Somerset Maugham (light blue Drakenstein Stud colours) won the Listed Settlers Trophy in the boardroom last year after being touched off by Hans Solo and he can retain his title (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Somerset Maugham Can Retain Settlers On Bumper Weekend

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Weekend Suggestions

SNAITH SETS SIGHTS ON SETTLERS SUCCESS

The predicted better weather conditions in Cape Town over the next two days will be a welcome relief ahead of Saturday’s nine-race card at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, which includes the Listed Settlers Trophy (Race 7) as well as the reappearance of several stars of the South African turf. Somerset Maugham, who won last year’s Settlers Trophy in his first go at 2000m, is back to defend his title and forms part of a formidable three-pronged attack from the Justin Snaith stable.

With stable jockey Grant van Niekerk on Twice Over gelding Triple Time, riding arrangements suggest this progressive last-start winner is the pick of the Snaith runners, but that should not put off Somerset Maugham supporters who can expect a good run for their money – and at better value too. This well-related Trippi gelding is a full-brother to superstar colt Charles Dickens and is open to improvement. He is likely to be aimed at bigger prizes in the summer should he make a successful defence of his title. Snaith’s stable stalwart Rio Querari, a former Equus Champion Sprinter, makes his reappearance in Race 8 and should prove too good for his rivals.

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE PICK 6 (starts Race 4):

R576

Leg 1: 5, 6, 10, 13
Leg 2: 2, 5, 11, 13
Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 8
Leg 4: 1, 7, 10
Leg 5: 7
Leg 6: 1, 6, 10

MUZI LOOKS SET FOR SUNDAY TREBLE IN KZN

Riding winners up and down the country is no mean feat and one not foreign to jockey Muzi Yeni, who plays down his SA Jockeys’ Championship ambitions but continues to churn out winners wherever he goes. And his visit to Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday is likely to be rewarded with three winners.

Beach Palace is the first of his potential winning treble in Race 2 with the step up in distance from 1200m to 1600m expected to draw improvement from this Paul Lafferty-trained son of Potala Palace. A wide draw and 61kg could result in Master Josh starting at inflated odds in Race 5 and that’s an opportunity not to pass up. Yeni has struck up a potent partnership with Alyson Wright’s charge, who has run well in both post-maiden outings off a higher mark.

Yeni looks set to cap a good day by winning on Nathan Kotzen-trained Harley’s Fate in Race 8, his mount having run third in stronger company last time out. Yeni will be back at Hollywoodbets Greyville for the Heritage Day meeting on Monday, when he has seven rides including five for Wright.

BANK ON KOSCIUSZKO IN GRADE 1 RAFFLES CUP

Singapore racing action resumes this weekend with a bumper 12-race card headlined by the 1600m Grade 1 Raffles Cup, the first leg of the Triple Crown that is at the mercy of champion galloper Lim’s Kosciuszko. Already a five-time Grade 1 winner, Daniel Meagher’s stable star is at the peak of his powers and unbeaten this year in four starts. Three of those wins were at Grade 1 level, including a Raffles Cup victory back in March.

The six-year-old gelding is by far the best bet on the card and should add to his big-race successes in Race 11. Among his rivals is former South African runner Katak (previously trained by Piet Steyn) and Golden Monkey, who appear the two most likely to chase him home.

IGNORE HAATEM’S GIMCRACK STAKES EFFORT

There are five flat race meetings scheduled in the UK this Saturday, when the headline event is the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. It’s probably worth giving another chance to Haatem, who Sean Levey rides for trainer Richard Hannon (his dad won this race back in 2004 and 2005).

Haatem failed in the Gimcrack Stakes last time, but his performance was too bad to be true. On his earlier form, which includes a Group 2 second in the Superlative Stakes behind City Of Troy and a Group 2 Vintage Stakes success, this Phoenix Of Spain colt is more than capable of redeeming himself.

