Lot 167, a Vercingetorix half-brother to Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam and Golden Ducat (Picture: BSA)

The highlight of Thursday’s opening day of the BSA National Yearling Sale will undoubtedly be Lot 167, a Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein-bred colt by boom sire Vercingetorix out of Equus Champion broodmare Halfway To Heaven.

The latter is by Jet Master and she has produced three multiple Gr 1 winners, the Equus Hoirse Of The Year Rainbow Bridge (Ideal World), the Equus Champion three-year-old colt Hawwaam (Silvano), who is now a sire with his first Nationals yearlings at this Sale, and dual Gr 1 winner Golden Ducat (Philanthropist).

Halfway To Heaven might have gone off the boil a touch in the last two or three seasons, with his current three-year-old Fire Away gelding Foudre still being a hard-knocking maiden after five starts, his expensive R7 million Silvano entire Celestial City being a decent 92-rated five-time winner, but not setting the tracks alight, and his only two fillies appearing to be moderate.

However, Lot 167, named Rainbow Crossing, is a smashing looking red chestnut, the same colour as Golden Ducat, and is a three-parts brother to Hawwaam, being by Silvano’s son Vercingetorix.

Vercingetorix imparts more speed and precocity than his six-times champion stallion father Silvano, so the genes could be explosive, considering Rainbow Bridge was by stamina influence Ideal World and yet not only won two Gr 1 Mets and a Gr 1 Champions Cup over 1800m, but was also a twice winner of the Gr 1 weight for age mile, the Gold Challenge.

Hawwaam also had the speed to win a Gr 1 weight for age mile on top of his four other Gr 1 wins over distances of 1800m to 2000m.

Golden Ducat’s two Gr 1 wins were over 1800m and 2000m.

Conformationally and on pedigree Rainbow Crossing looks to have it all.

A further factor which could see him challenging the country’s record price for a yearling of R9 million is the fact that just last month came the announcement that horses are once again allowed to travel directly from South Africa to Europe.

This should see a flood of overseas interest in the Sale as South African-breds have been shown to be capable of winning at the highest level on world stages like Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore and in rare forays to America and even in Australia.

Many will be glued to the coverage of the sale between 15H00 and 16H00 on Thursday, as Lot 167 should be going through the ring at roundabout 15H30.

Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein are currently leading the National Breeders Championship and also offer a Danon Platina half-brother to Desert Miracle and a Hawwaam half-brother to Sparkling Water, among other superbly bred yearlings.

Drakenstein’s light blue colours carried by Skukuza can be seen finishing just three lengths behind Frankel’s half-brother by Kingman, Kikkuli, at Newmarket today (Tuesday) (Picture: At The Races) 

Gaynor Rupert’s UK-based stud operation Cayton Park Stud Ltd had a runner on the Newmarket Rowley Mile today (Tuesday) and he acquitted himself well considering the class of horse he was up against.

The three-year-old is by Blue Point out of Trippi mare Shingwedzi, who was out of a Sadler’s Wells mare.

Shingwedzi won three races from 1600m to 1800m in SA, including the Oaks Plate on the Fairview poly, and she did well in stakes races inluding three Gr 2 thirds, a Gr 3 third and fourth, and two Listed runner up finishes.

Shingwedzi was effective from a mile up to 3200m.

Today on the Newmarket Rowley Mile her Blue Point three-year-old colt made his seasonal reappearance in  a Maiden Stakes race over seven furlongs.

He had had a second and a third as a two-year-old.

The Ed Dunlop-trained colt won the best turned out award today.

However, he was up against the like of the Harry Charlton-trained Kikkuli, an impressively strongly built Kingman half-brother to Frankel, as well as a Goldolphin Too Darn Hot colt who is a out of a Listed-winning Mount Nelson mare.

Kikkuli had finished second on debut last year and after settling in a handy position, he went through a gap tio hit the front before finding extra in impressive style under Ryan Moore when looking likely to be mowed down by the Godolphin colt.

Kikkuli got up by a neck.

Skukuza sat off the pace and moved up before staying on to be beaten three lengths.

Gaynor Rupert will have more runners this week and will be particularly looking forward to Saturday, because her 2000 Guineas entry, the homebred Dubawi colt God’s Window, is ergaged to run in a traditional 2000 Guineas pointer event, the Gr 3 Greenham Stakes over seven furlongs at Newbury.

