July Winner's Young Half-Brother Loves To Gallop
Pictures supplied
There are plenty of stories of horses who stood out in the paddock as youngsters and went on to become stars on the race track and one who is showing promise in that regard is the young Fire Away half-brother to Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm … and he is not even a week old yet!
Alex de Wet, who manages Owloon Stud for the German investor Christian Elleke, revealed that Oriental Charm’s half-brother by Fire Away was born on Sunday and he sent all of the pictures attached to this article today.
He said, “He is a very well put together and has very nice conformation … he loves running!”
Owloon Stud is a boutique stud based in Rheebokskloof Valley, Paarl.
The young foal is a son of the 2010-born Greys Inn mare Souk.
Souk was a three-time winner from 1200m to 1600m and was a runner up in the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes over 1400m.
Oriental Charm, who was bred by Vaughan Koster’s Cheveley Stud, was her fourth foal.
Souk was later moved to Anton Shepherd’s Beaumont Stud.
Anton sold Souk to Owloon Stud after Oriental Charm’s July heroics.
Souk arrived at the Paarl Boutique stud farm in foal to Fire Away.
Souk has a very deep pedigree and boasts Spring Adieu, a Buckpasser half-sister to the mighty Northern Dancer, as her fifth dam. Spring Adieu is the second dam of the might Danehill.
Souk has Sir Tristram, one of Australasia’s greatest ever sires, on her top line.
Fire Away’s only stakes win was a Gr 3 over 1700m.
Talking about horses who caught the eye as youngsters in the paddock the most famous story in that regard is when the Irish bloodstock agent Billy McDonald, acting on behalf of Vincent O’Brien, Robert Sangster and John Magnier of Coolmore, paid a $100 bill at Claiborne to the yearling manager Gus Koch to find out his pick of the draft. Koch told him a little Bold Reason filly was the fastest in the paddock and when it was feeding time she would always be the first to arrive.
Speaking at the Cartier Awards in 2005, the Coolmore owner John Magnier took up the story, “I was on the way to breakfast one morning through the bar at the old Hyatt [in Kentucky] and spotted Billy’s catalogue in the trash can. Inside the catalogue was a pass-out for a filly that he’d bought the day before. He’d paid $40,000 for her and there wasn’t a lot of her,” remembered Magnier.
The filly was the one Koch had informed him about. The small Bold reason filly’s name was Fairy Bridge and on top of becoming Ireland’s champion two-year-old filly she went on to become the dam of Sadler’s Wells, one of the greatest thoroughbred stallions in history.
Oreintal Charm’s young half-brother’s galloping can’t be compared to any other youngsters just yet.
However, he certainly looks to know what he was bred for and from the pictures above and below looks to already have a lovely, big stride!
Blaine Marx-Jacobson Wins First Ever Race Ride In Impressive Style
Blaine Marx-Jacobson became the second apprentice this month to ride a winner in his first ever race ride.
Giresh Dookhit rode the Bridget Stidolph-trained Smelting to victory in his first race ride on October 1 at the Vaal over 1100m and Blaine Marx Jacobson rode the Fanie Bronkhorst-trained Coming In Hot to victory in an an apprentice handicap race over 1200m at the Vaal today (Thursday).
Blaine sounded like a professional in the winner’s enclosure and said, “The instructions were very clear, try and jump out and get cover and at the 400m mark squeeze him and at the 200m tighten him and squeeze him more.”
He didn’t actually find cover but did manage to rein the horse back well after jumping from draw seven of ten. He also knew the outside part of the track was favourable and shifted towards that side. The six-year-old Oratorio gelding relaxed well under the youngester and kicked well when Blaine crouched lower in the saddle at the 400m mark. At the 200m mark he increased the intensity of his driving and Coming In hot responded again. He ran out an easy winner by four lengths with just one or two slaps on the shoulder being the only use of the stick.
Fanie Bronkhorst said, “This is a difficult horse tio ride if he doesn’t have any cover because he can pull, but he kept the horse calm and rode a perfect race. He listened to instructions and is well balanced, I think he’s got a bright future.”
Owner Dr Melandie Taljaard and Blaine’s proud mother Candice Jacobson shouted the horse home loudly and Melandie said afterwards the last time she had she such tears of emotion was when the horse she part-owned, the Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Rivarine, won the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint back in 2020.
Blaine started out as a workrider.
James Maree helped him and he was then accepted by the South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) after attending one of their recruitment camps last year.
Paddy Wynne, a former top echelon jockey and a riding master before his current role as SAJA’s Apprentice Liason Coach, said, “He has the potential and hopefullly he grabs the oppurtunity with both hands and takes the advice given to him. It is up to him.”
Pictures below: 1) Coming In Hot being led in by owner Dr Melandie Taljaard on the left and Blaine’s proud mother Candice Jacobson on the right.
2) Trainer Fanie Bronkhorst and owner Dr Taljaard with the winning rider.
