The Hollywoodbets Durban July of 2024 is set to be the biggest betting turnover day in the history of South African racing. And that mjeans that the studying starts today, with a bumper programme and the Winning Form and Racecards now available. Here two enthusiastic Winning Form promoters show off their flagship publication at the official public gallops today. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.
On the cover
Thrilled owner Peter Victor draws a pole position gate for his champion Royal Victory at Tuesday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July final field announcement function. Photographer Candiese Lenferna captured all the action.
THE CLASS OF 2024 – PURE VINTAGE!
MC Graeme Hawkins surveys the numbers as the class of 2024 takes shape | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
A vintage 128th renewal of the R5 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July is on the cards after a capacity field of 20, including 2 reserves, was unveiled at a function at the Bond Shed at Ushaka Marine World in the holiday city at lunch-time on Tuesday.
The big race panel was left with 24 hopefuls to mull over when the final declaration stage closed at 11h00 on Monday, and there is unlikely to be any contention or debate as to the quartet that missed the cut, although all of Indian Ocean, Narina Trogon, Mucho Dinero and Imilenzeyokududuma could make their presence felt in one of the support features on the big day.
While the fairer sex are absent this year amongst the equine ranks, it is good to see Turffontein-based Robyn Klaasen standing tall as the rose amongst the trainer thorns, with
her dual Grade 1 winner Purple Pitcher one of seven sophomores in the line-up.
Reigning SA Champion trainer Justin Snaith has saddled 5 Durban July winners, and holds the aces in pure numbers, with a quartet of runners.
An interesting jockey booking is WSB Cape Town Met winner Danny Muscutt who travels from the UK to partner Double Superlative, in what could be a historic double. Muscutt follows in the bootprints of Christophe Soumillon who rode Safe Passage last year.
Sean Tarry has enjoyed a great season, and is looking for his third winner as he saddles a power duo of Cousin Casey and recent Tabgold Gr3 Derby winner Future Pearl, the latter to be ridden by Grant van Niekerk, who was originally engaged to ride first reserve, Hluhluwe.
Four wise men? Gavin van Zyl, Anthony Delpech, Kevin Shea and Anton Marcus enjoyed an impromptu reunion at the function | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
“A few months ago I was looking at an average Hollywoodbets Durban July attack. But things develop and I am very happy with two serious contenders, and a decent reserve runner,” he told the Sporting Post.
Still a force after three decades, Mike de Kock is looking to add to his July tally of 5 winners with his duo of 2022 Gr1 SA Derby winner, and the enigmatic Shoemaker. Aragosta was a selection panel casualty last year, and his connections would have been pleased with his forward performance behind Future Pearl in the Derby recently, which makes him a lively runner. The De Kock pair drew alongside each other at 6 and 7.
Defending champion Brett Crawford has a strong hand with the lightly raced 2023 hero Winchester Mansion and progressive 3yo Oriental Charm carrying his flag. Winchester Mansion drew 9, while their dark horse Oriental Charm drew 11.
Tony Peter has SA Derby winner Son Of Raj and recent Jubilee Handicap victor Meridius, giving him an outside shout of what will be an icebreaking Hollywoodbets Durban July celebration.
Hollywood Consultant and longstanding
Racing Administrator Basil Thomas gets a Green With Envy update from Dean Kannemeyer | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Dean Kannemeyer pulled the 5 gate and looks to saddle a second Hollywoodbets Durban July winner for Khaya Stables after Power King in 2015. He holds the key with favourite Green With Envy.
Owner Peter Victor pulled the pole position gate for Royal Victory, who looks to give the hometown boys a long overdue victory in the big race.
The function was hosted in his usual polished and professional manner by veteran MC, Graeme Hawkins, whose chirp to Mike de
Kock that his runners were ‘at 6’s and 7’s’ will hopefully not prove to be prophetic!
watch the Hollywoodbets Durban July final field THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY FINAL FIELD ANNOUNCEMENT.
Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac and Hollywoodbets betting buff Pat Bradley exchange thoughts on a winner for next Saturday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Graeme Hawkins’ fancy HDJ tie had the tongues wagging | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
THE JULY – 21ST CENTURY MAGIC
As the clock ticks toward this year’s renewal of South Africa’s most iconic of races, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, it is only fitting that we return to the start of the new millennium and recall all the drama and splendour of what is still considered to be the jewel of South African racing.
The 2000 renewal of the July proved an auspicious occasion, for we witnessed one of the most sensational finishes involving the defending champion El Picha and challenger Young Rake. The pair crossed the line as one and it took the judges several minutes to finally declare El Picha the winner by the proverbial whisker. There were many who felt it was too
close a call and a deadheat would have been a fairer result.
Nevertheless, the Argentinian-bred entered the history books as the first back-to-back winner and remarkably, he was also the first winner since 1956 to defy the impost of 58 kg.
Piere Strydom weaves his magic in 2021 on Trademark | Credit: Supplied
Twelve months later, victory went to the Mike Bass-trained Trademark, who gave jockey Pierre Strydom a second July success, the “blonde bomber” having partnered London News to victory in the centennial July of 1996. Confidently ridden, Trademark came from off the pace and ran down Celtic Grove to win the race in course record time.
The 2002 July could have been scripted right out of a fairy tale. The race proved a triumph for Zimbabwean breeding and racing and was won by a little filly called Ipi Tombe.
Bought as a yearling in Zimbabwe for no more than $1250, she only started her career at age three and arrived at Mike de Kock’s yard a winner of four of her five Zimbabwean starts. Runner-up on debut when second in the Gr1 Triple Tiara 1600, she never again tasted defeat on South African soil.
After landing the Gr2 SA Fillies Classic, she reeled off three Gr1 victories in the SA Fillies Guineas, Woolavington 2000 and the ultimate prize, the Vodacom Durban July, where she overcame a wide draw to defeat subsequent Met winner Angus, whilst becoming the first female winner in 18 years.
Named the Champion 3yo Filly in both South Africa and Zimbabwe, she was sold to Barry Irwin’s Team Valor International and became Mike de Kock’s trailblazer in Dubai, going undefeated in three starts, culminating in a smashing victory in the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free, run in a new track record time. Sent to the States, she won the Gr3 Locust Grove Handicap at Churchill Downs and to this day, is the only Zimbabwean-bred horse ever to have won on American soil.
Pierre Strydom came close to recording a third July success aboard the Fort Wood threeyear-old Yard-Arm, who attempted to make every post a winning one in the 2003 July. Still running on strongly in the straight, victory beckoned, but Robbie Fradd on Dynasty spoiled the party.
Under a perfect ride, the big colt flashed an impressive burst of acceleration in the straight and kicked again to cross the line almost a length to the good of the filly Zirconeum, thus giving both trainer Glen Kotzen and jockey Greg Cheyne their first wins in the big race.
Anton Marcus and 2007 winner Hunting Tower Credit: Supplied
The Kannemeyer-trained three-year-old, who had drawn widest of all, came from the clouds with a blistering finish and ran down Yard-Arm to win going away by almost a length.
The son of Fort Wood thus capped a tremendous four-win streak which had started in the Gr1 Cape Derby and was followed by the Gr1 SA Guineas and Daily News 2000, so it came as no surprise that he was named both the Equus Horse of the Year and Champion 3YO Classic Male. Dynasty became a hugely successful stallion and had the distinction of siring two July winners in Legislate (2014) and Belgarion (2020).
The Oppenheimer family’s link to the July is a tangible one, stretching back to its first winner Tiger Fish in 1959, followed by King Willow in 1965, while Principal Boy, who finished second in 1975, was promoted to first on the disqualification of the winner Gatecrasher.
It would take all of 30 years before the familiar
black and yellow silks again graced the number one box in the shape of the lightly-raced American-bred colt Greys Inn, who came from off the pace with a sustained run to land the 2005 July by an increasing 2.5 lengths.
Trained by Mike de Kock, he encapsulates the truly cosmopolitan nature of thoroughbred breeding: he was sired by the top New Zealand stallion Zabeel, out of an Australian mare, and foaled in the United States before arriving in South Africa as a yearling!
As a stallion, Greys Inn went on to make his mark as the sire of dual Horse of the Year and multiple champion Legal Eagle.
The tragic death of Fieldspring Racing’s threeyear-old Rabiya in the 2005 Durban July cast a heavy pall over the day’s racing, however, the wheel came full turn twelve months later when their Eyeofthetiger scored a stylish victory, thus joining Dynasty as John and Karen Newsome’s second July winner in four years.
Eyeofthetiger defied the statistics which showed that no three-year-old could win with 54kg on its back, however, the colt proved the exception that broke the rule and he rose to the occasion to record the second fastest time since 1970.
Two years after leading in Greys Inn, Mrs Bridget Oppenheimer again found herself in the winner’s enclosure after homebred Hunting Tower’s last gasp victory in the 2007 July.
The gelded son of Fort Wood trailed his field in the early stages of a slow-run race, but capitalizing on his devastating turn of foot, swooped up late to snatch victory on the line.
It was a first July win for trainer Charles Laird but fourth for jockey Anton Marcus, a feat previously achieved only by the great Tiger Wright.
Seventh behind Eyeofthetiger twelve months previously, Hunting Tower boasted just one subsequent win, but maturity brought out the best in the chestnut and in the end, his class carried him to victory.
Arguably the most popular July finish of the decade came in 2008, when, for the first time in 41 years, the judges were unable to separate the first two past the post.
Not since the legendary Sea Cottage-Jollify deadheat of 1967 had a Greyville crowd been held spellbound in anticipation of the judges’ calling and when the announcement was made that the top weight and favourite Pocket Power and second favourite Dancer’s Daughter could not be separated, the stands erupted in cheers of sheer delight.
