SP SPRINT - 29 MARCH 2023

Wednesday 29 March 2023

FORTUNE FACTS

Dubai World Cup winning jockey Yuga Kawada salutes after a stunning victory by Ushba Tesoro. Chase Liebenberg took the photograph.

FOLLOW THE FORTUNE

Almost a year after saddling her maiden Gr1 winner, Vaal trainer Ashley Fortune is ready to celebrate at the elite level again. On Saturday she saddles nine runners at Turffontein on The Championships Day 3, and is looking forward to a good day at the office.

The 41 year old runs one of South Africa’s fastest growing yards and in her fifth year in one of the toughest jobs in the world, she is quietly building a powerful string by doing the basics right, with her ebullient former SA Champion Jockey hubby cum PR Officer Andrew at her side.

Last term Ash saddled her first Gr1 and first Gr2 winner and she has two decent candidates

for similar success on Saturday. But has always operated by the maxim that maidens and Gr1’s are celebrated with equal fervour and appreciation.

In a catch up with the Sporting Post on Wednesday morning, Ash excitedly told us that her great team have stabilized and settled well and she wouldn’t give her Vaal yard up for Randjesfontein, or anywhere else.

“The Vaal has fantastic work tracks and lovely countryside which is much more natural for horses to be happy in. We are very happy here and, more importantly, so are our horses.”

On Saturday, The Championships provides a

genuine chance for Ash to find out if her 3yo’s are as good as she believes they are.

“We really have some nice runners on Saturday. Generally we have swapped out some of the old blood for new and also have a really exciting bunch of 2 year olds. That’s always a positive!” she smiled broadly.

Ashley’s Listed Aquanaut Handicap winner Good Council, a solid staying son of Oratorio, lines up in the WSB Gr1 SA Derby at 15h15.

“Good Council has proven that he goes the trip, he is doing very well and I am expecting a huge run from him,” she says with confidence as the Avontuur-bred gelding steps back into his own age

group after an eyecatching open company victory last start.

The very next race, Ash’s Rafeef filly Ipso Facto bids for a hat-trick when the smart daughter of Rafeef lines up in the Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 Oaks. She won the Ormond Ferraris Listed Oaks Trial in grand style at her last start.

“Ipso Facto is maturing all the time and keeps getting better . Like Good Council, I am expecting a great run from her and again, Ryan (Munger) knows her well.”

Of the balance of her card, Ash was happy to provide a snapshot comment.

Mayor Of Merrivale & Sagan run in the opener at 11h50:

“They are both nice maidens and should both be competitive.”

Bella Chica runs in the 3rd, the PA opener at 12h55:

“She is doing well at home, but it’s not an easy race. I feel that she can run into the back end of quartets.”

Bard Of Avon & Meridius run in the 4th, the Pick 6 opener at 13h30:

“My favourite boy is holding his form well again, although he has let us down before on the standside track. So just beware of that! Meridius is as honest as they come and doing well at home.”

Ipso Facto wins the Oaks Trial - she goes for a hat-trick on Saturday

JC Photos

Black Egret & Lil Miss Moneybags run in the final race at 17h50:

“Black Egret is still maturing. He is actually a big clumsy baby but always gives of his best. We have expected more from Lil Miss Moneybags. But she has won over the course and distance and we are hoping for a good run.”

On the overall racing picture, Ashley is happy that Gauteng racing has improved from last season to the present, but she feels that they still have a fair way to go.

“The stakes last season were good but the winter stakes are less favourable. We are hoping that there will be a turnaround soon,” she adds.

On the next few months, Ash says she will be raiding the Champions Season on the East Coast as that works better for them than being there permanently.

“We will probably also send another string to

Cape Town for their season. Cape Racing were incredibly accommodating and made brilliant efforts to encourage really exciting racing down there.”

And then there is also the all important restocking of the arsenal for the future. We asked if she had gotten a chance to look at the BSA National Yearling Sale catalogue.

“Yes! It’s an exciting catalogue for nationals and we have a few very enthusiastic owners looking for the next big horse, so we will definitely sticking our hands up. We are fortunate to have a couple of new owners joining the yard too. We will be there!” she enthused.

With transparency and enjoyment two Fortune Racing watchwords, Ash asked the public to look out for their new website which is to be launched this week.

“All of our stable information and news will be available on www.fortuneracing.co.za. It’s all quite exciting and I hope Joe Public enjoy it.”

NO APRIL FOOLS HERE!

The World Sports Betting Championships ups the ante this Saturday 1 April as the WSB Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara Series concludes with a high-quality R4,33 million WSB Derby Day of thrilling Graded racing.

The stakes are high in every respect, with the race day headlined by the R1,5 million WSB Gr1 SA Derby for three-year-olds over 2450m, the prestigious R1 million HF Oppenheimer

R750 000 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 Oaks for

three-year-old fillies over 2450m.

The first is off at 11h50.

Follow all the latest news and updates on www.sportingpost.co.za

Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m and the

Ash Fortune with Good Council and Ryan Munger - hoping for a memorable day

‘Mauritzfontein boasts an unparalleled record as the source of no less than fifteen winners of the South African Oaks, fourteen of which carried the famed Oppenheimer silks to victory’

BREED-SHAPING CLASSIC WARRANTS GR1 STATUS

A stellar programme of stakes racing is on tap for Saturday’s Turffontein racemeeting. Five graded stakes races will be contested, amongst which the Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks.

Steeped in history, the 2400m classic for fillies dates back to 1913 and has been a fountainhead for top broodmares, many of which went on to create their own dynasties.

Yet, in spite of it being of

prime importance to the breed and the fact that the winner invariably ends up a champion, the Oaks carries only Gr2 status, this on the grounds that the average rating of the runners is not deemed high enough.

For those not in the know, the quality of a graded race is measured against an international benchmark and takes into account the top finishers over a period of three years or four years. Should said quality comply with the

required standard, the race status could be subject to a review.

Since the Oaks lost its Gr1 status in the late eighties, the race has been won by such worthy champions as Icy Air, Monyela, Royal Aproval, Festive Occasion, Igugu and Cherry On The Top.

And if we narrow our focus to the past three renewals, the winners comprise a trio of exceptional fillies. All three completed the Triple Tiara and

Pine Pincess denies Siren's Call a Triple Tiara crown in the SA Oaks

between them, accounted for numerous championships, not to mention a coveted Horse of the Year award.

Summer Pudding, the 2020 winner, needs no introduction. A champion at three and four, this daughter of Silvano ripped through her first nine starts unbeaten, a streak which included the Triple Tiara as well as a facile victory in the Gr1 Summer Cup. Beaten just twice in her career, she was a worthy recipient of the 2021 Horse of the Year.

It is only fitting that this year's race has been named for the

late Bridget Oppenheimer, she of the famed Mauritzfontein Stud, where Summer Pudding was bred, as was her 'aunt', the 2013 winner Cherry On The Top, whose daughter Blossom ran second to champion Return Flight in the 2019 Oaks.

The Kimberley stud boasts an unparalleled record as the source of no less than fifteen winners of the South African Oaks, fourteen of which carried the famed Oppenheimer silks to victory.

A second successive Triple Tiara winner was crowned

a year later when War Of Athena captured the 2021 SA Oaks at the expense of subsequent Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Sparkling Water. Bred at Summerhill Stud, the daughter of Act Of War recorded a sixth straight victory by defeating the fine galloper Princess Calla in the subsequent Gr1 Woolavington 2000, and narrowly missed out on a third Gr1 win when involved in a head-bobbing three-way finish to the Garden Province Stakes.

The 2022 Oaks went the way of Duke Of Marmalade filly Rain in Holland, who clinched

the Triple Tiara by defeating subsequent Gr1 Woolavington 2000 runner-up Light Of The Moon.

