SP SPRINT - 21 JUNE 2023

IT’S THAT TIME!

RITCHIE IN THE RAIN

Richard Fourie and Blonde Act were caught in the Gqeberha rain after winning at Fairview on Friday 9 June. Image is by kind courtesy of Pauline Herman.

On the cover

Issue: 26/2023

Maloshnie Pillay pulled the pole position draw for Kestorm Investments flagbearer Bless My Stars at the Hollywoodbets Durban July final field launch at the big race sponsor’s head office on Tuesday. Image courtesy of Candiese Lenferna.

INTRODUCING THE CLASS OF 2023

Trainer Mike de Kock and assistant Trevor Brown at Tuesday’s big race event |

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

With five runners in the 18-horse field, Justin Snaith holds a strong hand in this year’s R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July after the field was announced at a glittering function in Umhlanga Rocks on Tuesday morning.

Africa’s greatest horseracing event, featuring the pinnacle race on the South African calendar, will be run at Hollywoodbets Greyville over 2200m on Saturday July 1 where a full house of 55 000 people are expected through the turnstiles.

23 runners were left at final acceptances and the three not to make the cut were Aragosta, Union Square and Electric Gold with Nebraas and Jimmy Don the two reserve runners, should any one of the final 18 be withdrawn prior to Friday, June 30.

The race will have an international flavour with Mike de Kock engaging multiple French Champion Jockey, Christophe Soumillon, to ride Safe Passage. Soumillon arrives on the Friday before the race and jets out shortly after. Safe Passage was a close-up second to Puerto Manzano in the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup. Puerto Manzano was always an automatic entry after that win but gave notice of his wellbeing by recently winning the Gr3 WSB Jubilee Stakes for Johan Janse van Vuuren.

Top weight Trip of Fortune was supplemented into the race with his connections forking out R30 195 for the privilege of running in the race, despite being allotted top weight of 60kg and never having run further than 1600m. Aldo

Domeyer will be aboard for Candice Bass-Robinson.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, with a riding infraction hanging over his head in Mauritius, has been given the green light to partner Pomp And Power for Justin Snaith.

Snaith also saddles veteran and twice winner of the race, Do It Again who completed his preparation in the recent Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. This will be his record sixth run in the race and Gavin Lerena, successful on Kommetdieding in 2021, will be aboard.

Also in the Snaith armoury is Without Question, third in the Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby, third in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 and winner of the Gr3 Variety Club Mile. First call stable rider, Richard Fourie, had the pick of the Snaith runners so his decision could be significant.

Michael Roberts, 11-time South African Champion Jockey and successful aboard Super Quality in 1997, will be hoping to find the winner’s enclosure as a trainer as he saddles ruling ante-post favourite See It Again with veteran rider Piere Strydom in the irons. See It Again was a winner of the Gr1 SplashOut Derby and more recently the Gr1 Daily News 2000. Strydom, a four-time winner of the race, will be

Seasoned MC Graeme Hawkins hosts the announcement on Tuesday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

looking to equal the five wins by Anton Marcus.

Weiho Marwing will be hoping to rub out the disappointment of having Wylie Hall relegated to second behind Legislate in 2014 as he sends out Gr1 WSB SA Derby winner Son Of Raj who has quickly risen through the ranks for owner Stephen Chetty.

There are four fillies in the race including recent Gr1 Woolavington 2000 winner Rain In Holland, runner-up Time Flies, Silver Darling, winner of last year’s Woolavington and third this season in both the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes and

the Woolavington and Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA

Fillies Classic winner Bless My Stars from the Sean Tarry stable.

Kabelo Matsunyane will be aboard Brett Crawford’s gelding Winchester Mansion, second to Pacaya in the Gr2 WSB 1900 but booking his place with an impressive performance in the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July official gallops will be held at 07h00 on Thursday.

Trainer Sean Tarry draws Rain In Holland’s gate | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY (GRADE 1) FINAL FIELD

The Hollywoodbets Durban July organisers are thrilled to announce the internationally acclaimed Ndlovu Youth Choir will be performing the national anthem at this year’s event on July 1.

The choir’s captivating and soul-stirring performances have earned them worldwide recognition and their participation promises to elevate the excitement and grandeur of “Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event” to new heights.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July, known for its fusion of fashion, entertainment and horseracing, attracts thousands of attendees from across the country. This year’s event, taking place on Saturday, July 1, at the Hollywoodbets Greyville racecourse in Durban, promises to be an unforgettable experience for all.

The Ndlovu Youth Choir, hailing from a small town in Limpopo, shot to fame during their awe-inspiring run on America’s Got Talent, where they captivated audiences with their uplifting performances and infectious energy. Since then, they have gained a massive international following, becoming South Africa’s ambassadors for the spirit of unity and hope.

Stephen Marshall, Gold Circle’s Marketing and Events Executive is excited to have the Ndlovu Youth Choir on board.

“Singing the National Anthem before the running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July has become a tradition, and to have the Ndlovu Youth Choir, who have been such an inspiration to so many South Africans, performing live at Africa’s greatest horseracing and social event is sure to be an iconic moment, not to be missed,” said Marshall.

Devin Heffer, Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications Manager, says the inclusion of the Ndlovu Youth Choir adds another proudly South African element to the raceday programme.

“The Hollywoodbets Durban July 2023 will once again provide a platform for showcasing South Africa’s rich heritage, fashion and entertainment, all while celebrating the sport of horseracing.” said Heffer.

“The addition of the trailblazing Ndlovu Youth Choir to the event’s line-up is a testament to our commitment to delivering an exceptional and “Out Of This World” experience to attendees.”

A spokesperson for the Ndlovu Youth Choir said they were honoured to be part of the famous event.

“To be part of such a momentous occasion is an honour for us. The Hollywoodbets Durban July is an event that is steeped in history and brings South Africans together in an amazing calabash of fashion, flair, colour and horseracing. It will be a day to remember and we are proud to be a part of it.”

The Ndlovu Youth Choir, known for their unique blend of African rhythms, with a varied mix of traditional South African genres with pop, rock, jazz and EDM, promises an unforgettable performance that will leave the audience enthralled.

Their dynamic harmonies, vibrant choreography and heartfelt performances have garnered acclaim on some of the world’s biggest stages.

BLING READY FOR A RAIN DANCE

Multiple SA Champion Smanga Khumalo – ready to make history |

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

It’s been a productive and another character-building season for Hollywoodbets Durban July defending champion jockey Smanga ‘Bling’ Khumalo. He’s in third place on the national jockey log, and things could have been even better had he not lost the ride on current big race favourite See It Again due to a suspension.

But he tells us that he is very honoured and privileged to be riding the Drakenstein star Rain In Holland for trainer Sean Tarry on Saturday 1 July.

“It hasn’t been a half bad season at all, to be honest. I have ridden over 150 winners, including two Gr1 wins in Bless My Stars and Rain In Holland, and a good handful of other feature victories. Obviously, the suspensions have been a setback as I lost my SpashOut Cape Derby ride on the winner, and current July favourite, See It Again - but that’s racing! I’m blessed, no matter the ups and downs, to be in this wonderful sport and to achieve success in it is never taken for granted,” he adds philosophically, as he welcomes us and tells that there’s definitely plenty of sentimentality in his engagement for the Tarry yard.