2002 Durban July princess Ipi Tombe and Kevin Shea | Credit: Supplied
The Cape-trained duo had joined issue at the furlong mark and when Pocket Power, with his characteristic low head posture, appeared to marginally inch ahead, the filly came again to force a magnificent deadheat on the line.
Joint-fourth in a blanket finish to the previous year’s July, Pocket Power silenced his critics in emphatic style with this first victory on a right-handed track outside of home base Cape Town, while conceding a hefty 5 kg to the filly, who incidentally, became the first of five July winners trained by Justin Snaith.
Sophomores dominated the finish to a slow-run 2009 July, with victory going to triple classic hero Big City Life, who became the fifth three-year-old winner since the start of the millennium. He also completed the Cape Derby/ KZN Guineas/Daily News 2000/ Vodacom Durban July quartet, a feat previously achieved by 2003 July winner Dynasty.
Under a perfect ride, the big colt flashed an impressive burst of acceleration in the straight and kicked again to cross the line almost a length to the good of the filly Zirconeum, thus
giving both trainer Glen Kotzen and jockey Greg Cheyne their first wins in the big race.
In 2010, the July proved a triumph for trainer Mike de Kock when he saddled both the winner Bold Silvano and second-placed Irish Flame.
Bold Silvano moved into contention at the top of the straight and swept into the lead 300m from home. Running on resolutely, he always appeared to have the measure of Irish Flame, who chased hard, but still had a length to find at the finish post.
Incidentally Bold Silvano turned the tables on his stable mate, who had defeated him by a neck in the Gr1 Daily News 2000.
Previously successful with Ipe Tombe and Greys Inn, it was a third July win for the maestro trainer. Ditto for jockey Anthony Delpech, who had piloted both Classic Flag (1998) and Greys Inn to victory.
Bold Silvano had started his racing career in the very capable hands of Port Elizabeth trainer Gavin Smith and following two creditable efforts in the Gr1 Cape Guineas and Derby, owner Gill Thomson sold a half-share to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, in whose colours Bold Silvano garnered the July.
Those famous yellow and blue silks would again grace the winners enclose, but more of that in next week’s article!
STARS STEP OUT HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY
Big race favourite Green With Envy stretches out under Craig Zackey | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The official Hollywoodbets Durban July public gallops were held in front of a decent sized early morning crowd at the big race venue this morning.
While every one of the 11 local gallopers produced clean sheets, it was the progressive 3yo chestnut Flag Man, who captured the experts’ vote with an enthusiastic pink of health display.
Nine of the 20 final field (18 plus 2 reserves) galloped on the Highveld. The pre-recorded clips are obviously not as user friendly as seeing the stars in the flesh.
Not that a sedentary canter, followed by a good stretch past the dholls into the short straight gave the generally uneducated eye any clues as to how to structure a bid at the projected R20 million Pick 6 on the day.
But July fever is contageous and horseracing is all about anticipation and opinion – and Gareth
van Zyl’s Flag Man certainly caught the eye under big race jockey Serino Moodley.
Taken to the start by a snow white pony, the son of Flying The Flag stalked an unnamed companion. Into the home run, he stretched out beautifully to clock 22,73 secs for the final 400m.
Nathan Kotzen’s Royal Victory, a really impressive specimen in the flesh, was first out.
A slow canter with Turf Warrior (Deryl Daniels) from the 1400m followed, until Muzi Yeni gave the gelding his head into the home strip and he drew off and strode out beautifully to clock 23,90 secs for the final 400m.
Favourite Green With Envy has enjoyed a near perfect prep and he galloped alone under Craig Zackey from the 1400mn, plodding along on a loose rein, before picking it up to stretch out and clock 22,66 secs for the final 400m.
Mike de Kock stablemates Shoemaker (Diego de Gouveia) and Aragosta (Marco van Rensburg) set out from the mile marker, with Aragosta leading his companion by two lengths at a decent gallop.
They drew level as they hit the post, with Aragosta posting 23,11 secs, while Shoemaker clocked 23,12 secs. Trainer de Kock said afterwards that he has happy as the pair’s wellbeing was evident, and he was looking at a good recovery rate.
Piere Strydom flew down from Joburg to
partner See It Again, who went from the 1400m with two companions.
The 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July runnerup tracked the pair in third, and then stretched away in the straight for an eyecatching show. He clocked 23,28 for the final 400m.
After a disappointing Pinnacle Stakes prep a couple of weeks back, where he frankly looked on the tubby side, Double Superlative galloped on his own from the 1400m under Sean Veale.
The good-looking entire looked a million dollars and strode out well, getting a flick down the neck inside the final 100m.
His more fancied stablemate Future Swing did his thing on his own from the 1400m under Richard Fourie.
The big race panel of Anthony Delpech, Graeme Hawkins and Kevin Shea dissected the action Credit: Candiese Lenferna
He changed legs as they came off the dholls, and with his head twisted under a tight hold, he changed legs at the post again, clocking 24,52 secs for the final 400m. He gave little away!
Plattner runner Master Redoute looks real longshot value at 50-1 and had Corne Orffer guiding him from the 1400m, with his head tucked in. A real looker, his coat shone as he stretched out without any pressure to register 24,37 secs for the final 400m.
Rachel Venniker will have her first
Hollywoodbets Durban July ride this year and took her mount Without Question through a nice 1000m stretch, on their own.
The son of The United States’ head was twisted as he changed legs late, to clock 24,06 secs. He was reported changing stride in running at his last start, and looks like he is over his issues.
First reserve runner Hluhluwe was ridden by Sean Veale from the 1400m on his own. He galloped and ran all the way to the post. Can’t say he told us anything on that.
Piere Strydom and Marco van Rensburg nipped down from Joburg to ride their Hollywoodbets Durban July mounts
Credit: Candiese Lenferna
The balance of the class of 2024 galloped on the Highveld and the replay clips will be shown when available.
Tote betting opens on Monday 1 July, and with the day a traditional big spender occasion and a World Pool event, we can expect recordbreaking pools.
Looking back to last year, TAB pools on the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July were R8,7 million for the win and R3,4 million for the place pool.
A reminder that there are only 3 places on races 7 and 8. This is in line with World Pool rules, and it surely makes good sense to deliver decent dividends, rather than watering things down to sixth place, as once was the case.
The bigger picture benefits to SA racing of the
THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY PANEL DISCUSSION.
Shiny happy people at Hollywoodbets Greyville today | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
STRIKER SET FOR FIVE
Piere Strydom could be seeing the trophy again for the fifth time on Saturday, 6th July | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
Piere Strydom had his first taste of the festive and vibrant buzz of Africa’s perennially greatest raceday on the first Saturday in July in 1988 – the year that Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the ‘‘ United Kingdom.
“That sounds like a lifetime away, doesn’t it? I hadn’t yet moved to the Highveld and got the call-up from Gqeberha, which is unusual. I rode Gitano for Piet Steyn and ran second to Felix Coetzee and Royal Chalice. I nabbed Jeff Lloyd late, who was relegated to his favourite third position on Pedometer.”
Piere’s observation is spot on as, starting with Jeff Lloyd’s first July ride aboard So Humble in the 1978 Rothmans July, where he finished third, the now retired ‘Guv’ filled that frustratingly forgettable position on a further ten occasions!
With four Durban July winners under the belt, Piere is set to equal Anton Marcus’ benchmark of 5 on Saturday. When pressed for the standout of his quartet of July winners, London News (1996), Trademark (2001), Pomodoro (2012) and The Conglomerate (2016), Piere doesn’t hesitate to observe that London News was ‘a true champion’.
“London News had unbelievable acceleration. I rode him from the front, and when I pressed the button, his acceleration was instant – it actually almost proved our undoing, as he nearly caught me napping! Trademark was a clinical victory. Perfectly prepped and programmed by the master Mike Bass. Pomodoro was talented and gutsy, and he was a horse who gave one options, as he could race from wherever we found ourselves. I picked up the ride on The Conglomerate very late from Joey Ramsden. The Australian-bred gelding was naughty, and we were drawn wide out. He flew the gates and we were always in a good position,” he recalls.
While Richard Fourie played down draw concerns, saying ‘you shouldn’t be in the race if you are worried about your draw’, Piere
labelled his 10 draw for Saturday, as ‘perfect’.
“See It Again is a horse who is ridden from off the pace, and being drawn too close to the rail, and getting cut off, or to be blocked on the outside when you are obliged to either go forward or drop in, can make it tricky. From the 10 gate I can see both sides and try and ensure we get a good position. It is a reality that they always go quickly the first 400m of the July. Have a look at that next week on the Winning Form sectional timing data, which makes for interesting reading,” he added.
On his seemingly often shelved retirement plans, Piere explained that the fact that he has continued past his planned ride into the pension sunset had been largely circumstantial – and had a lot to do with his extraordinary good fortune in being called up late to win the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby on See It Again in 2023.
“Covid arrived and locked us all away. Then Chrisna and I married in December 2020. She was keen to get a taste of racing life, so I stayed on. Then the 5500 career winner mark came up as a goal. I picked that up on Admiralty Arch for Barend Botes at the Vaal in November 2022. After that it was See It Again in the Cape Derby.
The we chased Charles Dickens home in the Guineas and won the Daily News. And after that it was second to Winchester Mansion in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July. Who wants to retire with unfinished business and a top Grade 1 horse to ride?” he laughs, adding that he appreciates the support of his multiple champion former colleague Michael Roberts and leading owner, Nic Jonsson.
