Querari Proving His Worth This Season
Questioning is led in by Gina Bortz and Laurence Wernars after his dominant win in the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, a victory that saw him confirming the legitimacy of his high merit rating of 127 (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Maine Chance Farms not only have the privilege of standing the phenomenal Vercingetorix but one of their other sires, Querari, is also having a fine season.
Querari lies in third place on the national log so far this season and he is leading the two-year-old standings.
Querari has already had seven two-year-old winners this season, which is two more than second-placed Gimmethegreenlight has in this statistic to date.
Querari has had three stakes winners of four races to date this season.
His chief flag-bearer is Questioning, who could well bring more stakes success.
The Vaughan Marshall-trained five-year-old gelding has had just four runs this season and they include defending his Gr 3 Matchem Stakes crown over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, a short-head runner up finish in the prestigious Gr 1 wfa L’Ormarins King’s Plate and an easy 2,50 length win in the Gr 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The last Saturday of September has yielded a Gr 3 win for Questioning for the last three seasons, because on Matchem Stakes day he won the Gr 3 Cape Classic as a three-year-old.
Alec and the Honourable Gillian Foster bred Questioning and he is owned by Greg & Gina Bortz, Mukund Gujadhur and the Wernars Family.
The way he won the Diadem puts him in fine stead for the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint and on the way there he can take in races like the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m and the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge over 1600m, all three of those races being at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Another smart Querari gelding, I Am Giant, will also have a chance in the Mercury Sprint.
Querari’s other black type winners this season are Star Major, who won the Gr 3 Politician Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, and Quantum Theory, who won the Listed Betway Spring Spree Stakes over 1200m at Turffontein Inside.
There are others who have shown a lot of promise and to mention just two there is the scopey Lucky Houdalakis-trained Quickfreeze and the Mike Azzie-trained two-year-old filly Twilight.
Querari was fifth in the national standings last season and third in the standings the season before that.
The German-bred son of Oasis Dream is becoming a permanent fixture in the top five stallions.
Kenneth Pillay's Kestorm Investments On A Phenomenal Run
Progressive sprinter Taxi To The Moon will be out to land another Graded stakes win for Kenneth Pillay’s Kestorm Investments on Saturday at Turffontein
Kenneth Pillay’s Kestorm Investments’ colours of red with white stars and black sleeves have become one of the most recognisable in South African racing and are on a phenomenal run at present with their last 12 runs yielding eight wins, two seconds and two thirds.
His horses are trained chiefly by Tony Peter and Sean Tarry at present and they include the highest rated horse in the land, the Peter-trained Gr 1-winning sprinter Buffalo Storm Cody.
Kestorm Investments have a phenomenal strike rate this season of 31%.
Kenneth Pillay’s ownership concern has had 71 runs for 22 wins and total earnings of 1,898,159.
There could be more success for Kestorm on Thursday this week at Vaal Classic and on Saturday at Turffontein.
On Thursday Keep Warm (What A Winter) had a promising third first time out for Tony Peter, having arrived from the Cape, and she has a chance in an uninspiring maiden over 1600m.
On Saturday the progressive Peter-trained 117-rated Vercingetorix gelding Taxi To The Moon will be out to score a hattrick when running in the Gr 3 J J The Jet Plane Stakes over 1000m.
The exciting sprinting filly Precocious (Ideal World), unbeaten in three starts for the Peter yard, runs in a MR 100 handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m and Blain Marx-Jacobson, who has ridden her superbly in her last two starts, will try and clinch a hattrick of wins on her.
Both Taxi To The Moon and Precocious are bookmakers’ favourites.
Kestorm also has the outsider Princess Keira (One World) in the eleventh race on Saturday.
Ferraris Ends Drought With A Treble
Luke Ferraris’s treble included winning the Class 3 Kwoon Chung Bus Cup Handicap over 1200m on Symbol Of Strength and afterwards he shared a moment with race fans (Picture: HKJC)
Luke Ferraris arrived at Wednesday night’s Happy Valley meeting on the back of a six meeting winless streak but bounced back with a fine treble.
