Turf Talk Newsletter – 14 August, 2025

Picture: Eight On Eighteen winning the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

There were no surprises at the Equus Awards on Thursday night at Hollywoodbets Greyville as Eight On Eighteen walked away with the Horse Of The Year award, as well as the Champion Three-year-old Colt and Middle Distance awards, while his chief rival for Horse Of The Year, One Stripe, was named Champion Miler and Gimme A Prince and King Pelles were named Champion Sprinter and Champion Stayer respectively.

The other equine awards all went as expected too and in the one that was always going to be the most contentious, i.e. the Champion Older Male, there was a loud cheer when the local KZN horse Gladatorian won it at the expense of Gimme A Prince.

Justin Snaith was not only Champion trainer for the sixth time, but has now been trainer of seven Equus Horse Of The Years. Nick Jonsson owns Eight On Eighteen together with Johann Rupert and it was the second time Jonsson had received an Equus Horse Of The Year award.

Drakenstein Stud bred Eight On Eighteen and were champion breeders for the second time and were the first to have progeny who surpassed R40 million in earnings in a season.

Phillip Thengeza also received an award as Groom of Eight On Eighteen.

Hollywood Racing realised a longheld ambition when becoming Champion Owners for the first time.

Alan Greeff received a Special Achievement Award for his incredible season in which he had the three best two-year-old fillies in the land and between them they landed Graded events in all three of the major centres as well as at home in Gqeberha.

Piere Strydom also received a rousing ovation for his Special Achievement Award, which honoured one of the all time great jockey careers in SA history.

CHAMPION 2YO FILLY
Golden Palm (Master Of My Fate) (Trainer: Alan Greeff, Breeder: Varsfontein Stud, Owner: Mr PJ Moor)

CHAMPION 2YO COLT
Jan van Goyen (Master Of My Fate) (Trainer: Mike and Mathew de Kock, Breeder: Mr & Mrs R J Trotter, Messrs R E Alexander & B B Campbell, Owners: Mesdames D L Erasmus & L Huntingford & Mr H W Leyenaar)

CHAMPION 3YO FILLY
Fatal Flaw (New Predator) (Trainer: Brett and James Crawford, Breeder: Laurence Wernars, Owner: ASSM Racing Syndicate (Nom: Mr A Chadha))

CHAMPION 3YO COLT
Eight On Eighteen (Lancaster Bomber) Trainer: Justin Snaith, Breeder: Drakenstein Stud, Owners: Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert)

CHAMPION OLDER FILLY/MARE
Double Grand Slam (Vercingetorix) Trainer: Justin Snaith, Breeder: Varsfontein Stud, Owner: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert), Messrs D D MacLean & G J Player

CHAMPION OLDER MALE
Gladatorian (Vercingetorix) Trainer: Stuart Ferrie, Breeder: Erasmus Thoroughbreds CC, Owners: Messrs Late Agasthamuni Gujadhur, E G Hart de Keating, M L Jean Hardy & M J L Nairac

CHAMPION SPRINTER
Gimme A Prince (Gimmethegreenlight)  (Trainer: Dean Kannemeyer, Breeders Khaya Stables, Owner: Khaya Stables)

CHAMPION MILER
One Stripe (One World) (Trainer: Vaughan Marshall, Breeder: Drakenstein Stud, Owners: Mr R M Sewgoolam & Betting Entertainment Technologies International (Pty) Ltd (Nom: Mr A Delpech)

CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE (1800-2200m)
Eight On Eighteen (Lancaster Bomber) Trainer: Justin Snaith, Breeder: Drakenstein Stud, Owners: Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert)

CHAMPION STAYER (2400m & up)
King Pelles (Duke Of Marmalade) (Trainer: Gareth van Zyl, Breeder: Drakenstein Stud, Owners:  Lucky Vest 12 CC (Nom: Mr Ravi Padayachee), Messrs D D MacLean, G J Player & N V Parmanand)

CHAMPION BROODMARE
Real Princess (Khaya Stables)

CHAMPION STALLION
Vercingetorix (Maine Chance Farms)

CHAMPION APPRENTICE
Brevan Plaaitjies

CHAMPION JOCKEY
Gavin Lerena

CHAMPION TRAINER
Justin Snaith

CHAMPION BREEDER
Drakenstein Stud 

CHAMPION OWNER
Hollywood Racing

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Alan Greeff
Piere Strydom

MEDIA AWARDS:

