The Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday is going to be “Out Of This World” (Picture: Northglen News)

HDJ – Good To Soft Going Hoped For

Hollywoodbets Greyville track manager Kurt Grunewald said the course had stood up well to the torrential downpours which wreaked havoc in some parts of the region yesterday.

He was predicting the conditions would be “soft” at the beginning of Saturday’s big Hollywoodbets Durban July meeting before changing over the course of the day to “good to soft”.

However, he said a lot can change in three days and he was hopeful that the meeting would start with “good to soft”.

Nevertheless, it seems that horses who enjoy a bit of cut in the ground will be at an advantage.

It is hard to tell which horses will be particularly advantaged by soft going, because most of the Cape Town horses have won in it, but was that just due to their superior class?

Others have never raced in the soft.

Nevertheless, the stats show Time Flies to have three wins and two seconds in the soft, Trip Of Fortune has also won three times in the soft, Both Pacaya and Dave The King have 100% records in the soft, both with two wins from two starts, while Without Question’s two runs in the soft included and eyecatching win in the Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes.

Winchester Mansion romped home by over three lengths in the Gr 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial in the soft.

Rain In Holland’s official record in “wet” conditions does not look overly impressive with a win and two thirds in four starts in the soft, but it was clear from watching her Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara campaign that she loves a true test. She might be finding extra while others are gasping for air if the conditions are testing on Saturday.

Son Of Raj is trained by the master of stayers, Weiho Marwing, so will likely also relish testing conditions.

Silvano is the most successful July sire in history with five winners and his progeny are also know to enjoy soft ground conditions, so the fancied Safe Passage’s chances are likely to be boosted by the rain affected ground.

Silver Darling is also by Silvano, while Rascallion and Pomp And Power are by Silvano’s son Vercingetorix so they should also enjoy soft ground.

Kurt Grunewald said about the racecourse in general on Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops day: “We are happy where we are at, it’s looking good. There are areas around the bend, because of the limited width of the track, we battle with wear and tear. However, we always preserve a specific strip for Hollywoodbets Durban July day, so it will stick out quite nicely on the day … it is unraced throughout the season, so there will be a nice untouched strip around the bend. Obviously the straight is a different story.”

There hadn’t been a single drop of rain in June up until the July gallops day and plenty of irrigation was done.

That has all changed now.

The false rail will be the normal July day 2.5m spur.

Second Base, in the light blue colours, only just fails to win the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge (JC Photos)

Second Base In Better Shape Than Ever

Trainer Robyn Klaasen and owner “Stincky” Pooe respectively have their first runner in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, the five-year-old Gimmethegreenlight gelding Second Base, whom they recently purchased in training.

He will provide Chase Maujean with a second ride in the big race.

In his first run for the Klaasen yard Second Base failed by a hair’s breadth to win the Gr 1 weight for age (wfa) Premier’s Champions Challenge at odds of 33/1.

However, he is being ignored by the punting public again and is out at 40/1 with the sponsor.

Klaasen finds this hard to understand.

She said, “He beat a couple of the runners in the Champions Challenge (Rain In Holland and Billy Bowlegs) and just about dead-heated with Puerto Manzano and he’s better off at the weights with all three of those horses, so I can’t understand why people are ignoring him.”

(*Second Base is better off with all three of those horses in actual weight terms but if weight for age is taken into account Billy Bowlegs is effectively 1kg better off with him for a 1,05 length beating).

Robyn then admitted, “But it is also hard because Second Base has only had one good run … it’s not easy to look past all of that previous form.”

However, her following words will make a few people sit up and take notice.

“I think he just needed the change of environment. We had only had him for just over three weeks before the Champions Challenge, so I can’t say I was able to work a miracle in three weeks, it doesn’t happen. I think he is just a much happier horse in the new environment. We’re a small stable, so he gets a lot of our attention being the biggest horse in my yard. I think it is just those small things that have made the difference. Chase’s feedback is he’s a completely different horse even from when he was a three and four-year-old running all of those good races. He (Chase) feels he’s even better now than he was then.”

Robyn said about the draw of 13, “He has in the past sometimes missed the break, so I’m happy where we are because we can stay out of all the early traffic problems and find a nice position.”

She said about the tight racecourse, “I think he has only had one previous start at HWB Greyville, in last year’s July, and from draw 15 he sat stone last and had nowhere to go. The track is not a worry of mine at all.”

She confirmed Second Base had a decent turn of foot, a valuable weapon at Hollywoodbets Greyville considering the horse-shoe shape and the short 450m straight.

