Garrix Is Another Vercingetorix To Follow
Picture: Garrix powers home in imoreessive style (Wayne Marks)
The Piet Steyn-trained Vercingetorix gelding Garrix looks to have an exciting future after impressing in his first run as a gelding at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday when winning the R350 000 Gr3 Variety Club Mile.
Garrix found a good position one out with cover in fourth place at the weather-delayed meeting and quickened well at the top of the straight when just being held together. He hit the the front and kept the challenges of Let It Be Said and Gallic Dream at bay to win by 1,50 lengths. He likely still needed it and has plenty of substance so should be an exciting prospect for the KZN Champions Season features. Billy Bowlegs finished a 3,25 length fourth and should be followed because he made a hash of the start and was tailed off last at one stage. The stalwart Rascallion had his first run since finishing a 1,20 length fifth in the WSB Met and he carried topweight to a 5,25 length fifth.
Garrix had shortened in the betting to 14/10.
Bred by Jagessar Limited, Garrix is a son of Vercingetorix (Silvano) out of the unraced well-related US bred Smart Strike mare, Makiwara.
Originally a R475 000 National 2yo Sale purchase, Garrix was acquired after running a 20-1 second on his Hollywoodbets Durbanville debut back in September by a power partnership of Mukund Gujadhur, Rikesh Sewgoolam and Laurence and Jarryd Wernars.
Garrix was recording his maiden stakes success on Monday and is now a winner of 3 races with 3 places from 7 starts for stakes of R587 802.
He is Vercingetorix’s 53rd stakes winner.
Ashton Arries said after the race, “With the light weight, I had to diet a bit for him. When I moved up in the straight, the horse in front of me moved out, so I moved out with him. Once I used my stick he shifted in, so I switched my stick and he shifted out again. He was still very green in the straight. I don’t think we know how good he is yet, as he’s still immature. It was a good run from him.”
Assistant trainer Elbert Steyn said, “It was a lovely win. A nice ride from Aston. He is still green and quite a big and soft baby, but we can’t complain about that. It was a nice win. I think the owners have a lovely horse here and look forward to his future. He’s much better since he has been gelded, although I won’t say that he’s 100% settled yet. He’s heading in the right direction and it showed today. “
Jonathan Bloch represented the owners and said, “It was bitter sweet, bitter because our horse ran 2nd, but incredibly sweet to represent Laurence and Jaryd Werners, Mukund and Rakesh … they put so much into this game and if one is going to get beaten by anyone, it’s a pleasure and privilege to be beaten by them. Lovely to see them have winners in the Western Cape. It’s great that they have horses here and am fortunate that I’m in partnership with them in other horses … so please God, the friendships continue, the growth continues and we continue to have lots of fun together. He is a lovely horse and think we were beaten by a good horse today, but we’ll come back to fight another day. Congratulations to Justin Vermaak who bought it for the team … a lovely horse.”
Garrix is now a 20/1 chance for a win and 4.2/1 for the first five in the Hollywoodbets Durban July betting.
Yeni Makes Merry For The Snaiths
Be Merry wins the Listed Sweet Schestnut Stakes. (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Muzi Yeni rode a treble for Justin Snaith at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday and this included winning the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes on Be Merry, a three-year-old Drakenstein Stud-homebred Lancaster Bomber filly.
Be Merry is Lancaster Bomber’s eighth stakes winner.
Be Merry broke well from pole position and the race set up well for her when Princess Izzy slotted in front of her.
Callmegetrix ran ahead of the latter on her outside and they set just a steady pace.
Yeni sat patiently behind the front two until the 450m mark and he then drove Be Merry between the two and extracted a resolute finish from her down the inside rail.
Scarlet Macaw quickened well on the outside but was not able to pin back Be Merry and Callmegetrix.
Be Merry beat the gallant Callnegetrix by a length with Scarlet Macaw a head further back in third place.
Be Merry won three on the trot over sprints in Septmber and October last year, but proved suited to the step up in trip.
She converted odds of 6/1 having shortened from 8/1.
Soqrat Has A Stakes Winner
I Salute You (nearest) gets up in the Listed Sledgehammer under Muzi Yeni. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
Soqrat was a tremendous racehorse but was never quite the same horse after the controversial L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate in which the start was delayed by 25 minutes.
Before that the Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred son of Epaulette had never missed the frame in 15 starts and his performances included winning the Gr 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m at Greyville, winning the Gr 1 Cape Guineas, winning the Gr 1 wfa HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes as a three-year-old, finishing a 0,30 length second as a three-year-old to Do It Again in the Gr 1 wfa Queen’s Plate, finishing a 0,40 length second as a three-year-old to Rainbow Bridge in the Gr 1 Champions Cup, winning the Gr 3 Victory Moon Stakes and finishing a 0,5 length second in the Gr 1 Summer Cup carrying topweight. After the Queen’s Plate disaster, in which the usually laid back Soqrat became distressed at the start and finished downfield, his best performance was a second place finish in the Gr 1 Premiers Champions Challenge.
