comes at a juncture when the Jacobs family’s passion for horses continues to evolve through, amongst others, the acquisition last year of the historic Litchfield Stud in the very Robertson valley where they first fell in love with Africa in 2002.
Famously described by the family as ‘one of the most beautiful stud farms in the world’, Maine Chance has been a bastion of excellence on the South African thoroughbred breeding landscape for the larger part of the 21st century.
From the early days of their multiple SA champion sire Silvano, who was a revelation as he earned SA Champion Sire accolades
six times, the dynasty has continued with his Champion son Vercingetorix assuming the mantle in recent years.
Maine Chance Farms recently celebrated a champagne 2024 Cape Racing Sales Breeze Up & Unbroken 2yo Sale, with their 6 lots – all by their resident champion Vercingetorix –grossing R5 150 000, at an average of R858 333, and including the R1,3 million topseller, and ultimately three of the top-selling quartet on the sale!
Maine Chance is also the home of Champion 2yo Sire Querari, Champion First Season Sire Erupt, and young sire Quasillo, who has produced a few small crops due to infertility problems.
In their ongoing quest for success at the highest level, the importation of blue-blooded fillies and broodmares from Europe has supplemented Maine Chance’s high-quality broodmare band.
“It is an honour for the Maine Chance team to hold hands with Cape Racing as South African
horseracing stands together and establishes the building blocks of recapturing the glory days of years gone by. The opening up of export markets and the recent participation of our champions at the Breeders’ Cup are both testimonials to the new dawn of excitement and expectation in the ranks of all stakeholders. We are proud to play our small part in this renaissance,” added Andreas Jacobs.
Cape Racing Executive Justin Vermaak welcomed the Maine Chance Farms flag to the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Summer Festival Of Racing arena and said that the support and involvement of prestigious sponsors was key to horseracing in South Africa regaining its foothold as a global player.
“The Jacobs family name has been
Maine Chance – home to generations of champions | Credit: Maine Chance Farms
synonymous with international champions since Dr Jacobs’ grandfather founded Gestüt Fährhof in Germany in 1960 and developed it into an internationally-recognised and respected brand. Cape Racing are privileged and proud to have them on board as big season sponsors,“ concluded Vermaak.
The R1 million Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes will be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 25 January 2025.
• First entries are due by 11h00 on Friday 3 January, whereafter weights will be issued.
• Supplementary entries are due by 11h00 on Friday 10 January 2025.
• Declarations are due by 10h00 on Wednesday 15 January 2025.
Visit www.mainechance.co.za for more information.
Dr Andreas Jacobs – thrilled to be part of the renaissance | Credit: Hamish Niven Photography
Cape Racing’s Justin Vermaak – welcomes Maine Chance Farms | Credit: Supplied
Race 1 - JOAN THE WAD - Bandile Nokhwabuza
Race
Zwelijikile Dlamini
Race
QUERARI ROSE - Khaya Nqetho
Race
MASTER BUG - Patrick Mawusan
Race 4 - BLOWIN IN THE WIND - Zamile Zawana
Race 4
GLOBAL MOVEMENT - Lindani Ngayeka Race
Strongman Ncumbese
Lovemore Mpukane
SUNDAY SALE
REMINDER
Cape Racing Sales are hosting the Thoroughbred Stud Mixed Sale, featuring the Nadeson Park Stud dispersal, on Sunday 17 November 2024, starting at 11h00 at Nadeson Park Stud, Hemel n Aarde Road, Hermanus.
The Nadeson Park Stud dispersal represents a unique opportunity to acquire high-quality
thoroughbreds, including exceptional breeding stock, racehorses, and yearlings.
Foal and covering updates are available online.
Live streaming will be available. Online Bidding is available via Zoom
Visit www.caperacingsales.co.za
Nadeson – place of beauty | Credit: Supplied
Welcome bubbly, complimentary drinks & a 3-course feast. Indulge in culinary mastery as you witness the action! THE ULTIMATE VIP RACE DAY EXPERIENCE SCAN HERE
Credit: Cape Racing
The 2024/2025 Cape Racing Summer Festival of Racing is back and better than ever, offering eight captivating racedays from 23 November 2024 to 16 March 2025, all hosted at the iconic Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse.
Following the success of the 2023/2024 season, the upcoming Summer Festival of Racing promises to be even more spectacular.
With large crowds expected at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, the eagerly awaited festival offers far more than just horseracing; it’s a complete lifestyle experience packed with entertainment, delicious food, shopping, and activities for the whole family. Featuring a lineup of world-class events, the Summer Festival of Racing is primed to become the ultimate entertainment hub of the season!
Whether you’re a seasoned horseracing fan, a newcomer eager to experience it for the first time, or simply seeking a fantastic day out, each raceday offers a blend of competitive
action and a lively social atmosphere, making it an ideal outing for everyone.
Donovan Everitt, Chief Operating Officer of Cape Racing, states, “The Summer Festival of Racing is more than just the races; it’s a celebration of community, culture, and the vibrant lifestyle that Cape Town embodies. We’re excited to unite families, friends, and racing enthusiasts for an unforgettable experience.”
CommunityFest, featuring Cape Punters Cup (Gr2): 23 November 2024
The first event on the line-up is the CommunityFest, featuring the Gr2 Cape Punters Cup, an important stepping stone into the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas on 14 December.
This popular event combines the thrill of racing with exciting community activities, making it a perfect day out for families and friends. With free entry via Quicket, everyone can join in on the fun, experiencing the warmth and camaraderie of the city’s vibrant spirit.
Credit: Cape Racing
Expect live music, interactive games, a dedicated kids’ area, community market, and a festive atmosphere that truly celebrates the heart of the community.
Sip & Shop, featuring the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas (Gr1): 07
December 2024
Indulge in a day of exciting racing and retail therapy at the Sip & Shop, featuring the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas a time-honoured clash of the classic generation’s fairer sex stars. It’s a seamless combination of elite level horseracing with a curated shopping experience.
Guests can explore a specially selected array of trendy, ready-towear and couture fashion while sipping delicious cocktails and mingling with fellow fashion and horseracing enthusiasts.
Featuring local artisans and boutique retailers, this unique fashion pop-up store offers a preview of looks for the World Sports Betting Cape Town MET 2025.
With free entry via Quicket, attendees can enjoy the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation, creating an ideal opportunity to discover new favourites while cheering on their chosen horses.
Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie, featuring Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr1): 14
December 2024
Another eagerly anticipated annual event is the Kaapse Klopse Voorsmakie, featuring the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.
The classic mile establishes the sophomore
generation’s future champions and the honour roll is a celebration of equine stars. This day honours Cape Town’s rich culture with vibrant Klopse performances.
Its iconic status comes from its ability to unite people, fostering a sense of community and cultural joy. With colourful costumes, infectious music, and lively dance routines, it creates an electrifying atmosphere that celebrates the city’s heritage and attracts those who appreciate local culture.
With free entry through Quicket, the “Voorsmakie” guarantees a packed highquality horseracing, music and dance, making it a must-see for both locals and visitors.
Festive Fair, featuring De Grendel Cape Merchants (Gr2): 22 December 2024 Celebrate the festive season at the Festive Fair featuring the De Grendel Cape Merchants, a clash of the speed merchants down the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth 1200m straight.
