New Chairman And Directors Of NHA Announced
Mark Currie, who has been on a number of horseracing boards before, is the new chairperson of the NHA
The NHA sent out a press release late on Thursday announcing the approval of four nominations to the NHA board to fill the vacant positions and Mark Currie as the incoming Chairperson.
NHA Press Release (Thursday October 2)
In terms of Chapter 4 of the Constitution of The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) the Nominations Committee (NOMCO), consisting of Messrs M Currie, G Bortz, A Rivalland, Mr G Ahmed and J Kinsley, has nominated the following candidates to fill the vacant positions on the National Board. The vacant positions are due to the recent resignations of six directors.
1. Mr Mark Currie in terms of Clause 15.1.1 of the Constitution
Mr Currie is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds the position of Group Chief Risk Officer of the Investec Group having been employed in various roles for 32 years at Investec.
Mr Currie is the former Chairman of the Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust, the former co-chair of Kenilworth Racing and a former Director of the Racing Association (now known as the Racehorse Owners Association).
Mr Currie has been actively involved in the Horseracing Industry in South Africa and has held colours since 1994.
Mr Currie recused himself from NOMCO when deliberating his nominations to the National Board.
2. Mr Laurence Wernars in terms of Clause 15.1.1 of the Constitution
Mr Wernars is the Chairman of the Studio 88 Group of Companies.
Mr Wernars is also heavily invested in the sport of horseracing for over 30 years and is the owner of over 100 horses in training and owns over 100 broodmares and yearlings. He has served on the board of the Racing Association (now known as the Racehorse Owners Association).
Mr Wernars has previously served as a National Board Director from 10 December 2019 to 13 October 2020.
3. Mr Barry Reardon in terms of Clause 15.1.1 of the Constitution
Mr Reardon is a practicing Attorney at Millar and Reardon Attorneys since 1982. He was appointed as Commissioner of Small Claims Court in 2015 and currently serves as a trustee on various testamentary, inter vivos and charitable trusts.
Mr Reardon has been a colour holder since 1 August 1989 and up until 2021, he was also a registered breeder.
4. Mr Brenden Fegen in terms of Clause 15.1.1 of the Constitution
Mr Fegen is currently a Colour Holder and has been a Colour Holder since 18 February 2021.
Mr Fegen is a self-employed businessman in transport and contracting business working with Citrus Farmers, Dairy and Apple Farmers having started the business in 2013.
Mr Fegen is a keen racing enthusiast and holds individual and partnership colours since 18 February 2021.
At its Board meeting convened on 2 October, the above nominations were approved unanimously by the current Board.
Mr Currie has resigned from his position on the Nominations Committee as the Owners’ representative and a replacement shall be announced in due course.
Subsequent to the above appointments, a further board meeting was called, and at that meeting, it was once again unanimously voted that Mr Mark Currie be appointed as the incoming Chairperson.
The NHA congratulates all new members of the Board and appreciates their willingness to guide the organisation at this current juncture.
These appointments are with immediate effect.
Vee Moodley
Chief Executive
Japan Have Real Chance Of First Success In Arc
Croix du Nord and connections after victory in the Gr 3 Prix Du Orange (Picture: Racing Post/Burton)
Dave Mollett
Longchamp racecourse in Paris staged their first meeting on April 27 1857 and it was such a big occasion that the Guest-of-Honour was Emperor Napoleon 111.
Whether current French president, Emmanuel Macron, will be making the journey to Route Des Tribunes in Bois De Boulogne, where the Longchamp racecourse is located, on Sunday (Oct 5) is unknown, but what we do know is that Japan have a real chance of winning their first Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.
The closest Japan has come to winning Europe’s most prestigious race was with Orfevre in 2012 and they hope to go one place better with either Croix Du Nord or Byzantine Dream.
Japanese jockey, Yuichi Kitamura, describes Croix Du Nord as “the strongest horse in the world” and his mount tuned up for the big day with a victory in the Gr 3 Prix Du Orange.
