Turf Talk Newsletter – 1 July, 2026

Jonathan Bloch leads in his favourite horse, Wish List, after she had won the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas (Picture: Race Coast)

Owner Jonathan Bloch has a fascinating history behind him as a horseracing fan and owner and he almost certainly created July history just over a week ago, because after the announcement of the Hollywoodbets Durban July final field he was part-owner not only of the favourite Star Major, but also of the two joint-second favourites, Wish List and Note To Self.

Of course Wish List and Note To Self are now the joint-favourites after the shock scratching of Star Major, but whilst the scratching was disappointing for Jonathan as well as for trainer James Crawford and the other part-owners Neville Isdell, Ravi Naidoo and Prakashni Pillay, Jonathan knows the correct decision was made.

He said, “I I grew up riding and have always loved horses. I would never harm a horse. It can be asked ‘Could we have got him right for Saturday, could we have got his temperature down?’ Maybe. But if I am a partner in a horse it ain’t gonna happen. We will come back to fight another day. The other thing was we were not going to take him out on Friday or Saturday to deprive somebody else from having a chance to run, it’s just not the way the game is meant to work.”

He continued, “It was a disappointment for everybody, but all the owners have been absolutely amazing about it and philosophical. That is the secret about having the right partners.”

He added, “The person I really felt for was Neville Isdell as he is now 80 years old and he had previously had a fancied July runner, Zapatillas, who was also scratched on the week of the race. It was also a hard knock for our jockey Mickaelle Michel (although she now gets a ride on second reserve Curious Girl).”

Jonathan commented on Wish List and Note To Self, “Both horses are really well and are looking good. Their bloods are good and they are both working nicely. They are in a good space and we will have some fun.”

He added, “If you had to say which one is closer to my heart it would obviously be the filly, because she is just such a trier and has just been the most amazing horse (five wins including her last four starts consisting of two Gr 1s and two Gr 2s). If she can just reproduce her Derby run. But Note To Self is a very interesting horse too. When we bought him he was immature, but a magnificent yearling and we didn’t overpay. The penny dropped in his run before the Derby and his Derby run was also good. He has furnished well and is looking magnificent. Richard (Fourie) has been riding him in work and is feeling comfortable with him and is quietly confident.”

Jonathan said it was fitting both horses run in Nancy Hossack’s colours because he not only described her as the “perfect partner to have in racing,”, but the colours were her late father Jack Mitchell’s colours and the latter owned the respective sires of the two horses, Legislate and Futura.

Jonathan’s feat of having the top three horses in the opening July betting might be one of two records he has established this Champions Season, because it is believed he could well have been the the first owner to capture all of what used to be KZN’s four classics. He won the Gr 2 WSB Guineas and Gr 1 Daily News 2000 with Star Major and the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas and Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 with Wish List, although the latter race is no longer a classic as it is now open to older horses.

What makes the records more incredible is that although he is a long-time owner he is not a particularly prolific, big-spending owner. In fact he has only ever had one July runner before and it was 27 years ago, a horse called Ess Five Beaches, who finished 13th in 1999.

Jonathan was fortunate to be able to mix with some of horseracing’s greatest industrymen when he was fresh out of university.

He recalled, “I came into racing in about 1989-90-91. When I had finished university and started off as a young stockbroker I met two amazing guys by the names of Abe Swersky and Arnold Golombick. They were doyens of racing and were very involved with the like of the great trainer Terrance Millard. They were just amazing to me and opened the doors for me. So at the beginning of my career I had Swersky, Golombick, Graham Beck, Laurie Jaffee as my clients. I was unbelievably blessed, but more importantly having them as my clients meant I also had them as my mentors. So I was a young guy in my early 20s being mentored by these captains of industry, it was just beyond belief, and 35 years later those relationships still continue.”

He continued, “I took small shares in horses back then and when Swersky stood down from the Jockey Club I landed up replacing him. However, I then had a difference of opinion with Markus Jooste in about 2003 and got out of racing until coming back about five years ago.”

The story of Ess Five Beachs is a fascinating one as Jonathan was asked by the family of big horseracing owner Len Salzman to accompany the lattter to the Sales in New Zealand Sales with the aim of trying to help control his spending.

Jonathan, recalled, “Len was a great character, but uncontrollable and I failed dismally in my task! He ended up buying a jumbo-load of horses!”

