SP Sprint - 30 APril 2024

CHAMPIONS SEASON

On the cover

The start of the 2024 SA Champions Season on Saturday will mean the return of some of our superstars to feature action. Here local hero See It Again is seen with Piere Strydom in the saddle at the corresponding meeting in 2023, prior to running second to Charles Dickens in the WSB Guineas. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.

LET THE CHAMPION GAMES

The 2024

SA

Champions Season

action kicks off at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday with the running of the WSB Gr2 Guineas and WSB Gr2 Fillies Guineas, followed by the traditional season opener, the Gr2 Independent on Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, which is sponsored by Independent Newspapers.

A traditional season launch-pad for horses of various ages and end games, the IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes has attracted a quality field of ten, headed by Tony Peter’s smashing 3yo Main Defender, who takes on a quality field over the 1400m. The son of Pathfork comes in fresh off his eyecatching strike at Turffontein in the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.

The Drill Hall field includes six Highveld raiders, and Justin Snaith’s very versatile Royal Aussie, who jumps from pole position.

The World Sports Betting Gr2 Fillies Guineas gives the faire sex sophomores a first opportunity to step out in the 2024 SA Champions Season, and it is Justin Snaith’s recent runaway Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes winner Double Grand Slam who looks the standout.

An interesting inclusion is Mike de Kock’s perennial feature bridesmaid White Pearl, who boasts seven feature place cheques in her last

8 starts. Her ‘prep’ third behind Mrs Browning in last Saturday’s TAB Gr3 Camellia Stakes should have her razor sharp on Saturday.

Only seven 3yo males will line up in the World Sports Betting Gr2 Guineas, but the trio of Gr1 stars in Highveld raider Sandringham Summit, and the Cape duo of SplashOut Cape Derby winner Green With Envy and Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot, make it a potential cliff-hanger!

With a feature race total stake of nearly R35million, South Africa’s Champions Season is set to attract the crème de la crème, all vying for prestigious titles and prizes, including the coveted R5-million Hollywoodbets Durban July, which is run on 6 July.

One of the world’s premier horseracing festivals, the three-month extravaganza showcases an impressive array of 38 graded stakes races, 13 of which are at the elite Gr1 level.

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE

PURE PLEASURE FOR FANIE

Pure Predator (Richard Fourie) becomes the first 3yo winner of the TAB Gr2 Colorado King Stakes in many a long year | Credit: JC Photos

Leading owner and breeder Laurence Wernars enjoyed a red-letter day at Turffontein on Saturday, capped by the Fanie Bronkhorst trained Pure Predator, who became the first 3yo winner of the R500 000 TAB Gr2 Colorado King Stakes in many a long year.

In yet another Gr2 contest on The Championships Finale day dominated by the sophomores, Pure Predator (17-10) showed no ill effects after his hard chasing second behind Purple Pitcher in the SA Derby three weeks earlier, as he cruised in and was geared down by Richard Fourie off a slow gallop to beat the flattered late chasing Hotarubi (7-2) by 0,75 lengths in a time of 123,56 secs.

Another Wernars flagbrearer, the 6yo Puerto Manzano (16-1), the only non Hollywoodbets Durban July entry in Saturday’s field, trailed his field for much of the trip, but showed a youthful dash of enthusiasm late to run past the stragglers and round off the quartet, some 3,25 lengths off the runner-up.

The Winning Form-sponsored Richard Fourie was celebrating his third winner of the afternoon.

“The only worry for me was the pace. I was instructed to drop him out, but the pace was pedestrian. So I pulled him out three deep at around the 1200m, and he took the bit – and we ended up in a dream seat! He needs to grow into himself. He’s a lovely horse,” added the SA National Champion elect.

The Hollywoodbets-sponsored Fanie Bronkhorst is enjoying the season of his life.

“He’s a still a baby, and he’s going to be a good horse one day,” Bronkhorst said of the SA Derby runner-up, who is a 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July entrant.

This was Pure Predator’s maiden stakes success as he took his tally to 3 wins with 9 places from 16 starts for stakes of R910 875.

A son of the ill-fated New Predator, who also raced in the same silks, Pure Predator was bred by Laurence Wernars out of the Var mare, Little Sparrow.

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WOW, MR. BRONKHORST!

Fanie Bronkhorst – going places! | Credit: JC Photos

Hollywoodbets-sponsored Randjesfontein conditioner Fanie Bronkhorst is on the up. The 42 year old has come on leaps and bounds since the 2020 season when he had just a single barn and a handful of horses as a restricted trainer.

Today he has 62 horses in his care, inhabiting three barns at the world-class training establishment. And while his physical stature destroyed any delusions and dreams he ever had of becoming a jockey, the former Tukkies rugby star is living the dream as one of our fastest ascending training stars.

And time has flown by Fanie’s his early graded stakes success with the gallant mare Running Brave winning the Gr3 London News Stakes at Turffontein on 2 January 2021.

Saturday’s victory in the TAB Gr2 Colorado King Stakes by the progressive 3yo Pure Predator has established a glittering new milestone for the man who grew up in Kathu, the iron-ore capital of the Northern Cape Province.

“How exciting was that, and I know I must have done something half decent when the press rather than my bank manager calls me on Monday morning,” Fanie exclaimed as he took the call from the Sporting Post.

We asked him how it felt to be South Africa’s newest Grade 2 trainer.

“Absolutely terrific. And I can only thank my supportive wife Dezrè, daughter Kayla (13) and son Reghardt (11), as well as my fantastic team, my support services, and my owners, as well as my wonderful sponsors, Hollywoodbets. Without all of these loyal people behind me, I wouldn’t be talking to you today,” adds Fanie as he reflects on how he landed up training horses for a powerful owner like Laurence Wernars.

“Mr Wernars has made a serious effort to spread the love, as it were. It’s so encouraging for smaller yards when big owners give everybody a chance to train their quality horses. He told me to go and select one of the New Predator progeny. I picked Pure Predator – I liked his athleticism and he looked scopy

and beautifully boned. But then I didn’t hear anything and he somehow landed up with Paul Peter. I knew my turn would come, so didn’t say anything and life went on.”

But then Paul Peter called it a day and Pure Predator landed up in the Bronkhorst yard.

“A circle of destiny, as it were! It’s strange how things happen. Call it fate. And here he is today, my Hollywoodbets Durban July entry,” smiles Fanie.

He tells us that Pure Predator is still a baby and definitely not the ‘finished product’ yet.

Fanie spends some time with his new champion Credit: Supplied

“The New Predators are unique. They show pace and precocity – my boy won over 1160m on debut, then followed up with a win over the same trip at his third start. Now he is an SA Derby runner-up and a Gr2 winner over 2000m! The seamless transition from a pacy precocious 2yo to 3yo classic ability takes class and plenty of ability!” adds the excited trainer, who holds Springbok colours in the arduous sport of Endurance Racing.

Fanie says that Pure Predator’s next mission will be the R2 million Gr1 Daily News 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 25 May. All going well, it’s then on to the Hollywoodbets Durban July on 6 July.

“I will raid KZN. I’m not going to get a satellite base at Summerveld. Rather in and out. I have three 2yo’s that I will be looking at for the feature races. Stars And Bra’s ran third in Saturday’s Gr3 Protea Stakes and is a daughter of New Predator, who is looking for further. Honorable Member won her last start over 1400m and is a daughter of Rabada, while Valieva is a daughter of Var and still a maiden. She has run three good seconds

and is a sprinter with plenty of scope.”

Stocking the armoury with champions for the future, Fanie purchased two lovely yearlings at the recent BSA National Yearling Sale, and says he is thrilled as he feels he bought quality at prices that won’t break the bank.

Lot 69 – Bold Action – Futura ex Brave Bid

Fanie comments: Athletic filly. Classic type. Stands over ground. Deep girth. Dam – 3 winners from 4 runners, including Brave Move who won 7 and is a stakes winner.

