SP Sprint - 19 June 2024

On the cover Sporting Post-sponsored jockey Tristan Godden rode a double at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Monday to bring up his 50th winner of the season. All his winners were ridden in KZN. Well done Tristan on achieving your goal and upwards and onwards from here. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.

SPORT OF KINGS

King Charles is a Royal Ascot regular over the years and attended Day 1 of the 2024 festival on Tuesday. Among the other royal attendees were Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Tindall - who are both famous for their love of horses - as well as Zara’s husband Mike Tindall, and her brother Peter Phillips.

The King’s appearance at Ascot followed the Trooping the Colour at the weekend. The 75-year-old was dressed in a traditional grey morning suit and appeared in good spirits. The image is supplied courtesy of Ascot Racecourse.

28 LEFT IN MIX FOR 6 JULY SPECTACULAR

Flashback to 2023 – Brett Crawford draws the winning gate! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The weights for the 2024 R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July were published on Tuesday.

A total of 28 entries remain in the mix for the 128th renewal of the great race, with final declarations due by 11h00 on Monday 24 June.

A capacity field of 18 plus 2 reserves will be unveiled on Tuesday 25 June.

The race was first run in 1897 over 1600m for

a stake of 500 sovereigns and named The Durban Turf Club Handicap.

While we are used to it being run on the first Saturday in July, in 1897 it was run on 17 July, the third Saturday of that month.

News of the final field announcement, as well as the official public gallops on Thursday 27 June will be published right here on www.sportingpost.co.za

YOUNG DESIGNER AWARD

– A REAL WINNER!

Vuyisele Ngobese from the Hollywoodbets foundation (left) congratulates winner Lwandle Zwezwe-Lubisi and her model Ashton Vere after winning the HDJ Young Designer Award at the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July | Credit: Gameplan Media

With the announcement of the finalists for KZN’s top young fashion design competition due today, last year’s winner of the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award presented by Durban Fashion Fair, Lwandle Zwezwe-Lubisi, advises the potential winners to take the time to breathe and be in the moment.

The ten finalists in the prestigious competition will be announced at the semi-finals event to be held at Gateway Theatre of Shopping today, and the 2023 winner has some sage advice for those following in her footsteps.

“Take in the excitement, the atmosphere and the moment. It’s a big win. You are deserving of the achievement and remember to try to take in this moment of glory,” said Zwewe-Lubisi.

A graduate of the Pietermaritzburg School of Fashion, Zwezwe-Lubisi’s creation last year earned her the coveted title as well as a R50 000 Hollywood Foundation bursary to help pay her fees; R10 000 in cash compliments of Gold Circle and Schweppes; and a R5 000 gift card courtesy of Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

In addition to this, she also won an-allexpenses paid travel bursary from Gold Circle to attend SA Fashion Week at the Mall of Africa in April this year. This provided her with the opportunity to see and experience fashion designers and their creations first hand.

She said winning the Young Designers award last year instantly elevated her career and provided her with a platform that took her into spaces she never thought she would experience.

“I felt like things changed immediately (after I won) – there were opportunities, things opened up, I received invitations to attend events, and

I found myself in rooms with high celebrities mingling with people I never thought I would get the chance to meet,” she said.

Referring to the win she said: “Don’t let this be your roof but rather your stepping stone – to success. You must use this achievement to do more – you must put yourself forward, learn from it, take in all the opportunities that come with it and above all enjoy it and be proud of your achievement”.

Today the 25 semi-finalists will put their creations before the judges, who will select the final top 10 – from which the final top three will be announced on the day of Africa’s premier horse racing and social event – the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

She said she was able to use her prize money as start-up capital for her fashion design business called “Draped in Chic”.

Now established as a full-time fashion designer, she said, “I would describe my designs as classic, chic, elegant, full of beauty and opulence – as well as being very feminine. I have a soft-side, a girly side and this definitely comes out”.

Her clients include university students who could be hosting a graduating ceremony, a matric dance student who wants to stand out or a woman celebrating a birthday or who is attending a social occasion.

She said she is planning to attend this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July as she does not wish to lose the relationship that has been built up as a result of this platform.

As far as the future is concerned, she said would like to be considered as an Invited Designer at next year’s event and is working towards entering as many different fashion competitions as possible.

TARRY TAKES TWO

Red Maple (Craig Zackey) finishes best to beat Saartjie (Corne Orffer). My Soul Mate (Richard Fourie) can be seen behind them | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Randjesfontein trainer Sean Tarry made it a 100% victory strike at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday when saddling the winners of both the Tabgold Derby and the R500 000 Tabgold Gr2 Oaks.

The Tarry factor on feature days is near legendary wherever we are racing, and the former multiple SA champion produced the goods yet again with just two runners and his race-to-race double paying a healthy R45-30 on the tote.

Tarry’s Highveld colleague Candice Dawson saddled the 3yo My Soul Mate who looked to have plenty in her favour with a nice gate and Richard Fourie in the irons. After a number of placed efforts, she really looked overdue and was backed in to 8-10 favourite to take the honours in the Tabgold Gr2 Oaks.

But it was not to be.

Richard Fourie had the lovely filly leading early

until she was passed at around the 1000m by Muzi Yeni and Lady Of Power, who led them for home.

As they fanned out, My Soul Mate looked to have a chance but was swallowed up as the luckless Saartjie unwound, while Craig Zackey had Red Maple firing her engines.

In a thrilling drive to the wire, Red Maple (25-1) finished best to beat Saartjie (7-2) by 0,20 lengths in a time of 151,53 secs.

Paul Matchett’s Special Charm (33-1) ran a good race, under a length back in third, with My Soul Mate (8-10) failing to stay on and rounding off the quartet.

Jockey Craig Zackey, who didn’t have the best starts to his day when beaten on the 4-10 favourite in the opener, said that things had worked out well in the end.

“We had a rough start as she was impeded from both sides out of the gate. She was off the bit early. But when I pulled her out, she just had so much to come, despite hanging in.Thanks to Mr Tarry – he has been great to me of late. And to Mrs Slack and the Wilgerbosdrift team,” added Zackey.

Trainer Sean Tarry explained that his charge had not stayed when tried further.

“That was clear from her last two starts. This is

a lovely consolation after we had to scratch her from the Woolavington when she bumped her knee,” he added.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, Red Maple is by deceased multiple champion Silvano (Lomitas) out of the Fastnet Rock mare, Cherry Tree Lane.

A winner of the WSB Listed Spook Express last term, she is a winner of 4 races with 6 places from 16 starts for stakes of R639 875.

Mary Slack previously raced Red Maple in partnership with passionate racing man Michael Javett, who passed away at the age of 86 in November 2022.

Craig Zackey and Sean Tarry are all smiles after their Oaks victory | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

AL MUFTI’S LASTING LEGACY

Sean Tarry’s 2023 World Pool Gr3 Gold Cup winner Future Pearl looks to have played himself into contention for a starting berth in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July after flying up late for an uncontested victory in the R350 000 Tabgold Gr3 Derby at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

One of a trio of Tarry entries still in the mix for the big one on 6 July, Future Pearl ran the perfect prep when finding his best form to register his first victory since his Gold Cup success as a 3yo in the sunset days of last term.

