Turf Talk Newsletter – 12 August, 2025

Malmoos is pictured winning the Gr 1 SA Derby and thus landing the SA Triple Crown (JC Photos) 

Sarah Whitelaw

There will, once again, be plenty of interest in the performances of first season sires this season. Some very well bred and well performed stallions will be represented by first crop runners this season.

Below are the stallions set to be represented by their first two-year-olds in South Africa this season:

CHIMICHURI RUN: Trippi -Spiced Gold
A G1 winner by a G1 winner and champion sire out of a G1 winner, Chimichuri Run looks likely to come up with his share of early two-year-old winners. Winner of the G3 Haval Motors South Africa Umkhomazi Stakes (a race previously won by last season’s Leading First Season Sire Erik The Red among others), Chimichuri Run won at ages, 2,3,4,5 and 6 in a career which saw the chestnut bank more than R2.222 million in prize money.

He showed his class at three, when Chimichuri Run won both the G1 Tsogo Sun Sprint and G3 Spring Spree Stakes, with Chimichuri Run finishing first, second or third in no fewer than 14 graded stakes races.

Chimichuri Run is one of 94 stakes winners for Trippi, South Africa’s Champion Sire of 2015-2016. His dam Spiced Gold dead-heated for first place in the G1 S.A. Fillies Classic and was placed in a further three black type races. A daughter of Kahal, Spiced Gold was produced by Little Legend, whose sire Complete Warrior is the broodmare sire of, among others, Captain Al. Chimichuri Run, who traces back in female line to the hugely influential mare Samovar (ancestress of the likes of Don’t Forget Me and Mtoto), had first crop yearlings make up to R300 000 at the 2025 KZN Yearling Sale.

MALMOOS: Captain Al -Justthewayyouare
Malmoos will be bidding to become the third consecutive son of Captain Al to be South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire when his first two-year-olds hit the tracks this season. Malmoos’s paternal half-brother One World was South Africa’s Leading First Season Sire of 2023-2024, while Malmoos’ three-parts brother Erik The Red headed the same list last season.

Winner of the 2021 South African Triple Crown and two other graded races, Malmoos is a full-brother to G3 East Cape Derby/G3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winner Captain Splendid and half-brother to Listed Off To Stud Stakes/Listed The Independent On Saturday Insider East Coast Cup winner Mascherina. His Listed Spook Express Handicap winning dam Justthewayyoure is a Fort Wood half-sister to dual G2 winner Master Of My Fate, one of South Africa’s top stallions. Master Of My Fate enjoyed a wonderful season in 2024-2025 where his ten stakes winners included the G1 winners Atticus Finch (Betway Summer Cup), Golden Palm (Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes) and Jan Van Goyen (World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes).

Malmoos’ first yearlings proved very popular in 2025. He had yearlings make up to R1 100 000 at the Summer Sale, while Malmoos’ yearlings averaged an impressive R534 211 at the National Yearling Sale.

REAL GONE KID: Snitzel -In The Fast Lane
The late Snitzel, four times Champion Sire in Australia, was a truly remarkable stallion. The son of Redoute’s Choice left behind 161 stakes winners, with Snitzel responsible for 23 G1 winners and more than 1280 winners. Among his stakes winners are 12 champions, a G1 Cox Plate winner, a G1 Oakleigh Plate winner, three G1 Galaxy Handicap winners, two G1 Australian Guineas winners, and his daughter Marhoona delivered his third G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner earlier this year.

Snitzel was Leading Sire of 2YOs in Australia on five occasions and is also enjoying increasing success as a broodmare sire and sire of sires.
His speedy son Real Gone Kid won six of just 13 starts in South Africa, with Real Gone Kid winning from 1000m to 1250m. The classy chestnut accounted for a number of high-class gallopers during his career including champion sprinters Kasimir and Rio Querari.

A full-brother to G2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes runner up Stiptelik and half-brother to British debut winner Girl Racer, Real Gone Kid is out of the Jet Master sired champion In The Fast Lane. The latter, Equus Champion 3YO Filly of 2013-2014, won all of the G1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas, G1 Woolavington 2000 and G2 Choice Carriers Championship. An exceptionally well bred mare (she hails from the family of 2025 stars Chronicle King and Gimmethatpearl among others), In The Fast Lane was a half-sister to seven stakes horses including fellow G1 winning champion Let’s Rock‘N Roll.

