THRILLER!
KZN racing photographer Anita
enjoyed her 53rd Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday.
Anita, who is part of the furniture in KZN Racing, is seen here with her daughter Anneke Akal Kitching, a qualified CA who has effectively stepped into Mom’s shoes.
Congratulations Anita – here’s to the next 53! Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.
Akal
On the cover Oriental Charm (JP van der Merwe) and Cousin Casey (Smanga Khumalo) go head to head in Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July. Candiese Lenferna is the photographer.
VERCINGETORIX IN THRILLER!
VERCINGETORIX
Oriental Charm (JP van der Merwe) digs deep to beat Cousin Casey (Smanga Khumalo) on his inside in a stampede| Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Trainer Brett Crawford celebrated a second consecutive R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July victory at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday when JP van der Merwe picked up his first victory in the iconic contest, steering 3yo Oriental Charm to a dramatic victory in what was a scrappy race of hard-luck stories.
The 128th renewal of the 2200m race will go down as a something of a rough affair, with the winning rider picking up a 16 day suspension for interference in the latter stages, as Piere Strydom and Michael Roberts’ chestnut star See It Again were on the receiving end of it all.
The Stipes did not deem a race review necessary, as a result of the fact that the second and third finishers were not impacted.
But for the winning Brett Crawford Racing Team and owners Greg Bortz, Leon Ellman and Gina Goldsmith, it was a plan come together, as the forward galloping lightly raced Oriental Charm followed almost exactly the same passage into the big race as his victorious stablemate Winchester Mansion a year earlier.
Allowed to dictate for much of the journey, which kept him free of the ugly stuff behind him, the Cheveley Stud-bred son of Vercingetorix bowled along out front and stayed on strongly at 10-1 to beat the flying Cousin Casey (25-1) by 0,30 lengths in a time
Part owner Greg Bortz and Hollywoodbets’ Devin Heffer enjoy the moment | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
of 133,66 secs. Trademark holds the race record at 131,80 secs set in 2021. Hometown hero Royal Victory (10-1) maintained his consistency with a third cheque, 1,10 lengths back, with the very progressive Flag Man (14-1) looking dangerous late, but failing to go on with his effort and eventually rounding off the quartet. He will be back next year!
The favourite Green With Envy was always way out of his ground, but made up some leeway
in the straight. He ran into sixth and some 2,60 lengths off the winner.
A R375 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Oriental Charm, who races for Greg Bortz, Leon Ellman and Gina Goldsmith, has now won 4 races with 2 places from 10 starts and stakes of R3 484 376.
The Cheveley Stud-bred colt is a son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the three-time winning Greys Inn mare, Souk.
Winners on the podium | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
JP – WHAT A BOYKIE!
Hollywoodbets Durban July winning jockey JP van der Merwe capped the most extraordinary season of his career as he steered Oriental Charm to a thrilling victory in front of 40 000 excited racegoers at the Theatre Of Champions in Durban on Saturday.
It was the 30 year old’s fifth Grade 1 victory of the season.
Durban’s beautiful blue skies are a lifetime away from Cape Town’s inclement wet weather
and JP found himself snookered when he and his wife Abbi jetted into Cape Town on Sunday.
“All I wanted to do was braai. But there was no chance of that,” he laughed as he told the Sporting Post that the tough as teak Oriental Charm had crowned a season that had proven so many things to him.
Read his full story later today on www. sportingpost.co.za
JP gets a congratulatory kiss from his wife, Abbi | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Oriental Charm and JP van der Merwe enjoy their victory canter | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
“This time it was fair and square,” quipped Vaughan Koster of Cheveley Stud, the registered breeder of Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm.
Vaughan was of course referring to Cheveleybred Legislate, whose success came courtesy of a successful, if slightly controversial objection after the son of Dynasty had finished second to Wylie Hall in 2014, but was awarded the race on the grounds of interference.
Oriental Charm’s July success is the latest for the Koster clan, which stretches back half a century, to 1971 to be exact, when the Syd Laird-trained Mazarin justified his cramped odds with a dominant three-length victory. Despite an unfavourable draw, the colt won in record time.
Mazarin was bred by Vaughan’s grandfather Ralph Koster at the original Klavervlei Stud in Beaufort West and was sired by the famed Koster stallion Preamble II out of the homebred mare Nun’s Story, who also features as the grandam of National Emblem.
Vaughan’s father, the late Wilfred Koster, bred 1996 Durban July hero London News at Cheveley. This son of 1987 winner Bush Telegraph was trained by Syd Laird’s son Alec and like Oriental Charm, never saw a rival to claim the 100th running of the race under Piere Strydom.
Seven years after Legislate’s promoted win, the 2021 July honours fell to the handsome Kommetdieding, bred by Vaughan’s nephew John at the ‘new’ Klawervlei Stud in Bonnievale. Oriental Charm is out of stakes-placed Souk, a daughter of the Oppenheimer-owned and bred Greys Inn, who stormed to victory in the 2004 July.
A product of the Mauritzfontein paddocks, Souk hails from a female line that has served the Oppenheimer family well, originating from the purchase of the stakes-winner Daphne Donnelly.
At a loss for words? Never! Part owners Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith enjoy the moment | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Whilst classic horses were the meat and drink of the farm, she was a sprinter pure and simple and clearly took after her sire Golden Thatch, as did her full sister, the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes winner Lady Broadhurst.
Daphne Donnelly’s attraction was quite obvious. Her dam, the American import You’re My Lady, was a Roberto half-sister to Danehill’s dam Razyana, whilst their dam, the Buckpasser mare Spring Adieu, counted the mighty Northern Dancer amongst her siblings. In short, a female line to die for.
Sadly, Daphne Donnelly was not the most prolific of broodmares and produced just five foals, all by Fort Wood. Thankfully, four of those were fillies and all have become black type producers.
Souk is a grandaughter of her first foal Bay Tree, who returned to her birthplace as a twotime winner and when mated to Mauritzfontein stallion Strike Smartly, produced Gr1 SA Derby hero Bouquet-Garni as her second foal. Her first, a filly by the same sire named Tagine, never raced but became the dam of Souk.
Souk was sent into training with young Adam Marcus and sporting the Oppenheimer silks, broke her maiden second time out by a handy two lengths. Mrs Oppenheimer had passed away by the time Souk won again, this time for Adam’s father Basil and Wendy Probert, the Secretary of the Western Cape Breeders Club.
For the partnership, she would score once more and also earn small black type when second in the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes.
At the end of her racing career, Souk was sent to Cheveley Stud, where she produced the three-time winning fillies Athalia and Touch Of Grace as her first two foals. Oriental Charm is her fourth foal.
Vaughan remembers him as “an awkward yearling when we took him to the National Sales, probably the reason why he only sold for R375,000.”
Who would have thought that this ‘awkward’ colt would eventually become a Durban July winner?
More importantly, Oriental Charm showed an indomitable will to win in the July, a trait he inherited from his dam.
“She imparts absolute heart to her foals,” Vaughan recalls. “They never give up and just keep trying.”
He probably now rues the fact that Souk is no longer at Cheveley, the mare having left the farm when he reduced his broodmare band in 2021.
Turns out, she is now with fellow breeder Anton Shepherd at Beaumont Stud. He takes up the story.
“Wendy, who is an old family friend, offered me the mare’s then weanling filly by Legislate, which I bought. She was a nice sort and that really put me onto the mare.