Is he concerned about anything for next Saturday?
“We want a genuine pace, but frankly one seldom gets a slow-run Durban July. If I could pick, I would like to have had an honest and genuine pacesetter like Dave The King in the race. One could also think about match fitness.
See It Again has only had one run since his fourth placed finish in the WSB Cape Town Met. But he felt good and stayed on nicely for third behind Dave The King in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge. And I have every faith in a top-class horseman like Michael Roberts having See It Again spot on for Saturday.”
Asked to give us a thought on Richard Fourie breaking the Anthony Delpech 334 record recently, Piere doffed his cap and said he could speak from experience that it was ‘bloody hard work’.
“I held the season winners record for just one season, before Anthony (Delpech) came along and smashed it out the ball park. I think the intrinsic difference between my time and Richard 26 odd years later is that the awareness created by Hollywoodbets offering the R1 million, the social media hype, and the chase being constantly in the racing news, kept the subliminal pressure on. In my day, I casually ticked over from week to week, and the winners came. Nobody was shouting or counting! But full marks to Richard. I can attest to the fact that one becomes an exhausted Zombie. It clouds into a zone where it is automatic to expect a few winners at every meeting. Congratulations to all involved. It certainly provided great entertainment.”
Will Piere hang up his boots on 31 July 2024?
“I was thinking that I was not going to renew my licence at the end of the season. But then Warne Rippon and Arun Chadha of the ASSM Racing Syndicate signed me up to ride for them, and they have just renewed my contract for a further three months, to end August. So you may all have to put up with me for a while yet! And I am really happy for Arun and Warne that Shoemaker gets a run in the big race on Saturday.”
And what about his family and life?
“The boys are growing up fast – they’re 12 and 11 already. Chrisna and I purchased the
guest house near Groot Constantia, and have a couple running it. It’s a real winner, especially with overseas visitors. We were going to relocate from Joburg, but Chrisna has a thriving business – she’s a Conveyancing Attorney, and the solitude and beauty of Constantia is a world away from the buzz of Sandton. So, we enjoy the best of both worlds and are commuting when needed, and really enjoying life.”
So, will Striker be sipping the champers, or a glass of red wine, as the sun sets on the Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, 6 July
“I go out positive, even if it’s a race where one needs the horse and the luck. I know I have the former, now I just need a dash of the latter and we will be right in the mix.”
FACEBOOK SCAM WARNING
Jockey Craig Zackey has informed the Sporting Post that a fake Facebook profile has been created in his name and has requested that the racing public be informed and cautioned in this regard.
In a message received late on Wednesday afternoon, we were requested to inform the public at large that any approach by a person or persons purporting to be Craig Zackey, and offering to provide selections or any solicitations for payment of monies, should be rejected with contempt.
PUNTERS ALL OUT FOR SIX
Drakenstein Stud celebrated a new record of 21 stakes winners in a season when the clearly progressive Lancaster Bomber colt Eight On Eighteen stormed home to win the R500 000 Gr3 Langerman at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Richard Fourie and Eight On Eighteen cruise on by pacesetter All Out For Six (Ashton Arries)
Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Smashing their previous season record of 20 homebred stakes winners in a season, the Drakenstein celebrations would have been some compensation after their UK-based Cayton Park Stud Skukuza played second fiddle to Mickley on Royal Ascot Day 3 in the Britannia Stakes 48 hours earlier.
Produced late in the race by Richard Fourie, Justin Snaith’s recent maiden winner Eight On Eighteen (33-10) went on powerfully down the centre of the track to catch the long-time pacesetter All Out For Six (9-4, tote favourite) who carried the hopes of a host of exotic players after the very late scratching of his stablemate, One Stripe.
Eight On Eighteen won by 0,75 lengths in a time of 96,02 secs for the 1500m.
Mauritius Kestrel (8-1), the most experienced contestant in the line-up, stayed on late for third, and 1,25 lengths further back.
The winner, a R700 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, made it 2 wins with 2 places from his 4 starts for stakes of R402 738.
Raced by Anyasec (Pty) Ltd & Nic Jonsson, he is a son of deceased War Front stallion Lancaster Bomber out of the unraced Captain Al mare, Sempre Libre.
He looks really promising, but the reality is that the 2024 Langerman will sadly probably be remembered long after the sun has set for the shock withdrawal by the Clerk Of Scales at 14h49 on Saturday of the 5-10 favourite One Stripe due to elevated TCO2 levels.
TCO2 testing was introduced in March this year, and while it was driven by unquestionable noble intentions to level the playing fields and stamp out any cheating, it has proven a PR nightmare for all stakeholders, with uncertainty regarding variable influences and testing methods.
In an industry already playing second fiddle to other entertainment options and struggling to retain the loyalty of owners and punters, TCO2 has become an unlikely albatross around the neck of those invested in building the future and clearing the dark clouds of some really tough years.
Langerman - Snaith Racing’s Louis Burke and Richard Fourie enjoy the post-race moment
When a leading jockey like Richard Fourie wins a time-honoured feature on a smart horse and expresses regret at losing a serious opponent, who would have given him and the winning connections a better line on their classic prospects, then we should really surely be sitting up and thinking about it all.
And we are not arguing against controls – but they really and truly need to have credibility.
Fourie confirmed that he had enjoyed the privilege of riding both One Stripe and Eight On Eighteen in work, and had informed the Snaith team that they were probably racing for ‘second, maybe third’.
Given the Langerman’s proud history of producing champions, the entire industry must feel robbed – never mind the exotic players who faithfully banked the hot favourite. And how must One Stripe’s owner and NHA Board
Member Rikesh Sewgoolam, and veteran Vaughan Marshall, one of the most respected conditioners in South Africa, feel?
Throw in leading rider Gavin Lerena, who gave up chances at Turffontein and made the expensive trip from the Highveld to ride the top horse.
There were a number of frustrated callers to the Sporting Post and longstanding respected racing man Selwyn Elk summed up the general sentiment, suggesting that ‘the racing authorities don’t seem to realise that the ordinary man in the street is not playing with monopoly money or washers and bottle tops’.
“This is so bad for the game and is an accident waiting to happen,” warned Mr Elk.
You be the judge.
TCO2 TESTING – SA RACING’S ROAD TO DAMASCUS MOMENT
NOBODY IS BUYING THE RUB OF THE RED CARD
Another day. Another TCO2 scratching. South African horseracing has surely just about reached its Road To Damascus moment?
Our racing is choking itself into obscurity in the ominous shadow of a stakeholder relations nightmare that threatens to unravel every iota of feelgood, and positivity created by the 2023 renaissance and the EU gateway opening that many of us diehards believed were turning points.
In The Mercury on Monday morning, we read in an article entitled ‘TCO2 Testing: Where To Now?’ that ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions’, and, while we should all be supportive of measures which seek to ensure the integrity of the sport of horseracing, the current apparent ‘hit and miss’ scenario, with very little trust in the TCO2 testing protocols, is a huge challenge for Owners, the Racing Operators and most importantly Punters, who can no longer place bets with any degree of
confidence into the multi-legged exotic-bet type pools.
That sums up things very well, and after the 5-10 McDazzler became the 39th TCO2 casualty at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday, we have to ask the powers-thatbe, where to now?
The statistics show that we had 3 TCO2 scratchings in April, 16 in May, and 20 so far in June with four days left of the month. What does that upward trend tell us?
In March 2024, South African racegoers learnt about Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2). The National Horseracing Authority introduced a test at race time to detect, amongst other things, a practice called ‘Milk-shaking’.
The short explanation is that a universal line exists internationally that separates a ‘normal’ amount of CO2 in the bloodstream from an abnormal amount, and that number is 36 mmol/L.
The way it works is selected horses are tested about an hour before the start.
If a horse registers over 35 mmol/L, then a second test is run about 10 minutes later. If the next reading is over 36, then the runner is withdrawn from the race.
Everyone understands that higher readings are absolutely not necessarily an indication of cheating. Experts have weighed in to explain that these super-fit athletes can have readings all over the place. On some days all horses tested are just fine, on others a bunch might test over 36.
The concern is that right now there is just no pattern, or seemingly logical, or scientific reason, to understand why.
Obviously short-priced horses and big names stoke the headlines and set social media alight. Let’s face it that after decades of shenanigans in our beloved country, we are ripe for any conspiracy theory –including that the TCO2 testing machines are rubbish.
Forgotten in all of this is the catastrophic damage to horseracing’s customers. But that’s actually an old bad habit going back decades.
The business part of racing is how it collectively presents the whole show to the public. In this case, to the very people it is trying to encourage to buy horses, and to the dwindling group of folk it once convinced to bet on those horses.
Withdrawals, or scratchings, are a fact of life. And substituting a favourite is our least offensive answer to make exotics and multiples function.
But punters have been rightfully incensed as they realise that since March, they now, more than ever, carry the brunt of the ‘punishment’ as the industry somehow tries to police itself.
Punters are expected to spend large amounts of money on bets such as the Pick 6, only to remain exposed and vulnerable each day to doing their money in cold blood.
Let’s face it. We are dealing with flesh and blood. Mud happens. Most punters are in it for the long run. They have accepted scratchings when they are genuinely an act of god, or the rub of the green.
But none of us is buying the rub of the red card. As each passing day of TC02 histrionics annihilates another wave of customers, our industry is further marginalised.
To add to the smoke and mirrors insanity, punters are now asking that if a horse is guilty enough to be scratched, why are there no other consequences? So effectively, the punter is being screwed, and there is not even a slap on the wrists for the alleged evildoers!
