Turf Talk Newsletter – 20 October, 2026

Jet Force could, after all, turn out be a force in the Cape Summer Season (Picture: Wayne Marks)  

Equus Champion Sprinter Buffalo Storm Cody and his runner up in the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, Jet Force, had been earmarked for the Dubai Carnival to be trained by Mike and Mathew de Kock, but the chartered flight that was set to take them over to the EU in December has had to be scrapped due to a lack of numbers.

A Chartered Flight is enormously expensive and is only cost effective if there are enough horses to fill the flight.

The December flight was dependent on eight horses booked by a UAE client confirming that booking.

However, the shipping agency received notice today to not proceed with the eight horses.

David Ferraris had two horses bound for Hong Kong booked on the flight, so he is also effected.

The last flight to go to the EU was on August 5 and among the equine passengers was the Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship winner Kingdundee, who is currently in the UAE being prepared by trainer Bhupat Seemar for the Dubai Carnival.

The planned flight in September was postponed to November and then to December and has now been scrapped.

The next flight is only in April.

At the heart of the issue lies the exorbitant financial commitments associated with shipping racehorses overseas. It costs between US$45,000 and $USD50,000 (about R820,000) to fly a horse to an overseas destination, provided that there are 18-21 horses on the chartered flight. The cost of flying a single horse or just a few horses is so huge that it is not even considered an option.

Buffalo Storm Cody will likely now be seen in the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship.

Jet Force won the recent Gr 3 Matchem Stakes over 1400m in his seasonal reappearance, beating Legal Counsel, and he will likely be targeted at the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate.

One Stripe winning at Gulfstream Park in the USA (Photo by Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos)

It seems just the other day Vaughan Marshall went to R1.4 million on behalf of Rikesh Sewgoolam to land One Stripe after describing the One World colt’s breeze up gallop as the best he had ever seen at a Ready To Run Sale.

Marshall highlighted One Stripe’s phenomenal stride rate, high-speed action, and effortless way of moving when talking about that breeze up gallop.

Four years on the horse is a highly valuable stallion prospect following tremendous success in both South Africa and the USA and he is in quarantine in England awaiting a return flight to his home country of South Africa.

Rikesh now owns him in partnership with Hollywood Racing and the latter’s involvement means One Stripe is likely to stand at Ridgemont.

Ridgemont is owned by the Kieswetter family and Hollywood Racing race and breed horses in partnership with both Ridgemont and the Kieswetter-owned Barnane Stud in Ireland.

Marshall’s intuition proved to be spot on as One Stripe went on to not only win the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas but he also became only the third three-year-old in the last 50 years to win the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, following Gimmethegreenlight and Jet Dark.

Gimmethegreenlight won it in 2012 and was the first three-year-old to have won the iconic Gr 1 mile event since Yataghan in 1973.

Before those two Gr 1 wins One Stripe had won two Gr 3s as a two-year-old and a Gr 2 as a three-year-old.

In the USA, where he was trained by Graham Motion, he won his third start in an Allowance Optional Claiming race over a mile on the turf at Gulfstream Park in a time 0,4 seconds outside the course record.

He followed with a second place finish, beaten a neck, in the Gr 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational over a mile and one furlong on the turf at Gulfstream Park under his South African pilot Gavin Lerena, beaten by his stablemate Test Score.

Next up he finished a 1,75 length second to Zulu Kingdom in the Gr 1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes at Keenelend. He beat the like of Notable Speech in this race, the latter being the English 2000 Guineas winner, the Breeders Cup Turf Mile winner and winner of six Gr 1s overall.

One Stripe then ran in the iconic Saratoga meet and finished a fine close up third under Lerena to Deterministic and Test Score in the Gr 1 Manhattan Stakes over a mile and one-and-a-half furlongs.

One Stripe showed his typically superb acceleration and storming finish in that last start.

He had to then be retired due to a stress related injury in his right foreleg.

One Stripe’s father One World (Captain Al) won the Gr 1 wfa Met and made a great start as a stallion, setting a new freshman record of 30 individual winners, breaking the previous record of 22 set by his sire Captain Al. His 30 individual winners that season also equaled Captain Al’s record of 30 two-year-old winners in a season.

One Stripe is from One World’s first crop and is his only Gr 1 winner to date. However, One World has had ten stakes winners already.

One Stripe’s dam Silver Stripe (Silvano) was a Listed winner over 2450m and has also produced the Gr 3 winner Vapour Trail (Erik The Red).

One Stripe’s second dam is the Gr 1 Paddock Stakes winner Badger’s Gift.

One Stripe should get plenty of attention from Breeders at stud when he starts next season.

