LEGENDS
On the cover
Karl Neisius and Dean Kannemeyer formed a lethal partnership for many years and we travelled back in time at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday to see them together on the winner’s podium again. Karl was representing big race sponsors Khaya Stables, while Dean saddled Gimme A Prince –for Khaya Stables – to win the Gr2 Diadem. Chase Liebenberg took the photograph.
THE GREY KINGS
Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe chats to trainer Eric Sands after Rachel Slack’s Green Garnet impressed with a gutsy end-to-end win under Grant van Niekerk in the Class 4 second race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein bred son of Gimmethegreenlight has won twice and looks like he could go on from here. Chase Liebenberg took the photograph.
THIS HAS GOT TO BE A CLASSIC!
Spumante Dolce – unbeaten De Kock racer aims to establish SA Triple Tiara dream | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The final fields for Day 2 of The Championships 2025, Classic Day, to be held on Saturday 1 March, were unveiled on Tuesday with the Turffontein ten-race programme hosting three Grade 1 contests and 107 runners.
The highest rated galloper on the bumper card, Tony Peter’s Main Defender (130) defends his title in the R1,5 million Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes where he takes on eight rivals from a 5 draw.
The son of Pathfork was ridden by Calvin Habib last year and will be partnered by Gavin Lerena this time round. He comes in off three Pinnacle Stakes, and a is winner of 2 of 3 of those.
Gold Circle report that the Gr 1 weight for age HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m sees a field of ten going to post on Saturday led by Main Defender, while the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic will unfortunately not see the
clash everybody had hoped for, Spumante Dolce vs Quid Pro Quo, as the latter has been scratched, but alongside the Gr 1 SA Classic it will still be a race to savour.
The biggest question in the Horse Chestnut stakes is whether the crack Sean Tarry-trained Lucky Lad will see out the tough Turffontein Standside 1600m trip.
The Gimmethegreenlight colt came from a mile back in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate to run a 5,70 length 6th and he had the fastest 400m to finish time. However, the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth 1600m is a touch easier than Turffontein Standside one. Richard Fourie has now taken the ride on Lucky Lad and from a draw of seven out of nine he will likely be dropped out and waited with for as long as possible before using his explosive turn of foot in the long straight.
The Tony Peter-trained star Main Defender is going to be hard to beat as he has recently come
Main Defender – Peter powerhouse can defend title | Credit: JC Photos
back to his best and he will be defending his title from a good draw of five with Gavin Lerena aboard.
An interesting Tarry-trained runner is Cosmic Speed, because this Querari gelding has plenty of class and was running on in fine style last time out in the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m when beaten just 3.1 lengths by the classy Mike de Kock-trained Greaterix and he will now be 2kg better off with the latter. Cosmic Speed jumps from a good draw of three.
Greaterix, on the other hand has to overcome the widest draw of all in the nine horse field. The question about this horse is whether he sees out 1600m.De Kock has said he has so much speed at home that no other horse can stay with him and it looked race over when he cruised past Parisian Walkway at the 200m mark in the Gauteng Guineas.
However, the latter than came back to beat him. Did Greaterix not stay or did he idle in front? Whatever it was, Muzi Yeni is likely to be leaving his run for as late as possible after dropping him out.
Barbaresco is a classy sort who should be ideally distance suited and has a plum draw of two and he should be right there under Aldo Domeyer.
White Pearl has drawn in pole position and proved in the grade two Mike de Kock Ipi Tombi challenge that she sees out the course and distance. However, she has a tough task with Main Defender, considering the last time they met over 1400m, Main Defender beat her by 4.5 lengths and he will now be 3,5kg better off with her.
Texas Red is a talented sort, but he has to overcome a 6kg weight turnaround in Main Defender’s favour from both a 1600m and a 1400m race and Main Defender beat him both times.
Fire ‘N Flames is an enigmatic sort who is capable of a top class display on his day, but he is none too reliable and he is also no less than 14,5kg under sufferance with Main Defender.
The only out of province runner in the field is Imilenzeyokududuma, who is 8kg under sufferance with Main Defender and has a tough number eight draw. He is a talented sort who should relish the Turffontein Standside track with its long straight as he has a powerful, resolute finish, but he has never faced a field as tougher as this one.
In the SA Fillies Classics over 1800m Spumanti Dolce has drawn seven out of eleven and is going to be hard to beat considering her progressive profile and her pedigree which suggests she should relish the step up in trip. She is by Vercingetorix, who won the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 among other Graded races, out of Spumanti, who won the Gr 2 Betting World 1900 and the Gr 2 Ipi Tombe Challenge.
VJ’s Angel was only beaten 0.25 lengths by Spumanti Dolce in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and she now has a draw that is not as disadvantageous as her 12 draw was in the latter race. She is drawn eight and on pedigree this Gimmethegreenlight filly should see out the trip.
Fiery Pegasus only has 1,90 lengths to find on Spumanti Dolce and now has Richard Fourie up, albeit from a wide draw. World Of Alice should relish the step up in trip and the Tarry yard is in fine form.
Olivia’s Way has class and is distance suited, but returns from a layoff since disappointing in the Gr3 Fillies Mile, beaten 4,75 lengths by World Of Alice.
Willy Meet Again could still be anything and jumps from pole position.
Those are the runners in the eleven horse field who make most appeal.
In the SA Classic Alec Laird has a strong hand with Gr 2 SA Nursery winner and Dingaans runner up Fire Attack, who should enjoy the step up in trip, and the Gauteng Guineas first and third Parisian Walkway and Aristotle.
Fire Attack missed the latter race due to a below par blood reading, but he did beat Parisian Walkway in the Dingaans.
Legend Of Arthur is a progressive sort who should relish the trip and his Tarry-trained stablemate Don’t Cry For Me at last showed what he is truly made of last time when powering in over this course and distance. The Fabian Habib pair Confederate and Bacchus have a lot of class and could be involved, while Chestnut Bomber is better than his run in the Gauteng Guineas.
Ed - there was no news of any TAB carryovers when going to publication. But please watch the latest on www.sportingpost.co.za
A PREMIER CHANCE TO WEAR THE SLIPPER!
The second renewal of the R1,5 million CRS Cape Slipper promises to be one of the highlights of the inaugural Cape Racing Sales Festival which will culminate with a bumper raceday on Sunday 16 March at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, with the lead up of the CRS Premier Yearling Sale on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 March.
The innovative festival effectively extends the bumper Cape Summer Season Of Champions, creating an eighth festival racemeeting to book-end close on five months of high-quality horseracing.
The CRS Cape Slipper is a non black-type 1200m contest restricted to graduates of the 2024 Premier Yearling Sale, and is already shaping as a clash of the juvenile titans, ahead of the SA Champions Season on the East Coast.
Heading the charge to This big payday is this summer’s leading juvenile, Black Cheetah.
The Querari colt won the Futurity Plate and then followed up with an expected win on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day in the Charles Dickens Stakes. The step up to 1200m for the Slipper should not be an issue for this exciting prospect.
The Highveld-based Hawwaam colt Read All About It is a Cape Slipper qualifier – will he travel? | Credit: JC Photos
A debut winner of the Commonwealth Plate on Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas day, the Paul Reeves-trained Parental Guidance followed up with a smart place behind the aforementioned Black Cheetah in the Charles Dickens.
Vaughan Marshall’s Dreamworld had the dogs barking down Milnerton way prior to his facile debut victory over the Cape Slipper track and trip on 15 February. He is an Avontuur Studbred youngster with a big reputation and even bigger shoes to fill based on his outstanding pedigree.
Recently purchased by Jonathan Snaith off a partnership dissolution auction, the Gimmethegreenlight colt Malmesbury Missile won his maiden in cracking fashion after two close-up placed efforts. Bred by Drakenstein out of the Gr1 winning juvenile Gabor, this athlete looks to have plenty to come.
Leading Highveld juvenile Read All About It is a Cape Racing Sales premier sale graduate who won like a colt with a future on debut recently. The question is – will the smart son of Hawwaam make the trip South for the big money on offer?
The Rafeef filly Glastonbury is another impressive Highveld juvenile prospect. The Paul Matchett filly has bundles of speed and could make her presence felt, with her 2,5kg sex allowance.
Another Snaith charge in the mix is the luckless Trippi filly Clair De Lune, who has run three seconds at her first three outings. Those include two feature runner-up cheques, and she is overdue to win. The Cape Slipper could be her time to shine!
Yet another member of the fairer sex hovering on the fringes is the Candice Bass-Robinson trained Whatastar, who has run three places and looks ready to win.
There are a number of well-bred qualifiers who have yet to step out, but who knows what ace will be dealt in the next week or so ahead of entries for the R1,5 million CRS Cape Slipper which close at 11h00 on Friday 7 March?
Declarations for the CRS Cape Slipper are due by 11h00 on Monday 10 March.
Querari son Black Cheetah is unbeaten in two starts | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
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SNAITH’S SUMMER SIZZLER
Eight On Eighteen powers home under Richard Fourie to beat a game Sail The Seas (JP van der Merwe) in the final Gr1 of the summer | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Justin Snaith’s top-class Lancaster Bomber colt Eight On Eighteen brought the curtain down on the 2024/25 Cape Racing Summer Festival Of Champions Grade 1 roster at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday in scintillating fashion when he became the first horse since Feltos 79 years ago to win the Met and Cape Derby in the same term.
The Drakenstein bred galloper is owned by Nic Jonsson and Johann Rupert and has been a headline grabber since chasing Vaughan Marshall’s champion One Stripe home in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas in December last year.
After his eyecatching victory in the WSB Cape Town Met last month, and following a rather shallow entry for Saturday’s R1,5 million Splashout Cape Derby, it was hardly surprising to see Eight On Eighteen start just North of 5-10 for the final Grade 1 race of the Cape Summer.
Relaxed as newly blinkered stablemate Express Yourself set the fractions ahead of Native Ruler and Dawn Till Dusk, Eight On Eighteen was quick to make ground in the run for home, but looked to be under pressure as stablemate Sail The Seas and Piet Steyn’s Garrix challenged him around the 300m.
But at the 200m, Fourie looked like he was playing poker as the 127-rated galloper found his top stride and stayed on well to beat the 103-rated Sail The Seas (7-1) by 1,50 lengths.
Eight On Eighteen’s win time was 126,10 secs, as opposed to the 123,68 secs clocked in the Met a month earlier!
The promising Garrix (6-1) was examined by the Vet at the start, and faded late to run a further 2,25 lengths back in third.
Ridgemont jockey Richard Fourie said that part-owner Nic Jonsson suggested kick-starting Eight On Eighteen a little bit earlier, after his late flourish to win the Met.
“Even though it felt like he was labouring in the straight, only through the 200m he found his gear. He is a special horse!” added Fourie.
Trainer Justin Snaith marked his second Grade 1 victory of the season, and said that ‘horses like this make it a little bit easier’.
