NHA Meets With The NHSPCA
The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) confirms that during today, 10 September 2025, the Chairperson and the Executive Management team met with the Management of the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).
The meeting followed a letter sent to the NHA by the NSPCA, citing concerns and their opposition to, inter alia:
2-year-old horses participating in races;
The use of tongue-ties in thoroughbred horseracing;
The use of the crop; and
Alleged soft regulation regarding the provision of medication to horses to enhance performance.
At the outset, it was placed on record that the NHA is a full member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), a full member of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), and a signatory to the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (IABRW), which is indicative of the NHA’s adherence to international standards and norms.
The NSPCA confirmed that it is their national policy position to oppose animals racing in any discipline. They did, however, concede to the fact that the laws of the Republic of South Africa allow thoroughbred horseracing to take place, nevertheless, their position is that they will oppose horseracing for as long as any contraventions related to the possible mistreatment of horses take place in the industry.
Concerning the participation of 2-year-old horses, the NHA is in possession of research that early, carefully managed training and competition can strengthen the musculoskeletal system, improve bone density, and enhance adaptability to the demands of racing. Horses that begin their careers at two years old, often show improved soundness and may enjoy longer racing careers compared to those introduced later. Further, the NHA starts its 2-year-old racing programme later than most other parts of the world, largely to facilitate the maturity and welfare of these horses, within the provisions of Rule 40 and the restrictions on running. In a spirit of open debate and consensus seeking, the NHA invited the NSPCA to share their research in this regard which proves the contrary.
Regarding the use of tongue ties, this piece of equipment is used by the thoroughbred horseracing industry to assist horses that suffer from soft palate displacement during running. It helps keep the airways open, prevents horses from collapsing mid-race and ultimately protects the welfare of the horse concerned, the jockey on the horse and the safety of jockeys and horses behind them. The NHA has invited the NSPCA to share the research supporting their call to ban tongue ties and to suggest viable alternatives.
The use of the crop – regulated by NHA Rule 58.10.2 – was discussed. The NSPCA specifically raised guideline M of Appendix E thereto and urged that jockeys who are repeatedly guilty of striking a horse more than 12 times in a race should face criminal charges in terms of the Animals Protection Act. The NHA indicated that an internal process is followed before considering such action. The NSPCA did indicate that they do retain the option of laying criminal charges themselves. The NHA invited the NSPCA to add themselves as amicus curiae in crop matters when they are taken on review to the High Court by jockeys and their legal representatives. The NSPCA raised concerns about horses allegedly being abused, and the NHA clarified that in certain instances its rules allow for sanctions in multiple instances where a horse is struck fewer than 12 times.
The NHA rejects any assertions that it is soft on sanctions relating to the medication of horses. This is borne out by the extensive NHA Guidelines for Classification of Prohibited Substances, wherein a Class 1 offence carries a minimum sanction of a 1-year suspension and minimum fine of R500 000, a Class 2 offence carries a minimum sanction of a 6-month suspension and fine of R250 000, a Class 3 offence triggers a minimum fine of R35 000, a Class 4 offence brings with it a minimum fine of R23 000 and Class 5 offence incurs a minimum fine of R17 000.
The NHA has invited the NSPCA to the next Rules consultation meeting in order to assist the NSPCA to have their proposals heard and deliberated on. Further, the NSPCA will be able to participate and deliberate on all items in said meeting. We trust that this collaborative approach will foster a better understanding of the NHA Rules and processes and build a better working relationship going forward.
It is the NHA’s considered view that it has taken extensive steps to regulate the comprehensive welfare of horses and remains open to constructive engagement to promote and safeguard the welfare of the horses within our remit.
The NSPCA reaffirmed that their policy position on opposing any form of racing shall remain as long as there are contraventions in our industry pertaining to the laws of the land with regard to the treatment of horses, but remain amenable to work with the NHA to eradicate contraventions and confirmed that their media campaign does not seek to stop horseracing.
The NHA’s Executive Management are members of the following International Committees:
Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Executive Committee;
Asian Pattern Committee of the ARF;
Technical Advisory Committee of the IFHA;
Harmonisation of Raceday Rules of the IFHA;
International Conference for the Health, Safety and Welfare of Jockeys;
Horse Welfare Committee of the IFHA;
International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses;
Asian Racing Federation Drug Control Committee;
International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians;
Association of Official Racing Chemists;
International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians;
International Stud Book Committee and European and African Stud Book Committee, and
Organisation of Racing Investigators.
