SP SPRINT - 30 AUGUST 2023

LIVE IN THE DREAM!

TRAINING NOT VIABLE – BUT GR1’S ARE FUN!

Sean Kirrane keeps Live In The Dream rolling to beat Highfield Princess in a thriller | Credit: BHA

‘Unless you are on the top scale, training is simply not viable’ – New Gr1 trainer Adam West

Epsom trainer Adam West enjoyed a breakthrough big-race victory as Live In The Dream blazed his way to a shock Gr1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes success at York on Friday.

The progressive four-year-old was steadily improving through the ranks this term, having started the season by winning a pair of handicaps, but he was lining up in Group One company for the very first time on the Knavesmire.

Pinging the gates and sent straight to the front in the hands of Sean Kirrane, the son of Prince Of Lir surged his way up the five-furlong track and was not for catching as defending champion and 7-5 favourite Highfield Princess tried in vein to hunt down the surprise 28-1 scorer.

It was not only a first Group One triumph, but a first Group-level victory of any kind for

both West and Kirrane as they enjoyed their finest hour in one of the season’s fastest-run contests.

West said: “I never thought it was possible to win. We were laughing about there being six places and how his odds were so skinny. We should have backed him to win!

“I’ve had a Group One winner, it’s amazing. I think we’ll go to the Breeders’ Cup as I think he’s 10lb better on a turning track. That’s a big statement, but I do. He can get a breather round a bend whereas on these straight courses he usually can’t, but he just nicked enough today.

“We were going to take him for a race at Del Mar but we costed it, we’re not a big yard and it was too expensive to go.”

Pace has always been Live In The Dream’s number one asset and following placed efforts when getting a taste of Group action earlier in the season in both the Palace House Stakes and Temple Stakes, York was tailor-made for

Trainer Adam West – considering a trip to Santa Anita | Credit: BHA

the Epsom-based speedster.

West added: “In the Temple Stakes we think the ground might have been a touch too quick for him and he hung a little bit away from the rail. Today with that tiny bit of rain he has been able to fully let himself down and keep straight.

“This is incredible I never thought anything like this would happen. Seven years I’ve been training and we’ve had him from a yearling and the journey has been incredible.

“I have to do what I have to do and if a horse shows the ability I will stick them in the races. That’s what I have always done. It’s a really tough game at the moment and you look at how things are and you think ‘is this a future’ and then you get something like this and it changes everything.

“I’ve always joked that we had the fastest horse in the south of England and we’ve just gone and proved it I think.”

The Nunthorpe serves as a ‘win and you’re

in’ for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and West is now relishing a trip to Santa Anita in early November.

“I can’t wait, let’s take them on,” he said. “It is an amazing opportunity and something we never ever thought we would get. “Trying to make ends meet to try to get that money together and both get him over there and get him back is just all taken care of and it’s some rollercoaster.”

Although securing a first top-level success, West does not envisage it causing a massive upturn in his fortunes and he is more than content to continue plying his trade on the smaller scale in Epsom.

He explained: “Epsom is the perfect mix of town and country for me, I can be out with my ferrets in 20 minutes one way and out in town with my owners 20 minutes the other.

“It’s the perfect place for me and I’m very happy. The owners in that tight-knit community have been fantastic. All this week and the last six months Epsom has been quoted saying it needs a Group One winner and they have just had one.

He went on: “It’s not viable (training), it is simply not viable. The BHA do their best to govern and mind us as trainers, but realistically unless you are on the top, top scale, training is not a viable option.

“But money is not why any of us do it, we do it because we love the animals and we love the whole sport. Ultimately grassroots will always be there because of the passion, but we are under serious strain and any help we would be grateful of.

“But we will take this as one of the peaks.”

• Racing TV

ON THE UP! WEEKEND SALE SEES TREND CONTINUE

The post-covid exponential growth curve and revival of the South African thoroughbred sales market continued as the curtain came down on the 2023 BSA August 2yo Sale at the TBA Sales Complex in Johannesburg on Sunday, after two days of spirited bidding on some genuinely high-quality youngsters.

The numbers always tell a story, and the R59 690 000 aggregate showed an encouraging 23% increase on the 2022 gross, with a similar amount catalogued, but with 22 more lots sold this year.

The average was up from R220 608 in 2022 to R244 631, an increase of just over 10%, while the median increased 14% year on year from R140 000 to R160 000.

Top-seller honours went to Maine Chance Farms, who celebrated an Equus Horse Of The Year award last Wednesday evening with Princess Calla, and showcased lot 235 named Lucrative, on Sunday.

The well-named daughter of Vercingetorix out of the Querari mare La Colossa fetched R1,4million. She is well-related and hails from the Lomitas family.

Lot 235 was the sale-topper. She is a Maine Chance bred daughter of Vercingetorix | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

In fact, it was a happy sale for the Maine Chance team, with their Dubawi stallion Erupt’s son Corrupt (#241) selling for R1,2 million to Laurence Wernars’ Triple 8 Clothing.

Described as a high-quality sort and a great mover, he was bred by Wynand Nel at Wilgerbosdrift, and is out of the Windrush mare Lil’ Bacio, dam of Gr1 SA Derby winner Out Of Your League.

Far End Farm’s Jane Thomas signed the chit for the sale chart-topping Vercingetorix filly, and the KZN horsewoman was again the buyer of the second highest lot – Boland Stud’s Gimmethegreenlight filly out of the Jet Master daughter Jet Princess, who fetched R1,3 million.

Jane was the third top buyer overall, with her ten strong basket grossing R4 190 000 at an average of R419 000.

She told the Sporting Post that both of the two chart-topping fillies would be raced by longstanding supporter of SA racing, Fred Crabbia. It is heartening and encouraging to hear that a well respected owner is making something of a comeback to our shores!

“Fred (Crabbia)bought five horses in total. I thought it was a very competitive two days, but we are thrilled with what we secured,” said Jane, who is also a key member of the Form Bloodstock team.

Leading owner Laurence Wernars’ Triple 8 Clothing was top purchaser, buying ten 2yo’s for R5 930 000, while Jonathan Snaith ranked second, his 11 costing R4 565 000 for an average of R415 000.

Jono Snaith’s trolley included the Day 1 topranker, a really handsome Wilgerbosdrift-bred Rafeef colt (#113) out of Gr1 winner Athina, for R1 million.

“We purchased this cracking colt for an international owner who races most of his horses in Cape Town,” he told the Sporting Post.

Top vendor was Wilgerbosdrift, who enjoyed a relative quiet year at Equus last week, but came out firing, with their 15 2yo’s selling for R8 410 000 at an average of R560 667.

Paarl-based nursery Varsfontein Stud sold 16 for a gross R6 815 000 at an average of R425 938.