“To cut a long story short, Wendy was looking for a home for Souk and although she was not in foal at the time, I agreed to take her over, with Wendy keeping a small share. Souk is a high-class, quality individual and besides, I have always liked the female line. The rest as they say, is history!”
The Legislate filly was offered for sale at last year’s Winter Mixed sale and sold for R140,000, the name on the buyers list being none other than that of Basil Marcus.
She is now in training and will race in the same partnership as her dam.
Anton reports that Souk is currently in foal to Fire Away and will visit either Vercingetorix or champion freshman elect One World in the spring.
By the way, the family has really come to light this season. While Oriental Charm’s July victory is the cherry on the cake, it was preceded by stable companion Frances Ethel’s success in the Gr2 SA Oaks.
The Mauritzfontein-bred daughter of Rafeef, who races in the Team Valor silks, is out of Daphne Garland, an unraced full sister to Bay Tree.
Contrary to earlier reports, she will stay in training in South Africa for the coming racing season and together with Oriental Charm, should provide the Crawford team with plenty of ammunition.
Syd Laird leads Mazarin (Bert Hayden) with owner Mrs Tenderini after the 1971 Durban July win | Credit: Supplied
THE NATALMA CHARM
Safe to say, the legacy of legendary broodmare Natalma is almost without equal. The mighty daughter of Native Dancer is the ancestress of a host of top-class stallions and racetrack stars, and she also ranks as the seventh dam of Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July winner Oriental Charm (Vercingetorix).
Oriental Charm has no fewer than six lines of Natalma in his pedigree, with his sire Vercingetorix carrying three lines of the mighty mare.
Natalma’s granddaughter You’re My Lady (Roberto), the fifth dam of the 2024 July winner, had quite an impact on the South African stud book.
A half-sister to Razyana, dam of Danehill, You’re My Lady produced four stakes winners in South Africa -Daphne Donnelly (George Azzie Memorial Handicap), Lady Broadhurst (Gr2 Sceptre Stakes), Lady’s Delight (Nomads Charity Handicap) and Announce.
Her sons Announce and Sarge, both sired by National Assembly, went to stud in South Africa. The Listed Thukela Handicap winner, Announce left behind a number of black-type horses, with his Listed Wolf Power 1600 winning son Call To Combat siring Gr3 London News Stakes winner and 2018 Gr1 G-Bets Gauteng Summer Cup runner-up Dawn Assault from limited opportunities.
You’re My Lady’s daughter Lady’s Delight made her mark at stud in Australia -her daughter Sunday Service (Sunday Silence) is the granddam of Gr1 ATC Spring Champion Stakes/Gr1VRC Victoria Derby winning sire Ace High (High Chaparral).
The latter is the sire of 2023 Gr1 Barneswood Farm 51st New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Molly Bloom.
Oriental Charm’s seventh dam Natalma as a 2yo in 1959 | Credit: Supplied
RAISING THE TITANIC AND RIDING WAVES –
WHAT A DAY!
Models Lunga Nxaba (left) and Sbongokuhle Dladla sport a lovely couples design by Durban brand M-Shade on Saturday
Credit: Gameplan Media
Members of the public showed their enthusiasm for this year’s ‘Ride the Wave’ theme with a record number of entries in every category of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Raceday Fashion Experience presented by Durban Fashion Fair on Saturday.
From Pietermaritzburg, winner of the classic racewear female category Ntandokazi Mncwabe took her inspiration from an octopus when she created her design. Her exceptional outfit netted her a R5 000 prize from Gold Circle and Schweppes and a R2 500 Gift Card from Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
In the classic racewear male category, winner Luvuyo Andiswa Mshengu was overcome by emotion. A second-year fashion student, he said he had used the light shining through the waves and combined this with ethnic print in a wax fabric. His choice of a mask, as an addition, was included because he thought it would add to the overall effect of the outfit.
Winners of the most striking couple – also from Pietermaritzburg - Samkelo Makhubalo and Sanele Mthethwa walked away with the first prize.
Samkelo drew her inspiration from the movie ‘The Titanic’ and the character Jack Sparrow from the movie ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. She said she used calico and spray-painted to give it a different and unique look and giving it an edge.
“The bottle that you see her holding is representative of the way people used to send messages,” she said.
Pinetown resident Lungile Msomi, winner of the Fascinator/Hat, category said she used what she had at home, such as a cake stand and paper plates for her creation as she preferred to recycle materials.
“This is a beautiful event. It gives us an opportunity to showcase our talent. There is not a lot of opportunities for fashion anymore, I think its is just the Durban July and the Durban Fashion Fair,” she said.
Ravonne Haai, from the KZN south coast, wearing a creation by designer Irene Price on Saturday | Credit: Gameplan Media
Beautiful blue sea creatures (from left to right) Rachel Taylor, Tasmin Hewitt and Fiona McIlroy model their interpretation of ‘Ride the Wave’ on Saturday| Credit: Gameplan Media
Top three in the Classic Racewear - Female category in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Raceday Fashion Experience presented by Durban Fashion Fair were (from left) winner Ntandokasi Mncwabe, third placed Andile Dladla and runner up Snenhlanhla Msweli | Credit: Gameplan Media
RECORDS TUMBLE AT KZN SALE
Records fell at last Thursday’s BSA KZN Yearling Sale at Suncoast Casino, where high prices and a strong middle market prevailed in beautiful Hollywoodbets Durban July week weather conditions.
The sale’s top lot, the Gimmethegreenlight filly Lovecomesknocking (Lot 72), was knocked down to Mary Liley for R1 900 000.
Consigned by Klawervlei Stud (Pty) Ltd (Agent), the blue blooded filly, whose fullsister Lovegrass recently won for a second time in four starts, is out of Listed East Cape Oaks winner Eros’s Girl (Captain Al), a threeparts sister to Equus Champion Captain’s Lover (Captain Al), and half-sister to the Gimmethegreenlight sired Gr3 Politician Stakes
winner and Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Deby runner up Universal, and to Equus Champion Vardy.
Clifton Stud had some wonderful results this year, and consigned the second top lot sold.
Lord Wimborne (Lot 103), a Canford Cliffs halfbrother to recent Gr1 Daily News 2000 runnerup and Hollywoodbets Durban July fancy Flag Man, was knocked down to Vuyo for R900 000.
Lord Wimborne, a half-brother to four winners aside from Flag Man, is out of the winning Mark Of Esteem mare Irresistible Chris, a half-sister to July winning champion Eyeofthetiger (Royal Academy) and Gr3 The Debutante winner Best Chris (Trempolino).
Lot 72 – Lovecomesknocking (f) by Gimmethegreenlight ex Eros’s Girl – sold for R1,9 million | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
An active buying bench and keen market saw prices and statistics rise across the board.
The top lot was a new record price sold at the KZN Yearling, and the sale’s aggregate rose handsomely from R27.1 million to an impressive R39 075 000, with the average price rising from R184 354 to R214 698.
The median price went from R140 000 to R150 000, while the top price jumped considerably from R750 000 last year to R1 900 000.
The sale’s top vendor was Klawervlei Stud (Pty) Ltd (Agent) who sold all ten lots for an aggregate of R5.85 million.
Top buyer was Pound Bloodstock who purchased 15 yearlings for R3 515 000.
The Klawervlei Stud bred One World led
the Sires standings at the auction, with the champion son of Captain Al having all 12 of his yearlings on offer gross R4 115 000 and average R342 917.
THE
SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE
A FULL LIST OF PRICES AND STATISTICS FOR THE 2024 KZN YEARLING SALE CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE BY CLICKING HERE.
