SP Sprint - 5 June 2024

QUID PRO QUO!

On the cover

Old friends become Grade 1 champions! Smanga Khumalo and Barend Botes enjoy the moment after Quid Pro Quo’s sensational victory in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. It was a maiden Grade 1 success for Barend Botes and the winner’s underutilized sire, Lance. Candiese Lenferna was the photographer.

LUCKY LADS!

Daniel Tarry and Richard Fourie reflect on Lucky Lad’s sensational last gasp victory in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. Richard is now in the single digit home-run of Anthony Delpech’s 25 year long season record, and the R1 million incentive offered by Hollywoodbets.

Candiese Lenferna took the photograph

CAN TARRY GRAB GOLD AGAIN?

More drama this Saturday? Lucky Lad storms home under Richard Fourie last Saturday to win the Gr1 Golden Horse. Craig Zackey is throwing the reins at runner-up At My Command | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

With 75 career Grade 1 winners to his name, five-times SA Champion trainer Sean Tarry has just celebrated the 20th of those at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, courtesy of the exciting 3yo Lucky Lad who made time stand still as he flashed through to win Saturday’s Golden Horse Sprint.

Twenty Grade 1 winners at a venue that only has four elite level races every year is a remarkable achievement, but now the spotlight shifts to Hollywoodbets Greyville for a contest that has been billed the race of the seasonand with good reason!

A nationally representative line-up of 13 of South Africa’s best milers will bump heads on Saturday in the 53rd renewal of the premier SA Champions Season weight- for-age mile, the R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge.

Hollywoodbets Greyville hosts the clash of the titans which was won last year by Drakenstein’s retired champion Charles Dickens, who will mark his inaugural season in the Franschhoek stallion barn in the forthcoming breeding season.

Five sophomores will carry the flag this year for the younger generation, with newsmaking Highveld Champion Main Defender (Hollywoodbets’ 3-1 favourite) bumping his

counterpart Sandringham Summit (7-2) and Sean Tarry’s sensational Gr1 Golden Horse winner Lucky Lad, who has been priced up at 9-2 by the big race sponsors.

The decision to back Lucky Lad up so soon after his breathtaking victory over the 1200m in the KZN Capital City, has raised some eyebrows, as it’s not the stereotyped timeframework that we are used to with the top yards here.

But Sean Tarry told the Sporting Post that there was plenty of short interval precedent internationally, including the Melbourne Cup build-up races, and that the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge had always been the main target for the handsome son of Gimmethegreenlight.

“We reverted to ‘plan C’ after Thunderstruck’s retirement,” explained the five-times SA champion conditioner, who said that with Dyce carrying topweight and Lucky Lad coming into

the Golden Horse carrying 54,5kgs, and the rest, bar two, at varying terms of sufferance, it was a chance that they simply had to take.

“The Hollywoodbets Scottsville engagement was the real worry. But he came through that with flying colours, emptied his manger on Sunday, and looks a million dollars today. Richard Fourie said before Saturday that he would like to ride Lucky Lad in both the Golden Horse and the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. We are thus on track, and while we put plenty of thought into our planning, we have to be flexible and are now hoping for the best.”

Tarry responded to our question as to whether Lucky Lad, a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry, would get the mile, by pointing out that a sprinter would not be getting up on the post as he has done in both the Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes and the Gr1 Golden Horse recently, were he not looking for further.

“He’s showing us that further ground is the way to go. He did chase Sandringham Summit home in the 1400m TAB Gr2 Dingaans at Turffontein,” he added.

As to his 11 draw, the 55 year old trainer said that even a professional racing operation was permitted to believe in ‘good omen’s, every now and again.

“When he won the Gr1 Gold Medallion last season he did it from gate 11. On Saturday he won the Gr1 Golden Horse from gate 11. He starts in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge from gate 11 this coming Saturday. Richard Fourie knows him well. We will leave it to the top jockey.”

And will he go for the Hollywoodbets Durban July?

“Our focus is now on the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. We will assess things thereafter. One thing I can tell you is that we will not be running Lucky Lad in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, if we don’t believe he can win it.”

Sandringham Summit was left flat-footed by the rampant Green With Envy in the WSB Gr2 Guineas last month, while betting boards topper Main Defender has not seen race action for over three months since beating the older Dave The King in the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes.

Michael Roberts’ See It Again had a nice blowout prior to races on the Daily News 2000 raceday, and wraps up his Hollywoodbets Durban July prep on Saturday.

Lucky Lad’s stablemate and unlucky IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes runner-up Cousin Casey is quoted at 14-1 and may be a value pick for his staunch supporters who have waited what feels like a lifetime for him to find winning form.

Justin Snaith last won this weight-for-age mile in 2019 with Do It Again, and in 2015 with Legislate. Both were ridden by Richard Fourie, while Snaith’s first Gold Challenge winner was the top filly Dancer’s Daughter, who won the race in 2008 when ridden by Weichong Marwing and beating Imbongi (Anthony Delpech) in the glorious days when it was run on the left-handed Clairwood track.

AND THEN THERE WERE 36

While there is a last chance for a back-door entry into the R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July, which will be shut at 11h00 on Monday 24 June, there are 36 hopefuls still in the game after the second declarations stage was reached on Monday 3 June.

All of the major players are still in the hunt, although this weekend’s Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge, the Gr3 Cup Trial, and the Gr3 Jubilee Stakes (Turffontein on Sunday) could see some changes in plans.

The maximum final field will be 20, which includes 2 reserve runners. Only 18 can run.

Final supplementary entries close at 11h00 on Tuesday 18 June.

Weights will be published on Tuesday 18 June.

Final declarations close at 11h00 on Monday 24 June.

Final Field and Draw – announcement of the Final Field and Barrier Draws will be on Tuesday 25 June.

On the fashion front, for the first time this year, fashion design students from across KZN provided judges with a glimpse of their artistic and creative interpretations of the official ‘Ride the Wave’ theme for Durban’s premier race day event.

Tuesday kicked off the opening round of judging in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair and judges had a tough time

viewing and deciding on the best designs from more almost 100 entrants.

“Today was absolutely thrilling. These young designers have pushed the boundaries of fashion, and we are incredibly excited to see who will emerge victorious in the competition,” said Vuyisile Ngobese, public relations officer for the Hollywood Foundation and one of the judges.

“The ‘Ride the Wave’ theme has inspired creative and stunning designs. Each designer brought their unique interpretation, showcasing a remarkable blend of innovation and artistry. The intricate details, bold colours, and inventive textures we saw today were truly extraordinary. It was a tough decision, but we’ve selected the top 25 semi-finalists who truly captured the spirit of the theme with their exceptional craftsmanship and flawless execution,” said Ngobese.

The 25 semi-finalists will go on to show off their creations once again at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping on June 19, when 10 finalists will be announced. These top ten will then show off their interpretations at the Hollywoodbets Durban July Fashion Experience Preview Gala at Gateway and again on stage at the Hollywoodbets Durban July on July 6, where the top three student designers will be announced.

Hollywoodbets DURBAN JULY (Grade 1) 2nd Declarations

Sc#Horse

MassMRB A T MJockeyTrainer

0SEE IT AGAIN 0132B A...............Michael Roberts

0MAIN DEFENDER 0131A...............Tony Peter

0GREEN WITH ENVY0127A...............Dean Kannemeyer

0DAVE THE KING 0126A...............Mike de Kock

0FLAG MAN 0126A...............Gareth van Zyl

0ROYAL VICTORY 0125AM YeniNathan Kotzen

0LUCKY LAD 0124A T...............Sean Tarry

0ROYAL AUSSIE 0124A...............Justin Snaith

0WINCHESTER MANSION0124C A...............Brett Crawford

0COUSIN CASEY 0123A...............Sean Tarry

0BARBARESCO 0122A...............J A Janse van Vuuren

0PURPLE PITCHER 0120A...............Robyn Klaasen

0SNOW PILOT 0120A...............Justin Snaith

0WITHOUT QUESTION0120A...............Justin Snaith

0SON OF RAJ 0119B A...............Tony Peter

0ARAGOSTA 0118A...............Mike de Kock

0FRANCES ETHEL 0118A...............Brett Crawford

0ORIENTAL CHARM0118A...............Brett Crawford

0FUTURE PEARL 0116A T...............Sean Tarry

0HLUHLUWE 0116A...............Justin Snaith

0HOTARUBI 0116C A T...............Sean Tarry

0SILVER SANCTUARY0116A...............Mike de Kock

0MASTER REDOUTE0115A TC OrfferAndre Nel

0WILLIAM IRON ARM0114A...............Tony Peter

0FUTURE SWING 0110A...............Justin Snaith

0MUCHO DINERO 0110A...............Justin Snaith

0SHOEMAKER 0110A...............Mike de Kock

0PONTE PIETRA 0106A...............Dean Kannemeyer

0CAPE EAGLE 0105A...............Andre Nel

0IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA0105C A...............Gareth van Zyl

0NARINA TROGON 0100A T...............Michael Miller

0PYROMANIAC 0100B A T...............Sean Tarry

0JORDAN 097A T...............Sean Tarry

0INDIAN OCEAN 095A...............Lorenzo Karriem

0POMODORO'S JET093A...............Brett Crawford

0CELESTIAL CITY 092B A T...............Sean Tarry

KANNEMEYER STAR’S

MR APPEAL FAILS

An independent National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) Merit Rating Appeal panel consisting of Messrs G Soma, K Miedema and A Sewpersad was convened virtually on 3 June 2024.