This event is perfect for those looking to embrace the holiday spirit while enjoying competitive racing.
Entry is free through Quicket, providing a fantastic opportunity for families and friends to come together, enjoy the sunshine, do some last-minute festive shopping, and create lasting memories during this magical time of year.
L’Ormarins King’s Plate (Gr1): 04 January 2025
As one of the Summer Festival of Racing’s most prestigious events, elegance meets adrenaline at the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate.
The 1600m contest is the premier weight-forage race on the South African racing calendar. Known for its high-class racing and stylish spectators, this event invites guests to dress to
impress in blue and white and enjoy a day of luxury and excitement.
With tickets going on sale in November, it’s the perfect way to kick off the new year in style, making it a standout occasion on the racing calendar.
World Sports Betting Cape Town MET (Gr1): 25 January 2025
The World Sports Betting Cape Town MET is an iconic event standing as a cornerstone of the Cape Town social calendar and the pinnacle of South African horseracing.
This much-anticipated raceday seamlessly combines high fashion, art, and top-notch horseracing.
The recently revealed 2025 theme, “Couture Unleashed,” is set to make this year’s event the ultimate social occasion, attracting both fashion-lovers and racing enthusiasts. With
tickets and hospitality packages now available on Quicket, this is a must-attend experience.
Seafood & Jazz Festival, featuring the Cape Derby (Gr1): 22 February 2025
Savour the perfect combination of jazz tunes and delectable seafood at the Seafood & Jazz Festival, featuring the Gr1 Cape Derby, a classic steeped in history.
The day is all about relaxation and indulgence, offering guests the chance to enjoy world-class races while delighting in gourmet seafood and the soothing sounds of live jazz. With free entry, it’s a fantastic opportunity for music and food lovers to unwind and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the racing season.
Cape Racing Sales Day, featuring the CRS Big Cap: 16 March 2025
The sun will set on the summer season with The Cape Racing Sales Day, featuring the R5 million Cape Racing Sales Big Cap.
With free entry, everyone can join the fun and excitement, this event promises a thrilling close, making it a fitting finale to a memorable racing series.
The Cape Racing Summer Festival of Racing offers something for everyone, with each event day packed with excitement beyond thrilling horseracing.
Guests can enjoy vibrant summer concerts, delicious food, interactive kids’ activities, and
high-end fashion shows. Whether you’re dining al fresco or exploring the summer market, there’s a lively atmosphere to suit every taste.
While children are welcome at most events, the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and World Sports Betting Cape Town MET are strictly No-U18. Get your tickets on Quicket for the ultimate summer racing and lifestyle series, a season filled with style, entertainment, and world-class horseracing!
DING DONG DUEL SETTLES VICTORY MOON THRILLER
One of only three non Betway Summer Cup entries in Monday’s R400 000 Betway Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes line-up, Alec Laird’s former Cape-based Greeting My Master underscored an inspired bit of big race placement and planning with a courageous victory over gallant joint topweight Main Defender.
The veteran Alec Laird, who won the race in 2016 with Bezanova, made it a double in the 1800m Turffontein standside track feature after Atticus Finch won the same race last year, and was not disgraced after he ran third behind his stablemate in his title defence on Monday.
It was an uncomplicated affair as Greeting My Master led stablemate Atticus Finch just ahead of Main Defender for much of the trip. This is the way they finished, with second and third swapped.
Main Defender, who looked a million dollars, was travelling with a double handful and was sent on his way halfway up the straight by Gavin Lerena as he took over from Greeting My Master.
But Chase Maujean had something in reserve as he balanced the gelding for another dip, with Main Defender appearing to come up for air
Greeting My Master (Chase Maujean) claims a courageous victory over the gallant Main Defender (Gavin Lerena) | Credit: JC Photos
late in the race, as his eleven kilogram premium clearly appeared to count.
In a grandstand finish, Maujean got Greeting My Master (17-10) to rally impressively and he went on to beat Main Defender (5-2, tote favourite) going away by a half length in a time of 112,68 secs.
Atticus Finch (6-1) ran a decent Summer Cup prep a further 2,50 lengths away in third, with Thunee Playa (16-1) looking dangerous late and rounding off the quartet.
Chase Maujean, whose wife is now also his Agent, put in the hard yards to get down to the carded weight and observed that Greeting My Master is ‘quite a funny horse’.
“He was quite unbalanced late. I gave him a chance and he found more.
Thanks to Mr Wernars who called me for the ride and to Mr Laird who had the gelding in fine fettle.”
Greeting My Master was formerly trained by Piet Steyn out of Milnerton and was moved to Alec Laird, for whom he was having his sixth run, after the Wernars family bought in.
Alec Laird called it ‘nervewracking’.
“The second horse is top-class but he gave us 11kgs. It’s nice to have another winner for Laurence Wernars and full marks to Chase Maujean for the good ride and getting down to the weight,” added Laird.
Greeting My Master is not a Betway Summer Cup entry as we observed previously, and this was his maiden stakes strike.
He has now won 4 races with 5 places from 14 starts for stakes of R600 150.
A R120 000 graduate of the 2022 BSA National Yearling Sale, the Syrilla Stud-bred Greeting My Master is a son of Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) out of the very well-related four-time winning Kahal mare Eastern Greeting.
There will be chance for a rethink on Greeting My Master as final Betway Summer Cup entries only close at 09h00 on Monday, 18 November 2024, after which weights will be announced.
Declarations must be in by 11h00 on Wednesday, 20 November and barrier draws will be conducted at a Betway event on 20 November.
27TH STAKES WINNER FOR THE MASTER
When Greeting My Master won the Betway Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes at Turffontein on Monday, he became the second consecutive winner of the race for his sire Master Of My Fate.
The latter is also the sire of 2023 Victory Moon Stakes winner Atticus Finch.
Greeting My Master and Atticus Finch ran 1-3 in Monday’s delayed R400 000 contest, giving their sire another big payday.
Both Greeting My Master and Atticus Finch are trained by Alec Laird. Under an inspired ride
from Chase Maujean, the gelded four-year-old went out to make the running before Main Defender headed him and went on.
Despite appearing beaten by Main Defender, Greeting My Master fought back gallantly under Maujean, and the pair went on to record a halflength win.
Bred by Syrilla Stud, Greeting My Master has won four of 14 starts for earnings of R582,650.
Greeting My Master, who is out of the Kahal mare Eastern Greeting, is the 27th stakes winner for his inform sire.
The magnificent Jet Master stallion Master Of My Fate – enjoying a great run | Credit: Jeremy Nelson
The Varsfontein Stud bred and based Master Of My Fate, whose close relative One More Star won at Turffontein on the same day, has enjoyed a wonderful few days.
The son of Jet Master is sire of the aforementioned pair of Greeting My Master
and Atticus Finch, as well as Saturday’s Listed Laisserfaire Stakes winner Miss Marguerite.
His good run of results has seen Master Of My Fate catapult to third place on the South African General Sires premiership for the current season.
STRIKER EARNS HIS NATIONAL COLOURS
Piere Strydom made it a third winner on the postponed Betway Victory Moon Stakes feature programme at Turffontein on Monday when he steered Fabian Habib’s Ice Star to her maiden stakes success in the R250 000 Betway Listed National Colour Stakes.
