SP Sprint – Wednesday 19 November 2025

COURSE…

FOR SUMMER! ON

FOR SUMMER! ON COURSE…

On the cover

The Hollywoodbets Kenilworth summer course, with its 600m run-in, will host this weekend’s racing! Chase Liebenberg took this photograph of the surface at last Saturday’s fixture on the winter course.

GIRL POWER!

The Jonsson Workwear-sponsored Rachel Venniker rode a double at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Tuesday, with both winners for lady trainers. South Africa’s only fully-fledged female jockey won the fifth on Buttercup Baby for Wendy Whitehead, and is seen here with Alyson Wright, for whom she won the ninth on Fate Of Fortune. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph.

NOW A BREEDERS’ CUP QUALIFIER FLAGSHIP CAPE SPRINT

A trio of world-class races at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in South Africa will anchor a blockbuster qualifying day on Saturday 10 January for the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.

Horses from around the globe will qualify for the 43rd running of the World Championships through the Win and You’re In program, which will enter its 20th year in 2026.

Consisting of 14 Grade 1 races run during a two-day festival worth purses and awards of more than $34 million, the 2026 World Championships will be held on 30 and 31 October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, the Horse Capital of the world.

The World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship, a 1000-metre weight for age race, will serve as an automatic qualifier for the Prevagen Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The race joins the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate, a one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up which provides a free berth to the FanDuel Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, and the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes Gr1, an 1800m race for fillies and mares 3-year-olds & up that is an automatic qualifier for the Maker’s Mark Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the winners of the three South African races to start in the respective Breeders’ Cup divisions.

“Breeders’ Cup Limited is pleased to continue the expansion of our international Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series with the addition of the World Pool Cape Flying Championship,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “We’re grateful for the collaborative efforts that brought this partnership to fruition and look forward to welcoming top South African contenders to the World Championships.”

“The inclusion of the World Pool Cape Flying Championship in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is a landmark moment for South African racing,” said Justin Vermaak, Executive Racing & Bloodstock, Race Coast.

“Hollywoodbets Kenilworth has long showcased some of the sport’s most thrilling performances, and we are honoured that our flagship sprint now serves as a gateway to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. This partnership reflects the growing stature of South African racing on the world stage, and we look forward to seeing our horses compete at Keeneland alongside the best in the world.”

Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of 19 October

DRAW THIS EVENING WATCH THE SUMMER CUP

4Racing has announced that the 2025 Betway Summer Cup Barrier Draw will be broadcast live for racing fans and industry partners this evening.

The feed will be available on the Racing Today website ( www.racingtoday.co.za ) or the app on the SA Racing Feed from 19h00.

With just 11 days to the big one at Turffontein on 29 November, space is running out fast!

The Elevation, Furious and Turffontein rooms are fully booked, with limited availability in the remaining hospitality suites and Summer Garden.

General Access tickets start at R100, Summer Garden Tickets are available at R400 per person (you can still get 4 tickets for the price of 3 with the 4Friends special until 25 November), while full hospitality packages start at R2250 per person.

Tickets are available via Ticketpro at www.ticketpro.co.za

Patrons who have yet to secure their tickets, are strongly encouraged to do so to avoid disappointment.

Owners and Trainers requiring assistance can reach out to Catherine at the ROA office by emailing info@racehorseowners.co.za or calling 011 683 3220.

In addition to the anticipated top drawer race card, Joburg’s premier horseracing event

promises a fusion of the dynamic spirit of Johannesburg with high-class racing, fashion, fun and entertainment under this year’s theme, ‘Jozi Rising’. Once the day’s racing is concluded, Jacaranda FM’s DJ Ankletap and Rob Forbes, as well as Ayanda MVP, Booshle G and Neon Dreams will keep the entertainment going off the track.

Bet with TAB at www.tab.co.za , or visit the social media pages #TABSouthAfrica on Facebook , Instagram and X

To stay up to date with the latest event information, please visit betwaysummercup.co.za and social media pages @summercupracing on Instagram and X and Summer Cup Racing on Facebook

ADMINISTRATION ACTION FROM THE RACING REGULATOR 14 NOVEMBER 2025

The Sporting Post presents this past week’s National Horseracing Authority Calendar. The calendar is a summary of the past week’s penalties and registrations and is an easy-read snapshot of information.

Click on the image below to read the calendar:

PRODUCE FIREWORKS

The R500 000 Race Coast Gr1 Cape Punters Cup to be run on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday will be something of a last chance saloon for a number of Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas hopefuls looking to put their hand up as worthy contenders in the timeless classic on Saturday 13 December.

With an honour roll boasting the likes of amongst others, One Stripe, Cousin Casey, Malmoos, Act Of War, King Of Pain, Variety Club, What A Winter, Past Master, Jay Peg, Dynasty, Pas De Quoi and Jungle Warrior, the mile feature is a stepping-stone to greater things.

Top-rated is Glen Kotzen’s Good For You, an eyecatching winner of the Gr1 Gold Medallion last term and a horse who has come out firing on all cylinders this season. He tries the 1600m for the first time but Legislate’s maiden Gr1-winning son should have no issues finding the guns to go all the way.

Dean Kannemeyer is enjoying a big season and the Milnerton magician sends out a coupling of the progressive Aristocratic and Aversator. Craig Zackey rides the former, who is clearly the stable elect and a horse crying out for the summer track’s long run in.

Justin Snaith’s trio includes the exciting Happy Verse, who will be ridden by Aldo Domeyer.

Peter Muscutt and Clinton Binda have both broken the ice in the Cape this season and bring the raiders Count Of Rouen and Chapbook to the party. Both are in with a shout on best form.

The ten-race fixture starts at 12h45, with the Punters Cup carded for 16h15.

PUNTERS CUP HERO THE COUSIN WAS A

The Race Coast Gr2 Cape Punters Cup, to be contested at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, was previously run as the Challenge Cup, Selangor Cup and Concorde Cup, and boasts a very impressive roll of honour.

Among the past winners of the Cape Guineas trial are such standout performers as One Stripe, Malmoos, Act Of War, King Of Pain,

Variety Club, What A Winter, Past Master, Jay Peg, Dynasty, Pas De Quoi and Jungle Warrior.

Another champion to win the Cape Punters Cup was Cousin Casey (Vercingetorix). The Equus Champion 2YO Colt of 2021-2022, Cousin Casey put up a hugely impressive performance when he won the Cape Punters Cup of 2022.

Defying topweight of 60kgs, while making his three-year-old debut, the handsome bay strolled away to score a shade cosily by a length. Among those beaten by Cousin Casey in the Cup was subsequent Horse Of The Year, and multiple Gr1 winner, Dave The King (Global View), who ran five lengths back in that year’s Cape Punters Cup.

In landing the Cape Punters Cup, Cousin Casey made it five wins in a row, and four feature race wins in a row.

His feature race winning streak had kicked off with a facile score in the Listed Cell C Sharks Gatecrasher Stakes, followed by triumphs in the G2 Durban Golden Horseshoe and Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes. The latter race saw Cousin Casey defeat eventual Equus Champion Royal Victory by more than two lengths.