“He was in good condition for this race but not 100% so having a race under his belt should bring him on a lot,” commented trainer, Takashi Saito.
Croix Du Nord only got home by a short-head from Daryx, who went to York unbeaten only to shock most racegoers – including myself – by finishing last of six in the Juddmonte International. This latest effort put the three year-old back in the Arc picture.
The booking of Oisin Murphy for Byzantine Dream is a huge plus for the other Japanese hope and his price was trimmed to 8-1 after a fluent win in the Prix Foy. A winner of a rich race in Saudi Arabia earlier in the year, the worry is that this horse needs fast ground and the going is often soft in the Arc.
At this stage, I wouldn’t want to back anything else other than the 9-2 second favourite, Aventure.
Maxime Guyon, who knows every blade of grass at Longchamp, partnered the latter filly to victory in the Prix Vermeille which delighted her trainer, Christophe Ferland.
“Now we can head for the Arc calmly. That will be a big day for me, for the stable, the filly and the Wertheimer Bros,” said Ferland.
Alohi Alii is another Japan representative but doesn’t have the same claims as Croix Du Nord and Byzantine Dream. Even so, one factor in his favour is that he handles soft ground.
Aidan O’Brien is on course to better his 2017 record of 28 Gr 1 wins and I rated Minnie Hauk’s win in last month’s Yorkshire Oaks as a performance right out of the top drawer.
While the filly is now favourite to continue on her winning streak in Paris, it was worrying for her supporters that – after her York win – O’Brien voiced his concern about Minnie Hauk’s ability to handle ease in the ground.
Last year’s Arc crowd – affected by bad weather – was only 22 300 but that figure looks sure to be bettered on October 5 with France Galop announcing that advance ticket sales are 18% up on the same point in the last five years.
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Gauteng’s biggest racing event – the Betway Summer Cup – is only two months away and 4Racing will already be having meetings to ensure the meeting is a resounding success.
In this regard, officials could heed the recent announcement from Cheltenham that they will have an extra food court – as well as reducing drink prices – for their big meeting in March.
“Those attending major events expect a premium experience,” commented Cheltenham CEO, Gary Lavender.
When I was presenting at Turffontein (many moons ago!), racegoers would often comment to me that “we loved the racing, but it was a real battle to get any food.”
Perhaps the likes of Kentucky, Debonairs and Steers could be approached to have outlets at the track on November 29 to help what is a great day out for both racing fans and families.
Food for thought!
Half-brother To Rascallion Heads Winterbach Stud's Draft
Winterbach’s draft will be immaculately presented as usual
Leading thoroughbred boarding and yearling preparation farm, Winterbach Stud is firmly established as one of the Cape’s leading thoroughbred nurseries. Established in 2011 by Hendrik Winterbach Sr and now co-managed with his son, Hendrik Winterbach Jnr, the stud offers over 35 years of expertise in the breeding industry.
Winterbach Stud will be offering a high-class draft at the 2025 Two-Year-Old Sale, with their offering including siblings of top-class performers as well as offspring of high-class racemares. Likely standouts include:
Lot 47: Stitchintime – Vercingetorix – Patchit Up Baby (colt):
By South Africa’s reigning champion sire (Vercingetorix progeny have made up to R9 000 000 in the sales ring), Stitchintime is a full brother to a winner and his dam won the Allez France Stakes. He is from an outstanding female line, with Stitchintime’s granddam a half-sister to star two-year-old, and successful sire, Bakharoff. Further back, this colt is descended in female line from dual English classic winner Imprudence.
Lot 82: Three Halves – Querari – Sofala (colt):
By the sire of Gr 1 winners Bavarian Beauty, Cosmic Speed, Querari Falcon and Rio Falcon, Three Halves is a half-brother to five winners including Kuda Sprint winner Agent Of Fortune and four-time graded stakes winner Rascallion. The latter, who earned more than R2.2 million, finished runner up in the Gr 1 Cape Derby, Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and Gr 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met.
