SP SPRINT - Wednesday 28 June 2023

Wednesday 28 June 2023

winning rider Smanga Khumalo greets the thrilled crowd. Image courtesy of Candiese Lenferna.

Despite the region being hit by heavy rains and a mini Tornado on Tuesday, it’s all systems go for the R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July at Hollywoodbets Greyville in Durban on Saturday. And with all Covid restrictions finally out of the way, a full house of approximately 50 000 fans is expected.

And recognising the value to the local economy of Africa’s greatest sporting and social event, the City of Durban has come to the party, assuring all visitors and local racegoers that the event will be protected from any form of loadshedding.

Throw into the mix that the weather is expected to be “brilliant sunshine and a pleasant 22 degrees with very little wind”, the 2023 renewal of the iconic race is set to be “Out Of This World” and a blast for racing fans, party-goers, fashion aficionados and celebrity guests alike, many of whom will be travelling from far and wide to be in Durban on the day.

Favourite for the race is See It Again who is owned by Nick Jonsson of Jonssons’s Workwear fame, trained by Michael Roberts and will be ridden by veteran star Piere Strydom, who at 57 seeks to become the oldest jockey ever to win the July.

Piere has ridden more than 5500 winners throughout his career and threatened retirement about a year ago, but then See It Again fortuitously came into his life when the connections were looking for a jockey to ride the son of Twice Over in the Splashout Cape Derby earlier this year.

He took up the challenge and history now records that Strydom and See It Again, at odds of 50/1, produced a flying finish to inflict defeat on the Champion colt Charles Dickens.

With an eye on Saturday’s big one, any thought of retirement went out the window and Piere was back in the saddle when See It Again wrapped up a perfect July preparation with a fluent win in the Daily News 2000 at the end of May. And now they are favourites to win on the biggest stage of all!

And Strydom is no stranger to winning the July. He has won it four times previously, the most recent when steering The Conglomerate to a surprise win in 2016. As a jockey Michael ‘Muis’ Roberts only won the July on one occasion and that was way back in 1997 when he was aboard Super Quality.

Now he seeks to become only the fourth person to both ride and train a Durban July winner – the three previous members of this

very special group being Syd Garrett, David Payne and Bert Abercrombie.

When Roberts rode Super Quality to victory he was saddle cloth number 7 and, by a twist of fate, See It Again will also carry the number 7 saddle cloth on Saturday.

As an owner Nick Jonsson has enjoyed ‘July success as a partner in Do It Again with Bernard Kantor and Nancy Hossack.

Do It Again won the race in 2018 and 2019

and has been placed in all three of his subsequent appearances.

On Saturday Do It Again lines up for a recordbreaking sixth time and the now 8 year old looked in fine form at the official gallops last Thursday. He is one of five runners in the race from the powerful Justin Snaith stable who are attempting to win the race for a sixth time. Gavin Lerena has been engaged to ride Do It Again, while stable jockey Richard Fourie has

Trainer Michael Roberts, seen with daughter Caroline | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

chosen to partner Without Question, who also carries the Jonsson colours.

See It Again was bred at the Gaynor Rupertowned Drakenstein Stud. This high quality breeding operation based in Franchshoek in the Western Cape are the breeders of seven of the eighteen horses in the race, in itself a South African record.

Five of these horses will race in the blue and white silks of the Drakenstein Stud including the well fancied Winchester Mansion who is trained by Brett Crawford.

Winchester Mansion appears to have improved enormously since being gelded and was an impressive winner in the recent Cup Trial.

Safe Passage, who ran third in this race last year, also sports the Drakenstein colours and

will be ridden by the internationally acclaimed champion jockey, Christophe Soumillon, who flies in from France on Friday.

With so many records up for grabs at this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July it promises to be fascinating race in which pace and tactics will play a large role in the outcome. Dave The King, partly owned by golfing legend Gary Player, is one of the likely pacemakers and if allowed to control matters upfront, it is not inconceivable that he could go all the way.

But for See It Again, Piere Strydom, Michael Roberts and Nick Jonsson, 1 July 2023 is their date with destiny.

Not since Spanish Galliard was victorious in 1992 have we seen a KZN-trained winner of the July and many will be hoping for that all to change on Saturday.

Legend Piere Strydom - set to join Anton Marcus with 5 wins in the great race |

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

DRAKENSTEIN’S EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES

WHO SAYS TRIP OF FORTUNE WON’T STAY?

Should either Winchester Mansion or Trip of Fortune manage to pull a rabbit out of the hat on Saturday, it will be a first Durban July success not just for the female line, but also for their sire, who came close last year when Jet Dark found only Sparkling Water his superior!

Trippi son Trip Of Fortune - topweight and a surprise entry for some |

Credit: Candiese Lenferna

All the talk this week is naturally about the R5 million Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and one thing is clear, Drakenstein Stud will launch heavy artillery in our premier race.

Breeders of current favourite See It Again and Pacaya, Gaynor Rupert’s operation will also be represented by a record five homebreds: Safe Passage, Trip Of Fortune, Winchester Mansion, and the fillies Rain In Holland and Silver Darling. An embarrassment of riches indeed!

Remarkably, only Trip Of Fortune and Winchester Mansion are by the stud’s flagship stallion Trippi and on pedigree, they share an

intriguing link, for both have as their third dam the fine broodmare Manuka.

By Rainbow Dream, Manuka was no slouch on the track either, managing a third in the Gr2 Rex Trueform Fillies Championship. However, that paled into insignificance when she exchanged the racetrack for the broodmare paddocks, for amongst her eight winners were Gr1 Computaform Sprint hero Rodoille and the Gr2 Diadem Stakes winner, and multiple Gr1-placed, Blue Tiger. The latter was by Counter Action, as was Manuka’s exceptional half-sister Wainui, the first filly in 50 years to win the Gr1 Queen’s Plate.

Countess Kiwi, the dam of Wainui and Manuka, was by the obscure sire Quo Banco, whereas her dam, the New Zealand import Kiwi, was a half-sister to the mighty Sledgehammer, one of the iconic heroes of the seventies.

So, let’s see where Trip Of Fortune and Winchester Mansion fit into this female line.

Trip Of Fortune’s dam Louvre, topseller recently on the CRS Winter Mixed Sale, won the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes and earned Gr1 small black type when third in the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes.

Sired by the Sadler’s Wells horse Doowaley, she was by far the pick of six winners out of Manuka’s daughter Prive, a modest two-time winner by the Arc winner Saumarez, a son of Rainbow Quest.