Soqrat has been a touch disappointing to date at stud but did have his first stakes winner on Sunday at Hollwyoodbets Scottsville.
Below is a report on that racemeeting:
The Listed WSB Sledgehammer over 1750m was the highlight of the ten race Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting yesterday and the Peter Muscutt-trained three-year-old colt I Salute You gave the Australian-bred Epaulette stallion Soqrat his first stakes winner when prevailing from Selukwe in a thriller under Muzi Yeni.
I Salute you started 5/2 second favourite and Yeni found a nice one out and two back position with cover in fourth place. The favourite Legal Counsel was dropped out from a wide draw, but refused to settle throughout behind a slow pace set by Quartermain and his race was run a long way out. Defending champion Narina Trogon came from fifth place on the rail and hit the front halfway down the straight on the inside. However, I Salute you had come around the pacemaker and overtook Narina Trogon close to home. Selukwe had sat behind I Salute You in the running and challenged him strongly late, but was a longhead shy at the line with Narina Trogon beaten 0,45 lengths into third.
In the Non-Black Type Scarlet Lady over 1750m the Gareth van Zyl-trained Vercingetorix filly Tomyris has always been highy regarded and showed it in her previous KZN start before failing in a strong Johannesburg feature. Yesterday, she came from last in the nine horse field and displayed a magnificent turn of foot under S’Manga Khumalo to beat the progressive favourite Mascherina by 0,80 lengths, despite being under sufferance carrying 57kg off an official 88 merit rating. Third-placed Forgiveness was beaten 5,20 lengths, which says a lot about the performance of the first two.
In the Highland Night Cup the exciting Frank Robinson-trained stayer Shoot The Rapids, an unlucky second in last year’s Gold Cup, travelled well in third place in the 2400m event and cruised past market rival and fellow topweight Cape Eagle in the straight. However, the latter fought back bravely, so those who had taken the 13/10 about the Erupt gelding had a few anxious moments, but he did hold on by 0,30 lengths after Zackey had deftly swapped whiphands late and got the necessary extra.
In the first race over 1000m Cape Town form once again proved superior as the four-year-old Master Of My Fate gelding Tam’s Night looked superior to the rest throughout and won his first start for the Robbie and Shannon Hill yard cosily under Tristan Godden, despite returning from a ten month layoff and having drifted out to 6/1.
In the second race over 1000m the Duncan Howells-trained three-year-old Fire Away filly Ruby Rising drifted out to 10/1, despite having placed in the first three in her last three starts, and that proved fine value as she showed good pace throughout under Kabelo Matsunyane and just held on from a fast finishing Lucienne. Are You Sure had beaten Ruby Rising by 3,60 lengths when they last met and had beaten Lucienne by 2,90 lengths when they last met and she was backed into 9/10 favourite. However, S’Manga Khumalo, who replaced Sean Veale, could not get much extra out of her after she showed her usual good pace and this time Ruby Rising beat her by 2,60 lengths as she could only manage fifth place.
In the third race over 1400m the Justin Snaith-trained Vercingetorix gelding Gran Canaria was taken handy from a wide draw under Andrew Fortune. The 17/10 shot proved superior and stayed on in the straight to get up by 0.90 lengths from the 14/10 favourite Pioneer Square, who was rading from Johannesburg. The fancied White Seahorse was next best.
In the fourth race over 1750m Siboniso NgCobo has done a fine job with the four-year-old The United States filly Colorado Creek and this consistent sort had a good form chance and duly won comfortably by a length despite jumping from a wide draw under Muzi Yeni.
In the eighth race Northern Warrior was clearly playing up before the button was pressed, the commentator even said so, but nevertheless the starter pressed the button and he lost three lengths. The favourite, the Tienie Prinsloo-trained Erupt filly Happy Analia took a long time to load but won well under Kabelo Matsunyane, a deserved win after many close calls.
The ninth over 1200m was won by the Yogas Govender-trained Twice Over gelding Double Olympic under 4kg claimer Mxolisi Mbuto after being backed in to 9/2.
The last race over 1400m saw a storming late run by the Kumaran Naidoo-trained Fire Away gelding Down By The River to get up under Philasande Mxoli.
Buffalo Storm Cody Puts Hand Up For Golden Horse Sprint
BSA's Official Take On The National Yearling Sale
Picture: The top lot was this Rafeef colt out of Var mare Miss October.
The 2025 Bloodstock South Africa National Yearling Sale, held at the TBA Complex at Gosforth Park this week, once again proved why it remains South Africa’s premier bloodstock auction.
Despite a decrease in the horse population and the sale of just 305 lots – 35 fewer than last year – the sale rose to expectations, achieving an impressive aggregate of R171,975,000 and an exceptional average of R563,852 per lot sold. This remarkable result underscored the National Sale’s ongoing ability to attract serious investment, even in the face of a smaller offering.
