SP SPRINT - WEDNESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2023

Wednesday 13 September 2023

BREEDERS’ CUP ON RADAR FOR DUAL DERBY HERO

Auguste Rodin rose from the canvass once again to hold off Luxembourg and Nashwa and win the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Despite being a dual Derby winner, Aidan O’Brien’s Deep Impact colt had run two inexplicably bad races this season.

Having disappointed badly in the 2000 Guineas, O’Brien worked his magic to get him back in top form to win at Epsom. He was then workmanlike in winning the Irish Derby, before being virtually pulled up in the King George at Ascot.

A trip to the Breeders’ Cup looks to be on the agenda for Auguste Rodin following his thrilling return to form.

On the weekend Aidan O’Brien became just the third Irish trainer to reach the 4,000 career winners landmark, the dual Derby winner provided the Ballydoyle handler his fifth straight victory in the 10-furlong Group One contest, denying stablemate Luxembourg back-to-back wins in the Leopardstown feature.

The success was made all the remarkable as it was the second time this season O’Brien and his team had conjured up a piece of magic on the training grounds as the son of Deep Impact once again proved his doubters wrong

Auguste Rodin and groom David Hickey after Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes glory | Credit: Racing TV

to bounce back from a bitterly disappointing display in Ascot’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

With a preference for a sound surface, the highclass colt could now have booked his ticket to Santa Anita in early November, with O’Brien believing that could be the perfect spot for the apple of his eye.

He said: “The lads love the Breeders’ Cup and he’s a lovely horse for it. They will decide, but he’d love that ground.

“He’s a beautiful mover. He won in Doncaster on heavy and we couldn’t believe that he did it, but it was probably just sheer ability.

“We’ll take our time and see how he is, but I’d imagine it will be something like that (Breeders’ Cup).”

Luxembourg, meanwhile, could bid to better last year’s seventh in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

O’Brien added: “He could go to the Arc. He wouldn’t mind as long as the ground is not heavy, and over a mile and a half we know to ride him like a horse that just gets a mile and a half.

“He doesn’t want to go any further, but we are learning about him all the time. It was a massive run yesterday.”

Auguste Rodin (Ryan Moore) wins the Gr1 Betfred Derby earlier this year | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Advocate Altus Joubert was no doubt swayed by Flying The Flag’s spectacular female line and he made the move to Riethuiskraal in 2022

ALTUS TAKES A FLUTTER ON THE FLAG

The victory of Auguste Rodin in last weekend’s Gr1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes no doubt delighted former TBA Chairman Advocate Altus Joubert, for the simple reason that he stands the colt’s close relative Flying The Flag at his Riethuiskraal Stud.

Now a four-time Gr1 winner, Auguste Rodin is the first foal of Galileo’s splendid daughter Rhododendron, an own sister to Flying The Flag. She was a triple Gr1 winner, while their sibling, the wonderful Magical, counted no less than two renewals of the Irish Champion Stakes amongst her seven top level wins.

Albeit that he never reached the same lofty heights, Flying The Flag was no slouch either.

Trained like his siblings and nephew by Irish supremo Aidan O’Brien, the chestnut was runner-up in the Gr2 Futurity Stakes at two and won the Gr3 International Stakes at three

before his sale and transfer to Mike de Kock’s Dubai stable.

Flying The Flag scored once more and finished fourth in the Gr1 Jebel Hatta. Sent to South Africa, his best local effort for coowners Mary Slack, the late Michael Javett and Mauritzfontein Stud was a third in the Gr3 London News Stakes.

With his credentials, a stallion career was always a given for Flying The Flag and he duly retired to Bush Hill Stud in the KZN Midlands. Sadly, his progeny failed to set the world alight and his popularity dwindled accordingly.

Flying The Flag – now based at Riethuiskraal | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Step in Advocate Joubert, who was no doubt swayed by Flying The Flag’s spectacular female line and the horse made the move to Riethuiskraal in 2022.

Fortune favours the bold and this year, Flying The Flag celebrated his first South African stakes success as a stallion when sophomore son Strawberry Bear claimed the notable scalp of champion Cousin Casey in the Gr3 Byerley Turk Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

The striking grey closed out his three-yearold campaign on a winning note in the KZN Breeders 1600.

According to his trainer Mike Miller,

being Zimbabwe-raced daughter Tigers Dream. Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, she proved herself one of that country’s leading three-year-olds, winning the Zimbabwe Derby and finishing third in both the Oaks and Zimbabwe 2000.

Remarkably, she is bred on similar lines as Strawberry Bear, her dam Neck Of The Woods being by Al Mufti, the sire of Captain Al. In addition, her grandam the dual Gr1 winner Dog Wood, is by Fort Wood, which makes her inbred to Sadler’s Wells.

Speaking of Sadler’s Wells, he is also the damsire of former Riethuiskraal resident Imperial Stride. A well-performed Gr2 winner, he happens to be a son of was Indian Ridge, sire also of Cassandra Go, the grandam of Flying The Flag.

For the pedigree pundits out there, Strawberry Bear is out of Now You See Her, a placed daughter of Captain Al, from the family of champion sprinter Nhlavini.

As a matter of interest, Strawberry Bear is actually his sire’s second stakes winner, the first

A sprinter of note and a winner of Royal Ascot’s King’s Stand Stakes, she has become a blue hen in her own right and is also ancestress of O’Brien-trained Gr1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Stakes winner Victoria Road and of Photo Call, a dual Gr1 winning daughter of Galileo.

By the way, Cassandra Go’s stakes-placed full brother Grey Eminence also stood in South Africa. From limited opportunity, he sired Gr3 winner Madrisa and Mauritian Horse of the

Strawberry Bear digs deep under Tristan Godden as Cousin Casey chases in the Gr3 Byerley Turk | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

“he’s chilling at the moment, enjoying a proper break after a hard season and will probably return in a couple of months’ time.”