Previously run as the Gardenia Stakes, and now honouring a speed champion of the turf, the 1000m feature was a formality for the accomplished veteran as he tracked pacesetters Mist In Scotland and Elegant Ice earl, before unleashing Ice Star inside the 300m.
In what was a deceptively easy victory, Ice Star (10-1) ran on powerfully in a time of 58,80 secs to hold off the always prominent Elegant Ice (7-2) by a quarter length.
The favourite Almond Sea (2-1) did not enjoy the best of starts and she battled to find daylight, before dashing through late for third, a further length away. She came in off a rest of 17 weeks and should come on lengths with the run under the belt.
Sean Tarry’s Troppo Veloce (8-1) rounded off the R 1 237 quartet, a further 1,50 lengths back.
Ice Star (Piere Strydom) storms home for her peak win ahead of Elegant Ice (Chase Maujean) | Credit: JC Photos
Piere Strydom observed that the winner is a ‘lovely big filly with plenty of scope for improvement’.
“I thought this would be tough at the weights and looking at the field. But things panned out well. They went a good clip and I was able to track them and then move through at the end,” added Striker.
Trainer Fabian Habib was full of praise for the evergreen Striker and said that the winner ‘is packed with heart’.
“Piere Strydom has always been my role model. He’s a champion jockey. Well done to all my owners and my sponsors, GG Gaming,” enthused Habib.
Now a winner of 5 races with 9 places from 19 starts for stakes of R575 125, the 4yo Ice Star
was a R90 000 Cape Yearling Sale graduate.
She is raced by Tri-Deal Sixteen CC (Nom: Mr Z L Nassif), Messrs M G Bothma, Andre Fouche, G, K & M M Nassif, G J Nassif & J Nassif.
Ice Star was bred by Lammerskraal and is by William Longsword (Captain Al) out of the three-time winning Western Winter daughter, Izora, who scored from 1200m to a mile and was stakes placed. She hails from the top family of Icy Trail and Russet Air.
RIDGEMONT’S MON PETIT CHERIE MOVES TO 108
Mon Petit Cherie has had her merit rating raised from 91 to 108 following her success in the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship for three-year-olds over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the view that 3rd placed Symphony In White would not have run below the 107 performance she displayed in a Cape B Stakes for fillies and mares on 28 September 2024 and used her to that level of 107 to rate this Grade 2 event.
Her pre-race rating of 105 is a consequence of the arbitrary restrictions imposed on the Merit Rating system for the aforementioned Cape B Stakes and is not a true reflection of Symphony In White’s ability. Accordingly, her rating was increased to 107 from 105.
There were rating increases also for four other fillies. Runner-up Beware The Bomb was adjusted from 89 to 107 having finished 0.05 lengths behind the 108 rated winner, and marginally ahead of the now 107 rated line horse. Little Suzie was raised to 103 from 89 so that she is not rated lower than the 103 rated Whistle The Tune, who she beat by a small margin at level weight terms here.
Mai Sensation went to 99 from 91 and finally Polynomial went to 97 from 90. These two fillies were only given marginal adjustments and their actual race performances were not taken literally as the Handicappers felt they may be flattered in this event due to the compact nature of the finish.
However, their adjustments were deemed necessary for handicapping and elimination purposes.
The only runner to receive a drop in ratings was Dixieland Band, who dropped from 100 to 96.
Listed Laisserfaire Stakes
Miss Marguerite had her rating adjusted from 90 to 96 after landing the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the view that Nordic Quest made for the most suitable line horse here and she remained unchanged on a rating of 102.
Asiye Phambili, was increased by 5 points and went from 111 to 116 for beating the line horse by 2.65 lengths, while the 3rd placed Summer Lily went up 4 points from 96 to 100.
Three horses received a ratings drop of 1 point each, ONI SAN was dropped from 91 to 90, Highlyconfidential was dropped from 89 to 88 and Winter Rainfall was dropped to 93 from 94.
Listed Woolavington Stakes
Daimyo had his rating adjusted from 86 to 92 after winning the Listed Woolavington Stakes over 2500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that 2nd placed Love Is A Rose made for the most suitable line horse and as such she remained unchanged on a rating of 101. In rating the race this way Daimyo actually runs to a higher mark, but had to be capped to 92 due to the specific race conditions that state that the winner may only be increased by a maximum adjustment of 6 points and the placed horses may not be increased.
In fact, Daimyo had enjoyed arbitrary Merit Ratings protection on his 3 previous runs and therefore his pre-rating was misleading and not based on the Handicappers’ official assessment.
The 3rd placed runner, Holding Thumbs, achieved a higher rating but could not be adjusted due to the aforementioned ratings’ cap.
There were no other changes to this event.
Betway Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes
Greeting My Master, has seen his rating increased from 107 to 110 after winning the Grade 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein on Monday 11 November. Purple Pitcher was considered to be the most suitable line horse here and he remains on a rating of 123.
The runner-up, Main Defender, was increased to 130 from 129 after beating the 123 rated line horse by 3,5 lengths or 7 points (123 + 7 = 130). Thunee Playa was only increased to 97 from 93 for his 4th placed effort despite running to a higher mark.
This is due to the specific conditions that
inhibit the Handicappers from increasing the ratings of placed horses by more than 4 points. Interestingly, the bottom weights for the Summer Cup will be raised to 54kg which placed majority of the Summer Cup horses under sufferance thereby negating such merit rating protection.
A number of horses received drops. Puerto Manzano was dropped from 122 to 120, Safe Passage was dropped from 109 to 107, My Soul Mate was dropped from 111 to 108, Aragosta was cut from 113 to 110, Shoemaker was dropped to 110 from 111 and Johnny Hero was given a 5-point drop from 108 to 103.
Betway Listed National Colour Stakes
Ice Star had her rating increased to 112 from 107 following her win in the Listed Betway National Colour Stakes over 1000m at Turffontein on Monday.
Troppo Veloce was deemed to be the most suitable line horse here and her rating remained unchanged on 107.
The runner-up, Elegant Ice, went up to 105 from 101 after her narrow defeat and the unlucky 3rd placed finisher, Almond Sea, went up to 112 from 110.
Three horses were given drops in this event, Captain’s Christy dropped to 95 from 97, Sorceress Supreme was dropped to 95 from 98 and Mist In Scotland dropped from 91 to 90.
• Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 12 November 2024.
LOUIS – COULD BE OUT FOR 10 WEEKS
Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Louis Mxothwa could be out of action for between six to ten weeks after an incident at the 950m marker of the 1200m fifth race at Fairview last Friday.
A bruised and battered Louis told the Sporting Post on Tuesday that he was in pain in various parts of his body, but was feeling ‘okay’.
“The clavicle fractured but it was a clean break and didn’t shift – so thankfully there is no need to operate. My shoulder blade was also fractured, unfortunately. I am disappointed to miss a big part of the Cape Summer Of Champions season, but injury is always a reality in race-riding and it could so easily have been much worse,” he added.
Charles Ndlovu also came down in the accident but he escaped without injury.
The Stipes report that shortly after the start Family Law (L Mxothwa) shifted in sharply towards the inside running rail and thereafter, had to be steadied on the inside of Inherit The Rain (X Ndlovu) for a number of strides.
Approaching the 950m Inherit The Rain (X Ndlovu) faltered and stumbled badly. As a consequence, Family Law (L Mxothwa), which was close behind, was unable to take evasive action and fell over Inherit The Rain (X Ndlovu), which resulted in both jockeys simultaneously being dislodged from their fallen mounts.
