SP Sprint - Wednesday 20 March 2024

HOME JAMES!

CONTENTS

On the cover

Kobeli James Lihaba rode his first winner as a Sporting Post-sponsored jockey at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. In a dramatic finish, his mount Voldemort deadheated with Rachel Venniker and Northern Warrior. Read more about the race on page 46. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.

Issue: 12/2024

NATIONALS – A MONTH TO GO!

20 Masterful

The son of Jet Master grows in stature

46

Cover Star!

Kobeli James Lihaba breaks ice for us

64

Lightning Strikes

Bo Ngcobo celebrates first winner

84

Cheltenham – Four Fab Days

Magic, Mullins – And more Mullins!

GENERATION GAP

Apprentice Jaycee Botes poses with retired champion jockey turned trainer, MJ Odendaal at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. Jaycee, a nephew of trainer Barend Botes, took two rides – including Jet Star for MJ Odendaal - on his first day at work. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.

THE 2024 HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY THEME!

Renowned Graffiti Artist Shaun Oakley, popularly known as “Damn Vandal”, unveiled the spectacular Hollywoodbets Durban July theme through a billboard vandalism stunt.

The recent “vandalisation” of Hollywoodbets’ billboard on Sandton Drive in Johannesburg has sparked a citywide conversation about art, advertising, and the upcoming Hollywoodbets Durban July. What initially seemed like an act of mischief turned out to be a breathtaking artistic statement by the Durban-born artist.

The incident, which occurred during peak hour traffic on Monday 18 March, saw the massive billboard transformed into a vibrant canvas showcasing the theme of this year’s

Hollywoodbets Durban July, “Ride the Wave”.

The bold graffiti art captured the essence of the event, carefully crafted to ignite imagination and spark inspiration, weaving together the elements of horseracing, fashion and entertainment.

Stephen Marshall, Events and Marketing Executive Gold Circle says, “Sound, greetings, emotion, and change, these are the waves of the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July. From

Flashback to 2023! Winchester Mansion (Kabelo Matsunyane) beats See It Again (Piere Strydom) in a thriller | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

the music to the thundering hooves, the celebrations with friends old and new, the thrill of horseracing and the social spectacle all adding to an experience that has evolved over time.”

Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications Manager, Devin Heffer commented, “We are proud to be partnering with Africa’s Greatest Horse Racing event once again, and we believe the coastal city of Durban with it’s gorgeous Golden Mile, will provides the ideal backdrop for this year’s theme of “Ride The Wave.”

The cultural waves generated by the event’s fashion and entertainment, along with the seismic enormity of the thoroughbred competition on the track, will make this year’s edition one to remember. Save the date now for the 6th of July as we converge on Hollywoodbets Greyville for a day that will send shock waves around the country.”

The Hollywoodbets Durban July takes place on Saturday 6 July at Hollywoodbets Greyville racecourse. Tickets will go on sale in April on Ticketpro website.

Painting the town purple! Renowned Graffiti Artist Shaun Oakley in action|

ST GRADE TRACK RECORD

More than 10,000 claims paid

14 years of experience

THIS GIRL’S A FLYER!

Tony Peter and owner Suzette Viljoen maintained their great form when the progressive speedster One Fell Swoop went all the way in a gutsy performance to win the Betway Gr3 Sycamore Sprint at Turffontein on Saturday.

The daughter of Lancaster Bomber has been astutely placed by Peter, and with regular rider Calvin Habib back in the saddle after missing out on a weight break last time, she turned on the jets and showed great resilience to hold off a determined challenge by the luckless White Pearl and Piere Strydom.

Scoring her second consecutive Gr3 success, One Fell Swoop (5-2) held on stoutly by a quarter length in a time of 67,60 secs for the 1160m.

Stablemate to the runner-up, Good Queen Bess (16-1) rounded off the trifetcta with a decent effort in third.

Bred by Varsfontein, who also bred Friday’s Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery winner Splicethemainbrace, One Fell Swoop was registering her second stakes success and is a daughter of Drakenstein’s deceased War Front stallion Lancaster Bomber out of the one-time winning Philanthropist mare, Imperadora, a half-sister to champion Legal Eagle.

One Fell Swoop was purchased for R480 000 at the 2022 BSA Cape Yearling Sale and took her stakes bank to R509 125 with her fifth win and 2 places from 9 starts.

Calvin Habib keeps One Fell Swoop going on the inside to beat the low-flying grey White Pearl (Piere Strydom), with the runner-up’s stablemate Good Queen Bess (Muzi Yeni) in third | Credit: JC Photos

DE KOCK FILLY

ROBBED BY OPERATOR RESTRICTIONS?

The Tony Peter-trained One Fell Swoop was gifted her second successive Gr3 win at Turffontein on Saturday win due to the Merit Rating protection she received in the Listed Swallow Stakes.

The Lancaster Bomber filly was well-treated in the Handicap courtesy of the Racing Operator, and almost certainly denied White Pearl her first Graded Stakes win.

So suggest the NHA handicappers who report further that One Fell Swoop has had her rating adjusted to 104 from 99 after winning the Grade 3 Betway Sycamore Sprint over 1160m on the Turffontein Standside Track on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the opinion that fourth-placed In The Beginning made for the most suitable line horse here and her rating remain unchanged on 94.

The winner aside, two more runners received upward adjustments in their ratings. Runner up, White Pearl, was adjusted to 112 from 109 and third placed, Good Queen Bess, goes up to 97 from 94 after both finished 1.50 and 1.25 lengths respectively, ahead of the line horse. No fewer than four runners received drops in ratings.

Platina Princess is down to 93 from a mark of 95,Alula’s Star drops to 107 from 108 and Flowerbomb is down to 100 from 101. Lastly, Gimmealight drops two pounds from 83 to 81. It should be noted that One Fell Swoop ran to a considerably higher rating in her previous run in the Betway Swallow Stakes, but her increase had to be capped.

See excerpt from the Betway Swallow Stakes press release:

One Fell Swoop was only increased by 3 points from 96 to 99 despite running to a considerably higher level here due to the specific race conditions that state that placed horses may only receive a maximum adjustment of 3 points. This means that One Fell Swoop will benefit from a 4,5kg swing at the weights with Troppo Veloce for a 0.10 of a length beating, and a 3,5kg swing at the weights with Cullinan Blue who she beat here, should they meet on Handicap terms in the future.

SHE’S CRUISING!

Varsfontein’s homebred stallion Master Of My Fate registered his 32nd stakes winner and enjoyed a smart feature double at Fairview on Friday.

While trainer Kelly Mitchley was the newsmaker of the afternoon with five glorious winners, it was a good day for the Fourie-Greeff combination with the Master Of My Fate feature double.

A convincing winner of each of her two previous starts, the Alan Greeff trained Splicethemainbrace (6-10) was sent off a well backed tote favourite for the R150 000 East Cape Fillies Nursery and under a great ride from the record-chasing Richard Fourie, she gave her backers a few nervous moments as she beat her own inexperience and some lightning speed to produce the goods and came with a late rattle to score by a head in a time of 70,38 secs.

Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Splicethemainbrace is out of the Sail From Seattle mare Summer Cruise.

The unbeaten two-year-old has earned R186 875 and was a R200 000 purchase from the

2023 August Two Year Old Sale. Splicethemainbrace is a full-sister to the useful Summer Odyssey, who ran fourth in last year’s Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery.

Friday was a good day for former Gr2 Premier Trophy/Gr2 Peninsula Handicap winner Master Of My Fate, with another of his daughters, Joy And Peace, winning the www.Soccer6.co.za Oaks Plate on the same card.

Another for the potent Greeff-Fourie combination, three-year-old Joy And Peace turned Friday’s 1800m race into a procession, running out a three and a quarter length winner. Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, Joy And Peace has now won three of 11 starts. Out of the Spectrum mare Amazing Grace, Joy And Peace was a R130 000 buy from the 2022 August Two Year Old Sale.

The next Gqeberha fixture is on Friday 22 March when the Listed East Cap Sprint Cup and Listed East Cape Guineas will be run.

Splicethemainbrace (Richard Fourie) wins a cracker | Credit: Pauline Herman

The magnificent Master Of My Fate – ‘Mr Reliable’ | Credit: Jeremy Nelson

THE MASTER’S YOUR MAN!

‘Buyers better look sharp at Master Of My Fate’s 24-strong draft destined for next month’s National Yearling Sale’

If ever a stallion deserves to be labelled ‘Mr Reliable’, it must surely be Master Of My Fate. The Varsfontein sire never fails to provide owners and trainers with a rich seam to mine, and it seems not a week goes by where at least a number of his progeny visit the inside of the winner’s enclosure.

In fact, over the past fortnight, he has been clocking up the winners at a rate of knots, nine to be exact, with pride of place going to a brand new stakes winner in the shape of juvenile daughter Splicethemainbrace, who stretched her record to a perfect three from

three in last weekend’s Listed East Cape Nursery.