Year The Cardinal and also features as the broodmare sire of the stakes winners Mill Queen, News Stream and Chere For Me.

Flying The Flag has for all intents and purposes become a private stallion and finds himself very much on the back foot, given that he will have few representatives on the track in the coming seasons. Be that as it may, we can look forward to the return of Strawberry Bear, as well as the smart Peter-trained Electric Gold, who ran second in last season’s Gr3 London News Stakes and third in both the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas and Gr3 Jubilee Stakes.

And let’s not forget We Are The Logans, who boosted his sire’s fortunes when chasing home subsequent champion Sandringham Summit and Main Defender in the Gr1 World Pool Moment of the Day Champion Stakes at the Gold Cup meeting.

Incidentally, Altus can feel a sense of pride, as he bred the colt’s grandam Crimson Palace. Successful in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes, she became a globetrotter of note and added an

American Gr1 to her resume when successful in the Beverly D Stakes. As a matter of fact, Way Of The World, a Var half-sister to We Are The Logans, carried Altus’s silks to victory in the Listed Syringa Handicap some seasons back.

For now though, Auguste Rodin looks set to build on the mushrooming legacy of this excellent family.

The prospect of soft ground at Longchamp and Ascot would likely rule out the Arc and Champion Stakes for this brilliant,if mercurial, colt and the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita looks the most likely option. Besides, as O’Brien remarked in his post-race comments, “The lads love the Breeders’ Cup, so that’s a strong possibility.”

Handsome lad! Flying The Flag | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

VERCINGETORIX MARE DOMINATES THE SHOW

The Maine Chancebred Vercingetorix mare Phedra topped the honours list at the ROA Eastern Cape Regional Awards held in the Bold Silvano Room at Fairview on Saturday 9 September 2023.

Scooping all of the Champion Sprinter, Champion Older/Filly Mare, Champion Polytrack Filly/ Mare and Horse Of The Year award, the Sharon Kotzen-trained mare was retired to stud after her ninth career victory on 4 August.

A remarkable success story, the R50 000 Cape Yearling Sale buy arrived as a rather ordinary looking maiden from the Cape in January 2022 after 11 starts. But under the guidance of Sharon Kotzen, she went on to nine wins, including a stakes score in the 2023 Milkwood Stakes.

Leading breeder Arne Botha of Benmarne Stud, who attended the function with his family, raced the

equine ATM in partnership with Messrs K B Larsen, I D Berg, Robin Strydom and G M Kotzen, and told the Sporting Post that even though she had been leased, she had provided them with enormous thrills and fun.

“Leasing is definitely an option to encourage and grow ownership. The lovely mare gave us great joy and what an honour this evening to be acknowledged with multiple awards. She is off to stud, and I wish her every success in the next phase of her career. And well done especially to Sharon and Greg Kotzen. They did a terrific job!” added Arne Botha.

And it was another superb accolade for Maine Chance Farms, who celebrated their third Horse Of The Year honours for last term, after Princess Calla’s crowning at Equus and at the KZN regional awards. Maine Chance also bred Champion 3yo filly, Ekoria, a daughter of Futura (Dynasty) who is trained by Champion conditioner, Gavin Smith.

Champion Groom Samkele Sigaba enjoys the moment |

Credit: Pauline Herman

ALL THE WINNERS

Champion 2-year-old filly: Luna Halo

Owners: Messrs M Greene, GL Blank, G Piha, D Yutar, HN Yutar, S M Davis, Nick & Val McFall, Mr & Mrs AC Greeff

Trainer: Alan Greeff

Breeder: Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

Champion 2-year-old colt/gelding: Questor

Owner: Smith Super Syndicate

(Nom: Dean Smith)

Trainer: Gavin Smith

Breeder: Varsfontein Stud

Champion 3-year-old filly: Ekoria

Owners: Messrs B C Ralph & M Greene

Trainer: Gavin Smith

Breeder: Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd

Champion 3-year-old colt/gelding: Khaya’s Hope

Owner: Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd

Trainer: Gavin Smith

Breeder: Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd

Champion Older Colt/Gelding/Horse: Grazinginthegrass

Owners: ASSM Racing Syndicate

(Nom: Mr A Chadha) & Mr M F de Kock & Mrs N P Malherbe

Trainer: Alan Greeff

Breeder: Drakenstein Stud

(Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

Champion Work Rider Sibongile Liyaba holds his trophy, flanked by Gabi Soma, Victor Mpulwana, Amos Mtengwane, Bondas Mkweta & Dean Smith | Credit: Pauline Herman

Champion Older Filly/Mare: Phedra

Owners: Ben Botha (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr Arne Botha), Messrs K B Larsen, I D Berg, Robin Strydom & G M Kotzen

Trainer: Sharon B Kotzen

Breeder: Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd

Champion Sprinter: Phedra

Owners: Ben Botha (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr Arne Botha), Messrs K B Larsen, I D Berg, Robin Strydom & G M Kotzen

Trainer: Sharon B Kotzen

Breeder: Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd

Champion Stayer: American Landing

Owner: Mrs D J Sherrell

Trainer: Alan Greeff

Breeder: Mr M de Broglio

Champion Polytrack Filly/Mare: Phedra

Owners: Ben Botha (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr Arne Botha), Messrs K B Larsen, I D Berg, Robin Strydom & G M Kotzen

Trainer: Sharon B Kotzen

Breeder: Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd

Champion Polytrack Colt/Gelding: Naval Secret

Owner: Mrs S Viljoen

Trainer: Cliffie Miller

Breeder: BBP Syndicate (Nom: Mr B G Nelson)

Horse of the Year – Gregory Kotzen & Arne Botha enjoy the celebration | Credit: Pauline Herman

