Picture: Jubilant scenes after Kommetdieding’s WSB Met win last season. (Wayne Marks).

4Racing Concludes Global TV Deal With Cape Racing

4Racing

4Racing has concluded an exclusive multi-year agreement with Kenilworth Racing (Pty) Ltd to continue to sell and distribute all of Cape Racing’s race meetings globally.

4Racing.TV will continue to produce all the live racing coverage from both Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and Hollywoodbets Durbanville and distribute this locally and internationally, along with its own local and international racing content.

Locally, 4Racing has also reached agreement for Cape Racing’s content to go on to GallopTV, alongside the existing distribution to bookmakers and retail on 4Racing.TV’s Global Racing 1 Channel and direct to consumers via Racing 240 and www.4racing.tv.

Cape Racing’s major Grade 1 events, such as the L’Ormarins King’s Plate and World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, will also feature on SABC 3 as part of 4Racing’s exclusive agreement with the public broadcaster, boosted by features and ancillary content on Racing Today on SABC Sport.

4Racing’s Head of Licensing and Broadcast, Stephen Watson, said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with Greg Bortz and the Cape Racing Executive. This rights deal is a significant one for the licensing and distribution of our collective South African horseracing broadcast product. It also offers mutually beneficial commercial benefits and cost efficiencies, through the continued offering of a united racing product locally and internationally. We value the trust and collaborative approach from both Cape Racing and 4Racing in maximising this opportunity for the benefit of South African horseracing and all its stakeholders”.

Greg Bortz, Chairman of Cape Racing, added “We are very pleased with our new broadcast partnership with 4Racing.TV, for numerous reasons. First, the quality of their TV production continues to go from strength to strength. Second, our Cape product will also be shown on GallopTV, thus widening the local footprint. Third, it reinforces what we have said all along, namely that unity within our industry countrywide is essential for our collective survival and success. Furthermore, given that all of racing is on Racing 240, and Cape Racing is also on GallopTV, we are pleased that the operators are working well together to put the owners’ and punters’ needs in the forefront.”

Commenting on the deal during her attendance at the World Tote Association’s General Assembly in London, 4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe said the agreement between 4Racing and Cape Racing was hugely significant.

“Having spent the weekend networking with our international partners and fellow World Tote Association members, it’s clear that our South African horseracing product is highly valued and well consumed around the world. The continued production and collective distribution of 4Racing and Cape Racing’s product internationally, as well as the other Sub-Saharan African jurisdictions we are supporting, allows us to showcase Africa’s racing globally, serve our punters and generate key forex revenues to contribute to the rebuilding and growth of racing,” said Sithebe.

Picture: MK’s Pride, now trained by Mike de Kock, has drawn well in the Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile (JC Photos).

Potent Entry For Charity Mile

Jack Milner (4Racing)

Horses from all over the country make up the 28 entries received for the Grade 2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 29 October.

Cape trainer Justin Snaith has entered Hoedspruit, while KZN-based Gareth van Zyl has nominated Topbet Joburg Spring Challenge runner-up After The Rain and Peter Muscutt has Gentleman’s Wager.

However, Mike de Kock could have a mighty hand in the race as he has nominated six horses, four of which are Grade 1 winners.

He has entered Hollywoodbets Durban July champion Sparkling Water, Daily News 2000 winner Safe Passage, SA Derby champ Aragosta as well as newcomer to the stable Horse Chestnut winner MK’s Pride.

His other two entries are Grade 2 Topbet Joburg Spring F&M winner Humdinger and Forever Mine, who won on Saturday.

Johan Janse van Vuuren has five entries, and they include Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge winner Astrix and last year’s champion Bingwa.

The other Grade 1 champion among the nominations is SA Classic winner Red Saxon from the Joe Soma yard.

After two years of Covid interruptions It will be back to business this year as all 16 runners will represent a charity and their position at the finish will determine the payout each will receive.