Not to be outdone, paternal half-sister Joy And Peace added to her sire’s red-letter day with a three-length doddle in the non-black type Oaks Plate.

That Master Of My Fate’s latest array of winners scored from 1200m to 2700m is without a doubt a mark of his versatility as a stallion.

As imposing an individual as his legendary sire, the son of Jet Master and champion Promisefrommyheart looked destined for the top on the track when he reeled off six

The Master’s maiden Gr1 winner Tempting Fate – won the Gr1 Gold Medallion | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

consecutive wins capped by a peerless Gr2 double in the Premier Trophy and Peninsula Handicap.

Beaten just once when a troubled fifth in the Gr1 J&B Met, a tendon injury brought a premature end to his career and he was retired to birthplace Varsfontein Stud. He made quite a splash as the leading freshman sire by number of winners with eight winning two-year-olds, no mean feat, considering he never raced at two.

It took a while for Master Of My Fate to break through with a first Gr1 winner, but that finally happened when third-crop son Tempting Fate claimed the Gr1 Gold Medallion to become the eighth winner of this juvenile dash for trainer Dennis Drier, who incidentally, had also put the finishing touches on the strong-willed Master Of My Fate, a trait inherited by many of his offspring.

Tempting Fate was an overdue first Gr1 winner for the young stallion, given that first-crop son Twist Of Fate, a classic winner of the Gr2 KRA Guineas, had run second in both the Gr1 Cape Guineas and Gr1 Daily News 2000 and third in the 2019 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July. Secondcrop daughter Driving Miss Daisy also came agonisingly close, with seconds in the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas, Gr1 Paddock Stakes and Gr1 Woolavington 2000.

Master Of My Fate’s third crop blazed a trail, for in addition to Tempting Fate, it yielded the Gr1 winning fillies Zarina and Sentbydestiny.

The former stunned favourite War Of Athena and future Horse of the Year Princess Calla in a humdinger finish to the 2021 Gr1 Garden Province Stakes, where under a driving ride, she burst on the scene to split the pair and claimed victory by the proverbial whisker.

Sentbydestiny earned her stripes with a stunning defeat of male rivals in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes, whilst giving trainer Candice Dawson her first success at the top level.

That crop, which would eventually number seven individual stakes winners and also include Gr1-placed Scented Mistress, cemented Master Of My Fate’s place amongst the country’s leading stallions.

After entering the list of top ten sires when eighth in 2019, he has since rated amongst the elite top five and enjoyed his best season when runner-up to barn mate Gimmethegreenlight in 2021.

Splicethemainbrace is Master Of My Fate’s 24th individual stakes winner.

More to the point, he has shown no sex bias, his 24 stakes winners are divided between 14 males and 10 females.

Bloodstock agent John Freeman, who manages the stallion, commented: “Master always enjoys top support from his shareholders and his many fans amongst South African breeders. If you are looking for a sire that gets a good looking, big, strong, good legged yearling, look no further, Master is your man.”

On that note, buyers better look sharp at Master Of My Fate’s 24-strong draft destined for next month’s National Yearling Sale.

Amongst the colts are siblings to Gr1 Met runner-up Last Winter, Graded stakes winners Miyabi Gold and Ultimate Dollar (the latter by Jet Master), this season’s Gr2 Gauteng Guineas second Hotarubi and multiple stakesplaced Littlemarysunshine.

Master Of My Fate’s yearling fillies include full sisters to stakes-performed Princess Izzy and Peut Etre Moi, as well as siblings to Gr1 Thekwini winner Querari Falcon and Storm Bird Stakes second Fire ‘N Flames.

Incidentally, the filly out of Sail From Seattle mare Captive Lady is bred on the same cross as Splicethemainbrace.

ANOTHER VARSFONTEIN SIRE IN THE NEWS!

South Africa’s reigning champion sire Gimmethegreenlight had another good day on Saturday when the Varsfontein Stud resident supplied four winners.

The former Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner was responsible for three winners at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, with his son Ready To Charge winning a good race at Turffontein on the same day.

Classy three-year-old Ready To Charge claimed his third win, from nine starts, when he won the For Hospitality Bookings Call 011 681 1796 Graduation Plate over 1160 metres. Under a strong ride from Muzi Yeni, the Michael and Adam Azzie trained gelding dug down deep to best runner up Mount Pilatus and score by a neck.

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, Ready To Charge showed plenty of promise at two when winning on debut and running second in the Gr2 Tabgold Umkhomazi Stakes.

The three-year-old is out of the Charge Forward mare San Fermin.

His sire dominated proceedings at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday where offspring of Gimmethegreenlight won three of the eight races carded.

Gimmethegreenlight’s blue blooded daughter Three Coins got off the mark on Saturday when she won the Cape Turf Club Syndicates Open Maiden (F&M) over 1400 metres.

Trained, like both her sire and her champion dam Bela-Bela, by Justin Snaith, the grey stormed home, under Sean Veale, to win a shade cosily by a length and three quarters. Bred on similar lines to the Gimmethegreenlight

sired Gr2 KZN Fillies Guineas winner Gimme Six, Three Coins is a full-sister to Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship winner Ciao Bella.

Gimmethegreenlight gelding Wecangoallnight picked up his fourth career success when he flashed up late to land the Centenary Syndicate Cape A Stakes (1400m) for Eric Sands and Sean Veale.

Bred by Carl and Amanda De Vos, the 2022 Gr3 Cape Racing Cape Of Good Hope Nursery runner-up is out of the Kahal mare Cousin Annie.

His paternal half-sister Distinction provided Gimmethegreenlight with his third winner at the Cape venue when she landed the Taking The Reins Middle Stakes (1100m) going away.

The Justin Snaith trained Distinction was given a superbly timed ride by Anthony Andrews, who bought his mount with a thrusting late run which saw the four-year-old get up in the shadow of the post to win by a short-head.

Bred and owned by Pippa Mickleburgh, Distinction has now won three times from 17 starts.

South Africa’s Champion Sire of 2020-2021 and 2022-2023, Gimmethegreenlight is again heading the SA General Sires List.

At the time of writing, his progeny have won ten black type races in South Africa this season, and they have already banked more than R15, 986 million in prize money.

Descendants of the late champion National Colour continue to make the daughter of National Assembly proud.

In South Africa, National Colour’s Gr1 Computaform Sprint winning son Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) continues to enjoy success with his progeny winning feature races over a range of trips again this season.

At the time of writing, Ridgemont kingpin Rafeef has seven black type winners in South Africa this season.

His tally includes graded stakes winners Mover And Shaker (Gr3 TAB J J The Jet Plane), Mrs Browning (Gr3 Joburg Tourism Authority Carry On Alice Stakes) and Thunderstruck (Gr2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes), as well as black-type winners of the ilk of Aragosta, Frances Ethel, Juliet Tango and Troppo Veloce. South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2020-2021, Rafeef has also proved to be a

very versatile stallion, and this quality has been underlined further this season.

Mover And Shaker, won the J J The Jet Plane Stakes over 1000m, while another of his sons, former Gr1 World Sports Betting SA Derby winner Aragosta, landed this season’s Listed Spinawina Slots Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500 metres!

Rafeef is also responsible for the progressive filly Frances Ethel, who caught the eye when making it three wins in a row when victorious in the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial over 2000 metres. The well -bred Frances Ethel has an interesting pedigree, as she is directly descended in female line from Spring Adieu, the granddam of Danehill -grandsire of Rafeef.

Rafeef’s unraced three-parts sister Sarraqa (by Redoute’s Choice son Snitzel) made headlines recently when her son Celestial Legend (by Dundeel) won the Gr1 The Agency Randwick Guineas. The colt, who has already earned more than A$1 000 000 in prize money, had also claimed the Gr2 Precise Air Hobartville Stakes back in February this year.

The progessive Celestial Legend holds entries in prestigious Australian features like the Gr1 Doncaster Mile and Gr1 ATC Australian Derby. Turaathy, a full-sister to both Rafeef and Gr1 SA Nursery winning Equus Champion Mustaaqeem, is also making her presence felt on the Australian turf.

The placed daughter of Redoute’s Choice has already registered three winners, and her I am

Invincible daughter Kirragirl impressed when she broke her maiden by two lengths, when victorious at Kembla Grange recently.

Turaathy has a Wootton Bassett filly on offer at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. In total, National Colour, South Africa’s Joint Horse Of The Year in 2005-2006, produced five winners, from six runners, including dual winner Circle Of Speed (Sebring), who went on to produce Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes winner Full Velocity (Philanthropist).

No doubt, breeders with relatives of this wonderful mare in their paddocks will be excited to see how National Colour’s legacy continues to unfurl in the years to come.

ADELAIDE YEARLING SALE HISTORY MADE

A beautifully presented filly by champion sire I Am Invincible made history when she sold for A$400,000 to top Day One of the 2024 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale on Monday.

