SP Sprint - Wednesday 15 November 2023 by Sporting Post

Wednesday 15 November 2023

A BIG FOUR! 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 1

CONTENTS

SUMMER SET TO REIGN! 05 Countdown to 25 November Betway Summer Cup – final field

40 De Kock’s SA Triple Tiara Hope Drankenstein filly shines bright

54 Bruss On Breeding

The eternal quest to find a champion

112 Cartier Champions Announced Arc winner Ace Impact on top

117 World’s Best In Hong Kong

On the cover

Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Tristan Godden rode a career peak four winners at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. Candiese Lenferna took the photo.

Happy Valley hosts the big guns

2 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Issue: 50/2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 3

4 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Puerto Manzano is out to emulate Master Sabina, who pulled off the Summer Cup double in 2015/16. Here a delighted owner Laurence Wernars hugs jockey Keagan de Melo after the 2022 victory | Credit: JC Photos

SUMMER’S HERE! With the stake doubled to R5 million for the 25 November renewal of the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup, the clamour for a berth in Gauteng’s flagship race was fervent, and the interest was underlined on Wednesday when a capacity field of 20 runners stood their ground. Geoff Woodruff’s Master Sabina is the last horse to register a double when winning the big one under Gavin Lerena in 2015 and 2016. Johan Janse van Vuuren’s Argentinian-bred trojan bids to emulate that feat and it is Gavin Lerena, in the absence of Hong Kong-based Keagan de Melo, who will do the honours.

Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry have trained five Summer Cup winners each, with Tarry holding the current form power, having saddled four of the last six winners. The duo again hold the aces with seven of the 20 runners between them.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 5

Flashback to Summer ’22: Joburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse and 4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe watch the big race Credit: 4Racing

6 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Tarry’s trio is headed by former Cape star Cousin Casey, who found his form with a nice second placed effort behind Puerto Manzano in the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile at his first start for his new yard. Richard Fourie rides Bless My Stars, one of two fairer sex gallopers in the 2023 renewal, alongside the Azzie’s Lady Of Power. Summer Pudding was the last filly to raise the Summer Cup trophy, when she scored in 2020. Mike de Kock has waited a possibly ‘lucky’ thirteen years since Flirtation powered home in 2010 for his last Cup winner. The veteran saddled his five Summer Cup winners over nine renewals, in the halcyon days, that commenced in 2001. His quartet is headed by Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner Safe Passage, who ran second

behind Puerto Manzano last year. Another interesting runner is Brett Crawford’s 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Winchester Mansion, who like Safe Passage, competes in the Drakenstein blue. The son of Trippi stayed on well for fourth in the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile in his prep start, and will be the first horse this century to achieve the Durban July-Summer Cup double were he to win. The only visiting trainers in the line-up are Brett Crawford, who saddles Winchester Mansion and local runner Billy Bowlegs, and Nathan Kotzen, who brings the dark horse Royal Victory up from KZN. The barrier draws will be published once available on the www.sportingpost.co.za website.

A PROUD HISTORY The first horseracing in Johannesburg took place in December 1886 and the inaugural Summer Cup was run the following year as the Johannesburg Handicap. The race was won by outsider Haco, a five-year-old trained by Mr Du Plessis and ridden by J Bundy. In its heyday the Summer Cup was the highlight of the Johannesburg feature-race season and one of the city’s social events of the year. After the Cape challenger King’s Guard’s victory in 1971, the name of the race was changed to accommodate a sponsor. As the years rolled by further changes to the name, conditions and date diminished the event’s glitter and it eventually became the Champion Stakes, run in April. In 1999, Phumelela reintroduced the Summer Cup to the racing calendar in its

traditional format and now under the watch of 4Racing, the event is now firmly established as one of the ‘Big 4’ on the country’s racing calendar. Many famous horses have won down the years and they include Pamphlet (1917), Lenin (1940), Cuff Link (1963), Caradoc (1966) and Home Guard (1970). One horse who really grabbed the attention was Java, trained by Jack Butler. He pulled off a remarkable Summer Cup hat-trick from 1956 as a four-year-old before going on to claim the honours again the following two years. Elevation was to repeat those exploits almost 20 years later. Trained by George Azzie, the chestnut landed his first victory in 1972, when the race was run as the Holiday Inns for the first time. He went on to score again in 1973 before completing a hat-trick under a big weight in 1974. 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 7

BETWAY SUMMER CUP CLASS OF ‘23 R5 MILLION 2000M

BETWAY SUMMER CUP (GRADE 1) HANDICAP SC#

Horse

Mass

Jockey

Trainer

PUERTO MANZANO

60.0

G Lerena

J A Janse van Vuuren

COUSIN CASEY

58.5

G van Niekerk

Sean Tarry

WINCHESTER MANSION

58.0

K Matsunyane

Brett Crawford

ANFIELDS ROCKET

57.0

R Danielson

Grant Maroun

BLESS MY STARS

56.5

R Fourie

Sean Tarry

BINGWA

56.5

S Moodley

J A Janse van Vuuren

SAFE PASSAGE

56.0

L Mxothwa

Mike de Kock

SECOND BASE

56.0

K A Brewer

Robyn Klaasen

BILLY BOWLEGS

55.5

S Khumalo

Brett Crawford

SON OF RAJ

54.5

A Mgudlwa

Weiho Marwing

ARAGOSTA

54.5

Jarryd Penny

Mike de Kock

SHOEMAKER

54.0

D De Gouveia

Mike de Kock

ATTICUS FINCH

54.0

C Habib

Alec Laird

ROYAL VICTORY

54.0

M Yeni

Nathan Kotzen

ZEUS

54.0

D Schwarz

Fabian Habib

EAST COAST

54.0

J P v’d Merwe

Mike de Kock

LITIGATION

54.0

C Zackey

Sean Tarry

MERIDIUS

54.0

P Mxoli

Tony Peter

LADY OF POWER

54.0

C Maujean

M G Azzie/A A Azzie

ELECTRIC GOLD

54.0

J Gates

Tony Peter

COUPLINGS: (1,6) (2,5,17) (3,9) (7,11,12,16) (18,20)

8 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 9

BIRTHDAYS & BOMBERS! While things didn’t go the way of Highveldbased champion Mrs Geriatrix, Glen Kotzen and the Arundel family find themselves with a serious WSB Cape Fillies Guineas candidate after Lancaster Bomber’s daughter Rascova handed out a galloping lesson to her rivals in the R400 000 Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday. Sandy and Eugene Arundel are relative new arrivals in the owner ranks, but have enjoyed some serious success. And they now have their maiden Gr1 winner on 10 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

the radar after Rascova – coincidentally their first ever listed winner – also gave them their first Gr2 strike, courtesy of a superbly judged front-running ride by Craig Zackey. Saturday 11 November 2023 will go down as a memorable one for the Arundels, who were celebrating their Grandson Ethan’s fifth birthday, and the 2023 Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes victress Rascova put the cherry on the cake as she came of age as a serious classic prospect. Showing her characteristic lightning gate speed, Rascova, like the favourite having her

Catch me if you can! Craig Zackey powers home on Rascova | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

first start at the country course, was out fast from her 9 slot and Zackey shrewdly dictated the pace thereafter, with the unbeaten 14-10 shot Mrs Geriatrix finding things tough from her 5 gate. Richard Fourie tried as he could to slot Mrs Geriatrix in, but was given no quarter, and eventually found himself in the wilderness on the outside. Nothing went her way! All the while, Rascova, who was running fresh after a 14 week break, was relaxed out front and she never looked like being caught as she upped the fractions into the straight to score a

3,50 length win in a time of 84,40 secs. Double Grand Slam (28-10) had no say with the winner, but looks likely to be better over a mile and ran on encouragingly for second ahead of the winner’s game stablemate Royals (33-1) in third. Gqeberha raider Luna Halo (16-1) was not disgraced in fourth, with Mrs Geriatrix 1,50 lengths behind her, after failing to accelerate in the straight after a luckless and horrific first half. Rascova has been a flagbearer for the sorely missed Drakenstein sire, Lancaster Bomber. 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 11

She was her sire’s first winner, his first black type winner when she won the Listed City Of Cape Town Summer Juvenile Stakes Christophe Soumillon on Met day, and now becomes the son of War Front’s first Gr2 winner! A R260 000 Cape Yearling Sale graduate, the Cheveley Stud-bred Rascova is out of the fivetime winning Western Winter mare, Netsuke. Now a winner of 3 races with 2 places from 8 starts, Rascova took her stakes earnings to R785 938.

Jockey Richard Fourie paid a sporting compliment to the winner and said that Mrs Geriatrix will be a better proposition at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Another runner to disappoint was the exciting Winter Cloud, who was trying a trip for the first time. She ran 13,60 lengths downfield on what was a very quiet day for the Bass-Robinson stable. Justin Snaith and Glen Kotzen enjoyed a double on the day.

Trainer Glen Kotzen gave the credit for Rascova settling to Chad Little, who rides her in work every day.

The Pick 6 pool produced a part carryover of R1 020 676 – 45. Let’s hope we get to see some of that injected when we return to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 26 November!

After Princess Calla’s solid effort in defeat on her season debut earlier in the card, Mrs Geriatrix’ effort will probably be debated by pundits for some weeks.

It was a tough day and luck is always probably going to be play more of a factor at the country course. But let’s take nothing away from the winners.

Craig Zackey and Glen Kotzen enjoy the big win | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

12 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 13

Anthony Andrews plays it cool as his dropped rein is not stopping Montien | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

14 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM! Piet Botha’s Dare 2 Dream Racing Team celebrated one of the most popular winners on a sundrenched Hollywoodbets Durbanville afternoon on Saturday when the Andrews family home-bred Montien ran the best race of his career to down a few big names in winning the R300 000 Gr3 Cape Mile. The 4yo Montien, a gelded son of the now retired SA Triple Crown winner Louis The King, who enjoyed no support at stud, made it a hat-trick of victories for Milnerton trainer Piet Botha, when he reeled in the free-striding and hard-ridden favourite Royal Aussie to win a cracker and open some big season options for his thrilled connections. Richard Fourie, who drew a rare blank scoresheet on the day, took the fight to the opposition as he allowed Royal Aussie to bowl out front. Into the home straight, Royal Aussie continued strongly with Montien three lengths off, but looking under pressure. But 300m out the landscape changed as Montien unwound a strong late run, despite jockey Anthony Andrews having dropped his rein. Finding his best stride, he

caught Royal Aussie, with Andrews displaying the horsemanship skills that comes from a lifetime in the saddle, as he casually picked up his dropped rein at the line. Montien (7-1) clocked 96,16 secs and beat Royal Aussie (5-1) going away by 0,40 lengths, with the luckless Cosmic Highway (8-1), who suffered traffic issues when Trip Of Fortune was pulled out, running on for third. “He was going straight so I focused on getting to the leader and winning the race,” said Andrews of his cucumber display in the last 50m. A delighted trainer Piet Botha, who clearly loves the character that is Montien, thanked his owners for affording him the privilege to train such a nice horse. Piet only has 27 odd horses in his yard, but boxes way above his weight and there is an amazing vibe in his stable. 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 15

Bred by Terry Andrews, Montien is clearly the best product of of SA Triple Crown winner Louis The King (Black Minnaloushe). He is out of the well-bred one-time winning Fort Wood mare, Hope Downs. The winner’s full-sisters Louis Gem and Louis’ Diamond have won two each.

Montien is raced by the winning jockey’s proud parents Terry & Annabel Andrews, Greg & Des Delponte & Matt Williams. Now a winner of 4 races with 5 places from 10 starts, Montien took his stakes earnings to R509 138.

Anthony Andrews salutes on Montien as Piet Botha, Aphiwe Gqonyovu, Des Delponte, Annabel Andrews and Terry Andrews enjoy the lead-in | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

16 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 17

18 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 19

BOOM! BALTIC SECRET UPS HER GAME 20 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

JP van der Merwe keeps Baltic Secret at her task to beat October Morn (Richard Fourie) in a thrilling finish | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 21

An intuitive ride by Bryanston Auctioneerssponsored JP van der Merwe produced the magic for the Snaith team and some more despair for favourite backers at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, when the 33-1 Baltic Secret grabbed first run on the favourite October Morn to win the R200 000 Listed Laisserfaire Stakes. After Princess Calla’s unlikely narrow defeat a half hour earlier, the highly regarded and fancied October Morn had to chase hard as JP van der Merwe grabbed the initiative and drove Baltic Secret forward to hold a 0,30 length advantage. October Morn, who changed ownership this

past week, was given a chance early, but had a minor traffic issue and just could not make up the ground on the sharp JP and his longshot, who had tracked the speedy pacesetter Candy Town all the way around. Clocking 57,30 secs for the 1000m, the lightly weighted Baltic Secret registered her maiden stakes success and showed enough promise as a 2yo to go on from here. A Maine Chance bred and raced daughter of Querari (Oasis Dream), the winner is out of the Captain Al two-time winner, Best Kept Secret. A winner of 2 races with 2 places from 5 starts, Baltic Secret took her earnings to R221 625.

Jono Snaith connects with the winner after a top effort | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

22 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 23

24 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 25

SPRING POWER INTO SUMMER v

Jono and the Snaith Racing Team lead Baltic Secret (JP van der Merwe) in | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

26 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 27

Not for the first time, descendants of the wonderful mare Mystic Spring (Royal Academy) have made a notable impression on the South African turf in recent weeks. Mystic Spring’s great grandson Snow Pilot (Lancaster Bomber) stamped his feature race credentials when running second in the G3 Cape Classic last month. The well-bred Snow Pilot, who shares his illfated sire with Saturday’s Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship winner Rascova, is the first runner for his dam Snowdance (Captain Al), a granddaughter of Mystic Spring. Bred on very similar lines to the Captain Al sired Gr1 winners All Is Secret and The Secret Is Out, Snowdance was a top class performer, whose five career wins included triumphs in both the 2017 Gr1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas, beating subsequent Horse Of The Year Oh Susanna (Street Cry), and the same season’s Gr1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes. Snowdance’s full-sister Victorian Secret was also in the headlines recently. Victorian Secret’s daughter Golden Sickle (Vercingetorix) picked up her first black-type win when she claimed the recent Listed National Colour Stakes at Turffontein. She is the first stakes winner for her dam, with Listed Laisserfaire Stakes/Listed Lady’s Pendant winner Victorian Secret having produced five winners in total, including Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes runner up Master Of Illusion (Master Of My Fate). Snowdance and Victorian Secret were produced by Mystic Spring’s Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winning daughter Spring Lilac (Joshua Dancer), whose ten winners also include Gr3 Drakenstein Cape Summer Stayers Handicap winner Navy Strength (Dynasty), Listed East Cape Breeders Stakes winner Juniper Spring (Captain Al), and Kings Cup runner up Captain Fontane (Captain Al). 28 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

The Mystic Spring influence was again felt at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, when Baltic Secret (Querari) won the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes - a race won previously by the aforementioned Victorian Secret.

