Furture Variety, a promising son of Var, races for the Bass Racing (Pty) Ltd T/A Centenary Syndicate.

Syndication Set To Take Off

Syndication has the potential to take off in South Africa and this was evidenced when Greg Ennion Announced at Tuesday’s Hollywoodbets Durbanville meeting (which was abdandoned after three races) that he had managed to syndicate a horse off in just two days.

The many incentives for owners and syndicates put on by Cape Racing have no doubt contributed.

Greg, whose new syndicate is called The Genuine Ennion Syndicate, said, “I’ve been training close on 50 years now and when I first started racing there was no such thing as a syndicate. I bought this filly (Rocking Peonie) at the Ready To Run Sale, she was a nice cheap filly, she cost R50,000, and I said to my wife why don’t we just try and do this syndicate thing that all these larney young trainers are doing and see if we can put something together. We put a photograph of her on Facebook and we sold her in two days! It was quite amazing. And what is nice is quite a few of the people were in racing and had been out of racing for some time and now because of the whole new exciting bonuses and incentives they’ve put together they have all decided to come back, so kudos to Greg Bortz and his team for putting this all together and for putting this seed of thought into me.”

The Captain Of All filly Rocking Peonie was making her debut on Tuesday in the first race over 1000m.

She stayed on very nicely from a wide draw of 8 to be beaten just 4,10 lengths.

She should appreciate a step up in trip and should give the syndicate some fun.

The details of Cape Racing’s incentives for syndicates and individual owners are published below:

Cape Racing’s support of syndicates will be threefold:

Cape Racing will assist in the marketing and promotion of each licensed syndicator. If the syndicate is a start-up, Cape Racing will assist in its initial setup. This will include logo design, website, and social media page building. Cape Racing will also provide dedicated content assistants to each syndicate. The syndicator will receive high-quality content, from track work to race footage, that he or she can offer and send to his or her owners through the content assistant. Cape Racing will also promote each licensed syndicator through all our web and social media channels.
Cape Racing will be offering financial assistance to syndicators. Each licensed syndicator will receive six months’ interest-free payment terms at a Cape Racing sale. This helps the syndicators extend slightly so there is always stock on the shelf for new owners. Cape Racing will also pay the syndicator a 2% commission on horses purchased for their syndicate from a Cape Racing sale.
Incentives will be paid out to both the ownership of the horse and the syndicate manager based on the success of the syndicate horse. The size of the incentives paid out will depend on the category of trainer of each horse. The incentive payouts will be as below:

CATEGORY A TRAINER (a top 3 position on the Cape trainers log the previous season):

R20 000 win bonus to the ownership (One win bonus per horse a season)
R5 000 win bonus to the syndicate manager (One win bonus per horse a season)
R250 RaceCape fee to the syndicate manager per runner

CATEGORY B TRAINER (log position between 4^th and 6^th on the Cape trainers log the previous season):

R20 000 win bonus to the ownership (Two win bonuses per horse a season)
R5 000 win bonus to the syndicate manager (Two win bonuses per horse a season)
R500 RaceCape fee to the syndicate manager per runner

CATEGORY C TRAINER (log position of 7^th and below on the Cape trainers log the previous season)

R20 000 win bonus to the ownership (Three win bonuses per horse a season)
R5 000 win bonus to the syndicate manager (Three win bonuses per horse a season)
R750 RaceCape fee to the syndicate manager per runner

Explained Justin Vermaak: “We have an imbalance amongst the trainer ranks in the Western Cape. We need to try to boost our smaller yards as much as possible. This creates a healthier horse population and provides further opportunities for horses to run. We also appreciate that syndicating horses with the so-called “smaller” stables is more challenging than selling horses to be trained by the big names. Thus we will base our incentives according to the category of trainer. The trainers’ championship standings determine the category at the end of each season. This removes any opinion or judgment in placing trainers into categories. Prior season log position is the sole determining factor.”

ON TOP OF THESE INCENTIVES, CAPE RACING WILL HOST A “SYNDICATORS CHAMPIONSHIP.”

All qualifying runners will earn points for their respective syndicators.

At the end of the season, the champion syndicator will win R100 000 and be awarded the leading syndicator award at the Cape Racing Awards. There will also be bonuses for the syndicators filling the top five places on the championship log.

