Turf Talk Newsletter – 27 August, 2025

Beach Verse wins cosily under Andrew Fortune (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Drakenstein Stud’s Equus Champion Broodmare of the 2023/2024 season, the five-time Gr 1-winning champion Beach Beauty (Dynasty), has an incredible stud record, having produced seven runners, six winners, four of them stakes winners and one of them stakes placed.

Her best progeny has been the dual Gr 1 winner Beach Bomb (Lancaster Bomber), who is excelling in the USA at present and has added two Gr 3s two her CV.

Beach Beauty’s seventh foal and sixth winner is the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Vercingetorix filly Beach Verse, who is, like Beach Bomb, a Drakenstein homebred.

Today at Hollywoodbets Durbanville she had her fourth career start and was stepped up from sprints to 1500m.

Andrew Fortune was aboard in his first meeting since Hollywoodbets Durban July day and after breaking well he bustled the filly to find a position in midfield with cover in the 14 horse Maiden field.

She had quite a bit of work to do in the straight, but she clearly relished the extra distance and got up by 0,75 lengths to convert 13/10 odds.

On the downside her time of 94,41 seconds was the slowest of the three races over that distance on the day and was just over three seconds slower than the fastest of the three.

Nevertheless, she should still improve and whatever happens her wonderful pedigree has ensured she will be valuable at stud one day.

Beach Bomb’s success in the USA has boosted the stud value of her Trippi half-brother Wild Coast, who is standing at Gelykfontein Stud.

Anthony Delpech and Devin Heffer proudly show off the Champion Owners trophies at the recent Equus Awards function at Hollywoodbets Greyville (Candiese Lenferna)

Hollywood Racing achieved a long-held dream when winning the Owners Championship last season and they are proud in more ways than just one. They make no bones about numbers having won them the trophy as having a lot of numbers is something they view as a necessity.

Devin Heffer said, “Of course, we want to own champions and winning the Group 1s is where we want to be. It’s twofold. On the other side of the coin, having the high volume of horses ensures we can fill fields and have racing happening on a daily basis. It’s also good marketing for us, showcasing our brand and our support of the game. It’s really nice to see the knock-on effect it is having. Now you’ve got companies like World Sports Betting who own quite a few horses. It makes for some good banter and good interactions on the course.”

A further indication of Hollywood Racing’s emphasis on the importance of numbers is seen in their fruitful partnership with Ridgemont. Ridgemont choose the horses that will run in their own colours and these will be the ones that will have been identified as the best quality, as they are an advertisement for Ridgemont’s breeding operation. However, Hollywood Racing are not ignored in that process as Devin himself is always a partner in the horses that race under Ridgemont’s name and in their colours, for example the exciting Gr 1 winner Direct Hit. Hollywood Racing are happy to race the Ridgemont horses that aren’t identified as the cream in order to keep the numbers up and have bought a lot of Ridgemont’s sales horses too.

Besides the knock-on effect, Hollywood Racing showcases their innovations, such as allowing celebrities to name horses, which also attracts new people to the sport. There is also the Race Coast Syndication initiative. The incentives involved make it an attractive and viable proposition for syndication managers and members, especially if new owners have been brought in. So, it is clear that Hollywood Racing have a vision that one day their big numbers will not be necessary or even possible as there will be more competition at the sales. If that stage is reached, they will need to have honed their game to pick out the best quality.

Devin emphasised that the current hard work of the whole team had an end goal of being able to match the best in the gathering of champions to both race and breed with. He did not hide his admiration for their chief competitor for the Champion Owners title, Drakenstein Stud, who won the Breeders Championship for a second time.

He said, “It was really exciting to win the championship. We’ve been knocking on the door for the last few seasons. Obviously Drakenstein have dominated and a lot of that comes from their Group 1 success and their stakes success. But they’ve also been around for a lot longer than us. Their success has been built around a lot of preparation and work and we’ve got to keep reminding ourselves of that. It’s not an overnight success. It takes years and years of preparation and planning. In that sense the future is very exciting.”

