Turf Talk Newsletter – 12 October, 2026

Autumn Glow winning the Gr1 Verry Elleegant Stakes at Randwick (Picture: Magic Millions)

The attention of the racing world will be focused on Randwick in Australia in the early hours of Saturday October 17 and on Ascot in England later on in what is one of the biggest racing days of the year with the richest turf race in the world at Randwick, The Everest, and the gathering of a lot of the best horses in Europe for Champions Day at Ascot.

The South African racing community will have a particular interest in the Randwick meeting. because Autumn Glow, the superstar daughter of the South African-bred Champion Sprinter Via Africa, will be appearing in the Gr 1 King Charles III Stakes over 1609m.

Click here to read about Autum Glow’s preparation for Saturday’s race  

The biggest attraction  at Randwick will be the superstar sprinter from Hong Kong, Ka Ying Rising, running in the Aus $20 million The Everest. where he defends his title and attempts to make it 22 wins in succession.

His jockey Zac Purton has spoken about his concern that there will possibly be soft going on Saturday, but trainer David Hayes is not concerned.

Click here to read about Ka Ying Rising’s preparation

The iconic Caulfield Cup is also being run at Randwick.

Click here for the Everest Final Field and King Charles Stakes Noms

The Gr 1 WSB Met is a big highlight of the Cape Summer Festival Of Racing and was won last year by he Justin Snaith-trained See It Again (Picture: Wayne Marks)

More Than Just Racing. A Cape Summer Experience.

The Cape Summer Festival of Racing is where the good meet the great – and where world-class racing meets the very best of a Cape summer.

From November through to February, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth will host six feature race days, bringing together South Africa’s leading horses, trainers and jockeys alongside food, fashion, music, entertainment, family experiences and some of Cape Town’s most anticipated social occasions.

Each race day has its own personality and its own reason to attend. From the relaxed, family-friendly opening of the Lucky Fish Cape Punters Cup and Prawn Festival, to Tacos, Tequila & Purpose on World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas Day, Christmas at the Races for the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, the elegance of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, the spectacle of the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, and a sporting finale combining racing and international show jumping on Swiss Derby Day.

And at the heart of it all is exceptional racing.

The Festival opens on Sunday, 29 November 2026 with the Lucky Fish Cape Punters Cup, an important early marker for the three-year-olds heading towards the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. Away from the track, the Prawn Festival sets the tone for the summer with seafood, live entertainment, family activities and a relaxed day at the races.

The first Grade 1 of the Cape season follows on Saturday, 5 December, when the country’s leading three-year-old fillies step forward in the World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas. Flower Island and Over My Shoulder could help set up an intriguing contest as the leading names from around South Africa arrive in the Cape with serious intent.

Off the track, Tacos, Tequila & Purpose brings together food, cocktails, entertainment and a strong charity element for a social day built around friendship and a good cause.

On Wednesday, 16 December, attention turns to the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, one of the defining tests for South Africa’s emerging three-year-old stars. Jan Van Goyen stamped his authority on the race in 2025, giving Mike and Mathew de Kock their first major Cape success as an official training partnership. The next generation could include the likes of Viva’s Asterix, Coast Of The Sun, Erik Dubois, Haute Couture, Fish Tales, Wreath Of Snow and Continue The Dream.

With the race falling firmly into the festive season, Christmas at the Races adds another dimension to the day, with Santa, a Christmas market, live music, family entertainment and festive experiences making it a day for far more than racing fans alone.

The new year brings two of the great occasions on South Africa’s racing and social calendar.

On Saturday, 9 January 2027, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth turns blue and white for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate. The Real Prince won in 2026, adding his name to a roll of honour filled with some of South Africa’s great racehorses. The 2027 renewal could see the likes of Questioning and Jan Van Goyen among the stars targeting the premier 1600m contest, while the possibility of Double Grand Slam taking on the race would add further intrigue.

The same card features the Cartier Paddock Stakes and the World Pool Cape Flying Championship, bringing together some of the country’s best fillies, mares and sprinters. Beyond the racing, the King’s Plate remains one of Cape Town’s most distinctive summer occasions, combining fashion, fine dining, entertainment and premium hospitality.