His first win was in race two on the Caspar Fownes-trained Verbier, who was slowly away from draw three in the Class 5 event over 1200m before settling well near the back on the rail and using his long stride.
He was faced with a wall of horses in the straight but a gap opened right in his path and he did not need a second invitation to take it.
The six-year-old French-bred Toronado gelding surged through to win by half-a-length from the Brett Crawford-trained second favourite Only U.
In the sixth race, a class 3 over 1200m called the The Kwoon Chung Bus Cup (HK$1,860,000) Ferraris was aboard the Frankie Lor-trained Symbol Of Strength, who was paying 8.50 for a win.
From draw seven he settled the Irish-bred four-year-old Kodiac gelding in midfield and he got a good slingshot to the outside before having a ding dong tussle with the second favourite Flying Wrote and winning by a neck.
In the ninth and last race over 1650m Ferraris jumped from draw 8 on the Francis Lui-trained Fivefortwo, who was paying 7.50 for a win in the Class 3 event.
He settled the British-bred four-year-old Time Test gelding in a one out position in midfield and going for his run on the outside of the field he never looked like losing, crossing the line two lengths clear of 27/1 outsider Samarkand who was ridden by Lyle Hewitson.
Ferraris goes to 25 wins for the season and is back up to fifth place on the log.
Lammerskraal Stud Offer Eight Outstanding Lots At Premier Sale
Lammerskraal Stud will bring quality yearlings to the Sale
Lammerskraal Stud is a farm with a fine history of producing top-class horses, and the farm continues to churn out exciting winners all over South Africa. The likes of Viva’s Liberte, Winter Snap, and Major Master are all well above average sorts bred by the Ceres farm.
Lammerskraal’s Lindi Garlicki will be bringing forward a top-class draft at the 2026 Premier Yearling Sale, where the farm will be offering yearlings sired by a host of stallions including Jet Dark, Kommetdieding, Malmoos, Master Of My Fate, Querari (GER) and Rafeef (AUS). Lindi mentioned the following yearlings as being particularly exciting:
Lot 167: Western Master c Master Of My Fate – Bichette
He is a magnificent colt, big and strong, by in form stallion Master Of My Fate out of Gr 2 Camellia Stakes winner Bichette who was also placed in three Gr 1 events, namely the Golden Horse Sprint, Majorca Stakes and the Garden Province Stakes. He is definitely one for the notebook.
Lot 30: Mongolian Quest c Querari (GER) – Marcheline
A big good-looking son of Querari out of Western Winter dam Marcheline who has produced 6 winners of 17 races from 6 runners including the stakes winner Field Marshal. He should be popular with buyers.
Lot 132: Velocity c Rafeef (AUS) – Varsity Lover
A big, scopey, athletic colt by Rafeef out of Varsity Lover (a Var daughter of champion Captain’s Lover). This cross has already produced Gr 1 winners Thunderstruck and Master Archie. The half-sister by Querari made R2 000 000 at the 2025 Premier Yearling Sale and had a pleasing debut running second. She should find the winner’s enclosure shortly.
Lot 147: Zero to Hero c Jet Dark – Zante
A beautiful son of Jet Dark out of the Ideal World Gr 3 winning mare, Zante. She was also placed in the Gr 1 Woolavington Stakes. Already the dam of 3 winners, this colt is certainly the nicest looking yearling she has produced.
For more information on this draft, interested parties are asked to contact Lindi on (084) 527 1257.
Stoneywood Could Take Another Step Forward
Stoneywood is improving continuously and looks to have a bright future (JC Photos)
The Vaal Classic track stages a ten race meeting on Thursday and the third race could see Dyce’s full-brother Stoneywood progressing once again.