Devin praised Ridgemont for their input in ensuring Hollywood Racing’s nous, as big owners and fledgling breeders in the Sport of Kings, follows an upward curve.

He said, “Obviously a lot of our mares have now gone to Ridgemont, which is exciting. We had one of our first foals the other day out of our Gr 3 winner, Shantastic (Rafeef). There are a few other foals on their way and those ones will likely run in Hollywood Racing’s colours when they are ready for the track. We’re invested into Ridgemont now and it’s exciting when you have these horses with black type ambitions, because for breeding purposes it makes such a huge difference. It’s really cool now being part of that process and also changing our approach to everything. They’ve got a really good winning mindset and a drive to achieve these higher honours and get the black type. It’s motivated us now to work harder, to choose better. They’re also advising us a lot on operations and everything. It’s been a really good relationship with them and they’re going to play a big role for us going forward as well as us with them. It’s really exciting.”

He continued, “Hollywood Racing won the championship, but it is important to note that a lot of teamwork has gone into getting us to that level. A lot of hard work has been done by people behind the scenes in terms of picking the horses and buying the horses. A lot of that comes down to Anthony Delpech, our Racing Manager, and then the husband-and-wife team of Jo and Tony Mincione. Jo is basically our Bloodstock Manager and Tony is more of the numbers man, evaluating the pedigrees further in terms of data etc.”

Hollywood Racing are also proud of their operations out of Ashburton Training Centre. Vengi Masawi is the racing stable Trainer and his assistant is Megan Trott. The Life After Racing operation, where horses can also go for rest and recuperation, is run by Nicole Wille. The pre-training is run by Jo Brown.

Devin went on to say he is excited about a number of forthcoming runners. They have Cool Gambler with Mike de Kock. This R5 millon colt is a three-parts brother to Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Sparkling Water (Silvano), being by Hawwaam (Silvano) out of Sparkling Water’s dam, Espumanti. Cool Gambler is one of about 70 three-year-olds the Hollywood Racing team can look forward to.

There is also the Equus Champion Miler, One Stripe, whom they own in partnership with Rikesh Sewgoolam, being prepared for the Gr 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile by Graham Motion in Maryland, USA. He is nearly ready for his North American debut, which could be either at Colonial Downs or Gulfstream Park, and there is also the possibility of a Gr 1 at Woodbine in Canada for him, which is scheduled two weeks after the aforementioned races. Hollywood Racing are the majority shareholder in One Stripe and the fact he is still an entire with huge stallion potential makes his North American campaign particulary exciting.

Devin can also look forward to the like of Direct Hit and Mon Petite Cherie representing the partnership of Ridgemont and himself. Devin pointed out that this partnership had 40 wins last season at an unbelievable strike rate of 26.7%, the highest strike rate on the log for any entity that had more than 100 runs. Devin was high in his praise of East Cape trainer Alan Greeff, who has done so well with the Ridgemont/Heffer horses and it is no coincidence that one of Greeff’s other biggest owners, Peter Moor, had the second highest strike rate on the log, 24.2%.

The upward trend and buoyancy in the Race Coast racing regions at present are thanks largely to the efforts, expenditure and excellence of Hollywoodbets and Greg Bortz, and Hollywood Racing deserve all the success they have. Devin concluded by saying he was particularly proud when seeing the high level of prize money for racing in the Race Coast regions compared to previous years, particularly when the smaller trainers get on the board and can win a portion of it.

Ron Turcotte, Hall Of Fame jockey of the immortal Secretariat, passed away last week on Friday and Geoff Lewis, who partnered the great Mill Reef to victory in both the Derby and the Arc, passed away just days later on Wednesday this week.

Click here to read about Secretariat’s jockey Ron Turcotte

Click here to read about icon of the turf Geoff Lewis 

Viva’s Liberte is an impressive two length winner over 1250m on debut and this R2.1 million colt looks to be one to follow (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Candice Bass-Robinson was the only double scorer at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday and both of her winners were by Vercingetorix, who scored a treble on the day.