Robyn is related through marriage to record-breaking reigning champion trainer Paul Peter, who is now sadly retired.

However, Paul’s son Tony has opened a yard and it is close enough for Robyn to access some of their facilities, like horse walkers and treadmills, which they kindly allow her to use. She said Paul also responds to any advice she asks for.

Robyn was asked what prompted her to buy Second Base off a BSA online Sale.

She replied she knew Second Base from racing and having watched all of his previous runs felt he still had more to give. When she saw him on the Sale she really wanted him and managed to land him for what is now looking a bargain R150,000.

She said about the share taken by Mr Pooe, “I was desperate to buy the horse and I only had my Uncle who agreed to take a half-share, so I was just looking for someone to take the other half. It was over Easter time and Mr Pooe was away but I must have phoned him about 30 times and pestered him until he said yes!”

Mr Pooe only had a 50% share in one other horse in the Klaasen yard at the time, but will now be glad he took the plunge as he admitted at the final field and draw ceremony he had been dreaming of having a July runner for a long time.

Second Base, like Billy Bowlegs, will have to overcome 89 years of history to win the race. Not since Sun Tor came off a 161 day break to win the July in 1934 has a July winner come off as long a layoff as Second Base’s 63 days.

However, Robyn is apparently unperturbed by this and concluded, “He’s fit, he’s well, we’ve been very happy with his work. All the work’s been done and there’s nothing much else we can do other than rock up.”

Second Base will travel down early Friday morning.

Rain In Holland wins the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 (Candiese Lenferna)

Tarry Planning For A Third July Win

Sean Tarry was unhappy with Nebraas’ exclusion from the top 20 in the Hollywoodbets Durban July but still has two chances of landing the big race for the third time with Rain In Holland and Bless My Stars, who are two of ten Gr 1 winners in the field.

Nebraas is first reserve and will have to rely on a horse being scratched before 08h15 on Friday to get in.

Tarry said about the draw of 17 for last year’s Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara heroine and this year’s Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 winner Rain In Holland, “I can’t say I’m happy with the draw, but I think we can make good with a draw like that with the right ride.”

He said about Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic winner Bless My Stars’ pole position draw, “I think for her it is a really nice draw. She is a little bit under sufferance so whatever advantage can be found for her from a draw point of view would help her a lot. She’s in a really good space and if we can just be economical from the gates I think she will fire up in the straight.”

S’Manga Khumalo rides the Drakenstein Stud-homebred Duke Of Marmalade four-year-old filly Rain In Holland.

Khumalo will be going for a third July win too and his first, on Heavy Metal in 2013, was for Tarry.

Last year the key to his win aboard the Mike de Kock-trained Sparkling Water was the bee-line he made from draw 12 to snatch the rail, from where he ultimately ended up in the box seat.

Tarry, asked whether he envisaged Khumalo trying to repeat that move, said, “I think she is maybe not the right filly to do that with because if you fire her up early she could over-race and then that would be a problem, but there are definitely options from that draw and we’ll do a bit of homework and I’m sure we will come up with the right plan.”

Tarry won both of his Julys on the old wider track, in 2012 with Pomodoro (Jet Master) ridden by Piere Strydom and in 2013, as mentioned earlier, with Heavy Metal and Khumalo.

Pomodoro was in fact drawn 20 out of 20 and Heavy Metal was drawn 11 out of 20, while on the new narrower track only three single figure draws have won in nine runnings.

Tarry has been very happy with the two horses’ preparations at Randjesfontein.

He spoke of the different methods trainers have going into a race like the July.

Some like to have their horses ready as far out as two-and-half weeks before the big race and then just keep them ticking over.

However, he himself likes them to reach their peaks a lot closer to race day, so he said at the final field and draw ceremony that his pair would be given proper workouts in their official Hollywoodbets Durban July gallops.

He said he would take it easy on them after those gallops.

Bless My Stars, in her July gallop, was given a lead by her work companion and moved past her effortlessly in eyecatching style.

Rain Holland was was given a lead by the decent one-eyed entire Ndlamu and also moved past him effortlessly.

Both fillies are looking full of well-being.

However, Rain In Holland, who has developed into a horse with plenty of substance and has a powerful look about her, was the stand out.

The pair will travel down to Summerveld the day before the July on Friday.

Tarry revealed that the pressure on July trainers is at its highest from the day of the final field ceremony onward and this is just in ensuring that the well-being and good health of the horses is maintained.

Secret Identity wins the Listed Devon Air Stakes (Candiese Lenferna).