Turn It Up saunters to an impressive victory in the Race Coast Sales Slipper at Hollywoodbets Greyville (Picture: Race Coast)

Rikesh Sewgoolam has become a prolific owner and he feels Turn It Up and Red Spice hold his chief hopes for the season.

He will also have a lively Betway Summer Cup runner in Native Ruler.

He said about the Sean Tarry-trained Querari colt Turn It Up, whom he owns in partnership with the Wernars family and Mukund Gujadhur, “He showed so much and he then had the injury (knee chip) and had to have a minor procedure. He will make his reappearance in November.”

Turn It Up put up one of the two-year-old performances of the season when winning the Sales race, the R3 million Race Coast Sales Slipper over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He went from the back to the front in a matter of strides after being dropped out from a wide draw under Keagan de Melo and he did it effortlessly.

Turn It Up finished second on debut over 800m and then rattled off three wins of the trot. He is a half-brother to the Gr 1 Gold Medallion winner Proceed (Gimmethegreenlight).

Rikesh added, “I’m looking forard to Red Spice. We’re hopeful he has a big season ahead. ”

The Piet and Elbert Steyn-trained Erik The Red colt Red Spice has a lot of class.

He won the Gr 3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery and in the Champions Season he was third to Turn It Up in the Slipper and then a close fourth in the Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe over 1400m and a two length third in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m.

Red Spice should be a contender for the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. Rikesh owns him in partnership with the Wernars family, Mukund Gujadhur and JM Lim Fat.

Riskesh said about the Justin Snaith-trained Native Ruler (Vercingetorix), whom he owns in partnership with Greg and Gina Bortz and Mukund, “His next race will be the Summer Cup. He is just a little bit behind the top tier, so he will need bit of luck. He will be a good trump card because it is a handicap and if Gladatorian runs it will be to our advantage, so let’s see what the field will be.”

Rikesh was also hopeful other of his horses would pop up as big race contenders during the season.

I’m The One wins by six lengths on debut at Newbury (via visuals)

The Gaynor Rupert-homebred Sea The Stars filly I’m The One made a sensational debut in April this year, winning a maiden over ten furlongs at Newbury by six lengths, and she made her comeback at Southwell on Monday having had an injury-enforced layoff after her disappointing second place finish in her second start.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly was the 1/2 favourite for her run at Southwell in a Novice Stakes race over a mile and three furlongs and 23 yards on Monday.

She set the pace in a small field and put up a gallant fight in the straight under newly crowned British champion jockey Billy Loughnane, but was denied on the headbob.

She was somewhat unlucky as the winner appeared to carry her inward a touch and I’m The One was the one finishing faster at the line.

I’m The One was installed as the Epsom Oaks favourite after her debut and then ran a two length second to the Aidan O’Brien-trained Amelia Earhart (Camelot) in the Listed  Cheshire Oaks at Chester on May 6 before picking up an injury.

She does not have any future engagements at present.

She has not reproduced her debut performance in two more starts to date, but will have likely needed Monday’s outing and will be a horse to follow in the British season next year.

Time Of Our Lives has been tipped to win the seventh (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Mark van Deventer (Race Coast)

Justin Snaith unveiled middle distance champ, EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN, and classic prospect, VERSE FOR SUZANNE, over the weekend at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, and he is motivated to sustain winning momentum at Wednesday’s midweek meeting.

He sends out AFRICAN KINGFISHER in Race 1, ridden by Richard Fourie, a 21% rider, who is poised to open her maiden after just being outrun by subsequent winner Georgie Girl over 1250m towards the end of September.

She gets a perfect opportunity, turning back to 1000m, and racing handy from a low draw, to crack her maiden tag.

In Race 2, Snaith saddles RAIN IN FRANCE, a grey Futura gelding, who made a promising sprint debut, closing ground from the back of the field with a sharp come-home sectional to get fourth, 1.6 lengths behind ILE MORIS. That was despite blowing the start, and racing green. Rested and gelded in the interim, he now stretches out to a more suitable 1400m, so rates a big chance in the second.

Dean Kannemeyer’s quality charge, HAH LAH LAH, came perilously close to toppling elite performer EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN when the pair clashed in a humdinger over the weekend.

Kannemeyer, with seven winners and five seconds from the last 30 saddled, is another with a hot hand going into Wednesday’s program. He has several live chances across the card.

In Race 4, ONE DAWN looks an interesting contender in this maiden event. The One World 3YO filly showed potential on debut behind SABRE WING, before closing briskly in a sprint behind CAPTAIN’S ELECT.

Now stretching to seven furlongs, ONE DAWN should appreciate the extra ground. Despite having to overcome a wide draw (11), there’s enough to suggest Keagan de Melo’s mount will run boldly in Race 4.

