Keenly awaited Mauritian racing will resume soon
Ready to rumble! Mauritian racing fans attended the barrier trails at Champ De Mars on Saturday. (MTCJC).
The Mauritius Turf Club (MTCJC) has resumed its role as the sole Horse Racing Organiser in Mauritius. They were officially granted the Horse Racing Organiser’s licence in June, following several years of interruptions and uncertainty in one of the island’s most popular industries.
The first meeting of the new season is scheduled for 26 July and will feature the Grade 2 Duchess Of York Cup over 1400m. Provisional fixtures have been announced for racing up to 20 December.
The MTCJC reported: “A large number of punters braved the winter chill to attend the first Barrier Trials of the 2025 Racing season at the Champ de Mars last Saturday. Their strong turnout was a clear sign of the growing excitement and impatience — they want the racing action to return as soon as possible!
“From early morning, the parking areas were quickly overwhelmed, with many racing fans making their way to the ‘gradins de la montagne’ to follow the training session, which unfolded under intermittent rain. There was a sense of anticipation in the air — almost electric — as if this morning’s trials were just a preview of what promises to be a thrilling season ahead!
“The star jockey of the day was Manoel Nunes, the 2019 champion who has been signed by Gujadhur stable. The Brazilian’s first ride was aboard Zil Moris, who was out for a quiet trot as part of his reconditioning. The spotlight however was firmly on the 24 newcomers lining up in the Barrier Trials — many of whom are tipped to feature in the upcoming Fashion Heights Duchess of York Cup.”
The South African newcomers to the island include well-known and well-performed runners including William Iron Arm, Meridius, The Mauritian, Zil Moris, Tyrion Lannister, Good Counsel and Cumbre Vieja. Wolf Mountain is one that has been the talk of the track, he is expected to be a feature contender this season.
Savanna puts her second winner on the board
Savanna Valjalo on Blizzard Snow, in the winner’s enclosure with Jomo Thsabalala (left) and owner Stinky Pooe. (JC Photos).
Savanna Valjalo booted home the second winner of her official career as an apprentice with a nicely-timed ride on Tony Peter-trained Blizzard Snow in Race 4 over 1160m at Turffontein on Saturday.
The 26-year-old already had 3 winners to her credit as a Workrider prior to Wednesday and was first in the spotlight when she won the 2024 Okapi Ladies Race on King’s Plate Day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, riding Gravity for Justin Snaith. Savanna has now ridden two winners and five places from her first 20 rides as a 4kg claiming apprentice.
It was notable that Savanna didn’t use her whip on Blizzard Snow, who raced three lengths off a fast pace and burst through with 100m to run, to claim the honours.
Tony Peter commented: “That was a lovely ride, Blizzard Snow is a funny filly, she doesn’t like the stick, so I just told Savanna to hold her together nicely. She’s a talented and enthusiastic rider, comes to work early every morning.”
Savanna, whose family was on course to support her, said she was as patient as possible. “When I asked Blizzard Snow to quicken, she went through the gap, she did it all.”
She thanked Tony and owner Stinky Pooe for the opportunity, and said that she was proud to have ridden a winner in the popular owners’ silks.
Pooe returned the compliment and added that he would support the young rider. “Thank you to the lady, that was a great ride.” He suggested that Blizzard Snow should have been favourite, but that she was largely ignored by punters because of her female jockey.
Blizzard Snow is a three-year-old daughter of Erupt, bred at Pieter Graaff’s Lammerskraal Stud.
'Sartorial' MJ enjoying his best season
MJ Odendaal and ‘Rasta’ Jalybane with Thisiswhatitmeans, all smiles. (Race Coast).
MJ Odendaal’s reserve runner, Thisiswhatitmeans (What A Winter), got into the New Turf Carriers feature over 1400m on the polytrack at Greyville on Sunday, and properly kicked butt under top weight. This was the four-year-old gelding’s fourth successive win, and the second leg of a hat-trick of wins for Hollywood Racing who, on 120 winners, are now just 5 winners away from eclipsing their all-time winner record of 124, achieved last term.
Thisiswhatitmeans stormed up to win under jockey Marco van Rensburg, getting home by an easy 1.80-lengths from Rosh Kedesh. Odendaal said: “He won really well, he has been doing very well at home. I think I could’ve won on him! ”
Van Rensburg said he was ‘super impressed’ with Thisiswhatitmeans, who has now won six of 15 career starts and is equally effective on turf and the polytrack. “He is full of nonsense, but has lots of character,” added the jockey.
There are fans who would’ve thought that Van Rensburg was referring with those words to the trainer, an old friend whom he has the liberty to joke with, but Odendaal wouldn’t have taken offense anyway. Minutes earlier, Odendaal had to endure the regular interview banter from colleague Paul Lafferty, who described his dress sense as ‘sartorial’.