Ten Einde Send A Classy Quartet To CRS Unbroken 2YO Sale
Lot 72 is a Captain Of All filly out of six time-winning King’s Chapel mare High Altar, who is a half-sister to Listed-winning stakes-producing mare Raise The Bar (Goldkeeper) (Picture: CRS)
Stefan Moller’s Ten Einde Stud sends a couple of One World’s and two young Captain of All’s to the CRS Unbroken 2YO Sale which happens on the 27th October 2024 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
Lot 72 is a first foal, an unnamed bay filly by Gr1 winning sprinter, Captain of All ex High Altar, who won six races. Second dam, Moving On Up through 8x winner, Raise the Bar; Gr3 Prix du Cap scorer, Rose in Bloom and Ladies Mile listed winner, Going Up.
Lot 106 is also by Captain of All and is out of the Silvano mare, Spirit of My Heart. The stallion has 295 runners with 176 winners – Gr1 Cape Derby hero, Linebacker is the best of his progeny.
One World is the Leading First Season Sire is SA in 2023/24 and his babies are highly prized. Lot 84 is his chestnut colt out of Var mare, Miss Einstein. Second dam, Wise Dame counts Gr2 post Merchants victors Mentor and Royal IQ, plus My Kazzie (dam of speedball, Schiffer) amongst the standout achievers of her 13 foals.
Lot 112 is a filly by One World ex Westerns, a Western Winter mare. All her foals are winners, over a wide distance range.
For further information, check out the Ten Einde Facebook page; contact Stefan Moller via email skmoller@yahoo.com or cell phone – 072 652 6602.
Lot 30 Will Attract Attention At CRS Unbroken 2YO Sale
Lot 30 is by Rafeef out of Listed-winning Jet Master mare Pan Amm (Picture: CRS)
Soetendal Estate are acting as agent for Avontuur Thoroughbred Farm’s Lot 30, Black Eagle, a Rafeef colt out of Listed winner Pan Amm (Jet Master).
This is a powerful page. All of the six time-winning dam’s foals to have raced have won. It will be fascinating to see how this Jet Master mare’s colt by Rafeef does. Rafeef is a son of Aussie legend, Redoute’s Choice, and is an emerging force. Delving deeper, note all the Black Type surrounding the third dam, Hasta Luego. This includes two Gr 2 winners Grey Arrow and Wind Chill.
This grey colt can be admired in stable C42.
Denis Believes Regent Will Be Crowned King
Picture: Dennis Schwarz (JC Photos)
Jack Milner (The Citizen)
Jockey Denis Schwarz is feeling confident King Regent is capable of winning Leg 3 of the of the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge at Fairview on Friday and come away with the R250,000 bonus.
Glen Kotzen’s charge has already got the first two legs – over 1200m and 1400m respectively – and will become the first horse to claim the bonus if he can win Race 6, the Nelson Mandela Bay Poly Challenge 1600.
Schwarz has ridden the five-year-old gelding and believes his mount has what it takes to close out the Challenge. “I’m feeling quite comfortable about the race,” he said yesterday.
“I’m very happy he has a good draw (No 1) and I know he likes the track. He can sometimes jump slowly, so I hope that doesn’t happen, but he is very decent.”
That, of course, is borne out by his form line. He has run against some decent horses and even has a win over 2023 Equus Horse Of The Year Princess Calla.
His victories in the first two legs came in totally different manners. In the first, over 1200m, he hit the front early in the straight and ran away from his opposition. Last time out, over 1400m, he fell to the back of the field and flew up in the straight to run down the opposition and win quite comfortably in the end.
“Last time I had a wide draw and he was slow away so we ended up at the back. But fortunately, I followed the right horse through and when I asked him, he just took off.”
There has been quite a bit of concern about the fact King Regent has not won over 1600m but that is not a concern for Schwarz. “It you look who has beaten him in those races, he hasn’t lost to any slouches. They’ve all been good horses.”
In fact, the runners that have beaten him over 1600m include Royal Aussie (1.75-lengths behind), Without Question (1.25 lengths behind) and Somerset Maugham (0.10 lengths behind).
He also did not run badly in his one attempt at 1800m in a Grade 3 event where he finished 1.10 lengths behind Itsrainingwilliam.
The son of Dynasty has only had three runs since joining the Kotzen stable and they have produced a 0.90-lengths third behind Without Question and the two victories at Fairview.
“I rode him for the first time in that race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and I didn’t know him. I asked him to run early in the straight and I was surprised by the manner in which he quickened, and he sort of ran out of steam.
“I know him much better now, and I also know he really likes the course. The short straight really suits him.”
