Turf Talk Newsletter – 13 August, 2025

Members of the Centenary Syndicate lead in their horse, the Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Future Variety, after he had won the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap at Hollywoodbets Greyville (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Race Coast is proud to announce the expansion of its Syndicates Programme into KwaZulu-Natal, marking a major step forward in growing racehorse ownership and participation across South Africa.

Already active in the Western Cape, Race Coast Syndicates have helped build a new community of passionate owners and racing fans, and now the same model will be rolled out to KZN, with added support for syndicate formation, management and promotion.

With established syndicates including Centenary Syndicate, Wolf Power, Turf Talk, The Racing Club, Social Squad, Ready Steady Go and Genuine Ennion, the programme has become a proven and accessible entry point for newcomers — and a smart way for passionate racing enthusiasts to turn their networks into ownership groups.

Why Syndicates Work

Syndicates lower the barrier to entry while increasing the fun, community and engagement that racing offers. By sharing the cost and ownership of a racehorse, syndicate members get all the thrill of the game without the pressure or complexity of going it alone.

But the real game-changer? The opportunity to become a Syndicate Manager.

A Real Business, Backed by Race Coast

Syndicate Managers act as the organisers and communicators — selecting horses, putting together groups of owners, and managing the day-to-day liaison with trainers. With the right structure, it becomes a business opportunity for racing lovers with strong networks and a flair for people.

Race Coast offers significant backing for all registered syndicate managers:

• Buyers’ commission (2%) at Race Coast Sales
• Six months’ interest-free payment terms
• R10 000 win bonus for syndicate members
• R2 500 win bonus for the syndicate manager
• Subsidised NHRA registration costs (COO and Associates)
• Appearance fees for syndicate managers

 Marketing support, including: 

• Promotion across Race Coast social media
• Rotating race names (minimum 1 per syndicate per quarter)
• Syndicate win reels and photography
• Monthly “Top Syndicate” round-ups
• On-course presence, dedicated spaces and festival ticket discounts
• Access to stable visits and syndication newsletters

 What It Takes 

To qualify for official Race Coast Syndicate status, groups must: 

• Have at least 6 members
• Ensure 50% of the ownership is made up of new or small-scale owners
• Avoid any single owner holding more than 50% of a horse
• Register the syndicate through the NHRA (Race Coast provides assistance)

From single-horse groups to Company Colours entities, the syndicate format is flexible, scalable and fun — and plays a vital role in the sustainability and growth of South African racing.

Race Coast invites anyone with a passion for racing, a good network, and a desire to get more involved to consider starting their own syndicate — or joining one of the many now active under the Race Coast banner.

 -ends-

 For more information on joining or launching a syndicate:

syndicates@racecoast.co.za

Kurt Felix: kurt@racecoast.co.za

Justin Snaith, recently crowned national champion trainer for the sixth time, shared his confidence with Race Coast presenter MJ Byleveld in a pair of three-year-old maidens he was sending out at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth today and both of them delivered before he followed with an exacta in the next race and later on his three-year-old Futura half-brother to Eight On Eighteen also won.

In the second race over 1200m the Maine Chance Farms-bred Danon Platina colt Pomp It Up had caught the eye on debut over 1000m because he was outpaced and then cramped for room but when seeing daylight he ran on impressively. Today he was drawn nine out of the ten runners and was in the leading line early. He then edged ahead under JP van der Merwe before pulling clear readily to win by 5,50 lengths. He recorded the fastest time of the four races run over 1200m on the day. Pomp It Up was bought for R1,2 million at the BSA National Yearling Sale. He is out of the Silvano maiden mare Possibility, who is a full-sister to triple graded stakes winner and Gr 1 Durban July runner up Punta Arenas and she is a three-parts sister to Gr 1 Cape Derby winner Pomp And Power. Pomp It Up’s name at the sales was Percolating, but the name change obviously came about because the owners are the same as the partnership that owned Pomp And Power i.e. Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith, Etienne Braun and Marsh Shirtliff’s Greenacres Trust. Pomp It Up is a chestnut with prominent white socks, just like Pomp And Power has, and he could follow in the latter’s footsteps.

In the third race over 1200m Snaith was full of confidence about the Varsfontein homebred Gimmethegreenlight filly Gimme What I Want, despite her obviuosly being bred for a lot further being a half-sister to the like of Graded staying winners Salvator Mundi and My Soul Mate, although she is also a half-sister to Bunker Hunt, who was a comfortable winner of the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m. The ony concern for Snaith and jockey Muzi Yeni was her high draw, but Yeni rode her with confidence in the leading line and she found the necessary extra to win by a length.

In the next race over 1200m the Snaith-trained Querari filly Queen Regent looked the one to beat, but he did mention the Normandy Stud-homebred Legislate filly La Landonne as being “gutsy” and so it proved, because despite not having as much substance as stablemate Queen Regent she wore the latter down to win by 0,40 lengths and give Brevan Plaaitjies the first leg of a double.