Following his Cape Punters Cup win, Cousin Casey went on to finish second, behind multiple Gr1 winning champion Charles Dickens (Trippi), in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. On that occasion, Cousin Casey again accounted for Dave The King, as well as such high-class performers as At My Command (Querari), Royal Aussie (Royal Mo), Union Square (Rafeef), and Anfields Rocket (Coup De Grace).

Other notable performers to have finished second in the Cape Guineas of their year include Captain America (Captain Al), Glamour Boy (Model Man), Linebacker (Captain Of All), Classic Flag (Allied Flag), London News (Bush Telegraph) and outstanding sire Dynasty (Fort Wood).

The versatile Cousin Casey went on to show top-class form at four when he ran second in all of the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July and Gr1

The HKJC Champions Cup. In the process, the son of Vercingetorix accounted for such top-class performers as Double Superlative, Gladatorian, Green With Envy, Purple Pitcher, Royal Victory, Sandringham Summit, and See It Again.

Cousin Casey, who also finished runnerup in both the 2023 Gr2 Allied Steelrode -Onamission Charity Mile and 2024 Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, is one of 13 Gr1 winners, thus far, for Vercingetorix, South Africa’s reigning champion sire.

The well bred Cousin Casey is out of a fullsister to ill-fated, July winning champion Big City Life as well as to Gr3 Final Fling Stakes/ Listed Ladies Mile winner Cash Register. The latter was an outstanding broodmare, producing five stakes winners, including the graded winners Mucho Dinero and Snapscan.

Cash Register’s feat is made all the more impressive by the fact that the daughter of Casey Tibbs left behind just six foals.

The Equus Champion 2yo colt of his year, Cousin Casey was rated 125 at peak, and won 5 races (1 x Gr1, 2 x Gr2, 1 x L) from 1400m to a mile, with 13 places, and earned over R3,6 million.

Cousin Casey stands at Mauritzfontein in his first season.

Varsfontein Stud-bred R250 000 Nationals graduate fetches equivalent of R8,5 million

SAFFERS SETTING THE SALES RINGS ALIGHT

Bless My Stars and Feather Boa – carrying the SA flag

The end of the year invariably marks the beginning of a number of breeding stock sales in the Northern Hemisphere. In America, there is the mammoth Keeneland breeding stock sale, as well as the FasigTipton sale. In Ireland, the Goffs November Sale kicks off the British sales circuit, followed by the Tattersalls December Sale in the hallowed racing town of Newmarket.

This year’s Fasig-Tipton November catalogue featured two accomplished South Africanbred fillies in Bless My Stars and Feather Boa, both offered for sale on behalf of Team Valor International.

The former, a daughter of Gimmethegreenlight, was voted South Africa’s Champion Three-year-old Filly of 2022-23 in a season which yielded success in both the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic and Gr2 Gold Bracelet, as well as an excellent third in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Durban July. Out of Silvano’s Gr1-placed Gr3-winning daughter Star Express, she is an own sister to Gr1-placed millionaire and Gr2 winner, Let’s Go Now.

By Flower Alley out of an own sister to Gr1 Met winner Martial Eagle, Feather Boa left South Africa as a winner of the Gr2 Joburg Spring Fillies & Mare Challenge, not to mention a string of black-type seconds, notably in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes and two legs of the Triple Tiara, one of which when beaten a shorthead by Bless My Stars in the Gr1 SA Fillies Classic.

What the sales catalogue did not show was the fact that both had placed in stakes company after it was printed.

On October 19, Bless My Stars contested the Gr3 Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes at Keeneland, and after racing prominent

throughout, stayed on for second in what was an excellent effort, considering that she was returning from a nine-month break. That performance no doubt caught the eye of potential buyers and she sold for $500 000 or roughly R8,5-million.

On the same day, Feather Boa returned from an even longer break when she lined up for the Noble Damsel Stakes at Aqueduct in what was her first start since finishing third in her American debut in September 2024. Ridden by Joel Rosario, she cornered stone last in the Noble Damsel and rattled home on the outside to grab third on the line, beaten no more than a length and a half.

Team Valor principal Barry Irwin admitted afterwards. “both desperately needed more training but we ran out of time.”

Be that as it may, he did not sell Feather Boa and she remains in training, with the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational as a likely target. The Gr2 turf race is run at Gulfstream Park in January.

Across the Atlantic, Kodiac filly Jet Black is catalogued to sell at the Tattersalls December Sale. She too, raced in the distinctive green and red Team Valor silks and was bred in partnership with Gaynor Rupert’s Cayton Park Stud from arguably one of Jet Master’s finest daughters, the three-time Gr1 winner Ebony Flyer, who was sent to Great Britain in foal to Duke Of Marmalade.

She boasts a 100% strike rate as a broodmare, her seven winners from as many runners, including Gr3 Cape Classic third Cot Campbell (Trippi) and Ardmore Listed Jamaica Handicap runner-up Black Silver (Silvano). Jet Black was trained by Andrew Balding and won once at three this season.

The action then moves to Australia, where the Magic Million Gold Coast Sale starts on January 13 and kicks off a flurry of yearling sales Down Under. South African buyers should take note, as the catalogue features a trio of yearlings boasting female lines well known to all of us.

World-renowned breeders Arrowfield will offer two fillies, both by the stud’s late champion sire Snitzel. First up is a bay daughter of top South African sprinter Carry On Alice. She was exported following an illustrious career which saw her triumph in five top level sprints and rack up more than R4,5 million in

earnings. Two of Carry On Alice’s previous foals, also by Snitzel, have run and won, including stakes-placed Manos, an A$1,1 million colt who was beaten a head in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes.

Var’s Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winner

Delta Queen also ended up at Arrowfield and will be represented by her second foal, a September-born filly. An own sister to Gr1 winning sprinter Rivarine, Delta Queen is out of the Jet Master mare River Jetez, winner of the Gr1 Met winner and an own sister to Pocket Power. Enough said.

Also set to come under the auctioneer’s hammer is a brown filly out of the Captain Al mare Missisippi Burning, a dual classic winner of the Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas and the Gr2

Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The filly’s sire Alabama Express is a Gr1 winning son of Redoute’s Choice.

Interesting to note that the young Snitzel stallion In The Congo is one of a number of first season sires making their debut at the Magic Million sale. He just happens to be a Gr1 winning son of our champion Via Africa, who of course also produced his unbeaten own sister Autumn Glow.

Following a fine career capped by victory in the Gr1 Golden Rose Stakes, he retired to Newgate Stud Farm in 2023 where he proved immensely popular. He will be represented by no less than 20 of his first crop yearlings.

GULFSTREAM IN JANUARY SA STAR MAY BE SEEN AT

One of only ten sophomores to have won the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate since the prestigious weight-for-age mile’s inception in 1861, global traveller One Stripe will not return home to defend his title in the 165th renewal at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 10 January 2026.

