Picture: Michael Roberts with artist John Meyer, who in 2016 for the Queen’s 90th birthday conjured an image of her 69 years earlier as a young princess, riding on a beach in Durban in 1947, in what must have been a rare moment of unbridled freedom for the young woman who was to become the world’s oldest reigning monarch, as well as Britain’s longest-lived. The painting hangs in the Royal Box at Epsom. (Supplied).

Muis Recalls Meetings With The Queen

Michael Roberts was so confident of winning The King George And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in 1988 on Mtoto he sought advice beforehand on how to address the Queen Mother. It was usually the Queen Mother who presented the trophy, so it was a welcome surprise when it turned out to be The Queen herself who was doing the trophy presentation that day.

He recalled, “I was very nervous and then she said to me ‘I enjoy watching this horse run because he reminds me of his father Busted.’ and she said, ‘Busted had the same style of racing’. I remember thinking how knowledgeable she was, because I did not know that myself obviously! She then said, ‘He must be a nice horse to ride,’ and I replied, ‘Yes, Ma’ am, all you got to do is aim him really and just don’t press the button too soon.”

Michael had been told, upon seeing her, to lower his head momentarily in the bowing gesture and to then address her first as “Your Majesty” and thereafter as “Ma’am”. He was also told to never extend his hand until she had first extended hers.

Michael used to ride for the Queen’s racing manager Lord Carnavon, so was privileged to speak to her on a number of occasions.

He confirmed she was very easy to speak to.

He said, “In the first sentence she puts you at ease and it then becomes like just talking to another owner.”

He recalled, “I was riding one day at Newbury (in 1995) when Lord Carnavon came to me and said ‘Her Majesty would like a word with you.’ We went to the parade ring and I greeted her and she said she had just come back from South Africa and they had very kindly taken her to Greyville, but it had been so sad because the racing had to be abandoned (torrential rain in the preceding week). However, she said they had kindly driven her around the track (she came to the course to greet thousands of well wishers) and said, ‘It looks like a very difficult track to ride.’ I replied, ‘No, Ma’ am, it’s not that difficult,’ and she said, “Oh, but you’re turning all the time,” and I said, “Yes, a good draw does play a big part.’ She had also remembered the track from going there back in the day with her parents in the year the King’s Cup was presented (1947 and it has been run every year since) and she said, ‘What really fascinated me from the stands was how Durban has developed , all the buildings and this lovely racecourse in the middle of it.’ She was very impressed.”

He added, “It was so fascinating for her to call me, I wasn’t even riding for her that day, to tell me about her trip to South Africa. It really felt special.”

Michael continued, “I saw her many a morning at Newmarket on the gallops without any security. We used to be told ‘The Queen is in town, behave yourself! She used to love coming to the gallops. She used to stand there just watching the horses go past with Sir Michael Stoute and then she would go back to the stables and have breakfast with him and with the head people. She used to love that apparently. As they say when she was with animals she was at her happiest.”

Michael revealed, “I felt privileged, so last Monday I didn’t come to the races and stayed at home to watch the funeral and pay my respects. I wish I could have been there to show respect for her because she was a phenomenal woman, it doesn’t matter what anybody says about her, and she loved her racing. That is really where her passion was, especially breeding, and to think she actually owned the dam of Nashwan (Height Of Fashion) but sold her to Sheik Hamdan!”

Picture: The Stuart Pettigrew-trained Captain Peg (Jay Peg). (JC Photos)

Cape Racing’s Latest Ready To Run And Gold Rush Logs

Cape Racing Ready To Run Log:

Cape Racing Gold Rush Log:

Picture: Impressive Tattersalls Stakes winner Nostrum (Kingman) will bid to maintain his unbeaten record on Saturday when he lines up against six rivals in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes. (Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos))

Confirmed Runners And Riders For Saturday’s Dewhurst Stakes At Newmarket

Nostrum: heads seven declarations for the Dewhurst Stakes

By Catherine Macrae (Racing Post)

Impressive Tattersalls Stakes winner Nostrum will bid to maintain his unbeaten record on Saturday when he lines up against six rivals in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained two-year-old was promoted to favouritism for the Newmarket contest after Sakheer was ruled out on Thursday morning.

The Mill Reef winner scoped dirty and was subsequently not declared by trainer Roger Varian after being supplemented just three days ago for the Group 1 race.