“Mr. Tarry gave me my first Durban July winner on Heavy Metal in 2013, exactly a decade ago and quite astonishingly that was his last victory in this famous race. It just proves how difficult it is to win it. I would love nothing more than to end that barren spell for him!” he adds with steely determination.

A dual national champion, the very charming Smanga is one of South Africa’s poster boy popular riders. He really is a mobile billboard for everything that horseracing has done right in the 21st century.

Turning 38 in November, Smanga reflects on his life and tells the Sporting Post that he has found a deep contentment and mature balance between family life and the hard-knocks world of horseracing.

Like any top jockey, he has had his love-hate tussles with the racing public, but finds strength

and solace in coming home to his wife Pertunia Morais, and their three beautiful children Persia, Kaiden and little Evolet.

“Family is important for all of us. I am very fortunate in that respect. While Pertunia and our children will be watching the Hollywoodbets Durban July on television from Johannesburg, I will have my Durban fans – my Mom and Sister – at Hollywoodbets Greyville, shouting me home and probably almost expecting me to ride twelve winners on the day,” he smiles broadly.

It’s no wonder Mom and Sister are proud of Smanga!

‘Judging by the way Dave The King raced strongly from the front in his great Daily News 2000 run, at this early stage I’m expecting him to lead us…’

After his terrific record-breaking July win on Heavy Metal in 2013, he went on to become the 2013/2014 national champion jockey, booting home 183 winners. He set a personal best 198 winners the following season when finishing second in the 2014/15 championship to Gavin Lerena. He then won the championship for a second time in 2015/2016 with 243 wins.

“It’s a competitive world. We have great jockeys in every racing centre. People are wagering hard-earned cash. It’s all flesh and blood. And emotions and reactions will happen. As long as

I am doing my best, then that’s all that matters.” Smanga says that he has read in the media that if he gets Rain In Holland home, he will join the illustrious ranks of C MacDonald (1900/1901), Syd Garrett (1919/1920), Anthony Delpech (2010/2011) and Richard Fourie (2019/2020), as jockeys to have won the Durban July two years in succession.

However, his victory will be the first time in history a female horse has won the race two years in succession.

We ask him if he believes he really can win it, and what about that widish 17 gate?

“It could have been so much better! Mr. Tarry was right next to barrier draw 1,” he laughs in reference to his stablemate Bless My Stars getting the pole position draw.

“I know he believes in me, though. So he

probably preferred to give me the difficult task knowing that I can certainly do the job. It isn’t the worst thing being drawn out wide in the July either, as we witnessed with Kommetdieding - especially when they almost inevitably ease the pace halfway through. I know that I’m on a horse that is prepared by a brilliant conditioner who’ll have her super fit, she stays extremely well and hopefully with ‘luck in running’ she’ll be in the shake up!”

And will there be a pace?

“Judging by the way Dave The King raced strongly from the front in his great Daily News 2000 run, at this early stage I’m expecting him to lead us, and it will be interesting to see if his regular jockey can bring him back. Otherwise it could be another true test of stamina. I’ll do a more thorough analysis closer to the time and happily chat to you and your readers,” he adds helpfully.

Bling won the 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July on Sparkling Water for Mike de Kock. We asked him how the talented daughter of Silvano compares to SA Triple Tiara winner, Rain In Holland.

“They’re both extremely powerful ladies, and difficult to handle. l don’t think people appreciate what it takes to settle them.

That said, their huge hearts drive those magnificent engines. It really is a true pleasure to partner them both, and they’re exactly the kind of horses us jockeys dream of discovering when we rush off to track work in the mornings.”

Asked how the Bling of 2013 had changed to the Bling in 2023, he almost shyly says that he has grown in stature both on and off the thoroughbred.

“I have grown up and improved. I have worked on my physical fitness and my biceps are evidence of that. It helps with the tearaways! And I have a top agent in Monty Mariemuthoo looking after my rides. It helps me so much!”

Asked about other possible winners on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, he says he has no other ‘big rides’, but that was the same position he approached the day FROM in 2022.

“But I ended up winning the Hollywoodbets Durban July and another two winners, including the colts’ sales race – let’s hope for a repeat!”

As we stand up to say farewell, Bling asks that we record his thanks and appreciation to all the trainers and owners who have entrusted him with their horses.

“Perhaps I can use the Sporting Post platform to thank all those trainers who have entrusted me with their horses, particularly Gavin Smith and Alan Greeff in Port Elizabeth, Joey Soma and Sean Tarry in Gauteng, Dennis Bosch in KwaZulu-Natal and many others.”

And a last word or two?

“See you at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 1 July. It’s going to be out of this world! Whoop, whoop!” he laughs.

THE STORY OF STORMSVLEI

This weekend’s Hollywoodbets

features the last leg

Bernard Fayd’herbe and champion Pocket Power |

Credit: Roxy Joubert

Kenilworth meeting

of the Winter Series, the Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes.

Previously run as the Winter Derby, it was renamed three years ago to honour one of the greats of the South African turf whose dominance at the top spanned three glorious seasons.

The saga of this mighty warrior has its origins in 1998, when former breeder Dan de Wet of the famed Zandvliet Stud (which sadly is no more), purchased the then twelve-year-old mare Stormsvlei for the princely sum of R20,000 at the Natal Broodmare Sale. As far as Dan was concerned, Stormsvlei was a perfect match for most of the top sires.

She had scored three times for American owner E W Miller, who also raced her sire Prince Florimund. The son of Dowdstown Charley famously handed Wolf Power a three and a half length drubbing in the Gr1 (then) SA Guineas,

followed up in the Gr1 SA Two Thousand (now Daily News 2000) and again had the beating of Wolf Power in the Clairwood Winter Handicap.

Voted Horse of the Year and Champion Threeyear-old, he added the Gr1 Champion Stakes in his sole outing as a four-year-old and was sent to the States where he joined the California stables of the legendary trainer Charlie Whittingham. A winner of Gr3 San Gabriel Handicap at Santa Anita, his finest effort was in defeat when he tested the mighty John Henry in Hollywood Park’s Gr2 American Handicap. On the lead from the jump, he only succumbed to the American legend in the closing stages and was beaten just over a length.

But back to Stormsvlei, she was bred by Miller from the Prince Sao mare Distant Echoes, whose career was highlighted by her victory in

Pocket Power wins the 2008 J&B Met beating Our Giant (Richard Fourie) | Credit: Supplied

the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes. She achieved further fame as the dam of the Champion sprinter Harry’s Echoe, who clearly took after his sire Harry Hotspur. He accounted for no less than eight stakes races, prime amongst which the Gilbeys, Chairmans and Concord Stakes.

At the time of purchase, Stormsvlei was in foal to Damascus Gate, but to everyone’s disappointment, delivered a runty filly. Born with a cleft palate, she sadly was put down as a yearling. With the arrival of the new millennium came champion Jet Master, whose good looks matched his splendid achievements on the racetrack. On his Tesio software, Dan’s pairing of the champ with Stormsvlei convinced him this was the ultimate mating, giving inbreeding to the French champion Herbager, whilst adding extra lines of the breed-shaping taproot mares Perfume II and Sister Sarah.