After drawing pole position in the FanDuel Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar earlier this month, jockey Juan Hernandez opted to boldly take One Stripe to the front from pole position, and, not unexpectedly, he was swamped at the entrance to the home straight.

The race was won by Godolphin’s Notable Speech, who had also come out tops in the Gr1 Woodbine Mile, where One Stripe, making his international debut after a lengthy break, had finished just out of the placings.

Speaking to the Sporting Post on Friday, Maryland based international Gr1 winning trainer Graham Motion said that obviously the Breeders’ Cup Mile did not go as planned for the former Milnerton-based dual Gr1 winner.

“Being drawn in the one post ultimately proved to be detrimental as the rider

committed himself to going forward, not necessarily the plan, especially with those fractions. One Stripe is now back at Fairhill recuperating, and I plan to get him down to Florida after a short break, and possibly look for a race in January at Gulfstream,” confirmed Motion.

Despite the defending champion’s absence, the 2026 R3 million L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate is set to host another top-notch field , including out-of-province raiders of the likes of former SA Horse Of The Year Dave The King, Summerveld-based Gr1 winner Gladatorian, Highveld star Fire Attack, and SA Champions Season Gr1 winner, Jan van Goyen.

The programme on the big day includes the Gr1 Cape Flying Championships and the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes, as well as the Cartier Gr2 Sceptre Stakes, the Gr2 Premier

Trophy, and the Gr3 Chairman’s Cup. The non black-type Charles Dickens Stakes is the opening leg of the Summer Juvenile Series and was formerly run as the Trippi Stakes.

For those wishing to attend the L’Ormarins King’s Plate raceday, premium hospitality packages offer access to exclusive lounges, gourmet dining, prime trackside views, and stylish social hubs where Cape Town gathers to celebrate summer in blue and white.

An 18+ event, tickets are on sale now for what promises to be the most anticipated day on the social and sporting calendar. Don’t miss your place at the event that defines summer in the Mother City.

Book now at lormarinskingsplate.co.za.

FIND ALL NINE WINNERS THREE HAPPY PLAYERS

Despite Mother Nature playing havoc and a switch of venue in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, racing went ahead on the Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack with a punter-friendly day producing eight tote favourites to win over the nine races.

After eight straight favourite results in fields reduced by change of venue and surface scratchings, Arverni Princess was the only fancied runner to miss the winner’s box when running off the boards in the final race, as Fate Of Fortune (28-10) came home smartly to give Rachel Venniker a double on the day.

Three happy players in Deanaven, Treo and Sooking managed to select the nine winners

in the popular free-to-play Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge , and with all three not wagering the minimum R50 bet option on the programmatically generated betslip at the start of the competition, they shared the R100 000 all-or nothing jackpot prize, each banking R33 333,33.

Had all three gentlemen exercised the betslip option with a minimum R50 wager, they would have been sharing R333 333 each!

Sooking , a 42 year old professional from Durban, has only been a racing fan for a year and told the Sporting Post that he enjoys playing the competition, racing exotics and soccer bets. He only took a R51 bet after the

eighth race and this does not qualify in terms of the competition rules as a jackpot booster to R1 million.

“I should have used the betslip at the start, but so be it. I am happy to have been a winner and it’s pleasing when form study pays off,” he said philosophically.

Player Deanaven , is a 35 unemployed lifetime racing fan who is resident in Verulam. The father of two said he regretted not having played the minimum of R50 on the betslip, but was ‘deeply grateful’ for the win, and that the cash ‘would come in very handy’.

We were unable to reach Treo for a comment.

You can play the Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge on all local and Hong Kong fixtures, as well as on designated international racemeetings. The competition requires players to select one horse in each race.

Entries close five minutes before the off of the first race. Have some fun, and you can even build a league to compete against family and friends.

But as we see once again, if you have the R50 in your account, wager it on the betslip and boost your jackpot payout ten times!

CRAWFORD RACING’S

EXCITING NEW CHAPTER

Hollywoodbets Durbanville played host last month to the prestigious Race Coast 2025 Two-Year-Old Sale, a showcase of some of South Africa’s most promising young thoroughbreds.

There were 127 sales on the day, with a median purchase price of R300 000 and R46 Million was spent by the various buyers.

James Crawford Racing secured three outstanding prospects in Lots 3, 47,

and 134 - all exciting additions to the yard, but also central to the launch of the Race Your Dream Syndicate and new ownership models designed to attract more racing enthusiasts into the fold.

The Race Your Dream Syndicate is the centrepiece of Crawford Racing’s vision for inclusivity in ownership.

Designed to make racehorse ownership accessible, the syndicate allows members to:

• Join the stable as part-owners of carefully selected young horses.

• Share in the story , with regular updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to the yard.

• Experience race days with parade ring access, hospitality, and the thrill of cheering home your future equine superstar.

As James Crawford explains: “Owning a racehorse has long been seen as a dream reserved for a few. At Race Your Dream, we believe that dream should be shared.”

The syndicate officially launched on Saturday 15 November at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

The Champagne Syndicate, ‘A Vision for the Future’, is a partnership with sparkle, made for ladies who love a bit of glam, a glass of bubbles, and the rush of race day!

The Champagne Syndicate was the very first ownership group launched by Crawford Racing, and it quickly set the tone for what racehorse ownership should be - fun, social, and worth celebrating. Its journey began with the filly Sweetsummerlove, who has now relocated to the Crawford satellite stable in Gauteng to continue her career.

True to its name, Champagne is all about sparkle and shared experience. Members are invited to pop the cork on ownership, embracing the thrill of being part of a horse’s journey from the stable to the track. It is a chance to celebrate every moment, whether it is a promising gallop, a race - day win, or simply the camaraderie of being together.

Designed to be a social affair, the syndicate brings people closer through passion and connection.

While the Champagne Syndicate awaits its next acquisition, it remains one of Crawford Racing’s flagbearer syndicate offeringsownership with energy, joy, unforgettable memories and camaraderie.

Click here for more information on these exciting new syndicates.

FOR BLUE HEN SYNDICATE! GREEN LIGHT

Blue Hen Syndicate principal Peter de Beyer has a long history of selecting and racing top class fillies, which are then valuable broodmare prospects after their racing careers.

These include Gr1 winners Lady Windermere, Field Flower, Siren’s Call, Princess Victoria and other graded stakes winners Final Judgement, Silvan Star, Freedom Charter, Helen’s Ideal, Pretty Betty, Elusive Heart and Graded Stakes producers Siren’s Cove, Betty Burke, Sylvie, Tequila Blush.

The Blue Hen syndicate will focus on buying well- bred filly yearlings which syndicate members will race and then sell on after their racing careers.

This will maximise the opportunities for syndicate members to both enjoy their racing and potentially show a profit on their investment.

The first filly offered under the syndicate is unraced 2yo Floral Kingdom.

She is by a leading sire, Master of My Fate, out of Cape Fillies’ Guineas winner, Field Flower (by Silvano). Field Flower has produced 6 winners, including Last Winter (by Western Winter), who ran second in the Gr1 Cape Met and is now a sire.