It might be termed the unkindest cut of all, but since gelding Trip Of Fortune has been a revelation, with victories in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes, Gr2 Green Point Stakes and Gr3 Matchem Stakes. His superior form up to a mile

gives rise to stamina concerns - but let’s be fair, he’s never been tried over further and who knows, the staying influence of both Doowaley and Saumarez may well come to the fore.

In contrast, there are no such doubts about paternal half-brother Winchester Mansion, winner of last year’s Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes over the classic Derby distance.

Although his dam Sea Point scored as a juvenile over 1000m, she was by another son of Rainbow Quest, the Irish 2000 Guineas winner, Spectrum. Ironically, she produced the precocious Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion winner Sand And Sea to Twice Over, whose progeny are generally later-maturing types.

Sea Point’s dam Compass Point is a Model Man daughter of Manuka. A winner of four races up to 1200m, she produced five winners in

Trippi son Winchester Mansion - a well weighted 4yo | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

all, including the unbeaten Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Pointing North to Joshua Dancer, whilst Jallad daughter Pointing East finished third in the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes.

Incidentally, both Sledgehammer and Wainui contested the July.

Cyril Hurvitz’s champion started favourite for the dramatic 1975 renewal, where he was cut into during the race and could only finish 13th behind the winner Gatecrasher, who as we all know, lost the race in the stewards’ room after hanging badly in the straight and almost putting runner-up Distinctly over the rails.

Although Sledgehammer never reached the

same dizzying heights in the breeding shed, he became a successful stallion and sired the Gr1 winners Damb

Wainui took her chances in the 1990 running after a busy season during which she had won the Gr1 Queen’s Plate, the Majorca Stakes, the SA Fillies Sprint and the Poinsettia Stakes, whilst finishing third in the Met.

By the time the July came around, she had clearly gone over the top and ran 15th behind Ilustrador.

One of the leading lights of her generation, she sadly produced little of note as a broodmare and died at the early age of 11.

1984 Durban July Handicap star, Devon Air

Should either Winchester Mansion or Trip of Fortune manage to pull a rabbit out of the hat on Saturday, it will be a first July success not just for the female line, but also for their sire, who came close last year when Jet Dark found only Sparkling Water his superior.

What more can we say about this extraordinary horse, who has grown to a behemoth amongst the leading stallions and at the advanced age of 26, is enjoying another stellar season.

Not only has he sired Gr1 Met winner Jet Dark, Gr1 winner Trip Of Fortune, and of course the

Champion miler elect Charles Dickens, but he is also broodmare sire of Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint winner Gimme A Prince.

The Drakenstein linchpin notched up yet another stakes winner last weekend when juvenile daughter October Morn powered home to put her rivals to the sword in the Listed Perfect Promise Sprint at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

By the way, she too, has a link to the Durban July, for her third dam is the champion Devon Air, who led from start to finish to claim the country’s premier race in 1984.

WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE!

The fairer sex have won the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July on fourteen occasions, with Sparkling Water the latest female to prevail when victorious last year.

On Saturday Bless My Stars, Time Flies, Silver Darling and Rain In Holland are the proverbial roses amongst the thorns.

At stud, July winners have enjoyed mixed success, with many failing to produce anything approaching their own merit at stud.

One July winning female, however, to prove outstanding in the paddocks was Peerless, the first equine female ever to win the great race.

At stud, Peerless produced another July winner in the form of Nobleman (Greatorex), who is the only horse ever to win the July as a two-year-old. Nobleman’s full-sister Noble Lady won both the SA Derby and SA Oaks,

while Nobleman and Noble Lady’s half-brother Unequalled (Minor Forfeit) went on to sire 1930 Durban July winner Full Dress.

The 1962 July winner Diza (Herculaneum) continued the legacy set by her famed granddam Drohsky (Polyphontes), with Diza’s numerous high-class descendants including champion Evening Mist, Fillies Guineas winner Rei Rei and Star Award, and Summer Cup winner Ingleside. Current useful performers Resonate and Kingdom Of Gold are a few others directly descended from Diza.

Another July winning female to make her mark in the paddocks was Devon Air, who not only produced the stakes winners Cream Of The Crop (Gr2 Chairmans Handicap) and Plymouth

Sean Tarry’s Bless My Stars is one of a quartet of roses amongst the thorns on Saturday | Credit: JC Photos

Rock (Settlers Trophy), but also ranks as the granddam of Gr1 Mercury Sprint winner August Rush (Var) and third dam of Gr1 Gold Medallion winner, and Equus Champion, Tempting Fate (Master Of My Fate).

While Tecla Bluff (Snow Bluff), victorious in the 1983 July, never produced anything in her own class, she did leave behind an outstanding broodmare daughter in the form of Teclafields (Northfields). The latter not only produced a trio of Gr1 winners headed by champion Circle Of Life and Met winner Zebra Crossing, but Teclafields also ranks as granddam of Gr1 Premier’s Champions Challenge winner Deo Juvente (Trippi) and the third dam of top-class sprinter True To Life (Duke Of Marmalade).

Flashy grey July dead-heater Dancer’s Daughter (Act One) has not enjoyed the same success at stud as has her half-sister Imvula (Aqlaam), but she is the dam of Listed Kings Cup winner Born To Perform and also

granddam of the smart performer Silvano’s Dasher.

Globetrotting July winner Ipi Tombe was another mare whose influence was felt through a broodmare daughter, with Ipi Tombe’s daughter Pin Turn responsible for Gr3 Flamboyant Stakes/Listed Swallow Stakes queen Zimbaba (Legislate), while 2011 July winner Igugu (Galileo) died young but did leave behind a smart performer in the form of Fred Archer Stakes runner up El Misk (Dansili).

Influence of July winning mares was well and truly felt in various races run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this past Saturday with brilliant Listed Perfect Promise Sprint winner October Morn (Trippi) sporting 1984 July winner Devon Air as her third dam, and fellow Hollywoodbets

Kenilworth scorers Future Turn (Futura) and Grand Bay (Silvano) produced by Ipi Tombe’s daughter Pin Turn and Dancer’s Daughter’s daughter Dashing Scarlet respectively.

Justin Snaith with 2008 winner Dancer’s Daughter | Credit: Gold Circle

Mike de Kock wasn’t a jockey – Kevin Shea was the pilot - but he trained 2002 winner Ipi Tombe | Credit: Gold Circle

DON’T MISS THE SHOW AT 18H00 THIS EVENING!

