Richard Fourie hugs the darling of the SA Turf, Captain’s Ransom, after one of her 13 victories (Picture: Wayne Marks).
Captain’s Ransom To Be Covered By Jet Dark
The Sporting Post
Two Snaith champions who were arch-rivals for the SA Horse Of The Year crown in the 2021/22 season will meet in the breeding paddock in what has been popularly termed a ‘marriage made in heaven’.
It was speculation for some time, but we can announce that outgoing SA Horse Of The Year Captain’s Ransom will be covered by former stablemate Jet Dark this season.
Captain’s Ransom stretches – loving life as a broodmare (Pic – Supplied)
Suzette and Basie Viljoen welcomed their superstar Captain’s Ransom home to their Hopes And Dreams Stud on the old Arc En Ciel property last week, and really do have a powerhouse to kickstart their new breeding operation.
SPEAKING TO THE SPORTING POST AFTER THE DRAKENSTEIN STALLION DAY LAST FRIDAY, A VISIBLY EMOTIONAL JONATHAN SNAITH, WHO IS FILLING THE ROLE OF STALLION MANAGER TO NEW SIRE JET DARK, BEAMED WITH PRIDE.
“We purchased both Jet Dark and Captain’s Ransom off the 2019 BSA National Yearling sale and we never in our wildest dreams would have imagined they’d compete, neck and neck, for the Horse of the Year in 2022! To see them visit each other in their first year at stud is a dream come true, not only for their connections, but for the racing public and fans too,” he added, confirming that he believed that the exceptional pair of equine athletes ‘are sure to produce something very special’.
The mating of the star duo will certainly produce some interesting in-breeding.
Roberto is on the top line of both Captain Ransom’s sire Captain Al and her dam Cinnas Ransom.
Roberto’s full-sister Glorious Spring is the dam of Rollins, the damsire of Jet Master, who is damsire of Jet Dark.
Champion Captain’s Ransom and Richard Fourie – power pair! (Pic -Chase Liebenberg)
Captain’s Ransom was a winner of six Gr1 races from 1200m to 1800m in a distinguished career that saw her register 13 wins and 5 places from just 19 starts which earned R3,5m in stakes.
Her dam, Cinnas Ransom by Red Ransom and out of a Seattle Slew mare, is a half sister to French Gr3 winner Black Rock Desert, and this is the family of sire Slew City Slew.
Bred by Moutonshoek, Captain’s Ransom sold at the 2019 National Yearling Sale for R225 000.
Jet Dark – top racehorse (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
In addition to nine wins from his nineteen career starts, the Drakenstein-bred Jet Dark boasts the distinction of being named 2020/21 Equus Champion three-year-old colt, 2020/21 and 2021/22 Equus Champion Miler, 2021/22 Equus Champion Older Male and 2021/22 Equus Champion Middle Distance Horse.
A group winner at two, three, four and five, the son of Trippi accumulated no fewer than five Gr1 wins, beating 2021 Horse Of The Year Rainbow Bridge in the 2021 Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and Gr1 Champions Cup.
He repeated the feat in 2022, beating Kommetdieding in both the 2022 Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and Gr1 Champions Cup and put the final seal on his glittering career with victory in the 2023 Gr1 WSB Cape Met.
Jet Dark – pictured last Friday at Drakenstein Stud (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
In his only attempt at the Hollywoodbets Durban July over 2200m, he flew home under top weight to run a fast finishing second.
He also has the unique distinction of being the only two time L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate-winning colt since his maternal grand sire Jet Master, in 1999 & 2000.
Jet Dark not only combines all the best attributes of Drakenstein stalwart and Champion Sire Trippi, and seven time Champion Sire and four time Champion Broodmare Sire Jet Master, his impressive pedigree also boasts 1997 French Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, Peintre Celebre.
Narina Trogon has been selected by Graeme Hawkins to win the 7th at Hollywoodbets Durbanville tomorrow (Saturday).
Bass-Robinson Holds Strong Hand In HWB Durbanville Headliner
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
Cape Racing stages an 8-race programme at Hollywoodbets Durbanville tomorrow, six of which are Maiden Plates. The main event is the R125 000 Cape B Stakes over 1400m and the race has attracted a highly competitive field of 15 runners.
