SP SPRINT - WEDNESDAY 01 NOVEMBER 2023 by Sporting Post

Wednesday 01 November 2023

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CONTENTS

THE SEASON GAINS MOMENTUM! 15 Two Top 3yo’s

Exciting prospects for the season

34 Marshalling The Troops Querari son looks very decent

40 Cape Feature Season

What to expect when we go back to HQ

52 New Stallion For Cape

A new stud opens with an exciting foundation sire

70 Bye Bye Billy

Another jockey packs for greener pastures

86 Hong Kong Grab Cox Plate Now for 10 December at home

On the cover

Kabelo Matsunyane brings Main Defender home to win the Betway Graham Beck Stakes at Turrfontein on Saturday. Image courtesy of JC Photos.

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FRANKIE LOOKING TO MAKE HIMSELF AT HOME!

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Frankie is house-hunting in California but is looking to repeat the magic on the track this weekend | Credit: Breeders Cup World Championships

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Classic favourite Arabian Knight | Credit: Breeders’ Cup World Championships 8 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

The spotlight on Friday and Saturday is on the 40th renewal of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park. One stallion who has already enjoyed plenty of Top horses aged three and up have converged on Santa Anita Park for the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be run on Saturday. It’s the highlight of the fall horse racing schedule and arguably the biggest race of the entire year outside of the Triple Crown. A $6 million purse is on the line, and the Breeders’ Cup Classic field has already seen a major shake up with Arcangelo, who was the second favourite at 7-2 scratched due to injury. Arabian Knight drew post 12 and is the 3-1 favourite.

Frankie Dettori feels Zandon, who is drawn two in the Classic, and was third in the Kentucky Derby and stays well, might be overpriced at 20-1. Speaking to Racing TV, Frankie feels the decision to run Inspiral in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf rather than the Mile is the correct call. John and Thady Gosden’s star will be running over 10 furlongs for the first time but Dettori believes that with the tight nature of the Santa Anita track, a longer trip is a safer choice as a horse’s chance is not as dependent on a good draw. The Italian teamed up with the multiple Group One winner on Tuesday morning and said: “Inspiral took to the pony really well and was quiet by her standards.

Inspiral will be ridden by Frankie Dettori and starts in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf | Credit: Racing TV 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 9

“Sometimes the Mile turf race here is very draw dependent, so I think it was a good decision to go for the longer race. She doesn’t need any introduction, she was a champion at two and at three and is top drawer.” Dettori will also team up with his Champion Stakes-winning partner King Of Steel in the Turf. It is, however, a short turnaround from Champions Day, which was two weeks ago. “King Of Steel wouldn’t be running unless Roger felt he had taken his race well,” said Dettori. “The atmosphere (at Ascot) was unreal and I thought the roof was going to come off the stand. He had to fight for it and had a hard race but he weighs 570 kilos, he has plenty of meat there and I’m sure Roger wouldn’t bring him unless he was happy.” Of his other mounts, he added: “Zandon is drawn two in the Classic, he was third in the Kentucky Derby and stays well. He might be overpriced at 20-1.

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“Unquestionable has rock-solid form in the Juvenile Turf. He’s fulfilled expectations and I’m looking forward to him. “Starlust (Juvenile Turf Sprint) has a couple rated higher than him but he ran well in the Middle Park.” Of course, Santa Anita is soon to become Dettori’s home and he is now on the hunt for a house. “I’ve been here a week and I’m loving it. I’ve settled in as well as I could have hoped and have been house hunting with my wife Catherine,” he said. “I’ve known since August that I was going to carry on and it was hard to keep it a secret, it was a weight off my shoulders when it came out. “I’ve seen everyone I know here and refreshing connections ahead of the opening day.”

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THIS WAS THRILLING STUFF!

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Pure joy for the Nassif and Habib families as Kabelo Matsunyane returns on Main Defender | Credit: JC Photos 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 15

Kevin, Mark Nassif and John Habib are thrilled | Credit: JC Photos

Two top-class 3yo’s provided the fireworks and entertainment at Turffontein on Saturday as Tony Peter’s Main Defender got the better of a ding dong duel with David Niewenhuizen’s Sandringham Summit to win the R400 000 Betway Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes. An early season indicator of classic aspirations, the 1400m contest saw a dramatic battle of wits, tactics and ability, with match fitness and a kilo pull probably tilting the scales in favour of recent Betway Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge winner Main Defender, who showed class and courage to come back from looking beaten late in the race. Billed as the sophomore showdown of the year, it always looked something of a two-horse race on paper, and the mutual respect was shown in the early stages, with Main Defender ridden quieter than usual and Sandringham Summit closer to the action than he’d probably choose to be. 16 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

After pacesetters Prince Of Kildare and Biofarmer had cried enough, Main Defender was given the office by Winning Form rider Kabelo Matsunyane as Calvin Habib was alert to the move and gave Sandringham Summit the shake up. In a memorable battle over the final 250m, Main Defender, who had been backed to 9-10, dug deep to hold off the Niewenhuizen star by a head in a time of 84,56 secs. Gimmeanotherchance (17-2) was over 3 lengths back in third. A R140 000 buy from the 2022 BSA Cape Yearling Sale, the winner was bred by Jagessar Limited and is a son of Ridgemont’s Sandown Stud-based stallion Pathfork (Distorted Humor) out of the twice winning Judpot mare, Alessia. Now a winner of stakes of R1 085 625, Main Defender has 5 victories with a place from his six starts. The only time he was beaten was in the Premiers Champion Stakes by Sandringham Summit.

MATCH RACE A POSSIBILITY Saturday’s sophomore clash of the titans between Main Defender and Sandringham Summit in the Betway Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes elicited an unprecedented buzz and discussion on-course and countrywide as two upwardly mobile youngsters and their respective fan clubs squared up. Now there is talk of a match race over a mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Gold Cup day. Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer David Nieuwenhuizen said that he couldn’t speak for his owners but would be willing to consider a match race between the top 3yo’s at a time when it didn’t overlap on other likely commitments. The Turffontein conditioner took the head defeat by Main Defender on the chin when chatting to the Sporting Post on Monday, confirming that Sandringham Summit had pulled up well and emptied his manger. While full marks are due to Main Defender for a gutsy showing, there are some schools of thought that suggest that Sandringham Summit didn’t benefit from a vintage ride, and that jockey Calvin Habib had possibly moved too soon. After Main Defender changed legs late, he was allowed to come right back to pip his rival. In fairness to Calvin Habib, has a jockey on a runner-up ever ridden a great race? “I would be lying if I said that we aren’t disappointed. The disappointment factor is also directly proportional to the winning margin. But full marks to Main Defender and we will take him on again when our paths cross – even in a mile match race if there is a sponsor willing to step forward,” added the man who commenced his training career with just four horses at the Vaal eighteen years. David explained that he had Sandringham Summit as best he could have had him with

the season ahead, but probably 80% fit on Saturday, as it had actually not been on the agenda originally to run him in the Graham Beck. He would have preferred a mile. “We had the potentially weaker BSA Ready To Run Cup planned as a starting point, but we drew in the bush. So we gave that a miss. Then I considered the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile. The draws for that contest came out only after we could decide whether to run in the Graham Beck or not. So I felt let’s go with the draw we had, rather than risking another potentially wide gate. This all means I had him doing little for ten days and he came in without a grass gallop on Saturday.” But the Equus winning conditioner stressed that he wasn‘t making excuses. “That’s racing and we believe in this very special horse. We know he will be back. A mile upwards is when he will be at his most effective. We are likely to aim him at the Dingaans over the mile on Betway Summer Cup day and then go into the SA Triple Crown. Naturally the third leg is still in the melting pot as we don’t know whether he will stay the 2450m. And maybe the Daily News 2000 down in Durban is EVEN an option. But we will cross that bridge when the time comes.” David explained that he had always intended to aim the Gr1-winning son of champion sire, Gimmethegreenlight at level weights races. It thus wasn’t ideal, or part of the plan, that he gave a kilo to Main Defender on Saturday. He confirmed that a Cape campaign was not on the agenda at this stage. After Saturday’s contest, the NHA handicappers have hiked Sandringham Summit from a rating of 117 to 121. Main Defender remains on a 121. They are the jointly highest rated 3yo’s in the country.

