SP SPRINT - 18 January 2024 by Sporting Post

Wednesday 17 January 2024

MET JETS ‘24 17 JANUARY 2024 | 1

MJ THRILLER!

Cape on-course presenter MJ Byleveld dressed for success at the recent L’Ormarins King’s Plate. He won the Met on present day Drakenstein stallion One World in 2020. In next week’s Met special Sprint, MJ chats to us about what it takes to win the big race. Image courtesy of Candiese Lenferna.

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CONTENTS

Issue: 03/2024

On the cover

Flashback! Richard Fourie is all smiles for photographer Candiese Lenferna after registering the first Met win of his career on Jet Dark for Justin Snaith.

ALL EYES ON 27 JANUARY 2024!

Met Class of 2024 The final field

Met Reflections Stallion platform

The Trippi Legend Robin Bruss talks to Mrs Rupert

Klawervlei at Premier Quality is key

114

The Forgotten Trainer Kom’s making a comeback

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Glamour on the evening – setting the platform for the Cape Splendour fashion theme | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

LUCKY 13 SET FOR 27 JANUARY SHOWDOWN

Thirteen runners from eight different stables, including two Highveld raiders and a solitary KZN representative, will contest the 162nd renewal of the R2 million World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 27 January. 8 | 17 JANUARY 2024

Michael Roberts – saddles the favourite See It Again | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

The top notch field, which includes a quintet from the powerful title-holding Justin Snaith yard, will bid for glory in the 2000m weight-for-age event on the World Pool raceday, a traditional horseracing and social highlight on the Cape calendar. The line-up was unveiled at a function at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday evening, where the general consensus was that the barrier gates mean little on the very fair Southern Suburbs track, given the size of the field.

Cape showpiece in 1988 on Western Wind for Stanley Greeff, and certainly ranks as the most experienced rider in the class of 2024. Winning Form-sponsored Richard Fourie is set to partner Sean Tarry’s Bless My Stars (draw 5), the only member of the fairer sex in the 2024 line-up. Fourie won his first Met last year, while Bless My Stars’ trainer Sean Tarry has waited 19 long years for his second Met victory, after Alastor won under Garth Puller in 2005.

Trainers Justin Snaith, Ricky Maingard and Michael Roberts agreed that the draws did not matter much, but Brett Crawford begged to differ, saying that the ‘closer one is to the rail, and the easier opportunity to take the shortest route home, had to be an advantage.’

The last filly to win the Met was Oh Susanna for Grant van Niekerk and Justin Snaith in 2018.

Michael Roberts said that the long back stretch and an experienced jockey in the irons means that the draw is largely academic.

Snaith’s dark horse looks likely to be the Trippi gelding Pacaya (draw 3), who has enjoyed a perfect prep, after winning the WSB Gr2 1900 at Hollywoodbets Greyville last season.

Current favourite is his 2024 L’Ormarins King’s Plate runner-up See It Again (draw 11), who bids to give six-times national champion jockey Piere Strydom his second Met winner after Angus in 2003. Strydom had his first ride in the

Snaith has a typically varied and powerful hand, with recent L’Ormarins King’s Plate third-placer Royal Aussie something of a surprise inclusion.

Milnerton trainer Piet Botha doesn’t have the biggest string around, and the inclusion of the Louis The King gelding Montien in the final line-up is a feather in the cap for the former jockey. 17 JANUARY 2024 | 9

Montien ran out of his skin when fifth behind the now retired Charles Dickens in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, and will have his supporters as a possible quartet kicker, despite his 12 draw. He will be ridden by Anthony Andrews, a son of the part owners, Terry and Annabel Andrews.

South Africa’s only female jockey Rachel Venniker earns her first Met ‘cap’, with a ride on Double Superlative, while English-based rider Danny Muscutt flies in to ride stablemate Without Question.

Justin Snaith pulls a big 2 for Double Superlative | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

The official countdown is underway! | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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WORLD SPORTS BETTING GR1 CAPE TOWN MET – FINAL FIELD 1

Waterberry Lane

113

Denis Schwarz

Ricky Maingard

Double Superlative

118

Daniel Muscutt

Justin Snaith

Pacaya

111

Juan Paul V’d Merwe

Justin Snaith

Anfields Rocket

59.5

117

Luyolo Mxothwa

Brett Crawford

Bless My Stars

119

Richard Fourie

Sean Tarry

Mucho Dinero

59.5

110

Grant Van Niekerk

Justin Snaith

Al Muthana (Aus)

126

Raymond Danielson

Ricky Maingard

Royal Aussie

59.5

124

Kabelo Matsunyane

Justin Snaith

Without Question

59.5

117

#Rachel Venniker

Justin Snaith

Sugar Mountain

109

Aldo Domeyer

Candice BassRobinson

See It Again

59.5

132 Ba

Piere Strydom

Michael Roberts

Montien

59.5

119

Anthony Andrews

Piet Botha

Rascallion

122

Bernard Fayd’herbe

Vaughan Marshall

Same Trainer (1,7) (2,3,6,8,9)

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Igugu (Anthony Delpech) beats Bravura in 2012 | Credit: Supplied

POLITICIANS, MODELS AND LOVELY LADIES MET INFLUENCE REACHES WIDE! The countdown has begun to one of the crown jewels on the South African racing calendar, the Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met. Contested over 2000m, this timehonoured race rates as the undisputed highlight of the Cape Summer season and, as history shows, continues to exert its influence on the breeding and racing industry. To substantiate this claim and for the purpose of this article, let’s delve into the archives and go back to the seventies, which for many, represented the ‘golden age’ of South African racing. In 1975, the Met belonged to smashing New Zealand import Sledgehammer, the champion three-year-old of his generation and Horse of 16 | 17 JANUARY 2024

the Year in 1974. Raced by ‘beef baron’ Cyril Hurvitz, this handsome chestnut became a successful, if not great, stallion, siring the Gr1 winners Dambuster, Sandfly and Hammer Belle. The broodmare sire of Gr1 Summer Cup winner Tyson, he also appears in the pedigrees of Gr1 SA Derby winner Son Of Raj and his equally talented own brother Arumugam.

Sledgehammer was denied the double in 1976, when he had to bow to Herman Browntrained Gatecrasher. The big chestnut likewise earned himself a place at stud and from far less opportunity, sired the Gr1 winning sprinter Welcome Guest, as well as Underground Lady, a stakes winning half-sister to 1997 Met winner London News. She produced Gr1 winner Lady Brompton, whose champion son Kings Gambit completed the Gr1 SA Classic/SA Derby double before becoming a Gr3 winner in Britain. Another of Gatecrasher’s daughters Quick Succession produced Gr1 SA Guineas winner Heir Apparent and also features as the grandam of Gr1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes victress Nightingale and Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic winner Athina. Three times Horse of the Year, and a dual Met winner, Politician is widely regarded as the finest galloper of the seventies. A winner of 11 Gr1 races, his second Met victory in 1979 proved one for the ages, as he came from a hopeless position in the straight to nab the gallant Festive Season on the line. Exhilarating stuff. Although he never emulated himself as a

stallion - to be honest, very few champions ever do - he sired numerous stakes winners over a wide variety of distances, from the all-conquering sprinter Signor Amigo and fleet-footed Izindaba, to SA Oaks winner Seven Stars and stakes winning stayers Wise Crack and Dare To Command. As a broodmare sire, he is responsible for dual Gr1 winner Duchess Daba and also features in the pedigree of 2014 Met winner Hill Fifty Four. Then there was Foveros. In a season which saw him crowned the Horse of the Year, the English import put together a rousing five-win streak capped by the 1982 Met. At stud, the son of Averof went on to cement his place in the pantheon of stallion greats, leading the General Sires list on nine occasions, eight of which consecutively. His Gr1 winners include elite names such as Aquanaut, Miss Averof, Simonside, Singing Boy, Teal, Shah’s Star and Festive Forever. Although he failed to establish a sire line of his own, Foveros did excel as a broodmare sire, topping the list in 2001. His daughters produced three Gr1 Summer Cup winners in Ingleside, Wolf Whistle and Malteme,

Imperious Sue beats North By Northwest (Piere Strydom) in a 1998 thriller | Credit: Supplied

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the champions Special Parade, Thundering Star and Fearless, classic winners Floatyourboat, Arcola, Ash Cloud, Sally Bowles and Prince Asad, the dual Gold Cup winner Highland Night and Gr1 winning sprinter Warm White Night. Truly a stallion for all seasons! Trainer Ricky Maingard, who has two runners in the 2024 renewal, will forever be associated with the magnificent miler Wolf Power, who claimed a hot renewal of the 1984 Met at the expense of the exceptional imports Spanish Pool and Devon Air. A Gr1 winner at two, this Birch-bred grey matured into a dominant force as a four-year-old, set two South African record times, five track records and won eight times at Gr1 level. Exported to the States, the 1984 Horse of the Year spent the latter part of his stallion career at the venerable Gainesway Farm in Kentucky and while he proved himself a solid, if not spectacular sire, he became a factor for toughness and resilience in a pedigree. That said, he reserved his place in history as the damsire of dual American Horse of the Year Wise Dan. It would be remiss not to mention his South African-bred daughter Wild Wolverine, who became grandam of Gr1 SA Classic winner Lobo’s Legend. Model Man, who claimed the scalp of champion Enchanted Garden in the 1987 Met, likewise earned Horse of the Year honours. At stud, he went on to buck the trend at a time when locally-bred stallions were eschewed by breeders, siring a slew of Gr1 winners, amongst which Special Preview, Amberpondo, Glamour Boy, Eddington and the fillies Fair Model, Model 18 | 17 JANUARY 2024

School, League Title and Private Reserve. Equally as successful a broodmare sire, his daughters produced the Gr1 winners National Spirit, Along Came Polly and Pointing North. The final decade of the twentieth century gave us two more legends of the turf, London News and Horse Chestnut. The former, who carried the famous Jaffee silks to Met victory in 1997, returned to his birth country following a trailblazing victory in Hong Kong’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup and a third in the Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. The son of Bush Telegraph put together a solid innings as a stallion, and while he failed to sire that all-important Gr1 winner, he became broodmare sire of Gr1 Gold Challenge winner Undercover Agent.