Presented by breeder Baramul Stud, the filly broke the previous record set by a daughter of Dundeel two years ago who sold for A$375,000. Today’s top seller is the first foal of a winning and Sydney placed Redoute’s Choice halfsister to Sambro.

When the gavel fell at A$400,000 the successful buyer of the filly was Kennewell Racing in partnership with Group 1 Bloodstock and Ridgeport Holdings.

“She was a bloody good filly and I thought she probably could’ve been at the Gold Coast or even Easter,” buyer Lloyd Kennewell said.

“She’s one of the best ‘Vinnies’ I’ve seen all year and that says something because we see a lot of them and there are some million-dollar Vinnie fillies around.”

“She looks like a filly that will be perfect for the race (Magic Millions 2YO Classic) next year.

I knew she’d be expensive, but I didn’t know where that would be, so it was tricky.”

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE

CAPE RACING SALES: THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT!

After a highly successful edition of the CRS Premier Yearling Sale powered by Tattersalls in January of this year, Cape Racing Sales has announced exciting changes to its sales plans and calendar for 2025. Since 2022, the South African thoroughbred auction sector has seen a substantial increase in average prices of thoroughbreds sold via auction.

This increase is undoubtedly linked to Cape Racing’s significant investment into the industry in the same year. A renewed demand for thoroughbred stock has been created, as reflected in the superior mean and median prices on the sales.

For example, the mean sales price at the CRS January 2024 sale of R545,336 compared favourably to the R443,812 mean price in 2023 (an increase of 23%), with a median sales price at the CRS January 2024 sale of R400,000,

compared to R300,000 in 2023 (an increase of 33%).

Over this period, vendor support for CRS has been steadily growing. The 122 lots catalogued for the first edition of the CRS Premier Yearling Sale in January 2023 steadily grew by over 11% to 136 lots catalogued in January 2024.

The most pleasing statistic for the CRS team was the receipt of 280 entries for the 2024 sale. This figure was almost double the original entry from the 2023 auction.

This is a clear indicator of increased trust in the performance of CRS, off the back of a successful 2023 auction, and the increased desire to sell quality stock in the Cape.

This enabled the sales inspectors to select the highest quality draft available for the sale, ultimately translating into healthy mean and median sales increases.

New Sales Calendar

After continued dialogue and engagements with our customers, our owners, our vendors, and our other stakeholders, CRS is pleased to announce an enhanced sales calendar for 2025, which will now include two “select” sales.

The revised sales calendar for 2025 is now as follows:

• 23 January 2025 – Cape Racing Sales Met Sale

• 15 March 2025 – Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale

• 16 June 2025 – Cape Racing Sales Winter Yearling Sale

• 27 October 2025 – Cape Racing Sales Ready to Run Sale

Justin Vermaak (Cape Racing’s Executive: Racing & Bloodstock) explained the thinking behind the expansion:

“Going into the recent January sale, our team discussed, at length, the various options regarding the January sale and its date. It was clear to us, after vendor and buyer consultation, that the time of the sale would never be ideal for preparing large numbers of the highest quality yearlings.

Therefore, we planned to delay our select sale into March, which is more accommodating to vendors and thus will attract a larger bench of higher quality stock than would otherwise be achieved in the January sale.

However, after observing the overwhelming success of the recent January sale, it was clear that there was strong demand for a sale in this time slot just before the Cape Town Met. We

have therefore decided to split this sale into two select sales, one in January and one in March.

Our January sale will be named the Cape Racing Sales Met Sale and will be held during Cape Town Met week. The Cape Racing Sales Met Sale will be a boutique high-end sale, providing the most precocious and highest quality of yearlings.

This sale will be fashioned after the Goffs London Sale, which takes place in Kensington Palace Gardens in the build-up to Royal Ascot –a smaller, select, high-quality sale to take place in the week leading up to a prestigious race meeting.

The Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling

Sale will now be held in March and will reflect a more extensive catalogue. The extra few months will allow a larger group of prospective entries that could not historically be ready and prepped in time for a January auction. Having the second sale in March will also ensure we do not have to turn away hundreds of vendor entries.

After consultation with our colleagues at the Hong Kong Jockey Club and our numerous other international buyers, we settled on a date in the middle of March, which is perfectly placed between the two Inglis sales held in Melbourne and in Sydney towards the beginning of March and April, respectively.

This gives our Asian-based buyers the opportunity to make all three sales. Furthermore, for our European buyers who are avid fans of the Cheltenham Festival, the sale is positioned just after the event’s conclusion. When we add to that the fantastic weather in Cape Town in March, we believe we have found the ideal date for a select sale of this nature.”

New Sales Races

As part of our plans to create a successful sale, it is our intent to host a Cape Racing Sales race day on March 16th, the day after the Cape Racing Sales Premier Yearling Sale.

This race day will play host to our newly established sales races:

• The Cape Racing Sales Slipper (1200m / 2yos) – R3,000,000

• The Cape Racing Sales Classic (1600m / 3yos) – R1,000,000

• The Cape Racing Sales Sprint (1200m / 3yos) – R1,000,000

These races will be open for ALL graduates of Cape Racing Sales auctions throughout the year.

The race meeting will be incorporated into the Summer Festival as the eighth Festival meeting of the season.

We are thus extending the Festival to a midMarch ending as opposed to the end of February as it is currently.

New Sales Venue

A decision has also been made to hold all the sales at the newly renovated Hollywoodbets Kenilworth going forward.

Greg Bortz, Chairman of Cape Racing, added:

“The CTICC has been a fantastic host over our first two editions of the sale. The venue does not come cheap, however, and we would much rather reinvest that expenditure into the industry in the form of prize money and incentives.

We have built a world-class home at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and plan to utilise our home base for our sales going forward.

I am pleased to announce to our breeders that plans are afoot to build a stunning sales complex at the course.

We cannot expect our vendors to sell their best horses with us unless we can provide a venue that is befitting of their support. We will be levelling the holding box area behind our current saddling boxes.

This area will be built into a sales complex and serve a dual purpose as holding boxes for our runners on race days. We will provide a

world-class facility for our vendors to show their high-quality stock and confidently sell at our auctions.

Our sales facility will match the standards already set at the new Hollywoodbets Kenilworth while retaining the feel of our heritage buildings on-site. We can say with a high degree of confidence that all will be ready for the 2026 sales.

We are cautiously optimistic and hopeful that all will be ready for the 2025 sales too, but that is a little more uncertain.

All work requires plans, permits, and approvals from the City of Cape Town and other bodies, which is a process we do not control.

Furthermore, add to this the increased degree of difficulty of construction during the lead-up to our summer season and our big feature race days, and one can understand why the January 2025 sale might be a little too soon for us, as may be the March 2025 sale. But we have pulled rabbits out of hats before, and we will strive for more such outcomes in the nine months ahead! In summary, all the sales from 2026 and thereafter will be held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Regarding the 2025 sales, we are confident that the sales in the latter half of the year will be held here too. The January 2025 and March 2025 sales are more uncertain – the ability for the sales to be held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth will depend on the state of completion of the construction.

Should it not be possible, an appropriate alternate venue will be identified.”

New CRS Advisory Committee

Cape Racing Sales is also announcing an important enhancement and addition to the structure of the sales company, namely the formation of the CRS Advisory Committee, which will comprise up to eleven breeder representatives and two representatives from Cape Racing Sales.

Explained Justin Vermaak:

“At Cape Racing, we always try to be as dynamic and forward-thinking as possible. The thoroughbred auction business is a global industry. New initiatives and developments from various sales houses around the globe are being rolled out on a constant basis, and we need to stay abreast of the changes. It is essential for us to stay current and connected, with the hope of global exports opening in due course.

We have therefore decided to build an advisory committee around Cape Racing Sales. The committee will meet at least three times a year to discuss global trends and provide feedback on matters that affect our service delivery as a company, as well as to discuss initiatives for our upcoming sales. We have invited five breeder members onto the committee during this first phase of the launch. We plan to invite the remaining breeder members over the next few months.

We are encouraging breeders interested in giving up some of their time and expertise to put their hand up for consideration. We would like to add to the geographical and size diversity of the breeders on the committee in keeping with the inclusive spirit of our sales company.”

Greg Bortz added further:

“The feedback and reaction from our breeders has been terrific and enthusiastic, and for this we are most grateful. Having an extra select sale during a peak month in the Cape makes a lot of sense. Our breeders are committed to selling their highest quality lots on our sales.

The logistics of having the sales at our Hollywoodbets Kenilworth home, 200 metres away from the country’s only free-zone quarantine station, is a bit of a “no-brainer”. We look forward to the continued upward trajectory in our sales mean and median prices and the continued resurgence in our breeding industry around the country.”