PRINT MEDIA
Gary Lemke

STILL PHOTOGRAPHY
Candiese Lenferna

BROADCAST
Emma Finney

Horse Of The Year
Eight On Eighteen (Lancaster Bomber) Trainer: Justin Snaith, Groom: Philip Thengeza, Breeder: Drakenstein Stud, Owners: Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert)

 

The official press release of the Equus Awards can be read below:

Equus ’25 – Celebrating Our Stars 

 Justin Snaith was crowned SA Champion trainer for the sixth time and enjoyed the honour of celebrating his seventh SA Horse Of The Year title, courtesy of the outstanding Eight On Eighteen, as South African horseracing and breeding personalities gathered to celebrate the past season’s stars at the Equus Awards held at Hollywoodbets Greyville in Durban on Thursday evening.            

The sport is about horses and people and an evening of glitz and glamour in the beautifully appointed The Silver Ring formed the backdrop as opponents on the track, and in the breeding paddocks, mingled and shared the golden thread of a love and passion for the horse, while celebrating the equine stars and human champions of a glorious season.

There was no surprise as polished MC Alistair Cohen announced the Drakenstein Stud-bred Eight On Eighteen as the winner of the prestigious SA Horse Of The Year award. The treble Grade 1-winner was the standout sophomore last season, and lost no credit when going down narrowly to the year older The Real Prince in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, his final start as a 3yo.

Raced by Nick Jonsson and Johann Rupert, Eight On Eighteen was also crowned Champion 3yo Male and Middle Distance Horse, and he remains an exciting prospect with the 2026 Gr1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and Gr1 Cape Town Met his targets, with an overseas campaign a possibility thereafter.

A special award was presented to Eight On Eighteen’s Groom Philip Sengeza, who drew rousing applause after a moving speech that demonstrated his passion and love of his champion charge.

After another outstanding season, Drakenstein Stud was named Champion Breeders for the second time, and in addition to Eight On Eighteen’s three trophies, the Rupert’s nursery of champions also drank a celebratory toast to the exported One Stripe’s Champion Miler award.

The son of One World is now based at trainer Graham Motion’s Fair Hill Training Centre in Maryland.  One Stripe won six races in the care of trainer Vaughan Marshall, with his CV including sensational victories in the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Cape Guineas and the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate from only nine starts, for career earnings of close on R4,2-million. The $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile on 1 November at Del Mar will be One Stripe’s main target this year.

The stirring reception for the Special Achievement Awards handed to two champion sons of the Eastern Cape, endorsed the popularity and enormous esteem and respect which Piere Strydom and Alan Greeff command in their respective disciplines.

An international competitor, Piere Strydom bowed out of an illustrious career in the saddle at the age of 59 on the last day of the 2024/25 season. 

A gentleman of the game, ‘Striker’ Strydom closed the chapter on an extraordinary riding career that spanned 43 years, six national championship titles, over 5600 winners, including 97 Grade 1 successes. The living legend said that he had so many people to thank and added emotionally that he was grateful and appreciative of having been able to choose to step down, a choice many riders have not had the privilege, in what is a dangerous profession.

Multiple Eastern Cape Champion trainer Alan Greeff enjoyed an extraordinary season of feature successes across South Africa.

While he put the cherry on the top with Golden Palm’s runaway victory in the Gr1 Douglas Whyte Stakes on the final major day of last term, Greeff’s away feature successes included the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and the Gr3 SplashOut Good Hope Nursery at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, both won by Direct Hit.

He also enjoyed his first Hollywoodbets Durban July day success when the unbeaten Anotherdanceforme won the SplashOut Gr2 Golden Slipper. Golden Palm’s victory in the Douglas Whyte crowned her Turffontein Gr2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Nursery victory, to bookend a glorious season for Halo Stables.

The Varsfontein Stud-bred Golden Palm was crowned Champion 2yo Filly on a special evening for owner Peter Moor and the Greeff family!

Varsfontein Stud celebrated a second champion on the evening when Double Grand Slam won the Champion Older Filly/Mare title. A winner of the Cartier Gr1 Paddock Stakes and Ridgemont Gr1 Garden Province Stakes, the daughter of Vercingetorix will stay on in training this season, with ‘unfinished business’ at hand, in the words of trainer Justin Snaith.