Vee Moodley
Chief Executive
Vengi Masawi Can Continue To Grow After First Win
Vengi Masawi, Anthony Delpech and Sean Veale pose after the milestone victory (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Hollywood Racing’s Ashburton-based conditioner Vengi Masawi will remember Wednesday 10 September 2025 forever as a watershed day in the extraordinary career of a Groom who realised his dream to become a Trainer, writes The Sporting Post.
He had had three seconds from his first eight runners and bagged the glorious icebreaker with his ninth runner!
Living proof that hard work and commitment can make dreams come true, Zimbabwe-born Vengi Masawi saddled the 5yo What A Winter gelding Mvelelo – aptly meaning ‘continuous growth’ in Tshivenda – to a glorious victory under Sean Veale in the final race of the midweek polytrack fixture in Durban.
The race was a modest Class 4, but it was Vengi’s own mini Hollywoodbets Durban July as the Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein-bred gelding charged clear to register his second career victory.
The win was all the sweeter after Vengi’s runner, the 5yo mare Qhawekazi, had run second earlier in the day. It also capped a double for the Hollywood Racing team after Alyson Wright saddled Isikwishikwishi (Sean Veale again) to win the penultimate race.
Hollywood Racing’s Anthony Delpech, a seasoned battle-hardened former champion jockey, personified the emotion of the moment as he fought back the tears.
Sean Veale was chuffed to have been the man to have done the honours from the saddle for a team who are set to reach new heights this term.
Vengi looked shell-shocked but thanked the men – and women – who made it possible.
Click here to watch the winning interview
Mvelelo’s milestone happened just over 21 years after Vengi Masawi arrived in South Africa from Zimbabwe in 2004 on a successful feature raid as the Groom of Lisa Harris’ Triple Crown winner Earl Of Surrey.
Vengi enjoyed his South African trip so much that he ‘rushed back’ when an opportunity came.
“I worked for Gary Alexander for a few weeks at Turffontein before joining another former Zimbabwean, Sharon Patterson, at her spelling facility near Randjesfontein. After a while Mrs Patterson felt that I would do well in a big racing stable and she spoke to Diane de Kock. In 2007 she got me the job as a stable employee working alongside Mrs De Kock and their two-year-olds, which are prepped before full training and has always been separate from their main yard.”
Vengi has been with the Hollywood Racing team since September 2024.
“I have known Vengi for a long time from my days as stable jockey to Mike de Kock. He is a fantastic horseman and a thorough gentleman. He also has a passion for horses and for racing. And that shines through,” said Anthony Delpech.
Anthony Delpech, Sean Veale and Vengi Masawi celebrate a memorable moment (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Born and raised in Zimbawe, Vengi was educated at the Rusununguka Secondary School outside of Harare. He spent much of his teenage years on the Woodleigh Stud Farm in East Mashonaland, where his father worked as a mechanic.
The farm was owned by Dubbles Draper, who was married to Graham Carey, the grandfather of Ridgemont Stud’s Craig Carey. The great Ipi Tombe, bred by Peter Moor, was born in the same region.
The early seeds of horsemanship were planted at Woodleigh where Vengi soaked everything up like a sponge and assisted with mare coverings on the farm. There were times, he concedes, when he ran away from school to be with horses.
Vengi met businessman Brian Makwabarara, who is well known in Zimbabwe and South Africa as an auctioneer and racehorse owner. Brian assisted him in securing a job at Borrowdale Park, where he joined then champion trainer Lisa Harris at the height of her success.
Vengi credits Lisa with much of his foundation knowledge of stable management and treatment of injuries. He rode work and handled her top horses Double Bluff, Divine Wisdom and Zimbabwean champion Earl Of Surrey – a horse that was to change his life!
After joining the De Kock team assisting with their 2yo’s, Vengi moved to the main stable after veterinarian Dr Terry Casey was impressed with the way he bandaged and treated an injured runner.
Against the background of De Kock’s travels around the world, the extent of Vengi’s duties grew as he worked closely with erstwhile assistant trainer John Buckler and became a stalwart in the stable.
Diane de Kock enrolled him at the Summerhill School Of Excellence in 2012, where he studied under Heather Morkel with the guidance of Mick Goss’s renowned multiple championship-winning team.
The rest is history. And Vengi certainly looks set for continuous growth!
Common Misconceptions About The Objection Process
This year’s HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge saw Muzi Yeni lodging an objection on behalf of Royal Victory (far side) against the winner Fire Attack. The objection was overruled and the result stood. (JC Photos)
One aspect of horseracing that the public often appear to have a misunderstanding of is the lodging of objections, with particular reference to who lodges the objection.
A regular lament heard in racing circles, in the case where a jockey, trainer or owner lodges an obvious looking objection, is, “Why did the stipendiary stewards not lodge the objection? They must have been sleeping.”
