Fourie Barometer 349
Eyes Are Opened At Paardeberg
Sarah Whitelaw
Some of South Africa’s best judges of thoroughbreds attended the Paardeberg Stud Open Day on Wednesday. The guests were treated to a selection of drinks and snacks before the showing of both Paardeberg’s draft for the upcoming National Yearling Sale and Expert Eye, one of the most exciting stallions to arrive in South Africa this year.
The farm itself made a big impression on guests visiting for the first time, with newly laid out paddocks and well-spaced fences enhancing the attractive farmhouse. Steve Ajax and Charles Palmer had returned to the UK before the open day, but Sally Bruss, the third partner in Paardeberg, was on hand to welcome and chat with visitors.
Paardeberg, looking to add substantially to their quality band of broodmares, is set to be represented by their first National Sale draft this year. And, despite Sally having to prepare her draft in open paddocks, the string made a positive impression on guests. The farm, situated just outside Paarl, is set to offer six fillies and four colts at April’s National Sale.
The fillies include two daughters of Master Of My Fate, as well as daughters of the likes of Rafeef, Soqrat, The United States and What A Winter, while the quartet of colts destined for the 2024 National Sale include sons of Master Of My Fate, One World, and Querari.
With yearlings hailing from the families of such stars as Grand Emporium, Ice Cube, Little Ballerina, Nania, Nhlavini, Red Ray, and Russet Air, this string is bound to find favour with buyers come National Sale time.
However, the one horse everyone was keen to see on Wednesday was 2018 G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Expert Eye, and he did not let visitors down. Strutting into the paddock, the handsome bay looked both in fine fettle and relaxed, with Expert Eye exuding class.
While Graham Hawkins did a fine job as MC for Wednesday’s afternoon, it was left to Robin Bruss to introduce Expert Eye to guests. Bruss touched on his relationship with Expert Eye’s breeder Juddmonte Farm, and how the son of Acclamation ended up in South Africa.
A brilliant two-year-old, Expert Eye won his first two starts, by an aggregate of six lengths, and won the prestigious G2 Qatar Vintage Stakes by four and a half lengths. (Other notable winners of the Vintage Stakes include the likes of outstanding sire Shamardal, and subsequent classic winners Troy, Dr Devious, and Sir Percy).
At three, Expert Eye won all of the G3 Jersey Stakes, G3 Sky Bet City Of York Stakes, and ended his career on a high note when winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile. In landing the Churchill Downs turf feature, Expert Eye accounted for such G1 winners as Divisdero, One Master, Clemmie, Lightning Spear, Happily, and promising young sire Oscar Performance.
Retired to stud in 2019, Expert Eye left behind 22 two-year-old winners in his first crop, while his second crop was headed by his first stakes winner, Snellen (Chesham Stakes), and first group winner, Juniper Berries (G3 Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Dick Poole Stakes). Snellen holds an entry for the 2024 G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas.
Paardeberg is planning to acquire another 25 well-performed mares to support their new resident stallion, and Expert Eye is expected to cover a good book of mares in 2024.
The well-bred Expert Eye, whose close relative, and dual classic winner, Special Duty, is the dam of 2024 classic hope Task Force, shares his G2 Diadem Stakes winning sire Acclamation with a pair of top-class stallions in the form of Dark Angel and Mehmas respectively, with Dark Angel having already sired more than 100 stakes winners, and Mehmas having already come up with such notable G1 winners as Chez Pierre, Going Global, Minzaal, and Supremacy.
Other sons of Acclamation to have enjoyed success at stud include dual G1 King’s Stand Stakes winner Equiano (whose progeny include a Breeders’ Cup winner in the form of Belvoir Bay) and Aclaim (sire of English classic victress Cachet).
A magnificent stamp of a horse, Expert Eye is set to stand his first season at stud in South Africa for a fee of R25 000. There are still a few shares, priced at R105 000 apiece, remaining.
NB In the next couple of days Turf Talk will carry further details of the stallion Expert Eye and Paardeberg’s yearling draft, but for today we are just showing pictures of the people who attended (see below).