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ARGENTINA COULD REIGN IN SUMMER v

Gavin Lerena and Puerto Manzano charge to victory | Credit: JC Photos 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 21

Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren is all smiles | Credit: JC Photos

The Wernars family’s Argentinian-bred equine warrior Puerto Manzano set himself up for a serious defence of his Betway Summer Cup title at the end of November with a courageous victory in the R1 million Allied Steelrode Onamission Gr2 Charity Mile at Turffontein on Saturday. Starting at 20-1 and jumping from a challenging 16 gate, things fell into place for the Argentinian-bred galloper who enjoyed the honest pace. Mother Nature then stepped in with a swing in the wind direction, as the run for home turned into a stamina sapping affair into the headwind. Gavin Lerena was registering his fourth Charity Mile success having won it in 2015 with Bouclette Top, 2016 with New Predator and last year with Bingwa. The in-form rider ranged up wide out on the 6yo, as Dave The King ran out of puff after skipping at the top of the straight. 22 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

Having his first start for Sean Tarry, former Cape hero Cousin Casey unwound a good-looking challenge down the middle of the track, but had no answer for the relentless galloping Argentinian, who lugged in later as he got up to hold Cousin Casey (11-2). At the line only 0,70 lengths separated the top two, with the winner clocking 98,88 secs. Just 1,35 lengths covered the top six, with Sean Tarry’s Bless My Stars (14-1) a further 0,30 lengths back in third, a neck in front of Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Winchester Mansion (7-1). Going for three on the trot, stablemate to the winner Bingwa (6-1) ran a 1,30 length fifth, marginally ahead of Melech (6-1). Puerto Manzano has now won 10 races with 9 places from 27 starts for stakes of R4 720 850. He was bred by Dr Ignacio Pavlovsky at Haras Carampangue and is a son of Speightstown’s Gr1 Hollywood Derby winning son Seek Again out of the two-time winning Orpen mare, Poser.

Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren feels his charge is even better than last season, and will now go straight into the Betway Summer Cup. There were 43 first entries for the R5 million Betway Summer Cup to be run on 25 November at Turffontein. Only 20 can run. Of the entries, 13 stepped out on Saturday in this race.

Looking ahead, three second entries were received on Tuesday 31 October 2023. Final entries close at 09h00 on Monday 13 November 2023. Weights will be published the same day. Declarations are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 15 November 2023.

CHARITY ARE THE WINNERS Puerto Manzano’s win also netted R100 000 for the South African Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA) charity, in this special race in which each of the 16 runners were paired with a worthy charity doing amazing work in their communities and each charity being guaranteed a minimum R20 000.

effecting positive change. Horseracing operator 4Racing, and global steel manufacturer Allied Steelrode showcased yet another impactful Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile with a mix of quality horseracing, philanthropy, family, and rugby fun at the Turffontein Racecourse.

A further five charities were also beneficiaries on a day in which horseracing gives back to its community, tangibly touching lives and

The day also featured the unveiling of the front parade ring in preparation for the highly anticipated 2023 Betway Summer Cup.

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EUROPE’S MOST INFLUENTIAL BREEDING STOCK SALE v

TAT T ERSA LLS DECEM BER M A R E S SA LE 4th – 7th December

SCEPTRE SESSIONS for ELITE FILLIES & BROODMARES

& major consignments from GODOLPHIN, JUDDMONTE FARMS and SHADWELL ESTATES CATALOGUE ONLINE

SOUTH AFRICA CONTACT: Joanne Knowles Tel: +27 83 3996353 joknowles.ems@gmail.com 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 25

BETWAY SUMMER CUP LATEST LOG After his victory in the Gr2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile on Saturday at Turffontein, Puerto Manzano has cemented his place at the top of the latest Betway Summer Cup log. The six-year-old looks perfectly primed to defend his Summer Cup title, thereby securing a third Grade 1 career victory. Cousin Casey, who made his Highveld debut for his new yard, has jumped up four places on the log to fourth, with third-placed Charity Mile finisher Bless My Stars now in third spot. Hollywoodbets Durban July-winner Winchester Mansion remains second on the

Puerto Manzano (Gavin Lerena) is led in by Anthony Joannides and Jarryd Wernars | Credit: JC Photos

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log after finishing fourth in the Charity Mile. A notable change on the Summer Cup log sees Dave The King drop to sixth from third. Zeus is the only newcomer, now in position number 18, while Lady Of Power has dropped out of the top 20. Second entries closed yesterday. Final entries close at 09h00 on Monday 13 November 2023. Weights will be published the same day. Declarations are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 15 November 2023.

LOG PER 30 OCTOBER SEX

BALANCE BY MERIT RATING

HORSE

MERIT RATING ORDER

PUERTO MANZANO (ARG)

125

HOEDSPRUIT

112

WINCHESTER MANSION

121

EAST COAST

110

BLESS MY STARS

119

LITIGATION

110

COUSIN CASEY

123

UNION SQUARE

110

ANFIELDS ROCKET

120

STAR COIN

108

DAVE THE KING

124

ATTICUS FINCH

107

FUTURE PEARL

116

LADY OF POWER

107

SAFE PASSAGE

117

BINGWA

118

INFINITE WONDER

103

EYE OF THE PROPHET

119

ELECTRIC GOLD

102

SECOND BASE

117

CRIMSON KING

101

BILLY BOWLEGS

117

RIVER ROMEO

101

RUNAWAY SONG

116

SAVANNAH STORM

101

SON OF RAJ

115

STREET ART

101

NONE OTHER

110

ARUMUGAM

NEBRAAS

115

SOLAR POWER

ARAGOSTA

114

FLYING BULL

ZEUS

111

SAY YES

SHOEMAKER

112

ROYAL GUIDE

MERIDIUS

110

TROIS TROIS QUATRE

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Egyptian Mau (Craig Zackey) stays on strongly to resist the challenge of White Pearl and JP van der Merwe | Credit: JC Photos

A PURFFECT DAY FOR LUCKY TEAM The Shawe-Houdalakis-Zackey partnership were in fine form at Turffontein on the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile day on Saturday when they took the honours in the first two of the five features on the big day. After Dyce spreadeagled his opposition in the Listed Golden Loom, it was the consistent multiple graded stakes placed filly Egyptian 28 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

Mau who returned from a 12 week break to register a career first stakes success in the R250 000 HWH Princess Charlene Gr3 Starling Stakes. Allowed to relax early, Egyptian Mau, who had placed against the likes of Lucky Lad, Mrs Geriatrix and Bavarian Beauty in her 2yo season, accelerated smartly and took on the grey 8-10 shot White Pearl going into the final 200m of the 1400m contest.

Despite the Mike de Kock charge coming right back at her, Egyptian Mau (4-1) always appeared to have the upper hand and held off the BSA Sales Cup runner-up by 0,40 lengths in a time of 85,55 secs. Sean Tarry’s Let’s Go Now (20-1) had to overcome her draw and stayed on encouragingly for third, a further 1,75 lengths back. A R425 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Egyptian Mau has won 2 races with 3 places from 5 starts for stakes of R436 875. Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, the winner is a daughter of War Front stallion Fire Away (USA) out of the Fort Wood mare, Savannah Cat. Fire Away won seven times, and earned more than $600 000, during his career with his trio of stakes wins headed by a triumph in the 2018

G3 Dixie Stakes. The latter race has been won by a plethora of equine stars previously, with past stars to have won the Dixie Stakes including such Breeders’ Cup winners as World Approval, Better Talk Now and Lure, as well as highly successful sire Nassipour, and champions Bowl Game and Fort Marcy. The impeccably bred Fire Away is a half-brother to graded stakes winners Vigilantes Way (Gr3 Eatontown Stakes) and Mr Speaker (Gr1 Belmont Derby). The latter has also enjoyed success at stud, with Mr Speaker having sired the Gr1 winners Speech (Ashland Stakes) and Speaking Scout (Hollywood Derby). Fire Away’s dam Salute, a daughter of Kentucky Derby winner and outstanding sire Unbridled, won at two when she also finished runner up in the Gr2 Demoiselle Stakes and third in the Gr3 Tempted Stakes.

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Dyce storms home under Craig Zackey as Captain Hindsight (Chase Maujean) stays on for second | Credit: JC Photos

THE DYCE ROLLS! The William Longsword entire Dyce confirmed a scintillating comeback after his win in September following an eight month break, when he made short work of his seven opponents to win the R225 000 Listed Golden Loom Handicap at Turffontein on Saturday.

