Charles Dickens begins a much anticipated campaign on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Durbanville (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Met Favourite Charles Dickens Faces Six In Matchem

Charles Dickens has been priced up as the joint favourite for the 2024 WSB Cape Town Met together with See It Again and he gets his season rolling on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, where he runs in a small but classy field of seven in the Gr 3 Matchem Stakes over 1400m.

The 132 merit rated-superstar will be hard to beat over a trip which will suit him down to the ground considering his speed and exhilarating turn of foot.

He has landed a fair draw of three.

However, his one problem could be finding cover.

The front-running sort After The Rain is drawn one inside of him, but drawn in pole is the top sprinter Gimme A Prince, who is likely to hold his position on the rail to get a tow from After The Rain.

Aldo Domyer might have to take an early hold to slot Charles Dickens in behind Gimme A Prince, although that might not be easy to do considering he will be running fresh and does tend to take quite a keen hold.

After The Rain is ideally distance suited and would not be easy for an ordinary horse to catch, but such is Charles Dicken’s turn of foot he should fetch him with ease.

Gimme A Prince has had sprinting success, but is viewed as one who will get further and he also runs like such a horse as he is always doing his best work late over sprint trips.

The Charles Dickens’ connections will definitely have respect for him.

Royal Aussie was beaten 5,75 lengths by Charles Dickens in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge and is only 3kg better off so has his work cut out, but he has some class and should come into his own this season, so could earn.

Gimme A Prince’s Dean Kannemeyer-trained five-year-old stablemate Cosmic Highway is talented and finished third in this race as a three-year-old and fifth last year, beaten 2,75 lengths and 2,50 lengths respectively. He has won a Gr 2 sprint over 1200m and finished third in the Gr 1 Cape Guineas, so this 1400m trip is ideal. However, he has to bounce back from a disappointing last season in which he failed to make the frame in five starts.

Kennemeyer has more than half the field as he also runs Bright Green and Runaway Song.

Bright Green showed early promise, but he had only his fifth career start this season as a four-year-old and will need vast improvement to threaten here.

Runaway Song’s 116 merit rating is courtesy of a Gr 3 staying event, so he makes little appeal too.

The Gr 3 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes could also go to the Bass-Robinson yard. They run Golden Hostess, who did not enjoy much luck last season but showed class and she is comfortably best in at the weights here over what should be an ideal 1400m trip.

Philas Mxoli’s first winner of a double at Turffontein Inside on Tuesday was aboard the Grant Maroun-trained 16/1 shot Circus Lights (Duke Of Marmalade).

Mxoli – From Bush Racing To The Big Time

Philas Mxoli is a name to watch

Last week the bright young star landed another treble at the Vaal.

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

The path from “bush racing” to the mainstream game is not well-trodden, but Philasande Mxoli is one who has negotiated it.

The 23-year-old from Eastern Cape became a full-fledged jockey at the start of the current season on 1 August – and celebrated by winning the very first race of the new term at the Vaal racecourse.

Then he made sure people noticed his arrival by compiling a treble on the day for his “guv’nor”, Joburg trainer Paul Matchett – on horses propitiously named Inner Sense, Key Element and On Cue. He also notched his 100th career win, with the previous 99 coming during his five-year apprenticeship.

In case anyone thought that was a flash in the pan, Mxoli has since been a regular in the winner’s circle – and is nowadays taken seriously by punters in their calculation for Highveld meetings.

He has racked up 19 wins in the season so far after a double at Turffontein Inside on Tuesday and another win on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly today.

From exactly 100 mounts his wins- to-rides rate is 19%, which is the highest in the national log’s top ten, and he lies in a heady sixth place in the national jockey championship. That’s remarkable considering he’s not doing the cross-country travelling of some of his closest rivals on the log.

Last week he landed another treble at the Vaal.

Rising star

Philas, as he is known to the jockey room, hails from the King William’s Town area and got interested in horses and rural racing as a child. He had his first ride in the region’s amateur circuit when just 13 and quickly became something of a local star.

He started dreaming of becoming a professional jockey, so Lopez Magongo, a successful owner and trainer in Eastern Cape rural racing backed an application for the SA Jockey Academy. Philas cracked the nod for the Summerveld school and made an instant impression.

