Turf Talk Newsletter – 14 October, 2025

Jan Van Goyen looks to be full of class and could set the Cape Summer Season alight (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Sarah Whitelaw

Last season, the Western Cape played host to a memorable Cape Summer Season.

The memorable Summer Festival Of Racing was anchored by eight exceptional race meetings, with the Summer Festival having taken place from November 2024 until March 2025.

The first of the G1 race days to take place in the Western Cape this season is World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas day, which is scheduled to be held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on December 6th while Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas day will take place the following week.

Visiting trainers are a regular fixture in the Western Cape at this time of year, and a number of the country’s top trainers are set to, once again, grace the Cape with their presence in 2025-2026.

Race Coast have confirmed that Clinton Binda, Peter Muscutt, Sean Tarry, and Stuart Ferrie have either arrived or are expected to arrive early next month, while Mike and Mathew De Kock have also confirmed that they will be participating in the Summer Festival this season.

A few potential visiting horses to look out for could include:

JAN VAN GOYEN: 3 c Master Of My Fate -Daydream Believer
Last season’s Equus Champion 2YO Colt looked hugely exciting at two, with the scope to improve further at three. After romping home on debut, Jan Van Goyen followed up a runner up effort with back to back wins. The colt concluded his two-year-old campaign with a near three and three quarter length win over Tin Pan Alley in the G1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes. The runner up has subsequently franked that form when winning the G2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge in good style, while Premiers Champion Stakes third Chronicle King made a winning seasonal debut on Saturday.

COGNAC: 3 c Rafeef -Tiffindell
Rafeef looks to have a cracking crop of three-year-olds this season, with this crop including the likes of Cognac. A fluent winner on debut, Cognac made it two wins from two starts when winning convincingly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, and he looks to have a bright future ahead of him. The well bred Cognac is out of the twice winning Silvano mare Tiffindell, whose dam Gluwein dead-heated for first place in the 2010 G1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes.

GOLDEN PALM: 3 f Master Of My Fate -Croisette
Crowned last season’s champion two-year-old filly, Golden Palm won four of five starts, winning her four races by an aggregate of more than 20 lengths. After finishing third on debut, Golden Palm went on to break her maiden by five and a half lengths. The Alan Greeff trained filly went on to reel off a hatrick of feature race wins, culminating in a facile win in the G1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes.

ANOTHERDANCEFORME: 3 f Master Of My Fate -Destiny Dancer
Unbeaten in six starts, with her victories including the G2 SplashOut Golden Slipper, Anotherdanceforme looks to be a very exciting prospect for the season ahead. After winning all five starts at two, the Master Of My Fate filly made an eyecatching return to the track when she won the Racehorse Owners Association Plate. Under regular rider Richard Fourie, Anotherdanceforme won well despite being very fresh beforehand, and there should be plenty more to come from her.

DIRECT HIT: 3 f Canford Cliffs -Wrecking Ball
Yet another top-class prospect for the Alan Greeff stable, Direct Hit was an exceptional performer at two, when her wins included a convincing win in the G1 Allan Robertson Championship, and a defeat of males with a two and three quarter length win in the G3 SplashOut Cape Of Good Hope Nursery. (Her beaten rivals in the Nursery included subsequent G1 Gold Medallion winner Good For You). Direct Hit made a pleasing return to the track when she scored a comfortable win over 1200m at Fairview. A filly with tremendous cruising speed, Direct Hit promises to be one of the stars of the season.

GLADATORIAN: 6 g Vercingetorix -Harvard Crimson
One of South Africa’s top rated thoroughbreds (his official rating is 127), Gladatorian had a wonderful season in 2024-2025, winning four races. He was a great credit to his connections, with Gladatorian winning both his first race of last season and his last outing. The Vercingetorix gelding ended the season with a well deserved first G1 win when he beat G1 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince to claim the G1 HKJC Champions Cup. Gladatorian looks primed to be a contender for both the G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate and G1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met.

QUICKSTEPGAL: 3 f Vercingetorix -Victoriana
One of the best two-year-olds seen out last season, Quickstepgal made an impressive seasonal reappearance when she won handsomely at Hollywoodbets Greyville recently. The Tienie Prinsloo trained filly won three of five starts at two, including both the G3 Tote Strelitzia Stakes and Listed Ridgemont Devon Air Stakes, and ended her two-year-old campaign with a runner up finish, to Anotherdanceforme, in the G2 Splashout Golden Slipper. Quickstepgal’s Devon Air win was particuarly eye catching as she gave runner up, and subsequent G1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes second place finisher, Tina Lovelace 2kgs and beat her by more than two and a half lengths.