The panel considered a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by Trainer Mr D Kannemeyer against the published adjusted merit rating of the current Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite Green With Envy of 127 (from 123) after his win in the Daily News 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 25 May 2024.

The Appeal Panel, after careful consideration, unanimously agreed that MID WINTER WIND was a reasonable line horse in this race, as in their opinion, the other reasonable line horse options available, if selected, would have resulted in GREEN WITH ENVY incurring a higher merit rating.

Consequently, the Merit Rating Appeal was dismissed.

The Appeal Panel ruled that the deposit fee in relation to the Appeal be declared forfeit.

BORROWDALE PARK ON SATURDAY

SON OF VAR GOES FOR 6 ON TROT!

Var Aglow, ZimFun Racing Club’s superstar, trained by Debra Swanson has to date racked up five consecutive wins at Borrowdale Park - a total of eight since he raced as a two-year-old in 2020.

Diana M. Wakefield Hawkins writes that on Saturday he is facing his stiffest test in the Gr1 OK Grand Challenge.

The OK Grand Challenge, Swanson says, is a tough race over 1800 metres that may be further than Var Aglow’s optimal distance of between 1100-1200 metres.

But he’s a tryer, she says, and the grandstands will be overflowing with thousands of race fans cheering for him and his jockey, Morgen Nyamageti, wearing ZimFun Racing’s bright yellow silks with the distinctive black smiley face.

Swanson, who was named Champion Zimbabwe trainer in the 2022/23 racing season, describes him as a big, solid, tough-minded horse that is an absolute pleasure to train.

“He does have his little quirky streaks and he’ll let you know what he doesn’t like. But I set him up to win and have never sent him out on his own. He’s also a real people pleaser—never allows me to walk through the yard without his handsome head appearing over his stable door, inviting me to stop and give him attention. He’s such a special horse with a humbling desire to please,” she said.

Var Aglow (Hennie Greyling) led by Thato Makaba Credit: supplied

Jockey Deryl Daniels who rode Var Aglow in three of his winning races, said, “He’s a big solid horse, sound as they come, and he’s a soldier who fights to the line. He also wears his heart on his sleeve,” Daniels added, “and every time I’ve ridden him, he’s been kind and willing and just puts it all out there.”

Var Aglow’s South African breeder Vanessa Harrison also speaks of him with deep affection: “He has a huge personality and the kindest temperament,” she said. “He’s also affectionate, amusing with his little tricks, and adores carrots. I love him dearly, and he will

always remain my favourite ‘best boy.’” She noted that when his racing days are over, she plans to bring him home and care for him herself until the end of his days.

Var Aglow is a powerful chestnut gelding, son of the group one winner, VAR, a champion sprinter who was bred in America by Kentucky breeder, Dr. John Eaton. After winning seven races between 1000-1200 metres in the USA, UK, and France, VAR was exported to South Africa’s Avontuur Stud in Somerset West, Western Cape, where until his death in 2022, he sired 56 winners of top-graded races.

Var Aglow (Hennie Greyling) with trainer Debbie Swanson and ZimFun members | Credit: supplied

Var Aglow as a 2yo in KZN | Credit: supplied

Var Aglow – keeps his eye on things at the Swanson yard | Credit: supplied

THIS LAD CAN RUN

The Golden Horse cliffhanger! Sean Veale, closest to camera, was fourth on Cruise Control, while Kabelo Matsunyane has I Am Giant up for third, while Craig Zackey (red pom pom) is in the runner-up berth on At My Command. That’s Lucky Lad’s nose on the far side! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Sean Tarry’s Hollywoodbets Durban July entry Lucky Lad, and a runner in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge, put in a sensational late run under a breathtakingly stupendous Richard Fourie ride to grab top honours in the R1 million Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday, giving the leading conditioner a 50% win strike-rate in the 1200m contest over the last eight renewals.

Superlatives elude us for the exploits of our SA champion jockey elect. Some say ice flows through his veins. Then he flips the accolades on their head, and lauds the Tarry team, saying he couldn’t do it without the horse under him!

Candiese Lenferna captured this terrific shot of the Golden Horse cliffhanger today – Sean Veale, closest to camera, was fourth on Cruise Control, while Kabelo Matsunyane has

I Am Giant up for third, while Craig Zackey (red pom pom) is in the runner-up berth on At My Command. That’s Lucky Lad’s nose on the far side!

Whatever, the magic is tangible, and just over a month since Sean Tarry labelled his charge’s Jehan Malherbe Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes last-to-first rocket a ‘mind-blowing win’, the Fourie factor was again in play as Lucky Lad soared to his second Grade 1 victory, and his second strike in the newlyfitted blinkers.

A hop and a skip from home, Lucky Lad couldn’t win the Golden Horse, with lengths to make up, and a wall of horses blocking his path.

But the never-say-die Fourie got the horse he knows so well into full stride and he flew up to snatch victory on the line, a popular 18-10 winner and many folks’ exotic bet anchor.

Lucky Lad registered 67,58 secs for the 1200m, with a flying At My Command (201) 0,10 lengths away in second, ahead of stablemate I Am Giant (25-2), with the runaway former Gqeberha resident Cruise Control (16-1) flashing his enormous speed, and almost pulling off a romantic victory. Only 0,30 lengths separated the top four.

An R850 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Lucky Lad, who races in the famous Beck silks, has now won 6 races

with 2 places from 9 starts for stakes of R1 950 000. Bred by Varsfontein, he is the second consecutive son of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) after Gimme A Prince to win this race, and is out of the twice winning Caesour mare, Imperial State.

He was also the second leg of a Gimmethegreenlight-Tarry-Fourie Gr1 double after Proceed won the Gr1 Gold Medallion an hour earlier.

Lucky Lad – Sean Tarry kingpin now heads for the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

LUCK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT

Daniel Tarry welcomes Lucky Lad and Richard Fourie after his breathtaking victory | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

‘It would have been breakfast-time in Kentucky when the Gr1 race was run and it’s understandable if Antony and Angela Beck spilled their coffee…’

In the many years that the famous brown and white colours of the Beck family have been competing in South Africa, has there ever been a more sensational winner than Lucky Lad in Saturday’s Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville?

David Mollett writes that it would have been breakfast-time in Kentucky when the Gr1 race was run and it’s understandable if Antony and Angela Beck spilled their coffee as they watched their three year-old come from the clouds to win.

No doubt that 300 metres out the gelding looked unlikely to run a place.

Of course, Lucky Lad’s sixth career win is down to the talent of Richard Fourie and Sean Tarry, but also to the loyalty of the Becks who have never flinched when their trainer has

recommended the purchase of a horse.

Quite correctly, we still have the Graham Beck Stakes as one of our major races on the Highveld as Beck Snr was an extraordinarily successful mining tycoon and - in the latter part of his life - a notable winemaker.

At the time of his death in London in 2010, Graham Beck had extensive breeding interests with Highlands Farm in Robertson as well as the purchase of the famous Gainesway Farm in Kentucky.

His son, Antony, who was handling the family’s breeding interests at the time of his father’s death, wasn’t sure the acquisition of Gainesway was a good idea.

He said: “I thought Gainesway was a heck of a thing to swallow. Where I was living in Robertson, South Africa, is not to be compared with Central Kentucky by any stretch of the

imagination. At the time, Kentucky was the undisputed centre of global horse breeding. I thought it required a tremendous amount of guts to acquire a farm like that.”

However, Graham Beck wasn’t short of guts in any form of investment. I was lucky enough to know him quite well thanks to my friendship with one of his closest friends, Gerald Jaffee.

If one views the pics of Gainesway on the internet, it’s clear Antony and Angela have done a wonderful job with the extensive property, but their love of racing means they still have strong ties with South Africa.

Lucky Lad cost the Becks R850 000 when purchased as a yearling from Varsfontein Stud. The first purse on Saturday was R625 000 which took his career earnings to just shy of R2 million.

But the Beck buys have also proved costly from time to time. For example, another of their Tarry-trained three year-olds, To The Rescue, cost R1,2 million and beat only two home in Saturday’s fourth race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

At the recent National Yearling Sales, I expected Sean Tarry might buy Lucky Lad’s

half-brother for the Becks - even if the colt was by a new sire in Erik The Red.

It was Zimbabwean, Peter Moor, who decided to acquire the youngster and he had the final say at R675 000. The colt is the seventh produce of the mare, Imperial State.

Finally, a word on Richard Fourie who - once again - cost bookies plenty with three winners at the Maritzburg track.

Some 6000 miles away the best jockey on the planet, Ryan Moore, was displaying his talent once again with victory in the Betfred Derby. Interesting to see how our 38 year-old champion would fare against a jockey just two years his senior. Perhaps they might clash in one of Hong Kong’s International Jockey Challenges?

UK bookies were bemoaning City Of Troy’s win despite many pundits declaring the horse didn’t have a prayer.

Fred Done, owner of Betfred, said: “City Of Troy has cost us a fortune but you have to pay out with a smile when you’re witnessing history. It’s an incredible achievement by Aidan O’Brien to win ten Derbys.”

BAREND, BLING –BOOM!