“He’s very immature and a big baby. But he’s got the nicest nature. People are talking about weak races. These races are hard. If you think these races are weak, try beating these horses! Both Sail The Sea and Garrix are class acts. Native Ruler ran a great race in fourth. It’s always the same people giving in this industry. Thanks to Greg Bortz for pitching in with his horses, and to Hollywoodbets and SplashOut for the sponsorship,” added a delighted Snaith.
Owner Nic Jonsson said that Eight On Eighteen might be up there with the best he has owned.
“He has a stallion’s pedigree and it’s a huge thrill to win two Grade 1 races in a row. Richard Fourie rode him beautifully,” he added.
Eight On Eighteen, a R700 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, made it 4 wins with 4 places from his 8 starts for stakes of R4 700 213.
Raced by Jonsson and Johann Rupert, he was another feature winner on the afternoon for the deceased War Front stallion Lancaster Bomber and is out of the unraced Captain Al mare, Sempre Libre.
DERBY WINNER
- SLOWEST ROUND OF THE DAY!
SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby winner Eight On Eighteen gets a splashdown after winning the big race | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
The SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby produced a humdinger at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday but it was also comparatively, the slowest run race on the card, with Eight On Eighteen recording a time of 2,42 secs slower than what he did carrying 6kgs less in the WSB Cape Town Met.
An important scientific complimentary tool of the trade for punters and racing enthusiasts, sectional timing data can enhance both the form study and horseracing viewing experience on both KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape race meetings.
In our weekly Time Is Money, we look at some of the past weekend’s highlight against a sectional timing data backdrop.
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth 22 February
Track Condition: Good to Soft (both tracks) Penetrometer: 24 Straight – 25 Turn Rain: Previous seven days Nil Irrigation: Previous seven days 55mm - Previous 24 hours 7,5mm
False Rail: 2m out from 1700m with a 4m spur at 600m mark. Outside rail moved inwards 4m from the 600m mark
Wind: 3-21km/h South Easterly head wind
Course Variant: 1,80s fast (straight) – 0,53s fast (bend)
SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby 2000m
On Merit ratings the recent Met winner EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN was 24 points clear and looked sure to become the first horse in 79 years to complete the Gr1 Met, Gr1 Derby double. With just seven runners going to post though, there was a real possibility that the pace of the race could be his undoing.
One of his four stable companions Express Yourself made the running and although two and a half lengths clear early on, the pace
wasn’t a good one. Indeed, they rounded the turn, over a second slower, than the slowest of the other five races negotiating that section.
Confidently ridden by Richard Fourie though, the 3yo son of Lancaster Bomber sat at the rear and was only five lengths off the leader when the race developed into a sprint at the top of the straight. He accelerated well at that point and after quickly cutting through the field the 5/10 favourite went on to score comfortably by a length and a half. This comparatively was the slowest race on the card
Khaya Stables Gr2 Diadem Stakes
The supporting act was the prestigious Gr2 Diadem Stakes and in a time slower than that of the only other 1200m event on the card, the Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery, the favourite GIMME A PRINCE completed a very smart double.
A facile winner of the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship last time out, the son of Gimmethegreenlight raced seventh some 4,5 lengths off a good pace set by Royal Aussie.
He quickened best of all from halfway and when the early effort began to take its toll on Royal Aussie 300m out he was perfectly placed to challenge. Café Culture got first run and struck the front 220m out. Dean Kannemyer’s charge was now in top gear though, and when he in turn hit the front passing the 100m marker Café Culture could find no extra.
By just 1/100th of a second Gimme A Prince recorded the fastest 400-finish time of the afternoon.
SpashOut Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery 1200m
After showing good speed to easily win her only previous start, the Eastern Cape raider DIRECT HIT was strongly fancied here and as a result was sent off a joint favourite. She broke well when the gates opened and under a typical ride from Richard Fourie, Alan Greeff’s charge set a good pace. She asserted her authority between the 600m and 200m markers and at one point was easily four lengths clear. She did then start to tire late on, but went on to score unchallenged by two and three quarters.
Run in a time 0,67 seconds faster than that of the Gr2 Diadem, the time of 69,47 recorded here was only 0,62 seconds outside the course record.
SplashOut Gr3 Prix Du Cap 1400m
The biggest priced winner on the card was the 25/2 available on SIDDELEY in the Gr3 Prix Du Cap. In what proved to be the second slowest
of the afternoon’s four 1400m races, the pace wasn’t a good one, going particularly steady on the second half of the turn. Justin Snaith’s charge had always been very nicely placed by Gavin Lerena just two lengths off the pace though, and she quickened well when the race developed into a sprint early in the straight. She struck the front 300m from home and kept on strongly late to score by a half.
Interestingly, the third placed runner Mon Petit Cherie (raced eighth 5 lengths off the pace) recorded the fastest 400-finish time in this race and that was only 1/100th of a second slower than the fastest 400-finish time of the afternoon recorded by Gimme A Prince.
Sent off in the red in this race, the heavily supported favourite Roccapina had been confidently ridden at the back. She had plenty of running in her when going for a rail’s run early in the straight. Passing the 400m marker though she was badly hampered and lost all momentum.
FOLLOW US
Schweppes Listed Cape Fillies Classic 1800m
The pace was sluggish early and very tightly bunched turning for home the slowly run Fillies Classic also developed into a sprint. The easy to back Omikami made the running whilst the hattrick seeking winner GIVE ME EVERYTHING sat close up in fifth. She made headway quickly in the straight and was already at the front shortly after passing the 400m marker. Kinda Wonderful chased hard over the final 200m, but Dean Kannemeyer’s charge did have that one well held by a length and a half at the wire.
City Of Cape Town Listed Jet Master Stakes 1600m
The Dean Kannemeyer stable were also on the mark in the next, the listed Jet Master Stakes when the full brother to Gimme A Prince, THE REAL PRINCE ran out an impressive winner. Heavily supported into 5/2 second favourite from 8/1, The Real Prince raced seventh some six lengths off a fair pace set by Coastal Commander. He was ridden to lead shortly after
passing the 300m marker and cruised clear in the closing stages of the race to score by five.
SABC Class 3 1400m
Another to win well when heavily supported on this card was GALLIC DREAM. After a steady start in what proved to be by far the fastest of the afternoon’s four 1400m races, San Pedro then set fast fractions around the turn and quickly strung them out. Handily placed in fourth though, Eric Sands’ charge was always ready to pounce. He did so going through the 300m, and with the benefit of first run he got the verdict over his fellow joint favourite Talk To The Master by a half. The runner up finished well and recorded by far the fastest 400m-finish time in this race.
Fastest Times:
1200m (2) Direct Hit 69,47 1400m (4) Gallic Dream 85,97
400-finish Gimme A Prince 22,56
Notebook:
Eight On Eighteen (J Snaith)
The Real Prince (D Kannemeyer)
Gimme A Prince storms to victory under Craig Zackey | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Dean Kannemeyer celebrated a fabulous feature treble on SplashOut Cape Derby Day at a sun-drenched Hollywoodbets Kenilworth that sets the stage for their 2025 SA Champions Season campaign on the East Coast in a matter of months.
“Breeder, owner, sponsor, winner!” the proud words of Lady Christine Laidlaw’s sister Patricia Woollett, who deputized on the day and summed things up for an international owner who has enjoyed enormous success through her support of the game here in South Africa for close on 20 years.
After Give Me Everything won the Schweppes Listed Cape Fillies Classic for Varsfontein and The Real Prince set the world alight in the City Of Cape Town Listed Jet Master Stakes, it was the latter’s full brother that crowed a memorable day for the DKR Team.
The quietly spoken Dean Kannemeyer displayed a rare flash of emotion in the post-race interview after South Africa’s highest-rated racer Gimme A Prince established his position as a genuine Equus Championship contender with a supreme display of dominance to win the Khaya Stables Gr2 Diadem Stakes.
While the winning margin was not of the same dazzling gargantuan proportions as his Cape Flying Championship victory on Met day a month ago, the gelding showed that he is full of fire at 6, when cutting them down late from midfield at odds of 5-10 to beat the revitalized Café
Culture (16-1) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 70,14 secs for the straight 1200m.
The ever-reliable Questioning (51) was a length back in third, with stablemate Seeking The Stars (25-1) capping the quartet.
Kannemeyer previously won the Diadem with Cosmic Highway (also for Khaya Stables) in 2022, and prior to that with the Zim-bred Honour The Guest in 2004.
The Khaya Stables raced and bred winner was raised in the beautiful Varsfontein paddocks and is 6yo gelded son of champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the smashing Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint winner Real Princess. Like Gimme A Prince, the Klawervleibred daughter of Trippi was raced by Khaya Stables for Dean Kannemeyer.
A treble Gr1 winner, took his tally to 8 wins and 8 places from 17 starts for stakes of R3 649 513.
The plans for Gimme A Prince, not the kind of horse one can travel up and down the country, are fluid, including a possible raid on Turffontein for the R1 million Jonsson Workwear Gr1 Computaform Sprint on 29 March.
As to alternatives, if Johannesburg doesn’t pan out, Dean has suggested a possible second bid at the Drill Hall Stakes – Gimme A Prince was beaten just three quarters of length from a 12 draw by Trip Of Fortune in 2023 – and then even the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge.
The Brains Trust – Craig Zackey chats to Khaya Stables Racing Boss Jehan Malherbe and trainer Dean Kannemeyer | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
KANNEMEYER’S CROWN PRINCE RULES
The Real Prince (Craig Zackey) gives trainer Dean Kannemeyer a second win for the afternoon | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Celebrating a big day feature double, Dean Kannemeyer produced the magic with the lightly raced Khaya Stables 4yo
The Real Prince who was
the
medium of
some inspired support before cruising to
victory in the R275 000 City Of Cape Town Listed Jet Master Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
With the well-weighted favourite See It Again blowing out in the betting, all the money was for the well-related Khaya Stables gelding who was having his first start over a mile.
Relaxed some way off them early on as Coastal Commander led Zapatillas and a more aggressively ridden See It Again, The Real Prince made ground down the inside and ran right away from a floundering opposition to beat Rapidash (25-2) by 5 lengths easing up in a time of 98,74secs.
Retreaded top sprinter Meu Capitano (7-1) plugged on for third, a further 0,40 lengths back.
See It Again, who started at 2-1 (from early calls of 4-10), and ran well downfield, some 7,35 lengths back has been a frustrating horse to both support and no doubt to train, and one hopes that he bounces back to go the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and Hollywoodbets Durban July route one more time on the East Coast.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer was enjoying a great afternoon with his second feature success on the trot.
“That was super impressive. At his last run things didn’t go his way. We put him to the test today and he came through with flying colours. Well done to Lady Christine Laidlaw, Khaya Stables and Jehan Malherbe, their Racing Manager. Also accolades are due to the Varsfontein team, where he was raised. What more does one say about Real Princess? A remarkable racehorse and a broodmare of enormous quality! Well done to my team who have done a great job this summer!”
Craig Zackey said that The Real Prince had started his career late. “This was what he was looking for. He’s an exciting horse for the SA Champions Season.”
Bred by Khaya Stables, the winner is a fullbrother to South Africa’s highest rated galloper Gimme A Prince and the accomplished Gimmie’s Countess.
