Turf Talk Newsletter – 22 October, 2026

In a surprise announcement by the NHA, S’Manga Khumalo’s appeal against his recent sentence has been successful and he could be back race-riding in just 18 months after effectively being banned for just two years.

His original sentence of 15 years with five suspended was an effective ten years.

This begs a question about the Luyolo Mxothwa case as he was given an effective two year ban after lesser charges against him.

Khumalo was found guilty of all three charges against him in the original case.

They were:

1. Corrupt / dishonest practice – improper communication of non-public race information
2. Charge 2: Corrupt receipt/acceptance of money or benefit (gratification) connected to race activity
3. Charge 3: Conduct affecting the performance of a horse / failure to ride on the merits (race fixing)

The sentence handed out was:

1. Mr Khumalo’s current jockey licence is cancelled with immediate effect.

1. Mr Khumalo is precluded from applying for, renewing, holding, or being issued any jockey licence for a period of fifteen (15) years, commencing 23 March 2026, of which five (5) years are suspended for 15 years on the conditions as set out by the Inquiry Board, as attached.

He was given the right to appeal and took up that right.

The outcome of the appeal was published today (see below):

PRESS RELEASE

APPEAL JOCKEY S’MANGA KHUMALO

The Appeal into Jockey S’manga Khumalo convened before an appointed Appeal Board on 22 October 2026.

Following the Ruling imposed by the Inquiry Board, and the subsequent appeal brought by the Appellant, the following Order is hereby issued on the basis of agreements reached between the parties, which the Appeal Board endorses, viz:

1.1           The Order of the Appeal Board cancelling Mr Khumalo’s current jockey licence with immediate effect, is hereby confirmed.

1.2   Mr Khumalo is precluded from applying for, renewing, holding, or being issued with a jockey licence for a period of five (5) years, commencing on 23 March 2026, of which five-year period, three (3) years are suspended for 5 years on the conditions set out in paragraph 1.3 below.

1.3     The suspended portion of the Ruling in paragraph 1.2 is conditional upon compliance with the following:

Mr Khumalo must not be found guilty of any conduct that involves dishonesty or that brings, or is likely to bring, horse racing into disrepute, during the operative period of the suspended portion.

The following Orders, as attached, are made at the specific request and instance of the Parties, and without the Appeal Board’s inquiry into the legalities thereof.

Vee Moodley

Chief Executive

Amanda Carey – looking forward to Saturday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)

Sporting Post

Just three weeks into her new role as Sales Executive at Race Coast Sales, Amanda Carey is looking forward to overseeing the RCS 2yo Sale at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.

“It has certainly been a busy introduction to Race Coast Sales, joining just ahead of one of our sales! I’ve been really impressed by the team. Everyone has worked incredibly hard, and there’s a lovely sense of commitment and teamwork. It’s been a busy couple of weeks, but I’ve really enjoyed getting involved,” Amanda told the Sporting Post on Thursday as preparations continued for South Africa’s final bricks ‘n mortar thoroughbred sale of the year.

A passionate animal lover who used to babysit baboons and chimpanzees in between riding work for a top lady trainer in her matric year, the former Western Province junior showjumper is an instantly recognisable face at South African thoroughbred sales.

The daughter of a National Hunt Jockey, Amanda Shorter was born in England and moved to South Africa in 1976.

“My whole life has been on the back of a horse, somehow! When I learnt to walk I got my first pony. These wonderful animals have really and truly dictated the course of my life.”

Focussing on Saturday’s sale, Amanda says that they have put together a really nice, well-balanced catalogue, with a good variety of horses to suit different buyers and budgets.

“There are some lovely horses on offer, and I think buyers will find plenty of opportunities. Hopefully, we’ll see that reflected in the bidding on Saturday!”

On the attractions of buying at this sale, beyond the fact that some of the 2yo’s are backed and closer to their racing careers, Amanda says that the racing incentives give buyers something extra to look forward to.

“Every horse purchased qualifies for the R100 000 Juvenile Bonus scheme, subject to the qualifying conditions. R70 000 is payable to the owner, with R15 000 each going to the vendor and trainer.”

She goes on to point out that there’s also the R3 million Slipper in 2027, which is exclusively for two-year-old Race Coast Sales graduates.

“Then, as three-year-olds, graduates will be eligible for the R1 million Sprint and R1 million Mile in 2028. That’s some serious prize money on offer, and I think it’s a fantastic incentive for anyone considering buying at the sale.”

She adds that the buying bench will be diverse, and she is hoping to see good support from buyers across the country.

“We know that not everyone can make it to Hollywoodbets Durbanville, so the online bidding option is a real advantage. It means buyers can still participate wherever they are. Buyers can visit www.racecoastsales.co.za to register and arrange access to the online bidding platform. We just ask that they set everything up and have their registration approved beforehand, so they’re ready to bid on Saturday.”