By the way, he features as the sire of the grandam of this year’s Met hopeful Montien. The twentieth century ended on a high when Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer’s champion Horse Chestnut swept to a majestic victory in the 1999 Met, his winning margin of 8.25 lengths underlining his absolute superiority. A winner of his sole American start, he retired to the famed Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, where he stood nine seasons. That he was a foreignbred, and a grass galloper to boot, outweighed his credentials at a time when American breeders looked askance at turf horses and

with just one Gr1 winner to his credit, he returned to his birth country, where he added another two Gr1 winners to his tally. Truth be told, he has had a far more profound impact as a broodmare sire, and on three continents no less! Damsire of six American Gr1 winners, he also features as the broodmare sire of Gr1 Irish Oaks and Gr1 Prix Vermeille victress Star Catcher, who incidentally, was bred by the Oppenheimers’ cousin, Antony. It is entirely fitting that Horse Chestnut is also broodmare sire of a Met winner, this the Ideal

Thrilled Pocket Power connections in 2010 | Credit: Supplied

World filly Smart Call, who dusted off a vintage field of male rivals to claim the 2016 race by over three lengths. And like Horse Chestnut, she is a product of the famed Mauritzfontein paddocks and won in the same Oppenheimer silks. Curiously, the new millennium has been marked by a plethora of gelded Met winners,

prime amongst which the triple winner Pocket Power, whose historic hat-trick is unlikely ever to be rivalled. Sixteen years after Horse Chestnut’s tour de force, the Met was again won by a colt, the four-year-old Futura, who strode to a facile victory under the steadier of 60 kg. Following a successful career crowned by champion 17 JANUARY 2024 | 19

1993 winner Empress Club | Credit: Supplied

honours, he retired to Drakenstein Stud where he has acquitted himself with aplomb, albeit that he has yet to sire a Gr1 winner. Remarkably, Drakenstein Stud is now home to three Met winners, as Futura has since been joined by One World and homebred Jet Dark. The former, who prevailed in a gritty finish to the 2020 renewal, has made a fine start to his second career as the sire of four quickfire winners from his debut crop. After finishing second in 2022, Jet Dark gained his revenge twelve months later when he won the Met in his last racetrack appearance. A multiple champion son of Trippi, he has just worked his way through a star-studded first book of mares, amongst which Captain’s Ransom, who ironically, denied 20 | 17 JANUARY 2024

him of Horse of the Year honours. In the period under review, there have been a select group of seven female Met winners. The first was the Terrance Millard-trained amazon Olympic Duel, who was no stranger to putting one over the boys. In 1991, she beat subsequent Durban July winner Spanish Galliard, and as a broodmare, became a regular consort to none other than fellow Met winner Foveros, matings which yielded Gr1 winner Flying Duel and the stakes winner Lightning Duel (subsequently dam of champion Thundering Star). A liaison with Model Man produced Olympic Dam, whose Trippi son Gold Standard is now starting to make a name for himself as a stallion.

In 1993, Millard’s son Tony saddled the incomparable running machine Empress Club to victory. Raced by the Jaffees, this Argentine-bred Horse of the Year spent her entire broodmare career abroad but sadly, has faded into obscurity. She produced two minor stakes winners, one of which was her only daughter Empress Pegasus, who eventually found her way to Australia and New Zealand, where she made little impact. Not so Northern Guest’s daughter Imperious Sue, who captured the Met five years later. She duly became dam of Gr1 Woolavington 2000 winner Imperious Star, whose first foal, the Trippi colt Double Appeal placed at Gr1 level as a juvenile.

Interesting to note that Trippi also features as the sire of stakes winner Sunset Tripp, who is out of Imperious Star’s half-sister Red Growler. The first female Met winner of the new millennium was teak-tough River Jetez. Third behind her legendary full brother Pocket Power in 2009, she turned the tables in 2010, ironically denying him a record fourth Met victory. She of course became a Gr1 producer with her very first foal, the Computaform Sprint winner Rivarine. Two years later in 2012, Mike de Kock saddled his third Met winner, the Australian-bred wonder filly Igugu, who overcame an interrupted preparation to claim the scalps of Bravura and future champion stallion Gimmethegreenlight. Also a Horse of the Year recipient, Igugu’s broodmare innings was sadly confined to just

Wolf Power wins the Met in 1984 | Credit: Supplied

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two foals before her premature death at age nine, the first of which was a stakes-placed winner of three races. The most recent female Met winner Oh Susanna likewise came from Down Under. The only three-year-old in the 2018 line-up, the Drakenstein colour bearer downed an elite weight-for-age field to become the fourth female winner of the new millennium. She is now a member of Drakenstein’s powerful broodmare band and is the dam of a juvenile filly by Trippi and a yearling colt by fellow Met winner Futura. A solitary female hopeful has her eye on this year’s crown. That is champion Bless My Stars, already a galloper with credentials to be a valuable addition to the broodmare gene pool. As regards her male rivals, this year’s final field

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includes Gr1 winners See It Again and Double Superlative.

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TRIPPI – THE TALE OF A TITAN CONTINUES Credit: Supplied

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Drakenstein’s Foundation Sire Trippi (USA): Champion Sire, Sire of Sires, Sire of Champion Broodmares | Credit: Supplied

This week bloodstock expert Robin Bruss continues with part 2 of the story of champion Trippi and the Search for Greatness. In 2008, Gaynor Rupert had an important decision to make regarding the foundation sire for her Drakenstein Stud, her thoroughbred breeding farm established in 2003 on the very beautiful 3,200 acre L’Ormarins Wine Estate. The land, known as L’Ormarins, was occupied from 1694 by French Huguenot, Jean Roi, who established the first 4000 vines. The farm was acquired by Anthonij Rupert with the vision

to establish the finest wines in the country, but tragically, he lost his life in a car accident in 2001, and Johan continued the vision in honour of his late younger brother. 28 | 17 JANUARY 2024

It was Johan that suggested to Gaynor that she bring her horses to L’Ormarins, located at the foot of the Drakenstein mountains near the picturesque village of Franschhoek and to use the high slopes adjacent to the famous vines. Gaynor then nurtured her own vision: to breed quality racehorses both as a commercial venture and to enjoy the sport of racing for herself.

It was Johann that suggested to Gaynor that she bring her horses to L’Ormarins, located at the foot of the Drakenstein mountains near the picturesque village of Franschhoek and

to use the high slopes adjacent to the famous vines. Gaynor then nurtured her own vision: to breed quality racehorses both as a commercial venture and to enjoy the sport of racing for herself. Studying some of the best stud farms around the world, the layout was spacious, and the design an architectural masterpiece on a scale befitting the joy of owning of a thing of great beauty. Visitors have remarked that Drakenstein’s vista is one of the most beautiful on the planet. Foundation Sire By 2008, it was time to think about the acquisition of a foundation sire, a horse with speed and quality, and preferably, a stallion that had proven himself on the racecourse plus distinguished himself as a fertile sire of quality winners. “It was Charles Faull of Form Bloodstock who did the research and provided me with a list of potential candidates” says Gaynor, “and I determined to travel to America to go and see them” “Charles put me in touch with his American counterpart, Joe Brocklebank, and we began to go and see the horses one by one”.

“When I saw Trippi, I was instantly taken in by his great beauty, his quality and physical prowess, and he was easily the best horse that I had viewed and I was determined to make a successful offer to buy him”.

them 3 Stakes Winners. He had 5 SW in each of his second and third crop, and by the time Gaynor arrived in 2008, his first three crops had yielded 13 SW, although only 3 of these were graded stakes winners, and the best of them Miss Macy Sue, had won one Gr.3 and five listed races. Michael O’Farrel of Ocala Stud said that selling Trippi was bitter sweet but two of the partners in the horse were dispersing and a third was reducing his stock - and Trippi’s sale had returned a handsome dividend on their investment. Negotiation was quick and Trippi was purchased for a significant sum and Gaynor had her proven sire around which to build Drakenstein Stud. Syndication followed in South Africa, Drakenstein retaining half the horse and inviting other breeders to subscribe for shares. The syndication was not without some difficulty as the exchange rate made the shares expensive in the South African market , and there was more than one complaint at the time about affordability. However, when buying a stallion in 2008 that had commenced covering in 2002, there was the knowledge that Trippi had several crops in the pipeline in America and it didn’t take long for good news to flow from across the oceans. In 2009, a Trippi filly called Jealous Cat (USA) emerged as blindingly fast in her first start over 900m. The owners did something very unusual. They flew her across the Atlantic to Europe and ran her in the fastest juvenile race for fillies, the Queen Mary Stakes (Gr.2) at Royal Ascot, and she blitzed the best of the European generation at 5 furlongs to win easily.