Lot 56: Sport Of Kings – One World – Princess Ofthe Sky (colt):
By the same sire as exported champion One Stripe, Sport Of Kings is out of Stormsvlei Mile Listed winner Princess Of The Sky. The latter is a Jet Master three-parts sister to such notable stakes winners as Love Is In The Air, Jet Jamboree and Careful Landing. Jet Master is broodmare sire of champions Hawwaam, Jet Dark, Rainbow Bridge, Lady In Black and Edict Of Nantes.
Lot 85: City State – One World – State Factor (filly):
A daughter of one of South Africa’s best young stallions, City State is a three-parts sister to a winner, and half-sister to two more. Her Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery winning dam is bred on very similar lines to the National Assembly sired champion, and star producer, National Colour, and this is also the family of Gr 1 winners Cardinal’s Fury and Corning Touch.
Lot 86: Gimme The Sun – Gimmethegreenlight – Sunshine Silk (colt):
By multiple champion sire Gimmethegreenlight, Gimme The Sun is bred on the same cross as champion Bless My Stars as well as the likes of Barahin, Let’s Go Now and Cosmic Highway. From the immediate family of current high-class galloper Madison Valley, Sunshine Silk was a top-class racemare whose eight career wins included triumphs in both the Gr 3 Caradoc Gold Cup and Gr 3 Gold Bowl.
For more information on this draft, please contact Hendrik Winterbach on (082) 465 4433.
All horses purchased off the RCS Two-Year-Old Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper is run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in mid-April for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Some Good Performances At Thursday's Vaal Meeting
Kisshoten wins a fillies and mares handicap off a 97 merit rating to give Calvin Habib a quick double and she will likely be looking to pick up some black type soon
There were a trio of eyecatching winners by 90-something-rated horses at the Vaal Classic track meeting today.
Hawwaam’s progeny are beginning to blossom as three-year-olds and in the second race over 1000m the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Hawwaam gelding Pivotal Role opened at 83/100 before drifting out to 2/1, but he won as he liked under Muzi Yeni. Pivotal Role showed good natural pace to be up front and he accelerated away in the closing stages to win by three lengths.
In the fifth race, a MR 98 Handicap over 1600m, the Tony Peter-trained Kisshoten, carrying 59,5kg off a 97 merit rating, registered her fifth career win and did it easily, winning by 1,50 lengths under Calvin Habib. Kisshoten has three wins, two seconds and two thirds in her last seven starts and being out of a Silvano mare she can continue to progress.
In a Middle Stakes event over 1800m the James Crawford-trained 92-rated Gimmethegreenlight gelding Luce Verde quickened impressively under Callan Murray to win by 1,60 lengths. She won last time out in her third Highveld start since relocating from Cape Town and it once again underlined the strength of Cape Town racing, because horses often seem to have suppressed merit rating when they come from there. Luce Verde should win more races.
Calvin Habib rode a double and that saw him solidifying his third place berth on the national jockeys log.
Stallions Vercingetorix and Erupt had doubles and four of the winners at the eight race meeting were bred by Maine Chance Farms.
Habib goes to 30 wins and has achieved it at a strike rate of 13.64%.
The PE-bred Who Was Toast Of The Last Chairman's Dinner
The Ascot Stud-bred Bold Silvano was not only Silvano’s first July winner but also his first son to stand at stud
Vercingetorix continues to increase his living legend status and it would be fitting to look back at an entertaining night just over 15 years ago on the weekend in which Vercingetorix’s sire Silvano first gave an inkling of what was to come.
Silvano had made a good start to his stud career, but nobody was predicting him to become a six-times champion sire as well as the greatest Hollywoodbets Durban July sire in history.
In 2010 Silvano had the first of his five July winners.
