SP SPRINT - 15 February 2023

LOOK WHO'S BACK!

Wednesday 15 February 2023

Dual Equus star Candiese Lenferna photographed two jockeys in the rain at morning work last week. A million miles away from the glam of the raceday!

CONTENTS

Derby Day On Horizon!

06 Charles Out To Prove A Point Will he stay the 2000m?

20 Horse Population

What’s the answers?

26 The Boy’s Become A Man Sean Veale’s on the up!

64 Cheltenham Excitement For SA

Two Gr1 contenders in four-day festival

83 Doom And Gloom Gold Circle facing tough times

On the cover

SplashOut Cape Derby favourite Charles Dickens galloped under Aldo Domeyer at Hollywoodbets

Kenilworth last Saturday.

Chase Liebenberg was there to witness the star 3yo in action.

Issue: 07/2023

ARE YOU SPLASHING OUT ON THE DERBY?

Chase Liebenberg

Rockpool looks capable of stretching Charles Dickens!

A pensive Bazile ‘Oscar’ Nkunzi and his star charge Charles Dickens at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last Saturday

Chase Liebenberg

A timeless classic and a springboard to greater things, the R1,5 million SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby boasts a typically high quality line-up in what promises to be a vintage renewal of the final Grade 1 feature of the inaugural Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Summer Festival Of Racing on Saturday 25 February.

Proudly sponsored for the first time by SplashOut Print Branding and Media, the Cape Derby class of 2023 was announced earlier today and is headed by the exciting Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Charles Dickens.

The formidable opposition includes a seven strong challenge to be saddled by fearless competitor and defending champion trainer Justin Snaith, who won the race in 2022 with the enigmatically talented chestnut, Pomp And Power.

Announcing the big-race sponsorship, SplashOut General Manager Eugene Naidu said that the prestigious association with one of South Africa’s great racing events was a defining moment in the evolution of publication company, Winning Media.

“Winning Media was established in 2015 and our existing involvement in horseracing has now been taken to the next level. The Cape Derby sponsorship is a

proud moment for our team and dovetails seamlessly with our rebranding as SplashOut Print Branding and Media, as we shoot for the stars in our bid to bolster our service offering to meet the dynamic demands of the ever-changing digital space. In creating a physical branding solution aimed at surpassing our client’s needs, we aim to be champions in our own space, and adding our name to an iconic race like the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby underscores our philosophy of always striving for excellence,” he added.

SplashOut offers a wide range of signage, branding and printing solutions, and have been successful in the provision of signage for racecourses across South Africa, notably Hollywoodbets Greyville, Scottsville, Kenilworth and Durbanville.

The company also provided all the branding material for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

With a glittering honour roll that boasts future stallions, Equus Champions, and some giants of the SA turf, including household names of the ilk of Colorado King, Sea Cottage, Mazarin, Politician, and more recently champions like Dynasty, Jay Peg, Capetown Noir, Legislate and Golden Ducat, the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby is set to continue a proud tradition dating back some 98 years when the race was first run over 1800m as the

Western Province Derby.

The richest race staged in South Africa during its formative years, the classic was renamed the Cape of Good Hope Derby in 1946 and run over 2400m.

The 1947 renewal was a royal occasion as the historic Southern Suburbs venue hosted King George who presented the King’s Cup to the winner Menlo, trained by Syd Garrett and ridden to victory by Stanley Amos who was a turf hero right up to his retirement from the saddle at the age of 65.

On Saturday 25 February 2023 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the smashing Charles Dickens will bid to write his name into the history books of the turf with a performance that could well endorse his reputation as one of the best we have seen in this country since the great Horse Chestnut.

“We are aiming to raise the bar again and make Saturday 25 February the memorable culmination of a sensational summer with the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby headlining an enthralling day of topnotch horseracing action at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

We hope racing fans will turn out to enjoy the breathtaking spectacle and the magic trackside moments as a new generation of champions strut their stuff,” concluded Eugene Naidu.

Capetown Noir wins the 2013 Cape Derby for Dean Kannemeyer and Karl Neisius

TROY WINS LKP MOMENTS COMPETITION

At the 2023 L'Ormarins King's Plate, the popular #LKPMoments Competition invited photographers to participate in submitting moments captured throughout the event that best encapsulate the spirit and essence of #LKP.

The competition judges have decided on the winners and runner-ups for both full Overall Portfolios (3 of the photographer's best images) as well as the best individual Overall Winning Image.

This year's Overall Winning

Troy has won himself a R20 000

Image was shot by Troy Finch, with very close runner-up's by Yolanda Saayman and Chase Liebenberg.

Orms Voucher.

Troy Finch’s winning shot

‘Rome wasn’t built in a day and the rebuilding of Cape horseracing is an investment in the long-term health of the sport. This isn’t a one day game – we are on the pitch for the long run!’

Greg Bortz – plenty of passion

Chase Liebenberg

‘NOTHING WRONG WITH SEVEN-RACE CARDS!’ - BORTZ

Talking to the Sporting Post on Saturday evening as he prepared to board a flight to Melbourne for the Asian Racing Conference, the charismatic Kenilworth Racing Executive Chairman Greg Bortz was responding to social media posters after comments were made about the seven race card that was hosted at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

“We are cutting our cloth to suit the racing population –we have two choices, really. If we don’t have enough horses entered we can cancel racing, or innovate and make it work. Maybe a full card with small numbers, or, as we did here today, a decent seven-race programme and at least we are racing. We have been hurt by other regions’ cancelled meetings and we don’t want to take the apparently easy way out and cancel. That way South African racing also gets hurt and nobody benefits. And remember the most profitable days are when one doesn’t host the show.

We have to think out of the box for the collective good. It’s that simple.”

With nett pools including R899 804 (Pick 6), R357 674 (PA) and R213 539 (Bipot), dividends were healthy on Saturday with the Pick 6 delivering over R148 000, the PA R3 256, the Bipot R8 454, and the two jackpots R5 054 and R9 700, respectively.

