The R1 million World Pool Gold Cup will be a race of special importance to the Justin Snaith yard this season, considering Sean Tarry came from more than R2 million behind to challenge them for the Champion Trainer title at that meeting last year.

Tarry is currently just over R1.2 million behind the reigning champion Snaith.

On Saturday the Snaiths would have been relieved Future Swing came out of the Hollywoodbets Durban July in one piece.

At about the halfway mark Shoemaker suffered epistaxis and when dropping back alarmingly there was a chain reaction that saw Future Swing being squeezed on to the running rail, causing him to lose a shoe. Jockey Richard Fourie returned with a scuffed riding boot.

However, the four-year-old Futura gelding must be a tough horse, because not only is he still in one piece but he has also pulled up sound.

That means he will be able to run in the Gr 3 R1 million World Pool Gold Cup.

S’Manga Khumalo, a twice winner of the Gold Cup, has already been booked for the ride.

Jonathan Snaith said, “The Hollywoodbets Durban July is often a messy race and this year was no different. Take nothing away from the winner, Oriental Charm, he did it the hard way and fought off all challenges and was the deserved winner. We couldn’t have been happier for Greg and Gina, who are close family friends. They absolutely deserved that win for all they do for racing. Future Swing probably got the worst of the scrum during the running, but luckily came through the race sound. He’s being aimed at the Gold Cup with S’manga Khumalo.”

Future Swing is very much a staying type. He has only ever run over a staying trip once, in the Gr 3 Glorious Goodwood Chairman’s Cup over 2500m, and he won it. As a progressive sort he could still be ahead of the handicapper off a 110.

The Snaiths also have the talented 109-rated One Way Traffic entered and he is capable of winning too. He comes off a decent 2,20 length fourth in the Gr 3 DSTV Gold Vase over 3000m. The handicappers acknowledged his consistency as a stayer by making him the line horse.

What could be adding to the Snaiths wariness of Tarry on the last big day of the season is that the current weather in Cape Town is being disruptive to the racing program and Tarry might be able to inch closer in the minor racing before the big day.

However, Jonathan did have some optimistic news in that regard.

He said, “Futura Park is totally flooded like the rest of Cape Town. We can only get horses fit by swimming them! Cape Racing is doing a tremendous job at making every effort to make sure lost meetings are added back and for that we are very thankful.”

Team Snaith looked like they were going to be hard to catch after landing the Gr 1 R2 million WSB Cape Town Met, but the title race could once again boil down to a thriller on World Pool Gold Cup day (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Comparing Justin Snaiths’ entries on Gold Cup day to Sean Tarry’s together with their currrent Hollywoodbets prices, if available, is an interesting excercise to ascertain whether it is possible for the latter to catch Snaith in the race for the national trainers championship.

Snaith is currently R1,284,737 ahead of second-placed Tarry.

(Exact Hollywoodbets prices are in brackets)

In the Gr 1 R1 million World Pool Gold Cup Snaith has Future Swing (6.25) and One Way Traffic (20) and Tarry has Future Pearl (1.33) and Nebraas (14.29).

In the Gr 1 R1.5 million HKJC Champions Cup Snaith has entered Double Superlative (33), Royal Aussie (14.29) and Hluhluwe (40) and Tarry has entered Cousin Casey (5.56).

In the Gr 1  R1 million Mercury Sprint Snaith has entered Royal Aussie (12.5) and Snow Pilot (25) and Tarry has Lucky Lad (1.52) and Mrs Browning (12.5).

In the Gr 1 R1 million Premiers Champion Stakes Snaith has  Great Plains (8.5) and Makazole (25) and Tarry has Cosmic Speed (3.33) and Proceed (4.55).

In the Gr 1 R1 million Thekwini Stakes Snaith does not have a runner and Tarry has World Of Alice (8.5) and Varvara (40).

In the  R500,000 Gr 2 Gold Bracelet Snaith does not have a runner and Tarry has Red Maple and That’s My Baby.

