Picture: Charles Dickens capped what Gaynor Rupert described as “the greatest day of my racing life” when winning the race she sponsors, the prestigious Gr 1 weight for age L’Ormarins King’s Plate, about ten days ago. (Image: Wayne Marks)

Many will be disappointed with the news that the country’s undoubtedly most popular thoroughbred racehorse Charles Dickens has been retired.

However, in the Drakenstein Stud press release below it was explained that there is little choice, as summed up in this extract:

“Racing in South Africa is filled with complications that other countries don’t have. Even travelling to Durban and the likelihood of not being able to get back for the start of the covering season is a possibility. An International career should be a reality for a horse of Charles Dickens’ brilliance however South Africa is blocked by the International community on racing our horses abroad.”   

The full press release announcing Charles Dickens retirement to stud is laid out below:

The King Retires To Stud

Charles Dickens the winner of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate Gr.1 has been retired to Drakenstein Stud.

Trainer, Candice-Bass Robinson commented, “Charles Dickens, the best horse I have ever trained without a shadow of a doubt, it’s been a wonderful journey and an honour to train an absolute gentlemen with such sheer brilliance. He never had one issue in his career, extremely sound and never left an oat. Fondly known as “Goosebumps”.

Jockey, Aldo Domeyer who rode him in every start said the following “I have felt some great horses do some great things in my career, but it all fades to a pale comparison when you add Charles (Dickens) to the equation. I’ve never ridden a horse who could do it as effortlessly, yet with that much potency at the same time. He’s simply a superstar. It has been an honour.”

A horse with a turn of foot, that made great horses look rather ordinary, has run his last race and will retire to Drakenstein Stud for the 2024 breeding season. Charles Dickens will live long in the memory of racing fans for his annihilation of the best around in the Cape Guineas Gr.1, Gold Challenge Gr.1 and the King’s Plate Gr.1.

A journey that has lasted 3 seasons, and performances that have left an indelible mark, his retirement marks the close of an extraordinary chapter in South African Racing.

Charles Dickens will retire with 10 wins from 13 starts, the Champion 3 year old colt and Champion Miler of South Africa with prize money of R 5,119,813, a career that culminated in a 3 length win of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate Gr.1.

Racing in South Africa is filled with complications that other countries don’t have. Even travelling to Durban and the likelihood of not being able to get back for the start of the covering season is a possibility. An International career should be a reality for a horse of Charles Dickens’ brilliance however South Africa is blocked by the International community on racing our horses abroad.

Gaynor Rupert said “Retiring Charles Dickens was a very hard decision to make. I would have loved to have seen him race until the end of the season, he would undoubtedly have won a few more big races but he has nothing left to prove.”

It is in the interest of the horse and of the shareholders that after much consultation, we decided to retire him and give him plenty of time off before the start of the breeding season.

He was blessed with speed, an incredible turn of foot, sheer brilliance, intelligence and remarkable cadence. I’m sure he will pass these traits on to his future progeny and we can’t wait to see them”.

The decision to retire Charles Dickens to stud is not about bidding farewell to a remarkable racing career but also about the anticipation of his legacy continuing through future generations.

Bavarian Beauty, pictured above winning over 1400m at Turffontein Standside in November (JC Photos), is top of the Gold Rush log with a merit rating of 112 and this Tony Peter-trained Gr 1 winner is rumoured to be traveling to Cape Town on 23 January. It is AHS season on the Highveld, but the last travel ban excluded Turffontein-based horses and hopefully that status quo will still be in place on the 23rd. Interestingly, Piere Strydom rode her in that last start despite her Gr 1 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes-winning pilot Craig Zackey being available on the day, so it likely that Striker will be aboard the Playgate SA-owned Querari filly in the lucrative race.

Cape Racing compiled the below press release about the Gold Rush

The draw for the R7.5 million Cape Racing Gold Rush II takes place this Wednesday, the same evening that draws are pulled for the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met. The ceremony takes place in the 1881 Room at the stunningly refurbished Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, writes Cape Racing.