Family Law and Inherit The Rain were attended to on course by the Veterinary Surgeon.
Mxothwa and Ndlovu were attended to on course by the paramedics and subsequently by the on course Medical Officer. This precluded both jockeys from being able to weigh in. In terms of Rule 66.2 the Stewards were satisfied that both Jockey’s L Mxothwa and X Ndlovu had carried the correct weight.
Regrettably both horses involved in the accident had to be euthanized.
Louis Mxothwa – ‘it could have been worse’ Credit: Chase Liebenberg
DONALD IS LOVING GQEBERHA
Donald gives the thumbs up on his 50th winner | Credit: Pauline Herman
When Donald Geerthsen packed his bags in February this year and drove the 1070 km from Johannesburg to his new home in Gqeberha, he had a plan. But it nevertheless took some courage for the then 19 year old to relocate into the unknown.
Things have panned out well for Donald, whose licence upgrade from apprentice to fully fledged jockey comes before the NHA licencing committee on Monday 25 November.
Donald has met the basic requirement of three years race-riding and is on 51 winners – 50 is the minimum.
“I really do enjoy Gqeberha! It’s not only the racing people that are friendly and laid back, the drivers on the roads are courteous and they drive a lot slower than people do on the Highveld,” laughs the former Pretoria Boys High School graduate as he explains what led to the interprovincial move in February.
Donald booted home his first stakes feature success in May 2023 when the Beck owned Future Pearl won the Gr3 Gold Bowl. It was a defining moment and he received the accolades from multiple champion trainer Sean Tarry for ‘a polished ride’.
“He has a bright future if he keeps his head, and enjoys a good strike-rate for me. I wouldn’t usually go with inexperience in a feature but I was running out of options with five horses racing off the 50kg mark in this race,” was Tarry’s observation at the time.
Despite his polite demeanour, enthusiasm, hard work and progressive ability in the saddle, Donald says that he battled to make his mark in the competitive environment.
“Breaking through on the Highveld doesn’t happen overnight. I was getting some support but just not enough rides to develop and grow. That led to my move to the coast in February.
It hasn’t been a walk in the park, but as I sit here today, I have never looked back and have made a whole lot of new professional contacts and friends.”
Donald was attached to the powerful Kelly Mitchley yard initially but has spread his wings, enjoying good support from Jacques Strydom and Tara Laing, for whom he rode his milestone 50th career winner when Rain Bird won at Fairview on 11 October.
The moment took him back to the occasion of his first winner on 21 June 2021 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. It was his fourth ride. He still replays the race in his head on the 25-1 Twiceasfast, who won for late owner Gavin Almanza and trainer Shane Humby. Donald still keeps in touch with Shane Humby.
It was a day to remember. His elated parents Klaus and Jean Geerthsen had travelled from Pretoria a few days prior to the memorable icebreaking day to watch him have his first ride at the same venue on 100-1 Gaetana for Tienie Prinsloo.
“I have found plenty of meaning spiritually in my church and I look forward to Friday evenings,” he says.
Ironically, the very family that he used to spend every second weekend with in Clarendon, Pietermaritzburg, during his Academy days, have moved house to Port Alfred, just 150km away from Donald’s current base.
“The people are really friendly and kind. Jacques Strydom and Tara Laing and their families have welcomed me. I’m good mates with Tara’s son Ewan Garrett and I keep in regular touch with Kyle Strydom, who started at the SA Jockey Academy with me, and is now based in the UK.”
The family remains close but he tells us that he hasn’t seen his parents, and his two older brothers Max and Ethan, since July. But Dad Klaus is coming down later this week for a visit.
Donald is clearly happy in the Eastern Cape, but is no party animal and enjoys quality time with friends.
Recreationally, we asked him if he surfs on the beautiful Gqeberha beaches. “Let’s call it walking rather than surfing!” he laughs as he tells that he enjoys his gym work.
“Justine Mienie is my personal trainer at King Fitness. She is excellent and makes the whole exercise routine more fun than a chore,” he adds. Donald also runs a life group at his church every Friday evening.
“How fortuitous is that! My Uncle took a new job down here. I try and see them as often as I can.”
When asked about future plans, Donald says that his Gqeberha ‘recharge’ has been a career changer for him.
“I have built my confidence in an environment that I enjoy and will consider travelling in 2025 when I have the means to fund myself and add value,” he says maturely.
And what happened to his nickname, given to him by his fellow first year jockeys at the Academy - Sipho Dlamuka?
“I think I left that ehind in Johannesburg!”
Donald had his first introduction to horses as a showjumper at the age of 7.
He fell in love with the beautiful creatures and his natural balance in the saddle and slight build – he walks around today at 53kgs – saw his coach Anton Hoek of the Cornerstone Equestrian Centre arrange an introduction to Robert Moore of the SA Jockey Academy in Johannesburg.
The rest is history, as they say.
Good luck Donald!
MIKE ABANDONS THOUGHTS OF RETIREMENT
In exciting breaking news, Mathew de Kock—the son of legendary trainer Mike de Kock—has wrapped up his four-year training partnership with Robbie Griffiths in Cranbourne, Australia.
Mathew will soon return to South Africa to join forces with his father in the launch of a new training partnership.
M and M de Kock will operate from both Randjesfontein in Johannesburg and Summerveld in Durban for a powerful collaboration on home turf.
Mathew’s impending return is also aligned with the stable’s long-term objective of reclaiming its position as a competitor on the international racing stage.
Mathew (33), and his wife Monique emigrated to Australia in 2020 to broaden their knowledge and skill set.
Their son Liam was born in 2022 and daughter
Olivia followed just recently. Mathew said: “The move back to South Africa is obviously a major one for Monique and I, and several factors have played a part in our decision. The over-riding reason is that our family dynamic has changed and that we’d like to be closer to family and friends.”
Mathew described his Australian venture as “very humbling, with friendships and memories made that will be carried fondly with us wherever we go”.
The Griffiths/De Kock partnership was highly successful, yielding close to 250 winners (including 12 stakes winners).
The partnership occupied a regular Top 10 position on the Victorian Trainers’ Log, a
Mike and son Mathew – ready to take on the world | Credit: Supplied
remarkable achievement considering Victoria has over 800 registered trainers.
“We’ll be forever grateful to Robbie and Shiranee Griffiths for the opportunity they gave us to join their established business. We have learnt much working alongside them and will be taking the knowledge we have gained back to South Africa with us. They have been fantastic and understanding of our decision.”
Mathew shared that, initially, he’ll be based full-time at De Kock racing’s Randjesfontein barn while Mike oversees operations from Summerveld. However, they’re keeping their plans flexible.
“We’ll be able to devote quality time to our horses at both centres, and eventually, we’ll consider a satellite string in Cape Town,” he revealed.
Mathew is confident that settling back into SA won’t be too challenging.
“Every time I visited over the past few years, it still felt like home. My main priorities will be to get back into the swing of things and to attend various sales to acquire new horses. We already have a promising group of young horses, but we’ll be looking to grow the stable to remain competitive,” he explained.
He’s also excited to rekindle connections with former patrons and friends in this next chapter. “I am thankful to the South Africans who bought horses for me and took up shares in horses while I was in Australia.”
