Snaith Barometer: 186
Target: 222
Clair De Lune Can Land The Slipper
Justin Snaith receives a trophy from Kevin Sommerville of Drakenstein Stud. Snaith has three runners in the R1.5 million Cape Racing Sales Cape Slipper over 1200m on Sunday and all three of them, Clair de Lune, Malmesbury Missile and Black Cheetah, were bred by Drakenstein, while Black Cheetah is also part-owned by Drakenstein. (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Unbeaten Black Cheetah faces some sterling competition in the R1,5 million Cape Racing Sales Cape Slipper over 1200m at Sunday’s Royal Raceday meeting at Hollywodbets Kenilworth in what will be one of the races of the day.
The Justin Snaith-trained Querari colt is unbeaten in two starts over 800m and 1000m respectively and showed good natural pace together with a fine kick. He is out of a Var mare whose only win was over 1400m and he is a half- brother to Great Plains, who is Gr 1 placed over a mile and who has won both a Gr 3 and a Listed race over 1400m, so Black Cheetah should enjoy 1200m.
Stablemate Clair de Lune only has 0,30 lengths to make up on Black Cheetah from their meeting over 1000m and she subsequently finished second in a Listed event over 1100m. This Trippi filly showed good pace there and was caught late by stablemate Wild Wild Green, who is a half-brother to the useful speedster Sheela. Clair de Lune is a full-sister to Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner over a mile, Trip Of Fortune, so she should get the trip on pedigree.
The Peter Muscutt-trained Military Command is an impressive specimen and second time out showed good gatespeed and pace over 1000m before drawing away to win by 2,50 lengths. He is by Fire Away out of an Australian-bred High Chaparral mare whose two wins were over 1400m and 1700m respectively, so he should enjoy the step up in trip.
The Vaughan Marshall-trained Dreamworld made a good debut over 1200m after being backed and this big actioned son of One World, out of an Oasis Dream daughter of champion sprinter Val De Ra, should improve.
On stict formlines Clair de Lune comes out bettter than Dreamworld as Clair de Lune beat Churchillian by 5,55 lengths, whilst Dreamworld could only beat him by 1,50 lengths.
The Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Rafeef colt Churchillian is also in the Cape Slipper and could improve as he moved up well last time and just failed to build up further momentum.
His stablemate WhatAStar has run three good races and can build on his 2,40 length third over this course and distance last time.
Malmesbury Missile has 3,50 length to find on Black Cheetah over 1000m, but proved suited to 1200m second time out when showing pace and kicking on to win. On formlines he does look held by Clair de Lune but does now have his first run for the Snaith yard after a sale to dissolve a partnership and as a long-striding immature sort he could still improve.
GetupandGo finished a good third on debut, beating Military Command by 0,75 lengths over 1000m, but the race did not pan put well for Military Command and he proved better than that next time out. However, the Marshall-trained Gimmethegreenlight colt GetupandGo was slowly away that day and came from the back of the field with a fine run after being backed. He is a fine looking specimen and can’t be ignored.
The Piet Steyn-trained Spirit will need to improve on his debut when beaten 5,35 lengths by Military Command, but he was making up some good ground late after getting a clear run and could well improve.
The Marshall-trained Captains Alliance is well held by Dreamworld and Churchillian and looked outpaced in that race.
The Botha-trained Hedrivesmecrazy made a fair debut but was beaten 10,50 lengths by Dreamworld second time out.
The selection is Clair de Lune to beat GetupandGo, with Black Cheetah, Military Command and Churchillian next best.
Klawervlei Stud As Agent Offers World Class Premier Sale Draft
Picture: Lot 4: Vercingetorix – Gibraltar Blue
Klawervlei Stud continues to make waves, with the Bonnievale based farm having bred two of South Africa’s hottest stallions.
The Klawervlei bred Vercingetorix, South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2024-2025, is having a remarkable season this year, with the champion son of Silvano having already supplied 12 stakes winners of 13 black type races in 2024-2025. Yet another top-class stallion bred by Klawervlei is One World, with that MET winning champion’s first crop headed by star three-year-old One Stripe among others.
Buyers will have their own chance to buy their own One World or Vercingetorix when Klawervlei brings a world-class consignment to the Premier Yearling Sale. The draft includes yearlings sired by such top-class stallions as the aforementioned pair of Vercingetorix and One World, as well as by Gimmethegreenlight, Rafeef and Trippi.
A few likely standouts include:
Lot 4: Vercingetorix – Gibraltar Blue
A full-sister to Listed Betway Swallow Stakes third Cullinan Blue, this blue blooded filly is a half-sister to Gr 2 SA Nursery third Battleoftrafalgar and the stakes placed Pillar Of Hercules.
Her dam Gibraltar Blue, already the dam of six winners, was a top-class racehorse, who won all of the Gr 2 KRA Fillies Guineas, Gr 2 Ipi Tombe Challenge, Gr 2 Tibouchia Stakes and Gr 3 Joburg Spring F&M Challenge. She is a very athletic filly with good quarters and is well balanced.
Lot 75 – Rafeef – Schism
A half-brother to three winners including multiple graded stakes winner Seeking The Stars, this colt is out of a Listed Winter Oaks winning half-sister to the stakes winning dam of exported Gr 1 SA Classic winner Lobo’s Legend. This colt’s granddam was Wolf Power’s top-class daughter Wild Wolverine. This is the family of Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks winner Pine Princess, whose son Native Ruler ran third in this season’s Gr 3 City Of Cape Town Politician Stakes and who looks to be a promising sort.