Lot 292 -Unnamed – William Longsword ex Private Dancer

Fanie comments: Very nice colt – dam produced 3 runners, 2 winners. Athletic horse with a strong hindquarter. Depp girth. He has a nice head and intelligent eye. He will come early. I like him a lot.

Minimum shares of 25% per unit.

Please contact Fanie on 082 313 1368 to find out more.

Beating Wings (Calvin Habib) opens her stakes account | Credit: JC Photos

Formerly run as the Gerald Rosenberg Stakes, the R350 000 TAB Gr2 Igugu Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday provided a welcome return to the feature winner’s box for trainer Stuart Pettigrew, courtesy of Rafeef’s 3yo daughter, Beating Wings.

Rafeef’s dazzling versatility as a stakes winner producing sire across the spectrum was underlined again when the champion son of Redoute’s Choice marked a Gr2 big day feature double, with Mrs Browning winning over 1160m a half hour earlier, and then Beating Wings opening her stakes account over 2000m.

Formerly trained by Ashley Fortune, Beating Wings was one of only two 3yo’s in a quality field, and ran against her trainer’s better judgement, after she hadn’t touched her Friday night dinner!

But all’s well that ends well, as Calvin Habib produced Beating Wings (9-2) from some way back to reel in Joey Soma’s game

long-time pacemaker Bellevarde (14-1), and then withstood a strong effort from the fancied My Soul Mate (33-20) to make it a 3yo 1-2 and win by 0,40 lengths in a time of 124,30 secs for the 2000.

The winner’s stablemate Gilded Butterfly (11-2), who won this race last year, rounded the quartet off.

Raced by all of Messrs Dayalan Chinsammy, S Govender, L Grammer, Reashan S D Maharaj, Andre’ Mey & Miss Trinisha Pillay, Beating Wings was originally a R325 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase.

Bred by the bang in-form Ridgemont, she is a daughter of Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice) out of the three-time winning Western Winter mare, Cool River.

Now a winner of 4 races with 2 places from 7 starts, Beating Wings has earned R486 063.

THE LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE LIVES ON

When the Kieswetter family purchased Highlands Farms Stud from the Beck family, the Robertson farm boasted a broodmare band second to none, thanks to the foresight of former owner Graham Beck.

Over the years, this shrewd and progressive breeder boosted the quality of an already enviable pool of mares by importing American and English-bred yearling fillies, which were put into training before joining the Highlands broodmare band.

The law of averages dictates that not every filly will end up a champion or stakes winner, but this practice nevertheless yielded a high percentage of winners and, most importantly, hugely enhanced the South African gene pool.

One such graduate was Riviersonderend, an English-bred daughter of Efisio. She retired to the Highlands paddocks as a stakes winner of seven races, having claimed the Listed Roland’s Song Stakes, and also collected more black type with third places in both the Gr2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes and Gr3 Jacaranda Handicap.

She duly became a stakes producer with her second foal, the Fort Wood filly Himalayan Hill, who carried the Beck silks to victory in the Listed Off To Stud Handicap at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, having chased home Gorongosa (subsequently dam of Gold Cup winner Shangani) in the Listed Spook Express Handicap.

Beating Wings (Calvin Habib) gets home to beat My Soul Mate (Richard Fourie) | Credit: JC Photos

Riviersonderend’s first foal, a grey filly named Cool River, was the product of a liaison with Western Winter.

She scored three times for Eric Sands and although she may have lacked the talent of her dam or half-sister, she showed she had what it takes as a broodmare.

Her first two foals, the fillies River Ayre and Stream Of Kindness won five races apiece, but it was her third foal, the Gimmethegreenlight colt Stream Ahead, who became her first black type winner. Trained by Gavin van Zyl, he claimed the Listed KZN Guineas Trial before continuing his winning ways in Mauritius.

Her Dynasty colt Zambezi Rapids ended up in Zimbabwe and reached the frame in both the Zimbabwe 2000 and Zimbabwe Derby.

Cool River’s second stakes winner arrived this past weekend at Turffontein, where threeyear-old Rafeef daughter Beating Wings was rewarded for consistency in the Gr2 Igugu Stakes over 2000m.

Fresh off a fourth in the Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks, the Stuart

Pettigrew-trained filly opened her stakes account with a half-length victory over Oaks runner-up My Soul Mate.

Riviersonderend produced just six foals, all winners, before her untimely death at age 14.

Thankfully, Cool River is keeping the family in lights, as is Himalayan Hill, who became the dam of the stakes winning duo Humdinger and Glacier Gold.

The former, a Mike de Kock-trained winner of the Gr2 Joburg Spring Fillies & Mares Challenge and Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes, recently chased home Gimme A Nother in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes, whilst What A Winter full sister Glacier Gold earned her black type in the Listed Milkwood Stakes.

In contrast to her dam, Cool River is proving to be a prolific broodmare, as Beating Wings was followed by two colts, the Canford Cliffs juvenile Umfula and Gimmethegreenlight yearling Green Machine.

Last spring, she gave birth to a filly by newcomer Real Gone Kid. A grey, just like mom, she has already been named Pure Steel.

‘A MIND BLOWING WIN!’ - SEAN TARRY

Trainer Sean Tarry and jockey Richard Fourie continued on their big day winning streak at Turffontein on Saturday when the newly blinkered Varsfontein Stud-bred Lucky Lad came from a near impossible position to cut the opposition down late and win the R500 000 Jehan Malherbe Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes.

At this stage of the game, Tarry had 5 on the board with Fourie on 4, and two races still to run!

The only jockey to have ever partnered the smart 3yo, Richard Fourie had Lucky Lad some way off the speed as Rulership and Swing Upon A Star cut out the fractions.

Halfway through the 1160m contest, Lucky Lad looked to be fortunate to even run a place.

But Fourie knew what he had under him, and switching the smashing colt in, there was fireworks as the smashing-looking I Am Giant also unwound down the middle.

In an extraordinary back-to-form moment, Lucky Lad (15-10) ran on strongly to beat the eye-catching I Am Giant by 0,40 lengths in a time of 66,09 secs for the 1160m.

Bred Crawford made it a 2-3 when Surjay found some of his better form, a neck away in third, with the filly Winter Greeting (13-2) rounding off the quartet, a further 0,40 lengths back.

Winning jockey Richard Fourie said that Lucky Lad had jumped ‘clumsily’.

Lucky Lad (Richard Fourie) runs on strongly – Surjay (Louis Mxothwa) stays on for third | Credit: JC Photos

“They were on top of us, but I thought earlier that he needed further. But Mr Tarry is the master as we tried the blinkers and they worked. Lucky Lad looked beaten under me, but he exploded and produced a fantastic effort,” added Fourie, as he recorded his 272nd winner of what is set to be a vintage season.

Trainer Sean Tarry, as he has done so often over the years, was the ‘man of the match’ in the words of caller, Nico Kritsiotis.

“It’s a great team effort. I am truly happy for my owners, my team and my family. A great day. This horse had a wind op, and few come back

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from that. This was a mind-blowing win,” added the multiple former national champion.

An R850 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, Lucky Lad has now won 5 races with 2 places from 8 starts for stakes of R1 312 500.

Bred by Varsfontein, he is a son of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the twice winning Caesour mare, Imperial State.

The race was a commendable gesture by 4Racing to honour Cape commentator Jehan Malherbe, after his recent retirement following 44 years of calling races

KEY WEST - A

FIVE STAR BET!

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Most of the units have views of the Atlantic

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GOODBYE JM

Jehan Malherbe was hosted at Turffontein on Saturday | Credit: JC Photos

4Racing paid tribute to Jehan Malherbe at Turffontein on Saturday. The Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes was run in the recently retired Cape racecaller’s honour.

THE SPRINT IS INTERACTIVE

CLICK TO WATCH AN EXCELLENT TRIBUTE PRODUCED BY 4RACING’S ROBYN LOUW.

A former colleague, Shaheen Shaw penned this short note which we felt sums up what many racegoers may feel.

Shaheen writes…

My late dad gave me the nod to go racing at 14. It was all I cared about at that stage, so I couldn’t have been happier. I attended my first meeting in 1983 and the R20, which I had saved frugally, was blown in two races.