This three-year-old William Longsword gelding is improving as he strengthens and is growing into a strongly built sprinter who could possibly follow in his brother’s footsteps, although Dyce actually had precocious talent too. In this MR 99 Handicap for three-year-olds over 1200m Stoneywood carries just 54,5kg and should rise above his 88 merit rating. He faces another progressive sort in Speedman, who has won three from four and his only loss was when tried over 1600m. Speedman has to give 3kg to Stoneywood, which will not be easy. However, he has drawn in pole compared to Stoneywood’s draw of two, so he will have the advantage of being able to claim the rail for free. Titan Of The Turf makes his fist appearance as a three-year-old having won on debut as a juvenile and then finishing a 0,40 length third in the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
The sixth race is a Middle Stakes event over 1600m and The Playboy Bomber makes appeal, although he does have a tough draw of nine out of ten to overcome. He is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best weighted Dark Silver. The latter beat him by half-a-length over this trip last November and if apprentice claims are ignored Dark Silver is now 3kg better off, so should beat him again on paper. However, Dark Silver was beaten 11,25 lengths in his last start over 1800m three months ago and has not run since, so he could well need this. The Playboy Bomber has won over 1800m and then finished second over 200m in his last two respective starts. However, he is effective over this trip too. The Playboy Bomber was beaten 4,75 lengths by stablemate Birthright when they last met over this trip last July and The Playboy Bomber is only 3kg better off. However, The Playboy Bomber does seem to be coming into his own. Birthright has also been in fine form and will try and make it two wins in a row, but he does have to overcome a five point raise. Topweight Bob’s Your Uncle sticks to shorter trips these days, but actually has a good record over 1600m, so he is a runner from a fair draw of five. Hotarubi is talented but quirky and inconsistent so can’t be relied on but can’t be ignored. Dark Silver must be considered at the weights, especially considering that if apprentice claims are included he is a whopping 9,5kg better off with The Playboy Bomber, despite having beaten him by half-a-length when they last met.
The seventh is a MR 92 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m and the scopey sort Duchess Of Paloma can defy the handicapper again. Cocomelon has been off form but has come down to an attractive merit rating and should go close. Azaleas For All has been in good form and should be in the shake up. Art Nouveau has the form to earn here. Teo Torriate can never be ignored.
In the eighth, a MR 82 over 2000m, World Order could bounce back after a bit of a disappointing run last time in a small field. He has a good draw and should enjoy the step up in trip. Naretoi has plenty of talent and can go close again, but does have a wide draw to overcome. Councillor has been knocking hard in KZN and has a chance over an ideal trip, although he returns from a two-and-half month layoff. Mocha Frappe has always caught the eye and might start delivering. Gimmeachoice is consistent but does have a wide draw.
In the ninth over 1000m Tiger Storm has a nice middle draw and should be right there in this line up. Inafix is drawn on the right side and is always capable of popping up. Blindfire enjoys this course and distance but is drawn on the wrong side. Pivotal Role has good form but also has a tricky low draw. Palace Revolt can be involved if repeating his last start.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Top Floor is going the right way and should get it right third time out over a suitable trip. Pompeii Shield should finish on top of Top Floor on the form of their clash last time. Rock My Boat has shown enough to be able to earn here.
In the second leg over 1600m Future Gamble only just failed last time and should have come on from the run, which was her first on the Highveld. Miraculous Moment made a good debut over 1160m and should relish the step up in trip but does have a tricky draw. Blood Of Eden will enjoy the step back down n trip and should be in the shake up. Lanteri has faced good sorts and never been disgraced so has a shout here. Keep Warm ran a decent race first up on the Highveld and should be in the shake up.
In the tenth over 1450m the progressive Trail Runner is well drawn and off a four point higher mark can score the hattrick.
In the first race over 1200m Proud Mary could be the one to beat as this first-timer is by Vercingetorix and is a half-sister to dual Gr 1-winning sprinter and now sire Thunderstruck.