A champion at both two and three, the Drakenstein homebred subsequently won the Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg and while she has yet to add

another Gr1 success, she returned to her sparkling best when leaving her male rivals floundering in last weekend's Gr2 Colorado King Stakes. Quality runs deep in this female line, for her dam is a half-sister to the grand racemare Dancer's Daughter, who famously deadheated

with Pocket Power in the 2008 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July.

If one analyses the results of the last three renewals alone, one cannot dispute that the quality of the SA Oaks is up to snuff. Perhaps the time has come for an upward review of this breed-shaping classic?

The magnificent Summer Pudding - SA Oaks winner

Candiese Lenferna

Dubai’s loss is our gain and it will be good to have South Africa’s hottest property new generation racecaller back in the Turffontein eagle’s nest for The Championships Day 3 on Saturday.

There is no question that 2023 has been a watershed character-building year for the 32 year old commentator, widely regarded as our number one caller and a man who has grown in stature since Phumelela took a chance on him as a greenhorn some 14 years ago.

A career defining opportunity, and well deserved international recognition, saw Alistair appointed the Emirates Racing Authority’s English-language race caller at all five UAE tracks at the start of the 2020-21 season, when succeeding the Australian Craig Evans.

Enjoying his second stint in the UAE, and widely regarded for his professionalism behind the binoculars, Alistair was shockingly summararily dropped at short notice by the Dubai Racing Club for last Saturday’s Dubai World Cup racemeeting and replaced by well experienced US caller Larry Collmus.

Chatting to the Sporting Post on Tuesday, the philosophical Durbanite has taken the boltfrom-the- blue knife in the back in his professional stride, but admits he had to call on the decorum of all of his impeccable upbringing, and

bite both lip and tongue, initially.

“After every racemeeting, I analyse my personal performance. Nobody is ever too old or smart to learn and the best tool for a commentator is self and external criticism, and admitting one could have done this or that better. Ironically, I felt chuffed and genuinely thrilled after the World Cup curtain-raiser on Super Saturday that it was probably one of my best call days ever. Everything fell into place. As it turns out, the decision had already been made to bullet me for World Cup day, so it had nothing to do with my performance at all,” he muses as he puzzles over something he may never know the truth about.

It was just 24 hours after Super Saturday that Alistair heard from a source that the American caller was going to take the hotseat on World Cup day.

“I was told in confidence and it seems that the decision was known to only a handful of people. I hadn’t been informed prior to Super Saturday as I believe there was concern that it could have impacted on my performance. I discovered that week that the everyday folk in the structures knew nothing – I mean, for goodness sake, I had been involved in the planning for the barrier draw ceremony as I had been in 2022. The commentator is allowed to

LOOKING AHEAD

DUBAI BEHIND HIMALI’S

'For

Alistair

deserve the treatment from the DRC

Cohen – top caller didn’t

my own pride and dignity, I resigned...'

Candiese Lenferna

select the co-host. It was all happening – but somewhere, somehow, the rug had been pulled from under my feet.”

A disappointed Alistair who had left behind his life, his wife, his dogs, his home, his Sunday braai routine and a host of friends, to build his international career, and enjoy the honour and privilege that few get to call a Dubai World Cup, admits that he was wounded emotionally.

He had worked his literal butt off to immerse himself in his new job. To master tonguetwisting names and new silks, and to punt the UAE

on his extensive social media network, to become a part of a team. And then they gave him the middle finger.

“For my own pride and dignity, I resigned. My contract was meant to run until 7 April, but they were in breach in view of the World Cup turnaround, and I asked them to kindly release me so that I could return to South Africa. I was very worried about the collateral damage to my reputation. But given the support and communication I have subsequently received from so many corners of the globe from highly respected racing folk, a lot of my anxiety

has been laid to rest and the issue has been put into perspective in my head. Bottom line is I personally did nothing wrong, I was never late or contravened any aspect of my contractual requirements. And they have said nothing and can’t tell me anything. In fact when I went to bid everybody farewell, they said they wanted me back next season! Go figure!” he laughs bravely as his brow reflects his puzzlement.

Despite the essentially bizarre decision made by the DRC, Alistair is adamant that it remains an experience of

Ali and Candice - enjoying life

a lifetime and one he will treasure forever.

“To be afforded the rare honour of being the Emirates based caller for nearly two full seasons was sensational. And the friends I made are for life. I will not let a decision that was made behind my back, without the courtesy of consultation, that I had no control over or understanding of, poison my life. It is great to be back home with Candice and we have the Champions Season on the East Coast and The Championships up North to look forward to in the next few months. I can’t wait!”

As to his own plans, Alistair

says he would like to call as many meetings as possible countrywide and is keen to impart some of the technical skills he learnt with his colleagues here, in terms of on-course presenting and other communication aspects.

“Being exposed internationally opens the mind. One learns without even realising it. It was great to be back at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last Saturday with their team. What a great vibe and morale!”

As for South African racing into the future, Alistair says his dream and wish is to have unity under one single umbrella.

“We shouldn’t be competing internally. We should be united and taking on the world. South Africa is not far behind Hong Kong, Australia and Japan. We are right up there. Just because things go wrong here and there, don’t believe the same issues aren’t happening elsewhere in the world. This is a beautiful country, with good horses, great breeders, top jockeys, serious trainers and some of the most beautiful racecourses. There is really no excuse to move forward!”

LEGAL COSTS CLANGER – MONEY TO BURN!

In a saga that gripped the public imagination and seemed to be in danger of dragging on forever, Muzi Yeni and Billy Jacobson have had their interim suspensions lifted.

They are back plying their trade after the National Horseracing Authority announced on Thursday afternoon that an Inquiry arising from incidents at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday 13 February, had been concluded.

The details of the negotiated settlement agreement reached

over a few days involving the respective rider’s legal teams were outlined in a media release published by the NHA on Thursday 23 March.

While Jacobson’s counsel Robert Bloomberg told the Sporting Post that he was pleased that his client could return to a normal life as the stress had been immeasurable for him, the experienced legal man said that there were many aspects of the matter that warranted ventilation in the public domain.

Bloomberg said that unfortunately, and regrettably,

there has been continued disingenuity on social media highlighted by a distortion of the true facts that necessitated him setting the record straight on behalf of his client.

“We would have preferred to have avoided this, but a oneeyed and myopic portrayal does Billy Jacobson, a grave injustice. Mr Jacobson was initially presented with 6 charges, of which 1 pertaining to social media was withdrawn. He pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge under Rule 72.1.25, in that he ‘conducted himself in an improper manner on racecourse property by

entering into a verbal and physical altercation with Mr Yeni’ – but on the express condition that the other 4 charges were put in the alternative. In other words, they would fall away,” he added.

Bloomberg was at pains to stress that they had proved conclusively that the balance of the charges were duplicitous in that they were mirror-images of the main charge, in particular in regard to Rule 72.1.26, the ‘infamous’ rule, as he puts it, pertaining to discrediting horseracing, and he says that two charges were in fact brought under the incorrect rule reserved for licensed officials in the administration of racing.

“These charges are drafted by the NHA as represented

by their Racing Control Executive, Arnold Hyde,” says Bloomberg, who goes on to explain that Jacobson had never denied his involvement in these unfortunate incidents but had always steadfastly maintained that he was severely provoked.

“The provocation on the first occasion occurred when he was effectively ridiculed and humiliated in front of his peers, colleagues and the stipes, and then – and which led to the punch-up – by having his wife and family threatened. This was testified to by Keagan de Melo who was called by the NHA as a witness as he had reported the latter incident to the stipes on the day, yet was in defamatory fashion by Yeni, in his sworn affidavit accompanying the Notice of Motion in their High Court

application, accused of having been ‘coached’ prior to testifying,” he added sombrely.

Bloomberg explained that de Melo’s evidence would have been substantiated by four witnesses in jockeys Sean Veale, Tristan Godden, Serino Moodley and Athandiwe Mgudlwa had this matter proceeded.