Hassen Adams – A Man Of The People
Hassen Adams has passed away at the age of 71 (Pic- Chase Liebenberg)
Leading owner and breeder passes away
Sporting Post Tribute To Hassen Adams
A family man and well-known champion of the underprivileged, an international businessman of repute, a leading breeder and owner, and the man who brought champion sire Gimmethegreenlight to South Africa, Dr Hassen Adams passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 71 on Wednesday in Cape Town.
Born into poverty in Cape Town’s District Six, Hassen Adams was selling newspapers on the winter streets of the Mother City before he was ten years old.
But with the trademark courage that saw him win many boardroom battles in the years ahead, he went on to overcome the challenges to become a business leader in South Africa.
Hassen and his son Rayaan lead Past Master in after the 2011 J& B Met (Pic – Supplied)
A J&B Met and L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winning owner, Hassen Adams retired from business life in January 2020, leaving a legacy not only of financial astuteness, but of empowering people and community involvement.
Among the many key positions he held was as chairperson of GrandWest Casino Ltd, executive chair of Burger King South Africa, director of Gold Circle, director of Cape Town Fish Market, and director of Afriserve.
Hassen Adams – son of District 6 made good
It was in 1997 that Hassen Adams started building an empire, when he founded GPI. The founding shareholders (more than 20000 of them), largely from disenfranchised communities, invested seed capital of R28 million.
Hassen said that it was ‘a meagre R28m’. “It has paid back more than 150 times. I’m proud of what we could do for the ordinary people.”
Talking of stepping down in 2020, he said: “I have done my job. I have had a major send off at Grand Parade Investments and it’s an amazing feeling to know that I allowed people who were never part of the mainstream economy to be part of it. We established a BEE income before that was a word in our vocabulary and nobody has been denied.”
Rayaan and Hassen Adams, with the late Rodney Dunn
His first equine venture was Damascus Stud farm. They bred Sleek Machine, which was sold for R500 and nearly won the Durban July.
James Lightheart was his first trainer and saddled his first winner.
“Thatching’s Fire was a filly I owned and she won me six races. I eventually sold her to the Becks. I also, by fluke, bought into Russian Fox and as time went on I got involved with trainers all over the country,” he said in an interview with the Sporting Post in 2022.
Reflecting on a life lived to the full, he said:
“I’ve enjoyed my journey and my work in the community. Humility is important in my life and I feel you must never act rich; you must act wealthy – to invest in people and be selfless.In life one needs largeness – I don’t need negative energy and one needs to always be cognisant of acting unselfishly.”
On horseracing, he said that this tough industry would always be the Sport of Kings.
“Without the top 10 owners you wouldn’t have a sport. It was difficult in the beginning, but I have been relatively successful.”
Passion to the end (Pic – CRS)
In October 2023 Hassen Adams suffered a personal setback for his Nadeson Park Stud when a flood sowed a path of destruction through Hermanus and the magnificent Hemel ‘N Aarde valley on a black Monday that brought the curtain down on the Heritage Day long weekend.
In February of this year, he was devastated to learn of the passing of his friend and former trainer Darryl Hodgson.
“Life pulled us apart. We were planning on a reunion. I am devastated that it never happened. Darryl was a quiet man and a great horseman. I hope horseracing will remember him with the respect he deserves,” he told the Sporting Post.
A beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother, Dr Hassen Adams will forever be remembered in the corridors of corporate power and the annals of South African racing history as a serious competitor, a dealmaker and a gamechanger.
We extend our sincere condolences to Dr Adams’ family and his friends, at this very sad time.
Royal And Cousin Top Of Premier's Boards
Can Royal Victory emulate Puerto Manzano by winning both the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup and Gr 1 World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge in the same season (JC Photos)
The Sean Tarry-trained Vercingetorix colt Cousin Casey and the Nathan Kotzen-trained Pathfork gelding Royal Victory have been priced up as joint favourites for the Gr 1 World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge.
However, an indication of how open it is this year is that they are out at 5/1 with WSB.
Cousin Casey, who was the Equus Champion Two-year-old male in his first season of racing, has had terrible luck with draws.
