Picture: Rachel Venniker, who has ridden 68 winners in her first full season of race riding (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Weight Change Rule Draws Vehement Reaction

Rachel Venniker Reserves Comment For The Time Being

Nadine Low Ah Kee (nee Rapson) Condemns It

The new weight change rule that will allow female jockeys to receive 1,5kg for the entirety of their careers has proved to be generally unpopular according to the comments section in the Sporting Post.

The general thread of opinion among the comments which poured in included bewilderment at the timing of the decision.

Rachel Venniker is about to be crowned champion apprentice.

Her 68 winners in her first year of race-riding have come at a strike rate of 12.57%.

She is 13 winners clear of her nearest rival and has done all of this on a level playing field.

There are plenty of overseas examples to draw from too.

Hollie Doyle, Rachel Blackmore and Hayley Turner need no introduction.

In the past American Julie Krone rode over 3,700 winners, including the Triple Crown event, the Belmont Stakes.

Chantal Sutherland, Emma-Jayne Wilson and Francine Villeneuve have all ridden over 1000 winners in North America.

The thread of opinion among the Sporting Post comments generally does not seek to condemn women for having an unfair advantage.

Rather it condemns the decision as patriarchal and sexist in implying woman are inferior to men in race-riding.

If Venniker were to win the national championship, for example, the achievement would be lessened by the weight rule.

Women have proved to be the equal of men in most equine sport disciplines over the years.

South African equine athlete legend Gonda Betrix provides a fine example.

Hollie Doyle, Rachel Blackmore and Rachel Venniker have recently proved that this equality in potential performance extends to race-riding too.

There was the odd comment in the Sporting Post that supported the decision, saying it would attract more female riders to the sport.

However, Venniker herself said this morning she was going to “reserve comment” until she knew exactly how the rule would be implemented.

Her guv’nor Michael Roberts said he did not want to get involved in a debate about the rights and the wrongs of the decision, which he pointed out had followed the example of France, where a similar weight rule has seen female-ridden winners apparently increasing threefold and thus attracting more female riders to the sport.

Roberts had nothing but praise for Venniker’s riding skills and ability to learn so quickly and carry out tactics seamlessly.

He pointed out what a huge positive she had been for his owners.

He concluded by saying his job was to win races for his owners.

Doing that included sometimes putting on weight-claiming apprentices, so if another such weight-claiming advantage arose he would take it with both arms.

Venniker would have become the first ever female to ride in the Hollywoodbets Durban July this year had a late injury not forced her on to the sidelines.

Her entrance into the sport was not met by great fanfare as South African racing has had few examples of female riders lasting long after attaining their fully-fledged jockeys licenses.

The trio who bucked that trend were Genevieve Michel, who was the first female allowed into the Academy and the first female to ride in the Met, Lisa Prestwood, who is the only female to ride a Grade 1 winner in SA, and Nadine Low Ah Kee (nee Rapson), who rode regular winners in the Eastern Cape.

Venniker was soon proving the detractors wrong, but her meteoric rise was accompanied by the usual sideline comments of “wait until she loses her claim.”

However, losing her claim has not stopped her and she has already ridden three doubles since losing that claim.

The irony is that the initial detractors are probably now among those who are condemning the new weight ruling.

However, whilst Venniker has probably wisely reserved comment on a decision that took everybody by surprise and did not appear to include much consultation, Nadine Low Ah Kee was very outspoken.

Nadine Low Ah Kee, respected jockey and TV presenter (Sporting Post).

Nadine said, “It is an absolute insult to everything Rachel has achieved and undermines everything she has done for the sport.”

She added, “What triggered the decision and how it was passed is very worrying.”

Nadine admitted she had never been as good as Rachel, but pointed out every female jockey wanted to be seen as equal.

She believed sexism among the jockey ranks was a thing of the past and that all males accepted their female colleagues as equals.

One of the aspects of the debate she stressed had in her opinion always been nonsensical was the emphasis on physicality.