R Heat Lightning (USA), another brilliant Trippi filly, emerged as one of the best of her generation in USA, winning the Spinaway Apart from his race record, Trippi was rapidly S. (Gr.1) for 2 year olds at Saratoga and gaining attention as the leading young sire in completed her juvenile season with an excellent the state of Florida. He had sired 17 juvenile winners in his first crop racing in 2005, amongst 2nd in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies S. 17 JANUARY 2024 | 29

(Gr.1), to rank #2 amongst all American juvenile fillies. The 2007 and 2008 American crops yielded 9 SW each and a further 3 in the 2009 crop. In 2009, Trippi was the #1 Leading Sire in Florida, #1 Leading Sire of 2 Year Olds in Florida, and #3 Leading Third Crop sire in America, with 75% winners, and progeny earnings of $16 million. His American yearlings were selling for up to US$450,000. Ultimately Trippi’s 7 American crops ended up yielding no less than 33 Stakes Winners who won 72 Stakes Races. It was pretty obvious that Trippi’s acquisition was a brilliant buy with fortuitous timing – a season or two later and he would have been double or triple the price and almost certainly would not have arrived in South Africa. “I was very, very lucky with Trippi” said Gaynor, “when I saw him, he was the most beautiful horse, I fell in love with him and my instinct was that I just knew that he would be very successful for us – and that is how it has turned out to be.” Drakenstein bred and owned Champion Inara (by Trippi) won 5 Gr.1 races | Credit: Supplied

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Trippi in South Africa Trippi’s first South African Crop was bred on a service fee of R100 000, with Western Winter (R200 000), Jet Master (R170 000) and Fort Wood (R150 000) standing for higher fees. Trippi’s first crop of runners made him Champion First crop Sire and his career started well, but it wasn’t until this second SA crop that he sired his first South African Grade 1 winner when Klawervlei bred For the Lads who won the Gr.1 Golden Slipper. The third crop was the ‘tour de force’ : there were FOUR Gr.1 winners in the crop and the first South African Champion. Drakenstein bred and raced Inara (out of Mountains of Mist IRE, by Derby winner Shirley Heights) added stamina to Trippi’s speed, and Inara won 5 Gr.1 events from 1200m to 1800m – she won the Majorca S. Gr.1 twice, the Empress Club S. Gr.1 and the Garden Province S. Gr.1, and the Paddock S. Gr.1, traversing all three major provinces and became Equus Champion Filly.

Drakenstein foaled and raised, Deo Juvente won the R3,5m Champions Challenge Gr.1 over 2000m, Afrikaburn won the Golden Horseshoe Gr.1 and Maine Chance bred Real Princess won the SA Fillies Sprint Gr.1. Eight Gr.1 wins in a short space of time and Trippi deservedly became Champion Sire in 2015. “It hasn’t been a surprise for us that Trippi ended up being Champion Sire” said Drakenstein’s Manager, Kevin Sommerville, “and we are super proud of him and his achievements. A lot of owners and trainers always thought that Trippi could not become Champion Sire because he was so fast that he would not sire winners at 2000m. or more where most of the big prize money is concentrated. But he has succeeded in siring winners over all distances” In fact, Trippi in his total career has sired 830 individual winners who have won 2,813 races and these range from 800m to 2500m+. He is also a very versatile stallion on any racing surface and he has Graded SW in dirt and

turf and polytrack and on all types of going, although they love the firm ground of South African tracks. “One of the hardest things to find in breeding,” observes Kevin, “is to find a stallion that’s ultra consistent and predictable and it makes them very easy to work with. Trippi is that stallion and he is one of the best I have ever seen”. “Trippi foals are independent, they have strong minds, they don’t like to be forced to do what they don’t want to do, so in the hands of patient trainers, who don’t get too hard on their horse, Trippi progeny thrive. They are very, very genuine horses, both colts and fillies, but you have to give them the chance to be genuine”. The 2014 crop yielded SA Classic Gr.1 winner Lobo’s Legend, bred by Klawervlei and in 2015 Drakenstein bred Chimichuri Run emerged as a top class sprinter winning 8 races including the Tsogo Sun Sprint Gr.1 and R2,2 million, earning a reputation for toughness and soundness. He now stands as a stallion at Blue Sky Thoroughbreds in KZN.

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Kevin remembers him as a tall and lanky yearling with great scope, but very immature at the National Yearling Sales, where he sold for R200,000 to the bid of Nic Jonsson, an exceptional buy as Jet Dark went on to win five Gr.1 races including the L’Ormarins Queens Plate Gr.1 twice, the Cape Met Gr.1, the Champions Cup Gr.1 twice, and was 2nd in the July Gr.1 He was Equus Horse of the Year and in 2023 he retired back to the home of

his birth to stand as the most popular first crop sire attracting 134 mares at a fee of R30,000. The exceptionally good looking Jet Dark is out of a Jet Master mare and inherited more size and scope than the regular Trippi – and more stamina. It’s interesting that Jet Master mares sent to Trippi produced 28 runners and 25 of them (90%) were winners, and three were SW.

Jet Dark wins the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Gr.1 (1600m) for the second time | Credit: Supplied

The stellar year enjoyed by Trippi in 2023 was really all about the stellar year enjoyed by Drakenstein, now come of age as a mature farm with a steady stream of high class runners, good sales results and great homebred results. “I have had great luck” says Gaynor “because I retained Sweet Pepper as a future broodmare and she won the Allan Robertson Fillies Championship Gr.1, Trip of Fortune didn’t make his reserve at the yearling sales and so I raced him, Charles Dickens couldn’t go to the sale because it was thought he had a soft palate issue, and Winchester Mansion broke a bone 32 | 17 JANUARY 2024

in his neck as a weanling and I could not sell him” In the rollercoaster of horseracing, somehow it’s often what appears to be the bad news, that ends up as the most fortuitous. Winchester Mansion’s victory in the 2023 Hollywoodbets July Gr.1 was Trippi’s first Gr.1 win at 2200m and in South Africa’s most prestigious race. Trip of Fortune won the 2023 Horse Chestnut S. Gr.1 at 1600m and Charles Dickens became

the best horse owned and bred by Drakenstein to date, with 10 wins in 13 starts, over R5m in earnings. All three earned Equus Awards in 2023 and were major contributors to the exceptional achievement for Drakenstein to become both Champion Owner and Champion Breeder in the same season, a feat that I believe was only accomplished once before - by Graham Beck. Of the 13 individual winners produced by Trippi, one was un USA and 12 in South Africa. Of these 9 (or 75%) were bred and foaled at Drakenstein, two came from Klawervlei, and one from Maine Chance. Of the 13, four have inbreeding to Mr Prospector within 4 generations, the rest are essentially outcrossed matings, so Trippi suited a very wide variety of mares. Almost all have inbreedings to Northern Dancer further back but that’s almost impossible to avoid these days.

The highest percentage of stakes winners belong to the cross between Trippi and SA bred Dynasty, with 10 runners, 8 winners (80% winners) and 4 of the 8 winners becoming stakes winners, amongst them the brilliant Charles Dickens. Charles Dicken’s incredible victory in the L’Omarins Kings Plate Gr.1 on 6 January sealed Trippi’s career with an incredible champion as Trippi, now 27 years old comes to the end of his reign, with Charles Dickens and Jet Dark stepping up to assume the mantle as sons of the King and Lords of Drakenstein. It’s hard not to quote from namesake Charles Dickens in the unfolding story of what has happened. “They are the future of Drakenstein Stud” says Gaynor, without omitting the 30 odd daughters of Trippi on the farm, most of them stakes winners.

Kevin Sommerville and Gaynor Rupert lead in the magnificent Charles Dickens after his Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas win | Credit: Supplied

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From chaos comes order, from opportunity comes enterprise, from immaturity comes maturity, and in the roller coaster of horse breeding and racing, Drakenstein first phase has been cemented by the steadiness of a great foundation stallion.

Finding outcrosses for Trippi’s sons and daughters becomes the next step for the potential growth of the farm, bit that’s all for discussion in a future chapter of the story.

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CHARLES DICKENS RETIRES TO DRAKENSTEIN v

Charles Dickens – goes to post on 6 January for what has turned out to be his last start Credit: Candiese Lenferna 38 | 17 JANUARY 2024

Star 4yo Charles Dickens has been retired and will take up stud duties at his place of birth, Drakenstein Stud, from the 2024 season. v

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A last hurrah! Prior to the L’Ormarins King’s Plate 2024, which would be Charles Dickens’ last start - Gaynor Rupert, Tyron Langdon, Aldo Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Drakenstein’s Kevin Sommerville confirmed the decision by Gaynor Rupert to retire her champion to the breeding barn at the magnificent farm. He is a horse Mrs Rupert recently labelled the ‘future of Drakenstein’, The market showed an enormous appetite for a horse that has all the credentials to be a future champion sire, when a notice of syndication for stud saw all shares snapped up in record time recently. History will show that the smashing chestnut champion retired from an illustrious track career that captivated the public, and went out in a royal blaze of glory after his scintillating victory in the 163rd renewal of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 6 January 2024. The Sporting Post reported recently that the 2024 R2 million L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate became the Charles Dickens show as the colt’s electrifying late burst from midfield made it 40 | 17 JANUARY 2024

three wins in the prestigious weight-for-age mile from four renewals for his retired champion sire Trippi. In the process, Charles Dickens gave delighted multiple champion breeder Gaynor Rupert and her high-riding Drakenstein team their maiden success in twenty years of sponsoring the summer drawcard. Charles Dickens was registering his third Gr1 success in the process, having also claimed the 2022 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and 2023 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. Crowned Champion 3yo and Champion Miler, he is out of Equus Broodmare Of The Year Demanding Lady, and has won his ten races from 1000m to a mile, only beaten thrice in thirteen starts – that when second in the 2023 L’Ormarins King’s Plate as a 3yo, and in the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby, and a third placed finish in a Grade 2. Charles Dickens aced 13 times, which compares favourably with the track exposure

of the likes of Horse Chestnut (also 13 starts), Dynasty (12), and Frankel (14). The news of the decision has naturally shaken

up the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met betting market, with Michael Roberts trained See It Again – another Drakenstein bred star – firmly positioned at the top of the boards.

WHAT THE MAIN PLAYERS SAID Trainer Candice-Bass Robinson commented:

“Charles Dickens, the best horse I have ever trained without a shadow of a doubt, it’s been a wonderful journey and an honour to train an absolute gentleman with such sheer brilliance. He never had one issue in his career, extremely sound and never left an oat. He was fondly known as ‘Goosebumps’.” Jockey Aldo Domeyer who rode him in every start said: “I have felt some great horses do some great things in my career, but it all pales in comparison when you add Charles (Dickens) to the equation. I’ve never ridden a horse who could do it as effortlessly, yet with that much potency at the same time. He’s simply a superstar. It has been an honour.”

Gaynor Rupert said: “Retiring Charles Dickens

was a very hard decision to make. I would have loved to have seen him race until the end of the season, he would undoubtedly have won a few more big races but he has nothing left to prove. It is in the interest of the horse and of the shareholders that after much consultation, we decided to retire him and give him plenty of time off before the start of the breeding season. He was blessed with speed, an incredible turn of foot, sheer brilliance, intelligence and remarkable cadence. I’m sure he will pass these traits on to his future progeny and we can’t wait to see them”.