Craig Zackey’s single winner saw him take the lead in what should be another intriguing race for the national jockeys championship.

Zackey won on the impressive Lammerskraal Stud-bred Vercingetorix colt Viva’s Liberte, who is out of the Gr 1-winning Jet Master mare Viva Maria.

The Bass-Robinson-trained Viva’s Liberte cost R2.1 million at the BSA National Yearling Sale and is yet another classy racehorse owned by Khaya Stables.

Zackey is now on 16 wins for the season at a strike rate of 15.53%.

He is one win ahead of Muzi Yeni and two ahead of Serino Moodley.

Faithful Neo won easily last time out, but might be drawn n the wrong side on Thursday (JC Photos)

Two MR 86 handicaps for fillies and mares are the highest rated races at today’s seven race Vaal meeting in which high draws should be favourable down the straight with the outside rail at zero.

The PA and Bipot start in the first race and the Pick 6 starts in race two, while the Jackpot and second Jackpot start in race three and race four respectively.

In the first of the MR 86 handicaps Faithful Neo romped home by 4,75 lengths over this trip in a Classified Stakes race last time and could follow up, although on the downside she has a low draw and she has to overcome a six point raise. Global Thunder looks to be the main danger and will be a big runner as she has consistent form and her recent form has worked out well. Neerah was a touch disappointing last time, but did drift out in the betting that day and that was her first run after a four month layoff. She should strip fitter now and the form of her two wins before that puts her in contention. Those are the three that make most appeal.

The second of the MR86 handicaps is over 1800 metres and Cartagena could be the one to beat. She disappointed in her last two starts over 2400m, but won her previous two attempts at middle distances and looks to be a mare who is on the up. She has a fair draw of 5 out of 11 and the form of her win over this course and distance in May has worked out reasonably well. Pretty Analia is capable of running on well and as she has a good draw she should be in a position to strike at the business end. Boom Boom is not a straightforward type, but has always struck as one who would be suited to middle distances, so she is an interesting runner from a good draw and with in-form Chad Little aboard. Wagram disappointed last time over 2000 metres but ran a fair race over 1800m before that and has a place chance here. Kiss Of Fire won well over 2000m last time and at the weights should have a chance of reversing a 4.5 length defeat by Cartagena in May because she is now a whopping 7 kilograms better off and also has a 4kg claimer up. The claimer does ride 1kg overweight meaning she is actually 10kg better off from that previous meeeting, so if the claimer can ride a good race she is a contender.

In the first leg of the P6, which is race two, Scarlett Heart will appreciate returning to this 1600m trip having disappointed last time over 2000m. She is consistent and has in-form Serino Moodley up, but on the downside she has to jump from the low draw of one. Savara’s Princess showed improvement last time when stepped up to 1500m and has a nice high draw, so she should be right there over what could well be an ideal trip. Rejuvenate has been knocking on the door and looks perfectly course and distance suited and has a fair draw of seven out of twelve. Lady Blunt is in good form and should enjoy the trip, but does have a low draw to overcome. Madame Pompadour is capable of earning from a high draw, although she might prefer a touch shorter than this.

In the third race over 1000m Mr. Wilson deserves another chance having disappointed in his first run out of the maidens, although his 91 merit rating could be on the harsh side. He has in form Chad Little aboard, but his low draw could be a bit of a concern. Sea Wolf won well last time with this 4kg claimer up and although he copped a six point raise he could be involved from a fair draw of 5 out of 8. Bumps Last Grind had consistent form in the maidens and has been given a reasonable 77 rating after winning fifth time out. This is a suitable trip and this half brother to the multiple Gr 1-winning Via Africa should make a bold bid from a nice draw of seven. One Tiger didn’t enjoy blinkers in his penultimate start, but he bounced back last time with a good run and from a nice draw should be in the shake up. His Lordship is a talented sort, but has returned from a nine month layoff so might be in need of the run.