God’s Window, who is also entered in a lesser race at Nottingham on the same day, won on debut over a mile at Doncaster as a two-year-old before finishing a two length third in the Gr 1 Kameko Futurity Trophy Stakes over that same course and distance.

Saturday will be his seasonal reappearance.

On Friday, Rupert has the Nathaniel homebred 90-rated stayer Grand Providence in a staying race at Newbury. She is out of the crack SA-bred Gr 1-winning mare Same Jurisdiction (Mambo In Seattle).

Gaynor also has a hard-knocking Sea The Stars homebred colt running in a Novice Stakes race at Newbury on Friday.

Twice SA Champion Jockey Warren Kennedy heads the statistics in stakes earnings and wins in New Zealand this season, but the title is decided on wins and he is now just six wins ahead of reigning champion Michael McNab, who is attempting to land the title for the third season in succession.

Kennedy is just three short of his first century in New Zealand on 97 wins for the season but is in the middle of a slump.

McNab has been on suspension from April 7 until April 19 inclusive, but Kennedy has in fact only had two wins in seven meetings in April, so has failed to take advantage.

He has a full book of nine rides tomorrow (Wednesday) at Arawa Park, so will be hoping to increase his lead over the sidelined champion.

Kennedy is head and shoulders the most successful jockey in the country this season in stakes races.

He has had 16 stakes wins, compared to McNab’s three.

Second in the stakes wins is Opie Bosson on 12 and Joe Doyle has eleven.

Doyle is still in contention for the premiership, being 12 behind Kennedy on 85 wins.

Kennedy is riding to a strike rate of 16.4%.

he has stakes earnings this season of $5,002,370 (R56,026,544).

That can be compared to his entire season’s stakes earnings of R24,700,325 when last winning the championship in SA.

However, it is not quite as lucrative as Hong Kong where SA’s leading rider on the island, Lyle Hewitson, has had 30 wins this season for joint 6th place on the log and has stakes earnings of HK$54,598,380 (R132,674,063).

Picture: Elizabedi Gold pictured as a yearling

Last week Turf Talk carried an article about the clever name of Etzebeth given to a Varsfontein Stud-bred Erik The Red colt who will be on the BSA National Yearling Sale, but he is in fact one of two horses who are named after the Springbok legend Eben Etzebeth.

Etzebeth famously picked up the nickname of “Elizabedi” during the Rugby World Cup thanks to the below video which went viral:

WATCH THE ELIZABEDI VIRAL VIDEO

The Hollywood Syndicate have just named a horse “Elizabedi Gold” in the same week they announced that Eben and his wife Anlia Star had become Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassadors.

Elizabedi Gold is by Gr 1 Cape Guineas runner up Gold Standard out of the Gr 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Sparkling Gem, who has produced four winners from five runners, including Trippi mare Sapphire Gem, who has herself produced two Gr 2 winners in King Of Gems (Kingsbarns) and Pink Tourmaline (Futura).

She was purchased at the Cape Racing Cape Premier Yearling Sale for R650,000 and is currently in training with Candice Bass-Robinson, who has done very well with the progeny of Gold Standard.

Devin Heffer, Hollywoodbets Brand and Communication manager, explained how she was named, “We wanted to name a horse Elizabedi, but were told there was a name already too close to it in use. Therefore we took the “Gold” from Gold Standard, seeing that Etzebeth won gold at two Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023.”

White Hills comes out quite well on some formlines in the highest rated race at the Vaal meeting on Wednesday but with course being set up as it is her draw of seven out of ten might be tricky (JC Photos).

The Vaal straight course has an eight race meeting today and it is tricky because the low draws should be favourable with the outside rail in by 13 metres with a 13 metre spur at the 600m mark, but the form often points to higther draw horses.