With 43 yearlings fetching over R1 million, the sale showed the depth of quality and demand. From the very first lot, which fetched R3,25 million, to the second-last lot at R1,1 million, the spread of million-rand sales from top to bottom, across two days, highlighted its continued strength and broad appeal. Quality yearlings attracted serious interest at every level, offering opportunities for buyers across the spectrum, from high-end investors to value-seekers with an eye on the budget. Only 11 lots passed through the ring, unsold, achieving a phenomenal clearance rate of 96%.
Michael Holmes, CEO of Bloodstock SA, said that the Sale lived up to its reputation as South Africa’s most accessible marketplace for first-time owners and seasoned investors. He commented: “We are very pleased with the figures recorded, not just for the big-ticket yearlings, but for the spirit of inclusivity and camaraderie that this sale continues to foster across the breeding and racing industries.
“Beyond the numbers, the National Yearling Sale is a true celebration of tradition and unity, where rivals become friends and buyers of all levels gather together for their common love of the horse. The sheer volume of million-rand sales speaks not just to the quality on offer, but to the enduring faith of buyers in this historic auction.”
There was a healthy mix of familiar faces and fresh interest, supported by a solid international bench. Lots were knocked down to buyers from the UK, Hong Kong, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius. The atmosphere throughout was vibrant and energetic and Holmes said: “We were packed to the rafters most of the time. We served more than 400 meals to clients on Day One alone. There were smiles and congratulatory pats all round – good to see, and very encouraging.”
The top buyer at the sale, for the 10th year running, was Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock. Form bought 15 lots for a record R27,075-million at an average of R1,805,000, surpassing their previous best. The lots included the three top-sellers Lot 179 (R4,25-million, Avontuur Stud), Lot 1 (R3,25-million, Hemel N Aarde Stud) and Lot 244 (R3-million, Lammerskraal Stud).
Malherbe said: “We were able to buy most of what we shortlisted, including the top colt, a beautiful specimen by Rafeef out of a very good broodmare. Rafeef is red-hot at the moment, and we specifically targeted his progeny. We ended up securing seven, including a smart colt from Summerview Stud, one of the smaller breeders.”
Jonathan Snaith also opened his shoulders, like he’s done at the last several National Sales. The second-biggest buyer, Snaith acquired 16 yearlings at R625,000 per lot, and totalling R10-million.
Ridgemont’s Rafeef emerged as the second-most in-demand sire at the sale, with 27 lots sold for R27,125,000 – averaging R1,004,630. He trailed only Maine Chance Farms’ prolific top-performing stallion, Vercingetorix, whose 25 yearlings amassed R35,875,000 at a standout average of R1,435,000.
On the vendors’ front, Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift Stud topped the list for the third time in five years, recording a turnover of R20,075,000 from 20 yearlings at an average of R1,003,750. In a notable resurgence, Pieter Graaff’s Lammerskraal Stud achieved a career-best second place on the vendor leaderboard, delivering a superb average of R1,556,250 – the highest among the leading farms.
Wrapping up, Holmes remarked: “The National Yearling Sale remains the cornerstone of South African thoroughbred breeding tradition. The road to the winner’s enclosure begins with a dream, and it often passes through this very ring.”
I Salute You And Lotus Island Raised To 103 and 95
Lotus Island with Richard Fourie up after winning the Listed East Cape Oaks (Pauline Herman Photography)
Handicapping Ratings Update (NHA press release)
WORLD SPORTS BETTING SLEDGEHAMMER (Listed)
I SALUTE YOU was adjusted to an official merit rating of 103, up from 101, after a narrow win in the Listed World Sports Betting Sledgehammer over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
The Handicappers identified the runner-up, SELUKWE, as the ideal line horse for rating the race, so his mark remains at 103. No other horses received an increase.
There were merit rating drops for two horses in this event, FIRE ‘N FLAMES dropped from 108 to 106, and QUATERMAIN dropped from 81 to 79.
EAST CAPE OAKS (Listed)
LOTUS ISLAND’s merit rating was raised from 92 to 95 after her victory in the Listed East Cape Oaks over 2000m at Fairview Racecourse on Friday.
The third-place finisher, FIRST WISH, was used as the line horse for the race, keeping her rating at 91.
The runner-up, HONORABLE MEMBER, started the race as the lowest-rated entry at 75. However, she surpassed expectations by securing a close second place to the 95-rated winner, LOTUS ISLAND, while outperforming the 91-rated FIRST WISH at level weights. As a result, her rating was adjusted to 93, ensuring that she meets the East Cape Oaks field on correct weight terms in future Handicaps.
No other merit rating changes were made in this event.
Enquiries:
The Handicapping Team
Player Can Master Rivals At The Vaal
Today's Question
Who was the first horse to have won the USA Triple Crown while being undefeated in any previous race?
The picture is of the subject
Today’s Question Answer
Seattle Slew (February 15, 1974 – May 7, 2002) was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who became the tenth winner of the American Triple Crown (1977). He is one of only two horses to have won the Triple Crown while being undefeated in any previous race; the second was Justify who won the Triple Crown in 2018 and is descended from Seattle Slew. Seattle Slew was the 1977 Horse of the Year and a champion at ages two, three, and four. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century Seattle Slew was ranked ninth.