Added Vermaak: “The process to get signed up as a licensed syndicator is simple. Contact our team, and we will send the necessary registration paperwork. We will require documentation and conduct our vetting process to ensure the applicant’s good standing. Once approved, the syndicator will receive an official verification badge from the Cape Turf Club. This serves as proof that the syndicator has been officially licensed by us and passed our vetting control, which gives prospective owners and shareholders a show of confidence in the authenticity of the syndicator. Once onboard as a licensed syndicator, we will work hand in hand to ensure the growth and stimulation of your syndicate.”

Once onboard as an official syndicate, the syndicator must apply for each horse to qualify for the incentives.

During this process, Cape Racing will ensure that each horse has been syndicated in the program’s spirit. Cape Racing has set certain qualifying criteria.

For example, each horse must be at least 50% owned by the syndicate. Also, a minimum of six owners are needed for the ownership group to be designated as a syndicate.

The program intends to grow the ownership base with new owners and transform the ownership base in the Cape.

Gathering a small group of existing high-profile and well-established owners to form a syndicate, for example, will not result in qualification for the incentives. All information will be clearly illustrated to each syndicator upon application.

For further information, please contact Justin Vermaak at email: justin@caperacing.co.za.

Individual owners are also incentivised.

The trainer categories to apply this season are the same as those published above for the syndicate scheme and are listed below:

Category A – Snaith/Bass/Crawford
Category B – Marshall/Kotzen/Kannemeyer
Category C – The rest + ALL raiders

These categories will be remunerated as follows (appearance fees):

Category Owner Trainer

A R2 000 R400
B R2 500 R500
C R3 000 R750

Jockeys will receive an additional R100 a ride, with a 50% reduction if not meeting the local work riding criteria.

The visitor bonuses will remain – i.e. R10 000 to the owner and R10 000 to the trainer for non-festival meetings.

This increases to R50 000 to the owner and R50 000 to the trainer at a Festival meeting, but does not apply to races with stakes in excess of R500 000.

Subsidies for transport and free stable rental are also offered to out-of-province runners.

Heversham Park is close to the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve and is roughly halfway between Alberton and Vereeniging (via Facebook).

Move To Re-establish Highveld As A Breeding Centre

Nigel Riley has developed Heversham Park, his Daleside Valley farm, into a showpiece for stallions

Charl Pretorius (Business Day)

Nigel Riley is doing all he can to re-establish the highveld as a feasible alternative to the Western Cape for thoroughbred breeders, the way it was 40 years ago.

Riley has developed Heversham Park, his Daleside Valley farm, into a showpiece for stallions and retired champions, and he’s hoping that breeders based in greater Gauteng will support the farm’s four well-performed stallions with their mares.

Heversham Park’s latest acquisition is the Jet Master stallion Pomodoro, SA’s leading freshman sire of 2017/18. Now 16 years of age, the 2012 Durban July winner completes a formidable band of sires for Heversham Park, who now have three of the country’s most prominent bloodlines available to breeders in Jackson (Dynasty), Capetown Noir (Western Winter) and Pomodoro (Jet Master). They also stand Duke Of Marmalade’s best sprinting son, Moofeed (AUS).

Pomodoro is from the same family as one of history’s greatest sires in the form of triple US champion Danzig (Northern Dancer), whose numerous top-class performers include the outstanding sires Danehill, Green Desert and War Front.

Pomodoro has sired 15 stakes winners in his first three crops produced in the Western Cape. His initial crop was headed by Equus Champion Return Flight, whose four graded victories included both the grade 1 Thekwini Stakes (at two) and the grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic the following year. She was voted Equus Champion two-year-old filly. He also sired a grade 1 colt in 2019 Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock.

Onesto (Picture: Scoopdyga)

Onesto To Give Frankie A 6th Irish Champion Stakes

Second 12 months ago, this time he can go one better

www.atheraces.com

Fabrice Chappet is confident last year’s runner-up Onesto will put up another bold show when he takes on the likes of King Of Steel and Auguste Rodin in Saturday’s Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.

The French raider found only Luxembourg too strong in a high-class renewal 12 months ago and the pair are among nine runners declared for the latest edition of the Leopardstown showpiece this weekend.

Luxembourg is one of three contenders for Aidan O’Brien as the latter goes in search of a fifth straight victory in the 10-furlong Group One.