Bortz, a revelation for us in the media who are used to racing administrators shying away from transparency and never commiting or saying anything of substance, confirmed that Cape Racing was ‘picking their shots’.

“Let’s not forget – the Cape had the lowest horse population in the country at one time. We have had some terrific racing and a fair amount of it. We have increased our racemeetings too. Derby day is coming up in a fortnight and some of the raiders have returned home, while some trainers are

holding back to race on the big day. These are all practical realities. But we have plans and we are not sitting still.”

He added that the public at large had to be aware of the reality that the knock-on effect of the decrease and slide in the South African horse population would get worse before things improved.

“The foaling numbers suggest it’s going to worsen before things improve. We are fortunate here in the Cape as we have a large 2yo population and we have worked on providing a juvenile

racing programme that provides a genuine incentive to race. And that is the key to turning the whole show around – we have to show good tangible cause and reason for breeders to breed more horses, and for owners to buy more horses.”

He implored observers that ‘liked to bang the drum while perhaps not being fully informed’, to rather reflect on the body of work over the past six months and not seek to undermine these achievements because a seven-race programme is carded.

“And please allow me to make it clear – there will be more seven race programmes in the months and years ahead! There is nothing wrong with a seven event card in the circumstances. We cannot be stuck in the past. Racing has been dying! We are seeking to resurrect it, and are aware that we need to be innovative and creative, and play the cards that we have been dealt.”

The 39th Asian Racing Conference is being held in Melbourne from Tuesday

14 February to Friday 17 February.

BREEDERS

– COSTS SPIRALLING & LACKING LEADERSHIP?

Kenilworth Racing Executive Chairman Greg Bortz has reacted with alarm at the small fields bedevilling Cape Town racing.

Bortz put the blame squarely on the decrease in the South African horse population when he remarked: "The foaling numbers suggest it’s going to worsen before things improve."

The problem is not just restricted to the Western Cape.

Further afield in KZN, a lack of entries have resulted in a number of cancelled meetings,

whilst the imminent closure of the Ashburton Training centre outside Pietermaritzburg is further cause for concern.

All this prompted a closer look at official NHRA registration figures and the conclusion? Yes, South African foals crops are in decline, to the extent that the last crop to top the 3000 mark was that of 2015. Since then, numbers have steadily fallen.

For 2019, there were almost 1000 less foals registered (2095).

The 2020 crop total dipped below 2000 for the first time

and as per the NHRA Racing Calendar of 10 February, breeders have as yet registered no more than 1465 of the 2021 foal crop.

As microchipping has yet to be finalised, the projected estimate is 1950, with the final count due in March. Still, that's over a third less than the 2015 high of 3007!

This does not bode well for the industry, as, let's be honest, without breeders, there will be no racing. This sad state of affairs is the result of a number of factors.

Attrition is one. In recent years,

‘Without breeders, there will be no racing. This sad state of affairs is the result of a number of factors…’

George Stubbs

we have seen the demise of the mighty multiple champion Summerhill Stud and the longestablished Scott Brothers, 'big' commercial breeders whose sale drafts invariably made up a huge percentage of any sales catalogue. Gone too, are Daytona and Klipdrif, which ironically, were home respectively to the past 'greats' Elliodor and Jet Master.

And while attractive bonus schemes offered by the auction houses continue to lure prospective buyers - we saw a sales race contested for no less than R7,5 million on

Met day - these are primarily for the benefit of owners.

Clifton Stud master Peter Blyth can attest to that: "We don't benefit from the sales bonus scheme at all, even though I have bred a couple of winners which qualified for the R100 000 bonus.

"Thank goodness we in KwaZulu-Natal have the premium scheme, although the incentive bonuses have to be reinvested in mares or stallion shares."

Although it offers some respite, sadly, it is the only one of its kind in the country.

Other factors include a tough economic climate and an exchange rate which has tanked to new lows, the impact of which has resulted in stagnant imports and hence, a decline in the quality of the local gene pool.

Finally, for many breeders the elephant in the room is the matter of ever-rising production costs.

Topping the list are veterinary and feed costs, followed by annual registration fees.

These have become a heavy burden to virtually every breeder, barring the handful

Peter Blyth – ‘thank goodness KwaZulu-Natal have the premium scheme’

Candiese Lenferna

of the affluent, bigger studs.

Avontuur Stud's Pippa Mickleburgh, who also serves on the NHRA board, agrees.

"For many, input costs have become the final nail in the coffin. You can't cut corners when it comes to raising thoroughbreds and to be honest, feed and veterinary bills are horrendous.

"In my opinion, the breeder association has also taken their eye off the ball, so to speak. Sad to say, sale companies have modernised to the extent that it's all about corporate business and there seems to be no worry about

the plight of breeders.

"Yes, the time has come to look after breeders. We need a Greg Bortz to come to the rescue!"

Eugene Freeman, master of Boland Stud and a TBA Council member, agrees that the problem is cost-driven.

"Numbers will only start increasing when racing gets its house in order," he remarked. "The solution, as far as I see it, are increased stakes. In my opinion, stakes are your primary driver and increased stakes bring back the buyers.

"Over the last two years,

prices at auction sales have risen and there is demand from buyers, while sales incentives have helped, especially at the lower end of the market.

"Sure, there will be a period of a shortage in horses for a while, but increased demand will eventually filter through. Essentially, to fix the market, racing needs to be fixed first."

Clearly, there appears to be no quick-fix solution to the plight of brave breeders, who in the meantime, carry on regardless, for as Peter Blyth remarked wryly: "At the end of the day, we are in it for the passion of the game."

Pippa Mickleburgh – ‘input costs have become the final nail in the coffin’

2,

3, 4

-VEALE'S MAGIC MONDAY!

It was August 2002. The venue was Clairwood, a racetrack that won’t be too familiar to the tech-savvy Generation Z'ers amongst us. A lot has changed since. Loadshedding is a part of life. Clairwood’s become a fondly remembered chapter of our 21st century history. The airport’s moved to the North. Sean Veale’s grown up. The boy’s become a man...