On the question of how a prospective buyer can register, Amanda adds that it’s ‘really quite straightforward’.

“Buyers can visit the www.racecoastsales.co.za website, create a profile and apply for a buyer’s card online. Once their application has been approved, they’ll be able to access their digital buyer’s card. We’d encourage everyone to get that done before Saturday rather than leave it to the last minute. If anyone needs help, they’re welcome to contact our office.”

The Country Course was looking slick as the sun came out on Thursday afternoon.

“Isn’t the venue just looking fantastic! The team has put a huge amount of work into getting everything ready, and it’s really looking lovely. There’s been a lot of attention to the grounds, the stabling and the overall presentation. I think visitors will be very pleased with what they see. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone,” she adds proudly.

The catalogue is available on www.racecoastsales.co.za, so buyers can look through it at any time.

“For those who prefer the hard-copy, we also have printed catalogues available at the venue. We’d also really encourage buyers to come through and see the horses before the sale. There’s nothing quite like seeing a horse in person, and it gives buyers time to look at the horses they’re interested in and speak to the vendors.”

Amanda closes by assuring all stakeholders that the team will be there to help with anything anybody needs.

“We’re really looking forward to Saturday. It’s been a busy few weeks, and the team has worked incredibly hard to get everything ready. Now we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone, seeing some good competition in the sales ring and, hopefully, having a successful day for both buyers and vendors.”

The sale starts at 15h00 on Saturday afternoon. Jikkie de Wet’s Prosper Stud have the honour of sending the first lot through the ring, a nicely-bred daughter of Fire Alley.

You can watch the proceedings on Gallop TV live stream, or the Gallop TV YouTube channel.

There are 158 lots catalogued, with 12 withdrawals at time of writing. It should all be wrapped up by 20h30.

Errol Flynn has a long season ahead of him and will not be risked in the Summer Cup after picking up an injury (JC Photos)

The Betway Summer Cup first log was published last week and two top 20 incumbents have now been scratched, the fourth-on-the-log Fire Attack from the Alec Laird yard and the 16th-on-the-log Erroll Flynn from the Joe Soma yard.

The latter was a particular shock as he was the ante-post favourite.

“We thought initially that we were dealing with a minor setback following a gallop last week, but the injury turned out to be a little more serious than we first anticipated. He’s going to need some additional time to recover,” said Soma.

There are now a number of joint ante-post favourites.

Last year’s winner Mocha Blend is 10/1 with Hollywoodbets together with King Pelles, Native Ruler and the British Import Calla Lagoon.

The British-bred import Calla Lagoon (New Bay) is the favourite for the Allied Steelrode-Onamission Charity Mile (JC Photos)

By Mike Moon (The Citizen)

Seven of the 18 carded runners for next weekend’s Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile at Turffontein are “raiders” from the stables of trainers based outside the Highveld – apparently justifying the generous visitor incentives announced recently.

Half the Charity Mile field have also been nominated for the R6-million Betway Summer Cup – Joburg’s premier horse race – to be contested at the city track a month down the line.

Five runners are merit-rated 117 or above, while the lowest rating is 108.

Such factors ensure that the Grade 2 race continues to grow in stature on the national racing calendar.

The event, once known as the Germiston November Handicap and won by greats like Foveros and Wolf Power in days gone by, is nowadays a special fixture designed to highlight the racing game’s social conscience and commitment to good causes.

Intriguing runners are Eastern Cape revelation Zinovi, British import Calla Lagoon, champion trainer Justin Snaith’s roving ambassador Malmesbury Misssile and stamina horse Holding Thumbs – not to mention a trio of challengers from the powerhouse yard of Mike & Mathew de Kock: I’m A Fireball, Splittheeights and Greaterix.

Zinovi is a perfect example of how a sometime moderate performer can be given a new lease on racing life with a move to a different centre.

The five-year-old gelding had lapsed into the plods while living in Joburg but Nelson Mandela Bay’s sea air and the magic touch of Alan Greeff got him firing again and he has registered eight wins in his last 10 runs.

Calla Lagoon, bred by mighty Juddmonte Farms in the UK, has been expensively imported for Willem Ackerman’s burgeoning upcountry breeding operation and the new investors want nothing more than a splash of gold lettering on the race record.

After clocking up two minor race successes locally, the Stuart Pettigrew-trained five-year-old has been heavily backed for both the Charity Mile and the Summer Cup. Such support demands notice.

Of the De Kock candidates, speedy I’m A Fireball is coming to hand rather nicely. Well beaten by stablemate Splittheeights in the Gauteng Guineas earlier this year, I’m A Fireball has shown steady improvement since and a runner-up finish to Gladatorian in the recent Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein suggested he was ready to move up to the next level.