Spring Lilac’s half-sister Secret Of Victoria (Goldkeeper) is best known as the dam of champion All Is Secret - whose daughter Highlyconfidential won the ninth and final race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday - and the latter’s Gr1 winning full-sister The Secret Is Out. But it was Secret Of Victoria’s daughter Best Kept Secret (Captain Al) who features as the dam of speedy filly Baltic Secret. The latter stamped herself as a hugely attractive stud prospect with her win on Saturday, having also finished third in last season’s Listed Somerset 1200. Baltic Secret is a first stakes winner for her dam, with Best Kept Secret having won twice over 1000 metres. Best Kept Secret’s granddam Mystic Spring is one of the most successful South Africa broodmares of recent years, with the Royal Academy relation of 2000 Guineas hero Mystiko having produced seven stakes winners, including champions Bela-Bela (Dynasty) and Rabiya (Jallad).

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 29

Philasande Mxoli keeps King Regent going to beat the odds-on Princess Calla and Richard Fourie Credit: Chase Liebenberg

KOTZEN’S KING LOWERS PRINCESS’ COLOURS The assessment proved spot-on and Princess Calla, who had not seen action in 14 weeks since beating See It Again in the HKJC Gr1 Champions Cup in KZN at the end of last season, was held by the gutsy Kotzen 4yo King Regent, who held on stoutly under Philasande Mxoli. Mxoli, who like Yuzae Ramzan a week earlier, was riding at his first ever meeting in the Cape, produced a strong ride on the 16-1 King Regent, who thwarted the 5-10 Princess Calla down his outside by 0,30 lengths in a time of 73,89 secs. Snaith speed champion Rio Querari (25-2) was back in third, with the winner’s stablemate Countdown (20-1) rounding off the quartet. Who would have thought there was a R 2 338-20 quartet dividend in this race? King Regent, rated some 18 pounds inferior to our Horse Of The Year, certainly ran above his 30 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

109 rating, but we will leave the penalties and assessments to the handicappers. King Regent and has now won 4 races with 6 places from 12 starts for stakes of R949 738. A R225 000 Cape Yearling Sale graduate, he was bred by Ridgemont Highlands and is a son of Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the three-time winning Mogok mare, Cup Of Rubies. Longstanding owners Gisela Burg and Martin Wickens have enjoyed a good run recently. They also race (and bred) recent Algoa Cup Festival feature winner Flower Of Saigon.

STALLIONS 2023

CANFORD CLIFFS

PAT H F O R K

(LIVE FOAL)

R20,000

R5,000

MALMOOS

P OTA L A PA L A C E

(LIVE FOAL)

N E W P R E D ATO R

RAFEEF

(LIVE FOAL)

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

R25,000

R12,500

R5,000

R70,000

REAL GONE KID FEE ON APPLICATION

TRADITION OF CHAMPIONS

Craig Carey | E: craig@ridgemont.co.za | M: +27 (0) 82 654 5169 | www.ridgemont.co.za

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 31

Cape Racing HQ – Hollywoodbets Kenilworth | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

A NEW ERA – IT’S OFFICIAL! 32 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

ourteen months after the gates were sprung on South African horseracing’s largest corporate financial transaction, the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board approved the acquisition of Kenilworth Racing (Pty) Ltd by Hollywood Sportsbook Holdings (Pty) Limited on 31 October 2023.

Hollywoodbets proudly announced this week that Cape Racing is now a wholly owned subsidiary of South Africa’s leading sportsbook operator, and that innovation and changes in personnel, philosophy, policy and bricks and mortar, have advanced at a rapid pace following the approval of the underlying transaction by the Competition Commission in April of this year.

confidence of all participants in this great sport has been revived.

“Horseracing remains an important component of our business. Hopefully, the acquisition of Gold Circle will be successfully completed in 2024,” he concluded. The concept of a ‘coastal racing’ operator is on the cards after the Members of Gold Circle Racing Club approved the sale of Gold Circle to Hollywoodbets on 19 September 2023. That transaction will now be subject to approval of the Competition Commission and the KwaZuluNatal Gaming & Betting Board.

Hollywoodbets has injected substantial investment into the infrastructure and facilities at the flagship Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racecourse, the Hollywoodbets Durbanville country course, and in the engine room of the sport in the region, the Milnerton Training Centre on the West Coast.

While Hollywoodbets Durbanville has fulfilled a vital role as a support venue in the build-up to the Cape’s high-class summer racing season, the return to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday 26 November has caused waves of excitement and unprecedented anticipation throughout the local racing community.

Hollywoodbets’ CEO, Suren Rampersadh said that they were delighted that this very strategic acquisition for the South African horseracing and breeding industry has been given the green light.

Once the improvements have been completed, plans are well advanced to hopefully elevate Hollywoodbets Kenilworth to rank amongst the top racecourses internationally. Exciting times indeed!

“It is well documented that Cape Racing has Media release by Hollywoodbets on Monday 13 been in the doldrums for years. Thousands November 2023. of jobs have been at risk. Stakeholders have been neglected and had become disillusioned. The renaissance of horseracing, not only in the Western Cape, but also in KwaZulu-Natal has begun. Hollywoodbets is taking this opportunity seriously and we are investing, accordingly,” he added. Mr Rampersadh continued that under the dynamic leadership of Hollywoodbets’ partner, Greg Bortz, the transformation towards a brighter future is unfolding at warp speed, and there are encouraging signs that the 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 33

34 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 35

MEDIA ‘MYTHS’ CLEARLY PEEVE NHA v

The National Horseracing Authority have urged pre-race presenters and racing journalists to utilize data to inform the betting public with facts, rather than perpetuating the myth that somehow, and despite the evidence, that older ‘hard knocking’ horses are difficult to beat. A marginally sarcastic quotation was provided by the racing regulator, and attributed to American economist, author, and social commentator Thomas Sowell, and could well be interpreted by the more sensitive amongst us as a swipe at the same time. The quote states: “It is usually futile to try to talk facts and analysis to people who are enjoying a sense of moral superiority in their ignorance.” In their weekly publication of the past weekend’s feature race ratings adjustments, the NHA handicappers noted that 3-year-olds comfortably accounted for the older ‘hard knocking’ horses in the Laisserfaire Handicap (Listed) at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, while it was also observed that the only 3-year-old in the Summer Pudding Handicap (Listed) run at Turffontein also comfortably accounted for the older ‘hard knocking’ runners in that event. This further confirms the recent Sophomore Crop Review published on 3 November 2023 by the Handicappers, where the data clearly showed that the 3-year-olds continually outperform their older counterparts at handicap terms. 36 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

‘It is usually futile to try to talk facts and analysis to people who are enjoying a sense of moral superiority in their ignorance’ v

Edward Rye wins first time for Tony Peter at Turffontein on Sunday | Credit: JC Photos

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 37

This sort of data should be mentioned by pre-race presenters and racing journalists to inform the betting public with facts, rather than perpetuating the myth that somehow and despite the evidence that older ‘hard knocking’ horses are difficult to beat. They also advised a deviation from the Handicapping Guidelines iro an exceptional performance for a 4yold Maiden Winner. The Handicappers deemed that Edward Roye put up an exceptional performance when easily beating a Maiden field at Turffontein on Sunday over the 1160m trip. In terms of the Handicapping Guidelines, the Handicappers would usually cap a 4-year-old at a 75 rating. The Handicappers deemed this performance to be exceptional as Edward Rye achieved

a performance figure of 83 (8 pounds higher than the suggested guideline cap) and won with ease. The time of the race was 1.84 seconds faster than the filly’s Maiden plate on the day and was the only time on the day that was faster than the class average time. The Handicappers further felt that this 4-yearold was not a typically well exposed 4-year-old maiden winner, as this was only his 4th career start. It was further considered that the winner was returning from a 236 day lay-off and having his first run for a new stable. Edward Rye was given a rating of 83 which was his performance figure for his win on the 12 November 2023.

PICK AND CHOOSE? The old Pick 6 carryover hobby horse has raised its ugly head again. An SP reader argues that players who came to the party – without any carryover carrot – on Saturday on the Gr1 rich Hollywoodbets Durbanville card to win a share of the biggest bet in racing – the flagship product – were not 38 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

given an opportunity to get their cash back today at the same venue. It’s a well debated issue this. Please click here and read more on www.sportingpost.co.za.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 39

JP van der Merwe drives Silver Sanctuary to victory as third-placed Emirate Gina (Ray Danielson) tries hard | Credit: JC Photos

40 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

A SAFE PASSAGE FOR DRAKENSTEIN FILLY 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 41

It’s been twelve years since Mike de Kock saddled Igugu to wear the champion trainer’s only SA Triple Tiara crown. On Sunday we saw a spark of hope from the same yard in the shape of the lightly raced Silver Sanctuary, who stepped up to win the R200 000 Listed Summer Pudding Handicap at Turffontein. Run in previous years as the Syringa Handicap, the mile feature attracted a competitive field of mixed age fairer sex gallopers, but it was Silver Sanctuary who proved equal to the task when she courageously found her way through a tight gap to stamp herself a 2024 SA Triple Tiara candidate. Scratched from her last start due to a mucus build-up, the 28-10 favourite benefitted from a cucumber cool ride by JP van der Merwe, to launch from the box seat inside the 200m and beat her gutsy year older stablemate Bonete

42 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

(5-1) by three quarters of a length in a time of 98,62 secs. Emirate Gina (10-1) loomed menacingly late in the race and was a head back in third. JP van der Merwe has forged a good relationship with Silver Sanctuary, and was capping his fifth ride on her with a first stakes success. It’s been a good week for JP – a treble at Turffontein on Thursday was followed by a victory in the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday on Baltic Secret, and a follow-up feature here. A full-sister to the 2023 Betway Summer Cup hopeful Safe Passage and, like the wellperformed Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner, also raced and bred by Drakenstein Stud, Silver Sanctuary is a daughter of our late multiple champion Silvano (Lomitas) out of the four-time winning Antonius Pius mare, My Sanctuary. She has now won 3 races with a place from her five starts for stakes of R245 000.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 43

FOREVER SEEKING SANCTUARY! 44 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

This modestly-priced yearling has exceeded all expectations and as good as her track record was, there’s no disputing she has scaled new heights as a broodmare My Sanctuary wins the Debutante in 2013 under the late Alec Forbes | Credit: Gold Circle

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 45

“What a mare,” remarked trainer Mike de Kock at Turffontein on Sunday following the inaugural running of the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap (formerly the Syringa), which went the way of his three-year-old charge Silver Sanctuary. The revered trainer was of course referring to the filly’s dam My Sanctuary, who by the way, produced another work of art from the yard, her full brother Safe Passage. The Silvano siblings race in the silks of their breeder Drakenstein Stud. From the first crop of the Danzig horse Antonius Pius, Highlands-bred My Sanctuary had been bought on spec as a yearling by the Duncan Howells stable for a paltry R55 000 and what a shrewd bargain she turned out to be. Described by Duncan as a “big, athletic filly, a typical sprinting type,” she was an ultraimpressive winner of her first two juvenile starts, both at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, to which she later added the Gr2 Debutante.

By the time her racing career was over, she was a four time winner and with earnings of R345 875, had returned her bargain purchase price almost seven times over. Sold privately to Drakenstein, My Sanctuary duly exchanged the hustle and bustle of the racetrack for the tranquillity of the broodmare paddocks and after producing winners to Kingsbarns and Futura, she came up trumps with Safe Passage, her third foal. He earned championship honours at three when his big-race haul included the Gr1 Daily News 2000, Gr2 Dingaans and Gr2 Gauteng Guineas, as well as taking the runner-up spot in the Gr1 SA Classic and third in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. Safe Passage returns to the Big T on 25 November for another crack at the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup, in a bid to go one better after his runner-up spot behind Puerto Manzano twelve months ago.

Silver Sanctuary cracks her maiden stakes in the Listed Summer Pudding on Sunday | Credit: JC Photos

46 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Safe Passage - leading Betway Summer Cup contender | Credit: JC Photos

Silver Sanctuary joined her full brother at the De Kock yard and she promptly kickstarted her racing career as a late juvenile with an impressive debut victory at the Vaal.

Now a freshly minted stakes winner, and clearly on an upward trajectory, Silver Sanctuary appears to have Triple Tiara contender written all over her.

Last weekend saw her pitched into the deep end whilst making her stakes bow against a doughty field of seasoned rivals as by far the least experienced runner, boasting two wins and a second from just four starts.

For the record, Drakenstein already has a Triple Tiara winner to its credit in dual champion Rain In Holland, who took the honours in 2022.

No hassles though, for she proved equal to the task and at the business end of the race, displayed a large dose of courage to squeeze through a narrow gap, before drawing clear for a maiden stakes success. Enough has been written to fill an encyclopaedia about the deeds of her late sire, for whom she is the 105th locally-bred stakes winner. Interesting to note that she is bred on the same lines as champion Vercingetorix, whose dam is by the National Assembly, like Antonius Pius a son of Danzig.