The Gold Rush II will be staged on 27 January, thereby coinciding with the running of the iconic WSB Cape Town Met – one of the most exciting days staged by Cape Racing. This year’s colourfully energized theme is Cape Splendour.

This is the second running of the Gold Rush, partly modelled on the richly endowed turf race, The Everest, staged at Royal Randwick, Sydney, Australia, where prospectors buy places in the line-up and can then negotiate a private deal with owners of horses that qualify for the final field.

The Cape Racing version is restricted to three-year-old Cape Premier Yearling Sale graduates, so the 2024 vintage stars graduate from the 2022 CPYS.

The colts carry 60 kg and fillies 57,5 kg, and the big money bonanza is staged over 1600m.

The final two slots of thirteen have been taken up by Lindsay Ralphs and Cape Racing Sales at R400 000 a pop.

Travel plans for G1-winning, Highveld-based heroine Bavarian Beauty, who sports the highest merit rating of 112 in the field and seems bound to start being heavily favoured, have been confirmed.

Below is a list of possible entries and prospectors, though nothing has been cast in stone yet. Things may well change on this tentative list before final announcements are made. Acceptances fall due at 11 a.m., and final draws will be concluded Wednesday evening, 17 January.

1.    World Sports Betting – King Of The Gauls

2.    Ridgemont –

3.    Bass Racing – Winter Rainfall

4.    Klawervlei Stud – Willie John

5.    Rikesh Sewgoolam – Infrared (slot sold to A Gujadhur)

6.    Jayson Murugasa –

7.    David Abery – Pritti Victory (slot sold to Yaseen Ebrahim)

8.    Ian Levitan –

9.    Mano Pandaram – Tamil Tigress

10. Laurence Wernars – Sunshine Day

11. Hollywoodbets – Kupholiwe / King of Spin

12. Playgate SA – Bavarian Beauty

13. Arun Chadha – Tail Of The Comet

14. Nic Jonsson – Rapidash

15. Lindsay Ralphs – Just Be Lekker

16. Cape Racing Sales – Common Grounds.

ENDS

Buffalo Bill Cody has been the talk of the training tracks and he duly goty off the mark as a sire with his first runner today in a 1000m event at the Vaal Classic track.

The strongly built Tony Peter-trained Pistol Pete, who is a Wilgerbosdrift and Maurtitzfontein-bred colt out of five time-winning Tiger Ridge sprinter Oklahoma Sky, showed good gatespeed and pace to lead from start to finish in the decent Maiden Juvenile Plate. He was green but displayed a nice action and has plenty of scope for improvement.

The field included the Sean Tarry-trained Proceed (Gimmethegreenlight), who finished second in a hot maiden juvenile event on Betway Summer Cup day, as well as the hard-knocking Pomodoro colt Ready Set Fire, The form coming out of this race should be strong.

Buffalo Bill Cody is a formwer Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred by Redoute’s Choice.

He never earned black type, but was held in such esteem that in his first attempt at a stakes race in the Gr 1 weight for age Champions Cup over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville he started 2/1 second favourite despite being up against the like of Equus Horse Of The Year Rainbow Bridge and three-times Gr 1 winner Soqrat. He was beaten by 2,9 lengths into fifth place, but the fact that the horse he had slammed by 3,25 lengths in his previous start over 1600m, Cirillo, finished in front of him in the Champions Cup likely confirmed he was not comfortable under lights for the first time.

Buffalo Bill Cody was already a late four-year-old then and had compiled a career record of six wins from seven starts. However, he had already had three layoffs by the time he won for the sixth time. After the Champions Cup he had another two layoffs and another two runs, before the towel was thrown in.

All in all his career never got going, so he was never able to fulfil his enormous potential.

However, the dogs have been barking about his young two-year-olds and this is definitely a sire to watch.

Buffalo Bill Cody ran in Mary Slack’s famous black with a scarlet cap colours and stands at Wilgerbosdrift Stud, Last season he was available at a fee of R10,000 + VAT for a live foal, which could well turn out top be a  bargain for those who sent him mares.