“It is worth noting that Mr Yeni could not produce a single witness amongst the riding ranks of 15 that day, to corroborate his version of events. Ask yourself why would a person who in 26 years as a rider during which time he has never had a charge preferred against him in respect of showing any aggression towards a fellow rider either during or after a

Robert Bloomberg – Billy’s counsel sets record straight

race, suddenly act with such anger without due cause? And remember that the letter from the Coastal Jockeys Association, which represents almost 80% of the jockeys in SA, to the NHA and which ultimately led to the interim suspensions, was entirely due to their concerns about their own member Mr Yeni’s perceived history and conduct, not about Mr Jacobson!”

Bloomberg goes on to stress that Billy Jacobson was contrite and apologetic from the get-go for his part in the fracas and duly pleaded ‘guilty’ to a solitary infraction as stated above at the very first hearing.

“Mr Yeni, who in my professional opinion, had no chance of ever ‘escaping’ the main charge, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all charges, bar having a mobile device in the jockey’s quarters. There has never been any acknowledgment of wrongdoing or accountability on his part, and he has constantly adopted

a stance of the innocent ‘victim’ herein.”

The legal eagle adds that his intention and goal was to settle the matter from the inception but that his client ended up becoming collateral damage in the fight between the NHA and Yeni.

“Thankfully, sanity finally prevailed with a negotiated settlement agreement over a few days involving the respective legal teams. Ultimately, it was only through the extreme generosity of benefactors that enabled Mr Jacobson to be legally represented and to have his rights protected,” he concluded.

While the process from start to finish included a single Inquiry day at the offices of the NHA’s attorneys, and an urgent High Court application by Yeni, gross legal costs of all parties during a six week battle are expected to run to in excess of the seven figure mark.

SIMPLY OUT OF THIS WORLD

The theme for the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban

July set to be run on Saturday, 1 July 2023 at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse has been proudly unveiled by Gold Circle and Hollywoodbets.

Launched as a poem each year, the ‘Out Of This World’ theme for the 2023 event hints at the stargates which transports one into a mysterious world far beyond our imagination. Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event will feature a stellar line up of top equines, a star-studded cast of punters, celebrities and designers at play, coupled with entertainment and

hospitality on a cosmic scale.

Each year the theme poem is announced to students from fashion design colleges and technikons across KwaZulu-Natal to form part of their curriculum and as inspiration for their entries to be shortlisted to participate in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Awards presented by Durban Fashion Fair (DFF).

The top 10 students from across KwaZulu-Natal, will be shortlisted from an initial pool of 110 entrants, and they will be given the opportunity of a lifetime when they get to showcase their ‘Out Of This

World’ designs alongside the DFF Rising Stars and the Invited Designers. This will take place at Gateway during June at the HDJ Fashion Experience Preview Gala. The Top 3 Young Designers will then get to display their creations for the more than 50 000 adoring fans at the 2023 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Although fashion features highly on the race day agenda, the Hollywoodbets Durban July is not just about fashion.

The day offers racecourse goers incredible value for money for their entry ticket with top class entertainment, fun activations throughout

Sparkling Water wins the 2022 Hollywoodbets Durban July under Smanga Khumalo

the day on stage and on course, and a vast array of refreshments on offer.

The iconic sporting and social event promises to be an immersive and exciting experience into the world of horseracing for everyone who attends, as well as the huge following across the world.

Last year’s event received over 230 000 broadcast viewers, a 155% increase from the year prior, and more than 17 000 social media mentions.

Events and Marketing Executive at Gold Circle, Stephen Marshall said, “At the Hollywoodbets Durban July, fashion is the thread that connects our horseracing fans and our social revellers. It is what defines the event every year, as everyone attending is dressed to the nines. The theme is what kickstarts

everything and this year I can’t wait to see how our designers and the public go above and beyond to bring the message to life.”

According to Devin Heffer, Hollywoodbets Brand and Communications Manager: “If last year’s running of Africa’s Greatest Horseracing event is anything to go by, we are beyond excited as we look forward to hosting the most anticipated sporting and social calendar event for our second consecutive year. In keeping with the theme, and in true Hollywoodbets style, it is going to be truly spectacular and out of this world. This year, we are continuing to focus our efforts on the true essence of the event, as we introduce newcomers into the exciting world of horseracing, while making sure the established punters, who already know the game, get

to revel in the highlight of the South African horse racing calendar.”

For the public already planning their attendance to the 127th running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July, it’s time to let your minds explore the vast possibilities for both your race day betting strategy and your stellar outfit.

Entrance tickets cost R230 and are available from 17 April via ticketpro & SPAR stores, as well as selected Sasol, Checksave, Checkrite, Checkme and Checkout stores. Hospitality packages will be available on the event website at www. hollywoodbetsdurbanjuly. co.za/hospitality-experiences/

Media release by Gold Circle & Hollywoodbets on Monday 27 March 2023.

TEAM TARRY ON TOP

Sean Tarry’s 2022 SA Triple Tiara queen Rain In Holland bounced back to her better form under an enterprising front-running ride by Smanga Khumalo to win the R400 000 Gr2 Colorado King Stakes, the headliner on Saturday’s Turffontein card.

Lurking in the shadows of the seven horse field after an unlucky return run on the Highveld following a decent WSB Cape Town Met effort, Khumalo showed every ounce of his experience and flair in the yielding conditions.

The 4yo, one of three Sean Tarry runners in what was probably not the strongest

renewal of the mid -season Gr2 contest, was allowed to use her action and led all the way to register a smart win at 6-1 in a time of 127,25 secs.

Her more fancied stablemate Nebraas (13-10) maintained his consistent form to run into second 2,25 lengths back, with the rest well beaten.

Tyrone Zackey’s 6yo Johnny Hero (16-1) was a further three lengths back in third, with Litigation (2-1) something of a disappointment back in fourth and 8,25 lengths off the winner.

Raced and bred by Drakenstein Stud, Rain In

Holland has won 10 races with 5 places from 19 starts for stakes of R2 703 500.

A daughter of deceased Danehill sire Duke Of Marmalade, she is out of the Aqlaam mare Imvula, a half sister to Durban July winner Dancer’s Daughter. The mare was purchased in the UK, where she won once from two starts.

Trainer Sean Tarry suggested that all three of his runners may be headed to the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Rain In Holland will certainly shorten in the Hollywoodbets ante-post market.

Colorado King heroes – Daniel Tarry, Smanga Khumalo and Sean Tarry pose with the lovely trophy

THIS LAD LOOKS LUCKY

Sean Tarry and Richard Fourie have formed a powerful combination in recent weeks and the duo were back in the Turffontein feature winner’s box on Saturday when Lucky Lad finished powerfully to catch the free-striding debutante Amber Rock in the final strides to win the R250 000

Both the top two are by champion sire Gimmethegreenlight.

There was plenty of confidence and subsequent betting support for the Azzie’s Drakenstein homebred Amber Rock, who was

receiving 5,5kgs from the Tarry topweight.

She eventually started a 17-10 favourite and went from the break at quite a pace.

But with the debutante lugging across to the inside and using up valuable energy and ground, Fourie timed

Gr3 Protea Stakes.

Richard Fourie wins the feature in the famous Beck silks

things perfectly as Lucky Lad surged forward down the outside with the entire track separating the two.

At the line the 33-10 debut winner Lucky Lad gained the upper hand to score by a neck in a time of 65,18 secs.

Gimmeanotherchance (3310) was always outpaced and stayed on best of

the balance for third.

“He jumped better than last time and was a lot more racy. I battled to keep up with the 54,5kg filly. I was always at him. When the pressure came he responded well and he could be a nice miler in the making,” said Richard Fourie.

An R850 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Lucky Lad is unbeaten in two starts for stakes of R212 500.

Bred by Varsfontein, he is a son of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) and the Australian-bred stallion's 54 stakes winner. He is out of the twice winning Caesour mare, Imperial State.