Andre Nel’s sometime Durban July quiet fancy Zeitz, along with Peter Muscutt’s duo Isivivane and I Salute You, will merit scrutiny – especially as travellers up the N3 from Durban have a good record at the Big T.

Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile, Grade 2, R1m, 1600m
(No., draw, name, weight, MR, equipment, jockey, trainer)
1 2 Cosmic Speed 60 121 A Craig Zackey Sean Tarry
2 12 Choisaanada 59.5 120 A Raymond Danielson Erico Verdonese
3 14 Zinovi 59.5 120 T A Richard Fourie Alan Greeff
4 5 Holding Thumbs 59 119 BA Chad Little Glen Kotzen
5 1 I’m A Fireball 57.5 117 T A Muzi Yeni Mike / Mathew de Kock
6 9 Pressonregardless 57 115 HA Diego De Gouveia David Nieuwenhuizen
7 6 Chronicle King 56.5 115 A Andrew Fortune Candice / Tammy Dawson
8 8 Zeitz 56.5 114 BA Serino Moodley Andre Nel
9 17 I Salute You 56 113 BA *Anaas Mosaheb Peter Muscutt
10 3 Otto Luyken 56 113 TBA Juan Paul v’d Merwe James Crawford
11 10 Calla Lagoon (GB) 55 111 A Philasande Mxoli Stuart Pettigrew
12 18 Grand Empire 54.5 111 A Keagan de Melo Sean Tarry
13 15 Malmesbury Missile 54.5 111 BA Tristan Godden Justin Snaith
14 19 Busstopinhounslow 54.5 110 T A Malesela Katjedi Grant Maroun
15 13 Greaterix 54.5 110 A Calvin Habib Mike / Mathew de Kock
16 16 Kisshoten 54 109 A Kabelo Matsunyane Tony Peter
17 4 Splittheeights 53.5 109 A Callan Murray Mike / Mathew de Kock
18 7 Isivivane 53.5 108 A *Blaine Marx-Jacobson Peter Muscutt
19 11 Immediate Edge 53.5 108 BA Reserve 1 Mike / Mathew de Kock

Kaapse Klopse has been tipped to win the last race (Picture: Race Coast)

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

The poly track with a card that consists of mostly modest performers can deliver punters a few curved balls but there does look to be a couple of stand-out bets on the synthetic surface at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Friday night.

The first of these could come in the second where Dean Kannemeyer sends out Roxbury Park who although making his poly debut going a furlong further he has been close-up in both starts and looks like the one to beat. Possible danger is Vessel Of Light who is lightly raced and was likely in need of his last start. He makes his local debut on the poly but comes from a strong stable. Seed Seeker has his first outing for a new stable but he comes off a lengthy break with a first time tongue-tie but may be worth following in the betting. So Indi ran her best race over course and distance two runs back and a repeat should see her contest the finish.

Another fair bet could come in the first leg of the Pick 6 where Remuneration is lightly raced but has only missed the money twice in nine outings. She takes on modest opposition and should be competitive. If there is a danger it could come from Bellanca Viking who ran a disappointing race last run with cheek pieces but she gets a stronger rider aboard and has run well on the poly.

The card opener is a tricky maiden with a number in with chances. Midnight Hour has a tricky draw but is lightly raced and was close-up behind males last time out. Lady Nancy has been rested and has not run since a below par performance in blinkers in the Allan Robertson back in May. She obviously has some talent but her racing fitness must be taken on trust. Willow Valli has placed in her last three starts and gets the services of Keagan de Melo. She has also run well over course and distance. Chooks Kiss is down in trip but is back on her favoured surface and should be competitive.

The fourth could turn into a match between Belligerent and J Lordi. Belligerent is lightly raced but has only missed the money twice in nine outings. She takes on modest opposition and should be competitive. J Lordi failed narrowly first time over course and distance, has the best of the draw and can go one better with a repeat showing. Little Lollita has not been far back in two outings. She had a tricky draw on the turf last time out and can still improve.

The fifth is a wide open handicap but Weiho Marwing has been raiding with some success of late. He saddles Time To Fire who has shown up well in two recent Highveld starts. He makes his poly debut with a 4kg claimer aboard who shows some talent. There should be very little between the trio of Mojo Man, Chara Sands and B Fiftytwo, with less than a length separating them last time out. Mojo Man has been touched off at his last two and is better off at the weights with the widely drawn B Fifty Two who is bidding for his fourth straight two since being fitted with blinkers while Chara Sands is also better off with B Fiftytwo and has the best of the draw.

The sixth is another open handicap and although Preux Chevalier only shed his maiden last run he found strong market support. He got a hefty shunt up the ratings but does appear to be on the up and can follow up. Praise De La Rey has consistent form on the poly and goes well for Nicholas Patel and must have a good chance in this line-up. Satellite World was not too far back in his first run for his new stable and the blinkers are back. He is one to watch.