Secret Identity/Dolcezza Rematch Gets July Day Ball Rolling

Trainer Michelle Rix and owner Ashwin Reynolds combined for a memorable win in the Durban July two years ago and whilst they might not have a runner in the big one this year they are favourites to win the first race at the meeting, the BSA Sales Cup over 1300m for fillies.

However, their charge Secret Identity is not going to have it easy facing the horse they only just beat last time, Dolcezza, as well as the like of American Graffiti, The Charleston and Oriental Bouquet.

Michelle said the R130,000 Canford Cliffs filly Secret Identity had given her the feeling of being a feature class horse from day one and she has duly proved it.

Having faced the crack filly Winter Cloud on debut over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and being beaten by a not-disgraced 8,55 lengths in a race that has worked out very well, she showed her class second time out when winning by three lengths over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville under Richard Fourie.

Then in the Listed Devon Air Stakes she was dropped out from a wide draw before mowing them down in the straight.

Considering she did not settle too well in that race she should not mind dropping back to 1300m.

Michelle said, “She is a nice filly and has come on from that last win and is a big runner.”

However, she will have to overcome another wide draw of 11 out of 14.

Dolcezza was drawn four last time and beaten half-a-length by Secret Identity.

However, she actually came wide into the straight too, so did not enjoy much of a draw advantage.

She was a bit keen early too, so should also enjoy the step down to 1300m.

She is now drawn three and big race rider Richard Fourie is now aboard.

He is sure to make full use of the draw advantage.

Trainer Robyn Klaasen is confident.

She feels this Erupt filly has come on from that run in the Devon Air Stakes.

Robyn also now not only knows that this filly travels well, but also that she has experienced a crowded HWB Greyville.

She is bullish about Dolcezza’s chances.

The Sean Tarry-trained American Graffiti won her first two starts and nothing went right for her in the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery.

He could hardly separate her from Mrs Geriatrix before the latter race, which shows how highly he regards her.

She is drawn in pole and she will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon.

Soumillon set Hollywoodbets Kenilworth alight on WSB Met day and could do the same on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.

This filly is by Silvano so should be improving and will relish the step up in trip.

The Candice Bass-Robinson-trained The Charleston has possibly the best form in the race and will be going for a BSA Sales race double.

However, she has only been back in training for just over a month after having to be hospitalised for eight days for illness, so Candice said it will all depend on how much she is going to need it.

The Duncan Howells-trained Oriental Bouquet has to be considered too as she was favourite for the Devon Air but had nowhere to go when coming from last. She is much better than the form of that race suggests and now has a plum draw.

It would be no great surprise if an outsider popped up in this race, because there are other horses in the race with talent and it is well known that two-year-olds improve at different rates.

Desert Miracle will be reunited with Christophe Soumillon on Saturday (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes Preview

Michele Wing and the Gold Circle team compiled these preview comments and insightful video.

⭐PREVIEW: RIDGEMONT GARDEN PROVINCE STAKES GR1 1600m🥇

A top class contest awaits with Princess Calla and Desert Miracle renewing their rivalry in a field of 14 classy fillies.

🎤Trainer / Jockey Comments

(in market order)

🔹10. PRINCESS CALLA: “She gets the Turffontein mile, so she should be very comfortable with the Greyville mile. I can’t have her in much better shape. (Desert Miracle) sets the standard at the moment … she’s a two-time group 1 winner over the mile this season. It’s a battle, but we’re ready for it”, Sean Tarry.

🔹6. DESERT MIRACLE: “I think the mile is her best trip. The other filly (Princess Calla) is obviously a super impressive filly and very versatile as well, as she’s a group 1 winner over a mile too, at Turffontein. I think it will be a close contest, but we’ve got to find 3 lengths … quite lot”, Mike de Kock.

🔹12. MARINA: “She ran 2nd in this race last year, so she is quite capable. A tough race this year, with 2 good fillies she has to beat, but certainly could have a money chance”, Candice Bass-Robinson.

🔹14. FEATHER BOA: “It’s never easy drawn 14, especially over the mile at Greyville. Her last run was a good run. She carried top weight in a pinnacle in Joburg. Mr Pettigrew had her 70 or 80% ready. She just ran out of it the last little bit. She’s an honest filly and always gives of her best”, Gavin Lerena.

🔹3. HUMDINGER: “I think the mile is stretching her a little bit in this company. Her best trip is 7 furlongs”, Mike de Kock.

🔹11. GOLDEN HOSTESS: “She’s been one of the most consistent fillies I have. The mile is sometimes just a touch on the far side for her. She ran 3rd to these fillies in Cape Town at the end of our season and could be quite capable of finishing in the money here again”, Candice Bass-Robinson.

