On My Honour is one of three Hollywoodbets Durban July runners part-owned by Rikesh Sewgoolam. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).
An Indian owner has never won the Hollywoodbets Durban July before, but there are a number who have chances this year and Rikesh Sewgoolam has no fewer than three runners.
The ever humble Rikesh, who has had a great season with One Stripe leading the way, revealed how he did not have shares in any of Oriental Charm, Native Ruler and On My Honour at the beginning of this calendar year and his part-ownership of them had happened through fortuitous circumstances.
He said, “They are such talented horses. Mukund Gujadhur and my shares in Native Ruler came about due to the graciouness of Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith. There was a partner exiting and Greg and Gina offered myself and Mukund a share each. Then obviously with Oriental Charm, he’s soon to retire as a stallion, so I was fortunate enough to secure my share in him earlier this year. Again, thanks to Greg and Gina for offering a share in him to me. And then my dear friends Laurence (Wernars) and Mukund (Gujadhur), allowed me a share in On My Honour. I can’t thank them enough for being so gracious to me. I must also thank Justin Vermaak. He’s the one with the great eye for talent and we’re always guided by him. So when he makes a suggestion to us, we don’t hesitate, we get involved.”
Rikesh’s idea of his best runner has changed as the race has drawn nearer.
He said, “My initial fancy, given Oriental Charm’s 60kg, was for Native Ruler. However, the draw of 18 has made it so difficult for him, but as always, we remain hopeful. So I’m leaning towards On My Honour. He’s doing extremely well. He’s fortunately blessed with a kind draw and bottom weight. So we have our fingers crossed for all three of them, but a slight fancy for On My Honour at this stage. His last run leading into the July was just phenomenal. The race didn’t really work out for him. He was further back than one would have liked, but his 200m to finish was unbelievable. So lots of positives for him and put differently, had he won his last start, he probably would have been carrying an extra kilogram. So it actually worked out better. Glen says he’s doing so well and S’Manga is extremely confident and happy with him, so all we need is for the stars to align on Saturday for him.”
Asked what it would mean to win the Hollywoodbets Durban July, especially having grown up in Durban, Rikesh said, “When you’re growing up as a youngster, the one race that just comes before you is the Durban July. There are esteemed Group 1s throughout the country throughout the year, but the Durban July is synonymous with KZN and with racing, so it’s the one race that you dream about to have a runner, let alone have a winner. So it’s very special and it’s an absolute privilege to have three interests in the race, but more importantly, it’s a privilege to race with those owners as well. Laurence has become so close to me and I also have a good relationship with Greg and Gina, so it’s very exciting and I’m actually looking forward to Saturday.”
He continued, “It’s so difficult to even win a maiden plate. Basically, we love racing, so it will just be the cherry on top. It’s been such a wonderful year. And there are so many people to thank for the year thus far. Last year at this time, I had never dreamt of having won a Gr 1, let alone winning two. So this would just be an unreal completion to the season.”
He added, “There are so many great July winners that stand out, but funnily enough, leading up to this year’s July and prior to even securing a share in On My Honour, I kept thinking about Big City Life, because I was at Greyville on the day he won. And so funnily enough I now have a share in On My Honor, which is trained by the same trainer, Glen Kotzen. So whether that’s a sign or not, I don’t know. but we’ll grab onto anything at the moment!”
Meanwhile, One Stripe, winner of both the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s PLate, and who is now part-owned by Hollywood Racing, is doing well overseas and is shortly set to depart for the USA.
Rikesh revealed, “He’s in France as part of his quarantine. He’s set to depart France on the 9th of July for the USA. It’s getting to crunch time now as it is only four months to go to the Breeders’ Cup, so we’re crossing our fingers that he travels safely from France to the US and all goes well for him.”
Rikesh will not be at the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday as he is going away, but he said he would be there in spirit.
Other Indian owners involved in the big race are Sid Moodley (Madison Valley’s owner) and Dayalan Chinsammy, Trevelen Pillay, E Naicker and Kovilan Padayachee, who are all part-owners in Confederate.
It goes without saying that a win for any of them would be celebrated by the racing industry as the Indian community have always been passionate supporters of the sport.