Jono Snaith bought the lovely Rafeef colt for an international owner | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Maine Chance flagbearer Vercingetorix (Silvano) topped the sire charts, with 12 of his 13 offspring selling at a gross R7,3 million, an average of R608 333.

SA champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) had 10 sell for R5 850 000, while Ridgemont’s fast ascending Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) grossed R5 230 000 for his 10.

Comments from bidders canvassed by the Sporting Post, include the fact that the quality of the catalogue was extraordinarily high, and that Sunday’s action was particularly encouraging.

“It’s probably completely random, but Sunday was really packed with quality. And it’s likely a buyer state of mind, but once one gets to Day 2, you may get the feeling that you are also running out of time and need to start getting down to buying! Can I mention that the food

and hospitality was good,” said the buyer, who preferred to remain unnamed.

Another buyer observed that the auditorium ‘felt emptier than last year’ but that the sale results countered that and confirmed the upward curve.

“Maybe buyers are just becoming more accustomed to bidding via the electronic platforms introduced during the covid years?” he said.

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE

PLEASE SEE ALL THE SALE RESULTS HERE.

SCENE AT THE 2023

BSA AUGUST 2YO SALE

HEAR THE EARTH RUMBLE…

After an outstanding last season, it’s been an amazing August for the Robertson-based Maine Chance Stud team. After lifting the prestigious SA Horse Of The Year honours via Princess Calla just a week ago, the champion nursery celebrated the BSA August Sale top-seller and some excellent results for their stallions last weekend.

On Sunday lot 235 named Lucrative, a Maine Chance-bred daughter of Vercingetorix out of the Querari mare La Collossa, fetched R1,4million. She is well-related and hails from the Lomitas family.

Another terrific result for the Maine Chance team was their multiple Gr1-winning Dubawi stallion Erupt’s son Corrupt (#241) selling for R1,2 million to Laurence Wernars’ Triple 8 Clothing.

Closely inbred to Seeking The Gold and consigned by Wilgerbosdrift, he is a halfbrother to five winners including Gr1 SA Derby winner Out Of Your League, Gr1 WSB SA Derby runner up Zeus and Gr3 Gold Cup runner-up, Paybackthemoney.

To call Erupt an exciting prospect is an understatement. He shares his outstanding sire Dubawi with star stallions of the ilk of Night Of Thunder, New Bay, Zarak and the exciting Too Darn Hot, and also hails from an outstanding

The majestic Erupt | Credit: Jeremy Nelson

family, with his numerous high-class relatives including champion sires Encosta De Lago, Flying Spur and Holy Roman Emperor.

Erupt’s early stakes performers, including Gr3 Protea Stakes winner Karangetang, Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes runner up Golden Tatjana, Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes second Hot Pearl and Ruffian Stakes runner up Ripple Effect, have shown a precocity and speed that belies their champion Dad’s stamina.

Erupt enjoyed a great book of 90 mares last season and the Maine Chance team are looking forward to similar support this year. It’s worth noting that, while Erupt provides a great classic opportunity for a breeder, his R20 000 service fee is also great value mathematically when one considers his 2023 sales averages of R246 250 (August 2yo Sale), R211 875 (Nationals) and R225 000 (Cape Premier Yearling Sale).

Bred and raced by one of the most successful owner-breeders in the world, the Niarchos family, Erupt won two Gr1 races in Europe and North America at ages three and four, with a time-form rating of 121.

He won his races on good ground, showing excellent speed – making him very attractive for the South African market. He was tough, as he travelled the world and raced in France, the UK, the US, Canada and Japan.

We will leave the last word to Bill Oppenheim: “Erupt was a dual Group 1 winner at 12 furlongs, and ran fifth in a really good Arc as a 3-year-old, with only Golden Horn, Flintshire, New Bay, and Treve ahead of him, and Free Eagle behind him. His pedigree gives plenty of encouragement, as he is by Dubawi out of a Caerleon mare, out of a Spectacular Bid mare who was a half-sister to the top Argentine sire, Lode, from the family of Canadian champion filly and broodmare Fanfreleuche, herself a real ‘blue hen’ from Northern Dancer’s second crop.

Given his sire Dubawi’s success with a multitude of lines, especially Danzig and Sadler’s Wells, it is easy to envision a large sector of South Africa’s broodmare population being well suited to Erupt. He’s a very exciting prospect who had real class and has a very rich pedigree.”

Amanda Carey may be contacted for service enquiries on +27 (0) 82 465 4020 or email amanda@mainechance.co.za.

Erupt son Corrupt (#241) sold for R1,2 million on Sunday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

DAVID DOWNS THE GOLIATHS

Turffontein-based trainer David Nieuwenhuizen was the figurative David amongst the Goliaths at the 2023 Equus Awards at Emperors Palace last Wednesday evening. Producing a national champion from a relatively small string is no mean achievement, and the man who commenced his training career with just four horses at the Vaal eighteen years ago is looking forward to his best season ever.

David Nieuwenhuizen after his maiden Gr1 success with Gold Circle Director, Dr Manfred Rohwer | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

And he also becomes the newest Hollywoodbets-sponsored trainer this week as he looks excitedly ahead at the term ahead. We pressed David to tell us about his horses worth watching this season, and maybe even the next generation Equus winner lurking amongst his 32 strong string!

“There are 14 nicely bred unraced 3-year-olds that we will step out and then four 2-yearolds that have joined the stable recently. My owners also purchased two nice 2yo’s at last weekend’s sale,” he smiles.

“I am really and truly proud of my team and my loyal owners,” David tells the Sporting Post as he reflects on the impressive Champion 2yo Male trophy that was awarded to the exciting Rakesh Singh-owned Sandringham Summit.

“We all strive for Grade 1 winners, but Equus is the benchmark of excellence in the various categories and it’s no mean achievement

emerging from a melting pot of the points system, a deliberation by an esteemed panel, and a public vote,” muses the 58 year old horseman.

The Varsfontein-bred Sandringham Summit, a R1,7 million purchase selected by Rakesh Singh and Zeyn Kirsten at the 2022 BSA National Yearling Sale, won both the Gr1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes, to give David his maiden Gr1 success, and was also victorious in the Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe.

The handsome athlete had 5 starts during his first season for 3 wins and 2 seconds, and accumulated stakes of R842 250. The former workrider programme student, who was taught the basics by two top men in James Maree and the late Gerald Turner, knows a good horse when he sees one.

