Turf Talk Newsletter – 8 July, 2025

The Real Prince (closest) gallops his way into history (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Sarah Whitelaw

Descendants of the wonderful producer Pagan Princess made their presence felt at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.

Not only is Pagan Princess’ outstanding, Klawervlei Stud bred, daughter Real Princess the dam of Saturday’s G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince (by Gimmethegreenlight), but Pagan Princess’ G1 Cape Guineas winning son William Longsword is the sire of Rollo The Viking.

The latter won the twelfth and final race at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Real Princess, herself a winner of six races including the G1 South African Fillies Sprint, has established herself as an exceptional producer.

Remarkably, Real Princess has been responsible for three graded stakes winners this season, with her July winning son The Real Prince joined by his full-sister Gimmie’s Countess (G3 Baker McVeigh Diana Stakes) and full-brother Gimme A Prince (G1 HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship, G2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes). The latter has won five Graded stakes to date, with Gimme A Prince’s past successes headed by the 2023 G1 Pongracz Cape Flying Championship and 2023 G1 Golden Horse Sprint.

Real Princess, who appears a shoe-in to be crowned Broodmare Of The Year, also came up with an eye catching debut winner earlier this year when her two-year-old son Gimmie Rules, a full-brother to The Real Prince, Gimmie’s Countess and Gimme A Prince, won at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in June.

The well bred Real Princess’ champion sire Trippi also made his mark in North America last weekend. Trippi is the broodmare sire of prominent US stallion Not This Time, the sire of Saturday’s nine and a quarter length Iowa Derby winner Magnitude.

To date, Not This Time has sired 47 stakes winners and his stock have amassed more than $77 000 000 in prize money.

Real Princess’ Captain Al half-brother William Longsword has also enjoyed success this season. Winner of six of eight starts, including the 2016 G1 Cape Guineas, William Longsword’s flagbearers this season include G2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge winner Back In Business and Listed Betway National Colour Stakes winner Ice Star.

Also the sire of 2024 G1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship winner Dyce, Wililam Longsword looks to have some promising two-year-olds this season, with this tally including North Point, Titan Of The Turf, and Count Of Rouen.

Real Princess and William Longsword are two of four stakes winners produced by their dam Pagan Princess.

The latter is also the dam of 2020 Listed Wolf Power 1600 winner Silver God (by Silvano), and 2021 Listed World Sports Betting Sweet Chestnut Stakes winner Really Royal. The latter is a Captain Al full-sister to William Longsword.

Pagan Princess was an exceptionally bred mare, being a Fort Wood half-sister to champions Kelly and Victory Moon respectively.

Remarkably, Trippi and Fort Wood, the sires of Real Princess and Pagan Princess respectively, have produced the dams of more than 160 stakes winners.

In landing the G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, The Real Prince provided his outstanding sire Gimmethegreenlight with his first July winner.

Thrice champion sire in South Africa, Gimmethegreenlight has had another excellent season, with The Real Prince one of 13 black type winners this season for his G1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate-winning sire.

Otto Luyken runs on to win the Gr 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200 from Navajo Nation with the luckless third-placed Magic Verse not in the picture. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

The James Crawford-trained Flower Alley gelding Otto Luyken defied what was to become a trend for horses who travelled to the Hollywoodbets Durban July meeting and ran over ground on Saturday.

When he won the “July consolation race”, the Gr 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200, in resolute style, despite carrying a welter 61kg and jumping from a wide draw of 10 out of 12 and then getting caught wide, there was no inkling of what was to come i.e. the eight Hollywoodbets Durban July runners who traveled to the meeting filled the last eight places. That included two of Otto Luyken’s James Crawford-trained stablemates, Oriental Charm and Pomodoro’s Jet, who had also been prepared out of Randjesfonten and traveled down to the big meeting.

Most of the horses who traveled from Johannesburg were reportedly loaded on the floats in rainy and freezing conditions and it is possibly the reason for some of the below par performances, considering travelers from the Highveld had won the last two Julys i.e. the Crawford-trained pair Winchester Mansion and Oriental Charm.

The Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred Otto Luyken had shown his class in his Cape Town winter series campaign. He ran the highly regarded Garrix to a head in the Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, despite starting odds of 75/1, and he then proved that was no fluke by beating Garrix by a shorthead in the Listed Pocket Power Stakes over 1950m. He gave the three-year-old Garrix 1,5kg in the Legal Eagle Stakes and ran at level weights wih him in the Pocket Power.

James Crawford was confident of a big run by Otto Luyken on Saturday, having noticed this horse loves courses with short run-ins, like the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Winter Course.

Hollywoodbets Greyville also has a short run-in.

Otto Luyken jumped well and Luyolo Mxothwa sat on him and looked for an opportunity to slot in.

The opportunity never came, but to Mxothwa’s credit he accepted his position three wide without cover and concentrated on relaxing him rather than looking around continuously for a gap, which is probably the norm in such a situation and it only serves to unsettle a horse.

Otto Luyken responded in kind and lobbed along without any sign of overracing.

Mxothwa made up some ground around the final turn and Otto Luyken then stayed on well in the straight.

However, he did hang in substantially when chasing the leader in the straight, Navajo Nation.

Navajo Nation in turn hung out slightly and carried Johnny The Thief outward.

The end effect of both movements was that the running on Justin Snaith-trained Magic Verse had to be snatched up as there was nowhere to go and it cost him a winning chance as he appeared to be finishing strongly.

The stipendiary stewards decided that Magic Verse was not carried in by Otto Luyken and simply said, “In the concluding stages MAGIC VERSE (J P v’d Merwe) which hung in from the 300m, was steadied when
awkwardly placed between JOHNNY THE THIEF (M V’Rensburg) and the heels of OTTO LUYKEN (L Mxothwa) which was hanging in from the 350m and shifted in.”

Some would argue that Magic Verse did not hang in, he was carried in, as  Otto Luyken hung in a number of horse-widths on his outside.

Nevertheless, Otto Luyken fetched Navajo Nation and won by a neck, while Magic Verse ran on again after being picked up and was beaten only 1,80 lengths despite being badly hampered.

Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith own Otto Luyken and Magic Verse also runs in their colours, so they might have two contenders from this race to try and qualify with bottom weights for next year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Otto Luyken was raised two points to 116, a rating which would have seen him carry 54,5kg in this year’s July.

Magic Verse, who stayed in the July this year right until the final field elimination stage, could well have the big race as his target next year.

Otto Luyken gave the runner up Navajo Nation 5kg and gave Magic Verse half-a-kilogram, so it was a decent performance.

On the downside the July was considered a crawl and Otto Luyken’s time was 2,59 seconds slower.

Neither Otto Luyken nor Magic Verse appear among the Gold Cup day nominations.

The result was not the only plus point for Bortz and Goldsmith to take out of the day, because although Oriental Charm was disappointing in his defence of the Hollywoodbets Durban July crown, their part-owned Justin Snaith-trained three-year-old gelding Native Ruler, who came from the widest draw of all in the big one and had to weave through traffic in the straight, was one of the unluckiest and most eyecatching July runners in sixth place.

Post race comments for the Gr 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200:

LUYOLO MXOTHWA : “This is a big horse who likes to race up handy. I had a bit of a bad draw today, but came out positive to be handy. There was pace on the inside, so I couldn’t get there. I found myself 3 wide. I was going to use him to go forward, but then as the pace was a bit sedate, I decided to do exactly what everyone else was doing. He was relaxed and in a nice rhythm. Just before I turned for home, I tightened him up and when he saw the other horse quicken up on his inside, he just found more … and the race was over!”

JAMES CRAWFORD : “I was a little concerned when Louis was 3 wide, but had him settled and in a good rhythm. He switched-off. Louis and this horse get on so well … it’s fluid in motion. When Louis moved up and made his run, the horse quickened with him. He’s such a fighter and fought on gamely to the line. He won a very gutsy race, carrying that weight. A great ride by Louis. It’s nice to get the first feature of the day!”