A son of champion sire Gimmethegreenlight, he is out of Khaya Stable’s Grade 1 winning star foundation mare Real Princess (Trippi).
The Real Prince has now won 4 races with a place from his 8 starts for stakes of R439 467.
1 -2 -3 FOR GIMME!
Gimme 1,2,3! Craig Zackey unleashes Give Me Everything for an eyecatching maiden stakes success | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Dean Kannemeyer saddled Varsfontein Stud’s promising and very progressive filly Give Me Everything who was a convincing winner in a Gimmethegreenlight 1-2-3 in the R250 000 Schweppes Listed Cape Fillies Classic at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Only seven 3yo fillies lined up for the 1800m feature in what was the opening leg of a big day carryover Pick 6 that unfortunately failed to reach the target of R3 million, settling at R2 347 260.
Relaxed early as Omikami led WSB Cape Fillies Guineas runner-up Scarlet Macaw early, Craig Zackey took an easy path down the inside into the home run and despite hitting the front quite early, Give Me Everything (9-2) carried too many guns for her six opponents and went on strongly to beat Kinda Wonderful (6-1) by 1,50 lengths in a time of 112,88 secs.
Gimmethegreenlight sired the trifecta, with Goodnessgraciousme (7-2) staying on best of the rest, a further three quarters of a length back in third.
The tote favourite Scarlet Macaw (9-4) was thereabouts for a long way, but ran last and 14,70 lengths back. While she may have been flattered with the pace in her favour when
runner-up to Fatal Flaw in the Cape Fillies Guineas in early December, she has to be better than this.
Jockey Craig Zackey said the impressive winner could only get even better over 2000m.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer is in a rich vein of form and said that the penny is starting to drop with Give Me Everything.
“She’s on the up. Varsfontein breed quality with wonderful pedigrees and wonderful mares. Congratulations to Susan and John (Kalmanson) and Carl de Vos and their teams. It’s a privilege to train horses of this quality,” added Kannemeyer.
Varsfontein’s Susan Rowett said that Give Me Everything just needed the trip and that the Varsfontein team was ‘very excited’.
Give Me Everything has now won 3 races with a place from 6 starts for stakes of R298 576.
A daughter of Varsfontein-based champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) she is out of the unraced Dynasty mare My Everything.
She will be on the Kannemeyer KZN Champions Season bus at the end of March!
Dean Kannemeyer gives breeder Susan Rowett a happy hug after Give Me Everything’s good win
Credit: Chase Liebenberg
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE – WEDNESDAY, 31ST JULY 2024
HOLLYWOODBETS KENILWORTH - SATURDAY, 22ND FEBRUARY 2025
RACE 1 - DIRECT HIT - YANDISA BUYAPHI
RACE 2 - GREEN GARNET - LINDILE FENI
RACE 3 - GALLIC DREAM - BONGISIPHO NGQWANGI
RACE 4 - GIVE ME EVERYTHING - MZANYELWA MAQELANA
RACE 7 - EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN - PHILIP
RACE 5 - THE REAL PRINCE - M MGCUBE
RACE 8 - GIMME A PRINCE - MORRIS MGUBE
RACE 6 - SIDDELEY - SANELE
RACE 9 - MY ONLY WEAKNESS - SOSO
Photo Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Siddeley (Gavin Lerena) takes the lead as Princess Izzy (Louis Mxothwa) and Mon Petit Cherie (Richard Fourie, inside) complete the trifecta | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
SNAITH’S SIDDELEY FLIES HOME
Futura Park trainer Justin Snaith emerged from the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth shadows of what was a relatively quiet day by his high standards up to that point when saddling Siddeley to win the R250 000 SplashOut Gr3 Prix Du Cap.
“When Pieter Graaff called me to say he was sending this well-bred filly in to train, Siddeley was the travelling companion! The other one is still a one-time winner. But Siddeley has delivered and she will make a top broodmare one day. Full marks to the Lammerskraal team,” added Snaith after Gavin Lerena had ridden a well-judged race to register the 4yo’s first stakes success.
With the hotly fancied Roccapina (9-10) in last place turning for home and then finding nowhere to go when it mattered, the chances of an upset result was on the cards into the final stages and it was the gutsy Siddeley who turned it on after drifting from 6’s to 25-2.
Siddeley was driven clear to beat Princess Izzy (40-1) by 0,40 lengths in a time of 87,29 secs for the 1400m in a Bipot knockout.
Mon Petit Cherie (8-1) showed courage through some tight traffic to run third, with Sean Tarry’s Mia Moo (25-1) capping the quartet.
Roccapina ran on steadily but was beaten just under 3 lengths in a disappointing showing for exotic players.
“We kept her and didn’t sell her as she didn’t scope very well. But it’s worked out well,” said Lammerskraal Stud manager Lindi Garlicki of Siddeley.
Gavin Lerena rode a well-judged race.
“The pace was sedate, and we reverted to plan B. But she maintained her finish. She kept giving it to me. She’s quality,” added the Highveld jockey who was on a double for the
day. A Lammerskraal home-bred, Siddeley is by deceased War Front stallion Lancaster Bomber out of the six-time winning Trippi mare, Sunset Tripp.
With black-type in the bag, Siddeley has won 4 races with 9 places from her 19 starts for stakes of R608 939.
SNAITH’S SIDDELEY WINGS IT
The ill-fated Lancaster Bomber (War Front) – winners aplenty | Credit: Drakenstein
Siddeley is the latest stakes winner to emerge from a proper dyed-in-the-wool South African dam line, that of Victory Moon, Royal Air Force, Wild Hyacinth, Imbongi, Spring Garland vand Hidden Beauty
As the old cliché goes, when a stallion dies, his progeny come to the fore. That certainly applies to former Drakenstein resident Lancaster Bomber, who died after just two seasons at stud.
It didn’t really need confirming, but the performance of his handful of crops has reminded us that the thoroughbred realm would be better off with him still being here.
Sire of first-crop Gr1 Guineas winners Snow Pilot and Beach Bomb, the much-missed son of War Front promptly doubled his Gr1 win tally in one fell swoop when second-crop son Eight On Eighteen defeated his elders in the Gr1 Cape Town Met, while the Gr1 Majorca Stakes went the way of four-year-old daughter Rascova, who incidentally, was her sire’s very first winner and stakes winner.
This past weekend, Eight On Eighteen scored a bloodless victory over six overmatched rivals in what many pundits surely regarded as a substandard renewal of the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby.
Be that as it may, his victory completed yet another feature double on the day for Lancaster Bomber, with first-crop daughter Siddeley claiming the SplashOut Gr3 Prix Du Cap.
It was a well-deserved maiden stakes success for the Lammerskraal homebred, who was retained by her breeders as ‘she didn’t scope very well’, according to stud manager Lindi Garlicki. In hindsight, that proved a blessing in disguise.
In due course, Siddeley went into training and joined the powerful equine armoury of Snaith, but as he recalls, she arrived at the stable as a companion to a more highly regarded filly. Ironically, the four-year-old is now a Gr3 winner, whereas the other filly is still just a one-time winner. Oh, the vagaries of racing!
Truth be told, Siddeley has always been on the cusp of a stakes win, running with credit in defeat on more than one occasion. After scoring second time out as a juvenile, she earned small black type in her post-maiden run when a gallant second to top Port Elizabeth filly Luna Halo in the Listed East Coast Fillies Nursery.
At three, she ran second to Ripple Effect in the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes and in a return to Fairview, narrowly failed in her bid for stakes glory when beaten a head by old adversary Luna Halo in the Listed Breeders Guineas.
Going into the Prix du Cap, her credentials looked cast-iron, as she came off an eyecatching third in the Olympic Duel Stakes.
Siddeley’s pedigree is not to be sneezed at either.
She is out of the Trippi mare Sunset Tripp, who likewise was trained by Justin Snaith and carried Greg Bortz’s silks to victory in the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes. More importantly, she is a granddaughter of the fine racemare Imperious Sue, one of a select number of female Met winners and the dam of Gr1 Woolavington 2000 victress Imperious Star.
Sunset Tripp was acquired by Lammerskraal at the end of her racing career and produced Siddeley as her third foal. The mare has since toured the sales ring twice, first at the Lammerskraal reduction sale in 2022, and again two years later at the total dispersal sale of Nadeson Park, where she was knocked down for R700 000.
The saga has come full circle so to speak, with former Lammerskraal stud manager Sally Bruss signing the docket on behalf of Paardeberg Stud in what proved to be an inspired purchase, given that the mare is now a stakes producer.
Siddeley is the latest stakes winner to emerge from a proper dyed-in-the-wool South African
dam line, that of Victory Moon, Royal Air Force, Wild Hyacinth, Imbongi, Spring Garland and Hidden Beauty. Black type updates are an essential way to highlight the quality of a filly’s pedigree. Suffice to say, with a Gr3 success under her belt, she is now a valuable broodmare prospect for her owners. Not bad for an erstwhile travelling companion!
Gavin Lerena gets Siddeley home | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
LERENA-GATES: INQUIRY ADJOURNED
In a media release from the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) on Friday, 21 February 2025, it was confirmed that the Inquiry into the incident involving Jockey Gavin Lerena (GIMME A STORM) and Jockey Jason Gates (BLURRED VISION) that commenced earlier on the day had been adjourned to 24 March 2025.
In the initial media release published on Wednesday, 05 February 2025, the NHA had
confirmed that an Inquiry had been opened into an incident that took place during the second race at Turffontein on Sunday, 26 January 2025.
The inquiry was originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 4 February 2025, but following a request for a postponement from one of the parties, it was rescheduled to take place at the NHA offices in Johannesburg on Friday 21 February 2025.
RIDGEMONT HIT COULD BE HEADED FOR GOLD
Direct Hit (Richard Fourie) came out firing on all cylinders to grab the day’s first feature and maintain her perfect record | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Gqeberha visitor Direct Hit retained her unbeaten record from two starts with a sensational victory in the R1 million SplashOut Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery in the opening feature of the 2025 Seafood & Jazz Racing Festival at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
After a runaway win at home at short odds on debut, Direct Hit came out firing on all cylinders to prove that she is going places and scored in a race won last year by this season’s champion sophomore, One Stripe.
Showing pace from the jump as Pay The Palace led early, a green Direct Hit (28-10) turned on the charm inside the final 350m to beat a mixed sex field in the fashion of a promising sort.
After having travelled down the Garden Route and having her first run in the Cape, Direct Hit was easy to back – they always are in hindsight – and beat Winter Snap (11-2) by 2,75 lengths in a time of 69,47 secs for the 1200m.
The winner is raced by Ridgemont and Hollywoodbets’ Devin Heffer and maintained the momentum of what has been a great season to date.
Summer Coronation Plate winner Wild Wild Green (28-10) was a length further back in third, with Kotzen maiden Good For You (25-1) beaten a further 3,25 lengths back in fourth.
“Top-class,” added Ridgemont rider Richard Fourie.
