Turf Talk Newsletter – 10 September, 2026

Kingdundee is pictured winning the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

The East Cape Horse Of The Year Kingdundee, winner of the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship, has landed safely in Dubai where he will be trained by Bhupat Seemar.

Clive Murphy, the owner and breeder of the The Unite States gelding, has retained only 50% of the horse but has not divulged yet who the new partners are.

Kingdundee departed South Africa on August 5 and has been staying in Newmarket until leaving for Dubai earlier this week.

Bhupat Seemar is a twice UAE Champion trainer.

He won the Dubai World Cup with Laurel River in 2024 and this horse also ended the season as the joint Longines World’s best racehorse that year together with City Of Troy.

Seemar trains out of the historic Zabeel Stables.

Meanwhile, Kingdundee’s Vercingetorix half-sister Princess Gaul, is back in Cape Town and trainer Dean Kannemeyer will likely be bringing her out soon. She was also bred by Clive and is owned by Fred Crabbia.

Kingdundee’s dam Miss Marmalade is now owned by Paardeberg Stud.

She has also produced a Quasillo colt, who is now a gelding and is yet to make his debut.

Her latest foal was an Ideal World colt.

She is currently in foal to Expert Eye.

Cape Breeders

Sandown Stud’s triple G1 winning stallion, and Equus Champion, Soqrat, looks to have come up with a  promising sort in the form of Swaziland.

The latter made a smashing start to his racing career when he made a winning debut at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Sunday.

Trained by Justin Snaith, three-year-old Swaziland made a mockery of his 25-1 starting price in Sunday’s Join The Race Coast Turf Club Maiden Plate (1250m).

Under an inform JP Van Der Merwe, the gelded sophomore produced a fine turn of foot when storming home to win on debut by a length and a quarter.

Bred by Drakenstein Stud, Swaziland is out of the Legislate mare Swazi Queen.

Sunday’s winner is owned by Greg and Gina Bortz and Leon Ellman.

Swaziland was a R1 000 000 buy from the 2025 National Yearling Sale.

His G1 Cape Guineas winning sire Soqrat had also enjoyed success at Turffontein one day earlier when his son Sergeant Soqrat won the seventh race on the card. Under Jacey Botes, the Xander/Corne Spies trained four-year-old powered home down the inside of the track to claim Saturday’s Equus Champion Miler: Questioning MR 72 Handicap by a length and a quarter.

Bred by Shadwell Stud, Sergeant Soqrat, who is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Mohallela, is owned by Messrs D G Bailie, X Spies & Adv J J B Schutte.

Race Coast Sales appoints Amanda Carey as Sales Executive, confirms new-look 2027 season.

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth-based sales company names a proven leader of South African bloodstock sales to head its 2027 programme — the Premier Yearling Sale, the Two-Year-Old Sale and the Digital Mare/Filly Sale — built on an open, unified catalogue, guaranteed vendor terms and a full suite of buyer incentives.

Race Coast Sales today announced the appointment of Amanda Carey as Sales Executive, alongside confirmation of the company’s full vendor and buyer terms for its 2027 season.

Amanda brings an extensive background in South African bloodstock sales to the role, having run both the Equimark Sale and Cape Thoroughbred Sales. She is hugely experienced across every aspect of running a sale, from catalogue to settlement, and has built excellent relationships with breeders, buyers and bloodstock agents both locally and internationally over the course of her career.

“Race Coast Sales is entering 2027 with a genuinely new approach, and Amanda is exactly the right person to lead it. Her record running Equimark and Cape Thoroughbred Sales speaks for itself, and the relationships she has built across the industry — with breeders, buyers and agents, locally and internationally — are exactly what our Sales business needs behind it. Race Coast is fully committed to this investment in a more open, more rewarding sale for everyone involved.” — Kaamilah Finch, Acting GM, Race Coast Western Cape

Race Coast Sales will run three sales in 2027 — the Premier Yearling Sale, the Digital Mare/Filly Sale and the Two-Year-Old Sale — on an open, unified catalogue: every consigned horse is accepted, subject only to standard veterinary and soundness checks, with no conformation-based selection panel deciding in advance which horses are good enough to be catalogued, the vendor stands behind the horse.

The Digital Mare/Filly Sale is a new addition to the Race Coast Sales calendar. Mares and fillies have changed hands around Race Coast’s other fixtures before, but on an ad hoc basis — this will be the first time Race Coast Sales runs a formal, dedicated sale for this segment of the market, held entirely online.