A bright future beckons.

Ace Impact, favourite for Sunday’s Arc at Longchamp (APRH)

Assessing The Top Contenders For Sunday’s Arc

The Racing Post (Matt Butler)

The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (3.05 Longchamp, Sunday) is a real highlight of the Flat calendar and this weekend’s running has a wide-open feel to it, with ante-post favourite Ace Impact a general 3-1 to deliver Jean-Claude Rouget a second win in the race.

Here, we go through the leading contenders for the €5 million contest and produce an early verdict on who will come out on top . . .

Ace Impact

Form: 11111

Strengths: There is plenty to like about Ace Impact’s chance so it is no surprise he heads the market. He’s unbeaten in five starts, with Al Riffa getting the closest to him in his comeback in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano when three-quarters of a length behind. His trainer, Jean-Claude Rouget, knows what is required to win an Arc and this has been the target since his win in the Prix du Jockey Club. The Racing Post Rating of 125 he achieved at Chantilly would have been good enough to win four of the last seven Arcs. The likely ground conditions remain a bit of an unknown, but that won’t be a worry for Ace Impact backers. He’s won on ground ranging from good to heavy this season.

Weaknesses: It cannot be said with certainty that he will definitely stay a mile and a half, having never gone further than the 1m2½f of the Prix du Jockey Club. Despite being the leading player in the home team, he has yet to run at Longchamp.

Odds: 3-1

What they say: Jean-Claude Rouget, speaking on Monday following Ace Impact’s gallop in Deauville: “Everything has gone very well up to this point and we’re now just six days from D-Day. I hope that continues to be the case and that we have no problems with him. The horse is very well and has got stronger since August.”

Hukum

Form: 171-11

Strengths: Boasts the best form on RPRs with the 128 figure he was awarded for his brave King George win. Has taken his form to new heights this season and is an assured stayer over a mile and a half. He has won at Meydan, so travelling holds no fears, and he’s fairly versatile regarding ground, with wins on surfaces ranging from soft to good.

Weaknesses: No six-year-olds have won the Arc (although seven-year-old Motrico did in 1932). Heavy ground would be an unknown, while only Workforce has defied a longer gap from his last start to win an Arc this century.

Odds: 9-2

What they say: Owen Burrows, trainer: “I massively respect Westover because he doesn’t have much to find with us and the three-year-old [Ace Impact] looks a bit of a monster who could be anything. But the Arc is a different ball game and Hukum is an older horse who has won a King George and is pretty versatile ground-wise. He doesn’t have a lot to prove.”

Westover

Form: 6-2212

Strengths: The Arc experience won’t faze him given he was an encouraging sixth last year. Ralph Beckett continues to have his team in mighty form, Westover’s best run was his most recent outing behind Hukum in the King George, and he’s a Group 1 winner in France this season.

Weaknesses: Probably wouldn’t want it to be a bog – the very soft ground for last year’s Arc was his only outing in such conditions. Can be keen at times. The concerns about the gap between the King George and the Arc equally apply to Westover.

Odds: 6-1

What they say: Ralph Beckett, trainer: “The weather doesn’t really bother me unless it was going to rain for 48 hours beforehand, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. It was fast ground in Dubai and good to soft in the King George and he handles everything in between. We’re looking forward to it.”

Continuous

Form: 38211

Strengths: Has a bit to find with the best three-year-old in the race, Ace Impact, but is rapidly improving. Won’t be stopping at the end of the race given his proven stamina over further, but was also quick enough to win the Great Voltigeur over a mile and a half on fast ground. He’s trained by Aidan O’Brien and the likely ride of Ryan Moore, so that helps. Won a Group 3 in France last season on very soft ground.

Weaknesses: Will he have recovered sufficiently from the St Leger 15 days on? No horse has won the Doncaster Classic and the Arc in the same season. This is O’Brien, so it can’t be ruled out, but it highlights the enormity of the task. Needs to be supplemented on Wednesday. Finished well behind Ace Impact in the Prix du Jockey Club.