She said, “Race-riding can never be brought down to brute strength. It is about finesse and timing, being at one with your horse, reading a race, pace judgement and having a feel for what is underneath you. Too much is made of physicality. In fact I was known as a rider who was given the quirkiest horses to work with. How could that have been if it is all about strength?”

Picture: Longines List the Breeders Cup Classic as the world’s second highest rated race and the picture shows Mike Smith (nearest) on Drosselmeyer beating his ex-girlfriend Chantal Sutherland on Game On Dude in the finish to the 2011 renewal (Breeders’ Cup/Gary Bogdon 2011)

Alterations In The Weights – NHA Explains The Rationale

NHA Press Release 18 July:

With effect from 1 August 2022, Rule 54.14 is amended as follows: 54.2 ALTERATIONS IN THE WEIGHTS 54.14 OWNERS or TRAINERS may claim and are responsible for the claiming of an APPRENTICE and female sex allowance in any RACE, except any RACE specified to preclude APPRENTICE and female sex allowances, for the RACE MEETING concerned. The APPRENTICE allowance shall be 4Kg until the end of the RACE MEETING in which the APPRENTICE has ridden his 20th winner; thereafter the allowance shall be 2.5Kg until the end of the RACE MEETING in which the APPRENTICE has ridden his 40th winner and thereafter 1.5Kg until the end of the RACE MEETING in which the APPRENTICE rides his 50^th winner. In the case of a female APPRENTICE, the allowance shall be 4Kg until the end of the RACE MEETING in which the APPRENTICE has ridden her 20th winner; thereafter the allowance shall be 3Kg until the end of the RACE MEETING in which the APPRENTICE has ridden her 40th winner and thereafter 2Kg until the end of the RACE MEETING in which the APPRENTICE rides her 50^th winner. Thereafter there shall be a permanent female sex allowance of 1.5Kg for the remainder of her riding career.The first viewpoints to the fact that in all elite sports, female athletes are at a physical disadvantage.While recognising that physical strength is not the be all and end all in racing and that the ability of the horse, technical expertise and race management are all major factors, the difference between winning and losing often rests on fine margins and the physical element cannot be ignored. To discuss strength then we should acknowledge that pound-for-pound muscle in men and women has almost the same strength.The crucial variable is the quantity of muscle on the frame of both sexes – not the quality of that muscle. Testosterone is the hormone crucial to building muscle on the bodies of both sexes.Men typically produce 10 times more testosterone than women, hence building more muscle on their bodies.However, in a career that often forces men to keep their weight artificially low the strength levels between a very lightweight man versus a physically fit woman with good nutrition could be much more similar than you might typically find in other sports.

Research has shown that males have ten times more testosterone than females and demonstrate a 10 -12% performance gap between elite men vs elite women.

However, this performance gap is based on maximum power output in non-weight category athletes where both muscle mass and fat mass are not managed within small margins.

When looking at the pound to pound of muscle between elite males and females in endurance sports where muscles are small and lean and body fat is low, performance gaps in strength between genders become smaller.

However, differences in VO2max (maximal oxygen consumption) still exist between male and female athletes at endurance levels.

The core issue is the lack of opportunities for female jockeys.

There are two schools of thought as to why this is the case.

The counter argument is that female riders have proved to be the equal of men when given the chance but have been denied equality of opportunity in terms of numbers and quality of rides by an anti-female bias that has prevented female jockeys from progressing up the ranks.

In recent years, there has been much progress in the understanding of what makes a good jockey.

There has been a move away from the view that it’s purely about strength, and a more realistic view that multiple skills of balance, agility and the ability to read a race – otherwise known as good horsemanship or horsewomanship.

We believe men and women have these skills in equal measure.

Giving women jockeys a 1.5Kg allowance could prove to be a great opportunity if it means owners and trainers put more females on their horses in races.

This is because they will gain important ‘match practice’, which every jockey needs to develop their race riding skills.