Racing functions, like all other sports, on decisions made in the moment, and the
TC02 testing with hand-held analysers | Credit: 4Racing
consequences are sorted out later. We have the ‘pay-pay’ minutes after a race, and drug tests proceed later. It’s time for the NHA to figure out that they need a ‘run-run’ to start a meeting, and to sort out their consequences later.
The reality is that each TCO2 scratching may, or may not, be cheating. The owner is punished, and consumers are robbed as the regulators don’t punish any of the perpetrator(s).
No business, and especially a gambling-based labour love, passion – call it what you will-can survive by punishing the customer to fix its inhouse issues.
The time has come for the National Horseracing Authority to find a way to ensure the fun and the flow of the game by not initiating stoppages and reducing the potential bad news stories.
And, for a flying start, cut the popular power narrative that media platforms who loyally serve the industry and state the facts, are ‘bad for the game’. If the shoe fits, wear it.
It’s time for our racing regulators to accept
and understand that they are part of the game, and not outside of it, above it, or bigger than it.
The rules are supposed to be beneficial and workable. Let’s hope that it’s not minor issues like ego, or a loss of face, that prevents a change of approach.
It’s high time for the NHA to own it, man up and eat humble pie. Do it today. Tomorrow all is forgiven. Do the homework that should have been part of the introduction of TCO2 testing.
The fact is that we don’t need this drama. All we sick-for-the game diehards want to talk about right now is the upcoming Hollywoodbets Durban July, the projected R20 million Pick 6, the 50 000 champions of all shapes and sizes that will stream through the turnstiles on the day to salute our stars, to create our own hardluck stories and just enjoy this wonderful sport.
Please Mr Moodley. It’s your time to stand up and be remembered for the genuine racing man we know you are, rather than potentially the supervising architect of a disaster that took our racing to the brink of no return. It’s not too late.
BREEDING FOR AND CHAMPIONS
FOR PASSION CHAMPIONS
The traditional annual KZN Breeders raceday will be celebrated with a nine race mixed turf and polytrack card at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The first race is off at 12h35, and the card, which is restricted exclusively to KZN Breds, includes five feature events.
The annual KZN Breeders Golf Day was held last Thursday at Royal Durban, and was described as a great success by the club’s Vice Chairman, Warwick Render.
Bloodstock South Africa, the Thoroughbred Breeders Association of South Africa, Almiray Veterinary Practice, Bloomhill Stud, Blue Sky Thoroughbreds, Chimichuri Run, Choice Carriers, Eden Roc, Equine Insurance, Gold Circle, Gooderson Leisure, Hayways, Hirsch’s, Hollywoodbets, Jonsson Workwear, Spar Mooi River, Tiki Tonga and Voermol, were the supporters and sponsors, who were thanked by Mr Render.
“We are immensely grateful to all the players who joined us, bringing their enthusiasm
and sportsmanship to the greens. Together, we celebrated a day filled with camaraderie, competitive spirit, and shared passion for our cause. It was a day to remember,” added the veteran breeder.
The four-ball winner was Gareth van Zyl’s team who took home R20 000 in vouchers to spend on a KZN bred lot at the upcoming BSA KZN Yearling Sale at Suncoast Casino on 4 July.
“With two Grade 1 winners and KZN-Breds, Purple Pitcher and Quid Pro Quo emerging from the sale already, who knows how many future top-level winners are waiting to be bought at the sale. With the EU relaxing export protocols for horses travelling to various EU countries, horses bought on the KZN Yearling Sale could potentially line up for various international races in the future. It’s an exciting prospect, and we encourage you to shop at the sale, to find your next champion,” added Render.
Watch top class racing and enjoy even better food and company to be had on Saturday, seats are limited - please contact Megan at admin@kznbreeders.co.za.
Big hitters Kyle Johnston, Devin Heffer, Donovan Vere and Anthony Delpech at the KZN Breeders Golf Day | Credit: Supplied
VARSFONTEIN’S
GOLDEN JUBILEE CHAMPAGNE
Leading Paarl-based breeders Varsfontein Stud are enjoying a royal time of it in their 50th anniversary year and registered yet another feature success when the Gimmethegreenlight filly Kinda Wonderful stormed home to beat her four opponents in the R250 000 Listed Irridescence Stakes at a chilly Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
After 24mm of overnight rain, the Southern Suburbs track was marked up as ‘soft’ on the bend, with the pen reading 28. And it was not surprising to see two runners with experience of the turn filling the first two places.
The red-hot Craig Zackey is enjoying a top season with feature winners, and he had Kinda Wonderful tucked in one from last as Richard Fourie allowed Sahara Cat to bowl along out front, ahead of Miss World and Timeline.
As they turned for home, sticky underfoot conditions took their toll as the two backmarkers started making ground, with Sahara Cat coming under pressure.
Into the final 250m Kinda Wonderful (11-10,tote favourite) started lengthening and she went on to clock 98 secs flat for the 1500m, holding off a late challenge from the lesser fancied of the Greg Ennion duo in Dixieland Band (25-2), who produced a pleasing post maiden effort, 2 lengths back.
Sahara Cat (33-20) was given every chance by Fourie but had nothing to come and was beaten a further 1,25 lengths adrift in third.
Raced by a partnership comprising Canine Solutions CC (D C O’Driscoll), Mauritzfontein (Pty) Ltd(J B Jell), N P Malherbe,Nick & Val McFall, A E Sands & Wilgerbosdrift (Pty) Ltd (M Slack), the winner is trained out of Milnerton by Eric Sands and was registering a second victory from 5 starts with 3 places, and doubled her gross stakes to R292 876.
Craig Zackey produces Kinda Wonderful late to hold off Dixieland Band (Grant van Niekerk) in the opening feature on Saturday | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
Bred, as stated in our introduction, by Varsfontein, the winner is by their resident champion Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the Black Minnaloushe mare Outrage, a half-sister to Croc Valley (Western
Winter) and quality stayer, Galileo’s Night, and whose offspring include the Glen Kotzen charge Third Runway, a winner of the Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship in her time.
‘She’s kinda wonderful!’ Craig Zackey makes a point to trainer Eric Sands | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
ICING ON TOP FOR ORFFER
Sugar Mountain (Corne Orffer) holds off stablemate Gold Poker Game (Anthony Andrews) in a Bass-Robinson 1-2 | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
One of the best non stakes-winning 5yo’s around, the Moutonshoek-bred Sugar Mountain bounced back to winning form when staying on powerfully in the kind underfoot conditions to win the R200 000 non black-type Winter Mile at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
After a fifth in the WSB Cape Town Met earlier this year, and an abortive trip to the Highveld where everything apparently went wrong, and he ran over 20 lengths off Main Defender in the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes, one prep run was all Sugar Mountain needed to find his feet with a fluent effort on Saturday.
Relaxed in midfield by replacement rider Corne Orffer as Coastal Commander and Zapatillas led the charge, Sugar Mountain (11-2), who races in the now familiar white and blue of the ASSM Racing Syndicate, made up ground down the middle in the home straight.
After a brief battle with fairer sex stablemate Gold Poker Game (16-1), he stayed on powerfully to put 0,30 lengths between himself and the filly, in a 1-2 for the Candice BassRobinson yard.
Well supported in the build-up, Future Prince (6-1) finished with a flourish a length back in third, with Vaughan Marshall’s gallant 7yo Silver Operator (25-1) staying on doggedly for fourth and showing his distinct appreciation for the conditions.
A R425 000 CTS Ready To Run Sale graduate in 2020, Sugar Mountain has won 8 races with 11 places from 25 starts for stakes of R740 776.
Bred at Dr Bennie van der Merwe’s Moutonshoek Stud, the winner is a son of deceased multiple champion sire Silvano (Lomitas)out of the Var mare, Gettna.
Candice Bass-Robinson and her brother Mark Bass lead in Sugar Mountain (Corne Offer) after the impressive form return | Credit: Chase Liebenberg
MK’S PRIDE LEADS THE WAY
MK’s Pride, the Grade1 winning entire by Willow Magic, will become the first black-owned horse to take up stallion duties when he retires to stud at Advocate Nigel and Kat Riley’s Heversham Park Farm in Gauteng this week.
The popular chestnut will turn seven years old when the 2024 breeding season starts in August and exits the racetrack with an accomplished record of 10 wins and 9 places from 35 runs, and R2,7-million banked for his original owner, Koos Nkale.
MK’s Pride will stand for Nkale and his new partner, Stinky Pooe, another black owner who has had remarkable success in recent
years. Both are committed to transformation, future investments in the sport of horseracing and promoting racing widely for more diverse participation.
There’s a compelling story behind all thoroughbred champions. Nkale, who had no previous experience at ownership level, acquired MK’s Pride in a private deal from Summerhill Stud.
Koos Nkale and Jessica Motaung in the winner’s enclosure with MK’s Pride | Credit: 4Racing
He recalled, “I’ve been a punter for over 30 years. In February 2020, I decided to buy my first racehorse. At the time, Michael Mahlakola was South Africa’s only black trainer, and I approached him for advice. During a visit to Summerhill farm, Michael spotted a beautiful, strong young chestnut. He couldn’t take his eyes off the colt and told me this was the one worth buying as my first investment.
“I phoned Summerhill Stud an made an offer, but it was rejected, so we were disappointed. They wanted to take the unnamed colt to an auction sale and felt that he could fetch a higher price. But he passed unsold and a month later they accepted my offer for R100,000.”