In the last race over 1400m the Drakenstein homebred Futura three-year-old colt Future Free is a half-brother to the horse who is likely to be named Equus Horse Of The Year on Thursday night, Eight On Eighteen. He had to overcome a wide draw of nine, but Yeni quickly found cover and settled him well in the back half of the field. He ran on well in the straight to get up by 0,30 lengths. He is a progressive sort like his brother and time will tell how good he is.

Snaith also looked the likely winner of the fifth race with the promising Varsfontein Stud-bred Futura colt Note To Self, who had won impressively over 1200m on debut. He came from midfield in the 1600m event today with a winning looking run, but the rangy colt was outpaced in the final stages by the four-year-old Canford Cliffs gelding Turbo Twenty, who was delivered with a perfectly timed challenge by 4kg claimer Dezahn Louw. Turbo Twenty won by half-a-length but was receiving 3kg from Note To Self if apprentice claims are included. The win gave Candice Bass-Robinson the first leg of a quick double. Note To Self needs further on pedigree, conformation and action and is one to follow as he steps up in trip.

Later, Snaith was a touch unlucky with the three-year-old Maine Chance Farms-bred three-year-old Legislate filly Wish List, who was fancied to make it two wins from three starts in this class 4 event over 1400m. She had to be switched out late for a clear run by Muzi Yeni and charged home, but the Alec and the Honourable Gillian Foster’s homebred Gimmethegreenlight three-year-old filly Viva La Vida, who was also going for a second win in three starts, lunged through on the inside rail to deny her and that gave Vaughan Marshall and Sean Veale a double on the day. Wish List had to give the winer 2kg so it was a good performance.

Snaith looks to have a wealth of talented three-year-olds this season if the evidence of this early season midweek meeting is anything to go by.

His four-timer was his first four wins of the season and he is going at a strike rate of 20%.

Candice Bass-Robinson’s double added to her win at Hollywoodbets Greyville on August 3 and her three wins have come at a strike rate of 21.43%.

Marshall’s double opened his account for the season and he is going at a strike rate of 18.18%.

Yeni’s double took him to joint top of the table with S’Manga Khumalo with each having ridden eight wins. Khumalo has done it at a 27.59% strike rate and Yeni 16%.

Veale’s double took him to five wins at 17.24%.

Morpheus, an Oasis Dream half-brother to the legendary Frankel, is one of the highly pedigreed stallions standing at Heversham Park Stud

Mike Moon (The Citizen)

Joburg gets a bad rap. Some criticism is justified: the way the city is run is shameful. But some badmouthing isn’t: the people are generally a lot more friendly and accommodating than residents of other, supposedly more genteel, places; the energy and work ethic is a level above; and many areas are quite beautiful.

So, Joburgers can feel a bit ambivalent about their dump. You hear this come through when Nigel Riley talks about his Heversham thoroughbred stud, situated south of Joburg in Daleside Valley, overlooked by Paardekop.

Riley, a former racehorse trainer now (amazingly) a prominent legal advocate, and his partner Willem Ackerman, have put huge resources into building up Heversham to the highest levels of the modern stud farm.

They stand some of the best-pedigreed stallions in South Africa yet have “difficulties geographically” in getting mares from other parts of the country to visit these mighty males.

Joburg doesn’t sound cool, perhaps. But perhaps Joburg money can talk loudly enough to drown out prejudice.

Huge incentives
Heversham has come up with a breeding incentive scheme unlike anything seen before in this country.

It is offering cash rewards of nearly R90-million over two years to the connections of mares that are sent north for a liaison with one of two newly imported stallions.

Waiting for the ladies beneath Paardekop are Gustav Klimt, an Irish-bred, Group-winning son of Galileo, and British-bred Morpheus, a half-brother of the mighty Frankel and brother of a Breeders’ Cup winner.

For the first Grade 1-winning offspring of early crops of both these sires, the breeding farms and the owners of the mothers get R10-million each, in cash, from Heversham, while buyers of the youngsters get R2-million each.

Speaking on a recent Race Coast podcast, Riley opined that, with this temptation, “Anyone with half a brain should be sending their best mare!”

With the annual broodmare-covering season starting in a fortnight’s time, breeders down-country might be looking at Joburg with new eyes.

Heversham offers lesser incentives for visitors to their other stallions: under-valued Pomodoro, under-served Time Thief, former top racers Jackson and MK’s Pride, and Aussie import Moofeed, a well-performed grandson of Danehill.

Coming up in the future is The Equator, the Coolmore-bred son of Galileo who was an impressive winner at Turffontein recently.

The old Transvaal was once thriving stud country. Could it regain some of that old-gold glister?