Real Gone Kid had yearlings make up to R550 000 at the 2025 KZN Yearling Sale, and R325 000 at the 2025 March Yearling Sale.

Zac Lloyd wins the Gr 1 Randwick Guineas on a Tom Charlton and John O’Shea-trained horse called Linebacker (Picture: John O’Shea Racing)  

At least 15 South Africans rode in Australia last season and how they fared can be read below in Australian log order.

Jeff Lloyd’s sensational younger son Zac Lloyd finished in 21st position on the Australian log last season with 97 wins at 1.3% and earnings of $14,566,360. He had his first Gr 1 win in the 2023/2024 season when landing the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on the Bjorn Baker-trained Stefi Magnetica and he added two more Gr 1s last season, winning the Flight Stakes at Randwick on the Chris Waller-trained Lady Shenandoah and winning the Randwick Guineas on Linebacker, who gave trainer Tom Charlton his first Gr 1 win, although it was a 30th Gr 1 victory for co-trainer John O’Shea. Zac also won five Gr 2 races last season and Two Gr 3s and three Listed races. He also won two other big money feature races. Zac is based in New South Wales and has had one win in eleven starts so far this season.

Keagan Latham had a fine 2024/2025 season with 81 wins at a strike rate of 14.9% for earnings of Aus$3,462,050 which put him in 39th position on the Australian log. He is based in New South Wales and has had one win so far this season in 15 rides.

Sean Cormack was in 56th position with 73 wins at a strike rate of 13.2% for earnings of $2,086,130. He is based in Queensland and has had four wins in 27 rides this season.

Chad Schofield, son of former top Durbanite jockey Glyn Schofield, had 51 wins at 12.2% last season but had big earnings of $11,675,865 as he was associated with the top horse Ceolwulf, who won two Gr 1s last October, including the King Charles III Stakes which alone earned the connections Aus$3,060,000. He also won a Gr 2 on Ceolwulf and had three Gr 3 wins on others horses and also won one other big money feature. He is based in New South Wales and hasn’t had a winner yet in seven rides this season.

Heavelon van der Hoven did well last season with 31 wins at a strike rate of 11.6% for earnings of Aus$1,327,575. He was battling in Cape Town at one stage, although he did take home one of the biggest riding cheques in South African history when winning the 2016 CTS Million Dollar on the Glen Puller-trained Illuminator having got the ride only on the morning of the race thanks to a sore back causing Weichong to book off. Heavelon earned a cheque of about R630,000 for that chance ride. He is currently based in New South Wales. He has had one win in eight rides this season.

Brandon Lerena is based in Brisbane in Queensland and had 31 wins at 13% last season for earnings of $914,885. He has had two wins in 16 rides this season.

Karl Zechner, who famously won the SA Triple Crown on Abashiri, had 30 wins at a strike rate of 8.3% last season for earnings of Aus$866,185. He is based in Queensland and has had two wins in 19 rides so far this season.

Donovan Dillon, based in New South Wales, has been in Australia since June 2022 but his first ride as a permanent resident in Australia was only on January 2 this year and he accumulated 29 wins in the seven months that were remaining of the season and did it at a decent strike rate of 12% for overall earnings of Aus$964,700. Donovan previously rode exclusively for the small racing yard at the famous Arrowfield stud farm where he was based and rides were few and far between and he was also out for a long time with a serious thigh injury. He can now look forward to a full season and has made a fine start to the 2025/2026 season as he has already had three wins in 12 starts at a strike rate of 25%.

Jaden Lloyd, the older son of Jeff Lloyd, had 27 wins last season at 11.7% for earnings of Aus$1,279,570. He is also based in Queensland and has had one win in eleven rides this season.

Mark Du Plessis had 22 wins last season at a 7.2% strike rate for earnings of Aus$1,568,175. He is based in Queensland and hasn’t ridden since a nasty fall at Ipswich on July 3.

Callan Murray had 19 wins at 7.4% last season in Australia for earnings of Aus$766,555 before returning to South Africa. That was a good decision as his career has taken off again out here and he has already added three more Gr 1 victories to his CV in the three months he has been back.

Chris Taylor had seven wins last season at a 10.8% strike rate for earnings of Aus$116,362. He is based in Queensland and has only had two rides this season for one third.

