SP Sprint – Wednesday 17 September 2025

JUST A NUMBER?

ROLLS ON FATHER TIME

On the cover

Juliet Brink and Peter Wrensch lead the 7yo Pathfork mare Black Path (JP van der Merwe) in after her victory at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on 27 August 2025. Read more on page 08. Chase Liebenberg took the photograph.

LEADS THE WAY BELMONT STAKES WINNER

The 42nd Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar on 31 October and 1 November is likely to be the most fascinating renewal in many years for SA racing fans, with a number of SAF-bred horses in contention.

In order to maintain the interest, we have published the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings where Godolphin’s 3-year-old Sovereignty remains atop after a quiet week.

The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings are a weekly rating of the top 10 horses in contention for the $7 million Longines Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be run 1 November at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, during the 42nd Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

Sovereignty, winner of the Kentucky Derby (Gr1), Belmont Stakes (Gr1), and Travers Stakes (Gr1), earned 422 votes, which included 37 first place votes. He is followed in second by the Todd Pletcher-trained Pacific Classic (Gr1) winner Fierceness (365 votes) for owners Repole Stable, Derrick Smith, Michael B. Tabor, and Mrs. John Magnier.

Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook T. Smith’s Sierra Leone, last year’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, is in third place with 332 votes for trainer Chad Brown.

Stephen Foster Stakes (Gr1) winner Mindframe is fourth with 280 votes for owners Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC and trainer Todd Pletcher.

Journalism, winner of the Preakness (Gr1) and Haskell Stakes (Gr1), holds onto fifth

place with 238 votes for trainer Michael McCarthy and owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith.

Saudi Cup (Gr1) winner Forever Young (JPN) is in sixth place with 204 votes for owner Susumu Fujita and trainer Yoshito Yahagi.

Centennial Farms’ 4-year-old Antiquarian, who captured the 31 August Jockey Club Gold Cup (Gr1), is in seventh place with 141 votes. Baoma Corp’s San Diego Handicap (Gr2) winner Nysos, trained by Bob Baffert, is in eighth place with 123 votes.

C R K Stables and Grandview Equine’s Baeza, who is entered in Saturday’s Pennsylvania Derby (Gr1), is ninth with 100 votes.

Godolphin’s 5-year-old homebred Highland Falls, runner-up in the Whitney Stakes (Gr1), is in 10th place with 74 votes for trainer Brad Cox.

Fierceness (Pacific Classic), Sierra Leone (Whitney), Mindframe (Stephen Foster), Journalism (Haskell), Forever Young (Saudi Cup), and Antiquarian (Jockey Club Gold Cup) have each earned automatic starting positions, and fees paid, into this year’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In. The final automatic qualifier for this year’s Classic will be the 27 September Goodwood Stakes (Gr1) at Santa Anita Park.

The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings are determined by a panel of leading Thoroughbred racing media, horseplayers, and members of the Breeders’

Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings –

Cup Racing Directors/Secretaries Panel. Rankings will be announced each week through to 7 October.

*Note – The Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings have no bearing on qualification or selection into the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The 2025 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be run over 2000 miles on the main track at Del Mar, is limited to 14 starters. Read more Breeders’ Cup related news on page 83.

SALUTING THE OLD SOLDIERS! EQUINE POPULATION UNDER PRESSURE

The new racing season is still in its infancy, yet quite a number of older horses have already shown up their younger counterparts at an age where most have quietly set off into the sunset. The oldest ‘geriatric’ currently in training is ten-yearold veteran Jet Cat. This hard-knocking son of Trippi closed out his nine-year-old season in June with a victory at the Vaal and returned three months later to launch the new season with another pay cheque by running third. He is a credit to the small Van der Westhuizen yard.

Year-younger Alado’s Pride similarly showed age has no barrier when he came in from out of the cold to land a Fairview 1600m race by two lengths in the first week of September. Owned and trained by Zietsman Oosthuizen, the eight-year-old was scoring for the ninth time, which undoubtedly would have delighted his breeder, the late David Allan, who was instrumental in importing his sire, the wellbred, but disappointing Danzig horse Alado.

On the same card, seven-year-old Globetonic scored over 1400m. Now a seven-time winner, the son of Great Britain races in the

colours of trainer Gavin Smith and despite his age, has surprisingly few miles on the clock, given that it was only his 37th start.

It would be remiss not to make mention of eight-year-old Firealley, who has been an absolute trooper for the Jacques Strydom yard. He found a new lease on life when relocating to Port Elizabeth and most recently landed his eighth career win, which pushed his bankroll to over R1.1-million.

In KZN, Garth Puller’s eight-year-old Queue Wing is another who is still racing with zest and vigour. Carded to run at today’s Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting, his most recent formline of a win and four places will be the envy of many younger opponents.

It is common knowledge that geldings have little residual value and provided they are sound and healthy, can continue racing to a ripe old age. Remember the likes of champion sprinters Flobayou, Nhlavini and Golden Loom, all of whom were strutting their stuff over many seasons, not to mention the amazing William Penn who, at ten years of age and a spell at stud, emerged from retirement to finish second in the Met and won his last race at age 11!

Let’s not forget Hear The Drums, the official record holder of the South African horse to win the most races - he claimed his 34th victory at age eight.

Our readers will no doubt recall many others, however, another of a more recent vintage that comes to mind is Yer-Maan.

Owned and raced by well-known trainer/ breeder St John Gray, this evergreen homebred was the epitome of toughness and durability and was still in winning form at age 10. Campaigned over eight seasons, he finished second in both the Java and Aquanaut Handicaps, in addition to which he counted amongst his ten career wins Zimbabwe’s two premier races, the Castle Tankard and OK Grand Challenge. To keep it in the family, his full sister Last Cheer proved equally as durable, racking up her sixth win as a six-year-old.

Speaking of mares, quite a number of aged distaffers have already greeted the judge this season. In Gauteng, seven-year-olds In The Ether and Damova belied their advanced age with fine victories at a time when their

contemporaries are enjoying life in the broodmare paddocks.

The former, a daughter of Announce bred by St John Gray, edged out six-year-old Time For Charity at the Vaal to record her eighth win from 63 starts.

The Joey Soma-trained Damova likewise showed her well-being when she notched up her sixth career win in style. Sent off at cramped odds, she scored by the best part of three lengths from fellow seven-year-old Arlington Action.

When asked why the mare, a Flower Alley half-sister to Gr3 winner and Gr1-placed Goodtime Gal, was still in training at her advanced age, Soma elaborated:

“Damova won her second start at three, then chipped her knee on the polytrack in Durban and was sidelined for almost a year. She had

matured by the time she came back and the more she is running, the better she seems to be. Craig Zackey, who won on her the other day, said she feels like a four-year-old. She loves her work and is stabled next to her pal, an eight-year-old gelding. My take is basically, you know as a trainer when it is time to retire your mare. To be honest, we started looking around, but the offers we received for her were simply not enough. She is still very enthusiastic. I will try to get some black type into her and quite frankly, at the end of the day, I would rather breed from her myself.”

Down in Cape Town, Pathfork’s seven-yearold daughter Black Path followed suit to score at Hollywoodbets Durbanville for owner/ trainer Peter Wrensch. It may have been only

her third career win, yet this teak-tough mare has turned out to be a vital moneyspinner for a small yard.

“She raced 20 times last season,” Wrench remarked. “I’m not crying about the R85 000 she put in my pocket, I’m not crying about the R35 000 I got for the 15 consecutive Cape Town starts either, not to mention all the stakes money and the R3 000 a shot and R750 saddle fee every time she ran. She’s a horse who is obviously enjoying her racing. I ride her every morning, you cannot believe how she is thriving. She is absolutely just on a different planet. She struts around like a queen, supremely confident.”

One veteran mare who has exchanged the hustle and bustle of the racetrack for the broodmare paddocks is Samoa, who closed out her career in style at the age of ten, which is probably a South African record for a mare. This hard-knocking granddaughter of Nureyev only broke her maiden at age six, yet over the next four seasons added another seven wins and retired with earnings in excess of R840 000. Samoa has now returned to her birthplace Bosworth Stud to embark on her second career as a broodmare.

“Samoa has an amazing character. I was not going to mate her this year but she has other plans. I have reintroduced her to her beloved Bosworth veld once more and she has now made herself the matriarch of a group of mares that will be going to Peter Blyth. We are considering Eden Roc for her. She is a

beautiful mare, very elegant and classy with superb legs and joints,” adds Dr Neil Orford.

One can speculate why horses are racing for much longer these days. Granted, many of those mentioned above race for smaller yards, those who lack a steady supply of young stock to replace the older veterans.

However, according to NHRA stats, the number of horses in training has declined by 34% in recent years, from 5816 in 2019 to just 4330 this season. There is a shortage of horses. Hence from a logistical viewpoint, longevity has never been more important for the racing industry, with the result that the ‘old soldiers’ are kept in the trenches for much longer.

SA Jockey Academy graduate Kaidan Brewer rode a glorious winner at his first racemeeting at the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday and is staying on for a further week, with more engagements this coming weekend.

Eliciting praise from reigning champion trainer Simon Dunderdale, Kaidan produced Thunderous from some lengths off to win the RM62 000 Tabcorp Trophy run over 1200m on Sunday.

Trainer Simon Dunderdale was full of praise for his charge and Brewer.

“Thunderous seldom runs a bad race. We have tried him over further but his best trip

seems to be 1200m. With him, we can place him anywhere we want. He is a horse with vast potential and a bright future. And what a brilliant ride by Brewer,” said the New Zealander.

While things almost turned nasty in the RM300 000 Selangor Gold Cup after the favourite Platinum Emperor stumbled at the halfway mark and dislodged jockey

Marc Lerner, which had the knock-on effect of unseating Kaidan on Valois and Khairil Zulkiflee on Good Star, the tough-as-teak Saffer shrugged off the experience as a racing incident, and is none the worse for wear.

