SP Sprint – Wednesday 27 August 2025

RARING TO GO!

‘SPRING’? DID SOMEONE SAY…

14 August 2yo Sale Succeeds Numbers don’t lie!

21 New KZN Stallion Introducing Forest God

40 Muzi’s Hands Make Stipes Work What was the fuss about?

56 Craig Zackey For President SP readers vote

107 Hong Kong Stars Step Out Countdown to 7 September

On the cover

The Ladies Man (#264), a son of Danon Platina offered by Cornerstone Stud at last week’s BSA August 2yo Sale, kept his Groom on his toes. The chestnut sold to Joseph Muya for R40 000. Candiese Lenferna took the photograph. Read more about the sale on page 14.

Issue: 34/2025

HE’S OFFICIALLY SA’S SENIOR JOCKEY AT 58

South Africa’s oldest – or let’s call it most senior – jockey by a country mile, Andrew Fortune made a welcome return to the saddle at Hollywoodbets Durbanville earlier today.

It’s his first meeting since Hollywoodbets Durban July day when he booted Double Grand Slam home in the Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes.

The ‘Candyman’ took four rides at Race Coast’s second Western Cape racemeeting of the month of August.

“I got back from visiting the family in Australia about three weeks ago and have been riding work at as many yards as I can,” added the 58 year old former national champion who made a glorious return to the saddle five months ago after an eight year absence.

He rode 38 winners last season at a 13,1% win strike rate with 112 places (39,9%), and stakes of close on R6 million.

Asked about his fitness and whether he would ‘need a few runs’ to find his feet, Andrew laughed and said he was probably 2 kgs over his prime but was ‘ready’.

“Look, I have been doing this job long enough. I will be okay!”

The charismatic character was pressed for a highlight of his comeback year.

“Every winner, but riding a Gr1 victory for the Snaiths on Hollywoodbets Durban July day! Who would have thought?”

And the distinction – after the retirement last term of his good mate Piere Strydom – in his senior role as our oldest jockey, and one of

only two riders in their fifties, the Capetonian said there was no substitute for experience.

“My battle against the odds to get back to riding is well documented. It’s obviously not easy physically and mentally as one gets older, but as long as I am enjoying it I will continue.”

We asked if the jockey room was a different place today than it was 35 years ago.

“Your parents grew up differently to the way you were raised, or the way your kids grew up. The world is a different place. The jockey room is very different today compared to when I started riding. I’d say it’s better today. There is more respect.”

Pressed for a likely retirement date, Andrew said nothing was cast in stone.

“Maybe I will bid for one more shot at winning the Hollywoodbets Durban July. So one more season. I don’t believe I have much more to prove.”

The only other active SA rider who has reached his half century is 50 year old Joburg lightweight Louis Nhlapo, who has his own inspirational comeback story. He rode a double for Johan Janse van Vuuren last Saturday.

Louis made his comeback in January 2023 after an eight-year layoff.

He stopped riding in 2015 as a result of a tragic car accident in which he lost his first and second born children.

He admitted, in a recent report, to losing the will to live.

LOOKS THE BUSINESS WERNARS’ TOPWEIGHT

The Highveld spring feature season kicks off this weekend with Spring Spree Day at Turffontein, headlined by the R175 000 Listed Spring Spree Stakes.

The eight race card kicks off at 12h15, with the features, the non black-type Lady’s Stakes at 15h10, and the Spring Spree Stakes carded for 15h50.

Sean Tarry and Smanga Khumalo team up in the listed feature with former Robbie Sage charge and topweight Quantum Theory, who was an easy winner of his last start over 1000m on the Standside course. He raced from just off the pace, quickened up well and won with a ton in hand. It is worth noting that the horse that finished second that day has come out and won since.

He is having his first run for the Sean Tarry stable and if settled into his new surroundings, he can follow up with another victory.

Another 6yo in Slinky Mapimpi was given a peach of a ride when winning his last start over 1160m on the Standside course. He has won once and finished second once from three starts on this course. He should be the one to fill the exacta spot under Raymond Danielson.

Night Bomber is consistency personified and finished a length behind the 7yo Chyavana last time. He is 1,5kgs better off at the weights here and there should not be much separating the pair at the finish. He is having his first outing for the Candice Dawson stable.

your hospitality now via reservations@4racing.com, WhatsApp 066 058 6327, or call 011 681 1796 - space is limited!

MARKET DEPTH & DIVERSITY

The 2025 Bloodstock South Africa August Two-Year-Old Sale, held at the TBA Complex last Thursday and Friday, delivered both substance and quality, resulting in a resounding success for vendors and buyers alike.

In a first for South Africa, BSA created a new outlet for vendors and buyers locally, and internationally, by staging a virtual sale of select Mares and Fillies for Stud.

Proceedings on Friday morning opened with a brisk, half-hour virtual sale session devoted to this select draft of high-end broodmares and fillies for stud. This innovative addition proved as popular as it was productive, garnering strong international interest.

Both the Mare and Fillies for Stud draft and the main two-year-old catalogue delivered results that spoke of depth and resilience in the marketplace. Prices ranged from a modest R20 000 to a record R4-million, with a broad and lively buyers’ bench ensuring that the sale once again catered to every level of participant. Most encouragingly, the figures compared favourably with last year and the recent past, signalling a welcome measure of consistency and confidence in the bloodstock sector.

That strength was reflected in the key statistics, with turnover and averages holding up well against recent editions of the auction, while several standout transactions helped bolster the overall result.

To start, the sale generated a total turnover of R80,5-million, just shy of last year’s R80,9-million. This was a particularly notable performance given that 46 fewer horses went through the ring this year.

Demand was evident across the board, with only 9 horses passed unsold compared with 21 last year for an incredible clearance rate of 97%. There was a 12% increase in the average price per lot (R314,512 vs last year’s R280,156) and the median increased by an unbelievable 63% to R260,000.

The standout lot of the sale was Le Soleil (Lot 47), who entered the auction ring just before lunchtime on Thursday.

He sparked a spirited bidding war that was ultimately won by Jono Snaith, on behalf of Snaith Racing. Le Soleil is a son of champion sire Vercingetorix and former champion race mare Clouds Unfold and Snaith commented: “This young colt turned heads the moment he stepped out of his box. He possessed a commanding presence and carried himself with the authority of a true ‘meneer’.”

Snaith also secured two other colts and a filly for over R1-million apiece — all sired by Rafeef — and in doing so topped the buyers’ table with eight lots purchased for a total of R9,03-million, averaging R1,128,750. He remarked: “At the heart of this game, we are all searching for ‘the one’. Congratulations are due to the breeders, who continue to raise the bar with the quality they present, and to Bloodstock SA for staging yet another highly successful sale.”

Bolstering the buyer bench, Arun Chadha and Warne Rippon’s ASSM Racing Syndicate were out in full force over the two-day sale securing 19 quality individuals from a range of vendors for R7,3-million.

ASSM have long shown a knack for shrewd purchases in the middle price bracket, sourcing cleverly from both major and smaller breeders. At this sale they supported no fewer

than 13 stud farms, securing the progeny of 11 stallions. Their haul included an R850,000 Rafeef filly from Winterbach Stud, a R160,000 Skit Skizzle colt from Bosworth Farm, and a colt and filly by Heavenly Blue, from Ascot Stud.

Varsfontein Stud was the leading vendor with 17 lots sold for R10,37-million at an average of R610,000 per foal, and Rafeef came out on top of the sire’s list with similar figures – his offspring fetched R10,72-million at R630,588 per lot sold.

