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4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe attends most Highveld race meetings (Picture: Veli Nhlapo)
Racing Needs To Focus On The People
Little focus is on racegoers and punters and their experience of the exhilaration of a big racing day, according to the 4Racing CEO
David Mollett (Business Day)
Since her appointment as CEO of 4Racing, Fundi Sithebe, a former chief operating officer of Airports Company South Africa, has acted swiftly to erase the turbulence the sport of racing has endured in recent years.
A qualified pilot, Sithebe has – in less than two years – successfully swapped planes for racehorses with a hands-on approach which sees her attend the majority of meetings on the Highveld.
At the time of her appointment, she said: “I look forward to engaging with all stakeholders as 4Racing proceeds with the transformation and rebuilding of the South African horse racing industry.”
Her “engaging” has resulted in Sithebe and her team securing a number of new sponsors. This is vital for any sport.
Sithebe’s latest offering – via a media release – is to state that racing is no longer the “Sport Of Kings” but rather it is “The People’s Sport.”
She points to a video in America regarding Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby run in Kentucky in the first week of May.
“Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, home to one of the most legendary horse races The Kentucky Derby, popular American rapper, singer, songwriter Jack Harlow’s music video for his song Churchill Downs, stars him and featured rapper Drake, at the world-famous racetrack by the same name.
The video depicts the two enjoying a day at the 2022 Derby and is the epitome of horse racing’s grandiose reputation: haute couture fashion, wealthy horse owners, beauty queens, red carpets, suits, suites, long “paparazzi” lenses. But little focus is given to the thousands of general racegoers and punters and their experience of the exhilaration of a big racing day
The portrayal of the sport in the video is one of the reasons why horse racing is called the Sport of Kings. When in reality, and certainly in my opinion, horse racing is the Sport of the People.
It is an interesting paradox, where you can find much diversity in the background of South Africa’s billion-rand sport, in particular grooms, trainers, blacksmiths, everyday punters, and many other hard-working people behind the scenes that keep the sport going and contribute significantly to the economy. The challenge is to create the opportunities that will bring them much closer to the foreground.
When I joined 4Racing in 2021, a company responsible for horse racing operations, and officially started its operations on 1 December the same year, I knew nothing about horses, other than those that delivered wood to my childhood township of Diepkloof in Soweto. So of course, when the investors approached me to take the reins, I was sceptical due to my inexperience of the industry, but I knew I was shortlisted for my expertise and track record as an executive.
So I sat in front of the investors for my interview and was blatantly honest about my reservations, only to discover that, that is precisely what they were looking for: someone who could bring a fresh perspective and energy to this somewhat insular industry, The love that they have for the industry, (a love I’ve discovered that most people in the industry have), is what moved me to accept the challenge – they want to see a change, and they are backing that change.
While I consider horse racing The People’s Sport, there’s certainly so much more that can be done to build on that reputation through transformation, diversity, and inclusion. Like many industries in South Africa, the representation and high-level participation of women and black people is notably low, and a big part of my mandate and vision is to address these shortcomings.
Ironically, there are a fair number of women who are breeders and owners of racing horses, some of them are the most powerful figures in the local industry. Women are also fans of the sport: a recent report commissioned by 4Racing found that at least half of our DSTV and SABC Sports racing broadcasts’ viewers are female. But there are significant shortfalls elsewhere, with very few black female owners and executives, no female grooms, and only one top-level female jockey, the immensely talented Rachel Venniker.
To change this picture, we must take opportunities to highlight women as part of the sport, at racing events, meetings and in the media. We should introduce the public to star athletes like Venniker and use her story to inspire young women from all walks of life in the country to take up the sport where they can, and to consider it as a career option. We need to put more women forward to be the faces of horse racing.
There are local horse racing events almost every day of the year, and most of the fans who support them are everyday people who get a thrill from the races and the majestic horses that compete in them. In South Africa, they represent the width and breadth of our nation – the Durban July, for example, is one of the most diverse industry events in the world.
Diversity and inclusion include adapting to change, and in line with technological advancements, we’ve created new digital and app channels to make engagement with the sport easier, including a fun feature where newcomers can learn the sport by duplicating the bets of top punters.