GREG BORTZ : “It’s absolutely fantastic to have a winner on HOLLYWOODbets’s big day with the job that they put on, for racing in the city and the province, is just a pleasure and a privilege. If you look at the horses that ran 1st and 3rd, they both had high enough merit ratings to qualify for the main race today. We made the decision for both of them to run in this race. I think it was the right call and we are absolutely thrilled. Enormous kudos to James … what a remarkable training feat as he took the horse from Cape Town up to Joburg … prepped it and came down in terrific condition … and to Louis who rode confidently and didn’t want to know about losing … you saw it in the way he finished the race.”

The Real Prince parades in front of the adoring Hollywoodbets Durban July day crowd (Candiese Lenferna Photography). 

NHA Press Release

Handicapping Ratings Update

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY (Grade 1)

THE REAL PRINCE has earned a revised official merit rating of 125, up from 120, following his thrilling victory in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, contested over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville this past Saturday.

This was a notable achievement from THE REAL PRINCE, as he had previously never raced beyond 1600m, and in fact, his pre-rating of 120 was earned exclusively over shorter trips. In handicapping terms, THE REAL PRINCE transitioned from the miler aptitude category to the longer-distance category – and did so with a resolute win.

To structure distance aptitude assessments, Handicappers often refer to the S.M.I.L.E. acronym:

In determining the updated ratings, the Handicappers unanimously selected ROYAL VICTORY, the ever-reliable fourth-place finisher, as the line horse, leaving him at a rating of 125. This approach also validated MADISON VALLEY’S performance, as the fifth-place finisher ran precisely to his mark of 115, effectively making him a second line horse.

EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN, the gallant runner-up, reaffirmed his Daily News 2000 merit rating of 129 with a spirited performance. He finished narrowly behind the winner and 2.60 lengths ahead of the 125-rated ROYAL VICTORY while carrying 2kg less.

The maths for EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN’S Performance:

·         Base: MR 125 (Royal Victory, line horse)

·         +4 MR points: Margin ahead of the line horse (2.60 lengths = 4 MR points), applying the length distance factor over 2200m

·         –4 MR points: Weight difference as per race conditions (in receipt of 2kg)

·         +4 MR points: Weight-for-Age adjustment (3yold WFA allowance in July over 2200m)

·         Performance Rating: 129 – Final

SELUKWE was the only other runner to receive a merit rating increase, moving from 111 to 115, justified by his under-sufferance position of 2kg going into the race.

All other participants maintained their prior ratings, with the sole exception of PURPLE PITCHER, whose merit rating was marginally reduced from 122 to 121.

RIDGEMONT GARDEN PROVINCE STAKES (Grade 1)

DOUBLE GRAND SLAM has retained her official merit rating of 122 following her fluent win in the Grade 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes, run over 1600m under Weight-For-Age conditions for fillies and mares at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. As the joint top-rated runner going into the race, and having performed to expectations, she was duly used by the Handicappers as the line horse to guide the assessment of the field.

Two fillies received merit rating increases following the outcome of the race. MON PETIT CHERIE, the runner-up who finished just 0.80 lengths behind the 122-rated line horse under Weight-For-Age conditions, was raised from 113 to 120. Meanwhile, JUST BE LEKKER, who ran a strong fourth and finished 3 lengths behind the winner, had her rating lifted from 109 to 116, reflecting the quality of her performance relative to the line horse.

Two horses received merit rating decreases: VJ’S ANGEL dropped from 116 to 114, and BEATING WINGS received a slight adjustment, going down from 113 to 112.

POST MERCHANTS (Grade 3)

I AM GIANT has had his merit rating increased from 116 to 119 following his victory in the Grade 3 Post Merchants over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. In assessing the race, the Handicappers identified OUTLAW KING, who finished fifth, as the most appropriate line horse; accordingly, his rating remains unchanged at 110.

The following horses also received merit rating increases:

• O’TENIKWA: from 115 to 118
• BUFFALO STORM CODY: from 112 to 113

Merit rating reductions were allocated to:

• QUESTIONING: from 124 to 123
• ROYAL AUSSIE: from 122 to 120

DURBAN GOLD VASE (Grade 3)

The official merit rating for KING PELLES has been adjusted upward from 112 to 118 following his impressive victory in the Grade 3 Durban Gold Vase over 3000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. The Handicappers were unanimous in selecting SHOOT THE RAPIDS, who finished fourth, as the line horse; his rating remains unchanged at 112. KING PELLES delivered a performance that warranted a higher rating; however, his increase was capped at 118, in accordance with race conditions that limit adjustments to 6 points for winners and 3 points for placed runners.