The common misconception is that trainers, jockeys and owners only object if the stipendiary stewards do not object.
This is false.
The relevant rules on the lodgement of objections state:
67.7.1 An OBJECTION shall be made in WRITING and signed by the PERSON lodging it, within the time limits laid down in RULE 68.2. Except when lodged by a LICENSED OFFICIAL, such confirmation shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee, which may be refunded at the discretion of the OBJECTION BOARD.
67.7.2 An OBJECTION may only be lodged by the following PERSONS: 67.7.2.1 LICENSED OFFICIALS; 67.7.2.2 the OWNER and/or TRAINER, or their AUTHORISED AGENT, of a HORSE which participated in the RACE concerned; 67.7.2.3 the RIDER of a HORSE in the RACE concerned.
68.2 Notification of intention to object on any of the grounds referred to in this RULE shall be given verbally to the Clerk of the Scales and/or the Chief Stipendiary Steward of the SB prior to the ALL CLEAR being announced in terms of RULE 66.3.3. The notification of an OBJECTION must be confirmed in WRITING and the prescribed fee paid, or the OBJECTION withdrawn within a further 3 minutes from the expiry of the time referred to in 86 this RULE. There will be no penalty if the notification of intention to object is withdrawn within the stipulated time. In the event that any OBJECTION referred to in this RULE is not confirmed, such OBJECTION shall lapse.
The stipendiary stewards, upon seeing obvious interference in a race that might have affected the result, will immediately announce a “race review”. This is relayed to the commentator, who announces it publicly.
The stipes will then have a look at the race replays and decide whether there are grounds for an objection or not.
Close races are usually accompanied by emotions and this is particularly the case when a horse who should have won is hampered and loses narrowly.
The end result is that a trainer, jockey or one of the other connections, will sometimes burst into the boardroom and lodge an objection.
The stipendiary stewards might still be reviewing the race when this happens or be tending to other incidents that have happened in the race.
They can not stop one of the connections from objecting.
As the rule states any one of the following may lodge an objection: a licensed official, the trainer or owner or their authorised agent, or the jockey.
The only difference when one of the connections objects, as opposed to one of the licensed officials, is that the former will have to pay a prescribed fee to lodge an objection.
This fee is forfeited if the stipes consider the objection to have been unwarranted. In addition, they may in rare cases impose a fine not exceeding R3000 on the person lodging the objection.
The question then is why would one of the connections risk the fee when a stipendiary steward could object?
The answer could be that in an obvious case they would know there is no chance of the fee being forfeited, but they might believe the time in which the objection has to be lodged could lapse and would not want to risk that. An objection being lodged might also simply serve as an emotional release.
Tied in with the first common misconception mentioned is the belief that if the stipendiary stewards did not object the objection has less chance of being upheld. The likely reason for this is the misconception that the stipes must have decided not to object and it thus follows that they must have believed there were no grounds for an objections and were thus unlikely to change their minds in the ensuing objection inquiry.
The other common public belief is that if the stipendiary stewards object there is more chance of the objection being upheld.
There is an inkling of truth in this, because the stipes will generally view the interference from all angles and in much more detail than the connections would have been able to. Obviously that takes a bit of time and the stipes will get a good idea of the nature of the interference during the review.
Likening this to football, when VAR suggests to the referee that he or she should come and have a look at the VAR replay, the decision is usually reversed because VAR would have been able to look at the incident in a lot more detail.
In horseracing the longer the review takes, the more chance there is of one of the connections objecting. This is why in the 50/50 cases it is often one of the connections, rather than a licensed official, who objects.
However, it is not necessarily the case that an objection lodged by the stipes will be upheld, because the first part of the process is just to ascertain whether the objection is warranted and there then has to be deliberation on whether the interfered with horse would otherwise have won the race.
Furthermore, only one stipendiary steward lodges the objection and he or she is then not allowed to be on the ensuing objection board.
If there are not three stipes left to do the objection inquiry when the one who has objected has stood down, then another licensed official is co-opted on to the objection board.
The officials on the objection board might well disagree with the official who lodged the objection.
The rules pertaining to objections being upheld can be read below:
When an OBJECTION is lodged in terms of RULE 68.2.6 the OBJECTION shall not be upheld unless the OBJECTION BOARD is satisfied that:-
69.3.1 a placed HORSE was interfered with by another placed HORSE and/or its RIDER during a RACE and the HORSE which was interfered with would, but for the interference, have finished ahead of the HORSE which caused the interference, in which event, the OBJECTION BOARD shall place the HORSE which caused the interference behind the HORSE which was interfered with or it may disqualify the HORSE which caused the interference;
69.3.2 any HORSE in the RACE was interfered with by any other HORSE and/or its RIDER and as a result of which the chances of the HORSE interfered with were jeopardised, the OBJECTION BOARD may, if it believes that the nature of the interference warrants such action, disqualify the HORSE which caused the interference.