Nostrum will be partnered by Richard Kingscote for the first time on Saturday due to regular rider Ryan Moore’s commitment to Ballydoyle.

Moore will instead ride Group 2 winner Aesop’s Fables for Aidan O’Brien, who is seeking his sixth Dewhurst win in the past decade having last scored with St Mark’s Basilica in 2020.

Aesop’s Fables is the only Irish entry in the field, but another Group 2 winner involved is the Brian Meehan-trained Isaac Shelby who is set to make his first start since landing the Superlative Stakes in July.

Dual Listed winner Naval Power is another set to put his unbeaten record on the line following a fourth victory at Haydock in September.

The son of Teofilo seeks to deliver back-to-back successes in the race for Charlie Appleby, who scored last year with Native Trail.

The Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap (3.40) has attracted 23 runners, although the race will not feature ante-post second favourite Adagio following his death on Thursday morning. Irish Cesarewitch winner and ante-post favourite Waterville was also not declared for the race.

The field is led by the Moore-ridden Ahorsewithnoname, who seeks to give Nicky Henderson consecutive wins in the race following the success of Buzz in 2021.

Willie Mullins will bid to equal the record of four wins in the race when he saddles three runners – Baby Zeus, Scaramanga and Gibraltar. The Charles Byrnes-trained Run For Oscar is another strong contender for Ireland and is second favourite.

Darley Dewhurst Stakes runners and riders:

Aesop’s Fables (Ryan Moore)

Chaldean (Frankie Dettori)

Isaac Shelby (Sean Levey)

Marbaan (Jamie Spencer)

Naval Power (William Buick)

Nostrum (Richard Kingscote)

Royal Scotsman (Jim Crowley)

Darley Dewhurst Stakes (3.00 Newmarket, Saturday)

Coral: 11-8 Nostrum, 7-2 Naval Power, 4 Chaldean, 13-2 Aesop’s Fables, 11 Isaac Shelby, 20 Royal Scotsman, 25 Marbaan

Picture: Trip Of Fortune (Nearest) was awarded Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes in the boardroom (Wayne Marks).

Merit Rating Changes After The Weekend Features

Topbet Mike O’ Connor Joburg Spring Challenge (Grade 2)

WILLIAM ROBERTSON remains unchanged on a rating of 125 following his success in the Grade 2 Topbet Mike O’ Connor Spring Challenge over 1450m on the Turffontein inside course on Saturday 1 October. The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that 3^rd finisher BINGWA made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this race, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 118. In assessing the race this way WILLIAM ROBERTSON only runs to a mark of 124, hence his unaltered rating.

The specific conditions of the race do not permit any increase to the rating of any horse other than the winner. Accordingly, runner-up AFTER THE RAIN remains on 104 despite running to a mark of 123, and 4^th placed MERCANTOUR is unchanged on 105 although achieving a rating of 114.

The only drop was for PRINCE OF FIRE, who is down slightly from 114 to 113.

Topbet Joburg Spring F&M Challenge (Grade 2)

HUMDINGER has had her rating raised from 95 to 103 after winning the Grade 2 Topbet Joburg Spring F&M Challenge over 1450m. The Handicappers were of the opinion that 4^th finisher MERCURY RISING made for the best line horse here, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 106.

In assessing the race this way HUMDINGER actually runs to a mark of 111, but the specific race conditions do not allow for a rating increase of more than eight pounds for the winner. Accordingly, the Handicappers were forced to cap the winner on a mark of 103.

The race conditions also do not allow for any increase in the rating of any horse beyond the winner therefore 3^rd placed GIMME A SHOT remains on 102 despite actually running to a mark of 108.

Two horses were given a rating’s drop. BIG BURN is down from 122 to 120, while SUPREME QUEST drops from 108 to 106.

Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes (Grade 3)

TRIP OF FORTUNE has had his rating lifted from 112 to 119 following his success in the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday. TRIP OF FORTUNE in fact crossed the line in 2^nd place, a short head behind SILVER OPERATOR, but the placings were reversed following a successful objection.

Notwithstanding this, the Handicappers remained of the view that SILVER OPERATOR made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this race. He remains unchanged on 119, which makes him equal to TRIP TO FORTUNE, who carried half-a-kilo less than SILVER OPERATOR.

The specific race conditions do not allow for an increase in the rating of any horse beyond the winner and accordingly 3^rd finisher LOOK FOR HOUNDS remains unchanged on 104 despite actually achieving a mark of 112.