Work Rider of the Season

Mr S Liyaba

Champion Groom

Mr S Sigaba

Champion Jockey

Mr R Fourie

Champion Trainer

Mr G Smith

Champion Local Jockey

Mr S Khathi

Champion Owner

Mrs S Viljoen

Horse of the Year

Phedra

Champions! From l to r – Natalie Turner, Gregory Kotzen, Sharon Kotzen, Elaine Botha, Bernard Botha & Arne Botha Credit: Pauline Herman

JANNIE ON THE UP IN GQEBERHA

Smanga Khumalo has Slim Jannie in full flight |

Credit: Pauline Herman

The progressive Pathfork gelding Slim Jannie made it four wins from his six starts in the Eastern Cape as he powered home at Fairview on Friday to win the R200 000 Betway Insurebet Speedsters Stakes

Scratchings reduced the Friday 1000m feature to just eight runners, but it was fast and competitive, with the 4yo gelding’s regular rider Smanga Khumalo getting Slim Jannie (3-1) home in fine style.

The Collingwood Stud-bred gelding accelerated clear to beat the ultra-consistent 18-10 favourite Teatro by 0,75 lengths in a time of 55,73 secs.

European Summer (14-1) was the first fairer sex member home, a further 1,50 lengths back in third. Slim Jannie left KZN a maiden winner and has established himself as one of the speed leading lights in the Eastern Cape, with two wins on the turf and two on the polytrack, to take his career tally to 5 wins and 5 places from his 15 starts.

With earnings of R409 713, owners Adam Kethro and Clive Williamson are enjoying the rise through the ranks of the

gelding that Hollywoodbets trainer Gavin Smith labelled ‘a horse that one can train with the eye’.

Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-sponsored jockey Smanga Khumalo was full of praise for the winner, suggesting that the 1000m was his perfect mark.

“If he races over 1200m, he tends to want to go too fast early. This was a good win today and he really is a lovely horse,” he added.

Bred by Collingwood Stud, Slim Jannie is a son of Pathfork (Distorted Humor) out of the onetime winning Rebel King mare, Good Rebel. He was purchased for R200 000 at Nationals.

Kelly Mitchley joined trainer Alan Greeff with the trainer honours on the afternoon, courtesy of a double. The relative newbie is pacing it on the regional log behind Greeff and alongside Gavin Smith in second, with ten winners apiece.

KEAGAN’S DREAM START NEWSFLASH:

SA Champion jockey Keagan de Melo won on his first ever ride at Happy Valley today when the Caspar Fownes Valhalla charged to victory in the first race of the new season to give the Durbanite a dream start.

The 30 year old is licenced as a club rider until February 2024.

The 2023-24 Hong Kong racing season got off to a “satisfactory, acceptable” start on Sunday as turnover took a hit on a day following hot on the heels of some of the

worst weather the city has ever seen.

Both Super Typhoon Saola and last Thursday night’s deluge caused the closure of Sha Tin’s tracks in the past 10 days, interrupting opening-day preparations for Hong Kong’s horses and contributing to field sizes being significantly down.

While 132 gallopers graced the Sha Tin turf 12 months ago, only 97 stepped out across Sunday’s 10 races and betting turnover was down 7.4 per cent year on year.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN THE FAIREST CAPE!

The Cape has come alive with the much-anticipated arrival of spring, as dazzling carpets of wildflowers flood the landscape as far as the eye can see in a glorious celebration of colour.

The season’s turning signifies new beginnings and the launch of the second Hollywoodbets Spring Country Series, which will be held over nine exciting race meetings at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, with the first meeting run today!

Often described as South Africa’s most scenic and intimate horseracing venue, Hollywoodbets Durbanville is a much-loved destination for racing fans and casual visitors.

Whether you are inclined to racing, music, food, wine, or even a combination, if your choice is a relaxing and great day out in the glorious Cape spring weather, then the rustic environs of Hollywoodbets Durbanville are the place to be.

The action-packed Hollywoodbets Spring Country Series programme will run until the final meeting on 14 October and is highlighted

by the running of the traditional Cape Summer season launch platforms of the Hollywoodbets Gr3 Matchem Stakes and Gr3 Diana Stakes on Saturday, 30 September.

Champions have won these historic 1400m features over the years, and the 2023 renewals will be jam-packed with class as South Africa’s premier horseracing region gears up for a sensational summer season.

The listed Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy, a race won by a host of top-class horses in recent years, including the likes of subsequent July hero Belgarion, will headline the Hollywoodbets Durbanville race meeting on Saturday, 23 September.

As it falls on the Heritage Day weekend, various fun events are planned to coincide with South Africa’s celebration of our culture

and the rainbow diversity of our beliefs and traditions.

The day will have a “Braai ‘n Gallop” theme and will be a gathering of horseracing enthusiasts, food lovers and local communities revelling in the spirit of our heritage. This vibrant event will showcase the best South African traditions, featuring horseracing excitement, a potjiekos competition, live entertainment, delectable local cuisines, and engaging activities for kids.

The Cape Town Festival of Beer, which will be held on 14 October, celebrates the heritage and craftsmanship of local and international brewers. Showcasing an impressive collection of over 200 beers, this event is the foremost celebration of all things related to beer. It is set to be the most significant one yet, making it one of the biggest highlights on Cape Town’s social calendar.

Azzie Gr1 joy at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

AZZIES EYE THE CAPE!

Up-and-coming trainer Adam Azzie will send 20 horses from Randjesfontein to compete in Cape Town this summer. He said the stable’s first 15 runners will leave Johannesburg on 17 September. Stables have been allocated for them at the Milnerton training centre.

Adam and his dad, Michael, had their sights set on a satellite yard in the Western Cape since the first Cape Racing incentives were announced in 2022.