🔹2. RENY: “She’s come on a ton from it (her last run). I think she’s going to be very competitive. She’s got a good draw. Couldn’t be happier with her”, James Crawford.

🔹7. GIMME A SHOT: “I do think that over the mile she needs everything to go her way, but a Greyville mile does seem to be easier than what a Turffontein standside mile is. I’ve always been of the opinion that the 1400 is probably her best trip, so a mile at Greyville could be right up her alley”, Adam Azzie.

🔹9. GOING UP: “I think she would probably have some improving to do to feature amongst these fillies”, Candice Bass-Robinson.

🔹5. MISS COOL: Effective over the 1400m. She’s raced twice over the mile in her career, finishing 3 lengths back to Lady Of Power in the grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas in February. Has a bit to find in this field, but anything is possible. Racing News.

🔹8. AMEENA: “I took her down to Greyville and she put up a superb gallop (22 June 2023). In herself she’s very, very well”, Glen Kotzen.

🔹13. TIPSY TARRAGON: “She’s fit and well. Unfortunately we’ve got a shocking draw to contend with and she’s not the easiest ride. We’re more hoping than expecting anything. But anything can happen on the big day”, Tony Peter.

🔹4. EMIRATE GINA: “I give her a competitive chance, but she needs to be at her best to beat that kind of field”, Muzi Yeni.

🔹1. MACARA: “We’re drawn on the paint. Her work has been excellent. Hoping for a cracker”, Wendy Whitehead.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH TRAINER COMMENTS FOR THE RIDGEMONT GARDEN PROVICE STAKES

Various fashion designers displayed their “out of this world” outfits that they will be showcasing at the upcoming Hollywoodbets Durban July, during the Gateway’s Hollywoodbets Durban July Preview show at the Gateway shopping centre on Friday. (Image: Courtesy of Gateway Theatre of Shopping)

Inspiration Behind HDJ Theme Revealed

Ken Tweddell, the former Gold Circle Events Marketing manager, is behind the Hollywoodbets Durban July theme very year and he revealed how he arrived at this year’s theme “Out Of This World”.

He said, “Every year it is becoming more and more difficult, I think I have done about 25 themes. I was just looking for something extraordinary and I put the word ‘extraordinary’ down and mulled over different interpretations of that word and eventually came up with ‘Above And Beyond’ which eventually morphed into ‘Out Of This World’. And it’s a great title, Hollywoodbets being the sponsor with the stars on their logo. I never intended it to embrace that, but it just happened.”

The fashions are sure to be “out of this world” because as Ken says the fashions are “different” every year.

He said, “I look at some of the fashions every year and say how did they interpret it like that, but that is the creative ability of the designer to interpret it the way they want to interpret it.”

Ken uses his own creative ability to devise a poem about the theme every year and below is this year’s poem:

OUT OF THIS WORLD

The heavens at night,
Purple skyglow, almost black.
The full moon so bright,
Wispy clouds seem laidback.

The planets in deeper space,
Vista pin-pricked by stars.
Spot one with an amber glow,
Could that be Mars?

Other planets out there,
Inspiringly colourful too.
Your imagination will run wild,
Focus on one that suits you.

Now come down to Earth,
Fashion, fun and entertainment,
And the latest equine millionaire.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event.

A B O V E & B E Y O N D

Lot 7 is a Futura colt consigned by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds (Picture: BSA)

Upward Trend Of Bloodstock Sales Set To Continue In KZN

Altogether 170 yearlings will come under the hammer at Suncoast casino

David Mollett (Business Day)

Buoyed by last weekend’s Cape Winter Sale having returned an aggregate of more than R12m, vendors are hoping the upward trend will continue at Thursday’s KZN Yearling Sale to be held at the Suncoast casino near Durban.

Altogether 170 yearlings will come under the hammer and the catalogue contains the progeny of top sires such as Gimmethegreenlight, Vercingetorix and Querari.

Vercingetorix could be responsible for some early action as lot 3 — consigned by the Birch Bros — is one of his sons and a full-brother to Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship winner, Vernichey.

Just 10 lots later, Klawervlei Stud (as agent) will be offering the first produce of Return Flight, Equus Champion two-year-old filly in 2017/18. The filly (lot 13) is by Gimmethegreenlight so she is sure to be popular with buyers.

Riverton Stud have consigned a well-bred colt (lot 25) by Vercingetorix and the youngster is a half-brother to Al Mariachi who boasts six wins between here and Mauritius.