Back then, the old MOTH Organisation gents, acting in a security role, were on duty at the three Cape tracks. And bless them, they were a fast dwindling, WW1 draft.

The ‘grandads’ were particularly stern, but they must have recognised that I too loved racing. They looked at me, frowned, but nevertheless let me deposit my coin and made my way through the turnstiles.

Here I cut it short though, because this story is not about me. Rather it is about what made that day so memorable – being allowed admission, the smell of the parade ring, and the tones of Jehan Malherbe reading out the latest betting on the first!

I can sense it all like it was yesterday.

44 years of service. A legend.

Thanks for all the great memories, Jehan.

Enjoy and all the best.

Shaheen Shaw

PURE PREDATOR TO A 119

The National Horseracing Authority have advised that Fanie Bronkhorst’s 3yo Pure Predator has had his rating increased from 116 to 119 following his win in the TAB Gr2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday.

The Handicappers were of the view that 2nd placed Hotarubi had returned to his recent best of 116 and used him to that level to rate this race.

Accordingly, Hotarubi was restored to his best rating of 116. The Handicappers ruled out Puerto

Manzano as a possible line horse as he gave the other runners too much ground at the top of the straight and his jockey did state that he had concerns about this horse’s action in the straight when questioned by the Stewards.

There were no other upward adjustments in this race however, Puerto Manzano did receive a 2-point drop after failing to confirm his 125 rating in his last 5 runs, Safe Passage was dropped to 112 from 115 and Second Base was dropped from 107 to 104.

A TOP DAY FOR RIDGEMONT

After running wide in the Caradoc Gold Cup earlier this month, talented Hollywoodbets Durban July winning jockey Kabelo Matsunyane made amends for the Crimson King connections at Turffontein on Saturday when he gave the evergreen gelding a perfect ride to win the R400 000 TAB Listed Gold Bowl.

After running wide in the Caradoc Gold Cup earlier this month, talented Hollywoodbets Durban July winning jockey Kabelo Matsunyane made amends for the Crimson King connections at Turffontein on Saturday when he gave the evergreen gelding a perfect ride to win the R400 000 TAB Listed Gold Bowl.

Brett Crawford and Kabelo Matsunyane combined to put the cherry on the top of a wonderful day for the Robertson based Ridgemont team, who bred the 6yo son of the famous farm’s iconic late sire Dynasty (Fort Wood).

Easy to back at 11-2, Crimson King was a few lengths off the leaders as Muzi Yeni rode a tactical cracker on the Azzie’s Breeze Over (5-2), who dictated matters to suit himself.

And the plan almost worked, but for Crimson King being in a galloping mood, as the soldier

took over late and went on by to register a 0,40 length win in a time of 208,52 secs for the 3200m.

Breeze Over was not disgraced in second, ahead of the 33-1 Battleground, who ran an improved race and boosted the trifecta and quartet dividends.

Bred by Ridgemont, the winner, who races in the interests of Peter de Beyer and Andre Louw, is out of the three-time winning Mogok mare, Cup Of Rubies, a half-sister to 2007 Durban July winner Hunting Tower.

A R200 000 graduate of the 2019 BSA KZN Yearling Sale, Crimson King has won 5 races with 11 places from his 35 starts for stakes of R859 625.

A perfect ride by Kabelo Matsunyane on Crimson King overcomes Muzi Yeni’s tactical cracker on Breeze Over | Credit: JC Photos

RIDGEMONT BRED WINNER’S CLASSIC PEDIGREE

Saturday’s TAB Listed Gold Bowl winner Crimson King (Dynasty) hails from one of the most enduring families in the stud book.

A full-brother to four time winner and Listed East Cape Guineas third King Regent, Crimson King’s dam Cup Of Rubies (Mogok) won three times and her half-brother Hunting Tower (Fort Wood) won both the 2007 Gr1 Vodacom Durban July and 2006 Gr1 SA Classic.

Another half-brother, Montezuma, showed plenty of promise early in his career when finishing second behind 2000 South African Horse Of The Year Celtic Grove (Fort Wood), in the 2000 Gr2 Golden Horseshoe.

As he was sired by a son of Fort Wood in the form of Dynasty, Crimson King is very closely related indeed to both Hunting Tower and Montezuma.

Cup Of Rubies’ dam Stirrup Cup was a twice winning half-sister to the Fort Wood sired Breeders Challenge winner Patache and to Fort Wood’s high-class broodmare daughter Mabola Plum.

The latter was a prolific producer with her 14 foals, ten of whom won, headed by speedy graded stakes winners Mocha Java (Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap) and Mochachino (Gr2 Camellia Stakes).

Dynasty’s son Crimson King wins Saturday’s TAB Listed Gold Bowl beating Breeze Over (Muzi Yeni) | Credit: JC Photos

Another daughter, Mocha Special (a full-sister to Mochachino) produced multiple graded stakes winner Barahin (Gimmethegreenlight). Yet another out of Mabola Plum, Mochalette (Count Dubois), threw Listed Christmas Handicap runner up Kazaar (Querari) as well as 2023 Pam Golding Properties Zimbabwe Derby winning filly Coffeeberry (Master Of My Fate).

Mabola Plum also ranks as the third dam of Taegan’s Champ (Gimmethegreenlight), winner of his only three starts.

Crimson King’s sixth dam Cequillo (Princequillo) is one of the most influential broodmares in the modern era in North America. Among Cequillo’s numerous Gr1 winning descendants are the important stallions Fappiano (Mr Prospector) and the latter’s inbred son Quiet American.

Champion Gun Runner, currently one of the best stallions standing at stud in North America, is a great great grandson of Fappiano, whose Kentucky Derby winning son and top sire Unbridled ranks as the broodmare sire of another current star stallion Tapit (Pulpit).

Quiet American, who is closely inbred to Cequillo, sired US champions Hidden Lake and Real Quiet before becoming a very successful broodmare sire.

Cequillo’s Gr1 Sword Dancer Handicap winning son Go Deputy made his mark at stud in South Africa as the sire of Triple Crown winner Abashiri and fellow graded stakes winners Changingoftheguard, Current Event, Flying Ice, Pessoa, and Royal Badge.

Remarkably, Cequillo’s fourth dam Plucky Liege (Spearmint) was, if anything, an even more important matriarch than Cequillo.

One of the greatest broodmares in history, Plucky Liege produced four highly influential sire sons headed by four times US champion sire Sir Gallahad III (Teddy). Sire of three Kentucky Derby winners including Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox, Sir Gallahad III was North America’s Leading Broodmare Sire on 12 occasions, and his full-brother Bull Dog sired five times US Champion Sire Bull Lea - himself the sire of US Triple Crown winner Citation.

While Crimson King’s female line continues to impress, his sire Dynasty, already established as a highly successful broodmare sire, is clearly an important factor in his pedigree.

The deceased champion left behind 88 black type winners, with this tally headed by a trio of sons, Futura, Irish Flame and Legislate, named South African Horse Of The Year.

Dynasty’s final full crop also proved highly successful, with four stakes winners and was headed by retired Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas/G1 Paddock Stakes winner Make It Snappy, Gr3 Victress Stakes queen Saartjie and Happy Chance.

The latter, a three-parts sister to the Dynasty sired Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas/Gr3 Fillies Mile winner Smiling Blue Eyes (dam of recent Irish winner Cheeky Wink), went close to providing her late sire with more Gr1 success when she was beaten just over half a length when third in this season’s Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes.

MRS BROWNING DELIVERS A DOUBLE

Course and distance specialist Mrs Browning gave trainer Sean Tarry his fourth winner in the first five races on The Championships Finale afternoon at Turffontein on Saturday, when she went from gun to tape under Craig Zackey to win the R350 000 TAB Gr2 Camellia Stakes.

Providing a feature double for the Wernars family’s familiar silks, the 4yo Mrs Browning (17-2) powered home to beat the well fancied Time Fo Orchids (33-10) by 1,15 lengths in a time of 66,68 secs for the 1160m.