While Safe Passage and Silver Sanctuary are strutting their stuff on the racetrack, what’s next from My Sanctuary? Waiting in the wings are a juvenile colt by What A Winter purchased by the Azzie team for R1,1 million at this year’s National Yearling Sale, and a yearling full sister which is sure to be retained. This season, My Sanctuary has been covered by Drakenstein newcomer Jet Dark. This modestly-priced yearling has exceeded all expectations and as good as her track record was, there’s no disputing she has scaled new heights as a broodmare.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 47

48 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

KOTZEN FLYER

GOES TO 110

RASCOVA has had her merit rating raised from 104 to 110 following her success in the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship for three-year-olds over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday 11 November. The Handicappers were of the view that fourth placed LUNA HALO would not have run below her best ability in this Gr2 event and accordingly opted to use her as a line horse in rating the Western Cape Fillies Championship. There were ratings’ increases also for four other fillies. Second placed DOUBLE GRAND SLAM was adjusted from 99 to 104, ROYALS received a 9 pounds adjustment from 94 to 103. These adjustments will ensure that all of the first four past the post will meet on correct handicap terms in the future, both second and third should not be rated lower than the 103 rated line horse LUNA HALO as they beat her here at level weights in this Gr2 contest. The only other increase was for JUST BE LEKKER, who went up 2 points from 97 to 99. The only runner to receive a drop in ratings was FRANCINE, who dropped from 101 to 98. Cape Mile (Gr3) MONTIEN had his rating adjusted from 99 to 105 after winning the Gr3 Cape Mile over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that fourth placed MONEY HEIST made for the most suitable line horse and as such he remained unchanged on his rating of 106. In rating the race this way MONTIEN actually runs to a mark of 108 but had to be capped at 105

due to the specific race conditions that state that the winner may only be increased by a maximum adjustment of 6 points and the placed horses may not be increased. The following horses were given a ratings’ drop, DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE was dropped from 125 to 120, LINEBACKER from 114 to 110 and FUTURE PRINCE was dropped from 96 to 93. Laisserfaire Stakes (Listed) The 3-year-old filly, BALTIC SECRET, had her rating adjusted from 93 to 101 after landing the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the view that the 4-year-old filly HUNTING TRIP made for the most suitable line horse here, especially as the first four positions in this handicap event was dominated by unexposed 3-year-olds. The winner here was fully 8 pounds under sufferance in the benchmarked Handicap (benchmarked 52kg = 88). The unlucky OCTOBER MORN received an increase of 2 pounds from 103 to 105. ONI SAN and CANDY TOWN who were both under sufferance received adjustments from 89 to 98 and 94 to 96 respectively. Two horses received a rating’s drop, PACIFIC GREEN was dropped from 90 to 88 and AMEENA was dropped from 108 to 106. 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 49

Summer Pudding Handicap (Listed) formerly the Syringa Handicap (Listed) The only 3-year-old filly to participate here, SILVER SANCTUARY, has seen her rating increased from 96 to 107 in the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap over 1600m at Turffontein on Sunday 12 November. EMIRATE GINA was considered to be the most suitable line horse, and she remains on a rating of 105.

It should be noted that SILVER SANCTUARY was actually 8 pounds under sufferance hence her ratings increase of 11 pounds. Five horses received drops - MAGICAL FLIGHT was dropped from 89 to 88, JULIET TANGO was dropped from 94 to 92, CRIMSON PRINCESS was dropped from 99 to 97, TERRA TIME was cut from 92 to 89 and SISTER LIGHT was given a 2-pound drop from 90 to 88.

KHATHI – 4 MONTHS OFF

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Durban on Tuesday, 7 November 2023, Jockey Robert Khathi was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.1. Whilst riding Cape Eagle he failed to take all reasonable measures throughout the race to ensure that this gelding was given a

50 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing. Khathi pleaded not guilty but was found guilty of the charge. He was suspended from riding in races for a period of 120 days and has the right of Appeal against both the finding and the penalty.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 51

52 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 53

‘The greatest quality pedigree in the world today could create the world’s best stallion tomorrow’

Auguste Rodin wins the Breeders Cup Turf recently | Credit: Coolmore

AUGUSTE RODIN AND THE SEARCH FOR GREATNESS This week Robin Bruss examines the crafted pedigree construct that has led to Auguste Rodin and why he can become the next great sire. It takes a rare breed of breeder to send a mare 8800 km across the world to be mated to a particular stallion with the determined aim to breed a great racehorse. What makes it rarer, is that the mating is built on obvious stamina – an Irish Galileo mare to Japanese Deep Impact, a mix of Classic 2400m to Classic and professionally stout 3200m stamina.

54 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

This is the rare domain of the owner-breeder, willing to take the risk in the hope of Classic greatness, following in the footsteps of the increasingly smaller group of private breeders where success or failure is measured not in the yearling market, but by what Tesio called “the block of wood – that is the winning post of the English Derby”. What makes Coolmore’s mating of Galileo’s daughter Rhododendron to the 10x champion sire Deep Impact appear on the face of it to be decidedly risky, is that stamina to stamina might not produce the intended Champion and Derby winner who might become the successor to 13x Champion Sire Galileo at stud one day.

It might just as easily have produced an Ascot Gold Cup winner, who in today’s age, tends to find himself as a flagbearer for National Hunt! But in this case, there are two pedigree constructs in the make-up of the resulting colt foal AUGUSTE RODIN, that are so masterful, and so well constructed, it is easy to pass the opinion that he is the best bred horse in the world right now. Firstly and foremostly, there is the build-up of RACING CLASS in his pedigree at a depth of eliteness I have not previously seen. Let me explain: There are 65 countries that race and around 600 000 thoroughbreds in the world. To win at Group 1 level is a probability of around 1 in every 1000 horses globally. Group 1 winners therefore comprise 0,001% of the population. As I see it, if you look at a pedigree and focus on the names in the first three generations of parents, grandparents and great-grandparents,

there are 14 antecedants which can be classified by their own racing ability. It’s a simple method which it tells us far more about the depth of pedigree than publishing three generations of the female line that’s printed on a catalogue page. In the case of August Rodin, we see that these 14 ancestors comprise twelve Group 1 winners. That is, 100% of his two parents and 100% of his four grandparents were ALL Gr1 Winners. In the third generation, its six out of eight. That is, 86% of horses in his first three generations are Group 1 and within the top 0,001% of the breed. It’s the very tip of the pyramid of class. The two ancestors which are not Gr1 winners are Alzao and Burgclere, sire and dam of Wind In Her Hair, the Gr1 winning mare who foaled champion Deep Impact. Alzao, who is amongst the rare band of stallions to sire 100 SW, was a Gr3 winner himself, by Gr1W Lyphard out of Gr2W Lady Rebecca by Gr1W Sir Ivor.

Auguste Rodin seen winning the Irish Derby | Credit: Coolmore

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 55

Rhododendron wins the Lockinge | Credit:

He comfortably fits into the top 3% of the breed. beating the colts. It was a Gr1 race before and after she won it but officially a Gr2 in her year. She was second in the July Cup Gr1 at Burgclere was bred by HM The Queen and broke her maiden at 14 furlongs and ran 4th in Newmarket and clearly a Group 1 performer. I count them both in the elite class. the Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr2) at Royal Ascot and was by European Champion triple Gr1 If all roads lead to Mecca, to coin a phrase, in winner Busted out of Highclere, who won the 1000 Guineas Gr1 and the French Oaks Gr1, as Auguste Rodin’s case, all roads lead to Group 1. royally bred as one can be ! One caveat : Deep Impact’s sire, the Kentucky Derby (Gr1) winner Sunday Silence, was by Gr1 winner Halo from the tough, sound and game Wishing Well, who won 12 races in 38 starts including the 1980 Gamely S. for fillies and mares. The race was only accorded Gr1 status three years later in 1983. Also Cassandra Go, the 3rd dam of Auguste Rodin, won the Kings Stands S. at Royal Ascot 56 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

His two parents won 6 Gr1 races, his four grandparents won 12 Gr1s and, eight great grandparents another 8 Gr1s. Total 26 Group 1 wins plus his own five Gr1s. Total 31. When the time comes for Auguste Rodin to go to stud, I relish the thought that dipping into any part of his gene pool, whether he breeds to his own sterling performance of five Group 1 wins or that of his champion antecedents, the elite traits will spill into his progeny like confetti at a wedding.

By comparison, 13x Champion Sire GALILEO, won 3 Gr1s and by Gr1W Sadlers Wells from the Arc Gr1 winning heroine Urban Sea. Seven of the 14 (50%) of his antecedents in three generations won 9 Gr1 races. With his 3, the total is 12. Similarly for his half-brother Sea The Stars. Seven antecedents out of 14 won 7 Gr1s. With his own 6 Gr1s, the total is 13. Neither are as well -bred as Auguste Rodin, with his total of 31. All of this depth would have been known at the time of the mating and would have created a sense of confidence in the predictability of the mating which produced Auguste Rodin. The second part of the construct that is masterful is the blend of speed AND stamina, which must have reassured the Coolmore team that the result was unlikely to be a two mile plodder.

The story starts in 2006 when Coolmore’s Demi O’Byrne finds a yearling filly at Goffs that is bred for pure speed by Irish breeder Trevor Stewart, who had the raced the dam Cassandra Go and developed the whole family. She is by the 5f Nunthorpe S. winner Pivotal out of the 6f Royal Ascot Kings Stand S. winner Cassandra Go, by another Kings Stand S. winner Indian Ridge. Demi pays €450,000 for her on behalf of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derek Smith and she is named Halfway to Heaven. This fountainhead of speed begins the Coolmore story. Despite her speed origins, Aidan O Brian trains her to win a 7f juvenile maiden and then aims her at the French 1000 Guineas Gr1.

Galileo 1-2 in the Fillies Mile as Rhododendron beats Hydrangea | Credit:

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 57

In a normal year, she might have won the French Classic, but this was no normal year, it’s the all-time greatest running. Halfway to Heaven finishes third behind the brilliant Zarkava (unbeaten in 7 starts, five Gr1s including the Arc) and in second was all time great Goldikova (who won 13 Gr1 racs).The time unsurprisingly was a new race record! Halfway to Heaven then wins the Irish 1000 Guineas (Gr1) at a mile, and when stepped up to 10 furlongs, she adds the Nassau S. (Gr1) and completes the season by winning the Sun Chariot S. (Gr1) at a mile. It’s three Gr1’s and her speed pedigree, has been coaxed into being extended into a mile and then a mile and a quarter. Speed that stays. Speed that accelerates. The hallmarks that Great Horses must have. The late Deep Impact | Credit: Shadai Stallion Station

58 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

She is an ideal mate for the Derby winner and champion sire Galileo to take the speed one step further: the Classic mile and half. She is mated to Galileo 6 times in a row. Five of them are winners. One colt Flying the Flag becomes a Gr3 Winner at 1400m and is now at stud in South Africa. Coolmore hits the jackpot with two of the fillies, Rhododendron and Magical. The two full sisters are phenomenal. Rhododendron is tough and sound enough to run 19 times, she has enough speed to win the Ascot Fillies Mile (Gr1) at 2 years and follows with the Lockinge S.(Gr1) over a mile against the colts, wins the Prix l’Opera (Gr1) at 10f in Paris, and places in the 1000 Guineas (Gr1), English Oaks (Gr1) behind Enable and the Breeders Cup Fillies & Mares (Gr1).

She earns four championship titles, the most important is Champion Older Female in Europe 2018. She is best up to 10 furlongs, but doesn’t quite get the mile and a half. Her year younger sister Magical is even tougher, and an amazing globetrotter.

This mix of speed and stamina is a perfect demonstration of all the qualities that offer the best of both worlds, with all the toughness and soundness and durability that stamina brings, together with speed that is the hallmark of acceleration in champion horses.

She earns the same European Champion title twice as well as four other titles including Best Older Female on the World Rankings.

Where to next?

Rhododendron, Champion daughter of Champion Galileo and triple Gr1 Classic winner She races 28 times for 12 wins (7 Group 1, five Halfway to Heaven is sent to Japan to go to the Yoshida’s super 10x Champion Sire, Deep of them defeating colts) from 7 furlong to 12 furlongs, and 14 places (11 Group 1), she starts Impact, whose three Gr1 wins were at 2400m., 2500m and 3200m. in 5 countries, and earns £5 million. Whereas Rhododendron wins a Gr1 at 2, Magic misses The colt foal is AUGUSTE RODIN, born back by a short head to win with Moyglare Stud S. in Ireland, with the likely promise of inherited Gr1 over 7f, but she stays the one and half speed, precociousness, Classic ability at 3 miles well. years, and the toughness and soundness so ably demonstrated by his champion mother and her champion sister, as well as Deep Impact himself. AUGUSTE RODIN fulfills his potential : he wins a Gr2 at 7f and a Gr1 at a mile as a 2 year old so comprehensively that he is winter favourite for the Classics. He lapses in the Guineas, but storms home in the Derby (Gr1) and Irish Derby (Gr1) at 12f, adds another Gr1 in the 10f Irish Champion Stakes, and concludes the season with a 5th Gr1 by adding the Breeders Cup Turf in America in dazzling style. He has Speed WITH Stamina. A decision was made this week that Auguste Rodin will stay in training to race as a 4 year old. This is grand news for three reasons : Firstly, to emulate the toughness of his father Deep Impact who won 12 of his 14 races, as well his dam Rhododendron, who raced 19 times and won Gr1 races at each of 2, 3 and 4 years, a rare achievement. Secondly, the purpose of breeding is to enjoy the sport of racing with the fans. 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 59

Thirdly, generational breeders thoroughly test and demonstrate the calibre, quality, toughness and soundness of their horses as much as to demonstrate talent. Greatness lies in thoroughly proving that you are up to the test, as your parents did before you. Longevity also builds respect, its builds a fan base, a willingness to follow greatness and show up to see the champion run. Five Gr1 wins is exceptional for any horse, but the truly greats like Nearco and Ribot and Hyperion and Frankel – they show up at 4 years old and put it on the line time and again. They become the legends of the breed. Beautiful, elegant, quality Auguste Rodin

looks like a horse still maturing, and his superb light action and exceptional stretch with grand acceleration could see him elevate from champion 3 year old to the Horse of the Year in Europe, or perhaps even challenge the mantle for best Horse of the World. Aidan O’ Brien remarked after the Breeders Cup Turf that Auguste Rodin is an important horse as his pedigree bridges two continents. As he races on, the world’s best pedigree could become the world’s best racehorse, then ultimately the world’s best classic stallion. Only then the Masterclass of John Magnier and the Coolmore empire will be complete.