Three weeks later, the Festival reaches its pinnacle with the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met on Saturday, 30 January 2027.

South Africa’s Horse of the Year See It Again claimed the WSB CPT Met in 2026, re-establishing himself among the country’s elite. There is every chance he could return to defend his crown, with stern competition potentially coming from Note To Self, Viva’s Liberte, Eight On Eighteen and a host of other leading contenders.

The Maine Chance Majorca Stakes adds further quality to an outstanding card, with Quickstepgal, Double Grand Slam, Reet Petite and Wish List among the names that could face off in one of the day’s other major contests.

But Met Day has long been about more than what happens on the track. Fashion, music, entertainment, hospitality and world-class racing come together on the Festival’s biggest stage for the day Cape Town dresses up, shows up and celebrates summer. The 2027 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met theme will be officially revealed at the beginning of November, marking the start of the build-up to one of South Africa’s great sporting and lifestyle occasions.

The Cape Summer Festival of Racing reaches its finale on Saturday, 27 February 2027 with Swiss Derby Day.

The Derby has traditionally been an important test for the country’s leading three-year-olds as they progress towards the major races later in the season. Last season Wish List became the first filly since 1999 to win the race, establishing herself as one of the country’s leading young horses with an emphatic victory. The race also provides an important stepping stone as the three-year-old generation begins looking towards Africa’s Greatest Horserace, the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

For the Festival finale, racing will share the stage with international show jumping, alongside Swiss-inspired food and experiences, live music, family entertainment and a sunset celebration – bringing the Cape summer to a close with a true sporting spectacle.

Six feature race days. Six different experiences. One Cape summer.

Tickets launching soon! Tickets for the Cape Summer Festival of Racing feature days will be available to purchase through Computicket. Keep an eye out for the official ticket launch announcement, and be sure to secure yours early. With six incredible race days and something for everyone, you won’t want to miss out!

And you don’t have to wait for a feature race day to experience racing at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Racing takes place approximately twice a week throughout the season, and general admission to regular race meetings is free. Come down for an afternoon at the races, bring the family or meet up with friends, enjoy something to eat and drink and experience the action from trackside.

Whether you are a lifelong racing fan or have never been to the races before, there is something for everyone. Full racing fixtures are available on the Race Coast website.

From the first emerging three-year-olds laying down their credentials in November to established champions competing on racing’s biggest stages in January and the final Derby test in February, the Cape Summer Festival of Racing brings together the very best of the sport with everything that makes summer in Cape Town special.

More Than Just Racing. A Cape Summer Experience.

Eight On Eighteen is pictured winning the 2025 WSB Met as a three-year-old (Picture: Wayne Marks)

The Justin Snaith-trained 2025 Gr 1 wfa WSB Met winner Eight On Eighteen was revealed to be “flying” at home by Jonathan Snaith.

He said, “He’s doing great at home and will run early this season to get him fully fit for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.”

The star Lancaster Bomber entire was expected to make a massive impact on last season’s Cape Summer Festival Of Racing, but illness curtailed his season and affected his performances.

It was therefore a great relief to his fans when he won the Gr 1 HKJC Champions Cup in his final start of the season in a manner that showed he had not lost any of his ability.

He should now be able to show everybody what they missed last Summer.

He was bred by Drakenstein Stud and is owned by Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert.

He will be out to give both Snaith and Jonsson an unprecedented fifth successive Met victory together, which would surpass the four successive Mets they currently have together and the four that Mike Bass and Marsh Shirtliff won together from 2007 to 2010 with the great Pocket Power and his full-sister River Jetez.

Snaith and Jonsson have done it with four different horses, Jet Dark, Double Superlative, a three-year-old Eight On Eighteen and See It Again.

Eight On Eighteen also won the Gr 1 Cape Derby and Gr 1 Daily News 2000 in his three-year-old season and was named Equus Horse Of The Year.

He will surely add to his record of four Gr 1 wins to date and further enhance his value as a stallion.

