Mike de Kock could well be the most prolific trainer in South African history and in this past season he went past the 3,500 wins in South Africa mark.

He took out his own license during the 1988/1989 season and according to the National Horseracing Authorities database he has had 3540 wins in South Africa from 01/08/1989 to date.

However, he did start the previous season and had a few winners then, including Evening Mist giving him his first Gr 1 winner in April 1989 in the Administrator’s Champion Stakes.

His most prolific overseas venue has been the UAE.

On the emiratesracing.com website it lists him as having had 186 wins out there.

That takes him up to 3726 wins overall, plus the few in the 1988/1989 season in SA and he has had a few from other countries around the world.

Between 3750 and 3780 should be the total tally.

He had 78 wins in SA this past season, so the exact number of wins he has had worldwide should be calculated and put out there, so there can be fanfare if and when he is able to reach the 4000 win milestone.

At his current rate it could happen in th next two or three seasons.

Justin Snaith should reach 3500 wins this season.

His first win was in August 2000 and the NHA database shows him to have had 3,397 wins.

He has never had a winner overseas, so that 3.397 is his career total and it means he has achieved an incredible strike rate of just over 141 wins per season.

He could soon catch Mike de Kock as the most prolific winner in South African history, although he will be hard pressed to reach 4000 total career wins before the legendary De Kock, even if he breaks his record of 208 wins in a season in the next couple of terms.

Justin has trained for 24 seasons in all and in only the first two and the fourth season did he fail to reach 100 wins.

The table below shows his seasonal breakdown:

Alan Greeff is not far behind Justin. His first season was in 1995/1996. meaning he has been going for 29 seasons and his 3,260 wins have come at an average of just over 112 per season.

Gavin Smith is next best on 2893 wins. His first season was 1996/1997, meaning he has been going for 28 seasons and averages just over 103 wins per season.

Sean Tarry is next in line and has had 2,648 wins in South Africa. His first season was also 1996/1997 and in his 28 seasons he has averaged close to 95 wins per season with a high of 215 in the 2016/2017 season.

Tarry is the only one of these five mentioned who started from scratch. He had three wins in his first season and nine in his second. He is now a five times national champion trainer and his success story is probably the most remarkable of all.

Master Archie’s first foal born at Jikkie de Wet’s Propser Stud at 11 o’ clock this morning (Thursday) is a filly out of Pathfork one-time winner Charmz Luck (Pictures Supplied)

Jikkie de Wet of Prosper Stud loved Master Archie as a stallion prospect, so took shares in him, and is now proud he can boast that Master Archie’s first ever foal was born on his farm.

Prosper Stud has farms in both Robertson and Paarl and the Master Archie filly out of the one-time winning Pathfork mare Charmz Luck was born on the Robertson farm on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Jikkie said about the foal, “She is a very, very nice filly. Very nice conformation, legs perfect, very nice size too … beautiful.”

She is Charmz Luck’s third foal.

Jikkie said about the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint-winning Rafeef stallion Master Archie, “I love him and I think he’s got great promise going forward.”

He has another mare in foal to Master Archie too.

The Master Archie/Charmz Luck foal was Prosper Stud’s first foal of the season, but they are expecting a Kommetdieding foal tonight from the Visionaire one-time winning mare Intuitive.

That will not be Kommetdieding’s first foal, because Klawervlei Stud had a Kommetdieding colt born two days ago out of the Listed-winning Silvano mare Silver Holly.

Klawervlei’s John Koster said this colt was a nice size and weighed in at 62kg.

Rachel Venniker was interviewed by the English press ahead of Saturday’s Shergar Cup jockeys challenge at Ascot, where she will ride for the Rest Of The World team.   

Sporting Life (Thursday, 8 August)

For an updated Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup media guide with racecards, click here.

