Quickstepgal will contest the G2 WC Fillies Championship at Kenilworth
Picture: Quickstepgal will be taking on the best in Cape Town. (Anneke Kitching/Race Coast).
Kwazulu-Natal’s leading three-year-old filly Quickstepgal (Vercingetorix), has joined caretaker trainer Eric Sands in Cape Town, and her trainer Tienie Prinsloo is excited about her prospects in the Grade 2 R450,000 Western Cape Fillies Championship over 1400m at Kenilworth on 8 November.
Sands is putting Quickstepgal through her paces at Milnerton and Prinsloo said, “She is coming along nicely, Eric is sending me videos and I like what I see.” This exceptional performer is Prinsloo’s first classic prospect – he has handled Quickstepgal with such expertise that top owner Laurence Wernars left her in his care when he bought her after her second place to champion filly Anotherdanceforme in the Grade 2 Golden Slipper on Durban July day.
Quickstepgal won her first start in the Wernars family’s familiar silks when she toyed with the opposition in a Progress Plate at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 12 October and Prinsloo said, “There is a lot more to come from her. I will be flying to Cape Town on 5 November and we are all looking forward to the race.”
Prinsloo is aiming Quickstepgal at the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas on 6 December and he said: “We’ve all seen the quality of Alan Greeff’s three stars, Golden Palm, Anotherdanceforme and Direct Hit, but Quickstepgal will stand her ground where and when she has to. Races are not automatically won ahead of time. This is racing, we have a very good filly to take them on, and we’ll be trying our best.”
Anotherdanceforme beat Quickstepgal by 1,4-lengths in Golden Slipper and they are likely to meet again in the WC Fillies Championship. Prinsloo said: “Anotherdanceforme was green and carried Quickstepgal inwards that day. I still believe that, if not for the interference, our filly could have won that day.”
Prinsloo, who has continued to churn out winners from his small string, won Race 6 over 1400m at HWB Greyville on Monday with six-year-old mare Convocation, a recent acquisition owned by George O’Brien.
He said: “This was a lovely win and I am so happy for George. He and a partner had a young horse with us called Like Fire, a promising unraced colt who suffered complications after being gelded and died. Months later I had an opportunity to buy Convocation from a retiring owner and George was keen to get involved, he bought her for R70,000, and she recovered a large chunk of that on Monday.”
He added: “Convocation is a speedy sort with her best form down the straight, but from what she showed me in work I felt we could try her again over further. I was told I was mad to go over 1400m, but she won it and she beat a fair field.”
O’Brien’s filly Jazz Café (Robbie Hill) finished fourth behind Convocation, starting favourite, and the owner said: “That was perhaps not quite what we expected, but I enjoyed the race and I am impressed with Tienie as a trainer.”
Tienie and Elsa Prinsloo with Convocation (Callan Murray).
O’Brien, who was a regular and popular racegoer in the early 2000s, owned several good runners including the 2008 Grade 1 Gommagomma Challenge winner Eddington (Model Man), top sprinter Trance (Joshua Dancer) and the exported Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship winner, Happy Valentine (Silvano).
He is not in good health at the moment, and said: “I have only four horses left in training, but they still bring me joy. I am fighting on!”
Wernars, meanwhile, has sent two more runners to Prinsloo’s yard and the trainer said: “They are fillies by New Predator and Trippi. Both look promising. I have 12 horses in my stable now, most are babies so I can’t wait for next season when they will be ready to race.”
Trainer comments, HWB Durbanville Wednesday
Picture: Glen Kotzen saddles seven runners at HWB Durbanville on Wednesday.
Below are comments from trainers Glen Kotzen, Greg Ennion, James Crawford and Paul Reeves, from Race Coast’s Perfectly Placed blog on Youtube:
Khaya Stables' Star Grooms Campaign
Race Coast is proud to acknowledge and thank Khaya Stables for its continued support, and for shining a well-deserved spotlight on the unsung heroes of the sport through the Khaya Stables Star Grooms Campaign.
Running from Sunday 2 November 2025 to Saturday 28 February 2026, the 2025/6 Western Cape Summer Season features 36 Graded and Listed races, including the six premier Summer Festival of Racing days:
- 22 November: Punters Cup
- 6 December: World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas
- 13 December: Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas
- 10 January: L’Ormarins King’s Plate
- 31 January: World Sports Betting Cape Town Met
- 28 February: SplashOut Cape Derby
Through the Star Grooms Campaign, Khaya Stables will reward the grooms of the top five finishers in each of the 36 feature races with cash prizes:
1st – R 5 000
2nd – R 2 000
3rd – R 1 500
4th – R 1 000
5th – R 500
This initiative underscores Khaya Stables’ deep commitment to the people who form the backbone of the industry — those who work tirelessly to ensure the wellbeing and peak performance of every racehorse.
Race Coast also extends its thanks to Christine Laidlaw for her ongoing support and commitment to South African racing, including her continued sponsorship of the Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes, a race steeped in history and prestige.
