Majmu's Once Promising Son Is Off To Qatar

Majmu wins the Cape Fillies Guineas under Anthony Delpech in 2015. (Gold Circle)

Mike de Kock trained the classy Redoute’s Choice female Majmu to two Gr 1 victories, the Cape Fillies Guineas and the Empress Club Stakes, and she was Equus Champion two-year-old filly too.

Her owners Shadwell have gone on to breed with her in Britain.

Majmu’s second foal by Dubawi, the now six-year-old gelding Mujtaba, trained by William Haggas, looked to be going places at one stage in his career.

However, after a layoff and then not living up to expectations he was sold to a Qatar racing concern today at the Tattersalls September Horses In Training Sale.

He was secured by Hamad Ahmad al Jehani for 38,000 Gns.

In his first nine starts, Mujtaba won five of them and finished second in another.

He was unbeaten in three starts as a three-year-old and consequently in his first start as a four-year-old he started 3/1 favourite for the Lincoln Heritage Handicap, the feature race over a mile at Doncaster at the traditional opening flat meeting of every new season.

He was beaten five lengths into 12th and ran below par next time out too, but he did have two wins later in the season in September and October.

Last season he started off with his first shot at a stakes race, the Group 2 Huxley Stakes over a mile-and-two-and-a-half furlongs at Chester on 12 May.

He ran on in the short straight from last in a small six horse field for a neck second under Jim Crowley.

He looked to be going places at that stage.

However, he did not run again that season.

This season he has failed to win in five starts, but did finish second in a Listed race at Goodwood over a mile and two furlongs.

Majmu’s other most successful progeny, the Haggas-trained four-year-old Kingman filly Fakhama, also gained small black type when running a fine 2,5 length third in the Listed British EBF Lyric Fillies’ Stakes over a mile and two-and-a-half furlongs at York in late July. She won on debut as a three-year-old and in six starts to date also has a Listed fourth place to her name.

Majmu has had seven foals to date and of her four runners two have won.

Her Michael Bell-trained Frankel gelding The Green Amigo is her latest runner but after three poor runs he managed a two length third at Chepstow off an official rating of only 59.

However, Majmu has a Mohaather two-year-old colt ,a Kingman colt and a Palace Pier colt waiting in the wings and hopefully her class will shine through them.

Meanwhile, Mujtaba might enjoy the tracks in Qatar and looks to have more racing in him.

Vale To An Unsung Hero ... David Abery

David Abery was elated after his homebred Trippi filly October Morn had won the Gr 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes in January this year. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

It is with deep regret that SAEHP announces the passing of its Chairman David Abery.

David was an unsung hero of South Africa’s export drive, taking over the Chairmanship of SAEHP in 2021 when SAEHP was severely struggling with fundraising to continue the export efforts.

David was instrumental in implementing the funding agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and despite his own ongoing health issues worked tirelessly with the team to further the goal of the export of horses from South Africa.

David had experienced health problems in recent years, however he was recovering well from heart related issues.

SAEHP MD Adrian Todd said, “David was a true racing man, a champion of the game and a real unsung hero. The majority of people never knew just how much time and effort David put into the export drive, during his illness, we had numerous meetings and discussions in his hospital ward, he never gave in and was always there, working towards the end goal.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his partner Selina, sister Julie and family.

South Africa has lost a true patriot and I a true friend.”

David had also been doing extremely well in ownership and breeding and had a homebred Gr 1 winner last season.

He had the courage of his convictions to keep a Var filly he raced called Miss October for breeding. He formed a breeding partnership with Avontuur Stud and bought out his racing partners. Miss October’s first foal was unraced but her next two foals were the Gr 2 runner up Spring Break (Trippi) and the Gr 1 winner Tempting Fate (Master of My Fate). Her progeny have therefore become highly sought after and highly valuable. The brave decision made those many years ago reaped dividends that could not have been imagined. It culminated in a manificent moment on June 1 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville this year when the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Trippi filly October Morn gave David a Gr 1 homebred winner as she stormed to victory in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE ABOUT DAVID’S RACING INTERESTS

Bortz Insists On Quality Before Quantity

Delighted Greg Bortz and Hollywoodbets’ Devin Heffer after Oriental Charm won the Hollywoodbets Durban July (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)

Cape Racing Chairman’s thoughts on some of our challenges

Healthy field sizes means healthy racing. Chasing racemeeting numbers while not taking cognisance of the horse population is a recipe for disaster. This is clearly evident in some racing regions in South Africa, where being bigger somehow seems more important than being the best.

Greg Bortz and his Cape Racing delegation have been back in the fairest Cape a week since leaving the 40th Asian Racing Conference in Saporo, Japan, feeling excited and geared to take the local region to the next level.