Michael Holmes, CEO of Bloodstock SA, said he was delighted with the results and grateful for the strong support from both vendors and buyers. “The industry is pulling together,

and it’s encouraging to see. We are pleased to be achieving our objective of catering to every level of the market. Our exceptional clearance rate reflects the fact that there were horses for every buyer which will go a long way to assisting the racing operators’ goal of increasing field sizes nationally.”

Holmes expressed BSA’s satisfaction with the diverse spread of buyers. “It was wonderful to see the Eastern Cape trainers secure 25 horses and we also enjoyed strong support from Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and Kenya — markets where our footprint is now firmly established. Notably, Dr Lesley Sercombe of Kenya purchased four lots, investing just under R3-million.”

improvement to finish second next time out, but tragedy struck in his third start when he suffered a severe hock injury which ended his racetrack career.

Given his value as a potential stallion, the colt was sent to the late Jane Thomas to recuperate and when offered up for rehoming, piqued the interest of Homeleigh Stud owner Rosanne Torr.

“I approached Jane and when she told me that no one was interested in standing him, I went there with my horsebox in tow, took one look at him and said I would gladly take him.”

“He has been with me since last year, I never used him as he was still on the easy list and any way, my mares were foaling late. He has a lovely temperament and is very well mannered. The hock injury is unsightly, but he runs around as normal.”

“I personally will limit him to one cover a day, but that is even more than what he is likely to cover. He’s a new stallion and it is unlikely he’s going to get a full book.”

This season, Rosanne has a small, but quality band of mares lined up for Forest God, headed by the stakes performers Fisani and Felix The Cat.

The former, a daughter of Kahal, scored three times at Gr2 level, landing all of the Gauteng Fillies Guineas, Jacaranda Handicap and Gerald Rosenberg Stakes. Although she has yet to emulate herself as a broodmare, her Trippi daughter Tripadvisor is dam of this year’s Gr2 Golden Sprint winner Tenango.

Felix The Cat meanwhile, was runner-up in both the Gr1 Durban Golden Slipper and Gr1 Thekwini Stakes and is a half-sister to Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winner Sea Master.

From just two runners, she has produced a dual winner by Oratorio.

Also destined to visit Forest God are the unraced, but well-related young mares La Dreamer and Victory Ballad.

The former, by Capetown Noir out of Gr1placed Lisa Anne, counts amongst her siblings accomplished Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic winner Takingthepeace.

What A Winter’s daughter Victory Ballad is proof that ‘timing is everything’. Her value was greatly enhanced last season when talented Vercingetorix half-sister Quickstepgal won the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes, while Jono Snaith spent R1,3-million to acquire the Vercingetorix sister at the KZN Yearling Sale.

Rosanne, who worked at Rodney and Jane Trotter’s Ambleway for over a decade, started Homeleigh as a spelling and pre-training farm in 2020, “in the middle of Covid, of all things,” she remarks wryly.

Nestled in tranquil settings just 4km from the Camperdown turnoff on the N3, the farm is easily accessible.

From small beginnings, she has gone from strength to strength and has built up a fine establishment boasting 45 stables, whilst she counts amongst her clients the likes of trainers Roy Magner, Garth Puller and Gareth van Zyl.

Notable graduates off Homeleigh include none other than recently crowned Champion Stayer King Pelles, as well as ill-fated Flag Man, who was beaten a head in the Gr1 Daily News 2000 before running fourth in the 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

As for Forest God, Rosanne is thrilled that she was fortunate to acquire the blue-blooded grey.

“For me, it was like winning the jackpot. He could be something special.”

Nevertheless, she realises that as a nonwinner, the horse starts his stallion career very much on the backfoot.

“I’m a very small stud, so it suits me fine. I never expected him to be a commercial

stallion; he is for my private use and any other small-time breeder wanting to take a chance. It’s only fair to offer the opportunity should they want it. KZN now has quite a variety of stallions and Forest God gives breeders another option.”

Forest God stands in 2025 for R10 000 Live Foal

Contact Rosanne Torrhomeleighstud@gmail.com / C: 082 460 3554

ARRIVES IN FRANCE EQUUS CHAMPION

Team Valor International have reported that their SA-bred dual Gr1 winner Quid Pro Quo, who is raced in partnership with Vanashree and Anant Singh, has arrived at Jerome Reynier’s barn in Marseilles, France.

The Gerald Kalil-bred daughter of Lance (Jet Master) travelled from Cape Town and will be aimed at races in Dubai at the beginning of the new year, according to a statement from the leading international owners.

Trained by the late Barend Botes, Quid Pro Quo beat the boys in the Betway Gr2 Dingaans at her first start as a 3yo and had some experts comparing her to the ‘Galloping Goldmine’, Empress Club.

The Equus champion had her last start in SA when running a narrowly beaten third behind the then still undefeated Spumante Dolce and mixed sex Gr1 winner VJ’s Angel in the Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Gauteng Guineas six months ago.

A dual Gr1 and Gr2 winner, the multiple award-winning filly won 6 races with 3 places from 9 starts on African soil for earnings of over R2,3 million.

Quid Pro Quo represents a fairytale of some proportions for the Kalil family and her passionate trainer, who passed away tragically a month ago.

Breeder Gerald Kalil bought the filly back due to a lack of interest for just R60 000 at the 2023 KZN Yearling Sale and raced her in partnership with his wife Karen, before her sale in late 2024 to the new owners.

Quid Pro Quo’s breathtaking victory, with the odds stacked against her, in the R1 million Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes on 2024 World Pool Gold Cup day, saw her enter the SA racing history books.

She was the first filly to win all of the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m, the Gr2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m, culminating in the Gr1 mile, where she ran without front shoes after spreading a plate on the way to the start.

A former jockey, the late Barend Botes marked his 30th year as a trainer with a maiden Gr1 victory when Quid Pro Quo won the 2024 R1 million Allan Robertson Championship.

South African horseracing fans will be behind the champion as she continues her career on the world stage, as a memory to a unique horseman who did an outstanding job with a filly that nobody wanted as a yearling.

SON OF VAR WINS A CRACKER VARSFONTEIN-BRED

Owner Peter Moor and trainer Alan Greeff maintain their outstanding form of last season with the 6yo Mercantour holding on well to win the R175 000 Nelson Mandela Bay Racing East Cape Poly Challenge run over 1200m at Fairview on Friday.

The first leg of the tenth renewal of the East Cape Poly Challenge produced a tight finish with Alan Greeff saddling the exacta.

After tracking the leader all the way arouind, Mercantour (28-10) held on to beat low-flying

stablemate Fairy Knight (5-2) by a neck in a time of 68,93 secs.

The long-time pacesetter Golden Pavilion (8-1) was a quarter length back in third.

Pas De Nom (50-1) ruined his prospects, losing 4 lengths at the jump. The gelding’s starting stall certificate has been suspended.

A son of the deceased speed champion VAR (Forest Wildcat), the Varsfontein-bred winner is out of the Western Winter mare, Winter Wood.

The latter is a half-sister to Royal Vintage, a stakes winner in both Dubai and South Africa, and Gr2 November Handicap winner Alderry.

A R200 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Mercantour, formerly trained on the Highveld by Stuart Pettigrew, is a winner of 9 races with 14 places from 37 starts.

Won last year by the Glen Kotzen-trained King Regent, the second leg of the series is the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge 1400 to be run at Fairview on Friday, 26 September.

The third leg is the Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge 1600 at Fairview on Friday 17 October. A R250 000 bonus is payable to the owners of the horse that wins all 3 legs.

It will be interesting to see if Mercantour goes for the triple crown. He has won over 1400m and has not found the winner’s box over a mile – but his Highveld form over the trip may be strong enough.

On the day, Kelly Mitchley and Muzi Yeni registered a treble, while Alan Greeff also saddled three winners, two of which were ridden by Smanga Khumalo.