To provide some valuable insight into the heart and mind of the great race, a star-studded line-up of experts will be hosted by leading race-caller Alistair Cohen on the official Hollywoodbets Durban July panel discussion to be premiered on SuperSport channel 207 (Variety 2) this evening at 18h00.

It will also premiere on GallopTV, as well as the Hollywoodbets and Gold Circle YouTube and Facebook platforms at the same time.

The powerhouse panel includes five-time Hollywoodbets Durban July winning trainers

Justin Snaith and Mike de Kock, SA Champion jockey-elect Keagan de Melo, and rising star of the jockey ranks, Athandiwe Mgudlwa, as well as former jockey Anthony Delpech, who rode four Durban July winners before injury cut short an illustrious career.

Between them, Justin Snaith and Mike de Kock will saddle seven of the big race runners on Saturday!

The jockey duo on the panel, Keagan de Melo, who partners this season’s dual Grade1-winning gelding Puerto Manzano, and Athandiwe Mgudlwa, who will be aboard Sean Tarry’s top-class 3yo filly Bless My Stars, are

Ali Cohen, Ant Mgudlwa, Keagan de Melo, Anthony Delpech, Mike de Kock and Justin Snaith – beat that! | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications Manager Devin Hefer keeps an eye on the production| Credit: Candiese Lenferna

both out to land their first victory in a race that creates superstars and defines careers.

So please make a note – the show will premiere tonight on SuperSport channel 207 (Variety 2) at 18h00.

Also, watch it on GallopTV, DStv CatchUp, and social media platforms.

Following the show, there will be an additional panel discussion covering

the other 11 races on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.

The panel will run through their other runners and rides on the day, and suggest possible inclusions for doubles, trebles and multiple bets. This will only be available on GallopTV as well as on the Hollywoodbets and Gold Circle Facebook pages and YouTube channels.

There will be regular repeats of the panel discussion.

R20 MILLION – TAKE YOUR PICK 6!

Tote betting opened countrywide on Monday for Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July spectacular at the Theatre Of Champions.

A twelve-race programme is offered on South Africa’s premier raceday and players will have plenty to get excited about with a R2 million Pick 6 carryover set to boost the popular exotic to R20 million.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July quartet pool

gets a R1 million kick-start, which should see the pool reaching R10 million.

There are three jackpots on the card, and third of these starts in the ninth race, with a R500 000 carryover and a projected R2 million to play for.

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

Richard Fourie takes Snaith kingpin Without Question through his paces at the official Hollywoodbets Durban July gallops | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

As Mike de Kock bids for his sixth July win, the one question that the large crowd that braved the early morning chill last Thursday to watch the KZN-based Hollywoodbets Durban July runners being put through their paces had to answer was: did Dave The King work like a winner or was he boosted by the seemingly modest gallop of stable companion Safe Passage?

The pair worked together at Hollywoodbets Greyville with Dave The King dwarfing his stable companion and seemingly hardly out of a canter as he used his huge action like a well-oiled machine.

Safe Passage on the other hand was seemingly hard-pressed to keep up, with rider JP van der Merwe hard at work, but both recorded the quickest 400m to finish time. In an interview with Turf Talk, De Kock said that Safe Passage is not a good work horse.

“Safe Passage last year caught me unawares in the Daily News. He gives away nothing at the track. Last year I thought he needed the run, didn’t think he could run well, he goes

and wins the Daily News. He’s a funny horse, he gives away nothing when it comes to work. But he is as sound and as well as I’ve ever seen him and moving probably the best I’ve seen him move ever.”

Asked whether world-class rider Christophe Soumillon being on Safe Passage meant the latter was the stable elect he replied, “You know, this horse Dave The King has improved a helluva lot. He is absolutely flying at home. He’s come on from his last start, he’s definitely improved on at least what he was beaten.”

De Kock continued, “However, I have a big question mark over the 2200m with Dave The King because he has a tremendous amount of pace and he has a massive, massive action.”

Most pundits agreed that, after Dave The King, three of the better showings were those of Without Question, stable companion Do It Again and current ante-post favourite See It Again.

Richie ‘n the hood? Richard Fourie preps his kit prior to the official gallops last Thursday | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

With five horses to choose from as Justin Snaith’s first call rider, Richard Fourie picked Without Question and gave his gallop a mark of 10 out of 10 according to presenter Deez Dayanand which is high praise indeed. Snaith has a knack of getting his runners into the big race with the least weight possible and Without Question fits that profile.

Many have written off two-time winner Do It Again because of his relatively advanced age, but he has yet to finish out of the money in his five starts and has been decidedly unlucky in his last two where he could have finished a lot closer but for traffic problems.

He had similar issues in the recent Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge but it was a cracking warm-up for the big one and back over his optimum trip he could become the oldest July winner ever.

Michael Roberts has seemingly prepped antepost favourite See It Again to perfection and he turned in an eye-catching gallop under his regular work rider, Rachel Venniker. Piere Strydom will again be aboard the Gr1 Daily News 2000 winner and will become the oldest winning jockey should he add a fifth trophy to his cabinet, equalling that of Anton Marcus.

It was difficult to access the prerecorded Highveld gallops but the filly Rain In Holland appeared to have worked well for Sean Tarry and the Gr1 Woolavington winner is unbeaten at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