The initial members of the CRS Advisory Committee are as follows:

• Avontuur Stud – Ms Pippa Mickleburgh

• Drakenstein Stud – Mrs Gaynor Rupert

• Maine Chance Farms – Dr Andreas Jacobs

• Ridgemont Stud – Mr Wayne Kieswetter

• Varsfontein Stud – Mrs Susan Rowett

• Cape Racing Sales – Mr Gregory Bortz

• Cape Racing Sales – Mr Justin Vermaak

For racing queries and sales queries, contact Justin Vermaak at justin@caperacing.co.za or Janine van Blerk at janine@caperacing.co.za

• Media release by Cape Racing Sales on Tuesday, 19 March 2024.

BSA CONSOLIDATES 2024 SALES PORGRAMME

Bloodstock South Africa has announced that a dedicated Broodmare, Fillies For Stud & Weanling Online Auction will be held on 7 and 8 May 2024.

On the back of the success of the monthly online sales which Bloodstock South Africa currently runs, it was felt that holding a dedicated sale for breeding stock was much needed.

What will be of particular interest to vendors is this sale of Broodmares, Fillies For Stud & Weanlings will carry no entry fee and no commission will be charged.

Entry forms will be released shortly and the closing date for entries shall be 23 April 2024. As always, the May Online Auction will still offer yearlings & horses in training.

In keeping with creating inclusive and competitive outlets for both breeders and buyers, the balance of the BSA 2024 sales calendar will be consolidated into the KZN Yearling Sale on 4 July 2024 in Durban, and the National 2YO Sale to be held on 22 and 23 August 2024 in Johannesburg.

BSA will continue to evolve while remaining conscious of the current economic market conditions facing the industry as a whole.

• Media release by Bloodstock South Africa on Tuesday, 19 March 2024.

BSA sales continue to evolve into 2024 | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Riverton supremo Duncan Barry chats to Bruce Le Roux at a recent sale | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

RIVERTON QUALITY AT NATIONALS

Captain Of All. Domino Man. Astrix. Pearl Of Asia. These are just a few of the top-class thoroughbreds bred by the Barry family’s Riverton Stud over the years.

The Riverton team will be bringing a small but quality draft to the 2024 National Yearling Sale, with the quartet made up of yearlings sired by Rafeef, Master Of My Fate and Quasillo.

Duncan Barry had the following to say about his National Sale string this year:

Lot 71: Unnamed c Erupt -Brigtnumberfour, by Kahal This is a well balanced, good walking, high quality colt.

Lot 172: Unnamed f Quasillo -Heliance, by Captain Al She is a big, rangy, good walking filly.

Lot 321: Unnamed c Master Of My Fate -Seventh Heart, by Seventh Rock He is a big strong colt with loads of presence!

Lot 325: Lotus Silk - f Rafeef -Shanna, by Var (offered as agent)

Tall, very attractive, athletic filly. She is bred on the very successful cross of Rafeef over Var mares resulting in two Gr1 winners, including Thunderstruck.

The Riverton string can be viewed from Block H at the TBA Complex in Germiston.

The sale will be held on 18 and 19 April.

RIETHHUISKRAAL TO EARN THEIR NATIONAL COLOURS AGAIN

Silhouette of another star?

The Adv Altus Joubert bred National Colour, South Africa’s Joint Horse Of The Year of 2005-2006, proved an outstanding broodmare in a short career at stud, and the champion daughter of National Assembly continues to make her presence felt across the globe.

National Colour’s Gr1 Computaform Sprint winning son Rafeef is one of South Africa’s leading active stallions, while her unraced Snitzel daughter Sarraqa is the dam of current star Australian three-year-old Celestial Legend.

The latter, victorious in February’s Gr2 Precise Air Hobartville Stakes, stamped himself as one of the leaders of his generation in Australian when he won the recent Gr1 The Agency Randwick Guineas, downing such Gr1 winners as Militarize and Tom Kitten.

Past winners of the Randwick Guineas include a host of star gallopers including Weekend Hussler, Dundeel, Dissident, and The Autumn Sun.

Riethuiskraal Stud, who bred and raised the unforgettable National Colour, will be 12 strong at this year’s National Yearling Sale, and their string includes a very close relative of the aforementioned Celestial Legend.

National Bliss (Lot 90) is a What A Winter halfsister to two winners, including Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes winner Full Velocity, and her dam Circle Of Speed is a twice winning daughter of Sebring and National Colour.

Safe to say, this filly is bred to be very speedy indeed!

Met winning champion One World has made a sensational start with his first two-year-olds this season, and the son of Captain Al is represented here by World Order (Lot 116), a half-brother to five winners, including Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes runner up Sabatini.

Other appealing lots on offer include Diogenes (Lot 76), the Hawwaam colt out of Gr3 Diana Stakes runner-up Captainofmysoul, and Memphis (Lot 255), a daughter of The United States and useful racemare Mulher De Branco.

The Riethhuiskraal draft can be viewed from Block B at the TBA Complex in Germiston.

A CHAMPAGNE SHOWDOWN!

Three South African Jockey Academy graduates from very different backgrounds delighted racing fans at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, with the closest finish of the weekend.

Voldemort (Kobeli Lihaba), Northern Warrior (Rache Venniker) and Licence To Thrill (Tristan Godden) deliver the showdown of the weekend | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Riding his first winner as a Sporting Postsponsored rider, promising 1,5kg claimer Kobeli ‘James’ Lihaba got the grey Voldemort up on the inside to share the spoils with recent Saudi Cup International Jockey Challenge heroine Rachel Venniker (sponsored by Jonsson Workwear) on Northern Warrior, while another Sporting Post-sponsored rider in

Tristan Godden was right in the middle of the mix on Licenced To Thrill in third.

So close was the pulsating finish of the seventh, an MR 80 Handicap, that veteran caller Craig Peters was left guessing – and some punters requested that we publish the official photo, as we do below:

The 20 year old Kobeli Lihaba, better known as ‘James’, was over the moon to have broken the ice so early on for the Sporting Post.

“I am so proud and thrilled. Thank you for the support. I hope to make you proud, “ he added, as he reflected back on a career that has always suggested great promise – even if his start wasn’t easrth shattering, by any means.

James was nailed with a 21 day suspension (part of which was suspended) on Valentine’s Day of 2023, after he failed to ride Slim Jannie out on his first ever professional ride at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 1 February 2023.

James pleaded guilty and was found guilty of the charge. The Inquiry Board, after considering the evidence presented, ruled that he be suspended from riding in races for a period of 21 days, of which 11 days were wholly suspended for a period of 12 months, provided that he was not found guilty of a contravention of the rule in that period.

The Stipes apparently determined that the wide-eyed youngster’s inexperience in race

The National Horseracing Authority confirmed at the time that at an Inquiry held in Durban on 14 February 2023, Apprentice Kobeli Lihaba was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.3.

riding was a major mitigating factor.

“That wasn’t exactly a great start, I know! I just got overwhelmed by all the shouting and noise and stopped riding. It was my fault entirely. While it was a blow at the time, I think it has stood me in good stead and I’m stronger today for the wake-up call so early on,” reflects James.

Four months later, things started happening as James rode his first winner at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The horse was Shot Of Courage, who won at 25-1 for trainer Tim Pretorius on 23 June.

Six months on, James already has his first three-timer under the belt (at Fairview on 23 February) and has booted home 44 winners –42 of which were achieved in this, his first full season.

He is 25 wins ahead of nearest challenger Siyanda Sosibo on the SA National Champion Apprentice log.

“Things are going very well. I am enjoying the opportunity of travelling down to the Eastern Cape and to the Highveld, when the opportunity arises. I am focused and am just relishing and appreciating the privilege of being coached in one of the great jockey training establishments on earth. And now I have the Sporting Post behind me too!” adds James.

Born in Harrismith on 7 September 2004, James never knew his parents and was raised by his clothes-maker Granny and his Grandfather, who was a labourer in the construction industry.

Champions present and past? Kobeli Lihaba and Rachel Venniker are interviewed by Warren Lenferna

| Credit: Candiese Lenferna

James attended an agricultural school and recalls watching the local bush racing every Sunday.

“I was fascinated by the horses and my life changed when an old man called Mr Stoffels told me at the age of 13 that I was the right size and needed to learn to ride. I loved it and rode many winners!”

Two friends from Harrismith, jockey Philasande Mxoli and trainee apprentice Thabiso Nyaka, who eventually dropped out of the academy, were instrumental in James considering a career as a professional jockey.

“I was knocked back as they were worried about my weight. So I became a workrider, and eventually got a break when accepted into the SA Jockey Academy in 2022. I have never looked back. Today I stand in my boots at 52kgs, and I am fit and motivated to do my very

best,” he adds proudly.

James says he has so many people to thank – from his Grandparents to Mr Stoffels, to his mates who encouraged him, and the trainers who have given him opportunities and guidance.

“It’s inevitably dangerous mentioning names as there have been so many kind people who have guided me along the way. From Mr Duncan Howells, to Mr Garth Puller, Mrs Alyson Wright, and many others, and then Mr Gavin Smith and Miss Kelly Mitchley in Gqeberha. I have been a very lucky guy as we can’t ride winners without support!”