The Mike de Kock-trained Bold Silvano, bred by Ascot Stud in Port Elizabeth and formerly trained by PE trainer Gavin Smith, beat home his stablemate Irish Flame.
He was the the third of De Kock’s five July winners and the third of jockey Anthony Delpech’s four July winners.
The Hollywoodbets Durban July appeals as one of the world’s great races partly due to the traditions attached to it like the final field and draw ceremony, the July Gallops, the July beans, the roar of the crowd as they jump, the victory canter past and the hanging of the winning colours in the Classic Room, to mention just a few.
There also used to be the Chairman’s Dinner to honour the July winner on the Monday night after the big race and although it was a fine tradition it was probably the correct decision to dispense with it due to the modern way in which time is at a premium, not to mention expense.
The last Chairman’s Dinner was in 2010 after the Mike de Kock-trained Bold Silvano’s victory and it was remembered chiefly for the entertaining speech of winning part-owner Gill Thompson.
The article below reports on that dinner and gives some insight into the story of how a Port Elizabeth-bred-and-trained horse sired by Silvano went on to win South Africa’s greatest race:
Mike de Kock received a standing ovation and a toast at last night’s Chairman’s Dinner at Greyville proposed by Vodacom Durban July winner Bold Silvano’s winning part-owner, Gill Thomson.
“South African racing owes Mike an enormous debt,” said Thomson during her highly entertaining speech that drew almost as much laughter as the later performance of comedian, Ben Vos.
Thomson, who lives in East London, described de Kock as a man who was not scared of anything and whose endeavours to succeed in the thoroughbred industry knew no boundaries.
She felt that de Kock’s efforts overseas had put South Africa on the world horseracing map.
She also thanked Anthony Delpech for his brilliant ride of Bold Silvano, whom she described as a “beautiful horse”.
Thomson also praised Ashley and Rose Parker of Ascot Stud and felt there could not have been more deserving July winning breeders, especially in light of the narrow July defeat in 1991 of the horse they owned, the later highly successful sire, Al Mufti.
She said, “I saw Bold Silvano on their farm before the yearling sales and there was something about him – he talked to me.”
She got Port Elizabeth trainer Gavin Smith to bid for him and secured him for R300,000, which it was pointed out during the evening was a big price to pay for a horse that was to be based in Port Elizabeth.
Early on in his training Gavin Smith had told her that the horse was something special.
Thomson received numerous offers for Bold Silvano after his early success in PE, including from de Kock, but turned them all down.
However, after the Cape season she decided to send the horse to de Kock for the Champions Season.
Thereafter she received an offer for a share in the horse from de Kock’s chief client Sheik Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum that she “could not refuse.”
Thomson described herself as never having really been a racing person, but whose life had revolved around horses.
She is very well known in the horse show world.
She became choked with emotion when thanking her husband Mitford for his support and for having put up with her love for horses.
De Kock thanked Thomson for allowing him to train such a “wonderful horse” and thanked the sponsor Vodacom.
He gave magnanimous praise, as he always does, to his whole team from assistant trainers, grooms, jockeys, workriders, vets, farriers etc, before adding, “Not many people know how much work it takes just to win a maiden plate, let alone a July.”
Delpech began his speech by thanking Vodacom and also heaped praise on de Kock, describing him as a “genius”.
He recounted that at the Summerveld team breakfasts Kevin Shea would not hear of defeat for Irish Flame, while he himself had kept quietly confident without playing his cards.
Gold Circle Chairman John Bescoby revealed that the national tote turnover for the day was R94,140,144, an increase of 3,74% on last year.
Gold Circle’s share of this turnover was R54,053,228 a decrease of 1,03%, but higher than the budgeted for figure of R53,499,282.
The on course turnover was R19,319,879, an increase of 6,07% on last year.
The national turnover for the main race, the July, was R33,452,724 a 3,2% increase on last year.