Luxembourg’s dual Derby-winning stablemate Auguste Rodin is considered the stable’s first string despite failing to fire in the King George at Ascot in July.

Point Lonsdale also runs for the Ballydoyle team.

Onesto has been a rare sight on the racecourse this season, but Chappet was happy with his reappearance when fourth over a mile in the Prix Jacques le Marois and is optimistic ahead of his return to Dublin, where he will be partnered by Frankie Dettori.

“One place better than last year will do,” quipped Chappet.

“He has never run a bad race, he has been unlucky a few times, but he rarely runs a bad race. So I expect a good run one more time.

“He had a little issue in the spring, but the best races for him are coming up now anyway. He is a very versatile horse, he is a Group One winner going 2400 metres (Grand Prix de Paris) and ran a very good race in this last year going 2000 metres and also ran a good race down in trip in the Jacques le Marois.

“He definitely has more speed than a mile and a half horse and he can probably do anything from a mile to middle distances – he showed a good bit of speed last time.”

Some bookmakers have Roger Varian’s King Of Steel, who drops back in trip after some fine efforts at a mile and a half this season, at the head of their betting.

A victory in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot sandwiches placed efforts in both the Derby and in the King George and connections believe they are in the right place to hunt an elusive Group One victory for the son of Wootton Bassett.

“The ground will be on the quick side of good which wouldn’t concern us overly based on his runs at Epsom and Royal Ascot,” said Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager for owners Amo Racing.

“Auguste Rodin is on the comeback trail, Nashwa has obviously been a model of consistency this season and I thought Joseph O’Brien’s horse Al Riffa ran a very nice race in France.

“There is no such thing as an easy Group One but hopefully our patience will be rewarded. We’ve looked after him this year and Roger has been very patient and we’re excited.”

Owen Burrows’ progressive four-year-old Alflaila arrives bidding to extend a four-race winning run having been supplemented for the race earlier in the week and will look to give owners Shadwell yet another big-race success this term.

John and Thady Gosden are represented by Nashwa, who was last seen finishing best of the rest behind stablemate Mostahdaf in York’s Juddmonte International, while Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa has finished second in both starts this term, but was a big-race scorer during the Irish Champions Festival in 2022.

The field is completed by the Jessica Harrington-trained Sprewell, who won the Derby Trial over the course and distance before finishing fourth and sixth in the Derby and Irish Derby respectively.

Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes heroine Tahiyra is the star attraction among 13 fillies set to go to post for the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes.

Trainer Dermot Weld also saddles high-class older filly Homeless Songs, who is one of two hopefuls for Moyglare Stud Farm along with Paddy Twomey’s Just Beautiful.

Aidan O’Brien relies upon Meditate, Zarinsk bids for a third straight win for Ger Lyons and Ralph Beckett’s Prosperous Voyage, Tom Clover’s Rogue Millennium and Olivia Maralda from Varian’s yard all travel from Britain for the Group One contest.

Impressive Curragh scorer Diego Velazquez is a hot favourite for KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes as one of three runners for Aidan O’Brien alongside Capulet and Democracy. His oldest son Joseph runs the supplemented Atlantic Coast and Bad Desire, while his younger

Malmoos Relative To Bless My Stars Doing Well At Narrow Creek Stud

The stunning Malmoos filly foal pictured above is a daughter of unraced Querari mare Star Of Excellence, who is a half-sister to Gr 3 winner and Gr 1 runner up Star Express, the dam of Equus Champion Three-year-old filly Bless My Stars.

The family was given a boost last Saturday when the Robbie Sage-trained Lammerskraal-bred Quantum Theory won the Listed Betway Spring Spree Stakes over 1200m at Turffontein Inside.

Quantum Theory is a great grandson of Top Times (Elliodor), who is the grandam of Star Of Excellence and Star Express.

David Makins leads the Tobie Spies-trained Yardmaster in after his 1988 Queen’s Plate victory.

David Makins Memorial On Friday Afternoon In Bryanston

A passionate breeder and owner, David Makins sadly passed away on 29 August at the age of 89.

Many of the winners racing in the blue and yellow colours of octogenarian Makins and his wife Martha were bred at their Breedon Stud.

David was a vocal supporter of hos horses from the stands.