Mike de Kock’s perennial bridesmaid White Pearl (3-1) clocked up her eighth-place cheque from 12 career starts, when finding traffic from last, to run a courageous third.

The winner’s stablemate Mrs Geriatrix was never in it and ran last of the seven.

Raced by the Wernars family and Harry Willson, Mrs Browning was bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein and is a daughter of Ridgemont’s Redoute’s Choice stallion Rafeef (AUS) out of the Galileo mare Miss Galidora (IRE) – the latter placed at 2000m in the UK.

This was Mrs Browning’s second stakes win and she took her tally to 6 wins with 5 places from 14 starts for stakes of R772 875. She cost R120 000 at the BSA National 2yo Sale.

Mrs Browning (Craig Zackey) powers home to beat Time Fo Orchids (Gavin Lerena) | Credit: JC Photos

Simply Majestic (Gavin Lerena) withstands the late challenge of Famous Lady (S’manga Khumalo) to register her first stakes victory | Credit: JC Photos

Ridgemont’s international stakes winning stallion Canford Cliffs is enjoying a good season with his 2yo’s and his good-looking daughter Simply Majestic produced the goods at Turffontein on Saturday when running out a smart winner of the R250 000 TAB Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes under Gavin Lerena.

Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren broke the Sean Tarry stranglehold on The Championships Finale day when he sent out the Ridgemontbred Simply Majestic in fine fettle to register her first stakes success in the fashion of a precocious sort of filly that could make more noise this season.

Scratched at her last engagement as a result of a saddling issue, Simply Majestic (2-1) returned after a 14 week break and with Montana Lights and Bosum Busy showing the way early, Lerena had the bay relaxed in running .

At the 300m, Simply Majestic looked the one to beat and she duly ran on courageously to withstand the late challenge of Famous Lady

(14-1) by three-quarters of a length in a time of 63,5 secs for the 1100m.

Fanie Bronkhorst’s recent maiden winner Stars And Bra’s was beaten 4,50 lengths further back in third.

Raced by the Tanzania-based Stonebridge family, who were on course to enjoy the victory, Simply Majestic was bred by Ridgemont from their five-time Gr1 winning stallion Canford Cliffs.

She is out of the three-time winning Great Britain speedster Queen Laurie, and took her stakes bank to R255 750, with her second victory from four starts with two places.

This season, Canford Cliffs two-yearolds, which include the impressive Listed Wilgerbosdrift Ruffian Stakes winner Almond Sea, have earned close on R1 million R 827,450 in stakes, and the son of Tagula is in a top four position on South Africa’s Leading Sires of 2YOs premiership.

PROCEED BLOOMS IN PROTEA STAKES

The big race power combination of Richard Fourie and Sean Tarry struck early on The Championships Finale day at Turffontein on Saturday, when the Gimmethegreenlight colt Proceed finished too strongly for his five opponents to win the R300 000 TAB Gr3 Protea Stakes.

Building on his rather below-par TAB Gr2 SA Nursery fourth behind Fire Attack earlier this month, the Wernars family bred and raced Proceed (9-2) finished with a sustained run after grabbing a split down the outside to beat the well-supported Azzie maiden Winds Of Change (17-10) by 1,30 lengths in a time of 62,68 secs for the straight 1100m.

Winds Of Change moved up like a winner, and the stable has indicated that he may require gelding. He looks a pointer in a maiden race if ever tried in that company, after three solid seconds in feature races at his first three starts.

Nine length debut winner Buffalo Bill Cody (15-10) blew in the betting and showed that the form behind him on 11 March was not quite up to scratch. He ran 3,70 lengths behind the runner-up on Saturday, and just scraped in for PA punters, ahead of the good-looking Chieftain.

“He’s matured a lot and he will be better over 1400m and a mile,” said Winning Form kingpin Richard Fourie of Proceed, who he suggested was still very green.

“I was disappointed with his Nursery run. We couldn’t work it out – but may have been the going. But he showed today what he’s shown us at home,” added Sean Tarry, who had saddled the winners of all three races run up to that point.

The winner is by champion Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the once winning Captain Al mare, Xplosive Kiss.

Proceed has won 2 races with 3 places from 5 starts for stakes of R305 000. He looks headed for the SA Champions Season down in KZN.

Gimmethegreenlight colt Proceed finishes strongly under Richard Fourie | Credit: JC Photos

DUAL GR1 WINNING SPRINTER TO STAND AT RIDGEMONT

Ridgemont, who enjoyed an extraordinary day on The Championships Finale raceday at Turffontein last Saturday, will welcome dual Gr1 winning sprinter Thunderstruck as a new recruit to their illustrious stallion barn in the Robertson Valley this coming breeding season.

A brilliantly fast son of Ridgemont’s resident standout Rafeef, the four-year-old Thunderstruck most recently emulated his sought after sire when he claimed top honours in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint.

Unlike the past, when top sprinters were guaranteed a place at stud, very few escape being gelded nowadays, and hence it’s no wonder that Ridgemont have welcomed the massively talented 4yo to their world-class stallion barn.

That the handsome bay will not retire to his owner Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud is a commercial decision taken in view of the travel logistics, to optimise access for all breeders. It is a reality that Ridgemont in Robertson is a more central access point for a broader spectrum of breeders, than the Piketberg area.

Besides, Wilgerbosdrift is already home to the relatively unproven Buffalo Bill Cody and newcomer Hawwaam, and while the farm obviously wishes to optimise their

Hollywoodbets Scottsville Gr1 glory for Thunderstruck | Credit: Supplied

opportunities, Mary Slack has retained an interest in Thunderstruck, and he will unquestionably get the quality mare support to continue his excellence into the next phase of his career.

Remarkably, Thunderstruck will be the third member of the Redoute’s Choice clan to stand at the historical Robertson nursery, as Rafeef is by the revered former Arrowfield champion, whilst barnmate Real Gone Kid is by his champion son Snitzel.

Such a concentration of Redoute’s Choice blood immediately brings to mind the adage ‘you can never have enough of a good thing!’

Yet it is nothing new, considering that the worldfamous Coolmore Stud have made it practice to simultaneously stand a number of sons of breed-shaping stallions – the prime examples being Northern Dancer, his son Sadler’s Wells, and grandson Galileo.

“As a stallion prospect Thunderstruck ticks all the boxes – he is tough, sound, and ultraconsistent. He has won graded stakes races

in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban and we are delighted to add a dynamically talented next generation dimension to our stallion barn. Rafeef has had a remarkable start to his career as a stallion, having sired a range of graded sprinters and stayers, and therefore showing the industry he is extremely versatile. Thunderstruck has fantastic qualities as a thoroughbred and his mental strength to provide consistency throughout his career is a very encouraging sign as a trait for him to pass on. Our thanks, as always go to Mary Slack and Jehan Malherbe for facilitating this opportunity, and of course to the shareholders for their interest and commitment,” said Ridgemont’s Craig Kieswetter.

Thunderstruck’s wide spectrum of appeal will lie in the fact that he is a third-generation winner of the Computaform Sprint, given that he is by 2017 winner Rafeef, whose own dam National Colour dominated the Turffontein dash in 2006. Incidentally, he is also Rafeef’s second Computaform Sprint winner, his grey son Master Archie having preceded Thunderstruck in 2022.

Then consider the fact that he was a precocious two-year-old. Third on debut, he broke his maiden by almost five lengths second time out, and leapt into the Gr1 ranks on just his third start with a flawless three-length victory in the Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

He was also no flash-in-the-pan juvenile, and trained on to win the Gr2 Diadem Stakes, and of course the Gr1 Computaform Sprint, whilst finishing second in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint and Gr1 Cape Flying Championship, and third in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint.

Thunderstruck is currently a leading contender to lift the 2024 Equus Champion Sprinter honours.

Behold the physical specimen! Thunderstruck is a good-looking athletic individual, and his seven-figure yearling price is testament to that.