69.4 For the purposes of RULE 69.3, a placed HORSE shall mean any of the HORSES placed in the first five to finish the RACE by the judge.
The objection board thus has to be certain the interfered horse would have finished ahead of the horse who interfered with it. In the old days the rule was different in that the judges could upheld the objection if they were certain the interference had cost the horse a higher placing.
So in the 1975 July, for example, they just had to ascertain that third-placed Distinctly would have finished at least second had the winner Gatecrasher not interfered with him. The objection was upheld and Gatecrasher was placed third behind Distinctly with Principal Boy on the other side of the track declared the winner.
There are those who believe the interfered horse should replace the horse who interfered with it in the result, rather than the other way round, i.e. in the above example Distinctly should have been declared the winner, but the current rules have been in place for a long time and look set to stay.
Understanding the procedures could make the nervous moments in which a punter awaits the outcome of an objection a little bit easier to bear!
Greeff Four-Timer, Fourie Treble Are The Wednesday Highlights
Final Try (What A Winter) lands a four-timer for Alan Greeff and a treble for Richard Fourie (Pauline Herman Photography)
There was a poly double header on Wednesday with eight races at both Fairview and Hollywoodbets Greyville and Alan Greeff was the star of the day with four winners at Fairview, three of them ridden by Richard Fourie.
Calvin Habib and Gavin Smith had individual doubles at Fairview, while at Hollywoodbets Greyville there were individual doubles for Kabelo Matsunyane, Sean Veale and Alyson Wright.
Champion owners Hollywood Racing also had a double at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Greeff is now on 20 wins for the season and has achieved it at a strike rate of 19.23%.
Fourie is now on 20 wins at 25.32% and is in third place behind Craig Zackey, who is on 27 wins, and Serino Moodley who is on 22.
Gavin Smith is on eleven wins at 9.09%.
Matsunyane is on six wins at 8.70%.
Veale is on eleven wins at 16.67%.
Wright is on five wins at 11.11%.
Hollywood Racing are already on 20 wins at 17.70%.
John Gosden Makes Impassioned Case On Day Of Strike Action
John Gosden spoke of disastrous consequences if proposed gambling tax changes go through (Picture: Edward Whittaker)
John Gosden makes impassioned case on day of strike action over tax fears
‘The implications are very dangerous… this will take the lifeblood out of the game’.
At The Races
On a day when racing staged unprecedented strike action, former champion trainer John Gosden issued a stark warning on the potential consequences should the sport’s plea to the Government to shelve proposed gambling tax changes fall on deaf ears.
Planned meetings at Carlisle, Lingfield, Kempton and Uttoxeter were all cancelled, with many of the sport’s leading figures gathering at Westminster in London for the British Horseracing Authority-led ‘Axe The Racing Tax’ event, amid fears tax on racing bets could be raised from the current 15 per cent to the 21 per cent levied on games of chance.
Economic analysis commissioned by the BHA suggests such a rise could cost the sport at least £66million and put 2,752 jobs at risk in the first year in what BHA chair Lord Allen has termed “nothing short of an existential threat for our sport”.
Gosden was one of several speakers at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre and explained how damaging he feels a rise in gambling taxes to a universal rate would be to his business.
“The implications are very dangerous. We’re starting from a very weak position and this will take the lifeblood out of the game,” he said, the feeling in his words clear.
“I have 100 employees and I won’t be able to sustain that. I’ve been able to sustain that number this year, but if this continues the way it is going, I’ll soon be in the situation of laying off 10, 20 or 30 people.
“That would be tragic, I desperately don’t want to be in that position and you’re talking to someone at the top of the tree – imagine how it is for the guys halfway down. If I can see the impact, that means they are already in the grinder.
“We are not asking for anything other than to be left alone, I understand the Government’s position but I think this is something that will rebound.”
Gosden referred to the words of Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, who described the potential change in taxation as “levelling the playing field”.
The Newmarket-based handler does not share that view, feeling British racing is already operating from a disadvantage as it attempts to compete with the more stable financial position offered by other racing jurisdictions.
He said: “I understand what he (Tomlinson) means, but he should see the playing field we are on compared to our international competitors.
“We are in a weak position and this is only going to make us weaker.
“It concerns me greatly, we are in a fragile state already. As a trainer I am losing horses to other dominions because their revenues are far, far higher.
“British racing is weakened by this continual pattern, people love coming to the big meetings here but we cannot rest on our laurels.