Odds: 6-1 (needs to be supplemented)

What they say: Aidan O’Brien, trainer: “Everything looks good with him at the moment and, if everything remains good up until Wednesday he will probably be supplemented by the sound of what the lads are saying. That’s what I’m thinking will happen. The ground doesn’t matter to him. Whether it’s fast or heavy, it doesn’t really seem to matter. He has form on all sorts of ground.”

Feed The Flame

Form: 11412

Strengths: Unlike his fellow French-trained three-year-old Ace Impact, Feed The Flame knows Longchamp very well. Four of his five starts have come at the Parisian track, resulting in three wins and a staying-on second in the Prix Niel. His Grand Prix de Paris win proved his suitability for this mile-and-a-half test and he seems versatile with regards to ground, running well in conditions ranging from very soft to good.

Weaknesses: Is he as good as Ace Impact? He has nearly seven lengths to find on their clash in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly. He was also turned over at odds-on in the Niel.

Odds: 7-1

What they say: Pascal Bary, trainer [after the Prix Niel]: “Feed The Flame accelerated well but in the last 100 metres he looked tired and blew very hard afterwards, while I think the winner [Fantastic Moon] is a good horse. He was in among horses for once and I think it will serve as a good preparation, although of course it’s always better to win than be second. Softer ground would be a big help on Arc day.”

Bay Bridge

Form: 1-3521

Strengths: His best performance came in the Champion Stakes last autumn and he undoubtedly has plenty of class. Conditions will not be fast at Longchamp so are unlikely to be a concern, while he looked somewhere near back to his best when running out a dominant winner of the September Stakes. That race has been used by some great horses, including Enable, as a launchpad for greater days, and it also eased concerns about his suitability for a mile and a half.

Weaknesses: The Arc is often a true test at the distance and the fact Bay Bridge has not run in a Group 1 over the trip is a concern. He’s also not won on his two international trips, including at Longchamp in April, but those performances were not terrible either.

Odds: 10-1

What they say: James Savage, assistant trainer to Sir Michael Stoute: “The plan is to go as long as the ground stays on the easy side. He would go over on Friday morning, he would stay probably in Chantilly, and have a canter at Chantilly before the race.”

Verdict

The French three-year-olds are to be feared, but Ace Impact is untried over a mile and a half and Feed The Flame might lack the class for an Arc. With conditions likely to be suitable, Bay Bridge is a live contender for Sir Michael Stoute. He peaked last autumn in the Champion Stakes and a similar performance would see him go close.

Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (3.05 Longchamp, Sunday)

bet365: 3-1 Ace Impact, 4 Hukum, 5 Westover, 6 Continuous*, 7 Feed The Flame, 10 Bay Bridge, 16 Simca Mille, Through Seven Seas, 20 bar

*needs to be supplemented

Senso Unico (far side) only just holds on from Triple Time in the Settlers Trophy last Saturday (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Handicapping Ratings Update

Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy (Handicap) (Listed)

SENSO UNICO has had his merit rating raised from 106 to 111 following his win in the Listed Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday 23 September 2023. FLOWER OF SAIGON was considered to make for the most suitable line horse, leaving her unchanged on a rating of 101. TRIPLE TIME, who could be considered unlucky after switching out for a clear run, was adjusted from 102 to 106 for beating the line horse by 2.5 lengths.

There were no other ratings’ increases, and only one horse received a drop. MASTER REDOUTE was dropped from 102 to 99.

Tail Of The Comet the one to beat in the Cape Racing Ready To Run Stakes (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Cape Racing Ready To Run Stakes Log Is Out

Sporting Post

The Cape Racing Ready to Run Stakes log has been published, featuring the current Top 20 in order of merit rating.

The R600 000 race, restricted to eligible graduates of the 2022 Ready To Run Sale, is scheduled for Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, 21 October, and will be contested over 1400m.

Top of the table is Sean Tarry’s smart three-year-old, Tail of The Comet. He is at MR 106 and scored eight points above the second highest-rated runner.

The Gimmethegreenlight colt is a winner of two of three career starts, the latest a fluent 1450m success in a quality Graduation Plate at Turffontein on 16 September.

Tarry paid R425 000 for Tail Of The Comet and said: “He was on a shortlist of five horses given to me by owner George O’Brien last year. We narrowed it down to two and were fortunate to secure him. George and I partnered with Gary Harvett, and Arun Chadha’s ASSM Racing Syndicate joined after the Gold Cup meeting.”