RACING STARS SELECTIONS

By Top Tipsters & Racing Analysts

CHARL PRETORIUS

1 Winchester Mansion

2 Pacaya

3 Safe Passage

4 Pomp And Power

ROUVAUN SMIT

1 See It Again

2 Without Question

3 Dave The King

4 Pacaya

GRAEME HAWKINS

1 See It Again

2 Without Question

3 Winchester Mansion

4 Do It Again

NEIL PRETORIUS

1 Son Of Raj

2 See It Again

3 Winchester Mansion

4 Without Question

SHELDON PETERS

1 Do It Again

2 See It Again

3 Rascallion

4 Without Question

DEVON PRETORIUS

1 See It Again

2 Safe Passage

3 Dave The King

4 Do It Again

WARREN LENFERNA

1 See It Again

2 Dave The King

3 Rain In Holland

4 Second Base

GRANT KNOWLES

1 Winchester Mansion

2 Without Question

3 See It Again

4 Rascallion

DARYN BURROUGHS

NICO KRITSIOTIS

1 Rain In Holland

2 See It Again

3 Without Question

4 Safe Passage

CRAIG PETERS

1 Without Question

2 Winchester Mansion

3 See It Again

4 Dave The King

RAHIEL RADHAKRISHNA

1 Winchester Mansion

2 Rain In Holland

3 See It Again

4 Pomp And Power

MJ BYLEVELD

1 Rascallion

2 Pacaya

3 Winchester Mansion

4 Rain In Holland

NEIL ANDREWS

BRANDON BAILEY

1 See It Again

2 Rain In Holland

3 Winchester Mansion

4 Pacaya

DEEZ DAYANAND

1 Dave The King

2 Without Question

3 See It Again

4 Winchester Mansion

NADINE LOW AH KEE

1 See It Again

2 Without Question

3 Son Of Raj

4 Puerto Manzano

JUSTIN VERMAAK

1 Pacaya

2 See It Again

3 Puerto Manzano

4 Rain In Holland

LYALL COOPER

1 Dave The King

2 Safe

1 See It Again

2 Winchester Mansion

3 Do It Again

4 Rascallion

ANDREW HARRISON

1 Rain In Holland

2 See It Again

3 Winchester Mansion

4 Do It Again

1 Winchester Mansion

2 Rascallion

3 Pomp And Power

4 Pacaya

DAVID THISELTON

1 See It Again

2 Without Question

3 Rascallion

4 Pacaya

1 Son Of Raj

2 See It Again

3 Without Question

4 Winchester Mansion

GARY LEMKE

1 See It Again

2 Winchester Mansion

3 Pacaya

4 Without Question

ROBYN LOUW

1 Safe Passage

2 See It Again

NOT SELECTED: BLESS MY STARS

RIVERTON AT SUNCOAST

Riverton Stud offer a quality quartet at Thursday’s BSA KZN Yearling Sale.

Lot 10 - East Cape Champion Sibling

The Riverton Stud bred Chere For Me is a classy filly, who was named the East Cape’s Champion 2YO Filly of 2022.

The first stakes winner for her sire Coup De Grace, Chere For Me showed tremendous precocity winning both the Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery and Listed Lady’s Slipper at two, with those successes earning her that East Cape award. She has trained on well, with Chere For Me recently winning her 4th race over 1200 metres from 4.

Riverton will be offering a half-brother (Lot 10) to Chere For Me and four other winners at the 2023 KZN Yearling Sale.

The colt in question was sired by versatile Gr1 Vodacom Durban July winner Pomodoro -whose Riverton Stud bred Cirillo has earned more than R5 million in prize money. South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 20172018, Pomodoro has more than shown his ability to sire high-class performers, with his progeny headed by Equus Champion, and dual Gr1 winner, Return Flight, Gr1 Cape Racing Presents The Cape Guineas victor Russian Rock, and such graded stakes winners as Black Thorn, Epsom Girl and Golden Belle.

Pomodoro has also come up with some very promising three-year-olds this season, with this tally including the highly rated Gr1 WSB SA Derby third Rule By Force and the progressive River Romeo, while his two-year-olds this season include the exciting filly Kingdom

Of Gold and debut winner Mount Pilatus.

A further indicator of Pomodoro’s ability as a stallion is that he has sired high-class gallopers out of mares sired by such unfashionable stallions as Special Preview, Lake Coniston, Proclamation, Doowaley, and The Sheik.

Chere For Me’s Pomodoro half-brother also numbers the useful Red Al as a half-sister, with dam Red Eminence herself a winning half-sister to precocious Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes victor Hard Rock, as well as to the dam of subsequent Hong Kong based Riverton Stud bred Gr1 Tsogo Sun Medallion winner Potent Power.

Lot 17 – Dubawi Son To Erupt

Dubawi’s dual Gr1 winning son Erupt has made a promising start to his stud career. Outstanding stallion Dubawi, already sire of such top-class stallion sons as Night Of Thunder, Zarak and New Bay, looks to have another promising sire son to his name in the form of Erupt.

Like champion South African sire Fort Wood, Erupt won the Gr1 Grand Prix de Paris with his four other wins including triumphs in the Gr1 Canadian International and Gr3 Prix du Lys. He made an instant impression with his first crop headed by Gr3 Protea Stakes/Listed Storm Bird Stakes winner Karangetang, and more than 20 other winners.

Erupt also looks to have a very promising crop of two-year-olds this season, with his second

crop headed thus far by Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes runner up Golden Tatjana, the speedy Icy Blast, Ruffian Stakes second place getter Ripple Effect, Listed Hollywoodbets Super League Devon Air Stakes runner up Dolcezza and Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes runner up Hot Pearl.

This is quite an achievement given the fact that Erupt himself never raced at two. At the time of writing, Erupt (currently South Africa’s third Leading Sire of 2YOs by stakes for 2022-2023) had been responsible for more two-year-old winners in South Africa this season than the likes of Rafeef, Trippi and Var.

Riverton Stud will be offering a colt (Lot17) by this exciting young sire at this year’s KZN Yearling Sale, with this colt having plenty of upside to him. A half-brother to three multiple winners, the colt is out of Rozelana, a stakes placed, six time winning daughter of Al Mufti, whose three time winning dam is a half-sister to

the Al Mufti sired Gr1 J&B Met winner Alastor.

Rozelana is also a three-parts sister to speedy sprinter Blazing Al (a son of Al Mufti’s champion son Captain Al) and half-sister to dual Gr3 Lebelo Handicap winner National Flame and to the dam of the top-class Eyes Wide Open.

Riverton Stud will be offering a colt (Lot 117), from the first crop of Met winning champion One World, who hails from the same family as Lucky Lad and Follow Me.

The latter, himself an R850 000 buy from the 2016 KZN Sale, earned over R2 million during his South African campaign, where Eyes Wide Open captured both the 2017 Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes and 2018 Gr1 Cape Derby.

Rozelana’s granddam, and dam of the aforementioned Alastor, was Listed (now Gr2) Tibouchina Stakes winner Damascus Road, herself a half-sister to Natal Oaks runner up Tropical Garden (dam of Gr2 (now Gr1) Majorca Stakes queen Wild Aster.

Further back, this is the family of another Met winner in the form of champion Wild West, as well as the latter’s champion dam and Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Wild Ash, as well as Ultrasound. The latter, like Eyes Wide Open, won the Gr1 Cape Derby of his year.

This family continues to produce high-class stakes winners, with 2022 G3 HSH Princess

Charlene Starling Stakes winner Miss Daisy produced by a daughter of Tropical Garden.