The Sporting Post welcomes Robin Bruss as a guest columnist. Robin is a widely respected industry expert and a man with an encyclopaedic knowledge of horseracing and breeding. He has been involved with the sport all of his life, as a Gr1 winning owner and breeder, agent, auctioneer, journalist, television presenter, researcher, administrator and consultant.

60 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

EXPERT EYE

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 61

EXPERT EYE (GB) | 2015 | 16 hh v

Try My Best

Waajib Coryana

Royal Applause Auction Ring

Flying Melody Whispering Star

ACCLAMATION

Lorenzaccio

Ahonoora Helen Nichols

Princess Athena Floribunda

Shopping Wise Sea Melody Danzig

Danehill Razyana

Dansili Kahyasi

Hasili Kerali

EXEMPLIFY

Mr Prospector

Distant View Seven Springs

Quest To Peak Nureyev

Viviana Nijinsky Star

Northern Dancer Sex Appeal Sassafras Rosolini Bold Bidder Hooplah Sound Track Peggy West Klairon Phoenissa Martial Quaker Girl Princely Gift Astrentia Tudor Minstrel Cowes Northern Dancer Pas De Nom His Majesty Spring Adieu Ile De Bourbon Kadissya High Line Sookera Raise A Native Gold Digger Irish River La Trinite Northern Dancer Special Nijinsky II Chris Evert

the G1 Middle Park Stakes (1200m), G1 Haydock Sprint Cup (1200m), G2 Gimcrack Stakes (1200m) and G3 Coventry Stakes (1200m). Royal Applause is also the broodmare sire of multiple G1 winner Blue Point. Acclamation won the G2 Diadem Stakes and was placed in the G2 Temple Stakes, G2 King’s Stand Stakes (behind Choisir, beating Oasis Dream), and the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes (behind Oasis Dream). Acclamation has sired some of the best sprinter/milers of recent times - Battaash, Harry Angel, Real World, Mecca’s Angel, Romantic Warrior, Equiano, Marsha (sold for a record 6 million guineas as a filly in training), Harbour Watch, Aclaim, Dark Angel, Mehmas, etc. Acclamation has founded his own ‘sire-line’, and is the sire of current leading sires Dark Angel, Mehmas and Harry Angel - Dark Angel’s 2023 stud fee is €60,000, and Mehmas’ stud fee is also €60,000.

SIRE: ACCLAMATION

ACCLAMATION went on to prove himself a leading sprinter before becoming Champion First Season Sire. He subsequently achieved great success at stud and went on to sire G1 producing sons and daughters, which heaps enormous credit on this son of Royal Applause. Acclamation was bred to be precocious - his dam Princess Athena won the G3 Queen Mary Stakes (1000m), and his sire Royal Applause won 62 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

BROODMARE SIRE: DANSILI

DANSILI was Champion Sire in France in 2006 and has become an exceptional broodmare sire producing group winners Nezwaah, Cliffs Of Moher, Chicquita, Time Test, Snow Sky, Agent Murphy, Astaire, Dream Of Dreams, Naval Crown, Danon The Kid, Uni, etc. His successful sire sons include Bated Breath, Zoffany, Harbinger, etc. Dansili (stud fee £65,000), was pensioned in 2018, and his influence will be felt for many years to come through his sons and daughters.

FEMALE LINE 1st Dam EXEMPLIFY (Dansili) - winner at 2. Dam of 6 winners incl: EXPERT EYE (Acclamation), won 5 races, £1,369,751 in GB and USA at 2 and 3 years, Breeders’ Cup Mile G1, Vintage S G2, Jersey S G3, City of York S G3; 2nd Sussex S G1, Greenham S G3; 3rd Prix du Moulin G1, from 10 starts. TFR 124. Sire. Duty Of Care (Kingman), 4 wins in GB. Invigilate (Acclamation), 2 wins in Germany. 2nd Dam QUEST TO PEAK (Distant View) - raced once. Dam of 6 winners: SPECIAL DUTY (Hennessy), Champion 2yo Filly in Europe. Champion 2yo Filly in France & GB. 4 wins 2 at 2 from 11001600m, £323,589, €434,240, Poule d’Essai des Pouliches G1, Cheveley Park S G1, The One Thousand Guineas G1, Prix Robert Papin G2; 2nd Prix Morny G1, Prix Yacowlef L; 3rd Prix Imprudence G3. Dam of: TASK FORCE (Frankel), 2 wins at 2 in 2023, Champion 2yo Trophy L. ELEGANT VERSE (Galileo), 2 wins including Prix Dirickx L. Structure, dam of: Snow House (Twirling Candy), 2 wins; 3rd Dwyer S G3, Carle Place S L. South Bank (Tapit), 2nd Prix Yacowlef L. Presidency (Oasis Dream), Champion Male Sprinter in Spain. 7 wins to 1400m, €170,650; 3rd Prix Servanne L; 4th Prix de RisOrangis G3. Ventoux (Galileo), winner at 2400m in France. Dam of: Colombier (Kingman), 2 wins at 1600m, 2000m in 2023; 3rd Prix Daphnis G3.

3rd Dam VIVIANA (Nureyev) - 3 wins at 2000m, incl Prix des Tuileries L, Prix Mélisande L; 2nd Prix de Psyché G3. Sister to Willstar (dam of ETOILE MONTANTE, UNO DUO), three-quarter-sister to DANCE DREAMER, half-sister to REVASSER, HOMETOWN QUEEN (dam of BOWMAN’S BAND). Dam of 5 winners: SIGHTSEEK (Distant View), Joint second top filly on The 2003 International 4YO+ Classification. 12 wins from 1200m to 1800m, $2,445,216, Beldame S G1 (twice), Ruffian H G1, Ogden Phipps H G1 (twice), Go For Wand H G1, Humana Distaff H G1, Rampart H G2, Top Flight H G2, Raven Run S G3; 2nd Santa Margarita H G1, Santa Monica H G1, Go for Wand H G1, La Canada S G2. Dam of: Raison d’Etat (AP Indy), 2 wins; 3rd Discovery Handicap G3. Sire. TATES CREEK (Rahy), 11 wins from 1100m to 2000m, $1,471,674, Yellow Ribbon S G1, Gamely H G1, Diana H G2, Las Palmas H G2, San Gorgonio H G2, Noble Damsel H G3, Jenny Wiley S G3, Finlandia Cup H L; 2nd John C Mabee H G1, Just A Game H G3. Dam of: SPIRIT RIDGE (Nathaniel), 7 wins, Summer Cup G3, Premier’s Cup G3; 2nd Sky High S G3, Premier’s Cup G3, Tattersall’s Cup G3; 3rd Hobart Cup G3, Launceston Cup G3. Routine (Empire Maker), dam of: TIDE OF THE SEA (English Channel), 5 wins, $543,237, WL McKnight S G3, Japan Turf Cup L; 2nd Fort Marcy S G2, Mac Diarmida S G2, Grand Couturier S L; 3rd John’s Call S L. Flourish (Distorted Humor), 2 wins at 1700m, 1900m. Dam of: FULSOME (Into Mischief), 8 wins, $1,244,553, Matt Winn S G3, Smarty Jones S G3, Governor’s S G3, Oaklawn Mile S G3; 2nd Fayette S G2; 3rd Clark S G1, Indiana Derby G3.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 63

THE G1 BREEDERS’ CUP MILE WINNER WITH 2YO BRILLIANCE - TIMEFORM 124 v

SOUTH AFRICAN COMPARISONS CHAMPION SIRES BY TIMEFORM RATING

ABADAN II WILWYN DRUM BEAT HIGH VELDT SILVANO EXPERT EYE VERCINGETORIX VAR FAIRTHORN FOVEROS TRIPPI PERSIAN WONDER ROYAL PREROGATIVE GOLDEN THATCH FORT WOOD NEW SOUTH WALES PREAMBLE II AL MUFTI PENT HOUSE II NOBLE CHIEFTAIN 64 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

1947 1948 1953 1953 1996 2015 2009 1999 1942 1976 1997 1959 1969 1976 1990 1961 1952 1985 1952 1952

Front cover and page 2 photos © Melanie Sauer

131 131 131 126 126 124 124 123 122 121 121 119 119 118 117 116 115 112 109 107

EXPERT EYE v

(GB) 2015 by Acclamation - Exemplify (Dansili)

• Sire of Royal Ascot stakes-winning 2yo SNELLEN and G3 winning 2yo JUNIPER BERRIES. His stakes placed horses include Witness Stand, Isabel Alexandra, Beautifulnavigator and Violet Gibson. • Sire of 38 2yo winners. • G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner by Acclamation, a sire of top class 2yo’s and sire of top class two-year-old sires - Dark Angel and Mehmas. • The only son of Acclamation to win a G1 over a mile - with a higher Timeform rating (124) than Dark Angel (113), Mehmas (115) and Acclamation himself (118). • Won the G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot by the biggest winning margin this century. • Winner of the G2 Vintage Stakes as a 2yo in a performance described by Timeform as “arguably the most striking performance by a 2yo in a Pattern race all year”. • A fourth generation Juddmonte homebred from the family of Champion 2yo Filly in Europe and dual Classic winner, SPECIAL DUTY. • “He’s naturally precocious, very well-balanced, well developed and mature. You would have to say that he’s the best two-year-old that I have had for quite a while. He’s been pretty natural from the beginning. Before we ran him we knew that he was pretty smart, as he has always shown speed and been very athletic”. - Sir Michael Stoute

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 65

EXPERT EYE (GB) - RACE RECORD v

AGE

STARTS

WINS

PLACED

EARNED

2yo: 3yo:

3 7

2 3

117,463 1,252,288

TOTAL

£1,369,751

TWO YEAR OLD Joint 4th top rated 2yo colt in Europe in 2017. © Dan Abraham

Won Insurance Novice Stakes, Newbury, (1300m. beating Mutakatif and Barraquero). Vintage Stakes G2, Goodwood.

Won Vintage Stakes G2, Goodwood, by 4,5 lengths (1400m. beating Zaman and Mildenberger). THREE YEAR OLD Won Breeders’ Cup Mile G1, Churchill Downs (1600m beating Catapult and Analyze It).

Photo: Juddmonte Farms

Won Jersey Stakes G3, Royal Ascot, by 4,5 lengths (1400m beating Society Power and Could It Be Love). Won Sky Bet City of York Stakes G3, York (1400m. beating Gordon Lord Byron and Arbalet). 2nd

Qatar Sussex Stakes G1, Goodwood (1600m to Lightning Spear).

2nd

Al Basti Equiworld Supporting Greatwood Greenham Stakes G3, Newbury (1400m to James Garfield),

3rd

Prix du Moulin de Longchamp G1, Lonchamps (1600m to Recoletos).

Credit: Reuters

Breeders’ Cup Mile G1, Churchill Downs.

Sky Bet City of York Stakes G3, York. 66 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Jersey Stakes G3, Royal Ascot.

EXPERT EYE (GB) - PROGENY

SNELLEN (2yo filly) winner of the Chesham Stakes L (colts and fillies) at Royal Ascot over 1400m.

JUNIPER BERRIES (2yo filly) wins the Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes G3 at Salisbury over 1200m.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 67

EXPERT EYE v

Now Syndicating (Limited Shares Available)

Leading GB/IRE based Sires in Europe by Stakes (TDN). 1st Crop Sires 2022 1 Havana Grey (GB) 2 Sioux Nation (USA) 3 Saxon Warrior (JPN) 4 Harry Angel (IRE) 5 Zoustar (AUS) 6 Kessaar (IRE) 7 Expert Eye (GB) 8 U S Navy Flag (USA) 9 Cracksman (GB) 10 Tasleet (GB) 2nd Crop Sires 2023 1 Cracksman (GB) 2 Havana Grey (GB) 3 Sioux Nation (USA) 4 Saxon Warrior (JPN) 5 Harry Angel (IRE) 6 Zoustar (AUS) 7 Tasleet (GB) 8 Expert Eye (GB) 9 U S Navy Flag (USA) 10 Kessaar (IRE)

(*to 1 November 2023)

Paardeberg Stud Vryguns Road

Contact: Sally Bruss

Agter Paarl

+27 (0)66 220 1587

Western Cape South Africa, 7630 68 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

sally@paardebergstud.com paardebergstud.com

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 69

Tristan powers home on the Gulf Racing Club’s Barzalona | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

70 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

TRISTAN FLYING WITH FOUR! While the spotlight was firmly focused on the big guns at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, a career best achievement for Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Tristan Godden and Summerveld trainer Mike Miller respectively, had the champagne corks popping in the KZN Capital City. The 27 year old Tristan Godden has enjoyed a good year and his season averages also received a welcome boost courtesy of Saturday’s four-timer. In April he registered his first career graded stakes success when he won the R200 000 Gr3 Byerley Turk on the Miller stable’s Strawberry Bear for the Miller yard, and owners Sterling Miller and Tony Jelinski – names that featured prominently on the honour roll at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. “It’s all about enjoying the support and having the horses to ride. The Miller yard are a professional and happy operation and I’m very fortunate to be able to consider myself a member of their team,” Tristan told the Sporting Post on Sunday. He got the ball rolling in the third race, the first leg of the Pick 6, as the fancied Flight Maneuver made short work of her rivals, coming home well clear of Elusive Belle In the fifth, Tristan was back in the winner’s enclosure with the

favourite Billy Of Tea staying on gamely as he went 2400m for the first time, getting the better of the filly Lady Is A Champ who had the benefit of 4kg claimer James Lihaba. Tristan then tells of the win that gave him the most pleasure on the day. “Every winner is like gold, but Sabatini is one of my favourites and she won the sixth race to finally register her second career victory. She had 61,5kgs on her back and we were up their all the way. She went all the way to the line and won rather well. She could follow up now that her confidence is back,” he added. Tristan says that he had ridden many doubles, so registering the treble on Sabatini meant it was a good day! Then came the dealmaker! “Barzalona was previously based with Candice Bass-Robinson down in the Cape and had some fair form down there. This was his second run for us and Mr Craig Eudey introduced a masterstroke via the fitment of the blinkers, which made the difference. We were taking on a good field. 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 71

He relaxed and kicked on late. He can go on and follow up on this!” observed Tristan. Interestingly, Barzalona went into Saturday’s race off a 92 merit rating, having dropped from a high of 106. His owners Gulf Racing Club Syndicate (Nom: Mr K Felix), Pound Bloodstock (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr Sterling M Miller) & Messrs G C Cornwall, Petrus du Toit & R T Smart will take the win with both hands and could be in for some more fun based on this performance. Resident in Hillcrest and engaged to Bianca Smit, Tristan has an ethic of hard work – so much so that he hasn’t seen his family, who are only a few hours away in Richard’s Bay, for six months. “We are racing or riding work seven days a week. So as much as I’d like to go and visit my family, I need to maintain the momentum. It’s all about hard work and opportunities,” he says again. Tristan has never ridden in the Western or Eastern Cape, and doesn’t travel – as much as he’d love to if given the opportunity. Mom is a schoolteacher and Dad owns an engineering business and their son certainly has made giant strides and matured into a rider of great strength since his first ride on the Yogas Govender-trained Moon Frost for Plattner Racing at Clairwood Park on 15 September 2013.