He has had the perfect preparation into this race and should be ideally distance suited.
Cousin Casey was well beaten in the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup over this course and distance, but nothing panned out well for him from a wide draw that day and he was not as well prepared.
Richard Fourie rides but he is drawn wide again, 13 in the 14 horse field.
Royal Victory, on the other hand, won the Summer Cup by an easy 2,25 lengths jumping from draw 13 out of 18 and he now jumps from draw three.
However, that was a handicap and he was one of the bottom weights carrying 54kg and this is now a weight for age event.
He is officially 3,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Dave The King.
However, he did win the Summer Cup comfortably and has always had a touch of class. The Summer Cup was the first time he ran over this trip.
He is a big runner with Summer Cup rider Muzi Yeni back aboard.
Dave The King finished a 0,70 length second to star colt See It Again in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 over the easier 2000m Hollywoodbets Greyville 2000m last season.
He had developed a tendency of going a bit hard in front this season, but has recently been gelded and has settled down somewhat. He has run two fine seconds as a gelding over 1400m and 1600m respectively.
He is drawn in pole here and he has showed hints of being a classy middle distance horse, considering he also finished third in the Gr 1 Champions Cup over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
It would be no surpise to see him providing Piere Strydom with another Gr 1 win from a pole position draw.
That draw will enable him to be pacemaker or sit handy without expending much energy to do so.
Leading the whole way over the tough Standside 2000m course and distance is going to stretch him.
The closers like Royal Victory and Cousin Casey will also enjoy it if he goes strongly in front.
De Kock and Strydom will likely have a trick up their sleeves though.
Puerto Manzano was last year’s winner, but he has to bounce back from a 14,75 length beating in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m. He was beaten 12 lengths by Dave The King that day and 9,50 lengths by Cousin Casey. He would have found that trip too sharp though.
On Summer Cup form he is 6kg better off with Royal Victory for a 4,60 length beating, which actually puts him ahead of the latter.
That is interesting, because on paper it puts Dave The King and Cousin Casey in the pound seats.
Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Winchester Mansion is 4kg better off with Royal Victory for a 4,20 length beating.
That puts him in with a shout, but he has not run since then and has a wide draw of ten.
Without Question has run three times over this trip, in the Gr 1 Cape Derby, the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and the Gr 1 WSB Cape Town Met, and has finished third every time.
His form gives him a definite shout, but he does have a tricky draw of nine.
Zeus prefers further, but has just 2,40 lengths to make up on Royal Victory on Summer Cup form on the same terms.
Son Of Raj ran a good 5,50 length fifth in the Horse Chestnut, just 0,25 lengths behind Cousin Casey.
However, he has 4,05 lengths to make up on Royal Victory on Summer Cup form and is only half-a-kilogram better off.
Safe Passage is an enigmatic sort and on his day will be right there. He is 2kg better off with Royal Victory for a 2,25 length beating in the Summer Cup, but he does now have a tougher draw.
Litigation has come into his own but at weight for age terms it is going to be tougher than recent.
Aragosta and Future Pearl will prefer further.
Street Art looks held by Litigation on their last meeting over 1800m.
Meridius has a good turn of foot and is up with Litigation on their last 1800m meeting.
However, he needs considerable improvement to win.