A 2yo Gr2 winner, the Dave Shawe-raced Dyce made it two wins from two starts this season over a 1000m which is clearly not his game. “I had to get him racing. There were no other races. So I thought let’s try him – it will bring him on,” trainer Lucky Houdalakis said prior to the opening leg of a carryover Pick 6 that reached a commendable R6,111,658. The target was R5 million. And Lucky needn’t have worried as Dyce, with his high head carriage, was given a perfectly balanced ride by Craig Zacley Zackey was aboard at Dyce’s first two victories, including his sensational victory in the Gr2 Epol Umkhomazi Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville 30 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

in his 2yo term. Showing regal speed, Dyce (3-1) drew off to beat Captain Hindsight (7-1) by 2 lengths in a time of 56,95 secs. The favourite I Am Giant (18-10) moved up dangerously, but was beaten a further two lengths back in third. Bred by Dave Shawe’s Titanium Racing, Dyce was a first stakes winner for Cape Guineas winner William Longsword (Captain Al) and is out of the one-time winning Galileo mare, Beshaayir. Dyce has won 5 races with 6 places from 11 starts for stakes of R584 500.

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ZEUS RULES THE NIGHT A tactical plan come together for the Fabian Habib yard saw their stayer Zeus register an overdue first stakes victory when completing a hat-trick to win the R225 000 Betway Allied Steelrode Java Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday. The 2400m contest hosted the Highveld’s top stayers and the Habib plan centred around two half-brothers – one the 7yo Out Of Your League, a former Gr1 SA Derby winner, and the other being the 5yo Zeus, a runner-up in his year. Philasande Mxoli took Out Of Your League to the front from the jump and he was almost ten lengths clear at one stage as the 17-10 Zeus was confidently ridden from off the pace, by Gavin Lerena, who enjoyed a cracking afternoon with 3 winners, capped with a feature double. Into the final Stages Zeus unwound and drew away to beat the 17-2 Black Thorn by 5,25

lengths in a time of 154,21 secs. Flying Bull (7-1) was a further 1,50 lengths back in third, with the game mare Opera Glass (25-1) rounding off the quartet. A R70 000 National 2yo Sale purchase, Zeus was bred by longstanding Wilgerbosdrift Manager Wynand Nel and is a son of the deceased National Assembly sire Soft Falling Rain out of the Windrush mare, Lil’ Bacio, who never raced. Now a winner of 8 races with 3 places from 22 starts, Zeus took his stakes to R473 875.

Team Zeus lead in their star after an easy win under Gavin Lerena | Credit: JC Photos

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MARSHALL GETS ALL THE ANSWERS Questioning charges clear under Bernard Fayd’herbe | Credit:Chase Liebenberg 34 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

While the sophomore classic balance of power may largely lie up North as we enter the six week run-in to the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, veteran classic trainer Vaughan Marshall could be tempted to take his chances after the Foster family homebred Questioning powered clear to win the R300 000 Gr3 Cape Classic at a sunny and festive Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Sunday. 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 35

The popular Kurt Darren was the headline act at the Durbanville FestiVille held on the same afternoon, and with the recent erratic unseasonal weather forgotten amid Saturday evening’s unforgettable ‘Bokphoria’, the locals were out in numbers to enjoy a feelgood mix of top-class racing. spiced with a bit of ‘Loslapie’. The Cape Classic was run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in 2022 and was a stepping stone into the classics for the inimitable Charles Dickens who crushed his opposition, before rounding off his prep in an allowance plate a month later. Prior to Charles Dickens, the previous Cape Classic winner to go on to Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas glory was Alec and the Honourable Gillian Foster’s Tap O’Noth, who won the big one in 2017 under MJ Byleveld, who is doing such a fine job these days in front of the Cape Racing television cameras. And on Sunday it was another Marshall 3yo in the familiar Foster scarlet and gold to catch the eye. Easy to back at 33-10, Bernard Fayd’herbe had the athletic son of Maine Chance’ Oasis Dream stallion Querari relaxed a few lengths off the gallop set by Capsaicin and Zil Morris early on.

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In the run for the line the 25-1 Snow Pilot loomed a danger, but had no answers to a determined drive and sustained finished from Bernard Fayd’herbe, who had Questioning (33-10) in command and too strong to win by 1,75 lengths in a time of 83,6 secs. Dean Kannemeyer would have been pleased with the effort of Green With Envy (5-2), who finished well, but was beaten a further 2,25 length back in third. He looks to be crying out for the mile, but may not be Guineas material at this point. Questioning rounded off a hat-trick since shedding his maiden in the dead of winter as trainer Vaughan Marshall labelled him ‘rather special’. He has won 3 of his 4 starts with 1 place for stakes of R330 875. Questioning is out of the twice winning Captain Al mare Wheredowego, who raced in the same silks for Vaughan Marshall. Questioning is a half-brother to the accomplished stakes winning stayer Senso Unico, who also races out of the top Milnerton yard. Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz and winning trainer Vaughan Marshall | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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KAPTEIN KURT STRIKES A CHORD

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Credit: Troy Finch

Hollywoodbets Durbanville hosted the FestiVille of Beer on Sunday with SA music legend Kurt Darren on top form as he belted out his popular hits including Kaptein (Span Die Seile), Meisie Meisie, and Oh My Soul. The weather played ball and the beer flowed as happy locals celebrated the Springboks big win the previous evening.

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CAPE RACING BACK TO HOLLYWOODBETS KENILWORTH ON 26 NOVEMBER Cape Racing has announced changes to the dates of certain feature race meetings this summer as a result of the ongoing construction, renovation and enhancement works at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Trainers touring party – got a sneak preview last week | Credit: Supplied

Racing will now return to the revamped racecourse on Sunday, 26th November.

Saturday, 24th February.

Leading Milnerton trainer Dean Kannemeyer Justin Vermaak, Racing & Bloodstock Executive was in the hard-hat touring party, including for Cape Racing, said that the renovations many of his colleagues, who were hosted at the Southern Suburbs track on Thursday. He was and changes were essential to deliver on the promise of a world-class race day experience suitably impressed. for the Summer feature season, which includes the Cape’s seven-meeting ‘Summer “While we have already witnessed so much change and improvement in the region Festival of Champions’ that will commence on Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s opening day and at various levels, seeing what is going on end with the Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby on here and what is planned for our flagship 40 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

racecourse, is quite breathtaking,” said Kannemeyer, who added that the vision and investment by Greg Bortz and Hollywoodbets, including the upgrading of training facilities, was unparalleled in his lifetime of racing in the Cape. “I have been fortunate to race at various racecourses around the world, and Hollywoodbets Kenilworth is well on its way to holding its own amongst the best internationally. Everything takes time and I’m really looking forward to seeing the end product,” he added. Donovan Everitt, the COO of Cape Racing, expressed the organisation’s unwavering commitment to innovation and progress, stating, “Our dedication to technological enhancements in this initial phase of the project is self-evident, as demonstrated by the installation of new-age digital screens throughout our facility and racecourse, amongst other improvements. This includes

unveiling one of the continent’s largest outdoor screens and an enhanced sound system that promises to elevate event and racing experiences. Looking ahead, Everitt provided insight into the future, saying, “Phase 2 of our extensive upgrades, scheduled for 2024, will introduce our revolutionary “Sportstainment” offering. This innovative blend of sports and entertainment promises an unprecedented experience for our valued visitors. The vision for Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s vision is quite unique, setting the stage for an unparalleled entertainment and lifestyle destination. The first phase is already in progress, and our patrons can anticipate many improvements, including the state-of-the-art digital screens, enhanced sound systems, a world-class winners enclosure, and a revitalised owners’ lounge and hospitality facilities.” Racing fans, owners and trainers are asked to

The new look winner’s enclosure takes shape | Credit: Supplied 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 41

make a note of the following changes to Cape Racing’s pattern races: -The Western Cape Fillies Championship, the Cape Mile, and the Laisserfaire Stakes will be staged at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on 11 November. The Laisserfaire will be run over 1000m instead of 1100m. -The Sophomore Sprint, the Bantry Bay and the Futurity Plate will be moved from 18 to 26 November so that they can be contested up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the Sophomore and the Bantry Bay being preparation runs for the Gr2 Cape Merchants on 10 December. Vermaak noted: “As a result of the ongoing construction, the prep races and the Merchants will be just two weeks apart. We are, therefore, shortening the distance of the Bantry Bay from 1200m to 1100m, which should aid the recovery of the older sprinters.