Odendaal’s partner Taryn Ryan joked: “MJ and I stood behind Mr Lafferty in the parade ring and we thought it was quite evident that he looked like he was going to a funeral. So we had an undertaker and a clown in the interview, and Anita Akal snapped a photo of us standing just behind Laff.”
The Odendaal stable has sent out 28 winners so far this season, up from 19 last season and 13 in the 2021/2. Odendaal started the season last August with a string of 19 horses which increased to 30 in January and has now grown to 53.”
Taryn commented: “We set ourselves a goal of 30 winners for the season. We are privileged to be training for some super owners who support us, and MJ has delivered the results they expected, and more. We give every horse in the stable the same attention, they get fed very well and it helps a lot that MJ is able to ride our runners in work and get a feel for them. Also, we move horses on who are not going to make it, and owners appreciate honesty.”
Pic below: Taryn Ryan and MJ Odendaal (Anita Akal).
New apprentices ready to start their careers
Apprentice jockeys Petra Porffy (left), Divesh Ramkhalawon, and Wilmien Fourie have officially signed their racing papers at the South African Jockey Academy.
SAJA commented on Facebook: “This is a major milestone that marks the beginning of their race-riding careers. Go out there and make your mark. This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for all of you!”
Sugar Mountain has winning prospects again
Stalwart, Sugar Mountain ran on as well as ever, winning his previous start. He seeks the 11th success of his career in Race 8.
Brandon Bailey previews the Kenilworth meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 15 January:
Race 1
7 BETTER MAN was unfortunately scratched at the gates when he was due to run just over 4 weeks ago, he comes back to the races from a small break and gelding, the yard thinks highly of this individual, on his best form, he will be tough to beat here. 4 NEW WORLD ran a great race on the 21st of May behind Vapour Trail, he stayed on beautifully for second, the blinkers have been removed, and he steps up in trip, from a good draw, he will be right there in the finish. 9 DIAMOND DAYS moved up like a winner in his last start behind Star Major, it was a strong maiden juvenile plate with many talented young horses, he is still improving, unfortunately the bad draw won’t make life easy for him, but he definitely has a good place chance if he gets some luck in running. 8 YAMAZAKI ran a much better race on the 24th of June behind Captains Alliance, if he can build on that performance, he could certainly sneak into the Quartet.
(Brandon Bailey: 7 – 4 – 9 – 8)
Race 2
5 STORMWATCH ran a lovely race on debut behind Between The Lines, she was green and stayed on strongly for second, if she has made the improvement expected back at home, she will be very hard to beat in this race. 2 SWIFT SERENITY made good improvement from her first run into her second run, she ran fourth last time in the same race as Stormwatch, she is clearly still improving, watch her closely, she should be there amongst the places. 3 SPLASH OF COLOUR ran a disappointing race on the 21st of June behind Oncidium, she was in a great position early, and then failed to kick on when they turned for home, she is much better than that performance, the drop in trip could help her chances. Watch the first timers, they are well-bred and could be anything.
(Brandon Bailey: 5 – 2 – 3 – 9)
Race 3
7 NIGHTRAIN ran a great race on debut behind Late December, he showed good speed early, and then stayed on really well to finish third, he is a beautiful looking colt with tons of ability, this looks to be a nice race for him, he will be very hard to beat. 6 AFRICAN MEMOIR has run two lovely races in succession, he finished just in front of Nightrain last time, he will be right there in the finish, include him into all bets. 3 FEAR OF FIRE ran a fair race on debut behind Follow Your Heart, he was beaten just under eight lengths by the winner, he drops in trip now to 1000m, if he has made some improvement back at home, he could certainly run into the places at a decent price. 8 FLEUR DE VILLE has been well tried in the maiden ranks, on her best form, she could make the Quartet pay.
(Brandon Bailey: 7 – 6 – 3 – 8)
Race 4
8 UNITED FRONT will be very hard to beat here, he ran a super race on debut behind Star Major, he was drawn wide in a strong maiden juvenile plate, he showed tremendous speed early and fought hard to finish second in a driving finish, the yard thinks highly of this colt, it will take a smart horse to beat him in this race. 3 SIERRA SAGRADA comes back to the races from a 63 day break and gelding, he was heavily supported in the market last time when running a disappointing fifth behind Roland Garros on the 13th of May, he is much better than that performance, respect his chances from a neat draw. 9 KONNICHIWA has been rested for 92 days, he never runs a bad race, unfortunately the draw will make life tough for him, but he tries hard, and he will be running on powerfully late. 6 FUTURE FREE ran a shocker up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 12th of June, now that he steps up in trip, he could make massive improvement, watch him closely.