Candice Bass-Robinson holds a pretty strong hand with three lively candidates, best of which could be the well-drawn Narina Trogon, mount of stable jockey Aldo Domeyer. There is no doubt that Narina Trogon has thus far failed to meet the expectations of his blue-blooded pedigree but in this class of company, he has to be one for the short-list. The going at the Country Course earlier in the week was super-fast and that could be Narina Trogon’s undoing, but if Domeyer can keep the son of Silvano in reasonable touch with the leaders, he might well make his presence felt.
Stable companions Charlie Croker and Michael Faraday both have the form to be competitive but are faced with awkward draws. Charlie Croker is probably one of the most consistent horses around and has only twice failed to make the frame in his sixteen starts to date. In addition his form over 1400m reads six starts for two wins and four seconds and with a bit of luck in running he could build on that fine record tomorrow. Michael Faraday’s form is not as compelling as Charlie Croker, but the 4yo son of Vercingetorix has shown good improvement in his last two starts and he could have a say in the outcome.
The main threat to the Bass-Robinson runners could come from the Eric Sands-trained Carriacou who back in March finished under a length behind Charlie Croker and is now 2kgs better off. In addition, Carriacou now has the benefit of pole position and he should be cherry-ripe to deliver a strong performance.
The only other non-Maiden race is the final event on the card, the R100 000 Cape C Stakes over 1400m and here recent maiden winner Questioning can record back-to-back victories. On debut Questioning was beaten by Café Culture, who franked the form by winning again at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last weekend. Then Questioning came out a couple of months later and starting a red-hot favourite at 4/10, the well-bred son of Querari scored comfortably in very heavy going. On that occasion he beat Greeting My Master who lines up in the third race tomorrow, a Maiden Plate over 1250m, and with Richard Fourie in the irons, Greeting My Master is expected to frank Questioning’s form.
Questioning has drawn the plum gate and with Bernard Fayd’herbe in the saddle, the Vaughan Marshall-trained gelding shapes up as a potential Pick 6 banker. Those wishing to hedge their bets may want to consider Masked Vigilante, Sylvan Theatre and Kimball O’Hara but I am expecting Questioning to prove a tough nut to crack.
Earlier in the day Marshall sends out Coastal Commander in the second race, a Maiden Plate over 1250m. The son of Champion Freshman sire Lancaster Bomber has finished runner-up in all three starts to date and will be a popular Bipot and Place Accumulator banker. But keep an eye on the betting, as Candice Bass-Robinson will saddle the newcomer Foudre, half-brother to Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam and Golden Ducat, for owner Lady Laidlaw and any market support will have to be taken seriously. In her pre-race comments, Bass-Robinson suggests that Foudre “is a nice colt, but will need the experience.”
Race 4 on the programme looks a three-cornered contest between Red Moon Rising, Strata and Fatal Gem, all of which have the form to win a race of this nature. Despite being drawn widest of this trio, Fatal Gem could prove too strong for Strata and Red Moon Rising and keep an eye out for the well-bred debutante, Ice Rain, who is expected by trainer Andre Nel to make a pleasing impression first time out. At a nice price Tres Chic is one to consider for Trifectas and Quartets.
Brett Crawford will fancy taking out the fifth race with Luce Verde who caught the eye with a sparkling second on debut last month. The son of Gimmethegreenlight ran on very strongly over 1200m on a heavy track when runner-up behind Le Legionnaire and Crawford has immediately stepped him up to 1600m tomorrow. Marshall Field is probably his biggest danger from the best of the draw while Greenland has plenty of scope for improvement but races from the worst of the draw.
Of the many Maiden Plates on the day, the 1st and the 6th races look the most open. Warm Winter Night has the best form in the opener over 1000m but there are a number of very well-bred newcomers, best of which could be Connery for Glen Kotzen and Unicorn Alert of Justin Snaith. The market will probably be the best guide to this, the first leg of the Bipot.
Race 6, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1600m, has attracted a field of ten runners, most of which have claims to the winner’s cheque. The top three in no particular order could be Two A Penny, Passchendaele and Montreal but Pick 6 and Jackpot punters are advised to cast their net a little wider in this tricky contest.
Bourgeoisie in the familiar Hollywood yellow and purple colours is mowed down by Queen Of Mougins over six furlongs at Newbury today (4RacingTv).
Hollywood Syndicate/Barnane Stud Second Again in the UK
Siyouni filly Bourgeoisie finished second for the third time in succession today meaning the Hollywood Syndicate’s yellow with purple stars colours are yet to prevail in a flat race in the U.K.