Smanga Khumalo ranges up on Quid Pro Quo to beat Rodeo Drive (Richard Fourie) | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Former jockey Barend Botes moved from the Vaal to Summerveld three months ago as the KZN programme, with the polytrack and more lowerrated handicaps, was going to suit his string better.

On Saturday he celebrated his 30th year as a trainer with a maiden elite victory courtesy of Quid Pro Quo’s dash to glory in the R1 million Gr1 Allan Robertson Champion.

The champagne corks were popping out at Heuningsfontein in Middelburg, Eastern Cape, as Leon Lotz and his family were contemplating the forthcoming breeding season with some excitement for their modestly supported Jet Master stallion Lance, who broke his own Grade 1 benchmark in the 2yo fillies sprint as Smanga Khumalo produced Quid Pro Quo (3-1) late in the race.

With Gimmie’s Countess (2-1) enjoying no luck and hemmed in down the inside rail, Symphony In White (7-1) and Rodeo Drive (10-1) looked set to fight it out, until Bling produced the magic with a sustained dash down the middle.

The luckless Gimmie’s Countess finished 0,65 lengths back in fourth.

A daughter of Lance (Jet Master), Quid Pro Quo is raced and was bred by Gerald Kalil, one of the Botes stable’s first foundation owners, and is out of the five-time winning daughter of The Sheik, Delightful Diva.

She was offered at the 2023 KZN Yearling Sale by Summerhill Equestrian and bought back for just R60 000 by her breeder.

Now a winner of 3 races with 2 places from 5 starts, Quid Pro Quo took her earnings to R831 500.

Lance’s service fee is R5000 live foal. Last season he covered 23 mares with good support from the Karoo breeders.

Quid Pro Quo and Smanga Khumalo in the victory canter-past | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

The famous Bling dismount

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Lance wins the Listed Secretariat Stakes under Anthony Delpech | Credit: Supplied

‘Lance will probably never overcome the lack of early support, yet, in Quid Pro Quo this underrated stallion has shown that with the right mare, he is quite capable of siring an above average athlete’

Lance added his name to the list of successful stallion sons of the late great Jet Master, courtesy of juvenile daughter Quid Pro Quo’s dramatic last gasp victory in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

The Barend Botes-trained filly entered the 1200m dash with cast-iron credentials, coming off two impressive wins over the course and distance, and without wishing to distract from the sensational Golden Horse Sprint winner Lucky Lad, she put up an equally impressive performance, erupting from a near impossible position to nab Rodeo Drive and Symphony In White on the line.

The filly is one of just a handful of runners representing her sire, one of plenty of ‘forgotten’ sires, those who are afforded very little support in a cut-throat stallion market.

Who is Lance, many people will ask. Well, he is a horse who showed infinite promise before injury put paid to his racing career.

Trained by Sean Tarry, Lance made the transition to stakes winner in just his third

start with an emphatic three-length drubbing of unbeaten favourite and subsequent Triple Crown winner Louis The King in the Listed Sea Cottage Stakes at Turffontein.

Sadly, the colt broke down after just six starts, which left Tarry to reflect: “Such a tragedy, he was amazingly talented, at least as good as his Gr1 winning brother Liege, and perhaps even more naturally so.”

From the family of champion sprinter Rebel King, Lance is one of a trio of stakes winners out of Lyrical Linda, a smallish individual who defeated champions Jamaica and Overarching in the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes. The daughter of Jallad also produced Gr1 Summer Cup hero Liege to Dynasty, while Lance’s own brother Lockheed Jetstar won the Listed Thukela Handicap.

Barend Botes’ thrilled team lead Quid Pro Quo (Smanga Khumalo) after her Gr1 victory | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Given his pedigree and the fact that he was a stakes-winning son of arguably the best locally-bred stallion of modern times, Lance was afforded a stallion career and retired to Summerhill Stud but at such a low key level, that he was lucky to cover just two mares in each of his first two seasons!

Both first-crop foals are winners, the filly Voltron and the gelded Kuuma, who ended his juvenile campaign on a black type note when second to subsequent Gr1 winner Dyce in the Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes.

Second-crop son Silver Tudor, an own brother to Voltron, has already won three for the Tarry stable.

Considering that the trio were bred from modest one-time winners, Lance clearly appears to upgrade his mares.

Quid Pro Quo, one of just six registered juveniles from her sire’s 2021 crop, is out of a mare who boasted more impressive credentials. Delightfull Diva is a five-time winning daughter of The Sheik.

By the time she visited Lance, she had already produced Ruffian Stakes winner Daring Diva, who also ran third in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery.

That Quid Pro Quo was a half-sister to a stakes winner apparently made no impression on buyers when she went through the ring at last year’s KZN Yearling Sale and she was bought back by her owner for just R60 000. In hindsight, it was probably a blessing in disguise and Gerald Kalil has had the last laugh, given that his filly is now a Gr1 winner with earnings of over R831 000, to go along with a near perfect formline of three wins and two seconds from as many starts. For the pedigree buffs out there, Quid Pro Quo is bred on similar lines as Jet Master’s

champion Yorker and Gr1 winner Litle Miss Magic, both of whom were out of mares by Al Mufti (also sire of The Sheik).

Interesting too, that Jet Master’s sons Master Of My Fate and Skitt Skizzle have both sired stakes winners out of mares by Al Mufti’s son Captain Al.

As for Lance, he now stands at Leon Lotz’s Heuningfontein Stud in the Karoo.

Whether the achievements of the handful of early runners made an impression is a matter of conjecture, suffice to say support from breeders has improved to the extent that he covered all of 29 mares last year. That’s still a trifling, but amongst those mares are Gr1-placed Vision To Kill; the dams of stakes winners Bureau Des Legende and In The Mood; as well as half-sisters to the Gr1 winners Carnadore and Love Struck, and to the stakes winners Twitter, Dark Moon Rising, Fakazi, Chariot Of Gold, Pacific Breeze, and Thanks John.

To be brutally honest, Lance will probably never overcome the lack of early support, yet, in Quid Pro Quo this underrated stallion has shown that with the right mare, he is quite capable of siring an above average athlete.

Quid Pro Quo as

THE HANDICAPPERS ON

SATURDAY’S

GR1 CLASHES

Sean Tarry’s Lucky Lad had his rating raised to 124 after he won the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that the versatile runner-up At My Command made for the most suitable line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 119.

3rd placed I Am Giant, was lifted from 107 to 118.

I Am Giant was 11 points under sufferance in this event as the bottom weights for this Handicap were raised to 54kg in accordance with the race conditions. Cruise Control, who was 1 point under sufferance, was raised from 117 to 118 and Sun Blushed was raised to 116 from 113, he was 5 points under sufferance but finished 2 points behind the line horse hence his increase of 3 points.

Two horses received drops to their rating. Dyce was dropped 2 points from 130 to 128 and Pray For Rain was dropped 1 point from 114 to 113.

October Morn was raised to a mark of 119 following her success in the Grade 1 SA Fillies

Sprint for fillies and mares over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

Time Fo Orchids was deemed to make for the ideal line horse when assessing this event, leaving her unaltered on a rating of 110. Narrowly beaten runner-up MRS BROWNING, was raised from 113 to 118 while 3rd placed Winter Greeting received a 3-point increase from 108 to 111.

Shantastic, who finished 0.10 lengths behind the 110 rated Time Fo Orchids was raised from 108 to 109. Shipolia was raised to a rating of 102 so that she is not rated lower than the 102 rated Elegant Ice, who she beat here at weight for age terms.

There were rating drops for four horses.

Kwinta’s Light dropped slightly from 110 to 109, Baltic Secret dropped from 104 to 101, Winter Pearl was dropped to 109 from 112 and lastly Reefway received a 2-point drop from 98 to 96.

BELMONT STAKES FESTIVAL

The 2024 Dubai Racing Carnival might be consigned to a glorious memory but several of its runners will aim to make headlines this weekend at the Belmont Stakes festival in America.

Staged this year at Saratoga Racetrack in upstate New York, six Grade 1s will be held on Saturday alone, but the action for Dubai racing fans gets underway on Thursday, when Siskany defends the Gr2 Belmont Gold Cup.

Winner of the Gr3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy before finishing fourth in the Gr2 Dubai Gold Cup, Charlie Appleby’s six-year-old aims for a repeat win in the two-mile turf contest, which this year offers ‘Golden Ticket’ entry to the Melbourne Cup, at Flemington in November.

On Friday, Gr2 Balanchine winner English Rose faces 12 rivals in the Gr1 New York Stakes.

ELEVENTH GR1 WINNER FOR CHAMPION SIRE

Proceed storms home under Richard Fourie | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Former multiple SA Champion Trainer Sean Tarry registered his 19th Grade win at Hollywoodbets Scottsville as the top Randjesfontein stable made it a 1-2 in the R1 million Gr1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday, in a race dominated by the Highveld raiders.

It was a third consecutive success in the prestigious 2yo male 1200m contest for Sean Tarry, after Thunderstruck (2022) and Lucky Lad last year.

We have said it multiple times this season, but have to repeat the maxim that with Richard Fourie in the irons, even the stable cat becomes a runner.

In his bustling and flamboyant style, Fourie produced Proceed through a gap late in the 1200m race, just as his colleague Grant van Niekerk was probably counting his lucky stars as stablemate Cosmic Speed looked a winner.

Backed from 8’s to 33-10, Proceed powered away to beat Cosmic Speed 920-1) by three quarters, in a time of 68,70 secs.