He believes that Australia is the most competitive racing centre in the world.
“Overall, the most challenging and enriching aspects were settling in as a young trainer in a new country, overcoming numerous challenges
and obstacles along the way. But we did it, we made a success of the venture and we’re stronger and wiser for the experience. I’ll be able to carry this knowledge forward into other racing jurisdictions in the future.”
Mathew, who started the Onamission Syndicate in 2016 and enjoyed a reasonable amount of success before his departure, said that he’d gained an insight and had some fresh ideas on syndication, a massive enterprise in the Australian racing fraternity.
“Aside from my customary duties I will be focusing on communication with clients and engaging with the media, which are two aspects of the business which were very professionally executed in Australia,” he said.
Mike de Kock, who has 141 Grade/Group 1 winners and around 3,800 career winners to his name, said that he’d come close to retiring just a few months ago.
He explained: “I was on the verge of retiring, but Mat’s decision has given me a new lease on life. He is a top trainer in his own right, most capable of taking over from me in due course.
“For now, I am postponing retirement. Mat is ambitious, young and talented. We are able to continue the De Kock legacy, and he’ll start off with more than I did when I was his age. I will eventually take a back seat, oversee the transition and, if all goes well, help him to set up yards in other parts of the world so we can compete in suitable races. From what I’ve seen recently from SA-breds in the US, our horses are not too far off the higher world ranks, even after the period of relative isolation. This is an exciting turning point for our family.”
CHELTENHAM’S NOVEMBER MEETING A STEPPING STONE TO MARCH
The three-day November Meeting starts on Friday at Cheltenham. All roads lead to the Festival in March, but the magic starts this weekend at the Home of Jump Racing. While this is a starting point for many on their road to the festival, the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Greatwood Hurdle are two of the most prestigious National Hunt handicaps of the season.
Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase has attracted a field of 17 runners, headed in the weights by 2024 Ryanair winner Protektorat. The Dan Skelton runner was second in this in 2021, and he is back for another crack, but concedes plenty of weight to the field.
Multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls recorded a five-timer at Wincanton over the
weekend, and he is well represented saddling Il Ridoto and Ginny’s Destiny.
Course and distance winner Ginny’s Destiny, brings Group 1 form having been second in the Turners at last season’s festival. Stable jockey and current champion Harry Cobden rides the eight-year-old in preference of his light-weight stablemate Il Ridoto who is not easily dismissed carrying only 9 stone, 13 lbs.
It’s here! The 3-day November Meeting kicks off on Friday at Cheltenham | Credit: Cheltenham Racecourse on FB
Irish raider Lets Go Champ is race fit having had two starts this season, and he ran a highly promising race for Henry de Bromhead in the Galway Plate last time out.
Sunday’s Unibet Greatwood Hurdle has a fine roll of honour including National Hunt champions Rooster Booster and Sizing Europe.
The unbeaten mare Dysart Enos heads the market for trainer Fergal O’Brien, and she looks well handicapped here of a mark of 131.
Burdett Road is another progressive sort to consider having won two from three over hurdles including a smart performance in the Juvenile Hurdle at this meeting last season. That was over course and distance, and he comes here race fit after finishing sixth to Kyprios in the Long-Distance Cup at Ascot last time out.
The highest rated runner over the three days is the Nicky Henderson trained Jonbon who takes on seven rivals in Friday’s Gr2 Shloer Chase (16h20).
Successful in this last season, the Walk In The Park gelding has won nine of his eleven starts chasing and looks to take this on his way to the Champion Chase in March.
Alan King’s Group 1 winner Edwardstone is his main opposition.
2024 LONGINES IJC - A SUPERSTAR LINE-UP!
A stellar line-up will contest the 2024 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday, 4 December. The LONGINES IJC is the most prestigious jockey challenge in the world and the most lucrative for the winning rider.
The four races are worth a combined HK$7.5 million in prize money. Meanwhile, a total prize fund of HK$1 million in bonus money for the most successful riders will be split three ways, with the winner set to receive HK$600,000 with HK$250,000 for second and HK$150,000 for third, respectively.
2023 LONGINES IJC winner Vincent Ho and Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton will pit their wits and skills against home-based rivals and eight overseas challengers.
This year’s overseas contingent will feature English superstar Ryan Moore, New Zealand ace James McDonald, top Norwegian-British flat jockey William Buick, leading female riders
Hollie Doyle and Rachel King, prolific Irish flat champion Colin Keane, brilliant Frenchman Mickael Barzalona and Japan’s Yuga Kawada.
The final two spots on the 12-rider roster for the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship will go to the highest-ranked riders in the Hong Kong championship standings at the cut-off date, which follows the race meeting on Wednesday, 20 November.
Mr Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “The LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship is the most exciting jockey challenge every December. This year’s line-up features Ryan Moore, James McDonald and
Vincent Ho celebrates his first LONGINES IJC victory | Credit: HKJC
William Buick – who currently fill top three in the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey rankings, and between them this year they have won a string of the world’s leading Group 1 contests. They will compete with the world’s very bestestablished riders for a thrilling night of great sport.”
Moore, McDonald and Buick are all currently in fine form as they all scored in Gr1 races held at the recent Victoria Derby and Breeders’ Cup meetings in early November.
Moore is no stranger to the LONGINES IJC, having won the event twice.
The Englishman currently sits at the top of the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey rankings and is a leading chance to win his fifth World’s Best Jockey title. Among his elite 2024 achievements was surpassing Frankie Dettori to become the most successful active rider at
Royal Ascot, in addition to Group 1 triumphs in Great Britain, Ireland, France and the United States of America.
McDonald is also a familiar face in the LONGINES IJC, finishing second twice (2011 & 2021) and third in 2014.
This year he has enjoyed another fruitful partnership with local hero Romantic Warrior, winning the FWD QEII Cup and Yasuda Kinen, and is currently in stellar form, scoring his 100th Group 1 victory and his third consecutive success in the W.S. Cox Plate with Via Sistina, after wins on Anamoe (2022) and Romantic Warrior (2023).
Representing Great Britain, Buick is Godolphin’s leading rider, who formed a formidable partnership with Rebel’s Romance this year, winning the Dubai Sheema Classic, Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup,
Ryan Moore has won the LONGINES IJC twice | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Preis von Europa and Breeders’ Cup Turf. Crowned British Flat Racing Champion Jockey in 2022 and 2023, Buick added Group 1 wins to his tally in 2024 with Notable Speech in the 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes.
Adding further class to the line-up is Barzalona, French Flat Racing Champion Jockey in 2021. He currently sits second in the French jockey’s championship behind Maxime Guyon and his partnership with Tribalist to win the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp this season was no doubt his career highlight.
Both Doyle and King have proven records in the LONGINES IJC: Doyle finished joint-third in her LONGINES IJC debut in 2020 and
then in 2021 she made one step further in this prestigious event to achieve joint second behind the eventual winner Purton. King made her LONGINES IJC debut last year and was able to make an immediate impact with victory atop Oversubscribed. Overall, she ranked third behind Ho and Purton.
The exciting line-up also includes two more exciting overseas riders – Japan’s Kawada and Ireland’s Keane, both are outstanding Group 1 winning jockeys this year.