However, this could equally be a regressive step if it entrenches the view that women are not as good as male jockeys.

In France, taken at face value, the headline figures suggest, that in terms of meeting the objective of providing more opportunities for female riders, the allowance has been a resounding success.

A year after the allowance was introduced, the number of rides offered to female jockeys in France increased from about 6% to 16% and the winning strike rate from under 5% to just over 9%

This compares to an overall winning strike rate for male jockeys of 9.78%.

In light of these statistics, there would appear to be little doubt that France Galop has been proved right in introducing the allowance.

Whilst acknowledging that the overall numbers of female rides has increased, there is still a discrepancy in the quality of rides being offered.

It is pointed out that opportunities still remain limited for female riders in the better-quality races in France and the weight allowance has not had the same impact on providing equal opportunity as it has at the lower levels of racing.

Looking at the South African context and the transformation in terms of female riders, the picture is extremely bleak. Much of this issue is being laid squarely at the doors of the South African Jockey Academy.

When one considers the topic of transformation in the South African context, we just need to look at the jockey log and see the number of jockeys from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who rank it the top numbers of achieving jockeys.

If one looks at the number of female jockeys that the Academy has attempted to train, we do not believe that the statement above is altogether correct and perhaps there are other questions that need to be discussed as to why the same success in transformation, that has been achieved at previously disadvantaged groups, the same transformation success has not been achieved within the female jockeys. Opportunities?!

Since 1988 there have been 41 female apprentices who have been accepted into the Academy, of which 12 have qualified. The average lifespan of female jockeys is 8 years with a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 14 years. The average lifespan of male jockeys is in excess of 30 years.

Based on the above, and in order to ensure transformation of the jockeys ranks, the 1.5Kg will hopefully have the desired effect of growing the female participation in our jockeys ranks in South African and thereby creating sustainability of their participation.

This amendment has followed due process, which includes ample consultation, and it must be reiterated that in terms of the Constitution and the Rules of the NHA the National Board has the ultimate authority to sign, approve and promulgate any rules amendments.

This is part of a 5-year plan of a whole range of transformational initiatives to attract, promote and retain female jockeys, amongst other strategies.

Picture: British sensation Hollie Doyle rode 172 winners in Britain last year, the third most behind flat champion jockey Oisin Murphy and her now husband Tom Marquand. In 2020 she was crowned the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year, while she also took third place – behind Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton and Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson – in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. That was after finishing fourth in the British Flat Jockeys Championship, which only includes the turf season results between March and November. She became the first female to ride a European Classic winner last month when winning the French Oaks at Chantilly. Ironically, France is one of the countries that gives female riders a weight allowance, although the allowance is not allowed in Group races. Doyle currently lies second in the British Flat Jockeys Championship with 50 winners, three clear of her husband, although she is 29 behind the runaway leader William Buick.

Voice Of Reason Suggests Rescission

Are The Race Programmers Allowed To Exclude The Allowance Is Another Important Question Which Has Arisen?

The Equus Awards Committee have recognised the importance of the popular vote and this season the public will have 33% of the say in the awards’ outcome.

Likewise, one of SA Racing’s voices of reason, Jay August, has called for a rescission in the alterations to the weight rule for a number of reasons.

He said, “It is sad that Rachel has become the object of this discussion. She is a young person on the initial path of a successful career and should not be co-opted as the poster-person when determining what the best course of action is. The issue affects all females who will come after her and the jockeys, both male and female, who will compete against her in the future.

It is therefore not simply a decision on what is best for Rachel, and one hopes that this was not a primary consideration in the decision.

Rachel’s popularity was obtained not through an unfair advantage but through fair competition against other males and against unfavourable odds.

That attests adequately to her personal and mental strength, and to her ability as a jockey.

The NHA owes the industry and the public a full explanation on why this decision was reached, what data and input were consulted, and what process was followed in reaching the conclusion.

Whether that would suffice to explain what appears a hasty and possibly insensitive decision is debatable.