The filly will start her career with Yogas Govender in KZN. She has been in training since early October, following 3 months of pre-training at Al Khayl Pre Training Centre.

Floral Kingdom is eligible for both the Race Coast incentive program, and the BSA incentive program.

Shares for syndicate members are available at R10 000 plus VAT per 1% ownership. This includes all training and related costs, insurance and all veterinary costs up until

31st July 2027. Syndicate members do not need to hold their own colours.

Shares of 10% or greater can be accommodated on a partnership basis alongside the syndicate for colour holders.

All stakes earnings and incentives will accrue for the benefit of the syndicate members, as will any sales proceeds at the end of her racing career.

The syndicate will ensure a regular flow of relevant information to members, as well as social opportunities on racedays, and at Summerveld.

Please contact Peter at peterdebeyer@gmail.com or 0824525572.

CLOCK TICKS… GUINEAS

Dean Kannemeyer is the 21st century’s winningest Cape Guineas trainer and the Milnerton veteran put the cherry on the top of his bid for a recordbreaking seventh victory in the ‘Classic Of Kings’ on 13 December, when he celebrated his birthday with a proper classic wrap-up by the Khaya Stables-owned Gimmie Rules at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

While Dean’s neighbour Vaughan Marshall also boasts six Cape Guineas trophies, dating all the way back to Sea Warrior in 1986, when the youthful Kannemeyer was

just 26 years old, the Kannemeyer-Khaya Stables combination will be aiming for their third success in the timeless classic after Noordhoek Flyer (2009) and Capetown Noir (2012).

Currently ante-post favourite for the R2 million Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas to be run on the summer course at the Southern Suburbs venue on Saturday 13 December, Gimmie Rules wrapped up his big-race prep with a workmanlike performance when disposing of six opponents in a 1400m B Stakes.

Backed into 5-10, with some interest in the accomplished year older Jet Force (7-2), Gimmie Rules was produced late in a slowrun race to beat Handsome Prince (33-1) easing up by half a length in a time of 85,43 secs.

It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective.

“The penny hasn’t quite dropped yet and he still doesn’t quite know what to do. I thought they’d go a bit quicker and he only started finding his stride late in the race. Remember this straight is shorter than the Country Course. He will relish the summer course runin,” said Craig Zackey, who is still looking for a first Cape Guineas trophy.

Another one of the Kannemeyer 2025 Cape Guineas entry quintet, Gallic Victor ran two

races later in a Class 4 1950m, but after being backed to 8-10, took his time to unwind and was beaten 4,55 lengths by yet another Khaya Stables flag-carrier in Coco’s Hero (101), who has done nothing wrong, maintaining his unbeaten record since winning his Hollywoodbets Durbanville maiden.

Trained by James Crawford, Coco’s Hero was ironically shelved by Craig Zackey in favour of Gallic Victor, but received a top-notch by ‘super sub’ Grant van Niekerk.

Kannemeyer has suggested Gallic Victor as a horse looking for 2000m and he may be one for the Lucky Fish Cape Derby or the SA Champions Season notebook in 2026.

GAMBLE LANDED!

The seventh race on Saturday’s Hollywoodbets

Kenilworth card was the Wolf Power Syndicate Apprentice D Stakes over 1100m and here a major gamble was landed when the Potala Palace gelding Palace Gift registered only his second win from sixteen starts. Backed throughout the day into 18/10 favourite from 20/1, Shane Humby’s charge broke well and nicely positioned in fifth just two lengths off the pace he was always poised to strike. He did so going through the 300m and under a confident ride from Damyan Pillay, he went on to score with authority by two and three quarters.

Going: Good (both tracks)

Penetrometer: 22 (straight) – 23 (bend)

Rain: Last 7 days Nil

Irrigation: Last 24 hours 10mm –Last 7 days 40mm

False Rail: Original position from 1700m with 1,5m spur at 430m

Wind: 37-45km/h South Easterly cross wind

Course Variant: 0,02sfast (straight) –0,98s fast (bend)

Two B Stakes races topped the bill on the winter course on Saturday. The Sahara Riches Cash Collect B Stakes over 1400m was the first of the pair to be run and here all eyes were on the Guineas prospect GIMME RULES. In what proved to be by far the faster the two races over the distance, the son of Gimmethegreenlight raced fifth some four and a half lengths off a fair early pace set by the friendless San Pedro. The front runner soon ran out of gas at the top of the straight and at that point the race quickly looked wide open. Still racing green Gimme Rules ran on best of all over the final 400m, and only really finding his stride late, he got the better of the 33/1 shot Handsome Prince by a half.

The Join The Race Coast Turf Club B Stakes over 1000m jointly topped the bill and in what proved to be the second fastest of the four races over the distance on the card, we saw a smart performance from the 3yo What A Winter gelding WINTER SNAP (lost 1 length at start). As might easily have been predicted Elusive Winter set a brisk pace and racing at the back of the seven, Candice Bass’ charge was six lengths adrift going through halfway. He ran on best of all over the final 400m and recording the fastest time of the afternoon for that segment, he got up 30m from home to win going away. Winter Snap has now won two from three and when

interviewed after the race Candice said that he is an exciting horse.

Run in a time 3/100th of a second faster than that of the B Stakes won by Winter Snap, the Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 4 (f&m) event proved to be the fastest of the afternoon’s four 1000m races. The Vercingetorix mare DAME OF TRIX was sent off favourite and raced prominent throughout. She kept on determinedly at the business end of the race and in another thrilling finish she got the verdict on the nod from the faster finishing October Fest.

Baulked for a run twice between 450m and 350m, CHURCHILLIAN finished best of all after switching out for a run in the

Lucky Fish Fire Strike Class 4 over 1000m , and only failed to get to the always handy winner Demanding Dave by the narrowest of margins. Churchillian recorded a time of 23,08 seconds over the final 400m which by just 1/100th of a second was the second fastest for that segment on the afternoon.

MOTHER NATURE CLOCKING

Mother Nature is playing havoc with the KZN racing programme and the meeting originally scheduled to take place on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf on Sunday, had to be moved to the polytrack.

The Galloptv.co.za Progress Plate over 1400m topped the bill on Sunday’s card and here we saw a smart performance from Peter Muscutt’s only runner at the meeting GOLDEN RULE. Now a winner of three from five since returning from a layoff in September, the son of Canford Cliffs raced second just a length off a good pace set by Gorgeous Guy.

He was ridden to lead by replacement jockey Tristan Godden shortly after passing the 400m pole, and after quickly going a couple clear he won well from the running on AMOR FATI. This was comfortably the fastest of the afternoon’s three 1400m events.

Going: Standard

Rain: Last 24 hours 28mm –Last 7 days 29mm

Wind: 20-30km/h South Westerly tail wind

Course Variant: 1,01s fast

Another to win with authority over 1400m was SPINMYANGELSSPIN when winning for the second time in three starts since joining the stable of Wengesai Masawi in the Bet With The Tote Class 4 (f&m) event.

