Gaynor Rupert’s racing and breeding operations are enjoying a fine run at present. (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)
From Washington To Ascot It’s All Happening For The Ruperts
Dave Mollett
Can 2025 get any better for the Rupert family and Drakenstein Stud? Johann Rupert was in the SA delegation that met with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington and his wife, Gaynor, has the stud top of the charts in the breeders championship and she’s been able to celebrate recent big race wins at Hollywoodbets Greyville, the Curragh and Kentucky. She was also named “Champion Owner” at the Highveld racing awards.
The answer to that question is yes because there is a chance the famous Drakenstein colours could be carried to success at Royal Ascot in three weeks time.
The horse Gaynor and her entourage will be cheering on is Skukuza who is trained by Ed Dunlop. The four year-old – sent off at 16-1 – finished second in the Britannia Stakes at last year’s royal meeting.
Skukuza advertised his claims for the Royal Hunt Cup when winning at the Curragh last Saturday under Ryan Moore. Ladbrokes immediately slashed the son of Blue Point’s odds for Ascot from 16-1 to 10-1.
Kevin Sommerville, who does such a sterling job as Drakenstein’s racing manager, has confirmed to me that the Royal Hunt Cup is the colt’s target. “But it will be ground dependent as most of our horses need a little cut in the ground.”
What will really enhance Skukuzu’s prospects is if Ed Dunlop can persuade Ryan Moore – the best jockey on the planet – to take the ride.
Johann Rupert, who celebrates his 75th birthday on June 1, is said to have been influential in arranging the meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Trump.
With champion horses such as Charles Dickens and One World as well as three year-old Eight On Eighteen and Little Suzie keeping the stud in the headlines, there probably aren’t enough hours in the day for the staff at the thriving stud.
In one of my last articles for Business Day headlined “Its Raining Success at Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud, I wrote that “her breeding operation produce results more in keeping with Wall Street.”
I added: “It is an understatement to say the lady is an asset to racing and breeding. Her passion – with her own personal Ascot the L’Ormarins King’s Plate run in January – is there for everyone to see.”
In a rare interview which Johann Rupert might have pointed out on his visit to Washington, Gaynor said “One of the things we (her husband and herself) appreciate about the industry is that it is a huge employer of people and it nurtures important skills. We need to find ways to employ more people in SA so the growth of our industry is paramount.”
In the UK, Gaynor owns Cayton Park Stud which is situated not far from Reigate where my three children have resided for the last five years.
Now whether Johann Rupert was playing golf last Saturday or watched Eight On Eighteen – whom he owns in partnership with Nic Johnsson – on TV is unsure, but his wife will have known how to get his attention over breakfast.
She might have said “Do you know, Johann, that your horse can earn you just shy of R600 000 when he wins the Daily News. Pretty impressive for two minutes work.” I do think Mrs R will have said when not if.
So we all know that Eight On Eighteen scored a bloodless victory in the Daily News and is now quoted at 2.50-1 by the race sponsors, Hollywoodbets.
With Messrs Snaith and Johnsson not saying whether the colt would run in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, perhaps the best post-race comment came from Alistair Cohen who is chalking up plenty of miles flying from Cape Town to Durban to do presenting duties.
Alistair commented: “The July needs Eight On Eighteen for the lure of the race. His participation will get more tongues wagging about the event.”
If Justin Snaith thinks the July is a rough race, I can assure him that it’s nothing compared with the Melbourne Cup. I’ve been lucky enough to attend the Cup eight times and no quarter is given – or expected – by the jockeys taking part.
My route for the WSB Met and Daily News winner would be the Hollywoodbets Durban July followed by a tilt at one of the rich Hong Kong races at their international meeting in December.
As far as finding a horse to beat Eight On Eighteen in the July, the list of those with any chance of causing an upset gets less by the day.
Turf Talk editor, David Thiselton, did extremely well to put forward Legend Of Arthur when he was 33-1, but then the Derby winner proceeded to finish last of 12 (beaten seven lengths) in a Pinnacle Stakes race at Turffontein.
Yes, the distance of 1400m was too short but there are countless examples of a top horse performing well over a distance too short, but this didn’t happen this time. The jury are now out on Sean Tarry’s Highveld awards winner.
So what would I back if I had to place a bet today. I think it would be Sabine Plattner’s five year-old, Selukwe. There was a lot to like about his two lengths win in the Greyville 1900 when drawn 13 out of 14. He’s currently a 20-1 chance and 3-1 a place so the swinger with Eight On Eighteen – if he runs – looks the better option. My final analysis for next month’s famous race will come in my next column.