A seven-time JRA Award winner for the jockey with the highest winning percentage, Kawada added more Group 1 wins to his tally in 2024 with Jantar Mantar in the NHK Mile Cup, while
William Buick – Godolphin’s leading man | Credit: Doncaster Racecourse
five-time Irish Champion Jockey Keane scored three Group 1 races in 2024, including Sun Chariot Stakes (Tamfana), Phoenix Stakes (Babouche) and Tattersalls Gold Cup (White Birch).
Purton, Hong Kong’s seven-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey, will chase a record fourth LONGINES IJC crown, having won the event in 2017, 2020 and 2021. He currently leads this season’s local standings with 32 wins (as of 4 November).
Ho became Hong Kong’s first home-grown jockey to win the LONGINES IJC last year.
The four-time Tony Cruz Award recipient is also in recent fine form and ranks third in this season’s jockeys’ standings with 13 wins (as of 4 November), just behind Purton and Hugh Bowman.
Trainers will again have an added incentive to target their horses at LONGINES IJC races this year with a bonus scheme which will pay HK$300,000, HK$125,000 and HK$75,000
respectively to the three handlers who achieve the highest number of points across the four races, using the same scale as employed for the jockeys.
The four-race competition works on a pointsbased system with 12 points for the win, six points for second place and four points to third.
The ranking of each jockey will be determined by the total number of points earned over all
four races and the LONGINES IJC champion will be the jockey with the highest accumulated points.
In the case of a dead-heat for any of the first three placings, points will be added and then divided by the number of horses involved.
In the LONGINES IJC, substitute jockeys are eligible for points and if a countback is required it will go back to fourth placings.
Zac Purton is a seven-times Hong Kong champion | Credit: HKJC
Homegrown jockeys with 2lb or 3lb claims are eligible for selection for the LONGINES IJC but there will be no claiming allowance in the four LONGINES IJC races. Apprentice jockeys do not qualify for selection.
This year’s edition will again feature the process successfully employed in recent years of allocating rides with a model designed to make the contest competitive and to reduce the risk of individual riders being dealt a particularly strong or weak hand.
This will form the basis for a process in which each rider will be allocated four rides based on
an estimated average of each horse’s chance as supplied by the Club’s Jockey Challenge odds-compiling team. The odds-compiling team will assess the credentials of every runner in advance and, without knowing who will ride each horse, will submit their final assessments once the barrier draw is made on the morning of Monday, 2 December.
The minimum riding weight for LONGINES
IJC races is 118lb. If there are more than 12 entries for a race, the Club’s Handicapping Department will use their discretion to give preference to horses who have shown reasonable recent form
IMPERIAL EMPEROR SHINES AT NEW-LOOK CARNIVAL
Same, but different… smart new branding and a new-look Saddling Area greeted Meydan racegoers for the first meeting of the Dubai Racing Carnival.
However, it was the same as the last meeting in March in that Dubai World Cup-winning combo of Tadhg O’Shea and Bhupat Seemar took the feature race, the Emirates Airline Handicap, with the exciting Imperial Emperor.
The well-bred son of Dubawi and Gr1 winner Zhukova was an AED300,000 purchase at the March Racing in Dubai Sale by owners Deva Racing and their investment has quickly paid off.
Despite a wide draw in 12, the four-year-old was always up with the pace and O’Shea was able to assert in the straight, powering clear of stablemate Laasudood in the final 400metres for a two and a half-length success.
Imperial Emperor (Tadhg O’Shea) wins the Emirates Airline Handicap | Credit: DRC
“It’s great to be back at Meydan and great to get a win on the board,” said O’Shea, who enjoyed a successful stint in Japan during the summer. “I think he’s a smart horse. It was a bit of a tricky pick for me, as Sheikh Hissa’s [Al Maktoum] retained rider isn’t in town yet and that horse [Laasudood] has good form. But this horse had been working extremely well.
“I was a bit concerned, as I had to get him to jump and get him up there. He’d only run on turf before and dirt and turf racing – there’s no comparison – but I had a willing partner.
“I should congratulate the second jockey, Richie Mullen, as he actually suggested this horse to the owners at the Racing in Dubai Sale. I don’t like to set targets for horses but he could make a Godolphin Mile horse one day.”
Costa and Coen at the Double
Jockey Ben Coen had a delayed start to the local season due to injury, but the Jebel Ali Stables’ first rider took just three goes to get back into the Winner’s Enclosure.
His mount, the Michael Costa-trained Mojeyrr, had earlier won a trial around Meydan and put that experience to good use by just about making all of the running and beating Khanjar by a length and three-quarters.
“In an ideal world you’d just sit second and get a lead, but that’s not how it worked out,” said Coen. “He’s definitely a horse who has matured
from last season, so hopefully he can go on and win a few more.”
The Costa double was completed in race six, the 1400metre Emirates Skywards maiden when Gabooll made a winning debut.
The $150,000 Keeneland September purchase overcame a little greenness but was professional where it mattered in the straight, beating stablemate Alsayel by four and threequarter lengths.
“Last year they were just growing and blossoming and didn’t really show much at home,” said Costa of first and second. “But they’ve done well over the summer and we knew we were coming to the races with two nice horses.
“The winner [Gabooll] had a great trip but the second [Alsayel] took a little bit of kickback.”
New Oasis Stables resident jockey Danny Tudhope has made a fine start to his tenure and he collected a fifth winner of the campaign when Awab ran away with the first Thoroughbred race, the Emirates Holidays two-year-old Maiden over 1400metres. Tudhope kept it simple on the Street Sense debutant, coming from off the pace to beat his three rivals with ease; the winning margin being five and a half lengths back to second Diamond Dealer.
“He’s been training well at home and he’s a nice horse, he can jump and travel,” said the jockey. “We didn’t go very quickly so I didn’t want to take back. He was happy and he did it nicely.”
Tudhope’s role with trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri was in part created by Bernardo Pinheiro’s move across town to Salem Bin Ghadayer and he cemented that partnership with a win in the finale on Tolmount.
The seven-year-old looked beaten when challenged by Maputo inside the final furlong but stuck his neck out admirably for a fourth career success.
Lion Roars for Bin Harmash
Lion’s Mane was held in high regard by trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash last season, winning once, and he came good on his first start of this one. Breaking well under Connor Beasley he took over the lead from Book Review turning for home and extended away well to beat Lahresh by two and half lengths.
“The boss and the team have done a great job,” said Beasley. “He won for us last year but it just shows, when they have one season here and a summer it can really make a difference – he gave me a good feel.
“I didn’t want to go too early as I know he stays further, so I didn’t want to be a sitting duck.”
The opening Purebred Arabian Handicap, over 1400metres, produced a great battle when neither Muthabir or Kanaille Du Faust wanted to give an inch. In the end, the latter prevailed under jockey Sandro Paiva, giving Al Ain-based trainer Adil Mouchahi his first Meydan winner.
A fabulous evening of racing ended a superb week to celebrate the launch of the Carnival, which began on Tuesday when Daman Markets by Daman Securities partnered with Dubai Racing Club to host a glittering Season Launch Party in the Parade Ring at Meydan Racecourse.
• The Carnival resumes on Friday, 22 November.
RACE VOIDED AS TRACTOR BREAKS DOWN
There was late drama at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Saturday evening when the final race had to be voided after the starting stalls got stranded on the track with the nine runners running at almost 40mph towards them.