Azzie’s maiden Winds Of Change (14-1) was not disgraced in third, a further 1,40 lengths

back, with Lucky Houdalakis’ recent debut winner One More (5-1) rounding off the quartet.

The tote favourite Pistol Pete (7-2) didn’t enjoy the easiest of passages, and finished a 3,20 length fifth.

Winning Form jockey Richard Fourie said the winner has a ‘seriously good turn of foot’.

“It got tight and Calvin (Habib) started moving. I shouted and said I am coming through. This horse makes me look good,” he laughed.

Sean Tarry thanked his owners and his team and said that it ‘looked ugly at the 300m’ and observed that there were ‘lots of traffic problems’.

Bred by part owner Laurence Wernars, the winner is a diminutive son of champion Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the one-time winning Captain Al mare, Xplosive Kiss.

A winner of the TAB Gr3 Protea Stakes last time, Proceed has won 3 races with 3 places from 6 starts for stakes of R930 000.

Breeder and part owner Laurence Wernars chats to Gallop TV’s Warren Lenferna | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Raymond Danielson and October Morn enjoy the canter-past | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

DAVID ABERY’S MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Raymond ‘Stingray’ Danielson clearly gets a tune out of the very smart Trippi filly October Morn, and after the pair won the Cartier Gr2 Sceptre Stakes during the Cape summer, they stepped up in style to win the R1 million Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, brought to you by The Witness, at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

Celebrating his 12th Grade 1 winner, the Winning Form-sponsored Danielson spent the sunny afternoon, after his first race ride, watching the traffic jams up the home straight, and went into the 1200m contest resolving to ensure he would get a clear run.

After drama at the start, with Rachel Venniker taking a tumble after Asiye Phambili pecked coming out of the gates, and thankfully walking away without injury, Baltic Secret, Kwinta’s Light and Mrs Browning led the early charge.

Danielson had October Morn bowling along near the rear down the inside.

The gaps opened and with the highriding Richard Fourie launching Mrs Browning down the centre with a big effort, Danielson swirled his crop and set his sights on the leader.

In a matter of strides October Morn (152) was in full flight and she grabbed Mrs Browning (33-10) short of the post to beat the Tarry star by 0,15 lengths in a time of 68,13 secs.

With the riderless Asiye Phambili in the mix, the runner-up’s stablemate Winter Greeting (14-1) finished a further 3,30 lengths back in third.

Time Fo Orchids (14-1) bookended the quartet. The winner’s stablemate and tote favourite Winter Cloud (7-2) ran sixth , after suffering interference.

After having celebrated Val De Ra’s victory in the 2011 renewal, Pippa Mickleburgh was on course representing absent owner and cobreeder, David Abery.

October Morn became only the third 3yo in the past decade to win the SA Fillies Sprint after Celtic Sea (2019) and Carry On Alice (2015).

By Trippi (End Sweep) the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained October Morn was bred by Avontuur and David Abery and is out of the Gr1 producing Var mare, the stalwart Miss October.

Now a winner of 5 races with 7 places from 12 starts, October Morn took her stakes bank to R1 347 513.

MAINE CHANCE

– HISTORY SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

One of South Africa’s foremost

breeding establishments as a Top Ten breeder for over 20 years, Maine Chance Farms, will offer 15 yearlings to the CRS Winter Yearling Sale.

The auction takes place on Thursday at 11h00 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Lot 6 should get things underway for the farm with a bang as bay colt Frequent Traveller is by high quality producer, Querari out of the accomplished Gr1 placed Silvano mare, Frequent Flyer. Querari over Silvano is a proven successful mating.

Lot 8 is a chestnut Quasillo filly ex Galadriel, a half- sister to Lochlorien. Quasillo, a son of

European HOTY in 2009, Sea the Stars, was the Champion three-year-old in Germany in 2015. His filly is followed immediately by Good Omen, another Querari colt out of smart race mare, Goodtime Gal.

Maine Chance then offer Lots 23 – 27 in succession. The first in this batch is by speed sire, What A Winter - a filly out of the Irish mare Kitoko, with French blood mixed in through second dam, Breathe.

Lot 24 is a result of a mating between Querari, the son of European Champion, Oasis Dream, and La Calisto. Letter of Marque is thus a full brother to La Quinta, an attractive, way- aboveaverage sprinter trained by Snaith Racing. Second dam La Calima produced 8 x winning speedball, Los Colmos. This is the same family as Silvano’s sire, Lomitas who rated a sky high 131 on the International Classification.

Querari, who was the top rated older German horse in 2010 with a Timeform figure of 121, has Lot 25 a bay colt out of La Chouette. Best of her progeny is the still- in- training Tout a Fait, a tough to pass 1400m exponent that has already won five times. Second dam, Night Diva was the Champion Older Stayer in SA twenty years ago, so this page has an intriguing blend of speed and stamina.

Lot 26, Life of Leisure is a bay filly by Gold Standard out of the Querari mare, La Collosa. Second dam La Calima’s accomplishments were acknowledged when previewing Lot 24, whilst third dam, La Colorada was rated the top filly on the 1983 German 2-year-old Free Handicap.

Lady Penny is a first foal for Lady Clarisse by home- town hero, Querari, who stands at Maine Chance. The female side of Lot 27 is absolutely laden with Black Type.

Rafeef was the leading first season sire in SA in 2020/21 and is proving an instant commercial success after 18 stakes winners - and counting.

His daughter, Lilting Song is out of Silvano mare, Lip Service and this bay filly goes through the ring as Lot 34. Lip Service is a three quarters sister to Lyrical Linda, winner of the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes and brother to Gr1 winner and sire, Liege. This is a classic mating: Danehill and Lomitas delivered Arc hero, Danedream.

Lot 40 should generate a frisson of excitement when stepping into the ring. This Querari filly is out of the Dynasty mare, Maria Theresa, making her a full sister to well-performed Maria

Querol, and related to an extremely promising Dean Kannemeyer trained, youngster, Rhydian.

Lot 51, an Hawwaam filly out of the German mare Perija (by Shamardal) has quality Euro bloodlines stretching back generations on the female side. To illustrate, third dam, Praia foaled 16 x winner, Potemkim, Joint Champion Older Male in Italy in 2016.

Lot 56 is a bay Querari colt ex Quena (by Silvano) called Quiet Place. He is inbred to the famous two and three-year-old German Champion Filly of 1992/93, Quebrada.

The last two offerings at CRWYS from Maine Chance are both by Erupt, an Irish bred son of Dubawi.

Lot 65, Surreal Moment’s third dam Scented Royal was the Champion 2-year-old-filly in SA in 1988/89 and is a renowned Maine Chance foundation mare, whilst Zen State’s (Lot 85) dam, Zeta Jones is a three-quarter sister to July victor Marinaresco, Gr2 scorer and Gr1 placed 10 x winner, Marina and high class, Bulsara.

Feel welcome to direct further enquiries to Danielle Kuttel. Contact details are mobile 083 7007 351 or email danni@mainechance.co.za.

“Pinhooking is a term that describes the practice of buying a horse at one stage of development and selling them at the next.”

• Purchase a yearling at the Cape Racing Sales Winter Yearling Sale 2024

• Payment due only after selling the yearling at the Cape Racing Sales Breeze Up in October 2024

• Summary of costs for the scheme:

Purchase Costs

- CRS Yearling Sale – 2% Buyers Commission - R5000 CRS Bonus Initiative levy

Sales Costs

- Free entry onto CRS Breeze Up sale

- 5% Vendor Commission

- 3% Pinhook Premium

Potential Buy Back Costs

- 2% Buyer Commission

- R5000 CRS Initiative Levy

one stripe

WINNER OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE NURSERY (GR3)

WINNER OF THE WINTER NURSERY (GR3)

PAID R100 000 - PINHOOKED AND SOLD FOR R1 400 000

www.caperacingsales.co.za | For further information or to apply for the scheme contactJustinVermaak – justin@caperacing.co.za

It might be getting towards the heart of winter but things are heating up at Cape Racing headquarters.

The racing action at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth has shifted to the winter track, but there’s plenty happening off it as well.

As an example, the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale will be held at the venue on Thursday.

No matter the weather on the day, the hospitality will be typically warm and the venue comfortable. The revamped facilities include the 1881 Lounge, which provides a sample for non-Cape Racing members to see what being part of the experience is like. Potential bidders and buyers can also be part of the Sale from the comfort of their own home, providing they have a buyer’s card. They can log in and engage in the auction online.

Vendors have reacted with enthusiasm at the introduction of a sole Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale. Last year, for example, there were 87 yearlings catalogued at the Mixed Sale (yearlings, mares and weanlings). This year has risen to 115.

There are certainly future exciting individuals who will go under the hammer on 6th June. The Sale is loaded with quality and brings drafts from vendors that have bred multiple champions. This will have all the “pin-hookers” out in full force, ready to benefit from the CRS pin-hook incentive scheme.

What is pin-hooking? It’s a growing form of trading within South Africa and we have seen many profitable successes in recent times. The “talking juvenile” of this current season, One Stripe, is an example of being a pin-hook.

He was bought as a two-year-old for R100,000, sold and re-bought for R1.4m only months later at the-then Ready To Run Sale, now re-named the Cape Racing Breeze Up & 2YO Unbroken Sale, to be held in October. One Stripe has won three of his first four races.