“It was a last minute decision when we saw the field and I really thought this would suit her. There have been a few grey hairs, but we are thrilled and well done to the Kieswetters and Heffers,” added Alan Greeff who saddled 6 winners at home 24 hours earlier.
Bred by the high-riding Ridgemont team, Direct Hit is out of the six-time winning Great Britain speedball Wrecking Ball, who won the 2017 Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap.
Direct Hit is another remarkable example of precocious speed from Ridgemont resident Canford Cliffs (Tagula), who is enjoying a super season. He was Europe’s dominant miler at three and four, winning five consecutive Gr1 races over the trip.
His splendid Gr1 treble of the Irish 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes (over multiple Gr1 winner Dick Turpin) and Sussex Stakes (over champion Rip Van Winkle), saw him rated the top three-year-old miler in England and Ireland in his year.
Direct Hit’s broodmare sire is a former resident of the magnificent Ridgemont Robertson stallion barn in Great Britain, who had a TFR of 118 and won the Al Quoz Sprint, subsequently a Gr1 contest which has been won by stars like J J The Jet Plane, Ortensia and Shea Shea).
As a son of July Cup winner Green Desert (by Danzig), was one of the best bred stallions in SA in his time.
Direct Hit is now a winner of 2 from 2 for stakes of R642 500.
The Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 31 May could well be in the plans.
‘While Direct Hit’s immediate family stands up to scrutiny, it is members further back in her family who made a huge contribution to
the turf’ Ridgemont’s
and Craig
a
|
Craig Carey
Kieswetter welcome Direct Hit (Richard Fourie) back to the winner’s enclosure as
partly obscured Alan Greeff looks on
Credit: Chase Liebenberg
When the Ridgemont-bred unbeaten filly Direct Hit (Canford Cliffs)
ran out a hugely impressive winner of the
SplashOut
Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery on Saturday, she paid tribute to her illustrious family.
Remarkably, Direct Hit’s first four dams are all black type performers. Her dam Wrecking Ball (Great Britain) was a speedy sort whose six career wins included a triumph in the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap.
Wrecking Ball was also out of a quick racemare, with her dam Picadilly Miss (London News) winning the Listed Gardenia Handicap and five other contests.
In turn, Picadilly Miss was produced by Gr3 Diana Stakes winner Marlagain (Man Of Property), a full-sister to Gr3 Varsfontein Sceptre Stakes winner Marla.
Direct Hit’s fourth dam was the useful performer Spookie (Phantom Earl) a four time winner who ran third in the Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery.
While Direct Hit’s immediate family stands up to scrutiny, it is members further back in her family who made a huge contribution to the turf.
Wrecking Ball was directly descended in female line from King’s Cross (King Salmon), who produced Middle Park Stakes/St James’s Palace Stakes winner Kings Bench (Court Martial).
King’s Cross ranks as the fourth dam of English/Irish Derby winner Shirley Heights (Mill Reef), a top-class sire and broodmare sire, whose offspring included such Derby winners as Darshaan and Slip Anchor.
Shirley Heights remains a force in pedigrees, with recent Gr1 winners Ancient Wisdom, Bay
Bridge, Desert Flower and Duke De Sessa all among a lengthy list of top-class performers inbred to him.
Other notable descendants of King’s Cross included dual Gr1 winner Pentire - whose progeny include Gr1 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance - and once beaten French champion Divine Proportions, dam of French Gr3 winner and former KZN sire, Eightfold Path.
The influential King’s Cross was descended in female line from the mighty Paraffin.
Paraffin ranks among the most influential thoroughbreds of all time, with her numerous high-class descendants including such outstanding broodmares as Chelandry, Lady Lightfoot, Lesbia, Gas, and Kyloe.
The list of outstanding horses descended in female line from Paraffin is too lengthy to complete, but a few examples include Night Raid, the sire of legendary champion Phar Lap and fellow Melbourne Cup winner Nightmarch, dual Gold Cup winner Prince Palatine (whose son Rose Prince is the paternal grandsire of Princequillo), Australian stars Flight and Heroic, Kentucky Derby winner Swale, top-class sire Forty Niner and dual Derby winner and topclass sire High Chaparral.
Another descendant, Ribbon, is the ancestress of brilliant King GeorgeVI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes/Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winning sire Hurricane Run (Montjeu).
Direct Hit is the 28th stakes winner for her sire Canford Cliffs, with the latter also responsible
for the group/graded stakes winning fillies Fish River, Most Beautiful, La Falaise, Al Jazi, Simply Majestic, Princess Asta and Jin Jin.
Canford Cliffs’ speedy daughter Almond Sea has a pair of stakes wins to her name, including
this season’s Listed Betway Swallow Stakes.
Canford Cliffs has a single lot on the CRS Premier Yearling Sale on 13 & 14 March. Narrow Creek offers In The Air Tonight (# 226), a colt out of Vars Honour (Var).
Canford Cliffs surveys the Ridgemont landscape from his box | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED FAREWELL O
The majestic Oratorio – will be fondly missed by many | Credit: Supplied
A stallion described as a kind and gentle soul, and a leading international Grade 1 winner producing sire, Avontuur’s Danehill son Oratorio has sadly moved on to his forever paddock in the sky after a heart wrenching decision to put him out of his suffering by Pippa Mickleburgh and her team last Thursday afternoon.
Oratorio was 23 years old.
“What a gentleman and an equine athlete of the highest order. We grew to love him over the twelve years since his arrival from Australia. But a repeat of the laminitis that he suffered from seven years ago forced us to make a decision no horse lover ever wants to face. He left us peacefully in dignity, and he is suffering no more. His memory will remain with us forever and his legacy lives on at Avontuur and throughout South Africa through his daughters,” an emotional Avontuur GM Pippa Mickleburgh told the Sporting Post.
Oratorio stood his first season at stud in the magnificent environs of Avontuur Stud in South Africa in 2013 after being acquired from Coolmore.
A handsome laid-back athlete, he was an outstandingly versatile racehorse, winning from 1200m to 2000m in UK , Ireland and France.
A Champion 2yo Colt in France, Champion 3yo Colt in Ireland, Oratorio was at his most effective at 2000m.
A Gr1 winning 2yo, Oratorio was also a dual Gr1 winner of the Eclipse Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes at 3. This is the double completed by the illustrious likes of So You Think and champion sires Sadler’s Wells and Giant’s Causeway.
In the stallion barn, Oratorio’s global achievements are mostly unmatched by
counterparts on SA soil – he celebrated 9 international Gr1 winners, 77 Stakes Performers, and 20 Group winners including Hong Kong Horse Of The Year Military Attack.
Oratorio’s best-performed SA progeny include exported dual Gr1 winner Van Halen, Gr1 winner Canadian Summer, Gr3 winning Gr1 placer Ultra Magnus, the lightning-fast Gr2 placed Chantyman, Gr2 winner Divine Odyssey, Gr2 winner Love Bomb, multiple Gr2 winner Mardi Gras, and a host of other stakes winners from 1000m to 2400m, which reflects his enormous versatility. He will continue to make his mark as a broodmare sire, both locally and abroad.
“I have been in this wonderful industry all of my life and it never gets any easier. Our horses and their unique characters are woven into the fabric of our lives. They are our best friends. I feel like I have lost one today. Rest in peace O,” said Pippa.
RIP: Oratorio (Danehill – Mahrah)
2001 – 2025
Sad farewell – Oratorio with Berthwell Arosi and Pippa Mickleburgh | Credit: Supplied
SALES-RING POSITIVITY HOLDS GOOD
Serious business – Trainer Mike de Kock and Equine’s Chris Haynes at Sunday’s Sale | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Sandwiched between January’s CRS Summer Sale and next month’s Premier Yearling Sale in a competitive and rapidly evolving thoroughbred sales environment, the BSA Cape Yearling Sale on Sunday held up well in year-on-year comparitives off a substantially reduced catalogue, with the median price holding steady and a 10% increase in average price.
Whichever way we roll the dice, the genuine competition for quality catalogue pages and good old-fashioned value for money in a rising market has probably never been greater than at the present. In the circumstances Sunday’s sale at the new scenic location of the SARDA Centre in Constantia delivered the goods.
While not pretending to aim at the heady numbers of the CRS Summer Sale, the BSA Cape Yearling Sale reaffirmed its wide spectrum market position with value-for-money consistency from top to tail, and a horse to suit most every pocket.
The stats show that 99 of the 109 catalogued lots (versus 132 of 156 catalogued in ’24) sold on Sunday for an aggregate of R22 505 000 (up 21% from R27 265 000 in ’24) at an average of R227 323 (up 10% from R206 553 in ’24).
The median remained consistent at R180 000.
The presence of a number of Gauteng buyers on the diverse bench was possibly as the result of 4Racing’s recent announcement of a transport subsidy, as well as the addition of two new BSA Sales Races of R400k apiece to the Highveld juvenile programme in 2026.
Syrilla’s
And it was veteran conditioner Alec Laird who claimed the top lot when signing the R900 000 chit for Syrilla Stud’s Gone Cold (# 34), a handsome grey Gimmethegreenlight colt bred on the same cross as Gr1 winning champions Proceed and Sandringham Summit.
The athletic specimen, the only son of our champion sire in the catalogue, is out of Frosted Steel (Captain Al), a twice-winning 3/4 sister to Gr3 Umkhomazi Stakes winner Captain In Command and Listed Ladies Mile winner Canadian Sunset.
The two fairer sex chart-toppers tied at R800 000 apiece, with Syrilla Stud again in the mix courtesy of Sitva Queen (#107), who sold to Trevelen Pillay’s TKP Racing.
She is bred on similar lines to Vercingetorix’s Gr1-placed son Gallic Chief, out of the Western Winter sired Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery runner-up Winter’s Forge.
Hollywood Racing purchased fellow fairer sex chart-topper Wilgerbosdrift’s Royal Connection (#90), a half sister to the leading team’s recent Need For Speed Sprint winner Luhamba Phambili (Danon Platina) , who is out of a Gr3 winning daughter of Silvano and Gr1 winner Royal Fantasy.
Topping the sires charts, Varsfontein resident Master Of My Fate had 8 of his offspring sell at a gross of R2,9 million, an average of R362 500.
Wilgerbosdrift’s Royal Connection (#90) was purchased by Hollywood Racing for R800 000 | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Wilgerbosrdift’s Redoute’s Choice stallion
Buffalo Bill Cody had his octet sell for a gross of R2 295 000, an average of R286 875.
On the vendors list, Wilgerbosdrift sold their 16 for a gross R5 540 000 (average R346 250), while Varsfontein let their 17 go for R4 505 000 (average R265 000).
Mauritian owner Denis Le Breton’s Monden
International Racing topped the buyers list, with their shopping trolley of 7 yearlings aggregating R2 110 000, at an average of R301 429.
see the full price list here.
The next BSA sale will be the National Yearling Sale which will be held at the TBA Sales Complex in Johannesburg on 10 & 11 April.