He added, “One of them was this lovely grey by Zabeel which I took a share in and he was my first and only July runner to date. Len lived in the same block as Graham Beck in a residential estate called Beaches and he was in apartment S5. So his address was S5 Beaches and his wife’s name was Esther, so the horse was named Ess Five Beaches.”

Jonathan should improve on his July record on what will be a much anticipated race meeting on Saturday.

The Ultimate King is pictured winning the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes last November (JC Photos)

In further Hollywoodbets Durban July breaking news the Tony Peter-trained The Ultimate King was scratched on Wednesday morning when found to be lame on his near hind.

This was bitterly disappointing news for owners Suzette and Basie Viljoen as they felt he had “a good chance.”

The couple had a runner two years ago, Hoedspruit, who finished unplaced, but Suzette confirmed the disappointment and added, “There are a lot of races, but the July is definitely every owner’s dream.”

The second reserve runner now comes into the race.

The Gr 2 SA Derby winner Curious Girl thus gives Mike and Mathew de Kock a second runner in the field of 18 and she also gives champion owners Hollywood Racing a second runner.

History is now going to be made as Mickaelle Michel has been declared for Curious Girl, which means there will be two woman jockeys in the big race.

Mickaelle became available when the favourite Star Major was scratched yesterday (Tuesday), whilst Rachel Venniker was declared for the first reserve to come in, the Erico Verdonese-trained Choisaanada.

Rachel became the first woman to ride in the July two years ago and ironically she was aboard the Suzette and Basie Viljoen-owned Hoedspruit.

Mike de Kock has won the July five times and will be out to land a first one as a partner with his son Mathew.

Curious Girl comes into the draw vacated by The Ultimate King, the plum barrier position of three.

The fairytale story behind French jockey Mickaelle Michel is now alive once more, but instead of being on the favourite she is now aboard the horse who officially has the toughest task. The Futura filly is officially 6kg under sufferance carrying bottom weight of 52kg off a 100 merit rating.

Shoot The Rapids winning the RA Stayers over 3200m at Turffontein Standside by 9,50 lengths (JC Photos)

The trainers are putting their final touches to their charges for Hollywoodbets Durban July day and there was some bullishness at Summerveld on Wednesday from Nathan Kotzen, Elbert Steyn and from the Candice Bass yard.

Nathan Kotzen has a number of runners on the day, all of them owned by Sid Moodley.

Field Marshal, a four-year-old gelding by Lancaster Bomber, runs in the July consolation race, the Gr 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200, where he has drawn seven and Andrew Fortune rides.

Nathan said, “We’re obviously disappointed he didn’t get into the July. He is fit and well and Fortune is on him. Last time in the Cup Trial it was a good run, he hit the front and just in the last bit he didn’t go through with it. Fortune has been coming to work him and is very happy with him, he said he is fit and we don’t have to do much with him until Saturday.”

In the Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase over 3000m Nathan runs two horses including the good stayer Shoot The Rapids. He carries 60kg off a 117 merit rating and is officially the second best weighted runner in the field, being just half-a-kilogram out with the best-weighted Holding Thumbs.

Nathan said, “I think he is a big runner there. Last time (in the Gr 3 Lucky Fish Winter Stakes over 2400m)  there was no pace. He was in front with his head in his chest and he was going so slowly Gavin rubbed him both sides, so it just shows how well he was going in the race. I would have preferred Gavin to have gone a bit quicker and he agreed with me. There has been no pace in these races, so hopefully the Gold Vase favourites will have something that can go and make a proper pace, so the best horse can win. He is fit and well and Craig Zackey rides. Craig came and worked him on Monday and was very happy with him.”

Nathan also runs The Mikado in the Gold Vase and he could be the one to set the pace. He said, “He’s a funny horse, he shows at work he will stay all day. He has run some nice races over shorter and obviously I would like to try and get him up there to make a proper pace, but he is a bit slow out of the gates.”

He runs the twice Gr 2 winner Cats Pajamas in the Gr 3 Post Merchants over 1200m, but has unfortunately drawn 14 out of 14. However, he did finish a 1,75 length fourth in the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint over this course and distance from a wide draw of ten last year, so he can’t be written off.

Nathan said, “We were in two minds whether to run him or not because of the draw. but we could then nominate him for the Mercury and get another wide draw so we’d then be in the same boat. He is very well at the moment, his gallop at Hollywoodbets Greyville the other day was superb. He’s going to have to get a bit of luck from that draw, but he’s very well in himself and Andrew Fortune should suit him.”