Vendor terms

– Guaranteed payment: vendors are paid within 45 days of the fall of the hammer, regardless of buyer settlement timing.

– Entry fees: R5 000 per entry for the Premier Yearling sale, in two stages. Preliminary nomination fee is free, with fee only payable when vendor confirms final entry. R3 500 per entry for the Two-Year-Old Sale, and R1 000 for the Digital Mare Sale, payable at final entry.

– Sales Levy: the Premier Yearling Sale carries a tiered commission — a R10 000 minimum levy on horses selling at R150,000 or below, and 7% on horses selling above that threshold — designed to protect the calibre of the Premier Sale now that every horse is catalogued rather than screened by a panel and for horses not sold, a 2.5% Sales Levy is charged on the reserve price. The Two-Year-Old Sale carries a flat 6% Sales Levy and for horses not sold, a 2.5% Sales Levy is charged on the reserve price. The Digital Mare/Filly Sale carries a flat 6% Sales Levy and for horses not sold, a 2.5% Sales Levy is charged on the reserve price.

– Vendor Incentive Scheme: Vendor incentive scheme is being reviewed with implementation being planned for 2028 Sales.

“A flat commission on an open catalogue means a horse well below standard costs almost nothing to enter. A meaningful minimum levy changes that arithmetic for the Premier Sale specifically — if it sells, even cheaply, it still carries a real fee. That’s how we protect the Sale’s standard without a gatekeeper. I’ve spent my career watching good horses get overlooked because they didn’t fit a particular mould, and I’m excited to be building a Sale that does things differently.” — Amanda Carey, Sales Executive, Race Coast Sales

Buyer incentives

– RCS Juvenile Bonus Scheme: R100,000 paid on a graduate’s first juvenile maiden win — R80,000 to the Owner, R18,000 to the Trainer and R2,000 to the Groom — for graduates of the Premier Yearling Sale and the Two-Year-Old, capped at the first 40 winners – a guaranteed pot of R4,000,000. A voluntary R7 000 buyer buy-in at the point of purchase to qualify.

– Sales Races: four R1,000,000 races open to any 2027 Race Coast Sales graduate, with no buy-in required.

– RCS Big Cap: a R5,000,000 slot race for Premier Yearling Sale and Two-Year-Old/Ready-to-Run Sale graduates, run over 1,400m with 14 slots available on a first-come, first-served basis.

– Travel and accommodation: assessed on application.

Full catalogue and entry details for the Premier Yearling Sale, the Digital Mare/Filly Sale and the Two-Year-Old will be released ahead of each fixture.

About Race Coast Sales

Race Coast Sales runs the Premier Yearling Sale, the Two-Year-Old Sale and the Digital Mare/Filly Sale from Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town, as part of the Hollywoodbets Group. Its 2027 season introduces an open, unified catalogue format across all three sales.

Media Contact

Amanda Carey, Sales Executive, Race Coast Sales
082 465 4020 | info@racecoastsales.co.za

Blaine Marx-Jacobson reached 50 career wins with victory aboard the Stuart Pettigrew-trained Into Dancing (JC Photos)

Blaine Marx-Jacobson’s double at the Vaal today took him past the 50-career-wins mark and there were also doubles at the meeting for Muzi Yeni and Jeff Syster.

Marx-Jacobson reach 50 career wins with the first of his two wins and by the end of the day he just required nine more wins to lose his claim.

He is on six wins this season and has achieved it at a strike rate of 11.32%.

Yeni is on 15 wins at 15.31%.

Syster is on five wins at 13.15%.

Twocantango has been selected to win the last race (Candiese Lenferna Photography) 

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday with no stand-out bets, so unless that you have pegged a ‘good’ the advice is to go big as your wallet will accommodate in the exotics.

The first is a tricky opener, but MIST IN MARYLAND was touched off when making her poly debut and has the best of the draw again so can go one better. FORTHEGOODTIMES finished ahead of MIST IN MARYLAND when they last met on the turf, where FORTHEGOODTIMES was hot favourite. MIST IN MARYLAND has since had experience on the poly and the better draw. PACIFIC MOOD makes her poly debut and back from a break. Her last run was in feature company and she can do better while CARTEL QUEEN has shown her best recent form on the poly, but does go the extra furlong.