I AM GIANT: 6 g Querari -Vars Honour
I Am Giant caused a 25-1 shock when he won last season’s G3 Post Merchants. Merchants fourth place finisher Buffalo Storm Cody subsequently won the G1 Mercury Sprint, while Merchants also-rans Questioning and Royal Aussie have also both won feature races subsequently. I Am Giant himself recently put up an eye catching performance when he won at Hollywoodbets Greyville, and he looks primed for a good season this year.

ASIYE PHAMBILI: 6 m What A Winter -Cast A Spell
One of the best sprinters in South Africa in 2024-2025, Asiye Phambili will be looking to duplicate the success she enjoyed in the Cape last season. After winning both the G3 World Sports Betting Southern Cross Stakes and G2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes, Asiye Phambili went on to show high-class form in G1 contests. The daughter of What A Winter was beaten just a short-head when second in the G1 South African Fillies Sprint before she went on to finish third in the G1 Mercury Sprint.

Sohot Sowhat (right) is narrowly denied by Jou Lekker Ding in a 1400m Class 4 event for fillies and mares at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on February 11. Gavin Lerena (on Sohot Sowhat) was later charged with causing interference to two other horses, found guilty and suspended for ten days. He appealed and the appeal was upheld and the decision of the inquiry board was overturned

The NHA have released details today (October 14) of a Gavin Lerena appeal which did succeed, although it took place as long ago as September 22.

The details of this appeal can be read below:

Sandown Stud’s James Armitage represents a famous Southern African thoroughbred breeding family (Picture Supplied)

Sandown Stud, whose alumni include champions such as French Navy and Magnificent Seven, continues to produce high-class thoroughbreds. The latest star foaled and reared on the farm is Choisaanada, winner of the 2025 Highveld 3YO Winter Series. Other current standouts bred at Sandown include Gr 3 4Racing Jubilee Stakes hero Immediate Edge, along with promising runners like Chieftain’s Shield and Thisiswhatitmeans.

Sandown Stud will be offering, as agent, four well related two-year-olds at the Two-Year-Old Sale, and James Armitage had the following to say about this quartet:

Lot 44: Unnamed – Soqrat –Musaanada (colt):
By resident sire and Equus Champion Soqrat, this colt is a half-brother to the aforementioned Choisaanada, winner of all of the Gr 3 4Racing Sea Cottage Stakes, 4Racing Egoli Mile and Betway Secretariat Stakes last season. This is a lovely big athletic colt who has a good shape with a strong hindquarter.

Lot 99: Unnamed – Rafeef – Up Front (filly):
By the same sire as the top-class Sandown bred Outlaw King, this filly is a half-sister to five winners, including the Gr 3 placed Eau De Vie, and her dam finished runner up in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship. Offered on account of La Berg Stud, this is a big, strong filly. She has a lot of substance, size and scope.

Lot 25: Unnamed – Erupt – Kinematic Countess (filly):
By the same sire as Taxhaven, Moonlight Trader, Karangetang and Mount Pinatubo, this filly’s dam won the Gr 3 Sycamore Sprint and her granddam won seven including the Listed KwaZulu-Natal Stakes. A scopey, athletic filly, she is a full sister to the highly thought of Karate Kid (MR 105)

Lot 129: Unnamed – Hawwaam –Buldaan (filly):
By the very exciting young sire Hawwaam, this filly, a three-parts sister to a winner, is a half-sister to the smart King’s Express. Her dam, a granddaughter of Redoute’s Choice, is a half-sister to three stakes winners including Gr 1 Cape Derby winner Ertijaal and is from the family of Redoute’s Choice’s top-class sire son Not A Single Doubt.

For more information on these three two-year-olds, please contact James on (072) 680 3549.