MUZI IN HOT WATER STICKS AND STONES?

Muzi Yeni rode three good winners for the Kelly Mitchley yard at Fairview on Friday, but his ‘demeaning and unsportsmanlike’ hand gestures saw him slapped with a fine for riding in an unprofessional manner.

Yeni currently leads the jockey championship log on 15 winners, versus Smanga Khumalo’s 13 and Craig Zackey on 11.

After winning the opener on the 18-10 favourite Hat Montera and the third race on Duchess Of Seville (14-1), it was his welljudged (tactically, that is) ride on the former Snaith charge Kingdom Of Heaven to win the sixth, that had the Stipes writing a ticket.

Yeni rode a confident race, weaving his way through on Kingdom Of Heaven (5-1) to beat Chad Little on the favourite A Few Dollars More.

The Stipes reviewed the concluding stages of the race, and in particular the actions of Yeni where he made hand gestures in the direction of his fellow Riders.

After interviewing two of these Riders, Yeni was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.2 in that he rode in an unprofessional manner by making unnecessary hand gestures towards his fellow Riders in the concluding stages, which could be seen to be demeaning to them and unsportsmanlike.

While we are not privy to the background, and there is no real detail provided in the official Stipes report, the action of a fine almost seems like ‘sticks and stones’ overkill in the

bigger scheme of a hard knocks professional sport where ‘sledging’ is part of the game.

Yeni signed an admission of guilt and was fined R5 000 of which R2 500 is suspended for a period of twelve months.

The long-awaited Gavin Lerena – Jason Gates case from earlier this year was finalized on Monday 18 August and the outcome is expected to be announced this coming week.

TEAMS UP WITH BASS TERRY FRIPP

One of the senior statesmen of the Assistant Trainer ranks in South Africa, the internationally experienced Terry ‘Kalahari’ Fripp will head up the new Bass Racing satellite yard at Summerveld, an opportunity that he says he is both privileged and honoured to accept.

At the age of 58, Terry Fripp, who earned his nickname as a result of his tall lean frame, boasts global mileage on the clock and has been around the block a few times since he started out with Dennis Bosch at Clairwood in the early 1990’s.

“I enjoyed a truly lifechanging experience meeting a horse-crazy guy named Glen Kotzen and his passionate family in Standard 7 at Hillcrest High School back in the day,” laughs Terry as he recounts to the Sporting Post how he got involved in a game that was to consume his every waking moment in the years ahead.

And his career aspirations gathered early momentum during his compulsory Army National Service days.

Terry explained that he was called up to Ladysmith, but applied for a transfer to the Berede mounted horse unit in Potchefstroom. He eventually landed up managing the stallions at the now long-closed SA Defence Force Farm in the Northern Cape town of De Aar, which was best known at the time for its massive internationally-ranked railway junction

“I was happy to swap my rifle for a bridle and thoroughly enjoyed my time on the farm. We had about ten stallions. The band included a son of Sweet Song named Sweet Wonder, who ran second under Bartie Leisher in the 1982 Durban July won by Paddy Wynne on Jamaican Rumba,” he recalls fondly.

Terry tells the Sporting Post that his diverse experience both in South Africa and in Dubai, France, the UK and Russia, has proven extremely valuable.

Between 2005 and 2009, he was Assistant to Herman Brown Jnr, managing a satellite stable in Dubai and was part of Jay Peg’s $5 million historic win in the Gr1 Dubai Turf in 2008. He also spent 13 years with Tony Rivalland and later worked under Gareth van Zyl. He knows Summerveld like the back of his hand!

Terry adds that Bass Racing has secured 27 boxes at Summerveld.

“It’s an honour to work for a family who have been active in SA racing since the early 70’s and have a proud tradition of achievement. The plan is to send suitable horses from Milnerton to KwaZulu-Natal to optimise yearround earning opportunities.”

Terry has on fact enjoyed great success in two KZN Champions Season stints with the yard, and has some impressive stats to show from the 2025 term.

With just a small number of runners, the team produced a 20% win strike rate and a 70% place record from 29 starts, for stakes of R1,8 million. These included the dual Gr2 winners Rainbow Lorikeet and Tenango, as well as Listed winner Callmegetorix, and the Centenary Syndicate horse Future Variety, who closed off on Gold Cup Day with a Listed feature for his 130 shareholding owners.

Terry added that the very smart recent Listed Umngeni Handicap winner Future Variety would be running in an A Stakes under the lights at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday.

“Candice’s plan is to run Future Variety in the Matchem Stakes in October. That is a 1400m Gr3 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. To keep him fit and see where we are with him, we thought we’d see how he goes here and try him beyond 1200m for the first time. Andrew Fortune will ride him and we can expect professional feedback from him.”

Terry clearly rates the ‘Candyman’.

“He likes to joke and fool around. But believe me, he is a top-class horseman and is a goldmine of information for a trainer.”

Candice shared her thoughts on her expansion and said: “Our team enjoyed a fantastic Champions season and having worked closely with Terry Fripp over the last two Champions seasons, I have full trust and confidence in his ability to head up my KZN operation.

“With Race Coast having expanded their own interests from the Western Cape into KwaZulu Natal, our following suit was a natural progression. Having a yard at Summerveld creates a gateway for us to freely move horses between centres and seasons, as well as opportunities to compete with a larger

contingent of raiders. The weather has caused havoc in Cape Town over the last few months – not dissimilar to what happened last yearso this has really been an easy decision for me.”

Candice said that Race Coast’s Justin Vermaak had welcomed their planned transition and also incentivised their choice to have a dual presence under the Race Coast banner, for which, she says, they are most grateful.

Candice concluded: “This new chapter marks an exciting step forward for Bass Racing. We look forward to establishing firm roots in KwaZulu-Natal. We warmly welcome all who wish to support the yard and share in our exciting journey ahead.”

But back to the man piloting the satellite. Outside of racing, Terry Fripp used to enjoy long mountain hiking, but the demands of managing horses means there is inevitably little recreation time. But he does credit his fiancé of 6 years, Lee Shrives as a ‘major support’, and he also ensures there is quality time to spend with his 24 year old daughter Tarryn and 21 year old son Clayton, from his first marriage

On closing, we asked him if he enjoyed 21st century music.

“There is nothing to beat the music of the 1980’s,” adds the fanatical Depeche Mode fan diplomatically.

Terry Fripp certainly looks like the right man to get a good tune out of the Bass KZN attack this season.

AND SMART PERFORMANCES SPEED, POWER

As the new season picks up momentum, we reflect on another weekend of some standout performances and horses worth watching at their next few starts.

In Time Is Money we utilise sectional timing data, which we believe can enhance both the form study and horseracing viewing experience on both KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape race meetings.

Hollywoodbets Scottsville 24 August

Track Condition

Going: Good (both tracks)

Penetrometer: 23 (both tracks)

Rain: Last 7 days Nil

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

False Rail: 3m

Wind: 10-15km/h North Easterly cross wind

Course Variant: 0,54s fast (straight) – 0,47s fast (bend)

First Three All Newcomers

The Tote. Speed. Power. Glory Open Maiden Plate over 1200m got proceedings underway in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday and in a race where the first three places were all filled by newcomers, we saw a smart performance from Dean Kannemeyer’s only runner on the card, HAH LAH LAH.

Sent off a well-supported favourite at 13/10, the 3yo son of Hawwaam lost a length at the start, but despite that was soon within a length and a half of the leaders. He was ridden to lead shortly after passing the 400m pole, and after quickly going clear, won well by two and a half. Both Craig Zackey and assistant trainer Nicolette Roscoe spoke very well of Hah Lah Lah after the race.

