On the cover Mission accomplished! Battleground won the PE Gold Cup at Fairview on Friday. Head Groom Everisto Nyambo and trainer Lucky Houdalakis show off the magnificent trophy. Pauline Herman took the photograph.
Smanga Khumalo has Battleground finding more as Juan Carlos (Chase Maujean) gives plenty of cheek
Credit: Pauline Herman
A plan come together! Trainer Lucky Houdalakis provided the Drakenstein team with a PE Gold Cup success at Fairview on Friday when the Franschhoek team’s home-bred Battleground rounded off an incredible journey from Vereeniging with a well-deserved victory in the only feature of a low-key local weekend.
The historic PE Gold Cup is a contest with a proud record over the decades, and while the once longest race in South Africa has tumbled down the status charts to a Non Black-type rating these days, the 3200m contest always delivers the goods in terms of a visual spectacle.
And on Friday the 2024 renewal had another angle, as the Lucky Houdalakis Racing Team spiced things with a very rare raid from their Vereeniging base.
Natalie Houdalakis paid tribute to Drakenstein and her own team and told the Sporting Post that this had ‘been the plan for some time’.
“It’s quite a logistical exercise and we have the New Turf Carriers team to thank too. We were going to take a companion down and take up the whole float. But then Matthew and Mark (Sham) managed to bring in a few other horses,” added the happy trainer’s wife.
She explained that Battleground had left the Vaal on Tuesday and reached Colesberg before 18h00 that evening for an overnight.
They then left the stopover on Wednesday morning at 08h30, and arrived at Duncan Mckenzie’s yard at lunch time the same day.
“Battleground took the trip in his stride. We call him Beegee – both for his name, and for the fact that he is a ‘Big Giant’ at 17hh. He is such a laid-back lovable horse and he showed courage to fight off Juan Carlos at the end, too!” said Natalie.
Richard Fourie led the gallop on Bournemouth, but the son of Canford Cliffs capitulated in the straight and Battleground (14-10) moved through down the centre with Smanga Khumalo just shaking him up late as Chase Maujean and Juan Carlos (9-2) threatened to spoil the party late.
At the line, Battleground held Tara Laing’s charge by a quarter length in a time of 207,32 secs.
Harold The Duke (14-1) completed the trifecta, a further 3,50 lengths back.
Bournemouth faded out of the money. Bred by Drakenstein, the winner is a son of Futura out of the Arch mare Archerfield and went through the BSA National 2yo sales-ring for R140 000.
Now a winner of 4 races with 11 places from 21 starts, Battleground has earned stakes of R445 375
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD
‘Perhaps the best sight was JJ The Jet Plane’s Zimbabwean groom Everisto Nyambo’s euphoric reaction to the victory in the parade ring, not unlike that of Carl O’Callaghan’s Irish jig one year ago after Kinsale King’s victory in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.
While last Friday’s feature victory for the Lucky Houdalakis trained Battleground was a remarkable plan come together, it was a virtual nip down the road for the former jockey and his longstanding staff member Everisto Nyambo, who have together conquered the world in years past.
The Thoroughbrednews.com reported on 27 March 2011 that for the second time in three years, J J The Jet Plane won the US$1 million
Al Quoz Sprint, bursting through between horses as the field emerged from the sand to enter the course proper and getting to the wire just a head in front of War Artist.
The South African-bred six-year-old son of Jet Master won this race in 2009 when it was not part of the Dubai World Cup programme but was instead a US$200,000 race contested on Super Thursday at 1200m.
Bernard Fayd’herbe gets JJ The Jet Plane home in the 2011 Al Quoz Sprint | Credit: Dubai Racing Club
Trained by Michael ‘Lucky’ Houdalakis and ridden by Bernard Fayd’Herbe, J J The Jet Plane ran the 1000m in 59.14 - but perhaps the best sight was his Zimbabwean groom Everisto Nyambo’s euphoric reaction to the victory in the parade ring, not unlike that of Carl O’Callaghan’s Irish jig one year ago after Kinsale King’s victory in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.
“We didn’t come here initially to win this race, we wanted the Group One 1200m (Dubai Golden Shaheen) but a few things went horribly wrong,” Houdalakis said. “We got him back on track in his last start and although 1000m is short of his best, he has brilliant natural pace and it was going to take something really very good to get away from him.” J J The Jet Plane added to his legacy as he was already a sixtime Group One winner and a three-time South African champion. In addition, he was the second highest rated turf sprinter in the world.
Arriving in Dubai in midDecember following his victory in the Gr1 Hong Kong International Sprint, the South African gelding had just two runs during the Dubai International Racing Carnival - an unplaced start over 1200m on the All-Weather on February 17 before a dominant win back on the turf in the USD$175,000 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise on March 10.
GIMME LOOKS A GIMME… OR POETIC JUSTICE FOR MAINE CHANCE KINGPIN?
The end of the current racing season is fast approaching and with only two weeks remaining, reigning champion Gimmethegreenlight looks to have clinched a third General Sires title with progeny earnings in excess of R28 million.
The Varsfontein powerhouse currently enjoys a comfortable R2 million lead over his nearest pursuer Vercingetorix. However, given that there will be over R7 million on offer at the rich Gold Cup meeting, the duel may well go down to the wire. The pair are in a race of their own, considering that Querari lags
almost R11 million behind in third place!
On Durban July day, Gimmethegreenlight uncharacteristically drew a blank, whereas his adversary struck a purple patch, siring not just the first two home in the iconic Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, but also the winner of the ‘Consolation July’, the Gr3 Splashout 2200.
Stranger things have happened, and should Vercingetorix once again enjoy a red-letter day at the lucrative Gold Cup meeting, we could be in for a cliff-hanger finish.
Vercingetorix (Anthony Delpech) in his racing days – will this be his year? | Credit: Supplied
It would be poetic justice for Vercingetorix, as he was denied the coveted title two seasons ago by none other than his own sire Silvano.
Although the final fields have yet to be announced, nominations show that both stallions are likely to be well-represented in the Graded races on offer.
In what could be a vintage renewal of the Gr1 HKJC Champions Cup, all eyes will be on Vercingetorix four-year-old Cousin Casey. The champion juvenile colt of his generation, he has run up a sequence of three seconds in his most recent starts, notably when beaten just a neck in the Durban July. He is overdue another Gr1 success and from the number one draw, could have it all in his favour.
With star three-year-old Green With Envy an unlikely contender, this will leave Barbaresco
as Gimmethegreenlight’s sole contender in the R1.5 million race.
Lucky Lad could strike for Gimmethegreenlight in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint. The colt will seek redemption following his shock last place effort twelve months ago. Turned out the problem was wind-related and following surgery, the colt has bounced with a vengeance this season, winning the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint from an impossible position and last time out he showed his class with a gutsy victory up the Turffontein straight under a hefty 62 kg.
Gimmethegreenlight could also have ample representation in the juvenile events. Two daughters have been entered for the Gr1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes, VJ’s Angel and Just Reckless who ran third and fourth respectively behind Quid Pro Quo in the Gr2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper.
More Than Ready’s outstanding son Gimmethegreenlight – can make it three championship titles | Credit: Jeremy Nelson
The latter has been cross-entered for the Gr2 World Pool With Gold Circle Debutante, where a likely opponent could be Vercingetorix’s daughter, the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery winner Little Ballerina.
In the Gr1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes, Gimmethegreenlight’s juvenile son Proceed will no doubt aim to avenge a two-length defeat by winner Cosmic Speed in the Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe.
Incidentally, he is also one of no less than five Gimmethegreenlight juveniles entered for the Gr2 Worldpool Twitter Umkhomazi Stakes, as is Definitely Yes, a debutante winner sired by Vercingetorix.
While Vercingetorix has no progeny nominated in either Gr1 juvenile races, he looks set to
mount a powerful attack in the Gr3 Gold Cup, headed by champion stayer Nebraas. Winner of the marathon race three years ago, he subsequently claimed the Gr3 Gold Bowl, two renewals of the Gr3 Caradoc Gold Cup and also ran third in last year’s Gold Cup.
He may be rising eight, yet Sean Tarry’s veteran showed he’s comely to hand at the right time with a fine third in the Gr3 DStv Gold Vase on July day.
That was under the steadier of 60 kg, and this time round, he drops down to 55,5 kg, four kilos less than stable companion, last year’s winner Future Pearl.
Paternal half-brother Cape Eagle enters uncharted waters in what will be his first attempt over the marathon distance.
He was, however, a fluent winner of the Gr3 SplashOut 2200 and had previously won the Highland Night Cup over 2400m at the tricky Hollywooodbets Scottsville track.
The same could apply to Vercingetorix fouryear-old Ponte Pietra.
Fourth in both the Gr2 World Sports Betting 1900 and Gr3 Cup Trial, the gelding is out of a Galileo full sister to English Derby runner-up At First Sight from a stout family, which may suggest he could find the Gold Cup distance within his scope. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Justin Snaith’s Double Grand Slam was not disgraced when third in an eventful Gr1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes where she was accidentally struck on the head.
This daughter of Vercingetorix will be on a retrieval mission, should she take her place in the Gr2 Riding High Together Gold Bracelet.
Granted, the general consensus is that Gimmethegreenlight already has the championship in the bag, yet an intriguing battle for supremacy looks set to continue to the very last major meeting of the racing season.
Vercingetorix – Silvano’s good son could still be a factor | Credit: Jeremy Nelson
CAPTAIN ON TRACK FOR A NATIONAL TITLE DOUBLE
The late Captain Al is on course to be named South Africa’s Leading Broodmare Sire for 2023-2024.
The 2000 Cape Guineas winner headed that premiership last season, and was runner up in 2021-2022.
There are just over two weeks left of the current term.
At the time of writing, broodmare daughters of Captain Al have been responsible for 12 stakes winners, who picked up 16 black type races, in South Africa this season.
Captain Al mares have produced the winners of more than 170 races in South Africa in 2023-2024, with their progeny having earned in
Among the current season stakes winners whose dams were sired by Jet Master are Dave The King (Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge), Double Superlative (Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met), and Rascallion (Gr3 Variety Club Mile).
Captain Al (Jeff Lloyd) wins the 2000 Gr1 Cape Guineas | Credit: supplied
excess of R25 million this season alone. Among the top performers out of Captain Al (Al Mufti) mares this season are Princess Calla (Gr1 City Of Cape Town Majorca Stakes), Proceed (Gr1 Gold Medallion), Snow Pilot (Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas), Sandringham Summit (Gr2 TAB Gauteng Guineas, Gr2 Hawaii Stakes), Questioning (Gr3 Cape Classic), and Double Grand Slam (Gr2 East Coast Radio Tibouchina Stakes,Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes, Gr3 SplashOut Prix Du Cap).