All The Feature Race Fields For Champions Day
1st R218750, 2nd R70000, 3rd R35000, 4th R17500, 5th R8750
WILGERBOSDRIFT SA FILLIES NURSERY (Grade 2)
For 2 yof R100 000 Win BSA Bonus SeriesNo Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 1 | Across The Pond | 60 | 0 | A | Denis Schwarz | St John Gray | |
| 2 | 2 | Almond Sea | 60 | 0 | A | Calvin Habib | Tony Peter | |
| 3 | 6 | Famous Lady | 60 | 0 | A | S’manga Khumalo | Alson Ndzilana | |
| 4 | 8 | Grey Fantacy | 60 | 0 | A | Tristan Godden | Michael Miller | |
| 5 | 4 | It’s Her Way | 60 | 0 | A | Kaidan Brewer | Robyn Klaasen | |
| 6 | 7 | Just Reckless | 60 | 0 | Ae | Kabelo Matsunyane | Michael Miller | |
| 7 | 3 | Little Ballerina | 60 | 0 | A | Gavin Lerena | Candice Dawson | |
| 8 | 5 | Mountain High | 60 | 0 | A | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| 9 | 9 | You Bring Me Joy | 60 | 0 | A | Piere Strydom | Weiho Marwing | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (4,6) | ||||||||
1st R312500, 2nd R100000, 3rd R50000, 4th R25000, 5th R12500
TAB SA NURSERY (Grade 2)
For 2 yo R100 000 Win BSA Bonus SeriesNo Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 8 | Address The Nation | 60 | 0 | T A | Craig Zackey | Candice Dawson | |
| 2 | 2 | Chocolate Soldier | 60 | 0 | HA | Marco V’Rensburg | Corne Spies | |
| 3 | 4 | Dantonfromsandton | 60 | 0 | T A | Piere Strydom | Sean Tarry | |
| 4 | 5 | Fine One | 60 | 0 | A | Tristan Godden | Michael Miller | |
| 5 | 3 | Fire Attack | 60 | 0 | A | Diego De Gouveia | Alec Laird | |
| 6 | 6 | Mount Pinatubo | 60 | 0 | A | Gavin Lerena | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 7 | 7 | Pistol Pete | 60 | 0 | A | Calvin Habib | Tony Peter | |
| 8 | 1 | Proceed | 60 | 0 | T A | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (3,8) | ||||||||
1st R312500, 2nd R100000, 3rd R50000, 4th R25000, 5th R12500
TAB HAWAII STAKES (Grade 2)
Open
WFA: 2yrs-12kgs 3yrs-2.5kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 3 | Anfields Rocket | 60 | 115 | TBA | Raymond Danielson | Grant Maroun | |
| 2 | 10 | At My Command | 58 | 124 | A | Craig Zackey | Brett Crawford | |
| 3 | 8 | Unzen | 58 | 109 | A | Kaidan Brewer | Robbie Sage | |
| 4 | 5 | Mujbar (GB) | 58 | 105 | A | Diego De Gouveia | Mike de Kock | |
| 5 | 6 | Texas Red | 58 | 104 | A | *Malesela Katjedi | Robyn Klaasen | |
| 6 | 9 | Savannah Storm | 58 | 103 | T A | #Rachel Venniker | P P / J M Vermeulen | |
| 7 | 7 | Sandringham Summit | 57.5 | 123 | T A | Gavin Lerena | David Nieuwenhuizen | |
| 8 | 4 | Lucky Lad | 57.5 | 117 | A | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| 9 | 2 | Celtic Rumours | 55.5 | 106 | A | Calvin Habib | Sean Tarry | |
| 10 | 1 | White Pearl | 53 | 112 | A | Muzi Yeni | Mike de Kock | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (4,10) (8,9) | ||||||||
1st R468750, 2nd R150000, 3rd R75000, 4th R37500, 5th R18750
WILGERBOSDRIFT BRIDGET OPPENHEIMER SA OAKS (Grade 2)
For 3 year-old Fillies (3rd Leg of SA Triple Tiara)No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 4 | Silver Sanctuary | 60 | 116 | A | Richard Fourie | Mike de Kock | |
| 2 | 6 | My Soul Mate | 60 | 115 | A | Piere Strydom | Candice Dawson | |
| 3 | 7 | Let’s Go Now | 60 | 114 | BA | S’manga Khumalo | Sean Tarry | |
| 4 | 5 | Beating Wings | 60 | 108 | A | Calvin Habib | Stuart Pettigrew | |
| 5 | 3 | Frances Ethel | 60 | 94 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Brett Crawford | |
| 6 | 1 | Sukhumvit | 60 | 91 | A | Juan Paul v’d Merwe | Alec Laird | |