The CRS Premier Yearling Sale is scheduled for 13 and 14 March at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Gimmethegreenlight’s Malmesbury Missile (Chad Little) sold for a staggering R2.2 million | Credit: CRS
JONO SNAITH BUYS
GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT COLT
A short notice sale held under the auspices of Cape Racing Sales to dissolve a partnership saw the promising Gimmethegreenlight colt Malmesbury Missile go under the hammer after the last race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on SplashOut Cape Derby day.
Jonathan Snaith paid R2,2 million for the athletic Malmesbury Missile who was offered by Woodhill Racing.
The colt was a winner over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth at his third start on 5 February after placing at his first two starts.
Malmesbury Missile was bred by Drakenstein Stud and is out of the 2018/19 Equus
Champion 2yo filly Gabor. He was named after Springbok star Pieter-Steph du Toit and originally fetched R900 000 at the 2024 CRS Cape Premier Yearling Sale. Malmesbury Missile qualifies to run in the R1,5 million CTS Cape Slipper over 1200m on the Big Cap raceday on 16 March at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Cape Racing Sales will now host the prestigious Premier Sale, scheduled for 13 and 14 March 2025 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
DAVE IS KING AT CAPE BREEDERS AWARDS
Dave The King’s part-owner and breeder Gary Player with two awards for the Global View gelding | Credit: Wayne Marks
The Cape Breeders Club held their 2023/24 season awards in the 1881 Lounge at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on SplashOut Cape Derby Day on Saturday.
The Gary Player Stud-bred Global View gelding Dave The King was crowned Horse Of The Year.
Owned by Messrs Lindsay Ralphs, Gary Player and Larry Nestadt, and trained by Mike De Kock, the reigning SA Horse Of The Year Dave The King showed tremendous improvement after being gelded back in November 2023 and was the only horse through the course of last season to pick up victories in two Super Grade 1 events.
Dave The King was also awarded Champion Miler.
Avontuur’s Pippa Mickleburgh, who had to endure the emotional end of an era this week with the passing of the farm’s Danehill star Oratorio, was thrilled to receive the Champion Sprinter Award for Rafeef big-hitter Thunderstruck, who now stands at Ridgemont in Robertson.
Drakenstein were crowned Outstanding Breeder, with two residents in Beach Beauty and One World both earning accolades.
Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein were Breeder Of The Year.
Susan Rowett and Jaco Erasmus | Credit: Wayne Marks
Laurence and Jarryd Wernars | Credit: Wayne Marks
A proud Pippa Mickleburgh with the Champion Sprinter Award for the Avontuur-bred Thunderstruck. CBC Chairman James Armitage is on the right | Credit: Wayne Marks
Tarryn Putz, Kira Pickford, Kevin Sommerville, Gavin Pickford and CBC Chairman James Armitage | Credit: Wayne Marks
A JOURNEY OF TRIUMPHS, CHALLENGES & HEARTBREAK
Post the running of Monday’s Gr3 National Currency Sprint over 1160m at Turffontein, we look back at the career of this exceptional sprinter, who raced in South Africa, Hong Kong and Dubai between January 2002 and February 2004.
National Currency’s connections, and racing fans around the world, had the pleasure of enjoying “the horse with the movie-star looks” for two short years, before his untimely death at the peak of his career in Dubai.
National Currency raced in the pre-digital age, which limits access to photographs and articles from the period.
But Michael Azzie, who trained him for his 15 career outings, recalled some facts and
anecdotes from his time with our Equus Champion Sprinter of 2002/3.
THE BUYING OF NATIONAL CURRENCY
In 2001, the Azzie stable was going through a quiet patch. There were no buyers lined up for the National Yearling Sale. With a tight budget, Azzie teamed up with a few of his golfing partners— his brother John, Craig Sehani, Kevin van Niekerk, Harry Haralambous, and Tasso Christoforou ¬— and was entrusted with
National Currency, the horse with the movie star looks | Credit: JC Photos
the task of finding an affordable horse at the sales.
Azzie came upon National Currency at the Highlands Farms barn, a dark bay colt by National Assembly out of Enchanted Dollar, by Spend A Buck.
He remembered, “I was drawn to him right away. I visited his stable every day. Even as a yearling, he was already a striking figure— perfectly proportioned with a regal presence. I also liked that he was born on 9/9/1999, those numbers seemed to strike a nerve. I’d bought many young horses from this stud before and I was friendly with their head groom, whose name was Majohn. I said, ‘This one is mine, Majohn, keep him for me!’”
When the bidding began, Azzie reached R60,000 and thought he was close to landing a great deal. There were only a few more bids and the auctioneer gradually pushed the price up to R90,000. The ring went quiet.
“I turned to Craig Sehani and said, ‘We’ve got him. He’s going for 90k!’ But the words had barely left my mouth when, out of nowhere, trainer Dennis Drier raised his catalogue. Before I knew it, the bidding had soared to R160,000, and I was getting really frustrated. I thought, ‘To hell with Dennis, that horse is ours!’ and raised my hand once more as the price shot up into the 200,000s.”
Sehani and the others around the ring advised Azzie to back off, as the bidding had reached a level where National Currency was way beyond their budget. However, Drier’s competitive spirit only fuelled Azzie’s determination.
With the rivalry burning, Azzie pressed on, ultimately securing the colt with the fall of the hammer at R320,000.
Anthony Beck of Highlands Farm was the first to congratulate Azzie with his acquisition. When he heard that they were scrambling for cash, he offered to take a 1/6 share himself.
Azzie recalled, “We all went for dinner in the old Triple Crown room when Anthony said, ‘You know what, you really liked that horse. I’ll take a third of him!’ Tasso Christoforou chimed in, ‘What the heck, I’ll take a third too.’ Then Corjan Hilt, who was at the table with us, threw his hat in the ring. ‘I’ll take the other third!’ And just like that, National Currency was syndicated, even though it wasn’t part of the original plan.”
A NEW PARTNER
Approaching National Currency’s first run, Anthony Beck announced that he was leaving for the USA and that he was putting his onethird share up for sale. At this point the colt was showing such good work at home that he was considered unbeatable in his first scheduled start on 22 January 2022 at Newmarket.
Anthony wanted R120,000 – the original amount paid for his share – and his father Graham Beck’s office was handling the deal.
Azzie’s brother, John, excited about the colt’s prospects, was keen to take the offer – but, again, things took a turn.
Mike Azzie said: “It was only fair to tell Mr Beck that my brother had offered to buy the share. Knowing how good National Currency was, I didn’t want him to think I kept a good horse from him, in favour of a family member. I phoned him and said, ‘Mr Beck, this horse is a bomb. We are ready with the cash, we can bring it to your office. But I want you to know this is going to be a top horse.’ Mr Beck responded, ‘Well, if your brother is so keen, it
must be a good colt. Thank you, I’ll keep the share for myself!’”
NATIONAL CURRENCY IN HONG KONG
National Currency won his penultimate South African race – the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m at Clairwood, when still a three-year-old, by 5,25 lengths. Azzie told the media, “National Currency could have stopped for a cup of tea at the 400m and still beaten them!” He was believed good enough to take on the best in the world.
A decision was made to enter National Currency in the prestigious Group 1 Hong
Kong Sprint over 1000m on Champions Day at Sha Tin, 14 December 2003. He travelled via Belgium from Cape Town and arrived on the island, 10 days before the contest.
National Currency was trained at Sha Tin for two days when cracks appeared in his hooves. He had thin hoof walls, which had separated from the rest of the hoof. Azzie had no option but to leave him standing in his stable. He missed four days of exercise and his competing in the race was in jeopardy.
Hong Kong’s leading trainer, John Size, offered his advice, and Azzie said: “Mr Size was most helpful and recommended a farrier who was
an expert in dealing with hoof cracks. He used the Equilox hoof repair system – an adhesive, applied for reconstructing the hoof wall – and National Currency was able to go back into work with four hooves repaired.”
For his final workout, the colt was allocated a 07:30 slot on the main track. There was a lot of media hype around National Currency’s potential duel with Silent Witness, the unbeaten local start sprinter, and a big press contingent assembled trackside to file reports on the gallops.
“When we arrived to fill our slot, National Currency was turned back. The officials told us they weren’t ready. We were turned back again at 08:00 and 08:30. They said they were waiting for Silent Witness, who had to go first. I put National Currency in the horse walker to keep him moving, and we eventually got our chance to breeze up at 9am,” Azzie said.
National Currency wasn’t himself. He may have been upset by the commotions and just cantered slowly. Jockey Weichong Marwing reported that he refused to gallop. “I asked him, he just didn’t want to pick up the bit,” said a worried Weichong. Azzie gave it some thought and sent his horse back, asking Weichong to give him a 400m blowout on Sha-Tin’s allweather track, with a few reminders to get him going.
The South China Morning Post wrote: “The gifted galloper gave a tantalising sample of what he has in store for Hong Kong’s Silent Witness on Sunday. He fairly flew up 400 metres on the all-weather track under race rider Weichong Marwing, registering a brisk 22.4 seconds. Onlookers from many of the world’s major racing countries turned their heads and raised their eyebrows as National Currency whooshed past, with Marwing giving him a couple of early backhanders that had the galloper in top gear instantly.”
At Sha Tin, there is a large grandstand overlooking the saddling enclosure. For race day, Azzie had booked a private saddling stable, away from the noise, which is allowed in Hong Kong. However, when National Currency entered the main paddock to be saddled, the private facility wasn’t available. As a result, Azzie had to saddle him in an open box close to the excited crowd.
To top this immediate aggravation, Azzie was cornered by Jamie Steer, the Chief Stipendiary Steward, who asked him to remove National Currency’s ‘shadow role’, or noseband. Azzie had fitted his runner with his customary dark blue noseband. “You did not declare the shadow role. This is not Africa, sir. You won’t be allowed to race if you keep it on,’ said the stipe.
Azzie explained that he had actually declared the noseband to the club’s equipment official
earlier in the week. However, before the saddling process could proceed, the official had to be contacted for confirmation of the declaration. “You see, it was declared, we Africans know the rules,” said Azzie, to which the stipe just shrugged his shoulders and walked off.
National Currency made it to the track, he looked spectacular as always. He drew gasps from the 60,000-member crowd as he cantered down. The unbeaten champion, Silent Witness, as popular as ever, was loudly cheered in his own warm-up on the way to the gates.
From the South China Morning Post: “National Currency sprinted to the lead from the off to set a great pace. He was at cruising speed throughout the race until the 300m mark when
he came under pressure from Silent Witness in what must rank as the match race of the year. With all the build and all the hype before this race, it lived up to all expectations. Marwing pressed the button on National Currency and he gave him a bit more but the game South African had had enough. On the outside came the champion of Hong Kong, Silent Witness, in a superb winning performance of the highest order.”
The time was a fast 56.5s on firm going, with National Currency clocking 56.60s. The South African sprinter was beaten only one length at the line in his run of a lifetime.
Click on the image below to read the full story…
DAWSON’S TRUTH BE TOLD!
The Heavenly Blue gelding Truth stamped himself as a feature sprinting prospect when he won the weather-delayed R275 000 4Racing Gr3 National Currency Sprint at Turffontein on Monday.