Lyle Hewitson had three rides in Australia last season during the Hong Kong off season and had three wins at 11.5% for earnings of $104,890.

Marnu Potgieter rode in some workriders races in South Africa, making his debut at the Vaal in December 2012. He had 42 rides in Australia last season for three wins at 7.1% for earnings of Aus$173,010. He was based in Queensland and has not had a ride since October last year.

Teaque Gould only had 14 rides in Australia last season, but had two wins for a strike rate of 14.3% and earnings of Aus$48,035, so hopefully he gets more chances this season. He is based in New South Wales and has not had a ride this season yet.

Donovan Yeo had one win in Australia last season in 18 rides at 5.6% for earnings of Aus$50,400. He is based in New South Wales and has not returned a win in two rides this season.

Jambo Sana (The United States) (closest) came from the clouds to land the last race and secure a four-timer for the Calvin Habib and Gavin Smith combination (Pauline Herman Photography)

Gavin Smith sounded a warning to arch rival Alan Greeff on the Fairview poly today, underlining he will be no pushover this season as he sent out a four-timer, all of them ridden by Calvin Habib.

Last season it was no race, unlike many of the previous seasons, as Greeff had 165 wins in the East Cape to Smith’s 116.

However, with Greeff only having one winner today the rivals are locked together on six wins each this season, Greeff doing it at a strike rate of 18.75% and Smith at 13.95%.

Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein bred two of the day’s eight winners.

Wilgerbosdrift Stud-based stallion Fire Away also had a double.

Drakenstein Stud-based stallion Futura had a double too.

Note To Self (Futura) was impressive on debut and can follow up (Picture: Wayne Marks) 

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Wednesday Formguides And Selections

R1 10 BLACK EAGLE moved up like a winner in his last start, he travelled really well in his race, he only got caught very late by Blind Date, this looks to be the perfect race for him to exit the maiden ranks, he will be hard to beat. 3 SUNSHINE SUPERMAN was terribly green on debut, he was caught a long way back in running, he absolutely took off late to run a great race behind his stable companion on the 10th of July, he will make tons of improvement, watch him closely, he can certainly earn for the connections here. 9 IN MOTION was gelded on the 19th of June 2025, he ran a lovely race on debut behind Late December, watch for big improvement, he should be amongst the places. 4 PRINCE OF EGYPT ran a much better race last time, even though he wants further, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 3 – 9 – 4)

R2 10 POMP IT UP drifted badly in the market on debut, he was just off the speed early, and really caught the eye late behind African Memoir on the 15th of July, he should make tons of improvement from his first run into his second run, this looks to be a nice race for him to be super competitive. 6 IKO IKO ran a great race behind Note To Self last time up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he is very consistent, he should be right there in the finish again. 9 PRINS JASPAR has been rested for 104 days, he ran a fair race on debut behind Happy Verse, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Sunday, he should be amongst the places. 5 DAY IN DAY OUT ran a shocking race in testing conditions on the 10th of July, he is much better than that performance, the blinkers have been fitted, hopefully he can bounce back to his best form. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 6 – 9 – 5)

R3 12 GIMME WHAT I WANT caught the eye late behind her stable companion on debut, she was very green and still managed to run on strongly to finish just over six lengths behind the winner, she is a lovely filly that will make tons of improvement with every start, include her into all bets, she will run a cracker. 10 PITERAQ ran a great race on the 26th of July behind Splash Of Colour, she stayed on nicely for third and was only beaten just under four lengths by the winner, she is definitely improving and her chances must be respected. 8 AMAYAH was slightly slow into stride out the gates on debut, it was a big field and she was terribly green, this doesn’t look to be a strong race on paper, if she has made any improvement back at home, she could sneak into the places at a big price. 9 ONE DANCE ran a fair race on debut behind Heritage Ridge, she went down to the start exceptionally well on that occasion, watch her closely, she should run a much better race here. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 10 – 8 – 9)