Exciting times ahead! | Credit: Supplied 42 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

“With the shortened recovery time, two weeks instead of three, we felt that dropping the distance by 100m was a better choice than keeping the sprints at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and running them around the turn. The Futurity Plate, a race for two-year-olds over 800m, is best suited to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. It is the first ‘baby’ race of the season.” The ongoing transformation at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth extends beyond the traditional racecourse. While it is premature for Cape Racing to share with the public at large its detailed plans for the property, the transformation of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth into a lifestyle destination unparalleled on the African continent is well underway. A new and adjusted November race programme is available online on the NRB website.

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SALES - IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2024 Cape Racing’s Sales Division has announced dates for the two remaining auction sales to be held in 2024. The Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale will take place on Friday, 31 May, and the 2024 renewal of the Ready To Run and Two-Year-Old Unbroken Sale is scheduled for Sunday, 27 October. Both sales will be hosted at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. As previously noted, the Cape Premier Yearling Sale powered by Tattersalls will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Thursday, 25 January 2024. Following its venture into the auction space in the latter part of 2022, Cape Racing has made a conspicuous impression on the selective thoroughbred bloodstock buyer’s market, not least through the excellent sets of results from the three auctions held under its auspices. Last weekend’s renewal of the Ready To Run and Two-Year-Old Unbroken sale at Hollywoodbets Durbanville was a case in point. It produced substantially improved figures, backed by a buoyant and diverse bench of buyers. The Sporting Post assessed this week: “The Cape Racing Sales team saw that the introduction of their various attractive incentives and initiatives in the ensuing year, coupled with the inspiring local ‘Racing Renaissance,’ provided the momentum for a next-level stepup…” A comparison with recent BSA Sales shows that the Cape Premier Sale averaged a marginally higher Premier Sale average (R433,812) than the National Yearling Sale average (R442,672) posted upcountry by Bloodstock SA. Both had a median of 44 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

R300,000. The impressive median of R165,000 recorded at the Ready To Run Sale was higher than those recorded at four other BSA Sales held between November 2022 and August 2023. The CRS Bonus Incentive pays R100,000 for the first juvenile win of any race, including open maiden races won by juveniles, and represents a return of R4 million in cash bonuses to sales clients over 40 races. Also introduced this year was the groundbreaking “pin hooking” initiative. The initiative allowed buyers to purchase stock at the June yearling sale while only having to pay when selling at the Ready To Run in October. The impact of this incentive was evident in last June’s Cape Winter Sale, when the yearling average was bolstered as pin-hookers bought several yearlings. The figures in comparison with other regional sales, illustrate the viability of the Cape as a cheaper selling location with exceptional returns. The CRS bonus initiative applies to graduates of the 2024 January, May, and October sales. The Pinhook programme will remain in place again for the May yearling sale.

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HOLLY SLAMS THE BOYS Glen Kotzen pulled a fairer sex ace out of the hat at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Sunday when his Gimmethegreenlight daughter Blue Holly, the only filly in the line-up, won the R200 000 Need For Speed Sprint in fine style. Blue Holly charges clear under Raymond Danielson | Credit:Chase Liebenberg 48 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

Ridden by Winning Form-sponsored Raymond Danielson for Mesdame Mardon and Matthysen, Blue Holly went off at 7-1 and held on well to beat Captain Arrow (16-1) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 57,86 secs. The runner-up’s more fancied stablemate Future Variety (9-2) was 0,20 lengths further back in third, with the favourite Yamadori (5-4) hanging on the turn and running a well-beaten fourth.

Bred by Ndoro Stud, Blue Holly is a daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the Captain Al mare, Allora. A R150 000 National Yearling Sale buy, Blue Holly has won 3 of her 9 starts with 3 places for stakes of R337 580. It was a good effort from Blue Holly after a 24 week break and she could pay to follow. 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 49

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BREEDERS’ CUP CHAMP TO STAND IN CAPE

Expert Eye (GB) winning the Gr2 Vintage Stakes, Goodwood, by 4,5 lengths over 1400m | Credit:Dan Abraham 52 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

Expert Eye, the 2015 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Champion Turf Mile winner inner, has been sold by Juddmonte to Paardeberg Stud to serve as the cornerstone sire for the launch of their new stud venture.

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This venture is a collaboration between British businessmen, Steve Ajax and Charles Palmer, along with renowned South African breeder Sally Bruss. The new stud was created following the acquisition of 200 hectares of land in the wellknown Paarl region of Western Cape, just 45 minutes from Cape Town. Steve and Charles are most recognised in the racing world as the creators of the ground breaking and award-winning Global Team Horse Racing. This innovative concept made its debut at the Hollywoodbets Greyville racetrack in 2022.

Steve, who has been actively involved in South African racing for over a decade, attributes much of his success to his partnership with the late Neil Bruss. He emphasises that all of his sixteen victories during this period were achieved with horses bred by Sally Bruss during her tenure as the manager of Lammerskraal Stud. According to Steve, “Since Sally’s departure from Lammerskraal, she has faced challenges in finding her footing. However, her unwavering passion for breeding racehorses has always been at the forefront of everything she does. Sally’s remarkable track record spans more than 25 years, consistently producing

Fine specimen and excellent track performance: Expert Eye (Acclamation – Exemplify by Dansili) | Credit: Melanie Sauer Photography 54 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

champion racehorses. Her expertise and dedication are unequivocal, positioning her alongside some of the world’s most renowned thoroughbred racehorse breeders.” Juddmonte bred and raced Expert Eye (Acclamation – Exemplify by Dansili) won 5 of his 10 starts at 2 and 3 years in the hands of Sir Michael Stoute and earned £1,416,000. He was a high class 2-year-old, winning Goodwood’s Vintage S. Gr.2 by 5 lengths, in a performance Timeform described as “arguably the most striking performance in a pattern race by a 2-year-old all year!” After a sluggish start at three, Expert Eye sprung back to form with a dominant performance in Royal Ascot’s Jersey Stakes, spread-eagling a high-class field and winning by the biggest margin this century. He also won the City of York S. Gr.2, was 2nd in the Sussex S. Gr.1 and 3rd in the Prix du Moulin Gr.1. Expert Eye capped off his career with a scintillating performance in the G1 Breeders Cup Mile at Churchill Downs, held up off the pace he swooped fast and late under Frankie Dettori to win emphatically. Dettori later described him as “A proper racehorse!” Retired to Juddmonte, Expert Eye’s first crop raced in England last year and yielded 22 individual 2-year-old winners to put him 4th in the Rankings of 1st Crop Sires. His second crop in 2023, has already yielded 14 individual 2-year-old winners, including two very smart Stakes Winners: Snellen, who won the Royal Ascot Chesham S. over 7f., in June and Juniper Berries, who was 4th in Royal Ascot’s Queen Mary S. (Gr.2), before winning the £45,000 Dick Poole Fillies (Gr.3) over 6f. Expert Eye has recently touched down in South Africa and is presently undergoing the mandatory quarantine process. His stud duties at Paardeberg Stud are scheduled to kick off in 2024. South African agent Robin Bruss, who negotiated the sale in collaboration with Felipe Lopes Bloodstock, expressed great optimism about Expert Eye’s reception in South Africa.

He commended Expert Eye as a stallion possessing exceptional looks and correctness, boasting remarkable speed at age 2, achieving world-class status as a miler at 3, and establishing himself as a successful sire of precocious 2-year-olds that continue to excel as they mature. He also noted that Expert Eye carries the esteemed Juddmonte tradition of meticulously selective breeding. On the establishment of Paardeberg Stud, co-owner and director Steve Ajax remarks, “South African racing has endured its share of challenges, from export/import complications and the Phumelela crash to the impact of the Covid pandemic. Nonetheless, there’s a newfound optimism in the air, spearheaded by the fresh leadership at Cape Racing. Charles and I have made a deliberate choice to actively contribute to this resurgence. This commitment involves substantial investments in state-of-the-art facilities, high-quality broodmares, and a top-tier management team.” Fellow co-owner and director Charles Palmer added, “Paardeberg Stud represents an ambitious undertaking, and it was imperative for us to secure a distinguished stallion as a testament to our dedication to the stud and the broader South African thoroughbred racing industry. We consider ourselves exceptionally fortunate to have acquired such an exceptional performer to serve as our standard bearer.”