Tarry said that he intends to send Tail Of The Comet to Cape Town on 10 October, with flexibility in mind considering travel restrictions, and that the colt and several others from his stable earmarked for Cape Summer raids will remain in the Cape for more than one run. “Travelling back will be too risky and won’t suit our plans.”

He is not fazed about the Ready To Run Stakes having been moved to Hollywoodbets Durbanville and said: “It would have been nice to give Tail Of The Comet a look-see at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth ahead of the Cape Guineas but racing him at Hollywoodbets Durbanville is no problem. He has enough pace for the course and distance.”

With the race to be staged at level weights (minus 2,5kg sex allowance), Tail Of The Comet looks like a blinder on paper at this early stage, and Tarry said: “He’s promising; indeed, he has done everything right so far and is a good prospect for us.”

Tarry’s present joint-third candidate, That’s My Baby, will not contest the race, and the trainer said: “Unfortunately, she won’t be ready.”

The grey Dumbledore (William Longsword), rated 98, is second on the log. Trainer Vaughan Marshall is chuffed with his progress and said: “He ran a nice race in a Progress Plate after a rest last week. He is doing well.”

Sharing third is Glen Kotzen’s Monumental, already a winner over 1400m and with scope for much improvement. Said Kotzen: “He will have a run-on 7 October; I have nominated him for two races. He is doing well, will go straight into the Ready To Run from there.”

Fifth on the log is Joe Soma-trained Miss Hannigan, a filly by Canford Cliffs, Listed-placed over 1000m. “She’s fast, an out-and-out sprinter, may get away with it from the front at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. We are considering the race; we’ll decide within the next week or two,” said Soma.

Spring Palace is an R2R hopeful coming along the right way in seventh.

Speaking on behalf of Justin Snaith, Jono Snaith commented: “He has been off for a break and will have his R2R prep run at Hollywoodbets Durbanville this weekend. He will be spot-on on the big day.”

Gqeberha-based Kelly Mitchley’s Erupt filly, Public Benefit, is one of just four two-time winners on the log, rated 89.

She’s progressive, placing over 1200m, 1300m and 1400m, with two successes over a mile. Mitchley said: “We’re trying her over 2000m next, and we’ll see how she goes. She stays well, and perhaps the 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville will be on the sharp side, but we’ll keep our options open.”

Several runners are further down the log due for runs shortly, and many unraced horses are outside of the Top 20, so movements and changes can be expected over the next few weeks.

The R2R Log, as published on 21 September:

21-Sep	Horse	MR	Age	Sex	Wins
1	TAIL OF THE COMET	106	3	C	2
2	DUMBLEDORE	98	3	C	1
3	MONUMENTAL	96	3	G	1
3	THAT’S MY BABY	96	3	F	1
5	MISS HANNIGAN	93	3	F	1
5	JUST BE LEKKER	93	3	F	2
7	SPRING PALACE	91	3	G	1
7	THE ABDICATOR (IRE	91	3	G	1
9	PUBLIC BENEFIT	89	3	F	2
9	PASSCHENDAELE	89	3	F	0
11	LILY OF THE NILE	88	3	F	1
12	GRAND BAY	87	3	G	1
12	COASTAL COMMANDER	87	3	G	1
14	BOHEMIAN GROVE	83	3	G	0
14	WILLIAM WEST	83	3	C	0
16	PROFESSOR LUPIN	82	3	G	0
17	WARM WINTER NITE	80	3	G	1
17	BIG FELLA	80	3	C	1
19	ARTICUNO	78	3	F	0
19	TICKET TO VEGAS	78	3	F	0
19	ARTURO	78	3	C	1
19	EASY MONEY	78	3	F	2
19	SPLENDID FELLA	78	3	G	0
19	LOVE SHACK	78	3	F	0
25	DONNY TEE	76	3	G	0
26	KING OF QUEEN	75	3	G	0
26	MONTREAL	75	3	F	0
26	RENOWNED	75	3	G	0
29	SINGLE FILE	73	3	C	0
29	WINNING GRACE	73	3	F	0
31	PRINCE OF DENMARK	72	3	C	0
32	PEACE FROG	71	3	F	1
32	JOSI MO	71	3	F	0
34	GRECIAN PALACE	68	3	F	0
34	SUCCESSFUL LADY	68	3	F	1
36	CHAMPAGNE MAC	67	3	G	0
37	FOLLOW THE BAND	63	3	C	0
38	MAGMALICIOUS	61	3	F	0
39	FEW DOLLARS MORE	59	3	C	0
40	CAMARADERIE	56	3	F	0
40	SET FOR LIFE	56	3	F	0
42	BURN BABY BURN	55	3	F	0
42	SAHNISH GIRL	55	3	F	0
44	TIME FOR KATIE	52	3	F	0
45	SOL CAT	49	3	G	0