TRIPPI SON FOR STUD
Seemingly lost in the frenetic mainstream news feed of 2024 is the news of the heading off to stud of a royal son of two of South Africa’s finest male bloodlines, out of a champion SA racemare and broodmare.
By the mighty Trippi out of the equally mighty diminutive but ‘dynamitic’ Beach Beauty, Wild Coast undeniably offers a powerful genetic that cannot be ignored.
Standing a mere 15.3 hands he clearly inherited his dam’s physique and is now amongst our smallest statured sires, including What A Winter, Erupt and Real Gone Kid.
Oom Schalkie Van der Walt’s Gelykfontein Stud in the Karoo, near Colesberg, will stand Wild Coast, whose high-class siblings include Rex Union, Amanzimtoti , Saturday’s Listed CIB Handicap winner Narina Trogon and the exported Gr1 winner Beach Bomb!
In addition to his significant immediate family, he is 3/4 bred to Charles Dickens and also closely bred to Santa Maria and the formidable race and broodmare Real Princess, a half-sister to William Longsword – and both out of the top-class broodmare Pagan Princess.
CHAMPIONS CUP NEXT FOR SEE IT AGAIN
Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Legends Michael Roberts and Piere Strydom didn’t exactly have things go their way in Saturday’s dramatic Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July.
2023 runner-up and topweight See It Again had to be eased off the heels of eventual winner Oriental Charm, in the closing stages of the 2200m contest.
But there are hopes that the dapper chestnut son of Twice Over will bounce back in the R1,5 million HKJC Gr1 Champions Cup to be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday 28 July.
See It Again is one of ten of the Hollywoodbets Durban July class of 2024 amongst the 14 entries received on Monday for the season curtain call Grade 1 clash.
On Saturday, hopes were high.
Michael Roberts was out to join a small band of elite jockeys, that includes Syd Garrett, David Payne and Bert Abercrombie, who have won the Durban July both as jockey and trainer, while the evergreen Piere Strydom was bidding for a record-equalling fifth win in the big one, as well as a chance of breaking his own record set on The Conglomerate in 2016, in becoming the oldest jockey at age 58, to ride a July winner.
Things went haywire from the 1000m as the pace of the race slowed. Royal Victory and Barbaresco were steadied.
As a result, See It Again had to be eased, resulting in Future Swing being tightened and unbalanced alongside the inside running rail, in a race Richard Fourie labelled as one of his worst ever.
In the concluding stages See It Again had to be eased after being crossed by eventual winner Oriental Charm, who was shifting in. On one of the greatest days of his career, 2016 Met winning Jockey J P v’d Merwe was slapped with a suspension from riding in races for a period of 16 days.
Piere Strydom told the Sporting Post that both he and JP van der Merwe were aiming for the same spot, and that the objection rule was
structured in a manner where he believed he had no reasonable chance of success.
“JP was riding his race, in much the same way many of us would have. While he cost us, I don’t believe we could have ultimately, ‘but for the interference’, as the rule says, have finished ahead of him. So we take it on the nose,” added Strydom, who said that See It Again would be a big runner in the 1800m Gr1 at month end.
“Dave The King will probably be the horse to beat after his Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge win, and then Cousin Casey has a pole position draw – a big asset. But See It Again will be even fitter there, so we can hopefully end the season on a high,” concluded Striker.
Trainer Michael Roberts confirmed to the Sporting Post that he felt that the incident in the closing stages cost See It Again third place.
“It’s the way the rules are worded. We would have been wasting everybody’s time objecting. JP got his penalty and we are disappointed. He had the whip in his right hand – so didn’t do much wrong from that aspect. Piere Strydom rode a great race and we finished under two lengths off, giving weight to all four in front of us. See It Again has pulled up well and we look forward now to the Champions Cup,” added Roberts.
It is rather odd that given the blatant check by See It Again, that no ‘race review’ was called by the Stipes in the aftermath. It costs nothing to make the announcement, and they clearly must have reviewed the closing stages?
• Supplementary entries for the HKJC Champions Cup close at 11h00 on Tuesday 16 July.
• Declarations are due by 11h00 on Thursday 18 July.
GRADE 1 GOLD CLASS FOR STRIKER
International breeding powerhouse Ridgemont celebrated a glorious 1-2 in their sponsored feature at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, when two products of the famous farm fought out a grandstand finish to the R1,5 million Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes.
It was vintage Piere Strydom stuff, when the ‘Blonde Bomber’ led from the front to conjure up a dazzling victory for the gallant 5yo Humdinger, that after the 58-year-old jockey was left smarting amidst the rough and tumble of the Hollywoodbets Durban July an hour earlier.
“This was a terrific ride,” said trainer Mike de Kock who suggested there was ‘life in the old dog yet’, after the multiple champion rider judged matters perfectly in a race where things panned out perfectly.
Piere Strydom rides a pearler to keep Humdinger at her task to hold Happy Chance (Kabelo Matsunyane) in a Grade 1 thriller Credit: Chase Liebenberg
A first Grade 1 winner for Joao da Mata’s International Racing Club, who race her in partnership with the top trainer, Humdinger was easy to back at 14-1 and held off the 33-1 longshot Happy Chance by a neck in a time of 96,63 secs.
Sponsor and breeder of the top two, Ridgemont’s Craig Kieswetter was told by Mike de Kock that he would now have to pay ‘substantially more’ than they had sold her for.
“I am so glad we could celebrate this milestone with a jockey and friend like Piere Strydom,” added Da Mata.
The fancied Double Grand Slam (9-10) ran a fair 1,35 length third , but she’s clearly more effective at 1400m.
The winner’s stablemate Silver Sanctuary (11-2) ran well downfield in a disappointing effort.
“She’s the kind of racehorse that we would all dream to own. And while I was worried about the mile, she showed her mettle,” he added.
A R180 000 2020 National 2yo Sale purchase, the versatile Humdinger, a full-sister to the speedy East Cape-based stakes winner and 2021/22 season award-winner Glacier Gold, has now won 8 races with 15 places from 33 starts for stakes of R2 384 375.
Bred by Ridgemont from the Equus speed champion What A Winter (Western Winter), Humdinger is out of the five time – winning Fort Wood mare, Himalayan Hill.
RIDGEMONT’S DAZZLING HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY DAY
Robertson breeding operation Ridgemont had a dream day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday as they celebrated a glorious top two with products of their sponsored Grade 1 feature, and followed that scintillating exacta with an eye-catching winner in a Grade 2 just a half hour later.
The R1,5 million Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes ranks amongst the most important weight-for-age contests for fillies and mares in South Africa, and produced a literal ‘humdinger’ of a finish as two Ridgemont
home-breds in Humdinger and the year younger Happy Chance, fought out a finish that had the 40 000 strong crowd on their feet.
A gallant mare, described by trainer Mike de Kock as the kind of horse every owner dreams of racing, Humdinger marked a 140th Grade 1 milestone for the master conditioner, and a maiden elite level success for her thrilled owners, when she stayed on resolutely to hold off fellow Ridgemont bred Dynasty daughter, Happy Chance, in a thriller.
Sponsor and winning breeder Craig Kieswetter is flanked by Piere Strydom and Gold Circle Director, Mayesh Chetty after the Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
The very versatile Humdinger, a full-sister to the speedy East Cape-based stakes winner and 2021/22 season award-winner Glacier Gold, has now won 8 races with 15 places from 33 starts for stakes of over R2,3 million.