Kaidan, who is being accompanied on the trip

by his Dad and Agent, Andrew, spoke to the Sporting Post from Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

“The track is beautifully laid out here. It’s more like Turffontein on the inside track and maybe even a little bit like Hollywoodbets Greyville. Races are run at an honest pace which makes one’s positioning really crucial! In other words you don’t want to find yourself too far back when the speed is on, because it’s hard to make up that ground,” reflects Kaidan.

He was keen to tell us how everybody had been ‘nothing short of amazing’ from the moment they had arrived.

“Across the board everyone’s been warm and welcoming and so eager to make me

feel at home. The officials, in particular, were amazing as they took time to explain the track and go through the rules in detail. They made sure that I was fully comfortable before the race meeting. The public’s passion for racing is also something special! The atmosphere on course is electric with the crowd shouting as their horses fly past. They cheer and whistle, and it’s an incredible buzz when you come back into the winner’s enclosure. The trainers have also been very open and friendly and Simon (Dunderdale), especially, has been a tremendous support guiding us and introducing us to people and helping us settle in.”

We asked him about the crop use rules.

“It’s more lenient than back home.”

Kaidan has also enjoyed spending time at the stable and observes that his first-hand insight into track work and the mechanics of their operation had been enlightening.

“Outside of racing the city itself is beautiful and the skyline is alive with lights and modern architecture. Not only does it feel very safe here, it’s also calm and very relaxing at the same time.”

On staying in Malaysia for another week, Kaidan says he is looking forward to riding this Sunday.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for which I am truly grateful. I have to say that the racing here is lovely. We will be leaving on Tuesday week, and this is definitely an experience that will stay with me for my lifetime.”

Kaidan is proudly sponsored by the Sporting Post.

MAKES IT TWO FROM FIVE! SON OF FUTURA

Enjoying the sunshine at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, Justin Snaith saddled four winners, including a likely Cape Derby prospect in the Drakensteinbred Future Free, who cruised home to win a Class 5 1800m.

No pressure – the last horse to carry the Bernard Kantor silks in the Snaith yard was 2018/19 SA Horse Of The Year Do It Again!

And it’s early days. The half-brother to treble Gr1-winning Equus Horse Of The Year – and Snaith’s fifth Cape Derby winner – Eight On

Eighteen, was only following up on a modest 1400m maiden victory at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last month.

But the manner in which he turned it on to beat the hard-knocking 5yo four-time winner Baton Rouge (fair enough, under topweight of 63,5kgs) was impressive.

With Craig Zackey soaring to the 31-winner mark atop the SA jockey log – 9 ahead of joint seconds Calvin Habib and Serino Moodley –Future Free, who is raced by Bernard Kantor in partnership with Drakenstein Stud, was

given a typically kind and thinking man’s ride by the astute Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein jockey, who opted to take the outside route home up the home straight.

In a matter of strides, Future Free (17-10) collared the soldier Baton Rouge (2-1) at the 250m marker and drew clear to win unextended by 2,50 lengths in a time of 110,67 secs for the 1800m.

Justin Snaith trained the winner’s Captain Al dam dam Sempre Libre, who was unraced, but is proving a winner in the Drakenstein paddocks.

Out of the champion broodmare Mystic Spring, who is a celebrated matriarch, she is a sibling to a number of stakes winners, including Rabiya and Bela-Bela, and a three-parts sister to the top-class Snowdance.

Snaith declared at the start of the season that he would be using different jockeys to suit the horse, and his four winners today lived up to that policy, ridden as they were, by JP van der Merwe (2),Callan Murray and Zackey.

“Craig gave Future Free a great ride. That’s the way we want to see a young horse brought on. He will enjoy the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and is one of a number of Futura offspring out of smart mares that could prove themselves this summer,” he added.

Zackey labelled the winner, now a two-time winner from five starts, as ‘laid back and uncomplicated, and still soft’.

Snaith threw a black-booker in for the punters – the Hawwaam filly Homing Pigeon, who was drawn wide and hung, but ran 4,10 lengths off,in the third.

On his way back from a family holiday in Turkey, Glen Kotzen celebrated a double on the afternoon with Chad Little. Tracey Woolard saddled Sewame (33-1) and Worldly (3-1) in the absence of the Woodhill Racing boss.

The next Race Coast Cape racemeeting is on Monday 22 September, with the Gr3 Matchem and Gr3 Diana Stakes being run at the same venue on Saturday 27 September.

PERFUME POWER IMPRESSES HOWELLS’

The Stuart Ferrie Racing Maiden Plate surprisingly proved to be the fastest of the three 1000m races that got proceedings underway in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday and here we saw a very comfortable victory for the Duncan Howells-trained favourite Perfume Power. Out of the pens in a flash, this lightly raced daughter of Canford Cliffs was very quickly three lengths clear. She was always in command and although she did have to be ridden over the final 300m to keep her mind on the job, she went on to score without any anxious moments by four and a quarter.

In Time Is Money this week, we look at some of the standout performances from Saturday and Sunday.

Hollywoodbets Scottsville 14 September

Track Condition

Going: Good to Soft (both tracks)

Penetrometer: 26 (both tracks)

Rain: Last 24 hours 7mm –Last 7 days 7,5mm

Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil –Last 7 days 8mm

False Rail: 7m

Wind: 15km/h North Easterly head wind

Course Variant: 0,21s fast straight –0,32s fast bend

Two 1600m Races

The afternoon’s top liner was the Pound Bloodstock B Stakes, and in what proved to be a very false paced affair, victory went to the outsider of the five horse party, OFFICER IN COMMAND. Just three lengths covered all for most of the journey and when the race developed into a sprint 400m out it looked wide open. In the box seat throughout though, Mike and Matthew De Kock’s charge ran on strongly at the business end of the race and got the verdict by three quarters.

Surprisingly the quicker of the two 1600m races, albeit by just 1/50th of a second, was the maiden plate and here the stable of Mike & Matthew De Kock were again on the mark when the lesser fancied of their two runners Buddy Boy opened his account. On leaving the stalls it was his stable companion Sunnybills Ferrari who elected to make the running, whilst the What A Winter colt sat some six lengths away in sixth. He quickened in good style coming off the bend and cruised clear in the closing stages of the race to score by six.

Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 4 –1400m

A Class 4 event in which the runners had an average merit rating of 75 brought the afternoon’s proceedings to a close and here the Candice Bass trained TURBO TWENTY

scored a facile victory. Allowed to ease out from 15/4 to 5/1 at the track, the Canford Cliffs gelding raced fifth, some four lengths off a good pace set by the friendless Danube. He quickened well at the top of the straight and went on to score with authority by three and a half after putting his head in front 250m from home.

Quickies

Tony Rivalland’s newcomer Cowboy Country recorded the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon when winning the opening maiden plate for 3yo’s.

Ennion’s charge was soon positioned close to the speed in third. The deposed favourite Dean Street set a fair pace and kept on determinedly all the way to the wire. The son of What A Winter quickened well over the final 200m though, and in a race where just three quarters of a length separated the first four home, he put his head in front 50m out.

Lucky Fish New Fortune Class 3 – 1250m

Hollywoodbets Durbanville

Track Condition

Going: Good

Penetrometer: 22

Rain: Last 7 days Nil

Irrigation: Last 24 hours Nil –Last 7 days 15mm

False Rail: 2m on back straight with 6m spur at 450m

Wind: 14-24km/h Southerly head wind

Course Variant: 1,15s fast

Join The Race Coast Turf Club Middle Stakes 1000m

Two Middle Stakes races topped the bill at the country course on Saturday and in the 1000m event ARCTIC WIZARD registered his fifth career victory from just fourteen starts. Backed into favouritism at the track, Greg

Four of the afternoon’s nine races were run over 1250m and in comfortably the fastest of these we saw a smart performance from the Justin Snaith (four winners on the afternoon) trained SCOTTISH KISS. The field was always very tightly bunched and although the son of Gimmethegreenlight was positioned seventh of the eight turning for home, he was only four lengths off the pace. He ran on strongly over the final 600m and under a well-judged ride from Callan Murray he put his head in front 60m from home and won going away.

Remembering Barry Donnelly Middle Stakes 1600m

By far the faster of the two 1600m events on the card was the Middle Stakes won by the ultra-consistent The United States colt PINOT GRIGIO. The pace set by We Have Touchdown was a good one, and just four lengths away in fifth, he was always poised to strike. He ran on strongly down the 600m straight and in what proved to be a thrilling finish, he got the verdict by a neck.

Eight On Eighteen’s Half Brother

Race five on the card was the Race Coast Incentives – Hwb Class 5 event over 1800m and here we saw a very promising performance from the half-brother to Eight On

Eighteen, FUTURE FREE. Very confidently ridden by Craig Zackey, the son of Futura was allowed to amble along at the back of the field for most of the trip. Without any visible effort he soon started to pass runners in the straight and only had to be shaken up to lead 130m from home. He drew clear in good style below the distance and is clearly one to follow.

Quickies

Another to follow is Future Free’s highly rated stable companion GIMME WHAT I WANT. Now a winner of two from three, this Gimmethegreenlight filly won the closing Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 4 event for fillies much more easily than the official winning margin of three quarters of a length would suggest. Without including race 7, for

which no 400m to finish times were available at time of writing, Gimme What I Want registered the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon.

During the post-race interview Justin was asked about his string for the season and he said that taking into account breeding and his youngsters “it’s probably the most powerful string that I have ever had.”

ENTRIES NOW OPEN!

The countdown begins as entries officially open for the Premier Yearling Sale, set to take place on 13 & 14 March 2026 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Following the overwhelming success and momentum generated by the inaugural March Yearling Sale earlier this year, anticipation is building for another landmark event on the South African bloodstock calendar.

The 2025 March Yearling Sale will be remembered for years to come. In a stunning display of demand and quality, the opening day of the sale saw an aggregate of R105.325 million , with yearlings averaging R757,734 . An impressive 29 lots sold for R1 million or more, affirming the market’s appetite for elite South African thoroughbreds.