The result of this mating? A good-looking bay colt named Pocket Power, who grew into a strong, magnificent yearling with tremendous

girth, a sloping shoulder, and a good keen stride. As Dan later remarked: “he was the type of horse that took charge, led the pack and caught the eye of every astute horseman.”

Enter master trainer Mike Bass, who snapped up the youngster at the Cape Yearling Sale for R190,000, the second top price. Given ample time to mature, Pocket Power became a champion for Marsh Shirtliff and Arthur Webber. Unraced at two, he was unplaced in his first three starts, but then cleaned up during the Cape Winter season and became the first horse in history to win the Winter Series. That served as a launching pad to a brilliant, 20-win career, three Horse of the Year titles and a handful of other champion accolades. A joint winner of the Gr1 Durban July, he scored nine times at Gr1 level, whilst his record of four L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and three Met victories is likely to stand for a very long time. Truly a horse for all ages.

Only two other sophomores have since managed to win the Winter Series, Fred Crabbia’s African Night Sky in 2017 and

Pocket Power memories are made of this! Arthur and Rina Webber hold the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate trophy aloft with Gaynor Rupert and Marsh Shirtliff to the right | Credit: Hamish Niven

undefeated Katak in 2020. Remarkably, the latter raced in the same Shirtliff silks as Pocket Power and appropriately, took his record to a perfect five from five when he won the final leg the first time it was run in honour of the former champion.

As regards Stormsvlei, she returned to Jet Master once more and again the stars aligned, for that mating resulted in the filly River Jetez, who thwarted her brother’s bid of a fourth Met victory when she won the 2009 renewal, with Pocket Power finishing third. She subsequently traversed the globe, winning Dubai’s Gr2 Balanchine, finished second in both the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free and Gr1 Singapore Airlines International Cup before crossing the Atlantic to run third in the Gr1 Beverly D Stakes vat Arlington Park.

Returned to South Africa, she became a successful broodmare and is the dam of the Gr1 winning sprinter Rivarine and Gr3 winner Delta Queen.

By the way, two other daughters of Stormsvlei have also contributed to their dam’s fine record, albeit on a lesser scale.

Western Winter daughter Maximum Break won four races and when mated to Silvano, produced Zimbabwe Oaks third Sylvianna.

Stormsvlei dropped her last foal in 2006, a filly by the disappointing stallion Second Empire. Named Stormz Emprez, she never saw the track and as a broodmare, has produced three winners, the best of which Jacaranda Handicap third Return To Power.

In recognition of the achievements of Pocket Power and River Jetez, Stormsvlei was named Broodmare of the Year in 2007 and again in 2009. She died in 2010 at the ripe old age of 23. It is only fitting that she too, will be honoured this weekend with the running of the Listed Stormsvlei Stakes, an 1800m race for fillies and mares.

Dan de Wet - veteran breeder | Credit: Supplied

EUROPE’S PREMIER MIDSUMMER SALE

TATTERSALLS JULY SALE

950+ Horses/Fillies in Training, Broodmares, etc.

Including major consignments from Cheveley Park Stud, Godolphin, Juddmonte Farms, Shadwell Estates, etc.

South African Representative: Joanne Knowles Tel: +27 83 3996353 www.tattersalls.com

CINNAS RANSOM dam of CAPTAIN’S RANSOM winner of Mercury Sprint Stakes, Gr.1 & South African Fillies Sprint Stakes, Gr.1, etc. sold at Tattersalls December Mare Sale by Newsell’s Park Stud for 25,000 gns

MILLA’S ROCKET dam of ANFIELDS ROCKET winner of SA Classic, Gr. 1, etc. sold at Tattersalls February Sale by Ballyhimikin Stud for 38,000 gns

KANNEMEYER AND CRABBIA ARE ON SONG

Runaway Song comes home powerfully under Keagan de Melo | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Taking on the 2022 Gr1 SA Derby winner and 9-10 favourite Aragosta (rated 114) at level weights, and going beyond a mile for the first time, the 7-1 Runaway Song (rated 92) left the Hollywoodbets Durban July entry trailing in his wake as he ranged up wide out to go on and claim a 1,80 length victory in a time of 151,84 secs for the 2400m.

The winner’s stablemate With Pleasure (20-1) rallied strongly late to pip the classy Shangani (5-2) for fourth.

It was a smart move by the astute Kannemeyer, who took Runaway Song over from Justin Snaith, and felt that given the ample stamina in the pedigree, that a stamina test could work. Interestingly Kannemeyer trained the accomplished stayer It’s My Turn, who also raced in the Fred Crabbia silks and won this

The handicappers will be scratching their heads after trainer Dean Kannemeyer pulled a shrewdie out of the hat in the shape of Runaway Song, who was stepped up to a trip for the first time and came home lonely to win Saturday’s open R200 000 Gr3 Track And Ball Derby at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

race in 2017 and ran second to the stable’s Mr Winsome in 2018. Runaway Song hails from the same family as It’s My Turn on the dam’s side.

Dean Kannemeyer thanked owner Fred Crabbia and his Racing Manager Emma Rourke. He also said that he hoped the handicappers ‘wouldn’t go crazy!’

It was Keagan de Melo’s fourth winner of the afternoon.

Runaway Song was bred by Willempie Engelbrecht Jnr and is a son of Legislate (Dynasty) out of the Spectrum mare, Miss Priss. The winner is a R220 000 National Yearling Sale graduate and has now won 6 races with 6 places from 13 starts for stakes of R477 450.

DKR Team - Dean Kannemeyer, Keagan de Melo and Nicolette Roscoe | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

A SPECTRUM OF ACHIEVEMENT

Saturday’s Gr3 Track And Ball Derby winner Runaway Song (Legislate) is yet another feather in the cap of his broodmare sire Spectrum (Rainbow Quest). The latter continues to make his presence in pedigrees of highclass horses with Spectrum having more than made his mark in 2023 thus far.

Runaway Song, who is out of the placed Spectrum mare Miss Priss, joins recent Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winner Sea Master (Master Of My Fate) and G3r Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial hero Winchester Mansion (Trippi) as recent South African graded stakes winners produced by a daughter of Spectrum.

A full-brother to former Gr3 Track And Ball Derby runner up Dream Destiny, Sea Master was produced by Spectrum’s very successful daughter Subyan Dreams. The latter is the dam of 11 winners including the Gr1 placed two-

year-olds Felix The Cat (Black Minnaloushe) and M L Jet (Jet Master).

Winchester Mansion, who also won the 2022 Gr3 World Sports Betting Pocket Power Stakes, is out of Sea Point, with that Spectrum daughter also responsible for Gr1 Gold Medallion winner Sand And Sea (Twice Over).

Sea Point is from a very much inform family with her dam Compass Point (Model Man) a half-sister to Prive, the granddam of this season’s Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes/Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes winner Trip Of Fortune (Trippi). The latter’s Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes winning dam Louvre made R900 000 to top Friday’s Cape Racing Winter Mixed Sale.

Other daughters of Spectrum to enjoy notable success at stud in Southern Africa include Tachina (dam of Gr2 Gauteng Guineas winner Tellina and the stakes winning Tibouchina), Cheery Berry Bim (dam of Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes winner Palace Of Dreams), and Careful

The handsome Spectrum – a broodmare sire of note | Credit: KZN Breeders

Hiker – the latter is dam of Gr3 Vodacom 2200 winner One Way Traffic.