Double Grand Slam and Mia Moo, first two home in the 2024 G3 Umzimkhulu Stakes, were produced by the stakes winning Captain Al mares Princess Peach and Leeward respectively.
Captain Al’s influence as a broodmare sire looks set to continue beyond the immediate future, with the likes of Eden Roc, Kommetdieding and Sandringham Summit all young, Gr1 winning stallions whose dams were sired by Captain Al.
Jet Master (Rakeen), who has headed South Africa’s Leading Broodmare Sires list on four occasions, is currently second on this premiership for the 2023-2024 season.
The seven times South African Champion Sire is broodmare sire of seven stakes winners, who have captured 8 black type races, in South Africa this season.
Among the current season stakes winners whose dams were sired by Jet Master are Dave The King (Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge), Double Superlative (Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met), and Rascallion (Gr3 Variety Club Mile).
Double Superlative (Twice Over) and Rascallion (Vercingetorix) finished first and second respectively in the 2024 Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met.
Another late champion South African sire, Western Winter, is the third leading sire of
broodmares, by prize money, in South Africa for 2023-2024.
Three times South Africa’s Champion Sire, Western Winter is damsire of four black type winners who have won five stakes races this season.
This tally includes Gr3 SplashOut 2200 winner Cape Eagle (Vercingetorix) and Gr2 TAB Igugu Stakes winner Beating Wings (Rafeef).
Silvano is second to Captain Al, in terms of individual stakes winners, as a broodmare sire this season.
The six times South African champion sire is damsire of eight black type winners of nine stakes races this season.
Among the graded stakes winners produced by Silvano mares in 2023-2024 are Cosmic Speed (Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe), Let’s Go Now (Gr3 TAB Mother Russia Stakes), Mover And Shaker (Gr3 TAB J J The Jet Plane Stakes), Cosmic Highway (Gr2 Cape Merchants), and Feather Boa (Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring F & M Challenge).
Cosmic Speed (Querari) and Cosmic Highway (Gimmethegreenlight) are half-brothers, with the pair produced by Silvano’s winning daughter Cosmic Dream. The latter has produced three graded stakes winners with her tally also including Gr2 The Debutante winner Cosmic Light (Querari).
KZN PUNTERS – ‘BEST IN WORLD’ SAYS SHAHEEN
Racing personality Shaheen Shaw says that he left Durban after the recent Hollywoodbets Durban July with his love and passion for the game, ‘greatly revitalised’.
Talking to the Sporting Post this week, the former Tellytrack ace suggested that the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July experience had been one his most enjoyable yet.
“I was privileged to sit alongside two top racing men in Deez Dayanand and Alistair Cohen on the Hollywoodbets Durban July panel at the Springfield Park pre-party. The atmosphere was unbelievable, and the capacity crowd enjoyed a rollicking time of it. The stretches were snapped up and Owen Heffer was spot on with the pricing. To call the evening a success is an understatement!” he added.
On Friday Shaheen visited the Hollywoodbets branches at Bluff, Chatsworth and Phoenix.
“I will say it again that KZN has the best
punters in the world. The three Hollywoodbets branches that I visited were all full ahead of the big day, and one couldn’t turn without getting an opinion on the July winner and the offer of a refreshment. I should mention Shane at the Bluff. He’s a legend. Part of the furniture and the personification of the wonderful spirit that prevails. His call of the final 200m of the Hollywoodbets Durban July is worth a listen. Different class! What a wonderful bunch of customers – Hollywoodbets family, they are!”
Shaheen was in the Silver Ring Room on raceday.
“What amazing hospitality – it was all laid on and the day was brilliant – even if the exotic bets didn’t turn out the way some of us expected. But we broke even and loved it. And as a closing thought – sitting on the stands with a panoramic view of Hollywoodbets Greyville enjoying a ‘pink drink’ was really special. What an honour. What a privilege. Thank you, Durban. Thank you Hollywoodbets. Health permitting, I can’t wait for 2025!”
DE MELO BACK TO RIDE FOR SNAITH
Reigning SA Champion jockey Keagan de Melo returns from Hong Kong for season finale | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Reigning SA Champion jockey Keagan de Melo will return from Hong Kong to partner eight runners for the Justin Snaith yard on the HKJC Gold Cup day on Sunday 28 July.
With close on R7,2 million stakes up for grabs in the season decider, defending national champion trainer Justin Snaith is just under R1,3 million ahead of his nearest rival Sean Tarry and is pulling out all stops, with de Melo back to partner WSB Cape Town Met winner Double Superlative in the HKJC Champions Cup and One Way Traffic in the World Pool Gold Cup, amongst a decent book of rides on the day.
De Melo rode 21 winners from 419 rides for gross stakes of HK$39 398 025 in his first Hong Kong season.
In comparison, his SA counterpart Lyle Hewitson rode 40 winners (stakes of HK$76 313 830), while Luke Ferraris bagged 28 firsts (stakes of HK$37 026 775).
In further news ahead of the big day, Dean Kannemeyer’s star 3yo Green With Envy will not line up in the R1,5 million Gr1 The HKJC Champions Cup.
There are 13 entries in the mix for the Champions Cup, with Sean Tarry’s Hollywoodbets Durban July runner-up Cousin Casey drawing pole position in his quest to end the season on a high.
He will bump the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge winner Dave The King, and the Durban July unlucky horse, See It Again – both of them drawing wide.
Speaking to the Sporting Post on Monday afternoon, trainer Dean Kannemeyer said that in consultation with Khaya Stables Racing Manager Jehan Malherbe, a decision had been taken to give Green With Envy a break and bring him back with the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and the Cape Town Met as his Cape summer season targets.
The son of Gimmethegreenlight started favourite for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, and was beaten 2,60 lengths by Oriental Charm.
Green With Envy had ten starts in his 3yo season, winning four on the trot including the Schweppes Gr3 Politician Stakes, the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby, the WSB Gr2 Guineas and the Gr1 Daily News 2000.
“He has been on the go for some time and he had a tough race in the Daily News. He is a lovely horse and still maturing, and it makes sense for us to give him a break now and bring him out in the tail end of the Cape winter. The winter has been late this year, so I will keep him here at Summerveld with the sun on his back, and we will travel later than our normal routine,” added Kannemeyer, who also said that Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s summer course run-in suited his charge perfectly.
“We saw how he needs time to unwind and he is at his best at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. We have an exciting 4yo prospect on our hands and he will be back in the summer,” he concluded.
The final fields for the season climax at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday 28 July will be published on Thursday 18 July.
AUGUST SALE COUNTDOWN
Bloodstock South Africa have unveiled a high-class catalogue for this year’s August Two Year Old Sale, and it is now available to be viewed online at www.bsa.co.za.
Long regarded as one of our best value for money thoroughbred auctions, this year’s August Sale, which consists of more than 300 lots, is set to take place at the TBA Complex in Germiston on Thursday 22 August and Friday 23 August.
The sale will commence each day at 10h30 sharp.
Numerous equine stars have been sold at the August Sale previously, with the auction’s honour roll including the likes of Bela-Bela, Jackson, J J The Jet Plane, River Jetez and The Apache.
In recent years, high-class thoroughbreds purchased off this sale include such graded stakes winners as Feather Boa, Let’s Go Now, Mover And Shaker, Taikonaut.
This year’s August Two Year Old Sale is replete with progeny of such high-class stallions as Gimmethegreenlight, Master Of My Fate, One World, Querari, Rafeef, Trippi, Vercingetorix, and What A Winter.
Exciting young sires represented at the August Sale for a first time include Declarationofpeace, Erik The Red, Hawwaam, and Summa Cum Laude.
Safe to say, this catalogue has something for everyone!
Potential standout lots on offer here include:
• Lot 9 -a One World colt out of Gr2 winner Virgo’s Babe
• Lot 13 -a Rafeef colt out of Listed Syringa Handicap winner Way Of The World
• Lot 17 -a Declarationofpeace half-sister to high-class sprinters Bartholdi and Bohica
• Lot 18 -a The United States half-sister to Grr3 winner Vihaan’s Pie
• Lot 20 -a One World half-brother to G3 Jubilee Stakes winner Meridius
• Lot 22 -a Vercingetorix 3/4 sister to Gr1 winner Zillzaal
• Lot 29 -a Vercingetorix colt out of Equus Champion Alboran Sea
• Lot 30 -a Master Of My Fate colt out of Listed Syringa Handicap winner Alexa
• Lot 33 -a One World half-brother to graded stakes winners Monks Hood and Prophet
• Lot 38 -a full-sister to Gr2 winner Caya Coco
• Lot 78 -a Vercingetorix colt from the family of champions Cherry On The Top and Summer Pudding
• Lot 79 -a What A Winter filly out of G1 Golden Slipper winner Chestnuts N Pearls
• Lot 84 -a Rafeef half-sister to Gr3 Betway Lebelo Sprint winner Rulership
• Lot 85 -a Gimmethegreenlight half-sister to promising filly Spirit Of Levana
• Lot 104 -a Declarationofpeace half-brother to stakes winners Taikonaut and Mercury Rising
• Lot 109- a Vercingetorix half-sister to
Gr1 winner Russian Rock
• Lot 119 -a Querari sister to smart sprinter Cruise Control
• Lot 126 -a Hawwaam colt out of Fillies
Guineas winner Festival Of Fire
• Lot 133 -a Trippi half-sister to Gr2 Heineken
SA Nursery winner Miss Cool
• Lot 145 -a Fire Away half-sister to Gr3 Marshalls World Of Sports Gold Cup winner Shangani and dual Listed Aquanaut Handicap winner Chitengo
• Lot 147 -a What A Winter filly out of champion Hammie’s Hooker
• Lot 150 -a Gimmethegreenlight filly from the family of Irish Derby winners Harzand and Hurricane Lane
WHO WILL BE TOPSELLERS AT BSA AUGUST SALE?
Nestled in the scenic Daleside Valley, the tranquil Heversham Park overlooks the majestic Paardekop. Affectionately known as ‘the farm’, their ethos is founded on raising animals slowly and naturally.
Heversham will be presenting an impressive draft of eight attractive lots at the BSA August Two Year Old Sale 2024.