Adam commented: “The latest series of incentives encouraged us to finalise our plans. We recently bought four horses at the August Two-Year-Old sale to participate in the latest syndicates incentives.”

The Azzie team’s interest in a Cape base was spiked last season when, due to quarantine restrictions, their raiding horse party had to travel in vector-protected trucks to Milnerton without stopping.

Most of them arrived dehydrated and ran well below expectations.

“We have a string of 50 horses now. We had to start almost from scratch after losing our main patron, Adriaan van Vuuren. Still, we have quality in the string, and our numbers are growing thanks to staunch patrons like Drakenstein Stud, Brian Riley, Glen Morris, and Bruce Gardner, who have kept us competitive.

Considering Cape Racing’s super initiatives and the travel problems, it makes sense to have a base in the Cape to race from. Aside from our existing owners, we’ve had interest from clients in the Cape, keen on buying for us.

“We’ll see how things go this season, how well we can do in the Cape summer. My dad will be back full-time to take care of the Randjesfontein stables. In time, and if 4Racing can catch up with the Cape, the ideal would be to have two strong stables in the two main centres. We want to see how our runners can shape against the best. We’re under no illusions. We’ll be taking on South Africa’s top horses in Cape Town, but if one doesn’t measure them at the top level, how will you know how good they are?”

At 36, Adam’s long-term objective is permanently settling in Cape Town. He said: “One must change and adapt, push the boundaries. The Cape will become South Africa’s premier racing centre and possibly a destination for international competitors. I have a young family; we’re keen on a healthier and safer lifestyle, and the Cape is just a great place to race.

We have done so with significant results, raiding over the years.”

The stable’s top sprinter, Sheela, has been retired to stud, but Adam feels he has a Southern Cross Stakes and Sceptre Stakes hopeful in the four-time winner, Kiss Me Captain.

“We haven’t got to the bottom of her yet; she is talented.” Also, among the raiders will be the well-performed Gimme A Shot, who has enjoyed time off after finishing fifth to Princess Calla in the Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes, and juvenile Amber Rock, a highlyregarded individual who was beaten under halflength by Lucky Lad on her debut. Bartholdi will represent the older brigade, and Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Lady of Power will join the Cape string after a run or two in Gauteng features.

Chasing Happiness (Gavin Lerena) wins well on debut | Credit: JC Photos

RAFEEF’S THIRD WAVE IS BUILDING

Ridgemont’s resident stallion Rafeef made the perfect start to his stud career with his first crop producing six stakes winners.

His initial crop was headed by a pair of Gr1 winners who scored their signature wins at different ends of the racing spectrum, with his son Aragosta landing the Gr1 WSB SA Derby over 2450m and another son Master Archie landing the Gr1 Computaform Sprint over 1000 metres.

Rafeef’s first crop also included William Robertson, who was beaten less than half a length by Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom (Captain Al) when runner up in the 2022 Gr1 Mercury Sprint.

Rafeef’s second crop has also proved highly effective, with five stakes winners headed by Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Thunderstruck, Gr2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans victor Union Square, Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes queen Shantastic and Oaks Trial winner Ipso Facto.

This crop has also produced a number of smart performers including the progressive Trois Trois Quatre, Mrs Browning and Mover And Shaker, with the latter victorious in the 2022 Bloodstock SA Sales Cup (C and G).

While it is early days yet, Rafeef’s third crop, now three-year-olds, is also showing considerable promise. This crop has already produced a pair of graded stakes winners in the form of Leaving Las Vegas and Outlaw King, winners of the Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes and Gr2 Tabgold Umkhomazi Stakes respectively, last season.

Rafeef, whose son Master Archie stands his first season at stud this year, came up with yet another eyecatching winner on Saturday when his three-year-old daughter Chasing Happiness made a winning debut at Turffontein.

Chasing Happiness is out of the high-class racemare Kalami, whose sire Daylami also ranks as the damsire of prominent Australian sire and champion. Pierro. and St Leger winning sire Logician, among others.

His legendary sire Redoute’s Choice is no stranger to producing top-class stallion sons, having also come up with the likes of four times Australian Champion Sire Snitzel, the hugely successful Not A Single Doubt, and Golden

Slipper winning and producing sire, Stratum.

Redoute’s Choice, whose Wilgerbosdrift based son Buffalo Bill Cody made a big impression with his first yearlings last season, looks to have yet another exciting sire son on his hands in the form of five time Gr1 winner The Autumn Sun.

The latter made an impact with his first crop of three-year-olds this season, headed by Gr2 Silver Shadow Stakes winner Autumn Ballet and Gr1 Sistema Stakes runner-up, Tulsi.

The Autumn Sun was produced by Azmiyna, whose sire Galileo is also the broodmare sire of Rafeef’s Gr1 winning son Aragosta.

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

DYLAN BRANDISHES A SILVER SWORD

Alongside South African racing’s greatest ambassador, Mike de Kock, Dylan Cunha is one of the youngest trainers to have saddled a Summer Cup winner.

De Kock was only 24 when he won the Gauteng flagship in 1989 with Evening Mist, while the then 28 year old Cunha won the big one with the Australian-bred Strategic News scoring under Glyn Schofield in 2008.

Last year in August, the Sporting Post reported that the then 42 year old had reached another milestone in what has been an extraordinarily diverse life, when he saddled his first winner from his new base at Newmarket.

And when Dylan Cunha opened for business in Newmarket he had ambitious hopes of establishing a boutique operation – all he needed was something to put in the shop window!

www.thoroughbredracing.com reported earlier this week that he has found the magic in the

shape of a grey gelding called Silver Sword, whose success at York in August brought a set of famous silks back into fashion.

Fifty years after Secretariat’s historic Triple Crown-winning season, Penny Chenery’s unmistakable blue-and-white block colours have visited the winners’ circle in Britain.