Sean Veale salutes as he caps a fab four-timer on Purple Operator for the Hollywood Syndicate on Monday

With a career first four-timer at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday, Sean Veale is on top of the world. A decision to travel back to his Mother City hometown has revived the fortunes of the lightweight jockey. That, coupled on the tote with the fact that he feels that he has grown up and matured, means that at 36 he is loving life as a dedicated husband and Dad to two energetic boys.

We haven’t chatted much to the low-profile rider over the two decades since he steered the Modern Day filly Emmency

home to celebrate his maiden career winner.

It was August 2002. The venue was Clairwood, a racetrack that won’t be too familiar to the tech-savvy Generation Z'ers amongst us. A lot has changed since. Loadshedding is a part of life. Clairwood’s become a fondly remembered chapter of our 21st century history. The airport’s moved to the North. Sean Veale’s grown up. The boy’s become a man.

But 4 winners and two seconds on a magic kind of Monday for the ever-smiling Veale means we now find ourselves with a

very good reason to catch up with the former Mitchell’s Plain resident!

Sean rode the first three winners on the all-weather card (two for Dennis Drier and the first of a double for Duncan Howells) on a memorable afternoon, went second in the fourth and fifth, and crowned the quartet with a superb ride on Purple Operator for the Hollywood Syndicate in the penultimate race of the day.

The eternally modest pro says he ‘thinks’ that it’s probably his first four-timer.

“Nobody is keeping track. You are only as good as your last winner anyway,” he laughs philosophically as he unpacks his kit-bag at his Assagay home after a tedious drive from Hollywoodbets Greyville through the rush-hour traffic.

“You know, I believe it’s all about confidence and maturity. I am so very lucky. I have a beautiful family and the best job in the world – and that’s the problem, as I was probably treating it like a job. Maybe taking too much for granted. One day I decided to change my attitude – change the way I did things,” he says with a serious demeanour.

“My timing was good. I was travelling to Cape Town and a winner or two in the beautiful city ignited the fire. It’s interesting, in KZN every yard has their jockeys. You can ride work here, there, and just about everywhere. You won’t get the extra rides. But in Cape Town, I got lucky. They at least give you something – they throw one a bone. I converted a few chances and one thing led to another. I say again, it’s called confidence and it’s a major

factor in any jockey’s success.”

The fact that the experienced Sean works hard travelling to the Cape and back, and rides at 52kgs, certainly increases the chances of his finding a decent ride or three. And he lives by the ‘happy wife, happy life’ credo, with the lovely Maxine and their energy sapping sons, Cody (10) and Troy (4).

“My father-in-law passed away two months ago. We are battling to move on from there but have a great tightknit support network here. My wife, my mom-in-law, my two sisters-in-law. My sons. We have fun, and the family is very close.”

He says the success in the Cape prompted a thought to pack and move down South.

“We thought about it. But my wife is studying here and we have the family close. So it would not have made complete sense really and soon they are all up here anyway for the champions season. The boys have their friends at school too. I will rather travel up and down- I

have a good jockey mate down there on the West Coast who I stay with. And this coming weekend I’m at home with the family – there is no Cape racing,” he smiles broadly.

Professional sportsmen often nominate a mentor –somebody they look to for direction and guidance.

“Mr Dennis Drier will always be the boss. He gave me a big chance when I really needed it. Even if the yard is a bit quieter now than we once were. From a riding angle, I have to acknowledge Anton Marcus. What a professional. What a man. What a jockey. He has lifted me up and guided me. I owe Anton, I really do.”

Things have come together for Sean Veale, who adds a closing word of thanks to his sponsor, John Doe, a funeral undertaker business owned by one of his closest friends.

In his current form, the latematuring talent that is Sean Veale looks the real deal, and well set to build on his 36 winners at a 13% strike-rate for the term.

Sean gives the ‘fab 4’ salute!

KLAWERVLEI – ALWAYS QUALITY!

Multiple champion breeders, Klawervlei Stud, have a very exciting draft on offer at this year's Cape Yearling Sale, which will be held on 26 February at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse.

Not only does this string include yearlings sired by such stallions as One World, Pomodoro, Querari, Twice Over and the Klawervlei-bred Vercingetorix, it also contains lots with some notable current updates.

Four-time winner Terra Marianna, whose son Golden Prospect ran third in this season's Gr3 Tony Ruffel

Stakes, has a Pomodoro full-sister (Lot 54) to Golden Prospect on sale, while classy racemare Visuality, runner-up in the Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes and third in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship, has a William Longsword half-sister (Lot 63) to impressive recent debut winner Midnight Fusion on the Cape Sale.

The well-bred Magicality, whose daughter Tiz Magic recently broke her maiden in smart fashion when scoring at Turffontein, has a filly (Lot 158) by the consistently successful Querari on sale, while Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes queen and millionaire Trophy

Wife has a filly (Lot 57) by the very much inform William Longsword on offer.

One lot bound to attract attention is the Vercingetorix half-brother (Lot 159) to Listed Storm Bird Stakes hero Flying Myth, while Gr1 winner Front And Centre's three-parts sister, the stakes-placed Fortune Flies, has a One World filly (Lot 120) on sale.

Klawervlei's draft for the 2023 Cape Sale can be viewed from Blocks C and D at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racecourse.

A GOLDEN YEAR FOR BLACK SWAN

Black Swan Stud has enjoyed a good start to 2023, with the farms' Peter de Beyer responsible for breeding a number of promising winners.

Among this tally is exciting two-year-old Golden Tatjana, who followed up a win in The Trippi Stakes by finishing a close up third in the Listed City Of Cape Town Summer Juvenile Stakes, and she looks

a filly with a bright future ahead of her.

Other recent de Beyerbred winners include Celtic Rumours, Everlasting, Umthombo Wolwazi (who has either won or finished second in each of his last four starts), and Pascali.