“We aim to stimulate interest among buyers and the general public, and of course in our own eight lots on the sale. This is our best ever draft and includes Lot 198, a beautiful colt by star freshman One World out of Little Fastnet. He is a half-brother to this season’s Gr2 SA Nursery winner, Little Ballerina,” said Kat Riley of Heversham.
In addition to the exciting buyer opportunities,
the farm will be staging a predictor competition for the sale, scheduled for 22 and 23 August at the TBA Complex, Gosforth Park.
The BSA August 2YO Sale
catalogue comprises of 327 choice lots from a good variety of top stud farms and with many excellent pedigrees represented, so selecting the highest-priced lots will take some homework and perhaps require a visit to the sales grounds for conformation buffs.
Tranquil and majestic Heversham | Credit: Heversham Park
The free-to-enter competition is open to all and two cash prizes of R5,000 each can be won.
The first prize will go to the individual who can correctly predict the top-selling colt at the sale. The second prize will be given to the individual who can correctly predict the top-selling filly at the sale.
Heversham extends an invitation to individuals interested in racing or breeding to enter the competition.
To enter:
• Entrants must email their names, contact details and the lot numbers of their predictions
of one top-selling colt and one top-selling filly to info@hevershampark.co.za.
• Entries must be submitted before 09h00 on Thursday, 22 August.
• If there is more than one winner in one or both of the categories, a single winner for each category will be drawn from the correct entries by a Heversham Park representative.
The winners will be announced on Monday, 26 August. Results will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
View the sales catalogue online to make your selections and enter now!
Little Ballerina (Gavin Lerena) gets the better of KZN raider Just Reckless (Kabelo Matsunyane) in the Gr2 SA Nursery on Champions Day | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
KZN’S VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Sanele Mchunu hands a Hollywoodbets voucher to a happy punter at the Hollywoodbets Durban July pre-party at Springfield Park , as Owen Heffer and Brian Makwabarara look on | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
With just four months of racecalling experience to his name, the enormity of the honour and massive responsibility foist on his shoulders of calling a world-renowned Grade 1 race is not lost on Sanele Mchunu.
Sanele called the 3yo Oriental Charm home to win the R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in just over 133 seconds that he will doubtless be telling his Grandchildren about in the years to come.
In a career defining moment of some proportions, the 39 year old set the standard as the first IsiZulu commentator of Africa’s greatest race, which was broadcast on Supersport, and included races 3 to 8 on the big day.
In a sport hungry for love and exposure across the diverse spectrum of the Rainbow Nation, the innovation and inspiration of the move to bring the big race closer to prospective fans in the language of their choice, is a groundbreaking feather in the cap for Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets.
Sanele commenced his early schooling at Mqhathi Primary School and St Lawrence Primary School, before going on to Khabazela High School. He completed a Video Technology Foundation Course at the Technikon Natal after matriculating.
The father of three daughters aged 16,14 and 12, grew up, and still lives with his partner, in Botha’s Hill, the gateway to the Valley Of A Thousand Hills.
“This has been quite a year for me! I joined Gold Circle nine years ago under the late Raymond Rogers, a special boss and a wonderful person. That was after stints as a Video Editor on SABC News and Supersport. I knew nothing about horseracing when I arrived at Hollywoodbets Greyville. But the sport has crept under my skin!” he explains enthusiastically, as he adds that he owes his current manager Sherwin Singh a debt of gratitude for encouraging him ‘to give it a go’.
Asked how he has adapted to identifying the colours and varied silks of the different owners,
Sanele suggests that any punter worth his salt would almost be able to call a race at a push.
“I’m not simplifying it, but when one is a punter, the skin in the game runs deep. You get to know the horses carrying your hopes and dreams, and their silks become familiar. It’s like anything in life – one can be good at almost anything that you are invested in and that absorbs your passion and interest!”
Sanele and his GallopTV co-host Ndumiso Mngadi attended the Hollywoodbets Durban July pre-party and card call at the leading bookmaker’s Springfield branch on the Thursday prior to the big race.
Sanele was given the hot seat alongside seasoned KZN racecaller Craig Peters on the stage.
“That was my first time. What a vibe and what a turnout! And I enjoyed being given the opportunity to do a dummy call of the Hollywoodbets Durban July – even if I did name Barbaresco as the winner!” he laughs.
He told the Sporting Post that the Hollywoodbets Durban July was ‘a nerve wracking but massively rewarding day’.
“I looked at the 40 000 people on course, and thought of the untold numbers tuning in on Supersport. And the 18 horses lining up at the 2200m. But I just breathed deep and enjoyed it.”
We asked if he is being recognized now that he is more high profile than he used to be.
“I am no celebrity, but KZN is a racing-crazy province and I do have complete strangers greeting me. I travel by taxi from home to work and back every day, and people have gotten to know me,” he muses.
Does he believe that his role will be positive for horseracing? After all, there are close on 14 million IsiZulu speakers in South Africa.
“I think that anything that the sport can do to reach out to the uncoverted, is a positive. Conveying an unknown but exciting concept to people in their home language, can only spark more interest and curiosity.”
As to his style, Sanele says he has taken a leaf out of soccer and rugby commentaries. We put it to him that even a runaway winner sounds exciting in IsiZulu.
“I have had a number of people say that – the
language lends itself to creating a vibe and atmosphere. I am proud to say that!” he adds.
And looking ahead?
“I have lots to learn and Ndumiso Mngadi and I are truly honoured to have our slot on Gallop TV and are singularly determined to raise our standards as we go. Broadcasting is a skill and art that takes years to polish. We are willing to take all the advice, guidance and criticism that we can absorb.”
We will catch up with Sanele’s good friend and Gallop TV co-host Ndumiso Mngadi in the next few weeks.
Sanele is flanked by Brian Makwabarara and Craig Peters on the stage at the pre-party | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
TOP HORSEMAN FONDLY REMEMBERED
The broader Cape equestrian community was saddened to hear the news on Sunday 14 July that accomplished horseman, leading showjumper, crack amateur jockey and a top farrier, Greg Dabbs had passed at the age of 71, after a bout of pneumonia.
Described as the complete horseman by a wide spectrum of friends and associates, the popular Greg Dabbs was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2019 and had suffered ill health for some years.
His wife of 30 years, Sharyn (nee Gibbons), an accomplished equestrian in her own right, described Greg as a horse whisperer and a highly talented man of enormous intellect, talent and skill.
“Greg’s passing has left a gaping hole in our lives. We didn’t have children of our own, but his beautiful Cavalier King Charles spaniels were our kids. I will love and miss him forever,” said Sharyn.
Growing up in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, Greg attended Bergvliet High School and lived his every day for the horse. Besides a
two-year stint in Johannesburg where he had a string of showjumpers, and working in Dubai in 2000 for Sheik Mohammed, Greg Dabbs was a lifelong Capetonian.
Milnerton trainer Peter Wrensch rode with Greg Dabbs in the halcyon days of the Cape Hunt & Polo Club.
“Greg Dabbs was an exceptional horseman, well balanced with soft hands and horses ran for him. Relaxed they could use their action and he never appeared to need vigorous urging. He was a very good tactical rider and we had many laughs and post-race discussions. Regardless of the results there was great dressingroom banter, and an even better forum for entertainment upstairs after racing. This was packed with racing stalwarts, who, sadly, are dwindling these days,” lamented Peter.
Greg and Sharyn – married for 30 years | Credit: Supplied
Former champion jockey Garth Puller said that the news of Greg’s passing was ‘very sad indeed’.
“What an incredible asset to the whole horse industry, Greg was a friend and true gentleman. My condolences to his family and close circle of special friends that cared for him in his final journey. Rest in peace my pal,” added Garth.
Retired jockey Patrick McGivern reacted to the sad news. “I have known Greg since we were 12 year olds learning to ride at Santiago stables. My condolences to all the family. Rest in peace Greg.”
Greg Dabbs was a widely respected farrier and is remembered and respected for his exploits with the great Pocket Power, amongst others.
Candice Bass-Robinson spoke to the Sporting Post on behalf of the Bass Racing team.
“Greg worked for the Bass Racing yard as our farrier for many, many years. Besides being a highly respected colleague, he became a good friend to our entire family and staff. He was a brilliant farrier and was extremely dedicated to his profession and craft. We are all very sad to hear of his passing, and we share our sincere condolences with his loved ones.”
Another former Cape jockey, Eric Fordred said that Greg Dabbs was one of the kindest most gentle of men he had ever had the privilege of knowing.
“He was a top-class farrier and Cape Hunt Jockey. My condolences to his wife Sharyn and all his family and friends,” said Eric.
Former owner and steward, Bruno Mercorio remembered Greg Dabbs as a good teacher to him and his sister. “We also have fond memories in our youth of you at the Cape Hunt meetings. Rest in peace Greg.”
Greg Dabbs is survived by his wife Sharyn, his son Neil and daughter Tracey from a previous marriage, his eldest sister Glynis, who resides in Australia, and another sister Lesley.
Sharyn Dabbs has planned a memorial service to celebrate Greg Dabbs’ life at their Tokai home for Sunday 4 August at 15h00.
She has requested that those wishing to join her on the day to celebrate the life of a wonderful man please contact her on mobile 084 764 5269 by 30 July to confirm attendance.
The top horseman had no fear! | Credit: Supplied
Greg looked after the fragile feet of Bass champion Pocket Power | Credit: Supplied
IT’S NO FLUKE!
Fashionable pedigrees, associated with top sires and renowned broodmares, are not always the cornerstones of success in thoroughbred breeding.
The offspring of unpopular or lesser-known sires and broodmares often produce stunning results, evident again last Saturday when twoyear-old Quid Pro Quo added the Gr2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper to her Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship trophy.
Writing on his Off The Record weekly column on the www.4racing.co.za website, Charl Pretorius writes that Quid Pro Quo is a filly by Lance out of Delightfull Diva, a pedigree that was never going to get as much as a glance from bloodstock gurus.
Lance won two races, a Maiden Plate and the Listed Secretariat Stakes before he was retired due to injury.
He’s covered just a handful of mares in his seven years at stud, and only seven foals have made it to the track. Delightfull Diva won five races up to lower handicap level.
Her sire, The Sheik, has only twice made the list of top 100 broodmare sires in South Africa in the last six racing seasons.
Lance’s daughter, Quid Pro Quo wins the Gr2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper under Smanga Khumalo Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Quid Pro Quo was predictably overlooked at the 2023 KZN Yearling Sale, and bought back by her owner Gerald Kalil for R60,000. She was sent into training with Barend Botes, who also trained Delightfull Diva and, with his own avid interest in pedigrees, had advised Kalil that the mare would be well-mated with Lance.