Striving for the summit! Equus winners David Nieuwenhuizen, Bansidhar Singh, Carl de Vos, Rakesh Singh, Heather Nieuwenhuizen, Praveen Singh & Nikki Nieuwenhuizen | Credit: JC Photos

“At this stage Sandringham Summit is the best I’ve trained and his record backs that up. I believe he is good enough to compete on the international stage,” he adds proudly as he says that they are likely to start the Equus champion 3yo’s term in the 1450m BSA race at Turffontein on 7 October.

“We have sat down and discussed it and we are likely then to aim at the Gr2 Dingaans on Summer Cup Day, and then at the SA Triple Crown.”

So Sandringham Summit won’t be seen in the Cape this summer?

“We always have to do what is best for the horse. That’s a fundamental and plans will always remain fluid, but we are considering all options as we progress. I have never raided down South yet, and you cannot do it without the right horse. But yes, the incentives in the Cape are good and it remains a consideration!”

Sandringham Summit follows in the hoofprints of some very decent stakes horses trained by the former athlete, who still uses the principles of his distance running, and his marathons and Comrades training.

“I have put many of the fitness models into the training of my horses. This gets them fit off a good base, accompanied with speed work.”

The star filly Virgo’s Babe is close to David’s heart and entrenched the Nieuwenhuizen name after her Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery success in 2013 under MJ Odendaal. The daughter of Malhub also won the Listed Swallow Stakes.

And the Nieuwenhuizen honour roll continues with Gr3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes winner Mill Queen, the Gr3 Lebelo Sprint star Anna Capri, Flying First Class, who

won the Sun Chariot and Allez France Stakes. Rapid Flow doubled up by winning the Allez France.

A quiet man who doesn’t shoot his mouth off and hype up horses, David runs an operation that ticks over like clockwork and the expectation as the team heads into the new season is tangible.

“I am fortunate as I have a great team around me. This is not a one-man show! My assistant is Nikki Radford and we currently employ 11 grooms, 3 of which are also work-riders. The team was over the moon with the Equus award and it’s great to feel the energy and the buzz. We also make use of the best vets and farriers in the industry to compete on the same level with our opposition,” adds David.

The Pretoria-born David, a Jeppe High graduate, is married to Heather and has 2 daughters, Nikki and Tarryn.

He has come a long way since his icebreaker Nombulelo, who won on 7 September 2005.

“She was owned by myself and cost R5 000 at a Horses-In-Training Sale. The race was over 2400m and she was ridden by Kevin Derere . What a load off my shoulders to get my first winner!” he recalls fondly.

We asked David what the biggest challenges are facing him as a trainer?

“I remain positive and there are so many folk around who are truly passionate about this game! But currently stakes are an issue, which makes it difficult. Also getting new blood into the industry is a challenge,

I believe. And the racing programme needs to be revisited. But I am not moaning! I think with the winds of change blowing through the corridors of power, and exciting things happening, there’s great hope!”

I am fortunate as I have a great team around me. This is not a one-man show!

CAPE PREMIER BIGGER AND BETTER IN 2024

Entries are open for the 2024 Cape Racing Premier Yearling Sale, to be sponsored for the second year by the Tattersalls Group, Europe’s leading bloodstock auctioneers.

The sale is scheduled for Thursday, 25 January 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC); breeders, vendors, and buyers have an exciting and lucrative week to look forward to.

Cape Racing will be staging the sale two days before the 2024 WSB Cape Town MET, set for a sparkling renewal next year following their enterprising and innovative initiatives of 2023.

With the right people in the Mother City at the right time and some promising news from the EU about bloodstock exports, Cape Racing is confident that this year’s aggregate of R44,825 million can be surpassed in 2024. A notable statistic from the 2023 Premier Sale is that 10% of the lots that passed through the

ring were sold for R1 million or more, including the spectacular sales topper Valley of The Kings (Lot 107).

The Maine Chance-bred colt by Gimmethegreenlight was knocked down for R3,8-million to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, who will be returning in search of a thoroughbred of similar quality in 2024. There are more reasons to enter and attend the Premier Sale.

As announced in May, and as per Cape Racing’s new Bonus Structure and Pinhooking Programme, bonuses of R100,000 will be paid for the first juvenile win of any race, including open maiden races won by juveniles. This represents a return of R4 million in cash

Premier action! |

Credit: Wayne Marks

bonuses to valued sales clients over 40 races. The inaugural Cape Racing Slipper, featuring graduates from the 2023 sale, will be contested on the WSB Cape Town MET Day for R1,2.5 million.

The good news is that the stake has been upped to R1,5 million for the 2025 ‘Slipper’, for which the 2024 Premiere Sale graduates will qualify. The second running of the R7.5 million “Gold Rush” is the other showpiece event for Cape Racing Sales graduates on the day.

Justin Vermaak, Racing & Bloodstock Executive for Cape Racing, commented: “The 2024 Premier Sale is being held two weeks later than last year to accommodate more breeders. A number of them asked for more time to get their yearlings ready. There were positive vibes last year, and we exceeded expectations. T

he Premier Sale is back on the map and being held in a truly festival-type week in Cape Town

when plenty of foreign visitors attend both our sale and the Met.

“It is interesting to note that two of the 10 R1million lots were among the last six that went through the ring last year, depth all-round. We had high quality from the knock of the first hammer to the last. We aim to raise the bar even more, and buyers’ attention will again be on the sales ring all the way through.”

Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz spoke after last year’s sale about a “virtuous circle” for the sport in the Western Cape, born on the back of his team’s focused efforts and duly implemented initiatives.

He said: “Bigger stakes attract owners, horse prices go up, more horses are bred, field sizes increase. Turnovers, public interest and attendance, improve as a consequence. The cycle starts at our Premier Sale!”

• Media release by Cape Racing on 24 August 2023

MIKE DE KOCK OWNER LOVED HER RACING

The international breeding fraternity was saddened last week by the passing of renowned owner-breeder Lady Chryss O’Reilly. Owner of Haras de la Louviere in Normandy, as well as a former owner of Castlemartin Stud in Ireland, she passed away in France at the age of 73.

Her death came in the same week she had sold the €200,000 sale-topper at Arqana’s v2 sale, and featured as the breeder of the previous weekend’s Gr2 winners Witch Hunter (Hungerford Stakes) and Vespertilio (Debutante Stakes).

Over the past five decades, Lady O’Reilly owned breeding and racing stock on four continents and pursued her passion by breeding in partnerships as well as under her own banners of Skymarc Farm and Petra Bloodstock Agency.

Her notable successes include 1996 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Helissio, as well as the Gr1 winners Priolo, Helissio, Highest Honor, Lawman, Latice, Le Glorieux, Lacovia, Bluemamba, Chinese White and Lightening Pearl. The Gr1 winning fillies Rebelline and Voleuse De Couers were both yearling purchases and raced in her colours, as did the successful sire Verglas.