| 7 | 8 | Explosive Bond | 60 | 90 | BA | Philasande Mxoli | Paul Matchett | |
| 8 | 2 | Mount Etna | 60 | 82 | TBA | Chase Maujean | Fanie Bronkhorst | |
| 9 | 9 | Darling Harbour | 60 | 81 | A | Serino Moodley | Candice Dawson | |
| 10 | 11 | Azaleas For All | 60 | 78 | A | #Rachel Venniker | Fanie Bronkhorst | |
| 11 | 10 | Be Real | 60 | 76 | A | Raymond Danielson | Heather E Adamson | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (2,9) (8,10) | ||||||||
1st R625000, 2nd R200000, 3rd R100000, 4th R50000, 5th R25000
TAB EMPRESS CLUB STAKES (Grade 1)
For Fillies and Mares at Weight-for-Age
WFA: 2yrs-12.5kgs 3yrs-2.5kgs 4yrs-0kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 5 | Humdinger | 60 | 116 | A | Piere Strydom | Mike de Kock | |
| 2 | 6 | Gilded Butterfly | 60 | 109 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Stuart Pettigrew | |
| 3 | 3 | Emirate Gina | 60 | 105 | A | S’manga Khumalo | Roy Magner | |
| 4 | 4 | Perfect Witness | 60 | 105 | A | Diego De Gouveia | Candice Dawson | |
| 5 | 1 | Lady Of Power | 60 | 104 | A | Muzi Yeni | M G Azzie/A A Azzie | |
| 6 | 8 | Gimme A Nother | 57.5 | 125 | A | Juan Paul v’d Merwe | Mike de Kock | |
| 7 | 7 | Mrs Geriatrix | 57.5 | 115 | A | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| 8 | 2 | Bavarian Beauty | 57.5 | 113 | A | Calvin Habib | Tony Peter | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (1,6) | ||||||||
1st R625000, 2nd R200000, 3rd R100000, 4th R50000, 5th R25000
JONSSON WORKWEAR COMPUTAFORM SPRINT (Grade 1)
For all horses at Weight for Age
WFA: 2yrs-10.5kgs 3yrs-2kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 12 | Dyce | 60 | 130 | HA | Craig Zackey | Lucky Houdalakis | |
| 2 | 4 | William Robertson | 60 | 125 | JA | S’manga Khumalo | Corne Spies | |
| 3 | 11 | Thunderstruck | 60 | 124 | TBA | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| 4 | 5 | Mover And Shaker | 60 | 118 | A | Denis Schwarz | Fabian Habib | |
| 5 | 3 | Sheldon | 60 | 116 | BA | Hennie Greyling | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 6 | 9 | Rulership | 60 | 115 | T A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Tony Peter | |
| 7 | 7 | Pray For Rain | 60 | 114 | a | Serino Moodley | Carl Hewitson | |
| 8 | 10 | Ziyasha | 58 | 114 | TBa | Muzi Yeni | Clinton Binda | |
| 9 | 1 | Ready To Charge | 58 | 108 | A | Juan Paul v’d Merwe | M G Azzie/A A Azzie | |
| 10 | 6 | Kiss Me Captain | 57.5 | 110 | A | #Rachel Venniker | M G Azzie/A A Azzie | |
| 11 | 8 | Iphiko | 57.5 | 108 | BA | Marco V’Rensburg | Mike de Kock | |
| 12 | 2 | Golden Sickle | 55.5 | 122 | A | Calvin Habib | Tony Peter | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (6,12) (9,10) | ||||||||
1st R781250, 2nd R250000, 3rd R125000, 4th R62500, 5th R31250
TAB SA DERBY (Grade 1)
3 year olds (3rd Leg SA Triple Crown)No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 6 | Purple Pitcher | 60 | 120 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Robyn Klaasen | |
| 2 | 4 | Hotarubi | 60 | 116 | TCA | S’manga Khumalo | Sean Tarry | |
| 3 | 9 | Pure Predator | 60 | 116 | A | Richard Fourie | Fanie Bronkhorst | |
| 4 | 5 | Mondial | 60 | 105 | A | Muzi Yeni | M G Azzie/A A Azzie | |
| 5 | 8 | Presley | 60 | 98 | A | Gavin Lerena | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 6 | 2 | Marauding Horde | 60 | 96 | BA | Marco V’Rensburg | Mike de Kock | |
| 7 | 7 | Viva Brazil | 60 | 94 | BA | Craig Zackey | Lucky Houdalakis | |
| 8 | 13 | George Handel | 60 | 93 | A | Piere Strydom | Fanie Bronkhorst | |
| 9 | 11 | Twenty Drachma’s | 60 | 92 | A | Philasande Mxoli | Stuart Pettigrew | |