Backed into 28/10 joint favourite from 9/2, the Gimmethegreenlight filly was soon prominent. She skipped clear early in the straight and

although Poursomesugaronme (lost four lengths at the start) was steadily gaining at the finish, she was never near enough to be a threat. The runner up came from the back and recorded the fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon.

The supporting act was the Lucky Fish Monopoly Live Class 4 over 1600m and in a race where less than two lengths covered all seven runners at the wire, the visiting OMBUDSMAN registered his third career victory. Always handy off what was not a fast pace, Sean Tarry’s charge ran on strongly over the final 300m and beat the wall of horses with a little in hand.

With no real pace on throughout in the D Stakes, the Tote For The Win Maiden Plate won by the favourite COUNCILLOR was by far the faster of the afternoon’s two 1900m races.

Although not fast, the pace was a fair one throughout and amazingly they were 3,29 seconds faster to the 1000m pole than the D Stakes. Nicely positioned in third at the top of the home straight, this 3yo Rafeef filly quickened well in the latter stages of the race, and won more easily than the official winning margin of three quarters of a length would suggest.

Fastest Times: 1400m (3) Golden Rule 82,69 1900m (2) Councillor

400-finish Poursomesugaronme 22,03

TAKES THE REINS DEAN SMITH

At just 25, Dean Smith has stepped into one of the most demanding roles in South African racing.

Following the sudden passing of his father, renowned trainer Gavin Smith, Dean has officially taken over the family’s powerful racing yard.

Having served as Gavin’s assistant for several years, he brings hands-on experience and maturity beyond his age. We caught up with Dean to talk about his journey so far, the challenges of sudden responsibility, and his plans for the future.

Dean’s journey into training wasn’t something his father had planned. In fact, Gavin tried to steer him away from the sport, encouraging him instead to pursue his academic interests in maths and science.

Gavin cited the constant stress of a sevenday workweek as reason enough for his son to consider another path, but the lure of the stables proved irresistible. As a fourth-generation Smith horseman (following great-grandfather Andrew, grandpa Andy and Gavin), Dean was naturally drawn to the racing world, so much so that he could barely wait to leave school on Fridays, rushing

straight to the track to watch his father’s runners in action.

In 2024, Gavin was diagnosed with melanoma cancer which spread to his lungs and then into his hips and spine. He was forced to step back from his daily duties for the latter part of 2024 and most of 2025, but had responded well to target therapy and was positive in the weeks before his death on Sunday, 19 October.

Dean said: “The doctors were happy. My dad was in remission, and he seemed optimistic. But all the medication and treatment must have taken its toll. Tragically, he died of a heart attack.”

With Gavin’s guidance, Dean and his team continued to churn out the winners for Smith Racing, who concluded the 2024/5 season with a tally of 116 and a customary Top 10 finish on the National Log.

At the time of his passing, the stable was in the Top 5 for the 2025/6 season with 26 wins on the board.

Dean said: “My dad came to stables only a few times a month during his Illness. He gave me free rein but kept a watchful eye. I had opportunities to experiment with a few of my own ideas, but always with his blessing. We’d spoken about Zatara Magic a few months ago, I told him I had the horse coming to his peak and that we’d win the Listed Algoa Cup.

When he won on 31 October it was a very emotional moment for all of us.”

Dean spoke to Gavin for the last time on the morning of Saturday, 18 October. He recalled: “I wanted to pick him up on the way to our stables for the day’s training, but he asked to stay indoors. He said he wasn’t feeling all that well. The next day, he was gone.”

Among the many lessons Dean learned from his father, he singled out three as most important: meticulous attention to detail, keeping a close eye on a horse’s breathing, and resisting the urge to overwork a horse that already has proven talent.

Attention to detail is the first weapon in any top trainer’s armoury. It begins with performing the fundamentals of horsemanship and stable management over and over again – without ever losing sharp focus to the mundanity of routine.

This means checking leavings, feed portions, and water buckets; maintaining strict cleanliness and hygiene; adhering to morning schedules; keeping good records; and closely observing every horse in the yard.

“My dad always stressed the importance of breathing — listening carefully to how a horse breathes after a workout,” Dean explained. “The fitter they get, the less they blow, but to get accurate measures on breathing you have to know every horse inside out. There are no shortcuts. Some horses, like our own Cheeky Laddie, blow heavily even when they’re fully fit, so you assess their condition in other ways – by the darkness that develops around their eyes, their eating habits, their coat, and so on.”

Thirdly – a skill that develops with experience – is knowing when to trust the natural ability of talented runners.

Dean explained: “There’s always a temptation to work a very fit, capable horse one time too many just before a race, often just to satisfy your own curiosity about its readiness. But that’s when horses can be ‘overcooked’ and end up running below their best.”

We didn’t ask Dean to reveal all of the master trainer’s methods – there are plenty he’s already learned, and undoubtedly many more he will discover himself in the years to come.

He said: “I do a lot of research, I like to read and follow social media postings and interviews with the world’s best trainers, like Aidan O’Brien. There is everything to gain by doing that. I’ve been using some new vitamins and supplements, specifically addressing problem areas like gut health. There are always new developments to take note of.”

Dean is hands-on when it comes to the stable’s social media presence, personally managing their Facebook and Instagram accounts.

“Our public image and interaction with punters are important to me,” he said. “Whenever I skip posting our runner advice on Facebook on Fridays, I get 30 or 40 messages on my phone. It’s not about tipping; it’s about staying in touch with the racing public and giving them some insight into the stable, which is essential these days.”

Dean’s ambitions are no different from those of any other trainer in the country – to win the major races, which is always a challenge for trainers from the Eastern Cape.

More immediately, however, his focus is on serving the yard’s loyal owners, staying competitive, and settling properly into his role as the official new face of Smith Racing.

Click on the image below to read the full story…

TOP CHAMPIONSHIP BETTING BOARDS FOURIE AND SNAITH

Hollywoodbets have opened betting on the 2025/26 season jockey and trainer championship titles, with Richard Fourie and Justin Snaith the respective favourites, with just over eight months left of the season to run.

The South African racing season runs from 1 August to 31 July annually, and while there is plenty of water to flow under the bridge yet, it looks very difficult to look beyond freelancer Richard Fourie (8-10) and the Khaya Stablesretained Craig Zackey (11-10) at this stage of the game.

The recordbreaking 2023/24 champion, one gets the feeling that the Ridgemont-sponsored Fourie has been mostly idling so far.

He did tell the Sporting Post just two weeks ago that he would be upping his game, and he was 14 wins behind the hard-slogging Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein-sponsored Craig Zackey, after the latter won the first race at Sunday’s wet Hollywoodbets Greyville fixture.

Zackey’s work-rate is reflected in his 474 rides versus that of Fourie’s 265, but it is on strike-

rate where Fourie, on 26%, holds the edge on his industrious colleague who is on 17,3%.