Postponed from Sunday, the 3yo feature, formerly raced as the Man O’War Sprint, was reduced to just eight runners but produced a rousing finish after the Spies speedball Chocolate Soldier had led the charge.
Always in the firing line, the Hollywoodbetssponsored Candice Dawson-trained Truth (28-10) put his head down and finished powerfully under Muzi Yeni to beat the pacy joint topweight Chocolate Soldier (5-1) by 1,20
lengths in a time of 62,15 secs on the very soft ground of the 1100m straight.
Sean Tarry’s Rondebosch (10-1) was always thereabouts and stayed on well for third, a further 0,80 lengths back, with stablemate Rodeo Drive (8-1) crowning the quartet.
The favourite Pistol Pete (9-4) finished a further two lengths back in fifth, clearly in need of the run after his two-month break.
Truth (Muzi Yeni) wins the 4Racing Gr3 National Currency Sprint | Credit: JC Photos
Bred by Tawny Syndicate and a second crop son of Ascot Stud’s Gr1 winning Snitzel stallion Heavenly Blue, Truth looks to have found his niche after attempts over varying distances.
The exciting colt, who is raced in a partnership of Larry Nestadt, Gary Player and Ralphs Racing, is out of the once winning Frankel mare Frankly and took his earnings to R455 000 with his fourth win and a place from just 9 starts.
Earlier on in the afternoon, the 5-1 Night Vigil won the R150 000 non black-type Bauhinia Handicap after a tussle with the more fancied One Fell Swoop (3-1).
The Maine Chance bred daughter of Vercingetorix is trained by Stuart Pettigrew and was given an accomplished ride by StoneStamcor sponsored Philasande Mxoli.
Night Vigil clocked 56,21 secs for the 1000m and beat One Fell Swoop by 0,40 lengths.
Night Vigil (Philasande Mxoli) gets ahead of One Fell Swoop (Gavin Lerena) as Bosum Buddy (Malesela Katjedi) settled for third | Credit: JC Photos
Gocekwithlove (Charles Ndlovu) registered her maiden stakes success at a wet Fairview
Credit: Pauline Herman
FORMER HIGHVELD FILLY THRIVING ON COAST
The Danon Platina filly Gocekwithlove is yet another mobile billboard for racing in the Eastern Cape, as opposed to bumping the big guns in other centres.
The 4yo registered her maiden stakes success and made it 4 wins in 7 starts in the Windy City, when she scored a decisive success in the R150 000 Listed Lady’s Pendant at a wet Fairview on Friday.
Previously trained out of Randjesfontein by Mike de Kock, Gocekwithlove has been a money spinner for her owners since having her first start –coincidentally a winning one over Friday’s track and trip – in Gqeberha back in June 2024.
The switch to poly from turf after the first race on Friday would probably not have excited the trainers of the feature raiding trio of Trip To Maputo (Bass-Robinson), Be Merry (Snaith) and Disting (Kotzen), with Be Merry the only one of the three to feature in the end when when running into third.
After tracking the pacy Bomber Girl and Kabon Kapi early, Charles Ndlovu
worked Gocekwithlove (11-2) into contention late into the straight and she stayed on strongly to thwart the consistent Montelena (6-1) by a halflength in a time of 69,70 secs.
Be Merry (6-1) was the first raider home, a further quarter length back in third, with the winner’s stablemate Woman Of Power (16-1) capping the quartet.
Alan Greeff saddled 6 winners (including a dead-heat) on the afternoon.
Bred by Clifton Stud, Gocekwithlove races for a partnership of the ASSM Racing Syndicate and 4Racing’s Colin Gordon. She has now won 5 races with 6 places from 13 starts and stakes of R413 488.
A R180 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Gocekwithlove is a daughter of Deep Impact stallion Danon Platina (JPN) out of the three-time winning Joshua Dancer mare, Samba Serenade.
The next Fairview racemeeting is on Friday 28 February, with the Listed Breeders Guineas heading the card.
FOURIE AND GREEFF
GIVE IT THEIR BEST SHOT
Ridgemont rider Richard Fourie and trainer Alan Greeff made it four winners, all tote favourites, from the first four races on the rain-impacted Fairview card on Friday when the top-rated My Best Shot stamped his authority in style to win the R175 000 Listed Ibhayi Stakes.
Having won on both surfaces the connections of the son of Fire Away would not have whinged when a jockey request – we don’t call it a ‘protest’ in the woke world anymore – led to a switch from the turf to the all-weather after the running of the opener on the card.
Looking well in at the weights, My Best Shot went off at 3-10 and drew clear really impressively to beat Golden Link by 2,25 lengths in a time of 82,01 secs.
Gavin Smith’s pacesetter Cool Cat (20-1) stayed on doggedly for third a further 1,50 lengths back.
Raced in partnership by Nick & Val McFall, Greg Blank, Gary Piha, Hilton Yutar, Darryl Yutar, and the trainer and his wife, Glennifer, the winner is registered his 7th victory with 5 places from 13 starts for stakes of R475 475.
A R120 000 Cape Yearling Sale graduate, the My Best Shot was bred by Varsfontein Stud and is a recently gelded son of Wilgerbosdrift’s War Front stallion Fire Away out of the twice-winning Fort Wood mare, Gypsy Madonna.
Top-rated My Best Shot (Richard Fourie) stamped his authority in style to win the Listed Ibhayi Stakes | Credit: Pauline Herman
NO CHANGES FOR DERBY WINNER
Eight On Eighteen remained unchanged on his official merit rating of 127 following his victory in the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers did not believe that Eight On Eighteen had to run to the 127 performance which he produced when winning the WSB Cape Town Met, to account for the Splashout Cape Derby field, especially when considering that the Derby was run at a sedate pace.
However, it was felt that Eight On Eighteen would not have run below the 115 rating he achieved in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas when finishing second behind One Stripe and used him to that level to rate the SplashOut Cape Derby.
Three horses went up in their ratings in this race. Runner up, SAIL THE SEAS, went up to 112 from 103 while third place finisher, GARRIX was adjusted to 107 from 97. Lastly, Native Ruler was increased from 91 to 103.
There were no drops for any runner in this race.
Khaya Gr2 Stables Diadem Stakes
Gimme A Prince remained unaltered on 134 after winning the Khaya Stables Gr2 Diadem Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that fifth place finisher, Royal Aussie made for the most suitable line horse to assess this race. As such, Royal Aussie’s merit rating remains unchanged on 124.
Despite finding some trouble in running, third place finisher, Questioning, also runs to his mark of 124, effectively making him a line horse as well.
There were merit ratings increases for three runners following this contest. Runner up, Café Culture was adjusted from 114 to 128 while fourth place finisher, Seeking The Stars, went up from 118 to 123. Gem King, who was rated to finish last in this race, was given a partial adjustment from 101 to his previous best rating of 106.
Two horses received merit rating drops in this race. At My Command went down from 118 to 116 and Bereave was reduced to 111 from 114.
SplashOut Gr3 Prix Du Cap
Siddeley has seen her rating adjusted from 99 to 105 after capturing the SplashOut Gr3 Prix Du Cap for fillies and mares over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Here, it was third (Mon Petit Cherie) and fourth (Mia Moo) place finishers who were deemed to
be the most suitable line horses to assess this race, leaving their ratings unchanged on 108 and 103 respectively.
Runner up, Princess Izzy, was the other runner to receive an upward adjustment in her rating and she went up from 98 to 104.
No fewer than three horses received merit rating drops following this contest. Gimmie’s Countess went down to 108 from 110, while Celtic Rumours dropped to 105 from 107.
Bavarian Beauty received a three point drop from 116 to 113.
City Of Cape Town Listed Jet Master Stakes
The Real Prince has seen his rating increased from 107 to 118 following his impressive victory in the City Of Cape Town Listed Jet Master Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
The Handicappers unanimously agreed to use runner up, Rapidash, as the line horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unchanged on 108.
The winner aside, third place finisher, Meu Capitano also went up from 110 to 113.
There were merit rating drops for a total of six runners following this contest. BILLY BOWLEGS and Zapatillas both received two points drops each, from 117 to 115 and from 119 to 117 respectively.
Sugar Mountain dropped slightly to 114 from 115 while See It Again also received the same adjustment from 128 to 127. Coastal Commander received a drop of three points, from 109 to 106 and Get Impressed was reduced to 103 from 105.
Schweppes Listed Cape Fillies Classic
Give Me Everything has seen her rating adjusted from 83 to 98 after she easily captured the Schweppes Listed Cape Fillies Classic over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Here it was fourth place finisher, Kamchatka, who was used as the line horse to assess this race, leaving her rating unchanged on 90.
Goodnessgraciousme who finished third, went up from 88 to 91
Runner up, Kinda Wonderful, was the solitary runner to receive a drop in the ratings and she went down to 107 from 109.
Listed Ibhayi Stakes
My Best Shot remained unchanged on his rating of 111 following his impressive victory in the Listed Ibhayi Stakes over 1400m at Fairview Racecourse on Friday.
The Handicappers used runner up, Golden Link as the line horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unchanged on 102.
There were merit ratings increases for two more runners besides the winner. Third place finisher, Cool Cat, went up from 88 to 99 and fifth place finisher, Global State was adjusted to 95 from 85.
Mister Speaker was the only runner to receive a drop in the ratings and he went down to 95 from 98.
Listed Lady’s Pendant
Gocekwithlove remained unaltered on 102 following her in win the Listed Lady’s Pendant over 1200m at Fairview racecourse on Friday.
Here it was runner up, Montelena who was used to rate this race, leaving her rating unchanged on 96.
Fifth place finisher, Bomber Girl was the only runner to receive an upward adjustment in this race and she went up to 92 from 89.
Three horses received drops in the ratings following this contest. Ellorix went down to 92 from 94, while Passchendaele was trimmed from 105 to 104. Lastly, Golden Pacific was dropped to 93 from 95.
4Racing Gr3 National Currency Sprint
Truth had his rating increased from 109 to 115 after winning the 4Racing Gr3
National Currency Sprint over 1160m at the Turffontein Standside Track on Monday. The Handicappers were of the view that second placed, Chocolate Soldier, made for the most suitable line horse here and his rating remained unchanged on 115.
The only other runner to receive an increase in rating was third placed Rondebosch, who was adjusted from a rating of 94 to 97.
Two runners received a drop in ratings, Rodeo Drive was dropped to 104 from 105 and Lead The Charge was given a 2-point drop, from 104 to 102.
• Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 25 February 2025.
JAPAN BIG IN SAUDI CUP THRILLER
Japan star Forever Young (JPN) bested Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior (IRE) by a neck in a race for the ages at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday. The $20 million Gr1 Saudi Cup is the world’s richest race.
The head-to-head so many had hoped for materialised in a fascinating tactical battle. The big two jumped out prominently as Walk Of Stars (GB) set the early fractions stalked by Ryusei Sakai and Forever Young, while James McDonald and Romantic Warrior elected to switch a little wide to stay out of the kickback on his first attempt on dirt.