Nkale quipped: “I named him MK’s Pride, which will sound quite strange today considering what is going on in our political arena. But he was named after me. My names are Madimetja and Koos. People prefer Koos because it’s easier to pronounce. So, the horse became MK’s Pride. Michael never trained him, but he deserves credit for spotting him among many others in the Summerhill Paddocks.”
Nkale, a geography teacher before his retirement, said he was excited about his venture into breeding. “I feel we have gone to the right farm, I like Mr Riley. And I am happy to be involved with Mr Pooe. We share the same
ideals. I believe in the future of South Africa, now more than ever. As a nation I truly believe we are able to set differences aside and carry on with the task of building a strong country. This is good for racing too.”
Reflecting on his teaching days, Nkale said, “If you found geography or mathematics difficult at school, you probably had the wrong teachers. It’s the same with newcomers to racing. With the right advice and leadership, they will love it.”
Nkale acknowledged the synergy between himself and other prominent black individuals in racing. “My favourite soccer team is Kaizer Chiefs, hence my silks are black and gold. Through racing, I met Kaizer Motaung’s daughter Jessica Motaung, who is the marketing director for Chiefs. She has also learned to love racing, so we have much in common. Racing opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.”
THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE
SEAN VEALE RIDES UNDER SP BANNER
The Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racemeeting last Saturday was Sean Veale’s first as a newly-sponsored Sporting Post jockey. While he managed a second on Mister Monocle, and a third on Highlyconfidential, a win eluded him, and he’s keen to break the ice.
“I am really excited to receive the support of the Sporting Post, and every emotional and financial incentive and encouragement is welcome in this tough industry,” he added, saying that Winning Form-sponsored Richard Fourie’s recent record-breaking achievements had raised the bar for every jockey aspiring to do well.
“There is no question that hard work pays dividends, and for me it’s having a beautiful family behind me, that are proud of me, and that keep me motivated to be the best that I can,” added the man who once harboured ambitions of becoming a pro baseballer. But it was a school project on horses that piqued his interest, and encouragement from
Sean Veale chats to Gareth van Zyl and Anthony Delpech after a recent win at Hollywoodbets Greyville | Credit: Candiese Lenferna
his Dad to follow his dream, that saw Sean Veale join the SA Jockey Academy at the turn of the century – and the Grade 1 winning jockey has never looked back, hitting a host of personal ‘home runs’ over the years.
The Cape Town born rider loved life at the SA Jockey Academy and fondly recalls his first ever winner in August 2002 at the now closed, Clairwood Park.
Des Egdes trained the Modern Day filly Emmency, and Sean rode a perfectly judged race for a thrilling maiden success – the first of many to follow over the years.
Sean Veale enjoyed a winning association with the Dennis Drier yard over many years, and on the retirement of the master trainer decided to travel to his former hometown of Cape Town, to create more opportunities between his current family home province of KZN and the fairest Cape
But the life of a jockey has its ups and downs and in October 2023 Sean suffered a shocking fall at Hollywoodbets Durbanville when his right-side stirrup leather broke when he was guiding the Justin Snaith-trained Sun Spectacular into the bend at about the 900m marker. He ended up in hospital and had wires placed in his upper jaw to fix the fracture, and his nose restructured to fix the break.
But the tough-as-teak rider has boxed on and now 38 years old, he is very keen to win the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
He has had three rides to date in Africa’s greatest race – his best being a fifth placed finish on Vaughan Marshall’s Rascallion in 2021. While his engaged ride Mucho Dinero failed to make the cut for the 6 July spectacular, the big one remains a career ambition.
The fact that he is one of the most hard-working jockeys around and rides at 52kgs, certainly increases the chances of his getting the opportunities to convert to winners.
The gregarious Sean lives by the ‘happy wife, happy life’ credo, with the lovely Maxine and their energy-sapping young sons, Cody and Troy keeping him busy away from the rigours of racing.
We welcome Sean and wish him every success.
My timing was good. I started travelling to Cape Town and a winner or two in the beautiful city ignited the fire. It’s interesting, in KZN every yard has their jockeys. You can ride work here, there, and just about everywhere. And you won’t get the extra rides. But in Cape Town, I got lucky. They at least give you something – they throw one a bone. I converted a few chances and one thing led to another. I say again, it’s called confidence and it’s a major factor in any jockey’s success,”he told the Sporting Post.
RIVERTON OFFERS A GRADE 1 DRAFT
Riverton Stud have sold some outstanding thoroughbreds at the BSA KZN Yearling Sale in the past, and Duncan Barry will be bringing another high-class draft to this year’s sale.
Among the top-class horses consigned by Riverton to past KZN Sales are the Gr1 winners Pearl Of Asia and Same Jurisdiction as well as Gr3 Umkhomazi Stakes winner Al Mariachi.
The Robertson farm also sold this season’s highly promising two-year-old One More at the 2023 sale, and that son of One World could well add further gloss to Riverton Stud’s fine record in KZN.
Riverton will be offering four lots, one as agent, at the sale, with their draft made up of yearlings sired by Canford Cliffs, Erupt, Horizon and the sensational One World.
Here’s what Duncan has to say about this year’s draft:
Lot 143
Unnamed (f) by Erupt ex Neurose
Compact, strong, good walking filly. A halfsister to 3 winners, including the stakes placed Great Shaka, this filly is from the family of champion filly La Chiflota.
Her half-brother Major Apollo recently won again when scoring at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Lot 146
Unnamed (f) by Horizon ex Nutcracker Sweet
Big, muscular, scopey filly. A half-sister to Listed Spook Express Handicap winner She’s A Cracker, this filly is closely related to the graded stakes winners Bunker Hunt and Salvator Mundi.
Lot 158
Unnamed (c) by One World ex Queen Of Alamo
Well-balanced, powerful, good walking colt. Out of a stakes placed winner of four, this colt is very closely related to Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winner Cousin Liz.
Lot 110
Unnamed (c) by Canford Cliffs ex Kilcross
Strong, good looking, athletic type. A halfbrother to 3 winners, this colt hails from the family of top-class stallions Cape Cross and Iffraaj.
Riverton Stud’s draft can be found in Block D at Suncoast Casino on 04 July.
AN IMPOSING QUALITY DRAFT FROM RIETHUISKRAAL
In 2019, Riethuiskraal Stud sold a Judpot colt to Riethaan Belegging for just R15 000 at the KZN Yearling Sale. The colt, Flying Carpet, went on to score at the highest level, with the Judpot son victorious in the 2021 Gr1 World Sports Betting Presents The Gauteng Summer Cup.
In landing the Summer Cup, Flying Carpet accounted for a very high-class field, with his beaten opponents headed by the Gr1 winners War Of Athena, Puerto Manzano, Astrix, Sparkling Water, Al Muthana, Got The Greenlight and Malmoos.
This year, Riethuiskraal will be bringing an imposing, quality draft to the BSA 2024 KZN Yearling Sale, giving buyers a chance to acquire the next Flying Carpet.
Among the stallions represented in this consignment are Futura, Hawwaam, One World, The United States, and Twice Over.
Met winning champion One World has made a sensational start with his first runners this season and the son of Captain Al is represented here by Lot 73, Economic Life (c) out of Especially - a half-brother to five winners who hails from the same “E” family as champions Empress Club, Ecurie and Elusive Fort to name but a few.
The United States, whose flagbearers this season include high-class two-year-olds Kingdundee and Rodeo Drive, has three lots on offer.
Lot 112 – Divine State (f) is a half-sister to the stakes placed Balalaika from the family of Yataghan and Gallantry
Lot 161 - Quarter Master – a beautifully bred colt who hails from the immediate family of hugely successful sire Querari, is a half-brother to four winners including Gr3 Acacia Handicap runner up Queen Of Shadows.
Lot173 - Latin America (c) whose six-time winning dam Sao Paulo is a full-sister to Listed KZN Guineas Trial runner up Trip To Rio.
Both Quarter Master and Latin America are bred on the same cross which produced the high-class filly Sheela.
Silvano’s champion son Hawwaam has made a big impact with his first yearlings this season and that former Equus Champion is the sire of Lot 96 - Tristan Da Cunha - a filly from a highclass family. A half-sister to five winners, she is out of a stakes winning daughter of Danehill Dancer, and her granddam La Linotte is a halfsister to the dam of Gr1 winners Lily Of The Valley and Mubtaahij.
Riethuiskraal’s string can be viewed at Blocks G and H.
HIGH-CLASS DRAFT FROM SENSATIONAL SANDOWN
Sandown Stud continues to produce highclass winners. Already responsible for such champions as French Navy and Magnificent Seven, Sandown Stud runners continue to make their mark in top races across South Africa.
The latest classy performer bred by Sandown is then exciting two-year-old filly Rodeo Drive, who recently finished a close second in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship.
James Armitage will be bringing a well-bred string of yearlings to the upcoming BSA KZN Yearling Sale, with Sandown offering eight lots at the sale.
The farm will be offering a further two lots on behalf of La Berg Stud, as well as a choicely bred Soqrat colt on behalf of Shadwell SA (Pty) Ltd.
Sandown Stud’s draft present yearlings by a number of top-class stallions including Legislate, Pathfork and Rafeef, with champion and resident stallion Soqrat also well represented here.
James is pleased with the consignment he will be offering:
Lot 24 – Unnamed (c) by Soqrat ex Awfaa
• He is a strong good-looking colt, he has a very good hind quarter on him.
Lot 132 - Sovereign Gem (f) by Rafeef ex Miss Imperial
• A very neat athletic filly, her Jackson half-
sister showed a lot of potential before injury curtailed her racing career.
Lot 170 - Court Action (f) by Legislate ex Roman Moser
• A lovely dark filly, she is a half to the small black-type winner Aurelia Cotta (MR 97) and Gr1 placed Larentina (MR 107).