In the second race over 1600m on the poly Nathan runs the four-year-old Willam Longsword gelding Rollo The Viking and Richard Fourie rides from draw two.

Nathan said, “His last couple of runs have been a bit below par, but he is much better now fitnss wise etc. He’s well in himself and seems to have turned the corner. He’s got to have an eachway chance in this race.”

Sid Moodley was at track on Wednesday morning and said, “Horseracing is a passion  and a hobby. I enjoy the horses more than the racing, but as far as the racing goes I think it is every owner’s ambition to win the big races and to win on the big days. We ourselves have high standards and are always striving to give of our best at all times.”

Piet Steyn is pound for pound one of the most admired trainers in the country and makes a rare appearance on Hollywodbets Durban July day with two runners.

His son and training partner Elbert was at Summerveld on Wednesday and spoke about Red Spice, who runs in the Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe over 1400m, and Pay The Palace, who runs in the Listed Premier Gateway International handicap over 1600m.

He said, “Red Spice has been here since April with Peter Muscutt and he has done a very good job with him and Pay The Palace has been here for three weeks. They’re both doing very well and are looking very good. They galloped together at Hollywoodbets Greyville and there work was very good. Here at the track they are both in very good condition, I can’t be happier. Now we are just looking for competitive runs.”

Red Spice won the Listed JC le Roux Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on WSB Met day, beating St. Harry, and he followed up by beating Roskilde in the Gr 3 Ridgemont Cape Of Good Hope Nursery over 1200m. In his first run in KZN on April 11, he ran a fine 2,50 length third to the exciting prospect Turn It Up in the Race Coast Sales Slipper over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

His dam by Right Approach won five times from 1000m to 1250m, but his sire Erik The Red is proving to throw horses who can go further, so he should get the 1400m trip on Saturday.

Elbert said, ” There are quite a few horses with form in the Golden Horseshoe, but I think he is in a good spot and I do have very high hopes for him as a horse, so I think he will be competitive.”

Pay The Palace was just off the best three-year-olds in the Cape Summer.

Elbert said, “Pay The Palace is drawn 12 with Richard Fourie on. It’s not the best of draws but we’ve got the blinkers on for the first time and it seems to have sharpened him up nicely. His work has been good and his gallop was very good, so we do need things to go our way from that draw but I think he is a runner.”

Terry Fripp is the Summerveld assistant to Candice Bass and on top of their bullishness with their Hollywoodbets Durban July runner Viva’s Liberte, which was documented in Monday’s newsletter, another of their runners they sound bullish about is Tenango, who runs in the Gr 3 Post Merchants.

Terry said, “Tenango is one of our stand outs on the day. He has come on a lot from his run in the Golden Horse and he’s doing really well at home. He’s got a nice draw of three and I expect a big run from him.”

He added, “We’ve got a fillly on the poly in the last race called Whatastar. I think she will be competitive.”

There is always a lot of pressure on officials on Hollywoodbets Durban July day, especially considering the sheer size of the crowd (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

PRESS RELEASE

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBAN JULY – SATURDAY, 4 JULY 2026

Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) is pleased to confirm the composition of the key race day officials who will officiate at the Hollywoodbets Durban July race meeting, to be held at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, 4 July 2026.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July is South Africa’s premier horse racing event and one of the most prestigious fixtures on the African sporting and social calendar. In recognition of the significance of the occasion, the NHA has appointed a highly experienced and well-balanced team of officials to ensure the meeting is conducted to the highest standards of integrity, safety, horse welfare and professionalism.

Stipendiary Stewards:

Mr R Hutcherson, Executive Chief Stipendiary Steward
Mr G Foxcroft (Acting Chief Stipendiary Steward)
Mr D M Anderson (Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward)
Mr L Anderson, Chief Stipendiary Steward
Mr D Moodley, Stipendiary Steward
Mrs J Naidoo, Stipendiary Steward
Mr S Randolph, Stipendiary Steward

Veterinarians:

Dr M D Bawden, Chief Veterinarian
Dr R Crosley, Senior Veterinarian
Dr G Deminey, Veterinarian
Dr E Zarate Jebeto, Veterinarian

Starters:

Mr S Ngcobo, Starter
Mr T Miya, Assistant Starter
Mr S Leslie, Assistant Starter

Supported by an experienced team of handlers.