Botes told: “We wanted to send Delightfull Diva from her base in KwaZulu-Natal to a Jet Master stallion and Lance, then at Summerhill Equestrian in Mooi River, was the only qualifying sire in the region. We didn’t want to incur extra costs to send her to a Cape breeder. We considered that Lance’s trainer Sean Tarry believed he was destined for the top before his untimely injury, that he beat subsequent Triple Crown winner Louis The King in a common canter and that his half-brother Liege won the Summer Cup.”
The skeptics reading this will choke on their morning croissants, but Botes firmly believes he has found the ‘Silver Bullet’ for pedigree nicks in a software programme he has systematically developed over the last 15 years.
He has the data to prove it, and his door is open to anybody who wants to put his system to the test.
Botes revealed: “I am a reserved person and tend to stay within my comfort zone. I’d rather be at home with those close to me than surrounded by crowds. When the mornings at track are complete, I tend to spend the day in my office behind my triple screen setup, manually capturing data into my programme. My typing skills are questionable at best, but I have worked on this nearly every day for the last 15 years and believe I am onto something good.”
“I’ve studied the available material on matings extensively. I have utilised software like Tesio and G1 Goldmine among others. At a point, I attended every online seminar and particularly enjoyed those hosted by Dr Byron Rogers who co-developed the leading pedigree programme, TrueNicks. He is a pioneer in
genetic and phenotypic research with a datadriven base and has shaped my own approach to the data I utilise.”
Botes has named his software ‘Pedigree Perfect’ and describes it as a state-of-theart system that includes all the required stallion statistics, and has a strong emphasis on broodmare sires. It is colour-coded for effectivity and provides concise analytical summaries on suggested matings.
He was assisted in the software development by a young IT specialist Japie Knouwds, originally from Three Rivers in Vereeniging.
“This young man is brilliant at what he does. He is so good that he was employed by a high-profile company in Seattle during the Covid years. He has his Green Card now and has moved to Texas. We communicate online and he still helps me to tweak the software when needed.”
Botes said the mating that produced Quid Pro Quo was certainly not a once-off stroke of luck.
“Before her, I was the underbidder on more than one champion. Grade 1 winners like Kommetdieding, Under Your Spell and Without Question were all horses I had identified utilising my software. I did not have the buying power to acquire them, but I trust that my success with Quid Pro Quo and the knowledge that her breeding was largely based on my software might attract some potential owners and buyers in the near future.
“I have often found myself outbid by John Freeman. Considering the success of the horses he acquires for many big buyers, I have respect for his selections. I can only assume he uses similar criteria as I do, in his choices. I have never been one to ask people for horses and while my list of good picks gets longer, I am not yet training nearly as many of them as I would like.
“One colt I managed to secure via the Hollywood Syndicate back in 2020 was Moya Waya Liga, who is by Rafeef out of a Galileo mare. This is a pedigree cross my system identified as potentially potent long before it was proven with the likes of Aragosta and Mrs Browning. And yes, spotting a good mating also requires that the foal has good legs, good conformation. There is a process of elimination when it comes to physical specimens.
“In time, I would love to be more involved in breeding, both from an advisory stance and possibly with a select few mares myself.
Mine goes to deeper levels of analysis than any other programme available on the market. As long as it is updated it will always work, because one plus one is always two. Going deeper into pedigrees has made the Japanese so successful as thoroughbred breeders. They are better than the breeders in Ireland today.”
THE SPRINT IS
Barend Botes – ‘Put my system to test’| Credit: Chase Liebenberg
JP – RIDING THE WAVE
JP van der Merwe gives an interview after his big ride | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Life’s all about balance and almost 16 years after riding his first winner for trainer Bennet Bulana at Clairwood Park, recent Hollywoodbets Durban July winning jockey JP van der Merwe is living the dream.
He’s ridden as many Grade 1 winners this season as record-breaking SA Champion elect Richard Fourie, and has hardly left his adoptive hometown.
JP’s late call-up for Alec Laird eight years ago to partner the J&B Met heroine Smart Call and his Singapore stint are the highs and lows of a career that hit a dazzling new peak shortly after 16h00 last Saturday.
“We don’t own any of the highs. And the lows are school fees,” quips JP, as he pays tribute to his colleague Richard Fourie, who has set the bar this season by smashing Anthony Delpech’s season record mark.
“I think the entire SA jockey community is in admiration of Richard. It’s no fun living out of a suitcase and sitting on a plane day in and day out. I don’t know how he did it. I remind myself every day how fortunate I am, in terms of quality of family life – and I don’t think I could ever adjust to anything like what Richard just did,” reflects the man who can’t believe that he hasn’t been a Stormers supporter all his life.
Happily resident with his wife Abbi and much loved daughter Valentyna at Woodbridge Island within a stone’s throw of the ice-cold Atlantic Ocean, the Joburg born 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July champion jockey has found the near perfect balance between family life and professional commitment – and that when he really wasn’t even looking for it.
Talking to the Sporting Post after his career defining front-running ride on Oriental Charm on Saturday 6 July, and in the midst of the turmoil of the dreadful winter storm that has ravaged the Cape, the uber relaxed JP, the man some of his colleagues call ‘Juan Paul van Damme’, reflected how things ‘sometimes just happen in life’.
The 33 year old – he suggests with a boyish grin that he’s actually 30 – tells how he was
contracted by Cape Racing boss Greg Bortz in December as a retained rider. The rest, as we love to say, is history. But JP takes up the story.
“When Mr Bortz offered me the chance, the decision to move to the fairest Cape was not the challenge – it was the fact that I was required to not travel and focus on the local race and work-riding commitments. I was granted one exception – that was the now exported Gimme A Nother. Hell, nobody has given up a Grade 1 winning champion ride with Mr Mike de Kock, ever! So I appreciated the concession by Mr Bortz. Five Grade 1 winners later, I am starting to feel like I made the best decision of my life!” he smiles.
History inexorably underscores JP’s decision –he won the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas on Snow Pilot withing weeks of signing on the dotted line. Then came the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes on Beach Bomb, the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Classic and the TAB Gr1 Empress Club Stakes on the unbeaten Gimme A Nother. Oh, and then Grade 1 number 5 just happen to come along when Oriental Charm won the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday.
“Somebody called it serendipity. That’s a big word – but I mean riding my first Hollywoodbets Durban July winner for a leading owner who changed my life! I cannot thank Mr Bortz, Gina Goldsmith and Mr Leon Ellman enough for the opportunity. And Brett Crawford and his team. What a great job with a real ‘boykie’ – a fighter of a horse!”
JP gets animated as he tells that it ‘worked out perfectly’.
“We had just the 53kgs on the back. I went out there and he was enjoying it. And even when Flag Man went past us about the 300m marker. I counted to 3, and then asked Oriental Charm for more. He put his head down and went to fetch him. Yes, he lugged in looking for company. But he was going so well!
And then just before the line I got a sense of the challenge down my inside. I didn’t realise there were two coming for us. I put my head down and rode for the line – Oriental Charm was the real hero!”
JP got 16 days for interference caused in the latter stages. Piere Strydom, who rode See It Again, the ultimate ‘victim’ of the movement by the eventual winner, told the Sporting Post earlier this week that he, and any jockey in that position, would, he believes, have done no differently to what JP had.
Durban’s beautiful blue skies are a lifetime away from Cape Town’s inclement wet weather and JP found himself snookered when he and Abbi jetted into Cape Town on Sunday 7 July.
“All I wanted to do was light a fire and have a lekker braai. But there was no chance of that,” he smiles as he bounced a happy Valentyna on his lap and observes again that the tough as teak Oriental Charm has crowned a season that has proven so many things to him.
Gina Goldsmith and Greg Bortz lead the winner in as the Crawford Racing team look on | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
BREATHTAKING RICHARD!
Winning Form-sponsored jockey Richard Fourie breaks another record on Catch Your Breath. Barely visible second-placed To The Hilt (Nirvan Nastili) and third-placed Fujisan (Smanga Khumalo) are in the background | Credit: Pauline Herman
Another raceday, another record! That will be the enduring memory of Winning Form wizard Richard Fourie when we reflect back on the 2023/24 racing season.
The SA champion elect wrote his name into the history books again at Fairview on Tuesday when setting a new bar for most East Cape winners in a season.
Multiple past regional champion Greg Cheyne set the previous standard of 116 winners in the 2019/20 season.
Producing a typically polished ride, Fourie got the 3yo Ridgemont bred Canford Cliffs filly Catch Your Breath up late in the fourth race, an MR 68 Handicap, to register a memorable victory – and sentimentally appropriately in the Hollywood Syndicate silks! The winner is trained by Alan Greeff.
Fourie banked the Hollywoodbets sponsored R1 million cash award in the Delpech 334 Challenge when he has made his mark as the first jockey to ride 335 winners in a single campaign, achieved on Justin Snaith’s Double Grand Slam at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 8 June.
The Delpech magic mark of 334, set in the 1998/99 season, shattered Piere Strydom’s existing record at the time, and had thus stood the test of a quarter of a century of intense competition featuring some of the world’s greatest jockeys.
Fourie is currently on 367 winners for the season. That’s ultimately a shade over a winner a day, with two weeks yet to run of the term.
TOWNSEND, by Captain Al, 5 wins at 1400m, 1600m, R446,400, Fillies Championship S G2, Diana S G3, Stormsvlei Mile L; 2nd Sweet Chestnut S L. Half-sister to REGAL RANSOM. Dam of 8 foals, 7 runners, 6 winners: EDEN ROC (c by Var), 6 wins, R1,420,050, won Gold Medallion G1, Golden Horseshoe G2 , Post Merchants G2; 2nd Golden Horse Sprint G1, Merchants H G3, 4th Graham Beck S G3, Senor Santa S G2, Post Merchants S G2 Sire SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (c by Gimmethegreenlight)
Equus Champion 2yo Colt 2023 5 wins at 2 and 3, R2,424,750, Premiers Champion S G1, Gauteng Guineas G2, Hawaii S G2, Golden Horseshoe G2; 2nd SA Classic G1, WSB Guineas G2, Graham Beck S G3, 3rd Dingaans H G2; 4th Gold Challenge G1
2nd Dam
Palace Gossip, by Dominion Royale, 8 wins to 1400m, R508,225; 2nd TR Lewis Memorial S G3, Acacia H L; 3rd Magnolia H G3; 4th Magnolia H G3, Senor Santa H G3, Camellia H L. Dam of 3 foals, 2 runners, 2 winners:
REGAL RANSOM (Caesour), 8 wins from 1400m to 2000m, R1,738,900, Champions Challenge G1; 3rd Drum Star H L; 4th Victory Moon S G2, Wolf Power H L.