Vercingetorix has nine of his progeny due to go through the ring and Klawervlei Stud (as agent) are offering a filly (lot 33) who is a half-sister to the six-time winner, Silver Operator. Vaughan Marshall’s six-year-old runs in Saturday’s Post Merchants at Greyville.

Camargue Stud will be hopeful of plenty of interest in their filly, Summer Heat (lot 43), as this yearling is a half-sister to grade 1 winner, Guinness.

Boland Stud have consigned a well-bred youngster in the ninth produce of their Jet Master mare, Allez Afrique. The colt (lot 62) is by Vercingetorix and is a full-brother to four-time winner, African Warrior.

In the afternoon session, a lot that stands out is lot 115, which is a Pathfork filly who is a half-sister to Lady Of Power, winner of the Gauteng Fillies Guineas. Sandown Stud are the vendors of this early foal.

Danon Platina — champion two-year-old colt in Japan in 2014 — got off to a bright start in his stud career here and is represented by nine yearlings at the sale. One of them is a colt named The Mikado (lot 148) and this yearling — being offered by Mauritzfontein Stud — is the first produce of the four-time winner, Landela.

On the racing front, Turffontein hosts a nine-race card and both Gavin Lerena and Muzi Yeni should be among the winners.

In the second race, Lerena rides Red Bomber for trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren and the son of Lancaster Bomber should make a bold bid for his second win. The colt won by three lengths on debut but then found the company too strong in the Gold Medallion.

Lerena’s third-race mount, Barbaresco, a R1.4m son of Gimmethegreenlight, will pay a compliment to Sandringham Summit — fancied for Saturday’s grade 2 Golden Horseshoe — if he sees off seven rivals over 1,200m.

Ivy League — a well-bred daughter of What A Winter — appeals as the right horse for the exacta.

Yeni partners Greenlight Magic for the third time in the fifth race and — from a favourable draw — the three-year-old should make a bold bid to defy top weight of 60kg. Mike de Kock’s runner, Climate Control, rates a big threat.

Bloomington bumped into a useful sort in Celestial City last time out and Yeni has been booked for Fabian Habib’s four-year-old in the final leg of the jackpot. This time the popular jockey will have to overcome a wide draw but if he does the Wylie Hall gelding should take a hand in the finish.

Alec Laird is confident about a big run from Billy Bowlegs in the Durban July and his Silvano filly, Save The Queen, could be worth a swinger bet with Bloomington.

Selections

1st race: (9) Neerah (2) Together Again (1) Southern Style (3) Kit Kat Katie

2nd race: (3) Red Bomber (6) Ivy League (5) Hotarubi (4) Festival Of Magic

3rd race: (4) Barbaresco (6) No Place Like Home (2) Captain Tik Tok (3) Full Go

4th race: (9) The Inkosana (5) Libeccio (7) Follow My Path (4) Wonderworld

5th race: (1) Greenlight Magic (2) Climate Control (9) Little Prince (7) Vesuvio

6th race: (4) Stratospheric (3) Now I Got You (7) Cian The Conqueror (8) Lord Varys

7th race: (5) Spring Will Come (8) Twice As Wild (1) Rattle Bag (6) Maboneng

8th race: (3) Bloomington (8) Save The Queen (9) Sea Anemone (5) Suryavarman

9th race: (11) Red Carpet Girl (3) Brosnan (1) Insatiable (4) Clean Living

Professor Ian Sanne

Professor Ian Sanne Resigns From NHA Board

NHA Press Release

Professor Ian Sanne was appointed to the National Board of The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (“ the NHA”) in terms of clause 15.1.1 of the Constitution on 27 January 2021.

He has tendered his resignation as a Director of the NHA with immediate effect for personal reasons.

The Board of Directors of the NHA thank Professor Sanne for his valuable contribution and wish him every success in his future endeavours.

Mr N Nalliah

Chairman

Turffontein Inside Fields, Thursday

The 1963 July

Today’s Question

Which famous horse who won the July 60 years set a world record for nine furlongs when winning the American Handicap at Hollywood Park Racetrack in the USA in the April of the following year?

Question answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Two greats, Colorado King and trainer Syd Laird (southafricanracehorse,wordpress.com).