(Brandon Bailey: 8 – 3 – 9 – 6)
Race 5
1 APRICITY absolutely took off late to run a super race behind Oncidium on the 21st of June, she was a long way back from a bad draw, once they straightened for home, she made up solid ground to finish second, she clearly enjoyed the step up in trip to 1400m, from a good draw on Tuesday afternoon, she will go very close to winning. 2 KISSES must be respected, her last two runs over ground have been good, she ran a lovely race from a bad draw last time behind Ocotillo, if she can build on her recent form, she will have a nice each way chance. 3 PACIFIC WATERS ran a fair race on debut behind Between The Lines, even though the market suggested she was unfancied, she stayed on really well in a big field, she now steps up in trip and she gets the services of jockey Gavin Lerena, watch for a big run from this filly. 6 SPECIAL GLAMOUR ran a much better race with the tongue tie fitted last time, if she can bring that run to the track on Tuesday, she will have a say in the finish.
(Brandon Bailey: 1 – 2 – 3 – 6)
Race 6
1 CHURCHILLIAN ran the race of his life in the Listed Somerset 1200 on the 1st of June behind Absolutely Yes, he showed good speed early, and stayed on strongly for second in a tight finish, the yard thinks highly of this colt, he can certainly win a race like this on pure ability. 11 OCTOBER STORM quickened up smartly to win really well on debut, even though it wasn’t the strongest maiden plate around, he was still green and got the job done impressively, he can only improve from that, include him into all bets. 2 ESCARPMENT ran a much better race last time behind The Us Of A, he was just off the speed early, and then stayed on nicely for second, on his best form, he could certainly finish amongst the places at a decent price. 4 IRELAND FOREVER will need to improve dramatically to win, he has been rested for 72 days, he has been gelded, and the blinkers go on, watch for sharp improvement, he is definitely better than his recent form.
(Brandon Bailey: 1 – 11 – 2 – 4)
Race 7
5 TRIP TO MAPUTO ran a great race on the poly last time in PE, her penultimate run up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth was super impressive, she was closer to last early, and then quickened up impressively to win going away at the line, she has lots of ability, if the gaps open at the right time for her here, she will be hard to beat. 1 BABELICIOUS won a good race on the 21st of May, she was given two points for that gutsy performance, she tries hard, and her form is very consistent at this level, include her into all bets. 4 WINTER RAINFALL has run three decent races in succession, she likes to be switched off early, and then comes with a powerful run late, watch her closely at a decent price. 8 SUMMER LILY has been rested for 79 days, her last run in the Grade 3 Poinsettia Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville was good, if she doesn’t need the run badly on Tuesday, she will run a massive race.
(Brandon Bailey: 5 – 1 – 4 – 8)
Race 8
5 SUGAR MOUNTAIN won a terrific race on the 12th of June at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he was given two points for that victory, he has a striking turn of foot, from a good draw, he must have a solid winning chance again in this field. 7 PROMETTERE must have a huge winning chance, he was very unlucky last time behind Please Be True, the gaps opened late, and he flew home to finish second, jockey Richard Fourie knows this gelding well, he will be right there in the finish. 9 SEEKING THE STARS ran a lovely race for third behind Sugar Mountain on the 12th of June, he might find it hard to turn the form around, but he has dropped in the ratings, if he gets some luck in transit from a wide draw, he could certainly finish in the places. 4 SONG TO THE MOON ran a fair race behind Congressman on the 24th of June, he drops in trip now, and he carries a low weight for this A stakes race, he will be doing good work late with Jockey Muzi Yeni.
(Brandon Bailey: 5 – 7 – 9 – 4)
Race 9
2 BOOGIEFIED ran a top race behind a lovely horse last time, he likes to race up on speed, even though he has gone up in the ratings, he gets a good draw, and he tries hard, there is no doubt he will run a good race again, include him into all bets. 8 AZZURRI quickened up smartly to win impressively over 1200m on the 24th of June, he was given five points for that win, the step up in trip to 1400m should unlock further improvement, if the apprentice can get him into a good position early from a wide draw, he will have a massive winning chance. 12 HAPPY DAYS has unfortunately drawn wide again on Tuesday afternoon, he has run three excellent races in succession, if he gets some luck in running, he will be storming home late, watch him closely. 13 WAR CHARIOT is as honest as they come, it’s very hard to find fault with his form, he is consistent and jockey Richard Fourie knows him well, the only negative is the bad draw.