Introducing younger generations to the sport is a big priority and, above all, we want to emphasise and grow the fun of the sport through exposure and education. S’manga Khumalo is one such young talent. He became the first black jockey to win the Durban July Handicap in 2013, at age 28 and won again in 2022. With over 1,900 wins under his belt, he turned his love for horses and racing career professional in 2006 and became a fixture in the country’s top 20 jockeys, riding an estimate of 80 horses a month, often seven days a week.
I qualified as a private pilot at the age of 24, juggling my lessons with my first job as a business analyst. I love a good adventure and enjoy challenging the status quo, and the horse racing industry is currently that challenge for me.
I’m often the only black woman attending industry meetings and sometimes the only woman in the room. When I became 4Racing’s CEO, I inadvertently achieved a milestone as the first black African woman to run a horse racing company. It’s an honour, and also at the core of my challenge: I may be the first, but I cannot be the last.
In November last year, I participated in an all-male panel discussion about the future of horse racing at the World Tote Association, WoTA’s General Assembly in London, and I was appointed to the Board representing 4Racing’s continued promotion of pool betting and the critical role it plays in supporting the global horse racing industry. I consider platforms like these important to telling the South African horse racing story to the world, and our mission to create more exposure and inclusion.
Whilst there’s nothing wrong with the luxurious depiction of horse racing, it’s important to balance this narrative with the humility of the industry, to make it more accessible. There are so many ways we can craft our horse racing story, I would like to make an open call to our own talented rappers, musicians and filmmakers to like Harlow did for his hometown: film a Mzansi style music video or telenovela episode featuring one of our race days this year at our historical Turffontein racecourse – a piece of South African culture that we too, can take to the world.”
Lucky Houdalakis-trained and Dave Shawe-owned Fire Away filly Egyptian Mau wins easily first time out under Craig Zackey (JC Photos).
Fire Away Wins Battle Of The Freshman Sires
The freshman sire championship is decided on stakes and not number of winners or wins but if the latter was the measure Fire Away would be in the lead.
The Wilgerbosdrift Stud-based sire was responsible for both winners of the two Juvenile Plate races at Thursday’s Turffontein Inside track meeting.
That took him to six individual winners and they have won seven races between them.
Interestingly the finish of the two races was dominated by freshman sires.
In the first of the Juvenile Plate races the Kobus Roux-trained Fire ‘N Flames stole a march under Dennis Schwarz after sitting behind the leader in the 1200m event.
The odds-on favourite was Pure Predator, who had become freshman sire New Predator’s fourth individual winner when successful on debut.
Watching his debut there was a fear that New Predator needed further than 1200m and so it proved as he was unable to go with Fire ‘N Flames and although he made late inroads he was beaten 1,10 lengths.
That was Fire ‘N Flames second win in six starts.
In the second of the Juvenile Plates the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Fire Away filly Egyptian Mau was backed from 13/2 into 2/1.
She is a half-sister to the touted Houdalakis-trained Rafeef colt Munchkin.
Two previous winners in Thursday’s race, Ice Star (William Longsword) and Global Thunder (Global View) started 5/2 and 3/1 respectively.
However, both of the latter began treading water from handy positions and Egyptian Mau, who had five lengths to make up at the 400m mark, ambled past them to win easily.
In second place, running on after being outpaced, was Platina Princess, who is a daughter of another Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein Stud-based sire, Danon Platina.
Fire Away has lived in the shadows of Danon Platina at the Sales, but has outshone him so far at the Sales, although it is still early days.
A groom leads a racehorse to the stables after a gallop. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Racehorse Grooms Get A Seat In The Sport Of Kings’ Throne Room
4Racing transfers 26% of the company to stable hands and employees.
Mike Moon (The Citizen)
Handing 26% of the ownership of South African racing operator 4Racing to grooms and company employees is surely a world first in the industry.
The humble men and women who get up well before dawn each day to feed, water, medicate, soothe and saddle up their equine charges, ready for morning gallops, will soon have a say in the game’s elevated boardroom discussions.