In the second BIG DIPPER caught the eye on debut when running on nicely from the worst of the draw in soft ground. He has another wide draw but looks progressive. RUN GEORGE RUN has poor form on the turf, but his one good effort over this course and distance was behind a subsequent winner. DEE DAY is a long-time battler but showed some improvement last run and has a money chance while KA CHOW was not too far back under his light weight last run and carries a similar burden this time around

The first leg of the Pick 6 is wide open. NAVAJO DANCER is way overdue for his next win but he has been close-up at recent outings. His best form has been on the poly. KAAPSE KLOPSE goes very well on the poly and was a smart third on the turf last time out. From the best of the draw he has plenty in his favour. MASTER SILVANO has consistent form on the poly and was a narrowly beaten favourite behind VICTOR RAIL and is 1.5kg better off in the handicap.

In the fourth QUEEN OF DENMARK takes on males, but has been close-up at her last two and goes well on the poly. She has a handy weight and the opposition is not strong. GRAND TOUR made a fair debut at long odds and should come on from that effort and could make the required improvement as he comes from a very much in form stable. ALL ABOUT ME found some market support at long odds last start. He is lightly raced with a light weight and one to watch. WISDOM SEEKER made a fair debut in a strong maiden field and has only had one outing so can make big improvement

In the fifth CRIMSON FLAME found some market support on debut and only just failed. It was not the strongest maiden field but that outing should have brought him on. Hollywood Racing’s retained riders have swopped mounts but in this open maiden with Gavin Lerena making way for Sean Veale on TARANAKI NOMAD who is better off at the weights with Sean Veale’s mount SCOTT’S BAR, but the extra furlong could better suit the New Zealand-bred. SUTTER’S MILL has his first run for Kom Naidoo and the stable is in form. He can improve on his Highveld form.

In the sixth DANCING ON A CLOUD can solve a tough handicap. Preview: He won his last race on the poly and has a claiming apprentice up so should be competitive. I AM CLASSY has improved with cheek pieces and although this race is over ground, his inside draw could prove significant. Veteran NATIONAL DREAM Dream is down in class with a top rider aboard and can feature while the mare PRINCESS PALACE found some betting support last run and has dropped three pounds in the handicap.

The seventh is another competitive handicap but DAY TWO is lightly raced and hardly been out of the money. He goes well this trip and should be competitive. NO PRESSURE won well last start over course and distance and can defy the handicapper’s five-point hike in the ratings. RED CARDINAL was second best behind NO PRESSURE last time out and has to make up 2 lengths on his rival but is 1.5kg better off. GARDENER’S PRIDE is likely to set the pace and with a handy weight he could prove difficult to peg back.

In the last, TWOCANTANGO is coming on the right way and has been close-up in his last two since returning from a lengthy break. He will enjoy this trip and shed his maiden on the poly. HEAVEN’S WILL is slowly dropping in the handicap and could be the main danger as he steps up over a more suitable trip with a handy weight. GREEN MILE is a poly specialist who is seldom far back and won well last time out. He only got a three pound raise in the handicap so can go in again. THE WOLF is holding form and although he takes on stronger he should be in the mix.

Blizzardboy has been tipped to win the seventh (Picture: Wayne Marks)

 

Form And Weights Analysis Of The Hollywoodbets Greyville Friday meeting  

Race 1

FORTHEGOODTIMES does not look to be anything special but has run two good races and looks hard to beat in this line up despite a wide draw. MISS MASTI MAKER could improve on her fair debut with Keagan de Melo being an eyecatching booking.

Race 2

JENNY DARLING has shown signs of ability and off a 61 merit rating she carries 53,5kg and has a good draw, so could be the one to beat.

Race 3

A wide draw did not stop CAPPELINO last time and, although raised five points for that win, he is now on top of his merit rated band and is thus the best weighted male runner. KAAPSE KLOPSE is on the bottom of his band, so is officially 1kg under sufferance with Cappelino, but he is in good form and has Gavin Lerena up from a good draw.

Race 4

CHAKALAKA faced a stronger field than this last time and was not disgraced, so has a chance here carrying a nice galloping weight. QUEENOFDENMARK has good form and a nice draw and carries a nice galloping weight. BRIGHTSUNNYDAY has shown signs of ability and from a good draw could be in the shake up.