In the Gr 2 R500,000 Umkhomazi Stakes Snaith has Impact Investor and Tarry has Cosmic Speed, Proceed and DantonfromSandton.

In the Gr 2 R500,000 Debutante Snaith has Dark Winter and Tarry has Rodeo Drive and Varvara.

In the Listed R200,000 Umngeni Handicap Snaith has Baltic Secret and Tarry has Magic Tattoo and Longsword.

In the Listed R200,000 Darley Arabian Snaith has Itsrainingwilliam, Get Impressed and The Grey King and Tarry has Pyromaniac, Champion Warrior and Indlamu.

Tarry has more entries and looks to have the upperhand in the head to head clashes too.

However, he is still over a R1.2 million behind so it won’t be easy to make up that entire amount.

Brett Crawford has a mathematical chance too.

However, he is more than R2.3 million behind Snaith, so will need a miracle.

His entries on Gold Cup day are:

Gold Cup: Crimson King
Champions Cup: Winchester Mansion
Mercury Sprint: At My Command, I Am Giant, Surjay
Champion Stakes: Golden Rule
Thekwini: Fatal Flaw, Soceress Supreme
Gold Bracelet: Future Girl, Happy Chance
Umkhomazi: Golden Rule
Debutante: Kindred Heart
Umngeni: Trompie

Hollywoodbets make Justin Snaith a 1/5 shot, Sean Tarry is 5/1 and Brett Crawford is 6.25/1.

One of the great traditions of the Hollywoodbets Durban July is the hanging of the winning horse’s ownership colours on the Hollywoodbets Greyville Classic Room’s Wall Of Honour on the night of the race.

Some owners have said this is the moment when what they have achieved first sinks in.

The picture above shows the proud  moment Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith hung up the aquamarine, dark grey seams, aquamarine sleeves, dark grey armbands, striped cap colours that are carried by Oriental Charm.

They are the official colours of Greg Bortz.

Many of the most famous colours in South African history are on the Wall Of Honour, so it is little wonder that this is often the moment of realisation.

The Equus commitee sent out the follwing press release with the details of all the category points leaders to date.

10 July 2024

Gimme A Nother maintains her lead for Equus Horse of the Year Log for the 2023/24 season

Following the 128^th running of the Hollywoodbets Durban July, Oriental Charm came home victorious in the historic race to join the fray of Equus nominations. As the excitement for Equus continues to build, we await the final Grade 1 race day on the 28^th of July at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Horse Of the Year

Gimme A Nother (104) still holds a lead on the Equus Horse of the Year log. In fact, three-year-olds hold the top 2 positions into the final month of the season.

The unbeaten Gimme A Nother added a 2^nd Grade 1 win to her impressive record after winning the Grade 1 TAB Empress Club Stakes. She had already won the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic which along with her wins in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, Grade 2 Mike De Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge and Grade 3 Betway Fillies Mile which gives her a total of 104 points so far this season.

Green With Envy (98) failed to add to his total after a disappointing effort in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. His impressive wins in the Grade 1 SplashOut Derby, the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Guineas and Grade 1 Daily News 2000m places him in a challenging position for the lead. A big showing in the Grade 1 The HKJC Champions Cup set to take place on the 28^th July 2024 should see him in line for the top spot on the log.

Royal Victory (90) who won the Grade 1 World Pools Premier’s Champions Challenge and Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup winner added a creditable 3^rd in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July to his points tally and now joins Thunderstruck (90) in 3^rd spot.

Thunderstruck (90) shares 3rd spot, he showed great determination in winning the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint. He has accumulated points for his 2^nd in the Grade 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship as well as for his win in the Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes.

Champion Three-Year-Old Male

Green With Envy (98) still holds a clear lead in the Champion Three-Year-Old Colt standings with Main Defender (84) in 2^nd place, closely followed by Grade 1 TAB SA Derby and Grade 1 TAB SA Classic winner Purple Pitcher (80) in 3^rd spot. Sandringham Summit (74) is in 4^th place with the Grade 2 TAB Hawaii Stakes as well as the Grade 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas wins to his credit.

