Miami Mountain's Amazing Win From Impossible Position
Andrew Fortune Motivated To Get Back ASAP
Andrew Fortune pictured saluting after winning the GR 1 Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)
Andrew Fortune will reportedly be making it his aim to be back to ride Double Grand Slam in the Gr 1 TAB Empress Club Stakes over 1600m at Champions Day at Turffontein on April 4.
He broke a shoulder and a clavicle (collar bone) after a bad fall at Fairview on Friday in an incident which landed Eldrin Webber a 14 day suspension.
The incident happened in the fourth race, an Open maiden over 1400m in which Fortune was on the Zietsmann Oosthuizen-trained Witching Hour and Webber was on the rank outsider Touch The Sword.
Witching Hour began shifting inward from the 300m as Webber was aiming for a gap towards the inside.
However, it was clear Jacey Botes was aiming for the same gap on Lana View and was entitled to it as it was in his running line.
Webber seemed oblivious to the dangerous situation he was creating as was carrying Lana View inward and Fortune’s horse was thus being tightened up against the rail, while Muzi Yeni’s mount Truly Magical in front of them suddenly had three horses bearing down on her.
Botes eventually bailed out, but not before Touch The Sword had completely cramped the two horses inside of him and as Botes bailed out Fortune’s mount clipped heels with Yeni’s mount and dislodged him.
It could have cost Fortune his season or his career and will in any case be costly considering the crest of a wave the veteran had been riding.
Yet the culprit gets a mere 14 days.
The punishment did not fit the crime in this case.
Fortune’s miraculous comebacks have become legendary and it will be another miracle if he is able to make it back for Champions day, as even a young body would surely require a longer time than six weeks to heel from such an injury.
It has put a dampener on the South African season as the Fortune story had become one of the stories of the season and it is possible he has never ridden better in his career than he has been riding recently.
Hopefully he will be able to perform another miracle and be back in the saddle before Champions Day at Turffontein and be at the top of his game by KZN’s Champions Season.
Fourie Switches To Wish List For The Cape Derby
Wish List will be out to become the first filly this millennium to win the Gr 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby, to be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Andrew Fortune’s injury has seen Richard Fourie switching Lucky Fish Cape Derby mounts from Note To Self to Fortune’s intended mount Wish List and a replacement on Note To Self is yet to be announced.
Note To Self is the fancy of more than a few to win the race as he created an enormous impression when cruising to victory on WSB Met day, so it could not have been an easy choice for Fourie to make.
Wish List is the obvious choice of the Justin Snaith-trained trio on paper as she not only won the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes and is merit rated 115, but she will also get a 2,5kg claim from the boys.
Happy Verse, who will be ridden by Gavin Lerena, is rated 113, while Note To Self only rated 96, but is unexposed.
Wish List will be out to become the ninth filly to win the Cape Derby and will be the first to do it this millennium.
However, there will be some history repeating itself if she wins because her sire Legislate won the Cape Derby in 2014, also trained by Justin Snaith and with Richard Fourie aboard.
The final field is shown below and the betting with sponsor is below that:
Major Master Can Prove His Progressive Profile
By Mark van Deventer
A grand total of 137 runners are declared across a competitive 11 race card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. Punters will need to be at their most discerning given how closely matched many of the fields are, over a variety of distances.
MAJOR MASTER was below best in the Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy Gr 2 after a huge run in defeat to Regulation. If he reverts to the level he showed at his penultimate start, then this fast-finishing Master of My Fate gelding will be a principal candidate from Draw 1. It remains to be seen if he can concede 4.5kg to upwardly mobile FOUDRE.
On collateral form with MAJOR MASTER, deep closer CHASINGTHERAINBOW must be taken seriously. He is usually ridden cold from far off the pace. If he gets a strong tempo to aim at and the gaps open when needed, he will be a late running threat.
WILD WILD GREEN looks interesting in Race 8, a B Stakes for Fillies and Mares over 1100m. Justin Snaith’s 3YO Gimmethegreenlight has made only two starts this summer – one was very good, the other, weak – she does appear to have some soundness concerns. The notable effort was when rushing home behind Disting in the Laisserfaire Stakes Listed over this course and distance. If able to repeat that sterling try after yet another layoff, then she could be each-way value in a contentious event.