Peter de Beyer is very happy with the string that Black Swan Stud is bringing to the 2023

Cape Yearling Sale, and has the following to say about the draft.

Lot 47 Unnamed- Colt by Master of My Fate out of Step Out( by Silvano)

Dam a winner of 2 races whose career was cut short by injury at age 3, otherwise would have contested feature races. The dam is a daughter of Boston Tea Party, dam of 8 winners,

Peter de Beyer bred the promising Golden Tatjana

Chase Liebenberg

including Solid Speed, winner of the Gr2 Greyville 1900. From the family of Talahatchie, Lady in Black, Nexus and Lizarre.

A stunning first foal, he is correct and has a lovely shoulder and hindquarter, and an elastic stride. He is the pick of the draft.

Lot 61 Unnamed – Colt by Elusive Fort out of Victorine (by Centenary)

Dam is a winner of 4 races, and has produced 4 winners from 6 runners.

The only colt on the sale

by leading sire Elusive Fort. Well grown despite being a November foal, he is a tall, leggy colt, stands over ground and has a good depth of girth. A scopey colt. He is correct and moves well. Catalogue update: Quasimodo by Quasillo, is now a winner.

Lot 74 Ghillie Dhu - Colt by Captain of All out of African Honey

Dam a half sister to African Adventure. A very strong colt, he is a good walker with good bone and is correct. He is very good looking and has good depth of girth. Very athletic.

BOLAND OUT TO SCALE ANOTHER PEAK

Boland Stud will be looking to replicate their fine run of sales ring form when they offer, as agent, a well related Global View filly at the upcoming Cape Yearling Sale.

The Ceres based farm enjoyed plenty of sales ring success in 2022. Boland topped the 2022 KZN Yearling Sale, where the farm's Vercingetorix colt out of Varster was knocked down to John Freeman for R1 100 000.

Boland Stud also ended the KZN Sale as Leading Vendor by Aggregate, selling seven lots for a total of R2,21 million.

The farm's sales ring success also saw them with lots make

up to R460 000 and R450 000 respectively at last year's August Two Year Old Sale and November Two Year Old Sale.

Boland Stud will be looking to replicate their fine run of sales ring form when they offer, as agent, a well related Global View filly at the upcoming Cape Yearling Sale.

Already named Cathkin Peak (Lot 181), this filly shares her sire with a number of smart performers including East Cape champion Global Drummer, Gr3 Track And Ball Derby victor Decorated and this season's very smart threeyear-old Dave The King. The latter has already earned over R1 million in prize money and

looks destined for bigger and better things this season.

Cathkin Peak is out of the well bred mare Our Fair Lady, herself a daughter of triple Gr1 winner Oratorio and top racemare Bambina Stripes, who stamped herself as a leader of her generation when winning the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic of her year.

Cathkin Peak will be available for viewing in Block A at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racecourse.

Ambiance-bred Royal Victory (brown cap) goes down narrowly to Eye Of The Prophet in the WSB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas earlier this month

JC Photos Ambiance Stud's Dr Marianne Thomson has bred more than her share of champions over the years. From the remarkable full-brothers Al Nitak and The Sheik, to Met winner Alastor, Dr Thomson has built up a considerable reputation for producing top-class racehorses from relatively modest means.

In recent times, graduates of Ambiance include Gr2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper winner Cockney Pride and this season's top-class three-year-old Royal Victory.

The latter, a Bloodstock South Africa graduate, showed his class when running out a facile winner of the recent Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes and clearly ranks as one of the leaders of his generation.

Dr Thomson also bred erstwhile champion sprinter Cataloochee, who has a very close relation on offer at the 2023 Cape Yearling Sale in the form of Lava Burst (Lot 156). The latter, a colt by promising young sire Erupt, is out of Love Galore, a full-sister to Gr1 Computaform Sprint/Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint victor Cataloochee.

This draft, which also includes yearlings by Erupt and Horizon, also features the well-bred Var colt Deco Var (Lot 131). The latter, out of a high-class daughter of Captain Al, hails from the very same family as impressive recent Gr1 Pongracz Cape Flying Championship winner Gimme A Prince and the latter's Gr1 winning dam Real Princess.

Ambiance Stud's draft for this year's Cape Sale can be viewed in Block E at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racecourse in the days leading up to the sale.

AN EXPENSIVE FINAL STRIKE FOR RICHARD

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa confirms that at an Inquiry held in Cape Town, on 9 February 2023, Jockey Richard Fourie was charged with a contravention of Rule

58.10.2 read with Guideline M on the use of the crop.

The particulars being that whilst riding JET DARK in the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met (Grade 1) at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth

Racecourse on 28 January 2023, he misused his crop by striking this horse more than 12 times in the entire race.

Jockey Fourie pleaded guilty and was found guilty of the charge.

In determining an appropriate penalty, the Stewards took into account the value and status of the race, the distance over and the manner in which Jockey Fourie used his crop,

the number of strikes over the permissible level (1) and Jockey Fourie’s recent record regarding contraventions of this Rule and Guideline.

A penalty of a fine of R25 000 (twenty-five thousand rand) was imposed.

Jockey Fourie was given the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.

Richie - costly big win

Chase Liebenberg

EATING CAKE

– PROBABLY BAD FOR YOU

WSB Cape Town Met winning jockey Richard Fourie’s R25 000 fine for exceeding the crop use limit by one strike has ignited plenty of debate again about what is an ongoing hot topic!

It’s time for the law makers at the NHRA to admit they bungled with their obviously well-intentioned crop-use laws. So suggests Tony Mincione of Knysna who writes in the Sporting Post Mailbag that for a start, you can’t have your cake and eat it.

What this means is you can’t legislate the composition of a riding crop so that it’s animal friendly and argue that it’s to make the device painless, and then count whip strokes of that same device.

SAVE THE DATE!

The SplashOut Cape Town Seafood and Jazz Racing Festival returns to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 25 Feb ending the summer season off with a splash.