This half-brother to Seeking The Stars is a Good size athletic colt with good reign and quarters.
Lot 88: c Gimmethegreenlight – Sovereign Secret
This colt, whose dam is bred on similar lines to the Dynasty sired champion Bela-Bela, is out of a stakes winning daughter of Dynasty and the Captain Al sired champion All Is Secret. The latter, winner of all of the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship, Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes and Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, is a full-sister to Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship winner The Secret Is Out and is also closely related to the dual Gr 1 winning dam of Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot and the dam of this season’s dual Gr 1 winning three-year-old Eight On Eighteen. A colt with lots of quality, depth and substance.
Lot 92: c Gimmethegreenlight – Sting Operation
This colt, bred on the potent Gimmethegreenlight/Captain Al cross, is a half-brother to three winners including Gr 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes/Gr 3 Cape Classic winner Silver Operator and the smart Prometerre. From the family of Gimmethegreenlight’s promising two-year-old son Malmesbury Missile, Sting Operation, herself a winner of the Listed Swallow Stakes, is out of the Western Winter sired Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes winner Roxanne. This colt hails from the same family as Horse Of The Year and successful sire Legislate as well as fellow Equus Champion Gabor. He is a high-quality, well-balanced colt.
Lot 97: f Vercingetorix – The Secret Is Out
Bred on similar lines to the Vercingetorix sired stakes winner Roman Agent and bred on the same cross as recent Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes winner Double Grand Slam, this filly is out of Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship winner The Secret Is Out. The Secret Is Out is a full-sister to fellow Allan Robertson winner All Is Secret, and is also very closely related to the Captain Al sired dual Gr 1 winner Snowdance (dam of Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas hero Snow Pilot) and Sempre Libre. The latter is the dam of this season’s Gr 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET/Gr 1 SplashOut Cape Derby winner Eight On Eighteen. This filly is a strong, well balanced athletic filly with a huge depth and quarters.
Lot 107: c Vercingetorix – Varsity Girl
Bred on the same cross as Gr 1 winner Alesian Chief, this half-brother to two useful winners is out of a twice winning three-parts sister to the Var sired Gr 1 Mercury Sprint runner up Al Sakeet.
His granddam is Gr 1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship winner Give Me Five, the dam of Gr 3 winner Myfunnyvalentine, and this is the family of champions Consensual, Just Sensual and Tatler.
A very nice colt with quality, depth and quarters – he looks speedy.
For more information on this draft, interested parties are asked to contact Tracey Nash on 066 185 71
Royal Victory Heads The Premier's Champions Challenge Entry List
Royal Victory gets up to beat Winchester Mansion in the Premier’s Champions Challenge last year and will be back to defend his crown on March 29. (JC Photos)
An initial entry of twelve for the Gr 1 weight for age R2 million Premier’s Champions Challenge has been bolstered by two supplementary entries from the Sean Tarry yard, Legend Of Arthur and Let’s Go Now, who have merit ratings of 109 and 113.
The defending champion Royal Victory is one of two out of province entries and this Nathan Kotzen-trained five-year-old is the highest merit rated entry on 124.
The other out of province entry is the Gareth van Zyl-trained Imilenzeyokududuma, who is merit rated 114.
The other Gr 1 winners in the field besides Royal Victory, with their merit ratings in brackets, are the Robyn Klaasen-trained SA Classic and SA Derby winner Purple Pitcher (123), The Alec Laird-trained Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch (121), the Mike de Kock-trained Woolavington 2000 winner Silver Sanctuary (117), the Fabian Habib-trained SA Classic winner Confederate (118) and the Tony Peter-trained SA Derby winner Son Of Raj (119).
The other entries are the hardknocking Alec Laird-trained Fire Attack (116), the Lucky Houdalakis-trained former SA Oaks winner None Other (115), the Sean Tarry-trained Hotarubi (112), the Weiho Marwing-trained Navajo Nation (102) and the hardknocking Tarry-trained World Of Alice (108).
The three-year-olds among the entries are Confederate, Fire Attack, Legend Of Arthur and World Of Alice.
Let’s Go Now, Silver Sanctuary, None Other and World Of Alice are the female entries.
Fire Attack must have a strong chance. He was finishing strongly from midfield in the SA Classic to be beaten just 0.70 lengths by Confederate.
Confederate went to the front in the SA Classic and stayed all the way to the line in superb fashion. He need not repeat the front running tactic. He is a very good looking specimen with a long stride and scope for further improvement. The manner of that victory together with the testing going on the day suggests he won’t have a problem staying the extra 200m trip. There is a lot of speed in his pedigree, but on the other hand his Danehill Dancer dam is out of a Sadlers Wells mare. He drew two among the initial entries, which augurs well for him as he will probably like to be handy.
Fire attack drew widest of all among the initial entries, so will likely have to come from off the pace again. He also ran as if he would get further.
Royal Victory also drew wide in 11 out of the 12 initial entries, but he has been shown to not be bothered by wide draws at Turffontein Standside before. Muzi Yeni is an expert at slotting in from such draws and furthermore Royal Victory has a fine turn of foot coupled with a resolute finish.
Atticus Finch is the Betway Summer Cup winner, which proved he stays this trip, but he was receiving weight that day. He is now 3kg worse off with Royal Victory for a three length beating.
Purple Pitcher could well be the pacemaker and like he did in the SA Classic he might attempt to lead from start to finish. He comes off a good second to Son of Raj in the Grade 3 Betway London New Stakes over 1800m and he will be 3kg better off with the latter in this race for a mere 1,90 length beating.