His first win came at Clairwood on 11 May 2014. It was on a horse called Secret Traveller for Kumaran Naidoo. Tristan explains that eight years on, his professional life allows him to stay fit and enjoy some of his hobbies. He tries to get time to go and drop a line in the water or play a video game to relax. “I’m fortunate that my weight is consistent at around 54 kgs. So I can also enjoy the experience of visiting and enjoying restaurants!” he laughs. We asked him if he is happy with his 15 winners this season, at a strike rate of 11%. “I am always striving to raise my game. Saturday’s four-timer was a mathematical and confidence booster. I am excited about the Miller yard’s string of youngsters. They probably have their best group of horses that I have experienced and their record with 2yo’s is there for all to see.” The first 2yo race is at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 3 December. Does Tristan have an ace up his sleeve? “With the incentives paid by BSA, we all want to win the juvenile races. It’s become a competitive zone, but we do have some lovely youngsters,” he smiles.

MILLER TIME! All of Tristan Godden’s four winners were trained by Summerveld conditioner Mike Miller who charged into the lead on the KZN Trainers Championship log after his five-timer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

going gun to tape to win the last on the 16-1 Ninety Nine Heros.

With an ill Mike watching the action from home, veteran assistant Craig Eudey (a former trainer himself) saddled the eleven Miller runners on a memorable day.

Mike Miller’s son Sterling had a share in all five of the winners, having never had more than a double before. Two of the five Miller winners were partowned by Ben Sahd, whose Waterford Stud have a strong relationship with the Miller yard. Two of the winners were also part-owned by another big supporter of the yard, the enthusiastic Tony Jelinski.

After Godden’s quartet, Mathew Thackeray capped memorable Miller day when 72 | 15aNOVEMBER 2023

The Miller quintuple arrived at cumulative win odds of over 6000-1!

Tristan chats to Warren Lenferna | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 73

74 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 75

76 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

RIVERTON’S ONE WORLD PADDOCK POWER! Riverton Stud pulled off a notable feat when they sold a Captain Al filly for R2 900 000 at the National Sale a few years ago. Named Cousin Liz, she showed plenty of ability early on when winning her first two starts impressively, with Cousin Liz making a big impression when victorious in the Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery of 2019. Riverton will be offering a three-parts sister to the classy Cousin Liz at the 2023 November Two Year Old Sale, with the filly (Lot 103) on sale sired by Captain Al’s champion son One World. The latter, a stakes winner at two, three and four, was an exceptional racehorse who defeated champions Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam, Vardy and Do It Again when he won the 2016 Gr1 Sun Met. One World, who earned more than R5.631 million in prize money, won 10 of just 14 starts and was never out of the first three, with his other notable victories including the Gr2 Concorde Cup and Gr3 Winter Guineas. One of more than 100 stakes winners for his outstanding sire, One World, a half-brother to the stakes placed Count To Ten, hails from the immediate family of French Gr1 winners Al Wukair and Caerlina, with his broodmare sire Giant’s Causeway also damsire of the outstanding stallion Gun Runner. Fiesta Queen, the dam of Cousin Liz and the filly on offer, has proved to be an excellent producer. A winning half-sister to Gr1 Empress Club Stakes winner Fair Maiden (herself dam of Gr3 Acacia Handicap victress Lady Of Steel), Fiesta Queen has thrown seven winners from eight runners, and is the dam of four black type horses -each of whom was sired by a different stallion.

Cousin Liz is one of two graded stakes winners for her dam, with Fiesta Queen also responsible for Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap/G3 Chairman’s Cup winner Gimme One Night. The latter, who earned more than R800 000 in stakes, finished in the first three in no fewer than six black type races. Other smart performers produced by Fiesta Queen are Listed Champion Juvenile Stakes third Demogogue and speedy filly Queen Of Alamo. The latter won four times over 1000m and also finished third in the Listed Kwazulu-Natal Stakes. Fiesta Queen, who also numbers Gr2 Hawaii Stakes winner Braggadaccio and Listed East Cape Guineas winner Azeroth as half-brothers, hails from an exceptional female line with this family also responsible for Gr1 Argus Guineas winner Alpha Omega, Equus Champion It’s My Turn, last season’s Gr3 Track And Ball Derby winner Runaway Song, and this season’s very exciting three-year-old Gimmeanotherchance. The latter romped home to a facile more than three length win in last season’s Listed The Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes before flying up late to be just touched off, by subsequent Gr1 winner and Equus Champion Sandringham Summit, in the Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe. The Sprint is interactive – find the catalogue page by clicking here!

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE FIND THE CATALOGUE PAGE BY CLICKING HERE!

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 77

78 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

MAJOR APOLLO SISTER TO IMPRESS The Riverton Stud bred champion Captain Of All, one of the best sprinters to grace the South African turf this century, enjoyed a very good term with his two-year-olds last season. Among the Captain Of All juveniles to impress last season was classy filly Captain’s Christy, beaten just a short-head when second in the Gr2 World Pool With Gold Circle Debutante, debut winners Elusive Winter and Meu Capitano, and the very talented Jerusalema Rain. First or second in each of his five starts last season, Jerusalema Rain caught the eye when finishing second, to subsequent Gr1 winner Lucky Lad, in the Gr2 World Sports Betting SA Nursery. The classy Jerusalema Rain went on to beat subsequent Equus Champion Sandringham Summit over 1160m before finishing second, to the highly rated Main Defender, in the Bloodstock SA Sales Cup (C and G) on Hollywoodbets Durban July day. Captain Of All, whose progeny also include Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby/Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner Linebacker and fellow graded stakes winners Shango and Springs Of Carmel, is also the sire of speedy filly Kiss Me Captain. The latter ran out an easy winner of last season’s Listed Swallow Stakes before finishing second in both the G3 Sycamore Sprint and Gr2 World Sports Betting Camellia Stakes. This in-form sire, who will forever be remembered for his thrashing of champions Carry On Alice and Legislate in the 2015 Gr1 Mercury Sprint, looks to have a potentially very speedy daughter (Lot 149) in Riverton’s draft

for this year’s November Two Year Old Sale. Captain Of All is responsible for a half-sister to two winners, sired by Great Britain and Kildonan respectively, notably the very smart sprinter Great Shaka. The latter, who earned nearly R700 000 in stakes, won seven times over 1000m and finished third in the 2020 Listed Golden Loom Handicap where Great Shaka beat such G1 winners as Singforafa and Rivarine. Arguably more importantly, the filly (Lot 149) on offer is a full-sister to eye catching recent winner Major Apollo, who recently got off the mark, at just the second time of asking, when he won at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Third at his only previous start, Major Apollo made a big impression when making much of the running to score with ease over 1000 metres. Major Apollo, described by his trainer Greg Ennion as a lovely horse, and the filly on sale were produced by speedy dual winner Neurose, a Brazilian bred granddaughter of champion US sire Broad Brush. Neurose herself hails from a high-class family, with her own dam Fiestera Fitz a half-sister to the dual stakes winning dam of Chilean champion La Chiflota. Further back, this is the family of numerous champions and classic winners, with this filly herself directly descended in female line from 1000 Guineas winner Electra. The Sprint is interactive – find the catalogue page by clicking here!

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE FIND THE CATALOGUE PAGE BY CLICKING HERE!

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 79

80 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

BLOOD RULES THE LAND! Riverton Stud will be offering a William Longsword filly (Lot 151) from one of the best families in the South African stud book at this year’s November Two Year Old Sale. The filly in question is out of Rock Of Gibraltar granddaughter On High, whose dam Sundays Sister was a full-sister to a colt, One Sunday Morning, who made R2 500 000 at the 2011 Cape Premier Yearling Sale. A daughter of seven times South African champion sire Jet Master (whose daughters have produced such champions as Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam, Lady In Black, Vardy and Jet Dark), Sundays Sister is one of ten winners produced by the outstanding producer Laptop Lady. The latter is best known as the dam of globetrotting Equus Champion Jay Peg, who made South Africa proud when he won the 2008 G1 Dubai Duty Free and the same year’s Gr1 Singapore Airlines Cup. The four time Gr1 winner Jay Peg, who earned more than R30 000 000 in prize money, also went on to enjoy success at stud, and sired the graded stakes winners Exit Here, Flash Drive, Hot Affair, Olympic Owen Peggy Jay and Woljayrine, among others. Laptop Lady also produced Gr3 Lebelo Sprint winner Cyber Case, who earned nearly R1 000 000 in prize, dual Listed winner Epona, and precocious Gr3 Protea Stakes/Listed Storm Bird Stakes victor Barrack Street. Further back, this is the family of Equus Champion Kochka, dual Gr2 Hawaii Stakes winner Whiteline Fever, and high-class twoyear-olds Dash For Gretna, Epsom Girl, Leopard Strike and Twilight Moon, to name a few, with On High herself directly descended in female line from Frillery, the dam of Futurity Stakes winner Bunting.

Riverton’s filly is inbred to former champion South African sire Al Mufti, a pattern which has already produced graded stakes winners Flash Drive and Hot Affair. Former Cape Guineas winner William Longsword enjoyed a good season in 20222023, with his flagbearers for the past season including Gr3 WSB Legal Eagle Stakes winner Itsrainingwilliam and the stakes winners Lord William and Virginia Sweet to name a few. William Longsword is also the sire of Gr2 Epol Umkhomazi Stakes winner Dyce, who recently downed stakes winners Paisley Park, Bon Vivant, Team Gold, Litigation and Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner MK’s Pride to claim a pinnacle stakes in smart style. Other classy recent winners for William Longsword include Back To Business, winner of three of his first four starts, and useful filly Just Be Lekker, who won her first two starts and downed subsequent Gr1 winner and an impressive return winner on Sunday, Bavarian Beauty, over 1200 metres last season. Riverton Stud is no stranger to William Longsword’s progeny, having bred William Longsword’s very smart son Melech - a winner of four of his first six starts and a horse with feature race potential.

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE FIND THE CATALOGUE PAGE BY CLICKING HERE!

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 81

82 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

ONE WORLD COLT TO CONQUER The well-bred Ruby Dancer proved the star of the ring at the 2017 March Yearling Sale, where the daughter of Gr1 winning two-year-old Seventh Rock was knocked down for R525 000. She went on to win twice, but took with her a stellar pedigree when she retired to the paddocks. Not only is Ruby Dancer a daughter of the useful racemare Fashion Edition (whose sire Rambo Dancer also ranks as the broodmare sire of outstanding broodmare Halfway To Heaven), she is also a half-sister to four black type fillies, including graded stakes winners Joan Ranger (Gr2 Camellia Stakes-twice), and Fanzene (Gr3 Magnolia Handicap). The latter went close to becoming a Gr1 producer with her daughter Kailene beaten just a short-head, by subsequent dual Equus Champion and Triple Tiara winner, Rain Of Holland, in the 2021 Gr1 Thekwini Stakes. Ruby Dancer, one of ten winners produced by her dam, also numbers the smart performers Miss Turbulence (3rd Gr2 Hawaii Stakes) and Miss Elegance (2nd Gr3 Fillies Mile) as half-sisters. She hails from a top-class South Africa family, with Ruby Dancer’s numerous high-class relatives including the G1 winning fillies Brave Mary (Allan Robertson Championship) and Takingthepeace (Gr1 SA Fillies Classic), as well as exported Gr1 Champions Cup winner African Appeal. This One World colt, inbred closely to Complete Warrior -the broodmare sire of Captain Al, out of the aforementioned Ruby Dancer looks to have plenty of upside to him.

His sire, a Gr1 Sun Met winner and Equus Champion, made an impression at the National Yearling Sale earlier in the year, when his yearlings made up to R800 000. One World, winner of the Langerman at two and a son of an eight times leading sire of twoyear-olds, has some very well-bred members of his first crop set to race this season, with his first crop of two-year-olds including juveniles out of such stakes winning mares as Bichette, Candy Singer, Justthewayyouare, Madame Speaker, Secret Risk and Star Express among many others. The Sprint is interactive – find the catalogue page by clicking here!

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE FIND THE CATALOGUE PAGE BY CLICKING HERE!

WHAT A WORLD! With a Merit Rating of 135 One World was the highest rated colt in SA when he retired to Drakenstein after winning the 2020 Gr1 Sun Met. He won 10 of his 14 starts and was placed 4 times, including 3 seconds at Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 level. In his only other start he was placed 3rd in a Gr1. Like his maternal sire he was undefeated in all three of his starts at 2yrs.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 83

84 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

SILVER LONGSWORD TO DAZZLE Riverton Stud, as Agent, will be offering a colt from one of the very best families in the modern-day stud book at the 2023 November Two Year Old Sale. A colt by the Captain Al sired Cape Guineas winner William Longsword, Silver Longsword (Lot 20), a half-brother to a winner, is from a family which has done well both in South Africa and overseas. His twice winning dam School Run is a Trippi half-sister to Gr2 Odessa Stud Fillies Championship third place finisher School Captain, sired, like William Longsword, by Captain Al. School Captain made her mark at stud as the dam of Gr2 Premier Trophy winner Head Honcho. Also successful in the Gr3 Betting World 2200 and Listed The Sledgehammer Handicap, Head Honcho earned more than R1.65 million in a career which also saw him finish third, beaten less than a length by champion Rainbow Bridge, in the 2019 Gr1 Sun Met. Silver Longsword’s granddam is a twice winning daughter of Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and champion sire Royal Academy, while his third dam Damson is a Damascus sired three-parts sister to the Damascus sired Gr1 Hollywood Gold Cup winner and G1 Kentucky Derby runner up Desert Wine. Damson is also a half-sister to Gr2 winning sire Alannan, as well as the Gr1 Golden Jubilee/Gr1 July Cup winning champion Les Arcs (the latter, like Silver Longsword himself, was sired by a Roberto line sire).