Lot 113, Roland Garros, is a Vercingetorix colt out of one-time winning Captain Al mare Amy Johnson, who is a three-parts sister to three Gr 1 winners, being from the prolific family of legendary broodmare Mystic Spring (Picture: Cape Racing Sales) 

Beautifully situated beneath the Perdeberg mountains, Varsfontein Stud has sent quality thoroughbreds to market since the mid-70s, and they deliver another enticing draft of five yearlings to CPYS 2024.

Varsfontein is proud not only of their reputable broodmare band but of resident stallions, Gimmethegreenlight (twice Champion Sire in SA), Master of My Fate (2nd leading sire in 2021 and also runner-up champion 3yo sire in 2023) and Erik, the Red who add significant value to the whole operation. The Stud always holds a high-ranking position on the SA breeder’s log with a lengthy honours roll of Graded Stakes winners.

Three of the five youngsters on offer at CPYS, powered by Tattersalls, are by their champ, Gimmethegreenlight. The others are a Danon Platina filly (Lot 100), and a Vercingetorix colt out of Amy Johnson called Roland Garros, who sports a particularly impressive dam side. Pedigree boffins are familiar with the family of Bela-Bela, Touch the Sky and Mystic Spring. Roland Garros is listed as Lot 113 (see picture above the headline of the article).

For his part, the renowned Gimmethegreenlight is the sire of 635 runners and 409 winners, including a remarkable 58 Stakes successes and eight G1 winners. His most accomplished progeny includes Champion two-year-old and Champion Three-year-old and Middle Distance horse in 2019/20, Got the Greenlight; Aussie export Yulong Prince, who won the VRC Cantala; Champion sprinter Gimme a Prince; amazing filly, She’s a Keeper; sensational juvenile, Lucky Lad; Equus Champion Filly of ’23, Bless My Stars, and ’23 Equus Champion Two-Year-Old colt, and now one of the absolute best in the current three-year-old crop, Sandringham Summit.

Lot 39, Merryweather is a bay filly by “Gimme” ex-Maleficent, a talented daughter of Judpot and producer of recent eye-catching debutant victor, Handsome Prince, who was the 2nd highest price on this sale last year.

Lot 39

Lot 117 is Randolph Hearst, a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of the Fort Wood mare, Babe Paley, a sister to G1 winner Athina.

Lot 117

Racegoers will recall the feisty exploits of Silvano’s Pride (by Silvano), who won six races between 1400m and 2000m, right up to a G1 level score in the Woolavington. Her first foal, Diamond Baron, is offered as Lot 80. Interested parties can track the bay son of Gimmethegreenlight down in stable D8.

Lot 80

For further information and to co-ordinate viewings, contact Stud Manager Carl de Vos on 082 800 8490 or via email: info@varsfontein.co.za

ENDS 

For racing queries and sales queries, contact Justin Vermaak at justin@caperacing.co.za or Janine van Blerk at janine@caperacing.co.za  

Cape Racing Sales Social Media: 

Facebook: @caperacingsales

Instagram: @caperacingsales

Twitter: @CapeRacingSales

Website: www.caperacingsales.co.za

Cape Racing Social Media:  

Facebook: @CapeRacing1

Instagram: @cape_racing

Twitter: @caperacing1

YouTube: @CAPERACING

Website: www.caperacing.co.za

Picture: Barbaresco, in the familiar red and white Laurence Wernars colours above, was only allowed to be raised three points for his eyecatching second place finish in the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m due to a condition attached to the race, so he is underrated on a mark of 94. Third-placed Hotarubi could also only be raised three points so is now on a mark of 98, four points higher than Barbaresco, who beat him by 3,15 lengths. That pair were well clear of fourth-placed The Africa House, who remains on 106, and fifth-placed Gimmeanotherchance, who remains on 112. (Image via 4Racing TV)  

NHA Press Release

Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes (Grade 3) – Formerly Tony Ruffel Stakes

MAIN DEFENDER remained unchanged on a rating of 121 after easily winning the Grade 3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday, 13 January 2024. MAIN DEFENDER was best weighted and did not have to produce his very best to account for his rivals on Saturday. THE AFRICA HOUSE was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse here and his rating remained on 106.