TOWNSEND (Captain Al) 5 wins at 1400m, 1600m, R446,400, Fillies Championship S G2, Diana S G3, Stormsvlei Mile L; 2nd Sweet Chestnut S L
3rd Dam
ISLAND ALOAH, by Tilden, winner at 1600m in South Africa. Half-sister to Island Again. Dam of 4 foals, 4 runners, 2 winners:
Palace Gossip (Dominion Royale), 8 wins to 1400m, R508,225; 2nd TR Lewis Memorial S G3, Acacia H L; 3rd Magnolia H G3; 4th Magnolia H G3, Senor Santa H G3, Camellia H L Dame of Damascus (Damascus Gate), winner at 1200m in South Africa. Dam of: Moggytwoshoes (Mogok), 5 wins from 1400m to 1600m, R424,525, Pinnacle S; 3rd Syringa H L. Dam of:
ZAPATILLAS (Master of My Fate), 3 wins at 1200m, 1600m, R641,750, KZN Guineas G2, Sophomore Sprint L; 2nd Cape Classic G3; 3rd Gold Challenge S G1, Politician S G3, Jet Master S L; 4th Cape Guineas G1
Shoemaker (Gimmethegreenlight), 4 wins at 1400m, 1600m, R677,875; 2nd Dingaans H G2, Graham Beck S G3, Cup Trial G3. 4th Dam
ISLAND FAREWELL, by Jamaico, Champion & Triple Crown Winner in Zimbabwe, 9 wins from 1000m to 2400m in Zimbabwe; won Benson & Hedges S G3, Shell Conservation Guineas G3, BP Conservation Guineas L, Bookmakers Fillies Classic L, Spey Bridge S L, Fillies Classic S L, Zimbabwe Oaks L; 2nd Flame Lily Sprint H L. Half-sister to Let’s do It. Dam of 4 winners incl: Island Again (Sun Tonic); 3rd TBA Sale S L
The Champion Freshman Sire in the USA and Europe. A leading sire and broodmare sire in the USA and Europe. The only horse to defeat the great Brigadier Gerard, Roberto proved an even more valuable stallion than racehorse, perpetuating his own branch of the male line of Hail to Reason. Irish Champion 2yo colt (1971) English Champion 3yo colt (1972)
Champion SA Sire in 2002, Al Mufti sired Champions of both sexes. Today, he’s a successful sire-of-sires, and influential sire of broodmares. His sire son Captain Al proved himself a Champion, while other sons at stud included Victory Moon and Cataloochee, who both died very early in their stud careers.
Champion SA Sire 2015. Champion SA Sire of 2yo’s 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Sire of 105 S/W, 25 G1 winners, 30 G1 placed and R228,581,039 Champion Broodmare Sire 2023. Sire of sires MALMOOS, ONE WORLD, WILLIAM LONGSWORD, CAPTAIN OF ALL and ERIK THE RED.
MORE THAN READY
CLICK FOR VIDEO: A TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND
Equus Champion 2yo Colt 2023
The Current Highest Rated 3yo in SA
Won Premiers Champion S G1
Won Golden Horseshoe G2
Won Gauteng Guineas G2
Won Hawaii S G2
HAIL TO REASON
HALO
SOUTHERN MORE
ROBERTO (USA)
AL MUFTI (USA)
CAPTAIN AL
SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT
Champion Broodmare Sire Great Britain & Ireland. Maternal grandsire of SADLER’S WELLS.
Won Hollywood Derby G1
Won Travers Stakes G1
Won Lexington Handicap G2
Champion Sire Japan 1995 - 2008.
Horse of the Year in 1989 when he won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Breeders’ Cup Classic - defeating rival Easy Goer each timeSunday Silence finished first or second in all 14 of his career starts.
Eclipse Award Horse of the Year - 1989
Eclipse Award Champion 3-Year-Old Male - 1989
Champion Broodmare Sire USA 2016.
Champion Sire Japan from 2012 - 2022
Champion Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Japanese Triple Crown in 2005 and the Japan Cup in 2006, as well as three other Japan G1 races.
Deep Impact became to Japan as Galileo was to Europe and is the sire of 59 G1 winners.
A Leading Sire in Australia.
Sebring won five of six starts including the G1 ATC Golden Slipper and G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes to be crowned Champion 2yo of 2008.
Sebring died at the age of 13.
“Sebring was the horse of a lifetime, as a racehorse and a stallion, he changed lives,” said Antony Thompson of Widden Stud.
After winning his first G1 in South Africa, Surcharge was relocated to Australia in 2019 when purchased by Yulong - owned by Mr Yuesheng Zhang.
Renamed Yulong Prince, he won the G1 Kennedy Cantala Stakes, becoming the first Australian G1 winner for Yulong.
At stud in Australia - first yearlings 2023/24.
SUNDAY SILENCE (USA)
DEEP IMPACT (JPN)
SEBRING (AUS)
BOLD REASON (USA)
SURCHARGE / YULONG PRINCE
Sandringham Summit Pedigree Notes
CHAMPION SIRE - GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT
Gimmethegreenlight is the current Champion Sire in South Africa, a feat which he also achieved in 2021. He was Champion Sire 2023, Champion Sire of 3yo’s 2023, and Champion Sire of 2yo’s 2023, and is set to continue this trend through 2024. He was also Champion
First Season Sire 2016, Champion Sire of 2yo’s 2020, Champion Sire of 3yo’s 2021 and 3rd leading sire 2022.
CHAMPION SIRE - MORE THAN READY
Gimmethegreenlight’s sire MORE THAN READY was a brilliant miler, and is renowned
the World over as the best sire of winners the World has ever seen. He has sired more than 2051 winners. The only other stallion in history to tally over 1600 winners is Danehill, who sits on 1623 winners.
More Than Ready became the perfect outcross for DANEHILL line mares in Australasia as evidenced by PRIZED ICON, MORE JOYOUS, SEBRING, PERFECTLY READY, MORE THAN SACRED, BENICIO etc. In South Africa, Gimmethegreenlight has produced GOT THE GREENLIGHT from a Danehill line mare through COMMANDS.
More Than Ready was also the most shuttled
stallion in the World and became a Champion Sire in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and a World-renowned stallion who has made an indelible mark on the breed.
“More Than Ready was an amazing horse who touched everyone he came in contact with,” says Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “He may not have been the biggest horse in the barn, but he more than made up for it in class, balance, and character. His expressions said it all. We will greatly miss him at the farm.”
More Than Ready is a breed-shaping stallion and one of the youngest stallions in history to attain 100 stakes winners and 1,000 winners. He was Champion 2yo Sire USA in 2010 and Champion Sire of 2yo’s in Australia in 2008 and 2009.
He has sired graded stakes winners in 12 countries, G1 winners in 7, and has more black type winners than any North American sire in history with 216. More Than Ready has sired 100 graded stakes winners, 30 G1 winners, and 13 champions.
More Than Ready is the only sire to have an Eclipse Award Champion each year from 2017 to 2020. His RUSHING FALL was named Champion Female Turf horse in 2020; UNI (GB) was honoured as the 2019 Champion Turf Female; and ROY H earned back-to-back
Champion Male Sprinter titles in 2017 and 2018.
Further testament of his ability to sire versatile runners at the industry’s highest levels, More Than Ready is the number-one sire of Breeders’ Cup winners in history with seven wins in the marquee event, accomplished with six different winners of four different races at both sprint and route distances. UNI (GB) won the 2019 Mile; ROY H captured the 2018 and 2017 Sprint; RUSHING FALL won the 2017 Juvenile Fillies Turf; REGALLY READY annexed the 2011 Turf Sprint; MORE THAN REAL won the 2011 Juvenile Fillies Turf, and PLUCK (out of the Varsfontein bred mare Secret Heartby Fort Wood) was triumphant in that year’s Juvenile Turf.
More Than Ready is by SOUTHERN HALO out of the winning WOODMAN mare WOODMAN’S GIRL, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner BAIL OUT BECKY and from the family of Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner STEPHANIE’S KITTEN.
Gimmethegreenlight descends in male line from HALO - a mean, not particularly attractive near-black horse, who matured into a good turf performer. He was much better as a sire, becoming American Champion Sire twice and founding his own branch of the HAIL TO REASON sire line. HALO’S progeny include SUNDAY SILENCE who dominated the sire standings in Japan for 13 straight years from 1995 to 2007 - his last championship arriving five years after his death. He was a true game changer for the Japanese industry, not only as a brilliant source of elite talent but as a key to the development of Japan as a respected racing nation.
“Thoroughbreds can be bought or sold,” says Teruya Yoshida of Shadai Farm, which
bought Sunday Silence out of America in late 1990 and cultivated him into a global force. “As Nasrullah sired Bold Ruler, who changed the world’s breeding capital from Europe to the U.S., one stallion can change the World. Sunday Silence is exactly such a stallion for the Japanese Thoroughbred Industry.”
Japan’s DEEP IMPACT, the most prolific son of SUNDAY SILENCE, has held the title consecutively since 2012, the year in which his eldest runners were 4-year-olds. He had hit the ground running as the Champion First-Season Sire in 2010.
DEEP IMPACT is the sire of SA sire DANON PLATINA, Champion 2yo Colt in Japan. DEEP IMPACT is also the sire of SAXON WARRIOR, an unbeaten G1 winner at 2 years in the UK, and a brilliant Guineas winner at 3. He now stands at Coolmore Stud in Ireland. He is out of a mare by GALILEO (SADLER’S WELLS) and his grandam is by DANEHILL. Recent sensation AUGUSTE RODIN is another son of DEEP IMPACT from a GALILEO mare who has won 8 of his 13 starts including 6 G1 races culminating in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes G1 at Royal Ascot.
Gimmethegreenlight’s dam-sire CANNY LAD, is the maternal grandsire of REDOUTE’S CHOICE (DANEHILL) - a multiple Champion Sire and a prolific sire of sires in Australia. REDOUBT’S CHOICE is the sire of SA sire RAFEEF, who is inbred to DANZIG.
CANNY LAD is also the dam-sire of Champion Sire I AM INVINCIBLE, a son of INVINCIBLE SPIRIT (GREEN DESERT by DANZIG) - bred on the same male line cross as REDOUBT’S CHOICE.