With Policy Of Truth and One Way Traffic setting the fractions in Saturday’s 2400m feature, Future Pearl was confidently by Richard Fourie from some lengths off the gallop.

As Rachel Venniker produced Without Question into the home straight, Future Pearl (11-2) could be seen making up lengths and despite Richard Fourie losing his crop in the process of showing it to the gelding in the closing stages, he went on powerfully to hold Mike de Kock’s

Aragosta (5-1), also a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry, by a length in a time of 149,27 secs.

One Way Traffic (8-1) rallied well for third, a further 1,10 lengths away, and a nose in front of Highveld raider, Zeus (14-1) who completed the quartet in an improved effort.

Hollywoodbets Durban July entries Cape Eagle (4,65 lengths) and Without Question (4,70 lengths), the latter at 14th on the final log published just days ago, did their big race claims no favours and failed to flatter.

Trainer Sean Tarry confirmed that he was thrilled that Future Pearl was back to form.

“We left him alone last season. We were in no hurry. Interestingly, Richard Fourie was very upbeat to ride him in the 2023 Betway Summer Cup. He has an affinity with this course. I see he wasn’t sighted on the Hollywoodbets Durban July Log but he has put his hand up now, loud and clear!” added Tarry, as he thanked the sponsors Tabgold and his patrons the Beck family, who have enjoyed a nice season with the 3yo Lucky Lad.

The Drakenstein Stud-bred Future Pearl was a R525 000 National Yearling Sale purchase and took his stakes earnings to R1 436 375 with his sixth win and 6 places from 19 starts.

Future Pearl is by Drakenstein Stud’s four-time Gr1 winning stallion, and former Horse Of The Year, Futura, who could be well represented in the Hollywoodbets Durban July this year. The winner is out of the twice-winning Al Mufti mare Arabian Pearl.

Al Mufti (Roberto ex Lassie Dear) | Credit: Supplied

The Tabgold Derby and the Oaks were opened to all ages at weight-for-age terms, plus penalties in 2014.

The decision was made as the focus of 3yo’s during Champions Season was on the Guineas,

the Daily News 2000, the Woolavington Stakes, and obviously the Durban July. This resulted in the Derby and Oaks suffering a downgrade over the years and somehow struggled to find a consistent place in the programme.

Gold Cup winner Future Pearl by Futura - Arabian Pearl (Al Mufti) | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

JULY MAY JUST BE HIS OYSTER

Richard Fourie delivers Future Pearl in style to beat fellow Hollywoodbets Durban July entry Aragosta (Muzi Yeni). Zeus (Gavin Lerena) and Shoot The Rapids (Calvin Habib) are in the background | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Sean Tarry’s 2023 World Pool Gr3 Gold Cup winner Future Pearl looks to have played himself into contention for a starting berth in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July after flying up late for an uncontested victory in the R350 000 Tabgold Gr3 Derby at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

One of a trio of Tarry entries still in the mix for the big one on 6 July, Future Pearl ran the perfect prep when finding his best form to register his first victory since his Gold Cup success as a 3yo in the sunset days of last term.

With Policy Of Truth and One Way Traffic setting the fractions in Saturday’s 2400m feature, Future Pearl was confidently by Richard Fourie from some lengths off the gallop.

As Rachel Venniker produced Without Question into the home straight, Future Pearl (11-2) could be seen making up lengths and despite Richard Fourie losing his crop in the process of showing it to the gelding in the closing stages, he went on powerfully to hold Mike de Kock’s Aragosta (5-1), also a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry, by a length in a time of 149,27 secs.

One Way Traffic (8-1) rallied well for third, a further 1,10 lengths away, and a nose in front of Highveld raider, Zeus (14-1) who completed the quartet in an improved effort.

Hollywoodbets Durban July entries Cape Eagle (4,65 lengths) and Without Question (4,70 lengths), the latter at 14th on the final log published just days ago, did their big race claims no favours and failed to flatter.

Trainer Sean Tarry confirmed that he was thrilled that Future Pearl was back to form.

“We left him alone last season. We were in no hurry. Interestingly, Richard Fourie was very upbeat to ride him in the 2023 Betway Summer Cup. He has an affinity with this course. I see he wasn’t sighted on the Hollywoodbets Durban July Log but he has put his hand up now, loud and clear!” added Tarry, as he

thanked the sponsors Tabgold and his patrons the Beck family, who have enjoyed a nice season with the 3yo Lucky Lad.

The Drakenstein Stud-bred Future Pearl was a R525 000 National Yearling Sale purchase and took his stakes earnings to R1 436 375 with his sixth win and 6 places from 19 starts.

Future Pearl is by Drakenstein Stud’s four-time Gr1 winning stallion, and former Horse Of The Year, Futura, who could be well represented in the Hollywoodbets Durban July this year. The winner is out of the twice-winning Al Mufti mare Arabian Pearl.

The Tabgold Derby and the Oaks were opened to all ages at weight-for-age terms, plus penalties in 2014.

The decision was made as the focus of 3yo’s during Champions Season was on the Guineas, the Daily News 2000, the Woolavington Stakes, and obviously the Durban July. This resulted in the Derby and Oaks suffering a downgrade over the years and somehow struggled to find a consistent place in the programme.

Richard Fourie and Sean Tarry – discussing future plans perhaps? | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT –

GR1 SUCCESS MUST BE ON HORIZON FOR FUTURA

Future Pearl storms home under Richard Fourie in the Betway Gr3 Derby | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

‘Future Pearl is by Futura, who never won beyond 2000m, yet is quietly adding his name to the list of stallions capable of siring horses with a touch of stamina’

Champion stayer Future Pearl underscored the oft-used phrase that form is temporary while class is permanent, with his fluent win in the Tabgold Gr3 Derby at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

It was a welcome return to form for the Beckowned four-year-old, who had gone winless since he landed last season’s World Pool Gold Cup, a victory which clinched him the Equus Champion Stayer award.

Patience is a virtue, in particular in horseracing, and trainer Sean Tarry deserves all the kudos for bringing his charge back to best. This latest success couldn’t have come at a more opportune time as it goes a long way to strengthening his claims for a berth in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Future Pearl is by Futura, who never won beyond 2000m, yet is quietly adding his name to the list of stallions capable of siring horses with a touch of stamina.

In addition to Future Pearl, his progeny also include Light Of The Moon, winner of the Oaks Trial and runner-up in both the SA Oaks and Track and Ball Oaks, whilst fellow Hollywoodbets Durban July hopeful Future Swing won the Gr3 Chairman’s Cup over 2500m, as well as the Gr2 World Sports Betting 1900.

That said, Future Pearl is no plodder, and as he showed in the Derby, flashing acceleration rarely found in a stayer.

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, Future Pearl boasts a dam line second to none, a dyed-in-the-wool South African family which continues to exert its influence on the racing industry.

It all started when the Drum Beat mare Bluebell Girl visited the magnificent chestnut Royal Prerogative at Broadlands Stud, a logical choice, since he had sired her Gr1-placed half-sister Regal Blue - who by the way, would become the dam of J&B Met winner Imperious Sue. The filly which resulted from that mating was named Wild Hyacinth.