DRAGON LOOKS FOR FIRST SHA TIN WIN

Danny Shum hopes Hugh Bowman, who currently leads the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with nine wins from Zac Purton (five), can help Nordic Dragon deliver his first Sha Tin win on Sunday, when the talented galloper contests the Class 2 HKU Foundation Handicap over 1200m. “The key metric is Hugh Bowman. He’s got good hands, he can teach the horse to relax and finish,” Shum said. “Nordic Dragon)is very good, he’s very healthy and he’s trialled very good and after the final gallop on Thursday, Hugh Bowman gave me a very positive report.” A Hong Kong International Sale Graduate, Nordic Dragon boasts five wins from seven Happy Valley starts but finished eighth in his sole Sha Tin attempt last season.

BET A SUPER 6 ON THE BOKS WITH TAB

The 2023 Rugby World Cup (RWC) is gathering momentum and the third round of group matches is underway. TAB soccer customers with an interest in rugby can make the action even more exciting by playing a rugby bet with TAB.

The third of eight games in the third round of group matches takes place this afternoon, when Argentina play Samoa in a crunch contest likely to decide which of them qualifies from Pool D along with England for the quarter-finals. The other third-round matches will be played on Saturday and Sunday and for South Africans the big game is the Pool B crunch clash with Ireland at 21:00 tomorrow night.

The Boks are going for broke up front and have named a bench comprising seven forwards and just one backline reserve, a risky but decisive move that has shocked and horrified some commentators, and even being described as unfair! There’s a TAB Rugby Super 6 on the Springboks, a really entertaining bet comprising six legs in which different elements relating to the selected team (in this case South Africa) must be forecast. The full details are under Rugby at www.tab4racing.com

There’s also a Try Scorer bet on each individual match. To win Try Scorer, the jersey numbers of the players who score the first and last tries for each team must be forecast. The bet comprises four legs with a range of nine options in each leg.

Charles Savage (Picture: Sporting Post)

Savage Clarifies Gauteng Position After Bortz Speech

by David Mollett (Business Day)

The Western Cape may feel they have found a saviour for racing in Greg Bortz, but the sport is in safe hands in Gauteng with businessman Charles Savage, the chair of 4Racing.

Savage is the CEO of Purple Group, a fintech company and a pioneer in democratising the stock market for all South Africans. He was part of the team that broke more ground in contract for difference and spread trading in SA.

After Bortz’s speech at the Cape awards at the beginning of the month, several issues arose and — on September 6 — 4Racing issued a media statement which the Sporting Post website labelled as “puzzling”. The statement said: “Executive management, senior leadership and stake holders have received numerous inquiries regarding the veracity of Mr Bortz’s statements.”

Sporting Post added: “It seems that particular issue was taken in the debate around Bortz’s authority in regard to the legislating of rules that would raise standards of fairness and enforce equal competition in the Cape.”

Perhaps Sporting Post had a point regarding the statement, so Business Day contacted Savage who lost no time clarifying the situation.

He said: “We wanted clarity for all stakeholders between what rules an operator can impose versus those that the NHA [National Horseracing Authority] are mandated to govern over and impose. In short we wanted to ensure that we don’t have a case of ‘differing regulatory standards’ in one region over another.

“In 4Racing’s view the governance, regulation, and with it the integrity of horse racing, is the mandate of the NHA supported and funded by the entire industry but perhaps most notably especially the operators.

“It is also our view that this is an area that is not and should not be a point of contention or competition between operators and while we fully support innovation and improvement in these areas we are mindful that all stakeholder inputs need to be considered with the facts in hand before casting old rules aside or imposing new rules.”

Regarding the Equus awards, Savage said: “We support a rotational system giving all operators equal opportunity to host.”

Savage is an enthusiastic owner who has enjoyed considerable success with top trainer Mike De Kock. After one of his horses had carried his colours and a partner to victory in a race in KwaZulu-Natal, De Kock said: “It’s about more than owning top horses for these guys. They love thoroughbreds and the excitement of the game.”

That racing will reach a crescendo at Turffontein on November 25 with the running of the R5m Betway Summer Cup and 4Racing CEO Fundi Sithebe is doing everything in her power to promote the event. Perhaps there has never been a Gauteng CEO so available to the media.

“The Betway Summer Cup in many ways is the highlight of the highveld racing season. For punters, this is a huge day with big pools and top quality competitive horse racing throughout the day. So get your tickets early and join us for what is sure to be a sensational Betway Summer Cup,” Sithebe said.