(Brandon Bailey: 2 – 8 – 12 – 13)
Race 10
7 KING’S QUEST won like a really nice horse last time, he was beautifully ridden by jockey Grant van Niekerk, even though he was given four points for that win, and he carries a big weight on Tuesday, he will be right there in the finish. 3 ELEGANT NOBLE finished well to run third behind King’s Quest on the 24th of June, if he can build on that performance, he could certainly have a good each way chance in this tricky race. 5 ARBITRATION has run some fair races of late, at this level, he will always have a good place chance, include him into all bets. 8 WATER DRAGON has been rested for 70 days, he stayed on nicely for second in his last start on the 6th of May at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, if he doesn’t need the run badly from a small break, he will be competitive.
(Brandon Bailey: 7 – 3 – 5 – 8)
Appleby, Hughes capture Group features in UK
A delighted Richard Hughes (inside left) and connections with No Half Measures. (Press Association).
Trainers Charlie Appleby and Richard Hughes captured notable Group races at Newmarket in the United Kingdom at the weekend. Appleby’s Cinderella’s Dream gave Godolphin a first victory in Friday’s Group 1 Falmouth Stakes – a rare contest Sheikh Mohammed’s outfit had not yet won. Hughes posted his first Group 1 winner since he retired from the saddle and took out his trainers’ licence in 2015.
Cinderella’s Dream notched her first G1 success in Europe with a tenacious display under William Buick. Last year’s G1 Belmont Oaks winner captured the G2 Dahlia Stakes on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course in May and followed up with a second in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Cinderella’s Dream edged towards Aiden O’Brien’s runner, January, as they battled it out inside the final furlong, with the daughter of Shamardal finding plenty to prevail by a half-length. In a reversal of the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes form, Crimson Advocate was almost two lengths further back in third.
Appleby said: “I am delighted with Cinderella’s Dream. After watching it back, I felt she might not have been 100 per cent at Royal Ascot. She was beaten too far out, and I was not happy with the way she travelled. Thankfully, she came out of it fine and the team at home have done a great job. Everyone involved with her said she has been ticking all the boxes over the last 10 days or so.”
Hughes, who employed the services of jockey Neil Callan, went through a rollercoaster of emotions in the minutes after the July Cup – first delight, then shock, and then tears began to flow.
Hughes said: “It’s a very hard game, but this is just fabulous. There were a lot of dark days when I started out. This feels surreal.”
From the People to the Podium: HWB Durban July delivered!
Jehan Malherbe and Dean Kannemeyer at the HWB Durban July ‘Wall Of Fame’, celebrating another ‘July’ winner for Kannemeyer’s and Christine Laidlaw of Khaya Stables. (Candiese Lenferna/Race Coast).
Beneath the winter sun and the roar of a nation in full voice, last Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Durban July once again proved that it is more than just a horse race. It was a day, fleeting but powerful, that gave racegoers and armchair viewers courage for our future. South Africans from every walk of life stood side by side, not divided by history or politics, but united by the thrill of the turf.
Among the 40,000 spectators soaking it all in was Democratic Alliance leader and Cabinet Minister, John Steenhuisen, who said it best in an on-course interview: “The sport of horseracing represents who we are as a country. It doesn’t matter your race, religion, culture or language. We are all here enjoying this wonderful sport as South Africans. Listening to the stadium reverberate when the National Anthem was sung, shows that we are South Africans first, before we wear badges. Horseracing brings in so much economic activity into our country. There are people from all over the world here today!”
The crowd itself — vibrant, eclectic, joyful — reminded us that horseracing, in its own imperfect way, offers a glimpse of what’s possible: a South African story told with hope, horsepower, and heart. Not perfect, not yet arrived, but undeniably moving. The day’s racing results underlined it. Eight of 12 winners were ridden by jockeys of colour. Small and big stables found success. Owners and breeders from vastly different backgrounds shared the spotlight.
Beyond the headlines and the thunder of hooves, there were dozens of stories, quiet triumphs and hard-earned milestones that made the day truly special.
Read the full story in 4Racing’s Off The Record # 82, by Charl Pretorius, here.
Today's Question
This former prominent Highveld-based trainer made three successful comebacks in a career that spanned 30 years. His stable jockeys included Eugene Cox, Michael Cavé and Tobie van Booma and Brett Smith, and he was affectionately known for his expression, ‘Softly, Softly…’
He passed away in 2006, aged 72, following stints as an assistant to Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry.
Name the trainer.
Today’s Question Answer
Picture: Roy A. Unsworth.
Roy Unsworth, who trained at Newmarket and later at the Vaal, had several major successes in over three decades as a trainer, with horses like Smilin’ Thru, Madura, Great Royal, Nem Soha, Khima and Hassle winning multiple stakes races in his care.
In the late 1990’s, shortly before his second retirement, he also pulled off the Dingaans with Smart Money and won four successive races with Gary Player’s filly, Raining Roses.