“I would hate to see this industry go the way of others, other industries that we used to excel at but then we neglected them and squeezed the lifeblood out of them.”
Speeches were held on a stage in front of over 200 attendees, with the ‘Axe The Racing Tax’ logo visible on the screen behind as broadcaster Nick Luck hosted the event.
All of the speeches were warmly applauded, as was a moving video paying tribute to the retired staying hurdler Paisley Park that underlined how many industry employees contributed to his career.
Earlier, in Parliament Square, leading riders including Hollie Doyle and champion jockey Oisin Murphy posed for pictures holding an ‘Axe The Racing Tax’ banner.
In his address, acting BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea said: “My job is to create an environment where our owners, breeders, trainers, racecourses, jockeys and our wonderful, wonderful stable staff all thrive. If they thrive, our sport thrives.
“When our sport thrives, the people of our great nation thrive, but when people fear for their future, the nation struggles. Its people suffer and hope in an industry can decline overnight.
“The Government says the purpose of this proposal is to create a simpler system. The Government says its purpose is to create a more streamlined system. And the Government says its purpose is to create a fairer system. The Government has encouraged all interested parties to participate and respond fully to this consultation.
“We have, we are, and our response is clear – no, we do not support this proposed racing tax hike. British racing must be treated differently.”
Dunshea later said he was “absolutely certain” that the message was getting through to the relevant people.
Another high-profile trainer in attendance was Ralph Beckett, winner of last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Bluestocking.
“The most compelling thing for me was the talk of the people who are employed in racing at the grassroots of the sport, it is about them and the horses themselves. I hope that message drives through more than anything,” he said.
“The foal crop is already shrinking and inevitably that will speed up, we already have a race programme that is too big for the horse population as it is. That will be the first thing to bite and the amount of money coming into the sport will then shrink as a result of that.
“We are a special case in contrast to online gaming and other sports, the funding of football does not depend on who bets on it, whereas racing always has.”
A decision on any tax change is expected in the Budget on November 26 and while Tomlinson says racing’s role in the “cultural fabric” of Britain is acknowledged, he underlined there has been no announcement yet.
He said: “We know horse racing is part of the cultural fabric of the country, that’s why it’s the only sector that benefits from a government-mandated levy. Our wider gambling consultation is only about levelling the playing field and simplifying the system, and we are working closely with the industry to understand any potential impacts.”
Streisand Looks Capable Of Further Progress
Streisand has been tipped to win Race Seven (JC Photos)
Vaal Classic Track Thursday Formguides and Selections
R1 6 PIVOTAL ROLE is well-bred being by Hawwaam and a half-brother to Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla. 4 LEGAL FLAME is by Legislate and is a half-brother to a four-time winner. 1 RINGHO has run some fair races and is the one to beat of the two to have raced. 3 HAMMER BLOW is by What A Winter and is a half-brother to a couple of two-time winners. (6-4-1-3)
R2 5 RACEWAY has shown ability before and has a chance here over a step-down in trip which could suit. 2 EMPRESS WU is often right there and should be again in this field. 1 MISS MUNROE has a form chance in this line-up. 9 QUEENSLANDcan be a factor if bouncing back to the form of her debut. (5-2-1-9)
R3 8 WINSTON’S WONDER has run two good races and has a reasonable draw over this suitable step up in trip. 4 ROYALE JACKET went close last time over 1400m and from pole position should be a big runner here. 5 WINCHESTER was not disgraced last time over this course and distance with first-time cheek pieces on and has a good draw. 6 STORM BURST is capable of placing in this field. (8-4-5-6)
R4 3 FIRE IN HER SOUL has the form to go close. 2 ASIAH’S TIARA is capable of winning this race against an uninspiring field. 9 VAMANOS has a chance in this line-up but does have a wide draw. 1 TIPPERARY has the form to go closer but she does have a wide draw. (3-2-9-1)
R5 3 PEREGRINE FALCON is well drawn and looks to be the one to beat. 1 SPY STORY ran a cracker last time and will appreciate the step up in trip. 2 HIS LORDSHIP should be a big runner in this field and he should have come on from his last start. 6 MARIACHI MADNESS is drawn in pole and has a chance on form. (3-1-2-6)
R6 6 CHANTILLY DREAM looks to be a promising sort and off an 85 merit rating could go close, but she does have to overcome a wide draw. 2 LITTLEMISSSPLENDID ran well against a good sort last time over this trip and from a good draw should be in the shake-up. 1 PRETTY ANALIA is capable of running on well and should be right there too. 9 SHEETS AND GOGGLESwon well in the Maidens and off a 65 merit rating from a good draw could be in the frame. (6-2-1-9)