Kannemeyer also saddles TIME OF OUR LIVES in Race 7, and this consistent performer might have found an ideal opportunity to add to his tally. He won his maiden impressively over the course and distance a month ago, racing prominently before quickening clear of Gimmethejackhammer in decisive fashion.

The Querari colt now drops into a modest Class 5 after being assessed with an OMR of 86. This seems the right race for him.

There are several dangers to consider, including hard-knocking veterans SHIFTING PATH and PARATROOPER plus lightly raced 5YO, AFRICAN MEMOIR.

The progressive Master of My Fate filly, JULIET OF VERONA together with other last-start maiden winner’s CROWN CHASER, and DREAM TRIP are tricky-to-assess, possibilities.

However, TIME OF OUR LIVES has the credentials to prove too strong for this field.

For those playing the P6, Jackpot 2 and PA’s, the finale offers three horses’ worth serious consideration.

CEDAR POINT arrives in good form after winning well last time, flashing home to get the better of LOVING PRAGUE. Representing the formidable Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie combination, he looks a legit contender to follow up.

BORN TO MASTER was a tragedy beaten last time, getting going too late to reel in reopposing, FORT LIAM. If ridden more judiciously and positioned closer to the pace, trainer Rob Barrett’s entry should become a major player in deep stretch.

SCOTTISH LINKS drew off fluently from DEVIL A SAINT last time, over a mile. The step up to 2000m should be no problem as one of his best ratings was achieved behind subsequent Hollywoodbets Durban July Gr 1 victor, NOTE TO SELF in January 2026. Paddy Kruyer’s patiently handles sort remains highly competitive at this class level.

These three make a high-probability shortlist for P6 players in Race 8.

Race 6 however – a 1250m B Stakes, is dastardly difficult and may require coverage of nearly all the entries to be sure of advancing in the sequential exotics.

Principal candidates include the talented yet enigmatic, CHURCHILLIAN; ONE LINER, GOLDEN DESTINY and BLACK CHEETAH.

CHURCHILLIAN and BLACK CHEETAH renew rivalry, and it will again be closely fought.

GOLDEN DESTINY will strip fitter second run after a rest but may be at his absolute best down the straight rather than around these bends. And, on back form from November 2025, ONE LINER, very stiff not to surge past reopposing hat-tricker, LYRICAL GANGSTER last time, may just have GOLDEN DESTINY’s measure.

IRELAND FOREVER is a late running threat if he gets a clear run at them on the inside rail, whilst KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD was bang there in LYRICAL GANGSTER’s race and trainer James Crawford will have her tuned for a peak run second up after a rest.

KING’S QUEST, drawn towards the outer and better over 1400/1600 is perhaps the only one of the eight entries in this closely matched sprint that seems unlikely to trouble the scorer.

Leaving only one horse out, is really tempting fate. Any punter that has been around long enough has been burnt that way. Casting the widest possible net seems prudent strategy in a head-scratching contest.

Black Cheetah has been tipped to win Race 6 (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Brandon Bailey’s Formguides and Selections for Wednesday’s Hollywoodbets Durbanville meeting 

RACE 1

3 AFRICAN KINGFISHER ran a great race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 23rd of September, she was just touched off in a driving finish by GEORGIE GIRL. The form of that race has worked out well, she will be very hard to beat from a good draw here. 8 PEACH COBBLER has been rested for 70 days, she was last seen running second behind VIRIDIAN RUBY on the 12th of August, in hope that she doesn’t need the run badly after a small break, she will be competitive. 6 KIM CHANEL ran a fair race behind CAPTAIN’S ELECT from a bad draw on the 23rd of September, she is honest, and she tries hard, she will be right there amongst the places on her best form. 9 EBURY STREET is well-bred, top jockey Keagan De Melo gets the ride on debut, watch the market closely.

RACE 2

4 RAIN IN FRANCE has been rested and gelded, he stayed on beautifully for fourth on debut behind ILE MORIS, he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, he will be hard to beat from a good draw. 1 DARK PASSENGER finished strongly for third on debut behind BRIGHT FATE, he will be given every chance from a neat draw, include him into all bets. 3 AT IT AGAIN and 11 NORTHMAN have appealing pedigrees and need to be watched on debut. Any market support for either individual would suggest they have a good chance of finishing in the places.

RACE 3

10 NAVIGATION has been rested and gelded, he is a beautiful horse with a big action, he did well to finish just over two lengths behind COAST OF THE SUN at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the 30th of May, with some luck in running from a bad draw here, he will go close to winning, watch him closely. 7 ONE SPIRIT has been rested for 198 days, he was last seen running third behind EARN THE WEEKEND up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 6th of April, in hope that he doesn’t need the run back after a long break, he will be competitive. 5 PARADOU finished just over six lengths behind BIG CITY ROLLER on debut, top jockey Richard Fourie gets the ride, and he steps up in trip to 1400m, watch for sharp improvement. 2 FLINKDINK finished six lengths behind BRIGHT FATE last time, he can only improve stepping up in trip.