And he is bred on a proven sprint cross. Like Master Archie, he is out of a mare by champion

sprinter Var, whose reputation as a broodmare sire is increasingly growing in stature! Witness last weekend’s stakes rich Turffontein meeting, where the former Avontuur standout stamped his authority as the damsire of Gr2 Colorado King Stakes winner Pure Predator and runnerup Hotarubi; of Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes second I Am Giant, and of the juvenile filly Stars And Bra’s, who finished third in the Gr3 Pretty Polly Stakes and, like Pure Predator, is by sadly deceased New Predator.

Speed, rather than stamina, is very much a feature of Thunderstruck’s female line.

His dam Varikate was a sprinter of note and made all to beat the boys in the Gr2 Post Merchants.

Grandam Katies Star won six races, and is by Kings Cup winner Modern Day, himself a son of the lightning fast Dayjur, while the next dam, stakes placed Five Star Suite, is out of Irish import Royal Suite, a daughter of the excellent sprinter Habitat.

The son of Rafeef wins the Gr1 Computaform Sprint | Credit: Supplied

The standout name in the extended family is that of Champion American Two-year-old Honest Pleasure, who racked up no less than six Gr1 victories in a star-studded career.

As Thunderstruck demonstrated that attribute so prized in a thoroughbred, speed and precocity, his progeny are sure to be quick out of the blocks, traits which the bloodstock market demands in this country.

Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe confirmed that Thunderstruck will race on to the end of the current season in the familiar black and scarlet strip of Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud.

“Mrs Slack has retained a substantial share in his stallion career, and considering that this outstanding racehorse has nothing left to prove on the track, success in either the forthcoming SA Champions Season fixtures of the Gr1 Golden Horse or Gr1 Mercury Sprint, or both, will only add further gloss to his reputation.

He is a genuinely exciting prospect,” he added.

Thunderstruck is currently being syndicated at R100 000 a share, which includes the option of sending two mares per year for the first four years.

His initial service fee has been set at R20 000 live foal.

Enquiries:

Craig Carey – (+27) 82 654 5169

Jehan Malherbe – (+27) 83 252 8146

EQUUS 2024 – LATEST

The Equus Awards, historically held in August, post the KZN racing season, is an evening of glitz and glamour celebrating horseracing’s finest Equine and human athletes.

This year, this prestigious event will be hosted by Cape Racing at the iconic Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Thursday, 15 August.

The Equus Awards organising committee have begun in earnest with preparations for the South African Horseracing’s premier awards.

The categories include equine awards, breeders’ awards, and human awards.

These are awarded each year based on a combination of the following two elements:

• Pattern Race Points System

• Expert Panel Rating

A panel of judges decides the equine categories’ winners.

The esteemed panel uses points tables calculated on the season’s results to guide their decision-making.

The judges’ panel comprises seasoned campaigners in the South African horseracing industry.

The 2024 expert judges panel is:

• Graeme Hawkins (Chair)

• Deez Dayanand

• Vicky Minott

• Nico Kritsiotis

• Rouvaun Smit

The human awards’ winners are primarily determined by official statistics, according to the NHRA.

The Equus Committee is pleased to announce that we will feature the media award category again.

The three categories of Equus Media Awards are written material (print and electronic), broadcasting (television and internet), and still photography.

The judging panel will be Tarquin Norval, Liesel King and Alistair Cohen, and the criteria for this category will be released in due course.

Enquiries regarding the 2024 Equus Awards can be directed to Vicky Minott at vicky@ caperacing.co.za, or for more information on categories, nominees, and logs, visit https://equusawards.co.za/

Follow the Equus Awards

• https://www.facebook.com/EquusRankings

• https://twitter.com/EquusRankings

• https://www.instagram.com/equus_awards/

HOWELLS FILLY IS MOVING

Asiye Phambili (Rachel Venniker) turned up in fighting trim after a short break | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

Another well-supported winner to arrive in style at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday, the What A Winter 4yo Asiye Phambili scored a deserved first stakes success when she won the R250 000 Dennis Drier Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes under a hands and heels ride.

Backed from 7’s to 9-4, Asiye Phambili turned up in fighting trim after a short break and the Jonsson Workwear-sponsored Rachel Venniker made no mistakes on her first winner for the Duncan Howells team in a race named in honor of the now-retired KZN training legend, Dennis Drier.

Asiye Phambili means ‘we are moving forward’, and was suggested by Wilson Khumalo, one of Hollywoodbets KZN Area Managers.

Tracking Reefway all the way down the lane, Asiye Phambile, running fresh off a nine-week break, gave her backers not an ounce of stress as she lengthened her stride up the outside to win readily and confirm Hollywood Syndicate Racing Manager Anthony Delpech’ bullish prerace appraisal of her chances.

The Hemel ‘n Aarde bred filly drew clear to beat Baltic Secret (8-1) by 4,20 lengths in a time

of 67,58 secs, with the gallant Reefway (33-1) staying on for third after doing the donkey work.

After her outstanding Cartier Gr2 Sceptre Stakes runner-up finish behind the highly regarded October Morn in the Cape Summer Season, Asiye Phambile clearly enjoys a balanced ride and she could pay to follow.

A R500 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase, Asiye Phambili has now won 6 races with 6 places from 16 starts for stakes of R584 125.

A daughter of SA Speed Champion What A Winter (Western Winter), the winner is out of the six-time winning Rambo Dancer mare, Cast A Spell.

ANOTHER BIG WINNER IN HOLLYWOODBETS PUNTERS’ CHALLENGE!

The ever-popular Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge produced another big winner at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday when Cape Town-based Engineer Keano01 scooped the all-or-nothing jackpot prize of R860 000 for tipping all eight winners on the tricky card.

The single 27-year-old, who resides with his parents and has been following horseracing for about four years after being introduced to the sport by his Grandfather, said that he loved racing and enjoyed South Africa’s most popular

horseracing competition, but did not play it every day.

He says that he tackles the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge with a combination of form study, intuition and raw luck!

Don’t miss the next big chance!

Well supported from 5’s into odds-on after two top-class feature race runner-up efforts on the Highveld, Mike Miller’s Boland Stud-bred Just Reckless registered her career peak success when she won the R250 000 Tabgold Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

Relaxed a few lengths off the speed as stablemate Grey Fantacy led the charge, Just Reckless (7-10) floated up the inside rail and drew away under Kabelo Matsunyane to easily account for Justin Snaith’s Cape raider Dark Winter (9-2) by 2 lengths in a time of 62,37 secs for the 1100m.

Grey Fantacy (20-1) held on for third, a further 1,70 lengths behind.

It was a sweet victory for the Miller yard, and there was plenty of happiness and laughter in the parade ring as trainer Sterling Miller recounted his colleague Justin Snaith telling him earlier in the week that it was time to

‘move aside as the big boys are in town.’

Raced by The Racing Boys (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr Omer Iqbal) and the trainer’s son Sterling M Miller, the winner was bred by Boland Stud and is another very smart daughter of champion Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) out of the Silvano mare, Sommersonne, who only won once.

Breeder Eugene Freeman labeled Just Reckless a ‘smashing filly who looks a lot like her sire.’

A R500 000 KZN Yearling Sale purchase, Just Reckless has now won 3 races with 3 places from 6 starts for stakes of R440 250.

The Allan Robertson Championship must surely feature in the pipeline for Just Reckless. Justin Snaith will no doubt be back there too.

The competition and needle makes for interesting racing.

CELEBRATIONS AS CYMRIC PURRS

The Wernars family continued their rich vein of form of The Championships Finale at Turffontein 24 hours earlier, while co-owner Rikesh Sewgoolam celebrated a lovely birthday gift, as Vercingetorix’s son Cymric galloped his opposition into the ground to win the R250 000 Tabgold Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

Johan Janse van Vuuren saddled the handsome winner who was partnered by Gavin Lerena.

The gelding tracked the Snaith raider Impact Investor and the local hope Ibhele into the 400m, before asserting his authority to beat the late finishing Cats Pajamas (14-1) by 1,30 in a time of 62,91 secs – coincidentally the slowest of the three 1100m feature contests on the sunny afternoon.