		NO MR YET

	BELLA’S LEGEND	0	3	F	0
	CONNERY	0	3	C	0
	DANCE MO	0	3	F	0
	DINA AROBI	0	3	G	0
	FRANCES ETHEL	0	3	F	0
	GIMME SHELTER	0	3	F	0
	INFRARED	0	3	C	0
	ISIPHEKEPHEKE	0	3	G	0
	LORD QUINN	0	3	G	0
	MASTER OWL	0	3	G	0
	MONT LOISIR	0	3	G	0
	RASTIGNAC	0	3	G	0
	SEA OF DREAMS	0	3	F	0
	SPIRITED GIRL	0	3	F	0
	TOM’S DINER	0	3	G	0
	UNNAMED (CASHEL PA	0	3	F	0
	ACROSS THE BOW	0	3	C	0
	BELLA SIGNORITA	0	3	F	0
	BOB	0	3	G	0
	COME ON YOU SPURS	0	3	G	0
	COSMIC RHYTHM	0	3	C	0
	IRMA VEP	0	3	F	0
	MARPORI	0	3	F	0
	MILLIONDOLLAR GIRL	0	3	F	0
	MINNEAPOLIS	0	3	C	0
	MISS WINTER	0	3	F	0
	MO MENT	0	3	C	0
	QUEEN LAGERTHA	0	3	F	0
	QUIET WHISPER	0	3	F	0
	SCOTTISH MIST	0	3	F	0
	STEALINGTHETHUNDER	0	3	F	0
	TAKE A MULLIGAN	0	3	G	0
	THE SHEPHERD	0	3	G	0
	VIHAAN’S BOMB	0	3	C	0
	VOLCANIC	0	3	G	0
	ZENOBIA’S GOLD	0	3	F	0
	ANAM CARA	0	3	F	0
	CANFORD QUEEN	0	3	F	0
	EMERALD FLOWER	0	3	F	0
	GIFT OF GRACE	0	3	C	0
	GIRL LIKE US	0	3	F	0
	GRYFFINDOR	0	3	C	0
	IGUGULETHU	0	3	C	0
	IMPERIAL TRINITY	0	3	C	0
	JUNIPER GREEN	0	3	F	0
	KISSHOTEN	0	3	F	0
	KYLIE’S ANGEL	0	3	F	0
	MANDATE OF HEAVEN	0	3	F	0
	MASTEROFALLSTORMS	0	3	C	0
	MO FLOW	0	3	G	0
	MO LALAIKA	0	3	C	0
	OLD Q	0	3	G	0
	PALACE GIFT	0	3	C	0
	PRIME VENTURE	0	3	C	0
	PRINCESS RAYA	0	3	F	0
	PRINCESS VIRGINIE	0	3	F	0
	ROCKING PEONIE	0	3	F	0
	SAIL TO THE MOON	0	3	G	0
	SANTO DOMINGO	0	3	C	0
	SILHYANA	0	3	F	0
	THE GREY KING	0	3	C	0
	TIME IN PARIS	0	3	F	0
	UBUNTU WARRIOR	0	3	C	0
	VOORLOOPERTJIE	0	3	G	0

Dylan Cunha and William Jarvis at Phantom House Stables on Monday morning (Picture: Racing Post)

Dylan Cunha To Take Control Of Historic Newmarket Yard

Dylan Cunha is being called a “rising star” by the British press after phenomenal success this year after starting from nothing just last year.