The Sporting Post caught up with the Cape Racing Chairman for a cup of coffee and a chat on Monday.

Delighted Greg Bortz and Hollywoodbets’ Devin Heffer after Oriental Charm won the Hollywoodbets Durban July (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)

SP: You had your time to talk at ARC – what did you tell them in a nutshell about the challenges facing SA and Cape Racing?

GB: The single biggest challenge here in SA is that we enjoy no government financial support. All financing comes from the operators – and the racing operators even fund their own regulator. And the share of punters winning tax is derived from the punters. There is thus no tax support as such, from the government.

Looking at challenges universally, racing has to compete for the customer’s spend and mindshare with a proliferation of other forms of entertainment and gambling. And for racing, we are an expensive show to put on – so we are at a disadvantage there too.

Racing fans

SP: Are SA racing’s collective challenges very different to what other jurisdictions are facing?

GB: We all broadly face the same challenges of competing for mindshare. And we have the beautiful thoroughbred in the midst of our sport. With social media and awareness at the levels they are today, we have to counter the anti—cruelty lobby too. Some things like online slots, for example, don’t have to worry about that aspect. And, I will say it again, our challenges are exacerbated by the absence of government financial support.

SP:“Not only was the company broke, but the culture was completely broken,” is an ARC quote attributed to you. Was that not a slap in the face for those that ran local racing before you?

GB: It was broken! Do you blame those that ran the industry or the company? It was run in essence by Phumelela. Fact is, whoever ran it completely screwed it. Leadership means running the entity well and creating a great culture. Neither happened.

SP: What would you say is your single major reality eye-opener takeout from the conference?

The haves vs have-nots amongst the different jurisdictions. The haves all have deep government funding enabling them to put on a great product. The have-nots have to be creative.

SP: The life of the thoroughbred after racing is a major perception challenge for the sport. What are Cape Racing doing locally?

GB:There is the perception and then there is also the reality. We take this aspect very seriously and have to keep stepping up. We are doing so via a number of charities that we support by giving them racedays, as an example, to raise funds and create awareness.

We are also part of the Hollywood family and they have the Life After Racing initiative which is a tangible and excellent way of showing genuine love and care. Our operations team are also looking at expanding what we do. It’s a work-in-progress and a high priority for us and the sport at large.

SP: Getting the younger generation to enjoy racing is clearly a challenge – did you learn anything from ARC?

GB: My daughter Alexa has great insight into this aspect and she has come back with ideas and inspiration. It’s a fact that racing has an aging customer base. Those aged 55 or above represent 43% of total racing customers and account for 52% of total racing betting turnover.

To appeal to a younger audience, we need to change the perception of horseracing, positioning it as a sport with a love for horses. Additionally, horseracing should be promoted with live events and entertainment to attract younger audiences. Gen Z’s are about half as likely as Millennials to watch sports often, and twice as likely never to watch.

We must also become data-centric to become customer-centric. Using the NBA as an example, they have released the first-of-its-kind, data-driven, experiential app specifically for its fanbase.

Peter V’landys, CEO of Racing New South Wales and Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, expressed his hope to enhance parimutuel wagering’s presence with a single-tote operation in Australia. He also echoed Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges view that collaboration can see the industry thrive.

Alexia found his strategy for appealing to a younger demographic incredibly interesting. He discussed the success of The Everest Cup in Sydney, Australia, sharing that almost 90% of the attendees were aged between 18 and 35 years old.

Marketing for The Everest Cup was done exclusively through TikTok and Instagram, and they only hired people aged 25 and below to do the marketing for that event.

Peter also explained that marketing to 18 to 25-year-olds completely differs from marketing to 25 to 35-year-olds. As he indicated, Millennials crave unique experiences and ‘wow moments’ that they can share on their social media, whereas Gen Z craves community, authenticity, and long-term connection with brands. The younger generations want to bet as a group, not as individuals.

SP: Cape Racing’s successes are clear to see – you have close on doubled the horse population, the field sizes are improved, stakes and incentives are popular, the facilities are world-class. Is there one aspect you feel needs attention as it has not met your expectations and plans?

GB: We are focussed on getting a younger audience in and we have made great strides with our syndication. Ultimately our success hinges on attracting a younger audience we are nowhere close given our aging demographic.

We want to build our feature events to make them attractive and get the younger generation – like in the days of 30 000 people attending the Met. This is unquestionably an area where we have the most work ahead of us.

Rear view mirror

SP: You have been in the Cape racing hotseat for one could say two years now. Is there any single thing you would have done differently if you could turn back time?