Cherry Ano and Inherit The Rain look to be his main dangers.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Brooksider, 5 Son Of Erupt, 6 Lucky Spirit, 1 And Action
Race 2: 2 Oliver Twist, 1 Karoo Gold, 8 Kamaria, 5 Mo Ridge
Race 3: 3 Charlie Malone, 5 Cruzador, 8 Russian Empire, 7 Wordsworth
Race 4: 6 Purple Operator, 4 Eyjafjallajokull, 5 Dubai Hills, 1 Montelena
Race 5: 3 Slainte Mhath, 5 Great Affair, 2 Puerto Plata, 7 Kanimambo
Race 6: 1 King Regent, 2 Cherry Ano, 4 Inherit The Rain, 3 Bush Tracker
Race 7: 6 Catch Your Breath, 8 Lady Writer, 5 Beau Kala, 1 Chere For Me
Race 8: 4 State Capitol, 2 Ignitethelight, 3 La Pequenita, 9 Eat Prey Love
BEST BET
Race 6 No 1 King Regent
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 6 Purple Operator
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 1×2
BIPOT
R288
Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 7
Leg 2: 1, 2
Leg 3: 3, 5, 7, 8
Leg 4: 4, 5, 6
Leg 5: 2, 3, 5
Leg 6: 1
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R162
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 3, 5, 8
Leg 3: 4, 5, 6
Leg 4: 2, 3, 5
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 5, 6, 8
Leg 7: 2, 4
PICK 6
R1344
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1, 4, 5, 6
Leg 3: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 5, 6, 8
Leg 6: 2, 4
JACKPOT 1
R96
Leg 1: 1, 4, 5, 6
Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 5, 6, 8
JACKPOT 2
R48
Leg 1: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
Leg 2: 1
Leg 3: 1, 5, 6, 8
Leg 4: 2, 4
Dylan Cunha Gives Some Insight Into Fairytale Horse Prague
Prague (Picture: Skysportsracing)
Dylan Cunha has had two winners this week from just three runners to increase his overall UK tally to 47 wins, but on Saturday he has his date with destiny as the yard’s 10,000 Gns bargain buy Prague runs in the Gr 1 QE II Stakes at Ascot, where he is a 14/1 shot in a 13 horse field.
Dylan was interviewed by Racing TV a couple of week’s ago and gave some fascinating insight into the well-bred son of Galileo.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH INTERVIEW ABOUT PRAGUE
At The Races carried the below article on Monday after Prague was supplemented for the QE II Stakes:
Prague has been supplemented for Saturday’s Qipco-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at a cost of £70,000.
The Ballydoyle cast-off’s victory in the Joel Stakes last month was one of the feel-good stories of the season.
Bought for just 10,000 guineas as an unraced colt out of Aidan O’Brien’s yard, he was in the colours of Amedeo Dal Pos, a stable lad for his trainer Dylan Cunha.
A 40-1 winner on debut, four races later he was a Group Two victor – and now connections are shooting at the stars on Qipco British Champions Day, with soft ground guaranteed at Ascot.
“He won on soft ground last time when he took the Joel Stakes really well,” said Newmarket-based Cunha, who is a Group One-winning handler in his native South Africa.
“He worked on Saturday morning, he worked nicely and he’s come out of it really well and he’s going to get his ground. We all felt it was worth having a go.
“When you look at official ratings, he’s now only 5lb below Charyn. We know he will have to improve a lot to beat Charyn, but he’s definitely in great form, so we have to go for it.
“When a horse like him is on such a steep curve, especially at this time of year, you might never get one in this form again, so we’re going in with a good chance.
“We’re fairly confident he’ll run well, we’ve spent the money, so it is written in the stars now, we’ve done our bit!
“I’m at the sales looking for another now, hopefully someone drops me a yellow receipt with a horse bought for me, that would be nice.”
Roger Varian’s Charyn has been the standout miler this season, winning the Queen Anne and Prix Jacques le Marois, and is among a potential field of 16
David Menuisier has two fillies engaged, impressive Sun Chariot winner Tamfana and Sirona, while Nashwa has the option also.
Facteur Cheval, second to Big Rock last year, is back again, while O’Brien has left in two three-year-olds, Diego Velazquez and Henry Longfellow.
Eiger Sanction Increases Yeni/Gray Sequence To 15
Today's Question
Question: What connection to horseracing does this dam on the Letaba river in the Kruger National Park have?
FIELDS, Thursday 17 OCTOBER
Vaal
Today’s Question Answer
The Engelhard Dam on the Letaba River in Kruger National Park is named in honour of Charles Engelhard in gratitude for donations to the South African National Parks Board.
Engelhard, an American businessman, politician and philanthropist, was the owner of the 1964 July winner, the George Azzie-trained Numeral, and among other top horses he owned was the great Azzie-trained Hawaii and he was also the initial owner of the great Azzie-trained Elevation, but passed away just before his first start. Engelhard also owned one of world history’s greatest horses, the European Horse Of The Year Nijinsky, and among the USA horses he owned was the USA Champion Sire Halo.