Son of Raj benefited from a holiday he was given after last season and turned it on in fine style in the London News. As a winner of the SA Derby he will have no problem staying this trip. He drew 7 out of 12 among the initial entries.
World of Alice strikes as one who will relish this step up in trip, although she does need to get into the race sooner because she is often a bit far out of her ground.
Let’s Go Now is an improving sort who always struck as one who would come into her own as a four-year-old and she is doing so. She will need to prove she stays this trip and on pedigree should do so being by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Silvano mare, who did win up to 2000m.
Hotarubi produced an amazing finish last time to win over 1400 metres after looking beaten. He is an enigmatic sort, but he has a middle draw and on his day could surprise.
Imilenziyokududuma clearly relished the Turffontein Standside track in the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes and stayed on resolutely for a fine third. He is a most interesting runner as he gave the impression that he would enjoy this course and distance.
Legend of Arthur was a touch unlucky in the SA Classic, because he started slowly and was left with too much to do, but he did finish very well and should relish this step up in trip.
None Other is capable of a strong finish and as an SA Oaks winner will have no problem with the trip, but she was well beaten in the London News Stakes which is a bit concerning for her chances here.
Silver Sanctuary is a Group 1 winner over this trip, but this is against the boys and she likely faces a harder task than she did when winning the Woolavington 2000 and she needs to bonce back from a below par effort in the London News Stakes when beaten 9,75 lengths.
Navajo Nation will need to improve to threaten here.
Fabian Habib has left his options open as Confederate is also entered for the SA Derby and Gauteng Guineas winner Parisian Walkway and Mike and Mathew de Kock’s exciting unbeaten prospect, Immediate Edge are also entries in the Derby.
The Empress Club Stakes has attracted some talented three-year-old fillies in Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Fatal Flaw, Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic champion Fiery Pegasus as well as Gauteng Fillies Guineas champion and runner-up Spumante Dolce and VJ’s Angel.
The Computaform Sprint is probably the fastest sprint in the country if the weather is good and as expected two of the best sprinters in the land, Dyce and Lucky Lad, are among the nominations.
However, among the entries is the De Kock-trained Greaterix who has the speed to feature in a race of this nature. The grey colt has also been nominated for the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m.
Supplementary entries close at 09:00 on Monday 17 March with declarations by 11:00 on Wednesday 19 March.
Entries for all the big races on the day are shown below.
Entries for the R2-million World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge (Grade 1) over 2000m.
9 ATTICUS FINCH (A G Laird) 60.0
6 HOTARUBI (S G Tarry) 60.0
5 IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA (G van Zyl (Jnr)) 60.0
1 NAVAJO NATION (W H Marwing) 60.0
8 PURPLE PITCHER (R Klaasen) 60.0
11 ROYAL VICTORY (N Kotzen) 60.0
7 SON OF RAJ (A P Peter) 60.0
3 NONE OTHER (M N Houdalakis) 57.5
4 SILVER SANCTUARY (M/M de Kock) 57.5
2 CONFEDERATE (F P Habib) 55.5
12 FIRE ATTACK (A G Laird) 55.5
10 WORLD OF ALICE (S G Tarry) 53.0
Entries for the R1-million TAB Empress Club Stakes (F&M) over 1600m
1 BEATING WINGS (S T Pettigrew) 60.0
7 LADY FALLON (M N Houdalakis) 60.0
12 LET’S GO NOW (S G Tarry) 60.0
13 MINOGUE (C Dawson) 60.0
15 MY SOUL MATE (C Dawson) 60.0
2 RASCOVA (S G Tarry) 60.0
9 SILVER SANCTUARY (M/M de Kock) 60.0
5 WHITE PEARL (M/M de Kock) 60.0
14 FATAL FLAW (B/J Crawford) 57.0
4 FIERY PEGASUS (J A Soma) 57.0
11 MISS SCALETTA (P F Matchett) 57.0
3 QUEEN OF LOVE (R R Magner) 57.0
10 SPUMANTE DOLCE (M/M de Kock) 57.0
8 VJ’S ANGEL (A P Peter) 57.0
6 WILLY MEET AGAIN (M N Houdalakis) 57.0
Entries for the R1.5-million TAB SA Derby (Grade 1) over 2450m
3 BACCHUS (F P Habib) 60.0
11 CASUS BELLI (P F Matchett) 60.0
8 CHESTNUT BOMBER (J J van Vuuren) 60.0
12 CONFEDERATE (F P Habib) 60.0
5 COUNT HUHTIKUU (B/J Crawford) 60.0
17 DIWALI ROCKET (M Pandaram) 60.0
2 DON’T CRY FOR ME (S G Tarry) 60.0
6 GREY JET (W C Marwing) 60.0
9 IMMEDIATE EDGE (M/M de Kock) 60.0
13 LEGEND OF ARTHUR (S G Tarry) 60.0
14 ONE MORE STAR (S G Tarry) 60.0
15 PANNING GOLD (A Ndzilana) 60.0
4 PARISIAN WALKWAY (A G Laird) 60.0
7 TOWERS OF GOLD (P F Matchett) 60.0
10 WILD INTENT (M N Houdalakis) 60.0
16 ZIP CODE (D Nieuwenhuizen) 60.0
1 OLIVIA’S WAY (R R Magner) 57.5
Entries for the R1-million TAB Computaform Sprint (Grade 1) over 1000m
16 CRUISE CONTROL (G D Smith) 60.0