Another to keep tabs on from this race is the aptly named runner up Son Of Rafeef. Racing a good three and a half lengths behind the winner, the son of Rafeef ran on strongly in the closing stages despite racing green and hanging in. He had the rest well beaten and looks sure to come on stacks next time.

Fastest of Three 1400m Races

The Gallop Form Middle Stakes for fillies & mares was by far the fastest of the three 1400m races that followed and here victory went to the Lancaster Bomber mare ONE SMART COOKIE.

Not striding out when drawn in the car park at Greyville last time out, Tienie Prinsloo’s charge raced fifth here just three lengths off a fair pace set by SOVEREIGN GRANT. She ran on strongly in the straight and under a well-timed ride from Callan Murray, she got up 50m from home.

Beaten by just a neck into second was the grey Perilla. Denis Bosch’s charge had raced a good three and a half lengths behind the winner at the back and recording the fastest 400m to finish time in the race, she did well to get as close as she did.

Gallop Tv Middle Stakes – 1750m

In terms of stake money the afternoon’s top liner was the Middle Stakes over 1750m and in what proved to be a real thriller victory went to the favourite PLUM PUDDING. The pace set by Royal Invitation was a good one and the field was well strung out.

That early effort soon began to take its toll on the leaders in the home straight though, and as the field began to concertina the race looked wide open.

Running on from second last, Plum Pudding finished marginally the fastest over the final 400m, and in a four way finish the Silvano mare got the verdict by a half.

Callan Murray, the rider of the second placed horse Trois Trois Quatre, lodged an objection against the winner after the race on the grounds of interference, but this was overruled.

Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 4 –1600m

Two 1600m events brought the afternoon’s proceedings to a close and in much the

quicker of these the friendless RUN TO RIO registered his fourth career victory. Allowed to drift right out to 10/1 from 9/2 at the track, Stuart Ferrie’s charge raced third, just three lengths off a hot pace set by Magna Magic.

The front runner had the field well strung out and it was only when this one began to tire very late, that the son of Oratorio put his head in front.

Quickies

The fastest 400m to finish time of the afternoon 23,11 seconds, was achieved jointly by the facile winner of the fillies maiden plate over 1400m Act Of Grace, and Mamas Boy who was caught for early toe in the apprentice Class 5 event over 1400m.

Course Variant: 0,53s fast (straight) –0,22s fast (bend)

Close To Course Record

The Gallop Tv A Stakes over 1000m topped the bill on Wednesday’s card and in a time just 0,56 seconds outside the course record the 4yo LION RAMPART scored a facile victory.

Heavily supported into favouritism, Gareth Van Zyl’s charge raced second for most of the journey just half a length off the pace set by the speedy Mover And Shaker.

The son of One World quickened nicely when given rein approaching the 200m marker and drew clear easily in the closing stages of the race to score by just over three.

Now a winner of five of his fifteen starts, Lion Rampart ran the final 400m in 22,49 seconds which was the fastest for that segment of the afternoon.

Tote For The Win Class 5 – 1200m

Hollywoodbets Scottsville 20 August

Track Condition

Going: Good (both tracks)

Penetrometer: 23 (both tracks)

Rain: Last 7 days Nil

Irrigation: Last 24 hours 4mm –Last 7 days 8mm

False Rail: 9m

Wind: 10-15km/h East North Easterly tail wind

Marginally the quickest of the three 1200m races on the card the runners in this Class 5 event went particularly quickly in the first half of the race. Dawn Surprise made the running whilst the eventual winner, Yannakis, raced close up in second.

The son of Erupt quickened well at the business end of the race and won going away after striking the front 100m from home. Yannakis was the first of two winners on the card for Hollywood Racing.

Form Guide www.gallop.co.za Class 3 –1600m

In what proved to be by far the quicker of the two 1600m events on the card, the pace set by the nibbled at outsider Burning Man, was a fair one early on. He was four lengths clear at one point but slowed considerably rounding the latter part of the home turn.

The rest were always tightly grouped and on reaching the 400m pole the race developed into a sprint. The third horse home Tirpitz recorded the fastest 400m to finish time in the race, but with the benefit of first run, it was the favourite DAWN TIL DUSK who landed the spoils.

Progressive Hat-trick

The Hollywoodbets Bright Future Class 4 over 1750m brought proceedings to a close and

here the Gauteng raider TOMMY SHELBY completed a smart hat-trick. Now a winner of three from six, Fabian Habib’s 3yo raced fourth and was always travelling well.

He was ridden to lead as they approached the 200m marker and only having to be shaken up in the closing stages, he went on to score much more easily than the official winning margin of three quarters of a length would suggest.

After a national log third place finish last term behind new champion Gavin Lerena and outgoing title holder Richard Fourie, thirty-year-old Craig Zackey has been voted by Sporting Post readers as the popular longterm choice for SA champion jockey as we enter the final week of the first month of the 2025/26 season.

Zackey, who rode his first ever winner, Commander Cat, for Tony Rivalland at Clairwood thirteen years ago last week, finished on 247 winners last season, well beaten by Lerena on 277 and Fourie on 259. That was despite being sidelined for two weeks of the final month due to a suspension.

Zackey received 25% of SP readers’ votes in a poll where we asked for your choice of the 2025/26 season champion.

A former SA Champion Apprentice, Craig rode the first of his career Gr1 winners while still

an apprentice when Arabian Beat won the SA Nursery for Dom Zaki in 2015.

He celebrated his maiden Hollywoodbets Durban July victory, courtesy of The Real Prince who scored a dramatic win in the 2025 renewal of Africa’s greatest race last month.

Outgoing champion Richard Fourie polled 23% of the vote, with newly crowned champ Gavin Lerena, current log-leader Muzi Yeni, and ‘AN Other’ mustering 10% each. Smanga Khumalo was next best on 9%.

With the Highveld Spring season around the corner, competition will start heating up!

large or small, helps to make the end result all the more meaningful.”

The ECHCU is further assisted by Tracy Schoeman, who runs the ‘ECHCU Auction Room’ on Facebook, where items as trivial as beer glasses are sold for as little as R10, but which adds up to help horses in need, somewhere, every year. “Tracy raised over R50,000 last year by selling literally anything on her auction page,” Dorrie said.

Occasionally, special items come along that can significantly boost auction yields. Not long ago, Dorrie was given the original shoes of Nureyev, the legendary sire of sires. “They came from the Von Schwarzkoppen family, who were active in South African racing many years ago. The shoes were still blockmounted and in good condition, and we first offered them to Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, where Nureyev was born. In the end, they were sold to Hollywoodbets, who made a more generous offer.”

Hollywoodbets will be one of the race sponsors on 6 September. The others are Top Bets, Mining Pressure Systems, Gary Mann Estates, Bryanston Auctioneers, Ridgemont Stud and Glistian Events. They’ve each put up between R20,000 and R30,000 and will receive naming rights to a race. Early donations include a consignment of boutique wine from Fred and Manuela Crabbia’s Blue Crane Vineyards.

“There are two races open, we hope that sponsors will come forward,” Dorrie noted.

Dorrie and Mark’s novel idea this year is the ‘Wall of Welfare’, for which two custommade fibreboard walls will carry the names of individuals who donated R2,000 each to buy a ‘brick’ in the wall. But unlike the futile,

metaphorical bricks in Pink Floyd’s 1970s hit song, these bricks will carry real meaning and identity.

Dorrie explained: “We decided on R2,000 per brick because we felt it was an affordable amount, and 60 bricks have been sold so far to owners, trainers, and jockeys. We approached about 95% of trainers in Gauteng, and every one donated without hesitation. We already have R120,000 in the pool from the bricks alone, and there’s potential to sell more. The money will go a long way, and each brick will carry the name of its donor.

