Turf Talk Newsletter – 15 July, 2026

UK Opens Direct Equine Export Route from South Africa, Cementing Two-Way Trade for SA Equine Industry

Cape Town, 15 July 2026 — SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) is pleased to announce that the British Government has confirmed a decision permitting direct import of live horses from South Africa to Great Britain. Following a positive assessment of South Africa’s disease control measures, imports will be permitted from the approved vector-protected quarantine station in Cape Town, for registered equines complying with UK import conditions.

This milestone reflects sustained collaboration between SAEHP, the South African Department of Agriculture, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture — a powerful demonstration of this public-private partnership’s success in maintaining South Africa’s equine disease control measures to the highest international standard and translating that credibility into real market access.

The announcement follows closely on South Africa’s opening of imports from Dubai, New Zealand, and Australia earlier this year -making genuine two-way trade a reality for the South African equine industry.

Adrian Todd, Managing Director of SAEHP, thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club for its funding, technical support, and vision in opening South Africa to the world, noting that the growing number of trade partners now opens a world of opportunity for South Africa across all equestrian disciplines.

About SAEHP:SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC is a South African public-private partnership established to ensure the sustainability and security of the African Horse Sickness control zones through risk mitigation measures and controls, operating under the authority of the South African National Director of Animal Health in partnership with the National Department of Agriculture and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

For the past few years, the August Two Year Old Sale has been an auction on the up. Since 2021, both the median and average price has steadily risen at the August Sale, with the average rising from R141 571 in 2021 to an impressive R314 473.

With sustained interest in the market, this trend looks set to continue this year.

Recent high-class performers to have been purchased at the August Sale include such graded stakes winners as Elegantrix, Holding Thumbs, I Am Giant, I Salute You, Let’s Go Now, Mover And Shaker, Parisian Walkway, Taikonaut and White Pearl.

Bloodstock South Africa are proud to unveil the catalogue for the 2026 August Two Year Old Sale, which is online and can be viewed at www.bsa.co.za

This year’s sale, which takes place at the TBA Complex in Germiston, is set to take place on August 20th and 21st, with each day of trading set to commence at 10:00 AM sharp.

Top stallions represented at the August Sale include Futura, Gimmethegreenlight, Legislate, Master Of My Fate, One World, Querari, Rafeef, The United States, Vercingetorix and What A Winter.

The August Two Year Old Sale also offers buyers the chance to buy two-year-olds from the first crop of such high-class performers as Digital Age, Eden Roc, Got The Greenlight, Jet Dark, Kommetdieding and Master Archie, while the beautifully bred Australian based stallion Acrobat is another represented here.

A few potential standouts on sale include:
Lot 5: A What A Winter half-brother to G3 winner Elegantrix
Lot 6: A Jet Dark half-sister to G1 Cape Racing Presents The Cape Guineas winner Russian Rock
Lot 11: A Jet Dark colt out of G3 winner Epsom Girl
Lot 12: A Digital Age half-sister to Listed Lady’s Slipper Stakes winner Herrin
Lot 42: A What A Winter colt out of G2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Heaps Of Fun
Lot 46: A Fire Away colt out of a G3 winning daughter of High Chaparral
Lot 49: A Futura half-brother to HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap winner All Out For Six
Lot 50: A Danon Platina half-sister to G1 winner and sire MK’s Pride
Lot 58: A full-brother to Listed Secretariat Stakes winner Jimmy Don
Lot 60: A Rafeef colt out of a G2 winning daughter of Silvano
Lot 78: A Buffalo Bill Cody colt out of champion Laverna
Lot 81: A Rafeef half-brother to 2 graded stakes winners
Lot 93: A Gimmethegreenlight 3/4 sister to G2 winner Gimme What I Want
Lot 97: A Malmoos half-brother to graded stakes winners William Robertson and Splittheeights
Lot 98: A Digital Age colt out of G2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Maybe Yes
Lot 105: A Fire Away half-brother to G3 winner Rockpool and Zimbabwe champion Dindingwe
Lot 106: A full-sister to dual stakes winner Khaya’s Hope
Lot 119: A Legislate half-sister to G1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes winner Rascova
Lot 124: A Vercingetorix colt out of the speedy G2 performer Nous Voila
Lot 128: A Rafeef colt out of a G1 winning daughter of Western Winter
Lot 130: A Vercingetorix full-sister to graded stakes winners Grand Empire and Palace Of Arvernia
Lot 152: A Gimmethegreenlight half-brother to G3 winner Sukhumvit
Lot 157: A Gimmethegreenlight colt out of champion Return Flight
Lot 174: A Jet Dark colt out of Oaks winner Secret Potion
Lot 192: A Vercingetorix colt from the family of champions All Is Secret, Bela-Bela and Eight On Eighteen
Lot 216: An Erik The Red colt out of Jet Master’s dual stakes winning daughter Touch The Sky
Lot 229: An Eden Roc half-sister to graded stakes winners Madison Valley and Chefano
Lot 236: A full-brother to multiple graded stakes winner Outlaw King
Lot 237: A What A Winter filly out of a stakes winning daughter of Var
Lot 245: A What A Winter 3/4 brother to G1 winning sprinter Bohica
Lot 249: A Master Archie half-sister to G3 Jubilee Stakes winner Meridius
Lot 251: A Vercingetorix 3/4 brother to G1 winner Zillzaal
Lot 253: A What A Winter out of a G2 winning daughter of Var
Lot 261: A Fire Away colt out of G3 winner Alcanina
Lot 262: An Erik The Red half-brother to G1 Betway Summer Cup winner Atticus Finch
Lot 264: A Jet Dark half-brother to the stakes winners Alice B Toklas and World Of Alice
Lot 273: A Rafeef colt out of G1 SA Fillies Classic winner Athina
Lot 279: A One World full-sister to the stakes winning Gerbera
Lot 309: A Malmoos colt out of a G2 winning daughter of Querari
Lot 312: A Vercingetorix 3/4 brother to champion Cousin Casey
Lot 316: A Vercingetorix colt out of a G2 winning daughter of champion Bela-Bela