Among the headline makers was Drakenstein Stud , which lit up the sales ring with Lot 85 , the royally bred Wreath Of Snow . The Vercingetorix colt—halfbrother to Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot and Gr 1-placed Symphony In White was knocked down for a remarkable R9 million , underlining the depth of pedigree and quality available at the sale.

The influence of champion sire Vercingetorix was unmistakable, as he dominated proceedings by siring all of the top five lots . His yearlings averaged a staggering R1,661,364 , further cementing his legacy as a stallion of immense commercial and racetrack appeal.

South Africa’s reputation for producing world-class racehorses continues to soar.

Equus Champion One Stripe has already shown a promising start to his international campaign , while fellow South African-bred Gimme A Nother recently stamped her authority on the global stage

with a commanding victory in the Gr2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar.

Globally, the appetite for quality bloodstock is stronger than ever.

The Arqana August Sale posted a record average of € 266,576 (up 22% year-on-year), with turnover climbing 18% to € 57,847,000.

Meanwhile, the Keeneland September Yearling Sale has already seen 53 horses fetch seven figures by the end of its fourth session—highlighting the sustained demand for top-tier yearlings.

“The momentum generated by the inaugural March Sale exceeded all expectations,” said Justin Vermaak, Executive: Racing & Bloodstock.

“It showcased the strength of South African breeding and the appetite for quality horses, both locally and internationally. We’re confident the Premier Yearling Sale in 2026 will build on that success and deliver an even stronger catalogue. We encourage all breeders to be part of this exciting next chapter.”

With the spotlight on South African talent and international interest rising, the 2026 Premier Yearling Sale promises to be an unmissable showcase of excellence.

Entries are now open , and breeders are encouraged to submit their nominations early to be part of what is poised to be another historic sale.

For more information or to enter your yearlings, please contact or visit www.racecoastsales.co.za

Pippa Mickleburgh pippa@racecoast.co.za

Vicky Minott vicky@racecoast.co.za

Janine van Blerk janine@racecoast.co.za

AS VENGI BREAKS ICE EMOTIONS RUN HIGH

Three seconds from his first eight runners and the ninth bagged the glorious icebreaker!

Hollywood Racing’s Ashburton-based conditioner Vengi Masawi will remember Wednesday 10 September 2025 forever as a watershed day in the extraordinary career of a Groom who realised his dream to become a Trainer.

Living proof that hard work and commitment can make dreams come true, Zimbabwe-born Vengi Masawi saddled the 5yo What A Winter gelding Mvelelo – aptly meaning ‘continuous growth’ in Tshivenda – to a glorious victory

under Sean Veale in the final race of the midweek polytrack fixture in Durban.

The race was a modest Class 4, but it was Vengi’s own mini Hollywoodbets Durban July as the Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfonteinbred gelding charged clear to register his second career victory.

The win was all the sweeter after Vengi’s runner, the 5yo mare Qhawekazi, had run second earlier in the day. It also capped a double for the Hollywood Racing team after Alyson Wright saddled Isikwishikwishi (Sean Veale again) to win the penultimate race.

Hollywood Racing’s Anthony Delpech, a seasoned battle-hardened former champion jockey, personified the emotion of the moment as he fought back the tears.

Sean Veale was chuffed to have been the man to have done the honours from the saddle for a team who are set to reach new heights this term.

Vengi looked shell-shocked but thanked the men – and women – who made it possible.

Mvelelo’s milestone happened just over 21 years after Vengi Masawi arrived in South Africa from Zimbabwe in 2004 on a successful feature raid as the Groom of Lisa Harris’ Triple Crown winner Earl Of Surrey.

Vengi enjoyed his South African trip so much that he ‘rushed back’ when an opportunity came.

“I worked for Gary Alexander for a few weeks at Turffontein before joining another former Zimbabwean, Sharon Patterson, at her spelling facility near Randjesfontein. After a while Mrs Patterson felt that I would do well in a big racing stable and she spoke to Diane de Kock. In 2007 she got me the job as a stable employee working alongside Mrs De Kock and their two-year-olds, which are prepped before full training and has always been separate from their main yard.”

Vengi has been with the Hollywood Racing team since September 2024.

“I have known Vengi for a long time from my days as stable jockey to Mike de Kock. He is a fantastic horseman and a thorough gentleman. He also has a passion for horses and for racing. And that shines through,” said Anthony Delpech. Born and raised in Zimbawe, Vengi was educated at the Rusununguka Secondary School outside of Harare. He spent much of his teenage years on the Woodleigh Stud Farm in East Mashonaland, where his father worked as a mechanic.

The farm was owned by Dubbles Draper, who was married to Graham Carey, the grandfather

of Ridgemont Stud’s Craig Carey. The great Ipi Tombe, bred by Peter Moor, was born in the same region.

The early seeds of horsemanship were planted at Woodleigh where Vengi soaked everything up like a sponge and assisted with mare coverings on the farm. There were times, he concedes, when he ran away from school to be with horses.

Vengi met businessman Brian Makwabarara, who is well known in Zimbabwe and South Africa as an auctioneer and racehorse owner. Brian assisted him in securing a job at Borrowdale Park, where he joined then champion trainer Lisa Harris at the height of her success.

Vengi credits Lisa with much of his foundation knowledge of stable management and treatment of injuries. He rode work and handled her top horses Double Bluff, Divine Wisdom and Zimbabwean champion Earl Of Surrey – a horse that was to change his life!

After joining the De Kock team assisting with their 2yo’s, Vengi moved to the main stable after veterinarian Dr Terry Casey was impressed with the way he bandaged and treated an injured runner.

Against the background of De Kock’s travels around the world, the extent of Vengi’s duties grew as he worked closely with erstwhile assistant trainer John Buckler and became a stalwart in the stable.

Diane de Kock enrolled him at the Summerhill School Of Excellence in 2012, where he studied under Heather Morkel with the guidance of Mick Goss’s renowned multiple championship-winning team.

The rest is history. And Vengi certainly looks set for continuous growth!

Click on the image below to catch Vengi’s interview on In The Box Seat…

OF HARRY’S CHARM THE BRILLIANT CAREER

In addition to the Springboks’ historic first World Cup Victory, 1995 was memorable for the fiery red filly that blazed across our turf that season – her name was Harry’s Charm.

At the 1993 National Yearling Sale, Michael Azzie signed for two fillies. The stable’s top pick was Chase The Light (by Golden Thatch out of Flying Snowdrop), knocked down for R260,000 to owners Rodney Thorpe, Roger Zeeman and Anthony Beck.

On a quiet tip from Highlands Farm, Azzie also secured Harry’s Charm (by Harry Hotspur out of Enchanting) for R120,000, for the same partnership of owners. Expectations were highest for Chase The Light, but it was Harry’s Charm who dazzled on the track and etched her name as a legend.

Azzie recalled: “We bought many yearlings from the Beck family’s Highlands in those days. I had a good relationship with Reggie Knight, the stud manager. We were thrilled with our acquisition of Chase The Light, but

Reggie came over and suggested we take another look at Harry’s Charm — a filly with similarly attractive features we’d initially sidelined because she had a slight roach back. That’s a conformational fault where the spine arches upward over the loin, just behind the saddle, which can restrict flexibility and shorten a horse’s stride, often limiting racing performance.”

Both fillies proved precocious. They came to hand quickly once they entered training.

When Azzie was putting them through their paces, it was Chase The Light who initially caught the eye. “She played with Harry’s Charm in their home gallops,” Azzie recalled. “We pencilled them both in for a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m at Newmarket on Thursday, 22 December 1994.”

The stable and owners were eager to have a good punt on Chase The Light. On what she was showing at the track, she looked a cut above, the kind of “Christmas gift” every racing yard enjoys of unwrapping at the peak of the holiday season.

But about 10 days before the race, Harry’s Charm began to turn the corner. In their final piece of fast work, she closed the gap on Chase The Light more than ever before.

Azzie recalled: “We had Japhta, a light-weight work rider, on Chase The Light, while Harry’s Charm was partnered by her regular rider Boetie Willy, who was several kilograms heavier than Japhta. That told us Harry’s Charm wasn’t as inferior to Chase The Light as we’d first thought.

“I was a little concerned,” Azzie admitted, “because I’d told the owners we were ready to have a strike with Chase The Light first time out, and I’d personally planned to have R20,000 on her to win. But I decided to follow my initial sentiments and my mind was more at ease. We booked Rhys van Wyk for Harry’s Charm, while champion jockey Jeff Lloyd was declared for Chase The Light.”

On race day, Chase The Light opened favourite at 7-10 and quickly shortened to 6-10 after Azzie and others placed their bets. Harry’s Charm, meanwhile, drifted from an opening call of 5-2 all the way out to 10-1.

Azzie said: “My bet was on and we were confident everything was in place for Chase The Light, who cantered down beautifully. Harry’s Charm, as we’d come to know, was quite fiery and full of herself, but she also strode to the start with purpose. My wife Sharon remarked, ‘They both look so well. I’m going to take a swinger on the pair.’ She hurried down to a tote window and put R1,000 on the Swinger.”

But the race didn’t unfold as expected. Chase The Light set a steady pace, racing comfortably under Lloyd, with Harry’s Charm right at the back of a 20-horse field.

But coming into the last 200m, Harry’s Charm just stormed up from literally nowhere and won by two lengths. Azzie was stunned at what had just transpired.

“It was bewildering, but at the same time, I admired the way she did it. She won with no fuss at all.”

Rhys van Wyk shrugged his shoulders, just as surprised as anyone. Van Wyk said earlier this week: “I remember that race very well because it was one of only two times I ever rode Harry’s Charm. She was one of the best fillies I’d ever sat on. We were stone last for a long way, I saw Jeff way out front on Chase The Light, cruising along. I didn’t as much as flex my elbows, but she just took off and ran past them all, it felt effortless.” Owners Thorpe and Zeeman laughed the sprint off in gentlemanly fashion, remarking, “That’s juvenile racing!”

Sharon’s instinct, however, had proved golden. With Chase The Light a clear second, her R1,000 Swinger ticket clicked. The return was a handsome R25 for every Rand invested — a total payout of R25,000, more than softening the sting of the loss on Chase The Light.