Meanwhile, Jonathan mentioned that the Jonsson-owned Okavango (Master Of My Fate)  was on a break and would not be seen this summer.

Vercingetorix mare Arverni Princess has proved a wonderful purchase for trainer Louis Goosen and Barbara Sanne. The remarkably consistent six-year-old, who was bred by the Sanne’s Oldlands Stud, recently picked up the tenth win of her career when victorious at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.

Oldlands Stud, the breeders of this wonderfully tough racemare, will be offering a classy string at this year’s October Two Year Old Sale. Their well balanced consignment includes Event King, a half-brother to the aforementioned Arverni Princess!

Stars from this draft could include:

Lot 14: COBALT MOON – Heavenly Blue c Lunar Ballade
COBALT MOON is a son of Snitzel’s Gr 1 winning son Heavenly Blue, whose growing list of high-class offspring include last season’s World Pool Bet With Tote Umkhomazi Stakes Gr 2 winner Fish Tales and Jackpot City Dingaans Gr 2 hero Trust. This colt is out of a twice winning Querari half-sister to the Oldlands bred graded stakes winners Cat And The Moon and Taxi To The Moon.

Lot 50: TAX RETURN – Soqrat f Road Tax
This filly is a daughter of a triple Gr 1 winning Equus Champion, and she ranks as a half-sister to three winners including TAB Gold Bowl Listed, winner Taxhaven. Out of a half-sister to the South African bred Australian Gr 1 winner Yulong Prince, Tax Return is from the same female line as influential sires and champions Diesis and Kris.

Lot 91: LILLY MARLEEN – Erik The Red f Zinthle
Erik The Red is one of South Africa’s most promising stallions and was the country’s Leading Sire of 2YOs in 2025-2026. This filly, bred on the same cross as graded winners Vapour Trail and Zalatoris, is out of a daughter of SA Fillies Classic Gr 1 winner Zaitoon.

Lot 120: EVENT KING – Pathfork c Cyber Magic
By one of South Africa’s most consistent sources of stakes winners, EVENT KING is a half-brother to the classy Arverni Princess and another multiple winner. His Gr 3 placed dam is a half-sister to the Oldlands bred stakes winner Hanabi.

Lot 127: FOREVER DIAMONDS – Pathfork f Diamonds ‘N Dust
By the sire of classy fillies Mighty High, My Friend Lee, and Olivia’s Way, this filly is out of a three time winning half-sister to the stakes placed filly Fort Anne. From the family of Epsom classic winners Lammtarra, Pour Moi and Snow Bride, her granddam is by the hugely influential Oasis Dream.

For more information on this consignment, please speak to either Barbara or Ian Sanne on (082) 566 3450.

Madison Valley has been placed in the Betway Summer Cup before and will be making a third bid for the trophy (Picture: Candiese Lenferna)

Summerveld trainer Nathan Kotzen is a former winner of the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup with Royal Victory and he is preparing two horses for this year’s renewal, Madison Valley and Field Marshall.

Madison Valley’s has not placed in his last seven runs.

However, his merit rating has come down to 113 and his last run when a 2,55 length eighth to the champion fillly Quickstepgal over the too sharp 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville was an encouraging effort.

As things stand, with Gladatorian the highest rated entry on 127 and with there only being a 6kg spread in the weights, Madison Valley will carry the minimum weight of 54kg and be 1kg under sufferance.

The Mambo In Seattle gelding has run over the Summer Cup course and distance three times before, finishing a 2,35 length fourth to Atticus Finch in the 2024 Summer Cup, but last year he was beaten 24,50 lengths behind Mocha Blend and he was beaten 23,30 lengths in this year’s Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge.

Nathan said, “He had a few back issues, but he’s doing very well actually, he has improved a lot. I’ve been very happy with his last two runs.”

Field Marshall has won a Listed race over 2400m before and he ended last season well with a a 0,80 length fourth to Zeitz in the Listed Tote Stakes Darley Arabian over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the turf when carrying topweight of 60kg.