Ed – the Sporting Post extends condolences to Richard Fourie and his family on the passing of the top jockey’s beloved Mom last week. MHDSRIP

Winning Form-sponsored Serino Moodley is priced up at 33-1, and is currently in third on 49

wins, one ahead of Muzi Yeni, who is quoted at 20-1.

Yeni demonstrated the risks of race-riding at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday when he took a tumble after his mount Bluff On Bluff fell.

Yeni’s MRI scan was clear, and he is expected to take a few days off.

Hollywood Racing-retained Sean Veale is another man who is enjoying a good season and is quoted at 75-1.

The Trainer championship looks more cut-anddried, with Philippi powerhouse Justin Snaith looking for his seventh national title and priced at 5-10.

The Snaith equine arsenal is unmatched countrywide, and last season the 50-year-old

also marked his seventh SA Horse Of The Year title, courtesy of top gun, Eight On Eighteen.

Mike & Mathew de Kock and Sean Tarry are joint second favourites, with Turffontein-based Tony Peter in third.

Click on the image below to see the Hollywoodbets betting boards.

GOOD COUNCIL WINS MAIDEN CUP

The Avontuur-bred Good Council produced the goods at the Champ de Mars on Sunday when he scored his first victory in Mauritius to secure top honours in the prestigious Phoenix Gr1 Maiden Cup.

Trained in South Africa by Ashley Fortune, for whom he peaked with victory in the 2023 Listed Aquanaut Handicap, and by Stuart Pettigrew, under whose charge he won the 2024 Betway Summer Cup Consolation, the 6yo Good Council romped home on Sunday under Raymond Danielson for the Arveen Nagadoo yard.

Good Council clocked 2 mins 26,55 secs for the 2400m to beat former Snaith resident The Gatekeeper, with Fabian Habib’s accomplished stayer Zeus back in third.

The Summer Cup Consolation was his last race on SA soil before export and Good Council left our shores a winner of 5 races with 9 places. He has added to that with 3 places and a victory on the island

A R150 000 CTS Ready To Run graduate, Good Council was bred by the famous home of fine wines and formerly of fast horses on the foothills of the majestic Helderberg, Avontuur.

A son of their former internationally proven Danehill stallion Oratorio, he is out of past SA Horse Of The Year Legislate’s full-sister Madame Justice (Dynasty).

35 TH CARTIER RACING AWARDS

THE NOMINEES

Nominations were announced on Sunday for the 35 th Cartier Racing Awards, which will be presented at the Dorchester Hotel in London this evening.

Four contenders for the Cartier Horse Of The Year include Calandagan, winner of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and QIPCO Champion Stakes.

He is joined by Ombudsman, who registered top-level wins in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and Juddmonte International.

Coral-Eclipse and Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes victor Delacroix and Minnie Hauk, successful in the Betfred Oaks, Juddmonte Irish Oaks and Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks, are the other nominations for the evening’s premier equine award.

In addition to the Cartier Horse Of The Year award, there are seven other equine categories – the Cartier Older Horse, the Cartier Sprinter, the Cartier Stayer, the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt, the Cartier Three-YearOld Filly, the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt and the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly.

The non-equine award presented during the ceremony is the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit, which goes to the person or persons who, in the opinion of the 15-strong Cartier jury, has done the most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months.

The nominations for the 2025 Cartier Racing Awards are:

Cartier Horse of the Year

• Calandagan

• Delacroix

• Minnie Hauk

• Ombudsman

Cartier Older Horse

• Calandagan

• Fallen Angel

• Ombudsman

• Rebel’s Romance

Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt

• Daryz

• Delacroix

• Field Of Gold

• Lambourn

Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly

• Desert Flower

• Gezora

• Minnie Hauk

• Whirl

Cartier Sprinter

• Asfoora

• Arizona Blaze

• Big Mojo

• Lazzat

Cartier Stayer

• Al Riffa

• Scandinavia

• Sweet William

• Trawlerman

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt

• Gewan

• Gstaad

• Puerto Rico

• Zavateri

Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly

• Diamond Necklace

• Precise

• True Love

• Venetian Sun

OF THE WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSES OFFICIAL LISTING

Following his victory in the Gr1 Qipco Champion Stakes, Calandagan (IRE) [130] is now the highest rated horse in the world in the ninth edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2025.

Calandagan defeated OMBUDSMAN (IRE) [128] by 2¼ lengths in the Champion Stakes. ALMAQAM (GB) [122] was 1¾ lengths back in third, while DELACROIX (IRE) [126] was a nose behind in fourth.

Calandagan, who improved his rating to 130 from 125, came into the race having won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr1) and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) in his previous two starts.

Another horse who improved his rating is SIERRA LEONE (USA) [126], who finished second by a half-length to FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) [127] in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (Gr1).

FIERCENESS (USA) [125] was a length behind in third, while JOURNALISM (USA) [121] was 2¼ lengths behind him in fourth. Sierra Leone and Journalism had both previously been rated at 120.

See the full listing – please click here.

Several other horses also impressed during the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. NOTABLE SPEECH (GB) [122] improved his rating to 122 from 120 following his victory in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile presented by PDJF (Gr1).

He had won the Rogers Woodbine Mile Stakes (Gr1) in his previous race. Additionally, ETHICAL DIAMOND (IRE) [121] won the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (Gr1), and SHISOSPICY (USA) [120] took the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Gr1) to join the rankings.

Meanwhile, in Japan, MASQUERADE BALL (JPN) [121] finds himself ranked after winning the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (Gr1), and MIKKI FIGHT (JPN) [120] joins the rankings off his score in the JBC Classic.

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FINAL DEMAND CONTINUES THE HUNT WITH MULLINS

With the National Hunt season in full force, Champion trainer Willie Mullins took the wraps off his two novice stars at Navan over the weekend, and they didn’t disappoint.

On Sunday his Walk in The Park six-year-old Final Demand made a seamless transition to fences.

After last season’s hurdling campaign which brought Final Demand three wide-margin

victories, including in Group 1 company at both the Dublin Racing and Punchestown Festivals, he proved far too good on his seasonal return in a Beginners Chase over two and half miles.

Disputing the lead from the off, the six-yearold was always travelling best, and after being shaken up approaching the last, came home an impressive 13-length winner.

He jumped well for jockey Paul Townendwho couldn’t keep from smiling in the postrace interview.

The winning jockey said: “I enjoyed it a lot that’s for sure. He covers a lot of ground, and I thought I was just lobbing along in front and he just measured the fences so well himself; he was taking them in his stride.”

Final Demand is part-owned by Bryan Drew who was on hand to see Final Demand and was understandably excited, saying: “I’m feeling relieved to be honest. You always worry about the first time over fences but he’s such a pro.”

“We haven’t talked about next steps, but it would be something over New Year I would imagine and then we’ll probably go to the Dublin Racing Festival, all being well, and then all roads lead to the Brown Advisory and it will take a good one to beat him I think.”

Final Demand is not the only exciting novice chaser that Townend will ride this season with Kopek Des Bordes producing an equally impressive success for the champion stable at the track’s rearranged meeting on Monday.