She is by Equus speed champion What A Winter (Western Winter) out of the five time –winning Fort Wood mare, Himalayan Hill.
Young Milnerton trainer Lucinda Woodruff marked a personal milestone of a first feature winner when she saddled the Ridgemont product Café Culture just a half hour later to a seventh victory from 18 starts, after the classy gelding bounded away from his opposition to win the Gr2 Post Merchants and post earnings of close on R900 000.
Café Culture is by deceased champion Var (Forest Wildcat) out of the five-time winning Dynasty mare, Put The Kettle On.
Ridgemont’s Craig Kieswetter congratulated the winning connections and his team, lauding the hosts Gold Circle and big race sponsors Hollywoodbets for a truly memorable Hollywoodbets Durban July day.
“They don’t call this Africa’s Greatest Racing event for nothing, and what a privilege and honour it is for us to play a part.” added the delighted Kieswetter.
There was plenty of time honoured sentimentality in the performances of the Ridgemont-bred gallopers as Highlands Stud, which was purchased some seven years ago by Wayne Kieswetter, became synonymous over three decades with breeding quality thoroughbreds, and was for many years the home of the iconic multiple champion, Dynasty.
The Ridgemont era has seen the expansion of the high quality broodmare band.
Their resident stallions for the forthcoming breeding season include the exciting Rafeef, his Gr1 winning son Thunderstruck, the multiple Gr1 winner and successful sire Canford Cliffs, SA Triple Crown champion Malmoos, the lightning fast Real Gone Kid, Singspiel’s Gr1 winning son Potala Palace and the imported More Than Ready Gr1 winner, Hit The Road.
EAGLE SWOOPS IN JULY CONSOLATION
The Andre Nel team got the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July feature programme off to a flying start at the Theatre Of Dreams on Saturday when the 6yo Cape Eagle put his best foot forward to win the R300 000 Splashout Gr3 2200.
Serino Moodley rides a perfect race to get Cape Eagle home – fourth placed Mucho Dinero (Richard Fourie) tries hard behind him| Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The Andre Nel team got the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July feature programme off to a flying start at the Theatre Of Dreams on Saturday when the 6yo Cape Eagle put his best foot forward to win the R300 000 Splashout Gr3 2200.
On a festive day for South African horseracing, Durban was a hive of activity with an endless stream of excited racegoers and fashionistas streaming through the city racecourse gates on a perfect winter’s day.
With all the talk in the week for Pomodoro’s Jet, the Khaya Stables galloper started at 2810 but had no answers as he was beaten out of the quartet in a race popularly labelled the Consolation July.
After the pacemaking The Futurist had thrown in the towel early in the home straight, Mucho Dinero looked dangerous while Cape Eagle (61), who had relaxed well in running, was ahead of the pack at the 200m.
In a confident and driving ride, Winning Form rider Serino Moodley kept his mount balanced and he went on well to hold Highveld raider Atticus Finch (14-1) by 1,50 lengths in a time of 133,65 secs.
The well-backed Master Fuego (9-2) ran on powerfully from some way off the action to grab third, a further 0,40 lengths back, with the improved again Mucho Dinero (8-1) rounding off the quartet.
Bred by La Plaisance Stud,Cape Eagle is a son of the Maine Chance-based Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the Plattner raced two-time winner Joie’s Winter (Western Winter).
Originally a 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July entry, Cape Eagle is a winner of 9 races with 13 places from 25 starts, Cape Eagle has banked stakes of R910 125.
Serino Moodley receives his trophy from SplashOut GM, Eugene Naidoo | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
FRANKLYTHE SUN ALWAYS SHINES ON TV!
The Frank Robinson – Sid Moodley duo of Madison Valley (Kaidan Brewer) and Shoot The Rapids (Calvin Habib) fight out a humdinger | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Summerveld trainer Frank Robinson and his staunch owner Sid Moodley celebrated a memorable Hollywoodbets Durban July day feature exacta, when Sporting Post-sponsored Kaidan Brewer steered Madison Valley ahead of his stablemate Shoot The Stars to win the R300 000 DStv Gr3 Gold Vase.
The opening leg of the big day Pick 6 produced a minor rocket, with the exotic bet reaching a pool of R15 004 912, sadly quite some way short of the projected R20 million.
But it was a race Frank Robinson and owner Sid Moodley will remember for some years to come, with their two 3yo’s Madison Valley and Shoot The Rapids, both going off at 16-1, filling the exacta, which paid R178-90.
Madison Valley was always going the better
and held off Shoot The Rapids by 0,40 lengths in a time of 192,11 secs.
The old man Nebraas (14-1), skipped through late for third a further 1,50 lengths away, with Snaith’s One Way Traffic (10-1) rounding off the quartet under UK visitor, Danny Muscutt.
A R220 000 BSA November 2yo Sale graduate, Madison Valley was bred by the high-riding Clifton Stud, who sold Thursday’s KZN Yearling Sale second ranked seller.
Madison Valley is a 3yo son of deceased Kingmambo stallion Mambo In Seattle out of the five-time winning Al Mufti mare Valdovino, who raced for Verna Roberts.
This was a first stakes success for Madison Valley, who has now scored 3 times from his 11 starts with 4 places and stakes of R361 000.
Proud breeder Peter Blyth welcome Madison Valley – Clifton Stud has enjoyed another happy season
| Credit: Candiese Lenferna
BAREND AND BLING AGAIN!
Just over a month after winning the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship, Lance’ smashing daughter Quid Pro Quo made it four wins on the trot when destroying some highly vaunted opponents to win the R500 000 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Gr2 Golden Slipper at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
an impressive win | Credit:
Smanga Khumalo steers Quid Pro Quo to
Chase Liebenberg
The standout performer in the 1400m contest, the Barend Botes trained Quid Pro Quo was having her first run at the Durban track. But made it all look so easy as she showed that she’s headed for even better things.
How she started at 28-10 is something of an enigma – and that price would have likely been somewhere close to the red had she hailed from one of the powerful yards.
Unleashed from behind a wall of horses, and switched out at the 250m marker by Smanga Khumalo, Quid Pro Quo (28-10) exploded down the centre to beat the long-time pacesetter Fatal Flaw (50-1) going away by 2,50 lengths in a time of 83,40 secs.
Highveld raider VJ’s Angel (25-2) was a half-length back in third, with local star Just
Reckless (20-1) completing the handsome quartet.
The 15-10 favourite Gimmie’s Countess had every chance but was beaten just under 4 lengths out of the money.
A daughter of Heuningsfontein stallion Lance (Jet Master), Quid Pro Quo is raced and was bred by Gerald Kalil, one of the Botes stable’s foundation owners, and is out of the five-time winning daughter of The Sheik, Delightful Diva.
She was offered at the 2023 KZN Yearling Sale by Summerhill Equestrian and bought back for just R60 000 by her breeder.
Now a winner of 4 races with 2 places from 6 starts, Quid Pro Quo took her earnings to R1 144 000.
Smanga and Quid Pro Quo enjoy their victory canter in front of the large crowd | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
TARRY’S GOLDEN HORSESHOE 1-2
Sean Tarry is always the go-to man on the big days and the Randjesfontein conditioner delivered the goods again in his inimitable style when he saddled the 1-2 in the R500 000 Durban Gr2 Golden Horseshoe at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Durban July day.