The jazzy affair welcomes

guests and racing enthusiasts to a Derby Day filled with stellar racing, live jazz entertainment, gin bars and a gastronomic feast of seafood and sushi.

Admission is free with cash prize giveaways, a kids zone

and

guest performance by Craig Lucas.

MONDAY INCIDENT – BOTH JOCKS SUSPENDED

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that Jockeys Muzi Yeni and Billy Jacobson have been placed on an immediate interim suspension in terms of the provisions of Rule 91.2.

This follows an incident that occurred at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Monday, 13 February 2023,

and subsequent information that has been provided to the NHA.

Consequently, the Chief Executive and Racing Control Executive consider that this action is necessary as in their opinion, the continued participation in races of Messrs Yeni and Jacobson may pose an unacceptable risk of

prejudicing the reputation, interests, integrity, safety and welfare of racing and its participants.

The Inquiry into the incident will be heard as soon as possible.

• Media release by NHA on Wednesday 16 February 2022

BLING SUSPENDED

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa confirms that at an Inquiry held in Port Elizabeth on Friday 3 February 2023, Jockey Smanga Khumalo was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3.

The particulars being that whilst riding Great Melody, he failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stipendiary

Stewards and prejudiced his chances of obtaining fourth place in Race 9 over 1200m at Fairview Racecourse on Friday,16 September 2022.

Jockey Khumalo pleaded not guilty but was found guilty of the charge.

The Inquiry Board, after considering the evidence presented, ruled that Jockey Khumalo be suspended from

riding in races for a period of ten days.

Jockey Khumalo waived his Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed and was granted permission to take his suspension from 21/02/2023 to 2/03/2023, both dates inclusive.

• Media release by NHA on Wednesday 15 February 2023

‘There are too many politics and too many ego's, and I also battle these days to deal with the disappointments. I have appreciated what Greg Bortz and Hollywood have been doing for the sport and hope they succeed in taking it back to where it was…’

UNCLE DEN CALLS IT A DAY

Summerveld master Dennis Drier has announced his retirement from training racehorses.

He said: "There are many who are under the impression I will be training a small string in Cape Town, but I will not be. I

am handing over the reins to Stuey (Stuart Ferrie) and have no doubt he will be a success."

He explained: "I am 77, have been in this job for 55 years, and the game is not like I used to know it. There are too many

politics and too many ego's, and I also battle these days to deal with the disappointments. I have appreciated what Greg Bortz and Hollywood have been doing for the sport and hope they succeed in taking it back to where it was."

Dennis Drier – a stalwart and soldier

Candiese Lenferna

Drier learnt from the best.

He started out in the late 1960 as assistant trainer to his late great uncle, Syd Laird, who is South Africa's only Hall Of Fame trainer.

Still today when faced with a tough decision he will usually take his mind back in time and think what "Uncle Syd" would have done under the same circumstances.

He was with Uncle Syd for nine years and this period of his career was packed with the highlights brought by greats like Mazarin, Politician, Yataghan, Archangel, Ocean City and others.

There was also one memorable lowlight when a

disgruntled punter attempted to attack Syd Laird in the parade ring after the 1972 July because of Mazarin's unplaced run. Dennis intervened and was smashed in the face with a pair of binoculars.

Dennis started out on his own with about six or seven horses.

He married Gill, who was the daughter of the Oppenheimer's trainer John Breval, and this might have been one reason why he later became the Oppenheimer's trainer.

He trained for the Oppenheimers for twenty years with success, including winning the July.

However, the biggest single

blow to his career came when they decided on a change of trainer and he lost 32 horses in one morning.

However, he certainly bears no grudges and said he gets on famously with Mary Slack and Jessica Jell today and added,

"They have been very good to me."

He said about the blow of losing those horses, "My owners buckled down and I was able to make a recovery."

It was more than just a recovery because he became the perennial KZN champion trainer this millennium, and was often locked in a dingdong tussle for the title with

Mike de Kock and later with Duncan Howells.

Drier's career best achievement will be go down as his phenomenal success in Grade 1 races at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

His first Grade 1 success there was with Spook And Diesel in the 1990 Smirnoff, today known as the Gold Medallion.

Twenty years later Drier began dominating this two-year-old Grade 1 winning it with Link Man in 2010, Potent Power in 2012, Captain Of All in 2013, Guiness in 2014, Seventh Plain in 2015, Sand And Sea in 2017 and Tempting Fate in 2020.

His other Scottsville Grade 1 victories were with Sound Of Rhum, Val De Ra and

Sommerlied in the 1994, 2011 and 2018 SA Fillies Sprint respectively and Captain of All in the 2015 Tsogo Sun (Golden Horse) Sprint, for a total of twelve Grade 1s at the Pietermaritzburg course, ten of them within that amazing eleven year stretch.

However, Drier's personal best moment was when winning the country's biggest race, the Durban July with Spanish Galliard in 1992.

The two most successful horses he has trained have been Beach Beauty and Val De Ra, both of whom have wonderful stories attached to them.

Beach Beauty was chosen by Dennis from Trevor Armitage's farm and she was to race for

the "Shanks Syndicate" in memory of Trevor's late son Mark.

The tiny Dynasty filly was viewed by Mark's family and best friends, who formed the syndicate, as more of a cute pet to pat when she first arrived at the Drier Summerveld yard ... that was until she displayed an eyecatching burst of speed to win over 1450m on debut at Clairwood.

She went on to become a five time Grade 1-winner and "the darling of the South African turf", because in every one of those Grade 1 wins (two Paddock Stakes, two Garden Provinces and one Majorca Stakes) she was regarded as the meeting banker and never once let the public down. She

would have won more Grade 1s if not tackling the Met twice and the July once. She was twice the Equus Champion Older Female.

Val De Ra was a phenomenal sprinter with exceptional natural speed coupled with a turn of foot, but she first had an epistaxis incident as a twoyear-old and later was critically ill with peritonitis. She came back from death's door to win three weight for age Grade 1s, the Computaform Sprint, the SA Fillies Sprint and the Cape Flying Championship, and was named Equus Champion Sprinter of the 2010/2011 season.