Remarkably, as an owner/breeder, she also tasted success in South Africa with the Mike de Kock-trained filly Festival Of Fire and the colt

Lady O’Reilly and her husband Tony – he was inducted into the IRB Hall Of Fame in 2009 | Credit: Supplied

Meet At MalaMala, which she raced and bred in partnership with the late Chris Saunders. Festival Of Fire, a smart daughter of Kahal, performed with aplomb, winning them six races, which included the Gr2 Fillies Guineas, the Gr3 Joburg Spring Filly and Mare Challenge and Gr3 Starling Stakes. In addition, she was twice Gr1-placed when runner-up in both the Empress Club Stakes and SA Fillies Sprint.

Lady O’Reilly kept Festival Of Fire as a broodmare and raced her progeny with more than a measure of success, two of which being black-type performers trained by De Kock.

Her first foal, the aptly-named Var colt Dewali, finished third in the Gr3 Protea Stakes, while Flower Alley daughter Red Hot Rose contested last season’s Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery off a maiden win and ran out of her skin for second, beaten a longhead by none other than champion Mrs Geriatrix.

One can but speculate how good a racehorse Meet At MalaMala would have been, had a tendon injury not limited his career to just nine starts.

Unraced at two, the imposing son of Western Winter made a winning debut when he cantered home at Hollywoodbets Scottsville to defeat future Post Merchants winner Shark Bay over 1200m.

Thrown into the deep end in just his second start, the colt promptly earned his spurs with a gutsy neck defeat of another future stakes winner, Fenerbahce, in the Listed Secretaritat Stakes at Turffontein. In his final start, the fouryear-old ran the race of his life to finish third to Aslan in a blanket finish to the Gr1 Sansui Summer Cup, the margins being a head and a shorthead.

The top-class Festival Of Fire | Credit: Gold Circle

Born Chryssanthie Jane Goulandris in the United States, Lady ‘Reilly was a daughter

of John Goulandris and Maria Lemos, two members of Greek shipping dynasties. She grew up in New York and was introduced to horses by her uncle, Constantine Peter Goulandris, from whom she took over Haras de la Louviere. Eventually she bought out her relatives and ran it in her own name.

She married former Irish international rugby player and business magnate Sir Tony O’Reilly in 1991 and the couple owned Castlemartin Stud until 2014. Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita and the globetrotting Gr1 winner Joshua Tree (a close relative of Drakenstein Stud’s outstanding Gr1 winner Inara), were both bred at the historic Irish Stud.

Lady O’Reilly was also a long-serving board member and former chair of the Irish National Stud. Her considerable achievements were rewarded with an induction into the ITBA Hall of Fame in 2013.

Lady O’Reilly and the late Queen Elizabeth 11 | Credit: Supplied

‘I SHOULD BE BUYING UP ALL THE RABADA OFFSPRING ’ – TRAINER

The progressive Addabar charges home under Calvin Habib |

Credit: Anneke Akal

Patrons at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday were treated to a fine display of frontrunning power from newlyturned four-year-old Addabar, who has kicked off the new season with a quick back-to-back double.

The upwardly mobile gelding is a first-crop son of former Summerhill stallion Rabada and is also a half-brother to the Sean Tarry-trained duo of Under Your Spell and Witchcraft. The former won the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship at two, the Gr2 WSB Fillies at three and the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes at four, whilst Witchcraft twice captured the Gr3 Track And Ball Oaks.

To no one’s surprise, trainer MJ Odendaal made no secret of his regard for Addabar, who defeated a field of seasoned rivals to score for the third time from just seven starts.

“Thanks to Uncle Braam. He picked him. He named him. I thought he had improved four to five lengths from his last start – just shows these old hands are still working! Look, I have always held this fellow in high regard – he is a horse that will be worth ‘Benjamins’ and that’s the language we will talk,” added the veteran former champion jockey, who wished the Tretheweys well with Rabada.

“I shouldn’t say it, I should go out and buy them all – he’s clearly an underrated stallion. Mr Puller had a nice winner the other day. The Azzies have a nice one. I have one. That’s from few mares. Be with them!”

As for his sire, the demise of Summerhill dramatically sadly changed the fortunes of Rabada, a lack of support being a prime hurdle.

Bred at the famed stud, Rabada entered stud at his birthplace in 2018 as a dual Gr1 winner of the Premiers Champion Stakes at two and the Daily News 2000 at three.

Notwithstanding these credentials, the handsome son of Black Tin Soldier covered

less than 30 mares in his first season, the majority of which were Summerhill mares.

By the time the stud changed hands, Rabada’s first foals were on the ground and he had covered a slightly increased second book of 33 mares. With no runners yet to show his powers and his racing career a fading memory, the fourth season at stud is a dreaded one for any stallion and so it proved for Rabada. Support had dwindled to just a dozen mares in 2022, when he had moved to Bloomhill Stud near Wartburg.

However, Rabada is living up to the adage “quality over quantity”, for in addition to Addabar, he also counts the stakes-placed Zatara Magic and Ermelo amongst his runners.

The former, a Gavin Smith-trained half-brother to multiple stakes winner Jaeger Moon, ran third in the Listed Ibhayi Stakes and just the other day notched up a facile third win.

Ermelo, a homebred for small-time KZN breeder Tommy Crowe, is trained by trainer Doug Campbell.

A strapping individual who has to be loaded with a hood, built on back-to-back wins last season to run third in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Since plagued by bad luck, he missed the Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe due to a bruised foot and was withdrawn from the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes after breaking through the pens.

Although Doug was hugely disappointed with the turn of events, he remains philisophical: “Maybe it was a blessing. He’s a big strong horse and is only now growing into his frame. Besides, as Mick Goss said to me, he will come into his own at three.”

That said, the gelding can be a bit of a handful. “He’s highly strung and I have to work him first,” before adding. “He does things so easy and likes to get on with business. He knows he’s special.”

‘Addabar is a horse that will be worth ‘Benjamins’ and that’s the language we will talk’ – MJ Odendaal

The magnificent Rabada at Bloomhill | Credit: Supplied

There’s no doubt that Doug rates the threeyear-old highly and will be chasing more black type with his talented three-year-old.

Another to keep an eye on is Summerhill-bred Soldier’s Eye, who like Ermelo, hails from Rabada’s second crop. This Marwing-trained filly reeled off two successive wins as a juvenile and was not disgraced when fifth in the Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes on HKJC World Pools Gold Cup day. She recently started her threeyear-old campaign on a promising note when second, beaten a longhead, at Hollywoodbets Scottsville

More to the point, Addabar’s fine effort last weekend was met with delight by Bloomhill owner Sandra Trethewey, who has just welcomed the first foal of the breeding season, a colt by Rabada out of dual winner Deep River Woman.