Her expertise and dedication are unequivocal, positioning her alongside some of the world’s most renowned thoroughbred racehorse breeders. 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 55

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PAARDEBERG STUD – OLD HANDS, NEW BEGINNINGS

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Breeding racehorses in South Africa is not for the faint-hearted. A tough economic climate, rising input costs and the lack of an export market are just some of the daunting hurdles to overcome. Hence the launch of new breeding venture Paardeberg Stud is to be lauded and serves as a welcome boost to the local breeding ranks. Paardeberg Stud – a place of great beauty and peace | Credit:Jeremy Nelson

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The Paardeberg team tending to their precious champions | Credit: Jeremy Nelson

Situated 45 minutes from Cape Town near the Paardeberg mountains, the property formerly known as Dudleyvale is currently in the process of being restored by respected breeder Sally Bruss on behalf of British businessmen Steve Ajax and Charles Palmer, who purchased the 200-hectare farm earlier this year. Sally recalls how she became involved with Steve and Charles. “I have known Steve for years, he raced in partnership with my late husband Neil and used to stay over at Lammerskraal when he was out here for the Cape summer. When I left Lammerskraal and moved to Tulbagh, he supported me by acquiring some mares.”

There is no doubt that Sally has embarked on this daunting new venture with a sense of déjà vu, after all, she developed the famed Lammerskraal Stud virtually from scratch as well. “It’s like Lammerskraal all over again, but I am 35 years older,” she quips. “Lammerskraal was started from a wheat farm, and while there were paddocks in place, there is nothing here. This used to be a cattle farm with some vineyards. We have to start all over again, there were no paddocks, no water cribs, nothing. There are no stables, no hay barns. Old barb wire fencing had to be removed and every paddock we build we have to lay out water.”

“What’s interesting is, that they wanted to invest That Sally is literally run off her feet comes as in the Western Cape, they like the way things are turning around.” no surprise, for she has to develop both equine and human facilities. 60 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

“We have to renovate all the labour accommodation, which is completely run down, without running water and electricity.” On the flip side, there is no shortage of water. “We have scheme water which is pumped to the farm from the Berg River miles away, as well as two boreholes and a stream from the mountains,” she adds. Another advantage is that Paardeberg is in close proximity to Varsfontein Stud with its powerful line-up of stallions. Steve and Charles obviously know a winner when they see one, for Sally’s remarkable track record shows that during her tenure as the manager of Lammerskraal, she expertly nurtured the bloodlines of an its enviable broodmare band to yield no less than 20 Gr1 winners, amongst which Horse of the Year recipients Yard-Arm and Celtic Grove and quite a few Equus champions.

In similar vein, the new owners of Paardeberg Stud are aiming to build up a quality broodmare band and have embarked on purchasing well-performed fillies and racemares. “Over the last year, we have bought a dozen or so and are always on the lookout,” Sally added. “We bought Ripple Effect from Ashley Fortune. She’s now with Glen Kotzen.” The three-year-old daughter of Erupt was precocious enough to land the first baby race of the 2022 season and subsequently chased home champion Mrs Geriatrix in the Listed Ruffian Stakes before running third in the Gr1 SA Nursery to Lucky Lad. A number of high-class mares are already roaming Paardeberg’s brand new paddocks, including the stakes winning maiden Red Berry.

Sally Bruss and her daughter Caitlin Jourdan, with Manager Steven Wasmuth | Credit: Jeremy Nelson 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 61

“ We have to start all over again, there were no paddocks, no water cribs, nothing. There are no stables, no hay barns.” A ‘nice, big, strong mare’, she is by the Redoute’s Choice horse Redoute’s Promise, from the fabulous Taineberry female line, which Sally knows only too well through her daughter Strawberry Lane. She earned Lammerskraal an Equus Broodmare of the Year award as the dam of Gr1 winner Solo Traveller and Redberry Lane. Red Berry will visit Erik The Red as her first mate. Obviously, there are a couple of mares with tangible links to Lammerskraal. Sourced from last year’s reduction sale are Izora and Gail Force, daughters of champion racemare Icy Air. The former ran second in the Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes, is already dam of two multiple winners and has been tested in foal to champion Jet Dark. Gail Force has an ‘exquisite’ What A Winter filly at foot and will also visit the Drakenstein newcomer. Paardeberg is also home to the Western Winter sisters La Belle Helene and Nina Katrina, daughters of Majorca victress Trojan Belle, who also produced the ill-fated of Gr2 winner Buran and Gr1-placed Ice Belle to the former Lammerskraal champion. Booked to visit The United States this season, Nina Katrina has a filly at foot by Malmoos, who in turn is the selected mate for La Belle Helene. Sally is more than taken with the first foals by the young Ridgemont stallion, “they are outstanding with great temperaments,” she remarked. No surprise then, that another young mare set for Ridgemont and a liaison with Malmoos is Magic Trick, a Trippi daughter out of the Gr1 winner Little Miss Magic. Western Winter’s champion son What A Winter has successfully covered Ponal, an Ideal World full sister to the Gr3 winner Cape Speed. This stakes producer struck with her first foal Pamushana’s Pride, who won the Listed Derby Trial and was runner-up in the Gr1 SA Derby. 62 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

Also in foal is the Oratorio mare Mrs O, a Gr2placed half-sister to stakes winner Simona and a grandaughter of the fine Lammerskraal mare Donya. “She was the very first mare covered by Rafeef this year,” Sally said of Mrs O, who has a What A Winter yearling filly. Sally is extremely excited about Paardeberg’s foundation stallion, the English-bred Expert Eye. Purchased from Juddmonte, the Gr1 Breeders Cup Mile winner arrived in midOctober and is currently in quarantine. “Robin Bruss sourced him from Juddmonte, who sold him purely because they needed space for their newly-retired stallion Chaldean,” Sally remarked. “He’s a quality, athletic horse with very good conformation. He has two crops to race and is a prolific sire of two-year-olds. His sire Acclamation is a source of sprinter/milers and is also an emerging sire of sires, with the very popular Mehmas and Dark Angel in the UK. He is sire also of Romantic Warrior, who won the Gr1 Cox Plate in Australia on Saturday.” “This horse offers amazing opportunities for breeders, as South Africa has not been able to import many stallions in recent years. His progeny don’t act in the soft, which makes him ideal for our conditions and as a source of speedy two-year-olds, he deserves to be given every chance to succeed by our fellow breeders.” Exciting times. For now, it’s heads down though and knowing Sally, her unwavering enthusiasm and meticulous attention to detail will ensure that her partners will be handsomely rewarded in times to come.

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Hospices De Beaune stretching at the RTR gallops | Credit: Romi Bettison 64 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

IN THE PINK

‘Cape Racing’s syndication programme is a game-changer, adding an additional layer of incentives to a racing renaissance that has already been boosted by increased prize money and appearance fees’ 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 65

Cape Racing’s syndication programme is a game-changer, adding an additional layer of incentives to a racing renaissance that has already been boosted by increased prize money and appearance fees. Normandy’s Oscar Foulkes writes that when you add these incentives to the two sales companies’ juvenile win bonuses, the financial picture of racehorse ownership changes dramatically. Of course, entertainment is the only payoff one can confidently offer to racehorse owners, but it’s nice to know that there is an outside chance of banking some cash as well. Lucinda Woodruff is one of a handful of trainers to register as an official Cape Turf Club Syndicator. As she puts it, “When Cape Racing initially presented the syndication scheme to us, the opportunity for growth it offered to smaller yards such as mine was a no-brainer.” Having had the experience of running syndicates since 2018 without any of the incentives, it was also a no-brainer for me to register Normandy Racing as an official syndicator. When Normandy Stud’s first colt through the ring at last week’s RTR sale was not sold, she approached me about buying him for her intended syndicate. We agreed on a price, and the deal was done. Having also bought a filly for the Woodruff Racing syndicate, she subsequently asked if she could have this colt in a Normandy syndicate, rather than hers, and so an unexpected collaboration was formed. Both our syndicates’ racing colours are pink, which means she hasn’t strayed far off the script. For my part, the colt looks like a really good prospect, so it’s great to remain connected. I’m thoroughly enjoying working with her in putting together the group of people who will share in the journey of his racing career. 66 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

The case for Hospices de Beaune is an easy one to make. For starters, his work in the leadup to the sale was very good, and then he put up a cracking pre-sale gallop. He looks like he’ll be an early type, which is not a surprise for an Erupt. His highly promising full-sister, Public Benefit, made her debut in January, although her physical type is more indicative of a 1600 to 2000m horse. The financial case for him is that he qualifies for both lots of juvenile win bonuses, totaling R175 000. Because he’s trained by Lucinda, his appearance fee is R3000 per race, and the syndicate’s win stakes bonus (of R20 000) extends to three wins per season. This means that he could earn R195 000 for his juvenile win, without taking regular stakes into account. Lucinda is selling shares in Hospices de Beaune at R12750 per 5%, although you can choose the share you want (the cost will be a pro rata adjustment for larger or smaller shares). The smallest share is 1%, at a cost of R2550. Monthly expenses will be on a pay-as-you-go basis (in other words, not included in the upfront cost). The final word belongs to Lucinda, “I’m delighted to be starting the syndicate journey in partnership with Normandy Stud, and to draw on Oscar’s syndicate management experience. To start with a quality horse, such as Hospices de Beaune, makes it even brighter.” (Hospices de Beaune was built in the 15th century to service the poor and most disadvantaged. This charitable institution is still in existence. One of its sources of funding is the annual Hospices de Beaune auction of Burgundy wines. The colt’s dam, Good Cause, is by Philanthropist, hence the charitable theme in his name.)