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MAIN DEFENDER – A POLISHED PERFORMANCE

Calvin Habib steers Main Defender to a good win | Credit: JC Photos

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After an emotional and trying few months of challenges that arrived in all shapes and sizes, ‘Highveld Hero’ Main Defender returned at Turffontein on Saturday after a mostly involuntary eleven-week break, to record a workmanlike victory in the R350 000 Betway Gr3 Got The Greenlight Stakes. The son of Pathfork has developed something of a cult following in his home province, where he often masquerades as the flagbearer of the North vs South movement and is an equine athlete of serious talent. It’s now well documented Main Defender missed his Merchants engagement on Betway Summer Cup day in November ’23 in a matter that is the subject of an ongoing inquiry. Then a week ago, the rains dashed our hopes of him bumping arch-rival Sandringham Summit in this very race, formerly known as the Tony Ruffel Stakes. With Sandringham Summit’s connections opting out in view of the proximity to the Gauteng Guineas on 3 February, Main Defender (8-10) looked to have the 1400m contest at his mercy on Saturday, and after stalking Gimmeanotherchance for much of the trip, new pilot Calvin Habib shook the Tony Peter charge up at the 300m and he powered on, lugging in slightly towards the grey Barbaresco (33-1). The margin at the line was an unextended 1,10 lengths in a winning time of 84,91 secs – 1,46

secs faster than the fillies a half hour earlier. This was a third straight feature success for Main Defender, who is lethal over 1400m and has only been dethroned once in seven starts – and that over a mile by the smart Sandringham Summit. Mike de Kock’s unbeaten Champagne Cocktail was seen as a potential danger in some quarters, receiving 4,5 kgs from the Peter star, but the talented filly never showed and ran out of the money. A R140 000 buy from the 2022 BSA Cape Yearling Sale, Main Defender was bred by Jagessar Limited and is a son of Ridgemont’s Sandown Stud-based stallion Pathfork (Distorted Humor) out of the twice winning Judpot mare, Alessia. Main Defender took his stakes earnings over R1,3 million, and where to now? He won a good unpressured race here on the soft, and there may be a temptation for him to go for the proverbial jugular in the Guineas on 3 February. That would be a drawcard of note.

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DRAKENSTEIN BLUE TO FEATURE FORE AGAIN! Silver Hills (Serino Moodley) slips through down the rail to beat Unzen (Yeni) and Silent War (Habib) | Credit: JC Photos

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Another raceday, another Drakenstein raced home-bred winner! The champion breeders maintained their extraordinary season when the Sean Tarrytrained Silver Hills upstaged the males to register her maiden stakes success and win the R225 000 Betway Listed Wolf Power 1600 at Turffontein on Saturday. The Drakenstein machine celebrated on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day, as well as at Fairview on Friday, and it was champagne again on Saturday. After Unzen had showed the way for much of the 1600m journey, the son of Erupt came under pressure on the soft ground, as the fancied Silent War looked dangerous momentarily.

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But the favourite’s effort petered tamely, and it was left to the only member of the fairer sex in the nine-strong field to turn on the jets under Serino Moodley, who was grabbing his second Turffontein feature seeks in as many weeks. Silver Hills (20-1) stayed on strongly to hold Unzen (4-1) by 0,15 lengths in a time of 99, 2 secs. Bred by Drakenstein, the winner is a daughter of late multiple champion sire Silvano (Lomitas) out of the four-time winning dual Oaks victress Ash Cloud. That makes Silver Hills a half-sister to the 2024 World Sports Betting Met entry Pacaya (Trippi). A winner of 3 races with 4 places from 9 starts, the Gr1 placed filly took her stakes earnings to R414 875.

SA OAKS

– A PROUD DYNASTY When Silver Hills (Silvano) won Saturday’s Listed Betway Wolf Power 1600, she became the second stakes winner for her Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks winning dam Ash Cloud (Black Minnaloushe).

he latter, also dam of 2023 Gr2 World Sports Betting 1900 winner Pacaya (Trippi), is herself a half-sister to a pair of Oaks winners in the form of Princess Of Light (Gold Circle Oaks) and Arcola (SA Oaks). The latter has also enjoyed success at stud, Arcola being the dam of 2018 Gr2 Fillies Guineas winner Fiorella (Captain Al) and 2020 Gold Cup Sprint hero Verdier (Var). Incidentally, Silver Hills was not the only runner in the 2024 Wolf Power 1600 produced by an SA Oaks winner, with sixth place finisher Pyromaniac (Silvano) a son of Gr1 SA Oaks winner Pine Princess. Overall, SA Oaks winners, have a mixed record at stud. One SA Oaks winner who left an indelible mark on the South African stud book was Julie Andrews (Shantung), who landed the Oaks in 1964. A daughter of Epsom Derby third placer Shantung, Julie Andrews left behind three Gr1 winners including fellow SA Oaks winner Grease Paint (Free Ride). Julie Andrews also threw Gr1 Hawaii Stakes winner Col Pickering (broodmare sire of legendary South African champion Horse Chestnut) and Principal Boy. The latter was promoted to first in the 1975 Gr1 Rothmans

July when Gatecrasher was disqualified after crossing the line first and demoted to third place. Julie Andrews’ half-sister Little Audrey (High Veldt) also won the SA Oaks and she produced the stakes winning Little Willy (Wilwyn). Sabina Park (Sportsworld), winner of the 2004 Gr2 SA Oaks, is another who has proved a top-class broodmare.To date, she has been responsible for three stakes winners, headed by dual Gr1 Summer Cup winner Master Sabina (Jet Master), and 2018 Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes heroine Sabina’s Dynasty (Dynasty). The Jan Ekels sired Serena, winner of the SA Oaks back in 1982 (beating the subsequently highly successful broodmare Chinatown into second) made her presence felt on the international stage. Her son Broadway Flyer (Theatrical) contested the 1994 Gr1 Ever Ready Derby and finished a game runner up in that year’s Gr1 St Leger, and he went on to win the Gr1 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap in 1996. Serena also ranks as the third dam of 2012 Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes winner Francois Bernardus (Goldkeeper). Unfashionably bred Rootin’ Tootin’ (Great Brother) won the SA Oaks in 1989 and went on to produce eight winners. She also ranks as the third dam of Gr3 Champion Juvenile

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Cup winner O Tamara (Argonaut) and Gr2 Gold Bracelet/Gr3 London News Stakes winner Running Brave (Brave Tin Soldier). Rootin’ Tootin’s Gr1 placed daughter Spirit Ofthe Dance (Goldmark) produced Stormsvlei Mile winner Princess Ofthe Sky (Jet Master) and Gr3 Kings Cup runner up Platinum Prince (Silvano). A number of SA Oaks winners have not enjoyed luck at stud, with 2011 winner, and eventual Horse Of The Year, Igugu (Galileo) dying after producing just two foals, while Royal Aproval (Al Mufti), winner of the SA Oaks in 2005, died before producing a foal. Royal Aproval’s granddam Avila was also ancestress of SA Oaks winners Summer Pudding (Silvano) and Cherry On The Top (Tiger Ridge), both of whom went on to win the Triple Tiara.

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Already the dam of two black type horses in the form of Gr2 SA Oaks runner up Blossom (Silvano) and Gr3 Cape Classic third Seventh Gear (Captain Al), Cherry On The Top’s threeyear-old daughter Cherry Oh Baby (Danon Platina) recently made a promising debut when she ran fourth over 1160m recently. The 2024 renewal of the R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Oaks will be run at Turffontein on Saturday 6 April.

Smanga Khumalo has Let’s Go Now in full stride to beat the gallant White Pearl (Gavin Lerena) | Credit: JC Photos

TARRY CELEBRATES THE DOUBLE Sean Tarry celebrated a quick 50-1 feature double at Turffontein on Saturday when the Varsfontein bred Gimmethegreenlight filly Let’s Go Now finished strongly to win the R300 000 Gr3 Mother Russia Stakes. The feature, formerly the Three Troikas Stakes, attracted a quality field of nine. Just when the bridesmaid White Pearl (8-10) looked set to break her frustrating run of seconds, Smanga Khumalo got Let’s Go Now (11-2) to find her best finish and the Kestorm Investments owned galloper nabbed the Mike de Kock grey on the post to register a 0,20 length win in a time of 86,37 secs. The 16-1 Mia Moo, a recent maiden winner and

stablemate to Let’s Go Now, finished best of the rest to grab third, a further 2,55 lengths back. Placed in both the Gr3 HSH Princess Charlene Gr3 Starling Stakes and the Betway Gr3 Fillies Mile, Let’s Go Now was registering her first stakes win and is a full sister to her accomplished Gr1 winning stablemate, Bless My Stars. The winner is out of the top-class stakes winning Silvano mare Star Express, who won 6 races from 1200m to 2200m. A winner of 3 races with 3 places from 9 starts and stakes of R394 500, Let’s Go Now is a R540 000 National 2yo Sale graduate.

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UNSTOPPABLE DRAKENSTEIN

Drakenstein 1-2! Hold My Hand (Fourie) holds on strongly to beat Future Girl (Craig Zackey) | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

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Birch Brothers’ Trippi stallion Gold Standard enjoyed a second feature success in two days when the overdue and well-weighted Hold My Hand finally converted her place form to a well-deserved win, taking the honours in Saturday’s R200 000 Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. On Friday at Fairview, Gold Standard’s daughter Gold Poker Game was victorious in the Listed Lady’s Bracelet, and with a single lot on offer at the upcoming Cape Racing Premier Yearling Sale, and three lots on offer at the BSA Cape Yearling Sale next month, the timing of these feature victories could not be sweeter for the vendors. Trained by Glen Kotzen, the Drakenstein home-bred Hold My Hand went into Saturday’s headliner a one-time winner, with place credits in the Oaks, Cape Fillies and SA Fillies Guineas, and Woolavington, in her fourteen starts. With the ever-reliable Richard Fourie in the

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irons, what looked the best bet on the card duly arrived, despite the dapper 4yo being pressed late by another Drakenstein flagbearer in the 25-1 Future Girl. But Fourie had the race sown up at the 150m and Hold My Hand (9-10) stayed on best to win by 0,40 lengths in a time of 126,20 secs. Former Dennis Drier charge Broadway Girl (252), who is raced by the Summerveld veteran’s family, ran an improved race for third, a further 2 lengths back. The winner was bred by Drakenstein out of the twice winning Holy Roman Emperor mare, Fly To The Moon. Hold My Hand’s sire Gold Standard has certainly made a big impression with his small first crop – numbering just 25 – which includes the mentioned classy four-year-old Gold Poker Game. That first crop produced 15 winners, including Hollywoodbets Gr3 Diana Stakes winner Golden Hostess.