Lot 165 – Unnamed (c) by Rafeef ex Rebel Queen
• He is a good-looking athletic colt.
Lot 140 - Badge Of Power (f) by Erik The Red ex My Emblem
• She is a strong filly with good bone and substance.
Visit Blocks D and E to view this draft.
INTO THE DEEP BLUE SKY
Indiscreet Fantasy, Midway Lady, Eswarah, Chestnuts N Pearls, YardArm, Abashiri, Ronnie’s Candy, Buy And Sell - these are just a few of the Grade One winners with relatives for sale in Blue Sky Thoroughbreds draft for the BSA 2024 KZN Yearling Sale.
This imposing consignment is made up of yearlings sired by a host of exceptional stallions including Act Of War, Declarationofpeace, Last Winter, Master Of My Fate, Querari, Rafeef, What A Winter and One World.
Lot 4 – Unnamed (colt) by One World ex Vasilisa
This colt’s twice-winning dam is a half-sister to four black-type horses headed by Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Indiscreet Fantasy.
Lot 27 – Black Frost (colt) by What A Winter ex Baronova
This colt’s whose third dam is a full-sister to dual English classic winner Midway Lady, herself the dam of an Oaks winner in the form of Eswarah.
Lot 7 – Unnamed (filly) by Last Winter ex Water Is Gold
A half-sister to Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes winner Neptune’s Rain
Lot 10 – Unnamed (filly) by Querari ex Winter Sun
Promising two-year-old Disting has a Declarationofpeace half-brother (Lot 150) on offer, while Trippi’s four-time winning daughter Trippi’s Girl has a Rafeef filly (Lot 202), bred on the same cross as the brilliant William Robertson, on the sale.
Other appealing lots to be found here include:
Lot 78 – A Master Of My Fate colt out of a four-time winning daughter of Kahal, the Act Of War filly.
Lot 107 – An Act Of War filly out of Listed Racing Association Stakes heroine Just Chaos.
Lot 183 - Unnamed Act Of War filly - halfsister to smart performers Silent Crusade and Get In The Q.
View this draft at Blocks B and C.
A half-sister to debut winner Siberian Winter, hailing from the immediate family of multiple Gr1 winning filly Esoterique among others.
A QUALITY QUARTET FROM CAMARGUE
Camargue Stud will be offering two colts and two fillies at the BSA 2024 KZN Yearling Sale at Suncoast Casino on 04 July.
Former Cape Guineas winner Act Of War, sire of Gr1 winners Battle Force and War Of Athena, has a colt and filly on sale.
Equus Champion Capetown Noir, like Act Of War a former Cape Guineas winner, is likewise represented here.
Camargue’s Brett Van Laun is upbeat about the yearlings he is bringing to the auction, and he had the following comments to make about his draft:
Lot 22 - Unnamed (f) by Capetown Noir ex Aroosah
• She is a strong, good boned filly
Lot 108 - Unnamed (f) by Act Of War ex Kailua Beach
• This is a proven nick with Act Of War on Danehill bottom line. She is a solid type and good walker
Lot 133 - Unnamed (c) by Capetown Noir ex Miss Rocky
• This is a stand out colt from the female line of Silvano
Lot194 - Unnamed (c) by Act Of War ex Street Wise
• This half-brother to stallion Talk Of The Town stands over ground, and is a colt with good bone
This draft can be found in Block A.
FLYING THE FLAG FOR CLIFTON STUD
Clifton Stud has bred a large number of high-class gallopers over the years. From champions Classic Flag and Mrs Geriatrix, to recent Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes winner Cliff Hanger, the farm continues to churn out equine stars.
The latest top-class galloper bred by Clifton is up and coming three-year-old Flag Man. The latter put up a superb performance when finishing a close second in the recent Gr1 Daily News 2000, beaten only by July favourite Green With Envy.
Flag Man looks to be a very exciting prospect indeed. Peter Blyth will be offering buyers a chance to purchase their own Flag Man when he presents the latter’s half-brother for sale at the BSA 2024 KZN Yearling Sale on 04 July at Suncoast Casino.
Lord Wimborne (Lot 103), a colt by Canford Cliffs, is a half-brother to not only Flag Man but to four other winners including the very smart Capetown Beauty. This colt is out of the winning Mark Of Esteem mare
Irresistible Chris, herself a half-sister to July winning champion Eyeofthetiger and Gr3 The Debutante queen Best Chris.
Clifton Stud will also be offering lots sired by the likes of Act Of War, Danon Platina, Fire Away, Master Of My Fate, and New Predator.
Lot 85 is bound to draw buyers’ attention and will need no introduction. This filly is by sire-sensation One World out of the five-time winning Western Winter mare French Lass
A half-sister to recent Listed Milkwood Stakes winner Paris Lass with French Lass herself a half-sister to Gr2 winning filly Chant De Nuit.
The Met winning One World has two other lots on offer here:
Lot 38: Brand New World is a colt out of Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery runner up Brandina.
Lot 68: World on Fire is a filly out of the fourtime winning Var mare Easybyfar.
This draft can be viewed at Blocks A & B.
O’BRIEN’S GOLD VASE!
Aidan O’Brien saddled a one-two in the Gr2 Queen’s Vase as 7/4 favourite Illinois saw off stablemate Highbury on Royal Ascot, Day 2, last Wednesday.
A half-brother to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Danedream, Illinois was ridden near the pace by Ryan Moore, who kicked for home off the final bend. Illinois wandered away from the rail in the straight, but Moore galvanised his mount and the duo went on to win by a length and a quarter.
Highbury kept on to take second without looking like catching the winner, with the Jessica Harrington-trained Birdman three quarters of a length further back in third.
This was Moore’s 80th Royal Ascot success, while O’Brien was winning the Queen’s Vase for an eighth time.
O’Brien said: “We felt any of the three could win. Ryan made the decision to ride Illinois, and he had the choice of the King Edward VII Stakes or this race. When Diego Velazquez got routed to the King Edward, this horse got rerouted to here. He is obviously a St Legertype horse and is going to improve from three to four.
“We will probably take our time with Illinois and let him have the chance to develop the way he wants to. If City Of Troy wasn’t there, he’d probably have been pitched in much steeper, much earlier. Because City Of Troy was there, we were able to lay off those type of horses and give them a chance to mature. That’s what he is, he’s going to be a mile-and-a-half, mileand-six horse and he’s going to get better from three to four.
He is a bit of a baby mentally still, so he might have a little rest now and maybe go to York on the way to the Leger, something like that.
“I think he might have a little bit more class than a Cup horse. His sister won the Arc, so he’s that type. Ryan said he was caught in a position all the way through the race that he would have preferred not to have been in; he was neither up nor back and he wasn’t getting an easy lead. He had to do it tough. He went to the front, then he flattened out – he said the race was over, then he had to ask him to come
again. He probably learnt a lot today. “Highbury is only a baby and we didn’t know what to expect, but obviously he’s a good horse. Wayne said he was very babyish through the race and will have come on a lot. He’s probably a nice horse as well, probably a Leger-type horse.”
On Moore’s latest landmark, O’Brien said: “What can I say about Ryan that hasn’t already been said? He is an unbelievable man.”
Moore said: “Illinois has plenty of talent. He is doing a few things wrong still. At Lingfield, he hung right so we thought it would suit him coming here today, but he hung left with me. He has a good engine, he’ll keep improving and is a real nice staying horse.
When asked whether he would be a Gold Cup horse in time, Moore added: “I wouldn’t say he has to go that far. I think he’ll get a bit more professional and you’ll see a better horse. He doesn’t need to go that far yet.”
Birdman’s trainer Jessica Harrington said: “I am delighted with him as he is still very green. I thought he was going to pick up, but maybe the ground was a little bit quick for him. It was a big step forward. He is entered in the Curragh Cup but we could look at a three-year-old-only race, something like the Gordon Stakes.”
Queen’s Vase (Group 2)
1 - Illinois (Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor) Aidan O’Brien IRE 3-9-02 Ryan Moore 7/4F
Aidan O’Brien – 86th Royal Ascot winner Ryan Moore – 80th Royal Ascot winner
400TH GR1 IN AUGUSTE STYLE!
Aidan O’Brien trained his 400th career Group One winner courtesy of Auguste Rodin in the feature Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes on Royal Day 2, Wednesday.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, the 13/8 favourite had to dig deep to hold off sustained challenges from the French duo Zarakem and Horizon Dore. The distances were three quarters of a length and a length.
Inspiral, who won at last year’s Breeders’ Cup and was considered a key danger to Auguste Rodin, found little when asked for her effort in the straight and finished sixth.
This was Auguste Rodin’s sixth win in Gr1 company – his tally includes last year’s Derby and Irish Derby – and he became O’Brien’s fifth victory in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, equalling the records of Sir Henry Cecil and John Gosden.
O’Brien said: “I am so delighted for everybody, especially the lads – they make it happen. Without them, none of it would happen. So
many people I don’t mention every day, the people in the farm, the people in the office. There’re so many people. I am so grateful to them all for making this happen.
“Auguste Rodin is a very special horse. He gets a mile and a half very well. I was probably giving instructions wrong all along, we were riding him too far back and if there was no pace in the race, he was too far out of the race. So, we changed everything. Ryan said he was going to ride him positive, engage him straight away – he’ll get up there and cruise off any pace. He is very straightforward.