Englishwoman Rachel King is the captain of the Rest of the World team for Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Shargar Cup at Ascot (August 10) and is joined in the team by South Africa’s Rachel Venniker and Japan’s Nanako Fujita, who have both pushed boundaries for female riders in their countries.

Venniker is South Africa’s only professional female jockey, having taken the Champion Apprentice title in 2021/22 and 2022/23. The 22-year-old became the first woman to ride in the prestigious Durban July earlier this year.

Venniker said: “I am stable rider for Michael Roberts, so it is brilliant to have an ex-Champion Jockey, in Britain and South Africa, as my guv’nor. He has all the wisdom in the world to pass down. I am always trying my best to apply the knowledge I pick up.

“My strengths are probably my natural understanding of horses. I have worked with them since I was barely out the womb. I think it helps a lot to know the horses and understand them.

“Michael has given me plenty of advice and I am sure I will be getting more now I have had a look at the track – a few tips about what to do and how to do it properly. Michael was an incredible jockey and is always trying to help me. I am sure it will pay off.

“It is an honour and privilege to be invited to ride in the Shergar Cup. I have been to the Saudi International Challenge but to be invited to this is incredible. When I am not racing myself, I am always watching what is happening over here and I have seen quite a bit of the racing.

“The interest back home is massive. All the trainers I ride for and the owners in my main stable are super excited and can’t wait for me to send them all my rides. I arrived on Sunday and this is my first time in the UK. I am very excited. I have been to London and done the touristy stuff and went to Newmarket to ride out for Mr [William] Haggas.

“I am the first woman in my country to ride in the Durban July. Ticking that off the list was a proud moment. I am still trying to get that elusive Group One win but my career has been going very well. So far I am the only female jockey riding in South Africa but hopefully others will follow.

“It will be incredible to be riding in the first Shergar Cup with a 50-50 split of female and male jockeys and I am so proud to be part of it. It shows how much the sport is changing.”

Rest of the World captain Rachel King was also among the jockeys who spoke to the media at Ascot today.

King is looking forward to showcasing her talents to a UK audience, having spent the last 10 years establishing herself in Australia.

During that time, the 34-year-old was crowned Sydney’s Champion Apprentice in 2016/17 and has notched five G1 victories, most recently on Ozzmosis in November’s Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Before moving to Australia, she rode for Alan King, Mark Usher and Clive Cox, as well as working as a secretary for Hillwood Stud in Wiltshire.

King, who had two rides at Royal Ascot this year, said: “Coming back to Britain in June to get married and have a couple of rides at Royal Ascot was really special, especially finishing second on Strutting in the Sandringham Handicap. Being back is bringing back a few memories and I want to get it right on Saturday and get my head in front.

“It is a proud moment to come back after proving myself. My career was steady here. I never got a proper rhythm going. It is nice to come back established with a bit of a name behind me and hopefully ride some winners.

”It is great to be a team captain and even better Ascot have decided to have the 50-50 split of female and male jockeys this year. It shows the strength of the female riders and shows the turn of the times.

”In Australia, we are very rarely known as female jockeys, we are just jockeys. That is happening more and more around the world – maybe slightly slower than in Australia and New Zealand – and shows how dominant female jockeys are becoming.

“I have to be back to ride in Australia on Wednesday – the flight doesn’t get any shorter – but I am honoured to compete at the Shergar Cup. I have ridden in similar jockey challenges around the world in the last 12 months, with amazing opportunities in Japan and Hong Kong, but this is one I have always wanted to do. I am very excited. My dad is even more so and has a coach load of people coming.

”I have only had a quick look at what I ride on Saturday but I see I have a ride on Insanity for Alan King, which is very special. Alan was my first proper boss in racing. I went there and told him I wanted to be a Jump jockey. He looked at the size of me and thought I was mad. I worked there for five or six years. It will be a big occasion to ride for him again.