Azzie quipped, “I got a hiding on my strike bet, but we still had R5,000 to spare.” More importantly, Harry’s Charm had announced herself as a filly of real substance, one who deserved a prominent place in the stable’s forward plans.

Harry’s Charm’s debut triumph marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. From that day on, she quickly developed a reputation for her tenacity and blazing speed.

In the weeks that followed, Harry’s Charm reeled off victories with commanding ease,

climbing the ranks and attracting the attention of both punters and rivals. Her fiery nature, once a concern, had become part of her competitive armour.

Harry’s Charm won seven of her first eight starts, following her first win with a 7,25-length success in a Juvenile Plate over 1200m at Turffontein on 4 March 1995, in the hands of Piere Strydom.

She returned to the same course and distance two weeks later for the Grade 1 SA Nursery, then a single contest for colts and fillies, but a race in which the colts usually dominated. Harry’s Charm went into the race as the even-money favourite, with Strydom booked to ride.

Before the Nursery, Azzie enjoyed some banter with Terence Sarakis, owner of the promising colt and second favourite, Cape Hunt (by Bush Telegraph), a facile debut winner and already stakes-placed for trainer Danie Burger.

“We’re going to kick your filly’s backside,” Sarakis declared. Azzie fired back with a public wager: “Terence, if Harry’s Charm doesn’t beat you by at least six lengths, I’ll donate my 7% of the stake money to a charity of your choice. And I’ll add a bonus on top. If she does, I’d expect to see your owners’ stake.”

Harry’s Charm dominated from the jump, but Azzie’s nerves kicked in as they hit the final 100m.

“She must have been eight or nine lengths clear when Strydom started easing her down towards the line. I could see her lead shrinking and was silently urging her to keep stretching, just to make sure I won my bet with Cape Hunt’s owner.”

Please click on the image below to read the full story online.

APPOINTS NEW CHINA REP INGLIS

Inglis has announced the China Horse Owners Alliance (CHOA) as the company’s new China Representative.

CHOA - which includes almost 90% of all Chinabased horse owners - has been in operation for 10 years and its primary role with Inglis will be to increase participation of Chinese owners at all sales, including Inglis Digital.

The Alliance’s General Secretary Mr Huang Qingcai said it was “an honour’’ to be entrusted by Inglis with this position.

“Inglis is a highly trusted and revered Company that has been around for more than 150 years, so to be formally associated with them is a big compliment to the CHOA,’’ Mr Huang said.

“Our team is gathering most horse owners in China so I think we can help Inglis considerably to increase Chinese buyer participation at their sales moving forward.

“We look forward to working with the Inglis team as we continue to build a strong relationship together.’’

Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was thrilled the CHOA had agreed to join Inglis as its China Representative.

“We believe that the Chinese market has great growth potential, so to have the opportunity to formalise an association with the CHOA is a significant moment for our Company,’’ Hutch said.

“We have great respect for Mr Zhang, Mr Huang and the entire Alliance and what they have achieved already and look forward to working with them to grow participation in horse racing in China.

“Inglis International Business Development Manager Nicky Wong and Inglis Victorian Bloodstock Manager James Price last weekend attended the Yulong Sale and the major Yulong race day at Youyu in China and were very impressed by what they saw, as well as the interest expressed by people they met with being more engaged with the Australian bloodstock market.”

Nicky Wong noted that the new association was a natural progression as part of the development of Inglis’ growing international network.

“Inglis has long had a fantastic relationship with Mr Zhang and Mr Huang, so it was easy to work with them to come to this mutually beneficial arrangement,” he said.

“We have had particularly strong international engagement with our sales through 2025, but this is something that we are looking to continue to grow into the future and we see strengthening our relationships with China-based horse owners as an important part of that.”

The Inglis/CHOA partnership will begin ahead of the Inglis Ready2Race Sale, which will be held at Riverside Stables in Sydney on Thursday October 16, two days before the A$20m Gr1 The Everest.

NHA MEETS NSPCA PROGRESS AS

The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) confirms that the Chairperson and the Executive Management team met today (10 September 2025) with the Management of the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).

The meeting followed a letter sent to the NHA by the NSPCA, citing concerns and their opposition to, inter alia:

• 2-year-old horses participating in races;

• The use of tongue-ties in thoroughbred horseracing;

• The use of the crop; and

• Alleged soft regulation regarding the provision of medication to horses to enhance performance.

The open letter may be read by clicking here.

At the outset, it was placed on record that the NHA is a full member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), a full member of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), and a signatory to the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (IABRW), which is indicative of the NHA’s adherence to international standards and norms.

The NSPCA confirmed that it is their national policy position to oppose animals racing in any discipline.

They did, however, concede that the laws of the Republic of South Africa allow thoroughbred horseracing to take place, nevertheless, their position is that they will oppose horseracing for as long as any contraventions related to the possible mistreatment of horses take place in the industry.

Concerning the participation of 2-yearold horses, the NHA is in possession of research that early, carefully managed training and competition can strengthen the musculoskeletal system, improve bone density, and enhance adaptability to the demands of racing.

Horses that begin their careers at two years old, often show improved soundness and may enjoy longer racing careers compared to those introduced later.

Further, the NHA starts its 2-year-old racing programme later than most other parts of the world, largely to facilitate the maturity and welfare of these horses, within the provisions of Rule 40 and the restrictions on running.

In a spirit of open debate and consensus seeking, the NHA invited the NSPCA to share their research in this regard which proves the contrary.

Regarding the use of tongue ties, this piece of equipment is used by the thoroughbred horseracing industry to assist horses that suffer from soft palate displacement during running.

It helps keep the airways open, prevents horses from collapsing mid-race and ultimately protects the welfare of the horse concerned, the jockey on the horse and the safety of jockeys and horses behind them.

The NHA has invited the NSPCA to share the research supporting their call to ban tongue ties and to suggest viable alternatives.

The use of the crop – regulated by NHA Rule 58.10.2 – was discussed.

The NSPCA specifically raised guideline M of Appendix E thereto and urged that jockeys who are repeatedly guilty of striking a horse more than 12 times in a race should face criminal charges in terms of the Animals Protection Act.

The NHA indicated that an internal process is followed before considering such action. The NSPCA did indicate that they do retain the option of laying criminal charges themselves.

The NHA invited the NSPCA to add themselves as amicus curiae in crop matters when they are taken on review to the High Court by jockeys and their legal representatives.

The NSPCA raised concerns about horses allegedly being abused, and the NHA clarified that in certain instances its rules allow for sanctions in multiple instances where a horse is struck fewer than 12 times.

The NHA rejects any assertions that it is soft on sanctions relating to the medication of horses.

This is borne out by the extensive NHA Guidelines for Classification of Prohibited Substances, wherein a Class 1 offence carries a minimum sanction of a 1-year suspension and minimum fine of R500 000, a Class 2 offence carries a minimum sanction of a 6-month suspension and fine of R250 000, a Class 3 offence triggers a minimum fine of R35 000, a Class 4 offence brings with it a minimum fine of R23 000 and Class 5 offence incurs a minimum fine of R17 000.

The NHA has invited the NSPCA to the next Rules consultation meeting in order to assist the NSPCA to have their proposals heard and deliberated on.

Further, the NSPCA will be able to participate and deliberate on all items in said meeting. We trust that this collaborative approach will foster a better understanding of the NHA Rules and processes and build a better working relationship going forward.

It is the NHA’s considered view that it has taken extensive steps to regulate the comprehensive welfare of horses and remains open to constructive engagement to promote and safeguard the welfare of the horses within our remit.

The NSPCA reaffirmed that their policy position on opposing any form of racing shall remain as long as there are contraventions in our industry pertaining to the laws of the land with regard to the treatment of horses but remain amenable to work with the NHA to eradicate contraventions and confirmed that their media campaign does not seek to stop horseracing.

The NHA’s Executive Management are members of the following International Committees:

• Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Executive Committee;

• Asian Pattern Committee of the ARF;

• Technical Advisory Committee of the IFHA;

• Harmonisation of Raceday Rules of the IFHA;

• International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys;

• Horse Welfare Committee of the IFHA;

• International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses;

• Asian Racing Federation Drug Control Committee;

• International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians;

• Association of Official Racing Chemists;

• International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians;

• International Stud Book Committee and European and African Stud Book Committee, and

• Organisation of Racing Investigators.

Media release by NHA on Wednesday 10 September 2025.

The South African flag has been planted with pride in a vast variety of destinations across the globe. From jockeys to trainers, racecallers to stockmen, we breed them tough, resilient and industrious. Some are high-profile, others fly under the radar.

One man who falls into the latter category is 33-year-old Reservoir Hills-raised Mark Naidoo, who plies his trade with passion at the historic Coolmore Stud in Jerrys Plains, Australia.

The Sporting Post caught up with the energetic Summerhill School Of Equine Management Excellence graduate during a visit to Durban recently.

The month of July is nearly more important than birthdays and other celebrations in the Naidoo family, and the timing of the thirty-threeyear old’s trip from Down Under was hardly coincidental.

“I can’t recall when last our family has missed the Hollywoodbets Durban July. My late Dad nurtured my elder sister and my own passion for the industry – I recall as a young boy, the exhilaration was always addictive. Today I am living my dream working in a leading international operation. There’s a reason Coolmore is a juggernaut in the thoroughbred industry. Its people, systems, attention to detail, and meticulous planning are all geared toward excellence. It is a privilege and pleasure to be a part of the Coolmore Team and to continue

#BackToSchool memories | Credit: Supplied

honing my skills in the industry alongside a host of talented horsemen,” he explains with a tangible glow of pride.

And it’s a name we all know. The Coolmore operation with which we are familiar today started in earnest in 1975 when John Magnier joined forces with Robert Sangster and Vincent O’Brien. The stud farm now occupied by Coolmore Australia has a history which dates back much further than that. Settled in 1824 by George Bowman and established as ‘Arrowfield’, this property has a precedent of producing racehorses of the highest quality tracing back over 100 years.