Winner of both the Gr1 Irish 2000 Guineas and Gr1 Champion Stakes, Spectrum has also enjoyed plenty of international success as a broodmare sire.

His daughters have produced a number of Gr1 winners including triple Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Moonlight Cloud (Invincible Spirit), Secretariat Stakes victor Winchester (Theatrical), Tookak Handicap winner Land Of Plenty (Stratum), Victoria Derby winner Sangster (Savabeel) and Prix Morny/Gr1 Middle Park Stakes winner Dutch Art (Medicean).

The latter, sire of such Gr1 winners as Garswood, Slade Power, Mabs Cross and Starman, is broodmare sire of the 2023 Gr1 Qipco 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean (Frankel).

In becoming a high-class broodmare sire, Spectrum is emulating not only his sire Rainbow Quest but also his broodmare sire Irish River.

Arc winner Rainbow Quest is broodmare sire of numerous stakes winners ranging from Epsom Derby winners Kris Kin (Kris S) and North Light (Danehill) to Grand National winner Auroras Encore (Second Empire), while Irish River’s daughters produced over 130 black type winners including such G1 winners as Alhaarth (Unfuwain), David Junior (Pleasant Tap), Saffron Walden (Sadler’s Wells), Distant View (Mr Prospector) and shock Breeders’ Cup Classic victor Arcangues (Sagace).

Rainbow Quest is also damsire of Kind, damsire of unbeaten legend and supersire Frankel.

ZAK’S UP! ON THE

Craig Zackey - joins Dean Kannemeyer Racing from start of new term |

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Some things just happen at the right time. For 28 year old former SA champion apprentice Craig Zackey, who partners Dave The King in next weekend’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, the call-up last week as first choice rider to the Dean Kannemeyer stable is set to raise his game and make next season his best ever.

Craig Zackey - looking ahead to a big new season | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Dean Kannemeyer is enjoying plenty of feature success in the 2023 Champions Season, and after Gimme A Prince’s top-class victory in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint earlier this month, the stable produced the goods at the same venue last Saturday when Runaway Song caught the eye, winning the Gr3 Track And Ball Derby to give the yard their third victory in seven renewals.

“Mr Kannemeyer and Khaya Stables Racing Manager Mr Jehan Malherbe called me. I really didn’t need to hesitate for a moment. They said ‘think about it.’ I said I’m in!” laughs Craig as he chats to the Sporting Post and tells that a trainer’s confidence in his jockey is one of the single biggest components of riding winners.

“It’s well known throughout the industry that Mr Kannemeyer is a trainer who doesn’t blame the jockey and let’s us do our job. I have chatted to Keagan (De Melo) and he confirms that reality was a material contributor to his personal growth over the past few years. It’s all about support and confidence. That makes me excited as it will allow me to grow, develop and learn plenty, without unnecessary stress ,” says Craig.

The vacancy at the powerful yard arose as a result of Keagan de Melo’s new season licencing in Hong Kong. The SA champion jockey elect has joined Australians Brenton Avdulla and Luke Currie in being granted partseason Hong Kong licences that expire on 12 February.

When de Melo arrived at the Kannemeyer yard some years ago, he was some way off the polished national-title chasing rider that he is today.

While his departure is something of a temporary operational upheaval for the veteran trainer, Kannemeyer says that his young jockey has to take the opportunity and that he would never stand in his way.

“This is an accolade and deserved acknowledgement for Keagan’s consistently

outstanding achievements over the past few seasons, culminating in what is set to be his first national title this term. Hong Kong don’t dish out licences and the invitation is a prestigious opportunity. We wish Keagan well,” added Kannemeyer.

He said that he has always believed that a dedicated rider is important for the success of any training operation.

“They get to know the horses and feedback is vital,” he added before observing that Craig Zackey was a multiple Gr1 winning jockey who had been a good ambassador for a top brand like Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, and had succeeded in his brief spell in New Zealand.

Zackey’s record is certainly impressive. He rode his first winner on Commander Cat for Tony Rivalland at Clairwood on 12 August 2012 in an Apprentice Handicap. Coincidentally, runner-up in that race was one Keagan de Melo, who rode Special Henny for Pat Lunn.

A former SA Champion Apprentice, Craig rode the first of his ten Gr1 winners while still an apprentice when Arabian Beat won the SA Nursery in 2015. He has enjoyed associations with top horses like Nother Russia and Vardy, and success in races like the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Cape Fillies Guineas. He also boasts 22 winners at Gr2 and Gr3 level. He spent a short time in New Zealand last year, where he displayed his ability and prowess in the saddle, and rode the winner of the Karaka Million, as well as enjoying a Gr2 and Gr3 victory.

He has been back home a few months and has received solid support from the top yards. Craig lives in Johannesburg with his partner Sasha and their 3 year old daughter, Sierra.

“It’s all about support and confidence. That makes me excited as it will allow me to grow, develop and learn plenty, without unnecessary stress ,”

The Kannemeyer Racing Team race in the Cape and KZN. We asked how he was going to manage the logistics and travelling.

“I have been doing the Joburg- Cape Town route for some 3 or 4 years now. Now Durban will become a permanent fixture in my routine. It will require planning and effort and as it evolves we can look at setting up other bases . But any jockey who has national title aspirations has to make the sacrifices, and I am really very excited about this fantastic new opportunity,” he says proudly.

Craig, whose closest to the elusive cup in the Durban July was his fifth on Saratoga Dancer behind The Conglomerate in 2016, rides Dave

The King for Mike de Kock in the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July. He feels the 3yo is definitely not without a chance, but that a lot will depend on whether he relaxes in running.

“He’s a lovely strong horse and has certainly earned his place in the line-up. He finished under a length behind July favourite See It Again in the Daily News. So it will be his first time at 2200m and everything hinges on whether he relaxes and doesn’t take the bit.”

He is hoping to have a nice card of rides on the big day on 1 July, and has become the regular pilot of Desert Miracle, on whom he won the recent HSH Princess Charlene Gr1 Empress Club Stakes.

“Christophe Soumillon is riding Safe Passage in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and he won the Gr1 Majorca Stakes on Desert Miracle in January. So he may ride her in the Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes. It’s a pity as she is a beautiful filly and I really enjoy riding her! But we take the good with the bad and continue boxing on,” smiles Craig.

SHE’S VERY SMART!

Trainer Lucky Houdalakis’ two horse raid from Vereeniging to Pietermaritzburg delivered a 100% win strike-rate at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

Highlight of the trip was the victory by champion Ilha Da Vittoria’s diminutive granddaughter None Other in the R350 000 Gr2 Track And Ball Oaks.

The former jockey struck early when the Lancaster Bomber gelding Dreamland shed his maiden, but it was SA Oaks winner None Other’s fluent victory under Smanga Khumalo in the 2400m feature that was the cherry on the top.

Held up in midfield as Piere Strydom and Light Of The Moon took the fight to the enemy, None Other built up powerfully in the run for home and put her Woolavington effort well behind her.

Despite lugging out late, None Other (5-2)

finished well to hold off a sustained late run from Dawnofanewday (7-2) by 0,80 lengths in a time of 152,47 secs.

Light Of The Moon (8-1) made it a true-run race and held on doggedly for third, a further 2,30 lengths behind, with the favourite Hold My Hand (2-1) a head out of the Place Accumulator in fourth.