Barend Botes celebrated an exacta in the fairer sex equivalent a half hour earlier, and it was the multiple champion Tarry who enjoyed watching his Gr1 Gold Medallion exacta pair of Proceed (6-1) and Cosmic Speed (7-2) fight things out, with the placings being reversed over the extra 200m.
Craig Zackey gave himself a Hollywoodbets Durban July confidence booster with a balanced effort to get Cosmic Speed home in a time of 83,39 secs.
Proceed was 2,10 lengths behind in second,
with Cats Pajamas (50-1) and The Specialist (25-1) dead heating for third.
Bred by Maine Chance Farms, the winner, a half to the well-performed Cosmic Highway (Gimmethegreenlight)is a son of their Oasis Dream stallion Querari out of the one-time winning Silvano mare, Cosmic Dream.
Now a winner of 2 with 2 places from 4 starts, Cosmic Speed has earned R595 000 in stakes. He was purchased for R725 000 at the 2023 National Yearling Sale.
Craig Zackey steers Cosmic Speed to an easy win | Chase Liebenberg
LUCINDA BREAKS FEATURE ICE
Café Culture comes home lonely under Richard Fourie | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Third generation trainer Lucinda Woodruff celebrated her maiden feature success on the biggest day on the SA racing calendar, when the Ridgemont bred 4yo Café Culture beat a high-quality field to win the R500 000 Gr2 Post Merchants.
There can’t be a bigger platform than the Hollywoodbets Durban July day for any upand-coming young trainer to celebrate the milestone of a first feature success and the Milnerton-based daughter of champion Geoff Woodruff, and granddaughter of late legend Terrance Millard, Lucinda has stepped up to show she has both the genes and the oomph that it takes to break through in one of the world’s toughest professions.
The aptly named Worlds Your Oyster, who coincidentally raced in the same famous silks as Café Culture, was Lucinda’s first winner when the handsome grey won at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in the dark days of Covid-stricken September 2021.
And Saturday 6 July 2024 will go down as another milestone, with the 4yo Café Culture storming home under Richard Fourie at 11-2
to beat the low-flying At My Comand (16-1) by 1,70 lengths in a time of 70,4 secs.
On a quiet day for the Kannemeyer yard, Teflon Man (8-1) weaved his way through late for third, with Melech (8-1) in fourth.
A R50 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase, Café Culture was the second leg of a feature double on the big day for Ridgemont and is by deceased champion Var (Forest Wildcat) out of the five-time winning Dynasty mare, Put The Kettle On.
Raced by Mike Fullard, and James and LeeAnn Drew, the winner made it 7 wins from 18 starts and 6 places for stakes of R881 652 – a nice return on his relative cheap purchase price.
“His liking for the Hollywoodbets Durbanville circuit prompted us to take our chances here in Durban. I’m glad we did,” Lucinda told the Sporting Post.
When asked if the Gr1 Mercury Sprint, a weight-for-age contest, would be next, Lucinda said that no decision had been made yet.
Celebrating her milestone first feature success, Lucinda Woodruff chats to GTV’s Warren Lenferna Credit: Chase Liebenberg
HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY NO HAS HAPPY ENDING
All things happen for a reason and Hollywoodbets Durban July reject Narina Trogon’s victory in Saturday’s R200 000 Listed Compendium Insurance Brokers Handicap at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, would have been fair compensation for owner Morgan Govender.
Tristan Godden and Sterling Miller soak up the post-race buzz after Narina Trogon’s good win | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Breeders Drakenstein Stud disposed of Narina Trogon on the BSA September 2023 online sale, where he was purchased by Pound Bloodstock on behalf of Morgan Govender for R390 000.
Since then he has run seven times for three Listed wins and two place cheques, and on Saturday he took his overall career tally to 5 wins with 6 places from 18 starts and stakes of R617 575.
Sporting Post-sponsored rider Tristan Godden maintained his good form this term with a welljudged ride from an awkward draw and got Narina Trogon (10-1) home to beat Money Heist (25-1) by 0,90 lengths in a time of 96,96 secs.
The favourite Get Impressed (9-2) was a length back in third, with Mary’s Greenlight (25-1) rounding off the quartet.
The Stipes reported that shortly before the
finish, third placed Get Impressed had to steady when awkwardly placed on the heels of the winner, which had shifted out away from the crop. The Board, after reviewing this incident, was of the opinion that the winner was sufficiently clear of Fourie’s mount.
Trainer Mike Miller was philosophical about missing a chance to run Narina Trogon in the July.
“The 2200m may have been a trifle far. He enjoyed the mile and that may be his game,” added the veteran.
The Drakenstein-bred winner is a son of late multiple champion Silvano (Lomitas) out of the five-time winning champion Beach Beauty (Dynasty). This is the family of, amongst others, recently exported dual Gr1 winner Beach Bomb, new Gelykfontein sire Wild Coast, Rex Union and Amanzimtoti.
TYRONE ZACKEY SEALS SEA COTTAGE STAKES SUCCESS
Philasande Mxoli gets La Moohal up late to beat Greeting My Master (Gavin Lerena)
| Credit: JC Photos
Having enjoyed his first Hollywoodbets Durban July ride 24 hours earlier without success, Philasande Mxoli bounced back with some compensation at Turffontein on Sunday when he got the Tyrone Zackey longshot La Moohal up in the final strides to catch the pacesetter Greeting My Master and win the R250 000 TAB Gr3 Sea Cottage Stakes.
An astute R130 000 purchase by Tyrone Zackey’s daughter Nadine Backos to bolster her Dad’s string, off the BSA May 2024 Online Al Adiyaat dispersal, former Mike de Kock charge La Moohal was having only his second start for the family operation and delivered in style – recouping his purchase price in under two minutes!
The race named in honour of one of the true legends of the SA turf, saw a field of twelve 3yo’s line up at the 1800m on the Turffontein standside course on Sunday.
Hollywoodbets Durban July second reserve Hotarubi was backed into 13-10 to give Winning Form rider Richard Fourie his fourth winner of the day. But it was not to be.
Gavin Lerena took the fight to his opposition on the free-striding Greeting My Master, who looked a likely winner inside the final 250m, before Mxoli launched a late challenge down his inside.
Finishing full of pep in his step, La Moohal (33-1) gave veteran trainer Tyrone Zackey and his family Nadine and Kevin Backos a long overdue and deserved feature success, and the handicapper something to contemplate, when he beat Greeting My Master (28-10), who had done all the donkey graft, going away by a length in a time of 110,98.
Donna Mo (20-1) bolstered the trifecta, three lengths away in third, with Presley (16-1) making ground late for fourth.
Hotarubi (13-10) may have encountered some difficulty finding a way through and was 5,25 lengths off the eyecatching winner in fifth.
The saddle slipped on Officer In Command and
the gelding was never in it.
The winner, who had the blinkers removed, was bred by Al Adiyaat and is by Maine Chance stallion Vercingetorix, who sired the Hollywoodbets Durban July exacta a day earlier. La Moohal is out of the twice-winning Trippi mare, Hafla.
A winner of 3 races with 3 places from 11 starts, La Moohal took his stakes to R331 375 and looks to provide some real fun for Nadine’s R130 000 outlay.
Earlier in the day, Sean Tarry star Lucky Lad bounced back from a below par run in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge last month, when he narrowly held off a persistent Captain Hindsight (16-1) to win an 1100m Pinnacle Stakes.
“I liked him, so I bought him to support my Dad,” Nadine, who between her and husband Kevin, are Tyrone’s staunchest supporters, told the Sporting Post afterwards.