Rozelana is herself a direct descendant of one of the greatest mares in the stud book in the form of Paraffin -whose numerous high-class descendants include such English classic winners Book Law, Cicero, Ladas, Neil Gow, and Vaucluse.

South Africa’s Champion Sire of 1999-2000, Al Mufti has enjoyed plenty of success as a broodmare sire, with his daughters having produced at least 80 stakes winners, including the likes of globetrotting champions Bold Silvano and Jay Peg, and fellow Equus Champions Kings Gambit, Rock Opera and Yorker.

Lot 25 – The Vercingetorix Factor

Equus Champion and outstanding sire

Vercingetorix is enjoying another wonderful season in 2022-2023, with the Gr1 Jebel Hatta winner’s progeny shining both on the racetrack and in the sales ring.

Already the sire of seven Gr1 winners, Vercingetorix has already been responsible for ten stakes winners this season, with his flagbearers in 2022-2023 including the graded stakes winners Bereave, Cousin Casey, Mrs Geriatrix, Nebraas, and Rascallion to name a few.

As versatile as he is brilliant, Vercingetorix has sired a host of top-class gallopers ranging from G1 winning sprinter Alesian Chief to durable champion stayer Nebraas. The latter claimed the fifth graded stakes win of his career when victorious in this season’s Gr3 WSB Caradoc Gold Cup, with Nebraas having earned more than R1,5 million in stakes. In contrast, Vercingetorix’s brilliant two-year-old daughter Mrs Geriatrix won her first four starts this season including the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship and Gr2 WSB SA Fillies Nursery.

With plenty of big races yet to be run this season, Vercingetorix looks sure to build on what has already been an excellent season.

His racetrack success has been reflected in the sales ring, with Vercingetorix topping the Leading Sires by Aggregate table at this year’s National Yearling Sale. The son of five times champion South African sire Silvano had 35 yearlings sell for a total of R29.9 million, with Vercingetorix, who had 11 yearlings make R1 000 000 or more, averaging an impressive R854 286 at the 2023 National Sale.

Vercingetorix has also made his mark at the KZN Yearling Sale, and was responsible for the top two lots sold at the 2022 KZN Sale.

Riverton Stud, whose grooms co-op famously sold Vercingetorix for R1 400 000 at the 2011 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale, will be offering a regally bred son (Lot 25) of this

wonderful stallion at this year’s KZN Yearling Sale.

The colt in question is out of the Captain Al mare Senorita Al and is thus bred on the same Vercingetorix/Captain Al cross as Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Vernichey.

Herself a direct descendent of the mighty Drohsky, Senorita Al has already produced four winners notably millionaire and Sibaya KZN Yearling Sale graduate Al Mariachi. The latter won both the Gr3 Umkhomazi Stakes and KZN Yearling Sale Million, and also finished third in the Gr1 Gold Medallion. Remarkably, Senorita Al, who is bred on very similar lines to the Captain Al sired Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winner Wheredowego, has produced winners by unfashionable stallions such as Coup De Grace and Mambo In Seattle, so it is safe to say that Vercingetorix represents a major sire strike! A half-sister to G3 winner London Guest, Senorita Al’s dam Model Guest, a daughter of champion sire and multiple champion broodmare sire Northern Guest, is herself out of a Gr2 winning half-sister to multiple G1 winner and dual Champion Sprinter, Senor Santa.

This is also the family of Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Flight Alert -whose sire National Assembly is the broodmare sire of Vercingetorix!

Riverton have already enjoyed plenty of success with the progeny of Vercingetorix, having bred the stallion’s Gr1 TAB The Premier’s Champions Challenge winning son Astrix among others. Astrix was produced by Victory Dance -whose sire Victory Moon, like Captain Al, was sired by Al Mufti.

Lot 117 - A Lucky Lad Relative

There is no doubt that two-year-old Lucky Lad is one of the most exciting juveniles seen out in South Africa this season.

A full-brother to Gr3 Fillies Mile winner Follow Me, Lucky Lad, himself an R850 000 yearling buy, has won his first four starts impressively, culminating in a fluent win in this season’s Gr1 Gold Medallion, one of the country’ most important races for two-year-olds. The star colt also won this season’s Gr2 World Sports Betting SA Nursery and Gr3 Protea Stakes to stamp himself as the leader of his generation.

Riverton Stud will be offering a colt (Lot 117), from the first crop of Met winning champion One World, who hails from the same family as Lucky Lad and Follow Me.

The colt, who is closely inbred to former champion sire Al Mufti, on sale is out of the Trippi mare Durban Bourbon (whose first foal Captain Wara finished second in two of his first three starts and is a runner in the Gr2 Durban Golden Horseshoe on Hollywoodbets Durban July day), a three-parts sister to the Trippi sired millionaire Miss Katalin.

Durban Bourbon, who is bred on the same Trippi/Jet Master cross as champion Jet Dark, is out of the Jet Master sired Listed Oaks Trial runner up Tigress, a full-sister to Gr1 Empress Club Stakes winner Little Miss Magic (dam of Miss Katalin), and Pure Class, the dam of this season’s Listed Woolavington Stakes victor Baratheon.

Tigress is also a three-parts sister to the Jet Master sired multiple stakes winner State Coach, dam of exported Gr2 Betting World Derby winner Silvano’s Jet.

This is also the family of champion Tara’s Touch, as well as high-class fillies Tick Tock and Red Disa -both of whom, like One World, were sired by Captain Al. The Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas runner up Tick Tock went on to enjoy tremendous success at stud, and produced Gr2 SA Nursery winner William The Silent (who defeated the Riverton bred multi millionaire Cirillo into second when victorious in the 2018 SA Nursery) and Darley Arabian victor Silvano’s Timer.

Trippi, the sire of Durban Bourbon, is having a fantastic season through his outstanding sons Charles Dickens, Jet Dark and Trip Of Fortune -who, between them, they have won all of the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, Gr1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met and Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes this season.

South Africa’s Champion Sire of 2015-2016, Trippi has fast become a hugely successful broodmare sire, with his daughters having already produced at least 40 stakes winners including such Gr1 winners as Liam’s Map, Gabor, Miss Florida, She’s A Keeper and this season’s Gr1 Pongracz Cape Flying Championship/Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint winner Gimme A Prince.

However, arguably, the most important horse produced by a daughter of Trippi thus far is Gr3 Iroquois Stakes winner Not This Time, currently one of the best stallions standing at stud in North America.