Big Red’s livery has been revived by another American in the shape of Linda Mars and Richard Ware, her partner in Martians Racing. Wyoming-based Mars is a member of the family that owns the Mars confectionery business, at which Ware was global ambassador before retiring.

Mars grew up watching Secretariat, and the iconic colours were duly worn by jockey Greg Cheyne – another UK-based South African

expat – when he steered Silver Sword to victory in a £100,000 handicap at the Ebor Festival at York in August.

“I have to thank [Andrea and Jeremy Brereton [breeders] for bringing in Martians Racing, Linda Mars and Richard Ware – Linda Mars bought my sister’s half-share so he could stay in the stable,” explains Cunha, 43.

“She had seen the Secretariat colours for sale at a charity auction,” he goes on. “She made enquiries as to whether she could race

them in England and they were allowed, so she bought them.

“We also made a replica of the bridle Secretariat raced in for the York race. We took photos of him and sent them to the tack lady to make it, which made the day a bit more special.”

Such attention to detail is typical of Cunha’s hands-on approach to training racehorses since he moved to Britain in 2020.

“We’ve won a £100,000 heritage handicap at the York Ebor Festival, we’ve run second in a £100,000 heritage handicap on Derby day, we’ve had an Epsom winner and a Glorious Goodwood runner. We have been squeezing the lemon dry but they are still running well.”

In South Africa, Cunha earned Gr1 honours with Strategic News in the 2007 Summer Cup when still in his 20s, only to hand in his licence years later ahead of a drastic career change as he became a pilot for Mango Airlines, which he dubs the ‘Ryanair of South Africa’.

He flew mainly domestic routes until that career was grounded by the Covid pandemic; as well as an airline pilot, he is also an ultramarathon runner, by the way.

When Cunha decided to return to his first career, his training accomplishments and a three-year stint in Britain with trainers Robert Armstrong and Barry Hills from the age of 17 counted for little. He had to complete his BHA modules and put together a team of horses to get licensed.

“It was not easy to get going,” he recalls. “Even though I was a Grade 1-winning trainer in South Africa, the hurdles were still there for me to jump.

“I had to have three horses to get a licence so I bought Mr Fayez for £2,000, Expressionless for £5,000 and Silver Sword for £11,000,” he goes on.

“For the first year it was me and my father –we mucked out the boxes together and I used to ride the horses, with no days off. I couldn’t afford to employ anyone but thankfully I had that experience behind me.

“Robert Armstrong and Barry Hills were probably the two strictest men I’ve ever met in my life but brilliant to work for, and because of that when I started training I was able to do a groom’s job.”

Cunha’s debut season in Newmarket yielded just one win from 28 starts but 2023 has seen a rather more satisfying return with 11 victories from 56 runs, with his three foundation horses having contributed seven successes between them.

“We can’t do much more than we’ve done with what we’ve got,” says Cunha. “We’ve been at a 20% strike rate for the whole of 2023. We’ve only run ten individual horses, we’ve had 11 winners.

“We’ve won a £100,000 heritage handicap at the York Ebor Festival, we’ve run second in a £100,000 heritage handicap on Derby day, we’ve had an Epsom winner and a Glorious Goodwood runner. We have been squeezing the lemon dry but they are still running well.”

All a big change from 2022. “Last year Silver Sword and Expressionless were two-year-olds,” he explains. “Silver Sword refused to race twice. They weren’t ready as two-year-olds.

‘You have to have confidence in yourself’

“I was confident we had three nice horses but there were times when I thought ‘Am I going to get any more?’ You have to have confidence in yourself.”

Silver Sword’s success was timely just before the yearling sales season for which Cunha’s father Luiz, who also used to train, does all the pedigree research. “In South Africa he picked out Group 1 winners and has shown he can do it here too,” says Cunha. “It’s a big advantage

to a small operation. If we didn’t have that edge we wouldn’t have been able to do this.”

He adds: “The goal is to have 40-60 horses in training – if we can get up to that we can have runners every week and keep in the limelight. I don’t want 100, as it’s very difficult to maintain staff but there have been times when we have had no runners for three weeks.”

One thing’s for sure: he isn’t training for the fun of it. “Training is a good business if you run it properly and have the right runners in the right races,” he says.

“I’ve never had a social runner and slowly people have come and people have started to notice us. We are punching way above our weight.”

The Sporting Post wishes the former Durbanite well – he certainly has come a long way in short time!

Richard Fourie has King Of The Gauls in control | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

RICHIE EDGES CLOSER TO MUZI R

ichard Fourie edged within 8 winners of season pacesetter Muzi Yeni on the national jockey log with a well-taken treble at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

The Winning Form sponsored Fourie is one of a handful of jockeys who have declared their chase for national honours, and a dip at the R1 million golden carrot on offer by Hollywoodbets for the first jockey to beat Anthony Delpech’s 334 season winner record.

The Cape Town-based passionate hobby fisherman may not have hooked any big ones this weekend, but after a double apiece at Fairview and Turffontein in the preceding two days, his Hollywoodbets Scottsville treble rounded off a seven winner weekend haul that he will be very pleased about.

In comparison, the free-striding Yeni rode just two winners the whole week, and will be feeling the heat.

Fourie rode a double for the in-form Tony Rivalland yard, with two 3yo’s that both look half-decent and, while very early days, could give the Summerveld trainer a shout in the Cape summer season.

After scratchings, the first race cut down to 11 runners, but the Ndoro Stud-bred Strathclyde could not have been more impressive as he came home powerfully in the Mary Liley silks.

The well-related son of Vercingetorix is out of the Western Winter mare Zephira and cost R500 000 at Nationals.

While Adam Kethro is Mary Liley’s partner in the first winner, Cape-based Robert Bloomberg shares the ownership in the exciting King Of The Gauls, another son of Vercingetorix, who set the record straight after a fourth-place on debut to win the fourth race.