A press release on Tuesday revealed that 4Racing had started “a major transformation initiative to improve the working conditions and welfare of grooms”. In addition to upgrades to their accommodation, medical benefits and funeral cover, they get shares in the company via a Grooms Trust.
Grooms and stable hands are, of course, employed by privately operating trainers, so 4Racing has also cut its employees – grounds and office staff, drivers etc – in on the deal.
Grooms get a 16% stake in 4Racing and employees 10%.
‘Massive moment in history’
“Grooms are one of the most crucial parts of the horse racing industry,” said 4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe. “They are also traditionally the most marginalised stakeholders.
“This landmark approval by the 4Racing Board of the funding for the Grooms Trust initiative is a massive moment in the history of South African horseracing. The Grooms Trust will genuinely empower grooms and stable hands and we are extremely proud of the progressive steps being made to improve the holistic living standards of these very important stakeholders, as well as by the formation of the Employees’ Trust,” said Sithebe.
The deal is a collaboration between 4Racing, trainers and owners, and the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), which has committed considerable funding.
‘Transforming lives’
ROA CEO Natalie Turner said the welfare initiatives were critical.
“We need to strike a balance between stakes maximisation for owners and playing a meaningful role in bringing about change and transformation in the industry,” said Turner, adding, “This partnership is a powerful message of change… We look forward to … transforming lives.”
Most observers will agree it’s a “powerful message”.
Recent years have seen growing global awarness of the importance of stable hands and other workers at lower levels of racing’s value chain – with monetary incentives and greater profile being accorded grassroots horse people in places as diverse as Royal Ascot in the UK, Seoul in South Korea and Fairview in Gqeberha.
Inequality is an international preoccupation like never before. But no-one in racing has gone as far as handing over a chunk of equity.
Of course, South Africa is a special case, with reparations and transformation permeating everything. Many a major company long ago made large “empowerment” gifts to black people and groups.
But that’s not so easy for small and medium-sized businesses – of which the recently bankrupt Phumelela/4Racing is now one.
Politics
Racing can thank its lucky stars it has stayed largely out of the orbit of government scrutiny and interference over decades – possibly because its cash-flow is mercurial and there are not large amounts of money lying about waiting to be looted. (The case of KwaZulu-Natal’s impoverished provincial government planning a betting tax grab is an exception.)
Nonetheless, there has been quite a bit of “political” upheaval on the ground, notably rebellious grooms striking and even going on rampages.
In an unstable and skewed political and economic environment, this was to be expected. And, after years of hand-wringing inaction, the penny finally dropped for the powers-that-be in racing – a cohort notoriously disconnected from the so-called real world.
When the Competition Commission approved the transaction between Phumelela and 4Racing on 31 March 2021, 4Racing made a commitment “to contribute to the transformation of not only the organisation, but the horse racing industry as a whole”.
This week’s announcement looks a generous start for 4Racing’s Highveld and Eastern Cape operations, but “the horse racing industry as a whole” is another matter. Will Cape Racing and Gold Circle in KwaZulu-Natal match the deal?
Western Cape racing is in resurgence in terms of fan, owner and trainer interest and betting turnover, though the situation in Durban is a lot gloomier.
New alignments to further this transformation push might be on the cards.
11yo Causes A Shock In The Stayers’ Hurdle
Gordon Elliott’s 11-year-old Sire Du Berlais (33/1) wins at the Cheltenham Festival for the third time in his career, beating Dashel Drasher, Teahupoo and Flooring Porter to win the Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle ; Dashel Drasher demoted to third after stewards’ enquiry
Sire Du Berlais rolled back the years to cause a major upset in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at 33/1.
A dual Cheltenham Festival winner, taking the 2019 and 2020 editions of the Pertemps Final, Gordon Elliott’s 11-year-old was an outside hope in what was a wide-open and competitive renewal of the three-mile feature on day three.
Two of the more fancied contenders and fellow Irish runners Home by the Lee and Flooring Porter – the defending champion – made much of the running, with the former having to battle back from a bad error early on.