Father-and-son Mike and Mathew de Kock have only been training in partnership for six months, and were delighted to share their maiden Equus trophy courtesy of World Pool Moment Of The Day Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes winner Jan Van Goyen who was awarded Champion 2yo Male. The son of Master Of My Fate is raced by passionate life-long owner Henk Leyenaar in partnership with his daughters Daniela Erasmus and Louisa Huntingford.

Dean Kannemeyer enjoyed his fourth Hollywoodbets Durban July victory last month when Khaya Stables’ The Real Prince achieved a career peak success, but it was in the Champion Sprinter category that the Milnerton maestro and his loyal clients received their 2025 Equus moment via superstar speed demon, Gimme A Prince.

A full-brother to the younger The Real Prince, Gimme A Prince ran only five times last season, for a third in the L’Ormarins Gr1 King’s Plate and victories in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship and Gr2 Diadem Stakes.

A dual Gr1 winner last term, New Predator’s daughter Fatal Flaw, bred by leading owner Laurence Wernars, was crowned Champion 3yo Filly, while Gareth van Zyl’s top notch Duke Of Marmalade gelding King Pelles was a shoo-in for the Champion Stayer title!

In a glorious moment for a relatively small yard, Summerveld trainer Stuart Ferrie crowned only his second full season with the Erasmus Thoroughbreds-bred Gladatorian winning the Champion Older Colt/ Gelding award. The winner of the HKJC Gr1 Champions Cup is raced by a Mauritian partnership of the Late Agasthamuni Gujadhur, E G Hart de Keating, M L Jean Hardy and now retired Gold Circle CEO, Michel Nairac.

In a soaring rise from humble beginnings with a first winner at the Equus venue over 20 years ago, Hollywood Racing celebrated a maiden Champion Owner title after a stellar season under the management of former multiple champion jockey Anthony Delpech. The team enjoyed winners countrywide, and clearly have another exciting season, both locally and internationally, ahead of them.

A high work-rate, plenty of travelling and dedication to keeping his eye on the prize saw Gavin Lerena mark his second SA Champion Jockey title. Lerena rode 277 winners last term at a strike-rate of 24,8% and total stakes of R36 724 998 to beat reigning record-breaking champion Richard Fourie by 18 wins.

A rising star on the SA racing landscape, Brevan Plaatjies proudly received his Champion Apprentice title, crediting his move to the Cape in April as a major factor in his growth. One of five children, the former Ixopo schoolboy became a jockey when a family member suggested the career choice. The 20 year old admits that he has never looked back!

The competitive Media awards categories again provided some serious consideration and reflection for the judges.

But it was the well-travelled KZN-based Candiese Lenferna who came out tops in the Still Photography section for the third time, while veteran Gary Lemke’s feature on record-breaker Richard Fourie in the ‘378 Tribute’ magazine secured him the Print accolade. 

The Broadcast Media award attracted a number of high-class submissions, and it was Emma Finney who accepted her first Equus trophy for her well-crafted production of ‘Charles Dickens’, which told the story of the champion racehorse.

As the final curtain came down on a glittering evening of spirited celebration and camaraderie, MC Alistair Cohen bid guests farewell with a message: “Keep loving the sport. It will love you back.”

We couldn’t have said it better. Thanks to the judges and congratulations to all the winners and nominees. Here’s to another superb season!

 

THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS

 

TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY:

Nominees: Anotherdanceforme; Direct Hit; Golden Palm

Champion: GOLDEN PALM

TWO-YEAR-OLD MALE:

Nominees: Good For You; Jan Van Goyen

Champion: JAN VAN GOYEN

THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY:

Nominees: Fatal Flaw; Fiery Pegasus; Mom Petit Cherie; Quid Pro Quo; Spumante Dolce

Champion: FATAL FLAW

THREE-YEAR-OLD MALE:

Nominees: Eight On Eighteen; One Stripe

Champion: EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN

SPRINTER:

Nominees: Buffalo Storm Cody; Gimme A Prince; Mia Moo; Tenango; William Robertson

Champion: GIMME A PRINCE

MILER:

Nominees: Cosmic Speed; Dave The King; Double Grand Slam; One Stripe

Champion: ONE STRIPE

MIDDLE DISTANCE:

Nominees: Eight On Eighteen; Fire Attack; Gladatorian; The Real Prince

Champion: EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN

STAYER:

Nominee: King Pelles

Champion: KING PELLES

OLDER FEMALE:

Nominees: Asiye Phambili; Double Grand Slam; Mia Moo; Rascova

Champion: DOUBLE GRAND SLAM

OLDER MALE:

Nominees: Dave The King; Gimme A Prince; Gladatorian, The Real Prince

Champion: GLADATORIAN

CHAMPION STALLION:

Vercingetorix

CHAMPION BROODMARE:

Real Princess

(Trippi-Pagan Princess by Fort Wood)

 

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:

Alan Greeff

Piere Strydom

 

MEDIA AWARDS:

Print Media: Gary Lemke

Still Photography: Candiese Lenferna

 Emma Finney: Charles Dickens

 

HUMAN AWARDS:

Champion Apprentice: Brevan Plaatjies

 Champion Jockey: Gavin Lerena

 Champion Trainer: Justin Snaith

 Champion Owners: Hollywood Racing (Nom: Mr A Delpech)

Champion Breeders: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

 

HORSE OF THE YEAR:

Eight On Eighteen

Groom: Philip Thengeza

Owners: Mr N Jonsson & Mr JP Rupert

Breeders: Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert)

The Sean Tarry-trained Ombudsman (Flower Alley) gives Craig Zackey a treble (JC Photos)

Craig Zackey will be a big contender for the national jockeys title this season after proving he is up to it last season and he scored a treble at the Vaal Classic track meeting today (Thursday) to get the ball rolling.

S’Manga Khumalo moved to the front in the championship again with a double for Johan Janse van Vuuren.

Joe Soma and Tony Peter scored individual doubles.

Khumalo has had  ten wins at a strike rate of 28.57%.

He is one ahead of Muzi Yeni who had one winner today.

Zackey is on 8 wins at 15.69% and is tied with Calvin Habib, who had one win today, while Chad Little is next best on seven wins.

Johan Janse van Vuuren’s double took him to three wins for the season, achieved at a strike rate of 21.43%.

Joe Soma’s double opened his season’s account and he is going along at a strike rate of 22.22%.

Tony Peter has now had six wins at 30%.

Picture: Diego Velazquez (via youtube)

Multiple Gr 2 winner Diego Velazquez, who is a half-brother to the new Maine Chance Farms stallion Point Lonsdale,  will stand at the National Stud next year after being purchased by Sam Sangster Bloodstock on behalf of a high-profile syndicate.

Diego Velazquez is by Galileo legend Frankel, while Point Lonsdale is by the three-time’s Gr 1-winning Galileo stallion Australia, so the pair are very closely related.

Click here to read about Diego Velazquez’s future  

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Picture: My Best Shot can get back to winning ways on his home turf (Pauline Herman Photography)

Fairview Turf Friday Formguides And Selections

R1 (1) THE ROARING ROCK is holding solid form and form and will be a major contender here. (5) BUGLE is capable of showing improvement on provincial debut. The unraced (3) ALL SYSTEMS GO must be respected in this field, keep a close eye for any market support. (7) THROW A PARTY is capable of much better so that last run is best ignored. (Devonne Govender 1-5-3-7)

R2 (1) OLIVE OYL has her first run back since falling and if that hasn’t taken the edge of her, she should be hard to beat. (5) MORFELIHA has scope to improve and will get closer. (4) HAZE AND SMOKE is another who is likely to improve over this 1400m trip and can be included into the placings. (6) ROYAL MISSY is capable of getting into the money in this field so can make the quartets. (Devonne Govender 1-5-4-6)

R3 (2) GOT THE FEVER is holding some decent form and rates a huge winning chance is this contest. (4) WINTER EMERALDS gets a slightly better draw now and will be in the firing line, big winning chance. (3) GRAND ALLEGRO is another who ran well enough in the last start and will make his presence felt however does have a tough draw. (Devonne Govender 2-4-3-1).

R4 (1) GREENLIGHT LEGEND is holding solid form and will be tough to beat with Richard Fourie. (4) RED WILLIAM won a gutsy race in the last start and has the best draw so will be in the firing line. (7) ONE GIANT LEAP is never far back and can get into the placings. (10) ROCK OF FUTURA has scope to go well and should be respected, include in larger perms. (Devonne Govender 1-4-7-10).