She displayed early talent when runner-up to Broadlands-bred champion and paternal half-sister Tempest Queen in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship before winning the Majorca Stakes at three.

Given her track record, Wild Hyacinth warranted only the best consorts as a broodmare.

To champion Foveros she threw Wild Cocktail, a Gr2-placed stakes winner of nine races; the stakes-placed Fov’s Flower; as well as unraced Garden Verse, who became the dam of the high-class globetrotter Imbongi and the Graded stakes winners Spring Garland and Mahubo.

Dynasty son Futura at Drakenstein | Credit: Hamish Niven Photography

Future Pearl descends from Wild Hyacinth’s second foal Dancing Flower, a high-quality filly by powerhouse stallion Dancing Champ. Bred by Des Scott and Luke Bailes, she won three races and was purchased at the old Maritzburg Sale by Litchfield Stud.

As a broodmare, the chestnut added to her fine roots as the dam of five stakes performers, amongst which two champions, Victory Moon and Kelly, winner of the (then) Gr1 Gold Bowl.

Dancing Flower’s crowning achievement was her Al Mufti son Victory Moon. Successful in his only start as a juvenile, the colt was exported to Dubai where he earned Horse of the Year honours, his tally of stakes wins including both the Derby and Guineas.

He returned to South Africa for stallion duties but died after standing just four seasons at Maine Chance Farms. In hindsight, his premature loss was a tragic one, considering he sired the dual champion Princess Victoria and Gr1 winner War Horse, besides featuring as the broodmare sire of Gr1 winner Astrix, as well as Futura’s Gr1 placed son, Nourbese.

Needless to say, Dancing Flower’s daughters became hot commodities, one of which, Pagan Princess, commanded R1,7 million as a yearling. Although she failed to live up to that exalted price tag, she became the dam of Gr1 Cape Guineas hero and sire William Longsword, and of Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint victress Real Princess, who in turn bred the dual Gr1 winning sprinter, Gimme A Prince.

Future Pearl is out of Victory Moon’s full sister Arabian Pearl. Whilst not in the same league as her illustrious brother, she was no slouch either. Raced by L’Ormarins (now Drakenstein), her finest moment on the track came in the Gr1 Woolavington 2200, where she almost upstaged Sun Classique, the Bass-trained champion getting up on the line to score by a neck.

Also third in both the Spook Express and Queen Palm Handicaps, run over 2450 and

2400m respectively, she clearly stayed well, as did her Western Winter daughter, the East Cape Oaks runner-up Arabian Winter, who produced Jacaranda Handicap winner Bureau Des Legende to Legislate, like Futura a son of Dynasty.

Stamina also manifested itself in Arabian Pearl’s grandaughter Explosive Bond, who succeeded in this season’s Spook Express Handicap. By Fire Away, she is out of Arabian Pearl’s Trippi daughter Liwa.

As for Future Pearl, his Derby success served as a clear sign that he is on track to defend his Gold Cup crown, but first there is still that little matter of a coveted first Gr1 win, not just for himself, but also for his sire.

Perhaps the first Saturday in July will see that wish come true.

VERCINGETORIX STAR SHINES

Fresh off supplying four winners at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, Maine Chance Farms (Pty) Ltd’s star sire Vercingetorix was at it again on Monday, when his son Definitely Yes won on debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

Trained by Dean Kannemeyer, two-year-old Definitely Yes made the perfect start to his career when he won Monday’s Online Form Guide www.gallop.co.za Maiden Juvenile Plate (1200m).

Under a strong ride from Craig Zackey, Definitely Yes flew up late to win on debut by a long neck.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Definitely Yes is out of the Tiger Ridge mare Maybe Yes.

The well-bred colt was a R1 600 000 buy from the 2023 National Yearling Sale.

WILL FOURIE DO IT AGAIN?

Winning Form-sponsored star Richard Fourie has enjoyed a storming season as he heads towards a record-breaking first national title. And he is on the cusp of yet another record as he eyes Greg Cheyne’s 116 season winner benchmark in the Eastern Cape.

In typically home baked Gqeberha fashion, Richard Fourie was presented with a beautiful t-shirt signed by regular racegoers, trainers, owners and Nelson Mandela Bay Racing personnel at Fairview on Friday.

The popular jockey, who recently joined Greg Cheyne as the only two riders to crack a century in the region, also received a bottle of

champers, which will doubtless prove handy as the end of season celebrations happen in seven weeks from now.

Popular 4Racing TV presenter Nadine Low Ah Kee, herself a former jockey in the Windy City, told the Sporting Post that Greg Cheyne holds the honours as the jockey with the most wins achieved in a season in the Eastern Cape.

A Fairview Honour - Richard Fourie, flanked by 4Racing’s Gail Rhieder and 4Racing’s Events Co-ordination Manager, Marilyn Smith | Credit: Pauline Herman

“Greg originally set the record in 2017/2018 with 90 wins, bettered that tally by one in 2018/2019 up to 91, and then made history as the only jockey to exceed 100 wins in Gqeberha in one season when riding an amazing 116 winners in the 2019/2020 term,” enthused Nadine as she paged through the record books.

Nadine recalls that the now UK-based jockey set that record having ridden a total of 455 horses.

“Greg set that mark in the season when trainer Alan Greeff, the yard that he was affiliated to,

broke the record for most wins by a trainer in the Eastern Cape, scoring a massive 176 winning lead ins! The previous record was the 150 set by Gavin Smith,” she added. While maintaining that Greg Cheyne’s record of being crowned Eastern Cape jockey for ten seasons, six of them consecutive, may take a while yet to topple, his season record of 116 looks reachable with ten meetings left of the term.

Richard Fourie, who gave trainer Alan Greeff a special mention in a recent exclusive interview with the Sporting Post on the occasion of shattering the Anthony Delpech SA season winners record, has 107 Eastern Cape wins under his belt from 409 rides thus far.

He thus needs only 10 wins from 10 racemeetings!

Ed – our thanks and appreciation to Nadine.

50 ON THE BOARD FOR TRISTAN

Hereinafter takes Tristan Godden to 50 season-wins | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Sporting Post-sponsored rider Tristan Godden celebrated a personal milestone at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on the Youth Day Public Holiday racemeeting on Monday.

Tristan registered a double on the afternoon to take his season tally to 50 winners – a target set by himself at the start of the term, and with which he is justly proud.

“I am very pleased, and we still have over six weeks to go to the end of the season. So, I will be continuing to work hard to add to my tally. Every one of my winners was achieved on KZN soil, so that gives me confidence to up the ante next season and travel to raise the bar,” he added.

The first of Tristan’s winners came in remarkable circumstances in the fourth race, the Pick 6 opener, when Mark Dixon’s 4yo gelding Jazz Festival (10-1) lost five lengths at the start, but made up ground down the inside in the home run to get up and nab Shotgun Willie (13-2), who looked a winner late in the race.

It was a composed display from the saddle by Tristan, who never bustled his mount and reaped the rewards.

In the penultimate race of the afternoon, Tristan dented Richard Fourie’s hopes of another winner when he judged things perfectly and took Mike Miller’s Hereinafter (11-2) from start to finish over the 1000m in an MR 73 Handicap for the fairer sex, to hold off Fourie on the tote favourite, Maggie Smith.