“I used to get asked a lot if I was Alan’s daughter and one person did ask if I was his granddaughter, which he was quite offended about! He was happier with the daughter thing. He put me up in a lot of lady amateur races, flat and jumps, and he was really supportive. I learnt so much there from people like Choc Thornton and Wayne Hutchinson. It was an incredible place to work.”

Making her second appearance at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, Fujita remains Japan’s most successful female jockey, with 165 domestic wins to her name.

Fujita said: “It is my second time riding in the Shergar Cup. When I came in 2019, everything was really new and I was more tense. My best finish was fourth. Riding in the Shergar Cup last time was a great experience and a boost to my career.

“This time I know more about the horses and the track, and I am more relaxed. I am hoping I can perform better. I am looking forward to winning this time.”

Italy’s Alberto Sanna and Spain’s Jose-Luis Borrego will represent Europe, alongside team captain Bauyrzhan Murzabayev.

A former Champion Apprentice in Italy, Sanna has made his name in Hong Kong and the Middle East, becoming Champion Jockey in both Bahrain and Qatar.

Sanna said: “I am very excited to be here. I have been riding all around the world but I said to my wife, ‘you can win all the big races around the world but, if you do not win here, you are nothing’. It is my dream to win a race here.

“I have been to Britain once before to ride in an apprentice race at Doncaster. It was an amazing experience and I was questioning myself why I had not come back. I was too busy riding in other places like Hong Kong, which was the best experience of my career.

“I follow British racing. Tomorrow I am going to Newmarket to ride work for Hamad Al Jehani. I have ridden for him when I was freelance in Qatar. Qatar has also given me a lot and I rode there last year for John and Sean Quinn.

“Myself, Frankie [Dettori] and Andrea [Atzeni] are all from Sardinia. We are quite good friends. To see all their winners over here makes me feel proud of them and my country, even though racing in Italy is not going so well.

“Frankie and Andrea have both won big races here, so I will message them later, and I will be seeing Andrea in Siena on Monday.’’

Borrego has won many of Spain’s flagship races, as well as the 1995 Champion Apprentice title, and is set to make his first appearance in the UK.

The 46-year-old said: “Riding in the Shergar Cup will be the pinnacle of my career, a nice finishing touch. It is the maximum I can aspire to. Ever since I was a little kid I have always wanted to ride at Ascot.

“I grew up in the 1990s with lots of top jockeys coming to Spain every Sunday, jockeys like John Reid, Richard and Michael Hills, Walter Swinburn. I consider that generation to be slightly better than the current ones. I was in total admiration of them.

“I have won all the top races in Spain, one of the few jockeys to have done so, but I am also proud to have ridden at all the top tracks in and near Paris.”

Discussing a fall at Madrid 15 years ago that almost cost him his life, he said: “It was a complete cardio and respiratory stoppage – no breathing or heartbeat for seven minutes. They thought I was dead. They got my heart going but I was in a coma for three days and was not released for 10 days. I started riding 10 weeks later. I have been fine since and the incident has made me stronger and more fearless.”

The promising Alan Greeff-trained Fire Away colt My Best Shot has been tipped by veteran local scribe Henk Steenkamp to win the last race on the Fairview poly tomorrow (Friday) (Pauline Herman Photography). 

Henk Steenkamp

The Fire Away colt My Best Shot can start his three-year-old career with a win at the Fairview Polytrack on Friday afternoon.

The last race at a Fairview meeting is usually a competitive affair but punters will get a rare opportunity to use a banker in the eighth this time.

My Best Shot showed his ability for the Alan Greeff stable when he very nearly won the Listed Champion Juvenile Cup last month.

He was bumped at the start but recovered to finish third, just 0.35 lengths behind the winner Makazole, in a quality field.

With his regular pilot Richard Fourie taking a breather, Sean Veale will ride My Best Shot for the first time.

Veale will be full of confidence after booting home three winners for Greeff at Tuesday’s Polytrack meeting. He should get this one home.

My Best Shot, drawn five out of eight, looks too good for this field in the Epol-Arné Botha MR 80 Handicap over 1400m.