Now, the evolution continues. Cape Racing’s Justin Vermaak and his team have put together a mouth-watering incentive scheme, plus other exciting opportunities to buy a yearling on 6th June.

There’s the juvenile bonus of R100,000, of which R75,000 goes to the owner(s) and R25,000 to the vendor to each of the first 40 winning graduates from this sale. Such has been the leap forward in racing’s growth that syndicates have mushroomed. Trainers will be attending this Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale with the intention of buying yearlings and with a number of incentive schemes for syndicates – there are some trainers with as many as 200 owners involved – the sport is rapidly expanding and attracting new audiences.

There’s a popular expression in racing’s syndicate growth that says, “you can own one percent of a horse but have 100 percent of the fun”. And with incentives offered to trainers to invest in syndicates in their stables, the uptake has been remarkable.

Success has also followed. Examples include Snaith Racing’s The Grey King, owned by The King’s Club, who ran in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 with R2-million at stake in prize money.

Future Variety won the Listed City of Cape Town Sophomore Sprint for their 100-member Centenary Club with Bass Racing. Elsewhere, the likes of trainers Vaughan Marshall (All Out For Six) and Greg Ennion (All Is Green) have already had winners for their syndicates from those yearlings bought off this corresponding Sale.

However, there is so much more. Cape Racing and its Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and Hollywoodbets Durbanville venues have become world-class in their facilities within the past year and interest in the equine racing industry is booming.

You can experience it for yourself by getting involved at the 2024 Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale.

For further information, contact Justin Vermaak: justin@caperacing.co.za

Janine van Blerk: janine@caperacing.co.za Phone: 021 700 1600

Social media

Facebook: @caperacingsales

Instagram: @caperacingsales

Twitter: @CapeRacingSales

Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

LITTLE BALLERINA

- CRS Cape Slipper (NBT)

- Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Nursery (Gr2)

- Juvenile Plate (Fillies)

Talk to the master

- Maiden Juvenile Plate

- Juvenile Plate

prom queen

- Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)

makazole

- Maiden Juvenile Plate

African prince

- Juvenile Plate

CAPE RACING SALES JUVENILE BONUS

R100 000 FOR THE FIRST 40 CRS GRADUATE WINNERS (R75 000 OWNER & R25 000 VENDOR) www.caperacingsales.co.za

Master Casper

- Maiden Plate

great plains

- Juvenile Plate

- Juvenile Plate buzz bomb

- Maiden Plate

The Mask

- Maiden Plate

Sorceress supreme

- Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)

commanding

- Maiden Juvenile Plate

SOETENDAL

– ALWAYS WORTH A BIG BID

Soetendal Estate (as agent) truck six babies to the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale this week, each by different stallions. There is a Vercingetorix, Fire Away, Erik the Red, Querari, Hawwaam and Master of my Fate on offer.

Getting proceedings underway is Lot 1, Evan Almighty, by Erik the Red ex three-time winning Fort Wood mare, Estelle, from the famous ‘E’ family.

Lot 33 is a colt by speed sire, Querari out of Lemon Drop Girl – the best of her progeny thus far is Secret Potion, a G2 Oaks winner by Elusive Fort.

Lot 42 is Miss Attitude by freshman sire, Haawwam (Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in SA in 2018/19) out of Money Surger, who won ten races when trained in the Cape by canny horseman, Piet Steyn.

Lot 77 is Three Tulips, a filly by Master of My

Fate – the dam, Trimontium, a daughter of top broodmare sire Var, won seven races up to and around a mile and already has three winning progeny on the track.

Vercingetorix’s filly enters the ring as Lot 102 She is out of Champenois, a talented daughter of Visionaire. Second dam, Vin Fizz was an amazing producer. All eight of her foals won and amongst them was G1 star, Piere Jourdan and Champagne Haze who won 15 quality races between them on the Highveld.

And finally, on Soetendal’s roster is Lot 104; Autumn Rush, by Fire Away ex Charmz Luck. This is the same family as Harry’s Charm who crops up as the third dam – she was SA’s Champion Filly and Older Female Sprinter in the mid 90’s.

Julia Pilbeam is your hands-on, go-to person for further enquiries. Her cell phone number is 082 317 9474. Email address to use: admin@soetendal.co.za

FIVE OF THE BEST

Drakenstein Stud, beautifully situated beneath craggy mountains in the winelands on the approach to Franschhoek, are currently SA’s Champion Breeders, having finished in the Top 3 the last four years.

As such, whatever they bring to market is eagerly anticipated by discerning buyers.

They bring five babies to the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale, taking place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Thursday.

Lot 3 is a Futura colt by Fantastic Trip – both her colts to race are winners. Second dam, Lady Windermere was the Champion 3YO Filly in SA in 2008/09 and there is plenty more Black Type when delving deeper to third dam, Ballad of Reading’s progeny.

Lot 57 is a colt by Querari out of Rock on Baby who has already thrown promising young sprinter, Amber Rock. The second dam Cutty Sark was a successful producer as Santa Maria (won the Gr3 Diana Stakes), Sailing Ship and Sail (placed up to Gr1 level) were notable talents.

Ashikule is a chestnut Erupt colt out of 4x winning mare, Shatoosh. He goes into the ring as Lot 66 and pedigree afficionados will note that second dam, Mink Coat, who has thrown several good winners is a half- sister to Gr1 Summer Cup heroine, Flirtation.

Drakenstein’s inspired purchase of American stallion, Trippi was a true master stroke. It will

be fascinating following the progress in the breeding sheds of this great sire’s daughters. Lot 95 is a colt by first season sensation, One World, out of the Trippi mare, Cape Bluebell. Second dam, State Blue was a speedball who won seven times up to Gr3 level and was placed in Gr2 events.

Drakenstein’s last offering at this sale will be Daniel, a son of boom stallion, One World ex Dark Duchess, a half-sister to Cot Campbell who was placed in the Cape Guineas before going to Hong Kong. Third dam, Sunshine Lover, yielded the Champion 3YO Female Miler in 2007/08, Captain’s Lover, making Lot 110 well worth closer physical inspection in Stable C18.

The Pinhook incentive scheme, introduced in 2023, will again be a sale feature at CRWYS. The incentive allows speculators to make purchases at this sale while only having to pay for the stock once selling at the Ready to Run Sale in October.

All graduates qualify for the CRS Juvenile bonus, which pays R100,000 to the winning connections.

Kevin Sommerville will be in attendance to welcome prospective buyers and provide special insights into these athletic Drakenstein bred individuals. Use cell 072 167 9971 or email kevin@drakensteinstud.co.za

SUPER SIX FROM NORMANDY

Started in 1971 under Tommy and Veronica Foulkes, Normandy Stud, near Ashton in the famous BAR Valley, continues to punch above its weight, half a century on. It’s become an inter-generational endeavour for the family, with knowledgeable son Oscar now running the show.

Normandy have astutely built up a strong broodmare band over the decades and they send six intriguing youngsters, each by a different stallion, to the Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sales on Thursday.

Lot 4 is a Potala Palace filly out of the 4-x winning What a Winter mare, Forehand. Oscar noted in one of his thoughtful normandystud. co.za blogs how Potala Palace initially produced fine horses from some very ordinary mares and is now, deservedly, getting better support. Forehand is a half- sister to the dam of impressive debut winner, Bourbon Warrior, making this filly a three parts sister to him.

Quasillo is an underrated sire, it’s a shame that infertility has undermined his output. He is responsible for Lot 28, a chestnut Lady of the Fleece filly. The unraced dam is a half-sister to well performed Fabiani and Star Empire (raced with distinction in Dubai), who won 13 races between them.

Lot 31, an unnamed bay colt, should generate a buzz. Not only is new sire, One World making a big splash with his progeny, but Sergeant Hardy was a genuinely high- class sprinter that hails from Normandy – and dam Lady Wylie is a half- sister to the Gr1 Cape Flying Champs hero. This colt is also eligible for both the CRS and BSA juvenile bonuses.

Lot 47 will be Normandy’s big-ticket item – a Rafeef colt ex Nordic Light from a high-powered female line so diligently built up by the Foulkes family. Make a turn at Stable A18 to admire

this quality bay. Rafeef was SA’s leading first season sire in 2020/21 and has produced 113 winners from 182 runners, including 18 Stakes winners. This colt is also eligible for both the CRS and BSA juvenile bonuses.

Lot 64 is an unnamed Erupt filly ex Shalkot – a first foal. The dam is a half to Gr1 Cape Derby placed Sachdev. Peeking further down the page the full picture emerges. Note third dam, Musing who sired Cape Derby winner, Bravura and fourth dam, French Muse, who yielded Horse of the Year, Winter Solstice. This is a redoubtable Normandy family, famous as the only one in the Stud Book to have produced multiple LQP winners.

Next on shift is Lot 96 - Workingclasshero by Elusive Fort out of Captain’s Catch who has thrown Eva Eileen (5 wins up to 1800m) and Rush Hour Girl (4 wins over sprints). The stallion remains a rock solid, good value proposition, having managed 17 Stakes winners and 261 winners from 408 runners.

Like Durban July Gr1 star, Kommetdieding, Workingclasshero is bred on the Elusive Fort x Captain Al cross.

Deeper insights can be gained from pedigree boffin and wise racing man, Oscar Foulkes –cell 083 297 3402 or oscar@normandystud.co.za.