The winner is a Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfonteinbred daughter of Flower Alley (Distorted Humor) out of the Dynasty mare One Of A Kind, who was the late Ilha Da Vitoria’s last daughter.

None Other has now won five races with six places from 14 starts and has earned R1 152 000.

Smanga Khumalo has None Other flying in front |

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

DERBY WINNER GOES FROM 92 TO 116

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Runaway Song has had his rating raised from 92 to 116 following his success in the Gr3 Track & Ball Derby over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

Here it was runner-up Aragosta who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 114.

The Handicappers noted that Runaway Song was racing beyond 1600m for the first time, and therefore could see no reason not to take the big improvement shown at face value and thus seeing no justification in not rating Runaway Song higher than Aragosta.

There was also a rating’s increase for With Pleasure, who was lowest rated in this 6-horse contest but finished in 3rd place only 3 lengths behind the 114 rated Aragosta at level weights.

With Pleasure achieved a race rating of 110 which is a considerable step up in performance when looking at his overall profile. Accordingly, the Handicappers opted not to take the 110 achieved rating literally and increased his rating to 105.

The only drop out of the Derby was for Airways Law, who is down slightly from 110 to 109.

Gr2 Track And Ball Oaks

None Other remains unchanged on a rating of

110 after winning the Gr2 Track & Ball Oaks for fillies and mares over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday 17 June. The Handicappers were of the opinion that None Other herself made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this race, hence her unaltered rating.

There were ratings’ increases for 2nd placed Dawnofanewday who goes up from 101 to 107, and for 5th finisher Rockie Reef, who is up from 80 to 92.

Rockie Reef actually ran to a mark of 103, but the Handicappers were unwilling to take this literally and gave her half of the achieved adjustment, hence her new rating of 92. The only other raise was for 6th placed Electric Surge , who is up from 77 to 83 to at least make her the equal of the 83-rated 7th finisher Capetown Beauty.

The only drop was for 3rd placed Light Of The Moon, who is down from 110 to 107 to ensure that she is not higher than runner-up Dawnofanewday.

Media release by NHA on Tuesday 20 June 2023.

Run Fox Run in the paddock at Barnane Stud | Credit: Supplied

THIS MUM COULD RUN!

One of the most accomplished female sprinters to grace the South African turf, Ridgemont flyer Run Fox Run rounded off her illustrious career in fairytale fashion as she joined a select quintet in 2021 of only five fairer sex gallopers to win the prestigious Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship in the past two decades.

Run Fox Run has taken to her role as a broodmare with the same vigour and professionalism that she displayed during her racing career.

The athletic daughter of Foxwedge enjoyed a swansong of fairytale proportions when accounting for the elite of South Africa’s fast set in the premier speed test in the height of the Cape summer in 2021 to register her eighth win from eleven starts, before jetting off to join Ridgemont’s international broodmare band in the lush paddocks of the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud in County Tipperary, Ireland.

Conditioned by multiple Grade 1 winning trainer Brett Crawford, Run Fox Run won her initial five outings by an aggregate of nearly 12 lengths, with her five-race winning streak including victories in both the 2019 Grade 2 Southern Cross Stakes and Listed Olympic Duel Stakes.

The first time Run Fox Run tasted defeat was as a 3yo taking on the big guns in the 2020 Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship where she ran fourth – a race that she won on her swansong appearance a year later!

Run Fox Run would go on to win three of her final five races – tasting defeat by a whisker in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint and then in the Grade 2 Southern Cross Stakes.

But revenge would be sweet and Run Fox Run would end her career on a dizzy high when beating SA Champion Sprinter Rio Querari, with Celtic Sea in third, to win the 2021 Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship.

It is worth noting that the glorious curtain-call is put into perspective by the fact that Run Fox Run bowed out beating seven Grade 1 winners – it was a perfect ending to the first chapter of her story.

Having already foaled down a Frankel colt, who will be raced in South Africa, the future is certainly exciting for her as she is confirmed to be carrying a Lope De Vega colt.

Run Fox Run beats Rio Querari to win the Cape Flying Championship | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

SA CONNECTION TO FRENCH OAKS

Aurelien Lemaitre steers Blue Rose Cen to victory in Sunday’s French Oaks | Credit: Racing Tv

Blue Rose Cen proved herself France’s top three-year-old filly with a resounding four-length victory in Sunday’s €1,000,000 Gr1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks), whilst completing a rare Gr1 treble after also capturing the Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) and last season’s Gr1 Prix Marcel Boussac.

Dare we say it, but no one would have been prouder of her achievement than Queen Elizabeth II, for it was her late Majesty who bred the filly’s third dam Dream Time. Intriguingly, she was a daughter of Grey Angel, who had raced with distinction in South Africa during the early nineties.

Grey Angel was imported with her dam, the Seattle Slew mare Seattle Sway, by one of the more colourful characters of that era, Dr Hilda Podlas, who enjoyed a giddy run of success in the mid-nineties.

Twice the country’s champion owner, her shocking pink silks were carried to Gr1 success by the likes of Miss Averof, Vigliotto, Chief Advocate, Kundalini and Fire Arch.

Grey Angel, a daughter of the high class French sprinter miler Kenmare, proved her prowess at three and four, winning the Gr3 Gosforth Park Fillies & Mares Stakes, Gr3 Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap, Silver Slipper Sprint and Tibouchina Stakes Gr3 and also ran second in the Gr1 Gosforth Park Fillies & Mares Challenge.

At the end of her four-year-old season, Dr Podlas sent Grey Angel overseas and after being covered by Night Shift, she was entered for the Tattersalls December Sale, where the BBA purchased her on behalf of The Queen.

After producing two foals by Night Shift and Green Desert, Grey Angel visited Rainbow Quest and in due course produced the filly Dream Time. She showed little on the track, and with just one modest place to her name, it came as no surprise that she was sold at the end of her three-year-old season.

Dream Time proved quite a prolific broodmare as the dam of 11 foals, one of which was the

Gr3-placed filly Mark Of An Angel. A daughter of Mark Of Esteem, she was mated to Danehill Dancer’s accomplished son Jeremy and produced Queen Blossom, a Gr3 winner in both Ireland and the States, who in turn features as the dam of Blue Rose Cen.

Bred on the proven Galileo x Danehill cross, Blue Rose Cen is by the former’s champion son Churchill, a dual Gr1 winner of the Dewhurst and National Stakes at two and both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas at three. He retired to Coolmore Stud with much fanfare but following a quiet start with his first runners, was in imminent danger of being regarded as a slow burner.

That soon changed when first crop son Vadeni hit the tracks. The Aga Khan homebred flashed his credentials by claiming both the Gr1 French Derby and Gr1 Eclipse Stakes and running second in the Arc, feats which earned him a

Flashback to March 1994 - Hilda Podlas receives the Owners & Trainers Handicap trophy from Paul Asherson | Credit: Supplied

130 rating from Timeform. Blue Rose Cen hails from her sire’s second crop. Not every sire manages to produce ten stakes winners in their first crop, let alone two exceptional classic winners.

By the way, Grey Angel returned to South Africa as a 14-year-old broodmare but sadly produced just one foal before her death in 2004. That was the National Assembly filly Band Of Angels, who scored once as a three-year-old and would

become the dam of Gr2 Debutante runner-up and three-time winner Spiritofthegroove.