The eye-catching BARBARESCO, who produced a much-improved performance, may only be adjusted upwards by a maximum of 3 points in terms of the specific race conditions which prohibit the Handicappers from adjusting placed horses upwards by more than 3 points. Accordingly, 2nd placed BARBARESCO goes up to 94 from 91 and 3rd placed HOTARUBI goes up to 98 from 95 even though both have performed to a significantly higher level. Consequently, these two horse’s merit ratings do not reflect their relative ability to one another after the running of this Grade 3 event, as 2nd placed BARBARESCO is rated 4 points lower than 3rd placed HOTARUBI who he beat by a little over 3 lengths at level weights here.

Only one horse received a drop in ratings in this race, ROYAL EDITION was dropped to 85 from 88.

Mother Russia Stakes (Grade 3) – Formerly Three Troikas Stakes

LET’S GO NOW has had her merit rating increased to 105 from 99 after winning the Grade 3 Mother Russia Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein on Saturday. The runner-up, WHITE PEARL, was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse in this event and her rating remained on 109.

The winner, LETS GO NOW, had to be capped to a rating of 105, despite winning this Grade 3 race and beating the 109 rated runner up at level weight terms, due to the specific race conditions that prohibit the Handicappers from increasing the ratings of the winner by more than 6 points and placed horses by more than 3 points. In fact, the ratings of majority of the runners in this event do not represent the pecking order of the finishers in this race due to these caps.

MIA MOO was capped to a rating of 90 despite running 3rd and easily beating 4th placed LADY FALLON who has been adjusted to 97 from 94, both these fillies ran to higher than their current official ratings.

5th placed GARLANDSOFGREENERY also performed to a higher rating but could not be adjusted upwards and remains on a rating of 91, which is actually higher than the new rating of the 3rd placed MIA MOO who is now rated 90.

Only two fillies received a drop in ratings here, BETULA was dropped from 100 to 98 while KEY ELEMENT was dropped from 98 to 96.

Important Note to all stakeholders: Due to the significant number of Merit Rating restrictions, as mentioned above, the Handicappers urge caution when observing the best weighted columns for the upcoming 3-year-old races (Triple /Tiara etc.), as some ratings do not represent the Handicappers assessment due to the arbitrary merit rating restrictions imposed on the Handicapping system.

Wolf Power 1600 (Listed)

SILVER HILLS had her rating adjusted to 102 from 100 after narrowly winning the Listed Wolf Power 1600 run over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.

SILENT WAR was deemed the most suitable line horse here leaving him unchanged on a rating of 99. The runner up UNZEN received a 1-point adjustment from 104 to 105 and no other horse was given an increase in ratings for this event.

The following horses received drops in ratings, WILLOW’S WISH was dropped from 96 to 94, SHOEMAKER was dropped from 111 to 109, PYROMANIAC was dropped to 101 from 104 while all of HOEDSPRUIT, BRAVE VIKING and ANOTHER LEVEL were given drops of 1 point each from 110 to 109, 90 to 89 and 98 to 97 respectively.

Summer Fling Stakes (Grade 3) Formerly Final Fling Stakes

The best weighted HOLD MY HAND remained on a rating of 108 after landing the Grade 3 Summer Fling Stakes over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.

VIRGINIA SWEET was the line horse here and her rating remained unchanged on 96.

FUTURE GIRL was capped to a rating of 96 from 90 despite performing to higher due to the specific race conditions that prohibit the Handicappers from adjusting the placed runners by more than 6 points. BROADWAY GIRL received a 1-point adjustment from 88 to 89, this makes her correct with the runner up Future Girl who is rated 96 and who beat BROADWAY GIRL by 2 lengths while conceding 1.5kg in weight.

SILVERLINKS received a drop of 1 point from 95 to 94 while ROYAL INVITATION was dropped to 90 from 95 after failing to confirm her previous run in the Grade 3 VICTRESS STAKES.

Lady’s Bracelet (Listed)

GOLD POKER GAME received a 1-point adjustment from 107 to 108 after winning the Listed Lady’s Bracelet at Fairview over 1600m on Friday.

The Handicappers opted to use AND WE DANCED as the line horse here and she remained on a rating of 103. The runner-up LUNA HALO received a 3 points adjustment from 103 to 106, which is 3 points higher than AND WE DANCED who she beat here at WFA terms.