The sixth race, a MR 80 Handicap for fillies and mares, is the highest rated race at the meeting. White Hills makes appeal as she was not beaten far by the useful Time Fo Orchids last time and is now 6,5kg better off with Law Of Success for a 2,25 length beating over this trip, but her draw of seven out of ten might be against her. Law Of Success is progressive and wasn’t disgraced in a Gr 3 last time out so should have a form chance, but she is drawn ten out of ten, which is likely going to be against her. In The Ether is capable of a strong finish, but it needs to pan out well for her. It might do so from what should be a favourable number one draw. Heirloom is a capable sort over this trip and could surprise from a middle draw. On Cue is a consistent sort who has a form chance here from draw five. Green Flash was only five lengths behind Dreamland last time and the latter followed up by winning a Listed race. She is 5,5kg better off with Law Of Success for a a 6,75 length beating in March and should have improved since then, being a three-year-old, but she has draw nine which might be a disadvantage. Happy Analia is drawn two and is capable of better than her last two runs.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m the Alec laird-trained Mocha Frappe looks to be a decent sort in the making and would have needed his last start after a ten month layoff. In that previous start last May he had finished a close fast-finishing fourth over 1450m and was beaten less than half-a-length by White Pearl, who is merit rated 112 today. Mocha Frappe does have a tricky draw of 8 which is on the high side. Radiant Heat has some fair form over this trip and has the potentially favourable number one draw. Deception Pass has ability but took a strong hold last time when pulling himself to the front, before not surprisingly been run out of it late in a mediocre field. He will need to settle better. The Cane Train made a fair debut when beaten 12 lengths into third by the promising Legend Of Arthur. He should have improved for that run. Stablemate Trombettista could earn if producing his best.

In the second leg over 1400m Olivia’s Way makes plenty of appeal having run a cracker second time out over course and distance. He was drawn on the wrong side that day, but it did not stop her from running third. She now has another potentially tricky draw of 14 out of 18 but does have the advantage of 4kg claimer Trent Mayhew back aboard, although she is now up against older horses. Two-year-old Messalina ran a fair race against older horses last time over 1450m and now has a nice low draw of two. Ice Cap has the form to be involved here and is potentially drawn well in two. Like A Butterfly beat Ice Cap by over five lengths when they last met and could be involved if a draw of nine is not against her. Kylie’s Angel, Bilingual and Mother City are others worth considering.

In the third leg over 1500m Empress Game should enjoy the trip and has a form chance provided draw eleven is not against her. Higgledy Piggleday won her maiden well and from a low draw of three could make her presence felt over a suitable trip off an opening handicap mark of a reasonable 77. Northern Kitten was eight lengths behind Empress Game last time but looks capable of doing better and has a draw of five. Count Your Chances won well last time and sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight after being raised just three points. Free In Seattle is a two-year-old who has been accorded an 83 merit rating after a win last time and she has a nice low draw.

In the seventh race over 1000m Duke Of Rock has always struck as being a decent sort and flattered to deceive when tried twice over further than sprints, so stepping down to 1000m for the first time since his close second on debut to the useful Slim Jannie might be what he has been looking for. Furthermore, he has a nice low draw. Kinshin Sha is a hard-knocking sort and has a 4kg claimer up so should make his presence felt from draw six out of eleven. Cityscape has run two fine races on the Highveld since Brett Crawford relocated her from Cape Town and from a low draw over a suitable trip will be a big runner, although it is never easy against the boys. Inafix could earn if repeating his last start, but he does have a high draw. Wings Of Nike is capable of better than recent and is drawn in pole.

In the last race over 1000m Pinatubo was backed on debut in a juvenile race and won quite well and the form has been franked, so off a mark here of 83 should be thereabouts. Golden Chandelier has been in good form in juvenile races and has a reasonable merit rating here of 88. Red Carpet Girl lost ground at the start last week and was an unlucky third, but she now has a high draw. Princess Lola is better than her last start but also has a high draw. Simply Magic could make her presence felt from draw one.

In the first race over 1200m Gorgeous Klein and Lead The Charge should fight it out.

In the second race over 1600m Andi’s Girl is distance suited and has a low draw and could beat Miss Hannigan.

Dylan Cunha with stable jockey Rhys Clutterbuck

Dylan Cunha’s incredible resolve and hard work saw him get through an initial bleak period in his career as a trainer in the U.K.. Less than two years later he is a force to be reckoned with to the extent that he is stopped by racing fans to sign autographs and pose for photographs, much to his amazement and embarrassment.