She will need to run down speedy SHESGOTCLASS from the sizzling hot Des McLachlan stable though, who will love cutting back to 1100m after only just giving way late to PINK PIGEON over six panels in early January.
TANNERON and pace-presser, DAME OF TRIX, are also considered.
Race 9 is a complex puzzle, too. It’s a Middle Stakes over 1200m and the shortlist comprises GOLD GIBOSKI, RAVEN BLACK, BLACK EAGLE (an eye-catching first run back after a rest and gelding) and BLACK CHEETAH.
There is plenty of speed signed on (THREE TIGERS, SILVER CROWN, MILITARY COMMAND and aforementioned BLACK EAGLE – all like to get moving quickly), so the speed map suggests it will be a true run, extended sprint.
GOLD GIBOSKI who has been transformed by gelding and cutting back to sprints, and RAVEN BLACK may benefit most from that set up. The former finished best in a clustered finish behind North Point last time, despite some trouble in running, and will again take aim under Richard Fourie.
As for RAVEN BLACK, his near miss behind Mai Sensation in November when everything went awry, was a remarkable effort. He showed his true ability when only just succumbing to excellent 1400m campaigner, Snow Pilot, on World Sports Betting Cape Town Met Day.
It’s been 444 days since his winning streak on the Highveld concluded at the end of 2024. James Crawford’s lightly campaigned 6YO, who has only started 12 times, is due a fifth visit to the No 1 box on the pick of his recent Cape form.
The Sophomore Sprint Listed form from November 2025 is particularly strong and one of the horses who finished in the ruck four lengths back can take advantage of a drop in grade and slight dip in ratings, together with a change of gears (blinkers strike).
The horse in question is SPIRIT, trained by Piet and Elbert Steyn. Keagen de Melo sticks solid, and this patient hold up rider may be able to extract some improvement from the maturing 3YO in Race 11.
It’s a closely handicapped affair with hard knockers that take turns beating each other (AZZURRI, MAURITIUS KESTREL, WORLDLY and KELP FOREST) together with some younger, progressive types (TRAILFINDER, GALLIC VICTOR, OBJET D’ ART and KLIPTOWN).
If going out to a tempting price then SPIRIT, who fits in just fine at this level on his form without blinkers, is projected to improve a few ticks and be worth an each-way tickle.
Gallic Victor Can Close Out The HWB Kenilworth Meeting
Gallic Victor has his first run as a gelding and can rise above his current merit rating (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Sunday Formguides And Selections
Race 1
We open the card with a fascinating contest, barring the reserve runners who have had one run each, the field is made up of unraced babies. There is no exposed form, some will be here for the experience, others will be tuned up and ready to fire first time out, we will need to watch them closely moving down to the start and monitor the market. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 9 – 8 – 7)
Race 2
Again, it’s a tough race to assess, with plenty of unraced youngsters lining up and bringing that unknown factor with them. Some have already had their first outing and showed encouraging signs, running on well and gaining valuable experience. Race fitness could be absolutely crucial here, 6 FROM THE ISLAND stayed on well for fourth on debut behind World Series on the 4th of February, with natural improvement expected from this colt, he should go close to winning. 5 VIBE CHECK might be the value play in this race, even though he ran last on debut finishing just under ten lengths behind Red Spice, he ran against winners on that occasion, and he was very green, watch for big improvement from this well-bred individual. 14 LADY JEAN finished just over five lengths behind St Harry on the 13th of January, she was entitled to be green first time at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, the form of that race has worked out well, she could sneak into the places at a fair price. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 5 – 14 – 4)
Race 3
11 ZAGREB has been rested for 88 days, he was heavily supported in the market last time when finishing just under two lengths behind Balzi Rossi, the drop in trip on Sunday is key for this individual, he will go very close to winning on his best form. 2 BIG DEAL had absolutely no luck at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 17th of January, he turned for home a long way out of his ground, and he quickened up beautifully to run second behind Behave Harris, he will be just off the speed early here, and he will be low flying late, include him into all bets. 13 VOLEGOV stayed on well for third behind Meet The King on the 17th of January, he is in good form at the moment, the drop in trip will be no problem for this gelding, he will be right there in the finish. 12 FAST TRAIN just got touched off in the finish by Different World last time, he is a young horse that is still improving with racing, the extra 200m on Sunday will help his chances, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 2 – 13 – 12)