Three horses were given a rating’s drop. SPEED MACHINE is down from 113 to 111, RUSSIAN ROCK goes from 118 to 116, while CAPTAIN OF STEALTH drops to 106 from 107.

Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes (Grade 3)

SANTA MARIA remains unchanged on a rating of 106 following her win in the Grade 2 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes for fillies and mares over 1400m. It was in fact SANTA MARIA herself who was considered to make for the best line horse, hence her unchanged rating. In assessing the race this way, 4^th placed KWINTA’S LIGHT runs to her mark of 102, effectively making her a line horse as well.

Here too, the specific conditions of the race do not permit for any increase in the rating of any horse beyond the winner. Therefore, 3^rd finisher GOING UP remains on a rating of 98 even though she actually achieved a mark of 104.

No horse was given a rating’s drop, which means that no change was made to the rating of any of the seven horses who contested this event.

Picture: Sparkling Water tops the first Gauteng Summer Cup log (Candiese Lenferna).

First Gauteng Summer Cup Log

Mike de Kock’s tenth Summer Cup has proved elusive and it is in fact 12 years since he last won Johannesburg’s traditional biggest race.

This year he looks to have a good chance of breaking the drought as he has four of the top five on the first log.

Sean Tarry has dominated the Summer Cup recently, winning four of the last five renewals.

He has the other horse in the top five on the log.

Tarry also has won other horse in the top ten.

Here is the first log:

1	Sparkling Water	(5M)	0	122	A	Mike de Kock
2	Safe Passage	(4G)	0	122	A	Mike de Kock
3	Rain In Holland	(4F)	0	118	BA	Sean Tarry
4	Mk’s Pride	(5H)	0	122	A	Mike de Kock
5	Aragosta	(4G)	0	118	A	Mike de Kock
6	William Robertson	(4G)	0	125	A	Corne Spies
7	Light Of The Moon	(4F)	0	110	AT	B Botes / Y Vosloo
8	Red Saxon	(4G)	0	116	A	Joe Soma
9	Puerto Manzano (ARG)	(5G)	0	120	BA	J A Janse van Vuuren
10	Nebraas	(6G)	0	118	BA	Sean Tarry
11	Bingwa	(5G)	0	118	BA	J A Janse van Vuuren
12	Shangani	(5G)	0	117	A	J A Janse van Vuuren
13	Second Base	(5G)	0	117	BA M	J A Janse van Vuuren
14	Pink Tourmaline	(5M)	0	108	A	Brett Crawford
15	Sprinkles	(4F)	0	110	A	J A Janse van Vuuren
16	Zeus	(4C)	0	108	A	Fabian Habib
17	Perfect Witness	(4F)	0	109	BA	Candice Dawson
18	Zillzaal	(7G)	0	116	AT	Sean Tarry
19	Hoedspruit	(5G)	0	114	A	Justin Snaith
20	Sovereign Spirit	(7G)	0	113	BA	Ashley Fortune


NEXT 10 IN ALPHEBETICAL ORDER
0	Black Thorn	(5G)	0	103	AT	Sean Tarry
0	Decorated	(5G)	0	102	A	Frank Robinson
0	Imperial Ruby	(6G)	0	107	A	Corne Spies
0	Jaimala	(5G)	0	101	A	Ashley Fortune
0	Litigation	(4C)	0	101	AT	Sean Tarry
0	Outofthedarkness	(4G)	0	106	A	J A Janse van Vuuren
0	Pyromaniac	(4G)	0	110	AT	Sean Tarry
0	Raiseahallelujah	(5G)	0	99	A	Candice Dawson
0	Shango	(6G)	0	111	BAT	Sean Tarry
0	Super Silvano	(6G)	0	108	A	Brett Crawford