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THE WRIGHT STUFF v

Top three! Gareth Wright on Gold Poker Game (far left) returns with Richard Fourie (runner-up La Luna, green sleeves) and Louis Mxothwa on the third-placed defending champion And We Danced Credit: Pauline Herman

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ormer KZN-based rider Gareth Wright continues to make proper use of the opportunities that arise through his association with a powerful yard, and he travelled up the Garden Route on Friday to secure a smart feature victory in the R150 000 Listed Lady’s Bracelet on Gold Poker Game – yet another victory for the high-riding Drakenstein team.

Wright made the Gqeberha trip on Friday for six rides, and rode a polished and confident race on the 4yo daughter of Gold Standard, who finished with a late rattle to beat the oddson fancy and local star 3yo Luna Halo in the afternoon headliner. Gold Poker Game was a first winner of 2024 for the Maritzburg College student, but looking back he enjoyed the best December of his career with 8 winners, of which 50% were for the Candice Bass-Robinson yard. Despite running a bit green, Gold Poker Game (28-10) showed her mettle to record her second stakes success – her first being a slightly hollow victory, after gaining the credit

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for the 2023 Listed Jamaica Handicap following the disqualification of the original winner, and in the process becoming her relocated sire’s first stakes winner. On Friday Gold Poker Game was on fire and beat Luna Halo by three quarters in a time of 97,04 secs. Last year’s winner And We Danced (8-1) finished a further 2,25 lengths back in third. Gold Poker Game is another feature winning Drakenstein home-bred, She is a daughter of Trippi stallion Gold Standard, who was transferred to Colin Birch’s historic Vogel Vlei Stud in the Karoo in late 2023. The winner is out of the well-related US bred Skip Away mare, Skip Poker, and is now a winner of 5 races with 7 places from 14 starts for stakes of R489 213. Gavin Smith and Smanga Khumalo were in rich form and dominated proceedings with 50% of the winners on the eight race programme. The next Eastern Cape racemeeting is on Friday 19 January.

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KLAWERVLEI –

CHAMPIONS IN THE DNA! Klawervlei Stud will dispatch 24 yearlings to the Cape Racing Sales, CPYS powered by Tattersalls, to be staged on Thursday 25 January 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. 74 | 17 JANUARY 2024

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Klawervlei is situated just east of Bonnievale on the banks of the Breede River, where the unique climate and mineral-rich soils are an ideal environment for raising thoroughbreds. The Koster family have been running Klawervlei since the 1950s, with the third generation, John, currently at the helm, continuing the mission of breeding champion racehorses. Lot 136 will generate plenty of interest, being a Gimmethegreenlight filly out of Cupid and thus a half-sister to Gr1 Queens Plate winner Vardy (Equus Champion miler in 2019/20) and a full sister to Universal (2nd when injured in the Gr1 Cape Derby.)

just been sold to Australia for GNS 250,000 (R5,900,000). This filly can also create a stir. Jo’s Bond was a true speedball, winning the Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes and seven other dashes. Lot 33, her third foal, is by Gr1 Computaform Sprint king, Rafeef. By coupling speed with speed, expectations are that this bay bullet will fly. Lot 53 by Captain Of All ex, Gr3 winner Orator’s Daughter. Lot 112 by Gimmethegreenlight ex Al Zahra (who produced the well-performed Gr2 winner Desert Rhythm) has the conformation of a superstar.

Lot 65 is another Gimmethegreenlight, a colt out of Return Flight, the Equus Champion twoyear-old filly in SA in 2018/18.

Lot 132 is a deft mix of speed, What A Winter, and stamina - dam Coby won 7 races up to 2850m.

Lot 110 is also a “Gimme” filly out of Equus Champion 2-year-old All Is Secret, who swept the boards in 2011/12. This is a famous family – 2nd dam, Secret of Victoria (through Gr1 Alan Robertson’s heroine, All Is Secret) and 3rd dam, Mystic Spring, produced two champions in Bela Bela and Rabiya. Gr1 Cape Racing Guineas in 2023 was won by Snow Pilot, also heralding from this esteemed family.

Lot 111 is a stunning Trippi filly ex-a Captain Al mare. Trippi is enjoying his best year ever late in his stallion career.

Vercingetorix progenies are greatly prized – Lot 109 is by that sire out of Captain Al mare, Alascan Maiden. This cross has produced 7% SW to runners, including Vernichey, who has

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For further enquiries as the sales date approaches, contact John Koster (082 880 7943) or Tracey Nash (066 185 7197).

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NORMANDY v

FILLIES WITH GRADE ONE PROSPECTS

‘Oscar, don’t sell your seed corn’ – Bjorn Nielsen Normandy’s pride and joy – more fireworks on 25 January | Credit: Candiese Lenferna 17 JANUARY 2024 | 81

“Oscar, don’t sell your seed corn.” Sage and well-meant advice from Bjorn Nielsen. While the phrasing may appear folksy, its directness delivers a message that’s hard to evade. In fairness, the majority of the mares at Normandy Stud trace to foundation mares that my parents purchased between 30 and 50 years ago, so a certain amount of ‘seed corn’ has been retained over the decades. The thing is that the theoretical 50-50 gender split doesn’t seem to apply to us. In recent years, some of our crops have produced fewer than 30% colts. It’s been going on for years (maybe there’s something in our water?). So, no matter how much I believe in Bjorn’s guidance, basic practicalities dictate that some of our fillies also have to be entered for auctions. Our six-strong draft for the Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale on 25 January includes five fillies, which puts us fully in contravention of what we should be doing. Let’s just say the seed corn phrase was echoing through my brain as I was doing sales entries. Headlining the five is Arctic Breeze’s final foal (lot 115), a full-sister to Rio Querari. If ever there was a filly we should keep, it would be the one out of a Champion-producing mare we no longer have, not so? Read this piece (https://www.sportingpost. co.za/normandy-stud-the-nordic-story/) from a few years ago to see why we hardly ever offer fillies from the Nordic Vine family. Since then, the family’s record has grown. Now, more than ever, is a reason for us to hold onto all the fillies we can.

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In fairness, when other breeders have representatives of our families, it’s also an opportunity for the family to be developed by exposure to different stallions. There are some stallions we just can’t get access to, and perhaps someone will use a stallion we hadn’t thought of. Ultimately, it’s to our benefit for these mares to be in other breeders’ hands. A prime example of this is the Mother Russia branch of our Terpsichore family, which has produced top fillies for both Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein. It is to this family that we look next for further examples of seed corn that we should be keeping. Lot 7 is a filly by The United States out of Ekaterina, who is also in the process of developing her own branch of the Terpsichore family, although on a scale that at present is less exalted than Mother Russia and her daughter Nother Russia. Ekaterina is both dam and grandam of stakes-placed runners, with future foals in the pipeline. We were not able to sell Ekaterina due to injury. An injury also resulted in us keeping her daughter, Yekaterina. Sometimes we’re saved from decisions about selling seed corn. Lot 98 is also a filly by The United States, and her dam is a half-sister to Mother Russia. She’s tall and scopey, the type of filly that will relish 2000m at a galloping track. And, looking ahead to her breeding career, she’ll fill out into a lovely broodmare. In order to breed lot 99, a Querari filly out of Two Hearts, we had to buy Normandybred Joshua’s Princess back at a broodmare auction. She’s from our Princess Daisy family, but little did we know when we sold Joshua’s Princess as a yearling, that we would later lose all the mares we had from the family. We’re excited by the foals that Two Hearts has given us. Through her, perhaps the family can, once again, be good for us. In the interim, it’s Big Sky Ranch’s mare Princess Nicky that is keeping the family alive.

Lot 95, a Legislate filly from a top Lammerskraal family, fell into our laps when we bought her dam at auction with her in utero. Her dam has subsequently produced another filly, so we have our seed corn in place.

From Normandy-bred mares or their daughters, our fellow breeders have bred Grade One winners of the ilk of Nother Russia, Consensual, Via Africa and Model School. Which of our five fillies on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale will have Grade One futures?

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VARSFONTEIN – GENERATIONS OF CHAMPIONS Beautifully situated beneath the Perdeberg mountains, Varsfontein Stud has sent quality thoroughbreds to market since the mid-70s, and they deliver another enticing draft of five yearlings to CPYS 2024.