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION

Credit for the below article: Jay August (southafricanracehorse.wordpress.com)

Colorado King

Ch.h Grand Rapids – Courageous by Fairthorn

“Colorado King was a medium-sized horse, rather plain in appearance. He was a very powerful, unbelievably resolute galloper – a real machine and as sound as a bell. Soon after my uncle Syd Garrett died, and I had taken over his stable, the Birch’s sent him to me to train. In the beginning he was a very fiery individual and a difficult horse to break in. However, as he matured, he settled down considerably, and as a three-year-old was as quiet as a lamb. He did everything that was asked of him as a two-and-three-year-old with the greatest of ease, and I would certainly have rated him as good a three-year-old as Sea Cottage. In my opinion there was nothing special about his looks or his action. His tremendous fighting spirit and determination combined with the fact that he was a resolute galloper made him the perfect racing machine.” – Syd Laird

Colorado King posing shortly after his “July” win – 1963

In South Africa

The story of Colorado King is neatly divided into two parts, his first 21 months of racing in South Africa and his second 19 months of racing in the United States.

Colorado King started for the first time on October 21, 1961, and proceeded to run second in each of his first three starts, failing each time against more forward opponents. He finally broke his maiden on February 3, 1962, and then beat every credible age group opponent in the next five months, ending his first season of racing with 4 wins (3 seconds) from 7 starts. His Cape Nursery was won by 6 lengths, slamming Be Like Dad who had beaten him twice before.

Colorado King gives his first hint of greatness as he smashes the field in the 1962 Cape Nursery. Be Like Dad who had beaten him twice in his first three starts is 7 lengths back in third.

He started his sophomore campaign, his last start of the 1962 Durban Winter Season, with an unplaced effort in the Natal Free Handicap, his only unplaced effort in South Africa, in a race where he seemed to have gone amiss. After a four month break he won all of his next six starts including the 1963 Cape Guineas (in record time which stood until lowered by In Full Flight and Sentinel in 1972), the 1963 Cape Derby (also a record time), the 1963 Clairwood June Handicap (today run as the Rising Sun Challenge) and the 1963 Durban July Handicap. His margin of victory in the Cape Guineas has only ever been bested by another great, Horse Chestnut.

Colorado King wins the 1963 Cape Guineas in record time and by a record margin. It would take 9 years before the time record was broken by In Full Flight and Sentinel, and another 26 years before Horse Chestnut beat the margin of victory.

There was nothing ordinary about those six wins, he won a B Division Handicap by 4.5 lengths, the Guineas Trial by 6 lengths and the Cape Guineas by a record margin of 4.5 lengths. His next start over the 2400m of the Cape Derby highlighted his ability to run a distance and battle against the odds.

He was many lengths behind the free striding filly Majorca at the 400m pole, seemingly out of contention for the win, but he produced the necessary acceleration to pass her close to the line. He broke the race record by 1.4 seconds winning in 2 min 29.60s, a time never beaten while the Cape Derby was run over 2400m.

Colorado King is floundering in third place in the 1963 Cape Derby as Majorca has the field cold at the 400m pole. He would produce the acceleration that only good horses are capable of to pass her close to the line. They would renew rivalry in the 1963 July. The time for this race bested the previous race record by 1.4 seconds.

His first two starts in the Durban Winter Season of 1963 produced wins against older horses as he won the Clairwood June Handicap by 3.75 lengths, and the Durban July Handicap by 1.75 lengths. He was one of the easiest of July winners racing just off the pace and winning without much urging. His combined margin of victory in those six consecutive sophomore wins was 21 lengths.

Colorado King wins without much fuss in the 1963 Durban July Handicap from future Metropolitan Handicap winner Speciality. Jerez, third, would win the Durban Gold Cup four weeks later and had won the previous years Metropolitan Handicap.

His exploits early in 1963 had produced interest from the United States and he was sold to Mr W.R. Hawn, the principal partner of Poltex Stables, for $15,000 in July 1963, a sale that almost did not complete due to the onerous quarantine requirements. Once Colorado King hit the Californian racing circuit, this price would prove a bad under estimation of his true worth.

Mr Piet Louw and his daughter Suzanne, after Colorado King’s July victory.

“Colorado King is, in my opinion, the best horse I ever rode. He was an average sized, plainish, but well put together individual with a long, easy stride. He was a lovely natured horse absolutely sound. He never gave us any trouble. I rode him in eight of his ten South African victories.

In the Guineas he pulled his way to the front and crushed the likes of Sea Rover by 4.5 lengths and Majorca by 6.75 lengths without being given his head. In the Derby I was forced wide on the turn and only got a clear run when Stanley Amos had pinched a long lead on Majorca. I thought I had no chance two furlongs from home. Majorca was still 8 lengths ahead of us and not stopping. How he caught her I will never know. His acceleration was astonishing. He won by half a length but was 2 lengths clear a few strides past the post.

In the July he carried 112lb, a good weight for a three-year-old. All I did was to steer him through in the straight to win cruising hands-and-heels.