All horses purchased off the RCS Two-Year-Old Sale qualify for the RCS Slipper. The Slipper run over 1200m for qualifying 2yo graduates of Race Coast Sales. This lucrative race will be run in mid-April for a purse of R3 Million in 2026 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

The mating of Gimmethegreenlight to Real Princess has been a remarkable success story, yielding Champion Sprinter, Gimme a Prince; Hollywoodbets Durban July hero, The Real Prince; Gr 3 winner Gimmie’s Countess – and now Gimmie Rules. 

Dean Kannemeyer trained Real Princess (a half- sister to William Longsword), who won the SA Fillies Sprint and has since deftly handled all her progeny to be elite achievers at the pinnacle of South African horse racing. 

This is quite some act to follow with Gimmie Rules stepping on track with a heavy burden of expectation when he contests a Class 4, carded as the final race on Hollywoodbets Durbanville’s Wednesday afternoon card. 

On debut, Gimme Rules won a weak Maiden in KZN in mid – June, without exerting himself. His next start seriously impressed jockey, Craig Zackey and made observant trip handicappers take note. 

Drawn wide and settled far off the speed in a Class 4 sprint at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he made rapid progress down the rail, rattling off some swift sectionals before his surge was blocked by traffic on the inside rail. 

Zackey had to take him up suddenly and they freewheeled in 2.75 lengths behind dead heaters What a Fortune and Saudi Cat. The turn of foot he flashed when making that mid race move suggests the performance should be marked up drastically. 

That run was 23 days ago and now a fitter, more experienced Gimmie Rules gets a chance to shine in the same class, and over the same course and distance. The 3YO colt is better drawn this time at 6 in a race which figures to go at a brisk clip with speed horses, Firingonallengines, Sir Korski, October Storm and Green Planet engaged. 

Other contenders include One Liner (drawn in pole and primed for a peak showing); fast finisher, Steadfast; Azurri, on the pick of his best form; smart at two, Churchillian, afore-mentioned, pace-presser, October Storm and Spirit. 

Zackey, currently second on the National Jockeys Logs with 42 winners at a strike rate of 15%, may be able to open and close the meeting. He rides Objet D ‘’Art in Race 1 for Adam Marcus. The What a Winter colt has run nicely enough to Sardinia Bay and Demanding Dave, both well above average sprinters. Stretching out to 1250m, plus having an ideal draw (1) and course experience makes him the most likely winner. 

Fox on the Run (neat debut to Gold Gibowski) and older rival Sommerstern are his main threats, and there are firsters and lightly raced types with scope that he will also need to ward off. 

Andre Nel has a strong hand in Race 4, a Class 4 F/M over 1500m. He sends out the returning, Berry’s Boogie; Rikkitikkitavi and Wander Dune who just missed last time at this track. 

Maybe Wander Dune gains compensation this time. She comes from a very astute yard, has been heavily punted at both her starts to date and earned a promising speed figure in defeat after experiencing some traffic issues behind Girl Like Us. 

 Top weight, My Only Weakness sports consistent form (in the money at 73% of her 15 starts) but Viva la Vida is feared most from the Vaughan Marshall barn. Already a winner of two of three starts, she impressed when running down Wish List over 1400m on soft going at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in August.  

 The Gimmethegreenlight filly resumes two months since that victory, makes her course debut and tackles firmer ground for the first time. Viva la Vida is clearly endowed with natural ability and comes in with just 54kg’s so it may be sensible to include both her and Wander Dune in the first leg of the P6. 

 Race 8 is a contentious F/M Middle Stakes over 1250m. Pink Pigeon and Artiste will try take advantage of inside gates; Papillon Blu will be a significant pace factor, whilst Babelicious, Back at the George and course suited filly, Festival Chic’s solid form at this class level ties in pretty closely. 

 One that has gone well fresh in the past is Nordic Quest. She is also officially best weighted, though an outside draw of 10 tempers enthusiasm. Candice Bass Robinson’s mare knows how to win (5 scores from 16 starts,) loves this course and can really quicken up when called upon. 

 Given fitness queries about herself, and indeed many of her rivals, some caution is advised. But if she goes a tempting price then Nordic Quest could warrant a modest each way spec bet on the pick of her best runs. 