“We’d like to see more jockeys involved. So far Gavin Lerena, Calvin Habib, Kabelo Matsunyane, Ryan Munger and Callan Murray have made donations. Callan will be adding R500 for every winner he rides on the day.”

Ten small items will be auctioned during the afternoon in the Aquanaut Room, where 11 tables — seating ten people each — have already been sold at R4,000 per table, with room for more.

“We don’t have anything in the Nureyev horseshoe league this time, but there will be some interesting items on offer, which we

hope will boost the final figures. Our overall aim for the day is to raise R250,000. Maybe we can get to R270,000.”

Theresa Hodgkinson, who has managed the HHCU for the past six years, welcomed the prospect of a mid-year fundraising boost.

She explained: “We have 30 to 40 horses in our care at any given time, along with 22 dedicated staff, plus maintenance, travel, and veterinary costs, to name just a few. As a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), we rely solely on donations to manage the unit and care for our equines as best we can.

“The HHCU has survived for 34 years and we’ve been able to provide our services thanks to a number of loyal patrons and sponsors. But the smaller donations from the public are essential for keeping the operation running smoothly and for dealing with the unexpected. We’ve responded to call-outs as far afield as Noupoort and Kuruman, and the quality of our response depends entirely on our cash flow. We have a commitment to never say ‘no’, but it’s never easy when financial constraints come into play.”

Established in 1991, the HHCU’s original focus was on rehoming retired racehorses. As demand grew, their role expanded. Today, as South Africa’s leading equine welfare organisation, their services include owner education, investigating cases of neglect and cruelty, and hospitalising horses and donkeys whose owners cannot afford treatment.

The rehoming programme is built on the HHCU’s unique ‘Adoption’ model. Horses are in effect leased to thoroughly vetted and approved owners for a once-off fee ranging from R4,500 to R8,500.

They remain the property of the HHCU, are routinely monitored for health, safety, and progress, and are returned when deemed necessary.

Click on the image below to read the full story

ACKNOWLEDGED BY ROA HAYNES

Chris Haynes was recognized at Turffontein last Saturday as one of the ROA’s newest Life Members

Chris hails from Kwa-Zulu Natal and his passion for horseracing was sparked by his grandfather and mother, who always had an interest and owned a few racehorses.

He is extremely proud to have had 6 Grade 1 winners as an owner, including wins with Kildonan, Fair Maiden, Thundering Star and Noah from Goah.

Throughout his career he had horses with Alistair Gordon and Mike De Kock. He currently has shares in Greaterix and Immediate Edge.

Chris started the Equine Group 30 years ago and they continue to service the industry from an administrative point of view. They provide Insurance as well as Trainer and Owner Administration under their Orange banner.

Congratulations Chris – a lifetime of passion, success and service to South African racing!

ON RACEDAY TCO2 TESTING UPDATES

Racing fans who wish to monitor TCO2 testing race-by-race can now do so online via the www.sahorseracing.co.za website.

Users can click on Public / SimDraw on the www.sahorseracing.co.za home page and then proceed to ‘card changes’ for the relevant racemeeting.

At Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville racemeeting, only two of the horses tested on the day underwent a second test. They were La Maddalena and Quinn’s Time in the seventh race. Both passed the second test.

Designed to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders, riders, and horses, the National Horseracing Authority introduced a specimen analysis procedure for TCO2 measurement on racedays in March 2024.

The TCO2 (total carbon dioxide) test is performed on the blood as a means of fighting the practice of administering alkalizing agents for the purpose of enhancing performance of horses.

TCO2 testing is standard practice at every race meeting and is reported on during the

course of the racemeeting and via the official Stipendiary Stewards.

Racing operators countrywide broadcast TC02 testing related information on racedays. The information is also now available online.

The NHA announced in September 2024 that the following new specimen collection procedures for TCO2 analysis would be implemented on race days, with effect from 1 October 2024:

• Trainers will, prior thereto, be notified of the horses selected for pre-race TCO2 testing and analysis.

• A blood specimen will be collected from each selected horse approximately 60 minutes prior to the published race time. Immediate analysis will be performed by means of an NHA approved handheld blood gas analyser ‘the first test’.

• Where such analysis shows that a horse has a TCO2 concentration of more than 36 mmol/L, a second blood specimen, ‘the second test’, will be collected, a minimum of 10 minutes after the first test.

• If the TCO2 concentration of the second blood specimen is more than 38 mmol/L, the Stipes shall withdraw the horse from the race and detain the horse for additional specimen collection.

• Under these circumstances, a third blood specimen will be collected a minimum of 30 minutes after the second test.

• The Stipes may, at their sole discretion, instruct a Specimen Collector to subsequently collect further specimens from the horse, for, inter alia, analytical testing of all prohibited substances.

• The Stipes will notify the race day commentator of any horse which is passed to run, which underwent a second test. This is also now being captured in real time on to the www.sahorseracing.co.za website.

SA STAR PREPS

FOR BREEDERS’ CUP MILE

Former Vaughan Marshall-trained Equus Champion One Stripe continues to show good work as he prepares to make his US debut for trainer Graham Motion.

The son of One World breezed five furlongs in 1,03,4 at his home base of the Fair Hill Training Centre in Maryland on Sunday.

Recently crowned Equus Champion Miler, One Stripe won six of nine starts in South Africa and earned more than R4,1 million.

After leaving South Africa en route to Graham Motion in the USA, the son of One World spent two months with Irishman Gavin Hernon, who is based in Chantilly, France. One Stripe was not quarantined in France and was kept in light work.

One Stripe departed France on Wednesday 9 July, and after a few days in precautionary quarantine, arrived in Maryland on Saturday 12 July.

Trainer Graham Motion told the Sporting Post in July that the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile on 1 November at Del Mar will be One Stripe’s main target, but that the hope was to get a prep race in prior to then.

One Stripe’s five graded victories included both the 2024 Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas and the 2025 Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

He became only the eleventh 3yo winner of the prestigious weight-for-age mile since its inception in 1861, and earned an automatic ‘win and you’re in’ ticket into the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile.

From the first crop of Gr1 Sun Met and Equus Champion One World, One Stripe is out of the stakes winning Silvano mare Silver Stripe.

IN JUDDMONTE OMBUDSMAN RULES

Ombudsman registered a second top-level success and avenged his Eclipse Stakes defeat as he decisively beat Delacroix in the Gr1 Juddmonte International, with Birr Castle running an extraordinary race to take third in the York showpiece on Wednesday, 20 August.

Supplemented into the race to ensure a strong pace, Birr Castle lived up to his duties as Rab Havlin sent the Andre Fabre-trained five-yearold into an early 10-length advantage. Danon Decile raced in second, with William Buick happy to track the Dubai Sheema Classic winner on Ombudsman in third.

Birr Castle streaked further clear and had around 20 lengths in hand over his five rivals at the top of the straight. The pack started to close approaching the final quarter-mile, with Night Of Thunder colt Ombudsman unleashing a potent turn of foot to reel in the leader just inside the final furlong.

Ombudsman powered clear to become only the third horse to win the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and Juddmonte International in the same year. Eclipse victor Delacroix made late gains to snatch second from Birr Castle inside the final half-furlong, finishing three and a half lengths adrift of the impressive John & ThadyGosden trained winner.

John Gosden said: “I realised when the Japanese jockey took back, I thought ‘uh oh’, and then at the two-furlong pole, I thought it looked dangerous. Luckily, when they started properly racing, Ombudsman showed that brilliant turn of foot, and William said he went from second gear straight to fifth. He went into overdrive and won well, clearly from Delacroix, so that settles the Eclipse story, which was a muddling affair.

“The pacemaker is a proper Black Type horse from France with a turn of foot. He was cruising along and then kicked, taking another five lengths out of the field. All is well that ends well, but I can tell you that it was a nervous time.