All in the family! Champion Bela-Bela in the Varsfontein paddock with her Gimmethegreenlight foal Credit: Supplied 90 | 17 JANUARY 2024

Varsfontein is proud not only of their reputable broodmare band but of resident stallions, Gimmethegreenlight (twice Champion Sire in SA), Master of My Fate (2nd leading sire in 2021 and also runner-up champion 3yo sire in 2023) and Erik, the Red who add significant value to the whole operation. The Stud always holds a high-ranking position on the SA breeder’s log with a lengthy honours roll of Graded Stakes winners. Three of their five youngsters on offer at CPYS, powered by Tattersalls, are by their champ, Gimmethegreenlight. The others are a Danon Platina filly (Lot 100), and a Vercingetorix colt out of Amy Johnson called Roland Garros, who sports a particularly impressive dam side. Pedigree boffins are familiar with the family of Bela-Bela, Touch the Sky and Mystic Spring. Roland Garros is listed as Lot 113. For his part, the renowned Gimmethegreenlight is the sire of 635 runners and 409 winners, including a remarkable 58 Stakes successes and eight Gr1 winners. His most accomplished progeny includes Champion twoyear-old and Champion Three-year-old and Middle Distance horse in 2019/20, Got the Greenlight; Aussie export Yulong Prince, who won the VRC Cantala; Champion sprinter Gimme a Prince; amazing filly, She’s a Keeper; sensational juvenile, Lucky Lad; Equus Champion Filly of ’23, Bless My Stars, and ’23 Equus Champion Two-Year-Old colt, and now one of the absolute best in the current three-year-old crop, Sandringham Summit. Lot 39, Merryweather is a bay filly by “Gimme” ex-Maleficent, a talented daughter of Judpot and producer of recent eyecatching debutant victor, Handsome Prince, who was the 2nd highest price on this sale last year. Lot 117 is Randolph Hearst, a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of the Fort Wood mare, Babe Paley, a sister to Gr1 winner Athina. Racegoers will recall the feisty exploits of Silvano’s Pride (by Silvano), who won six races between 1400m and 2000m, right up to a Gr1 level score in the Woolavington. Her first foal, Diamond Baron, is offered as Lot 80. Interested parties can track the bay son of Gimmethegreenlight down in stable D8. • For further information and to co-ordinate viewings, contact Stud Manager Carl de Vos on 082 800 8490 or via email: info@varsfontein.co.za.

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Gateway to champions | Credit: Supplied

MAINE CHANCE

ALWAYS RAISING THE BAR Maine Chance Farms send 14 yearlings to market on Thursday 25 January 2024 for the CRS Cape Premier Yearling Sales, powered by Tattersalls. As befits a high- quality breeding establishment, there are potent pedigrees amongst their select draft. Lot 118 is a colt, Bruh, by Danon Platina ex Bandola. The dam has two foals to race - both winners, with the early achievement of Bavarian Beauty who took out the G1 Thekwini Stakes, especially notable. Coming right near the end of the

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catalogue is Lot 134, a not-to-be-missed Gimmethegreenlight colt out of Cosmic Dream, named Cosmic Encounter; thus, a full brother to top-class, Cosmic Highway, victorious in the Gr2 Cape Merchants a few weeks ago. Lot 63 is a son of Hawwaam out of Princess Royal, called Pivotal Role. Of course, Princess Royal threw 2023 Horse of the Year, Princess Calla, who is still going strong as a six-yearold mare, just missing out to Beach Bomb in past Saturday’s Gr1 Paddock Stakes, so this desirable bay is sure to get buyers’ pulses racing. Lot 130 is Chance Encounter, a colt by muchvaunted stallion Vercingetorix ex speedy mare, Champery, which makes him a full brother to

Chansonette, a Gr1 winner of the Cape Fillies Guineas, and 2nd in the G1 Paddock and G1 Majorca Stakes. Lot 6 Diamond Martini, a Querari filly out of Dynasty’s Blossom comes up early on the sale which commences at 14h30 on Thursday afternoon. The dam was a doughty stayer and winner of the Gold Cup over 3200m, so this intriguing pedigree from the legendary Aga Khan “D” - family combines endurance with Querari’s established influence for speed and durability. Lot 89 is a fine athletic specimen. The striking colt is by champion sprinter, Rafeef ex Suzanita, an Irish mare by Lomitas and thus bred on the reverse cross of Arc winner, Danedream Danehill over Lomitas. The second dam being 3/4 in blood to 4 x European and USA Gr1 winner, Stacelita, who in turn produced Japanese champion two- and three-year-old, Soul Stirring. The foal was born and raised at Newsells Park Stud which was then a sister stud to Maine Chance Farms. Symbolic Gesture is bound to attract major attention in stable E26. Lot 28, In A Timely Manner (Legislate ex Inaninstant) is worth closer inspection. The

half-brother to now 5 x winner Innamorare also sports plenty of Black Type on the dam’s side. In addition to those already mentioned, others represented in Maine Chance’s draft are progeny of boom freshman sire, One World, What a Winter (2nd in Stakes for ‘22/’23 season), and The United States which covers a wide spectrum of SA’s best current producers. Maine Chance has a proud history - often at the pinnacle of the South African Breeders Log and a perennial Top Ten listing in SA. The Stud farm has stood legendary Champion Sires such as New South Wales, Jungle Cove, National Assembly, Golden Thatch and more recently - the great, late Silvano. Current resident stallions are Vercingetorix, Querari, Quasillo and Erupt. With Dr Andreas Jacob’s strategic planning evident, coupled with generational links to Europe, the acquisition of quality stock continues to supplement Maine Chance’s premier broodmare band. For further enquiries contact Yearling Manager, Danni Kuttel on danni@mainechance.co.za.

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THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES Drakenstein Stud showcases a highly attractive draft of ten youngsters from a spread of reputable stallions at the Cape Racing Sales CPYS 2024, to be held on Thursday 25 January, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Resident Stallion What a Winter accounts for three yearlings, and Futura has two going to market. Gimmethegreenlight, Querari, Fire Away, and Erik the Red and Gold Standard have single representatives. Lot 17 will create a buzz being by champion sire Gimmethegreenlight out of Gabor, the Champion two-year-old filly in SA in 2018/19. This bay colt, Malmesbury Missile, can be viewed in stable D3. What a Winter Champion Sprinter in his prime and sire of 24 stakes winners are

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responsible for Lots 97, 116 and 127. The last mentioned, a first foal, is imbued with loads of speed – Casino King’s dam, Casino Queen was a sharp sprinter. Lot 116 is also a first foal. The dam, Aspen Colorado, is a half-sister to Silver Darling, winner of the Gr1 Woolavington. This intriguing pedigree combines noted stallion speed influence with stamina on the female side. The third dam, Bella Bianca, was the Champion Older Female Stayer in the late 90s.

Lot 97, Baccarat is out of Trip Poker (threequarter sister to Gold Poker Game, who won the Lady’s Bracelet on Friday at Fairview) and thus a full sister to Coldhardstare, who has been sprinting successfully on the Highveld and is now Black Type-placed. Futura, a son of Dynasty, is making an impact with progeny going a longer route. He offers Lots 45 and 72, out of Merysagos (who also won the Lady’s Bracelet) and the unraced Sempre Libre, respectively. The latter’s second dam is Mystic Spring, a remarkable producer of 11 individual winners, all loaded with Black Type. Stayer, Silver Stripe, a Silvano mare, has been put to first-season sire Erik the Red, a speedball. The resultant progeny is a bay colt, Vapour Trail, Lot 82.

Hold My Hand won the Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes over the weekend to still raise Gold Standard’s profile. The sire has a chestnut colt on offer – Gold Giboski cited as Lot 19. The second dam, Hosta, is a venerable Drakenstein line producer, as she’s thrown top-class performers, Lanner Falcon, Silver Host and Golden Hostess. Drakenstein Stud has advanced up the Breeders Log to top the SA rankings in the past two seasons. Their yearlings are always impeccably turned out, well received by discerning buyers and, most often, backed up by tremendous results on the racecourse. Stud manager Kevin Sommerville will gladly field any queries on 072 167 9971 or via email – kevin@drakensteinstud.co.za.

Magnificent Drakenstein | Credit: Michele Macdonald

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Red Swan’s Peter de Beyer – looking forward to Thursday’s sale | Credit: CRS

FIRST 2YO WINNER WAS FROM BLACK SWAN’S PREMIER DRAFT

Peter de Beyer’s boutique breeding operation Black Swan Stud offers a quality quartet at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale on 25 January. Black Swan is situated in the calcium rich climes of Robertson in the Western Cape. The farm is on magnificent land that produces superior bone strength in our thoroughbreds, and astute matings over the years have combined to make it a successful quarter century for the man who started with a solitary mare in 1998. Black Swan proudly holds the distinction of breeding the first 2yo winner of the 2023-2024 season, when Canford Cliff daughter Almond 108 | 17 JANUARY 2024

Sea justified favouritism to win well. She was also sold on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale! Backed down to start a 15-10 tote favourite , the Tony Peter trained Almond Sea more than lived up to expectations as she romped home to make all and win the 4Racing Welcomes You To The Betway Summer Cup Maiden Juvenile Plate (800m) by five and a quarter lengths. Bred by Peter de Beyer, Almond Sea is out of the Dupont mare Sylvie.

Here are thoughts from the horse’s mouth on their quartet: Lot 22. Elusive Fort ex Goldandsilver. Filly. Half Sister to GoldenTatjana (Winner Juvenile Trippi Stakes and Farm sales race) Half sister to Treasure Hunt (4wins). Mare 100% winners to runners. very speedy female line including Gr3 winners Golden Shina and Golden Braids. By top sire Elusive Fort. (Siren’s call, Lauderdale, Elusive Heart, Freedom Charter etc) This is a very pretty, eye catching filly who screams quality. She has good strong quarters and a nice strong shoulder. She walks beautifully and has a great overstep. Perfectly proportioned, she is very classy with good conformation.

Lot 86: Elusive Fort ex Step Out. Colt Dam a winning Silvano mare from a very strong female line. Dam a half sister to Gr2 winner Solid Speed and from the family of Gr1 winner Lady in Black and gr2 winner Nexus. (Both by Dynasty so the Elusive Fort cross should be effective). By top sire Elusive Fort (Kommetdieding, Catch Twentytwo, Out of Your League etc) An outstanding looking, strong colt with a classic look about him. Perfectly proportioned and walks purposefully. He has a lovely temperament and really fills the eye. He has good conformation and feet. A well balanced colt who is very correct. Certainly one to note. Lot 123: Soqrat ex Call of the Hunt. Filly

Lot 51: Erupt ex Omaticaya. Colt Dam a listed race winner by Silvano. Grand dam a 3 time winning sister to Gr3 winner Jet Supreme.

Dam a winner, and half sister to multiple Gr1 winner Hunting Tower. Family of Gr3 winner Crimson King and King Regent, both by Dynasty. Dam 2 winners from 3 runners so far.