TONY PETER’S GRADED STAKES MILESTONE

Leaving Las Vegas storms home under Denis Schwarz

JC Photos

First season trainer Tony Peter celebrated his maiden graded stakes feature success when the Klawervlei-bred Rafeef filly Leaving Las Vegas turned on the jets to win the R200 000 Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday.

Under a well-balanced ride from the progressive Denis Schwarz, Leaving Las Vegas (11-2) proved too strong for fellow Vaal 1000m debut winner Elegant Ice (28-10) to win by a quarter length in a time of 65,45 secs.

The maiden Women Of Fame (7-1) was receiving 3kgs from the top two, but was outgunned and was a length back in third.

A R150 000 Cape Premier

Yearling Sale graduate, Leaving Las Vegas is now unbeaten in two starts and took her stakes bank to R181 250.

Bred by Klawervlei Stud, the winner is by high-riding Ridgemont Highlands stallion Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) who is enjoying another terrific season. Leaving Las Vegas is out of the one-time winning Trippi mare, Seeking Venus.

South Africa’s Leading First Crop Sire of 2020-2021, Rafeef has 19 lots on offer at the 2023 National Yearling Sale, including a colt (Lot 152) out of Gr3 Track And Ball Oaks winner Zante, a half-sister (Lot 258) to Gr2 Debutante Stakes winner Montreal Mist, and a half-sister (Lot 329) to Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes queen Sprinkles.

RAFEEF – THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT!

Another raceday, another Rafeef winner! Clinton Binda travelled from Johannesburg and saddled the first winner at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday when the handsome Fish Eagle underscored his Gauteng form with a fluent victory in the opener.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, the Hollywood

Syndicate race Fish Eagle, who is out of the Canford Cliffs stakes winning mare, Fish River, who raced with such success under the Mike de Kock banner.

The high-rolling Rafeef roadshow continued at Turffontein on Saturday when Ridgemont Highlands’ rampant Gr1-winning son of Redoute’s Choice celebrated

his 11th stakes winner courtesy of the undefeated Leaving Las Vegas’ eyecatching score in the Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes.

An impressive winner, Leaving Las Vegas showed terrific speed and displayed courage in the finish to hold the favourite Elegant Ice at bay with a measure of authority. Bred on the same RafeefTrippi cross as the Ridgemont

Rafeef son Fish Eagle wins the first at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday under Chase Maujean

Highlands-bred Gr2 winning millionaire William Robertson, a candidate in this coming Saturday’s R1 million Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, Leaving Las Vegas joins Rafeef’s dazzling current 2yo crop, which includes unbeaten Bloodstock SA Sales Cup winner Outlaw King, and the recent impressive debut winner Midnight Fusion.

South Africa’s Champion First Season Sire of the 2020/21 season, Rafeef now boasts 11 stakes winners from his first three crops and has well and truly captured the imagination of industry stakeholders with his extraordinary ability to

stamp his offspring of both sexes with a will to win, and the ability to match their heart.

Rafeef has certainly been a revelation in the breeding barn, his first-crop Gr1 winners from 1000m to 2450m and a host of winners stamping him as a blue-chip option for any breeder.

The Australian-bred star has 19 lots going through the ring at this year’s National Yearling Sale.

Craig Carey, from Ridgemont Highlands, is very excited with the progress of Rafeef and believes that he will

go from strength to strength.

“It is so rewarding for the team that a beautifully-bred well-performed racehorse has made the seamless transition from the racetrack to the breeding barn. He is now undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most exciting stallions – and it is early days yet! We have two Rafeef offspring in our 2023 National draft. The lovely big strong colt (#335) is very much in the mould of his father, and his daughter (#133) is out of a stakes-winning daughter of VAR. She should fly! We are looking forward to the sale on 21 and 22 April.” said Carey.

Rafeef wins the Gr1 Computaform Sprint

JC Photos

Pauline Herman

KOTZEN RAIDER IS GIMME’S 53RD STAKES WINNER

Grant van Niekerk has Countdown at full tilt to beat Phedra (Mxothwa)

Varsfontein Stud’s champion sire Gimmethegreenlight came up with his 53rd stakes winner when his classy son Countdown ran out a comfortable winner of the R175 000 Listed East Cape Sprint Cup run over 1200m on the polytrack at Fairview on Friday.

The Glen Kotzen trained threeyear-old, fifth in the G2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes last time out, was given a patient ride by Grant Van Niekerk.

The Drakenstein-sponsored jockey bought his mount with a sustained late challenge down the outside of the track, as Countdown (5-2) powered home to score going away

by a length in a time of 69,84 secs.

The game speed filly Phedra (10-1) was second, with the fancied Cliff Top (1-1) failing to go on with his effort and well beaten in third.

Bred by Varsfontein Stud, Countdown has now won four of 13 starts for stakes of R369 250, with the gelding having contested the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes at two and the Gr2 Cape Punters Cup earlier this season.

Out of the Philanthropist mare Imperadora, Countdown was a R200 000 buy from the 2021 National Yearling Sale.

His champion sire

Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) went close to recording a feature race double on Friday, with Gimmethegreenlight gelding Port Louis finishing second in the Listed East Cape Guineas.

South Africa’s Champion Sire of 2020-2021, Gimmethegreenlight is currently again heading the South African General Sires List, with his flagbearers including this season’s Gr1 winners Bless My Stars (Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic) and Gimme A Prince (Pongracz Cape Flying Championship)

TOUGH TO BEAT PERFECTION!

Perfection (JP van der Merwe) strides to a good win

While a mostly unannounced switch from the turf to the polytrack didn’t exactly enhance the prospects of the double feature meeting at Fairview on Friday, local champion trainer Gavin Smith and his longstanding owner Vicky Veeramootoo celebrated the arrival of a really promising looking 3yo on an entertaining afternoon.

With the well-regarded Cape raiders King Regent (14-10) and Port Louis (1810) expected to dominate matters, it was the Smith local Perfection (5-1), a big son of Kingmambo stallion Ideal World, who made a mockery

of the ratings with a dominant end-to-end victory to capture the R250 000 Listed East Cape Guineas.

JP van der Merwe did the honours for his father-in-law and hardly raised a sweat as Perfection made every post a winning one to score a facile 3,75 length victory in a time of 99,53 secs.

Brett Crawford’s Port Louis had every chance in the six horse field, but was outclassed by the winner, with the consistent King Regent appearing outpaced early and well beaten a further 1,75 lengths back in third.

Bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, the winner is out of the Argentinian-bred Not For Sale mare Quintessential.

A R150 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Perfection made it 4 wins with 3 places from 8 starts for stakes of R332 810.

The move to inject R500 000 into the Pick 6 pool failed to reach the R3 million target, with the exotic reaching R2 606 579. The surface switch no doubt contributed to that.

Pauline Herman

A delighted Rob Khathi salutes his family and the crowd as Cape Eagle soars home

THE EAGLE SOARS

Candiese Lenferna

Some horses just grow on us. The handsome and very progressive Cape Eagle is one. The Plattner home-bred boasts a potent mix of speed and stamina and made it four on the trot with an all-theway display to win the R150 000 Listed Kings Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

The topliner on the eightrace Durban city track turf programme rounded off a maiden raceday double for the hardworking Robert Khathi and the Andre Nel yard, and now Cape Eagle looks set for slightly bigger and better things – even as a low mileage 5yo.

Making it 4 wins on the trot, the last being the Listed Michael Roberts Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, and all in the hands of Robert Khathi, Cape Eagle (5-2) was

never headed to beat the classy Captain Fontane (9-4) by 1,30 lengths in a time of 96,59 secs.

Captain Fontane was quite some way off the pace, and was caught flat-footed when Khathi geared Cape Eagle up at the 250m marker. A clever ride!

The 3yo Lord William (33-10) was a neck back in third.

The ebullient Robert Khathi, who had his whole family on course, has forged a winning partnership with the smart gelding.