A son of Giant’s Causeway and the high-class Trippi mare Miss Macy Sue, Not This Time has already sired 25 stakes winners, including the Gr1 winners Epicenter, Sibelius, Princess Noor, Up To The Mark and Just One Time.

Inbreeding to Al Mufti has already produced a stream of above average performers including graded stakes winners Flash Drive, Hot Affair and Redcarpet Captain.

The sale starts at 11h00 on Thursday.

REFLECTIONS OF OUR LIVES!

The KZN Yearling Sale will be held at the Suncoast Casino and starts at 11h00 on Thursday.

Dual Equus champion photographer Candiese Lenferna took this ‘reflective’ shot of Boland Stud’s Lot 72 with her groom after the rains created a host of puddles in the stablegrounds. We believe that leading owner Mary Liley and trainer Tony Rivalland were viewing.No prizes for guessing where the Danon Platina filly will be trained!

PHILIPPI TRAINERS RULE THE ROOST

Brett Crawford’s four-timer included two feature victories versus Snaith’s one.

Although Milnerton residents Candice BassRobinson and Piet Botha managed a winner each, it was clearly the Philippians who held the ascendancy in terms of fitness after weeks of heavy rains had left the Milnerton Training Centre tracks under water.

Brett Crawford and Louis Mxothwa dominated matters in the open age features, registering a double with Future Girl winning the WSB

Listed Stormsvlei Stakes, and Solar Power running a cracker to snare free-striding stablemate The Futurist late to win the WSB Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes.

The Klawervlei Stud-bred Solar Power is a 4yo gelded son of Dynasty (Fort Wood) out of the unraced Fastnet Rock mare, Egyptian Sky.

A R750 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduate, Solar Power has won 4 races with 6 places from 14 starts for stakes of R443 850.

The Philippi-based yards of Justin Snaith and Brett Crawford grabbed the lion’s share of the spoils with four winners apiece at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

Louis Mxothwa has Solar Power in full cry to catch the obscured The Futurist (Craig Zackey) late in the race | Credit: Chase Liebenberg

THE FUTURA LOOKS BRIGHT!

Future Girl turns on the acceleration under Louis Mxothwa |

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

Drakenstein Stud’s in-form stallion Futura had a great day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, supplying two eye-catching winners on the day, headed by impressive Listed World Sports Betting Stormsvlei Stakes winner Future Girl.

Trained, like her sire, by Brett Crawford, threeyear-old Future Girl claimed her biggest win to date when storming home, under an inform Louis Mxothwa, to claim Saturday’s 1800m Listed feature by a length and a quarter.

Bred and owned by Drakenstein Stud, the progressive Future Girl has now won twice from seven starts.

A 15th stakes winner for Futura, Future Girl is out of the Trippi mare Monte Carlo Girl, and is bred on the same Futura/Trippi cross as stakes winners Pink Tourmaline, Vihaan’s Pie, Sweet Future and Dawnofanewday.

Her sire had had success earlier on the day when Futura gelding Future Turn stormed home to win the third race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth for Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie. Now a four-time winner, the versatile three-yearold, who has won three of his last four starts, was bred by Drakenstein Stud.

Future Girl took her tally to 2 wins with a place from 7 runs and stakes now total R176 775.

A four-time Gr1 winner, Futura has seven lots on offer at the 2023 KZN Yearling Sale on Thursday.

CRAWFORD GALLOPER –ONE FOR NOTEBOOK

The Brett Crawford-trained Solar Power had his rating raised from 92 to 98 following his success in the World Sports Betting Gr3 Pocket Powers Stakes run over 1950m on a heavy Hollywoodbets Kenilworth track on 24 June 2023.

The Handicappers felt that the consistent Top Quality made for the most suitable line horse here, and his rating remains on 95.

In rating the race this way Solar Power actually runs to a rating of 105. However, the specific race conditions do not allow for more than a 6 points adjustment for the winner and placed horses.

Second placed The Futurist, who achieved a rating of 104 was only raised by 2 pounds from 95 to 97. This ensures that he would meet the winner on correct handicap terms in a Handicap race.

The following horses received drops in ratings: Master Redoute dropped from 105 to 102,

Chewbaca dropped from 91 to 89 and Silver Host from 112 to 111.

• World Sports Betting Listed Stormsvlei Stakes

Future Girl had her rating increased from 84 to 90 following her win in the World Sports Betting Stormsvlei Stakes over 1800m on a heavy Hollywoodbets Kenilworth track on 24 June 2023.

Here it was Young Love that made for the most suitable line horse. In rating the race this way, Future runs to a mark of 92 however her rating had to be capped at 90 due to the specific conditions that do not allow for more than 6 points increase for the winner and placed horses.

The runner up Broadway Girl was dropped from 96 to 94 which was her best performance in her last 3 starts. Fleeting and Do Angels Cry both dropped by 1 point each from 85 to 84 and 93 to 92 respectively.

SONG SUNG BLUE!

An independent National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa Merit Rating Appeal panel consisting of Messrs R Napier, G Soma and K Miedema was convened virtually on 26 June 2023.

The panel considered a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by Trainer Mr D Kannemeyer against the published adjusted merit rating of 116, that was allocated to Runaway Song following his win in the Gr3 Track and Ball Derby at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 17 June 2023.

The Appeal Panel, after careful consideration

of the matter, ruled that Aragosta was the appropriate line horse that was used by the Handicappers in assessing this race and the rating allocated to Runaway Song was correct, based on this.

Consequently, the Appeal was dismissed.

The Appeal Panel ruled that the deposit fee in relation to the Appeal be refunded.

Ed – Runaway Song runs in the Gr3 DStv Gold Vase under 60kgs top weight at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

1-2-3 FOR QUERARI!

Maine Chance’s Oasis Dream stallion

Querari dominated of the twicedelayed R200 000 Listed Somerset 1200 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when the top-notch 2yo producer was responsible for the top three finishers.

On heavy ground the afternoon had its fair share of upsets, and the even-money favourite Baltic Secret, the sole rose amongst five thorns, came under pressure 300m out as the Bryanston Auctioneers-sponsored JP van der Merwe sent recent maiden winner Underworld (17-2) to lead.

The colt lengthened impressively to beat the more experienced Zoomie (9-2) by 1,25 lengths in a time of 80,35 secs.

The favourite Baltic Secret was one-paced in third a further 1,25 lengths back.

A R140 000 National 2yo sale graduate, the winner has now won twice from three starts, after running fourth on debut. He has earned R202 625.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, the winner is out of the twice-winning Parade Leader mare, Laverna.