• HOLDING THUMBS (runner-up): raised from 108 to 110
• AHEAD OF THE FACTS (third): increased from 83 to 86; however, his performance was capped by the same restriction despite meriting a significantly higher figure.

FUTURE SWING received the only rating decrease in this event, dropping from 117 to 115.

MAGICAL ZULU KINGDOM 2200 (Grade 3)

OTTO LUYKEN has had his merit rating increased from 114 to 116 following his win in the Grade 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200 over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. Due to interference affecting multiple runners in the closing stages, the Handicappers opted to assess the race using the lowest possible route. NAVAJO NATION (runner-up) was selected as the line horse, retaining his rating of 104.

Further increases:

• JOHNNY THE THIEF: from 92 to 94 (ran 2.2 lengths behind the line horse while 4 points under sufferance and carrying an extra 0.5kg)
• COUNT HUHTIKUU: from 91 to 95 (ran 2.75 lengths behind while 9 points under sufferance)

The following horses were reduced by one point each:

• BLACKBERRY MALT: 98 ➝ 97
• THUNEE PLAYA: 104 ➝ 103
• HOTARUBI: 109 ➝ 108

 PREMIER GATEWAY INTERNATIONAL THUKELA HANDICAP (Listed)

ZEITZ has had his merit rating raised from 97 to 101 following his victory in the Premier Gateway International Thukela Handicap (Listed) over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. The third-place finisher, CLAW, was used as the line horse and remains on 94.

• UNDERWORLD (runner-up): increased from 109 to 111

 Rating drops: 

• RAPIDASH: 108 ➝ 107
• KING REGENT: 114 ➝ 112

4RACING SEA COTTAGE STAKES (Grade 3)

CHOISAANADA has had his merit rating increased from 106 to 112 following his victory in the Grade 3 4Racing Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein Standside on Sunday, completing a clean sweep of the Highveld Winter Series. The Handicappers used the third-place finisher, MUSICAL SCORE, as the line horse, whose rating remains unchanged at 112.

Although CHOISAANADA delivered a performance deserving of a higher rating, his merit was capped at 112 in accordance with the race conditions, which permit a maximum increase of 6 points for the winner and do not allow rating increases for placed horses.

No other changes were made to the ratings of the remaining runners.

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

Choisaanada only just holds on from Fire Attack, whose nose can be seen in the foreground. Highveld Horse Of The Year Fire Attack gave the winner 3kg and this was a good preparation run for the Gr 1 Champions Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on July 27. (JC Photos).

The Erico Verdonese-trained Querari gelding Choisaanada became the first-ever winner of all three legs of the Highveld Winter Series, sealing the deal with victory in the Gr 3 4Racing Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein Standside on Sunday under Callan Murray, who had a four-timer on the day.

Choisaanada is owned by Isabella Lombard & Mr B M Jossel and was bred by Shadwell Stud.

The winning connections walked away with a R500 000 bonus for winnig all three legs.

The connections did not have an easy time of it nerves-wise during the race, as the 33/20 favourite Fire Attack was bearing down on Choisaanada fast and the latter, who started 7/2, only just held on.

Choisaanada ended up in front after jumping well from draw four as Murray found the horses inside of him were reluctant to take it up.

“I don’t need to tell you what I was calling this poor jockey when I saw him in front,” admitted trainer Erico Verdonese with a broad smile on his face after the race.

However, Murray’s snap decision proved to be the correct one and he judged his pace to perfection.

“I didn’t have to do too much with him,” said Verdoneseabout the horse.

A R180 000 National Yearling Sale purchase, the winner took his stakes tally to R1 028 938, including his bonus, with his fifth win and a place from 10 starts.

Choisaanada is out of the unraced Aussie-bred daughter of Redoute’s Choice Musaanada.