A good strong colt, very much in the Dubawi mould, with short strong cannons, very strong quarters and a beautiful head. He has a very balanced athletic walk and looks classy. Correct.

An elegant, athletic filly who stands over ground and has a good shoulder and strong quarter. Walks well, really covers the ground and is correct. She looks racy.

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KOM’S ON HIS WAY BACK v

Trying times, but still smiling! Kom Naidoo is tough as teak Credit: Candiese Lenferna

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Training racehorses is not for the faint of heart. A rollercoaster ride of fast and slow horses, good and bad days, economic challenges, spiralling overheads, pressured owners, labour handcuffs, jockeys. The list is endless. No wonder there aren’t too many youngsters coming through the ranks, bar the sons and daughters of some established racing families. This week we bumped into something of a forgotten man of the racehorse training ranks. At age 42, Kumaran Naidoo is a textbook case of the inherent dangers and risks of subconsciously believing that a relatively successful racehorse training business built up over 17 years of blood, sweat and tears, is worth anything beyond a few second-hand saddles, when one is man down. ‘Kom’, as the lifetime Hayfields Pietermaritzburg resident is affectionately known, suffered a stroke in January 2023 and was in hospital for eight months.

At his peak, he had 100 horses in his yard. At the time of the health setback, he had 80 horses and was capably assisted by Tessa Rich. Eleven months later, he woke up and his Summerveld yard was eerily empty. The last Kumaran Naidoo was on Christmas Eve 2023. Radio silence thereafter. Not quite. Today, slowly finding his feet, and determined to live his passion in the game that his Dad taught him to love, he has filled two of his boxes with horses acquired from owner Preggie Somasundram, who recently announced a rationalisation of his string. “Two horses are not going to be gamechangers – but it’s a start and I have a great reason to get

Royal Zulu Warrior (Karl Zechner) wins the 2013 Gr3 Lebelo Sprint at Turffontein | Credit: Supplied

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Kom Naidoo and his very supportive sister, Roxanne | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

up in the morning again and enjoy what I most want to do in life!” adds Kom, as he explains the wake-up call that was his illness. “Before I got sick, I didn’t realise that I was essentially the business. And I can’t blame any of my owners for moving on as I lay in hospital. Horses have limited careers. They eat while the owner sleeps. They cost money. I was the trainer. I was the personality. I was the reason that they supported Kom Naidoo racing,” he laments as he reflects on something he didn’t worry too much about. The racing bug bit when Kom worked part-time for Bertie Hayden at the age of 18. His Dad had horses and was proud that his son was learning from the trainer who is best known as the former stable jockey to the legendary

Syd Laird, for whom he rode three Durban July winners, including the great Politician. Ironically, all those years ago Bertie Hayden was also dealt a bad card when he suffered a stroke and was forced to retire. Kom landed a position in Selvan Moodley’s yard where he worked with the experienced Steve Lodge, who was Moodley’s assistant at the time. Later, former top jockey Rhys van Wyk replaced Lodge, and together with the knowledge he had acquired from his three-month stint with stalwart Tony Rivalland, the knowledge thirsty Kom ventured out on his own in 2006, chiefly with the encouragement of his long-time friend and patron, Seelan Chetty.

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Ten years ago, Kom saddled the Gr2 Charity was Teerex at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 8 Mile winner and Australian bred Royal Zulu November 2023. Warrior in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Met. He saddled 58 winners in his best season. In an economically challenging post-covid environment, where does trainer Kom Naidoo Today, he makes use of a wheelchair, although go from here? he is mobile and can drive, as he does every day from Pietermaritzburg. “Life is all about challenges. Starting all over is not necessarily a bad thing. Covid was a “I battle to stand up from low chairs, and my gamechanger all over the globe. So I am not Doctor recommended I utilise my wheelchair alone. I just want to build my string slowly and in the course of the day. My sister Roxanne am so looking forward to training a winner has been a pillar of strength and support to again soon. Until then I am inviting anybody me through this ordeal, and I cannot thank looking for a dedicated and committed trainer her enough for always being there for me. to give me a call, or email me. I promise – I Hollywoodbets also continue to loyally won’t be full of nonsense, or too fussy!” he sponsor me, and there are some other laughs. exciting possibilities on the horizon, including discussions with some of my former patrons,” Kom can be contacted on 073 359 5080 he added positively. or email him at komnaidoo@ymail.com. The last winner under the Kom Naidoo banner

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PETER STAR STAYS A 121 Tony Peter star Main Defender remained unchanged on a rating of 121 after easily winning the Gr3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday, 13 January 2024. Tony Peter star Main Defender remained unchanged on a rating of 121 after easily winning the Gr3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday, 13 January 2024. Main Defender was best weighted and did not have to produce his very best to account for his rivals on Saturday. The Africa House was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse here and his rating remained on 106. The eye-catching Barbaresco, who produced a much-improved performance, may only be adjusted upwards by a maximum of 3 points in terms of the specific race conditions which prohibit the Handicappers from adjusting placed horses upwards by more than 3 points. Accordingly, 2nd placed Barbaresco goes up to 94 from 91 and 3rd placed Hotarubi goes up to 98 from 95 even though both have performed to a significantly higher level. Consequently, these two horse’s merit ratings do not reflect their relative ability to one another after the running of this Grade 3 event, as 2nd placed Barbaresco is rated 4 points lower than 3rd placed Hotarubi who he beat by a little over 3 lengths at level weights here. Only one horse received a drop in ratings in this race – Royal Edition was dropped to 85 from 88. 120 | 17 JANUARY 2024

Mother Russia Stakes (Grade 3) – Formerly Three Troikas Stakes Let’s Go Now has had her merit rating increased to 105 from 99 after winning the Grade 3 Mother Russia Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday. The runner-up, White Pearl, was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse in this event and her rating remained on 109. The winner, Let’s Go Now, had to be capped to a rating of 105, despite winning this Grade 3 race and beating the 109 rated runner up at level weight terms, due to the specific race conditions that prohibit the Handicappers from increasing the ratings of the winner by more than 6 points and placed horses by more than 3 points. In fact, the ratings of majority of the runners in this event do not represent the pecking order of the finishers in this race due \ to these caps. Mia Moo was capped to a rating of 90 despite running 3rd and easily beating 4th placed Lady Fallon who has been adjusted to 97 from 94, both these fillies ran to higher than their current official ratings. 5th placed Garlandsofgreenery also performed to a higher rating but could not be adjusted upwards and remains on a rating of 91, which is actually higher than the new rating of the 3rd placed Mia Moo who is now rated 90.

Only two fillies received a drop in ratings here, Betula was dropped from 100 to 98 while Key Element was dropped from 98 to 96.

of 99. The runner up Unzen received a 1-point adjustment from 104 to 105 and no other horse was given an increase in ratings for this event.

Important Note to all stakeholders: Due to the significant number of Merit Rating restrictions, as mentioned above, the Handicappers urge caution when observing the best weighted columns for the upcoming 3-year-old races (Triple /Tiara etc.), as some ratings do not represent the Handicappers assessment due to the arbitrary merit rating restrictions imposed on the Handicapping system.

The following horses received drops in ratings, Willow’s Wish was dropped from 96 to 94, Shoemaker was dropped from 111 to 109, Pyromaniac was dropped to 101 from 104 while all of Hoedspruit, Brave Viking and Another Level were given drops of 1 point each from 110 to 109, 90 to 89 and 98 to 97 respectively.

Wolf Power 1600 (Listed) Silver Hills had her rating adjusted to 102 from 100 after narrowly winning the Listed Wolf Power 1600 run over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday. Silent War was deemed the most suitable line horse here leaving him unchanged on a rating

Summer Fling Stakes (Grade 3) Formerly Final Fling Stakes The best weighted Hold My Hand remained on a rating of 108 after landing the Grade 3 Summer Fling Stakes over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Virginia Sweet was the line horse here and her rating remained unchanged on 96.

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Future Girl was capped to a rating of 96 from 90 despite performing to higher due to the specific race conditions that prohibit the Handicappers from adjusting the placed runners by more than 6 points. Broadway Girl received a 1-point adjustment from 88 to 89, this makes her correct with the runner up Future Girl who is rated 96 and who beat Broadway Girl by 2 lengths while conceding 1.5kg in weight. Silverlinks received a drop of 1 point from 95 to 94 while Royal Invitation was dropped to 90 from 95 after failing to confirm her previous run in the Gr3 Victress Stakes. Lady’s Bracelet (Listed) Gold Poker Game received a 1-point adjustment from 107 to 108 after winning the Listed Lady’s Bracelet at Fairview over 1600m on Friday. The Handicappers opted to use And We Danced as the line horse here and she remained on a rating of 103. The runner-up Luna Halo received a 3 points adjustment from

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103 to 106, which is 3 points higher than And We Danced who she beat here at WFA terms. Only two other horses received increases to their ratings in this event, Official Secret, who was rated to run 12th in the 14-runner field on a rating of 78, was adjusted from 78 to 92 after outperforming her pre-rating. She actually performs to higher than 92 but was made 1 point higher than 5th placed Public Benefit who remained on 91 and who she beat by a neck at WFA terms here. Unyielding was only given an adjustment, from 76 to 83 despite performing to significantly higher at these weight terms. This ensures that Unyielding meets Opera Swing, who she beat here, on correct handicapping terms in the future. Three horses received drops to their ratings in this event, Medlers Tart was dropped to 94 from 96, Sister Light was dropped to 86 from 88 and Flame Flower to 78 from 81. • Media release by NHA on Tuesday 16 January 2024.