There is a supplementary entry stage on Friday after which the weights will be published. Declarations close at 11am on Tuesday 25 October.

Entries and draws for the Grade 2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 29 October.

16 AFTER THE RAIN (G van Zyl (Jnr))
6 ARAGOSTA (M F De Kock)
13 ASTRIX (J J van Vuuren)
10 BARD OF AVON (A B Fortune)
1 BINGWA (J J van Vuuren)
28 CASTLETOWN (S T Pettigrew)
24 CORNISH POMODORO (S G Tarry)
17 EXPRESSFROMTHEUS (W C Marwing)
18 FOREVER MINE (M F De Kock)
25 GENTLEMAN’S WAGER (P B Muscutt)
11 HOEDSPRUIT (J S Snaith)
14 HOMELY GIRL (J J van Vuuren)
3 HUMDINGER (M F De Kock)
8 INDLAMU (S G Tarry)
26 IRISH TRACTOR (B Crawford)
9 LITIGATION (S G Tarry)
2 MK’S PRIDE (M F De Kock)
22 OUTOFTHEDARKNESS (J J van Vuuren)
27 PUERTO MANZANO (J J van Vuuren)
21 PYROMANIAC (S G Tarry)
12 RED SAXON (J A Soma)
5 SAFE PASSAGE (M F De Kock)
20 SOVEREIGN SPIRIT (A B Fortune)
4 SPARKLING WATER (M F De Kock)
15 TEAM GOLD (R R Magner)
23 VANDERBILT (R Klaasen)
19 WILLIAM ROBERTSON (C Spies)
7 WILLOW EXPRESS (S G Tarry)

Picture: Champion Warrior (Wayne Marks).

Champion Warrior Up To 8th On Gold Rush Log

The unbeaten Brett Crawford-trained Champion Warrior (Twice Over) was the major mover on the WSB R7.5 million Gold Rush log this week after his scintillating victory over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last week.

He moved from 25th position on the log to joint 8th.

WSB R7.5 million Gold Rush log:

Picture: JP van der Merwe has ridden Forever Mine twice and won twice for his owners Mauritzfontein Pty Ltd and Messrs MJ Campbell, Johnny Geroudis and WD Jackson.

Forever Mine Star Of Vercingetorix’s Treble At Big T

Vercingetorix had a treble at Turffontein Inside on Saturday and it included another fine front-running display by the Mike de Kock-trained Forever Mine in the highest rated race of the day, a MR 105 Handicap over a 1500m trip which is ideal for him.

JP van der Merwe produced a fine ride, managing to find the front from the widest draw of all in the 14 horse field.

Forever Mine used his big stride to dictate at a good tempo and kept going well to held off the late run of the gallant one-eyed Ndlamu.

The favourite Outofthedarkness had too much to do but ran on well for fourth and if he clashes with Forever Mine in the Allied-Steelrode Charity Mile he could reverse form as he will prefer the Standside course and appreciate the 100m further trip.

Forever Mine ran off a 103 and has been raised to 106.

Vercingetorix’s run on the day began with The Mauritian, who made an eye-catching debut for the in-form Brett Crawford yard to win the first over 1200m by 2,40 lengths. The win also gave Kabelo Matsunyane the first leg of a treble.

The Mauritian, bred by Lammerskraal Stud, is appropriately named as he runs in Mauritius’s most famous colours, the light blue, red chevron and cap of the Gujadhur family.

The Mauritian used his pace to overcome a wide draw and sit in a handy position. He quickened well when the pressure was on and ran away from them to win comfortably.

He does not look like the most imposing sort but is quick, not surprisingly, being out of Blizzard Belle, whose wind assisted time of 54.55 seconds at Fairview in 2016 was the fastest time ever run over 1000m in SA.

Vercingetorix’s other win was also via a fine front-running display by the big mare Paschals Samore, who is capable but enigmatic, her career consisting of 3 wins, one fourth, one fifth and 27 unplaced runs.