The Maine Chance-bred colt is out of the High Chaparral mare, Grande Roche.

A real looker, he cost R700 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale. On his pedigree, he should go a bit more than the 1000m over which he won on Sunday.

Fourie’s third victory was on Pomodoro 3yo Princess Azariah for Sean Tarry in the fifth,

a fairer sex maiden over 1750m. Having her eighth start, the Klawervlei-bred galloper put it all together after 4 places to win.

Time will tell how good Princess Azariah is, but one for the notebook is Mike Miller’s Flight Display who made up lengths to run into the money.

Sporting Post jockey Athandiwe Mgudlwa broke the ice on a month-long drought when he got the improving Quandary home for Hollywoodbets trainer Gareth van Zyl in the final race of the afternoon.

Another Vercingetorix to win on the day, Quandary is worth pencilling in.

Today Fourie has 7 rides at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, while Yeni has 6 up at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

CLEARING THE SMOKE ON DOPING

‘Doping’ is currently big news in SA racing after Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz dropped a bombshell in his introductory speech at the Cape Racing and Cape Breeders Awards ten days ago by saying “doping was the biggest problem facing our sport” and he added “It is happening.”

‘Doping’ is currently big news in SA racing after Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz dropped a bombshell in his introductory speech at the Cape Racing and Cape Breeders Awards ten days ago by saying “doping was the biggest problem facing our sport” and he added “It is happening.”

The Sporting Post has not received a response from the National Horseracing Authority to an article published recently in Turf Talk and said to have been written by a veterinary surgeon.

Gold Circle published the undermentioned editorial on Tuesday. It may help to clarify some of the noise around the issue, for the layman.

So what is the furore all about?

Bortz referred to a few recent NHA press releases and said industry people should “connect the dots”.

The first relevant press release referred to out of competition specimen collection.

It revealed that upon analysis of two horses “the presence of four (4) prohibited substances, of which one (1) substance was not recorded in the Trainer’s VTR. An Inquiry will be opened into the one (1) substance NOT recorded for each of the respective two horses.”

The NHA press release went on to state that “liberal use of medications and/ or treatments” and “the accuracy of the recordal of such treatment in the VTR” was a practice that appears to be widespread “and not limited to an individual Veterinarian or Trainer”.

It then stated: “The NHA advocates a fair and level playing field for all horses and, most importantly, for only fit and healthy horses to participate in races. The initial findings of this investigation have raised a

myriad of alarming concerns and the NHA is in the process of conducting further investigations into practices, methodologies, mitigatory procedures, as well as considering possible amendments to the Rules, in order to eliminate such practices that some stakeholders wrongly believe to be acceptable and humane!”

When the public latched on to the press release they were most alarmed by the finding of “four prohibited substances”.

However, legally speaking, the only alarming statement is that one of the drugs was not recorded in the trainer’s VTR (Veterinary Treatment Register).

The IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities), of which the NHA is a full member, define a “prohibited substance” as one which is not allowed at any time and in any amount whatsoever.

However, the NHA call the same thing “a forbidden” substance.

The NHA define “a prohibited substance” as having five classes.

Class 1 is the worst and this includes “forbidden substances.”

Class 4 includes substances which are therapeutic, but which could cause performance enhancement if in the bloodstream at race time and they are thus subject to a withdrawal time.

The NHA press release should perhaps be more specific about the class of prohibited substances found, but a qualified estimate will make it a virtual certainty that the four prohibited substances were all therapeutic and are thus allowed to be in the horse’s body in out of competion time.

The reason this estimate can be made is there is only an inquiry into the one that was not recorded in the trainer’s VTR.

This falls under NHA’s Rule 73.2, which states:

The TRAINER and/or OWNER of a HORSE shall be guilty of an offence if a SPECIMEN taken from that HORSE: 73.2.1 at any time within a period of 48 hours preceding the day of a RACE in which it is or was due to run contains a PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE unless the drug, which caused the finding of a PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE, was administered by a registered veterinary surgeon and the administration has been entered in the veterinary treatment register.

However, although legally it might not be alarming, it would be alarming to the layman that a horse requires as many as four therapeutic medications but is still deemed fit

enough to race in a few days time. It is also alarming that one of the treatments was not recorded.

The “connecting the dots” statement must also include a press release, which was published subsequently to the aforementioned one, about a rule amendment.

It stated:

“… please note the amendment to Rule 72.1.46 was approved by the National Board at a meeting held yesterday.

SPECIFIC OFFENCES (PROHIBITED PRACTICES)

72.1 CONTRAVENTIONS

Without in any way derogating from the provisions of the RULES, no PERSON shall:-

72.1.46 race a HORSE within 7 days, calculated inclusively from the date of treatment, after the administration of any intra-articular treatment.

This rule amendment, although not the panacea to the horse welfare and integrity issues that have been raised during the early stages of the investigation, will advance the end goal of ensuring that horses are participating within their physical limits.”

Intra-articular treatment (injection into the joints) is usually used to treat pain and it would not be in the best interests of a horse to be ignoring pain while running.

In fact in the USA intra articular injections are prohibited within 14 days prior to a race and within seven days prior to any timed and Reported Workout.

When injected intra-articularly a medication apparently withdraws from the body quicker too.

Another bombshell Bortz dropped in his speech was the mention of barring of certain stakeholders from participating in races at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and Hollywoodbets

Durbanville racecourses if they were known to use veterinarians not on Cape Racing’s approved list.

He also wants to have cameras installed in saddling areas and in saddling boxes, because he said “a lot of what’s being done is done presaddling and is quick acting and short-lived.”

The NHA responded by sending out a press release which pointed out that “Any horses barred from entering any racing jurisdiction in the country cannot be excluded based on NHA rules, unless such action originates from the NHA itself.”