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero was a short-priced favourite for the extended twomile Pat Sheils Memorial Irish EBF Beginners

Chase and he barely came out of a canter.

Paul Townend’s main concern was trying to get the 2/9 favourite to settle through the early stages as he took a keen hold, going to the front as they turned down the back straight.

He had to put himself right at the next fence but thereafter it was ‘foot perfect’, with Willie Mullins’ charge putting the race to bed going to the final obstacle.

Another fluent leap followed there, and he cruised 13-lengths clear of Lovely Hurling.

The winning rider told Racing TV: “I didn’t think he did a whole lot wrong. He had respect for his fences but at the same when time when he saw them, he wanted to attack them without doing anything stupid.”

“He takes a little bit more riding than your man yesterday (Final Demand) because he’s a two-miler who attacks and goes and the engine is definitely there. I’d love to be on his back wherever he goes.”

LUKE BIDS TO SECURE FIRST

LONGINES IJC BERTH

Luke Ferraris kept himself in the hunt to secure a personal first ever berth in the lucrative Longines International Jockeys Challenge on 10 December as leading jockey behind Zac Purton, who has already qualified as champion jockey, when he took his season tally to 15 winners at Sha Tin on Saturday.

With just under two weeks until the 26 November cut-off date, when the local participants in the Happy Valley extravaganza are determined, the focus in the jockey ranks has naturally turned to qualification for the most lucrative jockey challenge in racing.

Ferraris drove On The Lash to the line to hold off fast-finishing rivals in the Class 5 Lukfook Jewellery Wedding Collection Handicap to deliver trainer Pierre Ng’s first victory in four meetings.

It was a close call as Ferraris’ mount held on by a nose from Richard Kingscote surging late on Cool Blue.

Patch Of Stars lived up to expectations in the feature Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup Handicap and boosted his Four-Year-Old Classic Series prospects with a smart win for Manfred Man and Zac Purton on an eventful day.

Purton, who bagged a treble to extend his championship lead to 22 wins, spoke cautiously about Patch Of Stars (124lb) drawing a tricky barrier nine in the build-up to the race. But in the event, he was able to manoeuvre the All Too Hard gelding into the box seat before letting down strongly to put away a handy field.

The win sealed a raceday double for Man, after Hollie Doyle had earlier ridden Double Win (119lb) to victory in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Love Is Beauty Collection Handicap (2000m), increasing the veteran conditioner’s seasonal total to 13.

“I think 1200 metres is good for him, because in the Class 3 1400 metres, he was favourite

twice and was only second and sixth,” Man said. “Back at 1200 metres, he won a Class 3 and was promoted to Class 2 today and won again, so I think it’s the best distance for him.”

LONGINES Hong Kong International Races nominees Invincible Shield (132lb) and Aeris Nova (122lb) did their claims no harm with strong finishes to grab second and third place, respectively.

Purton also scored on Pierre Ng’s Supreme Agility (130lb), who broke through at the 24 th attempt in Hong Kong in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Heirloom Fortune Collection Handicap (1650m, dirt).

“I remember Zac rode him last season when he was just not mature yet,” Ng said. “Now he’s more straightforward. He’s been very consistent in the last couple of runs. Luckily, the owner had patience, and he got the win today.

“I don’t think he can do it on the turf as well, but the Brazilian horses are normally used to both tracks, so I wouldn’t mind. It just depends.”

Australian Racing Hall of Famer Purton completed his hat-trick with victory in the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Night Banquet In Tang Palace Collection Handicap (1600m) aboard the progressive Beauty Bolt (129lb) for Tony Cruz.

Ng’s season hasn’t gone according to plan so far, but the day marked a revival for him as he took home a double to take his tally to six wins.

Kingscote did not have to wait long to open his account for the season. He landed the biggest upset of the day when he got up on David Eustace’s 20/1 shot Loch Tay (125lb) to end his search for a winner at the 105th time of asking in the Class 3 Lukfook Joaillerie Handicap (1650m, dirt).

Salon S (124lb) scored on debut in the Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Hexicon Handicap (1200m), extending Matthew Poon’s hot run to seven wins from the past seven meetings.

Frankie Lor’s Zousain gelding did his racing early to take a healthy lead and was eased down with Mark Newnham’s Super Dragon (122lb) running on for second under James McDonald.

Trainers’ championship-leading Newnham got back to winning ways when Crimson Flash (132lb) took out the Class 3 Lukfook Jewellery Diabling Shimmering Gold Collection Handicap (1000m).

Following an uncharacteristic four-meeting dry spell, the Australian handler had seen his lead at the top of the standings trimmed before the son of Showtime restored it to five wins over David Hayes.

An eventful Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Miss Hong Kong Love Yourself Collection Handicap (1400m) saw the soon-to-becrowned 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Jockey, James McDonald, unseated from his mount Aerovolanic (135lb) at the start. Then Cody Mo’s Bucephalas (131lb), whose odds plunged to 7/1 moments before the flag dropped, sliced through the field to claim his first Hong Kong win at his sixth attempt under Matthew Chadwick.

The Class 4 Lukfook Jewellery Ccool Collection Handicap (1200m) was voided for safety reasons after jockey Matthew Poon was dislodged from Dreaming Winner. Both the jockey and the horse were unhurt.

THE CROWN! KING TARGETS

Having made history by becoming the first female jockey to ride a Group 1 winner in Japan, Rachel King hopes for another notable achievement in 2025 when she represents Australia in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on 10 December.

British-born King is back for her third crack at the lucrative championship after finishing third on debut in 2023 and joins Great Britain’s Hollie Doyle as the women who will pit their skills against seven other international jockeys and three representing Hong Kong, China.

“It’s very exciting to be coming back,” King said. “Obviously, since the first year I came to Hong Kong, it’s something that I want to get my name on the list every year and I’m very honoured to be asked to come back again.”

King said she felt lucky to ride a winner, Oversubscribed, in her first year, when she finished third overall to local riders Vincent Ho and Zac Purton, who look set to lead Hong Kong, China’s three-pronged attack again.

After finishing with zero points last year, King said she was keen to return and attempt to secure a few winners. She also plans

to remain for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on Sunday, 14 December at Sha Tin, where she hopes to pick up some rides.

“We always have the option to stay and normally I go back to Sydney, but I am going to try to stay and hopefully get a few rides on the Sunday,” King said. “Mark Newnham will be my first contact because I was attached to him in Australia, so I’ll be calling him first and see where we go from there.”

The allocation of horses in the four-race competition, where points are awarded for the first three places, has worked well, and King believes everyone has a fairly good chance to share in the HK$1 million prize pool, which rewards the winner with HK$600,000, second with HK$250,000 while third takes HK$150,000.

“I guess it’s a bit of luck of the draw on the night,” she said.

King said it was already a win for her to be included in a star-studded line-up of jockeys, including five previous winners – Mickael Barzalona (France), Joao Moreira (Brazil), Christophe Lemaire (Japan), Ryan Moore

(Great Britain) and Zac Purton (Hong Kong, China).