“When my kids heard Cape Eagle was running, they said we are there!” laughed the man who is definitely a lot more talented than his raw career statistics would suggest. He earlier rode a pearler on Captain Corrupt in the Plattner

silks, to cause a bit of a disruption in the Pick 6 opener.

Cape Eagle was saddled by Assistant trainers Byron Foster and Colin Storey. They explained that the 5yo had undergone colic surgery earlier on but has certainly found his form.

Bred by La Plaisance Stud, he is a son of the Maine Chancebased Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the Plattner raced twotime winner Joie’s Winter (Western Winter).

A winner of 6 races with 6 places from 14 starts, Cape Eagle has banked stakes of R437 250.

Colin Storey tells that there is ‘a plan’ for Cape Eagle. We watch with interest – and suggest back him till he’s beaten!

Winning team of Colin Storey, Rob Khathi and Byron Foster pose for the camera

Candiese Lenferna

SALUTING A GENTLEMAN OF THE TURF

One of South Africa’s greatest racehorse trainers, Herman Brown Snr passed away on Saturday 25 March at the age of 93.

While the dapper smartly attired trainer always wore a hat in his professional days, he endured a tough upbringing in Johannesburg’s southern suburbs.

His father, also Herman, had a

small string of horses and he advised his son to move on when he was 18.

After a few years in Port Elizabeth, Herman Brown moved to the Newmarket stables in Durban and then Summerveld, next to Fred Rickaby.

In a tribute to a man he labelled a ‘second father’, multiple SA champion jockey

Michael Roberts told the Sporting Post that the best thing that happened to him early in his career was being apprenticed to the master conditioner.

“In those days trainers applied for apprentices. I got a very lucky break when my name was allocated to Mr Brown. He was a master horseman, a gentleman and a man who knew how to deal with people.

Herman and Thelma Brown

I became his son for the time I was apprenticed to him. Those were the days of Gatecrasher and I recall that, while trainers then were limited to 40 horses, Mr Brown had a whole row of top division horses – Glenever, Best Ever, Beacon Isle – they were all top notch.”

Herman Brown was on record as stating that Michael Roberts, with Basil Marcus, were the best that rode for him.

“Michael, an Afrikaans boy from Oudtshoorn, was taken for elocution lessons by my wife so he could learn English when he was at the Jockey Academy in Mariannhill,” Mr Brown once said in an interview.

Talking to the Sporting Post, the Gr1 winning trainer Michael Roberts said that he still applied the principles that he learnt then, in his profession today.

“Mr Brown’s yard was called ‘Ups ‘n Downs’. Some things hold true in racing forever!” he smiled.

“Mr Brown would chat to me on a Monday. He’d explain what I did right – what I did wrong. What I said that I shouldn’t have said. It was an education that laid the foundation for my success.”

The champion jockey recalled that the top Brown patrons in his time were John and Mary Liley, and that David Payne was the stable jockey.

“They had Bold Monarch, Sun Monarch – too many top horses to mention. Just six months ago, I went to fetch Mr Brown and took him back to the old yard at Summerveld. He was frail but always sharp of mind. He enjoyed it – we reminisced about all the animals I would keep – the pigs, the goats, the pigeons –heaven knows what all we had there,” smiled Muis as he fondly recalled a gentleman who clearly made a massive impression on his life.

In the past few years, Herman Brown lived with his daughter Louise and his wife of 70 years, Thelma.

When reflecting back, we note that he really had some incredible horses in his string.

Names like Foveros, Turnocat, Rock Star, Glenever, Forty Winks, Bold Monarch, Sun Monarch, Wave Crest, Jet Pilot and others are a part of the fabric of SA racing.

But Mr Brown always said that Gatecrasher remained the best horse he ever trained.

“He had big, loping strides but had trouble with his legs. I had to bandage his legs and treat them with ice every day,” he is on record as saying.

Although Gatecrasher, pictured above, was his favourite, the son of Kirsch Flambee also provided Herman Brown with the most heartbreaking moment of his career.

The Durban July was the one race to elude him.

He recalled in an interview some years ago that Gatecrasher had the 1975 July sewn up.

“He was ahead, roaring to the post and I had instructed his jockey, Garth Puller, not to use the whip in his right hand, as the horse would drift and change his running line,” said Herman.

“In his excitement, Puller did just that, sending Gatecrasher sideways to interfere with Distinctly on the inside rail. Our moment of joy was cut short when an objection was

upheld and we were relegated to third.”

Herman Brown bore no grudges, acknowledging that rules are rules, you win and lose – and he lost that day.

While it is one of the ultimate trophies, he at best enjoyed seconds in the July with Bold Monarch (1977) and Versailles (1984).

Gatecrasher and Foveros gave him two Metropolitans, and he won the Queen’s Plate three times and the Cape Guineas twice.

Veteran Racing man Selwyn Elk told the Sporting Post that he would miss his ‘old friend’.

“He was one of the few guys left from my time. They don’t make them like Herman Brown anymore. There are too many prima donnas around today,” he added, before recounting a story when he was invited with Buller Benton and Herman Brown to the then opening of the Wild Coast Casino.

“We weren’t allowed to talk about racing when using the landline in the Clairwood admin office. So I called my

soon to be ex-wife and had to explain in almost morse code where and who I was with and where I was going. Herman had a good laugh. He was such a man’s man and a gentleman at the same time,” recalled Selwyn Elk.

Herman Brown was famously also on the beach when Sea Cottage was shot ahead of the 1966 July.

“I was further up from Blue Lagoon when I heard what sounded like a car backfiring. A fisherman told me what had happened and the hitman was a Durban gangster, Johnny Nel,” he once recalled. “He was the only bloke in Durban with a yellow convertible car

and he was soon caught. He got three years, I think.”

Snooker was another sport Herman Brown excelled at.

In 1970 he hit the double, winning the Natal Trainer’s Championship and Natal Snooker Champs. He was proud of the fact that he played world number one Joe Davis when he came to South Africa. “Afterwards he told me I could go far in the game,” he recounted.

South African horseracing has lost a legend.

Our condolences and deepest sympathies go out to the Brown family.

TARRY STAR TO 120

Rain In Holland has had her merit rating raised from 111 to 120 after winning the Gr2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 25 March.

The Handicappers were of the unanimous opinion that runner-up NEBRAAS made for the most suitable line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 116.

Apart from the winner there were no other ratings increases, but two horses were given a drop. DIVINE ODYSSEY is down from 111 to 109, while SECOND BASE drops to 104 from 106.

Listed Kings Cup

CAPE EAGLE has seen his rating increased from 95 to 99 after capturing the Kings Cup over 1600m on the turf course at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Both runner-up CAPTAIN FONTANE and 3rd placed LORD WILLIAM were

used as line horses when assessing this race, leaving them unchanged on marks of 106 and 104, respectively.

No horse other than the winner received a rating’s increase, but there were drops for three runners. BACK TO BLACK is down from 95 to 94, PRICELESS RULER was trimmed from 103 to 102, and lastly SHAMPOMPO SHAMPIZI is down from 91 to 89.

Listed East Cape Guineas PERFECTION has had his rating raised from 91 to 103 after easily winning the Listed East Cape Guineas for threeyear-olds over 1600m on the Fairview Polytrack on Friday 24 March. The race was originally scheduled for the turf course, but the meeting was moved to the Polytrack because of weather-related reasons.

The Handicappers took the view that 4th placed HEATHCLIFF made for the most suitable line horse here,

which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 86. There were no other ratings increases from this event, and no horses were given a drop.

Listed East Cape Sprint Cup COUNTDOWN remains unchanged on a mark of 109 after he landed the Listed East Cape Sprint Cup over 1200m on the Polytrack at Fairview on Friday. The Handicappers were of the view that COUNTDOWN himself made for the most suitable line horse here, hence his unaltered rating.

The only ratings increase was for 2nd placed PHEDRA, who goes up from 99 to 103, but three horses received a drop.

INHERIT THE RAIN is down from 106 to 105, WHATEVER NEXT drops from 100 to 97, and lastly GIACOMO PUCCINI is down to 88 from 91.