Note To Self’s half-brother Viking Leader (Erik The Red) could become another Varsfontein Stud-bred Gr 1 winner on World Pool Gold Cup day (Picture: Race Coast)

Varsfontein Stud made a giant leap up the Breeders Championship table when the Futura gelding they bred, Note To Self, won the R10 million Hollywoodbets Durban July and earned a stake cheque of R5,750,000.

They also won the Listed Premier Gateway International Thukela Handicap on July day with Talk To The Master but the boost they received at the meeting fell  short of them taking the championship lead away from Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein.

The latter’s runners had accumulated R32,646,596 during the season at the time of writing and that was R1,543,749 clear of Varsfontein’s accumulated amount of R31,102,847.

Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein look to have the firepower to hold on to their lead on the last big meeting of the season on Gold Cup day.

Varsfontein might have a quite a strong hand in  the day’s most expensive race, the R1.75 million World Pool Moment Of The Day Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m, and a dominant result in this race will give them some hope of usurping the championship. They have five potential representatives among the many entries, the Gr 2 Omoda Golden Horseshoe runner up Green Energy, the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes winner Viking Leader, who is a half-brother to Note To Self, the promising Highveld colt Sands Of Valhalla, the decent Highveld filly Impressive, the decent sort Roskilde, who was not disgraced in the Golden Horseshoe, and the improving Cover Charge, who is a half-brother to the dual Gr 1 winner Surcharge but he needed seven starts to win his maiden. Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein have the promising Coast Of The Sun and the Golden Slipper third-placed Tudor Rose entered.

In the R1.5 million Gr1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup Varsfontein have one entry, Pressonregardless, who will be up against it off a 115 merit rating if he takes his place. Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein have two entries, the talented filly Mocha Blend, who is rated 117 and she will receive a 2,5kg gender allowance, and they have the optimistic 95 merit-rated entry Down By The River, who is unlikely to trouble the earners in the race.

In the R1 million Gr 1 wfa Mercury Sprint Varsfontein have the promising Green Gateway, who is only merit rated 109, but he will enjoy the step down in trip and he is still unexposed. Wilgerbosdrift band Mauritzfonteinn have last year’s 1,75 length fourth-placed Cats Pajamas

In the R1 million World Pool Gold Cup Varsfontein do not have a runner, whereas Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein have a good chance with last year’s runner up Holding Thumbs.

In the R750,000 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes over 1600m Varsfontein have a fine chance with Alice B. Toklas, who was desperately unlucky in the Gr 2 Amusnet Golden Slipper over 1400m on Hollywoodbets Durban July day. After being completely squeezed out she was still able to regather and run second, so she has a fine chance from what should be a great draw as she is drawn three among the entries. They also have the aforementioned Impressive as well as Doesyourmotherknow, who is capable of better than her unplaced run in the Gatecrasher Stakes against the boys, and they also have the Golden Slipper fourth-placed No Drama. Wilgerbosdrift have Golden Slipper third-placed Tudor Rose and the recent maiden winner Christmas Rose.