Gold Circle’s portion of this was R20,635,583, an increase of 13,8% on last year.
The crowd at Greyville reached it’s capacity of 50,000.
Guides To Fairview And Hollywoodbets Greyville On Friday
When you have good two-year-olds you have building blocks for the next three years.
That was the comment made by trainer Alan Greeff after Anotherdanceforme won the Grade 2 Golden Slipper over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on HWB Durban July day.
There is no question in Anotherdanceforme, Golden Palm and Direct Hit Greeff had the best performing two-year-old fillies in the country in his yard and now it is time to plan for the likes the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas later in the year.
“Definitely, you’ve got to think about those races with these fillies and place them accordingly,” added Greeff.
Direct Hit has already set the standard with an impressive comeback win and on Friday it is the turn of Anotherdanceforme, who lines up in Race 6, the ROA Plate for three-year-olds over 1400m on the turf at Fairview.
The Master Of My Fate filly is unbeaten in five starts and won the Golden Slipper far easier than the 1.40-length margin over Quickstepgal as she ducked right across the track.
Hopefully she will have matured a little since her last start and got over her habit of hanging but she will have Richard Fourie back in the irons and he knows how to handle her.
She will be taking in the colts for the first time and she also has to give them. However, she is still at least 6kg better handicapped than any of her rivals and it comes as no surprise she has been priced up at 1-10 to make a triumphant comeback.
The feature race on this card is Race 7, the Cradock Stakes over 1200m, and it looks very interesting. The Greeff – Fourie team is well represented by Fairy Knight. The Global View gelding remains in good form and has finished runner-up in his last two starts, the latest when 3.25 lengths behind Song Of Myself over 1000m at this track. He clearly found that trip a bit sharp and now meets that rival on 3.5kg better terms.
Song Of Myself was impressive that day and was full of running, but she will need to prove she is as good over this distance.
Snaith Racing are represented by Royal Aussie, who is capable of breaking a long losing run, if he can cope with the severe drop in trip.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 American Matador, 5 Originator, 6 Magnus The Good, 9 Timeline
Race 2: 4 King Of Victory, 1 Outback Express, 5 Celtique, 6 Welsh Starlet
Race 3: 2 Bomber Bay, 4 Action America, 1 Two For The Boys, 7 Aethelwulf
Race 4: 2 Winter Emeralds, 7 Rock Of Futura, 6 Sun Spectacular, 3 Green Mandarin
Race 5: 3 King Prawn, 2 King’s Ransom, 5 Cheeky Laddie, 4 Final Try
Race 6: 1 Anotherdanceforme, 3 Augusta Rosso, 2 Above The Horizon, 4 Wild Fig
Race 7: 2 Fairy Knight, 10 Song Of Myself, 8 Sweetie Darling, 1 Royal Aussie
Race 8: 9 Three Cheers, 7 Wood World, 4 Walkonthewildside, 6 Slainte Mhath
BEST BET
Race 5: 3 King Prawn
VALUE BET
Race 8: 9 Three Cheers
BEST SWINGER
Race 3 2×4
BIPOT
R18
Leg 1: 2, 5, 6
Leg 2: 1, 4, 5
Leg 3: 2, 4
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 3
Leg 6: 1
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R72
Leg 1: 1, 4, 5
Leg 2: 2, 4
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 3
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 2, 8, 10
Leg 7: 4, 6, 7, 9
PICK 6
R60
Leg 1: 2, 4, 5
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 2, 8, 10
Leg 6: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
JACKPOT 1
R4
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 3
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 2, 8, 10
JACKPOT 2
R20
Leg 1: 3
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 2, 8, 10
Leg 4: 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
Hollywoodbets Greyville (Turf)
R1 Summary: Barring any of the first timers upsetting the applecart SUN IN MY POCKET (8) will never get a better chance to shed her maiden. She has been close-up in her last two and should be able to go one better. Of those that have run. COME TO MY PARTY (5) is likely to improve on her debut effort while GORGEOUS BOMB (4) has shown some ability but appears best on the poly. QUEEN BRAGANZA (7) could prove best of the first timers. (Andrew Harrison: 8-5-4-7).