GB: I never look back I only look forward – I know it sounds cliched, but it’s true!

As I just said, the youth and syndication is fundamental.

To answer your question, we needed to do what we needed to do. We came in like a house on fire and made changes quickly to save the company and change the culture.

Looking back today, I wouldn’t change a thing in that regard. And I am not giving us an A+ grade because everything single thing we have done, we could have done better.

We subscribed to the Hollywood philosophy and culture of always improving – there are no 10 out 10’s! Our strategy of being owner-centric to boost horse population has worked well. The field sizes show it.

While our execution could always be better in all the big moments, looking back it has been the correct strategy.

SP:The Cape horse population has doubled since you took over. Does size matter to you?

GB: Simply – would you rather be the biggest or the best? No question, it’s the best.

We want to deliver the best quality racing on a consistent basis. That’s what we are striving for. We do not want to host the most racemeetings just for the sake of it.

And we note with angst and bemusement the failure of others to recognise that there needs to be a link between horse population and field sizes, as well as number of racemeeting and races. Overracing relative to the region’s population means that one is creating an environment of weaker racing, smaller fields, and ultimately a less interesting product. Doing this is a one-way-ticket to a downward spiral.

So, we in the Cape would rather race less, but race better. Our maxim is quality over quantity. We want stickability – customers and people that become passionate about our racing.

Historically in South Africa, we raced every day except Christmas. But until our horse population returns to those lofty levels of yesterday, we must stop trying to fill slots for the sake of it.

In the Cape, we are capping our meetings to 75 per year. Interestingly, our population is in line with the other major centres, yet we are racing 75 times, while Gauteng are on 122 meetings – with similar horses at their disposal. It makes no sense.

In KZN, they have a similar population but race approximately 30% more times than us.

We believe our mix in the Cape is right as it allows us to stage good competitive racing, with field sizes averaging in double digits which makes it visually pleasing – and, as the ARC was in agreement with, healthy field sizes absolutely creates happier healthy racing.

UK's National Racehorse Week Highlights Horse Care

Ascot is hosting National Racehorse Week in England. Picture: Alan Crowhurst (Racing Post)

National Racehorse Week: True stars of the show are celebrated

National Racehorse Week aims to change minds about the racing game.

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

It is National Racehorse Week in Britain, with hundreds of free events being staged to promote racing and, in particular, shine a light on the high levels of care thoroughbreds get in the industry.

The week, currently in its fourth year, was started in response to growing campaigns from activists to have racing banned.

Publications such as Horse & Hound, Country Life and Racing Post are predictably firmly behind an initiative that allows the public – and particularly people who know little about racing – a unique behind-the-scenes look at a racehorse’s life.

Unsurprisingly, the animal rights groups have seized on the week to promote their views.

Community involvement
Some 132 venues across the UK, including nine studs, 10 retraining centres and 91 training yards – such as champion Nicky Henderson’s in Berkshire and Charlie and Mark Johnston’s in Yorkshire – are hosting events from intimate tours to open days for up to 800 people.

In addition to the chance to watch live exercise gallops, there are farrier, equine swimming and schooling demonstrations.

Racehorses are also being taken to visit schools, hospitals, charities and community groups. Racecourses are throwing open their doors to all comers; jockeys are giving talks.

Youth and charity groups closely involved include Autism in Racing, Unique Kidz, BHS Changing Lives, West Sussex Minds, Urban Equinz and others.

The week, running from 7 to 15 September, was launched at Media City innovation hub near Manchester on Friday, by 15-year-old, six-time winning galloper Chase The Wind, who was accompanied by his trainer Jo Foster, TV personality Chris Hughes, a National Racehorse Week ambassador, and social media star and farrier Sam Dracott.

Racing Great Britain says its research shows 94% of people who came to an open day last year now have a positive impression of equine welfare, and 92% of those who were new to racing or not regular racegoers said their opinion had been positively changed by the experience.

Animal welfare
It’s a bit motherhood and apple pie, but Racing Post does warn there is still much to do to accommodate modern sensitivities about animal welfare. It says trainers and stable staff can be proud of the high standards of care and attention paid to their horses, but the industry should “remind ourselves that the best is still be to come for former racehorses”.

Racing Post mentioned how a case involving Irish trainer Shark Hanlon had cast a small shadow on the start of National Racehorse Week. Hanlon was banned for 10 months and fined for allowing a horse carcass to be transported uncovered on a truck on a public road.

Campaigning group Animal Aid popped up with the statistic that 107 horses with British racing passports had been taken to abattoirs for slaughter in the past year.