The Makins’ formed a formidable combination with the Corne Spies stable, with top performers such as 1998 Queen’s Plate winner Yardmaster, Fast Gun, Mysterious Hal, the top mare Jamaica, and True Words, amongst others, excelling on the racetracks.

Mr Makins imported stallions Anytime and Allied Flag.

He served as a Chairman of the Vaal Turf Club.

“David will be sadly missed. He started with my Dad Tobie in 1985 and was a passionate old-school supporter of the industry. My sincere condolences to Martha and the family,” added Corne Spies, who saddled many winner for the Makins.

A memorial service will be held at St Michaels Anglican Church in Bryanston on Friday 8 September at 13h00.

Eyjafjallajokul has been selected to win the second race by the At The Races tipster (JC Photos).

Fairview Turf Form Guides And Selections (Friday)

www.atheraces.com

1 12:25 PM – Betway Boost Work Riders Maiden Plate

HAPPY VIBES ran some fair races in Gauteng without winning. His last run was good in the context of this race and blinkers have been added. He could be the right one making his local debut. MIRACULOUS MAN is best on the turf but may find this 1000m a bit sharp. He will be doing his best work late and is not out of it. MIDNIGHT ADVOCATOR has been improving and should fight out the finish. TIGER IN RED may have just needed his last run and can improve. WESTERN JACK is best on the turf and can contest the finish. MISS TUCKER ran well last week but is unreliable.

Top Tip: MIRACULOUS MAN (1)

Watch out for: MIDNIGHT ADVOCATOR (2)

2 12:55 PM – Betway Tote Rewards Club Novice Plate

ACORN has only the one win to his name but has been running well in far better fields than this and is weighted to win. WOODLAND RIDGE ran well above his rating last time out and should be the biggest threat. EYJAFJALLAJOKULL has been in good form of late and can contest the finish once again. GREEN FALCON is clearly better than his last run would suggest but has it all to do at these weights. EMPIRE BLUE has run well in two handicaps but this looks a tougher task.

Top Tip: EYJAFJALLAJOKULL (1)

Watch out for: WOODLAND RIDGE (2)

3 1:30 PM – Betway Back The Boks Open Maiden

MOHANDAS has been a disappointment in that he has yet to win but this course and distance suits and looks the one to be with. WOLFRAM has been running on well on the Polytrack and has no problems with the turf so should contest the finish. SHUNMYO was not too far behind our selection MOHANDAS last time out and has room for improvement so could be a danger. BIG FELLA can improve on local debut. ANNA KARENINA is best on turf and can contest the finish. The same can also be said of AFRODITE.

Top Tip: WOLFRAM (1)

Watch out for: MOHANDAS (3)

4 2:05 PM – Betway Aviator Fm 70 Handicap (F & M)

ILHA DA MAURICIA has been a bit disappointing on the Polytrack of late but is well drawn and could be ready to bounce back to score. UNYIELDING fought on gamely to win her latest start over this course and distance and can follow up. ALASKAN FATE often pops up over this course and distance and can do so again if in the mood. Stable companion GET IT DONE and GLOBAL RUSH are capable of earning some minor money. COLORAMA has been in good form on the Polytrack lately and can earn some money. STATE OF MIND can also contest the finish if at her best.

Top Tip: DEMIGOD (2)

Watch out for: ILHA DA MAURICIA (3)

5 2:40 PM – Betway We Pay Your Tax On Horse Racing Wins Fm 81 Handicap (F & M)

LUNA HALO had a very good juvenile year winning four times in her five starts. She quickened up nicely when winning a 1400m on the Polytrack last time out so should have no problems with this course and distance and she could have the measure of her rivals. DAME OF FLAMES has been very good of late winning her last two on the Polytrack. She has won on the turf as well. RIMAAH returned to form with a very good run last week and is at her best on turf so can contest the finish again. CHRONICLESOFNANIA is consistent and can earn some more money.

Top Tip: LUNA HALO (2)

Watch out for: DAME OF FLAMES (3)

6 3:15 PM – Betway Money Back Boost Fm 70 Handicap (F & M)

Some tough races to finish this card. LOOKING HOT quickened nicely to win over this course and distance last time out and picked up a four-point penalty. She has room for improvement and may win again. FUR BABY is better than her local debut would suggest and her trainer had a cracking day last Friday so we can expect a vastly improved performance from her. POMODORO MAGIC is better over this distance and can contest the finish. Stable companions for the Gavin Smith yard ERROLS LEGACY and KOMESANS PASSION both ran well last week and are not out of it.