Silver Longsword’s fifth dam is Old Hat Stakes winner Anne Campbell, who was Kentucky’s Broodmare Of The Year in 1999. A daughter of outstanding broodmare sire Never Bend, Anne Campbell not only produced Desert Wine but also Gr1 Haskell Invitational/Gr1 Blue Grass Stakes winner Menifee. Anne Campbell’s daughter Mr P’s Princess produced unbeaten champion Fasliyev, while Mr P’s daughter Butterfly Cove is the dam of Gr1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Ballydoyle and multiple Gr1 winner Misty For Me (herself dam of the Gr1 winners Roly Poly and US Navy Flag). Further back, this is also the family of Gr1 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Albert The Great, star filly Sensational, multiple champion South African sire Jungle Cove and the latter’s Epsom Oaks winning half-sister Long Look. Silver Longsword’s first three dams were sired by Trippi, Royal Academy and Damascus respectively, while his broodmare sire Trippi (sire of William Longsword’s Gr1 winning halfsister Real Princess, herself the dam of top sprinter Gimme A Prince) is broodmare sire of more than 40 stakes winners, headed by top US stallions Not This Time and Liam’s Map, and South African champion Gabor. The Sprint is interactive – find the catalogue page by clicking here!

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE FIND THE CATALOGUE PAGE BY CLICKING HERE!

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 85

86 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

SIMPLY SUPREME – RIVERTON’S FUTURA! Classy gelding Supreme Warrior is a horse loaded with ability. The gelding romped to impressive wins in his first two starts, before going on to finish third in the Egoli Mile and down subsequent Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap winner Rollwiththepunches in a graduation plate. He put up his best performance next time out when finishing second, beaten just a shorthead by Zapatillas, in the Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas. On that occasion, Supreme Warrior had a host of classy performers behind him, including Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby winner Pomp And Power and Gr1 Cape Guineas victor Double Superlative. Supreme Warrior would go on to confirm his class when he finished a short-head second in the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap over 1000 metres. On that occasion, he had behind him the stakes winners Vaseem and Vars Vicky. The gelding would go on to finish third, behind none other than Horse Of The Year Princess Calla, in the 2023 Gr3 Senor Santa Stakes, where Supreme Warrior accounted for Gr1 Gold Medallion winners Eden Roc and Thunderstruck, and graded stakes winners Full Velocity, Big Burn, Mardi Gras and Taikonaut. Riverton Stud, as agent, will be offering a Futura half-brother (Lot 31) to this high-class racehorse at the upcoming November Two Year Old Sale. The colt, named Masked Warrior, in question is not only a half-brother to Supreme Warrior but also a three-parts brother to Gr3 Cape Of Good

Hope Nursery third Mr Crumford (the latter’s sire, like Futura, was sired by Dynasty). Masked Warrior is a half-brother to five winners, and is out of the Captain Al mare Sovereign Flo. The latter, also dam of speedy filly State Ballet, is a half-sister to the talented Let It Flo, who was beaten just a length when second in the Gr2 Gold Circle Golden Slipper. The regally bred Sovereign Flo is a three-parts sister to the Captain Al sired Olympic Duel/ Irridescence Stakes winner Pure Power, and is also closely related to dual Gr3 winner Just Like Al. The latter is from the immediate family of Sovereign Flo, with Just Like Al sired by Captain Al’s champion sire Al Mufti. This is an outstanding family, responsible for numerous stars including Horse Of The Year and multiple champion sprinter Flobayou, Met winner Arctic Cove and brilliant Cape Guineas winner Renounce to name but a few. Captain Al, broodmare sire of Masked Warrior and sire of the Riverton bred champion Captain Of All, was South Africa’s Leading Broodmare Sire of 2022-2023 and is damsire of the likes of Horse Of The Year Princess Calla, Met/July winning sire Kommetdieding, and last season’s Equus Champion Sandringham Summit. The Sprint is interactive – find the catalogue page by clicking here!

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE FIND THE CATALOGUE PAGE BY CLICKING HERE!

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 87

88 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

EXPLOSIVE! RIVERTON’S ERUPT LOOKS THE PART Dual Gr1 winner Erupt, whose first crop produced the likes of G3 Protea Stakes/Listed Storm Bird Stakes winner Karangetang and the likes of Beerenberg, Flower Bomb, Queen Of Sparta and Bloodstock SA Sales Cup winner Unzen, enjoyed a fine season with his two-year-olds in 2022-2023. Erupt, winner of both the Gr1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris and Gr1 Pattison Canadian International, was responsible for 14 individual two-year-old winners last season, and had more juvenile winners in 2022-2023 than the likes of Rafeef, Master Of My Fate, and Var. This crop includes a number of exciting prospects including Golden Tatjana, an impressive winner of the Farm Sale Race and a likely feature race contender for the season ahead, Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes runner up Hot Pearl, Listed Hollywoodbets Super League Devon Air Stakes runner up Dolcezza, and Ripple Effect. The latter second, to Equus Champion Mrs Geriatrix, in last season’s Listed Ruffian Stakes. Erupt is a son of outstanding sire Dubawi, whose growing list of top-class sire sons include Night Of Thunder, New Bay, Zarak, and the hugely exciting Too Darn Hot. The latter has made a sensational start with Too Darn Hot’s first two-year-olds this season headed by Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Fallen Angel and fellow group winners Alyanaabi, Carolina Reaper and Darnation. Riverton Stud, as agent, will be offering a colt (Lot 122) by the well performed Erupt at this year’s November Two Year Old Sale.

Named Paul Revere, this colt is out of the three time winning Western Winter mare Hidden Nest. The latter, a three-parts sister to the Western Winter sired Listed Racing Association Stakes winner Autumn Glory, has proved a very successful broodmare, producing three smart winners –to three different stallions. Dam of a seven-time winner by Oracy, Hidden Nest is the dam of the classy Captain Lannister, who finished third, beaten just over a length, in the 2022 Gr1 World Sports Betting SA Classic. Out of the Badger Land mare Deneuve, who won three times and finished third in the Gr2 Gold Circle Oaks, Hidden Nest’s granddam is Gr1 Germiston November Handicap/Gr1 Gosforth Park Fillies & Mares Challenge winner Please Be True. Further back, this is the family of Horse Of The Year Royal Chalice, and Gr1 winners Set Afire, Red Ray and Nania. Hidden Nest’s sire Western Winter, sire of Set Afire, Red Ray and Nania, was Champion Sire three times in South Africa and was South Africa’s Leading Broodmare Sire in 2017-2018. Among the stars produced by Western Winter mares are champions Carry On Alice, Past Master and Good Traveller. The Sprint is interactive – find the catalogue page by clicking here!

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE FIND THE CATALOGUE PAGE BY CLICKING HERE!

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 89

90 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 91

92 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 93

94 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

MORE ROYALTY FROM ASCOT

The majestic Heavenly Blue | Credit: Pauline Herman

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 95

Ascot Stud’s Gr1 SA Classic winning sire Heavenly Blue is starting to fire on all cylinders, with the son of four times Australian champion sire Snitzel responsible for the very impressive recent winner Zinovi, and the smashing five-ina-row filly, Three Rocks. Ascot will be bringing nine two-year-olds to the upcoming November Two Year Old Sale, with their draft including five lots by the aforementioned Heavenly Blue. Ashley Parker has the following to say about a few potential standouts in Ascot’s draft: Lot 19: Clever Candy f Heavenly Blue – Scented Ash She is a strong, good quartered filly out of a Guineas winner from Legislates immediate family

96 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Lot 26: Key News c Heavenly Blue – Silva Key A racy scopy colt out of a six-time winner from the famous Soho Secret family Lot 79: Smart Horse c Heavenly Blue – Cupid’s Kiss He is aptly named Smart Horse. A powerful, big strong colt out of a Jet Master mare whose second dam was a Gr3 winner from the family of Golden Thatch Lot 114: Genteel f Quasillo – Girl On The Run She is a Quasillo filly out of a Gr3 winning dam who oozes class and stands over ground This draft can be viewed in Block B at the TBA Complex in Germiston.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 97

98 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 99

100 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 101

102 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 103

104 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 105

106 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Freedom of the Blue Sky paddock! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

BLUE SKY FOR NOVEMBER Blue Sky Thoroughbreds will be offering two-year-olds sired by some of South Africa’s most exciting stallions around at the BSA November 2yo Sale.

This draft includes two-year-olds sired by the likes of Danon Platina, Lancaster Bomber, Rabada, Rafeef, Querari and What A Winter, to name but a few. Japanese champion Danon Platina is represented here by a colt (Lot 17) whose dam won seven and ran third in the Gr2 Gold Circle Oaks, while consistently successful sire Querari is the sire of a filly Lot 101) whose dam won four times and hails from the family of Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Indiscrete Fantasy. Dual Gr1 winner Rabada has two lots on offer, including a colt (Lot 44) out of Gr3 Umzimkhulu

Stakes runner up Twice As Smart, while the sensational Rafeef’s sole offering is Rafa’s Choice (Lot 35), a colt from the family of champions Better Than Ever, Wavering Girl, Singspiel and Glorious Song. Lancaster Bomber’s death was a major setback to the South African thoroughbred industry and the Gr1 winning son of War Front is responsible here for a filly (Lot 51) whose dam is a winning half-sister to Hong Kong Gr3 winner Chefano. Buyers can find Blue Sky Thoroughbreds’ consignment in Block C at the TBA Complex in Germiston. 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 107

DECLARATIONOFPEACE (USA) v

War Front - Serena’s Cat (Storm Cat)

Stands at MacRath Stud in Nottingham Road • The son of brilliant American sire War Front has enjoyed two full books of mares in his first two years at stud, His mare book includes Gr1 producing mares such as Mystery Dame (Lady In Black and Nexus) and Bloomhill mare, Wysiwyg – the dam of Bohica and Bartholdi. • A $2,6-million weanling who is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Honor Code and Gr2 winner Noble Tune, Declarationofpeace has also enjoyed significant support from breeders outside of the KZN province, with Cape mares travelling for cover. • Declarationofpeace is throwing quality and size into his foals and his first yearlings will be on offer in the sales rings in 2024. Service Fee: R 20 000 Live foal Enquiries and Booking: Mike McHardy (083 447 5315) advertorial

108 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 109

Varsfontein – eyes on the prize! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

VARSFONTEIN – CLASS AND QUALITY ARE KEY One of South Africa’s leading thoroughbred nurseries, Varsfontein Stud, will be offering five very well-bred fillies at this year’s November Two Year Old Sale. With this draft made up of two-year-olds sired by such stallions as Danon Platina, Master Of My Fate, Querari, What A Winter and the sensational Vercingetorix, this is one draft no serious buyer can afford to miss. Carl De Vos is understandably very happy with the string he is bringing to Germiston, and had the following to say about his five fillies: Lot 11: Regeneration (Danon Platina – Redesign) She is out of an imported mare. A first foal, she needs a bit of time but is a quality filly with a very deep girth, and is just a nice, quality type of filly. Lot 125: Queyras (Querari – Imperious Bride) She is a very nice filly, who is good on the eye and nice to look at. She is a very good size and 110 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

is a quality filly with a good walk. Lot 126: Capricious Miss (What A Winter – Imperious Girl) A big filly, she is big and strong, with good bone. Lot 138: First Wish (Master Of My Fate – Little Genie) A Master Of My Fate filly, she is scopey and high quality. She will make up into a very nice filly. Lot 121: Ladyofdistinction (Vercingetorix – Harvard Crimson) (offered as agent) A really nice filly, she is a good walker of good size, and is a very good-looking filly. Varsfontein’s consignment can be viewed at Block B at the TBA Complex in Germiston.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 111

Jeff Smith receives the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit from Marcus Armytage of the Daily Telegraph and Laurent Feniou, Managing Director Cartier UK | Credit: Supplied

JEFF SMITH EARNS CARTIER MERIT Jeff Smith paid tribute to the ‘good horses and really good people’ that he has been associated with during nearly 50 years in racing as he received the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit at the 33rd Cartier Racing Awards on Thursday, 9 November. One of the most popular owner/breeders in the sport, Smith’s famous purple and light blue silks have been worn by some of the great horses of modern times, including Chief Singer, Lochsong and Persian Punch. After receiving a standing ovation, Smith said: “I’m not entirely sure about the description ‘award of merit’ – I think award for being outrageously lucky would be a bit more appropriate! First and foremost my thanks to Cartier. I did actually win one of these trophies with Lochsong 30 years ago, so I can’t quite claim to have been there on day one, but it was jolly close. 112 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

“I first bought a racehorse 47 years ago. My wife was pregnant, I didn’t have too much money, but I thought it was a good idea at the time. She didn’t entirely agree, but there you are – and I hasten to add it was before affordability checks! “As you can imagine after 47 years, the list of people to thank, because it is about people – obviously it’s about horses, but in terms of success, it’s about people – the list would be longer than perhaps Aidan O’Brien’s, 47 years is a long old time. But it really started with Ron Sheather, who is no longer with us. He sourced and bought Chief Singer and it was because

of that particular success that I thought, ‘well, I might as well go the whole hog and buy a stud and crack on from there’. As you’ve probably determined, I’m completely bonkers, but it happens!

“From Ron I suppose the next stepping stone was my experience with Ian Balding, who essentially wanted every horse to stay two miles – so I sent him Lochsong. It took about three years to figure out that she was a sprinter, but he did figure it out, it was wonderful. He taught me an enormous amount.