He is now set to take over one of the most historic yards at Racing Headquarters.

He was revealed as the successor at Phantom House Stables, where he will take over from William Jarvis, who retires at the end of the season.

Cunha has been renting the 25 boxes which make up the bottom yard at Phantom House since launching his own training business in Britain with just three horses last year.

Cunha has had eleven wins this season at a strike rate of 18%.

This includes winning a Heritage Handicap at the York Ebor meeting with Silver Sword (Charm Spirit), who earned a cheque of £51,540.

Phantom House is one of the oldest training establishments in Newmarket and has a rich history. During a span of almost a century-and-a-half the 70-box yard has housed hundreds and hundreds of winners, many of whom have been classy. One of the earlier inmates at Phantom House was the well-named Gladiateur who completed that most elusive of achievements – the triple crown. He won the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger for trainer Tom Jennings, who was installed on the Fordham Road premises by Comte Frederic de Lagrange.

Since Jennings was handler, only a select number have gone on to train from Phantom House. Among those who have was Ryan Jarvis – father to William – who was the incumbent licence-holder from 1952-1979. It was a celebrated spell in the history of the yard with Jarvis snr saddling such stars as Lomond, Front Row and Absalom.

Phantom House has many assets, not least its superb position. It is perfectly located just a couple of minutes away from some of the best turf gallops in the world and also several excellent all-weather surfaces. Virtually on the doorstep of the yard are the renowned Long Hill and Warren Hill gallops, while slightly further away up the Bury Road is the famous Limekilns training-grounds, as well as the fine Al Bahathri polytrack. Leading from the back of the property, the Racecourse Side gallops are also accessible. Overall, there are 50 miles of chalk-based turf gallops, which have been maintained year in and year out for over 300 years. Such an extensive choice of gallops to work on ensures that every horse is catered for no matter what stage of its career it is at. The land is owned and looked after by the Jockey Club Estates. Phantom House itself is very well equipped with an outdoor ride complete with an all-weather surface, while there is also a horse walker on the premises, a lunge pit and half-a-dozen turn-out paddocks.

It has been a meteoric ride for Dylan and he is at present at the Goffs Orby Book 1 and Book 2 Sale hoping to further bolster his burgeoning string.

Sage King has been selected by the At The Races tipster to follow up on his win last time out (JC Photos)

Vaal Straight Course Thursday Formguides And Selections

At The Races

1 12:30 PM – Betway Insurebet Work Riders Maiden Plate (F & M)

Seven runners contest the Work Riders opening event including Silvano debutante SILVER JUBILEE, who if above average could win – watch. ANNEWITHAN E was never travelling well last time and that run should best be ignored. FAIRY CIRCLE must be considered in a field of this calibre. PLAY WITH FIRE showed vast improvement last time – she needs to confirm the form.

Top Tip: FAIRY CIRCLE (3)

Watch out for: ANNEWITHAN E (2)

2 1:00 PM – Betway Tote Rewards Club Graduation Plate (F & M)

Three-year-olds should dominate; JUST BE LEKKER ran close up in the Umkhomazi Grade 2 and should contest the finish; MOVING IN has similar credentials and should make a race of it; GLOBAL THUNDER has her blinkers removed and shouldn’t be far behind. NATIONAL STAR could fight it out for Trifecta money.

Top Tip: JUST BE LEKKER (3)

Watch out for: MOVING IN (5)

3 1:35 PM – Betway Aviator Maiden Plate (F & M)

SHINE IN MEMPHIS showed she is capable last time but is improving with racing and could go in. She finished 3 lengths ahead of VENETIAN MOONLIGHT who attracted money on debut, but with experience gained could get a lot closer. SOUTHERN STYLE has her blinkers removed and could strike on her 26th try. TEO TORRIATTE and PRINCESS LOLA must be included in exotics.

Top Tip: TEO TORRIATTE (11)

Watch out for: SHINE IN MEMPHIS (4)

4 2:10 PM – Betway Back The Boks Maiden Plate

HALBERDIER has finished 2.50 lengths in front of POCKET WATCH, but the latter never produced and showed good improvement in his subsequent start. He could turn it around. THERES A LIGHT was narrowly beaten on debut and will know more about it. Look for better performances from AND ACTION and SECRET CHORD. Watch the first-timers.