Hereinafter, a pace-loaded daughter of Futura, changed legs late, after being passed by Jane’s Vision at around the 300m, and kicked on well to maintain her good form.

It’s just over a decade since Tristan’s first career winner at Clairwood on 11 May 2014, when he won on Secret Traveller for Kumaran Naidoo.

SUMMERVIEW AT KZN YEARLING SALE

Summerview Stud will be offering four quality yearlings at the upcoming BSA KZN Yearling Sale on Thursday 4 July.

This quartet is made up of lots sired by champion sprinter Captain Of All, Japanese star Danon Platina and the consistently successful Master Of My Fate.

Master Of My Fate, whose recent flagbearers include such high-class stakes winners as Atticus Finch, Joy And Peace, Princess Izzy and Splicethemainbrace, has two colts in this draft.

Jack Bartlett (Lot 80) is a beautifully bred colt whose dam Field Of Light is a winning fullsister to both triple Gr1 winning sire Jackson and Gr3 Byerley Turk winner Heartland. Field Of Light, who also numbers Gr3 Lebelo Sprint winner Jade Bay as a half-brother, hails from an outstanding family whose members include

hugely influential champion sire Smart Strike among others.

Mio Destino (Lot 201) is another Master Of My Fate colt whose dam is a winning daughter of Dynasty, and this colt’s granddam Tala is a French stakes winning daughter of Lomitas.

Cartel Queen (Lot 114) is a filly bred to be speedy. She is by former Equus Champion Sprinter Captain Of All and is a three-parts sister to the Captain Of All sired millionaire and high-class sprinter Cartel Captain.

Japanese champion Danon Platina, a son of the mighty Deep Impact, is also represented in this draft. His son Blackjack Randall (Lot 190) hails from the immediate family of champion Damasco.

The Summerview draft can be found in Block B at the Suncoast Casino.

Summerview Stud’s Colleen and Gary de Klerk | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

THE FORT STUD’S TOP TRIO

Cape Guineas winner Act Of War (Dynasty) sired two of Jill Fox’s three fillies | Credit: Supplied

Jill Fox is very upbeat about the three fillies that The Fort Stud will be offering at this year’s KZN Yearling Sale on 4 July.

Jill said of her draft, “I have 3 very classy fillies entered for the sale, and I think buyers will like what they see.”

The trio were sired by Act Of War and Declarationofpeace, with both stallions having plenty to offer.

Former Cape Guineas winner Act Of War is no stranger to siring high-class performers with his progeny including champion filly War Of Athena as well as such high-class sprinters as Battle Force, Bartholdi and Rollwiththepunches, while the blue blooded Declarationofpeace, a halfbrother to US champion and successful sire Honor Code, was a very speedy stakes winner at two.

Lot 13: f Act Of War - Aalsmeer

She is out of the winning mare Aalsmeer who is a half sister to Gr2 winner Schippers and is by proven stallion Act of War. A big filly with lots of scoop

Lot 62: f Act Of War - Diamondsandpearls

This filly is out of the 4 time winning mare Diamondsandpearls who is a half sister to Perfect Witness. By the proven stallion Act of War. She is a very strong filly

Lot 70:Emily’s Peace f DeclarationofpeaceEmily Jay

By Declarationofpeace who is by the outstanding sire War Front she is out of an 8 time winning mare. She is very correct in her conformation.

This draft can be found in Block A at the Suncoast Casino in Durban.

NO SECRETS FROM ASCOT STUD

Promising and proven sires make up Ascot Stud’s KZN Yearling Sale draft this year. Ashley Parker will be offering yearlings by a host of different stallions - namely resident sire Global View, as well as the likes of Erik The Red and the latter’s close relative Master Of My Fate, New Predator and The United States.

Global View, South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2019-2020, recently made headlines when his son Dave The King downed a star studded field to win the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge.

This string also includes a number of yearlings from the wonderful Soho Secret family, with this female line having produced such stars as London News, Malmoos, Pluck and Promisefrommyheart.

Lot 8: Lazer Light f Erik The Red - Widow’s Lamp

A scopy, well balanced Erik the Red filly out of an Oaks winner, the family of Norton Sound

Lot 9: Unnamed c The United States - Winter Star

A powerful strong The United States colt. He is a full brother to Home of the Brave, a four time

winner including his last start in Johannesburg. The dam a stakes placed winner of R1,7 million in stakes.

Lot 47: King Prawn c Master Of My FateCaviar

A good quartered mature Master Of My Fate colt with a very good temperament whose dam a 5 time winner from the famous Soho Secret family .

Lot 182: Silva City f Global View - Silva Key

A scopy, well balanced Global View filly who is a half sister to Key News, an exciting first time out winner in Johannesburg. Her dam is a 6 time winner from the famous Soho Secret family.

Ascot Stud’s draft can be found in Blocks C and D at the Suncoast Casino in Durban.

ONE WORLD EQUAL’S CAPTAIN AL’S RECORD

Aldo Domeyer glances back as Roccapina charges to an easy win | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

The Varsfontein bred Roccapina skated to an impressive victory on Tuesday at a chilly Hollywoodbets Kenilworth at her second outing to give her sire One World the honour of equalling his own’s sire Captain Al’s first-season sires record of 22 juvenile winners.

Raced by the Kalmanson and Rowett family, the Candice Bass-Robinson trained Roccapina built on a narrow defeat on debut over the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth 1000m, when she provided jockey Aldo Domeyer with his easiest earned commission over the same track and trip all season.

Out of the Fort Wood three-time winner Scandola – herself a daughter of Western Winter’s top-class daughter Covenant, who was trained by Mike Bass – Roccapina’s Gr1 Sun Met winning sire One World is our Leading First Season Sire of 2023-2024, and is also the country’s Leading Sire of 2yo’s.

Stars of One World’s first crop include Gr3 City Of Cape Town Cape Of Good Hope Nursery/ Gr3 Winter Nursery winner One Stripe and Lion Rampart and Miss World -the first two home in the Listed Somerset 1200.

Writing in his weekly Enews on Tuesday, leading stallion manager John Freeman wrote that he again wished to nag the TBA to address the issue of an award for Champion Sire Of 2yo’s again this year.

An important milestone in any young sire’s career.

Extending the old adage: “no-one ever contemplated suicide with an unraced 2yo in his stable”, I want to say: who would not want to be around when you have a new champion sire of 2yo’s.

Freeman added that One World will hopefully set his sights on the record for number of 2yo winners in a season. That record was set in the

2008/2009 season and is still held by Captain Al today: 30 winners of 40 races.

He writes that to be fair, he is gratefully reminded that Captain Al didn’t have the number nor the quality of mares that One World enjoyed right from the start of his career.

But Captain Al’s progeny had more races to contest in those days. In the 2008/2009 season there were 3,806 races for all ages run compared to last season’s 2,954 races = 852 fewer races.

In the 2008/9 season 1,057 juveniles raced compared to 1,014 in the 2022/3 season – almost the same number.

Less opportunity.

We note that the former Equus Champion One World has some very well-bred yearlings on offer at the BSA KZN Yearling Sale on 4 July. These include a filly (Lot 65) out of Listed Winter Oaks winner Duchess Of Bourbon, a half-sister (Lot 85) to recent Listed Milkwood Stakes winner Paris Lass, and a colt (Lot 158) bred on similar lines to the Captain Al sired Gr3 winner Cousin Liz.