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Obsidian has been tipped to win the highest rated race of the day (JC Photos)

A MR100 Handicap over 1600m and a MR99 Handicap over 1600m for fillies and mares are the highlights of the Vaal Classic track meeting today.

In the MR100 handicap Obsidian is a horse who is on the up and he can continue to progress above his current 91 merit rating. He has won three out of his last four starts and this is an ideal trip. He won his last start from a tricky draw of eight on the Turffontein Standside course and he now has a better draw of three which should allow him to get into his favoured handy position with cover and he looks the one to beat despite having to overcome a four point merit rating raise. Jury’s Out has plenty of class and the form of his last run over 1600m when third to the classy Bacchus has worked out quite well. He does have a tough draw to overcome though. Mount Darwin is capable of finishing strongly from a handy position and he should be able to get into a handy position from pole position. This looks to be an ideal trip for him too and Kabelo Matsunyane rides him for the third time in succession. Ikigai is a former Gauteng Guineas winner, so has the class to be involved here off a 91 merit rating. He has become unreliable, but Craig Zackey is up and will give him every chance. Master Christmas ran well last time at Hollywoodbets Greyville over this trip and with in-form Chad Little aboard, he could overcome a tricky draw. Soldier’s Eye is distance suited and should have a chance here from draw two.

In the fillies and Mares 99 handicap Accept Cookies is a decent sort and she will enjoy the step back down to 1600m, so should go close from draw two. Avoontoast has ability and has finished close the last two times she has tried this trip, so she should be involved from a good draw of three. Kisshoten is a hard knocking sort who should be right there if able to overcome a tricky draw of seven. Last Car To Pass is also in good form and was only 0.6 lengths behind Kisshoten last time, but she is now half-a-kilogram worse off. Princess Ilaria could be in the shake-up here over a suitable course and distance from a draw of six out of nine.

In the first leg of the P6 Longsword will enjoy this 1200 meters course and distance from draw three and could mow them down late. Hemisphere should enjoy the step up in trip and is drawn in pole, so should be involved. Fully Loaded is knocking on the door but does have a tough draw to overcome over this suitable trip. Palace Revolt did well over 1000m last time and should also stay this trip, so can be involved from a fair draw of five. Sylvan Warrior did well in a Gr 2 over this trip at Hollywoodbets Greyville last time and although he was given a ten point raise and has to carry topweight against older horses, he could earn.

In the second leg of the P6 King of Numbers is drawn in pole over a 1200m trip that seems to stretch him a bit on the evidence of his form, but in the fast current conditions he should be thereabouts from pole position. Ombudsman has disappointed in his last two starts, but he now has a good draw and if he bounces back to his best he could be right there under Craig Zackey. Eiffel Tower represents the in-form St. John Gray yard from a fair draw over a suitable trip and he has a chance. Salute the flag will appreciate coming back to this trip and if he repeats his run in May and is able to overcome a tricky draw he should be thereabouts. Hong Kong is well regarded and in-form Chad Little is up, so over this seemingly ideal trip she has a chance from a fair draw, although she does have to carry joint topweight against the boys which won’t be easy.

In the eighth race over 1600m Kissing Machine bounced back to her best last time over 1800m when the blinkers were removed. She enjoys this trip too and has a fair draw so looks the one to beat. Way To Burn ran well last time over 1450m and this handy to front-running sort should make a bold bid if able to get to the front from a wide draw. Boom boom is not too reliable but Serino Moodley should suit her and if dropped out and left alone she should be running on. Future Date represents the in-form St. John Gray yard and from a good draw over a suitable trip with Muzi Yeni up she should be right there. Lapis Lazuli disappointed last time but has come down the merit ratings and could be a player if returning to her best from a plum draw.

In the last race over 1450m Zoombomber ran a cracker last time over 1800m, but will be effective over this trip too and looks the one to beat from a plum draw of two with a 1.5kg claimer up. Sail the Sky ran well last time over this course and distance from draw two and has a fair draw again, so has another chance. Can’t Catch Me is knocking on the door and this is an ideal trip, but she does have a tough draw. Sunshine Day has bits and pieces of form that could see her placing if producing her best. Libeccio is an unreliable sort but on his going days he is dangerous so he is tough to ignore despite having a wide draw.

In the first leg of the PA over 1000m the British-bred Deal Maker has gone close in both starts on the Highveld and will be hard to beat in this line up.

In the first leg of the Bipot over 1500m Greenlight Racer is capable of improvement and shoud be able to despatch this field from a much better draw than last time and over a slight step down in trip that will also suit at this stage.

In the first race over 1500m Lady Blunt ran a cracker last time over 1400m and should be in the shake-up here, although she does have a tough draw. Frangipani ran well last time out over 1400m and with a repeat could be in the shake-up, although she also has a tricky draw. Hollywood Madam has shown enough form to be a contender here and has a fair draw.