10 DYCE (M N Houdalakis) 60.0
2 LUCKY LAD (S G Tarry) 60.0
17 MOVER AND SHAKER (F P Habib) 60.0
15 WILLIAM ROBERTSON (C Spies) 60.0
18 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER (C Spies) 57.5
7 COSMIC SPEED (S G Tarry) 57.5
8 GOLDEN SICKLE (A P Peter) 57.5
9 GREATERIX (M/M de Kock) 57.5
6 KARATE KID (P F Matchett) 57.5
11 NO FILTER (M N Prinsloo) 57.5
4 PISTOL PETE (A P Peter) 57.5
13 ROMAN AGENT (K Naidoo) 57.5
1 TAXI TO THE MOON (A P Peter) 57.5
3 TIME FO ORCHIDS (J J van Vuuren) 57.5
5 TRUTH (C Dawson) 57.5
12 WILD AT WAR (C Dawson) 57.5
14 WINDS OF CHANGE (M/A Azzie) 57.5
Entries for the R750,000 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks (Grade 2) over 2450m
10 ANCIENT WISDOM (A P Peter) 60.0
8 CARE FORGOT (B D Botes) 60.0
1 COCOMELON (S G Tarry) 60.0
11 FETCHING FLYER (P F Matchett) 60.0
5 FIERY PEGASUS (J A Soma) 60.0
3 GERBERA (S G Tarry) 60.0
7 HAT’S QUEEN (A P Peter) 60.0
13 KEY WORKER (S T Pettigrew) 60.0
12 OLIVIA’S WAY (R R Magner) 60.0
6 PARTY PUNCH (P P Labuschagne) 60.0
2 THE MIGHTIEST (W H Marwing) 60.0
9 TODOQUE (P F Matchett) 60.0
4 WORLD OF ALICE (S G Tarry) 60.0
Entries for the R500,000 TAB Hawaii Stakes (Grade 2) over 1400m
9 MAIN DEFENDER (A P Peter) 60.0
15 BARBARESCO (J J van Vuuren) 58.0
1 COUSIN CASEY (S G Tarry) 58.0
3 FIRE ‘N FLAMES (J S Roux) 58.0
10 GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE (M/M de Kock) 58.0
4 INFINITE WONDER (M Pandaram) 58.0
11 MELECH (R R Magner) 58.0
14 MOUNT PILATUS (F Bronkhorst) 58.0
12 SAVANNAH STORM (P/J Vermeulen) 58.0
19 SLINKY MAPIMPI (P/J Vermeulen) 58.0
13 TEXAS RED (R Klaasen) 58.0
18 COSMIC SPEED (S G Tarry) 57.0
8 FASTNET FILLY (B/J Crawford) 55.5
17 MINOGUE (C Dawson) 55.5
6 BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW (G J Maroun) 55.0
7 GREATERIX (M/M de Kock) 55.0
16 TRUTH (C Dawson) 55.0
2 WINDS OF CHANGE (M/A Azzie) 55.0
5 GIMMEFABULOUS (M/A Azzie) 52.5
5 POMODORO’S JET (B/J Crawford) 0.0
Madison Valley Targeting The Hollywoodbets Durban July
The Frank Robinson-trained Sid Moodley-owned pair Madison Valley (far side) and Shoot The Rapids finished one-two in last season’s Gr 3 Gold Vase. (Picture: Candiese Lenferna Photography).
Frank Robinson is avoiding the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge with his impressive Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup fourth-placed Madison Valley as the ultimate aim is to get the big son of Mambo In Seattle in to the Hollywoodbets Durban July with the minimum weight for a four-year-old of 54kg.
He also has plans for three other good horses in his yard, Shoot The Rapids, Cats Pajamas and Mocha Blend.
Frank said about Madison Valley, “He has done brilliantly, I’ve gelded him and he’s come back like a lion, I’m confident with him.”
Madison Valley will probably be running next in the Listed Kings Cup over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on March 23.
Madison Valley enjoys Greyville and his last four starts there have resulted in three wins, inlcuding in the Gr 3 DSTV Gold Vase over 3000m, and an unlucky fifth in the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m. He was too far back in the Gold Cup and the same thing happened in the Summer Cup, but on both occasions he produced eyecatching finishes. His other two wins at Greyville have been over 1800n and 1900m respectively, so he is not just an out and out stayer.
Frank said, “He will maybe go for the 1900 and the Cup Trial into the July.”
Shoot The Rapids was last seen when an unlucky second in the Gold Cup. He had finished a 0,40 length second to Madison Valley in the Gold Vase, despite giving the latter 4kg, and then in the Gold Cup he was handy behind a strong pace and had he not been carried in by Future Swing late in the race he might well have won it, considering he lost by just a neck.
Frank said about this four-year-old son of Erupt, “He has also been gelded and he’s done brillaintly. He’s much better this year than he was last year and he will go the Lonsdale, Gold Vase and Gold Cup.”
Sid Moodley owns Madiosn Valley and Shoot The Rapids and also owns Cats Pajamas.
Cats Pajamas won the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m on Gold Cup day last year.
This smart Rafeef three-year-old gelding has had three starts in KZN this season from 1000m to 1400m and has won all three of them. He also had one start in Johannesburg in the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants but took a bad knock in running and was going nowhere after that ,
Frank said about Cats Pajamas’ route, “He is going to go for the Byerley Turk (1400m) and then the WSB Guineas.”
Mocha Blend is a Mauritzfontein Stud-homebred Ideal World three-year-old filly who has won her second and third starts over 1950m and 1800m by 4,50 and 3,50 lengths respectively.
“I will aim her for the Woolavington 2000,” said Frank. “She is a very good filly.”