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY – OR A LINE OF SPEED

Despite his somewhat diminutive stature, Worldly spent the first two years of his life at Normandy Stud with the demeanour of a horse having the world at his feet.

Oscar Foulkes writes that they weren’t surprised to see him show promising early form, and we were delighted with his maiden win on Sunday.

Of course, with his full-brother selling on the CRS Winter Yearling Sale this week, the timing couldn’t be better.

Worldly’s win also provided his young dam with her first winner.

She, of course, is the half-sister to the Cape Flying Championship winner, Sergeant Hardy.

With four placings from six starts, she was on her way to winning at least one race, but

with the Covid lockdown stopping racing we decided to retire her to stud rather than continue to pay training fees.

Corsican Lady, the third dam of Worldly, produced just two foals.

Her produce record therefore takes up very little space on the catalogue page. However, having the fifth dam on the catalogue page gives the opportunity of showing that this is the family of Polly Bisqui, the mighty sprinting filly that won 10 races on the trot.

We look forward to seeing the name that will be given to Worldly’s brother.

We expect to see him burning up sprint tracks as a two-year-old!

Have a look at #31 in the Normandy Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale draft.

Worldly bounds home under Richard Fourie | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Richard Fourie stands up in the stirrups as Lion Rampart cruises in for his maiden stakes victory | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

WORLDBEATERS BOTH!

It’s been a terrific season in their individual disciplines for Drakenstein’s freshman champion sire elect One World, and Winning Form jockey Richard Fourie.

Both had reason to celebrate as the Vaughan Marshall-trained 2yo Lion Rampart raised the bar again, the Ridgemont-bred galloper destroying his opposition with an impressive display of speed to win the R250 000 Listed Somerset 1200 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.

A well-bought R150 000 purchase – one of his astute trainer’s personal picks – at the 2023 National Yearling Sale, the Hollywood Syndicate-raced Lion Rampart has proven to be a quirky and enigmatic personality.

But he’s loaded with talent, and the decision to fit the blinkers seems to have made the difference, with his maiden stakes success on Sunday auguring well for an exciting future.

Carrying 6kgs more than the year older Meu Capitano a half hour earlier, Lion Rampart (1510) produced the goods in a faster time to put 3,75 lengths between himself and runner-up Miss World (10-1).

The speedball clocked 70,73 secs, winning unextended, to give the Hollywood Syndicate their 549th lifetime winner, and reduced Richard Fourie’s SA record chase to single digits – he needs just 9 to smash the 25 year Anthony Delpech mark!

The winner’s stablemate Talk To The Master (7-2) was beaten 7 lengths into third, with the highly regarded Kai Boy (11-2) beaten out of the money, in a disappointing showing.

South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire and Leading Sire of 2yo’s for 2023-2024, Lion Rampart’s sire One World is on track to set a new record for individual two-year-old winners for a first-season sire in a single South African season.

The champion son of Captain Al was celebrating his second stakes winner, after the promising One Stripe – also trained by the Milnerton veteran.

Ridgemont bred the winner from the Var mare, Saltire, a three-time winning speed queen.Lion Rampart has now won 3 races with 3 places from 7 starts and stakes of R514 189.

Winning Form wizard Richard Fourie rode 5 winners on the chilly Sunday afternoon. Our superlatives library has been depleted!

The VHM Racing and Hollywood teams lead in the rising star | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

STEYN SPEEDSTER STEPS UP

SA Champion jockey elect Richard Fourie continued his relentless record-breaking march to his first national title with a polished ride aboard Piet Steyn’s progressive 3yo Meu Capitano who ran away from his field to win the R200 000 non black-type Winter Sprint at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.

The sophomores filled the first three places as Meu Capitano (2-1) made it three on the trot as he broke away from his field at the 400m in an initially slow run 1200m, and extended impressively to beat Questioning (5-2), racing under new ownership, by 1,50 lengths, with Jerusalema Rain (6-1) in third.

Long time pacesetter Bereave faded late to round off the quartet.

The winner, carrying 1,5kgs overweight, clocked 71,2 secs

Bred by Beaumont Stud, Meu Capitano is raced by Carlos Goncalves and Domenico Luiz, and made it 4 wins with a place from 8 starts for stakes of R 369 039.

He is a son of Captain Of All (Captain Al) out of the one-time winning Jet Master mare, Rosetta Stone.

Richard Fourie observed that the winner is a fairly highly strung sort, and that he didn’t appear to enjoy the TCO2 testing, or the big screen television.

Meu Capitano strides clear under Richard Fourie, with Questioning (Ashton Arries) and Jerusalema Rain (Anthony Andrews) chasing in vain | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Meu Capitano, who was saddled by Elbert Steyn, ran off a 98 here, and in terms of the race conditions will not incur a penalty of more than 6 points. There will be no rating increase for placed & unplaced horses – that’s bound to please Vaughan Marshall,

trainer of the 122-rated runner-up, Questioning.

The R250 000 Sunday carryover jackpot fell short of the R1 million projection, hitting a net R923 041-28.

Assistant trainer Elbert Steyn and Richard Fourie horsing around after the impressive win | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

FIVE FROM FIVE FOR FATE FILLY

The Varsfontein Stud team are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and underscored another great season as their home-bred Jet Master stallion Master Of My Fate’s daughter Splicethemainbrace made it a perfect five, and three stakes features on the trot, with a courageous victory in the R150 000 Listed Lady’s Slipper Stakes at Fairview on Friday.

In a dramatic race where the winner had to survive an objection on the grounds of interference in the latter stages, and having her first outing beyond the sprints, Splicethemainbrace started a red-hot 7-10 order to make it 5 wins from 5 starts and duly obliged in a tussle over the last 100m with longtime pacesetter Happy Holly (7-2).

While Happy Holly appeared to gain a second breath in the final stages, Richard Fourie,

who has been aboard at all of her quintet of victories, rode Splicethemainbrace with confidence, to almost flatter the runner-up and gain a 0,10 victory in a time of 86,12 secs.

The objection deposit was refunded.

The Snaith visitor Be Merry (6-1) was beaten a further 4,25 lengths back in third.

Splicethemainbrace (Richard Fourie) ranges up outside of Happy Holly (Calvin Habib) in a thrilling finish to the Fairview feature | Credit: Pauline Herman

Splicethemainbrace, who looks a good thing to lift the regional championship honours in her category this term, is out of the Sail From Seattle mare Summer Cruise and is a full-sister to the useful Summer Odyssey, who ran fourth

in last year’s Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery. The Alan Greeff-trained unbeaten two-year-old has earned R390 000 and was a R200 000 purchase from the 2023 August Two Year Old Sale.

FIVE FROM FIVE FOR FATE FILLY

Maine Chance Farms star stallion Vercingetorix marked another goodlooking prospect when his two-yearold daughter Basked In Glory made a winning debut at the Vaal on Tuesday.

Trained by Stuart Pettigrew, Basked In Glory was given a well-judged ride by Gavin Lerena to land the Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200 metres.

Bred by Maine Chance, Basked In Glory is out of the Shamardal mare Bold Nimph

which makes her a half-sister to graded stakes winners Gobsmacked and Mighty High.

Basked In Glory is the 11th juvenile winner for Vercingetorix this season.

Responsible for nine black-type winners this season, Vercingetorix has five lots on Thursday’s Cape Racing Winter Yearling Sale and a further five yearlings on sale at the KZN Yearling Sale.

Splicethemainbrace (Richard Fourie) is led in by assistant trainer Amos Mtengwane and Glennifer Greeff

Credit: Pauline Herman

COURT WINDFALL FOR RACING

Last week 4Racing welcomed the decision of the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court who has reviewed and set aside the decision to amend Regulation 276 of the Gauteng Gambling Regulations in the matter between Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited and the MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development (Gauteng), Premier of Gauteng, Gauteng Gambling Board and 4Racing (Pty) Ltd.

Until 1 April 2019, Regulations 273 and 276 of the Regulations provided that 6% of the winnings of punters on horseracing placed with bookmakers would be paid in the following proportions: 3% would be paid as a tax in terms of Regulation 270 and 3% would be paid as a levy in terms of Regulation 273 to the holder of the totalisator licence contemplated in section 53 of the Gauteng Gambling Act.

4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe looks forward to continuing to build strong relationships with all regulators. She is seen here with KZN jockey, Rachel Venniker | Credit: 4Racing

This will now be reinstated, giving back the totalisator its 3% share of the betting levy.

Phumelela instituted a review of the amendment under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000.

On 1 December 2021, 4Racing took over Phumelela’s totalisator and race-meeting licences in Gauteng and intervened in Phumelela’s review application.

The MEC and the Gauteng Gambling Board opposed Phumelela’s review application and 4Racing’s application for leave to intervene in the application.

The Court found that 4Racing was plainly interested in the proceedings and that its application for leave to intervene had to be granted.

The Court was also satisfied that the amendment to Regulation 276 constituted unlawful administrative action that fell to be reviewed and set aside because it was procedurally unfair.

The Court furthermore rejected a counterapplication instituted by the MEC and the Board to declare the pre-amendment regulation unconstitutional to the extent that it facilitates the payment of the betting levy to the holder of the totalisator licence.

The Court held that the effect of the relief would be that 4Racing would begin receiving its half of the betting levy raised under the Gauteng Gambling Regulations from the date of the order. In addition, the Court held that the

order should have retrospective effect.