Alan Greeff had the three best two-year-old fillies in the country last season, Golden Palm (Master Of My Fate), Anotherdanceforme (Master Of My Fate) and Direct Hit (Canford Cliffs), and from the same crop he got another one to win on debut on Tuesday on the Fairview poly.

S’Manga Khumalo brought home the Ridgemont-bred Hollywood Racing-owned three-year-old Danon Platina filly Party Girl to win over 1300m at odds of 2/1, despite the filly being very green in her first outing.

Cape Breeders wrote the following report on the victory:

Mauritzfontein’s well performed stallion Danon Platina came up with an eye catching debut winner on Tuesday.

His newly turned three-year-old daughter Party Girl made the perfect start to her career when she won the first race at Fairview.

Under S’Manga Khumalo, the Alan Greeff trained Party Girl hit the front 100m from home in the Welcome To Nelson Mandela Bay Maiden Plate (1300m) and stayed on to score by a short-head.

It was a good effort from Party Girl, who was very green in running.

Bred by Ridgemont Highlands, Party Girl races for Hollywood Racing.

Tuesday’s winner is out of the Tapit mare Still Tappin.

Her sire Danon Platina, Japan’s Champion 2YO Colt of 2014, had a fine season in 2024-2025 where his flagbearers included the graded stakes winners Absolutely Yes, Great Plains and White Pearl.

The son of legendary racehorse and sire Deep Impact ended last season fourth on South Africa’s Leading Sires of 2YOs premiership when Danon Platina was responsible for 11 two-year-old winners.

Also the sire of 2025 G1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes runner up Tina Lovelace, Danon Platina has 16 lots on offer at the 2025 August Two Year Old Sale, including a full-sister (Lot 22) to the smart Versace Onthetrack.

Irish Derby winner Lambourn all set to run in the Voltigeur (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)

But Scandinavia could lead the way for Ballydoyle at Doncaster next month

At The Races

Aidan O’Brien is giving serious consideration to running his dual Derby winner Lambourn in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York next week.

The Australia colt emulated his sire by striking Classic gold at Epsom and the Curragh in June and is now ready to step up his preparations for a major autumn target.

For a long time another Classic bid in the St Leger at Doncaster seemed likely, but with stablemate Scandinavia throwing his hat into that particular ring with victory in the Goodwood Cup, Lambourn may instead be bound for Paris and a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

When asked whether Lambourn could step back to Group Two level on the Knavesmire, O’Brien told Sky Sports Racing: “He could, we’ve a lot of horses kind of ready for the Voltigeur, some are just about ready and some are probably not going to make it.

“Lambourn definitely could. We’ll see how he is and his next target then can be either the Leger or the Arc. I think the lads are thinking Scandinavia is going to be trained for the Leger now – if the ground was nice he would go there and Lambourn wouldn’t go there, but if it was the other way Lambourn would go there.

“Lambourn probably needs a race between now and the Leger or the Arc and it (Great Voltigeur) is a race that could suit him.

“He’s a straightforward, honest, no-nonsense horse. He does what he has to do and doesn’t do any more.”

Another Ballydoyle inmate with Arc aspirations is last year’s third Los Angeles, who made an excellent start to his campaign with successive wins at the Curragh but could finish only fifth as a hot favourite for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Having since enjoyed a mid-season break, he is set to return to competitive action in the Newbridge Silverware Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

“We were thinking he could go to the Royal Whip and go and improve a lot,” O’Brien added.

“He’s had a break since Ascot and we were thinking if he went to the Curragh this weekend he could go to the Prix Foy as an Arc trial or he could go to the Irish Champion Stakes as an Arc trial.

“All those things are open, but he’s just starting back and he’ll be running with no pressure win, lose or draw (this weekend). We’d just like to get a run into him to get him ready for the autumn.

“The Arc has been his target all the time. We tightened him up a bit too much in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and because of that he just had to have a little rest. He’s come back happy, but will progress a lot before the Arc.”

O’Brien also had news of Henri Matisse, last seen finishing third in the Sussex Stakes behind shock 150-1 winner Qirat.

O’Brien said: “He’ll go probably for the Prix du Moulin. Goodwood was a little bit of a disaster – it was really only a four-furlong dash in the second half of the race.

“It was one of those races that is hard to work out, but we were very happy with the run, Ryan (Moore) was very happy with him and we think he’s still progressing.

“We haven’t seen the best of him yet, we think.”

An anagram of a racing personality’s name given to one team on the popular BBC team quiz pogram called A Question Of Sport was ‘Trinket Ride Oaf’. Whose name is it an anagram of?

Picture: Frankie Dettori, Sue Barker and Ally McCoist were all contestants on A Question Of Sport when this picture was taken in 2002. (Picture: BBC)