Frank lamented, “We have just been playing with horses here at Sumerveld because of all the rain, we haven’t been able to train them properly, just hacking and cantering, and you don’t know where you are. I also had a virus going through my yard. But the break in racing gives me a chance to get the stable back together and the weather will hopefully be settling down too.”
HOPES AND DREAMS' PREMIER SALE DAY 1 DUO
Hopes And Dreams Stud have six lots at the Premier Yearling Sale and the below smashing pair, a Rafeef filly and Malmoos colt, will be auctioned on Day 1
For more information on Hopes And Dreams Stud and their Premier Sale draft, interested parties can contact Suzette Viljoen on 082 773 3811.
Top Prospects To Star For Winterbach Stud At Premier Sale
Picture: Lot 56: Stitchintime c Vercingetorix -Patchit Up Baby
Winterbach Stud enjoyed some fantastic results at the 2025 Summer Sale. The farm sold two yearlings for R2.15 million, with Winterbach selling, as Agent, the One World colt World Attraction (Lot 29) for R1 500 000. Winterbach consigned yearlings were the joint fourth top lots sold at the Summer Sale, and, with an exciting string assembled for the Premier Sale, the farm’s great run looks set to continue. Hawwaam, Querari, Rafeef and Vercingetorix are just a few of the star stallions with yearlings to be found in Winterbach’s Premier draft.
Hendrik Winterbach picked out the following lots as potential standouts for Winterbach:
Lot 56: Stitchintime c Vercingetorix -Patchit Up Baby
By South Africa’s leading sire of 2024-2025, this colt, a full-brother to a recent winner, is out of high-class racemare Patchit Up Baby, who was placed in all of the G1 South African Oaks, G2 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes, and G3 Jacaranda Handicap. Her dam Qui Liz is a half-sister to G1 winning two-year-old Bakharoff, Lockinge Stakes winning sire Emperor Jones, and successful sire Qui Danzig. Qui Liz is also a half-sister to the stakes winner Appointed One, third dam of multiple group winner Royal Scotsman.
Stitchintime is a powerful colt and he wil surely get a lot of attention. His full brother, Arbitration, won a week ago and this colt has a very strong pedigree.
Lot 17: Kassiopi c Hawwaam -Hope Downs
By champion Hawwaam, who is already off the mark with his first two-year-olds, this colt is a half-brother to the very classy Montien, who finished runner up in this season’s G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and third in this season’s G1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met. His Fort Wood sired dam Hope Downs is a winning daughter of Listed KwaZulu-Natal Stakes runner up Hancock News, herself a half-sister to G2 Fillies Championship winner Park Lane, the granddam of G3 TAB JJ The Jet Plane Stakes winner Mover And Shaker.
This is a half-brother to that very good horse Montien. This is a good moving son of Hawwaam, and he has good size and scope.
Lot 89: Celeritas f Vercingetorix -Speedy Suzy
A full-sister to a multiple winner, Celeritas is out of the Trippi sired G3 Pretty Polly Stakes winner Speedy Suzy. The latter is one of six black type performers produced by Kingmambo’s four-time winning daughter, and G2 Southern Cross Stakes third, Kelly’s Olympics. The latter, from the same family as multiple champion sire Exclusive Native, also ranks as the dam of G3 Protea Stakes winner Olympic Owen and current high-class sprinter Ziyasha.
This is a quality filly with a great pedigree. Should be lots of interest.
Marine Nationale Wins Champion Chase And Sparks Emotional Scenes
Sean Flanagan gestures to the sky after winning the Champion Chase aboard Marine Nationale (Picture: Sky Sports Racing).
Jonbon chance goes with juddering error, as horse so closely associated with the late Michael O’Sullivan strikes.
At the Races
There were emotional scenes at the Cheltenham Festival as Marine Nationale honoured the memory of the late Michael O’Sullivan by galloping to BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase glory.
O’Sullivan will always be inextricably linked with Barry Connell’s stable star, having steered the eight-year-old to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success in 2023. And barely a month after the young jockey’s tragic death following injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles, Marine Nationale returned to the Prestbury Park winner’s enclosure once again.
Sent off the 5-1 second-favourite in the hands of Sean Flanagan, Marine Nationale was ridden in mid-pack as dual winner Energumene set off from the front, quickly joined by Quilixios and the forward-going Solness.
There was real drama at the fifth-last when Nicky Henderson’s 5-6 favourite Jonbon made an error which ultimately put paid to his chances and the rest of the field sensed the opportunity, as Flanagan moved his mount into the ideal position to strike heading down the hill after three out.
Energumene’s challenge would soon peter out, with Quilixios and Marine Nationale seemingly left to fight out the finish, but having jumped the last in unison, Henry de Bromhead’s charge crumpled on landing, to leave Flanagan and Marine Nationale to soak up the adulation as they headed up the hill for home.
To his credit, Jonbon kept on for second, but he was some 18 lengths adrift of the emphatic winner, who provided the most fitting victor of the day two feature.
Connell said: “It’s very poignant and it’s very raw, the whole thing with Michael over the last three or four weeks has been absolutely horrible and my thoughts and prayers are with the family, his friends and his girlfriend.
“I think this is hopefully a fitting tribute to him.”
He went on: “He started as a 7lb claimer with us and I asked him to go pro, he ended up winning three Grade Ones as a claimer, leading rider on the first day (of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival) and leading conditional.
“I’ve asked some of the racing historians and I don’t think they can find anyone else who did all that.
“It’s an absolute tragedy that he’s left us, but he has a record he can be really proud of. He achieved more in his lifetime than a lot of riders who get to ride for a lot longer achieve.