With travelling to other regions taking up a lot of time, and plenty of work-riding every day, James says there is no time for socializing, but he spends time with his bestie, Siphesihle Hlengwa.

WORK RIDER

OPPORTUNITY

Ridgemont seeks a competent work rider to join their team. Work will vary from riding breakers, pre-trainers, ready to run sale horses as well as older racehorses.

The opportunity is based in Wellington, where a full-time position is available to the right applicant.

Please email us your CV including two contactable references. For more info during business hours only:

+27 (0) 63 667 5383

CRAIG’S NO CHICKEN!

The gusting South Easterly wind at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday whipped up the emotions early on, with Craig Bantam the villain of the piece, but nevertheless registering his seventh winner of the term in the process.

“We have no control what happens when the horse leaves the parade ring. And after months of hard work and preparation, he gets taken down like that,” groaned trainer Gareth van Zyl after Bantam had taken the Hollywood Syndicate’s Wissa’s On Fire down to the start for the second race with his head in the air.

But the second event on the eight-race card,

R110 000 Maiden Plate, was to turn out happily for the Hollywood Syndicate, despite the fact that their 28-10 favourite Igugulethu (Candiece Bass-Robinson) was to run midfield at his eighth start in the maidens.And despite his prerace teeth grinding, Van Zyl seemed satisfied that things had panned out well and said he was happy to give Bantam a winner and said that he could take criticism well.

Craig Bantam has Wissa’s On Fire in full stride out front | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Bantam had Wissa’s On Fire (5-1), whose name is a play on Freed From Desire, which is a song sung by the Brentford fans after their striker Yoane Wissa scores a goal, in the vanguard early from his 3 draw.

At the 300m marker, The US Of A (5-1) made his move up the outside, but was proving a handful for Richard Fourie, and it seems that at this point Wissa’s On Fire goes in search of company and he crosses Cliff Swallow quite dramatically from the inside.

Louis Mxothwa had to check , but Cliff Swallow (9-2) was beaten 2,25 lengths into second Mxothwa was clearly upset, expressing his disappointment with the Stipes’ absence of a race review:

“Bantam was drawn 2 and he lands up on the outside. Where are the Stipes? I’m

disappointed,” he added.

The US Of A had nothing to come late and was beaten in third. Reconsideration may be given to running him in blinkers again.

A Klawervlei bred son of Captain Of All (Captain Al), the winner is out of the General Nediym mare Generous Anna, who won three times. Wissa’s On Fire has now won once in 4 starts with 2 places and stakes of R131 563.

Ed note:

Jockey Craig Bantam was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7 in that as the rider of Wissa’s On Fire he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to Cliff Swallow approaching the 200m. Bantam signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in races for a period of 7 days.

One of the fastest rising stars on the South African horseracing firmament, Gqeberha lady trainer Kelly Mitchley celebrated a red-letter day of some proportions at Fairview on Friday, with five winners.

It’s been a notable rise to prominence for the 27 year old!

Just a week after the South African government had repealed the rude remnants of those lifechanging Covid-19 regulations in 2022, Kelly sent out her first runner at Fairview.

At the time the world was reeling under a toxic hangover cloud, every man and his dog was broke or near bankrupt, and many of us were puzzling over uncertain futures.

Yet up stepped a 26 year old horsewoman with integrity, attitude and passion, and 20 months later she has 86 winners on the board – with a five-timer fest on a fabulous Fairview Friday on 15 March 2024 to crown it all.

With a firm hold on the third position on the East Cape trainer championship behind veteran big-hitters Gavin Smith and Alan Greeff, Kelly has arrived in no uncertain terms, and in a world of shrinking economies and cut-backs, the KM Racing string has extraordinarily grown

to 94 horses at Fairview, with yearlings and the retired set at the De La Ranch, just 3km away from Nelson Mandela Bay Racing’s Headquarters.

When taxed on the secret to her giant strides in double quick time, Kelly says simply, ‘honesty, trust, no false hope, and loyal happy staff, as well my partner Kyle Paddock, who has put a lot of effort into the yard.’

“Every owner relies on a trainer to provide guidance and truthful assessment of a horse’s ability and prospects. Bad horses eat the same food as good horses! Our philosophy is not to create any illusions and false promises.

An owner can rather replace than hang on to a horse that is going nowhere. That said, I have some owners who insist on keeping their beloved horses in training. But that’s a conscious sentimental choice of their own! Our goal is to go out and earn with every runner,” she adds.

The happy team after Makhachev won the third – from left to right is Kyle Paddock, owner Rudi van Wyk, Donald Geerthsen, Kelly Mitchley and Julius Mphanya| Credit: Pauline Herman

Kelly quickly adds that their ‘fantastic’ Chiropractor Neville Dugmore and their Farriers play an important support function in getting the best out of every horse.

“Our sponsors Betway SA have been a terrific value-add, both for our owners and staff, who have received soccer kit and other gifts. Jonathan Blumberg heads Betway and does an outstanding job of ensuring we receive the support!”

Kelly has been on horseback since she started walking and has learnt from the best - Justin Snaith, Corne Spies, Gavin Smith, Yvette Bremner and Johan Janse van Vuuren. So she really has the pedigree to go all the way to the top!

“We can’t succeed without owners and horses, but never underestimate the critical role played by good staff. Sakhepi ‘Steven’ Ngqabuko has been with us from Day 1 and does a sterling job heading a team that any trainer anywhere would be proud of.”

She adds that having the likes of Donald Geertshen, Julius Mphanya and Sandile Khathi riding work, with a strong team of Work riders, enhances her ability to assess progress through qualified feedback.

“We have a policy of supporting the Grooms’ races here in the East Cape. The amount of positivity and excitement generated is unbelievable and the guys get so hyped up in advance. It gives them a goal, an opportunity to earn, as well as a great chance to showcase their skills in the public arena.

Unfortunately, we don’t have many of these races on the programme, and it would be a real plus to see the frequency upped to at least one a month.”

On good owners, Kelly tells that she has been fortunate to enjoy the support of her Mom and top owner Suzette Viljoen from Day 1, and the list has grown exponentially.

“You asked what made me take the plunge to take my licence out when so many thought I was crazy. Well, my Mom and Suzette were my inspiration. And they have continued to support me, along with a host of great people who understand racing and love their horses!”

She is thrilled about the fabulous weekend she enjoyed recently in the Boland when she visited her first runner Hilarity, and first winner Klaserie, at Suzette and Basie Viljoen’s Hope And Dreams Stud in Wellington.

Asked about keys to future growth, Kelly adds that big breeder support is vital to a trainer’s success and made a massive difference.

“Oscar Foulkes of Normandy Stud has been a great supporter of ours all along. I have never met a man who follows all of his farm’s horses with such interest, and shows the level of interest he does! Then I was privileged to train my first winner for Dr Andreas Jacobs and the Maine Chance team when the Querari filly Passchendaele won at her second start for us last week. That was a true honour and we hope it’s the start of a long association,” she adds.

So does Kelly have championship aspirations to the mantle held for so many year by two second generation trainers who are twice her age?

“I am thrilled with what we have achieved so far. As the string evolves we will be more competitive in feature races, and that makes the difference when one is boxing in the big league!”

On exciting horses for the future, she singles out the Ridgemont bred Canford Cliffs colt, Golden Rule, one of Kelly’s ‘Fab Friday’ quintet, who was taken to Cape Town on Met day, and ran a cracking fourth on debut at 75-1 in the WSB Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes behind Roman Eagle.

He was a runaway winner on Friday, and Kelly tells us that he will be seen next in the East Cape Nursery on 19 April.

“He is a lovely colt – we would not have taken our chances in the Cape at feature level, if we didn’t think highly of him. We will bring him along slowly and let him show us how good he is in the Nursery, before we start talking Champions Season! I like to bring the young horses along slowly. I’d rather have a nice 3yo, than a burnt out 2yo. And he is looking for 1400m and a mile, so it’s quite exciting!”

So what do Kelly and partner Kyle Paddock do on a Friday evening after a great day at the races?

“We sit down in front of the TV and watch the replays over and over and over! We make notes, analyse, and try and find solutions where we see issues. Kyle has a knack of finding the right races, And that is not only on Friday, but after every raceday! It may not sound like everybody’s idea of fun, but training horses is a 24/7 commitment – it’s a lifestyle, not a job. And we love it!”

She recalled how trainer Alan Greeff drove past her ring on Saturday morning, and said: “I suppose you guys never slept a wink last night?”

“Alan has always been the first person to congratulate us. I think he relates to what we are aiming to achieve!”

Thinking of sending a horse to the Eastern Cape? Call Kelly on 081 266 6763 email her on kellymitchley27@gmail.com.