The jockeys were oblivious to the problem heading out of the back straight towards the home turn of the ten-furlong Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap, but thankfully none collided with the marooned gates after reacting swiftly to frantic wave flagging and shouting.
The tractor that was pulling the stalls off the course apparently would not go into gear and was unable to budge.
Chelmsford City Racecourse – where the drama happened! | Credit: Chelmsford City Racecourse (FB)
Chelmsford City Racecourse apologised to everyone affected by the freak incident.
“Chelmsford City Racecourse apologies to all the connections, participants, spectators and bettors affected by the events of race 9 at this evening’s meeting. The safety of all participants is, and always will be, our top priority. We are deeply relieved that no harm came to any of the jockeys, horses or staff involved. This evening’s incident is unprecedented in Chelmsford’s ten-years of racing, and although the racecourse was not directly responsible for what occurred, we fully acknowledge our role as the racecourse staging the fixture. We are committed to working with the British
Horseracing Authority and our partners to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the events of this nature do not happen again. Forms of reimbursement will be arranged for affected connections; and they will be contacted with further information.”
Jockey Marco Giani said that there should have been a flag-man at each corner of the track.
A GOLDEN GIFT FOR NORTH ENGLAND AT ROSEHILL
Exciting colt North England (Farnan) secured his berth in all the feature 2yo races of next year with a tough victory in Saturday’s A$1m Inglis Golden Gift at Rosehill. The Classic Yearling Sale purchase entered the race as favourite, having finished an unlucky third on debut in the Gr3 Breeders’ Plate last month.
He more than made amends and trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will now target features such as the A$2m Inglis Millennium and Gr1 Golden Slipper next year with the star 2YO.
North England is a A$280,000 Classic Sale buy for the Newgate Farm, China Horse Club, Trilogy Racing and Go Bloodstock partnership. The same partnership has enjoyed success
at the Classic Sale previously, having teamed up in 2018 to buy Cosmic Force, who went on to win the Gr2 Pago Pago Stakes and Gr2 Roman Consul Stakes and now stands at stud at Newgate Farm in the Hunter Valley.
Bred by Mr Gu Tao’s Zhongli Thoroughbreds, North England was offered in the Valiant Stud draft earlier this year.
North England becomes the fourth Inglis
North England (Tim Clark, red cap, inside) wins the Inglis Golden Gift at Rosehill Credit: Martin King/Sportpix – supplied by Inglis
graduate to win the Golden Gift from just six renewals of the race following previous successes by Dame Giselle (2019), Sneaky Five (2020) and Sejardan (2021).
China Horse Club’s Michael Smith was anything but surprised by this impressive victory.
“Ever since we bought him at Classic, he’s done nothing wrong, he developed nicely in his early days then was an unlucky third in the Breeders’ Plate on debut and he’s atoned today,’’ Smith said.
“Gai and Adrian have done a super job with him and we’re really excited about his future.
“We go to Classic to buy those early running 2YOs and those horses we think are the goods and there’s always plenty of them at Classic. “We were delighted to take him home and we’ll be back at Classic in February to find plenty more like him.’’
Valiant Stud’s Fergal Connolly described the win as “absolutely fantastic’’.
“We’re just delighted to have been involved with this horse’s journey in some small way,’’ Connolly said.
“He joined us at Valiant ahead of the sale and we took care of him during the sale itself and just tried to get the best result for the breeder and A$280,000 is a lot of money.
“He was always a nice horse, very professional the whole way through. He was very popular at Riverside and sold accordingly.’’
Valiant will again have a select draft at Classic next year, for which the catalogue will be revealed within the next 10 days.
• Click here for more racing news from Inglis.
DARBY RACING TEAM’S BARGAIN BUY BRINGS IT HOME
Scott Darby’s extraordinary affinity with the Classic Yearling Sale continued at Flemington on Saturday when A$30,0000 bargain buy Within The Law (Lucky Vega) won the A$500,000 Listed Inglis Banner.
The Darby Racing team has enjoyed amazing success with their Classic graduates over the years, headlined by A$20,000 Golden Sipperwinning filly She Will Reign and A$10,000 buy Yankee Rose, a dual Gr1 winner in Australia before selling for an undisclosed significant sum to Japanese interests as a broodmare.
And now they may just have their next Classic star in Within The Law, who trainer Bjorn Baker snuck down to Victoria this week to steal the riches on debut.
The victory earned the Darby Racing owners a A$300,000 first prize cheque – 10 times the filly’s purchase price – and there are far greater riches in sight for the talented filly in the new year.
“Another Classic bargain buy. Gee I love that sale,’’ an elated Scott Darby said post-race. “We bought her purely on type, which is why I love Classic so much, you can just head to Riverside and not worry about pedigree as much and just buy the types you like and not
Within The Law (Ben Melham) wins the Listed Inglis Banner | Credit: Inglis
have to pay through the roof all the time and this girl is just another example of that.
“She’ll have a freshen up now and come back and try to win some more of that extraordinary Inglis prizemoney in the Millennium next and then onto the Slipper all going well.’’
Darby purchased Within The Law out of the draft of her breeder Yulong at this year’s Classic Sale. Yulong will offer a draft of “25 or 26 very nice yearlings’’ at Classic next year.
“It’s a really nice draft and we can’t wait for February to roll around again,’’ Yulong’s Sam Fairgray said. “Within The Law is a great result for Lucky Vega and a great result for Scott Darby, he knows how to pick a nice horse and he’s got another nice one on his hands with this filly.’’
Baker described the win as “a massive thrill’’.
“This Inglis Race Series really does give the owners and us more incentive to buy from the Inglis sales,’’ the trainer said.
“As well as these 2YO races there’s the 3YO race and the Bracelet and the Xtra Maiden bonuses as well so it really gives the opportunity to get a quick return on our investment.
“It’s great to buy from Inglis and I’ll be back at the Classic Sale next year, a sale I’ve also had great success out of.’’
The catalogue for next year’s Classic Yearling Sale – which will be held at Riverside from 09 to 11 February 2025 – will be released within the next 10 days.
Baker also won a pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars for training the winner of an Inglis
Race Series event. Within The Law defeated race favourite Chisholm (I Am Invincible), with Rohesia (Hanseatic) in third place.
Rohesia’s performance led to a significant windfall for her connections too as the filly was the first Inglis Pink Bonus-eligible runner home and hence earned her ownership group a A$200,000 bonus. Rohesia nosed out Bubion in a thrilling ‘race within the race’ for the Pink Bonus.
Bred by Fernrigg Farm with Paul Lofitis’ Lofty Thoroughbreds Group, Rohesia cost her trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes A$150,000 at this year’s Premier Yearling Sale, where she was offered by Rosemont Stud.
She earned A$245,000 for running third on Saturday.
Rohesia is raced by a syndicate set up by and including the Lindsay Park Ladies, whose representative Grace Ramage was thrilled with today’s performance.
It’s the third consecutive year the Lindsay Park team has won the Pink Bonus in the Inglis Banner following previous ‘wins’ by Arkansaw Kid in 2022 and Blue Allure last year.
“At Inglis sales now, this is our number one brief, to buy horses to win this Pink Bonus and to think that we’ve done it three years in a row now is unbelievable,’’ Ramage said.
“We’re having so much fun, the social networks we’ve already been able to create, the journey of taking a share, meeting the horse and seeing what it’s all about, and then to have this as the cherry on top, it’s just incredible.