The improvement of grooms’ accommodation is another area addressed by Sithebe and her team in recent weeks and she paid tribute to the 4Racing board who approved the accommodation renovations as part of a 4Racing transformation initiative which will see 26% of 4Racing transferred to a Grooms Employees Trust as part of a series of wide-ranging transformation initiatives.

The CEO said: “It is a very difficult economic and trading environment where we continue to fight for the survival and sustainability of the horse racing industry. The 4Racing board has been true to our company’s ethos of ‘profit through purpose’ and have prioritised basic human conditions and the dignity of grooms through the grooms accommodation renovation project.”

Master Archie is doing well at Winterbach Stud

Master Archie Already Has Two Mares In Foal

Gr 1-winning sprinter Master Archie has proven to be fertile as two of the first mares he covered, a pair from Jikkie de Wet’s Prosper Stud, have both been tested in foal.

The Winterbach Stud-based son of Rafeef is enjoying his new job.

Hendrik Winterbach Jnr said, “He’s doing a proper, proper job. His libido is exceptional, he’s covering very strongly, he is ready for action.”

Master Archie has plenty more mares still to cover.

Meanwhile, his Potala Palace half-brother Majestic Palace makes his debut over 1200m at the Vaal next Thursday.

He is trained by Mike and Adam Azzie and will be ridden by JP van der Merwe.

Rio Querari has been selected to win the eighth race by the At The Races tipster (Picture: Wayne Marks).

HWB Durbanville Saturday Formguides And Selections

At The Races

1 12:10 PM – Hollywoodbets Durbanville Welcomes You Maiden Plate

Well-bred GET IMPRESSED was returning from a rest, during which he was gelded, when finishing 3rd at this track last time and with any improvement could well open his account from gate No 1. SPEED RACER showed enough as a 2yo to suggest he will be competitive on his reappearance, which also applies to LIGHTNING GLOW after a promising debut 3rd almost five months ago. The betting should provide clues to the chances of the newcomers.

Top Tip: SPEED RACER (3)

Watch out for: GET IMPRESSED (1)

2 12:40 PM – Hollywoodbets Durbanville Country Series Maiden Plate (F & M)

Tricky. Well-bred THREE COINS made good improvement last time when finishing behind both NILE THE BOSS and LOVE SHACK over 1000m but, with further progress expected over this trip, could turn the tables from gate No 1. PINEAPPLEMINTGREEN is held on that form but ought to improve over the extra. ROCKING PEONIE is another likely improver so could have a say despite a wide draw. SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL has the form and experience to stake a claim too. Newcomers DEVILISHLYGORGEOUS, GIMMETHATPEARL and DOITWITHDIAMONDS must be respected, especially if the market speaks in their favour.

Top Tip: PINEAPPLEMINTGREEN (8)

Watch out for: SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL (5)

3 1:10 PM – Cape Racing Sales Maiden Plate (F & M)

SONG OF MYSELF outran big odds when finishing a close-up 3rd on debut over this track and trip. She ought to have gained plenty from that experience and needn’t improve a great deal to confirm that promise and open her account. Both TRES CHIC and MILLIONDOLLAR GIRL are held on that form but could get into the picture if building on the progress they made last time. NIGHT VIGIL, however, may pose a bigger a threat on the evidence of her eye-catching debut when running on well over a shorter trip. Newcomers SILENT WHISPERER and QHAWEKAZI are worth a market check.

Top Tip: QHAWEKAZI (8)

Watch out for: SONG OF MYSELF (7)

4 1:45 PM – Cape Turf Club Syndicates Maiden Plate

Tricky. MOONACRES and IGUGULETHU ran improved races over this course and distance last time and are likely to fight for victory if building on that progress, although the latter will have to overcome a wide draw to do so. CONNERY has another awkward starting berth to negotiate but he did give the impression he will have more to offer over this distance when running on strongly to finish 3rd over 1000m last time. COLONEL GREEN ought to improve with the benefit of his debut outing, while newcomers CALL TO UNITE and BIG UNIT are of interest too. RAF’S ROCKET is another to keep an eye on.