Media release by NHA on Tuesday 28 March 2023

THE LIGHTS ARE DIMMED

Tributes have been paid to a great character and popular professional punter Johnny 'Lights' Hurndall, who died at the age of 74 earlier this month.

The Racing Post reports that Lights had been an avid racing fan since childhood and was a

leading name and charismatic figure in the betting ring for a number of decades, predominantly in the south of England. At one point he was said to be one of the biggest gamblers in Britain.

Later in his career he turned into a layer on the rails before

suffering from ill health. He died at Epsom Hospital on March 10.

Also a keen punter and fan of cricket, Lights formed friendships with fellow professional punters on the track, including Steve Lewis Hamilton.

RIDGEMONT ARE IN THE FAST LANE

The Kieswetter family’s Tipperary-based Barnane Stud produced another terrific home-bred winner, and a boost for their exciting blue-blooded speed demon sire Real Gone Kid, at Wolverhampton on Monday evening when the William Haggas-trained chestnut filly Girl Racer (IRE) won impressively on her 7 furlong debut.

Bred and raced by Barnane, the scopy winner is a daughter

of Scat Daddy’s Champion

First Crop Sire of 2018 & Champion 2YO Sire of 2022 Scat Daddy out of SA-bred Equus star In The Fast Lane, a champion daughter of seven times South African champion sire, and champion broodmare sire, Jet Master.

It’s certainly a top family with the second dam Oaks winner First Arrival, a Northern Guest mare who produced multiple Black Types including Gr2 winner and Dubai winner Light

The Lights, and the feature raced Pack Leader, amongst others.

The promising Girl Racer is the third foal of the brilliant In The Fast Lane and follows Snitzel Gr1 star and lightning fast Real Gone Kid, who is an exciting first season stallion prospect at the Kieswetter’s Ridgemont Highlands Stud in the Western Cape.

The handsome Real Gone Kid boasts an international

Barnane Stud's Girl Racer wins a cracker on debut at Wolverhampton on Monday

standard pedigree and bears striking similarities to Ridgemont Highlands’ boom sire Rafeef, who has hit the headlines since going to stud with outstanding winners over a variety of trips right up to Gr1 level. Both Rafeef and Real Gone Kid are speedsters from the Redoute’s Choice male line.

Another of In The Fast Lane’s offspring, Real Gone Kid’s full sister from In The Fast Lane is the stakes performed dual winning filly Stiptelik, a 4yo currently in training with Brett Crawford in the Cape.

The Kieswetter’s internationally focussed philosophy of breeding best to best continues to pay great dividends!

“It’s early days but William (Haggas) really likes Girl Racer and she looks like a filly with plenty of promise. She showed maturity and good ability with an impressive turn of foot, to win as she did coming from behind the leaders under a hands and heels ride by Cieren Fallo and we are thrilled. Well done to the Haggas and Barnane teams. And it’s great to see the Real Gone Kid dynasty growing. There has been so much interest in him and we are excited at what the future holds,” said a delighted Craig Kieswetter.

Girl Racer with her illustrious Mom, In The Fast Lane

New season speed sensation Real Gone Kid

Chase Liebenberg

WORLD BELONGS TO JAPAN

Ushba Tesoro storms to his biggest victory

Chase Liebenberg

Ushba Tesoro capped yet another memorable night for Japan on the greatest stage of all by finishing strongest in the 27th Dubai World Cup (2000m) sponsored by Emirates Airline at Meydan on Saturday.

The six-year-old son of Orfevre scored by a widening twoand-three-quarter lengths from local hope Algiers and Saudi Arabian-trained Emblem Road in third.

Ushba Tesoro is trained by Noboru Takagi for Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings and was ridden with great poise by Yuga Kawada.

It was a race where the picture changed markedly in the final two furlongs. As the field turned into the home

stretch, the principal Emirati fancy Algiers was travelling with conspicuous ease and as he assumed the lead with a furlong and a half to race, the lion’s share of the $12 million purse race appeared at his mercy.

However, about five lengths further back, jockey Yuga Kawada was unfurling a lethal burst from Ushba Tesoro who he had settled at the rear of the field before making his move out wide with 600 metres to race. The winner trailed the field in rear by 15 lengths in the very early stages of the race. What a nerveless ride Kawada delivered.

Winning trainer Takagi said the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, still the one race Japan has yet to conquer and the one it

covets most, will come under consideration later in the year, all going well.

The draw for the Dubai World Cup had placed three of the main fancies – Country Grammer, Algiers and Panthalassa – out wide and the latter could never dominate the way he did when landing the Saudi Cup a month ago. He tired to finish well beaten in 10th. Last year’s hero Country Grammer was always a bit laboured and ran seventh.

Despite the dominance by Japan in the world’s biggest races in recent years, it was their only success in the $12 million feature since Victoire Pisa broke through in 2011. It was also their first on dirt, with Victoire Pisa’s success coming

The crowd welcomes the popular winner

Chase Liebenberg

on the synthetic Tapeta surface.

Yet such is the quality and quantity of the Japanese challenge in Dubai these days, it will hardly be as long before their next success arrives in the Meydan showpiece

Kawada said: “He jumped quite well but the majority of the other Japanese runners ran towards the middle of the pack. I just tried to focus on maintaining the horse’s rhythm and just to keep his rhythm from the middle of the pack.

“It was his first time running overseas and there were queries on whether he’d travel

as well as the fact it was his first time on the surface. He was training quite well over here this week and I knew the horse was in good condition, so it was just a matter of the horse keeping his head in the race and he did that very well today.

“There were eight Japanese horses in the field and aside from myself the only other Japanese jockey on a Japanese horse was Yutaka Yoshida on Panthalassa. I was on the horse for the first time today but it was a tremendous honour to ride him and there was a lot of pressure as the leading Japanese jockey heading into the race.

“Thanks to the effort of the horse he fought on very well and I’m very proud of myself as the leading Japanese jockey by winning the leading race in the world today.”

Takagi said: “It’s a great feeling! After watching his previous run (when winning the Kawasaki Kinen last month), the Dubai World Cup was certainly on my mind for this horse.

“Everything went as planned. Actually when he first got here he was actually quite nervous and a bit toey but that was expected and as the days went by he gradually got used to his

Yuga Kawada gives the thumbs up as Ushba Tesoro returns after his victory

Chase Liebenberg

environment and ran a great race. This is by far the greatest honour of my career.

“We will go back to Japan as he’s a bit vulnerable in hot weather and heat. We’ll see how he is over the summer and come up with a plan for him.”

\An owner representative for Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings said: “This was a complete team

effort and the victory is for the effort of every individual in this team.

“This was the first win abroad for our syndicate and now we’ve opened our doors to the global stage we will look again. The owners expressed an interest in going for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe if we won this today.”

Winning time: 02:03.25 (race record 02:01.38).

Joyous connections celebrate

SHADWELL CELEBRATION

Danyah put a host of specialist sprinters to the sword when flying up the middle under Dane O’Neill to deliver a popular success for Shadwell and trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri in the Gr1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Saturday.

Having been campaigned over 1400m and 1600m since

arriving in the UAE, he outran the rest on his first start over 1200m since October, 2019, at which early stage of his career he was trained in Britain by Owen Burrows.

With the field staying up the middle of the track any perceived bias for those drawn high was negated and there were a host of chances spread

across the track inside the final 200 metres.

Al Suhail and William Buick appeared to be travelling all over the winner but had to settle for third, while The Astrologist also made a final, decisive challenge, finishing just a head behind the winner for Australian-based Leon and Troy Corstens.

Chase Liebenberg

AGE OF THE EQUINOX

After seven races which had produced some thrilling finishes and compelling storylines, Equinox produced a dominant performance of rare quality to stamp his authority on global middle distance turf racing.