Twice Leading Sire of 2YOs in South Africa, Querari is currently responsible for 33 stakes winners, headed by champion Rio Querari and Gr1 Thekwini Stakes winner Querari Falcon.

By the same sire as top-class stallion Showcasing, Querari has four lots on offer at Thursday’s KZN Yearling Sale.

Underworld stays on well to win under JP van der Merwe

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

JP van der Merwe Credit: Chase Liebenberg

ATRIPPI 1-2

The well-related Trippi filly October Morn turned on the jets on heavy ground to score a runaway victory in Saturday’s weather-delayed R200 000 Listed Perfect Promise Sprint at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Racing in the silks of the breeding partnership of Avontuur Stud and David Abery, the beautifully bred filly was sold at Nationals but is back with her breeders after the deal fell through.

A happy Pippa Mickleburgh wasn’t moaning about the non-purchase and was clearly pleased to have a flyer from a top Avontuur family secure an early black-type credit.

Saddled by Candice Bass-Robinson and ridden by Aldo Domeyer, October Morn (9-4) left them for dead at the 250m mark and stormed clear to win by 6 lengths in a time of 81,03 secs.

Quick Trip (5-1)was best of the rest beating recent debut winner Summer Lily (28-10) by 2,25 lengths.

Described by her trainer as a tall, light and rangy filly, October Morn is clearly a smart prospect and hails from a Gr1 family.

By Trippi (End Sweep) who sired the exacta, she was bred by Avontuur and David Abery out of the Gr1 producing VAR mare, Miss October.

Now a winner of 2 from 4 with 2 places, October Morn took her stakes bank to R247 575.

October Morn (Aldo Domeyer) storms clear to win by six lengths |

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

A thrilled Pippa Mickleburgh hugs jockey Aldo Domeyer |

Credit: Chase Liebenberg

KOOS WIELDS THE WILLOW!

Happy owner Koos Nkale | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

The MK’s Pride fairytale is back in print, and in the winner’s enclosure, after a fifteen month drought!

The hard-fought victory by Koos Nkale’s muchloved Willow Magic entire in the headline event was the highlight for many of Sunday’s KZN Breeders Raceday at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

The R600 000 KwaZulu-Natal Breeders Mile provided the classy MK’s Pride (5-2) an ideal opportunity to get back on the winning trail, and so he did, digging deep under the enthusiastic Muzi Yeni, to hold off the spirited challenge of the less experienced 3yo tote favourite Noble City (33-10) by half a length in a time of 97,91 secs.

A game run was that of Peter Muscutt’s 5yo Gr1-winning sprinter Battle Force who was trying the mile for the first time in a year and ran a gallant third.

Originally trained by Paul Peter, and then for a

time by Mike de Kock, MK’S Pride is thriving in the care of veteran Robbie Sage and took his first trophy since winning the 2022 Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes.

Bred by Summerhill, the winner is a son of Willow Magic (Dubawi) out of the modest onetime winning Admire Main mare, Ikimasu.

He has now won 10 races with 9 places from 30 starts for stakes of R2 701 700.

As we have noted previously, and worth an observation ahead of the KZN Yearling Sale this week – here’s a horse nobody wanted at sale and who has gone on and earned over R2,7 million!

Ask Koos Nkale about the thrills if you are considering buying!

Muzi Yeni drives MK’s Pride to a gutsy win | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Veteran trainer Robbie Sage | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

4RACING CHANGE FOR WORK RIDERS

4Racing has announced a change to the Racing Operators’ Conditions for Work Rider races conducted in Gauteng.

After a decision to trial Work Riders races on a ‘hands and heels’ only basis from January 2022, 4Racing has decided to re-introduce the use of the crop in Work Rider Races effective 1 July 2023.

Gabriel Soma, 4Racing’s Head of Racing Operations, said the decision was motivated by a lack of turnover and betting on these races, as well as a lack of support and drastic drop in field sizes in Work Rider races, all of which could potentially put the future of the entire programme at risk.

Work riders in Gauteng have more race riding opportunities than any other jurisdiction, with nearly 4 races per month as well as three full meetings through the year.

This qualifies them to ride at all local racecourses over all distances and gives us full confidence in their ability to use crops responsibly and within the accepted norms of racing.

Additionally, all horses participating in races held under NHA rules in South Africa are subject to strict regulatory oversight and NHA Guidelines regarding the use of the crop stipulate that it is to be used ‘for encouragement, guidance and correction.’

Only crops approved by the NHA are allowed to be used in races and work riding on South African racing and training tracks.

Furthermore, NHA Rule 58.10.2 sets out firm guidelines for the permitted use of the crop during a race and Guideline M in Appendix E stipulates the total number of times a rider is permitted to use a crop in a race is restricted to 12.

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)

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ROUVAUN’S FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS

Grant and Joanne Knowles of Equine Marketing Solutions hosted a golf day at Atlantic Beach Links on Wednesday last to raise funding towards popular Cape racecaller Rouvaun Smit’s exorbitant medical expenses.

Rouvaun suffered a fall at home in March and is undergoing extensive rehabilitation in order to help him to walk again.

Approximately R25 000 was raised and special thanks were extended to the following sponsors (in alphabetical order) for their generous donations & prizes which contributed to making the day a success:

• Betway

• Charl Pretorius

• Gold Circle

• Hollywoodbets

• IXU courtesy of the RX Group

• John Finlayson

• Shaheen Shaw

• Snaith Racing

• Sugar Hotel

• World Sports Betting

A special word of appreciation also went out to both HollywoodBets and World Sports Betting for their generous hole sponsorships.

Results of the day:

1st Place: Wynn Davies, Gill Davies, Bryann Shaw & John Spyker – 90 points

2nd Place: Welmar O’Reilly, Glen Hatt, Chris Kruger & Chris Jeenes – 89 points

3rd Place: Nicho Olivier, Ryan Olivier, Raymond Olivier & Jandre Kleynhans – 83 points counted in

4th Place: Paul Barrett, George Bowes, Vadi Pillay & John Savage – 83 points counted out

5th Place: Peter Waison, Karl Neisius, Amaro Fernandes & Patrick McGivern – 81 points counted in

Closest to Pin

Hole 3: Riyaaz Parker

Hole 8: Karl Neisius

Hole 14: Gill Davies

In addition to the golf day, some very generous support in the form of stallion services from leading stud farms in the Western Cape have meant that Bloodstock SA have agreed to auction the services on Thursday after the KZN Yearling Sale, which is being held at the Suncoast Casino.