Sands Of Valhalla and No Drama are also entered in the Gr 2 R500,000 Umkhomazi Stakes along with the Varsfontein-bred Gr 3 Godolhphin Barb third-placed Flamethrower. However, Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein have a potentially strong hand here with the unbeaten Gimme Some Luck, the talented Catfish and Coast Of The Sun.

The Varsfontein-bred No Drama is also entered in the Gr 2 R500,000 World Pool with Race Coast Debutante. Wilgerbosdrift have the Gr 3 Strelitzia runner up Menagerie entered there.

In the Gr 2 R500,000 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m Varsfontein have the East Cape star Anotherdanceforme. Wilgerbosdrift have a potentially strong hand with last year’s winner Rainbow Lorikeet, Mocha Blend and the hard-knocking Graded performer Keukenhoff.

In the Listed R225,000 Tote Stakes Darley Arabian over 1600m Varsfontein have a potentially strong hand with Talk To The Master, Pressonregardless and Green Gateway. Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein have Down By The River, Diani, Sundance Kid and City Of Love as entries.

In the R225,000 Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap over 1000m Varsfontein have the East Cape raider Danish Dynamite while Wilgerbosdift and Mauritzfontein have the hardknocking Luhamba Phambili and the in-form Umzingeli Wenyathi.

It could yet turn out to be an intriguing race for the Breeders’ title, although Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein must be the hot favourites to regain the title they last held two seasons ago.

The Inquiry convened before an Inquiry Board on 14 July 2026.

Mr Zaki was legally represented.

By agreement between the parties, and to limit the issues in dispute, the expert witnesses engaged by the respective parties will attend a joint meeting on 17 July 2026, after which the expert witnesses will prepare a joint minute for submission to the Inquiry Board.

The Inquiry will reconvene on 28 and 29 July 2026.

Mr Zaki’s interim suspension remains in place pending the finalisation of the Inquiry.

Michael Shackleton

Legal Executive

Lost For Words impressed last time out and can prove herself a classy filly by winning from a wide draw (JC Photos) 

The highest rated race at Turffontein Inside on Thursday is a MR94 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and it could go to the progressive Joe Soma-trained Lost For Words.

The Canford Cliffs four-year-old filly can be made a banker despite having to jump from a tough barrier position of ten out of ten. Mickaelle Michel’s 1.5kg gender claim alleviates the maximum eight point raise she was given for her impressive last win and the lightly raced filly, who has won three out of six starts, now has her third run after a six month layoff. She can be dropped out from the draw and one can picture her mowing them down late with her big action. The Tony Peter-trained Hathighwaytothesky will make a bold bid from pole position as she is a small, nippy sort who should enjoy this tight track and she is capable of a late kick. Crystal Grove has the ability to contest the finish in this race from a plum draw of two with champion apprentice elect Blaine Marx-Jacobson aboard.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Jimmy Vega ran on well from the back last time over 1400m after being dropped out from a tricky draw and can do the same here. On pedigree, being by Malmoos out of a Dynasty mare, he will relish the step up in trip. The Midnight Show ran well third time out when stepped up to this trip with first time blinkers on but he had a good draw of two then which allowed him to sit behind the vanguard on the rail but he now has to overcome draw eight out of nine. Kovil is by Malmoos out of a Giant’s Causeway mare so will relish the step up in trip. Having done better when stepped up to 1400m last time he could run on after being dropped out from a wide draw.

In the second leg over 1600m Pearl In Her Crown is a nice type and this consistent Soqrat filly has a fine chance from a plum draw over a suitable trip with Muzi Yeni up. There is not much between her and Delaware River on 1400m form, but the latter has a tricky draw to contend with. Kortvandraad has pole position with Gavin Lerena up and she will make a bold bid from pole position over an ideal trip with Gavin Lerena up. Pretty Analia is capable of a strong finish from off the pace, but she needs things to pan out well and she will have to dropped out from a wide draw. Eight Hats should not be far off Pearl In Her Crown and Delaware River on form.

In the fifth race over 1600m Kensal Green is on the up and from a fair draw of four can follow up on her impressive last win, despite being six points higher in the merit ratings. Onetwobucklemyshoe has ability and will have come on from her last run, which followed an eight month layoff. Juliet Tango will enjoy this trip and can make a bold bid from a good draw.

In the sixth race over 2600m Chabal is in good form at present and over a suitable trip with Mickaelle Michel up he should go close. Euphrates could be the one to beat from a fair draw as he has won over 2400m before and has consistent staying form. Gavin Lerena up is a bonus. Full Go has third-time cheekpieces on and could be in the shake up over a trip which should suit as he looks to be capable of better than his last two runs although he does have a tricky draw.