“The obvious races for Ombudsman are the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and the Champion Stakes at Ascot. He is entered in the Arc, but I would not want to run him in deep ground. He has that wonderful acceleration, which is hard to show in heavy ground. The mile and a half at Del Mar could be a possibility. We will see how he is when we get him home and go from there.

“We always thought Ombudsman was top class, but he had an injury at two and then we brought him along gently as a three-year-old. He is a very smart horse, although there is no doubt that when the ground is slow, he does not like it. He could be the dominant horse over this distance, provided the ground is not soft or heavy.”

William Buick said: “The idea was to run a pacemaker and how he would be used on the day would be decided by the shape of the race, as it always is. We have had a couple of races this season where we wished we had one, especially in the Eclipse. We had a plan in our head about how the race would work, and I think Rab [Havlin] got the tactics spot on. He built up a lead that was worrying as Birr Castle is a proper Stakes horse and giving a lead like that on a flat track like York is always a danger. I thought it was a bit dangerous and I was hoping Danon Decile would cut the deficit. He is proven over further, and I thought he would be ridden closer to the pace.

“Ombudsman produced a good performance because I had to cut the deficit myself, and then he went again, which is a hard thing to do. He was very smooth and, in a rhythm, but had to chase the race himself. To still have that finish in him at the end was amazing. He is a beautiful horse to ride, with stacks of quality. We could not believe he got beaten in the Eclipse, but it was such a hard race to assess in any shape or form. Today he put it right and showed how good he is.”

GROWING IN VIRTUE A FAMILY

Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) made a big impression when he won the Gr1 Juddmonte International on the opening day of the 2025 Sky Bet Ebor Festival last week.

He is, however, not the first member of his family to win the Juddmonte International, with his relative Twice Over (Observatory) successful in the 2011 renewal.

Ombudsman is one of a growing number of high-class performers descended in female line from Lost Virtue.

While she was an unraced daughter of obscure stallion Cloudy Dawn, Lost Virtue was produced by Aunt Tilt, a stakes placed half-sister to outstanding racehorse and important sire Damascus (Sword Dancer).

Lost Virtue produced four stakes winners, led by Gr1 Prix Du Moulin winner and Gr1 Oaks runner-up, All At Sea (Riverman). The latter is the fourth dam of this year’s Gr1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes/Gr1 Juddmonte International winner Ombudsman, and also the ancestress of Gr1 winners Antonoe (Just A Game Stakes) and Mutual Trust (Prix Jean Prat).

Antonoe is the dam of this year’s Gr3 WinStar Matchmaker Stakes winner and 2024 Gr1 Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes runner-up, Segesta (Ghostzapper).

Former KZN sire Stronghold, whose progeny included dual Hong Kong Gr3 winner Horse Of Fortune, was produced by All At Sea’s stakes winning daughter Insinuate.

Lost Virtue’s broodmare daughters have created an impressive dynasty, producing high-class

performers over many years. Her Listed James Seymour Stakes winning daughter Quandary (Blushing Groom) produced the Lingfield Oaks winning dam of champion, and four time Gr1 winner, Twice Over.

Twice Over, whose progeny include Gr1 winners Do It Again, Double Superlative, See It Again and Sand And Sea, is out of a half-sister to a pair of outstanding producers in the form of Clepsydra (Sadler’s Wells) and Sacred Shield (Beat Hollow), respectively.

Clepsydra was responsible for four stakes winners, notably Gr1 winners Timepiece (Zamindar) and Passage Of Time (Dansili), and the latter is the dam of this year’s Gr1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year (Kingman), as well as the group winners Time Test and Tempus.

Clepsydra’s half-sister Sacred Shield is the dam of three stakes winners, led by Gr1 Matriarch Stakes winner Viadera (Bated Breath).

Viadera is one of a number of US Gr1 winners descended in female line from Lost Virtue. The latter’s daughter Full Virtue (Full Out) is the third dam of Gr1 Ballerina Stakes winner Hilda’s Passion (herself the dam of dual Gr1 winner and sire Yoshida), while Full Virtue’s half-sister Quack A Doodledoo (Quack) is the granddam of US champion, and five time Gr1 winner Banshee Breeze (Unbridled). This year’s exciting two-year-old Ewing, winner of his first two starts, including the Gr2 Saratoga

Special Stakes, is another high-class descendant of Quack A Doodledoo. While Ombudsman owes plenty to his illustrious family, it is worth mentioning that his sire Night Of Thunder (Dubawi) goes from strength to strength.

Ombudsman is one of four Gr1 winners this year for his sire, with Night Of Thunder’s top level winners including Betfred 1000 Guineas winner Desert Flower.

A

Sky

Bet, the headline sponsors of last week’s York’s Ebor festival, have reported trade over the four days was encouraging compared against the summer’s other major Flat meetings.

It comes at a time when tensions between bookmakers and racing are high, with the two taking different approaches to the threat posed by a possible harmonisation of online betting tax.

The Racing Post reports that Bookmaker warnings over declining interest in racing as a betting product have been a cause for concern.

But with Sky Bet putting so much effort into one of the summer’s premier meetings, and one at which 12 of the races carried their sponsorship, including their first Group 1 on the Flat thanks to the upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes, the firm reported a rise in betting interest.

Sky Bet spokesperson Michael Shinners said: “Turnover was encouraging, particularly in comparison to Goodwood and Ascot. I think that probably comes from our generosity.

“We did something called ‘winner winner’, for one race for the first two days, when we paid out on the first and the second as winners. That obviously kind of encouraged people to have a bet in those races.

“Because we were the headline sponsor, we did extra places for the Ebor, where we paid

seven places. We were very happy with how it went.”

Sky Bet were also complimentary about the contribution from the racecourse.

Shinners said: “York had a few new initiatives. They had LED boards both before, on the line and after the winning post, sort of akin to a football match, which was pretty cool because you can actually be a bit more creative and put different things up.

“It was also the first time Sky Bet have ever sponsored a Group 1. For the Queen to present the trophy with our CEO of the UK and Ireland, Kevin Harrington, was amazing for us. William Derby [York chief executive and clerk of the course] and his team are incredibly good, and it makes it so much easier for us.”

Coral were also positive about the week. Spokesperson David Stevens said: “The Ebor meeting provided a mix of high-quality Group racing and competitive big field handicaps across the four days, and we got off to an excellent start with largely bookmaker-positive results on day one.

“Punters definitely had the better of day two, with five favourites or joint favourites obliging, while Friday and Saturday saw the spoils shared, although Ethical Diamond’s Ebor win was a popular result for plenty of backers on the final day.

“Overall we’ve no complaints with how things went from our perspective, although we could have done with a few less close finishes, as our pipped at the post offer, when a horse is paid as a winner if beaten by a head or less, came in on nine occasions, meaning it was an exciting week on the Knavesmire.”

www.racingpost.com

SHINES BRIGHT AT DEAUVILLE THE SUN

The 151st running of the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday provided a thrilling finish as the sole filly Venetian Sun got the better of Coventry Stakes hero Gstaad in a showdown of Royal Ascot juvenile winners.

The six-furlong highlight has been won by some greats of the past including Zafonic and Fasliyev in the 90’s and more recently by No Nay Never and star American filly Lady Aurelia.

Last season Ballydoyle were successful with Whistlejacket, and they went in with high hopes of a repeat with their classy colt Gstaad.

The son of Starspangledbanner was prominent from the jump following a free running Outfielder with Coppull showing a lot of pace towards his inside.

Settled just in behind the front rank was the Karl Burke trained filly Venetian Sun, with the Godolphin colt Wise Approach bring up the rear under William Buick. Jockey Clifford Lee made his challenge aboard Venetian Sun a furlong and a half out with Wise Approach finding a good finish on her inside.