| 10 | 12 | Shoot The Rapids | 60 | 89 | A | Calvin Habib | Frank Robinson | |
| 11 | 3 | Atarime | 60 | 83 | A | #Rachel Venniker | Paul Matchett | |
| 12 | 1 | Thunee Playa | 60 | 80 | BA | Denis Schwarz | Lorenzo Karriem | |
| 13 | 10 | Taxhaven | 60 | 78 | BA | *Malesela Katjedi | Paul Matchett | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (3,8) (11,13) | ||||||||
1st R1200000, 2nd R400000, 3rd R200000, 4th R100000, 5th R50000, 6th R25000, 7th R15000, 8th R10000
WORLD POOL PREMIER’S CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE (Grade 1)
For all horses at Weight for Age
WFA: 3yrs-3.5kgs 4yrs-0kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 1 | Dave The King | 60 | 126 | A | Piere Strydom | Mike de Kock | |
| 2 | 5 | Puerto Manzano (ARG) | 60 | 125 | BA | Gavin Lerena | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 3 | 13 | Cousin Casey | 60 | 123 | A | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| 4 | 6 | Zeus | 60 | 122 | A | Denis Schwarz | Fabian Habib | |
| 5 | 10 | Winchester Mansion | 60 | 121 | CA | Kabelo Matsunyane | Brett Crawford | |
| 6 | 9 | Without Question | 60 | 120 | A | #Rachel Venniker | Justin Snaith | |
| 7 | 3 | Royal Victory | 60 | 119 | A | Muzi Yeni | Nathan Kotzen | |
| 8 | 7 | Son Of Raj | 60 | 119 | BA | S’manga Khumalo | Weiho Marwing | |
| 9 | 2 | Aragosta | 60 | 118 | A | Marco V’Rensburg | Mike de Kock | |
| 10 | 4 | Future Pearl | 60 | 116 | TBA | Serino Moodley | Sean Tarry | |
| 11 | 11 | Safe Passage | 60 | 116 | A | Juan Paul v’d Merwe | Mike de Kock | |
| 12 | 14 | Litigation | 60 | 115 | TCA | Craig Zackey | Sean Tarry | |
| 13 | 8 | Meridius | 60 | 110 | A | Calvin Habib | Tony Peter | |
| 14 | 12 | Street Art | 60 | 109 | A | Tristan Godden | Tony Peter | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (1,9,11) (3,10,12) (13,14) | ||||||||
1st R187500, 2nd R60000, 3rd R30000, 4th R15000, 5th R7500
4RACING CARADOC GOLD CUP (Listed)
OpenNo Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 9 | Nebraas | 60 | 112 | TBA | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| 2 | 13 | Crimson King | 56 | 106 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Brett Crawford | |
| 3 | 6 | Good Council | 56 | 105 | A | Calvin Habib | Stuart Pettigrew | |
| 4 | 7 | Black Thorn | 56 | 102 | A | Juan Paul v’d Merwe | Mike de Kock | |
| 5 | 5 | Raiseahallelujah | 54 | 99 | A | Craig Zackey | Candice Dawson | |
| 6 | 3 | United Council | 50 | 95 | CA | Nathan Klink | Robbie Sage | |
| 7 | 10 | Ipso Facto | 50 | 94 | A | Philasande Mxoli | Paul Matchett | |
| 8 | 8 | Red Maple | 50 | 94 | TBA | Athandiwe Mgudlwa | Sean Tarry | |
| 9 | 1 | Breeze Over | 50 | 93 | TBA | Muzi Yeni | M G Azzie/A A Azzie | |
| 10 | 14 | Rule Book | 50 | 90 | BA | Kaidan Brewer | Alec Laird | |
| 11 | 4 | Top Sail | 50 | 90 | A | *Siyanda Sosibo | Paul Matchett | |
| 12 | 12 | Prime Example | 50 | 89 | A | Serino Moodley +2.0 | Tyrone Zackey | |
| 13 | 11 | Jet Dynasty | 50 | 86 | TCA | #Rachel Venniker | Sean Tarry | |
| 14 | 2 | Positive Attitude | 50 | 86 | T A | *Malesela Katjedi | Joe Soma | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (1,8,13) (7,11) | ||||||||
4Racing to host first ever World Pool at Turffontein
Johannesburg, 27 March 2024 – As the pinnacle of The Championships Season approaches on Saturday 6 April, the global racing community is thrilled to witness a historic Champions Day in South Africa. 4Racing & The Hong Kong Jockey Club have come together to make Champions Day a truly international horse racing event.