Top Tip: POCKET WATCH (5)

Watch out for: HALBERDIER (4)

5 2:45 PM – Betway Boost Maiden Plate

Difficult to assess with EIGER SANCTION, LIVEBYTHESWORD, VIVA BRAZIL plus others all looking for the longer distance. Watch the money. THE DONELLY has some form and could earn. Watch newcomer EMBLEM OF WAR.

Top Tip: LIVEBYTHESWORD (8)

Watch out for: EIGER SANCTION (4)

6 2:20 PM – Betway We Pay Your Tax On Horse Racing Wins Fm 84 Handicap (F & M)

STORM PLAYER won well in her second start and looks to have a lot more to come. LAW OF SUCCESS is holding form and shouldn’t be far behind. GOLDEN ASPEN drops back to 1200m and could get involved. SECOND BREATH, BERENGARIA and OCTOBER FAIR are looking for minor money.

Top Tip: STORM PLAYER (4)

Watch out for: LAW OF SUCCESS (7)

7 3:55 PM – Betway Money Back Boost Graduation Plate

NOW I GOT YOU was beaten a long head by ARCHIMIDES in their penultimate races but now meets the latter on 13kg better terms. HOME OF THE BRAVE is threatening for win No 3 and must be a big runner. BOB’S YOUR UNCLE choked up last time but has a tongue tie on – respect. HAWKBILL disappointed last time but has another chance to settle sporting blinkers.

Top Tip: NOW I GOT YOU (4)

Watch out for: BOB’S YOUR UNCLE (3)

8 4:30 PM – Next Vaal Racemeeting Tuesday 3 October Mr 75 Handicap

NAPOLEON and SAGE KING renew rivalry and it could get close between them again. EIFFEL TOWER was beaten by PARKER GETRIX last time and the 2.5kg turnaround as well as draw difference could bring them a lot closer. Many others are looking for minor money.

Top Tip: SAGE KING (2)

Watch out for: NAPOLEON (5)

Tristan Godden rode a double for Mike Miller today (Wednesday) and one of his winners was aboard the R1.2 million Gimmethegreenlight fillly Status Quo, who was having her second career run. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Godden/Miller Double

Tristan Godden rode a double for Mike Miller on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly today.

Godden goes to seven wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 8.75%.

Miller is on nine wins at 10%.

Muzi Yeni rode a blank to remain one short of 50 wins for the sesson, which is 17 clear of Richard Fourie, who is sitting out a suspension and comes back on Friday, and 19 clear of Gavin Lerena, who also rode a blank today.

In the intriguing race for the KZN Trainers championship Alyson Wright leads on 12 from Duncan Howells on ten, Mike Miller on nine, Frank Robinson and Wendy Whitehead on eight and Louis Goosen, Peter Muscutt and Kumaran Naidoo on seven.

Frank Robinson has the highest strike rate in the country on 26.27%.

Duncan Howells also has a strike rate in the twenties on 22.22%.

Vaal Fields, Thursday

Picture: The establishment in question is pictured above (Picture: Discover Newmarket)

Today’s Question

What is oldest racing establishment in the world?

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION

Palace House, Newmarket, England

The oldest racing establishment in the world, The Palace House Stable in the heart of Newmarket played a crucial part in Newmarket’s history as an equestrian centre in the 1850s and continues to maintain a great sporting tradition today.

The original Palace of Newmarket

The original Palace of Newmarket and Stables date from the time of King Charles II, who founded the Newmarket race meetings. King George II’s son, William Duke of Cumberland, made use of the Palace during race meetings for many years prior to his death in 1765. In 1857, the Palace was sold by auction on the instructions of Queen Victoria, and part of the Palace of Newmarket was demolished.

Mayer de Rothschild and Palace House

By the late 1850s, Newmarket had gone out of fashion as a training centre. One of the relatively few stables in the town that remained in use was Palace House, in which the trainer James Godding was based. Palace House was sold by the Crown to Mayer de Rothschild (1818-1874), the fourth son of Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836). Mayer was a keen hunter and sportsman, and the first of the English Rothschilds to commission a truly grand residence, Mentmore Towers in Buckinghamshire, where he lived with his wife (a cousin, Juliana Cohen), and their only child, Hannah. For the next fifty years Palace House was the racing headquarters of the English branch of the Rothschild family.