Top Tip: COLONEL GREEN (6)

Watch out for: MOONACRES (5)

5 2:20 PM – RaceCape Powered By Hollywoodbets Maiden Plate (F & M)

Competitive maiden. PRINCESS IZZY improved when running on to finish 2nd over 1250m last time and ought to make further progress over the extra. TEQUILA SKY and TRIP TO MAPUTO are also likely to improve for this step up in trip but are drawn wide. EPIKLEROS appears the pick of the Snaith runners on riding arrangements so must be respected on her reappearance, having run well in open company as a 2yo last season. Newcomers HELIOTROPE and ENCHANTING CHOICE have attractive pedigrees so are worth a market check.

Top Tip: EPIKLEROS (2)

Watch out for: MARIA CHRISTINA (3)

6 2:55 PM – Gulf Racing Club Class 4

Wide open. RAPIDASH (gelded), SPRING PALACE (front runner better on firm ground), last-start winner STEADFAST and debut scorer GREEN WITH ENVY all showed promise during their 2yo campaigns and are likely to improve this term after respective absences. The latter, however, could be worth siding with after an impressive victory first time out from a wide draw. BOOGIEFIED is weighted to get closer to last-start conqueror BRIGHT BLUE SKY, although both should have more to offer over this distance. GALLIC DREAM is a smart 3yo colt who ought to do better over this distance and from a good draw.

Top Tip: RAPIDASH (1)

Watch out for: BOOGIEFIED (6)

7 3:30 PM – Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy (Listed) (Handicap)

SOMERSET MAUGHAM won this race last year in his first attempt at 2000m. He has maintained a good level of form/consistency since and got the better of a subsequent winner when winning over 1600m last time. He races off a career-high mark and is drawn wide but could represent the value in the race, so gets the nod ahead of stablemate and fellow last-start winner TRIPLE TIME who looked back to his best last time with the blinkers removed. LOVE IS A ROSE, MASTER REDOUTE and BARATHEON are all capable of staking a claim. THE FUTURIST and FUTURE SWING, in his first go at 2000m, could have a say too.

Top Tip: TRIPLE TIME (1)

Watch out for: LOVE IS A ROSE (2)

8 4:05 PM – Follow Cape Racing On Social Media Cape A Stakes

Good race. RIO QUERARI sets the standard and is slung in under these conditions will be hard to beat. MUFASA is one of just two course-and-distance winners in the race and is capable of giving cheek, as are PIROSHKA and stablemate MR COBBS who will need a hot pace to aim at to produce his best. SPEED MACHINE and TEMPTING FATE have the means to get into the picture too.

Top Tip: PIROSHKA (1)

Watch out for: MR COBBS (2)

9 4:40 PM – Hollywoodbets Bright Future Cape B Stakes

Competitive concluding event. MOJO MAN is a progressive 3yo who has won both starts with blinkers fitted. He faces a tough test under 60kg against older hard knockers from the widest draw, but he has the speed to lead and could prove up to the task. BENJAMIN, BLUFF ON BLUFF and in-form hat-trick-seeking filly PORQUE TE VAS get weight from their younger rival and are likely to keep him honest, while ROD THE MOD should remain competitive, despite a 4-point penalty, with his headgear also retained. Returning PACIFIC GREEN and stablemate GIMMELIGHTNING aren’t devoid of ability and could feature.

Top Tip: BENJAMIN (1)

Watch out for: BLUFF ON BLUFF (6)

Hollie Doyle Previews Weekend Rides

At The Race/Skypsorts.com

Sky Sports Racing’s ambassador Hollie Doyle rides in the Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday before starring in a Group 1 in Germany on Sunday.

SPEEDY ALBASHEER CAPABLE OF STRIKING GOLD

There’s no doubt ALBASHEER has the ability to win this weekend’s big sprint, the £180,000 Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup Handicap (3.35) on Saturday.

Archie Watson’s five-year-old bounced back to form in timely fashion at York’s Ebor Festival last month, dead-heating with one of this weekend’s market rivals Summerghand in a valuable Class 2 handicap.

He had legitimate excuses at the Curragh two weeks ago when a downpour before racing made the ground too loose for him to produce his turn of foot and we were also left short of room at a crucial stage of the race.