Gimmethegreenlight has 3 lines of the STAR KINGDOM line, and 3 lines of ROYAL CHARGER (one of them through the great SIR TRISTRAM). SIR TRISTRAM x STAR KINGDOM became a
very successful cross in Australia. ROYAL CHARGER is a 3 parts-brother to NASRULLAH and stallions in SA that descend from him are AL MUFTI, CAPTAIN AL (and sons), DANON PLATINA, HAT PUNTANO and CANFORD CLIFFS. Many other SA stallions carry lines of HAIL TO REASON such as JET MASTER and descendants of SADLER’S WELLS.
Gimmethegreenlight’s most successful male line crosses are with lines of NORTHERN DANCER, MR PROSPECTOR, ROYAL CHARGER and NASRULLAH. Comparing opportunity with result, Gimmethegreenlight has done very well with mares by SILVANO and TRIPPI - although most of the progeny also include SADLER’S WELLS in their pedigrees.
CHAMPION SIRE - CAPTAIN AL
Captain Al holds a position of great significance in SA’s breeding landscape and is often mentioned in the same breath as Jet Master as one of the most influential locally bred stallions to have stood at stud. The battle between Captain Al and Jet Master for the title of Champion First Season Sire in 2005 was truly remarkable. With both stallions producing an impressive tally of 21 2yo winners from their respective first crops, the competition was fierce and closely contested. In the end, Jet Master emerged victorious, claiming not only First Season honours but outright Champion 2yo Sire. Nevertheless, the epic duel between these two stallions serves as a testament to their exceptional progeny and enduring impact on the SA Racing and Breeding Industry.
Captain Al’s success as a sire is commendable. He achieved the prestigious title of Champion Sire of 2yo’s for an impressive 8 consecutive seasons, from 2009 to 2016. In addition, Captain Al was crowned Champion
SA Sire in 2015. His contributions were further recognised through receipt of the Equus Award for Outstanding Sire in 2009 and 2011.
Captain Al’s statistics highlight his influence with 77% winners to runners and a 10.8% stakes winners to runners. Captain Al is the 2023 Champion Broodmare Sire in SA.
Captain Al’s influence has reached beyond SA, with his runners making their mark in various international racing jurisdictions. His progeny have competed in Mauritius, Hong Kong, USA, United Arab Emirates, France, Great Britain, Singapore, Australia, and Zimbabwe. This global reach speaks to the versatility and adaptability of Captain Al’s offspring, as they showcased their talent and achieved success around the World.
Captain Al’s sons at stud include Triple Crown winner MALMOOS, G1 Cape Guineas winner WILLIAM LONGSWORD, Equus Champion Sprinter CAPTAIN OF ALL, G1 Met winner ONE WORLD (Equus Champion Older Male 2020), and ERIK THE RED (Cape Champion 2yo).
Captain Al is free of Northern Dancer blood and his most prolific nick was with NORTHERN DANCER line mares - producing 20 G1 performers of which 9 were G1 winners. FORT WOOD mares produced 3 G1 winners, followed by ELLIODOR (1, by Lyphard), JOSHUA DANCER (1, by Danzig), CAESOUR (1, by Nureyev), POLAR FALCON (1, by Nureyev), PEINTRE CELEBRE (1, by Nureyev) and GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (1, by Storm Cat).
G1 winners from his descendants WESTERN WINTER (2, by Gone West), GOLDKEEPER (2, by Mr Prospector), CENTENARY (1, by Alydar), HUSSONET (1, by Mr Prospector), TRIPPI (1, by End Sweep) and FUSAICHI PEGASUS (1, by Mr Prospector).
The RIBOT male line produced 3 G1 winners through BADGER LAND (2, by Codex) and SPORTSWORLD (1, by Alleged). Other G1 winners are from mares by HARD UP (1, by Hard Fighter), RED RANSOM (1, by Roberto), LONDON NEWS (1, by Bush Telegraph), MARK OF ESTEEM (1, by Darshaan) and FARD (1, by Reprimand).
CHAMPION FILLY - ISLAND FAREWELL
Nine-time winner ISLAND FAREWELL (by JAMAICO), trained by Robin Smith and ridden by Kleintjie Badenhorst, epitomises all that is required of a Triple Crown winner . Jockey ‘Kleintjie’ Badenhorst takes up the tale:
“Not only was she the first to wear Zimbabwe’s Triple Crown in 1983, I knew her personally, she looked the part, gave me one of the most anxious moments ever endured on a racecourse, but lived up to expectations.
“Once she had collected the first two legs of the Triple Crown the speculation began - could she or couldn’t she see out the Derby distance?
“In the year Island Farewell won, she also won two fillies Classics that fell between the three races of the Triple Crown.
“There had been a few threats before the race about being taken out in the running. It was decided to drop in at the back of the field, to stay out of trouble, and when entering the straight to go wide and have a clear passage.
“But when we came to the straight I went right into the pack, the shortest way home.
“There was a wall of horses. I was very lucky that she was such a good horse, we saw a gap and took it. It was very tight, but she burst
Island Farewell
Captain’s Ransom - inbred to Hail To Reason (4x4) through Roberto (3x3).
Tony Taberer purchased ISLAND ALOAH (out of ISLAND FAREWELL) and bred PALACE GOSSIP (8 wins; dam of G2 winner TOWNSEND and G1 winner REGAL RANSOM from 3 foals) and DAME OF DAMASCUS (dam of 5 time winner MOGGYTWOSHOES - the dam of ZAPATILLAS and SHOEMAKER). This is a family on an upward trend.
CHAMPION 2YO - SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT
Sandringham Summit was a magnificent yearling, and at the 2022 National Yearling Sale, he commanded a price of R1,7 million.
Sandringham Summit is named after the British Royal Family Summit In early January
2020. Queen Elizabeth II ordered a family summit at her home to deliberate details surrounding Meghan and Prince Harry’s royal exit. The meeting took place at her country home of Sandringham, in Norfolk.
Sandringham Summit stands 16 hands and is a very athletic and imposing son of Gimmethegreenlight. He is half-brother to young sire EDEN ROC (by Var) who won 6 races, R1,420,050, including the Gold Medallion G1, Golden Horseshoe G2, Post Merchants G2; 2nd Golden Horse Sprint G1, Merchants H G3, etc.
Sandringham Summit is line-bred to HAIL TO REASON through HALO and ROBERTO and has only 1 line each of NORTHERN DANCER and MR PROSPECTOR in his 5th generation.
He is the perfect outcross for further lines of NORTHERN DANCER and MR PROSPECTOR. Both Gimmethegreenlight and Captain Al have combined well with daughters descending from lines of NORTHERN DANCER, RAISE A NATIVE, HAIL TO REASON and NASRULLAH. These would include mares descending from FORT WOOD, DYNASTY, CASEY TIBBS, GALILEO, FRANKEL, REDOUBTS CHOICE, RAFEEF, DANEHILL DANCER, SEVENTH ROCK, NATIONAL EMBLEM, JOSHUA DANCER, SILVANO, ELLIODOR, MODEL MAN, CAESOUR, TIGER RIDGE, GIANTS CAUSEWAY, VAR, MOGOK, TAIL OF THE CAT, BLACK MINNALOUSHE, RAKEEN, JET MASTER, OUR CASEY’S BOY, KABOOL, TRIPPI, KAHAL, WESTERN WINTER, GOLDKEEPER, CENTENARY, BADGER LAND, RED RANSOM, PHILANTHROPIST, FOVEROS, etc.
JET MASTER would bring 2 more lines of HAIL TO REASON and an own-sister to ROBERTO to a proposed alliance.
Sandringham Summit’s first 3 dams could all run, never winning beyond 1600m, but his 4th dam ISLAND FAREWELL (by Jamaico) was a shining star in Zimbabwe, winning 5 consecutive victories (9 in total) at the age of 3, encompassing the Zimbabwe Oaks (2000m), the Zimbabwe Derby (2400m), Bookmakers Classic Fillies (1600m), Shell Conservation
Guineas (1600m) and the Spey Bridge Stakes (2000m). Despite a minor setback in the Natbrew Tankard, she bounced back to win the BP Conservation Guineas (1600m).
Island Farewell is by the French import JAMAICO (FR) - “Jamaico is a handsome, well balanced grey horse, and a fast-finisher - he always showed a good burst of speed to come from behind and beat his rivals. Furthermore, he acts on any going” - COURSES ET ELEVAGE
Jamaico is by Prince Taj (Prince Bio ex Malindi - an own-sister to Nasrullah) and was allotted 132,5lb in the French 4yo Free Handicap. Townsend is inbred to Jamaico (4x4), bringing much versatility to the pedigree. Sandringham Summit has consistently demonstrated impressive finishing speed, which raises expectations that he has inherited the genes necessary to excel across all classic distances.
His BUCKPASSER / BUSANDA / LA TROIENNE lines through PLAYMATE, LASSIE DEAR and SPLENDID SPREE are worth noting, as they are a powerful influence. Direct descendants of this remarkable broodmare continue to play a major role in races around the world, with the LA TROIENNE impact showing few signs of slowing.
Notably, Gimmethegreenlight and Captain Al have shown their versatility when
Jamaico (FR)
Jet Master
combined with ‘classic’ (1600-2400m) producing families, producing racers such as GOTTHEGREENLIGHT, SURCHARGE / YULONG PRINCE, GREEN WITH ENVY, BLESS MY STARS, BARAHIN, SECOND BASE, GIMME ONE NIGHT, JOHNNY HERO, CAPTAIN’S RANSOM, CAPTAIN AMERICA, MALMOOS, ONE WORLD, HILL FIFTY FOUR, PINE PRINCESS, EMERALD COVE, etc.
Sandringham Summit is the Equus Champion
2yo Colt of last season, and currently has a rating of 123 at 3. He was never out of the placings in all his races.
4Racing, South Africa’s premier horseracing operator, in collaboration with leading online betting and gaming brand Betway has announced the theme for this year’s edition of the Betway Summer Cup: Silks in The City – where racing heritage meets urban sophistication.
In a media release published on Wednesday 10 July, 4Racing advised that Silks in The City is a celebration of the city of Johannesburg, its economy, and the long-standing tradition of the Summer Cup.
Taking place on 30 November at Turffontein Racecourse, the Betway Summer Cup marks the start of summer celebrations. Everyone can look forward to a day filled with phenomenal high-quality horseracing, fashion, and top-tier entertainment, making this year’s Summer Cup the best yet.