A fascinating confluence of factors contributed to Blue Rose Cen, for let’s face it, if Grey Angel had not returned to Britain after her racing career, we would not be celebrating Blue Rose Cen’s classic double.

Such is the international nature of the bloodstock business.

GAUTENG GETS NOIR C

apetown Noir (SAF) has joined Jackson (SAF) and Moofeed (AUS) as a resident stallion at Advocate Nigel and wife Kat Riley’s Heversham Park in the Daleside Valley in South Gauteng, having moved from KZN’s Piemonte Stud. He remains in the ownership of a syndicate comprising Lady Christine Laidlaw of Khaya Stables and partners.

The arrival of the 14-year-old stallion by Western Winter out of Akinfeet (Fort Wood) marks a time when Heversham is purposely upgrading its broodmare band, having come

away with eight mare purchases at last week’s Cape Winter Sale, among which daughters of Trippi, Jet Master and Visionare.

“We’re boosting our stock with mares of high quality to serve Capetown Noir and our other stallions, and we are excited to give him a fresh start to his career,” said Heversham’s Kat Riley.

Capetown Noir is a handsome bay with a beautiful temperament and he has settled down well in his new surroudings. He stands 16h, not a massive horse, is perfectly balanced with a striking white blaze. “He’s a loving and intelligent type and he is making friends on the farm,” added Riley.

When Capetown Noir went to stud at Summerhill in 2014, Mick Goss called him, “the best South African racehorse to set foot on the property since National Emblem”. He was given a good amount of support for two seasons, yielding G1 winners Under Your Spell and Bohica, and eight-time winning Listed performer Jaeger Moon from his first crop. “To have three horses of that level of class, all performing at the same time and of a similar generation, speaks volumes for him,” said Goss at the time.

Capetown Noir was born into equine royalty. A son of the stallion Emperor, Western Winter, his mother is a former Broodmare of the Year

He didn’t disappoint. As a racehorse, he was truly exceptional, winning eight races between two and four, including the G1 Cape Guineas and the G1 Cape Derby as a three-year-old, and the G1 WFA Queen’s Plate as a four-yearold. The Cape Guineas stands alone for the depth and the quality of its contestants. There might have been many great winners of the Queen’s Plate, but none of them did it with more panache than Capetown Noir.

by champion sire, Fort Wood. His grandmother was a Guineas winner by Northern Guest, from a daughter of yet another champion, Jungle Cove.

Capetown Noir - handsome son of Western Winter | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

His victims that day numbered the Group One winners Jackson, Yorker and King Of Pain.

It wasn’t a matter of what he beat though; it was the manner of his victory that mattered. Interestingly Jackson, his now fellow-stallion at Heversham Park, chased Capetown Noir home that day.

While his speed is what made him the Champion miler, it was his class that got him to the line in the G1 Derby. In simple terms, Capetown Noir was a Usain Bolt, not a Haile Gebrselassie. Said Goss: “His DNA and his acceleration saw him home on Derby day, and it very nearly got him home against Vercingetorix in the G1 Daily News. Two big performances at a distance two furlongs beyond his optimum. Which tells you he wasn’t only about speed; he was all about ‘heart’.“

Capetown Noir has not reached his potential at stud. With a disappointing lack of support in KZN and a number of small and moderate crops behind him, Heversham Park faces a big task in reviving his career, but the horse himself is as well as he can be, and the Riley family will be throwing their hearts and full backing behind him.

Goss commented this week: “To be fair, Lady Laidlaw reduced her breeding interests to focus

on racing after supporting Capetown Noir in his first two crops. Also, his foals on the ground at the time were on the small side. Breeders are fickle and they lost interest. Capetown Noir also got caught up in the commotions around the change of Summerhill’s ownership.”

Goss concluded: “Nobody will tell you it’s easy to get a stallion ‘back on the map’, as it were, but if Capetown Noir gets mares of decent quality and substance, I don’t see any reason why he can’t sire more top-level winners.

He is very capable of getting the job done and mares of good size will help. The dams of his three outstanding runners were all bulky mares with fair to good racetrack careers.”

It is worth noting too, that Capetown Noir’s current racetrack ‘advert’, Cherry Ano (four wins from seven starts), was born from the onetime winning Kahal mare, My Cherry – he does upgrade his mares.

Capetown Noir will be standing at R5,000 (live foal) and breeders are invited to give him a chance at this top value fee.

Exciting new phase for the top-class racehorse | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

DECLARATIONOFPEACE (USA)

War Front - Serena’s Cat (Storm Cat)

Stands at MacRath Stud in Nottingham Road

• The son of brilliant American sire War Front has enjoyed two full books of mares in his first two years at stud, His mare book includes Gr1 producing mares such as Mystery Dame (Lady In Black and Nexus) and Bloomhill mare, Wysiwyg – the dam of Bohica and Bartholdi.

• A $2,6-million weanling who is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Honor Code and Gr2 winner Noble Tune, Declarationofpeace has also enjoyed significant support from breeders outside of the KZN province, with Cape mares travelling for cover.

• Declarationofpeace is throwing quality and size into his foals and his first yearlings will be on offer in the sales rings in 2024.

Service Fee: R 20 000 Live foal Enquiries and Booking: Mike McHardy (083 447 5315)

advertorial

Jockey Ryan Moore is presented with a saddle cloth following his victory aboard Paddington in the St James’s Palace Stakes | Credit: Racing TV

A ROYAL OPENING DAY!

The first day of Royal Ascot 2023 on Tuesday was supposed to be dominated by Frankie Dettori. But not for the first time he was overshadowed by Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, as the softly-spoken Ballydoyle handler became the most successful trainer of all time at the showpiece meeting.

In overtaking Sir Michael Stoute – who held the record with 82 winners – O’Brien ensured his own little piece of history. And it is an odds-on chance he will add further lustre to it before the end of the week.

He began the afternoon one behind Stoute and drew level when River Tiber maintained his

unbeaten record with a gritty display to win the Coventry Stakes.

Just over an hour later it was Paddington, the Irish Guineas winner, who got the better of the winner of the Newmarket Guineas hero Chaldean and Dettori in the St James’s Palace Stakes that will go down in the history books.

It was also a notable success for the man on top, with Moore riding his 75th winner at the meeting. When the Willie Mullins-trained Vauban strolled to a ridiculously easy win in the concluding Copper Horse Handicap, he moved to just one behind Dettori. Even if Moore does not surpass him this week, it will inevitably come next year when the Italian is enjoying his retirement.

In truth, it was a day of what might have been for Dettori, with Inspiral second in the opening Queen Anne Stakes, Manaccan his intended and well-fancied mount in the King’s Stand a non-runner and Chaldean being beaten.

O’Brien will never be anything other than quick to deflect praise on to others – but for once he could not avoid the headlines being about him.

“I’m delighted for everyone, everyone puts a lot in. Obviously Sir Michael is a very special man, we always looked up to him, always,” said O’Brien.

“We’re in a very privileged position to have these horses and it’s an honour for us to train them.

“For it to happen is amazing, you never think it will happen but now it has I’m delighted for everyone because they put so much in every day. They have to enjoy it because we have to keep the whole thing going and competition is very tough.