Bourgeoisie is trained by Richard Hannon and officially owned by Barnane Stud and Owen Heffer.
Barnane Stud is owned by the Kieswetter family of Ridgemont Stud in South Africa.
Bourgeoisie started favourite in the six furlong Novice Fillies event at Newbury.
She got a nice tow under Sean Levey sitting just off the pace and produced a good turn of foot to strike the front.
However, she was mowed down by her market rival, Queen Of Mougins, a first-timer from the yard of in form trainer Ralph Beckett.
Beckett is currently lying sixth in the British Flat Trainers Championship and that was his 82nd win of the season.
Richard Fourie and Alan Greeff got off to a good start at Fairview today, winning the first with Lancaster Bomber filly The Lady Love and they went on to have a treble together. (Pauline Herman Photography).
Fourie Closes The Gap On Yeni With Treble
Richard Fourie went to joint-second on the log in his bid to win a first national jockeys championship when riding a treble for Alan Greeff on the Fairview turf today.
Log leader Muzi Yeni had one win at the meeting.
Fourie has now had nine wins at a strike rate of 20% and is six behind Yeni whose 15 wins have come at a strike rate of 23.81%.
S’Manga Khumalo rode a double for East Cape Champion Trainer Gavin Smith.
Khumalo is on three wins at 17.65%.
Both Greeff and Smith are on seven wins at 14% and 12.73% respectively.
Captain Hindsight has been selected by the At The Races Tipster to make it a 9th career win in the 6th race at Turffontein Inside tomorrow (Saturday)
Turffontein Inside Saturday August 19 Formguides And Selections
1 12:00 Noon – 4Racing Welcomes You Maiden Plate (F & M)
Hollie Doyle is fresh from winning the silver saddle at the Shergar Cup (Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Hollie Doyle Previews Her Weekend Rides For At The Races
www.attheraces.com
Fresh from Shergar Cup success, Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador runs through her five rides at Doncaster on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Racing, and looks to dates with destiny on Group 1 stars at York next week.
Hoping Royal Ascot Winner Hooves Can Find His Rhythm
I’m back on board my Royal Ascot winner RHYTHM N HOOVES in the feature race at Doncaster on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Racing, the Custom Chairs By KC Sofas Handicap (4.15).
Archie Watson’s three-year-old ran the race of his life to win the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes at the Royal Meeting in June but paid the price for that hard-fought success with a 9lb rise in the ratings.
Things didn’t pan out for him when he returned to the scene of that success to take on the older sprinters last month but he’s a lovely horse who, despite his big weight, might just appreciate the smaller field.
Purple In The Pink On Town Moor
I link up with my old boss Richard Hannon and Amo Racing for what could be my best chance of the afternoon in the soccersofas.com Novice Stakes (3.40).
PURPLE LOVE returned from almost a year off to run a lovely race at Newmarket two weeks ago, when she was beaten less than a length by Charlie Appleby’s promising filly Whispering Words in a fillies’ novice over 1m.
Dropping back to 7f on this big track should be ideal – her pedigree is packed with decent form at the trip – and I’m fully expecting her to build on that encouraging re-appearance before she goes handicapping.
Empire Chases Elusive Success
The addition of cheekpieces could prove the key to Archie Watson’s ELUSIVE EMPIRE in the Follow At The Races On Twitter Handicap (4.50).
He ran well over a shorter trip in a steadily run race at Musselburgh last time and should enjoy 1m on the round track. He’s improving with experience and can give Yorkshire based Hambleton Racing something to cheer about on home soil.
I pull on the Hambleton silks again in the Watch Sky Sports Racing 415 Handicap (5.25) when I ride stable companion VERONA STAR , who also wears the sheepskins for the first time. He didn’t see out the trip over 1m at Leicester last time so dropping back to 7f should be ideal.
Better Ground The Key To Knight
Richard Hannon’s LEXINGTON KNIGHT is on a high enough mark right now but has won at Doncaster and should enjoy the galloping track in the Eco-Power Group Handicap (3.05).
He will also be better suited by the faster ground after struggling in testing conditions at Ffos Las a couple of weeks ago, when the longer trip may have also caught him out.
His last four wins have come over further than this but they should go a decent gallop which is what he needs over 10f.
So Excited To Take On The Colts In Juddmonte
It’s so exciting that my boss Imad Alsagar has given his Classic-winning filly NASHWA the go-ahead to take her chance in next week’s Group 1 showpiece at York, the £1million Juddmonte International.