RED MAPLE CLIMBS TO 108

Red Maple had her rating increased to 108 from 94 after landing the Tabgold Gr2 Oaks over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

The Handicappers opted to use Lady Of Power as the line horse here, hence her unchanged rating of 101.

The Handicappers did not believe that Saartjie was a suitable line horse here, as using Saartjie would elevate the race considerably which will see the exposed Lady Of Power, Future Girl and Virginia Sweet improving markedly. This seems improbable.

3rd placed, Special Charm was adjusted to 104 from 87 for beating the 101 rated line horse by 2 lengths or 3 points at level weight terms.

Danse Milord was given a partial adjustment from 88 to 94 despite producing a higher performance. The Handicappers took into consideration the fact that she ran 5th and appears flattered by her proximity to the line horse based on her overall profile.

The only horse to receive a drop was My Soul Mate, which dropped from 113 to 111.

Tabgold Derby (Grade 3)

Future Pearl had his rating increased to 117

from 116 after impressively winning the Tabgold Gr3 Derby over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

The Handicappers did not believe that Aragosta made for a suitable line horse here, as using Aragosta would elevate the race considerably which will see the exposed One Way Traffic and Cape Eagle improving markedly, this seems unlikely.

Aragosta, who has now failed to run to his mark in his latest three starts, was dropped from 118 to 116.

3rd placed One Way Traffic was adjusted to a rating of 109 from 108 while the 4th placed finisher, Zeus, was given a drop of 3 points from 122 to 119.

The only other runner to receive an increase in ratings was Shoot The Rapids who was raised to 99 from 89. He was only given a marginal increase as this performance appears to flatter him based on his overall profile.

Without Question was left unchanged despite his disappointing performance as he was reported to be not striding out post-race, after being examined by the Veterinarian on duty.

• Media release by the NHA on Wednesday, 19 June 2024

BATTLE OF GUINEAS WINNERS GOES TO THE WIRE!

In the battle of the 2000 Guineas winners at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, it was the Richard Hannon-trained Rosallion who came out on top in the Gr1 St James’s Palace Stakes.

The Sean Levey-ridden winner (5/2), who landed the Irish 2,000 Guineas on his previous start, showed real class to get out of a pocket and grab Aidan O’Brien’s Henry Longfellow inside the final furlong to win by a neck.

The French 2,000 Guineas winner Metropolitan finished third for Mario Baratti, a further three lengths behind.

Godolphin’s English 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech, who was sent off the 6/4 favourite, failed to quicken when produced on the outside and beat just one rival home.

Rosallion, a second winner of the St James’s Palace Stakes for Hannon after Barney Roy in 2017, had finished second to Notable Speech at Newmarket before scoring at the Curragh. He carries the colours of his owner/breeder Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.

Hannon said: “Rosallion was special before today. Unfortunately, we lost in the Guineas, but he has always been brilliant – physically, mentally. I couldn’t believe he got beaten in the Guineas the way he was travelling. He won the Irish Guineas very well. He is a complete package. He’s as good as I’ve ever seen in our place.

“He was bred by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and is a great advert for a new stallion [Blue Point]. Quite often you call these horses something that they’re not, because you want them to be the best horse you’ve trained – and quite often you are disappointed. That’s an occupational hazard. But this lad has never let me down. That one day at Doncaster… I still can’t explain it. I don’t know how we messed it up, but that’s behind us now.

“Rosallion is in the Sussex, he’s in all those big races, and I can’t wait. He has already done enough for me if he never does another… It is not about being proven right either, it’s about the work that goes into these horses from everybody at home. We’ve been watching him all winter, and this kind of horse makes it a shorter winter.

“This is about the only race I’ve won more often than my dad!”

On Sean Levey, Hannon added: “He is a brilliant jockey, always has been, and very loyal. Sheikh Obaid has let him ride the horse, he’s our man, and we are delighted to have him.”

Levey said: “I would have loved to go a bit further forward early, but I couldn’t risk him being a bit too competitive. Look, he had to be good today. He travelled so well, he picked up strong and was very tenacious to the line.

“I think once I had him out in the open, I always thought I would pick the leader up. This horse really has to have something to aim at, I think he showed that at the Curragh. As soon as I got him out, there was always going to be plenty in the tank.

“I just really hope the that one day they go a really good gallop so that we get to see him really show his true potential. At the moment he’s just showing how versatile he really is.

“I always said I always had great belief in the horse. I always hoped he would be that horse I’ve been waiting for all my career. People say to me, you remember the horse along with who rode it. It means the world to me, and everyone at home.”

Willie Mullins is upbeat about Vauban’s prospects | Credit: Royal Ascot

Thursday, day 3 of the Royal Ascot meeting, sees the running of the Ascot Gold Cup (17h25), the festival highlight. The gruelling 2-mile, four-furlong Group 1 has ten runners competing for the £368,615 first prize.

Track conditions are likely to remain fast (good to firm), so previous staying great, the veteran Trueshan maybe a no-show, but the field is packed with the best stayers around.

Aidan O’Brien’s star Kyprios is currently oddson for the marathon event, a race he won in 2022 to kickstart a run of four successive Group One victories.

He sustained an injury early last season which kept him off the track until the Irish St Leger in September, when he finished second before being narrowly beaten in the Long-Distance Cup on Champions Day. On that occasion the re-opposing Trawlerman, under an inspired Frankie Dettori, found more after being headed in the final half furlong to deny him.

O’Brien is happy to have had an uninterrupted start to this campaign, with Kyprios winning the Vintage Crop Stakes and Saval Beg this season. On current form, he looks hard to beat. Over the extra six-furlongs, and considering the fast ground, Trawlerman’s stablemate Gregory is seen as the favourite’s biggest threat.

The Gosden trained four-year-old won the Queen’s Vase at this meeting last year and ran a fair race on his seasonal return when third in the Yorkshire Cup last month. That run should have him spot-on, and he looks the most progressive and unexposed runner in the field.

Willie Mullins, who was successful on day 1 with Belloccio in the Copper Horse, runs Vauban. A Triumph Hurdle winner, he landed a handicap at this meeting 12 months ago before an unsuccessful run in the Melbourne Cup. His master trainer is up-beat about his chances, and he must be considered for each-way players.

Also, on Thursday, 13 three-year-old fillies line up at the mile and a half start for the Gr2 Ribblesdale Stakes (16h45). Three filles from the Oaks reoppose with Ralph Beckett’s You

Got To Me, who finished fourth way clear of the other two.

The daughter of Nathaniel is an 8/1 shot along with O’Brien’s unexposed Australia filly Port Fairy as all the money has come for the unbeaten Godolphin runner Diamond Rain from the Charlie Appleby stable.

She won the Fillies’ Trial Stakes at Newbury last month beating another talented filly Ejaabiyah convincing. The runner-up bolted up at Salisbury over the weekend to confirm the form. By Oaks winner Dancing Rain, the Charlie Appleby filly should stay unbeaten.