Race 5

CRIMSON FLAME made a good debut and over a suitable step up in trip looks the one to beat. TARANAKI NOMAD could improve and looks the main danger.

Race 6

QUANDURA will enjoy this trip and is second best in at the weights, just half-a-kologram worse off with the best weighted Princess Palace. DANCING ON A CLOUD could surprise as he enjoys the poly and will stay the trip and he gets a good draw for a change. CAPTIVE PRINCE improved last time to win and off a reasonable merit rating from a good draw could be in the shake up. PRINCESS PALACE should be in the shake up as the best weighted runner. GALAXY EXPLORER has the form to have a chance here.

Race 7

BLIZZARDBOY disappointed last time but will enjoy the step back up in trip. DAY TWO will be a big runner here as he is very consistent and enjoys this trip, although he does have a tricky draw. PRINCE OF TROY should be in the shake up too.

Race 8

THE WOLF is knocking on the door and should go close for an in form yard. GREEN MILE is consistent and should be in the shake up. RAGNAR THE KING has the form to be competitive.

Wild Fig has been tipped to win the Middle Stakes race over 2000m (Pauline Herman Photography)

A sense of normality appears to have settled in Gqeberha as Friday’s racing at Fairview will take place on the turf as carded. Trainers will be delighted as months of Polytrack racing did not suit many of their horses.

Fortunately, there are some runners who are equally comfortable on both surfaces, and one of those is Alan Greeff-trained Wild Fig. The son of Fire Away has been improving all year, has three solid wins in his last four starts and looks the obvious choice to win Race 3, a Middle Stakes over 2000m.

The four-year-old gelding was consistent without winning at the beginning of the year and always seemed to find one too good. The penny finally dropped in June when jockey Richard Fourie managed to ger the best out of him.

A hat-trick of victories over this distance on the Polytrack followed, which resulted in his merit rating shooting up from 70 to its current 92. But he indicated he was not done last time when runner-up to the very much in-form Kelly Mitchley-trained Bad Medicine, this time on the turf.

Wild Fig had that rival’s measure for most of the way up the straight, only to be run out of it.

Fourie is likely to keep a bit more in reserve this time around.

His main danger this likely to come from another Mitchley-trained runner in Makhachev, who is weighted to turn around his last 1.30-length defeat by Wild Fig on 2kg better terms. However, that was on the Polytrack where the six-year-old Red Ray gelding has had most of his success.

Pyro Edition in Race 8, a MR 68 Handicap over 1600m, was carded to run last Friday on the turf. After rainfall, they switched to the Polytrack and he gave that race a miss. Clearly, they think he is better on the grass, and he is in good form.

Jockey Chad Little does duty on him and he could get it right this time.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 8 Eternal Spirit, 7 Princess Chante, 9 Cambiaso, 1 Storm Ballet

Race 2: 1 Love From Afar, 10 Caravantovaccares, 7 Champagne Blaze, 3 Window To My Soul

Race 3: 2 Wild Fig, 1 Makhachev, 3 Above The Horizon, 4 Laguna Verde

Race 4: 4 Joker Man, 5 Silvonian, 2 Black Egret, 1 Don’t Cry For Me

Race 5: 3 Blame It On Me, 6 Rules Of Conduct, 9 El Capitan, 5 Rooster Bradshaw

Race 6: 7 Red Birch, 2 Blazing Flame, 3 Daffodil Delight, 5 Marketa

Race 7: 2 Astronomical Boy, 11 First Officer, 8 Cian The Conqueror, 4 French Flame

Race 8: 2 Pyro Edition, 4 Sixtyzero, 1 Asinantanga, 3 Hospices De Beaune

BEST BET

Race 3: 2 Wild Fig

VALUE BET

Race 5: 3 Blame It On Me

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 4×5

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 7, 8, 9

Leg 2: 1, 7, 10

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 4, 5

Leg 5: 3, 6, 9

Leg 6: 2, 3, 5, 7

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 1, 10

Leg 2: 2

Leg 3: 4, 5

Leg 4: 3, 6, 9

Leg 5: 2, 3, 7

Leg 6: 2, 8, 11

Leg 7: 2, 4

PICK 6

R1000

Leg 1: 2

Leg 2: 4, 5

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7

Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 8, 11

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4

JACKPOT 1

R250

Leg 1: 4, 5

Leg 2: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7

Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 8, 11

JACKPOT 2

R500

Leg 1: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 8, 11

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4