R5 (4) HENRY’S HEDGE ran extremely well out the maidens and is one to take seriously here. (1) GEORGE HANDEL was narrowly beaten in the last start and expected to be in the firing if repeating that performance. (7) DUMISANI is never far back, she cracks a decent draw and will go well here. (6) BEER WITH THE BOYS Is capable of much better, he clearly wasn’t himself in the last start and can bounce back. (Devonne Govender 4-1-7-6).

R6 Tough contest. (1) LADY SILVANO had a tough draw in her last start, she gets a much easier draw this time and should go very close. (2) KNOCKOUT has plenty of ability, her form speaks for itself. She jumps from the best draw and will make her presence felt in a big way. (3) LOTUS ISLAND is another who had a tough draw in her last start, from a much better draw she can get involved here. (7) FIRST WISH is never far back and isn’t one to discount totally. (Devonne Govender 1-2-3-7)

R7 (2) MY BEST SHOT packs plenty of class and will be a banker in all bets. He was only beaten 9 lengths in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, back on home turf he will be a tough nut to crack. (1) FIREALLEY is holding consistent form and can run into the placings. (4) ROYAL AUSSIE has plenty ability but needs to find his best form, he will be in the mix. (6) MR FOX has been holding consistent form and will be tested here, he can run into the quartet. (Devonne Govender 2-1-4-6).

R8 (2) FOREST SPY ran a cracker in the last start, that form is working out well so he will be a strong contender. (1) CLIFF TOP is no doubt the class package in this contest, he seems to go well over slightly shorter but he cannot be ignored here. He is the highest rated horse in the field and will be a massive contender. (12) ANUSCHKA’S WORLD ran cracker behind the smart KINGDUNDEE in his last start, he will go very close in this contest. (8) EYJAFJALLAJOKULL is a very honest type and another decent run can be expected. (Devonne Govender 2-1-12-8)

Daryz (Picture: Aga Khan Studs)

Unbeaten French colt pleased in a gallop on Thursday to book his ticket to the Knavesmire.

At The Races

Daryz is on course for next week’s Juddmonte International at York after satisfying connections in a gallop on Thursday morning.

The Sea The Stars colt is in unbeaten in four races this term having been unraced at two last year and as a Group Two winner last time out, his team feel the timing is right for him to step into the best company.

Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs, confirmed that Daryz sufficiently impressed trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and is set to run on Wednesday.

“I’ve spoken to the trainer and jockey because Mickael Barzalona rode him and they were very happy with his piece of work. He’d taken a step forward from his piece of work last week and they were very happy with his condition,” said Routh.

“He worked with Sibayan and Surabad, a Group Two winner and Group Three placed so good horses, and after it the plan is now to run at York if everything goes fine.

“It’s obviously a big ask from what he has been doing so far. The field is a strong one and we’re under no illusions it’s going to be a very tough race, but Francis took the view that the horse is in great form, it will be fast ground which he handles well and we’ve always rated him, so we’ll see how good he is next week.”

Daryz has yet to venture further than ParisLongchamp and Saint-Cloud and Routh admits travelling for the first time to potentially take on the likes of Eclipse victor Delacroix and Japanese runner Danon Decile presents a real test.

“Francis just wanted to see that the horse was on good terms with himself, which he showed us this morning, but the question mark with him is he has been learning on the job, he’s still a bit immature,” said Routh.

“It’s going to be a lot for him to travel for the first time, see everything new and then come up against such a top-class field as well. That’s the caveat with him.

“We were very impressed last time though, in a race which wasn’t run to suit him. He pulled too hard as they were crawling but then he really picked up. That was a Group Two so you feel it makes sense to run in a Group One and this came up at the right time.”

A total of nine horses have been confirmed, with Aidan O’Brien responsible for Delacroix, dual Derby hero Lambourn, who also has the Great Voltiguer as an option, and the top-class filly Whirl.

John and Thady Gosden’s Prince of Wales’s scorer Ombudsman will have the benefit of a pacemaker in the supplemented Birr Castle, with See The Fire and Anmaat also left in.

An old English racing proverb went like this: the fittest horse wins the ____(?), the luckiest horse wins the _____(?), but the best horse wins the _____(?).

Fill in the missing words.

The picture gives a clue to the answer