KELLY’S FABULOUS FIVE

• Golden Rule(Smanga Khumalo)

• Raptor Island (Smanga Khumalo)

• Makhachev (Donald Geerthsen)

• Lady Zulzanite (Sandile Khathi)

• Fiery Duke (Smanga Khumalo)

The happiest racehorse trainer in South Africa on Sunday. That’s the only way of describing Sboniso ‘Bo’ Ngcobo, a qualified Mechanical Engineer, and former Fireman, who celebrated his first winner – and that with the solitary horse in his Summerveld stable – just a stone’s throw from the dusty streets of the township where he played as a young lad.

Sboniso ‘Bo’ Ngcobo – a super Sunday in his life!

Candiese Lenferna

Using the well-worn horseracing clichés of passion and commitment feels near ridiculous when reflecting on the raw and unflinching dedication to duty of the 48 year old, who has just one horse – yes, one horse – in his yard.

“I really do only have the one horse and a solitary staffmember. But I am there every day at 05h30 and spend the same amount of time at my yard as many trainers with packed barns,” laughed the delighted horseman, as he chatted to the Sporting Post in the aftermath of Lightning Jimmy’s knockout win in the opener at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in the KZN Capital City of Pietermaritzburg – also known as ‘Sleepy Hollow’ or the ‘City Of Choice’ – on Sunday.

Ridden by former SA Champion jockey Smanga Khumalo, the 3yo Fort Stud-bred Lightning Jimmy just kept on doggedly at 20-1 to hold off the attentions of the well-fancied 8-10 Plattner galloper Trippi T, whose winning turn surely can’t be far off.

The Willow Magic gelding, who races in a partnership of Bo and his good friend and client Mbuyi Mkhize, the nephew of Dr Zweli Mkhize and, like Bo, a past Chairman of the KZN Rural Horse Riding Association, was earning at his eleventh start and Bo indicates – albeit in hindsight for the rest of us – that he felt his charge would run a place.

“I would be lying if I said I thought we could beat the Andre Nel horse, but I was convinced we’d finish in the top four. Lightning Jimmy had turned the corner this past week, and he appears over his knee issues.”

He went on to add enthusiastically that Smanga Khumalo had ridden a really top-class race. “What a proud day for all of my family, and for all those that have believed in me!” he said, as he suggested that the length of the list of people who had supported him, was too long to even begin to mention.

“My biggest supporter, my wife Wendy, was down with the flu and I am sad that she missed

a day I have dreamt about forever. She has been an enormous source of help as she works hard to contribute as a breadwinner, in a family where Dad is a racehorse trainer, with one horse,” he added emotionally as he also recounted the wonders of the teacher that is YouTube, and the therapeutic benefits of ice.

“I don’t have big name owners with cash to burn. And thus I cannot pick up the phone to the Vet every time I have an issue.

So I have learnt to sit for hours and educate myself on YouTube on basics like using ice on horse’s legs, for example. I have also had some excellent teachers along the way, but there is nothing like solving an issue by finding solutions and reading.”

Bo and Wendy have four sons, ranging in age from 25 to 8 years of age, and the family home is situated at Zwelibomvu in the Emabhaceni district.

“I have quarters at Summerveld in view of the long hours involved with looking after even just the one horse, and I enjoy the support of a wonderful wife and the passionate racing folk at Gold Circle, who have been so good to me.” Bo was born in 1976 – a tumultuous year in South Africa’s history – and grew up in the poverty-stricken environs of the Imbali Township near Pietermaritzburg.

Unlike many who fell by the wayside, he was fortunate to be educated at Adams College near Amazimtoti, and went on to rise up above the obstacles that he faced,eventually qualifying as a Chemical Engineer at Mangosuthu University Of Technology.

He worked in a variety of jobs after qualifying, but his Grandfather – the racing man in the Ngcobo family – had planted the seed, and despite doing well enough at some big companies, including Nampak Tissue, Bo’s heart was not in it, and he kept dreaming of a Lightning Jimmy!

“I actually had dreams of becoming a jockey, but at the time, there was no real appetite for somebody like myself to join that career route. And maybe I am fortunate – look at me today. I enjoy food too much,” he laughs.

On 1 March 2015 his incredible journey began under the mentorship of leading KZN trainer Tony Rivalland, and in 2022 Bo wrote his exams and passed the requirements to become a trainer.

“I was supported early on by Mrs Mary Slack, and did my best with the few horses I had . I am deeply indebted to the wonderful lady, but today, courtesy of Lightning Jimmy, I move

forward in the hope that maybe another owner will see fit to give me a break.

If I had even five horses, I would be doing cartwheels. It would be a privilege. I am not suggesting I am any more entitled to support than the next man, but I would just love the chance to prove myself. My heart and soul is in this. Believe me!” he said.

What a great story to bring the curtain down on the racing weekend!

Bo can be contacted via email at: bo.ubumbano@gmail.com

Bo is congratulated by champion Michael Roberts

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

SANDOWN SET FOR NATIONALS

Sandown Stud, whose lengthy list of high-class alumni include champions French Navy and Magnificent Seven, will be offering another quality consignment at this year’s National Yearling Sale.

Among the notable sires represented in this draft are Futura, Gimmethegreenlight, Querari and What A Winter, as well as Sandown’s own resident stallions Pathfork and Soqrat.

One yearling who is bound to attract attention is the colt (Lot 323) by South Africa’s reigning champion sire Gimmethegreenlight out of the Redoute’s Choice sired Gr1 SA Nursery runner up Shaama. This colt, a half-brother to this season’s Gr3 SplashOut Victress Stakes winner Saartjie, hails from an outstanding family, and his granddam is Gr1 Winter Stakes heroine Absolut Glam.

Sandown’s hugely successful resident sire Pathfork, sire of, among others, this season’s Gr1 winners Main Defender and Royal Victory, is represented here by The Way We Were (Lot 233), a half-sister to the very smart Sovereign State, while stable mate, and Equus Champion, Soqrat’s three lots on offer include Matter Of Trust (Lot 43). Out of Gr3 Acacia Handicap winner Amur Affair, Matter Of Trust is a half-

sister to four smart winners, including this season’s high-class three-year-old Mondial.

Before Sunrise (Lot 298) is a Querari half-sister to 2023 Listed East Cape Nursery winner Vision Of Wonder, while the consistently successful Querari is also represented here by Siriano (Lot 333), a colt from the immediate family of the Querari sired 2023 Gr1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes winner Bavarian Beauty.

Other attractive prospects to be found in this draft include Bold Action (Lot 69), a Futura close relative of Gr3 Final Fling Stakes queen Brave Move, and Ain’t No Sunshine (Lot 104), a cleverly named son of What A Winter and Listed Stormsvlei Mile winner, Crystal Cavern.

The aforementioned Sandown Stud string can be viewed in Block F at the TBA Complex.

The 2024 National Yearling Sale is set to take place in Germiston and will be held on 18 and 19 April.

Sandown supremo James Armitage – quality is always the foundation

Credit: Hamish Niven Photography

TESTING – NHA’S NEW PROCESSES ANNOUNCED

In order to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders, riders, and horses, the National Horseracing Authority will introduce a new specimen analysis procedure for TCO2 measurement on a race day.

While no media release was published, a notice issued on the regulator’s website on Friday 15 March 2024 explains the move.

The TCO2 (total carbon dioxide) test is performed on the blood of racehorses as a means of combatting the practice of administering alkalizing agents for the purpose of enhancing performance.

The reasons for and the procedures that will be adopted are set out below.

Alkalinisation of a horse, or the use / administration of an alkalinising agent to a

horse on race day, is prohibited. Elevated pre-race blood TCO2 levels above the international threshold concentration of 36 mmol/L, determined and so formalised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, regardless of cause, are violations of the IFHA and NHA Rules.

With immediate effect, the following SPECIMEN ANALYSIS and collection procedure for TCO2 MEASUREMENT will apply on race day:

TRAINERS shall be notified of the HORSES selected for pre-race TCO2 sampling and

ANALYSIS via the Notice of Pre-Race Blood Collection.

A blood SPECIMEN shall be collected from each selected HORSE approximately 50 minutes prior to RACE time. Immediate ANALYSIS shall be performed using an NHA approved handheld blood gas analyser.

Where such ANALYSIS shows that a HORSE has a TCO2 concentration of more than 35.0 mmol/L, a second blood SPECIMEN shall be collected, between 10 and 15 minutes later.

If the TCO2 concentration of the second blood SPECIMEN is more than 36.0 mmol/L, the STEWARDS shall withdraw (scratch) the HORSE from the RACE and detain the HORSE for additional SPECIMEN collection.

Under these circumstances, a third blood SPECIMEN shall be collected 30 minutes later. If the TCO2 concentration of this SPECIMEN is

less than or equal to the international threshold of 36.0 mmol/L, no penalty shall be imposed on the TRAINER.