Read all about it in another excellent Off The Record with Charl Pretorius column:

CLICK HERE TO READ OFF THE RECORD ARTICLE ABOUT DYLAN CUNHA 

Muth comes off a win in the Arkansas Derby (Benoit Photo via AP) 

Dick Downey (Bloodhorse)
Monday

Declaring the case well-briefed and that he understands the arguments, a Louisville, Ky., judge told attorneys he will issue a ruling this week on owner Amr Zedan’s courtroom bid to force Churchill Downs Inc. to allow Arkansas Derby (G1) winner and Bob Baffert trainee Muth to participate in the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1).

On April 15 Zedan’s legal team summed up its case to Jefferson Circuit Judge Mitch Perry by leading off with its primary argument: that Zedan bought yearlings and 2-year-olds for Baffert to train in reliance on a 2021 statement by Churchill Downs Inc. that a two-year suspension of Baffert competing at its tracks would end if he had no further issues with disqualifications; that over 600 starts later Baffert had no further issues; and that CDI extended the suspension anyway, thereby preventing Zedan from entering Muth in the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

With the Derby only 19 days away, Perry noted, “The court has been put in a time crunch.”

He was told by attorney John Quinn that Zedan didn’t bring the matter into court when the extension of Baffert’s suspension was announced because at that time it wasn’t known if he had a horse that was good enough, and that CDI was put on notice the day after Muth qualified with sufficient Derby points by winning the Arkansas Derby.

CDI argued it has a right to manage its own track, but Zedan’s legal team countered, “That ignores the reality…these words have consequences. Third parties changed things they were doing.”

Churchill Downs Inc. said Zedan’s case is flawed both procedurally and substantively.

The matter “can and should have been addressed long ago,” attorney Thomas Dupree said. “Mr. Zedan’s complaint is replete with references that his business plan is to buy horses for Mr. Baffert to train” and that Zedan’s personal assertion of rights that belong to Baffert at the 11th hour is “unprecedented.”

Perry pressed the issue of why Churchill extended the ban.

“The fact that he said if he had it to do all over again, he would do the same thing,” Churchill’s counsel said. “We have a duty to see to it that the race is carried out with integrity. We didn’t think he could be trusted.”

Perry was also told by CDI counsel, “This isn’t the first time Mr. Zedan has had to make this decision. In prior Derbies he changed trainers. We set an off-ramp to the suspended trainer rule, and he availed himself of that road the last few years (by changing trainers).”

With all Derby points races finalized two days earlier, there is a set field subject to defections. A question arose whether horses other than Muth would be allowed into the Derby if Zedan received a favorable ruling. For example, Zedan does not own Baffert trainee Imagination , the runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) who would have ample Derby points if not for Baffert’s ban.

Churchill’s team argued that a resetting of the Derby field by the court at the last minute would cause unjust consequences in violation of equitable principles of law that the court is bound to follow in injunction cases.

Perry opened the hearing by noting an element of the case needing further development before he can rule. Zedan has challenged the constitutionality of the statute underlying CDI’s motion to dismiss his claim, and Kentucky law requires notice of such a challenge be given to the state attorney general. Perry ordered notice be given today and set a short hearing for April 17 to clear that hurdle.

Kendall Minnie secures a four-timer for Alan Greeff with a fine ride aboard the 25/1 outsider Mary Lamb (Dynasty) (Pauline Herman Photography)

Alan Greeff had a four-timer on the Fairview poly today, three of them ridden by Richard Fourie.

S’Manga Khumalo and Kelly Mitchley had a double together.

Fourie goes to 254 wins for the season which he has achieved at a strike rate of 22.13%. His projected number of wins for the season has now risen to 258.

Khumalo is on 95 wins at 15.99%.

Greeff goes to 94 wins for the season at a strike rate of 15.36%.

He is now just three wins behind arch rival Gavin Smith in another tyhrilling tussle for the East Cape Trainers Championship.

Mitchely is on 54 wins at 10.42%.

The horse pictured gives a clue to the answer (Liverpoolecho.co.uk).

Has any horse ever won the Grand National and Scottish Grand National in the same year?

The legendary Red Rum won the Scottish Grand national in 1974, three weeks after winning his second Grand National at Aintree, and he remains the only horse to have ever done the double in the same year.