However, it supported the use of cameras in saddling areas, stating: “Furthermore, the NHA has requested that operators enhance security measures in the pre-saddling. This initiative is currently in progress and is expected to be completed within the month.”

NHA CEO Vee Moodley has subsequently explained that although operators could not bar people based on NHA rules or in conflict with them, they were entitled to make their own rules. However, he said if these rules were outside of NHA rules and deemed to be unfair then the courts of the country were then the recourse for affected parties.

Equus Award winning journalist Gary Lemke has travelled the globe covering sporting events. He has enjoyed ringside seats to world heavyweight boxing title fights, several Olympic Games’, FA Cup finals, infield at the Daytona 500, Rugby World Cups, Open Championship golf at St Andrews, Wimbledon’s centre court and so much more. Gary won the 2023 L’Ormarins Writer’s award and this earned him a trip for two to Goodwood in August this year.

His work has included horseracing, which he has a great passion for, and this culminated in a book about the life of the great Mike Basstrained champion Pocket Power.

This is how he felt about the L’Ormarins Day 4 at Glorious Goodwood earlier this year.

Beware the bleeding bookmaker, claret staining the collar of a freshly-ironed white shirt as he’s about to head off to the racecourse.

Or for that matter the racehorse owner looking for a pub to open at 10am. Watch out too for the stricken racegoer, struggling to hang onto the rails in the queue for the bus back to the train station at 6pm, resembling a fatigued Comrades Marathon runner trying to beat the final 12-hour gun.

And then, to end the day, steer clear of the handful of drunken yobs in suits throwing Parade Ring Access badges and £20 notes around a train carriage like confetti as they attempt to impress the women passengers before arriving back at their London homes. Most importantly, between all the mayhem, celebrate some of the finest moments you’ll experience in the Sport of Kings. Yes, it’s Glorious Goodwood. It’s magical, memorable, mesmerising and bucket-list material for any blue-blooded racing enthusiast.

I’ve been to some of sport’s biggest theatres. Ringside seats to world heavyweight boxing title fights, several Olympic Games’, FA Cup finals, infield at the Daytona 500, Rugby World Cups, Open Championship golf at St Andrews, Wimbledon’s centre court and so much more.

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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BREEDERS’ CUP ON RADAR FOR DUAL DERBY HERO

Henry Longfellow brushed aside his rivals to give trainer Aidan O’Brien his 4000th career winner with an imperious display in the Gr1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Ballydoyle maestro was on the brink of the milestone success following a fantastic four-timer on the opening day of the Irish Champions Festival, but the great trainer was made to wait until the two-year-old highlight for the colts on day two of the showpiece weekend to reach the landmark figure.

The race had looked like being a surprise showdown between Henry Longfellow and stablemate City Of Troy – who not only

dominated the ante-post lists for this Group One event, but also next year’s Classics.

However, Henry Longfellow is also a talented operator in his own right and after the late defection of City Of Troy on account of the ground, Ryan Moore wasted little time switching mounts as the son of Dubawi demonstrated his class with a bloodless demolition.

Aidan O’Brien is acknowledged for the milestone | Credit: Racing TV

Sent off the 10-11 favourite, the Futurity Stakes scorer travelled with supreme ease as outsider Cuban Thunder led along his Adrian Murraytrained stablemate Bucanero Fuerte on the front end.

As the field approached the two-furlong pole, Kevin Stott was already asking the Phoenix Stakes winner for maximum effort, whereas Moore and his high-class partner were only just

warming up and with Bucanero Fuerte soon left in his wake, Henry Longfellow was allowed to give a glimpse of what is lurking under the bonnet as he sailed home to a five-length success over a running-on Islandsinthestream.

Paddy Power and Betfair make the winner 7-2 from 5s for next year’s 2000 Guineas, with both also going 6-1 from 8s for the Derby.

FRANKIE’S CLASSIC CURTAIN-CALL

The final Classic of the season, the Betfred St Leger takes place at Doncaster racecourse on Saturday (16h35). The top yards of Aidan O’Brien and John Gosden look to dominate the 2023 renewal, fielding seven of the nine nominations.

Continuous, currently 3/1 joint favourite, was an impressive last to first winner of the wellestablished Leger trial – the Gr2 Great Voltigeur at York last month. The Aidan O’Brien runner had the reopposing Chesspiece (10/1) and joint favourite Gregory (3/1) four and five lengths

behind in second and third when a ready winner over a mile and a half on good to firm ground.

Ridden to see out the trip under a masterful ride by Ryan Moore, Continuous had too much

Frankie Dettori – it’s been an emotional and fabulous year | Credit: Supplied

pace at the finish for two of his main rivals on Saturday, but the extra two and a half furlongs at Town Moor is the big unknown for the son of heart’s Cry.

Gregory, a son of Golden Horn by a Galileo mare, looks sure to improve for the step up in trip and has already been flagged by John Gosden as a Gold Cup type next season.

Frankie Dettori stays aboard the Wathnan Racing owned colt who was pestered for the lead from the start at York last time out. In what looks to have been a prep run for the big one on Saturday, he is a big runner on the expected soft ground.

The royal runner Desert Hero (5/1), is improving all the time according to his trainer William Haggas.

The progressive stayer heads to the final Classic off the back of victories in the King George V at Royal Ascot and the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.

His trainer is confident there’s more to come from his progressive colt.

Haggas told the media on Tuesday: “He’s doing very well physically and I’m very pleased with him. He’s got himself up to a good level but will need to step forward again if he’s going to win the Leger.”

With the Gosden trained Arrest not certain to run, its noteworthy that stable companion Middle Earth (7/1) has been supplemented to run after a game success in the Melrose Handicap over Saturday’s distance at the Ebor meeting. Proven to stay, he provides the Gosden camp with back-up in the staying classic.