In the last over 1200m Winter In Auckland made a good Highveld debut over 1160m, winning comfortably, and from a plum draw can follow up despite a seven point raise. Brigitte Ann can go close off a 76 merit rating from pole position as she won by 6,50 lengths last time over course and distance from draw seven under Keagan de Melo and now has Gavin Lerena up from pole position. Plumbago Park has the ability to be involved here despite a wide draw.

In the second race over 1600m Up And Up ran a good second to the highly proming Moana last time and she could outgun this opposition if able to overcome a tricky draw of six out of seven.

In the first race over 1200m the first-timer Jack’s Legacy is a half-brother to the four-time winner Warrior Of Royalty and should make a bold bid under Phenisile Mpngqawa, although it wil be tough from a wide draw. Irish Wilma is drawn in pole and should be right there.

Serino Moodley gets Master Of My Fate gelding Pleasedtoseeyou up for a second career win (Picture: Julia Marnewick)

Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)

Sabine Plattner has got to be one of the most patient owners in the sport. Her familiar green and indigo colours are always prominent in the Western Cape, where Plattner has a private training facility up the West Coast, but also in Kwa-Zulu Natal where Byron Forster does duty for boss Andre Nel at Summerveld. Mostly home bred at Plattner’s La Plaisance Stud, Nel is never one to rush his charges and is afforded the luxury of an understanding owner.

Pleasedtoseeyou is a five-year-old La Plaisance-bred who only had 13 races under his saddle until yesterday but paid his way with his second win in the fifth on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Serino Moodley has become part of the furniture in Nel’s Summerveld yard and he rode the perfect front-running race. Along with stable companion Mac Hardy, they cut the early fractions before Mac Hardy threw in the towel leaving Ultra Quick the main challenger. However, Ultra Quick’s challenge faded to nothing leaving Got The Word and Navajo Dancer keeping Pleasedtoseeyou honest.

There was a flood of late money for Willow Valli in the first but unfortunately for her backers she also arrived too late. Asgardian Queen made all the running under Calvin Habib with Wendy Whitehead’s charge staying on the lead in a grinding finish to hold off Blazing Belle before Willow Valli arrived late to snatch second.

Gold Gold Baby, dropped back to a mile with first time blinkers, held off a determined challenge from Treasure Island to win the second under Chad Little. Leading for most of the way, Gen Kotzen’s filly kept finding in a pressure-cooker finish to keep Treasure Island at bay.

Princess Trippi looked to be one of the better bets on a tricky card and so it proved as Keagan de Melo waited his turn at the top of the straight before streaking away to win as he liked. It was the second winner for Whitehead and although the opposition did not stack up to much, it was a win full of merit.

Game in defeat, Ebisu was unable to peg back the year older Sesame in the fourth, a Class 4 over 2000m. Giving the winner 8kg, 4kg courtesy of apprentice Anaas Mosaheb, the two fillies joined battle over a furlong out. Sesame appeared to have the upper hand over the final 50m but Callan Murray got Ebisu to rally again but just not enough to deny Glen Kotzen a double on the day.

On the verge of being retired from racing four runs back, blinkers, back-to-front alumites and intensive physio has seen Meerkat Moon reach his full potential as he ran out and easy winner of the sixth.

Sean Veale made the most of his inside draw on Mark Dixon’s runner and made not mistakes. The gelding had the run of the race, slipping up the inside rail before drawing off to win as he liked.

It was also pleasing to see the blinkers removed from Meerkat Moon before the lead-in according the horse some dignity and owners who don’t remove their dark glasses before their interviews should take note.

Nathan Kotzen is a staunch supporter of Dezahn Louw and the promising apprentice delivered a confident front-running ride on the well-supported Chicarito in the seventh. The gelding does not have the best of legs (for the layman – not the best conformed according to strict equine physiology), and has taken to the poly track and recorded back-to-back wins. Ante-post favourite Bangkok Magic drifted in the market but still finished a creditable second to edge out Winter In London.

The judges took their time declaring the winner of the last as pacemakers B Fifty Two and Victor Rail fought out a desperate finish. There was nothing separating the two over the final 50m and little more than a piece of paper as Kom Naidoo’s outsider added a zero onto the Pick 6 payout.

Lyle Hewitson scored on 10/1 chance Winning Champion (HKJC)

All three of the South African Jockey Academy graduates who are currently based in Hong Kong, Luke Ferraris, Lyle Hewitson and Karis Teetan, won at the last meeting of the island’s season at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

Ferraris ended the season on 35 wins for 8th place on the log, Hewitson had 27 wins for joint 13th place and Teetan had 52 wins for 4th place.