The 1920 Melbourne Cup winner Poitrel, champion racehorse and sire Heroic and highclass galloper Manfred are examples of some of the wonderful racehorses bred at the Jerrys Plains property by the Moses brothers during the first quarter of the 20th century.

Coolmore Australia was established at Jerrys Plains in 1996. Located on over 8,000 acres, including 5,000 of irrigated river flats and undulating paddocks, the pastures have been shown by agronomic studies to be amongst the highest quality in Australia.

Careful management has ensured that the land continues to provide the optimal conditions for the growth and development of thoroughbreds of the highest quality. Those ‘raised and grazed’ at Coolmore’s stud farm include the likes of the recently deceased Fastnet Rock, Redoute’s Choice, Special Harmony, Sea Siren, Vancouver, Pride of Dubai and Winx.

Mark’s journey from relatively humble beginnings in the Durban suburb of Reservoir Hills to one of the great stud farms on earth speaks of ambition and a grounding based on a love of people and the horse.

His late Dad was a senior operator at a chemical plant, amateur golfer (having won

a few minor tournaments), and a caddy who kept an eagle eye on horseracing. While Dad injected a love of the sport of kings, his English teacher Mom introduced a yearning for literature. Unsurprisingly, today Mark remains an avid reader. His older sister studies Equine Sciences and used to ride and enjoys show jumping.

Taxed to give himself a ‘merit rating’ from his schooling days at Dr A. D Lazarus Secondary, Mark concedes, almost apologetically, that he was more of an academic than a sports star.

“Well, when Mom is a teacher, there is a natural culture of discipline and commitment that is fostered in the home. I was fortunate!”

Mark went on to do a Diploma in International Marketing at Unisa – a grounding which has stood him in good stead.

But it is when discussing his equine-related studies, that the twinkle appears in his eye.

“Mentorship is vital, especially in a specialized industry such as ours. I have been blessed with assistance from the likes of Summerhill’s Leigh Adams. Her efforts as an educator and the nurturing of my interest for the industry have been vitally important. As was the legend, Mick Goss, former owner of Summerhill, who imparted so much wisdom and insight.

The School Of Equine Management Excellence was a wonderful foundation and I should

also mention Heather Morkel, who proved an inspiration.”

Mark admits that he never thought he would pursue a career in the racing industry as this always seemed ‘a far-fetched dream’ and a lack of experience counted against him. But the purchase of a 1% share in the horse Szechuan through a Syndicate created the window of opportunity to begin engaging with trainers, stakeholders and those involved in the industry.

Thereafter he bought 10% of the filly Ginger Biscuit. “While it didn’t boost my bank balance, I was very proud of that investment as it was based on my assessment of her pedigree. She was sold on and continued to be competitive winning a further 7.”

Mark found out about the School Of Equine Management Excellence through Tony Rivalland and was first introduced to the school in 2013. Due to the need to plan engagement, he only joined in 2015.

“At this point I had already missed the first course on the curriculum - Stud Management. However, I requested that I be given the chance to catch up, which I successfully achieved. Instead of the standard start, I instead began my studies on Reproduction –this was during breeding season and without any experience it was tough. Couple it with night duties and tests, but I finally found my feet in the third week.”

Despite the tardy start, the motivated avid academic managed to catch up and complete the Sales Prep module and successfully finished the curriculum on Stud Management –graduating with achievements in Top Academic, Top Management and the Fellowship award! After a number of years in the industry, Mark says it’s a better place than he could have ever

imagined as a young boy shouting home a Durban July winner.

“Horseracing has a way of capturing one. From the thundering of hooves to the highpaced adrenaline rush. For me there is no greater feeling than being in the grandstand, watching the runners corner for home, feeling that electricity in the air – it’s the entire rush of the sport. It is also an industry that unites people from every level of society in a common passion. There’s a sense of unity in the love of the game.”

This bond between animal and athlete has taken Mark around the world. From the wideeyed dreamy young boy who thought it was all a far-fetched dream to an internship at the Hong Kong Jockey Club to meeting the greatest equine athletes, to now working at one of the most renowned breeding names in the industry. He modestly puts it down to the passion and power of the industry.

Explaining how he got onto Coolmore, Mark says that he felt like he was stagnating – so opted to look for opportunities in the global market.

“Australia was always on my radar for places to work in terms of racing. After all the Melbourne Cup – ‘The Race That Stops The Nation’ - was an obvious enough illustrations of how invested the country was in the industry.

At the time I worked for Brett Crawford who introduced me to Justin Carey – to whom I submitted my CV. My journey with Coolmore began 2 years ago. What a dream and what a privilege!” he adds.

Mark is currently working with broodmares –part of the team involved with the general dayto-day running of the division. This includes health and safety, treatments, maintaining the

pregnancies to term and general well-being of mares to term. The day to day operations include administering treatment, liaising with veterinarians, farriers and the like. “I have learnt so much and it’s just such a professional set-up,” he tells.

On an average day in his work life, Mark says that it varies, dependent on the season.

“A general start would be at 6am – checking schedules and task allocation. It is always a full day with feedings, checking paddocks/yard, health and behavioral checks, monitoring the bloodstock under the team’s care, assessing and administering treatment if and where needed, monitoring pregnancies. There are also client parades. We keep busy!”

Looking back on his career highs to date, Mark enthusiastically tells of Summerhill and graduating as a top student with top achievements. This is Mark’s underdog story –this is the greatest achievement – chasing the dream with no experience but with a formidable and relentless passion for the goal of joining the industry!

“Being a part of Crawford Racing and the opportunities to work with champion racehorses like Captain America and Bold Respect, were just such privileges. Working with Peter Muscutt – working with Isivunguvungu and the horse who Mark describes as the greatest racehorse – our 2020/21 SA Horse Of The Year, Rainbow Bridge. Captain America is another one of the horses that stand out. And then my absolute favourite, Ultra Magnus.

He had the greatest temperament. I would describe him as a phenomenal horse – everything one could dream of in a racehorse!”

Mark asked that we grant him the indulgence of some honorary mentions. For Eric Sands – who allowed him the experience of working with Rainbow Bridge. For the late Robbie Dawson, who was an integral part of Mark’s time at Summerveld. And for top Vet, Dr Manfred Rohwer. “All vitally important inspirational teachers in my life,” he adds emotionally.

Looking at the future, Mark says he would enjoy being a Bloodstock agent traveling between venues and visiting global racing festivals. “Imagine! To own and race horses of the highest calibre on the global stage and then ultimately find a way to innovate and attract new people into the industry.”

And what advice does he have for young professionals or fans in the industry?

“Self-belief will take you as far as you want to go. If you have a relentless belief – it’s just a matter of wanting it enough – you will find a way to achieve the end goal. Sometimes we are just one conversation away from that breakthrough.”

We asked him what change or progress he would like to see in the future?

“Racing is always progressing – we just need to attract more people and interest.”

On his personal philosophy towards work and life:

“1% a day – something I learnt from Peter Muscutt. Always remember that improving just 1% a day is still improvement.”

SCANDINAVIA’S RADAR MELBOURNE CUP ON

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Tom Marquand, Scandinavia had to dig deep to firstly edge in front of his dual Derby-winning stablemate Lambourn, before fighting off the challenge of another Ballydoyle runner, Stay True, on his outside, to win Saturday’s Betfred Gr1 St Leger.

Just when Marquand thought he had Town Moor Classic honours secured, the Ray Dawson-ridden Rahiebb (14-1) made a thrilling late thrust up the inside, but the 2-1 favourite Scandinavia just held a neck

advantage over Roger Varian’s runner on the line.

Raced by the Coolmore partners, who also bred the colt, Scandinavia is the winner of half of his starts with three straight Group victories in his last three starts. He has finished in the top three in six of eight starts overall.

“He’s in the Melbourne Cup and that’s a possibility,” O’Brien said. “He has to go and get scanned to see if he’s eligible, but there’s every chance the lads might want to go down there with him. He’s a typical Justify,

very, very genuine and the drier the ground the better you’ll see him, and I think there’s plenty more to come. Every week he’s getting better.”

Bred on the golden Justify x Galileo cross, Scandinavia is a half-brother to American Pharoah’s Group I winner Above The Curve and that one’s Group III placed Thinking Of You. Their dam Fabulous is a daughter of multiple graded stakes winner and very successful broodmare Mariah’s Storm.

She produced Horse of the Year Giant’s Causeway, Group II winner and fellow bluehen broodmare You’resothrilling and six other stakes performers.

In the process, Scandinavia (Justify) added further gloss to the record of his remarkable granddam Mariah’s Storm (Rahy).

Scandinavia, who was produced by Mariah’s Storm’s daughter Fabulous, is one of eight Gr1 winners direct descended in female line from the remarkable Mariah’s Storm.

This season’s unbeaten Gr3 GAIN Marble Hill Stakes winner Albert Einstein (Wootton Bassett) is out of Mariah’s Storm’s granddaughter Yet (War Front).

A winner of six graded stakes races, Mariah’s Storm suffered a fracture to her front left cannon bone but recovered and continued

racing. In total, the daughter of Rahy won ten of 16 starts and more than $700 000.

However, she has proved an even better broodmare than racemare, with her very first foal none other than Horse Of The Year and multiple champion sire Giant’s Causeway (Storm Cat).

Giant’s Causeway was a full-brother to successful sire Freud, as well as such Gr1 producers as You’resothrilling, Pearling, and the aforementioned Fabulous. The latter is the dam of dual Gr1 winner Scandinavia and of Gr1 Prix Saint-Alary queen Above The Curve (American Pharoah).

Mariah’s Storm’s name appears in the pedigrees of numerous stakes winners over the past weekend.

Promising two-year-old Spice Runner (Gun Runner), who picked up his second win when victorious in Saturday’s Gr3 Iroquois Stakes, is inbred to Mariah’s Storm’s legendary son Giant’s Causeway.