Du Maurier has been tipped to win Race Seven over 1250m (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Hollywoodbets Durbanville Wednesday Formguides And Selections

RACE 1

4 FOX ON THE RUN finished his race off beautifully on debut behind Gold Giboski, he was green early, and he stayed on strongly to finish second, there is absolutely no doubt that he will improve quite a bit going into his second run on Wednesday, from a neat draw, he will be very hard to beat here. 1 OBJET D’ ART ran a lovely race last time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he stayed on nicely for second behind Demanding Dave, he has a good draw, and he is improving, he will be right there in the finish. 7 FAST TRAIN stayed on well for fifth on debut, he was only beaten just over five lengths at the line, he will be running on strongly late, include him into all bets. 11 SOMMERSTERN will need lots of luck in running from a wide draw, he has run two decent races in succession, if the gaps open at the right time, he could sneak into the Quartet at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 1 – 7 – 11)

RACE 2

3 MADRA RUA has been rested for 170 days, he found lots of betting support on debut when he finished just over five lengths behind Happy Verse up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he is a lovely colt that will improve nicely with racing, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday, he will go very close to winning from a good draw. 4 FREEDOM FIGHTER has been rested for 165 days, he stayed on well for second on debut behind Intensity at Hollywoodbets Greyville, he shortened quite a bit in the market as well, if he has made the necessary improvement and he handles the track of Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he will be competitive. 6 SLIVER OF SUNSHINE caught the eye late on debut behind Siriano, he flashed up to run fourth and was only beaten just over three lengths at the line, he should improve, include him into all bets. 10 UMZINGELI WENYATHI has been rested and gelded, he is very consistent, it will be his first run in the Western Cape at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, watch him closely, he is a nice horse that will keep improving. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 4 – 6 – 10)

RACE 3

2 CLOUDS CLEARING must have a solid each way chance in this race, she ran a nice race for fourth behind Might Mary on the 7th of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she now steps up in trip to 1600m, and she gets the services of champion apprentice Brevan Plaatjies in the saddle, from a good draw, she will run a cracker. 8 LA PATRONA could be the value horse in this tricky race, she stayed on nicely late behind Sesame on the 13th of September, she was still very green and managed to hit the line strongly for sixth, unfortunately the tricky draw here will make life tough for her, if she gets herself into a good position early, she will be running on strongly, include her into all bets. 10 ALESSIA ASHEVILLE never runs a bad race, she is well tried in the maiden ranks, on her best form, she can certainly finish in the money. 9 RED STATE ran a good race behind Sesame last time, she ran third and was beaten just over three lengths by the winner, if she can build on that performance from a wide draw, she will have a winning chance. Go wide, it’s a tough race. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 8 – 10 – 9)

RACE 4

1 VIVA LA VIDA has been rested for 63 days, she won a cracking race last time at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, it got very tight for her up the straight, and she still managed to win well, there is no doubt that she is talented, if she doesn’t need the run on Wednesday, she will go very close to winning again from a neat draw. 6 WANDER DUNE could be anything, she is extremely well-bred, she ran a great race behind Girl Like Us on the 30th of August over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she will love the step up in trip to 1500m, with some luck in running, she will go close to winning. 3 BERRY’S BOOGIE has been rested for 263 days, she is much better than her recent performance behind I’m So Pritti in the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes on the 25th of January, if she enjoys the step up in trip and she doesn’t need her run back from a long break, she could certainly make her presence felt from a nice draw. 7 DIAMOND BOMBER ran a fair race last time, she stayed on strongly for fourth behind Stormwatch on the 7th of September, she has no weight on her back for this race, she could sneak into the Quartet at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 6 – 3 – 7)

RACE 5

7 AVIGNON showed plenty speed to win a great race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 21st of May, he has been rested for 147 days, if the apprentice can bounce him out the gates and get him into a good position early from a tricky draw, he could certainly win again. 1 EASY LIVING must have a good each way chance from a neat draw, she ran fifth last time behind Country Time on the 3rd of September, she has dropped even further in the ratings, and she gets 2,5kgs off the back from the apprentice claim, she could be right there in the finish at a nice price. 4 WINTERONTHEGREEN has been rested for 120 days, she has run two fair races in succession up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, if she doesn’t need the run on Wednesday, she could easily trouble them late. 9 COUNTRY TIME will need lots of luck in running from a wide draw, she was disappointing from a wide draw last time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, if the race works out for her, she always has a winning chance at this level. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 1 – 4 – 9)