He looks quite simply untouchable if trainer Tetsuya Kimura can keep him at this level of form and the Silk Racing syndicate can have their pick of the world’s great

races at 2000m and 2400m.

That Equinox was able to run away from his rivals in the straight was predicted by plenty of people beforehand, though few could have foreseen Christophe Lemaire’s decision to lead into the first turn and dictate from the front.

It might well be that tactics were immaterial, such was the superiority of this dazzling son of Kitasan Black, a new

It was a tough field with some very strong horses but he’s a champion and he was just the best

champion for both Lemaire and Silk Racing that has come hard on the heels of their horse of a lifetime, Almond Eye.

But, convinced he was on the best horse in the race, Lemaire took chance out of

Equinox storms home under Christophe Lemaire

the equation, never taking his hands off the reins, let alone shaking them at Equinox; his measured yet irresistible stride taking him out of range of the pursuing Zagrey and the running-on Westover.

In any normal edition of the Sheema Classic, Juddmonte’s homebred would have been a good winner and trainer Ralph Beckett can plan an ambitious campaign through the summer for Westover.

And Yann Barberot was almost the happiest man in Meydan as his Dubai World Cup Carnival graduate took another big step forward.

Neither is likely to encounter a

horse of Equinox’s stature back in Europe, while wherever Japan’s newest superstar races, he will be the box office attraction in global racing.

Lemaire said: “I knew he was the best horse and so I was happy to make the pace. I’m really happy for all of the connections. It’s been a long time since I won the Sheema, the last time was with Heart’s Cry and he passed away two weeks ago. So I am very grateful for this horse and he has allowed me to pay tribute to Heart’s Cry.

“Race after race, he’s going up the rankings of the horses I have ridden. It was a great, great performance against

these kind of horses at the top level. I couldn’t be happier.”

Kimura said: “Much like he did last year, he went straight to the lead so that got me a bit worried at the start but the horse travelled fine and everything went well. We didn’t have a plan really and Christophe is just a very good jockey who knows how to ride these horses very well. He did a fantastic job in the saddle and Equinox is such a fine horse that knows how to get the job done.

“It was a tough field with some very strong horses but he’s a champion and he was just the best. He got the job done and made it all look so simple.

Thrilled connections with the handsome winner

Chase Liebenberg

I am very happy with this performance.”

Westover (2nd), jockey Ryan Moore said: “I’m really happy with the run. He ran a super race and he was beaten by a very good horse, but he showed himself to be a high quality colt. That horse

[Equinox] will be a threat wherever he goes.”

Trainer Ralph Beckett said: “Terrific as it hasn’t been easy this week, he did two laps of the training track on Tuesday when he was only meant to do one! Although he’s keen you have to leave him alone. He’s

been beaten by a very good horse, to finish second to him is fantastic. I wouldn’t rule out dropping back to 10 furlongs for an Eclipse or a Tatts Gold Cup.”

Winning time: 02:25.65 (new race record).

Christophe Lemaire proudly displays the trophy

Chase Liebenberg

NO SHOW WITHOUT FRANKIE!

Chase Liebenberg

Lord North writes his name into the history books

Lord North created history by becoming the first horse to win three straight renewals of the Gr1 Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World, thanks to the gutsiest of displays under Frankie Dettori at Meydan on Saturday.

John and Thady Gosden’s seven-year-old arrived at Meydan on the back of a winning prep run in last month’s Gr3 Winter Derby at Lingfield Park and he was always prominent under Dettori.

Tracking the early pace behind the Roger Varian-trained El Drama, the leading pack soon

swapped places swinging the bend for home, when William Buick took over on Nations Pride.

Buick would have been entitled to think his sweeping move was enough, but Dettori had his measure on Lord North, cosily picking up the lead inside the final furlong for a game success – and stealing first run on the fast-closing Japanese-trained pair of Serifos and Danon Beluga.

That victory means that Dettori has bolstered his record as the race’s most successful jockey with four victories. Those have come with the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Tamayaz (1997),

in addition to three on Lord North.

He also extended his lead as the most successful rider at the Dubai World Cup meeting across its near three-decade history, with this marking his 23rd victory since its inception in 1996.

This is Dettori’s final appearance at Meydan before his retirement.

The jockey, who ensured his trademark flying dismount once again graced Dubai, said: “It’s amazing to win once; three times, it’s unreal. Thady has done an amazing job because he’s a horse that gets

Showman Dettori plays to the cameras!

Chase Liebenberg

sick quite easily, that’s why he doesn’t run that often. The boys got him ready for this race and full credit to them, they’ve done great with him.

“And Lord North himself, what a star. To just get one on the board at this beautiful place, in Dubai that has been my home for so many winters, it’s pretty special.”

Thady Gosden said: “The first time he won the race he showed a nice turn of foot and then last year his preparation

wasn’t quite as straightforward as this year. The lad who rides him out every day thought he was in much better form than coming into last year. Obviously you can’t say that beforehand in case it all goes wrong.

“It was a little bit messy in the mid-part of the race and coming into the bend, but he missed any trouble and showed a great turn of foot to get to the front. He broke well from three and the strong pace up front definitely helped him; he got a nice tow into it and he picked up as we know he can.

“It’s fantastic and thanks to everyone at home in the yard, to the horse and to Frankie as well. He’s a homebred gelding and it’s fantastic for him to come here and win a race of this quality three times on the trot.”

Winning time: 01:47.39 (race record 01:45.52).

Frankie’s famous dismount delights Dubai for the last time

Chase Liebenberg

gets the better of Switzerland in a thriller

RYAN THE HEARTSTOPPER!

If you thought Ryan Moore couldn’t leave a winning challenge any later than that he executed on Broome in the Gr2 Dubai Gold Cup, then the final lunge up the rail aboard Sibelius in the $2 million Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen was even more of a heart-stopper as he denied last year’s winner Switzerland by a nose.

In doing so he gave Irishman Jeremiah O’Dwyer by far the biggest win of his career.

Deep into the straight it looked as if the finish would be an all-American one, fought out between Frankie Dettori on Hopkins and Tyler

Gaffalione on Gunite.

But the race changed complexion at the 200 metre mark, with Switzerland launched down the outside by Tadhg O’Shea and Moore moving up on the rail.

Sibelius is born, bred and trained in the United States but O’Dwyer’s role will ensure celebrations in Ireland’s County Tipperary, while owners Jun Park and Della Nash can reflect on the wisdom of placing their trust in the young handler.

O'Dwyer said: "The race worked out quite the way I had

predicted. You know you can read these races a hundred times but it will never go the same way. To be honest, he just sat back in the gates and was a bit slow but when you have a master rider like Ryan Moore, he gets you out of trouble.

"It really is a proud moment for us. I am grateful to the owners. They let me do what is best with the horse every step of the way and never interfere.

"He trains like a good horse, he acts like a good horse, he rides like a good horse.

"Junior Alvarado gave him his last breeze before we shipped

Sibelius

out. He was not able to make it over and there's some Derby trials and big handicaps in America so he could not be here."

Moore said: "I was very lucky to pick up the ride. He actually stepped a little slowly, I was a half-length further behind than I wanted to be. We had a charmed run, they just drifted off which meant we didn't have to change lanes and the horse dug in really deep. He showed a lot of courage and heart to get there.

"He has form over a little bit further which I think really helped too."

Winning time: 01:10.69 (race record 01:09.01)

Top jockey Ryan Moore

The thrilled winning team provide a photo opportunity

Chase Liebenberg

Chase Liebenberg

THE TRADEMARK OF TIME!

Oblivious to the world’s eyes firmly focussed on Meydan this past week, a Durban July winner is whiling away his retirement days within a stone’s throw of the ecstatic madding crowd that screamed Japanese star Ushba Tesoro home in the twenty-seventh running of the Dubai World Cup

Sporting Post photographer Chase Liebenberg cracked the nod to cover his second Dubai World Cup and tells how he stumbled on the fact that a

Durban July winner was living out his days in the UAE – and then not in a random paddock somewhere, but practically in the city!