Jeremy Scott’s Dashel Drasher (40/1) looked for a long way as if he might be a shock winner, appearing hard to pass as the field turned up the hill.
Favourite Teahupoo had travelled well throughout but struggled to get to the front when push came to shove under Davy Russell, with Flooring Porter keeping on alongside.
Instead it was Teahupoo’s stablemate Sire Du Berlais, at the grand age of 11, who powered up the inside of Dashel Drasher to win by just under a length.
Dashel Drasher was second across the line – ahead of Teahupoo and Flooring Porter – but was demoted to third after a stewards’ enquiry ruled he had interfered with Teahupoo, who inherited the runners-up spot.
Elliott said: “After a hurdle or two I knew he was in a good rhythm. Of course it’s a surprise, but Sire Du Berlais can do that – he’s either first or last. He stayed on well up the hill in fairness to him and Mark (Walsh) gave him a brilliant ride.
“It’s great to win the race. We were beaten a short head in a Grade One yesterday (with Gerri Colombe), but it’s a great game and it’s great to be here.
“We couldn’t get him qualified for the Pertemps Final. It just didn’t work out for us with ground one day and he probably didn’t look that well handicapped.
“He doesn’t do anything too exciting as he minds himself, but that’s why he’s still going at his age.
“I thought Teahupoo would win. He travelled into it and ran well.”
First Saudi Female Jockey Finishes Fourth On Landmark Debut
Thorougthbredracing.com
Amal bint Faisal has become the first licensed Saudi Arabian female to compete as a jockey under Rules in the kingdom, with her first ride resulting in a fourth-placed finish aboard Saanehah at King Abdulaziz racecourse in Riyadh on Friday [March 10].
Although overseas women take part in the annual International Jockeys Challenge alongside their male counterparts at the Saudi Cup meeting, Faisal became the first Saudi woman to gain a jockey’s licence from the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) in October last year.
After riding in Friday’s third race – a one-mile fillies’ maiden in which her mount Saanehah was fourth of 20 behind Moustafeedhah – she now stands as the first and only licensed local female jockey to have competed professionally in her country.
Reflecting on a highly significant landmark moment, Faisal said: “I feel proud that I kept my promise to everyone who supported me and stood by me, and I dedicate this victory to my family, specifically my mother, who has supported me throughout my career since the beginning.
“Prince Bandar and Prince Abdullah bin Khalid overcame all odds and contributed to my goal of achieving this dream. I also want to thank the owner, Abdulelah Al Mousa, for his moral and financial support throughout my career.
“Special thanks to coach Bandar Hamdam, who made me a jockey on the field, I owe this achievement to him. And I do not forget the great role of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia in preparing all that is necessary to be the first female jockey to actively participate in the races.
“I promise to continue giving and to set an example for all the daughters of the country in riding horses as a professional jockey.”
To mark the occasion, Faisal also wore breeches inscribed ‘FIRST FEMALE’.
Europe’s Best Kept Secret, Andre Fabre’s New Stable Jockey, Is Revealed
Germany’s multiple champion jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev moves to big leagues as first jockey to Andre Fabre
Nicholas Godfrey (TRC)
France: Four-time has landed one of the most coveted riding positions in Europe with news that he will ride as stable jockey to Andre Fabre in 2023.
According to GaloppOnline, the 30-year-old Kazakh will ride as first jockey to the Chantilly-based legend, partnering all Fabre’s horses apart from those owned by Godolphin and the Wertheimer brothers, who have their own retained riders.
Murzabayev, who was born in the Kazakh city of Almaty, moves to France after two years employed by leading German trainer Peter Schiergen.
“We were a very good team and I know things will be different in France now,” said Murzabayev, speaking to GaloppOnline. “But I’m a competitive athlete – my time is short and it’s a huge opportunity to develop myself further.
“I thank Peter and Gisela Schiergen for an extraordinary collaboration. They were like family to me and the decision to leave is a difficult one for me but for me, this is the next step.”
From a racing background in his native country, Murzabayev took out his first licence at home in 2007 before moving to the Czech Republic and then onto Germany, where he has been the dominant rider for the last four seasons. He rode for Andreas Wohler for three seasons before joining Cologne-based Schiergen, for whom he won his first German Derby in 2022 aboard Sammarco.