“We’ll be back at Inglis sales next year bigger and better than ever before.’’
Fellow co-owner Jenny McAlpine added: “Between Grace and I we’ve got all these wonderful girls into racing, some of them had never owned a horse before and now they’re winning the Inglis Pink Bonus with their very first horse.’’
The A$1m Inglis Pink Bonus is the most lucrative women’s ownership incentive in world racing. To be eligible, a runner must simply be minimum 75% owned by females and be paid up to the Inglis Race Series. The next Inglis Pink Bonus is in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick on 14 December.
The payouts didn’t just extend to the horses in the Inglis Banner.
The Best Turned Out Award – judged today by Inglis’ Victorian Bloodstock Manager James Price for the best presented horse in the mounting yard pre-race – was won by the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained juvenile Bubion.
Bubion’s strapper Rhianna Adamson won A$500 as her prize.
• Click here for more racing news from Inglis.
SUNSHINE IN PARIS SHINES BRIGHT AT FLEMINGTON
Outstanding sprinting mare Sunshine in Paris overcame traffic to score a brilliant win against the country’s best sprinters in Saturday’s A$3 million Gr1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington.
Luck had been against the daughter of Invader at her two most recent runs – the Everest and Russell Balding Stakes – when she was forced back from tricky gates and having to sustain long runs.
On Saturday down the famous Flemington straight six, the five-year-old was able to pick narrow runs between rivals to stake a determined late sprint to beat Right to Party and Bella Nipotina. A Group One winner at three for earlier connections, Sunshine in
Paris stayed in the stables of original trainer Annabel Neasham after being purchased by James Harron for John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale.
The mare’s price tag was a near sale topping A$3.9 million, but she has turned out an incredible investment for the Camilleri family –having already earned her purchase price back.
Sunshine In Paris (James McDonald) wins the Gr1 Champions Sprint Credit: The Image is Everything – Bronwen Healy Photography supplied by Magic Millions
Neasham, who cheered home the mare from Flemington, prepares the outstanding sprinter with her partner Rob Archibald, a former crack polo player who was watching in from Sydney.
“She was amazing,” Neasham beamed after the race. “I was a little bit worried pre-race because she was parading quite quietly.”
“Obviously we’ve never backed her up before and she’s had the trip, but she was phenomenal.”
“Amazing ride by James McDonald. The plan was to try and be a bit closer because the last couple of runs she’s probably, maybe due to the barriers, she’s just ended up too far back. But she’s just got such a strong finish. It was just waiting for that gap, but we had the right man on board.”
“She’s such a special horse. I’m so grateful to John Camilleri. Obviously, he purchased her when I was already training her and there was no guarantee she was coming back to me.”
“So, to put her back in our stable and give us the faith with her, I’m just glad we can repay him. And it’s amazing for Rob as well, his first Group One winner.”
“I feel bad. I wish Rob was standing here. I did ask him if he wanted to do it. He said, no, I’ll do Sydney, but no, he was the first person I rang as soon as she crossed the line and I know what that’ll be feeling like for him.”
“It’s just a massive team effort. We’ve got a big
team but they’re all amazing. She’s not that straight-forward, this filly. But everybody has made her who she is. It’s not just Rob and I, it’s the whole team. And this day’s been good to us.”
“I went home from the Everest disappointed that we didn’t win. I really felt like she could have won the Everest. That’s how much we think of her, but there’s not a lot between all these sprinters.”
“There’s a lot of good sprinters around at the moment, so for her to beat that field, obviously a very valuable race and to win on this day,” Neasham added.
Superstar jockey James McDonald, who partnered Sunshine in Paris in the Champions Sprint, said the mare’s performance was first class.
“I’m so thrilled for Annabel, and John the owner,” McDonald said moments after the win. “Obviously they took a bit of a risk backing her up from Sydney, but she’s a beautiful mare. Geez, she gave me a good ride.”
“I didn’t know who won. I had the grey horse to my inside, and I would have been a certainty beaten if I didn’t get out. But I had the mare to do it and, geez, I’m rapt.”
“I’m so blessed to ride such highly talented horses. They get you out of trouble.”
McDonald said he was extra pleased he was able to ride the first Group One winner for cotrainer Rob Archibald.
“Rob would be over the moon obviously. I’ve had a great association with Anabel and now Rob’s there. They’re a strong team, and their horses are firing.”
“This mare was turned out immaculate, and she was ready to win. I was cursing myself a furlong from home as I didn’t want to go when the race built up, but I can’t say what I was saying at the furlong, but anyway, I was lucky I got away with it.”
“I had the right mare to do it. She was a very willing partner, took the gap. I was probably lucky I didn’t really get too itchy and go for a gap I was anticipating to open. Anyway, it could have ended in tears, that’s for sure. I won’t take much credit for it.”
While Sunshine in Paris changed hands for A$3.9 million at the 2023 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale, she was picked up for A$90,000 at the same sale a year earlier and she subsequently won the Group One Surround Stakes.
Bred by Aquis Farm, Sunshine in Paris is the pin up performer to date for Snitzel’s Group One winning juvenile Invader.
She is one of three winners, from three to race, for the top producing Zabeel mare Zenaida.
A winner over a mile and Sydney place-getter, Zenaida is also the dam of the Group Three winner Macroura.
Winner: Sunshine in Paris
Breeding: Invader-Zenaida (Zabeel)
Race: VRC Champions Sprint Gr1 (1200m)
Sold for: A$3,900,000
Sale: 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale
Earnings: A$4,762,025
Breeder: Aquis Farm
Vendor: Newgate Consignment
Owners: Fairway Thoroughbreds (Mgr: J Camilleri)
Trainers: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald (Pakenham)
• Click here for more racing news from Magic Millions.
YORK TAKES TOP
TITLE AT RACECOURSE
OSCARS!
The team at York Racecourse have been recognised as the Champion British Racecourse of the Year at a prestigious industry awards ceremony.
York Racecourse takes tops honours! | Credit: York Racecourse (FB)
The judges at the annual Racecourse Association Showcase Awards, the Oscars for racecourses, gave the track the top honour following its success in a number of individual categories.
The Racing Foundation Green category for the recently opened Bustardthorpe End Development, considered as the most environmentally sustainable project of its type, featuring solar panels, rainwater harvesting and a living roof.
The Racing Connection category, where the Under Jockey’s Orders project that showcased the riders, was the winning submission.
The team so ably led by Adrian Kay were recognised in the Groundstaff category, picking up the top honour in the Flat track division, for all their hard work in what was a challenging season, on and off the track.
York was also a finalist in the Food & Beverage category for the Bustardthorpe End Development, featuring the Theakston and Guinness bars as well as the Fish & Chip Shop
In reviewing the winning York submissions, the judges commented on the focus on customers and the attention to detail, that underpinned them.
Speaking about the success, William Derby, Chief Executive & Clerk of the Course at York Racecourse, commented: “I am hugely proud to be part of the team that has been named Champion Racecourse for a second time. It is an honour and privilege to receive this honour amongst friends and colleagues in British racing.” The RCA Showcase is an initiative which York has supported since its inception.
• Which racecourse would win the South African equivalent?
TRAINERS
JOCKEYS
BREEDERS
SIRES