His outstanding sire Gun Runner, whose dam is the Giant’s Causeway mare Quiet Giant, has enjoyed a purple patch once again this year. Among Gun Runner’s stars in 2025 are Gr1 winners Sierra Leone, Locked and Brant, with Gun Runner also responsible for yearlings making up to $3.3 million at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Giant’s Causeway is also the sire of Not This Time, who, at the time of writing, had been responsible for 14 yearlings making seven figures at the September Sale.

It was a weekend to remember for Mariah’s Storm and Giant’s Causeway. The latter’s Gr1 2000 Guineas winning son Footstepsinthesand is the sire of Saturday’s

Gr2 Tonybet Solonaway Stakes winner Alakazi , while another son of Giant’s Causeway, First Samurai, is broodmare sire of Saturday’s Gr3 Pocahontas Stakes winner Taken By The Wind (Rock Your World).

Remarkably, Taken By The Wind, like Spice Runner, is inbred to Giant’s Causeway!

Giant’s Causeway’s outstanding grandson Lope De Vega is the broodmare sire of Saturday’s Gr2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes winner Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel), while Lope De Vega’s much missed sire Shamardal is the damsire of the same day’s Gr3 CMG Group Stakes winner Convergent (Fascinating Rock).

The prolific Giant’s Causeway is also the broodmare sire of the popular Cape sire, and Equus Champion, One World, South Africa’s Leading Second Season Sire of 2024-2025.

Giant’s Causeway’s remarkable dam Mariah’s Storm also features as the third dam of Happy Pharoah (American Pharoah), winner of Saturday’s Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap. Happy Pharoah is out of Mariah’s Storm’s granddaughter Happily, the Champion 2YO Filly in Europe in 2017.

Mariah’s Storm is also the granddam of four-time Gr1 winner Gleneagles, whose son Calandagan won the 2025 Gr1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Gr1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

The below is to run as a filler/add-on after the above ed please.

US Success For What A Winter

Drakenstein Stud’s top-class sire What A Winter enjoyed international success on Saturday.

His Drakenstein-bred and owned daughter Distant Winter won a good race in the USA when victorious at Delaware Park.

Trained by Graham Motion, Distant Winter made it two wins from three US starts when she won a starter allowance over 1700m on turf.

Under Kevin Gomez, Distant Winter quickly went clear in the upper stretch of Saturday’s race and drew off to win by three and a half lengths.

Distant Winter, who has finished first or second in each of her three starts in the USA, won twice in South Africa including the 2023 G3 Winter Nursery.

Out of the Trippi mare Fromafar, Distant Winter is a full-sister to the smart sprinter Far Away Winter. The inform What A Winter also enjoyed success in three different countries on Saturday, with the champion also having winners in both Mauritius and South Africa.

His son Summer Snow ran out a convincing winner of Mauritius’ The Chica Cup, with What A Winter gelding Arctic Wizard, a winner of two of his last three starts, picked up his fifth victory when victorious at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.

IRISH CHAMPION DUBAWI COLT

Delacroix (3c Dubawi – Tepin, by Bernstein) captured a second Group 1 win when landing the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in fine style on Saturday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt had run out an impressive winner of the Group 1 CoralEclipse at Sandown in July and added further lustre to his CV with a three-quarter length success over dual top-level 1 scorer Anmaat.

Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, the son of Dubawi was prominent early on but lost ground to settle towards the back.

He made smooth headway from two furlongs out and showed a fine turn of foot to win comfortably, adding to his two course and distance wins earlier this campaign.

O’Brien said: “He’s some horse to quicken. He did the same in Sandown, he’s so quick. We knew York was only a sprint down the straight really.

“It was an even, strong run, race. He was very confident on him and took his time on him. When he said go, he just took off. It was a solid race, he was happy, but he obviously

CHAMPION STAKES COLT WINS

had a little bit to do on him but when he said go on him you could see the quickness he has.

“What he did in Sandown was very unusual, you don’t see horses do that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horse do what he did in Sandown, and he did it again today.”

On future targets, O’Brien added: “He has all the options; he could go back to a mile. He powered out of the gates and was there cantering, and Christophe took him back and let him relax and then he was back a little bit.

“All the things are open to him but I’m afraid to say in case the lads say, ‘that’s the end’ which is very possible, but it mightn’t be.”

Delacroix, a half-brother to Group 1 Prix de Royallieu heroine Grateful (by Galileo), was bred by the Tepin Syndicate.

SHOWS HIS CLASS! COOLMORE STAR

Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore enjoyed a fantastic weekend with the exceptional Delacroix showing his class with victory in the Irish Champion Stakes, while

Scandinavia found plenty to provide his champion trainer with a ninth St Leger at Doncaster.

The Ballydoyle trainer was also on the mark in the juvenile Group 1 features winning two of the three and being narrowly denied in the other.

His Frankel colt Benvenuto Cellini dominated the Gr1 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes over a mile at Leopardstown.

Christophe Soumillon settled the well-backed 1-2 favourite in second, chasing Hardy Warrior before storming past the eventual second at the two-furlong pole to score by five lengths.

This feature has been won in the past by both Australia and Auguste Rodin before going on to Epsom glory in their three-year-old campaigns.

O’Brien was suitably impressed post-race: “He looks like he’s going to be a lovely middle-distance horse. He can go again this year, the Futurity or one of the French races, and then start in the Derby trials next year.”

On Sunday at the Curragh, Precise provided O’Brien with an 11th Moyglare Stud Stakes when three-quarters of a length too good for her stablemate Beautify.

Even-money favourite Composing could only finish fourth, two and a half lengths behind her lesser-fancied stable companion.

It was super sub Ronan Whelan who made the most of a golden opportunity, stalking the front three, before swooping late in the final furlong on Precise.

“It’s not about what you know in this game, it’s about who you know, and I was delighted to get the call to ride for Ballydoyle in this,” said Whelan.

“This has been a lucky race for me and, to be fair to her, she quickened up well and I was value for a bit more at the line.

O’Brien added: “She’s a lovely filly. That was a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Breeders’ Cup and she’d love that fast ground out there, she’s a slick mover.”

“It was probably tough out there for Composing making the running” he said. It wasn’t fair to ask her to make the running in that headwind, and I can’t be disappointed with her or Beautify.”

Later that afternoon, the Coolmore “lads” were narrowly denied in the Gr1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.

Run over seven furlongs English raider Zavateri prevailed by a head over the favourite, Gstaad.

The pair quickly pulled clear of the rest, with neither willing to surrender. It was a head bobbing duel over the final furlong before Zavateri got his head down on the line to give his trainer Eve Johnson Houghton a famous victory.

“What a horse,” Johnson Houghton beamed. “Nobody’s as thrilled as I am. I don’t think that ground suits him, but he’s so straightforward, he’s just a dude of a horse.”

CAPTURES THE IMAGINATION OF AN INDUSTRY VIA AFRICA DAUGHTER

In a sad week that marked the sudden passing of SA breeder and owner Andre Hauptfleisch, the Autumn Glow phenomenon continued at Rosehill on Saturday as the freakish daughter of The Autumn Sun made it six wins from six starts with a brilliant performance in the Gr2 Theo Marks Stakes.

The late Andre Hauptfleisch bred and raced (in partnership with Albert Boshoff) Autumn Glow’s dam Via Africa, a daughter of VAR who was crowned SA Champion Sprinter in 2013, and whose 10 wins included the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship and Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint twice.

Sold to Australia for stud, Via Africa has produced 4 foals, 3 to race, all of them good winners.

Her first was Pleasant Endeavour (c by Redoutes Choice) who won 6 races in HK and HK$7.1m (R15,2m). The second was the extremely fast sprinter In The Congo (c by Snitzel) who won the Gr1 ATC Golden Rose S. and A$1,7m (R19,5 million) and is now a stallion, covering 160 mares in his first season at a fee of A$27,500 (R300,000) each.

The third was a filly named Protea (by Golden Slipper winner Vancouver) who didn’t race.

And then came Saturday’s undefeated winner Autumn Glow, who topped the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale at A$1,8 million (R20,2 million) selling to Arrowfield and Hermitage Thoroughbreds out of the Silverdale Farm draft and is unbeaten in her first 6 starts (5 Stakes races). Via Africa has thus become one of the most important broodmares in Australia!

In just six race starts Autumn Glow has captured the imagination of an industry!

The three-quarter sister to Gr1 Golden Rosewinning Easter graduate In The Congo has been perfectly placed by her trainer Chris Waller, who will now step her up to Gr1 company for the first time in the Epsom Hcp at Randwick on October 4.

“She was enormous, she’s very special and she’s only going to get better and better, that’s the best part,’’ Silverdale’s Steve Grant said.

“She’s such a professional and always has been. We’ve got a photo of her here after we got her to the farm and you could tell straight away, she’s a thinker, such a kind and settled filly, even back then. If you go back to one of the Inglis videos either before or just after she sold at Easter, Rob Petith said she’s the most special horse he’d ever taken to a sale.

“I’m so happy for John Messara and the Arrowfield team and Hermitage, from our point of view we’re there to sell and it’s great to see people doing well with them, that’s what we want.’’

TOO STRONG IN WOODBINE MILE SON OF DUBAWI

Having his first outing in six months, South African star One Stripe didn’t have the best of luck in running, but stayed on into fifth place behind Notable Speech (GB), a 4-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE), who rallied determinedly to win Saturday’s $1 million Rogers Gr1 Woodbine Mile, part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” programme, run at Woodbine.

One Stripe never really looked comfortable as he fought his rider early on, before settling further back than possibly was the intention. It was encouraging that he stayed on and can only improve with this run under the belt.

Trained by Charles Appleby for owner-breeder Godolphin, the chestnut Notable Speech, under William Buick, was sent on his way as the 2-5 choice in the turf classic.

While it wasn’t the smoothest of journeys early, it ended with an outstanding triumph, courtesy of a tremendous turn of foot in the latter stages of what was the North American debut of Notable Speech (GB).

My Boy Prince broke alertly and took the early lead, while Gas Me Up settled into second. Notable Speech (GB), who had a tardy start, then had to contend with a traffic jam heading into the first turn as he raced along the inside.