“We are excited to present Silks in The City as our theme for the Betway Summer Cup 2024. This theme perfectly captures the elegance of horseracing and the vibrant energy of Johannesburg – the home of Turffontein racecourse. Horseracing silks are symbols of pride and heritage and are reflected in this year’s Summer Cup logo – which pays homage to the previous five winners of this historic event. In this great city, we are diverse and also immensely proud. We encourage everyone to show off their individual style at the Betway Summer Cup 2024,” said Fundi Sithebe, Chief Executive Officer of 4Racing.
Supporting the event since 2022, headline sponsor Betway will continue as the official partner of the Summer Cup.
“Horseracing forms a key part of our South African sports sponsorships – alongside rugby,
cricket and golf. As we enter our third year of the sponsorship, we are thrilled to once again partner with 4Racing for the 137th running of the Betway Summer Cup. We look forward to seeing the best horses in the country battle it out at Turffontein on 30 November.”
Turffontein patrons can look forward to more than just racing this summer season. Hospitality facilities inside the historical Blue Plaque Racecourse main building will be undergoing upgrades during the winter – which will add great value to the 4Racing customer experience.
These facilities are set to be ready for the Betway Summer Cup, so make sure to purchase your tickets at Ticketpro.co.za. Alternatively, you can book your hospitality at reservations@4racing.com or call 011 681 1796.
The Betway Summer Cup has grown its reputation by blending sporting excellence, celebrity appearances, entertainment and fashion. 2024 will deliver on all of these with a series of exciting lead-up events, a not-tobe-missed after-party line-up and partnership announcements in the next few months.
Experience the perfect blend of Silks in The City as we celebrate fashion, the best of horseracing and the beauty of Johannesburg on Saturday, 30 November, at the Turffontein Racecourse. Gates open at 09h00.
Tickets available at Ticketpro.co.za as follows:
• General Access: R100 pp
• Summer Garden: R350 pp
• City Decks: R2000 pp
• Turf Room: R2500 pp
• Children under the age of 12 enter for free
Stay updated on 4Racing and Betway Summer Cup social media channels for more details about upcoming events, competitions, prizes and announcements.
A REGAL WEEKEND!
The 2024 British Flat season is nearing the half-way mark, next weekend’s prestigious King George VI and Quvveen Elizabeth Stakes marks that spot, and here’s an update as to who leads the respective logs.
The Jockey’s Flat championship is determined by number of winners from the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May to Champions Day at Ascot in mid-October.
Oisin Murphy, triple British champion jockey from 2019 to 2021, has been busy this season with 332 rides. The Irish born jockey currently leads the way with 73 wins at a superb winning strike-rate of 22%.
His Group 1 winners include the two Royal Ascot sprints with Khaadem in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and the Aussie flier Asfoora in the Kings Stand. He leads his main rival and the defending champion William Buick by 22 wins.
Buick, champion jockey of 2022 and 2023, is also in great form having just passed the half century mark with 51 wins at a healthy strikerate of 21%. The Godolphin backed rider had a four-timer on Saturday at the July meeting which included the highly rated juvenile Ancient Truth in the Gr2 Superlative Stakes for trainer Charlie Appleby.
Young rider Rossa Ryan is close behind in third with 48 wins at 17% with Tom Marquand in fourth with 45 successes. Champion apprentice Billy Loughnane, has also had a great start to the season. The 18-year-old rounds out the top five with 35 victories.
The Trainer’s title is based on prizemoney on both the turf and All-weather and runs from January to December. At present, Irish supremo Aidan O’Brien holds a huge lead with £4,030,000 in total stakes. The Kingsclere yard of Andrew Balding is currently second with £2.327,000 in stakes - £1,7 million behind the master of Ballydoyle.
The Gosden’s Highclere stable is third, just under £100,000 behind Balding with fellow Newmarket trainer Roger Varian, fourth. Aidan O’Brien could follow his Irish counterpart Willie Mullins who succeeded with the British National
Hunt title earlier this year. O’Brien, winner of an incredible six British Flat championships, has only recorded 14 victories this year, but they have all come at Group level with huge prize money.
A Group 1 double with stable star City Of Troy in the Epsom Deby and Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, together with multiple successes at Royal Ascot amongst others have given the Irish trainer his healthy lead. The upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes could add to his tally.
BUICK CELEBRATES ON STREAM
Hot favourite Inisherin could finish only fifth as Mill Stream emerged triumphant in the My Pension Expert Gr1 July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.
Following a stunning display in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month, the Kevin Ryan-trained Inisherin was all the
rage to beat his elders for the first time as the 11-8 market leader, but things did not go to script.
Art Power took the 11-strong field along for much of the six-furlong contest, closely pursued by Swingalong, and the latter had poked her head in front by the time she reached the final furlong.
William Buick salutes as Mill Stream enjoys the victory canter-past | Credit: Racing TV
CELEBRATES
hands of Inisherin in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock Park in May before missing the rematch in the Commonwealth Cup owing to an unsatisfactory scope, shaped with plenty of encouragement in third.
Art Power boxed on to finish fourth ahead of the slightly disappointing Inisherin in fifth.
Buick was completing a four-timer on the day after he previously enjoyed a treble for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby courtesy of Desert Flower, First Conquest and Ancient Truth.
Chapple-Hyam said: “We were doing cartwheels when it rained, as it just took the sting out of the ground midweek. I think that is all he needs. He came here for a little bit of practice the other day.
“He’s never sparkling in his work, he just gets there but that’s him and as long as we know that, and William knows that, it’s fine, but he’s done it now, he’s got the Group One.
“You knew there was going to be a lot of speed and when they were doing 10 and change at halfway and he was sat in behind, I just knew he’d pick up and I’m thrilled.
“He likes it here, he’s been second here, so it’s nice to turn it round and get the win and he ran well at Ascot in third on very quick ground there.
“It’s nice to win here with it being my home track and my favourite track.
In a race that turned into something of a scrap, Jane Chapple-Hyam’s 11-1 shot Mill Stream –third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at the royal meeting – was produced with a well-timed challenge on the far side of the track by William Buick, swooping late to deny Swingalong by a neck.
Vandeek, who suffered a surprise defeat at the
“I’m a very lucky lady to have Peter Harris as an owner, he knows the game and he believes in the horse too, so it’s good. It’s nice to join him and Gai (Waterhouse, who Chapple-Hyam had a winner for earlier in the day with Asian Daze) as a Group One-winning trainer.
“Peter has a good team in the yard, he supports them, and he supports me, so to go and win a Group One for him, that’s what he wants and what the yard needs, so it’s good.
“He likes three weeks between races if you look back, so we’ll go to Deauville next for the Prix Maurice de Gheest, he’ll love the six and a half furlongs there – as a young horse, he got six there very well, so six-and-a-half, bring it on!”
“It’s been a good day at the office,” said the winning rider with a degree of understatement.
“To win a July Cup is great, it’s not a race I’ve won in the past and Mill Stream has been a good horse this year. Jane and the team were adamant that he was in better shape for this race than he was at Ascot.
“The three-year-olds looked a strong bunch and they had the form, but Mill Stream is a hard-knocking sprinter and when I needed him he was there and he showed his true grit today.
“The race went perfect – he prefers not to have any pressure on him and build up in his own time, and where he was drawn and how it unfolded was ideal.
“I think this was my 100th Group One – I’m not quite sure – but I think it was, so obviously to do it at home at Newmarket in the July Cup is extra special.”
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GLOBETROTTING HERO IS HORSE OF THE YEAR
It’s a deserved title for Hong Kong’s Hero, Romantic Warrior| Credit: HKJC
Romantic Warrior’s outstanding performance during the 2023/24 racing season saw the globetrotting Hong Kong hero earn the Horse of the Year title at a special presentation held at the Grand Ballroom of the Rosewood Hotel in Hong Kong on Friday.
A graduate of the 2021 Hong Kong International Sale as a HK$4.8 million purchase, Romantic Warrior is currently ranked joint-sixth in the latest LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings with an international rating of 121.
His earnings are HK$151.92 million, after 15 wins from 20 starts.
The Danny Shum-trained gelding started the season with a gallant fourth in the Gr1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, Australia.
His all-conquering campaign then began with an historic success in the Gr1 W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
After returning to Hong Kong, he added three more Gr1 wins to his tally, namely the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and FWD QEII Cup. He closed this season by taking top honours in the Gr1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo, Japan. As such, his five Group 1 wins are a record in a
single season by a Hong Kong horse.
He also created history by becoming Hong Kong’s first victor of the W.S. Cox Plate, Australasia’s greatest weight-for-age race, and became the first horse to achieve three consecutive triumphs in the FWD QEII Cup.
Meanwhile, Romantic Warrior also secured a third straight title as Champion Middle-Distance Horse following his clean sweep of all three Group 1 races over 2000m in Hong Kong.
Francis Lui-trained evergreen Golden Sixty secured a fourth straight Champion Miler title with his outstanding winning performance in the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile last December.
The three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year returned first-up after a 224-day break between runs, and also overcame the widest of 14 barriers to win his third LONGINES Hong Kong Mile in 1m 34.10s.
Golden Sixty earned a fourth straight win| Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The victory was the Medaglia d’Oro gelding’s 26th at his 30th start, enhancing his Group 1 tally to 10 – a Hong Kong record. He further extended his world-record earnings to HK$167,170,600 after finishing a creditable fourth in the Gr1 FWD Champions Mile on the yielding ground.
Tony Cruz-trained California Spangle was named this season’s Champion Sprinter. Once regarded as one of the elite milers in town after winning the 2022 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, the Starspangledbanner gelding made a giant step forward when reverting to sprints, winning the Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, before winning Dubai’s Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint against a quality field at Meydan in track record time of 1m 07.50s.
Also trained by Cruz, Five G Patch was crowned Champion Stayer, based on his steady performance in staying events throughout the season. He finished in the money in all three major 2400m events in Hong Kong, namely, sixth in the Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, second in the Gr3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap and second behind Rebel’s Romance in the Gr1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup.
Pierre Ng-trained Galaxy Patch was named this season’s Champion Four-Year-Old.
The emerging youngster is incredibly consistent, finishing in the money in all 12 starts this season with six wins, three seconds and three fifths. He won the Gr3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap and Gr3 Premier Plate Handicap, finished second in the Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and BMW Hong Kong Derby. Currently rated 119 locally, Galaxy Patch is the highest-rated four-year-old in Hong Kong.