“I feel the blips were my fault, the instructions were wrong, and it took us to this time to start getting it right. We saw today that when he gets to the front, he waits, and then he goes again, and that’s what makes him very good. He has a personality, and good horses, they have to develop a personality to become good. And he has everything – the action, the movement, the temperament, the pedigree. So, he’s very special really and Ryan gave him a very special ride.”
On future plans, he added: “The lads will decide what they want to do. We give them the feedback and then they make a decision. He can do anything really. He can go to America… we were very surprised when he went to the dirt with the way he handled it. He cruises. The great thing about him is now we see that he’s very happy to be ridden forwards, we were probably riding him back too far and not giving him a chance. I think he can do anything, really. It’s totally dependent on what the lads want to do. Whether he goes to America, whether he stays around here. I think now we are more confident that we have worked him out.”
Moore said: “Auguste Rodin is a proper horse. Okay, a few times it hasn’t happened, but there have been reasons every time. The King George was maybe coming after a hard run in both Derbies, which is a hard thing to do.
“He is a Group One winner at two, he won four Group Ones last year, and people are always very quick to knock horses. As soon as they get beat, they want to have a go at you. Every time you send them away, they have
a pop at that as well.
“He took me there going very well, and when I asked him, he really showed great courage. He wanted to win. He has been a real good horse and did everything beautifully today – he deserved that.”
Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)
1 - Auguste Rodin (Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Westerberg) Aidan O’Brien IRE 4-9-02 Ryan Moore 13/8F
Aidan O’Brien – 87th Royal Ascot winner Ryan Moore – 81st Royal Ascot winner
KHAADEM SHOWS AGE
IS JUST A NUMBER
Khaadem etched his name further into the history books at Royal Ascot on Saturday in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, becoming the first eight-year-old to triumph and the first back-to-back winner since Right Boy in 1958/59.
Trained by Charlie Hills, Khaadem returned at odds of 14/1, having been the longest-priced
winner in modern times last year when scoring at 80/1 under Jamie Spencer.
Ridden today by Oisin Murphy, Khaadem was again delivered late to deny Swingalong by half a length, with Mill Stream a length and a quarter further back in third. The 3/1 favourite Believing finished fourth.
Khaadem carries the colours of Fitri Hay, who was also represented by the Hills-trained Mitbaahy. He finished seventh of the 13 runners under Spencer.
Hills said: “What a horse, to win two of these races, plus a Palace House, Stewards’ Cup, King George at Goodwood. He is a very good horse.
“He got a fantastic ride there off the pace and he never looked like he was going to get beat; he travelled beautifully through the race. He loves the place and it’s the first time he’s had
the ground, pretty much since he ran here last time. I think fast ground is key to him. He had a lovely pitch, they went a good strong pace in front, but he just travels so well. He’s such a versatile horse; he was making the running over five furlongs two years ago. I just really felt there’s a different trajectory to running like a good horse over six, and it seems to have suited him very well.
“He’s a wonderful horse – you just wouldn’t know! He’s got a huge amount of ability, but he’s different [at home] one day to the next. One day he’ll pick up the bridle and you think he’s Nijinksy, the next you think he’s like a plater. He knows more about the game than any of us, I think. He’s a hugely talented horse and has been an absolute pleasure to train.
“It’s easy to say after the event, but I’d say that last year’s race was probably more competitive than this one. I thought he always looked like he was the winner. He’s had so many top
jockeys on him over the years – Ryan Moore’s won on him, James Doyle, Jamie Spencer, William Buick. They’ve all sat on him over the years and now another one in Oisin.”
Murphy said: “What an amazing horse; eight years of age and back-to-back wins in the race – an incredible training performance from Charlie Hills and his team. Wonderful.
“I thought for the majority of the last two furlongs, he would win, and I was able to enjoy it a little bit. There was a lot of speed on, particularly after a furlong. When it began to slow down late on, he came alive. I just wanted to copy Jamie Spencer from last year!”
He added: “I didn’t expect the race to happen how it did as I jumped better than he normally gets away. There were four of us in a line and none of us intended laying up with the front group. There was a bit of a scrum and the group to our right was five lengths in front of us. Fortunately, I didn’t rush up to them because there was no pressure, and as they slowed down, I crept… Listen, the horse loves Ascot and he was wellprepared. It was a pretty easy ride.”
Dr Jim Hay said: “Khaadem never gives up. He doesn’t know he’s eight years old. He thinks he’s three, or two or something, and he just keeps going. He loves this ground, he loves Ascot and he just goes. Last year I couldn’t believe he was 80/1 – I just thought that was the most stupid odds I’d ever seen in my life. Today I think he was 14/1; still quite long odds for a horse of his ability. You cannot underestimate him. To have a horse running here is a huge privilege; to have a horse winning here is unbelievable.”
Karl Burke said of Swingalong: “We are delighted with the run. I am gutted to be beaten, but she’s run her heart out and I can’t complain. We thought we had it a furlong out. She loves this track, it plays to her strengths. She is in at Newmarket [July Cup]. I am not sure that track plays to her strengths, but it might be a case where we have to go as she was kept in training to run in these Group Ones, and to try and win one. I thought we had pulled it off there!”
Clifford Lee added: “Swingalong ran a fantastic race. Ideally, I could have held onto her a few more strides, but she’s run a great race and we are delighted with that run.”
Mill Stream’s trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said: “We are very pleased with that. It is his best run to date to be fair. William said it was a good run, a fair run, and it is his best to date, so we can’t complain. We will head to Deauville for the Prix Maurice de Gheest.”
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)
2 - Swingalong (Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum) Karl Burke 4-9-02 Clifford Lee 14/1
3 - Mill Stream (Peter Harris) Jane ChappleHyam 4-9-05 William Buick 9/2 13 ran 3/1F Believing (4th)
Six victories across the five days saw Coolmore, Aidan
and
sweep the leading owner, trainer and jockey titles at
for a second successive year.
O’Brien
Ryan Moore
Royal Ascot
Six victories across the five days saw Coolmore, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore sweep the leading owner, trainer and jockey titles at Royal Ascot for a second successive year.
Coolmore partnerships that included Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Westerberg, Moyglare Stud Farm and Peter Brant helped clinch the leading owner award for a fifth time since its introduction in 2017.
O’Brien received a 13th leading trainer award at the meeting and increased his lead as the most successful current trainer at the meeting, ending the week on 91 career victories.
Moore, leading jockey at the meeting for an 11th time, surpassed Frankie Dettori as the most successful current jockey at Royal Ascot. His career haul of 85 places him second on the all-time list behind Lester Piggott, who rode 116 winners at the meeting.
Highlights across the week included Auguste Rodin, who secured a sixth top-level success in Wednesday’s feature contest, the Gr1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes – a card that also saw Illinois beat stable-mate Highbury in the Gr2 Queen’s Vase.
Outstanding stayer Kyprios created history as he became only the third horse to win the Gr1 Gold Cup in non-consecutive years, coming out on top in a thrilling battle with Trawlerman.
Port Fairy also demonstrated her tenacity on Thursday with a hard-fought success in the Gr2 Ribblesdale Stakes. Coolmore-owned juveniles produced two of the most exhilarating performances of the week.
Fairy Godmother overcame significant trouble in running to take Friday’s Gr3 Albany Stakes, while fellow filly Bedtime Story won Saturday’s Listed Chesham Stakes by a remarkable nine and a half lengths.
Paul Smith, son of Derrick Smith, said: “It’s an absolute honour to win it. It’s such a fantastic event, a difficult event to get even one winner, let alone six, so we feel really privileged. The weather has made it for everybody, we have just had a brilliant time and are so pleased to be here.”
Aidan O’Brien said: “It’s very special. We feel grateful and privileged, we are just so lucky to have so many special people. The lads obviously at the top run the whole show and that’s where it comes from, but a lot of people put in a lot of hard work day in, day out – there are so many names I can’t mention – they are
the people that make it happen.
“It is a real privilege to be here with such great horses. The atmosphere, the track, the people, the facilities, are just absolutely unbelievable. You have to come here to see it to believe it. It’s like nowhere ever could be in the world.”
The attendance numbers:
• Tuesday - 43 791
• Wednesday - 40 163
• Thursday - 62 538
• Friday - 57 743
• Saturday - 69 291
Total: 273 526
THE REAL STARS OF ASCOT
Six victories across the five days saw Coolmore, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore sweep the leading owner, trainer and jockey titles at Royal Ascot for a second successive year.
Coolmore partnerships that included Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Westerberg, Moyglare Stud Farm and Peter Brant helped clinch the leading owner award for a fifth time since its introduction in 2017.
O’Brien received a 13th leading trainer award at the meeting and increased his lead as the most successful current trainer at the meeting, ending the week on 91 career victories.
Moore, leading jockey at the meeting for an 11th time, surpassed Frankie Dettori as the most successful current jockey at Royal Ascot. His career haul of 85 places him second on the all-time list behind Lester Piggott, who rode 116 winners at the meeting.
Highlights across the week included Auguste Rodin, who secured a sixth top-level success in Wednesday’s feature contest, the Gr1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes – a card that also saw Illinois beat stable-mate Highbury in the Gr2 Queen’s Vase.
Outstanding stayer Kyprios created history as he became only the third horse to win the Gr1 Gold Cup in non-consecutive years, coming out on top in a thrilling battle with Trawlerman.
Port Fairy also demonstrated her tenacity on Thursday with a hard-fought success in the Gr2 Ribblesdale Stakes. Coolmore-owned juveniles produced two of the most exhilarating performances of the week.
Fairy Godmother overcame significant trouble in running to take Friday’s Gr3 Albany Stakes, while fellow filly Bedtime Story won Saturday’s Listed Chesham Stakes by a remarkable nine and a half lengths.