R7 3 STREISAND Streisand looks to be a promising sort and she could progress further. 4 ACCEPT COOKIESis well drawn over an ideal trip and should go close. 1 KISSHOTEN won well last time but is 3.5 kilograms worse off with Accept Cookies for a 2.9 length beating. 5 AVOONTOAST is capable of earning in this lineup for an Inform Yard. (3-4-1-5)
R8 6 SALT LAKE CITY won well in the maidens over 1,400 and off an 84 merit rating could go close from pole position. 3 TRIDENT KING has some fair form and should be in the shake-up. 2 GREENLIGHT RACER won well in the maidens and if able to overcome a wie draw could be in the shake-up here. 1 GUERILLA WARFARE has shown enough to be able to earn here. (6-3-2-1)
Frankie Has "Cheekily" Asked Aidan For Breeders Cup Rides
- Admitting he has messaged powerhouse trainer Aidan O’Brien to keep him in mind for some Breeders’ Cup rides later this year following an injury to star Coolmore jockey Ryan Moore
- Reflected on his superb victory in the Nashville Derby last week – and following it up with a four-timer the following day
- Assessed his first couple of years in the USA having backtracked on his initial retirement plans – plus some of his favourite US places he has visited outside of racing
- How the death of a close friend recently almost pushed Dettori to give up racing
Stake exclusive interview with Frankie Dettori: I cheekily texted Aidan O’Brien to see if he had any Breeders’ Cup rides if injured Ryan Moore misses out, winning the Nashville Derby is important for my US profile, visits to Graceland and driving for two days between racetracks, plus my tip for the St Leger at Doncaster
Stake recently caught up with Global Racing Ambassador Frankie Dettori and sat down with him to discuss his memorable week in Nashville, his latest tips and insights ahead of the St Leger, his first two years in the USA, and all the latest news from the world of horse racing.
Ryan Moore has been ruled out for the season – did you ever ride injured?
Yes! I fell in the paddock trying to hold on to the horse, I had a little crack and tried to ignore it, then I went grey trying to ignore the pain! I had Shutter Speed in the Prix De Diane and then had Royal Ascot but I didn’t ride.
I didn’t say anything, I rode Shutter Speed with basically one arm and managed to finish third. Then I went back to the weighing room, I couldn’t put my socks on and I thought “I am in trouble here.”
I then went on Monday to Cambridge and the guys said I wouldn’t be riding at Ascot as I had a hairline fracture in my shoulder. In a spot where all the muscles and tendons are, so luckily I didn’t need to have an operation.
It was a massive blow to miss Ascot as I missed four winners – Big Orange, Stradavarius, Coronet and can’t remember the fourth one – but what can you do?
Was that the most serious injury you rode with?
Riding with a broken shoulder wasn’t fun! The cracked ribs were probably even worse, but that was awful.
I think this is the second time for Ryan. Four or five years ago he won the King George and the Sussex within three days while riding with a broken hip. He then had a big operation with screws put in, so this is the second time he’s come back riding with a stress fracture.
He must have an incredible pain threshold, he’s super tough. I was watching York and saw the awful fall with Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan. I knew straight away it was bad. Both of them have broken legs and aren’t in good shape. It’s been a sad week for the jockeys.
In flat racing, with the ground being harder and the speeds higher, does that make the falls worse?
You never know when it is going to come but it does hurt. When you have a fall, you just hope you walk out of it with as little injury as possible but it is the nature of the sport. You aren’t always going to stay on and eventually you are going to have a fall. But you can’t look at life like that because you can step out of your house and get run over by a bike. The sport is dangerous but it is exciting too, you don’t look at the consequences, you just get on it. You can crash your car at any point, there is danger everywhere. We do this because we love it and the excitement just overrides all the other risks.
Talking about Ryan Moore – is he the world’s best?
Absolutely, he’s at the top and riding with extreme confidence. You need the horses, of course, but he’s won some incredible races, most notably the Prix du Jockey Club in France, and the Eclipse was amazing too. Sometimes he does things that only a jockey of his calibre and confidence can execute. At the moment he is one of the best, if not, the best in the world.
I get on really well with Ryan. Don’t forget, for the last 15 years we have been travelling the world together, and when it is just you and him travelling, you make that bond together. He is actually a very funny man with a dry sense of humour. We have the same passion, we both follow Arsenal and yeah, we get on really well.
I have spoken to him since – he is on the mend. It is extremely boring staying at home but I know his four kids will be keeping busy, but he wants to be out there and riding.
One man’s misfortune opens the door for others – has Aidan O’Brien spoken to you about potentially riding for him?