Accordingly, the Court directed the respondents to pay Phumelela and 4Racing the total amount of the levy that is due and payable in terms of Regulation 276 in the form it took before the amendment was made, in the case of Phumelela for the period from 1 April 2019 to 30 November 2021, and in the case of 4Racing for the period from 1 December 2021 to 30 May 2024.

The respondents were also directed to pay interest on the aforesaid sums at the prescribed rate with the capital and interest required to be paid on or before 1 December 2024.

“We believe the judgement is fair and beneficial to the whole industry. 4Racing has always maintained that betting revenues are needed to contribute to the transformation of the industry, and to provide better conditions for its workers – this outcome will go a long way in achieving this. We also look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with all regulators, and driving greater impact in accordance with our mandate,” said 4Racing Chief Executive Officer, Fundi Sithebe.

UNLEASHING A KATZ

AMONGST THE TC02 PIGEONS

It’s a hotly debated topic and there are many questions to ponder. However, there is no doubt that the value of TC02 testing prior to racing is well documented in the literature, and should be encouraged.

But it is the current methodology and interpretation that needs to be revised.

Are the resources allocated to this testing process going to achieve the goal it was intended to?

A Veterinary Surgeon with over 40 years experience, and a highly respected personality in the KZN racing community, Summerveld

Equine Hospital’s Dr Ralph Katzwinkel has addressed a few suggestions for the racing authorities to consider, and he writes below.

TC02 testing using the handheld device called the I-Stat Alinity machine which tests whole blood is a new method compared to the in-lab test using plasma or serum on the Beckman machine. The Beckman machine has been used in all the research publications over the last 30 years.

Does the new handheld machine give accurate repeatable results when compared to the same blood sample tested on the Beckman machine? If this has been tested the results should be published.

If you run the same blood repeatedly on the handheld machine will the results, be the same each time? If this information is available, it should be shared.

Handheld testing machines round off readings. Is this applicable to the I-stat Alinty machine as well?

The reason for the rounding off is that the handheld devices have been developed for human medicine in emergency situations, where the high or low level is important and not the exact finding up to decimal places. If this is the case this needs to be shared.

TC02 is calculated by the machine based on the PH (Acidity/ alkalinity) of the blood. The PH is influenced by many factors as reported in the literature. It is therefore referred to as an indirect test.

It is very different to testing for a specific drug in the drug testing method used by racing jurisdictions.

Dr Ralph Katzwinkel BVSc MBA (Henley UK) Credit: Supplied

There is very little evidence that ‘milk shaking’ consistently enhances performance when used.

I am unable to find any literature on TC02 levels run 10 minutes apart and, in some cases, again at 45 min. What is the normal expected variation of TC02 levels in a healthy horse within 10- and 45-min intervals? Should this information not be made available or studied in the advent of this being new data?

The literature refers to the pCO2 level in the blood being determined by the simultaneous activities of the cellular respiration and the pulmonary gas exchange and is measured by the PH electrode in the testing device. The honest trainer will have no way of knowing the status of the horse he has presented at the races.

Does the confinement and stress of travelling in the small compartments in the floats to the races elevate the TCO2 because of compromised gas exchange? Should this not be tested?

Recommendation

In my opinion and until such time that sufficient scientific data has been collected the level for pre-race testing for TCO2 using the handheld testing on the I-stat Alinity unit, should be set at anything above 38 mmol.

A single test above 38 mmol should be sufficient evidence of alkalizing and result in the horse being scratched. Further tests at predetermined intervals can be carried out as part of research into the TCO2 levels on race day. Individual horses that test at elevated levels should be investigated further.

All results should be made available to the trainers so that they can learn from this.

During the period of gathering data, it should be done based on scientific protocols in such a way that the information can be published and shared with the scientific community and other racing jurisdictions.

The questions that need to be answered with substantiating proof using the current testing process are as follows:

Why are the TC02 levels elevated with some horses on the first test?

There are too many horses with different trainers, on different racetracks, different times of the day and different weather conditions to all be caused by “milk shaking” either by stomach tube, or oral dosing or rectal enema. Bicarbonate in its powder form is not palatable to horses and does not mix well with water. The literature shows that a dose of at least 250 g and as high as 600g needs to be administered to influence increasing TC02.

Given as a single dose it takes 5 hours to have an effect when tubed into the stomach. Trainers are not doing this on race days.

Using other strong ions such as potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and lactade in place of, or combined with bicarb can also influence the TC02 levels. However, in large doses these can be dangerous. Weak ions and plasma albumin also influence the TC02 levels indirectly.

There is very little evidence that “milk shaking” consistently enhances performance when used.

Trainers do not know why their horses have high values and I as a sports medicine vet with 44 years’ experience am unable to give them an answer.

Counteracting the acidosis of exercise and high grain diets is integral in ensuring the wellbeing of all horses and especially the racehorse.

A recent article (Lindinger 2021) refers to a significant shift to the right for normal TC02 levels to well over 40 mmol in recent years and since the publication of most of the research.

The recommended normal range by Lindinger is 23 – 38 mmol. Good training and good horsemanship will automatically result in a healthier horse and as a result higher TC02 levels on average. This is what you want to for your horse to perform at his best.

One day we may well see horses presented with low TC02 being disqualified on the simple assumption that the hoses have not been well cared for and will not give of their best when racing!

Why does the TC02 decline after 10 minutes? In some cases, the decline is as much as 2 mmol. This needs to be explained with factual data.

What is the level of TC02 in horses that are tested as “normal” on the first test when tested again 10 min later? Surely these “normal” horses should also be tested

10 min later. It must be assumed, until proven otherwise that their levels could be going up as much as those that went down (2 mmol)? If this is the case it needs to be explained.

We all know why the TC02 testing was introduced. Is it achieving the intended goal?

The proposed changes to the application of the TC02 testing set out above will stop the negative publicity. It will stop trainers and owners being tarnished for something that is unexplained and out of their control until proven otherwise.

The analogy that one can make is like driving a car without a speedometer and getting caught in a speed trap!

Trainers are seriously stressed to bring their horse to the races and be subjected to a test they don’t know what combination of events can result in an abnormal reading.

In conclusion

Set the TCO2 cut off at anything above 38 mmol. Above 38 mmol there is sufficient data to indicate interference in the horses PH until proven otherwise.

Are these not the horses that the testing process wants to detect and stop from participating?

Gather the data and find out why horses test higher than others when presented at the races and why the values go down within 10 min. Also find out if the ones that tested normal go up after 10 min.

Ed – Dr Ralph Katzwinkel’s letter was sent to the National Horseracing Authority, inviting comment. No replay has been received.

O’BRIEN’S CITY OF DREAMS!

Aidan O’Brien hailed City Of Troy (3c Justify – Together Forever, by Galileo) as the best Derby winner he’s ever trained after the Coolmore homebred blew away the opposition at Epsom on Saturday.

It was high praise from the Ballydoyle maestro, given that his record ten winners includes the likes of Camelot, Galileo and High Chaparral, but O’Brien’s belief in City Of Troy has never waned, not even after his disappointing return in the 2,000 Guineas.

“We knew he had the ability,” O’Brien said at Epsom. “We thought he was the best juvenile I had ever trained and there’s no doubt he’s the best Derby winner. He has the cruise, he has the balance, he quickens and he stays.”

Ryan Moore gave City Of Troy a patient ride from stall one, positioning the favourite at the back of the field and waiting until three furlongs out to produce a challenge. “We were able to pick a path and he took me there early and easily, Moore explained. “The race was over and he was in control of it a fair way out. I felt he was still a little bit inexperienced with the loose horse in front of him, but he changed his legs near the line and went on again. He’s a bit special.”

The winning margin was two lengths and three quarters, with Ambiente Friendly (Gleneagles) producing a gallant performance in second, following his impressive Derby Trial success. Ballydoyle inmate Los Angeles (Camelot) and Owen Burrows’ Deira Mile (Camelot) completed a 1-2-3-4 for Coolmore sires.

City Of Troy shows his talent as he comes home powerfully under Ryan Moore | Credit: Coolmore

City Of Troy’s impressive performance has everyone asking what’s next for the winner, with the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic suggested for the son of US Triple Crown hero Justify. On that possibility, MV Magnier said, “That would be the biggest dream we could have.

We’ve tried it before and we’ll try it again, and that’s what the sport wants. They want these horses competing with the best; that’s what the people want to see. It would be great for European racing and great for worldwide racing.”

DUBAWI – THE LEGEND GROWS

When Ezeliya won Friday’s Gr1 Betfred Oaks to take her tally of wins to three from just four starts, she provided her outstanding sire Dubawi with his first Epsom classic win.

Dubawi is also sire of Betfred Oaks runner up Dance Sequence, winner of last year’s Gr3 Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.

Ezeliya, who hails from the same female line as South African broodmares Estimation and Ebaraya, is bred on similar lines to Dubawi’s champion son Too Darn Hot. Both Ezeliya and Too Darn Hot are descended in female line from Albanilla, a sister to French and Irish classic winner Corejada.

The 2024 Oaks winner, whose dam Eziyra won the Gr2 Blandford Stakes and ran third in the 2017 Irish Oaks, joins an impressive list of English classic winners sired by Dubawi.