James Godding famously declared that if he could not prepare Macaroni to win The Derby of 1863 at Newmarket, he could not train a Derby winner anywhere. Macaroni duly won the Derby, and within a few years Newmarket was once again thriving. By around 1865, Charles II’s stables were demolished and replaced with the Trainer’s House and King’s Yard stables. In 1867, Mayer commissioned the architect George Devey – a Rothschild favourite – to design alterations to Palace House, including the addition of a dining room and a second floor.

Mayer also established a stud farm at Crafton, near Mentmore, and was a member of the Jockey Club. One of his most successful horses was Hannah, (trained by Joseph Hayhoe)and 1871 this horse completed the English Fillies’ Triple Crown, winning The 1000 Guineas, The Oaks and The St. Leger.

Leopold de Rothschild inherits Palace House

When Mayer died in 1874, the Palace House estate was inherited by his nephew, Leopold de Rothschild (1845-1917). Leopold made his Newmarket home in Palace House, and between 1896 and 1903, The Rothschild Yard and Stables were constructed, King Edward VII frequently dined with Leopold. At Leopold’s invitation, the American banker and Rothschild agent in the United States, August Belmont, kept his horses at Palace House.

Leopold raced as ‘Mr. Acton’ during his early years of ownership, and it was under that pseudonym that he won The Derby with Sir Bevys in 1879. His horse St. Frusquin won the 2,000 Guineas in 1896 and Doricles The St. Leger of 1901. Leopold’s most famous success came in 1904, when St. Amant won The Derby.

The twentieth century

Leopold died in 1917, and the Palace House estate passed into the hands of his son, Anthony de Rothschild (1887-1961). Among the horses he inherited was the yearling Galloper Light. Pillion won The 1,000 Guineas for Anthony in 1926. In 1934, the trainer Jack (later Sir Jack) Jarvis, leased Palace House from the Rothschilds, using the Stables as his second yard (his first yard was Park Lodge).

During the Second World War, Anthony personally committed significant resources to assist Jewish refugees from Europe. Refugees were housed in Palace House during the war. In 1947, C H ‘Harry’ Jellis used the Palace House Stables to train privately for the Hon. Dorothy Paget, while also acting as assistant trainer to Jack Jarvis. The Yard reverted to Jack Jarvis in 1954.

Anthony de Rothschild died in 1961. Ownership of The Palace House estate remained in Rothschild hands, passing to his son Sir Evelyn de Rothschild (1931-2022). In 1965, Sir Jack Jarvis, decided to reduce his string and concentrate on his horses stabled at Park Lodge. The trainer Bruce Hobbs opened a public stable at Palace House in 1966, where he started with 39 horses, with 59 two years later. In 1985, Bruce Hobbs moved out of the Stables, and the Palace House estate was put on the market.

In 1992, the Palace House estate, by now in a poor condition, was purchased from its new owners by Forest Heath District Council with the support of English Heritage. Between 1992 and 1998 with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage, Palace House was restored by Freeland Rees Roberts architects. In 2004, Forest Heath District Council established the Home of Horseracing Trust as an independent charitable trust in order to co-ordinate fundraising for a future redevelopment project.

Palace House: The National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art

Today, Palace House and the Stables is home to three charities: The British Sporting Art Trust, The National Horseracing Museum and Retraining of Racehorses, who have come together to create a National Heritage Centre. On 3 November 2016, Her Majesty the Queen formally opened that National Heritage Centre for Horseracing & Sporting Art.

The British Sporting Art Trust (established in 1977 to promote interest in sporting art and to build a representative collection for public exhibition), occupies the beautifully restored Palace House.

The National Horseracing Museum tells the story of ‘the sport of Kings’ and occupies the former Trainer’s House and King’s Yard, together with spectacular new galleries.

Based in the Rothschild Yard, Retraining of Racehorses is British horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing, and visitors can see these beautiful animals at close quarters, in Stables originally built by Leopold de Rothschild.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 27 September, 2023