“Of course the tradition with the Balding family has continued with Alcohol Free and Andrew. In between, there was a publicity shy fellow called David Elsworth, who also sourced a remarkable horse in Persian Punch, who probably could have won a Cheltenham Gold Cup but he had the wrong owner! We managed to go around the world with him and win 13, 14 Group races. It was a magical experience. “The other person I should thank is David Bowe, who has managed Littleton Stud for, he tells me, 20 years – it seems longer! He not only sourced Alcohol Free as a foal, but more recently Ghostwriter, who won this year’s Royal Lodge. As you can tell, I’ve been blessed not only with good horses, but with really good people. It’s been a wonderful, wonderful journey. Once again, thank you Cartier, thank you for your support, I’m so pleased we are all together and we can enjoy the industry.”

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 113

Pauline Chehboub, Muriel Cadic, Cristian Demuro, Jean-Claude Rouget and Bouzid Chehboub with the Cartier Horse of the Year Award for Ace Impact | Credit: Supplied

CARTIER – WHAT AN IMPACT! Ace Impact became the first French-trained horse since Treve in 2013 to receive the evening’s premier equine award, the Cartier Horse of the Year, as well as being crowned Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt.

Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget for Gousserie Racing and Serge Stempniak, the Cracksman colt enjoyed a superb unbeaten campaign, showing a blistering turn of foot in both the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Pauline Chehboub of Gousserie Racing said: “Thank you for everything, for your generosity. 114 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

What a privilege to have Ace Impact in our lives. It’s been between friends, between family, with a masterful trainer and a talented jockey, and a super athlete. Ace Impact is a horse of a lifetime and the perfect athlete. We are so proud and grateful to have him in our lives and hope to do the best for him at stud at Haras du Beaumont.” Jean-Claude Rouget said: “Ace Impact, what a champion. He improved from race to race. He was a very honest horse when he started in January but we never thought that he would win all these good races. We tried to find a route so that he arrived at the Prix du Jockey

Club as a fresh horse and arrived at the Arc as a fresh horse. The horse had tremendous acceleration and I think I have never seen acceleration like that in France since Zarkava. “It’s not easy to prep a horse for January, you have to start in December, and then it’s a long way to the Arc in October. I had to choose my races – I knew the horse was good and, from race to race, I realised that he was more than good.

the invitation and thank you to my trainer and owner for giving me the opportunity to ride this monster horse, winning two Group Ones this year. He’s a monster, he has a turn of foot I’ve never felt in a horse like this, so thank you to Jean-Claude. I’ve been part of his team for six years now, so thank you to him and the owners for giving me the opportunity.”

“We are very proud and I thank you Cartier for this ceremony, we were here last year with Vadeni and in 2016 with Almanzor. For me it’s a real challenge as the competition is very hard – today is a perfect day. Thank you everybody.” Cristian Demuro, who rode Ace Impact on all but one of his starts, added: “It’s my first time at the Cartier Awards, so thank you for

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 115

116 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

2022 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship winner Tom Marquand | Credit: HKJC

THE STARS ALIGN AT HAPPY VALLEY IN DECEMBER The World’s best will be on show! A stellar line-up will contest the 2023 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday 6 December 2023.

will make their LONGINES IJC debuts and the duo will certainly add another dimension to a spectacular night of racing at the city circuit.

Adding further class to the line-up is New Zealand’s James McDonald. The 2022 LONGINES World’s Best Jockey has enjoyed an immensely successful year so far, notably This year’s exciting line-up includes three previous winners – Ryan Moore, Tom Marquand through his fruitful partnership with local hero and Zac Purton – of the world’s most coveted Romantic Warrior, recently winning the Gr1 W.S. Cox Plate. jockey challenge crown, the LONGINES IJC. They will be challenged by emerging stars Bauyrzhan Murzabayev and Rachel King, who

Ryan Moore is no stranger to the LONGINES IJC, having won the event twice . 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 117

The Englishman currently sits at the top of the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey rankings and is a leading chance to win his fourth World’s Best Jockey title. Among his elite 2023 achievements is a string of Gr1 triumphs aboard Auguste Rodin in Great Britain, Ireland and the United States. Four-time German Champion Jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev is one of world

racing’s most exciting jockeys. The 31-year-old Kazakhstani jockey has dominated the German jockeys’ championship recently, winning the title from 2019 to 2022. Last year, Murzabayev won the Gr1 Deutsches Derby, the Gr3 Deutsches St Leger and the Gr1 Grosser Allianz-Preis von Bayern, while also successful in the Gr1 Hopeful Stakes in Japan. He is currently based in France

Credit: HKJC

118 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

and is a retained rider for legendary trainer Andre Fabre. Australian representative Rachel King will make her IJC debut. King, 33, is an English-born rider based in Sydney, Australia, who has vast experience riding overseas including Europe, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Turkey and the United States.

“The LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship is one of the most exciting and prestigious evtents in the international racing calendar, and this year is of no exception”

She finished runner-up in Japan’s World AllStar Jockeys contest this year, just one point behind the champion Mirai Iwata. Great Britain’s Hollie Doyle, joint second in the 2021 LONGINES IJC, has been in tremendous form again this year, adding three more Gr1 wins to her tally. Across 2022 and 2023, she formed a strong alliance with Nashwa and has since added three top-level wins aboard the crack filly, including this year’s Falmouth Stakes. 2022 LONGINES IJC joint winner Tom Marquand bids for consecutive successes. He also finished joint-second in the 2021 edition of the event. His highlights this year include Gr1 victories aboard Quickthorn and Dubai Honour in Great Britain and Australia. Reigning Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton will chase a record fourth LONGINES IJC crown, having won the event in 2017, 2020 and 2021. He is a six-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey and currently leads this season’s local standings with 26 wins (as of 11 November). Credit: HKJC

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 119

The exciting line-up also includes two overseas riders with proven records in Hong Kong – Japan’s Yuga Kawada and France’s Mickael Barzalona. Last year’s JRA Champion Jockey Kawada collected three Gr1 wins aboard Liberty Island this year. He also won the Gr1 Dubai World Cup last March. His 2021 Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup success with Japan’s globetrotting sensation Loves Only You is one of his best performances in Hong Kong. Mickael Barzalona, representing France, finished joint second with Hollie Doyle, Tom Marquand and James McDonald in the 2021 LONGINES IJC. Through 2023, the Frenchman won his second Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains aboard Marhaba Ya Sanafi. The final three spots on the 12-rider roster for the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship will go to the leading homegrown rider and the highest-ranked riders in the Hong Kong championship standings at the cut-off date, which follows the race meeting on Wednesday, 22 November 2023. The LONGINES IJC is the most prestigious jockey challenge in the world and the most lucrative for the winning rider.

The four races are worth a combined HK$7.5 million in prize money. Meanwhile, a total prize fund of HK$1,000,000 in bonus money for the most successful riders will be split three ways, with the winner set to receive HK$600,000 and second and third HK$250,000 and HK$150,000 respectively. Mr Andrew Harding, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director, Racing, said: “The LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship is one of the most exciting and prestigious events in the international racing calendar, and this year is of no exception. We have a spectacular line-up, and in particular I 120 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

am excited to welcome Bauyrzhan Murzabayev and Rachel King to participate in the event for the first time.” Trainers will again have an added incentive to target their horses at LONGINES IJC races this year thanks to a bonus scheme which will pay HK$300,000, HK$125,000 and HK$75,000 respectively to the three handlers who achieve the highest number of points across the four races, using the same scale as employed for the jockeys. The four-race competition works on a pointsbased system with 12 points for the win, six points for second place and four points to third. The ranking of each jockey will be determined by the total number of points earned over all four races and the LONGINES IJC champion will be the jockey with the highest accumulated points. In the case of a dead-heat for any of the first three placings, points will be added and then divided by the number of horses involved. In the LONGINES IJC, substitute jockeys are eligible for points and if a countback is required it will go back to fourth placing. Homegrown jockeys with 2lb or 3lb claims are eligible for selection for the LONGINES IJC but there will be no claiming allowance in the four LONGINES IJC races. Apprentice jockeys do not qualify for selection. This year’s edition will again feature the process successfully employed in recent years of allocating rides with a model designed to make the contest competitive and to reduce the risk of individual riders being dealt a particularly strong or weak hand. This will form the basis for a process in which each rider will be allocated four rides based on an estimated average of each horse’s chance as supplied by the Club’s Jockey Challenge odds-compiling team.

The odds-compiling team will assess the credentials of every runner in advance and, without knowing who will ride each horse, will submit their final assessments once the barrier draw is made on Monday, 4 December. The minimum riding weight for LONGINES

IJC races is 118lb. If there are more than 12 entries for a race, the Club’s Handicapping Department will use their discretion to give preference to horses who have shown reasonable recent form.

LIST OF INVITED JOCKEYS FOR 2023 LONGINES IJC

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 121

The Invincible Australasian Speed Champion | Credit: Magic Millions

THE INVINCIBLE AUSTRALASIAN

SPEED CHAMPION She’s the world’s most successful Gr1 Yearling Sale buy for Te Akau’s David Ellis. winner in 2023 and she’s Australasia’s “She’s a real star and did the whole of New champion sprinter. Imperatriz is pure magic! With a fifth straight win, a sixth Gr1 victory for the calendar year and a sizzling Gr1 straight race debut success, Imperatriz knocked down any doubts about her abilities. Despite being left in front on the grandstand side some distance from the finish the super mare, affectionately known as Berri, knuckled down late when the challengers came from her inside. Trainer Mark Walker was super proud of the performance of the stable’s champion sprinter, an A$360,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast 122 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Zealand proud today,” trainer Mark Walker said from the winning enclosure. “Probably a little bit of relief more than anything. Great to see Opie on the big stage as well!” “Ben (Gleeson) and the team did a fantastic job. I went home after the Manikato and Ben has assembled a great team that we’ve got at Cranbourne and days like this, it makes it all worthwhile.” “Opie sums things up so quickly from the jump. He’s been on the big stage since he was a teenager, and nothing really fazes him. It was great to get the win today.”

Walker remains pleased that connections didn’t get lured to Sydney for the rich The Everest and instead put the welfare of the horse first as she hunted Group Ones south of the Murray. “It was more about wanting her to get used to the surroundings at Cranbourne and also we do think she’s a little better left handed. It is

hard to argue with her right-handed record and I think we did the right thing.” Walker said he would sit down with the connections over the next couple of weeks before working out the future plan for Imperatriz. “You dream of days like this,” Walker added. “There’s a lot that goes into these days from the ground up.” If Mark Walker was the proudest man in the mounting yard, winning rider Opie Bosson wasn’t far behind.

I’ve known Mark since he was 13-years-old, and we’ve done a lot of work together. He’s an absolute champion to ride for

“She’s a real darling,” a beaming Bossom reported. “To have a horse like this in the twilight of my career.” “Te Akau, David Ellis, Mark Walker and the whole team. It is a dream come true riding a horse like this.”

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 123

“I was expecting Asfoora to slot forward, but he took a hold (on her). So, I used Front Page as my bunny.” “(We) probably got there a bit soon. Geez it’s a long way up that straight! You don’t realise how long it is when you’re left there in front and you can hear them coming.” “To her credit she knuckled down and put her ears back and had a crack.”

“We always knew she was really talented. She’s just getting better with age and she is the real deal and she has proven it now. Hopefully there is more to come for both of us.” Bosson is one of those around Imperatriz who would relish the challenge to showcase their class on the international stage. “I’d love to. I’d love a trip away. It’d be nice to get to Ascot and show them how good she is.” The win also provided a milestone for trainer Mark Walker who notched his first elite Gr1 win at Flemington. Bosson was delighted to team up with his mate to achieve the feat. “I’ve known Mark since he was 13-years-old, and we’ve done a lot of work together. He’s an absolute champion to ride for,” Bosson added. Imperatriz has been an incredible performer for her syndicate, the Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership, managed by David Ellis’ wife Karyn Fenton-Ellis. This was her eighth Gr1 win – four achieved in New Zealand and now four in Australia. Her six Gr1 wins in 2023 has her two clear of any other horse on the planet at the elite level with the likes of Auguste Rodin, Kay Army and Paddington on four. She is a daughter of Yarraman Park’s champion resident sire I Am Invincible and is from the 124 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

group performed Shamardal mare Berimbau. As well as Imperatriz, Berimbau is the dam of the Sydney winner Cabaca. Her latest yearling – a colt by Capitalist will follow in Imperatriz’s hoofsteps when he heads to the 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale as Lot 477 in the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft. Winner: Breeding: Breeder: Race: Sold for: Sale: Vendor: Buyer: Earnings: Owners: Trainer:

Imperatriz I Am Invincible-Berimbau (Shamardal) Raffles Dancers (NZ) Pty Ltd VRC Champions Sprint Gr1 (1200m) A$360,000 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Bhima T’breds (As Agent) DC Ellis A$5,356,974 Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) Mark Walker (Cranbourne)

CRUNCHING NUMBERS Racing Victoria recorded its 11th straight surplus - albeit much smaller than previous financial years - despite a sustained crunch on the wagering market. RV chief executive Andrew Jones tabled the FY23 results and annual report on Wednesday, which included An A$200,000 surplus - down from A$13.9 million in FY22. Total revenue decreased by 3.3 per cent from the previous year’s record high A$553.8 million. A record A$284.4 million was paid in prizemoney and bonuses in FY23 - an increase of 7.5 per cent on FY22 and up 72.7 per cent since FY14. Wagering turnover on Victorian Thoroughbred Racing (VTR) was the second-highest on record at A$8.8 billion - but down four per cent on the previous year.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 125

126 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Lim’s Kosciuszko (Marc Lerner, on the inside) beats off a strong challenge from Dream Alliance (Bruno Queiroz) in the Gr1 Singapore Gold Cup | Credit:

PURE GOLD FOR LIM’S KOSCIUSKO Top galloper Lim’s Kosciusko stamped himself as one of the all-time greats in Singapore racing after he narrowly defeated Dream Alliance by a short head in the SG$1 million Gr1 Singapore Gold Cup on Saturday. To his credit, Lim’s Kosciuszko, who carried the top weight of 58kgs in the handicap field of 16, fought hard on the rails to win with sheer determination from Dream Alliance, who only had 51kgs on his back. That win gave the six-year-old son of Kermadec his seventh Group 1 win, albeit his first win over the 10 furlongs in the third Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown series. His previous wins at the top level included two Lion City Cup (1200m), two Raffles Cup and the 2023 Kranji Mile all over the 1600m

and the 2022 Singapore Derby over 1800m. Lim’s Kosciuszko has put himself in the rarest of air by winning Group 1 races over a more varied distance than any other gallopers in over 180 years of racing history at the Singapore Turf Club. But it was not easy as jockey Marc Lerner had to use petrol early from the widest barrier 16 on Lim’s Kosciuszko before settling on the flank of leader Maxima (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) into the first bend.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 127

Once the early work was done, the experienced Frenchman was able to settle the $11 favourite in the backstraight and when Real Efecto (Clyde Leck) made a midrace move to keep the pressure on the leader, Lerner was able to find cover one-back on the fence before straightening for home. Lerner wasted no time looking for runs by barging his way into the clear at the 420m and quickly had Maxima’s measure after he hit the front at the 300m. Yet, Dream Alliance (Bruno Queiroz) also almost immediately raced up to his shoulders and it was a monumental battle in the final 250m.