Hosted at Turffontein Racecourse by 4Racing, this year’s Champions Day promises to be the most exciting yet, with the race meeting hosting four World Pool races for the first time, elevating the excitement to unprecedented heights.
World Pool transforms the betting experience, allowing punters from 28 countries worldwide to participate in a single, massive pool. Horse racing enthusiasts and punters from around the globe will be able to participate in the thrill of the four Grade 1 races namely the R1-million Empress Club Stakes (1600m), the R2-million World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge (2000m), the R1.25-million TAB SA Derby for three- year-olds (2450m) as well as the R1-million Jonsson Workwear ComputaForm Sprint (1000m).
“We have recently embarked on a 4Racing roadshow across 3 countries: Malaysia to meet with the Selangor Turf Club, Singapore Pools and the Singapore Turf Club in Singapore, and our final stop was in Hong Kong to meet with the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Nurturing our relationship with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and our other ongoing international relationships is of paramount importance to 4Racing as part of our global strategy. We’re excited to host our first World Pool event at Turffontein – cementing 4Racing’s position on the global horse racing landscape. 4Racing is committed to ensuring that South Africa remains a key player in the world of horse racing, and we look forward to a spectacular day of horse racing at Champions Day and the four World Pool (TBC) Grade 1 races,” said Fundi Sithebe, 4Racing CEO.
“We are proud to spearhead initiatives that transcend countries and unite punters on a global scale. This World Pool event at Turffontein not only enhances the betting experience for punters but also signifies the power of international collaboration in advancing the sport. We have been working with South Africa on World Pool since 2021and we have developed a really strong partnership, so it’s tremendously exciting for us all that Champions Day will be a World Pool event for the first time this year, ” said Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Racegoers on the day will enjoy an immersive, family- friendly experience with a variety of food stalls and entertainment for kids at the Turffontein Racecourse. Festivities will also include the second edition of the Parade Ring Party, this time featuring award-winning South African break-dancing champion and Hip Hop & Afro DJ Courtnae Paul. Entertainment will begin after the main race and entry into the Parade Ring party is free for everyone.
The TAB4Racing’s Champions of The Championships competition continues with three lucky punters standing a chance to win their share of incredible cash prizes worth a total of R 17 500. The first place winner with the highest competition balance at the end of the season will walk away with a R10 000 cash prize, while second place walks away with R5 000, and third place with R2 500. To enter this competition simply click here:
Punters and fun lovers are encouraged to come in their numbers as general entrance to the race day at Turffontein is free.
For more information on 4Racing’s hospitality offerings from just R500 / person, please contact 011 681 1796 or email Penny Morsner PennyM@4Racing.com as hospitality venues are selling out quick!
Bankers Galore On Champions Day
These two Lucky Houdalakis yard staff members had a joyous celebration on WSB Cape Town Met day when the yard’s star sprinter Dyce won the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship and they will be hoping the William Longsword entire makes it a Gr 1 double on Champions Day by winning the Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint (Picture: Wayne Marks)
The World Pool will be massive on Champions Day at Turffontein and the exotics will be worth playing.
On paper they don’t look to difficult to catch either, because their look to be many races with bankers in and others where going thin could get players through.