I’m hoping he will cope with the going being on the easy side at Ayr. If he does he undoubtedly has the talent to win this big pot from a decent middle draw in stall 13.

RIPON FORM A POSITIVE FOR SILVER CUP MOUNT

I finished third on WOBWOBWOB at this meeting two years ago so his liking for the track should stand him in good stead in the Virgin Bet Ayr Silver Cup Handicap (2.25).

Adrian Keatley’s gelding is still 5lb higher than his last winning mark but has been running well off similar ratings, including when making the frame in the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon last month.

We’re nicely drawn, again towards the middle in stall 11, and he will definitely enjoy the ground if it stays on the soft side of good.

LOOKING FOR REPEAT SUCCESS IN GROUP 3 FEATURE

The Group 3 Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Firth Of Clyde Stakes (3.00) is a big jump in class for IMPERIALITY but Archie Watson wouldn’t be sending her on the long trip over the border if he didn’t think she could be competitive.

The maiden she won at Hamilton Park in July was on soft ground, which seems to be the key to the daughter of Declaration Of War. She comes into the race fresh and open to improvement.

I actually won this two years ago for Archie and my boss Imad Alsagar on Nazanin so a repeat success with a similarly unexposed filly would be very satisfying.

REVICH OUT FOR REPEAT SUCCESS

Middleham Park Racing’s reliable gelding REVICH won the Virgin Bet daily Price Boosts Handicap (1.15) two years ago and should make a bold bid to repeat the feat.

Richard Spencer’s seven-year-old is high enough in the handicap in this 1m contest but continues to run well as he showed when winning at Chester in May on soft ground.

There was nothing wrong with his placed effort back there earlier this month when he stayed on with some purpose over a slightly shorter trip.

EYE ON VICTORY IN AYR NURSERY

It’ll be nice to ride for home-based trainer Iain Jardine in the Jordan Electrics EBF Nursery Handicap (4.10).

Well-bred Expert Eye colt ELEMENTAL EYE , who is out of a Group 2 winner, makes his debut at this level after showing promise in maiden and novice company at both Hamilton and at this track.

He was sent off favourite last time on his first try at 1m but didn’t get the clearest of runs in a race that looked better than average. Starting off on a lowly mark of 71, I expect him to go well.

GROUP 1 ASSIGNMENT IN GERMANY

I fly out to Germany on Sunday for three rides at Cologne, including Jessie Harrington’s filly TREVAUNANCE in the 61st Preis von Europa (3.35).

Moyglare Stud Farms’ daughter of Muhaarar deserves to take her chance in the 1m4f Group 1 after returning to form in Pattern company in the Blandford Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival.

She won two Group races in France in August last year so is probably one of those fillies who comes into her own later in the year. The forecast good ground will be fine for her and I think she’ll enjoy stepping up in distance.

The Godolphin pair Siskany and Live Your Dream should play a leading role. Will Buick rides the former, the Belmont Gold Cup winner, for Charlie Appleby while Oisin Murphy travels over for Saeed Bin Suroor’s Ebor third.

GEOLOGIST OUT FOR BLACK TYPE

Amy Murphy has excelled with her overseas runners so I’m happy to get the call up for GEOLOGIST in the Listed Winterkonigin Trial.

The turning 7.5f trip should suit the Territories juvenile who ran well over a slightly shorter trip in a Group 3 at Deauville in July.

I also ride Amy’s KAPPARIS KID in the one-mile maiden. He may have been too keen for his own good on debut at Leicester but can hopefully leave that run well behind on only his second career start.

TRUESHAN FIGHTING FIT AFTER DONCASTER WIN

I checked up on my Doncaster Cup hero TRUESHAN the other day and his proud trainer Alan King reports him in fine fettle following his stirring comeback win.

He’s clearly back to his brilliant best following wind surgery and the Group 1 Qatar Prix du Cadran over 2m4f on Arc weekend is now on the agenda.

It’s a race he won two years ago, of course, when he beat his great rival Stradivarius, and if he gets his ground at ParisLongchamp a follow up could certainly be on the cards.

We also have the option of returning to Ascot on British Champions Day in October, live on Sky Sports Racing, in a bid for a fourth Long Distance Cup, so plans remain very much open.

Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.

The United States winning the Gr 2 Moonee Valley Cup under Hugh Bowman in 2015 (RacingandSports.com.au)

The United States’ Dubawi Nephew Entered At Leicester On Monday

Galileo stallion The United States stands at Moutonshoek for a fee of R30,000 and in his first three crops has produced Gr 2 and dual Listed winner Sheela, Gr 3 winner Billy Bowlegs, Gr 3 winner Without Question and dual Listed winner Khaya’s Hope as well as stakes-placed runners East Coast, Smith And Wesson, Sun Blushed, Texas Red, The Charleston, Pure Maverick and Philosophise.

He was due to receive a potential boost at Kempton today where his Charlie Appleby-trained Godolphin nephew Military Leader was due to make his debut in a seven furlong event on the poly, but he was scratched.

The scratching might just have happened due to a decision to divert him to Leicester on Monday, where he is entered in a turf race over seven furlongs.

Military leader is by top stallion Dubawi out of a full-sister to The United States.

The two-year-old colt already gave The United States a boost when purchased for 1,5 million guineas at last year’s Tattersalls October yearling Sale.

Larger than life character Ramiro Restrepo’s career as a bloodstock agent has soared to new heights since the horse he owns, Mage, won the Kenucky Derby in May. He purchased Mage together with a racing partner at Fasig-Tipton’s Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale in May 2022 for $290,000. Last night he was invited to perform the ceremonial first pitch for the Miami Marlins vs New York Mets Major League baseball game (Picture: via Meta)

Kentucky Derby-Winning Owner Performs Ceremonial Pitch

Ramiro Restrepo’s life has been a whirlwind since the horse he owns, Mage, won the Kentucky Derby in May and last night he was invited to throw the ceremonial opening pitch at the Miami Marlins vs New York Mets major league baseball game.

Unfortunately his team, The Marlins, went on to lose the game 3-8.

He spoke about his Kentucky Derby win to TDN last month.

Read the article below:

Kentucky Derby-Winning Owner and Agent Ramiro Restrepo Excited For Arqana

Updated: August 17, 2023 at 11:15 am

By Brian Sheerin (TDN)

DEAUVILLE, France–Ramiro Restrepo has arrived. Fresh off the plane, the first port of call is to pay a visit to Etreham’s base in Barn C, where his Hello Youmzain (Fr) colt (lot 38) is based.

The Kentucky Derby-winning owner and bloodstock agent has not seen the colt since he purchased him as a foal here at Arqana in December but it doesn’t take long to gauge his approval.

“Man I am pumped,” a larger-than-life Restrepo effuses as the colt exits his stable. There is a certain amount of showmanship to Restrepo, as anyone on the other side of the Atlantic will confirm, but his appreciation of what a good horse looks like is genuine.

His arrival on the international scene as a bloodstock agent and owner was fast-tracked by Mage (Good Magic), the brilliant winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby, who has left Restrepo sitting high amongst his peers – a place where he is more than comfortable.

“Winning the Kentucky Derby is the realisation of a dream on so many levels,” he says. “There have only been 149 Kentucky Derby winners and for us to be the 149th is amazing. To think that from now until the end of time, your name is going to be up there with the luminaries of the sport and that Mage’s name will be up there with some of the most successful racehorses we have seen, it’s just a dream.”

He added, “It’s opened up a few doors and it’s just been an amazing amount of attention and love sent your way, which is just indescribable. I pinhooked a Breeders’ Cup winner [Structor] in 2019 and that gave me the confidence. But when you achieve a Grade I Kentucky Derby win, it’s like a holy grail, you know.

“So many famous and important people in our industry have been chasing that and haven’t been able to achieve it. And to say that you’re able to do that, you look around and are so grateful for the team because it takes a village to get something like this accomplished. It’s been a life changer for all of us.”

If Restrepo once walked this sale ground as a little-known American-based bloodstock agent, Mage has changed that. He has been coming to Arqana since 2018 but this week marks his first trip to the August Yearling Sale and he plans to make it a memorable one.

“I came here for the first time with a group of Americans in 2018 and we walked around the sales grounds and I got, you know, full fever. I ended up buying a No Nay Never colt who we sold for a tidy profit as a two-year-old in training. That was right at the time when No Nay Never was really taking off.