Top Tip: LOOKING HOT (2)

Watch out for: FUR BABY (3)

7 3:50 PM – Betway Insurebet Speedsters Stakes

A nice race and we should get a competitive finish. HAMMIES HERO is trainer Candice Bass-Robinson’s only runner on the card. He is a difficult ride but has a winning chance. SLIM JANNIE is still improving and should fight out the finish once again. INHERIT THE RAIN is better than what he has shown recently and could be finishing best of all. WHAT A WINNER is very speedy and could keep rolling. TEATRO is holding form and deserves a win.

Top Tip: INHERIT THE RAIN (1)

Watch out for: TEATRO (4)

8 4:25 PM – Betway Get Way More Mr 74 Handicap

GREAT MELODY was impressive over this course and distance last time out and picked up a six-point penalty for that win. He can follow up but it is a very big field handicap and it may pay to go wide in the Pick 6. NARCOS is in good form and can contest the finish once again. FIRST ORIGIN has not capatured his best form but did do better when fourth last time out and should be a threat. XPLICIT CONTENT could be a threat returning to the turf. HALLERBOS was a winner the last time he was on the turf. GREAT TIMES makes his local debut and can improve. TOUREIRO should contest the finish.

Top Tip: GREAT MELODY (2)

Watch out for: NARCOS (3)

The Tony Peter-trained Gimmethegreenlight gelding Silent War made it three on the trot when winning in cosy style under Craig Zackey over 1600m at the Vaal Classic track today (JC Photos).

Peter Treble, Lerena/Janse van Vuuren Double, Matsunyane Double, Zackey Double

Tony Peter sent out a treble at the Vaal Classic track today, two of them ridden by stable jockey Craig Zackey, while Gavin Lerena rode a double for Johan Janse van Vuuren and Kabelo Matsunyane also rode a double.

Lerena goes to joint seeond on the national log together with Richard Fourie on 22 wins, 14 behind Muzi Yeni, and has has done it at a strike rate of 19.47%.

Zackey is on 15 wins at 9.93%.

Matsunyane is on 8 wins at 11.59%.

Peter goes to 15 wins at a strike rate of 27.78%.

Janse van Vuuren is on 6 wins at 14.29%.

Fairview Turf Fields – Friday

The subject of the question is pictured above.

Today’s Question

Who was voted the best three-year-old in South Africa 50 years ago in the 1973/1974 season?

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION

www.sahracing.com

And They Called Him Sledgie

The Sledgehammer Story

The second world war had a profound effect on the South African horseracing industry, the South African economy was still feeling the pinch five years after the war had ended in 1950, import difficulties from that period were still bearing there ugly head, and the breeders of racehorses in the country at the time had seen much better days. The government placed a ban on horses being imported for racing purposes, and put a limit on the amount that could be spent annually on the importation of breeding stock. 1954 saw the last foreign bred feature race winner, when Coquimbo won the Durban Gold Cup, no foreign bred horse would win a feature race for the next 20 years!

The 1970’s brought a most welcome change, the ban that had been put into place 2 decades earlier was finally lifted, initially only yearlings were allowed to be brought into the country, and later on the importation of mares and stallions for racing was allowed, provided that they were imported for eventual stud purposes, these horses were predominantly from countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.

In 1969 New Zealand businessmen, Sir Woolf Fisher bred the stallion, Stunning (GB), who won 5 races in England from 1200m – 1700m to the mare Fair Isle (NZ) by Fairs Fair (GB). Stunning (GB) was an outstanding sire and his principal and most notable runners at stud included Daryl’s Joy, a 16 time winner, who raced successfully in not only Australia and the USA, but he was a champion juvenile in New Zeeland to top it all off! His biggest victory came in the Victoria Derby. Haymaker, who won the V.R.C Derby and Australian Derby, and Kia Marea, the second highest rated filly in New Zeeland during the 1970/1971 Season. Her biggest victory came in the Caulfield Stakes. The mare, Fair Isle (NZ) was an outstanding producer of racehorses, her 1966 colt by Beau Diable (USA), named Heroic Isle (NZ), was champion 2 year old colt in Queensland and won 11 races in Australia all together. In her career as a broodmare she had a total of 11 foals, 8 of which ran and all 8 of those runners, were winners.