I’ll be honest, cheekily I texted him saying don’t forget me at Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup – he said thank you, he didn’t say yes! We still have eight weeks left so anything can happen. Maybe Ryan will be back by then, but I thought I would throw my name into the hat!
Can we reflect on your Nashville Derby win?
Tim Gredley is a good friend of mine, we were neighbours for 18 years, and Bill Gredley as well. He reached out for the ride, and sentimentally I was very happy to take it. The horse had excellent form, too. The only thing that worried me was that he’d been racing nonstop since the spring, in the Craven, the Guineas, the Dante and at Ascot, yet he never missed a beat.
When I went to see him, he was not a super big or imposing horse, he is quite the feminine type actually, light, but he traveled really well. His best weapon is that he stays really well. Only one came out of the pack, but for a horse that has run so many times, he still had plenty of energy left and held the lead. It was very emotional, notably as myself and Tim both had recently lost our friend Duncan, just a few weeks before the race.
When he did pass away, I had thoughts in my mind that I didn’t want to carry on riding, I was devastated. If it wasn’t for him and his strength then I would not have carried on. It was a difficult experience but it was also a big, big moment for us.
Duncan was a friend of mine for many years. We met in Dubai and he loved his racing. When my wife couldn’t come, he used to be a good substitute. We travelled the world, from Melbourne to the Breeders Cup. He was a mate and we shared a love of racing together so it was a massive loss.
Then what about the four-timer the next day?
I looked at the card and I had nine rides, mix and match, and different trainers. They were all confident and I just went along with it. I actually rode extremely well that day, most of them I won in a photograph. It was a really good day.
Nashville is probably one of the closest US tracks you can get to a European track. You have to think outside the box a bit, they move the rail every day so it is more of a thinking track, which is what I like. I handled it really well and I enjoyed the moment.
How does this day rank in your US career so far?
I’ll be honest – I went to Saratoga to show my face and let people know I was looking for rides here. It was a very long summer; I had maybe two winners from 18 rides in two months. But when I left, I hoped my logic would pay off in getting those rides, and it has, with those winners in the last few days. Even though I had to suffer through the summer, I managed to get the rides
I wanted. It would have been much more difficult to secure them if I had stayed in California.
And how has it helped your profile?
It is important. Like I said, I had eight on Monday and had seven on Wednesday, so I am quite popular now at this track. We still have one more meeting left and it would be nice to finish it as leading rider, but we will see what happens.
James Owen, a dual-purpose trainer of Wimbledon Hawkeye – how important is it for a British trainer to win in America?
The majority of races are on the turf, so we have that little advantage. Obviously, people like James Owen and Tim Gredley see that when you’re competing against Coolmore, Juddmonte, and Godolphin. Sometimes, if you look further afield, you can race for quadruple the prize money with less competition – it just makes sense. Of course, he still has to be a good trainer with a horse that travels well and performs at his best once he gets here.
It was a really good effort from James and his team. To bring a horse over after a full campaign in Europe and still have him run like that is impressive.
Tim was trying to get me to come to Nashville and celebrate with him, but the next day I had eight or nine rides, so I passed on that. Back in the day, I would have gone in a heartbeat, but I don’t enjoy riding with a hangover anymore. I stayed quiet, had the four-timer the next day, and then my wife and I went to Nashville afterward to go out with a few friends.
Would you put your hand up for Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa in the Melbourne Cup?
I wouldn’t mind giving it another go. I haven’t spoken to him, he has his own jockeys, but I did corner Chris Waller at Royal Ascot and said to him to “listen don’t forget me”, as he will probably have six in the Melbourne Cup.
Golfer Lee Westwood said British racing is taking the mick with its low prize money and high fees everywhere else – does he have a point?
We’ve been saying this for the last 30 years, and of course he has a point. All you have to do is look at every other country. We still have the best product, namely our horses and tracks in Britain, but it doesn’t make sense that everywhere else is running for much more money. I don’t know how to fix it, but he’s right.
The last Classic of the season is coming up with the St Leger – what is Doncaster like as a track?
It’s a lovely, fair track, and the Leger really puts the emphasis on stamina. For a long time, not many people even attempted the Triple Crown, but Camelot came the closest anyone has since. It’s the oldest Classic, steeped in tradition, and I remember one year when the first five home were all incredible Group 1 winners. I don’t think it will disappoint this Saturday.
What demands does it take out of a horse to campaign through the summer for the Triple Crown?
It takes a champion, really. You have to survive the season, then you have to go the longest you have ever gone in your life, that is why it is so hard to do. Tradition should continue though, looking at that field, if Lambourn runs you have a dual-Derby winner, so let’s hope he turns up.