Those who look past My Best Shot will have their eyes on Valerias Dream, Euphoric, Purple Operator, Prophet and Travel Master to cause the upset.

La Pequenta is another possible banker from the Greeff-Veale combination. She runs in the second race and should not miss in the first leg of the Place Accumulator. Vintage Crystal is the danger.

Greeff, and the other two top East Cape trainers Gavin Smith and Kelly Mitchley, have started the new season in impressive fashion.

They should again deliver the goods but the Tara Laing stable could give them something to think about.

Don’t leave the Laing runners Chroniclesofnania (race 3), Kilmonovaig (race 4), Colorama (race 5) and Timbavati River (race 7) out of your bets.

The first race is off at 12:40.

September Flower, pictured winning on a rainy day, has been selected to follow up in the fifth race tomorrow (Friday). (Pauline Herman Photography)

R1     Not an easy race to select a winner. (3) Connection has had many tries however does run well on this surface. The fact that he gets the inform claiming apprentice aboard brings him right into this. (6) And Action has been fancied in recent runs and could be a serious contender if bringing his ‘A’ game. He has run some decent races in the past and could get it right here. (6) Over The Atlantic is never far back and could make the frame with a low mass. (4) War Sword has a quartet chance on best form. ( Devonne Govender 3-1-6-4)

R2     (1) La Pequenita has been running well enough in recent starts to be a strong contender for top honours. This isn’t the strongest of fields respectfully so she could take some beating here. (2) Vintage Crystal ran a cracker on turf in the last start and will be the main danger to the first selection. (4) Sundrop made progress in the last start and can build on that effort to get much closer this time. (6) Double Trade has scope but is unreliable, she can fill in the placings. ( Devonne Govender 1-2-4-6)

R3    (7) Lady Zultanite has been holding solid form and is the firm first selection. She showed plenty of determination in her last victory and although stepping up in division she looks to have a huge winning chance. (9) Josi Mo ran a cracker in the last start and will be a strong contender if repeating that. (8) Gold For Africa was a sudden improver in the last start compared to her recent runs, if she repeats that performance, she will be a strong challenger. (1) Unyielding was narrowly beaten at massive odds in her last start and needs to repeat that performance. ( Devonne Govender 7-9-8-1)

R4     (1) Kilmonivaig has been running extremely well in recent starts and cracks a decent draw compared to her last start. She has always been highly regarded and will be the firm first selection despite the topweight. (8) Iqembulabesifazane is very capable on her day and will be a big danger to the top selection. (3) Allende wasn’t far in the last start and will get much closer. (4) Kabon Kapi can make the frame on best form. (Devonne Govender 1-8-3-4)

R5    (3) September Flower has plenty of scope to go well in this contest. She will love the step up in trip and has a top draw. (2) Angelsea is coming back to form and must be respected, she has a big finish on her day and can certainly win this. (6) Colorama is another who is very capable and has a winning chance, she hasn’t been far in recent runs and will contest the finish. (8) Kileigh’s Fate ran a place a huge odds, if repeating that performance she will have a say. ( Devonne Govender 3-2-6-8)

R6     (1) Donny Tee ran a cracker in the last start and is the narrow first selection in a very competitive race. He is a very honest type and will be a huge runner here. (2) Lt Alexander is holding solid form and rates a huge winning chance here. His last run was good however he does have a tricky draw. (9) Enchanted Sky is very capable on her day. She placed at big odds and won’t be far if repeating that run. (5) Guerra can produce a big finish on her day and cannot be taken lightly with Sean Veale aboard. (Devonne Govender 1-2-9-5)