Brett Crawford ended on 28 wins for 15th place on the trainers log.

Read the report on the final meeting of the season below:

David Eustace claims season finale honours with Happy Valley treble

By Leo Schlink

David Eustace slotted a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 July) to equal his career-best haul in Hong Kong as the 2025/26 racing season closed in spectacular style with Caspar Fownes and Zac Purton taking overall individual honours.

Fownes completed the 88th and final meeting of the season with 69 wins to snare his fifth Hong Kong trainers’ championship from Danny Shum (65) and Mark Newnham (61), while Purton finished with 143 victories – 80 clear of nearest rival Hugh Bowman (64), with Andrea Atzeni third on 63 wins.

Shum concluded an outstanding campaign in style as three-year-old Winning Champion (116lb) triumphed in the Class 4 Star Shine Handicap (1200m). Achieving his best finish in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with second overall, Shum also posted a career-high seasonal tally, easily surpassing his 57 wins in 2020/21.

“It’s been an amazing season for me and my stable. I’d like to thank my owners who support me, my staff who have done a great job, and my wife too. I really appreciate it all,” Shum said.

“We’ve kept him (Winning Champion) a bit fresh and the ground was a little bit soft today, which probably helped him. He deserved to win a race this season.”

Newnham also completed the season on a high – saddling a winner with his last runner of the campaign when Crimson Flash (133lb) clinched the Class 2 Lucky Patch Handicap (1200m), edging out Lucky With You (135lb) after a thrilling battle.

“A good way to finish the year. It’s been a great season – it’s gone better than I expected the whole way through,” said Newnham, who won the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with Invincible Ibis and the G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) with My Wish.

“He’s (Crimson Flash) building a really good record here (six wins from 16 starts). He’s shown enough versatility – he’s won a couple times at Sha Tin as well, but he’s just a genuinely good horse.”

David Hayes finished the term with 56 wins – fifth overall behind Fownes, Shum, Newnham and Francis Lui (56) – after three-year-old Starry Show (120lb) broke through for his first victory in the Class 4 Fast Most Furious Handicap (1200m) for Richard Kingscote and the remarkable Harmony N Blessed (130lb) landed the Class 3 Sun Jewellery Handicap (1200m).

Nine-year-old Harmony N Blessed tigerishly outlasted Danica’s Choice (120lb), prevailing by a nose, to notch his 11th win at his 80th start and take his career prizemoney to HK$19.3 million.

But it was Eustace who took centre stage with a three-timer, eclipsing last season’s haul of 36 wins with a treble to finish the term with 38 wins, striking with Fashion Legend and Kyrus Treasure, both for Joao Moreira, and also Gratifide under Kingscote.

Veteran Fashion Legend (133lb) prevailed in the Class 5 Silver Grecian Handicap (1650m) before Kyrus Treasure (123lb) clinched the Class 4 Turin Warrior Handicap (1800m).

“He (Fashion Legend) is a horse who likes a bit of soft ground and he literally hasn’t had a wet track since he has been in Hong Kong, hence he’s been handling the dirt and doing his winning on the dirt,” Eustace said.

“We were happy to see the rain come and I thought he could run well tonight. I thought it was a very good ride from Joao. He’s hard to get off Caspar, but he’s been very kind and offered his services a few times for me, so it’s nice to get a winner with him.”

Kingscote, who tallied 16 wins for the campaign after piloting Gratifide to success in the Class 4 Super Oasis Handicap (1200m), said: “It’s nice to have a winner for both Mr Hayes and Mr Eustace. Obviously, Mr Eustace is having a good night, and I’m grateful that he’s helped me out this year.

“He’s (Eustace) done a great job with that horse (Gratifide). Obviously, the blinkers have helped, so very happy on the last night to get a double.”

Kyrus Treasure made it two course and distance wins from two starts.

“He’s a horse who took a while to work things out and sort of understand the racing. But he’s found his niche here at the Valley, and he’s had two good draws and good rides, and things just worked out well,” Eustace said.

Luke Ferraris closed the term in triumphant fashion, combining with Tony Cruz to win the Class 4 Sweet Orange Handicap (1650m) on Shamz (130lb), who ran third in the 2025 G2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) in New Zealand when he raced as Amazing Fluke for Tony Pike.

“It’s very nice, good to get one for Tony,” Ferraris said. “We haven’t teamed up much this season but hopefully that leads well into next season and I get a bit more support and I can ride a few more winners for him.”

Karis Teetan teamed with trainer Dennis Yip to claim the Class 3 Encountered Handicap (1650m) with Thriving Brothers.