“I’d like to dedicate this win to Michael and his girlfriend Charlotte, who is here.
“Our hearts go out to all his family and his friends and his girlfriend, racing is a great community and gets behind people when things like this happen.”
Flanagan said: “All the jockeys in Ireland, and in England and the rest of the world, have been under a cloud for the last couple of weeks.
“I’m only the man that steered him round today, Michael is the man who made him what he is. He’ll never be forgotten for that.”
He added: “It’s every race, race by race, I made a hash of the last race and I’m just lucky I could get on this lad. He comes alive when he comes here and it’s all credit to all the people back at Barry’s.”
Ambiance Stud Offers A Premier Draft At The Premier Sale
Picture: Lot 9 Querari colt out of Gypsy Rose
Ambiance Stud is a farm which has long punched well above its weight. From breeding MET winner Alastor to champion sprinters Al Nitak and Catalooche, Marianne Thomson has bred an impressive list of high-class racehorses. Ambiance’s latest equine star is Royal Victory. Winner of both 2023 Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup and 2024 World Pool’s Champions Challenge, Royal Victory was crowned Equus Champion Middle Distance Horse Of 2023-2024. Among the numerous top-class performers beaten by Royal Victory are the champions Cousin Casey, Dave The King, Future Pearl, Safe Passage, and Winchester Mansion.
Ambiance Stud will be bringing a classy draft to this year’s Premier Yearling Sale, with potential standouts including:
Lot 9: Free Roaming c Querari – Gypsy Rose
High-class sire Querari, whose progeny includes champion Rio Querari and fellow Gr 1 winners Bavarian Beauty and Querari Falcon, has made a flying start with his two-year-olds this season.
Five of Querari’s first ten two-year-old runners this season have won, and they include the unbeaten pair Black Cheetah and Comic Relief. Querari, South Africa’s Leading Sire of 2YOs in 2018-2019, is also the sire of this season’s Gr 3 SplashOut Victress Stakes/Gr 3 Tsogo Sun Summer Fling Stakes winner Rainbow Lorikeet and Gr 3 Kuda Matchem Stakes hero Questioning. Querari also has some very smart three-year-olds to his name this season, including Cosmic Speed, Choisaanada, and Un Bel Di.
Gypsy Rose, the dam of this colt, is a half-sister to three graded stakes winners notably Gypsy’s Warning, a dual Gr 1 winner in South Africa and winner of the Gr 1 Matriarch Stakes in the US. The brilliant Gypsy’s Warning won a trio of graded races in South Africa including the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic and Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes, while her wins in the US included both the 2010 Matriarch Stakes (where she beat dual classic winner Special Duty) and the Gr 3 Eatontown Stakes of the same year.
Gypsy’s Warning was one of three graded stakes winners produced by the top-class producer Gypsy Queen, a full sister to Gr 2 SA Oaks winners Noble Destiny and Royal Prophecy. The prolific Gypsy Queen produced six winners including Gr 3 London News Stakes winning millionaire Romany Prince and Gr 2 Camellia Stakes winner Surabi. A testimony to Gypsy Queen’s prowess as a producer is that her three graded stakes winners were sired by different stallions.
Another half-sister to Gypsy Rose, Gypsy’s Warning, Surabi and Romany Prince is Gypsy Madonna, dam of the Listed Champion Juvenile Cup winner Questor as well as this season’s very smart three-year-old My Best Shot.
Questor was sired by Querari, which makes this colt a three-parts brother to stakes winning two-year-old.
Lot 38: Quirky f Querari – Lovely Jubbly
This filly is a full-sister to Cockney Pride, winner of the 2019 Gr 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper, and one of the best two-year-old fillies of her generation. Not only did Cockney Pride down the likes of Gabor, True To Life, Singforafa and Miss Florida in the Golden Slipper, but she also came out to finish third, against males, in the 2019 Gr 2 TAB/Betting World Dingaans.
She is out of the Rakeen mare Lovely Jubly -the dam of six winners, by stallions ranging from Warm White Night and Wylie Hall to Querari. Lovely Jubbly is also the dam of current smart performer Poets Warrior, winner of the 2024 Listed Allied Steelrode Java Stakes. To date, the progressive Poets Warrior has won six of 13 starts and has already banked R564 625 in prize money.
Lovely Jubbly was produced by the Harry Hotspur mare Musical Sound, who won three times from 1000m to 1400m. The well related Musical Sound produced four winners including the speedy Roses For Lizzy.
In turn, Musical Sound was one of a staggering 14 winners produced by the stakes winning Jamaico mare A Song Is Born. The latter produced a trio of stakes winners namely Gr 1 Golden Horseshoe winner Ndabeni, Listed SA Derby Trial Futurity Handicap victor Singing Mountain and champion Whistling Dixie. A top-class racemare, Whistling Dixie won nine races with her wins including a triumph in the Gr 3 Poinsettia Stakes. Also, runner up in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint, Whistling Dixie went on to achieve great things at stud. Not only did she produce dual South African Gr 1 winner Grand Emporium (winner of Dubai’s Gr 2 Godolphin Mile), but Whistling Dixie’s three-time winning daughter Sing Dixe Sing is the dam of classy gelding Singapore Sling. The latter showed high-class form in South Africa, where he won the Gr 2 Dingaans in 2016, before going on to campaign successfully in Hong Kong. (Singapore Sling’s triumphs in Hong Kong included the Hong Kong Classic Cup of 2018.