R7    (2) Timbavati River has been running consistently on overall form and rates a winning chance. He could represent some value in an open looking contest. (6) American Dream is holding top form and will get much closer to the top selection, he showed plenty of determination in most recent wins. He does return of a break however he has Muzi Yeni aboard who knows him well so he must be respected. (3) Atkinson Grimshaw has a decent enough draw and Stallone Naidoo aboard who has partnered him in his last three starts. He has been running well and will have to be factored in. (7) Final Edition returns after a break, he is very capable on his day and may run well fresh so include. ( Devonne Govender 2-6-3-7)

R8     (2) My Best Shot represents some very smart form. He is selected as the best bet and will take a power of beating in this contest respectfully. (6) Purple Operator won a big odds in his last start and will be there in the mix. (8) Travel Master has been consistent and must be included in all bets. (3) Euphoric is always game and has the best draw so will be there. ( Devonne Govender 2-6-8-3)

Written In Stone romps home under Louis Nhlapo despite having not won a race for a month short of four years. (JC Photos)

The nine-year-old Brett Webber-trained Written In Stone was having his 89th start today and had not won since September 12 , 2020, but to casual observers watching the 1200m handicap event on the Vaal straight course he would have struck as a promising young horse to follow as he romped home by 2,25 lengths.

This horse has always struck as one with way more ability than his record attests to and although he may not have been the friend of the on-the-nose punter he has been something of a hero to place punters, because he invariably starts at long odds and on top of his four wins he has been in the frame 38 times and has finished fifth eight times.

He showed his ability once when coming back from a rest and running in a Pinnacle event over 1200m – he finished 6,50 lengths behind Hawaam and beat no fewer than five horses rated 100 and above home, although he was carrying just 50kg.

The solidly built bay is not the easiest of rides because he has a big action and in these lower merit rated contests the pace is often not fast enough for him to get into a nice rhythm.

Being covered up often does not always help because his stride then becomes cramped.

However, Louis Nhlapo gave him a peach of a ride today.

Written In Stone was able to use his stride in the early stages because he was covered up but not right on the heels of the horse he was in front of as that horse had jumped quickly and gone fast.

Later, he followed a triangle of horses, one ahead and two on either side meaning his stride was not cramped.

When he was switched to the outside he was still full of running and stretching out it was soon apparent he was going to win with ease.

He was carrying 54kg off his 54 merit rating and beat another nine-year-old, the Heinrich van der Westhuizen-trained Trippi gelding Jet Cat, by 2,25 lengths at starting oddss of 20/1. The 9/2 shot fancied Commander Of All was next best ahead of the 11/2 chance Southern Style and Tote favourite After Hours was next best and they were beaten 2,50, 3,60 and 3,75 lengths respectively.

Captain Hindsight has been tipped to win the seventh race at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1160m. (JC Photos)

There is some good racing at Turffontein Standside on Saturday with the nine race meeting including two Pinnacle Stakes events, a MR 91 handicap and a Novice handicap.

Captain Hindsight is an ultra consistent sprinter and after being raised just one point for his win last time over 1000m at the Vaal he comes into the seventh race, a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1160m, off a 112 merit rating and that puts him 1,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted. However, the last time he ran down this straight, in an 1100m Pinnacle event, he received 6kg from the classy Lucky Lad and was beaten by just a head with the rest of the field a further 1,90 lengths back. He now has a favourable high draw. The best weighted is the filly Troppo Veloce, who has some class and is drawn towards the favourable side. The Sean Tarry yard has been off form, but the five-times champion trainer’s dry spells never last for too long. Anfields Rocket comes off a disappointing season in which he ran just one place, but that place was a second place over course and distance and he is the joint best weighted male runner, being just 1kg under sufferance with Troppo Veloce. He also has a nice high draw. Rulership is 2kg under sufferance with Troppo Veloce and has a low draw so it won’t be easy. Mount Pilatus has a tough task at the weights, being officially 6kg under sufferance, but he does look to be on the up and might be worth including. Silent War beat Anfields Rocket narrowly the last time he ran over course and distance but is now 2kg worse off.