The Lancaster Bomber gelding ran in the Summer Cup Consolation race last year and finished a 2,50 length second to Aladdin’s Lamp to whom he gave 4,5kg. Before that he had finished a 1,10 length second to The Ultimate King in the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m when giving the latter 0,5kg and the latter went on to finish a two length third in the Summer Cup despite being 2kg under sufferance.

Nathan said, “Field Marshal’s doing well but we are just battling to find prep runs into the Summer Cup. The program isn’t suited for a horse with this merit rating (110).”

As things stand Field Marshal would be carrying the minimum weight of 54kg in the Summer Cup and would be 2,5kg under sufferance.

A Conditions Plate race over 1800m is being put on for Summer Cup hopefuls in KZN at Hollywoodbets Greyville on October 25 and both of Nathan’s candidates will be lining up.

He said, “We will see how they go there and then decide whether they are going to run in the Summer Cup or not.”

The other KZN entries in the Summer Cup are the Frank Robinson-trained defending champion Mocha Blend (117), the Robbie Hill-trained Jazz Cafe (101), the Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles (122), the Frikkie Greyling-trained Go Grayson Go (98), the Stuart Ferrie-trained Gladatorian (127) and the Peter Muscutt-trained Isivivane (108).

The Act Of War filly Hazy Dazy had 13 starts for six wins, two seconds and a third and she is pictured in her finest hour, winning the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic (JC Photos)

Father and son combination Corne and Xander Spies suffered a devastating loss on the Turffontein racetrack on Saturday, their filly Hazy Dazy, who was owned by Mr D Dasrath & Mrs C Dasrath, Messrs R P Macnab, S Poriazis, Vikash Sobaren, X Spies & D Vayapuri and whose wins included the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Gr 3 Ducat Africa Fillies Mile and she went within two lengths of landing the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara.

In a heartfelt message to the racing public, they wrote:

Saturday, 10 October 2026, was probably the worst day we, as a training team, have ever experienced.

Two days later, I still don’t quite know how to put into words just how absolutely devastated we are. I don’t think I have ever experienced a feeling quite like this. There is an emptiness that has been left behind by what happened on Saturday, and it is something I am struggling terribly to come to terms with.

We lost a horse who meant the absolute world to us. We lost a member of our family.

I want to address something about Saturday, particularly in light of some of the comments and accusations that have been made since her passing.

We loved Hazy Dazy unconditionally.

She was loved, cared for, and looked after every single day of her life with us. Her happiness, health and wellbeing were always of the utmost importance to everyone involved in her care. We took an enormous amount of pride in her, and we always did everything we could to ensure that she was happy, healthy and comfortable.
I also want to make something abundantly clear. As a standard procedure at our stable, all of our horses are examined by our veterinary surgeon prior to racing. This is something we do routinely, regardless of the horse or the race concerned, to ensure that they are sound and fit to compete.

Hazy Dazy was no exception. She had been examined before Saturday’s race, and there was absolutely nothing to suggest that anything was amiss. In fact, if anything, she was jumping out of her skin with how fresh and well she was feeling.

Furthermore, she was also examined by the on-course veterinary officials, including the veterinarian at the start, before being permitted to race. No concerns were identified that would have prevented her from participating. Had there been any observable signs of unsoundness, these would have warranted veterinary attention before she was allowed to run.

What happened on Saturday was a freak accident. During what should have been an ordinary race, she took an unfortunate step, with the most devastating consequences imaginable.

It could have happened on the training track one morning. It could have happened in her previous race, or in her next race. It could just as easily have never happened at all.

That is the terribly cruel and unpredictable nature of accidents. Even the soundest and healthiest horse in the world is not immune to taking one unfortunate step. There is nobody to blame for what happened, and I wish people could understand just how much the loss of a horse like Hazy Dazy affects those of us who spend our lives caring for them.

If our love for her could have prevented what happened, she would still be with us today.

But I don’t want her memory to be defined by the tragedy of Saturday. I want people to remember the wonderful horse that she was, and the extraordinary story that she gave all of us.

Many of you will already know Hazy Dazy’s story.