The riposte was that there were 14,000 horses in training so the “problem” was not out of hand and, anyway, human consumption of horse meat is common in many places, including nearby France.

For anyone involved with racing, this week sounds like a great idea to celebrate the stars of the show and draw people into a fascinating, but often hidden, world. It should be replicated elsewhere – such as in South Africa.

The British one is funded by The Racing Foundation, the Betting Levy Board, Racing Post and mega Arab ownership Godolphin. In SA it would have to be private funders to the rescue – yet again.

Puller’s Predator To Reach His Apex

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

As is so often the case with midweek meetings on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville, Wednesday’s features some highly competitive racing.

However, while he looks certain to go off at a short price, bettors can get out of the blocks early with Garth Puller-trained Apex Predator in Race 1, a Maiden Plate who looks hard to beat.

After finishing runner-up in his last three, Apex Predator – who has a solid cruising speed – can open his account in what will be his first go on the Polytrack.

In his penultimate he was beaten by Warhead, a smart sort in the making for trainer Alyson Wright and just behind him was Paul Lafferty’s forward What A Winter-colt Immah, who came out to beat him in his next start and is also headed for a decent future.

Apex Predator has also drawn well in gate No 3 and will be ridden by Siphesihle Hlengwa who rode him in his last two starts.

Mo King, drawn No 4, finished 9.30-lengths behind Apex Predator in his last start but that was on the turf and as he was unlucky not to win over the course and distance a few starts back he looks the natural Exacta choice.

Cappellino, jumping from pole position, looks held having finished 2.20-lengths behind Apex Predator the time they met.

For a bit of value, watch out for Ladybug in Race 5. She ran out a convincing winner on the poly second time out before travelling nowhere as well when switching to turf around a month ago.

The late racing four-year-old is unexposed having just her fourth career start and she could bounce back in no uncertain terms on the Polytrack.

It is also interesting that first-choice jockey is aboard Ladybug instead of Rafeef’s Choice. The latter raced on the weekend and might not take his place.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 Apex Predator, 4 Mo King, 1 Cappellino, 2 Bandmaster

Race 2: 9 Sovereign Command, 2 Amor Fati, 3 Isikwishikwishi, 5 Kinnikinnik

Race 3: 8 Sacred Lily, 7 Walkie Talkie, 5 Perfectly Picked, 3 Silver Jubilee

Race 4: 2 English Primrose, 3 Canford Queen, 7 Doctor’s Orders, 5 Lady Is A Champ

Race 5: 1 Ladybug, 6 Rafeef’s Choice, 2 Sweet Julia, 5 Mamas Baby

Race 6: 8 Savantrix, 6 Mr Henley, 1 One Too Many, 2 Ultra Quick

Race 7: 4 Miss Platina, 5 Safe And Sound, 1 Petit Verdot, 6 Grandi Orecchie

Race 8: 3 Dont Judge, 5 Wave Warrior, 7 King Bavarian, 1 Duke Of Africa

BEST BET

Race 1 No 3 Apex Predator

VALUE BET

Race 5 No 1 Ladybug

BEST SWINGER

Race 4 2×3

BIPOT

R216

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 2, 3, 9

Leg 3: 3, 5, 7, 8

Leg 4: 2, 3

Leg 5: 1, 2, 6

Leg 6: 1, 6, 8

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R243

Leg 1: 9

Leg 2: 5, 7, 8

Leg 3: 2

Leg 4: 1, 2, 6

Leg 5: 1, 6, 8

Leg 6: 1, 4, 5

Leg 7: 3, 5, 7

PICK 6

R1944

Leg 1: 3, 5, 7, 8

Leg 2: 2, 3, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 6

Leg 4: 1, 6, 8

Leg 5: 1, 4, 5

Leg 6: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

JACKPOT 1

R81

Leg 1: 2, 3, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2, 6

Leg 3: 1, 6, 8

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5

JACKPOT 2

R162

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6

Leg 2: 1, 6, 8

Leg 3: 1, 4, 5

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

Sir Michael Stoute To Call It A Day

Michael Stoute (left) after North Light’s Derby win under Kieren Fallon in 2004. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Michael Stoute to bring curtain down on remarkable 52-year racing career

Stoute has trained 16 British Classic winners

‘I would like to thank all my owners and staff’

Greg Wood (The Guardian)
Tue 10 Sep 2024 16.30 BST

Sir Michael Stoute, one of the finest and most successful trainers in British Flat racing, said on Tuesday that he will retire at the end of the season. This will bring an end to a 52-year career that includes six Derby winners among 16 Classic victories in Britain, 10 UK trainers’ championships and 82 winners at Royal Ascot.