The NHA board should immediately rescind this decision, request wider input from the industry, consider divergent opinion, and release a considered and reasoned view on the matter at a to-be-decided future date.

The NHA board has enough legal eagles who I would hope would work pro bono as their contribution to a logical and rational debate, and conclusion.”

August went on to question whether racing programmers will be allowed to exclude the allowance if they deem that the correct course of action.

He said from an initial reading of the rule on its own he believed the latter would be at liberty to do so, but admitted he would have to read the wider rules before ascertaining whether they are precluded from doing so.

Picture: Tuscan Winter wins easily on Saturday at Turffontein Insidse over 1200m.

Interesting Results At Turffontein On Saturday

The Turffontein Inside meeting on Saturday heralded a few talking points.

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Tuscan Winter (What A Winter) is one of those rare horses who is able to come from the clouds to win races and these types are a joy to watch even if they often need things to go there way. He came from a seemingly hopelessly tailed off position to win going away by 1,50 lengths over 1160m in March at Turffontein Standside, beating Homely Girl (Querari), who went on to win the Grade 2 Tibouchina. Tuscan Winter then ran in a race won by a runaway leader and that did not suit him. Gavin Lerena, who is in fine form, was aware that a five horse field over 1200m was unlikely to suit him on Saturday either, so had him in fourth position travelling at a comfortable gallop. From there he was able to produce his devastating finish. He won by an easy 2,80 lengths. It was a Graduation Plate in which he was second best in at the weights and he remains on an 86 merit rating.

The first race saw an easy win for two-year-old Ashley Fortune-trained Total Protection (Ideal World) in a Maiden over 1600m under Ryan Munger. The win franked the form of the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes entries Billy Bowlegs (The United States) and Eyjafjallajokull (Erupt), whom he split in a three-way finish last time out.

Mike and Adam Azzie then won a 1600m maiden with two-year-old Tabby Kat under S’Manga Khumalo to give Canford Cliffs his 14th two-year-old winner of the season.

The next race over 2600m featured two Marshalls World Of Sport Gold Cup entries, Flying First Class (Silvano) and Lamborghreeni (Gimmethegreenlight), although they are both rated in the 70s and will likely need the latter field to cut up a bit to make it in. Lamborghreeni, who was an expensive purchase, was going for four staying race wins in succession but the David Nieuwenhuizen-trained Flying First Class was weighted to reverse for with him on their last meeting in this Middle Stakes event and duly did so. She swept past the front-running type and went on to beat him by 1,50 lengths.

The progressive Candice Dawson-trained Raiseahallelujah (Querari) won the next over 2000m with a strong finish under Keagen de Melo and he earned himself a two point raise to 88.

The classy Ashley Fortune-trained Sovereign Spirit rolled back the months by winning his first race as a six-year-old in the next over 1600m under Munger, beating the useful Sound Of Summer despite giving him 2kg.

Lerena went on to score a treble when winning with Silly Fella in the last, a result which gave Fanie Bronkhorst a double.

Those were the chief talking points on the day but showed that even in the depths of winter there is a good class of racing on the Highveld.

Canford Cliffs Is Making It Happen!

Ridgemont Highlands five time Group 1 winning stallion Canford Cliffs (Tagula) maintained his extraordinary momentum as a pacesetting South African Freshman Sire this season when celebrating his 14th individual winner in the shape of the smart-looking Tabby Kat, who won at her fourth start at Turffontein on Saturday.

By reaching the milestone 14 winners mark, Canford Cliffs maintains his position at the top of the freshman charts and equals the achievement of star stallions Western Winter, Trippi, Gimmethegreenlight, and his own barnmate Rafeef, for first season juvenile winners.

“We really could not have asked for more from Canford Cliffs in his first season, and the combination of the start he has made mixed with the fact that his progeny seem to get better and better the closer they get to a mile is very impressive. He introduces a mix of speed and stamina, and the encouraging aspect is that his offspring were never anticipated to show any precocity. So they are up and running on ability, with plenty of scope. All the trainers have done a fantastic job with the Canford Cliffs progeny they have, and the reports we get back are very exciting!”, said Craig Carey

Having shown good toe over the sprints, the Azzie family-trained Tabby Kat won at odds-on at her second try at a mile on Saturday, and looks to be a youngster going places.