Purchased for a mere R37,500 at an online auction, she was never the expensive, fashionably priced horse that people ordinarily associate with racing at the highest level.

She was our little bargain who went on to take on some of the very best horses in the country.

And goodness, did she make us proud.

From winning three races in quick succession during the early stages of her career, to becoming a Grade 3 winner, a Grade 2 winner, and eventually a Grade 1 winner in the prestigious South African Fillies Classic.

She came within just two lengths of completing the South African Triple Tiara, a feat achieved by only five fillies in its history. She was crowned the Highveld Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and even took her place in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

What an incredible journey for a horse who cost R37,500.

In many respects, Hazy Dazy became something of a people’s champion. She reminded us that wonderful things can come from the most unexpected places, and that dreams in this sport are not necessarily reserved for those with the deepest pockets.

She gave her owners, our stable, and so many racing enthusiasts something to believe in and something to celebrate.

And we will forever be grateful to her for that.

But beyond her achievements on the racetrack, Hazy Dazy was an absolute pleasure to have around the stable. She was an exceptionally intelligent horse, a wonderful character, and such a pleasure to work with. She was one of those horses that you couldn’t help but become incredibly fond of.

We knew her beyond the racetrack, beyond her victories and beyond the accolades. We knew the horse that we worked with every morning, the little things that made her special, and the personality that made us love her so dearly.

That is the Hazy Dazy we will miss most.

After the accident on Saturday, I walked out onto the track to the place where she had fallen, and I sat beside her one last time. She had already passed by the time I reached her, but I wanted to be there with her, even if there was nothing more I could do.

I don’t think I will ever forget that moment for as long as I live.
C.S. Lewis once wrote:

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.”

I don’t think I have ever understood those words quite as profoundly as I do now.

To everyone who was part of her journey, her owners, her groom, our staff, her jockey, and everyone who followed and supported our beautiful girl, thank you for loving her and believing in her.
And to Hazy Dazy herself, thank you.

Thank you for the wonderful memories, the excitement, the victories, and the moments that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Thank you for taking us on a journey that most people in racing can only ever dream of experiencing.

We would give every single trophy and every moment of glory back in a heartbeat if it meant having you home again.

Rest peacefully, our beautiful Hazy Dazy.

May you run free with the angels, without pain, without fear, and with nothing but endless green fields ahead of you.

You were so dearly loved, and you will be so terribly missed.
Until we meet again, our beautiful girl.

Drumbeat saunters to an easy victory in the Gr 3 Zetland Stakes (Picture via Galloptv)

A highlight of Saturday’s racing from a South African point of view was the performance of a horse called Drumbeat in the UK as this horse is out of the Captain Al mare Cloth Of Cloud and he created such an impression that he is now 25/1 for next year’s Gr 1 Epsom Derby, which is probably the most famous horse race in the world.

There were also some eyecatching performances at Turffontein Inside on Saturday too and South Africans enjoyed success in Hong Kong on Sunday.

Drumbeat is by the stallion phenomenon Wootton Basett and is trained by the Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien.

The colt finished last of six on debut over seven furlongs at The Curragh.

However, he then showed encouraging improvement when a one length third to stablemates Wall Street (Sea The Stars) and Jesus Green (Ghaiyyath) in a maiden over a mile at Leopardstown.

Next up he won a won a seven furlong maiden at Gowran Park in a dead-heat finish.

He was stepped up in class in his next start and finished a respectable 2,75 length third in the Gr 2 Beresford Stakes over a mile at the Curragh to stablemate Noble Exhibit (Frankel). He was staying on at the finish of that race.

So it was not surprising to see him sent to England to run in Saturday’s Gr 3 Native Trail Zetland Stakes over a mile and two furlongs at Newmarket, a race that was interestingly won in 2007 by the Gr 1-producing South African-based sire Twice Over.

Drumbeat was sent off as the 10/11 favourite and relaxed surperbly in the running when covered up just off the pace.

He accelerated smartly when necessary and ran away with to win by 5,5 lengths under Ryan Moore.

That earned him quote of either 20/1 or 25/1 with the major bookmakers for next year’s Epsom Derby.