RACE 4

11 ONE DAWN stayed on well for third behind CAPTAIN’S ELECT last time, she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, if the gaps open at the right time for this filly from a bad draw, she will be right there in the finish late. 10 SPURIOUS must have a big winning chance in this field, she ran a great race behind CHINWAG on the 2nd of September, her form of late is very good, include her into all bets. 12 JANE AUSTEN continues to improve, she was gutsy when finishing second behind FUTURE ENGAGEMENT on the 7th of October, if she beats the bad draw, she will trouble them in the finish. 9 VIRGINIA BLUEBELL could be the value play in this tricky race, she ran a lovely race last time from a bad draw, that was her first run back after a four-month break, she will be much fitter going into this race.

RACE 5

3 SOHO HEARTTHROB looks to be one of the better bets on this card, he won impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 7th of October, champion jockey Craig Zackey knows this gelding well, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be flying at them late, on his current form, he will be hard to beat. 4 BILLY BOWLEGS finished just under nine lengths behind MIAMI SUMMER in the Settlers Trophy Listed, he drops in trip, and he has dropped a further point in the ratings from his last run, watch him closely in this small field. 1 WITCH HAZEL did well to finish just over two lengths behind BLACK CHEETAH on the 6th of September, in hope that he stays this trip of 1600m, he should finish amongst the places from a good draw. 5 IT IS MY TIME looks best of the rest; he has dropped further in the ratings.

RACE 6

8 BLACK CHEETAH quickened up smartly to win well at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 6th of September, he was given four points for that impressive win last time, if he beats the bad draw here, he will go close to winning again. 4 CHURCHILLIAN has been rested for 70 days, he won well beating BLACK CHEETAH on the 12th of August, the yard thinks highly of this gelding, in hope that he doesn’t need the run after a small break, he will be super competitive. 6 ONE LINER finished like a rocket for second behind LYRICAL GANGSTER last time, if the gaps open at the right time for this gelding, he will be right there in the finish late. 5 KATTEKWAADKWADRAAD finished just behind ONE LINER on the 26th of September, that was her first run back after a seven-month break, she will be much fitter going into this race, her chances need to be respected with no weight on her back.

RACE 7

4 TIME OF OUR LIVES won his maiden impressively on the 23rd of September, he looks progressive, he can absolutely win again from a good draw. 3 SHIFTING PATH stayed on well for second behind BOLERO on the 7th of October, he is in great form at the moment, his chances need to be respected with no weight on his back. 7 DREAM TRIP powered away from her field in great fashion on the 23rd of June, she has been rested for 120 days, with natural improvement expected from this beautiful filly, she will go close to winning again. 5 CROWN CHASER won on debut at a big price, she has been rested for 95 days, she could be anything, include her into all bets.

RACE 8

7 BORN TO MASTER finished like a train for second behind FORT LIAM on the 16th of September, he has a big winning chance in this field with no weight on his back. 5 CEDAR POINT was given a top ride by jockey Richard Fourie last time, he will love the step up in trip, include him into all bets. 10 SCOTTISH LINKS won well on the 23rd of September, in hope that he relaxes early, he will run a big race at a decent price. 1 PHANTOM MAN won really well at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 6th of September; he will be given every chance again from a good draw.

Today Turf Talk continues to give exposure to the organisations involved in Equine Welfare.

The work being done to care for equines has been brought to the public through a heart-warming, documentary series, Equine Welfare – A Life Worth Caring For, which premiered on 8 October 2026.

The four-part series has been screened on YouTube, Gallop TV, and the Hollywoodbets blog, and was made possible through the support of Hollywood Foundation, Hollywoodbets, and Race Coast.

Click here to read that article

Hollywoodbets have now published all of the episodes based on each of the organisations involved in the equine welfare drive.

The organisations are:

• Coastal Horse Care Unit – KwaZulu-Natal;
• Highveld Horse Care Unit – Gauteng;
• Eastern Cape Horse Care Unit;
• Tom Ro Haven – Western Cape;
• BlindLove – Eastern Cape;
• South African Riding for the Disabled Association Durban, KwaZulu Natal; and
• Hollywoodbets Life After Racing – Ashburton, KwaZulu Natal

Today Turf Talk puts the focus on Tom Ro Haven in the Western Cape.

Click here to watch the episode about Tom Ro Haven