Only two other horses received increases to their ratings in this event, OFFICIAL SECRET, who was rated to run 12th in the 14-runner field on a rating of 78, was adjusted from 78 to 92 after outperforming her pre-rating. She actually performs to higher than 92 but was made 1 point higher than 5th placed PUBLIC BENEFIT who remained on 91 and who she beat by a neck at WFA terms here. Unyielding was only given an adjustment, from 76 to 83 despite performing to significantly higher at these weight terms. This ensures that UNYIELDING meets OPERA SWING, who she beat here, on correct handicapping terms in the future.

Three horses received drops to their ratings in this event, MEDLERS TART was dropped to 94 from 96, SISTER LIGHT was dropped to 86 from 88 and FLAME FLOWER to 78 from 81.

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

Picture: Lot 37, a Trippi filly from Drakenstein Stud, is a full-sister to Gr 1 winner Trip Of Fortune 

David Mollett

If Cape Racing’s “Feel Good Factor” permeates to the Premier Yearling Sale on January 25 it’s likely vendors could be dancing in the city streets in the evening.

A total of 136 lots are due to be sold by top auctioneers John O’Kelly and Andrew Miller at a sale powered by Tattersalls in the UK.

One of the most interesting aspects of the sale – to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre – is the first crop of five-time Gr 1 winner, Hawwaam, who stands at Wilgerbosdrift Stud. The son of Silvano is represented by nine yearlings.

Mulling through the catalogue, it’s clear there are some well-related youngsters on offer and I’ve picked out 20 lots which should sell well. They are in lot number – not in order of preference.

Lot 9: Consigned by Klawervlei Stud (as agent), this daughter of Gimmethegreenlight is out of the four-time winner, Eros’ Girl. She won four races including the Fairview East Cape Oaks.

Lot 17: Consigned by Drakenstein Stud, this Gimmethegreenlight colt is the second foal of Gabor, Champion Two Year-Old Filly in 2018/19.

Lot 27: Consigned by Winterbach Stud, this son of Hawwaam is a half-brother to Gr 3 Cape Mile winner, Montein, who will run in the WSB Met on Jan 27. Hendrik Winterbach told Turftalk: “What more could I ask for? Selling Montein’s half-brother two days before the Met.”

Lot 29: Consigned by Narrow Creek Stud, this What A Winter filly is a full-sister to the six-time winner, Cold Fact.

Lot 33: Consigned by Klawervlei Stud (as agent), this Rafeef colt is the third foal of the eight-time winner, Jo’s Bond. Her second foal was cleverly named Connery.

Lot 36: Consigned by Winterbach Stud, this should be another big moment for the stud as they’re selling the full-brother to seven-time winner, Master Archie. The son of Rafeef won the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint.

Lot 37: Consigned by Drakenstein Stud (as agent), this bay filly is a full-sister to nine-time winner, Trip Of Fortune. Candice Bass-Robinson wasn’t afraid to travel with her star performer (won the Gr 1 Horse Chestnut at Turffontein) and she’ll be running her expert eye over the dam’s seventh foal.

Lot 52: Consigned by Varsfontein Stud, this Gimmethegreenlight colt is out of the Western Winter mare, On Her Toes. Her five wins included the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship at Scottsville.

Lot 59: Consigned by Ridgemont, this Hawwaam colt is a half-brother to the six-time winner, Wrecking Ball.

Lot 63: Consigned by Maine Chance Farms. Messrs O’Kelly and Miller are going to field a multitude of bids for this Hawwaam colt (early foal) who is a half-brother to last season’s Horse-Of-The-Year, Princess Calla. While Sean Tarry will be disappointed with his mare’s defeat in the Cartier Paddock Stakes, the former champion trainer has saddled the mare to 11 wins and over R4,6 million in stakes. Will Mario Ferreira be interested in the family’s latest offspring? We shall see.

Lot 65: Consigned by Klawervlei Stud (as agent), this Gimmethegreenlight colt is the second foal of Return Flight, winner of six races and Champion Two Year-Old Filly in 2017/18. Another yearling Sean Tarry is likely to be interested in.

