SP Sprint – Wednesday 12 March 2025

BROTHERHOOD

On the cover Candiese Lenferna caught two charismatic sons of Cape Town in Andrew Fortune and Sean Veale horsing around at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday evening. Both jockeys rode a winner on the card.

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Isivunguvungu – taking on the world again on 5 April at Meydan | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

There is a lot of talk ahead of the Premier Yearling Sale about lot 127! Named Wont Do That, she is by Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner and top-class sire Rafeef, out of a twice winning Querari half-sister to the Narrow Creek bred superstar Isivunguvungu, the horse of the moment Isivunguvungu, who we are holding thumbs for on World Cup Night in Dubai.

There will be celebrations all over the world on 5 April if Isivunguvungu wins the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse.

That’s because the tongue-twistingly named sprinter [it means storm in isiXhosa] was bred and is owned in South Africa, trained by a US-based Brit and will be ridden by a Frenchbased Belgian.

That international cast are are among the best in the business: Dubai World Cup-winning Graham Motion is the trainer, Christophe Soumillon is the jockey and Hollywood Syndicate – an emerging force in racing all over the world – are the owners.

No pressure then, Isivunguvungu…!

“It’ll be exciting to get back, it’s been a while,” says Motion, who won the 2013 Dubai World Cup with Animal Kingdom, the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner. It may be 12 years ago, but the memory burns bright.

“Winning the [Kentucky] Derby was amazing, but to get that horse back after two years off to win the Dubai World Cup, that was really gratifying,” he says. “It was a two-year process to get him back for Dubai. That would have to be the highlight of my career.”

Could Isivunguvungu give him another highlight next month? His is an interesting journey, from winning two Grade Is in South

Africa for Peter Muscutt, to winning on US debut for Motion at Colonial Downs, to finishing a creditable seventh in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. He started this year with a third in the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa, a performance which had Motion satisfied.

“He’s doing super; I thought he had a really good prep,” he says. “You could make a case and say he should have won the race in order to come to Dubai, but I really needed to get a prep into him.

“He got a little sick after the Breeders’ Cup when he shipped back to Fair Hill and ended up having a month off, so he literally only had four bits of work before this race at Tampa. So it was more about the timing, and the turf course, and getting a race into him.

“I thought he ran a creditable race. He was a little wide, he had a bad draw. The race achieved what we wanted it to, and he performed perfectly well under the circumstances.

“He’s probably one of the best work horses I’ve had,” he continues. “He’s really rapid in the morning. Not in a crazy, running off, type way, he’s just a very fast horse, but a very kind horse to be around.”

Isivunguvungu will travel to Dubai in the care of Motion’s long-term Traveling Assistant Alice

Clapham, who was also responsible for Animal Kingdom.

“He can be aggressive on the track and do more than you want him to, if you’re not careful,” adds the trainer. “I very much doubt I’ll breeze him over there. He’ll do two pieces of work before he comes and I’ll just gallop him up to the race.”

South African success on World Cup night is nothing new, but due to a torrid period of quarantine restrictions you must go back to 2015 and Mubtaahij, trained by Mike De Kock, for their last success on Dubai World Cup night. As such, the Isivunguvungu support network will be out in force.

“They had a tough go with Covid, where they really struggled for a bit, and I think they’ve really shown that these horses can be very competitive internationally,” says Motion, who claimed a notable success recently when the South African bred and owned Beach Bomb won the Gr3 Very One Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

“When these horses came to me, this time last year, they were in quarantine for two months. The objective was to get Beach Bomb and Isivunguvungu to the Breeders’ Cup and in order to do that they couldn’t miss a beat. It was remarkable that everything went as well as it did.

“After they ran in the Breeders’ Cup we could then take a deep breath. I think it showed in the way Beach Bomb won last weekend. I’m thrilled for Gaynor [Rupert, owner of Beach Bomb], she’s been really supportive of me, as have these guys, the Hollywood Syndicate.

“There’s a big group coming to Dubai, with Mike [De Kock] I believe. The horse which won the King’s Plate, which was a Breeders’ Cup

Win and You’re In, One Stripe, is going to come to us after he runs next weekend. So that’s kind of exciting too.”

Motion is a global thinker and has also taken the unusual step, for a US-based trainer, of nominating a colt, Test Score, for the Derby at Epsom.

“I’m always game for international travel,” he says. “But I think it’s unlikely that we would go, as I’m not sure he’s really a mile and a half horse, and it’s very early for us to be running our three-year-olds a mile and half – we don’t really get that opportunity over here.

“It’s something that I would love to do down the road.”

Motion, who moved to the States in 1980, came agonisingly close to a British winner when Spendarella was runner-up to Inspiral in the Gr1 Coronation Stakes in 2022.

“One of my goals is to win a race over there, I’m always thinking about it,” he says. “I think taking the Europeans on over a mile and a quarter is tough to do. I love the Coronation as it’s a mile, it’s three-year-olds, it has a turn and I like that. I think the straightaway is tough, even though Tepin did it, which she probably didn’t get enough credit for.”

Perhaps Isivunguvungu is the horse that gets him back to Royal Ascot. But first, it’s the Al Quoz and that international cast must step up to the assignment. If they win, it will bring the house down!

See you at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth for the Premier Yearling Sale tomorrow afternoon!

Read more about the Narrow Creek draft on page 110.

ONE STRIPE TO BE CROWNED ON ROYAL RACEDAY

Gavin Lerena and 3yo star One Stripe at Milnerton earlier this week | Credit: Troy Finch

It’s all systems go for a regal and action-packed curtain call on a bumper 2024/25 Summer Festival Of Racing as Hollywoodbets Kenilworth hosts the inaugural The Royal Raceday on Sunday 16 March.

With the CRS Premier Yearling Sale being held on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 March, the Cape Racing Sales Festival offers top tier racing to round off just under four months of pulsating track action.

Final fields were published on Monday for the ten-race finale that includes three features, headlined by what could be the final South African appearance of champion sophomore One Stripe who runs in the HSH Princess Charlene R5 million Big Cap before embarking on an international campaign.

The 1400m HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap was open to all CRS sales graduates and has attracted ten runners. Race conditions dictate that no merit rating penalties will be incurred for the placed and unplaced runners

The Royal Race Day stems from a partnership between Cape Racing and the Monaco Sport Of Kings Group, which was founded by the passionate and energetic Mike Wittstock, father of Zimbabwe-born Princess Charlene of Monaco.

The Monaco Sport of Kings group underscores their dedication to both horseracing and

charitable causes by participating in The Royal Race Day, and as a result, two deserving charities in The Earth Centre and Sisters Incorporated are set to benefit.

The second renewal of the R1,5 million CRS Cape Slipper promises to be one of the highlights of the day with eleven graduates of the 2024 Premier Yearling Sale accepting.

The longhaulers are set to slug it out in the 2400m Kenilworth Cup, with Glen Kotzen holding the ace with 3 of the 7 runners in a race where pace could be key.

All told, it’s a ‘Royal Affair’, so please come dressed for the occasion, and besides the high quality racing, there will be a market, food trucks, and live entertainment.

For those that want something a little more elegant, the Racing Pavilion will be ‘A Royal Affair’ themed venue with a high tea. Tickets for that area will be R450 and will include:

• Harvest table lunch and high tea

• Bubbly station

• Water

• Shaded seating

• Full bar facilities available

Entrance to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth is free, but tickets need to be obtained for access control. These tickets will be available on Quicket.

CHELTENHAM OPENER: BOOKIES 1 – PUNTERS 0

Lorcan Williams salutes as Golden Ace storms to victory | Credit: Cheltenham Racecourse

Bookmakers were spared an estimated payout of £50million on an opening day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday that saw the previously-unbeaten Constitution Hill crash out of the Champion Hurdle and Majborough beaten in the Arkle.

Kopek Des Bordes had got favourite-backers off to a good start when triumphing at odds of 4-6 in the opening Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – but plenty of accumulators were scuppered in the very next race as 1-2 shot Majborough’s jumping let him down, leaving Jango Baie (5-1) to come over the top and win the Arkle.

Myretown (13-2) winning the Ultima Handicap Chase and Lossiemouth prevailing as 4-6 favourite in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle had matters finely balanced, but when 1-2 favourite Constitution Hill fell in the Champion Hurdle, the pendulum began to swing.

With second-favourite Brighterdaysahead failing to fire and State Man unbelievably departing at the last with the race at his mercy, the bookies were certainly cheering home 25-1 winner Golden Ace.

BetVictor’s Sam Boswell said: “It is very much a case of one-nil to the bookmakers after day one of the Festival. The day started with significant concern for us around the multi-million-pound gamble on the four-fold, of which only two obliged.

“We have to remember this is a marathon not a sprint and we still need to get through the next three days.”

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson of BoyleSports was similarly upbeat, adding: “It was a day that could have spelled disaster for the bookies and we were on the ropes from the opening race. But with a few results swinging our way, it’s safe to say we swerved some major nightmare scenarios.

“We can certainly claim victory on day one, although we won’t be counting any chickens just yet with so much left to play for.” William Hill’s Lee Phelps said: “Heading into day one of the Cheltenham Festival, it’s no secret we were fearing the worst with the incredibly popular four-fold racking up serious liabilities.

“However, with both Majborough and Constitution Hill fluffing their lines, the bookmaking industry has somehow avoided a huge loss, quite possibly in the region of £50m.”

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GALOPIN GOES FOR GOLD AT CHELTENHAM

Day 3 at the Cheltenham Festival is headlined by two Group 1 features, the Ryanair Chase (17h20) and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (18h00).

Gaelic Warrior, well fancied for the Ryanair was a notable omission, and Willie Mullins is now only represented by Fact To File. The JP McManus owned runner will face nine rivals in a strong-looking edition, including last year’s winner Protektorat and King George VI Chase runner-up Il Est Francais. The lightly

raced eight-year-old has only contested seven chases, winning four and been placed behind Galopin Des Champs over three miles at Group 1 level the last twice. This drop in trip to two and a half miles could be just what he needs to show his best with Franch raider II Est Francais guaranteed to ensure a good gallop up front.

Flashback - Galopin des Champs (Paul Townend) wins the 2024 Boodles Gold Cup | Credit: Cheltenham Racecourse on FB

Protektorat loves it around here, and together with recent Denman Chase winner Djelo should fight out the placings.

Forty minutes later Teahupoo attempts to defend his crown in the 3-mile Stayers’ Hurdle. He faces 14 rival’s chief of which looks to be the ten-year-old Home By The Lee, who finished third last season.

Irish trainer Gordon Elliott has followed a similar path to last year with the favorite Teahupoo, having only two starts in the runup to this, his seasons target.

Teahupoo’s ‘younger legs’ should give him the advantage over fellow Irish raider Home By The Lee and should give his rider Jack Kennedy a winning return following an injury.

Friday is all about Galopin des Champs as he attempts to add his name to the Gold Cup honors board for a third time. Only Golden Miller, Arkle, Cottage Rake and most recently Best Mate have achieved the feat in the blue riband event of National Hunt racing, the Boodles Gold Cup (18h00).

The nine-year-old has won eleven of his sixteen chases and only been beaten over 3-miles twice at Punchestown by Fastorslow.

He excels over three miles plus which he gets on Friday, and his big rivals Fastorslow and Gerri Colombe are sidelined through injury. Add to that his stablemate Fact To File now heads for the Ryanair, and this looks his for the taking.

The Willie Mullins trained runner is challenged by nine rivals of which Banbridge, the King George V winner, looks his biggest danger. Officially the second highest runner in the field, Banbridge is 9lbs inferior to the defending champ.

The Joseph O’Brien trained runner is also more effective on better ground, so his connections will be praying for no more rain.

Nothing would be better than to see ‘Galopin’ join those illustrious heroes from yesteryear on Friday afternoon.

SA MARE RUNS A CRACKER ON NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT

Former Mike de Kock-trained SA bred star Gimme A Nother may have relinquished her seven run unbeaten record but made a top-class North American debut after an eleven month break in Saturday’s Gr2 $US225 000 Hillsborough Stakes run over 1800m at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida.

Having last raced on African soil when winning the TAB Gr1 Empress Club Stakes in early April 2024, Gimme A Nother flew to France in September 2024, before arriving in the USA in late November.

In training since early January, the now 5yo mare produced a top effort when second beaten three quarters of length by Chad Brown-trained Saffron Moon who got first run in the straight

The Daily Racing Form reported that backing up her course-record performance in the Gr3

Endeavour Stakes last month, Saffron Moon found a huge opening in the upper stretch under Flavien Prat and powered home a threequarter-length winner over Gimme a Nother.