I can train him (Lim’s Kosciuszko) to be fit, to be sound, to be happy, but I can’t train him to be tough

Dream Alliance headed Lim’s Kosciuszko on numerous occasions over the final furlong

128 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

and given the seven-kilo weight advantage on the Tim Fitzsimmons-trained five-year-old’s side, a boilover win looked to be on the cards with the reigning Horse of the Year seemingly on the canvas. But like all champions do, Lim’s Kosciuszko found something when it mattered and under furious riding by Lerner in the final 50m, he lifted to win by a short head.

The drama was not even close to being over as after Lerner weighed in, a protest was lodged by Queiroz, citing interference in the straight. Thankfully – especially for those with an interest in the first horse over the line – it did not take long before the protest was

dismissed, and the happy winning connections had both hands officially on the most revered trophy in Singapore racing.

“My only instructions were to win the start and cross, then it was up to him (Lerner). Super ride, really.

Istataba (Andrew Adkins) ran out of her skin to finish third another one-and-a-quarter lengths away while Raising Sixty-One (Saifudin Ismail) missed the podium finish by another neck.

“The stable staff has been so important as well. All of them, but especially (groom) Sham (Samsuri Bin Saadon) who spends all his time with him, and with me looking over his shoulder, that’s not easy! Also, a shout-out to CC who rode him exclusively for the last ten months or so.”

The winner clocked 2 min 0.67secs for the 2000m on the Short Course and Lim’s Kosciuszko’s 17th win in 21 starts took career earnings to just under $2.5 million for his connections. But these wins are bigger than just prizemoney and an emotional Meagher was almost lost for words to describe Saturday’s heroic win. “It was amazing! What can I say?” said the Australian conditioner. “I can train him (Lim’s Kosciuszko) to be fit, to be sound, to be happy, but I can’t train him to be tough. “When it’s all said and done, that’s what won him the race today. He jumped from gate 16, carried the top weight and had every right to get beat in that final furlong. “But he just toughed out the finish and that’s what makes champion horses.” Meagher was also full of praise for his opposition, Lerner and his stable staff after the historic win.

For Lerner, the Group 1 win capped off a wonderful year of riding for the Lim’s Stable but like Meagher, he was just in awe of a special horse. “The horse! Just the horse! He is a superstar!” said Lerner. “He jumped super and put himself right where we wanted to be. Maxima was a good horse to follow and when he (Lim’s Kosciuszko) relaxed mid-race, I knew he would be hard to beat. “Dream Alliance had his head in front most of the final 300m, but my horse kept finding more and like they say, good horses overcome everything. He’s a good horse. “Every jockey dreams of winning races like this. I had a super year for (owner) Mr Lim (Siah Mong) but the only thing missing was winning a big race for the Lim’s Stable and Daniel. “It’s a massive thrill for me.”

“That was a race and half,” he continued. “Dream Alliance was super in defeat. (Trainer) Tim (Fitzsimmons) did a fantastic job with him and he’s a horse with a big future for sure. “Marc was great today, in fact for the last few weeks. He (Lerner) hadn’t ridden the horse until (jockey) CC (Wong Chin Chuen) got suspended, so for him to ride him like he did today from that gate was special.

Winning trio basking in the glory of their success: (from left) jockey Marc Lerner, owner Lim Siah Mong and trainer Daniel Meagher | Credit: ERA

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 129

EUROPE’S MOST INFLUENTIAL BREEDING STOCK SALE v

TAT T ERSA LLS DECEM BER M A R E S SA LE 4th – 7th December

SCEPTRE SESSIONS for ELITE FILLIES & BROODMARES

& major consignments from GODOLPHIN, JUDDMONTE FARMS and SHADWELL ESTATES CATALOGUE ONLINE

SOUTH AFRICA CONTACT: Joanne Knowles Tel: +27 83 3996353 joknowles.ems@gmail.com 130 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Tadhg O’Shea steers Western Symphony to victory over Seyouff in the feature | Credit: ERA

KAYE’S GOLDEN TOUCH SECURES MEYDAN FEATURE Friday’s opening night of the new Dubai Racing Carnival was one to remember for the Touch Gold Racing syndicate, who added to their trophy cabinet in the two most valuable races. Mike Kaye’s ownership group has renewed its investment in Dubai racing and one of their new purchases, Western Symphony, quickly paid back a chunk of his fee when taking the night’s feature, the Emirates Airline Handicap, over 1600metres. Ridden by Tadhg O’Shea for Bhupat Seemar, the five-year-old registered a fourth career success in smooth fashion, taking it up at the top of the straight and beating the eye-catching Seyouff by a length and a half. “He’s a really strong traveler, which you want for the dirt,” said O’Shea. “He puts a lot into his races so we might space them out a bit more this season.”

35 minutes later, the same connections graced the winner’s enclosure again when Leading Spirit sprinted to his fifth career success. Facing Group 3 winners Al Tariq and Gladiator King, this was a competitive renewal of the 1200metre Emirates Airline Handicap, but Leading Spirit won with a bit in hand, taking over the lead from pacesetter Fast-Uno off the turn and holding on by a diminishing neck from Magic Petition. “There were a couple on my outside that I didn’t want to follow so I probably went forward a bit sooner than ideal,” said 11-time Champion Jockey O’Shea. “These are lucky colors tonight, anyway!” 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 131

Milestone for Al Mheiri

Aldhaja, with Perfect Balance third.

The first two-year-old race of Meydan’s season, the Emirates Holidays Maiden, over 1200metres, produced an exciting winner in El Nasseeb, who gave trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri his 500th UAE winner.

“Things are going well and it’s great to be back with Ahmad Bin Harmash,” said Beasley, who is riding in the UAE for the first time since 2021. “This horse ran well at Sharjah and I got to know him a bit better. If anything, I got to the front a bit too soon today, but he kept going nicely.”

“I am very happy to have this number on this night,” said Al Mheiri, “as tomorrow it’s my birthday! “I want to say thanks to my team, as we are working as if we are one.” The landmark couldn’t have come in much more impressive fashion as El Nasseeb, a 6,173 Euros Goffs Dubai Breeze-up purchase, powered home by seven and a quarter lengths on his debut. Gasssid, well-fancied beforehand for in-form trainer Michael Costa, was second. “If you asked me before I would have said it’s a question mark,” said jockey Bernardo Pinheiro. “He’s very ready at the gates but then doesn’t show much in the mornings.

“In the middle of the race I was feeling good, but I didn’t expect that [finishing effort]. He’s surprised me!” Al Mheiri made it 501 in race five, when Qareeb scored on debut for the trainer. Previously handled by Doug Watson, the five-year-old poked his nose in front of Vasilakos just before the line and won a shade cosily under jockey Al Moatasem Al Balushi.

Australian jockey Jimmy Orman is on a twoweek working holiday in Dubai and he rode his sixth winner when Meshri made a successful debut in the three-year-old Arabian Adventures Maiden over 1600metres. “It was a good win today over a testing mile and Michael [Costa, trainer] had him spot on,” he said. “He travelled really well and gave me a winning feeling. It’s a short stint here, but hopefully I’ll be back one day.” Costa’s new stable jockey is Irish Group 1-winner rider Ben Coen and he collected his first UAE winner when Sadeedd took the closing 1400metre Emirates.com Handicap, giving the trainer a double. Placed on his last three runs, Sadeedd deserved a change of luck and was brave in seeing off a three-horse challenge, with Triple Venture, Shake Hand and Fight Zone all threatening inside the final 100metres. In the end it was Sadeedd who prevailed by a neck. “It’s nice to get one on the board on the first day here,” said Coen. “Michael thought he had strengthened up and any questions I asked, he [Sadeedd] answered them.”

Connor Beasley’s good start to the season continued as the British jockey collected win seven when Al Jaddaf broke his maiden in the Emirates SkyCargo Handicap, over 1600metres.

The opening Emirates SkyCargo Handicap, for Purebred Arabians over 1400metres, went to AF Yatwy, who took his career statistics to three from four for trainer Saif Almarar. Ridden by Oscar Chavez, he held off AF Layth by a length and a half.

Ahmad Bin Hamash’s four-year-old was second to Perfect Balance at Sharjah two weeks ago but reversed that form here, hanging on for a length and a half success over

The next meeting at Meydan Racecourse takes place on Friday 24 November when the official feature is the AED500,000 Listed Dubai Creek Mile.

132 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 133

GOLD CUP IS CHELTENHAM HIGHLIGHT Cheltenham hosts their November meeting starting on Friday, at the Home of Jumps Racing. Four Group 2 features highlight the nineteen contests over three days, but the biggest pot on offer is the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (16h20) on Saturday afternoon. Seventeen runners are still in contention with winnings connections collecting a tidy £90,032.

done this century; carry 12 stone to victory.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has two declared including the smart Stage Star, currently the 4/1 favourite. Group 1 winner The Real Whacker is the surprise inclusion in this year’s contest, competing off top weight.

Unexpected Party, trained by Dan Skelton, is another with a realistic chance of success after an easy seasonal return victory over Knappers Hill at Chepstow last month. The benefit of that recent run gives him a chance in an open contest.

Officially rated 162, the progressive young chaser narrowly prevailed over Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory at the Festival last season. He must now do what no horse has

Dan Skelton’s stable star Nube Negra seeks a third consecutive victory in Sunday’s Gr2 Shloer Chase (16h55), but Jonbon looks the one to beat in a potential field of six.

134 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

Cheltenham - racing passion personified! | Credit: Cheltenham Racecourse

Nicky Henderson’s chaser stepped out of novice company to win Sandown’s Celebration Chase in the spring but could face a sterner examination here. Former Arkle winner Edwardstone and fellow 2022 Cheltenham Festival scorer Banbridge are both likely to join Nube Negra in this highly anticipated contest. On Friday eight runners are likely to start the 2-mile Gr2 Arkle Challenge Trophy Trail Novices’ Chase (16h20). Dan Skelton has left three in on Tuesday including recent winner The King Of Ryhope, but JPR One from the Tizzard yard catches the eye. An impressive winner on his seasonal return at Newton-Abbot last month, he looks made for chasing.

Just over an hour later (17h30), the exciting Captain Teague is strongly fancied for the Gr2 Trustatrader Novices’ Hurdle. Run over two and a half miles, the Paul Nicholls trained fiveyear-old was an impressive 10-length winner at Chepstow last month over a similar distance. Third in the Champion Bumper last season he looks very much on the up and it will be interesting to see how many of the Irish challengers make the trip across the Irish Sea. Willie Mullins has declared the mare Space Tourist, while The Big Doyen and Kinbara are others with strong Irish form.

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 135

The Real Whacker and Sam Twiston Davies return to the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure | Credit: Racing TV

136 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

s g n i t a M r u o Y g Plannin for this Yd ineSaourth?Africa? v

Interested in sires at stu

DIRECTORY OF SIRES

2023 - SOUTH AFRIC

anding in South Africa

Sires st The ONLY Directory of

n incl. packed with informatio es re - extended pedig s - pedigree evaluation raphs - conformation photog - statistics

In Print & Online To order your book contact email: kiki.miedema@gmail.com or visit the website

www.raceform.co.za 15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 137

results up to: 2023-11-15

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Mr S J Snaith

294

11.6

121

41.2

2,525,625

4,074,281

Mr A P Peter

131

22.9

45.8

2,373,438

3,103,438

Mrs C L Bass-Robinson

189

13.2

45.5

1,847,813

2,795,938

Mr A C Greeff

249

13.3

39.4

1,840,313

2,769,550

Mr B J Crawford

209

11.0

38.8

1,628,000

2,579,913

Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Mr R D Fourie

409

20.8

210

51.3

5,104,688

7,496,350

Mr M A Yeni

511

14.3

127

266

52.1

4,500,938

6,997,525

Mr G J Lerena

274

17.5

138

50.4

3,645,500

5,234,825

Mr S Khumalo

270

15.2

122

45.2

2,462,188

3,722,638

Mr C J Habib

348

10.6

130

37.4

2,435,625

3,692,325

JOCKEYS Other Places

BREEDERS Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

B.T. B.T. Total Wnrs/ Wnrs Wins Rnrs% Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R)

Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

230

609

33,334

31.3

255

7,666,850

Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

134

303

39,666

31.3

130

5,315,238

Klawervlei Stud

182

478

25,132

23.1

192

4,574,063

Varsfontein Stud

112

298

30,154

21.4

120

3,377,225

Ridgemont Highlands

101

254

30,727

25.7

104

3,103,444

Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

B.T. B.T. Total Wnrs/ Wnrs Wins Rnrs% Places Winrs Wins Stakes (R)

Master Of My Fate

145

395

32,021

28.3

176

4,643,088

Querari (GER)

138

373

31,659

26.8

161

4,368,913

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)

155

363

26,599

18.7

164

4,122,775

Vercingetorix

136

319

28,529

24.3

122

3,879,975

What A Winter

123

317

27,161

25.2

129

3,340,788

SIRES

See all the detailed standings - Click here 138 | 15 NOVEMBER 2023

15 NOVEMBER 2023 | 139