The main event on Friday is surely the Gr1 Coronation Stakes (16h45) run on the round mile track for three-year-old fillies. The first three home from the 1,000 Guineas reoppose –Elmalka, now the mount of James Doyle, Porta Fortuna, and French raider Ramatuelle with Oisin Murphy taking over the reins.

There was no more than half a length separating all three at the line at Newmarket and they now race around the turn where tactics always play a huge part in the outcome. Aidan O’Brien’s champion juvenile filly Opera Singer adds to the spectacle. She ran third on her belated seasonal return in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month.

Here’s hoping Oisin Murphy can extract that little bit extra from the French raider Ramatuelle and gain redemption for a heart breaking, unlucky defeat at Newmarket.

Earlier on the card, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s yellow silks with black spots look to dominate the Gr1 Commonwealth Cup (16h05), a six-furlong feature for three-yearolds. His two impressive young speedsters, Elite Status for trainer Karl Burke and Inisherin from the Kevin Ryan yard should fight out the finish. Hard to call, but on his last start Inisherin is narrowly preferred.

O’Brien’s favourite Kyprios – hard to beat! | Credit: Royal Ascot

A ROYAL GOOD CAUSE

As part of the Ascot Racecourse Supports community and charity programme, for every race that Racing Ambassador, Ryan Moore, wins during Royal Ascot, Ascot Racecourse Supports will donate £5,000 to Retraining of Racehorses, British horse racing’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing.

Ryan Moore has been the leading jockey at Royal Ascot ten times during his career including last year when he partnered six winners and in 2022 where he had seven winners.

Ryan Moore, Ascot Racecourse Supports Racing Ambassador, said: “I’m really pleased

to be helping Ascot this year. Ascot Racecourse Supports are very kindly donating £5,000 for any winner I ride at Royal Ascot, and hopefully we can raise some money.”

Talking exclusively about some of his rides next week, Moore picked Kyprios and Opera Singer as being two of his best chances while also

Ascot Racecourse Supports to donate £5,000 to Retraining of Racehorses for each Ryan Moore winner at Royal Ascot 2024 | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

shining the light on some of the two-year-olds he is likely to be partnering.

“I’m very much looking forward to riding Kyprios in the Gold Cup again. He’s had two runs this year winning them both and the Gold Cup is always a tough race and one of the biggest races of the week. We hope for a very big run from him.

“Opera Singer runs in the Coronation Stakes. She was the leading two-year-old filly last year. She was very impressive when she won the Boussac. She was slightly in need of her comeback race in the Irish 1000 Guineas. We’re looking forward to getting her to Ascot hopefully on some nicer ground, it’s a very deep Coronation with all three Guineas winners lining up and we think she’s in with a big chance.

“We have a good team of two-year-olds going to this year. On the first day we have a lovely Wootton Bassett horse, Camille Pissarro, he was beaten on his last start, but we expect him to come on. We also have Whistlejacket in the Norfolk, who is Little Big Bear’s brother, he’s an exciting colt. He won a Listed race at the Curragh the last time, and we expect him to be very competitive.

“I’m also looking forward to riding Fairy Godmother in the Albany. She won a trial at Naas a couple of weeks ago, and we expect the Albany to suit her and we have a lovely Churchill filly, Heavens Gate, who won at the Curragh and we are looking forward for a big run from her in the Queen Mary.”

Moore has ridden 79 winners at Royal Ascot during his career with his first one coming in 2008 on Colony for Sir Michael Stoute in the King George V Stakes.

He added, “Royal Ascot, for me it’s the highlight of the British racing season, and it’s probably the best race meeting in the world. Five days of very competitive races. It’s very hard to win there. I look forward to it every year. I would say it’s my favourite meeting and I’ve

been very fortunate to be to have been a part of it for so long.

“Riding winners at Ascot is very hard. It took me a few attempts to ride my first one and I’ve been lucky to ride for some of the biggest trainers in Britain and Ireland and I’m fortunate to have ridden a lot of winners there now, and really I’m always just looking forward to the next one and you don’t know if it’s definitely going to come, so hopefully we just try to keep ticking them off.”

Nick Smith, Director of Racing & Public Affairs for Ascot Racecourse: ‘This year, we’re really proud to be launching a new initiative with our Ascot Racecourse Supports racing ambassador, Ryan Moore, and Retraining of Racehorses. For every race that Ryan Moore wins, Ascot Racecourse Supports will donate £5,000 to the worthy charity. We’ve worked with them on a lot of initiatives in the past, but this is going to be our flagship initiative, and we’re just hoping that Ryan rides loads of winners for them.”

Vicky Vine, Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications, RoR: “It’s hugely important for Retraining of Racehorses that Ascot has chosen to support RoR during Royal Ascot week. It’s going to make it a really exciting week for RoR and I know the whole of the team and all our supporters will be cheering Ryan on from wherever they’re watching.

“The money that’s being raised is incredibly important to us. This year, just to put it into context, we are going to be spending over £1 million on programs such as education for owners of former racehorses to help build that trust and bond between them and their horses, which is particularly important in that first step out of racing, but also for our Welfare Safety Net programs, such as our Vulnerable Horse Scheme. So, the donation is incredibly important to us, and we will be backing Ryan all the way.”

Royal Ascot 2024 commenced on Tuesday, 18 June and will conclude on Saturday, 22 June.

Asfoora became the sixth Australian-trained horse to win the Gr1 King Charles III Stakes over five furlongs on Day 1 of Royal 2024 on Tuesday.

The five-year-old mare, a first runner at the meeting for trainer Henry Dwyer, broke the hearts of favourite backers as she collared three-year-old Big Evs with half a furlong to run, and then pulled ahead for a decisive victory.

Sent off a 5/1 chance under Oisin Murphy, Asfoora had a length in hand at the line, with Regional taking second and the 11/4 favourite Big Evs half a length further back in third.

Twice placed at Gr1 level in Australia, this was Asfoora’s first top-level victory and came on the back of a fourth in last month’s Gr2 Temple Stakes at Haydock.

Dwyer said: “I am really struggling for words, funnily enough. We have come a long way from Ballarat, but it’s been an amazing experience from start to finish. We’ve been so well looked after and we’re so grateful for that.

“Chanel, who looks after this horse the whole time, has sacrificed a lot to be here so I’m thrilled for her. It was a bit of an audacious plan. This time last year – or probably two years ago – I thought, we’re restricted in Australia and we need a few options over here. We couldn’t travel her at that stage – she wasn’t mentally sound enough. We took her to Perth last year for a race called the Quokka, an iconic Australian race, and it was more the travel that we wanted her to experience to see if she could come over here. She did it great, it was the making of her, and here we are.

“We got a bit of stick from home for bringing her over because she wasn’t seen as one of our better sprinters but we were just so confident that she was really textbook wheelhouse five furlongs and she’s proven that today. We just didn’t have the races for her in Australia and she’s proved she’s up to it and I’m thrilled for everyone involved.

“We needed a lead-up run at Haydock, so she came over early, but just with the changing of

seasons we wanted to be here before it was too cold in Australia and too warm over here. We came over in the nice interchange period, and we needn’t have worried because she settled in brilliantly, and the proof was in the pudding today.