R2 Summary: LIGHT OF GABRIEL (10) has the widest draw to contend with but does have the strongest form. The step up in trip should suit and she is the horse to beat. DANCING IN DENMARK (4) has been rested but made a promising debut on the poly and is one to watch in the betting. OMNIA (9) has only had three starts but her best effort was on the poly which is a concern. ANEMIE (3) has been showing recent improvement and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 10-4-9-3).
R3 Summary: CARNIVAL PARK (11) carries top weight but is proven over the trip and boasts consistent form. INTO (5) takes on males but has shown good form for her new stable and if she stays the extra furlong she should be right there. DEAD POETS SOCIETY (9) as shown little in three starts but gets first time blinkers which could spark major improvement. REIGN ON IMPACT (12) did improve second time out and can show more. (Andrew Harrison: 11-5-9-12).
R4 Summary: ALANNAH (1) has earned in five of her six starts, only missing out in a strong Gr2 where she was not far behind. She goes this trip for the first time but should see it out and has a light weight from a good draw. SIGN OF FATE (4) has been knocking on the door for some time now. She should enjoy the extra here and has a handy galloping weight. ICE RAIN (5) returns from a break after running unplaced in a Gr2. She has excellent form before that and is the best of the Andre Nel runners judged on jockey bookings. TOMYRIS (8) is seldom far back and narrowly beaten last time out. She should make a bold bid. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-5-8).
R5 Summary: HAPPY FORTUNE (5) has been knocking at the door for her second win. She was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and with the help of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance she should make it home. AVERNIAN GODDESS (1) has the best of the draw and is never far back. The step up in trip should suit. POURSOMESUGARONME (2) is always game and never far back. The trip suits and she rates a strong winning chance. GORGEOUS GIRL (7) has been coming to hand along with the stable and is another in with a strong chance. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-2-7).
R6 Summary: DAPPER (8) has been knocking at the door for his new stable and getting closer and closer. He gets a useful 4kg claimer aboard and can finally make it home. RUN FOREST RUN (11) is lightly raced and has a wide draw but showed up well first run back from a break and looks useful. GOLDEN RULE (7) has his third run after a break and has been close-up at his last two. He should make a bold bid. RUGGER LOVER (4) is never far back of late and goes well this trip. Her 4kg claimer will help her cause. (Andrew Harrison: 8-11-7-4).
R7 Summary: PHUTULICIOUS (3) has been showing signs of coming to hand after a spell in the Cape. Last run was possibly too short and over his best trip with a 4kg claimer aboard he should at least be competitive. LEXICAN POINT (9) has been disappointing but does seem better than recent form would suggest. Down in trip with blinkers back on he could be the jocker in the pack. MAC HARDY (7) has shown up nicely in two recent starts on the poly but has a strong chance in this line-up. BEACH PALACE (2) has come well of late and was touched off last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 3-9-7-2).
R8 Summary: HIERARCHY (3) found one too good for her when returning from a break last time out. With that run under her girth she could be a hard horse to beat. WARRIOR ROYALE (8) has had one outing since a break and was a beaten favourite on the day. She has to give plenty of weight to Hierarchy which could be her undoing. BUTTERCUP BABY (1) has won her last two over course and distance. She gets some relief from the saddle and should be competitive. Stable companion to Warrior Royale, COMIC RELIEF (5) has not been out since May and may need this run but does have a touch of class. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-1-5).