HKJC World Pool Liaison:

Mr D Moodley

This team brings together extensive race day, veterinary and regulatory expertise, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding equine welfare, ensuring fair competition, and maintaining the efficient operation of one of the country’s most significant race meetings.

The NHA is confident that, with these officials in place, all participants and racegoers can look forward to a professionally managed, well-regulated and successful 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Vee Moodley
Chief Executive

The Hollywoodbets Durban July panel discussion hosted by Alistair Cohen and featuring two five-times July-winning trainers, Justin Snaith and Mike de Kock, a four-time July-winning jockey Anthony Delpech, and the national champion jockey elect and defending July champion jockey Craig Zackey, is well worth watching.

They go through every one of the original 18 horses plus two reserves in the race as it was recorded before the two scratchings and they  provide valuable insight.

Click here to watch the Hollywoodbets Durban July panel discussion

Warning Sound looks to be coming into her own and has been tipped to win the 6th race over 1400m (JC Photos)

Trevor Reid’s formguides and selections for Thursday’s Vaal Classic meeting

RACE 1

MFULATHELA and TIME TO FIRE have the form and experience to be competitive but are probably vulnerable to well-bred newcomers AU CONTRAIRE, TROMPE L’OEIL, ASTROPHILE and MULHOLLAND DRIVE, so watch the betting for clues and follow the market movers. SITVA QUEEN and ALL TIME LEGEND could improve to get a look in.

RACE 2

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL defied an alarming market drift on debut to finish an encouraging second over this trip and with natural improvement she should go one better. CALADRIUS is held on that form but has the experience to play a role in the outcome. SATISFIED has shown pace and promise in both starts over 1160m and could pose more of a threat with this shorter trip likely to suit. INDECENT OBSESSION should also make her presence felt back in same-sex company after a creditable third against male opposition. Watch the betting on the newcomers.

RACE 3

EPIDAURUS, EVENING NEWS, COMIC ARTIST and HEROIC ACT have the form and experience to stake a claim but are vulnerable to less-exposed sorts, such as the selection and youngster COVER CHARGE.

RACE 4

QUICKFREEZE stayed on encouragingly in his first start as a gelding to finish 1.80-lengths behind BRISTOL HERCULES over 1400m and, while the hat-trick seeking latter remains competitive under a penalty, the former is good value to turn the tables over this extended trip on 2kg better terms. WAR REPORTER is another bidding to complete a hat-trick but steps up in class off a career-high mark after beating a subsequent winner. FORCE PUBLIQUE, CHIEFTAIN’S SHIELD and DARK SILVER are also capable of getting involved. Unexposed 3yo JAFFA fluffed his lines last time but shouldn’t be underestimated.

RACE 5

Well-bred youngster AINT NO DOUBT improved markedly for the step up in trip when shedding his maiden tag over 1600m. With further progress expected, he could make light of his opening handicap mark, even against older rivals. Hard-knocking mares PRINCESS LOLA and GOLDEN ASPEN, SIX OF ALL and 2yo maiden CAPTAIN COOPER could trouble the selection on their best form but have less scope for improvement. LAVA FIRE and SHEETS AND GOGGLES also have earning potential.

RACE 6

WARNING SOUND won a similar contest over 1450m last time and a resultant penalty isn’t likely to prevent her from following up. CAPE SAFFRON has a bit to find on her last-start conqueror but is weighted to pose more of a threat. Lightly raced RUSSIAN NOBILITY caught the eye over 1200m in her last start and the step up to this trip in her peak outing should suit. VAMANOS, FIRE IN HER SOUL and SONIC JET also have earning potential.

RACE 7

PRINCESS ILARIA boasts consistent form in stronger company off higher ratings, so this looks like a good opportunity for her to end a 369-day winless spell. She drops in class off a reduced mark with a top jockey engaged. Lightly raced DELAWARE RIVER has the form, experience and scope for improvement to fight out the finish. Last-start maiden winners GREENANDGOLD and MASTER’S ROSE aren’t taken lightly on handicap debut, while BEAUTIFUL RANIA is another capable of getting into the picture.

RACE 8

A trappy concluding contest, so go wide in the exotics. Veteran JET CAT is probably most effective over 1000m but his last, fast-finishing close-up 5th over that trip suggested he should remain competitive over this distance on his peak outing. OH MY GUCCI GIRL is versatile and her recent form, albeit over further, suggests she is good enough to play a leading role. TIME WILL TELL, READY SET FIRE, NKANDLA GOLD and DARING ACT all have the means to make their presence felt too.