Asked how support for Rabada is going, she replied: “We have 10 mares booked to him right now, which is disappointing, considering he’s punching above his weight from limited numbers.

“Also, to my horror I discovered that he was inadvertently left out of the 2023 Stallions Book, so I said to my husband, in that case, we need to bring him to the people. I have spoken to Gold Circle and we may just take him down to Summerveld for a stallion day during the weekend of 16 September. The idea is to

parade both him, and some of his progeny in training, including Addabar.”

For now, Sandra is looking forward to the birth of another Rabada foal, this one out of her Gr3placed mare Me Too. By Gimmethegreenlight, she hails from the family of champion Rock Opera and the Gr1 winners Van Halen and Gulf Storm.

For those interested in sending a mare to Rabada, his covering fee this season is R10,000, payable on the birth of a live foal.

His only representative at the recent August 2YO Sale, bred by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds and a first foal for dam Just Chaos, who won four races including a Listed, sold for R140 000.

Standing at Sandra Trethewey’s Wartburg stud farm, Rabada will be presented to the public on 16 September. A venue will be announced. Be sure to save the date.

TAKE YOUR PICK!

TAB4Racing has announced that its range of QuickMix bets has been expanded with the addition of a daily BiPot QuickMix.

QuickMix bets add a new dimension to multi-race wagers like the Jackpot and Place Accumulator because races from different meetings are combined to enable bets to be completed much quicker than on a single race meeting.

The BiPot QuickMix will mostly comprise a combination of South African and international races and will normally commence on the thirdlast race at the local meeting.

The daily Place Accumulator QuickMix usually starts on the penultimate local race with the last race forming the first leg of a Jackpot QuickMix.

STALLIONS 2023

CANFORD CLIFFS R20,000 (LIVE FOAL)

MALMOOS R25,000 (LIVE FOAL)

NEW PREDATOR R12,500 (LIVE FOAL)

PATHFORK R5,000 (LIVE FOAL)

POTALA PALACE R5,000 (LIVE FOAL)

RAFEEF R70,000 (R20,000 UP FRONT + R50,000 LIVE FOAL)

REAL GONE KID

FEE ON APPLICATION

TRADITION OF CHAMPIONS

CANDLEFORD ANOTHER CHAPTER FOR SON OF KINGMAN

Candleford wins well under Paul Dobbs | Credit: Supplied

The Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud celebrated an eyecatching feature winner at Windsor on Saturday when their homebred Candleford won the Listed Weatherbys Digital Solutions August Stakes for his fourth career victory.

The son of Kingman is maturing as a stayer to reckon with, and having his third start after returning from a seven month break from track action, the talented Candleford was always in contention in the 2200m contest and stayed on really well under Pat Dobbs to beat the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Solid Stone by a convincing three quarter lengths.

The victory came as no surprise after the 5yo’s impressive third-placed finish behind stablemate Hamish, an entry for the Irish St Leger later this month, in the Gr3 l’Ormarins King’s Plate Glorious Stakes at Goodwood on 4 August.

He is a family favourite as he holds the distinction of being the Kieswetter’s first homebred winner and first Royal Ascot winner when capturing the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at the world-renowned racing festival in 2022.

By Invincible Spirit’s illustrious son Kingman, Candleford is out of the

Norse Dancer Listed Pretty Polly Stakes winner Dorcas Lane, who is also dam of the useful Atty Persse.

Winning smiles! | Credit: Supplied

A direct descendant of legendary broodmare Horama, Dorcas Lane’s third dam is Irish Oaks winner Give Thanks.

Kingman has sired two new Gr1 winners in 2023 in Australian 2YO King Colorado and Grand Prix de Paris winner Feed The Flame, as well as Group winners Habana (German 1000 Guineas), Royal Ascot Group winner Age Of Kings, Schnell Meister and Remarquee, amongst others.

He is already the sire of 19 individual stakes winners in 2023, 13 of which are three-yearolds, making him the leading NorthernHemisphere-based sire of 3YO stakes winners He is the sire of 68 stakes winners and 42 Group winners and is the second fastest

stallion to 50 Northern Hemisphere-bred stakes winners behind only Frankel. He reached this milestone faster than Galileo, Deep Impact, and Dubawi.

As to plans for Candleford, Ridgemont’s Craig Kieswetter told the Sporting Post that he would be leaving the race programming in the hands of their top trainer William Haggas.

“He certainly is maturing, as stayers tend to do. And when they have that stamina they also have a good range of race options. William, along with Maureen, and the whole team at Somerville Lodge always do a fantastic job and we are more than happy to go along for the ride,” he concluded.

Paul Dobbs and Weatherby’s Nick Craven on the podium | Credit: Supplied

PRINCE MUZI ON FIRE!

Muzi Yeni could be a factor in this season’s jockey championship chase. The Stone-Stamcor stick of dynamite banged home two winners for Kelly Mitchley at Fairview on Friday, including a strong ride to get East Cape first-timer Prince Of Fire home in the first leg of the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge.

The classy Alan Greeff-trained Cliff Top was all the rage to win the R175 000 Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge 1200, and the son of Canford Cliffs ranged up down the middle late in the race looking a likely winner. But Muzi Yeni doesn’t take getting beaten lying down, and the former East Cape Champion

produced Prince Of Fire (8-1) down the inside with a bold sustained effort to register his 23rd winner of the new season.

Making up good ground, the 5yo son of Gimmethegreenlight made it a winning local

debut on transfer from the Johan Janse van Vuuren yard as he had the luckless Cliff Top’s measure by a neck. No time was published.

Gallic Tribe (7-1) made up lengths from way back to bank the third cheque, a further neck away. He could certainly be a factor in the next two legs on this run.

Prince Of Fire’s win capped a double on the day for trainer Kelly Mitchley and Yeni. The young conditioner, only in her second full season, is clearly going places after notching 40 winners last term.

Sharon Kotzen was also dominant, saddling three winners.

Prince Of Fire is raced by Messrs Wernars, Joannides and Willson and has won 6 races

with 3 places from 15 starts for stakes of R421 937.

Bred by Brian Finch’s Ditro Bloodstock, he is a 5yo gelded son of newly crowned champion Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) out of the top-class Joshua’s Mistress (Joshua Dancer).

It’s a tough ‘triple crown’ to win, but Prince Of Fire, who was effective up to a mile in Gauteng is now in line for the bonus of R250 000 payable to the connections of the horse that wins all three legs of the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge.

The second leg of the Challenge will be run over 1400m on Friday 29 September, with the third and final leg contested over a mile on Friday, 20 October.