RACE 6

4 KAIBOY has been rested for 97 days, he is a talented sprinter with tons of ability, he quickened up in devastating style to win well on the 10th of July at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, even though he has gone up in the ratings, he gets 4kgs off the back from the apprentice claim, and he has a nice draw, he will go close to winning. 7 ARCTIC WIZARD won a terrific race after gelding at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 13th of September, the yard thinks highly of this individual, he was given five points for his impressive victory, if he can beat the draw, he will have a good winning chance. 5 MAI SENSATION has been rested for 102 days, she is a classy filly with tons of ability, she had a successful KwaZulu-Natal campaign, if she is anywhere near ready to full fitness after a lengthy break, she can win a race like this quite easily. 8 DEAN STREET is as honest as they come, he never runs a bad race, and he tries hard, he finished a good second behind Arctic Wizard on the 13th of September, if he can beat the tricky draw here, he could certainly finish in the money. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 7 – 5 – 8)

RACE 7

4 DU MAURIER finished like a train for second behind Country Time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 3rd of September, she has a good draw for this race, and she gets 2,5kgs off the back from the apprentice claim, she will be just in behind the speed early, and she will be low flying late, if the race works out for her, she will be tough to beat. 6 EASY MONEY is so consistent, she stayed on well for second behind Miss New York on the 22nd of September, she is gutsy, and she tries hard, she must have a good each way chance again. 3 MISS NEW YORK won a terrific race last time, she flew home to win by just under one length, she was given three points for that victory, the apprentice takes off 4kgs, from a neat draw, she will go close to winning again. 7 QUEEN REGENT got her head down at exactly the right time to win a good race on the 9th of September, the form of that race has worked out well, she is still improving, with some luck in running from a tricky draw on Wednesday, she will be competitive out of the maidens. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 6 – 3 – 7)

RACE 8

6 FESTIVAL CHIC ran a great race in the Grade 3 Diana Stakes on the 27th of September, she finished just under three lengths behind She’s My World, she is a decent filly with lots of potential, now that she drops back in trip, she must have a good winning chance. 2 ARTISTE has been rested for 111 days, her last two runs in Johannesburg have been very good, if she doesn’t need the run back from a break, she will be right there in the finish from a good draw. 7 PAPILLON BLUE had absolutely no luck last time, she ran a great race behind Arctic Wizard at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 13th of September, she would have needed that run as well from a small break, if the race works out for her on Wednesday, she could certainly make them all work for victory. 10 NORDIC QUEST will need lots of luck in running from a bad draw, she has been rested for 63 days, she ran a good race behind Elusive Winter on the 13th of August, she was doing some good work late for third, watch her closely, she will be running on strongly. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 2 – 7 – 10)

RACE 9

6 GIMMIE RULES flashed up to run a super race behind What A Fortune on the 22nd of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he had no luck up the straight and still managed to finish just under three lengths behind the winner, he is a serious colt with tons of ability, from a neat draw, he will be hard to beat. 9 CHURCHILLIAN has been rested and gelded, he is a lovely horse with a great action, the yard thinks highly of this individual, he stayed on well for third behind Escarpment on the 15th of July at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, if he doesn’t need the run badly after a long break, he will go close in the finish. 10 OCTOBER STORM tried really hard last time, he ran a great race for second behind Steadfast in a driving finish, he is a quality colt that keeps improving with every run, if he can beat the draw, he will run a top race again. 7 SPIRIT stayed on well for fourth behind Major Master on the 9th of September, he was only beaten just under two lengths in a warm race, he should love the drop in trip, and he has no weight on his back, watch him closely at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 9 – 10 – 7)

Buddy Boy has a lot of promise and could become a feature horse, but the sectional timing data pointed to him perhaps having been a touch flattered when cruising in by six lengths second time out (Picture: Anneke Akal Kitching)

Sectional timing is available for everybody to study and the best place to view it is on the Winning Form website.

Those who can master it might well be in the pound seats, but it is not easy to make head or tail of the statistics and probably requires a lot of experience.

However, there is the odd stand out and a race that looks to fall into that category is the maiden win of the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained What A Winter colt Buddy Boy.

This three-year-old drew away to win his maiden by six lengths at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on September 14 when stepped up to 1600m second time out.

It was visually impressive but the first signal that he might have been flattered was when Mathew de Kock said in an interview before his next start at Hollywoodbets Greyville over 1600m on Sunday that he had been “whacked” by the handicapper, who awarded him a 90 merit rating.