Lovely Jubbly was sired by Rakeen, who is also broodmare sire of the likes of Princess Victoria (Champion), Janoobi (Gauteng Guineas, Zabeel Mile), Gimme A Shot (Ipi Tombe Challenge), Far De Vie (South African Fillies Sprint), and Francia (Winter Oaks, Settlers Trophy).
Princess Calla, South African Horse Of The Year in 2022-2023, was produced by Princess Royal, whose dam was sired by Rakeen.
Lot 72: Moosalekka f Malmoos – Rustar Dhow
This filly hails from the first crop of her South African Triple Crown winning sire Malmoos. By champion sire Captain Al (also sire of star stallion One World), Malmoos was a top-class performer who won seven of 12 starts, with five of his wins coming in graded stakes races. Malmoos won seven of his first eight starts and won the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas by a neck, the Gr 1 SA Classic by two lengths and Gr 1 SA Derby by five and a quarter lengths.
A winner from 1200m to 2450m, the blue blooded Malmoos is out of the Listed Spook Express Handicap winning mare Justthewayyouare, a Fort Wood half-sister to top-class stallion Master Of My Fate. Unsurprisingly, Malmoos has already enjoyed sales ring success, with the Ridgemont resident having yearlings make up to R1 100 000 and looks to be an exciting prospect.
This filly is out of the speedy, four-time winning Rustar Dhow, a half-sister to Listed Milkwood Stakes runner up Maties Wildekate, with Rustar Dhow hailing from one of the best families in the modern stud. Rustar Dhow is out of Arabian Court, whose sire Royal Academy is broodmare sire of (Royal Academy is also the sire of legendary South African broodmare Mystic Spring, the granddam of recent Gr 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET winner Eight On Eighteen).
In turn, Arabian Court was produced by Romilly, whose breed shaping sire Machiavellian is damsire of such outstanding stallions such as Dark Angel and Shamardal. A half-sister to two black type winners, including French Gr 3 winner Lycitus, Romilly’s granddam is the hugely influential Northern Dancer mare Royal Statute. The latter is ancestress of a host of outstanding performers headed by the English classic winners Bosra Sham, Lammtarra and Snow Bride.
Lot 133: Japura f Querari – Boeing City
Champion Querari has sired more than 40 stakes winners thus far, with the son of Oasis Dream responsible for a further 42 stakes placed runners. The country’s Leading Sire of 2YOs for 2018-2019, Querari has sired the Gr 1 winning fillies Bavarian Beauty and Querari Falcon, as well as the graded stakes winning females Rainbow Lorikeet, Cosmic Light, Gobsmacked, Maryah, Supreme Quest, Galla Vanting, Mill Queen, Homely Girl, Caya Coco, Cockney Pride and Marigold Hotel.
This filly was produced by the speedy Sail From Seattle mare Boeing City, a four-time winner over 1000m. In turn, Boeing City is a half-sister to three black horses led by the very quick Listed Gardenia Handicap/Listed Ruffian Stakes winner Rosinante as well as the dam of Listed Swallow Stakes winner Mambonick and classy campaigner Hat’s Pride. Boeing City is out of the four-time winning, up to 1200m, Model Man mare Hasta Aqui, a half-sister to Gr 2 John Skeaping Trophy winner Grey Arrow and the dam of Gr 2 SA Oaks winner Wind Chill.
Hasta Aqui’s dam Hasta Lueago was a daughter of multiple champion sire Kenmare. The latter enjoyed notable success in South Africa, where, from a handful of runners, Kenmare was responsible for champion Joie De Grise, Gr 1 Administrator’s Cup/TopSport Bloodline Derby winner Fire Arch, Gr 3 King’s Cup winner Rainbow Ken, and Gr 3 Gosforth Park F&M Stakes queen Grey Angel.
Hasta Lueago produced seven winners, led by the aforementioned Grey Arrow and Windin The Willows, dam of Wind Chill, and is also the ancestress of stakes winners Pan Amm, Le Var and Winter Passion. Further back, Hasta Lueago’s granddam is champion, and Gr 1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner, Durtal, the dam of dual Gr 1 Gold Cup winner Gildoran and third dam of Gr 1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Roderic O’Connor. This filly is bred on the same Querari/Sail From Seattle cross as uber speedy galloper Cruise Control.
Lot 144: Bows And Bells c Hawwaam – Cockney Pride
Equus Champion, and five-time Gr 1 winner, Hawwaam, is one of South Africa’s most exciting young stallions. By six-time South African champion sire Silvano, as is outstanding stallion Vercingetorix, Hawwaam won 10 of 13 starts, with his ten career wins including five Gr 1 victories and eight graded stakes wins in total. A dual winner of the Gr 1 Champions Challenge, Hawwaam also won the 2019 Gr 1 SA Classic (by five- and three-quarter lengths), the same year’s Gr 1 Daily News 2000, and the 2020 Gr 1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes. The regally bred Hawwaam, who is out of the outstanding producer Halfway To Heaven, is a half-brother to Rainbow Bridge, Horse Of The Year in 2020-2021, and dual Gr 1 winner Golden Ducat.
The champion, who never raced at two, has made a flying start with his first two runners being debut winner Read All About It and the placed Take It As Red, and there should be plenty more to come from Hawwaam as his progeny mature and go over ground.
His son Bows And Bells is out of the Ambiance bred Gr 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper winner Cockney Pride, a half-sister to Poets Warrior, winner of the 2024 Listed Allied Steelrode Java Stakes and the stakes placed Another Idea.
Cockney Pride’s dam Lovely Jubbly is out of three time winning Harry Hotspur mare Musical Sound, and this is the family of champions Ice Cube, and Whistling Dixie.