It was 2,25 lengths back to Venencia in third.

Chad Brown trained the winner, the third-place finisher and sixth-place finisher Spaliday as he won his record-extending seventh Hillsborough.

Irad Ortiz Jr. who rode Gimme A Nother told trainer Graham Motion that the daughter of SA

Irad Ortiz Jr. and Gimme A Nother valiantly chase Saffron Moon (Flavien Prat) home | Credit: Tampa Bay Downs Racecourse

champion Gimmethegreenlight took a while to get going, but overall said he was pleased with the performance.

Motion reportedly also believes Gimme a Nother may want more ground.

“He said he had to wait because he was going to get fanned so wide on the last turn, and then it took her awhile to get going,” Motion said. “He was very pleased with her, he said what I said, she might want to go a little farther.

“She hasn’t run since April. It does make a difference,” Motion added “She was a little surprised by everything, she was a little spooked about things. It’s all new to her.”

Gimme A Nother is a fairytale on her own as a third-generation stakes winner formerly trained by Mike de Kock.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, she is by champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the Tiger Ridge champion, Nother Russia,

Mary Slack purchased Gimme A Nother’s grandam Mother Russia from Klawervlei Stud as a dual Gr1 winner of the Fancourt Majorca and Empress Club Stakes. Mother Russia duly rewarded her new owner with victory in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes and in what was arguably the highlight of her star-studded career, the coveted Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, a memorable occasion given that she thwarted the mighty Pocket Power’s bid of a fifth consecutive victory in the celebrated mile race.

There were high hopes for the champion daughter of Windrush when she retired to her owner’s Wilgerbosdrift paddocks as a four-time Gr1 winner. However, racing and breeding is fraught with incredible highs and the heartbreak

that is the flip side, hence it was not just a cruel blow when Mother Russia died at age ten, her innings as a broodmare yielded just a single foal by Tiger Ridge.

Fortunately, that foal, a filly named Nother Russia, is keeping the dream alive.

Like her mom before her, she joined the De Kock stable but raced in the colours of Jessica Jell , who had purchased the chestnut from the Wilgerbosdrift draft for R550 000 at the BSA National Yearling Sale. She ended up a dual Gr1 winning eight-time winner.

With two Gr1 trophies in her 7 and a second place from 8 starts, we haven’t heard the last of Gimme A Nother!

Graham Motion – happy with effort Credit: Candiese Lenferna

LAST WINTER FILLY WINS OAKS TRIAL

biggest pay day to

Poplar Park (Muzi Yeni) enjoyed her

date on Saturday at Turffontein | Credit: JC Photos

Run in honour of one of our greatest trainers of all time, the R150 000 non-black type Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial provided an easy winner for the proven combination of Muzi Yeni and Robbie Sage as the progressive Poplar Park enjoyed her biggest pay day to date.

4Racing decided to honour the legendary conditioner after his retirement in in 2019, and even though the 2000m contest has dropped in status over the years, the race is still a reminder of a no-nonsense horseman who boasted an extraordinary record the SA Oaks and SA Derby. He won the Oaks ten times and the Derby eight times!

Mr Ferraris took out his trainer’s licence in 1952 and finally retired in May 2019. In 2016 he trained his 2500th winner when Romany Prince won the Listed Drum Star Handicap. His last SA Oaks winner was Cherry On The Top in 2013. Owned by the late Bridget Oppenheimer, the daughter of Tiger Ridge scooped the Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara with that victory.

While there were no such illustrious stars in Saturday’s ten horse line-up, the opening leg of Jackpot 1 produced an entertaining contest after a shaky start that that saw Cocomelon unseat Serino Moodley just prior to the gates being sprung, before being passed fit to run.

After the daughter of Willow Magic was cleared to run, the eventual start saw Ruby Rebel and Silver Parasol dig their toes in and lose many lengths.

The favourite Queen Of Love led for a long way, before being swallowed up by the strong finishing Poplar Park (7-2) who went on to beat Cocomelon (7-1) by 2,40 lengths in a time of 127,60 secs for the 2000m.

The 100-1 Fetching Flyer boosted the trifecta, a further length back with Key Worker (5-1) capping the quartet.

The favourite Queen Of Love faded out of the money, while the slow starters never gave their supporters a run for their money, and filled the last two places.

Bred by the Tawny Syndicate, the winner is a daughter of unheralded Western Winter stallion Last Winter out of the twice-winning Judpot mare, Ruler Of The Sky.

Last Winter has no progeny on the forthcoming big sales.

A R40 000 November 2yo Sale graduate, Poplar Park took her tally to 3 wins and 2 places from 7 starts for stakes of R254 500.

Park in a rampant mood as she wins last Saturday’s Oaks Trial | Credit: JC Photos

OAKS TRIAL DOWNGRADE - POPLAR PARK’S DAY WILL COME

As any breeder will tell you, black type updates for fillies and mares are vitally important to highlight the quality of their pedigrees, hence the downgrading of the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial no doubt came as a disappointment to the connections of winner Poplar Park, who made light work of the 2000m race, crossing the line 2,50 lengths clear of her field.

Let’s not forget KZN breeder Peter Blythe, who stands the filly’s underrated sire Last Winter at his Clifton Stud. “I thought the race still

carried black type status until a friend told me otherwise,” he remarked. “I am obviously very disappointed as she would have been a vitally important first stakes winner for Last Winter.”

The regally bred son of Western Winter, who arrived at Clifton after spending two seasons at Bush Hill Stud, is best remembered for his whirlwind finish in the 2018 Sun Met, where he fell short by a diminishing half-length to catch subsequent Horse of the Year Oh Susanna.

Poplar Park hails from her sire’s first crop.

Muzi Yeni has Poplar

‘It is no secret that the South African racing programme is not geared towards catering for middle distances horses and with so few staying races for fillies & mares, one cannot help but feel that Poplar Park has been robbed of a chance at black type’

It is no secret that the South African racing programme is not geared towards catering for middle distances horses and with so few staying races for fillies & mares, one cannot help but feel that Poplar Park has been robbed of a chance at black type.

The Oaks Trial has carried Listed status since it was first contested in 2008 and traditionally, has served as a stepping stone to the Gr2 SA Oaks. That the race has lost its status comes as a bit of a surprise, given that its honours roll shows a good number of winners/placed fillies who went

on to feature prominently in the 2450m classic.

Take inaugural winner Moon Stone for instance, she subsequently ran third in the Oaks to Happy Spirit, who had finished second in the Trial.

Arcola, third in the 2010 Trial, went on to Oaks glory and became the dam of stakes winners Fiorella and Verdier, whilst 2011 winner Ilha Grande subsequently ran third behind allconquering Igugu in the Oaks proper.

Wind Chill was runner-up in the 2017 Trial, before going on to glory in the Oaks, whilst 2018 Trial winner Chariot Of Gold finished third in the Oaks. Four years later, Trial victress Light Of The Moon found only champion Rain In Holland her superior in the Oaks proper.

Last but not least, the most recent Oaks Trial winner Frances Ethel went on to a facile victory in the SA Oaks.

In 2020, the race was renamed in honour of legendary trainer Ormond Ferraris, who incidentally owned, bred and trained 2009 winner Opera Cloak. He also saddled 2012 winner Markofdistinction, with third place going to Demanding Lady, the dam of Charles Dickens!

As for Poplar Park, she is the second Oaks Trial winner trained by Robbie Sage, her victory

coming twelve years after Tuscan Lass took the honours for the stable.

With the loss of its Listed status, Poplar Park will have to contest the Oaks proper to sniff at a first bit of black type, and having already won over 2400m, the trip will be right up her ally. From a pedigree perspective too, she ticks all the boxes.

Out of the Judpot mare Ruler Of The Sky, she is a half-sister to Zimbabwe Oaks winner New Galaxy; her grandam Darishka is a stakesplaced daughter of classic influence Darshaan; and she hails from the female line of American Champion 3YO Bernardini.

Poplar Park appears to have plenty more in the locker and will be chasing black type with every chance, after all that is where thoroughbred wars are fought.

Flashback to 2013 - Fransie Herholdt drives Tuscan Lass up in the red and black silks to win the then Listed Oaks Trial | Credit: Supplied

MUNGER’S GOT THE HUNGER –AND THE EDGE!

Labelled a ‘proper horse’ early on by trainer Mike de Kock, the Shadwell Stud-bred Immediate Edge was given a superb ride by Ryan Munger to get the better of Gavin Lerena and Wild Intent in the R225 000 World Sports Betting Listed Hawwaam Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.

Formerly run as the Derby Trial, it is appropriate that Mike & Mat de Kock can celebrate an eyecatching victory by a still unbeaten 3yo in a race named in honour of their former champion multiple Grade 1 winning son of Silvano, Hawwaam, who now stands at Wilgerbosdrift. Hawwaam celebrated his first winner, Ridgemont’s Read All About It, just five weeks ago. And that also happens to be trained by the De Kocks.

On winning his second start, the seasoned Mike de Kock was enthusiastic about Immediate Edge: “He’s a proper horse at home. We’ll take him through the divisions, and it’s important to keep him healthy. He’s an exciting horse with a good pedigree.”

On Saturday he lived up to the boss’ assessment and was given a perfect ride by Ryan Munger, who has been aboard at all three victories.

Ryan Munger (blue cap on inside) rides a pearler to get Immediate Edge home ahead of Wild Intent (Gavin Lerena) in a thriller | Credit: JC Photos

Relaxed in midfield, Immediate Edge moved up down the inside rail as Gavin Lerena got first run on the considerably more experienced Wild Intent.

At the line, a cracking ride – how Munger has matured in Canada – and the 3kgs in his favour counted, as Immediate Edge (7-10) lived up to his name to beat the Houdalakis challenger Wild Intent (6-1) by a nose in a time of 125,33 secs.

The third horse Diwali Rocket (25-1) was in another race, some 8,25 lengths away!

The blood is certainly all there! A son of Silvano’s good son Vercingetorix, Immediate Edge was bred by Shadwell Stud from the Commands mare Anhaar, who is a sister to

multiple Gr1 winner and sire, Soqrat, who was also trained by Mike de Kock.

The winner races for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Al Adiyaat South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mrs Mary Slack), Chris Haynes and Mike de Kock.

A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase, Immediate Edge is now unbeaten in three starts with stakes of R290 625, and the world looks to be his oyster.

SOME NIPPY TIMES – AND A FALSE COURSE RECORD

Tirpitz – found form in good time under Siyanda Sosibo | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

What is interesting about Kleinzee’s win is that it broke the publicized course record of 91,1 secs by 0,26 seconds. However, basic mathematics, and indeed some logic, tells us that if the 1400m record is 81,98 secs and the 1600m record is 94,64 secs, then the 1500m record should be in the region of 88,31 secs…

Our Time Is Money team unlock a few interesting angles on the weekend’s racing, including what appears to be a false course record in a Hollywoodbets Durbanville 1500m Maiden.

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.

Hollywoodbets Scottsville 9 March

Track Condition: Going – Good to Soft (both tracks)

Penetrometer: 25 Stand side – 25 Inside Rain: Last 24hrs Nil – Last 7 days 17mm Irrigation: Last 7 days Nil

False Rail: 3m

Wind: 10-15km/h North Easterly tail wind

Corse Variant: 0,51s fast straight – 0,37s fast bend

Thandi Bhengu (35 Years) A Stakes 1750m

Just eight runners went to post for the afternoon’s top liner and here we saw a smart performance from the second favourite MISS PLATINA. The pace was a decent one and with the two front runners both taking the back door early in the straight the field quickly began to concertina.

Indeed, going through the 300m barely two lengths covered all. Tienie Prinsloo’s charge had raced 6,5 lengths off the pace at the back but quickly made headway coming off the bend. She struck the front approaching the 200m pole and won, going away by two and a quarter.

N Ndlovu/MSchultz (30 Years) B Stakes 1200m

Not surprisingly the faster of the two 1200m events, this race was run at a fair pace. The winner CONVOCATION broke well and was always positioned close to the speed.

She put her head in front going through the 300m and won well from the running on Soho Star. The runner up was gaining at the finish and recorded the fastest 400m-finish time in this race. The Flying The Flag mare Convocation has now won 6 of her 19 starts.

Alan Gray (35 Years) Class 4 - 1400m

Three of the afternoon’s nine races were run over 1400m and in comfortably the fastest of these the friendless TIRPITZ registered his fourth career victory.

Freely available at 33/1 on the off, the Silvano gelding was squeezed out shortly after the start and with the pace being a good one he soon found himself nine lengths off them. Once in the straight though he ran on strongly under a determined ride from Siyanda Sosiba and after striking the front 100m from home won going away.

Quickies

Third in the faster of the two 1000m events, the Hollywoodbets Bright Future C Stakes, TERIYAKI ran on from the back and recorded the fastest 400m-finish time of the afternoon.

Fastest Times:

1000m (2) Future Flo 57,21

1200m (2) Convocation 68,73

1400m (3) Tirpitz 83,77

400-finish Teriyaki 22,46

Hollywoodbets Durbanville 8 March

Track Condition: Going – Good Penetrometer: 21

Rain: Last 7 days Nil

Irrigation: Last 24hrs 10mm – Last 7 Days 60mm

False Rail: 1m out back straight with a 2m spur at 550m mark

Wind: 14-16km/h Southerly head wind

Course Variant: 1,47s fast

Book Now Royal Raceday 16 March Class 3 1250m

Four of the afternoon’s nine races were staged over 1250m and in the fastest of these the 4yo William Longsword gelding DUMBLEDORE registered his third career victory. Confidently ridden by Richard Fourie, Dumbledore was always positioned close to the pace. He took up the running 300m out and won well by a length and three quarters.

CRS Premier Yearling Sale 13/14 March Open Maiden 1400m

The open maiden event was the faster of the two 140m races on the card and here we saw a smart performance from the lightly raced CHASINGTHERAINBOW. The pace was a fair one and the son of Potala Palace was content to sit 10th some nine lengths off the frontrunning Victor Hugo for most of the journey. He ran on best of all when the field began to concertina halfway down the straight and recording the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon he got up late to score by a neck.

Winx Open Maiden 1500m - false course record

What is interesting about this race is that it broke the publicized course record of 91.1 by

0,26 seconds. However, basic mathematics, and indeed some logic, tells us that if the 1400m record is 81,98 and the 1600m record is 94,64 then the 1500m record should be in the region of 88,31. As it is not a regularly used distance though it could be that all of the previous races had been comparatively slowly run. Either that or the course record was incorrect. Although by no means record breaking, the pace was nonetheless a fair one here. The winner KLEINZEE raced sixth and was four lengths off the leader turning for home. He ran on well over the final 400m and although Wehaveasituation did complete the 400m-finish segment in a marginally faster time, he won with some in hand by two.

Perfectly Placed Class 5 - 1250m

Comfortably the slowest of all the races rounding the turn, the time of this race was over 1,5 seconds slower than all of the other 1250m races. In what effectively was a 600m sprint then, TAMBOURINE MAN led them into the straight. He was headed 400m out but rallied gamely under a determined ride from Craig Zackey, and got back up 100m from home.

Fastest Times:

1250m (4) Dumbledore 73,94 1400m (2) Chasingtherainbow 85,06 400m-finish Chasingtherainbow 2153

MUZI MAKES THE MAGIC!

Breeze Over (Muzi Yeni) wins well with Marauding Horde (Nathan Klink, inside) and Twenty Drachma’s (Philasande Mxoli, obscured) chasing hard | Credit: JC Photos

Klawervlei Stud’s four-time Gr1 winning sire Twice Over had a good day on Saturday. The champion was responsible for a pair of winners in South Africa on the day, including R225 000 Listed World Sports Betting Aquanaut Handicap winner Breeze Over.

The latter picked up his biggest win to date when making much of the running to win Saturday’s 2400m feature contest in convincing style.

Under a positive ride from Muzi Yeni, the Mike and Adam Azzie trained Breeze Over got to the front early in running and kept going resolutely.

The gutsy Breeze Over (16-1) showed no signs of stopping, and the son of Twice Over kept going gamely to win the Aquanaut Handicap by nearly a length and three quarters in a time of 155,19 secs for the 2400m. Marauding Horde (6-1) came on late for second, and just under a length in front of Twenty Drachma’s (10-1).

The favourite Natyam ran out of the money.

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, Breeze Over, who took his earnings to over R700 000 on Saturday, is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Lebombo Breeze. He has won 4 races with 17 places from his 26 starts.

Twice Over is also the sire of the uber consistent Tambourine Man, who showed plenty of courage when winning at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Also sire of noted Gr1 winners such as Do It Again, See It Again, Double Superlative, and Sand And Sea, Twice Over has six lots on offer at the Premier Yearling Sale this week.

Cartier Horse Of The Year in 2000, Giant’s Causeway was Champion Sire in North America three times with his 196 stakes winners including star performers Bricks And Mortars, Footstepsinthesand, Take Charge Brandi, Ghanaati, and First Samurai, as well as the outstanding stallions Not This Time and Shamardal

Breeze Over stays on powerfully under Muzi Yeni as Nathan Klink keeps Marauding Horde at his task| Credit: JC Photos

IN THE SHADOW OF A GIANT

When Breeze Over (Twice Over) scored a front-running win in Saturday’s World Sports Betting Listed Aquanaut Handicap, he once again turned the spotlight on his remarkable broodmare sire Giant’s Causeway.

Cartier Horse Of The Year in 2000, Giant’s Causeway was Champion Sire in North America three times with his 196 stakes winners including star performers Bricks And Mortars, Footstepsinthesand, Take Charge Brandi, Ghanaati, and First Samurai, as well as the outstanding stallions Not This Time and Shamardal.

Giant’s Causeway, famed for his ability to doggedly fight out a finish, has become an exceptional broodmare sire.

Accordingly to arion.co.nz, Breeze Over is the 231st stakes winner produced by a daughter of Giant’s Causeway.

This list is headed US Horse Of The Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride), one of the world’s leading stallions.

A six-time Gr1 winner, whose victories included a two and a quarter length win in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic, Gun Runner has been responsible for six stakes winners this year headed by Gr1 Santa Anita Handicap presented by Yaamava’ Resort & Casino winner, Locked.

Gun Runner has sired 39 stakes winners, 10 Gr1 winners and 13 millionaires, with his first crop born in 2019. The champion son of Candy Ride made waves last year when his

own champion son Sierra Leone won both the Gr1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic and Gr1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.

With both Sierra Leone and Locked remaining in training this year, Gun Runner looks poised to have another big year in 2025.

His stars also include late Gr1 Breeders’ Cup winning champion Echo Zulu, Gr1 Preakness Stakes winning sire Early Voting and multiple Gr1 winning sires Gunite, Taiba and Cyberknife. The Ashford Stud based Gunite, winner of the Gr1 Hopeful Stakes at two and Gr1 Forego Stakes at four, is inbred to Giant’s Causeway as is the Gun Runner sired Gr3 Mineshaft Stakes winner Hall Of Fame.

Giant’s Causeway mares have certainly made their mark in South Africa. The Gr1 Sun Met winning Equus Champion One World (Captain Al), who is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Aquilonia, made an exceptional start to his stud career.

South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2023-2024 and Leading Second Season Sire

this season, One World’s record breaking first crop has unleashed a host of stakes horses headed by Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate/Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner, and exciting potential sire, One Stripe, who runs in this coming Saturday’s HSH Princess Charlene R5 million Big Cap.

Another South African champion produced by a daughter of Giant’s Causeway was the globetrotting Soft Falling Rain (National Assembly). The latter, whose Giant’s Causeway sired dam Gardener’s Delight also produced Heineken Gr2 Cape Stayers winner Let It Rain (Dynasty), won graded or group races in three different countries and was Equus Champion 2YO Colt of 2012. In a brief stud career, Soft Falling Rain sired the graded stakes winners Waterberry Lane, Shangani, Heavens Girl, Montreal Mist, and World Radar, as well as charismatic G1 World Sports Betting SA Derby runner up Zeus.

Other South African stakes winners produced by Giant’s Causeway mares include Listed Spring Spree Stakes winner Vaseem (out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Giant’s Bounty), Listed

Lady’s Bracelet queen A Time To Dream (out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Aqueduct), Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes winner Integrity (out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Illumiere) and Listed Highlands Stud Olympic Duel Stakes/ Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes heroine Call To Account (out of the Giant’s Causeway daughter Jean Jeannie). Mauritian star, and Gr1 Cape Guineas runner-up, White River was produced by Giant’s Causeway mare Irish Torrent.

Another Giant’s Causeway daughter Giant’s Slipper is granddam of 2020 Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Vernichey, while 2021 Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas queen Chansonette’s third dam is the Giant’s Causeway mare Eden’s Causeway.

Wild Intent, runner up in Saturday’s Listed TAB Hawwaam Stakes, is out of a daughter of the Giant’s Causeway mare Wild Orchid.

Breeze Over’s own dam Lebombo Breeze is also the dam of Gr2 Cape Punters Cup winner Hluhluwe and the stakes placed You Know Who.

Giant’s Causeway has emulated his legendary sire Storm Cat in becoming an outstanding broodmare sire.

Storm Cat, whose son Tiger Ridge is broodmare sire of the likes of Isivunguvungu (What A Winter) and Saturday’s Gr2 Hillsborough Stakes runner-up Gimme A Nother (Gimmethegreenlight), is broodmare sire of a staggering 310 stakes winners, including champion and top stallion Speightstown (Gone West).

The latter’s near 100 stakes winners include Saturday’s Gr3 Lambholm Tampa Bay Derby winner, and potential Gr1 Kentucky Derby contender, Owen Almighty.

The majestic champion Giant’s Causeway | Credit: Coolmore

TWICE OVER GELDING BREEZES UP TO 100

Breeze Over’s rating was increased from 94 to 100 following his victory in the World Sports Betting Listed Aquanaut Handicap, over 2400 meters at Turffontein on Saturday.

The consistent fourth-place finisher, Raiseahallelujah, was identified as the most suitable line horse for rating this race, leaving his rating at 103.

Two other runners also received upward adjustments. The runner-up Marauding Horde’s rating increased from 105 to 108.

Twenty Drachma’s, who was 2 points under sufferance in this handicap, was adjusted from 89 to 93 for beating the line horse by 1.5 lengths.

Two runners had their merit ratings lowered after the race. Rule Book dropped from 94 to 92, and Crimson King dropped from 106 to 105.

World Sports Betting Listed Hawwaam Stakes

Immediate Edge, who remains unbeaten in his three starts, had his rating increased from

88 to 94 after his brave win in the World Sports Betting Listed Hawwaam Stakes over 2000 meters.

The Handicappers unanimously agreed that the third-place finisher, Diwali Rocket, was the most suitable line horse for this race, keeping his rating unchanged at 91.

Due to the specific conditions of this race, the winner had to be capped at a maximum of 6 points and placed runners to 3 points.

Consequently, Immediate Edge had to be limited to a rating of 94 despite performing at a much higher level. The narrowly beaten runnerup Wild Intent had to be capped at a rating of 99 despite performing at a higher level. The only other increase went to the fourth-place finisher, Casus Belli, who was increased from 80 to 83.

Panning Gold was the only runner to receive a rating drop, going down from 84 to 80.

• Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 11 March 2025.

HOLLYWOODBETS WORKRIDERS’ SERIES – BURKE

REINFORCES LEAD

Dawn’s Early Light charges clear under a delighted Louis Burke as Ocean Sky (Aviwe Bikwe) and Johnny Drama (Bazile Nkunzi) chase in vain | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Former professional jockey Louis Burke cemented his position at the top of the 2024/25 Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series log when he went from start to finish to win the penultimate leg on the Justin Snaith-trained Dawn’s Early Light to open the Hollywoodbets Durbanville racemeeting on a sunny Saturday.

Burke has now won 3 of the 4 legs in the popular series that serves to acknowledge the vital contribution to the industry of workriders, and provides an excellent opportunity for qualifying riders to showcase their skills and talent on the raceday stage, while gaining genuine race-riding experience.

On Saturday the result was never in doubt as the nuggety chestnut Dawn’s Early Light, who recently changed hands for R105 000 on the BSA March Online Sale where Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith retained their original ownership with Nic Jonsson opting out, showed too much speed for his strung-out opposition.

Louis Burke was glancing around in typical cucumber-cool Andrew Fortune style at the 250m as the Suzette Viljoen-bred colt struck gold to escape the maidens at his seventh start. He went off at 13-10 to beat first-timer Ocean Sky (25-2) under Aviwe Bikwe by 2 lengths in a time of 74,76 secs for the 1250m.

Candice Bass-Robinson’s Johnny Drama (33-1) earned a career first cheque at his sixth start under Bazile Nkunzi in third. By Moutonshoek resident The United States (Galileo), the winner is out of the six-time winner Sea Bean (Philanthropist). He has previously run two places and took his stakes to R101 844.

Louis Burke does it again! | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Interestingly, Hopes And Dreams offer the winner’s Querari half-sister (#263) at the BSA National Yearling Sale on 10 and 11 April.

Louis Burke, who was credited recently by SA champion Richard Fourie as being one of the most hard-working workriders in the system, is a talented horseman and has quite a back story, having spent a post matric gap year doing voluntary work for the South African Riding for the Disabled Association.

In 2015 he enrolled at the SA Jockey Academy and was a ‘senior’ in terms of age.

It was in his second year, and at only his 20th ride, that Louis rode his first winner as a professional.

It was a humble beginning but the sixth race at the now closed Flamingo Park Racecourse on Monday 3 October 2016 is one he will always cherish as he scored on longshot Jozi Babe for trainer Sarel Von Willingh Smit.

While the workriders earn the standard riding commissions in these races, a grand prize of R25 000 is on offer in the Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series and will be shared amongst the top five riders on the final log.

Points are earned by individual positions in each of the four races and to keep all stakeholders updated, Cape Racing will publish a regular log.

The R25 000 prize pool will be allocated as follows:

• Winner earns R12 000

• Runner-up earns R6 000

• Third place earns R4 000

• Fourth place earns R2 000

• Fifth place earns R1 000

While Louis Burke looks tough to beat, the Hollywoodbets Workriders’ Series culminates in an exciting finale on 22 March 2025.

THE LEGEND RETURNS IN STYLE!

The Candyman is back! 2814 days after piloting Hyperactive to victory for Gokhan Terzi at the same venue on 22 June 2017, 57 year old former SA Champion jockey Andrew Fortune broke the ice in his extraordinary late-in-life comeback to the saddle when steering longshot Var Park home at the Vaal on Thursday.

It’s been a long-time between drinks – 7 years, 8 months, 12 days to be precise!

But in typical Fortune style, the former champion casually hit the front sitting dead still on the Grant Maroun galloper, and then still had the nerves of steel to glance behind him as he thwarted a late challenge by Louis Nhlapo on the 7-1 Tchaikovsky to win by three quarters of a length.

“I can’t believe it. I must thank Ashley. Didn’t enjoy working in the stable, I decided to start again. I don’t know why but I’m here,” added an emotional Fortune as his interview showed no stamp of the gung ho approach of bygone years.

It took Fortune 6 rides to break the ice after starting quietly on Saturday 1 March on Classic Day.

He spent a year trying to convince authorities that he warranted a chance to make a comeback.

On Friday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, Fortune followed up when winning on Nelson Bay.

Long-time racing man and Sporting Post reader Theo Roelofsz contacted our offices after the race.

“I had tears in my eyes, ears and mouth. I’ve been an ardent Andy Candyman follower all of his career of nigh on 35 years! Through thick and thin, I, and many a true lover of the game, stuck with the Boytjie! His ups and downs are, and will become, legendary. Memories are made of this. Finis and klaaa! Welcome back Andrew,” enthused Theo.

So say all of us.

PREMIUM INSURANCE FOR PREMIUM BLOODSTOCK

BECAUSE CHAMPION HORSES DESERVE THE BEST IN INSURANCE PROTECTION

Chat with Jo about the various cover options available to you for horses that are up for sale at auction.

JO CAMPHER BLOODSTOCK PRODUCT MANAGER

M 082 334 4940 E jo@kuda.co.za

A PREMIER TWO DAYS: A LOT-BY -LOT SNAPSHOT

An exciting high-quality catalogue awaits prospective buyers when the 2025 CRS Premier Yearling Sale is held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 13 and 14 March , with viewing having opened on Monday 10 March.

Each day of trading is set to commence at 16h00 sharp, with Andrew Miller, John O’Kelly and Tom Hodgson the three auctioneers on the podium for the two-day affair.

The CRS Premier Yearling Sale is set to follow the sterling Summer Sale, which enjoyed such tremendous success earlier in the year.

Day 1 will cover lots 1-162, and Day 2 will see 163-258 go under the hammer.

A PREMIER ’25 BUYERS’ GUIDE

The Raceform Buyers’ Guide is a detailed summary of the dam and siblings of the CRS Premier Yearling Sale yearlings.

It gives insight as to what to expect of the youngsters in terms of class, stamina, sale price.

It’s essential reading for the prospective buyer.

Calm before the storm - the anticipation is building towards Thursday | Credit: CRS

BUYING AT CRS PREMIER YEARLING SALE?

HERE’S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

The diversity and strength across the Cape racing landscape can be seen when browsing the catalogue for the 2025 Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale, which is being held over two days at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th March, starting at 16h00.

There are 245 Lots which are due to come under the hammer, with Gimmethegreenlight and Vercingetorix perhaps understandably the most represented stallions, with 26 and 25 of their yearlings catalogued, respectively, while Rafeef (17), Erik The Red (16), Elusive Fort (15) and Malmoos also feature prominently.

The timing of this Sale came about partly as a result of dialogue between Cape Racing and the Hong Kong Jockey Club as well as other

international buyers, and the date is placed between the two Inglis sales held in Melbourne and in Sydney towards the beginning of March and April, respectively.

This gives Asian-based buyers the opportunity to make all three sales. However, taking place in the middle of March is also the perfect opportunity for Cape Racing Sales to strut its stuff.

Your Q&A Guide:

Where and when is the sale being held?

The 2025 Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale will be held at Hollywodbets Kenilworth on Thursday 13th March and Friday 14th March, both sessions starting at 16h00.

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

The catalogue – available online https://www. caperacingsales.co.za/sale/2025-pys/ and hard copies are available. Contact Vicky Minott for a catalogue vicky@caperacing.co.za

Can horses be viewed before the Sale?

Yes. Viewing is available from Monday 10 March until Wednesday 12 March, daily from 8 am until 17h00. Viewing is also possible on Sales days from 08h00 until 14h00.

Can I arrive on the day(s) of the sale and bid for a yearling?

To purchase a yearling from the Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale you’ll need to apply for a buyer’s card, which is possible via the Cape Racing Sale website.

How do I get a buyer’s card?

Apply online through caperacingsales. co.za and follow the prompts. The process

involves creating a profile and agreeing to the Conditions of Sale. If you have a profile, you’ll need to log on and agree to the Conditions of Sale to activate your buyers’ card for the Premier Yearling Sale. If you are experiencing any issue, contact Vicky Minott vicky@caperacing.co.za

If I have a successful bid, how do I choose a trainer?

Things to consider are: Where do you live? Do you want to see your horse at the stables or on race day? If yes, start with trainers in the province where you live. Owners in the Cape can contact the Cape Turf Club for assistance, Tammy Gilmour will be available during the sale and available via tammy@caperacing.co.za

How important are regular updates?

Ask a Cape Racing Sales person to introduce you to a few trainers at the Sale and get a feel for them and ask questions.

The biggest suggestion is to ask people and use your initiative.

Do I have to be there in person, or can I bid online?

The 2025 Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale has a remote bidding facility available. Please register for the remote bidding facility by selecting the option when applying for your buyers’ card online. A link to the remote bidding facility will be send by the Cape Racing Sales finance team ahead of the Premier Yearling Sale.

Is there a minimum reserve price attached to the Yearlings catalogued?

There is a minimum bid which the auctioneers announce at the beginning of the Sale, the minimum bid on Day 1 is R50 000 and adjusted to R25 000 on Day 2. The Vendors are permitted to submit reserve prices on their drafts, and if a horse doesn’t meet reserve, it will go through the sales ring unsold.

Buyers are encouraged to engage with vendors/breeders should you wish to make an offer thereafter.

I’ve heard people talk about pin-hooking. What is this?

Pin-hooking is an expression to describe the practice of buying a horse at one stage of their development (in this case a yearling) and then selling that horse at a later stage. An example of this is the brilliant One Stripe, who was pin-hooked for R100,000 and later sold as an unraced two-year-old for R1.4-million. He has subsequently gone on to win both the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas and L’Ormarins King’s Plate. The Pinhooking incentive scheme is available for Day 2 purchases only and should you wish to participate in it, send your request to Justin Vermaak justin@caperacing.co.za

What are the chances of success if I buy into a Syndicate?

Being part of a Syndicate will create new friendships and you’ll have a lot of fun along the way. There are currently 17 verified Cape Turf Club syndicates.

More syndicate information is available on the Cape Racing website: https://caperacing.co.za/ cape-turf-club/

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

The Social Squad will be looking to invest at the Premier Yearling Sale and will be available during the sale to discuss your interest.

How much will it cost me to enter a syndicate?

That would depend on the purchase price of the horse and the percentage stake you would have. Some syndicates offer from 1%. The Syndicates will post adverts outlining the costs involved and you can communicate directly with the syndicators for more information. These adverts are typically posted on the syndicate’s social media pages.

Find them here: https://caperacing.co.za/capeturf-club/

What added incentives are there to be gained from buying at this sale?

Graduates of the 2025 Premier Yearling Sale

qualify for the following incentives: the 2026 R3m CRS Slipper (2yo) 1200m, the 2027 R1m CRS Mile (3yo) 1600m, the 2027 R1m CRS Sprint (3yo) 1200m, as well as a R100,000 CRS Juvenile Stakes bonus (R75,000 owner and R25,000 vendor) and the CRS Big Cap.

If I need further information who can I contact?

Justin Vermaak justin@caperacing.co.za

Vicky Minott vicky@caperacing.co.za or simply call us on 021 700 1600

How can I follow on social media?

Facebook: @caperacingsales

Instagram: @caperacingsales

Twitter: @CapeRacingSales

Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

OSCAR’S THOUGHTS ON STALLIONS

It is a ‘thing’ to work through recipe books, cooking the dishes and then reporting on them, whether by blog post or YouTube video. ‘Cooking the books’ is a great name for the genre.

With this in mind, I sat down with volume I of the Form Stallion Register, published in 1979. What made this timing interesting was

the overlap between the 70s and 80s; some stallions were deep into their stud careers and others were just starting.

Oscar Foulkes writes that some of the big names that were at stud during this time included Persian Wonder, New South Wales, Royal Prerogative, Oligarchy, Noble Chieftain, Harry Hotspur and Royal Affair. Outside of

The outstanding Persian Wonder | Credit: Supplied

these, there were numerous stallions with stakes-winner percentages (from foals) above 6% (i.e. double the breed average).

From the perspective of learning and drawing insights, the 46 years that have passed enable statistics to shine their unbiased light on those stallions’ records at stud. The passage of time also means that there are fewer people (i.e. connected to those stallions) who could be upset by anything I say!

As an exercise in getting a bigger picture, longrange view of things – of getting context – it’s one of the most valuable ways I’ve spent a day.

Before I get into specifics, there are a few quick observations:

- Many South African bred stallions went to stud (and failed), although few of them had the support of the likes of Elevation, Harry Hotspur or Trocadero.

- Top-class racehorses by world leading stallions generally did well.

- Just one unraced stallion made any kind of impression (Peaceable Kingdom).

- I couldn’t find a poor racehorse that did well at stud.

With that pool of 124 stallions, representing a broad range of pedigrees, racing aptitudes and origins, there’s a lot to assimilate.

We may as well begin with the sprinters, which are disproportionately represented. Considering how many went to stud, relative to high-class classic horses, the suggestion is that sprinters aren’t the short route to success. With this in mind, perhaps the biggest error was the importation of so many sons of Tudor Melody, himself a top-rated two-year-old in Britain with five wins over 1000m as a juvenile.

This is not to say that no sprinters were

successful. The best of the lot – and perhaps a contender for the most under-utilised stallion of all – was Royal Affair.

A sensationally brilliant sprinter, his class took him to victory in the Queen’s Plate over a distance probably beyond his best, despite breaking down in running. In a stud career spanning 17 crops, he sired just 181 foals. 73% of these were winners, and a phenomenal 14% were stakes-winners.

We also had Mexico, Harry Hotspur and several others that produced creditable stats without challenging for Champion Sire status.

The implication is that it wasn’t enough to be a classy sprinter. Something extra was required, whether pedigree, conformation, or some kind of x-factor in the form of particular brilliance as a racehorse.

At the other end of the spectrum, we had four stallions that placed in the St Leger (or equivalent). Of these, just Hobnob (with 7.3% of stakes-winners, but a below-par 42% of winners) could be regarded as a qualified success.

Three other notable influences for stamina –Free Ride (11.7% stakes-winners), Prince Sao (11.7% SW) and Jamaico (6.8% SW) – were at their best between 2000m and 2400m. Whilst Prince Sao broke his maiden over 1600m as a two-year-old, none of them won over 1600m as older horses.

Looking at this from both ends of the speedstamina spectrum, top-class form over 1600m to 2000m appears to be the sweet spot, preferably backed up by being the son of a top international stallion.

As always, there was a group of stallions one would regard as being generally undervalued.

Despite good stats, they never got the support they deserved, both in quantity and quality of mares. In no particular order (and mainly for the benefit for those of us who have been around far too long), think back to your favourite racehorses sired by Boot Camp, Caerdeon, Dowdstown Charley, St Cuthbert, Silverware, and Port Merion. If Savonarola (the sire of Furious) had been in the Stallion Register, he too would have been on this list.

This little canter down memory lane would be incomplete without including two careers that were cut short.

Jan Ekels sired just 87 foals in four crops, yielding 12 stakes-winners. New South Wales managed to get to 12 crops of 197 foals, but his third, fourth and fifth crops totalled just 14 foals. His 140 winners and 45 stakes-winners were delivered at a strike rate reserved for the most mythical of stallions.

We cannot finish without including a cautionary tale, which is delivered thanks to Flirting Around, the King’s Stand Stakes-winning Champion Sprinter.

His sire, Round Table, was a champion racehorse and influential sire, although for much more stamina than was displayed by Flirting Around. Retired to Birch Bros, his first four crops produced a spectacular 14 stakeswinners from just 102 foals, including the great Wolf Power. If his stud career had ended at that point we’d be mourning a tragic loss. However, that was the peak of his career; he sired one stakes-winner in each of crops five, six, seven and eight. He sired none in his final eight crops.

Unfortunately, the best view we have of stallions’ success (or not) is when they are deep into their stud careers. Breeders and buyers are making crucial decisions in advance of having full knowledge.

Crop sizes were a lot smaller in those days, because that’s just the way things were, even for popular stallions. If we throw forward to the 80’s, stallions like Elliodor and Complete Warrior were so poorly supported to start that their crop sizes hovered around 10 (or less). That didn’t stop them ‘making it’.

With credit to John Koster, who flighted his thoughts about crop sizes over dinner this week, perhaps we’re going about this the wrong way.

In theory, if all stallions covered 120 mares, the country’s broodmare band couldn’t support more than about 20 stallions. However, if we set the bar at the level of the 70’s and 80’s, this could be significantly escalated. One of the positive outcomes would be that more stallions will be given a chance, even if it’s at the level of 15 or 20 foals per crop.

Perhaps out of that cohort of new drafts will come a few stallions that could dislodge the iron grip that the top three or four stallions have on buyers’ wallets.

In making sense of the stallion options, I find it extremely useful to have the context that this kind of research provides.

As a stud, we own hardly any stallion shares.

On the one hand, it means that Gimmethegreenlight and Vercingetorix are not available to us (and I’m expecting One World to go onto that list this year, too).

On the other hand, it leaves us free to use

the underrated or unproven stallions that fit in with established patterns of success. Without the luxury/comfort of relying on a couple of in-demand stallions we have to work a lot harder at everything else we do in order to compensate.

In a sense, Normandy Stud’s need for flexibility or creativity with limited options is a bit like the origin of the Caesar salad (although cookbooks have multiple versions of the recipe).

The story goes that a Tijuana restaurant, owned by Caesar Cardini, got nailed on a long weekend in the 1920’s. They had sold out of many menu items. For reasons that no-one has been able to explain, Caesar had lots of Romaine lettuce. He also had the ingredients

that went into the dressing, along with the Parmesan shavings and croutons for finishing the salad. He drew on the skill and experience of his waiters in getting them to assemble the salad tableside.

Severely limited availability of ingredients forced him to be super creative. He invented an iconic dish out of necessity.

Who would have thought that a split pedigree book would have anything in common with a recipe book!

Ed – Normandy Stud have 11 yearlings on the CRS Premier Yearling Sale starting on Thursday 13 March 2025.

The 1959 Queens Plate winner Royal Affair | Credit: Supplied

GOOSE’S GOLDEN EGGS

Louis Goosen with jockey Deryl Daniels (Left) | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Veteran Summerveld trainer Louis Goosen is determined to give something back to a game that has served him and his family over two generations. The Goose speaks animatedly about the satisfaction he has gained from seeing the SA Jockey Academy apprentices enjoying his coaching on some fundamentals of life that many of us take for granted.

“In racing, we seem to enjoy complaining and criticizing. I have decided that I’d rather contribute and make a difference. Fixing the issues is a better outcome than walking around with a poisoned mind and a frown on the brow,” he adds matter of factly.

The Sporting Post visited Louis and his artist partner Lauren Watt at their immaculately appointed Summerveld yard on Monday morning as the 64 year old readied himself to travel to the Cape for the CRS Premier Yearling Sale this week.

The abundant silverware proudly adorning the office speaks of serious achievement on the racetrack over 31 years as a licenced trainer both in Gauteng and KZN.

“We didn’t buy those trophies at Cash Converters, you know,” laughs Louis as he reflects on the great days and also the tougher times, most recently during the lean covid years when he was down to just 8 horses.

But he’s a survivor and a soldier and today the Hollywoodbets -sponsored trainer has 35 horses in his team and is enjoying operating on an ever- changing landscape in a province that will soon be under new management, and under the same umbrella as Cape Racing.

“Hollywood and Greg Bortz are doing great things. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make this game great again. We all need to

contribute positively. The Cape and KZN are two very different playgrounds. What works there may not work here. The process has been consultative so far. That’s a sign of good management. Exciting times!” he adds with a smile,

Louis’ former jockey cum champion trainer Dad Danie was killed in a motor accident when Louis was just 16. It was a life gamechanger of enormous proportions. The Marist Brothers pupil had to grow up fast. After school he did a trade as an electrician, fulfilled his conscription commitment to the Defence Force and then did Youth work.

Forty years later, as a wiser and weathered individual with plenty of business experience under the belt and an intimate grasp and insight of all aspects of the racing industry, Louis has stepped in to the Youth work role that he was once enjoyed so much, again – this time a stone’s throw from his yard at the SA Jockey Academy at Summerveld.

“The SA Jockey Academy is one of the most respected institutions of its kind on earth and has been a proud producer of champion riders that have carried the flag internationally for many years. But we have found over time that, while the guys are taught to ride and to look after their horses, there is little focus on basic life and personal business skills. It’s a reality that each one of them is a brand. They become a provisional tax-payer. They have to deal with stakeholders. But they aren’t geared a lot of the time. That’s where my short course comes in and they seem to have taken to it in a big way.”

A look at the ‘Golden Eggs’ – the modules on the Goose’ syllabus list - shows that he has completed 7 of the 10 focus points after starting with the 4 Stages Of Learning and the concept of ‘GOYA’ in January.

“It is heartening to see the guys energized and running from ring to ring with enthusiasm. GOYA means ‘getting off your arse’ – basic stuff, really. But they can opt for SOYA and reap what they sew,” he laughs.

SOYA apparently means ‘sitting on your arse’.

The youngsters also get to learn about transactional states, about their personalities, the ‘I’m okay, you’re okay’ approach, staying okay, building their brands, polishing their image, getting rides, etc.

“Whatever their cultural or family origin, they have really warmed to the lectures. I keep them short – say 20 minutes of intense theoretical background – then we sit and tell true stories and use real life examples. I am proud to say that they weren’t too pleased that we postponed this week as I will be down in Cape Town at the Premier sale. That’s a sign of buyin. Half the battle is won!”

Louis tells how he has observed an increase in competitiveness between individual apprentices.

“The mindsets are starting to change already. When they realise that they are all running their own business and competing with the guy who sleeps in the bed alongside them in the dormitory, they start developing and maturing. It’s exciting to see the growth in a short time!” Louis was born into a racing stable, his late father, Danie having been many times

Champion Trainer in the Eastern Cape, after his weight caught up with him as a jockey. Whilst riding, Danie was extremely competitive. He rode Wendy House to victory in the inaugural Eastern Cape Derby and Danie also rode all of the winners of the jackpot on the day.

The silverware in the Goosen cabinet bears testimony to the late Danie Goosen’s many achievements and championships as a trainer before his untimely death in a motor accident in 1977.

Louis started training in 1994, after a spell as Assistant Trainer to Chris Erasmus, then based at Newmarket.

The late Buddy Maroun was a longtime friend of Louis. The friendship really grew from 1996 onwards once Louis moved his string to Randjesfontein. There, Buddy became a mentor. Buddy’s death on 18 February 2008, whilst in Argentina, left Louis devastated.

Piere ‘Striker”’ Strydom was married to Louis’ sister, Beaty and remains a close friend.

Arguably the greatest SA jockey of all time, Piere has ridden more than 5500 winners of more than 22000 races.

Piere has won every single Grade 1 race on the South African racing calendar at least once. On more than one occasion, Piere has ridden 7 winners on the same day and he has ridden in Hong Kong, UK, Dubai, Mauritius, Zimbabwe and Australia. Over the years Piere and Louis have formed a firm bond, which transcends the day to day politics and fickle aspects of racing.

This bond has grown steadily since 1988, when Louis was instrumental in bringing Piere up to Gauteng from Port Elizabeth to ride for Trainer Brett Warren. Piere and Louis’ accumulated racing experiences have left both in no doubt

of the fact that racing is, at its core, a common sense industry and nothing else.

To Louis, Piere remains what he has always been- the best jockey in South Africa by far. The veteran’s honest, no nonsense, accurate and commonsense feedback after riding a horse remains the jewel in the crown of any stable for whom he rides.

Louis believes that this week’s Premier Yearling sale is going to be very competitive.

“It’s a high quality catalogue and recent sales have shown that the enthusiasm and buying

power is there. I have earmarked the pages that have caught my eye. I believe in buying well through focusing on value and eliminating risk. I have a solid track record of acquiring low budget horses that have gone on and done well, and that will be my aim again. I expect to be more active on Day 2 when the CRS Pinhooking incentive scheme is available.”

Louis is willing to assist anybody considering buying. He arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday and can be contacted on 083 959 6262.

Louis is a thinker – and can get quite serious! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

RIDGEMONT SIRES

FIRING AHEAD OF SALES

Canford Cliffs son Bournemouth makes it two on the trot under Richard Fourie | Credit: Pauline Herman

The champagne corks were popping down in the beautiful Robertson valley on Friday with the Ridgemont team celebrating another sparkling performance by their stallions in two provinces, with their red-hot five-time Grade 1 winner Canford Cliffs the star of the show.

The local SA double-header commenced with a Fairview turf meeting, and after Canford Cliff’s midweek 1250m and 1800m double at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, the Royal Ascot star marked another versatility stamped two-timer.

First up it was the Ridgemont bred and raced Executor who grabbed her fourth career victory in the fifth, an MR 82 Handicap over the 1000m turf.

Ridden by Ridgemont retained jockey Richard Fourie, the 5yo Executor beat a mixed sex field with a hint of authority and has been a consistent earner. She is out of the prolific winner producing National Assembly seven-time winning Antonia’s Law, a class Ridgemont family!

A celebrated champion miler of his time and a five-time Gr1 winner, Canford Cliffs again demonstrated his versatility when his son Bournemouth recorded his eighth career success in the final event, a 2700m Pinnacle Stakes.

Out of the thrice-winning British-bred Galileo mare Serruria, Bournemouth is owned by Ridgemont and leased to Messrs D Cicognini, L Grammer, John Lamb, and Mr & Mrs Alan

Greeff, who have enjoyed great fun with the gelding who has earned at 15 of his 24 starts, winning from a mile to 2700m!

Up on the East Coast, the Hollywoodbets Greyville day-night racemeeting produced more success for the Ridgemont stallion band!

After his outstanding feature double at Classic Day at Turffontein last Saturday, Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) son Nelson Bay delivered a gutsy front-running performance to become former champion Andrew Fortune’s first winner in KZN in 8 years since coming in from the cold.

Now a four-time winner, Nelson Bay stayed on powerfully to win the 1400m B Stakes, and looks to have more to come.

Earlier in the evening it was Ridgemont’s Gr1 winning Singspiel stallion Potala Palace’s time to shine when the 3yo Serpentine Fire cracked his maiden in progressive fashion at his third start. Out of the eight-time winning Spectrum daughter Weekend Special, Serpentine Fire has improved in leaps and bounds since his January debut and looks one to follow.

Looking ahead to the sales, Canford Cliffs, a former Irish 2000 Guineas winner has a single lot on offer at the Premier Yearling Sale, and likewise a single lot on the National Yearling Sale.

Rafeef has 16 lots going through the ring at the CRS Premier Yearling Sale at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth tomorrow and Friday, and a further 34 lots on the BSA National Yearling Sale in April.

YOU TOO CAN OWN YOUR OWN ISI!

Narrow Creek Stud have bred a truly world-class sprinter in the form of Isivunguvungu. The latter, a likely contender for the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night, was Equus Champion Sprinter of 2022-2023, with Isivunguvungu winning six of 15 starts including both the Gr1 Computaform Sprint and Gr1 Mercury Sprint in 2023.

The farm be offering a strong draft at the CRS 2025 Premier Yearling Sale, including yearlings sired by all of Canford Cliffs, Elusive Fort, Erik The Red, Hawwaam, Rafeef and Isivunguvungu’s own sire What A Winter.

This draft also includes a colt by Australian star Microphone, a son of Exceed And Excel who was crowned Australia’s Champion 2YO in 2018-2019. John Everett picked out two particularly appealing yearlings in his consignment.

Lot 118 – Unnamed (c) by Microphone ex All Come True

By a champion son of champion sire, out of a winning daughter of four-time Gr1 winner and successful sire All Too Hard. Dam out of a twice-winning daughter of Galileo, Dreams And Wishes, a full-sister to the Australian stakes winning dam of Gr1 VRC Oaks victress Personal. Third dam is Gr3 VATC Triscay Stakes winner and outstanding producer Procrastinate, the dam of 12 winners including dual South African champion and five-time

Life is a breeze at Narrow Creek | Credit: Narrow Creek Stud on FB

Gr1 winner Laisserfaire. The latter was sired by Danehill, the grandsire of Microphone. Neat well put together, looks like quite a speedy type.

Lot 127 - Wont Do That (f) by Rafeef ex Bat Out Of Hell

By Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner and topclass sire, out of a twice-winning Querari halfsister to the superstar Isivunguvungu. Dam out of four-time winner Miss Tweedy by top-class broodmare sire Tiger Ridge, and Breeders Guineas winner Dancing Penny. From the family of Gr1 Gold Challenge winner King

Of Pain and Australian Gr1 winners Above Deck and Deck The Halls.

A beautiful individual out of a half-sister to Isivunguvungu, who we are holding thumbs for on World Cup Night in Dubai.

• For more information on Narrow Creek’s draft, please contact John on 082 377 2912.

KLAWERVLEI PRESENTS A WORLD CLASS DRAFT

Klawervlei Stud continues to make waves, with the Bonnievale based farm having bred two of South Africa’s hottest stallions.

The Klawervlei-bred Vercingetorix, South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2024-2025, is having a remarkable season this year, with the champion son of Silvano having already supplied 12 stakes winners of 13 black type races in 20242025.

Yet another top-class stallion bred by Klawervlei is One World, with that Met winning champion’s first crop headed by star three-year-old One Stripe among others. Buyers will have their own chance to buy their own One World or Vercingetorix when Klawervlei brings a worldclass consignment to the Premier Yearling Sale.

The draft includes yearlings sired by such top-class stallions as the aforementioned pair of Vercingetorix and One World, as well as by Gimmethegreenlight, Rafeef and Trippi.

A few likely standouts include:

Lot 4 – Unnamed (f) by Vercingetorix ex Gibraltar Blue

A full-sister to Betway Listed Swallow Stakes third Cullinan Blue, this blue-blooded individual is a half-sister to Gr2 SA Nursery third Battleoftrafalgar and the stakes placed Pillar Of Hercules. Dam to six winners, was a

The serenity of Klawervlei! | Credit: Kawervlei Stud on FB

top-class racehorse, who won all of the Gr2 KRA Fillies Guineas, Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge, Gr2 Tibouchia Stakes and Gr3 Joburg Spring F&M Challenge. Very athletic with good quarters and is well-balanced

Lot 75 – Unnamed (c) by Rafeef ex Schism

A half-brother to three winners including multiple graded stakes winner Seeking The Stars, out of a Listed Winter Oaks winning half-sister to the stakes winning dam of exported Gr1 SA Classic winner Lobo’s Legend. Granddam was Wolf Power’s top-class daughter Wild Wolverine. This is the family of Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks winner Pine Princess, whose son Native Ruler ran third in this season’s Gr3 City Of Cape Town Politician Stakes and who looks to be a promising sort. Good size, athletic with good reign and quarters

Lot 88 – Secret Getaway (c) by Gimmethegreenlight ex Sovereign Secret Dam is bred on similar lines to the Dynasty sired champion Bela-Bela, is out of a stakes winning daughter of Dynasty and the Captain Al sired champion All Is Secret. The latter, winner of all of the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship, Gr1 Thekwini Stakes and Gr1 Mercury Sprint, a full-sister to Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner The Secret Is Out and is also closely related to the dual Gr1 winning dam of Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot and the dam of this season’s dual Gr1 winning three-year-old Eight On Eighteen. Lots of quality, depth and substance.

Lot 92 – Unnamed (c) by Gimmethegreenlight ex Sting Operation

Bred on the potent Gimmethegreenlight/ Captain Al cross, a half-brother to three winners including Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes/Gr3 Cape Classic winner Silver Operator and the smart Prometerre. From the

family of Gimmethegreenlight’s promising twoyear-old son Malmesbury Missile, dam, herself a winner of the Listed Swallow Stakes, is out of the Western Winter-sired Gr1 Thekwini Stakes winner Roxanne.

From the same family as Horse Of The Year and successful sire Legislate as well as fellow Equus Champion Gabor. High quality and well-balanced.

Lot 97 – Unnamed (f) by Vercingetorix ex The Secret Is Out

Bred on similar lines to the Vercingetorix sired stakes winner Roman Agent and on the same cross as recent Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes winner Double Grand Slam, out of Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner. Dam a fullsister to fellow Allan Robertson winner All Is Secret, very closely related to the Captain Al sired dual Gr1 winner Snowdance (dam of Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas hero Snow Pilot) and Sempre Libre. The latter is the dam of this season’s Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met/Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby winner Eight On Eighteen. Strong, well-balanced and athletic with a huge depth and quarters.

Lot 107 – Unnamed (c) by Vercingetorix ex Varsity Girl

Bred on the same cross as Gr1 winner Alesian Chief, this half-brother to two useful winners is out of a twice-winning three-parts sister to the Var-sired Gr1 Mercury Sprint runner up Al Sakeet. Granddam is Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship winner Give Me Five, the dam of Gr3 winner Myfunnyvalentine, and this is the family of champions Consensual, Just Sensual and Tatler. With quality, depth and quarters – he looks speedy.

For more information on this draft, interested parties are asked to contact Tracey Nash on 066 185 7197

HOPES AND DREAMS PRESENTS

A ‘FRANTASTIC’ DRAFT

Hopes And Dreams Stud is home to one of the best-bred stallions in South Africa. Frantastic, who showed promise in a brief racing career, is a son of unbeaten superstar Frankel, one of the world’s great stallions.

Hopes And Dreams Stud is home to one of the best-bred stallions in South Africa. Frantastic, who showed promise in a brief racing career, is a son of unbeaten superstar Frankel, one of the world’s great stallions.

Among Frankel’s numerous star performers are Arc winner Alpinista, Gr1 winners Adayar, Hurricane Lane, Chaldean, Logician, Soul Sister, Anapurna, Inspiral, Lake Victoria and Cracksman.

The latter, a full-brother to Frantastic, was an

outstanding performer who won eight of 11 starts, with six group victories including back to back runnings of the Gr1 Champion Stakes. As a Champion Sire in France in 2003, he made waves when his unbeaten son Ace Impact, of his first crop, won the 2003 Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Hopes And Dreams Stud will be bringing a sixstrong draft at the CRS 2025 Premier Yearling Sale, made up of yearlings sired by Hawwaam, Legislate, Malmoos and Rafeef.

Future champions at Hopes And Dreams | Credit: Hopes And Dreams on FB

Lot 13 – Unnamed (f) by Rafeef ex Happy Archer

By a Gr1 winning son of Redoute’s Choice, out of a dual Gr1 winning daughter of Dubawi, she has plenty to recommend her. Shares her sire with such high-class fillies as Frances Ethel, Mon Petit Cherie, Beating Wings, Mrs Browning and Chasing Happiness, among others.

Dam was a top-class racemare, a broodmare sire of more than 80 stakes winners, won a trio of graded races, notably the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes and Gr1 Garden Province Stakes, earned more than R1.3 million in stakes. Already dam of four winners, herself a half-sister to high-class Australian stakes-winner Femina Fashion.

Lot

71 – Unnamed (c) by Malmoos ex Ruby And Roses

A son of champion sire Captain Al (as is One World), South African Triple Crown winner Malmoos has his first yearlings this year. Out of a mare who won four times, granddam, Rahy Cashmere, a daughter of outstanding sire and broodmare sire Rahy, who in turn, is a winning half-sister to US stakes winner Knit One Purr Too; whose dam is a Danzig half-sister to a pair of US graded stakes winners. Same female line as outstanding milers Intikhab, Polish Precedent and Zilzal, and Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner Seize The Grey.

Lot 200 – Unnamed

(c) by Hawwaam ex Quepid

Champion Sire has made a fine start with his two-year-olds, with his first two runners including the smart debut winner Read All About It. The five-time Gr1 winner shares his sire Silvano with current star sire Vercingetorix.

Dam a twice-winning daughter of Querari, whose daughters have already produced the likes of Chansonette and Peach Daiquiri. A half-sister to the six-time winning dam of the very speedy Chocolate Soldier, out of Flowing Stars, a daughter of Western Winter and Gr3 Champagne Stakes winner Waterwise.

Lot 204 – Unnamed (f) by Legislate ex Russet Savannah

Daughter of Horse Of The Year and four-time Gr1 winner Legislate, a stallion who sports some outstanding statistics. Dam by world leading broodmare sire Spectrum, already produced five winners.

The well-bred dam is a winning half-sister to Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship/Gr2 KZN Fillies Guineas winner On Her Toes, her dam a thrice winning half to Gr1 winners Follow The Falcon and Savannah Queen.

Lot 213 - Unnamed (c) by Malmoos ex Silver Tiara

Out of the useful racemare, a daughter of Listed Sun Classique Handicap runner up Satin Silver. The latter was sired high-class Australian sire Commands, the broodmare sire of more than 50 stakes winners including multiple Equus Champion Got The Greenlight. Satin Silver, a half-sister to the dam of Listed Breeders Guineas winner Europeana, is out of the Rainbow Quest mare Bow Street, half to Gr3 winners Love Everlasting and Baron Ferdinand. A female line of such outstanding international performers as Shirley Heights, Pentire and Divine Proportions among others.

Lot 233 – Unnamed (c) by Malmoos ex Zagara

Twice-winning dam by Malmoos’ close relative Master Of My Fate, a half-sister to Surcharge, aka Yulong Prince, winner of the Gr1 Daily News 2000 in South Africa and the Gr1 Cantala Stakes in Australia. Granddam also the granddam of Mauritian star Walls Of Dubrovnik , a three-parts sister to Gr3 Queen’s Vase winner Endorsement, second dam a five-time winning daughter of the highly influential sire and broodmare sire Shirley Heights. A family of numerous top-class performers including champion racehorses and top-class sires Kris and Diesis.

• For more information on Hopes And Dreams Stud and their Premier Sale draft, interested parties can contact Suzette Viljoen on 082 773 3811.

BLACK SWAN PRESENTS A PREMIER SELECTION

Black Swan Stud is a farm which continues to churn out smart winners. The Robertson farm’s growing list of high-class alumni include the classy half-sisters Celtic Rumours and Almond Sea, winners of this season’s Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring F&M Challenge and Listed Betway Swallow Stakes respectively.

Black Swan also made waves at the Summer Sale earlier in the year, where they sold a fullbrother to Almond Sea for R600 000.

Home to champion Elusive Fort, whose numerous high-class offspring include the charismatic Gr1 Vodacom Durban July/ Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met

winning sire Kommetdieding, Black Swan Stud has prepared a quality draft for the CRS 2025 Premier Yearling Sale.

Their string includes not only yearlings by Elusive Fort, but also by such stallions as Erupt, Gold Standard, Flower Alley and Master Of My Fate. A few likely standout lots include:

Lot 2 – Unnamed (f) by Master Of My Fate ex Field Flower

Sire consistently ranks as among the leading sires in South Africa., top daughters include Gr1 winners Sentbydestiny and Zarina, Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies

Bred by Black Swan Stud - Celtic Rumours (Gavin Lerena) is a winner of the Betway Gr2 Joburg Spring F&M Challenge | Credit: JC Photos

Guineas winner Lady Of Power and Gr3 Goals And Gallops Final Fling Stakes queen Pretty Betty. Sire of promising current fillies Destiny Of Fire, Lady Springfield, Tap Shoes and Two G’s, while his Splicethemainbrace won eight of her first ten starts.

Silvano-sired dam a top-class performer , winner of Gr1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas. She has produced six winners including Gr1 Sun Met runner up and sire Last Winter.

A strong, well-proportioned type who walks well and with purpose, hard to fault on conformation.

Lot 80 – Unnamed (f) by Elusive Fort ex Silvan Star

Dam showed tremendous ability during her career, winning seven, including the Gr3 Final Fling Stakes and Listed Highlands Stud Ladies Mile, and finishing third in both the Gr1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes and Gr1 The Premier’s Champions Challenge.

Dam to the useful Nothingelsematters. Out of the Lecture mare Bold Choice, a threeparts sister to champion Bold Silvano, with the latter a son of Silvan Star’s granddam Bold Saffron. Strong, correct and a good active walker, with a well-proportioned body. A deep chest and a strong, sloping shoulder make her an eye-catching prospect.

Lot 91 - Unnamed (f) by Elusive Fort ex Step Out

Third foal for her dam, first foal being the useful Walk With Me. A daughter of six-time South African champion sire Silvano, wellbred, half-sister to Gr2 Betting World 1900 winner Solid Speed, and two other blacktype horses.

From the family of recent Hong Kong winner Mid Winter Wind, dam also hails from the family of Singapore champion Lizarre.

A speedy type who is strong and correct. Well put together, she is a busy walker who has a good action.

Lot 159 – Unnamed (f) by Gold Standard ex Elusive

Heart

Sire made his mark with his small first crop producing the graded stakes winning fillies Golden Hostess and Hold My Hand. Dam by Elusive Fort is enjoying increasing success as a broodmare sire, a high-class racemare who won or placed in nine black-type races, biggest win being the 2018 Gr3 Vasco Prix Du Cap, where Elusive Heart accounted for the likes of Rose In Bloom, Captain’s Flame, Final Judgement and Goodtime Gal. Dam’s first runner, a full-sister to the filly on sale, has won, also showed top-class form when finishing third in the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes. On that occasion, dam accounted for such top-class performers Gimme Six, Simply Royal, Folk Dance, She’s A Giver and The Secret Is Out.

This is a beautiful, eye catching individual who walks like a dream, correct and strong through the shoulder and quarter.

Lot 169 – Unnamed (c) by Gold Standard ex Golden Dawn

From one of the best families in the stud book, a half-brother to three winners. Dam bred on similar lines to the Goldmark sired champion Trademark, Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes winner, half to Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Chestnuts N Pearls.This is the great Party Time family, responsible for such stars as In The Fast Lane, Trademark, and Let’s Rock ‘N Roll.

A lovely, strong, very good walker with a lovely stride who fills the eye.

Lot 193 Unnamed (f) by Elusive Fort ex Omaticaya

Champion sire is well known as the sire of July/Met winning star Kommetdieding, and also sired a host of top-class fillies, including Grade One winners Siren’s Call and Lauderdale, Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas runner up Safe Harbour, SA Oaks winner Secret Potion, and graded stakes winners Big Burn, Elusive Heart, Fort Ember, Freedom Charter, and Sprinkles. Dam a daughter of six-time

South African champion sire Silvano, was a smart performer whose four wins included a triumph in the Listed Jamaica Handicap. Beaten just over three lengths, by Beach Beauty, in the Gr1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes, dam finished second in the following year’s Jamaica Handicap.

Elegant and racey, fills the eye and is well grown and correct, very athletic walk, beautifully put together.

For more information on this draft, interested parties can contact Walter Cowe on 063 662 1250.

ELUSIVE FORT

MARK THE DATE: NATIONALS ON 10 & 11 APRIL

Bloodstock South Africa reports that an exceptional catalogue has been drawn up for the 2025 National Yearling Sale.

Bloodstock South Africa reports that an exceptional catalogue has been drawn up for the 2025 National Yearling Sale.

This catalogue is online and can be viewed at www.bsa.co.za

Graduates of the 2023 National Sale have, in particular, enjoyed another wonderful few months, with their ranks headed by Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met/ Gr1 SplashOut

Cape Derby winner Eighteen On Eighteen, and fellow graded stakes winners Cats Pajamas, Cosmic Speed, Fire Attack, Greaterix, and Simply Majestic. This season’s Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas winner Fatal Flaw was a bargain R210 000 purchase from the 2023 National Sale.

This year, the National Yearling Sale will take place at the TBA Complex in Germiston from Thursday 10 April to Friday 11 April, with each

The BSA 2025 National Yearling catalogue is now available online | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

day of trading set to commence at 10h00. The majority of South Africa’s top stud farms will be represented at the sale, as will South Africa’s top stallions. Among the leading sires represented at the 2025 National Sale are Gimmethegreenlight, Master Of My Fate, One World, Querari, Rafeef, Trippi, Vercingetorix and What A Winter.

The sale will also be offering a pair of yearlings sired by stallions standing overseas. Darley’s dual Gr1 winner Harry Angel is represented here by a colt (Lot 73) from the family of topclass US galloper Lil’s Lad, while exciting young sire, and Gr1 Phoenix Stakes hero, Lucky Vega has two yearlings on offer.

Ridgemont’s exciting young stallions Malmoos and Real Gone Kid both have members of their eagerly awaited first crops on the National Yearling Sale, as does Trippi’s Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint winning son Chimichuri Run.

Grade One winning mares represented on the National Sale this year include Alboran Sea (colt by Hawwaam), Ash Cloud (colt by Futura), Bela-Bela (colt by Vercingetorix),

Nightingale (colt by What A Winter), Orchid Island (filly by Rafeef), Pine Princess (filly by Gimmethegreenlight), Redberry Lane (filly by Vercingetorix), River Jetez (colt by Vercingetorix), She’s A Keeper (colt by Vercingetorix), Silver Mountain (colt by Rafeef), Sommerlied (colt by Vercingetorix), Viva Maria (colt by Vercingetorix) and Zarina (filly by Vercingetorix).

Ill-fated Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom has a Vercingetorix half-sister on offer, while champion Mrs Geriatrix has a Master Of My Fate half-brother on the sale. The superb producer Miss October, dam of Gr1 winners October Morn and Tempting Fate, has a Rafeef colt on offer while this season’s Gr1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes winner Rascova has a Malmoos half-brother up for sale.

SNITZEL COLT EXTENDS UNBEATEN RECORD

Outstanding juvenile Return To Conquer notched a significant Te Akau milestone when he scored a gallant win in the Group One Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The Snitzel colt, one of the sale stars at the Gold Coast last year, extended his unbeaten run in capturing the Sistema and confirmed himself a valuable sire prospect for the future.

A A$1.3 million Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy from the Blue Gum Farm draft, Return to Conquer was sent out the favourite and despite being challenged strongly over the concluding stages he kicked hard under Blake Shinn to win by a head.

Return to Conquer is the latest star purchased by renowned New Zealand based horseman

David Ellis, the man behind the Te Akau Racing juggernaut and provided win number 100 for the Tangerine team at Group One level.

“Full credit to team leader (Ellis) as he has bought many many winners and with this guy he spent A$1.3 million without any owners earmarked and it shows just how good he is,” co-trainer Mark Walker said.

“It looked to be quite smooth sailing until the last 100 metres, but watching it live can be difficult and I’m pleased for Blake to get the win.”

“We never make decisions on race day and we will wait until he trots out on Monday before we work it out from there.”

Return to Conquer (Blake Shinn) wins the Gr1 Sistema Stakes | Credit: Magic Millions

Walker said he could be tempted to look at Australia’s most famous juvenile contest for the stable’s latest elite winner.

“We are open to the idea (of the GoldenSlipper) but he is still a young horse, still developing and growing so we will enjoy today and regroup.”“He has a great temperament, is bombproof and he is unbeaten for a reason as he has the will to win.”

The win continued a great relationship between Te Akau and top jockey Blake Shinn. The Australian hoop was suitably impressed with the fighting victory.

“The blinkers went on today to encourage him to put a field away as he gets there (the front) and thinks his job is done,” Shinn said.

“He rallied hard today when the second horse came at him and he is unbeaten still and may be ready now for a reset as he has had a long prep.”

“It’s great to win for Te Akau today as I’ve built up a great relationship with David Ellis and the team. I’ve come over in the last few months and

put a bit of work in with them and that helped me make the decision to come here today and ride for them.”

“What David has created here is a world class business and I feel fortunate and lucky to get the call up,” Shinn added.

Return to Conquer is the latest Group One winner for Oakleigh Plate winner and champion Arrowfield Stud based sire Snitzel – himself a former Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase.

He is one of two foals to race for the beautifully related but unraced Lonhro mare Vaujany.

Vaujany, who is from the Surround Stakes and Magic Night Stakes winner Portillo, is a fullsister to multiple Group winner Ghisoni, the dam of stakes winner Renosu.

Winner: Return to Conquer

Breeding: Snitzel-Vaujany (Lonhro)

Race: Auckland TR Sistema S. Gr1 (1200m)

Sold for: A$1,300,000

Sale: 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast

Yearling Sale

Earnings: NZ$534,750

Breeder: Mr M Howard

Vendor: Blue Gum Farm

Buyer: DC Ellis MNZM

Owners: Te Akau 2024 Stallion Breeding

Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM)

Trainers: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson (Matamata)

SAJA JOCKEYS FLY FLAG IN HONG KONG

Bundle Award charged into HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby calculations with a brilliant victory in the Class 2 Carpenter Handicap at Sha Tin on Sunday to fan hopes of a fourth Classic triumph for champion trainer John Size.

Ridden perfectly by Ben Thompson, the 75-rating Shamus Award gelding charged from last at the 400m in a searing 22.11s to down Markwin and Helene Feeling to enhance claims of clinching a place in the BMW Hong Kong Derby on 23 March.

“It felt as good as it would have looked,” Thompson said of the gelding’s blistering finish. “I was confident he would let rip when

it was time to go. He was super. He’s handled by a master in John Size. He’s versatile. He’s a lovely horse.”

Size, who saddled Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018) to BMW Hong Kong Derby victory, said: “Bundle Award did very well. He seems to settle and relax and didn’t seem to waste any energy. He had plenty of resources left for the finish.”

Fifth behind Sky Heart over 1600m after drawing barrier one at his previous start, Bundle Award – who won three times in Australia for Jason & Allan Williams as Prince Prawn – appreciated being dropped to the tail of the field today before Thompson drove

Bundle Award sweeps clear under Ben Thompson | Credit: HKJC

the gelding out to the middle of the track and unleashed a devastating sprint.

“You couldn’t compare the two days (today and last start). I think that he drew well last start – he drew gate one. Maybe that was no help to him. Anyway, today he showed us what he wanted,” Size said.

The BMW Hong Kong Derby field selection will be announced on Friday with the field likely to be headed Hong Kong Classic Cup winner Rubylot and Hong Kong Classic Mile victor and My Wish. The 76-rating Markwin – a two-time winner in Hong Kong – also boosted claims of a possible BMW Hong Kong Derby berth a length and a quarter behind Bundle Award.

Bundle Award’s success continued a seesawing battle for the Hong Kong trainers’ championship, shunting Size back into the lead after David Hayes had snatched back the

ascendancy with first-starter Akashvani’s win under Lyle Hewitson in the first section of the Class 4 Lung Kong Handicap.

Size and Hayes both have 37 wins but 12time champion trainer Size has more second placings.

“Akashvani did a good job from a wide gate (12) and my sons (Ben, Will & JD) educated him very well from Lindsay Park, in Australia. He came in and I just had to get him here,” Hayes said.

“He’s actually got a low head carriage action like Rubylot. He reminds me of a young Rubylot, so let’s hope he ends up as good as Rubylot – not saying he will be, but his action is very similar to Rubylot.”

Hewitson also partnered Mark Newnham’s Armour War Eagle to victory in the Class 3

A happy Britney Wong shows the two salute! | Credit: HKJC

South Wall Handicap. A dual winner in New Zealand, the War Decree gelding had racked up five minor placings in 12 starts before today’s breakthrough.

Apprentice Britney Wong moved to the top of the Hong Kong jockeys’ All Weather Track standings with a double, striking aboard on Natural High for David Hall in the Class 4 Nga Tsin Wai Handicap and Manfred Man’s Self Improvement in the Class 3 Sa Po Handicap.

With 12 wins in total in her first season, Wong has notched seven of those victories on dirt to lead Luke Ferraris (5) in her first season in Hong Kong after riding 50 winners in Australia.

“It’s great. I had two doubles when I was in Australia, but they were both non-TAB meetings, so this feels fantastic,” Wong, 25, said. “Whether it’s turf or dirt, I’ll go for it and it’s good that I have one surface that works in a particular way, so I’m very happy.”

Man also posted a double when Super Seth three-year-old Patch Of Cosmo won the Class 3 Tak Ku Ling Handicap (1600m), downing Embraces and BMW Hong Kong Derby hopeful Light Years Charm.

Luke Ferraris slotted his 30th winner of the season and maintained his perfect record on Lucky With You when the consistent sevenyear-old overpowered his rivals in the Class 1 Kowloon City Handicap for Frankie Lor.

“He’s a lovely horse, obviously when he gets up to Group 1 level, it’s a bit tough for him but he’s definitely a Class 1 horse,” Ferraris said. “He was in great shape today, Frankie had him going good and it was a very easy win.

“I sat back on him, pulled him out at the 400m and coasted up to them at the furlong (200m), let him go and put them to bed.”

David Eustace scored with Regency Happy Star under Alexis Badel in the Class 5 Junction Handicap before Chris So combined with Keith Yeung to win the second section of the Class 4 Lung Kong Handicap with three-year-old Mount Everest.

The Exceed And Excel debutant lunged to claim first-start victory over Patch Of Time before Caspar Fownes-trained Flying Luck notched his second win of the campaign with a withering finish for Brenton Avdulla to land the Class 4 Nam Kok Handicap.

Yeung completed a double when The Auspicious clinched the Class 4 Lok Sin Tong Cup Handicap at odds of 131/1 to give Me Tsui his ninth win of the season.

A total of 15 lots went under the hammer at the 2025 Hong Kong International Sale, held in the Parade Ring at Sha Tin Racecourse | Credit: HKJC

A gelding by I Am Invincible returned the highest price at the 2025 Hong Kong International Sale (HKIS) on Friday 7 March at Sha Tin after fetching a bid of HK$5 million.Lot 12 was purchased by Philip Liu for the sale-leading figure.

The youngster is a half-brother to the Group 1-winning Summer Passage, while I Am Invincible’s notable progeny to race in Hong Kong is Group 2 winner Wishful Thinker and 2024 HKIS graduate Markwin – an earner of HK$3.76 million including a HK$1 million ISG Bonus.

So Wing Keung purchased Lot 5 – the evening’s second highest buy for HK$4.6 million. The gelding has ties to 2004 Hong Kong Derby winner Lucky Owners, while his dam Andresa is a full sister to four-time Group 1-winning mare Mosheen.

Lots 15 and 17 both went for HK$4 million.

The HKJC Racing Club Limited secured Lot 15 – a bay son of Siyouni, whose main offspring is

eight-time winner Leading Fortune.

Lot 17 fell the way of Alan Chan. The chestnut is by Lope de Vega – also the sire of six-time Hong Kong winner Fast Most Furious.

The HKJC Racing Club Limited also scooped Lot 16 for HK$2 million – a brown son of Per Incanto, sire of nine-time winner Duke Wai, six-time winner Raging Blizzard, among others. The youngster is a full brother to Baby Crystal –a victor at Sha Tin last January.

Yan Qing Lin landed Lot 6 for HK$3.6 million – a bay of son of Deep Field, whose dam The Soloist is a half-sibling to Group 1-winning Hong Kong sprinter Hot King Prawn.

Lots 9 and 14 both sold for HK$3.2 million. Cheung Kwai Po bought Lot 9 – a brown son of No Nay Never, sire of 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Massive Sovereign.

Cheung Kwok Wing – owner in partnership of the likes of six-time winner Blaze Warrior as well as Circuit Stellar – collected Lot 14. The bay

is by Smart Missile – sire of HK$8.57 million earner Green N White.

Louis Pong opened the evening with a successful HK$2.6 million bid for Lot 1 – a bay gelding by Toronado, while Lot 2 went for HK$1.2 million to Lee Lit Lung – owner in partnership of three-time winner Must Go.

Fong Ching landed Lot 4 – a Toronado gelding for HK$2.6 million. Lots 8 and 18 also fetched HK$2.6 million.

Lot 8 is a grey son of Darci Brahma bought by Fung Kok Po – owner of the ‘Smiling’ series of horses, including the currently active Smiling Collector and Smiling Emperor.

Lot 18 went to Edwin Fong – who currently races two-time winner Parents’ Love with legendary trainer Tony Cruz. Kitten’s Joy will have his second Hong Kong-based runner after Top Ace with Lot 7 – a chestnut just like his American-bred sire – who sold for HK$2.5 million to Yip Shu Bun.

Mr Danny Rolston, Executive Manager, International Sale/Owners Advisory Services, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “We’ve put some really nice horses up, we were really selective on the final group that we offered to the market.

“As you would know from the withdrawal list, we took out the horses that weren’t suitable for sale right at this point – some of those will be made available for sale at a later stage – but what we did offer here are horses that we have a lot of confidence in. Some of the horses at the lower end of the market this year, we’re absolutely positive that there’s some great value in hand.

“I think the market has dictated that horses aren’t worth the same as what they perhaps were two years ago and we’re confident that we’ve released some really nice horses into the market for our permit holders and in another 12 months we’ll be telling more stories like Markwin and New Future Folks and permit holders have come to the international sale and they’ve actually got value and they’ve been able to buy horses that are right here and ready to train and have a pretty good chance of going and winning a race in their first 12 months and being a chance in their four-year-old season.

The average of the sale was HK$3.006 million, the median price was HK$2.6 million, while the total sale returned HK$45.1 million.

Please click here to read the sale results.

Lot 17 – joint second priced seller at HK$ 4 million

Credit: HKJC

MIGHTY MARBAAN TAKES RAS AL KHOR HONOURS

The gloves were off in the Gr3 Ras Al Khor (sponsored by Azizi), the feature race of the penultimate meeting of the Dubai Racing Carnival at Meydan Racecourse on Friday, when Marbaan and Mysterious Night had a rematch – the fifth of their careers.

After meeting twice in the UK and once in Dubai in their younger days, the pair finished first and second in the Gr2 Al Fahidi Fort, over the same 1400m distance, in January. Charlie Appleby’s Mysterious Night was fancied to turn that form around this time but William Buick found himself penned in on the rail inside the last 400m. Once out, Mysterious Night ran on, but it was too late to collar Marbaan, who won by just over two lengths.

“He’s a super horse and his last win was very impressive, but you could say this was even more so,” said winning jockey Ray Dawson. “He traveled around there so well and all I

needed was a bit of space, which I knew I’d get, and he picked up really well.

“Michael [Costa, trainer] has found the key to him which is to keep him as relaxed as possible, as he can be a bit hot headed. Hopefully he can keep this form for World Cup night, if that’s where connections decide to go, I don’t know what the plan is.”

Things went better for Buick earlier on and his mount Royal Favour may have done enough to earn a Gr2 UAE Derby invitation after romping home in the 1900m Azizi Creek Views Conditions Stakes.

The Simon and Ed Crisford trainee broke well but was taken off the lead by William Buick, tactics which paid off when he had plenty left at the business end, easily seeing off Poet Orten and winning by eight lengths.

Marbaan (Ray Dawson) take the honours | Credit: DRC

“He did have to bounce back; we were all a little bit disappointed last time, but that was his first time among horses getting the proper kickback,” said Buick. “Today was totally different, I loved how he got out and got into the clear.

“He’s had a lot thrown at him already this winter and dealt with it well. The team will get together and decide what they want to do in the future.”

The Crisfords doubled up in race six, the Azizi Mina Handicap, over 1400m on dirt, when Pen Portrait was much too strong under Danny Tudhope.

The four-year-old was a winner at Sharjah earlier in the season and picked up a first Carnival win here, traveling strongly throughout the race and easily reeling in leader Action Point in the straight, winning by just over a length.

“He broke nicely and they went quick in front,” said Tudhope. “I had a nice position on the rail and it opened up well for him.

“That’s the first time I’ve sat on him, but he’s a very uncomplicated little horse. He’d been running over six furlongs [1200m] but Pat Dobbs who has been riding him said he would stay seven [1400m].”

Internationals Strike

The most popular winner of the night might well have been Silver Sword, who gave upwardly mobile UK-based South African trainer Dylan Cunha his first Carnival win in the Burj Azizi Handicap, over 1600metres on turf.

The grey, who carries the famous ‘Secretariat’ blue and white checked silks, was making his fifth appearance of the Carnival but things finally dropped right. Ridden by Dawson,

completing a double, he had most of the field ahead of him entering the straight but motored home to beat three recent winners in No Retreat, Folk Festival and Magnum Opus.

“I’m absolutely delighted for Dylan, Caroline [Kelly, work rider] and the girls that are here looking after him,” said Dawson. “They’ve been very persistent, and it’s paid off. There were excuses last time [lost shoe] and I think he’s a sensitive boy all around, but he had been running consistently.

“Ideally you want to be in the middle of them, but this horse doesn’t like to be bullied and they went quick enough early. I had to go a bit wide, but he dug deep when I needed him to.”

13-time Spanish Champion Trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta already had one Carnival win courtesy of Thundering and made it two when El Bosnia took the closing 1200metre turf Azizi Riviera Handicap.

The eight-year-old benefited from a fast pace up front and passed most of the field to beat favourite Matloob by just under a length.

“He couldn’t take the pace at the beginning, but for his mentality it’s good for him to pass horses. He did that, and he won!” said jockey Vaclav Janacek.

“It’s very special as he’s Spanish-bred and he’s demonstrated that a Spanish-bred can perform abroad.”

Dirt Switch No Problem for Camden

The Camden Colt had finished second on both prior starts in the UAE since coming over from the UK but the switch to dirt was an unknown.

Like so many from the Bhupat Seemar yard, it wasn’t a problem, and he tracked the pace set

by Saleymm until that rival tired, allowed Tadhg O’Shea to go for home at the 400metre marker. Despite hanging to the left, he was an easy two and a half-length winner over Quality Humor in second.

“He’s been training superbly and we couldn’t believe that he got beaten twice on the turf,” said Seemar. “We spoke to the owners [Ghrghar Stables] and said that he was training well on the dirt, even though he has a complete turf pedigree. We were very confident coming in tonight.

“Ideally, we’d like to run him in the Godolphin Mile, but his handicap might not go up enough to warrant that. So we might go to the Jebel Ali Classic over 1400m.”

Ahmad Bin Harmash continues to produce winners and he combined with Connor Beasley to take the Azizi Wasl Handicap, over 1800m on turf, with Cosmic Desert.

The six-year-old got a good lead into the straight from eventual third Poster Paint and

was too strong for that rival and the closing Sense Of Wisdom. It was a 35th win of the season for Beasley, who is still in the hunt for a first Championship.

“He won a couple last season and just crept up the handicap but switching to the turf has made a big difference – he’s a happy horse and travels well on it,” he said.

“They set good fractions down the back and I felt that I controlled the race from where I was. He lengthens, rather than quickens, but hopefully he can grab another one before the end of the season.”

Djafar kept Group 1 company last season Europe, so his return to form once back on the turf in the opening Gr2 Mazrat Al Ruwayyah (sponsored by Azizi) for Purebred Arabians shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s eight-year-old was ridden with plenty of confidence by Silvestre de Sousa, who produced him in the straight to collar pacesetter Al Laith, who battled back to finish second.

“He’s a nice horse.” said the current jockeys’ championship second. “Last week we really liked him, but we had a bit of trouble at the gates because of the horse next to me. Today he confirmed he’s good at a mile.

“He’s a strong Arabian, and he lengthened and quickened. He won, but he would have liked to have had more pace in the race.”

Meydan is back in action next Friday, 14 March, for the final meeting of the Dubai Racing Carnival, after which attention switches to the $30.5million Dubai World Cup meeting on 5 April.

www.dubairacingclub.com

7 MARCH

The Sporting Post will be publishing the weekly National Horseracing Authority Calendar every week from now on.

The calendar is a summary of the week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy -read snapshot of information.

The rationale behind the decision to publish this document arises from queries from stakeholders, who have felt it unfair that only certain matters are published by the Sporting Post.

The historic process is that if a defendant signs an acknowledgement of guilt, NO PRESS RELEASE, except in prohibited substance

matters, is issued by the NHA. That means that the anomaly arises that only those that exercise their full rights of legal recourse and defence are likely to find their case on our pages via the NHA media releases.

Publishing the NHA weekly calendar means everybody can read everything that happened in the past week.

• Please click here to read the 7 March 2025 calendar.

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