Lot 71: Consigned by Millstream Farm (as agent), this Vercingetorix colt is a full-brother to the six-time winner, Green Plains.

Lot 74: Consigned by Beaumont Stud, this son of Master Of My Fate is a full-brother to the talented filly, Driving Miss Daisy.

Lot 102: Consigned by Avontuur Estate, this Rafeef colt (early foal) is a full-brother to Thunderstruck whom Piere Strydom partnered to his fifth career win in the Winchester Sprint Cup on King’s Plate day. A timely victory for the vendors.

Lot 108: Consigned by Ridgemont, this Vercingetorix colt (early foal) is a half-brother to the five-time winner Trip To Africa and four-time winner African Rock (won in both SA and Mauritius).

Lot 113: Consigned by Varsfontein Stud. This Vercingetorix colt is the second produce of the Captain Al mare, Amy Johnson. Don’t know how the stud settled on the name Rolland Garros as Amy Johnson was a British pilot (1903-1941) who never played tennis!

Lot 115: Consigned by Normandy Stud, this filly is a full-sister to Rio Querari, Champion Sprinter in SA in 2020/21. The seven year-old contested the Winchester Sprint Cup finishing sixth behind Thunderstruck.

Lot 130: Consigned by Maine Chance Farms, this Vercingetorix colt is a full-brother to Gr 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner, Chansonette.

Lot 134: Consigned by Maine Chance Farms, this Gimmethegreenlight colt (late foal) is a full-brother to Cosmic Highway so is going to be of particular interest to Dean Kannemeyer. The five year-old took his chance in the King’s Plate but was beaten five lengths by Charles Dickens.

Lot 136: Consigned by Klawervlei Stud (as agent). John Koster won’t be unhappy he’s offering the final lot on the sale as this Gimmethegreenlight filly is a half-sister to Queen’s Plate winner, Vardy.

Piere Strydom is still as good as ever, as he showed when fighting back on a beaten looking Banha Bridge at the beginning of this month (JC Photos) 

Readers, please start sending in your Ride Of The Month suggestions.

There are prizes to be won in this competition sponsored by Turf Talk’s official hotel partner, Emperor’s Palace.

One of the rides that should get an entry for the month is the one on Banha Bridge by Piere Strydom.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH STRIKER’S GREAT RIDE ON BANHA BRIDGE

Grant van Niekerk also produced a fine ride on Mucho Dinero on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day to win the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Wine Premier Trophy.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH GRANT VAN NIEKERK’S RIDE ON MUCHO DINERO

Rachel Venniker drew accolades for her well-timed recent ride on Winter Waves on the Hollywoodbets Greyville polytrack.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH RACHEL VENNIKER’S RIDE ON WINTER WAVES

Send your Ride Of The Month suggestions to editor@turftalk.co.za.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE DETAILS ABOUT THE COMPETITION

Picture: The Fabian Habib-trained Gimmethegreenlight colt Taegan’s Champ made it three wins from three starts at the Vaal Classic track today when holding on by a shorthead from Storm Brasco. He gave the trainer and jockey Calvin Habib individual doubles in tihe process.

Piere Strydom and Calvin Habib rode doubles at the Vaal Classic track today and Fabian Habib and Weiho Marwing both sent out doubles.

Strydom is on 19 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 20%.

Calvin Habib is on 71 wins at 12.20%.

Fabian Habib is on 28 wins at 15.73%

Weiho Marwing is on eleven wins at 8.27%.

The Epsom Derby of 1924 was blighted by persistent heavy rain which reduced much of the course to mud and made the conditions some of the worst ever seen at Epsom.

The race was won by the George Lambton-trained Lord Derby homebred Sansovino (Swynford), who romped home by six lengths.

It was a fitting win because Lord Derby’s ancestor had given his name to the race.

The race was also responsible for a small but famous alteration to Lord Derby’s racing colours.

Jockey Tommy Weston accidentally buttoned his white scarf through his black outer jacket. The resulting “white button” was preserved in all subsequent editions of the colours and remains a part of the colours today.