It was My Boy Prince on top by two lengths over Gas Me Up through an opening quarter in :23.31, followed by Stanley House and Wyoming Bill, while Buick positioned Notable Speech (GB) into fifth of nine.

My Boy Prince was still calling the shots through a half in :47.33, maintaining his twolength advantage over Gas Me Up. Notable Speech (GB), now sixth, remained under a patient hand from Buick, looking for the right moment to call upon his charge for his best run.

That would come 300 yards from home, as Notable Speech (GB), unfettered on both sides, kicked into gear and began to pick off his rivals, en route to an emphatic 1¾-length score. My Boy Prince was second, 1¾ lengths clear of Gas Me Up. Naptown, at 98-1, was fourth.

The final time over firm inner turf was 1:35.33.

“Obviously, we’re on the inside track for these races,” said Buick.

“So, it changed the dynamics a lot, and I think our horses find it challenging. So, I was not going to give up my position on Notable Speech (GB). And he’s an experienced horse, so I knew I could do that with him. And he had to be brave for a little bit there, but he was, and once he got into that position, he relaxed beautifully, and he got into nice rhythm. And he was, for me, he was winning from a long way out.”

It was the third Woodbine Mile crown for the top-shelf trio of Buick, trainer Charlie Appleby and owner Godolphin, who teamed to win the 2022 edition with Modern Games (IRE) and the 2023 running with Master of the Seas (IRE).

“He’s a special horse for everyone in Godolphin, from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, all the way down,” said assistant trainer Alex Merriam. “He’s been a bit unfortunate this season. It’s nice to get a group one by his name this season.”

The colt contested the first 10 races of his career at the one-mile distance, winning the Gr1 2000 Guineas and the Gr1 Sussex Stakes at that distance in 2024 during his 3-year-old campaign, before closing out his campaign with a third-place finish, beaten just three-quarters of a length, in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile last November 2 at Del Mar.

In his race prior to the Woodbine Mile, on August 17 at Deauville in the Gr1 Prix Jacques le Marois Notable Speech (GB) rallied stoutly from the back of the 11-horse field to finish a head shy of Diego Velázquez (IRE) in the one-mile fixture.

With Saturday’s win, Notable Speech (GB), now 6-1-1 from 13 starts, earns a fees-paid berth to run in the $2 million Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on November 1.

“Look, he ran a solid race last year,” said Merriam, of the colt’s third-place finish, less than a length back of the winner, in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile. “I think the experience from going there and coming here again, hopefully sharpening up on the two turns, and he shouldn’t be too far away.”

DE GOUVEIA LANDS FIRST IN KOREA

Congratulations to South African jockey Diego De Gouveia who landed his first winner af ter just over a month in Korea , guiding 8/1 chance Yongam Sarang to victory in the fourth race at Seoul on Saturday.

Click here to enjoy the race replay!

IS ALWAYS AN EXACT SCIENCE HINDSIGHT

Despite the disappointment with SA star One Stripe’s performance in Saturday’s CA$1 million Gr1 Woodbine Mile, trainer Graham Motion says that his team will be pressing on with the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on 1 November as the target.

A Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cupwinning trainer, Graham Motion, who has recently saddled a number of SA-bred winners, told the Sporting Post that he was obviously a little disappointed with the run, ‘but not without excuses’.

“It was probably not the cleverest spot by the trainer to introduce him to American Racing but we had very limited options. He looks good this morning (Monday) and we will press on. Johnny (Velazquez) was very positive about him,” said Motion after reflecting on the son of One World’s five length defeat by Godolphin homebred, Notable Speech.

For the third time in four years, Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby are headed to the Breeders’ Cup Mile with a ‘Win and You’re In’ ticket earned in the Woodbine Mile. They completed the same ‘double’ in 2022

with Modern Games and did it again in 2023 with Master of the Seas.

They’ll try for the treble with Notable Speech, who overcame an inauspicious start to win on Saturday.

And Notable Speech surely has a bit of a head start going into the big race as he finished third, beaten just 3/4 length, in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile without the benefit of a North American warmup heat.

Winning rider William Buick said he had visions of a repeat of Notable Speech’s last race, a close second-place finish in the Gr1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in France.

The colt looked poised to win that event after three straight disappointing outcomes earlier in the season but was hampered by traffic.

“The normal outer turf track here is beautiful, a European style of racing,” Buick said, referring to the sweeping turns of the E.P. Taylor course.

“Now, obviously, we’re on the inside track for these races, so it changes the dynamics a lot and our horses find it challenging. So, I was not going to give up my position on Notable Speech. He’s an experienced horse so I could do that with him. Look, you have to be brave for a little bit there. But he was. And once he got into that position, he relaxed beautifully, and he got into a nice rhythm. For me, he was winning from there on out.”

But that’s where One Stripe goes to Del Mar the ‘dark’ horse, without any spotlight pressure.

Having last seen action six months prior to Saturday, and after travelling halfway across

the world, he carried topweight and found the track challenging. It was his tenth start (Notable Speech has had 13) and he would not have enjoyed breaking his stride early and being forced wide, before being eased back. In the straight they got away from him, but after catching his breath he was staying on. That’s encouraging!

Trainer Graham Motion also saddled SAbred Distant Winter over the weekend to win the George Rosenberger Memorial on turf at Delaware Park. A week earlier, the Herringswell-based trainer sent out another SA-bred in Gimme A Nother to win the $252 000 Gr2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar.

Two other Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and you’re in’ tickets were earned on the Woodbine card on Saturday.

USA-trained Argos denied Europeans their fourth Gr1 Summer Stakes in the last five years, prevailing over Godolphin’s Wild Desert in a thrilling photo finish.

Argos also gave trainer Riley Mott, son of Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott, the second grade 1 win of his career. Mott had landed his first grade 1 victory earlier this summer with World Beater in the Saratoga Derby Invitational. A $165,000 buyback for owner David Romanik at this spring’s Ocala Breeders’ Sale March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, Argos rallied to a half-length score sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs in his debut at Ellis Park before finishing a closing third to Two Out Hero and Casson in Woodbine’s 6 1/2 furlong Soaring Free Stakes.

Later on the card, Corsia Veloce remained undefeated with a gritty score in the CA$500,000 Gr1 Natalma Stakes.

The 2yo Practical Joke filly, a homebred for Hill ‘N’ Dale Farms’ Glenn Sikura and Mario Serrani, improved her record to a perfect 3-for-3 with her victory. A winner at Woodbine on the turf and synthetic main track sprinting, Saturday’s race was her first attempt around two turns.

Fraser Aebly, one of the rising stars of Woobine’s jockey colony, registered his

maiden Gr1 win with Corsia Veloce, a filly he’s ridden in all three of her lifetime starts. The young jockey delivered a textbook ride aboard the Josie Carroll trainee, settling Corsia Veloce off a moderate early tempo before driving the filly through daylight when the pacesetters parted at the top of the lane.

WITH VALLEY DOUBLE WHYTE ON THE BOARD

Jamie Richards’ stable stocks continued to rise at Happy Valley on Wednesday (10 September) after the New Zealand trainer slotted his second double in two meetings as Storming Dragon claimed joint leadership of the HK$1.5 million DBS x Manulife Million Challenge.

Fresh from a brace at the season-opening fixture at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 September), Richards struck with Storming Dragon and To Infinity to erase the memories of a challenging 2024/25 campaign when he saddled 21 winners.

“It’s incredible. We had 21 winners for the whole of last season and now we’ve had four winners in two meetings,” Richards said after Brenton Avdulla drove Storming Dragon to an emphatic victory in the Class 3 Wan Chai Handicap (1200m).

“I’m very, very happy. It’s quite hard to explain, really. To Infinity was a bit of a surprise but Storming Dragon had run consistently well all last season, and he trialled well behind Ka Ying Rising and My Wish and Brenton gave him a lovely ride.

“It’s a wonderful start to the season for the whole team and I must thank them for all the work they’ve done in the off-season.”

To Infinity won the second section of the Class 4 Kwun Tong Handicap (1650m) under Alexis Badel for Richards, securing his seventh course and distance success.

Earning a maximum 15 points for the win in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, Storming Dragon shares early leadership with Danny Shum’s Wrote A New Page (120lb), who slotted his third win in a row with a typically gritty performance in the Class 3 Central Handicap (1650m) under Harry Bentley.

Having lost touch with leader Highland Rahy (130lb) on the home turn after sitting second in the run, Wrote A New Page responded with trademark application to wear down the race favourite and score by a short head, with a nose to I Can (127lb).

“It was a tough effort. I really liked him last season but was always conscious of the fact he grinds out his races and he’s got stamina in bags,” Bentley said. “At the top of the straight, Highland Rahy put a good bit of distance between the two of us and I thought it was a lot to claw back.

“But his stamina kicked in and saw him through and there should be more with this horse. He’s a bit unearthed. I feel he’s one of those horses where you are always scratching away at the surface and finding a little more each time.

“I’m not sure where his top is at the moment but, for me, he’s just going to be a better horse over long distance.”

The DBS x Manulife Million Challenge is decided on Class 3 races at Happy Valley and runs until 4 February with 15 points to the winner of each race, six for second, four for third and three for fourth.

Douglas Whyte made a bright start to the city circuit season, posting a double with Hong Kong International Sale graduate Dan Attack, who landed the Class 5 Admiralty Handicap (1200m) for Hugh Bowman, and Harmony Fire in the Class 4 North Point Handicap (1000m) under Luke Ferraris.

Whyte praised Ferraris for his precise ride on eight-year-old Harmony Fire, who slotted his fifth course and distance success at the track where the 13-time Hong Kong champion jockey forged a formidable reputation.

“Happy Valley has always been a bit of a hunting ground for me, I love it. My horses run well here,” Whyte said.

“Ferraris gave Harmony Fire a 10 out of 10 ride. He held him up turning for home, which is not easy to do and then the horse quickened late. It was a good effort, but a good ride. Dan Attack has come good, he’s been working the

house down at home. It’s nice to get a winner for owner David Boehm.”