Chase writes that he was wondering who the former July winner could possibly be? After all, many of the winners from the past couple of years are accounted for and we know where they are living out their days.

He was stunned to hear that it was Africa’s Greatest

Horseracing event’s 2001 winner, Trademark! Chase was only around 7 years old when the Bass champ won the big race!

The former Mike Bass trained son of Goldmark, who was bred by D Cohen & Sons, is living out his days at the ripe old age of twenty seven at Dar Al Khail a facility owned and run by the Dubai Racing Club.

The incredible facility for rehoming and rehabilitation of ex-racehorses is managed by

Chase Liebenberg catches up with Trademark in Dubai last week

Heather Copland. The facility is currently surrounded by towering skyscrapers and is located near the Red Stables of Dubai-based Doug Watson, who cracked a victory on World Cup night with Isolate in the Godolphin Mile.

When seeing Trademark I couldn’t believe my eyes at how well the old chap looked. We arranged for him to come outside for a small group of media to meet and greet the champion and what a professional he was!

He stood perfectly for everyone to see him and didn’t even bat an eyelid.

I work for the Bass Racing operation and it was rather special on a personal level seeing him and having the opportunity to have a photo with him.

Trademark really landed up being a dream horse and a true globetrotter.

He was originally trained by Mike Bass out of his Milnerton yard and owned by the Mike Barfoot and Tony Kerkman.

Chatting to Carol and Mike Bass, they recounted that Trademark was a straight forward, sound horse who was very intelligent. One of those horses who could practically read and write.

Candice Bass-Robinson also remembered him being a simple horse to train. If anything he carried his head very low down to the ground while working, and one would think he’d fall over – but thankfully he never did!

During his career under the Bass flag he won many feature races including the

Durban July in 2001 with Piere Strydom aboard and the Queen’s Plate with Bernard Fayd’herbe.

After being sold to Dubai he was trained by Satish Seemar. He never added a win to his belt while in Dubai but raiding in the United States he was victorious in the 2003 Gr2 Bernard Baruch Handicap and the Gr2 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga.

The well-travelled gelding returned to Dubai under the care of Satish where he continued to race until the age of nine, when he eventually retired to Heather.

As a golden oldie he will see out his days at Dar Al Khail.

For more information on Dar Al Khail contact Heather at retirementhome@ dubairacingclub.com

Trademark storms home under Piere Strydom in the 2001 Durban July

A GIANT OF A DAY FOR IRON-HORSE

Ryan Moore returns on Sibelius after his Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen victory

Chase Liebenberg

Descendants of the late champion Giant's Causeway more than made their mark in major races around the world on Saturday.

Giant's Causeway horse Not This Time (whose dam Miss Macy Sue was sired by the Drakenstein Stud based Trippi) came up with his fourth Gr1 winner when his son Sibelius claimed Saturday's Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan.

Five-year-old Sibelius, one of 24 stakes winners for his sire, has now won seven of 19 starts including the 2022 Gr3 Mr

Prospector Stakes. He joins Princess Noor, Just One Time and the now Ashford based Epicenter as G1 winners for Not This Time.

Third home in the Dubai Golden Shaheen was 2021 Gr1 Hopeful Stakes winner Gunite, who is inbred to Giant's Causeway.

Gunite's sire Gun Runner, who is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Quiet Giant, added to his broodmare sire's memorable (albeit posthumous) day when responsible for Saturday's Gr2 Twinspires.com Louisiana

Derby runner up Disarm.

The same Meydan card saw Lord North, who is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Najoum, claim the Gr1 Dubai Turf. It is the third year in a row that Lord North has claimed the Dubai Turf, having triumphed in 2021 before dead-heating for first place last year. He is one of nearly 200 stakes winners produced by daughters of Giant's Causeway thus far.

Giant's Causeway's grandson Lope De Vega added to his ancestor's achievements

when his son Arapaho won Saturday's Gr1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill. In the process, Arapaho became Lope De Vega's 18th individual Gr1 winner. A dual French classic winner, Lope De Vega, sire of 106 stakes winners, is also the sire of Saturday's Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire winner Lattam.

Lope De Vega is also the sire of a number of promising three-year-olds this season, including Carl Spackler and Algolia, both of whom were named TDN Rising Stars this year while his son Belardo is the sire of this year's Gr1 Frank

E. Kilroe Mile Stakes winner Gold Phoenix.

Lope De Vega's late sire Shamardal, whose 160 plus stakes winners include 27 Gr1 winners, is the sire of Saturday's Gr2 Godolphin Mile runner up Law Of Peace, and Gr1 Dubai World Cup second place finisher Algiers.

Mariah's Storm, the dam of Giant's Causeway, also features as the granddam of 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles, whose daughter Insinuendo captured the first group race on the flat in Ireland this year when

victorious in Saturday's Gr3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes. It was a third group winner for Insinuendo, who herself is one of 25 stakes winners for her Coolmore based sire.

Giant's Causeway, broodmare sire of South African champions One World (Captain Al) and Soft Falling Rain (National Assembly) also made his presence felt in South Africa on Saturday -he is broodmare sire of Seeking Peace (What A Winter), who won the ninth and final race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Coolmore

The magnificent Giant’s Causeway

FLAT SEASON GETS UNDERWAY

SEASON UNDERWAY

Doncaster Racecourse – Saturday’s host venue

The Lincoln Heritage Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday is the traditional start to the British Flat racing season. With the Classic’s starting at Newmarket just over a month later, it’s always worthwhile to consider any feedback from the master of Ballydoyle, Aidan O’Brien.

Ryan Moore and O’Brien were successful in the Gr1 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan over the weekend with their sevenyear-old Broome, and the stable had two more winners at Naas on Sunday. These early season victories suggest

that Ballydoyle could be more forward than usual this season.

Aidan O’Brien was very positive on his leading threeyear-old prospects Little Big Bear and Auguste Rodin after their public post-racing gallops at the Curragh over the weekend. The two colts share favouritism in the ante-post market for the 2000 Guineas.

Auguste Rodin signed off last term with victory in the Gr1 Vertem Futurity Trophy over a mile at Doncaster, while Little Big Bear was an effortless sixlength winner in the six-furlong

Gr1 Phoenix Stakes on his final start of the campaign at the Curragh in August.

Speaking to the press on Monday morning, O’Brien said: “We’re very happy with Auguste Rodin. What he did at the Curragh was very good, following a three-year-old sprinter. We were very happy with that.”

“I think they are the main two for Newmarket, then the lads will have to decide whether to let the two of them run together or split them up. They are the two that will be

Aidan O'Brien pictured with Auguste Rodin at Ballydoyle on Monday

Healy Racing / Racing TV

trained for Newmarket, that makes sense.”

O’Brien thinks Little Big Bear will get a mile, although he has yet to try a trip in excess of six furlongs, but Auguste Rodin is expected to improve over further in time.

He added: “I suppose Little Big Bear would be very comfortable and happy to go back sprinting, but I think there’s a good chance he will get a mile. He races very relaxed.”

“You’d imagine Auguste Rodin will go better stretching out to a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half. He’s that type of horse that could

get any trip in time.”

Another very much in the mix is Victoria Road, winner of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. He looks to be aimed at France for the French 2000 Guineas and Derby.

Meditate look likely to spearhead the stable’s 1000 Guineas challenge this year after unbeaten stable companion Statuette was ruled out of a springtime start.

O’Brien commented: “Statuette has had a little bit of a hold up and I don’t think she’s going to make the Guineas.”

Instead, Meditate is set to fly the flag after pleasing O’Brien in Saturday’s racecourse gallop.

Placed twice in Group One company last summer, the daughter of No Nay Never, graduated to Group 1 success in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

O’Brien confirmed: “The plan is to go straight to Newmarket with her. She’s a very professional filly, she’s not over big but she’s strong. We were very happy with her on Saturday.”

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