Venetian Sun ran on under pressure as Gstaad re-rallied under Moore, but Gstaad was unable to bridge the gap and finished a head back in second with Wise Approach a further half-length back in third. Her victory provided jockey Clifford Lee with a first Group 1 success.

Karl Burke has trained some brilliant fillies in the last decade including Laurens, and Fallen Angel, but after four unbeaten runs, Venetian Sun is well on the way to becoming the most talented of the lot.

Burke noted post-race: “She’s always shown a lot of ability at home, right from the early days. I’ve never had a filly with such a good temperament, so relaxed.”

“It went exactly as we thought; just put her to sleep and don’t hit the front too soon,” said Burke. “Cliff said he still hit the front a little bit too soon and she doesn’t do a stroke in front. But he was worried William [Buick, on thirdplaced Wise Approach] was going to come upsides and cut him off and he had to go with him.”

Bookmakers cut her odds to 9/4 for next month’s Moyglare Stud Stakes, a step up

to seven furlongs which will tell Burke more about her Guineas claims.

Gstaad went down fighting on his first start since the Coventry and also looks ready for a step up in trip at the Irish Champions Festival.

“He ran a great race, we’re delighted,” said Aidan O’Brien. “It’s a long time since he ran but we’re over the moon.”

“We had it in our head that he could go back to the National Stakes, that’s where he could go next. He’d have no problem with seven.”

Wise Approach looked a big danger a furlong out and was probably outstayed in third.

“On paper that looks like the best two-yearold race of the year so far and I’m very happy with our horse,” said Charlie Appleby. “We could look at the Middle Park or maybe wait for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint as he wants quick ground.”

KEEPS PERFECT RECORD INTACT AUTUMN GLOW

Spring preparations for some of Australia’s most exciting horses kicked off at Randwick on Saturday and none were as hyped – or impressive – than undefeated star Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun).

The 4YO mare made it five wins from five starts with a typically breathtaking performance in taking out the Gr3 Toy Show Quality at headquarters.

Trained by Chris Waller, Autumn Glow is one of the most exhilarating horses in training and while the Gr2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill in three weeks is a likely next target, races like the Gr1 A$20m The Everest, Gr1 Epsom

Hcp and Gr1 A$10m Golden Eagle are all viable options for the freakish talent.

Bred by Newhaven Park, Autumn Glow is an Easter Yearling Sale top lot, purchased by Arrowfield and Hermitage for $1.8m from the Silverdale Farm draft in 2023.

She led in a trifecta of Inglis graduates today when defeating Gangsta Granny and Hi Dubai.

“She’s just a beautiful specimen,’’ Waller said.

“She’s still a lightly raced horse and over the 1100m she was in a bit of trouble from the

500m to the 300m but as you saw, when she came back to the inside and saw some fresh air, it was good to see her finish off like that.

“My gut tells me 1600m will be perfect for her, she’s a laid-back mare so I want to let her find her way.’’

The mighty mares of the Waller stable were out in force on the day, with Via Sistina fending off stablemate Aeliana to claim a 10th Group 1 victory, and Lazzura delivered a stable Group treble when taking home the Gr3 Show County Quality.

Earlier on the Randwick program untapped filly Savvy Hallie (Hellbent) progressed from a maiden victory to being a Gr2 winner in the space of nine days when successful in the Silver Shadow Stakes.

The Brad Widdup-trained 3YO was having just her sixth career start and remains unbeaten at three from two runs, defeating Within The Law today in an Inglis graduates quinella.

Savvy Hallie is a A$320,000 Classic Yearling Sale purchase for B K Racing And Breeding’s Ben Vassallo, from the Riverstone Lodge draft and races for Vassallo and Brad Hunt.

“We knew the pedigree well having raced a close relative (Maddi Rocks) with good success and she was a stand-out physically at Classic for us,’’ Vassallo said.

“She was just a lovely type at the sale, looking forward enough to run as a 2YO but similarly looking like she would improve as she got older.

“Honestly, I was very confident today, as I felt her form was better than anything else in the race. “There are a lot of options, but we’ll just take

our time with her and hopefully she’ll be a good race filly for Mr Hunt for a number of seasons.

“He puts a lot in and it’s fantastic to see him have a really nice horse like this and hopefully she will give us a lot of fun for the next few seasons.’’

Trainer Widdup added: “She’s just brilliant, isn’t she?”

“It’s great when they handle a track like this. It’s very exciting. To see her do that, Brad [Hunt] really deserves a filly like this.’’

The Gr2 Silver Shadow was the first leg of the Princess Series and Savvy Hallie will continue on to the next race in the series, the Gr2 Furious Stakes at Randwick in a fortnight.

Well-known owner, breeder and journalist, Robin Bruss stated, “The most important part of this story for South Africans is that the unbeaten filly AUTUMN GLOW is out of South African bred and raced mare VIA AFRICA (VarBump n Grind) Champion Sprinter of South Africa 2013, whose 10 wins included the Cape Flying Championship Gr.1 and SA Fillies Sprint Gr.1 twice.

Sold to Australia for stud, she has so far produced 4 foals, 3 to race, all of them good winners. Her first was Pleasant Endeavour (c.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.Snitzel) who won the Gr.1 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) he didnt race.

Then came exceptionally good-looking Autumn Glow, who topped the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale at A$1,8 million (R20,2 million) and is unbeaten in her first 5 starts (4 Stakes races) and progressing to Gr.1 company, so far she has earned A$668,000 (R7,5 million). Via Africa has become one of the most important broodmares in Australia.”

LOVE

AT SHA TIN STARS STRETCH

Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising breezed effortlessly through his first official barrier trial on Sha Tin’s dirt course last Friday morning ahead of a return to racing on Sunday 7 September followed by his historic bid to scale the world’s richest turf race in Australia.

Aiming to win a second straight HK$3.72

million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at the 2025/26 season’s curtain-raiser next month, Ka Ying Rising couldn’t have been more impressive as he sauntered across the finishing line by 14 and

a quarter lengths in a time of 59.26s (1050m) under trusted ally Zac Purton for dual Hong Kong Champion Trainer (1997/98 & 1998/99) David Hayes.

Purton said: “You’d like to think he’s going to do it easily against those horses. It’s good to have him back out there going through his routine. He was on the wrong leg on the corner, it’s a bit frustrating how he does that, but apart from that it was all good.

“He can get on the wrong leg and then in the straight he doesn’t change legs. The problem

is it’s always been very easy for him in the mornings. When he gallops, he won’t change his legs because he’s just floating along and then on race day, he has got into a habit of doing the same thing.”

A winner of his last 12 consecutive races, Ka Ying Rising dominated across an invincible eight-race 2024/25 campaign, headlined by two course records at Sha Tin over 1200m and four elite level successes: 2024 Gr1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), 2025 Gr1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), 2025 Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and 2025 Gr1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m).

“He’s not fit, so he’s not going to feel at his best at the moment. He needed the trial and he’s going to improve from it. He was feeling it, which is good. Now he’s got to improve. We just wanted to see him come back nice and he’s done that. So that’s a first step. It’s a long way to go,” Purton said.

Five-year-old Ka Ying Rising, rated 134 locally with HK$65.97 million banked, spent the off-season recharging at Conghua before returning to Sha Tin last week for Friday’s barrier trial as preparations ramp up towards his first race outside of Hong Kong on 18 October in Sydney, Australia: AU$20 million (approx. HK$100.34 million) Gr1 The Everest.

Ka Ying Rising will trial once more at Sha Tin on Saturday, 30 August. Group 1 winners Private Harry, Briasa and Jimmysstar also have slots in the lucrative showdown Down Under at Royal Randwick. Ka Ying Rising is expected to trial in Sydney before the race.