The other Pinnacle Stakes event is over 1800m and the classy Meridius has an easier task than his last start in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Before that he won the Gr 3 Jubilee over this course and distance and he should go close here. However, Pyromaniac has some classs and receives 6kg from Meridius. He is a sort who needs things to go his way so draw five out of six could be tricky but Serino Moodley has a good record on Tarry horses and he is taken to win. Good Council went close the last time he ran over this trip and is only 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted pair, Meridius and Savannah Storm (Pyromaniac is 1,5kg under sufferance). Savannnah Storm is capable of top class performances and has won over this trip before, but he is unreliable. Street Art has a tough task with Meridius on their last meeting. Flashy Apache has a tough task at the weights, being 3kg under sufferance with the best weighted.

In the MR 91 Handicap over 1400m the in form Joe Soma yard could win another one with the distance suited Brave Viking. However, it is an open race and a small field so perhaps the whole field of seven must be included.

In the Novice Handicap Strewn Sky is a progressive sort and with Kudzu scratched a chance is taken in bankering him from a good draw over an ideal trip with Keagan de Melo up.

The first leg of the Pick 6 City Lights and Silver Flare can fight it out.

In the last leg Pressonregardless, Archimedes and Prince Of Kildare should be enough to get punters through.

In the first leg of the Bipot Karate Kid and Inspector James should fight it out.

In the first leg of the PA Confederate and Towers Of Gold make most appeal.

Malesela Keratile Katjedi scored his first double as a fully fledged jockey at the Vaal today when bringing home the Fabian Habib-trained Vegas Hi Rise (JC Photos)

Malesela Katjedi became a fully fledged jockey just seven days ago and celebrated with a double today at the Vaal.

It was his second meeting since becoming a qualified jockey and these were his first two winners since completing his apprenticeship.

He extracted a strong finish from the Billy Ruiters-trained Full Go (Admiral Kitten) to win the third over 1700m and later won over 1200m on the Fabian Habib-trained Vegas Hi Rise (Vercingetorix).

The South African Jockey Academy were thrilled when Malesela qualified.

They put out the following notice seven days ago.

We are thrilled to announce that Malesela Keratile Katjedi has officially qualified as a professional jockey today, marking the culmination of an impressive apprenticeship that includes 73 career wins.

Originally from Naboomspruit, Limpopo, Keratile has just completed his fifth year at the Academy. This achievement is particularly significant for Keratile, driven by the memory of his late father, ‘LJ’ Katjedi, and inspired by his grandfather, Amos Katjedi, who introduced him to the world of horse racing when he was just ten years old.

Keratile joined the Academy in 2020, and his journey has been marked by notable achievements. A highlight of his apprenticeship came on the 2nd of October 2022, when he rode a four-timer at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. He concluded his apprenticeship with exceptional success, being awarded the Highveld Feature Season Champion Apprentice and Highveld Apprentice Champion titles and securing a victory aboard FULL GO trained by Billy Ruiters, at Vaal Racecourse on the 25th of July 2024—his final race as an apprentice.

As Malesela Keratile Katjedi transitions into his new role as a professional jockey, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes.

His journey reflects remarkable dedication, skill, and the enduring legacy of his father.

“LJ” Katjedi, father of Malesela, had immense promise and was a huge loss to the industry when his life was tragically cut short in a car accident in 2006.

“LJ” gave up a career as computer programmer to follow his dream.

He joined the SA Jockeys Academy in 2003.

By the following December he had already ridden 50 winners and had the world at his feet.

He had been a professional jockey for just eight days at the time of his passing.

Picture: Rachel Venniker became the first woman to ride in the July this year,  60 years after another first for women happened at the same venue.

Mrs DA Saitta, the consul for Panama, became the first woman member of the Durban Turf Club in February 1964. She was allowed to become “a lady season member.”

Previously women had been lady ticket or season badge holders and, generally escorted by men, had enjoyed members facilities but had no voting rights.