“You can never expect one thing, if it works then great but there are so many variables, so many things can fall the wrong way.”

Success does not sit easily on O’Brien’s shoulders, and yet you would think with the amount he has had it would come easily to him. One thing he can never be accused of is taking it for granted.

“Myself and Anne Marie (wife) and all the lads, it’s what we do, it’s enjoyment for us. We love horses and dealing with people, but we appreciate the position we’re in,” he said.

“We’re always looking forward. When we go to bed tonight, today is over and that’s it, that’s the way it is because we’ve horses running every day and we’re responsible for a lot of people. We have to treat the good days and the bad days the same.

“The record is special, especially because it belonged to a special man and a lot of hard work has gone into this to make it happen.

“There’s so many people, I’m always naming them and there’s one I always forget, Pat Keating, who travels them along with TJ (Comerford). Pat travels them day in day out and I never mention him.

“I mention the lads in the yard as much as I can, but there’s still a lot I don’t mention and I’m sorry about that. But I appreciate it every day.”

The action continued on Day 2 today – off time is 15h30.

FRUSTRATED FRANKIE

Frankie Dettori will miss the ride on Coral-Eclipse favourite Emily Upjohn after being handed a nine-day careless riding ban by the stewards on a frustrating first day at Royal Ascot.

Three second-placed finishes was the best the Italian could muster and he picked up the hefty suspension when deemed to have caused significant interference to multiple horses aboard royal runner Saga, who finished fifth in the Wolferton Stakes.

The ban, which runs from July 4 to 12, means John and Thady Gosden, who trained Emily Upjohn to win the Coronation Cup at Epsom on her last start, will not have the services of the popular jockey at Sandown.

LADIES DAY ON THURSDAY

It’s Ladies Day at Royal Ascot on Thursday and hopefully the forecasted rain has come and gone.

This year’s Gold Cup, the day’s feature, has an open look to it without defending champ Kyprios in the field. Fifteen runners will go to the 2-and-ahalf-mile start with the Andrew Balding trained Coltrane 3/1 favourite.

Coltrane is a well-deserved favourite, and he loves Ascot. His only defeat here came when he was a neck second to Trueshan in the LongDistance Cup in October (Champions Day) and jockey Oisin Murphy will be keen to reverse the placings.

He looked to be on top form when winning the Gr3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot last month, quickening up well from last to first in the straight to win easing up by five.

Balding said: “He’s a bit of a star, if he can produce that sort of a performance on Gold Cup Day then he’s got to be a player.”

The forecasted showers would make Trueshan a danger if the seven-year-old has recovered from a recent breathing procedure.

A more obvious rival comes in the form of the Roger Varian-trained Eldar Eldarov. Last seasons St Leger winner was narrowly beaten on his seasonal return in the Yorkshire Cup. A lightly raced four-year-old, he is open to further improvement going up in trip.

Aidan O’Brien attempts a 10th success in this famous race with Dubai Gold Cup hero Broome and the progressive filly Emily Dickinson, Ryan Moore favours the filly who gets a valuable sex allowance of 3lb, but she would prefer easier ground.

Earlier on the card, the supplemented Al Asifah should be hard to beat in the Gr1 Ribblesdale Stakes following her runaway success at Goodwood last weekend.

An impressive winner on her racecourse debut at Haydock in May, the Shadwell-owned

Frankel filly successfully stepped up to Listed class with a brilliant display on the Sussex Downs.

Angus Gold, Shadwell’s racing manager stated: “She seems to have come out of Goodwood very well and John Gosden has been very happy with her since.”

Such is her reputation; she has been priced up favourite ahead of the likes of Infinite Cosmos, third to Oak’s scorer Soul Sister in the Musidora and the Beckett trained Bluestocking who both missed the Epsom classic in favour of this race.

Day 4, Friday is highlighted by the rematch between 1,000 Guineas winner Mawj and runner-up Tahiyra in the Gr1 Coronation Stakes run on the round mile.

The Newmarket result suggests there is little between the two principals with the rest 8lb and more back on Timeform. Mawj is battle hardened and likely to go handy once more, while Tahiyra’s turn of foot carried her out of a pocket and on to glory on her subsequent start in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

The attendance was good at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Youth Day | Credit: Troy Finch

CAPE WINTER SALE’S WARM RESULTS

Vendors and buyers were warmly hosted while icy cold weather persisted at Friday’s Cape Racing Winter and Mixed Sale at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Their enthusiasm reflected in some spirited bidding at the calls of auctioneers Andrew Miller and Tom Hodgson.

The Sale’s R12,47-million aggregate was nicely spread among a variety of buyers for its impressive offering of yearlings, weanlings and broodmares. They included Jono Snaith, who topped the buyers list with R1,31-million for four Lots including Louvre (Doowaley), the dam of G1 winner Trip Of Fortune, acquired for an international client.

Snaith also bought Lot 72 Blue Ribbon Bay, a colt by the United States, for R500,000 and Lot 168, a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of the wellperformed Sabina Park, for R450,000.

Said Snaith: “This sale showed a resurgence in the buyers bench. I saw a few old faces coming from the woodwork. It was encouraging and I believe the interest was revived as a result of Cape Racing’s latest incentives. The venue was beautifully renovated, the atmosphere was good and we enjoyed ourselves. This is the way of the future for bloodstock auction sales, and Cape Town remains the ideal city to host them.”

Anton Shepherd of Beaumont Stud shared Snaith’s views and said: “I was massively surprised by the turnout considering the timing of the Sale, which showed that Cape Racing delivered what buyers wanted. We are truly pleased with the way it was organised and with our results achieved.” Beaumont sold seven lots for R870,000, averaging R124,286 per lot. They included a R180,000 VAR filly (Lot 19) purchased by trainer Paul Reeves. Greg Ennion, Paddy Kruyer and Eric Sands were others active in bidding on selected lots.

There was a lot of interest in Lot 110, Ntinga, a Dynasty broodmare from the potent Viva Maria family, sold for R500,000 in foal to Rafeef, and secured for Boland Stud by Eugene Freeman.

A good number of mares were snapped up below value. Katerina Riley of Gauteng’s Heversham Park, who secured six mares and two weanlings for just R120,000, commented: “We got more or less exactly what we came for, including mares by Trippi and Jet Master. We are very excited as we have been planning to

boost our broodmare band for our new resident stallion, Capetown Noir, also for Jackson and Moofeed. This was a lovely sale with wonderful hospitality.”

Justin Vermaak, Racing and Bloodstock Executive for Cape Racing, commented: “Yearlings at the sale average R105,000 with an R80,000 median, up on last year’s average of around R80,000. Things were obviously tougher on the mare side which brought the overall average down to under R100,000, but vendors and buyers achieved satisfactory outcomes.”

In overview, 129 lots of 169 offered were sold at an average of R96,667, with a median of R60,000.

Vermaak concluded: “We’re committed to make the sales experience even better and we look forward to our next auction, the Ready To Run and Unbroken and Horses-In-Training Sale on Sunday, 22 October, at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Justin Snaith and Etienne Braun trying to find a champion | Credit: Troy Finch

Bid-spotter MJ Byleveld in action |

Credit: Troy Finch

THE VALUE IS HERE!