R4 6 QUEEN REGENT has been in terrific form of late, she ran a super race last time behind a very smart filly, she is definitely improving with every start, this looks to be a great opportunity for her to exit the maiden ranks. 12 SOUTH OF FRANCE has been rested for 89 days, she was heavily backed in the market last time when finishing third behind Lowveld Lily, the yard thinks highly of this individual, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she will be right there in the finish. 8 LA LANDONNE ran a great race on debut at a massive price behind her stable companion Wish List, she was just off the speed early, and then stayed on nicely late to finish just over seven lengths behind the winner, she is undoubtedly looking for further, but she should run a fair race here, include her into all bets. 11 HOMING PIGEON was far from disgraced on debut behind Stormwatch, she has a lovely action and she will enjoy the extra 200m, she could sneak into the Quartet at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 12 – 8 – 11)

R5 1 NOTE TO SELF won very impressively on debut up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 22nd of July, he is a beautiful colt with a magnificent action, he will absolutely love the step up in trip, from a good draw, he will be hard to beat. 8 THE NIGHT FERRY was given a great ride by jockey Grant van Niekerk to win a good race last time, he went to the front and kept plugging away to win with lots in hand, champion apprentice Brevan Plaatjies has been booked to ride this gelding, he will be right there in the finish. 10 MELA STRENGTH never runs a bad race, he is extremely honest, unfortunately the bad draw will make life tough for him, if he gets some luck in running, he will run a good race again. 5 SUMMER NIGHT CITY could be the value in this tricky looking contest, she has dropped even further in the ratings, and she gets 4kgs off her back from the apprentice claim, she has run two fair races in succession, she definitely has a good each way chance on her best form. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 8 – 10 – 5)

R6 1 AFRICAN MEMOIR quickened up smartly to win impressively on the 15th of July, he is very quick with lots of ability, even though this is a stronger race for him on paper, he definitely looks to be better than his current rating of 79, he will take lots of beating again. 6 ESCARPMENT burst through the field to win well on the 15th of July, he was given three points for that victory, he absolutely loves the softer under foot conditions, he will be storming at them late, include him into all bets. 7 IN A TIMELY MANNER has been rested for 77 days, he finished like a train to win well on debut, the form of that race has worked out well, even though he wants further, he certainly has a good winning chance again. 4 RATTLESNAKE has been rested for 98 days, ignore his last run completely, he is much better than that poor performance, if he bounces back to his best form, he certainly has a good each way chance. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 6 – 7 – 4)

R7 4 THE US OF A has won two very good races in succession, he was given four points for his recent victory, he sat just off the speed early, and powered past his field to win in great fashion, he is progressive with lots of ability, he will be right there in the finish again. 2 ARCTIC WIZARD beat a strong field last time, he is a smart colt with a great action, he never runs a bad race and he tries hard, even though he has gone up in the ratings, he will run a huge race. 7 ELUSIVE WINTER is very fast, if he jumps out the gates cleanly, he will make them all work for victory, on his current form, he definitely has a good place chance in this field. 8 NORDIC QUEST ran a terrific race on the 21st of June behind Dean Street, she would have needed that run back from a small break, if she has made the necessary improvement back at home, she will be competitive at a good price. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 2 – 7 – 8)

R8 7 WISH LIST won her maiden in scintillating fashion on the 10th of July, she is extremely exciting, there is no doubt that she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, if she finds herself in a good position turning for home, she will be very hard to beat. 6 VIVA LA VIDA quickened up smartly to win really well on the 24th of June, she hit a flat spot going through the 300m mark last time, and then quickly put it all together to win her race by just over two lengths, she will enjoy the step up in trip, include her into all bets. 2 DREAM SEARCHER has been rested for 96 days, she won a good race on the 6th of May at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she loves this trip of 1400m, even though she has gone up in the ratings, she should be in the places from a good draw. 1 RAHHABBA has been rested for 70 days, she ran a super race last time from a poor draw, she now gets the perfect draw of one, and she gets 4kgs taken off her back from the apprentice claim, if she doesn’t need the run badly, she could certainly trouble them in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 6 – 2 – 1)

R9 7 CHANCE ENCOUNTER has run two good races in succession, he ran second last time to a very nice horse called Saudi Cat, the form of that race has worked out well, he should love the step up in trip to 1400m, he will be hard to beat in the lucky last. 9 FUTURE FREE had absolutely no luck in running on the 15th of July, the gaps didn’t open at the right time in the home straight, he still managed to run a fair race behind Dricus, if he gets some luck in running from a bad draw on Sunday, he will certainly make a big impression in the finish. 3 GALLIC FORGE ran a much better race on the 15th of July, he ran third in a tight finish, if he can build on that performance from a good draw, he will be amongst the places again. 8 MAGNUS THE GOOD has been rested for 77 days, he has run some fair races behind nice types, on his best form, he could sneak into the Quartet. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 9 – 3 – 8)

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 A Case Of You (closest) gets up to win the Gr 1 Prix de l’Abbeye (1000m) at Longchamp (Picture from Raceform)

Cape Breeders

Lynn Lodge Stud will be offering a Naval Crown (Lot 918) yearling half-sister to Drakenstein Stud’s dual G1 winning stallion A Case Of You at the 2025 Tattersalls Book 2 Catalogue.