Had Colorado King stayed in South Africa, I think he would have been unbeatable as a four-year-old. He was a great horse.” – Bobbie Sivewright, who partnered Colorado King in all but three of his starts, and Sea Cottage in all but one of his twenty-four starts.

Colorado King shortly after boarding for the US

Colorado King was foaled on October 15, 1959. He was bred by the Birch Bros, and his racing career was leased to Mr P.S. (Piet) Louw. He was trained by Syd Laird. He departed South Africa in September 1963, arriving in Brooklyn, USA, on October 13, 1963, having travelled on the freighter SS African Sun from Cape Town.

He was the third foal of his dam COURAGEOUS (1952: Fairthorn – Firefighter by Asbestos II). Her first foal Stump (colt by Straight Play) was a ten-time winner and her second foal Attack (filly by Herculaneum) a four-time winner. She was barren for five years after producing Colorado King before producing her fourth and last foal in 1965. Courageous raced seven times as a juvenile without any success. Courageous’ dam Firefighter would be the great-great grandam, on the maternal line, of another great Wolf Power.

In South Africa he sired six crops from 1959 to 1964, and a total of 56 made it to the course of which 34 were winners. Colorado King was a singular success in an otherwise sedate sire performance. The only other stakes performer he sired of any note was Desert Gold (1959: ex Miss Glitters by Foxhunter), a ten time winner including the the 1964 State Express 555 Champion Stakes.

Grand Rapids, the sire of Colorado King. He had been born in the same crop of Italian foals as the great Ribot and had run second to that horse, albeit a distant 8 lengths behind, in 1956. Ribot was unbeaten, a dual Arc winner, the best horse ever produced in Italy, and likely one of a handful of truly great racehorses alongside Frankel, Man o’ War, Secretariat and Sea Bird.

In the USA

“Colorado King was not a fast breaker – Maybe he could be but he’s too smart for that. What I mean is that in one of his early races in this country, he got bumped real good coming out of the gate. He doesn’t want that to happen again, so he usually gets off a little behind the pack. That could be a problem for us except he’s run so well, he’s been able to win in spite of the slow starts.” – Wally Dunn, trainer of Colorado King – article by Steve Klessel of the Philadelphia Sun – August 1964.

Colorado King arrived in the USA without much fanfare on Sunday October 13, 1963, a month after leaving Cape Town on the freighter SS African Sun. He had been acquired by Poltex Stables, a syndicate comprising Fritz (W.R.) Hawn, Lawrence Pollack, Roland Bond and Keith Freeman. Wally Dunn the soon-to-be-trainer of Colorado King travelled to Durban a couple of months earlier to see the horse and it was on his say-so that the deal was clinched, despite initial reservations about the quarantine requirements.

The syndication price reported in the US was $44,100. The purchase price in South Africa was reported as $15,000, so one can imagine that some inflating took place somewhere in the exchange. Either way it turned out to be a good investment as Colorado King would earn just over $250,000 racing in the US.

Colorado King travelled the 12500km from Cape Town to Brooklyn before being isolated for a month in quarantine. His long journey finally ended with another 4000km trip, but this time by air from the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States.

Once in California he had to be re-schooled on the starting gate and the dirt tracks. The starting gate only became mainstream in South Africa in the late 1960’s and in Cape Town throughout much of the 60’s the start was from a wire. That he was ready to run just two months after leaving quarantine shows just how durable Colorado King was.

Colorado King and entourage after the 1964 Hollywood Gold Cup

He made his debut in the US in a 1300m Allowance race at Santa Anita on Turf on January 25, 1964. He left it late but got up close to win. Seven days later he won a second Allowance race, this time over 1700m and on the dirt. Three Stakes races followed in five weeks, all but one on dirt, and he managed a third, a fourth and a fifth.

Colorado King romps to a 7 length victory in the Sunset Handicap

Colorado King’s US race record at the end of July 1964 read, 12 starts, 6 wins, 3 thirds and over $236,000 in stakes. At a similar point in 1969 and with a similar record, another South African American, Hawaii, was retired. Had Colorado King been retired at this point his racing record would have read, 27 starts, 16 wins, 3 seconds and 4 thirds.

“He’s an intelligent horse, and quick to learn. It takes a firm but patient person to get along with him. He has a set mind. But once he learns something, he learns it for good.” – Joe Powers (pictured with Colorado King), the groom who took care of Colorado King during his racing career in the US.

But it was not to be. His new owners emboldened by his success decided not to rest him but rather to trek back to the East Coast and to take on the best there, a feat that almost no Californian had done with success before. This would prove to be too much even for a horse of Colorado King’s durability.