Prince Of Fire (Muzi Yeni) ranges up the inside to collar Richard Fourie and Cliff Top | Credit: Pauline Herman

ARE STIPES BEING FAIR TO RACING’S STAKEHOLDERS?

Matsuyamo gets his head down to beat El Moriachi (Yeni) and Central City (Fourie) in a tight finish at Fairview on Monday |

Credit: Pauline Herman

Conspiracy theories abound in horseracing. And nothing quite fuels the fire than when officialdom deviate from the norms and act marginally out of character. Even when there may be a very good reason for it.

Predictability will always be a flaw in routine controls. That’s why in the old days, for example, retail staff were asked to draw out of a bottle full of marbles when departing for home on closing. If one drew a red marble, you were pulled aside and frisked.

Nobody complained as it was completely random. And definitely not personal, contrived or favouritism.

But what’s the point, you’re probably asking? Most every winner countrywide has a specimen taken for analysis. The winner seems to be the horse that gets a specimen taken. It’s not a rule, but it’s an unwritten process.

But not the longest-priced winner in recent days.

That’s the 50-1 Matsuyamo, who won the fifth race at Fairview on Monday 28 August.

Punters notice this kind of thing. Call them pocket talkers or keyboard warriors, they ask questions. And a quick look at recent meetings tells a story.

At the Vaal on Thursday 24 August, all nine winners were tested.

On Friday 25 August at Fairview, all eight winners were tested.

At Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, all eight winners were tested.

But at Fairview on Monday, Matsuyamo (50-1) beats El Romiachi (11-2) narrowly, with the winner’s stablemate and favourite Central City (7-2) in third.

Only 0,30 lengths seperated the top trio. Matsuyamo, who is on a sale in a couple of weeks, doesn’t crack a mention for an improved run inquiry, or a test.

He was the only winner on the afternoon who wasn’t tested. Random? Probably. Clever? Maybe not.

But the runner-up El Romiachi, a horse who got an honourable mention from 4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe at the recent Equus Awards, gets tested.

As was Fire Lord (also 50-1) who ran one from last. Why? Stipes discretion? That would make sense.

But what about the punting public? The winner enjoys the all-weather, but even his top trainer hinted he was ‘a bit of a surprise’.

Coincidentally, Sandile Khathi, who rode the winner, was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that as the rider of Matsuyamo he misused his crop by striking the horse one more time than the permitted 12 times, which was not warranted when considering the circumstances of the race.

Khathi signed an admission of guilt and was fined R2 000.

We were under the impression that the twelve strike rule was a hard and fast mathematical benchmark.

The reference to ‘which was not warranted when considering the circumstances of the race’ is puzzling, and implies a measure of objective discretion rests with the Stipes.

JOCK INJURED AT MILNERTON

After a fall during track-work at Milnerton on Saturday, jockey Keanen Steyn is in a stable condition at a local hospital.

The Sporting Post has been informed that Keanen’s mount fell and he came down heavily. He has undergone a scan and is reportedly in a lot of pain. It is thought that he may have suffered the fracture of a verterbra in his spine, but there was no confirmation.

Keanen rode a double for the Piet Botha yard at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on 12 August. The accident comes at a shocking time as he has made a bright start this season, and is currently riding at more than four times his career win strike-rate.

Keanen joined the SA Jockey Academy in 2001, which was the same vintage intake as Gavin Lerena, Raymond Danielson, Muzi Yeni and Richard Fourie.

Keanen Steyn – hopes for a speedy recovery | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

BINDA DOUBLE FOR HOLLYWOOD SYNDICATE

Trainer Clinton Binda produced the magic for the Hollywood Syndicate on the inside track at Turffontein on Tuesday, when he saddled a double, including an expected popular victory by the Ridgemont bred Duke Of Marmalade gelding Qhawe Lami in the R400 000 Farm Sale Stakes.

Muzi Yeni steers the odds-on Qhawe Lami to a smooth win | Credit: JC Photos

Restricted to graduates of the CTS Farm Sale, the 1200m contest looked a fairly straightforward task for the little chestnut and he duly delivered under a confident Muzi Yeni.

After running second to the smart Kotzen flyer Golden Tatjana in the KZN leg of the restricted non black-type contest, Qhawe Lami (9-10) looked the right one and after stalking the pacesetting Bregardt for much of the race, the Binda galloper was too strong and went on to withstand a late challenge from Richard The Great (13-2) by 2,30 lengths in a time of 72,17 secs.

“I wondered why the KZN winner Golden Tatjana didn’t make the trip. We may have had a problem if she did,” added a thrilled Binda, who thanked his good friend Craig Carey of Ridgemont.

“I only looked at this horse as I know Craig

well. I want to thank a lot of people – the Hollywood Syndicate, my team, my wife.”

A son of the deceased Duke Of Marmalade (Danehill), the winner was bred by Ridgemont from the Var mare, Vice Versa.

He has now won 3 of 9 starts with 5 places and stakes of R480 375.

Qhawe Lami, whose name means ‘My Hero’, is no giant but earned the biggest cheque by a Binda galloper, when banking the R250 000 first stake on Tuesday.

This was the in-form Stone Stamcor-sponsored Muzi Yeni’s 26th winner of the season. Winning Form rider Richard Fourie rode a double on the day to take his tally to 16.

The Binda-Hollywood Syndicate combination celebrated a double when Richard Fourie booted Black Egret home to win the eighth.

IRISH NATIONAL STUD THOROUGHBRED BREEDING MANAGEMENT SCHOLARSHIP

The world-renowned Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Management Course is a six-month residential programme which is designed to provide learners with a hands-on approach to every feature of Thoroughbred Breeding. The programme which commences in January each year runs for the duration of the breeding season and equips learners with the knowledge, skills and competence required to perform effectively in responsible positions in the thoroughbred industry.

Application Requirements

·Scholarship is open to any person between 20 and 30 years of age

·Have obtained the National Senior Certificate

·Be a citizen of South Africa

·Be currently working in the thoroughbred industry

Scholarship provides the successful candidate with:

·Return economy airfare

·Course fees (€6,000)

·Accommodation & meals

·Uniform

·Travel insurance

·Training allowance

Applicants must apply to the Irish National Stud before October 1st, 2023

https://irishnationalstud.ie/thoroughbred-breeding-course-application-form/ For further information: https://irishnationalstud.ie/thoroughbred-breeding-management/

O’BRIEN’S NEW GENERATION JETS

Aidan O’Brien is enjoying another great season with Auguste Rodin providing a record extending 9th Epsom Derby, and the top-class Paddington winning multiple Group 1’s in the UK.

City Of Troy powers home on debut | Credit: Racing TV

Next year could be even better judging by the fantastic run the Ballydoyle juveniles have enjoyed so far this season with multiple winners and feature success.