McDonald made a sudden move with 400m remaining and it looked very much as if the
world’s record-breaking money earner would be adding a significant further sum to his haul.
However, he could never shake off the attentions of Sakai, whose mount had won last year’s Saudi Derby at the track and wore his opponent down in the final stages in a winning time of 1:49.099.
There were 10 and a half lengths back to thirdplaced Ushba Tesoro (JPN).
Forever Young (dark red) beats Romantic Warrior in the US$20m Saudi Cup | Credit: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Mathea Kelley
Yahagi, Sakei and owner Susumu Fujita had already won the US$2m Howden Neom Turf Cup with Shin Emperor (FR) on the card, while Yahahi landed the 2023 Saudi Cup with Panthalassa.
Yoshito Yahagi, trainer, Forever Young, 1st: “This is my second win in The Saudi Cup, but no matter how many wins you have in The Saudi Cup, it is still a great feeling. I didn’t have confidence; I believed in him.You know when he came here to run in the Saudi Derby, he was not in the best
condition and he still won. Since that time, he has improved a lot and was in better condition today. I would like to thank all the people of The Saudi Cup who support us. We will go to the Dubai World Cup.”
Ryusei Sakai, jockey, Forever Young: “He jumped very well from the wide gate in 14 and got into a nice position without a problem. It was my tactics to be in that situation. I believe in Forever Young, I never thought I’d lose the race. This is the best moment in my life.”
James McDonald, jockey, Romantic Warrior, 2nd: “He ran incredibly well. I was very proud of him. He flowed into the race well and used his momentum nicely, so it was a terrific effort. He was gallant in defeat, the race worked out perfectly for us, he got a little bit of kickback, sidled round just beautifully. I can safely say I wasn’t stopping, I didn’t alter my stride pace at all. It just shows what great horse Forever Young is and what a race was.”
Danny Shum, trainer, Romantic Warrior: “He ran good. It was his first time on the dirt and he ran tremendous. Really good. The winner is a very good horse and didn’t beat us by very much. It was his first run on the dirt and only beaten by Forever Young and that horse is a very tough dirt horse.
We were only beaten by a head. What can you do? I tried something like this for the first time with Romantic Warrior and hopefully some other trainers and owners will [follow me].
We did the best we could. We hope to win every time, but racing is racing. He tried his best, it was a really good race and most of the people enjoyed the races.
“James was happy with him, so I’m happy with him. Great run. He beat the third horse by lengths. He will go back to Dubai for the Dubai Turf. Definitely turf.”
OLLY’S A VILLAN – AND LOOKING FOR A GRADE 1
A lifetime Aston Villa supporter, British trainer Olly Murphy is based at Warren Chase Stables in Wilmcote, only a stone’s throw from Stratford Upon Avon. He is currently at fifth in the British Trainers’ Championship standings. He chats about the season and the Cheltenham Festival that will be held from 11 to 14 March.
With Cheltenham on the near horizon now, Murphy, who was born in Carnaross, County Meath Ireland, was asked how his yard was shaping up and how preparations were going?
“We are not going to have a massive team but we’ll half a dozen to eight for the handicaps
more so than Graded races. Obviously, the handicaps haven’t closed yet, we’ll hopefully go there with some each-way chances.”
How would you assess your season so far? A 24% strike rate, fifth in the Trainer’s Championship and second only to Dan Skelton in terms of number of winners - it’s going quite well, isn’t it?
“Things have been going great. All that’s been missing this season is Grade 1 winner. Numbers wise we are well ahead of where we usually are. And we’ve added quality as well. We are certainly looking forward to spring now.”
Olly Murphy - getting stronger every year | Credit: OMR
What’s been the trigger?
“Experience certainly helps. A slightly better type of horse and having Sean Bowen as a stable jockey and just learning year upon year. Rome was never built in a day, and it was always kind of the same with Warren Chase. It was always going to improve over time.”
Do you feel happy now that you can rub shoulders with the best?
“I think so. We have plenty of quality among the quantity as well. We are now an established big yard in National Hunt racing now and hope it will stay that way for a while and we will keep improving on what we are doing.”
Sean Bowen is a great jockey and has a great chance of the title this year?
“I think he can. He’s just got to keep doing what he’s doing. He’s a big asset to me and we’ve got a really good working relationship. I don’t see any reason why he can’t be the champion. He’s riding better than ever and hopefully we’ve still got plenty of ammunition to run now for the rest of the season for him.”
What’s the thing about Sean that makes him stand out?
“His dedication, his work ethic and obviously he’s got a lot of natural ability. He’s been a good rider for a while now, but he’s still got youth on his side. He’s a great judge of pace and he’s just a very, very good all-round jockey.”
Would you say he’s the best around?
“I personally think he is. We’ve got some very good jockeys in Britain at the moment with Harry Skelton, Harry Cobden, Sam Twiston Davies and Gavin Sheehan among them. He’s
riding as well as anyone, if not better than everyone. Confidence also plays a big part. I like to think I instil confidence in him and vice versa, he instils confidence in me as a trainer as well. That’s a big thing in sport. And when you’ve got plenty of confidence, it comes out in your riding.”
You were part of Gordon Elliott’s team for four years. What makes him so special and what did you learn from him?
“I speak to him plenty. He’s been very good to me since I have come home. He keeps everything simple. He has a good team around him and a good routine. He’s obviously very good at his job at training racehorses as well. He keeps himself in the best company and gets winners at all levels. He’s very good at that.”
Was Don Cossack the best you were associated with when you were over there?
Yes, him and Tiger Roll when I was around. There was another very good horse called No More Heroes who got a bad injury in the RSA. Tiger Roll and Don Cossack were two very special horses and shouldn’t forget Apple’s Jade. I learned loads there and had a fantastic time there.
Elliott is part of a pretty dominant Irish training scene with the three big super yards. What is it that makes them stand out?
“They’re very, very good trainers, they have an awful lot of horses and they are spending an awful lot of money on horses and they are winning most battles in the sales ring. It’s pretty straightforward to be honest! Do I think Gavin, Gordon and Willie are better trainers than the best in England? No, I don’t. They are very good at what they do but they are training a lot of quality as well. They have got big owners, they’ve got big spending power, and they’ve
got a lot of horses that cost plenty of money with good pedigrees and when you’ve got enough of them, you tend to win more than people that don’t. It’s so important that you’ve owners that will go and win in the sales ring that will give you that chance to go and win on the race track.”
There are a lot of issues facing British racing and prize money is the main one. Is it as bad as everyone makes out?
“Our premier days now are a big improvement of what they have been in recent years. But there are still certain tracks here putting up appalling prize money, and certain tracks which are making a big effort. And it’s just plain as day to see now - without me naming anytracks that are putting on £6,000 for a handicap and £3,500 quid for a bumper, they should be ashamed of themselves and they theoretically shouldn’t be supported. But we’ve got that many horses training in England, we’ve got to run them, so we have to end up supporting those races to one, get young horses started, and two we’ve got that many horses to run we can’t run them all in the same races. So, we
end up having to support bad prize money which is theoretically not the way it should be happening.”
Where do you stand on the suggestion that broadcasters should pay for access to trainers for post-racing thoughts?
“It was all put across wrong in the aspect of trainers wanting to get paid. Trainers aren’t wanting to get paid. Trainers are wanting money from these media rights to be going back into the sport and going back to our owners. It’s not that trainers want money to speak to the media. Trainers want the media rights that are going to racecourses that are putting up s**t prize money to go back into owners’ prize money, which it isn’t doing. Something was said and fair play to Dan Skelton for standing up and making a point. His intentions were in the right place and he was theoretically looking out for owners more so than himself.”
Festivals like the DRF and Punchestown are big beasts in their own right now. Are they a threat to Cheltenham?
“The Holy Grail is still Cheltenham. Willie Mullins will tell you that, and so will Gordon Elliott. But the Irish festivals are fantastic
festivals in their own right; they do it right as well, they get fantastic crowds there. They get well supported by good runners and hopefully more British runners will be able to support those festivals in time. They’re two fantastic festivals I’d love to kind of support in the future when we’re that little bit more established again.”
If you were in charge of the sport, what would you change? Have you had a magic wand? What would the single thing be that you would like to introduce, or you would introduce?
“The most obvious thing to say is better prize money and less bad racing. We dilute our sport by having 0-95s and 0-100s and too much bad racing. We need less bad racing and put more money into the better races. I appreciate I still have got a lot of owners, a lot of syndicates that haven’t got the money to potentially perform at that better level. But if you get rid of some of this bad racing it’s only going to entice people to get a better horse or try and get a better horse and compete at a better level. We’ve got
that much bad racing, it’s too easy to go and buy a bad horse and compete in bad racing and I just think we should have less of it.”
Tell us one thing that the public doesn’t know about you?
“I’m a big Aston Villa fan. I love spending my time at Villa Park now or at an away ground in the Premiership when I’m not racing. It would be my one release away from horse racing. They are my local team. I’ve got hospitality down there and take a lot of owners. I’ve supported them since I was a boy”
Your ambition in life outside racing?
“To see Villa win the title!”
Within racing?
“Be a champion trainer and compete at the top for many years to come.”
• Don’t miss the Cheltenham Festival from 11 to 14 March on Gallop TV.
NO BURSTING THIS BUBBLE
James McDonald attributed a dramatic HK$13 million Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup victory to Voyage Bubble’s class and courage after the pair overcame several obstacles at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Having arrived at Sha Tin from Riyadh, where he partnered Romantic Warrior into second place in a pulsating Gr1 Saudi Cup early Sunday morning, McDonald encountered trouble near the 800m when Voyage Bubble clipped heels resulting in the pair being shuffled to second last in the 10-horse field.
Unflustered, McDonald regrouped before spearing a willing Voyage Bubble through a gap at the 300m before the Deep Field gelding powered clear away from Ensued to win by almost four lengths with Chancheng Glory third in 2m 00.59s.
“It wasn’t smooth sailing but he’s a great racehorse. I’m lucky to have him as a partner because he got me out of a sticky situation. It was very muddling, and he overcame many obstacles throughout that race to come away for a great victory,” McDonald said.
Voyage Bubble (James McDonald) charges clear | Credit: HKJC
“We got shuffled back but he’s a great racehorse and he got us out of trouble. We might have found a new way of riding him as well. Who knows?
“He’s not a one-trick pony, he’s got so many strings to his bow and I really enjoy riding him even though it was hairy through the middle stages – it wasn’t ideal at all.”
With his 10th victory from 24 starts, Voyage Bubble kept alive hopes of landing a HK$10 million bonus for winning all three legs of the Triple Crown Series.
With the Gr1 Stewards’ Cup and Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup already secured, the Deep Field gelding needs to win the Gr1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup on 25 May
to sweep the series and become the second horse to do so after River Verdon (1993/94).
“That’s (2400m) another pain barrier he’s got to go through and he’s a great racehorse and we have seen it with the great horse (Romantic Warrior) last night how good these Hong Kong horses are – they’re as tough as they come –and they fly the flag anywhere,” McDonald said. “Definitely going to be a new challenge for him, but he’s up to it.”