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE PLEASE CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

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BOK BILLY

BECOMES AN ALL BLACK Billy Jacobson will be emigrating to New Zealand with his family | Credit: Candiese Lenferna 70 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

KZN jockey Billy Jacobson and his family begin a brand new life adventure on Saturday when they jet out of Durban destined for the land of the long white cloud. Billy follows in the bootprints of fellow Durbanite and 2021/22 SA champion jockey Warren Kennedy, who has settled comfortably and successfully into New Zealand life, since emigrating in 2022. Through colleagues Donovan Mansour and Warren Kennedy, Billy has decided to take his chances in New Zealand and will be based in Cambridge, about an hour from Auckland. Cambridge is in the Waipa District of the Waikato region of the North Island and is known as ‘The Town of Trees & Champions’. “I got offered the opportunity before and I turned it down. So this was my last chance,” he laughs as he explains that he will be riding with his good mate, Warren Kennedy. “Cambridge is like our Summerveld. I have never been to New Zealand before, so I am leaning on the good advice and recommendations of loyal guys like Warren and

Donovan, both of whom I trust.” Asked what his single biggest concern would be, he adds, ‘the weather’. “That’s probably been the only negative when I have spoken to anybody who has lived or worked there. But if my family and I are together and safe, then little else matters,” he adds. It is never a straightforward or simple decision to uproot a family and travel into the unknown of a whole new way of life. But Billy tells the Sporting Post that he and wife Mel, together with 4 year old Cooper and younger brother Tyler, are determined to make the very best of it. “I am leaving my Dad and my Sister behind, so we still have family here in South Africa. And this move is ultimately for my boys and their future,“ he adds, as he explains that at the age of 43 he either takes his chances now, or stays put for good! “We travelled to Mauritius last year and spent eight months there. I had reached a crossroads in my professional life. But the new environment on the island sparked a revival and renewed interest in my career for me.”

Mel and Billy with Tyler and Cooper – all set for the new challenge | Credit: Supplied 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | 71

Billy tells that since they returned home to SA, their eyes have been opened in many ways. “I don’t want to be negative. South Africa has given us a great standard of living. But when living here, we tend to accept and maybe not see what’s going on, I think. And then the unfortunate incident happened in February. Couple that with the fact that, despite hard work, it is very difficult to get support and a good flow of rides. So we considered things holistically and thought, let’s go! It’s an exciting time for all four of us.” Billy says that many stakeholders have supported him loyally. He lists trainers like Yogas Govender, Garth Puller, Tony Rivalland and Gareth van Zyl, as well as Gill and Marius Mostert of Loving Life Stables. “We are actually staying with Gill and Marius and they really and truly have been wonderful to us. Ironically we put our home in Summerveld on the market about eight months

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ago. We signed the papers last week and our visas came through last Wednesday. So it’s all falling into place!” Billy qualified from the SA Jockey Academy in 2001 in the same class as MJ Byleveld, Bernard Fayd’herbe and Corne Orffer. He left for Dubai and from there he raced all over the world, including Qatar, France, Spain and Mauritius. So the challenge of riding on foreign soil won’t be brand new. “It’s a challenge, of course it is. But it’s also exciting. Life is about making your own luck and always doing what you believe is the very best for your family. Thanks again to all the wonderful folk who have supported us and been so kind. I will miss you all – and obviously being a part of a World Champion rugby nation!”

STALLIONS 2023

CANFORD CLIFFS

PAT H F O R K

(LIVE FOAL)

R20,000

R5,000

MALMOOS

P OTA L A PA L A C E

(LIVE FOAL)

N E W P R E D ATO R

RAFEEF

(LIVE FOAL)

(R20,000 UP FRONT + R50,000 LIVE FOAL)

R25,000

R12,500

R5,000

R70,000

REAL GONE KID FEE ON APPLICATION

TRADITION OF CHAMPIONS

Craig Carey | E: craig@ridgemont.co.za | M: +27 (0) 82 654 5169 | www.ridgemont.co.za

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DECLARATIONOFPEACE (USA) v

War Front - Serena’s Cat (Storm Cat)

Stands at MacRath Stud in Nottingham Road • The son of brilliant American sire War Front has enjoyed two full books of mares in his first two years at stud, His mare book includes Gr1 producing mares such as Mystery Dame (Lady In Black and Nexus) and Bloomhill mare, Wysiwyg – the dam of Bohica and Bartholdi. • A $2,6-million weanling who is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Honor Code and Gr2 winner Noble Tune, Declarationofpeace has also enjoyed significant support from breeders outside of the KZN province, with Cape mares travelling for cover. • Declarationofpeace is throwing quality and size into his foals and his first yearlings will be on offer in the sales rings in 2024. Service Fee: R 20 000 Live foal Enquiries and Booking: Mike McHardy (083 447 5315) advertorial

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SAVE THIS PREMIER DATE! Entries have been finalised for the 2024 Cape Premier Yearling Sale renewal, set for the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Thursday, 25 January 2024. The event will be hosted for the second time under the auspices of Cape Racing and powered by Tattersalls, Europe’s leading bloodstock auctioneers. CPYS 2024 promises to showcase the best in the South African breeding industry, featuring 140 top-notch yearlings that will attract serious interest from the most discerning thoroughbred experts. A formidable bench is expected, with the sale being held just two days before the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met and a host of horse buyers, racing fans and holidaymakers in Cape Town. Last year’s Premier Sale attracted a gathering of the who’s who of thoroughbred buyers, with leading, prominent international interests represented. They included the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), Bjorn Nielsen, Amanda Skiffington, Peter and Ross Doyle, Fiona Carmichael, and the Niarchos family. The HKJC secured the top seller, Valley of The Kings (Lot 107, Gimmethegreenlight), for R3.8 million from Maine Chance Farms.

Spirited bidding can be expected with the bar set this high, and new benchmarks are possible. Graduates from the 2024 Premier Sale onwards will qualify for all of Cape Racing’s incentive schemes and the Golden Slipper, the new “sales race”. Bonuses of R100,000 will be paid for the first juvenile win of any race, and this will be payable not only in Juvenile races but with a broader reach to include open Maiden races won by juveniles. The inaugural Golden Slipper (featuring 2023 Premier Sale graduates) will be held on Met Day in 2024 with R1.25 million on offer. The Slipper’s purse has already been increased to R1.5 million for 2025, open to all graduates from the 2024 sale. “We have positioned the Cape Premier Yearling Sale powered by Tattersalls as a go-to for breeders with high-quality forward types. We are excited to be offering a selection of classic yearlings, marked by our inspectors for having increased quality and depth,” said Justin Vermaak, Racing & Bloodstock Executive for Cape Racing. Save The Date: 25 January 2024!

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE PLEASE WATCH THE CAPE RACING PREMIER YEARLING SALE 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

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QUESTIONING GOES FROM 91 TO 111 Puerto Manzano has seen his merit rating increase from 123 to 125 after winning the Gr2 Allied Steelrode – Onamission Charity Mile (handicap) over 1600m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 28 October. The Handicappers were of the opinion that BLESS MY STARS made for the ideal line horse here, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 119. The only other increase was for runner-up COUSIN CASEY, who was adjusted from 122 to 123. BINGWA and MARIGOLD HOTEL were dropped by 1 pound each from 119 to 118 and 107 to 106 respectively. The following horses were given a 2 pounds drop each, SHOEMAKER was dropped from 114 to 112, DAVE THE KING who failed to confirm his brilliant 3rd place finish in the Champions Cup behind PRINCESS CALLA and SEE IT AGAIN was dropped from 126 to 124, SAFE PASSAGE from 119 to 117 and LADY OF POWER was dropped from 109 to 107. Only one horse was given a 3 pounds drop, SECOND BASE saw his rating cut from 120 to 117.