You have won it six times….
Yes, for five different trainers. Classic Cliche was my 1,000th winner, and Shantou was my first for John Gosden. Conduit was my first for Sir Michael Stoute, he’d tried with Lester Piggott and all the best jockeys, but in the end a little Italian man managed to do it for him!
Then there was Sixties Icon for Jeremy Noseda, Scorpion for Aidan O’Brien, which also marked the start of the Coolmore–Godolphin rivalry and landed me in a bit of hot water at the time, and later Logician, who absolutely bolted up.
I’d say Conduit was probably the best. He went on to win the Breeders’ Cup and the King George, he was a proper horse. With the St Leger, you don’t get a silver trophy, you get the iconic hat. It’s like a helmet cover, a really special tradition.
Does the race have the same stature as it used to?
If Lambourn turns up, you won’t find many better than a dual Derby winner…but I don’t think he’s going to win this.
I really like Scandinava. We know he stays, and he hasn’t been campaigned the hardest way through Derbys and the like, so he comes into the race with a strong profile. He would be mypick at the moment.
What do the next few months look like for you?
I am going to Canada this weekend and then I suspect I will do a little bit of Churchill Downs until we get to Keeneland, then I expect I will stay there until the Breeders’ Cup – after that, I don’t know if I will stay in California or go to the East Coast.
How do you assess your first couple of years in the States?
Listen, I was meant to retire, but I extended it. This has all been new to me, and I’ve really enjoyed discovering not just the tracks but the country itself, exploring on my days off. Of course, I miss the kids at home and the big races back in England, but overall it’s been very positive and I’m satisfied. I don’t have anything left to prove, but I’m enjoying it. I don’t know how long I’ll carry on, but I’m ticking along nicely.
The UK flat season is coming to a close – who has stood out for you?
I thought John’s horse, Field Of Gold, was probably the horse of the year until he got injured.
Winning the Irish Guineas and the St James’ Palace was sensational.
There have been some great races, the Eclipse for example with Ombudsman, who’s been improving rapidly. We’ve also seen some outstanding two-year-olds; Venetian Sun looked incredible. There have been plenty of strong performances, and it will be fascinating to see the Arc, followed by Champions Day. This weekend is huge as well, with the Irish Champion and the Leger, multiple Group 1s in Ireland, and trials in France, all leading up to Arc weekend.
What part of the US have you enjoyed off the track?
I’ve done all the touristy things. I went to Montreal and Boston, exploring lots of history and culture that I never thought I’d be interested in. Even places like Graceland, the Johnny Cash Museum and Joshua Tree in California. I’m trying not to just spend all my time riding horses. I want to explore as much as I can, and it’s all been fun. I’ve also been doing a lot of driving. I drove from Saratoga to Kentucky, which took me two days, stopping at random petrol stations in the middle of nowhere. It’s really different. I’m not as well-known here as I am in England, so I’m just a normal tourist traveling around.
What have you made of Arsenal’s start to the Premier League season?
Not bad. I watched the Liverpool game and it was very cagey, it took a great goal to break it open. We’ve got a big squad, though a couple of injuries haven’t helped, but we’re looking OK.
We’ll be in a good place.
When I was a teenager, Willie Ryan took me to my first football match. It was a 1–0 win to the Arsenal under George Graham. Most of the players were English and into racing, specifically David O’Leary and Paul Merson, therefore we had a connection. I used to go into the players’ lounge and mix with these great players.
Unfortunately for me, Gianfranco Zola came along afterwards, and Gianluca Vialli was one of my heroes, too. I could easily have ended up a Chelsea fan, but by then I was already deep in with Arsenal!
George Baker is going on Made In Chelsea – any more reality TV for you?
One thing’s for sure, he’s got the posh accent! I like George and I’ve ridden a couple of winners for him. He’s enthusiastic and good fun.
But regarding reality TV, I’ve already done most of them and stretched them all out. The only one left is Strictly, but I’ve got two left feet, so I wouldn’t do it even if they asked!
Today's Question
For which trainer did Jeff Lloyd have his first career winner and for which trainer did he have his first winner in Australia?
The picture gives a clue to the answer
FIELDS, Thursday, 11, September
Vaal Classic
Today’s Question Answer
Jeff Lloyd’s first career win came courtesy of a Brian de Villiers-trained grey filly named Panache in a 1200m C Div sprint at the Vaal in January 1978. He remembers, “It was my 38th ride after riding for 7 months and she won by 5 lengths.”
His first win in Australia was on December 8 2007 at Rosehill racecourse in Sydney aboard Vecchia Roma for his old South African guv’nor David Payne.
Click here to read report about Lloyd’s first win in Australia