Karis Teetan scores on the Brett Crawford-trained King Of Fighters (Street Boss) at Sha Tin on Wednesday (Picture: HKJC)

Brett Crawford made it win number 26 for the season in Hong Kong when Karis Teetan brought home the 8/1 shot King Of Fighters in a class 4 event over 1400m.

Ka Ying Attack was the hero of the meeting and scored impressively in the Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup victory to underline potential.

Leo Schlink wrote the below report (HKJC):

David Hall hopes Ka Ying Attack (115lb) can continue an impressive rise through the grades next season after the four-year-old clinched the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Wednesday (1 July).

Ridden by Matthew Poon, the gelding earned a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million after leading throughout from barrier 10 to defeat Beauty Bolt (115lb) by a length-and-a-half with Regal Gem (116lb) third in a slick 1m 20.78s.

Making it two victories in a row, the Too Darn Hot gelding impressed Hall with a dominant performance.

“He’s been running well all season, but his last start was probably a personal best. I think if there was any concern today, it was whether he could repeat it again – and he certainly did,” Hall said. “He did it in spades, he was very good. A little bit of pressure early, took control in the fast-run race – but maintained his gallop – and he was quite impressive.

“I think he really enjoys the fast track, there’s no question about that. He never looks that brilliant in his trials on the all-weather and then race day he seems to take it to another level. So, I think he’s a horse that really loves the Hong Kong surface and the race pattern.

“When they can dictate and control, sit up on a fast-pace and kick, they’re going to win a lot of races in Hong Kong. He’s going to have to keep improving, he’s going to have to step up again. But he’s got a great race pattern, puts himself in a good position, and he’s probably a bit flexible with his distances. Let’s hope there’s still a little bit more left.”

Poon said: “Going up to Class 2 with a little weight was always going to be a benefit. We know he (Ka Ying Attack) loves to roll along – and with a light weight, even better – so we were confident he could run well in Class 2, but with barrier 10, we couldn’t be that confident.

“He was able to win and hopefully next season, he will be even better and stronger and he will still be very competitive in Class 2. He’s tough, he breathes so well, he has a nice action and good heart, so I believed he could do it with 115lb. It just depended at the start on how much energy I had to spend from barrier 10.”

Michael Chang’s Straight To Glory closed powerfully to claim the Class 3 Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup Handicap (1000m) for Derek Leung as Caspar Fownes maintained a five-win lead in the trainers’ championship with only four meetings left.

The four-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer posted his 66th win of the term when Silver Spurs (118lb) landed the Class 4 Serving The Community Handicap (1200m) under apprentice Ellis Wong to maintain the status quo in the race for the title.

Nearest rival Danny Shum (61 wins) maintained contact with Fownes with the victory of Nyx Gluck (134lb) in the Class 4 Continuous Development Handicap (1400m) under Zac Purton, while Mark Newnham is next on 60 wins.

Hugh Bowman regained second place in the jockeys’ championship with 61 wins behind the championship-leading Purton (136) with a double, striking aboard Newnham’s Lucky Sam Gor (128lb) in the Class 3 Sportsmanship Handicap (1600m) and Ricky Yiu’s Jolly Brilliant (129lb) in the Class 4 Riding High Together Handicap (1600m).

Brett Crawford and Karis Teetan teamed up for their 17th win in tandem this term when King Of Fighters (133lb) edged to a narrow success in the Class 4 The Friends Of Hong Kong Association Cup Handicap (1400m).

Teetan closed the meeting in style with success on Cody Mo’s Motor (122lb) in the Class 3 Better Future Handicap (1200m). Motor has triumphed four times from 11 starts this season, while rising from a mark of 53 to 67 before today’s success.

Pierre Ng’s Frantanck (121lb) bowed out of racing with victory under apprentice Nichola Yuen in the Class 5 Racing Goes On Handicap (1600m).

“Unfortunately. this is the last race and he’ll be retiring, so best of luck for him and hopefully he’ll have a great future,” Ng said.

A dual winner in England for William Haggas, Frantanck won three of 39 starts in Hong Kong for earnings of HK$4.66 million.

Dennis Yip and Ethan Brown combined with Top To Sky (133lb) to land the Class 5 World-Class Leadership Handicap (1400m) before Purton piloted Lahore (128lb) to victory in the Class 4 Uncompromising Integrity Handicap (1000m) for trainer Jamie Richards.

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Saturday (4 July).