David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising finished his rookie season with five wins and two seconds from just seven starts to be acclaimed Champion Griffin. The three-year-old soared 59 points to 111 after starting the campaign rated 52. He is also this term’s Most Improved Horse. The gelding capped his campaign with victory in the Gr3 Sha Tin Vase handicap, getting the better of a group of older rivals including Flying Ace.
This season’s Champion Trainer, Champion Jockey, Tony Cruz Award, Most Popular Jockey and Most Popular Horse will be announced at the conclusion of Sunday’s 88th and final fixture this season at Sha Tin.
Galaxy Patch is this season’s Champion Four-Year-Old| Credit: HKJC
LUI CLAIMS THE TRAINER’S CROWN
Francis Lui has staged a magnificent comeback on the final day of the 2023/24 season to claim the Hong Kong trainers’ championship for the first time, sealing victory with a quartet – and a win in the last race of the season – to deny Pierre Ng by one win in a thrilling battle.
After trailing 67-66 at the start of the day, Lui
slipped three wins behind his former assistant with only six races left when Ng slotted an early double with Beauty Waves and First Love.
Facing a mountainous task, Lui combined with Zac Purton to reel off a mid-meeting treble to roar back into contention to draw level and then clinched the title in the 831st and final race of the season, 70 wins to 69.
Francis Lui celebrates the Hong Kong trainers’ championship | Credit: HKJC
Locked with Ng on 69 wins and 54 second placings heading into the penultimate race –the Class 3 Sight Winner Handicap (1600m) which was won by Jamie Richards-trained Young Achiever – Lui snatched the lead when Holy Lake finished second, narrowly ahead of The Heir and Ng’s fourth-placed I Can.
Lui and Ng’s rollercoaster title race remained in the balance going into the 11th race on the card when Ng needed either a win for outright success or a second to trump his former mentor and claim the title on third placings. Ng’s aspirations looked very much alive when Prestige Always charged into contention at the 200m mark but those hopes evaporated when Hugh Bowman drove Lui’s Patch Of Theta to
a resounding win in the Class 3 All You Wish Handicap, giving Lui the championship.
“Finally. Racing is full of excitement,” Lui, 65, said of the championship triumph. “In the middle of the season, everybody would think Pierre – he has won so many races – that he would not be easy to catch.
“Lucky, I had a couple of three-year-olds with good quality who can win a race. It was very hard, whenever I got close with Pierre, he ran again. Like today, I thought I had good chances, but Pierre still won two races.”
Asked how he would celebrate, Lui said: “I can take a sleep first.”
Zac Purton is Hong Kong champion jockey for the seventh time | Credit: HKJC
Ng led the standings since 5 November, at one stage holding a 16-win lead before Lui briefly claimed the ascendancy last month. Lui is the first homegrown trainer to secure championship glory since Frankie Lor in 2021/22.
And when he skipped three wins after five races, held a crucial advantage but Lui’s response was withering, first clawing back a win Steps Ahead success in the Class 4 Big Profit Handicap, reducing the margin to one win with Chancheng Glory’s triumph in the Class 1 Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap and then squaring the win ledger with Packing Hermod’s victory in the Class 3 Pingwu Spark Handicap.
Bowman then coolly iced the championship with Hong Kong International Sale graduate Patch Of Theta as Hong Kong racing celebrated one of the most absorbing days in history.
Lui has been part of Hong Kong racing since the early 1970s when he graduated from the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School and rode 36 winners as a jockey. He was licensed to train in 1996/97 and is famed for his training deeds with record-breaking miler Golden Sixty. Lui has now trained 935 winners.
Purton was acclaimed as Hong Kong Champion Jockey for the seventh time, matching the feats of Basil Marcus and Gary Moore, after finishing the season with 130 wins and a six-timer at the season finale.
“It’s never easy to win a championship. There are always different obstacles, different challenges but I’ve won it again and that’s all that matters – nice result,” Purton said.
“I’m really happy, it hasn’t been a smooth season. It was really difficult early on with the small fields and wet tracks.
Angus Chung won the Tony Cruz Award | Credit: HKJC
I struggled with injuries and the stables I generally rely on weren’t flowing early but once they got momentum and I started to get some treatment, things started to fall into place, and it’s been a good back half of the season.”
Purton, 41, previously won the jockeys’ championship in 2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2021/22 and 2022/23.
Michael Chang-trained Perfect Peach’s success in the Class 5 Miraculous Handicap presented Purton with the first of his six victories at the season finale before the Australian combined with Ng and First Love and then Lui’s trio Steps Ahead, Chancheng Glory and Packing Hermod, as well as Young Achiever.
Angus Chung won the Tony Cruz Award for the best-performed homegrown jockey with 46 wins, edging out four-time winner Vincent Ho (41) wins.
“Tony is my mentor and has given me a lot of support and I’m very grateful to win the Tony
Cruz Award in my second season in Hong Kong,” Chung, 27, said. “It’s not easy and I’m very fortunate to have the support not only from Tony but also other trainers such as Pierre Ng.
“I’m very happy to win the Tony Cruz Award.”
Super Elite’s victory under Bowman in the Class 5 Mr Award Handicap provided David Hall with his 44th win of the campaign, equalling the Australian’s best seasonal haul in Hong Kong before Ricky Yiu notched his 60th winner of the term when Volcanic Spark landed the Class 4 Solar Hei Hei Handicap under Karis Teetan as Ho and Dennis Yip combined with Happy Daily to win the Class 4 Medic Kingdom Handicap.
Ho won the Most Popular Jockey award, while Romantic Warrior was acclaimed as the Most Popular Horse for the season.
COOLMORE CLASSIC WINNER ON STANDALONE SALE
One of Australia’s most electrifying sprinters will present an incredible opportunity for breeding farms around the world when she is offered at a special standalone virtual sale later this month.
Espiona, a Gr1 Coolmore Classic winner, will be presented virtually by Glenesk Thoroughbreds as agent for her Denise Martin and Star Thoroughbreds ownership group and go under the gavel of auctioneer Clint Donovan at 3pm (AEST) on Wednesday 31 July.
During her illustrious career Espiona defeated 28 individual Group One winners including outstanding gallopers Pride of Jenni, Chain of Lightning, Fangirl, Bella Nipotina, Asfoora, Alcohol Free, Zougotcha, Stefi Magnetica, Private Eye and Ruthless Dame.
The mare, who earned over A$3.3 million in prizemoney, was prepared during her illustrious career by master horseman Chris Waller who held the daughter of Extreme Choice in the highest of regards.
“She was a very tough horse,” Waller pointed out. “But her racing pattern made it difficult to get the best from her.”
“Like we saw this preparation, she was often in the company of the very best Australian sprinters, and she had enough ability to beat anything.”
“She was lightly raced and certainly from a pedigree and ability perspective, she is as good as you need and certainly capable of producing very good quality colts and fillies which would hype their chance in Group One races.”
Espiona’s pin-up victory came in last year’s Gr1 Coolmore Classic when she outgunned Pride of Jenni at the elite level in a performance that stunned rider Michael Dee – “it was just a matter of switching her to the inside and she just exploded!”
Nash Rawiller was also rolling out the superlatives after he partnered her to a romping win over Atishu and co in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill – “she’s got similar ability to More Joyous, which is a scary thing to say!”
Espiona was purchased as a yearling by Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency’s Brett Howard from the Torryburn Stud draft at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“I have no doubt Espiona was right up there with the likes of Imperatriz in terms of ability,” Howard said. “She met Imperatriz on three occasions. In last year’s Champion Stakes she made up a stack of ground on Imperatriz, coming from ninth at the 200m to run fourth behind her, beaten two lengths, running the race’s fastest last 200m, and holding off Bella Nipotina in the process.”
“In this year’s Lightning Stakes, both Private Eye (second) and Imperatriz (first) dawdled up front early. Espiona who settled near the rear of the field, was clocked to run the race’s fastest last 800m (43.25), 600m (32.29), 400m (21.47) and 200m (10.97), to finish within 0.7 lengths of Imperatriz, once again getting past Bella Nipotina and holding her off at the finish.
“For good measure her peak speed was clocked at 70.92 km/h, the race’s quickest, ahead of Imperatriz’s 69.59 km/h. Espiona also recorded the race’s fastest split of 10.5 seconds (400m-200m).”
“Their final meeting in this year’s TJ Smith, saw Espiona finish sixth within 0.24 lengths of Imperatriz. After drawing second from the outside, Nash Rawiller had little choice to settle near the rear of the field.”
“Held up at a vital stage in the straight, Espiona flashed home to be beaten only 0.8 lengths behind winner Chain of Lightning. Once again she was timed to run the race’s fastest last 600m, as well as the fastest last 200m. With an ounce of luck in the straight Espiona just wins!”
“I think most people would agree that Espiona’s quirky nature of wanting to hold her head to one side and lug in was one thing which probably stopped her from winning more races. There was a train of thought she was definitely better going the Melbourne way. When she did travel to Melbourne, she never ran a bad race.”
“However, she also did many great things in Sydney, including her Coolmore Classic win, her demolition of Atishu and others in the Group 2 Golden Pendant, and her most unlucky run in the TJ Smith,” Howard added. “You don’t earn a start in The Everest for nothing.”
As well as her achievements on the track, Espiona possesses a first class pedigree. The elite performer is from a daughter of influential broodmare sire O’Reilly who in turn is from daughters of Pins and Centaine – all successful broodmare sires.
Dahooil, the dam of Espiona, is a full sister to Bonny O’Reilly, three quarter sister to Rare Insight (dam of another Coolmore Classic winner Steps in Time), Escadaire and half-sister to Pretty to Sea.
Espiona’s second dam is a blood sister to Crepe de Chine and Glam Slam and half-sister to multiple Group One winner Glamour Puss and Doncaster and George Ryder winner Vision and Power.
“We are honoured to have been entrusted by Denise Martin and her syndicate of owners to present Espiona to prospective buyers,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “Through her career she raced against elite horses and proved herself one of the best of her generation.”
“Being able to offer her through a standalone virtual sale will give the owners, vendor, prospective buyers and interested parties the opportunity to see her sell via a streamlined
process by a world class auctioneer.”
“It will provide Espiona a fitting sales process to take her to the next journey of her life,” Bowditch added.
Any interested parties who would like to inspect Espiona should contact:
• Barry Bowditch (0402 280 538) or • James Hetherington (0428 783 300) to make suitable arrangements.
Espiona produced a powerful sprint in the straight to win a thrilling edition of the Gr1 Coolmore Classic in 2023