However, Drier regards the

unsound 1992-born Harmony Forever (Foveros) and current successful sire Master Of My Fate (Jet Master), whose career was cut short by injury, as the potentially best he ever trained while he said Spanish Galliard was the "gutsiest".

Owners have enjoyed being with the Drier yard over the years not only for Dennis's fine professionalism and fine horsemanship, but he is also a gregarious personality, so clients became good friends.

However, this also made the ups and downs harder to bear.

Gill is a fine horsewoman in her own right, so added immense value and did a lot of

the admin, whilst Stuart Ferry was a hardworking, trustworthy assistant whose friendly demeanour fitted in perfectly.

Loyal jockeys like Sean Cormack and Sean Veale were also vital cogs.

In Drier's letter to his clients he saluted ‘Menz’ and ‘Nxys’, his longtime loyal grooms, and said there were too many others to thank to mention.

Dennis Drier's popularity can be summed up by him being known throughout the industry today simply as ‘Uncle Den.’

www.goldcircle.co.za

Tempting Fate (Sean Veale) wins the 2020 Gold Medallion

Candiese Lenferna

SA CONNECTIONS SET FOR CHELTENHAM CHALLENGE

Danny Mullins chats to owner Wayne Kieswetter

South African interest in the ‘equine olympics’ that is the Cheltenham Festival will be at a peak when the four days of explosive track action gets underway at Prestbury Park on Tuesday 14 March with the running of the Gr1 Sky Bet Supreme Novice Hurdle.

And it’s largely all about a charismatic grey rising star of the jumps called Il Etait Temps.

The Cheltenham Festival has been labelled the greatest show on turf and showcases 28 extraordinary contests from Tuesday 14 March to Friday 17 March, when the Cheltenham Gold Cup takes pride of place.

A son of Jukebox Jury, Il

Etait Temps carries the instantly recognisable silks of KZN champion owners the Hollywood Syndicate who race him in a lease partnership with the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud. The handsome gelding is also owned by Bloodstock man Ross Doyle and longstanding Barnane Stud manager Patrick Wynn Jones.

Announcing his Cheltenham claims in supreme fashion, Il Etait Temps charged to victory in the Tattersalls Ireland Gr1 Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown a fortnight ago, in the process adding his name to an illustrious winner’s list that includes Gold Cup hero

Sir Gerhard, Appreciate It, Klassical Dream and Vautour, amongst others.

The grey’s sensational victory was also a momentous occasion for the burgeoning partnership between the Kieswetter family and the Hollywood Syndicate, with the Dynasty filly Make It Snappy preceding Il Etait Temps elite status with a dual Grade 1 score this summer on her home track of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. We tracked down the man that started the Il Etait Temps ball rolling. His name is Ross Doyle, a member of the international respected Doyle racing family, and one well

acquainted with South African racing over many years.

The late Jack Doyle, Peter’s father and Ross’ grandfather, was known to many as the doyen of bloodstock agents and for some 60 years was a major force in the bloodstock industry. When Peter was working with his father, yearling purchases included Classic winner Bruni and European Champion Sprinter Sandford Lad.

Peter Doyle established the agency in 1978 with his wife Anna; horses purchased by the agency have enjoyed remarkable success around the world. Ross joined the

company in 2001 and is an integral cog in the continuing success of Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock.

And the Doyle-Kieswetter family association goes back quite a way.

“My parents Peter and Anna have been visiting South Africa for more than 25 years, attending the National Yearling Sale in Johannesburg and latterly the Cape Premier Yearling Sale in Cape Town. They met Craig’s parents Wayne and Belinda (Kieswetter) on one of those visits and struck up a friendship. I in turn met the family on subsequent

visits to Cape Town for the yearling sale. And so began a firm friendship with the second generation. We have purchased some lovely yearlings from their magnificent RidgemontHighlands Stud in Robertson,” reflects Ross as he illustrates again that racing is really as much a game of great h orses, as it is of good likeminded people!

Ross then goes on to outline the Il Etait Temps fairytale for the Sporting Post.

A gelded son of Jukebox Jury he is out of a mare called Une Des Source and was bred in France by Emmanuel Clayeux.

Happy team! Wayne & Danny Mullins, Adam Connolly, Willie & Jackie Mullins and Patrick Wynn Jones

And there frankly wasn’t much to suggest to the uneducated observer that a potential jumps star was lurking in the shadows when he ran twice as a 3 year old on the flat in France for his trainer and partbreeder Emanuel Clayeux, finishing fifth and then second over 2200m at Vichy in May 2021.

“I am in regular contact with Harold Kirk, a bloodstock agent in Ireland, and he along with his close friend in France, Pierre Boulard, are the chief scouts for Champion trainer Willie Mullins. Harold mentioned Il Etait Temps to

me in conversation as a horse that had caught the eye,” recalls Ross.

The third generation bloodstock consultant had his interest pricked further after watching the race replays.

“I agreed that he had something about him. He was eye-catching, very keen to get on with the job and looked tough. We liked his running style; he is a medium-sized horse and a good mover,” he adds.

Ross then had a chat with Craig Kieswetter and Barnane

Manager, Patrick Wynn Jones.

“We have an excellent existing relationship and I told them that I really believed that Il Etait Temps was an interesting prospect. The rest is history, with many happy chapters still to be written, hopefully!” smiles Ross.

He proudly adds that the honour roll of the Gr1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle speaks for itself and it is widely regarded as one of the premier races in Ireland and England on the National Hunt Calendar.

“The Gr1 Sky Bet Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham is the obvious next step. He is now in the top three in the betting, so hopefully, all being well, he has a very good chance there,” he says with a smile.

Ross previously bought Echoes In Rain in May 2019 from France through the same channels for the Kieswetters.