Oriental Charm sits just outside the top 4 with 66 points after earning 40 points for his Hollywoodbets Durban July win.

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly

Gimme A Nother holds a clear lead in the Champion three-year-old filly category and has accumulated 104 points so far, she has won two Grade 1 races along with two Grade 2 races and a Grade 3 race. Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes and Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas winner Beach Bomb (80) is currently in second spot, she also accumulated points for her Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby runner-up finish. Silver Sanctuary (76) was rewarded for her consistency when landing the Grade 1 Woolavington and now finds herself in 3^rd place on the standings. Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship and World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas winner Rascova (64) is in joint 4^th place with Grade 2 Tibouchina Stakes winner Double Grand Slam (64), the latter was an unlucky 3^rd place finisher in the Grade 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes in her most recent start.

Champion Older Male

Grade 1 World Pools Premier’s Champions Challenge and Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup winner Royal Victory joins Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint winner Thunderstruck at the top of the standings for the Champion Older Male category with 90 points each. Royal Victory earned points for his 3^rd place finish in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge winner Dave The King, added 48 points to his tally for this WFA race that has been awarded Super Grade 1 status and is in 3^rd spot on 78 points. He could add some spice if he lines up at the end of the month. Cousin Casey (70) earned points for consistently placing in Graded events and continued to show his wellbeing with a creditable 2^nd place finish in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. Grade 2 World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes winner See It Again (66) is in 5^th after his unlucky 5^th in this year’s Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Champion Older Female

Grade 1 City Of Cape Town Majorca Stakes winner Princess Calla (60) holds a slender lead in the Champion Older Female category from Humdinger (56) who climbed into 2^nd place after her recent success in the Grade 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes. Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint runner-up and Grade 2 Camellia Stakes winner Mrs Browning (40) is in 3^rd, Happy Chance (32) improves her position after her recent 2^nd place finish in the Grade 1 Ridgemont Garden Province.

Distance Categories (excludes points from races restricted to 3-year-olds)

Champion Sprinter

No changes since the last update. Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform and Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem winner Thunderstruck leads the Champion Sprinter category. He has accumulated 80 points, which is lower than his overall total due to this category being a distance specific category. October Morn and Lucky Lad have both moved up the standings to joint 2^nd with 52 points each after their Grade 1 successes in the SA Fillies Sprint and Golden Horse Sprint respectively. Grade 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship winner Dyce is in 4^th spot with 48 points. The Grade 1 Mercury Sprint could become pivotal to sway the judges’ verdicts. Lucky Lad won his prep run at Turffontein over the weekend.

Champion Miler

No changes since the last update. Dave The King takes the lead as he did when winning the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge to head the Champion Miler category having now accumulated 72 points in total. Main Defender (68) finds himself in 2^nd place after disappointing in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge, his accumulated points for this distance specific category is lower than his overall points tally due to this category excluding the points accumulated in 3-year-old only races.  The retired Charles Dickens (64) is in 3^rd place on the standings followed by Grade 2 World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes winner See It Again (60).

Champion Middle Distance

Multiple Grade 1 winner Royal Victory (90 points) still holds a clear lead in the Champion Middle Distance category with his two Grade 1 wins over the distance of 2000m, running 3rd in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July topped up his points tally. Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm (58) improved his points tally significantly after his recent success and jumps into 2^nd spot. Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met winner Double Superlative (48) is in 3^rd place ahead of Beach Bomb and Silver Sanctuary in joint 4^th with 32 points each.

Champion Stayer

Red Maple climbed to the top of the Champion Stayers standings after landing the Grade 2 Tabgold Oaks with 18 points. Grade 3 Tabgold Derby runner-up Aragosta occupies 2^nd spot with 12 points, he also accumulated points for his Listed Cape Summer Stayers Handicap and is consequently ahead of Grade 3 Tabgold Derby winner Future Pearl who occupies joint 3^rd place with 10 points along with Listed WSB Aquanaut and Tab Gold Bowl winner Crimson King, Grade 3 New Turf Carriers Cape Stayers Handicap winner Master Redoute and the winner of the Grade 3 Gold Vase winner Madison Valley.