Wendy Whitehead’s Chinaberry (20-1) stayed on to complete the trifecta.

A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase who was selected by Justin Vermaak, the winner is raced by the Wernars and Rikesh Sewgoolam and was bred by Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein. A son of Vercingetorix (Silvano), he is out of the one-time winning Fort Wood mare, Savannah Cat.

Cymric has now won 2 races with 2 places from 4 starts for stakes of R287 625, and looks a Gold Medallion candidate on this run!

Just for interest’s sake, the Cymric is a Canadian cat breed.

Cymric (Gavin Lerena) galloped his opposition into the ground | Credit: Candiese Lenferna

THE KING IS GOING PLACES!

Tony Rivalland’s consistent 3yo King Of The Gauls confirmed his potential as a progressive sprinting prospect when he easily accounted for his opposition to register his maiden stakes success in the R200 000 Listed In Full Flight Handicap at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

Raced by Cape owner Robert Bloomberg, who hasn’t really had a decent horse for some years now, and longstanding KZN stalwart Mary Liley, the handsome son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) now looks on target for the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint, with a bit of help from the handicappers. He raced off a 97 here.

Sean Veale, who probably got the ride on the 28-10 shot ahead of regular pilot Richard Fourie in view of the 52,5kgs, did nothing wrong and had them cold at the 250m to hold off the attentions of the hard-knocking 5yo Quasiforsure (25-2) by 1,30 lengths in a time of 61,31 secs for the 1100m.

The Hollywood Syndicate enjoyed a 3-4 with the overdue-to-win-again Hithemhardsunshine (7-1) a head away in third, ahead of the lowflying Gauteng raider Black Egret (40-1).

“You know Mr Rivalland, he can sometimes drive you mad. But he had him spot on today. He’s a nice up-and coming horse. I’d like to stick with him,” quipped the always smiling Sean Veale in the post-race interview, before wishing Suzette Viljoen and Deryl Daniels a happy birthday.

Summerveld trainer Tony Rivalland observed that King Of The Gauls is ‘a handsome horse’.

King Of The Gauls (Sean Veale) registers his maiden stakes success

“He looked brilliant, even if I may say so myself. I was a bit worried that he’d overdo it with all the speed around him. It was a very meritorious victory,” he added.

The Maine Chance Farms-bred gelding was acquired for R700 000 at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale of 2022.

He has now won 4 races with 3 places from 9 starts and stakes of R365 938.

A son of the high-class Vercingetorix (Silvano), he is out of the lightly raced Australian-bred

High Chaparral mare Grande Roche, who won easily on debut for Geoff Woodruff over 1200m.

On breeding King Of The Gauls should really go 2000m, but nobody’s arguing about that with him doing so well over the sprints!

Let’s hope he gets a chance to take on the serious speedsters – even under sufferance – in the Golden Horse Sprint in June.

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MASSIVE INTEREST IN RETIRED JOCKEYS RACE

Heversham Park Stud Farm of Gauteng is planning to launch and sponsor an annual event for retired, veteran jockeys.

The race will take place over 1000m at Turffontein, and Heversham’s Kat Riley said that they would like to name it the ‘Tickey Carr & Terry Lowe Memorial’.

“They are our two racing friends who recently passed, and a good stake prize will be attached,” she added.

Heversham’s concept entails a minimum age of 50 years for any veteran riders to compete and a maximum weight of 75kg.

Once all official matters have been dealt with, the race will be scheduled for late in 2024 so that riders have a chance to get themselves fit.

All applicable legal matters will be discussed, and permission will be obtained from the National Horseracing Authority before the project goes ahead.

Riley added: “We need a show of interest

before we put our plans in place, and we ask interested veteran riders to mail us with their intentions of participating, to info@ hevershampark.co.za.”

Suggestions from the public are also welcome.

“We feel that this type of event is necessary as a tribute to our older warriors of the turf, and as a novelty concept as races of this nature have not been staged for several years,” said Riley.

There has been unprecedented interest so far in this novel race and the Sporting Post has learnt that all of Frikkie Vermaak, Mark Truter, Eric Fordred, Carl Neisius, Marthinus Mienie and Michael Roberts have indicated an interest. Robert’s interest is conditional upon his colleagues Mark Dixon and Dennis Bosch being roped in.

Our further story to follow in this regard!

Candidates? Garth Puller, Felix Coetzee, Karl Neisius, Glen Hatt, Mark Sutherland and Gerrit Schlechter – all possibles for the Heversham-sponsored contest! | Credit: Supplied

GETTING BACK INTO THE SADDLE

Stallone and Atkinson Grimshaw’s moment of redemption at Fairview | Credit: Pauline Herman

In 2017, at the height of his career, George Barker suffered a severe brain injury when his horse fell while riding in St Moritz, Switzerland. At the age of 35, with a record of 1300 career wins over 18 years, he had to accept the fact that he would never ride again.

In 2017, at the height of his career, George Barker suffered a severe brain injury when his horse fell while riding in St Moritz, Switzerland. At the age of 35, with a record of 1300 career wins over 18 years, he had to accept the fact that he would never ride again.

In the blink of an eye, the kaleidoscope of powerful speed and thundering hooves can turn to a silent shade of black – this is the fearful possibility a jockey faces every time they get on the back of a half-ton horse.

Jockey Majia Vance took a fall in 2018 which resulted in her suffering 13 broken ribs, facial injuries, punctures to both her lungs and a broken back in no less than five places – she was told she would never walk again. She proved them wrong! Through soul-devouring rehab, she returned to riding.

In a sport where the contenders are constantly followed by an ambulance, this reality could not be clearer. And in the past few months, local horseracing has witnessed its fair share of riders falling off their mounts.

But not all is doom and gloom – the dedication of these jockeys to continue the pursuit of their passion for horseracing is also evident.

The Sporting Post caught word of one such story…

Formerly from KwaZulu-Natal, now Port Elizabeth-based Jockey Stallone Lee Naidoo had a special-kind of return to the winners’ enclosure – his first win back happened to be on the very same horse who, in his own words, ’’tossed him over the fence”, and sent him into recovery in the first place.

He certainly has a history with the Varsfonteinbred Atkinson Grimshaw. Stallone pointed out that Atkinson is a very temperamental horse

and on 17th October, the day of the incident, a lot went wrong around him. “It took a long time to get him into the pens. When we finally got him in, the horse beside him acted up and this just made him more anxious. At that moment, I could feel that he wasn’t his normal self and acting on that anxiousness, he fly-jumped out at quite a height and my head hit the top bar in the starting stalls. I blacked out for a couple of seconds and that was all it took to be on the ground.”

That certainly sounds like it could knock anyone out. How long were you in recovery for?

Stallone shakes off a laugh. “Well, I had a herniated disk in my neck and had to wear a collar for two months. I only returned to riding on 9 February. Although, I must admit, this was not the severest career injury – my worst injury was when I broke my femur. I fell in a race and a horse stepped on my thigh. A rod had to be inserted and recovery took four months.”

So why get back aboard the same temperamental guy?

It ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done

“Yeah, he’s a moody guy but a good horse. It’s part of the sport and every jockey knows that you need both mental and physical strength to maintain a healthy wellbeing. When you return from an injury, getting that first win plays heavily on your mind. You are hungry for that return-win. It’s all in an effort to get that peace of mind and maintain the momentum. I was lucky – both Atkinson, who is named after the English Victorian-era artist, and I got to redeem ourselves with our win at Fairview on 12 March. Whether it’s a maiden or grade 1, that winning feeling never gets old and it’s impossible to put into words. I think the closest description would be – it’s magic, surreal and you can never get enough. And not to sound greedy, but enough is never enough.”

Competitive by nature, Stallone says that from a young age he was constantly challenging himself to improve and pushing himself to win –even though losing has taught him quite a lot.

It was his father’s goal to become a jockey and while that was not possible for him, Stallone is thankful that due to his stature and drive, he

was accepted and able to follow this career path.