The STEWARDS may, at their discretion, instruct a SPECIMEN COLLECTOR to subsequently collect SPECIMENS from the HORSE for analytical testing of all PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES.

As per Rule 75.3.2, if the taking of a SPECIMEN from that HORSE is refused by the TRAINER and/or the PERSON in control of such HORSE, then that HORSE shall be withdrawn from the RACE in question.

In the interests of horse welfare and racing integrity, the NHA may elect to additionally monitor the use of race day medication by means of pre- and post-race specimen collection of any horse presented to race.

CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP HERO HEADED FOR PUNCHESTOWN

The Punchestown festival could be on the cards for Galopin Des Champs, the Boodles Gold Cup hero who was paraded at a homecoming event in Leighlinbridge on Tuesday evening.

Galopin Des Champs received all the acclaim and adulation fit for a dual Gold Cup champion when he was led through the streets in front of an enthusiastic gathering of admirers, accompanied by his trainer Willie Mullins, jockey Paul Townend, groom Adam Connolly and his adoring owners Audrey and Greg Turley.

Mullins’ star chaser lit up an otherwise gloomy, damp evening in the Carlow village 12 months ago after winning his first Gold Cup but the weather cooperated this time as the crowd gazed upon the equine superstar while he was nonchalantly perched outside the Lord Bagenal Inn, basking in the undivided attention he commanded from onlookers.

The eight-year-old was joined by fellow Cheltenham Festival winners State Man, who put in a polished performance in landing the Champion Hurdle, and Jasmin De Vaux, who was a particularly significant winner for Mullins as his son Patrick partnered him to victory in Wednesday’s Champion Bumper to bring up

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend receive their Gold Cup trophies | Credit: HRI

a phenomenal century of Cheltenham Festival winners for Closutton.

They had to play second fiddle, however, to the imposing Galopin Des Champs, who seemed to revel in the fuss being made of him as people queued up to pose with the outstanding chaser of his generation.

“We have much better weather this year,” said a beaming Audrey Turley. “He’s a real fan-favourite. He’s as quiet as a mouse and is enjoying the attention. He loves getting his photo taken. He’s thrilled with himself. I think he knows when he wins and he loves it.”

After two imperious displays in Gold Cups, many will be comparing him to the likes of Arkle, Golden Miller, Best Mate and Kauto Star, and Turley revealed that her late uncle offered some prophetic words at an earlier stage in his career.

She said: “My uncle Willie sadly passed in November, he was an avid racing fan. When Galopin started to show what he could really do, he said he thought this horse could be another Arkle. I think he has certainly earned the right to be named in that group.

“Cheltenham was the icing on a very nice cake already. To win a Savills Chase, an Irish Gold Cup and then to win the Gold Cup on the 100th year anniversary, you’re pinching yourself. He’s only an eight-year-old, which is the amazing thing.

“I was terrified before the race, absolutely shaking, but everything aligned and it was fantastic. My heart was in my mouth when we saw the loose horse, but Paul is just a champion. He’s as cool as a cucumber, and

him and Galopin work together so well.” After being ridden with restraint in his first season outside of novice company, connections elected to ride him more prominently in his assignments during this campaign and Townend believes the tactical switch is a big indicator of how the horse has developed mentally since his early days.

Townend said: “We were hugely disappointed after the John Durkan. When champions like that get beat it’s always disappointing, but he turned it around very quick afterwards and bolted up at the Dublin Racing Festival. I was surprised watching it back that it looked competitive going to the last because from where I was sitting, we were in control the whole way.

“He’s so simple to ride now. Last year, I couldn’t have ridden him down to the first like I did this year as we would have been too keen, but I was able to rev him up and get a position.” Mullins believes such tractability will extend the chaser’s career, which must be a terrifying thought for the chasing pack.

“He’s much more mature and settled this year and it means he’s improved,” said Mullins. “I think races will take a lot less out of him now and it will extend his career now he’s not running too free. He’s at that age now where he is strong, mature and he’s answered every question we’ve asked him this season.

“At the moment, he’s going to Punchestown next. I’m very happy as he’s a very tough, hardy horse. There’s very good prize-money there, so we’re hoping to run.”

www.racingpost.com

SAVE THE DATE!

The 2024 Punchestown Festival takes place at Punchestown Racecourse in Co. Kildare from Tuesday 30 April to Saturday 4 May .

The Punchestown Festival is the finale of the jump racing season in Ireland with many of the principal players from Cheltenham, Fairyhouse and Aintree having another opportunity to cross swords.

CHARITY RACEDAY SPONSORS SOUGHT

The Western Cape Equine Trust accepts equines, particularly ex-racehorses, into their care and after suitable training re-homes them to inspected homes, with caring new owners.

The Western Cape Equine Trust is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) and has been raising funds to help improve the life of equines since 2005.

The programme focuses specifically on the safe and secure future of thoroughbred racehorses once they are retired from their racing career. Many of them are retired as young as 2 or 3 years old.

The WCET has been invited to participate in a Charity Raceday Day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 20 April and have been allocated two races for the day.

They are seeking sponsors for these two races at a cost of R30 000 per race, which would include naming rights, 4 lunch tickets and advertising in the race card.

As a registered Public Benefit Organisation, WCET can issue a tax certificate for this donation.

Sponsors would also be given publicity on the WCET mobile sites where they have a large following.

The day is very innovative and breaks new ground in respect of the local community and their related organizations and deserves every support from the racing community.

• Please contact Ken Truter on 082-5561606 or email him at truterk@global.co.za

Summerveld – a typical early morning scene as the champions greet the new day

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

WORLD’S RICHEST RACE FOR 2YO’S

The juvenile championship of Australia, the Golden Slipper is the world’s richest race for two-year-old-horses, with current prizemoney of A$5 million.

It is to be run at Rosehill Gardens in western Sydney on Saturday.

The race was first run in 1957, and was originally worth 20,000 pounds in prize money. A rich race for two-year-olds only, it was the brainchild of Sydney Turf Club chairman George Ryder.

It is held on Australia’s biggest day of Group 1

racing, Golden Slipper Day, which also includes the Group 1: George Ryder Stakes, the Ranvet Stakes, The Galaxy and Rosehill Guineas.

The field has been declared for the 2024 Gr1 Golden Slipper Stakes and leading contender Espionage has failed to make the field.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt, to be ridden by three-time Golden Slipperwinning jockey Tommy Berry, was named the

Rosehill Gardens – hosts some serious racing on Saturday! |

Credit: Rosehill Gardens

first and only emergency.

The 2024 field is made up of 12 colts, no geldings and four fillies with Espionage also adding to the colts representation should he secure a start.

Despite Espionage not making the field of 16, the Waterhouse and Bott stable have an amazing 43.75 per cent of runners with seven members of their stable making the field, headed up by favourite Storm Boy which will be ridden by last year’s winning rider, champion UK jockey Ryan Moore.

Other starters for Tulloch Lodge are Fully Lit, Shangri La Express, Straight Charge, Prost and Lady Of Camelot.

Other stables with multiple runners are the father/son training teams of Peter and Paul Snowden and Tony and Calvin McEvoy.

The Snowdens are chasing their second Golden Slipper win as a training partnership with Bodyguard and Holmes A Court while the McEvoys will saddle up Rue De Royale and Dublin Down as they chase their first win in the race.

Last year’s winning trainer Chris Waller saddles up leading chance Switzerland, while James Cummings, the 2019 winning trainer, prepares Traffic Warden.

Michael Freedman won the race in 2021 when training alongside his brother Richard but this year he goes it alone with Manaal while Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi runs for Victorian trainer Clinton McDonald.

It was another phenomenal Cheltenham Festival for Willie Mullins, whose nine-winner haul saw him become the first trainer to reach a century of festival winners. He now has a total of 103 Cheltenham Festival winners, as well as an 11th Leading Trainer’s award, this being a sixth in a row.

Of his nine winners, eight were in Group 1 races, and five of those were in novice races or the Champion Bumper. A frightening thought for his rivals for the next couple of seasons. Galopin Des Champs was obviously the headline act of the week in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

It’s not easy to win back-to-back Gold Cups. Best Mate and Al Boum Photo are the only horses to have done it for over half a century. Galopin Des Champs had been well campaigned since his victory last season, running in four Group 1’s, but he seems to thrive on competition. He was as good as ever on Friday, beating a good sort in Gerri Colombe by nearly four lengths. As Mullins stated afterwards, he could well go on and complete the treble in 2025.

Fact To File was impressive in winning the Brown Advisory Chase.

Given a chance by rider Mark Walsh, he moved into the vanguard effortlessly three out, before quickening away from Monty’s Star to win readily. He possesses both natural pace and stamina to contest the majority of the Group 1 features next season. Great news for his owner JP McManus and trainer Willie Mullins.

Another Mullins ace to do the business was the much-hyped novice Ballyburn.