R9 Summary: EXOCET (2) was a little disappointing first run out of the maidens given that he started a short-priced favourite. However, he was still green in the running and may be worth a second chance. LITTLE BOY BLUE (10) has the widest draw and has not been out since the Gr1 Gold Medallion back in May. He garnered a hefty rating for finishing four lengths off the winner and it remains to be scene how he fares in his first run back. VISION TO ACHIEVE (7) has smart form over the trip and with a 4kg claimer aboard she will be dangerous. AYUWI AYUWI (3) showed up well at long odds last run and has a money chance again. (Andrew Harrison: 2-10-7-3).
R10 Summary: CALL ME JANE (1) shed her maiden last start but was her first run up from the Cape with a first time tongue-tie. She looks to be the pick of the Andre Nel pairing with stable companion TEQUILA SKY (4) boasting some useful recent form. MOSCOW MISS (6) has useful form over the trip. She has improved in blinkers. CLICKBAIT (2) showed up well first run out of the maidens and can place again. (Andrew Harrison: 1-6-4-2).
Richard Fourie A Lucky Lad On His Spring Star
Lucky Lad and an elated Richard Fourie after winning the Gr 1 Gold Medallion (Anneke Akal Kitching)
It’s a good day out at the Big T and jockey Richard Fourie will be back on board Lucky Lad
Mike Moon (The Citizen)
Lucky Lad is well named when it comes to his jockey. The youngster started his racing career at Turffontein with a bloke called Richard Fourie on his back.
Colt and bloke took a shine to each other, winning four races in a row, including the Grade 1 Gold Medallion at Scottsville. But the pinnacle of the “bromance” came at the same venue a year later when they won the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint – for which Fourie won KwaZulu-Natal’s 2024 Ride of the Season award.
“All credit to the horse,” exclaimed the man who would go on to win the jockey championship in record-breaking manner.
“What I felt and saw today was phenomenal!” said Fourie, looking dazed in the winner’s circle.
Lucky Lad flew up from so far back in the 1200m sprint that the commentator didn’t get around to mentioning his name at all in the final two furlongs: “They’re coming from everywhere!” was the drowning cry.
We can’t all be exceptional all the time. Fourie didn’t manage to defend his title the next season, while Lucky Lad “lost his way”, as the saying goes.
Lucky Lad’s big year?
On Saturday, at Turffontein, the partnership is rekindled in the Grade 2 Betway Spring Challenge over 1450m. Fourie doesn’t make the trip up to the Highveld from Cape Town for any old nag, so punters have been telegraphed.
The five-year-old recently returned to action after a six-month holiday, grabbing third place in a Pinnacle 1200m at the Vaal and demonstrating readiness for the feature season ahead.
Trainer Sean Tarry is another fan of the son of Gimmethegreenlight and clearly sees capacity to go beyond pure sprint distances.
This seems destined to be the talented Lad’s big year and Saturday could be the launch pad.
It won’t be easy, though, with runners well proven at the top level ranged against him, including 2024 Betway Summer Cup champion Atticus Finch who also looks due a return to best form – though perhaps not quite yet from a wide draw and off a rest.
Tarry’s second string in the contest, three-year-old Tin Pan Alley, has to be a threat, too – post-gelding and with smart form, a light weight and a good draw.
Erico Verdonese-trained Choisaanada loves Turffontein, having completed an heroic hat-trick in the Highveld Winter Series, and will be heavily involved.
Quantum Theory, Texas Red and Nyaka Nyaka are lurkers.
The Spring Challenge companion piece for fillies and mares has also attracted useful horses, such as VJ’s Angel, Callmegetrix, Destiny Of Fire, Frozen Fantasy and Anchorage.
And the undercard has several eye-catching names as training yards begin their summer season preparations in earnest.
A good day out at the Big T.
Today's Question
Who won the first R1 million race in South Africa?
The picture gives a clue to the answer
Today’s Question Answer
The Roy Magner-trained Leopard Strike (Elliodor) won South Africa’s first ever R1 million race, the Topsport Bloodline Million over 1200m at Turffontein Standside on on 31 March 1990, and he was ridden by Stephen Jupp.