He has been riding since 2013 and in 2014 he relocated to Port Elizabeth to team up with Hollywoodbets sponsored-trainer Gavin Smith. There is a sense of pride when he talks about this partnership.

“Gavin Smith has always been the backbone of my career and he continues to support me through all the good and bad times. We’ve had great success together and our history is priceless.”

Are there any other individuals who have contributed to the development of your career?

“Certainly, there have been a few instrumental supporters and mentors along the way. Joey Ramsden always saw potential in me, and he helped me gain confidence in Durban and Cape Town. When I moved to Eastern Cape, Yvette Bremner played a huge role in my growth as a jockey, helping to boost my confidence in reaching my goals.

Stallone and Atkinson return after the momentous win to the delight of the Gavin Smith Team | Credit: Pauline Herman

Other jockeys have also been a great source of guidance in fine tuning my riding. Warren Kennedy stands out as my main role model; I love his do-or-die riding style as he puts everything into each ride. Aldo Domeyer is also someone I aspire to follow. He is an excellent judge of pace and very level-headed under pressure. His sense of humour is also on a whole different level.”

We know that every jockey has a reason, but what inspires you to get back into the saddle after an injury, quite literally?

“I have a truly supportive team behind me. Back home, my mom and dad are always rooting for me and my decision to keep on this path comes from the desire to want them to always be proud to say, “Stallone Lee Naidoo is our son”. I’ve had a good career. As it is in all sports, injury is part of the game. To be honest, I’ve been lucky enough to come back from pretty serious injuries, including a nasty battle with cancer. I’ve been Champion Apprentice Jockey in the Eastern Cape and won quite a few features here. I’ve managed to deliver successful rides for my trainer.”

And where to from here?

“Well, my main goal is to re-establish myself and regain my bearings. Hopefully find a few good horses I can win some features on. Maybe, with time, I will be tempted to ride overseas, but for now I aim to ride winners here and boost my reputation.”

One last question then, what quote or philosophy does Stallone live by?

“It ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done,“ he says echoing the words of Rocky Balboa from the movie Rocky.

Indeed, this is a sport that will knock you off your high-horse, sharper than a lightning storm, but it is also a sport that is fuelled by the

undying passion of those who find themselves intoxicated by the powerful bond between man and beast as they race towards those moments of unforgettable victory.

It’s what drives these resilient jockeys to get back into the saddle after the fall

The moody guy – Atkinson Grimshaw | Credit: Supplied

EFFORTS TO ADDRESS FAIRVIEW PULL-UP AREA CONCERNS

Trent Mayhew’s fall in the pull-up area at Fairview on Friday 19 April has led to the National Horseracing Authority holding a meeting on Friday at Fairview Racecourse. Young Mayhew dislocated his shoulder and will be out for a few weeks.

Friday’s meeting covered concerns that had been raised by stakeholders concerning the condition of the racecourse in previous weeks when racing took place on the turf surface. The pull-up area was the most pressing agenda item.

Riders, representatives from 4Racing and Officials licensed by the NHA formed the list of participants at the meeting.

With one of the Eastern Cape’s feature race days a mere fortnight away, the participants provided in depth constructive inputs to facilitate a racing surface that would serve the best interests of human and equine athletes on 10 May 2024, which is the next Turf race meeting at Fairview, and into the future.

Certain recommendations were advanced at the meeting, following a track inspection, to facilitate improvements to the turf surface,

and particularly the pull-up area.

Further track inspections and turf gallops are scheduled to take place on 3 May 2024 and all representatives will be provided with an opportunity to provide further input to attain the common goal of a track surface that serves all stake holder interests.

Mayhew’s fall followed that of unexplained accidents involving four other riders over recent months in the pull-up area at the Gqeberha track.

JUSTIFY COLT BIDS FOR GUINEAS VICTORY

The first weekend of May officially starts the UK Flat season with Newmarket racecourse hosting the 2000 Guineas.

City Of Troy tops 14 six-day entries for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, run over the Rowley mile on Saturday.

The Justify colt was Timeform’s leading juvenile last year and is no bigger than 4/6 to make a winning reappearance in the first Classic of the season. If successful, he would join Frankel as one of only two odds-on winners of this race in the last 30 years.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge won all three starts as a juvenile, including the Gr1 Dewhurst at this track. The trainer has also left Diego Velazquez,

the unbeaten Henry Longfellow, and River Tiber in the race.

In-form Richard Hannon could be doublehanded with second favourite Rosallion and recent Craven winner Haatem.

The trainer is very bullish about chances of his Blue Point colt Rosallion, especially after stablemate Haatem landed the Gr3 Craven Stakes in convincing style. The trainer stated after Haatem’s latest success that on work at home Rosallion is superior.

City Of Troy tops 14 six-day entries for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas | Credit: Racing TV

The Godolphin operation have a sole representative in the form of the Charlie Appleby trained Notable Speech. Unbeaten in three starts at Kempton earlier this season, the Dubawi colt quickened in classy fashion to win a conditions-race in style.

Night Raider has been impressive in two starts on the all-weather for Karl Burke, and the trainer is hoping his runner is drawn near to the favourite.

Burke said of the unbeaten Dark Angel colt: “He’s a lovely animal and whatever he does on Saturday he’ll keep improving through the year, he’s got a lot of scope, and I’m sure he’s a Group 1 horse in the making.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen a horse work better than him in the 23 years we’ve been up here (in Middleham).”

“It’s his first run of turf and his first proper gallop on turf was at the Craven meeting there the other week. He came out of that really well;

we took him for experience, and he ran down the hill well.”

The Jeff Smith owned Ghostwriter has been impressing connections this spring in the leadup to Saturday.

Unbeaten in three starts including the Gr2 Royal Lodge over course and distance, the son of Invincible Spirit looks a realistic threat to the Ballydoyle favourite. His trainer Clive Cox is very upbeat and is looking forward to the contest.

Runner-up to City of Troy in the Dewhurst, Alyanaabi is set to re-oppose. The Shadwell Estate owned Too Darn Hot colt was convincingly beaten by over three-lengths at this course over seven-furlongs, but trainer Owen Burrows is keen to challenge once more over the extra furlong.

Iberian, Inisherin, Task Force and Ten Bob Tony complete the possible field.

ROMANTIC WARRIOR’S LATE SURGE CREATES HISTORY

Romantic Warrior stunned James McDonald and once again lived up to his name as he produced a titanic late surge saw to land a record-breaking third FWD QEII Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Peter Lau’s superstar clinched a seventh Group 1 in spectacular circumstances. He overcame a problematic trip instigated by stall ten, was forced to kick off a muddling pace which developed against him and was then pushed wide by several of his conspiring rivals around the home turn.

Despite this, the result eventually mirrored last year’s running, with Romantic Warrior holding off the gallant Mitsumasa Nakauchida-trained Prognosis to score by a neck and surpass Eishin Preston’s two victories in the race in

2002 and 2003.

The runner-up was manoeuvred into a threatening position by Yuga Kawada after breaking slowest and losing notable ground from the stalls, but he was soon engaged by Romantic Warrior towards his outside in the home straight and ultimately had to yield by a neck.

“I’m speechless – he’s awesome,” an emotional McDonald said. “He was beaten at the 600m, he just finds a way. It’s incredible. I dead-set

Romantic Warrior charges into history | Credit: HKJC

didn’t have one thing go my way. I had ten riders dead-set against me and the horse. I just had no favours.

“He is incredible. There wasn’t one part of the race I was happy with, to be honest with you. Going out of the straight the first time, I was deep, but I was in a rhythm but not in a good spot.

“1000m from home, I was finally having a rest and one took off and at the 600m, he was off the bridle and struggling in the ground a tad and he just picks up. I’m just in disbelief.”

The same battling qualities which have seen Romantic Warrior establish himself as Hong Kong’s premier middle-distance horse were evidenced once again as he fought to another narrow success, adding to magnificent victories in the Gr1 W.S. Cox Plate in October, Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup in December and

Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup in February.