The De Kock yard would not normally say that about a horse whom they were earmarking for a race like the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and some had assumed after that second win he could well be a Guineas horse.

So that prompted a look at the sectional timing data.

There seemed to be some immediately obvious conclusions that could be drawn about that race from the sectional timing statistics available.

The first noticeable statistic was that Buddy Boy’s 400 to finish time was 24.364 seconds and the runner up Green Glow’s 400 to finish time was 24.741 seconds.

Only two of the other horses managed a 400 to finish time of below 26 seconds and one of them just scraped below on 25.936.

The signs were there that the pace had been too fast for this standard of race an Buddy Boy and Green Glow had been the only two horses able to stay on.

While, Green Glow had appeared to run on extremely well from an almost tailed off position, from where he clearly looked to be outpaced, the statistics showed him to just be passing slowing down horses and the winner actually finished faster than him.

Buddy Boy came from seventh place at the 400m and whilst looking to pull way impressively, the statistics showed him to be drawing away from slowing horses. Green Glow did make some inroads in the last 100m, but Buddy Boy was possibly being eased up at that stage.

A look at the following race over 1600m confirms the first suspicions.

SunnyBills Ferrari was the pacemaker in Buddy Boy’s race and ran from the start to the 1000m mark in 34.113, whilst the winner of the B Stakes race in the next race, Officer In Command, ran it in 35.363, while Buddy Boy ran it in 35.119.

Officer In Command’s finishing time for the final 600m was 35.685 compared to Buddy Boy’s 36.717 and SunnyBill Ferrari’s 38.688.

The going was soft on the day, so Buddy Boy proved himelf no slouch by running the same overall time as the 85 rated older horse Officer In Command carrying the same weight.

However, a look at races in similar conditions shows Officer In Command’s time and performance to actually be below par. It was also a small five horse field, which tends to lead to slower times, and was in fact the first time he had finished in the frame for nearly a year.

So, Buddy Boy’s time could not have been viewed as exceptional.

Coupled with the fact that the sectional timing statistics showed him to be beating horses who had not performed efficiently at all, the alarm bells should have been ringing.

It is always easy to talk in retrospect and this article should have been written before Sunday’s races, but sectional timing is still a new discipline in SA racing and this article is intended to inspire punters to make use of it.

Ultimately there looked to be two potentially false favourites on Sunday, Green Glow and Buddy Boy, as both were flattered by the bare result of that previous race.

On Sunday they duly finished a 1,10 length second at odds of 2/1 and a two length fifth at odds of 15/10 respectively, both races over the same 1600m trip.

The Hollywoodbets Greyville times are subject to inspection, because the races are not over an exact distance and are carded as over “about 1600m” etc. This is due to a limitation in moving the starting stalls back or forward to cater for the false rail positioning. This must be taken into account when the sectional times are looked at and the wise can possibly get an edge by looking at the statistic “distance covered per sections” as it could tell the story of why some times at Hollywoodbets Greyville are faster or slower than others in different meetings and a “slower” time could actually be a better performance.

When classy two-year-old Gostam won Sunday’s G3 WETTSTAR. de -Preis Des Winterfavoriten at Cologne, he ensured a 20^th German breeders’ championship for Gestut Fahrhof. Remarkably, the Jacobs’ farm has taken that title 20 times during the past 50 years.

Sunday’s race also marked the third year in a row that Fahrhof had produced the champion two-year-old elect in Germany, with Gostam preceded by Geography (2023) and Lifetimes.

A son of Saxon Warrior, Gostam is unbeaten in three starts, with the colthaving previously triumphed in the G3 152^nd Renate und Albrecht Woeste -Zukunfts-Rennen.

Sent off a 2-5 favourite for Sunday’s contest, Gostam turned the race into a one horse race, with the colt drawing off to win by five lengths.

His dam, the Oasis Dream mare Goiania, is a stakes winning full-sister to the South African based mare Granja.

An article written in 2016 by thorougbredracing.com explored the reasons for Germany’s success in big races around the world and Andreas Jacobs features prominently in the drive for his home country’s excellence.

Click here to read about German-bred excellence 

Which famous horse won the first ever million dollar horse race?

The horse to the left in the picture is the subject (Blood Horse)