Bowman completed an early double by dictating from the front on Caspar Fownestrained Super Sicario in the Class 5 Kowloon Tong Handicap (1650m) before Matthew Chadwick opened his winning account aboard Tony Cruz-trained Viva Graciousness in the first section of the Class 4 Kwun Tong Handicap (1650m).

Zac Purton added to an opening-day fivetimer with success on David Hayes-trained Bienvenue in the Class 4 Quarry Bay Handicap (1200m) after the Star Turn gelding covered ground in the run before surging clear.

BRITNEY SPEARS

Britney Wong underlined her potential as she reached a career milestone at Sha Tin on Sunday when the 26-year-old achieved her 20th win in Hong Kong.

She rode two winners – reducing her apprentice’s claim to seven pounds from next week – on an intriguing day of racing that also featured a treble for Alexis Badel and doubles for Andrea Atzeni, Mark Newnham and Danny Shum.

“It felt really nice. I actually aimed for those last two winners (to reach 20 wins) on the last day of last season, but I couldn’t achieve it,” Wong said. “So I brushed myself off and tried my best today.”

Wong first struck on Fight Time (122lb) in the first section of the Class 5 Hong Tung Handicap (1400m). Wong’s 10-pound weight allowance was doubtless a factor as she held off Lyle Hewitson’s fast-closing Cashiscash (132lb) with the line coming not a moment too soon for Fight Time.

Hall was glowing in his assessment of Wong’s performance.

“She did a great job. She was caught wide, but obviously, from barrier 13, it was always going to be a chance that that could happen,” Hall said. “But she kept the horse’s balance, kept his rhythm and let him build his momentum up.”

Wong’s second winner was equally as impressive. Drawn 10 in the Class 3 Oi Tung Handicap (1200m, dirt), she got a good start and immediately set about positioning Packing Bole (121lb) on the rail at the head of the field.

From there, it was a textbook front-running performance as they comfortably held a fast-

finishing Mr Energia (122lb) to wrap up a routine one-and-a-half length victory.

The second-year apprentice said the approach was all part of a plan.

“Today it was really good that the pace just panned out as we wanted because he’s a very straightforward horse,” Wong said. “He always just leads and keeps on a very strong pace, and no one was trying to give me any pressure.”

Badel’s superb summer continued as he landed a treble that took his tally for the season to four.

Fresh from a successful stint in Japan during the off-season, which yielded 12 wins, six seconds and six thirds from 69 rides, the Frenchman has hit the ground running this term.

He opened his Sha Tin account in the second section of the Class 5 Hong Tung Handicap (1400m), aboard My Flying Angel (127lb), providing Frankie Lor with his first winner of the season.

The five-year-old showed a blistering turn of foot at the end of a well-paced trip from Badel, reeling in the favourite Circuit Fiery (133lb), who had opened up a three-length gap off the final bend.

He followed that up with a surprise victory aboard 65/1 shot Same To You in the Class 4 Tung Wah Group Of Hospitals Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m).

Securing a race-to-race double for trainer Newnham, Badel blazed a furrow down the middle of the straight in the last 200 metres as he swooped from last to first to claim victory.

“It was a little bit of a surprise but a nice surprise,” Newnham said. “Generally, I would have thought that in Class 4 he’d need a really good barrier and a good ride. I said to Alexis: ‘Don’t use him early, ride him to be strong late.’

“I said before the race: ‘It’s a difficult task — in Class 4, with gate 14. If Alexis wants to give us a nice surprise, we’ll take it.’ And it worked out that way!”

Badel completed his hat-trick in the Class 3 Wah Fu Handicap (1400m) with an on-pace ride aboard Master Of All.

The Frenchman acknowledged it had been a good start to the new campaign and attributed some of his success to the freshening effect of his spell in Japan.

“Obviously, it was a confidence booster because I was doing well without too much expectation,” Badel said. “It was like some fresh air, and I feel good, I feel confident.

“I’m grateful because I’ve had some good support and horses in good form,” Badel added. “It’s a team effort. You have to deliver, but you have to be on the right ones.”

Max Que supplied a first win of the season for both Atzeni and Newnham when he landed a first career win in the first section of the Class 4 Kwong Fuk Handicap (1400m).

The five-year-old finally broke his duck when he overtook Aeroinvincible at the 100-metre mark to prevail by one-and-a-half lengths.

Jamie Richards’ fine start to the season continued as he claimed the first section of the Class 4 Lok Wah Handicap (1200m) with Jubilant Winner (123lb), ridden by Atzeni, providing his fifth win of the campaign.

Having finished the 2024/25 season with 22 winners, Richards has made a rapid start to the current season.

A contender for the most impressive performance of the day was the blistering run from Lyle Hewitson-ridden Metro Power, who claimed the Class 3 Mei Tung Handicap (1000m) for David Hayes.

The four-year-old flew home along the Sha Tin straight course in a remarkable 55.33s.

Zac Purton took the Class 4 Hing Wah Handicap (1200m, dirt) aboard Blazing Wind (135lb). The favourite had opened up a lengthy gap in the first dirt contest of the season and looked to be cruising to a second career victory for Danny Shum.

But under top weight, he was eventually looking for the line as Daily Trophy (124lb) rocketed down the straight to get within a head of Blazing Wind.

A patient ride from Derek Leung on Sugar Ball (135lb) became the jockey’s second winner this season in the Class 4 Kwong Fuk Handicap (1400m).

A

TATTERSALLS DECEMBER MARES SALE PORTA FORTUNA WILL HEADLINE

Champion filly PORTA FORTUNA is to be offered at the forthcoming Tattersalls December Mares Sale which will take place from December 1 st – 4 th .

The four-time Group 1 winner will be consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency and will head the fourth edition of the elite Sceptre Sessions which will be held on Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd December.

Trained by Donnacha O’Brien for a partnership of Taylor Made’s Medallion Racing, Steve Weston, Dean Reeves, and Barry Fowler, PORTA FORTUNA first announced her outstanding talent on the global stage when a dominant winner of the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, defeating subsequent Group 2 winner MATRIKA and five further future Group winning fillies.

Placed efforts in the Group 1 National Stakes and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes followed, before PORTA FORTUNA claimed her first Group 1 victory in the historic Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket and ended her juvenile season finishing a brave second, beaten just half a length, in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf ahead of subsequent five-time Grade 1 winner SHE FEELS PRETTY.

PORTA FORTUNA came within a neck of claiming Classic victory when second in the 1000 Guineas on her first start at three, before an outstanding win in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, beating Group 1 winners OPERA SINGER, RAMATUELLE, ELMALKA, CONTENT and ROUHIYA.

A three and three-quarter length demolition of the field in the Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth

Stakes followed before her third Group 1 victory of the season in the Matron Stakes, defeating three-time Group 1 winner FALLEN ANGEL, winner of the 2024 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, to confirm her status as the best filly of her generation.

PORTA FORTUNA was crowned Champion Three-Year-Old Filly at the Cartier Champion Awards, joining the ranks of turf luminaries such as ENABLE, MINDING, TREVE and ZARKAVA. A comfortable winner of the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes on her only start this year in race-record time, PORTA FORTUNA will be the first Cartier Champion Three-YearOld Filly ever to be offered for sale as a filly in/ out of training.

PORTA FORTUNA’s pedigree blends top class American speed with some of the very best European Classic bloodlines. Her sire CARAVAGGIO was a brilliant juvenile when unbeaten in four starts and added a Group 1 sprint victory at three in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. CARAVAGGIO is a son of the outstanding SCAT DADDY who is fast developing equal renown as a broodmare sire with this year’s Epsom Derby winner LAMBOURN joining Irish Oaks winner SAVETHELASTDANCE as European Classic winners out of SCAT DADDY mares.

Her dam TOO PRECIOUS is the HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR own-sister to the top class NUMERIAN, a three-time Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1 runner up, and to Group performer MONTESILVANO, from the Classic Aga Khan family of European Champion MILAN, winner of the St Leger and second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Yorkshire Oaks heroine KEY CHANGE and the brilliant dual Derby winner KAHYASI.

Medallion Racing Manager Phillip Shelton commented:

“Porta Fortuna has given our Medallion partners, along with Steve, Dean and Barry, memories to last a lifetime. We all feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of her journey. She was the most accomplished twoyear-old filly of her generation, as the only filly with a Group 1 win and two other Group victories, as well as the only filly with Group 1 win and Group 1 placings, with three Group 1 placings to her credit. She hit new heights as a three-year-old winning three consecutive Group 1s after a narrow defeat in the 1000 Guineas, culminating in being named Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old Filly. Full credit must go to Donnacha O’Brien and his team at Bawnmore Racing, who have campaigned her brilliantly. Our plan was always to sell at the end of her four-year-old year, and we felt that Tattersalls was the perfect place to showcase a once-in-a-lifetime filly for our partners.”

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented:

“Porta Fortuna is a true Champion and a rare jewel. In the history of the Cartier Awards never has the winner of the Champion ThreeYear-Old Filly title been offered for sale as a filly in training until Porta Fortuna and to be offering such an outstanding Champion at Tattersalls on behalf of her owners Medallion Racing, Steve Weston, Dean Reeves and Barry Fowler is an absolute privilege. A Group 1 and Royal Ascot winner at two and a Champion and triple Group 1 winner as a three year old, Porta Fortuna possesses all of the attributes one looks for in the thoroughbred and her sale promises not only to be the highlight of the Sceptre Sessions at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, but also one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the 2025 global bloodstock sales calendar.”

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP

12 SEPTEMBER 2025

The calendar per 12 September 2025 is a summary of the week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information.

Click on the image below to read the calendar:

J O CK E YS results up to: 2025-09-17

1,252,813 1,128,125

1,842,969 1,536,934 1,204,576 1,147,363 1,018,881

1,460,625 1,309,219 1,299,125 1,198,781 3,075,388 2,069,788 2,016,114 2,160,896 1,699,122

2,767,461 1,831,879 1,642,960 1,444,387 1,308,791 BREEDERS

1,967,199 1,817,695 1,701,303 1,304,429 1,208,818 S I RE S T R A I NER S Name