Champion Two-Year-Old Male

Grade 1 Gold Medallion winner Proceed leads the Champion Two-Year-Old standings with 48 points ahead of the impressive Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe winner Cosmic Speed on 32 points. Multiple Graded placed Winds Of Change, Grade 3 Winter Nursery and Grade 3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery winner One Stripe, and Grade 2 TAB SA Nursery winner Fire Attack all share 3rd place with 16 points each.

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly

Grade 1 Allan Robertson Stakes and Grade 2 Golden Slipper winner Quid Pro Quo holds a clear lead in the Champion Two-year-Old Filly log with 48 points followed by Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Nursery winner Little Ballerina in 2^nd place with 18 points, ahead of Rodeo Drive and Just Reckless who share 3^rd place with 16 points each.

Sandringham Summit winning the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas (JC Photos)

Sandringham Summit has arrived at Varsfontein in readiness for the breeding season.

Stallion manager John Freeman send the below letter about the Gr 1-winning Gimmethegreenlight colt.

Dear Breeders,

I am happy to report that Equus Champion 2yo Sandringham Summit has arrived safely at Varsfontein.

His shareholders thank trainer David Nieuwenhuizen and groom Daniel Cuiane for their diligent care whilst he was in training.

The team at FreemanStallions relish marking up his bookings. As was expected he is being very well supported for his freshman year in 2024.

If anyone needs help with test matings on G1, Pedigree 360 and/or TesioPower please send your mares names to us and we will happily email pdfs.

Varsfontein have posted video clips on social media. We made condensed copies for you to enjoy:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-uCIEM7V2MeVyFt2BD6-VmX2FLVySQdo/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-puQ8MX27NZNBsf1lsoAiJb1UDgrc4l5/view?usp=drivesdk

The clips show that he is relaxed and settling into his new vocation in the Varsfontein stallion barn alongside his multiple Championship winning sire Gimmethegreenlight.

Kind regards,

John

Lot 558: Anacapa (GB)

A pair of beautifully bred Juddmonte fillies were the star turns on the second day of the Tattersalls July Sale with both realising 300,000 guineas on a day that saw continued strong international demand and a clearance rate of 92%.

Anacapa to Badgers Bloodstock for 300,000 Guineas

The first of the two top-priced Juddmonte fillies was the three-year-old FRANKEL filly ANACAPA who was knocked down to Badgers Bloodstock’s Grant Pritchard-Gordon for 300,000 guineas. The daughter of the four-time Grade 1 winner VENTURA is a full-sister to the Group 3 Prix de Lieurey winner FOUNT and to the dam of Group 1 Saudi Cup winner EMBLEM ROAD.

It is a family well known to Pritchard-Gordon who worked for Juddmonte for 17 years and commented:

“She has been bought for a long-standing European client, who loves Juddmonte families as much as I do. Seeing as we know so much about Juddmonte, it was the obvious thing to do.”

He continued: “She is a lovely big filly, she walked well out there and it is a family I have known for a long time – I go back beyond Roupala [third dam]. She goes straight to the paddocks from here.”

Avenue Bloodstock Secures Blue-Blooded Juddmonte Filly for 300,000 Guineas

The second Juddmonte filly to realise 300,000 guineas was the next lot into the ring, CALABRIA. The three-year-old daughter of KINGMAN and the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet winner ROMANTICA was purchased by Avenue Bloodstock’s Mark McStay. CALABRIA is a granddaughter of the two-time European Champion BANKS HILL, herself a daughter of the legendary Juddmonte blue hen HASILI.

“I have bought two very nice fillies from Juddmonte,” said McStay, who also purchased lot 556 EVEN OUT for 80,000 guineas.