O’Brien’s Los Angeles looks the stable elect | Credit: Coolmore
TEAM BALLYDOYLE–DERBY PACESETTERS?
The 160th renewal of the Irish Derby takes place at the Curragh on Sunday (17h05). Traditionally run a month after the Derby, the €1,25 Million Classic sponsored by Dubai Duty Free has attracted a strong field of middledistance colts including the second and third placings from Epsom.
With a record-breaking 15 wins in the race, including last year with Auguste Rodin, Aidan O’Brien is mob-handed on Sunday with six of the ten declared runners.
O’Brien’s Camelot colt, Los Angeles looks the stable elect. He finished a fine third to star stablemate City Of Troy in the Derby a few weeks ago. Unbeaten in three starts prior to that, including a Group 1 on soft ground, he will have every opportunity of success with Ryan Moore likely to be on board for the first time.
With five other runners, the Ballydoyle team are sure to dictate the pace on Sunday and the three English raiders will not find it easy.
Chief amongst them is the Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly. The James Fanshawe trained colt was just over three-lengths in front of Los Angeles when runner-up and the Britishtrained raider has been supplemented for this contest.
The Gleneagles colt is a supplementary entry on Sunday after his Lingfield Derby Trial triumph in May. On that occasion he defeated subsequent Royal Ascot scorer Illinois by a widening four and a half-lengths and is the biggest threat to the O’Brien battalion. The English star is a general 5-4 favourite.
His rider, the 50-year-old jockey Rab Havlin will be forced to concede substantial course experience at the Curragh on Sunday.
Havlin has continued to team up with Ambiente Friendly in his work since Epsom and been pleased with his reaction to the Epsom experience.
“He was a breeze-up horse, and they’ve done quite well settling him down. Riding him since Epsom he seems to have relaxed again even more,” Havlin observed.
“Every time I ride him, he’s more relaxed and friendly. I know mentally he’s improved; all the ticks are in the boxes after Epsom, and he’s come out of Epsom with flying colours.”
Sunway and Matsuri are the remaining English raiders. Sunway has disappointed trainer David Menuisier this season, racing in three French features.
However, Matsuri has shown tremendous improvement in each of his three starts for Newmarket trainer Roger Varian.
The Sea The Stars colt is unexposed at this level, but such was the manner of his last win that it left connections tempted at a Classic tilt.
He made his belated seasonal appearance at Leicester last month when easily accounted for his rivals by eight lengths.
EYES ON THE CHAMPIONSHIPS PRIZE FOR PIERRE
Pierre Ng landed a potentially decisive blow in the battle for the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship with a treble highlighted by a pair of Gr3 victories at Sha Tin on Sunday to edge to a vital two-win lead over Francis Lui.
In only his second season of training, Ng boosted his tally to 65 wins when Mugen claimed the HK$4.2 million Gr3 Premier Cup Handicap and Galaxy Patch triumphed in the HK$4.2 million Gr3 Premier Plate Handicap.
With only six meetings left in the season, Ng not only regained the ascendency in his tussle with former mentor Lui, who has 63 wins, but also laid the foundation for tilts at even loftier targets with Mugen and Galaxy Patch.
Trailing 63-62 at the start of the meeting, Ng surged back into the championship lead when Greenwich landed the first section of the Class 4 Diamond Handicap under Andrea Atzeni before rising talents Mugen and Galaxy Patch crowned a glorious afternoon for the young handler.
“The plan for June, there’s four Group 3’s –lucky to get three of them and unlucky not to get four,” Ng, 40, said.
“We’re happy enough. The stable planned for that and hopefully we can head on to the last day. Good luck to both of us (Ng and Lui) and hopefully we both get more winners to enjoy.”
Mugen (Karis Teetan) is the first leg of a Group 3 double for Pierre Ng | Credit: HKJC
Mugen was ridden patiently by Karis Teetan, settling last before charging through the centre of the field in the straight to down leader and triple Gr1 winner California Spangle in 1m 21.77s on a track drenched pre-race by heavy rain. Flying Ace was third, a further length away.
Ng hopes Mugen can graduate to elite class next preparation.
“Hopefully he’ll be a very good sprinter next year, either 1200 or 1400m. The owners really wanted to bring a horse that can travel, and this horse might be the one for them,” he said.
“We might think of Japan – the Gr1 Sprinters Stakes which is a 1200m race. Let’s see over summer. If there’s not many options, we’ll have a crack and if there’s options here, we’ll stay here.”
Teetan revealed Mugen – who started the season in Class 3 – initially struggled with the kickback created by the pre-race downpour.
“I don’t think Mugen was too happy with the kickback because with the showers we had made it a bit sandy behind, so I was a bit worried about him but then as soon as we hit the first turn, he got really comfortable and the place slacked up a little bit,” Teetan said.
“I just chose to guide my way through. Of course, I was hoping for a split, but I know this horse has got a beautiful turn of foot and with that weight on his back, I knew he could do it. He kept quickening up nicely towards the end.”
Jerry Chau dominated the undercard with a treble, scoring on Young Brilliant for Dennis Yip in the Class 4 Topaz Handicap and Benno Yung’s Top Peak in the second section of the Class 4 Diamond Handicap and James Tak in the Class 3 Sapphire Handicap.
Chau was impressed with Top Peak’s development.
“At the beginning of the season, he was a bit immature and difficult to settle,” Chau said.
“Now, he’s getting better, and this race was perfect for him. He travelled well and at the 600 metres, he felt great – he’s got a big stride –and he did a very good job.
“I think he will improve again next season.”
Atzeni and Vincent Ho both slotted doubles.
Atzeni clinched a brace with Awesome Fluke’s tough win in the Class 3 Lapis Lazuli Handicap for Ricky Yiu. Winner of the Gr2 W.A.T.C. Derby in 2023 when he raced as Awesome John in Australia, the four-year-old raced outside leader Oriental Smoke before forging clear.
Ho partnered Galaxy Patch to a brilliant win after piloting Joy Of Spring to victory in the Emerald Handicap, delivering Caspar Fownes’ 50th win of the season.
Manfred Man and Keith Yeung struck with Yuen Long Elite in the Class 4 Ruby Handicap. Having only his second start, the three-year-old surged along the fence to deny My Wish in the last stride.
Talents Ambition notched his first Hong Kong win for Mark Newnham and Harry Bentley in the Class 3 Spessartine Garnet Handicap, earning a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million. Unbeaten in two Australian starts when known as Burling, the three-year-old made a sustained run from the tail of the field to win comfortably.
Dennis Yip’s Young Brilliant returned to form with victory in the Class 4 Topaz Handicap for Jerry Chau before Rubylot closed the meeting in superb fashion by charging from well back to win the Class 3 Amethyst Handicap under Zac Purton.
Trainer David Hayes indicated the three-yearold would be set for next season’s Hong Kong Classic Mile.
RICARDO LE GRANGE’S GREY LEADS THE WAY
The SG$75 000 Novice race over 1400m might have been a bit short for Boardroom, but connections were rewarded handsomely after he scored again from barrier to box on Saturday at Kranji.
With his only winning partner Bernardo Pinheiro aboard, the three-year-old son of Justify opened his account with an all-the-way win two starts ago in a Maiden race on 21 April, albeit over 1600m.
A month later, the Ricardo Le grange-trained grey colt took a stab at Group glory in the Gr2 Singapore Guineas but only managed ninth behind stablemate Ace Of Diamonds.
While Le Grange was thrilled with the win by Ace Of Diamonds, he was not all disappointed by Boardroom’s unplaced run either.
If anything, there was a silver lining from that run.
“The winner, Ace Of Diamonds, won the Singapore Guineas by four lengths and Boardroom was only about five lengths behind the second horse, Bakeel,” explained the South African handler.
“The pace was too fast in the Guineas. Considering the fact that Boardroom was only a one-time winner going into the Gr2 race, he ran exceptionally well there.
“He had good form behind Bakeel and didn’t finish far behind him, so the formline was good.
“Today was a Novice race over 1400m and when the rain came down, we came up with the plan to lead.”
Boardroom (Bernardo Pinheiro) makes every post a winning one in Race 2 | Credit:STC
Pinheiro executed the plan to perfection. After jumping from the outermost alley in the field of seven, Boardroom was bustled up to secure the lead on the rails while the pair of Santino (Koh Teck Huat) and Thunderstorm (Darren Danis) followed behind.
By the 300m, it was obvious his rivals were caught napping as Boardroom strode home to an effortless three-and-a-half-length win from favourite Cheval Pegasus (Simon Kok). Creative Dreams (Daniel Moor) ran another half-a-length away in third.
The winning time was 1 min 22.95secs for the 1400m on the Short Course on the yielding track.With a trip not made to suit for a stayer like Boardroom, Pinheiro thought leading would work in their favour.
“He’s a big horse with long strides. We knew from early days he’d be a long-distance horse but he’s coming back from a Group race to the seven furlongs,” said the Brazilian hoop.
“Ricardo managed to keep him in very good form, and I know him very well since he was a baby.
“The 1400m was a bit of a question mark and that’s why I wanted to be positive. Even if we don’t end up in front, I wanted to be up there because I’m sure he will keep going.
“He’s not a horse with a turn of foot on the shorter trip, and we must use his good speed to our advantage. He broke very well and led. I made my own pace, so we were comfortable from there.
“He won his maiden race with me. I knew he will fight from the start, but he will be better over 1600m, 1800m and longer distances.”
With two wins from seven starts, Boardroom has now taken his earnings to close to SG$60,000 for his owner, Leonardo Javier.