The latter is also sire of 2024 Gr1 Qipco 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech, one of four sons of Dubawi to win the 2000 Guineas. Other 2000 Guineas winners sired by Dubawi are Makfi, Night Of Thunder and the aforementioned Coroebus.

Dubawi also is the sire of Eldar Eldarov, who not only won the 2022 Gr1 Cazoo St Leger but also claimed the Irish equivalent the following year.

Dubawi has had an exceptional season in 2024, with his sire sons also doing much to keep their great sire in the news.

His globetrotting sons Rebel’s Romance and Master Of The Seas have won a trio of Gr1 races between them in 2024, with Rebel’s Romance having won Gr1 contests in no fewer than four different countries.

However, the triple Gr1 winner has had a few setbacks this year as well, with his son Hidden Law suffering a fatal injury after winning the Gr3 Boodles Chester Vase Stakes and another son Arabian Crown being withdrawn from the Betfred Derby after suffering a setback.

His stallion sons are also enjoying a wonderful time of this year.

Dubawi’s blue blooded Zarak came up with a French classic earlier in the year when his son Metropolitan won the Gr1 Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas). Metropolitan is one of 20 stakes winners for his sire,

with Zarak also sire of 2024 Gr1 Prix Ganay/Gr3 Prix Exbury victor Haya Zark.

Dual Gr1 winner Night Of Thunder is another son of Dubawi to enjoy notable success this year, with his current flagbearers including six length Gr2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes winner Economics, and group winning two-year-old Fairy Godmother.

Night Of Thunder, whose multiple Gr1 winning daughter Highfield Princess sadly died this year, has already been represented by nearly 50 stakes winners with this tally looking sure to rise considerably.

Dubawi’s triple Gr1 winning son Too Darn Hot, whose relatives include not only Ezeliya but also hugely influential sire Darshaan, has made a sensational start and has already been responsible for Gr1 winners in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Not only did Too Darn Hot’s Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winning daughter Fallen Angel win the recent Gr1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, but his Gr1 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes winning two-year-old son Broadsiding captured Saturday’s Gr2 Aquis Stallions Sires’ Produce Stakes.

AUSSIE FILLY FOR ASCOT

Joint-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent jnr have secured one of the world’s best riders for their Royal Ascot debut in two weeks with the booking of three-time British champion Oisin Murphy for new recruit Kitty Rose.

The three-year-old filly is to run for the trainers for the first time in the Sandringham Stakes on the Friday card at Royal Ascot after she was purchased by a group of Australian owners headed by Tim Porter late last year following three runs in Ireland.

She will wear Porter’s racing colours of royal blue, lime, red and orange that are so often seen in Australian feature sprints by top-level regular Bella Nipotina.

Kent jnr explained that while the Sandringham will be a tough race to win given a likely big field, Kitty Rose could easily have been targeted at a Classic this spring.

“We could have easily put her in the Irish or English Guineas, but we had the mindset that we really wanted to win a race at Ascot, that was the goal, so we’ll go there,” he said.

MRC LOOKS FOR NEW CEO

The Melbourne Racing Club has announced that MRC Chief Executive Officer Josh Blanksby has provided notice to the MRC Committee of his resignation effective 31 August 2024.

A statement says that Mr Blanksby has provided MRC with ten years of leadership and commitment, and has made a significant impact in his seven years as CEO.

During this period, MRC has seen significant milestones achieved as part of the MRC Masterplan under his stewardship, squarely aligned to the MRC Purpose and Vision to promote world class horse racing and entertainment for our members and customers in a progressive

and socially responsible way.

The Club has grown into a multi-faceted business across racing, gaming, property and media and has a balance sheet that is the envy of other sporting clubs in Australia. Blanksby has overseen growing membership numbers, premier racing events, successful media rights and newly minted wagering partnership with Sportsbet, all contributing to MRC’s economic contribution to the State of Victoria.

Outgoing MRC CEO John Blanksby addresses the media | Credit: MRC

Mr Blanksby was also instrumental in the establishment of the MRC Foundation which has contributed close to $5 million to support a diverse range of programs and initiatives, successfully secured the MRC’s long-term tenure at Caulfield Racecourse by negotiating a 65 year lease, navigated the turbulent COVID period and is widely seen as a pioneer in the racing media rights industry, leading innovation, most notably executing Australia’s first club direct international media rights distribution strategy.

Mr Blanksby said, “My ten years at the Melbourne Racing Club have been fantastic; being part of the transformation of the Club as we have embarked on the Caulfield Masterplan delivering $160m in infrastructure for the Victorian racing industry, expanding the Club’s gaming portfolio to ensure profits can be re-directed to racing and innovating the racing offering for our members and customers. Our balance sheet and underlying business performance are strong and the current property rezoning processes will result in the Club having further strength and optionality.”

“I am most thankful for the life-long relationships I have formed with many people across racing and most importantly our wonderful staff at the Club.

“I feel the time is right to pass the baton on with the Club in a strong financial position and key infrastructure projects completed allowing it to control its own destiny. I look forward to working with the Committee and our Executive over

the next 3 months to assist with the transition to a new leader. I wish the Committee and staff of the MRC the best of luck into the future and thank everyone for their support throughout my time.” MRC Chairman, Matthew Cain, thanked Mr Blanksby for his commitment to the Club for the past decade.

“On behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank Josh for his outstanding leadership and stellar contributions to the Club. Josh’s unwavering vision for the future made him an exceptional leader at MRC.”

“During his tenure, the Club has achieved significant milestones, including delivery of the first phase of our Caulfield Masterplan, negotiated the most significant partnership in the Club’s history with Sportsbet, and heralded innovation within the racing media rights landscape.

“The Club is in a very healthy position due to Josh’s dedication and strategic decision making and we thank him for the remarkable outcomes we have collectively achieved. We wish Josh continued success with his future endeavours.”

EUROPE’S HOTTEST!

Jerome Reynier is looking forward to a huge couple of hours on the opening day of Royal Ascot on June 18, and the French trainer admits that saddling possible Queen Anne favourite Facteur Cheval may not even be the highlight.

The Dubai Turf winner has led the bookmakers’ lists for the royal meeting opener since the eclipse of Inspiral and Big Rock in the Lockinge at Newbury, but the Marseille-based handler also plans to send St James’s Palace Stakes dark horse Darlinghurst for a mouthwatering clash he describes as ‘the hottest race in Europe’.

HONG KONG STAR - BIG IN JAPAN!

Romantic Warrior completed an extraordinary season with victory in the Gr1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday morning, in a stunning performance which left jockey James McDonald almost speechless as Danny Shum’s globe-trotter snared a fifth successive Group 1 feature.

Underlining his status as one of the world’s premier gallopers, Romantic Warrior became Hong Kong’s third Yasuda Kinen victor, joining Fairy King Prawn (2000) and Bullish Luck (2006), while Voyage Bubble under Zac Purton finished a distant 17th of the 18 runners.

With elite level victories in the Gr1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m), Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), Gr1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) and today’s success, Romantic Warrior clinched his

eighth Group 1 overall, enhancing his career record to 15 wins from 20 starts.

Settling fifth, Romantic Warrior was angled into the clear in the home straight as the field climbed the sharp rise near the 300m mark before striking the lead. Driven out by McDonald, Romantic Warrior had half a length to spare on the line from Namur (Yutaka Take), while Soul Rush was a further nose further back under Joao Moreira.

James McDonald has Romantic Warrior flying to win in Tokyo | Credit: HKJC

Watched in steady rain by a crowd of 44,577, Romantic Warrior clocked 1m 32.30s.

“James McDonald is world-class and he gave him a great ride. He loves Romantic Warrior and Romantic Warrior loves him a lot. He always tries his best for James,” Shum said. “I wasn’t too nervous because I was confident in my horse, my team and my jockey.”

Composing himself after posting his first win in Japan in one of the nation’s premier races, McDonald said: “He’s a champion racehorse and it’s a very proud day for all of us – the whole team – because to showcase him to Japan was something very, very special in such a prestigious race.

“I’m almost lost for words when I ride this horse because he’s got a big heart and he tries his best all the time. It’s such a hard jurisdiction to race in. There’s such good horses and great jockeys so it’s an absolute privilege to be here and to be winning such a prestigious race is very, very special.”

Earning HK$9 million for the victory, Romantic Warrior – a Hong Kong International Sale graduate and BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner – has now amassed HK$151 million in prizemoney, a figure bettered only by Golden Sixty’s HK$167 million.

In the post-race elation, Shum ruled out a tilt at the Gr1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) at Kyoto on 23 June and confirmed Romantic Warrior would return to Hong Kong with Voyage Bubble early this week to be spelled.

“I think the best thing for the horse is to give him a break and let him rest. He’s not going to race anymore this season,” Shum said.

Purton, who rode Paul O’Sullivan-trained Aerovelocity in Hong Kong’s previous victory in Japan with success in the 2015 Gr1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo Racecourse, said Voyage Bubble failed to handle the left-handed track.

“The barrier (gate 15) didn’t make a differenceI got beat 20 lengths,” he said.

“He’s handled soft ground in Hong Kong before. He travelled on it today, his action was fine. I don’t think the track was a concern for us. He just didn’t fire in the straight. That’s twice now he’s gone left-handed and he’s performed poorly both times, so I think left-handed is not really suitable for him – get him back going right-handed.”

Home, James! The Kiwi celebrates Credit: Japan Racing Association

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