STARS ALIGN AT ROYAL ASCOT ‘23

The dust has settled on another memorable Royal Ascot that included a historic royal winner, Frankie Dettori’s farewell and a host of big-priced winners.

The stars certainly seemed to align in the King George V Stakes on Thursday when Desert Hero gave the King and Queen their first winner at the meeting. Trained by William Haggas, the Sea The Stars colt prevailed narrowly under Tom Marquand to deny the Qatar Racing owned Valiant King.

That result was closely followed in the popularity stakes by Courage Mon Ami’s Gold Cup win under Italian maestro, Frankie Dettori.

Riding at his final royal meeting before

retirement, Dettori gave his unexposed mount a chance saving him in midfield on the rail until the straight. The Frankel gelding showed a lot of class to quicken up well over the final two furlongs and collar race favourite Coltrane close home. All the more impressive considering he is only a four-year-old having his fourth start over two and a half miles.

Paddington’s victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes confirmed a new star in the mile division and he is very much one to look forward to later in the season. The Irish 2,000 Guineas winner

Desert Hero and Tom Marquand edge home in the King George V Stakes | Credit: Racing TV

was too good for his Newmarket equivalent Chaldean, running on strongly over the final furlong, to finish four-lengths clear at the line. One of four winners at the royal meeting for Aidan O’Brien, it helped the Ballydoyle trainer secure his 12th Royal Ascot leading trainer award.

Ryan Moore defended his jockey title at the meeting, a winner ahead of Dettori who chased him hard all week after a blank on day 1.

Shaquille’s victory after giving away lengths at the start in the Commonwealth Cup was one of the highlights. The colt by Charm Spirit finished strongly under Oisin Murphy to run out a ready winner over the 6-furlong feature. Shaquille, a highly progressive sort provided a fairy-tale success for his trainer Julie Camacho, her first Group 1 victory.

The other horse who caught his eye was Mostahdaf, an emphatic winner of the Gr1

Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Sent off at 10-1 against quality rivals, the Shadwell owned fiveyear-old horse won like an odds-on shot, and it will be interesting to see if he can repeat this form later in the season.

Those who followed the five days of action will know Mostahdaf was far from the biggest shock of the week. That went to Valiant Force, who landed the Norfolk at 150-1, followed by the Jamie Spencer ridden Khaadem, at 80-1, when victorious in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

33 YEARS ON FRANKIE’S ROYAL FAREWELL

Frankie Dettori was presented with a bespoke number cloth and Moet Nebuchadnezzar following his final Royal Ascot ride on Saturday in the Golden Gates Handicap.

The 52-year-old rode his first Royal Ascot winner in 1990 and signed off with another four victories this year, headed by a ninth Gold Cup on Courage Mon Ami, bringing his total at the meeting to 81 winners.

After his final ride, Dettori said: “I had lunch today with the King and the Queen, then to ride in the Royal carriage procession was amazing, one of the best things I have ever done.

“To watch the crowds from the procession, and the cheers for the King and Queen throughout, the whole way from Windsor Castle was incredible. The love people have for the Royals, children with flags and banners – it is amazing. I was told not to wave when in the procession, which I found really, really hard.

“And then I got here and rode five races backto-back, some disappointments, but overall I enjoyed the day. I didn’t have time to reflect on any emotions because I was so busy. Of course I feel sad, but I’ve had a really good run at it. I probably will cry tomorrow, but at the moment I’m too tired.

“I’m pleased that I finished ahead of Ryan

Moore [with more career Royal Ascot winners] because next year he will pass me. At the moment I’m second behind Lester Piggott and that is an honour.

“I’ve been so busy this week, and that’s been good because it kept my mind off sulking too much or getting too emotional. Five days has gone like a flash, but I have another four months of riding. America, Hong Kong and Melbourne Cup after the Breeders’ Cup.

“I would say my Royal Ascot highlight was when I won the first four races in 2019. I thought the grandstand was going to come down.

“It’s funny, when I walked into the room [weighing room] today I thought I was 16 again. When we are in there it’s like a timeless place – you never feel old. Ascot has been a lucky place for me – I’ve ridden some wonderful horses for great owners and trainers. I’ve been very lucky.

“It was probably a good thing that I didn’t win on my final ride because I don’t think I would have handled all the razzmatazz. I was able to walk back and be more relaxed and talk to Mark and Charlie Johnston. They said ‘bad luck and it wasn’t the fairytale you wanted’, but nevertheless I’ve had a great week with my family in this beautiful weather at this beautiful track.”

“Ascot has been a lucky place for me – I’ve ridden some wonderful horses for great owners and trainers. I’ve been very lucky. ”

A proud Frankie holds his souvenir aloft | Credit: Royal Ascot

RECORD FOR WORLD POOL£154 MILLION!

World Pool, the globe’s largest commingled horse racing pools developed and run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), delivered value for customers around the world like never before, with Tote+ Win beating SP in 83% of the 35 races across the five-day Royal Ascot meeting.

Saturday’s highlight, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, broke the record for single race turnover in a World Pool race.

A total of HK$66.2 million (£6.6m) was bet into the pool, eclipsing the HK$66.1 million in the 2022 Derby.

The other two biggest pools of the week were in Friday’s Commonwealth Cup and the Ribblesdale Stakes on Thursday which both turned over HK$50.5m (£5.1m).

Saturday’s total turnover of HK$323.4 million (£32.5m) rates as the third highest World Pool

day of all time, behind the Friday (HK$351.8m) and Saturday (HK$340.9m) of Royal Ascot 2022.

Total World Pool turnover for Royal Ascot 2023 hit HK$1.5 billion (£154m), only fractionally down on last year’s total of HK$1.6 billion, which was an increase on 2021’s figure of 35%.

FRANKIE MISSES JULY MEET

Frankie Dettori will miss the chance to land the only British Group 1 he has yet to win after he was ruled out of riding in next month’s July Cup for breaking the whip rules at Royal Ascot.

Dettori will sit out the whole of the July meeting at Newmarket after he was found to have used his whip once above the permitted

level of six strikes from two furlongs out on Queen Anne runner-up Inspiral last Tuesday. The ban will run between Thursday July 13 and Saturday July 15, as well as Monday July 17 to Friday July 21.

His suspension means he will not complete the full set of top-level races in Britain in the summer sprint highlight.

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