REST OF THE ENTRIES IN MR ORDER

0	Majestic Mozart	(7G)	0	117	A	Ashley Fortune

0	Pamushana’s Pride	(5G)	0	113	AT	Alec Laird

0	Marigold Hotel	(4F)	0	110	A M	Sean Tarry
0	Cornish Pomodoro	(6G)	0	107	BAT	Sean Tarry
0	Johnny Hero	(6G)	0	107	BA	Tyrone Zackey
0	Ikigai	(6H)	0	104	BA	Sean Tarry
0	Reunion	(5G)	0	104	PA	J A Janse van Vuuren
0	Willow Express	(5G)	0	103	AT	Sean Tarry
0	Clafoutis	(4F)	0	102	AT	Mike de Kock
0	Marchingontogether	(7G)	0	101	AT	St John Gray
0	Indlamu	(5H)	0	99	A	Sean Tarry
0	Paisley Park	(5G)	0	98	AT	Sean Tarry
0	Platinum Sky	(4G)	0	98	AT	Sean Tarry
0	$Sudden Star	(6G)	0	95	AT	B Botes / Y Vosloo
0	Youcanthurrylove	(6G)	0	95	PA	Fabian Habib
0	Motown Magic	(4G)	0	91	AT	Mike de Kock
0	Super Silver	(4G)	0	87	A	Michael Miller
0	Prince Evlanoff	(6G)	0	84	BA	Alec Laird
0	King’s Crusade	(5G)	0	80	AT	Joe Soma

Early Voting winning the Preakness (Coolmore.com)

Gun Runner’s Preakness-Winning Son To Stand At Coolmore America

Preakness winner Early Voting to Ashford

Coolmore.com

Klaravich Stables’ Classic winner Early Voting has been retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud for 2023. The son of Gun Runner, out of a Tiznow half-sister to Speightstown made each of his first three starts at Aqueduct, winning a 2YO Maiden Special Weight and the G3 Withers Stakes before going down by just a neck to Mo Donegal in the G2 Wood Memorial Stakes. Despite having the required points for the Kentucky Derby he bypassed it and went straight for the G1 Preakness Stakes on owner Seth Klarman’s birthday where he defeated Epicenter to record a Beyer Speed Figure of 105.

“Early Voting was an outstanding physical specimen as a yearling,” enthused purchaser Mike Ryan. “He had size, strength, scope, substance and tremendous quality. It is very easy to be impressed by him, he has all the credentials to become a successful stallion and I am very confident that breeders will love him.”

“Early Voting identified himself very early in his initial training as one of our top colts in his crop,” said trainer Chad Brown. “He has tremendous gate speed for a horse his size and incredible stamina to compliment it. His performance in the Preakness confirms his talent as one of the best in this talented division.”

“We’re delighted to be standing Classic winner Early Voting,” said Ashford’s Dermot Ryan. “He’s a very good-looking son of a remarkable sire in Gun Runner – with an incredible six Grade 1 winners from his first crop – and he’s out of a half-sister to the sire of our own Munnings.”

A fee for Early Voting will be announced at a later date.

Foaling Season The Best Time Of The Year

Ten Einde Stud

Picture: Kiss Me Captain makes it three from three in the fifth today over 1200m under Diego Degouveia. She carried 59kg in the Graduation Plate for fillies and mares (JC Photos).

Matsunyane Double, Kiss Me Captain First Leg Of Azzie Double

The Captain Of All three-year-old filly Kiss Me Captain is now unbeaten in three starts after quickening from a handy position to win a Graduation Plate over 1200m today on the Vaal Classic track under Diego Degouveia.

Her trainers Mike and Adam Azzie were scored a double on the day and took their tally to nine winners for the season at a strike rate of 31.03%.

Kabelo Matsunyane also scored a double and is on 34 winners for the season at a strike rate of 15.18%.

Today’s Question

Who was the first SA jockey to fly to away meetings.

Picture credit: These life-like men representing horse-racing at a general aviation tarmac in Ocala, Floria, USA, are in an appropriate place because jockeys generally build up a huge amount of air miles these days.

Fairview Turf Fields

Picture: Harold “Tiger” Wright, who is the grandfather of current top jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe. (southafricanracehorse.wordpress.com)

Today’s Question Answer

The legendary Harold “Tiger” Wright used to pilot his own light aircraft. The Durbanite used this aircraft to fly to away meetings in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

It helped him score eleven national championships. This was in an era of strong jockeys too. He competed against the like of seven-times champion H. “Cocky” Feldman, Charlie Barends, Johnny Westwater, Bert Sage, George Patmore, J. “Snowy” Martin, A. “Shorty” de la Rey and the then much younger Johnny McCreedy, Joe Byrnes, Stanley Amos, H. “Johnny” Cawcutt, Duncan Alexander, Harry Berry, Basil Lewis and Vic McMurtry.

Wright shares the record for most national titles with Michael “Muis” Roberts.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 06 October 2022