Fair Isle (NZ) gave birth to a striking, large, liver chestnut colt in 1970, the colt was imported into South Africa as a yearling by Cyril Hurvitz, a millionaire who owned many beef farms throughout Africa, he was the man behind Bull Brand International and he loved owning racehorses. Over the next year the colt grew into a magnificent specimen, the youngster was a wrecking machine, he was a big, imposing, muscular animal by the time he was 2 and the Hurvitz family cleverly named him “Sledgehammer”. He entered the training ranks under conditioner Fred Rickaby and the colt wasted no time in proving himself to be one of the best juveniles in KZN at the time, when he picked up two major victories. In his opening season, he won the Listed Festival Juvenile Handicap over 1000m and then the Grade 2 Smirnoff Gold Medallion over 1200m. He lost just once as a 2 year old in 1972 when he ran 2nd to Sun Monarch in the Champion Nursery at Greyville.

He went into full force as a 3 year old when he won the first two races of his sophomore season. He made the Hurvitz’s extremely proud when he won both the Listed Bull Brand Trial Handicap over 1400m and the Bull Brand Jockey’s International over a mile, and in so doing the colt showed everyone that he had some gas in the tank, sprinting was not the only thing he was good at. On both occasions he defeated a top class sort in Jamaican Music, a future Durban July winner. He went up to Gauteng for the Benoni Guineas thereafter and finished 4 lengths adrift of the winner Kanaka. Sledgehammer came right back to his very best next time out when he beat yet another future Durban July winner, Riboville to win the Grade 3 Chairmans Champion Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein. He then returned to Natal and won the Grade 3 Rupert Ellis Brown Plate over 1200m, and followed that up victory up with a win the Grade 3 In Full Flight Stakes over 1400m at Pietermaritzburg. He won 4 stakes races during the 1973 racing season and was voted the best 3 year old colt in the country, however the best of this horse was still yet to come.

It was 1974/1975 season now and trainer Fred Rickaby and the Hurvitz’s had already been taken on an incredible journey by the imported Sledgehammer, who had now grown into a stunning, handsome, liver chestnut colt. He had an unforgettable season during the 1974/1975 season. He was without a shadow of any doubt whatsoever the best horse in South Africa at that time. His major race victories that year included wins in the Grade 1 Somerset Plate, Queens Plate, Metropolitan Stakes, over a trip that never suited him (10 furlongs), and Clairwood Champion Stakes. He scored Grade 2 wins in the Drill Hall Stakes and Transvaal Champion Stakes. He did not stop beating great racehorses, he saw off Elevation (3 time Summer Cup winner) and Yataghan (Durban July Winner) that season, he defeated both of them on multiple ocassions. Sledgehammer was voted Horse Of The Year for an amazing season that an equine athlete rarely ever has.

In the 1975/1976 season the legend continued and Sledgehammer, now a 5 year old horse, no longer a colt, a man fresh out of his adolescence, had yet another outstanding season. He defended his titles in the Somerset Plate and Queens Plate, and won yet another Grade 1 race when he scored in the Woolavington Cup. He made an interesting trip to Port Elizabeth where he won the Listed Fairview Autumn Stakes.

The 1976/1977 season came around and the horse, Fred Rickaby, the Hurvitz family and the racing public adored was starting to wind down his career as a racer, he ran 4th in the Administrators Champion Stakes, but ended it all off on a high note when he went out in style winning the Daventry Handicap. It was a sad, but very happy ending to a great career on the track for one of the most accomplished Thoroughbreds to grace the South African turf. He retired to stud in the Karoo, at the Birch brothers Vogelvlei Stud, a renowned operation that won 40 breeders championships in its hay day. He retired to stud with 21 victories to his credit, an incredible feat for any racehorse.

He was everything you would want in a racehorse and more, precocious, talented, game and gutsy, he knew how to beat the best, in fact he was addicted to it, he was as mighty as Thor and as graceful as the wind itself, he was not just a racehorse, he was and to this day remains a legend of the game in South Africa, He was not a softy, not at all, but they saw the colt and it was love at first sight and they called him “Sledgie”.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 7 September, 2023