“I was incredibly lucky to have a couple of Group One winners in my first year, but it’s been a bit of a dry spell since then in terms of Group Ones. This mare just really deserved one. She’s had so much go against her in the Group Ones she has run in in Australia.

“To get a Group One at home is great but to get one at Royal Ascot is just amazing. We’ve got so many people here sharing it with us, but there is another group of 40 or 50 of my owners from home that would saw their left leg off to have a runner at Royal Ascot. It is an amazing experience.”

Murphy said: “I am thrilled for connections. It’s very brave to come from Australia with a very good horse, taking in all the travel and perform on the big day, but how good was she?

“I wasn’t focusing on Big Evs, I was focusing on Regional, who gave me a perfect tow to halfway. She lugged a little bit right under pressure, looking for company, but how good was she at the line.

“It is hard to win Group One races and the King Charles III Stakes is a massive race, so I’m delighted. Royal Ascot day one, to win a Group One, brilliant.”

CHARYN IMPROVES WITH

AGE TO WIN ASCOT OPENER

Charyn ran out a comfortable winner on Tuesday of the opening race on day one of Royal Ascot, the Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes over a mile.

It was a first success at the top level for the Roger Varian-trained four-year-old, who started the 100/30 favourite and was ridden by Silvestre de Sousa in the colours of Nurlan Bizakov.

Last year’s Britannia Handicap victor Docklands finished second, beaten two and a quarter lengths, with Maljoom a further two-and-threequarter lengths back in third.

French runners Big Rock and Facteur Cheval raced on their own on the far side of the track through the early stages, but they folded tamely when the action began in earnest, while Audience, who kept Charyn back in second in last month’s Gr1 Lockinge Stakes, had to settle for fifth.

Varian said: “It doesn’t get any better, a Group One at Royal Ascot. I am really delighted for his owner, who has invested so much in the game and has supported me for a number of years. For my team I am delighted, as everyone works so hard at home. It is a great day and we’ll enjoy it.

“You have to say Charyn has improved as he’s got older. He ran some fine races in defeat last year. He was in the biggest races, on the top table and didn’t disgrace himself.

“He seems to have found another level of form this year. His run in the Lockinge last time was an outstanding run, and he’s confirmed that today so I’m thrilled.

“Silvestre is convinced he will stay a mile and a quarter, and I kind of agree with him, but he’s not doing much wrong over a mile at the moment, so I wouldn’t be in a rush to change things.

“This is a tough week, a really difficult week. It is hard to win here; when you’ve got off the mark on the first day, it makes you breathe a bit

easier, but it’s not that the pressure’s off, not at all.

“Every runner is important – a lot of the horses are owned by different people – so every runner brings its own level of pressure. It is obviously nice to get off to a winning start, but there’s a lot of work to be done.”

De Sousa said: “What I did there was very little – I just had to wait for the right moment, and Charyn won quite nicely. At halfway, I thought I don’t want to get there too soon. He is such a gentleman and you just have to ask him the questions.”

Winning owner Nurlan Bizakov said: “Now Charyn has booked my box in my stallion yard! I have been dreaming about this, but I never thought it would happen. To have a Group One winner at Royal Ascot is not easy.

“It is a big day. You wouldn’t be confident in a Group One race, but Charyn would be my shortest-priced runner in Group One company and he delivered, so it’s amazing.

“Silvestre has been champion jockey three times – he is a great jockey. He is building a good relationship with Charyn, and hopefully with Roger as well.

“Roger is my principal trainer here. I am very happy with Roger and his wife Hanako – we are like a family.”

DRAMA AS SUPERPOWERS SQUARE UP AT GOFFS

Prix de Diane – Lot 11 – Sparkling Plenty | Credit: X

The Goffs London Sale has never been short of big stories, be it the sale of the first Frankel foal at auction with his dam to Coolmore for £1.15 million in the first edition in 2014, or China Horse Club’s purchase of Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Jet Setting for £1.3m two years later, and this year’s tenth anniversary renewal was no different.

A large international crowd of leading figures in racing and bloodstock – including Bobby Flay and John Stewart from the US, Gai Waterhouse from Australia and football stars Michael Owen and Álvaro Odriozola from closer to home –was at the iconic Kensington Palace Gardens on Monday to enjoy the unique event.

They were treated to a new high price for the Goffs London Sale and a host of big-money transactions.

In all, 13 of the 23 horses on offer were sold for a clearance rate of 57%. Turnover increased by 113% year-on-year to €8,040,000, the average rose by 80% to €618,462 and the median dipped by 20% to €200,000.

Sparkling Plenty (Lot 11) was always going to be one of the highlights of this year’s Goffs London Sale, having won the Prix de Sandringham by three lengths earlier in the month, but her value soared when she landed the Prix de Diane on the eve of the auction.

Few would have predicted the fireworks that ensued, though, with Amo Racing, Emmanuel de Seroux and Amanda Zetterholm trading blows for the beautifully bred filly, a Kingman

full-sister to Jersey Stakes winner Noble Truth from the family of multiple Group 1 heroine Stacelita.

Zetterholm had the final say with a bid of £8.1 million, but it later transpired that she was acting for the vendor. A private sale was swiftly negotiated, with Al Shaqab Racing taking half of the filly for £5m – still a new sale record price.

Al Shaqab Racing representative Nicolas de Watrigant said: “She’ll stay with the same trainer and the same team. The trainer will target the Nassau Stakes, the Prix de l’Opéra and maybe the Arc. We’ve been following the filly for a long time.

“She probably should’ve won the French Guineas, she was very unlucky in that race, but she ran some very good split figures. We like her physically; she keeps progressing and won the Sandringham very easily.

“She’s also got a beautiful page and is by a great stallion, so she’s got everything going for her. Sheikh Joaan is delighted to have her.”

Click below to view the sales prices:

IT’S A GRADE 1 VICTORY FOR LLOYD

Star three-year-old filly Stefi Magnetica completed a historic “family” win in Saturday’s A$3 million Gr1 The Star Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm when she scored a thrilling win in the famous Queensland feature. Ten years after her dam Mid Summer Music won the famous Queensland contest, Stefi Magnetica was able to continue the tradition with a remarkable success.

In winning the filly provided former Gold Coast based apprentice Zac Lloyd with his first win at racing’s elite level and also delivered the Cunningham family colours Queensland’s two A$3 million races after Storm Boy won January’s The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Stefi Magnetica, who was facing the starter for just the 13th time, made a surging run in the

home straight when Lloyd elected to go to the inside of a large bunch of runners.

She surged to the head of the field and then had to hold out the seasoned runners led by star sprinting mare Bella Nipotina and race favourite Vilana.

“She’s an amazing filly,” stable representative and her co-buyer Jim Clarke said. “She won a Wellington two-year-old race at the back end of the season, she won a Benchmark 58 at Orange in December.”

Stefi Magnetica gives Zac Lloyd his maiden Gr1 victory | Credit: Magic Millions

“She was just chinned in the Surround, Bjorn opted to give her a short break and set her for the winter.”

“Her run in the Doomben 10,000 was amazing. She was in the wrong part of the track, I think everyone saw that.”

“It was an amazing ride there.”

“To win Queensland’s greatest race with a filly that the Cunningham family bought as a yearling and trained by one of my best mates and one of my best supporters in Bjorn, is the biggest thrill of my career and I’m just so pleased.”