City Of Troy, favourite for next year’s 2,000 Guineas, heads to the Curragh next week for the Gr1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.

The son of Justify created a powerful impression when landing the Gr2 Superlative Stakes by over six lengths at Newmarket last month.

O’Brien said: “If he was to go to the States, there would be a chance he could come back to six furlongs in the Middle Park to sharpen him up for it. There’s a chance he could run on the dirt in America. John [Magnier] always had it in his head with Justify that they could mix it up between here and America.”

Another unbeaten stable companion, Henry Longfellow, who landed the Gr2 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh this month, will head to Newmarket for the Gr1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes in October.

“We had it in our heads that Henry Longfellow would go to the Dewhurst and City Of Troy to the National Stakes,” said O’Brien. “I’m very happy with them.”

£2,4 million buy Diego Velazquez overcame inexperience to record an impressive winning debut at the Curragh this month, forging clear by nearly five lengths.

A general 9-1 chance for next year’s Derby, the Frankel colt will tackle a mile for the first time in the Gr2 Golden Fleece Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival, where he could be joined by Capulet.

O’Brien said: “Diego Velazquez is the main one for Leopardstown. He has been a lot more impressive at home than in his race, so it will be interesting to see what happens when he does open up. Capulet could go there too.”

He also outlined his plans for his unbeaten juvenile filly by Frankel, Ylang Ylang.

“Ylang Ylang goes to the Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. Everything has gone well with her. The last day she probably wasn’t as impressive, but we think she’ll be better when she gets a lead.”

This all looks ominous for the Newmarket yards in the autumn.

FLYING FRANKIE IS KING OF YORK

Ireland’s perennial champion jumps trainer was bidding for a second win in one of the Flat season’s most prestigious and lucrative staying handicaps following the success of Sesenta in 2009, while Dettori was on a hat-trick after previous wins on Willing Foe (2012) and Trawlerman (2022).

Having been the toast of punters after steering 9-4 favourite Kinross to victory in the preceding City of York Stakes, the Italian jockey headed back out onto the track for what may well be his final ride on the Knavesmire before his retirement later this year.

Absurde, second to Melbourne Cup-bound stablemate Vauban at Royal Ascot in June before disappointing over hurdles at the Galway Festival, was prominent in the market at 7-1 and while he had to be led down to the start by Dettori, causing a delay, he was as good as gold during race itself.

The five-year-old travelled smoothly towards the front of the pack halfway up the straight –and while 5-2 favourite Sweet William and Live In The Dream both kept him honest, Absurde found plenty against the stands’ rail to see

them off by half a length and the same.

“In the last 100 yards I saw Rab (Havlin) coming (on Sweet William), my best mate, and I thought ‘that’s it I’m beat’, but all credit to him (Absurde) – he showed some guts and stuck his neck out,” Dettori told ITV Racing.

“He’s a horse that needs cover and I found myself in the front three out so all I was thinking was I’d messed it up.“What can I say, I’ve won the Ebor on my last ride (at York) – it’s mad. I thought if I win on Kinross then great but I didn’t expect this one so it’s double sweet.”

Paddy Power cut the winner to 8-1 from 10-1 for both the Cesarewitch and the Irish Cesarewitch, while he is 20-1 from 40-1 for the Melbourne Cup.

Dettori would be quite happy to take the ride in Australia in the hope of finally winning one of the few major races on the international stage to still elude him.

He added: “I did say to Willie I was going Down Under so I’ve asked him to consider me and he said he will, so we’ll see!”

He will always be number 1! Frankie enjoys an Absurde moment after his big win | Credit: Racing TV

Mullins said: “Frankie has shown us what he can do. I thought he was beaten half a furlong out, I don’t know where Frankie got his energy from in the last 100 yards.

“He pulled that one out of the fire I thought, he was brilliant on him.

“He’s a monkey and he always is at home but he hasn’t done anything like that for a while (refused to go to the start). It’s what he does if you let him get away with it. He’s been very good at home recently but it is in him.

“I’ll have to have a word with the owners about Melbourne, they are at a family do today but I’m sure they’d love to go.

“He’ll have no problem passing the vet, if they do a brain scan he might have a problem!

“What a remarkable jockey, you guys have

known for a long time but I thought Frankie was brilliant.”

Dettori had earlier saluted the packed grandstands on what could be his final day riding at York as Kinross comfortably defended his crown in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes. The six-year-old was out to complete a quickfire big-race double for trainer Ralph Beckett and owner Marc Chan following Angel Bleu’s Celebration Mile success at Goodwood less than half an hour earlier and his supporters will have had few concerns.

Kinross was the 9-4 favourite to secure his 10th career victory and having travelled well in midfield for much of the seven-furlong contest, he picked up so well once popped the question by Dettori that the popular Italian was able to raise his fist in delight for the final few strides.

THE LION ROARS!

The script went to plan after the six-year-old son of Kermadec won the jewel and the third Leg of the STC Super Sprint series in a relative canter.

That win was also a consecutive victory for jockey Wong Chin Chuen, who was his winning partner last year, and a three-in-row for trainer Daniel Meagher, who won his first Lion City Cup with Lim’s Lightning in 2021.

After the favourite jumped as expected, Wong was happy to watch the race unfold in front of Lim’s Kosciuszko as Fame Star (Bernardo Pinheiro) and The August (Louis-Philippe Beuzelin) made the running early.

General Command (Bruno Queiroz) also raced handy, giving Wong a perfect sit on Lim’s Kosciuszko within striking distance on the bend

with cover, while Super Salute (Manoel Nunes) and $24 second favourite, Golden Monkey (Hugh Bowman), followed in close attendance in fifth and sixth respectively.

Turning for home, all eyes were on Lim’s Kosciuszko. Although Wong sat sitting as quiet as a church mouse at the 300m, another Group 1 win for the pair looked a fait accompli.

Wong pushed the proverbial button at the 250m to put the race beyond doubt. However, Golden Monkey loomed as a serious danger with a furlong to go.

Wong got busy on Lim’s Kosciuszko in the final 100m to see off that admirable challenge from the newly-crowned Singapore Derby winner and held him safely at bay by a length on the line.

Lim’s Kosciuszko (Wong Chin Chuen) will not let Golden Monkey (Hugh Bowman) pass in the Gr1 Lion City Cup | Credit: STC

Reigning Singapore Horse of the Year Lim’s Kosciuszko dominated again at his back-to-back wins in the SG$300 000 Gr1 Lion City Cup at Kranji on Sunday.

Mr Malek (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) ran on well to maintain his excellent sprinting form to finish another one-and-a-quarter lengths back in third, with Kharisma (Marc Lerner) also doing his best work late to grab fourth another half-alength away.