JULY WINNER MOVES UP TO 125
After a thrilling victory on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, the winner of the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July, Oriental Charm has had his merit rating raised from 121 to 125.
The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that 3rd placed Royal Victory made for the most suitable line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 125.
In rating the race this way 4th placed Flag Man also runs to his rating, effectively making him a line horse as well and leaving him unchanged on a mark of 126.
There were also rating increases for runner-up Cousin Casey, who is up from 123 to 125, and for 6th finisher Future Pearl, who was 2 points or 1 kg under sufferance at these weight terms and finished 1 point behind the line horse and consequently he goes up from 117 to 118.
There were no other rating increases, but one horse received a drop. Aragosta, who failed to confirm his 116 rating in his latest 4 starts was dropped 2 points from 116 to 114.
RIDGEMONT GARDEN PROVINCE STAKES (GRADE 1)
Humdinger saw her rating restored to her previous best of 119 from 116 after she captured the Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes for fillies and mares on Weight For Age (WFA) terms over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Interestingly, she was adjusted to 119 for her 3rd place finish behind Princess Calla after the
2023 running of this race.
The Handicappers unanimously agree that Bavarian Beauty made for the ideal line horse, hence her unchanged rating of 116.
In assessing the race this way 2nd placed Happy Chance runs to a mark of 118, having finished 0.15 lengths or 1 point behind the now 119 rated Humdinger at level weights, she was accordingly adjusted from 112 to 118.
The only other finisher to receive an adjustment in the ratings of any kind was Red Palace who was adjusted from 108 to 111.
Red Palace performed to a higher level but was only adjusted so that she equals the 111 rating of Asiye Phambili, who she proved equal to at WFA terms.
No horses received drops in ratings for this event.
POST MERCHANTS (GRADE 2)
Café Culture has had his rating raised from 105 to 112 following his impressive win in the Post Gr2 Merchants over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Here it was runner-up At My Command who was selected as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 119.
3rd placed Teflon Man received an increase of 3 points from 100 to 103, while the only other runner to receive an increase was Melech, who was beaten 1 point by the 119 rated line horse at level weights and went up to 118 from 117.
Only one horse received a rating drop in this event, Countdown was dropped by 1 point from 107 to 106.
SPLASHOUT 2200 (HANDICAP) (GRADE 3)
Cape Eagle has had his merit rating upped from 105 to 110 after winning the SplashOut Gr3 2200 (handicap) over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Here it was 4th placed Mucho Dinero who was deemed to make for the ideal line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a rating of 110.
The runner-up, Atticus Finch was adjusted to 112 from 110 and 3rd placed Master Fuego was increased to 102 from 101.
The only other horse to receive a rating increase was Pomodoro’s Jet who was adjusted from 93 to 96. Pomodoro’s Jet was 4 points under sufferance and finished 1 point behind the line horse hence his 3 points adjustment.
There were no rating increases for any horse other than the winner, but two horses were given a drop. Rockie Reef is down from 99 to 97 and Street Art was trimmed from 108 to 106.
DSTV GOLD VASE (GRADE 3)
Madison Valley has seen his merit rating increase to 94 from 88 after he won the Grade 3 DStv Gold Vase over 3000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Here it was the everconsistent 4th placed One Way Traffic who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 109.
In assessing the race this way, Madison Valley actually runs to a significantly higher rating but had to be capped to a rating of 94 due to the specific race conditions that state that the winner will not incur an adjustment of more than 6 points and the placed horses will not receive any upwards adjustment at all.
Accordingly, the winner was capped to a rating of 94 and the runner-up, Shoot The Rapids, did not receive any increase to his rating despite producing a performance that is higher than his rating.
Both Madison Valley and Shoot The Rapids have been entered in the upcoming Grade 3 Gold Cup, which is a compressed handicap but are hugely under sufferance off their official ratings of 94 and 99 respectively, due to the fact that the weight spread for the Gold Cup is only 6kgs.
This negates any benefit they received by the capping of the ratings in the DSTV Gold Vase and in fact only serves to mislead the betting public and possibly create controversy should there be a need for eliminations.
Two horses received a drop in ratings, None Other dropped from 110 to 108 and Explosive Bond, dropped from 100 to 97.
COMPENDIUM INSURANCE BROKERS THUKELA HANDICAP (LISTED)
Narina Trogon has had his merit rating increased from 100 to 106 after winning the Listed Compendium Insurance Brokers Thukela Handicap over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
Here it was 4th placed Mary’s Greenlight who was deemed to make for the ideal line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 103.
The runner-up, Money Heist was adjusted to 104 from 100 and 3rd placed Get Impressed was increased to 103 from 101.
There were no rating increases for any other horses, but five horses were given drops, Mr Master Starter was dropped to 95 from 96, Navajo Nation was dropped to 106 from 108, Noble City dropped from 105 to 103, Lady Heist dropped to 97 from 98 and lastly Grinkov received a 2-point drop from 102 to 100.
TAB SEA COTTAGE STAKES (GRADE 3)
La Moohal had his rating adjusted from 90 to 96 after producing a strong finish to win the TAB Gr3 Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m on Sunday at Turffontein Racecourse.
Donna Mo was selected as a line horse in this event and her rating remain unchanged on 94. In rating the race this way La Moohal ran to a significantly higher rating but could not be adjusted by more than 6 point due to the specific condition that precludes the Handicappers from adjusting the winner of this event by more than 6 points and the placed horses cannot be increased at all.
Accordingly, the winner was capped to a rating of 96 and the runner-up was left unchanged on a rating of 95 despite running to a significantly higher rating.
Only two horses received drops in this event, Hotarubi was dropped to 115 from 116 and Jury’s Out dropped from 94 to 93.
• Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 09 July 2024.
SOQRAT – NEW SIRE OFF THE MARK
Sandown Stud’s well-performed young stallion Soqrat registered his first winner when his two-year-old son I Belong stormed home to win convincingly at the Vaal last Thursday.
Trained by Roy Magner, I Belong, a member of his sire’s first crop was given a superb ride by Gavin Lerena to land the TAB Telebet 0861 000 822 Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1700m.
Lerena produced his mount with a strong late flourish, and the pair flew up to score a shade cosily by three parts of a length.
Bred by Narrow Creek Stud, I Belong was making his fourth career start on Thursday, having finished fourth on debut before finishing fifth and second in his subsequent two starts.
I Belong, who is out of the All Too Hard mare
Botoolah, was a R120 000 buy from the 2023 August Two Year Old Sale.
His sire Soqrat, Equus Champion 2YO Colt of 2017-2018, has now had four runners from his first crop either win or finish in the money.
A triple Gr1 winner, who won both the Gr1 Cape Guineas and Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes at three, Soqrat is directly descended in female line from the great mare Gondolette, also ancestress of such champion sires as Linamix, Hyperion, Mossborough, and Sir Tristram, to name a few.
I Belong wins well under Gavin Lerena | Credit: JC Photos
MEET KUDA’S DAWN NEWMAN
Dawn Newman – passionate horsewoman is a familiar face | Credit: Supplied
Longevity? Tick. Loyalty? Tick. Professionalism? Tick? Excellence? Tick. In fact, Dawn Newman ticks every box, and given her reputation and profile in the equestrian industry, one could even go as far as to say she’s the face of insurance heavyweights Kuda.
When CEO Wehann Smith started the company from his garage in 2009, the first phone call he made was to Newman. “That’s true,” Smith confirms. “Dawn was Kuda employee No2 and Josi Marais was No3.”