The Weiho Marwing-trained six-year-old mare won by an easy 3,30 lengths under a fine ride by Matthew Thackeray.

Picture: Durston ridden by Michael Dee wins the Caulfield Cup. (Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Waller Turns Attention To Melbourne Cup

by Warwick Barr (newcastleherald.com.au)

Chris Waller was upstaged in the Aus$15 million Everest at Randwick in Sydney on Saturday by 27-year-old trainer Clayton Douglas, whose three-year-old charge Giga Kick stormed through from the tail of the field to win with Waller’s defending champion and twice Australian Horse Of The Year Nature Strip only managing fourth.

However, it was still a good day for Waller because he won the Caulfield Cup at Caulfield in Melbourne.

His chances of landing successive Melbourne Cups have improved dramatically after Durston claimed the Caulfield Cup.

Durston firmed from $51 to the third tier of Melbourne Cup betting at $15 after landing the first leg of Australian racing’s famous spring double.

In a surprise result that unfolded after Durston scraped into the field at the 11th hour, the UK import ran down Gold Trip after a precise ride from jockey Michael Dee.

It was Waller’s second Caulfield Cup win and Durston now rates as the stable’s best chance to emulate Verry Elleegant’s Melbourne Cup triumph in 2021.

Durston carried 51.5kg on Saturday and has the same weight at Flemington on November 1 but the seven-year-old is liable for a handicap penalty.

While the breaks went Durston’s way in the Caulfield Cup, Waller likes the stayer’s chances of figuring in the Melbourne Cup.

“He was strong the last 50 metres … it’s exciting heading towards a Melbourne Cup,” he told the Seven Network.

The Caulfield Cup was not run on the bottomless track many expected but the tempo of the race hurt the chances of key runners – none more so than the 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare who delighted jockey Blake Shinn with his sixth placing.

“The pace was slow which didn’t suit my horse, but full credit to him,” Shinn said.

“He was gallant to the line. He’s in the (Melbourne) Cup now and the 3200 metres will be right up his alley.”

Durston sits behind two internationals in the revised Melbourne Cup betting after Caulfield.

UK-trained Deauville Legend, and Loft from Germany, arrived in Melbourne with the second shipment of overseas spring carnival horses on Wednesday.

Deauville Legend has been a long-time Melbourne Cup favourite while Loft has posted wins in England and the United States in 2022.

^{Picture: No Nay Never is the sire of Lot 48 (Coolmore).}

Crawford Entry Has Impressive Pedigree

Crawford Racing has one entry on the Cape Racing Ready To Run and 2-y-o unbroken sale at Kenilworth on 29 October. He is Lot 48, a bay colt by No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) from Pink Jubilee, by Rock Of Gibraltar, named The Abdicator.

Brett Crawford has high praise for this one. He said: “The Abdicator is well bred, and exciting prospect with lots of scope and his sire is really flying overseas.”

The Abdicator’s female line is nothing to frown at, either. His winning dam is a sister to former Equus Champion 3-y-o filly Alboran Sea, herself the dam of Marmara Sea, the 11-time winner and ace runner in Gqeberha for the last several seasons.

^{Picture: Lot 26}

The Beautiful Beaumont Bunch

Anton Shepherd’s Beaumont Stud, as agent, has three two-year-olds to come under the hammer at the 2023 Cape Racing Ready To Run and Unbroken 2-y-o sale on 29 October.

Lot 26 is Ticket To Vegas, a filly by William Longsword out of Internet Jet, by Jet Master. This chestnut from the family of Whiteline Fever is being prepared for the sale by Bass Racing, who reported: “She’s a lovely, scopey filly who is showing early and has been a standout in her prep for the sale.”

Lots 32 and 63 are in the care of Snaith Racing.

Lot 32 is Lord Quinn, a colt by Querari from Lady Seymour, by Silvano, is reported as being, “athletic with a nice current pedigree. His half-brother runs in Saturday’s Cape Classic.”