Colorado King’s summary racing career stats

The true estimation of his ability was recognised by the Daily Racing Form, which rated Colorado King at 125lb in the 1964 Free Handicap, 11lb below the great Kelso and just 3lb below that year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Northern Dancer. The annual Bloodstock Breeder’s Review, for the same year, rated Colorado King at 124lb, 8th best in the World behind Kelso (132) and Relko (130). As a measure of how Colorado King had regressed in 1965, the same annual rated him 116lb for that year.

Colorado King in the winner’s box after the Sunset Handicap

He entered stud at Rancho Jonata in California in August 1965 where he stood a couple of seasons before moving to Rancho de Compeones. He was never a great success at stud and managed a few minor Stakes winners but nothing comparable to himself.

His best winners were the unimaginatively named Colorado King Jr (11 wins), Colorado Run (14 wins) and Viva America (12 wins). His offspring were noted to lack the early speed which was always a sought-after attribute in US dirt racing.

His daughters produced a few minor Stakes winners but again nothing exceptional with Brass Britches (13 wins ex-Brass Ring), Thunder Para (12 wins ex-Colorado Storm), Weather Tamer (10 wins ex-Consumer Offer), Brombell (16 wins ex-Mrs Bromley), First Draft Choice (6 wins in 11 starts ex-Precision Miss) and Maeve O (14 wins ex-Related) the best.

No date of death is recorded for Colorado King but his last thoroughbreds were foaled in 1984 and his last quarter horses in 1986, so it is presumed he died around 1985.

Colorado King was the first horse to showcase the talents of South African horses in the United States, and as one of the very best to have raced in South Africa. His lapse in the last year of his racing career should be ignored for it was a case of being asked to go several yards too far.

The 7 length gap to second in the Sunset Handicap

Turffontein stages the Grade 2 Colorado KIng Stakes each March over 2000m to honour his name. This race was run as the Newmarket Stakes prior to 2000.

The following article appeared in the Los Angeles Times, June 20, 1964 penned by Al Wolf.

The Story of Colorado King

One of the highly-fancied entrants in today’s Inglewood Handicap at Hollywood Park is the South African champion – Colorado King. Quite a story attaches this fellow. Trainer Wally Dunn narrates it:

“We first heard of Colorado King about a year ago from Keith Freeman, the thoroughbred bloodstock agent who’d seen him race in South Africa and was much impressed. The plan was that I’d go to South Africa and watch him run in a mile and five-sixteenths handicap against older horses. He was a 3-year-old then.

“But when we heard of all the red tape involved – no way to transport him by air from Cape Town and a 60-day quarantine once he arrived here because of highly contagious and usually fatal South African horse sickness – we decided to forget the whole thing.

“In September, I was in New Jersey with the filly Blue Norther and we heard from Freeman again. He again had high praise for the horse. So, I went to Cape Town and watched him gallop around for two or three days, then checked X-rays of his legs which indicated he was sound. Lawrence Pollack of Poltex Stable, Roland Bond, Fritz Hawn and Freeman each put up $11,000 and bought him.

Travelled by Freighter

“The only way to get Colorado King out of there was by ship, so passage was booked on a freighter. We had a special crate built and he travelled on the top deck, with only the captain and crew to take care of him. “The horse was 15 days at sea, and the last four were pretty rugged as the ship dodged a hurricane near the Bahamas.

“When he arrived at Boston, I went to see him, but they wouldn’t let me near. They burned the crate and everything else because of fear of that horse sickness. Then he was put in quarantine. We heard about a way to get around the 60-day wait by putting another horse in with Colorado King, taking a blood sample and injecting it into this other horse. If nothing showed up within 30 days, we’d get out. Nothing did show up and we took him to Pimlico to unlimber a few days before flying on to California.

Bothered by Gate

Colorado King proceeded to score the first time out in this country in a turf sprint, then switched to Santa Anita’s dirt track and repeated at a mile and one-sixteenth. Stepping up into stakes company, he finished fourth carrying 122 in the San Luis Rey, then Jugged 124 to fifth place in the Santa Anita ‘Cap – his only off-the-board finish in eight American outings to date.

Finished Third

In his final start of that meeting, Colorado King ran third behind Cyrano and Drill Site in the San Bernardino but popped a splint and had to be fired. First time out at Hollywood Park he was fourth in the Express. Then, he wound up a bold third in the Californian.

Capping the story, Colorado King should have been named Michigan King. His sire is an Italian stallion named Grand Rapids, and his former owners were under the impression that city was located in Colorado.

——-ooOoo——-

Turf Talk Newsletter – 28 June, 2023