Always a man of few words for the media, Stoute announced his decision in a statement. “I have decided to retire from training at the end of this season,” the 78-year-old said. “I would like to thank all my owners and staff for the support they have given me over the years. It has been a great and enjoyable journey.”

Stoute grew up in Barbados and moved to work in a stable in North Yorkshire as a 19-year-old. He auditioned for the job of BBC racing correspondent soon afterwards but lost out to Julian Wilson and within a few years launched his training career from a small yard in Newmarket in 1972.

Stoute’s early successes came in high‑profile handicaps including the Stewards’ Cup and Ayr Gold Cup in 1973. The latter victory, with Blue Cashmere, landed a significant ante-post gamble and, Stoute said, “paid some bills” for his trainer, too. Shergar’s record-breaking 10-length win in the Derby in 1981 was a career‑defining moment for Stoute and helped to secure the first of his 10 trainers’ titles.

Throughout the 1980s and into the 90s, his Freemason Lodge stable would generally spend the summer engaged in fierce tussle for the championship with that of his friend and near-neighbour, the late Sir Henry Cecil. The big names to pass through his hands included Shahrastani, who beat Dancing Brave to win the 1986 Derby, and winners of the Oaks, 2,000 Guineas, 1,000 Guineas, St Leger and the King George at Ascot.

Stoute was among the first British trainers to appreciate the prize money on offer in the US and Asia, winning the Japan Cup in consecutive years with Singspiel (1996) and Pilsudski (1997), as well as eight races at the Breeders’ Cup meeting in the US between 1996 and 2018.

The success of Workforce, that season’s Derby winner, in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2010 filled one of the few significant gaps that remained on Stoute’s CV. The 41-year gap between Shergar’s Derby victory and the trainer’s sixth win, with Desert Crown in 2022, was a record, eclipsing the 35 years between Mathew Dawson’s first and last Derby winners in the late 1800s.

While he enjoyed huge success with the Classic generation, Stoute has also been perhaps the finest trainer of a late-developing horse in living memory. If he decided it was worth persevering with a four‑year‑old that had not quite lived up to a blue-blooded pedigree in its early seasons, his judgment was usually vindicated. Opera House, Pilsudski, Singspiel and Ulysses were among the Group One winners to benefit from this patient approach.

Stoute also trained the late Queen’s mare Estimate to win the Gold Cup at Ascot, which was perhaps the most cherished success of her seven decades as an owner.

“Michael was always spot-on knowing when to press the ‘go’ button and his patience paid off in spades,” John Warren, the late Queen’s former racing manager, said on Tuesday.

Kieren Fallon, who rode Kris Kin (2003) and North Light (2004) to Derby victories for the trainer during a highly successful spell as his stable jockey, said Stoute “always got the best out of a horse and was able to take a horse from a two-year-old until they retired and keep finding improvement”. Fallon added: “He was a genius around his horses and a gentleman to ride for.”

Isivunguvungu Winning Interview And Race Replay

Turf Talk carried an article quoting Graham Motion’s words in the winner’s enclosure after the exciting victory of Isivunguvungu at Colonial Downs on Saturday, but a link below allows readers to listen to the full interview and to then watch the magnificent performance of the imposing What A Winter gelding.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH ISIVIVUNGUVUNGU’S POST RACE INTERVIEW (+ RACE REPLAY)

Van Niekerk, Zackey, Snaith Doubles

The Adam Marcus-trained Gimmethegreenlight gelding Augusta Blues (closest) finishes strongly to only just deny the favourite Spirits Unite and Grant van Niekerk clinches a double in the process. (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Grant van Niekerk, Craig Zackey and Justin Snaith all had individual doubles at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today (Tuesday).

Van Niekerk is on eight wins for the season and has done it at a strike rate of 16%.

Zackey is on 18 wins at 18%.

Snaith is on 22 wins at 16.67%.

Muzi Yeni leads the national jockeys championship on 34 wins at 16.67% and Sean Veale on 24 wins and Gavin Lerena on 21 wins are next best.

Snaith leads the national trainers championship with stakes earnings of R2,007687.50 with Gavin Smith on R1,535,125.00 and Brett Crawford on R1,337,212.50 next best.

Today's Question

The picture is of the subject (horseracinghof.com)

Who is the only jockey to have ever won both the Epsom Derby and the Kentucky Derby?

Midweek FIELDS

Hollywoodbets Durbanville, Tuesday

Today’s Question Answer

Although a number of jockeys have attempted to win both races, Steve Cauthen is the only one thus far to have accomplished the feat. Cauthen won the 1978 Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown aboard Affirmed, and later added wins at Epsom with Slip Anchor (1985) and Reference Point (1987).