The strange part about it is that his Captain Al dam, Cloth Of Cloud, was a precocious speedster who won her first three starts from 1000m to 1160m, including the Gr 3 Pretty Polly Stakes over 1100m and the Gr 1 SA Nursery over 1160m.

Furthermore, Cloth Of Cloud was infamously temperamental and a very difficult ride, which ultimately led to her only having four career starts.

Drumbeat, on the other hand, looks to be relaxed in his racing style.

Cloth Of Cloud was out of the USA-bred Fusaichi Pegasus mare Our Table Mountain, who was named Equus Champion Broodmare as her progeny Cloth Of Cloud and the SA Fillies Guineas winner Silver Mountain won Gr 1s in the same season 2015/2016 season.

Our Table Mountain won a Listed race over 1200m and was Listed-placed over 1800m.

Cloth Of Cloud was bred by Highlands Stud and was purchased for R2.2 million at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

Blandford Bloodstock, Diane Nagle and Linda Shanahan were reportedly the purchasers.

Blandford Bloodstock is a Newmarket-based bloodstock agent, David and Diane Nagle of Barronstown Stud are Hall Of Fame breeders in Ireland and Linda Shanahan is from a prominent racing family in Ireland.

Drumbeat was bred by Barronstown Stud, but as luck would have it Cloth Of Cloud was sold in December 2024, fetching top price of 180,000 Gns in a Tattersalls online sale.

Cloth Of Cloud’s first runner by Galileo had to have wind surgery after two runs and only won one race thereafter.

Her next runner by No Nay Never is to date unplaced in six starts in Ireland.

When sold Cloth Of Cloud was in foal to Too Darn Hot, bred to Southern Hemisphere times.

She was purchased by Irish-based Bloodstock agent Hubie de Burgh.

The Turffontein meeting on Saturday was marred by the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic-winning Act Of War heroine catastrophically breaking down and having to be euthanased.

She was favourite for the day’s feature, the Non-Black Type Allez France Stakes over 2200m which saw the 6/1 shot Into Dancing catching the rank outsider Indian Ocean to lead home the six horse field.

Trent Mayhew was aboard Hazy Dazy and took a hard fall, but reportedly emerged from the incident alright.

Earlier, the Joe Soma-trained three-year-old Gimmthegreenlight gelding Green Fairway, a half-brother to Port Elizabeth Gold Cup winner Battleground (Futura), impressed when coming from off the pace to win a maiden over 1600m under Richard Fourie in just his second career start. The gelding is somewhat reminisecnt of the Soma-trained five times Gr 1 winner Got The Greenlight as he is tall and carries his head quite high and also wears a noseband and runs in the same red colours with black epaulettes and cap of Dayalan Chinsammy. The latter owns him in partnership with Gerald Frank & TKP Racing (Nom: Trevelen Pillay).

However, the most impressive performance of the day was by the Stuart Pettigrew-trained British-bred import Calla Lagoon. The five-year-old New Bay entire put himself in the Betway Summer Cup picture by coming from off the pace with a sustained finish to win a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m under Philasande Mxoli. He was carrying 56kg off a 107 merit rating under the merit rated band conditions of the race and was officially not particularly well weighted, so it was a good performance. He also gave the impression he would relish the 2000m trip of the Summer Cup and he has in fact already proved that by running a good second in a class 3 handicap over a mile ad two furlongs at Pontefract in good to soft going in the UK. Calla Lagoon is now the joint third favourite for the Summer Cup in the Hollywoodbets’ ante-post market, shortening in from 25/1 to 25/2.

There was also a good performance later by the Weiho and Warwick Marwing-trained three-year-old Heavenly Blue gelding Lone Horizon, who won a MR 84 Handicap under Jason Gates off an 88 merit rating when stepped up to 1800m for the first time. He should pay to follow.

In Hong Kong on Sunday trainer Brett Crawford had his second win of the season, brought home by his trusted former stable jockey in Cape Toiwn Karis Teetan.

His South African compatriot Luke Ferraris had his fifth win of the season and is prominent on the Jockeys log.