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HARD TO FAULT THIS COLT! Military Command – Lot 68 is a son of Fire Away out of Lady Val | Credit: Supplied

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Julia Pilbeam’s Soetendal Estate has been an industry leader in the Ready To Run sales domain for over seventeen years and will be represented for the first time at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale next week when a classy son of Fire Away steps into the arena at the CTICC. Offered by Soetendal as agent, Lot 68 is out of a High Chaparral mare, from the family of Intelligence Cross and Sweet Orange. His two-year old half-sister, Famous Lady recently won her first start in Johannesburg in impressive style, and this colt looks equally racy. “He has grown into a superb type, and it’s hard to fault him,” says Jula Pilbeam, who adds that he has a strong resemblance to his sire, and is a fluent mover. “With the likes of stakes winners My Golly Molly and Egyptian Mau leading the way, Fire Away is already at 9% stakes winners to runners, and doesn’t look like stopping here.” For pedigree enthusiasts, this mating is not only a 20/20 match on G1 Goldmine, but also a Perfect Match (only one in twenty-five 20/20 matches is a perfect match).

On the newer Pedigrees360 platform, the colt also scores exceptionally well. Apart from sales preparation, Soetendal Estate has become well-known as a spelling and pre-training facility, with recent stakes-winning graduates including the likes of October Morn (Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes), Royal Aussie (3rd Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate), Future Variety (Listed Sophomore Sprint), and Questioning (Gr3 Cape Classic). The beautiful Soetendal Estate is a horsey paradise and lies some 15km northwest of Wellington, off the R44, facing the mountains of the Limietberg and offering stunning scenic views on all sides. The magnificent farm, a National Heritage Site, was founded in 1852. Julia started the operation on a small scale on 50 hectares of magnificent Boland countryside in 2005. The property was extended to offer a range of superior services, including backing and pre-training, yearling and Ready-to-Run sales preparation spelling, rehabilitation and post-operative care, permanent boarding of broodmare, foaling down and weaning, and transportation of mares to all sires in the Western Cape.

ANOTHER GREEN MEAN MACHINE South Africa’s reigning champion sire Gimmethegreenlight has an outstanding crop of three-year-olds this season, including the unbeaten Taegan’s Champ.

Turffontein before Tuesday’s race.

The latter made three wins from three starts when scoring a courageous win at the Vaal on Tuesday.

The colt was an R350 000 purchase from the 2022 National Yearling Sale.

Trained by Fabian Habib, Taegan’s Champ was given a well-timed ride by Calvin Habib to land the Graduation Plate (1600m) by a short-head. A six-and-a-half-length winner on debut, Taegan’s Champ had followed that up when scoring a convincing win over 1400m at 126 | 17 JANUARY 2024

Bred by Shadwell Stud, Taegan’s Champ is out of the Var mare Varachino.

His sire Gimmethegreenlight’s crop of threeyear-olds this year already includes 13 black type performers headed by Equus Champion, and Gr1 winner, Sandringham Summit, Gr1 Gold Medallion hero Lucky Lad, unbeaten dual graded stakes winner Gimme A Nother, and recent Gr3 Mother Russia Stakes winner Let’s Go Now.

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FIRST SHOT FIRED BY WILGERBOSDRIFT SIRE 128 | 17 JANUARY 2024

Wilgerbosdrift’s exciting young stallion Buffalo Bill Cody made the perfect start to his stud career when his very first runner, Pistol Pete, made a sparkling winning debut at the Vaal on Tuesday. Calvin Habib steers Pistol Pete to a smart debut win on Tuesday | Credit: JC Photos 17 JANUARY 2024 | 129

Trained by Tony Peter, the flashy two-year-old was quickly away in Tuesday’s TAB Telebet 0861 000 822 Maiden Juvenile Plate (1000m) and was never headed. Under Calvin Habib, Pistol Pete, who showed tremendous cruising speed, drew off to score on debut by two and a quarter lengths. His jockey described the colt as ‘an exciting horse to look forward to’, and Pistol Pete looks to be a fine advertisement for his young sire. Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Pistol Pete was a R380 000 purchase from the 2023 Cape Yearling Sale. The colt is out of the Tiger Ridge mare Oklahoma Sky. His sire Buffalo Bill Cody showed tremendous ability as a racehorse, winning six of just ten

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starts and reeling off six wins from his first seven starts. Buffalo Bill Cody is a son of triple Australian Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice, whose sire sons include four times Australian Champion Snitzel, the hugely successful Not A Single Doubt, and top South African stallion Rafeef. Another son of Redoute’s Choice, Burgundy, is the sire of Saturday’s Gr1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph Handicap winner Mercurial, while Redoute’s Choice son Alabama Express currently heads the Leading First Season Sires premiership in Australia. Buffalo Bill Cody has ten lots on offer at the 2024 Cape Yearling Sale, including a filly (Lot 61) whose dam is a three-part sister to champion Igugu, and a half-brother (Lot 97) to Listed Swallow Stakes winner Freed From Desire.

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Happy days – Kenny is pictured far left with colleagues and friends, Garth Puller, Derek Martin, Paddy McGivern, Kit Kensley, Trevor Taylor and Harold Crawford | Credit: Supplied

KENNY MICHEL MEMORIAL

The South African racing community was saddened by the passing of top jockey and international riding master Kenny Michel, recently. The Michel family have informed the Sporting Post that a wake will be held at the Milnerton Golf Club at 15h00 on Tuesday 30 January to celebrate the life of a much-loved Dad and sportsman. Kenny passed away on Saturday 6 January 2024. An invitation is extended to family and friends to join hands in acknowledging a gentleman who will be sorely missed.

Snacks will be served and a cash bar will be available. Any enquiries or messages in regard to the wake may be directed to editor@sportingpost.co.za, and they will be passed on to the family. •The Milnerton Golf Club is situated at Bridge Road, Milnerton, Cape Town

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From last to first in the home straight, Mystical Power wins by seven-lengths | Credit: Racing TV

LIVING UP TO HIS NAME – MYSTICAL POWER Willie Mullins claimed a tenth victory in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle on Sunday at Punchestown as Mystical Power came from last to first in the home straight to win easing up by seven-lengths. The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham now looks the obvious target. Bred in the purple, by Galileo out of the legendary mare Annie Power, the 5/4 favourite was returning from a six-month layoff, in a field of four promising individuals. The Gordon Elliott trained Jigoro, stable-companion Lombron and the JP McManus-owned winner were all pretty impressive in their respective hurdle contests coming into this Group 2 feature. Mystical Power raced freely for Mark Walsh and didn’t jump the first couple of flights too well under restraint, but his hurdling definitely 134 | 17 JANUARY 2024

improved as the race went on. In a matter strides on straightening up, Mystical Power was right alongside leader Jigaro, and he quickened nicely on the run to the last which he took in style before galloping on strongly to the line. Mullins’ assistant David Casey said post-race: “I was impressed with him; he wouldn’t show that at home. He seems to save his best for the track, which is a great trait to have. We were a little worried if he would handle that heavy

Banbridge halved in price for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham after his victory in the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton on Saturday. Joseph O’Brien’s charge tracked the freewheeling Pic D’Orhy into the home straight and the front two had the race to themselves over the last three fences pulling well clear of the balance.

Also, on Saturday, Grey Dawning ran out a convincing winner of the Gr2 Trustatrader Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick. Dan Skelton’s charge had looked a certain winner at Cheltenham last time out, only to make a mess of the penultimate fence, which resulted in him finishing an unlucky second. A well-backed 5/4 favourite to make amends, the big grey was settled in behind the front-running Apple Away for much of the three-mile contest by Harry Skelton, with Broadway Boy the only other horse really in contention on the turn for home.

Banbridge found the Nicholls trained Pic D’Orhy hard to pass but was more fluent over the last, landing running, which proved decisive as JJ Slevin drove him out for a length-andthree-quarters success.

Grey Dawning made smooth progress on the outside to grab the lead from Apple Away at the second last, and despite running slightly down that fence, he kept galloping to the line to win by 14 lengths.

Winning jockey Slevin commented in the winner’s circle: “He was a very good horse last year, when he won a Grade One, but we felt he’d just straightened up a bit this year, so we hope he’s a better horse now. All four of his competitors had good form and came here with a good chance, so hopefully he’ll have learned a bit from that run and can still progress.”

“You wouldn’t know how good this horse is and I couldn’t believe he won two bumpers, but he just comes alive at the track,” said winning rider Harry Skelton. “Apple Away and Broadway Boy went off on the front-end and I was able to just follow away and when we swung into the straight and got racing, he came alive.”

ground, but it looks like he went through it very well. I thought he showed a fair turn of foot there.”

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results up to: 2024-01-17

TRAINERS Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Mr S J Snaith

516

11.2

211

40.9

6,243,319

9,530,600

Mrs C L Bass-Robinson

329

12.8

142

43.2

5,630,000

7,773,550

Mr M F de Kock

263

12.9

120

45.6

2,668,125

5,672,938

Mr B J Crawford

393

12.5

143

36.4

3,533,819

5,613,894

Mr S G Tarry

278

11.5

136

48.9

2,431,250

5,145,950

Name

Runs

Wins Win%

2nd

3rd

Other Places

Place %

Win Stake (R)

Total Stakes (R)

Mr R D Fourie

711

142

20.0

122

157

352

49.5

8,737,063

13,674,238

Mr M A Yeni

747

101

13.5

101

178

366

49.0

9,136,563

12,758,725

Mr G J Lerena

403

17.1

209

51.9

5,083,000

7,788,650

Mr C J Habib

574

12.0

111

229

39.9

4,905,938

7,171,275

Mr S Khumalo

396

16.4

179

45.2

3,970,313

5,883,650

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

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

Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

155

534

96,756

36.1

239

14,997,119

Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein

265 1010

47,644

120

35.1

424

12,625,713

Klawervlei Stud

211

784

36,025

30.8

306

7,601,375

Varsfontein Stud

128

495

53,483

27.3

206

6,845,856

Ridgemont Highlands

121

436

48,099

37.2

171

5,819,919

Name

Runrs Runs

AEPR

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

Gimmethegreenlight (AUS)

188

630

49,092

25.5

275

9,229,350

Vercingetorix

167

554

48,629

37.7

217

8,121,063

Querari (GER)

159

577

43,868

34.6

247

6,974,950

Master Of My Fate

162

613

41,949

29.6

262

6,795,750

Pathfork (USA)

220

118,255

48.1

6,385,750

SIRES

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