The winning time was 1 min 8.94secs for the 1200m on the Short Course and Lim’s Kosciuszko’s 15th win in 18 starts took his prizemoney to over SG$1.7million for the Lim’s Stable.

Meagher had tears of joy after the stable star snagged his fifth Group 1 win, but he did reminded fans that the little champion had bigger fish to fry in the later part of the season. “I’m relieved,” said the young Australian conditioner to racing presenter Raymond Yong after the race.

“He’s a very good horse and he has done an amazing job for myself, (owner) Mr Lim (Sia Mong) and the whole stable.

“He wins 1200m; he wins 1800m. It’s just a great job by the team once again. He’s a fantastic horse.

“He’ll go to the (Group 1) Raffles Cup (1600m) and then he will go to the (Group 1) Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m). All going well and you never know, he might go for the (Group 1) (Singapore) Gold Cup (2000m).”

The Raffles Cup, QEII Cup and the Singapore Gold Cup makes up the three legs of the Singapore Triple Crown series and they will be held on September 23, October 14 and November 11 respectively.

After Lim’s

Kosciuszko’s back-to-back wins

Winners! Owner Lim Siah Mong, trainer Daniel Meagher and jockey Wong Chin Chuen | Credit: STC

in the Lion City Cup: (from left) owner Mr Lim Siah Mong, trainer Daniel Meagher and jockey Wong Chin Chuen (Pic – STC) After the dust had settled, Meagher elaborated on how heavy the weight on his shoulders were and how that affected him and his love ones, given the high expectations of Lim’s Kosciuszko from many people.

“People tell me all week – in good faith – that Lim’s Kosciuszko can’t lose,” said Meagher who, with wife Sabrina, welcomed daughter Vienna Grace into the family last month.

“But they don’t know if he’s eating or has a temperature, or if he’s just moody back at the stable and not at his best.

“So, the pressure was on for us to tick all the boxes and it’s not that easy. In fact, it’s tough on everyone as the expectation was that he (Lim’s Kosciuszko) just wins.

“I’m under pressure, so Sabrina keeps everyone away from me at home during race week. Not ideal but it works and it’s a massive relief when it’s over.”

Meagher was also keen to give ex-kranji jockey Danny Beasley – who won the 2022 Singapore Derby on Lim’s Kosciusko – a shout out. “Danny was such a big part of this horse,” he continued.

“Not only was he a great help with the horses and the stable, but life in general. It was Danny who told me to watch Jimmy (Wong Chin

Chuen) a few years back, so after Danny went home (to Australia), Jimmy had been faultless.” Wong said the pressure was on the trainer and he was only happy to be on the best horse in Singapore.

“I’d prefer to be on Lim’s Kosciuszko than on a 100-1 shot,” quipped Wong.

“Good horses make good jockeys and this horse just knows what to do.

“I think the pressure was on Daniel before the race and I’m just happy to be riding the best horse in Group 1 races.”

When asked about the pair taking a sit on Sunday, Wong explained that was always the plan given the way the race was expected to play out.

“Today, the race definitely showed a lot of speed on paper,” he said.

“But I still rode my horse to show good speed early. I just rode him as usual and put him where he was happy.

“The (early) race tempo was going very good and we just settled behind the speed. Coming into the straight, he was just too good.

“He’s a very matured horse now and can do what we want. We can put him on the speed or put him to sleep, which is good. I don’t think it will be a problem to step him up in distance too.”

GALILEO THE GREAT

Warm Heart ridden by jockey James Doyle (right) on their way to winning the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks | Credit: Racing TV

The late great Galileo and his progeny dominated feature race action at last week’s York Ebor meeting. Not only was the legendary son of Sadler’s Wells responsible for the first three home in Thursday’s Gr1 Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks, his greatest son was the sire of the first two home in Wednesday’s Gr1 Juddmonte International.

Galileo fillies Warm Heart, Free Wind (out of a mare by former Drakenstein resident Duke Of Marmalade) and Savethelastdance filled the first three placings in the Yorkshire Oaks, while the Frankel sired pair of Mostahdaf and Nashwa ran first and second in the Juddmonte International.

Remarkably either Galileo appears in the pedigree of six of the ten runners in this year’s Yorkshire Oaks.

Galileo also ranks as the broodmare sire of high-class three-year-old Continuous (Heart’s Cry), who won Wednesday’s Gr2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.

Continuous is out of the Galileo mare Fluff, a full-sister to Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Maybe, the dam of Gr1 Qipco 2000 Guineas winning sire Saxon Warrior.

Galileo is also broodmare sire of this year’s Great Voltigeur third Gregory, while Galileo daughter One Evening finished second in Thursday’s Listed British EBF Sir Henry Cecil

Galtres Stakes - ironically, the Galtres was won by Sea Theme, a daughter of Galileo’s halfbrother Sea The Stars.

Galileo also made his mark at York on Friday where his son Marhaba The Champ won the Sky Bet Handicap and grandsons Courage Mon Ami and Giavellotto finished second and third respectively in the Gr2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes.

Galileo is also broodmare sire of Night Of Thunder, whose star daughter Highfield Princess finished second in Friday’s Gr1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.

The Galileo show rolled on into Saturday where Frankel’s son Spirit Dancer won York’s Gr3 Sky Bet And Symphony Strensall Stakes, and his sire ranked as the broodmare sire of Saturday’s Sky Bet Melrose Handicap winner and third place finisher Middle Earth and Fox Journey.

Yorkshire Oaks winner Warm Heart is the 99th Gr1 winner for her sire, who has been somewhat overshadowed in the past few

Highfield Princess chases Live In The Dream in the Gr1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes | Credit: Racing TV

seasons by both Dubawi and Frankel.

Galileo, however, has still managed to enjoy classic success both this year and last, with his daughters Magical Lagoon and Savethelastdance victorious in the Gr1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks of 2022 and 2023 respectively.

It is not the first time, however, that Galileo has made his presence felt at York.

Frankel ran out a brilliant seven length winner of the 2012 Gr1 Juddmonte International, his sons Rip Van Winkle, Australia, Ulysses

and Japan also all won the International, with Galileo also broodmare sire of 2020 Juddmonte International winner Ghaiyyath (Dubawi).

Galileo is also now responsible for 5 Yorkshire Oaks winners with Warm Heart joining her paternal half-sisters Tapestry, Seventh Heaven, Lush Lashes and Love as a winner of the York showpiece.

His sons Frankel, Nathaniel, and Teofilo have also sired at least one Yorkshire Oaks winner, with Galileo’s half-brother Sea The Stars responsible for 2018 winner Sea Of Class.

The glorious Galileo | Credit: Supplied

DECLARATIONOFPEACE (USA)

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)

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