“Khaya Stables’ vision and generosity set a benchmark for how partnerships can truly uplift the sport,” said Justin Vermaak, Executive Bloodstock & Racing, Race Coast. “Their commitment to recognising grooms and sustaining iconic events like the Diadem Stakes embodies the collaborative spirit that makes racing in the Cape world-class.”
Race Coast looks forward to a thrilling summer of racing, one defined not only by champions on the track, but by the dedicated teams behind them.
Mark van Deventer's HWB Durbanville notes
Picture: Surge Of Power (blue cap), has an eachway shout in Race 3. (Race Coast).
Midweek racing takes place on Wednesday at Hollywoodbets Durbanville before switching to H.Q. Kenilworth on Sunday. An eight-race card has attracted a total of 76 runners.
Ignite the Fire is intriguing in Race 1. Paddy Kruyer and JP van der Merwe teamed up with Tenpenny on Saturday who flashed through a seriously quick come home sectional to defeat Industrial Strength, and they will hope their Ignite the Fire translates a similarly fast closing fraction behind Beware to hit the board.
He started at 100/1 on that occasion, and 150/1 on debut, so, it would appear, has not been showing much at trackwork. However, if that last start 22.4 second 400m to finish indeed is a portend of major improvement, then the 3YO Fire Away gelding can be combined in single race exotic plays with Eugenius and Meet the King who have more glaringly obvious form credentials.
Van der Merwe will fancy his chances on Miami Summer in Race 2. The United States colt finished well for second from a bad draw behind Siriano five weeks ago and further progression should see him highly competitive in a Maiden over 1400m.
They will need to run down Joueur de Flute who will get a saloon passage racing handy from draw 1 under enterprising rider, Callan Murray. Klein Karoo is also in with a shake, and there are lightly raced, unexposed types that can easily wake up but Miami Summer, trained by Justin Snaith, cracks the nod in the 13h35.
Trainer, James Crawford’s entries fared particularly well over the weekend (two winners and four placings) and his entry, Fox on the Run can continue the hot streak when taking on Class 4 opponents in Race 8.
He was a bit green at his second start over 1250m but that did not prevent him from drawing clear of Maiden rivals two weeks ago in the manner of a quality colt. The 1400m distance will be more suitable and the 3YO seems sure to put forth a bold bid under Richard Fourie.
The youngster will need to prove his mettle against stern older foes. Boogiefied might be hard to pass racing upfront from draw 1; Rhydian is respected at this level despite well documented breathing issues; Carriacou and Sooty don’t do much winning (just three wins from a combined 46 starts) yet are plausible contenders off their current ratings.
Though wide draws over 1400m are a disadvantage, the contention doesn’t end there. Bel Canto Dream (draw 9) sports solid back form and could have improved during a three-month spell: the high percentage Snaith/van der Merwe duo have easy last out Maiden winner, Pomp it Up, and Vaughann Marshall’s Ireland Forever will be held up from gate 11 then come charging home late from off the pace. It all makes for a fascinating finale.
The P6 starts in Race 3 with six runners sprinting 1250m in a tight contest. After a spate of recent country course, placings with his rounding-to-full-fitness, entries, Adam Marcus would love to win it with track suited, Oliver who he has nursed him to five wins and 11 places from 25 starts. Richard Fourie rides, which might just roust this fickle, but capable six-year-old gelding who came to light this time last year.
Black Eagle is on a hat-trick and must be a big danger carrying 52.5kg’s though he was life and death to stave off Sooty last time in a weaker race.
Powerandtheglory is not straightforward, (variously reported as hanging, pulling and making respiratory noises) but has ability, whilst La Pulga, coming back after 178 days off track may just need it and prefers further, yet also is way above average.
Wing Walker will try transferring Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack form, to the lawns at Durbanville. The Rafeef gelding thrived in KZN, scoring a hat-trick, which bumped his official merit rating up by ten points to 87. He has previously run nicely at this venue and, being drawn favourably in the inside alley, is another for the shortlist.
The erratic Surge of Power completes the line up. He mixes his form, and his best efforts fall slightly short of what it will take to win this. Yet, he’s won second up after a rest before and his pace pressing running style fits the Hollywoodbets Durbanville track profile.
With Black Eagle and, occasionally, Powerandtheglory the only other runners to race handy, it might be an error to toss him out of calculations.
-Mark van Deventer’s excellent 2025 book, ‘Sharp Betting Strategies in Modern Horseracing’, is available on www.sharphorseplayer.com, also on TakeALot.
Aidan O'Brien secures his eighth UK Championship
Picture: Aidan O’Brien, the Wizard of Ballydoyle. (PA).
Aidan O’Brien has spoken of his delight – not to mention relief – after being crowned champion Flat trainer in Britain for an eighth time.
The 56-year-old, who has been champion every year in Ireland since 1999, ultimately fended off the challenges of Andrew Balding and John and Thady Gosden comfortably.