Princess Palace has not won since August last year but she is always thereabouts and looks to be off a competitive mark. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

There are a lot of horses still finding their way on Wednesday’s card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and the handicap races look wide open so punters will need to be sharp.

In the card opener Glen Kotzen’s filly Cassandra was  beaten favourite last run and has two smart efforts to her name. She should go close again. Opera Fan made a smart debut for Peter Muscutt but has had her chances although she had some promising Highveld form. Omnia was much improved second time out when trying a little further on the poly. She should come on from that effort.

In the second, Paul Lafferty’s runner Bruh has come on with each outing and looks primed for this but French War Lord has shown up well in two sprints and the step up in trip from a plum draw makes him one to watch. Sean Tarry’s runner Master Spy was a well beaten fourth over the trip last time out but is sure to improve on that effort.

There are many first timers in the opening leg of the Pick 6 but according to trainer’s pre-race comments, none are fully primed. That said, Sean Tarry’s charge Xenophon looks primed to fire after two smart efforts. Narrowly beaten last run he should go close again. Next Of Kin showed up well on debut over course and distance and one can expect good improvement from a top stable. Cardinal Chief was running on strongly on debut and the extra furlong should suit.

The Duncan Howells-trained Celestial Diamond could be one of the better bets on the card when she lines up in the fourth. She was a beaten even money favourite last start but has shown up well in both starts and should run another good race. Lucienne will be a threat as she was touched off on this course last time out. She has put in three good efforts and should be involved in the finish again.

The fifth is a tricky contest. World Of Royalty steps up to a mile but has two good sprints in the bag. He was a beaten favourite last run and this trip should suit. El Capitan will be a contender as he has the best of the draw and has not been out of the money in four starts since his return from the Cape. Limelight Legend has been runner-up in his last three and stays the trip well so must also have a strong chance. Queen Of The Air is a filly with plenty of substance and showed up well in her first run back from a lengthy break. She is one to watch.

Duncan Howells saddles Princess Palace in the sixth who is seldom far behind and steps up in trip. She has a handy weight and rates a strong winning chance. Hodgepodge shoulders top weight for Stuart Ferrie  but has consistent form and should be in the firing line once again.

Kannemeyer sends out Dancing On A Cloud in the seventh. He has been disappointing since running out an easy maiden winner on this course. He does seem better than his last two and gets another chance. Lock And Key is a smart filly that takes on males. She has been a beaten favourite at her last two but has been runner-up and can go one better in this line-up. Royal Invitation has improved at her last two and comes from a Cape stable that does not have many runners up for the season. Tirpitz has come good for Gary Rich since joining his yard and steps up in trip. One to watch in the betting.

In the last race the form behind Rafa’s Boy will be under scrutiny. Gareth van Zyl’s charge jumped seven points in the handicap for his last win but now gets a 4kg claimer aboard. Major Tommie is lightly raced and was not far behind in his handicap debut and should improve. He has a big weight but should be right up there. B Fifty Two has seldom been far back of late and was close-up at long odds last start. He should be competitive. Rhythm is holding form and goes well this trip and is not out of it.

Picture: Vercingetorix in his paddock at Maine Chance Farms (Jeremy Nelson).

Maine Chance Farms-based super stallion Vercingetorix’s 22 stakes winners this season has been confirmed to be a new South African record.

The stallion phenomenon’s 22 stakes winners have won 31 stakes races between them.

The R35,200,109 in stakes Vercingetorix’s progeny have accumulated so far this season is also a new SA record.

Vercingetorix is also no doubt the best Sales stallion in SA history.

His average at this year’ BSA National Yearling Sale was a record-breaking R1,435,000 for 25 lots sold.

Vercingetorix is the son of six-time SA champion Sire, Silvano, and he will win his first  stallion championship this season.

When was an electric Tote and a computerized Tote respectively used for the first time in South Africa?

The picture is of an early Totalisator

An electric Tote was used for the first time in SA at the Johannesburg Pony and Galloway Club Meeting at Turffontein on January 18th, 1936.

The intervals between races had been shortened from 40 minutes to 30 to 35 minutes and yet the Tote turnover still increased with the new system.

In 1974 Turffontein scored another first when installing a computerised Tote.