Bred by Ridgemont Highlands from the Machiavellian four-time winner Kindly Kat, Tabby Kat was a R325 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale purchase and has provided thrills and an early return for owner Adam Azzie.

With just two weeks left of the South African racing season, and with his runners showing form across the country, the future is looking very bright for Canford Cliffs and his progeny.

*The second highest number of winners for a freshman sire is the eight scored by Erupt and the fact the NHA have confirmed Canford Cliffs is not eligible for the Freshman Championship, having stood overseas before, will not detract breeders and buyers from their interest in Canford Cliffs.

Entry Form For CTS Ready To Run
& Unbroken Two Year Old Sale 2022

29 October 2022

Entry Form Closing Date 30 July 2022

CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY FORM: CTS RTR SALE 2022.pdf

The CTS RTR SALE 2022 will be held at Kenilworth Racecourse.

Please complete the above form IN FULL and return to: entries@cthbs.com

Contact And EFT Details are listed on the Entry form.

Picture: Keagan de Melo after scoring on the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Mr Master Starter (Master Of My Fate) at Hollwoodbets Greyville’s Sunday poly meeting.

De Melo Scores 100th KZN Winner

Keagan De Melo clinched a double in the last race on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly today (Monday) and in the process scored his 100th winner in KZN this season.

This year has seen the emergence of De Melo as a sort after top echelon rider and he will be crowned KZN champion jockey.

To illustrate his upward mobility he is 71 winners behind champion elect Warren Kennedy on the national log but since January 1 this year has only ridden five less than the latter.

131 of De Melo’s 188 winners in the season have been in 2022 and he has done those 131 at a strike rate of 17.92%.

His 188 winners in the season have been at an overall strike rate of 16.38%.

De Melo’s 100 winners in KZN have been at a strike rate of 17.61%, 32 clear of second-placed Kennedy on 68 (12.27%).

Rachel Venniker is next best on 59 winners at 12.85%.

De Melo is locked in a tussle with Richard Fourie for second place on the national log and is just three behind the latter at this stage.

Today’s Question

Which two horses to have landed the English Triple Crown finished their careers unbeaten?

Picture: The 1935 Triple Crown winner Bahram is one of the answers.

Kenilworth Old Course Tuesday July 19 Fields

Today’s Question Answer

15 horses have completed the English Triple Crown but only Ormonde and Bahram, who did it in 1886 and 1935 respectively, finished their careers unbeaten.

Ormonde (Bend Or) won all 16 of his races, including two walk overs, and won the Triple Crown in what was considered a vintage year (1886).

He is widely regarded as the greatest horse of the 19th century.

He went in the wind during the winter after his three-year-old season, but still came out in June and won two races at the Royal Ascot meeting. He beat his old rival Minting in the Hardwicke Stakes for the second of those wins amid scenes not repeated until the era of Brown Jack.

He had one more win at Newmarket before wisely being retired.

The great Fred Archer rode him in eleven of his victories and passed away eleven days after riding him to victory in the Free Handicap at Newmarket, his last race as a three-year-old besides a walk over the following day.

Ormonde suffered fertility problems at stud, but still sired Orme, who won the Eclipse Stakes twice.

Bahram (Blandford), owned and bred by the most powerful owner in Britain at the time, The Aga Khan, won all five of his races as a two-year-old. He was retired after four races as a three-year-old in 1935, which included the Triple Crown events and the St. James Palace Stakes.

Bahram made a good start at stud and was second leading sire in 1940 before being sold to America. He sired the winners of 660 races worth two million dollars there before being sold to Argentina where he had only modest success.

Picture: Ormonde with Fred Archer up.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 18 July 2022