“I’m delighted to be announced as the champion trainer for 2025, it’s a real honour and testament to the hard work of the whole team who makes this sport happen, from the owners, the staff at Ballydoyle stables, the breeders and of course, the horses themselves – it’s a real team effort and victory,” said the Ballydoyle handler, who picked up his trophy at Doncaster on Saturday, after Hawk Mountain gave him another Group One winner.
All three yards were successful on Champions Day at Ascot and while the championship runs from January 1 to December 31, O’Brien’s haul was enough to ensure he cannot be caught.
“A lot of people work a lot harder than me and I’m just so delighted for them all.”
O’Brien won the Derby with Lambourn, stablemates Minnie Hauk and Whirl fought out the finish to the Oaks, while Scandinavia was a game winner of the St Leger.
Proving how much of a team effort it was, all three Classic victories came for different jockeys, with Wayne Lordan on Lambourn, Ryan Moore on Minnie Hauk and Tom Marquand on Scandinavia.
With Moore currently sidelined through injury, O’Brien has called on Christophe Soumillon to great effect on the big days, too.
“It’s difficult to pinpoint my absolute favourite moment but a few standout moments would have to be Lambourn winning the Betfred Derby in June – it’s difficult to ever look beyond the Derby – and Scandinavia’s successive wins in the Bahrain Trophy, Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup and Betfred St Leger,” O’Brien told Great British Racing.
“Every year the emotions remain the same and it’s a constant cycle of anticipation, relief and celebration on repeat.
“I forget about yesterday and look forward to tomorrow, there’s always a plan but I don’t think too far ahead because you get too anxious if you do.” – Press Association.
Breeders' Cup Classic will decide Horse Of The Year
Sovereignty, Kentucky Derby winner. (horseracingnation).
Saturday’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar looms not only as a $7 million shootout over 2000m, but also a battleground on which the US Horse of the Year and other year-end titles may pivot.
Four three-year-olds – led by Sovereignty and complemented by Grade 1 winners Journalism , Baeza , and Nevada Beach – take on a six-horse older brigade headed by Fierceness , Mindframe , Sierra Leone, and Forever Young.
Many believe it is one of the most talented Classics in years. Nine of the 10 entries are grade 1 winners, having captured 22 top-level stakes victories and earned more than $42 million in career earnings. Additionally, they are in top form. Some pundits even go so far as to say this is the best Classic since Awesome Again’s triumph in the legendary 1998 race.
“It certainly appears as though it’s a particularly strong renewal,” said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who runs Fierceness, Mindframe, and Antiquarian .
Now it’s up to the full cast to produce a thriller worthy of that billing.
Standout three-year-old Sovereignty can sew up Horse of the Year if he adds a Classic to go along with his other top-level triumphs in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1). But if he loses – particularly to one of the existing grade/group 1-winning four-year-olds in the lineup, the most prestigious championship honour in Thoroughbred racing could go to one of those rivals.
The Breeders’ Cup Classic winner has been later honoured with an Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year 16 times since the Classic’s first running in 1984. – Bloodhorse.
One Stripe draws well but 'Gimme' is injured
Picture: One Stripe, at his US base. (Supplied).
One Stripe drew the No 1 gate for the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar racecourse in California on Saturday.
Despite the pole position advantage, the South African-bred and raced star is the 30-1 rank outsider in US betting for the $2-million Grade 1 contest on turf.
Jockey Juan Hernandez, the leading jockey at Del Mar, gets the ride on the four-year-old colt who will be saddled by trainer Graham Motion.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s other Breeders’ Cup entry, mare Gimme A Nother, was scratched from the Filly & Mare Turf race at the meeting shortly before final declarations and draws on Monday.
Motion said Gimme a Nother, a six-time graded or group stakes winner, suffered a minor splint bone injury at a workout at the trainer’s Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland last week.
Start studying for big Pick 6 carryover!
There is a R1-million Pick 6 carryover to Saturday’s Charity Mile meeting at Turffontein, and a pool of R5-million is expected.
The Computaform for this meeting has been published and is available here, so you can start making form notes to catch the big fish this weekend.
It’s a quality card which, aside from the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile includes five other features and some big names, including Tin Pan Alley, Elegantrix, World Of Alice and Perfect Miracle, potentially the new sprinting sensation on the block.
The meeting sees the return of Champion Jockey Gavin Lerena, joined by the formidable Richard Fourie and other title-chasers Craig Zackey, Muzi Yeni, Sean Veale and Serino Moodley.
Today's Question
Picture: Glen Hatt, who retired from race riding in 2015, won the 2012 (then Emperor’s Palace) Charity Mile on a gelding sired by the Australian stallion, Nadeem. Can you name the winner without using Google? (Sporting Post).
FIELDS, Wednesday, 29 October
Durbanville
Today’s Question Answer
Glen Hatt rode the 2012 Charity Mile winner, Mujaarib (AUS), who beat White Line Fever in a close finish. Mujaarib, a son of Nadeem, was bred by Shadwell Stud, raced by Sheikh Hamdan and trained by Mike de Kock. Mujaarib went on to a successful career in Dubai, where he won the Group 2 Al Rashidiya.