Lucky Sweynesse also tuned up on Friday morning before his HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup tilt at Sha Tin, clocking a hard-fought 1m

09.29s over 1200m on the dirt – again with a set of blinkers applied – under rider Derek Leung for trainer Manfred Man.

Leung said: “His action is good, and everything is fine. This is first time back trialling, so he’s a bit heavy and a bit fat. His fitness should be better after this trial. I could feel his action was fine, but he just needed a blow. It’s normal for every horse coming back.”

Lucky Sweynesse is entered for 28 September’s Gr1 Sprinters Stakes in Japan, a race won by Hong Kong-trained runners Silent Witness (2005) and Ultra Fantasy (2010).

“We still need to see how he runs on the first day. Everything is fine right now,” Leung said.

Chancheng Glory and Self Improvement are preparing to race in South Korea on 7 September. Both horses trialled Friday with Jerry Chau, who is booked to partner the pair at Seoul – a racecourse characterised by its deep sand surface with ample kickback.

Self Improvement finished first in the second trial, clocking 1m 09.34s (1200m), while the American-bred Chancheng Glory was eighth in 1m 11.01s behind Lucky Sweynesse.

Francis Lui’s Chancheng Glory takes aim at the KRW1.6 billion (approx. HK$9.4 million) Gr3 Korea Cup (1800m, sand), while Manfred Man’s Self Improvement rises for the KRW1.4 billion (approx. HK$8.23 million) Gr3 Korea Sprint (1200m, sand).

Lui said: “It’s early in the season and after the break, so he (Chancheng Glory) needs to improve. Everything is confirmed and he will depart on the 28th (of August). It’s my owner’s

decision and there’s no harm in trying.”

Both races at Seoul offer automatic and free entry for their winners into the 2025 Breeders’ Cup (31 October-1 November) at Del Mar in California, the United States of America.

Japan’s Dura Erede, Ramjet and Diktaean have been selected for the Korea Cup alongside Chancheng Glory. Japan could

also field Tagano Beauty, Sunrise Hawk and Chikappa in the Korea Sprint, each of whom are chosen along with Self Improvement.

The United States of America’s Post Time (Korea Cup) and Bentornato (Korea Sprint) have also been selected to run at Seoul’s Group 3 double-header.

IS BIG IN JAPAN! GERMAN RIDER

Hong Kong-based jockeys Alexis Badel and Karis Teetan endured a testing conclusion to the 2025 World All-Star Jockeys at Sapporo Racecourse on Sunday, finishing 12 th and 13 th respectively in the individual standings.

Yet there was cheer for Team World All-Stars, who claimed a long-awaited victory in the

team contest, ending Team JRA’s eight-year dominance with a decisive 246-202 success.

Brazilian ace Francisco Leandro, the longtime leading jockey in Argentina, lined up alongside some big including Alexis Badel (Hong Kong), Thore Hammer-Hansen (Germany), Karis Teetan (Hong Kong), Cristian Torres (United States), Craig

Williams (Australia), and French-based rider Christophe Clement, as well as local stars

Yutaka Take, Ryusei Sakai, Yuichi Kitamura, Masashige Honda, Keita Tosaki, Norihiro Yokoyama, and Takeshi Yokoyama.

The third leg of the series, a 1700m dirt contest, offered Badel a chance aboard the well-supported Okotampe. The Frenchman settled his mount prominently and looked poised to challenge turning for home, but the four-year-old proved one-paced in the straight and faded to fifth. “I thought he wasn’t able to perform to his best,” a frustrated Badel said.

The race belonged to Germany-based Thore Hammer Hansen, who produced another assured ride to steer favourite Bergun to a commanding three-length win – his second victory of the competition. The victory assured the 25-year-old of the individual title before the flag even dropped on Leg 4.

For Teetan, ninth place on Red Senor put paid to any realistic hopes of climbing the leaderboard heading into the finale. “He broke sharply and we were able to race behind the winner,” Teetan said. “But he didn’t respond at the critical moment.”

In the fourth and final leg, Race 12 over 1800m on turf, 2007 champion Craig Williams struck with a perfectly-timed late run aboard the well-fancied Pink Jin.

Producing his mount down the outside, Williams collared the leader inside the final strides to prevail by a neck. Teetan, aboard the well-backed Meiner Ocean, was left in traffic and could finish only ninth, while Badel’s mount Grand Gold never threatened, trailing in 12 th .

Those results sealed a frustrating outcome for Hong Kong’s representatives, with Badel

closing the series in 12 th and Teetan one place further back in 13 th of the 14 riders who contested the international showcase.

Despite their struggles, the broader World AllStars squad delivered consistency throughout the two days to secure a first win since the team competition began in 2015, turning the tables on their Japanese rivals.

Hammer Hansen’s pair of victories propelled him to the individual crown with 73 points, confirming his breakthrough on the world stage. Williams’ decisive final-leg triumph elevated him to second overall on 66 points, while Japan’s Ryusei Sakai (40) maintained steady form across the four races to claim third.

“I’m overwhelmed by the Japanese fans,” Hammer Hansen said.

“It’s a great honour to take part in this competition with some of the world’s great jockeys. It was obviously very nice to know that I won the challenge after the third leg. When you’ve got good horses underneath you, it gives you a much better chance of winning the race. I love Japan and I really look forward to coming back here again.”

For Badel, Saturday’s earlier double on Strawberry Tree and Storm Thunder offered some consolation and underlined his growing reputation in Japan, while Teetan left Sapporo seeking smoother passages after luckless runs in traffic.

Both will now return to Hong Kong in preparation for the domestic season opener at Sha Tin on Sunday, 7 September.

The well-known and well-loved veteran horse conditioner Heather Simpson passed away recently at her home in Plattekloof. She was 77 years

training facility and shot in the chest and left for dead, as the three scoundrels escaped into a nearby squatter camp and disappeared. The incident left her paralyzed from the waist down, and Simpson spent the last 24 years of her life in a wheelchair.

Her passion for horses continued right up to the end, and she was occasionally still seen at Cape race meetings up until a few years ago.

Among her list of winning horses was a Graded-winning filly named Ziggy Stardust who she co-owned with Robert Bloomberg, who confirmed it was one of his first-ever horses owned. The filly won the Final Fling Stakes at Kenilworth Racecourse in 2000.

old.

A legend with the old and august Cape Hunt & Polo Club in the 70’s and 80’s as a top rider, trainer and owner, she was famous for her association with the legendary horse Sandy, a 17-time winner in the Cape Hunt ranks at Durbanville Racecourse.

As many as 20 or more race meetings a year were hosted at the old Durbanville course and Ms Simpson cut her teeth there among a string of top amateurs who all went on to become professional racing personalities in their own right.

Among this coterie were names like Ralph Rixon, Terrence Millard, Andries and Piet Steyn, Geoff and Carol Woodruff, Greg Ennion, Mike Bass, Greg Dabbs, Chris Snaith, Bill Prestage and several more.

As a fully-fledged racehorse trainer, Simpson had her stables at the old Phillippi training centre and in 2001, at the age of 52, she was confronted by three men outside her

The racing fraternity wishes to send condolences to the Simpson family for their loss.

MHDSRIP.

Ed – thanks to Tony Ridgway for this wonderful tribute to a special horsewoman.

AT A GLANCE THE WEEK

The Sporting Post presents this 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.

Please click on the image below:

Mr

584,844 307,563 480,938

976,125 868,063 929,219 825,906 708,938 1,480,421 1,331,190 1,260,856 1,030,299 1,123,874 J O CK E YS

1,451,970 928,584 704,384 547,016 513,048