“So, in my career, first-crop stallions have always been something that I’ve been drawn to. If you were to look at a highlight of the horses who I have bought that went on to either sell well or perform well on the racetrack, they’ve all been sons or daughters of first-crop sires.”

Hollywoodbets Durbanville Fields, Saturday

Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf Fields, Sunday

Picture: X – USASteeplchase

Today’s Question

Which defunct U.K. racecourse is pictured above?

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION

The company responsible for running Folkestone Racecourse, Arena Racing, stated upon closure in 2012 that it was temporary and they hoped to bring racing back to Folkestone at some point in the future. However, there currently appears to be no hope for a re-opening of the racecourse.

Folkestone Racecourse (wikipedia)

Folkestone Racecourse was a thoroughbred horse racing venue in southeast England, until it closed in 2012. It is located in Westenhanger, by junction 11 of the M20 motorway and about 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Folkestone. The course remains closed and all running rail and steeplechase fences have been removed. In May 2016 it was revealed that the land covered by the racecourse forms part of a plan to develop and build housing. It is now unkempt and in a state of disrepair.

History

The history of the Westenhanger estate dates back to 1035 when it was owned by King Canute. The 14th century Westenhanger Castle can still be seen next to the main grandstand.

The racecourse was established in 1898. The first meeting took place over two days on 30 and 31 March 1898. The first day saw a six race card of three steeplechases, two hurdle races, and the opening two mile Maiden National Hunt Flat Race Plate won by Summer Lightning. The Victoria History of Kent in 1908 noted the South Eastern and Chatham Railway provided free carriage for horses and their attendants to the race meetings; this led to good size fields for the races, but the lower expense for owners meant that poorer quality race horses competed. In 1907, there were five days of racing under both Jockey Club rules and steeplechasing.

It was a right-handed undulating oval of nearly 1 mile 3 furlongs with a home straight of 2½ furlongs and a straight 6 furlongs. The inner steeplechase course of 1 mile 2 furlongs, had 7 fences. It was on this course in 1975 that Lord Oaksey, the journalist and television commentator suffered serious injuries in a fall which ended his riding career. The centre of the course is farmed, and has a reservoir fed by a pumping station on the west side of the oval. The East Stour river runs along the western edge of the oval and under the straight course.

In July 2012, Arena Leisure and Northern Racing, the lessees of the racecourse announced the closure of the racecourse as a temporary measure. Outdated facilities and the delay of a project to build houses on part of the site were given as the reasons for the closure. It was announced that a final decision would be made in 2013. Folkestone held its last scheduled meeting on 18 December 2012.

Post-closure and future

Arena Leisure stated in 2012 that the closure was temporary. However, in 2016 it was revealed that plans drawn up by Folkestone and Hythe Council include the racecourse area for building houses in a development known as Otterpool Garden Town. By December 2017 much of the racecourse infrastructure had fallen into disrepair and there was no prospect of any resumption of racing at the venue. A planning application for 8,500 homes was submitted to the Council in February 2019, with a plan for a phased development over 30 years. Plans for the Otterpool garden town were approved in April 2023.

Between 2013 and 2016, the venue hosted the War and Peace show, previously held at the Hop Farm at Beltring, and featured in Netflix’s Dark Tourism documentary series. It has since returned to its original location.

Use by RAF

The racecourse was first used by aviation when a flying meeting was held in September 1910. Three aircraft were present, watched by a large crowd. Between 1940 and 1941 the racecourse was used as a decoy airfield with dummy aircraft placed to look like an active airfield. On 23 April 1944 660 Squadron, an army cooperation squadron of the Royal Air Force, arrived at what was then known as RAF Westenhanger after the nearby village. The squadron based in a tented camp was equipped with Auster Mark IV single-engined liaison aircraft and used the racecourse to practise operations with local army units. On 12 July 1944 the squadron of 12 Austers escorted by a Supermarine Walrus rescue flying boat left Westenhanger for France. The airfield was then restored back to use as a racecourse. Rubble from wartime buildings can be seen on the north side of the straight course where it meets the oval.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 22 September, 2023