This filly is a half-sister to not only the brilliant A Case Of You but three other winners.

Her dam Karjera is a full-sister to Listed Rochestown Stakes winner Akanti and G3 Brownstown Stakes runner up Lock And Key.

In turn, Karjera is out of the twice winning Topsider mare Lock’s Heath, with Lock’s Heath herself a daughter of Spring Fiesta Cup Stakes winner Lock’s Dream.
Further back, this is the same family as triple G1 Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva and five time G1 winner, and G1 sire, Canford Cliffs.

This year’s Book 2 auction will take place from October 13^th to 15^th.

The brilliant A Case Of You, who earned more than a million pounds in stakes, won four group races including both the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp and G1 Al Quoz Sprint. Notable sires to have won the Prix de l’Abbaye include former top-class South African Var.

Sedbury’s Ghost wins the Plate Trial under Ryan Munger and is now a big runner for Saturday’s Gr 1 King’s Plate, Canada’s biggest race (Michael Burns/Woodbine)  

Ryan Munger is excited to be riding one of the fancied runners in Canada’s biggest race on Saturday at Woodbine, the Gr 1 CA$1 million King’s Plate.

He is aboard Sedburys Ghost, who announced himself as a key contender for The King’s Plate when Ryan partnered him to victory in the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes on July 20 at Woodbine.

The King’s Plate (known as the Queen’s Plate from 1860 to 1901 and 1952 to 2022) is Canada’s oldest thoroughbred horse race and the oldest continuously run race in North America, having been founded in 1860.

It is run at a distance of 1+1⁄4 miles (2000m) for a maximum of 17 three-year-old thoroughbred horses foaled in Canada.

The race is the first in the Canadian Triple Crown.

Munger said, “”These are the things you live for. You know, I don’t want to tell my grandkids I won a maiden on a Thursday night. I want to tell my grandkids, ‘Hey, I won the Plate!'”

Click here to read the whole story

Miss Attitude wins the Listed Prix Du Cercle – Don Juan Cuneo Solari (Picture: Jack Channon Racing)

West Ilsley trainer keen to supplement Deauville winner for York

At The Races

Jack Channon is eager to strike while the iron is hot with recent Deauville scorer Miss Attitude and add her into the mix for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York next week.

The five-year-old won stylishly at Listed level at the weekend and holds an entry for Naas’ Ballyogan Stakes two days after the Nunthorpe.

However, the West Isley handler would prefer to pay the £40,000 required to supplement and take on the best around on the Knavesmire, feeling his in-form mare has the chance to make her mark in an open division.

Channon said: “I would love to be able to supplement her for the Nunthorpe next week, the quick ground which we should get there and the fast pace which always comes with the Nunthorpe should suit her down to the ground.

“This year and previous years, it’s so tight at the top of the five-furlong division and there is no real standout. On their day pretty much anything in the field could win the race if things go to plan.

“I’m not saying she’ll win it, but even if she could go and be placed in it, it would be massive for her pedigree and she’s a great mare for the team at Norman Court Stud (owners) where I’m sure she will be going at some point to be a broodmare.

“I would be really keen to give it a go, but if we don’t then we do have lots of other options as well.”

Miss Attitude is a 25-1 shot with William Hill for the Nunthorpe and reflecting on her Deauville victory, Channon added: “It was a great performance at Deauville and she did it very well.

“She’s had everything in her favour in terms of the strong pace to aim at and quick ground, but Rob (Hornby) gave her a peach of a ride.

“She’s arrived back and had a day back in the pens and we’ll see her canter tomorrow, but she seems to have come back really well and she travelled well so all looks good to the future.”

Why did 2003 Epsom Derby winner Kris Kin nearly miss the race?

Picture: Kris Kin