“To get the chance to compete against those jockeys is really special,” she said. “I’m happy to be riding for Australia as it’s very much home for me.”

After riding in Hong Kong and Japan, King believes travelling and riding in different jurisdictions has helped her to continue improving.

“Just different horses and different jockeys and different tracks help to keep you sharp and switched on,” she said. “That little bit of a change always helps, even in Australia for Melbourne Cup week.

“Hong Kong is another challenge again as Happy Valley is very unique and I have really enjoyed riding around the track and, hopefully, I can get the chance to ride around at Sha Tin on the Sunday as well.”

Making history in Japan with the Group 1 victory aboard Costa Nova in the 2025 February Stakes (1600m) for trainer Tetsuya Kimura, King said it was a reward for the travelling and the effort she had put in.

She did two stints in Japan this year – two months from early January to early March and another month during July and August. She will return in 2026.

Having competed in 2024 at Royal Ascot, the Shergar Cup, and the Breeders’ Cup in the United States of America, King also rode in Saudi Arabia this year.

FROM THE SPEED DEMON A COMMANDING DISPLAY

Ka Ying Rising took another confident step towards the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR)

as he dashed well clear of a batch of top-class operators in a barrier trial at Sha Tin on Friday, 14 November.

The world’s top-rated sprinter broke well and ran keenly before surging down the 1200m dirt straight in a brisk 1m 10.19s under regular rider Zac Purton.

The run provided a final tune-up before the HK$5.35 million Gr2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 23 November.

It was a commanding display from the fiveyear-old, who has won 14 consecutive races. Ominously for rivals targeting his HK$28 million Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) crown on 14 December, handler David Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising has improved since conquering the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) Gr1 The Everest (1200m) in October.

“It was an upper-class trial with some of Hong Kong’s best horses and he did what he does,” Hayes said.

“A lot of horses, who have had these international trips come back better if they’ve handled it well. I think he has, and I’m actually confident that the trip has brought him on.”

The outing was the five-time Group 1-winner’s first trial since his return from Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia, where he confirmed his credentials as racing’s best sprinter with a convincing win in the world’s most valuable turf race. Purton said his enthusiasm was obvious.

“He’s very fresh. He’s very eager to get on with things – he’s probably going 10% keen,” the 42-year-old said.

“He trialled well, so that’ll take the stuffing out of him a little bit and he can relax now until race day.”

SHUT ON JASON MAURITIUS GATES

Jockey Jason Gates is winging his way home after a short stint in Mauritius ended with him parting ways with the Vincent Allet stable and picking up a two week suspension.

The Mauritian Stipes were clearly not impressed with Gates’ ride on William Iron Arm in the Phoenix Maiden Cup this past weekend.

The Stipes cited dangerous tactics that caused interference to multiple runners in the islands premier race.

According to the official report, Gates allowed his mount to shift inward, cramping The Gatekeeper for about 150 meters. The Stipes noted that William Iron Arm was eased

and carried wider on several occasions, at one point losing the use of the right stirrup iron, and ultimately hung badly in the home straight, brushing Allez Moris multiple times.

Gates impressed local observers in the October 2024 People’s Turf PLC International Jockeys’ Challenge on the island, but it was a different story this time.

Gates has been suspended in terms of rule 43.2.5 from 13 December to 26 December.

Gates hit the headlines earlier this year when he was involved in the ‘whipgate’ incident with subsequent SA champion jockey, Gavin Lerena.

LOVE HORSE FOR THE OF THE

“We couldn’t do what we do without the help and financial assistance of caring corporates of the likes of the Hollywood Foundation and Race Coast.”

The words of the Tom Ro Haven for Equines and Children’s Gillian McCulloch after a R100 000 donation was formally handed over at the rustic place of protection in the scenic surrounds of Noordhoek in the Western Cape last Tuesday, 11 November.

For over a decade, Tom Ro Haven for Equines and Children has been a place of care, learning, and inspiration. Here, rescued horses find loving homes, and children connect with these amazing animals to discover confidence, life skills, and hope.

A passionate lifetime horsewoman from her early days in Bulawayo, Gillian McCullough has lived the philosophy of combining the power of equines with the resilience of children and women to create transformative healing experiences.

“It’s an ongoing struggle up the mountain, but we wouldn’t want to be doing anything else, believe me,” Gillian told the Sporting Post in a chat on Thursday afternoon.

“We have a horsebox but look at my bakkie – and it’s not going at the moment,” she lamented as she pointed out the genuine goodwill that prevails in the racing industry. “We had a mare a few months ago that

suddenly foaled down in the middle of a stormy winter’s night, with no prior notice. My daughter Stephanie assisted her, but the foal was weak. We eventually called the Vet in and he said we have to get the little one to a clinic. We eventually resorted to loading him on to the back of our bakkie. It’s close to 100km from Noordhoek to Paarl where the Vetscape Clinic is located, and halfway there I heard this massive bang. I just prayed and kept on driving. The little guy had stopped breathing a few times. But they saved him and today’s he’s our little survival ambassador, Raphael. It is hard to imagine life before this special little miracle colt joined our family,” said Gillian.

Raphael was rushed to hospital again last month but thankfully Gillian and her team collected him after a few days.

“He ran to greet the herd over the paddock fence and strutted his stuff like he always does. He is the friendliest most confident little colt. He loves to play football, plays with his other toys. He completely enchants all who meet him. He was born into safety, wrapped in love, and from rescue to rebirth, this little soul is a symbol of everything we stand for at Tom Ro Haven,” enthuses Stephanie as she explains how contributions like the R100 000 received from the Hollywood Foundation and Race Coast, make the difference between beautiful happy stories and abject misery and sadness.

The Hollywood Foundation Team, together with Race Coast, visited this incredible haven on an eye-opening and emotional day out.

“We assisted the organisation with R100 000 to support their ongoing programmes. Thus, ensuring the horses are nurtured, the children continue to learn and

grow, and the haven can expand its reach to even more members of the community. Race Coast also contributed women’s clothing and equine tack, supporting both the people and the horses who call Tom Ro Haven home. From feeding and grooming the horses to witnessing the joy of children learning alongside them, the day was a celebration of care, connection, and community. Our team were overjoyed in seeing the passion of the Tom Ro Haven team and the smiles of the children reminded us that every moment of support creates a lasting impact,” added Hollywoodbets Brand & Communications Manager, Devin Heffer.

3,384,663 3,305,413 3,223,825 8,694,801 6,041,632 5,422,694 5,602,934 4,782,749 J O CK E YS results up to: 2025-11-19

3,346,738 3,099,969 2,386,875 2,119,688 1,976,356 5,098,794 4,246,239 3,208,863 3,160,650 2,926,288

6,925,011 6,355,149 4,669,988 3,242,784 3,141,521 BREEDERS

7,919,255 6,009,406 4,256,106 4,210,553 4,082,691 S I RE S T R A I NER S