Known as ‘Borschan’ to his fans, he won his fourth successive German title last term with 96 winners before a successful stint in Japan over the winter, where he landed a shock 90-1 success on Sura Erede in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama.
Champion trainer Schiergen commented: “It was clear to us that Bauyrzhan would move on at some point. He’s not only a great person, he’s also one of the best jockeys in the world and that’s how he earned this opportunity. I was hoping he would stay another year but I was a jockey too so I can understand him.”
Jones Knows thinks Bravesmangame can land the Gold Cup
Skysports.com
It’s Gold Cup day at Cheltenham on Friday (March 17); Sky Sports’ tipster Lewis Jones is in the tipping chair.
Sky Sports tipster Jones Knows is off to the races on Gold Cup day and has three tips to try and take down the bookmakers with.
Respecting previous Cheltenham Festival form usually is the key to unlocking winners this week but sometimes that factor plays too heavily on a market. That is the case in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (17H30 SA Time) where BRAVEMANSGAME’s place in the market is being too heavily influenced by his sole run at the track where he finished third in the 2021 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
Many have deemed that one run enough evidence to declare Cheltenham unsuitable for the horse but I’d be inclined to put that defeat down to the form of the Paul Nicholls yard that week. Nicholls failed to have a winner from his 20 runners at the Festival in 2021 with only three hitting the frame.
If you take away the ‘Cheltenham factor’, you are looking at everything you want from a Gold Cup winner in that Bravesmangame is a second season chaser that has won two of the leading trials when running away with the Betfair Chase and King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Galopin Des Champs rightly heads the betting for the Willie Mullins yard but to my eyes and analysis Bravesmangame has put up similar levels of performances over fences this season and the discrepancy between the two in the market is too vast. Get on.
I am an absolute sucker for backing horses returning in the same race they ran well in at the previous Cheltenham Festival and that’s my angle for the McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (2.10).
Past results suggest this usually goes to an unexposed novice or second season hurdler from Ireland but at the prices, and with Sky Bet paying eight places, FIRST STREET and MILKWOOD are worth an investment. First Street chased home the insanely well-handicapped winner State Man last season, finding plenty for pressure off the bridle in the closing stages. That form is hot with State Man going on to win Grade Ones and chasing home Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday. Nicky Henderson’s charge is up 10lbs from last season but remains in great form. I’m not sure the rise will stop him running well at a track he loves.
Milkwood ran third in the 2021 County Hurdle and looked the likely winner at the final flight before being collared by Belfast Banter, who was simply given the more efficient ride. The selection returns two years later just 1lb higher and on the back of a better than it looked run at Wetherby, where he travelled with his usual zest before getting tired close home. That will have put him spot on and the application of a first-time hood only further increases the chances of improvement.
Writteninthesand scores the first leg of a double for Fabian Habib. The Master Of My Fate filly was ridden by Tshepiso Matsoele in the Workriders Maiden event (JC Photos).
Khumalo, Habib Doubles
S’Manga Khumalo rode a double at Turffontein Inside today and Fabian Habib saddled a double.
Khumalo is now on 105 wins for the season at a strike rate of 16.94%.
Habib has now had 17 wins this season at a strike rate of 10.30%.
SA’s Current champion sire, the late Silvano, has won six sires championships, but is only in joint fifth place for the most number of titles. (Picture: Maine Chance Farms).
Today’s Question
Which stallion has won the most South African Champion Sire Titles?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.
Polystome (picture: southafricanracehorse.wordpress.com)
The record holder with eleven titles, Polystome (1912: Polymelus – Battels by Bread Knife), won 3 of his 10 starts in England, and 5 of his 15 starts in South Africa including the 1917 Johannesburg Spring Handicap and 1917 Johannesburg Merchants’. Besides topping the list 11 times (10 in succession), he occupied a top 3 position in thirteen of the fifteen seasons from 1924/25 to 1938/39.
Southafricanracehorse.wordpress.com