Lot 63 is a William Longsword colt out of Abound West (Western Winter), as yet unnamed. He comes from the close family of Polar Bound and Bound To Travel and is said to be “big and strong, already gelded so money saved there, lots of horse and very well bred. Galloping this week.”

Picture: Champions Day: the 17th and final World Pool raceday (Mark Cranham (Racing Post))

‘We’re Enormously Proud’ – World Pool Turnover Surpasses £500m In 2022

The World Pool attracted record turnover of £521 million in 2022 in what translates into a financial boost for British racing at a time of falling crowds and reduced domestic levels of betting.

The gross turnover at Britain and Ireland’s 17 World Pool days was up from £363m last year, a 44 per cent increase, after the final raceday at Ascot’s British Champions Day on Saturday.

Turnover on Champions Day was £27.9m, an increase of 43 per cent on last year’s £19.5m.

The World Pool, created by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in partnership with the UK Tote and Ascot, allows racegoers and remote punters to bet into a global pool covering more than 20 countries.

The result is enormous liquidity and a multi-million pound betting experience, which is proving popular with punters and generating a significant financial return for racing.

Champions Day followed the trend of other major Flat meetings in the summer, such as the record gross turnover of £59.5m achieved across the two days of the Epsom Derby meeting and the £97 million bet in the three days the pool operated at Glorious Goodwood.

Michael Fitzsimons, executive director of wagering products of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “We are delighted to see British and Irish World Pool days grow so strongly this year with the sporting action proving increasingly popular with racing fans, who appreciate seeing the best horses and jockeys competing at a wide variety of fantastic racecourses.”

Alex Frost, chief executive of the UK Tote Group said: “The implicit ambition of World Pool is to ensure an additive and more sustainable funding mechanism for horseracing, with wagering customers enjoying an improved value proposition.

“I would also like to offer my appreciation and thanks to the connections of horses who have won and competed in World Pool races this year, given the support of owners, trainers and jockeys is an essential part of World Pool’s growth in 2023 and beyond.”

The World Pool Moment Of The Year was launched this year for stable staff, and Alpinista’s groom Annabel Willis was the recipient of the inaugural prize on Champions Day for the scenes sparked after the Arc heroine’s success in the Yorkshire Oaks in August.

Willis will share the £34,000 prize with her colleagues at Sir Mark Prescott’s Heath House yard in Newmarket.

Frost said: “Everyone at the UK Tote is enormously proud to be part of World Pool as it continues to grow, thereby increasing both the financial return it contributes to British and Irish racing and the excellent value it creates for racing fans betting with the Tote.”

Picture: S’Manga Khumalo also scored a double at yesterday’s Pink Drive race meeting including on the Carl Hewitson-trained Sea Master (Master Of My Fate) in the Listed Michaelmas Handicap (Candiese Lenferna).

De Melo, Khumalo And Rivalland Score Doubles

Keagan de Melo, S’Manga Khumalo and Tony Rivalland all scored doubles at the Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack meeting today.

De Melo has a lead of 17 over Muzi Yeni in the national jockeys championship.

His 68 wins have come at a strike rate of 23.13%.

Khumalo is in third place on 42 winners at a strike rate of 18.26%.

Rivalland has had five winners this season at 18.52%.

Picture: The subject shown as a yearling (Goffs).

Today’s Question

Who is the only horse to have ever won Britan’s Stayers Triple Crown twice (Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Donaster Cup).

Fairview Turf Fields

Picture: Le Moss before winning the 1980 Ascot Gold Cup (Pininterest).

Today’s Question Answer

The Henry Cecil-trained Le Moss (Le Levenstall) is the only horse to have won Britain’s Stayers Triple Crown twice, doing it in 1979 and 1980.

The others to have done the Stayers Triple Crown are Isonomy 1879, Alicydon 1949, Souepi 1953, Longboat 1986, Double Trigger 1995 and Stradivarius in 2019.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 17 October 2022