Race 4
5 SWIFT SERENITY ran a great race for third with the blinkers fitted last time, she stayed on nicely in a driving finish behind Different World on the 4th of February, the blinkers stay on, this looks to be the right race for her, she will take lots of beating here. 3 LOVE HER MADLY ran a much better race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 4th of February, she got going late to finish second behind Cantona, back sprinting and the tongue tie has definitely helped this filly, if she brings her last run to the track again on Sunday, she will go close. 4 STARTING POINT improved nicely with the blinkers on last time, she was just behind Love Her Madly on that occasion, she is improving with every start, watch her closely here, she can win a race like this. 6 DELAROCHE ran a fair race for fourth behind Raffish Trend on the 21st of January, she is speedy, and she drops in trip again to 1000m, she might be able to sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 3 – 4 – 6)
Race 5
4 FERRYMAN must have a big winning chance in this race, he was a touch unlucky on debut when finishing second behind Wave Of Glory on the 4th of January, he will love the step up in trip on Sunday to 1400m, with natural improvement expected from this colt, he will be hard to beat. 5 GREENCHOICE has been rested and gelded, top jockey Andrew Fortune has been booked to ride this individual, he is very consistent, if he doesn’t need the run back from a small break, he will go close to winning. 3 CHARLIE BUCKET ran a fair race for fourth behind District Master on the 13th of January, he was unfortunately drawn badly on that occasion, he should have no excuses on Sunday from a good draw, include him into all bets. 2 BLIZZARDBOY finished just under three lengths behind Meet The King at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 17th of January, from a good draw, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 5 – 3 – 2)
Race 6
2 DISTRICT MASTER won his maiden impressively at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of January, he will be on speed from a good draw, if he gets cheap sectionals in front on Sunday, he will be hard to peg back late, include him into all bets. 9 THE NIGHT FERRY has run two good races in succession, he stayed on well for second behind Devil A Saint last time, the tongue tie has been removed for his race on Sunday, if he gets some luck in running from a wide draw, he will be competitive. 10 KLEIN KAROO quickened up smartly to win his maiden well at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 11th of February, he will be switched off early from a wide draw, and he will be eating up the ground late, watch him closely with jockey Andrew Fortune in the irons. 3 ROCKANROLLIN has been rested for 71 days, he had to fight hard to win his maiden at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of December, he is well-bred, and he should enjoy the step up in trip to 1400m. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 9 – 10 – 3)
Race 7
11 FOUDRE won a brilliant race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, he was given six points for that impressive victory, even though he is up in class and he is drawn wide on Sunday, he has tremendous gate speed early, and he quickens well, there is no doubt that he can win again. 6 CHASINGTHERAINBOW ran a great race behind Roland Garros on the 10th of January, he was only beaten just over one length at the finish, but he was finishing like a train, if he settles early, he will run a big race here. 1 MAJOR MASTER is much better than his run last time, ignore that completely, he finished just over five lengths behind I Salute You on the 10th of January, he drops in trip on Sunday, and he has a good draw, he will be right there in the finish. 4 MENTE ET MANU won well last time, it was a great ride by Richard Fourie, he was given three points for that win on the 13th of December, if he doesn’t need the run back from a small break, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 6 – 1 – 4)
Race 8
7 SHESGOTCLASS ran a cracker behind Pink Pigeon on the 10th of January, she finished second in a close finish, now that she is better off at the weights, she must have a good winning chance in this field. 3 PINK PIGEON stayed on well for fourth behind Babelicious at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, jockey Richard Fourie sticks with this filly, she is very consistent, include her into all bets. 6 TANNERON was a touch disappointing behind Babelicious last time, she is much better than that performance, if she gets some cover early, she will run a huge race, watch her closely here. 5 DAME OF TRIX never runs a bad race, she finished third in the same race as Pink Pigeon and Tanneron on the 31st of January, she is in a good space at the moment, there is no doubt she will be right there in the money again. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 3 – 6 – 5)
Race 9
6 RAVEN BLACK moved up like a winner when finishing third behind Snow Pilot on the 31st of January, he is packed with ability, if he jumps on terms on Sunday, he will go very close to winning, there is no doubt that he is the class package in this race. 12 BLACK EAGLE was extremely tough last time, he ran a great race for second behind North Point on the 4th of February, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, on his best form, he will be competitive. 3 GOLD GIBOSKI only got going very late last time, he finished third in the same race as Black Eagle on the 4th of February, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be storming home late, watch him closely. 11 THREE TIGERS is much better than his last performance, he probably just needed that run back after gelding, he is a lovely looking horse with a great action, he should run a better race on Sunday. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 12 – 3 – 11)
Race 10
11 WHIRLWIND quickened up beautifully to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 31st of January, again it was a top ride by jockey Richard Fourie, she was given three points for that impressive win, she is a young filly with tons of improvement still to come, she can definitely win again. 3 WANDER DUNE has been rested for 130 days, she was fancied in the market to run a big race last time, unfortunately she finished last and was beaten just over six lengths by Viva La Vida, there is no doubt she is better than that, the drop in trip on Sunday might help this filly get back to winning ways, include her into all bets. 6 MARITZBURG MEMORY might be the value play in this tricky race, she was only beaten just under three lengths by Dame Of Trix on the 13th of January, she has dropped even further in the ratings, if the gaps open at the right time for this filly, she will run a big race at a good price. 7 GIRL LIKE US never runs a bad race, she finished just over three lengths behind Dream Searcher on the 4th of February, the yard is in good form at the moment, she might be able to sneak into the places on her best form. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 3 – 6 – 7)
Race 11
14 GALLIC VICTOR has been rested and gelded, he finished just under three lengths behind Mente Et Manu at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 13th of December, he is a beautiful horse with tons of ability, even though this trip of 1200m will be on the short side, he will be running on strongly late, include him into all bets. 6 WORLDLY didn’t have much luck in running last time, he finished just under three lengths behind Whirlwind on the 31st of January, he can be a bit slow out the gates, but he will be finishing fast late, watch him closely at a decent price. 8 SPIRIT must have a good each-way chance in this race, he finished fourth in the same race as Worldly last time, the key could be the blinkers fitted to this gelding on Sunday, he should run a nice race. 1 AZZURRI ran third behind Whirlwind on the 31st of January, he always has a place chance at this level. (Brandon Bailey: 14 – 6 – 8 – 1)
Cheveley Stud Bring Well Bred Colts To Premier Sale
Cheveley Stud have a fine big race record and their yearlings are sure to attract a lot of attention
Cheveley Stud is a farm synomous with breeding top-class thoroughbreds. Among the lengthy list of stars bred by Cheveley is Legislate, one of the hottest stallions currently standing at stud in South Africa. Horse Of The Year in 2013-2014, Legislate’s black type winners this season include Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes winner Wish List as well as graded stakes winners Legal Counsel and Regulation.
Cheveley will be offering, as agent, two well-bred colts at the 2026 Premier Yearling Sale, with the draft made up of a colt by multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight and a colt sired by Equus Champion Soqrat. Vaughan Koster had the following to say about his Premier Sale pair:
Lot 70: Unnamed c Gimmethegreenlight – Roman Royalty
By the sire of such champions as Got The Greenlight, Sandringham Summit, Green With Envy and Gimme A Prince, this colt is out of a winning daughter of high-class Australian sire All Too Hard and US stakes winner Roman Treasure. This colt’s third dam is Gr 1 Fantasy Stakes winner Jeanne Jones and this is also the family of multiple champion sire Silvano.
This is a classy, athletic, and racy colt.
Lot 172: Unnamed c Soqrat – Bright Eyed Girl
This colt was sired by Equus Champion and triple Gr 1 winner Soqrat, whose progeny include the likes of I Salute You, Sohot Sowhat, Showgirl and Clever Trevor. His dam Bright Eyed Girl is a winning daughter of Captain Al and the Galileo sired Gr 3 Fillies Mile winner Sidera. This colt’s first three dams were sired by Captain Al, Galileo and Danehill. He is robust, well balanced and looks an early type.
For more information on these two colts, please contact Vaughan on (082) 446 8999.
Ka Ying Rising Surges Into Hong Kong Racing History
Ka Ying Rising thrashes his rivals to win the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (HKJC)
Ka Ying Rising surges into Hong Kong racing history with 18th
By Leo Schlink (HKJC)
22/02/2026 19:51
Ka Ying Rising thrashes his rivals to win the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup.
David Hayes believes Ka Ying Rising’s extraordinary dominance can continue indefinitely after the world’s premier sprinter demolished quality opposition to post a Hong Kong record 18th successive victory in course record time in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 February).
Stretching his unbeaten sequence beyond Silent Witness’ longstanding mark of 17 wins, slotted between 2002 and 2005, Ka Ying Rising imperiously steamrolled his opposition in 1m 19.36s to smash the previous course record of 1m 19.92s, jointly held by Encouraging and Packing Hermod.
Jockey Zac Purton confirmed Hayes had told him pre-race “to break the track record” after he had ridden Ka Ying Rising hands-and-heels to the finish, three-and-half-lengths clear of Helios Express with Lucky Sweynesse one-and-a-quarter lengths further astern.
Improving his overall record to 19 wins from 21 starts – after two narrow seconds as a three-year-old – Ka Ying Rising jumped quickly from barrier three to sit second behind Copartner Prance and clocked 21.93s from the 1200m to the 800m before putting his rivals to the sword over the final 800m in a blistering 43.96s, with respective 200m splits of 11.26s, 11.07s, 10.52s and 11.11s to create history.
Unbeaten since February 2024, Ka Ying Rising’s unbeaten streak includes eight Group 1s – two LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint victories (2024 & 2025), two Centenary Sprint Cup titles (2025 & 2026), The Everest (2025), the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (2025) and now a pair of Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup trophies (2025 & 2026).
Silent Witness reigned from December 2002 to April 2005, snaring seven top-level features – the Hong Kong Sprint in 2003 & 2004, two Centenary Sprint Cups (2004 & 2005), two Chairman’s Sprint Prize triumphs (2004 & 2005) and the 2005 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup.
The stunning nature of Ka Ying Rising’s latest victory prompted Hayes to declare that the five-year-old could sustain his current level of excellence for the next 18 months, fitness permitting.
“If we can place him conservatively, we hope to have him for another couple of seasons, that’s really exciting,” Hayes said. “He loves a month between runs, so we’ll probably go for the (G2) Sprint Cup (1200m) next (on 6 April) and then we don’t have to train him too hard and babysit him into the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m on 26 April).
“Hopefully we can get another clean sweep of the season again with The Everest in the middle.
“He’s more composed than ever, he’s changing legs and you can’t ask for much more than he’s doing. He’s breaking track records and his last three runs, he’d have broken the track record if Zac had let him go.
“He jumped so well (today) and cruised through the bend beautifully – at the 300m, I could really enjoy it. I could tell he had the race in command. Zac went for him a bit more than he normally does and rode to instructions, which was good.
“I’ve trained a lot of horses that have gone 742 days without winning, so to continuously win for 742 days is mind-numbing. It’s two and a half years and the thing people don’t realise is that he was the (equal) youngest horse in the race today. They always think he’s the big boy bashing them up, but he’s actually the baby.
“It’s a huge relief. I didn’t think the team could have had him better for today and I was confident that if the track was riding fast, he could break the (track) record. I didn’t want Zac sitting up in the last 100m, I said to him ‘let him run through the post and we’ll see how strong he is at 1400m’. He’s just a star.
“I just thought for his worldwide ratings, I wanted Zac to let him go today and hopefully he can keep climbing up that incredible ladder that he’s going up. When you’ve got a horse as good as him, he’s the one everyone will be comparing the next big horse too.”
Purton notched his fifth victory in the race following wins on Ambitious Dragon (2013) and Beauty Generation (2018, 2019 & 2020) and believes Ka Ying Rising has reached his peak.
“I think he’s reached his level and it’s just a matter of managing him now and try to preserve that for as long as we can,” Purton said. “He’s the horse of a lifetime. I just shake my head every time with the performances he puts up and the ease with which he does.
“I’ve just got to pinch myself, I’m so lucky. He’s just different – he’s in a league of his own. They’re very good horses that he’s racing against, and he just does it like he’s having a barrier trial and let’s hope he can stay in this form for another 12 or 18 months.
“It was pretty straightforward. He jumped well, he was in a lovely rhythm behind Copartner Prance. Patch Of Theta went to move around me about the 1200m and I just made sure I was going to give my horse plenty of room. And then he just did his job – he did what he does.
“To be etched in history now forever is part of my legacy, part of David’s and a part of Ka Ying Rising and hopefully he can continue on doing what he’s doing. We’re all enjoying being associated with him and I think everyone is enjoying watching him being successful as well.
“The horse deserves all the credit. He’s the one with the ability and he continues to step out, race after race, and blow good quality horses away and it’s very unique to see that.”
Currently the second-highest rated horse in the world, Ka Ying Rising also holds the 1200m turf course record (1m 07.20s).
Purton also triumphed aboard Manfred Man-trained debutant Almighty Lightning (128lb) in the Class 4 Daffodil Handicap (1000m), Cool Blue (122lb) for Chris So in the Class 5 Jasmine Handicap (1800m), Pierre Ng’s Aerovolanic (131lb) in the Class 4 Peach Blossom Handicap (1400m) and Cool Boy in the Class 3 Peony Handicap (1200m) for Jamie Richards.
Stellar Express (134lb) slotted his fifth course and distance success in the Class 2 Orchid Handicap (1000m), clocking 55.36s for John Size and Andrea Atzeni. Formerly known as Dariym, the Zoustar gelding won three races in France when trained by Francis-Henri Graffard.
Frankie Lor notched a treble, prevailing with the talented Smart Golf in the Class 4 Heung Yee Kuk Centenary Cup Handicap (1200m) under Harry Bentley, Embrace Aberdeen (135lb) in the Class 4 Gladiolus Handicap (1200m) under Matthew Poon before the impressive Salon S clinched the Class 3 Rose Handicap (1400m) to give Poon a treble.
Poon also triumphed on David Hall’s Power Of Vitam landed the Class 3 Primula Handicap (1600m) and earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million after All’s Well bolted in with the Class 4 Peach Blossom Handicap (1400m) under Dylan Browne McMonagle for Dennis Yip.
Hong Kong racing continues on Wednesday night (25 February) at Happy Valley.
Today's Question
Whom holds the SA record for successive wins?
The picture is of the subject
Today’s Question Answer
Picture: Home Guard, with Henry Eatwell and Gerald Turner
The Henry Eatwell-trained Home Guard was unbeaten for his first eleven races, which is certainly a wins-in-a-row record for an unbeaten horse. His first defeat was in the July.
Home Guard by Alan Breck (South African Racehorse)
How good a record would Home Guard have established had not respiratory troubles affected his career at a vital stage in his second season? That of course, is a question which cannot be answered, but the plain facts are that Home Guard won all of his first eleven races (thereby setting a South African sequence record) before a period of deterioration, then resuscitation following a Hobday operation, made the proceedings more chequered.
Bred by Mr. R. J. Armitage at his Rathvale Stud near Standerton Home Guard, a very handsome, strongly conformed bay, is by Pent House Il (by The Phoenix) from Storm Lily, by Davy Gordon out of Nile Lily, by Michaelmas out of African Lily, by Fabaris.
Pent House Il, an imported stallion, was virtually unknown when Home Guard hit the headlines, but Storm Lily was a member of a family which had rendered yeoman service over the years at Rathvale.
Raced on lease terms by Mrs. A. (Nessie) Eatwell, and trained by her husband Henry, Nile Guard appeared seven times as a two-year-old and on no occasion was ever in the slightest danger of defeat. Top stake earner of his age (R12567) that season Home Guard was officially rated at 134 – 21 higher than the runner-up in that list, Goldwater, and 26 ahead of a speed merchant like Uncle Ben.
Relatively, Home Guard was rated 21b. better than was Hawaii as a two-year-old, and is the highest juvenile so ranked in the seven years these lists were compiled by official handicappers.
Home Guard carried on as a three-year-old where he had left off the previous season and, on 31st August, 1968, and still a few weeks short of his actual third birthday, registered one of the finer performances of his career. This was in the Transvaal Invitation Champion Stakes run at weight-for-age over a mile at Turffontein.
Among the seven opponents to Home Guard were William Penn, who just previously had finished second in the July Handicap and beaten Hawaii in the Champion Stakes, and Magic Mirror who less than three weeks earlier had romped away with the Stewards’ Cup Handicap at Greyville. Hawaii was a regretted absentee (it was felt that the race came too soon after his exertions in Natal) but, apart from him the opposition was as strong as could have been mustered.
Strongly fancied by his connections William Penn shared favouritism at 2/1 with Home Guard, with Magic Mirror a sound 3/1 chance. In the race nothing had a chance with Home Guard who won with lengths to spare from William Penn, with Herald’s Choice third and Roman fourth. Home Guard won another two races, an exercise canter in the Benoni Guineas and an exceptionally hard fought duel with Stalwart in the S.A. Derby, before travelling to Cape Town for the Guineas and Derby which, on his pre-S.A. Derby form, appeared to be at his mercy.
But the experience of Home Guard in dealing with successive challenges from the three stable companions Diamang, Overtrick and Stalwart over the twelve furlongs at Turffontein, when his real mission was the Cape Guineas, had its effect and possibly accelerated the difficulty he subsequently had with his breathing.
Be that as it may Home Guard did not contest either of the classics at the Cape, and returned to his stable at Alberton to be prepared for the Winter season in Natal. It was thus five months after his Derby victory that Home Guard sported silk again. This was in the S.A. Guineas at Greyville and, with odds of 1/2 laid on him he triumphed from Naval Escort and Sky Line. This brought the tally of Home Guard to 11 wins from the same number of races and, apart from allaying doubts as to his physical well-being, meant that he would go to the post for the July Handicap as the first and only contender in the long history of that annual contest with an unbeaten record.
Favourite at 2/1 for the “July” Home Guard tasted defeat for the first time when he failed by less than a length to concede 11 lb. to Naval Escort in a field of 19. Forgiven that lapse Home Guard was backed down to 2/5 – the hottest favourite in the history of the race – when taking on eight opponents in the Winter Handicap at Clairwood.
Here he clearly was unable to concede 26 lb to the smart Goldwater (who won the race again two years later) and again had to be content with second place. It was now that the respiratory trouble really manifested itself and after he could do no better than to finish fourth in a weight-for-age race at Turffontein Home Guard was operated upon.
Out of action for nine months Home Guard unsuccessfully contested another 6 races (including the July Handicap won by Court Day) before he hit the winning rail again. This, appropriately enough, was in the R27300 Johannesburg Summer Handicap in which he got home by a short head from Acheval who was in receipt of 11 h.kgs. Home Guard followed this up by winning the Hawaii Stakes at Turffontein and the Woolavington Cup at Clairwood to round off a career which, despite his incapacity as a four-year-old, brought in just short of R100000 in net stakes. He raced 29 times for 14 wins, 6 seconds and 1 third placing. Home Guard was retired to the stud where he was born at the beginning of the breeding season of 1972. His first crop of foals are said to be of high promise.
*The US career starts given for Colorado King are incorrect and should read 7 wins in 26 starts and therefore overall career stats of 17 wins from 41 starts.