Gr3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes MAIN DEFENDER remains on a rating of 121 after winning the Grade 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes for three-year-olds over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here it was 3rd placed GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE who was deemed to make for the best line horse, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 108. It must be borne in mind that the top two runners here, conceded 2 and 3 kilograms respectively to their rivals. This explains the significant difference in their ratings over their rivals for 78 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

3,25 and more lengths superiority. In rating the race this way, MAIN DEFENDER only achieves a rating of 119 hence his unchanged rating, SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT was increased to 121 as his performance was calculated to be better than the winner due to the greater penalty, he received at these weight terms for being a Grade 1 winner. The specific race conditions do not permit increases of more than 4 pounds for the placed runners. Accordingly, THE AFRICA HOUSE had to be capped at a rating of 98 despite actually running to a higher figure. There were no other changes made to the runners in this race.

Gr3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes EGYPTIAN MAU has had her rating picked up from 105 to 110 following her win in the Grade 3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here it was runner-up WHITE PEARL who was considered to make for the best line horse. The Handicappers believe that WHITE PEARL would not have run worse than the 109 she achieved in her last start and as such used that mark of 109 to rate this race. In doing so, WHITE PEARL goes up from 105 to 109. The specific conditions of this race do not

allow for an increase of more than 4 pounds for placed runners, LET’S GO NOW was only adjusted to a rating of 95 from 91 despite actually achieving a higher rating. There were no other changes made in this race.

Listed Golden Loom Handicap DYCE has had his rating raised from 106 to 116 after emphatically winning the Listed Golden Loom Handicap over the straight 1000m course at Turffontein on Saturday. It was 3rd placed I AM GIANT who was used as the line horse here, leaving him unaltered on a rating of 98. Runner-up CAPTAIN HINDSIGHT was increased by 4 pounds from 106 to 110 for beating the line horse, I AM GIANT, by 2 lengths. The only other change was for FULL VELOCITY, who was dropped from 104 to 102.

Listed Allied Steelrode Java Stakes ZEUS has had his rating raised from 103 to 111 following his success in the Allied Steelrode Java Stakes over 2400m at Turffontein on Saturday. It was 3rd placed FLYING BULL who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 96. In rating the race this way, ZEUS actually runs to a mark of 114 however, the specific race conditions only permit a maximum eight-pounds ratings rise for the winner so, accordingly the prolific ZEUS had to be capped at a rating of 111.

The runner-up BLACK THORN was raised by 3 pounds, from 99 to 102 which he also achieved in his previous start when 2nd in a Middle Stakes, this effectively makes BLACK THORN a line horse as well. The only runner to receive a drop was last year’s winner ARUMUGAM, who was dropped from 102 to 98 after failing to confirm his Grade 3 Gold Cup run in two subsequent performances.

Gr3 Cape Classic The hugely progressive QUESTIONING has had his rating raised from 91 to 111 following his win in the Cape Classic over 1400m at Durbanville on Sunday. It was 3rd placed GREEN WITH ENVY who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 101. Runner-up SNOW PILOT was raised to 105 from 95 after beating, the 101 rated, GREEN WITH ENVY at level weights by 2.25 lengths. GREETING MY MASTER and TENANGO were increased to 95 and 94 respectively so that they meet on correct Handicap terms with GREEN WITH ENVY and ZIL MORRIS in future handicaps, furthermore, their ratings will now also place them in the correct order for elimination purposes. The following horses received ratings drops, JUST VAR from 94 to 90 and PARATROOPER was dropped to 96 from 97. There were no other changes to this race.

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Curlin – Smart Strike ex Sherriff’s Deputy by Deputy Minister | Credit: Hill ‘n Dale

MORE BREEDERS’ CUP SUCCESS FOR CURLIN? Not only did the chestnut’s sons Cody’s Wish This Friday and Saturday sees the and Elite Power win the 2022 Big Ass Fans running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championship meeting at Santa Anita. Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and Qatar Racing One stallion who has already enjoyed plenty of success in the Breeders Cup, and who looks poised for more success this year is Curlin (Smart Strike). Himself winner of the 2007 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic and fourth in the following year’s Classic, Curlin reached new heights at the Breeders’ Cup in 2022.

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Breeders’ Cup Sprint respectively, Curlin’s champion daughter Malathaat won the Gr1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

The 2022 Breeders’ Cup Distaff was a true triumph for Curlin, whose daughters Malathaat, Clairiere and Nest finished first, third and fourth respectively. To date, Curlin has been responsible for five Breeders’ Cup winners -Cody’s Wish, Elite

Power, Good Magic, Malathaat, and Vino Rosso.

both could well make their presence felt at this year’s Breeders’ Cup meeting.

The dual US Horse Of The Year could well add to his tally in 2023, with Curlin well represented at this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championship meeting. His Gr1 Jockey Club Gold Cup winning son Bright Future lines up in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race his sire has already plenty of success in.

Good Magic, whose first crop was headed by Kentucky Derby winner Mage, is the sire of Gr1 American Pharoah Stakes winner Muth -a strong contender for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Champion Vino Rosso, currently the fourth leading First-Crop Sire by earnings in North America, looks likely to be represented by his sons The Wine Steward and Wine Me Up in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Multiple Gr1 winners Clairiere and Idiomatic will bid to provide Curlin with a second successive win in the Distaff, while Cody’s Wish and Elite Power will bid to defend their Dirt Mile and Sprint crowns respectively. Bright Future is cross entered in the Dirt Mile-a race for which Curlin grandson Skippylongstocking is also entered for. Curlin’s Breeders’ Cup winning sons Good Magic and Vino Rosso have made tremendous starts to their respective stud careers and

This year has been another outstanding one for Curlin, who, at the time of writing, had been responsible for 11 stakes winners in 2023, of which nine are graded stakes winners. The son of Smart Strike’s flagbearers this year include the Gr1 winners Cody’s Wish, Clairiere, Bright Future, Idiomatic, and Elite Power.

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James Doyle joins Wathnan Racing | Credit: Qipco British Champions Series 82 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

DOYLE PARTS COMPANY WITH GODOLPHIN James Doyle has called time on his retainer with Godolphin and joined the Emir of Qatar’s fast-growing Wathnan Racing operation. Doyle, 35, partnered the Sheikh Tamim-owned Ballymount Boy to victory in the Listed Prospect Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday, and will be seen more regularly in the owner’s blue, beige, and red silks in 2024. He said: “It is a tremendous honour for me to sign for Wathnan. It’s an amazing opportunity for me going forward and I’m greatly looking forward to working with Olly Tait, Richard Brown, and the rest of the team.” Doyle leaves Godolphin at the end of 2023 having previously ridden as number one jockey in the pink, lime green, and white silks for Khalid Abdullah. Doyle said: “I want to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, Charlie Appleby, and everyone at Godolphin for the unstinting support they’ve given me over the last nine years. “It’s been a wonderful time and I have enjoyed literally every moment, but this is an incredible new venture, and I can’t wait to get started in January.” Charlie Appleby provided Doyle with his biggest Godolphin victories said: “James has been a key member of our team for his whole time with us and, while we will miss him greatly, he’s leaving very much with our blessing, and we wish him all the very best with this exciting new chapter in his riding career.”

on the racecourse, not the least of which was Coroebus winning the 2,000 Guineas last year, but he also rode a number of other stable stars like Blue Point and Naval Crown. We will continue to use James whenever his new commitments permit because he’s a worldclass jockey.” Olly Tait, who formerly worked for Sheikh Mohammed’s breeding operation, Darley, before joining Wathnan Racing as an adviser last year, saw Doyle as an “incredible addition” to the Qatar operation. “Wathnan is delighted to have retained the services of James Doyle,” Tait said. “He’s a fantastic rider and an incredible addition to the team. We’re all looking forward to working closely with James in the coming years.” This time 12 months ago, no one had even heard of Wathnan Racing. A year on, and the ownership group is now a significant player at the sales and regularly competing in big races on the track. Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim, whose brother Sheikh Joaan operates Al Shaqab Racing and cousin Sheikh Fahad acts as principal for Qatar Racing, has rapidly expanded his racing interests this year, and celebrated a Royal Ascot double courtesy of Courage Mon Ami in the Gold Cup and Gregory in the Queen’s Vase.