Golden Gem can follow up for Kannemeyer in the seventh. He won well on debut starting at long odds but should come on from that effort and can follow up. Charlie Bucket has his first run for his new stable and is unbeaten on the turf in KZN. He has come well of late and has a strong chance again. Pressure Point shed his maiden on the poly and was close-up on the turf last time out. He steps up in trip but should feature prominently in this line-up.

In the last Kaapse Klopse is holding from well and has useful form over course and distance. From the best of the draw he should go close again. Stage One has been improving steadily and failed narrowly last time out. He has a handy weight and should run well along with Mont Loisir who has improved in blinkers and his two best recent efforts have been on the poly.

Lady Bomber has been tipped to win the 7th race (Pauline Herman Photography)

Fairview Poly Friday Comments By Trevor Reid

RACE 1

DESTREGA has only found one better in both starts so far. She looks the one to beat with Craig Zackey now aboard her. Trainer Alan Greeff beat her with a runner of his last time so any market moves for POWDER DAY should be respected. She is a Real Gone Kid filly and will have Richard Fourie aboard. BUGLE returns from a break but is often competitive and can earn some more money. GREEN POINT tends to lack a strong finish but can play a minor role. NORSE WARRIOR. AMERICAN GEM and BOLD SKITT have all shown some improvement of late and can make the frame.

RACE 2

POINTER quickened up nicely on her local debut. She was consistent but overall has been a disappointing filly so far but can win a race of this nature. RHYDIAN has some ability but does not always show it. He would not be a surprise winner of this race. RUN THE WORLD needs to find a few lengths to beat these. ACTION AMERICA is clearly a lot better than his last two runs would suggest and could be a danger. SUSURRANDO is consistent and clearly not out of it. WINDOW TO MY SOUL made all the running to score last week and could play a minor role. PLAY ACT showed a form return in his latest start and is a threat if repeating that level of form.

RACE 3

RARE EARTH was a disappointment in his first two local starts but did put up a better effort last time out and could go one place better. TIME HONORED is consistent and could have that rewarded with a victory – but will it be this time? MATTER OF TRUST was well beaten last week but might play a minor role. GOOD SHINE tends to lack a strong finish but is always capable of playing a minor role. TWICE A QUEEN might be looking for further to be seen at her best, but jockey Richard Fourie continues to ride her so she must be respected. LADY OF FATE has improved of late and is not out of it. FREESTYLE DANCE makes a local debut and it could well be a winning one.

RACE 4

WORLDLY looked an unlucky loser last week but can go one place better. He does have the widest draw so will need luck in running. CHATTERBOX only found a promising filly a bit better last time out and is a real danger. RHYTHM is consistent but does give weight away to all his rivals. JET SET RUN has some fair form and could try and steal it from pole position draw. WISE COUNSEL only tired late on local debut and can get involved with the finish once again.

RACE 5

Trainer Alan Greeff has a decent hand to play in this race. SAY A PRAYER looks a promising filly and can follow up on a solid maiden win in her second start. She is returning from a break. Stable companion REMIND ME OF YOU is improving and the form of her maiden win has held up. ALESIAN BEAU picked up a confidence-boosting maiden win last time out and could have more to offer. ATLANTIC PEARL, TRULY MAGICAL, CAPTAIN CLEVER and WORSDWORTH all have chances of getting a slice of the money available.

RACE 6

MASTEROFTHEBAROQUE is improving and has looked good since stepping up in distance. He may well score again. Stable companion GLOBAL ALLY has run in better fields than this all year and can earn some money. MAKHACHEV has been very consistent of late and must be respected for that. ABOVE THE HORIZON seems better than a modest last run. WORLD CHOICE won well last time out and could have more to offer. POLICY OF TRUTH, THE MIKADO and SABRAGE are all in good form and capable of contesting the finish once again.

RACE 7

LADY BOMBER has won five times in the last 12 months and could win again. WISHES AND DREAMS is distance suited and could earn some more money. AQUARIUS has won her last two starts and must be respected for that. FANTINE was a game winner on Sunday and with Richard Fourie aboard could double up. FIERY COUNTESS is not reliable but is not out of it if showing her best form.

RACE 8

ROCK ME MAMA is not well drawn but she does pack a decent finishing kick and can win with luck in running. ENDEARED has to give weight to all her rivals but is course and distance suited and could play a role. POTENZA is not well drawn but does have a place chance. ALEX MILLER continues to knock loudly at the door and can earn some more money. BOSNAY is well drawn and does not go down easily. BLOOD OF EDEN and FONTE could be better than rated and could be worth including in Pick 6 permutations.

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 the South African Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA) Durban, KwaZulu Natal

Click here for episode about SA Riding For The Disabled Association