Revelling in his first Group 1 success at 2000m, Yiu said: “I’m a bit optimistic to run him over 2400m. Before James takes off tonight, we’re going to have a little celebration party and I’m going to have a good chat with him to see where we go next. I’m pretty optimistic – we’ll take the challenge.”
A relieved James McDonald returns on Voyage Bubble | Credit: HKJC
John Size moved to the top of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with a quartet to have 32 wins for the season, level with David Hayes, but with more minor placings.
The master horseman struck with Sky Jewellery, Crossborderpegasus, Juneau Pride and Brilliant Express.
Hugh Bowman notched his 200th Hong Kong winner in style aboard promising three-yearold Sky Jewellery, who surged from second last turn on the home turn to land the Class 4 Citigold Private Client Handicap after jumping barrier 13.
“He was obviously unlucky last start and he’s shown a lot of potential. Up in distance today was fine but the barrier, he had to overcome that, and he did it in style,” Bowman said.
Size’s push towards the top of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship continued with debutant Crossborderpegasus – a Rich Enuff three-yearold – prevailed under Bowman in the Class 4 Citigold Handicap, Juneau Pride’s win under Brenton Avdulla in the Class 3 Citi Wealth Advisory Services Handicap and Brilliant Express, who was partnered by Alexis Badel in the Class 3 Citi Insurance Services Handicap (1400m).
Badel completed a double when Frankie Lor’s Triumphant More clinched the Class 3 Citi Investment Services Handicap.
“He was obviously unlucky last start and he’s shown a lot of potential. Up in distance today was fine but the barrier, he had to overcome that, and he did it in style,” Bowman said.
Fresh from a feature double in Australia on Saturday, Blake Shinn struck aboard Cody Mo’s Magic Control in the Class 2 Citi Private Bank Handicap, exploding from the tail of the field in a surprising change of racing style.
“That wasn’t the plan to sit back but the speed was fast, and he wanted to settle and with the weight (135lb), he needed all the favours and we had a good run and he displayed a great turn of foot,” Shinn said.
Chris So and Keagan De Melo successfully combined with Carryon Smiling in the Class 4 Citi Wealth Handicap when the War Decree gelding overcame barrier 11 to salute at 83/1 before Avdulla drove David Eustace-trained Mister Dapper to victory in the Class 4 Citi Ultima Handicap.
PETERSEN’S QUEEN RULES CARNIVAL ACTION
The Gr3 UAE Oaks (presented by DP World) has twice in recent seasons produced fillies to run in the Gr1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs and Queen Azteca could do the same after a thrilling win in this year’s renewal.
The 1900m dirt race wasn’t an easy watch for trainer Niels Petersen, however, after Queen Azteca, who had beaten most of these rivals in the Cocoa Beach Stakes, left it late under jockey Carlos Lopez.
She looked an unlikely winner at the top of the stretch, needing all of it to get there and deny pacesetter Arigatou Goziamasu by just under a length.
“It was a bit more stressful than I thought it
would be!” said Petersen, who is 13-times Champion Trainer in Norway. “I didn’t think Arigatou would be the one to step up, after last time, but both fillies ran great races.
“From 50m out, I thought we had a good shot at it when Arigatou stopped a little, so maybe it looked easier than it was.
“It’s a big racing scene here and we come from little Norway, so to pull it off is a huge achievement. I think all of Scandinavia was cheering us on today.”
Choisya Spoils the Dream for Cinderella
The presence of Cinderella’s Dream, two from two at Meydan and a Gr1 winner, made
the night’s official feature, the Gr2 Balanchine Stakes (presented by DP World), a quality affair.
Cinderella’s Dream’s trainer Charlie Appleby stated before that she wasn’t fully tuned up for this, with bigger targets later on, and maybe that was what caught her out.
Ridden by William Buick, she threatened in the straight but failed to catch the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Choisya, who completed the big fillies’ turf double by adding this to her Gr2 Cape Verdi success.
“Today there was much more pace early on,” said winning jockey Mickael Barzalona, who made all the running in the Cape Verdi. “I was happy to sit in just behind the leaders. When we hit the straight, I asked her to pick up and she did so very well.
“It’s always a huge advantage for jockeys when horses can be in different positions and today, she won because she’s very versatile.”
The Crisfords enjoyed a double on the card, initiated when a superb Pat Dobbs ride got Magnum Opus home in the DP World Logistics Handicap, over 1800m on turf. He had the whole of the field in front of him turning for home but found a way through to deny Folk Festival, who looked marked for the win under Bernardo Pinheiro.
“He didn’t travel for the first half of the race but once I got there and gave him a little squeeze he showed a brilliant turn of foot,” said Dobbs. “There wasn’t much of a gap but he was going that well he was able to get through it.”
Dubai Future Rolls Back the Years for Bin Suroor
The most popular winner of the night might well have been the evergreen Dubai Future, who
gave Saeed Bin Suroor his first Meydan win for two years in the Gr3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy (presented by DP World).
The nine-year-old, remarkably running at his sixth Carnival but off the track for over a year, was given a hold-up ride by Silvestre De Sousa. However, he passed the rest of the field easily in the straight, winning by four and a half lengths and gaining automatic entry to the Gr2 Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup day.
“He had a little bit of a setback last year which is why he didn’t run,” said Bin Suroor. “I didn’t want to lead with him today as it was his first time back after a break, so I told him [De Sousa] to go in behind.
“He’ll now go straight to the Dubai Gold Cup.”
Another going to the big night is Galactic Star who will head to the Gr2 UAE Derby after winning the Listed Al Bastakiya (presented by DP World), a course and distance prep over 1900m on dirt.
The Bhupat Seemar trainee, ridden by Richie Mullen, was always close to the pace and had just enough left to repel British challenger and hot favourite Heart Of Honor by a neck.
“I always knew they liked this horse a lot,” said Mullen. “He’s got his quirks but he’s full of ability and talent. There were question marks over the trip but Bhupat said ride him as if he gets it.
“It helps if they’re going two turns because they come back to you a bit easier going into that first turn and horses can just relax a little bit more than they do over a mile.”
One of the most impressive winners of the night was Classic City, who streaked home in the DP World GCC Handicap, over 2000m on dirt, giving jockey Alexandre Da Silva a first Meydan win.
Owned and trained by Ernst Oertel, better known for success with Arabians but adept with Thoroughbreds too, the six-year-old powered clear of his 14 rivals in the straight and was six and a quarter length too good for Elraaed at the line.
“I just bought him for a bit of fun!” said Oertel. “I didn’t even tell [wife and fellow trainer] Elise [Jeanne].
“I was quite confident when I saw this race as 2000m is what he needs.”
Expert Choice provided trainer Julio Olascoaga with his second winner in as many weeks when running out the decisive winner
of the opening Mina Rashid Handicap, over 1600m on turf. Ridden by Jim Crowley, the four-year-old was good value for a length and a quarter win over Spanish raider El Bosnia.
“I’m two from two on him, and he’s a horse who takes a little bit of knowing,” said Crowley, who was also successful on the gelding at Abu Dhabi in December. “Everything panned out for him today and I probably got to the front sooner than ideal, really.
“He’s probably got more ability than he shows, so it’s nice to get another win out of him.”
The final race, the Jebel Ali Port Handicap over 1200m on dirt, went to a rapidly improving sprinter in Smart System, who overcame a rise in grade to win his second race in a row for trainer Ali Al Badwawi and jockey Connor Beasley.
Meydan Racecourse is back in action on Saturday, 1 March, when the big Emirates Super Saturday meeting provides more Dubai World Cup day clues.
www.dubairacingclub.com
Horseracing is in the blood of the 55-year-old Sean Paterson – his Mom was a successful trainer and his Dad a well-known jockey, trainer and stipe in his time.
Sean joined the South African Jockey Academy on 3 January 1985.
“In 1986, whilst in my second year at the academy I suffered a racing accident whilst leading one of my rides in, it freshed, swung round kicking me on the forehead resulting in emergency surgery to remove my frontal skull bone, a long stay in hospital and a silicone plate being inserted under the skin in place of my shattered forehead bone. With the long recovery time my apprenticeship fell away, and I decided to return to school to finish my exams,” he tells.
Once Sean completed his exams, he travelled to the UK for 2 years to work under the well know British trainer PJ Walwyn in the village of Lambourn on the Berkshire Downs.
Having completed his 2 years internship with PJ Walwyn, he returned to Zimbabwe to assist in the running of his parents’ yard in Harare.
A DESPERATE CALL FOR SOME ASSISTANCE
A dyed-in-the-wool racing man from a wellknown family has approached the Sporting Post with a request to publish an appeal for assistance with medical expenses as he desperately tries to save his injured foot in order to allow him to continue to work with horses.
Born to ride! Sean on a Wolf Power lookalike – almost!
Credit: Supplied
In 1994, the Paterson Racing Yard was sold, and he travelled to Sydney, Australia and returned to work here for the likes of the late Jane Thomas, Tony Millard, Alec Laird.
Stints in Hong Kong, Spain, France and Dubai followed, before he returned to SA about 15 years ago.
Sean now faces a crisis and told the Sporting Post that in 2023 he was kicked on the heel whilst work riding at Randjesfontein, causing his heel bone to splinter.
“I was unaware of the seriousness or magnitude of this injury until a piece of the splintered bone began to move. After attending one of the top Podiatrists in Johannesburg, a decision was made to remove the loose bone shards, which then led to a pressure wound developing on the upper side of my foot. I was advised to attend a Vascular Surgeon who recommended surgery following the results from sonar imaging,” explains Sean.
Following the removal of the bone shards the pressure wound turned into a full blown internal fungal infection.
“My first surgery was done in July 2024, by a Reconstructive Surgeon who ‘debrided’ my wound under general anaesthetic, removing all dead and unhealthy tissue in order to assist the wound to heal. Following the operation, my Vascular Surgeon advised that in order to heal completely she advised surgery to insert 3 stents. These stents, two in my foot and one in my groin, would facilitate the blood flow to reach and heal the wounds.”
The Vascular Surgeon recommended immediate surgery and supplied a quote for the initial private treatment. It was R139 000 with aftercare costs including rehabilitation, medication and a wound nurse estimated at approximately R30 000.
“As I do not have private medical cover, I attended Steve Biko hospital to try and get
the stents inserted through the public hospital system. The soonest I can get an appointment, with the resident Cardiovascular Specialist is two to three months, before being put on the waiting list for the operation to insert the stents. The concern now is that without immediate attention and surgery I may lose my foot, or worse,” he laments.
Sean stresses that this appeal is purely for medical expenses in order that he may save his foot and continue working with his beloved horses. He adds that any help will be appreciated.
If you are in a position to help, Sean is registered on the backabuddy platform
Ed – anybody who wishes to contact the family directly can email Alyson Wynne on: alyson_wynne@hotmail.com, or email editor@sportingpost.co.za for her whatsapp contact.
Sean in action at Randjesfontein recently before his injury Credit: Supplied
Sean and his wife Louisa | Credit: Supplied
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