For more information on this draft, interested parties can speak to Dr Thomson on 082 557 1442 or email her on doctort@mweb.co.za
Sandown Stud Brings Two To Premier Sale
Picture: Lot 31: f Erupt – Kinematic Countess
The Armitage family has been involved in horse-racing since Jim Armitage established Rathvale Stud just outside Standerton in the Eastern Transvaal in 1935.
James and his wife Joy moved to South Africa in 2006. They managed to bring 14 mares with them and with Goldkeeper and the handful of mares that had come to South Africa with him a couple of years earlier, they set about rebuilding. James became the 3rd generation Armitage to produce a Gr 1 winner, when subsequent Equus Champion French Navy stormed home to win both the Gr 1 SA Classic and Gr 1 Daily News 2000.
Other high-class performers bred by Sandown include champion Magnificent Seven, this season’s Gr 2 De Grendel Cape Merchants winner Outlaw King, and graded stakes winning siblings Priceless Jewel and Royal Badge.
Last season’s Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship runner up Rodeo Drive is yet another classy performer bred by the Armitages.
The latest high-class performer reared by Sandown Stud is promising three-year-old Immediate Edge. A colt by Vercingetorix, Immediate Edge is unbeaten in two starts and looks to have a big future ahead of him. Sandown will be offering a pair of well-bred fillies, one on behalf of La Berg Stud, at the 2025 Premier Yearling Sale.
Lot 31: f Erupt – Kinematic Countess
By the sire of graded stakes winners Karangetang and Moonlight Trader and Zimbabwe star Buster Barnes, this filly, a half-sister to promising two-year-old Jordash, is a full-sister to the smart performer Karate Kid. The latter won three of his first five starts before lining up in the Gr 3 TAB J J The Jet Plane Stakes.
Classy racemare Kinematic Countess won eight races, up to 1160m, including two running’s of the Gr 3 Sycamore Sprint. A half-sister to three winners, Kinematic Countess is herself out of speedy Listed KwaZulu-Natal Stakes winner National Navigator, a daughter of successful sire and broodmare sire National Emblem. Kinematic Countess is directly descended in female line from one of history’s greatest broodmares Anchora, the granddam of Fairway and Pharos.
Lot 105: f Rafeef – Up Front
Rafeef, whose progeny include the Sandown Stud bred top sprinter Outlaw King, is having another excellent season in 2024-2025. Not only is Rafeef responsible for this season’s graded stakes winners Chasing Happiness, Mon Petit Cherie and Outlaw King, but he is also the sire of such promising two-year-olds as Easy Tiger and Glastonbury.
Up Front was a top-class two-year-old who ran second in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship and Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery. Dam of four winners, including Gr 3 performer Eau De Vie, Up Front is out of a twice winning daughter of outstanding broodmare sire Royal Academy. The latter’s daughters include outstanding South African broodmare Mystic Spring and Piccadilly Circus, dam of multiple champion sire Fastnet Rock, to name but a few.
Up Front hails from a top-class international female line with her numerous high-class relatives including five-time Gr 1 winner and successful sire Dream Ahead.
For more information on this draft, interested parties are requested to contact James Armitage on 072 680 3549.
Ten Einde Offers Five Fabulous Lots At Premier Sale
By one of South Africa’s Leading First Season Sires for 2024-2025, this filly, a half-sister to three winners, is out of the stakes placed Silvano mare Kumiko.
By one of South Africa’s top stallions, this colt is a half-brother to this season’s high-class three-year-old Dawn Till Dusk, and his dam is a four-time winning daughter of Dynasty and Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes winner Fading Light. The latter produced nine winners, including the dam of Gr 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes winner Red Chesnut Road.
This colt is from the first crop of Snitzel’s speedy son Real Gone Kid, who won six of just 13 starts. This colt is a half-brother to a multiple winner, whose sire, like Snitzel, was sired by Redoute’s Choice.
Figure Of Grey, a daughter of outstanding Australian racehorse and sire So You Think, is a half-sister to South African graded stakes winners Eight Street and Ottimo.
By the sire of such high-class performers as Royal Aussie, Count Invicto and Donna Mo, this filly is a half-sister to four winners including the six time winner Seattle Force.
Selkie, by top-class broodmare sire Caesour, is a three-parts sister to the Caesour sired international Gr 1 winners Irridescence (Queen Elizabeth II Cup), the dam of dual US graded stakes winner Hopper, and Perfect Promise (C F Orr Stakes). Further back, this is the family of Gr 1 winners Castle Walk and Divided Loyalty.
Closely related to top sire Master Of My Fate, Triple Crown winner Malmoos is one of South Africa’s most exciting young sires. Western Dance is a five-time winning half-sister to Listed Derby Trial runner up Forafewdollarsmore, and to the useful performers Dad’s Catch and Western Fort. This filly hails from the same family as champions Colonial Girl and Edict Of Nantes as well as Gr 1 World Sports Betting Presents The Gauteng Summer Cup winner Flying Carpet.
Fact To File Can Land The Ryanair
Today's Question
Why was the Cheltenham Gold Cup changed to a steeplechase in 1924?
Picture: The Chaltenham Gold Cup.
FIELDS, Thursday, 13 March
Turffontein Inside
Today’s Question Answer
In the early 1920s there were very few valuable weight-for-age steeplechases. Apart from the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and the Champion Chase at Liverpool all the most important races were handicaps. Some people thought this was not in the best interests of the sport, so the Gold Cup was founded to redress the balance to a certain degree.
Click here to read about the history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup
