Turf Talk Newsletter – 11 June, 2026

Tenpenny will make a last gasp attempt to earn a berth in the Hollywoodbets Durban July final field by winning the Gr 3 Lucky Fish Winter Stakes on Saturday (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Tenpenny has a crucial race on Saturday in the Gr 3 Lucky Fish Winter Stakes over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville as he will probably need to win it to earn a berth in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

If he does get in he will become the second runner trainer Paddy Kruyer has had in the big race in his career.

Ten Penny has been one of the most progressive horses of the season, rising from a 90 merit rating to 105 with four wins from 1600m to 2500m.

His win over the latter trip was in the Listed Masks Of Fire Kenilworth Cup.

He followed that with a 1,40 length third in the Gr 3 Variety Club Mile, beating the like of Viva’s Liberte and Legal Counsel, although he was receiving 6kg from the latter and only beat him by a longhead.

In his last run he was beaten by 12,24 lengths in the Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m.

However, Kruyer said, “The ground was very bad, it was very, very heavy, and he also came back with a little bit of a dirty scope post race.”

He continued, “But we are very happy with where he is at the moment. There is a little bit of pressure as I am trying to get him into the July with a light weight. He has been with Michael Roberts at Summerveld for two weeks and I’ve been here too. He traveled very well and his workouts have been very good. Everything is in order and we are hoping for a nice run. He is a very nice horse, but this is a last chance saloon, he will need to win to get into the July.”

Paddy’s only previous July runner was At The Savoy (Dancing Champ), who finished 6th and 14th in 1994 and 1995 respectively and he was ironically ridden by Michael Roberts in the latter race.

Paddy said Tenpenny will love the faster ground he will get on Saturday compared to last time.

He is owned by Greg and Gina Bortz, who also own the Justin Snaith-trained July entries  Native Ruler and Regulation. Native Ruler in fact runs in the Winter Stakes on Saturday and has been priced up as favourite.

Tenpenny is quoted at 5/1 in the nine horse field for Saturday’s race and he is 75/1 with the sponsor for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Gladatorian, pictured being led in after winning the Gr 2 Post Merchants in 2023, has bounced to his best (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Stuart Ferrie was thrilled with the run of Gladatorian in the Gr 1 wfa Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge last Saturday.

The Summerveld-based trainer said, “The pace was not on and he finished like he normally does and came out of it well. They cantered and they quickened better than him at the top of the straight and he got going a bit late. But he was back to his best.”

Gladatorian appeared to be finishing like a train and was duly shown on the sectional timing data to have the fastest 200m to finish time.

The six-year-old Vercingetorix gelding had been below par in three runs in Cape Town, but clearly hated the relatively heavy tracks of Milnerton.

He bounced back in his Champions Season opener with a good runner up finish in the Gr 1 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m to Questioning, who has not only blossomed into a magnificent athlete but 1400m is his optimum trip too.

Gladatorian ran in the yellow and black colours of Michel Nairac for the first time on Saturday. He had been running for the estate of the late Agasthamuni Gujadhur for about three years and that share was sold by public auction at the beginning of this month and was purchased by Larry Nestadt and Jaap van de Vendel.

Larry said he liked buying horses in training and he felt Gladatorian still had racing in him.

The Vercingetorix gelding proved it and gave Larry and Jaap a cracking first run as part-owners.

Larry and partners had also sold Trust last month to a Hong Kong concern and this gives him a replacement July runner.

The Hollywodbets Durban July trip of 2200m creates a slight question mark for Gladatorian, considering he is a Gr 2 winner over 1200m.

However, on pedigree there should not be a problem as he is by Vercingetorix, who won two Gr 1s over 2000m including the Daily News 2000, out of a mare by the July winner Dynasty. Furthermore, that mare, Harvard Crinsom, is out of a mare by stamina influence Badger Land and she herself won a Listed race over 2000m.

Stuart added, “Gladatorian was drawn 16 in the July last year, so we didn’t learn much, but it did him no harm running in the July.”

Indeed, after running a not-disgraced five length seventh from that tough draw, he came out three weeks later to put in a career best performance, winning the Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville, a race in which his devastating finish at long last did not come too late.

Gladatorian is currently a 16/1 shot for the Hollywodbets Durban July with the sponsor.

Lucky Lad -an exciting addition to the South African stallion line up (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Cape Breeders

Lucky Lad, who is set to stand his first season at Hopes And Dreams Stud in 2026, looks to be a hugely attractive addition to the Cape stallion line-up.

Lucky Lad started his career with four successive wins as a two-year-old, including the 2023 World Sports Betting G2 SA Nursery over 1160m and the G1 Gold Medallion at Hollywoodbets Scottsville by 5.30-lengths.

He raced only five times as a three-year-old for three victories, including the 2024 G2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein and a sensational triumph in the G1 Golden Horse Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. On that occasion, Lucky Lad defeated established older stars such as Dyce, At My Command, I Am Giant and Cruise Control with a barnstorming late run from a seemingly impossible position.

In the same season, he finished second with a strong performance in the G2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m, proving his versatility against Sandringham Summit, the champion three-year-old.

Lucky Lad was twice G1-placed at four, including a third to star sprinter Gimme a Prince in the Grade 1 HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. While not at the peak of his ability, he again finished ahead of top sprinters including Dyce, Questioning, Asiye Phambile and Café Culture, reminding everyone of the depth of his ability.

An R850 000 buy from the 2022 National Yearling Sale, the Varsfontein Stud bred Lucky Lad earned more than R2.4 million during his career.
He is one of more than 80 stakes winners for multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight, with Lucky Lad a full-brother to G3 Fillies Mile winner Follow Me.

From the family of such G1 winners as Bavarian Beauty, Bilateral, Little Miss Magic and Tara’s Touch, Lucky Lad is directly descended in female line from the Derby/Oaks winner Fifinella.

Lucky Lad will be managed by John Freeman. John had the following to say about this exciting prospect, “My old pal Antony Beck and our dear friend Suzette Viljoen asked us to syndicate and manage dual Gr1 winner Lucky Lad’s stud career. I go back a long way with the Beck family. We have had wonderful success over the years including champion sires Jallad and Dynasty.

Lucky Lad has retired from racing and is presently in quarantine in Jhb. He travels to the Cape on the 15th June. Winner of seven races Lucky Lad is a MR125.

He stands 16.1hh and is a well made indvidual with great temperament. I looked at my notes when Sean bought him for Antony at the 2022 yearling sales: I gave him my highest rating at that sale. My notes say: very typical Gimme, Very good hind leg, good short canons, good head and eye, robust, deep girth, well balanced, good mover, quality. Sean agrees.

Sean Tarry and his son Daniel have each got a share. Antony Beck is keeping 10 shares and Suzette and Basie are taking 10. Four more have sold even before this offer was prepared.

He is a 42 share horse.

Shares are: R90,000 + VAT +R5,000 for the capital fund plus insurance.

Each share gets double nominations for the first 4 seasons.

His service fee is R15,000 (R5k + R10k @ LF) and shareholders can accces extra nominations (for own mares) at a dispensation fee of R10k (R2k +R8K @ LF).”

Ombudsman will be defending his Prince Of Wales Stakes crown (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)

At The Races

Top-class pair set to do battle in day two feature.

Last year’s winner Ombudsman, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Daryz and multiple Group One scorer Minnie Hauk are all among nine confirmations for Wednesday’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Not only are the big three all set to line up in the day two feature, but Andrew Balding’s Kalpana, who reserves her best for Ascot, and Ed Walker’s Almaqam, who made a top-level breakthrough in Ireland recently, are also in contention following the confirmation stage.

John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman has already won the Dubai Turf and Brigadier Gerard Stakes in 2026 and is aiming to became the first repeat winner of this race since Muhtarram in 1994-95 – who was also trained by John Gosden.

“He has mentally progressed a great deal and developed well with his racing. He’s now very professional. You saw at Sandown, he settled throughout the race, and in the home straight, when William (Buick) asked him, he was always doing enough,” Thady Gosden told Tattersalls.

“We’d always thought a lot of him. He showed a good amount and progressed well through his three-year-old campaign, but there were always question marks about stepping up to Group One company. But he duly delivered in good style and he is the horse he is now.

“He’s currently rated 128 and he’s a multiple Group One winner, of course here, and across the world in Dubai.

“He ran in the Dubai Turf first time out this season, a wonderful race to win. He then came back, had a bit of a freshen up and ran in the Brigadier Gerard again, beating a good horse in Gethin.

“He’s been well set and goes to the Prince of Wales’s in good form. It looks like a very hot race this year, with Daryz, the Arc winner from last year, running.”

Ombudsman will need to be on his A-game given how good Daryz has looked in winning successive Group Ones in France this spring, while Minnie Hauk showed her adaptability when winning the Mooresbridge Stakes over 10 furlongs first time out, but then disappointed in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Almaqam might need some rain to be seen at his best but finally delivered at the highest level in Ireland, while Kalpana simply loves it at Ascot, winning twice on Champions Day and finishing second to Calandagan in the King George.

Dancing Gemini, Devil’s Advocate, Mississippi River and See The Fire complete the nine possibles.

Roman Agent pictured during his Cape Racing days has been ultra consistent since relocating to the East Cape and has been tipped to win Race 6 (Picture: Wayne Marks)

RACE 1

An interesting opening event. RUSH GREEN produced a good debut on the Polytrack. He was doing his best work late and can go one place better. DIGITAL WARFARE has been well beaten in his starts so far but might play a minor role. GREY EAGLE has shown inexperience but the penny could drop and he has a place chance. RUN JOHNNY RUN makes a local debut after a change of trainer and can be a lively danger. SILVA STREAKER showed improvement second time out but might be looking for further. RED BIRCH was not disgraced in her two starts so far and should fight out the finish.

RACE 2

FONTE is improving and could go one place better. A competitive race. ROCK ME MAMA was a major disappointment last time out and is badly drawn this time. She could bounce back to score. BLUE DAME is probably better on the turf but must be respected in this line-up. ONE SUMMER is consistent but is also battling to win. KIM KAY showed some improvement last time out and should be a real threat. LADY OF FATE and MEDITERRANEANFLAME have place chances. KITANA’S JOY can also get involved with the finish.

RACE 3

A very open looking race. OSMIUM has done enough of late to suggest he can also get involved with the finish. MONKEY’S WEDDING has tended to lack a finish late but gets a narrow vote to score from a good draw. PLAYMAKER did not show his best last time out but can be a threat. BUGLE and SATELLITE WORLD are both in good form and would not be surprise winners. STRAIGHT RED has some fair form and is another to consider.

RACE 4

KALEESH CYBORG returns from a lengthy break but on his best form he would win a race of this nature. ALLEYAH’S ROCKET has shown improvement of late and could contest the finish. HURRICANE POWER makes his local debut and could earn some money. HERE COMES JOHNNY clearly did not like the Polytrack in his comeback. He will strip fitter and could bounce back to score.

RACE 5

HONORINE’S GIMMIE has shown good improvement since changing trainers. This is a tougher task but he may well be up to it. Stable companion BOURNE SUPREMACY quickened nicely to win on local debut and could have more to offer. MASKED VIGILANTE has run in better fields than this and could surprise. SLASH ‘N BURN is improving and won a decent enough race in April. He has changed stables since and makes his local debut. NOTORIX is unreliable but does sometimes get into the mix of things. AWAY WITH RED and FLIGHT ENGINEER both tend to lack strong finishes but are course and distance suited.

RACE 6

A tricky race. Under normal conditions ROMAN AGENT would prove hard to beat. He does, however have to give weight away to all his rivals. GOLDEN PAVILION and stable companion TINTAMARRE have been disappointing of late but could bounce back and threaten these rivals. BLACK EGRET was a well-backed winner last time out and could have more to offer. IMAGINABLE should be a threat this course and distance. FOREST SPY is often involved with the finish and clearly not out of it. LOTUS SILK is improving and should be right there at the finish.

RACE 7

HOMING PIGEON has Richard Fourie in the irons and is clearly the one to beat. HELIOTROPE is better than her last run on the Polytrack and is not out of it FLIGHT DISPLAY is consistent and likely to contest the finish. GINGER DELIGHT does her best work on this surface and can get involved with the finish. KEY WORKER and ROYAL MISSY seem better than their last run would suggest and might play minor roles.

RACE 8

A big field handicap. Consistent BLACKBERRY BREEZE is not well drawn at all but deserves a winning turn after some good recent performances. GARDEN SUN finished off his race well last time out and looks course and distance suited. SUN SPECTACULAR and PICK A POMODORO tend to lack extra late and might earn minor money. NIGHTJAR is hinting at a victory and must be included in all bets. GOLDEN GREY, SAN QUINTIN, MELA STRENGTH, ROTOTO and DARLING GIRL are some others to consider.

RACE 9

KLEINZEE has won both her starts for trainer Alan Greeff. Those wins were on the Polytrack. A 4kg claiming apprentice gets the ride this time which could overcome her recent penalties. ALWAYS SHINING is probably better on the Polytrack and could bounce back and be a threat, FLASH LIGHTNING is better than recent performances and could contest the finish. HOSPICES DE BEAUNE struggled last time out but has a place chance. CHEERFUL CHARLIE B is arriving for this after a narrow win but can make the frame.

Picture: Dylan Cunha (Credit: Edward Whitaker)

“I would take a Royal Ascot winner over a Group winner at this stage.”

At The Races

Royal Ascot has the ability to transcend globally and for South African Dylan Cunha there is nothing he craves more than an elusive first winner at Flat racing’s marquee meeting.

A top-level winner in his homeland, with the unique achievement of training a winner at every track in South Africa, he is now fully embedded into Newmarket having arrived in racing’s heartland amidst the Covid-19 pandemic in late 2020 via a decade in the skies as a pilot.

Now more commonly associated with aeroplanes of the equine kind as a popular and established part of the furniture on the British scene, he is eager to make his mark on the grandest stage.

Cunha said: “A Royal Ascot winner is the one thing we really want and I would take a Royal Ascot winner over a Group winner at this stage. That’s how much it means and Royal Ascot means the world.

“We obviously try to target all the big festivals, whether that’s Ascot, York, Epsom, but Royal Ascot is the one where the whole world is watching and it really is the Olympics of racing.

“Everyone in the world watches it and it’s massive in South Africa. A lot of South Africans actually come over for it.”

Cunha has hit the headlines in his adopted home previously with Coolmore cast-off turned Group Two-winning miler Prague, while the Arsenal devotee has also shown his versatility as a trainer by saddling Mahon’s Glory to place over the Grand National fences during the winter months.

However, with a recent double at York’s Dante meeting signalling there is now a touch of class added to his growing Phantom House Stables string, he heads to the Royal meeting with a select quintet primed for the big occasion.

“We’ve got a small team and it will be the right horses in the right races, we’re not just taking horses for tickets,” explained Cunha. “Like we did at York where we took two up and won we’re hoping we’ve picked the right horses for the right races.

“We don’t like having runners for a day out and unless they are 10-1 or less then I sometimes think what is the point as they are tough to win, everyone is trying their hardest and heading there in top form.

“Even then you are lucky if you get a place, that is how hard it is and we’ll be jumping for joy to get in the top four there.”

The star among the trainer’s small squad could prove to be the improving Arc Ole Ole, who made it three from four when landing the race William Haggas’ Merchant won 12 months ago on the Knavesmire before striking in the King George V Stakes.

Merchant would go on to win at Group level at Goodwood and was talked of as both a St Leger and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe candidate before injury intervened last term. And while there is realism in Cunha’s assessment of his exciting colt, victory at York certainly stoked the flames of aspiration.

“Arc Ole Ole is basically following the same route as Merchant took last year after winning the same race at York,” said Cunha. “He’s a horse who gives us plenty of dreams and we like him a lot.

“I think he has improved a lot since York and really manned up. He was still a bit of a baby at York, but he’s becoming more the finished article now and I’m excited to run him in the King George V.

“Hopefully he’s a bit better than a handicapper in time and the ultimate dream would be get him to the St Leger. But he’s got to go up another 30lb really and needs to get past these steps first.”

He went on: “I think we’ve done the right thing by him and he’s been managed very carefully and has three wins from four runs.

“The benefit for him being in a smaller yard like ours is he will get all the time he needs to maximise his talent.

“We’ve already had two big days out with him at Doncaster and York and now we’re off to Royal Ascot, it’s unreal.”

Joining Arc Ole Ole on the Ascot team sheet is Copper Horse Stakes-bound duo Asgard’s Captain and Cracksman’s brother Fireblade, while three-year-old sprinter Baker Blue has been held back for the perfect opportunity to continue the progress he made on the all-weather during the winter.

Cunha said: “We’ll have Asgard’s Captain and Fireblade in the Copper Horse on the Tuesday. Fireblade is a course winner and Asgard’s has been very unlucky on the track before and they are horses who would be running in races like that even if it wasn’t Royal Ascot.

“We’ve waited for the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes with Baker Blue since he disappointed on heavy ground in France. He’s rated 96 and is a really nice horse and doing really well. He would probably be just ideal for that race.

“I think he’s improved a lot again and we’ve four nice runners who would run nice races in their respective contests whether it was Royal Ascot or not.”

The aforementioned Asgard’s Captain has become something of an unofficial flagbearer of the Cunha string and the perfect advertisement of the handler’s ability given the right stock.

Picked up to run for the Quest Thoroughbreds syndicate for just 18,500 guineas, he has struck eight times since joining Cunha in early 2024, taking his career tally to 10 and going on a journey that has recently encompassed Meydan and will soon arrive at Ascot.

“Asgards Captain has been unreal and he’s a 10-time winner now,” said Cunha. “We got him when he was rated in the 60s and he’s now rated 92. He’s the kind of horse who takes his racing well and can back up quickly.

“He’s a really nice horse who would run through a wall for you, as tough as you get. He runs for a syndicate that started for us and it’s brilliant to give all his owners a day out at Royal Ascot, and an absolute dream for them.”

The Clinton Binda-trained Legendary (William Longsword) gives Calvin Habib a treble on the day (JC Photos)

Calvin Habib rode a treble at Turffontein Inside on Thursday, while Rachel Venniker rode a double for Mike Azzie and Stuart Pettigrew also scored a double.

Habib is fifth on the national jockeys log with 118 wins this season achieved at a strike rate of 11.27%.

Venniker is on 70 wins at 11.80%.

Azzie is on 13 wins at 8.90%.

Pettigrew is on 21 wins at 15.33%.

Meanwhile, Blaine Marx-Jacobson extended his lead in the national apprentice championship with a single win on Thursday. He is now on 38 wins for the season, seven clear of Mxolisi Mbuto, and he has achieved it at a strike rate of 13.38%.

It was Marx-Jacobson’s 40th career win meaning he will now only be claiming 1,5kg.