Now, 15 years down the line, Kuda has swelled to some 40-plus permanent staffers and Newman ranks as the template for someone representing the cornerstones of what Kuda’s DNA is all about.
She is a household name in the equine industry, a national equestrian champion who started her competitive career on some outstanding thoroughbreds, the best of whom was a horse called Foxcroft bought from Stan Elley for R500.
While we talk, Newman is still coming down from a recent high. “I’ve just ridden my first Grand Prix dressage test on my 10-year-old Hannoverian gelding, Callaho Lincoln. I’m very involved from a competition point of view, I’m proudly flying the flag for Kuda in the sport horse market in any way that I can, sport horse will always be my first love.
“Last year I won the National Dressage Medium Tour Championship. So, it’s going really, really well. Grand Prix is the highest level of dressage, the test that I rode a couple of weeks ago is the same as the test that they’ll be riding at the Olympics in Paris. Not many horses and riders in the world get to that level. So, it’s a huge privilege, a dream come true.”
It’s easy to see why CEO Smith called on Newman when he needed to start building on his Kuda dream. She speaks with passion and authority and her reputation and achievements are laid bare for all to see.
However, in the work environment she continues to thrive. “I started the sport horse business for Kuda despite having no experience in insurance at the time – I am an accountant by trade. I headed up that side of the business for around ten years, and then in September of last year, the next project that I took on was running the Personal and Commercial Insurance division of the business. This move was made so much easier knowing that Sport Horse would be in the capable hands of Lara Neill. It was an opportunity that I grabbed with both hands and I’m loving every minute.”
I ask her to explain her “day job” to those of us who don’t necessarily understand the differentiation of divisions in an insurance company. Personal and Commercial insurance covers “normal” insurance like your car and house, business insurance, liability insurance and many others, the list is almost endless.
“Not many people know that this arm of Kuda has been in existence for a long time, at least seven years. But there’s never been a real focus on it in terms of saying, you know, somebody’s going to head up this division and really take it to the next level. And that’s what I’ve been tasked with.
“And sales is my absolute passion. I get a complete kick out of it. It’s like an endorphin shot straight into the veins. I love it, and I love dealing with people. And of course, growing this business is a great challenge for me. We’ve got such a huge opportunity to cross-sell, because we’ve got a huge book of niche clients in terms of both racehorse and sport horse. We’ve already got a relationship with those people, so it makes sense to offer them our Personal and Commercial Insurance products as well, so that they kind of have all their insurance in one stable, so to speak.”
As Newman uses the pun “in one stable”, let’s add our own one to the mix. She is now into full stride in explaining her role, something that has evolved naturally and excitedly as Kuda continues to leave its hoofprint in the industry.
“Everyone needs insurance and what better company to place it with than one that you have come to know and trust. Given my background, I’m fairly well connected. I’ve got a great team working with me. Now we are looking to take the business to the next level, and to make people aware that it is not “just” a horse insurance business. I say that with the fullest respect, because the horse insurance business is certainly not to be downplayed, it has been the backbone of Kuda since inception!
“While it’s fair to say that Kuda’s main focus has always been horses, there’s certainly is a lot of merit in the work that we do on the short-term, personal and commercial realm, and we’ve got some very big clients on board, in a book that we’ve built up over many years.
“Stud farm
insurance
is just one of the things that we specialise in. When you go out to a farm and you’re looking at paddocks and the horses and the things attached to that, you need
to have a background knowledge of that industry to give them expert advice.
“Insurance for a horse truck, for example, is a very different risk to insurance for the same sized truck used for delivery of consumer goods all day every day. We can bring this message across to insurers with authority and knowledge giving them reassurance as to the risk in question and thereby securing
dramatically better rates than would otherwise be available to our clients. After all, people are understandably emotionally and physically invested in their horses and are going to take every precaution to make sure that they travel safely. That’s just one example of why knowledge in the industry is so important.”
I specifically ask her the obvious question, “why give Dawn Newman a call”?
“I’ve been involved in the equestrian industry all my life, so I have a lot of people who believe in me. I always try to relate the advice that I give to what I would do in the same situation, this tends to build trust. We get a lot of referral business which is the ultimate compliment. Much of our business stems from relationships that my team and I have built up over the years. And you know, our brand has got a very good name in the industry and, as cliche as it sounds, you’re talking to real people, If you phone for a quote, a claim, or advice, you’re going to speak to me, or you’re going to speak to one of my team members.
“We really are real people, with real experience and real passion.”
Newman’s immediate future involves more than her day job. I’m an international showing judge so next week I’m off to judge at youth champs in KZN.
Then I’m going to be glued to the TV watching as much of the Olympics as possible (don’t tell Wehann). Even though first prize would be to attend the events in Paris, a bird’s eye view from my lounge will have to do for now. And watching the riders do the Grand Prix with such skill and finesse is simply breathtaking! And those who win medals, just wow!”
With that, she apologises as she has a call waiting and that’s the end of our telephonic discussion. Which is a prime example of the career line. Talk to real people, in real time. Another box ticked.
O’BRIEN’S CAPITAL CITY!
This season’s ‘boom’ three-year-old City Of Troy, an emphatic winner of the Epsom Derby in June, completed a Group 1 double when victorious in the 126th running of the Coral-Eclipse over the weekend.
Following in the footsteps of equine greats Mill Reef, Seas The Stars and most recently Golden Horn, City Of Troy became the first Derby winner from Ballydoyle to win Sandown’s summer showpiece.
The Aidan O’Brien trained colt saw off his closest rival, the year older Al Riffa by a length in the ten-furlong feature. Always looking to be doing enough, he was kept up to his work by Ryan Moore after heading his pace making stable companion Hans Andersen over the final furlong.
Rather predictably, ‘worst Eclipse winner’ appeared in several exaggerated British
headlines but as always in these scenarios it’s important to separate horse and the performance.
Moore noted post-race that he was still learning about the colt and that City Of Troy had ‘found plenty’ when asked. The champion jockey added that the ground was an inconvenience and that the racing public will see a muchimproved version on better ground. A stronger gallop would also greatly benefit this lightly raced colt.
These points may sound like excuses which many in the British press have used to debate the merit of this colt, but that fact remains that he has won another prized Group 1 contest to add to his Dewhurst and Derby successes.
Aidan O’Brien has not ruled out the prospect of City Of Troy tackling the King George, the Juddmonte International and the Irish
City Of Troy (Ryan Moore) sees off his rivals - 2nd placed Al Riffa (Dylan Browne McMonagle) and 3rd placed Ghostwriter (Richard Kingscote) | Credit: Coolmore
Champion Stakes this season with the master trainer convinced his star colt won despite everything going against him at Sandown.
Now that the dust has settled on the muchdebated display, O’Brien thinks the testing conditions and the tempo of the race meant we were not able to witness the same City Of Troy we saw at Epsom and the remainder of the season is seen in a positive light by the Ballydoyle trainer.
As Timeform reflected: “City of Troy gained a fifth win from six starts, though given how simple his task looked it was a rather
underwhelming effort, a shorter trip and steadier pace perhaps not suiting him so well as the Derby had, while, most significantly of all, ground that had become very taxing rendered this less about posting another big figure and more about getting the job done.”
PRIMETIME SLOT FOR NEW RACING DOCUSERIES
The highly-anticipated six-part racing docuseries Champions: Full Gallop, has had its launch date confirmed as Friday 19th July, live on ITV1.