Clarke teamed up with Baker and Cunningham Thoroughbreds to purchase Stefi Magnetica for A$140,000 from the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was sold by her breeder, Cressfield.

“Just as a couple of horses started dropping back in our face, I had to make a decision to go around with the pack, but I ultimately thought there’d be too much traffic, so I thought I was travelling so well I was happy to go inside of them.”

For 20-year-old apprentice Zac Lloyd, the win continued his rise through the Australian riding ranks. This was his first at Group One level.

“I was fine the whole time cantering back but to see my dad has got me emotional,” Lloyd told reporters after the race.

“I was very confident pre-race. She galloped enormous on Tuesday. My dad and I went through the race thoroughly and we honestly thought we were on the right horse.”

“The first furlong or two went perfect. She was in a good rhythm, she wasn’t over-racing.”

“Just as a couple of horses started dropping back in our face, I had to make a decision to go around with the pack, but I ultimately thought there’d be too much traffic, so I thought I was travelling so well I was happy to go inside of them.”

“She was tough,” Lloyd added. “I saw Bella Nipotina and I thought that was one horse you don’t want to be in a finish with, but she was great.”

“It is really good just to get that Group One on my resume. I’ve had some great opportunities in the past year or so and I haven’t been able to capitalise.”

“To get the job done today in a very big race, it is very special,” the star young rider added.

Stefi Magnetica adds her name to an elite line up of Group One winners by her sire, All Too Hard.

A half-brother to Black Caviar, All Too Hard’s best five progenies were all sold through the Gold Coast sale ring as yearlings. Stefi Magnetica fits in nicely with fellow Magic Millions graduates Wellington, Alligator Blood, Behemoth and Forbidden Love as top tier performers for her Vinery Stud based sire.

Her dam, the aforementioned Mid Summer Music, won 11 races before retiring to stud. While the Stradbroke was her pin-up success, she also captured a Bletchingly Stakes and Cockram Stakes at Group level.

Mid Summer Music has done a great job at stud for Cressfield Stud. She is the dam of two Group winners with Hellfest the other – a Group Three Typhoon Tracy Stakes winner for Godolphin.

Another of her daughters Euphoric Summer won a Magic Millions Clockwise Classic at Ballarat and was placed in stakes races at two in Melbourne and Brisbane.

All of Mid Summer Music’s five runners are winners.

• Winner: Stefi Magnetica

• Breeding: All Too Hard-Mid Summer Music (Oamaru Force)

• Race: BRC Stradbroke H. Gr1 (1400m)

• Sold for: A$140,000

• Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale

• Earnings: A$2,125,800

• Breeder: Cressfield T’breds

• Vendor: Cressfield

• Buyer: Cunningham T’breds/Clarke B’stock/ B Baker Racing

• Owners: Cunningham Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd (Mgr: M Cunningham), K Salagic, Currie & Young Family Racing (Mgr: J D E Currie) & J Vitek

• Trainer: Bjorn Baker (Warwick Farm)

LUI TAKES THE LEAD

A pivotal double with two emerging talents at Sha Tin on Saturday has catapulted Francis Lui into the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship lead, setting the scene for an intense battle with long-time leader Pierre Ng across the final seven meetings of the season.

Ng, who had led the standings since 5 November 2023, now trails Lui 63-62 after his former mentor struck with Karate Express and Call Me Glorious on a day of fluctuating fortunes as the championship lead changed hands three times after the pair started the meeting with 61 wins each.

Karate Express gave Lui the ascendency with victory in the Yan Chau Tong Plate (1000m) for Griffins before Ng reclaimed the lead with Captain Win, who scored his first win since

2021

of the Class 4 Kau Sai Chau Handicap (1200m).

The see-sawing tussle continued when Lui edged ahead with Call Me Glorious’ runaway victory in the Class 3 Clear Water Bay Handicap (1200m) under Zac Purton.

“It’s only one win and there are still plenty of races to go. Hopefully we can have some more winners coming,” Lui said of the championship battle.

Ng was philosophical about the title, declaring: “I counted from our last 10 meetings, we had three winners and nine seconds, which is not too ideal. Luckily, we got a winner today. I think we’ll fight to the end and hopefully won’t be far off Francis. Maybe it will take until the last day to decide.”

November

with success in the first section

Call Me Glorious makes it a Lui brace on Saturday | Credit: HKJC

Ridden quietly by Lyle Hewitson, two-year-old Karate Express speared through a gap late to claim Ka Ying Resilience.

“I think he’s got potential. He’s only two years old and the gap was very narrow. When it opened, he fought. It’s a good sign,” Lui said.

“I think the main thing is in the offseason, hopefully he can grow up and he’ll have a good future.”

Ridden by Karis Teetan, Captain Win returned to the winners’ list after a string of near-misses, including six seconds and two thirds since his last victory.

“He (Captain Win) has been running well. Sometimes he faces races with slow pace, which isn’t ideal for him to finish off. He still gets prize money and now he’s down in class, it’s much easier for him,” Ng said.

Purton was impressed with Call Me Glorious, who could be set for next season’s Four-YearOld Classic Series after the No Nay Never gelding scored by six and a half lengths – the largest winning margin of the season.

“Obviously it was a good performance, he’s an improving horse but he got it very easy in the first and second sections and he might have loved the ground as well,” Purton said. “He seemed to accelerate through it quite well, he did a good job, but he could have been flattered by the conditions.”

Glory Elite continued a rich vein of form with victory in the second section of the Class 4 Kau Sai Chau Handicap (1200m) under Derek Leung. The Russian Revolution three-year-old surged to a comfortable two and a length victory on soft ground to give Jimmy Ting his 11th winner of the campaign.

Mark Newnham’s Tactical Command relished the afternoon’s conditions in overhauling

Colonel to win the Class 5 Port Shelter Handicap (1200m) under Alexis Badel before Michael Chang’s Casa Legend overcame a poor start under Matthew Poon to land the Class 5 Tiu Chung Chau Handicap (1600m).

Badel completed a double when David Hall’s Aca Power finished powerfully in the straight to crown a fine season with victory in the Class 4 Kiu Tsui Handicap (1200m, dirt).

“Before the race I said ‘I don’t know much more he’s got to give’ because he’s just run so well throughout the season,” Hall said. “You think at some point, they might come to the end of it, but he’s just a very honest, genuine racehorse.

“He’s turned up every time he’s been at the races and to reel off a performance like that, we might give him a rest now.”

Capital

Delight notched his third win this season for Fownes with success in the Class 3 Grass Island Handicap (1200m, dirt) under Vincent Ho. Fownes and Ho also combined in the meeting finale when Karma swept to victory in the Class 3 Kat O Handicap (1600m).

Yiu enjoyed a race-to-race double when Sunlight Power notched his third course and distance victory of the campaign in the Class 3 Hoi Ha Handicap (1400m) under Jerry Chau before Antoine Hamelin guided All Riches to an easy win in the Class 4 Mirs Bay Handicap (1400m).

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday 23 June after the completion of the Royal Ascot meeting, which runs from Tuesday 18 June until Saturday 22 June.

TRAINERS

JOCKEYS

SIRES