In the second over 1200m first-timer Sheriff Bill Brown is by Buffalo Bill Cody out of a Black Minnaloushe mare who has produced a dual winner from just two runners. First-timer Gone Cold is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Captain Al mare and he’s a half-brother to a horse who won first time out over 900m. The Bronx Bull made a fair debut and should improve.
Fourie Treble, Ennion and Marcus Doubles
Fourie’s first win was on the Greg Ennion-trained Pathfork gelding Sardinia Bay, who has now won half of his eight starts (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Richard Fourie rode an individual treble at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday and there were doubles for both Greg Ennion and Adam Marcus.
Fuorie’s first win was on the useful Ennion-trained three-year-old gelding Sardinia Bay, who made it a fourth win from eight starts in the second race, a Middle Stakes race over 1000m.
The other most notable winner of the day was the Adam Marcus-trained Erupt mare Dream Searcher, who has built up a fine partnership with Craig Bantam.
The mare had fallen to a 55 merit rating as a one-time winner by the time Bantam rode her for the second time. Two third place finishes followed and then in their next 12 starts the partnership has yielded seven wins and a second.
Bantam knows just how to ride her and how to extract the telling turn of foot she possesses to its best effect.
Fourie closed the gap on Craig Zackey on the national jockeys log to 29.
He is on 131 wins achieved at a strike rate of 22.05%.
Ennion is on 15 wins at 9.87%.
Marcus is on 13 wins at 10.24%.
NHA's Revised Use Of The Crop And Penalties
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (the NHA) confirms that its National Board of Directors has unanimously adopted the amendments to Appendix E – Use of the Crop and the associated Crop Penalty Document, as proposed by the Rules Committee on 25 February 2026.
The Rules Committee, which is representative of the entire horseracing industry, comprises National Board Directors, NHA Executive Management, and stakeholders drawn from Operators, Owners, Trainers and Jockeys. The amendments therefore reflect a consultative, industry-wide process and a shared commitment to equine welfare, regulatory certainty, and the integrity of the sport.
The revised framework provides clearer guidance to riders and officials on acceptable crop use and the consequences of non-compliance. In summary:
The maximum permitted use of the crop has been amended from the current twelve (12) to ten (10) strikes per race.
Penalties, which have been fully revised, commence at the 11th strike, escalating in a structured and proportionate manner.
More serious or repeated contraventions may attract suspensions and, in exceptional cases, referral to a designated crop panel, which has discretion to consider additional penalties where conduct is particularly egregious or falls outside standard parameters.
The revised Rules further reinforce that the crop may be used only for encouragement, guidance, and safety, and never in a manner that compromises the welfare of the horse.
The NHA confirms that the revised Use of the Crop Rules and Penalty framework will take full effect on 1 April 2026.
In recognition of the significance of the amendments, the NHA has approved a one-month implementation moratorium from 1 to 31 March 2026, inclusive. During this period, the current Use of the Crop Guidelines and penalties will remain in force, while riders are afforded an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new requirements. Instances of conduct that would contravene the new framework will be brought to the attention of riders for educational purposes ahead of full enforcement.
From 1 April 2026, the amended Crop Penalty Framework will apply in full. The NHA emphasises that the crop penalty framework is no longer a guideline, but a binding Rule, and will be enforced accordingly.
The unanimous adoption of these amendments by both the Rules Committee and the National Board reflects a shared, industry-wide commitment to horse welfare and a clear, consistent regulatory approach to the use of the crop.
The revised Appendix E – Use of the Crop and Crop Penalty Framework will be circulated to all licensed participants and published through official NHA communication channels.
Enquiries:
Vee Moodley
Chief Executive
Today's Question
Which jockey has won the most number of Breeders Cup races?
The picture is of the subject (Benoit Photo (the Paulick Report))
Today’s Question Answer
Picture: Mike Smith
Mike Smith has won a record 27 Breeders Cup races.