“She is now a Grade 1 winner with Willie Mullins. She will hopefully also run at Cheltenham in the Mares Hurdle. Another horse that we purchased for Craig and his family more recently is Gust of Wind. Like Il Etait Temps, he too runs in the Hollywood silks and is heading for Cheltenham

and being aimed at the Triumph Hurdle.”

Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Manager Devin Heffer said that the Hollywood Syndicate’s growth and success had been extraordinary and that the mere thought of involvement at the Cheltenham Festival would have been a pipe dream even six months ago.

“Our association with the Kieswetter family has been a turning point in our ability to compete at Grade 1 level, globally, and we are indebted to them for embracing the partnership and welcoming us into their world. We enjoyed a dual Gr1 success recently in the Cape, and then Il Etait Temp’s big Leopardstown Gr1

victory was simply awesome. It feels like a dream!” he added.

Craig Kieswetter told the Sporting Post that the goal of their Ridgemont-Highlands and Barnane Stud operations was to breed the best-to-thebest and to enjoy horseracing at all levels, but always to strive to be competitive at the elite level.

“Cheltenham is one of the world’s pre-eminent racing festivals and to have representation there is both an honour and a privilege. Enjoying this great game with world-class passionate racing folk like the Heffer and the Doyle family's makes it all the more fun and pleasurable,” he concluded.

A proud Adam Connolly poses with Lil Etait Temps and Danny Mullins

JUSTIFYING THE HYPE

South African champion Hawaii certainly made his mark on the modern day thoroughbred. Not only did he sire Epsom Derby winner Henbit and Derby second and third place-getters Hawaiian Sound and Hunza Dancer, his name occurs in the pedigrees of numerous high-class gallopers.

Among the many top-class thoroughbreds with Hawaii close up is Kentucky Derby winner Lil E Tee (At The

Threshold), top-class sire City Zip (Carson City) and the latter's champion half-brother Ghostzapper (Awesome Again), Breeders' Cup winning champions Beholder (Henny Hughes) and Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and current boom sire No Nay Never.

Hawaii also appears twice in the pedigree of unbeaten US Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy). The latter's sire is by a son of Hennessy (out of the Hawaii mare Island

Kitty) while Justify's dam Stage Magic, also responsible for Gr3 All American Stakes winner The Lieutenant (Street Sense), was sired by Ghostzapper.

The first horse to retire unbeaten after capturing the US Triple Crown, Justify made history when he became the first to win the Kentucky Derby since Apollo in 1882 to land the Derby without racing at two.

Hawaii wins the 1967 East Rand Juvenile Stakes

Justify is giving strong signs that he will ensure Hawaii's lasting influence in the stud book, with the son of the outstanding Scat Daddy having made a tremendous start to his stud career.

His first Northern Hemisphere crop of two-year-olds made a fine start last year, with Justify's early flagbearers headed by six individual stakes winners, with this figure including four group/graded stakes winners.

His four group/graded stakes winning two-year-olds last year were Statuette (Gr2 Airlie Stud Stakes), Champions Dream (Gr3 Nashua Stakes), Just Cindy (Gr3 Schuylerville Stakes) and Aspen Grove (Gr3

Flame Of Tara Stakes) while Justify colt Verifying finished second in the 2022 Gr1 Champagne Stakes.

There are no fewer than 14 members of Justify's first crop nominated for the 2023 US Triple Crown.

Justify has also made an eye catching start with his first Australian crop of two-yearolds. His first four Australian runners this season include rising star filly Learning To Fly, winner of Saturday's $2 million Inglis Millennium and winner of the Gr3 ATC Widden Stakes when making her debut.

At the time of writing, Justify currently ranks as the Leading First Season Sire in Australia

by earnings and is fourth on the Leading Second Crop Sires in North America for the current season.

His burgeoning success also once again underlines what a loss to the breed Justify's late sire Scat Daddy was.

Scat Daddy, whose sire

Johannesburg has become an increasingly successful broodmare sire and is damsire of, among others, Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner Swiss Skydiver, is also the sire of outstanding stallion No Nay Never, who was responsible for star two-year-olds Little Big Bear, Blackbeard and Meditate in 2022.

Justify wins the Preakness

TONY’S CRUZing!

Tony Cruz is only the third Hong Kong trainer to prepare 1000 Sha Tin wins - seen here with Zac Purton

Tony Cruz has edged higher into Hong Kong’s pantheon of racing immortals by becoming only the third trainer to post 1000 winners at Sha Tin, joining fellow legends John Moore and John Size in a select club after Circuit Stellar’s success in the Class 2 Belcher Bay on Sunday.

Joining Moore (1204) and Size (1104) as the only trainers to reach the 1000-win mark at Sha Tin, 66-year-old Cruz took his total number of Hong Kong victories to 1442 – a tally bettered by only Moore (1735) and Size (1449).

Zac Purton, who partnered Circuit Stellar to the landmark triumph, described Cruz – a six-time Hong Kong champion jockey and dual Hong Kong

champion trainer – as “the biggest personality and the biggest legend in Hong Kong.”

“He’s had an amazing career – he’s a legend of Hong Kong racing, really. He’s homegrown, came through the Hong Kong Jockey Club Apprentices’ School, he was champion jockey in Hong Kong and rode all over the world, for the Queen and the Aga Khan, and won some big races,” Purton said.

“He then turned his hand to training and he’s been equally impressive – he’s won every big race here – and in every season, he’s right up in the top echelon of the trainers. He’s very consistent and he always turns his horses out well. I enjoy riding for him and the

best way to sum him up is that he’s the biggest personality and the biggest legend in Hong Kong.”

Virtually a permanent fixture in the top five of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship, Cruz rode 946 wins as a jockey before taking out a trainer’s licence.

“It’s good to achieve that milestone because Sha Tin is one of the safest race tracks in the world, it’s the fairest track in the world – it’s the best track in the world – because every horse gets a chance,” Cruz said. “It’s a good milestone and I hope to get another thousand here in Sha Tin, too.”

Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley today.

MURPHY’S LAW? THE MAN’S BACK!