Taking on the remarkable Paddington and her own stablemate Mostahdaf will be some spectacle. Things just didn’t go her way in a muddling Nassau Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival but she’s deserving of her chance against the colts on the Knavesmire.
I’m also looking forward to renewing my partnership with Archie Watson’s Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes hero BRADSELL in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes. It’s the ideal race for him and he’s been training well at Saxon Gate Stables in readiness for it.
Proud Day At The Shergar Cup
Riding two winners at last week’s Shergar Cup at Ascot and being part of the successful Ladies was another highlight in what has so far been a memorable season.
I was so proud to add the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle for leading rider to my CV after scoring on Jessie Harrington’s Irish raider THE VERY MAN in the Stayers’ and James Tate’s REGAL EMPIRE in the Classic.
It was only the second time I’d ridden in the Shergar Cup – I was still an apprentice on the first occasion – and really enjoyed the camaraderie and the atmosphere generated by a very enthusiastic crowd. Ascot did a great job.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.
Through the ages: Cottenham’s stand in its heyday; in its current state; and how it could look as a house
A 100-year-old Racecourse Grandstand Could Be Your New Home!
Historic site in England set for transformation into four-bedroom house
Racing fans could get a unique opportunity to live in a near century-old racecourse grandstand, with plans in place to turn the closed building at Cottenham racecourse into a four-bedroom home.
The Cambridgeshire track had held point-to-point fixtures since Victorian times but closed in 2020. It staged the National Hunt Chase, now held at the Cheltenham Festival, twice during the 1870s, and the grandstand was built in 1925 as part of ambitions – which did not come to fruition – to turn Cottenham from a point-to-point track into a professional racecourse.
The stand is now set to be converted into a two-storey house designed to create a “fitting memory” to Cottenham’s racing history. The plans feature four ground-floor bedrooms, three en-suites and a bathroom, while the upstairs will have an open-plan kitchen and living room with a large patio looking out over the old racecourse. The main structure of the building will be retained, as will doors and windows, and the large speakers kept as a memento.
The master’s hut building, which was used for hospitality, a sick bay and female changing room are set to be knocked down and replaced with a garage and home office, while an unpaved track will be upgraded to a road.
It has been designed by locally based NP Architects for Michael Gingell, the land owner and long-time chairman of the track. He inherited the racecourse from his parents and retired when the track closed, his work there having also included clerking.
His initial plans, through property developers Dakin Estates Ltd, were to turn the stand into an office building, although the advice was against that project due to a lack of demand.
Developer Nick Dakin said: “The grandstand itself was built around 90 years ago in an attempt to turn Cottenham into a professional, commercial racecourse, but the attempt failed due to the proximity of courses at Newmarket and Huntingdon, so Cottenham returned to its amateur point-to-point status. Albeit, by point-to-point standards, it had a very fine grandstand.
“Far from being just a viewing platform, the grandstand had doors, windows, plumbing, drainage and electricity and, inside, a weighing-in room, jockeys’ changing rooms, offices for stewards and secretaries, and toilets. On racedays its interior was a hive of activity.
“The design of the proposed conversion will honour the grandstand’s previous use, retaining the same build form and reusing existing windows and doors. It is earnestly hoped the finished conversion will keep alive the memory of, and provide a fitting memorial to, the long tradition of racing at Cottenham.”
The redevelopment is subject to approval from South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Cottenham’s major change – in pictures
Cottenham: a busy raceday in the 1940s
Plans to redevelop Cottenham into a two-storey house
Today’s Question
Which English racecourse relic is pictured above?
Question answer at the bottom of the newsletter
The Bibury Club was founded in 1792 and put on races at various courses around the country before moving to Stockbridge in 1831. A specific grandstand was built at the racecourse for Bibury Club members and also doubled as a Roman Catholic chapel. The Bibury Club was an exclusive, private racing club for the high society of England with select members including some of the most powerful and influential royals, aristocrats, and statesmen of the time. Bibury Club meet rules insisted that horses could only be ridden by their gentlemen owners! This stood until they realised that lighter jockeys could increase the speed of the races.
Stockbridge Racecourse in its heyday
The first racing at Stockbridge took place on Houghton Down from, at the latest, 1775, and possibly earlier. By 1839 a new course had been developed on Danebury Hill near Nether Wallop.
The Southern half of the course is now part of an organic dairy farm farmed by A Burnfield & Sons Ltd.