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HONG KONG WARRIOR RULES DOWN UNDER

Romantic Warrior stays on to beat Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood | Credit: HKJC 86 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

Romantic Warrior has sealed his reputation as an elite global performer with a stunning win in the Gr1 W.S. Cox Plate , creating history by becoming Hong Kong’s first victor in Australasia’s greatest weight-for-age race at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

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Given a perfect ride by James McDonald, Romantic Warrior clinched his fourth Gr1 – and his first abroad – with a terminal last-stride lunge to deny Mr Brightside by a nose, while Alligator Blood was a short neck further away in third place.

McDonald, 31, clinched his second W.S. Cox Plate after winning last year on Anamoe with a supremely calculated ride. The New Zealander surged forward from barrier seven from the start and was momentarily caught three wide behind leader King Colorado.

The overall time of 2m 03.16s was only marginally outside of four-time winner Winx’s race record of 2m 02.94s, set in 2017.

But McDonald refused to panic, retaining unshakeable faith in Romantic Warrior, who settled well off a solid speed in fourth place behind King Colorado, Zaaki and Alligator Blood before angling out approaching the home turn.

Trainer Danny Shum struggled to reconcile the magnitude of Romantic Warrior’s triumph, which gave him his second major international success after Little Bridge’s Gr1 King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) victory at Royal Ascot in 2012. “I don’t know how to tell you how happy I am. I am really happy,” Shum said while celebrating with owner Peter Lau. “I want to thank Peter the owner for giving permission to come here. James McDonald, all the team, all the Hong Kong fans, my wife Christine, my son Aaron – I love you, I love you.”

I’m more happy than I can tell you. I was confident he would run a good race.

Asked what the victory meant, Shum said: “It has big meaning for me as a trainer. It makes me happy. I’m more happy than I can tell you. I was confident he would run a good race. It is a strong race. “He overcame all of the challenges and the difficulties.” Romantic Warrior became only the second Hong Kong horse to win an Australian Group 1 after Cape Of Good Hope’s 2005 Gr1 Australia Stakes (1200m) success for David Oughton at Moonee Valley and the first international Group 1 on the international stage since Aerovelocity won the 2015 Gr1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Japan’s Chukyo Racecourse and 2015 Gr1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) in Singapore. 88 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

Just when it seemed Alligator Blood would prevail, Mr Brightside dashed through on the rail and appeared likely to win – until Romantic Warrior surged to clinch victory in one of the closest finishes in W.S. Cox Plate history. A Hong Kong International Sale graduate, Romantic Warrior took his career earnings to HK$99.6 million with Saturday’s HK$15.1 million purse (AU$3 million).

The Acclamation gelding’s record now stands at 11 wins from 16 starts with Gr1 successes in the FWD QEII Cup (2022 & 2023), the 2022 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) as well as his 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) triumph. McDonald played an instrumental role in convincing Romantic Warrior’s connections to campaign in Australia. “I showed belief. This horse is pretty special to me. I mentioned if he came to a Cox Plate, he’d be a suitable horse,” McDonald said. “I meant what I said and credit to Peter and Danny, it takes a hell of a lot of courage to come out of Hong Kong with all the prizemoney.

A delighted Danny Shum celebrates his biggest victory | Credit: HKJC

“It is one of the best racing jurisdictions in the world and they come here and showcase their boy.

McDonald believes the five-year-old can improve further ahead of the 10 December showpiece at Sha Tin.

“I was comfortable. I knew I was on the right horse I kept going (saying) ‘He’s the best horse, he’s the best horse’, so I’d ride him like it.

“I reckon he’s got more to come, too. He’s been bubbling,” McDonald said.

“I took a gamble about the 1000 (metres) or 1200. We elected to come back a spot and I believe that was the winning move. Giving my horse an extra length to come back.” Romantic Warrior and travelling companion Romantic Charm will fly back to Hong Kong today (Monday) and McDonald has no doubt Romantic Warrior can strongly contend in the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup at the HK$118 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races where he will potentially clash with several of today’s combatants.

Among those horses included in the entries for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, Mr Brightside showed he would be highly competitive at Sha Tin by almost toppling Romantic Warrior, while Duais (fourth), Gold Trip (fifth) and Zaaki (sixth) were beaten less than two lengths. Another LONGINES Hong Kong Cup nominee, Victoria Road, finished ninth. Six-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton finished seventh aboard Fangirl, who raced along the fence with limited room in the home straight.

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Voyage Bubble set for return to action this month | Credit: HKJC 90 | 1 NOVEMBER 2023

NO BURSTING BUBBLES! Voyage Bubble’s long-awaited return to racing is looming large and jockey Alexis Badel is satisfied with the Deep Field gelding’s progression ahead of his HK$5.35 million Gr2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile test on 19 November at Sha Tin. Requiring left knee surgery last May, Voyage Bubble hasn’t raced since he finished fourth behind Golden Sixty in April’s G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), which came one run after his 45/1 surprise victory in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) last March. Voyage Bubble also won last season’s Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. He boasts five wins from 12 starts and HK$26.43 million in earnings for trainer Ricky Yiu as one of last season’s most improved talents.

hit the line strong enough,” Badel said. Jockey Vincent Ho was all smiles following Golden Sixty’s second barrier trial leading up to his return as he aims to build on his record HK$147.93 million earnings. “He went well, he was happy to be out there today. He was sharp out of the gates, he travelled very nicely and in the last 200 (metres) I asked him to build up a little bit, to at least work a bit – he can be a bit lazy in the morning. “We just need to make sure he worked enough to go through the line and get his fitness up – I’m happy and pleased with his progress at the moment. He showed much improvement from his last trial,” Ho said. Golden Sixty – Hong Kong’s current champion – has won nine Group 1 races and is a 25-time winner from 29 starts.

He stepped out for a dirt trial in preparation on Tuesday, 31 October at Sha Tin over 1200m under Badel, while Golden Sixty, Beauty Eternal and Tuchel featured in the same hit-out.

“Today he was much better. First trial he was a bit fat, today he was a lot better and he came back easy, nice and fresh. It was a good stretch out for him, which we needed him to do.

“He felt great. Action-wise he was fine and he showed that he felt comfortable, I think the trial was as good as it can possibly be – I was very pleased,” Badel said.

“It’s not easy to go straight to the (Hong Kong) International Races but it’s also not easy to go straight to the Group 2 because once he’s out there he tries very hard to win. We don’t want him to overdo it in November and make himself tired for December,” Ho said.

Voyage Bubble stretched out just behind Beauty Eternal and Golden Sixty. Beauty Eternal crossed the line first in 1m 10.42s, while Golden Sixty was second. “He (Voyage Bubble) was as good as you could really expect. The horse jumped good, he showed good speed, he moved well and he showed that he was really happy to try and he

The Medaglia d’Oro gelding’s ultimate goal this season is a third Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile triumph for trainer Francis Lui and owner Stanley Chan.

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results up to: 2023-11-01

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Mr S J Snaith

248

10.1

105

42.3

1,623,438

2,832,644

Mrs C L Bass-Robinson

171

14.6

46.8

1,847,813

2,694,038

Mr A P Peter

112

22.3

48.2

1,904,688

2,504,188

Mr A C Greeff

210

12.9

38.6

1,543,438

2,259,400

Mr G D Smith

270

9.3

111

41.1

1,278,988

2,066,975

Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Mr R D Fourie

332

21.1

166

50.0

4,324,063

6,113,238

Mr M A Yeni

437

15.1

106

227

51.9

4,072,813

6,232,563

Mr G J Lerena

246

17.9

126

51.2

3,336,125

4,767,200

Mr S Khumalo

219

15.1

103

47.0

2,053,438

3,010,075

Mr C Zackey

353

9.1

162

45.9

2,042,188

3,637,031

JOCKEYS Other Places

BREEDERS Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

B.T. B.T. Total Wnrs/ Wnrs Wins Rnrs% Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R)

Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

219

525

29,942

29.2

225

6,557,263

Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

130

259

31,757

26.9

115

4,128,450

Klawervlei Stud

174

407

21,560

20.1

165

3,751,438

Varsfontein Stud

106

250

25,246

20.8

106

2,676,063

Ridgemont Highlands

100

209

23,623

23.0

2,362,319

Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

B.T. B.T. Total Wnrs/ Wnrs Wins Rnrs% Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R)

Master Of My Fate

139

348

28,189

26.6

157

3,918,338

Querari (GER)

130

310

27,425

25.4

135

3,565,263

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)

144

298

24,716

17.4

145

3,559,125

Vercingetorix

124

268

25,206

24.2

102

3,125,538

What A Winter

119

275

24,376

21.8

109

2,900,738

SIRES

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