Oisin Murphy, the British Champion Jockey in 2019, 2020 and 2021, is set for a return to the saddle on Thursday following a 14-month ban for alcohol and Covid breaches.

The three-time champion jockey will have his first ride in Britain at Chelmsford on Thursday 16 February

when he rides the fancied Jupiter Express in a 6-furlong handicap at 20h00. The Mick Appleby-trained runner is his only ride on the seven-race card. His mount will be among the favourites, having finished a close second in a similar contest at Wolverhampton last month.

The British Horseracing

Authority announced last week that Murphy's riding licence had been approved, but he will have regular testing for drugs and alcohol. The jockey, who has not ridden since November 2021, was banned last February for failing two breathalyser tests and breaching Covid rules on the racecourse. The conditions of his return will be reviewed

Welcome back to Oisin Murphy

in a year's time as the BHA emphasise the need to ensure “British racing is clean, safe and fair”

Murphy has a 23% winning strike for Mick Appleby and the trainer said he will give him as much support as he can this season.

Appleby stated: “It's great that we're able to give him his first ride back. He’s one of the top jockeys. He's learnt from his mistakes now and I'm sure he'll be back riding winners.”

On Jupiter Express chances, Appleby added: “He ran well at Wolverhampton last time and we hope he's a horse on an upward curve now.”

On Friday, Murphy heads to Qatar to ride at the Amir Sword Festival. He will partner Flaming Rib in the $400,000 Dukhan Sprint for British trainer Hugo Palmer who believes Oisin Murphy is “looking like a man on a mission”.

The following weekend could see Murphy victorious in Group action after only 9 days into his comeback. He is booked to ride the highly progressive 4-year-old Missed The Cut, a Royal Ascot winner, in Saudi Arabia.

The George Boughey trained colt is declared to run in the £1.25m Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh on February 25th.

Missed The Cut has won four of his six starts, including the Golden Gates Stakes at last year’s royal meeting and the Listed Churchill Stakes at Lingfield in November, beating Algiers who has since won two Group 2 races in Dubai.

2023 looks to be a great season on the British Flat with Frankie Dettori stating that it would be his swansong.

Add in the likes of Ryan Moore and Jim Crowley together with the return of Oisin Murphy and William Buick is going to find it a lot tougher to retain his British Jockey’s title.

TRAINERS

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS

BACK PAGE BOMB – GOLD CIRCLE LOSES LUSTRE

It appears that drastic and urgent action will need to be taken to reverse the downward spiral and financial paralysis that KZN horseracing operator Gold Circle currently finds itself in.

The bottom line is that the economic landscape and the commercial environment in which the Company operates continue to reflect decreasing returns for the sustainability of horse racing and betting operations in KwaZulu-Natal.

In a sobering letter to members on Monday, Chairperson Sadha Naidoo outlines the bleak financial state of the Company’s activities and trading for the six months ended 31 January 2023.

It is reported that the comprehensive loss for the period amounted to R25,7 million compared with a loss for the comparative prior period of R5.5 million.

The major areas affecting the current trading loss are summarized as follows:

Turnover directly generated by Gold Circle through its traditional betting outlets

has continued to decline in line with prior years. Gross totalizator turnover decreased from R480 million in 2022 to R447 million in 2023, resulting in reduced commission of R7,2 million. Regrettably, and most importantly, there is nothing to suggest that this trend will be reversed, and as this is one of the Company’s main income streams, the trend and subsequent drain on cash reserves can only be described as alarming.

Gold Circle’s total operational costs for the period have increased by R16,4 million while operating income has increased by R8,9 million. Stakes have also increased by R6, 9 million in the current period.

On the positive side, income from investments has seen an increase which is primarily a result of increases in the repo rate directed by the South African Reserve Bank and current equity market trading conditions. However, the current conditions and return on investments are susceptible to shifts in the markets and it goes without saying that as reserves are depleted to fund operating losses, investments are reduced and

the related returns will decline.

Taking full cognisance of the current statistical data and now established trends, the Board and management prepared a financial projection for the full year ending 31 July 2023.

This spoke of the inescapable reality that it is estimated that the loss will increase to approximately R65 million for the current year. They declare that not only is this unacceptable, it is also unsustainable.

A full examination of all cost centres has apparently been carried out in an attempt to align the company’s cost structure with its ability to generate income.

Drastic actions are required to mitigate the losses and the drain on crucial reserves and the decision to mothball the Ashburton Training Centre with effect from 01 April 2023, is probably the first of many.

While additional cost saving measures will be fully interrogated and implemented, the Board have reached the conclusion that this will not be sufficient and the stark reality is that at the

current loss rate, there is only approximately 3– 4 years’ worth of cash reserves remaining.

The letter continues that the Directors have a fiduciary and statutory obligation to ensure that the Company does not trade recklessly and to protect its assets and meet its liabilities. Those responsibilities go beyond the Company itself. They include the Company’s responsibilities to all stakeholders.

It has been decided that an urgent departure from the present structure and financial paralysis is needed. It thus makes sense that the Board is engaging with potential investors and strategic partners to ensure

the continuity of not only the Company but of horse racing in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Board undertakes to fully apprise Members of developments, as and when progress is made on this strategy.

In closing, it is recorded that the proposed amendment to the KZN Gaming and Betting Tax Act is still being considered by the Finance Portfolio Committee of Province and no further information is available for reporting at this time.

However, it remains important to reiterate that if the Amendment Bill is enacted, it will have devasting consequences for Gold Circle

and the horse racing industry as a whole. Whilst the Board of Directors continues to engage with the Authorities in opposing the introduction of the Amendment Bill, the very real possibility of the enactment serves only to exacerbate the risks facing the Company. For the last financial year, the (now threatened) revenue stream amounted to R69 million.

Against this desperate background , the Board states that it is actively pursuing solutions.

“Whilst we navigate through these very troubled waters, we ask for your continued support of Gold Circle and KZN Racing,” concludes Naidoo.