The six-year-old will now bid to enhance his sparkling record with another overseas engagement as Danny Shum is contemplating stepping back in trip to a mile for the Gr1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo racecourse on 2 June if all goes well with the admirable six-year-old.

The trainer said: “Japan will be next, we want to go there but our first priority is to see how the horse is. When he came in, he seemed a bit tired. It wasn’t an easy run, James said make sure the horse is sound and then we’ll schedule him in.

“He ran a good race, he always tried, and James did a good job. We all love this horse. He always tries his best. Today, no horses could lock him in – he just wouldn’t stop trying. James ran a good race not to rush him, keep him balanced and keep all his momentum.”

On a day when many horses – including the legendary Golden Sixty in the Gr1 FWD Champions Mile – struggled to make inroads on the yielding Sha Tin turf, Romantic Warrior proved one of the exceptions for a historic success.

The front-running North Bridge finished third to round out the placings for Japan, while

last year’s third, the British challenger Dubai Honour, could only finish seventh for William Haggas and Tom Marquand. The BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Massive Sovereign was a further place behind.

Danny Shum celebrates FWD QEII Cup success

Credit: HKJC

PURTON OVERTHROWS HONG KONG’S CHAMPION

Beauty Eternal makes all to secure his first Group 1 win | Credit: HKJC

Golden Sixty’s bid for a record fourth HK$22 million Gr1 FWD Champions Mile crown was thwarted by a familiar foe at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Zac Purton is that nemesis. He’s now toppled Hong Kong’s champion in three separate Group 1 races aboard Waikuku, California Spangle and the latest, Beauty Eternal.

Pressing forward to take up an uncontested lead, the John Size-trained Beauty Eternal settled in the unfamiliar position at the head of the field as an 11/1 chance.

Golden Sixty loomed large in the home straight, however, an incredible 27th victory at his 31st start was not meant to be for the world’s highest earning horse.

Stepping away at odds of 1.5, Golden Sixty finished three and a quarter length behind Beauty Eternal, who collected his first top-level victory in 1m 34.52s ahead of stablemate Red Lion, while Voyage Bubble finished third.

“There was no speed in the race, which gave us the opportunity to lead. The last thing I said to John before the race was ‘I think the going is a lot better on the fence’, he just got into a lovely rhythm and controlled the race,” Purton said.

“I thought the only chance I had to beat Golden Sixty was to try to put a gap on them and see how we went and today was his day.

“I always felt there was always something a bit more there, but he just always wants to do things wrong in the straight in his races and he can’t let down to his full potential – and today we saw that on the rail.”

Previously defeated on yielding ground, the Francis Lui-trained Golden Sixty was forced to overcome the same obstacle after persistent rain throughout the week and earlier this morning, which unfortunately for the champ, nullified his electrifying dash.

Jockey Vincent Ho said: “Golden Sixty ran well. The ground was not in our favour. When I hit the straight, I could already feel he could not pick up with his usual turn of foot.

“I know it’s a bit difficult. It is what it is, we can’t fight the weather. I was in a great position and everything was close to the speed, but still we couldn’t improve on that ground.”

Victory is Purton’s third in the FWD Champions Mile after prevailing atop Beauty Generation (2018 & 2019) for the same ownership – Patrick Kwok of the Kwok family.

“They’re really good owners to ride for, as well, they love their racing, they’re involved, they spend a lot of money, so they deserve their success. I’m just lucky I’m part of it and I’ve had some success in these colours in this race on this day, so it’s nice to get another one for them,” Purton said.

Size has previously won the FWD Champions Mile three times with Electronic Unicorn (2003), Sight Winner (2009) and Contentment (2017).

“His form said he was going to win a big race and eventually he got around to it. Actually, he’s not much overdue. This is his five-year-old season and usually they run their good races when they’re five.

“I think he’s done his best today for this season. I’d be surprised if he had another run like that in him. He seemed to put everything into it today,” Size said.

The 12-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer is expecting more from Beauty Eternal, who

has now won nine times from 17 starts with earnings of HK$35.75 million.

“When he comes back next season, depending on whether he develops any problems or not, he’s certainly capable of winning another one given the circumstances,” he said.

Size was also proud of Red Lion, who now boasts two Group 1 placings.

“He’s been amazing. His improvement has been little by little – he doesn’t do it in big chunks. Before this season all of his wins have been at 1400m but now he has got a couple of very good placings at the mile and he’s become stronger and stronger,” Size said.

Galaxy Patch was fifth, while Taj Dragon finished sixth.

Beauty Joy could only manage seventh, while Elton Barows, Brave Emperor, Obamburumai and Champagne Color were the final four to cross the finish line.

Zac Purton celebrates the win | Credit: HKJC

INVINCIBLE SAGE SURGES TO FIRST GROUP 1

Invincible Sage has emerged as the newest member of Hong Kong racing’s elite with victory in the Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize on a rain-affected Sha Tin track on Sunday, providing David Hall with his first-top level win since 2008.

Ridden brilliantly by Hugh Bowman, Invincible Sage stalked pace-setters Victor The Winner and California Spangle before bursting clear to win by one and a half lengths in 1m 09.33s to give Hall his most important Hong Kong success since Absolute Champion’s Centenary Sprint Cup win 16 years ago.

California Spangle, who appeared not to relish the yielding track and struggled for rhythm when pressured early by Mad Cool, finished second with Mugen third. Hall’s other runner, Flying Ace, charged into fourth on a

memorable day for the trainer.

“It’s been a long time between drinks, of course. As everybody says, this is what you get out of bed for in the mornings. It’s been a bit of a drought for us at the top level, so this is certainly a very satisfying win,” Hall said.

Hall said he didn’t know how much the soft ground had advantaged Invincible Sage.

“It’s hard to judge that,” he said. “Until we see him do that on a firm deck, I don’t know.

Hugh Bowman guides Invincible Sage to his first Group 1 | Credit: HKJC

“But he has been progressive, and he is just one of those horses where you are still defining where you think he is at.

“He is only a little horse and you don’t sort of dream that high. He has done it progressively and got the conditions to suit him again today. It was an easy watch.”

The four-year-old had three consecutive victories as a two-year-old in Australia, as well as two minor placings, when he raced as Thron Bone before joining Hall as a syndicate horse.

All the three Australian wins were on soft tracks and with the Sha Tin track rated as yielding after more than 250mm through the week, Hall went into the race with confidence.

With the reinvented Hong Kong sprinter California Spangle aiming for his third

consecutive Group One win, trainer Tony Cruz was hoping for a firm track.

As expected, highly-fancied California Spangle and Victor The Winner both vied for the early lead, while Invincible Sage sat off the pair before drawing away for an easy victory.

Mugen trainer’s Pierre Ng could now aim the sprinter for the Gr1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley in September.

Japanese raider Mad Cool, which won the Gr1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen on a rain sodden Chukyo Racecourse in Japan at his last start failed to run on after placing pressure on the early leaders.

Invincible Sage showed his talent when second last start to Lucky Sweynesse in the Gr2 Sprint Cup.

David Hall celebrates Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize

Winning rider Hugh Bowman was full of praise for Invincible Sage, labelling the gelding has as top-class.

“I think a rain-affected track may have assisted his performance but even on a dry I think we would have seen a winning performance today,” he said.

“I am so proud of him and he has just settled in beautifully since arriving in Hong Kong. I had a bit of success with him last season and I have enjoyed watching him progress through the grades.

“Since Christine and I and the kids arrived midway through last season, David Hall has been a

stellar support the entire time.

“It means a great deal to ride this winner for David and the entire team.”

Bowman said he was proud of Invincible Sage and described him as the quintessential Hong Kong sprinter.

“He has come here, and he has adapted to the lifestyle,” he said. “He has put on weight and looks magnificent and it’s just an absolute pleasure to be part of it.”

Hugh Bowman has built a strong bond with David Hall | Credit: HKJC

TRAINERS

JOCKEYS

BREEDERS

SIRES