“Both very good physicals. As we know Juddmonte blood is very hard to come by, the farm is the best breeder in the world and I am absolutely thrilled to get them. We had to dig deep to get the filly from the Banks Hill family but it is probably the best pedigree in the book – when you see Banks Hill, Dansili, Hasili, Champs Elysees on the page, it doesn’t need much explanation as to why you had to dig so deep and why there was such stiff competition to get her.”

He added: “I fancy Kingman as a broodmare sire, he could easily make it. The fillies were beautifully presented by Juddmonte and recommended. The mating plans will be fluid for both, but they will go to some of the best stallions and will be given the best chance.”

Bur Dubai Bound for Australia at 250,000 Guineas

The highest priced colt on the second day of the Tattersalls July Sale was BUR DUBAI, consigned by Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Induna Stables on behalf of Ahmad al Shaikh. The son of NIGHT OF THUNDER was knocked down to Jason Singh, bidding on the telephone on behalf of Price Kent Racing/Myracehorse Australia. The 89-rated three-year-old is a winner since catalogue publication and will head to Australia and into training with Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.

Michael Kent spoke on the phone from Melbourne and revealed: “We work the sectionals really hard and put hours and hours of work into that research. Although this horse’s last start when he won by nine lengths was impressive, it was his run in a Listed race at Epsom in April that really impressed us when he finished sixth. It was a hot hot race and they ripped home, and he put in some really fast sectionals. He has got upside on upside on upside for us and has the perfect profile for Australia – he is fast, we love his sire, and he is the right type with bone, good feet and he vetted clean.”

Of ownership plans, Kent outlined: “We have partnered with MyRacehorse, who have done so well, and we will syndicate the remaining percentage in the horse – there are shares available!

“We will give him six weeks and let him take advantage of your ‘summer’ and warmer weather – he will then ship and can slot into our routine. I worked in Newmarket and know Kevin – he is a lovely fella and is a great trainer who looks after his horse really well, that was a big positive for us too.”

City House to Scott & JS Bloodstock for 180,000 Guineas

The 2023 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale has provided a rich seam for the Gredley family in 2024. Through agent Freddy Tylicki the family purchased flagbearer AMBIENTE FRIENDLY who won the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial before performing with great credit when second and third in the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby, and under the family’s Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs banner they also purchased CITY HOUSE for 85,000 guineas.

Trained by James Fanshawe alongside the Derby runner up and offered by Fanshawe’s Pegasus Stables, the winning NIGHT OF THUNDER colt was offered this time at the Tattersalls July Sale with an official rating of 87 and was knocked down to JS Bloodstock/G Scott Racing for 180,000 guineas.

Trainer George Scott enjoyed an excellent winter last season with his string of horses in Bahrain, said: “We enjoyed our time in Bahrain and we were looking for a couple of sprinters, and all being well he will end up there. City House looks a really robust horse – James Fanshawe has done a great job with him and there look to be plenty of miles left on the clock, he gave him a positive write up. Equally as important Callum [Shepherd] and Dan Muscutt both rode him and really like the horse too.

“He looks like one who will go on fast ground and could run over a stiff five or six furlongs, there is great prizemoney in Bahrain and it is great fun. My client is new to me and he is based in London, but has some of his own clients in Bahrain and Dubai. He will be working over there a bit in the winter so he would like some action while he is there.”

Of the 180,000 guineas purchase price, Scott said: “I thought he’d make a bit less than that but I am also not surprised – I thought we’d have to fend off the people who looked as though they were bidding against us.”

The Tattersalls July Sale continued at 9.30am on Thursday, 11th July.

The Brett Warren-trained six-year-old Elusive Fort gelding Romeo’s Magic clinched a double for Nathan Klink at Turffontein Inside today (Thursday)

Gavin Lerena and Nathan Klink both had doubles at the Turffontein Inside track meeting today.

Lerena is now on 160 wins for the season and has achieved it at a strike rate of 20.20%.

Klink is on 8 wins at 5.10%.

St. Seriol won the July and the Gold Cup in 1943, as did the Terrrance Millard trio of Devon Air in 1984, Occult in 1986 and Illustrador in 1990, while Excise won the Gold Cup in 1957 and the July in 1958.