The bankers on paper look to be Almond Sea in the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nuresry, Pistol Pete in the Gr 2 SA Nursery and Gimme A Nother in the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes.
Sandringham Summit is a possible banker in the Gr 2 TAB Hawaii Stakes too, although he has another tricky draw to overcome.
The races where many players might go thin are the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint, where the two favourites Dyce and Thunderstruck are both drawn in favourable high positions, the Gr 1 SA Derby, where Marauding Horde and Purple Pitcher look the one to beat, and the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks, where some might go with only Silver Sanctuary and Frances Ethel, whole other might even banker the former.
The Gr 1 World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge and the Listed 4Racoing Caradoc Gold Cup look wide open.
Vaal Thursday Formguides And Selections
Venniker/Roberts Double
Northern Warrior (Crusade) gives Rachel Venniker and Michael Roberts a double together on the day (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)
Rachel Venniker rode a double for Michael Roberts at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today
She is now on 47 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 10.40%.
Roberts is on 22 wins at 8.56%.
The KZN Trainers Championship has been intrigung all season and became more so today.
Single wins for both Mike Miller and Gareth van Zyl saw them joining Wendy Whitehead at the top of the log.
All three trainers have had 33 wins in KZN this season.
Today’s Question
Who are horse and owner in the picture above taken at the Kentucky Derby Museum this week?
Midweek FIELDS
Vaal, Thursday
Today’s Question Answer
Fifteen Years After Memorable Upset, Mine That Bird Back for Visit to Kentucky Derby Museum
americasbestracing.net
It was 15 years ago that the little bay Birdstone gelding squeezed through the smallest of openings along the rail under Calvin Borel to capture the lead inside the three-sixteenths pole before running away to an emphatic 6 ¾-length romp in the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, shocking the world at odds of 50.60-1.
“We’re very pleased to have Mine That Bird,” said Kentucky Derby Museum president and CEO Patrick Armstrong. “We preserve the history of the Kentucky Derby. We take that very seriously. To be able to honor Mine That Bird’s win by having him here at the Kentucky Derby Museum is important to us and important to our fans. We’re very much looking forward to the three-week stay that we’ll have ‘Bird’ with us.”
Armstrong said Mine That Bird’s 15th anniversary gave the Museum the perfect opportunity to create a long-discussed Long Shots exhibit. The exhibit will debut at the Museum’s Legends Series with Maker’s Mark the evening of March 27.
The exhibit features artifacts from the five biggest longshots to ever win the Derby – Donerail (1913, 91.45-1), Rich Strike (2022, 80.80-1), Country House (2019, 65.20-1), Mine That Bird, and Giacomo (2005, 50.30-1). The artifacts include silks worn by Donerail’s jockey, Roscoe Goose, in the Derby.
Mine That Bird arrived at Churchill Downs March 24 and has taken up residence in the Museum’s Helen B. “Penny” Chenery Stable. Museum patrons can visit the Derby winner from March 27 through April 19.
“If you ask me what I remember about Churchill, it was the fans,” said Mark Allen, who raced Mine That Bird with Dr. Leonard Blach as Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine. “It’s a good story for racing.”
They acquired Mine That Bird late in his 2-year-old season. He won the Kentucky Derby for trainer Chip Woolley and concluded his career under the care of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Retiring following a 10th-place finish in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs, Mine That Bird went to live on Allen’s Double Eagle Ranch in New Mexico.
“He’s been getting fat and old like me,” Allen said of the now 18-year-old’s recent activity.
Mine That Bird has, on occasion, made public appearances for parades and other events in New Mexico. “Every now and then he gets up and prances around,” Allen said.
Allen also brought Mine That Bird to temporarily reside at the Kentucky Derby Museum in 2013.
Allen sold Double Eagle Ranch in 2020. His Derby winner then spent time at HV Ranch near Lone Oak, Texas, and most recently near Ponca City, Okla.
“I’ve met a lot of people I wouldn’t have met,” Allen said of the journey he’s been on with Mine That Bird. “He definitely changed my life.”–Sean Collins