The series, produced by South Shore and supported by Flutter and Racecourse Media Group will offer access all areas footage from weighing rooms to stables as cameras follow the thrills, emotion and drama both on and off the racetrack.
Champions: Full Gallop gets a back-stage pass to the lives of jockeys and trainers at some of the best Jumps fixtures, including the iconic Cheltenham Festival and world famous Grand National. Millions of people will be watching, millions of pounds will be
bet and millions more will be up for grabs in prize money.
Among other racing figures, the series will feature exclusive access to Harry Cobden and Sean Bowen as they fight it out for the jockeys’ championship title as well as Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls as they battle to hold off Willie Mullins for the trainers’ title.
Following the dramatic highs and lows of the jockey and trainers’ championships, the series will take viewers on a journey into racing, providing a unique insight into the sport, its stories and its characters from parade ring to the winning post.
• www.racingtv.com
LUI’S KING DEFEATS THE WINNABE
The Hong Kong trainers’ championship continues to hang in the balance after Francis Lui narrowed Pierre Ng’s lead to one – 67 to 66 – with only two race meetings left with King Miles’ victory at Sha Tin on Saturday.
With the trainers’ championship resting on a knife’s edge after 86 of 88 meetings, Lui made a crucial gain with King Miles’ strike in the Class 3 Chow Silver Plate Handicap and with only 20 races left in the season, the battle seems likely to continue until next Sunday’s (14 July) season finale.
Lui’s 12 runners today produced a win and two seconds, while Captain Win was the best of Ng’s eight entrants, returning a third.
Apart from the enduring tussle between Ng
and Lui, which continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday, a feature of today’s meeting was the predominance of emerging talent as eight of the 10 races were won by three-year-olds –Santorini, Sonic Boom, Shanghai Style, Courier Aladdin, Mission Voice, Ballistic Win, King Miles and Full Credit.
With a second and three thirds at his previous four starts, the Kodiac gelding triumphed by a short head before surviving an objection from Lyle Hewitt, who rode runner-up Karate Express.
King Miles defeats The Winnabe for Francis Lui | Credit: HKJC
“He’s just learning and getting better, but he’s still improving,” Teetan said. “It was a good win today, he was a bit more professional and with time I think he will get better.”
Cody Mo’s Sonic Boom, a Better Than Ready gelding, was next to prevail, winning the Class 5 Swaine Cup Handicap under Matthew Chadwick before Alfred Chan notched his sixth victory of the season when Shanghai Style clinched the Class 4 Li Cup Handicap for Danny Shum.
“About three weeks ago, Danny asked if I would like to come and ride work for him and said he would give me a few race rides because I wasn’t getting many opportunities,” Chan said.
“Of course, I said I was interested and I’m really grateful and happy to get a result for Danny with Shanghai Style.”
By Belardo, Shanghai Sytle was having only his fourth start.
Having won on Hong Kong International Sale graduate Smart Beauty, a five-year-old, in the
Class 5 Wong Cup Handicap for Tony Cruz, Zac Purton extended an already unassailable lead in the jockeys’ championship with debutante Courier Aladdin’s success in the Class 4 Arculli Trophy Handicap for Jamie Richards.
“He’s shown some potential at the trials but, of course, he was bred to get over more ground,” Purton said of the Satono Aladdin gelding. “We were hoping he would run well but thought 1200m might have been short of his best.
“But a lot of things went our way with the good barrier (4), the fast speed, the favourite, Top Scorer, being pulled up, so he was able to roll through his gears a long way from home and that really helped him. He won well – it was a good effort first time out.”
Mission Voice gave Mark Newnham his 30th victory of the campaign and the first leg of a stable double by winning the Class 4 Chan Trophy Handicap under Luke Ferraris before Beauty Fit interrupted the third-year-old ascendancy by landing the Class 3 Stevenson Cup Handicap.
Ben Thompson drives Ballistic
Ben Thompson and Benno Yung combined with Ace High gelding Ballistic Win to win the Class 4 Ip Jug Handicap.
“It was a great win. His two runs in the same class over 1200 metres have been really good,” Thompson said. “But I was confident on a dry track today, he could show an even better turn of foot. He had failed twice at 1400 metres twice before today but, wiser and more mature, it was a good win.”
Full Credit, a Va Pensiero gelding, led and proved too strong in the Class 3 Philip Chen Trophy Handicap for Hewitson to emerge as another promising talent for Newnham.
“He’s been a really nice horse since he arrived – very genuine horse, got good, natural gate speed and he’s still learning how to race.
He relaxed really well in front today and it gave him a good kick at the finish,” he said.
“He’ll keep improving and I’m sure he’ll run 1400m. He relaxes so well now and he’s getting better each start. I’m sure we can step him up in distance. At the moment, he’s a pretty good 1200m horse.”
Hong Kong racing continues on Wednesday with the final Happy Valley meeting of the season.
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE – SATURDAY, 06TH JULY 2024
Race 1 - Lindile Sitshevu - LOCK AND KEY
Race 7 - M Botlari - ORIENTAL CHARM
Race 10 - Jonas Malungelo - NARINA TROGON
Race 4 - Velile Tsmani - MADISON VALLEY
Race 2 - Maboy Mzaba - DIANI
Race 8 - Sonile Gagambile - HUMDINGER
Race 11 - Bongile Mbinda - JUST BE LEKKER
Race 5 - Asithandile Mbhadeni - QUID PRO QUO
Race 3 - Jordaan Mkhwe - CAPE EAGLE
Race 9 - Sinethemba Jevu - CAFE CULTURE
Race 12 - Louis Sekhoko - CHOCOLATE SOLDIER
Race 6 - Siyabulela Ndevu – COSMIC SPEED
A former steward of the local executive of The Jockey Club and past chairman of the Durban Turf Club, Dr Nick Labuschagne (93) passed away on Friday evening after a lengthy illness.
Good friend Bill Lambert said that Labuschagne was one of the doyens of KZN racing as he was passionate about the sport and was one of the pillars of the industry in the province.
He served as a steward and chairman of the Durban Turf Club and according to Lambert was one of the best chairmen ever, as he was scrupulously fair. He was also a member of the local executive the then Jockey Club, now the National Horseracing Authority.
Nic Labuschagne was also a prolific and consistent owner and raced many horses and still did at the time of his passing with trainers Wendy Whitehead and Michael Roberts.
DOYEN OF KZN RACING PASSES
His best horse was probably Peri Peri trained by the late Tony Furness and was one of the favourites for the Bull Brand Jockey’s International of that year.
He will be sadly missed, as will his famous colours of maroon, light blue braces, armbands and cap.
Labuschagne was also a passionate rugby supporter and gained an Oxford Blue in the sport. He also played hooker for England and Natal. His grandson Pat Lambie played flyhalf for the Springboks.
He is survived by his two sons Nicholas and Kim, and daughters Kaz and Glenda, and 13 grandsons.
The stewards and staff of Gold Circle have extended their sincere condolences to his family and he will be sadly missed by all in KZN racing.
Dr Nick Labuschagne
TRAINERS
JOCKEYS
SIRES
THAT’S ALL FOLKS!
Saturday’s 128th renewal of the R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July was an epic and vintage renewal of the great race. But what’s a Durban July without the traditional 13th race?
In the most exciting renewal of the 13th race – sans the cheek and everything else that was flashed in years past-the winner of the R5000 Hollywoodbets sponsored prize was Muhammad Uzair Karoojee.
Congratulations to all the stars that participated! Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.