The expected rain could make this more of a test and play into the hands of Dettori and Gregory who looks likely to go off favourite being Dettori’s final Classic ride. He had to carry a 3lb penalty at York, and now at level weights over further should serve it up to Continuous.

Chesspiece, the King’s horse Desert Hero and the supplemented Middle Earth are no back numbers and will ensure an absorbing clash in what looks to be a small but quality field. Can Frankie do it again on Saturday?

KARIS GETS A FLYER!

Danny Shum will plot a path towards the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint on 10 December with Victor The Winner after the lightly-raced gelding toppled Lucky Sweynesse, the world’s highest-rated sprinter, in the Class 1 the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Notching his sixth win over 1200m, Victor The Winner (115lb) led all the way and exploited a substantial weight advantage to account for Lucky Sweynesse (135lb) by two and a half lengths, with Adios (115lb) a further one and a quarter lengths back in 1m 09.87s on rain-affected ground.

Victor The Winner has long impressed Shum with his talent and, after rising from a rating to 52 to 106 before today’s triumph, the Toronado five-year-old now will be given the chance to validate the trainer’s opinion.

“I knew he was a good horse after his first trial, I said to the owner ‘Come to his first race,

bring your wife, the horse will be hard to beat’,” Shum said before finishing the meeting with a three-timer and his sixth win in the opening-day feature.

“Victor The Winner will go to set weights now with his rating, so hopefully he can go to group races now. In December, the sprint race (LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint) is the aim. He’s a good horse. Today, with a light weight, a wet track and the pace – Karis held the pace fantastic – so he was able to win.”

Allowed to saunter unchallenged through the first 400m in 25.01s before gradually accelerating with sectionals of 23.46s and

Karis Teetan celebrates a feature success with Victor The Winner | Credit: HKJC

21.40s, Victor The Winner’s jockey Karis Teetan executed Shum’s race plan to perfection as Lucky Sweynesse – still short of maximum fitness – struggled to bridge the gap under his weight.

“We studied the tempo. We wanted a very good jump and to get to the front. I think I won the race in the first 400m when he got his own way, and he was really comfortable. Into the straight, when I picked him up, he really gave me a kick,” Teetan said.

“With the weather playing up a bit lately, some horses have missed work, but we had two trials. I thought my horse, in his last trial, showed me he’d improved a lot since last season. After I saw the rain today, I thought it’s going to make it hard for (Lucky Sweynesse) with that weight and the way the track is. I thought we took our chance, and it worked out pretty well.

“I think he (Victor The Winner) is improving. I thought his last run was a really good run. Of course, he’s going to have to run with the big boys now, but I think he’s going to build his confidence, and he’s going to put his name out there and compete at that level.”

Lucky Sweynesse’s trainer Manfred Man was far from despondent in defeat.

“I said before the race he had only a chance and with the weight difference, the work we missed because of the typhoon and the heavy rain, it was always going to be hard to win. Also, I don’t think he handled the going with the big weight,” Man said.

Zac Purton, who finished the meeting with a treble aboard Danny Shum’s Champion Method and Supreme Lucky and Francis Lui’s All Is Good, was also upbeat in defeat.

“His (Lucky Sweynesse’s) run was really good. It’s not easy – he had one trial coming into this race, having to give 20lb away on a soft track and the poorest run of his career previously was on a soft track, so he had all that against

him,” the six-time Hong Kong champion jockey said.

“Then the slow sectionals early, so it wasn’t his day today but I thought he ran very well.”

For the second season in a row, David Hall claimed the honour of saddling the campaign’s first winner with Dazzling Fellow, under Hugh Bowman, in the Class 5 Mount Parker Handicap (1600m). Hall struck in the corresponding race last term with This Is Charisma.

Dazzling Fellow clocked 1m 35.32s – slightly inside standard time for the trip – in a remarkable testament to Sha Tin’s draining qualities and the track staff’s maintenance systems after the course received 559.6mm in the seven days up until 9am today.

Bowman completed an early double aboard Frankie Lor-trained Ready To Win in the second section of the Yi Tung Shan Handicap (1200m) as Angus Chung and Dennis Yip combined with Super Winner, Jerry Chau and Pierre Ng joined the fray with I Give, Harry Bentley and Douglas Whyte teamed with Blue Marlin before Brenton Avdulla closed the meeting successfully aboard Tony Cruz-trained The Golden Scenery in the Class 2 Tai Mo Shan Handicap (1400m).

Hong Kong racing continued today with the Happy Valley season-opening meeting.

FAREWELL TO JACK FINDER

Jack Finder – passed at the age of 94 | Credit: Supplied

A passionate former Cape owner, Jack Finder has passed away after a short illness at the age of 94 in Los Angeles.

A well-known face on Cape racetracks, Jack was born in Lüderitz SWA, now Namibia, in 1929, and arrived in the Cape in 1937/8.

He was a fanatical racing man and never missed a Cape racemeeting.

Jack was great friends with Alex Nicholas, and old-timers of the past like Jack Howsley. He would be seen on racedays in the old Executote at Milnerton and Kenilworth.

He raced his horses with his good friend Peter Kannemeyer, and was also very fond of PK’s son, Dean.

Jack’s best horse was five-time winner Ashmore, who ran second in the 1990 JWS Langerman Handicap. He raced the son of Phantom Earl in partnership with the late Clive Burzleman who bred him.

Jack’s sister Mildred was married to another well-known racing man in the late Katok Kasimov.

Jack and his wife Tessa emigrated to Los Angeles in 1996 to be close to their son, Gary. Another of their sons, Mark lives in London, while Dean is resident on the Atlantic Seaboard.

The Sporting Post extends condolences to Jack’s family and friends. He was a part of the fabric of Cape horseracing for decades, and will be missed.

BREEDERS

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