He was brilliant in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle on day 2 of the festival. Run over the intermediate trip of two-miles, five furlongs, he ‘breezed’ home winning by 13-lengths from stable companion Jimmy Du Seuil. Mullins

Mad hatters get into the spirit of things | Credit: Cheltenham Racecourse

actually saddled the first five home. There are high hopes for this novice, with plans including next season’s Champion Hurdle and then possibly the Gold Cup in 2026!

The Irish were responsible for 18 winners, which equalled the 2022 total. Fellow Irish trainer Gordon Elliott had a good week too, with two Group 1 wins – the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Hurdle.

A plan really came together for Elliott with victory in the Gr1 Stayers’ Hurdle with the topclass Teahupoo. The most important runner for the Gordon Elliott Cheltenham Festival team of 2024.

It was important that he delivered on a plan that originated at Fairyhouse racecourse in early December, when the trainer said that he would go straight to Cheltenham, straight from there to the Stayers’ Hurdle. This lightly raced sevenyear-old won in great style and now looks the leading light in this division, with four wins from his last six starts.

Leading amateur rider Derek O’Connor was

seen to good effect on Corbetts Cross in the Maureen Mullins National Hunt Chase for trainer Emmet Mullins. It was a special victory for the trainer, as the race was re-named after his grandmother, matriarch of the Mullins dynasty.

Finally, mention must be made of modern-day great Paul Townend who claimed the leading rider’s title again with six winners. Five of the six were in Group 1 races, but the ride of the week was probably his winning ride in the only handicap that he won, the County Hurdle, on Absurde.

Apparently, the ground had gone against the classy flat rated runner from the Mullins yard. No pressure for Paul as he dropped his horse out in a race run at a sedate early pace. He then ‘tanked, into the contest rounding the final turn, charting a path between horses, before quickening up impressively on the Ebor winner over the final furlong to win a touch cosily. Melbourne Cup plans were suggested postrace.

Fashion stakes also rans? It either suits you or it doesn’t. But they were having fun! | Credit: Cheltenham Racecourse

DUBAI WORLD CUP BOB’S YOUR UNCLE

Despite success in the desert, which has seen him win four Dubai World Cups so far, Bob Baffert won’t be joining his horses on the trip next weekend.

“I love Dubai, I’d love to go but I’m short handed an assistant right now, so Jimmy [Barnes] is going, he’ll be there at the weekend, along with a rider and a groom.”

Barnes was also at the helm when Country Grammer won Baffert his most recent Dubai World Cup, in 2022. This time he takes charge of Newgate, who returns to action less than a month after winning the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on 3 March.

“With Newgate I know I’m kind of back a little quick, but he’s a really hardy horse who carries a lot of flesh,” says Baffert.

“He’s doing better now than when he was going into the Big Cap when he was a little

heavy. I really think he’s doing well.”

Newgate will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, who combined with Baffert on Country Grammer and who also has three other Dubai World Cups on his resume.

“The thing about Frankie Dettori is the great riders don’t need any instructions,” continues Baffert. “When the gate opens, they figure it out. The last thing on my mind is worrying about Frankie and what he’s going to do on the horse. My job is to make sure that the horse shows up.”

Baffert is under no illusions as to the strength of the $12million race, which features defending champion Ushba Tesoro as well as Laurel River,

Bob Baffert’s Country Grammer wins the Dubai World Cup under Frankie Dettori in 2022 | Credit: DRC

who he trained to win the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar, before the six-year-old moved to Bhupat Seemar in Dubai.

“I’m running against one of my old horses [Laurel River]. He’s a really talented horse; a top calibre horse. They can all stay if they don’t go too fast early on.”

Is there any similarity between Newgate and Baffert’s four winners of the race? The answer is emphatic.

“Totally different. My other winners were in top form, coming off big races. Country Grammer was coming off a long layoff, ran in Saudi and he was just a true mile and a quarter horse. The ride that Frankie gave him was unbelievable. He beat Life Is Good who was a great horse but the distance got him a little bit.

“Arrogate was one of the greatest performances of any racehorses that I’ve ever trained - he was incredible. To me, it was like a Secretariatlike performance. What he did that night; not breaking, being last, coming around… Gun Runner was a great horse and he just caught him like it was an exercise gallop.

“Winning the first time with Silver Charm was just really exciting. It’s the only race where you lead your horse up there and you go ‘I think he’s doing well but I really don’t know. I hope he handles everything.’

“I remember Captain Steve; he was normally on the lead but he was four lengths off it and I thought ‘maybe he’s not running’ and then he came up and won it. It’s magical, it’s a challenge and I love challenges, but if you have a good horse and he’s ready, you can win it.”

Baffert also has a Dubai Golden Shaheen on his roll of honour, having won the $2million sprint with Secret Circle in 2015. His runner this year, Hopkins, was fourth to the re-opposing Sibelius 12 months ago.

“Hopkins ran well last year and I think he’s doing better this year,” says Baffert. “He always shows up; he’s big strong horse. I had him and another horse but I decided to go with him because he’s doing so well right now. When you go halfway across the world you have to make sure your horse is in top form because it’s a tough ship.”

Bob Baffert – watching the big one on TV next weekend

Credit: Barbara Livingston

147 TH HONG KONG

DERBY - A CRACKER!

Helios Express has won four times this season | Credit: HKJC

Helios Express will aim to join Rapper Dragon and Golden Sixty with a HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series clean-sweep as one of 14 selected runners for the HK$26 million 147th BMW Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin on Sunday 24 March.

The brilliant galloper has so far dominated the first two legs of the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series, winning the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile and HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup, under jockey Hugh Bowman for trainer John Size.

The best of this season’s Classic generation will vie for record HK$26 million in the BMW Hong Kong Derby, up from HK$24 million last year. First contested in 1873, the BMW Hong Kong Derby is restricted to four-year-old runners, while past winners of Hong Kong’s most coveted crown this century include Vengeance Of Rain (2005), Viva Pataca (2006), Ambitious Dragon (2011), Designs On Rome (2014), Werther (2016), Rapper Dragon (2017), Golden Sixty (2020), Romantic Warrior (2022) and Voyage Bubble (2023).

The top-rated runner is the Pierre Ng-trained Galaxy Patch, who appears for the first time in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series after dominating sprint races and last start placing at Group 1 level behind California Spangle in the

HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m).

The 103-rater steps beyond 1400m for the first time in the BMW Hong Kong Derby with connections of the rising talent paying a HK$260,000 late entry fee to run, adding further intrigue to the city’s famed race, which owners, trainers and jockeys alike desire success in.

Massive Sovereign recorded an astonishing debut win over the BMW Hong Kong Derby distance, and he makes his second Hong Kong start in the race for trainer Dennis Yip. The No Nay Never gelding won twice under the care of Aidan O’Brien in Ireland before import.

Size’s entry also features Ensued, a three-time winner who placed third in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, as well as Simple Hedge. Size has won the BMW Hong Kong Derby three times with Fay Fay (2012), Luger (2015) and Ping Hai Star (2018).

Galaxy Patch is a four-time winner in Hong Kong | Credit: HKJC

Danny Shum tasted success with the only Hong Kong International Sale graduate to win the BMW Hong Kong Derby in 2022, Romantic Warrior, and he is two-pronged with Hong Kong Classic Mile runner-up Helene Feeling and Chill Chibi, a four-time winner at Happy Valley.

Francis Lui won the race with Golden Sixty in 2020 and he saddles two runners, Chancheng Glory and Speed Dragon. The former attempted to make all in the Hong Kong Classic Cup before being run down late by Helios Express.

The championship-leading Ng also has onetime Hong Kong winner Ka Ying Generation, while legendary figure Tony Cruz, victorious with Lucky Owners (2004) and Helene Mascot (2008), has a pair of entrants in Beauty Crescent and California Voce.

Cruz won the race as a jockey aboard Co-Tack (1983), Tea For Two II (1987), Clear City (1988) and Makarpura Star (1995).

Mr Andrew Harding, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director of Racing, said: “The BMW Hong Kong Derby is one of the most prestigious races on the calendar – a race that

every owner aspires to have a runner in, or better still, win.

“The race’s honour roll speaks for itself as we have seen in recent years with the progression of Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble as winners of the BMW Hong Kong Derby to Group 1 champions, underlining the quality of the race known for once-in-a-lifetime glory.

“The 2024 edition is shaping as yet another remarkable edition with a host of incredible talents sourced from around the world to race for glory with owners and fans alike are looking forward to the contest with eager anticipation.” Frankie Lor scored a first BMW Hong Kong Derby triumph in 2019 with Furore and is represented by Unbelievable this year, while David Hayes will also chase a second win in the 10-furlong test with Star Mac after crack filly Elegant Fashion prevailed for him in 2003.

Elegant Fashion was the first filly to land the Classic since Corvette in 1976.

The race, which is limited to 14 runners, has four reserves: Elliptical, Fallon, Bravehearts and Green N White.

results up to: 2024-03-20

TRAINERS

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