In the fifth race over 1000m Time For Charity ran well last time off this mark having won her previous start over this distance. She has a nice high draw and should make a bold bid. Blindfire was beaten 4.7 lengths by Time For Charity the last time they met. That was over 1160 metres and she should enjoy the step down to this trip, although she will need to improve to have a winning chance. Micke’s Bomb is always capable of popping up over this trip, but she is a touch unreliable. However, she can never be ignored. Nkandla Gold has become disappointing, but is capable and has dropped to an attractive merit rating, although her low draw is against her. Misty Metal is capable of earning here.

In the sixth race over 1800m Azaleas for All has been knocking on the door and should be perfectly course and distance suited, although Chad Little will have to overcome a tricky draw of six out of eight. Free in Seattle has a fair middle draw and is half-a-kilogram better off for a 0.75 lengths beating by Azaleas for All, so should be a contender. Art Nouveau has been in hard-knocking form and is half-a-kilogram better off for 0.7 lengths beating by Azaleas For All, so should be in the shake up too. Kissing Machine is in good form and is distance suited, but does have a tricky draw of seven out of eight. Two Step Queen is drawn in pole and represents the in-form St. John Gray yard and has a 4kg claimer up, so should make a bold bid if the claimer rides a decent race.

The first race is over 1600m and Redlightgreenlight looks ready to win from a favourable looking draw. World Order is in good form and looks to be the main danger.

A JOCKEY has been hit with a huge one-year ban – after punters claimed his ‘suspicious’ ride ‘let his girlfriend win’ a race.

US-based rider Albin Jimenez was hauled in front of stewards after the trainer of 3-5 favourite Afleet Vintage demanded an immediate investigation.

Click here to read the article

Picture: Al Riffa (Sky Sports Racing)

Races around the world will be on the agenda for Al Riffa after his purchase by Australian Bloodstock.

by Craig Brennan (Racing And Sports)

European stayer Al Riffa will attempt to give Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien a third win in the Melbourne Cup having been purchased by Australian connections.

But Al Riffa will not remain in Australia post the Melbourne Cup and will chase lucrative prize money targets on the world stage.

Al Riffa has been purchased by Australian Bloodstock with the express view of winning this year’s Melbourne Cup after which he will travel to Hong Kong for the International meeting in December and to the Dubai World Cup meeting in March.

Jamie Lovett of Australian Bloodstock said Al Riffa would remain in the care of O’Brien who has previously won the Melbourne Cup with Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment in 2020.

Lovett said Al Riffa would run in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh on September 14 and form part of the second shipment of horses into Melbourne for the Spring Carnival.

Al Riffa attracted the attention of Australian Bloodstock after his victory in the Group 2 Curragh Cup on July 19.

“He’s the obvious horse, for the want of a better term,” Lovett told SEN.

“We weren’t the only ones that would have identified him and like a lot of these horses, it’s a process.

“He’s been a horse with a good profile and after his last win, his first time over a mile-and-a-half, he had a flashing light, and the two miles should be no problem for him.

“Talking to Joseph O’Brien, he will have one more run in the traditional path in the Irish St Leger on the weekend of September 14 and with the Ballydoyle arrangement he can quarantine in Ireland.”

Lovett said the new ownership group of Al Riffa is worldwide, adding they not only wanted a horse to run in the Melbourne Cup, but to win the race.

“The majority of the horse is actually owned by some expats in Europe and Dubai,” Lovett said.

“It’s good knowing you can go in boots and all knowing you have that support, and some Australian-based owners that have come into the horse as well.

“From our point of view, it gives the owners the opportunity to travel abroad with him. There is the opportunity to go onto Hong Kong and then hopefully onto the Dubai World Cup meeting.

“We’ll make arrangements for him to stay in Melbourne post the Melbourne Cup Carnival and then make his way up to Hong Kong in December.”

Who said, “I decided I’d have two grand on. I woke up the night before with sweat pouring off me. I dreamt he’d got beat. I thought I’d halve my bet. When I woke up again I decided I was off my head betting a grand, I’d have £500 instead. At the races I heard various trainers fancied their horses. I ended up betting fifty quid and he won by 30 lengths. That’s how bad a punter I am.”

Picture: The subject of the question