An attractive and well-balanced catalogue has been assembled for this year’s BSA KZN Yearling Sale to be held at the Suncoast Casino on Thursday 29 June.

One of the best value for money and successful thoroughbred auctions in South Africa, the KwaZulu-Natal Sale has an impressive roll of honour.

Among the numerous stars offered at this sale in years gone by are Triple Crown winning sire Louis The King, champion Wild One, and fellow Gr1 winners Battle Force, Camphoratus, Eyes Wide Open, Flying Carpet, Happy Valentine, Pearl Of Asia, Same Jurisdiction and Seal.

This season’s Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes winner Cliff Hanger, an impressive winner of his

first two starts, is another fine advertisement for the KZN Sale, with the son of Canford Cliffs a R90 000 purchase from the 2022 KZN Yearling Sale.

Buyers will be spoiled for choice at this year’s auction, with many of South Africa’s top stallions represented at the 2023 KZN Sale.

Among the top sires with progeny on sale are Elusive Fort, Flower Alley, Futura, Gimmethegreenlight, Ideal World, Master Of My Fate, Oratorio, Querari, Rafeef, The United States, Twice Over, Var, Vercingetorix, and What A Winter.

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE

Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes winner Cliff Hanger costs R90 000 | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

KLAWERVLEI AT THE KZN YEARLING SALE

Klawervlei Stud, whose numerous top-class graduates include recent Gr1 stars

Kommetdieding, Linebacker, Russian Rock and this season’s Gr1 WSB SA Classic winner Anfields Rocket, will be offering a top-class draft at this year’s KZN Yearling Sale.

With their string headed by yearlings sired by such star stallions as Gimmethegreenlight, Querari, Rafeef and Vercingetorix, Klawervlei’s KZN Sale draft looks bound to find favour with discerning buyers.

Champion sire Gimmethegreenlight, whose flagbearers this season include Gr1 winners Bless My Stars, Gimme A Prince and Lucky Lad, has two impeccably bred yearlings on offer in the form of a filly (Lot 13) out of dual Gr1 winner, and Equus Champion, Return Flight, and a colt (Lot 139) who is a three-parts brother to the useful Gimmethegreenlight sired runner, Prince Of Fire.

The Klawervlei Stud bred Vercingetorix is another top-class stallion represented here, with Silvano’s champion son responsible for a colt (Lot 58) who sports a real stallion’s pedigree. Out of a mare by the mighty Galileo, this colt is out of a three-parts sister to the stakes winning dam of champion Taghrooda, and is from the family of Gr1 winning siblings

Ebadiyla, Edabiya, Enzeli and Estimate, among many others.

Former Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Heaps Of Fun has a Querari filly (Lot 134) on sale, with Querari also represented here by a filly (Lot 41) out of G1 Allan Robertson Championship winner The Secret Is Out, herself a full-sister to Equus Champion and fellow Allan Robertson Championship winner All Is Secret.

Yet another high-class racemare with a yearling offered for sale by Klawervlei this year is the Silvano sired Oaks Trial winner Chariot Of Gold. The latter, whose stakes winning dam is a halfsister to Gr1 Vodacom Durban July winner and successful sire Pomodoro, has a Captain Of All colt (Lot 94) on the KZN Yearling Sale, while Chariot Of Gold’s three-parts sister Cranberry Gold has a filly (Lot 101) by the exciting Rafeef on offer.

This consignment can be found in Blocks A and B at Durban’s Suncoast Casino.

CAMARGUE STUD AT THE KZN YEARLING SALE

Camargue Stud will be bringing a draft packed full of quality to the upcoming KZN Yearling Sale, with this consignment not only including yearlings sired by the likes of Act Of War, Erupt, Global View, Last Winter and What A Winter, but also horses hailing from some outstanding families.

Sire sensation What A Winter, whose flagbearers this season include Gr1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint winner Isivunguvungu among others, is represented here by Summer Heat (Lot 43), a half-sister to five winners including Gr1 Tsogo Sun Medallion winner Guiness. Camargue’s Brett Van Laun is understandably very high on this filly, and says of her, “She is a strong, powerful filly who looks quick in the paddocks, and is a half-sister to a Gr1 horse.”

Global View, whose son Dave The King lines up in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and ran a blinder when second in the recent Gr1 Daily News 2000, is the sire of a colt (Lot 20), whose dam is a winning full-sister to Gr1 SA Nursery runner up Ziparana and half-sister to Gr3 UAE 2000 Guineas second place finisher Zanzamar,

and this is also the family of French classic winner Zalaiyka.

He is a “smashing colt, from a great international family. Out of a daughter of Trippi, this colt is an absolute eye-opener!”

Other attractive lots to be found in this draft include the Erupt filly (Lot 106) whose dam is a stakes placed daughter of Jet Master, the Captain Of All colt whose immediate relatives include Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes victor MK’s Pride, and the Act Of War colt (Lot 167) whose dam is a three-parts sister to Listed Irridescence Stakes winner Anglet.

This draft can be viewed from Block A at Durban’s Suncoast Casino.

BOLAND STUD AT THE KZN YEARLING SALE

Eugene Freeman will be looking to repeat his success of last year when he brings another quality-packed draft to the 2023 KZN Yearling Sale, with Boland’s string made up of yearlings sired by the likes of Danon Platina, Futura, Gimmethegreenlight, One World, Querari, Vercingetorix and What A Winter.

Boland Stud will be offering a Querari halfbrother (Lot 50) to the 2022 KZN Sale topper, and Eugene says of the well-bred colt, “He is a big strong colt, with a lot of Querari about him.”

The full brother to Gr2-winning millionaire African Warrior (Vercingetorix -Allez Afrique) sells as Lot 62, and Eugene is very high on him, saying, “He is a powerful, beautifully balanced, graceful mover with an elastic stride and is an absolute cracker of a colt!”.

Eugene also has a soft spot for the Vercingetorix half-sister (Lot 88) to Hong Kong scorer Royal Agility, and says of the relative of this year’s Gr3 Splashout Prix Du Cap winner Live My Life, “an exceptionally athletic filly, who is a real eye-catcher with a pedigree to die for!”

Champion sire Gimmethegreenlight looks to have thrown something very special in the form of the filly (Lot 153) out of the well-bred Captain Al mare Lovely Rita, with this filly, “A beautiful big, strong, awesome looking specimen.”

Hailing from the family of champion Lady In Black, this filly looks to have plenty of upside to her. Gimmethegreenlight has another smashing filly (Lot 30) in this draft, with Eugene describing the filly (whose dam is a half-sister to Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint winner Sommerlied) as, “a smashing filly who looks a lot like her sire.”

Other standouts in this draft include the “stunning” Danon Platina filly (Lot 161) whose dam is a full-sister to Gr3 winner Royal Pleasure, the “beautifully balanced” Futura colt (105) out of Ruffian Stakes winner Dagmar, and the “beautiful, strong and athletic” What A Winter filly (Lot 135) who hails from the same female line as this season’s high-class performers At My Command, Future Pearl and Gimme A Prince.

Boland’s draft for this year’s KZN Sale can be found in Block F at Durban’s Suncoast Casino.

Boland Stud dominated proceedings at the 2022 KZN Yearling Sale, with the farm not only selling the R1 100 000 sales topping Vercingetorix colt, but also ending up as the Leading Vendor by Aggregate.

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